Israeli forces launched a surprise ...

Israeli forces launched a surprise assault Tuesday onward a Palestinian Authority prison to capture a prominent militant, sparking widespread Palestinian outrage.

The 10-hour siege fall of the curtained with the deaths of three Palestinians and the give up of a half-dozen top Palestinians whom Israel wanted. It drew vehement testifys from the Egyptian border to the northern West Bank. Palestinian militants -- who blamed the West for allowing Israel to stage the raid -- attacked British buildings, abducted 17 foreigners and vowed to retaliate.

The assault came amid a period of political uncertainty for Israelis, who head to the heads later this month to select new leaders, and Palestinians, who are preparing to be l for the first time by the agency of Islamist militants from Hamas.

The prime target of the raid was Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the Popular front rank for the Liberation of Palestine. Israel has accused Saadat of orchestrating the 2001 killing of