IDF leaves Nablus, which it invaded for no reason: AP

If you were to read this story, you’d really wonder what the hell Nablus had done to deserve being invaded by the IDF.

The Israeli army pulled its troops and armored vehicles out of the West Bank city of Nablus early Tuesday after a three-day operation targeting Palestinians militants, Palestinians said.

No Israeli forces were visible in Nablus at dawn Tuesday. But the army did not confirm the end of the raid the largest military operation in the West Bank in months which left tens of thousands of residents in the city’s center confined to their homes while troops combed houses and alleys for wanted men.

Adli Yaish, the mayor of Nablus, said the Israeli forces were gone and called on residents to resume their normal lives.

“We have to continue living,” Yaish said, urging students and teachers to attend school Tuesday. Municipal workers already had begun cleaning the streets in the raid’s aftermath, Yaish said.

But Nablus district governor Kamal Sheikh said he feared the army had only briefly halted the operation and that it would soon resume.

“I think the Israeli military action is not over,” Sheikh said.

Six paragraphs in, and all we have are vague references to “targeting militants.” We have lots of sympathy for the innocent residents of Nablus, whose only misfortune, apparently, was to have some “militants” among them.

Let’s take a look at the Ynet article, shall we?

Palestinian sources reported on Monday evening that Israel Defense Forces soldiers were beginning to withdraw from the West Bank city of Nablus.

The Palestinians reported that dozens of IDF jeeps were leaving parts of the city, particularly the Old City. However, they expressed their doubts over the possibility that the operation was coming to an end. The IDF refused to respond to the Palestinian report.

Meanwhile, the IDF concluded two days of an intensive activity, in which forces have been operating against terror infrastructures after receiving intelligence information.

During the operation, which was launched Sunday morning, large Israeli forces entered the West Bank city. The soldiers uncovered three explosives laboratories containing explosive devices, LAW antitank rockets, materials for preparation of explosive devices and additional weapons, including military equipment and ammunition.

Oh, the Israelis found weapons labs! And antitank rockets, and other means of murder. Huh. Who knew?

Apparently, the AP doesn’t want you to. Not until the eighth paragraph, anyway:

The army said the Nablus raid was necessary because most of the suicide bombers trying to enter Israel from the West Bank come from the city. Troops arrested five wanted militants and uncovered workshops used to manufacture explosive devices and bomb belts, as well as a studio where suicide bombers recorded their farewell statements, the army said.

And let me point out again, that in the AP story, palestinian spokesliars are identified, while IDF representatives are not. Yet another step in the dehumanization of Israel. Which is picking on poor, innocent little Nablus.