A gunfight broke out today in the West Bank town of Nablus between Palestinian Authority police officers and gunmen from militant groups that left three people wounded.

Witnesses say that 13 gunmen belonging to Awda, a small militant group which is a part of Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah faction of the PLO surrounded the police station Friday afternoon in Nablus. The group members were allegedly responding to the arrest of one of their members who was accused of driving a stolen car. Awda supporters claim that the man was beaten in PA custody after he was arrested.

This was the second armed clash between PA police and militant rejectionist groups in the past week.

PA President Abbas is facing increased pressure this week after last Friday's terrorist attack at a Tel Aviv club killed five Israelis. The United States, Israel and many other countries have asked Abbas to crack down on militants and prevent terrorism as required under the 'Roadmap' plan set forth by President Bush.

One eyewitness to the gun battle told the Associated Press, 'I heard loud noises and gunfire. I thought the Israelis had gone into the police station, but later I saw it was gunmen fighting the police. It is a real war and very frightening.'

The Palestinian Authority did receive support for a viable Palestinian state earlier this week at a conference in London. Still, the members of the European Union also emphasized the need for Abbas to crackdown on terrorists.