Conflict..

Another Israeli soldier kidnapped AlJazeera 7/1/2006 Kidnappers demand that Israel end its offensive in Gaza -- The Palestinian militants have kidnapped a second Israeli soldier and have threatened to kill him unless Israel ends its military offensive in the Palestinian territories, the radical Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades announced overnight on Friday. In a statement received by AFP in Gaza City, the armed group, loosely affiliated to Fatah Party, called for "the end of the Israelioffensive" and "the lifting of the blockade" in the territories. "If our demands are not met, the Al-Aqsa Brigades will kill the kidnapped soldier," the statement said, withoutgiving any details of the kidnapping. The soldier was seized in the West Bank, the group said. They named him as Hoffmann Kfeir Samuel, aged 24, a resident of Hulul, south of Tel Aviv. more.. Army shells Rafah, Khan Younis and Gaza International Middle East Media Center 7/1/2006 The Israeli Air Force fired missiles at several targets in Rafah, and Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip an in Gaza City. Israeli military sources claimed that the shelled targets are used by resistance fighters; no injuries were reported in the attacks. An Israeli military source reported that the Air Force targeted what he described as a “training facility” used by fighter of the armed wing of Fateh in Gaza City. Palestinian sources reported that the area is used by fighters of Abu Al Reesh Brigades, on of Fateh’s armed groups. The sources added that the fighters recently evacuated the complex fearing an expected Israeli military attack. Also, early Saturday, the Israeli Air Force fired missiles at an area said to be used as a training facility for Hamas fighter in central Gaza. more.. Israel Air Force hits Hamas, Fatah targets in Gaza Strip Ha'aretz 7/1/2006 Three Palestinian militant groups that captured an Israel Defense Forces soldier six days ago demanded in a statement Saturday that Israel free 1,000 Arab prisoners held in its jails and end its offensive in Gaza. (Click here for a map of Gaza)Israeli troops entered the southern Gaza Strip in the early hours of Wednesday, in a bid to pressure the Palestinians to release Corporal Gilad Shalit, abducted Sunday from a position near the Gaza border. The document titled "Military Statement Number Two", which was faxed to news agencies, did not specify whether the demands were for the release of Shalit. But a spokesman for the military wing of the governing Hamas party, one of the three factions, said they were conditions for freeing Shalit. Israel has repeatedly said it will not discuss releasing prisoners in exchange for Shalit. more.. Two years on, dangerous Temple Mount ramp will finally be removed Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 "Now that the Palestinian Authority is paralyzed and incapable of resisting, it's an excellent opportunity to carry out the plan. " -- The Israel Antiquities Authority will begin removing the Mugrabi ramp in a few days, despite the fear of Muslim riots. The ramp, which leads from the Western Wall plaza to one of the Temple Mount Gates, is located in one of the most sensitive places in the world, and plans to carry out excavations under it have therefore been held up by the Shin Bet security service and the prime minister's military secretary for the past two years, for fear of Muslim riots. Archaeologist Meir Ben-Dov warned yesterday that any digging in the area could lead to bloodshed. "Digging in this place goes way beyond the archaeological sphere. This place is far too sensitive and the price would be much too high," he said. more.. Two killed in Israeli raids AlJazeera 6/30/2006 The Israeli military has carried out several overnight attacks on Gaza, with further attacks on the West Bank leaving two Palestinian fighters dead. A medical source said the man from Islamic Jihad died on Friday morning from injuries sustained in an overnight Israeli air raid over the southern Gaza Strip. Muhammad Abd al-Al was the first Palestinian to be killed during a massive Israeli offensive against Gaza which started before dawn on Wednesday in an attempt to secure the release of a captured Israeli soldier. Another Palestinian fighter was shot dead by Israeli troops in an arrest operation in the northern West Bank city of Nablus and another three gave themselves up. Medical sources named the dead man as Mahmud Zukiri, 23, who belonged to al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades faction. more.. IDF kills Sudanese who attempted to infiltrate from Egypt Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 Israel Defense Forces soldiers shot and killed a Sudanese refugee during an arrest of would-be infiltrators adjacent to the Egyptian border on Friday. The incident took place near the town of Nahal Farn. The Sudanese refugee was accompanied by nine other compatriots, three Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip, and three Russian woman. Soldiers opened fire when the man fled from the vehicle in which the group arrived, wounding him. He succumbed to his wounds at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. The IDF claims that the three Palestinians were planning to carry out a terrorist attack at the site. [end] more.. Israeli strikes injure three brigades' members and child in Gaza Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Gaza --Three members of the Islamic Jihad movement's Al Quds Brigades were injured in an Israeli air strike aimed at their vehicle near Shifa' hospital in Gaza. Eye witnesses said that an Israeli warplane launched missiles at a Subaru causing the injuries. They were immediately taken to Shifa' hospital while the car continued to burn. In related news, a Palestinian child was injured in the aftermath of an artillery attack on civilian homes in Beit Hanoun. [end] more.. Member of the Al Aqsa Brigades arrested after an 18-hour battle in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 Israeli soldiers arrested Fuad Al Shahroor, after surrounding him in the eastern Graveyard area in Nablus for eighteen hours. Ongoing clashes resumed between fighters and soldiers in several areas of Nablus during the invasion. The fighter, 18, was surrounded in the Eastern Graveyard for eighteen hours, while he and fighters in different located engaged in a fierce gun battle with the Israeli troops. He was injured in his leg while trying to flee his location from the graveyard. Israeli forces invaded Nablus on Friday morning and engaged in exchanges of fire with resistance fighters in the city until evening hours. One fighter of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fateh, was killed, and 30 residents and fighters wee injured, two seriously. [end] more.. Israeli forces break into charitable society near Jenin Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Jenin --Israeli forces broke into a charitable society in Fahmah, southwest of the city of Jenin, and set up a temporary military barrier outside the town, Friday morning. Palestinian sources in the town said that seven Israeli military patrols raided the town amid shooting fire and broke into the "Mercy Charitable Society," searched it and confiscated a computer. No arrests were reported. [end] more.. Israeli forces raid a Bethlehem charitable centre, seize computers and files Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli forces broke into the Iqra'a Centre and kindergarten belonging to the Charitable Reform Society in Wadi M'ali in the city of Bethlehem early on Friday morning, and confiscated three computers, some files and financial statements. The manager of the Centre, Ahmad Skafi, said that the Israeli forces destroyed the door of the Centre, confiscated three computers and the financial statements and destroyed its contents. PLC Hamas member Anwar Zaboun, who was kidnapped early on Thursday from the city of Bethlehem during the massive Israeli abduction operation in which eight ministers and more than 20 PLC members were seized, was a previous manager of Iqra'a Centre. [end] more.. Israeli forces besiege Nablus cemetery, kill Al Aqsa member, injure at least seven Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Nablus -- The Israeli forces swooped on Nablus' city centre on Friday and killed one armed Palestinian, injured at least seven and arrested one. Mahmoud Yousef Zakarnah, a member of Fatah's main military wing, the Al Aqsa Brigades, was killed when clashes broke out between the Israeli occupation forces and armed Palestinians near the city's eastern cemetery on Friday morning. The Ma'an correspondent reported that more than 15 Israeli military vehicles and many bulldozers entered the city of Nablus under cover of military helicopters early on Friday. The troops surrounded the cemetery where many armed Palestinians were positioned and fierce clashes erupted. more.. Israeli forces carry out sweeping arrests of Palestinian officials Palestine News Network 6/30/2006 Official Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses are reporting on a major Israeli raid early Friday morning on several institutions and humanitarian services charities. Israeli forces invaded the Bethlehem area early this morning, smashing windows, confiscating computers, files, and crucial materials from several humanitarian organizations. Israeli forces incurred into Bethlehem City at approximately 3:00 am, with ten military patrols and army vehicles, and raided a kindergarten, bombing its doors open. They searched the contents in the dark of night, and confiscated three computers. They also raided the Charitable Medical Center east of Bethlehem where the on-duty doctor, Haitham Abu Hahmameed and the night watchman were working. more.. Israeli forces stormed a sports club, medical center and charitable organizations in Hebron Palestine News Network 6/30/2006 At dawn Friday Israeli forces stormed towns to the south and northwest of Hebron, and raided the premises of several charitable associations, and sports and medical centers. In the southern West Bank Israeli forces carried out raids and incursions into the targeted charitable clubs, sports and medical centers. Palestinian security sources said Friday that the trend for Israeli forces raiding charitable organizations is on the rise, citing the headquarters of the Islamic Youth Club Charity. Sports and the Medical Center of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the town were not immune either. Israeli soldiers caused material damage to the contents of three headquarters prior to destroying doors and windows. Israeli forces confiscated a number of computers and some documents from those headquarters. more.. Al Qassam Brigades says joint operations room between all armed resistance factions is preparing to face Israeli continual attacks together Palestine News Network 6/30/2006 Al Qassam Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obeidiya, said Friday that the Hamas related armed resistance group in making the best preparations possible considering the circumstances to cope with the current situation following the Israeli threats backed by large military reinforcements invading the Gaza Strip. He said, “The intrusion of the Israeli army will not be a picnic and will not be an easy task and there is no hope for the Israelis to find the captured soldier. ”Abu Obeidiya returned the Israeli threats. “Full entry into the Gaza Strip would cost the Zionist entity dearly and therefore there choice for them other than to retreat from their threats and instead search for diplomatic means to solve the problem.... " more.. Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Jabalia as Israeli forces try to invade Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Gaza --Two members of the Palestinian National Security Forces were injured on Friday during clashes that took place between the Palestinian forces and Israeli Special Forces in the Al Kashif neighbourhood of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources reported that a group of armed Palestinians, comprising of members of the Palestinian National Security Forces and of Fatah's military wing, the Al Aqsa Brigades, clashed with an Israeli Special Unit that tried to enter Jabalia through the Al Kashif district close to the Gaza border with Israel. In a phone call, the spokesman for the Al Aqsa Brigades reported that the Palestinian groups forced the Israeli Special Unit to move back after armed clashes continued for more than 20 minutes. [end] more.. Palestinian military groups launch three projectiles at Sderot Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Gaza -- The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and the Al Mujahideen Brigades, a military wing of Fatah, claimed joint responsibility on Friday for launching three homemade projectiles at the southern Israeli town of Sderot early on Friday morning. In a joint statement, the two military wings confirmed that the launching operation was in response to the "Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people, including children and women. [end] more.. Qassam lands in Ashkelon YNet News 6/30/2006 Rocket lands near residential area in southern city; concerns raised over residential areas -- A Qassam rocket dud was found Friday morning in open territory near Ashkelon’s cemetery, not far from residential areas. It seems the rocket was fired as part of the barrage of Qassams fired Thursday from Gaza. Until now Ashkelon residents have not suffered from fear of Qassams – rockets fired at the city fell in the worst case in the industrial zone of the city and did not interfere with local life. However this reality may now change, as the rocket dud shows an improved rocket range on the part of the Palestinians, raising concerns that the next rocket launches could result in damage to property, or even casualties. more.. Factbox - Israel's offensive "to free captured soldier" ReliefWeb 6/30/2006 June 30 (Reuters) - Israel has launched an offensive to try to get militants in Gaza to free a captured soldier. Below are some of the main events so far: June 28, 2006 - Aircraft strike bridges on main roads in the Gaza Strip in attacks that the army says are aimed at preventing militants from moving the captive, Corporal Gilad Shalit.... June 29 - Israel detains dozens of Hamas cabinet ministers and lawmakers in the West Bank in a move the Islamist group says aims at toppling its government. Gaza Strip in attacks that the army says are aimed at preventing militants from moving the captive, Corporal Gilad Shalit.... June 30 - - Israeli warplanes attack more than 20 targets in the Gaza Strip, setting ablaze the Interior Ministry offices of the Hamas-led government... more.. Fighters of the Al Aqsa Brigades say they abducted a soldier in the West Bank International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 A statement released by a group that belongs to the Al Aqsa brigades, the military wing of Fateh, reported that it abducted an Israeli soldier in the west Bank. The group said that it abducted, on Friday afternoon, an Israeli soldier identified as Haiman Keefer Shmoel. The Maan News Agency reported that the group gave the following details to confirm the abduction;Name of soldier: Haiman Kiefar Shmoel. Date of Birth: 24/8/1982. Identify Card Number: 062866256. Residency: Golan. A spokesperson of the Brigades said that Israel should immediately release the arrested Palestinian ministers and legislators, and should release all detainees held in Israeli jails. Also, the group demanded Israel to withdraw from the territories it invaded in Gaza and the west Bank and to stop its ground and air strikes. more.. Israeli forces trash union office in Nablus Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Nablus --Palestinian Legislative Council members from Hamas movement in Nablus, denounced the Israeli raid on the headquarters of the Islamic Work Union in the city. Israeli forces confiscated all the files and destroyed the furniture in the office during the raid. The representatives said that the raid was not justified. The union practices only social, educational and work services, and is not involved in politics. PLC members also denounced the Israeli continuous incursions in the city and the assassination of Mahmoud Zakarneh in cold blood. They affirmed that such measures "will never prevent the Palestinian People from struggling towards their liberty. [end] more.. Photostory: Israel invades Gaza, 27 June 2006 Electronic Intifada 6/30/2006 Combined sources, The Electronic Intifada, 30 June 2006 -- Israeli soldiers preparing to attack the Gaza Strip at Rafah crossing. (MaanImages/Moti Milrod) / The Israeli army masses troops near the border with the Gaza Strip June 26, 2006. (MaanImages/Inbal Rose) / The Israeli army masses troops near the border with the Gaza Strip June 26, 2006. (MaanImages/Inbal Rose) / The Israeli army amasses troops near the Gaza border, June 27, 2006. (MaanImages/Moti Milrod) / An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires shells towards the Gaza Strip. (MaanImages/Moti Milrod) / A Palestinian family that evacuated their home after Israel attacked the Gaza Strip, demolishing bridges and a power stati on, June 28, 2006. (MaanImages/Hatem Omar... more.. "We have so many problems now in Gaza.." Rafah Today 6/30/2006 [with photos] It might be the last time to get online, I have so many things to do. I have been doing many interviews today and none of them I was comfortable with while I was talking. It is hell here, we have so many problems now in Gaza. I don’t know what to do, but I will just go ahead and continue working on many things. I will load these photos then I should leave now. I have no time to write that much, but I guess photos could speak much better. 29 June 06: Bloody life in Gaza, scary days and dark nights all the time, The attack is still ongoing, This laptop computer is running out of battery at the moment—I will get back to update the website as soon as possible. All the residents of Gaza, including myself, are having rolling power outages... more.. House shelled in Rafah International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Israeli air force shelled a civilian house in southern Gaza city of Thursday after midnight, the Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported. The shelled house is located behind the Al Shuhada Graveyard in Al Salam neighborhood in the city. Damage, but no injuries, was reported. [end] more.. Several residents injured in Tubas International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Israeli soldiers invaded the West Bank city of Tubas Thursday and clashed with dozens of youth, several residents were injured. A local source in Tubas reported that the youth hurled stones and empty bottles at the military jeeps after invading the city, soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets and gas bombs. [end] more.. West Bank bus companies to offer settlers free rides Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 The Yesha Council of settlements announced Thursday that it has obtained funding to finance free transportation on buses belonging to regional development companies in the West Bank, due to the escalation in the security situation and reports that terrorists are planning further kidnapping attempts. The buses will operate along main roads and collect passengers at central locations and settlement entrances. However, the budget covers only a few buses, on the following lines: Tapuah-Ariel-Rachelim; Givat Assaf-Ofra-Shilo-Eli-Tapuah-Ariel-Rachelim; Shima-Sussya-Carmel-Kiryat Arba-Beit Hagai-Otniel. A timetable and list of specific collection points will be published in the coming days by regional councils and settlement secretariats. more.. At least four civilians, one fighter injured by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 Thursday after midnight, one Palestinian fighter was seriously injured in an Israeli air strike in Rafah, in the souther part of the Gaza Strip, at least four civilians were injured in separate attacks carried by the Israeli army. The Palestinian Television reported that the fighter, member of the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, will be transferred to from Abu Yousef Al Najjar to the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis due to the seriousness of his condition. Also, the Israeli air force fired at least one missile at Al Saifiyya area, north of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In the central Gaza Strip, Israeli apaches fired two missile at a building which is still under construction; the attacked building belongs to the Gaza Electricity company, in Gaza City. A media office was also shelled and caught in fire in the city. more.. Gazans Brace for Months of Darkness Palestine Chronicle 6/29/2006 Gaza was plunged into darkness early Wednesday after Israeli aircraft fired eight missiles into Gaza's lone power plant. -- GAZA CITY — After Israeli occupation forces knocked out electricity and water supplies on Wednesday, June 28, most of the 1. 3 million residents of the impoverished Gaza Strip are bracing for more difficult weeks, if not months. "It would be horrible days after losing our sole source of electricity," Umm Ahmed, a 50-year-old Palestinian woman, told IslamOnline. net. "Why would our kids stand Gaza hellish temperature at this time of the year? " she fumed. "Without power, we would not even be able to store food in case Israeli attacks keep us inside our homes for days," said the anxious mother.... Around 70 percent of the Gaza Strip's 1. 4 million people would be without power for six months. more.. Hamas says Israel is out to destroy its administration The Guardian 6/30/2006 Palestinian ministers and MPs seized in night raid after kidnapping of soldier -- The Hamas-led Palestinian government accused Israel of attempting to depose its administration after the army arrested eight cabinet ministers and 20 of its MPs as pressure increased for the release of a captured Israeli soldier believed to be held in a Gaza refugee camp. Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip went into hiding after the detention of the deputy prime minister, Nasser Shaer, as well as the finance and Jerusalem affairs ministers, in a raid that rounded up 64 Hamas officials in the West Bank. Israel's defence minister, Amir Peretz, said the detained Hamas officials could be put on trial for involvement in "acts of terror", adding: "The masquerade ball is over... " more.. Israel bombs Palestinian Interior Ministry, Second Power plant, Charitable societies in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 Airstrikes from Israeli planes have destroyed the Interior Ministry in Gaza City, as Israeli forces in 'Operation Summer Rain' drop bombs on Palestinian infrastructure and civil installations in the Gaza Strip in a bid to totally destroy the Palestinian economy and social institutions. The Palestinian society for the speech impaired, the only center for speech-impaired residents of Gaza, was severely damaged when Israeli bombs destroyed its training workshops. The society serves hundreds of speech impaired Palestinian citizens, mostly children. And, after one of the two main power plants supplying electricity to the residents of Gaza was destroyed by a bomb on Wednesday night, the second was destroyed in an airstrike late Thursday night. more.. Residents flee in terror from rolling thunder The Australian 6/29/2006 Martin Chulov, Gaza -- OPERATION Summer Rain began with the terrifying, telltale sound of rolling thunder shattering the pre-dawn Gaza calm. The sonic boom of the fighter jet shattered windows and spooked already nervous souls just after 2. 30am. All of Gaza knew what it meant. After 10 months, the Israelis were back in town. At the southeastern border, tanks and troop carriers rumbled to life and the few remaining Palestinian security forces in the area beat a hasty retreat. The mighty Israeli army moved swiftly across the border it last crossed on the way out in August last year, ending a bloody, decades-long occupation and hoping never to return. The tanks rolled through dry, sandy fields and pot-holed roads and headed straight for the Gaza international airport that has stood in moribund decay for the past six years. more.. Child injured in Israeli shelling to the northern Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 A Palestinian medical source Gaza reported that one Palestinian child was moderately injured, Thursday after midnight, after an Israeli F16 fighter jet fired missiles at several areas in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The five-year old child was hospitalized at a Gaza hospital, several homes were partially damaged as a result of the blasts. Eyewitnesses reported that several missiles were also fired at the Customs area, the Bedouin village and Qleibo area in northern Gaza. Also, Israeli air force fired several missiles at the entrance of Beit Hanoun city, Al Saifa area, Sheikh Zayid housing project, and Al Shaima area. All of the attacked areas are heavily populated. Several missiles were also fired at an area west of Gaza City, eyewitnesses reported. more.. Rafah: Palestinians blast border fence YNet News 6/29/2006 Hundreds of Palestinian, Egyptian police form human cordons on both sides of Gaza-Egypt border to block Palestinians trying to get through after gunmen blast hole in cement wall; earlier, two Palestinian police officers wounded by IDF artillery fire -- Hundreds of Palestinian and Egyptian police formed human cordons on both sides of the Gaza-Egypt border Thursday to block Palestinians trying to get through after gunmen blasted a hole in a cement wall near the crossing. Egypt also imposed a curfew on the nearby town of Rafah, ordering all stores, banks and restaurants shut, said Ahmed el-Masri, chief of police there. An Associated Press reporter at the scene heard men with megaphones screaming that they were from the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing... more.. Israeli missile hits university in Gaza City - Witnesses People's Daily Online 6/29/2006 A missile fired by an Israeli military plane hit a university in Gaza City on early Thursday, Palestinian witnesses said. The missile left a big hole in the soccer field of the Islamic University in Gaza City, said the witnesses. There was no report of any casualties. The strike occurred as Israeli troops are carrying out a broad ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the first of its kind since Israel withdrew soldiers and settlers from the coastal strip last year after a 38-year-long occupation. Israel says that the Gaza offensive is aimed to free an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants on Sunday. Meanwhile, Israeli troops are preparing to enter the northern Gaza Strip to expand the operation. [end] more.. PM rejects Beit Hanun plan as 'no good' Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday rejected a proposal by Defense Minister Amir Peretz and the Israel Defense Forces for a ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip against the ongoing Qassam rocket fire. Olmert demanded that they present him with an approved operational plan. According to government sources, the operation, which will target Beit Hanun, will take place, but Olmert wants the operation to be "prolonged and exhausting," and did not believe that the plan he was shown fit the bill. (Click here for a map of Gaza)The decision was made following consultations held by Olmert and Peretz with security officials, after Egypt asked Israel to allow more time for negotiations on the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, abducted Sunday from a post near the Gaza border. more.. Israel puts off further Gaza incursion Ha'aretz 6/29/2006 Israel has reportedly postponed a planned incursion into the northern Gaza Strip town of Bait Hanun, apparently to allow negotiations to continue over the fate of a kidnapped soldier. Israeli public radio said on Thursday that further movements into northern Gaza, where troops have rolled across the border in an effort to free the conscript, have been delayed. An Israeli army spokeswoman refused to confirm operations had been halted but said "our forces have not entered the northern Gaza Strip and will be ready to do so when they receive the order". The Israeli Haaretz newspaper said on its website that the delay was decided after talks between Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, Amir Peretz, the defence minister, and security officials. more.. Israel Destroys Gaza Infrastructure Palestine Chronicle 6/29/2006 The attack followed air strikes that destroyed two main bridges and hit a road in the central Gaza Strip. -- GAZA CITY — Israeli warplanes bombarded two main vital bridges and the main power station in the impoverished Gaza Strip before pushing tanks and troops deep into the coastal strip early on Wednesday, June 28. "Israel is continuing with its state terrorism against the Palestinian people," former minister and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told Al-Jazeera news channel. "We had an agreement, sponsored by the European Union, that energy and power stations should be left out of the conflict," he averred. "We are seeing a humanitarian crisis unfolds before our eyes. "Gaza City was plunged into darkness after Israeli aircraft hit the main power station... more.. Amir Peretz Orders assessments of each step in Gaza invasion, heightened alerts on northern borders Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Bethelem --Israeli security sources said that the Israeli army leadership prefers to postpone invasion of the northern areas of the Gaza Strip. In a security meeting with military leaders Israeli Defense Minister, Amir Peretz, called them to make assessments of the military affects of each operation, and approved the army plans for the next stage of operations The minister also issued orders to raise the level of alert on the northern borders and ordered the army to retaliate strongly for any attempt at military harassment from the Lebanese party of Hezbollah. Peretz said that the kidnapping of the Palestinian officials was in order to stress that there will be no immunity for any one and that Israel has shown its seriousness by their 'arrest'. more.. Israeli source: Abductions were planned months ago, Israeli soldier's capture was the excuse to execute the plan Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Bethlehem --Israeli sources said that the judicial consultant for the Israeli Attorney General, Mini Mazzouz, decided to issue accusation lists against the Palestinian officials who were kidnapped Thursday night. The sources added that consultations were made after the formation of the Palestinian government led by the Hamas movement regarding how to deal with this government. The source added that the legal consultant received an inquiry from the political level and from the Israeli intelligence service, Shabak, to study possibilities of issuing arrest orders against Hamas ministers and Palestinian Legislative Council members. Administrative detention was chosen as a solution in case no specific charges against these officials were possible. more.. Army discovers the body of kidnapped settler International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 The Israeli army troops discovered the body of kidnapped Israeli settler Eliyahu Asheri in Tira neighborhood in the West Bank city of Ramallah Thursday at dawn. A large force stormed the city around 4am to remove the body of the settler. The settler is a resident of the nearby Itmar settlement. The army launched a military operation in the city of Rammallah and the nearby town of El-Bireh last night looking for the settler and broke into scores of civilian homes and arrested a large number of PA ministers, deputies and Palestinians leaders in both cities, local sources reported. The army did not release any new information or details on the condition of the settler until after the body was checked, Israeli sources reported. more.. IDF commander: Asheri murdered immediately YNet News 6/29/2006 Central Command Chief Naveh says kidnappers of teen settler had no intention of holding negotiations for his release, murdered him one hour after kidnapping him -- Central Command Chief Major-General Yair Naveh told a press briefing Thursday that there was no attempt made at negotiations by the Palestinian kidnappers of Eliyahu Asheri, who proceeded to execute the teenager one hour after kidnapping him. The major-general said that after receiving information on the kidnappers, security forces arrested one captor. From the interrogation of the suspect, it emerged that Asheri was kidnapped near Ofra, by Ramallah, by a cell of terrorists belonging to the Resistance Committees. more.. Army levels four houses and bulldozes scores of dunams of farming lands in Rafah International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 The Israeli army bulldozers and tanks leveled four houses and bulldozed scores of dunams of farming lands in Al Shoka area in Rafah city, in the southeastern part of the Gaza strip, Thursday. The houses belong to the Al Fara and Abu Mo'amer families, local sources reported. No reason was given by Israeli forces for the destruction of the homes, although it appears to be part of the massive operation 'Summer Rain' being conducted by Israeli forces against the Palestinian people in the northern and southern ends of the Gaza Strip. [end] more.. VIDEO - Gaza: Israeli air strike targets senior terrorist YNet News 6/29/2006 Air Force targets car carrying senior Islamic Jihad member, who escapes with light injuries -- VIDEO - Palestinian security sources said Israel carried out an air strike on Thursday against a car in Gaza City carrying a senior Islamic Jihad terrorist, who survived the attack. The Israeli army said it had targeted a vehicle, but gave no details about who it believed was inside. The terrorist was lightly injured, witnesses said. The air strike came as Israeli forces prepared to broaden a Gaza campaign to free abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. more.. Al Quds member escapes death in Gaza City Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Gaza --A member of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, escaped death when his car was targeted by Israeli war jets in Tal Al Hawa, west Gaza City on Thursday. Eyewitnesses said that the man, who is from the Dahdouh family, managed to jump from the car just moments before the car was hit by an Israeli rocket which damaged the car. [end] more.. Israeli forces arrest union leader near Hebron Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Hebron --Israeli forces arrested the head of the General Union of Labor Syndicates, southern region, Nimir Abriyoush, 40, early on Thursday morning. Nimir's sister, Maisaloun, said that Israeli Forces broke into her brother's house in the town of Durra and destroyed some of its contents before they arrested him and took him to an unknown location. [end] more.. Israeli forces tear gas Tubas' citizens Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Jenin --Israeli forces used tear gas against Palestinian citizens during confrontations in the city of Tubas. Palestinian citizens in the city stoned the Israeli forces when they raided the city, the Israeli soldiers retaliated with rubber bullets and tear gas. [end] more.. House shelled in Rafah International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Thursday after midnight, Israeli air force shelled a civilian house in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported. The shelled house is located behind Al Shuhada Graveyard, in Al Salam neighborhood in the city, damage was reported, no injuries. [end] more.. Israeli source releases name of Palestinian arrested for killing Israeli settler in Ramallah Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Ma'an -- Ma'an- Israel revealed the name of the Palestinian who killed the kidnapped Israeli settler, Eliyahu Asheri, in Ramallah Wednesday. An Israeli source said that the name of the man is Wesam Abu Irjailah from Attarah village north of Ramallah and that he was arrested Wednesday when Israeli forces raided Ramallah and arrested Abu Irjailah and two others. The other two were released later in the day Wednesday. [end] more.. Al Quds Brigades continues to launch projectiles against Israeli towns Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Gaza -- Gaza- Ma'an Al Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad movement's military group, said it has launched four homemade projectiles at the Israeli towns of Nahal Oz and Sderot, Thursday afternoon. In a statement issued by the brigades it confirmed that it "will continue launching projectiles against the Israeli occupation, this is a natural retaliation for Israeli aggression and killing of the Palestinian children and women. [end] more.. Three brigades cooperate in launching operation against Nahal Oz Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Gaza --Three different Palestinian brigades shared responsibility for the launching of two homemade projectiles at the Nahal Oz area in Israel, Thursday afternoonAbu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's military group, Al Aqsa Brigades, the Fatah movement's main military group and National Resistance Brigades, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine's military group, made a joint statement, saying that "launching the projectiles was a reaction to the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip," adding, "the resistance groups are ready to confront the Israeli aggression and a joint operations room has been established for this purpose. [end] more.. Israel fulfills threat and kidnaps eight Palestinian cabinet ministers and over 20 legislators overnight Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Bethlehem --Israeli forces abducted eight Palestinian Cabinet Ministers and at least 20 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members from the West Bank soon after midnight Wednesday. None of the men were presented with any charges. Jerusalem: Israeli forces seized early on Thursday morning the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu Arafa and PLC members Muhammad Abu Tir, Muhammad Attoun and Wael Al Husseini after the Israeli forces broke into their homes in Jerusalem. Ramallah: Israeli forces besieged the Gemzo Suites Hotel in Ramallah and abducted five Palestinian cabinet ministers staying there... The Minister of Labour, Muhammad Al Barghouthi, was also seized when Israeli forces launched an inspection campaign and set up several military roadblocks around the village of Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah... more.. Israeli air force shell the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 The Palestinian Ministry of Interior, in Gaza City, was set on fire after missiles fired by the Israeli air force struck the building on Thursday after midnight, Palestinian witnesses reported, no injuries were reported in the attack but smoke and flames were seen the in building. The Israeli army confirmed the attack, while a senior military official described the building as the “meeting place to plan terror activities”, Israeli online daily Haaretz reported. The official added that the attack targeted the office of the Palestinian Minister of Interior, Sa'id Siyam, one of the leaders of the Hamas ruling party. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed its planes hit the office of Interior Minister Said Siyam, which it called "a meeting place to plan and direct terror activity. " more.. Gaza Invasion Unites Palestinians By Mustafa el-Sawwaf, Palestine Chronicle 6/30/2006 Wielding assault rifles and anti-tank rockets, fighters prowled the streets in the balmy night, threatening an unrelenting battle. -- GAZA CITY — Burying recent differences, which in some cases took a violent turn, resistance fighters from different Palestinian groups stand united in the face of the invading Israeli troops. "We are standing together against the Israeli occupation forces and their aggressions," a resistance fighter from Fatah's armed wing, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, told IslamOnline. net on Thursday, June 29. Wearing a headband with the logo of his group, he took up his position behind a sand barrier in southern Khan Younis with a fellow fighter from Ezzeldin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing. "We are united against the Israeli enemy," said al-Qassam fighter. "The enemy sought to pit us against one another but failed. " more.. Interior Ministry building in Gaza hit in IAF strike Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 Israeli warplanes struck more than a dozen times in Gaza in the hours after midnight, hitting the Palestinian Interior Ministry and a Fatah office in Gaza city, as well as a Hamas training camp in the city's outskirts. Israel Air Force aircraft early Friday struck the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza City, Palestinian witnesses said, setting it on fire. There was no word of casualties as smoke and flames rose from the building in downtown Gaza City. The Interior Ministry is nominally in charge of Palestinian security forces, though Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas removed most of its authority. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed its planes hit the office of Interior Minister Said Siyam, which it called "a meeting place to plan and direct terror activity. " more.. Al Aqsa Brigades launch a "chemical" projectile at Sderot Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Gaza -- The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah Movement, launched one homemade projectile into Sderot early on Thursday morning. The Brigades said that the homemade projectile carried a chemical head. In a statement, the Brigades declared that the chemical materials in the head of the projectile are transferred through the air through inhalation or by touching one's skin after touching the projectile. The Brigades said to the Israeli Chief of Staff, "a new stage of the military response has started, and you have to think one thousand times before launching any foolish adventure. " [end] more.. Army arrests five residents in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Israeli army troops arrested five residents from the West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday. The arrested were identified as Mohamed Shabanah, Bilal Ziton, Ahmad Qadimat, Tha'er Al Shalada and Hamza Abu Awwad, all were taken to unknown locations. [end] more.. Army increases its presence in Salfit and invades several villages International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Israeli army troops have increased their presences in the West Bank city of Salfit after invading several neighboring village Thursday morning. Soldiers installed military checkpoints on the main city roads and roads connecting it with nearby village. Troops also invaded the villages of Dier Istia and Zatra, local sources reported. [end] more.. Peretz: No Hamas member immune YNet News 6/29/2006 Defense minister approves further ‘Summer Rain’ operation plans during meeting with top security officials, but stresses: Diplomatic effort not yet lost cause. 