Conflict..

30 Residents, Including 4 Journalists, Wounded In Hebron, 18 Others Arrested In Nablus International Press Center 2/28/2006 WEST BANK, Palestine, February 28,2006 (IPC+Agencies) - -More than 30 residents were wounded, among were 4 journalists, by the Israeli soldiers in Bni Naem town, of Hebron district when confrontations flared up between school pupils meanwhile, IOF contingent overran into Nablus and Jenin city and arrested 18 residents. Medics at the Red Crescent Association reported that 30 residents including four journalists were hit yesterday in the town of Hebron when the Israeli soldiers opened live ammunitions and tear gas towards the schoolboys who encountered the IOF soldiers besieging residents'' houses in the town on the pretext of shielding a fighter wanted by the occupation. more.. IDF predicting return of ''stone intifada'' to West Bank Ha''aretz 3/1/2006 The stabbing incident at the Gush Etzion junction yesterday afternoon ended with a low casualty count: A man from Kiryat Arba was moderately injured and a teenager from the settlement of Tekoa was lightly hurt. Soldiers shot and mortally wounded the stabber before he could attack others at the junction. However, this was only one out of three incidents in the West Bank yesterday. A few hours earlier, a 14-year-old Palestinian girl was arrested at a checkpoint near Rachel''s Tomb. She told the police that she had intended to stab them. Shortly afterward, a Palestinian with a knife was arrested at the entrance to the Machpela Cave. He is suspected of planning to snatch a weapon from a soldier. more.. Israeli forces invade Beit Foreik Village near Nablus, break into homes Ma''an News 3/1/2006 Nablus (Ma''an) - Israeli forces invaded Beit Foreik Village east of Nablus City in the northern West Bank Tuesday night. Once the army began to invade, several youth threw stones. Israeli forces shot gas and live bullets at the young Palestinians. Eyewitnesses told Ma''an''s correspondent that Israeli soldiers broke into several homes in what they described as "a savage manner. " [end] more.. A Palestinian injured as he stabs 2 Israeli settlers, all in hospitals Ma''an News 2/28/2006 Bethlehem Ma''an - Israeli sources say that a male and female Israeli settler sustained injuries early Tuesday evening when a Palestian man stabbed them near the Atzion Junction in the southern West Bank. Israeli sources said that Israeli soldiers occupying the southern Bethlehem area took note of the Palestinian and opened fire on him. He is seriously injured. The Palestinian man and male Israeli settler were taken to Hadassah Hospital and the female settler is at the Israeli Tsediq Hospital. more.. Israeli forces raid northern West Bank village because youth throw stones at passing settler cars Ma''an News 2/28/2006 Salfit (Ma''an) - Israeli forces raided Maradah Village in northern Salfit Tuesday evening because, they claim, young people are throwing stones at passing settler cars. Residents of the northern West Bank village told Ma''an via telephone that Israeli jeeps and other military vehicles invaded the village claiming that young Palestinian men were throwing stones at Israeli settler cars traveling on one of the West Bank''s "settler-only" roads. Eyewitnesses continued to tell Ma''an that Israeli soldiers fired gas and sound grenades. Soldiers also broke into the home of Samih Khofash, forced the entire family into a single room and took over the roof of their house. [end] more.. Fears of new Israeli settlement as wall completed around Bethlehem Palestine Monitor/Open Bethlehem 2/28/2006 The final section of Israel’s wall separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem will be completed in a matter of days. The wall around Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem will not only sever the connection between the region’s most holy Christian sites, but will also herald the creation of a new ‘fact on the ground’ - an illegal Jewish settlement which will be home to some of Israel’s most extremist religious groups. The ultra-orthodox Kever Rahel Fund announced last year that it intended to build about 400 apartments at the site. This week their work has begun. Settlers are planning to move into houses around the tomb as soon as the wall is completed. Bethlehem’s population fears that town will become another Hebron... more.. S. Hebron Hills residents fear being trapped by second fence Ha''aretz 2/27/2006 In addition to the separation fence along the so-called seam line in the southern Hebron Hills another low barrier is to be erected in Palestinian lands. The Palestinians fear this will mean that more than 3,000 of the cave-dwelling residents in the area will find themselves confined in an enclave. The security reasons behind the construction of the second fence is to prevent access by Palestinian vehicles to a road used by settlers, and to allow closure of the four gates to be constructed in the fence if warning of a terror attack is received. The original route of the separation fence now under construction in the southern Hebron Hills pushed into Palestinian territory east of the Green Line by as much as eight kilometers, and was slated to encompass all settlements in the area. more.. An Israeli training camp made to look exactly like Palestinian cities! Ma''an News 2/28/2006 Ma''an – For the first time the Israeli military is allowing information to be dispersed regarding its establishment of training camp that imitates a Palestinian city in Al Naqab [Negev Desert] costing some 15 million USD. The camp is scheduled for completion by the year 2007. It completely resembles Palestinian cities with respect to the urban appearance and the overcrowding. Its purpose is, of course, to give Israeli forces the chance to practice attacking Palestinian cities. The Israeli daily Maariv''s website published the news, printing that the need for such a project has been known since 2002 when Israeli forces heavily invaded urban centers throughout the West Bank. more.. Israeli forces uproot Palestinian olive trees, confiscate land, & allow settlers to plant olive trees on the same land Ma''an News 2/27/2006 Jenin (Ma''an) – Israeli forces uprooted hundreds of Palestinian olive trees northwest of Jenin in the northern West Bank. The trees became on the wrong side of the Wall and are too near a settlement. Additionally Israeli forces shut down the local Palestinian garbage dump in the area. Rural Council member in the area said that Israeli forces uprooted hundreds of olive trees at noon on Monday at the town of Birta Al Sharikya''s eastern entrance. More than 20 Israeli military vehicles and a bulldozer besieged the area and began destroying trees under the pretext that they are now on lands subject to tax. But land owner Qubha says, "I have the papers that prove the lands belong to people represented by the Rural Council. " more.. Israeli forces raid eastern Nablus refugee camps again, taking 8 Palestinians to unknown locations Ma''an News 2/28/2006 Nablus (Ma''an) – Israeli forces raided eastern Nablus'' Balata and Askar refugee camps again early Tuesday morning. After daily invasions, and a week-long killing spree which left eight resistance fighters and citizens dead, including a child throwing stones, Israeli jeeps incurred into the camp. Israeli soldiers took eight Palestinians to unknown locations. From Balata Refugee Camp three of them are teenagers including, 22 year old Khalil Hanown, 19 year old Mohammad Al Fayomi, 18 year old Adnan Shibarow, 17 year old Salih Al Jermy, and 16 years old Ihab Al Nijma. In both Balata and Askar camps the invasions were relatively quick this morning. Israeli military vehicles blocked entrances with soil, so no cars could come or go, broke into homes, searched them, and took these six people away. more.. Nine arrested in Assira Ashimaliya and Balata Palestine News Network 2/27/2006 In a military operation that began Monday at dawn, Israeli Forces arrested nine Palestinians in the town of Assira Ashimaliya and Balata Refugee Camp. Local sources in Assira said a large army force invaded the town and arrested eight men, all of them members of Palestinian Authority security services. The detainees were identified as Mohamed Youssef Yassin, Jamal Abdul Gabbar Yassin, Abed NaferYassin, Ammar Taysir Yassin, Shadi Rebhy Yassin, Mohamed Rebhy Yassin, Nafer Rebhy Yassin and Mohamed Sadek Shouli. In Balata near Nablus, Israeli forces arrested 19-year-old Gaber Abu Hamada after breaking into his house on Market Street. They also broke into the houses of the Snaqra and Abu Layl families in the camp. [end] more.. Police deny Marzel, far-rightist group entry into town of Sakhnin Ha''aretz 2/27/2006 Police prevented a group of far-right activists headed by Baruch Marzel of the "Jewish National Front" to enter and tour the northern Arab town of Sakhnin on Monday. Rightist activist Itamar Ben Gvir told Haaretz that Marzel and the group will travel to Sakhnin to carry out surveillance of the town. The acting spokesman of the police''s Galilee district, Superintendent Yaron Zamir, confirmed that Marzel and his supporters planned to arrive at a meeting point near the town, from where they would continue to a spot where they can look out onto Sakhnin. Zamir said the police will not allow the group to enter the city in any case. more.. Rocket lands in southern kibbutz YNetNews 2/27/2006 Qassam causes minor damage to structures in Kibbutz south of Ashkelon; IDF responds with artillery fire. Military officials were at kibbutz for meeting at time of attack -- A Qassam rocket