HEAVY CLASHES AND GUN-FIGHTS CONTINUE IN ALL AREAS OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

36 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN TWO DAYS, OVER 500 INJURED

11 ISRAELIS KILLED, 47 WOUNDED

26 September 1996

West Bank:

Bethlehem:

As this goes to print, we are experiencing a temporary lull in the gunfire that has been taking place all day between Palestinian security forces and the Israeli army. Heavy clashes began in the morning, with a intense gun-battle breaking out at 1:30 pm between Palestinian police and Israeli soldiers in a residential area on the border between the Israeli controlled Area C and the Palestinian Autonomous Area of Bethlehem. The battle continued for more than an hour, with over 148 injured and two killed. At least 9 Palestinian security forces were injured as well. The situation remains extremely tense. The electricity generator for the area was damaged in the gunfire.

The two week old, much heralded Jewish-only by-pass road around Bethlehem, which provides quick and supposedly safe access for Jewish settlers between Jerusalem and the settlements in the south of the West Bank, has already been closed following sniper-fire on passing cars.

Clashes yesterday resulted in 130 wounded, including three shot by undercover Israeli forces, who entered the Palestinian Autonomous Area of Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem. Heavy fighting, stone throwing and tear gassing began at about 3:00 in the afternoon, and a gun battle began at about 9:30 pm. Clashes continued far into the night.

Ramallah:

Seven killed and forty injured during heavy fighting in the Ramallah area. Witnesses report that helicopters are shooting into the crowds of demonstrators and onlookers. There too Palestinian police and Israeli soldiers have engaged in heavy gun-battles, and the Israeli radio reported at 3:30 that tanks and armored personnel carriers have entered Ramallah. Director of the Medical Relief Committee Mustafa Bargouti, while helping the injured into ambulances, was shot three times and taken to hospital. In addition, fighting has broken out between Palestinian security forces and Israeli soldiers near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah.

Yesterday, seven were killed and over 200 wounded during the Ramallah demonstration at the Israeli military checkpoint into Ramallah/El Bireh.

Nablus:

In Nablus, two killed and 181 wounded today in the worst of the clashes in the West Bank. The fiercest fighting is taking place near Joseph's Tomb (an Israeli-controlled religious site located in the Palestinian Autonomous Area of Nablus). Currently, the Tomb is on fire. Thus far Israelis report 10 wounded and three Israeli soldiers killed. Helicopters here too have fired into crowds of demonstrators, and armored personnel carriers have also entered this town. As a result of the tensions, the Israeli military is building up its forces around the city.

In the gravest situation to date, Palestinian soldiers surrounded 47 Israeli soldiers during the stand-off at Joseph's Tomb. These 47 soldiers have given up and handed over their weapons, and the Palestinian forces have declared them prisoners of war. Military Commander of the West Bank Uzi Dayan has arrived in Nablus to negotiate their release. The Israeli army has issued an ultimatum, stating that if the Palestinian forces do not give up the 47 Israeli soldiers, the 10 wounded and the three killed, Israeli forces will re-enter all the towns in the West Bank.

Hebron:

33 injured, 4 from live fire in Hebron, with confrontations also taking place in all surrounding villages. A settler's bus was set aflame by a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of Beit Omar village. Israeli forces have redeployed around all Jewish settlements in the Hebron area.

As Hebron is the only major Palestinian city still under Israeli occupation, the Israeli military authorities have declared a curfew in the town.

Reports state that demonstrations and clashes are taking place also in Tulkarem, Qalqilya and Jerusalem. In Jerusalem many are injured, including PLO Executive Council member Faisal Husseini, and hospitals in the East side of the city are already facing overcrowding and are transferring patients. 40 have already been arrested in clashes in this city.

Gaza:

In Gaza, intense battles are taking place near the Gush Katif block of Jewish settlements, and at the Erez checkpoint into Israel. Currently, reports put the number of killed at 21, and 350 injured. 13 Israelis have been wounded from gunshots, and one has died.

In the morning, Palestinians surrounded the settlements Kfar Darom and Netzarim, and threw stones and fired into the settlements. Clashes ensued.

In the Jewish settlement of Nitsanit, all women and children have been evacuated. The men are taking up guard posts in the settlement.

Conclusion:

The last two days of violence in the Occupied Territories are the result of Palestinian frustration and anger over Israel's continuing policies, since the Declaration of Principles were signed in 1993, of house demolitions, torture, administrative detentions, land confiscations, closure and settlement expansions. These policies have jeopardized chances for a stable, just and lasting peace in the region. It will take more than token gestures to restore Palestinian faith that a negotiated peaceful settlement is still possible.

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LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a Palestinian non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAWE is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights.