Conflict..

Violence erupts in Gaza after killing AlJazeera 4/1/2006 Friday's car bomb blast killed a Palestinian fighter in Gaza -- Three Palestinians have been killed in clashes in Gaza between armed men and the security forces. The violence on Friday was sparked by the death of a Palestinian resistance fighter who died in a car-bomb explosion earlier in the day. Rival Palestinian factions clashed at the funeral of Abu Youssef al-Quqa, a commander in the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), an umbrella group of fighters in Gaza often responsible for rocket attacks against Israel. Hospital officials in Gaza said that three people were killed and at least 20 wounded outside a mosque at the start of Friday prayers. more.. Top Palestinian militant killed in Gaza blast The Daily Star 4/1/2006 PA security chiefs accused in al-Gouga's death -- A car explosion near a Gaza mosque killed a top Palestinian militant on Friday, triggering gun battles in which three others died after fighters accused Palestinian security chiefs of collaborating with Israel. The new flare-up came after a night of unrest in which a suicide bomber killed four Israelis. Abbas condemned the attack while top Hamas officials defended the suicide bombing as "resistance" against Israeli "crimes. " But U.S. Secretary Condoleezza Rice challenged Hamas to condemn the bombing. At least 36 other Palestinians were injured in the fighting between Fatah loyalists and militants of the Popular Resistance Committees, whose commander Abu Youssef al-Gouga was killed in a blast earlier. more.. Bombing fails to dent settlers' defiance The Independent 4/1/2006 Leaders of the Jewish settlement where four Israelis were killed by a suicide bomber vowed that the attack would redouble residents' determination to resist Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to dismantle their community. As Daniella Weiss, the mayor of Kedumin, claimed the attack was a direct response by Palestinian militants to Mr Olmert's unilateral West Bank disengagement plan, a prominent local rabbi said the reaction to the killing of four residents would be "to build and settle more". The victims, including a couple in their sixties, a 16-year-old youth and 20-year-old woman working temporarily in a settlement, died when a Palestinian suicide bomber apparently dressed as an ultra-orthodox Jew blew himself up after hitching a lift in the couple's car. more.. IDF expands operations against Qassam launchers YNet News 4/1/2006 IAF strikes open areas in northern Gaza Strip in past few months, but starts firing at areas inside Gaza City following rocket fire; army officials hope operations will convey tough message to new Palestinian leadership -- The IDF has decided to expand its operations against Qassam rockets. The Israel Air Force on Saturday launched a strike on areas inside Gaza City, which are not populated and are not being used as an operation area for Qassam launching groups. Earlier, the army attacked an empty building which was used in the past as a shelter for rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip. There were no reports of injuries. more.. Israeli settlers uproot trees west of Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 3/31/2006 Israeli settlers uprooted several almonds and grape trees in lands that belong to Beit Omaer villagers west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday evening. More than five settlers showed up and started to uproot the trees, villagers identified their getaway car and informed the Israeli police station in the near by military block of Kfar Atzion, local sources reported. Israeli police spokes person said that the attack was done by one settler and he only uprooted five trees, and also stated that the police arrested him and he is being integrated in Kfar Atzion. [end] more.. Israeli Air force shells several locations in Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 3/31/2006 Israeli air force gun ships shelled, in the early hours of Friday morning, a bridge in the center of Gaza city partially destroying the bridge damaging the water system in the area, Palestinian sources reported. Israeli aircrafts also fired at least one missile at an athletic center in Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City causing serious damage to the games hall. The attack came shortly after the ruling Hamas movement has finished a rally in the soccer pitch at the center. These attacks came after Israeli military chiefs ordered an escalation of attacks against Palestinians in the aftermath of a suicide bombing carried out by a Palestinian man near the settlement of Qadumim, in the northern West Bank, killing at least three Israeli settlers. more.. Suicide bomber kills three in West Bank The Independent 3/31/2006 Three Israelis were killed last night when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a car near a petrol station outside a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Initial reports said the three victims had picked up the bomber, who was hitchhiking, dressed as religious Jew. A rescue worker said the car was still on fire an hour after the blast. Responsibility for the bombing was claimed by a new celResponsibility for the bombing was claimed by a new cell of the Fatah-linked Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades based in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. The bombing was the first in the West Bank since December 2005 and the first claimed by any faction other than Islamic Jihad since February 2005. more.. IDF aircraft destroys north Gaza building used for rocket attacks Ha'aretz 4/1/2006 Israel Defense Forces aircraft early Saturday destroyed an empty building in the northern Gaza Strip used by Palestinian militants during rocket attacks, the army said. There were no reports of casualties. The army said militants had used the building for cover after firing rockets into southern Israel. Palestinian security officials confirmed the building had been targeted but said the Israeli missiles fell in a nearby field. Witnesses said the building suffered some damage. The officials said no one was hurt in the attack. more.. The killing of Qouqa opens the doors for a new ordeal and unrest in Gaza Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Gaza- Maan- The killing of Yousef Quoqa( 44 years) in Gaza Friday opens the door wide for the charges of treason and raising doubts between many central and important sides and parties in the Gaza Strip. After Qouqa was killed by a booby trapped car, Abu Abeer , the PRC spokesman held a press conference in which he accused some of the security bodies of facilitating the assassination of Qouqa, or not protecting him. the accusations by Abu Abeer prompted the guards of Mash'harawi, whose home is only 30 meters away from the press conference location, to start shooting over the head of Abu Abeer, a clash erupted in the area in which three Palestinian citizens were injured including two children. more.. PRC Spokesman escaped from fire shooting during press conference Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Gaza – Maan- Three Palestinian citizens were injured as a result of fire shooting of Palestinian armed groups towards the spokesman of the PRC. Popular Resistance Committees Spokesman Abu Abeer was holding a press conference when he was shot at by anonymous armed Palestinian men. Palestinian security sources said that the man was holding a press conference in which he accused some Palestinian security forces of the assassination of Yousef Qouqa Friday morning, Abu Abeer did not name the side or sides he was speaking about. more.. Leader of the Popular Resistance Committees assassinated in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/31/2006 The Popular Resistance Committees announced on Friday that its leader, Abu Yousef Al Qouqa, 44, was assassinated when a wired vehicle detonated fifty meters away from his home in Al Nassr Street, in Gaza city. Abu Abeer, the spokesperson of the Committees reported that the assassination was carried out when the army remotely detonated the car. He added that Al Qouqa wason his way to a nearby mosque for Friday prayers, and that the wired vehicle detonated as he walked by it. Al Qouqa survived three assassination attempts in during the Al Aqsa Intifada, and his house was shelled two times by the Israeli forces. Last month, Israel assassinated Abu Khaled Al Dahdouh, one of the leaders of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, by detonating a wired car. more.. Palestinians throw a cocktail bomb at an Israeli car in Ramallah Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Ramallah- Maan- Palestinian citizens through a cocktail bomb at an Israeli car near the village of Ne'mah in Ramallah area Friday morning. Israeli sources said that the car was traveling on the road near the village of Ne'mah when attacked. No injuries reported. Eyewitnesses reported that many Israeli military vehicles arrived to the area shortly after the incident claiming that the Israeli forces said they have located a device bomb in the area after searching it and was detonated. No injuries or losses reported. [end] more.. Israeli soldier was injured by Palestinian stones near Ramallah Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli soldier was injured when Palestinians young men throw rocks and stones at an Israeli patrol near Ramalah. In Bethlehem Palestinian men throw a cocktail bomb at an Israeli patrol near Rachel Tomb in the northern of the city. Israeli security sources said that an Israeli patrol was attacked by Palestinian near the city of Ramallah during confrontations between Israeli Occupation Force and Palestinian citizens, Israeli soldiers reacted by using live ammunition. [end] more.. Islamic Jihad announced readiness for any Israeli attack Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Gaza- Maan- Media Spokesman of Quds Brigades said that all the groups and cells of the Brigades are on high alert in order to react on any Israeli attack. Abu Ahmad, the spokesman of the brigades said that" we do not care about the threats of the Israeli minister Shaol Mofaz". In a statement to the journalists, Abu Ahmad confirmed that the group is always ready to react on the Israeli threats and will retaliate on any Israeli aggression, he urges the brigades to stay on alert to confront the expected attack on the Gaza Strip. [end] more.. Two home made projectiles at the Israeli town of Miftahem Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Maan- Quds Brigades "military wing of Islamic Jihad Movement" announce responsibility fro the launching of two home made projectiles at the Israeli town of Miftahem Friday. The Brigades said that group launched the two projectiles as a reaction on the Israeli continued crimes against Palestinian People. In a statement issued Friday the brigades added that they will continue their resistance and struggle against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Israeli Forces re-closed Bathan Barrier Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Nablus- Maan- Israeli Occupation Forces re-closed the barrier of Bathan North East of Nablus city northern West Bank. The Israeli Forces closed all the barriers and checkpoints in the area between Nablus and Qalqilia after the bombing operation of Thursday in which four Israelis were killed. Maan reporter said that the Israeli forces intensified their presence at the Hawarah Barreir and prevented Palestinian citizens between 15 and 30 years to pass through after checking their ID''s. [end] more.. More checkpoints in Salfeet area Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Salfeet- Maan- Israeli Forces erected more temporary checkpoints in the area of Salfeet Thursday evening. The forces prevented the Palestinian citizens from entering or leaving the city of Salfeet and launched a search and checking campaign. Patrols of the Israeli troops continue patrolling the area and erected more checkpoints at the entrances of several villages in the area. Gates of the villages in the area are closed in thee area and citizens are prohibited from leaving. [end] more.. Kadima victory concerns settlers BBC 3/31/2006 The settlement of Ariel looks like many towns in Israel. In Ariel's centre, there is a book shop, a pharmacy and a small supermarket. In the morning sun, the young and old drink coffee and eat bagels from a number of the small, cheap cafes with tables and chairs set outside. But Ariel is not in Israel. Ariel is a Jewish settlement located in the heart of the West Bank - considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. It is in the Jewish settlements, such as Ariel, in the rolling and rocky hills of the West Bank, that the Israeli election really mattered. The Kadima party, which won the Israeli election, has pledged to draw the final borders of Israel by 2010 by withdrawing from most of the West Bank without consulting the Palestinians. more.. Israeli artillery bombarded the northern parts of the Gaza Strip Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Gaza- Maan- Israeli Forces Troops bombarded the Northern parts of the Gaza Strip Thursday evening. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli tanks stationed near the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip shelled the areas in the Northern area of Biet Lahia and Beit Hanoun with many projectiles. No causalities or losses reported. [end] more.. Several home made projectiles launched at Israeli city of Ashkelon Ma'an News 3/31/2006 Gaza-Maan- Quds Brigades "military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement" and Aqsa Brigades "military wing of the Ftah Movement" announced responsibility for the launching of several home made projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon late Thursday. In two separate statements the brigades said that the military groups of both brigades were able to launch several home made projectiles landed in different areas in the city and caused a case of fear in the areas it landed in. The statements confirmed that this launching of the projectiles is a natural react on the Israeli crimes against Palestinian people. [end] more.. Israeli planes target rocket sites in Gaza-military ReliefWeb 3/31/2006 GAZA, March 31 (Reuters) - Israel carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early on Friday morning, hitting roads and a bridge believed to be used by militants for firing rockets into Israel, the army said. An army spokesman said planes had launched two airstrikes on targets. Separately, in the worst spike in violence recently, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed at least three Israelis near a settlement in the West Bank on Thursday in an attack that a new Hamas-led government called a "natural response to Israeli crimes". The violence comes in the week that Hamas took office and Israeli leader Ehud Olmert's party won elections with a platform of imposing a border in the occupied West Bank if peacemaking remains frozen. more.. In an invasion to the city; army arrests one Nablus resident International Middle East Media Center 3/30/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the West Bank city of Nablus and arrested one resident in the early hours ofThursday morning. Troops stormed and searched several houses in different parts of the city, before arresting Khaldoun Jamos and taking him to unknown destination, eyewitnesses said. No weapons were found on Jamos when arrested and reasons for the arrest remained unknown. [end] more.. Army invades the West Bank city of Jenin International Middle East Media Center 3/30/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp on Thursday morning. Troops backed up with several armored vehicles stormed the city and its nearby refugee camp firing live rounds and sound bombs. Soldiers searched several houses including house of Mohamed Thweib, eyewitnesses said. Thweib said troops forced him and his family out of their home at gun point and searched their house. The soldeirs remained in the house for almost one hour and half, allegedly looking for wanted people. Troops caused minor damage to propoerty and ransacked the house befoe they left it. [end] more.. Work still to be done in clearance of landmines The Daily Star 4/1/2006 BEIRUT: Midway through the bumpy trek from the Yhomer to Sujoud landmine-clearance zones in South Lebanon, a mines-taskforce member lets out a cry and brings his white SUV to a sudden stop. "Guys, there's been an accident," says Jihad Samhat, a Mine Action Coordination Center South Lebanon (MACCSL) staffer, reading from a text message. "A UXO (unexploded ordnance) blew up. "Scrolling down on his cell phone, Samhat's facial features gradually relax. The latest casualty of landmines leftover from decades of Civil War, Israeli occupation, and government neglect, it turns out, was only a wandering cow. But the presence of an estimated 500,000 mines in South Lebanon too often afflicts humans, victims commonly too young to have taken part in the conflicts that spawned the mines more.. Explosion kills two in Israel AlJazeera 3/28/2006 Two Israelis have been killed in an explosion near the border with the Gaza Strip in what Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad said was an attack designed to disrupt the country's election. Two civilians, a beduin and his child, were killed in an explosion near the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel on Tuesday. The army said the blast was either caused by a fresh rocket attack or a dormant rocket that exploded. Abu Bara, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, told AFP: "We carried out this attack in order to disrupt the Israelielections. "We strike [Israel] to show the world that this state is illegaland we will carry on. " more.. While Israelis voted Tuesday, Israeli forces killed one, wounded 4, and arrested 27 Palestinians International Middle East Media Center 3/29/2006 One Palestinian was killed on Tuesday morning as Israeli forces invaded the village of Al-Yamoun, west of Jenin, in the West Bank. Israeli Forces also wounded 4 citizens and arrested twenty seven others in the West Bank cities of Hebron, Nablus, Tubas and Bethlehem. In Hebron, Israeli soldiers opened fire towards houses in Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the city and wounded four citizens. Three of them suffered from bruises all over their bodies and the fourth was wounded with a metal bullet in the face, local sources told the Palestinian WAFA News Agency. Twenty seven Palestinians were arrested Tuesday from various parts of the West Bank during Israeli invasions. more.. More barriers in Salfeet area Ma'an News 3/28/2006 Salfeet- Maan- Israeli Forces strengthen their measures in the area of Salfeet , three new temporary checkpoints were erected in the area, one on the entrance of Qarawat Bani Has'san, the other at the entrance of Zawyah, and the third at Burkeen entrance village. Palestinian sources said that the Israeli forces are closing the gates in the areas claiming that Palestinian boys are throwing stones at the Israeli military vehicles and patrols. The sources added that the Israeli forces continue the separation wall building in the area of Salfeet the thing which prevents and obstructs Palestinian farms from reaching their lands and farms. [end] more.. Katyusha rocket 'fired from Gaza' BBC 3/28/2006 Palestinian have fired a Katyusha-style rocket at Israel from Gaza for the first time, the Israeli army said. One of the rockets, which are bigger than the makeshift Qassam missiles militants usually launch, fell near a kibbutz in southern Israel. There was no damage or casualties reported at the Itfah kibbutz. Earlier in the day, as Israel voted in a general election, two Arab Israeli shepherds were killed in a blast caused by an unexploded shell in a field. Katyushas, a favoured weapon of the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, have a range several times greater than Qassams, which have caused few Israeli casualties in hundreds of salvoes. more.. Four people killed in two blasts of dud Qassam, munitions Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 Four people were killed in two separate incidents on Tuesday when dud Qassam rockets and munitions unexpectedly detonated in the south of the country. Two Bedouin were killed in the western Negev on Tuesday morning when a dud Qassam rocket unexpectedly detonated as they were attempting to salvage it, sources in the Israel Defense Forces said. The casualties were identified as shepherd Salaam Ziadin and his 16-year-old son Khalid. The two were attempting to lift the rocket, which they had found lying in an open area, when it exploded. A woman also suffered from shock. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for what it claimed was a Qassam rocket attack they said was timed to disrupt Tuesday's Knesset election. more.. Six residents injured, two arrested in Al Fouar refugee camp in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2006 Israeli army forces stormed Al Fouar refugee camp, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Tuesday morning. During the invasion, youth throwing stones at the invading military force were fired upon with live ammunition by the Israeli soldiers -- six Palestinian youth were arrested. Sari Abu Hashehash, 17, and Ayman Abu Hashehash were arrested when troops invaded the camp, imposed curfew and started wide scale searches of the residents' houses. One of the houses the army searched was the house of Mohamed Shwabka, claiming that he was 'wanted' by the army; his wife was detained and released after several hours, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Israeli forces blocking hundreds of Palestinian cars at Bathan Barrier Ma'an News 3/28/2006 Nablus-Maan- Israeli Forces blocked hundreds of vehicles at Al Bathan Barrier near Al Sairafi Park in the northeastern entrance of Nablus City Tuesday. Palestinian Security sources reported that the Israeli Forces reopened the barrier Tuesday afternoon, but they continued their disgraceful checking policy to the passengers. The Israeli measures at the barrier caused the hindrance of the people of reaching their jobs and work. [end] more.. Six Palestinians were arrested from Faw'war Refugee camp in Hebron City Ma'an News 3/28/2006 Hebron-Maan- Israeli Forces broke into Al Faw'warf Refugee Camp southern the city of Hebron; confrontations took place between the Israeli Forces and Palestinian citizens Tuesday morning. Maan correspondent reported that about 15 Israeli military vehicles broke into the camp; the Israeli Forces imposed a curfew and broke into eight houses in the camp before arrest Sari Hash'hash (17 years) and Ayman Abu Hash'hash. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli Forces broke into Mohamed Ali Shwabka's house under the claim of he is a wanted person for the Israeli forces years ago, his wife was reserved for several hours by the Israeli forces, and hence they returned her after. more.. In an invasion to the city; army arrest four residents in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2006 On Tuesday morning, Israeli army troops invaded the west Bank city of Nablus and arrested four residents. Soldiers, supported by armored vehicles, stormed the city and conducted wide scale search to the residents' homes before arresting Mahmoud Shiha, 25, Al'lam Nisida, 23, Riyad Abu Munif and Fadi Al Amoudi, 22. The four residents were taken to an unknown destination, local sources reported. Also explosion was heard due to the use of sonic bombs during the searches in some parts of the city, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Palestinian Monitoring Group Daily Situation Report, 25 -26 March 2006 (PDF) Palestine Media Center 3/28/2006 ... SALFIT: Closure of Main Roads: (i) The Israeli army continues to close the main north-western entrance to the city of Salfit with dirt barricades. The road has been closed since the beginning of the current Intifada (Uprising). (ii) The Israeli army continues to close with dirt barricades the western entrances to the town of Bruqin and the village of Marda and the road connecting the town of Deir Istiya to the village of Haris. (iii) The Israeli army continues to close the western entrance to the town of Kafr ad Dik with cement blocks. (iv) The Israeli army continues to close with an iron gate the southern entrance to the town of Jamma’in on the Trans-Samaria Highway, which leads to the district of Salfit, forcing civilians to cross on foot. Checkpoints: (i) The Israeli army continues to close Deir Ballut checkpoint overnight and open it at various morning hours.... more.. Islamic Jihad Fighter Killed, Two Others Wounded As Key Leader of Al Aqsa Martyr Survived International Press Center 3/27/2006 GAZA, Palestine, March 27, 2006 (IPC+ Agencies) - - A fighter belongs to Saray Al Quds, military wing of Islamic Jihad was killed and two others were injured after were being targeted by Israeli jetfighters nearby the agricultural college in Beithnoon town, north Gaza Strip. Earlier after midnight, a leader of Al Aqsa Martyr Brigade Mohammed Hejazi and his comrades survived abortive assassination. Dr. Muw'yia Hussenein, Director General of Emergency award of health ministry identified the killed fighter as Husssam abu Ayda,25, from Al Zytoun neighborhood of Gaza city. The Israeli occupation drown fired at least a missile at a car carrying activists from Sarya Al Quds in the periphery of the agricultural college in Beithanoon killing one and wounding two others. more.. Gaza sealed, security forces go on high alert on election day Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police went on high alert Monday evening less than 12 hours before polls were set to open for Knesset elections. The border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip - Karni, Erez and Kerem Shalom - were to be closed on Tuesday. The Israel Defense Forces also tightened a closure on the West Bank. Thousands of police officers and Border Police troops were deployed Tuesday throughout the country, particularly in Jerusalem and along the seam line boundary with the West Bank. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said 22,000 uniformed and undercover officers would deploy at city entrances and at shopping malls and other public places deemed possible targets. more.. Israel denies border crossing change AlJazeera 3/27/2006 The Qalandiya crossing links Jerusalem with West Bank -- An Israeli official denied that the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem has been turned into an international border crossing. Ra'anan Gissin, adviser to the Israeli prime minister, told Aljazeera. net that Israel was closing checkpoints as a precautionary measure ahead of the Israeli elections on Tuesday. Earlier reports quoting an unnamed Israeli army spokesman said that Israel had turned the Qalandiya passage into an international border crossing, pointing out that the decision would be effective immediately. Palestinians fear the switch would further strangle Palestinain territories by separating Jerusalem from the rest of West Bank. "The decision has not been taken yet," Gissin told Aljazeera. net. more.. Olmert to Discuss Israel's Final Borders with Washington as Israel Turns Qalandia Checkpoint into Border Crossing International Press Center 3/27/2006 GAZA, March 27, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - Israeli occupation authorities concluded on Sunday the closure of Al Barid and Al Ram suburbs, in order to turn the nearby Qalandia checkpoint into an official border crossing. Israeli soldiers closed yesterday an opening in the Apartheid Wall between Al Ram and Qalandia towns, near occupied East Jerusalem, which leads to the town of Beir Nabala, and then continued paving a road between Al Barid suburb and Qalandia checkpoint. This road will be later used for the movement of holders of Jerusalem ID card only, while those with West Bank ID cards will be able to move freely between Al Ram, Al Barid suburb and Ramallah City. more.. On the eve of the Israeli elections Jews demand to pray in Al Aqsa Mosque which many Palestinians are prevented from Palestine News Network 3/27/2006 On the eve of the Israeli Knesset elections, slated for Tuesday 28 March, there is an escalation in demands to further impose Israeli domination on Jerusalem, particularly East Jerusalem and the Old City. Recently a declaration by an organization called “One Jerusalem” appeared regarding a document calling for the full control over Jerusalem and to allow the Jews to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque, which many Palestinian Muslims are prevented from doing. This organization declared its intention to present this document to the heads of Zionist parties and to the American President for signing. more.. Israeli police deployed in large numbers in the old city Jerusalem Ma'an News 3/27/2006 Jerusalem-Maan-Israeli Polices Forces intensify their presence around the Aqsa Mosque since the early morning hours of Monday, they set up checkpoints at all gates of the old city of Jerusalem , carried out inspection of the passers by, the cavalries and the special forces deployed in positions near the Aqsa Mosque and Israeli helicopters hovers in the sky. An atmosphere tension and expectation inside the Mosque, Islamic Endowments Department has intensified the presence of the Aqsa guards on all entrances of the Mosque and inside its squares. This comes in the shadow of the declaration of Jewish extremists group their intention to raid the Aqsa Mosque Monday morning... more.. Grand Mufti Calls Residents to Head off To Defend Al Aqsa Mosque as Jewish Group Plans to Storm It Monday International Press Center 3/26/2006 JERUSALEM, Palestine, March 26,2006 (IPC) - -The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Ekrema Sabri warned of allowing the extremist Jewish group "Unified Jerusalem" to storm into Al Aqsa mosque on the eve the Israeli Elections, asserting his vehement refusal to such aggressive plots. Sabri appealed, in a press release, all the Muslim faithful to gather in holy Al Aqsa compound and overcome the military checkpoints to pray in the holy Al Aqsa mosque, holding the Israeli occupation authorities full responsible for any harm caused to the third holiest site and first Muslim Qibla (direction of prayer) Al Aqsa mosque. He recalled to the memory the repercussions of the Israeli Prime Minister visit to mosque in Sep, 2000, the first spark of Al aqsa Intifada. more.. Twenty Palestinian citizens were arrested in the west bank Sunday night Ma'an News 3/27/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli forces arrested 20 Palestinian citizens in many towns, villages and cities of the West Bank. Israeli Radio reported that 12 Palestinian activist of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were arrested in the area of Tulkarem and Ramallah. The Radio added that two were arrested in Qalqilia for throwing a cocktail bomb at an Israeli military jeep in the city, another five Palestinians were arrested in the area of Hebron the radio said they were affiliated to the Fatah movement and another Palestinian of the PFLP was arrested in the same city. [end] more.. Troops killed Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip Palestine News Network 3/26/2006 A Palestinian security source reported that one Palestinian youth was shot and killed early Sunday by Israeli military fire in Juhr Al Deek area, in the central Gaza Strip; army source claimed that soldiers shot and killed one gunman. According to Israeli military sources, soldiers identified one Palestinian crawling toward the security fence separating Gaza from Israel in an area close to Al Boreij refugee camp. The youth was identified as Hamad Hamdan, 16, from Dir Al Balah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Palestinian Interior Ministry officials reported that Hamdan might have been trying to cross the borders into Israel to find work. The Gaza Strip is suffering a serious crises and lack of basic materials as a result of the Israeli procedures that completely isolated it. more.. Bi-level highway plan for West Bank may ease roadblock ills By Amira Hass, Ha'aretz 3/26/2006 A prospective IDF plan provides for West Bank highways built on two levels, with Israeli motorists driving above and Palestinians below, in an effort to ease the burden of military checkpoints on Palestinians traveling in the area. The plan combines security and transportation solutions along 140 kms (out of 2,000 km of roads in the West Bank) spread out on 34 roads. According to the military source, the plan is based on having separate levels of traffic. Six of the 12 interchanges planned for this purpose have already been built. They enable Israeli passengers to travel through the upper highways "without noticing the Palestinian traffic underneath, while the Palestinian traffic remains unhindered," the source said. more.. Teenager Killed, Israeli Choppers Pounded Middle and North the Strip International Press Center 3/26/2006 GAZA, Palestine, March 26,2006 (IPC+ Agencies) - - A Teenager was gunned down today dawn at the borderline between Gaza Strip and Israel close to the Al Burijj town, in the middle of the Strip, Palestinian security sources said. Israeli occupation army sources announced Saturday overnight the Israeli soldiers has noticed a Palestinian and shot him on the claim that he was approaching nearby the security fence set up by Israel in the hinterland of the Strip. Medics in Gaza identified the teen shot to death as 16-year-old Hamad Hamdan of Deir el-Balah in southern Gaza. In a separate incident, the Israeli sources announced that the Israeli border policemen arrested three armed men at Israeli -Egypt borders after tracking them down while a fourth man fled inside the Egyptian soil. more.. Settlement expansion on the increase as Israeli elections near Palestine News Network 3/25/2006 In a play to gain last minute votes from Jewish settlers as the Israeli elections draw near, the Israeli government announced a new plan to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. The head of the Likud Party, Benjamin Netanyahu, has already said that the Golan is a “strategic location that cannot be given up. ” And just two days ago during his campaign, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised to not withdraw from the occupied Heights. The latest plan for the Golan involves its largest settlement, now referred to by the Israelis as “Kitzarin City. ” The settlement is slated to expand from its current 7,300 to a population of 25,000 Jewish settlers by the year 2020, despite the illegality of all Israeli settlements under international law. more.. High alert: 85 terror warnings YNet News 3/27/2006 Defense establishment declares highest state of alert: Police, IDF prepare to thwart terror attacks, escort high-ranking officials to polling stations; authorities contending with 14 concrete terror warnings, 22,000 police officers to be deployed across nation -- As Israelis prepare to cast their ballots Tuesday, police forces across the country have declared the highest state of alert, as the defense establishment is dealing with 85 terror warnings, 14 of them concrete. Islamic Jihad is the prime culprit and intends to carry out attacks using the group's terror cells in the northern West Bank, officials said. more.. Gaza fighter killed in airstrike AlJazeera 3/27/2006 Islamic Jihad fighters regularly launch attacks on Israel -- The Israeli army has killed a Palestinian who was among a group of fighters firing grenades into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip. An army spokesman said they had "specific inside information" that Israeli targets were going to be attacked. "We fired at them, including from the air, and we saw that they were hit," the army spokesman said. Islamic Jihad confirmed that the fighters were firing rocket-propelled grenades into Israel when the army opened fire on them. Palestinian sources said another fighter was wounded by Israeli fire during the incident, which took place in a field regularly used by fighters to launch attacks on Israel. more.. Palestinians, U.S. citizen complain of settler violence Ha'aretz 3/27/2006 Several Palestinians and an American volunteer in the West Bank yesterday filed complaints with the police, accusing settlers of violence toward Palestinians in the Hebron area on Saturday, after three people were wounded in two separate incidents. In one of the incidents, Palestinians said about 10 masked, Hebrew-speaking youths had raided a tent encampment near the settlement of Sussia, on the border of the Havat Yair outpost on Saturday night. They allegedly attacked two Palestinian brothers with clubs and knives and then escaped. The brothers, Abdelrahman and Aziz Shanaran, were lightly to moderately wounded and were taken to Alia Hospital in Hebron for treatment. more.. Guards nab Palestinian trying to enter TA bus station with dagger Ha'aretz 3/27/2006 Security guards at Tel Aviv's central bus station apprehended on Sunday a 24-year-old Palestinian trying to enter the bus station with a concealed dagger. The Palestinians said that he was planning to carry out a stabbing attack in the station. According to a gag order lifted Sunday by Shin Bet Security Service, Islamic Jihad militants involved in planning attacks within Israel were arrested earlier this month. The militant was arrested on March 7 at the Erez crossing on the Israel-Gaza border. One of the militants, a resident of the Gaza Strip, was arrested on his way to carrying out a shooting attack. The militant was arrested on March 7 at the Erez crossing on the Israel-Gaza border. more.. Israeli army seals off Nablus, preventing residents from leaving the city International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2006 The Israeli army installed a military checkpoint at the south east entrance of the West Bank city of Nablus Monday morning, sealing off the city and preventing residents from going to nearby villages. Israeli soldiers prevented all Palestinians to leave the city. Local sources report that many Palestinians have missed school and work today because of this new checkpoint. The Israeli army is installing new military checkpoints around Nablus more and more frequently, causing many Palestinian citizens to lose their jobs and not be able to attend school or access medical services. [end] more.. Resistance shells Israeli settlements around the Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2006 The Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility for firing a homemade shell at the Natif Etzra Settlement and another into Sderot, an Israeli town near the Gaza strip, Monday morning. In their press release, the group confirmed that the attack comes as a response to the Israeli killing of a Palestinian fighter from Al Quds brigades on Monday morning and the assassination attempt that was targeted the leader of Al Aqsa martyrs brigades on Sunday night. [end] more.. Israeli army abuses Palestinian resident of Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2006 A Palestinian resident of Al Obadia village, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem was abused by Israeli army troops early Monday morning. The troops, stationed at checkpoint 300 at the northern entrance to Bethlehem (otherwise known as Rachel's Tomb checkpoint) abused Jad Ali (25). Ali told IMEMC that he was trying to cross the checkpoint to go to work, when suddenly Israeli troops took him aside and attacked him while questioning him. Medical sources at Beit Jala Hospital reported that Ali sustained bruises and 'moderate' wounds all over his body. [end] more.. Water Proves Weapon in Palestinian–Israeli Conflict Palestine Chronicle/China Daily 3/23/2006 In the West Bank, 40 per cent of the population has barely 40 litres of water per day each. In Gaza, much of the population survives on 80 litres a day. -- JERUSALEM - Even at the height of tensions, Israelis and Palestinians maintained contacts over their sparse water resources but without peace both sides risk being left high and dry, the World Water Forum was told. Shimon Tal, the Israeli Government's Water Commissioner, underscored that without the precious resource, neither side in the long and bloody Middle East conflict will survive. But water itself could become a weapon in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over sharing and dividing land. more.. Settlers uproot olive trees in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/25/2006 An extremist settlers group of the Sosia settlement, near Yatta village, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, uprooted on Friday dozens of olive trees after attacking the residents while working in their orchards. Several farmers from Yatta village reported that settlers of Sosia illegal settlement outpost repeatedly attacked them and their orchards over the last month and uprooted at least 400 olive trees which were recently planted there. Nasr Al Nawaj'a, an owner of one of the attacked orchards, reported that soldiers were always present in the area when the settlers carried their attacks, but did not conduct any effort to stop them. Al Nawaj'a stated that the settlers are attempting to annex these orchards in orders to expand their settlement outpost. more.. Army invades Burqeen village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 3/24/2006 The Israeli army forces stormed, on Friday morning, the village ofBurqeen, near the West Bank city of Hebron. Troops surrounded three houses after closing the entrances of the village, and prevented the residents from entering or leaving the village. Army source claimed that soldiers were searching for wanted resistance fighters, no arrests were reported. The three houses are owned by Nasser Subuh, Nidal Isma'ael and Al Shaqi family, huge force surrounded the houses and warned the residents through loudspeakers that they will be shot if they don't evacuate their houses, eyewitnesses reported. more.. High alert case in Israel Ma'an News 3/24/2006 Jerusalem-Maan- Israeli Security Forces remain on the case of alert announces in Israel fearing the Palestinian bombing operations ahead the Israeli elections on the 28th of March. Mofaz ordered his troops to stay on alert and to enhance the security measures, speaking to his military officials in a meting on Friday Mofaz said' we have to do every thing possible to protect Israeli citizens on the day of elections" and ordered the extension of the closure imposed on the Palestinian areas until the end of March. Israeli Radio said that Israeli police forces will deploy more police forces starting from Sunday, and reported that 22. 