'We are in decisive moment with respect to deciding rules of game between us and terrorist elements in Palestinian Authority,' he adds -- Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Thursday, “We are in one of the most significant moments with respect to deciding the rules of the game between us and terrorist elements in the Palestinian Authority in the coming period. " The defense minister was speaking during a meeting convened with top security officials in his Tel Aviv office to assess the situation. During the meeting, Peretz approved further steps of Operation Summer Rain in Gaza... more.. Israeli forces arrest Nablus man at roadblock after failing to find him home Ma'an News 6/29/2006 Nablus --Israeli forces arrested Ahmad An Naqeeb, 26, when he was trying to pass through Huwarah roadblock south of the city of Nablus. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli soldiers arrested the man at the barrier and took him unknown destination. A Ma'an reporter said that the Israeli forces broke into An Naqeeb's home in Nablus earlier Thursday morning in an attempt to arrest him. [end] more.. VIDEO - Nightly battle: Breslov vs. IDF YNet News 6/29/2006 Quiet battle resumed: Breslov hassidim, who claim IDF is blocking access to Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, creep to gravesite at night, without IDF accompaniment, at serious risk to their lives -- VIDEO - At around 2:30 a. m. , Naftali Reicher, a young Breslov hassid from Jerusalem, already reported the infiltration of approximately nine vehicles into the Joseph's Tomb gravesite. Simultaneously, in order to check the awareness of soldiers at the lookout post at Grizim Mount, overlooking Nablus, he turns to one of the lookouts and asks him if he saw anything. The soldier in question responds that he did not. Perhaps because he was busy looking at the crowd of dozens of Breslov hassidim gathered at "Joseph's Lookout" (a summit overlooking Joseph's Tomb), as it's called in Breslov lingo, to honor the passing of the righteous Joseph. more.. IDF troops arrest 87 senior Hamas political and military officials Ha'aretz 6/29/2006 Israel has expanded its military operation against the Hamas-led government in the Palestinian Authority by embarking on mass arrests of senior Hamas officials before dawn Thursday. Israel Defense Forces troops launched early Thursday a major arrest operation against Hamas officials, detaining 64 of the ruling militant group's ministers and parliamentarians in the West Bank and 23 military operatives. The arrests took place in Ramallah, Qalqilyah, Hebron, Jenin and East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian reports. Soldiers carried arrest warrants signed by judges that were issued following cooperative preparatory work by the state prosecution and police. A Hamas official called the arrests an "open war against the Palestinian government and people," and said that Israel must be prepared to pay their consequences. more.. Missing teen found dead, buried in Ramallah field Ha'aretz 6/29/2006 Eighteen-year-old Eliyahu Asheri, from the settlement of Itamar, was found dead by Israel Defense Forces late Wednesday night in the A-Tira neighborhood of Ramallah. The location of Asheri's body was tipped off to the IDF by a Palestinian militant arrested by the police anti-terror unit and IDF troops on Wednesday. Shin Bet agents and special IDF troops found the body buried in a field around 2:30 A. M. Thursday, and determined that he was shot in the head soon after he was kidnapped on Sunday. Soldiers arrested a militant in connection with the murder early Thursday morning. Palestinian militants from the Popular Resistance Committees said they executed the teenager... a PRC spokesman... told Al-Jazeera satellite TV that the settler would be "butchered in front of TV cameras" if doesn't stop its raid on the Gaza Strip... more.. Israeli tanks turn screw on besieged Gaza Strip By Chris McGreal, The Guardian 6/29/2006 Rafah -- Israel widened its assault on the Gaza Strip last night by shelling the north of the territory and dropping leaflets warning residents of a pending attack by tanks and troops, as the government seized on a crisis over an abducted soldier to take on Palestinian armed groups. It also held more than 1 million ordinary Palestinians responsible for 19-year-old Corporal Gilad Shilat's continued capture and promised "extreme action" to secure his release. The defence minister, Amir Peretz, authorised a second invasion of Gaza in as many days after the seizure by troops early yesterday of an area in the south near the Rafah and Khan Yunis refugee camps. The army believes that Cpl Shalit is being held in the crowded warrens of the camps controlled by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. more.. Israelis attack Gaza in “Summer Rain,” as they dump missiles, cut electricity and occupy airport Palestine News Network 6/28/2006 During this morning’s early dawn hours Israeli forces began to act on its threat to launch extensive military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Israelis, as they name their major attacks against Palestinians, are calling this one, “Summer Rains. ” This means that their missiles will fire from the warplanes in the sky, hitting as many people as possible. According to official local sources, the Israeli forces concentrated at the beginning of its operation on the aerial bombardment from military aircraft of the type “F-16,” from the US, hitting the infrastructure. The idea was to destroy the electricity and they did. Israeli aircraft targeted a bridge on the coastal road linking Gaza City with the southern Strip. They hit it with three rockets and completely destroyed the bridge and nearby property and buildings. more.. Hackers attack 750 Israeli websites in protest of IDF operation in Gaza Ha'aretz 6/28/2006 A group of Moroccan hackers attacked hundreds of Israeli websites on Wednesday. Some reports say that as many as 750 websites with the suffix co. il have come under attack. The website attacks started after Israel Defense Forces began preparing for the retaliatory "Summer Rain" operation in Gaza, in response to the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit on Sunday. The hacker group, which calls itself 'Team Evil', replaces the home page of the target websites with the following text: "Hacked By Team-Evil Arab hackers u KIll palestin people we Kill Israel servers" (sic). Some of the sites under attack are Globus Group ticketing, the Rambam Hospital website, the sites of Bank Hapoalim and Bank Otsar Hahayal, and the site of the pension and provident fund management group Halman-Aldubi. Smaller sites have also been targeted. more.. IAF: Aerial flight over Assad's palace YNet News 6/28/2006 While ground forces launch Gaza operation, Air Force conveys harsh message to Syrian president in aerial flight over his palace; Israel points finger at Syria as sponsor of Hamas leaders, headed by Khaled Mashaal, who Israel views as directly responsible for Kerem Shalom operation -- Message to Assad: While ground forces launched an operation in Gaza early Wednesday, four Israel Air Force F-16 aircrafts carried out an aerial flight over Syrian President Bashar Assad's palace, near the city of Latakia. The IDF Spokesperson's Office reported that the flight was carried out as part of the Israel Defense Forces' operation and that Israelviews the Syrian leadership as the main sponsor of terror groups headed by Hamas. more.. Car explodes in Gaza City, man’s body taken to hospital in charred bits Palestine News Network 6/28/2006 Medical sources reported that a member of Palestinian security and several citizens were injured as a result of the massive explosion in Gaza City. There are conflicting reports about the source and nature of the explosion. While a number of eyewitnesses saw the F-16 planes in the air the moment the explosion occurred, while others were of the view that the explosion was of unknown origin. The blast destroyed a car, burning it completely, while the body of the man killed became an unknown charred mass of bits and pieces of flesh, according to medical sources in Gaza City’s Al Shifa Hospital. The number of injured persons was difficult to ascertain as some were hospitalized, while other went to nearby clinics. more.. Israelis confiscate Palestinian lands for settlement fence in Hebron Palestine News Network 6/28/2006 According to official sources in the General Land Defense Committee in the Hebron District, Israeli forces continued to build a fence around yet another illegal Israeli Settlement south of Hebron. The southern West Bank construction continued Wednesday which confiscates tends of dunams of Palestinian agricultural lands. Land owners are prevented from reaching their properties. Most of the owners live in two neighboring towns. A map expert in the Land Defense Committee said today that the total volume of land which is expected to be swallowed by the fence surrounding the settlement reaches more than 100 dunums. A similar situation is occurring at a nearby Israeli settlement. [end] more.. Ultra-Orthodox Jews attack Christian tourists in Jerusalem Ha'aretz 6/28/2006 A group of 50 pro-Israel Christian tourists came under attack Wednesday from some 100 residents of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea She'arim in Jerusalem. Three of the tourists and a police officer were wounded in the attack. They received treatment at the scene. The tourists arrived at Mea She'arim wearing orange T-shirts with the words "Love your neighbor as yourself" printed across them. As they neared one of the squares, the local residents apparently identified them as Christians and began to hit them. Police forces in the area stepped in to stop the violence, but did not make any arrests. Police say they are waiting for the tourists to file official complaints. [end] more.. Israel hunts down Hamas leadership AlJazeera 6/29/2006 Israeli forces have rounded up dozens of Palestinian Cabinet ministers and lawmakers from Hamas, increasing pressure on militants to release a captured Israeli soldier. Witnesses said on Thursday that tanks moved into northern Gaza, widening Israel's largest military operation in the year since it pulled out of the seaside territory. Adding to the tension, a Palestinian militant group claimed on Thursday that it had killed an 18-year-old Jewish settler kidnapped in the West Bank. Palestinian security officials said they believed the body of Eliahu Asheri had been found in the West Bank city of Ram Allah. Hamas officials said more than 30 lawmakers have been arrested in the West Bank. more.. IAF strikes south Gaza in bid to press militants to free soldier Ha'aretz 6/29/2006 As the Israel Defense Forces continued its land-based operation in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israel Air Force also struck targets in the south in continued efforts to pressure Palestinian militants into releasing a soldier seized Sunday in an attack on a military position near the Gaza border. The IAF before dawn Thursday struck a weapons warehouse managed by Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees in Khan Yunis. Witnesses also said three missiles fell in an open field used for training by Hamas militants. Israel aircraft also bombarded seven roads the IDF said were used by Qassam launch crews. Israel Navy vessels were involved overnight in shelling targets in Gaza. more.. Army shells several areas in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 Thursday at dawn, Israeli F-16 fighters fired several missiles at area in Gaza city and in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported. A local source in Gaza reported that one of the missiles was fired at the Islamic University in Gaza city; the missile exploded in the playground of the university; damage was reported, no injuries. Also, Israeli soldiers launched three air strikes at main roads in Abasan town, east of Khan Younis, and in the western area of Rafah; both areas are in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. In Khan Younis, Israeli air force fired a missile at the house of Zaki Al Dardeesy, one of Hamas leaders in Khan Younis; no injuries were reported. Also on Thursday at dawn, soldiers shelled several shops in Khan Younis causing considerable damage, while the shelled constructions were caught on fire. more.. Israeli Troops arrest Legislative Council head, nine legislators, six ministers, mayor and deputy International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2006 In a wide-scale arrest raid carried in the West Bank, Wednesday after midnight, Israeli soldiers arrested head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, at least nine Legislators, seven ministers, the mayor of Qalqilia and his deputy. All of the arrestees are members of the Hamas movement. The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that soldiers arrested the head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Aziz Dweik, after surrounding a building in Al Baloa' neighborhood, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Also in Ramallah, troops surrounded a residential building and arrested Vice Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, Dr. Nasser Al Deen Al Sha'er, Minister of Finance Dr. Omar Abdul-Raziq, Minister of Detainees Wasfi Qabha, and Minister of Planning Samir Abu Aisha. more.. Israel in Gaza show of force AlJazeera 6/28/2006 The Israeli incursion began early on Wednesday -- Israeli soldiers and tanks have moved into southern Gaza after overnight air strikes that destroyed three bridges and a power station, leaving much of Gaza without electricity. Warplanes on Wednesday launched missiles at open fields in northern and southern Gaza in a show of force meant to intimidate fighters, the military said. Separately, Israel attacked a rocket-making factory in southern Gaza. Israeli forces also entered the disused international airport near Rafah in the Gaza Strip supported by helicopter gunships. The army has set up what it calls a control and observation point at the airport just inside the Gaza border. Captain Jacob Dallal, a military spokesman, said that soldiers moved 2km inside the coastal strip. more.. IDF commander: Hidden aspects in Gaza operation YNet News 6/28/2006 Southern command chief refers to other operations aimed at freeing kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit; 'unfortunately, our response may cause Gaza residents to suffer as well, but our operations are concrete against terror infrastructures,' he says -- While the Israel Defense Forces' Operation Summer Rains continued, Southern Command Chief Major-General Yoav Galant said that other concealed operations are also being carried out as part of the effort to return kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "This operation has hidden and known aspects, which is characteristic of such events," Galant said upon arriving Wednesday afternoon at an area near Kibbutz Mefalsim, where the Israel Defense Forces gathered ahead of entering the Strip as part of the operation. more.. Major Israeli websites hacked YNet News 6/28/2006 More than 750 Israeli websites hacked in recent hours. Among them: Soldier’s Treasury Bank, Rambam Hospital, and Globus Group ticket center. Hackers: You’re killing Palestinians, we’re killing servers -- Unprecedented number of Israeli websites hacked: Hundreds of websites were damaged by hackers in recent hours, following IDF activity in the Gaza Strip. The hackers are members of the Moroccan “Team Evil” group, responsible for most of the website damage in Israel in the past year. This is the largest, most concentrated attack on Israeli websites in recent years. A Ynet investigation revealed that more than 750 Israeli websites, on a number of different domains, were hacked into and damaged in recent days. more.. Hamas government necessarily goes underground after Israeli assassination threats Palestine News Network 6/28/2006 It seems that the Hamas government has declared a state of alert and begun disappearing upon receiving Israeli threats. None are reachable by phone as all numbers have changed. This is a throwback to the days of the past when Hamas had to work underground, but as the elected government of Palestine, one would expect different treatment. Even Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has necessarily gone into hiding. And the Israelis have called for the assassination for Hamas leader in exile Khalid Mashal was well. Palestinian Minister of Foreign Mahmoud Az Zahar, Minister of Interior Said Siyam and others are working from secret locales as of Wednesday. Prime Minister Haniya immediately left his home after the Israeli military operations began however returned to his Beach Refugee Camp home in western Gaza City. more.. Abductors present Eliyahu Asheri's ID card YNet News 6/28/2006 Popular Resistance Committees spokesman: Threat to hurt kidnapped settler if Gaza is invaded 'serious'; family members at settlement of Itamar fear for 18-year-old son's life. 'Watch over him, treat him well,' mother begs -- While Gaza Strip is under pressure of IDF tanks , West Bank terrorists attempt to exert their own pressure: The Popular Resistance Committees organization on Wednesday afternoon presented for the first time a picture of kidnapped settler Eliyahu Asheri's identity card. Asheri, a resident of Itamar, has been missing from his home since the weekend, and his family fears for his life. The organization's spokesman, Abu Abir, gave reporters identifying details on Asheri, including his date of birth, his ID card number and his parents' name. more.. Body found in Ramallah believed to be settler teen’s YNet News 6/29/2006 IDF officials estimate body found in deserted wadi in Ramallah area that of 18-year-old Eliyahu Asheri of Itamar, who was kidnapped earlier in week by Popular Resistance Committees -- IDF officials estimate that the body found in a deserted wadi in the Ramallah area is that of 18-year-old Eliyahu Asheri of the Itamar settlement. Asheri was kidnapped early this week by the Popular Resistance Committees. Palestinian sources told Ynet that a large IDF forces arrived at the wadi and located the body in a vehicle – apparently after receiving intelligence information. The body was then transferee by ambulance to army base Ofer for identification. The Palestinian sources said the arrest of a senior Fatah member on Wednesday assisted the in locating the body. more.. 'We're preparing deathtraps for IDF' YNet News 6/29/2006 While IDF is warming up the engines ahead of its entrance to northern Gaza, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades member says: 'We are preparing suicide bombers, car bombs, explosive devices, tunnels, and booby trapped donkey' -- Palestinian factions in northern Gaza prepared Wednesday for a wide-scale IDF operation. The Palestinian armedorganizations are increasingly fearful of an IDF entrance into Gaza, after the IDF received a green light to widen Operation Summer Rain. The operation began with the entrance of IDF forces into southern Gaza, and the bombing of bridges and a power station. At a joint press conference held by armed organizations, the groups announced their joint preparations in order to repel the IDF operation. more.. Israeli settler goes missing in West Bank: kidnapped or not? Palestine News Network 6/28/2006 There is a missing Israeli settler in the West Bank. Although his presence is illegal, he does live in a Nablus area settlement in the northern West Bank in direct contravention to international law. The last place 18 year old Elyaho Asheary was seen was near the Betar Settlement, built on Bethlehem District lands. At the same time, the Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the armed resistance wing of the Popular Resistance Committees announced they captured an Israeli soldier in the West Bank. Although they made no official announcement, the Israelis fear that this is the missing settler. The settler was a student at an Israeli military college in the West Bank. [end] more.. Israeli artillery fires a barrage of rockets at targets in northern Gaza, Wednesday night Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Gaza --The Israeli artillery command on the northern borders of the Gaza Strip launched a barrage of rockets at targets near An Nada towers in Beit Lahia, Wednesday evening. Medical sources have not reported casualties from the attack, but eyewitnesses have reported a great deal of property damage. [end] more.. Bracing for the worst: Electricity cut off, bridges bombed, sonic boom attacks resume By Laila El-Haddad, Electronic Intifada 6/28/2006 From occupied Gaza -- Friends and family in Gaza have told me they are bracing themselves for the worst, while praying for the best. In Rafah, the refugee camp that has not been spared the wrath of the Israeli Army on so many occasions in the past, where 16, 000 Palestinians lost their homes to armoured bulldozers, families have holed themselves indoors, fearing for their lives. Israel has taken control of the border area, including Rafah Crossing, and the Airport. Colleague, friend, and activist Fida Qishta with whom I toured the northeast US is on her way to Egypt, where she will have to remain until she will be allowed to enter her home in Gaza in Rafah by Israeli forces, who have sealed off the Gaza Strip in its entirety. more.. Gaza under large-scale attack By Mona Elfarra, Electronic Intifada 6/28/2006 From Gaza -- I am writing while the jet fighters are in the sky with their horrible sounds, bringing death and horror. It is 10:30 pm and I am still waiting, like everyone. I hope they will not go ahead with their operation into Gaza; the outcome could be horrible. The resistance movements are going ahead with their preparations too, but it is obvious which side holds the balance of power. Anyway, Israel - resistance or no resistance - is attacking us all the time, but this time will be different, and in the process many civilian lives will be lost. I am listening to the local radio. It seems that the operation started in Khan Yunis. The artillery started shelling under the cover of Apache helicopters and jet fighters. I am able to write now, but I do not know what will happen next. more.. Israeli troops enter West Bank town AlJazeera 6/28/2006 Around 30 Israeli army jeeps have rolled into the West Bank town of al-Bireh and surrounded at least four buildings. The Israeli soldiers drove into al-Bireh on Wednesday and took up position around a three-storey apartment building amid the sound of gunfire, reports AFP. They detonated explosives at the gate, and soldiers ordered occupants to put down any weapons and leave with their hands up. Troops entered two more buildings - one containing the WestBank headquarters of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and the other the ministry of civilian affairs. Another explosion took place at the gate of a fourth building that contained advertising offices. A Palestinian security source said several Israeli military vehicles had entered al-Bireh and sealed off the town... more.. Gaza Invasion: EI co-founder and Shlomo Ben Ami on Democracy Now Electronic Intifada/Democracy Now! 6/28/2006 Israeli forces have invaded the Gaza Strip for the first time since withdrawing ten months ago. Israel says it's launched the raid to recover captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was captured in a Palestinian operation on Sunday. The raid began after Israel rejected Shalit's captors demand for the release of all Palestinian females and Palestinians below the age of eighteen in Israeli prisons. Israel opened the attack with a series of air strikes on three bridges and Gaza's main power station. The attack left the power station in flames and knocked out electricity in most of Gaza City. Palestinian militants have reportedly taken up defensive positions around Gaza - setting the stage for a potential firefight with the invading soldiers. more.. In pictures: Forces into Palestinian territory The Guardian 6/29/2006 Images of the Israeli army incursion into Gaza. -- June 28 2006: Israeli forces have bombed bridges, destroyed a power station and reoccupied areas of southern Gaza as part of their attempt to free a kidnapped soldier. / A couple ride their bicycles past Israeli armoured vehicles in a field at a gathering point near Kibbutz Mefalsim / TA couple ride their bicycles past Israeli armoured vehicles in a field near Kibbutz Mefalsim in southern Israel, just outside the Gaza Strip. / 28. 06. 06: Israel enters Gaza -- An Israeli soldier performs a morning prayer next to armoured vehicles in a field at a gathering point near Kibbutz Mefalsim in southern Israel, just outside the Gaza Strip... more.. IDF arrests 3 in Ramallah YNet News 6/28/2006 Unclear whether operation linked to kidnapping of Eliyahu Asheri, reportedly held in Ramallah -- Palestinian sources in Ramallah reported Wednesday evening that a large IDF force has entered the city, where kidnapped Israeli settler Eliyahu Asheri is reportedly held. According to the Palestinians, the Israel Defense Forces surrounded the home near offices belonging to Fatah, and exchanges of fire were heard in the area. Ynet has learned that a wanted Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades member was found in the home. Three Palestinians were arrested in the operation, but reports claim the three are construction workers. According to the report a police officer in the Palestinian police and originally a Gaza resident was hiding in the house. more.. Palestinian baby dies in explosion in Khan Younis Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Khan Younis -- A Palestinian baby and his young uncle were killed, and another seven injured, in a mysterious explosion in a house in Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The reasons for the explosion are not clear yet. Eyewitness reported that Mahmoud Masoud, 20, and his nephew, Maysam, one year, were killed and another seven family members were injured in the explosion. Palestinian medical sources reported that the injured are in a light to moderate condition. Meanwhile, Palestinian security bodies have begun to investigate the incident. Eyewitnesses said that the explosion occurred at the same time as Israeli F16 warplanes carried out two bogus air strikes over Khan Younis refugee camp. Meanwhile, the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, "Operation Summer Rain", continues. [end] more.. Israeli settlers attack ambulance Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Nablus -- Ma'an Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian ambulance on Wednesday afternoon. The ambulance driver, Majid Eshtayah, said that settlers from the Yizhar settlement stoned his ambulance as he was driving to a hospital in Nablus. The attack damaged the glass of the ambulance, which belonged to the Zakah Committee of the Palestinian village, Kafr Qaddoum, in the Qalqilia governorate. [end] more.. Israeli airstrikes target training site and 'workshop' Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Rafah -- Israeli F16 warplanes bombarded a training site of the Izzeddine Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in the Ash Shukah region north of the city of Rafah. The site was destroyed in the air strike. No injuries were reported. In related news, Israeli warplanes bombarded a house in the city of Rafah. The Israeli forces claimed the house contained a metal workshop for manufacturing weapons. Palestinian security sources denied the Israeli claim saying that it was an empty house. [end] more.. IDF: Green light to enter northern Gaza YNet News 6/28/2006 Forces stationed in Strip receive approval to continue operation; entry expected to be slower, more complex, mainly due to terror cells' resistance -- Green light to continue operation: The Israel Defense Forces received a green light to expand Operation Summer Rains in the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Amir Peretz approved the plans presented to him by the army. The next stage of the operation, which began early Wednesday, will include an entry into the northern Gaza Strip and taking hold of central posts. At the first stage, forces will create a kind of "security strip," which will also distance Qassam launching cells from the northern Strip. The IDF is also expected to create "zone borders" in the Strip, in a bid to limit the movement from parts of the Strip. more.. IDF denies Palestinian report of tanks rolling into north Gaza Ha'aretz 6/29/2006 Palestinian witnesses said Israel Defense Forces tanks and armored bulldozers moved into northern Gaza before daybreak Thursday, but the military denied it had begun a planned incursion. Troops were poised to pour into the northern Gaza Strip, where Qassam rockets are launched by militants against Israel, in an operation intended to place pressure on the Palestinian population. Infantry soldier from the Givati Brigade, backed by armor, were massing near Beit Hanun, and preparing to move into surrounding fields. Three Qassam rockets were fired Wednesday. Only one reached the area near the fence separating the Gaza Strip and Israel. Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Wednesday evening authorized the operations in northern Gaza. more.. Gaza operation: Legitimate self-defense? YNet News 6/28/2006 Terror attack expands term self-defense, but possibility of hurting civilians may not stand proportionality test. Attack on Syria may be easier to explain, Israeli expert on international law says -- The Israel Defense Forces operation in Gaza, as well as talks on Damascus hosting and aiding senior Hamas members, brings up the judicial question of Israel's right to self-defense. Israel's statement on Wednesday that it has no intention to re-occupy Gaza , that the operation focuses on the threats and is aimed at rescuing the kidnapped IDF soldier, serves as a legal foothold in the international law. [? ? ] Dr. Nitza Shapira-Libai, who until recently was president of Israel's Press Council and an expert on international law, explains that self-defense could be the claim.... more.. Al Aqsa Brigades "ready to transfer battlefield abroad" Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Ma'an -- Ma'an- Al Aqsa Brigades have launched two homemade 'Aqsa 103' missiles against the Israeli town of Sderot, in an operation they claim "comes in retaliation for the Israeli massacres against children and women. " They threatened that they are "ready to transfer the battlefield abroad, namely an Israeli embassy in a certain country will be targeted within days. " [end] more.. Israeli forces storm Sufa crossing, destroying Palestinian security sites Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Khan Younis --Israeli forces occupied the Sufa crossing east of Khan Younis in the midst of intensive firing by Apache helicopters and tanks, destroying military sites which belonged to the Palestinian National Security Forces. The Israeli military forces, enhanced by a large number of vehicles, stormed the commercial crossing of Sufa targeting the sites, which had already been evacuated by Palestinian forces. This action follows Israeli Defense Minister, Amir Peretz, go-ahead for enlarging the Israeli military operations against Gaza. As part of the escalation, Israeli F16 fighter jets are regularly flying over Gaza to give the impression of constant air-strikes, leading to a state of horror among Palestinian civilians. [end] more.. Army invades Jenin and the nearby village of Qabatia, one resident arrested International Middle East Media Center 6/28/2006 One resident was arrested when Israeli army troops invaded the West Bank city of Jenin and the nearby village ofQabatia Wednesday at dawn. Wa'el Zakarnah, 22, was arrested when seven army vehicles invaded Qabatia, south of Jenin, while firing intensively, and stormed several houses before taking him away to an unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. In Jenin, ten army jeeps and one bulldozer stormed the city from the southern entrance and fired rounds of live ammunition and sound bombs at residents' homes, residents statedLocal sources said that clashes took place in the city between soldiers and resistance fighters after the invasion, no injuries were reported. [end] more.. 7 Palestinian activists arrested in Israeli Forces swoop on West Bank cities Ma'an News 6/28/2006 Bethlehem -- The Israeli Forces arrested seven Palestinians early on Wednesday morning after they entered many different cities in the West Bank. The Israeli Forces claimed that they were "wanted. "The Israeli sources reported that the Israeli Forces raided several WEst Bank cities and arrested seven Palestinians, claiming that they were affiliated to the Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad Movements. The sources went on to say that they were being taken for interrogation. [end] more.. Militants hold second Israeli hostage The Guardian 6/28/2006 Palestinian militants offered proof today that they have kidnapped a second Israeli in the West Bank, and threatened to kill him if Israel persists with its invasion of the Gaza Strip. Abu Abir, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza, showed the identification card of Eliyahu Asheri, which he claimed was proof his colleagues in the West Bank were holding him. Earlier Abu Abir told al-Jazeera satellite TV that Mr Asheri, who is from the West Bank settlement of Itamar, would be "butchered in front of TV cameras" if Israel did not stop its raid on the Gaza Strip. Mr Asheri,18, was meant to travel from the settlement of Beitar Illit, near Bethlehem, to Neve Tzuf, near Ramallah, on Sunday. He was last seen at a bus stop in Jerusalem. more.. IDF to bus hitchhiking settlers YNet News 6/28/2006 Following kidnappings, IDF taking number of steps in order to protect hitchhiking settlers from terrorists -- Starting next week, the IDF will provide the settler’s with buses to pick up hitchhikers at various hitchhiking posts in Judea and Samaria. Unfortunately for Eliyahu Asheri, who earlier this week hitched a ride and then disappeared, it may be too late. Despite the tense security situation and alerts predicting continued kidnapping attempts, scores of young settlers continue to hitchhikein Judea and Samaria. Due to the low number of buses passing through these areas, hitchhiking stations remain full and serve as easy prey for terror organizations.... Despite the IDF’s warning to settlers not to hitchhike in Judea and Samaria, hitchhiking has continued. more.. IDF to take control of all open areas east of Rafah Ha'aretz 6/28/2006 Israel Defense Forces tanks rolled into the southern Gaza Strip before dawn on Wednesday, Palestinian sources said. The IDF intends to gain control of all open areas in the Strip east of the border town of Rafah. The operation is expected to put pressure on Palestinians to release abducted IDF soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit after two days of failed mediation. An Israel Air Force aircraft attacked three bridges in central Gaza late Tuesday night. An IDF official said the attack was meant to prevent miltants from transporting Shalit within Gaza. IAF aircrafts also attacked a Gaza City power station after midnight on Wednesday, cutting power to much of the area, Palestinian security officials said. more.. Troops shell two Gaza Bridges, main Power-Plant in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 6/28/2006 Israeli troops stationed at the Gaza borders were seen moving towards the Gaza Strip late on Tuesday at night shortly before two air strikes that targeted the main power-plant in Gaza. The army also fired missile at two bridges in the central Gaza Strip shortly before midnight Tuesday. Palestinian sources in the southern part of the Gaza Strip reported that Israeli tanks started moving into the area late on Tuesday but the army did not cross the border yet. Most of the military movements were seen near the Sufa Crossing, while planes and helicopters were also circling overhead. Tuesday after midnight, the Palestinian Television showed live images of Israeli troops, tanks, and armored vehicles moving in an area east of Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. more.. PRC: Leave Gaza or we’ll kill kidnapped settler teen YNet News 6/28/2006 Soon after IDF forces raided Gaza at around 2:30 a. m. , a spokesman for Popular Resistance Committees says group would kill Eliyahu Asheri, missing since Sunday, if Israeli forces do not pull out of Gaza. Police, IDF forces search Bethlehem, Ramallah for youth -- The IDF and Israel Police are seriously considering the possibility that Eliyahu Asheri, aged 18, from Itamar, was kidnapped at a hitchhiking post. Soldiers and policemen from the Judea and Samaria district began intensive searches for the missing youth, with the primary focus in Ramallah and Bethlehem. Police said concerns were high for the Asheri's life. Soon after IDF forces raided Gaza at around 2:30 a. m. , Popular Resistance Committees spokesman Abu Abir said the group would kill Asheriif Israeli forces do not pull out of Gaza. more.. Homes shelled in Rafah as army forces residents out International Middle East Media Center 6/28/2006 The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported on Wednesday at dawn that Israeli fighter-jets and tanks fired several shells at Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Soldiers who invaded the Al Shouka area in Rafah, forced dozens of families out of their homes as the army prepares to control them. The agency added that the fighter-jets used fired with heavy rounds at dozens at civilians houses causing considerable damage, no injuries were reported while the residents, including mothers and their children, fled out of their houses fearing additional shelling. Residents of Al Shouka area said that soldiers used loud speakers to call them out of their houses and declared the area as a closed military zone. more.. Palestinians Demand Release of Women, Children Palestine Chronicle 6/27/2006 Israel has ruled out freeing any of the 9,000 Palestinians in its jails and threatened a major military offensive in response to the attack. -- GAZA CITY (Reuters) - Three Palestinian groups, including the armed wing of Hamas, have joined have called for the release of all Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails in exchange for information on a kidnapped soldier. In a statement on Monday, the three groups said: "The occupation will not get any information about the missing soldier, except after committing to first immediately release all women prisoners from Israeli prisoners. "Secondly, [we demand] the immediate release of all children under 18 years," they added. more.. Militants say will kill abducted settler if IDF doesn't end Gaza raid Ha'aretz 6/28/2006 A Palestinian militant group on Wednesday threatened to kill a Jewish settler it said it had abducted if Israel doesn't stop its raid on the Gaza Strip, which began in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Popular Resistance Committees said in a statement that "we are running out of patience. "The Gaza raid is aimed at putting pressure on the Palestinians in an effort to win the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by militants in an attack on an IDF post on the Israel-Gaza border on Monday. The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday afternoon that there were growing fears that a teenager from the settlement of Itamar who has been missing since Sunday has been kidnapped as claimed by Palestinian militants. Security forces were checking reports that a dead body was found in Ramallah. more.. Israeli army advances towards Rafah, enters Gaza International Airport area International Middle East Media Center 6/28/2006 After an Israeli military spokesperson officially declared that the Gaza invasion has been launched, dozens of tanks and armored vehicles advanced towards Rafah and reached the Gaza International Airport in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Loud explosions were heard in the airport area as resistance fighters present in the area fired shells and detonated explosives. Exchange of fire was reported in the area. Several constructions in the airport were shelled by tank and artillery fire while the army is slowly advancing in the area. Meanwhile, the Rafah Hospital declared emergency and canceled the vacations of its staff. Dr. Ali Abu Mousa, head ofAbu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital in Rafah said that the hospital called on the residents to be prepared for blood donations. more.. Israeli Air Force shells a bridge in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 6/28/2006 Tuesday at night, the Israeli air force attacked the main bridge that links between Gaza city and Khan Younis. Arm source reported that the shelling comes in a bid to prevent Palestinian resistance fighters from transporting the abducted Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, within Gaza. According to Israeli intelligence sources, leaders of the armed wing of Hamas are holding the soldier and considering smuggling him into Egypt. Meanwhile, Egyptian border guards were deployed in the Rafah area - the former Philadelphi Route – in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, due to fears that the people who abducted Shalit would try to smuggle him into Egypt. more.. Israel Threatens to Topple Palestinian Government Palestine Chronicle 6/27/2006 Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday he had ordered the army to prepare for a major offensive in the Gaza Strip. -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Israel threatened on Monday, June 26, to topple the Palestinian government unless a soldier taken hostage during a resistance attack a day earlier is released alive. "We will make sure that the Hamas government ceases to operate if the kidnapped soldier is not returned to us alive," a high-ranking Israeli security official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity. The threat was made by Yuval Diskin, the head of Israel's Shin Beth domestic security agency, to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Sunday, June 25, the source said. The Palestinian government has denied any link to the operation and called on those holding the soldier to treat him well more.. Israel launches Gaza offensive AlJazeera 6/28/2006 The incursion followed air strikes on Gaza targets -- Israeli troops and tanks have moved into southern Gazaafter diplomatic talks failed to secure the release of a soldier abducted by Palestinian fighters. An Israeli army spokesman confirmed the incursion that occured early on Wednesday shortly after Palestinian security forces stationed near the border town of Rafah said they were ordered to leave by the Israelis. The offensive followed air strikes overnight that took out three strategic bridges and hit the main power station, causing a huge fire and plunging Gaza City into darkness. Palestinian witnesses reported the strikes on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, afterEhud Olmert, Israel’s prime minister, approved a "limited operation" in the south of Gaza. more.. Video - IDF launches Gaza offensive YNet News 6/28/2006 Israeli forces enter Strip after mediators say hope of recovering kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit through diplomatic means running out; earlier Air Force planes fire missiles at three bridges, power station in Strip; some areas plunged into darkness -- VIDEO - Operation "Summer Rains" begins: At around 2:30 a. m. Israeli tanks and troops rolled into the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the army said, after mediators said hope of recovering kidnapped soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit through talks was running out. IDF artillery shells were fired toward Gaza as the ground forces entered the Strip. The incursion came shortly after Palestinian security forces deployed near the Gazan border town of Rafah said they were ordered out by the Israeli military. more.. One dead in Gaza explosion AlJazeera 6/27/2006 A Palestinian fighter loyal to Hamas, the ruling Islamic resistance group, has been killed and five civilians have been wounded after a vehicle exploded in Gaza City, according to medical and local security sources. The cause of the explosion on Tuesday, which completed destroyed the vehicle, has not been established as yet, Aljazeera says. In a telephone call to AFP in Gaza City, the armed wing of Hamas said one of its members, Hamza Marhb, was killed in the blast. Israel's military has flatly denied any involvement in theincident, which Aljazeera reports took place about 200 metres from the residence of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. Marhb, a local leader in the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades for the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis, was alone in the vehicle, the faction said. more.. Israeli army launches Gaza attack The Guardian 6/27/2006 The Israeli army entered southern Gaza today after threatening a major offensive to try to secure the release of an Israeli solider taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Tanks and soldiers began taking up positions in two locations east of the town of Rafah under the cover of tank shells. Palestinians dug in behind walls and sand embankments, bracing for a major offensive. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the troops had moved into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. A Hamas leader urged fighters to confront the Israeli soliders, Reuters reported. "Fight your enemies, who came to their deaths. Grab your rifles and resist," Nizar Rayan said in a radio message. Israeli planes also attacked three bridges and the main Gaza power station, knocking out electricity in most of the coastal strip. more.. Gaza Palestinians prepare for IDF invasion YNet News 6/27/2006 Organizations' members erect roadblock on main roads overnight, in bid to stall army forces' advancement in Strip -- Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have started preparing for the possibility Israel may launch a large-scale ground operation in Gaza in the coming days. During Monday night, members of the Palestinian organizations have erected roadblocks on central routes the Israeli army may want to use. Members of Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees and other organizations placed large piles of rubble and sand in the midst of roads in a bid to impede army forces' advancement. A Jabalya resident told Ynet that the operatives used tractors to carry stones that were scattered on the roads. In other places in the Strip, similar activities have been carried out. more.. Sderot residents injured in Qassam attack YNet News 6/27/2006 Three rockets fired at Israel from Gaza Strip; one rocket falls in Sderot, lightly injuring four and causing partial blackouts in southern city -- Palestinians fired three Qassam rockets into Israel Monday evening, with one rocket falling in Sderot wounding four people. Four residents were lightly injured from shattered glass, 11 were treated for shock, two of which suffered from heart conditions. The rocket caused an electrical blackout in a large section of the city. One of two rockets fired earlier Monday landed south of the Nir Am junction, while the other landed near Kerem Shalom. The injured resident was said to have suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg and was taken to the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. more.. Settlers and army storm Nablus International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Israeli soldiers and settlers stormed the West Bank city of Nablus Tuesday at dawn. Troops invaded several neighborhoods and searched several houses before leaving without any arrestes, local sources reported. Another group of settlers invaded the city and were attempting to make their way to the Yousif Tomp area but instead rushed out of the city, eyewitnesses said. Nablus is used to the daily army invasion that often result in numerous residents being arrested, killed, or injured. [end] more.. Israel imposes blockade on Gaza Strip as tensions rise ReliefWeb 6/27/2006 Tel Aviv_(dpa) _ Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip in order to pressure militant groups to release a soldier held captive in the coastal salient, an army spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday. All crossings into the strip had been closed and no goods, including food and medicine, would be allowed in until further notice, she told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. The siege was also enforced via the sea, with no fishing boats allowed out, she said, adding that it had been in place since Palestinian militants raided a military outpost bordering the Gaza Strip early Sunday, killing two soldiers and abducting 19-year-old corporal Gilad Shalit. The raid has triggered fears of a serious escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. more.. 4-year old critically wounded in Israeli shelling survives surgery International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Under the close supervision of the Arab Doctors Union (ADU), Egyptian surgeons have successfully extracted Israeli rocket shrapnel from the body of 4-year-old Lateefa Ghalia, who was critically wounded in an Israeli attack three weeks ago -- an attack in which seven of her family members were killed. The surgeons described the surgery operation as "complicated and critical" -- the surgery took five hours to complete. Head of emergency and relief committee in the ADU Dr. Jamal Abdul Salam affirmed, "The ADU will never hesitate to extend medical services to our Palestinian brothers, especially in treating complicated cases such as Lateefa's case". He elaborated that the kind of injuries the Palestinian children have sustained due to Israeli bombing reflects the "intensity and savageness of Israeli aggression" in Gaza. more.. Israel hunts for abducted soldier after dawn raid by militants The Independent 6/26/2006 Israeli tanks, supported by helicopter gunships, were combing the southern Gaza Strip yesterday for Palestinian fighters who killed two tank crew members and kidnapped a third in a pre-dawn attack on an army base on the Israeli side of the border. Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz, the Israeli chief of staff, said they had reason for thinking the missing soldier, 19-year-old Corporal Gilad Shalit, was alive. A spokesman for the abductors said he had stomach wounds but his condition was stable. Two Palestinians were killed in exchanges of fire inside Israel before their comrades escaped back across the security fence. One Israeli was seriously wounded and three others lightly. The Hamas military wing claimed responsibility in partnership with the smaller Popular Resistance Committees and a hitherto unknown group, the Army of Islam. more.. Palestinians hunt for Israeli hostage The Guardian 6/26/2006 Palestinian security forces under the command of the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas were desperately searching today for the Israeli soldier kidnapped by militants the previous day, as the army massing on Gaza's border stood poised to invade. The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said he had given the army orders for a "broad sweeping operation" in Gaza, although it is unlikely to do anything to jeopardise the life of Corporal Gilad Shilat, the 19-year-old gunner snatched from a tank in a border raid in which Hamas militants admitted they took part. "Let it be clear: we will reach everyone, no matter where they are, and they know it," Mr Olmert said in Jerusalem. "There will not be immunity for anyone. " more.. "Terrorists" sneaked in via tunnel; attacked 3 targets simultaneously Ha'aretz 6/26/2006 Hamas yesterday scored one of its greatest operational victories of the last six years against the Israel Defense Forces, pulling off an attack on an IDF outpost near Kibbutz Kerem Shalom that ended with one soldier kidnapped, two dead and four wounded. Two of the Palestinian attackers were killed; the other six made it back to the Gaza Strip safely. According to the Palestinians, the abducted soldier - Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19, of Mitzpeh Hila in the Galilee - suffered moderate wounds to his stomach and chest, but is in stable condition. The incident began shortly before dawn, at about 5:30 A. M. , when eight Palestinians crossed the border between Gaza and Israel via a tunnel that they had dug over the past several months. more.. Soldier: Terrorists fired missiles at post YNet News 6/25/2006 Soldier wounded in Sunday's shooting incident on Gaza border recounts fierce battle with terrorists, says gunmen attempted to climb post's watchtower but were warded off by soldiers; four injured soldiers hospitalized in Soroka Hospital -- An all out war - this is the term IDF soldiers hospitalized in the Soroka Hospital used to describe the battle that ensued Sunday morning after terrorists attacked an army post near the Gaza border with missiles and light weapons. Eight gunmen, who apparently infiltrated Israel through a tunnel leading from the Strip, took part in the strike. Two of them were killed during fire exchanges with army forces. The terrorists killed two troops, one of them an officer, and kidnapped a third soldier. more.. Exiled Hamas leader says Palestinians should seize more soldiers Ha'aretz 6/28/2006 A Hamas official close to the group's exiled leader said Tuesday that the Palestinians should try to capture more Israel Defense Forces soldiers, criticizing Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for helping Israel search for a soldier seized by militants. Further complicating matters as IDF troops and armor massed on the Gaza border, another Hamas official from the exiled leadership said the soldier was considered a "prisoner of war" and it would be hard for Israel to win his release without making concessions. Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19, was seized Sunday by militants who infiltrated Israel's border by a tunnel. The militants' demanded the release of detained Palestinian women and children in return for information about Shalit. more.. Harsh reality governs fate of snatched soldiers By Chris McGreal, The Guardian 6/28/2006 Corporal Gilad Shalit was perhaps fortunate that as he was dragged into the Gaza Strip by Palestinian gunmen on Sunday his colleagues were not around to carry out the "Hannibal Directive", rumoured among Israeli forces to be an order to rain gunfire at an enemy abducting one of their own even if it costs the snatched soldier his life. The thinking is that while a nation can bear the deaths of its soldiers, it is far more tortuous to endure the drawn-out uncertainty about the fate of a captive. It is a view reinforced in recent years by the horrific images from Iraq. When Cpl Shalit, still a teenager with a disarmingly warm smile in the newspaper pictures, disappeared into Gaza, Israel confronted a national trauma reinforced by a consensus that every soldier must be brought back dead or alive. more.. IDF forces evacuated due to hot alert YNet News 6/27/2006 Warning: Intent to attack Israeli target near Sufa crossing, possibly same planners as Kerem Shalom attack. Defense establishment decides to move forces out of area -- While the IDF is dealing with preparations for a possible military campaign in the Gaza Strip, consolidating forces, making efforts to retrieve kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit and investigating the kidnapping, they have been forced to deal with another hot alert: A threatened attack against an Israeli target in the area of the Sufa crossing. Not only is the alert still in effect following theattack on Kerem Shalom , it is now hotter than ever, military officials said. The evacuation of the outpost adjacent to Sufa crossing on Saturday night, as first reported by Ynet, was a major step in an attempt to prevent the attack. more.. PRC forms ‘abduction unit’ YNet News 6/27/2006 Operation 'Cavaliers' Wrath': After abducting IDF soldier Gilad Shalit and allegedly kidnapping teen settler Eliyahu Asheri, organization threatens to continue: 'Our goal is to imprint in the Israeli consciousness that regardless even of more Palestinian deaths, the resistance will continue' -- A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, Abu Abir, told Ynet on Tuesday that that his organization has formed special units in the West Bank whose sole purpose is to kidnap soldiers and settlers, in accordance with the continued Operation "Cavaliers' Wrath. " "Our goal it to imprint the message in the Israeli consciousness that regardless of more Palestinian deaths, the resistance will continue to strike at you, until the occupation ends. " more.. Palestinian fighter killed, two injured in Gaza explosion International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Palestinian security sources in Gaza reported on Tuesday evening that an Israeli war-jet fired two missiles at a Palestinian vehicle, apparently carrying fighters, near the house of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas in Tal Al Hawa area, south of Gaza City; one fighter was killed and five residents were injured. Dr. Jom'a Al Saqqa, head of the Public Relations Department at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza, reported that the body of the fighter, Hamza Moharib, in his twenties, was severely mutilated as a result of the blast which made it difficult to identify him immediately. Al Saqqa added that at least two of the injured are in serious conditions. Eyewitnesses reported that huge damages were reported to several vehicles and houses in the area of the blast. more.. Palestine Today - June 27, 2006 International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Listen to the audio MP3 - Read the text -- Updates about GazaTwo Palestinian workers killed trying to enter Jerusalem and Army arrests 15 residents form Bethlehem - Those stories and more coming up stay tuned - Gaza update: The people of the Gaza Strip are preparing for Israel's imminent attack threatened at the height of the economic and political blockade, during one of the most intense periods of invasion. Entire families have been killed, without Hamas repercussion. Daily air attacks turn life into a nightmare. And today residents expect it to get even worse.... Two Palestinian workers killed south of Jerusalem: Palestinian medical sources reported that two Palestinian workers were shot and killed Monday night by Israeli military fire at Sheikh Sa'ad checkpoint, south of Jerusalem,the Arabs48 news website reported. Click here to Download MP3 file 7.4MB more.. Army arrests two residents from Tulkarem International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Mohammad Kan'an, 27, and Mohammad Sinuora, 21, were arrested when the Israeli army invaded Thinnaba neighborhood east of the West Bank city of Tulkarem, on Tuesday morning. Troops stormed the area, closed all roades leading to it, and then searched several houses before arresting the two and taking them to unknown locations, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army arrests three residents from Sielet Al Harthiyya village West of Jenin International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Israeli army troops have invaded Sielet al Harthiyya village west of the West Bank city of Jenin, and arrested three residents there, on Tuesday morning. The arrestees were identified as Ahmad Jaradat, 24, Mo'taz Tahina, 25, Maher Zobod, 28; all were taken to unknown locations. Troops stormed the village searched scores of homes before arresting the three, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army arrests three residents from Obadia village east of Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli army has arrested three residents form the village of Obadia, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday morning. Troops invaded the village and searched several homes before arresting Naji Abu Sarhan, 28, Sloiman Rawaida, 24, and Issa Rawaida , 35. The three men were taken to unknown locations, eyewitnesses reported. With those three arrests the number of the arrested people in Bethlehem district rises to 15. [end] more.. One resident injured after being attacked by the army in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 Jaodat Abd Al Fatah, a resident of Beit Awoa village near the West Bank city of Hebron, sustained several bruises after being attacked by the Israeli army Tuesday morning. Al Fatah was stooped at a military checkpoint between the village and the city by soldiers who then attacked him without reason. Troops also stopped the ambulance trying to transport him to a hospital for more than a hour, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army arrests six residents form Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli army has arrested six residents from the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday at dawn. Troops and army jeeps stormed several neighborhoods in the city, with soldiers searching homes before arresting Mohamed Al Haj, 21, Hamdi Abu Teer, 20, Khalied Jbril, 24, Ra'ed Salahat, 23, Rami Aiash, 22, and his brother Aish Aiash, 27. All were taken to unknown locations, local sources reported. Earlier today the army also invaded the nearby village of Al Al Shawaora and arrested six residents there. [end] more.. One resident arrested in Jab'e village near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli army arrested one resident from Jab'e village south of the West Bank city of Jenin during a predawn invasion Tuesday. Ahmad Khaliliah, 18, was arrested when troops stormed the village, searched several houses, before arresting Khaliliah and taking him to unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. The Isreali army also invaded the nearby village of Siliat Al Harthia and searched several homes, though no arrests were made, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army arrests six residents from Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli army has arrested six residents from the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday at dawn. Troops and army jeeps stormed several neighborhoods in the city, with soldiers searching homes before arresting Mohamed Al Haj, 21, Hamdi Abu Teer, 20, Khalied Jbril, 24, Ra'ed Salahat, 23, Rami Aiash, 22, and his brother Aish Aiash, 27. All were taken to unknown locations, local sources reported. Earlier today the army also invaded the nearby village of Al Al Shawaora and arrested six residents there. [end] more.. Army arrests six residents from Al Shawaora village east of Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli forces have arrested six residents from the Al Shawaora village east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday morning. Soldiers stormed and searched residents houses before arresting six. Those arrested were: Nader Salem, 30, Majed Hamdan, 23, Wa'el Salem, 22, Tarik Salem, 30, Sliman Salem, 23, and Ibrahem Abu Al Howar, 38. The sixwere all taken to unknownlocations, eyewitnesses reported. [end] more.. Army arrests one residents east Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 6/27/2006 The Israeli army arrested Nohaned Hamad, 23, at the eastern entrance to the West Bank city of Qalqilia Tuesday at dawn. Hamad was arrested when troops stopped his car at a military checkpoint and searched it before taking him to unknown location. [end] more.. Police issue restraining orders to 11 right-wing extremists in West Bank Ha'aretz 6/26/2006 Police on Monday morning issued restraining orders to 11 right-wing extremists in the West Bank suspected of violence against Palestinian civilians or Israeli security forces. The orders are also connected to preparations for the evacuation of four West Bank outposts populated by extremists, scheduled for July. Some 100 police officers distributed the orders in the settlements of Yitzhar, Alon Moreh, Bracha and Karnei Shomron. As the orders were being distributed, police located two wanted right-wing activists and took them for questioning. The 11 orders were among 13 signed last week by Israel Defense Forces GOC Central Command Yair Naveh.... The list of activists was composed on the recommendation of the Shin Bet's Jewish Division and the Judea and Samaria Police District. more.. Settlers burn 10 tons of hay in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/26/2006 A group of Israeli settlers from Susa settlement near the Palestinian village of Yatta south of Hebron torched 10 tons of hay that belong to Palestinian farmers Monday. Palestinian fire-fighters rushed to the scene but the Israeli army obstructed the fire trucks for several hours which increased the losses, local sources reported. Local farmers said that the settlers are attacking the crops each year in an attempt to force the residents out of their lands, local sources added. [end] more.. Landmines kill three in Egypt AlJazeera 6/27/2006 Israel reportedly planted millions of mines in Sinai -- Three Egyptians have been killed and two others seriously wounded in two landmine explosions in the Sinai Peninsula. Police said a landmine went off as a bulldozer was trying to dig a tunnel to lay a gas pipeline, immediately killing its driver, Ibrahim Khadir al-Sabky. They said the explosion occurred around 7:00 pm local time (1600 GMT) on Monday some five kilometres south of Dahab, a resort town on the Red Sea. A second explosion occurred when a military team arrived to clear from the area landmines that were believed to have been planted during the 1967 Middle East war with Israel. more.. Engineering Corps: 'No 100-percent solution' to tunnels Ha'aretz 6/27/2006 The IDF's Weapons Systems and Infrastructure Development Authority (WSIDA) has received more than 100 suggestions on coping with the tunnels in the Gaza Strip in recent years. However, thus far it has failed to come up with an adequate solution. The successful Palestinian attack near Kerem Shalom on Sunday on triggered criticism from civilians and former military personnel against WSIDA and the defense establishment. Dr. Vladimir Frid developed the V-3 system for detecting underground spaces - that is, tunnels - with former colleagues from Ben-Gurion University. After hearing how the terrorists reached the IDF outpost, he was sick with anger. "I felt I was living in a country in which the establishment that is supposed to protect our soldiers and citizens treats them with contempt," he said Monday. more.. Probe: IDF knew militants planned abduction via tunnel Ha'aretz 6/27/2006 A preliminary investigation into an attack Sunday on an Israel Defense Forces post has found that the IDF had widely deployed along the Israel-Gaza border following warnings that Palestinian militants were aiming to use a tunnel to abduct a soldier. Two soldiers were killed, a third was wounded and a fourth, 19-year-old Corporal Gilad Shalit, was abducted by the militants who carried out the attack. The findings of the investigation were presented Tuesday to Defense Minister Amir Peretz during a visit to the Kerem Shalom crossing on the Gaza border, next to the site of the attack Sunday. The panel, appointed by IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, also found that two weeks before the attack, commanders in the IDF's Gaza Division raised the level of alert and told troops to prepare for such an attack. more.. Gaza Strip timeline ReliefWeb 6/28/2006 GAZA CITY, June 28, 2006 (AFP) - Israel launched air strikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to rescue an abducted serviceman, in the first major insursion since it withdrew from the territory last year. Following is a chronology of events since the pullout:August 2005: Under the leadership of then prime minister Ariel Sharon, Israel begins withdrawing its occupation forces and some 8,000 settlers from the strip of territory it had seized from Egypt during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The pullout is completed in September. November: The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is reopened, under Palestinian administration for the first time ever.... more.. Extremists curse Olmert with Pulsa Denura YNet News 6/27/2006 Right-wing extremists hold mythical Kabbalistic ‘death curse’ against prime minister, exactly one year after identical ritual against then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon -- Exactly one year after carrying out a “Pulsa Denura,” an ancient Kabbalistic death curse, against former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Right-wing extremists held a similar ritual targeting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Channel 10 reported Tuesday. One of the participants related, “The ceremony took place exactly one year after the one for Ariel Sharon. If, God forbid, Olmert continues to hold his position, we will pay a heavy price. ” In the ritual curse against Sharon, some 20 extremists assembled at the old cemetery in Rosh Pina and chanted calls for the then-prime minister’s death. The organizers claimed to have received rabbinical approval to hold the ceremony. more.. Palestinian woman hurt in IAF strike delivers stillborn baby Ha'aretz 6/24/2006 A Palestinian baby girl whose mother was wounded in a botched Israel Air Force strike was stillborn on Friday, two days after the strike that killed two other civilians and wounded 14 in the Gaza Strip, medics said. The death raised to 15 the number of Gaza civilians killed in recent IAF air attacks targeting militants involved in the firing of Qassam rockets at the western Negev. After the strike Wednesday night, the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff ordered a thorough investigation of the string of recent Gaza air strikes in which Palestinian civilians were killed. The dead and wounded - all members of the same family - were hit in an Israel Air Force strike in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the chief of the air force told Haaretz that air strikes are nearly the only military option in Gaza. more.. Israel kills Palestinian security officer AlJazeera 6/23/2006 A Palestinian intelligence officer has been shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Ayman Khateb was killed during a shootout with an Israeli military unit on Thursday. Palestinian security sources told Aljazeera that Israeli soldiers in civilian clothes had entered Ramallah and once they were discovered, called for back-up. When the Israeli reinforcements arrived a firefight began with Palestinian armed men, during which a number of Palestinians youth were injured. Palestinian sources claim Khateb was shot in the head at close range by the Israeli unit which had been sent to arrest him. The Israeli army says that soldiers shot dead a Palestinian armed man who had opened fire on them. more.. Fight breaks out between Jihad, Fatah security prisoners YNet News 6/23/2006 Roughly 150 prisoners from Fatah and Islamic Jihad serving sentences in Israel’s Shata prison came to blows after religious leader in prison criticized Abbas during Friday sermon -- A massive altercation broke out Friday afternoon amongst security prisoners from Fatah and Islamic Jihad factions incarcerated at the Shata prison. The fight erupted after one of the prisoner leaders delivered a Friday sermon in which he criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Following the sermon, which defined Olmert as “our enemy,” a mass quarrel broke out among roughly 150 of the prisoners. more.. Young Ramallah man left to bleed to death as Israeli forces contravene Fourth Geneva Convention by disallowing ambulances to reach the Palestinians they shot Palestine News Network 6/23/2006 Last night Israeli forces killed another Palestinian. This time it was not in Gaza City, about which Israeli Likud Party official Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday, “We can wipe the Gaza Strip off the face of the earth anytime we want to. ” Nor was it the northern West Bank cities of Nablus or Jenin, or the Hebron in the south, all of which are tragically expected. This killing took place in Ramallah, in the middle of the West Bank where the Palestinian people have their government buildings and their cultural capital as the Israeli takeover of East Jerusalem continues to drive them to other outlets. The young man was Ayman Ratab, a member of the armed resistance wing affiliated with the Fateh party, the Al Aqsa Brigades. He worked for the Palestinian General Intelligence in Ramallah City. more.. Four Fatah members arrested on Friday morning, 2 from Ramallah, 2 from Bethlehem Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Bethlehem -- Israel forces arrested four Palestinian citizens in Bethlehem and Ramallah on Friday morning claiming they are members of the Fatah movement. Israeli sources said that the Israeli forces arrested two Fatah activists in the Ramallah area and two Fatah members in the Bethlehem area. [end] more.. 37 killed and 192 injured in Israeli attacks in the last 2 weeks, says Palestinian Ministry of Health Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Ma'an -- Ma'an-The Palestinian Health Ministry has released a report that confirms that 37 Palestinian citizens were killed and another 192 injured in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last two weeks as a result of attacks by the Israeli forces. In the report, the Ministry clarified that 37 Palestinian citizens, including seven children under 18 years of age, were killed and 129 Palestinian citizens, including 68 children under 18, were injured. The ministry added that the Israeli forces have killed 14 Palestinian citizens "by mistake", according to Israeli claims, when Israeli airplanes botched their targets or because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ministry added that the Israeli forces also targeted the Palestinian Authority medical crew, killing four of them and injuring another nine. more.. Israeli forces storm Nablus from all directions Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Nablus -- Ma'an-The Israeli forces stormed the city of Nablus early on Friday morning from several directions and a number of Israeli military vehicles and one bulldozer penetrated the city centre. The Israeli forces besieged the city from all directions: military vehicles converged on the city from the Beit Furik barrier in the east, the Beir Iba barrier in the west, the At Tur region in the south and also from Al Quds Street. On entering the city of Nablus, a number of Israeli military vehicles stationed themselves at the entrance to Balata refugee camp and also inside Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus city centre. [end] more.. Suspicion: Yitzahr settlers torched Palestinians' cars YNet News 6/23/2006 Palestinian residents of Ein Abus village complain that settlers arrived at village by night, set three cars on fire and fled back to settlement. Yitzhar spokesman denies allegations -- Unknown assailants set on fire during the night three vehicles at the Palestinian village of Ein Abus near the settlement of Yitzhar in Samaria. Police forces raided the settlement, but made no arrests. According to the police, a village resident complained that three Yitzhar settlers arrived at the village, torched three vehicles and a tractor and fled by car to the settlement. The villager claimed he chased the perpetrators up to the settlement's entrance and then called the police. more.. Ex-defense panel chair urges IDF to launch ground assault on Gaza Strip Ha'aretz 6/24/2006 MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud), the former chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, called on the Israel Defense Forces on Friday to launch a ground attack on the Gaza Strip in an effort to halt the Qassam fire on southern Israel. "I call on the Israeli government not to wait any longer and to begin a comprehensive ground operation in Gaza in order to fundamentally damage the terror infrastructure in a few weeks," Steinitz said in an Israel Radio interview. "And after the infrastructure is seriously damaged, perhaps there will also be a greater will on the part of Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas] to take action against the weakened infrastructure. " more.. IDF spokeswoman stirs up a storm over a-Dura killing in 2000 Ha'aretz 6/23/2006 The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson, Brigadier General Miri Regev, clarified Thursday that she did not mean to disclaim IDF responsibility for the death of a 12-year-old boy, Mohammed a-Dura, at the start of the second intifada 2000. She said this in her remarks on Army Radio about Israel's role in an explosion on a Gaza beach that killed several members of the Ghalia family two weeks ago. "I didn't mean to state whether or not the IDF was responsible for the death of Mohammed a-Dura," Regev told Haaretz. "I just wanted to demonstrate that it's not a good idea if everyone in the world becomes fixated for the next two years on the idea that we were responsible for the death of the family on the Gaza beach before we finish our investigation. " more.. Explosion heard near Gush Etzion settlement Ha'aretz 6/23/2006 An explosion was heard on Friday at a spring in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces said. The source of the blast was not immediately clear. No casualties were reported. An IDF spokeswoman and the Zaka rescue service said the explosion took place next to the Neveh Daniel settlement outside the West Bank town of Bethlehem. IDF troops arrested two Palestinians seen fleeing the area. The area has been a frequent site of roadside shootings throughout since the Palestinian Intifada erupted in 2000. Two weeks ago, Palestinians attacked an Israeli couple in Gush Etzion with rocks and knives. more.. Explosion in house of Al Qassam member in northern Gaza Strip Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Gaza -- An explosion occurred on Thursday evening near the house of a leading figure in Hamas' military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, in Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported. Palestinian sources in the northern Gaza Strip reported the explosion in the house belonging to Imad Al Amsi, who is affiliated to the Qassam Brigades in the Al Falluja area in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. [end] more.. Explosion on the road that leads to Israeli settlement south of Bethlehem Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Bethlehem --Israeli security sources said that there was an explosion on the road that leads to Neve Daniel, an Israeli settlement to the south of Bethlehem, on Friday afternoon; "The explosion resulted from an explosive device which preceded its intended timing, and ambulances hurried to the area. " Experts are combing the area and no casualties have been reported. [end] more.. Al Quds Brigades launch two projectiles at Kerem Shalom Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Gaza -- The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement, launched two homemade projectiles into the Kerem Shalom crossing east of the city of Rafah on Friday afternoon. In a statement, the Brigades said that the launching operation was in response to the assassination of the resistance's leaders and the invasion operations that the Israeli occupation carries out in the Palestinian cities. They confirmed that they will continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Israeli civilian vehicles attacked on Road 60 near Bethlehem on Thursday night; military raid ensued Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Bethlehem --Israeli sources said on Thursday around midnight that a Palestinian group threw cocktails bombs and stones at Israeli civilian vehicles passing along Road 60 near the village of Al Khader west of the city of Bethlehem. No injuries were reported. The sources also said that the Israeli military forces carried out a raid in the area and inspected several houses. [end] more.. Al Qassam member kidnapped in Gaza by anonymous gunmen Ma'an News 6/23/2006 Gaza --Palestinian sources close to Hamas said that unknown armed men kidnapped one of the active members of Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, from outside the gates of his house in Gaza on Thursday evening. The sources did not reveal the name of the abducted man as they prefer to keep him anonymous. In Jabalia in Gaza, an explosion was also heard in a house belonging to one of the leaders of the Al Qassam Brigades. No injuries were reported. [end] more.. Baby stillborn after botched Israeli strike YNet News 6/23/2006 Medics say Palestinian baby girl whose mother was wounded in botched Israeli air raid was stillborn Friday, two days after strike killed two other civilians in Gaza -- A Palestinian baby girl whose mother was wounded in a botched Israeli air raid was stillborn on Friday, two days after the strike that killed two other civilians in the Gaza Strip, medics said. In the Gaza town of Khan Younis, doctors at Nasser Hospital performed a Caesarean section on Shaima Ahmed, 25, after detecting signs of foetal distress after she was wounded by shrapnel in Wednesday's air strike, medics said. The fetus, due to have been born in the coming days, was found dead, they said. The mother remains in intensive care along with two other children, relatives of the family, who were injured in the attack. more.. Israeli Raid Kills Palestinian Civilians Palestine Chronicle 6/22/2006 Medical sources said that five children aged between one and four were among the wounded and that of the 13 injured civilians, four were in a serious condition. -- GAZA CITY - A Palestinian woman and one of her relatives have been killed and 13 other people wounded, including children, in a second Israeli air strike in two days in the southern Gaza Strip. Local medical sources and witnesses said that a missile, fired by an Israeli aircraft towards a car on Wednesday, slammed into a house near the town of Khan Yunis, killing 27-year-old Fatima al-Barbarawi and injuring 14 other people. One of her relatives, Zakaria al-Barbarawi, 45, later died of wounds sustained in the attack.... Palestinian security sources said a rocket fired by an Israeli aircraft took aim at a car, missed its target and struck a house. more.. Olmert: Israeli lives worth more than Palestinian ones The Independent 6/23/2006 Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, expressed "deep regret" for army operations that have killed 14 Palestinian civilians in Gaza in just nine days but said the lives of Israeli citizens threatened by Qassam attacks were "even more important". The deaths in three separate missile attacks overshadowed Mr Olmert's first meeting with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, since taking office, as grieving relatives gathered here to mourn the two latest civilian victims, Fatima Ahmed, a 37-year-old pregnant mother of two small children, and her brother Zakaria, 45. The siblings were killed by an Israeli missile which had been launched in the second bungled attempt to assassinate militants in less than 24 hours. The attack wounded 13 other members of the family, including six children... more.. Prominent Al Aqsa member assassinated during an Israeli military incursion into Ramallah Ma'an News 6/22/2006 Ramallah -- Israeli Special Forces killed on Thursday evening a Palestinian active member of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the largest military wing affiliated to the Fatah Movement, in Ramallah. Palestinian security sources said that Ayman Ratib was killed at the hands of the Special Forces who infiltrated the city in a civilian car and shot Ratib dead. Before the citizens were even aware of Ratib's assassination, a huge military force had been deployed in the area to cover the Special Forces' withdrawal from the city. The sources added that the Israeli forces prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching the area and said that the man bled to death. more.. Olmert pledges to continue policy of targeted killings Ha'aretz 6/23/2006 In his closing speech at the Caesarea economic conference in Jerusalem on Thursday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that "pinpoint preventions" of terror attacks would continue, despite growing numbers of Palestinian civilian casualties. Olmert apologized "from the depths of my being" for civilian deaths in recent airstrikes in Gaza, "but I value the lives and the welfare of the residents of Sderot as much as if not more than those of the residents of Gaza. ""Israel will continue to carry out targeted attacks against terrorists and those who try to harm Israeli citizens," the prime minister said... "Every strike on civilians is very bad," the air force chief said. "It is troubling on an ethical level, and it also makes it difficult for us to maintain pressure on the terrorist organizations. " more.. Gaza family mourns death of 2 siblings YNet News 6/22/2006 Video) Ahmad family in Khan Yunis tries to recover from air strike that killed two of its members in Gaza on Wednesday; 'attacks on civilians suit Israeli thugs and murderers,' family member says -- VIDEO - Abdelkader Ahmad, whose brother Zakaria and sister Fatma died in an Israeli air strike on the family's home in Khan Yunis on Wednesday, said attacks on innocent civilians "suit the Israelis. " "Missiles on innocent civilians enjoying a meal suits the Israeli, thugs and murderers," Abdelkader, 57, told Ynet. Zakaria, 47, who lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, arrived in Gaza two days ago to mourn the death of his brother-in-law, Abdelrahman Abu Shanab. more.. IAF: Technical glitch behind Khan Younis tragedy YNet News 6/22/2006 Investigation reveals technical malfunction caused aircraft missile to stray from its course, kill innocent Palestinian brother, sister. ‘We will continue to carry out missions aimed at protecting Israel’s citizens,’ IAF officer says -- An Israel Air Force investigation revealed that a technical malfunction caused an aircraft missile to stray from its course and strike a civilian home in Khan Younis. Fatma Ahmed, 35, and her 45-year-old brother Zakaria Ahmad were killed in the attack; eight other Palestinians, all members of the same family, were injured in the attack. The missiles were aimed at a vehicle carrying Popular Resistance Committees 'terrorists'. Senior IAF officials said the chances a human error was at fault are slim, adding that a technical glitch apparently caused one of the missiles to strike the house. more.. Israel Navy foils seaborne attempt to smuggle weapons from Egypt to Gaza Ha'aretz 6/22/2006 An Israel Navy vessel opened fire early Thursday morning on two swimmers attempting to smuggling weapons from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. The two swimmers were apparently hit by the gunfire. The force spotted the two individuals across the border in an area in which swimming is forbidden. Smuggling attempts had taken place in this location in the past. When the swimmers ignored the navy's calls, gunners on board opened fire with warning shots. When the swimmers continued to ignore the sailors' warnings, they opened fire directly at the swimmers. Meanwhile, Palestinians threw an explosive device at Israel Defense Forces troops operating in Nablus on Thursday morning. There were no casualties. IDF soldiers arrested nine wanted Palestinians in the West Bank before dawn on Thursday. more.. Nephew of Fatah strongman Dahlan injured in Gaza car explosion Ha'aretz 6/22/2006 Yasser Dahlan, the nephew of Fatah strongman and Palestinian legislator Mohammed Dahlan, was wounded in a car explosion in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City on Wednesday. A third bystander was also hurt in the