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Conflict..
Palestinian fighters clash in Gaza
AlJazeera 6/1/2006
At least 10 people have been killed in clashes since March -- A gun battle between members of rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah has erupted in the southern Gaza Strip, wounding three Fatah members, witnesses and medics say. The clash in the town of Khan Yunus early on Thursday disrupted a tenuous peace that had been in place since Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and Fatah leader, and the Hamas-led government of Ismail Haniya, began talks last week to try to end violence in Gaza. Fatah and Hamas traded blame over who began Thursday's gun battle. Fatah sources said its fighters were ambushed by Hamas men. Hamas said one of its fighters opened fire after his home came under attack. more..
Israel arrest operation in Nablus targets the wives and mothers of "wanted" Palestinians
Ma'an News 5/31/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-The Israeli forces stepped up their military campaign in the city of Nablus on Wednesday morning. Six Palestinian citizens, including wives and mothers of "wanted" men belonging to the Fatah-affiliated Al-Aqsa Brigades in Balata refugee camp in the east of Nablus, were arrested by Israeli forces early on Wednesday. The Ma'an correspondent reported that, according to Palestinian sources, the Israeli forces broke into several houses in the camp and arrested the wife of Najih Abu Shahin, who is wanted due to his affiliation to the Al-Aqsa Brigades, and the 51-year old mother of two wanted brothers, Khalil and Farid Abu Leil. Israeli forces also arrested Laila Abu Munif (17) and her brother Imad (22) after breaking into their house in Balata refugee camp. more..
Medics: Three hurt in clash between Palestinian gunmen in Gaza
Ha'aretz 6/1/2006
A gunbattle between militants from the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah erupted in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, lightly wounding three Fatah members, witnesses and medics said. The clash in the town of Khan Younis disrupted a tenuous peace that had been in place since Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah's leader, and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's Hamas-led government began talks last week to try to end violence in Gaza. Fatah and Hamas traded blame over who began the gunbattle. Fatah sources said its gunmen were ambushed by Hamas militants. Hamas said one of its gunmen opened fire after his home came under attack. more..
Palestinians: IDF missile fired at car in Gaza
YNet News 5/31/2006
Palestinian medics, residents say Israeli Air Force missile fired at car but missed its target; security officials say explosion may have been detonated by terrorists on training exercise; IDF denies launching strike -- Just six hours after four Qassam rockets were fired at the western Negev Wednesday, an explosion rocked Gaza City, causing no casualties, medics said, amid conflicting accounts over the cause of the blast. Palestinian medics and residents said an Israeli missile was fired at a car but missed its target. Palestinian security officials said the explosion may have been detonated by terrorists on a training exercise. Witnesses said the rocket was fired from a helicopter in the central part of the city toward a vehicle traveling in the Tel el-Hawa neighborhood... more..
Undercover Israeli forces arrest two Palestinian civilians in Jericho
Ma'an News 5/31/2006
Jericho-Ma'an-Israeli Special Forces, disguised as Palestinian civilians, arrested two Palestinian citizens in Jericho's market on Wednesday afternoon. The Ma'an correspondent reported that undercover Israeli troops wearing Arab civilian clothes ("must'arabeen") entered the city in two civilian cars before breaking into an electronic equipment shop and arresting the owner of the shop, Zakariya At-Tahhat, 30, and Jadallah Swirkah, 28, who works in the Palestinian Intelligence. The correspondent added that a number of military vehicles broke into the city through the different entrances of the city in order to protect the Israeli Special Forces. [end] more..
Strangle-hold around Salfit tightened
Ma'an News 5/31/2006
Salfit-Ma'an-The Israeli forces have set up a number of temporary military barriers at the entrances to the city of Salfit and surrounding villages and towns, subjecting all vehicles to inspection and preventing citizens from passing through the barriers. The Ma'an correspondent reported that, according to Palestinian sources, the Israeli forces had set up a number of temporary barriers, including one at the southern entrance to the city of Salfit, and others at the entrances to the towns and villages of Jama'en, Burdah, Bidya, Qarawat Bani Hassan and also between the villages of Farkhah and Qarawat Bani Zeid. It was also reported that the Israeli forces were preventing citizens and vehicles from passing. [end] more..
Palestinian shot during violent confrontation with bailiffs
Ha'aretz 5/31/2006
A Palestinian in East Jerusalem sustained moderate to serious wounds Wednesday when he was shot in the stomach after stabbing a representative from an Israeli collection agency. Two officials from the agency had arrived at an apartment in the Wadi Juz area on Wednesday morning to carry out an order to seize property due to non-payment of debt. They became involved in an argument with the apartment's residents, and soon dozens of passers-by gathered at the scene. At some point, the apartment's residents attacked the two collection agency representatives, hitting one in the head and stabbing the other in the hand. One of the two officials pulled out a gun and shot the man in the stomach. [end] more..
Part of three houses in the Hebron governorate demolished by Israeli authorities
Ma'an News 5/31/2006
Hebron-Ma'an-Israeli bulldozers demolished on Wednesday part of three houses in Am Lasfah, a village east of the Yatta, south-east of Hebron. In conversation with Ma'an, the Am Lasfah Village Council head, Jabir Hmidat, reported that the Israeli forces, backed up by one vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration, five military vehicles belonging to the border guards, and one bulldozer, raided the village and then started to destroy the annexes belonging to citizens' houses. The Israeli authorities claimed that the structures did not have licenses. Hmidat mentioned that the Israeli forces destroyed residential buildings, including kitchens and bathrooms that belonged to Ismail Awad and Muhammad Atiyah. more..
Israeli forces and police open fire on Palestinians in Jerusalem while collecting taxes
Palestine News Network 5/31/2006
Israeli forces shot young Palestinian men in the Wadi Joz neighborhood of East Jerusalem Wednesday. According to eyewitnesses, the officers came to the house escorted by the police to collect taxes from residents in the District. Upon entering a house, the Israeli forces demanded taxes due in a provocative manner, leading to a verbal altercation. Dozens of neighbors joined in to calm the situation. The witnesses added that the Israeli officer fired bullets at citizens, which led to the injury of the owner of the house and another man who owns an electrical appliance repair shot. He is hospitalized with injuries in the abdomen. He denied Israeli Radio claims that the young man stabbed the tax man. [end] more..
Arrests in Hebron, including 15 year old tenth grader
Palestine News Network 5/31/2006
Israeli forces took several Palestinians from the western and southern Hebron District. Israeli soldiers claimed to find a mortar shell while searching a number of homes in Bani Naim Village east of Hebron in the southern West Bank. Official sources in the Palestinian Prisoner Society in Hebron reported that Israeli forces stationed at Junction Crossing west of Hebron, connecting Hebron to the Gaza Strip, made the arrests yesterday evening. The crossing is closed to Palestinians who cannot travel between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Nonetheless, Israeli soldiers took 15 year old Raj Al Battat Mohammad to an unknown location. The tenth grader was on his way to visit his brother, a political prisoner in the Israeli Askelon jail. more..
Near-miss' for Israeli minister
AlJazeera 5/31/2006
The rocket damaged the house of Peretz's neighbours -- Palestinian fighters firing rockets from the Gaza Strip hit a house near the home of the Israeli defence minister, according to Israeli media. The roof of a house about 100 metres from Amir Peretz's home in the town of Sderot was damaged on Wednesday by one of three rockets that Islamic Jihad members said they fired into southern Israel. The makeshift rockets are very inaccurate. The Israeli army said only that the rockets had landed in a residential area in Sderot. The attack was started a day after Israeli commandos, mounting the first ground raid in the Gaza Strip since Israel's withdrawal last year, killed three members of an Islamic Jihad rocket squad and a policeman who came to their aid. more..
Palestinian Monitoring Group Daily Situation Report, 28 - 29 May 2006 (PDF)
Palestine Media Center 5/30/2006
JENIN: Closure of Road: The Israeli army continues to close with dirt barricades the unpaved detour road leading to the town of ‘Arraba east of the settlement of Dotan. Checkpoint: The Israeli army continues to close Tayasir checkpoint east of the town of Tubas, denying civilian access to the Northern Jordan Valley, except for holders of IDs issued in the Northern Jordan Valley and commercial trucks. The Israeli army also continues to install a surveillancecamera in order to observe the area surrounding the checkpoint. Wall Gates: Passage through the Wall gates is restricted to civilians granted special Israeli permits. Flying Checkpoints: At 17:00, the Israeli army set up 2 flying checkpoints, one at the southern entrance to the city of Jenin and the other on the junction to the town of ‘Arraba... more..
IDF, police expect violent response at outpost evacuations
Ha'aretz 6/1/2006
The evacuation of three West Bank outposts, presumably within a few weeks, is likely to turn particularly violent, police and Israel Defense Forces officials believe. Senior military and police officers told Haaretz Wednesday they would not be surprised if some settlers were to resort to the use of arms in an effort to thwart the evacuation. The warning from the officers pertains to the outposts known as Skali Farm (near Elon Moreh), Arusi Farm (Bracha B) and Hill 725 (near Yitzhar). "It's not that they are digging defensive trenches and waiting there for us with weapons, but there will be people with arms there," a security source said. "In the heat of the struggle, individuals among them could certainly try to fire on the soldiers. This is not a notion that they shy away or recoil from. " more..
Marzel: Don't let Peretz sleep
YNet News 5/31/2006
Extreme right-wing activist sends letter to residents of southern town advising them to not let their neighbor, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, sleep until rocket fire from Gaza Strip stops -- In a letter addressed to Sderot residents on Tuesday, extreme right-wing activist Baruch Marzel advised them on how best to stop Qassam fire from the Gaza Strip. Marzel told residents of the town, which suffers direct Qassam hits on a daily basis, to prevent Defense Minister Amir Peretz from sleeping by holding loud demonstrations outside his house in the Negev town until the Israel Defense Forces halts the attacks. "Time has come to stop being quiet. Sderot residents are invited to come to Amir Peretz' house and not allow him to sleep so long as Sderot residents are unable to live in peace," the letter read. more..
Officer accused of strangling pullout protestor
YNet News 5/31/2006
Border Guard officer accused of assaulting protestor during settlers' demonstration at Kissufim checkpoint in July 2005; according to indictment, 'officer held plaintiff by his neck with two hands, squeezed his throat, chocked him' -- The Police Investigation Unit has filed an indictment against Yaniv Reuveni, a 28-year-old Border Guard officer from the southern town of Kiryat Gat. The officer was accused of attacking a Gush Katif resident during the evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements as part of the disengagement, Ynet learned Wednesday. According to the indictment, which accuses the officer of assault, was filed at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court, on July 11 the plaintiff Elad Cohen participated in an anti-disengagement demonstration held at the Kissufim junction. more..
Police nab 3 Yitzhar settlers, detain rabbi
YNet News 5/31/2006
Police arrest three Yitzhar settlers on suspicion they assaulted policemen at settlement earlier Wednesday, detain head of local yeshiva for questioning. Locals charge police were irresponsible to enter community after 'inflaming tensions' with residents in recent months -- Police arrested three settlers of Yitzhar on Wednesday on suspicion of attacking policemen in the West Bank settlement earlier in the day. Police said the three were arrested after being identified by police officers who suffered a hail of stones upon entering the settlement. The men have been remanded for interrogation. Rabbi Hoshaya Harari, head of one of the settlement's yeshivas, was also detained for questioning. more..
Farmer injured while working on his farm
Ma'an News 5/31/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Sa'ad Daraghmah (26) from Toubas was injured by an explosion while working on his farm in Tayasir, east of Toubas. Daraghmah's family said that he must have stepped on an explosive device while he was working on his farm, which led to him being injured on his hands and legs. [end] more..
Israeli Troops Infiltrate into Gaza, Shoot Reporters and Medics
Palestine Media Center 5/30/2006
IOF Kill 8 Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza Strip in 24 Hours -- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) overnight Tuesday carried out the first Israeli military incursion deep into Gaza since August 2005, killed eight Palestinians during the last 24 hours, three of them extra-judicially, and attacked, shot and wounded reporters and medics while on routine duty in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. An IOF undercover unit infiltrated about three kilometres into the coastal area of the northern Gaza Strip, backed by naval and helicopter support, ambushed a group of Palestinian anti-Israeli occupation activists, and engaged the group in a five-hour battle, killing three of them. A member of the Force 17 presidential guard who rushed to the scene with medics for help was also killed. more..
Seven Palestinians and one Egyptian killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday morning
Ma'an News 5/30/2006
Jenin, Nablus and Gaza-Ma'an-Three Palestinians in the northern West Bank were killed by Israel forces early on Tuesday morning, and four in the northern Gaza Strip. In Qabatya, a town near Jenin, eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli Special Forces besieged a group of Palestinian fighters in the Ad-Dajani district; clashes broke out between the Israeli forces and the fighters which led to the killing of the Palestinian youth, Tariq Zakarnah (24), who is affiliated to the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades, and also to the injury of a number of the Palestinian fighters including the leader of the group, Muhammad Abu Ar-Rub, who escaped with injuries. It is also reported that five Palestinian civilians from Qabatya were arrested, including one woman. About 50 Israeli military vehicles invaded the town... more..
Four houses in north Jerusalem demolished due to proximity to separation wall and for being "unlicensed"
Ma'an News 5/29/2006
Jerusalem-Ma'an-The Israeli army authorities delivered on Monday four house demolition notices in the "Semiramis" region in the north of Jerusalem. Army sources claimed that the reason for the demolition of these four houses is their proximity to the separation wall while the Israeli municipality claimed that these four buildings were unlicensed. The Ma'an correspondent added that the decision to demolish these buildings came after the Supreme Court rejected on 25 March 2006 appeals from the four families against the decision to destroy their homes. [end] more..
IDF to step up special forces activity in N. Gaza
Ha'aretz 5/31/2006
The Israel Defense Forces are planning to step up ground operations by special forces in the northern Gaza Strip. Senior officers told Haaretz Tuesday night that special forces operations against Qassam rocket-launching cells have proven fairly effective, while the international community thus far has been understanding of this practice. In one such operation Tuesday, an Israeli special forces unit killed four Palestinian members of a Qassam-launching cell in northern Gaza as they were preparing to fire a rocket at Ashkelon. The IDF said that small special forces teams have been operating in northern Gaza for about two months, but it finally decided to publicize it Tuesday, because the results of Tuesday's operation were impossible to hide. more..
Video - IDF hints at future ground operations in Gaza
YNet News 5/30/2006
IDF eager to maintain 'feeling of being persecuted' among Gaza terrorists in a bid to halt Qassam fire; Senior southern command officer speaks to Ynet about army's pool of options in fight against Qassam fire -- (VIDEO) - The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that ground operations inside the Gaza Strip against Palestinian gunmen will continue, after a special commando unit backed by helicopters killed four Islamic Jihad terrorists preparing to fire Qassams into Israel. A senior Southern Command officer told Ynet Tuesday, that the successful ground operation instills a feeling among gunmen that they are being constantly persecuted by the IDF.... "Once they understand we are on the ground, in addition to artillery fire and aerial operations, their sense of being prosecuted intensifies. " more..
Collateral damage: Entire Gaza family
By Gideon Levy, Ha'aretz 5/31/2006
The entire family of Hamdi Aman, a 28-year-old Palestinian from Gaza who spent his youth in Tel Aviv's Carmel market, was hit in the assassination of Islamic Jihad operative Mohammed Dahdouh in Gaza a week and a half ago. Aman's 7-year-old son Muhand was killed; Naima, his wife, 27, was killed; his mother Hanan, 46, was killed. His three and a half year old daughter Mariya is lying in the pediatric intensive care unit at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, permanently paralyzed and on a respirator. Aman is not allowed to be with her. His youngest son, Muaman, 2, was lightly wounded by shrapnel in his back, and Aman himself was hit by shrapnel throughout his body. His uncle Nahed, 33, a father to two toddlers, is fully paralyzed and in critical condition.... The IDF Spokesman's Office also told Haaretz... 10 days after the assassination, that the IDF is "continuing to investigate in order to check the report that three Palestinians were killed as a result of the attack on Dahdouh's car. " more..
Israel kills three in West Bank raids
AlJazeera 5/30/2006
Israeli troops have killed three Palestinian resistance fighters in pre-dawn raids across the occupied West Bank. In Nablus a man wanted by Israel was killed and another was wounded during an army raid on Balata refugee camp on Tuesday, medics said. In the northern West Bank village of Qabatia, an Israeli secret services unit exchanged fire with a group of fighters, killing a member of Islamic Jihad and wounding three others, witnesses said. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the two operations, saying troops reported shooting three during clashes. In Anabta, close to the central West Bank town of Tulkarm, a Palestinian wanted by Israel was shot dead and three bystanders were injured in crossfire in an olive grove, witnesses said. more..
Palestinian gunmen kill couple they accused of aiding Israel
Ha'aretz 5/30/2006
Palestinian gunmen said they shot dead a man and a woman accused of collaborating with Israel in the West Bank on Tuesday. Abu Ala, a local commander of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Nablus, said the two were killed in separate shootings in the city. Gunmen killed Jafal Abu Tzrur, 24, in a refugee camp and the woman, 27, outside a hospital. Abu Ala said the two were lovers. "We carried out the death penalty after we were sure they were both collaborators with Israeli military intelligence," Abu Ala told Reuters. He said the couple passed on information that enabled Israel Defense Forces soldiers to kill three Al Aqsa militants in the Balata refugee camp in March. more..
Al Aqsa Brigades shoot dead a Palestinian youth in Balata refugee camp; they claim he was an Israeli collaborator
Ma'an News 5/30/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Fatah Movement, shot dead a Palestinian youth in Balata refugee camp in Nablus on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that he had been collaborating with the Israeli occupation. Palestinian security sources confirmed to Ma'an that the Brigades shot the youth, Jafal Mahmoud Abu As-Surour (24) claiming he had been collaborating with the Israeli occupation and providing Israel with information that facilitated the Israeli assassination of a number of the Al Aqsa Brigades leaders and members in Balata and Nablus city. [end] more..
