Conflict..

Palestinians: Three people killed as IDF enters Beit Hanun Ha’aretz 11/1/2006 Two Palestinians were killed and 20 others wounded Wednesday as Israel Defense Forces troops entered northern Gaza, Palestinian security sources said. IDF infantry troops and armored vehicles entered the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun before dawn. A heavy exchange of fire with Palestinian gunmen ensued. Army Radio reported the exchanges of fire are ongoing. According to the security sources, a Palestinian policeman was killed in an IAF strike during the course of the operation. A second air strike killed a 23-year-old gunman, doctors said. A Hamas gunman, who also served as a cabinet member’s bodyguard, died from his injuries after one of the clashes, doctors told Reuters. According to the IDF, the IAF carried out two strikes during the course of the operation. more.. Israeli army announces plan to expand its attacks in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 11/1/2006 Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, will convene with the Israeli political-security cabinet on Wednesday to decide the possibility of expanding the military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Yet, the operations would not be expanded before Olmert returns from his planned visit to the United States in two weeks. Olmert’s visit will be arranged by the American envoys David Walsh and Daniel Abrams, who will arrive in the country on Wednesday. Olmert intends to discuss the army’s policy in Gaza, which he claims is retaliation for several dozen homemade shells fired into the Israeli desert over the past several months (which have caused no injuries), and arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Palestinians counter that these are mere excuses by Israel for an ongoing military operation in Gaza that has resulted in over 250 Palestinians killed since June. more.. Peretz balks at plan to expand Gaza operation Ha’aretz 11/1/2006 The security cabinet will discuss today the situation in the Gaza Strip and plans for expanding Israel Defense Force offensive operations there. Defense Minister Amir Peretz has expressed reservations regarding the hawkish stance taken by the army’s leadership on operations in the Gaza Strip, and is concerned that any escalation will result in a total loss of control over the situation there. The IDF proposals that will be discussed by the cabinet include expanded operations along the Philadelphi Route in Rafah, along the Gaza-Sinai border and against the extensive network of tunnels dug by the Palestinians to smuggle in weapons and other equipment. At this point it is known that the IDF has recommended a permanent takeover of the Philadelphi Route. more.. Army invades Tubas, Jenin, and the village of Tammoun, takes three prisoners International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 The Israeli army invaded the cities of Tubas, Jenin and the nearby village of Tammoun, in the northern part of the West Bank and took three residents prisoner on Tuesday morning. The Israeli army invaded Tubass city in the northern West Bank, during the early morning hours and installed several checkpoints in and around the city. Soldiers stopped and searched civilian cars and checked residents’ ID cards, eyewitnesses reported. In the meantime, Nabeh Bani Odah from Tubas was taken prisoner while crossing the Israeli military checkpoint between Tubass and the nearby Tulkarem city. Bani Odah works as a security officer in the Palestinian Authority security forces in Tubass.... soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint at the Tulkarem Tubas road took prisoner Abdullah Abdul-Walli, 30. more.. Two resistance fighters and one civilian killed, three residents injured in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 Two Palestinian resistance fighters from Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and one civilian were killed and seven residents were injured during an army operation in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Younis city, south of Gaza strip, on Tuesday morning. Medical sources in the city of Khan Younis reported that Mohamed Al Najar was killed after being hit in the chest with several bullets, while Shadi Al Najar died after being hit in the head. Security sources said the two were shot by Israeli snipers stationed on the roofs of residents’ homes roofs. The third was identified as Zaki Al Najar. The invasion started when at least 20 armored vehicles and tanks stormed Khaza’a village, near the Gaza Israeli border. Helicopters opened fire at residents’ homes and farmlands, providing aerial coverage for the ground forces, eyewitnesses reported. more.. Army critically wounds Palestinian in Khuza’a village in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 Palestinian medical sources reported on Tuesday that Mihiar Al Najar, 19, was critically wounded after being shot by the Israeli troops invading the village of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. Al Najar sustained injures in the chest and abdomen. He was moved to Al Najar Hospital in Khan Younis, the medical sources added. The Israeli military offensive that started on Tuesday morning has already claimed the life of three Palestinians and injured four. Local residents say the operation is still going. [end] Army takes prisoner one resident from Hebron and increases its soldiers in the city International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 Israeli soldiers attacked and ransacked Palestinian shops in the old city of the West Bank city of Hebron and took prisoner one resident prisoner on Tuesday morning. Ali Al Karaki was taken prisoner after troops attacked and searched his shop in the old city of of Hebron. Soldiers said they took him because they found fire works and crackers in his shop. In the meantime, the Israeli army increased its soldiers in the old city and surrounded neighborhoods where illegal settlers live by installing road blocks and temporary military checkpoints. [end] Israeli armoured vehicles mass near Gaza-witnesses ReliefWeb 10/31/2006 GAZA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Dozens of Israeli armoured vehicles massed at the border with Gaza on Tuesday and a military spokesman ordered Palestinians to evacuate an area close to the frontier with Egypt, witnesses said. The Israeli army had no immediate comment on the reported deployment, which came hours after Israeli troops killed three Palestinian militants in a raid on the Gaza town of Khan Younis. Israeli forces have carried out numerous raids in the Gaza Strip since the June 25 capture of a soldier in a cross-border raid, some in response to rocket attacks by militants on southern Israeli towns. More than 270 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, about half of them civilians. Witnesses said Israeli armoured vehicles had deployed close to the border with the southern Gaza town of Rafah. more.. Israeli navy fires at Palestinian fishing boats; boats burst into flames Ma’an News 10/31/2006 Khan Younis - Israeli navy boats chased two Palestinian fishing boats from the shores near Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday and shot at them, causing severe damage. An eyewitness reported that the Israeli boats fired heavy machine gun fire at the two boats, which belonged to the Mekdad family, and they burst into flames. Eyewitnesses added that they have not been able to determine the fate of the fishermen who were aboard the two boats. [end] Troops abduct three fishermen in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Monday evening, Israeli troops took prisoner three fishermen while they were fishing in an area that extends between Dir Al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, and Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli Navy boats fired rounds of live ammunition at several fishing boats, and searched them before abducting three and taking them to an unknown destination. The three were identified as Ziad, his brother Abdullah Miqdad, and Wadee’ Shalhoob. [end] IDF concerned Hamas could establish anti-tank division Ha’aretz 10/31/2006 Hamas could feasibly establish a military division of some 10,000 soldiers with an operational force similar to Hezbollah’s if it continues to strengthen at its current pace, Israel Defense Forces GOC Southern Command Yoav Glant said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will convene his political-security cabinet on Wednesday to discuss the IDF’s policy in the Gaza Strip and work out responses to ongoing incidents of Palestinian Qassam fire and arms smuggling. Sources said no decisions would be made on expanding the IDF’s current operation until Olmert’s return from the United States in two weeks. Glant told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas could bolster its forces to include anti-tank divisions and commandos, and could gain access to advanced weapons systems as well as night-vision apparatus. more.. Galant: Hamas modeling itself on Hizbullah Jerusalem Post 10/31/2006 Hamas is on its way to establishing a military division of some 10,000 soldiers with a strategic model based on Hizbullah, OC Southern Command Yoav Galant said Tuesday." Hamas is establishing an organized division with a capability against tanks and with missiles that could reach threatening distances," Galant told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Galant went on to say that Hamas was organizing itself into a "professional" army, with battalions, divisions and perhaps even more in preparation to battle IDF forces. In addition to the antitank and missile systems, Hamas might also gain access to advanced weapons systems as well as night-vision apparatuses, said Galant. more.. Palestinians: One person killed, several hurt in two IAF Gaza strikes Ha’aretz 11/1/2006 A Palestinian policeman was killed and at least 17 others wounded before dawn Wednesday as IDF troops entered northern Gaza, Palestinian security sources said. According