Woman dies in Israeli raid in Jenin

Israeli forces backed by tanks and combat helicopters raided the West Bank town of Jenin today, sparking a gun battle that killed a Palestinian woman in her home.

Israeli forces entered Jenin in search for gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a militant group linked to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement.

A 23-year-old Palestinian woman was killed in her home during the fighting, Palestinian hospital officials said. The circumstances of her death were not immediately known.

An Agence France Presse photographer was shot in the leg, the officials said.

Israel often operates in Palestinian population centres, going house-to-house in a search for fugitives and arms caches.

Earlier, the army lifted a five-day closure it had clamped on the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Palestinian workers were permitted to enter Israel and the Erez Industrial Zone in the Gaza Strip, the army said in a statement.

The army often prevents Palestinians from entering Israel during Jewish holidays. Palestinian suicide bombers have attacked public places during holidays several times in the past.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that tensions between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and army chief Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon had risen due to a disagreement over the Israeli leader’s plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza.

Sharon and Yaalon both denied the reports. However, top military officials appear to have misgivings about the plan, which could entail Israel evacuating most of its settlements in Gaza.

Violence has increased in Gaza since Sharon made his ideas public last month, with both sides trying to portray a withdrawal as a victory.

Mohammed Deif, the chief Hamas bombmaker who tops Israel’s wanted list, said Hamas played a key role in forcing Israel to consider leaving Gaza. Deif, who survived several Israeli assassination attempts, had never before given an interview.

“The Israeli collapse is near, with God’s support. It’s closer than they imagine. We will witness the victory with our own eyes,” Deif said on the Hamas web site.

“Their criminal Sharon, who always refused any peaceful solutions, saying they are treason against Israel, the one who came to eliminate the resistance ... he is the same Sharon who has now decided on a total evacuation and full withdrawal from Gaza,” Deif said.