Israeli Tanks Storm Ramallah

June 10, 2002

Israeli forces have swept into the Palestinian town of Ramallah, triggering heavy fire fights.

At least 15 tanks and troops rolled towards the centre of the town, French news agency AFP quoted Palestinian sources as saying.

Soldiers were also reported to have entered the adjoining refugee camp of Amari.

The raid came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in the United States for talks with US President George W Bush.

It follows a weekend of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip which claimed 11 lives, mostly as a result of Palestinians attacking Israeli settlements.

And in the early hours of Monday at least 30 Palestinians were injured in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, in a blast apparently caused by a landmine which exploded in a house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_2035000/2035646.stm