to the security sources, the policeman was killed in an IAF strike during the course of the operation. A second IAF strike also wounded six gunmen, Palestinian witnesses said. An IDF spokeswoman confirmed the ground operation in Beit Hanun. According to the IDF, the IAF carried out two strikes during the course of the operation. One strike targeted an armed gunman who was approaching the IDF toops in the area, while the second targeted a group of armed militants who were placing an explosive device near the troops. more.. Tel Aviv court charges a Palestinian resident of killing a collaborator International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 The Tel Aviv Central Court charged on Tuesday a Palestinian resident of killing a collaborator with Israel at a Mall in Tel Aviv, nine months ago. The Israeli police claim that Yasser Salama killed Jamal Abu Zohdi at a Mall in Tel Aviv. Slama, and others who were with him, believe that Abu Zuhdi was behind the arrest of several Palestinian residents in the occupied territories, Israeli sources reported. Abu Zohdi was hit on his head and thrown down from a high distance. The Israeli Radio reported that the prosecution demanded the court of keeping Salama in custody until the end of all legal proceedings against him. [end] Army takes prisoner two brothers in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 The Israeli forces took two brothers prisoners on Tuesday afternoon after attacking residents’ houses and ransacking them in the West Bank city of Hebron. The two were known as Firass Al Ja’bari, 14, and his brother Arafah, 11. Their fater reported that both were taken to unknown locations. [end] Israeli air strike destroys house of Fatah activist Ma’an News 10/31/2006 Khan Younis - Israeli war planes shelled a house belonging to a Fatah activist in the Bani Suheila neighbourhood of east Khan Younis on Monday night. Our reporter said that the planes attacked the house of Mohammad Abu Hayah after informing the family to evacuate the house. No casualties were reported but the house was destroyed. Abu Hayah is a member of the Al Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah. [end] Executive Force arrest a Fatah member in central Gaza Strip for shooting at the PM’s convoy Ma’an News 10/31/2006 Gaza - The Palestinian Executive Force, which is under the command of the Hamas-led interior ministry, arrested a Fatah member in the central Gaza Strip last night, accusing him of settling alight a jeep belonging to the Executive Force and of shooting at Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s convoy. The Executive Force arrested Mohamed Aldarbashi, a Fatah member, in Nuseirat refugee camp near the city of Deir Al Balah. Islam Shahwan, an Executive Force spokesman, said, "the force arrested Aldarbashi because he is accused of burning one of the jeeps of the Executive Force and of shooting at the Executive Force that accompanied the convoy of the prime minister while passing in the central governorate. He will be handed over to the ministry of interior to resume investigations and the legal procedures against him. [end] Al-Quds Brigades survive a bombardment of Beit Hanoun, launch ’RPG’ at an Israeli bulldozer Ma’an News Agency 10/31/2006 Gaza - A group from the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have survived after Israeli helicopters launched a missile at them near the town of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. Sources told Ma’an that the group were on the way to launching projectiles at Israeli targets in response to the artillery bombardment of Beit Hanoun. The Brigades said that none of their members was injured and they fled. The Al-Quds Brigades also claimed responsibility for launching a rocket-propelled-grenade at an Israeli bulldozer east of the city of Khan Younis on Tuesday morning, and for firing two homemade projectiles into the western Negev. more.. Israeli forces invade Jenin and other West Bank cities, arrest at least 14, including a toyshop owner Ma’an News Agency 10/31/2006 West Bank - The Israeli army invaded a number of cities across the West Bank on Tuesday morning in a series of arrest raids. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli army arrested 14 Palestinians in the West Bank cities of Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and Qalqiliya. The Israeli army said that the seized people were members of the Fatah and Hamas movements. The sources did not reveal the names of the arrested persons. The sources said that six Hamas members were arrested in Ramallah and four in Jenin. In Nablus, two of the three arrested men were from Fatah. The sources added that the Israeli troops arrested a citizen in Qalqiliya who had a weapon in his possession. Palestinian security sources reported that the Israeli forces invaded the city of Jenin and the refugee camp in the city in the north of the West Bank on Tuesday morning. more.. Army takes a fourth prisoner from Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli army has taken a fourth resident prisoner from the city of Hebron south of the West Bank on Monday afternoon. Izat Al Natsha, 22, was taken prisoner after troops searched and ransacked his familys’ house in Hebron city, his mother stated. On Monday morning troops attacked residents houses in the city of Hebron and the nearby Dora village and took three residents prisoners. [end] West Bank under lockdown ReliefWeb/IRIN 10/30/2006 WEST BANK, 28 October (IRIN) - The number of roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank has risen by 40 per cent since the start of 2006, with 528 permanent and temporary checkpoints and physical roadblocks disrupting all aspects of Palestinian life, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Jerusalem. In addition to stifling Palestinians’ ability to work, these obstacles are causing increasing desperation among the population." My city is nothing more than a big prison," said Tamer Mohammed, a 26-year-old Nablus Municipality employee. Like every male between the ages of 16 and 35 carrying a Nablus identification card, Tamer is not allowed to travel south of Nablus, a city of 191,000 inhabitants in the north of the West Bank, to the central and southern areas of the West Bank. more.. Military official: Gaza operation to be expanded soon YNet News 10/31/2006 Army chief, defense minister okay plans for several operations in different areas in Strip. IDF official explains: ’We can’t ignore what’s happening in Gaza, we have to act at least until we see internal change there’ -- Pressure rises: Less than a week after leaving the Khan Younis area following an operation to apprehend wanted suspects and locate tunnels used for the smuggling of weapons, the IDF is planning another, broader operation in the Gaza Strip, to be launched in the coming days. "We can’t hold on to areas in the Strip for an extended period of time, but we must act all the more forcefully against the terror infrastructures," army officials told Ynet, adding that "an expansion of the operation in Gaza is expected soon." more.. UN investigates Israel’s ’uranium weapons’ The Independent 10/30/2006 The United Nations Environment Programme is investigating allegations, first published in The Independent, that Israel may have used uranium-based weapons during this summer’s war in Lebanon. Twenty UN experts, working with Lebanese environmentalists, have spent two weeks assessing various samples. They are planning to report their findings in December. Butros al-Harb, Unep’s Middle East director, told a Lebanese radio interviewer at the weekend: "If uranium was used, we will find out and we will announce it. We cannot confirm anything now, but we will wait for results." Yesterday Israel issued its most explicit denial yet. Major Avital Leibovitz, a spokeswoman for the Israel Defence Forces, said: "We deny using any weapons containing uranium." One official suggested that if the environmentalists had indeed found traces of uranium, they would have to look for a different explanation. more.. Israeli air force shells a Palestinian house in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 10/31/2006 Israeli air force shelled late on Monday at night a Palestinian house that belongs to a member of the Executive Force that belongs to the Ministry of Interior in Bani Soheila area, east of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The Ramattan news agency reported that the house, that belongs to Mohammad Abu Hayya, was completely destroyed as a result of the shelling, no injuries were reported. The agency added that the family received a phone call from the Israeli army informing them the the air force intends to shell their house, and demanding them to leave it. Less than ten minutes after the call, the air force missile several missiles at the house. The family did not have time to evacuate their furniture and belongings. [end] One resident killed in Khan Younis shelling International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Dr. Muawiya Hasanen, head of the Emergency Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, reported on Monday evening that one resident was killed, two were injured, after the Israeli army fired artillery shells at Beit Hanoun town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Dr. Hasanen stated that Mazin Abu Odeh, 21, was killed after a shell hit his house; his body was severely mutilated. Two other residents suffered serious wounds. Abu Odeh is a civilian and not a member of resistance factions, Dr. Hasanen added. One of the injured residents is a the cousin of Odeh. An Israeli military spokeswoman denied the report and said that the army did not operate in the area. She claimed that “the explosion was not caused by Israeli soldiers. [end] IDF denies using uranium-based warheads during war in Lebanon Ha’aretz 10/31/2006 Israel did not use uranium-based warheads during the Lebanon war, the army spokesperson’s office said Saturday. The announcement was made in response to a report published