Palestinian security officers and militants exchanged heavy fire in the West Bank city of Nablus on Monday, injuring three people and paralyzing the downtown area. At least one of the casualties was a bystander, rescue officials said.
The clash between the police and militants from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - Fatah's military wing -terrified residents and shoppers in the bustling city center, prompting them to shutter their windows and flee the area.
Police and the gunmen sped through the streets and ran over rooftops, shooting at each other.
"I saw, from where I was, dozens of Palestinian police and gunmen chasing each other and shooting," said Ghassan Tabila, a street vendor.
Tensions had been high in the city, known as a hotbed of militant activity, since police officers last week
confiscated the car of an Al-Aqsa militant. The group responded days later by shooting at a police car, injuring an officer.
Police had put out notice that they were searching for three members of the group before the fight
erupted Monday.
In the past, clashes between Al-Aqsa and Palestinian security have been rare.