Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault    

    RAMALLAH, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militants claimed responsibility on Wednesday for carrying out a series of attacks against the Israeli army patrols near the northern West Bank town of Nablus.

    The group said in a leaflet sent to reporters that its militants opened fire at an Israeli army patrol near al-Ein refugee camp in the outskirts of the town of Nablus but it didn't elaborate whether the raid caused any casualties.

    According to the leaflet, the Islamic Jihad militants, in cooperation with al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, attacked another two Israeli army patrols in Balata refugee camp near Nablus.

    "Our fighters carried out these attacks, hit their targets directly, wounded Zionist soldiers and went back home safely," said the leaflet.

    "These attacks are against the crimes of the occupation forces committed against our people day and night, and it's also a message to the enemy that we wouldn't stop our attacks against the enemy," it added.

    Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman confirmed that the Palestinian militants had opened fire at Israeli patrols near Nablus in the West Bank, but there were no damages and casualties.

    Israel carried out a massive offensive against the Gaza Strip in late June to retrieve one kidnapped soldier and halt rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Enditem