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Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (Alex Levac) Last update - 00:33 06/01/2008 IDF withdraws from Nablus after 3-day operation in W. Bank city By Reuters and Haaretz Service Tags: Salam Fayyad, PA, IDF, Israel Israel Defense Forces soldiers withdrew from Nablus on Saturday evening, ending a three-day hunt for militants in which dozens of Palestinians were wounded and 20 arrested. In the course of the operation, the IDF discovered a large weapons lab that contained shrapnel pellets, explosive substances, and explosive belt, and other bomb-making material. The lab was destroyed in a controlled manner by IDF sappers. The Palestinian sources said that the troops primarily operated in the Old City of Nablus, where schools were closed on Saturday and male residents were forbidden from leaving. Advertisement Six Palestinians were arrested on Saturday, and a total of 20 were detained since the raid began early Thursday, mostly from Fatah. The wanted men were transferred to the Shin Bet security service for questioning in order to determine the level of their involvement in terrorism. The most senior militant detained was Fatah member Ra'ad Ratrut, who was arrested Thursday evening along with his deputy. Two guns were found in his possession. An IDF officer said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, in order to avoid friction with PA security forces operating in the city. The PA told its security officers, who were recently deployed in the city in a bid backed by Israel to build up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' forces, not to walk the streets in uniform or with weapons. The raids began early Thursday when hundreds of IDF troops flooded Nablus, conducting house-to-house searches in what the army considers to be the terror capital of teh West Bank. The move triggered a confrontation with stone-throwing youths in which at least 24 people were lightly injured. Troops discovered Thursday evening two rockets that were in the process of being assembled. The rockets, which resemble the Qassam rocket that has plagued communities along the Gaza Strip for years, already had fins and rods that were apparently intended to function as a launcher. According to the army, the Civil Administration is assisting the Palestinian civilian population by distributing food and medicine, as well as repairing essential infrastructure damaged in the fighting. A senior Palestinian source told Al-Ayam, a Palestinian paper, that Israel launched the raid in order to evade its obligations under the road map for peace, by insisting that the Palestinians are not doing enough to stop terror. The sources said the move was designed to deflect criticism from U.S. President George W. Bush, who is set to arrive in the region on Wednesday. Palestinian PM lambasts Israel over West Bank arrest raids Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad criticized Israel on Friday for mounting a major military sweep in Nablus, saying such intervention was ruining a Western-backed internal Palestinian security plan. "These operations destroy our efforts in the field of security, which started bearing fruits lately in a way that people felt the change," Fayyad said in a statement. The exercise constituted the biggest since Palestinian police were deployed in the West Bank city as part of a bid by President Mahmoud Abbas to build diplomatic ties with Israel by showing he can rein in militants. Fayyad masterminded the security plan with Western help after the Abbas government lost control of Gaza to Islamist Hamas in June. He said Israel's actions in Nablus and elsewhere had "a tremendous negative impact on efforts being exerted, including at international level, to revive the peace process." The rebuke looked likely to add to a mood of recrimination which has muddied Israeli-Palestinian peace talks relaunched at an international conference in Annapolis, Marlyland in November. U.S. President George W. Bush is due to visit the region next week to discuss the points of dispute with Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert