Israeli troops change strategy, avoid daytime clashes

JERUSALEM — Israel's military has changed its campaign against the Palestinians and is focusing on nighttime commando operations.

Military sources said Israeli troops now try to avoid daytime clashes with Palestinian forces or demonstrators. They said the military has concluded that the coverage of the violence has only hurt Israel's international image and increases pressure on the Jewish state.

"At first, we thought we could finish this violence in a few days," a senior military source said. "We now see that this will be a long process, involving weeks or maybe months. So, we have changed our tactics."

The sources said the military is relying more on commando operations to target those Palestinians believed to be directing the attacks on Israeli targets. In contrast, the military is limiting its use of tank and helicopter fire against the Palestinians.

The turning point for the military was last month's air attack on PA and Fatah installations around the Gaza Strip. Military sources said the attack increased U.S. pressure on Israel and failed to deter the Palestinians.

Overnight Monday, Israeli and Palestinian forces fought gun battles around Bethlehem, Ramallah and the Gaza Strip. Palestinian forces also fired on Jewish settlements near Bethlehem and the military responded by firing anti-tank missiles at a nearby Palestinian village believed to have been the source of the fire.

Israeli military sources said the Palestinians were attacking a Jewish holy site at the edge of Bethlehem.

On Monday, Palestinian legislator Salah Taamari said a Palestinian was killed by the Israeli fire in the village of Hussan. Palestinian sources said 30 other people were injured.

Later on Monday, shots were fired at an army patrol at the Jewish settlement of Ganim in the northern West Bank. Shots were also fired near Bethlehem.