blast. Dahlan, who is widely thought to be a confidant of his uncle's and who worked for the Palestinian Authority staff which oversaw preparations for the disengagement plan, was in his car along with his fiance and her mother - both of whom were also injured - when the explosion occurred near the headquarters of the Preventive Security Service in Gaza. Also Wednesday, masked gunmen believed to be Hamas operatives shot and wounded two Fatah members in the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis. more.. Troops invade Nablus, impose siege on the Old City International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Thursday afternoon, Israeli soldiers invaded the West Bank city of Nablus, and its Old City, and clashed with dozens of youth, no injuries were reported. Local sources in Nablus reported that soldiers broke into several houses and used some of them as military posts and monitoring towers. Dozens of youth hurled stones and empty bottles at the invading forces, while soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition and rubber coated bullets. The sources added that the invasion was carried out by 26 armored military vehicles and jeeps. Soldiers surround Nablus and its Old city before invading the area. [end] more.. Army arrests three Bethlehem residents including police office International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 The Israeli army arrested three residents, including a police officer, from the West Bank city of Bethlehem and in the neighborhood of Hendaza Mountain south of the city Thursday at dawn. Palestinian security sources in the city reported that Israeli soldiers backed by armored vehicles invaded the city from its main entrances and was deployed in Al Maslakh neighborhood. Soldiers broke into several homes and conducted a wide range of searches before arresting three residents. The two arrested in Al Maslakh were identified as Ibrahim Khaleel Farhat, 22, and Basel Hassen Masalmeh, 29, a police officer. In Hendaza neighborhood south of Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers arrested another resident who was identified as Jad'oun Khaleel E'bayat, 32. All were taken to unknown locations. [end] more.. Army installed a military checkpoint at the southern entrance of Qalqilia International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Israeli army installed a military checkpoint at the southern entrance of the West Bank city of Qalqilia on Thursday and obstructed the movement of the residents and their vehicles there. Soldiers posted on the checkpoint stopped all of the vehicles going through the entrance and conducted a wide scale of searches and checked the identity cards of the residents riding in those vehicles. [end] more.. Army and settlers attack residents of Hebron and Surif, injuring four International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Four residents from the West Bank city of Hebron and one of its nearby towns were injured on Thursday when they were attacked by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Palestinian medical sources in Hebron governmental hospital reported that three residents were hospitalized with bruises and broken bones after being violently attacked by the Israeli army and extremist settlers. Among the injured were Yaser Abed Al Jabar Shabana,12, who was treated for a fractured right hand after being attacked by the settlers in Tel Rumeida neighborhood in the old city of Hebron. Refa'ee A'reef AlAtrash, 36, sustained large bruises in his right foot after being attacked by the soldiers in the old city and Tareq Badawi Ismaiel Ghneemat, 17, was treated for serious bruising all over his body... more.. Army invades Ramain village, east of Tulkarem, arrests one resident International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Ahmad Zeidann, 26, was arrested when Israeli troops invaded the village of Ramain east of the West Bank city of Tulkarem, Saturday at dawn. Several army vehicles stormed the village, searched several houses then arrested Zeidann and took him to unknown location, local sources reported. [end] more.. Brigades claim responsibility for launching at Israeli military post Thursday afternoon Ma'an News 6/22/2006 Khan Younis --National Resistance Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Al-Aqsa Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Fatah Movement, and Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, have claimed responsibility for launching three homemade projectiles into the Kissufim Israeli military post at 2:15 pm on Thursday. In a statement, the brigades said that sounds of strong explosions were heard inside the post. They also said the launching operations were in response to the ongoing assassination policies and the massacres that the Israeli Forces carried out against the Palestinian people... more.. Botched IAF strike kills 2 civilians in Gaza Ha'aretz 6/23/2006 Two Palestinian civilians were killed and 13 other members of the same family were wounded in an Israel Air Force strike in the southern Gaza Strip last night. The attack came one day after three children were killed in an IAF strike in Gaza City that targeted members of Fatah's military wing. Yesterday's incident is the fourth in one month in which IAF strikes in Gaza have led to the death of 15 Palestinian civilians.... Yesterday's incident occurred at around 6:30 P. M. near the main road connecting Khan Yunis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The air force craft fired two missiles against a pick-up truck carrying members of the Popular Resistance Committee. The missiles missed the vehicle, and struck the house in which the victimized family was preparing to have dinner. more.. Analysis: Nothing 'surgical' about air force attacks in urban areas Ha'aretz 6/22/2006 The story is beginning to repeat itself, and the frequency is troubling. For the third time in nine days, Palestinian civilians last night were killed in air force strikes in Gaza. While Israel is busy conducting an internal debate over its role in the deaths of seven civilians at a beach in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the air force killed two more civilians Wednesday- innocents or "uninvolved" using the Israel Defense Forces' dry terminology. Time and again, the air force is making complex excuses whose ultimate argument is that "We did not see the civilians," and "They came into the scene at the last moment. "... from the time missiles are launched until they land, many seconds transpire [preposterous - Ed. ] and an empty venue can quickly become full of civilians, especially when the target is a moving vehicle in an urban area. more.. Israel to continue Gaza raids after botched strikes ReliefWeb 6/22/2006 JERUSALEM, June 22, 2006 (AFP) - Israel vowed Thursday to continue air attacks in the Gaza Strip, despite global outcry over the killing of civilians in botched raids, as the Israeli and Palestinian leaders met in Jordan. Fourteen Palestinian civilians, including five children, have been killed in air strikes over Gaza in nine days, following an upsurge in cross-border violence that has seen nearly 150 rockets fired at Israel in two weeks. Two air attacks carried out in the past 48 hours missed their targets of presumed Palestinian militants and instead killed three children on Tuesday and another two civilians on Wednesday, one of them a pregnant woman. Israeli air force commander General Eliezer Shkedi quickly counselled extreme caution... but vowed that air strikes would continue as the most effective tool against militants. more.. Children killed in Israeli strike on Gaza The Guardian 6/21/2006 Three young Palestinians in Gaza's largest refugee camp were killed by an overnight Israeli air strike, it emerged today. Military aircraft targeting Palestinian militants fired a missile at a car in the Jebaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. However, the missile killed a teenager and two children, injuring nine other people. Officials at the Shifa Hospital, in Gaza city, said the victims were 16-year-old Bilal Alhassi, seven-year-old Samia al-Sharif and five-year-old Mohammed Roka. An Israeli army official said the military had been targeting militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, who they said were involved in firing rockets at Israel.... The reprisal is coming soon," Abu Qussa, a spokesman for the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, said. more.. Bombing Gaza again and again Rafah Today 6/15/2006 [with photos] Every moment in Gaza is different from the next. On Friday, 13 civilians, including three children, were killed in a new massacre by the Israeli Occupation Forces. In addition, four were ambulance drivers and health workers and two Islamic Jihad members. Children, ambulances drivers and medical workers are among the targets all the time. The last time, it was tragic and the Gaza Strip had not yet recovered from the last hell which ended up in killing a family on the beach — the family who were simply enjoying their holiday after school had finished with the beginning of the school holiday. While the first launch of Israeli rockets targeting Islamic Jihad members traveling in a vehicle missed, 13 people were killed and 32 injured when the second rocket launch struck civilians gathered around the vehicle. more.. West Bank settler suspected of smuggling sniper rifles from U.S. Ha'aretz 6/21/2006 A resident of the West Bank settlement of Tapuah was indicted Wednesday for allegedly smuggling sniper rifles from the United States. Jeffrey Emanuel Seth, 39, was charged with illegally importing and possessing weapons, ammunition, and additional equipment from the U.S. Police suspect he intended to use the weapons to attack Palestinians, a police spokesman said. Seth, a new immigrant from the U.S. , was arrested at the Haifa port June 11 after claiming a shipping container that contained a snipers' rifle, a bullet-making machine, gunpowder and cartridges that he had sent to himself from the U.S.... At an earlier hearing on the extension of his remand, Seth said that he was a hunter and that the thought of "hunting Arabs" crossed his mind every time he saw a suicide bombing. more.. Itzhar settlers hurl rocks at Israeli Arab entering settlement Ha'aretz 6/21/2006 Dozens of settlers on hurled rocks and sticks at an Israeli Arab truck driver who drove into the West Bank settlement of Itzhar on Tuesday. The driver, who had entered the settlement apparently by mistake, managed to escape after an Israel Defense Forces soldier standing guard at the settlement gate fired two shots into air to scuttle the rioters. The driver suffered no injuries, but his truck was damaged. The Israeli Arab was attacked almost immediately after entering the settlement by some 30 rioters, some of whom wore masks. [end] more.. Troops and settlers severely injure four Palestinians in Hebron, arrest one International Middle East Media Center 6/22/2006 Israeli forces and settlers injured four Palestinians, including several youth, in separate attacks in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. A fifth individual was arrested following the attacks. Medical sources at the government hospital in Hebron told PNN that the Palestinian bodies were covered in bruises, contusions, and fractures as a result of the brutal beatings by the Israeli soldiers and settlers. The injured included 12 year old Yasser Shabane, who suffered a broken right arm; 36 year old Mousa Al Atrash, who suffered bruises and contusions on his right foot; and 17 year old Tariq Badawi, who suffered a cerebral conncussion and bruises throughout his body. The attacks took place near the northwestern part of the Wall outside Hebron, in between the illegal Israeli settlement of Gamat Yishai and Tel Rumeida. more.. Police preparing to evacuate illegal outposts next month Ha'aretz 6/22/2006 The Israel Police is readying to evacuate dozens of illegal outposts at the beginning of next month, sources said Wednesday. The decision to remove the outposts is still pending a cabinet decision, but the police are preparing for the possibility that they will be asked to implement the evacuation immediately. The evacuation is expected to begin with about 20 outposts, including Skali Farm and Havat Maon in the southern Hebron hills, the sources said. Police Operations Commander Bertie Ohayon yesterday met police, IDF and Prisons Service officers and outlined each body's role in the evacuation. The participants were instructed to prepare action plans for logistics, technology, communications and media. more.. Police raise security at home of judge threatened with death Ha'aretz 6/22/2006 Jerusalem Police on Wednesday ordered security inflated around the home of a Supreme Court Justice recently threatened with death. Signs reading "death to the judge," "traitor," "child chaser," and "camouflaged criminal" were hung in the entrance to Judge Ayala Procaccia's home and in the parking lot outside her building. Police suspect that the signs were hung by right-wing activists irate over Procaccia's decision to sentence to house arrest a 14-year-old Hebron girl suspected of attacking police and security forces during clashes in Hebron. Right-wing activists protested the girl's sentence Wednesday outside Procaccia's house. [end] more.. IDF issues international law handbook for combat officers Ha'aretz 6/21/2006 Officers and commanders in combat units are to receive a handbook on international law and war crimes written by the Israel Defense Forces in order to instill in ground forces the importance of observing international conventions. The handbook, whose distribution was launched this week, spells out the weaponry permitted in various combat situations, defines legal and illegal targets, and explains how to distinguish between enemy combatants and non-combatants.... [it] intends to knock down some "accepted myths. " For example, the book says that soldiers are permitted to fire at paratroopers while they are still in the air and use phosphorus shells and 5. 56 mm. bullets. In addition, the book explains that cluster bombs and flachette shells have not been prohibited by international law. more.. Sderot douses streetlights for hour to protest Qassam attacks Ha'aretz 6/21/2006 Sderot municipal workers shut off streetlights Tuesday night, plunging the southern town into darkness for an hour to protest the continuing Qassam rocket attacks. Just minutes later, Palestinians in Gaza fired another rocket into the center of a western Negev community. There were no casualties and no damage was caused. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas called on militant groups to stop firing rockets against Israel, warning that they would be responsible for any Israeli retaliation. Sderot residents decided Tuesday night at a meeting with Mayor Eli Moyal to commence a three-day protest march to Jerusalem on Sunday, to call further attention to the government's inability to curb the barrages of Qassam rockets that have plagued the western Negev town since the withdrawal from Gaza last summer. more.. Border town protest over missile attacks from Gaza The Independent 6/20/2006 Amir Peretz, the Israeli Defence Minister, yesterday warned critics clamouring for more draconian military action against Gaza militants launching Qassam rockets into Israel that escalation would increase rather than reduce the attacks. Mr Peretz was in his home town less than three miles from the Gaza border to confront angry local residents, led by the Likud mayor Eli Moyal, who yesterday called on the entire Cabinet to resign because of its failure to deal with the Qassams. Sderot has borne the brunt of the 200 Qassam rockets fired from Gaza in the last 10 days and is at the centre of a fierce debate in Israel between the government - particularly Mr Peretz, the Labour leader - and right-wing opponents over how to handle attacks. more.. Twelve Palestinians arrested in West Bank on Monday morning Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Bethlehem -- According to Israeli security sources, Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinian citizens in the West Bank on Monday morning, including one woman from Salfit, a town in the north of the West Bank. The sources said that an Israeli force entered the city of Nablus early on Monday morning and arrested two Palestinians. It is also reported that Palestinians fired at the force in the city. In Ramallah, another four Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces. The sources said that the arrested Palestinians were affiliated to the Fatah and Hamas Movements. Another raid was carried out by Israeli forces in the Hebron and Bethlehem areas in which five Palestinians were arrested from the two cities. more.. Al Qassam leader escapes assassination attempt in Gaza Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Gaza -- The Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades have confirmed that one of their leaders escaped an assassination attempt when he was attacked in his car near Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Sunday evening. Palestinian sources said that Ala'a Radwan was on his way home when anonymous armed men attacked him at 10. 30pm on Sunday. The sources added that the men fired intensively at Radwan while he was in his Subaru car on Abasan road in Khan Younis. The sources said that he managed to escape in spite of the intensive gunfire and they blame the so-called "death squad" of committing this new crime. [end] more.. Five Palestinians arrested at Qalandia on Monday Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian citizens at the Qalandia checkpoint north of the city of Jerusalem on Monday. Palestinian sources said that the citizens came from Husan, a village south of Bethlehem, and included among the detainees were two brothers from the city of Bethlehem. [end] more.. Israeli forces continue attack on Gaza Strip, killing another two Palestinians Palestine News Network 6/17/2006 Israeli warplanes launched yet another episode in the continual attacks on the Gaza Strip late last night. The Israeli missiles hit a civilian car in the central Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians and injuring a third. Al Shifa Hospital’s General Director of Public Relations, Dr. Juma’ Al Saqa, gave details early Saturday morning. He stated that Habib Achour died immediately after the attack, while Imad Yassin suffered critical injuries and died later in the night. He noted that a third individual was wounded in the attack, describing his condition as moderate. It is believed that the target of the attack was Yassin, a prominent leader in Saraya Al Quds, the armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad. more.. Access road to Azzoun, east of Qalqilia, closed off with new earth mounds Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Qalqilia -- Israeli forces closed the northern entrance to the town of Azzoun, east of the city of Qalqilia, on Monday morning by setting up earth mounds across the access road. Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of Palestinian citizens now cannot pass through the earth barrier. On Sunday, Palestinians threw explosive devices at Israeli cars travelling in the area and according to Israeli sources one Israeli citizen was injured. [end] more.. DFLP-affiliated Brigades launch mortars at Kerem Shalom on Monday Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Gaza -- The National Resistance Brigades, an armed group affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), has claimed responsibility for the launching of mortar projectiles at the Israeli military post of Kerem Shalom, southeast of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Monday. In a statement issued on Monday, the Brigades said that the launching of the projectiles was part of the retaliation for the Israeli aggressions and crimes against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories. [end] more.. Hizbullah returns to northern border YNet News 6/20/2006 Hizbullah members return to outposts along border with Israel, which were attacked three weeks ago by IDF -- Hizbullah members are rebuilding their outposts damaged in the IDF attack three weeks ago , the army has said. "This doesn't surprise us. The night after the Air Force and tank attacks, we saw movement in the area, now they are rebuilding, and in some places upgrading," an army source told Ynet on Tuesday. "They have built towers, and begun to rebuild destroyed buildings. They have also set up watch positions, such a new watchtower in the Rosh Hanikra area. In some of the areas heavy equipment is being used, and some places are being improved," the IDF source said. more.. Israeli missile hits Gaza building AlJazeera 6/20/2006 Israel has stepped up air raids against Palestinian fighters -- An Israeli helicopter fired a missile which damaged a building in the northern Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, witnesses and the Israeli military said. There were no reported casualties from the attack an Israeli army spokeswoman described as against a weapons manufacturing plant used by Hamas resistance fighters to produce rockets fired at Israel. Palestinian sources described the building damaged in the blast as a metal foundry. The attack followed continued rocket fire on the Jewish state by Gaza fighters on Monday. Israel has stepped up air raids against Palestinian fighters in response to increased rocket fire recently that has mainly targetted the southern Israeli town of Sderot. more.. Peres: Enough with Qassam hysteria YNet News 6/20/2006 Vice Premier: 'I don't understand what the hysteria is about. Kiryat Shmona was shelled for years. We must tell Palestinians: We will hold firm; -- Sderot preparing for day of protest: After the hunger-strike in the protest tent opposite Defense Minister Amir Peretz's home ended, Sderot is preparing to close its gates at 7:30 in the morning (Tuesday) to the world. Vice Premier Shimon Peres, however, doesn't understand what the fuss is about. "This hysteria over the Qassams must end," he told journalists at the Knesset. "We're just adding to the hysteria. What happened? Kiryat Shmona was shelled for years. What, there weren't missiles? " Peres added: "We must tell the Palestinians, Qassams shmassams, we'll hold firm. We won't move from here. " more.. Brigades launch projectiles at Sderot and Israeli military runway Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Gaza -- The Al Aqsa Brigades said that they launched three home-made projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot early on Monday morning. In a statement issued on Monday, the Brigades said that they will continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation, including the launch of the home-made projectiles against the Israeli occupation. In related news, the Ahmad Abu Ar Rish Brigades said that they launched two home-made projectiles at the military runway east of Khaza'ah. The Brigades issued a statement in which they said that they will continue their struggle against the Israeli occupation troops. [end] more.. Palestinian woman arrested in Salfit, her husband was arrested 2 days ago Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Nablus –Ma'an -- year old Palestinian woman, Nisreen Madhi. The Ma'an reporter said that the Israeli forces raided the city at 2 am and broke into many houses before arresting the woman. Mrs Madhi is a mother of two children and her husband was arrested days ago in Ramallah after being accused by the Israelis of being a Hamas activist. [end] more.. Israel stepping up its campaign to defend itself against the massacre it committed on the Gaza seaside Palestine News Network 6/19/2006 The Israeli military government is stepping up its attempts to get out from under massacre charges to a frantic pace. In its rabid denial of having anything to do with the killing of an entire family on the northern Gaza beach last Friday, now Israel has to find a new tact. Israeli forces launched three missiles onto the beach of the Mediterranean, killing a family save for one young daughter who ran amok on the beach pulling at her hair after seeing her family killed. One small body was incinerated. There are photos, there is film. The United States, in its unrelenting support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and all of its trappings, pressured Al Jazeera to not show the footage as Israel was in the midst of denying the killing took place at all. more.. Israel kills Islamic Jihad fighter AlJazeera 6/17/2006 A Palestinian fighter has been killed and three others have been wounded in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip, Aljazeera reports. Aljazeera reported quoting Palestinian medical sources that the fighter, who belonged to al-Quds Brigades, was killed inside a car late on Friday in northern Gaza. AFP said the vehicle was carrying members of Islamic Jihad when it was hit by an Israeli missile on the outskirts of Gaza City. The group announced that one of its members was killed and at least two other people were wounded in the attack. Islamic Jihad identified the dead man as Habib Ashour, a field operator in Gaza. The group identified one of the injured as Emad Yassin and said he was in critical condition. more.. Two Islamic Jihad men killed in IAF strike in Gaza Ha'aretz 6/17/2006 Two senior Islamic Jihad militants were killed and two others were seriously wounded in an Israel Air Force strike in the Gaza Strip on Friday night, hours after Hamas stepped back from a Palestinian government offer to renew a ceasefire with Israel. One of the militants was identified as Imad Yassin, who an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said was responsible for launching Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip into the western Negev. Habeb Ashour, also an Islamic Jihad operative who was wounded in the strike, succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Palestinian medics said several civilian bystanders were injured in the strike, the latest in a series of several Israel has launched against militants launching rockets in the past week. more.. Latest action in Israel's illegal "settling" of the West Bank: Israeli forces bulldoze Palestinian land in the West Bank's Sebastia to expand the Israeli Shavei Shomron Settlement Palestine News Network 6/17/2006 Israeli forces began bulldozing areas of land belonging to Palestinian families Friday in an operation to expand the Shavei Shomron Settlement. All settlements remain illegal under international law, although Israel continues its refusal to recognize this fact. Sebastia Village resident, Fayez Muhanad Abu Ghazal, reports that Israeli forces confiscated over half of his land and used bulldozers to uproot his olive trees. He said Saturday that Israeli forces have given no consideration to how this will affect the livelihood of the families that depend on the land. Israeli forces claim that confiscating land is solely for “security purposes,” but the affected Palestinian families are seeing an increase in their own insecurity. more.. After shots allegedly fired at Israeli settler cars inside the West Bank, dozens of Israeli forces invade small village near Bethlehem Palestine News Network 6/17/2006 The eastern Bethlehem village of Obaideh is under attack Saturday afternoon. The reason? Some Palestinians shot at Israeli settler cars, with no reported injuries. The Israeli settlers and their settlements are confiscating Palestinian land at an alarming rate under the auspices of the Israeli government in direct contravention to international law. And eastern Bethlehem is not immune. Major Israeli military forces proceeded to storm Obaideh this afternoon, closing entrances and exits to and from the town. Israeli soldiers broke into several homes, and conducted invasive searches, particularly focusing on homes situated on the outskirts of town. Out of fear for their safety, hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes. more.. IDF Spokesman: Channel 10 report on Gaza beach blast a lie Ha'aretz 6/20/2006 Channel 10 News claimed Monday night that a piece of shrapnel removed from a Palestinian injured in last week's explosion on Lahia Beach in Gaza almost certainly came from an Israeli weapon. The Israel Defense Forces Spokesman's Office rejected the report. "Unfortunately, Channel 10 persists in publicizing falsehoods despite having been given the true facts," said the IDF Spokesman. The military inquiry committee headed by Major General Meir Klifi based its conclusions largely on a fragment extracted from a girl wounded in the incident who was hospitalized in Israel.... Channel 10's Shlomo Eldar reported Monday that last week another fragment, removed from a different Palestinian, is of Israeli origin. -- See also: HRW: More Evidence on Beach Killings Implicates IDF more.. Brigades ambush Israeli convoy in Nablus Ma'an News 6/19/2006 Nablus -- The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Fatah movement, have claimed responsibility for the ambush of an Israeli convoy near the rice factory in Nablus. They attacked a military jeep and a bulldozer on Monday morning. In a statement issued on Monday, the Brigades confirmed that this ambush was in retaliation for the crimes of the Israeli occupation and its ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people. The Brigades vowed to continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Israelis kill three Palestinian militants Middle East Online 6/16/2006 Palestinian militants fire five rockets towards southern Israel overnight, causing no casualties. -- GAZA CITY - Israeli forces shot dead three Palestinian militants Thursday on the border with the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian medical source said. An Israel military spokesman said earlier that the three were preparing to plant a bomb and all had been killed or wounded. The Palestinians were intercepted near the former crossing of Kissufim, east of Gaza City, by an elite infantry unit on patrol with air support, the spokesman said. Witnesses said they belonged to the radical Islamic Jihad group. Palestinian ambulances were dispatched to the scene to recover the bodies. This incident brings to 5,109 the number of people, the majority of them Palestinians, who have been killed since the start of the Intifada... more.. Hospital casts doubt on Israel's version of attack that killed seven Palestinians The Independent 6/17/2006 Palestinian accounts of the timing of the explosion which killed seven members of the same family on a Gaza beach have cast doubt on crucial elements of the conclusion of the military investigation which absolved Israel of any responsibility. The military report said that surveillance footage of the beach on Friday last week showed that the explosion could not have taken place before 4:57pm, nine minutes after the military says the last shell was fired by land artillery in the area..... HRW also referred to admission records, and added: "If the records are accurate, based on the time needed to dispatch an ambulance and drive from the hospital to the beach and back, this suggests that the fatal explosion took place at a time when the IDF said they were firing artillery rounds. " more.. 'Israel's weapons used against Jews' YNet News 6/16/2006 Terrorist says that rifles transferred last week by Israel to Abbas for security have been employed in shooting attacks against Israelis -- Weapons transferred last week by Israel to Force 17, the presidential guard units of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, will be utilized for attacks against Jews, a senior member of Force 17 told WorldNetDaily in an exclusive interview today. The militant, Abu Yousuf, hinted the weapons already were used in two shooting attacks the past few days that killed one Israeli civilian and wounded another. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced earlier this week he had approved a shipment of weapons and ammunition, which reportedly include over 370 assault rifles and were destined for Force 17. more.. Three Palestinians killed in Israeli air strike east of Khan Younis Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Khan Younis -- Three Palestinians were killed in an armed clash with Israeli forces near the Israeli military post of Kissufim, near the Gaza Strip-Israeli border east of Khan Younis, on Thursday evening. Israeli jets and artillery shelled the area claiming that they were targeting a group of Palestinian fighters who were attempting to plant a roadside bomb near the crossing. Two of the killed Palestinians were identified as Salim Abu Zubaidah and Mohammad Abu Tanjarah from Bureij refugee camp in the central Strip while the third has not yet been identified. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli military targeted the area and shelled it with artillery and aircraft. Eyewitnesses said that a huge explosion occurred in the area... more.. Al-Aqsa Brigades call for continued operations against Israel Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Gaza --Al-Aqsa Brigades, a military group affiliated with Fatah movement, called for their armed groups to be on alert and continue the shelling of Israeli cities and towns in response to Israeli targeting of Palestinian resistance and civilians. The Brigades affirmed in a statement that Ma'an was acquainted with that they intend to continue in their resistance to the Israeli occupation and their rejection of any ceasefire with an enemy that commits itself to no treaties. The Brigades also called the international and Arab community for immediate intervention to stop the daily Israeli offences against Palestinian civilians which culminated in the massacre at Gaza beach last week that killed twelve Palestinians including a whole family. [end] more.. Brigades from Gaza fire projectiles at Kefar 'Azza Friday afternoon Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Ma'an -- Aqsa Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Fatah Movement, and the National Resistance Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), have claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles into Kefar 'Azza, an Israeli town east of the Gaza Strip, on Friday afternoon. In a statement, the brigades said that the launching operation was in response to aggression of the Israeli Forces against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and confirmed that they will continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Five Palestinian projectiles land in Negev and Sderot Friday Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Bethlehem --Israeli sources reported on Friday morning that five Palestinian homemade projectiles fell in the Western Negev regions and Sderot. The sources said that two of the projectiles fell in the Israeli border area of Kirim Shalom and two in open areas in Sderot, while one hit a football field in the town. No injuries were reported. One of the projectiles was said to have been launched from Palestinian Authority controlled border lands of the Gaza Strip. In related news, the Israeli sources reported that the Israeli Forces frustrated a launching operation on Friday morning, when an Israeli surveillance aircraft fired towards a Palestinian group attempting to launch homemade projectiles. [end] more.. Masked, armed Palestinians attack Nablus Municipality Thursday night Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Nablus --Masked, armed Palestinians threw a cocktail bomb at the entrance to the Nablus Municipality Thursday night, setting fire to one of its departments. In a special statement to Ma'an, the deputy of the Nablus Municipality President, Mahdi Al-Hanbali, said that three masked, armed men broke into the municipality at 10:30 pm on Thursday. They threatened the bodyguards of the municipality and forced them outside before throwing a cocktail bomb that ignited the information room in the municipality. Al-Hanbali denounced this incident, describing it as a cowardly, non-national act and saying the perpetrators are criminals. He stressed that the municipality offers its services for all citizens in the city regardless to their affiliation. [end] more.. Armed Fatah men break into PLC building in Tulkarem, destroying office computers Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Tulkarem -- Armed Palestinians belonging to the Suqour (Eagles) of Fatah, one of the Fatah Movement's armed wings, broke into the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) offices in the city of Tulkarem on Thursday and fired shots inside it. Eyewitnesses reported that an armed group broke into the PLC headquarters in the city amid intensive gunfire and they destroyed its contents, including the offices' computers, before then withdrawing. The spokesman for the Fatah Eagles said that the attack was in response to the break-in by members of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades of the preventative security forces headquarters in Gaza City earlier in the week. The preventative security forces are the armed guards under President Abbas' control. [end] more.. Armed clashes break out in Tulkarem’s Legislative Council Headquarters Palestine News Network 6/16/2006 Members of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the armed resistance wing of the Fateh movement, stormed the Tulkarem headquarters of the Legislative Council late last night. Once inside, the members opened fire, destroyed documents, and confiscated various computer and office equipment. The MP of Tulkarem and the Minister of Public Works, both of the Fateh movement, have publicly condemned the action, stating that the attack has come at a time when efforts are being made for national unity and agreement. In addition, officials are calling upon government security organs to play a role in the protection of institutions such as the Legislative Council. In response to the attack in Tulkarem, government spokesperson Samir Naifa stated that the Legislative Council wishes to emphasize the importance of an open society. more.. Israeli soldier injured by Palestinian resistance during raid in Nablus Friday morning Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Bethlehem --One Israeli soldier was injured during clashes with Palestinian resistance that Israeli forces encountered in a raid of the city of Nablus early on Friday morning. Israeli sources reported that the soldier was lightly injured and he has been transferred to a hospital in Israel for the treatment. [end] more.. Hamas PLC member's car shot at by unknown gunmen in Jenin Ma'an News 6/16/2006 Jenin --Unknown armed men shot at the car of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, Khalid Said, of the Hamas Movement, in front of his house in Jenin in the northern West Bank on Friday morning. No injuries were reported. Palestinian sources said that Khalid Said told them that some armed men shot at his Subaru car, severely damaging it. He said that it was only the car which was shot at and that the house was not shot at. It is known that Said is a Hamas legislator who supports the dialogue based on the national accord, or prisoners', document. Speaking to Ma'an, Said told the reporter that he is not accusing anybody. He added, however, that he believes the groups who oppose the dialogue's success are behind such attacks. more.. Izzeddine Al-Qassam Brigades launch projectiles at Israeli military positions Ma'an News 6/15/2006 Gaza --Izzeddine Al-Qassam Brigades, a military group affiliated with Hamas, said that they launched two homemade projectiles at the Israeli military positions at the Sufa and Kissufim crossings Thursday. The brigades issued a statement that said that launching the projectiles was a reaction to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. [end] more.. Four Arrested, Hundreds Arable Dunums Burnt In W. Bank International Press Center 6/15/2006 WEST BANK, Palestine, June 15, 206 (IPC+ Agencies )- -Israeli occupation forces arrested today dawn four residents in Tulkarem and Nablus as the Jewish settlers of Etamar illegal settlement, close to Nablus burnt hundreds of arable dunums of Bureen village, south the city. In Tulkarem, resident Mohammed Daqa, 28, believed to be a member of Islamic Jihad movement was arrested after a large IOF troop advanced deep into Atteel town, north the city and cordoned off Daqa's house, thoroughly searched it before arresting him. To this point, three other were rounded up in Nablus district among were two brothers from Asker refugee camp, east Nablus city. more.. Settler girl’s case delayed in Supreme Court YNet News 6/16/2006 Police appeal District Court’s decision not to extend remand of 14-year-old girl from Hebron settlement who was arrested for throwing stones at soldiers last week. Girl refuses to sign release documents because 'doesn't recognize court's authority' -- Supreme Court Justice Ayala Procaccia decided Friday afternoon to delay the hearing regarding a 14-year-old settler girl who was arrested during scuffles in Hebron. The hearing was not yet rescheduled, but it was expected to take place in the upcoming days. In the meantime, the girl will remain under arrest. The girl is one of 17 adolescent settler girls who were arrested last week during scuffles in the Avraham Avinu neighborhood of Hebron after throwing stones at soldiers mending the security fence there. more.. IDF kills three Palestinians near security fence in central Gaza Ha'aretz 6/15/2006 An Israel Defense Forces helicopter fired a missile Thursday evening which killed three Palestinians near the security fence ringing the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians were seen crawling towards the fence in the area adjacent to the Kisufim Crossing in central Gaza. The reason for their presence in the area remains unclear. By all indications, the three attempted to plant an explosive device. Islamic Jihad fired a salvo of Qassam rockets into the western Negev city of Sderot on Thursday morning, wounding three people. The strike came shortly after the ruling Hamas party denied a Haaretz report that it had ordered an end to Qasssam strikes, fearing its leadership would be targeted by Israel. more.. Lebanon: Israel killed Jihad leader AlJazeera 6/15/2006 Lebanon's defence minister says an Israeli aircraft probably set off the bomb that killed an Islamic Jihad leader in the southern city of Sidon on May 26. The blast killed Mahmud al-Majzub as well as his brother Nidal. On Thursday, Ilias Murr said: "Information received so far shows there is a strong possibility that the detonator in the booby-trapped car was set off by an Israeli aircraft monitoring his movements via a camera mounted on a truck. "Referring to daily violations of Lebanese airspace by Israeli aircraft, Murr said "the worst thing is that these violations enablethe carrying out of terrorist operations in Lebanon, which is both frightening and dangerous". He said it was "the first time in the 30 years Israel has been carrying out operations in Lebanon that an operation was executed at such a high-tech level. " more.. Militants detained after trying to kidnap Israeli girls Ha'aretz 6/16/2006 Palestinians tried to kidnap two Israeli girls at the Rechalim Junction, near the West Bank town of Nablus, on Thursday. Israel Defense Forces troops and police officers searched the area, and arrested the three would-be abductors. The three armed Palestinians pulled up to a hitchhiking station near the settlement of Rechalim, where the two young women were standing. They exited the vehicle and tried to force one of the girls, Amona Shahar, into the car. She fought them off, suffered a light head wound, and fled. The other girl waiting at the hitchhiking station ran away and used her cellular