Israeli army withdraws from streets of Nablus

Date: 27 / 02 / 2007 Time: 12:34
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=19896

Nablus - Ma'an - Three days after the launch of 'Operation Warm Winter', the Israeli troops appear to have withdrawn from the centre of the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday morning.

The inhabitants are cautiously venturing back into the streets and shopkeepers are returning to their stores, where they are finding their doors broken and the contents of their shops ruined, our correspondent in Nablus has reported. The people of Nablus are still afraid that the Israeli forces might return to the city suddenly, especially after an Israeli officer announced that the Israeli military operation is still ongoing.

Palestinians in the city have also participated in burying the body of Anan Tibi, 42, who was killed by the Israeli forces on Monday. They took his body from Rafidia hospital to his house and then to the cemetery on Tuesday morning.

Palestinian security sources have warned the city's inhabitants to remain alert as there might be some soldiers hidden in the old city.

One of the so-called 'wanted' men said that the operation failed as the Israeli forces failed to arrest any of the "wanted Palestinians". He said that they are all safe and are threatening to continue their resistance and struggle against Israel.

From their side, the Israelis claim that they have arrested five 'wanted' men and discovered three laboratories for explosives in the city.

The Israeli forces conducted a fierce incursion of the city from Sunday morning to Tuesday morning. They imposed a strict curfew on the city, including blockading the city's hospitals, and occupied several residential homes. A school was converted into a detention and interrogation centre.

The Israeli troops faced fierce resistance in the streets of the old city at the start of the siege. Two Israeli soldiers were reportedly injured on the first day and many Israeli vehicles were damaged.

(Photo : Palestinian Paramedics try to rid wounded youth from Israeli soldiers inside the Old city of the West Bank city of Nablus February 26, 2007. MaanImages/Rami Swidan)