Saturday on the website of the British newspaper The Independent. The newspaper reported that studies carried out by a European Union-affiliated organization suggest the Israel Air Force used experimental missiles employing uranium against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Saturday that "all the arms and ammunition that we use are legal and conform to international laws." Boutros al-Harb, director of the United Nations Environment Program for Asia and the Middle East said Saturday that his organization is unable to confirm or deny the report. -- See also: Chris Bellamy: An enigma that only the Israelis can fully explain more.. Beit Hanoun: Palestinian killed, 3 injured YNet News 10/30/2006 Palestinians report IDF tank hit homes of several Palestinians in Gaza Strip town, killing 20-year-old Mazen Abu Udah and injuring three other people. IDF says its forces were not involved in incident -- One person was killed and another three were injured when a shell hit the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Palestinian reported Monday evening. According to the report, the shell was fired by Israel Defense Forces soldiers, but IDF officials claimed that the army was not involved in the incident. According to the Palestinians, an IDF tank fired at least one shell at the Palestinians’ houses in Beit Hanoun, killing 20-year-old Mazen Abu Udah and injuring another three people, two of whom sustained critical wounds. Eyewitnesses and doctors at the hospital reported that Abu Udah’s body arrived completely scorched... more.. Soldiers abduct eleven residents in Jericho invasion International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Palestinian security sources reported on Monday evening that under-cover forces, of the Israeli army, and army units invaded the West Bank city of Jericho and abducted eleven residents, including one who is charged of killing an Israeli taxi driver. The Ramattan News Agency reported that several army vehicles and a troop carrier invaded the city after the infiltration of the under-cover forces. The under-cover forces used a big local licensed camion. One of the abducted residents was identified as Ala’ Al Damanhoury. Israeli security sources said that Al Damanhoury killed an Israeli Taxi driver several years ago. He was taken prisoner from a Coffee Shop he own in the center of Jericho. On Sunday night and Monday at dawn, Israeli soldiers took 37 residents prisoner from several West Bank cities and villages. [end] Troops abduct three fishermen in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Monday evening, Israeli troops took prisoner three fishermen while they were fishing in an area that extends between Dir Al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, and Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli Navy boats fired rounds of live ammunition at several fishing boats, and searched them before abducting three and taking them to an unknown destination. The three were identified as Ziad, his brother Abdullah Miqdad, and Wadee’ Shalhoob. [end] Army takes a fourth prisoner from Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli army has taken a fourth resident prisoner from the city of Hebron south of the West Bank on Monday afternoon. Izat Al Natsha, 22, was taken prisoner after troops searched and ransacked his familys’ house in Hebron city, his mother stated. On Monday morning troops attacked residents houses in the city of Hebron and the nearby Dora village and took three residents prisoners. [end] Army takes one resident prisoner from Jenin International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli soldiers at the Salem Israeli military court attacked with batons Aymen Qandil, 34, from Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank city of Jenin, and took him prisoner while attending a hearing session for hi brother on Monday morning. Qandil who works as a security officer at the Palestinian authority forces in Jenin, attended teh court session with his mother. His brother Mohamed said his mom fainted after seeing here son being attack by the soldiers. Mohamed added that four of his brothers, including Qandil , are currently impriosoned by Israel, and one was killed during an invasion to Jenin earlier this year. [end] Army takes prisoner three residents in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli army attacked and ransacked residents’ houses in Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank, and the nearby village of Doura, took three resident prisoner, on Monday morning. Tamer Al Shrawounah, 17, were taken prisoner by the army and was moved to an unknown destination after troops searched and ransacked his familys’ house located in Doura village near Hebron. Also, troops stormed residents’ houses in the northern side of Hebron city, and took Amjad Al Bakri, 33, to an unknown location. His family reported that troops searched and ransacked the belongings of their house before taking their son to unknown location. Also, Ghalib Al Sihli, 20, from Doura village was taken prisoner during an interview with the Israeli Internal Security Services (Shabak) at Kfar Atzion military camp. more.. IOF Arrests 7 Citizens, Including Policeman in WB WAFA - Palestine News Agency 10/30/2006 NABLUS, October 30, 2006 (WAFA) - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested on Monday seven citizens, including policeman and two brothers, in the West Bank (WB) cities of Jenin, Nablus, Hebron and Bethlehem, security sources said. In Jenin, Israeli soldiers assaulted and arrested a policeman from Jenin Refugee Camp as he was heading with his mother to the Israeli Salem court to hear his arrested brother trial. In Nablus,witnesses told WAFA that IOF besieged a number of houses in Balata Refugee Camp, east of Nablus, launched a search campaign and arrested two brothers of al-Maseemi family. In Hebron, Israeli soldiers launched a search campaign in Doura and Bani Na’eem towns and arrested three citizens, Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said. more.. Army takes one resident prisoner from Al Obaidiyya village near Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli army invaded Al Obaidiyya village, east of Bethlehem city, in the southern part of the West Bank and took one resident prisoner, on Monday morning. Local sources reported that an Israeli force invaded the village and searched several houses before taking Atta Shanaita, 19, to an unknown location. Also, troops handed military orders to three residents informing them that they should go for interviews with the Israeli Internal Security Srvices in Kfar Atzion military base. The three were identified as Abed and Mahmoud Rabai’a, and Ayid Rabai’a. [end] Army attacks shepherds in Tammoun International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Israeli troops attacked and chased Palestinian shepherds in Al Baq’a valley in Tammoun village, near the West Bank city of Tubas on Monday morning. Soldiers detained some of the shepherds since early dawn hours, chased and attacked several others after claiming that this area (Al Bak’a valley), which close to the illegal settlement of Biki’ot, is a closed military zone. The Israeli army and settlers are attacking and forcing shepherds and farmers out of that area on regular basis in order to annex the land. [end] Army attacks Palestinian workers near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Israeli troops chased and attacked Palestinian workers, south of Al Thahria town, near the West Bank city of Hebron on Monday morning. Several army Hummer jeeps chased and attacked scores of Palestinian workers who were trying to cross into Israeli through the fileds south of Al Thahriyya, seeking jobs. Palestinian workers were forced to use those fields to cross into Israeli since the Israeli authorities stopped giving the Palestinian workers the need permits to work in Israel since the begging of the Intifada late Septmeber 2000. [end] Two brothers taken prison in Nablus’ Balat refugee camp International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 Mo’ath Al Massimi, 21 and his brother Mahmoud, 24, were taken prisoner during an Israeli military invasion to Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Monday morning. Eyewitnesses reported that five military vehicles srtomed the camp surrounded several houses and took Hassan Dweikat, and Mohammad Zakaria to unknown destination. Troops searched and ransacked the houses before taking the two to unknown locations. In the meantime, another force invaded the city of Nablus and searched a number of houses. During the invasion, a group of Palestinian resistance fighters from the Al Aqsa brigades, the armed wing of Fateh, targeted an Israeli army vehicle with a homemade road side bomb in the city, army reported no injures. [end] Army helicopters open fire at residents’ houses north of the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 10/30/2006 The Israeli army helicopters opened fire at the residents’ houses and farmlands in Biet Lahia town and Sheikh Zayid village, in the norther part of the Gaza strip on Monday morning. The targeted areas, as reported by local sources, were greenhouses and residential homes, damage was reported ; several resident, including children, suffered anxiety attacks. [end] Olmert boasts of killing 300 Palestinian fighters in Gaza; Ma’an News 10/30/2006 Bethlehem - The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, has boasted before the Knesset foreign and security committee that his army has now killed over 300 Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip over the last three months. He added that the Israeli army will intensify their operations against the Palestinian factions; however, it will not stay in Gaza much longer. The Palestinian director of ambulances and emergencies, Dr Mu’awiyah Abu Hassanein has refuted the claims. Dr Abu Hasanein stated that the Israeli allegations are false, since the Israeli army was targeting civilians, rather than fighters giving