000 police will be deployed in different cities to insure a secure election process and to prevent Palestinian attacks. more.. The killing scene is repeated again and again, to international silence Rafah Today 3/23/2006 The killing scene is repeated again and again during an international silence. The Islamic Jihad group, which was targeted, named the dead members as Mahmud Salah Ayad, 25, and Fares Sofian Abu Gharaba, 24, and confirmed they were trying to carry out an attack. Medics at the Deir AL Balah hospital in the central Gaza Strip confirmed they had received the bodies of the two slain members scattered into small pieces. Their deaths brought to thousands of people killed, and tens of thousands were injured. In addition to the deaths and injuries are the thousands of houses that have been demolished since the eruption of the Intifada in September 2000. more.. Settlers See Vote as Battle for Survival By Allyn Fisher-Ilan, Palestine Chronicle 3/23/2006 Mark Cohen, an immigrant from Chicago who heads the Maaleh Michmash local council, said he did not think anybody in the settlement would vote for Kadima. -- WEST BANK (Reuters) - For many Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, Israel's March 28 election is a do-or-die battle for their future. In what has become the central issue of the campaign, they are fighting a plan by interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the expected winner of the poll, to remove isolated settlements as part of moves to impose Israel's final borders by 2010. Thousands are campaigning feverishly for pro-settler parties to keep land they view as a biblical birthright. Some analysts say if the pullout goes ahead, violence could erupt that would make protests over last year's dismantling of settlements in the Gaza Strip seem tame. more.. IDF kills three Palestinian militants near Gaza Strip fence Ha'aretz 3/23/2006 The Israel Defense Forces killed three Palestinians early Thursday morning north of the Kissufim checkpoint near the Gaza Strip security fence. Soldiers positioned in a watchtower spotted the Palestinians placing an explosive device nearby. An IDF tank subsequently opened fire in the direction of the alleged bombplanters. An Israel Air Force aircraft also fired at the suspicous figures. Initially only two of the militants were reported dead. It was later confirmed that the third Palestinian was also killed in the incident. "Overnight our forces identified three Palestinians planting bombs near the border fence. There was an air strike and the targets were hit," an IDF spokeswoman said. more.. Palestinian resistance shoots and kills an Israeli soldier near Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Al Quds brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad Movement, claimedresponsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier who was repairing the border fence near the Israeli town of Khuza'a, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, Thursday morning. In a press release the brigades stated that the shooting was a response to the killing of the two resistance fighters east of Dair Al Balah Thursday morning and the ongoing invasions and arrests that the Israeli army has been conducting every day in the West Bank. [end] more.. Jaffa residents clash with Herut activists urging their emigration Ha'aretz 3/23/2006 Herut party activists and Arab residents of Jaffa clashed on Thursday afternoon after the activists arrived in the city in an attempt to convince its Israeli Arab residents to leave the country. The activists were headed by party chairman and former MK Michael Kleiner. Police officers who arrived at the scene dispersed those involved in the brawl. Convening on Yefet Street, Kleiner began reciting his political doctrine as Herut activists urged Jaffa's Arab residents to emigrate, and offered monetary compensation. "The land was given to the sons of Israel, and not to the sons of Ishmael. Us. This is our country. Not your country," Kleiner declared. more.. Palestinian child shot and injured by Israeli forces near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Palestinian boy was injured by the Israeli forces stationed in the area between Ithna and Tarqomia in Hebron Province. Ham'mad Qot'tainah, 15 years old, was injured in the leg when the Israeli soldiers shot at him claiming he throw stones at them. Eyewitnesses said that the boy was shot at by the Israeli soldiers in the area and that the soldiers transported him to an Israeli hospital in Askalan. [end] more.. An assault against a local TV station in Bethlehem Ma'an News 3/23/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Anonymous armed men break into Shepherds local TV station Wednesday night and destroyed all devices in the TV for no clear reasons. One of the employees said that several masked and armed men broke into the station and started destroying every thing in the offices, the have destroyed every thing including cameras, computers and electric devices, he added. Palestinian security started investigation the incident. Head of the visual and Audable Departement in the Information Ministry Mr. Mohammad Abu Halaah condemned the incident and looked at it as an assault on all Palestinian media. more.. Israeli Army arrests eight residents in Tulkarem International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army forces invaded the West Bank city of Tulkarem and arrested eight residents there on Thursday at dawn. Troops stormed the city and conducted a wide scale search of the residents' houses and arrested Sa'ed Hasri, 20, Samih Hasri, 21, Thai'er Balbisi, 20, Baha' Sridi, Amar Sridi and Tarik Tamoni, 25, local sources reported. At the same time, another force invaded the nearby village of Far'on and arrested Sa'ed Abu Fiad after searching his house along with several other houses, eyewitnesses reported. Also, soldiers and army vehicles invaded the nearby Qafeen village and arrested Omaer Dawoud, after searching his house, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army arrests six residents from Dier Ghassanah village near Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army forces invaded the village of Dier Ghassanah, west of the West Bank city of Ramallah, and arrested six residents there Thursday at dawn. Troops stormed the village and searched several houses before arresting the six residents, eyewitnesses reported. The arrestees were identified as Khalied Naser, Shihab Mesehel, Awad Mesehl, Kamal Al She'bi, Arafat Al Barghothi and his brother Nazal who were all taken to an unknown destination, local sources reported. [end] more.. Israeli Army arrests one Palestinian resident of Bani Na'em village International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the village of Bani Na'em in the West Bank city of Hebron and arrested one resident there, Thursday morning. Soliman Ibeed, 24, was arrested after troops stormed the village, surrounded his house, and then took him to an unknown destination. The Ibeed family received orders from the army that he was wanted for interrogation by army intelligence in the nearby settlement of Gosh Atzion during an invasion to the village two weeks ago, the family reported. [end] more.. Army storms Kofer Dan village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the village of Kofer Dan in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Thursday morning. Soldiers and army vehicles stormed the village, searched several houses, and chased a civilian car. No arrests were made, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Palestinian resistance shells four homemade shells at Al-Majdal city in Israel International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, announced responsibility for launching four homemade shells at Al-Majdal city in Israeli, late Wednesday night. In a press release issued on Thursday morning, the Brigades said that the attack came as a response to the crime and aggression of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza strip. [end] more.. Army arrests one resident from Dihasha Refugee camp in Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army forces stormed Dihasha refugee camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem and arrested one resident there Thursday at dawn. Waled Hamda, 32, was arrested when troops invaded the camp and surrounded his house. After a search, which caused damage to his family's belongings, the soldiers took him to an unknown destination, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army invades Nablus and arrests one Palestinian resident International Middle East Media Center 3/23/2006 Israeli army forces invaded Askar refugee camp in West Bank city of Nablus Thursday morning and arrested one resident there. Ashraf Mas'ha, 18, was arrested after troops stormed the camp and searched several houses including his family house, local sources reported. [end] more.. PRC claim responsibility for the shooting of an Israeli soldier Ma'an News 3/23/2006 Khan Younis- Maan- Popular Resistance Committees ''PRC" announce responsibility for the shooting of the Israeli soldier at the eastern borders of the Refuge Camp of Maghazi in the central area of the Gaza Strip Thursday afternoon. In a statement issued Thursday it said that its group shot an Israeli soldier while standing near his Toyota car at the eastern borders of Maghazi Camp. The statement added that Israeli forces and an ambulance arrived to the scene in order to transport the soldier to hospital. The PRC said that this was a reaction on the Israeli killing of two Palestinian activists of the Islamic Jihad Movement. [end] more.. Clashes during Israeli campaign BBC 3/23/2006 Israeli Arabs have clashed with members of the right-wing Jewish Herut party in Jaffa after it launched a campaign to encourage them to emigrate. Scuffles broke out after Herut members handed out leaflets that called on Israeli-Arabs to emigrate to Arab countries in return for compensation. Arab residents described the offer as racist, but Herut spokesman Shmuel Ari said the offer was legitimate. There are some 1. 3m Arab citizens of Israel, about 20% of the population. 'Evacuation and Compensation': Herut - the Hebrew for freedom - is a Jewish nationalist party opposed to any territorial concessions to Palestinians. more.. Video - Rightists, Arabs clash over 'emigration deal' YNet News 3/23/2006 (VIDEO) Jaffa residents hurl stun grenade, bottles at Herut party members who hand out leaflets calling on Arabs to emigrate from Israel in return for compensation -- VIDEO - A violent confrontation erupted Thursday in Jaffa between Arab residents and some 15 activists of the rightist Herut (freedom) party, headed by Michael Kleiner, who offered the locals to emigrate from Israel in return for compensation. The locals beat up Kleiner and his associates, and also hurled a stun grenade and bottles in their direction. Herut members consequently fled the scene. more.. Israel kills Palestinian militant BBC 3/22/2006 Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian man in the West Bank (file photo)Israel is on high alert ahead of next week's electionIsraeli soldiers have shot and killed a Palestinian militant in the West Bank town of Jericho. The man, a member of Islamic Jihad, died when the soldiers opened fire on a house in a refugee camp after he refused to surrender, the army said. The Israelis arrested two other Islamic Jihad activists during the raid. It came a day after 10 Palestinians were arrested in a van near Jerusalem with explosives thought to be destined for use in a suicide bomb attack. Israel has been on high alert for possible suicide bombings ahead of next week's elections. On Tuesday, it temporarily reopened the main cargo crossing into the Gaza Strip, because of concerns about a looming food crisis. more.. Security forces foil second suicide bombing within 24 hours; Jihad man killed in Jericho Ha'aretz 3/23/2006 Security forces yesterday foiled a second suicide bombing attempt in 24 hours. In the Ramallah region, the forces arrested a would-be suicide bomber, a member of Fatah's Tanzim military wing in Nablus, and two facilitators. Soldiers from the undercover Duvdevan unit arrested the terrorist in the town of Al-Bireh, while the two facilitators were arrested in the adjacent Al-Amari refugee camp. All three are residents of the Nablus region. They were en route to Jerusalem to carry out a suicide bombing somewhere in the center of the country. The explosives belt to be used in the bombing has not been located, so it remains unclear how imminent the alert was. more.. Army installs two iron gates east of Tamon village International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 The Israeli army installed two iron gates in the electrified fences erected previously by the Army east of Tamon village near the West Bank city of Tubas, Wednesday afternoon. Troops installed the gates near a trench which was made by army four years ago to stop farmers from the village from going to their lands, local sources reported. Also, army bulldozers have been working in the area for the past several days without the residents knowing the purpose of the work, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army invades Beit Fajar village and arrests eight residents International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 Israeli army forces stormed the village of Beit Fajjar, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday at dawn. Soldiers searched several houses before arresting eight residents and taking them to unknown destination. The names of the arrestees remains unknown, local sources reported. [end] more.. Israeli forces killed Palestinian man in his bedroom in Jericho Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Jericho-Maan- Israeli Forces shot and killed the Islamic Jihad activist Ramadan Mtair, 22 years, and arrested two Palestinian civilians at Aqabat Jabir Refugee Camp in Jericho City Wednesday morning. Maan correspondent reported that Israeli Forces troops raided the Camp, broke into Mtair's house, they opened fire at him while in his room and killed him. Israeli Military sources claimed that Ramadan is a wanted Palestinian and an activist member of Islamic Jihad. Israeli forces said they have shot and killed him when they called him to come out but he did not comply. more.. Aqsa Brigdes launched projectile at Israeli military position Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Maan- Jihad and resistant of Aqsa Brigades announced responsibility for the launching of a home made projectile at an Israeli military position east of Beit Hanoun. A statement issued by the brigades said that the brigade's video tapped the launching operation and confirmed that they will continue struggle against Israeli occupation troops and to react on Israeli crimes. [end] more.. Al-Qaida [allegedly] sets up cells in West Bank Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 Two Nablus residents suspected of heading an Al-Qaida terror cell yesterday became the first West Bank Palestinians to be indicted on charges of belonging to Osama bin Laden's worldwide terror network. The case, in which the suspects are also accused of planning a double bombing in the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem, is the most recent sign that Al-Qaida has been attempting to establish a Palestinian terror cell in the territories, security officials said. The officials said that there have been several incidents over the past year that raised suspicions of ties between Palestinian factions and Al-Qaida, but the alleged Nablus cell is the most serious such case. more.. 15 year-old boy was shot and injured by Israeli forces Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Hebron Maan- Palestinian boy was injured by the Israeli forces stationed in the area between Ithna and Tarqomia in Hebron Province. Ham'mad Qot'tainah 15 years was injured in the leg when the Israeli soldiers shot at him claiming he throw stones at them. Eyewitnesses said that the boy was shot at by the Israeli soldiers in the area and that the soldiers transported him to an Israeli hospital in Askalan. [end] more.. Israeli forces raided Qalqilia city Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Qalqilia-Maan- Israeli Forces raided Qalqilia City and arrested Palestinian young man, after launching searching campaign through the city's houses Wednesday morning. Witnesses said that seven Israeli vehicles raided the city at 2 am and centered at Kufur Saba and Soufin areas, checked and evacuated the city's houses from residents. Witnesses confirmed that Israeli Forces arrested Mohammad Al-Anani 20 years after breaking into his house. [end] more.. Palestinian resistance shells military posts near Beit Hanon in the Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 The Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility for firingone homemade shell at an Israeli military post east of Beit Hanoun area in the Gaza strip, Wednesday at dawn. The press release issued by the group claimed that the Brigades videotaped the shelling operation and promised to continue the struggle against Israeli military occupation. [end] more.. New separation siege in Jenin area Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Jinen-Maan- Israeli Forces started building a separation siege between the Israeli settlements located to the east of Tam'moun area northern Wast Bank and Sahil Al-Baqai'ah located in the east of Tam'moun. Palestinian security sources reported that the siege was built paralleling road 90 which separates the settlements area and Sahil Al-Baqai'a. Meanwhile Israeli Forces raided Toubas and Aqaba areas, erected a temporary checkpoint at the entrance of Tam'moun area Wednesday morning. [end] more.. Army invades Al Walaja village near Bethlehem and levels one house International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the village of Walaja, north-west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, demolishing one house and damaging a second one on Wednesday morning. In a phone call with IMEMC office, a British activist in the village reported that more than 30 soldiers, three army bulldozers and several jeeps invaded the village then closed it off. They proceded to destroy one house then attempted a second demolition. This village is the target of the Israeli-army-imposed home-demolishing strategy which aims to remove Walaja's residents then annex the land to Jerusalem. [end] more.. Five Palestinian students were slightly injured in Gaza Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Gaza- Maan- Five university students were injured when the bus they were traveling in was suddenly on fire. The students were on their way to the university in Gaza city from the southern governorates in the Strip. General Director of the Emergency Department in Shefa'a Hospital said; the students were slightly injured and afec6ed by the smoke of the fire. [end] more.. Israeli forces besieging Jam'maeen town Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Salfeet- Maan- Israeli Forces prevented Palestinian citizens of Jam'maeen town from leaving or entering the gates on the entrances. Iz'zat Zitawi , mayor of the town said that the Israeli forces was not satisfied by the erection of the gates, they have also siege the area with another wall , they have bulldozed hundreds of meters and build an earthy wall around the area. [end] more.. PNIC: 4 Killed, 67 Wounded and 129 Others Arrested During 58th Week of Ceasefire International Press Center 3/22/2006 GAZA, Palestine, March 22, 2006 (IPC) - A report concerning the Israeli violations prepared by the State Information Service (SIS) revealed that Israeli forces have killed four Palestinians and wounded 67 others as well as committing 823 acts of violations of the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire agreed on February 8, 2005 after Sharm Al Sheikh summit. The report, released by the Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC) asserted that between March 14 and March 20, 2006 Israeli forces shot four Palestinians dead, injured 67 arrested 129 and carried out many violations varying between house shelling, raids, incursions, land bulldozing and curbing of free movement. more.. Jihad militant killed in Israeli raid on Jericho China View 3/22/2006 RAMALLAH, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian activist of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) was killed early Wednesday in an Israeli raid in the West Bank town of Jericho, Palestinians security sources said. Israeli soldiers stormed the Aqabat Jabar refugee camp on the outskirts of Jericho, hunting for wanted militants, said the sources. Ramadan Mutair, 22, died when Israeli soldiers opened fire after trying to persuade him to surrender, said the sources. Israeli army said that Mutair was a wanted Jihad militant and he was killed after he rejected to come out of a house where he was hiding. Two other Jihad militants were arrested in the operation, according to the sources. more.. West Bank Palestinians charged with Al-Qaida membership for first time Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 Two men from the West Bank became on Tuesday the first Palestinians to be charged with membership in Al-Qaida. The two 20-year-old Nablus residents, Azzam Abu Al-Ades and Bilal Hafanawi, were charged in a Samaria military court with planning a terror attack and membership in Al-Qaida. Some two months ago, Israeli intelligence figures said evidence indicated Palestinians from Nablus and Jenin had made contact with groups identified with Al-Qaida and received from them financial support for their operations. Al-Ades and Hafanawi met with Al Qaida operatives in Jordan, arranged for secret e-mail communication, opened a bank account and received 3,000 Jordanian dinars ($4,240) from Al Qaida to carry out the Jerusalem attack, according to the indictment. more.. Palestinians 'in al-Qaeda plot' BBC 3/21/2006 An Israeli military tribunal has charged two West Bank Palestinians with plotting bomb attacks for al-Qaeda. It is the first time Israel has formally charged Palestinians with membership of the militant network. The two men were arrested in December after allegedly meeting al-Qaeda operatives in Jordan to receive funding and training to carry out attacks. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas warned recently that al-Qaeda was trying to recruit in the West Bank and Gaza. Israeli security officials have also confirmed al-Qaeda has been seeking members in the Palestinian territories, and that Israel is considered a prime target for attack. more.. Israeli Bulldozers Demolish House in Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 3/21/2006 The Israeli military demolished on Tuesday a house in the West Bank city of Qalqiliia, local sources reported. The Caterpillar D9 bulldozers, driven by Israeli soldiers, destroyed the home of Jammal Hamad, as well as his garden and pond, in Hija town east the city, under the pretext of having no building license. Hamad told reporters that he had tried for years to obtain a building license but the Israeli authorities repeatedly refused to grant him one. Israeli authorities often use the excuse of a lack of building licenses for the demolition of homes, although no building licenses have been granted to Palestinians since 1967. [end] more.. Israel barrier 'hurting farmers' BBC 3/21/2006 A UN report into the humanitarian impact of Israel's West Bank barrier says it has caused widespread losses to Palestinian farmers. About 5,000 Palestinians currently live in the areas between the barrier and Israel's pre-1967 boundary and they need permits to get in and out. The UN says farmers are not being allowed access to farmland, causing unemployment and loss of income. Israel says the barrier is justified to counter bomb attacks by Palestinians. About half of the 700km-long barrier's system of electric fences and high concrete walls has been built so far. The focus of the latest UN report is access to farmland in the closed areas. more.. Commission slams police, protesters and government Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 The parliamentary commission of inquiry into last month's violent evacuation of the illegal West Bank outpost of Amona yesterday urged the Shin Bet security service to invest major efforts in capturing the individuals responsible for torching the cars of several senior police officers. These acts, thought to be committed by far-right activists, could develop into a threat against judges, Knesset members and their families, the commission warned in an interim report released yesterday. The report also urged the government to consider stiffening the penalties for anyone who attempts to hurt police officers, judges, elected officials or their relatives. The commission strongly criticized Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra for their decision to ban officers responsible for the evacuation from appearing before the panel. more.. Terrorist saw guns, didn't press switch' YNet News 3/21/2006 Police officials describe dramatic highway chase and interception of terrorist headed to commit mass murder -- Police apprehended Tuesday a terrorist who planned to carry out an attack in the heart of Israel. The man, a Palestinian in his twenties from the West Bank village of el-Yamun near Jenin, is a member of the Islamic Jihad. Jerusalem District Police Chief Ilan Franco defined the operation to thwart the attack, in the framework of which policemen too control over the stunned terrorists and nine other passengers in the vehicle he was riding, as successful. "We managed to foil a multi-casualty terror attack in a crowded place," Franco said. more.. PRC warns of the Gaza Strip closure Ma'an News 3/21/2006 Khan Younis- Maan- Spokesman of the Popular Resistant Committees" PRC'' said that there is clear collusion from the International Community so as to make Palestinian people starving and subjected them to the Israeli oppression. Abu Mujahid told Maan News Agency that the PRC will not stand still, we will not leave our people starving to death and will confront this conspiracy which the whole world participating in, we are going to respond on this policy. The spokesman clarifies that" the Israeli enemy is trying all means to humiliate Palestinian people so as to comply to the Israeli conditions, and to steal the Palestinian will and to make Palestinians unable to resist the occupation. [end] more.. Army invades Nablus, four resident injured International Middle East Media Center 3/21/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded Askar refugee camp, near the West Bank city of Nablus, and shot four Palestinians; two were seriously injured. Army source claimed that soldiers also fired at two armed Palestinians during the invasion but it was not clear if they were hit. Earlier in the day, soldiers claimed arresting a Palestinian youth at Huwwara checkpoint, near the West Bank city of Nablus. According to the army, the youth carried two knives and three firebombs. In a separate incident, the Israeli police arrested 250 Palestinians working in Israel without “obtaining legal permits. more.. A Fatah military wing warns collaborators Ma'an News 3/21/2006 Khanyounis- Maan- Forsan Al Asifah one of Fatah military wings threat what it called them the collaborators and said that they will be chased, punished and will pay for the crimes they have committed against Palestinian people. In a statement issued Tuesday it said that it will open the file of collaborators and they will be accounted, exterminated and uprooted, especially after the massacres and assassinations the Israeli launched against Palestinians with the help and collaboration of the agents. The statement added that, any one involved in the crimes against Palestinian people will pay the price for his crimes and humiliation of Palestinians. more.. Hackers target Israeli websites YNet News 3/21/2006 Sharon cartoons, yellow Stars of David planted in sites; expert sees al-Qaeda fingerprints -- Online anti-Semitism: Hackers suspected to be associated with al-Qaeda have targeted several Israeli websites recently, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Tuesday. Some of the pictures planted by the hackers included a yellow Star of David, a picture of ailing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dressed in Nazi uniform setting the globe on fire, and a picture of an eagle pecking at Sharon's head. The recent online attacks appear to bear the hallmarks of al-Qaeda, according to Koren Lev, Information Security Chief at Bezeq-Call who detected the attack unfolding in real time. more.. Mystical sage, son to be probed for suspected racist incitement Ha'aretz 3/21/2006 The state prosecutor on Tuesday ordered police to open a criminal investigation into Rabbi David Batzri, a prominent sage preaching Jewish mysticism, who is suspected of racist incitement. Police will also investigate Batzri's son, Rabbi Yitzhak Batzri. The prosecution's order came in the wake of comments made by the suspects during a conference held some two months ago in Jerusalem's Pat neighborhood. According to suspicions, the Batzris allegedly made the racist comments at the conference which was held to rally support against the establishment of a bilingual school for Jewish and Arab students in the heart of the Pat neighborhood. more.. Gaza gunfights point to fears over PA salaries By Laila El-Haddad, The Guardian 3/20/2006 Gunmen belonging mainly to Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades blocked off the main road leading to the Erez terminal and exchanged fire with security forces in a two-hour long battle. Erez is used mainly by Palestinian officials to cross into Israel. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's motorcade was on its way to Tel Aviv at the time for a follow-up meeting with Americans, Egyptians, Europeans, and Israelis on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The gunmen then took the battle to Gaza City, shooting at a police station and in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Machine gun fire echoed throughout the city, ricocheting off buildings and shops, as police sirens wailed up and down the streets. more.. Palestinians recruited for Al-Qaeda YNet News 3/21/2006 Military Court in Salem, Samaria, hears severe indictment against two Palestinians from Nablus who recruited suicide bombers to carry out attacks for al-QaedaEfrat Weiss Has Al-Qaeda sent tentacles into the territories? Two Nablus residents and members of al-Qaeda have been accused of trying to recruit for terror attacks. An indictment was submitted against them in the Salem military court in Samaria, in the West Bank. The two men – Azzam abu-al-Adas and Balal Hafnawi, both in their 20s – are accused of having contact with al-Qaeda in Jordan, and drafting others to carry out attacks in Israel, including the use of car bombs. more.. Beta village under siege for the last four days International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinian citizens Monday morning in Beta village south east of the city of Nablus. Eye witnesses in Beta village reported that a huge contingent of Israeli forces entered the village early Monday morning and broke into many houses, before arresting nine Palestinian residents. Ma'an reports that Israeli troops have currently occupied the entrances of the village and are preventing Palestinians from leaving or entering. Israeli soldiers are also patrolling the streets, stopping Palestinians and demanding to see their ID cards. Beta's schools have closed. There was a confrontation between unarmed Palestinian residents and Israeli soldiers but no casualties have been reported. more.. Six wounded in Gaza clashes By Laila El-Haddad, AlJazeera 3/20/2006 Six people were wounded in separate exchanges of fire between members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinian security personnel in the Gaza Strip on Monday. Two police officers, one member of the Brigades and a bystander were wounded in one clash, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said. In the second clash, which took place at the Rafah terminal, two bystanders were wounded. Elsewhere, armed men, mainly belonging to al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, briefly stormed a military hospital in southern Gaza and a power plant overnight, demanding unpaid wages and jobs, the centre said. Earlier on Monday, Brigades fighters blocked the main road leading to the Erez terminal, the crossing point into Israel used mainly by Palestinian officials. more.. Aqsa Brigades attack Palestinian Police Chief Parade Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Gaza- Maan-Four Palestinian Security Men were injured during clashes with members of the Aqsa brigades in the north and central areas of the Gaza Strip. The Aqsa Brigades men were protesting against the PA for not employing them in the security bodies of the PA when the clashes erupted. Two Palestinian police men were injured in fire exchange between the police men guarding the Police Head General Ala'a Husni and the brigade's members. The fire shooting at the parade of General Husni was near the Carni Crossing. Dozens of Aqsa Brigades closed Salah Ad'din Road leading to the crossing in an attempt to pressure the PA to employ them in the security forces. more.. Masked men killed Palestinian young man in Salfeet Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Salfeet= Maan- A Palestinian young man was killed by unknown masked men Monday afternoon. Maan reporter said that Palestinians traveling in a car stopped near the house of Ahmad Naseem 25 years, one of the men stepped out of the car, entered the house and shot Naseem to death by an M 16 machine gun. Eyewitnesses said that the men left the area in the same car and Palestinian security started investigation the incident. The body of the killed man was transported to Salfeet Emergency Hospital. [end] more.. Israeli War Planes Destroy Water Pipe in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Israeli war planes hit Sunday a water pipe in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. Mayor of al-Fakhari municipality, Auda al-Amour said that the missile that hit Salah al-Deen road, which links between Rafah and Khanyounis, destroyed the water pipe that supplies water to the towns of al-Fakhari and Um an-Nasser. He added that the destruction of the pipe prevented 6500 people of water, asserting the municipality was making efforts to fix the pipe. Al -Amour called on the international community and the Quartet for Mideast Peace [made up of the US, European Union, United Nationa and Russia) to shoulder responsibility for the fate of the Palestinian people and to pressure Israel to end its collective punishment policy against the Palestinian people. [end] more.. One resident injured by military fire in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Israeli army shot and injured on Monday morning, one resident of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza strip, a Palestinian medical source reported. The resident sustained an injury in the thigh when soldiers stationed north east of the town opened fire at him. He was transported to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. [end] more.. Army forces residents to strip at a military checkpoint east of Tubas International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Monday morning, Israeli soldiers stationed at Taiaseer military checkpoint east of the West Bank city of Tubas, forced several residents to undress before passing the checkpoint. Soldiers forced all males to strip before passing through the checkpoint ,even an 80-year old man was forced tundress in order to get to his home on the other said of the checkpoint, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Roadside bomb exploded near Israeli military vehicle in Jenin Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Jinen-Maan- Quds Brigade "Military Wing of Islamic Jihad movement" announced responsibility for the exploding of a side bomb near an Israeli's military vehicle at Al-Damj area in Jinen's Refugee Camp Monday morning. Al-Quds Brigades confirmed that the attack was a reaction on the Israeli killing of a Palestinian child at Al-Yamoun village in Jinen days ago. [end] more.. Israeli Army invades two West Bank villages near Hebron, arrests Four International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 The Israeli army invaded two villages near the West Bank city of Hebron and arrested four residents Monday morning. The Palestine News Network reported that Israeli soldiers broke into several homes in the village of Su'eer north east of Hebronand arrested two brothers Awas,32, and Iyas Yousef AlFroukh, 30 and Zeyad Kawazba, all are from the Palestinian security forces. Meanwhile, the army invaded and broke into several homes inthe nearby village of Tarqumaya west of Hebron and arrested Dya' AlDeen Qa'qur,23. [end] more.. Army invades Beita village near Nablus and arrests nine residents International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Israeli army troops stormed Beita Village, south east of the West Bank city of Nablus, imposed curfew and arrested nine residents this Monday morning. Local sources say that the Palestinians arrested are Jihad Bani Shamsa (33), Khaled Kan'a (34), Raghed Jaghop (31), Mohamed Labib (23), Bassman Dowekat (23), Hashem Dowekat, (27), Ayman Dowekat (30), Smmer Hamaiel (25), and Mohmed Salamah (25). The Israeli army is still occupying the main entrances of the village and preventing residents from entering or leaving Beita. Israeli soldiers have also taken over some Palestinian homes and turned them into military posts. [end] more.. Siege of Beta village: Day Four Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Nablus- Maan- Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinian citizens Monday morning in Beta village south east of the city of Nablus. Eye witnesses said that large contingent of Israeli forces entered the village Monday early morning and break into many houses. Israeli forces launched a searching campaign in the houses of the village and arrested nine of its citizens. Maan reporter said that Israeli troops are stationed at the entrances of the village and prevent the Palestinian citizens from leaving or entering the village, and that the Israeli are patrolling the streets and checking the ID's of the people. Shools are closed, and confrontations erupted between the citizens and the Israeli forces with no causalities reported in either side. more.. Israeli forces raided the village of Beta in Nablus area Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Nablus-Maan-Israeli Forces"IF" raided Beta Village, south east of the city of Nablus and composed a curfew today morning;Nine Palestinian citizens were arrested after searching their houses. Maan reporter said that IF still stationed at the entrances of the village and prevented Palestinians from passing through, IF also took positions at the roofs of Palestinian citizens in order to oversee the area. Confrontation took place between IF and Palestinian citizens; no injuries reported. [end] more.. Army arrests three residents from Sa'ir village near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Israeli army stationed at Al Nabi Yousif checkpoint close to the village of Sa'ir near the West Bank city of Hebron, arrestedon Sunday at night three residents from the village. Ziad Kowazba, 35, Ieas Al Frokh, 32 and his brother Owes Al Frokh, 30, were arrested when troops stopped them at the checkpoint and searched their car, local sources reported. [end] more.. VIDEO - Gaza plunged into chaos YNet News 3/20/2006 (Video: Reuters) Fatah gunmen, PA police clash over jobs; gunmen take over power station -- Chaos persists in Gaza: Several gunmen were injured of fire in the Gaza Strip on Monday morning during exchanges between al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and Palestinian Authority security officials. Gunmen take over power station- The skirmishes erupted when al-Aqsa members tried to blockade roads to be taken by President Mahmoud Abbas’ convoy on his way out of Gaza to protest the Palestinian Authority’s failure to find them jobs.... Palestinian sources said gunmen from Fatah and Abbas’ convoy were injured in the violence. Palestinian policemen succeeded in breaking through the barricades set up by al-Aqsa men. more.. Israeli Army artillery renews shelling of the Gaza strip; one wounded International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 The Israeli army artillery renewed the shelling of the northern areas in the Gaza strip, Monday morning. The shelling targeted farmland and open areas in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun towns north of the strip, Nazieh Abu Odah, 25, an employee in the ministry of agriculture, was wounded from the shelling, local sources reported. [end] more.. More projectiles against Israeli areas Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Gaza-Maan-Al Qusd Brigades '' military wing of Islamic Jihad Movement" announced responsibility for the launching of two hand -made projectiles at Al- majdal area. In a statement issued Monday the brigades confirmed the continuation of the struggle against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Aqsa Brigades closed road leads to Erez crossing Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Gaza-Maan-Dozens of Al-Aqsa Brigade closed Salah Al-Dain road leading to Beit Hanoun "Erez" Crossing, calling for the PA to employ them within the public sector. The protesters tried to close the costumes area where the Palestinian coordination are stationed. [end] more.. Projectiles on Sderot Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Gaza- Maan- Ahmad Abu Ar'rish Brigades"a military wing of the Fatah Movement" claim responsibility for the launching of two home made projectiles at the Israeli settlement of Sderot. In a statement issued Monday it said that the brigades launch the projectiles in retaliation on the Israeli crimes and aggression. [end] more.. Preliminary investigation of killing of eight-year old reveals Israeli misconduct International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Eight year old Akbar Zaid, killed Friday night by Israeli border police, was a victim of misconduct by the Israeli forces. Zaid is the latest in a spate of child killings by Israeli forces which have resulted in the deaths of 7 children so far this year. Nearly 900 children have been killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of the current open conflict in Septembet 2000. The undercover Border Policemen who killed Akbar Zaid near Jenin on Friday night violated the rules of engagement, said the Israeli Army after an initial investigation of the incident. According to the Israeli army report, the girl was killed after a Border Police unit entered the village of Al-Yaamoun, northwest of Jenin, to arrest three wanted Fatah and Islamic Jihad men. more.. Palestinian resistance fighters protest at Palestinian Police Chief Parade; demand work International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 Four Palestinian Security Men were injured during clashes with members of the Al Aqsa brigades, the armed wing of the Fateh party, in the north and central areas of the Gaza Strip. The Aqsa Brigades men were protesting against the Palestinian Authority (PA) for not employing them in the security bodies of the PA when the clashes erupted. Two Palestinian policemen were injured in fire exchanges between the policemen guarding the Police Head General Ala'a Husni and the brigade's members. The clashes took place at the parade of General Husni was near the Carni Crossing. more.. Illegal Israeli Digging Beneath Western Wall of Al Aqsa Mosque Continues International Middle East Media Center 3/18/2006 Israeli construction companies, with support from Israeli armed forces, have resumed digging underneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, apparently in a bid to undermine the foundations of the ancient mosque and cause it to collapse, reported the Al Aqsa Institution for the Renovation of Islamic Sites Friday. The Institution has repeatedly warned of covert construction acts by Israel beneath Al-Buraq wall or the so-called "wailing wall" and in the neighboring area to the western wall of Al Aqsa mosque. In a press release, the Al Aqsa Institution said Friday that "Israel is gradually taking over the area of the holy Al Aqsa mosque and is obliterating its Islamic features day after day. more.. Only forty minutes of crossing opening to allow Palestinians import flour Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Gaza- Maan- Israeli Authorities closed the Mintar "Karni" Crossing east of the Gaza Strip after only forty minutes of its reopening. Few trucks carrying food stuff were able to pass through the crossing. Israeli Authorities said that the closure was for security reasons. The opening of the crossing was for humanitarian reasons especially when the flour which is the main source for the Palestinian bread almost disappeared from the markets and signs of humanitarian crises started in the horizon. [end] more.. IDF soldier, Border Police officer wounded in West Bank arrest raid Ha'aretz 3/21/2006 An Israel Defense Forces soldier and a Border Police officer were wounded during an arrest raid in the Qalandiyah refugee camp in the West Bank early Tuesday. The two were lightly wounded when street clashes broke out with local Palestinians while IDF troops were searching for Palestinian militants. Soldiers arrested two wanted Tanzim militants in the refugee camp. [end] more.. Palestinian Monitoring Group Daily Situation Report, 26 -27 February 2006 Palestine Media Center 3/1/2006 ... NABLUS: Closure of Main Roads: (i) The Israeli army continues to close the main road leading to the district of Jenin between the junction to the village of Deir Sharaf and the settlement of Shavei Shomron. Instead, the Israeli army has forced civilians to travel along an unpaved 1. 