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NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Armed clashes broke out Tuesday between Palestinian youths and Palestinian Authority security forces whenthey raided the Old City of Nablus, leaving 13 wounded.

Nablus governor Akram Rujoub told Ma'an that PA security forces were attempting to detain a suspect in a recent murder cases when clashes erupted with armed men in and around the Old City.

Seven Palestinian youths and five members of the PA security forces were reportedly injured during the clashes, most in moderate condition.

Rajoub identified the fugitive suspect as Hani Halaweh, who PA security forces believe may have been involved in the murder of Ashraf al-Beia two months ago.

Hani Halaweh, a leader in Fatah's military wing, Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, slammed the PA for the carrying out the raid.

"What happened today was a raid on houses of martyrs, prisoners, and resistance fighters in the Old City, which we will not allow," Halaweh said.

"We look to the Palestinian Authority as a Palestinian national project that must be protected and defended, but there are people in the PA who still chase resistance fighters when they should be chasing spies and drug dealers," Halaweh added.

Halaweh called on President Mahmoud Abbas to immediately intervene.

Tuesday's gunfight comes following heightened frustrations with the PA among the Palestinian public over its relative inaction since a wave of unrest swept the occupied Palestinian territory last October.

Most recently, Palestinians expressed outrage against the PA last month after it attempted to use its security forces to quash a teachers' strike across the West Bank.