Tension escalates in the West Bank where Abu Mazen's security forces took to the field (under intense Israeli pressure) against members of the Palestinian militias.
Yesterday agents of the Palestinian National Authority captured Mussab Ashtayeh, a militiaman linked to the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Nablus.
The Maan news agency reports that widespread riots occurred in the city during which a civilian (Firas Yaish, 53) was killed, shot in the head by a bullet fired by Palestinian agents.
In nearby Jenin, militiamen shot at the headquarters of the NPC forces.
The Risala website (close to Hamas) reports that after Ashtayeh's arrest in Nablus groups of demonstrators erected barricades.
According to the site, militiamen engaged in a prolonged fire fight with the security forces of the PNA.
"The city looked like it was in a state of war," according to the site.
The funeral of the man killed by fire from Palestinian agents will take place today in Nablus.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have meanwhile called for the immediate release of Ashtayeh.
His comrades have warned that in any case they will not lay down their arms.
