Israelis storm Palestinian headquarters in Hebron, killing three policemen

HEBRON, West Bank (AP) -- Israeli soldiers stormed Palestinian headquarters in Hebron early Tuesday, killing three policemen, security officials said. As the West Bank operation intensified, Israel's prime minister promised a "massive" campaign against the Islamic group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In Hebron, Israeli troops surrounded the hilltop compound, exchanging fire with police. Soldiers entered the building and searched room to room, Palestinians said, while forces outside used loudspeakers to demand the surrender of all Palestinians inside.

The local Palestinian security chief, Nizam Jaabri, and about 20 others turned themselves in, Palestinians officials said. Some who surrendered are suspected of killing five people thought to be collaborators with Israeli intelligence, they said.

The Israeli military said soldiers entered Hebron to operate against the "terrorist infrastructure" there. A military statement said a "large number" of suspects had been arrested, and soldiers had discovered an explosives laboratory.

Soldiers declared a curfew throughout Hebron, residents said, bringing the number of Palestinians confined to their homes by army curfew to 700,000. The decision to move into Palestinian areas came after two bloody bomb attacks in Jerusalem.

Israeli forces now control seven of the eight main Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank.

Near Bethlehem, soldiers arrested 11 Palestinians in the village of Beit Fajjar, the military said Tuesday. In Nablus, city Gov. Nahmoud Alol said Israeli troops entered his six-story apartment building, evacuated two floors and locked residents inside their apartments.