Israeli tanks move into Jericho

A large Israeli force backed by tanks moved into the West Bank town of Jericho today, as part of an operation to arrest Palestinian militants.

An Israeli army spokesman said at least 20 Palestinians had been arrested, including a few senior wanted men.

Troops also uncovered a large amount of weapons and grenades, the army said.

Witnesses saw at least two tanks and reported the sound of gunfire in the central part of the town.

Jericho, about 15 miles east of Jerusalem, is one of the quietest communities in the West Bank. In almost four years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting there have been only a handful of clashes between Israel forces and Palestinian militants in the area.