NABLUS, February 25, 2007, (WAFA)-Scores of Israeli jeeps and armoured vehicles swept on Sunday into the West Bank(WB) city of Nablus and placed tens of thousands of Palestinians under curfew, security sources said.

They added that at least 80 jeeps, backing several bulldozers, moved into Nablus city and conducted a wide search campaign into citizens houses as well as snipers took positions on the top roofs, specially in the Old City and the neighbourhood of Reafedia hospital.

Israeli troops placed over 50,000 people under curfew in the center of the city and closed the main entrance in it, calling on via loudspeakers on what Israel called them "wanted" to hand themselves.

Schools and a university in the city announced that they had canceled studies due to the curfew.

M.H.(10:00 P)(08:00 GMT)