said on Sunday there would be no easing of Israel's security measures in the West Bank, which include hundreds of roadblocks that impede Palestinian movement, until Abbas's forces prove effective against militants. Palestinian authorities say the deployment of their police in Nablus and two other West Bank cities, Tul Karm and Bethlehem, has brought calm, with suspects arrested and weapons seized. Two off-duty IDF soldiers were killed in a West Bank ambush last week which Olmert's office blamed on members of Abbas's security services. The Palestinians denied that charge and said they had made two arrests. Related articles: IDF troops kill two Hamas militants in northern Gaza PA forces uncover Hamas explosives lab in Nablus IDF uncovers two rockets in process of assembly in Nablus PA security forces restore public order in turbulent Nablus Bookmark to del.icio.us   'We lost a great leader' Dignitaries honor the only Holocaust survivor to serve in the U.S. Congress. Deadly incursion A mentally disabled Palestinian dies of wounds sustained in a West Bank IDF arrest raid.   1.   How Dare You Arrest The Terrorists We`re Protecting ! 13:54  |  Straight Talk 04/01/08   2.   Who is the Prime and who is the Sub 13:56  |  El-birawi 04/01/08   3.   But somebody should mind the house... 14:13  |  Buzaglow 04/01/08   4.   What Fayyad Says vs. What he wamts 14:16  |  dyinglikeflies 04/01/08   5.   Israel will not take the lead in peace talks 14:19  |  Natallie Durson 04/01/08   6.   Have Pals done anything to positively impact peace process? 14:22  |  Sam 04/01/08   7.   The first of all human rights, Mr. Fayad, is the right to life, 14:42  |  Avihu 04/01/08   8.   Fayyad and his cohorts are Terrorists 14:53  |  Brod 04/01/08   9.   a blow to the peace process 14:56  |  Leon Rosgarten 04/01/08   10.   You collaborator you! Talking from both sides of your mouth! 14:57  |  lakshmi 04/01/08   11.   Solution! 14:59  |  Levi 04/01/08   12.   Israel is one big Double Standard 15:18  |  POP 04/01/08   13.   Just think of how peaceful the WB would be without the IDF 15:30  |  POP 04/01/08   14.   Myopic Israel does not, or will not recognize path to peace 15:44  |  Ivar 04/01/08   15.   west bank raids 15:51  |  marcel 04/01/08   16.   Finding the "right balance" is key to success 15:52  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/01/08   17.   Isreal needs more `negatively impact` raids 15:53  |  dav zee 04/01/08   18.   Note to Bush: Curb your dogs 16:02  |  Natallie Durson 04/01/08   19.   nablus 16:08  |  b 04/01/08   20.   negative impacts 16:22  |  Jacob 04/01/08   21.   A stab in the back? 16:27  |  Tosefta 04/01/08   22.   ButPalestinian rockets dont??? 16:29  |  joe 04/01/08   23.   Swiss...from the munitions they found 16:29  |  Lynn 04/01/08   24.   to # 8 - because the IDF has its own agenda 16:49  |  SD 04/01/08   25.   "A western backed plan" 16:53  |  Roger Bannister 04/01/08   26.   THE REST OF THE STORY 16:53  |  NEIL GOLAN 04/01/08   27.   To idiotic #3: Path to peace 16:54  |  Frank 04/01/08   28.   To #7: Peace partners 16:55  |  Frank 04/01/08   29.   West bank raids 16:56  |  rm 04/01/08   30.   To #3 comprehensive peace with all of its neighbours 17:02  |  Levi 04/01/08   31.   How Stupid Do TheyThink We Jews Are? 17:10  |  Dave Levy 04/01/08   32.   #2 ,YOUR ARE. POP 17:13  |  NEIL GOLAN 04/01/08   33.   Its unfair that they can fire kassams + katyushas 17:14  |  eddie 04/01/08   34.   IDF UNDERMINES TERROR ACTIONS 17:14  |  Iskander 04/01/08   35.   Fayyad and his terrorists 17:21  |  Brod 04/01/08   36.   to #7 Like the PA policemen 17:24  |  Levi 04/01/08   37.   IVAR ESTONIA 17:36  |  NEIL GOLAN 04/01/08   38.   What Salam Fayad says is only what he has to say 17:42  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 04/01/08   39.   #1,2,and 3...get you heads out of your asses 17:44  |  DR 04/01/08   40.   #8 b. The answer is in your question.! 17:52  |  Stephen. 04/01/08   41.   How ungrateful 18:11  |  KUTW 04/01/08   42.   "Pal security plan" 18:14  |  KUTW 04/01/08   43.   IDF must pull out of West Bank and secure Judea and Samaria 18:15  |  Boris 04/01/08   44.   