landed in a kibbutz south of Askelon Monday afternoon, causing no injuries. The rocket landed in close proximity to residential homes and shattered several windows. According to local residents, the latest attack marks the closest a rocket has reached to hitting homes. The "Red Dawn" alert system provided residents with advance warning before the Qassam landed. more.. Sderot to sue PA over Qassams YNetNews 2/27/2006 Town''s residents set to file suit against Palestinian Authority, demand NIS 50 million compensations for damages caused by rocket attacks -- Residents of the southern town of Sderot have had to deal with the continuous threat of Palestinian Qassam attacks on their houses for the last five years, while both military and diplomatic efforts on the part of Israel to solve the problem have so far failed. Locals have therefore decided to take action into their own hands and file a joint lawsuit against the Palestinian Authority, Israel''s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. more.. Dichter: Zeevi''s killers in jail or in grave YNetNews 2/27/2006 Former Shin Bet head says minister''s killers will never enjoy freedom; voices support for IDF''s assassination policy -- Avi Dichter, former Shin Bet head and Kadima''s candidate for the position of defense minister, pledged Monday that the killers of Minister Rehavam Zeevi, who are currently jailed in the Palestinian Authority, will not enjoy freedom. Referring to reports a Hamas-led government may release Zeevi''s murderers, Dicter said: "I recommend to the Palestinian Authority not to release these men. I vow these killers will be either in prison or in the grave. There is no other option for them. " Speaking before high school students in Tel Aviv, Dichter also said, "Israel could have sent an F-16 plane to target the prison, but we don''t wish to harm innocent people. " more.. Sub fleet chief: We can hit targets overseas YNetNews 2/28/2006 Publications in the foreign press have already hinted Israel''s Dolphin submarines have the ability to carry and launch nuclear weapons -- In exclusive interview with Ynet, commander of army''s most advanced, secret war machine fleet says submarines may be used in missions abroad; there''s no room for women in unit, he states -- Submarines may be used for hitting strategic targets outside Israel''s territory, chief commander of the IDF''s submarine fleet, Colonel Yoni, stated. "The submarine task force is preparing for any scenario the State of Israel has defined as plausible for the army," he added. In an interview with Ynet, Colonel Yoni revealed some of the capabilities of the Israeli army''s most hi-tech and secret war machine, and hinted to the possible role of subs in future military disputes. more.. IOF Closes Al-Muntar Crossing WAFA 2/22/2006 GAZA, February 22, 2006 (WAFA)- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Wednesday al-Muntar (Karni) commercial crossing in the east of the Gaza Strip (GS), media sources said. They added that Israeli soldiers closed recently the crossing for three weeks, causing global lost in basic services and shortage of food. In January, the closure of Karni Passage for more than 20 days caused serious economic and humanitarian crisis for the Gazan population, the flow of goods from and into GS, which leads to a sharp increase in relevant prices. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the loss in exports of January closure estimated to be $500,000 a day. [end] more.. IOF Closes Al-Muntar Crossing WAFA 2/22/2006 GAZA, February 22, 2006 (WAFA)- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Wednesday al-Muntar (Karni) commercial crossing in the east of the Gaza Strip (GS), media sources said. They added that Israeli soldiers closed recently the crossing for three weeks, causing global lost in basic services and shortage of food. In January, the closure of Karni Passage for more than 20 days caused serious economic and humanitarian crisis for the Gazan population, the flow of goods from and into GS, which leads to a sharp increase in relevant prices. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the loss in exports of January closure estimated to be $500,000 a day. [end] more.. Israeli forces invade southern West Bank, injure 15 year old Palestinian Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Hebron (Ma''an) - A 15 year old boy lay hospitalized after Israeli forces invaded the southern West Bank Wednesday evening. The Palestinian boy, Judai''a Abu Judai''a, was injured in Bani Nuaim Village, east of Hebron. Ma''an''s area correspondent reported that Israeli forces invaded the village with heavy shooting, taking over several homes and turning them into military installations. Eyewitnesses said that the Israelis used gas and sound grenades, while some youth threw stones. [end] more.. Israeli forces invade southern West Bank, injure 15 year old Palestinian Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Hebron (Ma''an) - A 15 year old boy lay hospitalized after Israeli forces invaded the southern West Bank Wednesday evening. The Palestinian boy, Judai''a Abu Judai''a, was injured in Bani Nuaim Village, east of Hebron. Ma''an''s area correspondent reported that Israeli forces invaded the village with heavy shooting, taking over several homes and turning them into military installations. Eyewitnesses said that the Israelis used gas and sound grenades, while some youth threw stones. [end] more.. Four-year old child seriously injured by Israeli shrapnel during shelling in northern Gaza International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Medical sources report that 4 year old Ismail Abu Showyder is suffering serious wounds after Israeli shrapnel littered his small face and covered half his body. Israeli soldiers are intensively shelling the northern Gaza Strip from sniper posts in Al Awdeh and from Israeli tanks parked in the northern Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses report that Israeli tanks fired more that 10 tank shells into Palestinian civilian areas early Wednesday morning. [end] more.. Four-year old child seriously injured by Israeli shrapnel during shelling in northern Gaza International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Medical sources report that 4 year old Ismail Abu Showyder is suffering serious wounds after Israeli shrapnel littered his small face and covered half his body. Israeli soldiers are intensively shelling the northern Gaza Strip from sniper posts in Al Awdeh and from Israeli tanks parked in the northern Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses report that Israeli tanks fired more that 10 tank shells into Palestinian civilian areas early Wednesday morning. [end] more.. W Bank playground demolished AlJazeera 2/22/2006 The Israeli occupation army has bulldozed a US-funded public park, including a children''s playground and swimming pool, in a West Bank village, witnesses and officials said. The bulldozer, protected by a force of Israeli soldiers, demolished the park in Azzun, close to the northern town of Qalqilya on Wednesday, on the grounds that it had been built without permission of the Israeli authorities in the occupied territory. Construction work on the park had begun in November and was almost completed, the mayor of Azzun, Ihsan Abdul Latif, said. USAID: He said that the project, which cost around $120,000, had been financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). more.. W Bank playground demolished AlJazeera 2/22/2006 The Israeli occupation army has bulldozed a US-funded public park, including a children''s playground and swimming pool, in a West Bank village, witnesses and officials said. The bulldozer, protected by a force of Israeli soldiers, demolished the park in Azzun, close to the northern town of Qalqilya on Wednesday, on the grounds that it had been built without permission of the Israeli authorities in the occupied territory. Construction work on the park had begun in November and was almost completed, the mayor of Azzun, Ihsan Abdul Latif, said. USAID: He said that the project, which cost around $120,000, had been financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). more.. Israeli forces bulldoze US-AID-sponsored Palestinian playground International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 The Israeli military destroyed a Palestinian playground, park and pool Wednesday, claiming that the park was built on "Area C" lands that are inside the West Bank, but under Israeli civil and security control. The Municipality denies this, but also says that even if it were, it would be no excuse for such destruction. Azoun Municipality member, Ra''ed Radwan, told Ma''an News in an interview Wednesday, "They have destroyed a huge part of the public space, including a swimming pool. "He continued, "The public park and children''s playground were built two years ago with funding from USAID. " more.. Israeli forces bulldoze US-AID-sponsored Palestinian playground International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 The Israeli military destroyed a Palestinian playground, park and pool Wednesday, claiming that the park was built on "Area C" lands that are inside the West Bank, but under Israeli civil and security control. The Municipality denies this, but also says that even if it were, it would be no excuse for such destruction. Azoun Municipality member, Ra''ed Radwan, told Ma''an News in an interview Wednesday, "They have destroyed a huge part of the public space, including a swimming pool. "He continued, "The public park and