06/28/07– Nablus, Old City - IMEMC and Agencies

Israeli military vehicles backed by monstrous bulldozers stormed the West Bank city of Nablus from all sides and took over the city center, the old city outskirts and several neighborhoods in the area in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Troops supported by dozens of armored vehicles invaded the city and the Balata refugee camp. Palestinian security sources stated that the invasion was carried out by at least 100 military vehicles and jeeps, and that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition in several directions.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli troops seized several buildings to surround local hospitals. They also ransacked the shops in the area, causing great damages, and took over several local radio stations to broadcast military orders.

Reportedly, the military struck the electricity transformer in the east part of Nablus City, causing electricity failure in hundreds of residences in the area.

The Israeli soldiers clashed with local resistance and resistance fighters who shelled the army with homemade bombs placed in the city’s main streets. Israeli sharpshooters positioned themselves on top of buildings in an attempt to fire at the resistance fighters who confronted them.

One Israeli captain and at least seven other Israeli soldiers were injured, one seriously, during the clashes, according to Palestinian security sources. Israeli media confirmed the report but said that only five soldiers were hurt.

Local sources said that many Palestinian students could not reach their high schools this morning and missed their final exams as the soldiers raged in the streets. The military force sealed off most of the city and surveyed the area with helicopters. The operation is still under way with troops currently breaking into private homes.

In another attack, soldiers shot and killed thirteen residents early Wednesday in an invasion to the Gaza Strip. At least forty residents were injured, some seriously, and one died from his wounds on Wednesday night.

Several civilian houses were shelled during the invasion, and the invading forces used civilians as human shields as the army advances into Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.