the following as proof:Of the Palestinian deaths in Gaza over the last three months: ** 137 under the age of 16 ** 29 were women ** 12 were old men above the age of 60 ** 42 were killed inside their homes... more.. Tira woman indicted for abetting in Ra’anana cafe attack attempt Ha’aretz 10/31/2006 An Israeli Arab was indicted yesterday on charges of assisting terrorists in the attempted bombing of a Ra’anana restaurant. The defendant, Warud Qasem, a 20-year-old Tira resident, was arrested on October 4 and the attack was thwarted, the security services said yesterday at the Tel Aviv District Court, where she was arraigned. Qasem was charged with joining the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, Fatah’s military wing, three months ago, and helping it plan a bombing in Ra’anana’s Spagettim restaurant. The prosecution said Qasem maintained contacts with militants of the Brigades in Nablus and Tul Karm and agreed to their request that she smuggle an explosive device into Israel. At the time the defendant worked in a Ra’anana supermarket, and the group had planned for her cousin, a Palestinian illegally residing in Israel, to place the device... more.. Saraya Al Quds claims responsibility for morning attack on southern Israel’s Ashkelon Palestine News Network 10/30/2006 Saraya Al Quds Brigades, the armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad, has accepted responsibility for today’s launch of a locally manufactured missile at the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. Pledging to continue the offensive, Islamic Jihad officials announced, "We have successfully penetrated the Israeli security buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip." Ashkelon officials have responded to the attack by sounding sirens in the city and announcing warnings on local television and radio stations. A spokesman for Islamic Jihad stated, "This attack is a natural response to the continuing Israeli occupation crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and throughout the West Bank. An example of these occupation crimes is the torture methods being used by Israeli prison authorities against Palestinian detainees." more.. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians from the Nablus area during morning invasions Palestine News Network 10/30/2006 Israeli forces arrested brothers 24 year old Mahmoud and 21 year old Mo’ath Masimi from Balata Refugee Camp east of Nablus at dawn Monday morning. The arrests occured after Israeli troops stormed the Masimi house and conducted an investigation lasting longer than an hour. When finished, the troops set fire to the house, but luckily it was only partly damaged. According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli forces came through the northern entrance of the camp and surrounded the home. The witnesses reported that armored vehicles were stationed at the entrance and that Israeli forces turned several buildings into temporary control points. Later on Monday morning, Israeli forces continued their invasion in the Nablus area, raiding the homes of residents Hassan Dweikat and Mohamed Zakaria. more.. Over 300 "injured" by Qassams in 2 years YNet News 10/30/2006 A large part of those who were evacuated to the hospital suffered from shock -- Data from Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon indicate that during 2005, 87 people were rushed to hospital compared to 202 in 2006 so far. Emergency room istill not protected -- New details gathered from Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon indicate that since January 2005, about 300 people were hurt by Qassam rocket attacks in the city of Sderot and the communities of the western Negev. Surprisingly, the hospital which absorbs most of the wounded from Qassam attacks is not adequately protected from them. The numbers indicate that during the first nine and a half months of 2006, 202 people were hurt by Qassams, more than double of the 87 from last year. more.. Gaza Under Siege Rafah Today 10/29/2006 PHOTO ESSAY: After death, a Palestinian woman lamenting the murder of her son / Funerals of Palestinians killed the first day of Eid in the north of Gaza / Gaza children looking at the damage in gaza city caused by an Israeli helicopter / Palestinian children gathering around a car burned in Burij camp, in the middle of Gaza Strip / The funeral of a Palestinian man / Palestinian children in Gaza celeberating Eid despite attacks, incursions and sorrow -- All Arab and Islamic nations are celebrating Eid Al Adha (feast after the Holy Ramadan month of fasting) – all except in Palestine. Here, the Palestinian children expect to receive the first day of Eid with joy, happiness, fun and gifts from adults, but sadly, instead, this Eid began with an Israeli attacking the north of Gaza killing 9 Palestinians. It was almost as if the Israeli soldiers planned to give the Palestinians hell for their holiday. more.. Police arrest five Israeli Arab terror suspects in Umm al-Fahm Ha’aretz 10/29/2006 Police arrested on Sunday five Israeli Arabs in the northern city of Umm al-Fahm suspected of planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Israel. Earlier, the Wadi Ara region was placed on high alert after police received information that a suspected terror cell had infiltrated the Israeli Arab area which borders with the West Bank. Security forces blocked the main road between Barkai and Megiddo junctions, causing a heavy traffic jam behind the closed portion. The road was later opened, but all four entrances to the town of Umm al-Fahm remained closed. Police checked all vehicles leaving the town, including ambulances. Also Sunday, a Palestinian man was shot and killed Sunday as he was trying to steal equipment from the Gaza airport near Rafah. more.. Three Palestinians killed in West Bank AlJazeera 10/27/2006 Three Palestinians have been killed during Israeli army raids in the northern West Bank. Medics and relatives said that Saadi Subuh, 23, and Mustafa Abu Zalat, 17, were shot and killed in the refugee camp of Al Faraa on Friday. The circumstances of shooting were not clear, but Abu Zalat’s uncle said his nephew may have been throwing stones at Israeli army jeeps at the time. In the village of Yamoun, Ahmed Abul Hassan, 28, was shot and killed while he stood on the roof of his home. Incursion Relatives said he had gone up to watch the army raid and was hit by a bullet to the head. Two of Abul Hassan’s brothers were wounded, the family said. The Israeli army said soldiers fired at two gunmen in Yamoun and hit them. On Thursday, three Palestinians were killed in the southern Gaza strip during an Israeli incursion into the small town of Abassan. more.. Farmers attacked while picking olives near Har Homa settlement International Middle East Media Center 10/27/2006 The Palestine News Network reported that Israeli soldiers stationed near Har Homa settlement (Abu Ghneim) fired at several residents of Beit Sahour town, near Bethlehem, while trying to pick their olives in Jabal Al Deek, near the settlement. Soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs and rubber-coated bullets, no injuries were reported. Several farmers said that they had to leave their orchards several times as a result of the Israeli attacks. The farmers added that soldiers and guards of the Har Homa settlement repeatedly fired at them in an attempt to bar them from picking their olives. The farmers were also attacked three days ago while trying to pick their olives in the mountain. After totally annexing Jabal Abu Gheim.... and the construction of Harm Homa settlement, Israel is currently attempting to annex Jabal Al Deek (400 Dunams of olive trees). more.. The Occupation Report October 27, 2006 By Jerrold Cohen, Ph.D, reprinted by VTJP 10/27/2006 Chronicling the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - Jerrold Cohen, Ph. D. , Editor -- Gaza Strip: An Israeli F-16 warplane flattened the two-story home of Shadi-Al-Areeni in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp at dawn. Al-Areeni is a member of the Qassam Brigades (Hamas). The Israeli command called him to evacuate his house a quarter hour before the raid, which made it impossible for him or his family members to salvage anything of the house belongings. (8) At the same time, Israeli helicopters fired heavily at residents’ houses in the al-Shujaya neighborhood east of Gaza City, "causing a considerable amount of damage, and panic, medical sources reported." (11) West Bank: Israeli troops raided the village of Yamoun (about 5 kilometers east by northeast of Jenin) before dawn, and stormed residents houses. more.. Israel draws up an assassination hit-list of Hamas ministers Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Bethlehem - If Hamas resumes attacks deep inside Israel, the Israeli army is preparing to assassinate several Hamas leaders, particularly Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, the official Israeli radio reported on Thursday. Well-informed Israeli sources told the national radio that "the Israeli government will implement this [assassination operations] after several intelligence reports by the Israeli ’Shabak’ [Shin Bet – the Israeli domestic intelligence service] show that some Palestinian resistance factions, including Hamas and its military wing, will resume operations in the heart of Israel." According to the radio, the Israeli government has already told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of its murderous intentions. more.. Israeli forces invade Qalqiliya Friday; seize one man Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Qalqiliya - The Israeli forces invaded the West Bank city of Qalqiliya on Friday and took one resident, Ali Yusuf Kashmar, prisoner. According to eyewitnesses, about seven Israeli military jeeps broke into the city while shooting tear gas. They then patrolled many neighbourhoods of the city and seized Mr Kashmar. [end] Following injury of an Israeli settler in a shooting near Hebron, Israeli forces arrest three