children''s playground were built two years ago with funding from USAID. " more.. Israeli Colonizers Uproot Olive Trees in Hebron WAFA 2/22/2006 HEBRON, February 22, 2006 (WAFA) - Israeli colonizers of Sossiya uprooted Wednesday tens of olive trees in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, witnesses said. They told WAFA that groups of colonizers, supported by Israeli soldiers, uprooted olive trees in al- Nawaja lands, east of Yatta village, south Hebron. Worthy to say, the trees were planted last Saturday by the Israeli "Taayush" movement and American Peace Team with the owners of the lands to stop seizing lands by the colonizers. [end] more.. Israeli Colonizers Uproot Olive Trees in Hebron WAFA 2/22/2006 HEBRON, February 22, 2006 (WAFA) - Israeli colonizers of Sossiya uprooted Wednesday tens of olive trees in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, witnesses said. They told WAFA that groups of colonizers, supported by Israeli soldiers, uprooted olive trees in al- Nawaja lands, east of Yatta village, south Hebron. Worthy to say, the trees were planted last Saturday by the Israeli "Taayush" movement and American Peace Team with the owners of the lands to stop seizing lands by the colonizers. [end] more.. Israeli Troops Wound a Child, Seal off Al Mantar Trade Crossing International Press Center 2/22/2006 GAZA, Palestine, February 22,2006 (IPC+WAFA) - -The Israeli occupation artillery stationed at northern Gaza Strip hit Al Awda residential building apartment " Al Aowda" and wounded moderately toady morning a four year child Ishmael Abu shweder. Security sources and medics reported that a missile struck the sixth floor of the building resulting in the injury of the child in his face and allover the body. He was admitted to the hospital. In a separate incident, the Israeli troops manning the commercial crossing Karni, east of Gaza city, sealed it off following a mysterious explosion roared the area Tuesday evening. In the West Bank, the Israeli troops invaded into Qabatyia town of Jenin and arrested Omar Al Deeb,24, after a house to house raid. more.. Israeli Troops Wound a Child, Seal off Al Mantar Trade Crossing International Press Center 2/22/2006 GAZA, Palestine, February 22,2006 (IPC+WAFA) - -The Israeli occupation artillery stationed at northern Gaza Strip hit Al Awda residential building apartment " Al Aowda" and wounded moderately toady morning a four year child Ishmael Abu shweder. Security sources and medics reported that a missile struck the sixth floor of the building resulting in the injury of the child in his face and allover the body. He was admitted to the hospital. In a separate incident, the Israeli troops manning the commercial crossing Karni, east of Gaza city, sealed it off following a mysterious explosion roared the area Tuesday evening. In the West Bank, the Israeli troops invaded into Qabatyia town of Jenin and arrested Omar Al Deeb,24, after a house to house raid. more.. Nablus Invasion: Girls'' School damaged, defaced by Israeli soldiers International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 As Israeli occupation forces finally began to recede from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, in the northern West Bank, after an all-out assault on the camp that has lasted for four straight days, the carnage and wreckage in the streets, homes and schools were a testament to the violence of the invasion. At least two children were killed by Israeli forces during the assault, and dozens more injured. And a girls'' school, used as a base by the soldiers for the last four days, was covered in filth, with obscene, racist and sexist graffiti written all over its walls, and its computer lab of thirty computers completely destroyed. Israeli military sources justified the four-day invasion by saying it was made in order to kill an Islamic Jihad resistance leader. more.. Nablus Invasion: Girls'' School damaged, defaced by Israeli soldiers International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 As Israeli occupation forces finally began to recede from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, in the northern West Bank, after an all-out assault on the camp that has lasted for four straight days, the carnage and wreckage in the streets, homes and schools were a testament to the violence of the invasion. At least two children were killed by Israeli forces during the assault, and dozens more injured. And a girls'' school, used as a base by the soldiers for the last four days, was covered in filth, with obscene, racist and sexist graffiti written all over its walls, and its computer lab of thirty computers completely destroyed. Israeli military sources justified the four-day invasion by saying it was made in order to kill an Islamic Jihad resistance leader. more.. 4-Year-Old Child Wounded in North Gaza WAFA 2/22/2006 JABALYA, February 22, 2006, (WAFA)-A four-year-old child was wounded when Israeli tanks shelled on Wednesday Abraj al-Awda neighbourhood in the north of the Gaza Strip (GS), medical sources said. They added that the child Ismael Abu Shweider, was hit in the face and allover his body. He was taken to Balsam hospital and later transferred to Al-Shifa hospital, his condition is reported to be moderate. [end] more.. 4-Year-Old Child Wounded in North Gaza WAFA 2/22/2006 JABALYA, February 22, 2006, (WAFA)-A four-year-old child was wounded when Israeli tanks shelled on Wednesday Abraj al-Awda neighbourhood in the north of the Gaza Strip (GS), medical sources said. They added that the child Ismael Abu Shweider, was hit in the face and allover his body. He was taken to Balsam hospital and later transferred to Al-Shifa hospital, his condition is reported to be moderate. [end] more.. Scores of Palestinian residents held at Tayasser checkpoint near Tubass International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Israeli troops stationed at Taiaseercheckpoint, east of the West Bank city of Tubas, are closing the checkpoint since early morning hours on Wednesday, and holding scores of residents there. Soldiers barred the residents from entering or leaving Tubas, a move which barred dozens of students and employees from reaching their schools and jobs. Also troops thoroughly searched civilian cars and checked passengers ID cards. There are more than 300 cars currently lined-up at the checkpoint awaiting inspection, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Scores of Palestinian residents held at Tayasser checkpoint near Tubass International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Israeli troops stationed at Taiaseercheckpoint, east of the West Bank city of Tubas, are closing the checkpoint since early morning hours on Wednesday, and holding scores of residents there. Soldiers barred the residents from entering or leaving Tubas, a move which barred dozens of students and employees from reaching their schools and jobs. Also troops thoroughly searched civilian cars and checked passengers ID cards. There are more than 300 cars currently lined-up at the checkpoint awaiting inspection, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army demolishes one house and one chicken coop east of Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Israeli army bulldozers demolished on Wednesday morning one house and one chicken coop that belongs to Ghaleb Bashier from Jensafot village, east of the West Bank city of Qalqilia. Army sources claimed that the house and the chicken hen were illegally constructed. [end] more.. Army demolishes one house and one chicken coop east of Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 2/22/2006 Israeli army bulldozers demolished on Wednesday morning one house and one chicken coop that belongs to Ghaleb Bashier from Jensafot village, east of the West Bank city of Qalqilia. Army sources claimed that the house and the chicken hen were illegally constructed. [end] more.. Four Days of Incursions in Nablus Leave Three Killed, 50 Injured and 37 Arrested International Press Center 2/22/2006 NABLUS, Palestine, February 22, 2006 (IPC) - - For the fourth consecutive day, the city of Nablus and its Balata refugee camp have been taking the brunt of the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), which has conducted a large-scale military offensive on this city, in which three citizens, including two children, were killed and dozens others wounded. Earlier today, Israeli forces re-occupied Balata refugee camp, seven hours after redeploying around it. At least two citizens were arrested. Local sources confirmed that Israeli soldiers raided several houses at dawn, and searched them thoroughly, vandalizing some of the citizens'' possessions, and arresting Yousef Abu Mustafa and Yousef Abu Sreis. more.. Four Days of Incursions in Nablus Leave Three Killed, 50 Injured and 37 Arrested International Press Center 2/22/2006 NABLUS, Palestine, February 22, 2006 (IPC) - - For the fourth consecutive day, the city of Nablus and its Balata refugee camp have been taking the brunt of the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), which has conducted a large-scale military offensive on this city, in which three citizens, including two children, were killed and dozens others wounded. Earlier today, Israeli forces re-occupied Balata refugee camp, seven hours after redeploying around it. At least two citizens were arrested. Local sources confirmed that Israeli soldiers raided several houses at dawn, and searched them thoroughly, vandalizing some of the citizens'' possessions, and arresting Yousef Abu Mustafa and Yousef Abu Sreis. more.. Israeli "special" forces raided northern West Bank village, arrest 22 year old Palestinian Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Nablus (Ma''an) - Israeli "special" forces invaded Kfar Kalil Village south of Nablus City and arrested a man accused of being an Al Aqsa resistance member. Israeli forces raided the northern West Bank village Wednesday afternoon and took 22 year old Shadi Nayef to an unknown location. Ma''an''s area correspondent reports that Israeli "special" forces besieged the home, with several military vehicles invaded from all corners of the village. Israeli soldiers broke into the young man''s home, while Israeli forces used gas and live bullets against citizens of the town. [end] more.. Israeli "special" forces raided northern West Bank village, arrest 22 year old Palestinian Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Nablus (Ma''an) - Israeli "special" forces invaded Kfar Kalil Village south of Nablus City and arrested a man accused of being an Al Aqsa resistance member. Israeli forces raided the northern West Bank village Wednesday afternoon and took 22 year old Shadi Nayef to an unknown location. Ma''an''s area correspondent reports that Israeli "special" forces besieged the home, with several military vehicles invaded from all corners of the village. Israeli soldiers broke into the young man''s home, while Israeli forces used gas and live bullets against citizens of the town. [end] more.. IDF shell fired at Israeli community Globes 2/22/2006 For second time in one month, Israeli mortar shell found near southern community of Nativ Haasara; angry residents say ''our lives are no longer normal'' -- The IDF launched an investigation to determine how a shell from a missile battery positioned in the northern Gaza Strip to bombard Qassam launching sites reached the southern community of Nativ Haasara. Ynet has learnt that this is the second time in less than a month that a shell is found near an Israeli community. The IDF said in response that the shells were empty in both cases.... Meanwhile, residents are angry. Tasa said that “it is not just two shells. They fall a few meters from residential houses, they can hurt residents, buildings, or cause shock... " more.. IDF shell fired at Israeli community Globes 2/22/2006 For second time in one month, Israeli mortar shell found near southern community of Nativ Haasara; angry residents say ''our lives are no longer normal'' -- The IDF launched an investigation to determine how a shell from a missile battery positioned in the northern Gaza Strip to bombard Qassam launching sites reached the southern community of Nativ Haasara. Ynet has learnt that this is the second time in less than a month that a shell is found near an Israeli community. The IDF said in response that the shells were empty in both cases.... Meanwhile, residents are angry. Tasa said that “it is not just two shells. They fall a few meters from residential houses, they can hurt residents, buildings, or cause shock... " more.. Qassam rocket found in West Bank YNetNews 2/22/2006 IDF troops detain Islamic Jihad member, uncover arms cache; rocket did not contain explosives -- A hollow Qassam rocket that did not contain explosives was recovered by IDF troops Wednesday in the West Bank town of Kabatiya, south of Jenin. Forces operating in the area also found fertilizers used to prepare explosive materials and a Molotov cocktail. The troops made the discovery after detaining a wanted Islamic Jihad member. IDF forces have been operating in Kabatiya for four days now. The Jihad suspect''s arrest allowed the army to obtain information regarding an arms cache in a Kabatiya cave. Troops acting on the information arrived at the site and recovered the weapons. more.. Qassam rocket found in West Bank YNetNews 2/22/2006 IDF troops detain Islamic Jihad member, uncover arms cache; rocket did not contain explosives -- A hollow Qassam rocket that did not contain explosives was recovered by IDF troops Wednesday in the West Bank town of Kabatiya, south of Jenin. Forces operating in the area also found fertilizers used to prepare explosive materials and a Molotov cocktail. The troops made the discovery after detaining a wanted Islamic Jihad member. IDF forces have been operating in Kabatiya for four days now. The Jihad suspect''s arrest allowed the army to obtain information regarding an arms cache in a Kabatiya cave. Troops acting on the information arrived at the site and recovered the weapons. more.. Armed resistance responds to Nablus attack with projectiles, doing no damage at all Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Gaza (Ma''an) - The National Resistance Brigades claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at an Israeli occupation post. In a statement issued Wednesday the Brigades wrote the launched the projectiles in response to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in general, and the attack on Nablus and Balata Refugee Camp in particular. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also claimed responsibility for launching two projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot to the southeast of the Gaza Strip. more.. Armed resistance responds to Nablus attack with projectiles, doing no damage at all Ma''an News 2/22/2006 Gaza (Ma''an) - The National Resistance Brigades claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at an Israeli occupation post. In a statement issued Wednesday the Brigades wrote the launched the projectiles in response to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in general, and the attack on Nablus and Balata Refugee Camp in particular. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also claimed responsibility for launching two projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot to the southeast of the Gaza Strip. more.. IOF Arrests 3 Citizens in WB WAFA 2/22/2006 HEBRON, February 22, 2006, (WAFA)-Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Wednesday three citizens in the West Bank (WB) cities of Hebron, Jenin and Tubas. In Hebron, Israeli soldiers stormed Namrah area, south of the city, launched a search campaign into number of houses and arrested two citizens. Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said that the number of detainees, in Hebron, reached to 60 citizens since the beginning of this month. more.. IOF Arrests 3 Citizens in WB WAFA 2/22/2006 HEBRON, February 22, 2006, (WAFA)-Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Wednesday three citizens in the West Bank (WB) cities of Hebron, Jenin and Tubas. In Hebron, Israeli soldiers stormed Namrah area, south of the city, launched a search campaign into number of houses and arrested two citizens. Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said that the number of detainees, in Hebron, reached to 60 citizens since the beginning of this month. more.. IOF Arrests 12 Citizens, Devastates Arable Lands in WB WAFA 2/21/2006 BETHLEHEM, February 21, 2006, (WAFA)-Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested twelve citizens in the West Bank (WB) cities of Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Hebron and Jerusalem. Security sources told WAFA that Israeli soldiers, backed by armoured vehicles, thrust at pre-dawn into the main entrance of Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, amid intensive fire shooting, launched a wide scale search campaign into number of houses and ravaged the contents and arrested three citizens. Meanwhile, IOF broke into Houssan village, west of the city, besieged the house of Basim Hamamra, launched a search campaign into it and arrested Mohammed Hamamra, leading him into an unknown location, security sources told WAFA. more.. Karni crossing closed following blast YNetNews 2/21/2006 IDF looking into loud explosion heard Tuesday evening at goods terminal in northern Gaza Strip, says blast may have come from underground tunnel; Palestinian source: Explosion caused by suicide bomber -- A loud explosion was heard Tuesday evening at the Karni crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, and a light tremble was felt in the ground. There were no reports of injuries or damage in the incident. Following the blast, the crossing was closed and security forces tried to locate the source of the explosion. Among other options, they were looking into the suspicion that the blast came from an underground "explosive" tunnel being dug in the area. more.. Israeli Bulldozer Demolishes House in Hebron WAFA 2/21/2006 HEBRON, February 21, 2006 (WAFA)- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) destroyed Tuesday a house in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, witnesses said. They added that Israeli soldiers, backed by jeeps and bulldozer, thrust into Orod al-Masjed area, east of Hebron, and demolished the house belonging to Najeeb al-Ja''bari under the pretext of having no building license. Al-Ja''bari told WAFA that the demolishing of the house is a racist act, pointing out that it was the second house that demolished by IOF. Worthy to say, Israeli soldiers destroyed more than 16 houses in Hebron during the last year. [end] more.. Army invades AL Ezariyya town, near Jerusalem, arrests one resident International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 Israeli army forces invaded, on Tuesday morning, the town of Al Ezariyya,east of Jerusalem, and arrested one resident. Soldiers, supported by several armored jeeps, invaded the town and arrested Saiaf Abu Roumi, 17, after searching his house and beating him up in front of his