5-km-long road, which branches off from the Nablus-Tulkarem road and intersects with the Nablus- Jenin road opposite the village of Sabastiya. (ii) At 14:00, the Israeli army set up an iron gate on the road connectingthe town of Jamma’in to the village of Zeita.... Raids/Curfew/Palestinian Attack: (i) At 17:45, the Israeli army, including 6 jeeps, raided and patrolled the city of Nablus. (ii) At 18:40, the Israeli army raided the village of Rujeib and arrested 1 civilian. (iii) At 18:40, the Israeli army raided the village of Beita and imposed curfew, allegedly in response to open fire by armed Palestinian individuals towards an Israeli settler vehicle near the village. more.. Seven hurt in fresh Gaza unrest BBC 3/20/2006 At least seven people have been injured in the Gaza Strip in a fresh wave of violence between armed militia groups and the Palestinian security forces. Gunmen stormed the main government compound in Gaza, opening fire randomly in the air and battling police. A gun battle broke out when gunmen blocked a main road and attacked a convoy going to meet the police chief. Members of an armed affiliate of the mainstream Fatah party, which lost recent polls, are protesting over jobs. There were at least five attempts by members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades to disrupt government activities on Monday - a day after the victorious Islamist group Hamas named its new cabinet. more.. IDF extends seal on territories as humanitarian state worsens Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 A closure on Palestinian areas, meant to end Thursday after Purim, has been extended until at least next week, and the Israel Defense Forces is inclined to continue it until after the March 28 elections. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz extended the complete closure on the territories and security forces are on high alert for fear of Palestinian retaliation for the Tuesday raid of a Jericho prison holding Palestinians wanted for the assassination of former minister Rehavam Ze'evi. The closure bars Palestinian laborers from entering Israel, and also shuts down Gaza's main cargo crossing, Karni. Israel, citing security concerns, has closed Karni on and off for most of the past two months. Karni's closure led the Palestinian Mill Co. , which says it supplies about 60 percent of Gaza's flour, to idle last week because it used up its flour stocks. more.. Israeli Troops kill 8-year old child near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 3/17/2006 Friday evening, Israeli soldiers shot and killed an eight-year old child in the village of Al Yamoun, near the West Bank city of Jenin; another resident was moderately injured. A Palestinian medical source in Jenin reported that Akaber Abdul-Rahman Zedan, 8, was shot dead after the soldiers fired with live ammunition at dozens of homes in the village; her body of the child was transferred to Khaleel Suleiman Hospital in Jenin. The child who was killed by military fire was leaving her home adjacent to the surrounded home. She died of her wounds after the soldiers delayed an ambulance trying to evacuate her. Also, an Israeli military spokesperson claimed that soldiers fired at a taxi after its driver failed to stop when ordered, and that the child was one of the passengers. The family of the child, and eyewitnesses denied the military allegations and confirmed that the child was shot near her house. -- See also: Border Policemen shoot dead 10-year-old Palestinian near Jenin more.. Ten Palestinians injured in Bilin Ma'an News 3/17/2006 Ramallah- Maan- Ten Palestinian citizens injured one seriously during confrontations in the villages of Bilin and Beit Stra Friday. Citizens of the tow villages organized a demonstration to protest the separation wall building when they were attacked by the Israeli forces. Palestinian throw stones and rocks at the Israeli soldiers who used gas bombs and rubber bullets to disperse the Palestinian citizens. Maan reporter said that the Israeli soldiers told him they were shooting at the demonstrators because of the holy Saturday. Reports said that six Israeli soldiers were injured by the Palestinians stones. [end] more.. Soldiers shell areas east of Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/17/2006 Israeli artillery shelled on Friday morning several areas east of Gaza city. The Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that tanks stationed on the Gaza Strip borders fired several shells at areas east of Gaza city, no injuries were reported. [end] more.. Three dead in Gaza explosion, shooting AlJazeera 3/17/2006 Israel says it is not involved in the explosion -- Two Palestinians have been killed and three more injured in an explosion in northern Gaza, Palestinian security sources say. The sources said initial indications suggested the blast in Bait Lahiya happened while the men were preparing an explosive device of some kind. The Israeli army said it was not carrying out any military activities in the area at the time. Meanwhile, an eight-year-old Palestinian girl was shot dead by the Israeli occupation army in the northern West Bank on Friday. more.. Tulkarem under siege for the second week Ma'an News 3/17/2006 Tulkarem- Maan- Israeli force continues its siege to the city of Tulkarem for the second successive week. Maan reporter said that the Israeli forces erecting temporary checkpoints at the entrances of the city and isolating the city from other towns and villages. Eyewitnesses said that the "Tunnel" barrier in the south of the city still closed and that many barriers were erected at the entrances of many villages. [end] more.. Separation wall building continue around Salfeet Ma'an News 3/17/2006 Salfeet- Maan- Israeli forces finished the building of the parts of the separation wall on Zawiyah village west of Salfeet north of the West Bank. Eyewitnesses said that the works in other parts of the wall resumed in other parts in the villages of Deir Bal'lout, Rafat, and Mis'h West of Salfeet. The working teams of the Israeli forces continue building parts of the wall in the north of the city of Salfeet. [end] more.. IDF preparing for PFLP revenge attacks in wake of Jericho raid Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 The Israel Defense Forces is preparing for possible revenge attacks by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine following Israel's removal of five senior PFLP members from the Jericho jail on Tuesday. The army fears Palestinian terror groups may attempt to abduct Israelis in an attempt to exchange prisoners, Israel Radio reported Friday. Nonetheless, potential Fatah attacks top the list of IDF concerns, with Fatah apparently set to take over terror attacks from Hamas. A senior General Staff officer told Haaretz on Thursday that Fatah and Hamas had recently switched roles. According to the officer, Hamas is currently refraining from attacks, and its leaders have even rejected operatives' proposals for revenge attacks following the Jericho raid. more.. Border Policemen shoot dead 10-year-old Palestinian near Jenin Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 Border Policemen shot dead a ten-year-old Palestinian girl and injured another man Friday in the West Bank village of Yamoun, northeast of Jenin. Israel Defense Forces sources said that an undercover Border Police unit entered the village in order to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad militants. The unit surrounded several houses that allegedly harbored the wanted men. According to the IDF sources, the girl was inadvertently hit by shots fired at a Palestinian cab trying to evade a roadblock. Abdul Rahman Zaed said his daughter was in a car with her uncle, who he said was shot in the head and arrested. -- See also: Israeli Troops kill 8-year old child near Jenin more.. On This Day in 1978: Civilians flee southern Lebanon BBC 3/17/2006 Thousands of Palestinian civilians are fleeing a third day of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. A convoy of refugees in vans, lorries and old buses are heading for Beirut as the death toll of civilians reaches an estimated 150 and is expected to rise as Israel makes further incursions into the region. Heavy artillery shells fell within Israeli-controlled southern Lebanon as international diplomacy continued with fervour to end the fighting. The large town of Nabatiya, only two miles from the Litani river, has been almost totally depopulated of its 30,000 inhabitants who have fled the shelling. more.. IDF confirms paratrooper killed by friendly fire during Jenin raid Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson on Friday confirmed that friendly fire killed a paratrooper during an operation to arrest wanted men in the West Bank city of Jenin Thursday. The circumstances surrounding the death of First Lieutenant Ido Shapira, 20, of Haifa, were ascertained after GOC Central Commander Major General Yair Naveh oversaw a military investigation of the incident. Paratrooper Brigade Commander Colonel Hagai Mordechai visited Shapira's parents Friday morning and delivered them the investigation results. more.. East Jerusalem conference raided by Israeli security; legislators and speakers arrested International Middle East Media Center 3/17/2006 A conference scheduled Thursday morning in East Jerusalem to plan a Palestinian civil society response to the Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem was attacked by Israeli forces, and speakers, Palestinian legislators and members of Palestinian civil society were detained and arrested, charged with holding a conference deemed 'political' by Israeli authorities. Civil society organizations called for the conference, entitled, "The implications of the Palestinian PLC Elections on the Palestinian Political Setting: Towards a Comprehensive Plan to Save Jerusalem. " This conference was to take place at the Ambassador Hotel in East Jerusalem this morning, Thursday, March 16, 2006 to discuss the political, social and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territories following the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections. more.. Israeli forces to step up targeted killings: Mofaz Xinhua 3/16/2006 JERUSALEM, March 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed forces on Thursday to step up targeted killings and anti-terror operations in the West Bank. Mofaz told a security meeting in Tel Aviv that the Jericho operation sent a clear message to the other side that Israel will not compromise when it comes to its national security principles. On Tuesday, Israeli forces raided Palestinian prison in the West Bank city of Jericho and took six wanted Palestinians to an Israeli prison. Due to intelligence indicating terror groups were planning attacks against Israel, Mofaz decided that closure imposed on the West Bank over the Purim holiday would continue until the beginning of next week. more.. State prosecutor: Ze'evi killers to face trial in Israeli court Ha'aretz 3/16/2006 State prosecutor Eran Shendar on Thursday said Israel would be capable of trying four of the six suspects in the assassination of tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi in October 2001. According to Shendar, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will determine whether to try them in a civilian or military court. Earlier Thursday Mazuz said "Israel has a clear interest to try the murderers of an Israeli minister in an Israeli court in the State of Israel. "The six Palestinian inmates were seized Tuesday in a raid by the Israel Defense Forces on the Palestinian Authority prison in Jericho, where they have been held in the last four years. Two of the six inmates will definitely face trial in Israel since they were imprisoned by the PA without undergoing legal proceedings: Ahmed Saadat... and Fuad Shubaki... more.. Friendly fire suspected cause of death of IDF officer in Jenin Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 An Israel Defense Forces officer was killed yesterday during an operation to arrest wanted men in Jenin, and the IDF is investigating the possibility that he was killed by friendly fire. First Lieutenant Ido Shapira, 20, of Haifa was killed when his paratroops unit entered Jenin before dawn to arrest members of the local Islamic Jihad network. At about 5:30 A. M. , after the soldiers had surrounded the house where their target, Mohammed Kandil, was believed to be staying, they spotted three men, all armed, inside the house, and opened fire. Shapira was mortally wounded by a bullet that struck his upper body above his flak jacket and died shortly thereafter. more.. Palestinians shot at Israeli cars in Hebron area Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Hebron- Maan- An Nasser Salah Ad'din Brigades" military wing of the Popular Resistant Committees" claim responsibility for the shooting at two Israeli cars in Dora area south of Hebron area. In a statement issued Thursday it said that the group shot at the two Israeli cars while traveling on the road near the village of Beit Marsam. The statement added that this was a react on the arrest of Saadat. No injuries or losses reported. [end] more.. Israeli forces strengthen measures in the area of Nablus Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Nablus- Maan- Israeli forces strengthen its security measures in the area of Nablus after two Israeli settlers were injured in the area. Eyewitnesses told Maan that the Israeli forces closed the barrier of Zatara south of the city of Nablus and prevented Palestinian to pass through. Israeli cars and people were prevented from leaving the city of Nablus through the barrier of Hawarah south of the city. Israeli forces erected more temporary barriers in the area of Nablus especially on the road between Far'ah and Nablus city. [end] more.. Photos of the March 15 attack on the Jericho jail by Israeli forces Rafah Today 3/16/2006 16 March 06: Click here to see photos of the March 15 attack on the Jericho jail by Israeli forces. / 15 March 06:A blitz of foreign kidnappings and furious attacks on Western interests erupted in the Palestinian territories after Israeli troops raided a West Bank prison deserted by British monitors. At least nine people were still kidnapped in the Gaza Strip after the massive Israeli raid ended in the oasis town of Jericho with the arrests of Palestinian militants wanted for the 2001 assassination of an Israeli minister. The abductions followed hot on the heels of warnings from militants for all British and US nationals to quit the West Bank and Gaza Strip "immediately. more.. Two Israeli settleers were shot at near Nablus Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Nablus-Maan- Two Israeli settlers were injured one descried dangerously and the other moderate when Palestinian armed men shot at them while traveling in their car near the city of Nablus. Primary reports said that Israeli army and police forces headed to the area accompanied with ambulances. Maan news agency area correspondent said that the shooting was at the Nablus Hawwarah road near Bita crossing. After the shooting Israeli forces imposed military closer in the area and many temporary military checkpoints erected. [end] more.. Israeli forces said that 15 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank Wednesday night Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli forces said 15 Palestinian citizens were arrested in many towns and cities in the West Bank. According to Israeli sources, three Palestinians were arrested in Az'zoun village east of Qalqilia and one was arrested in Nabi Ilias in Qalqilia area. In Nablus city the israeli sources said that three of the "wanted" Palestinians were arrested, israeli sources said. Bitonia in Ramallah area was raided by the Israeli forces and two Palestinian citizens were arrested, while a third was arrested in Beit Anan West of Ramallah city. In the southern area of the West Bank three Palestinians were arrested in Tarqoumia south of Hebron city. [end] more.. Hamas threatens to abduct soldiers, PFLP vows retaliation Palestine News Network 3/15/2006 Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, announced that it will abduct Israeli soldiers in retaliation to the arrest of, Ahmad Sa'adat, Secretary General of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, (PFLP). The PFLP military wing launched the “Red Arrow” operations in retaliation to the arrest. Hamas member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Fathi Hammad, stated that the movement will retaliate to the arrest, and military operation in Jericho, against Sa'adat, who is also a newly elected member of the PLC,“This crime, this attack, will cause retaliation”, Hammad said, “Our people will rescue all of the detainees, they will rescue Sa'adat”. “The Zionist enemy chose to arrestSa'adat, and his comrades, we will abduct soldiers toswap them with Palestinian detainees”. more.. Israeli air raid on Beit Lahia area Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Gaza- Maan- Israeli war jets bombed the roads in Beit Lahia area and the northern area of the Gaza Strip Thursday morning. Eyewitnesses said that the bombing caused the destruction of parts of the road after five rockets were launched by the Israeli jets at the area. Many of the houses were affected by the bombing they added. No casualties reported. [end] more.. North: Alert level raised for fear of infiltration YNet News 3/16/2006 Troops backed by helicopters conducting searches along western section of borderThe IDF raised the level of alert along the northern border with Lebanon after receiving intelligence tips that terror groups might attempt to infiltrate Israel. Troops backed by helicopters are conducting searches along the western section of the border. In addition, explosions were heard in the area. The IDF is conducting searches to check if shells fell in Israel. The Northern Command raised the level of alert a few days ago out of suspicions of an attack that Hizbullah will try to carry out, or attempts to kidnap soldiers. more.. Islamic Jihad: Palestinian People will continue their struggle Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Gaza- Maan- Quds Brigades" the military wing of Islamic Jihad Movement" condemned that Israeli aggression against Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued Thursday it said that the Israeli crimes obliges the Palestinian People to choose the resistance way and attacking the enemy every where. The brigades confirm in their statement that the Israeli campaign against the Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions will not bring the Palestinians to their knees and will continue their struggle until liberation of the land of Palestine. [end] more.. Israeli police storms The Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem, arrests four residents International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 The Israeli police stormed, on Thursday morning, the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem in which several Palestinian NGOs were holding a conference and arrested four participants. The police claimed that the conference is politically motivated, and arrested Hanni Al Essawi, Ya'coub Odah, and Mohamed Jada, local sources reported. Gedeon Ezra, the Israeli internal security minister, issued an order to stop the conference, Israeli security sources reported. [end] more.. Three Palestinians arrested from Azzoun and Al Nabi Elias villages, east of Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 The Israeli army invaded the villages of Azzoun and Al Nabi Elias, east of the West Bank city of Qalqilia, and arrested three residents there, Thursday at dawn. Troops and army vehicles stormed the two villages and searched several houses before arresting Marwan Radwan, 22, Mohamed Salah, 30, from Azzoun village and Sadam Hanon, 25, From Al Nabi Elias village and taking them to an unknown destination, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army arrests three students from Al Arroub refugee camp near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 Israeli army troops arrested three students on their way to school near Al Arroub refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Thursday morning. Al Mo'tassem Jbren, 17, Mo'tassem Abu Warda, 17, and a third student whose name remains unknown, were arrested when troops stopped their school bus on the way to school inBeit Omer. Soldiers took the boys to the nearby Ghosh Atzion military camp, eyewitnesses reported. Soldiers stormed the camp and searched the residents' houses during the arrests, also clashes erupted between stone-throwing youth and the army during a protest against the army attack on Jericho jail on Tuesday, local sources reported. [end] more.. Terror chief denies ordering Zeevi murder YNet News 3/16/2006 PFLP chief Ahmed Saadat, seized by Israeli security forces during Jericho operation last Tuesday, says he ‘rejects the accusations’ that he masterminded assassination of Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001 -- The Palestinian terror leader seized by Israel in a raid on a West Bank jail denied any responsibility for his group’s 2001 assassination of Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi, his lawyer said on Thursday. “I reject the accusations,” Ahmed Saadat was quoted as saying by his attorney, who met the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) chief at an Israeli detention center in Jerusalem. more.. Report: Palestinian shot dead by Border Police near Ramallah Ha'aretz 3/15/2006 A Palestinian was shot dead by Border Policemen on Wednesday near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Israel Radio reported. According to the report, the man was involved in throwing Molotov cocktails at troops. Earlier Wednesday, a woman from East Jerusalem was held Wednesday on suspicion of attempting to stab a policeman in Ramat Gan. The policeman, who was securing schools in the city along with other officers, inspected a car parked suspiciously. As the policemen asked the vehicle's three passengers to step out of the car, a Ramat Gan municipal inspector noticed that one of the passengers was holding a large knife. more.. IDF: Fatah attacks main cause of concern in wake of Jericho raid Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 The possibility of attacks on Israel by Fatah members is currently the Israel Defense Forces' main concern. The army, nevertheless, is also preparing for possible revenge attacks by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine following Israel's removal of five senior PFLP members from the Jericho jail on Tuesday. According to IDF sources, there had been a distinct deterioration in the security situation in the West Bank even before Israel's raid on the Jericho jail, and much of this deterioration was due to the growing involvement of Fatah members - including some who serve in the Palestinian Authority security services - in attacks on Israelis. more.. Israeli soldier killed in Jenin BBC 3/16/2006 An Israeli soldier has been killed in a fierce gun battle in Jenin, in the West Bank, the Israeli army has said. The army was conducting a raid in search of militants, surrounding houses containing members of Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigades. The raid is thought to have been launched after two Israeli security guards were wounded by gunfire as they travelled in the West Bank. Gunmen took to the streets during the raid, exchanging fire with the army. The Israeli army said in a statement that five militants were arrested after the gun battle. Palestinians also threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli forces took over a number of homes in the area. more.. Palestinian citizen was arrested in At'teel in Tulkarem area Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Tulkarem- Maan- Israeli forces arrested Palestinian citizen of At'teel town north of the city of Tulkarem Thursday afternoon. Maan correspondent said that Israeli forces raided the town and arrested Mohammad Abdulmajeed Awainat after surrounding his home. The father of the arrested man said that the Israeli soldiers searched the house before arresting his son. [end] more.. Aqsa Brigades leader threatens Israel with new ways and styles of attacks Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Bethlehem- Maan exclusive- after the attack on Jericho Jail by Israeli forces Tuesday evening Israeli security sources published news said that the Palestinian military factions and brigades are doing their utmost to launch a bombing operation in the Israeli cities. A leader of the Aqsa Brigades denied the news and confirms that the brigades are trying to protect themselves and Israel is attacking the Palestinian People. In a telephone interview with one of Aqsa Brigades leaders in the West Bank called Abu Oday he said to Maan that Israelis are targeting the military brigades of all factions, not only Aqsa Brigades. more.. Israeli attack on Jericho jail sparks uprising in Gaza and West Bank The Independent 3/15/2006 Six Palestinian prisoners, including a militant accused of the murder of an Israeli government minister in 2001, surrendered last night after a nine-hour armed siege that began when British monitors abandoned the jail where the men were being held. The siege had triggered a wave of protest attacks and abductions directed against foreigners across Gaza and the West Bank and there were heavy exchanges of fire outside the Jericho jail which claimed the lives of two Palestinians. Militants stoned and set fire to the British Council Militants stoned and set fire to the British Council building in Gaza as foreigners began to flee from the Strip last night to avoid further reprisals. more.. Some 2,000 Palestinians banned from entering Jordan Valley By Akiva Eldar, Palestine Chronicle/Haaretz 3/14/2006 Israel is preventing some 2,000 Palestinians who have left the Jordan Valley from returning to the area, in an effort to keep them from demanding their land back. Thousands of dunams of land have been illegally transferred to settlements and army bases in the area. The Civil Administration has confirmed the existence of a list that had been known as the "List of 100," which now bears the names of the 2,000 banned Palestinians. All the requests of the people on the list to return to the territories under the principle of family unification, or even for short visits, have been rejected for about 30 years, when the ban was first instituted. The Civil Administration cites security concerns as the reason for its rejections. more.. Israel starts work on settlement expansion Palestine Monitor 3/13/2006 JERUSALEM, March 13 (Reuters) - Israel has begun construction to link a West Bank settlement to Jerusalem, sources in the prime minister's office said on Monday, in a move a Palestinian official said could torpedo future peace talks. Israeli bulldozers have already broken ground to build a police station near Maale Adumim, the biggest West Bank settlement, as part of a project to build at least 1,000 homes on land that would link the enclave to Jerusalem, they said. The United States, which wants Israel to halt Jewish settlement expansion, has officially opposed the plan, which would cut the West Bank off from Arab East Jerusalem. Israeli officials had said in September that the project was on hold. more.. Kidnapped foreigners released International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 Palestinians released on Wednesday the last four of 11 foreigners abducted the previous day in retaliation for an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison in Jericho, the Palestinian interior ministry said. The four - a Canadian, two French nationals and a South Korean journalist - who had been abducted from a hotel in Gaza city, were brought under police escort to the Palestinian Preventive Security headquarters. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut short a trip to Europe because of the Israeli action, called the prison storming an 'unforgivable crime' and 'insult' to the Palestinian people. 'There was coordination, it was pre-planned and everyone should understand that,' he told reporters in Jericho Wednesday, echoing accusations by other Palestinians that Israel had coordinated the raid with Britain and the United States, whose guards had left the prison minutes before the Israeli tanks and troops stormed it. more.. Palestinian killed for hurling Molotov cocktails YNet News 3/16/2006 Border Guard officers kill Palestinian who threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli cars; surge in violent incidents across West Bank The Border Guard on Wednesday killed a Palestinian who threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli cars traveling near Ramallah. Molotov cocktails were found near the Palestinian’s body. In another incident, three explosive devices were hurled at IDF troops operating in a village east of Nablus earlier Wednesday. IDF troops opened fire on a Palestinian man who hurled the devices, but it was not clear if the man was injured in the fire. Palestinians also opened fired on an Israeli car traveling south of Nablus, no one was injured and no damage was caused. more.. Young boy severely beaten for not showing his school ID card to unidentified Israelis International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Sunday night was a horrible night for fourteen year old Hamza Fawzi Iweida. He was beaten, abducted, tied to a chair and insulted, after being asked for his identity card by Israeli men who did not identify themselves. Hamza Fawzi Iweida's small body did not protect him against the intense rage forced upon him by men in civilian clothes with a civilian car. He committed no crime, other than being a Palestinian boy from Jerusalem. At nearly 4:00 am Sunday, Iwedia and his cousin were bringing food to his brother. In an interview with the Palestine News Network, he said, "We were on our way back to my house, we were just 200 meters away from the house when a white car skidded to a stop. Two men jumped out, one with black hair and the other blond. They demanded to see my identity card because I am under 16... more.. Jail siege ends as PFLP chief Sa'adat, 5 others surrender Ha'aretz 3/15/2006 Security forces went on high alert Tuesday fearing Palestinian reprisal attacks after Israel Defense Forces troops laid siege to the Jericho prison and arrested six wanted inmates. A tense, gunfire-punctuated nine-hour IDF siege of a Jericho prison complex ended after dark on Tuesday with the abrupt surrender of Ahmed Sa'adat and five other Palestinian militants. Sa'adat, leader of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine, is believed to have ordered the assassination of cabinet minister Rehavam Ze'evi in a Jerusalem hotel in 2001. more.. Palestinian territories to remain isolated until Saturday International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 The Israeli army has decided to extend the closure imposed on the Palestinian territories until next Saturday. Army claims receiving several warnings of possible attacks against Israeli targets. The Palestinian areas were completely sealed off last Saturday while Israel celebrated the Purim Jewish feast which ends on Wednesday at night. Initially Israel was planning to lift the closure on Thursday morning but it decided to extend the full closure after its operation in the West Bank city of Jericho and arresting the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmad Sa'adat. Following the arrest of Sa'adat and his comrades in addition to dozens of political prisoners in the Palestinian Jericho prison, several Palestinian factions vowed retaliation. more.. Olmert declares Ariel settlement in West Bank will remain 'forever' The Daily Star 3/15/2006 ARIEL SETTLEMENT, West Bank: Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday vowed the large West Bank settlement of Ariel would be annexed to Israel under his plan to set the state's permanent borders by 2010. "The entire Ariel bloc is an integral part of the state of Israel and will remain so forever," Olmert declared on a visit to the settlement two weeks before an election in which his centrist Kadima party is poised to finish first. Under Olmert's plan - a key election promise that he has fleshed out in the run-up to the vote - Israel would hold on to the largest settlement blocs but withdraw from large swathes of the West Bank, home to 240,000 Jewish settlers. more.. Israel starts work on new settlement Palestine Chronicle/Al-Jazeera 3/14/2006 The Israeli government has begun to develop facilities for what eventually could be the largest settlement project in the West Bank since 1967. On Monday, Israeli officials confirmed that Israel was building a police headquarters and "other facilities" in what it calls the E-1 area, extending from East Jerusalem to the settlement of Maali Adomim, the largest in the West Bank. In addition to 3550 settler units, the planned development would include a road network, six hotels and a park. Non-Jews would not be allowed to live or buy land in the settlement. "This project has received all the necessary authorisation and work on the foundation began several days ago," an unnamed official in the Israeli prime minister’s office has been quoted as saying. more.. Three Palestinians in Awarta village injured after being attacked by Israeli settlers International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 A group of Israeli settlers attacked the village of Awarta, southeast of the West Bank city of Nablus, and injured three residents there, on Wednesday afternoon. The settlers from a nearby illegal Israeli settlement post attacked a group of local Palestinian residents standing next to the village school in a completely unprovoked attack. The settlers threw hand grenades and fired live rounds at the Palestinians, injuring three, local sources reported. One injured in the face and several areas of the body another one received wounds in the leg due to shrapnel's, which arrived to the city hospital and the thread was treated in the local clinic in the village, all three escaped with light injures, medical sources reported. [end] more.. Army resumes land bulldozing in Tubas International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Israeli army bulldozers uprooted, on Wednesday, Palestinian orchards east of the West Bank city of Tubas. The orchards were annexed by the soldiers and settlers last month in order to expand the nearby settlement of Ronem, local sources reported. [end] more.. In an ingoing invasion of the village of Kafr Qaddoum, Israeli army arrests one resident International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 In an ingoing invasion of the village of Qafr Qaddoum, east of the West Bank city of Qalqilia, the Israeli army has arrested one resident and is still imposing a curfew on the village, preventing all residents from leaving their homes. The arrested resident was identified as Osama Jom'a, who was arrested when troops stormed his house and several another houses in the village. Extensive damage to those houses was reported by local sources. The army stormed the village early Wednesday morning, imposed curfew and began firing randomly at residents' homes. [end] more.. Foreigners wary of Palestinian anger BBC 3/15/2006 Black smoke poured from the burning British Council building in Gaza City, an HSBC branch was vandalised in Ramallah, and eleven foreigners were seized across the Palestinian territories. The violence against Westerners in the wake of the British and American decision to withdraw their monitors from the Jericho prison is the latest in a series of attacks on foreign workers and Western targets. Just a year ago, violence towards foreigners was almost unheard of in the Palestinian territories, but now the attacks are becoming commonplace. The trend started in Gaza last summer where there was a spate of kidnappings of foreigners. more.. Army invades Jenin, arrests five residents International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Israeli army troops stormed, on Wednesday morning, the West Bank city of Jenin, its refugee camp and the nearby town of Qabatia; five residents were arrested and two houses were occupied. Troops invaded the town of Qabatia, searched several houses, and arrested Saleh Absul-Fattah, 18, Bilal Assaf, 18, Ala' Yousif, 18, Yaser Nasser, 18, and his btother Ali, 17, local sources reported. In Jenin, soldiers randomly fired at the residents' houses and searched some of them before occupying the house of Waleed Abu Al Hija and the house of Nidal Abu Ghaliun, and used the two houses as military posts, the sources added. [end] more.. Army invades Kofier Qadom village east of Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Israeli army troops stormed the village of Kofier Qadom, located east of the West Bank city of Qalqilia, and imposed a curfew on the village Wednesday at dawn. Soldiers searched several houses, forced the residents out in the cold and ordered some to undress in public, eyewitnesses reported. No arrests were made. [end] more.. Two residents arrested in Nahalen village west of Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Israeli army forces stormed the village of Nahalen, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and arrested two residents there on Wednesday morning. Eight army vehicles invaded the village and soldiers opened fire on residents' homes, injuring several. Troops arrested Mohamed Ghaiatha, 26, and Ref'at Ghaiatha, 18 after searching their homes, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Four fighters injured as Israeli air force attempts to assassinate them International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Four fighters of the Salah Ed Deen Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, were injured on Wednesday after being targeted by a missile fire from as Israeli drone east of Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The fighters were apparently firing homemade shells at the Israeli Kerem Shalom Crossing, a Palestinian security source reported. Abu Mojahid, the media spokesperson of the Popular Resistance Committees, reported that at least four fighters were injured after the drone fired missiles at them. A medical source at Abu Yousef Al Najjar reported that the four Palestinians were hospitalized after being hit by fragmentations in several parts of their bodies. more.. Israeli forces break into two houses in Jenin and turn them into military position Ma'an News 3/15/2006 Jenin- Maan- Palestinian citizen Mohammad Abdul'latif of Jenin said that the Israeli forces broke into his and his brother's house Tuesday night. Abdul'latif confirmed that the Israeli forces ordered the two families to stay out of the houses whilst they searched them. The forces kept the family members in one of the rooms after they had completed their invasive search and occupied the other house until the morning, Abdul'latif added. [end] more.. Israeli forces arrest five Palestinians from Qabatia Ma'an News 3/15/2006 Jenin- Maan- Israeli forces arrest five Palestinian citizens of Qabatia town south of Jenin city early Wednesday. Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces raided the town accompanied by military dogs and launched a search campaign in the town. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces arrested Yasser Kamil, 18 years and his brother Ali, 17 years, along with Ala'a Yousef, 18 years, Bilal As'saf, 17 years and Saleh Abdulfattah, 18 years. [end] more.. Military movement and artillery mobilization around the Gaza Strip Ma'an News 3/15/2006 Gaza-General Director of the Borders and Crossings Mr. Salim Abu Sahiyah told Maan News Agency that the Rafah Crossing is closed for the second day by the Israeli forces. The crossings of Erez in the north of the Gaza Strip, and the Carni Crossing East of the city of Gaza and Sofa Crossing south of Gaza are closed by the Israeli forces. The Rafah Crossing was reopened Wednesday morning as usual. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli might be preparing a military operation against the Gaza Strip as it was noticed that they are mobilizing a lot of artillery and military vehicles into the area. [end] more.. 8 Qassams fired at Negev YNet News 3/14/2006 Palestinians fired 8 rockets at Israeli communities near Gaza border; no damage or injuries reported; Israel raises alert level expecting attacks to avenge Jericho siegeYnet reporters Revenge for Jericho? Eight Qassam rockets were fired Tuesday night at Israeli territory from the northern Gaza Strip, but all landed in open areas and caused no injuries or damage. The rockets were launched both during and after the standoff between IDF forces and Palestinian detainees at the Jericho prison that ended with the surrender of Popular Front Secretary General Ahmad Saadat and other top prisoners. more.. Israel captures jailed Palestinian militants The Guardian 3/14/2006 Palestinian militants set fire to a vehicle at the British Council in Gaza City. Photograph: Ali Ali/EPA Palestinian militants in a Jericho prison surrendered tonight after a raid by Israeli troops using tanks and bulldozers that sparked widespread unrest and kidnappings of westerners in Gaza and the West Bank. A radical Palestinian group said Israel would pay dearly for the captures, while London and Washington were accused of colluding in the attack after they withdraw human rights monitors from the prison half an hour before the raid. The Israelis arrested 21 prisoners, after a 10-hour raid in which a prisoner and two guards were killed. more.. Occupation Troops Storm West Bank Prison Palestine Chronicle/Arab News 3/14/2006 US officials told Reuters Washington had given Israel a copy of a March 8 letter it sent to Abbas saying monitors could be withdrawn at once unless security conditions were met. -- GAZA CITY - Israeli forces yesterday raided a Jericho prison, killed two Palestinians and arrested a jailed resistance leader after US and British monitors withdrew from the jail. Ahmed Saadat, leader of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) accused by Israel of involvement in the 2001 killing of an Israeli Cabinet minister, surrendered with his hands up after a daylong siege during which tanks and helicopters shelled the prison and bulldozers tore down part of it.... “The governments of Britain and the United States bear direct and serious responsibility for what happened in the prison and escalating what took place later,” said a statement from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). more.. 49 haredim arrested in J'lem for Purim riots YNet News 3/16/2006 Police on Wednesday night arrested 21 ultra-Orthodox men suspected of throwing stones, setting off firecrackers at police officersNeta Sela Like every year, the Purim holiday in Jerusalem kept the city’s police force busy with some haredim, unable to hold their drink, engaging in disturbances. Police on Wednesday night arrested 21 ultra-Orthodox men suspected of throwing stones and firing firecrackers at police officers. A policeman lightly injured from stones was treated at Shabbat Square in the city, where dozens of haredim tried to attack two Arab taxi drivers. more.. Israeli Police arrest Arab woman, claim that she was attempting to stab policeman International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 The Israeli Police in Jerusalem claimed that policemen arrested an Arab woman from East Jerusalem after she allegedly attempted to stab a policeman in Ramat Gan area, earlier on Wednesday. An Israeli source reported that the policeman was securing schools in the city along with other policemen and inspected a car that parked there. Three passenger were in the car, and when the policemen asked them to step out one officer noticed a passenger carrying a large knife knife and approached a policeman standing near her, the Israeli police claimed. The woman and the two other passengers were arrested, one of the passengers in from east Jerusalem while the other is from the Gaza Strip. [end] more.. Fighter killed during training in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/16/2006 A Palestinian medical source in Gaza city reported that one fighter was killed while training with other fighter east of Gaza city. The fighter, Mohammad Abu Assi, was killed blast and his body was transferred to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza. A Palestinian security source reported that Abu Assi was apparently training some fighters, east of Gaza, and died when an explosive accidentally went off, no other casualties were reported. [end] more.. AG to discuss whether to retry men taken from Jericho Ha'aretz 3/16/2006 Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will hold consultations over the next few days over whether Israel should retry the six wanted men taken from the Jericho jail Tuesday, and if so, whether the trial should be by military or civilian court. A precedent lies in a similar case from 2002, in which then-attorney general Elyakim Rubinstein and then-state prosecutor Edna Arbel decided to try Marwan Barghouti in the Tel Aviv District Court. Barghouti was subsequently sentenced to five life terms for the murder of five Israelis. Ostensibly, Palestinians who commit crimes in the territories face a military tribunal in the territories. These tribunals are separate from the military courts in which soldiers are judged. more.. Leftists protest Jericho raid YNet News 3/15/2006 About 150 leftists gather in Tel Aviv; one protester: Israelis fed government liesMiri Chason About 150 left-wingers demonstrated opposite the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening to protest the IDF operation in Jericho, which left three Palestinians dead. "Israelis are fed lies by the government and we're here to tell the truth," said one activist, Hulud Badawi, who works for human rights organizations in Jerusalem. Badawi said that Israelis live under an illusion that will eventually blow up in their faces. The Israeli side is in denial living the good life while not far away, beyond the "imaginary green line," people suffer, she said. more.. Negev community handed shelters YNet News 3/15/2006 Nir Am kibbutz receives 11 shelters, leaving 80-family-strong community tough task to decide which families will get them -- As the firing of Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip continues, the IDF set up 11 shelters in Kibbutz Nir Am near Sderot, a regular target of rocket fire from the north of the coastal strip. The IDF registered 12 rockets that were fired at the Negev on Wednesday. Although the Kibbutz rarely suffers direct hits, familieshere have been discussing who of the 80 homes that make up their community will get the 11 shelters provided by the IDF. more.. Palestinian resistance shells military post near the Sofa border crossing International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 The national resistance brigade, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility for firing four homemade shells toward the military post at the Sofa border crossing, east of Khan Younis in the Gaza strip, Wednesday at dawn. The press release issued by the two groups stated that this attack comes as a response to the Israeli army attack on Jericho prison and the arrest of Ahmad Sa'adat, the general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine on Tuesday. [end] more.. Mass demonstration in Ramallah Ma'an News 3/15/2006 Ramallah- Maan- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine organized a mass demonstration in Ramallah. Participants in the demonstration condemned the attack on the Jericho Jail and the kidnapping of the General Secretary, Mr. Ahmad Saadat and his comrades. Palestinian national and Islamic factions participated in the demonstration to protest the attack and what they called the American-British collusion with the Israelis. Slogans, posters and Palestinian flags were raised in the demonstration which went through the streets of Ramallah city. more.. Army invades Banni Na'am village and arrests three residents International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 Israeli army troops invaded Banni Na'am, located east of the West Bank city of Hebron, arresting three residents Wednesday at dawn. Troops stormed the village and searced residents' houses before arresting Khalied Zidat, 35, Yehia Al Manassra, 23, and Mahmod Sawalha, 26. The army took them to an unknown destination, local sources reported. The Israeli army has conducted invasions such as this in Banni Na'am daily for at least a month. A total of 10 residents have been arrested to date. [end] more.. A sudden exit, a jail is stormed - and Israel's long wait is over By Chris McGreal, Palestine Monitor/The Guardian 3/15/2006 Departure of UK monitors triggers raid on suspects · Armed Palestinians respond by snatching foreigners -- With explosions and gunfire echoing across Jericho yesterday, Colonel Ronnie Blekin finally got the men for whom he and his army had waited for four years: the Palestinians accused of one of the most audacious political killings in Israeli history - the assassination of a cabinet minister in a Jerusalem hotel in 2001. After British monitors quietly pulled out of the Jericho jail at which they were supervising the prisoners' confinement under an agreement between Israel, the Palestinians and the international community, Col Blekin said: "I was ready for more than four years for somebody to break the agreement. Today they broke the agreement. I was ready. " more.. PFLP fighter killed by Palestinian police fire in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/15/2006 One Palestinian fighter, member of the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) waskilled, and nine residents were injured, on Tuesday, during clashes which erupted between Palestinian security forces and fighters of the PFLP after attacking the French Cultural Center in Gaza. Jom'a Al Aaqqa, head of the Public Relations Department at the AL Shifa Hospital in Gaza, reported that Yasser Reehan, 26,was killed in the clashes which erupted after the fighters broke into the center in Al Rimal neighborhood in Gaza city. Palestinian territories. more.. After demolishing the Police Headquarter Sadat was arrested Ma'an News 3/14/2006 Jericho –Maan- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Secretary and Palestinian Legislative Council Member Mr. Ahmad Sadat wa arrested Tuesday evening after Israeli forces raided the Jericho jail. Before the arrest of Sadat, dozens of Palestinian security men surrender to the Israeli forces when the Israeli bulldozers started demolishing the building of the police headquarters over the heads of the prisoners and the security people in front of the whole world and cameras of the media. Sadat accused the US and Britain of collusion with Israel to raid the Jericho Jail. more.. Three residents arrested in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/14/2006 Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers arrested three residents of Hebron, Al Fawwar refugee camp, and Beit Ummar village, near the West Bank city of Hebron. A local source in Hebron reported that soldiers invaded the city and the camp, broke into homes and arrested Mofeed Mohammad Khaleel, 28, from Beit Ummar, Nidal Motawe', 28, from Beit Ummar, and Hazim Al Masry from Al Fawwar refugee camp. Also, Israeli soldiers invaded AL Thahiriyya town, near Hebron, and broke into dozens of homes in Al Mashrou' area, north of the town. [end] more.. In pictures: Jericho prison raid BBC 3/14/2006 PHOTOS - 9: 1) Palestinian inmates and guard are detained by Israeli troops -- Hundreds of Palestinian guards and inmates surrendered at a prison compound in the West Bank town of Jericho, after it was stormed by Israeli troops. more.. British Council offices set ablaze as Israel captures militant The Independent 3/14/2006 Palestinian protestors set fire to the British Council offices in Gaza city today, after Britain was accused of colluding in an Israeli raid on a jail. The angry demonstrators, chanting "death to the Americans, death to the British", set the Council office ablaze and stormed the EU Commission office. The protests came after Israeli forces Foreign Office sources said the UK had contacted the office of the Palestinian President four times since Friday to ask him to "allay our security concerns for the welfare of our monitors. Foreign Office sources said the UK had contacted the office of the Palestinian President four times since Friday to ask him to "allay our security concerns for the welfare of our monitors". When the President's office failed to respond, the decision to withdraw the monitors was taken "because we have a duty of care for our monitors" , said the sources. more.. Israel shuts Karni crossing AlJazeera 3/14/2006 The Karni crossing is vital to the Palestinian economy -- Israel has sealed off the vital Karni cargo crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel less than a week after reopening it, citing unspecified security warnings. Movement of goods from Gaza to Israel had been stopped earlier because of fear of Palestinian attacks, but shipments from Israel into Gaza were renewed last Thursday on what Israel said were humanitarian grounds. The latest shutdown on Tuesday brings all activity to a halt. Israeli security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were unauthorised to make an official statement, said the latest shutdown would continue until further notice, subject to daily re-evaluation. more.. Group of Jewish Settlers attacks a Palestinian reporter car in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2006 A group of Jewish settlers from Yatzhar, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, attacked a Palestinian photo journalist late Sunday evening. Abd Al-Raheem Qussini, a Palestinian photo journalist for Reuters, was attacked as he returned to his home in Nablus from Tulkarem on the bypass road near the settlement. The group of settlers attacked the car, containing him and his family, with stones, causing damage to the car but no injures, local sources reported. DCO military officers arrived at the scene and started to investigate. They suggested that Qussini file a report with the Israeli police on Monday morning. [end] more.. Israeli settlers uproot dozens of acres of olive trees near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2006 Israeli colonizers devastated on Sunday vast areas of arable lands in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, witnesses said. Witnesses reported that Israeli colonizers of Beit Eain colony, northwest of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, devastated, in the last two days, a vast area of Olive trees. Mohammad as-Saleebi, one of the owners, said that the colonizers, under the protection of Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), uprooted 200 Dunams of Olive trees and Almonds. [end] more.. Land confiscation in Bethlehem area Ma'an News 3/13/2006 Bethlehem-Maan- Israeli Authorities handed over orders of land confiscations to many Palestinians in Beir Jala city. Popular Committee to Defend Land and Confront Settlements in Bethlehem Area-PCDLCSBA- said that the orders states that nine dunoms of land near the high way 60 will be confiscated by the Israeli authorities. The committee called for the Palestinian negotiators to raise the issue of the separation wall during any negotiations with the Israelis. [end] more.. Israeli Army resumes work on a new settler road in the middle of Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2006 Israeli army bulldozers resumed work on a road for 'Israeli Settlers only' which will cut through the middle of the old city of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Monday morning. The road will be 800 meters long, and will annex Palestinian land, as well as cutting off several neighborhoods from the city and surrounding areas. The road will link several illegal Israeli settlements in Hebron together, creating a 'bloc' that will then be annexed into the Israeli state. These actions by the Israeli military violate the Geneva Convention and international human rights conventions to which Israel is a signatory, as well as a ruling by the International Court of Justice calling for an end to Israeli settlement on Palestinian land. [end] more.. Israeli Settlers attack Palestinian farmers; injure four, including one child International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2006 A group of illegal Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian residents of Sosia, located near the West Bank city of Yatta, south of Hebron, on Monday morning. The Palestine News Network reported that the attack was carried out during a voluntary work session conducted by the Israeli organization Rabbis for Human Rights, who were planting olive trees in solidarity with the Palestinian farmers and cave dwellers of the area. Four of the residents were injured by the Israeli settlers, who beat the Palestinians badly. The injured were identified as A'lya SalamahAl Nawaj'a,66, Sameeha Ali Nawaj'a 31, and Jamal Ismaiel Al Nawaj'a, 22. The fourth injured Palestinian is a ten year old child who has not yet been identified. more.. Tulkarem facing tight closure, deteriorating economy International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2006 Israeli forces tightened the closure on Tulkarem area in the north west of the West Bank in the early hours of Monday morning, Palestine News Network reported. Troops closed all main entrances of the city to all vehicles and pedestrian, set up road blocks and threatened to open fire at anybody who approaches the road blocks. Hundreds of employees and workers failed to go to their work outside of Tulkarem area because of the siege that isolated the city from the surrounding villages who totally depend on the city for food supplies, work and education. Eyewitnesses said cars are lining in long cues since the early hours of the morning hoping that the closure will be lifted. more.. Israel threatens to kill detained PFLP members if released Palestine Monitor 3/12/2006 JERICHO, West Bank—Israel is prepared to assassinate four Palestinians accused in the 2001 murder of an Israeli tourism minister if they are released from jail, Israeli television reported. Security forces and the army are prepared to take immediate action to either "eliminate or arrest" the militants if Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas organizes their release from theWest Bank's Jericho prison, Israel's second television channel said. The report recalled that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has already warned several times that Israel would not allow the four, who are part of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), to live in freedom. more.. Israeli forces raided the village of Beit Ras in Tulkarem area Ma'an News 3/12/2006 Tulkarem-Maan- Israeli forces raided the village of Beit Ras south of the city of Tulkarem late Saturday and break into many shops and houses. The forces carrying with them lists of names checked the ID's of the citizens and match it with the list they have. No arrests reported. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers stationed at Jbara Barrier stopped the Palestinian cars traveling to Tulkarem and checked the ID's of the citizens passing through the barrier, in many cases they prevented them from passing through according to eyewitnesses. [end] more.. Israeli forces arrested six Palestinian citizens in Jenin Ma'an News 3/13/2006 Jenin- Maan- Israeli forces arrested six Palestinian citizens in the area of Jenin Monday morning. Maan reporter said that the forces raided Jenin Camp and break into many houses arresting three of the citizens. Another force entered Qabatia Town and arrested three Palestinians from the town after breaking many houses and invasively searches them. [end] more.. Israeli forces raided the Camp of Aida in Bethlehem area, arrested two Palestinians Ma'an News 3/13/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli Special Forces break into Aida Refugee Camp north of Bethlehem Monday and surrounded many houses in the camp. Eyewitnesses said that the forces arrested Khadir Daamsah 22 years claiming that he is an Aqsa Brigades member. Witnesses added that the brother of Daamsah, Firas 31 years was also arrested, and that the camp witnessed confrontations between the Israeli forces and Palestinian young men in the camp. Israeli forces used live munitions and rubber bullets during the confrontations witnesses added. [end] more.. Israel starts the E-1 settlement project International Middle East Media Center 3/14/2006 The Israeli TV channel 2 reported that Israel has already started constructing a police station on Palestinian lands located in E1 area, between East Jerusalem and Maali Adumim settlement. The police station is part of a wider settlement plan to link the two areas by blocking the geographical contiguity of the Palestinian areas. The plan includes constructing 3500 housing units for settlers by annexing Palestinian lands in east Jerusalem area and separating the Palestinian territories by blocking any geographical contiguity. The plan to construct the police station was originally approved by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. The acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said last week that the E1 project aims to connect Maali Adumim settlement with Jerusalem. more.. Purim: Full closure to be imposed on PA YNet News 3/10/2006 Defense Minister Mofaz orders defense establishment to boost anti-terror activityHanan Greenberg Security officials have decided to impose a full closure on Palestinian areas starting Saturday night. The curfew will remain in place until Wednesday. The decision to impose the curfew ahead of the upcoming Purim holiday was taken during the weekly situation assessment undertaken Friday morning. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed the IDF and defense establishment to undertake the utmost effort - including the cancellation of training sessions and leaves if necessary - to thwart terror attacks ahead of the Purim holiday and upcoming elections. 'Effort must be made' Mofaz also ordered security forces to boost counter-terror measures at city centers and crowd concentrations. more.. 15 Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces in W. Bank Xinhua 3/10/2006 RAMALLAH, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 15 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli army forces early Friday in various West Bank areas, Palestinian sources said. The Israeli soldiers made the arrests during their incursions into the W. Bank cities and towns of Nablus, Qalandiya, Bethlehem and Ramallah, said the sources. Among the apprehended, two Palestinian young men were identified as Ahmed Abdallah Fa'aor, 24, and Ahmed Saied Atahallah, 20, from the Balata refugee camp east of Nablus. In Bethlehem, Israeli forces arrested four young Palestinians, identified as Hayan Mahmoud Tkatekah, 24, Ra'fat Mohamed Tkatekah, 25, Ghasan Mohamed Thwabtah, 33, and Amer Ameen Tkatekah, 21, claiming they were belonging to the radical Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas. more.. Documents reveal Labor-Likud plans for West Bank By Akiva Eldar, Palestine Monitor/Haaretz 3/8/2006 Highly confidential documents from the Ministry of Justice dating from the early 1990s, copies of which were sent to the ministers of defense, justice and housing as well as the attorney general, confirm the existence of a vast network of ties between Likud and Labor governments, and land dealers and settlers' associations, for the purpose of acquiring land in the West Bank. The documents were presented to the High Court of Justice during the hearings for petitions submitted by residents of Bilin and the Peace Now organization against the construction of hundreds of apartments on village lands and against the route of the fence that bisects them.... Albeck asks to maintain complete confidentiality claiming that the revelation of the deals may endanger the sellers' lives. more.. Israel says Haniya could be target AlJazeera 3/10/2006 Hamas's candidate for Palestinian prime minister, Ismael Haniya, could become a target for assassination if he becomes involved in "acts of terror", Israel has warned. Ehud Olmert, the acting Israeli prime minister, made the comments in an interview with the Jerusalem Post published on Friday. "Whoever is involved personally and directly in terror is atarget," the paper quoted him as saying. "We haven't forgot that Haniya was an aide to Shaikh (Ahmed) Yassin and Yassin was targeted because he was involved in terror. "Olmert was responding to a question on whether he agreed with a statement from Israel's defence minister that Haniya was a legitimate military target for Israel. more.. 4 Qassams hit Israel YNet News 3/10/2006 Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip; No injuries reported and no damage causedHanan Greenberg Four Kassam rockets were fired at Israel on Friday, causing no injuries and no damage. Two rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in two communities south of Ashkelon. On Friday afternoon, Palestinian policemen defused two Kassams found in a launch pad in the northern Strip. Earlier Friday, the IDF’s Red Dawn alert system identified two rockets fired at Sderot. The rockets exploded in an open field north of the city, IDF officials said. The IDF said its latest offensive of firing artillery rounds, targeted assassinations and aerial strikes at active cells, dealt a severe blow to terror groups and lead to a decrease in the number of Qassams fired from the Gaza Strip. more.. BBC: UK sold plutonium to Israel in 60s YNet News 3/10/2006 BBC reveals that Britain sold plutonium knowing it would be used for nuclear weapons. Britain Technology minister at the time: I'm shocked; I always suspected government officials signed deals behind my backYnet More nuclear secrets exposed: Britain supplied plutonium to Israel in the 1960s while Harold Wilson was the British Prime Minister, the BBC reported on Thursday. According to the report, the plutonium was sold to Israel despite a warning from British Intelligence that it could be use to produce nuclear weapons. Under the Wilson administration (1964-1970) Britain sold tons of fortifying chemicals, which make a nuclear bomb 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. more.. Britain secretly gave Israel plutonium for atom bombs, BBC investigation reveals Electronic Intifada/BBC 3/9/2006 Britain secretly supplied Israel with plutonium during Harold Wilson's government, despite a warning from British intelligence that the material could help Israel get the atom bomb. That is the conclusion of a Newsnight investigation to be broadcast tonight on BBC TWO at 10. 30pm, using material obtained under the Freedom of Information act. And top secret documents, obtained by Newsnight under freedom of information also show how Britain made hundreds of shipments to Israel of restricted materials which could have helped their nuclear weapons programme. The Wilson Government also sold them Lithium compounds which would have enabled Israel to make weapons ten times as powerful as the bomb that devastated Hiroshima. more.. Army invades Beit Fajar village and arrests four resident International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the village of Beit Fafar south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and arrested four residents on Friday morning. Troops and army jeeps stormed the village searched several homes and arrested four residents before leaving the village. The arrestees were identified as Hayan Taqatqa, 24, Ra'fat Taqatqa, 25, Ghassan Thawabta, 33, and Ammer Taqatqa, 21, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army invades Balata refugee camp and arrests two residents International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006 Israeli army forces invaded Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus Friday at dawn and arrested two residents there. Ahmad Atalah, 19, and Ahmad Fa'or, 22, were arrested when soldiers stormed the camp and searched their houses and several other homes, local sources reported. Troops left the camp and took the two young men to an unknown desitnation. " [end] more.. Four Palestinians arrested in Bethlehem area Ma'an News 3/10/2006 Bathlahem- Maan- Israeli Forces raided the town of Beit Faj'jar south of Bethlehem and arrested four Palestinian citizens. Eyewitnesses told Maan News agency that many Israeli military jeeps and vehicles entered the town, searched many houses before arresting the men. The arrested men were Hian Taqatqa 24 years, Rafat Issa Taqatqa 25 years, Ghas'san Thawabtah 25 years and Amir Ali Taqatqa 21 years. [end] more.. Seven Palestinian citizen's arrested in Qalqilia Ma'an News 3/10/2006 Qalqilai- Man- Israeli Forces invaded the city of Qalqilaia north of the West Bank Friday early morning. Maan area reporter said that many Israeli vehicles raided the city from the eastern entrance and breaks into many houses, searches it invasively and arrested four brothers one of them is a PA police man. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces withdrew from the city after arestd another three citizens, and erected a barrier at the eastern entrance blocking the movement of the city residents. more.. Israeli Forces arrest eleven Palestinians in the West Bank Ma'an News 3/9/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli Forces arrested eleven Palestinian citizens in the West Bank Thursday morning. Israeli sources said that four of them were arrested in Tulkarem for being Fatah members, four in Nablus city for being Jihad members. The sources added that a man was arrested in Maz'ra'ah village north of Ramallah, another man while passing through the Qalandia crossing, another was arrested in Abu Dis east of Jerusalem and another in Bethlehem city. [end] more.. Army renews its shelling towards northern Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006 Israeli army renewed its heavy artillery shelling against Beit Hanon and Beit Lahia towns in the northern Gaza strip, on Friday at dawn. The shells landed in farm lands causing damage to property and panic among the residents especial the children, local sources reported. " [end. more.. Army continues to detain farmers in Tubass International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006 Israeli army forces continued to detain farmers form the West Bank town of Tubas on Friday morning. Soldiers arrested several farmers on Thursday while working in their farmlands located near a military base in the area. The farmers were released late Thursday night. On Friday troops also detained other farmers who arrived to work in their land, and forced others away from their farmlands. " [end] more.. Islamic Jihad: Collaborators must be brought to justice Ma'an News 3/10/2006 Gaza- Maan- Islamic Jihad Movement organizes a mass march after Friday prayers in the center of Gaza city. The marchers started from Omari Mosque to Palestine Square in the city and to the Palestinian Legislative Counsel. Organizers of the march said that the march was to condemn the Israeli assassination policy against Palestinian and to call for the PA to bring Israeli agents and collaborators to justice and to make them pay the price for their collaboration with Israel. The march was headed by leaders in the Islamic Jihad Movement Khader Habib and Adnan Az'zam and Qus Brigades leaders with the participation of dozens of Islamic Jihad Movement fighters and members. more.. Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades vow to fire 200 mortar shells at Israel Ha'aretz 3/10/2006 A group belonging to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades declared on Friday it intended to barrage Israel with mortar shells in reaction to what it termed "the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank by the occupation forces. "In a written statement, the group said it would fire 200 "Shihab" mortar shells carrying the names of 200 Palestinians killed since the start of the 2000 uprising. The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a violent offshoot of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, and is responsible for dozens of attacks against Israeli targets in recent years. more.. Israel to close Palestinian territories before Purim holiday Xinhua 3/10/2006 JERUSALEM, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- A four-day general closure will be imposed in the Palestinian territories from Saturday night to Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Friday after a security assessment at his Tel Aviv headquarters. Given Purim holiday and the March 28 election, Mofaz ordered the Israel Defense Forces and security establishments to intensify military actions in thwarting terror and attempts by Palestinian militants to launch attacks in Israel. Mofaz also asked the army and police to beef up their presence on roads, highways and major city centers during this sensitive period. more.. Israeli leader plans West Bank settlement expansion, leaked letters show illegal purchases of la International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006 Israel will continue to build in the disputed E-1 zone between the illegally constructed Ma'ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem, despite American pressure to the contrary, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Thursday. Olmert also said that if he is elected prime minister in elections later this month, Israel will set down permanent borders within four years, annexing 20% of the Palestinian West Bank and surrounding the rest in a set of enclaves behind 20-foot concrete walls and electrified fences.... Also on Thursday, highly confidential documents from the Ministry of Justice dating from the early 1990s, copies of which were sent to the ministers of defense, justice and housing as well as the attorney general, confirm the existence of a vast network of ties between Likud and Labor governments, and land dealers and settlers' associations, for the purpose of acquiring land in the West Bank. more.. Israel to build controversial settlements near Jerusalem Xinhua 3/9/2006 JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday that Israel would continue to build settlements in a disputed area near Jerusalem despite U.S. pressure if his Kadima party won the March 28 general elections. "It is inconceivable that we should speak of Ma'aleh Adumim as a part of the state of Israel while leaving it as an island or an isolated enclave," said Olmert, cited by local newspaper Ha'aretz. Olmert said for several times that Israel would retain the major West Bank Jewish settlements, like Ariel, Gush Etzion and Ma'aleh Adumim. "It's entirely clear that the (territorial) continuity between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim will be a built-up continuity. This is clear both to the Palestinians and to the Americans. In my view, there is an absolute consensus in Israel on this issue," he said. more.. Boys' Deaths in Attack Stir Anger in Gaza Palestine Monitor 3/8/2006 The two brothers were helping out in their dad's welding shop when an Israeli missile slammed into an ice cream truck carrying Islamic Jihad gunmen. Two militants were killed, but so were the boys. The tragic results of the airstrike, which killed a third child nearby, are prompting new debate in Israel over the targeted killings of Palestinian fugitives. Israel's air force commander defended the strikes against Islamic Jihad, which has carried out daily rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel as well as all six suicide attacks since February 2005. On Wednesday, Islamic Jihad threatened to hit Israeli leaders in retaliation for Monday's killing of its militants. "The Zionist enemy leaders should know that they definitely are targets," it said in an Internet statement. more.. Two projectiles launched at Israeli military position of Kitzovim Ma'an News 3/10/2006 Gaza- Maan- Aqsa Brigades – Military Wing of the Fatah Movement –announced responsibility for the launching of two home made projectiles at Israeli Kitzovim military position. In a statement issued Friday it said that its groups launched the projectiles as a react on the Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian people. [end] more.. Settlers Assault Woman, Uproot 50 Olive Trees in Hebron International Press Center 3/9/2006 HEBRON, Palestine, March 9, 2006 (IPC+WAFA)- Jewish settlers assaulted and wounded on Thursday a woman in the West Bank (WB) city of Hebron, medical sources said. Meanwhile, settlers from Swseiya settlement, east of Yatta town south of Hebron, uprooted yesterday tens of olive trees; therefore the number of olive trees uprooted in Yatta increased to reach more than a thousand trees in less than a month. They told that Ghazala Barada'i was wounded all over her body as colonizers attacked and beaten her up in Jaber neighborhood in the old city. She was taken to a hospital. Sources said that she was heading home when a group of settlers harassed and assaulted her. more.. Israeli forces reopen trade crossing into Gaza as food crisis reaches dangerous lev International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 In keeping with the stated Israeli policy to "put the Palestinians on a diet, but not starve them" (as stated by governmental advisor Dov Weisglass), Israeli forces stationed in Gaza have reopened the Karni trade crossing after keeping it closed for nearly a month. As the main trade crossing in Gaza, its closure has meant a severe food crisis for the already hungry people in the Gaza Strip, the most crowded place on earth. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided to reopen the Karni crossing during a Wednesday visit to Germany after a telephone consultation with senior defense establishment officials. Palestinian Border Director Mr. Salim Abu Safi'yah confirmed that Israeli authorities reopened the Mintar "Karni" crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Thursday for a temporary period. more.. Army confiscates indigenous plant groves east of Tub International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 Israeli soldiers stationed at Taiaseer military checkpoint,at the eastern entrance of the West Bank city of Tubas, confiscated,on Thursday morning, indigenous plant groves. Local farmers call the plant "Al Akop" and it grows naturally around the city; the plant is used in cooking. The farmers sell it as another source of income during winter. Soldiers claimed that these plant is illegal to be sold in this area, and confiscated them. " [end. more.. Army arrests 13 Palestinians from several West Bank citi International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 In pre-dawn invasions on Thursday, Israeli army forces arrested 13 Palestinians from several West Bank cities. Four residents, allegedly members of Fateh, were arrested in an invasion to the city of Tulkarem, allegedly Fatah members, four residents,were arrested allegedly members of of teh Islamic Jihad were arrested in Nablus. Also, troops arrested one resident, said to be member of Hamas, from Al Mazra'a Al Qibliyyah village north of Ramallah, and one resident was arrested at Qalndia checkpoint south of the city. " [end. more.. Palestinian man, woman in hospital after Israeli settler attac International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 A group of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian man and woman in separate incidents in the Old City of Hebron Wednesday night, medical sources reported. Shaher Fakhouri, 43, and Ghazala Shaban Barade'y were both admitted to the hospital with various bruises and contusions all over their bodies, after being attacked by Israeli settlers living illegally in Hebron. The criminal attackers were not apprehended, and no attempt was made by Israeli authorities to investigate the incidents. Ms. Barade'y was attacked in Jaber neighborhood in the Old City of Hebron. The street leads to Keryat Arba' settlement which was installed lands annexed from the Palestinian residents in 1967. Fakhouri was hit by the Jewish settlers on different parts of his body and was admitted to the hospital in the city. Medical sources said that Fakhouri arrived to the hospital with bruises and scratches in the head and other parts of his body. more.. Army invades Tulkarem refugee camp and city; arrests ni International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 The Israeli army, backed by 15 armored vehicles, invaded the West Bank refugee camp and cityof Tulkarem Thursday at dawn. The army fired rounds of live ammunitions and broke into several houses and arrested nine Palestinians from the camp and the city of Tulkarem. The Maan News Agency reported that the army invaded the refugee camp from Al- Shuhada neighborhood, where the soldiers broke into houses , searching them and destroying people's belongings, claiming that they were looking for 'wanted Palestinian resistance men'..... Eyewitnesses said that when the Israeli soldiers didn't find Salah Al-Din at home, they decided to arrest his brothers instead. more.. IAF probe: Civilians spotted too late to divert missiles in Gaza strike Ha'aretz 3/10/2006 The Israel Air Force missile strike Monday in Gaza City that killed three Palestinian civilians and two militants was not a result of human or technical error, according to the results of a preliminary IAF probe released Tuesday. About 5:30 P. M. on Monday, IAF aircraft fired two missiles at an ice-cream van in which senior Islamic Jihad militants Munir Sukar and Ashraf Shaluf were traveling. According to the security services, Sukar is responsible for numerous Qassam launches at Israel, as well as an attempt to send a suicide bomber to Jerusalem last month, while Shaluf is also a Jihad operative. However, the strike also killed Raad Al-Batash, 8, Mahmoud Al-Batash, 15, and Ahmed A-Susi, 24, who were nearby when the missiles hit. more.. Israeli Forces arrest two Palestinians in Salfeet area Ma'an News 3/9/2006 Salfeet – Maan- Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian citizens of Skaka and Farkhah village seast and west of Salfeet city. Mohammad Damdoum 32 of Farkhah village West of Salfeet and Abdun'nasser Lami 33 years of Skaka village East of Salfeet were arrested for not having permissions to enter Israel. [end] more.. Israeli officer condemned for sexually harassing and humiliating Palestinian girls working in Israeli settlement Palestine News Network 3/9/2006 An Israeli officer at a settlement inside the West Bank who forced Palestinian girls to dance for him, imitate animals, and endure sexual harassment was sentenced to six and one half years in Israeli prison. The Israeli Ma’ale Adumim Settlement is inside the West Bank, and blocks the West Bank from Jerusalem to the northeast. It is considered part of the “Jerusalem Envelope. ” Both Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Israeli military minister Shaul Mofaz have openly stated that despite international law to the contrary, this settlement and several other major Israeli settlements inside the West Bank will never be removed. more.. The Al Aqsa Brigades fires two shells at Kfar Azza settlement International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh movement, fired on Thursday evening two homemade shells at Kfar Azza settlement, east of the Gaza Strip. The brigades released a statement after firing the shells saying that the attack comes in retaliation to the continuous Israeli violations and attacks against the Palestinian people. [end] more.. Palestinian resistance shoots at a settler's car near Bethleh International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, and Al Quds brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for shooting at the settler's road near Abu Ghneim settlement, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem,late Wednesday night. The two groups claimed that they shot and hit a settler car, which Israeli sources did not confirm. " [end. more.. Did rightists torch cop's car? YNetNews 3/9/2006 West Bank police intelligence officer who handled suspects associated with evacuation of Amona and other illegal outposts woken up by neighbors overnight, told his vehicle on fire. Police had information about intention to hurt officerRaanan Ben-Zur Another police officer's car torched: A vehicle belonging to a senior police officer in the northern West Bank was set on fire overnight in what police believe was an act of vandalism by right-wing activists seeking revenge for the evacuation of the illegal outpost of Amona. Neighbors in the town of Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, noticed a vehicle on fire at the side of the road around 3 a. m. Friday. The residents called firefighters and at the same time knocked on the door of the house the car was parked next to in order to inform the owners. more.. Settlers uproot 50 trees Olive trees near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/9/2006 An extremist settlers group of Sousia settlement, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, uprooted on Wednesday dozens of olive trees and bushes which belong to residents of Yatta village, rising the number of uprooted trees in one month to more than 1000. Nassr Al Nawaj'a, one of the orchards owners, said that settlers of the illegal Sousia settlement outpost attacked the orchards and uprooted 50 bushes and olive trees located west of the settlement. Al Nawaj'a added that the attack was carried out while the soldiers were present in the area and did not attempt to stop assailants. The orchards belong to residents Mohammad Ahmad Nasser, Mohammad Jaber Al Nawaj'a, Hammad Abdul-Hameed Al Nawaj'a, and other residents. more.. J’lem: 6 suicide attacks thwarted in 2005 YNet News 3/9/2006 Capital’s police chief says security forces also prevented some 50 stabbing attacks; ‘these figures are indicative of Jerusalem’s importance as a terror attack target,’ he addsEfrat Weiss Six suicide attacks were thwarted in Jerusalem in 2005 and 10 would-be suicide bombers were arrested as well, according Jerusalem District Police Commander Ilan Franco. Franco said security forces also prevented some 50 stabbing attacks, mainly in the Jerusalem area. “These figures are indicative of Jerusalem’s importance as a terror attack target,” he said, adding that the past month-and-a-half hasseen a sharp increase in cases in which Palestinians carrying knives were caught at checkpoints at the entrance to the capital; some of them admitted they had planned on carrying out stabbing attacks in the city. more.. Five children killed by Israeli violence in a single day on Monday International Middle East Media Center 3/7/2006 An Israeli air strike killed Raad Al-Batash, 8, Mahmoud Al-Batash, 15, and Ahmad a-Sweisi, 14, on Monday. Sumiyya Al-Batch, the mother of Raad and Mahmoud, was also wounded. And in a separate incident, two brothers, Allam and Nidal Abu Saud, 14 and 15, were blown to pieces when an undetonated explosive left by the Israeli military in their neighborhood suddenly exploded near them. Eight other passers-by were wounded in the air strike, most of them children, and Sukar's aunt, who lives nearby, died of a heart attack when she was told the news of the boys' deaths. According to the Israeli military, the missile fired by the Israeli Airforce was targeting a car driven by two Palestinian resistance fighters, who were also killed by the attack. more.. Karni crossing to reopen Thursday YNetNews 3/9/2006 Passage of goods through crossing in northern Gaza expected to resume Thursday morning following certain drop in alerts regarding planned terror attacks at site -- The passage of goods through the Karni crossing in northern Gaza is expected to resume Thursday morning, this after the crossing was shut down two weeks ago. The defense establishment decided to open the crossing and transfer humanitarian equipment that has accumulated on the Israeli side of the border following a certain drop in alerts regarding planned terror attacks at the site. However, security sources have made it clear that the issue will be reassessed with any new intelligence information that may surface. more.. Israeli Forces prevent citizens of Jenin and Tulkarem from traveling to Nablus Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Nablus- Maan- Israeli Forces strengthen their military measures at the barrier of Zatarah south of the city of Nablus. The forces stationed at the barrier prevented citizens of both cities of Jenin and Tulkarem from passing through the barrier on their way to Nablus. Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers stopped the cars and citizens of both areas and did not exclude ambulances. [end] more.. Palestinian security sources warn of step-up of Israeli targeted attacks ReliefWeb 3/8/2006 GAZA, Mar 8, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Well-informed Palestinian security sources warned on Wednesday that Israel was likely to step up targeted attacks against Palestinian militant groups. The sources said in Gaza that the Israeli army might mount more assassination attacks on senior members of militant groups, especially those of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). The sources also said that Israeli security apparatuses had circulated news that Hamas intended to carry out new attacks on Israel, which they said would be a prelude to more military operations. more.. Army seals off Nablus, stops residents from entering or exiting International Middle East Media Center 3/8/2006 Israeli army forces closed all exits and entrances to Nablus, a West Bank city, on Wednesday morning. Army troops and vehicles sealed off all of the roads, stopping residents' cars and public transportation vehicles before searching them, local sources reported. Residents failed in their attempts to cross the checkpoints due to the army's tight closure of the city. [end] more.. Israeli Army invades Bethlehem and Beit Sahour; arrests six International Middle East Media Center 3/8/2006 Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli army invaded the West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Biet Sahour and arrested six residents on Wednesday at dawn. The Israeli soldiers invaded the neighborhood of Al Karkafa in Bethlehem and arrested Kareem Zawahreh, 20, Husam Mohammad Zawahrreh, 19, Abdellah Ayed Zawahreh, 20, Mustafa Omer Zawahreh, 21, all from Al Karkafa neighborhood. Also, the army invaded Al Saf Street and arrested Salah Ahmad Hassan, 24. In Beit Sahour, the Israeli Army arrested Samer AbdellahAlhindi and took him to an unknown location. The Israeli army claimed that the youngsters were arrested for alleged membership in the Islamic Jihad resistance group. [end] more.. Army invades village near Tubas Palestine News Network 3/7/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded on Monday at night Aqqaba village, near the West Bank city of Tubas and clashed with dozens of youth who hurled stones and empty bottles at the invading forces. A local source in the village reported that soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition and gas bombs at the youth, no injuries were reported. The source stated that the clashes erupted after the soldiers broke into a number of houses in the village and searched them after forcing the residents out. Also, a Palestinian security source in Tubas reported that soldiers invaded the city on Monday evening and fired at dozens of residents who hurled stones and empty bottles at them. In a separate incident, soldiers installed two military checkpoints near Aqqaba village and Tammoun junction, south of Tubas. more.. Palestinian Brigades claim the sniping of three Israeli soldiers Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Gaza- Maan- Ahmad Abu Ar'rish Brigades- a Fatah Military Wing- said that its groups were able to snipe three Israeli soldiers. In a statement issued Wednesday the brigades said that the sniping occurred in the Johr Ad'deek area east of Gaza. The statement added that this was in retaliation to Israeli crimes and its assassination policy against Palestinian people. [end] more.. Two children and Palestinian man arrested in Hebron Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Hebron- Maan- Israeli forces held three Palestinian citizens including two children in the neighborhood of Abu Snainah in the center of Hebron city. The Israeli forces claim they found a knife with one of them. Maan reporter said eyewitnesses told him that the soldiers stopped Saber Abu Snainah 32 years, Mohamad Atrahs 12 years and Na'el Atrash 13 years and took them to an unknown location. more.. Hamas denied news published about death of its members while training Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Gaza- Maan- Aqsa Brigades denied news published about the death of one of its cadres and the injury of another while practising in one of its training fields in the Gaza Strip. In a statement issued Wednesday it said that the Qassams had helped a man who had been killed and another who was injured, but that they were members of another resistance group and not Hamas members. more.. Aqsa brigades claim responsibility for attacking Israeli settler's bus near Nablus Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Nablus- Maan- Aqsa Brigades- Military Wing of Fatah Movement- announces responsibility for the attack on an Israeli bus in Nablus area. In a statement issued Wednesday the brigades said that one of its groups attacked an Israeli settler bus near the settlement of Bracha in the Nablus area. The statement did not specify the nature of the attack, threatening that the brigades will continue their struggle until the end of the occupation. [end] more.. Islamic Jihad: The new stage will witness blood for blood and no truce with Israel Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Gaza- Maan- Quds Brigades – Islamic Jihad Military Wing – announces the general alert within its members in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in retaliation to the Israeli aggression and killing of the leaders of the Jihad Movement. In a statement issued by the brigades Wednesday it said that Palestinian blood is not cheap and that the Israeli enemy will pay the price for the crimes committed against Palestinians in general. The statement added that the Israeli crimes continue against Palestinian people and that’s why the coming stage will witness (blood for blood) and no chance for a truce with the Israelis. more.. Ten Palestinian citizens arrested in the West Bank Ma'an News 3/8/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Israeli Forces arrest ten Palestinian citizens in different areas of the West Bank. Israeli Radio said that four Islamic Jihad members and three others on the Israeli wanted list were arrested in the Bethlehem area. The radio added that a Fatah activist was arrested in the Ramallah area and two Hamas activists in the Hebron area. In the Jericho area an Islamic Jihad Member was arrested, the radio said. [end] more.. Army invades Jenin, clashes reported International Middle East Media Center 3/8/2006 Israeli army troops and army vehicles invaded Jenin, a West Bank city, on Wednesday at dawn. Shots were heard in the city and soldiers were seen searching several houses in many areas of the city. No arrests were made, local sources reported [end] more.. Israeli Forces arrest three Palestinian citizens in Nablus area Ma'an News 3/7/2006 Nablus- Maan- Israeli Forces arrest three Palestinian citizens of Bita village south of the city of Nablus Tuesday morning. The Israeli Forces invaded the village a week ago after an Israeli car was shot at the main crossing of the village. Maan correspondent reported that the Israeli forces raided the village early and surrounded many houses before arresting Hassan Othman 22 years, Murad Mandil 24 years and Merhij Jabir 22 years. [end] more.. Four killed, including eight-year old, several children wounded in Gaza air strike International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 The Israeli air force fired a missile at a Palestinian vehicle travelling in the Shuja'eyya neighborhood in northern Gaza, killing the two passengers and two children, age 17 and 8, who were standing nearby. Ahmed Sousi, 17, and eight-year-old Raed Al-Batch, were walking on the sidewalk when the Israeli missile struck a car on the road next to them. The two children were not the first to be killed in Gaza today. Two brothers, age 14 and 15, were killed earlier by an explosion of a previously undetonated device left in their neighborhood by Israeli troops. The two passengers who were killed were members of the Islamic Jihad Palestinian resistance group, and were identified asMunir Abu Sukar and Iyad Abu Shaluf. more.. Defense chiefs urge imminent further unilateral steps Ha'aretz 3/6/2006 Hamas will not recognize an additional Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Palestinian territories as a solution to the Palestinian problem, Israel Radio quoted Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip Sami Abu Zuhri as saying Monday, in response to a proposal by the Israeli defense establishment to withdraw to new defensive lines in the West Bank. Abu Zuhri, in an interview to Al Jazzeera, said that Hamas would continue its resistance to the Israeli occupation, and will also step up its presence in the lands from which Israel would withdraw.... The defense establishment is proposing that Israel fully disengage from Gaza and also withdraw to new defensive lines in the West Bank, which would include the Jordan Valley and key points along the central mountain ridge.... Israel would also separate Gaza from the West Bank until a new Palestinian leadership arises. more.. Two children killed in Gaza blast International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 A Palestinian security source in Gaza reported that two Palestinian children were killed after an undetonated shell apparently fired by the army went off east of Al Boreij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. The two children were identified as two brothers, Allam and Nidal Abu Al So'oud, 14 and 15 years old. A medical source in Gaza reported that the bodies of the two children were severely mutilated; the explosion took place near their home close to the borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Palestinian explosives experts were dispatched to the explosion area to examine the nature of the blast. Meanwhile, an Israeli military source claimed that the army had nothing to do with the blast, the Israeli Ynetnews reported. more.. Army invades village near Tubas International Middle East Media Center 3/7/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded on Monday at night Aqqaba village, near the West Bank city of Tubas and clashed with dozens of youth who hurled stones and empty bottles at the invading forces. A local source in the village reported that soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition and gas bombs at the youth, no injuries were reported. The source stated that the clashes erupted after the soldiers broke into a number of houses in the village and searched them after forcing the residents out. Also, a Palestinian security source in Tubas reported that soldiers invaded the city on Monday evening and fired at dozens of residents who hurled stones and empty bottles at them. In a separate incident, soldiers installed two military checkpoints near Aqqaba village and Tammoun junction, south of Tubas. more.. Israeli troops invaded Nablus, armed clashes erupted in the city Ma'an News 3/6/2006 Nablus –Maan- Israeli forces invaded the city of Nablus Monday afternoon and surrounded one of the houses in Jabal Shamali area. Maan area reporter said that an Israel force of six vehicles entered the city from Beit Eba Direction West of Nablus, the forces besieged the house of the Prisoners Support Society Head Mr. Sa'ed Yassen in Jabal Shamali area. The Israeli forces evacuated a neighboring family from their house and that clashes erupted between armed Palestinians and the Israeli troops Maan reporter added. [end] more.. Israeli Soldiers beat and arrest two children in Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 Israeli soldiers arrested on Sunday two Palestinian children, 14 and 15 years old, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Soldiers ambushed the two children when they came near to the Wall on the Beit Sahour side of Bethlehem, near Har Homa settlement on Abu Ghneim mountain. The children entered an area which had been annexed and isolated for Wall construction, where they were assaulted by ten Israeli soldiers from the border guard. The soldiers kicked and beat the boys, and hit them with batons and rifle butts. Eyewitnesses to the event said that after being beaten to the ground, the boys were blindfolded and taken away to an unknown destination. While an Israeli military spokesperson claimed that the boys had seven Molotov cocktails, eyewitnesses counter the claim, saying the boys were unarmed. [end] more.. Palestinian man shot by Israeli border police near Daharia checkpoint International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 The Palestinian driver of a vehicle of a car that sped away from a checkpoint was severely injured when Israeli border police fired at his vehicle. The car careened off the road as Israeli border police opened fire, and four other passengers fled the scene. According to Israeli military sources, the border police fired at the vehicle after it approached a checkpoint, then turned around and began speeding away. They gave no explanation for the discrepancy of an earlier report that the man was an Israeli Arab who had been fired on by unknown gunmen. [end] more.. Six Qassam rockets fired at Israel, no injuries or damage Ha'aretz 3/5/2006 Palestinians fired six Qassam rockets at Israel Sunday morning, causing no injuries or damage, Army Radio. Two of the rockets landed in the sea, two landed in open areas in the Habsor area of the western Negev and two others landed elsewhere. IDF artillery fired shells at the launching sites in retaliation. Qassams have been fired at an average rate of more than two a day since January. On Friday a Qassam landed near the large electric power plant in the coastal city of Ashkelon, media reports said. Also on Friday, a Qassam fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in the Kibbutz Carmia cemetery, damaging a few headstones. more.. Palestinian teen killed, 7 Israelis hurt in territories Ha'aretz 3/5/2006 The number of violent incidents continued to rise over the weekend in the West Bank. On Friday night, an officer, two soldiers and a policeman were hurt by stones thrown in the village of Harbata al Misbah near Ramallah. On Friday, a Palestinian teenager was shot by an Israel Defense Forces sharpshooter in Nablus. In the afternoon a Qassam rocket landed in the industrial zone south of Ashkelon near sensitive infrastructure installations. The weekend toll of wounded Israelis was seven members of the security forces and five civilians. Fifteen-year-old Amar Basiuni was killed on Friday morning by an Israel Defense Forces sniper in Nablus. Palestinian sources said he was shot while standing outside his home. more.. Jihad vows to fire Qassams at Ashkelon to avenge IAF strike Ha'aretz 3/7/2006 Islamic Jihad has vowed to fire Qassam rockets at downtown Ashkelon to avenge an Israeli targeted-killing operation that left five Palestinians dead Monday. The fatalities included two Jihad operatives, two children and a third bystander. To date, no Qassam has ever made it as far as downtown Ashkelon, which is 11 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. Rockets have landed in an industrial zone south of the city that is only eight kilometers from Gaza. However, Islamic Jihad is known to have been trying to increase the range of its rockets. The military operation took place in Gaza City at about 5:30 P. M. , when Israel Air Force jets fired two missiles at an ice-cream van in which Munir Sukar, 27, and Ashraf Shaluf were traveling. more.. IDF truck runs over, kills soldier, Palestinian at Nablus roadblock Ha'aretz 3/7/2006 An army vehicle ran over and killed an Israel Defense Forces soldier and a Palestinian near Nablus on Monday night. Six other soldiers sustained light wounds in the accident. Negligence is suspected as the cause of the incident, into which the army has begun an investigation. The accident occurred at around 6 P. M. on the detour road south of Nablus, where an IDF unit had set up a roadblock to check Palestinian vehicles by parking a Hummer across the width of the road. After stopping a truck driven by a Palestinian, a soldier and the driver were standing between the Hummer and the Palestinian's truck, when an army truck ran into them. more.. Video - 5 killed in Gaza strike YNetNews 3/6/2006 War on Qassams continues: IDF fires at Gaza City vehicle Monday afternoon; two Islamic Jihad members, two teens and child killed; several others hurt in attack. Islamic Jihad threatens 'painful revenge' -- (VIDEO) Air Force hits again: Five people were killed in Gaza City Monday afternoon, including a senior Islamic Jihad member, after the Air Force fired at a vehicle traveling in the Sajaiya neighborhood. The senior Jihad member killed was identified as Munir Abu Sukar. Another notable Jihad member, Iyad Abu Shaluf, was also killed in the attack. Palestinian sources said two passersby, identified as Ahmad al-Sawisi, 15, and Ra'ad al-Batash, 10, also died in the strike. Another 16-year-old boy later succumbed to his wounds and died. more.. Israel church attackers 'sorry' BBC 3/6/2006 An Israeli couple who triggered riots after discharging fireworks in a revered church in Nazareth have expressed remorse for their actions. Haim Eliahu Habibi told a court he did not hate Christians or Muslims, saying he targeted the church to draw attention to a child custody issue. Dozens of people were hurt in clashes following the incident on Friday night. On Saturday, hundreds of Israeli Arabs protested in Nazareth, accusing Israel of failing to prevent the attack. 'Illogical': Mr Habibi, 44, his wife, Violet, and their 20-year-old daughter, Odelia, appeared in court in the northern Israeli town of Tiberias on Saturday. more.. Four arrested in Beit Reema invasion International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 Monday morning, Israeli soldiers invaded the village of Beit Reema, west of the West Bank city of Ramallah, surrounded a house and burned part of it before arresting four members of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh. Eyewitnesses reported that more than ten military vehicles invaded the village and surrounded the house of Khaled Zaghloul Khateeb before break into it. Soldiers, using excessive force, forced the residents out of the house and searched it, damage was reported. Four members of the Al Aqsa Brigades were arrested after the soldiers found them in a room adjacent to the attacked house. more.. Palestinian moderately hurt after high-speed chase with Border Police Ha'aretz 3/6/2006 Border Policemen on Monday opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle that sped away from a West Bank checkpoint and careened off the road, officials said. One Palestinian man sustained moderate wounds. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and Border Police said the incident occurred at a makeshift roadblock erected near Daharia, a village west of the city of Hebron. They said the Palestinian car approached the roadblock, then quickly turned around and sped away. IDF troops followed the vehicle, which sped out of control and off the road. Four occupants got out of the car and ran away, while a fifth man remained inside. more.. IDF soldier wounded in Nablus clash with Palestinian militants Ha'aretz 3/6/2006 An Israel Defense Forces soldier was lightly to moderately wounded Monday afternoon in a clash with Palestinian militants in Nablus. During the operation, IDF troops arrested a member of Hamas's military wing. Two Qassam rockets hit Israeli territory Monday morning, causing no damage or casualties. IDF artillery fired back at sites in the northern Gaza Strip which have been used as launching areas. Earlier on Monday, security forces arrested seven militants in raids across the West Bank. Two Hamas militants were arrested in the city of Bethlehem, and another Hamas man was arrested in the village of Silat al-Daher near the city of Nablus. more.. Home-made shells at Kissufim Crossing International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 Al-Aqsa Martyr brigade the armed wing of Fatah opposition party said its operatives fired two home-made shells at Kissufim crossing between Israel and Gaza Strip causing no casualties, Palestine News Network Reported. The brigade said in a statement to the press that the unit of "Martyr Majdi Al-Khatib" shelled Kissufim crossing at the south east of the strip in response to the Israeli offenses and the artillery shelling against the Gaza Strip. The statement added that the shelling is also a response to the assassination of Khaled Al-Dahdouh leader of Al-Quds brigade the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, few days ago. The artillery unit of the Israeli Army shelled several locations along the northern and the eastern areas of the Gaza Strip, specifically the towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia. Residents of these areas reported hearing several explosions but reported no casualties. [end] more.. Mofaz: Jordan recently thwarted Al-Qaida suicide attack Ha'aretz 3/6/2006 According to Jordanian intelligence sources, a suicide attack in the kingdom, planned by a group associated with Al-Qaida, was recently foiled, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz reported at yesterday's weekly cabinet meeting. Mofaz said that the Jordanian announcement points to a heightened threat of terror in Israel and surrounding countries. He reminded the cabinet that there are still 13 "active" terror warnings in Israel, and added that he had ordered an increased military and police presence along the Green Line (pre-1967) border and inside the West Bank, in response to a rise in the number of shooting and stabbing incidents there. Mofaz said the Karni border crossing in Gaza has been closed for 12 days due to warnings of a terror attack there. more.. Arrests, fire and barbarian treatment during an Israeli raid on Palestinian village Ma'an News 3/6/2006 Ramallah- Maan- Israeli Forces Invaded the village of Beit Rima West of Ramallah Monday morning, surrounded a house and put part of it on fire before arrest four citizens claiming the are Aqsa Brigades members. Eyewitnesses said that more than ten military vehicles participated in the raid; a siege was imposed on the house of Khaled Zaghloul Khateeb before break into it. Relatives and neighbors of the house said that the Israeli soldiers treated the residents of the house in a barbarian way and force them to evacuate the house, the soldiers shot intensively while breaking into they added. The four men, Wahbe Abdulraheem Remawi 25 years, Ali Hamad Remawi 21, and two brothers Firas and Ibrahim Mohammad Remawi 24 and 21 years, were in one of the rooms when the soldiers break into the house. more.. Israeli Army resumes shelling of northern Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 The Israeli army artillery resumed its shelling to the north areas of the Gaza strip, on Monday morning. The shelling targeted the towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanon, shells landed in open areas, causing no damage, but a lot of panic among residents, local sources reported. [end] more.. Israeli Army invades Siliat Al Thaher village near Jenin, one resident arrested International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006 Israeli army forces invaded the village of Siliat Al Thaher, near the West Bank city of Jenin, on Monday morning, arresting one resident of the village. Ali Ghanem, 25, was arrested after soldiers searched his house and several other houses in the village, then he was taken by the Israeli soldiers to an unknown destination, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Telegram warned of plot to kill Attlee's ministers The Guardian 3/6/2006 MI5 was warned that Jewish terrorists planned to assassinate members of Clement Attlee's postwar Labour government and feared that Menachem Begin, then leader of the extremist Irgun resistance group and a future prime minister of Israel, had tried to trick it by having cosmetic surgery to disguise his identity, files released yesterday disclose. The files include a telegram dated February 12 1946 from Palestine saying that a reliable source claimed the Stern gang were "training members to go to England to assassinate members of His Majesty's Government, especially Mr Bevin [British foreign minister Ernest Bevin]". The Stern gang, in common with Irgun, were fighting against the British mandate of Palestine and murdered Britain's Minister Resident in the Middle East, Lord Moyne, in Cairo in 1944. more.. Israeli Arab leaders blame gov't for Nazareth church attack Ha'aretz 3/4/2006 President Moshe Katsav condemned Saturday a Jewish family's attack on a major Catholic holy site the night before, urging religious leaders to not let the incident harm relations between Jews and Christians in Israel. Katsav also said that Israel pledges to unconditionally defend the holy sites of all religions. Leaders of the Arab sector in Israel met earlier Saturday in Nazareth with Catholic leaders to discuss Friday night's detonation of fireworks by in the northern city's Basilica of the Annunciation. The Higher Israeli Arab Monitoring Committee read a statement calling on the Israeli government to "take full responsibility for the incident in the Church of the Annunciation, and to deal with forces considering attacks on holy sites, forces that developed against a backdrop of hatred and defiance of the Arab public. " more.. Terrorist Begin had plastic surgery to avoid capture Daily Star 3/6/2006 LONDON: The British security services viewed future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin as a terrorist and were told he had undergone cosmetic surgery to change his appearance, secret files from the 1940s released Sunday show. Declassified documents show the country's domestic intelligence agency MI5 was told that Begin, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, was said to have gone under the knife in the 1940s. At the time, Begin strenously opposed Britain's role in Palestine, heading the militant Irgun Zvati Leumi that was waging a campaign of violent resistance to the post-World War I British Mandate. At the time, MI5 and its overseas intelligence counterpart MI6 were involved in monitoring armed opponents in the Middle Eastern territories. more.. Israeli troops kill Palestinian teenager Daily Star 3/4/2006 Israeli troops shot and murdered a Palestinian teenager and wounded a second person during an early morning raid Friday in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, Palestinians said. Later, an Israeli warplane fired on and missed a car in the Gaza Strip carrying suspected Palestinian fighters. Witnesses said the car was carrying members of Islamic Jihad as it traveled through the Beit Lahiya area of northern Gaza. The attack came hours after Palestinian teenager Amer Basyouni, 15, was shot dead in the neck when he went up on the roof of his family's home in the Ein Beit Ilma refugee camp in Nablus to see what was going on after gunfire erupted in his neighborhood during the pre-dawn Israeli raid. more.. Unrest after Israel church attack BBC 3/3/2006 Scuffles have broken out in the town of Nazareth in northern Israel after three Israelis set off firecrackers in the Church of the Annunciation. The incident during a service late on Friday caused panic among worshippers and sparked angry protests outside. The three intruders were taken away for psychiatric checks as police sought to disperse large crowds. Christians believe the church, one of their holiest sites, marks the place where the birth of Jesus was foretold. Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra told Israel radio it "was not a (terrorist) attack and there was no specific intention to harm the Church of the Annunciation more.. Qassam rocket hits strategic facility in the Ashkelon area Ha'aretz 3/3/2006 Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket that hit a strategic facility in the Ashkelon area on Friday. It was not immediately clear whether the attack caused damage. Palestinians fired a total of five Qassam rockets at Israel on Friday. A man in the Carmiya area north of Gaza was treated for shock in the wake of one of the rocket attacks. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, Israel Radio reported. In response to the Palestinian rocket attacks, Israel Air Force aircraft attacked Qassam launch sites in the northern Gaza Strip. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. " more.. Palestinian injured and three arrested in Tulkarem Ma'an News 3/3/2006 Tulkarem- Maan- Palestinian citizen was injured when the Israeli Forces invaded the city of Tulkarem Friday morning. Maan correspondent reported that more than fifteen military vehicles entered the city, the soldiers broke into many houses, three Palestinians were arrested during the operation. The reporter added that clashes erupted between Palestinian armed men and the Israeli forces. Palestinian citizen Faw'waz Zaki 42 years was injured during the clash, and was transported to the near by Thabit Hospital, his case described as moderate. [end] more.. Nazareth quiet after attack in church sparks rioting Ha'aretz 3/4/2006 Jewish man accompanied by his Christian wife and their daughter detonated firecrackers inside the Basilica of the Annunciation in the northern Israeli Arab city of Nazareth on Friday evening, triggering riots that resulted in the injury of 13 police officers and 13 local residents. Around midnight, a tense calm prevailed in the city. Police said the man had a history of mental illness. The assailants were not believed to be linked to any ultra-nationalist Jewish group. Towards evening, the three assailants hid firecrackers and small gas canisters in a baby stroller and detonated the firecrackers inside the church during a special prayer for the opening of Lent. more.. Israeli forces closed entrances of Bita Ma'an News 3/3/2006 Nablus – Maan- Israeli forces closed the entrances of the village of Bita southeast of Nablus city. Maan reporter said that a large Israeli contingent arrived to the area accompanied with armored military vehicles and closed the northeastern entrances of the village. The closed entrances are those lads to the other towns and villages of the area, Israeli army prevented the citizens of the village from passing through the barrier they erected. [end] more.. 'Habibi did it for the children’ YNetNews 3/3/2006 Haim and Violet Habibi, who threw firecrackers inside the Church of the Annunciation Friday are known by welfare authorities for troubled past; family moved frequently from Israel to PA and back; couple was stripped of custody of their children, kidnapped them to Mukata in Ramallah. Tzedek Lakol (Justice for All) party member: He told us he was planning on doing something to focus everyone’s attention on his troubles --.... For the past 15 years the family moved frequently from Israel to the Palestinian Authority and back; Violet Habibi had threatened to kill her children in the past and complained of inappropriate conduct on the part of the authorities. more.. Labor members beaten, Kadima office vandalized YNetNews 3/3/2006 Labor Party activists say rightists hit them, tore their signs while standing at Petach Tikva junction; in northern town of Kiryat Ata, Kadima offices destroyed, keyholes filled with glue -- Labor party officials claimed Friday that party activists standing at Petach Tikva's Yarkonim Junction were beaten by a group of unidentified right-wing activists, causing three of them to bleed. According to the Labor activists, who plan on filing a police complaint, the rightists attacked them, tore their signs and beat them. Giora Nahum, a party activist who was at the junction with 12 of his friends, told Ynet: "We were standing at the junction with our signs, when we were suddenly approached by a group of young people, some of them wearing skullcaps... ".... Kadima member Ilan Galevsky told Ynet that he believes local Likud activists, sent by Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, were responsible for the damage [to Kadima offices]. more.. Eight killed, 36 injured and 60 arrested in one week Palestine News Network 3/3/2006 The Palestinian Center For Human Rights reported that Israeli soldiers killed eight residents, shot injured 36 residents, and arrested forty residents in several invasions carried in the West Bank. One Israeli peace activist and two internationals were also injured during the Israeli military attacks. The center released its weekly report on Thursday and listed the military violation in the occupied territories including the attacks and strikes carried in the Gaza Strip. Five residents were killed in the West Bank and one was killed in Gaza, another Gaza resident died of wounds suffered three weeks ago. Also, soldiers assassinated Khaled Al Dahdouh, leader of the Islamic Jihad armed wing in Gaza. more.. Hamas PLC spokesperson: “There is no Qaida in Palestine” Palestine News Network 3/3/2006 Dr. Salah Bardaweel, Hamas spokesperson to the Palestinian Legislative Councildenied Israeli reports on infiltration of Al Qaida members in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Maan News Agency reported that Bardaweel was commenting on statements of Israeli officials and the comments of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the London based Al Hayat newspaper. Abbas said that the Palestinian Authority has “indications of the presence of Al Qaida in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank”. “This is the first time I ever talk about this issue”, Abbas stated, “This is a very serious matter”“Hamas has no information on such reports”, Bardaweel said, “If these reports are true, we should then deal with this issue in a special way, and inform the people of such presence”. more.. Aqsa brigades warn of harming the foreign citizens Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Gaza- Maan- Aqsa brigades, the military wing of Fatah Movement, warn of the harming of the foreigners in the Gaza Strip. In statement issued Friday it said that some of the narrow minded people who are not known before to the Palestinian people are threatening to harm foreign citizens and gave them a time limit to leave the Palestinian areas. The brigades warn those behind such ideas and said that the stability of the Palestinian areas is not going to be in the hands of these people, the brigades will use its iron fest to retaliate on those who will try to endanger the national security, the statement added. " more.. Palestinian resistance group vows to protect internationals in Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 The Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, issued a press release on Friday morning vowing to protect internationals living and working in the Gaza Strip from any harm. The press release also stated that some of the closed-minded people who don't represent the Palestinian people are threatening to harm internationals living and working in the Gaza Strip, giving them a time limit to leave the Palestinian areas. The brigades, in their statement, warned those who are spreading such ideas, that they would use an 'iron fist' to retaliate against those who would try to endanger the Palestinian national security. [end] more.. One resident arrested in Balata refugee camp in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 The Israeli army invaded Balata refugee camp, in the West Bank city of Nablus, early Friday morning and arrested one resident there. Osama Dowikat was arrested when troops stormed the refugee camp and conducted house-to-house searches, then he was taken to unknown destination, local sources reported. [end] more.. Israeli Army shoots one resident in Tulkarem International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 In a Friday morning invasion of the West Bank city of Tulkarem, the Israeli army shot one resident from the city. Fawwaz Zaki, 45, was injured when army vehicles stormed the city and started to shoot randomly in several directions, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Explosion in a Hamas activist house in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 A Palestinian security source reported on Thursday that a bomb exploded at the house of a Hamas activist causing damage to the property. The bomb apparently exploded during the making process. [end] more.. Settlers attack, abuse two residents near Tubas International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that an extremist settlers group attacked two Palestinian residents while they were heading back to Tubas, in the West Bank. The agency stated that the settlers violently attacked, hit the two residents, and tied them with ropes. The two residents, Abdul-Kareem Anbousy, and Bara' Ghanim, were transferred to a clinic in Tubas suffering bruises and concussions after being repeatedly kicked and punched. The settlers kept the two residents tied and left the area, and Israeli patrol passing by the area noticed the two residents and untied them but did not provide them with any first aid. more.. Sewerage of Ariel settlement pumped into Palestinian farmlands International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2006 Residents of the northern West Bank villages near Salfit reported that settlers of the nearby Ariel Settlement Bloc continued to pump the sewage water into Palestinian farmlands in the area. The lands belong to residents of Borqeen and Kafer Al Deek, near Tubas. The settlers also pumped their sewage water into the main water spring which is 30 meters away from the settlement. This spring provides fresh water to the residents of the city of Salfit and the villages of Borqeen, Kafer Al Deek, Farkha and Khirbit Quies. The residents also said that Israeli factories in the settlement resumed polluting air of the area by blowing poisonous gases. more.. Palestinian resistance fires ten homemade shells at several areas in Israel International Middle East Media Center 3/2/2006 The Al-Aqsa martyrs brigades, the armed winged of Fatah, and the armed wing of the popular resistance committees', claimed responsibility for firing ten homemade shells at several areas in Israel. According to a press release by the two groups, the shelling comes in response to the Israeli assassination of Khaled Al Dahdoh, a top Islamic Jihad leader. [end] more.. IDF sources warn that intifada of rocks, knives may be returning Ha'aretz 3/1/2006 The stabbing incident at the Gush Etzion junction Tuesday 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 other Israelis at the junction. However, this was only one out of three incidents in the West Bank on Tuesday. 