Palestinian seriously wounded by IDF fire in Nablus arrest raid

Ten Palestinians were wounded by live fire and rubber bullets during an Israel Defense Forces arrest operation in Nablus on Wednesday morning.

The soldiers had reportedly entered the city in 40 armored jeeps backed up by Apache helicopters. Palestinians said the soldiers were seeking to arrest Hamas operative Muhammad Zarloul and Fatah militant Rami Hanfar.

According to the IDF, soldiers surrounded a house in the West Bank city containing two wanted militants. As the two men exited the house to turn themselves in to the IDF, shots were fired at the soldiers from outside the house. The soldiers returned fire and hit a third armed man who was outside the house.

During the operation, dozens of Palestinian youths threw firebombs, rocks and iron bars at the IDF soldiers, Palestinian witnesses said. Border Police troops called to the scene opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas grenades, Israel Radio reported.

The IDF reported that those wounded in the clashes were wanted Palestinian militants.

Palestinian sources, however, said that among the wounded is a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head. The boy was rushed to the hospital in very serious condition.

Palestinian medics said two other people were wounded by live fire and seven others were wounded by rubber bullets.

IDF arrests 9 in West BankIDF soldiers arrested before dawn on Wednesday nine wanted Palestinian militants in the West Bank.

During an operation in Bethlehem, firebombs were thrown at Border Police working in the area. There were no casualties.

	Palestinian paramedics carrying a wounded boy during clashes with IDF troops in Nablus on Wednesday. (Reuters)