This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/world/middleeast/clash-erupts-during-raid-by-israelis-in-west-bank.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Clash Erupts During Raid by Israelis in West Bank Clash Erupts During Raid by Israelis in West Bank
(about 2 hours later)
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israeli soldiers clashed with Palestinian gunmen in one of the West Bank’s toughest refugee camps overnight Tuesday, as a raid that appeared to be aimed at arresting people suspected as Palestinian militants turned into an armed confrontation.RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israeli soldiers clashed with Palestinian gunmen in one of the West Bank’s toughest refugee camps overnight Tuesday, as a raid that appeared to be aimed at arresting people suspected as Palestinian militants turned into an armed confrontation.
The hourslong clash in the crowded cinder-block Jenin refugee camp, one of the chief battlegrounds of the second Intifada, was the most serious confrontation in the area in at least 18 months, and came after a summer of deadly violence throughout the West Bank. The hourslong clash in the crowded cinder-block Jenin refugee camp, one of the chief battlegrounds of the second Intifada, was the most serious confrontation in the area in at least 18 months, and it came after a summer of deadly violence throughout the West Bank.
Israeli military officials would say only that there was a continuing arrest raid and that there had been shooting.Israeli military officials would say only that there was a continuing arrest raid and that there had been shooting.
Israeli Army Radio said that one soldier had been wounded and was airlifted to a hospital in northern Israel. It was not immediately known if any Palestinians had been wounded or killed. Palestinian medics and nearby residents said Israeli forces had surrounded and sealed off the area where the clashes were occurring. Israeli Army Radio said that one soldier had been wounded and airlifted to a hospital in northern Israel. It was not immediately known if any Palestinians had been wounded or killed. Palestinian medics and nearby residents said Israeli forces had surrounded and sealed off the area where the clashes were occurring.
Residents in nearby areas reported hearing explosions, the deep thudding whoosh of military helicopters and the rat-a-tat-tat of assault rifle fire. The confrontation began as at least three dozen Israeli Army jeeps and bulldozers rolled into the refugee camp, in the northern West Bank, just as Palestinian men were leaving mosques after completing communal evening prayers, according to residents and the local media. Residents in nearby areas reported hearing explosions, the deep thudding whoosh of military helicopters and the rat-a-tat-tat of assault rifle fire. The confrontation began as at least three dozen Israeli Army jeeps and bulldozers rolled into the refugee camp, in the northern West Bank, just as Palestinian men were leaving mosques after completing communal evening prayers, according to residents and the local news media.
The move was unusual — Israeli forces normally conduct arrest raids late at night, precisely so Palestinians do not see them coming. The move was unusual. Israeli forces normally conduct arrest raids late at night, precisely so Palestinians do not see them coming.
The sight of Israeli soldiers in the camp incensed youths, who began hurling rocks at them, trying to block their way, said Muntasir Abu Hayja, a camp resident. The Israeli soldiers responded by firing tear gas, and when that did not work, they used live ammunition, according Mr. Abu Hayja.The sight of Israeli soldiers in the camp incensed youths, who began hurling rocks at them, trying to block their way, said Muntasir Abu Hayja, a camp resident. The Israeli soldiers responded by firing tear gas, and when that did not work, they used live ammunition, according Mr. Abu Hayja.
Other Palestinian men began firing back with assault rifles that they had kept since the Intifada.Other Palestinian men began firing back with assault rifles that they had kept since the Intifada.
As the chaos ensued, residents said, it appeared that Israeli forces surrounded the homes of two brothers known as Hamas loyalists, Madji and Alaa Abu Hayja. (Many people in the camp share that surname.) It was not clear if the men had been captured.As the chaos ensued, residents said, it appeared that Israeli forces surrounded the homes of two brothers known as Hamas loyalists, Madji and Alaa Abu Hayja. (Many people in the camp share that surname.) It was not clear if the men had been captured.
Mohammad Sabbah, another resident, reported hearing Israeli soldiers calling over loudspeakers for residents to evacuate a house, warning that they would destroy it. Mohammad Sabbah, another resident, reported hearing Israeli soldiers calling over loudspeakers for residents to evacuate a house, warning that it would be destroyed.
“It’s a mess,” he said.“It’s a mess,” he said.
A video of some of the clashes that was uploaded onto social media showed silhouettes of men running amid small yellow fires in the darkness.A video of some of the clashes that was uploaded onto social media showed silhouettes of men running amid small yellow fires in the darkness.
Ahmad Toubasi, a resident of the town of Jenin, described two loud explosions and white smoke coming from the refugee camp, which was established after the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel.Ahmad Toubasi, a resident of the town of Jenin, described two loud explosions and white smoke coming from the refugee camp, which was established after the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel.