Israeli troops raid West Bank towns

Israeli troops entered the West Bank towns of Nablus and Jenin in tanks and armoured personnel carriers early today, searching houses in a series of raids, police and Palestinian officials said.

Shots rang out in Jenin after some 20 tanks, personnel carriers and other vehicles entered, witnesses said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties in either town. A curfew was imposed in central Nablus after more than 30 vehicles – mostly trucks and a few tanks – entered the town.