DATE=17/05/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-289903

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli forces re-entered the Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin, in search of militants who eluded capture during heavy fighting there last month. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israeli troops, backed by tanks, went back into the West Bank town of Jenin and its refugee camp, sparking exchanges of gunfire with Palestinian residents.

But the army said its forces did not come under heavy fire and intended to withdraw as soon as wanted suspects were arrested.

There were no initial reports of casualties on either side.

During the operation, the soldiers surrounded the homes of members of the militant Islamic group Hamas, which has carried out suicide-bombing missions.

Members of the military wing of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, known as the Al-Aqsa Brigades, were also rounded up.

An Israeli Army spokeswoman described the raid as a pinpoint operation. (SIGNED)

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