Palestinians Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Bethlehem - The Israeli police arrested three Palestinians from the Hebron area on Thursday who they suspect of being responsible for the shooting of an Israeli settler near Tarqumiya, a village northwest of Hebron, on Thursday afternoon. Israeli sources reported on Thursday that an Israeli settler was injured when he was shot at unknown men who approached his car as he was driving through the West Bank, north of Hebron. The settler was slightly injured and taken to the Hadassah Ein Karam hospital in Jerusalem. There are a number of illegal Israeli settlements in the area of Tarqumiya, including Adora and Telem. The nearby settler-only road (35), on which it is forbidden for any Palestinian vehicle to drive, connects Israel with the notoriously fundamentalist Kiryat Arba settlement in the West Bank city of Hebron. [end] Israeli troops target one family in Hebron: five members detained Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Hebron - The Israeli forces seized five members from the same family in Hebron on Thursday and confiscated a family car. Our correspondent in Hebron reported from Palestinian security sources that the Israeli forces invaded the district of Ar-Rama and broke into the home of Sami Al-Ja’abari. The soldiers then detained his three sons, Fahmi, Mashour, and Hatem Al-Ja’abari and in addition, Judeh Al-Ja’abari and his brother Rami. The Israeli soldiers also confiscated a car belonging to the family. [end] Al-Aqsa and Al-Quds Brigades fight back the Israeli forces out of Kafr Dan near Jenin Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Jenin - Armed groups, affiliated to both Fatah and Islamic Jihad, have claimed that they prevented the Israeli army from entering the village of Kafr Dan , west the city of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank, on Thursday. A member of the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah, told our correspondent in Jenin that a number of Israeli vehicles tried to break into the village of Kafr Dan but fighters from the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, confronted them, and threw explosive devices at them, which forced them to withdraw from the village, without being able to make any arrests or break into any of the residents’ houses. [end] Commander: We met stiff "terrorist" resistance YNet News 10/26/2006 IDF says Gaza operation in which two Palestinians were killed was aimed at reducing Qassam rocket-launching capabilities, prevent digging of weapons smuggling tunnels; ‘we faced stiff resistance from terrorists, but we knew how to act,’ battalion commander says -- Two Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours during the IDF’s operation in the south Gaza town of Khan Younis, which concluded Thursday evening. A total of six "terrorists" were hit during the activity, and a third Palestinian was killed during a separate IDF operation in north Gaza. Reserves Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Omri Bar-David told Ynet, “We carried out the mission under incessant fire; it was clear that the "terrorists" were motivated, but we knew we had to act with determination to achieve our goals. ” more.. PA officials fear ‘bloody Saturday’ YNet News 10/28/2006 Sources in Palestinian Authority warn that Saturday morning might see renewed outbreak of violence in Gaza, West Bank, after striking clerks decide to boost their protests -- Palestinian officials assessed that Saturday morning may harbinger a renewal of violent confrontations between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank. Sources in the PA expressed fear that Saturday might prove particularly bloody. The violent confrontations between the Palestinian factions have not subsided since they erupted earlier in October, although recently they significantly cooled. With that, a renewed eruption of violence is expected in light of the intention of Palestinian security officials and PA clerks, who are on strike demanding their withheld salaries, to boost their protests against the financial crisis. more.. Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in northern West Bank Ma’an News 10/27/2006 Jenin - Israeli forces killed three Palestinian men and injured four others in incursions into the town of Al Yamun, west of Jenin, and Al Fara’a refugee camp near Tubas in the northeast of the West Bank, at dawn on Friday. Sources say that clashes erupted in Al Yamun when the Israeli forces invaded this town in the far north of the occupied West Bank and randomly opened fire on the local men. Medical sources informed our correspondent in Jenin that Ahmad Hassan Abu Hassan, 28, who only married a month and a half ago, was killed instantly by an Israeli bullet. The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, said that Abu Hassan was one of their leaders. Two of his brothers - Muhammed, 35, and Ra’if, 20 - were also injured by Israeli bullets while on the roof of their home in Al Yamun. more.. PRC: Prepare for an attack inside Israel YNet News 10/27/2006 Following IDF operation ’Footprints in the sand’ that left 2 gunmen dead, Public Resistance Committee promise revenge, in Gaza and ’in depth of Zionist territory’ -- IDF ’Footprints in the Sand’ in Khan Younis that left two gunmen dead is leading to frightening repercussions from Palestinian organizations. Spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Committees Abu Abir warned of "tunnel bombings, rocket attacks, and suicide attacks in Gaza, West Bank and the depth of Zionist territory." In the last month, the IDF intensified operations in the Khan Younis area in order to locate wanted operatives and weapons smuggling tunnels. Many Palestinian operatives were killed, as well as a number of civilians. The various Palestinian organizations did not respond with significant retaliatory actions against Israel, citing Ramadan among other reasons. more.. Three Palestinians killed in renewed Israeli incursions Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Gaza - Khan Younis - Three Palestinians were killed and another wounded on Thursday in a new Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip. Lami Hamdan Abu Lahiya, 22, a member of the Palestinian national security service, and another man, Ra’id Abu Ta’ima, were seriously injured during an Israeli incursion into the village of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Medical sources in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that Abu Lahiya arrived at the hospital in a seriously condition after being shot in the abdomen. The sources reported that the bullet came out of his back. He died shortly after arriving in the hospital. Nasser Hospital also said that Abu Ta’ima was shot by a live bullet in the neck, and remains in a critical condition. Ahmed Al-Barim, 18, was also killed in Khuza’a by Israeli helicopter fire on Thursday afternoon. more.. Jewish settlers assault, wound six Palestinian farmers Palestinian Information Center 10/26/2006 Nablus - Armed Jewish settlers on Wednesday assaulted Palestinian farmers trying to harvest their olive crops in a number of Nablus district villages wounding three of them while one of the settlers was injured in the scuffle. Locals said that the settlers tried to prevent the farmers from collecting their harvest and a quarrel ensued leading to the injuries. In a similar attack, armed settlers fired at Palestinian farmers while reaping their harvest in a Bethlehem village wounding three of them. Local sources charged the IOF troops with protecting the settlers while firing at the unaware farmers. IOF troops on Wednesday rounded up 15 Palestinians in various West Bank areas mostly members in the Islamic Jihad Movement. more.. Report: "Several soldiers killed after requested to take photos faking capture of Lebanese town" International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 Israeli reports revealed that after the army failed to capture Bint Jbeil town, in southern Lebanon, army leaders requested several soldiers to take pictures showing the Israeli flag on top of a house in the town; several soldiers were killed by Hezbollah fighters while attempting to carry out the order. An Israeli officer testified in front of the Knesset Committee of Security and Foreign Affairs and said that several soldiers who fought in Lebanon were killed while attempting to take pictures showing the army’s victory. Investigators into War events listened to the testimony of 30 soldiers from different ranks last Sunday, one of them, Eyal Bloom, testified the following events; “.... The aim was to provide proofs that we occupied the town after sever[e] battles with Hezbollah fighters..." more.. Abu Khosa’s bodyguard one of the Kidnappers Palestinian Information Center 10/26/2006 Gaza - The bodyguard of Tawfik Abu Khosa, the Fatah spokesman in the Gaza Strip, is one of the kidnappers of the AP photographer who was released one day after his abduction at the hands of armed men in front of his residence in Gaza city on Tuesday, well informed Palestinian sources revealed. They identified the kidnappers as Salman Abu Amra, Abu Khosa’s bodyguard, and Sa’eed Abu Amra, the bodyguard of Mohammed Joda one of the senior officials in the PA chief’s office in Gaza and Mohammed Filfil, affiliated with the PA police force, which is under the direct command of the PA chief. A source close to the PA government expressed surprise at the news, questioning whether those elements were acting on their own. more.. Assassination on the streets of Khan Younis Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Khan Younis - Armed men have assassinated Alaa Aldali, 32. He was an activist during the first Intifada in 1993, and was working within the Eagles of Fatah groups. It is believed that armed members of a family whose son was killed during the first Intifada, on charges of collaboration with the occupation, were behind the assassination carried out in the center of Khan-Younis city on Thursday afternoon. Palestinian