IDF operation in Nablus over; explosives lab destroyed
Three-day operation in West Bank town concludes after forces apprehend 20 wanted suspects, uncover weapons cache, explosives lab. Palestinian officials say raids ruin PA's security plan in town
Following three days of intense operations in Nablus, IDF forces left the West Bank town Saturday afternoon, after apprehending 20 wanted suspects and uncovering a weapons cache and an explosives lab. This week's operation was one of the largest conducted by the IDF in the West Bank in recent months.
Army forces on a large scale, including special paratrooper, Golani and Border Guard units, entered Nablus' old quarter Wednesday night, and were met with extensive disturbances by locals, including stone throwing and the hurling of Molotov cocktails at soldiers.
None of the soldiers was injured in the clashes.
An army official told Ynet: "All of the operation's objectives have been obtained. We arrested 10 senior suspects. We uncovered the foundation for manufacturing Qassams in Nablus. We operated in the Qasbah (the town's old quarter), which is a complicated area to operate in.
"We also operated within the Qasbah's underground area, which is used as a hiding place by wanted suspects and as the location of weapons caches. We entered tunnels and underground spaces. Each hiding place was blown up after it has been scanned by soldiers."
IDF soldiers in Nablus (Photo: AFP)
Palestinian sources reported that several businesses and residential buildings were destroyed during the operation, and that at least 40 residents were injured.
In the course of the operation, soldiers uncovered an arms cache and an explosives lab containing an explosives belt and other munitions. The explosives were detonated by IDF sappers.
'Operation undermining security plan
The Palestinians, on their part, said that the Israeli raids were aimed at undermining understandings reached in the Annapolis conference and destroying the town's economy. Nablus Mayor Jamal Muhaissen charged that the raids sought to turn Nablus "from the capital of Palestinian economy to a catastrophe-ridden town."
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also criticized Israel on Friday for the operation, saying such intervention was ruining a Western-backed internal Palestinian security plan.
"These operations destroy our efforts in the field of security, which started bearing fruits lately in a way that people felt the change," Fayyad said in a statement.
