Israel Moves Into West Bank City as Envoys Start New Peace Bid
Even as a tentative flurry of diplomatic activity was underway here, the army imposed a curfew on Nablus, took over houses for snipers' posts, surrounded the Balata camp, birthplace and stronghold of the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, a militant Palestinian group. Soldiers also called over loudspeakers for all males between 15 and 45 to come out with their hands up.

Local reporters glimpsed hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the streets before being ordered away by the army. The army appeared ready to settle in for some time.

Israeli officials said the raid was launched "in the wake of recent murderous attacks," a wave of suicide bombers and other attacks, including a gunmen who killed three teenage yeshiva students at a nearby settlement, nearly all of which have been claimed by the Aksa Brigade.

The Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat told reporters that the raid was aimed at "bringing our people to their knees." Speaking from his headquarters in Ramallah, under repair from the April siege, he added, "It's as if they are saying to the world that we do not want to reach any agreement."

During the raid into Nablus and the Balata camp, the army blew up the home of Jihad Tibi, the suicide bomber who killed a grandmother and the baby for whom she was buying ice cream.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/31/international/31CND-MIDE.html