phone to alert security forces. A short while later, the commander of the IDF company that serves in the region noticed Shahar bleeding at the station and approached her. more.. Huge rise recorded in number of houses IDF razes in arrest raids Ha'aretz 6/15/2006 A Haaretz inquiry reveals that the Israel Defense Forces has increased its use of home demolitions during West Bank arrest raids since a ban on the forced entry of Palestinian civilians into homes of barricaded fugitives. When the High Court of Justice banned the "neighbor procedure" eight months ago, senior Israel Defense Forces officers warned that this would likely endanger soldiers' lives. Haaretz has learned that new arrest procedures are not any more dangerous to soldiers, but that is because the IDF is using more aggressive tactics during the actual operations. IDF sources say that the ban diminishes the tactical options of the officers. "The result is that very quickly we escalate in means, in other words, we use the bulldozers," one officer says. more.. Army arrests one resident and turns two houses to military posts in Biet Al Rish village near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/15/2006 Israeli army troops invaded the village of Biet Al Rish near the West Bank city of Hebron, arrested one resident and turned two houses into military posts on Thursday. Soldiers and army jeeps stormed the village and searched the house of Hussen Al Herbawi, arrested him and took him to an unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. Also soldiers stormed the houses of Talal and Mohamed Khalil, forced the two families to leave, trashed the two homes,and turned these houses into military posts, local sources added. [end] more.. Army arrests four residents from Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/15/2006 The Israeli army troops invaded the village of Dora south of the West Bank city of Hebron and arrested four residents there onThursday. Troops stormed the village and searched scores of residents' homes before arresting Yasser Abd Al Fatah, Ahmad Doden, Mohamed Abu Zined and his brother Ali. All were taken to unknown locations. Residents said that the soldiers stormed their homes very violently, and damaged some of the families' belongings. [end] more.. Army invades Kofer Harres village near Salfit International Middle East Media Center 6/15/2006 The Israeli army troops invaded the village of Kofer Harres, north of the West Bank city of Salfit, and searched residents houses Thursday morning. Troops stormed the village from several directions, closed the main road with a military checkpoint and searched several houses. No arrests were made, local villagers reported. [end] more.. Army arrests three residents from Nablus International Middle East Media Center 6/15/2006 The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus and the Askar refugee camp on Thursday morning,arresting five residents. The army stormed the Askar refugee camp, searching residents homes before arresting AsharfSodani, 28, and his brother Eyad, 30, who were both then taken to an unknown location. Meanwhile the troops invaded Nablus, where they installed several checkpoints in the main streets and arrested one man originally from Tulkarem who works for the Palestinian security forces in Nablus. His name and the destination of his arrest remains unknown, local sources reported. [end] more.. Brigades launch projectile at Israeli military post near Jenin Ma'an News 6/15/2006 Ma'an -- Din Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Fatah Movement, have claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile into an Israeli Military post in the Al Jalama region in the north of the city of Jenin on Thursday morning. In a statement, the Brigades confirmed that the operation was a response to Israeli crimes against the Ghalia family and the Palestinian people. The Brigades confirmed that they will continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. IDF: Settlers acting irresponsibly YNet News 6/16/2006 Following Thursday’s attempted kidnapping of two Israeli teenage girls in West Bank, senior army officer says, ‘terror groups highly motivated to kidnap soldiers and civilians, and settlers are acting very irresponsibly in this regard’ -- Following Thursday’s attempted kidnapping of two Israeli teenage girls in the West Bank, IDF officials said they have received a number of warnings regarding terrorists; intent to abduct Israeli civilians. “We once again warn citizens not to risk their lives by hitchhiking in the West Bank,” one army official said. “But we cannot enforce this,” he added.... Despite IDF recommendations, settlers continue to hitchhike, as it is the easiest and fastest way to get around in the West Bank. more.. Living at Gaza's edge grows perilous, again Christian Science Monitor 6/15/2006 The Israeli town Sderot has been hit by dozens of Palestinian rockets over the past week. -- SDEROT, ISRAEL – Ask any kid in this sleepy town near the Gaza Strip what scares them the most, and they're likely to say shachar adom. When the garbled Hebrew words meaning red dawn come over Sderot's public address system, there are about 15 seconds to take cover before makeshift rockets fired by Palestinian militants touch down. "The children are frightened. There are big kids wetting their beds. Others are taking relaxation pills," says Sima Hadad, a mother of three who kept her children home from school and demonstrated against the Israeli government on Tuesday.... many here say the Israeli government hasn't responded forcefully enough to the uptick of Palestinian rocket fire since eight Gazans were killed on a beach last Friday. more.. Israeli town bears brunt of attacks BBC 6/15/2006 Standing amid debris of plaster, broken tiles and splintered wood, Amit Orenboch points to the gaping hole in the classroom roof. "It was a feeling of utter shock," says the headmaster of Yeshiva Tehnit school, referring to the Palestinian rocket that first punched through the ceiling and then an adjacent wall. "If the rocket had been fired five minutes later this classroom would have been full of students. "It is the town of Sderot that has bornethe brunt of Qassam rocket attacks fired from Gaza by Palestinian militant groups. Last weekend, this small Israeli town close to the Gaza border was pounded by more than 50 Qassams - a crude home-made rocket - severely injuring a 61-year-old school caretaker. more.. Qassams cause panic in Sderot YNet News 6/15/2006 Six rockets land in southern town, one falling close to house of Defense Minister Peretz, near hunger-strikers encampment; one person wounded in eye by shrapnel, three suffer from shock. One rocket causes fire at forest near town; 120 rockets fired at Israel since Friday -- Six Qassam rockets were fired Thursday at the southern town of Sderot. One of the rockets landed near the house of Defense Minister Amir Peretz, falling close to the tent of hunger-strikers encamped outside. Fire broke out in a forest near Sderot after a Qassam landed at the place, and firefighters were called to the place to extinguish the fire. One of the rockets landed in a factory in Sderot's industrial zone, and one employee sustained a very light injury to his eye from shrapnel. more.. Lebanon says IAF detonated car bomb which killed 2 Palestinians Ha'aretz 6/15/2006 BEIRUT - An Israeli aircraft detonated the car bomb that killed two officials of Palestinian militant group in south Lebanon last month, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said Thursday. The government has decided to complain to the UN Security Council about Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said following a Cabinet meeting that heard the defense minister's report. Murr briefed the Cabinet on the May 26 car bombing that killed Mahmoud Majzoub, a senior Islamic Jihad official, and his brother as they walked out of their home in the southern city of Sidon. Both men were Lebanese citizens. Earlier Thursday, Murr told reporters at his office that the state's investigation had found an aircraft was looking out for the Majzoubs via a camera on the ground. more.. Israel, Egypt Jordan on alert for al-Qaeda attack YNet News 6/15/2006 Fears of retaliation high after al-Zarqawi killed in Iraq. Israeli security official: Main fear for Israel is border attack, but we are also on alert for attempts to infiltrate country -- Egypt, Jordan and Israel are on high alert for possible large-scale attacks by al-Qaeda members in response to last week's killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the global terror group's leader in Iraq, security sources said. The sources said Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian Arab intelligence officials have held several meetings the past few days to share information and coordinate anti-terror measures in light of the new threats. Israel has beefed up border security for fear al-Qaeda could try to penetrate from neighboring territories or attack along the border. more.. Unknown gunmen abducts a resident in Khan-Younis town in the Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 6/15/2006 Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Hani Ad Doghmah from the town of Khan Younis in the Gaza strip Thursday afternoon. Several masked men driving a white civilian car stopped Hani Ad Doghmah while he was traveling in his "Coca Cola car". The masked men forced him into their car and drove to an unknown location, eyewitnesses reported. None of the armed groups have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. [end] more.. Doubts over Gaza deaths inquiry BBC 6/14/2006 Doubts have been raised about Israel's denial of military responsibility for the deaths of eight Palestinians relaxing on a Gaza beach last Friday. Investigator Gen Meir Klifi had said it was unknown what caused the blast, but hinted it was a Palestinian-laid mine. In a later interview he again ruled out Israeli shelling but said old Israeli munitions could have been to blame. Palestinians dismissed Israel's claims and are calling on the United Nations to hold an independent investigation. The deaths of eight civilians on a beach near Beit Lahiya - seven of whom belonged to the same family and three of whom were children - sparked worldwide condemnation of Israel. more.. Varying tales of Gaza beach deaths BBC 6/14/2006 The Israeli defence minister, the chief of staff, and the general who conducted Israel's investigation stood side-by-side at a Tel Aviv news conference to present a comprehensive case as to why it could not have been Israeli shelling that caused the carnage on the beach in Gaza on Friday. They could rule out all the weapons they used on that day, they said. The timings of Israeli actions on Friday and the incident, they insisted, did not match. Most tellingly perhaps, they said a fragment of shrapnel removed from one of the victims treated by the Israelis did not match any weapons in their inventory. It sounded like a strong case. But the Israeli team says it still does not know what caused the blast. more.. The Israeli Army release wild pigs and poisonous snakes in Salfit International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 The Israeli army has released wild pigs and poisonous snakes in farm land belonging to Jama'en village near the West Bank city of Salfit, Wednesday. Eyewitnesses said that they saw an army truck emptying plastic containers of snakes in the area and then released scores of wild pigs. The Israeli authorities said was action taken to mantain the nature balance of the area. Several pigs attacked Abdullah Awwad, 50,from the village injuring him whilst walking home, local sources said. [end] more.. Annan, US expert doubt Gaza beach blast findings YNet News 6/14/2006 Former Pentagon analyst, now senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, says evidence gathered in Gaza points to Israeli shell as cause of blast that left seven Palestinians dead; Annan: I don't believe it is plausible that the Palestinians planted charges in a place where civilians often spend their time --.... UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also doubted the IDF committee’s conclusions. "The Israeli claim that the beach blast was caused by an explosive charge at the site sounds strange to me... "-- [VTJP Ed. : No mention here of the critical finding by HRW's investigator: "... Among the new shrapnel he collected at the scene of the deaths is a piece stamped with the figures: 155MM. 'The 155mm shell is what Israel uses in the howitzers that regularly shell northern Gaza," he said. ' -- The Guardian]-- Israelis blame Hamas for beach deaths and Revealed: the shrapnel evidence that points to Israel's guilt more.. Israeli forces storm Nablus area village, terrorize citizens as reported by eyewitnesses Palestine News Network 6/14/2006 In addition to killing a Palestinian in Jenin this morning, and after killing 26 Gazans in just a few days, Israeli forces continued to attack the northern West Bank. Israeli forces raided Palestinian towns and villages Wednesday morning, hitting Beit Wuzun in the northern West Bank Nablus District. Eyewitnesses told PNN this morning that a large military force of at least 20 vehicles swept through the village, taking three Palestinians to unknown locations. In addition to the obvious Israeli forces, “special” forces dressed in civilian clothes blocked routes from the village and homes, preventing any Palestinian from moving. In addition to the strength of the Palestinian disguised in plainclothes, stormed the village from several entrances and imposed a blockade and prevented citizens from leaving their homes. more.. Continued internal fighting kills a Hamas Al Qassam member and injures a member of Fateh’s Preventative Security Palestine News Network 6/14/2006 A member of the Hamas resistance wing Al Qassam Brigades died Wednesday morning as internal fighting continues in the southern Gaza Strip. Salah Al Astil from Al Qassam was killed in an armed clash with members of the Fateh party’s Preventative Security. During the fighting in Khan Younis a Preventative Security official was also injured. Eyewitnesses told PNN that Al Astil’s vehicle sped past that of the Preventative Security member. The Preventative Security official used his road rage to spark the armed clash. Officials from Hamas are holding the Preventative Security body responsible for the death of Al Astil. [end] more.. Gunmen set fire in the house of head of the Preventive security force in KhanYounis International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 A group of gunmen set fire in the house of Rfa'etKalab, head of preventive security force in Khanyounis city south ofthe Gaza Strip. An official source in the preventive security force affirmed that a group of gunmen of Al Qassam brigade, the armed wing of Hamas, fired live ammunition and RPG shells at Kalab's house. The source added that members of Al Qassam brigade planted explosives around the house detonated them and set fire to the house which destroyed all the contents of the house. One of Al Qassam members was killed and Kalab sustained an injury in his thigh on Wednesday morning in clashes which erupted between his companions and members of Hamas movement. [end] more.. Israel arrests 13 in West Bank raids on Wednesday morning Ma'an News 6/14/2006 Bethlehem -- Early on Wednesday morning Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinian citizens from different cities and villages in the West Bank, claiming that they are "wanted". Israeli media sources reported that Israeli troops raided the city of Jenin arresting six members of the Islamic Jihad Movement, while other Israeli troops arrested members of the Fatah Movement from the city of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces have claimed that Palestinian resistance fighters shot at an Israeli military patrol in Qabatya, a town just south of Jenin. No injuries were reported. In related news, Israeli Special Forces assassinated Muhammad Baragish, 24, of the Jenin refugee camp early on Wednesday morning near the Jenin governmental hospital. Baragish was a member of the Al-Aqsa Brigades, a military group affiliated with the Fatah movement. [end] more.. Army and settlers attack a Hebron resident and his son International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Israeli soldiers and extremist settlers assaulted a resident and his son from the West Bank city of Hebron Wednesday morning. The man and his son sustained bruises on all over their bodies. An eyewitness and sister of the attacked resident, Leena Abu Hiekel, reported that a group of extremist settlers attacked her brother Hani Jameel Abu Hiekal, 37, and his son Jameel, 13, with stones and empty bottles while they were on their way home in Tal Rumieda neighborhood adjacent to the illegal outpost of Ramat Yashi in the old city of Hebron. Abu Heikal added that the soldiers in the area detained her brother and his son at a military checkpoint near their home after allowing the settlers to attack them. The soldiers then denied them accessto their home which is just meters away from the checkpoint. [end] more.. The Army installs yet more portable checkpoints north of Salfit village International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Israeli army intensifies its portable military checkpoints north of Salit and at the entrances of the nearby villages of Hares, Kefel Hares, and Qarawet Bani Hassan. Local eyewitnesses in the area reported that soldiers posted on the checkpoints delayed the movement of the residents, stopped and searched several vehicles. Meanwhile soldiers at Dir Balut checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah delayed residents on their way to work and insulted them. [end] more.. Army storms Aida refugee cam and Al-Duha village near Bethlehem and arrests five International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 The Israeli army invaded Aida refugee camp to the north of the west Bank city of Bethlehem and the nearby village of Al Duha and arrested five residents early wednesday morning. Soldiers stormed the resident's homes and conducted house-to-house searches in the town andrefugee camp before arresting the five and taking them to unknown locations, no names were issued, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army confiscates a house in a Bethlehem village, turns it to a military watchtower International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 The Israeli army confiscated one of the homes of Taque' village south east of Bethlehem, on Wednesday and turned it into a military watch tower Khalid Hameeda, head of the village council, reported that Israeli soldiers broke into the two storey home of Ali Taha Hameeda close to the village school, after imprisoning all of its occupants in one room. Hameed added that the soldiers installed their military equipmenton the roof and began monitoring the movements of local residents. Hameed affirmed that the soldiers harassed residents who expressed concerns over a possible attack on students taking their final exams He cautionedthe escalationof attacks on village residents thelast of which wasa night attack during which soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition and gas bombs at the village houses. [end] more.. Army invades Beit Wazen village, arrests three International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Israeli army continues its invasions into the Palestinian territories Wednesday morning as Israeli troops invaded the West Bank village of Biet Wazen, west of Nablus. Three residents were arrested. Eyewitnesses reported that special units of the army disguised in civilian clothes, accompanied by twenty armored vehicles, invaded and surrounded the village and forcedits residents to stay in their homes. Soldiers then broke into several homes and started a wide-scale of search in them. One of the homes broken into belonged to Mahmoud Abu Aisha. Three residents were arrested for not having correct identity cards. The arrestees were identified as Naseem Abu Aisha and one of his relatives who identified as Anas Khateeb, who works with the Palestinian security forces, while the third arrestee was unknown. [end] more.. Israeli police arrest six Palestinians in Shfaram on suspicion of killing an Israeli soldier Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli police have arrested six Palestinian citizens of Israel from Shfaram, a town in northern Israel, on suspicion of being involved in the killing of an Israeli soldier, Natan Zada. Zada was killed after attacking Palestinians in the city, killing four and injuring nine others. Israeli Radio said that the arrests came after an investigation made by the Israeli police said that four of the arrested people have previous criminal records. [end] more.. Extreme Right: Spark intifada to prevent expulsions YNet News 6/14/2006 Flyer distributed by extreme right-wing activists from West Bank sketches three possible scenarios to combat realignment; one consists of vandalizing Arab Israeli property to ignite countrywide violence and prevent withdrawal. Other plots include: Hacking military computers and giving soldiers food-poisoning -- An announcement distributed Tuesday at an assembly saluting soldier Hananel Dayan, who refused to shake IDF Chief of Staff Lt. -Gen. Dan Halutz’s hand, informs of the mood on the Right wing towards the evacuation compensation plan for West Bank settlements. Behind the flyers stand the “prevent and delay” group, made up of extreme Right wing activists from the Samaria region. more.. Qassam lands near strategic facility YNet News 6/14/2006 After two days of calm, Qassam once again fired at Israel, lands near security-sensitive facility in industrial zone south of Ashkelon. Rocket explodes in open area, causing no injuries or damage -- A Qassam rocket fired Wednesday afternoon from the northern Gaza Strip landed near a strategic site in Ashkelon's industrial zone, police say. The rocket exploded in an open field outside the facility. There were no reports of damage or injuries. "The alarm was set off when the security officers received a warning through their beepers. We entered secured areas, situated under cement blocks which we recently delivered to the facility. We stayed there for two minutes until we were instructed to leave.... " more.. Two children among 11 killed in missile strike on Gaza City The Guardian 6/14/2006 An Israeli air strike on a busy Gaza City street killed 11 people yesterday, including two young children and their father, after Palestinians who ran to help those wounded by the first missile were caught by the blast from a second rocket. Nine civilians, including two ambulance men, and two members of Islamic Jihad died. The Israeli military said the missile strike was against a minivan "loaded with Katyushas [rocket launchers]" destined to be fired into Israel..... "Palestinian civilians living in the area gathered around the car and two paramedics from the nearby hospital came to provide first medical aid," said the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. "Immediately, [Israeli] aircraft launched another missile at the car, killing civilians, including a man, his two children and the two paramedics. more.. Israelis blame Hamas for beach deaths The Guardian 6/13/2006 An Israeli military investigation has blamed the killing of seven members of a Palestinian family on a Gaza beach, including five children, on a land mine planted by Hamas, not shelling by the army. But Palestinian leaders described the army's conclusions as a cover-up and a former Pentagon analyst, sent by a US human rights group to investigate the deaths, said the military has ignored evidence that leaves little doubt the family was killed by a stray Israeli shell that Israel admits is unaccounted for. The Palestinians accused the army of rushing to clear itself to save the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, embarrassment as he tours Britain and other European countries to win support for his plan to draw the Jewish state's final borders by annexing part of the West Bank. more.. Army assassinates leader of the Al Aqsa brigades in Jenin refugee camp International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Tuesday after midnight, undercover units of the Israeli army infiltrated into the West Bank city ofJenin and its refugee camp, and assassinated leader of the Al Aqsa Brigades in the camp. The Al Aqsa Brigades is the military wing of Fateh movement. The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported that Mohammad Sobhi Al Wahsh, 26, was assasinated while he was in front of Khaleel Suleiman Governmental Hospital in Jenin. Local sources in Jenin reported that the under-covered units ambushed Al Wahsh and several other fighters and assainated him. Clashes are currently ongoing on the Jenin refigee camp between dozens of fighters of the Al Aqsa brigades, and Israeli troops that invaded the Jenin and its refugee camp. more.. Lebanon: New evidence Mossad behind assassination YNet News 6/14/2006 Lebanese army releases statement citing new evidence that cell nabbed in Lebanon for Majzoub brothers’ assassination in May answered to Israeli intelligence agency -- A notice published by the Lebanese army Tuesday regarding the assassination on May 25 of the Majzoub brothers in Sidon, revealed apparently new details regarding Israel’s involvement in the hit. “In the last operation, that targeted the Majzoub brother, the network received a prepared booby-trapped door for their car from Israel. They were equipped with photographic and broadcast devices to be sure the brother did leave their house. A raid of the cell members’ house uncovered sophisticated spying devices. more.. Lebanese man confesses to killings on behalf of Israel Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 A Lebanese man has confessed to assassinating a series of senior Hezbollah and Palestinian militants over a seven-year period on behalf of Israeli intelligence, the Lebanese Army said on Tuesday. It said Mahmoud Rafeh, arrested along with three others last week in connection with the May 26 killing of two Islamic Jihad officials, was a leading member of a "terrorist network" behind at least three other major assassinations in Lebanon. "Investigations by military intelligence showed that the terrorist network that was discovered had links to the Israeli Mossad for several years and that its members underwent training both inside Israel and outside," the army statement said. "The network was tasked by this agency with carrying out these operations and was given secret communication and monitoring devices... " more.. Gaza: Family killed outside home YNet News 6/13/2006 Four members of al-Mughrabi family killed while IAF hits terror cell in Gaza; father's brother recounts events -- Ashraf al-Mughrabi, his son Maher, his nephew Hashem and another family member were killed Tuesday in an Israel Air Force strike in Gaza. Eleven Palestinians were killed in the attack, eight of them civilians. Talking to Ynet, Ashraf's brother Ayman al-Mughrabi recounted the grave incident. Ashraf was about to leave for his work at a barber shop, when "a chopper fired the first missile on the car, just next to the house entrance. The door was displaced by the intensity of the blast and shock wave, and Ashraf went out to see what happened. " Ashraf's son and nephew also went outside, "and then the other missile was fired, killing them along with other civilians," the brother said. more.. Lebanon busts terror network with ties to Israel The Daily Star 6/14/2006 BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army has uncovered a terrorist network that allegedly assassinated several Lebanese and Palestinian leaders on behalf of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The reported head of the network, Lebanese Mahmoud Abu Rafeh, confessed to the assassinations and Israeli connection on Tuesday, according to a statement from Army Command. "The terrorist network has been active in Lebanon for several years. Its members received training inside and outside Israel and were equipped with the latest tools and techniques used by Israel's Mossad to carry out assigned assassinations in Lebanon," the statement said. Rafeh, who made headlines over the weekend as a "possible suspect" in the May 26 car bomb assassination of Mahmoud Majzoub... more.. Revealed: the shrapnel evidence that points to Israel's guilt The Independent 6/14/2006 Israel has dismissed continuing calls for an independent international inquiry into the beachfront explosion which killed seven members of a Palestinian family in Gaza last Friday after its own internal military investigation decided it was not responsible for the blast.... But the official interpretation was strongly challenged by a former Pentagon battle damage expert who has surveyed the scene of the beach explosion. He said yesterday that "all the evidence points" to a 155mm Israeli land-based artillery shell as its cause. "Marc Garlasco, who worked in war zones including Iraq and Kosovo during his seven-year stint in the US Department of Defence, called for an independent investigation into the killings after concluding that shell fragments and shrapnel from the site, the size and distribution of the craters on the beach... more.. Clash between Israeli Special Forces and Palestinian Security Forces leads to one Palestinian injury Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Tulkarem -- A member of the Palestinian Intelligence Forces was lightly injured during armed clashes with Israeli Special Forces near the Palestinian Intelligence headquarters in the city of Tulkarem on Monday evening. In a phone call to "Ma'an", the manager of the Palestinian Intelligence, Abdullah Kamil said: "the Palestinian Intelligence forces suspected some masked men near the headquarters and fired at them; the masked men responded by firing back. Maher Kamil was injured by shrapnel from the gunfire". The manager clarified that the shooting stopped when the Israeli military coordination office advised that the undercover armed men were Israeli Special Forces carrying out an operation in the city. Military reinforcements and several military vehicles arrived to provide back up to the Israeli forces. [end] more.. Army arrests one resident while settlers attacks farmers and burns fields in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/13/2006 The Israeli army troops have arrested one resident and settlers attacked and injured five farmers and burned their crops in Yata village south of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Tuesday morning. Settlers from the nearby illegal settlement of Ma'on, attacked the farmers who were collecting their crops, settlers used their guns and clubs while the army arrested on farmer, whose name remains unknown, local sources reported. Eyewitnesses said that the settlers set fire to the crops before leaving which damaged wide area of the farm lands which is the main source of income fore those farmers. [end] more.. Seven Shfaram residents arrested for lynch of Jewish terrorist Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 Police arrested seven residents of the Israeli Arab town of Shfaram on Tuesday, on suspicion of involvement in the lynch of a Jewish gunman beaten to death by a mob after he killed four people on a bus in the town. The gunman, IDF deserter and extreme right Kach movement activist Eden Natan-Zada, shot dead four people with his army-issue assault rifle in an attack on a bus in August of last year. The arrests Tuesday, in an operation named "Shared Fate," followed 10 months of investigations by a special team in the police northern district. Three of the suspects were arrested in a pre-dawn operation in Shfaram, involving dozens of police officers. Two others were detained in the south of the country - one in Eilat and one in Kiryat Gat. more.. Army invades village near Bethlehem, injures two residents International Middle East Media Center 6/14/2006 Tuesday night, Israeli troops invaded Tiqua' village, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and clashed with dozens of residents; at least two residents were injured. Soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets and gas bombs at dozens of youth who hurled stones and empty bottles at the invading forces. At least two residents suffocated after inhaling gas fired at their houses. Also, two youth were injured by rubber-coated bullets during the clashes that lasted for more than an hour. The two suffered mild wounds and were treated by medics who arrived at the scene of the clashes. [end] more.. 45 olive trees damaged in W. Bank; settlers blamed Ha'aretz 6/14/2006 Some 45 olive trees belonging to a Palestinian farmer from the West Bank village of Salem have been damaged, apparently by settlers, witnesses said. The owner of the orchard has filed a police complaint on the matter. The damage, which was caused in part by sawing, was discovered Saturday by a farmer working a neighboring plot. The damaged trees are located next to a road leading to the Elon Moreh settlement, near Nablus. "The sight was awful," said Buma Inbar, one of several Israelis who have been assisting farmers from Salem in the wake of a series of attacks on Palestinian olive trees and farmers in the area. "It's difficult to see dozens of adult trees broken in such a brutal way. This is really vandalism for its own sake. " more.. Unknown gunmen burns the PLC offices in Salfit International Middle East Media Center 6/13/2006 Unknown gunmen have burned the Palestinian Legislative Council offices in the West Bank city of Salfit Tuesday morning. According to eyewitnesses, more than ten masked gunmen stormed the office building, handcuffing the guard before setting it on fire. Palestinian fire brigades and police rushed to the scene along with the residents in an attempt to put the fire out. The local police have started an investigation of the attack; local residents have also expressed their anger and condemned such attacks. [end] more.. Israeli missiles kill Gaza bystanders AlJazeera 6/14/2006 At least 11 Palestinians, including two children, have been killed in two Israeli air strikes in central Gaza City. Dr Jumaa al-Saqqa, a spokesman for al-Shifa hospital, told Aljazeera that a number of Palestinians were also wounded in the strike in Salah al-Din Street, the main road through the coastal strip. Hospital officials and witnesses are reported as saying that two schoolchildren are among the dead. According to Aljazeera's correspondent, the first strike hit a car carrying members of al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad. Palestinian witnesses said several missiles were fired, and one of them hit the car. The second missile came two minutes later, after a crowd had begun to gather around the scene of the attack, witnesses said. The correspondent said two ambulance drivers were among the dead. more.. IDF: not enough time to stop second missile Ha'aretz 6/14/2006 Nine Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded on Tuesday in an Air Force strike on a Katyusha-launching cell in Gaza City. Seven of those killed were civilians, including two children and three medical personnel. The incident began shortly after noon, when air force planes fired a brace of missiles at a van containing four or five Islamic Jihad operatives. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the van also contained GRAD Katyusha rockets; this was confirmed by television footage from the scene of the strike, in which the rockets were visible. The Jihad operatives were apparently en route to launch the rockets at Israel. The missiles landed near the van, causing only minor damage, and the Jihad operatives quickly abandoned it, apparently unharmed. more.. Video - IAF: Hurting civilians was inevitable YNet News 6/14/2006 (VIDEO) Senior Air Force officer defines fact that many Palestinians gathered around Gaza terrorists' car after second missile was fired as 'amazing coincidence'; result was grave: 11 Palestinians were killed, among them eight civilians -- VIDEO - Only in the last seconds before the second missile barrage hit the Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza, the Israel Air Force noticed that many civilians had gathered around the car. But it was too late to do anything, and 11 Palestinians were killed, eight of them civilians. A senior Air Force officer told Ynet on Tuesday night that the fact that so many civilians arrived at the area in such a short time was "an amazing coincidence. " more.. 'I saw my brother. I tried to wake him. He never woke' The Independent 6/14/2006 The harrowing television pictures of 11-year-old Huda Ghalia screaming and distraught over her father's death on a Gaza beach last Friday went round the world, making her globally recognisable and, for Palestinians, an icon of their suffering. But in a small northern Gaza hospital, away from the focus of the media, Huda's injured half-sister, Hadeel, eight, is struggling to come to terms with an even greater bereavement: while Huda's mother, Hamdia, is at least still alive, Hadeel is an orphan. Hadeel Ghalia has now been told that she has lost not only her father, Ali, but her mother, Raisa, 35, and the five-month-old brother, Haytham, she used to play with. Riyad Assadi, the director of nursing at Al-Awda hospital, said she remained confused about the scale of her loss. more.. IDF probe: Gaza beach blast not caused by wayward army shell Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 An Israel Defense Forces committee has concluded that the deaths of seven members of a Palestinian family at a Gaza beach last Friday were not caused by an errant IDF artillery shell. Defense Minister Amir Peretz, IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and Major General Meir Kalifi, who headed the committee, held a press conference in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening to present the probe's findings. "We have enough findings to back up the suspicion that the intention to describe this as an Israeli event is simply not correct," Peretz said, continuing, "The accumulating evidence proves that this incident was not due to Israeli forces. " more.. Video: Hamas claims Israel rocket attack BBC 6/13/2006 Video - Hamas says it has fired rockets into Israel for the first time since beginning its unofficial truce 16 months ago. Its armed wing said the attack was in response to the deaths of seven Palestinian civilians. Wyre Davies reports from Jerusalem. [end] more.. Ayalon defends targeted assassinations, calls for end to Gaza artillery strikes Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 Labor MK Ami Ayalon defended the Israel Defense Forces' practice of targeted assassinations Monday, but called for the cessation of artillery strikes on Gaza. Ayalon's comments came in a testimony he gave as an expert witness on civic law at a mock trial on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convergence plan to evacuate parts of the West Bank. At the trial, held at Netanya College, the MK and former head of the Shin Bet security service said, "As the result of decisions I've made as head of the Shin Bet, during which I was one of the policy planners of the targeted assassination, innocents have been killed on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, and with this knowledge I must go to sleep every night. " more.. Security guard wounded in shooting at separation fence near Jerusalem Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 An Israeli security guard was lightly to moderately injured Tuesday in a shooting at a construction site on the separation fence near Jerusalem. The shooting occurred at the Atarot checkpoint, from which Magen David Adom ambulance transported the man to receive medical treatment. Details of the attack remain unclear, but the suspect is believed to be Palestinian. Initial investigations conducted by the Israel Defense Forces and Jerusalem police indicate that a vehicle carrying two security guards working at the separation fence entered the West Bank village of Bir Nabala for reasons still unknown. more.. Israeli forces arrest three citizens during raids in Tulkarem area Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Tulkarem -- Israeli forces arrested three citizens from the city of Tulkarem and the Dhinnaba area on Tuesday morning. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces raided the city with heavy gunfire and broke into several houses. During the raid the Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Ghallib, 35, from the eastern neighborhood of the city. The Ma'an reporter said that the Israeli army also raided the area of Dhinnaba, east of the city, and arrested two brothers, Hussain and Mohammad Awwad, 25 and 27, after invasively searching their house. [end] more.. Brigades threaten to use force to protect Palestinian establishments Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Gaza -- The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), and the Abu Ar-Rish Brigades, a military wing affiliated to Fatah, have threatened to use force in order to protect Palestinian establishments in the face of rioting mobs and law breakers. In a joint statement, the Brigades said that they will not tolerate those who are attacking the Palestinian public establishments and any attempts to overthrow the Palestinian legitimacy. The Brigades said that the escalation on Monday against the Palestinian establishments in Ramallah and the Strip aim to frustrate the Palestinian national project. [end] more.. Palestinian military groups claim responsibility for launching projectiles at Ashkelon and Sderot Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Khan Younis -- The Liberation Brigades, a military wing affiliated to the Arab Liberation Front, and the Dalal Al-Mughrabi Brigades, a military wing affiliated with the Fatah Movement, have claimed responsibility for launching four homemade projectiles into the Israeli towns of Ashkelon (Al Majdal) and Sderot on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the Brigades confirmed that the launching operations were in response to the ongoing Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people, especially children. The spokesman considered the Israeli strikes a crime targeting Palestinians in general and clarified in a telephone call to Ma'an that one of the cars in which the Islamic Jihad activists were traveling was attacked and that two of them were killed. [end] more.. Al-Aqsa Brigades ambush Israeli military vehicles in Nablus Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Nablus -- The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Fatah Movement, have announced that their groups carried out two ambushes involving "Molotov" cocktails on Israeli military vehicles in the city of Nablus on Tuesday morning. In a statement, the Brigades confirmed that one of their groups attacked an Israeli military vehicle with two cocktails during an ambush that they set in the Ad-Duwwar region in the city of Nablus. They confirmed that they hit the vehicle directly. The Brigades added that another group ambushed another Israeli military vehicle in Al Quds Street in the city, confirming that they will continue their resistance against the Israeli occupation. [end] more.. Israeli forces arrest five in Nablus area Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Nablus -- Israeli forces arrested five "wanted" Palestinian citizens in the city of Nablus and the surrounding area early on Tuesday morning. It is reported that early on Tuesday Israeli forces stormed Nablus and arrested two brothers. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces also raided the town of Beita, south of Nablus, and carried out an operation in which they searched many houses in the town and arrested three citizens. [end] more.. 11 killed and 30 injured in three Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip Ma'an News 6/13/2006 Gaza -- In less than half an hour, eleven Palestinians were killed and scores wounded in three Israeli air strikes on the centre of Gaza City and the city of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning. The director of first aid and emergencies in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Dr. Moawiyah Hassanain, said that preliminary reports explain that of the eleven Palestinians killed, two were members of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades. Preliminary reports also said that thirty Palestinians had been injured in the air raids on the Gaza Strip, including three children. The Ma'an reporter said that an Israeli helicopter first launched a rocket at a Palestinian car in Salah Addin Street in Gaza City killing four. The injured were reported to include many passers-by. more.. Israeli Army invades Jenin International Middle East Media Center 6/13/2006 The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Jenin and clashed with local Palestinian resistance fighters Tuesday at dawn. According to local residents, troops and armored vehicles stormed the city while an undercover army unit attempted to infiltrate the Jenin refugee camp. The unit failed to get into the camp and clashed with the local residents' fighters. It is not known if there are any injuries. No arrests have been made as of the time of this report. [end] more.. Islamic Jihad: All Israelis will pay the price of Israel’s continual killing spree Palestine News Network 6/13/2006 Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza, Khader Habib, commented on today’s outright killing of nine Palestinians in eastern Gaza City as no different than Israeli forces firing missiles onto a crowded Gaza beach Friday, killing an entire picnicking family, save for one daughter who watched her family die. In a phone interview with PNN Tuesday, Habib stated, “This massacre does not differ at all from the massacre that the Zionist enemy committed on the shore of a Gaza beach and those responsible will pay a large price. ” He later threatened, “While we say goodbye today to our martyrs, they will say goodbye to their loved ones in Tel Aviv. ”Habib further noted that he holds all Palestinians responsible for the promotion of national unity, a necessary factor in combating the Israeli occupation. more.. Israeli air forces shell car carrying Al Qassam members Ma'an News 6/12/2006 Gaza -- Israeli "reconnaissance" exploratory aircrafts launched two air-to-ground rockets at a Palestinian car in which two Palestinians belonging to the Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades were traveling in through the street of Khalil Al Wazir in the An-Nassir neighborhood of Gaza City. The head of public relations at Ash-Shifa'a hospital in Gaza City, Dr. Jum'ah Assaqa, said that the hospital had not received any casualties. Eyewitnesses said that the car was partly damaged and also that many cars in the street were hit by the rockets but the men in the car managed to escape. more.. Sderot strikers: Make Abbas defense minister YNet News 6/14/2006 Dozens of Sderot residents march toward Beit Hanoun demanding security. Meanwhile, yeshiva students take credit for day of calm after rabbi holds special kabbalistic prayer service asking God to save the rocket-stricken town -- More than a year after Sderot residents marched toward the municipality in Beit Hanoun demanding an end to Qassam attacks, they marched once again Tuesday along the same route. This time, police and security forces let the protestors march towards Nir junction. Protesting residents “let off steam” by shooting off dummy rockets made of cardboard. At the head of the procession marched Alon Davidi and his colleagues, who have been hunger-striking in front of Defense Minister Amir Peretz’ house. more.. Probe: IDF may not be to blame for Gaza beach deaths Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 An Israel Defense Forces committee investigating the deaths of seven Palestinians at a Gaza beach last Friday is close to concluding that the IDF was not responsible. The committee, headed by Major General Meir Kalifi, is due to present its findings to the defense minister and the chief of staff Tuesday night. Its tentative conclusion is that the deaths stemmed from a bomb that Hamas planted on the beach in order to ambush Israeli naval commandos operating in northern Gaza. Shortly after the incident occurred, the army was leaning toward accepting the assumption that the disaster was caused by an errant Israeli artillery shell.... In the past, Israel has occasionally succeeded in refuting responsibility for casualties.... This time, however, the game may already be lost. more.. Israeli air strike kills two Hamas men AlJazeera 6/11/2006 Sunday's strikes were the latest in a long line of Israeli attacks -- An Israeli air strike has killed two Hamas fighters in the northern Gaza Strip and wounded three others, Palestinian medics said. The Israeli military said it launched a strike on a field near Bait Lahiya in the Jabalya refugee camp on Sunday at fighters attempting to fire rockets. The killing of the Hamas fighters was the first by Israel since the Islamic resistance movement formally scrapped a 16-month truce with Israel on Friday and resumed firing rockets and mortar bombs from Gaza. Three other Hamas fighters were wounded in the air strike. Security sources named one of the dead men as Salem al-Arabiya, who was a local commander of the Hamas' armed wing, Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. more.. Fatah men release Hamas lawmaker seized during rampage Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 Fatah gunmen on Monday said they released a Hamas lawmaker they had abducted earlier in the evening during a violent rampage against the Hamas-led government. The gunmen said they seized Khalil Rabai after attacking Hamas offices in Ramallah. The gunmen said they destroyed the office and set it on fire. The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a pro-Fatah militia, later issued a statement saying Rabei had been released. There were no immediate details on his condition. Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a top aide to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, said Rabei was taken to Abbas' office, where nine other Hamas lawmakers were given refuge. more.. 15 Qassams hit in Sderot area, one person lightly injured Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 About 15 Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Sderot area on Monday, lightly wounding one woman with shrapnel from one of the blasts. A vehicle burst into flames when hit by a Qassam Monday evening. No other injuries or damages were reported. There was a lower rate of Qassam hits than the previous day. However, the number of launches did not drop sharply: almost 10 rockets landed inside Palestinian Authority territory on Monday. The air force did not strike launching cells Monday, and the freeze on artillery fire into Gaza is still in place, until results of the inquiry into the Friday explosion on a Gaza beach are submitted to Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Chief of Staff Dan Halutz Tuesday evening. more.. 3 injured after rockets hit Sderot YNet News 6/13/2006 At least 18 rockets fall on Sderot area in last 24 hours; rocket hits parked car and causes fire; woman lightly injured by shrapnel, 2 women suffer shock -- Palestinians fired two Qassam rockets from northern Gaza at Sderot Monday night. One rocket struck a parked car and caused a fire. Magen David Adom paramedics treated a woman lightly injured by rocket shrapnel, and she was taken to the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. Two women suffered shock and received treatment on the scene. An additional rocket apparently landed in open territory. At least 18 rockets landed in and around Sderot in the last 24 hours. One rocket landed near a gas station, and another two landed in open spaces in the city. more.. Palestinian man shot dead in car near W. Bank checkpoint Ha'aretz 6/13/2006 Gunfire at a passing vehicle killed a Palestinian man yesterday in the West Bank in what police and the Israel Defense Forces suspect was an attack for nationalist motives. Magen David Adom medics said a 35-year-old Palestinian from East Jerusalem was killed in the shooting near highway 443, a well-travelled road linking Jerusalem with the West Bank. Police and military officials initially suspected it was a criminal incident. Later, Mickey Rosenfeld, the national police spokesman said that "as far as we understand, a terrorist opened fire" on the road, killing one person and wounding four. The IDF also believes that the incident was a terrorist act, and that the shooter mistook the victim for an Israeli citizen because of Israeli license plates on the vehicle. more.. Palestinian premier's office torched AlJazeera 6/12/2006 Gunmen set fire to the Palestinian prime minister's office and parliament on Monday as clashes escalated between followers of the ruling Hamas group and the president's Fatah movement. A Hamas member of the Palestinian parliament was briefly kidnapped by gunmen, and later Mahmoud Abbas, the president, ordered security forces to take control of the streets in the wake of the fighting between rival gunmen from Fatah and Hamas. Fatah gunmen said they seized Halil Rabai after attacking Hamas offices in Ramallah. The gunmen said they destroyed the office and set it on fire. Rabai was later freed by the Fatah gunmen. Fatah security forces also attacked the parliament and cabinet buildings in the Gaza Strip. more.. Hamas gunman killed in Gaza clash BBC 6/12/2006 A Hamas gunman has been killed in a clash with security forces loyal to the rival Fatah faction, as internal tensions in Gaza remain acute. The man was shot dead during a funeral for a fellow militant in Rafah. Each side blamed the other for firing first. The Hamas-dominated parliament has meanwhile delayed a vote against a referendum implicitly recognising Israel to allow more time for talks. The referendum, supported by Fatah, is due to take place on 26 July. Hamas MPs said a motion condemning the referendum would now be filed on 20 June if talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas came to nothing.... The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says Hamas is confident of the legal arguments on its side, believing Mr Abbas exceeded his powers by calling the referendum. more.. Palestinian shot dead in vehicle near West Bank checkpoint Ha'aretz 6/12/2006 Gunfire at a passing vehicle killed a Palestinian man on Sunday in the occupied West Bank in what police and Israel Defense Forces officials said they suspect was a terrorist act. Two people were lightly wounded in the attack. Magen David Adom medics said a 35-year-old Palestinian from East Jerusalem was killed in the shooting near highway 45, a well-traveled road linking Jerusalem with the West Bank. Police and military officials initially suspected the shooting was a criminal incident or part of a family feud. Later, Mickey Rosenfeld, the national police spokesman, said that "as far as we understand, a terrorist opened fire" on the road. IDF believe that the gunman mistook the victim for an Israeli citizen because of Israeli license plates on the vehicle. more.. Peretz to IDF: Prepare to attack Qassam sources YNet News 6/11/2006 Defense minister meets with IDF top brass for emergency security consultation on incessant Qassam attacks, turns down proposal to intensify action against Hamas, instead Peretz orders army to make all necessary preparations to hit ‘all elements involved in Qassam fire. ’ IDF: Suicide bombings in Israel possible -- Defense Minister Amir Peretz instructed the IDF and security officials to complete necessary preparations to target all elements involved in Qassam attacks – from the decision-makers to the launchers in the field. With that, Peretz rejected the IDF’s suggestion to intensify the offensive against Hamas immediately. more.. Gaza victims fight for life in Israeli hospitals YNet News 6/11/2006 Ilham Ralia in serious condition in Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center, connected to respirator; her brother Adham in serious condition in Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva; seven of their family members, including father, four siblings died in shelling strike on Friday -- The condition of two Palestinian siblings hospitalized in Israel for injuries sustained in a shelling strike on a Gaza beach on Friday remains critical, doctors said. Elham Ralia, 21, is connected to a respirator at Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center, where doctors said she remains in critical condition. Her brother Adham, 12, is serious but stable condition at the Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheba. He is unconscious and connected to a respirator. more.. Peretz: Gaza beach blast may have internal Palestinian cause Ha'aretz 6/11/2006 Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that the deaths of seven Palestinian civilians on a Gaza beach Friday could have been down to "internal Palestinian causes," rather than by Israel Defense Forces artillery fire. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel was conducting an honest investigation into the matter. "This unfortunate experience teaches that legends are created around things like this," the prime minister said, ahead of a trip to the United Kingdom where he is to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday. An investigative panel, headed by an IDF general, was appointed to determine the circumstances of the incident and is looking into this possibility, while also examining whether IDF artillery fire was responsible, Peretz told the cabinet... more.. Palestinian gunmen hand over abducted American citizen to IDF Ha'aretz 6/11/2006 Members of an armed Fatah militia which claimed to have kidnapped an Israeli Saturday transferred the individual in question, a U.S. citizen, to the custody of the Palestinian Authority before dawn Sunday. The PA security forces subsequently handed the American over to the Israel Defense Forces. Defense officials believe once the militants discovered the person was indeed an American citizen, they took steps to end the matter quickly. "Apparently, the kidnappers did not want to end up like Zarqawi," a defense official said. Earlier Saturday, the IDF and the Shin Bet security service investigated a Palestinian claim that an Israeli citizen was abducted in Nablus. Fatah activists sent a tape to the Reuters News Agency, claiming it showed an Israeli, Benjamin Bright-Fishbein, of Jerusalem. more.. Israeli army arrests 8 "wanted Palestinians" Ma'an News 6/11/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli sources said that the Israeli army has reported that they have arrested eight Palestinians, claiming that they are "wanted Palestinians. "The sources added that seven of them were arrested in Ramallah and the eighth was arrested in Bethlehem. The Israeli army claimed that activists of the Fatah Movement were among those arrested. They were all taken to Israeli interrogation centers. [end] more.. Video - Peretz: No restraint is infinite YNet News 6/12/2006 Three rockets fired at Sderot Monday afternoon land in town's entrance, open areas; defense minister: Restraint in past 24 hours aimed at conveying message -- VIDEO - Palestinians fired three Qassam rockets at the western Negev Monday afternoon. One of the rockets landed near a petrol station at the Gevim Junction, at the entrance to Sderot, while the other two fell in open areas in the town. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Another 13 rockets landed in the Sderot area On Sunday night and Monday morning. Police sources said that had the rocket landed inside the gas station, a great disaster would have occurred. Another two rockets landed in the afternoon in open areas in the industrial zone near Sderot. more.. Resident killed, fifteen injured in Fateh-Hamas clashes in Rafah International Middle East Media Center 6/12/2006 The ongoing clashes between members of Fateh's Preventive Security force, and the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed the life of a deaf resident; fifteen other residents were injured, two seriously. The violent clashes took place during the Monday afternoon funeral of, Hammad Mohammad Abu Jazar, 21, member of the Executive Force that belongs to the Ministry of Interior and National Security, who was killed earlier Monday. Eyewitnesses reported that masked gunmen surrounded the Palestinian Preventive Security headquarters in Rafah and opened fire at it. Fierce clashes erupted between the surrounded Fateh members of the Preventive Security forceand the gunmen who surrounded it. more.. Palestinian killed near Qalandia checkpoint Ma'an News 6/12/2006 Jerusalem -- According to Israeli sources, a Palestinian citizen of East Jerusalem was killed and another two injured near the Qalandia checkpoint on Sunday night. First-aid workers from the Israeli medical organisation "Magen David Adom" (Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross or Red Crescent) said that a 35-year old man was killed in a possible car accident on the road that links Jerusalem and the West Bank. Palestinian sources said that the man killed was Marwan Shuweiki of Jerusalem. According to the Israeli police sources, the body was found in the car with two wounded men suffering from llight wounds. They said that gun shots had been heard in the area. [end] more.. Israeli Forces demolish Palestinian property to make way for Separation Wall Ma'an News 6/12/2006 Jenin -- Ten Israeli military vehicles and a huge military bulldozer raided the Al Gharbiah village on Monday morning. They destroyed the home belonging to Naji Tahir and used loudspeakers to order the family to evacuate the house. They also destroyed poperty, inlcuding a goat shed, belonging to Fayez Khalil. The Israeli Forces imposed a curfew on the village after confrontations erupted between Palestinian villagers and Israeli soldiers. Palestinian sources said that they believe that the homes were demolished because they are close to the Separation Wall that is being built in the area. [end] more.. E. J’lem man killed in shooting attack YNet News 6/11/2006 Man, 35, murdered and 4 more wounded when their vehicle comes under fire north of capital; IDF suspects terror attack but isn’t yet ruling out inter-familial clashes -- An East Jerusalem resident, 35, was killed and four Arab Israelis were wounded between the Atarot checkpoint and the Ofer army base north of Jerusalem Sunday night in a shooting attack which officials suspect was terror related. The victims’ vehicle came under gunfire from the direction of the Shadra village late Sunday. Large army forces, Magen David Adom medics and police arrived on the scene. Forces provided initial medical treatment for the wounded and began immediately to investigate the circumstances of the shooting. more.. Palestinians rush Ben-Gurion Airport checkpoint, sparking alert Ha'aretz 6/11/2006 Four Palestinians illegally in Israel sped through the checkpoint at the entrance to Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday afternoon and fled, sparking an armed chase down an access road leading to the airport's departures terminal. The Palestinians, all from the West Bank city of Ramallah, drove through the gate at the airport's entrance at around 3:30 P. M. , ignoring instructions from guards to slow their vehicle. Airports Authority security managed during an armed chase to block the Palestinians' way on the access road, and ordered them to exit their vehicle. Officers did not find weapons on the Palestinians or in their car, and transferred the intruders to police for further investigation. more.. Israeli fire rakes Gaza beach killing 14 people The Daily Star 6/10/2006 Single strike wipes out entire family -- Seven members of a Palestinianfamily, including three children, were killed on a day out at the seaside in the Gaza Strip Friday when they came under fire from Israeli gunboats and artillery. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the "bloody massacres. " The deaths on the beachfront in the Sudaniyya area of the narrow coastal territory raised the death toll from Israeli strikes to 14 in less than 24 hours with the other seven killed in air raids, according to medical sources. Around 35 other people were wounded in the firing off the coast of Gaza... Medical sources said that all those killed at the beach were members of the Ghali family from Gaza. ... The victims had been bathing on the coast on the traditional Muslim day of rest on one of the hottest days of the year. more.. Hamas Military Wing Calls Off Israel Truce The Guardian 6/10/2006 BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) - Hamas militants called off a truce with Israel on Friday after a barrage of Israeli artillery shells tore into Palestinians at a beachside picnic in the Gaza Strip, killing seven civilians. The declaration raised the prospect of a new wave of bloodshed. Hamas militants suspended a campaign of deadly suicide attacks on Israelis with a February 2005 cease-fire, and have largely stuck to the truce. The Islamic group now leads the Palestinian government. ``The earthquake in the Zionist towns will start again and the aggressors will have no choice but to prepare their coffins or their luggage,'' the Hamas militants said in a leaflet. ``The resistance groups... will choose the proper place and time for the tough, strong and unique response. " more.. 'Dad died in my arms' YNet News 6/10/2006 Wiham Ralia lost his father, a stepmother, 3 sisters and a brother in IDF artillery strike on Gaza beach; In interview with Ynet he and his sister speak of their ordeal from a Gaza hospital -- Story of family eradicated in strike on Gaza beach: Wiham Ralia, 20, and his two sisters, Latifa, 11, and Hadil, 8, stayed alive after the rest of their family vanished in Friday's shelling strike on a Gaza beach. "Soon after the explosions cries were heard and there was a terrible smell of death. My father died in my arms," Ralia said. Photos of his sister Hadil weeping by her father's body touched of condemnation worldwide. "When the shells landed, everyone cried and ran away," Hadil told Ynet.... Baby trams, tables, and ripped umbrellas stained with blood, were evidence of the horror that took place on the beach. more.. Massive air strike of northern Gaza: at least two killed and fifty injured Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Eyewitnesses have confirmed that dozens of Palestinian citizens have been killed or injured when Israeli war jets attacked the beach of Gaza on Friday afternoon. Palestinian medical sources in Kamal Adwan and Awdah hospitals in northern Gaza said that at least two Palestinians had been killed and approximately 50 injured. The injured were being treated at the above hospitals. Earlier, eyewitnesses told Ma'an that at least three Palestinian citizens belonging to one family had been killed and four members of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing affiliated to Islamic Jihad, were injured in an air raid that targeted the car they were travelling in near the entrance to Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. more.. Dozens of Israeli settlers wreak havoc on streets of Bethlehem District Palestine News Network 6/9/2006 Israeli settlers from Gosh Atzion Settlement to the southwest of Bethlehem tore through the streets of Bethlehem area villages Friday. The settlers were protesting their inability to use more of Palestinian lands for their own streets, as per Israeli forces. To the south and east of Bethlehem were hit hardest by these settlers, which under international law, are all illegally present in occupied Palestinian lands, however with the full blessing, financial and military compensation of the Israeli government. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The settlers are complaining that the route to Jerusalem, which is the slated capital of the future Palestinian state and is off-limits to most Palestinians, now takes them 20 minutes on the eastern rural street. more.. Death on the beach: seven Palestinians killed as Israeli shells hit family picnic The Guardian 6/10/2006 A barrage of Israeli artillery shells rained down on a busy Gaza beach yesterday, killing seven Palestinians, three of them children. The attack put further strain on the 16-month truce between Israel and the governing Hamas movement. Witnesses described several explosions that also injured dozens of other people who lay on the beach, screaming and pleading for help. Some ran into the sea for fear of more shells hitting the sands at Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza strip. Among the dead were three children, aged one, three, and 10. Their sister was swimming and survived. The beach was packed with picnicking families enjoying the Muslim day of rest, and the explosions landed among them, scattering body parts along the dunes. more.. 7 Palestinian civilians killed when IDF shell hits Gaza beach Ha'aretz 6/10/2006 Seven Palestinians at a family picnic were killed Friday when an errant Israel Defense Forces artillery shell apparently slammed into a beach in the northern Gaza Strip. Some 40 others were wounded. A woman and two young children, aged six months and 18 months, as well as a young teenager were among the dead, medical officials said. All of the dead were believed to be related. The IDF apologized for the incident, saying it "regretted the strike on innocents. "In the wake of the shelling, the military wing of the ruling Palestinian Hamas party said that it would renew suicide bombings in Israel, ending the truce that the group declared last year. "The earthquake in the Zionist towns will start again and the aggressors will have no choice but to prepare their coffins or their luggage," Hamas militants declared in a leaflet. more.. Hamas ends truce after Israeli attack AlJazeera 6/10/2006 Hamas has observed a 16-month-old truce with Israel -- Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has shelved a 16-month-old truce with Tel Aviv after Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip killed 10 people, including women and children on a family beach outing. "The Israeli massacres represent a direct opening battle and that means the earthquake in the Zionist cities will resume and the herds of occupiers have no choice but to prepare the coffins or the departing luggage," Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on Friday. Israeli air strikes and artillery fire killed 10 Palestinians on Friday, the highest Palestinian toll in a single day since late 2004, Palestinian officials said.... Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, confirmed the group would renew its attacks. more.. Ghalia family lost six members in shelling, in 2005 they lost four Ha'aretz 6/10/2006 The hardest hit in the Israel Defense Forces artillery strike on a Gaza beach Friday was the Ghalia family, which lost six members, among them the father, one of his two wives, an infant boy and an 18-month-old girl. Less than two years ago, four members of the family were killed when IDF shell hit the family farm in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia. The military had been targeting the area in response to Palestinian mortar fire. Ali Ghalia, a Palestinian farmer, had taken his two wives and nine children on a trip to the beach, and the family was enjoying a picnic when the IDF artillery shell hit them. "This was his first day at the beach this summer. He was taking his kids to play. It's destiny," said Nasreen Ghalia, a sister-in-law of the father. more.. In pictures: Gaza violence BBC 6/9/2006 Five photigraphs - Palestinians display a bloodstained sheet on the beach -- Several Palestinian civilians, including three children, died from shellfire as they were picnicking on a northern Gaza beach on Friday. more.. Settlers in Hebron fire at Palestinian car and attack civilians Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Hebron - Settlers in Hebron fired on Thursday evening at a Palestinian 'Mercedes' vehicle in Karm Sour Street moderately injuring the car's driver, Omar Hinihin. Palestinian security sources reported that settlers also attacked the civilian Samir Shabanah in front of his house in the Old City of Hebron and beat him up before taking him to the Municipality in the Old City. [end] more.. Temporary checkpoint set up north of Salfit Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Salfit-Ma'an-Israeli forces erected a temporary checkpoint at the entrance to Jama'een, a town north of Salfit on Friday. Eyewitnesses said that the Palestinian citizens were obliged to use other roads because of subsequent delays. They also condemned the Israeli measures, particularly the erection of the checkpoints which prevent them from going easily to their work and jobs. [end] more.. Three Palestinians arrested on charges of affiliation to Islamic Jihad and Fatah Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli forces arrested early on Friday morning three "wanted" Palestinians. Israeli sources reported that the Israeli forces arrested one citizen from Jenin on charges of affiliation to the Islamic Jihad Movement, while in the city of Nablus, the Israeli forces arrested another Palestinian youth for his affiliation to the Fatah Movement. The sources added that the Israeli forces arrested a third citizen from a village south of the city of Hebron, claiming that he was affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement. [end] more.. Youth arrested in Nablus on charges of affiliation with Al Aqsa Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Nablus-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested Aboud Bastami, 22, in Nablus city in the north of the West Bank on Friday afternoon. The Ma'an reporter said that many Israeli military cars and vehicles raided the Maskh area of Nablus on Friday and broke into Bastami's house, searched it and then arrested Aboud Bastami claiming that he is an Al Aqsa Brigades' member. The Al Aqsa Brigades are the military wing affiliated to Fatah. Israeli sources said that there was an exchange of fire between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces when Bastami was arrested. No injuries in either side reported. [end] more.. Two Palestinian projectiles land in Sderot; no injuries Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Bethlehem -- Israeli sources reported early on Friday morning that two Palestinian homemade projectiles had landed in the Israeli town of Sderot after being launched from the northern Gaza Strip. The sources added that one of the homemade projectiles slightly damaged an Israeli residential building while the second homemade projectile fell in an open area. No injuries were reported. The sources reported that the Israeli forces were expecting Palestinian homemade projectiles to be launched intensively from the Gaza Strip on Friday after the leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), Jamal Abu Samhadana, was assassinated when Israeli jets fired three missiles at a site belonging to the PRC on Thursday. [end] more.. Israeli forces assassinate Abu Jamal Smahdanh in Rafah last night, funerals, demonstrations and prayers resonate throughout Palestine Palestine News Network 6/9/2006 Israeli forces killed Abu Jamal Smahdanh last night in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Thousands walked in his funeral and that of three colleagues today. Some 3,000 Palestinians demonstrated in the northern West Bank city of Nablus against Thursday night’s Israeli assassination of Smahdanh. This is no small escalation on the part of the Israelis to kill such a man. He was not only a high ranking member of the armed resistance, his right under international law, but also an elected member of government. He was the General Controller of the Ministry of the Interior. The General Staff of the Israeli Army declared a state of maximum alert throughout Palestine in anticipation of retaliatory reactions in the wake of the assassination of Smahdanh and three of his colleagues. more.. Palestinians vow revenge for militant leader's killing The Daily Star 6/10/2006 RAFAH, Gaza Strip: Thousands of Palestinians vowed Friday to avenge the death in an Israeli air strike of a militant leader who served as an adviser to the government. Jamal Abu Samhadana, head of the Popular Resistance Committees, was killed along with three other militants just before midnight in a raid on a training camp near the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. He was one of the most wanted of all Palestinian militants, and Israel said he had been responsible for the dozens of deaths, including the 2003 bombing of a diplomatic convoy in Gaza that left three Americans dead. He was also a close ally of the government and was originally tapped to oversee a new paramilitary force. more.. Extra military barriers set up around Salfit Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Salfit -- Israeli forces tightened their military measures in the Salfit governorate on Thursday by setting up several military barriers. The Israeli forces set up one temporary military barrier at the entrance to Az-Zawiyah, a town west of the city of Salfit, and another at the entrance to Qarawat Bani Hassan, a town on the way to Az-Zawiyah, and prevented the passage of Palestinian citizens. The Israeli forces also tightened their measures at the Za'atara barrier, east of Salfit, and at the Deir Ballout barrier in the west of the city, where citizens were forced to wait for several hours. [end] more.. One resident arrested from Nablus International Middle East Media Center 6/9/2006 The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Nablus and arrested one resident, Friday morning. Several army vehicles and troops invaded the city, shot live rounds and sound bombs at the residents' houses and arrested Abod Al Bastami, 22, after searching his house. Some of the house property and family belongings were damaged, local source. [end] more.. Settlers protest travel ban for Israeli cars on West Bank road Ha'aretz 6/9/2006 Some 100 settlers from the Hebron area were making their way on foot to Jerusalem on Friday morning to protest the closure of a West Bank road to Israeli traffic. Police recently barred traffic from entering the road leading to Jerusalem from the West Bank settlements of Tekoa and Nokdim. Settlers are furious at the fact that the road's closure forces them to take a long detour in order to reach Jerusalem. Protesters marched on foot, escorted by 45 vehicles. Some of the demonstrators managed to reach Jerusalem despite the opposition of security forces. Police declared the protest "an illegal gathering," and military forces were trying to prevent additional settlers from joining the march. [end] more.. Protest: Let Sderot residents live YNet News 6/9/2006 New forum initiates hunger strike opposite Defense Minister Amir Peretz's house, placing 'town for sale' signs on balconies, demand to apply evacuation-compensation law on Sderot residents who want to leave Qassam range -- The ongoing rocket fire and life in constant fear have caused many of the residents of Sderot, who have despaired of the Israel Defense Forces' operations and "politicians' disregard," to launch a civil struggle to improve their quality of life. Residents of the southern town on Thursday announced their decision to establish a new forum called "Let Sderot residents live," which will struggle to stop the firing of Qassams at the town. The residents also demanded that the State apply the evacuation-compensation law on Sderot residents wishing to leave the town. more.. Mysterious gunmen kill Palestinian in Khan Younis Ma'an News 6/9/2006 Khan Younis- Ma'an-Unknown armed men killed Palestinian citizen Abdurrahman Hassan An-Naqlah, 43, and injured Ibrahim Ramadan Hijazi, 32, in the legs in Khan Younis early on Friday. The Ma'an reporter said that anonymous armed men in a Mitsubishi Jeep shot at the two men on Friday morning. The two men were transported to hospital where An-Naqlah later died. Hijazi was described as slightly injured. No side has claimed responsibility for the incident and the reasons for the shooting were not yet clear. [end] more.. Israeli air strike kills Gaza official AlJazeera 6/9/2006 A senior Palestinian security official in the Hamas government has been killed in an Israeli aerial attack in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses and medics say. Witnesses said Jamal Abu Samhadana, also a veteran of the Popular Resistance Committees group, was among four people killed in a PRC-run camp near Khan Younis. An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the strike late on Thursday, but said it targeted the camp rather than any specific resistance fighter. Hamas appointed Abu Samhadana as supervisor over the interior ministry, which oversees security services, in April. The move angered Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, who has been trying to salvage peacemaking with Israel since Hamas crushed his long-dominant Fatah faction in January elections. more.. Five Qassams land in Israel; IDF responds with artillery fire Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 Five Qassam rockets landed in Israel on Thursday in two separate attacks from the northern Gaza Strip. On Thursday evening two Qassam rockets landed south of Ashkelon, Israel Radio reported. According to the radio there were no casualties or damage. The rockets landed near the community of Netiv Ha'asarah. Earlier on Thursday Israel Defense Forces near the Gaza border responded with artillery fire on the Strip after Palestinian militants fired three Qassam rockets into Israel on Thursday morning. One rocket was fired in the middle of the night, and hit the infirmary of Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Damage to the structure was caused, but there were no casualties. more.. Palestinian factions in arms race AlJazeera 6/8/2006 Both Hamas and Fatah militias are arming themselves -- The Palestinian president's forces and their Hamas rivals are expanding their arsenals as a power struggle intensifies Security sources and diplomats say new weapons and equipment can be seen on the streets of Gaza and the West Bank, while prices for black market guns and ammunition have soared in a growing arms race despite pledges by both sides to prevent civil war. Mouin Rabbani, senior Middle East analyst for the International Crisis Group, said: "These kinds of preparations have the ability to spin out of control and could produce exactly what they're trying to prevent. " But Yaser Dajani, a Palestinian security consultant, who sees the build-up as sabre-rattling rather than a prelude to a full-scale conflict, said: "It's like flexing your muscles. " more.. Israeli forces issuing more home demolition orders in Bethlehem District Palestine News Network 6/8/2006 Israeli authorities sent notices to the three citizens of a single-family informing them that they intend to demolish their homes south of Bethlehem. According to available information, the houses belong to Samir Ahmed Salah, and his brother Samih Jamal Mahmoud Salah. The brothers built their large homes five years ago and are adjacent, housing 20 family members. The Israeli notices were delivered Thursday stating that the families’ homes would be destroyed on 29 June for “military purposes. ”Samir Salah told PNN that the real purpose of the demolition is that Israeli forces intend to expand the Wall through their lands. Israeli bulldozers have already begun dragging large plots of village lands outside Bethlehem, swallowing large tracts of land where dozens of Palestinians live. more.. Death toll raises as Israeli forces continue daily attacks on Gaza Strip, killing three Palestinians and injuring five east of Gaza City By Kristen Ess, Palestine News Network 6/8/2006 Not again,” residents decry. When the Israeli settlers and military ‘withdrew’ from the Gaza Strip at summer’s end, many believed they finally had a chance for a normal life without checkpoints and attacks, but this did not happen. Others believed the point of the ‘withdrawal’ was to trade the West Bank for the Gaza Strip, which is in the process of happening. A fourth Palestinian died from injuries sustained during last night’s Israeli attack on the National Security Office in northeastern Gaza. Still others believed that once the settlers and military were no longer inside the Strip, Israeli forces planned to attack from the air, sea, and borders, which they continue to control and occupy, without fear of repercussion. And this is what is precisely what is happening. more.. Two-meter wide trench dug alongside the main road between Jenin and its southwest villages Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Jenin-Ma'an-The Israeli forces started on Thursday to dig a trench through Arraba and Ya'bad that will follow the main road that links the two towns with the city of Jenin and thereby prevent Palestinian vehicles from using the side streets and force them to pass through the barriers that the Israeli forces have set up along the aforementioned road. Eyewitnesses reported that an Israeli bulldozer dug a trench two meters wide and one-and-a-half meters deep under the guard of five Israeli military patrols and under Israeli supervision. It is also reported that Israeli intelligence officers were patrolling the area at the time. Meanwhile, the Israeli forces have set up several barriers around Arraba and along the Nablus–Jenin road with the aim of creating obstacles in citizens' and vehicles' movement and preventing them from using side roads. [end] more.. Towns west of Salfit closed by new roadblocks Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Salfit-Ma'an-The Israeli forces closed on Thursday the entrance to two towns west of Salfit in the West Bank. Bidya and Bani Hassan were closed off by new roadblocks. The Israeli forces prevented citizens from entering or exiting the two towns before undergoing inspection and holding them up for a period of time. The Israeli forces also set up a temporary military barrier 100 meters from the roadblock and deployed a number of soldiers at both sides of the entrance. [end] more.. Palestinian youth beaten up by Israeli soldiers in Hebron on Thursday Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Hebron-Ma'an-Israeli forces attacked Palestinian citizens in the Dwerban district of Hebron on Thursday morning. The parents of Yahya Mohtasib, 24, told Ma'an that the Israeli forces broke into their house and attacked their son. They say that the Israeli soldiers hit and beat their son fiercely, causing bruises all over his body and then took him away to an unknown destination. [end] more.. Nine Palestinians arrested on Thursday morning Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Bethlehem-Ma'an-Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinian citizens in various West Bank cities and towns on Thursday morning. Israeli sources said that seven "wanted" Palestinians were arrested in the city of Hebron and two in the area of Tulkarem. The sources said that an explosive device was detonated in Tulkarem during an Israeli operation in the city. No casualties were reported. [end] more.. Fatah-affiliated Brigades launch joint projectile at Ashkelon Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades and the Sami Al Ghoul Brigades, both military wings affiliated