Two houses demolished in Brouqin, near Salfit; curfew imposed
Ma'an News 5/30/2006
Salfit-Ma'an-Israeli troops raided on Tuesday morning the village of Brouqin, west of Salfit in the West Bank, and imposed a curfew on some parts of the village before demolishing two houses in the village. The Ma'an correspondent reported that about 30 Israeli military vehicles and two bulldozers raided the village and prevented the citizens from leaving their houses. The raid focused on the Al Baq'aan and Ash-Shayab regions where they started to demolish two houses, one belonging to Muwaffaq Abdul-Rahman and the other belonging to Abdul-Aziz Khatir. The reason given by the Israeli forces for the demolition of the two houses was that they were built without licenses and they are close to the separation wall and the border with Ariel, an illegal Israeli settlement established on the lands of the villages of Marda, Kufl Haris and Salfit. more..
Israeli Forces forcibly enter homes, arrest 4
Ma'an News 5/29/2006
Hebron-Ma'an-Israeli Forces arrested four Palestinians from Hebron early on Monday morning, after forcibly breaking into and entering their homes. The Ma'an correspondent reported that, according to Palestinian sources, the Israeli Forces arrested Shadi Maswadah (19), Rashid Rashad Maswadah (26), Ahmad Azidat (23) and Khalid Azidat (25). The sources added that the Israeli Forces took the arrested men to an unknown destination. [end] more..
On Hill 725, settlers believe they've won on the 'awareness' front
Ha'aretz 5/31/2006
Many settlers have a near-worshipful attitude toward the Albert family, a sort of local nobility whose sons are dispersed among outposts and settlements. Boaz Albert established the outpost on Hill 725 ? (south of Yitzhar? ) five years ago, one of 12 outposts for which evacuation orders were recently renewed by the defense minister. Boaz's parents founded Kibbutz Alumim, and half a year before the evacuation of Sinai, they joined the first Atzmona, the one in the Rafah Salient that was ultimately removed from there. The Alberts were also among the founders of the second Atzmona, in Gush Katif, which was evacuated in the disengagement. The father, Haim, ran the famous nursery there, the settlement bloc's showcase. more..
7 killed by IDF in Gaza, West Bank operations
Ha'aretz 5/31/2006
A special forces unit yesterday attacked Islamic Jihad militants launching Qassam rockets from deep inside the Gaza Strip. Three members of the cell were killed. Israel Air Force helicopters shot and killed a fourth Palestinian who belonged to Fatah's Force 17. Meanwhile in operations in the West Bank, a Fatah activist was killed near Nablus and an Islamic Jihad member was killed near Jenin. The Israel Defense Forces had no injuries. The Gaza incident began near midnight on Monday. A special unit that had apparently been waiting for some time spotted the Palestinians moving between Beit Lahia and the ruins of the the Dugit settlement in northern Gaza. Soldiers opened fire, killing three Islamic Jihad militants. more..
Report: 3 killed in Gaza operation
YNet News 5/30/2006
For first time since disengagement, special IDF unit enters heart of Palestinian territory in northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya, hits group of terrorists planning to fire Qassam rockets at Israel; Palestinians say three killed, eight wounded by IAF missile -- Ground operation inside Gaza Strip: For the first time since the disengagement, a special IDF unit entered Palestinian territories in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya Monday night, hitting a group of terrorists planning to fire Qassam rockets at Israel. Simultaneously, an IAF helicopter fired a missile at other gunmen in the area. Eyewitnesses reported that three Palestinians were killed and eight were wounded, but only one casualty arrived at the hospital so far. There were no injuries among the IDF soldiers. more..
Defense Minister: Gaza raids against Qassam fire will go on
Ha'aretz 5/30/2006
Defense Minister Amir Peretz vowed Tuesday that Israel Defense Forces operations against Qassam launch cells in the Gaza Strip would continue by air, sea, and land in order to prevent further rocket fire at Israel. Earlier in the day, IDF troops killed at least seven armed Palestinians in a number of raids early Tuesday in the territories, with the intention of countering Qassam fire in Gaza and arresting wanted militants in the West Bank. Special forces units, operating in a rare IDF ground operation deep inside the northern Strip, killed at least three members of an Islamic Jihad Qassam crew setting up to fire rockets into Israel in the pre-dawn hours. The clash was followed by Israel Air Force helicopter missile strikes in the same area, which killed at least one armed man... more..
Brigades launch projectiles at Israeli towns on Tuesday
Ma'an News 5/30/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, launched two homemade projectiles into the Israeli town of Azata on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said that the launching operation was in response to the Israeli aggressions against Palestinian civilians, journalists and children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement, launched one homemade projectile into the Israeli town of Askhelon on Tuesday afternoon. [end] more..
3 arrested, including 2 brothers, in Qalqilia
Ma'an News 5/30/2006
Qalqilia-Ma'an-Israeli Forces raided the At Tabbal region in the south of Qalqilia and arrested three Palestinians, claiming that they are affiliated to the Al Aqsa Brigades. They were taken to an unidentified location. The Ma'an correspondent reported that Israeli Forces, reinforced with military vehicles, surrounded an orchard near the city. They fired at it randomly before arresting brothers Fadi and Abdul Latif Daod and Muhammad Sasa'a (21). The Daod brothers work in the Palestinian Security Forces. [end] more..
Sources: 3 Palestinians killed in Gaza blast
YNet News 5/26/2006
Palestinians in north Gaza say three members of same family killed after IDF shell dud brought by teens into their Beit Lahiya home explodes for unknown reason; earlier Palestinian farmer killed by IDF artillery fire -- Palestinian sources reported Friday that three members of the same family were killed during an explosion that took place in their north Gaza home. According to reports, two teens found an IDF shell outside their Beit Lahiya home and proceeded to carry it into the house. For some unknown reason the dud exploded, killing the teens and another family member; seven other people were injured in the explosion. more..
Israel kills four in Gaza clash
AlJazeera 5/30/2006
Four Palestinian resistance fighters have been killed by a missile fired from an Israeli helicopter during a cross-border clash in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials say. Six civilians were also wounded in Monday's clash, including two ambulance staff and two radio reporters. The Israeli army confirmed the incident and said that troops had spotted militants preparing to launch rockets at Israeli targets. "The force spotted the militants and a gun battle followed in which an air force helicopter was also involved," a Israeli army spokeswoman said. There were no casualties among the Israeli force, she added.... In violence earlier on Monday, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian fighter along the Gaza-Israel border, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. more..
IDF says most Hezbollah border posts destroyed in Sunday clash
Ha'aretz 5/29/2006
Israel destroyed most of the military positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah along the northern border, in the heaviest fighting since it withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon six years ago, the IDF's northern division commander said Monday. The Sunday rocket and artillery exchanges killed two Hezbollah guerrillas and wounded two Israeli soldiers. The cross-border fighting began when Hezbollah fired Katyusha rockets from Lebanon at Israel's northern Galilee region, hitting an air force base, then attacked Israeli outposts along the border. "Our main effort was to destroy the frontline that Hezbollah has built in the last six years," Colonel Gal Hirsch said, adding the pro-Iranian group had established dozens of frontline outposts along the border with Israel. more..
Tel Aviv within range of new Iran-supplied Hezbollah rocket
By Ze'ev Schiff, Ha'aretz 5/29/2006
Iran has equipped the Lebanese-based radical Islamic group Hezbollah with long-range rockets capable of hitting targets up to 200 kilometers away, putting all of Israel's major urban centers - including the southern city of Be'er Sheva - within striking distance. The solid-fuel rockets lack an independent guidance system and their accuracy is questionable but they can still cause considerable damage. According to intelligence estimates, the rockets are meant to strike non-specific areas, such as towns and cities, and carry a warhead estimated to weigh 600 kilograms. This latest development doubles the range of weapons previously in Hezbollah's arsenal. In this latest transfer of military technology, Iran is seeking to improve its strategic options against Israel rather than better Hezbollah's capabilities. more..
IDF officer: Next time we’ll hit harder
YNet News 5/29/2006
Galilee commander says if army didn’t make its message loud in clear with shelling in Lebanon Sunday, it will hit even harder next time; Hizbullah clears ruins of targeted bases. Monday morning calm along border, but tensions running high -- Galilee commander says if army didn’t make its message loud and clear with shelling in Lebanon Sunday, it will hit even harder next time; Hizbullah clears ruins of targeted bases. On the day after the drama in the north, the IDF is assessing damages on the other side of the border and hoping that their message was delivered. “We hope that the operation’s message was understood loud and clear on the other side... ” more..
Nablus raided by Israeli forces from all directions; all entrances to the city closed off
Ma'an News 5/29/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-Israeli troops raided the city of Nablus from all directions on Monday. Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces raided the city early on Monday morning, focusing on the Rafidia district and As-Sikkah Street. The raids were carried out amid gunfire and the launching of sonic bombs at the citizens. The sources added that clashes took place in Balata Refugee Camp between the Israeli forces and a number of citizens; explosions were heard in the area but no injuries were reported. Early on Monday morning, the Israeli forces closed all the military barriers that surround the city of Nablus. Palestinian security sources reported that the Israeli forces closed the barriers of Beit Eiba, Huwwara and Za'atara, adding that later the Israeli forces partially reopened these barriers. more..
Two dead in Lebanon border clash
AlJazeera 5/28/2006
Clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters in Lebanon following a rocket attack on Israel have left at least two people dead. United Nations peacekeepers in the region have managed in the past few hours to negotiate a cease-fire despite sporadic gunfire, officials said. Local reports said the two dead were a fighter from Lebanon's Hezbollah group and a Palestinian fighter. The clashes began at dawn on Sunday, after Palestinian fighters fired rockets at northern Israel and Israeli aeroplanes responded with air strikes on Palestinian bases near the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Witnesses saw black smoke rising from a military base outside Beirut and another in the eastern Bekaa Valley, both run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) which is based in Damascus. more..
Defense officials: 486 km of fence to be completed by Jan. '07
Ha'aretz 5/27/2006
By the beginning of 2007, 486 kilometers of the separation fence will be completed, defense establishment representatives told Justice Minister Haim Ramon at a meeting late last week. This constitutes 93 percent of the 523-kilometer fence route (not including some 300 kilometers that are awaiting legal rulings). Defense officials had previously pledged to complete 95 percent of the route by year's end. Sources in Ramon's bureau said the fence will be built in such a manner as to prevent suicide bombers from entering sovereign Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem. However, construction will hold off for now on 20 kilometers of the route in the Gush Etzion region, which have yet to receive final legal authorization. more..
Seven killed and 23 injured in different Israeli aggressions last week: report
ReliefWeb/Palestinian National Authority 5/27/2006
GAZA, Palestine, May 27, 2006 (IPC) - A statistical report documenting the Israeli violations against the Palestinian people asserted that Israeli occupation forces killed seven Palestinians and injured 23 others in one week throughout the different Palestinian provinces, committing 744 violations of the ceasefire declared on February 2005. The report, prepared by the Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC), asserted that Israel has continued using its war machine against the unarmed Palestinian population, in addition to violating their human rights and inflicting maximum damages upon them. These violations included shooting incidents, bombarding neighborhoods, incursions, establishing military roadblocks and frequent closures of towns and villages. more..
Mortar shell lands near IDF base
YNet News 5/29/2006
Army fires more than 450 shells at northern Gaza Strip Monday, but fire continues; another shell, rocket land in open areas -- The Palestinians fire at the western Negev continued Monday night, as a mortar shell landed near the Nahal Oz army base, causing damage. Simultaneously, another shell and a Qassam rocket fell in an open area in the western Negev. There were no reports of injuries in all incidents. The rocket fire from the Gaza Strip toward Israel continued as the IDF launched an enhanced move Monday in terms of artillery fire at territories in the northern Strip. The IDF fired more than 450 shells at areas in the northern Gaza Strip in one day, using artillery batteries. more..
Brit admits to aiding Hamas
YNet News 5/29/2006
British citizen of Pakistani origin arrested by Shin Bet on suspicion of aiding Hamas through his work for UK charity in Gaza -- Iyaz Ali, a British citizen of Pakistani origin, arrested by the Shin Bet three weeks ago, admitted to having aided Hamas through his work for a British Islamic aid organization in Ramallah and Gaza. Ali, 36, is a humanitarian aid worker for the Islamic Relief Worldwide organization (IRW). According to the Shin Bet, Ali funneled sums of money to Hamas operative and charities in the Gaza Strip through his work for the IRW. Ali, who was appointed as project manager in Gaza last December, told interrogators that he had transferred aid to Hamas charities al-Wafa and al-Salah, banned in Israel for backing a terror group and inciting against the Jewish State. more..
Video - Officer: Bullets flew between our legs
YNet News 5/29/2006
(VIDEO) Sunday's tough battle on northern border provides unfolding dramas in worst fighting since IDF left Lebanon. Army commander: 'My soldiers operated in best possible way' -- VIDEO - The fighting that took place Sunday between the IDF and Hizbullah has been categorized as the worst and most significant since Israel left Lebanon. IDF officers said after the ceasefire that their hope is that the message got across, but that if Hizbullah decides to attack again the Israelis are ready with an adequate retaliation. Meanwhile, officials at the northern border took the time to summarize the events of the last 24 hours. "They had snipers fire at us from all directions. I saw the bullets hit the asphalt, and ricochet on us; I knew I had to evacuate the infantry force from there... " more..
Brigades launch home-made projectiles
Ma'an News 5/29/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Al Asifah Forces, affiliated to the Fatah Movement and the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to Fatah, launched three home-made projectiles into Sderot early on Monday morning. In a statement, the Brigades confirmed that the launch was in response to the Israeli Forces' massacres of Palestinians. The stated that they will continue their resistance until the end of the Israeli occupation. [end] more..
IDF stops would-be suicide bomber en route to Israel from West Bank
Ha'aretz 5/29/2006
Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Monday foiled two separate attempts to carry out terrorist attacks, one in the West Bank including a would-be suicide bomber, and, a short time, later a second in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, troops spotted two suspicious Palestinians near the settlement of Yitzhar, south of the city of Nablus. The two suspects began fleeing when the soldiers called on them to stop, throwing away a bag as they ran. The soldiers caught up with them a short time later. The bag was found to contain an explosives belt, which was safely detonated by IDF explosives experts. more..
Report: Senior PA security official says civil war 'inevitable'
Ha'aretz 5/28/2006
Palestinian security forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are planning an offensive against Hamas' military wing, heightening the specter of a factional civil war in the territories, [Rupert Murdoch's] Sunday Times reported. "Time is running out for Hamas," a Fatah security official told the London daily. "We'll choose the right time and place for the military showdown. But after that there will be no more of Hamas's militias. " "Civil war is inevitable," the official said. The official also accused Hamas of plotting to remove Abbas from power, citing intelligence data. "I read our daily intelligence reports about Hamas and know very well that these people are planning to overthrow our president by force," the official told the paper. -- See original report: Abbas loyalists threaten Hamas with civil war more..
Militants open fire, hurl bombs at IDF patrol in Nablus
Ha'aretz 5/28/2006
Palestinian militants opened fire and hurled bombs at Israel Defense Forces troops in the West Bank city of Nablus Saturday night. The troops returned fire and none of them were hurt. During the Nablus operation the IDF arrested two wanted militants - a Fatah member and a Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine operative. Troops also encountered fire near the West Bank village of Atzira a-Shimaliya, north of Nablus. There were no casualties and no damage was reported in the incident. [end] more..
Katyusha rockets return to northern border, bringing back memories
Ha'aretz 5/28/2006
Kiryat Shmona resident Moshe Ohana has been invited to two weddings in the city on Sunday, but he doesn't know if he will attend. "In Tel Aviv, the biggest dilemma people face when going to a wedding is what to wear. Here the dilemma is which one of the parents will get to go at all. On a day like this, one of us has to stay with the children. We can't leave them with a baby-sitter," says Ohana. Ohana stands beside block 820 in the Eshkol neighborhood. This structure, like many others in the neighborhood, knows suffering. Four Katyusha rockets have hit this very building over the years, killing one of its inhabitants, Vadim Shuchmann. more..
Islamic Jihad vows revenge for killing of official in Lebanon
Ha'aretz 5/27/2006
Islamic Jihad, blaming Israeli intelligence, vowed to retaliate against a car bombing in southern Lebanon on Friday that killed a leader of the organization and his brother. Mahmoud Majzoub, a member of the group's policy-making Shura Council body and its leader in Sidon, 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Beirut, was walking with his brother Nidal near the central square of this coastal city, when a parked car was detonated by remote control, security officials said. Mahmoud Majzoub survived the explosion but died during surgery. His brother Nidal was instantly killed, said the security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, more..
Israeli shellings kill Palestinians
AlJazeera 5/26/2006
Israeli artillery fire have killed four Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, security sources and medics say. While three Palestinians died in the latest shelling on Friday, a farmer was killed by a shell earlier during the day. Medics at Kamel Adwan hospital said that the three died when the shelling hit a house. But some security sources told Al Jazeera that the shell had landed near a house in Beit Lahia and was dragged into the building by three young men, after which it went off and killed them. The Israeli army said it was checking the report of the shelling. Five more Palestinians were wounded in the shelling, medics said, adding that the dead men were in their 20s. Palestinian security sources said none of them were known to be affiliated to armed groups. more..
Gazans killed dismantling shells
BBC 5/26/2006
The teenagers were going to sell the explosives, relatives said -- Three Palestinians have been killed in Gaza after attempting to dismantle unexploded Israeli shells found outside their home, relatives say. One of the shells went off when it was taken into the house, destroying the basement of the house and killing the three teenagers. Five other people were wounded in the explosion in Beit Lahiya. Medics had previously said the deaths were caused when an Israeli artillery shell hit a house. Israel had denied firing artillery at the time and suggested explosives at the house may have gone off prematurely. In another incident, a farmer died when Israeli shells hit his fields near Jabaliya refugee camp. more..
Palestinian dies of wounds sustained during Israeli shelling of Gaza Strip
Ma'an News 5/26/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-Palestinian citizen Omar Abu Wardah, 54, died of the wound he sustained on Friday when the Israeli artillery shelled the area of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Abu Wardah was seriously injured when the Israeli artillery shelled his home. He was then transported to the Awdah hospital where he subsequently died. Another two Palestinians were injured in the shelling, Tariq Mahmoud Shehadah, 14, whose condition is described as critical, and another citizen whose condition is described as stable. [end] more..
