An Israeli officer was wounded on Wednesday morning when gunfire was exchanged between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus.
The Israeli army was in the process of conducting a raid in the city, in which two Palestinian men were taken into custody, according to Ynet. Twelve other Palestinians were also arrested by the occupation army early Wednesday.
Abbas hints at cooperation with Hamas
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed the possibility of cooperation with Hamas after meeting with representatives of the party late on Tuesday.
Abbas reportedly urged Hamas leaders to work towards improved conditions for the Palestinian people. Despite tensions between the new Hamas led government and Abbas, the meeting was described as "productive."
Earlier, the Palestinian foreign minister said in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the new Hamas-led government believes its struggle against Israel is just, but it wants to live "side by side in peace" with its neighbors. Zahar also lambasted Israel's "illegal colonial policies" which he said "will ultimately diminish any hopes for the achievement of settlement and peace based on a two-state solution."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
