Israel Seals West Bank, Gaza; Terrorism Cited
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JERUSALEM — Israel sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday after defense chiefs warned that the radical Palestinian Islamic group Hamas planned to carry out a major attack.
The closure added to a mood of tension ahead of a crucial visit next week by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to try to break a deadlock in peace moves between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
The announcement coincided with renewed unrest in the divided West Bank city of Hebron, where Palestinian hospital staff said seven youths had been wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers.
On Wednesday, 13 Israeli soldiers and border police were wounded in a grenade attack in Hebron by suspected Palestinian militants.
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