Palestinian old man injured in Beit Lahia north of the Gaza Strip
Ma'an News 5/26/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Palestinian citizen seriously wounded when the Israeli artillery targeted the area of Beit Lahia north of the Gaza Strip Friday. Ma'an correspondent reported that Omar Abu Wardah 54 years was seriously injured when he was hit by splinters of the projectiles shelled the are of Beit Lahia , Abu Wardah was standing near his home when he was injured. The man was transported to Awdah hospital; medical sources said that he is suffering of dangerous wounds. [end] more..
Four unarmed Palestinians arrested near Israel border in the Gaza Strip
Ma'an News 5/26/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested four unarmed Palestinian men near the fence that separates the Gaza Strip and Israel in the north of the Gaza Strip early on Friday morning. Israeli sources said that the Israeli army arrested the Palestinians transported them to an unnamed destination. [end] more..
Palestinian man murdered child
YNet News 5/28/2006
Anwar Ahdush carefully planned murder, lured eight year-old Lipaz Himi to stairwell where he raped, murdered her. Victim's mother: My girl was raped and murdered on Independence Day only because she is Jewish -- Cleared for publication: Lipaz Himi, the eight year-old girl whose body was found several weeks ago in a Beit Shemesh market, was raped and murdered by a Palestinian, the police investigation revealed. Police officials said that the 35-year-old Palestinian, Anwar Ahdush, carefully planned the murder, adding that the murder was a criminally, rather than nationalistically, motivated crime. more..
Gaza: Hamas-Fatah shootout kills Palestinian policeman
YNet News 5/25/2006
Gunfight between Palestinian security forces and newly established Hamas militia leaves one police officer dead, four others wounded in latest outbreak of internal Palestinian fighting -- A gunfight between Palestinian security forces and the newly established Hamas militia Thursday afternoon left one police officer dead and four others wounded in the latest outbreak of internal Palestinian fighting, doctors and witnesses said. The death brought to at least 10 the number of people killed in internal violence over the past month. Both Hamas and the security force accused each other of sparking the shootout. The fight in Gaza City occurred when a group of police riding in a car on their way back from the funeral of a top security commander clashed with the new militia, security officials said. more..
Nine Palestinians, including three women and one child, killed this week
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
Israeli soldiers killed during this week nine Palestinian residents, including three women and one child, in several military attacks carried out in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Among the casualties, one Palestinian fighter who was extra judicially assassinated; one child,his mother and grandmother were killed in the attack, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported. On Saturday 20/5/2006, Israeli air force fired missiles at a vehicle of one of the fighters, of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Gaza city, and assassinated him. The three civilians who were killed in the strike were walking by the vehicle of the fighters when the army fired the missiles. The center added that the Israeli army confirmed the strike but ignored the civilian casualties in its report. more..
Israeli military says it is expanding four settlements in Qaliqilia area
Palestine News Network 5/25/2006
One week ago heavily guarded Israeli bulldozers dredged the lands of Amatin Village, 15 kilometers east of Qalqiliya in the area known as Jabal Abu Suwayd. Farmer Al Haji Suleiman Ghanem, who owns 80 square dunams of land planted with olive trees, has lived in the area since the 1950s. His family relies on olive oil production. However, farmer Ghanem told PNN Thursday, “The occupation army prevented me from entering my land on Saturday. ”He added, “The dredging includes building roads and imposing iron columns, and I do not know what is their purpose, however it seems to be that they are taking my land for a settlement. ”An Israeli military spokesperson says they are expanding four settlements in the northwestern West Bank area... more..
Armed clashes in Jenin, raids in Bethlehem; 11 arrested
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Bethlehem-Jenin-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinian citizens in many towns and cities in the West Bank on Thursday morning. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli soldiers arrested four Palestinians in Jenin area claiming they are Jihad activists. The sources said that armed Palestinian men shot at the Israeli patrols when they entered the city of Jenin to carry out the arrest. Palestinian security sources said that the forces raided Jenin refugee camp and clashes between armed Palestinians and the Israeli forces erupted both in the city of Jenin and in the refugee camp. The Ma'an correspondent reported that the Israeli forces broke into many houses and clashes and gunfire were heard in the city but no casualties were reported. Four citizens were arrested. more..
Erekat slams Israeli decision to allow Jews to enter al-Aqsa mosque
China View 5/25/2006
RAMALLAH, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat Thursday denounced a decision of Israeli police to allow extremist Jews to enter the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. Guards of the Temple Mount, a Jewish group, has recently got permission from Israeli police to enter the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. "This dangerous development comes in the context of Israeli aggression and assassinations which aim to inflame the region and worsen the situation," Erekat told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. He said that the Palestinian National Authority will hold contacts with the international quartet to stop the Israeli escalation. Meanwhile, The Fatah movement called on the Palestinians, basically Jerusalem residents, to travel to the al-Aqsa mosque and defend it. [end] more..
Qabalan, town south-east of Nablus, placed under curfew
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-Israeli forces broke into the town of Qabalan, south east of the city of Nablus, on Thursday morning, and imposed a curfew on the town. Local sources said that confrontations erupted between the citizens and the Israeli forces and at least one Palestinian was injured as a result of tear gas used by the Israeli soldiers. The sources added that the forces entered the village from many sides and announced the curfew through loudspeakers. The soldiers also used gas and sonic bombs intensively to disperse the demonstrators. [end] more..
Four arrests in Nablus on Thursday morning, including the wife of a "wanted" Palestinian, and reports of a roadside bomb
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested the wife of a "wanted" Palestinian and three other citizens in the city of Nablus on Thursday morning after carrying out a raid of the old city of Nablus. The Ma'an reporter said that the Israeli forces broke into the house of Fadi Qafishah early in Thursday morning for the third time this month and arrested his wife, Samiah Istaitiyeh. Three other citizens were arrested in different parts of the city of Nablus. It was also reported that the Al Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing affiliated to Fatah, detonated a roadside bomb in Nablus when an Israeli military jeep passed next to it. The Brigades reported that the jeep received a direct hit. This was not confirmed by other sources. [end] more..
Five new temporary checkpoints set up between Salfit and northern villages
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Salfit-Ma'an-Israeli forces erected five temporary checkpoints in the Salfit area on Wednesday evening. The barriers were set up on the road between Salfit and the villages north of the city with one kilometer between them. This caused great obstruction to people's movement in the area in general. One citizen reported being stopped five times at the barriers and as a result, delayed for a long time. [end] more..
Israeli forces raid Nablus at dawn again today, taking three Palestinians to unknown locations
Palestine News Network 5/25/2006
At dawn during the daily raids, Israeli forces took Samia Kafishah from the Old City of Nablus to an unknown location. Her 27 year old husband, Fadi, was imprisoned in the past. Eyewitnesses told PNN that Israeli soldiers broke into the woman’s home and took her directly to a military jeep. In Balata Refugee Camp, Israeli forces took two young men to unknown locations, including 25 year old Ziad Abu Adis and 22 year old Abdul Rahman Al Hefnawi. Eyewitnesses said Israeli soldiers took a young man as a human shield during the raid in Balata Camp under the pretext of looking for brothers in the same neighborhood. Some members of the armed resistance returned military fire during the invasion, and as Israeli forces withdrew a large explosion was heard emanating from the city center. more..
An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades launch projectile at Yameet, north of Gaza
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Khan Younis- Ma'an-The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Palestinian Resistance Committees, have claimed responsibility for the launching of a homemade projectile at Yameet, an Israeli town north of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Brigades said that the launching was in retaliation for the Israeli crimes, the latest being the incidents in Ramallah in which four Palestinians were killed and dozens injured. [end] more..
Al Aqsa Brigades launched five projectiles at Sderot on Thursday morning
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing affiliated to Fatah, have claimed responsibility for the launching of five homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot on Thursday morning. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Brigades said that the launching of the projectiles was a reaction to the Israeli killings and crimes against the Palestinian people. [end] more..
Israeli forces imprison families; forbid driving in Nablus invasion
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
Palestinians in southern Nablus were held under curfew while dozens were imprisoned in small rooms since Wednesday. Early this morning Israeli forces finally left. Lawyer Zayed Omran reported that Israeli soldiers invaded his home at six in the evening yesterday and forced his 20 member family, including women and children, to stay in one room, while the soldiers occupied the rest of the house, turning it into a military installation. His family was without water or medication for his elderly diabetic family members..... Israeli forces have also imposed a ban on driving in the town under the pretext that youth threw stones at invading Israeli military vehicles. more..
Israeli forces invade, impose curfew on Qabalan, southeast of Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
Israeli forces invaded the town of Qabalan, south east of the city of Nablus, on Thursday morning, and imposed a curfew on the town. Local sources said that confrontations erupted between the citizens and the Israeli forces and at least one Palestinian was injured as a result of tear gas used by the Israeli soldiers. The sources added that the forces entered the village from many sides and announced the curfew through loudspeakers. The soldiers also used gas and sonic bombs intensively to disperse the demonstrators. [end] more..
Army annexes five Dunams of Assira Al Shamalia village lands near Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The Israeli army annexed five Dunams of Assira Al Shamalia village lands, near the West Bank city of Nablus, Thursday. The orders were signed by the Israeli Army Central Command office and stated that the lands will be annexed for the use of the Israeli army from January 2006 to December 2007, the municipality of the village said. Also the orders stated that the owners of the lands should go to the District LIason Office near Nablus for compensation, the municipality said. [end] more..
Army installs new military watch tower at Al Arop refugee camp in Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The israeli army have installed a new military watch tower at Al Arop refugee camp in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday morning. The watch tower's installation was completed today,and was built on land belonging to Ibrahem Tokar from the nearby village of Beit Omer, residents reported. The army has now put the camp under total siege, soldiers are searching anyone passing the tower checking ID cards, the residents added. [end] more..
Army arrest resident from Beita village and turns a house into a military post
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The Israeli army invaded the village of Beita south of the West Bank city of Nablus, arrested two residents and turned a house into a military post, Thursday morning. Ihssan Adly, 50, who works as a Palestinian Authority national security officer, was arrested along with his son after troops searched their home, both were taken to unknown locations, the family reported. Soldiers took over a house in the village, detaining the family in one room before using the roof as a military post, local sources reported. [end] more..
Army installs a military checkpoint at Tamon village entrance
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The Israeli army installed a military checkpoint at the entrance of Tammon village east of the West Bank city of Tubas, Thursday morning. Soldiers stopped residents and cars, searched them and checked the Id cards of the passengers, several residents were detained at the checkpoint, local sources said. Troops chased cars that tried to bypass the checkpoint on nearby farm road, the sources added. [end] more..
Army arrest three residents at a random military checkpoint north of Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The Israeli army arrested three residents at a random military checkpoint north of the West Bank city of Nablus, late on Wednesday night. Of those known from the three was Hussam Thaher, 29 from Sida village the two are from Alar village near Tulkarem, but their names have not been released, all were taken to unknown destinations, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more..
Four residents arrested from Borqen village in Jenin
International Middle East Media Center 5/25/2006
The Israeli army arrested four residents from the village of Borqen in the West Bank city of Jenin, Thursday at dawn. The arrestees were identified as Mostafa Sobeh, 20, Majdi Massad, 20, Rajee Amodi, 27, Qaisser Abu Ghanem, 30. All were taken to unknown destinations, villagers said. More than 20 army vehicles invaded the village and soldiers conducted house-to-house searches before arresting the four, the villagers added. more..
IDF shells Gaza Strip launch areas following Qassam hits
Ha'aretz 5/25/2006
The Israel Defense Forces directed heavy artillery fire at Qassam rocket launch areas in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning. The IDF Spokeswoman said that by Thursday noon some 150 shells were fired at the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported. The shelling came in retaliation for two Qassam rockets that hit open areas in the western Negev before dawn Thursday. No casualties or damage were reported. In routine overnight arrest raids in the West Bank, the IDF arrested 11 wanted Palestinian militants. Troops encountered gunfire during a raid in the town of Qabatiyah south of the city of Jenin. No casualties or damage were reported in the incident. more..
Father and son arrested in Nablus on Thursday morning
Ma'an News 5/25/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian preventative security officer and his son from their village of Bita, south of Nablus, on Thursday morning. Palestinian source said that many Israeli military vehicles raided the village and arrested Ihsann Adaily, 46, and his son Wadah, 25, after breaking into their house. The Israeli forces took the two men to an unknown destination. [end] more..
Ignoring Military Incursions
Palestine Monitor 5/25/2006
Four Palestinians killed and seventy injured during Israeli military incursion into Ramallah. -- Four Palestinians were killed after being fired upon with live bullets in the central square in Ramallah on Wednesday during an Israeli military incursion. One Palestinian died after being hit in the head by an exploding bullet, another after being struck in the chest by a high velocity bullet. Another seventy Palestinians were injured, fifteen severely, and five arrested. The dead include one Palestinian police officer, and the rest unarmed youths.... At approximately 2:30 pm on Wednesday, Israeli military jeeps accompanying the undercover Duvdevan unit entered Manara square on Ramallah's main street as part of a supposed arrest operation. more..
Housing Min. seeks NIS 32m to guard Jews in E. Jerusalem
Ha'aretz 5/26/2006
The Housing Ministry has requested NIS 32 million in the 2006 budget to provide security for the residents of Jewish enclaves in the heavily Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. The budget request appears despite the fact that former housing minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) announced last year that his ministry would cease allocating funds for this purpose. Herzog had said that he was adopting the recommendation of a public committee that he appointed to investigate this practice. The committee, headed by reserve major general and former Labor MK Ori Orr, recommended that responsibility for financing these guards be transferred to the Public Security Ministry. Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer was furious yesterday over the ministry's failure to keep this promise. more..
Four Palestinians killed in Israeli raid
AlJazeera 5/25/2006
Four Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli arrest raid in the centre of the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israeli troops and Palestinian militia members exchanged gunfire after Israeli armoured vehicles entered the centre of the city. At least 50 other Palestinians were wounded by live gunfire and others by rubber bullets, the director of Ramallah's hospital said. Mohammed al-Shubaki, a leading member of the Islamic Jihad group, was arrested during the Israeli operation. The Israeli killings in the West Bank came on the eve ofPalestinian cross-party crisis talks in Ramallah designed to put a lid on factional violence. And Mahmud al-Zahar. the Palestinian foreign minister, accused Israel of seeking to scuttle Thursday's talks by escalating the violence in the Palestinian territories. more..
Hamas suspected as bomb attack kills Gaza security commander
The Guardian 5/25/2006
Victim was loyal to Palestinian president · Shots exchanged as body taken to morgue -- A security force commander loyal to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, was killed in an attack on his car in the Gaza Strip yesterday, sharpening tensions between Hamas and Fatah that have now claimed 10 lives this month and prompted warnings of civil war. Nabil Hodhod, the commander for the central region of the Gaza Strip for the elite Preventive Security Service, was killed by an explosion that was suspected to be either a hand grenade thrown into his vehicle or a bomb planted under it. Two of his colleagues were wounded.... Shooting broke out at Gaza City's Shifa hospital between Hamas and Fatah gunmen after Mr Hodhod's body was taken to the morgue there. more..
Hamas fighters on high alert as members' targeted
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Khan Younis-Ma'an-The Al Qassam Brigades have called upon its' fighters to stay on alert to frustrate what it said was, " the conspiracy which has been cooked up against its members. "This declaration came after one of its members, Salim Qadeeh, was killed in Khan Younis on Wednesday. The Brigades issued a statement in which they said that current events against members of the Brigades are part of the Israeli American conspiracy against Hamas. Some Palestinian factions are working with them try to weaken Hamas steadfastness. The statement said that those who committed these crimes will be chased and punished. more..
Despite High Court ban, settlers occupy Matityahu East homes
Palestine Monitor/Ha'aretz 5/24/2006
At least two settler families moved Tuesday into apartments in a neighborhood of the West Bank settlement of Upper Modi'in that was built illegally on land belonging to the neighboring Palestinian village of Bil'in. The move is in flagrant disregard of a Supreme Court injunction forbidding the occupation, transfer of ownership, or use of structures in the Matityahu East neigborhood. Palestinian farmers reported Tuesday afternoon that they had witnessed from their fields two families in the neighborhood unloading their belongings from moving trucks.... Attorney Michael Sfard, who represents Bil'in residents, called the police, who arrived after he threatened to a file motion charging the them with contempt of court unless they stopped the settlers. But the arrival of police did not deter the settlers from moving in. more..
Army forbids a farmer to build his family house, bulldozers demolish it
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
Several Israeli army vehicles, accompanied by three bulldozers / drills, invaded the village of Funduq near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia at the early hours of Wednesday morning. Within minutes, bulldozers started to demolish one house and several agricultural structures between the villages of Funduq and Hajja, local sources reported. The house was under construction and planned to house a family. The owner, Salim Odeh said he had spent most of his savings to build this house for his family. He added that he stopped building after receiving a demolition order and fulfilled all the requirements to get a permit for the house, but he was told there is no way to “legalize” it and his appeal against the demolition order was subsequently rejected by the Israeli court. more..
Army bulldozers demolish several buildings and barns in Al Fonduq village
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
Israeli army bulldozers demolished several buildings and farm sheds in Al Fonduq village, near the West Bank city of Qalqilia. The bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Salem Abas from the village, and also demolished a wall around farmland that belongs to Hakam Abu Tabikh, local sources reported. Barns under construction were leveled by the army during the invasion. The army has destroyed more than 30 buildings in the village since April 2005, claiming that they were constructed without building permits. Since 1967, no permits have ever been issued by Israel to Palestinians who wished to build on their land. Local residents point to illegal Israeli settlement expansion onto Palestinian land as the reason for the ongoing demolitions in the area. [end] more..
One killed from Al Qassam in southern Gaza Strip this morning
Palestine News Network 5/25/2006
A member of Al Qassam Brigades, the armed resistance wing of the Hamas political party, was killed this morning after being kidnapped at dawn east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Two others were injured. According to preliminary details of the incident and narrated by young people who survived the incident and eyewitnesses, a car was attacked at dawn. Three young men from Al Qassam were inside after having attended early prayers in the area Mosque. Unknown persons attacked the people in car, striking them with steel bars and then abducting them at gunpoint. After about half an hour during which they were subjected to beatings, the three youths were forced to stand up against a wall. The unknown persons then opened fire, injuring two in the legs and abdomen. more..