family, local sources reported. [end] more.. Explosives factory in Nablus destroyed during IDF operation Ha''aretz 2/21/2006 The Israel Defense Forces blew up an explosives factory in Nablus yesterday, as part of a major operation that the army has been conducting in the city for the last three days. At least three Palestinians were wounded in yesterday''s operation. According to the IDF Spokesman, one of the wounded Palestinians was an armed man who was shot during an exchange of fire, a second was shot as he was throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Israelis, and the third was shot after throwing a solar heater onto the troops from a rooftop. See also: Ongoing Israeli assault on Nablus: Palestinian Security denies Israeli claim of ''bomb factory'' and Security Sources: No Bomb Factory in Nablus more.. Ongoing Israeli assault on Nablus: Palestinian Security denies Israeli claim of ''bomb factory'' International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 A senior Palestinian security source in Nablus denied Israeli military reports of uncovering a large bomb factory in the West Bank city of Nablus. While the Israeli Army claimed that resistance factions used a building in the city as a''factory for manufacturing explosives'', Palestinian security claims that the so-called ''factory'' was in fact a jewelry workshop that contained chemical materials for cleaning jewels. Israeli soldiers bombed the building after claiming that it contained explosives. The Palestinian internal security source asked, “If this building really contained explosives, as the army claimed, the explosion would have had much greater impact.... the army didn''t remove any of the alleged ''explosives'' before they bombed the building.... the only conclusion we can make is that the alleged ''explosives'' simply were not there at all. ” more.. Palestinian resistance shells Siderot International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 In a joint press release, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Fateh, and Popular Resistance committees claimed responsibility for firing two homemade Qassam shells towards the Israeli town of Siderot on Tuesday at dawn. The statement also said that this attack came as a response to the assassination of the Al-Qudes Brigades leader, Ahmad Abu Sharikh, in the West Bank city of Nablus in an ongoing invasion to the city. [end] more.. Army invades Al-Yamon and Kofer Ra''ei villages west of Jenin arresting four International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 Israeli army forces invaded the village of AL Yamon and Kofer Ra''ei west of the West Bank city of Jenin arresting four residents on Tuesday morning. Soldiers stormed the village of Kofer Ra''ei, searched several houses and arrested Nidal Qatoni, 19, Tarik Melhim, 18, Abd Allah Melhim, 17, and Mohamed Melhim, 21, allegedly Islamic Jihad activists, and took them to an unknown destination, local sources reported. Another force invaded the village of Al-Yamon and searched the houses of top Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leaders, but no arrests were made since Ra''ed Rihat was not at his home, the sources added. [end] more.. Army arrests Palestinian child in the old city of Hebron International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 Israeli army troops stationed in the old city of Hebron, in the West Bank, arrested on Tuesday afternoon, one Palestinian child while he was on his way back home from school. Soldiers claimed that Hamza AL Fakhori, 14, carried a knife and intended to stab an Israeli soldier. [end] more.. Security Sources: No Bomb Factory in Nablus WAFA 2/21/2006 NABLUS, February 21, 2006 (WAFA)-Palestinian security sources denied Tuesday Israeli allegations of discovering a bomb factory in the West Bank (WB) city of Nablus. The sources affirmed that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) dynamited uninhabited and old house, adding that the IOF stormed some shops that manufacture gold and found materials used for cleaning the gold. But in order to justify his operation and aggression, the IOF spoke to the media that they discovered explosions. Witnesses live in the area stated that the blasted house was old and unpopulated. more.. Quarrel over spot in queue ends in stabbing YNetNews 2/21/2006 Discrimination against Arabs - East Jerusalem residents have filed numerous complaints in the past that the Interior Ministry’s meager services in the neighborhood are clearly discriminatory against the city’s Arab residents. --Long lines at east Jerusalem Interior Ministry result in violent attack; residents attribute meager services to racist discrimination. An altercation which erupted between two men waiting in line at an Interior Ministry office in East Jerusalem ended in a stabbing attack Tuesday afternoon. The stabbing victim, who sustained light wounds, was treated in hospital, and his attacker was taken into police custody. more.. Army closes Sofa crossing in Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 2/20/2006 Israeli army forces closed the Sofa crossing in the Gaza Strip Monday afternoon, allegedly for "security reasons. "The Army did not gave any specific reasons for this closure, although the Israeli news website Yedioth Aharnoth reports that ''weapons'' were found in a truck at the crossing. Sofa crossing is a main gateway for the transport of goods between Egypt, Palestine, and Israel. It was reopened only last week following a closure of over a month. [end] more.. Report: Al-Qaida suspect says Taliban financed failed plot on Israeli ship Ha''aretz 2/21/2006 ANKARA, Turkey - A key Syrian Al-Qaida suspect allegedly told interrogators that his failed plot to attack an Israeli cruise ship was financed by Taliban chief Mullah Omar, private NTV Television reported Tuesday. Loa''i Mohammad Haj Bakr al-Saqa told interrogators that he received $50,000 from Omar to carry out attacks against Israeli targets in his name, but Omar was against attacking U.S. targets, NTV said. Al-Saqa was captured in Turkey in August after an alleged failed plot to attack Israeli cruise ships. He was indicted earlier this month with masterminding suicide bombings that killed 58 people in Istanbul, and Turkish prosecutors claimed that Osama bin Laden personally ordered him to carry out terror attacks in this pro-Western country. more.. Policeman indicted of attacking protesters YNetNews 2/21/2006 Right-wing activist files complaint against policeman he saw brutalizing girl at Jerusalem anti-pullout protest in May; after probe, Police Investigation Unit to press charges -- The Police Investigation Unit has decided to press charges against Police Superintendent Yehiel Amsalam for attacking two protesters during a demonstration against the disengagement in Jerusalem last May. According to allegations, Amsalam used unnecessary force, partially strangling and twisting the arm of a female protester and kicking Avishalom Levi, 25, in the face. more.. IDF kills 4 Palestinians in West Bank raid, Gaza border incident Ha''aretz 2/21/2006 Diskin: IDF foiled attempt to fire mortar shells on Jerusalem -- The Chief of the Shin Bet Security Services Yuval Diskin said on Monday that the army has recently uncovered a mortar launcher and eight shells in a house in the West Bank of Bethlehem. The projectile weapon was intended for use against Israeli homes in the neighborhood of Gilo on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Diskin said. "As far as we know, this is the first time a projectile weapon aimed at targeting Jerusalem was found," he told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces last month arrested in a joint operation in Bethlehem five members of a Fatah militant cell when the mortar shells were found. more.. Israeli Soldiers Open Fire, Gas Grenades on High Schoolgirl in Nablus WAFA 2/20/2006 NABLUS, February 20, 2006, (WAFA)- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened Monday fire and gas grenades at high schoolgirl in the West Bank (WB) city of Nablus. Witnesses told WAFA that Israeli soldiers broke into high school, in Til village south of Nablus city, amid intensive shooting, fired a number of gas grenades towards the school, causing a state of panic and suffocation among students and teachers. The Head of the Village Council, Omar Eshtaya, condemned the Israeli attack against an educational place. [end] more.. 6 Children Wounded, 16 Citizens Arrested in WB WAFA 2/20/2006 HEBRON, February 20, 2006 (WAFA)- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) wounded Monday six children and arrested sixteen citizens in the West Bank (WB) cities of Hebron, Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem. In Hebron, a group of Israeli soldiers broke into the towns of ad-Dhaheriya, Beit Ummar and Sa''ir, south and north the city, stormed number of houses ad-Dhaheriya, under a pretext of searching, besieged the house of Eyad al-Hawareen 38, amid intensive fire shooting, tear gas, causing wounds of five children. They were taken to hospital for treatment, witnesses said.... In Nablus, Director of Medical Relief, Dr. Ghassan Hamdan told WAFA that Israeli soldiers shot and wounded Usama Al-Banna, of Balata refugee camp, with a live bullet in the chest. He was taken to hospital and his condition is reported to be moderate. more.. Israeli military beats Hebron teenager nearly to death 14:18 2/20 International Middle East Media Center 2/20/2006 Israeli forces occupying the southern West Bank attacked Ahmed Ibrahim Zaid, a teenager in Hebron, severely beating him