Clashes Erupt as Israel Begins to Ease Palestinian Area Blockades

Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen battled overnight as Israel began lifting a blockade on Palestinian territories.

Israel bowed to international pressure Tuesday, removing roadblocks that have hampered Palestinian movement and dealt a severe blow to an already ailing economy.

But as firefights raged throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, an army spokesman said troops had been forced to reclose roads around the town of Kalkilya after gunmen fired on an Israeli car. No casualties were reported.

A blockade on Ramallah, the West Bank’s business center, was eased Tuesday, but Brig. Gen. Benny Gantz said restrictions would remain in place until Israel captured a “terror” cell planning an attack in nearby Jerusalem.

Washington and the European Union sharply criticized the blockade, which Israel, at the start of what is now a 5 1/2-month uprising against Israeli occupation, said it was imposing for security reasons.

Palestinians call the closure collective punishment.

A senior Israeli military source told reporters Tuesday that the army was bracing for an escalation of violence toward the end of the month, when Arab leaders will meet in Amman, Jordan.

“There is danger of more violence, and I think the Palestinians will try to provoke the area as much as they can,” the source said. “They would like to reach the Arab summit with higher flames in the area. I think escalation is a real potential.”

At least 18 Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation after clashing with Israeli troops in the West Bank village of Tqoua, Palestinian witnesses and hospital officials said.

The Israeli army reported that gunmen opened fire in the Nablus area of the West Bank and that firefights had flared in the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.