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Latest Developments No. 35 - Wednesday 18 October 2000, Web posted 11:30 PM GMT+2, Ramallah, West Bank

In only a very few areas in the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli military forces enforcing the strict internal closure imposed for the last seven days permitted residents briefly to leave their areas. However, despite the Sharm Al Shaikh agreement yesterday, the strict closure remains in force this evening. Israeli settlers are reportedly attacking the areas of Salem, Harres, Qalqilya, Salfit and Hebron this evening. No further information is available.

Ibrahim Abdel Rahman Da'oud Al Alami, 25 years old, from Beit Ummar, died today as a result of injuries sustained on 12 October at the entrance of his village while traveling home from work. Ibrahim was shot twice in the head by live ammunition, and remained in critical condition at Al Ahli Hospital in Hebron, before he was transferred to Jordan for immediate medical attention, where he died.

Moussa Shehadeh Haidar, 54 years old, from Gaza City, died today as a result of a heart attack. Moussa suffered a heart attack yesterday during clashes yesterday in Beit Hanoun as he watched his close friend Nabil Sa'ed Abed Khater, 41 years old, from Shaja'iyeh, Gaza, shot and killed beside him by live ammunition to his chest.

Bethlehem area
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Hossan, Aida Refugee Camp, Doha, Al Khader, and Tqu' village. Residents of Beit Jala spent a night in fear after public threats by Jersualem Mayor Ehud Olmert that Israeli forces would b omb residential areas of the village, in addition to prior statements made by the Southern Commander of the West Bank, that Israeli helicopters would be deployed and attack the city if confrontations did not cease. Israe li tanks were deployed last night on the borders of the city. Many residents of Beit Jala returned to their homes today after evacuating last night.

A peaceful protest originating from Hossan village this afternoon was met by Israeli Military troops preventing protesters' passage by throwing tear gas canisters at the crowd. As a result of clashes that erupted follow ing the incident, Bilal Abed Hussein, 21 years old, is in critical condition after being shot by live ammunition in his back. 4 other Palestinians are in critical condition after being shot at with live ammunition. An 11 year old child from Tqu' Village is also in critical condition after being shot by live ammunition to his head. The total number of injuries is not available.

Ramallah/Al Bireh
Clashes erupted this afternoon at the northern entrance of Ramallah after a peaceful rally was met by Israeli military troops firing tear gas at the crowd. At least 35 injuries were reported.

Nablus
Following the funeral of 26-year-old Mohammad Hassan Taleb Al Dakheel this afternoon, clashes erupted on the outskirts of the city. A total of 27 injuries were reported, 7 of which were from live ammunition. In a cont inuation of attacks by Israeli settlers, Palestinian farmers in the nearby village of Salem were attacked this afternoon while they were harvesting olives.

Hebron
Protests erupted throughout the Hebron area this afternoon. 5 Palestinians were injured as a result of live ammunition. Villagers from Khirbet Qalqis report that a nearby settlement is expanding its borders in the area, bulldozing Palestinian orchards to clear land for expansion. In Hai Al Irmaidi last night, 12 rockets were fired at the village from a nearby settlement, destroying a number of shops. No injuries were reported. The cur few placed on Israeli controlled areas of Hebron remains in place for the 19th consecutive day.

Qalqilya
Clashes erupted this afternoon at the southern border of Qalqilya, with 22 Palestinians injured, 2 of which are in critical condition due to live ammunition to the chest and shoulder.

Tulkarem
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Tulkarem, resulting in 30 Palestinians injured. Rockets from heavy machine guns launched from the nearby Israeli District Command Office attacked Khadoureh College near Tulkarem. 15 pe ople were injured as a result of the attack, which caused severe damage and fire to the building. This is the fifth time that the college has been attacked in the past two weeks.

Jenin
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Jenin, resulting in 8 Palestinians injured from live ammunition, 1 of which is in critical condition. A journalist was amongst the 8 injured. Israeli snipers shot at Palestinian cars att empting to leave or pass the villages of Silt al Thaher and Fandaqoumiyeh, which are completely isolated from other areas as a result of the strict internal closure. Israeli tanks and armored cars have been deployed aro und the nearby village of Tubas.

Gaza
Clashes erupted throughout Gaza this afternoon, particularly in Rafah, Beit Hanoun Crossing, Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis. In Khan Younis, 26 Palestinians were reported injured, including 1 Medic. A new Israeli milita ry outpost has been set up in the area of Al Karara in Khan Younis, with Israeli tanks and additional soldiers deployed. In Rafah, 16 Palestinians were reported injured as a result of clashes. During last night's rocke t attacks on Rafah Refugee Camp, 3 Palestinians sustained injuries from shrapnel. In Deir Al Balah ,16 Palestinians were injured this afternoon, including 13 year old Ismail Mohammad Abu Jayyab, who is in critical condit ion due to live ammunition to the head. Eye witnesses report that the guns with silencers were used by the Israeli military to shoot at protesters. A number of injuries were also reported as a result of clashes in Beit Hanoun. A tear gas canister was thrown into an ambulance attempting to transport injured form the area.

Jerusalem
A large peaceful rally took place this afternoon in Hizmah, Jerusalem, which was met by Israeli military forces throwing tear gas at the crowd. Clashes erupted throughout areas in Jerusalem, with a mass arrest campaign conducted by Israeli police and military. In Sawahri al Sharkiyeh, the Israeli military declared by loud speaker that the area will be under curfew from 8PM until the morning, threatening that anyone leaving their home will be shot at.


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