Israelis Arrest 400 at Refugee Camp

NABLUS, West Bank, Jun 03, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Israeli troops raided a West Bank refugee camp Monday and rounded up about 400 Palestinians, as CIA chief George Tenet was en route to the West Bank for talks on restructuring the Palestinian security services.
In Israel's Cabinet, meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon clashed with the head of the Shin Bet security services, Avi Dichter, over army tactics, media reports said. Dichter told ministers Sunday that Israeli troops should remain in Palestinian areas until a buffer zone between Israel and the West Bank has been built. Sharon said Israel's policy of quick incursions into Palestinian towns would continue.

In Monday's raid, tanks surrounded the Ain Beit Ilma refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus, as jeeps and armored personnel carriers drove through the main street. Troops using loudspeakers called on all males between the ages of 15 and 50 to come out of their homes. About 400 men were taken away in four buses and two trucks to be questioned at a nearby army base, witnesses said.