IDF must pull out of West Bank and secure Judea and Samaria 18:15  |  Boris 04/01/08   45.   POP is one pompous Israel-basher who does not believe 18:24  |  Marwan مروان خوري 04/01/08   46.   Meaning that the PA Police were the terrorists again 18:26  |  Gee 04/01/08   47.   Creating the next "Non Partner in Peace" 18:30  |  Labhras 04/01/08   48.   #2 without IDF you mean without Israel? If by that you mean 18:31  |  Marwan مروان خوري 04/01/08   49.   #11 eddie errs 18:35  |  Boycott 04/01/08   50.   #14 Levi 18:37  |  Boycott 04/01/08   51.   Can you read Natallie? 18:43  |  leo 04/01/08   52.   acting against our own quislings 18:49  |  Israeli 04/01/08   53.   A stab in the back? 18:49  |  Tosefta 04/01/08   54.   #2 POP you fool 19:01  |  * BEN JABO 04/01/08   55.   palestinian security services 19:06  |  real vision 04/01/08   56.   IDF in Nablus & Blackwater in Baghdad 19:07  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   57.   IDF in Nablus & Blackwater in Baghdad - 2 19:19  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   58.   Brod - Do You Hate Universally? 19:24  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   59.   # 2 - POP 19:25  |  MichaelF 04/01/08   60.   What a hypocrite! 19:27  |  MichaelF 04/01/08   61.   #21 - Boris 19:29  |  MichaelF 04/01/08   62.   16 Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 19:34  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   63.   With respect, i recall they said are enable to keep it secure 19:45  |  Simon Mohammed 04/01/08   64.   IDF would not have to go in if PA did its job 20:14  |  Marwan مروان خوري 04/01/08   65.   The U.S. probably ordered the raid.! 20:17  |  Stephen. 04/01/08   66.   Pop #1,2 20:26  |  Jon 04/01/08   67.   A stab in the back? 20:47  |  Tosefta 04/01/08   68.   Haaretz a Jewish disgrace. 21:06  |  Angry Jew 04/01/08   69.   Israel security 21:09  |  Gregor 04/01/08   70.   #31 - MichaelF 21:22  |  Boris 04/01/08   71.   To 34 - Mr Khoury 21:25  |  A Christian 04/01/08   72.   Arrest raids destroy your peace efforts? Really? 22:44  |  Mark 04/01/08   73.   A terrorist in a suit is still a terrorist. 22:47  |  Mark 04/01/08   74.   #71 Christian 22:47  |  * BEN JABO 04/01/08   75.   @ 7 Your comment is right on the mark! 22:52  |  Yael 04/01/08   76.   #71 Christian. While I symapthize with the inconvenience 23:16  |  Marwan مروان خوري 04/01/08   77.   I meant 64 23:18  |  A Christian 04/01/08   78.   The occupied protecting the occupier 23:20  |  BIG 04/01/08   79.   #64 Is that so, Marwan? 02:23  |  Johnboy 05/01/08   80.   #71 THANK YOU For Your Comments. THIS CHRISTIAN Wishes You Well! 02:46  |  Proud Pal Defender 05/01/08   81.   With resp to fighting terror:Fayad=Abbas=Hamas=Iran=Syr=Saudi=etc 02:48  |  Pavel 05/01/08   82.   #68 Angry Jew 07:33  |  * BEN JABO 05/01/08   83.   #71 A CHRISTIAN 08:02  |  DANNY 05/01/08   84.   "It`s ALL About Me" Attitude 08:19  |  DoubleClick 05/01/08   85.   If the Pals wouldn`t ambush and murder two Israelis . . . 08:49  |  Jason 05/01/08   86.   ITS ALL SUCH A JOKE ! ARABS BEING CALLED PALESTINIANS...... 09:02  |  Dagma 05/01/08   87.   Palestinian PM lambasts Israel over W.B. arest raids 09:02  |  Martin List, M.D. 05/01/08   88.   the only honorable thing to do for the PA is 09:17  |  rm 05/01/08   89.   #94 double clack pt 2 and history 09:26  |  victor hardman 05/01/08   90.   Will the REAL PALESTINIANS PLEASE stand up! 11:21  |  Arrabella 05/01/08   91.   SEEK PEACE Regardless Of The Raids/Israel`s Peace Sabotage! 12:09  |  Proud Pal Defender 05/01/08   92.   Mr Khoury - I challenge you 12:09  |  A Christian 05/01/08   93.   Mr Khoury - I challenge you !! 12:16  |  A Christian 05/01/08   94.   to #83 danny 12:21  |  A Christian 05/01/08   95.   To Danny.. by the way 12:26  |  A Christian 05/01/08   96.   PALESTINE that once was and never will be. 12:30  |  Dolly 05/01/08   97.   #94 A CHRISTIAN 12:52  |  danny 05/01/08   98.   #95 a christian 13:00  |  danny 05/01/08   99.   let me remind you 2 israeli soldiers were killed 13:00  |  Joey 05/01/08   100.   