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.. Two projectiles on Israeli military position Ma'an News 3/3/2006 Gaza- Maan- Popular Resistance Committees claim responsibility for the launching of two home made projectiles on the Israeli military position in Kitzovim. In a statement issued Friday the committees said that this is a reaction on the Israeli killing of Islamic Jihad leader Khaled Dahdouh. The statement reaffirm that the PRC will continue struggle against Israeli occupation until liberation of Palestine. [end] more.. Report: Palestinian youth shot dead by IDF in Nablus raid Ha'aretz 3/3/2006 Palestinian medics said Friday morning that an Israeli sniper killed a Palestinian youth during a West Bank raid by troops looking for militants. They said the 15-year-old, Amer Bassyouni, was shot in the neck and died from his wounds as Israeli forces searched for militants in the Alamin refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus. The army said it was checking the report. Palestinian security sources said the youth had been seen next to his house as Israeli forces raided the area. Israeli forces frequently raid West Bank towns searching for wanted militants. [end more.. Israeli Army cut and uprooted olive trees in Tulkarem villages Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Maan- Israeli Forces uprooted olive trees in the lands of Kofr Al'lebad and Beit Leid villages east of the city of Tulkarem. Palestinian farmers told Maan reporter that they were surprised Thursday morning when Israeli forces arrived to their lands and started cutting and uprooting the trees. They believe that the Israeli forces are intending to build a wall around the settlement of Annab which was built on their lands. more.. Abbas claims al-Qaida is operating in Gaza The Guardian 3/3/2006 Palestinian leader says infiltration can ruin region · Hamas part of global terrorism, says Israel -- The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, said yesterday that he believes al-Qaida has infiltrated the occupied territories and could further destabilise the region. "We have indications about a presence of al-Qaida in Gaza and the West Bank. This is intelligence information. We have not yet reached the point of arrests," Mr Abbas told Al Hayat, the London-based Arabic newspaper. Later he added that Palestinian security forces had been given the task of heading off any extremist plots. "Our forces are trying with all available means to prevent them from arriving to carry out terrorist attacks in this region," he said. more.. Israel keeps Gaza crossing closed BBC 3/2/2006 The Israeli authorities have delayed re-opening the main goods crossing into Gaza, despite warnings of shortages of essential supplies for Palestinians. On Wednesday, the Israeli army had issued a statement saying the crossing would open again on Thursday. Israel has kept the crossing closed for nine straight days due to security concerns, officials say. Palestinians describe the closure as collective punishment, while the UN says it has caused severe shortages. "This is getting to precarious levels," said David Shearer, head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in an interview with Reuters news agency. Stocks of wheat, sugar and cooking oil could begin to run out within days, the UN said on Wednesday. more.. Israeli forces erected two barriers between Jenin and Tulkarem Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Tulkarem- Maan- Israeli forces erected two military barriers between the area of Jenin and Tulkarem. Maan reporter said that the Israeli forces has erected the barriers at the entrances of Dier Ghosoun town and Allar town north of the area of Tulkarem, and prevent Palestinians from traveling or passing through the barriers and threat them by weapons [end] more.. Unprecedented statement in the Gaza Strip warns foreigners to leave within one month Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Maan- Unknown Palestinian Group Called themselves ((Jihad Army and Corrupt fighters)) strongly warn the foreign embassies and gave them a one month period to leave the Palestinian areas. In a statement issued Thursday and distributed in the southern areas of the Gaza Strip it warn the none Moslems of the foreigners to leave. The statement which was described by many observers that it looks like the Qaeda statements, added that there is another kind of infidelity to be fought, which is the application of- Allah- rules and what is been practiced of the infidel laws in the land, and what have been wide spread of the drugs , alcohol, brutality, and fornication. more.. Military barrier at the southern entrance of Jenin Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Jenin- Maan- Israeli Forces erected a military barrier at the southern entrance of the city of Jenin Thursday. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces are preventing the Palestinian citizens from leaving the city or passing through the barrier. Rami Abu Baker a Palestinian citizen told Maan reporter that he could not pass through the barrier and was obliged to take other roads and then to go through Qabatia city and other villages so as to leave Jenin more.. Israeli forces strengthen their measures in the area of Salfeet Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Salfeet- Maan- Israeli Forces strengthen it's besiege imposed on the governorate of Salfeet in the northern part of the West Bank. Maan reporter said that the Israeli forces erected many "jumping" checkpoints and closed the entrances of the western villages and the industrial zone of Burkan settlement and prevented labors from reaching the area. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces closed the gate of Qarawah which leads to the western villages of Salfeet and erected barrier at the entrance of Dier istia village and strengthen its measures against Palestinians leaving the area of Nablus. [end] more.. Israeli forces erected many temporary checkpoints in Jenin area Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Jenin- Maan- Israeli forces erected many checkpoints in the area of Jenin in the southern parts of the West bank. Palestinian sources in Tubas said that the Israeli forces erected a barrier on the Nablus Tubas road near Wadi Bathan and prevent Palestinians from passing through and intend to delay them from going to their jobs without reasonable reasons. Palestinian security sources in Jenin said that the Israeli forces erected a barrier at the Shuhada crossroads near Qabatia entrance south of Jenin city. Eyewitneses said that another barrier was erected on Kofr Ra'e –Fahma south west of the city of Jenin and another one on the entrance of Anza north of Jenin [end] more.. Four Palestinians arrested in Ramallah and Hebron Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Ramallah and Hebron- Maan- Israeli forces invaded the city of Ramallah and arrest Mohammad Amin 50 years. Maan reporter said that the man was taken from his home after the Israeli forces broke into the house and searched it. Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers took the man to the furniture shops he has in the down town they forced him to open the shops and a search was made by the soldiers in the shops. In the same regard the Israeli forces arrest three Palestinians of Bani naeem town in the area of Hebron. Maan reporter said that the town was invaded by Israeli occupation forces, broke into several houses and took the brothers Noah Idaisat 27 years and Moharib Idaisat 41 and Issa Tarayrah 40 years. more.. Al-Aqsa: Preparing for new round of confrontation YNetNews 3/2/2006 Senior group member says 'in recent days we have been operating in more organized way'; PA official says recent wave of terror attacks launched in response to Israel's operations in West Bank --Abu Nasser, a senior leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing, told Ynet Thursday: "We are preparing for a new round of confrontation with Israel, in which we will use all the means at our disposal. " "If needed, we will carry out shooting attacks and suicide bombings, hurl stones, throw Molotov cocktails and fire rockets," he warned more.. Hundreds of Palestinians called for revenge in Dahdouh funeral in Gaza Ma'an News 3/2/2006 Gaza- Maan- Hundreds of Palestinian citizens participate in the funeral of the Islamic Jihad Leader Khaled Dahdouh who was killed by the Israelis Wednesday. The Funeral started from the Grand Omari Mosque, and went through the streets of the city while raising slogans and Palestinian flags, the masses called for revenge for the killing of Dahdouh more.. Rocket alert system to be set up in north YNetNews 3/2/2006 Northern communities will benefit from alert system against rockets fired from Lebanon -- A warning system against surface-to-surface rockets will be set up in northern communities to alert residents of Katyusha and other rockets fired from Lebanon, Ynet has learned. A senior Israel Defense Forces officer said the system is similar to the Red Dawn unit used in southern communities to alert residents of Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. The system identifies rockets fired from enemy territory and sets off an alarm, giving residence enough time to seek refuge or go down on the ground more.. Changing fence route called danger to fast train to Jerusalem Ha'aretz 3/3/2006 Changing the route of the separation fence west of the Jerusalem hills could endanger passengers on the fast train to Jerusalem under construction. Internal correspondence between Israel Railways and the Defense Ministry regarding a planned change in the fence route reveals that the hill known as "847" near the Palestinian villages of Furik and Beit Iksa, will be outside the fence. The villages are very close to the planned tracks and will be just a few dozen meters away. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently accepted Shin Bet and police recommendations to put Beit Iksa outside the "Israeli" side of the fence. more.. Mofaz: Karni to remain shut YNetNews 3/2/2006 Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decides to keep Karni Crossing closed after warnings terror groups have planned terror attacks at crossing point -- Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Thursday decided to keep closed the Karni crossing along the border with the Gaza Strip, acting on intelligence reports that terror groups are planning to carry out terror attacks there. “The security of Israeli citizens is an utmost priority,” Mofaz said. In a meeting with Mofaz, security officials recommended the crossing remain closed for fear that soldiers and civilian guards protecting the point might be the targets of terror attacks. more.. Israel reneges on commitment to reopen Karni crossing to aid Ha'aretz 3/2/2006 Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has decided the Karni crossing into the Gaza Strip will remain closed on Thursday, despite earlier promises to open it indefinitely to humanitarian aid for Palestinian residents, Israel Radio reported. Senior defense officials will meet Thursday to discuss plans to open the crossing in light of terror warnings originating from the Gaza Strip. The IDF had been expected to reopen the commercial terminal following mounting international pressure warning that food supplies in the Strip were dwindling and likely to run out. Israel closed the crossing for 21 days between January 15 and February 5. It was closed again on February 21 after a mysterious explosion in the area and has remained closed because of "continued security alerts," an IDF spokeswoman said. more.. Israel Kills Top Jihad Leader, Arrests Hamas MPs Palestine Chronicle 3/1/2006 Meanwhile, an Israeli working at a service station near a Jewish settlement in the northern West Bank was fatally wounded in Palestinian shooting. -- GAZA CITY - An Israeli air strike killed Wednesday, March 1, the military leader of the Islamic Jihad, as Israeli troops detained two Hamas MPs in occupied East Jerusalem. Khaled Al-Dahduh, the overall leader of the Al-Quds Brigades who is also known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Al-Walid, was killed instantly when the vehicle in which he was traveling exploded in a ball of flames in Gaza City, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). Witnesses and Palestinian security sources confirmed to AFP that Dahduh was killed in an Israel air strike carried out by an unmanned drone but the occupation army insisted it was not behind the blast. more.. 1 killed, 1 injured in terror attacks YNetNews 3/1/2006 Israeli shot to death near West Bank Migdalim settlement around noon. In separate incident, Israeli shot in neck near Qalqilya, sustains moderate to serious wounds. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claim responsibility for both incidentsEfrat Weiss The highway intifada returns to the West Bank: Eldad Abir, 48, resident of the West Bank settlement of Migdalim, married with two children, was killed in a shooting attack at a petrol station at the entrance to the settlement, east of Ariel. About two hours later, Magen David Adom emergency services reported that an Israeli citizen sustained moderate to serious wounds to his neck after being shot near the village of Nebi Elias, east of Qalqiliya. more.. U.N. worker kidnapped in Nablus YNetNews 3/1/2006 Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades kidnap Palestinian U. N. employee they accuse of giving information to Israel used to assassinate group's Nablus commander -- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of the Fatah organization, kidnapped a Palestinian working for the United Nations in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, after suspecting him of cooperating with Israel. The kidnapped man, Jafaal Sawalma, was interrogated by his captors, who accused him of transferring information to Israel used to assassinate the group's Nablus commander, Muhammad Shatawi, last week. more.. Israeli Occupation Storms Beit Foreek, IOF Gunboats Opened fire Towards Gaza's Seashores International Press Center 3/1/2006 NABLUS, Palestine, March1,2005 (IPC+ Agencies) - -The Israeli occupation forces stormed last night Foureek town, east Nablus district of the West Bank, conducted house-house searches as the IOF gunboats opened its firing towards Gaza seashores and artilleries installed north and east the Strip continue to bombard the environs. In Nablus city, a large IOF contingent burst into the Town overnight backed by military jeeps, firing at random live ammunitions and tear gas canisters, then afterward the soldiers combed the residents' houses and wrecked havoc in the furniture. The IOF military gunboats fired projectiles at the seashore in Al Sudanyia area , west of Beit Lahia town, north Gaza Strip. more.. PA factions sign anti-truce pact YNetNews 3/1/2006 While rumors circulate that Hamas considering truce with Israel, five factions draw up agreement refusing to lay down arms -- Another Palestinian faction announced Wednesday that it would refuse to cooperate with any declaration of a truce with Israel, following reports that behind the scenes Hamas was considering a cease-fire. The Abu Rish Brigades, an armed wing affiliated with Fatah, assembled a press conference Wednesday and announced they would reject any request by the Hamas to cease attacks on Israel. more.. Twelve Palestinians arrested in Beit Fajar, Mayor calls operation ‘arbitrary and inhuman’ Palestine News Network 3/1/2006 Approximately six Israeli military patrols raided the town of Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem, and detained twelve young Palestinians. During the three hour raid, the IOF declared the town a closed military zone. During the raid, soldiers also broke into, and searched, tens of houses in the town. Residents were forced out of their homes and had to wait outside for hours in the cold. Twelve young men, all between the ages of 15 and 20, were detained, blindfolded and handcuffed before being transferred to an unknown location. Omar Tqatqa, the Beit Fajar Mayor, said in a phone conversation with PNN, that the detentions are arbitrary and inhuman. He said that the recent raid was unprovoked and demands that Israel stop the arrest of Palestinian residents. [end] more.. 5 Qassam rockets land in south YNetNews 3/1/2006 Qassam attacks continue as five rockets land in southern Israel; security officials say firing will continue while IDF operates in area; local residents plan demonstration, say 'government just doesn't care' -- Five Qassam rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza on Wednesday. All of the rockets fell in the vicinity of Kibbutz Karmiya and Kibbutz Zikim, south of Ashkelon, and one rocket fell in the Mediterranean Sea. A number of other rockets fell in the territory of the Palestinian Authority. The "Red Dawn" rocket warning system identified the launches and sounded off, alerting local residents. more.. Israeli forces arrest five palestinians east of Maghazi refugee camp Ma'an News 3/1/2006 Gaza-Maan- Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces arrest five Palestinian citizens east of Maghazi refugee camp while on their way to Israel, the Palestinians were trying to infiltrate to Israel to look for work. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces used lighting bombs and called for the Palestinians to surrender after threatening them to be shot if they do not do so, the Palestinians surrender to the Israelis and were taken by the Israeli forces. [end] more.. Side road bomb exploded on an Israeli military jeep Ma'an News 3/1/2006 Gaza- Maan – Aqsa Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees- PRC- claim responsibility for the bombing of a side road bomb on an Israeli military jeep east of Abu Safiyah east of Jabalia refugee camp in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip. In a join statement issued Wednesday they said that a joint group of the Aqsa and the PRC planted a side bomb on the road and explode it on an Israeli military jeep at 5. 45 am Wednesday morning. The statement confirmed that this is part of the continues resistance and retaliation on the Israeli aggression against Palestinian people. Israeli forces said that a side road bomb was exploded when an Israeli patrol was traveling in the area but said that no casualties reported in the incident. [end] more.. In Gaza again, nothing has changed Rafah Today 3/1/2006 In Gaza again, nothing has changed. Ambulances and bombs can be heard after yet another extra-judicial assassination -- the military leader of Islamic Jihad was targeted from a helicopter. Khaled Al Dahduh, also known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Al Walid, was killed instantly when the vehicle in which he was traveling exploded in a ball of flames in Gaza City, medics and witnesses said. Eyewitnesses said Dahduh was killed as a result of an Israel air strike carried out by an unmanned drone. The Israeli army insisted it was not behind the blast..... 26 February 06: Israeli warplanes bombed eight roads in the northern Gaza Strip before dawn on Saturday in order to prevent Palestinian militants from firing rockets on Israel, according to a military spokeswoman. more.. Officials predict 'West Bank intifada' YNetNews/WorldNetDaily 3/1/2006 Security sources say increase in attacks against Israelis may be indicative of Palestinian terrorists’ plan to launch new intifada -- With a large increase in the number of shootings, stabbings, and stone and Molotov cocktail throwings against Israelis the past few weeks, Israeli security officials today said they fear the violent trend might be indicative of a plan by the Palestinian terror groups to launch a new intifada against the Jewish state, with the violence mostly focused against Jews in the West Bank. more.. Israeli settler killed in Nablus area Ma'an News 3/1/2006 Nablus-Maan- An Israeli settler was killed when Palestinian armed men shot him while in his car at the entrance of Megdalim settlement south of the city of Nablus. In a telephone call with Maan, Aqsa brigades claim responsibility for the killing of the settler. Preliminary information's leaked from the Israeli sources said that the man was shot in the head by anonymous Palestinians and seriously injured and was announced dead later. Israeli forces rushed to the area and started searching and investigations. more.. Aqsa brigades vows to revenge for the killing of Dahdouh Ma'an News 3/1/2006 Khanyounis- Maan- Aqsa Brigades in Palestine, the military wing of Fatah movement confirmed that the Israeli assassination pf Khaled Dahdouh will not pass peacefully. In a statement issued Wednesday it said that the Israeli crimes are continued against Palestinian fighters and people in the West Bnk and the Gaza Strip. The statement added that the reaction will be harsh on these crimes. [end] more.. Palestinian Monitoring Group Daily Situation Report, 26 -27 February 2006 (PDF) Palestine Media Center 3/2/2006 .... JENIN: Closure of Road: The Israeli army continues to close with dirt barricades the detour road leading to the town of ‘Arraba east of the settlement of Dotan. Checkpoint: At the Israeli army continues to intensify its restrictions at Tayasir checkpoint east of the town of Tubas and to impede civilian access. Wall Gates: Passage through the Wall gates is restricted to civilians granted special Israeli permits. Flying Checkpoints: (i) At 20:00, the Israeli army set up a flying checkpoint at the entrance to the village of Rummana and arrested 1 civilian. (ii) At 02:00, the Israeli army set up 2 flying checkpoints on the junctions to town of Az Zababida and the village of Sanur and searched civilians and vehicles.... more.. PNIC: 8 Killed, 66 Wounded and 140 Arrested by 55 Week of Ceasefire International Press Center 3/1/2006 GAZA, Palestine, March 1, 2006 (IPC) - - A report prepared by the State Information Service (SIS) revealed that Israeli forces have killed 8 Palestinians, wounded 66 others, arresting 140 as well as committing 868 violations of the ceasefire declared on 8 February after Sharm Al Sheikh summit. The report, released by the SIS' Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC) asserted that between February21 and February 27, 2006 Israeli forces shot 8 Palestinian dead, injured 66 and carried out many violations varying between house shelling, raids, incursions, land bulldozing and curbing of free movement. PNIC showed that Israeli forces committed arrest campaigns in which 140 residents were arrested during 193 raids, as well as establishing 120 mobile roadblocks and closing roads and military checkpoints 238 times. more..

Diplomacy..

US cuts all contact with Hamas-led PA AlJazeera 4/1/2006 The United States has suspended all contact with the Palestinian government led by Hamas, the US State Department announced. However, the administration will maintain contact with the Palestinian Authority's representative in Washington, Afief Safieh, because "he does not report to the foreign ministry",Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman, told reporters on Friday. Mahmud Zahar, the new Palestinian minister of foreign affairs, is a Hamas member. "We've advised our mission in Jerusalem, as well as other missions around the world that... there should be no contact between US government officials and PA (Palestinian Autority) officials who are under the authority of the prime minister or any other minister in the Hamas-led government. This includes working-level officials in those ministries," said Ereli. more.. Rice hints at support for Israeli unilateral withdrawals Ha'aretz 3/31/2006 United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hinted yesterday on her visit to Germany that Washington would consider Israel's plans for additional territorial withdrawals. In a very carefully worded statement, Rice said, "I wouldn't on the face of it just say absolutely we don't think there's any value in what the Israelis are talking about. " At the same time, the United States won't say now that it will back further unilateral moves until it knows more about them, Rice said. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert transmitted the principles of his West Bank "consolidation plan" to the U.S. administration via adviser Dov Weisglass before presenting it to the Israeli public earlier this month. more.. Mofaz: Hamas responsible for Kedumim attack YNet News 4/1/2006 Defense minister says ‘a government that instructs its security forces not to combat terror is responsible for this, any other attack; instruct security establishment step up anti-terror activity -- Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the Hamas-led Palestinian government is responsible for Thursday’s terror attack in Kedumim, in which four Israelis lost their lives. “A government that is committed to terror and instructs its security forces not to combat terror is responsible or this attack and any other attack that emanates from its territory,” Mofaz said. “Israeli will not ignore attacks on its citizens and will respond harshly. ” more.. Mofaz: PA officials profit from crossings YNet News 3/31/2006 Defense Minister tells U.S. envoys David Welch, Elliot Abrams that Palestinian Authority officials profit from goods transferred through Erez, Karni crossings and therefore object Israel's offer to open Kerem Hashalom as an alternative -- Senior Palestinian officials profit from operations at the Karni and Erez crossings and therefore they are objected to Israel’s offer to open the Kerem Hashalom crossing instead, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told senior U.S. envoys David Welch and Elliot Abrams on Thursday. The three met to discuss the repercussions of the inauguration of the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority. more.. Israel asks UNRWA to expand its humanitarian program Ha'aretz 4/1/2006 Israel has asked the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees to expand its humanitarian program in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, setting aside criticism of the organization it accused of siding with militants. Israel's request to UNRWA could see the agency assisting Palestinians who are not refugees, Israeli officials and UN diplomats said. "In the past, we have had serious concerns about patterns of behavior within UNRWA," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said in reference to past Israeli charges that UNRWA employed Hamas members and provided assistance to militants. Israel looked into the possibility of phasing out the agency's operations in Gaza as recently as last year when Israel pulled out of the Strip, sources close to the government said. more.. Spy's Handler May Get a Post Forward 3/31/2006 Eitan has been conducting agricultural business in Cuba. There he befriended President Fidel Castro, to whom he refers by first name. -- WASHINGTON — The surprise showing of the upstart Pensioners' Party could mean a Cabinet post for Jonathan Pollard's spymaster — and the reopening of painful wounds from a case that deeply damaged American-Israeli relations two decades ago. Rafi Eitan, a legendary former Mossad agent who was named an un-indicted co-conspirator in the 1986 case that ended with Pollard's pleading guilty to espionage, led the new party to an impressive showing in Tuesday's elections. With seven seats, the party is almost certain to become a key partner in Israel's incoming coalition, making Eitan a candidate to be in Ehud Olmert's next Cabinet. That could become an embarrassment for both Jerusalem and Washington. more.. European Union mission visits Gaza Strip; says food crisis is 'serious' due to Israeli closures International Middle East Media Center 3/31/2006 A European Union (EU) delegation has visited Gaza to get a fresh perspective on food shortages following the Israeli closure of a critical checkpoint. The delegation, consisting of 16 heads of mission, visited the al-Mintar (Karni) commercial crossing, Gaza's largest flour mill, and a greenhouse project where several tonnes of cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers had gone to waste. Though Israel re-opened al-Mintar crossing after an emergency meeting last week brokered by American representatives, experts and UN officials say it is still functioning well below full capacity, and that not enough goods are being allowed in or out.... Mustafa Shurrab, head of al-Matahen, Gaza's largest mill, said it was still not working at full capacity because most grain stores have been depleted and not enough wheat has been imported to re-stock. more.. Haniyeh: Pullout is recipe for conflict YNet News 3/31/2006 Olmert's pullout plan is recipe for confrontation, Palestinian PM Haniyeh of Hamas writes in Guardian opinion -- British daily The Guardian on Friday published an opinion by Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who threatened that unilateral steps by Israel are a recipe for confrontation. Hanieh also accused western countries of having a racist approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict for their refusal to accept the Palestinians as equals. Under the opinion entitled A Just Peace or No Peace, Haniyeh asks: “Do policymakers in Washington and Europe ever feel ashamed of their scandalous double standards?.. " - See article: A just peace or no peace, by Ismail Haniyeh more.. U.S. Ambassador Bolton says Palestinian FM off to bad start Ha'aretz 3/31/2006 The new Palestinian foreign minister, Hamas member Mahmoud al-Zahar, got off to a bad start by slandering the United States, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said on Thursday. Zahar said a day after being sworn in as a member of the new Palestinian cabinet that America was committing "big crimes" against Arab and Islamic countries. He was responding to U.S. President George W. Bush's statement on Wednesday that the United States would not give aid to the Hamas-led government because it has expressed its desire to destroy Israel. "We obviously unequivocally reject that proposition and I would note also to Foreign Minister Zahar that casual slander is an inauspicious way to begin," Bolton said during a UNSecurity Council meeting on the Middle East. more.. Quartet warns Hamas over funding BBC 3/30/2006 International mediators have told the new Hamas-led Palestinian government that it must recognise Israel if it wants to be guaranteed continued aid. The Quartet of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN said aid would "inevitably" be affected as long as Hamas failed to renounce violence. Hamas won elections in January, and its new cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday. After the ceremony, Canada became the first country to freeze funding and end contact with the administration. The US and European countries have demanded that Hamas soften its hardline agenda, but the militant movement says recognising Israel would mean accepting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. more.. US 'open' to Israel borders plan BBC 3/30/2006 The US secretary of state has said Washington may be open to backing Israel's Kadima party in drawing the country's borders unilaterally. Condoleezza Rice said a negotiated deal with the Palestinians was preferable, but seemed unlikely since the militant group Hamas won Palestinian elections. But she added that there had been no chance to discuss the Israeli proposal. It is the first time the US appears to have dropped its insistence that the conflict must be solved bilaterally. Ms Rice was speaking to reporters travelling with her to Berlin for talks about Iran's nuclear programme.... Ms Rice pointedly did not rule out supporting Kadima's plan for withdrawing from parts of the occupied West Bank by 2010 but consolidating other Jewish settlements there. more.. Hamas warns of return to violence The Guardian 3/30/2006 Hamas warned yesterday that if the new Israeli government did not begin peace negotiations and end the confiscation of Palestinian land it would revert to "armed resistance" to the occupation of the West Bank. Hamas declared a ceasefire more than a year ago and has renewed it for another year. But Mahmoud Ramahi, Hamas's spokesman in the Palestinian parliament, said Palestinians had the right to renew hostilities within the West Bank if the occupation continued, although he ruled out a renewal of suicide attacks within Israel. Such attacks were part of a policy of retaliation for the killing of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli army, a policy which had now ended, he said. more.. Hamas cabinet faces financial crisis AlJazeera 3/30/2006 The Palestinians' new Hamas-led government faced a potentially paralysing financial crisis on Thursday, its first day in office. This comes as Western nations threatened to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority if the group does not soften its stance on Israel. Hamas leaders said the aid cuts violate the Palestinians' democratic rights, but Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, declared: "The principle is very clear: We're not going to fund a Hamas-led government. "... Up to now the Palestinian Authority has received a large part of its $1. 9 billion annual budget from overseas sources, and it may run into immediate difficulties next week when March salaries are to be paid for 140,000 government employees. more.. Haniyeh says won't oppose talks between PA head Abbas, Israel Ha'aretz 3/30/2006 Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday after the swearing-in ceremony for his cabinet in Gaza that the Hamas government is prepared to give a chance to negotiations between Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Israel. "The problem is not the Palestinian side or its consent to negotiations, but that Israel does not honor commitments it already undertook in negotiations," Haniyeh said. "If the Authority chairman, as the elected president, wants to get the negotiations moving, we have no objection to that. If what Abu Mazen [Abbas] presents to the people as a result of negotiations serves its interest, then we too will redefine our position," he said. more.. US Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Hamas Government Palestine Chronicle 3/29/2006 WASHINGTON - The US today banned its diplomats from having any contact with the Hamas-led cabinet as it was sworn in by the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. The directive, issued to US officials in the region by email, bars them from communicating with Hamas-appointed government ministers, whether they belong to the militant Islamic group or not, US officials told Reuters. The order took effect in Ramallah at 6pm (1600 GMT), when Hamas formally took power with the swearing-in of its 24-member cabinet. The first to be sworn in was the prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh. The ceremony came the day after a general election in Israel that looks set to bring a Kadima-led coalition to power. more.. Arab League states unanimously reject unilateral Israeli measures Ha'aretz 3/29/2006 KHARTOUM, Sudan - Arab leaders meeting in Sudan on Wednesday expressed dismay at the election victory of Kadima, after renewing their own offer of peace-for-land through international mediation. The Arab League's 22 members ended a two-day summit in the Sudanese capital with a unanimous rejection of Kadima's expressed intention to carry out unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank. The Arab heads of state said they remained committed to a 2002 initiative which offers Israel peace and normal relations in return for withdrawal from land occupied in the 1967 war. They promised to maintain financial aid to the Palestinian Authority at $55 million a month and urged other donors to keep paying even after Hamas takes office. more.. Environmental assessment of the areas disengaged by Israel in the Gaza Strip ReliefWeb/United Nations Environment Programme 3/31/2006 Introduction: From 1970, Israel established a number of settlements in the Gaza Strip. These settlements, from which Israel disengaged in September 2005, are located throughout the Gaza Strip, from its southern border with Egypt to the northern border with Israel (Map 1). They vary in size and age, from small, relatively isolated hamlets to large residential and agricultural areas. In addition, one industrial site, Erez Industrial Estate, was assessed. On 6 June 2004, Israel’s cabinet approved the plan for disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. The Knesset, the Israeli parliament, endorsed the plan on 25 October 2004. more.. UN report: No proof Israel damaged Gaza environment Ha'aretz 3/31/2006 The Israeli presence in Gaza has caused only minor environmental damage and will not impede Palestinian development plans in the region, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) released Thursday. Investigators for UNEP, who arrived in the Gaza Strip after the disengagement at the request of the Palestinian Authority, took soil and water samples from about 100 sites to determine the environmental impact of the settlements, army bases and other Israeli facilities. Barring a few localized pollution problems that must be dealt with, the assessment states it "did not find contamination of water, land or buildings that poses a significant risk to the environment or public health. " -- See also: Environmental assessment of the areas disengaged by Israel in the Gaza Strip more.. FMs to meet in Berlin on heels of UN council decision on Iran Ha'aretz 3/30/2006 Iran calls statement demanding Tehran suspend nuclear enrichment double standard to policy on Israel. -- Foreign ministers or deputies from the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany meet in Berlin on Thursday to map out strategies on Iran, after the council for the first time demanded that Tehran suspend nuclear enrichment activities. On the eve of the ministers' meeting, the 15-member Security Council approved a statement asking the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to report back in 30 days on Iran's compliance with demands to stop enriching uranium. The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council permanent members agreed earlier Wednesday on the new text of the statement, which makes concessions to Russia and China. more.. Jordanian caught in Israel with rifle, ammunition YNet News 3/31/2006 Jordanian citizen caught on Arava Highway carrying an unloaded hunting rifle, ammunition in his car. It is estimated that he crossed border by mistake -- A Jordanian citizen was caught on the Arava Highway Friday carrying an unloaded hunting rifle and ammunition in his car. It is estimated that he crossed the border by mistake. At around 7 p. m. , after receiving calls regarding a vehicle with foreign license plates traveling along the Arava Highway, which leads to Eilat, police officers pulled the Jordanian over near Kibbutz Yahel. Officers proceeded to inspect the car and found the rifle and ammunition. more.. Arabs offer Israelis olive branch AlJazeera 3/29/2006 Arab leaders meeting in Sudan have promoted a land-for-peace offer to Israel, even as Israelis voted in polls that could give their next government a mandate to impose permanent borders with the Palestinians. The annual Arab League summit demanded the opposite approach - a return to Middle East peace talks sponsored by international mediators - and leaders criticised threats to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority when Hamas takes office. The leaders also reached a summit deal to provide funding for cash-strapped African Union troops in Sudan's Darfur region amid international pressure to accept the dispatch of a UN force. A draft final communique, which is not expected to undergo substantial changes, reaffirms an Arab initiative of 2002 which offers Israel peace in exchange for withdrawal from land occupied in the Middle East war of 1967. Israel rejects the offer. more.. Video - Olmert: We need to evacuate Jews YNet News 3/29/2006 Video, photos -- Elections winner Olmert visits Western Wall before delivering victory speech; Kadima leader vows to bring peace, stresses need to renew negotiations, but tells PA leader Abbas: We won't wait forever -- Acting Prime Minister and Kadima leader Ehud Olmert turned to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas early Wednesday and called for "reconciliation, compromise and peace," but told the PA chairman Israel will not "wait forever. " In order to move forward Israel will need to renounce parts of the Land of Israel and evacuate Jews from their homes, the acting PM said. more.. U.S. envoys to discuss humanitarian aid, West Bank withdrawal Ha'aretz 3/29/2006 WASHINGTON - The two most senior American officials involved in the Middle East peace process will arrive in the region on Thursday for talks with Israel and the Palestinian Authority. David Welch, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and Elliott Abrams, deputy director of the National Security Council, will hear from Israel's incoming prime minister his plans for the future of the West Bank. Israeli sources also say that the two will invite the incoming prime minister to visit Washington, once he has completed forming his new government. Ehud Olmert's plan for a further withdrawal from the West Bank will not be at the center of the talks, however, since Israel has not yet presented the Americans with details of the plan. more.. Olmert vows to quit settlements beyond separation wall China View 3/29/2006 JERUSALEM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, whose centrist Kadima party is tipped to get the most seats in the parliamentary elections, said that Israel would quit all the settlements beyond the separation wall in the West Bank if Kadima won, according to media reports on Tuesday. In an article published by Israel's leading Yediot Ahronot daily on Tuesday, Olmert wrote, "Israel will determine the route of the security fence and then make sure that no Jewish settlements will be left on the other side of the fence. "In addition, Olmert termed fixing the final borders with the Palestinians as an "obligation" of the Israeli leaders. Olmert's article was released just as Israel started national elections to choose a new 120-member parliament. more.. Mubarak: Unilateral moves by Israel won't achieve peace Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in an interview to be published on Wednesday that unilateral moves by Israel "won't achieve peace. "Mubarak, speaking before the apparent election victory of Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert but clearly referring to Olmert's vision of a unilateral withdrawal in the West Bank by 2010, said peace "needs the agreement of both the Palestinians and the Israelis. "In an interview with Wednesday's edition of Al-Mussawar magazine, the Egyptian leader said he was waiting for the Israelis to form a new government after Tuesday's general elections before he contacts them to urge a resumption of the peace process. more.. Arabs, PLO, Hamas Reject Israel’s Unilateral Demarcation of Borders Palestine Media Center 3/28/2006 Palestinian Leaders Appeal for Arab Political Support, Financial Aid -- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and police were on high alert Tuesday and sealed off more than 3. 