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Balata Palestinians in Standoff with PA
(Gulf News-Dubai) Nasouh Nazzal - Nablus, the West Bank's largest city, has been the focus of a standoff between local residents and the Palestinian Authority this week. The two main entrances of the Balata refugee camp, east of the city, have been closed off with burning tires to deny access to PA security forces. On Tuesday night, a significant PA force raided the camp, conducting house-to-house searches in an operation that lasted till the morning. Tens of masked, armed members of Fatah came out in yet another march, firing in the air to send what they labeled a last warning to the Palestinian security forces to stay away, stop arrests, suspend weapon seizures, and return seized weapons - or face confrontation. Sources in Balata said the armed group enjoys significant support from local residents.