Hamas condemns attack on its members outside mosque
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Hamas movement has condemned the killing of Salim Qadeeh and the injury of two other Izzedine Al Qassam members in Abasan, east of Khan Younis, by unknown armed men on Wednesday morning. Musheer Al Masri, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member described those who are shooting at the Palestinians as "night bats" which target Hamas members in the mosques. This is what happened this morning, when the three were kidnapped and beaten after they left the mosque. One was killed and two were injured after they were shot. Al Masri accused what he called, "the death squad" which works for the Preventative Security of being responsible for this and many other crimes. He called for the Interior Ministry and Preventative Security apparatuses to expose these "criminals", who he said are working for the Israelis. more..
Hamas fighters abducted in Gaza
AlJazeera 5/24/2006
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped three Hamas fighters and shot them in the legs, killing one of the men. The men were carried off into a car as they left a mosque at dawn after morning prayers in the town of Khan Yunus, officials and witnesses said on Wednesday. They were then beaten and shot in the legs before being dumped at a petrol station. One of the injured men later died in hospital, medical sources said. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the incident, one Hamas official blamed rival Fatah gunmen loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Bitter struggle: The two sides have been engaged in a power struggle since Hamas won elections in the Palestinian territories earlier this year. more..
Twelve arrests across the West Bank
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Qalqilia-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian brothers who were traveling to work from their village of Nabi Ilia on Wednesday. Raed Mohammad Radwan, 28, and his brother Jihad, 23, were arrested by Israeli forces Wednesday morning and taken away to an unknown destination. Another twelve Palestinians were arrested in several cities, towns and villages in the West Bank under the Israeli 'charge' of being "wanted. [end] more..
Palestinian run over by Israeli miltary jeep near Jenin
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Palestinian citizen Mohannnad Zaki Abu Bakir, 29, was injured when an Israeli military jeep ran over him while he was riding his motorcycle on the main road near the town of Yabad, south west of Jenin. Abu Bakir was transported to the government hospital in the city and is said to be suffering from moderate wounds and bruises. [end] more..
Israeli Forces raid Qabatia,Yamoun and Kofrdan, arrest 1
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Jenin-Ma'an–Israeli Forces arrested a Palestinian resident of Qabatia, south of Jenin, in the north of the West Bank early on Wednesday morning. Israeli Forces raided the town and broke into many homes in the town. They arrested Ala'a Zakarnah (22) and took him to unknown location. Israeli Forces said that Zakarnah was an Islamic Jihad activist and that they found an M16 machine gun at his home during the search. The Forces also raided the villages of Yamoun and Kofrdan, west of the city and launched a search campaign in the villages. [end] more..
Army arrests two children and imposes curfew in Howwara town
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
The Israeli army arrested two children at midday during an invasion to the town of Howwara south of the West Bank city of Rammallah, on Wednesday. Yunis Damidi, 16, and Sanad Isma'el, 15, were arrested when troops entered the town and provoked students leaving school, local sources saidNo clashes occurred but the soldiers arrested the two children anyway, and imposed a curfew on the town. [end] more..
Israeli Forces arrest Al Aqsa activist
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Jericho-Ma'an-Israeli Forces arrested Al Aqsa Brigades' activist Tariq Zay'youd (31) after surrounding him in his house. The Ma'an reporter said that more than twenty Israeli military vehicles forcibly entered Jericho and surrounded the eastern neighborhood of the city. They launched a search campaign during which they broke into many houses. They exploded sonic bombs and used police dogs during the raid on Jericho. [end] more..
Brigades launch RPG
Ma'an News 5/24/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Fatah movement and the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the PFLP, launched an RPG at an Israeli military tower in Johr Ad'deek in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. In a joint statement, the Brigades said that they hit the tower directly. A second Israeli military patrol was attacked by the brigade in the same area. The statement added that this operation is in retaliation for the Israeli crimes and killing of Palestinian people. [end] more..
Army invades Mithlon village, south of Jenin
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
The Israeli army invaded the village of Mithlon, south of the West Bank city of Jenin, Wednesday morning. Troops stormed the villagers' homes and the municipality building, then forced all municipal workers out and removed the Palestinian flag from the building, local sources reported. The soldiers then took up positions near the local school and fired tear gas at the students in their classrooms, eyewitnesses said. [end] more..
Settlers continue to install barbed wire around annexed Palestinian land in Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
The Israeli settlers from Rotem settlement continued to install barbed wire around annexed Palestinian land belonging to Tubas West Bank city residents, Wednesday morning. The settlers are increasing the number of the olive trees planted on the stolen lands and guard dogs are being let loose in order to keep the original owners off of the land, residents said. The lands were annexed by the Rotem settlers two years ago who started plant olive trees, the residents added. [end] more..
Army arrests two residents from Hebron and takes over a house in Dora village
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
The Israeli army arrested two residents from the West Bank city of Hebron and took over a house to use as a military post in the nearby village of Dora, Wednesday morning. Mohamed Al Dowik, 19, and Rami Alamah, 25, were arrested when troops conducted a wide-scale search campaign in the city, then both were taken to unknown locations, local sources reported. Troops took over the house of Maher Ghanem, from the nearby village of Dora and turned it into a military post. All family members are still locked in one room of the house are not allowed to enter the other rooms or leave the house, eyewitnesses said. [end] more..
One killed and two injured by unknown gunmen in east Khan-Younis
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
Mohamed Kadih, 22, died of wounds he sustained on Wednesday at dawn when unknown gunmen fired at him in east Khan Younis in the Gaza strip. Also, Salah Kadih and Na'el Kadih were injured in similar incidents. All were taken to Al Nasser hospital in the city, medical sources reported. According to local residents, unknown masked men abducted the three,; they were found injured near a gas station in the town of Khan-Younis. [end] more..
Army invades Qabatia village and arrests one resident
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
Ala Zakarna, was arrested when troops invaded Qabatia, south of the West Bank city of Jenin, Wednesday at dawn. Troops invaded the town, searched several homes and interrogated residents before taking Zakarna to an unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. The West Bank area of Jenin has recently witnessed an increase of army activity in which the army has installed military checkpoints and inspected cars and persons passing along the main streets linking the city of Jenin with the surrounding towns and villages. [end] more..
Army arrest several residents from Nablus during the ongoing military operation
International Middle East Media Center 5/24/2006
Israeli troops arrested three residents during an ongoing military operation in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday morning. In the old city of Nablus, troops stormed residents' homes and searched them before arresting Samier and his brother Sameer Al Sarbesi. Meanwhile, another force invaded Ein Al Maie refugee camp west of the city and soldiers surrounded the house of Lou'e Harz Allah, 22, then arrested him, eyewitnesses reported. Army vehicles and troops stormed the city from several directions and shot tear gas, live rounds and sound bombs randomly at the residents' homes causing panic-related injures, residents said. [end] more..
Militants killed as Gaza is gripped by feuding
The Independent 5/25/2006
A Fatah area security commander was killed in an explosion when his car was attacked by armed men in Gaza City last night. The killing came after a day of violence in which a Hamas militant was shot dead by masked gunmen. A security source said Nabil Hodhod, head of the Fatah-dominated Preventative Security Service in central Gaza, was killed when a grenade was thrown at his car. A colleague was wounded in the attack. The incident brings the number of Palestinians killed in factional violence this month to ten as an intensifying power struggle takes place among Palestinians over control of the security services between the elected Hamas government and the former Fatah regime. more..
Four Palestinians killed, 35 hurt in gunbattle with IDF in Ramallah
Ha'aretz 5/24/2006
Four Palestinians were killed and 36 others were wounded Wednesday in fierce gunbattles between Israel Defense Forces soldiers and Palestinians in Ramallah on Wednesday. The clashes erupted when troops entered the West Bank city to arrest militants, Palestinian security officials said. Israel Radio reported that undercover troops from the elite Duvdevan unit arrested a member of the militant Islamic Jihad organization in the city. The detainee was later named as Mohammed Shubaki from the West Bank city of Qalqilyah. Islamic Jihad, in a telephone call to The Associated Press, confirmed the arrest, and Palestinian officials said five militants in total were arrested. Shubaki's family said he was released from an Israeli prison last year after serving 20 months of a 20-year sentence. more..
Al-Zahar spits on officer demanding wages
YNet News 5/24/2006
Verbal scuffle erupts as Palestinian foreign minister waits at Rafah crossing to enter Egypt when policeman asks minister’s chauffeur to inquire when employees would be paid their salaries. Al-Zahar reportedly unleashes string of curses and the two nearly come to blows -- At the climax of an atypical verbal scuffle, which broke out Tuesday morning at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar spit in the face of a police officer who demanded his wages. When al-Zahar arrived at the crossing on his way to Egypt, from where he planned to tour various destinations in Asia, he heard a police officer at the border request of his driver to ask when salaries – which haven’t been paid since the beginning of March – would be paid. -- See also: Zahhar, on way to China at start of Asia tour, asked about salaries by police at border crossing more..
Israel Kills 5 Palestinians, Expands Settlements
Palestine Chronicle 5/23/2006
He was hit as he returned home from hospital, where his wife had just given birth to a daughter, a hospital official later said. -- NABLUS, West Bank - Israeli occupation troops killed Sunday, May 21, a Palestinian woman in a pre-dawn raid on the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, hours after the killing of four Palestinians in Gaza, including a senior Islamic Jihad commander and a four-year-old boy. Aisha Abu M'Salaam, 48, was killed by an Israeli bullet during exchanges with Palestinian fighters near her home, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). A source said that an Israeli army unit in jeeps was fired at by Palestinian gunmen as it attempted to enter the camp and responded in kind. An army spokesman confirmed the incursion and said that the Palestinians had opened fire but denied that the troops had shot back. more..
IDF arrests most-wanted Hamas bomb mastermind in West Bank
Ha'aretz 5/23/2006
After an eight-year manhunt, Israeli security forces early Tuesday seized the Ramallah-area commander of Hamas' military wing, Israel's most wanted man in the West Bank. Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, 41, has been wanted since 1998 for terror attacks that claimed the lives of 78 civilians and Israel Defense Forces soldiers. Hamed was arrested at a hideout in the al-Balua neighborhood of Ramallah, surrendering to a combined force of Israel Defense Forces troops from the Duchifat infantry battalion, the Shin Bet security service, and the police's Yamam anti-terror unit. The force surrounded the house in which Hamed was staying, but Hamed refused calls to come out. The troops then opened fire on the house, and when a bulldozer began to push against the walls of the structure, Hamed emerged, alone and apparently unarmed. more..
Nine year old child injured by army fire in Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/23/2006
A 9-year-old child was injured by an Israeli bullet after the army entered the west Bank city of Tobas, Monday morning. An IMEMC reporter in the area said that troops stormed the city and opened fire on local youth standing in the street. The name of the child still remains unknown. [end] more..
Army invades Nablus, arrests 16 residents
International Middle East Media Center 5/23/2006
Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers invaded the West Bank city of Nablus and Balata refugee camp and arrested 15 students from Al Najah Univercity in the city. One Palestinian policeman was also arrested. Soldiers and army vehicles stormed the residents' homes and surrounded student dorms in the city. Abeb Afanah, 37, was arrested when Israeli forces searched his house in the city. Abed is a Palestinian Authority police officer andworks in the city. Meanwhile soldiers attacked the residents' homes and shops in the nearby Balata refugee camp; no arrests were made. The military operation is ongoing. Israeli army sources said this military operation, that started Tuesday morning, aims at arresting what the army describes as "wanted" residents. [end] more..
Aqsa Brigades member arrested in Bethlehem
International Middle East Media Center 5/23/2006
Thursday at night, Israeli soldiers invaded West Bank city of Bethlehem and arrested a resident, said to be a member of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh movement, Palestine News Agency reported. Troops, supported by eleven military vehicles invaded Bethlehem through the nearby city of Beit Sahour, and through the northern entrance of Bethlehem, near Rachel Tomb, and drove through the streets until reaching Hindaza neighborhood, in Bethlehem. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers surrounded one home in Hindaza and ordered the residents to step out raising their hands over their heads, and arrested one resident identified as Ziad Dakhlallah, 31. more..
Israeli forces invade Jenin area, take five Palestinians to unknown locations including three Al Aqsa leaders
Palestine News Network 5/23/2006
Palestinian security sources reported Tuesday morning that Israeli forces took five Palestinians, including three Al Aqsa leaders, from the Jenin District to unknown locations. Included in the northern West Bank arrests were three from Qabatiya Village, all leaders from Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed resistance wing of the Fateh political party. Twenty Israeli military patrols invaded Qabatiya, southwest of Jenin City, besieged the Western neighborhood and closed the area. Israeli forces would not allow citizens or ambulances to move, while they stormed homes in an invasive search campaign. An eyewitness, Fadi Deibs, told PNN that the Israeli army surrounded a building belonging to a family member and forced residents to leave their apartments, detaining them for eight hours. more..
IDF conducts Gaza invasion drills
YNet News 5/23/2006
Southern Command says troops conducted drills based on blueprints of ground operations in the Gaza Strip; IDF officer tells Ynet exercise was planned ahead and doesn't signal imminent operation -- As the IDF relies on artilleries, unmanned drones and air strikes in its daily efforts to quell Qassam fire into Israel from the Gaza Strip, troops have been ordered to be prepared for a scenario where a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip becomes the only option on the drawing board. The Southern Command on Tuesday launched a two-day drill in the Negev to test various ground strategies against the terror infrastructure in Gaza and the operational fitness of IDF commanders at times of war. more..
Dud IDF shell explodes, killing one boy and injuring another
Ha'aretz 5/24/2006
A 7-year-old boy was killed and a 12-year-old boy injured Tuesday evening when a dud shell exploded in an IDF firing zone near Kibbutz Revivim in the Negev, where the two were riding a donkey. The father of one of the boys began driving the two to the hospital, and transferred them along the way to a Magen David Adom ambulance which was headed to the scene of the explosion. The 7-year-old was pronounced dead in the ambulance by MDA staff. the 12-year-old was taken to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva for further treatment. [end] more..
Arrests in Bethlehem include assassination survivor Radi Safi
Ma'an News 5/23/2006
Bethlehem-Ma'an-Israeli Forces carried out early on Tuesday morning an extensive arrest campaign in the Bethlehem governorate: seven Palestinian citizens were arrested and Israeli forces broke into several houses in the governorate. The Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that the Israeli forces arrested Radi Safi, 40, from Ad-Duha. Safi survived an assassination attempt in June 2000 in Bethlehem when he was critically injured. The Society clarified that Safi was arrested on 22/6/2000 and transferred to the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital where he underwent several surgical operations to remove part of his pancreas, his kidneys and a part of his stomach and intestines. [end] more..
Army invades Al Far'a valley near Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/23/2006
The Israeli army invaded Al Far'a valley south of the West Bank city of Tubas, Tuesday at noon. Soldiers stormed the area and hurled tear gas and shot rubber bullets at the residents and the school students going back to their homes after work and school, local sources reported. Meanwhile another army force closed Al Far'a- Srbes road then stopped civilian cars, searched them and checked the ID cards of the passengers. [end] more..
Army invades Al Karmel village south of Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/23/2006
Israeli forces invaded the village of Al Karmel south of the West Bank city of Hebron allegedly looking for "wanted" Palestinians, Tuesday morning. Soldiers entered the village and conducted a wide scale search of the village; no arrests were made, villagers said. [end] more..
On the same day Israeli forces assassinated Mohammad Al Dahdouh, his baby girl was born
Palestine News Network 5/23/2006
On the same day that Israeli forces assassinated Mohammad Al Dahdouh, his baby girl was born. Israeli forces assassinated the Al Quds Brigades leader in Gaza City on Saturday. Within hours of his death, his wife gave birth. During the assassination, Israeli forces also killed a young boy, his mother, and his grandmother. Three months ago Israeli forces assassinated Al Dahdouh’s brother, Khalid Al Dahdouh (Abu Walid), in a car explosion. And approximately a year ago, Israeli forces assassinated his other brother, Ayman Dahdouh. The Israelis say that Mohammad Al Dahdouh was on their “wanted” list for being the engineer of the “Al Quds III” and “Katusha” projectiles, and for planning attacks against Israeli targets. more..
Israeli Forces raid Carmel
Ma'an News 5/23/2006
Hebron-Ma'an-Israeli Forces raided the village of Carmel, east of Yatta and south of Hebron in the West Bank. The Forces launched a search campaign of residential homes, claiming they were looking for " wanted" Palestinians. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli Forces broke into many houses, including the homes of Sulaiman Dababsah, Tayseer Dababsah, and Ibrahim Dababsah. No arrests or clashes were reported. [end] more..
Army injures a child form Al Zababda village near Jenin
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
The Israeli army injured an eleven year- old child during an invasion to Al Zababda village near the West Bank city of Jenin, Monday morning. Children using empty glass bottles and stones clashed with the soldiers who fired rounds of live ammunition and tear gas at them. One child then was injured and transferred to a nearby hospital in Jenin, his name remains unknown, local sources reported. Soldiers searched resident homes, and deployed all over the city, troops then stopped reporters and medical teems from entering the village, the sources added. No arrests were made during the invasion, but residents are afraid of a further attack. [end] more..
Brigades launch 2 home-made projectiles
Ma'an News 5/23/2006
Date : 23/05/2006Time :18:59 Large SmallGaza-Ma'an-The Abu Ar Rish Brigades,affiliated to the Fatah Movement, announced responsibility for the launch of two home-made projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon early on Tuesday morning. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Brigades said that the launch of the projectiles was in retaliation for the Israeli crimes and killing of Palestinians. The Brigades said that they will continue to launch the projectiles until the end of the Israeli occupation. more..
Rivalry deepens Palestinian crisis
BBC 5/23/2006
Gaza always feels like a pressure cooker. How could it be anything else? It is one of the most overcrowded places in the world. A member of the new security forces of the Hamas-led government in Gaza City on 22 MayHamas' deployment of its own security force has raised tensionsGetting on for a million and a half people live in a strip of land around 50km long and 9-12km wide. But in this claustrophobic, fragile place, brutalised by getting on for 40 years of a violent Israeli occupation, the temperature is rising. The heat has been turned up by a competition for power between Hamas and Fatah, the two main Palestinian factions, by the financial sanctions... and by the pressure that never goes away, which comes from the Israeli occupation more..