medical sources at Nasser Hospital stated that Aldali arrived at the hospital with a bullet that had entered his head from behind, leading to his immediate death. Tensions in the city increased dramatically in the aftermath of the shooting, where dozens of armed members of both the Eagles of Fatah and the Ahmed Abu Rish Brigades, another Fatah-affiliated militant group, gathered in the streets. [end] Palestinian killed in the Gaza Strip, three on Wednesday International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 Palestinian medical sources reported on Wednesday evening that one resident was killed by Israeli military fire in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Earlier on Wednesday, two residents were killed in two separate attacks in the Gaza strip. A medical source in Khan Younis reported that resident Ahmad Kamal Al Breem, 18, was shot and killed in Abasan area, east of Khan Younis. He was killed after the Israeli army fired at a group of residents in the town. Two Palestinians were killed when an Israeli army force invaded Khan Younis area in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, Palestinian sources reported. Rami Abu Lihia, 27, an officer in the Palestinian national security forces was wounded by Israeli troops’ gunfire in Abassan area east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. more.. Israeli soldier injured by resistance fighters in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 An Israeli soldier was moderately injured during an invasion into Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, on Thursday morning. Israeli army sources reported that, the solider was injured during clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters as Israeli troops surrounded a house in Khan Yunis, East of the Kissufim crossing. The soldiers was moved to Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva. Three Palestinian civilians have been killed and two have been injured by the Israeli army since Thursday morning, across several areas of the Gaza Strip. [end] Israeli hurt in W. Bank shooting; Three Palestinians killed in Gaza Ha’aretz 10/26/2006 One Israeli was moderately injured Thursday afternoon in a West Bank shooting attack north of Hebron. Meanwhile, three Palestinians, including two militants, were killed and an IDF officer wounded in three separate incidents Thursday in the Gaza Strip. The Kiryat Arba resident was attacked in his vehicle when he was forced to stop by three Palestinians with a herd of sheep blocking the road. The three Palestinians approached his car, one of whom drew a gun and aimed at the man’s head. The man grabbed at the gun and was shot in the hand. He fled the scene and was treated by a Magen David Adom Emergency Medical Services team at a nearby intersection. The man was taken to Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem, for treatment. more.. Abu Dis invaded by Israeli military; five DFLP members arrested Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Bethlehem – At dawn on Thursday, Israeli forces arrested five activists of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine from the town of Abu Dis, an eastern suburb of Jerusalem. The media office of the DFLP in Jerusalem issued a statement declaring that Israeli forces, supported by a special unit of border guards, intelligence officers and police dogs, forcibly entered Abu Dis at dawn, arresting five DFLP activists: Daoud Muhammed Muhsin, 26; Ramzi Adel Ahmed Salah, 22; Hamza Muhammed Ibrahim Salah, 19; Mohammaed Mahmoud Salah, 22; and Omar Ibrahim Salah, 22; all from Abu Dis. [end] The Occupation Report October 25, 2006 By Jerrold Cohen, Ph.D., Editor, Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel 10/25/2006 Chronicling the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - Jerrold Cohen, Ph. D. , Editor -- Gaza Strip: Israeli police and the Shin Bet allowed publication of a story about a smuggling attempt at the Karni Crossing. Explosives were found hidden in a cage after smugglers managed to get them through the crossing, which is heavily guarded. There were 6 kilograms of TNT, headed for Tulkarm. The story was released for publication on Wednesday. (17) West Bank: Israeli troops launched a wide-scale arrest campaign in Bethlehem, particularly in Obaidiya and Beit Fajjar towns, east and west of Bethlehem, respectively. Israeli sources said that the campaign targeted 10 alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists. (6) WAFA says the number arrested was 11, including three brothers and elders. This campaign took place before dawn. more.. Military factions in Gaza target Israeli military vehicles Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Gaza - Various military factions in the Gaza Strip fired projectiles and mortars at Israeli targets on Thursday. The Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for firing a homemade ’Yassin’ projectile at an Israeli armed personnel carrier in the Faraheen area east of Khan Younis on Thursday afternoon. The Brigades told Ma’an in a phone call that their fighters hit the vehicle directly. They assured that they will continue their resistance to the aggressive Israeli operations against unarmed Palestinian civilians. Meanwhile, the An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibly for bombarding the Sufa crossing south of Khan Younis with two ’Nasser-2’ missiles. more.. Military factions detonate a roadside bomb next to an Israeli patrol in Rafah Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Gaza - The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah, have announced their joint responsibility for detonating an explosive device next to an Israeli military patrol near the iron fence located east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The two military groups said that the explosion occurred around midnight on Wednesday and the Israeli forces responded by firing bullets and flares. The two military groups said that this operation came in response to the Israeli crimes and they assured that they would continue their resistance. They also called all the Palestinian public and factions to stand together to confront the Israeli occupation. [end] Israeli sources: Armed Palestinians shoot at a settler driving near Hebron, injuring him slightly Ma’an News 10/26/2006 Bethlehem - According to Israeli sources, a group of unknown Palestinian men shot at an Israeli settler on a road in the West Bank, north of the city of Hebron. The sources added that preliminary investigations show that a number of armed Palestinians closed the road and forced the settler to slow down. They then shot at him at close range before fleeing the scene. The settler was slightly wounded in his hand and he was taken to the Hadassah Ein Karam hospital for treatment. The settler told this story to the Israeli first aid crew that rushed to the scene. He told them that armed men disguised as shepherds approached him and one shot him at close range. [end] One resident injured in Dier Al Balah town, central Gaza strip International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 The Israeli army shot and injured one resident near the border of the Gaza Strip, adjacent to Dier Al Balah town, on Thursday afternoon. Asharaf Fatoh, 37, was injured in his left leg while working in a poultry farm near the border of the strip; he was moved to Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Gaza, medical sources reported. [end] Army helicopter opens fire at residents’ houses, killing one International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 An Israeli army helicopter opened fire at residents’ houses in Khaza’a town, East of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza strip on Thursday afternoon, killing one resident. Medical sources from a hospital in Khan Younis said Ahmad Al Bareem, 18, was shot and killed in Khaza’a when helicopters opened fire at residents’ houses. With Al Bareem’s death, the death toll in the Gaza Strip today reaches three as a result of army attacks. [end] Army takes prisoner five residents from Abu Deis town near Jerusalem International Middle East Media Center 10/26/2006 The Israeli forces took prisoner five residents from the town of Abu Deis near Jerusalem on Thursday morning. Troops and police officers stormed the town and searched and ransacked residents’ houses before taking the five to unknown locations. The five were known as: Dawod Mohsen, 26, Ramzi Salah, 22, Hamza Salah, 19, Mohamed Salah, 22 and Omer Salah. All are residents of the town. [end] West Bank olive pickers clash with Israeli settlers Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Bethlehem - Confrontations have broken out between Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers from Gilad Farm in the north of the West Bank who were trying to prevent the Palestinians from picking their olives. Gilad Farm is small illegal Israeli settlement, close to the larger, but still illegal, settlement of Keddumim, west of the city of Nablus. According to the website of the Israeli newspaper ’Maariv’, one settler was slightly injured and was transferred to hospital. [end] Shin Bet foils bid to smuggle 6kg of TNT from Gaza to West Bank Ha’aretz 10/25/2006 The Shin Bet foiled an attempt early this week by Palestinian militants to smuggle six kilograms of military-grade explosives from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank. Details of the incident, which occurred on Sunday, werereleased for publication Wednesday. Shin Bet forces, working off intelligence communications, intercepted a cargo containing TNT-based explosives at the Karni crossing. The explosives were headed for the West Bank town of Tul Karm. Three Israeli Arab taxi drivers, who were allegedly expected to take the shipment to the West Bank, were detained for questioning and released, after the Shin Bet accepted their version of the events, according to which they were unaware of the nature of the goods in the shipment. A Palestinian resident of Tul Karm