Sat Update: Israeli troops, Palestinian gunmen clash
By ALI DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer
NABLUS, West Bank - Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen traded heavy fire Saturday during a standoff at a fugitives' hide-out, and doctors said a 16-year-old Palestinian was killed.
Twenty Palestinians were wounded in the clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus, the doctors said.
The standoff began early Saturday when Israeli troops surrounded a four-story apartment building where the army said two Palestinian fugitives were hiding. The troops called on the fugitives to surrender, but by mid-afternoon the wanted men were still inside the building.
The militants are believed to be explosives experts with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an offshoot of Fatah.
The Israeli army brought in bulldozers that partially demolished the walls of the building and destroyed a water tank. At one point, the building came under heavy automatic fire by the army.
The troops also returned fired at a neighboring house, where gunmen were seen shooting at the soldiers.
Twenty Palestinians were wounded in the clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus, the doctors said.
The standoff began early Saturday when Israeli troops surrounded a four-story apartment building where the army said two Palestinian fugitives were hiding. The troops called on the fugitives to surrender, but by mid-afternoon the wanted men were still inside the building.
The militants are believed to be explosives experts with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an offshoot of Fatah.
The Israeli army brought in bulldozers that partially demolished the walls of the building and destroyed a water tank. At one point, the building came under heavy automatic fire by the army.
The troops also returned fired at a neighboring house, where gunmen were seen shooting at the soldiers.
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