The Israeli army escalates its wide-scale brutality in Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps amidst a military occupation and a curfew imposed on thousands of people in the West Bank. Palestinian areas are divided into isolated cantons and are subjected to daily shelling and attacks by the Israeli army, which also invades areas in Khan Younis and Rafah using a large number of military machinery. A navy officer and a number of civilians were killed in Israeli attacks and a number of others wounded. At the same time, the Israeli army continues with its campaign of collective arrests throughout the Palestinian areas.

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Israeli Terrorism

Palestinian Child and Navy Officer Killed in Israeli Attack on Deir al-Balah

The child Mu'in al-Adini, 13 years old, was killed this morning during an Israeli military invasion of Deir al-Balah (al-Baraka area). The child was hit with a heavy bullet in the head while the Israeli army was withdrawing from the area. Navy Sergeant Khaled al-Khatib, 23 years old, was also killed and three others were wounded in an Israeli attack on the navy police headquarters in Deir al-Balah. 

Five Israeli tanks and dozens of armored vehciles invaded al-Baraka area, southwest Deir al-Balah under intense shelling and heavy machine gun fire attack. Witnesses reported that the navy police headquarters was targeted severely with missiles and heavy fire, which led to the death of the Sergeant and the wounding of two of his colleagues. A third civilian was also critically wounded - Ahmad Abu Jarad, 23 years old, was hit with a heavy bullet in the chest.

Israeli occupation soldiers raided and searched several homes in the area using police dogs as well as fired heavy bullets towards civilians and residential buildings.

According to witnesses, the Israeli army carried out wide-scale bulldozing activities in land cultivated with olive trees as well as demolished a chicken farm and a bakery that belong to residents in the area. The Israeli army also demolished the electricity and water networks.

In Rafah, the Israeli invaded al-Barazil quarter under heavy machine gun fire this morning. Witnesses also reported major military reinforcements on Salah al-Din road, between al-Matahin and Abu Holi military roadblocks.

Palestinian Photographer Dies of Injuries in Jenin

Imad Abu Zahra, 35 years old, died this morning effected by wounds subjected yesterday during a sudden and random attack by the Israeli army in the city of Jenin, while the curfew was lifted for number of hours.

Abu Zahra who works with a number of press agencies was hit with an explosive bullet in the leg fired by one of the tanks based in the center of the city. Another journalist, Sa'id al-Dahla was also wounded in the attack.

 

Israeli Soldiers Murder Father in Bethlehem

Mahmoud Shousha, 34 years old, from Husan Village died yesterday effected by critical wounds subjected less than one week ago. An Israeli soldier shot Shousha in the head from a short distance while he was closing his shop in the city. He spent 6 days in hospital under intensive medical care between life and death until he died yesterday.

Mahmoud leaves behind 11 children, 6 of whom are his own and the rest his brother's who died three years ago and Mahmoud adopted his children, as well as an unborn child. Mahmoud also supported two of his brothers, his grandmother and his brother's wife. Mahmoud's 6 children are three twins:
-      A girl and a boy (12 years old)
-      Two boys (4 years old)
-      Two girls (2 years old)

The residents of Husan took part in Mahmoud's funeral early this morning.

 

Palestinian Civilian Died of Injuries in Qalqilya

Palestinian civilian Jamal Arar, 35 years old, died today effected by critical injuries subjected two days ago. Israeli soldiers opened fire at Arar while he was returning to his village after the re-imposition of the curfew. Arar had cancer and was returning from medical treatment in one of the city's hospitals.  

 

Wide-Scale Israeli Military Activities Continue in Occupied West Bank

The Israeli army carries out a wide-scale campaign of arrests throughout West Bank cities, towns and villages today, as well as breaks into and destroys several civilian institutions and commercial shops. 

Early this morning, the Israeli army invaded Bir Zeit town, north of Ramallah, and imposed a curfew on the residents, while Israeli soldiers raided homes and arrested people randomly. Major military reinforcements in addition to wide-scale collective arrests are reported in Jenin today.

 

Jenin

The Israeli army carried out major military reinforcements in the city at dawn today, while Israeli soldiers raid homes, commercial shops and institutions and arrest civilians collectively. Dozens of armored vehicles, bulldozers and helicopters were brought in to the city.

The Israeli army destroyed dozens of shops in the center of Jenin as well as blew up their front doors with dynamite.  Israeli occupation soldiers invaded Jenin's public library using police dogs and destroyed a large amount of its belongings.

Israeli soldiers continue to carry out house-to-house searches and arrests in the city, an operation that started at 7:00 am this morning. Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers blew up front doors of homes that did not open their doors, after gathering all males over the age of 16 in one of the city's schools (Hittin School).

 

Bethlehem

Israeli occupation soldiers arrested 3 youths from al-Khader Village early this morning. Witnesses reported that several Israeli soldiers invaded the village using tanks, raided homes brutally and attacked the residents physically before arresting the 3 youths.

Another civilian was reportedly arrested while leaving his home this morning in the city.

The Israeli army yesterday confiscated The Shepherd Hotel in the center of the city, kicked out its employees and transferred it into a military location.

 

Qalqilya

The Israeli army carried out wide-scale arrests in Qalqilya today. Since early morning, Israeli soldiers raided several homes in various residential areas in the city and arrested many civilians randomly.

Israeli military forces also invaded Hija Village and arrested at least 6 of the village's residents.

 

Tulkarem

The Israeli army invaded Nour Shams and Tulkarem refugee camps under machine gun fire, raided homes and arrested several of the residents.

In Nour Shams refugee camp, Israeli occupation soldiers arrested residents in a brutal manner. Dozens of civilians were forced out of their homes and placed along the walls of the refugee camp. The Israeli army reportedly withdrew from the refugee camp at a later stage. At least 5 were arrested.

 

Ramallah

The Israeli army invaded Bir Zeit town, north of Ramallah, early this morning and imposed a curfew on the residents. A number of armored vehicles invaded the town at 6:00 am and carried out raids and arrests, especially among the students of Bir Zeit University.

At the same time, the Israeli army imposes a tight military siege on Ramallah, its refugee camps and Arafat's headquarters and imposes a curfew on the residents of the city.

For more information contact:

Marcus Armstrong     972 (0) 67 496 805 (UK)
Tommy Nielson         972 (0) 67 387 852 (Denmark)
Emma Bleach +44 (0) 77 79 116 705 (UK)
Mike Mcurdy   972 (0) 59 377 281 (USA)
Neta Golan              972 (0) 59 871 055 (Israel)

For more information on The International Solidarity Movement contact:
Huwaida Arraf          972 (0) 52 642 709