Israel arrests 'militant who killed 78'
The Independent 5/24/2006
Israeli security forces have arrested a leading Hamas militant said by the army to have been sought since 1988 for carrying out attacks which claimed the lives of 78 civilians and soldiers. The seizure came after Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader, told a leading Israeli newspaper that the faction would offer a "long-term ceasefire" if Israel ended the occupation of the West Bank and returned to 1967 borders. Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, 41, said by the army to be head of Hamas's military wing in the West Bank, surrendered after troops opened fire at the house where he was staying and began to bulldoze the walls. more..
Jihad leader: Israel prevented me from marrying
YNet News 5/23/2006
Islamic Jihad commander in Jenin area says Shin Bet forbade him from getting married to Israeli Arab woman; 'The incident fostered great hatred and hostility towards Israel within me,' he says -- The Islamic Jihad commander in the Jenin area told Ynet on Tuesday that he was prevented from marrying an Arab Israeli woman because the Shin Bat exerted pressure on her family to foil the matrimony. Sheikh Mohammad Saadi, who ranks high on Israel's most wanted list, claimed his activity with Islamic Jihad was limited to social and political work. The Shin Bet, however, believes he was involved in planning suicide attacks in Israel. Saadi was injured during an IDF arrest raid last week but managed to escape. more..
Hamas fight police in battle for Gaza streets
The Guardian 5/23/2006
Heavy fighting between Hamas and the Palestinian police in Gaza City left a Jordanian man dead as rival security forces claimed to be in charge of the streets. A 45-year-old driver at the Jordanian diplomatic mission in Gaza, Khaled Radaida, was killed and 11 people wounded when shooting erupted outside the Palestinian parliament building. Forces loyal to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, blamed yesterday's fighting on Hamas militiamen who were alleged to have challenged Fatah-run security forces. But Hamas said that "suspicious figures" had attacked first, implying that Fatah provoked the confrontation. Witnesses described Hamas fighters taking shelter in a building and hurling grenades while policemen and civilians ran for cover. more..
Fears of Palestinian civil war mount as Olmert visits U.S.
The Daily Star 5/23/2006
A Jordanian was killed and at least eight Palestinians wounded on Monday in renewed clashes between rival Hamas and Fatah forces near the Parliament in Gaza, forcing Palestinian officials to rush into emergency talks brokered by Egypt. As fears of a Palestinian civil war heightened, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert prepared for a summit Tuesday with the U.S. President George W. Bush to win support for a plan to unilaterally draw Israel's final borders. Olmert, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice late Monday. Back in Gaza, explosions pounded the city, bullets reverberated off walls and ambulances screeched through streets as clouds of acrid smoke filled the air. more..
Fatah and Hamas meet to cool tensions
AlJazeera 5/22/2006
One person was killed and six others wounded in the clashes -- Hamas and Fatah officials have met to try to calm tensions after a new Hamas security force battled fighters from a Fatah-dominated force near Gaza's Palestinian parliament. The driver of the Jordanian ambassador was killed and six people were wounded in the worst internal fighting on Monday in recent weeks. The Hamas and Fatah leaders were brought together by Egyptian mediators after which they both condemned the driver's killing and sent condolences to the Jordanian people and to King Abdullah. They agreed to hold daily meetings to try to calm tensions and sent a message to their respective fighters that they would not protect them if they violated public order. Hamas and Fatah accused each other of starting the battle. more..
Jordanian Ambassador's driver killed by stray gunfire during clashes between rival security forces in Gaza
Ma'an News 5/22/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Jordanian ambassador's driver, Khaled Hasan Ar-Radaydah (40), was killed and another nine Palestinian citizens were injured when clashes erupted between Palestinian Security Forces and the "Executive Unit" Forces under the control of the Palestinian Interior Ministry on Monday afternoon. The clashes broke out in the area known as "Al-Jundi Al-Majhul" or "The Unknown Soldier" near the PLC headquarters in Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said that Ar-Radaydah was injured by bullets during an exchange of gunfire that occurred when he was passing the place where the clashes were taking place. The head of public relations at Ash-Shifa'a hospital in Gaza City, Dr. Juma'ah As-Saqah, reported that nine civilians, including one member of the Palestinian Forces, had sustained light to moderate injuries. more..
Israel kills militant as Gaza erupts
The Guardian 5/21/2006
Islamic Jihad commander dies in missile strike -- Israel assassinated the most senior commander of the terror group Islamic Jihad in Gaza yesterday in an attack that also killed a woman bystander and her five-year-old son. Mohammed Dadouh, 40, who Israel says has been behind a series of rocket attacks, died instantly when a missile hit his car. The killing of Dadouh is certain to further exacerbate the anarchic security situation in Gaza, already tense following an attempt on the life of the Palestinian intelligence chief - allegedly by Hamas - which prompted gun battles between rival factions. Tareq Abu Rajab, close to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was seriously wounded in a bomb blast in a lift at his Gaza headquarters which killed one of his aides. more..
PNN network member Ammannet exclusive interview with Jordanian Ambassador moments after unknown persons open fire on his car in Gaza City, killing the driver & later spoke live with the Palestinian Am
Palestine News Network 5/22/2006
Palestine News Network member, Ammannet, conducted an exclusive interview late Monday afternoon via telephone with the Jordanian Ambassador in Gaza City just moments after unknown persons opened fire on his car, killing the driver. The Jordanian Ambassador, Yahya Al Karala, said there was no mistake that the gunmen knew exactly whose car they opened fire on. Unknown persons, during half a days worth of fighting in the center of Gaza City, opened fire on the Jordanian Ambassador’s car, killing the driver, 54 year old Khalid Hassan Radaida. The Jordanian Ambassador, Yahya Al Karala, told Ammannet late Monday afternoon, “They knew we were coming. The car was clearly marked as the Jordanian Ambassador’s car. When they opened fire, they knew we were coming, they knew who we were. ” more..
Israeli forces open fire on young Palestinians near Arab American University, shoot 16 year old in the neck
Palestine News Network 5/22/2006
Israeli forces opened fire on several young people in the northern West Bank city of Tubas yesterday. The city and district are just to the southeast of Jenin, and home to the Arab American University of Jenin. One boy was shot in the neck and is hospitalized. Mohammad Abdul Mohsen Abu Hussein is just 16 years old. He lives with his family in Tubas. Eyewitnesses reported to PNN that an Israeli patrol fired at a number of young people while passing near Tubas, wounding Abu Hussein with a bullet in the neck. He was transferred to Shaheed Hospital and Dr. Khalil Suleiman performed his surgery. [end] more..
Nine year old child injured by army fire in Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
A 9-year-old child was injured by an Israeli bullet after the army entered the west Bank city of Tobas, Monday morning. An IMEMC reporter in the area said that troops stormed the city and opened fire on local youth standing in the street. The name of the child still remains unknown. [end] more..
IDF authorizes expansion of West Bank town of Betar Ilit
Ha'aretz 5/22/2006
GOC Central Command Yair Naveh on Thursday signed a military decree authorizing the expansion of the municipal boundaries of Betar Ilit by 500 dunams. The decision to expand the town, located in the West Bank southwest of Jerusalem, was made by former defense minister Shaul Mofaz and was approved by his successor, Amir Peretz. However, the Defense Ministry said Sunday that Peretz planned to reassess the policy of expanding settlements and allowing construction work there. Nevertheless, Peretz did not intervene to prevent the latest expansion orders. Over the past few weeks, three similar decrees were issued for the expansion of Jewish settlements: Givat Ze'ev, north of Jerusalem; Oranit, on the Green Line in the Samaria region; and Maskiot, in the northern Jordan valley. more..
Peretz approves expansion of four West Bank settlements
Ha'aretz 5/21/2006
Defense Minister Amir Peretz has approved expansion of four West Bank settlements, the first such approvals under his tenure. The expansion orders enlarged the settlements' "jurisdictional area," a designation which in many cases serves as a prelude to construction of new settlement neighborhoods. Most of the settlements involved are located close to the pre-1967 war Green Line border. The Defense Ministry, responding Sunday morning to press reports, said that the four cases involved processes undertaken during the term of Peretz' predecessor, Shaul Mofaz, and that Peretz intends to review the question of enlarging settlements. more..
Army puts Jenin under siege, invades Sarbes village and arrests one resident
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
The Israeli army invaded the village of Sarbes in the West Bank city of Jenin and arrested one resident there while the whole city was under siege. The arrestee was identified as Wa'el Mohamed, 27. After troops surrounded his home and searched it, he was taken to an unknown location, his family reported. Soldiers have installed more checkpoints around the city and its villages putting it under total siege. Residents must now be searched then have their ID checked before they may continue on their way out or into the city, local sources said. [end] more..
One killed and one injured by unknown gunman in Khan-Younis
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
Mohamed Abu Tamia, known to be a Fatah activist, was killed in Khan-Younis, a town in the Gaza strip, after being shot by unknown gunmen, Monday at dawn. According to medical sources in the town, Abu Tamia was hit by several live rounds and died shortly after. Another man, identified as Mohamed Abu Salah, was also injured from this attack. Palestinian security forces have insisted on an investigation to discover the reason of the attack and the group responsible for it. [end] more..
Fatah threatens to take clashes with Hamas into its West Bank stronghold
Ha'aretz 5/21/2006
Fatah is threatening to take the armed conflict between its forces and Hamas in the Gaza Strip to the West Bank. Senior Palestinian Authority officials said that Fatah is interested in replicating the clashes between Fatah and Hamas in the West Bank, where Fatah is stronger. The conflict between the two organizations escalated further yesterday, with the assassination attempt on Gen. Tareq Abu Rajab, chief of the Palestinian Authority intelligence service in the Gaza Strip. Abu Rajab, a staunch adversary of Hamas, survived with moderate to serious injuries. Meanwhile, senior Islamic Jihad operative Mohammed Dahduh was killed in a targeted Israel Air Force air strike that also killed three members of the same family - a grandmother, mother and her 5-year-old son. more..
Israeli officials: Fatah expected to retaliate for Hamas attacks
Ha'aretz 5/23/2006
Fatah officials in the Gaza Strip are certain that Hamas is behind the two latest assassination attempts on senior members of the Palestinian Authority's security services. Fatah considers this an escalation in the violent struggle and deems itself obligated to respond in kind. This is the assessment of senior defense officials in Israel, in view of the events of the past few days in Gaza. According to the Israeli analysis, Hamas is targeting senior security agency members in Gaza because it considers them loci of Fatah power. These people were involved in some of the instances in which the PA dealt harshly with Hamas, such as the wave of arrests it conducted in the winter of 1996 following the bus bombings in Israel. more..
Four Palestinians injured in Bethlehem
Ma'an News 5/22/2006
Bethlehem-Ma'an-Bethlehem Governor Salah Tamari has placed responsibility on the Israeli Forces for the fight which took place in the Al Fureidis and Zaatarah areas, east of Bethlehem, and ended with the injury of four Palestinians. Tamari added that Israeli Forces prevented Palestinian Police Forces from trying to intervene to end the fight as the area is considered an "Area C",which falls under Israeli responsibility. Consequently, maintenance of security and order in the area is responsibility of the Israeli Forces. Israeli sources said earlier that the Israeli patrol were caught in the middle of a gunfight between two families, which forced them to react. This led to the injury of four citizen. [end] more..
Group claims Palestinian spy chief hit
AlJazeera 5/22/2006
An explosion wounded Tareq Abu Rajab seriously -- A previously unknown group that links itself to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for a failed attempt to kill the Palestinian intelligence chief, according to an internet statement. The group, calling itself the Qaeda Organisation of the State of Palestine, also vowed to target other senior officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. "Your brothers in the Qaeda Organisation of the State of Palestine were capable of reaching the workplace of... [Tareq] Abu Rajab," said the statement on Sunday, which was not posted on websites usually used by groups such as al-Qaeda. "The mujahidin were able to plant a bomb in the elevator," it added.... an Amman-based journalist told Aljazeera that the statement could not be taken seriously. more..
Jordanian dies in Gaza crossfire
BBC 5/22/2006
A Jordanian man has died in clashes between Palestinian security forces and Hamas in Gaza City, reports say. Witnesses said violence erupted outside the parliament building, with Hamas supporters reported to have fired at least one rocket-propelled grenade. At least six others were reported injured in the exchange of gunfire. The clash comes amid high tensions in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas has deployed troops despite the opposition of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The Jordanian man was named as Khaled Radaida, a driver working for the country's diplomatic mission in Gaza. Witnesses said the windscreen on his car was hit by three bullets, thought to have been fired from close range. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fighting. more..
Egypt calls Fatah-Hamas talks after Jordanian dies in Gaza clash
Ha'aretz 5/22/2006
Egyptian mediators brought Hamas and Fatah leaders together in Gaza on Monday night, after a day of clashes that left a Jordanian embassy staffer dead. Both condemned the killing of 55-year-old Khaled Radaida, and sent condolences to the Jordanian people and to King Abdullah. They agreed to hold daily meetings to try to calm tensions and sent a message to their respective gunmen that they would not protect them if they violate public order. Jordan demanded a swift Palestinian inquiry after Radaida was killed as new Hamas-led security force exchanged heavy fire with gunmen near the Palestinian parliament building in Gaza City. Seven other people were wounded in the clashes. more..
Rafa Today: The night comes here, again no way to get out
Rafah Today 5/22/2006
[with photos] -- [Five] Palestinians have been killed and several were injured in an Israeli air strike by Israeli helicapters in Gaza City. No more information about the attack is available, although some news says that the target was an Islamic Jihad leader, Mohammed Al Dahdouh. Reports from the scene of the strike say a second vehicle appears to have been involved - possibly caught in the blast from the attack on the jeep. Some reports say a family was travelling in the second vehicle and some of its members are among the injured in Gaza Strip. The attack came after a day of horrible tension in Gaza Strip and mainly in the middle of Gaza City, which saw the Palestinian intelligence service chief seriously injured in a blast at his very well protected office on the shores of Gaza beach. more..
Army invades Batah village and arrests one resident
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
Mohammad Qabaha, 23, from the village of Bartah, south west of the West Bank city of Jenin, was arrested by the Israeli army on Monday. Troops entered the village and searched several homes including Qabaha's house, before taking him to an unknown location, a IMEMC reporter in the city claimed. [end] more..
One resident arrested from Biet Amreen village near Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
Montasser Hasson, 25, was arrested from the village of Beit Amreen north of the West Bank city of Nablus, Monday morning. Troops entered the village and stormed residents' homes before arresting Hasson and taking him to an unknown location, eyewitnesses said. [end] more..
Army invades Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus Monday at dawn, shooting live rounds and sound bombs at the residents' homes. The soldiers were provoking the stone throwing youth in the city to clash with them, but their attempts failed, local residents said. Nablus city has been the scene of daily invasions, arrests, and assassinations for the past month. [end] more..
Israeli forces arrest six Palestinians in and around Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/22/2006
A large group of Israeli troops istormed the West Bank city of Hebron, in the southern West Bank, and the nearby villages of Beit Ummar and Ethna on Sunday morning, arresting six Palestinian citizens. Among the arrested was the vice-mayor of the town of Ethna. The troops proceded to ransack a number of Palestinian homes in the city and in the two villages. [end] more..
Palestinians: Settlers once more assault schoolchildren
Ha'aretz 5/21/2006
Palestinian schoolchildren from the West Bank village of Umm Tubba were assaulted Sunday morning by settlers who approached them from a community called Ma'on ranch, Palestinians said. The children who were making their way to school were escorted by Israel Defense Forces soldiers, but the escort did not prevent the assault. The children said a woman pushed two of them unto thorn bushes at the side of the road. The IDF has been escorting the Palestinian children to school daily due to the intensified assaults by settlers. On Sunday three soldiers and an army jeep escorted the children, but the Palestinians say that the soldiers did nothing to stop the settlers from assaulting the children. more..
Israeli forces reinvade Balata Refugee Camp, shoot 48 year old woman in head, killing her immediately
Palestine News Network 5/21/2006
Israeli forces killed 48 year old Aisha Abu Muslim in eastern Nablus’ Balata Refugee Camp. Israeli forces have invaded and reinvaded the northern West Bank city almost daily for weeks, months, years on end since the beginning of the Intifada. Israeli soldiers shot the woman while she was in her home in the camp Sunday morning. Apparently she was near a window. Her husband delivers in the central vegetable market, while their home is on a street bordering the camp’s center. Eyewitnesses report that Israeli forces opened heavy random fire, shooting the woman in the head. Relatives took Aisah to Nablus’ Rafidiya Hospital immediately, but there was little doctors could do. Israeli forces have hit this camp time and time again, destroying infrastructure and lives. more..
Just a day after the failed assassination attempt against the Director of General Intelligence, 70 kg of explosives found along route of Director of Internal Security in Gaza City
Palestine News Network 5/21/2006
A security source in the Palestinian Preventive Security said Sunday that an explosive was discovered today on the main road along the route of Director General of Internal Security, Rashid Abu Shobaki. The source said a package weighing 70 kilograms was packed with explosives, awaiting Abu Shobaki. The security source who chose to remain unnamed, told PNN via telephone Sunday, “The discovering was made exactly along the route of Abu Shobaki. We had engineers dismantle the explosives and do a further search for any more explosives in the area. ”It is well known that Rashid Abu Shobaki was appointed Director of Palestinian Internal Security by Presidential Decree. The headquarters are in southern Gaza City. more..
Israeli forces raid southern West Bank, arrest 6 Palestinians, including 4 student brothers
Palestine News Network 5/21/2006
Israeli forces took six Palestinians to unknown locations from Hebron this morning. The raid began early Sunday in the southern West Bank. Four of those arrested are brothers. The incursion into Hebron City and neighboring villages was widespread, with soldiers invading from the north to the west of the Hebron District parameters. According to local citizens living in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron, a number of Israeli soldiers occupying a military roadblock imposed in the vicinity of the Haram Al Sharif Mosque detained a Palestinian woman Sunday morning. They thoroughly searched her and then arrested and transported him to an unknown destination, on the pretext of finding her with a knife. more..
Fear of physical fighting between Hamas and Fateh moving from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank
Palestine News Network 5/21/2006
Palestinian security sources from the Fateh party claim that the armed resistance wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, purchased large quantities of light weapons in the West Bank recently. The security sources said Sunday that the purchases were made after the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, which the Hamas party swept, leaving the Fateh party with little power. The same sources claim that as clear differences between the parties emerged, leading to a rise in tensions and physical fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas resistance wing was prepared. Now they are suggesting that Al Qassam is preparing itself for something similar in the West Bank. more..
