Israel Radio had earlier reported that IDF forces destroyed a PA police position in Area A, as part of new military directives permitting local commanders to embark on brief incursions into Palestinian-controlled territory.

Israeli forces came under heavy gunfire yesterday evening

"I have approved any entry to Area A if that is necessary to guarantee our security" - Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer

near Tulkarm, and IDF tanks advanced towards Area A. Palestinian sources say that tank shells were fired into Palestinian populated areas. According to initial reports, one Palestinian was killed and ten others wounded in the IDF action.

The Tulkarm action came hours after IDF troops withdrew from areas of the town of Beit Jala, which they had occupied earlier in the day. During the seven hours of the operation, one Palestinian was killed and an additional 20 were injured, three of them seriously.

Palestinians open fire; IDF takes Talitha Kumi ridge
Early in the morning Palestinian gunmen opened fire at soldiers positioned at the roadblock on the Tunnel Road southeast of Jerusalem. Israeli tanks responded by firing several shells at targets in Beit Jala, but the Palestinian fire continued. Israeli personnel carriers and ground troops then advanced onto the Talitha Kumi ridge and occupied two houses from which the Palestinian gunmen had fired at Israelis.

Commander of the IDF in Judea and Samaria, Brigadier General Benny Ganz, told reporters yesterday, "Fire was opened at us from three sources on ridges above us. The force returned fire and moved to take over those areas. It is very simple - if they shoot, we shoot back." Ganz added, "I am not looking to harm civilians or occupy Area A. I want things to remain calm."

"In principle, I have approved any entry to Area A if that is necessary to guarantee our security," Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer said yesterday. According to the Defense Minister, the IDF has a standing permit to enter Palestinian-controlled areas for "emergency operations," and local commanders don't need specific permission for each action.

The IDF forces remained on the Talitha Kumi ridge for a few hours, before withdrawing. "We have no desire to remain there," Ben Eliezer said. The Defense Minister updated U.S. Ambassador Martin Indyk on the incident.

Palestinians claim attack was unprovoked
Palestinian officials said that the Israeli attack was unprovoked, and that the Israelis were forced to withdraw after encountering stiff resistance. Beit Jala residents said an Israeli tank had fired a shell at the house from where Tanzim gunman Mohammed Ibrahim Abayat was shooting, and the building collapsed on him. It reportedly took ambulances two hours to reach his body because of the intensity of the fighting.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and European Union envoy Miguel Moratinos protested against the Israeli military action. Arafat, speaking after his meeting with Moratinos in Gaza, said, ''The European Union today has exerted efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Beit Jala in order to force the Israeli troops to withdraw."

"We immediately called the Israeli side to withdraw from the area," Moratinos told reporters. "During our meeting with Arafat, we received the good news that they have withdrawn," he said.

Israel Radio reported this morning that senior aides to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon described the Israeli actions as "limited operations aimed at preventing injury to civilians and soldiers." According to the radio report, Israel was not interested in escalation or capturing areas under Palestinian Authority control.

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