Monday. Israeli forces hit him to the point that medical sources report that Zaid has bruises covering the entirety of his body. The intense beating took place in the city of Hebron at Bab Azawiah. The boy was rushed to Hebron''s Government Hospital for treatment. [end] more.. Child, woman injured near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 2/21/2006 Monday evening, one Palestinian child and one woman were injured in Al Fawwar refugee camp, south of the West Bank city of Hebron. A medical source in Hebron reported that Ashraf Mohammad Al Najjar, 14, and Mona Thaher Abu Miqdim, 28, where injured by live rounds fired by Israeli soldiers, and were transferred by the army to Soroka Hospital in Bir Shiva. Al Najjar suffered injuries in his leg and shoulder, while Mona was hit by two live rounds in her waist. A paramedic in Hebron reported that he was informed, on Monday afternoon, of injuries at Al Fawwar junction, but when he and the other paramedics drove their ambulance to the area, soldiers barred them from taking the patients. more.. Israeli troops kill Islamic Jihad leader AlJazeera 2/20/2006 The head of the armed branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the West Bank region of Nablus has been killed by the Israeli army. Palestinian security sources said that Hamad Abu Sharif, chief of the Al-Quds Brigades, was gunned down by troops in the old town of Nablus in the north of the West Bank early on Monday. An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the death of a fighter, saying: "Soldiers operating in the old town opened fire on armed men killing one of them. "Two members of a Palestinian armed group, the Popular Resistance Committees, had been killed in an Israeli air strike early on Sunday. more.. Israel Launches Economic War on Palestinian Authority Palestine Media Center 2/20/2006 President Abbas Warns: PNA Is Facing ‘a Real Financial Crisis’ -- Israel on Sunday fired the opening salvo in an economic war on the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), halting monthly tax transfers, imposing other sanctions, bracing for additional embargos, severing contacts with Palestinians, and urging the international donors to stop their aid as well, as President Mahmoud Abbas warned that the PNA is facing “a real financial crisis. ” “One can assume the lifestyle of the Palestinians will change even though this is not the aim of the government,” said the Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni. Dov Weisglass, a senior adviser to Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who helped draw up the economic sanctions, was quoted last week as saying Palestinians “will feel as if they have been on a visit to a dietician. They will become thinner, but they won''t starve to death. ” more.. Israel''s ''punishment'' of Palestine begins: 31 Palestinians killed since election International Middle East Media Center 2/20/2006 A promise by Israeli leaders to ''punish'' Palestinians for electing the Islamic Resistance party, Hamas, in Jan. 25th legislative elections, appears to be coming to fruition as ongoing invasions and aerial attacks on Palestinian areas have resulted in the deaths of 31 Palestinians, and 74 Palestinians injured since the elections. Still, the monthly total for February has not reached the average of 59 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces each month since September 2000. The most Palestinians killed in a single month during the last five years was in April 2002, when 245 Palestinians were killed, mainly civilians killed in a massive attack on Jenin refugee camp which Palestinians have termed the ''Jenin Massacre''. more.. Five Killed and 31 Wounded in Balata Refugee Camp International Press Center 2/20/2006 NABLUS, Palestine, February 20, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed five residents including a senior Islamic Jihad commander and wounded at least 31 others, moreover, 5 activists wanted by the occupation authorities were arrested in the course of a broad IOF military oofensive in Balata refugee camp near the W. Bank city of Nablus. Local sources said that a large number of Israeli military vehicles broke amidst heavy and random fire into Nablus from different directions. IOF soldiers deployed in the center of the City and clashed with a number of armed Palestinians. The clashes resulted in the killing of Ahmed Abu Sharikh, 29, top commander of Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, and the injury of 2 others, Medics and local sources said. more.. Terror cell operated from PA buildings YNetNews 2/20/2006 Bethlehem terror cell that planned Jerusalem attacks hid out in Palestinian Authority government buildings to evade arrest, new evidence reveals; cell busted by IDF, Shin Bet days before planned attacks -- The Qassam cell nabbed this week by the IDF in Bethlehem, which planned attacks on Jerusalem neighborhoods, was partially operating out of Palestinian Authority government buildings. The story was cleared for publication Monday afternoon. Earlier, Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin revealed to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that IDF and Shin Bet forces arrested a group of Palestinians in possession of a cache of Qassams, mortar shells, and rocket launchers, which they intended to fire at the Har Homa and Gilo neighborhoods in the capital. more.. Army closes Sofa crossing in Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 2/20/2006 Israeli army forces closed the Sofa crossing in the Gaza Strip Monday afternoon, allegedly for "security reasons. "The Army did not gave any specific reasons for this closure, although the Israeli news website Yedioth Aharnoth reports that ''weapons'' were found in a truck at the crossing. Sofa crossing is a main gateway for the transport of goods between Egypt, Palestine, and Israel. It was reopened only last week following a closure of over a month. [end] more.. Israeli Army arrest three Palestinians in Qabatia International Middle East Media Center 2/20/2006 The Israeli army units stormed the town of Qabatia south of the West Bank city of Jenin Monday morning, and arrested three residents there. Soldiers invaded the town, searched several homes, and arrested Isam Nazal, 24, Ahmed Abu Arrab, 24 and Fawaz Kamil, 23, allegedly members of Islamic Jihad. [end] more.. Israeli air strikes in Gaza kill two Palestinians International Middle East Media Center 2/19/2006 Sunday morning, Israeli air-force killed two Palestinians east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Army claims that soldiers suspected that the two residents planned to plant bombs south of the Kissufim Crossing. Dr. Muawiya Hassanen, head of the Emergency Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, reported that the two residents were identified as Bilal Hamada Al Najjar, 18, from Khazza''a town near Khan Younis, and Usama Fawzi Breiss, 20, from the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Dr. Hassanen added that the bodies of the two residents were severely mutilatedafter being directly hit by the missiles. Israeli online daily Haaretz quoted a military source stating that an aircraft fired at Palestinians suspected of planting bombs south of the Kissufim border crossing. more.. IDF establishes ''Israeli-only'' entry points that bar Palestinians By Amira Hass, Ha''aretz 2/17/2006 A military order that took effect last week bars Palestinians with permits to enter Israel from entering via the roads that Israelis use to enter the country from the West Bank. The order also forbids Israelis to transport Palestinians with valid entry permits via these roads. Instead, Palestinians must enter via one of the 11 crossing points earmarked for them. Until now, Israelis could ferry Palestinians with valid permits into Israel without going through one of these special crossings. The Defense Ministry''s Seam Line Administration has posted signs at all other access roads from the West Bank into Israel warning that non-Israelis may not use these crossings. more.. ''We''ll fire Qassams at every Israeli target'' YNetNews 2/20/2006 Popular Resistance Committee head claims responsibility for rocket launcher, Qassam cache IDF captured in Bethlehem; We''re transferring rocket technology from Gaza to West Bank, he tells Ynet -- The Qassam launcher and cache of rockets and mortars captured by the IDF in Bethlehem this week belonged to the Popular Resistance Committees, group Spokesman Abd al-Aal told Ynet Monday. The Resistance Committees planned to use to rockets to fire at Israeli targets, Al-Aal said. more.. Border residents threaten blackouts YNetNews 2/20/2006 Northern communities launch protest against defense cuts; Defense Ministry says cuts derived from needs of communities on Gaza border -- The heads of northern communities in the Galilee have set out on a public struggle against a decision by the State to cut defense budgets to areas bordering Lebanon. Among the cuts, the State will cut defense components given to the northern communities for dozens of years, including funds for lighting systems, fences around the communities, and other means used to protect against possible terror attacks. more.. Islamic Jihad suspect killed in Nablus YNetNews 2/20/2006 Soldiers spot armed Palestinians, fire at them; army operating in Nablus since Saturday following rise in terror warnings stemming from the West Bank town -- An Islamic Jihad terror suspect was killed in clashes between IDF troops and Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank city of Nablus on