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Latest Developments No. 37 - Friday 20 October 2000, Web posted 10:30 PM GMT+2 Ramallah,
West Bank
A total of 9 Palestinians were killed this afternoon, another
clinically dead, with at least 400 reported injuries.
Nablus
In a continuation of Israeli settler violence against
Palestinian civilians, Palestinian families from Kufur Qalil harvesting
olives in a nearby orchard were attacked this morning by Israeli
setters under the protection of the Israeli military, who opened fire
with live ammunition on the group of over 50. Adnan Mohammad
Khairi Ass'ad Dwaikat, 21 years old, from Balata Village, Nablus,
was shot and killed as a result of the attack, with a number of
others injured by live ammunition. Eyewitnesses report that
Adnan's head was completely blown off by the shot, with medics
unable to determine the type of ammunition used causing such
severe damage. Israeli settlers and soldiers prevented anyone from
leaving or reaching the area. Palestinian residents from Nablus,
upon hearing of the death of Adnan and the ambush on the
families, marched to the area. According to eyewitnesses, the
group were met by Israeli soldiers and settlers who came out from
behind trees in the area and began to shoot. Confrontations
erupted, with at least 30 injuries as a result of live ammunition, all
to the head and chest, 10 of which are in extremely critical
condition, and 4 Palestinians reported dead as a result of live
ammunition:
1. Amjad Ahmad Akram Abu Issa, 33 years old, from Kufur Qalil,
Nablus, was shot and killed by live ammunition to the chest.
2. Firas Khalil Mustafa Zaid, 26 years old, from Tubas, was shot
and killed by live ammunition to the chest.
3. Issa Abdullah 'Ishteweh, 21 years old, from Balata Refugee
Camp, live ammunition to the head.
4. Sa'id Tambour, 18 years old, Nablus was declared clinically
dead.
Ambulances attempting to reach the injured were prohibited, with
Israeli soldiers and settlers shooting live ammunition at the
ambulances, damaging at least one of the vehicles. At least 50
Palestinians remained trapped and surrounded by Israeli settlers
and soldiers in the olive grove, until the Red Cross was able to
intervene and evacuate the residents at 9:00PM. Near Askar
Refugee Camp, 3 year old Aref Abu Qa'oud and his mother were
shot with live ammunition by Israeli settlers while picking olives in a
nearby olive orchard. Both are in critical condition.
Gaza
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Rafah and Khan Younis,
with a total of 50 Palesitnians injured, at least 3 of which are in
extremely critical condition, including 2 children. In Rafah this
afternoon, the Israeli military attacked with rockets residential
areas, with one woman and her son injured in the head by shrapnel
while in their home. Both are in critical condition.
Salfit
In Salfit this afternoon, Israeli settlers attacked a group of
Palestinian children on the streets of the city. 'Ala Bassam
Abdullah Bani Nimri, 14 years old, from Salfit, was shot and killed
by live ammunition to his heart as a result of the ambush.
Qalqilya
In a similar incident, Samer Talal 'Aweissi, 16 years old,
from Qalqilya, was shot and killed this afternoon by live ammunition
to his chest. Following the announcement of his death clashes
erupted in the area, with at least 35 Palestinians reported to be
injured by live ammunition.
Jenin
Clashes erupted this afternoon in the Jenin area, with the
heaviest confrontations reported on the main street of Al Nasreh.
At least 60 Palestinians have been injured by live ammunition, 9 of
which are in extremely critical condition. Nidal Hammoudeh Abu
Shakrah, 20 years old, from Jenin, was shot and killed by live
ammunition to the heart. Clashes continue throughout the area,
with ambulances prohibited from reaching those injured.
Ambulances are being shot at with live ammunition by the Israeli
military, with at least one ambulance severely damaged. In the
nearby villages of Ya'bad and Silt Al Thaher, Israeli settlers
attacked Palestinian residents, with at least 5 Palestinians
reported in critical condition.
Tulkarem
Throughout the day, Israeli settlers have been attacking
Palestinians traveling along the main roads leading from Nablus to
Tulkarem, with a number of attacks reported on Palestinian farmers
harvesting olives in orchards around the city. Earlier this evening,
the Israeli military raided the eastern part of Tulkarem, within
Palestinian Authority controlled Area A. Palestinian residents
threw stones at their vehicle, after which Israeli soldiers in the
vehicle opened fire. Mohammad Ibrahim Abu Tahoun, 16 years old
from Tulkarem, was shot and killed as result of live ammunition to
his chest and neck, and another 4 Palestinians reported to be in
critical condition as a result of live ammunition. Clashes erupted
following the incident and continue into the evening.
Hebron
Following continuous reports of Palestinians killed
throughout the West Bank today, brief clashes erupted in Halhul
and Beit Ummar in Hebron. At least 30 Palestinians were reported
injured, with one in critical condition. In Beit Ummar, the Israeli
military shot at the main electrical generator, cutting off electricity
supply to the area. Israeli controlled areas of Hebron remain under
Israeli imposed curfew for the 21st day.
Ramallah
A peaceful protest rally of almost 20,000 Palestinians
marched through Ramallah to the northern entrance of the city this
afternoon. The rally was met at the borders by the Israeli military,
who shot live ammunition at the crowd. Tha'er Ali Daoud, 18 years
old from Am'ari Refugee Camp, was shot and killed by live
ammunition to the head. At least 107 others were reported injured,
primarily to the upper body, with one Palestinian in critical
condition as a result of live ammunition to the neck.
Bethlehem area
Early this afternoon, a large group of Israeli
soldiers deployed near the entrance of Beit Sahour. Residents of
the area reported three tanks and armored vehicles deployed at the
entrance, in addition to tanks and armored cars deployed near
Jabal Abu Ghneim and Beit Jala. Residential areas of Beit Jala
were attacked by rockets fired from a nearby tank, damaging one
home in the northern area of Beit Jala. No injuries were reported.
Israeli helicopters fired from heavy machine guns into residential
areas in Beit Sahour. Several injuries were reported, including a 12-
year-old child injured by shrapnel.
Jerusalem
Israeli police and soldiers prevented Palestinians under
the age of 45 to enter the Haram Al Sharif this afternoon for mid-
day prayers. Confrontations erupted shortly after, with a number of
injuries reported. Israeli checkpoints were also set up throughout
Jerusalem this afternoon, preventing Palestinians from reaching the
Old City of Jerusalem.
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