4 Palestinians injured in Israeli military raid in Jericho

By Awad Rajoub and Zain Khalil

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Four Palestinians were wounded in an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Jericho on Saturday, according to a local health official.

Israeli forces raided the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho, triggering clashes with stone-hurling residents, eyewitnesses said.

Israeli soldiers used tear gas canisters, rubber-coated bullets and live fire to disperse angry residents, leaving four people injured, they added.

A health offiical at Jericho Governmental Hospital said one of those injured was in serious condition.

The official Palestine Television station said the Israeli army imposed a blockade on the refugee camp and demolished a house inside.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, for its part, said the Israeli army fired anti-tank guided missiles towards a building where suspected gunmen were hiding inside.

No injuries were reported among Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli army has tightened security measures around Jericho in recent days in hunt for a Palestinian accused of carrying out a shooting attack against an Israeli restaurant.

Tension soared across the Palestinian territories following an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin last week that left 10 Palestinians dead. Seven Israelis were also killed in a shooting attack in occupied East Jerusalem.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report.