Israeli forces storm Jenin Refugee Camp, resistance fights back & Israelis arrest one young man from nearby town
Palestine News Network 5/21/2006
During this morning’s Israeli invasion of Jenin Refugee Camp in the northern West Bank, members of the armed resistance fought back at dawn. Israeli forces invaded as they were looking for people on their “wanted” list. Eyewitnesses report that several military machines stormed the camp early Sunday while opening random fire and throwing sound bombs. After a relatively short period Israeli forces withdrew without taking any Palestinians with them. Israeli forces also invaded the town of East Berth, storming and searching homes. Israeli soldiers targeted the family home of 23 year old Mohammad Qubha, searching the house and arresting the young man, however no one was able to give a reason for either. [end] more..
Israeli strike kills Palestinians
BBC 5/20/2006
A grandmother, mother and her four-year-old son were killed. -- Four Palestinians have been killed and several injured in an Israeli air strike on a car in Gaza City. A senior militant from Islamic Jihad and three members of a family were among the dead, including a child. Islamic Jihad said Mohammed al-Dahdouh was one of its senior engineers involved in weapons manufacture. The Israeli army has struck at militant targets in this way many times before, a BBC correspondent in Gaza says. The strikes form part of their effort to stop militants from firing rockets into Israeli territory. For their part, militants often say their attacks are in retaliation for Israeli military action in both Gaza and the West Bank. more..
Fatah, Hamas Forces Exchange Fire
Palestine Chronicle 5/19/2006
Palestinian PM Ismail Haniya, from Hamas, said the new force was legal and would provide support for the police and the Palestinian people. -- GAZA CITY (BBC) - Two police officers have been wounded in a gun battle between Palestinian factions in Gaza City. Police supporting the mainstream Fatah party said they had been attacked by a militant-led force set up by the new Hamas government - a claim it denies. The clash came after the two rival security forces paraded through the streets in a show of strength. Rivalry between the Fatah and Hamas has intensified since Hamas' victory in parliamentary elections in January. Hamas has rejected calls by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw its force, first deployed in Gaza on Wednesday. more..
Palestinian woman arrested for smuggling data from Hezbollah
Ha'aretz 5/20/2006
The Shin Bet security service recently arrested a Palestinian woman for trying to smuggle instructions from the militant Hezbollah organization on how to carry out terrorist attacks. According to the details of the case, which were released Friday, the woman was detained two weeks ago as she crossed the Allenby Bridge from Jordan into Israel. The woman was found to be carrying a "disk on key" portable device containing specifications and instructional material pertaining to the execution of bombings. The Shin Bet believes that the woman was trying to deliver the information to her son, who lives in the West Bank. Several similar attempts have been foiled in recent years. more..
Palestinians, Israelis Decry Settlers' Jungle Law
Palestine Chronicle 5/19/2006
Walking around downtown Hebron to see the homes where their descendants once lived in harmony with Palestinians, the nine Israelis were shocked to the bones. -- HEBRON, West Bank - The occupied West Bank city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) was once an icon of peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Jews, but for years the city has been plagued by fanatic Jewish settlers. "There is no justice. It's a jungle law here," Palestinian coffee shop owner Hani Abu Haikal told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, May 18. "Settlers can kill, shoot, attack, do anything," he added, flanked by a group of Israelis visiting the occupied city. Abu Haikal recalled last year's assault by Jewish settlers on his hilltop villa while he was entertaining a group of his Israeli and Christian friends. The attack caused his elderly father to collapse in shock and later die. more..
10 Palestinians arrested in Nablus and Bethlehem early on Friday, including two women, one a political activist's mother
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Nablus-Bethlehem-Ma'an-Seven Palestinians were arrested in Nablus on Friday morning, and three in Bethlehem. Israeli forces arrested seven Palestinians, including the mother of an Al Aqsa activist, in the city of Nablus early on Friday. The Ma'an reporter said that more than twenty Israeli military vehicles entered the city of Nablus and headed to Amman street near the Balata refugee camp and to Nablus' Old City. The Israeli forces arrested the mother of Rami Aqqoubah from her house in the Qarioun neighbourhood in the Old City. This is the second time this month that Mrs. Aqqoubah has been arrested in an attempt to force her son Rami to surrender to the Israeli forces. The forces also arrested two brothers, Samir, aged 20, and Sami Sarisi, aged 21, in addition to another two unnamed Palestinians. more..
Construction of Separation Wall around Salfit speeded up
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Salfit-Ma'an-The Israeli authorities have accelerated the construction of the Separation Wall in the Salfit governorate. It was noticed in the governorate that the number of workers and construction equipment had increased. The construction of the separation wall surrounding the governorate is in its last stage of construction. Once completed, the Salfit governorate will become an afflicted governorate in demographic and economic terms. [end] more..
Elderly Nablus Man Dies in Nablus When Israeli Forces Deny Him Medical Treatment
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Meshref Al Mubaslat, 73, died of a heart attack as Israeli forces bulldozed the area in front of his house in Nablus. He was not able to open his front door to seek help, after Israeli forces bulldozed his fence and the trees surrounding the house. Neighbors reported that Al Mubaslat had a weak heart, and when the soldiers began bulldozing around his house, he was struck with a heart attack. Al Mubaslat was then denied urgent medical treatment by the Israeli occupation forces invading the city. Medical sources confirmed that Meshref Al Mubaslat, 73, was found dead at his house of a heart attack, after Israeli forces stormed the Rafidiyya neighborhood in the city of Nablus on Wednesday. more..
Troops shell several areas in the Gaza Strip
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Israeli tanks stationed at the borders with the Gaza Strip shelled on Friday at dawn areas east of Gaza city, Beit Lahia and Beit Hannon, south of the Gaza strip. The shelling targeted residential areas; damage was reported, no injuries. [end] more..
Four Gaza residents injured
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Four residents were injured in the city of Gaza when fired at by unknown gunmen, early Friday morning, medical sources reported. D. Mo'awia Hassanin, the head of emergency and ambulance service in the city, said that the four were injured in separate incidents and among them was a security officer for the Palestinian Authority. Also he added that all were moved to Al Shifa hospital in the city. [end] more..
Army arrests five residents from Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus on Friday at dawn and arrested five residents. Among the arrestees were Um Rami Okop, Samier and Samer Al Sarbess, and Ahmad Al Damoni. All were arrested after a search campaign in the city, all were taken to unknown locations, eyewitnesses reported. Nablus is the daily scene of military operations that Israeli military sources claim is targeting the Palestinian resistance, but local residents claim that 90 % of those arrested have been civilians, not involved in any fighting. [end] more..
Gunmen clash with Palestinian Police in Gaza, four wounded
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Four Palestinians including two policemen were wounded Thursday night in clashes which erupted between unknown gunmen and Palestinian police in Gaza city, Palestinian medical sources reported. The clashes erupted near the Palestinian Parliament building in the city. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior dismissed reports that the clash is between the newly Palestinian force formed by Hamas and the PA security force. Denying any clash between the two forces, Khaled Abu Hilal, spokesperson of the ministry told reporters on Thursday, that "a suspicious group in an unknown car opened fire at Gaza's main police department targeting both the PA police and the special force. " Dr. Muawiya Hasaneen director of the emergency room in the Ministry of Health, said two have been treated for bullet wounds in their legs. more..
Gunfight erupts between Hamas and Fatah forces in Gaza
Ha'aretz 5/19/2006
A midnight gun battle erupted Thursday night after a day of tense standoffs in Gaza between security forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and a new militia run by the Hamas-led government, competing for control of the Gaza Strip. At least four people were hurt, two police, one member of the Hamas force and a gunman from Abbas's Fatah movement, security sources and medics said. It was not known what set off the exchange. The Palestinian police, who are mostly Fatah loyalists, were instructed by radio to respond with force to any attacks by Hamas forces. The clashes came after Abbas told the Hamas-led government it must immediately remove its new security forces from the streets of Gaza, a top Abbas aide said Thursday. more..
Resistance fires six homemade shells at the Western Negev
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
An Israeli military source reported on Thursday at night that Palestinian fighters fired six homemade shells at Israeli targets in the Western Negev area. The sources added that one of the shells landed near a “strategic facility”, other hit a military base, while the rest landed in open areas;no injuries were reported. [end] more..
Nasser Salah Addin Brigades launched projectiles at Kerem Shalom on Thursday evening
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees, have claimed responsibility for launching three homemade projectiles at the Israeli military post of Kerem Shalom at 9:15 pm on Thursday. In a statement, the Brigades said that the launching operation was in response to the assassination of six Palestinian fighters in the town of Qabatya near Jenin on Sunday, in addition to the assassination of two of their leaders and the arrest of Shadi Khazima on Thursday. [end] more..
Two homemade projectiles launched at Netiv Haasarah
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Al Fat'h Al Mobin Brigades claims responsibility for the launching of two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Netiv Haasarah early Friday. The brigades who" declared about themselves for the first time" said that they targeted the town from two different locations and confirmed that they will continue the struggle against the Israeli occupation. In a statement issued Friday the brigades confirmed that resistance to continue and that this launching of the projectiles was retaliation for Israeli crimes against Palestinian people. [end] more..
PRC launches projectiles at Ashkelon
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees-PRC-, launched two homemade projectiles towards the Israeli city of Al Majdal (Ashkelon) Thursday. In a statement, the Brigades said that the launching operation was in response to the assassination of Palestinian resistance fighters and they confirmed that they will continue their resistance until the end of the Israeli occupation. [end] more..
Zakaria Dughmush, accused of killing Musa Arafat, warns Dahlan that his life is in danger
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Ma'an- When the correspondent of the Israeli newspaper "Maariv" interviewed the "wanted" Palestinian Zakaria Dughmush, he did not expect Dughmush to threaten Fatah leaders, including Dahlan. During the interview, Dughmush's telephone rang. He was warned in the telephone call that there is a plane in the skies. Dughmush responded, "If I am going to die, it will not be because the Israelis want that, no, it will be because Allah wants that". Dughmush is the man accused of killing the former Palestinian head of intelligence in Gaza, Musa Arafat. According to the paper, he is also the most dangerous and violent man in the Palestinian Resistance Committees. He is considered responsible for the launching of many projectiles at Israeli towns and cities. more..
Gaza tense after faction clashes
AlJazeera 5/19/2006
The situation in Gaza remains tense after a day of gunfights between a new Hamas-led security force and the Palestinian police. At least three people - a Hamas gunman and two police officers - were injured during the fighting early on Friday, witnesses said. Tensions arose when the 3,000 strong Hamas-backed force, formed under the authority of Said Siyam, the interior minister, deployed across the territory on Wednesday. A day later about 1,000 Palestinian police officers marched through Gaza in a show of allegiance to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and the leader of the Fatah faction. After a tense stand-off, the Hamas force surrounded the main police station and parliament building in Gaza City and exchanged fire with those inside. more..
Six Palestinian citizens arrested in Bethlehem and Nablus
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Bethlehem- Ma'an- Israeli forces arrest six Palestinian citizens in the city of Bethlehem southern west bank and in Nablus northern West Bank Friday. Israeli sources said that two Palestinians were arrested in Nablus for being PFLP and another for being Jihad member; the other three were arrested in Bethlehem for being Fatah and PFLP members. The sources added that one of the arrested in Bethlehem area was a Palestinian girl but did not reveal her identit. [end] more..
Palestinian police man arrested in Bethlehem
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Bethlehem- Ma'an- Israeli forces arrest Palestinian police man in the village of Al Khadir south of the city of Bethlehem Friday morning. Palestinian sources said that many Israeli military vehicles raided the city of Bethlehem Friday morning and patrolled the streets before headed to the village and broke into Dar Salah neighborhood and arrest Mamoun Sabir Shehadah 28 year. [end] more..
One prisoner from Tulkarem released; another three receive arrest warrants
Ma'an News 5/19/2006
Tulkarem-Ma'an-The Israeli authorities released on Friday morning a Palestinian youth from the city of Tulkarem while Israeli forces raided the town of Deir Al Ghusoun north of Tulkarem. The Ma'an correspondent reported that the Israeli authorities released the youth, Yousef Zidan (25), after eight months' imprisonment. On the other hand, Israeli forces raided early on Friday morning Deir Al Ghusoun and broke into several houses in the town. The forces delivered a formal arrest warrant from the Israeli intelligence services for three Palestinians youths: Walid Jundub (15), Osama Ghanim (25) and Jasir Abu Hinna (24). [end] more..
Terrorists planned to blow up El Al plane
YNet News 5/19/2006
Swiss security services uncover 2005 plot to bring down Israeli plane during takeoff through RPG attack -- A plot to blow up an El Al plane at Geneva's international airport has been thwarted. Swiss intelligence agencies uncovered a terrorist cell last December that plotted to strike an Israeli plane while it was taking off through an RPG rocket attack in December 2005. The French website Le Point featured a report on Friday saying that "intelligence of the Swiss secret services carrying the date December 2005 shows that two people, an Libyan and an Algerian, held a mortar bomb, and planned to carry out an attack against an Israeli airlines El Al plane at Geneva's airport. " more..
Army invades Deir Al Ghesson village
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
The Israeli army invaded Deir Al Ghesson village, north of the West Bank city of Tulkarem, and handed out military orders to three youth in the village. The youth were identified as Waled Gondiah, 15, Osama Ghanem, 25, and Jasser Abu Hanna, 24. The orders were issued by the Israeli secret service Shin Bet, and consisted of orders for the youth to report to a nearby Israeli settlement for interrogation, local sources reported. [end] more..
Israeli Army invades Bethlehem-area village and arrests one
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Saber Salah, 28, was arrested when troops invaded the village of Al Khader in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Friday at dawn. Troops entered the village, surrounded Salah's home, then arrested him and took him to unknown location, his family reported. [end] more..
Palestinian caught with Hizbullah memory card
YNet News 5/19/2006
Security officers manning Allenby Bridge apprehend woman carrying memory card with Hizbullah information on how to assemble weapons she planned to pass on to her son in West Bank -- A few days ago security officers manning the Allenby Bridge between Israel and Jordan apprehended a Palestinian woman carrying a memory card with Hizbullah information stored on it. The woman planned to transfer the chip, which held information on how to assemble weapons, to her son in the Samaria area. The chip was confiscated and the woman was taken in for questioning. Security establishment officials said the incident is part of an extensive effort by terror groups to relay information into the WestBank. more..
Two settlers injured in shooting attack near Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
An Israeli military source reported on Thursday at night that two Israeli settlers, one man and a woman, were mildly injured after being fired at neat Tapuah junction, close to the West Bank city of Nablus. The two settlers are members of the same family, the source added. The man was moderately injured in his stomach while the woman suffered a mild injury in the hand. The were transferred by the Israeli Magen David Adom paramedics to the Israeli Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva. According to the Israeli Ynetnews, the Al Aqsa Martyres Brigades, the military wing of Fateh movement, claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the shooting, Israeli forces were heavily deployed in the area and near the settlement of Migdalim, near Nablus. more..
Israeli troops invade a Bethlehem refugee camp, two youths injured
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
Thursday at night, Israeli soldiers invaded Aida refugee camp, norththe West Bank city of Bethlehem, and clashed with dozens of residents there. Two youths were mildly injured, local sources reported. The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that soldiers invaded the camp through its northern entrance, near the Rachel Tomb and Bilal Bin Rabah mosque. A local source in the camp reported that dozens of youth hurled stones and empty bottles at the invading forces. The clashes lasted for one hour. The invasion was carried out by three armored jeeps and more than fifteen soldiers on foot. Apparently, the army invaded the camp in an attempt to conduct military searches of homes and conduct arrests, but soldiers withdrew following after clashing with the youth. more..
Israel to deploy driverless tanks and bulldozers on Gaza borders
Ma'an News 5/18/2006
Bethlehem-Ma'an-Israeli TV has revealed the first photos of a driverless tank and bulldozer used by the Israeli army to guard Gaza's borders with Israel. Israeli TV Channel 2 showed photos of grey-coloured tanks that look like children's toys but are equipped with computers, steering, and tires which can be used on sand. The tanks are at least one metre long and have machine guns, cameras, aerials and sensors. A photo was also shown of a computerized room or office which controls the tanks. The Israeli army is counting on using these tanks to fight arms smuggling and to locate land mines, as well as preventing people from infiltrating Israel. The tanks may even carry out arrests. more..
Palestinian armed men open fire, force PA official to halt meeting
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
A group of Palestinian armed men opened fire on Thursday morning at Governorate building in Tulkarem city in the northern West Bank, where deputy Prime Minister Nasser Eddin El-Sha'er was holding meetings with the some PA officials, Palestinian sources reported. Ten armed men, said to be members of Al-Aqsa Martyr Brigade, the armed wing of the former ruling Fatah party, accompanied by scores families of prisoners arrived at the governorate to protest against not paying the monthly stipend for the prisoners for more than two months. Al-Sha'er who also occupies the Ministry of Education told the crowd that the money will be paid soon. "I, responsively announce that within one week the money due to the prisoners families will be fully paid," Al-Shaer said. more..
Army arrests 10 residents from Abood village near Ramallah
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Thursday, Israeli soldiers arrested ten residents in a morning invasionof the village of Abood north of the West Bank city of Rammallah. Elias Azar, the mayor of the village said that several army jeeps and soldiers stormed the village, searched the residents' homes and arrested ten residents. The arrestees were identified as; Ahmad Abu Zied, Amjad Thabet, Abdullah Ibrahim, Abada Abdul-Majeed, Mohamed Shalatha, Tariq Dar Saleh, Awni Othman and his brother Mohammad, Dawoed Suleiman and his brother Mostafa, local sources said. [end] more..
Army closes Taiaseer checkpoint, near Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Thursday morning, the Israeli army closed Taiseer checkpoint and the surrounding area east of the West Bank city of Tubas. Soldiers informed the shepherds that if they approach the area they will be subjected to arrest or fired at, local sources reported. Several previous Incidents of attacking shepherds and their herds were documented, the army claims that the shepherds approached a "closed military zone. [end] more..
