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IDF Fires Tank Shells at Palestinian Police Post
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Wednesday, January 3, that its tanks fired shells early Wednesday morning at a Palestinian police post near the West Bank city of Ramallah after coming under fire from the Palestinian security forces.
The IDF said in a statement that its forces stationed near the Beitunia bypass road came under fire from a Palestinian police post and its tanks shot at the source of the fire.
Beitunia is a Palestinian village just southwest of Ramallah. There has been no report of possible casualties.
"The forces shot at the source of the fire. A heavy exchange of shooting erupted during which several tank shells were fired," said the IDF statement.
The sounds of tank rounds exploding and the crackle of gunfire rang out through the streets of Ramallah in the small hours Wednesday, keeping many residents awake, a Palestinian security source said.
The Israeli tanks fired at least four rounds at the Palestinian security post, the source added, without elaborating.
The IDF denied a report from the Palestinian side that its tanks had briefly entered an area near Beitunia under full Palestinian control during the gun battle.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen also exchanged heavy fire in several parts of the Gaza Strip Wednesday morning.
A Palestinian source said Israeli troops started the shooting, but the IDF said its soldiers were responding to Palestinian gunfire.
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