JENIN, West Bank (AFP) - A force of more than 70 Israeli military vehicles rumbled into the northern West Bank town of Jenin at dawn, sparking firefights with Palestinian militants in what Israeli army sources described as a "routine operation."
Palestinian security officials said the Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinians, although it was not immediately known how many.
Israeli military sources said that two activists of the Hamas organization were detained at the start of the operation. They said the incursion was aimed at seizing "wanted terrorists."
The troops surrounded several buildings, including Jenin's hospital, and Palestinians opened fire on them, Palestinian officials said.