Herds of wild pigs dumped by Israeli military attacking farmers homes and crops in Salfit
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Herds of wild pigs attacked farmers' homes and lands in the West Bank city of Salfit late Wednesday night. According to local farmers, the pigs were released by the Israeli settlers who live in the nearby settlements, rounded up from within Israel, and dumped onto Palestinian land in the Salfit area. Local sources also added that the pigs had destroyed farmland and crops, and attacked the farmers' homes, in some cases threatening the lives of the children, but no injuries were reported. The municipality of Salfit has initiated a campaign that started last week to stop the pigs, and protect the farmers and their lands from the settlers' attempts to force them out , local sources said. [end] -- See also: Israeli army releases wild pigs around Salfit area and Settlement pigs destroy Palestinian crops in Salfit more..
After dawn invasion, Israeli army imposes curfew on city of Jenin
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
The Israeli army installed several military checkpoints around the West Bank city of Jenin Thursday morning, putting the city under total siege. Troops are searching all the cars entering and leaving the city, and they are preventing people under the age of 30 from entering or leaving the Jenin. Soldiers are installing checkpoints across all the main city streets, checking ID cards and strip searching civilians before letting them pass, local sources reported. The Israeli army has invaded Jenin since the early hours of Thursday morning. Three Palestinians have been arrested by troops so far in the invasion. [end] more..
Resistance fires six homemade shells at the Western Negev
International Middle East Media Center 5/19/2006
An Israeli military source reported on Thursday at night that Palestinian fighters fired six homemade shells at Israeli targets in the Western Negev area. The sources added that one of the shells landed near a “strategic facility”, other hit a military base, while the rest landed in open areas;no injuries were reported. [end] more..
Homemade projectiles at the Israeli towns
Ma'an News 5/18/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Aqsa Brigades "military wing for the Fatah Movement" said they have launched eight homemade projectiles at the Israeli towns Wednesday evening. In a statement issued Thursday the brigades said that they have launched four projectiles at the town of Sderot and another projectile at the city of Ashkelon. The statement added that another three projectiles were launched at the Kerim Shaloom Crossing. The brigades said that they have launched the projectiles as retaliation for the Israeli assaults and aggressions against Palestinian people. [end] more..
Israeli forces raided Jenin city Thursday morning
Ma'an News 5/18/2006
Jenin- Ma'an- Israeli forces arrest three Palestinian citizens from the city of Jenin early Thursday morning. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli forces raided the city at dawn and broke into many houses while shooting and using sonic bombs before arresting Nasr Ad Din Tafish 25 years, Sultan Sabanah 35 years and Bilal Istaiti 25 years. The sources added that the Israeli forces raided many areas in the city accompanied with military dogs and searched invasively many houses. Israeli sources said that the Israeli forces arrest 10 citizens in many cities and towns in the West bank. [end] more..
Army surrounds a house in Qabatia injuring one but the military operation is still on going
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
The Israeli army invaded the village of Qabatia south of the West Bank city of Jenin, and sounded one house, on Thursday afternoon. Soldiers have surrounded the house of Ratep Khazima, and are firing directly into the house, eyewitnesses reported. D. Issam Nazal, the mayor of the village also said there are clashes between the resistance and the invading troops all over the village. He also said that there is one injured man that the army preventing the ambulances from reaching. Army jeeps and bulldozers have been seen entering the village 1 hour ago in what seems to be a massive military operation , eyewitnesses reported. more..
Army arrests four residents from Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Thursday at dawn, the Israeli army invaded the villages of Beit Ola, Beit Ummar and Al Arroub refugee camp in the West Bank city of Hebron and arrested four residents. Troops stormed the residents' homes in the camp before arresting Ismail Jawabra, 30, and taking him to a nearby military camp. Also, troops invaded Beit Ola and Beit Ummar villages and arrested Khaled Sarhan, Jammal Jaber, and Yousif Mohamed after searching homes there, local sources reported. In the city of Hebron, soldiers attacked several neighborhoods and fired rounds of live ammunition at the houses, no injuries were reported, eyewitnesses said. [end] more..
Israeli army claim that parts of missile smuggled into Gaza
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Israeli army intelligence reported that the Palestinian resistance managed to smuggle parts of a Russian missiles into Gaza and attempted to assemble it there. The report said that the missiles are grade-1 type and their range is a maximum of 24 km, and surmised that the parts were smuggled in from Egypt, and had come from Iran. Abu Ahmad, the spokesperson of Al Quds brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, said that the brigades had managed to develop a homemade rocket of the grade-1 type that could strike a range farther than the Katyush rocket range of 24 km, and added that the new rocket had a two-phase dispersal process. [end] more..
2 wounded in shooting attack
YNet News 5/18/2006
Man and woman moderately and lightly injured after being shot near Tapuah Junction; Large IDF forces scouring the area - Two Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack at the Tapuah Junction in the West Bank Thursday night. The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades took responsibility for the attack. IDF forces were mobilized to the Tapuah Junction area following reports of the shooting between the Tapuah Junction and the settlement of Migdalim, Samaria. Two Israelis, a man and a woman, were injured by the shooting. The man was moderately wounded in his stomach and the woman was lightly wounded in the hand. more..
Army invades Qabatia village
International Middle East Media Center 5/18/2006
Thursday morning, Israeli troops invaded Qabatia town, south of the West Bank city of Jenin, and searched several houses. Although no arrests were made, the reisdents expressed concerns that this invasion could be part of a wider operation in their town especially since five residents were killed in a previous operation conducted by the army three days ago. [end] more..
Ex-Phalange leader: We killed 4 Iranians in '82
Ha'aretz 5/19/2006
Four Iranians missing in Lebanon since 1982 were killed by Phalangist militiamen, according to Samir Geagea, a former head of the Christian paramilitaries during the civil war. In a full interview that will appear in the Lebanese daily Al-Safir tomorrow, Geagea said that the four - three diplomats and a journalist - were killed by members of the Christian militia and not by Israel, as Iran had claimed. Iran also had claimed that the four had been abducted by Israeli forces in 1982, and were being held in Israel. The Iranian claims had been made repeatedly in an effort to justify and explain the lack of willingness of its Lebanese surrogates, Hezbollah, to reveal any information on the fate of the captured Israel air force navigator Ron Arad. more..
Three killed in Nablus predawn invasion
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
Palestinian medical sources in Nablus reported on Wednesday afternoon that the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli military invasion in the West Bank city of Nablus has risen to three after medical and civil defense teams uncovered a body of an aged man under the rubble of the attacked house. The man was identified was MosharrafTawfiq Al Mbaslat; 74. His body was transferred to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus. Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli troops invaded Nablus,surrounded a house where resistance fighters were hiding, and exchanged fire with them killing two. The two fighters, hiding in the house of Al Mbaslat, are members of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. more..
Israeli forces raid eastern Bethlehem villages, make multiple arrests at dawn
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses both report Israeli forces invaded several eastern Bethlehem villages at dawn Wednesday. Israeli soldiers broke into homes, invasively searched them, and forced dozens of Palestinians to stand outside for hours. The attack was focused on Janata, east of Bethlehem in the West Bank. A 44 year old man’s home was overrun with soldiers who arrested him. Mustafa was a Municipal Council elections candidate last year running on the Hamas list. Eyewitnesses report that Israeli soldiers blindfolded the man, handcuffed him and took him to an unknown location. more..
Army invades north of the Gaza strip
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
An Israeli army force invaded the northern areas of Biet Hanon town north of the Gaza strip, Wednesday afternoon. Several tanks and army bulldozers entered those areas coming from Erezcrossing for more than 800 metres inside the town, and intiated a Combing operation across the area, eyewitnesses told PNN correspondent. According to Israeli radio reports the troops do not plan to stay for long time and this operation Aims to dismantle explosive devices planted in the area near the fence between Gaza strip and Israel. Local residents said this is not the first time that army has invaded this area this week. [end] more..
Army invades several villages near Bethlehem and arrests four
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
The Israeli army arrested four residents after invading several villages around the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday at dawn. Troops and army jeeps stormed the village of Jenata, to the east of the city, surrounded the house of Mostafa Al Oroje, the mayor of the Jenata, then arrested him and took him to unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. Meanwhile another force entered the village of Za'tra also to the east of the city and arrested Mohamed Hassan, 21, he also was taken to unknown location. In Al Obadia village soldiers invaded and searched several residents homes before arresting two youth and taking then away, with no names issued, local sources said. [end] more..
Army continue to hold Arqaba village south east of Nablus under seige
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
The Israeli army continued its siege of Arqaba village south east of the West Bank city of Nablus which has lasted for more than four days, this Wednesday. Jaodat Bani Jaber, the mayor of the village said that the army installed a military checkpoint at the village entrance four days ago and are preventing residents under the age of 30 from leaving the village, and the situation is on going. [end] more..
The Israeli Army seize a car belonging to a resident from Kofer Ra'e village
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
An Israeli army undercover team seized a taxi owned by resident form Kofer Ra'e village near the west bank city of Jenin, Wednesday morning. The soldiers were wearing civilian clothes when they stopped the taxi and forced the passengers out at gun point then high jacked the car and went towards the nearby village of Araba, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more..
Army assaults a medical patient at a military checkpoint near Tubas
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
Israeli soldiers stationed at Tyaeasser checkpoint near the West Bank city of Tubas, assaulted a medical patient on his way to get treatment, late Tuesday night. Sami Nimir, who lives in Tubas, was attacked by the soldiers while crossing the military checkpoint to go to a nearby hospital for treatment, after hitting him the soldiers allowed him to go, he said. [end] more..
Three residents arrested in Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/17/2006
Three residents arrested from the West Bank city of Hebron and refugee camp afterthe Israeli army conducted an arrest campaign , Wednesday at dawn. Army jeeps and soldiers stormed homes in the city, before arresting Bassel Al Shareef, 23, and Amen Al Natsha, the two then were taken to unknown locations. Hassan Jawabra, 24, who lives in Al Arob refugee camp in Hebron city was arrested after Israeli troops stopped him at a military checkpoint in the city whilst on the way to school, local sources reported. [end] more..
Hilltop youths disown Yesha Council
YNet News 5/17/2006
In letter circulated among nationalist-religious youths and obtained by Ynet, youth hilltop activists and the 'Jewish National Front' call for a disengagement with the Yesha Council -- Right-wing youth activists have disavowed the Yesha Council in a letter obtained by Ynet. "Not only have these go-getters not contributed to the struggle in Gush Katif, but they have caused damage, and continue to cause damage. We won't listen to their orders, we will organize for an independent struggle, and lead a different struggle, an uncompromising struggle," the letter said. In recent days, the youths distributed the letter to youth activists in the Bnei Akiva, Ezra, and Youths for the Land of Israel youth movements, as well as youth centers in Judea and Samaria. more..
Two Palestinians killed in Israeli raid
AlJazeera 5/17/2006
The Israeli army confirmed an arrest raid in Nablus -- Two members of Islamic Jihad have been shot and killed and another wounded by Israeli soldiers in Nablus in the northern West Bank. Osman Sadaka, 26, from Jenin, and Mustapha Ghani, 20, from Tulkarm, were killed in a clash when an Israeli unit advanced into Nablus and surrounded a building, said Palestinian medical sources. The wounded Palestinian was captured by Israeli occupation forces, they said. An Israeli army spokesman said that an arrest operation was under way in Nablus and that three Palestinians had at least suffered injuries in an exchange of gunfire. Journalists were prevented from entering the area to cover the incident, an Aljazeera correspondent said. more..
Palestinian gunmen kill senior Hamas member, wound two in Gaza
Ha'aretz 5/17/2006
Unidentified Palestinian gunmen shot dead a senior Hamas activist in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, Palestinian medics and a security source said, in a further escalation of lawlessness in the coastal strip. They said unknown gunmen shot and killed 25-year old Mohammed Tatar, a senior member of Hamas's military wing, as he was driving near Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's office in Gaza city. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. Separately on Tuesday night, masked gunmen in the Khan Yunis area of Gaza shot and critically wounded another senior member of Hamas's military wing and wounded a second Hamas member, witnesses said. more..
IDF: At least another year until fence is completed
Ha'aretz 5/17/2006
Construction of the separation fence started nearly four years ago, but only 42 percent of the planned structure has been completed and military officials say it will take at least one more year to finish. According to figures issued by the Defense Ministry, only 336 kilometers of the fence are considered operational out of a total planned length of 790 kilometers. An additional 102 kilometers are in various stages of construction, 67 kilometers are still at the paperwork level, and the building of 285 kilometers is still waiting for court approval. Israel Defense Forces officials say the delays are not due to budgetary or technical reasons. They promise that work can be accelerated as soon as the legal and planning decisions are made. The final version of the barrier may be significantly shorter than originally planned.... more..
Israeli army arrests PA security officer in Bethlehem
International Middle East Media Center 5/16/2006
A large Israeli military force invaded Bethlehem are and arrested a Palestinian security officer on Tuesday evening, local sources reported. Eyewitnesses said at least ten military vehicles invaded the village of Irtas south of Bethlehem and closed all the entrances to the village. After one hour and a half of intensive search of residents houses, troops arrested Mahmoud Shaheen, 27 and took him to unknown location after handcuffing blindfolding him. Shaheen is an officer at the "Preventive Security" force, the first security force established shortly before the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat returned to Gaza in 1994. more..
Israeli soldiers invade Al-Khader village, beat two children
International Middle East Media Center 5/16/2006
Tuesday afternoon , Israeli soldiers, backed by armored vehicles, invaded the West Bank village of Al-Khader, west of Bethlehem. The troopsbroke into Palestinian homes and conducted wide scale searches, local sources reported. The residents affirmed that the soldiers were violent to people in their own homes, and beat two youths in their homes. Other soldiers, who were deployed around the schools , held up several students on their way home and forced them to stand by the wall of their schools with their hands up for over half an hour. No injuries were reported. An Isreali military spokesperson said that those procedures were conducted after Palestinian youths from the area hurled stones at settlers' vehicles when crossing the settlers' bypass road near of Al-Khder village... more..
Hebron: Israelis show solidarity with Palestinians
YNet News 5/16/2006
Descendents of Jews killed in 1929 Hebron massacre visit city to tell settlers ‘you have no legitimacy to act in our names, harass local Palestinian population’ -- Surprise visitors arrive in Hebron Tuesday: Some 10 Israelis, the descendents of Jewish families who lived through the events of 1929, when Arab attacks during the British mandate took the lives of 133 Jewish victims. The Israelis came to show full solidarity with the local Palestinian population for “the harassment they suffer at the hands of settlers, who use what happened to our families to justify their violence today,” according to Shabtai Gold. Gold does not object to the existence of a Jewish settlement in Hebron, as long as it exists peacefully next to its Arab neighbors. “We came to tell them, you don’t represent the families of 1929,” Gold said. more..
Israeli Army invades the West Bank city of Nablus
International Middle East Media Center 5/16/2006
The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus, on Tuesday morning. The Israeli Army stormed the city and fired randomly at residents homes which caused a case of panic amonst civilians, no arrests were made but army was provoking stone throwing youth to clash with them, local sources reported. [end] more..
Ma'an Exclusive: Al Quds Brigades have manufactured Katyusha-style rocket with range of 24 km, claims spokesman
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Ma'an–Exclusive-Al Quds Brigades Spokesman Abu Ahmad has revealed to Ma'an News that his Brigades have surprised themselves by managing to develop a homemade projectile which is more sophisticated than the notorious Katyusha rocket. The Al Quds Brigades, which is the military wing affiliated to Islamic Jihad, say that this rocket is similar to the Russian-made Grad rocket and it has a potential range of 24 km. Abu Ahmad said that full details about the new projectiles will be announced within the coming days. He expects this news to "embarrass the Israeli occupation forces" who are trying to prevent the launching of such projectiles at Israeli towns and cities. The Brigades also claimed responsibility for the launching of a Katyusha rocket at the Israeli city of Ashkelon early on Tuesda. more..
End the siege of Nablus
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-The Asirah Ash Shamaliyah Municipality made an appeal on Tuesday to all international and human rights’ organizations to intervene to end the siege that Israeli Forces have imposed on Nablus. In a statement, the Municipality confirmed that since the closure of the Al Badhan-Nablus Road, it has become almost impossible to enter Nablus from the surrounding towns and villages. The closure has made it necessary for residents of villages and towns surrounding Nablus to get a permit to visit Nablus. [end] more..
195 raids carried out since 9 May; 125 arrested, 48 injured, 7 killed
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Palestinian National Information Centre has released their weekly report on the Israeli aggressions during the last week. It mentions that the Israeli forces used all of the available military measures against Palestinian civilians. The report confirmed that the Israeli forces have continued their attacks on Palestinian citizens in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, stating that, during the last week (9/5/2006 to 15/5/2006), there have been 836 violations committed by the Israel forces which has led to the killing of 7 citizens and the injury of 48 citizens. The Israeli forces carried out 42 arrest campaigns, resulting in the arrest of 125 citizens. The Israeli forces have also carried out 195 raid operations. more..
More demolitions carried out in East Jerusalem than in west
Ha'aretz 5/17/2006
The Jerusalem municipality implemented 95 percent of the demolition orders it issued against illegal structures in East Jerusalem in 2005. In West Jerusalem, by contrast, only 65 percent of the orders were carried out. Municipal officials said recently that building code violations dropped by 60 to 70 percent in 2005, largely in East Jerusalem. Since 1967, almost no building permits have been issued for the eastern part of the capital. Therefore, the thousands of housing units built there since then were constructed illegally. In 2004, the city demolished 53 percent of the illegal structures that it located in East Jerusalem that year, compared to 26 percent of those in West Jerusalem. more..
Preventive Security Officers targeted again in Jabalia Refugee Camp
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Gaza- Ma'an- Eyewitnesses have told the Ma'an News Agency that a large number of armed, masked men attacked the house of a preventative security officer, Tahir Khwaiter, in the Zaitoun neighborhood, in the east of Gaza City at 3 am on Tuesday. According to the witnesses, armed clashes erupted in the area during which the armed men detonated two bombs in two cars belonging to Tahir Khwaiter's family. Palestinian security sources said that in the clashes two citizens were injured; this has not been confirmed by any medical or independent sources. In Jabalia refugee camp eyewitnesses said that a preventative security officer was shot in the leg by anonymous men who shot at him while he was walking in one of the streets of the camp at the same time on Tuesda. more..
