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 no