to the Fatah Movement, launched early on Thursday morning one homemade projectile at Ashkelon in southern Israel. In a statement, the Brigades confirmed that the launching operation was in response to the bombardment of the national security forces' site in the Gaza Strip and the killing of two Palestinian fighters, and also in response to the ongoing Israeli aggressions in the West Bank and Gaza City. [end] more.. Family home near Solomon's Pools receives Israeli demolition orders Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Bethlehem-Ma'an- The Israeli authorities issued on Wednesday demolition orders for the Salah family's houses in Khirbit Alya near Solomon's pools, south of the city of Bethlehem. The Ma'an correspondent said that these houses have been inhabited for more than five years and the owners were taken by surprise by the demolition orders that the Israeli Forces issued them with. [end] more.. IAF missile lands in Kibbutz Nahal Oz YNet News 6/8/2006 Kibbutz residents near Gaza hear loud explosion, discover 'bomb that looks like it's just been dropped' -- An Israeli Air Force missile dud was discovered Thursday morning at Kibbutz Nahal Oz near Gaza. According to suspicions, a malfunction in an IAF craft resulted in the falling of the missile in the kibbutz. There were no injuries, but some damage was caused to the infirmary. A loud explosion was heard by the kibbutz residents, who have become accustomed to the sounds of explosions. They believed that the sound was caused by a Qassam rocket or a mortar shell. In the morning they began scouring the kibbutz grounds, and security guards found a bomb that had just been dropped. more.. Israel braces for new terror war YNet News 6/8/2006 IDF to issue report warning Israel headed toward major, violent conflict with Palestinians; states unilateral withdrawal may contribute to escalation -- Israel is headed toward a major, violent confrontation with the Palestinians while Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to withdraw from most of the West Bank will "not help" to decrease the terrorism, according to an Israeli army assessment. The prognosis will be released in an official Israeli Defense Forces report next month. It follows a series of WorldNetDaily exclusive interviews in which the leaders of every major Palestinian terror organization said recent events here are leading them to launch what they call a third intifada – or violent confrontation against Israel. The terrorists warned of suicide bombings, rocket attacks against Jewish communities and "a few new surprises in our arsenal. " more.. In addition to furthering its strategy to create smaller Palestinian factions, Israeli forces plan a bigger military operation in Gaza and the West Bank Palestine News Network 6/8/2006 According to the Al Quds daily newspaper published in London, the Israeli media, army, and intelligence sources have hinted that a major military operation is being planned for the next few days against Palestinian organizations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The stated reasoning for the operation against the organization, including Hamas, is apparently the rise of Palestinian resistance operations, meaning launching projectiles. The sources state that the Israeli decision to further its military attacks against Palestinians is in response to “suspicious activity by Hamas. ” What activity this is remains unstated. In addition to the well-publicized projectile launches and shooting at military installations, Israel says it fears that Hamas is smuggling money into Palestine in order to create weapons. more.. Body of Palestinian man found in Nablus riddled with bullets Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Nablus-Ma'an-On Thursday afternoon, the Palestinian security forces discovered in Nablus city the body of a Palestinian man. His body was found in the in Al-Sekka district in the west of the city and it appears that he was shot dead by seven bullets fired all over his body. The Ma'an correspondent reported that, according to Palestinian security sources, the man was Ihab Al Hashash, 27, and he was killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown gunmen. It was also reported that Hashash has been missing for four days after he left his home in Balata refugee camp in the city of Nablus and never returned. [end] more.. Rafah: No way to sleep during shelling Rafah Today 6/8/2006 [with photos] An explosion tore through a house in Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on last Monday, killing a Hamas militant member. The cause of the blast was not immediately known. Earlier sources at Kamal Adwan hospital said that a car was bombed by the Israeli helicopters. Later on, two Palestinian resistance members were killed and many were injured in air attack by Israeli helicopters. This morning and as everyday, no way to sleep during shelling. Two security men were killed Wednesday night as Israeli artillery bombarded their post in Shaja'yeh at the east of Gaza City. Four other people were injured and all bodies arrived as parts scattered in the streets, this makes it very difficult for ambulances drivers and medics to collect the body fragments. more.. Israeli jets drop leaftlets on Gaza: Do not launch projectiles at Israel and do not approach the border Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Israeli war jets dropped leaflets over the towns and cities of the Gaza Strip on Thursday that warned the citizens of the Strip about the consequences of continuing to launch homemade projectiles at Israeli towns and cities. Israeli sources added that these leaflets warned the Gazans that they are not allowed to approach the areas close to the northern borders of the Strip. [end] more.. Negev family home bombarded by Israel bullets Ma'an News 6/8/2006 Ma'an-On Wednesday evening, Israeli forces shot a hail of bullets at houses belonging to the Al Qassasi family in Sa'awah, an unrecognized village east of the town of Hourah in the Negev desert in Israel. No injuries were reported. Muhammad Al Qassasi narrated the events to the electronic site "Arab 48", saying "two years ago, our land was declared by the Israeli establishment as a closed military area. We refused all the attempts to transfer us from our lands to the town of Hourah. Once we had expressed our complete refusal to leave our houses, this region became the Israeli forces' preferred region for carrying out their training". Mr. Al Qassasi's sons said that more than 50 bullets were shot at their family's houses and no injuries were reported. more.. Sleeping town awoken again at dawn by invading Israeli forces who arrest three young people Palestine News Network 6/7/2006 Israeli forces took three Palestinians to unknown locations during their early morning raids, which are a daily occurrence not only in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, but also in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Three Palestinians from Hebron are now undergoing the three-day period of interrogation, described as torture by political prisoners via lawyers working for the Palestinian Prisoner Society. Israeli forces took two brothers from northwestern Hebron at dawn while the town of Beit Ula attempted to sleep. According to local village sources, a major Israeli military force raided the village at 3:00 am Wednesday and began breaking into and invasively searching homes. The incursion lasted for hours... more.. Swiss hold 7 suspected of planning El Al attack YNet News 6/8/2006 Authorities suspect men of North African origin plotted to attack Israeli plane in Switzerland; no explosives found -- Seven people of North African origin are being held on suspicion of plotting to attack an Israeli El Al airliner in Switzerland, the Swiss Attorney General's office said on Thursday. The Attorney General's office gave no details as to what kind of attack was planned or where it was intended to take place. It also said no explosives had been found. The group of suspects arrested in Switzerland had been in contact with other groups of suspects in France and Spain which have also been uncovered by the police, it added. "The inquiry has... made it possible to show that this cell had very seriously envisaged committing an attack in our country on an airliner belonging to the El Al airline," said the statement. more.. Top Palestinian militant killed in IAF Gaza strike Ha'aretz 6/9/2006 An Israel Air Force strike on a Palestinian militants' training camp in Gaza on Thursday night killed the Hamas government's security chief, Jamal Abu Samhadana, his militant faction and Palestinian hospital officials said. Abu Samhadana, who headed the Popular Resistance Committees, was killed along with at least three other PRC operatives, and 10 more were wounded, hospital officials said. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed striking the PRC camp in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, saying militants there were planning a large-scale attack on Israel. The IDF declined to comment on whether the strike had been a "targeted assassination. "The bombing, which was approved by Defense Minister Amir Peretz, was aimed at a PRC training camp... more.. PA says IDF shell kills 3 Palestinian security men, wounds 4 Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 An Israel Defense Forces shell killed three Palestinian Authority security officers and wounded four others late Wednesday, Palestinian officials said. Palestinian sources report that the shell struck a position manned by members of the PA's national security service, a security agency subject to the authority of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, opposite Nahal Oz in the western Negev. The IDF said it fired the shells at targets near the Gaza security fence. At around 11:00 P. M. local time, a group of Palestinians attempted to infiltrate Israel by crossing over the security fence which rings the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian sources, once the group realized it had been spotted by IDF troops, it sought refuge in an area behind the PA security position. more.. Six Qassams hit Sderot; woman hurt Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 Palestinians fired at least six Qassam rockets at Sderot yesterday morning, lightly wounding one woman and sending another into shock. Two of the rockets landed in the Negev town and the others hit open areas nearby, including near a gas station, causing some damage. The Israel Defense Forces responded to the rocket fire with a massive artillery barrage at the northern Gaza Strip. No Palestinian casualties were reported. Yesterday's Qassam fire came a day after Israel assassinated two Popular Resistance Committees activists in the northern Strip. Defense Minister Amir Peretz said yesterday the country would not return to its regular routine when Sderot, his hometown, was being targeted by rockets. more.. One killed in Gaza border clash AlJazeera 6/7/2006 There are conflicting reports over the incident -- Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian man and wounded at least two others near the Karni crossing at the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire after spotting three suspicious figures approaching the border fence near the Israeli village of Nahal Oz. Israeli army radio reported that the men were trying to reach a bomb planted near the fence. However, Palestinian officials said the men were border policemen on patrol who were fired on by machine guns mounted on Israeli tanks. Palestinian hospital sources said the men were hit by fragments of a tank shell. On Monday an Israeli missile strike on a car in the northern Gaza Strip killed two Palestinian militants and wounded three others. [end] more.. Israeli military jets bombard PRC training facility in Gaza on Tuesday night Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Israeli war jets launched eight air raids over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening in addition to many other bogus raids on many targets in the Strip. The Ma'an correspondent said that the raids last night targeted a training area for the Palestinian Resistance Committees in the Tel Al-Hawa district of Gaza City and caused a lot of damage. The reporter added that the jets also bombarded roads in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses said that the raids destroyed many roads in the area and cut the electricity in the area. Israeli military sources claim that the PRC structure was used for storing and manufacturing weapons and say that they targeted roads in order to prevent fighters accessing the weaponry and reaching their launching spots. [end] more.. Two Palestinian boys injured by Israeli bullets during raid of Tubas Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Jenin-Ma'an-Two Palestinian boys were injured during clashes that erupted between Palestinian citizens and Israeli soldiers in Tubas, south of Jenin, on Tuesday evening. Local sources said that when the Israeli forces raided Tubas, confrontations erupted between the citizens and the Israeli forces in which the Israeli soldiers used live ammunition and sonic bombs. Mahmoud Abu Aida, 15, and Imad Foqaha, 16, were injured by live bullets. [end] more.. Eleven "wanted" Palestinians arrested on Tuesday night during raids of Ramallah, Jenin and Hebron Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Bethlehem-Ma'an-The Israeli forces arrested 11 "wanted" Palestinians belonging to Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in the West Bank on Tuesday night. An Israeli radio station reported that the arrest operation took place in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin and Hebron, adding that the Israeli forces found a number of knives, two guns and a quantity of ammunition in the city of Ramallah during the arrest operation. It was also reported that the Israeli forces were exposed to gunfire during their raid of Ramallah. No injuries were reported. [end] more.. 2 Israelis stabbed in Gush Etzion YNet News 6/7/2006 Young man and woman traveling through area attacked by Palestinians with knives and rocks. Rescue services called to area; Police say both in light condition -- Two Israelis were stabbed Wednesday afternoon near the community of Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion. Police say that the condition of both is light and they were taken to a hospital in Jerusalem. A police check found that the youths, an 18-year old teenager, and a soldier, 19, were hiking through the area during the afternoon, before coming under attack by Palestinians. The woman was injured by a rock thrown at her head and the pair stopped. The attackers approached them, and one attacker stabbed the man in his back. He is lightly to moderately injured. more.. Palestinians clash with Israeli Forces at Barrier 17 Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Nablus-Ma'an-The Israeli Forces closed the military barrier known as Barrier 17, north of Nablus, after armed Palestinian men fired at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the Barrier on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses said that there was an intensive exchange of fire in the area for more than 20 minutes. The Israeli Forces closed the barrier shortly after the incident and prevented Palestinian vehicles and commuters from passing through. [end] more.. Israel threatens to hit Hamas over Qassam attacks Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 Hamas is directly responsible for firing Qassam rockets at Sderot, defense officials said yesterday. As a result, for the first time after a long hiatus, Israeli officials threatened to attack Hamas members. The Israel Defense Forces have generally refrained from targeting Hamas operatives since the Palestinian group committed to maintaining a security "lull" in the territories about 18 months ago. The escalated Israeli tone comes as Fatah is fighting Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees in the streets of the Gaza Strip. Palestinians fired at least six Qassam rockets at Sderot yesterday, lightly wounding one woman and sending another into shock. Two of the rockets hit houses in the Negev town. An examination of the rockets showed that the Qassams fired yesterday are models that only Hamas builds. more.. Interior Ministry's security forces arrest four Palestinians in Gaza City Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Palestinian sources have reported that the Executive Forces belonging to the ministry of interior arrested four Palestinian citizens on Tuesday evening in the An-Nasir district of Gaza City after a short chase. The Executive Forces are the new security body formed by the minister of the interior and deployed in the streets of Gaza in late April 2006. Sources close to the Executive Forces said that the arrest operation took place after four Palestinian citizens fired at a group of the executive forces. The sources did not clarify the identities of those arrested or the place of the arrest. [end] more.. Israeli Forces arrest 3 Palestinians in Jenin Ma'an News 6/7/2006 Jenin-Ma'an-The Israeli Forces arrested three Palestinians in Jenin on Wednesday morning, claiming that they are "wanted. "Eyewitnesses in the town of Arraba said that Samir Assaf (37) was arrested and taken to an unidentified location. Israeli Forces arrested Mohammad Shakir (32) in Jenin. A third Palestinian, Mohammad As Sadi (20) was arrested at the military barrier between Qabatia and Sanour. He was arrested after he was ordered out of the car he was travelling in. [end] more.. IDF: We may refocus our sights on Hamas militants Ha'aretz 6/6/2006 Israel Defense Forces sources on Tuesday blamed Hamas for direct involvement in the barrage of Qassam rockets fired at Sderot on Tuesday that wounded one woman. The accusation is the second of its kind made over the past week, the first after renegade Hamas gunmen were said to have fired Qassam rockets that landed near the Sderot house of Defense Minister Amir Peretz. The sources said Israel would take the apparent Hamas involvement in the rocket fire into account when considering responses to Qassam cells. Peretz on Tuesday morning threatened "hunt down the Qassam gunners" and increase IDF retaliatory measures taken against them. more.. Israeli Forces arrest 15 Palestinians from Ramallah and villages around it Ma'an News 6/6/2006 Ramallah-Ma'an-Israeli Forces arrested 15 Palestinians in the city of Ramallah and the villages surrounding it early on Tuesday morning. The Ma'an reporter said that about 25 Israeli military vehicles entered the old city of Ramallah and carried out a campaign of search and arrest in the city and its neighboring villages. Israeli sources said that an Al Aqsa Brigades leader, Ziad Awwad from Bitonia near Ramallah, was among those arrested. [end] more.. Israeli helicopters strike on Gaza City ReliefWeb 6/6/2006 GAZA, Jun 6, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Israeli Apache attack helicopters launched before midnight Tuesday an airstrike at a training military camp that belongs to the popular resistance committees in Gaza city, security sources and witnesses reported. According to witnesses, the helicopters that hovered low have fired at the camp, which was empty on that time. There were no reports of casualties in the air strike that targeted the camp for second time in two months. The earlier strike killed four Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) militants who were training in the camp located in southern Gaza City. The strike came hours after the PRC and the Islamic Jihad's armed wing announced responsibility for firing Russian-made Katyusha rocket at an Israeli community in a development seen by Israel as unprecedented. more.. Israeli shells, Palestinian bullets both hazards for Gaza residents Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 11:00 A. M. A deluxe terminal is under construction at the Erez border crossing between Israel and Gaza. It appears to be nearly all window, an interesting architectural choice in light of the sonic booms that shake the Beit Hanun area every two minutes on average. The pager flashes a message from the Spokesman's Office of the Israel Defense Forces: "In response to the firing of Qassam rockets at Israel, the IDF is firing shells. " The Erez crossing is empty. There are no workers, just a few Palestinian merchants still permitted into Israel. The main road to Gaza, Salah Al-Din Road, is filled with potholes. Suspended from the electricity cables above the road are the yellow flags of Fatah and the green ones of Hamas, souvenirs from the January elections. more.. 'Signs of global jihad found in W. Bank' Ha'aretz 6/8/2006 The Israeli security services recently uncovered the first signs of an ideological infrastructure for the global jihad movement in the Nablus and Jerusalem areas, Yuval Diskin, the head of the Shin Bet security service, revealed yesterday. Diskin told a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the security forces had unearthed plans to carry out attacks, but that no specific dates were mentioned in them. "We arrested those involved," Diskin added. In Sinai, he said, there is already a global jihad infrastructure. The Egyptians have not been able to wipe it out by arrests, and therefore, large numbers of weapons are being smuggled into the area. World jihad also has an infrastructure in Jordan, with its source in Iraq, but the Jordanians are fighting it tooth and nail, he said. more.. Settler's Petition: Weapons to PA risk my kids YNet News 6/7/2006 Attorney residing in settlement petitions High Court against government decision to transfer arms to PA, claiming this would put his children's lives at risk -- Attorney Shimon Halevy, a resident of the West Bank Halamish settlement, has petitioned the High Court of Justice for a conditional injunction against the Israeli government's decision to aid President Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah movement in their fight against Hamas. "The Israeli government's decision to transfer weapons to President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction in order to strengthen his position against Hamas is putting the lives of my six children at risk, as well as the lives of many other families living in Judea and Samaria," Helevy said. more.. Murderers of son and mother caught by IDF YNet News 6/7/2006 In 1996, Ita and Ephraim Tzur were murdered in an ambush by Ramallah; the PA sentenced the murderers to life in prison, but they were released, and arrested last night by security forces -- The Shin Bet and IDF arrested two wanted suspects in Ramallah, members of the Popular Front, responsible for the murder of Ita Tzur and her 12 year-old son Ephraim, in a shooting attack ten years ago. A second daughter was seriously injured in the attack and three other family members were lightly wounded. During a joint operation by security forces, 34 year-old Ibrahim Alikam and 35 year-old Ibrahim Hani were arrested in Ramallah. The two are the main suspects in carrying out the shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle on December 11, 1996. more.. Gaza: 3 Palestinians killed by IDF YNet News 6/8/2006 According to Palestinians, soldiers accidentally fired at two Palestinian police officers while attempting to hit group of terrorists trying to approach border fence in northern Gaza, third casualty apparently member of group; army looking into incident -- Palestinian sources reported Wednesday evening that two Palestinians police officers and another Palestinian were killed and two others were wounded after an Israel Defense Force shell hit a Palestinian National Security post in the northern Gaza Strip, near the town of Beit Lahiya. IDF officials, however, said that at least two of the casualties are members of a group attempting to carry out a terror attack in Israel. The army denied hitting a Palestinian post.... Two other Palestinians were wounded. more.. IAF missile strike kills two senior militants in northern Gaza Strip Ha'aretz 6/6/2006 An Israel Air Forces missile strike on a car in northern Gaza on Monday evening killed two Palestinian militants and wounded four other people, local witnesses said. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that it had carried out the strike. The targets of the IAF attack were identified as Imad Asaliyah and Majdi Hamad, senior members of the Popular Resistance Committies, which is invovled in Qassam rocket attacks on Israel. Palestinian witnesses said two IAF missiles hit Asaliyah's car as he was driving along Salah A-Din Street in northern Gaza City near the Jabalya refugee camp. Asaliyah was killed immediately by the missiles' impacts. Three other Palestinians, whose identities were not immediately confirmed, were wounded. more.. Gunmen shoot up Palestine TV office; Hamas man killed in blast Ha'aretz 6/5/2006 Dozens of Hamas gunmen stormed an office of Palestine TV in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis on Monday, firing bullets into broadcasting equipment, employees said. A few hours earlier, a large explosive device detonated outside a house in Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing a Hamas man and wounding two of his relatives, one of them an eight-year-old girl, local residents said. "Dozens of Hamas gunmen and members of a back-up force of the Interior Minister... are setting equipment on fire," said Mohammad ad-Dahoudi, director of Palestine Television, which is under the control of President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. The gunmen shouted accusations against the network, alleging its reports favoured the rival Fatah movement. more.. Hamas accused of TV raid AlJazeera 6/5/2006 About 100 gunmen are said to have raided the Gaza office -- Gunmen have destroyed broadcasting equipment in an office of Palestine TV, accusing it of favouring the Fatah faction over Hamas in its coverage. Muhammad ad-Dahudi, director of Palestine Television, said on Monday that "dozens of Hamas gunmen and members of a back-up force of the interior minister... are setting equipment on fire" at the office in the Gaza Strip. The channel is under the control of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and leader of Fatah. Bassam Abd Allah, a Palestine TV cameraman, said that "around 100 gunmen... destroyed cameras, and hit me and the bureau chief, Ahmed Saqer". Sami al-Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has denied that Hamas was involved in the attack. more.. Video - State of emergency declared in PA YNet News 6/5/2006 Palestinian Health Ministry declares state of emergency in PA in wake of ongoing armed clashes between Hamas, Fatah forces that left four people dead on Sunday, including pregnant woman. Officials on both sides negotiate meeting that will bring together Hamas' Haniyeh, Fatah representative -- VIDEO - The Palestinian Health Ministry declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian Authority in wake of violent clashes between the Hamas and Fatah movements Sunday that left four people dead. The Ministry and the Red Crescent emergency service have ordered their employees to equip themselves with bulletproof vests, for fear the infighting escalates even further. more.. Yet more Israeli military barriers in the West Bank Ma'an News 6/5/2006 Jenin-Ma'an-Israeli Forces imposed a tight siege on the town of Tam'moun and set up a number of military barriers at the main entrances to the town. In addition, soldiers patrolled the streets of the town on foot. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers fired at Palestinian vehicles that tried to enter or leave the town in any direction. In related news, Israeli Forces set up four temporary barriers in the region around Toubas. They prevented residents and commuters from passing through these barriers. They also set up two temporary barriers at the northern and southern entrances of the town and a third at the entrance to the Al Fara'ah refugee camp, south-east of Jenin. more.. Ten Palestinians arrested by undercover Israeli Special Forces in an Anabta coffee shop Ma'an News 6/5/2006 Tulkarem-Ma'an-Israeli forces raided Anabta, a town east of the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, on Monday afternoon and carried out a wide inspection campaign. The Ma'an correspondent reported that, during the campaign, the Israeli forces arrested ten Palestinian citizens before withdrawing from the town. The correspondent clarified that members of the Israeli Special Forces ("must'arabeen" – undercover Israeli soldiers disguised as local Palestinian civilians) besieged a coffee shop in Anabta's main street and arrested the ten men. The forces then withdrew from the town. [end] more.. Israeli Forces stop Palestinians from entering Tulkarem via Bala'a Barrier Ma'an News 6/5/2006 Tulkarem-Salfit-Ma'an-Israeli Forces have tightened their military measures at the Bala'a 4-way crossing barrier in the east of Tulkarem. They prevented residents, commuters and shoppers from entering the city, claiming security concerns. Eyewitnesses told the Ma'an correspondent that Palestinians were forced to find alternative ways to enter the city. The alternative roads were side roads, and as they were very rough and dangerous, they caused a lot of hardship to those who had to enter the city in this way. In related news, Israeli Forces raided the town of Bidya in the west of Salfit on Monday. They arrested a Palestinian youth, Anwar Muhammad Balasmah (24). more.. Army levels two houses in Atof village east of Tubas International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 Monday, Israeli troops invaded the village of Atof, east of the West Bank city of Tubas, and leveled two houses. Army jeeps and soldiers stormed the village after sealing its entrances, while military bulldozers leveled the houses of Saker Yousif and Abdul Hamid Yousif; twenty residents used to live in the two leveled houses. Local residents said that soldiers are invading the village on a daily basis, and firing rounds of live ammunition and sound bombs at the their homes', especially during night time. [end] more.. Army closes Tulkarem city, bars residents from leaving International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 Israeli troops closed on Monday the entrances of the West Bank city of Tulkarem and barred the residents from entering or leaving the city. Troops barred the vehicles and the residents from crossing into the city, and strip searched severalyouth, eyewhitnesses reported. Scores of residents were forced to stand under the sun for several hours at those miliarty checkpoints, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army and settlers attack Hebron, arresting one and leaving two brothers injured International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 The Israeli army and settlers attacked farmland, burned olive trees and injured two brothers, arresting arresting one of them in the West Bank city of Hebron, Monday at dawn. Rami Abu Is'efan, 27 and his brother Soliman, 31, were injured when settlers form Kriat Arba settlement attacked the olive orchards and farmlands that belong to the Palestinian residents of the city. Soldiers and settlers attacked the Is'efan family's land and their house, which is close to the settlement. The Israeli's injured the two brothers and the Army arrested Soliaman, the family reported. According to the local residents, settlers targeted scores of olive trees while the army not only witnessed the attack but stopped Palestinian fire brigades from arriving to the land to stop the fire, increasing the losses. more.. Israeli forces invade Jenin Refugee Camp, arrest 4 as resistance fights back International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 At dawn this morning Israeli forces invaded Jenin Refugee Camp. Members of the armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigade, fought back against the invading army as Israeli forces penetrated deeply into the camp. Eyewitnesses report that approximately 30 Israeli military vehicles, including two bulldozers, incurred into the camp. Residents told PNN Monday morning that Israeli forces besieged several neighborhoods and began attacking. Not only did the Israeli forces attack neighborhoods in general, but Israeli soldiers also broke into several homes and detained residents while at the same time conducting invasive searches which destroyed a great deal of personal property. Members of Al-Quds Brigade, fought back against the Israeli forces during the attack. more.. Israeli artillery bombardment of Beit Lahiya on Sunday morning Ma'an News 6/4/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Israeli Forces resumed their artillery bombardment of the northern and eastern regions of the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning. Eyewitnesses reported that about 40 artillery missiles were fired on Sunday morning, causing grave material damage to the town of Beit Lahiya. [end] more.. Two Qassam rockets land in Sderot, damaging two cars Ha'aretz 6/3/2006 Two Qassam rockets landed in the western Negev town of Sderot on Saturday, damaging two parked cars. No injuries were reported in the incident. Israel Defense Forces troops responded with artillery fire at suspected launching sites in the northern Gaza Strip. On Friday, six protesters, among them two Israelis, were injured in clashes with IDF soldiers during a demonstration protesting the West Bank separation fence in the village of Bil'in, west of Ramallah, on Friday. The demonstrators tried to pass an outpost in the area before being met with resistance by the security forces. Four Palestinians were also among those hurt in the clashes. According to the demonstrators, one of the individuals wounded was hit by a rubber bullet. more.. Hamas operatives 'working on adding toxic chemicals to bombs' Ha'aretz 6/6/2006 Hamas operatives in the West Bank have experimented with adding toxic chemicals to their bombs, security sources told Haaretz Monday. The sources said the experiments have involved relatively simple chemicals, and as far as is known, the organization is not yet able to integrate such agents into its bombs effectively. However, they said, Hamas' West Bank cells include several skilled bombmakers who are investing great effort in trying to upgrade their weapons. The organization also is amassing large stocks of explosives so operatives will be ready to launch attacks immediately should its leadership decide to end the security "lull," the sources added. "Thus far, members of its military wing have not received any orders to commit attacks... " more.. Dichter calls for reoccupation of Gaza Strip against Qassams Ha'aretz 6/6/2006 Disagreements emerged in yesterday's cabinet meeting between Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter over the appropriate response Israel should adopt over the launching of Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip against targets inside Israel. Dichter said that the IDF should escalate its operations and, if necessary, reoccupy parts of the Gaza Strip to ensure that militants are unable to fire rockets against Israeli towns. The former head of the Shin Bet added that if this were not possible then Beit Hanun, in the northern Gaza Strip where rockets are being fired, should be turned into a "ghost town. "Dichter equated the situation in the Gaza Strip with that in southern Lebanon... more.. Explosion rips through car in Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza Ha'aretz 6/5/2006 An explosion tore through a car in Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Monday, and ambulances raced to the scene, medics and witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. An IDF spokesman said there were no Israeli military operations in the area at the time of the blast. [end] more.. Army arrests one resident from Beit Ola village west of Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 Dia'e Al Emla was arrested on Monday at dawn when the Israeli army invaded Beit Ola village, west of the West Bank city of Hebron. Soldiers stormed the village, surrounded Al Emla's home then searched it before arresting him. They took him to an unknown location. [end] more.. Army invades Bidia village and arrests one resident International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 The Israeli army has arrested one resident from the village of Bidia, west of the West Bank city of Salfit, in a pre-dawn invasion to the village Monday. Anwar Balasma, 24, was arrested when troops were searching several houses. The army took him to an unknown location, eyewitnesses said. [end] more.. Army arrests one resident from Al Thahria town near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/5/2006 The Israeli army arrested Ghaleb Al Sammamra, 24, after invading the town of Al Thahria south of the West Bank city of Hebron late Sunday evening. Al Sammamra, who works as an officer in the Palestinian Authority preventive security force, was arrested when troops stopped his car, searched it, then took him away to an unknown location. The army gave no reason for the arrest, residents said. [end] more.. Soldier complains of 'pullout trauma' YNet News 6/5/2006 IDF soldier who was involved in disengagement from Gaza asks for compensation from Defense Ministry due to 'feeling that I was taking part in evicting Jews from their homes' -- An IDF soldier is seeking compensation for psychological hardship he says he suffered as a result of the disengagement. "The sights of the pullout have left me with difficult feelings of destruction of homes, destruction of kindergartens, and homes that have remained chiseled in my memory," the soldier said. He suffered a mental breakdown and has been hospitalized. "Currently I am suffering from flashbacks, nightmares, panic, depressions, and I'm being treated daily at an institute," he wrote to the Defense Ministry. The soldier was released from the IDF a number of months ago. more.. Defense News”: Israel planning “Arrow Mark 4” Globes 6/5/2006 Israel has asked the US for $58 million to speed up production of Arrow interceptor missile. -- Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) subsidiary Elta Group, the Israel Air Force, and Ministry of Defense are designing components for the Arrow Mark IV, which will have qualitatively better performance than current versions. The Arrow upgrade is one response to the threat posted by conventional or nuclear armed Iranian ballistic missiles, says “Defense News”, citing Israeli defense sources. The Arrow Mark IV will have a new radar unit, improved interceptor missiles, and other components that will convert the system from a theater anti-ballistic missile defense system into an integrated nationwide anti-ballistic missile defense system. more.. Israeli Soldiers Stab a resident in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/3/2006 A Hebron resident was injured when Israeli soldiers assaulted and stabbed him, north west of the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian medical sources reported. Medical sourcesat the Hebron Governmental Hospital reportedthat Ramzi Aliya 27, of Sourif, was treated in a hospital due to injuries he sustainedin his left thigh and bruises all over his body as he was stabbed and beaten by Israeli soldiers. [end] more.. Egypt says armed men killed by IDF in border clash were Egyptian troops Ha'aretz 6/3/2006 Defense Minister Amir Perez on Friday instructed security forces to coordinate a joint probe with their Egyptian counterparts into the killing of two armed men on the Israel-Egypt border. Egyptian police identified the two men killed after attacking Israel Defense Forces troops as Egyptian security personnel. A third armed man, also a security officer, fled back into Egypt after the attack on the IDF ambush. The reason for their infiltration into Israel was not immediately clear, said Essam el-Sheik, the head of Egyptian police in the border area. IDF sources told Haaretz they were familiar with the Egyptian claim, but could not confirm it at this point. more.. Army forces families to leave their village east of Tubas International Middle East Media Center 6/2/2006 The Israeli army forced several Palestinian families to leave their village east of the West Bank city of Tubas Friday morning. Troops stormed the farmers huts and houses east of the city and confiscated the resident's ID cards before ordering them to leave the area and not to come back to their land, claming that their IDs do not indicate the place of residency, eyewitnesses said. Israeli army soldiers stormed several villages and are still looking for farmers and villagers, whom they claim are not allowed to be in this area. Residents have been subjected to such acts by the army for several years now in which scores of farmers were forced to leave their homes and land and go to the nearby Tubas city. more.. One member of Preventive Security Forces shot and killed by masked gunmen in Gaza; another four injured in Hamas ambush Ma'an News 6/2/2006 Khan Younis-Ma'an-Just four days from the deadline set by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the national dialogue to succeed – something that appears hard for the leaders to realize and against the backdrop of a continuing exchange of political statements - the situation in the Gaza Strip appears to just be getting more serious and more dangerous. The Palestinian factions, and in particular the armed militias affiliated to the various factions, are still targeting each other in Gaza's streets despite this being the reason that originally led to the start of the national dialogue. In this framework, medical sources in Ash-Shifa'a Hospital in Gaza City confirmed on Thursday evening that one officer of the Palestinian Preventive Forces, Khadir Afanah, 40, died from bullet wounds sustained on Thursday evening... more.. Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinian farmers near Nablus Palestine News Network 6/2/2006 Israeli settlers opened fire on Palestinians in the northern West Bank Nablus District. The settlers are in the West Bank in contravention to international law, but with the full support of the Israeli government. According to Local Council President in Beit Foreik Village, Yasser Miletat, the settlers opened fire on a group of agricultural workers plowing the land which threatened their lives. Miletat told PNN Friday that a group of settlers arrived from the settlement today, and approached the project area. The Israeli settlers began shooting, while the workers fled for their lives. The villagers have already suffered maltreatment numerous times at the hands of the Israelis confiscating their lands. more.. Tulkarem raided and new barriers set up across the governorate Ma'an News 6/2/2006 Tulkarem-Ma'an-Early on Friday morning, the Israeli forces raided the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank and carried an inspection campaign of several houses in the city. At the same time, the Israeli forces tightened their siege on the Tulkarem governorate, setting up a number of new temporary military barriers at the entrances to communities and at traffic junctions across the governorate, thereby obstructing the citizens' movement. The Ma'an correspondent added that the Israeli forces erected again a military barrier at the crossroads in Ba'ah, a town east of Tulkarem, and another at the crossroads in Attil, a town north of Tulkarem. This comes after a 15-year old boy had his leg broken by the Israeli soldiers stationed at the Attil checkpoint on Thursday evening. more.. University student arrested near Qalqilia on way home for weekend Ma'an News 6/2/2006 Qalqilia-Ma'an- Israeli forces arrested on Thursday evening a Palestinian youth from Jeit, a town east of the city of Qalqilia in the eastern West Bank, who was returning home from An-Najah University in the city of Nablus. Palestinian sources reported that the Israeli forces arrested the youth Nabil Hasan, 22, at the Beit Eiba barrier near Nablus city, on claims that he is affiliated to the Hamas Movement. The Israeli forces arrested two other Palestinian youths from the town of Jeit two days ago. [end] more.. Army invades Tulkarem city International Middle East Media Center 6/2/2006 The Israeli army troops invaded the West Bank city of Tulkarem with troops positioned in the city center Friday morning. Soldiers searched several homes including the houses of Tha'er Hantash, Bilala Halop, and Mansour Shreem. No arrests were made, residents said. In a similar incident, army planes were flying at a low altitude over the city late Thursday night which caused panic among residents, local sources reported. [end] more.. Army arrests several residents from Ein Al Bida village in the Jordan valley International Middle East Media Center 6/2/2006 The Israeli army invaded the village of Ein Al Bida in the northern part of Jordan valley and arrested several residents Friday morning. Troops stormed the village and imposed curfew not allowing anyone out of their homes while conducting house-to-house search there. The names of the arrestees of the destination of their arrests were not known, local residents said. [end] more.. Web of betrayal, blackmail and sex that killed two lovers who turned informer The Guardian 6/3/2006 Palestinian confesses on video to helping Israel before he and lover are shot -- Behind the cracking voice and occasional gasps for air, Jefal Ayesh knows he is a dead man as he describes how his betrayal began. His eyes dart about constantly; his face flinches. At times he is close to breaking down. Blackmailed into a web of treason woven from their own deceit and sexual transgressions, Jefal and his lover faced the justice of the street this week when the 25-year-old Palestinian father was dragged blindfolded into the heart of Balata refugee camp in the West Bank and shot as the worst kind of traitor - a collaborator with Israel. At the execution the mother of one of those he betrayed handed out sweets. more.. Army storms Al Borak center in AL Bira city and arrests the director International Middle East Media Center 6/2/2006 The Israeli army stormed Al Borak culture and research center in Al Bira city south of the West Bank and arrested the director of the center Thursday. Troops invaded the bulding's offices, searched the place, then arrested Adeeb Ziada, the director of the center. Computers and files were also confiscated by the army, eyewitnesses said. Ziada was released from Israeli jail only three days ago. Al Borak center is a Palestinian NGO that does workshops and cultural studies on Palestinian issues. [end] more.. Israeli forces raid northeastern Hebron, arrest village elders Palestine News Network 6/1/2006 At dawn today Israeli forces took four Palestinians from the southern West Bank to unknown locations. The search and arrest raid came at the usual time with a large-scale Israeli military force invading northeastern Hebron and searching the homes of local village elders. Local sources report that the Israeli military force raiding the village concentrated on old area culminating in the arrest of 48 year old Mohammad Badawi Hulaiqa, 50 year old Mohammad Suleiman Hulaiqa, 29 year old Saleh Ibrahim Al Hussasneh and 20 year old Hani Ibrahim Layaideh. [end] more.. Armed resistance members stop Israeli invasion of Jenin Refugee camp with explosives Palestine News Network 6/1/2006 The armed resistance wing affiliated with Islamic Jihad, Saraya Al Quds, claimed responsibility Thursday morning for injuring two Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces invaded Jenin in the northern West Bank at dawn this morning and members of Saraya Al Quds detonated an explosive device under the military convoy. Approximately 20 Israeli military vehicles penetrated far into Jenin Refugee Camp for the third day in a row. For that, members of the armed resistance were ready. The armed resistance detonated the explosive device which led to the injury of two members of the invading Israeli patrols. However, the sound was loud and much of the camp was awakened by it. But it also frightened the soldiers, according to those who witnessed the events. Israeli soldiers opened heavy random fire on the camp. more.. Security men demonstrate in Gaza BBC 6/2/2006 Hundreds of Palestinian security men threw stones at the Gaza parliament building, breaking windows, in a protest about unpaid salaries. They demanded the government pay wages for the first time since February. Some demonstrators fired in to the air and tried to break into the offices, but they were stopped by guards. A day earlier the Hamas-led government announced it could pay salaries to only one quarter of its employees. The participants in the demonstration are members of the Fatah movement, the main political rival of the Islamic militant Hamas organisation. According to estimates, about one million Palestinians rely on government salaries in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. more.. Two Egyptians killed at Israel border AlJazeera 6/2/2006 Two Egyptian security officers were killed on Friday in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops. Three Egyptian security officers fired at soldiers after crossing several dozen meters into Israel, Israeli military officials said. The Israeli troops returned fire, killing two of the infiltrators, the officials said on condition of anonymity since they were not authorised to discuss such matters with the media. Egyptian police said that three Egyptian security personnel exchanged fire with the Israeli soldiers after crossing the border and that two of them were killed. The reason for their infiltration into Israel was not immediately known, said Essam al-Shaikh, the head of Egyptian police in the border area. He did not say who shot first. more.. Security forces loyal to Abbas disrupt start of PLC session with massive demo in streets of Gaza Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-Before the PLC parliamentary session even began, the sound of gunfire was heard in Gaza City. Thousands of governmental security forces' men were demonstrating in the streets calling for the provision of their salaries as soon as possible and for the Palestinian government to "take their responsibilities seriously". The demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the solution of what they described as the "crisis of killing". In a statement, the Palestinian security forces confirmed their complete support for the prisoners' document and for the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his program and his negotiations for the sake of finding a solution to the Palestinian issue. more.. PA officer killed in Gaza clashes between Fatah and Hamas Ha'aretz 6/2/2006 A Palestinian security officer was killed and seven were wounded in clashes between rival Fatah and Hamas factions in Gaza on Thursday, underscoring growing tensions in the impoverished coastal strip. Earlier on Thursday, thousands of Palestinian security men fired automatic rifles and vandalized the parliament in Gaza in one of the biggest protests over unpaid wages since the Hamas government took office in March. Medics and a security official said Khader Afana, a Fatah member of the preventative security force, was killed by unknown gunmen in Gaza City. No one claimed responsibility for the shooting. In further violence on Thursday, three more security officers were wounded as their vehicle was attacked in a village east of the town of Khan Yunis, the security official said, accusing Hamas of the ambush. more.. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Tel Rumeida, Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Jewish settlers living illegally on stolen Palestinian land assaulted citizens in Tel Rumeida neighborhood of the West Bank City of Hebron in an attack which locals say is meant to push them out of their homes so the Israeli settlers can further expand their settlements. The family of Tayseer Abu Eisha said that at least ten colonizers near Ramat Tshay Jewish-only colony attacked the Palestinian family's house with stones and empty bottles and chased the children, hurling dirty water at them. The citizen Hana Abu Haikal pointed out that the repressive acts of the settlers are taking place in front of Israeli soldiers, who make no effort to stop the settlers from attacking the Palestinians. more.. Army invades the Balata refugee camp and Nablus city International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Israeli forces invaded the West Bank city of Nablus and nearby Balata refugee camp on Thursday morning. Troops entered the city and refugee camp from several directions then took positions in the city center and refugee camp, according to the local residents' infantry and jeeps were also seen in the city. The Army also stormed Al Toor area in the city and two posts for the Palestinian Authority security forces, no arrests were made, local sources reported. [end] more.. Further barrier set up near Qalqilia and combing operation carried out by Israeli forces in the area Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Qalqilia-Ma'an-The Israeli forces set up a temporary military barrier on Wednesday morning between Kufr Thulth and Azzoun, two towns south-west of Qalqilia, and stopped Palestinian vehicles passing through and stepped up the scrutiny of citizens' IDs. Palestinian sources reported that the Israeli forces carried out a combing campaign in the region between the two mentioned towns. No reason was given for this operation. [end] more.. Settlers open fire at Palestinian workers near Nablus International Middle East Media Center 6/2/2006 Thursday evening, a group of extremist settlers opened fire at five Palestinian workers east of the West Bank city of Nablus, no injuries were reported in the attack. Yaser Mleitat, head of the Friendship Society for Development and Cooperation, reported that the settlers attacked five Palestinian workers at an agricultural project which belongs to the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in Tana area, east of Nablus. Mleitat added that the workers noticed suspicious movement of the settlers who were infiltrating through close mountain. The settlers, apparently when realizing they were exposed, opened fire at the workers who managed to escape unharmed. Last year, the Friendship Society started to rebuild farmers houses in Tana after being demolished by the Israeli army. [end] more.. 'Hamas behind Qassam attack on Sderot' YNet News 6/1/2006 IDF officials say rockets that struck two Sderot homes located not far from Peretz’s residence assembled by Hamas; incident marks first time terror group involved in rocket attacks on Israel since agreed-upon lull in violence was announced over a year ago -- IDF officials said the Qassam rockets that struck two Sderot homes located not far from Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s residence were assembled by Hamas.... The specific Hamas-made rockets are colored green and red, and have features that distinguish them from rockets manufactured by Islamic Jihad and other terror groups. more.. IDF believes Hamas members behind Qassam attack on Sderot Ha'aretz 6/1/2006 Israel Defense Forces sources on Thursday said Hamas militants were behind the two Qassam rockets fired on Wednesday which landed near the Sderot house of Defense Minister Amir Peretz. Experts say the rockets belonged to the kind developed by Hamas who have a larger warhead and are more precise than those held by Islamic Jihad. IDF intelligence believes the rockets were fired by members of Hamas acting on their own initiative in defiance of orders from above to avoid carrying out terror attacks against Israel. "We will act against anyone who carries out terror attacks against us, regardless of their political affiliation," An IDF source said. Israeli lightly hurt near Ramallah; two soldiers wounded in Jenin... more.. Jihad warns of more, as 4 Qassams hit Negev Ha'aretz 6/1/2006 Islamic Jihad has signaled it is still able to launch Qassam rockets. Their statement came twenty-four hours after Israeli commandos killed three Islamic Jihad operatives. Islamic Jihad's military wing said in a statement yesterday that they would continue firing rockets, a move which they said was a response to the assassination ascribed to Israel of a senior Islamic Jihad activist in Beirut last week. Islamic Jihad gunmen in the Gaza Strip said they had fired a new longer-range rocket they had manufactured, based on the Russian-made Katyusha, with a maximum range of 20 kilometers. Meanwhile, four Qassams fell yesterday on Sderot and its surrounding area; one also fell a few dozen meters from Defense Minister Amir Peretz's home. more.. Two Israeli soldiers moderately injured in Jenin by roadside bomb set by Al Quds Brigades Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Israeli forces in Jenin (Archive)Jenin-Ma'an-The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement, have claimed responsibility for moderately injuring two Israeli soldieries early on Thursday morning by detonating a large cocktail bomb next to an Israeli military convoy that was driving along Al Jabriyat Road near Jenin refugee camp. In a statement, the Brigades affirmed that the bomb weighed 140 kg, highlighting that their operation completely destroyed one Israeli military vehicle. The statement added that, after the explosion, armed clashes broke out between the Brigades' fighters and members of the Israeli military patrol before Israeli military reinforcements arrived and ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer the injured Israeli soldiers. more.. At least 10 injured in Hamas-Fateh clashes International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Gunmen of the Hamas and Fateh party clashed on Thursday in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, at least three Fateh members were injured in the clashes, eyewitnesses and medical sources reported. The clashes erupted in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, breaking the fragile calm between fighters of the two movements. The calm had been in place since the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Hamas-led government began talks last week in an attempt to end the violence. Gunmen of Hamas and Fateh traded accusations and blame over who began the fight. Senior Fateh leaders said that their fighters were ambushed by Hamas gunmen, while Hamas said that their fighters opened fire after shots were fired at the home of one of their leaders. [end] more.. Army arrests child at Howwara checkpoint International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Israeli troops stationed at Howwara checkpoint south of the West Bank city of Nablus arrested a Palestinian child and took him to an unknown location, Thursday at noon. The soldiers said they arrested the boy because they claimed he was in possession of a knife found, when they searched him passing the checkpoint, eyewitnesses said. The name of the child and the destination of his arrest are not known. [end] more.. Army storms Al Borak center in AL Bira city and arrested the director International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 The Israeli army stormed Al Borak culture and research center in Al Bira city south of the West Bank and arrested the director of the center on Thursday. Troops invaded the bulding's offices, searched the place then arrested Adeeb Ziada, the director of the center, computers and files were confiscated by the army, eyewitnesses said. Ziada was released from Israeli jail only three days ago, Al Borak center is a Palestinian NGO that does work shops and studies about the culture and Palestinian issues. [end] more.. Nine Palestinians arrested on Thursday morning from across the West Bank Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Bethlehem-Ma'an-Early on Thursday morning the Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinian citizens from various regions in the West Bank, claiming that they are wanted by Israel. Israeli sources reported that according to Israeli Army Radio, the Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinian citizens from the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jenin on suspicion of affiliation to Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. [end] more.. Troops arrest ten residents in Silwad town, near Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Israeli soldiers arrested on Thursday morning ten residents from Silwad town, east of the West Bank city of Ramallah after invading it and closing its entrances. Troops attacked and searched homes and several constructions, conducted military searches and arrested at least ten residents, local sources reported. Also, soldiers based near Ofra settlement, near the town, attacked dozens of homes after claiming that stones were hurled at settlers vehicles passing on a settlement road near the town. In a separate incident, soldiers installed portable checkpoints near the northern entrance of Ramallah, and near Sorda village, interrogated dozens of residents and searched the vehicles. [end] more.. Islamic Jihad says it fired new longer-range rocket at Israel Ha'aretz 5/31/2006 Islamic Jihad gunmen in the Gaza Strip said Wednesday they had fired at Israel a new longer-range rocket they had manufactured, based on the Russian-made Katyusha, with a maximum range of 20 kilometers (12 miles). "We will continue to bombard Zionist settlements established in the land of Palestine," an Islamic Jihad spokesman said. Southern Israel came under renewed Qassam rocket fire by Palestinian militants in Gaza on Wednesday morning, despite Israel Defense Forces plans to step up ground operations by special forces in the northern Strip. Islamic Jihad said the rockets were a response to IDF raids and Friday's car bombing death of a senior group official in Lebanon. An Israeli government source denied at the time that Israel had anything to do with the killing. more.. Israel to intensify ground incursions into Gaza Strip ReliefWeb 5/31/2006 Tel Aviv (dpa) - The Israeli army plans to intensify its ground incursions into the northern Gaza Strip, in a new effort to stop incessant rocket fire from the area into southern Israel, Israel Radio reported Wednesday, quoting a senior military officer. In the first such ground operation since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip nine months ago and ended 38 years of occupation of the salient, Israeli commandos crossed some two kilometres over the northern Gaza border Tuesday. The commandos laid an ambush in the former Jewish settlement of Dugit for a group of Islamic Jihad militants who were on their way to launch rockets into Israel, and opened fire, triggering a heavy gun battle in which four Palestinians were killed and more than a dozen injured. more.. Rafah: Today is even worse Rafah Today 5/29/2006 [with photos] In the most crowded area in the world, Gaza, the news from Palestine, not so different from what has been going on yesterday, today is even worse, cooking gas shortages in all Gaza and West Bank, many families had run out of cooking gas which is no longer available, as a result of the Israeli closure. Last week, The Israeli Forces shelled a house in Beit Lahiya, killing two members of the same family, medical sources at Kamal Adwan hospital mentioned. Their identities were not immediately known. Separately, a Palestinian farmer was killed inside his farm earlier when Israeli artillery shelled the northern Gaza Strip east of the Jabaliya refugee camp. The victim, Omer Abu Warda, 42, was working in his fields at midday when he was struck in the shelling, medical sources from Kamal Adwan hospital said. more.. West Bank: Civilian injured, 2 soldiers hurt YNet News 6/1/2006 Israeli civilian wounded by Palestinian gunfire near Ofra settlement. In Jenin operation two troops sustain light to moderate injuries after Palestinians throw explosive device at their Jeep -- An Israeli civilian was lightly wounded when Palestinian gunmen fired at his vehicle as he was driving north of the Ofra settlement. He was given medical treatment on the spot. IDF forces and police searched the area for the perpetrators. Meanwhile, two IDF soldiers were wounded Wednesday night when an explosive device was hurled at the jeep they were driving through the West Bank town of Jenin. The troops sustained light to moderate wounds and were evacuated to the Haemek Hospital in Afula. more.. PLC official, Ahmad Bahar, denounces the armed attack on the PLC compound in Gaza on Thursday Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Ma'an-Ahmad Bahar, the first vice president of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), has denounced the attack that some gunmen carried out on Thursday on the PLC compound in Gaza in which they shot at members of the PLC, sabotaged many rooms and climbed on the roofs. In a press conference held on Thursday afternoon in the PLC compound in Gaza, Bahar considered "what those gunmen, wearing the uniform of the security forces, carried out does not represent the Palestinian people". He called on the Palestinian people for unity and to shun anybody practicing such attacks. more.. Al Aqsa Brigades claim responsibility for shooting at Israeli military posts in Nablus Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Nablus-Ma'an-The Al Aqsa Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Fatah Movement, have claimed responsibility for the shooting at Israeli military posts on Wednesday night. In a statement, the Brigades said that some of their cells carried out three shooting operations aimed at Israeli military posts and personnel in the Nablus region; the targets were the military post at the entrance to the town of Asira Ash-Shamaliya, an Israeli vehicle near the town of Beit Eiba, and a military post on Jarzim hill. The Brigades said that these operations were in response to the Israeli incursions into Balata refugee camp and the Nablus governorate, and in response to the assassination of a number of the Brigades' activists. more.. Brigades launch projectiles at Israeli targets close to Gaza Strip Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Gaza-Ma'an-The Abu Ar-Rish Brigades, a military wing affiliated to the Fatah Movement, have announced that they launched two homemade projectiles at Kissufim Crossing on Wednesday night. In a statement, the Brigade said that the launching operation was in response to the Israeli escalation and assassination operations carried out against the Palestinian people. The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Islamic Jihad Movement, also announced that they had launched projectiles at an Israeli target. According to their statement, they launched two homemade projectiles into the Israeli town of Nahal Oz early on Thursday morning. [end] more.. PPS: “72 residents, including 13 children, arrested in Hebron in May” International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) reported that the Israeli army arrested in Hebron, and its surrounding villages, during the month of May, 72 Palestinians, including 13 children. This number was officially registered by the society, several other residents were arrested an registered by other societies. According to the PPS report, Israeli troops arrested 18 residents in Hebron, 10 residents in the nearby village of Beit Ummar, 4 in Bani Neim, 10 in Doura, 3 in Yatta, 3 in Al Shiokh, 3 in Beit Awwa, 5 in Ithna, 5 in Al Arroub, 5 in Trqoumia, 1 in Halhoul, 1 in Kharas, and one in Al Thahiriyya. Also, the report revealed that the Israeli military attacks caused considerable damage to the houses of the residents and their properties. [end] more.. Ten killed and 59 injured in different israeli aggressions last week: report By PNA, ReliefWeb/PNA 6/1/2006 GAZA, Palestine, June1, 2006 (IPC) - A statistical report documenting the Israeli violations against the Palestinian people asserted that Israeli occupation forces killed ten Palestinians and injured 59 others in one week throughout the different Palestinian provinces, committing 886 violations since 23/5/2006 until 29/5/2006. 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.. Protesting late wages, PA security men attack Gaza parliament International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Thursday, thousands of Palestinian security men fired off automatic rifles at theparliament building in Gaza city, and smashed the windows, in protest to the unpaid wages since Hamas took office in March after winning the January 2006 legislative elections. The protesters slammed a plan by the Palestinian Prime Minister and a senior leader in Hamas, Ismail Haniyya, who stated that the government will pay in the coming few days, partial salary payments to the lowest paid workers in the Palestinian Authority (P. A). Some protesters climbed onto the roof of parliament in Gaza and smashed several windows. Most of the protesters are loyal to Fateh movement, headed by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. more.. Four residents arrested near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 6/1/2006 Thursday at dawn, Israeli soldiers arrested four residents in the village of Al Shiokh, north-east of the West Bank city of Hebron, after invading it and conducting military searches of homes. A large military force invaded the village, especially Al Khirba and Al Qaffan areas, searched several houses and arrested four residents, local sources reported. The arrestees were identified as Mohammad Badawi Al Halaiqa, 48, Mohammad Suleiman Al Halaiqa, 50, Saleh Ibrahim Al Hasasna, 29, and Hani Ibrahim Al Ayayda, 20 years old. The arrestees were taken to an unknown destination, local sources added. [end] more.. Israeli Intelligence website reports that Al Qassam Brigades have got hold of Shabak's list of "wanted" men Ma'an News 6/1/2006 Ma'an- [Al Qassam Brigades] get hold of a document belonging to Shabak (the Israeli internal intelligence service) that reveals the names of "wanted" Palestinians", the Israeli intelligence website, "Debka" (www. debka. com), issued a story in Hebrew that Ma'an translated as follows: "In spite of the assassinations that have recently taken place in the Gaza Strip, and the fact that Israel has launched a war of assassination on the "wanted", the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Hamas Movement, have issued a list of the names of the Palestinians that Israel targets with assassination or arrest. The Al Qassam Brigades have also supplied all Palestinian organizations, including the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades with this list of 137 names. more..

Diplomacy..

Israel warns: free soldier or PM dies The Australian 7/1/2006 ISRAEL last night threatened to assassinate Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh if Hamas militants did not release a captured Israeli soldier unharmed. The unprecedented warning was delivered to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a letter as Israel debated a deal offered by Hamas to free Corporal Gilad Shalit. It came as Israeli military officials readied a second invasion force for a huge offensive into Gaza. Hamas's Gaza-based political leaders, including Mr Haniyeh, had already gone into hiding. But last night's direct threat to kill Mr Haniyeh, a democratically elected head of state, sharply raised the stakes. The bid to free Corporal Shalit was brokered by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who last night warned Hamas it faced severe consequences if it did not curb its "extreme stance"... more.. Haniyeh: Government won't fall; 4 Hamas officials lose Jerusalem residency Ha'aretz 7/1/2006 In his first public address since Israel began its offensive into the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Friday that his government would not cave in to Israeli demands, but said he was working hard to end a five-day-old crisis with Israel. Though Haniyeh did not directly address Israel's demand that Palestinian militants hand over Israel Defense Forces soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit, abducted on Sunday, he implied that the government would not trade him for eight Cabinet ministers and 56 other Hamas officials arrested on Thursday. "When they kidnapped the ministers they meant to hijack the government's position, but we say no positions will be hijacked, no governments will fall," he said. more.. Palestinian resistance demands 1,000 Palestinian detainees be released in exchange for soldier International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2006 A new ultimatum issued by resistance groups holding an Israeli soldier captive demanded the release of 1,000 of the over 8,000 Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel - including women, children, party leaders and prisoners who are sick, elderly or disabled. "We are declaring to the public our just and humanitarian demands," said the statement faxed to news agencies by the Qassam Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam, the three groups claiming responsibility for holding the Israeli soldier. This is the second statement released by the groups - the first demanded the release of only women and children prisoners. The groups also demanded an end to the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. more.. UN Security Council debate on Gaza ends without resolution Ha'aretz 7/1/2006 The UN Security Council debate over the IDF incursion into the Gaza Strip ended Saturday without a resolution. Palestinian and Israeli diplomats traded accusations Friday at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council which Arab nations requested to demand that the UN's most powerful body order a halt to the Israel Defense Forces offensive in Gaza, which followed the abduction of an IDF soldier. The Palestinians accused Israel of launching a premeditated military assault to sabotage Palestinian unity and collectively punish and terrorize hundreds of thousands of civilians. Israel countered that Gaza has become "a terror base" actively supported by the Hamas-led government. more.. Israel defeated at UN Human Rights Council YNet News 6/30/2006 With 29 countries in favor, 12 opposed, Arab countries pass decision according to which Council’s inspectors will prepare special report on human rights violations committed by Israel in territories, issue will be discussed in all Council meetings -- Diplomatic blow: The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday accepted a resolution according to which human rights violations committed by Israel in the territories will be discussed on a permanent basis in all of the Council’s meetings. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva Yitzhak Levanon told Ynet in response: “I am very sorry that the Arab group took us back to the dark ages of the committee which passed away due to such behavior. "Levanon was furious following the special discussion summoned by Arab and Muslim counties in the Council... more.. United Church of Canada's Toronto Branch Announces Boycott of Israeli Products International Middle East Media Center 7/1/2006 United Church of Canada's Toronto branch announced a boycott Thursday of Israeli products and companies that do business with the Israeli Army. Their decision also supports CUPE's (the National Public Employee's Union, Ontario branch) decision to join an international boycott of Israel to protest how the country has treated Palestinian refugees, Ynetnews said. The Toronto Star reported that United Church of Canada's Toronto branch unveiled boycott of Israeli products, companies doing business with its military to end 'illegal occupation of Palestinian lands'. The plan calls on Ottawa to require that products originating in the occupied territories be labeled differently from those coming from the rest of Israel. The move comes on the heels of a similar controversial move by the Ontario wing of CUPE... more.. Toronto church to boycott Israeli goods YNet News 6/29/2006 Toronto Star reports United Church of Canada's Toronto branch to unveil boycott of Israeli products, companies doing business with its military to end what it calls ‘illegal occupation of Palestinian lands’; plan calls on Ottawa to require that products originating in the occupied territories be labeled differently from those coming from the rest of Israel -- The United Church of Canada's Toronto branch was set to unveil Wednesday a boycott of Israeli products and companies doing business with its military to end what it calls the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, the Toronto Star reported. The move comes on the heels of a similar controversial move by the Ontario wing of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which last month voted to support an international boycott campaign against Israel to protest its treatment of Palestinian refugees. more.. Irish MP: Israel an "abhorrent and despicable" regime Electronic Intifada/Sinn Féin 6/30/2006 Statement issued by Aengus Ó Snodaigh Sinn Fein member in the Irish parliament and his party's spokesman on international affairs and human rights. Sinn Féin International Affairs and Human Rights spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has described Israel as "one of the most abhorrent and despicable regimes on the planet. " Questioning the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in the Dáil today he said the kidnap by Israel of some 25 democratically elected Palestinian representatives demonstrates "the true nature of Israel's commitment to not so democratic principles. " Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin member of parliament and international affairs spokesman. He said, "Israel is without doubt one of the most abhorrent and despicable regimes on the planet... " more.. Hizbullah: Don't give up soldier for nothing YNet News 6/30/2006 Lebanon's terror group urges Palestinian terrorists to only free Israeli soldier captured in Gaza exchange for Palestinian prisoners. ‘There are 10,000 detainees and there is no method to free them except this method,' organization chief Hassan Nasrallah says -- Lebanon's Hizbullah terror group, which has swapped kidnapped Israelis for Arab prisoners in the past, urged Palestinian terrorists on Friday to only free an Israeli soldier captured in Gaza exchange for Palestinian prisoners. "There are 10,000 detainees and there is no method to free them except this method, except this path," Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah said. more.. Hamas will not bow to Israeli force AlJazeera 6/30/2006 Haniya: Israeli aggression seeks to cow the Palestinian people -- The Palestinian prime minister has vowed that his Hamas-led government will not give in to force, saying Israel has to halt its Gaza offensive if it wants to free a captured soldier. "No concessions will be made," Ismail Haniya said on Friday in his first public appearance since the abduction of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit. Addressing Muslims praying in Gaza's main mosque, Haniya said that the Israeli offensive was premeditated to bring down the Hamas-led government, but said his government "would not fall and would not change its position". "Our people are patient. They can arrest leaders, assassinate leaders, but our flag will not fall," Haniya said. more.. Palestine issue on UN rights agenda AlJazeera 6/30/2006 Arab and Muslim states have succeeded in putting the issue of occupied Palestinian territories on the permanent agenda of the UN Human Rights Council, overcoming Israeli and Western objections to singling out alleged abuses by the Jewish state. A resolution to re-examine the issue at future sessions, brought by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), easily won passage at the 47-member forum on Friday. A second OIC resolution, expressing deep concern at an "increasing trend of defamation of religions" and incitement to religious hatred, was also adopted along similar voting lines. The two votes, on the final day of the Rights Council's inaugural two-week session, were seen as divisive. more.. Thousands protest across Mideast against Gaza offensive Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 Thousands of protesters in several Muslim countries took to the streets Friday in reponse to the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. In Egypt, protesters rallied in one of the country's main mosques, with many calling on Arab governments to take action to protect the Palestinians. Hundreds of security forces in riot gear lined up alongside Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque during the protest, which followed weekly prayers. They made no attempt to crack down on the demonstration, however, as police commanders said they wanted to avoid a confrontation even though the protest was organized by one of the government's top rivals, the Muslim Brotherhood. more.. Anti-Israel demonstrations in Turkey, Egypt YNet News 6/30/2006 Thousands of angry Turks burn Israeli flags, chant pro-Hamas slogans Friday in protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza Strip; in Egypt, thousands rally in one of Egypt's main mosques, many calling on Arab governments to take action to protect Palestinians -- Thousands of angry Turks burned Israeli flags and chanted pro-Hamas slogans Friday in a protest against Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of women, many wearing black chadors or Islamic-style head scarves, carried Palestinian flags and yelled, "Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine!” A man with a loud speaker warned the Jewish state that it was turning Turkey's 70 million Muslims against it. "Inshallah (God willing), all of Turkey will show in coming days that it is behind Palestine!" He said. "Inshallah!" The crowd yelled back. more.. PM discusses ongoing Gaza operation with Putin Ha'aretz 6/30/2006 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, the Kremlin said. Putin told Olmert about Russian efforts to help settle the crisis and resume the peace process, the Kremlin said in a statement. The conversation was initiated by Israel, it said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday said he and his Group of Eight counterparts were united in their demand that the Israeli soldier be released. On Thursday, Olmert rejected a proposal by Defense Minister Amir Peretz and the Israel Defense Forces for a ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip against the ongoing Qassam rocket fire. more.. Israel: We didn’t reject Hamas conditions YNet News 6/30/2006 Prime Minister’s Office says Gaza Strip operation delayed due to sensitive timing, not military considerations -- The delay of the attack in Gaza and the uncertainty over diplomatic and military maneuvers Israel is about to take have created a fury of claims and speculations on Israel’s stance and plans. Diplomatic sources have been busy denying various claims and presenting Israel’s official stance. Thus, for example, Israel rejected on Friday morning claims publicized in an interview with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the al-Aharam newspaper, according to which Israel rejected conditions set by Hamas for the release of kidnapped Corporeal Gilad Shalit. Israel also denied the claim that a delay in the IDF operation took place due to the expected visit of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman in Gaza... more.. Terror victims: Don’t release prisoners for soldier YNet News 6/30/2006 In letter to prime minister, defense minister, terror victims’ organization Almagor warns of ramifications of freeing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for release of kidnapped soldier; organization’s suggested alternative: Threatening terrorists with death penalty -- The Almagor terror victims’ organization on Friday sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz, in which it calls on the two officials not to free Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of kidnapped soldier Corporal Gilad Soldier. The organization sent the letter in response to recent publications in Arab newspapers, according to which Israel is considering a deal in which it will free prisoners in exchange for the soldier’s release. more.. Israel aims to open key Gaza crossing next week ReliefWeb 6/30/2006 JERUSALEM, June 30 (Reuters) - Israel's army aims to open a Gaza border crossing next week to ensure food and fuel supplies reached Palestinians despite its offensive in the strip, a spokesman said on Friday. The Karni crossing, along with other entry and exit points, has been closed since Sunday, when militants kidnapped a soldier in a daring cross border raid. Humanitarian agencies warn that supplies are running short in Gaza. "We are working to open the Karni crossing for humanitarian goods next week and make sure supplies get in," Israeli army spokesman Jacob Dallal said. Israel launched an offensive this week to try to press Palestinian militants to hand over the captive. Air strikes have compounded the hardship for Gaza residents, cutting off electricity for many and hampering water supplies. more.. Israel Threatens Syria Over Gaza Crisis Forward 6/30/2006 Blames Assad For Hosting Hamas Leader -- WASHINGTON — Israel is pointing a menacing finger at a Damascus-based Hamas leader and Syrian officials who continue to grant him sanctuary, claiming that they are responsible for the recent kidnapping of an Israeli soldier and for the escalating crisis in Gaza. Israeli officials insist that from his base of operations in Syria, the Hamas official, Khaled Mashal, ordered the kidnapping and is refusing to approve the soldier's release. Mashal is also being accused by Israeli sources of attempting to scuttle the formation of a Palestinian unity government in the territories that could lead to an implicit recognition of Israel or future peace talks. more.. Palestinian Ministry of Information: what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is open war against Palestinians Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Khan Younis Ma'an -- Khan Younis Ma'an- The Palestinian Ministry of Information called the whole world on both the formal and informal levels to intervene immediately and put an end to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The ministry said, "what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza is an open war against the Palestinians which denies and violates every human right and international law that the world claims. It is a plan that was endorsed earlier to render the failure of Palestinian democracy and overthrow the government. "Regarding the captured Israeli soldier, the ministry said, Israeli leaders had better listen to the call of the reason and wisdom, otherwise they will be responsible for the consequences. " more.. PFLP spokeswoman denounces Israeli abductions and calls for unity Ma'an News 6/30/2006 Ramallah --Khaleda Jarrar, speaking for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, condemned the Israeli abductions of Palestinians which included ministers and Palestinian Legislative Council members. She also denounced the Israeli aggression in Gaza. Jarrar, who is a PLC member as well as spokeswoman for the PFLP, called for international protection for the Palestinian people and pressure on Israel to free all the ministers and PLC members. She also called the Palestinian public, organizations and forces to be active in their roles and to support the PLO and the Palestinian Authority without partiality. [end] more.. Izzeddin Al