it`s time to end the the two faces of israel 13:03  |  eric 05/01/08   101.   This of course will stop 13:51  |  JW 05/01/08   102.   # 35 Brod You saiid it in very few words, thank you! 14:12  |  Petra 05/01/08   103.   Words vs. Action: Israel vs. Palestinian 14:19  |  British Leftie 05/01/08   104.   #13 POP 14:36  |  MR 05/01/08   105.   A Christian - you deserve your treatement 14:40  |  Johnny 05/01/08   106.   JW you of course never had 14:46  |  Johnny 05/01/08   107.   When the Ha`aretz editor 14:49  |  rich 05/01/08   108.   Mark of Lewiston #58 15:12  |  Brod 05/01/08   109.   For Rich on the Haaretz editor-in-chief # 107 15:50  |  Clickfool 05/01/08   110.   My kkk membership is about to expire 17:05  |  * BEN JABO 05/01/08   111.   Just like the raids the Gestapo used to make, kidnappings & all 17:07  |  POP 05/01/08   112.   The SS used kidnappings & raids to imprison people too 17:08  |  POP 05/01/08   113.   # 10 lakshmi.......... Right!! 17:11  |  Lynn 05/01/08   114.   Gaza withdraw a mistake - #95 Christian 17:12  |  William 05/01/08   115.   # 71 Christian....some how and some way 17:21  |  Lynn 05/01/08   116.   108 Brod - Too Many Serving Loyally and Efectively 17:28  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/01/08   117.   Rusty and Bent Pipes 17:34  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/01/08   118.   #79 Johnboy - see your back & pretending 17:45  |  * BEN JABO 05/01/08   119.   Yeah, Clickfool...but...! 17:45  |  Buzaglow 05/01/08   120.   #86 Dagma 17:46  |  Boycott 05/01/08   121.   #95 Christian - You cannot deny the facts 17:57  |  * BEN JABO 05/01/08   122.   Nablus raid 17:58  |  geroge 05/01/08   123.   The REAL Pals are NOMADIC animals 18:26  |  Cristo 05/01/08   124.   #122 George 18:28  |  British Leftie 05/01/08   125.   pa`s security plan 18:29  |  just me 05/01/08   126.   #10 Lakshmi Democratically elected goverment 19:31  |  H 05/01/08   127.   who`s the boss? 20:52  |  rm 05/01/08   128.   pop 21:17  |  evelyn-the christian 05/01/08   129.   A precautionary measure 21:41  |  Colin Wright 05/01/08   130.   3-days operation 21:44  |  Shmuelshachor 05/01/08   131.   NABLUS INVADED BY FASCISTS 21:46  |  JH 05/01/08   132.   Yo, Cristo 00:59  |  Angela 06/01/08   133.   A Christian 01:39  |  Gina 06/01/08   134.   Mark of Lewiston #116 05:29  |  Brod 06/01/08   135.   Brod and Gina...now there would be a nice couple 22:54  |  Ibrahim 14/02/08

Today Online Nasrallah: Blood of Mughniyah will lead to Israel's elimination Responses: 243 Israeli embassies on high alert following Mughniyah killing Responses: 70 Yossi Melman: It's not whether Hezbollah will respond, but how Responses: 92 Ballistic expert: Israel ignoring option of U.S. anti-rocket system Responses: 101 Shmuel Rosner: Israel has always been involved in U.S. elections Responses: 30 Rosner's Domain The U.S. and Mughniyah / Not just 'who' but also 'where' Most blatant example of Israeli interference in American election How Lantos was different (WTR) Poll: Was killing Mughniyah both justified and wise? Guest: Bush is a friend very wise and courageous More Headlines 21:16 Livni: Israel knows how to handle Hezbollah threats 23:06 Nasrallah: Mughniyah's blood will lead to elimination of Israel 21:21 Dignitaries honor Tom Lantos; Livni: World lost a great leader 22:35 Damascus: Syrians to sue U.S. for selling weapons to Israel 15:33 IDF bombs Gaza buildings used for launching rockets at Israel 19:10 French President sparks row over religion, Holocaust studies 22:40 UN examines damage caused by Qassam rockets, Israeli sanctions 22:28 Hamas delegation visits Egypt, demands Rafah crossing be reopened 21:47 Gazans celebrate Valentine's Day as Hamas looks the other way 21:01 Brazilian FM: Assad ready to launch dialogue with Israel 16:10 Ballistic expert: Israel ignoring option of U.S. anti-rocket system 20:50 Mentally disabled Palestinian dies of wounds sustained in IDF raid 23:07 Condition improves for Sderot boy severely injured by Qassam Previous Editions Select Day 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan

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