5 million Palestinians as Israelis began heading for the polls in the election for the 17th Knesset, which The Jerusalem Post described as “ a referendum on unilaterism,” i. e. the policy of the Kadima Party that was on Monday rejected by the Arab foreign ministers preparing for the Arab League summit in Khartoum as well by the Palestinian leadership and the incoming government of Hamas. Outlining the main points of his incoming government's program, Hamas Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh on Monday told the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) that his government rejected Israel’s unilateral separation plan... more.. Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly Urges Palestinians, Israelis to Respect Past Commitments Palestine Media Center 3/28/2006 The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly ended its second annual session with a call on the future Palestinian and Israeli governments to respect past commitments entered into by their countries regarding the peace process. In a final declaration, the EMPA also "condemned the offence" caused by the Danish cartoons of the prophet Mohammed as well as "the violence which their publication provoked". In a final declaration which was approved by acclamation, the future Palestinian government was also urged to respect the 2002 Beirut Declaration of the Arab League, calling for peace with Israel. The EMPA said it will strive to "continue and reinforce the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue" in its midst. more.. Arabs call on Israel to return to Quartet-sponsored negotiations Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 KHARTOUM - The Arab League summit opened in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday called on Israel to resume negotiations with the Palestinians under the auspices of the international Quartet. The opening of the summit coincides with Israeli elections expected to return Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to office with a mandate to define Israel's borders unilaterally. Less than a third of the countries were represented at the summit by their heads of state. Among the notable absentees were President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, the most populous Arab country, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the richest member state. more.. Haniyeh aide: Hamas ready to cooperate but not to concede Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 The new government does not reject coordination and cooperation to resolve routine problems with anyone, including Israel," Dr. Nasser Eddin Sha'er told Haaretz Monday. Sha'er is slated to serve as deputy to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and likely to be the primary executive arm of the Hamas government in the West Bank. "That is a principle we have employed for some time, but the main problem is that our position on that matter is interpreted as willingness to make concessions on political matters. We are committed to principles acceptable to the entire Palestinian people and not to concede on its interests, and that will not change. more.. Hamas: US not interested in peace in Mideast China View 3/28/2006 GAZA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) accused the United States on Tuesday of being not interested in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East region. Hamas spokesman in Gaza Sami Abu Zuhri said in a written statement that the U.S. was "not interested in achieving any kind of stability or real peace in the region", adding that Washington was only interested in protecting the Israeli occupation. He also slammed Washington's rejection of Hamas prime minister-designate Ismail Haneya's call for talks toward a "just peace" in the region. Abu Zuhri added that the standoff over the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict was the Israeli continuos occupation and the U.S. taking sides with Israel. more.. Popular Committee call Palestinians to continue their struggle against the wall and land confiscatio Ma'an News 3/28/2006 Bethlehem-Maan- Popular Campaign for Resisting the Separation Wall issued a statement on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Land Day that comes next Friday, called for the reinforcement of the mass struggle and in order to achieve more adherence to the land and the destruction of the Separation Wall. The statement directed a massage that concentrates on the adherence to the land, not renouncing or neglecting it, deepen the national unity and destroying the Separation Wall, confirming the importance of activating the popular role and encouraging the Palestinian peoples' resistance against the Separation Wall until it collapses. more.. US Consulate General in Jerusalem denied news about US Israeli coordination Ma'an News 3/28/2006 Jerusalem-Maan- A Spokesman for the American Consulate in Jerusalem denied reports of any American Israeli coordination to draw final borders of the state of Israeli. The Spokesman told our Maan reporter in Jerusalem that "the U.S. and Israel are not coordinating to draw final borders,” confirming that “the issue of final borders and other final-status issues are to be determined through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. ”Responding to a question about the existence of an American strategy in collaboration with Israel to isolate Hamas, the spokesman stated, “The U.S. and Israel are not conspiring to isolate Hamas. Hamas’ use of violence and terror is the cause of any isolation Hamas might feel. " more.. Border opening hours to be extended for two hours Ma'an News 3/28/2006 The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EU BAM) at the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) announces that today, Sunday 26 March, will be extending the opening timeframe at RCP for two additional hours at the request of the Palestinian Authority. From today, the border will open daily for 11 hours, from 8:00 to 19:00. Nevertheless, the last buses -both incoming from and outgoing to Egypt- will enter the Crossing before 18. 00 hours, in order to close RCP no later than 19:00. EU-BAM will continue to gradually increase the opening hours until the goal of having RCP open for 24 hours a day is achieved. Since RCP was opened on 26 November, more than 160. 000 people have crossed in both directions, averaging over 1,350 each day. more.. Olmert, declaring victory, appeals to Abbas for peace talks Ha'aretz 3/29/2006 Declaring an election victory, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appealed to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas early Wednesday to enter into negotiations over the permanent borders of Israel, but added that Israel would act alone if peace efforts remained stalled. With the vote on 96 percent, Kadima had a less than expected 28 seats. Labor held at 20 seats, and Shas rose to 13, making the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party the third largest faction in the Knesset. The Likud had hoped to block a center-left coalition, but with almost all of the votes in weakened to 11 seats, far below the figures the party had hoped and a far cry from the 38 seats it won under Ariel Sharon in 2003. more.. U.S.-funded grant aims to support Arab TV journalism The Daily Star 3/29/2006 WASHINGTON: Television journalists and producers from independent Arab television news stations will be able to obtain financial support for their research and productions this year, according to a press release issued last week by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). "Up to 10 television journalists and producers from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the West Bank and Gaza will be able to seek small grants up to $20,000," the press release said. It added that "a total of $150,000 will be available to Arab producers in two rounds this year. more.. Judge: AIPAC charges may be based on unconstitutional law Ha'aretz 3/28/2006 WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Friday questioned the constitutionality of a law under which two former lobbyists with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee have been charged with receiving and disclosing national defense information to reporters and foreign diplomats. U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis said at the pretrial hearing for Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman that the law, enacted in 1917, may be unconstitutionally broad and vague. The law's defects are exacerbated because they infringe on the defendants' constitutional rights to lobby the government and because prosecutors are seeking to criminalize conduct that is integral to Washington politics - namely, leaks of classified information. more.. U.S. rejects Hamas' dialogue call YNet News 3/28/2006 Americans unimpressed by Hamas attempts to display moderation, reject call for talks with Quartet -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. government rejected Monday a call by designated Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to engage in a dialogue with the Quartet. Despite attempts by Haniyeh to display moderation, Washington is apparently interested in hearing unequivocal declarations from Hamas. American terms for Hamas include recognition of the State of Israel, the honoring of agreements signed between the PA and Israel, and a clear declaration on an end to violence and the disbanding of terror infrastructures. more.. Hamas ready for international talks on peace The Daily Star 3/28/2006 GAZA CITY: Incoming Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya said Monday his Hamas government was ready to talk to the international community to end the Middle East conflict but would not change its hard-line stance on Israel. Haniyya told MPs the Palestinians had the right to continue the independence "struggle" but stressed his desire for talks with the international community, including Washington, to end the conflict with Israel. He also urged the United States, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization, to alter its stance toward the Palestinians, and rejected threats from the West to slash funding unless his administration radically alters its hard-line platform. more.. Haniyeh: We want '67 borders state YNet News 3/27/2006 Palestinian prime minister-designate tells Legislative Council Hamas-led government would seek establishment of Palestinian state in 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital; charges Israel incites against PA elected government -- Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh said the Palestinian government was opposed to all temporary solutions regarding Palestinian borders. “We support a Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967 with its capital in Jerusalem,” Haniyeh told the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah Monday. He also stated that "the Palestinian government will show responsibility regarding agreements signed by the PLO, and will take into consideration the Palestinian people's interests. more.. Haniya: Hamas ready for peace push AlJazeera 3/27/2006 Haniya decried pressure on Hamas to soften its stand -- The incoming Palestinian prime minister has presented his government to parliament, saying that while Hamas would spare no effort in striving for peace in the Middle East, it would not bow to international economic pressure aimed at softening its agenda. Ismail Haniya said the Palestinian people had the right to continue their struggle for independence but stressed his desire to enter negotiations with the international community to end the conflict with Israel. He told legislators on Monday: "Our government will spare no effort to reach a just peace in the region, putting an end to the occupation and restoring our rights. more.. Mofaz: Israel is Upset about Breaches at Rafah Border Crossing International Press Center 3/27/2006 GAZA, Palestine, March 27, 2006 (IPC+Agencies) - Israeli radio said that the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz voiced Israel's concern and upset at the security measures adopted by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the Rafah border crossing south of the Gaza Strip. According the Israeli radio, Mofaz asked the American Administration, during a phone call with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to increase the international observers to monitor what he called " Palestinian breaches" at the crossing which, according to him, Israel cannot and will not keep silent, pointing out that the Israeli security forces are highly concerned about developments in the Rafah border crossing. more.. Haniyeh: Hamas won't cave in to external economic pressures Ha'aretz 3/27/2006 The new Hamas-led Palestinian government won't cave in to economic pressures to soften its hardline agenda, prime minister designate Ismail Haniyeh told parliament Monday. The Hamas militant group on Monday said it was prepared for dialogue with the Quartet of international mediators to try to end conflict in the Middle East. "Our people are in need more than any other nation on earth for peace, for security and stability. Our government will not spare any effort to achieve a just peace in the region," Haniyeh told the Palestinian parliament as he presented his governing agenda. "We have never been seekers of war. We have never been callers for terrorism and bloodshed," he said. more.. Haniyeh to the US and EU: Let them hear about us from us and not from anyone else as the Arab and Palestinians are united behind the Summits and Initiatives Palestine News Network 3/27/2006 Prime Minister delegate Ismail Haniyeh is welcoming working closely with President Abbas, but also with negotiations with the US and EU. Prime Minister delegate Ismail Haniyeh revealed Monday an agreement with President Abbas to issue a Presidential Decree for a three to six month period to pay salaries. The President agreed to give the green light to the government to implement the step. In this first initiative Haniyeh welcomed conducting negotiations with the US administration and European countries saying, “Let them here about us from us and not from anyone else. ”Haniyeh also renewed the Hamas party’s and the incoming government’s commitment to agreements made in Cairo between National and Islamic parties. more.. Hamas Spokesman: What was published about Mashal in regard to Saddam was fabricated Ma'an News 3/27/2006 Gaza-Khan Younis- Maan- Media Spokesman of the Hamas Movement Mr. Sami Abu Zuhri denied news published about Khaled Mashal saying that those who carried Saddama's photos are not representing Palestinian People. Abu Zuhri said that the movement of Hamas was surprised of what was published in the mass media in which it said that Mashal said that a the press, Abu Zuhri confirmed that such statement was never made by Mashal and described the news published as fabricated and interpolated. The Popular Committee to Support Iraq called for Mashal to apologize for what he stated to the press, and looked at his statement in this regard as against al Arab and national traditions and a severe assault in which he harmed the feelings of million of Arab people. more.. Friends of the Earth planning 'peace park' across the Jordan Ha'aretz 3/26/2006 According to Gideon Brumberg, head of the Israeli branch of Friends of the Earth, "the idea is to connect the two banks, on the Israeli side kibbutzim Ashdot Yaakov and Gesher, and on the Jordanian side the communities of Bakura and Shuneh. "-- A group of people stood near the security fence not far from the Jordan River, separated from the fence by the patrol road, on which a military vehicle stood. The Israeli soldiers manning it watched from one side, while on the other, Jordanian soldiers watched from their towers. The members of the group, Israeli and Jordanian environmental and tourism specialists and representative of the local authorities, were visibly excited Thursday when the director of the Old Gesher site, Nirit Bagron, opened the gate that led to the part of the site located on the other side of the security fence. more.. Abbas proposes 'back-channel' negotiations with Israel The Daily Star 3/25/2006 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose peacemaking policies were rejected by Hamas after it won elections, said he proposed secret peace talks with Israel and believed a deal could still be reached within a year. However, interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Abbas a failed leader, casting doubt on prospects for negotiations with him once Hamas takes over the government. In an interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper published Friday, Abbas said he proposed opening "a back channel of talks" to U.S. officials and former Israeli Premier Shimon Peres. Hamas' shock election victory appeared to torpedo any hopes of resuming negotiations to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Abbas said: "I am convinced that within less than a year, we will be able to sign an agreement. " more.. Halutz: Hamas gov't won't necessarily boost terror Ha'aretz 3/25/2006 Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said Friday that the establishment of a Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority won't necessary lead to a rise in terror attacks. "Hamas will want to prove that their image is unjustified, and will restrain itself," Halutz said at a Bar-Ilan University conference. He advised waiting and seeing how the Hamas government will act. Responding to the launching of Qassam rockets at the western Negev on Friday, Halutz said, "We will respond to the Qassams in full, without crossing any lines. [end] more.. Abbas tells Haaretz: Peace can be reached within a year Ha'aretz 3/24/2006 A peace deal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved within less than a year, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Haaretz on Wednesday. Speaking to Haaretz from the Muqata compound in Ramallah, Abbas said he had proposed to the United States to open covert negotiations for a final status settlement. The talks would be spearheaded by President George Bush, after the new Israeli government was set up. Abbas said he had also raised the idea at a meeting with Shimon Peres (Kadima) two weeks ago in Jordan. However, a senior Palestinian source said Bush had not responded to Abbas' suggestion to pressure the new Israeli government to abandon its unilateral policy and resume the peace process. more.. Rice urges Israel, PA to solve crossings crisis YNet News 3/24/2006 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni; Rice urges Israel, PA to make sure Gaza border crossings are open to avert humanitarian crisis -- Shortly before Hamas’ government is sworn in and just three days before the Israeli general election, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke by telephone Friday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, with whom she discussed the issue of the border crossings Kerem Hashalom and Karni, which have been closed for a long period and are being alternately opened for short periods. more.. EU waiting for elections before deciding on Palestinian aid Ha'aretz 3/25/2006 The European Union is expected to wait until the outcome of next week's Israeli election and expected formation of a Hamas government, before announcing any new developments on its aid to the Palestinians, officials said Friday. The two-day summit of EU leaders that wrapped up Friday did not deal with the Middle East. Instead it focused on efforts to boost Europe's economy, improveenergy security and the situation in Belarus. Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the EU would likely hold more talks - at a lower level - following Tuesday's elections in Israel. One said the EU leaders wanted to avoid making sensitive statements on the region so close to the Israeli vote - because of that, the officials spoke on condition of anonymity. more.. American Consul in Israel: We will continue to support Abbas International Middle East Media Center 3/25/2006 In an interview Friday with Ma'an News Service, the American Consul General in Jerusalem, Jake Walles, described the situation in the Gaza Strip as “difficult", drawing particular attention to the running out of food supplies in stores there. In an interview conducted by our Jerusalem correspondent with the Consul General, Walles talked about his concerns, stating, “It is clear to us that the situation is grave, and that’s a matter of a great concern to us. ”He stated that in the last several days, the U.S. government has made a major effort to try to deal with that problem and that both Ambassador Johns and himself organized a meeting last Sunday at the Ambassador’s house in Hertzilia, where officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government came together to talk about the Rafah crossing points. more.. Israeli company drops US tech deal AlJazeera 3/24/2006 A leading Israeli software company has failed to resolve security objections by the Bush administration over its plans to buy a smaller US technology rival and abruptly abandoned the $225 million deal. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. of Ramat Gan, Israel, withdrew its plans on Thursday near the conclusion of a rare, full-blown investigation by a US review panel over the company's plans to buy Sourcefire Inc. Check Point had been told US officials feared the transaction could endanger some of government's most sensitive computer systems. Lawyers for the companies offered to attach conditions to the sale that executives believed were onerous, but were intended to satisfy the concerns expressed by the review panel, said one person familiar with the process. But no agreement could be reached. more.. Check Point calls off acquisition of US company Sourcefire Globes 3/24/2006 The move follows an extended investigation by CFIUS into whether the proposed acquisition posed risks to US security. -- Check Point Software Technologies (Nasdaq: CHKP) and US company Sourcefire have withdrawn their application to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) to allow Check Point to buy Sourcefire. Israeli network security company Check Point was to have bought Sourcefire of the US for $225 million. The acquisition was announced in October last year. In March this year, the CFIUS, which examines whether investments by foreign companies are liable to harm US security, announced that it was opening a 45-day inquiry into the deal, longer than the usual 30-day check. Sourcefire's Snort product is in use by the US government. more.. Abbas to the Israelis: Give Hamas and Hanieyah the chance Ma'an News 3/24/2006 Maan- Palestinian President told an Israeli Web Site called for the Israeli Government to give chance to the Hamas Government. Correspondent of the Web Site of the Maariv said that the PA chairman is living hard situation, lawlessness, deteriorating economic situation, and new Hamas Government, in addition to the Arab Summit where Hamas will be sided by side with him and the Israeli elections. Abbas welcomed the correspondent warmly in his office and answered a question about the Israeli elections and said that, any elected Prime Minister will be a partner in the signed agreements with the Palestinians. more.. Palestinian President Sees Peace Soon The Guardian 3/24/2006 JERUSALEM (AP) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for negotiations with Israel and the United States and predicted that such talks could produce a peace agreement within a year, according to an interview published in the Israeli Haaretz daily Friday. Abbas said that despite the pending formation of a Palestinian government led by Hamas, which calls for the destruction of Israel, there is still a strong chance for a peace deal. Abbas said peace talks would be conducted by the Palestine Liberation Organization, an umbrella for Palestinian factions that does not include Hamas. ``We are in a historic period in which we must decide whether we will move toward peace and a better future for our children. I can promise you that you have a partner for this peace,'' Abbas told the newspaper. more.. U.S. objects Israeli diplomats testimony in AIPAC trial YNet News 3/24/2006 U.S. government opposes allowing the testimony from three Israeli diplomats in the trial of two former senior AIPAC officials, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman -- (WASHINGTON) The U.S. government opposes allowing the testimony from three Israeli diplomats in the trial of two former senior AIPAC officials, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. The two men are accused of passing on classified information related to U.S. security.... Lawyers representing the two, asked for time to question three Israeli diplomats to prove they never were Israeli agents. The prosecution however is opposed to the testimony arguing it is irrelevant.... the Washington Post posted an editorial on Thursday called Dangerous Prosecution. The paper argued that the United States has no law banning citizens from disclosing information the government wants to keep secret. [and espionage is protected by the Bill of Rights. Ed. ] more.. UN food aid agency calls for permanent opening of crossing from Israel to Gaza ReliefWeb/United Nations News 3/24/2006 With the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip deteriorating and food and other supplies running short due to Israeli closures, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that it was crucial for this week’s 48-hour opening of the Karni crossing point to become permanent. WFP, which provides food aid to some 160,000 Palestinians in Gaza, was able to bring in 16 containers, containing 300 tons of food, mainly beans and vegetable oil, but this was a very limited amount, agency spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume told a news briefing in Geneva. A further problem was that the Israeli authorities were not allowing WFP to bring out the empty containers, and the agency needed to fill them again and bring them back in. Israel closed the crossing earlier this month, citing security concerns. more.. US aid decision now likely after Hamas sets govt ReliefWeb 3/24/2006 JERUSALEM, March 23 (Reuters) - The Bush administration is expected to wait until after a Hamas-led government is in place to make final decisions on the fate of U.S. aid programmes, U.S. diplomats said on Thursday. A delay of several weeks could buy the administration time to try to iron out differences with its partners in the Quartet of Middle East mediators -- the European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- over how to sideline the Islamic militant group without collapsing the Palestinian economy. The delay could also give the Bush administration time to see what policies Hamas puts in place and assess how its government will be structured before announcing any decision. more.. UN backs Lebanese talks on possible Hezbollah disarmament Ha'aretz 3/24/2006 BEIRUT - UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen met Lebanese officials on Friday and offered support to national talks aimed at forging a deal over Hezbollah militants that the Security Council wants disarmed. "For the first time the Lebanese are sitting down together without international or third parties and discussing independently and domestically all the difficult issues facing Lebanon," Roed-Larsen said on arrival at Beirut airport late on Thursday. "Every single difficult issue is on the table. "The Norwegian diplomat is due to present a report next month on progress in the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, which demands that foreign troops leave Lebanon and the militias in the country disarm. more.. Abbas: Peace deal can be reached within one year Ha'aretz 3/24/2006 A peace deal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved within less than a year, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Haaretz on Wednesday. Speaking to Haaretz from the Muqata compound in Ramallah, Abbas said he had proposed to the United States to open covert negotiations for a final status settlement. The talks would be spearheaded by President George Bush, after the new Israeli government was set up. Abbas said he had also raised the idea at a meeting with Shimon Peres (Kadima) two weeks ago in Jordan. However, a senior Palestinian source said Bush had not responded to Abbas' suggestion to pressure the new Israeli government to abandon its unilateral policy and resume the peace process. more.. Iraq and Hamas top agenda at upcoming Arab League summit The Daily Star 3/24/2006 KHARTOUM: Arab leaders meet in Khartoum for their annual summit Tuesday under pressure to take a more active role in Iraq and find a common stance on dealing with a Hamas-led Palestinian government. The leaders are also expected to discuss the three-year-old conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region, which has killed some 300,000 people - a potentially awkward situation for host Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Iraq is looking for the two days of meetings to deliver an unreserved condemnation of anti-regime violence, as well as more political backing from Arab countries. "We want clear support for the political process in Iraq," a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official said. more.. Germany: Islamists threaten EU, Israel YNet News 3/23/2006 Europe transformed from financing center to target for radicals, intelligence chief says -- Germany's intelligence chief said on Thursday that the success of Germany and other countries in hunting down terrorists has done little to reduce the threat "Islamic terrorism" poses to Europe and Israel. In a rare public appearance, Ernst Uhrlau, head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency, said Europe had been transformed from an Islamist recruitment and financing centre into a target of Islamist extremism. "In spite of numerous successful hunts for terrorists, the terrorist threat situation has eased only superficially... ",... Uhrlau told a conference on Islamic extremism organized by the American Jewish Congress. more.. Aqsa Brigades: USA,UK and Israel are the" triangle of international terror" Ma'an News 3/23/2006 Bethlehem- Maan- Aqsa Brigades" military wing of Fatah Movement" called for the adherence of the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian People. In a statement issued Thursday it said that recognizing Israel was a mistake and should be corrected especially after it was proved to the whole world that what the statement described as the Zionist enemy do not understand except the language of force and resistance. The statement also called for stopping all good will intention initiatives towards the Israelis on the account of the Palestinian issue and the Palestinian people" what happened in Jericho by the Israelis put and end and closed the door for such initiatives" the statement added. more.. UAE reiterates support for Palestinians to decide own fate China View 3/23/2006 ABU DHABI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) congratulated the Palestinian people on choosing their own government and direction, the UAE Minister of Presidential Affairs, sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed al Nahayan, said Wednesday. Talking with the visiting Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) political bureau chief, Khaled Mashaal, the minister said the UAE hoped the new government would establish economic and social stability in the Palestinian territories, thereby creating a safe and united living environment for their people. He also expressed the wish that the Palestinians realize the goal of establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. more.. Second crossing opened to allow relief aid to enter Gaza Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 Israel on Wednesday opened a second crossing into the Gaza Strip, following international pressure to alleviate a shortage of staples and relief supplies in the Strip. Kerem Shalom was opened to allow humanitarian aid, mostly food and drugs, from Egypt into Gaza, Israeli and Palestinian border authorities said. A total of 180 Egyptian trucks were expected to enter Gaza Wednesday. The first one, carrying flower, passed through the crossing at 11:15. IDF officials said that Palestinians would also be able to send exports through Kerem Shalom on Wednesday, but border officials did not immediately confirm this. On Tuesday, a total of 131 trucks passed through the main Karni crossing into the Strip. more.. U.S. moves to halt infrastructure development aid to Palestinians Ha'aretz 3/23/2006 The Bush administration has decided to halt funding for an infrastructure development project in the Palestinian Authority, and will provide the Palestinians with humanitarian aid only, American officials told security officials and the Foreign Ministry. The new policy was implemented to make sure U.S. foreign aid money does not reach a Hamas-led government, and to prevent administration officials from having to make contact with representatives of a terror organization. Incoming Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday that he was calling a special session of parliament next week to vote on the new Hamas cabinet. more.. Schneller offers Palestinians a J'lem capital Jerusalem Post 3/23/2006 A significant number of Arab neighborhoods on the periphery of Jerusalem will eventually serve as the capital of the Palestinian state, Othniel Schneller, a religious dove who is on Kadima's Knesset list, said Wednesday. His remarks were the most far-ranging on the future of Jerusalem to date by a Kadima candidate. The Jerusalem-born Schneller, 54, who lives in a West Bank settlement and served two decades ago as secretary-general of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, told an audience at the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies that while Israel would maintain full sovereignty over "historical" Jerusalem, which he defined as all the Jewish neighborhoods and the Old City, many of the outlying Arab neighborhoods would be ceded to the Palestinians and serve as the capital of their futurestate. more.. Canadian authorities asked to arrest Moshe Ya'alon as war criminal Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 Palestinians and far leftists have asked Canadian authorities to arrest former IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon on his arrival in Canada later on Wednesday, arguing that he was guilty of war crimes as head of the Israeli military during much of the Intifada. The case of the latest in a series of such requests, in which leftists and Arab emigres have appealed to the Belgian, British and other governments to arrest former Israeli generals on entry. Nine months ago, an arrest warrant was issued in Britain for reserve major general Doron Almog, ex-overall IDF Gaza Strip commander. Almog ultimately refrained from visiting England. more.. German FM to AJC: We remain committed to Israel Ha'aretz 3/23/2006 BERLIN - German foreign policy remains dedicated to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite the difficulties posed by the Hamas victory in the Palestinian election, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said yesterday. In a speech to members of the American Jewish Committee during their 100th anniversary celebration here last night, he also said that German foreign policy is dedicated to the ensuring Israel's "right to exist in safe borders and without fear. "Steinmeier also called for a united international front against Iran, which he said is in the midst of a "confrontational course. Our goal must be to preserve this international solidarity in the future," he said, since Iran's nuclear policy "puts in question that authority of the IAEA and the community of nations. more.. Bill gives assist to US-Israel HLS cooperation Globes 3/22/2006 The congressional bill will name Israel and several other countries as US allies in homeland security -- The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which will strengthen cooperation on homeland security between the US and other countries, including Israel. The bill, which has been supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), was approved by the Homeland Security sub committee for emergency contingencies. Under the terms of the bill, an international cooperation unit will be formed under the auspices of the Department for Homeland Security. It will receive funding for the joint promotion of R&D in homeland security, together with certain foreign countries considered “allies. ” Israel was named as one of the countries, alongside the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and several others. more.. Jihad denies receiving money for waging attacks in Israel China View 3/22/2006 GAZA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Islamic Jihad(Holy War) on Wednesday denied reports of his movement receiving 1. 8 million U.S. dollars to carry out bombing attacks in Israel. Zeyad al-Nakhala said in a press release that the alleged reports, which were uttered by Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, were a preliminary move for an expanded offensive against the movement and its leaders before an upcoming Israeli elections scheduled on March 28. He denied what Mofaz had claimed that the Islamic Jihad had received 1. 8 million dollars aid to carry out bombing operations, asserting that his movement does not get orders from anyone and its decisions come from its leaders inside the Palestinian territories. more.. Mashal: “Israel cannot have stability with occupation” International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 Khaled Mashal, Hamas Hamas Political Bureau leader in exile, said on Wednesday during an interview in Abu Dhabi, that the movement will continue its resistance and that Israel cannot have stability with occupation. Mashal added that the policy of the United States and its clear siding with Israel would inflame the situation in the occupied territories. “Armed resistance is legitimate, resistance factions and the Palestinian people have the right to resist the occupation”, Mashal stated while touring Arab and Muslim countries to raise financial and political support for the Hamas-led government. “As long as there is Israeli occupation in Palestine, and as long as the policy of the United States is biased, the so called terrorism will escalate”, Mashal stated, “The mistakes of the US foreign policy are pouring oil on fire. " more.. New York bans Hamas aid YNet News 3/22/2006 State Assembly rules residents don't want to help Hamas-led Palestinian government -- In a rare move, the New York State Assembly on Tuesday unanimously decided that New York State residents will not help the Hamas-led Palestinian government, Israel's leading newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported on Wednesday. The Assembly’s 150 members said they view with “contempt” Hamas’ victory in the legislative elections “without being asked to denounce terror and recognize Israel’s right to exist,” and noted that since 2000 Hamas was responsible for 425 terror attacks in which 377 people were killed. “We support and stand by Israel, in declaring the closest friendship,” legislatures said. more.. Food aid for Palestine ReliefWeb/Government of Japan 3/22/2006 17 Mar 2006 -- 1. The Government of Japan has decided to extend food aid of a total of 660 million yen (approximately US$ 6 million) for Palestinian refugees and other Palestinian population through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP).... For Palestinian registered refugees, the Government of Japan has decided to provide food aid of 500 million yen (wheat flour and pulses) through UNRWA. more.. Interview-Hamas leader won't renounce armed resistance ReliefWeb 3/22/2006 ABU DHABI, March 22 (Reuters) - Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal said on Wednesday the Palestinian militant group will continue to fight Israel and told the United States that its Middle East policy would fuel terrorism. "Israel cannot have stability with occupation. It has to choose. This is the message Israel should understand," he told Reuters in an interview in Abu Dhabi. "Armed resistance is legitimate. All resistance options are open to the Palestinian people and Palestinian factions including Hamas," said Meshaal, who is touring Arab and Muslim countries to solicit financial and political support. He said that he informed Arab leaders that the government his group will head needs $1. 