who is suspected of arranging to receive the explosives from the drivers was also arrested. more.. Halutz: Israel to decide about stepping up their military presence along the Philadelphi axis in Gaza Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Bethlehem - Israeli chief of staff Dan Halutz has used the assumptions of the Israeli security forces as a pretext for intensifying the Israeli military presence along the Philidelphi route that stretches the length of the 14 km Gaza Strip-Egypt border. In a meeting of the Israeli governmental external and security committee on Tuesday, Halutz said that the Palestinian factions are currently able to dig hundreds of tunnels in the Rafah area to smuggle arms and explosives from Sinai in Egypt to the Gaza Strip. According to Halutz, a website belonging to the Arabs of ’48 announced that the Israeli army recently uncovered some 15 tunnels each measuring 1,500 m in length. He added that the smuggling of arms is continuing and said that Palestinian groups have smuggled sophisticated anti-tank missiles and a large quantity of light arms into the Gaza Strip. more.. Israeli army raids Qabatiya Wednesday at dawn Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Jenin - The Israeli forces seized two Palestinian men from the village of Qabatiya south of Jenin in the northern West Bank in a dawn raid on Wednesday. Security sources reported that several military Israeli vehicles broke into Qabatiya amid intensive gunfire and then soldiers carried out an extensive house-to-house search operation. The army then took Jihad Nazzal and Majdi Alawneh away to an unknown location. The sources added that the Israeli forces also broke into city of Jenin and patrolled the streets. No arrests were reported in Jenin. [end] Israeli army seizes 11 Palestinians in a dawn raid in the Bethlehem area Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Bethlehem - The Israeli forces seized 11 Palestinians from the Bethlehem area in the south of the occupied West Bank in a dawn raid on Wednesday. Palestinian security sources reported that some fifteen Israeli military vehicles invaded the village of Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, and broke into several houses. They seized six men from the village: Jaber Ibrahim Deriya, 45: Musa Ahmad Thawateh, 30: Ashraf Ahmad Taqatqa, 32: Jamal Khalil Thawabteh, 65: Muhammad Jum’a Thawabteh, 66: and Amin Abed Shamarkha, 56. The sources added that many Israeli soldiers also invaded the village of Al Ubeidiya from several directions and broke into a number of houses, damaging personal property in the process. They seized five citizens including three brothers... more.. Israeli forces raid West Bank village of Kafr ad-Dik Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Nablus - Salfit - The Israeli forces broke into the village of Kafr ad-Dik, west of Salfit in the north west of the occupied West Bank, at dawn on Wednesday, leaving destroyed cars and personal property in their wake. During this incursion, the Israeli soldiers broke into many homes, claiming they were searching for "wanted" people. The soldiers destroyed a number of cars, including one belonging to the villager, Mohammad Qa’ud. Such incidents are increasing in frequency in the villages of Bruqin and Kafr ad-Dik, which are located very close to the separation wall and not far from the large illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel. These incidents have increased particularly following the injury of an Israeli settler on the nearby bypass road (which can only be used by Israelis) a week ago. more.. Army invades Kufer Al Diek village near Salfit International Middle East Media Center 10/25/2006 The Israeli army invaded the village of Kufer Al Diek near the city of Salfit north of the West Bank on Wednesday morning. Troops searched residents’ houses and ransacked them claming that they are looking for Wanted People. During the search soldiers searched damaged cars that belongs to local residents, local sources reported, no arrests were made. [end] Army invades Tubass city and takes one prisoner International Middle East Media Center 10/25/2006 The Israeli army invaded the West Bank city of Tubass and took prisoner one resident on Wednesday morning. Ommar Fukha’e, 19, was taken to unknown location when troops searched and ransacked scores of residents’ houses in the city. Troops and army jeeps left the city but redeployed around it and installed military checkpoints on main roads leading to the city. [end] IOF Arrests 12 Citizens in WB WAFA - Palestine News Agency 10/25/2006 BETHLEHEM, October 25, 2006 (WAFA)-Israeli Occupation Forces(IOF) arrested Wednesday at pre-dawn twelve citizens in the West Bank (WB) cities of Bethlehem and Tubas, security sources said.. They told WAFA that Israeli soldiers stormed Beit Fujjar and Al-Ebeidiya towns , south and east Bethlehem and arrested eleven citizens, including three brothers and elders. They were led into an unknown location.. In Tubas, the IOF took position in the roads and entrances of the city, launched a search campaign and arrested a youth Omar Faqha 19, leading him into an unknown spot, witnesses told WAFA. [end] Three Palestinians, settler hurt in brawl in southern West Bank Ha’aretz 10/25/2006 Three Palestinians and a settler on Wednesday were lightly injured in an exchange of rock throwing near the southern West Bank outpost of Gilad Farm. The brawl broke out after the Palestinian farmers came to harvest olive trees in a grove near Gilad Farm, without requesting to be escorted by the Israel Defense Force. The procedure of providing the farmers with a military escort has been put in place after they suffered from violent harassment by the settlers living in the outpost. Police arrived at the scene and ended the fray. The Gilad Farm outpost was built in 2003 on a land settlers say is owned by lands dealer Moshe Zar, whose son, Gilad, was killed by Palestinians. The outpost comprises of ten constructions and a shed. more.. Islamic Jihad: We will continue to bomb all the places that were "stolen" from us in 1948 Ma’an News 10/25/2006 Al Quds Brigades members (MaanImages)The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have said that they will continue to bomb all the places that were "stolen" from the Palestinians in 1948. In a statement, they claimed to have fired a projectile at the Gevim junction south of the Israeli town of Sderot, close to the Gaza Strip at 19:50 on Tuesday evening. They said that this "heroic operation" came in response to the Israel massacre committed in the north of Gaza on the occasion on Eid al-Fitr. The Brigades said that sirens were heard in Sderot, which Islamic Jihad says is proof that the projectile hit the intended target. The group say they will continue to launch projectiles at "the enemy" until the "full liberation of Palestine", referring to all the land in Israel that was occupied in 1948. [end] War’s legacy includes both deadly bomblets and welcome charity The Daily Star 10/26/2006 SOUTH LEBANON: While the actual war on Lebanon may have ended on August 14, citizens in the South continue to fall victim to unexploded ordinance on a nearly daily basis. Meanwhile, a more pleasant conflict has emerged in the villages hardest hit by the month-long conflict this summer, that of which country is helping Lebanon the most." Be careful," remains the most common greeting heard in the South, where fears of Israeli air strikes have been replaced with fears of what was left behind when the Israelis withdrew. Despite a national campaign to raise awareness about the 1 million tiny "bomblets" dropped by Israel in the final days of fighting this summer, Southerners continue to fall victim to the indiscriminate devices. Mohammad Jawwad, 18, was killed last week after poking one such item with a stick while scavenging for scrap metal. more.. AP photographer released after day in captivity Palestine News Network 10/25/2006 Palestinian Legislative Council member Nabil Shaath announced the release of the kidnapped Gaza photographer Tuesday evening. The photographer, Spaniard Emilio Morinati, was abducted from his Gaza City home early Tuesday morning by unidentified gunmen. Morinati works as a photographer for the Associated Press (AP). In a press conference with Spanish diplomats, Shaath told journalists, “There are only feelings of sorrow, regret, and anger over what happened this morning. We are thankful that there was a peaceful end to this ordeal. ”No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and the reasons remain unknown. The spokesman for the Interior Ministry, Khaled Abu Hilal, stated that it is the government’s belief that the kidnappers were not affiliated with any political party. more.. Israeli raids kill eight Palestinians AlJazeera 10/23/2006 Scores of Palestinians have died in violence in the past few weeks -- At least eight Palestinians have been killed in separate Israeli army incursions into the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, medical and security officials say. An Israeli army spokesman told the AFP news agency that the Gaza incursion was launched against Palestinian fighters who were firing Qassam rockets near the town of Bait Lahiya. Fourteen others were wounded in the shootout on the first day of the three-day Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fasting month, Palestinian hospital officials said. The Israeli army said gunmen fired on its troops, who were in the area operating against Palestinian rocket-launchers. Ten Palestinians were hit in the ensuing gunbattle, it said. more.. Israeli forces invade northern West Bank town as sunset meal ends, kill one and injure 14 Palestine News Network 10/23/2006 Just after the sunset meal in southwestern Jenin, Israeli forces invaded Tamoun Village. Members of the armed resistance responded as Israeli forces rounded up residents into the center of town. The target of the invasion was said to be members of Islamic Jihad. Twenty military vehicles stormed the northern West Bank