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by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Army Alleges Uncovering Tunnel In Balata

Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Saturday at dawn [May 3, 2014], the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Balata refugee camp, and nearby communities; one soldier was reportedly injured during clashes with resistance fighters in Balata.

Eyewitnesses said dozens of soldiers invaded the city, and drove in its streets before invading Balata for the second time in less than twelve hours, and that the army fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition during the invasion.

Israeli sources claimed the army located, during its invasion into Balata, two tunnels loaded with weapons and ammunition.

The sources added that a commander of the Nahal Brigade of the Israeli army was mildly injured in the camp, as the army was breaking into and searching dozens of homes.

According to the state-run Israeli Radio, soldiers of the Nahal Brigade initiated a large-scale invasion into Balata searching for Palestinian fighters, largely in regard to an incident in which Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the commander’s vehicle, just two days ago.

It added that the commander was injured by a homemade explosive that detonated near him when fighters hurled the explosive at him as he, and other soldiers, occupied a rooftop in the refugee camp.

The army concluded its invasion into the refugee camp during the morning hours, Saturday.

In addition, clashes took place on Saturday, at dawn, when several Israeli military jeeps invaded various neighborhoods in Nablus. Soldiers also kidnapped one Palestinian at Za’tara roadblock, south of Nablus.

Another invasion was carried out into the an-Naqoura village, west of Nablus, while a number of Israeli settler militants also invaded the village, local sources said.

Several military vehicles also invaded Aseera al-Qebliyya village, near Nablus, while the soldiers also broke into and searched several homes after detonating their doors, causing property damage.

Local sources said the soldiers detained and interrogated several Palestinians in the village, to withdraw later on.