Increased Israeli military presence in Huwwarah (Nablus), including new checkpoints in the town
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Salfit-Ma'an-Israeli forces have set up several military checkpoints in Huwwarah, a town south of Nablus in the northern West Bank. Municipality sources in Huwwarah said that the Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance to the municipality building and stopped the Palestinians cars and searched them. The sources added that Israeli forces patrolled the streets of the town and erected a number of checkpoints in the streets where they stopped citizens, checked their ID's and searched them in a humiliating way. [end] more..
Palestinian youth arrested in Artas, near Bethlehem
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Bethlehem-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian youth Mahmoud Ahmad Shahin (24) after breaking into his house in the village of Artas, southwest of Bethlehem, on Tuesday afternoon. Dozens of Israeli military vehicles raided the village and besieged Shahin's house before breaking in and arresting him. Shahin works for the Palestinian civil defense. [end] more..
Main street in Gaza City closed by family demanding release of kidnapped son
Ma'an News 5/16/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-The Muhandis family from the As-Sabrah district in Gaza City has closed the main street in the city, Thalathini Street, by setting up an earth mound. The family is calling for the release of one of its sons who was kidnapped one week ago. Masked gunmen kidnapped the aforementioned son a week ago but it is still unknown where the kidnapping took place or where the man is being held. [end] more..
Israelis build tower taller than Wall in northern Bethlehem
Palestine News Network 5/16/2006
PHOTOS: Mohamad Zboun photographed the new Israeli tower that is taller than the Wall in northern Bethlehem, behind which the Israelis plan to build a Synagogue, a Jewish-only university, and a settlement, according to Bethlehem officials after confiscating Palestinian lands. [end] more..
Charismatic leader in armed resistance tells PNN that question of “truce” is one for the occupying government
Palestine News Network 5/16/2006
The Palestine News Network recently sat down with a some what unlikely local hero. He is young for his experiences, in his mid-twenties. Zakaria Zbaidi is the head of the Fateh armed resistance wing, Al Aqsa Brigades, from Jenin Refugee Camp in the northern West Bank. The Israelis have tried to kill him, arrest him, and have spent hours harassing his family members and threatening their home..... The gist of Zbaidi’s point of view is easily summarized in two pointed sentences. “The only option is to escalate the resistance and the Intifada, and to not forget the sanctity of Palestinian blood by not spilling it on one another. Our position has nothing to do with the victory of Hamas in the elections or the newly formed government. ” more..
Katyusha kills 30 chickens
YNet News 5/16/2006
Grad-type Katyusha Rocket carrying six kilograms of explosives fired Tuesday morning at western Negev community of Nativ Haasara strikes chicken coop, killing thirty hens, damaging community's greenhouse -- A Katyusha rocket fired Tuesday morning at the western Negev community of Nativ Haasara struck a chicken coop, killing thirty chickens, and damaging the community's greenhouse. The rocket fell on a hilltop opposite one of the coops belonging to a resident. Shrapnel struck the coop facing the hilltop and the adjacent greenhouse. A pipe bringing water to the coop was also hit. IDF sappers arrived at the scene after the rocket fell in order to check the type of rocket. more..
Right-wing Jewish extremists try to set fire to a mosque in Hifa
International Middle East Media Center 5/16/2006
A group of right-wing Jewish extremists tried to set fire to Al Manshia mosque, in the city of Hifa, late Monday evening. According to Al Shikh Mohamed Madi, the head of the Islamic Movement in the city, the group of men and women smashed the main door with logs and set it on fire. Residents rushed to the burning mosque in attempt to extinguish the fire, then called the fire brigades, Madi said. Similar groups have attacked this mosque and other Palestinian holy sites before in Hifa. [end] more..
Army arrests two youth from Ithna village in Hebron
International Middle East Media Center 5/16/2006
Ja'far Salimi and Khaled Nimir were arrested from the village of Ithna, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday at dawn. Israeli army troops invaded the village and searched several homes before arresting the two and taking them to unknown locations. The two are Palestinian Authority police officers in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, local sources reported. [end] more..
Israel targets car in Gaza Strip
BBC 5/15/2006
The Islamic Jihad armed group said those in the vehicle were its members. Doctors said two people were injured. The Israeli military frequently launches such air strikes, saying they are an attempt to combat Palestinian rocket attacks launched from Gaza. But Palestinian militants counter that their rocket attacks are in retaliation for Israeli military action. The blast happened near the Khan Younis refugee camp. It came as Palestinians marked the anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 - a day the Palestinians mourn as the "Catastrophe" or al-Nakba. [end] more..
Israeli troops briefly intrude into Gaza: Palestinian sources
China View 5/15/2006
GAZA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military vehicles briefly intruded into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun on Monday following a spate of Palestinian militant rocket attacks, Palestinian security sources said. At least two Israeli army bulldozers and two tanks intruded into Beit Hanoun by 1 km, said the sources. There was no immediate word from the Israeli army concerning the incident. Earlier, the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militants fired at least three homemade rockets from northern Gaza at Israel, which prompted an Israeli shelling onto the area. Jihad claimed in a written statement that the rocket attacks were a retaliation for the Israeli killing of seven Palestinians including a top Jihad militant during raids in the West Bank on Sunday. more..
On This Day in 1974: Dozens die as Israel retaliates for Ma'alot
BBC 5/16/2006
Israeli planes have bombed seven Palestinian refugee camps and villages in southern Lebanon killing at least 27 people and leaving 138 injured. The attack was in retaliation for yesterday's hostage crisis at a school in Ma'alot near the Lebanon border in which 18 teenagers were killed and 70 were wounded. Worst hit by the Israeli fighter-bombers were the crowded refugee camps of Ein El Helweh near the city of Sidon and Nabatieh. An official announcement from the Israeli Defence Force said the planes had been aiming at offices and training bases used by the Popular Democratic Front, led by Nayef Hawatmeh, and the Popular Front under Ahmed Jibril. more..
Frequently Asked Questions – Al Nakba
MIFTAH 5/15/2006
Al Nakba (the Catastrophe), or what Israel refers to as the War of Independence, was the war between the Arab armies in Palestine and Jewish forces in 1948. The war, part of which resulted in the independence of the State of Israel, also led to the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. How did it all start? On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly voted 33 to 13, with 10 abstentions, in favor of the Partition Plan dividing Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. The area of greater Jerusalem was to come under international control. The Jewish state was to receive 55% of Mandatory Palestine. The Arab leadership opposed the plan, arguing that it violated the rights of the majority of the people in Palestine, which at the time was 67% non-Jewish (1,237,000) and 33% Jewish (608,000). more..
Palestinians Commemorate Nakba Day; Israel Kills 7
Palestine Chronicle/Palestine Media Center 5/15/2006
The bloodshed was the worst for a single day since the Israeli army killed eight Palestinians in a Gaza air raid on April 8. -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - On the eve of the 58th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, Israeli “Defense” Minister Amir Peretz bragged on Sunday of the success of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in shooting dead four unarmed Palestinians and extra-judicially killing two activists in northern West Bank, in the second bloody operation since he assumed his duties eight days ago. The IOF soldiers shot dead a sixth Palestinian in Qabatiya while dispersing protesters during a raid into the northern West Bank village. Palestinian medics and security sources said two of the six killed in Qabatiya were civilians and four anti-occupation activists of whom only one was armed. more..
Gaza: IAF attacks Qassam cell; 4 hurt
YNet News 5/15/2006
Aircraft launches missile at vehicle carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists apparently en route to launch Qassam rockets from Gaza toward Israel; four terrorists wounded in strike, one of them critically -- IDF renews targeted killings: An IAF aircraft attacked Monday afternoon a vehicle carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists that were apparently on their way to launch Qassam rockets from Gaza toward Israel. Four terrorists were wounded in the strike, one of them critically. Palestinian witnesses said the attack was carried out east of Khan Younis in south Gaza. According to the witnesses, at least one missile was fired toward a white Peugeot. more..
Islamic Jihad said planning to assassinate PA Chairman Abbas
Ha'aretz 5/15/2006
Palestinian security services recently obtained intelligence information regarding plans by Islamic Jihad to assassinate Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Security around Abbas was beefed up substantially in the wake of these alerts. Sources close to Abbas reported the matter in talks with Israeli security officials. According to these sources, Islamic Jihad operatives plan to kill Abbas by means of a car booby-trapped with a large amount of explosives. Since Abbas took over as PA chairman, upon winning an election last January in the wake of Yasser Arafat's death, there have been several reports of intentions by Palestinian terror groups to eliminate him.... Some Palestinian officials said that last month security forces discovered a 20-meter tunnel dug beneath Abbas's house... more..
Peretz defends wave of attacks on Palestinians
The Guardian 5/16/2006
Israeli defence minister lauds 'war on terror' · Rights group condemns arbitrary arrests by army -- Israel's new defence minister, Amir Peretz, has defended a wave of killings and arrests of Palestinians accused of attacks on Israel, including the latest suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, as "a very important achievement in the war on terror". Islamic Jihad, the target of many of the raids, described the Labour party leader as "even worse than Shaul Mofaz", his predecessor at the defence ministry, who made "targeted assassinations" a core part of the army's strategy. Since April the army has killed about 45 Palestinians, including five children, in scores of raids on the West Bank and by firing thousands of shells into the Gaza Strip. The victims included women and elderly farmers. more..
Israeli measures stepped up in Jenin area following Sunday's bloody clashes
Ma'an News 5/15/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Israeli forces stepped up their measures in the areas of Jenin and Qabatia after the killing of six Palestinians on Sunday. Palestinian sources said that after the funerals of the Palestinians killed by Israeli forces on Sunday, Israeli soldiers set up many temporary barriers in the region. A barrier was erected at the Shuhada crossroads north of Qabatia and another between the village of Zababdah and Qabatia. Another barrier was erected between Qabatia and Maythaloun and a fourth east of Qabatia. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces at the barriers were checking all citizens IDs and, in many cases, forcing them to take off their clothes claiming they were looking for explosive belt. [end] more..
Another explosion targeting Fatah members in Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza
Ma'an News 5/15/2006
Gaza-Ma'an-An explosive device was detonated on Monday morning in front of the house of a Fatah activist, Saleh Qudas, in the Jabalya refugee camp in the north of Gaza City. Eyewitnesses reported that they heard the explosion which resulted in light damages to the house but no injuries. This is the fourth explosion in front of the houses of Palestinian preventive security forces and Fatah Movement activists in Jabalya refugee cam. [end] more..
Army installs a military checkpoint at Tammon village entrance
International Middle East Media Center 5/15/2006
The Israeli army installed a military checkpoint at the main entrance of Tammon village east of the West Bank city of Tubas, on Monday. Soldiers closed the main road and stopped the residents' cars, no one was allowed to pass until they were searched and ID checked, local resident reported. [end] more..
Slain U.S. teen to be flown home to Florida on Monday for burial
Ha'aretz 5/15/2006
Daniel Wultz, a 16-year-old American who was critically wounded in a Tel Aviv suicide bombin three weeks ago and who succubled to its injuries on Sunday, is to be flown home to Florida for burial on Monday. Daniel, who was in Israel for the Passover vacation, was having lunch with his father when the explosion went off in a downtown shwarma stand. His death raises the total number of people killed in the April 17 bombing to 11. He will be buried on Tuesday in South Florida. A memorial service will be held in Jerusalem on Monday. He is survived by his parents, Cheryl and Tuly Wultz and his sister Amanda, a student at Tufts University outside Boston. more..
6 killed in bloody Sunday in Jenin
Ma'an News 5/15/2006
Jenin-Ma'an-Israeli Forces killed six Palestinians, including two brothers, in Qabatia on Sunday afternoon. Five were killed in Qabatia and the sixth was killed in the neighbouring city of Jenin. Three other brothers were arrested after Israeli Forces surrounded their home. On Sunday, Israeli Special Forces shot and killed Ali Omar Jabareen, a member of the Palestinian Intelligence. According to eyewitnesses, they took away his weapon while his body lay on the ground. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli Forces surrounded the home of Akram, Issam and Allam Aref Jabareen. They ordered all other family members to leave the house, after which they arrested the three brothers. On Sunday Israeli Forces also killed two brothers in the town of Qabatia as well as a member of the Palestinian Intelligence in Jenin on Sunday afternoon. more..
Israel Kills Five, Court Rules Against Residency
Palestine Chronicle 5/15/2006
JENIN, West Bank - Israeli occupation forces gunned down on Sunday, May 14, five Palestinians in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank, while the supreme court upheld a controversial law barring Palestinians from living with spouses and children in Israel. One of the victims was Ali Jabarin, a 21-year-old intelligence officer, while four of his colleagues were wounded at their Jenin headquarters, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). Two brothers, at least one of whom was said to be a member of Islamic Jihad, were also shot dead in Qabatiya... Thair Hanaisha was shot by Israeli soldiers as they entered the town... His brother, Mejahid, was shot and killed as he tried to help his dying brother. more..
Peretz praises W Bank operation
BBC 5/15/2006
Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz has praised a military raid on Sunday which triggered the bloodiest violence in weeks in the occupied West Bank. Six Palestinians, two of them leaders of the hardline Islamic Jihad faction, were shot dead by Israeli troops. "The operation in Qabatiya was an important achievement in the war against terrorism," Mr Peretz said. Jihad members vowed further suicide bombings in Israel and "to face aggression until we are victorious". Israeli troops frequently launch raids in the West Bank against suspected militants. In a separate incident on Sunday, a Palestinian security guard was killed by Israeli forces near the Palestinian Authority intelligence headquarters in Jenin. more..
IAF missile strike wounds three Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza
Ha'aretz 5/15/2006
Three Islamic Jihad militants were wounded Monday evening in an Israel Air Force missile strike on a pickup truck filled with militants in the southern Gaza Strip. The strike occurred in the Little Abassan village located east of the Khan Yunis refugee camp and less than one kilometer from the border with Israel. The area of the strike is often used by militants to launch Qassam rockets into Israel. The IAF struck at the members of an Islamic Jihad cell responsible for firing Qassam rockets who were traveling in the truck at the time. more..
Projectiles fired at Ashkelon
Ma'an News 5/15/2006
Gaza–Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades, Fatah's largest military wing, have claimed responsibility for the launching of two homemade projectiles into the Israeli city of Majdal (Ashkelon). In a statement issued on Monday, the Brigades said that the launching of the projectiles was in reaction to the killing of six Palestinians in Qabatia and Jenin by the Israeli forces on Sunday. The Brigades said that they will continue their resistance until the liberation of the land and the establishment of the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. [end] more..
3 more arrests in Nablus
Ma'an News 5/15/2006
Nablus-Ma'an-Israeli Forces arrested three Palestinians from Nablus during an intensive raid of the city on Monday. Israeli Forces forcibly entered many neighbourhoods in the city, during which they fired rapidly and randomly. Palestinian source said that fierce clashes erupted between Palestinian armed men and Israeli Forces, with the fiercest clashes taking place in the Old City and Amman Street, near Balata Refugee Camp, east of the city. No casualties were reported on either side. [end] more..
Assassination fears for Abbas
AlJazeera 5/15/2006
Mahmoud Abbas could be killed by Islamists, his entourage says -- Security measures to protect Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, are reported to have been stepped up amid worries about an assassination plot possibly tied to political rivals Hamas. Restrictions have been imposed on traffic in the area around his Ramallah office and snipers have been placed in buildings near his West Bank residence, officials said. "We have information there are plans to kill President Abbas," a senior Palestinian source said on Monday, declining to give any details. Some officials said assassinating Abbas would help Hamas, since the speaker of the Hamas-led parliament would automatically become president, in line with the Palestinian basic law or constitution. more..
Army arrests two Hebron residents
International Middle East Media Center 5/15/2006
Monday at dawn, the Israeli army invaded various neighborhoods across the West Bank city of Hebron, and conducted wide scale searches resulting in the arrest of two residents. Official sources at the Hebron Palestinian Prisoner's society reported that Israeli soldiers broke into several houses in the neighborhoods of Daheyat Al-Zaytun and Al-Husien south as well as in the city center. They arrested Abdel Haleem Mohamad Al Zeer ,34, and Nathmee Atef AlSharabati,28, who works for the Palestinian military intelligence. [end] more..
Army arrests three residents from Tulkarem
International Middle East Media Center 5/15/2006
The Israeli army arrested three residents in an invasion of the West Bank city of Tulkarem, Monday morning. Troops stormed the city and searched several residents' homes before arresting Wa'el Meslamani, 20, Omar Ishtawi, 19, Mo'atez Al Qarep, 24. All were taken to unknown locations. [end] more..
Settlers left without guns after horse shot
YNet News 5/15/2006
Two weeks ago, police confiscated arms from setters for ballistic check due to suspicions they shot dead horse belonging to Palestinians -- Police confiscated guns belonging to residents of the West Bank outpost of Adei Ad following clashes with Palestinians in which a horse was shot dead. Police seized the guns in order to carry out a ballistic check and settlers say that the move has endangered their lives. "This is a severe blow to the security of the residents," Avigdor Shatz, security officer of the Binyamin Regional Council, told Ynet Monday evening. Two weeks ago, Palestinians claimed settlers attacked local farmers from the village of Marayar near the outpost, which is in the Ramallah region, and shot dead a horse. more..
Fatah and Hamas renew violent face-off
Jerusalem Post 5/14/2006
Hamas and Fatah forces engaged in armed clashes again on Monday as an explosive device was detonated in the northern Gaza strip, next to the residence of a Fatah operative, though no one was injured, Israel Radio reported. Clashes were renewed on Sunday, when Hamas activists shot a Palestinian Preventative Security Service officer in Gaza, and a Hamas operative was shot and seriously wounded by Fatah operatives. Threats against Palestinian reporters and editors have also intensified over the past few weeks, prompting some of them to keep a low profile or to go underground. The threats coincide with growing tension between the two rival groups and armed clashes in the Gaza Strip over the past week. more..
Israeli Settlers attempt to burn a Palestinian alive
International Middle East Media Center 5/13/2006
An extremist settler group attempted, on Thursday at night, to burn a Palestinian resident while he was present in a caravan in Huwwara village, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli police and security sources reported on Friday. The settlers set the caravan on fire while knowing that a Palestinian guard in inside it after he barricaded himself there in an attempt to avoid them. He was injured in his face. After the caravan was set on fire, the guard had to step out and was attacked by the settlers. Later on, the guard ran to a nearby Israeli military checkpoint to report the incident..... An Israeli military tracker confirmed Friday that he identified a trail of the attackers' footprints leading to the Bracha outpost. more..
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