Israel Sends Troops, Vehicles To Palestinian Areas
BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Aug 14 (News Agencies) - Semi-armored Israeli military vehicles were moving towards Palestinian-controlled areas in the West Bank late Tuesday, witnesses said.
They said Israeli forces had already taken over four towns run by the Palestinians but under Israeli security control, and imposed curfews on two of the communities. The towns involved were Al-Asskara, Harmalah, Avneh and Rakhma.
Troops were also seen moving towards the Palestinian towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala, they said.
Israeli state television said, "A military operation involving a large number of soldiers is under way".
The build-up was in an area between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
An Israeli army spokesman refused to confirm the information.
The reports came after a day of outrage provoked by a raid by Israeli tanks and bulldozers into the Palestinian town of Jenin before dawn Tuesday. That two-hour incursion left a Palestinian police destroyed and prompted Palestinians to open fire on a Jewish settlement on the periphery of east Jerusalem.
Further violence across the West Bank left at least 11 people wounded, while Palestinian resistance groups warned Israel would pay "very dearly" if it tried another incursion.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said after the first incursion Tuesday: "Those who resort to terrorism will pay a political price. The Palestinians have something to lose, and they will lose more of their assets if violence continues."
Tuesday's early-morning raid was the boldest military move yet by the Israelis against the Palestinians in 11 months of escalating violence. It also represented one of the most serious breaches so far of the 1995 deal that handed Palestinians control of the West Bank.
The United States tried to calm the situation with U.S. President George W. Bush calling for Palestinians to "clamp down" on bombers, while the White House criticized Israel's raid on Jenin as "provocative".