Monday, Palestinian sources said. The IDF confirmed that a senior Islamic Jihad wanted suspect was killed, two were injured and four were arrested. Twelve terror suspects were arrested overnight in West Bank raids overnight, including a senior Islamic Jihad member. more.. IDF drone crashes near Nablus YNetNews 2/20/2006 Army says drone, which reportedly crashed on journalist''s home, contained no classified information -- IDF drone crashes: An unmanned army aircraft crashed in the Nablus area Monday evening owing to a technical problem, army sources said. The drone contained no classified information, according to the army. Palestinian sources reported that the drone fell on the home of a Palestinian journalist at the outskirts of the Balata refugee camp. Drone fragments were reportedly scattered around the home. Neighbors and Palestinian eyewitnesses said that numerous area youths who arrived at the site collected the pieces of the aircraft and its camera. In a talk with Ynet, Palestinians said "the drone fell on its own and was not fired at. " more.. Israeli Troops Kill More Palestinians, Including Two Teenagers Palestine Media Center 2/20/2006 IOF Extra-judicially Kill Leading Anti-occupation Activist in Nablus -- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) early on Monday extra-judicially killed a leading Palestinian anti-occupation activist, a day after shooting dead two teenager stone-throwers during massive raids in the West Bank and killing two Palestinian men in the Gaza strip in an air strike, raising Palestinian death toll to seven since February 8, including a woman and a handicapped man. Ahmad Abu Sharkh was killed by the IOF troops in the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Monday. He is identified as a leading Islamic Jihad anti-occupation activist, the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television station reported. more.. Palestinians in IDF uniforms rob Nablus residents Ha''aretz 2/20/2006 [Life imitates the art of occupation - Ed. ] NABLUS - Zaher Hamouz awoke at 1:30 A. M. to the sound of a loud knock at his front door. He looked out the window and saw two Israeli soldiers. Or so he thought. The masked gunmen, who were dressed in full Israel Defense Forces'' military gear, tied him up and emptied his house, making Hamouz the fourth victim in the past week of a gang of robbers taking advantage of the conflict to break into homes. Hamouz, 44, who works at a bank, said the men who broke into his house early Saturday spoke in heavily accented Hebrew mixed with broken Arabic, and appeared to be talking into two-way radios as they demanded to enter his home. The "soldiers" said they had information there was a wanted man inside. more.. IOF Beats up Citizen in Hebron WAFA 2/20/2006 HEBRON, February 20, 2006 (WAFA) - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) wounded Monday a citizen in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, medics said. Alia Governmental Hospital sources added that Ahmed Zayed 21, suffered from bruises and fractures allover the body as Israeli soldiers beaten him up near Bab az-Zawia area, in the middle of Hebron. [end] more.. IDF ''Israeli-Only'' Entry Points Bar Palestinians By Amira Hass, Palestine Chronicle/Haaretz 2/17/2006 A Civil Administration spokesman said the border crossing issue ''is being examined and a final decision has not been made yet. ''A military order that took effect last week bars Palestinians with permits to enter Israel from entering via the roads that Israelis use to enter the country from the West Bank. The order also forbids Israelis to transport Palestinians with valid entry permits via these roads. Instead, Palestinians must enter via one of the 11 crossing points earmarked for them. Until now, Israelis could ferry Palestinians with valid permits into Israel without going through one of these special crossings. more.. Defense establishment proposes reducing ties with PA as of Sunday Ha''aretz 2/17/2006 The defense establishment plans to advise Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to start taking steps to reduce Israel''s ties with the Palestinian Authority as of Sunday, the day after the Hamas-led Palestinian parliament takes office. According to the proposal, which was presented to Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Thursday and will be presented to Olmert on Friday, Israel would announce a series of measures on Sunday: a freeze on further transfers of the tax revenues that Israel collects on behalf of the PA; a ban on the entry of workers from the Gaza Strip into Israel; a ban on the movement of Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank; freezing a plan to upgrade the crossing points between the territories and Israel; freezing plans to build a port and airport in Gaza; and preventing transfers of military equipment to the PA from foreign countries, such as donations of armored personnel carriers and communications gear. more.. Israelis shoot unarmed Palestinian AlJazeera 2/16/2006 Israeli occupation forces have shot an unarmed, mentally impaired Palestinian man at close range near the Gaza border fence, Palestinian and Israeli sources say. Mofeed Abu Imghaseet, 25, from Khan Yunis, was seriously injured late on Wednesday night after being shot by Israeli troops near the border fence in the northern Gaza "no-go" zone. Palestinian medical sources said Abu Imghaseet had wandered off towards the border, unaware of his location, when he was shot. "He''s currently in the hospital, in serious but stable condition. He was injured in the left thigh, after being found near the fence, where he had wandered off to," said Ziad Abu Shareea of the Kamel Udwan Hospital in Jabalia. more.. New section of separation fence to cut through Judean Desert Ha''aretz 2/16/2006 The defense establishment announced on Thursday that it would begin constructing the southern section of the separation barrier between Israel the West Bank in the coming weeks through the Judean Desert region. The desert section of the fence will begin east of Mount Hebron, where the barrier currently ends. The fence will likely obstruct the view in the desert and is expected to negatively impact the area''s ecosystem - most of which has been classified as a nature reserve - by blocking the paths of the wild animals in the desert. The defense establishment said it had given much consideration during construction planning to the possible impacts on the view and the ecosystem. more.. Palestinians riot after anti-Muslim graffiti defaces mosque Ha''aretz 2/17/2006 Palestinians discovered anti-Muslim graffiti on a West Bank mosque on Friday, for the second time in a week. After the graffiti was discovered, Palestinian youths began rioting in the Azoun village near Qalqilyah. Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at them in an effort to disperse the riot. Three were arrested. The graffiti, written in Hebrew, said "Mohammed is a pig" and "Death to the Muslims. " Residents of the village of Nebi Elias, where the mosque is located, have accused area settlers of the vandalism. No suspects have been arrested. more.. Soldier attacked at hitchhiking post; his rifle stolen YNetNews 2/16/2006 Two men get out of vehicle at Hore Junction in Negev, spray tear gas at soldier and escape with his rifle; police set up roadblocks in area -- An IDF soldier has been lightly injured at the Hore Junction in the Negev, after being attacked and having his M-16 rifle stolen. At around 9 p. m. Thursday night, police received a message about a soldier lying injured at apost. Police and army forces were mobilized to the area, and paramedics were sent to the scene from Beer Sheva.... A police investigation found that the two suspects, who had Arab appearances, arrived at the hitchhiking post in a white Toyota. more.. Palestinian woman attempts to stab officer at Temple Mount complex Ha''aretz 2/16/2006 A young Palestinian woman attempted to stab a police officer at the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem on Thursday morning. The woman, a 27-year-old resident of Bethlehem, ran toward the officer screaming "God is Great" before she attacked him with a 30 centimeter-long knife. Other officers at the site managed to restrain the woman, and took her into custody, ending the incident without injury. A preliminary investigation at the Minorities Department in the Jerusalem police revealed the woman intended to stab the officer to avenge the death of the husband. It is as yet unclear who he was and under which circumstance he died. [end] more.. Four right-wing settlers arrested for incitement International Middle East Media Center 2/17/2006 On Friday morning, the Israeli police arrested four right-wing settlers after they distributed fliers inciting against a senior officer at the Israeli army. The fryers were distributed outside the Jerusalem home of Yair Naveh,GOC Central Command leader. The arrested settlers are reisdents of Elon Moreh and Efrat settlements in the West Bank, in addition to reisdents of Bnei Brak area in Tel Aviv. An Israeli police source reported that the settlers were arrested with large numbers of fliers and posters in their possession. Three of the settlers are expected to be released on bail with restrictive orders. more.. IDF: Israel to remove two small settlement outposts within days Ha''aretz 2/16/2006 Israel will take down two small settlement outposts near the West Bank town of Hebron in the next few days, Israel Defense Forces sources said Thursday. The outposts were set up in November and are only sporadically