Dozens injured in West Bank clashes

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TAMOUN, West Bank, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli soldiers erupted in the West Bank village of Tamoun south of Jenin, wounding dozens, officials said.

The violence occurred early Tuesday when special Israeli undercover troops operating in the village to arrest Islamic Jihad operatives were exposed, Israeli media reports said. Palestinian Red Crescent officials said some 30 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas. Three soldiers were lightly injured in the clashes, Army Radio said.

Clashes began when locals identified the special Israeli undercover unit disguised as vegetable vendors. The Israeli army declared the village a closed military zone and dispatched additional soldiers to assist in extricating the special unit from the village and deal with the clashes.

Said Ahmed Asaad told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an Israeli soldiers arrested Islamic Jihad operative Murad Bani Odeh.