(IsraelNN.com) Fatah's newly-bolstered armed security force shot dead a bystander in a clash with a rival terror group in Jenin, and is already asking for more troops. In Jericho a man was handed a jail sentence for helping Israel fight terrorism.

A resident of the Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled Jenin region was killed by during clashes between PA police and Islamic Jihad terrorists on Tuesday.  The 21-year-old was shot in the head during the clashes. Conflicting local reports say he is either dead or critically wounded. 

Two Islamic Jihad men were wounded during the coordinated attack on the Fatah men in an attempt to free an Islamic Jihad prisoner who was being transferred.  

Palestinian Authority officials said that the incident was a demonstration of the new forces struggling to impose order and added that they would like to increase the PA force in Jenin to include 1,500 more men. Almost 500 men were added to the force this week, in addition to the existing PA forces, which already surpassed the number outlined in the Oslo Accords.

The arming and formation of a military force to bolster the unpopular Fatah group's rule is being coordinated by the US and supported by Israel in a bid to prevent the Islamist Hamas from coming to power in Judea and Samaria. The model was put into action in Gaza, but Hamas easily beat the group formerly led by Yasser Arafat and inherited the weapons and facilities that had been supplied by the West. In a sophisticated cross-border attack on an IDF position at the Kerem Shalom Gaza border crossing, Hamas used an armored vehicle supplied to Fatah by Russia to smash through the border and attack IDF soldiers.

Another PA Man Sentenced for Fighting Terrorism
A 28-year-old man living in PA-controlled Tul Karem, east of Netanya, was convicted by a PA court of “collaboration” for assisting Israeli authorities in their fight against local terrorist groups.  A PA court in Shechem sentenced the man to life in prison on Tuesday.

Fatah's newly-deployed forces are also committed to assisting Israeli authorities in their fight against local terrorist groups, according to the US-backed Road Map and US General Keith Dayton, who oversees their training and deployment.

A PA Arab man from Jericho was sentenced to death last month for giving Israeli forces information that assisted them in assassinating terrorists.  The man’s sentence was commuted to a prison term due to pressure from Jewish rights groups.

One Terrorist Killed in Two Air Strikes
Two IDF counter-terrorist raids killed at least one terrorist and wounded several others, one of them critically, in Gaza early Wednesday morning. Arab medics said that five terrorists and one civilian were wounded. The operation took place east of Khan Yunis, near the site of the destroyed Jewish community of N'vei Dekalim.

The IDF said the clash began after the terrorists approached the soldiers. Tanks and bulldozers supported the operation, aimed at destroying the terrorist infrastructure.

Tuesday night, one terrorist was killed and five others were wounded when a smuggling tunnel under construction collapsed.

Mortar and Rocket Attacks
Arab terrorists in Gaza launched a Kassam rocket attack on Jewish communities in the western Negev late Tuesday afternoon.

Two Kassam rockets were fired at the city of Sderot. Both exploded on the outskirts of the city, in open areas. No one was injured and no property damage was reported. Four mortar shells were also fired, all landing in open fields near the security barrier. No injuries or damage reported in those attacks either.

IDF Arrests Seven Wanted Terrorists
IDF soldiers arrested seven wanted terrorists on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.  Two were arrested in Shechem, two in a village near Ramallah, and three in Hevron.

The detainees were taken to security services for questioning.

Israeli Driver Chases, Catches Arab Rock-Thrower
An Israeli driver who was attacked by an Arab as he drove through the Wadi Ara area Tuesday afternoon succeeded in catching the the teenager who hurled the rocks that smashed the windshield of his car.

The victim subdued the attacker, called the police and handed the rock-thrower over when the patrol car arrived.

Closure of Judea and Samaria Through Independence Day
A general closure of Judea and Samaria is in effect through midnight Thursday night after the completion of the Independence Day festivities.

The IDF Spokespersons Office issued a statement nothing that passage of those in need of humanitarian aid as well as doctors, medical personnel and additional professional groups will be authorized by the District Coordination and Liaison offices.

Maayana Miskin and Hana Levi Julian contributed to this report