inhabited, the military said. One has a tent on site, and the other, a shack or two, it said. Israel is obliged under the internationally backed "road map" peace plan to remove all unauthorized outposts established since March 2001. Jewish settlers put up dozens of outposts to lay claim to West Bank land Palestinians claim for a future state. more.. Israeli troops kill Palestinian boy AlJazeera 2/15/2006 A Palestinian teenager with learning difficulties has been shot dead by Israeli troops during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Palestinian security forces said Israeli soldiers shot and killed Mujahid Samadi, a retarded 15-year-old Palestinian boy who was carrying a toy gun, on Wednesday. Witnesses said the clashes had broken out when about 20 Israeli jeeps entered the village of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, in the early morning. The victim had wandered out into the streets with a stick in his hand which the Israelis appeared to have mistaken for a weapon. more.. Disabled Jenin man shot by troops BBC 2/15/2006 A young Palestinian man with learning disabilities has been shot dead by Israeli troops near the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinian officials said. Mujahid al-Simadi, 20, was shot through the chest during a raid to arrest militants. The Israeli military said its soldiers had seen a "suspect armed with a weapon who was threatening them". A 12-year-old boy was shot dead in the Jenin refugee camp three months ago during a stone-throwing protest. Local residents said Mujahid al-Simadi had gone up to the troops with a toy gun and shouted that they should leave the village. He was among a number of children who had surrounded a house occupied by Israeli soldiers and began to throw stones, Palestinian security sources said. more.. 38 residents arrested in the West Bank International Middle East Media Center 2/15/2006 Wednesday at dawn, Israeli soldiers invaded the West Bank city of Tulkarem, broke into dozens of homes and arrested twenty residents, including two residents from the nearby village of Kafer Jamal. Eighteen residents were arrested and few others were injured in separate invasions in Nablus, Jenin, Hebron and Bethlehem. A local source in Tulkarem reported on Wednesday that soldiers supported by six armored vehicles and a troop carrier invaded Tulkarem and initiated house-to-house searches. Soldiers used military dogs while searching houses in the eastern neighborhood of Tulkarem,and fired concussion grenades at a number of homes; damage to the houses was reported, no injuries. more.. Palestinian resistance shells military posts north of Gaza International Middle East Media Center 2/15/2006 The National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), clamed responsibility for shelling Israeli military targets east of the northern Gaza strip city of Beit Hanoun late Tuesday night. The group also said, in the press release they issued in the Gaza strip, that this action is a response to Israeli army attacks against the Palestinian nation and promised to continue the resistance. [end] more.. IDF: J''lem neighborhood at risk YNetNews 2/15/2006 Senior IDF officer tells Ynet dozens of shooting attacks against neighborhood of Gilo foiled in 2005; army bracing for wave of terror attacks after Hamas'' election victory -- The defense establishment is concerned that terror groups are planning to renew shooting attacks at residents of Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood. “They have the experience and the intension and I have the Tanzim in mind,” a senior IDF official told Ynet. The IDF is bracing for a wage of terror attacks after Hamas'' election victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections. According to the official, dozens of shooting attacks against Gilo were foiled in 2005.... “as long as we have freedom of action in Bethlehem and good intelligence, these attempts will be thwarted. ” more.. Amona commander''s car torched YNetNews 2/15/2006 Brigadier General Meir Bokovza subject to threats by right-wing activists ever since leading evacuation of West Bank outpost; despite special security arrangements, officer''s car set on fire Tuesday night by unknown assailantEli Senyor An unknown assailant arrived Tuesday night at the home of Brigadier General Meir Bokovza, deputy commander of the Judea and Samaria district, in the town of Shoham near Ben-Gurion Airport, and set his car on fire. The car of Bokovza''s neighbor was also set on fire. The two vehicles were totally burned. more.. Army invades village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 2/15/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded Al Zabbouba village, near the West Bank city of Jenin after claiming that residents of the village came close to the Separation Wall. A local source in the village reported that five military vehicles invaded the village, fired rounds of live ammunition and chased dozens of youth who hurled stones at the invading forces, no injuries were reported. [end] more.. Israel arrests 19 in W Bank raids BBC 2/14/2006 Nineteen suspected Palestinian militants were arrested by Israeli troops in overnight raids in the West Bank, the Israeli military has said. Seven members of Hamas, which won last month''s elections, were arrested with an Islamic Jihad activist in Hebron. Meanwhile, six Fatah members were arrested in Nablus, two Islamic Jihad members in Qalqilya, and one Fatah-Tanzim member in Ramallah. Israeli raids on Monday resulted in 18 other Palestinians being detained. [end] more.. 17 Citizens Arrested, including Woman in WB WAFA 2/16/2006 TULKAREM, February 15, 2006 (WAFA) - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Wednesday seventeen citizens, including a woman in the West Bank (WB) cities of Tulkarem, Nablus, Qalqiliya and Jenin, WAFA reporter and security sources said. In Tulkarem, security sources told WAFA that a massive number of Israeli soldiers thrust into the city, launched a house-to-house search campaign, amid intensive fire shooting and arrested ten citizens, leading them into an undisclosed place. In Nablus, Israeli soldiers, backed by military vehicles, stormed Askar refugee camp and the city and arrested three citizens, security sources said. more.. IDF troops kill Palestinian wielding toy rifle near Jenin Ha''aretz 2/15/2006 Israel Defense Forces soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man on Wednesday while carrying out an arrest raid in Qabatiyah, near the West Bank city of Jenin. Palestinian security officials said the victim was a mentally-handicapped 19-year-old Palestinian man, identified as Mujahed Al-Simadi, who was carrying a toy rifle. IDF sources said soldiers from the elite Maglan unit entered Qabatiyah in order to arrest wanted Palestinians. Palestinian youths began throwing stones at the soldiers. When the soldiers spotted what appeared to be an armed individual near them, they opened fire at him. more.. Israeli soldiers shoot Palestinian student in the face Palestine Monitor/Ma''an news 2/14/2006 Hebron – Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian student in the face after searching a school bus Tuesday morning. The bus was traveling from Al Arroub Refugee Camp north of Hebron to Beit Amir High School. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces at a checkpoint at the entrance of the Camp stopped the school bus and forced students to get off. The soldiers claimed that students had rocks and Molotov Cocktails. Eyewitnesses said that after a brief search of the vehicles, soldiers allowed students to board the bus and ordered them to close the windows of the vehicle. As the students were doing so, a soldier shot 17 year old Ala'' Muhammad Ahmed Al Jabiry in the face. more.. Undercover Israeli army unit invades Bethlehem, injures one, arrests three International Middle East Media Center 2/14/2006 Tuesday morning, an Israeli army special unit injured one resident and arrested him along with two other residents, during an invasion of Beit Jala, near the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Hazem Al Ajalah, 27, a Palestinian security officer, is originally from Gaza and is a member of the Palestinian security forces in Bethlehem. He was shot while attempting to escape when an undercover army unit disguised in civilian clothes attempted to kidnap him from the public park in the town center. Troops and army vehicles stormed the town shortly after the incident, arrested Al Ajalah, and two other residents who were in the area, and took them to unknown destination, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Settlers attack homes in Khirbet Tana village International Middle East Media Center 2/14/2006 Scores of Israeli settlers attacked homes in Khirbet Tana village east of the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday. Ahmed Nasasreh,secretary of village council, said that approximately 60 settlers from the near by Elon Moreh settlement stormed the village, hurled stones and attacked residents'' homes. [end] more.. IDF shells Gaza Strip after Qassams land south of Ashkelon Ha''aretz 2/15/2006 Israel Defense Force officials said Tuesday it fired artillery at the northern Gaza Strip after two Palestinian rockets landed in southern Israel, one in an industrial zone south of the city of Ashkelon. Military officials said that one of the homemade rockets landed near a strategic installation. The officials did not identify the installation, but said several power plants exist in the area. The other rocket hit a Carlsberg beer productio