Clashes erupted throughout the West Bank and Gaza this afternoon, with at least 50 Palestinians injured. Israeli attacks on farmers and families attempting to harvest olives continued throughout the day, in addition to destruction and confiscation of agricultural lands. According to Israeli media reports, a total of at least 700 Palestinians have been arrested by the Israeli military authorities since 28 September 2000. A strict internal closure remains in place by the Israeli Authorities on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A total of 129 Palestinians have been killed within 27 days and over 4000 injured.
Bethlehem area
The village of Beit Jala and nearby Aida Refugee Camp were shelled twice by
tanks this evening from the bordering settlement of Gilo. Residential areas
in the village of Beit Sahour were shelled once by tank fire and attacked by
heavy machine gun fire this evening, burning down one home. No injuries have
been reported as of yet. In yesterday's attack in Beit Sahour, 2 ambulances
were fired on and prevented from reaching injured residents, injuring two medics
in the process. Armed confrontations were reported late this evening in Bethlehem.
Israeli settlers attacked the villages of Hossan and Tqu' this afternoon.
Hebron
Israeli settler attacks were reported throughout the day in villages in the
Hebron area. In nearby Beit Awwa, the Israeli military raided the village, destroying
personal property and homes and arresting a number of residents. Clashes were
reported in Hebron in the evening. In the old city of Hebron, a number of Palestinian
residents were evacuated by the Israeli military and their homes used as new
military outposts. A large number of homes have been evacuated in this area,
adjacent to an Israeli settlement, and converted into Israeli military outposts.
In addition, a number of Palestinian houses bordering Israeli settlements throughout
the West Bank and Gaza have been evacuated for weeks now as a result of regular
Israeli attacks by tanks and heavy machine gun fire from the bordering settlements.
The Israeli controlled areas of Hebron remain under curfew for the 26th consecutive
day.
Gaza
Intermittent clashes were reported this afternoon in Rafah, Khan Younis, Beit
Hanoun, and Deir al Balah. Israeli military reinforcements and artillery have
been deployed at road blocks throughout the Gaza Strip.
Jenin area
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Jenin following the funeral of Nimr Youssef
Nimr Mari', 22 years old from Kufur Dan, Jenin, who was shot and killed yesterday
as a result of high velocity live ammunition to his heart. At least 33 Palestinians
were reported injured. In a number of villages in the Jenin area, the Israeli
military fired tear gas into olive orchards where farmers were harvesting olives,
forcing the villagers out of the orchards. Attacks on farmers and confiscation
of agricultral lands continued throughout the day. A mass arrest campaign by
the Israeli authorities of Palestinian residents was conducted in the Jenin
area today. The number of those arrested is unknown. Israeli settler attacks
were reported in the villages of 'Anin, Ya'bad, 'Arrabi, Jaba', and Silt Al
Thaher. Military reinforcements and heavy artillery have been deployed at all
checkpoints in the Jenin area. Armed confrontations were reported this evening
in the village of Zababdeh, and attacks by heavy machine gun fire on the village
of Ya'bad.
Nablus
Israeli settler attacks were reported this afternoon in the villages of Yitma,
Huwarra (which remains under curfew for the 18th day), Beit Furik, Qaryout,
and Burin (where tens of dunums of olive trees were chopped down by Israeli
settlers this afternoon). A number of Palestinians were reported injured as
a result of the attacks. Military reinforcements and artillery have been deployed
on the borders of Nablus, particularly on Mount 'Ibal, overlooking the city.
Late this evening, attacks on the Nablus area were reported from heavy machine
gun fire.
Tulkarem
Armed confrontations were reported this evening at the two entrances to Tulkarem.
The college of Khadoureh at the entrance of Tulkarem was attacked again by heavy
machine gun fire.
Correction
Yesterday, we reported that clashes took place in Ramallah at the "'Ma'loufiyeh',
where the majority of clashes took place in Ramallah in 1996 after the opening
of a tunnel by the Israeli Authorities under the Al Aqsa Mosque Compound". The
tunnel was in fact opened alongside the Al Aqsa Mosque Compound. For further
information on the clashes in 1996, visit the "On The Ground In Ramallah Website
- reports from a town become battlefield" at: http://www.birzeit.edu/palnews/war/