75 billion per year to make ends meet and that he was confident that they would help. more.. New supply line to Gaza opens ReliefWeb 3/22/2006 GAZA CITY, March 22, 2006 (AFP) - The Israel authorities opened up a new crossing into the Gaza Strip Wednesday to enable vital supplies to reach the Palestinian population, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. Around 50 lorries were allowed access to the Kerem Shalom terminal which is situated on land bordering Israel, Gaza and Egypt. From there, cargoes were transferred to Palestinian vehicles for distribution in Gaza, a spokesman for the Palestinian ports authority told AFP. All the merchandise was subject to lengthy Israeli inspection under the terms of a deal brokered by largely unimplemented back in November. more.. Dutch Expert: Israeli Disengagement Plan Aims to Besiege Palestinian Population Centers International Press Center 3/22/2006 RAMALLAH, Palestine, March 22, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - A Dutch expert from the Palestinian Negotiations Support Unit (NSU) asserted that the Israeli disengagement plan the acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his Kadima party are adopting aims to besiege the Palestinian population centers and limit their growth and expansion. During a lecture organized by the National Committee to Resist the Wall and Settlement, Dutch expert Jong Young asserted that the plan Kadima Party chairman adopted "is based on intensifying settlement expansion in the middle of the West Bank, in order to connect settlement blocs in the Jordan Valley area and separate the northern West Bank from its central part. " more.. Barghouthi met with British students in Ramallah Ma'an News 3/22/2006 Ramallah-Maan- PLC Member Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi met with British students delegation of 30 students most of Cambridge University. Barghouthi presented detailed explanation about Israeli daily attacks against Palestinian civilians and the Separation Wall's dangers which is worse than the apartheid system inthe entire world. Barghouthi also clarifies Olmirt's Plan threats and dangers which he believes aim to seize Palestinian's areas and isolate Jerusalem to prevent establishing Palestinian state with full sovereignty. more.. Russian and Chinese presidents issue statement urging Palestine-Israel peace talks International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006 A joint declaration, signed Tuesday during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, urged Israel and Palestine to return to the negotiating table for peace talks. Since the Hamas party won Palestinian legislative elections in January, Israeli leaders have issued threats and ultimatums, as well as taking unilateral actions in the West Bank and Gaza, killing over 50 Palestinians in air strikes and invasions, and accelerating settlement expansion and Annexation Wall construction in the Palestinian West Bank. In the joint Russian-Chinese statement, the leadership of the two countries declared, "The parties support an early resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiating process, ultimately leading to the formation of a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. " more.. Hamas reiterates refusal to recognise Israel Middle East Online 3/21/2006 Meshaal says those who believe talks, accepting Israel’s proposed conditions would lead Palestinians to get their rights are deluded. -- MANAMA - Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal, on a tour of the Gulf, said he stood by the Palestinian Islamist militant movement's refusal to recognise Israel despite international calls to seek peace. "It is so easy to be complacent... We are asked to recognise Israel. We can do so but we will not, because that would lead to a double loss and would achieve nothing," Meshaal said after his arrival in Manama late Monday. "Those who believe that negotiations and accepting the proposed conditions would lead us to get our rights are deluded," he told an Islamist gathering in the Gulf kingdom. more.. Imams and rabbis form summit on issues surrounding Temple Mount Ha'aretz 3/22/2006 SEVILLE, Spain - The first attempt of its kind to prevent crises over the Temple Mount took center stage yesterday at the Second World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, which ends today. A panel discussion on holy sites discussed a proposal to establish a permanent committee comprising an equal number of Jewish and Muslim clerics to discuss issues affecting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The initiative, which is aimed at calming Muslim fear about Israel's plans for the site, was framed by Rabbi Ratzon Aroussi, the rabbi of Kiryat Ono and a member of the Chief Rabbinate's Council. more.. Hamas Delegation Arrives to Bahrain as Part of a Gulf Tour International Press Center 3/21/2006 GAZA, March 21, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - A delegation from Hamas movement arrived today into the Bahraini capital city Manama, as part of a tour in different Gulf states that includes Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Yemen. The delegation was headed by Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, who asserted during his visit to Yemen that the Israeli government seeks to isolate the new Palestinian government, pointing out that the Arab states will increase their financial assistance to the Palestinian people during the upcoming Arab Summit that will be held in Sudan at the end of this month. more.. Otteh: We will remain friends of the people of Palestine International Middle East Media Center 3/21/2006 Mark Otteh, European Union envoy said the EU will not cease its aid to the Palestinian People and will remain partner for the Palestinian People pointing that the situation nit he Palestinian territories is very hard. Otteh said he discussed with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ways of resuming aid to the Palestinian people pointing that the EU is waiting for the new government to be formed and to present its political program. The European Union has recently donated 120 million US dollars to the Palestinian Authority in addition to 64 millions to the UNRWA. Nabil Abu Rudeina, senior advisor for Abbas said Otteh discussed with Abbas the current political situation including the formation of the new government and ways of cooperation between the new government and the EU. more.. Chefs join Israeli PR effort YNet News 3/21/2006 Foreign Ministry initiative: Leading chefs travel world, boost Israel's image by cooking for localsItamar Eichner The power of good food: The Foreign Ministry has been sending leading Israeli chefs on missions around the world in a bid to boost the country's international image, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Tuesday. "The Ministry, which is charged with exporting Israeli culture to the world, views food as another aspect of art that presents Israelbeyond the conflict," said Nurit Tinari-Modai, the Foreign Ministry's cultural cooperation director. Under the initiative, the Ministry announces an "Israeli food festival" and invites leading locals across the world to a gourmet meal at the Israeli ambassador's house or at a leading restaurant or hotel. more.. Bush says U.S. military will defend Israel from Iran Ha'aretz 3/21/2006 U.S. President George W. Bush said Monday he would use military force to protect Israel from Iranian threats, but also restated his desire to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program diplomatically. Bush, in a speech in Cleveland, Ohio, cited comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last year calling for Israel to be wiped off the map..... "But now that I'm on Iran, the threat to Iran, of course - the threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel. That's a threat, a serious threat. It's a threat to world peace; it's a threat, in essence, to a strong alliance. I made it clear, I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally, Israel," Bush said. more.. Israel extends closure on West Bank and Gaza indefinitely; opens trade crossing International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 The announcement of an extended closure was made at the weekly cabinet meeting by right-wing Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who had initially ordered the closure to remain in force from March 11-17 during the course of the Purim Jewish festival - an extension from February 12. The closure comes at a time when Palestinians are facing a severe humanitarian crisis, and the Gaza Strip is completely out of bread. A United Nations report Monday blamed the food crisis on the Israeli closure of Palestinian areas, and called for an end to the closure. Such a closure of occupied populations is illegal under international law, as is the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. more.. Erekat says quartet meeting to be held over crossing problem later Monday ReliefWeb 3/20/2006 RAMALLAH, Mar 20, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat asserted on Monday that a quartet meeting over Israeli closure of Palestinian outlets in the Gaza Strip would be held later Monday in an effort to avoid humanitarian crisis. Erekat told the Voice of Palestine radio that the meeting to be held at Kerem Shalom crossing, east of Rafah town in southern Gaza Strip, would be attended by Egyptian, Israeli, the U.S. and Palestinian officials. Kerem Shalom crossing, which is located inside Israel and at the corner of the border with Gaza and Egypt, might be opened immediately following the Monday's meeting, said Erekat, stressing the importance of U.S. help in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiation as Israel would allow only five to ten loaded-trucks into Gaza each day. more.. U.K. slams Israel over killing of 10-year-old Palestinian girl Ha'aretz 3/19/2006 The British Foreign Office criticized Israel over the weekend after Border Policemen operating in the West Bank village of Yamoun shot dead a 10-year-old Palestinian girl Friday. The Israel Defense Forces and Border Police are investigating the incident. "We condemn the killing on 17 March of a Palestinian child in the Occupied Territories," the Foreign Office told the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph. "Israeli actions in the Occupied Territories must be proportionate and in accordance with international law. "An IDF spokesperson said the army had apologized for the girl's death and were checking the circumstances of the incident. IDF sources said that an undercover Border Police unit entered the village, northeast of Jenin, in order to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad militants. more.. EU delivers aid check with warning to Hamas The Daily Star 3/21/2006 Hamas was given a stark reminder of the challenges awaiting it in power Monday as the European Union stood by threats to cut aid and gunmen attacked government ministries. A day after presenting a Cabinet list, notable by its absence of other parties, Hamas accused the United States of putting pressure on rival groups to shun the new government, leaving the Islamic group to govern alone. The EU handed the United Nations a check Monday for - 64 million euros ($78 million) in urgent aid for destitute Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but warned future aid is at risk unless the incoming Hamas government commits to peace. more.. Europe hands over Palestinian aid BBC 3/20/2006 The European Union has handed over 64m euros (£44m) in aid to help the poorest Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. But it said that future aid depended on the incoming Hamas government showing a commitment to work for peace, saying the group was "at a crossroads". The EU is due to give another 60m euros to cover official salaries and energy expenses for the Palestinian Authority. The one-off aid package was agreed last month after Israel withheld monthly customs revenues from the PA. The money will be distributed via the United Nations. The EU was the largest single donor to the Palestinians in 2005. more.. Israel fears Arab League will support Hamas YNet News 3/19/2006 Foreign Minister Livni concerned possible recognition of Hamas-led government by Arab countries will undermine international front against terror group -- Israel is preparing for an attempt by the Arab League to undermine the international understandings regarding recognition of a Hamas-led government. Political officials fear that in the League's convention, scheduled to take place in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, in eight days, Arab countries will decide to support the new Palestinian government, headed by Ismail Haniyeh. In a cabinet meeting held Sunday, Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni said such a scenario was possible. more.. UN sees 'very crucial weeks in the history' of the Middle East The Daily Star 3/21/2006 BEIRUT: A top UN diplomat warned Monday that the Middle East is going through one of its most critical periods, citing the crises in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian territories and the U.S. -Iranian standoff over Tehran's nuclear program. "We are facing very crucial weeks in the history of the region because of several issues," Terje Roed-Larsen, U. N. envoy for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, told reporters after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Roed-Larsen described the Lebanese national dialogue as a "highly positive and commendable initiative. " Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Roed-Larsen thanked Mubarak for his "wise advice" and praised Egypt's relentless efforts in the quest for peace, security and stability in the Middle East. more.. Bush warns Iran on Israel YNet News 3/21/2006 AFP - U.S. president says he hopes to resolve nuclear dispute with Iran with diplomacy, but warns Tehran he would ‘use military might’ if necessary to defend Israel -- U.S. President George W. Bush said he hoped to resolve the nuclear dispute with Iran with diplomacy, but warned Tehran he would "use military might" if necessary to defend Israel. "The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel. That's a threat, a serious threat. It's a threat to world peace," the U.S. president said after a speech defending the war in Iraq.... On the atomic dispute, Bush said he hoped "to solve this issue diplomatically" with a "united message" to Tehran from Washington, London, Paris, Berlin as well as Russia "hopefully" and China. more.. Mashaal: U.S. hindered PA unity YNet News 3/20/2006 Hamas politburo chief tells reporters in Yemen ‘American pressure on Fatah, other Palestinian factions prevented formation of Palestinian national unity government so Israel may maintain aggressive policy towards Palestinian nation’ -- A day after Hamas presented its new cabinet in Gaza, the organization’s politburo chief Khaled Mashaal said Monday that American pressure on Fatah and other Palestinian factions prevented the formation of a Palestinian national unity government. Speaking to reporters in Sanaa, Yemen, Mashaal said that in pressuring the factions not to join a Hamas-led government the U.S. aimed to keep Hamas isolated, thus assisting Israel in ‘maintaining its aggression toward the Palestinian people. more.. King Abdullah: Time running out for peace in the Middle East Ha'aretz 3/20/2006 Jordan's King Abdullah said on Monday he believed the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had only two years left before changes on the ground would make it redundant and condemn the region to more years of strife. The international community was tired of the failure to make a breakthrough and risked washing its hands of the peace process with potentially disastrous results, Abdullah told the European-American Press Club. "We are physically running out of time," he said. "I don't think that we have more than two years if we're all talking about a viable, independent Palestinian state. more.. Palestinian President: Attack on Jericho prison shames Israel and international community International Middle East Media Center 3/20/2006 In a press conference Sunday at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the Israeli attack on the Palestinian Prison in Jericho was an Israeli aggression and a shame on Israel and the international community. He added that the Palestinian Authority will not accept for the seized prisoners to remain in Israeli prison, particularly Ahmad Saadat, the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Party, and a member of the Palestinian Legislature, and Fuad Ash'shobaki. President Abbas also commented, during the press conference, that Israeli forces must reopen the crossings they have held closed for weeks, especially the Rafah crossing, which is the main artery between Gaza and Egypt. more.. Dahlan: Israel is trying to alter the Palestinian issue into a humanitarian one Ma'an News 3/20/2006 Khan Younis- Maan- Palestinian Legislative Council" PLC'' Mr. Mohammad Dahlan said that Israel as working on altering the Palestinian political issue into a humanitarian issue through the crossings closure and pressure the Palestinian side. Speaking to Israeli newspaper, Dahlan said that Israel is trying to eliminate the international role and make it only in entering the food stuff. There is no logic in the crossings closure, Israeli will open the crossings sooner or later as the pressuring of the Palestinian people will blue the whole situation and that will affect all parties concerned. [end] more.. El Salvador seeks to copy IDF model YNet News 3/20/2006 Central American country's defense minister asks Israel for assistance in building modern, efficient army -- The Israel Defense Forces has gained a worldwide reputation for being a small and wise army, but El Salvador has gone a step further as its government decided to set up an army based on the IDF model. The central American's defense minister approached Israel’s Ambassador Yonatan Peled and asked that Israel assist his country in building a modern and efficient army, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. Peled said Israel would be happy to help. El Salvador asked for advice on the following issues: national service laws, reserve programs, training programs, and officers' courses. more.. Convicted spy Jonathan Pollard loses U.S. Supreme Court appeal Ha'aretz 3/20/2006 The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by Jonathan Pollard to erase his life sentence for spying for Israel. Pollard's lawyers wanted the justices to reopen his case, so that they could pursue secret documents the government submitted to the judge who sentenced Pollard in 1987. Pollard disclosed military secrets to Israel while he worked at the U.S. Defense Department's Pentagon headquarters. He was arrested in 1985 and pleaded guilty. The U.S. Supreme Court had already refused to let the former Navy intelligence analyst withdraw the guilty plea. more.. Charge: PA bilked U.S. taxpayers YNet News/WorldNetDaily 3/19/2006 Study finds over USD 3 billion in aid based on 'fraudulent data' -- The United States government must conduct an inquiry into the almost USD 3 billion in taxpayer funds that may have been distributed as aid to the Palestinians in part based on fraudulent data provided by the Palestinian Authority, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. , chairwoman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East, told WorldNetDaily. The subcommittee last week heard testimony from the leaders of a new study that documents the Palestinians have inflated their population numbers by over 50 percent, in some cases counting residents of certain cities twice. more.. Local nightlife 'too risky' for U.S. envoys YNet News 3/19/2006 American diplomats ordered to avoid Israeli clubs, bars for fear of violence; diplomat: Luckily I'm here with my family, or else I’d suffer -- Security instructions issued by the American embassy in Tel Aviv forbid diplomatic staff from going out to local bars and clubs, for fear of getting involved in a violent incident related to local mob disputes. Addressing the ban, an American diplomat told Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth he is lucky to be in Israel with his family. "If I was single, I would suffer, because we're not allowed to visit your clubs and bars," he said, lamenting the ban on enjoying Israel's lively nightlife scene. more.. Study: U.S. Middle East policy motivated by pro-Israel lobby Palestine Chronicle/Haaretz 3/17/2006 Observers in Washington said yesterday that the study was liable to stir up a tempest and spur renewed debate about AIPAC. -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Middle East policy is not in America's national interest and is motivated primarily by the country's pro-Israel lobby, according to a study published Thursday by researchers from Harvard University and the University of Chicago. Observers in Washington said Thursday that the study was liable to stir up a tempest and spur renewed debate about the function of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobby. The Fatah office in Washington distributed the article to an extensive mailing list. "No lobby has managed to divert U.S. foreign policy as far from what the American national interest would otherwise suggest, while simultaneously convincing Americans that U.S. and Israeli interests are essentially identical," write the authors of the study. -- Read the study: The Israel Lobby more.. U.S. warns Palestinians not to join Hamas coalition The Daily Star 3/18/2006 The United States publicly warned Friday Palestinian parties that they would risk being regarded as a terrorist group if they took part in a Hamas-led coalition, as Israeli violence claimed the life of an eight-year-old Palestinian girl. The girl was in a car with her uncle, Gamel Zaed, when they came under fire, the father said. Zaed was shot in the head and arrested. Palestinian security officials said members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades were fighting the soldiers during a raid on a West Bank town. Adding to Mahmoud Abbas' troubles, several top Fatah officials have asked the president to resign, dissolve the Palestinian Authority and return responsibility for the Occupied Territories to Israel in protest at unilateral Israeli moves. more.. Palestinians may sue Britain over storming of Jericho jail The Independent 3/18/2006 The British government is facing possible legal action over its decision to withdraw monitors from the Jericho prison that was stormed by Israeli forces this week. British lawyers representing Ahmed Sadaat, the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who is accused by Israel of ordering the assassination of its Tourist Minister Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001, will discuss options for action under the Human Rights Act next week. They are considering a case against the Foreign Office, arguing that it failed in its duty to ensure Mr Saadat was safely released from "arbitrary" detention. Unlike four of the other five prisoners who surrendered with him to the Israelis after a nine-hour armed siege on Tuesday, Mr Saadat was never subject to legal proceedings over the killing. more.. Khaled Meshal says Hamas puts struggle against Israel before politics Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 Running the Palestinian Authority will not deflect Hamas from its overriding goal of pursuing a long-term struggle with Israel, the leader-in-exile of the militant Islamist movement said in Damascus. "Being in power is only a means to an end for Hamas," Khaled Meshal told a memorial gathering for a deceased Palestinian politician on Thursday night. "Power is not our ultimate goal. "If it becomes one, let power go to hell. It will not hold us back from our targets which we hold dear," he said. "We and the Zionists have a date with destiny. If they want a fight, we are ready for it. If they want a war, we are the sons of war. If they want a struggle, we are for it to the end," the Damascus-based leader Meshal declared. more.. FM: Abbas is responsible for his powerlessness Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Thursday brushed off criticism voiced by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen) against Israel following Tuesday's raid on the PA's prison in Jericho. Israel has said that five of the men seized in the Tuesday raid were involved in the 2001 assassination of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi. The sixth is the suspected financier of an illegal weapons shipment to the Palestinian Authority several years ago. Upon his visit Wednesday to the site of Tuesday's Israel Defense Forces operation, Abbas said "what happened is an ugly crime that cannot be forgiven and a humiliation for the Palestinian people and a violation of all the agreements. ""[The prisoners'] arrest by Israel is illegal," he told reporters. more.. U.S.: Not sure Quartet needs envoy after Wolfensohn's term ends Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 The United States on Wednesday said that it was unsure whether Middle East Quartet of peace brokers would need an envoy once the term of its current representative James Wolfensohn ends in April. For more commentary on Wolfensohn, click here for Rosner's Blog. The comments came after Wolfensohn said earlier in the day that he was considering resignation on the grounds that his mandate and backing were still unclear weeks after Hamas' victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli refused to predict if Wolfensohn's role would exist come May. more.. Haniyeh: No blood on my hands YNet News 3/17/2006 Future PA prime minister Ismail Haniyeh says in interview to CBS was never involved in ordering terrorist attacks against Israel, adds would discourage children from carrying out suicide bombings. Haniyeh states hopeful he would sign peace deal with Israel --Designated Palestinian Authority prime minister and one of Hamas' prominent leaders Ismail Haniyeh said in an interview to American television channel CBS Thursday he has never personally ordered military or terrorist actions against Israel, claiming there is no blood on his hands. Speaking with CBS' David Hawkins, the future PM said the Palestinians are not bloodthirsty and that they wish to "stop the bloodshed. more.. Abbas delays visit to Egypt: MENA Xinhua 3/17/2006 CAIRO, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Palestinian official said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has delayed his visit to Egypt from Saturday to a later date, Egypt's official MENA newsagency reported Friday. According to the report, Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu-Rdeineh revealed the postponement of Abbas' Cairo tour in statements to MENA. Abu-Rdeineh was quoted as saying that Abbas was supposed to wrap up his recent foreign tour with his Cairo visit, but he had to cut the tour short and returned home on Wednesday following the Israeli raid on the Palestinian-controlled Jericho prison on Tuesday. more.. Chirac praises Abbas for efforts to curb Hamas violence Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 French President Jacques Chirac praised his Chairman Mahmoud Abbas Thursday for trying to convince the Islamic militant group Hamas to renounce violence and accept interim peace accords with Israel. In a telephone conversation, Chirac and Abbas discussed topics including Israel's raid on a Jericho jail and reprisals against foreigners in the West Bank, the French leader's office said in a statement. Abbas was forced to cut short his trip to Europe during the violence. The two also discussed attempts to form a coalition government, with Chirac lauding Abbas for efforts to convince Hamas, which swept January elections, to renounce violence and pursue peace efforts, the statement said. more.. U.N. stymied on reacting to Jericho raid YNet News 3/17/2006 Security Council's efforts to draft statement on Israel's raid of Jericho prison halted after Palestinians offer last minute amendmentReuters U. N. Security Council efforts to produce a statement on Israel's raid in Jericho this week came to an abrupt halt on Thursday when Palestinians offered a last minute amendment, a British diplomat said. Israel seized six men from prison during the operation in the West Bank on Tuesday, five of them belonging to a terror group thatclaimed responsibility for killing Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001. The sixth is accused of organizing an arms shipment. The draft council statement, negotiated over three days, called on Israel to withdraw all forces from Jericho. more.. U.S. may veto bid for UN condemnation of jail siege Ha'aretz 3/15/2006 The threat of a U.S. veto hovers over planned closed-door deliberations Wednesday over Qatar's bid for a UN Security Council to condemn Israel's Jericho jail siege and its capture of the killers of former cabinet minister Rehavam Ze'evi. A draft statement by Qatari Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, representing Arab nations, would have condemned "Israel's violent incursion" in besieging the Jericho jail, and would have demanded that Israel return the prisoners it seized "and to return the situation to that which existed prior to the Israeli military attack. "Security forces went on high alert Tuesday fearing Palestinian reprisal attacks after Israel Defense Forces troops laid siege to the Jericho prison and arrested six wanted inmates. more.. Senators: Stop Boycott; New York State Invests in Israel Forward 3/17/2006 [scroll down the page to view] Per a release: SENATOR CLINTON JOINS A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS TO CALL ON BUSH TO STOP SAUDI CONFERENCE ON ISRAEL BOYCOTT -- WASHINGTON, D. C. – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton joined Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and 15 other Senators to urge President Bush to protest the meeting of Saudi rulers and condemn the embargo.... “Saudi Arabia has made a public promise to end its unjustified trade embargo of Israel. President Bush should insist that Saudi Arabia meet its obligations,” Senator Clinton said.... Hevesi Loves Israel: Per JPost: NY State plans $100m. hi-tech investment -- New York State will invest $100 million of venture capital in Israeli hi-tech companies, NY State Comptroller Alan Hevesi revealed Wednesday. more.. Palestinian Authority mulls responses to Jericho jail raid By Amira Hass, Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 Declaring Palestinian sovereignty in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, dismantling the Palestinian Authority, and petitioning the International Court of Justice against the "criminal abduction" of the six Palestinians from Jericho Prison - these are the ideas that have circulating among associates of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas over the past two days. PA sources admitted yesterday that the first idea was not serious, primarily because it would play into Israel's plan to establish "a temporary Palestinian state" for an unlimited period of time. But it shows that the PA is closer to concluding that the United States and Britain support Israel's policy of unilateral steps, while violating signed agreements that U.S. and Russian representatives witnessed. more.. Peres warns of harsh retaliation against Palestinian terrorism Ha'aretz 3/15/2006 Former foreign minister and Kadima Knesset candidate Shimon Peres warned Wednesday that if the new Hamas government continues its undemocratic path, Israel will respond harshly. "If the Palestinians want an intifada, they'll be hit, like all their predecessors," Peres, speaking at a convention at the Serbian Jews House in Tel Aviv, said. Peres added that Israel will not meet with Hamas ministers. "I don't believe the world will finance and transfer funds to a Hamas government," Peres added, stating that Israel will not allow members of the Hamas government to pass between the West Bank and Gaza. more.. ZOA denounces Council of Europe's invitation to Hamas lawmaker Ha'aretz 3/18/2006 The Zionist Organization of America condemned the Council of Europe on Friday for its stated intention to invite Palestinian lawmakers, including a member of Hamas, to its next meeting scheduled to take place in Strasbourg, France this coming April. The body extended the invite despite the fact the Islamic movement is considered by the European Union as a terrorist group. "If the EU is genuinely interested in promoting peace, it must repudiate all dealings with Hamas and that includes not making absurd distinctions between Hamas and people who are not officially called Hamas but who ran and won seats in the PLC on the Hamas list," ZOA National President Morton Klein said in a statement released by the group. more.. Britain and US complicit in Jericho raid, says Abbas The Independent 3/16/2006 Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, condemned the armed Israeli raid on Jericho's prison as an "ugly crime that cannot be forgiven" yesterday and strongly implied Britain and the US had been complicit in it. Touring the ruins of the devastated jail less than 24 hours after the surrender of six wanted Palestinians after a day-long siege, Mr Abbas said their arrest had been "illegal" and that the raid by troops, bulldozers and tanks had been a "humiliation for the Palestinian people and a violation of all the agreements". The Israeli acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said yesterday that the six men would be indicted according to Israeli law and they will be "punished as they deserve. " more.. We warned of prison attack, says Israel The Guardian 3/16/2006 Abbas: "I'm giving the facts. They [the monitors] left at 9. 20am and the Israelis came in at 9. 30am. How can we explain that? " he asked. -- Days before Israel's military assault on Jericho prison it warned Britain and America that it would seize Palestinians held there under an international agreement for killing an Israeli cabinet minister if the two countries withdrew their monitors. Dov Weisglass, the most influential of the Israeli prime minister's advisers, told Britain and the US last week that it would be better for international supervision at the prison to continue. But he said that if they carried through a threat to pull out British and American monitors because of "security concerns" then Israel would act to bring the wanted men to justice. more.. Erekat warns of crisis in Palestinian ties with US, UK China View 3/16/2006 Special Report: Israeli raid on prison: GAZA, March 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday that there is a crisis in Palestinian-American and the Palestinian-British diplomatic ties after Israeli raid on Palestinian prison in West Bank town of Jericho Tuesday. Erekat told the Voice of Palestine radio that if the American and British monitors at the Palestinian-controlled Jericho jail didn't pull out, then the Israeli attack was not going to be carried out. Asked if relations with the two countries would get into acrisis after the Jericho raid, during which Israel captured Secretary General of the Popular front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Ahmed Saddat, Erekat responded there is already a crisis. more.. Press release regarding the reopening of the Rafah Crossing Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Today, the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EU BAM) performed its monitoring, mentoring, evaluating and capacity building duties at Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) like any other day, opening at 8:00 and closing at 17:00 hours. The situation throughout the day was quiet at RCP, where 740 passengers crossed from Gaza into Egypt and 597 from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, adding to a total of 1. 337 (the average number since EU BAM started operations on 26th November 2005 has been around 1. 350/day). Even though the situation was rather calm at RCP, EU BAM welcomed the deployment of extra Police and Security personnel by the Palestinian Authority, that so far has demonstrated a high professional commitment in taking care of the security and safety of EU BAM's monitors. more.. South Gaza: Kerem Shalom crossing to open YNet News 3/16/2006 Situation analysis in Tel Aviv concludes with decision to open crossing in southern Gaza in place of Karni crossing closed due to security reasonsHanan Greenberg Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided Thursday to open the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, as a replacement to the Karni crossing, closed due to security reasons, despite objections by the Palestinians. The weekly security meeting held in the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv was attended by Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, Shin Bet representatives, and senior defense officials. The defense minister said that he would be holding nightly situation analyses from now on, in order to decide whether the Karni crossing should be opened. more.. Hamas Spokesman: The PA should not be the hostage of the signed agreements Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Jerusalem- Maan- Hamas Spokesman in the West bank refused calls for the PA to dissolving the PA or the resignation of Mr. Mahmoud Abbaas. Frahat defended the PA and looked at what happened in Jericho as a result of the unfair agreements and the wrong method of negotiations followed in the past. Farahat told Maan reporter inn Jerusalem that" all our efforts are to be concentrated on how to confront the Israeli aggression in this stage, the PA is not a hostage to the agreements, so this political mistake should be reformed and amended as this what drove us to this tragic end". more.. Saadat from his jail consider the US and UK of being part of the conflict Ma'an News 3/16/2006 Ramallah- Maan- Ahmad Saadat called for Palestinian People not to count on the American role in the future as it is a one sided role. In a letter to the Palestinian People from his jail in Jerusalem, through Dameeer Society Saadat said that the Quartet is forming a cover to Israel, what happened in Jericho made of the US and UK part of the conflict. Saadat burden responsibility on both America and Britain and accused them of collusion with the Israelis, also blamed the PA for not releasing the prisoners in Jericho Jail. Saadat greets the Palestinian People and said that he has great confidence in the Palestinian people and called for the Palestinian friend through the world and the Arab and Islamic countries to support Palestinian People in their struggle. more.. Annan calls on Syria, Israel, Lebanon to quell violence Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 United Nations Secretary-General Kofi annan has called on Israel, Syria and Lebanon to take the necessary steps to quell the violence that has erupted in the countries' border region. Annan on Thursday discussed his request with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Annan also held telephone conferences on Wednesday with Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud regarding the matter. Security forces were placed on high alert Thursday night after an army reconnaissance unit spotted a number of suspicious figures moving near the fence separating Israel and Lebanon. more.. Security Council to discuss condemnation of Israeli siege Ha'aretz 3/15/2006 The United Nations Security Council will convene Wednesday to hear a second draft presidential statement submitted by Qatar condemning Israel for Tuesday's siege of a Palestinian prison in Jericho. The council issued a statement Tuesday afternoon seeking the release of foreigners kidnapped in retaliation for the siege, but appeared unlikely to come down hard against Israel as Qatar proposed. Top UN officials, meanwhile, warned that the latest violence in the West Bank only heightened tensions in the region and urged both sides to defuse the crisis. "Israel's violent incursion - as well as the Palestinian actions carried out in response - risk destabilizing even further the already tense situation in the Middle East," Ibrahim Gambari, the UN undersecretary-general for political affairs, told the Security Council in an emergency meeting on Tuesday. more.. Saddam kept pretense of WMDs to prevent Israeli attack Ha'aretz 3/16/2006 WASHINGTON - Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein pretended to have chemical weapons because, among other reasons, he feared that Israel might attack if it discovered he did not. This is revealed in a recently declassified internal report by the American military. The report was compiled from many dozens of interviews with senior Iraqi officials and hundreds of documents captured by the American forces during and after the war. Hussein made the above statement at a meeting with leaders of the Ba'ath Party, said Ali Hassan al-Majid, better known as Chemical Ali, to American interrogators. Ali was in charge of using chemical weapons against the Kurdish forces at the end of the 1980s. more.. Report: Bishara acted as Syria-Israel mediator in 1990s talks Ha'aretz 3/17/2006 Former Syrian vice president Abed al-Halim Haddam said in an interview with the Arab-language Nazareth-based newspaper, A-Sinara, that will be published on Friday that Israel and Syria were very close to signing a peace treaty in the mid 1990s. Haddam revealed that then leaders, president Hafez Assad and prime minister Itzhak Rabin, had already tentatively agreed on most of the disputed issues. "Syria was ready for peace. As for Israel, it seemed like Israel was ready for it but he (Rabin) was killed," Hadam said of the former Israeli prime minister who was shot dead during a peace rally in 1995. "The chances of reaching an agreement out weighed those of not reaching one. " more.. EU struggles with Palestinian dilemma BBC 3/15/2006 The attacks on EU offices in Gaza have sharpened the European Union's dilemma over whether to continue funding the Palestinian Authority under a Hamas-led government. The EU has been the biggest single donor to the Palestinian Authority (PA), but Hamas is on its list of terrorist organisations. It cannot support terrorism, but neither does it want to trigger the PA's financial collapse. The violence that followed Israel's raid on the Jericho prison on Tuesday makes the problem even more hard to handle. As external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Tuesday, it "puts us all in a very difficult position. She told reporters that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, whom she met briefly in Strasbourg before he rushed home to deal with the crisis was "absolutely aware" of this. more.. Israel's raid in Jericho deals blow to isolated Palestinian Authority president The Daily Star 3/16/2006 Analysis - Hisham Abdallah -- RAMALLAH, West Bank: Israel's raid in Jericho has left beleaguered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas eyeballing diplomatic disaster and exacerbated his increased isolation after the election victory of Hamas. The capture of detained leader Ahmad Saadat and five cohorts from a Palestinian prison underscored Abbas' weakness and unpopularity as Israel put its relationship with the administration on a new footing, analysts said. The Abbas camp was the first to admit the Jericho raid had been a public relations disaster for the Palestinian Authority as their president rushed back to manage the crisis, cutting short a key European tour. more.. Quartet envoy warns of chaos if PA not helped YNet News 3/15/2006 James Wolfensohn informs Congress unless Western aid can bypass Hamas and delivered to millions of poor Palestinians there will be chaos in streets, no peace. ‘I do not believe you can have a million starving Palestinians and have peace,’ he says -- Unless Western aid can bypass Hamas and be delivered to millions of poor Palestinians there will be chaos in the streets and no peace, Middle East envoy James D. Wolfensohn informed Congress on Wednesday. “I do not believe you can have a million starving Palestinians and have peace,” Wolfensohn said. more.. Jordan's king slams IDF's Jericho raid as 'unfortunate escalation' Ha'aretz 3/16/2006 Jordan's King Abdullah on Wednesday sharply criticized Tuesday's raid in Jericho, calling it "an unfortunate escalation" that posed a threat to the future of the peace process and to security in the region. "It would have been better for the parties concerned to find another formula to deal with this issue," the king said, adding, "[The Israelis] created tension and lessened the chances for an adequate climate to forge ahead with the peace process. "He also urged Hamas "to deal with regional and international realities," referring to the group's refusal to disarm, recognize international treaties signed by the Palestinian Authority or recognize Israel. more.. Britain accused after day of chaos and kidnaps in Gaza The Guardian 3/15/2006 Britain was accused of colluding with an Israeli military assault on a Palestinian jail yesterday that prompted the widespread kidnapping of foreigners in the occupied territories and the sacking of UK and EU offices. The army's day-long siege of Jericho prison ended with the surrender of five men accused by Israel of the 2001 assassination of a cabinet minister, Rehavam Zeevi, in Jerusalem. But at least six foreign aid workers and journalists were still being held by Palestinian armed groups. Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and four other members have been held for the past four years in Jericho under British and American supervision. more.. Abbas: The US and UK are involved in what happened in Jericho Ma'an News 3/15/2006 Jericho- Maan- Palestinian President Mr. Mahmoud Abbas considers what happened Tuesday in Jericho as an unforgettable crime against the Palestinian Authority and People. In a press conference he held after visiting the city of Jericho and observing the demolished Muqata'a, Mr. Abbas said that there was collusion between the Americans, the British and the Israelis, particularly