town on Sunday evening, injuring 14 Palestinians and killing 23 year old Mohammad Abdel Fatah Bani Odeh. Eyewitnesses said that the invasion began first with undercover Israel forces dressed in civilian clothing and driving a car with Palestinian license plates. The evening meal was just finishing. Director of Dr. Khalil Suleiman Memorial Hospital, Mohammad Abu Ghali, reported that Bani Odeh bled to death upon being shot. more.. Israel admits it used phosphorus weapons The Guardian 10/23/2006 Minister says shells hit Hizbullah targets · MP shocked by deployment in war -- The Israeli government has admitted that it used controversial phosphorus weapons in its attacks against targets during its month long war in Lebanon this summer. The chemical can be used in shells, missiles and grenades and causes horrific burning when it comes into contact with human flesh. White phosphorus (WP) weapons are not forbidden by international law but some human rights groups believe they should be re-classified as chemical weapons and banned. The Israeli admission was made by the cabinet minister, Jacob Edery, who was questioned on the subject by Zahava Gal-On, a member of the Knesset. Mr Edery told Ms Gal-On: "The IDF [Israel Defence Force] holds phosphorus munitions in different forms..." -- See also: Ha''aretz: Israel admits using phosphorus bombs during war in Lebanon more.. Israel defies France on Lebanon flights AlJazeera 10/23/2006 Israeli warplanes have carried out low-level flights over Lebanon, a day after Israel rejected a call by France’s defence minister to halt violations of the country’s airspace. The planes overflew much of southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut on Monday morning, Lebanese residents said. Neither Hezbollah nor the Lebanese army fired anti-aircraft rounds at them as they have done in previous years. At the UN’s New York headquarters on Friday, Michele Alliot-Marie, the French defence minister, called Israel’s violations of Lebanese airspace "extremely dangerous" and said they should stop immediately. She said an Israeli aircraft may mistakenly be seen by UN troops as having hostile intent, possibly causiing a "very serious incident". more.. Settlements growing on Palestinian-owned land, despite vow to U.S. Ha’aretz 10/24/2006 A secret, two year investigation by the defense establishment shows that there has been rampant illegal construction in dozens of settlements and in many cases involving privately owned Palestinian properties. The information in the study was presented to two defense ministers, Amir Peretz and his predecessor Shaul Mofaz, but was not released in public and a number of people participating in the investigations were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements. According to security sources familiar with the study, the material is "political and diplomatic dynamite." In conversations with Haaretz, the sources maintained that the report is not being made public in order to avoid a crisis with the U.S. government.... [Israel’s] commitments included illegal settlement building, improvements in the conditions of Palestinian civilians, and a closer oversight over the conduct of soldiers at IDF roadblocks. more.. Army invades Al Farahen and Abassan ares south of Gaza International Middle East Media Center 10/23/2006 Israeli army tanks and bulldozers invaded Al Faraheen and Abassan Al Kubra areas east of Khan Younis int he southern Gaza Strip Monday at noon. Local residents reported that two army bulldozers supported by several tanks went 100 meters in the area and started to bulldoze and destroy farm lands, no injuries reported. [end] Eight residents taken prisoner in Hebron International Middle East Media Center 10/23/2006 Israeli soldiers took eight residents prisoners in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank. Israeli army spokesperson told the Israeli Radio that six of the eight residents, taken prisoner overnight, are members if the Islamic Jihad. [end] Lebanese security: 12-year-old killed by cluster bomb in south Ha’aretz 10/23/2006 A cluster bomb exploded Sunday, killing a 12-year-old boy and wounding his younger brother in a southern Lebanese village, Lebanese security officials said. Rami Ali Hussein Shibly and his brother, Khodr, 9, where picking olives in their family’s grove in Halta when the cluster bomb exploded, said the security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media. The United Nations and human rights groups have accused Israel of firing as many as 4 million cluster bombs into Lebanon during its 34-day war with the militant group Hezbollah that ended in a UN-brokered cease-fire on August 14. UN demining experts say up to 1 million of the cluster bombs failed to explode immediately and continue to threaten civilians, especially children who can mistake the ordnance for batteries or other small objects. more.. Israel/Lebanon Conflict Leaves Deadly Legacy Inter Press Service 10/23/2006 UNITED NATIONS, Oct 18 (IPS) - The Israeli war against Lebanon was over soon after the United Nations brokered a ceasefire agreement last August. But while that may be true for outsiders, is not for the Lebanese. At least three to four people are getting killed or maimed every day as a result of cluster bombs used by the Israeli Air Force during the war, according to a new study released here Wednesday. Entitled "Foreseeable Harm: The use and impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006," the study points out that among those killed and wounded were numerous children under the age of 16. In the final 72 hours before the ceasefire, which officially took effect Aug. 14, the Israeli military fired 1,800 cluster rockets on southern Lebanon, containing 1. 2 million submunitions, many of which remain unexploded. -- See also: Foreseeable Harm: The use and impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006 (PDF format) more.. Army shells eastern areas of Jabalia International Middle East Media Center 10/23/2006 Israeli tanks shelled on Monday evening residential and farm lands to the east of Jabalia town in the northern part of the Gaza strip; several civilians suffered anxiety atacks as a result of the shelling. Israeli tanks shelled on Monday evening residential and farm lands to the east of Jabalia town in the northern part of the Gaza strip; several civilians suffered anxiety atacks as a result of the shelling. The shelling caused damage to several houses disrupting the residents’ celebration of the Muslim feast of Eid Al Fiter, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. On Monday, eight residents were killed in Beit Hanoun town, in the Gaza strip, and Tammoun village in the West Bank. Palestinian medical sources reported on Monday afternoon that seven Palestinians were killed and at least thirty were injured.... more.. Abbas slams the Israeli attack in Gaza, describes it as massacre International Middle East Media Center 10/23/2006 Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, slammed Monday’s Israeli attack in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, and described it as massacres. The statements of Abbas came after the army killed eight residents in Beit Hanoun on Monday morning. “This is an ugly massacre”, Abbas, currently in Jordan, said and urged the International Community to prevent further escalation in the situation. “What happened today is an ugly crime against the Palestinian people trying to celebrate the first day of Al Fitir feast”, Abbas said, “This is an ugly crime that does not serve the peace process”. Eight residents were killed in the attack, among them seven family members; at least thirty residents were injured. The Israeli army claimed that all of the casualties were armed members of the Popular Resistance Committees... more.. Two Qassam rockets hit Sderot; several people treated for shock Ha’aretz 10/23/2006 Three Qassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Monday evening, following a day of fighting in the Gaza Strip that left seven Palestinians dead. Several people were treated for shock after two rockets hit Sderot, damaging three cars. A third rocket hit an open area between Sderot and Kibbutz Or Haner. At least seven Palestinians, including three civilians, were killed and 35others injured in a clash between armed militants and Israel Defense Forces soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday. Four of the dead men were armed and one was a senior member of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). The PRC, an umbrella of Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, said the target of the IDF operation appeared to be Ata Shindari, who led the group’s rocket-launching branch. more.. IDF troops kill Palestinian in West Bank arrest operation Ha’aretz 10/23/2006 Ministers call for resumed control of Philadelphi route -- Israel Defense Forces troops operating in the West Bank on Sunday killed a Palestinian man during an arrest raid near Jenin. Mohammed Uda, 23, was killed by IDF gunfire as troops searched the village of Tamun to arrest Islamic Jihad activist Bashar Bani Uda. Also Sunday, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired at least two Qassam rockets at the western Negev, which caused damage to farmland, but no injuries. Defense Minister Amir Peretz said earlier Sunday that the IDF would act against all Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip whenever a rocket were fired from the area.... Cabinet ministers Rafi Eitan (Pensioner’s Party) and Eli Yishai (Shas) called on Sunday for a military operation to retake control of Gaza’s southern border... more.. Settlers make olive picking a risky business Palestine News Network 10/23/2006 Farmers near the West Bank town of Nablus are facing many difficulties during this year’s olive harvest. Israelis from nearby settlements have been threatening and assaulting the Palestinian farmers, in addition to destroying the olive crop. Resident Munawar Abu Zaher told PNN that while he was in his field harvesting olive