Clashes erupted in a number of areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip today, with at least 90 Palestinians injured, and four Palestinians killed. A strict Israeli imposed closure on the West Bank and Gaza remains in place.
Ihsein Mohammad Salem Bayyat, 34 years old from Bethlehem, was killed today after an Israeli attack helicopter fired missiles at the car he was in.
Rahmeh Rashid Shaheen, 52 years old from Beit Sahour, was killed today as a result of injuries sustained from missile shrapnel.
Azizeh Mahmoud Danoun, 50 years old from Beit Sahour, was killed today as a result of injuries sustained from missile shrapnel.
Mahmoud Kamel Shurrab, 14 years old from Khan Younis, was shot and killed today by live ammunition to his back, exiting from his heart.
According to eyewitnesses, at approximately 11:20 AM, four Israeli attack helicopters hovering over the Bethlehem/Beit Sahour area fired three air-land missiles at a civilian car in Beit Sahour resulting in the death of 3 Palestinians and 25 injured. (see http://www.rapprochement.org/carattack.htm for eye-witness report and photographs).
Ihsein Mohammad Salem Bayyat, 34 years old from Bethlehem, was killed instantly after one of the missiles fired directly hit the car he was in. Two women, Rahmeh Rashid Shaheen, 52 years old from Beit Sahour and Azizeh Mahmoud Danoun, 50 years old from Beit Sahour, were both killed while on the road near the attack by shrapnel from the missiles.
Dr. Nidal Salameh, Samer As'ad and ambulance driver Adnaan Taha Hmeid were also injured in the attack. 2 civilian cars were hit, one directly and the other damaged as a result of the explosion, in addition to an ambulance that was in the area. Several houses in the area were also damaged.
A number of those injured remain in critical condition. Among the injured are:
A large number of people were gathered in the area prior to the attack to assess damages and express support to families living in the area whose homes were attacked last night by the Israeli military with tanks and heavy machine gun fire.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Gaza following the funerals for four Palestinians killed yesterday. At least 25 Palestinians were injured as a result of live ammunition, 3 of which are in extremely critical condition. A journalist for AP was also injured by live ammunition to his leg. Mahmoud Kamel Shurrab, 14 years old from Khan Younis, was shot and killed today by live ammunition to his back, exiting from his heart.
Brief clashes erupted in Rafah this afternoon. The Israeli military authorities bulldozed 900 dunams of agricultural land in Rafah, including the uprooting of hundreds of olive, almond and citrus fruit trees. Two homes were also demolished in the area, in addition to the forced evacuation of a Palestinian family in a third home, which was then transformed into an Israeli military outpost. Later in the day, exchange of fire was reported in the Rafah area.
At least 10 Palestinians were injured from live ammunition during clashes at the Mentar Crossing, one of which is in critical condition. At least 15 Palestinians were injured from live ammunition at the Tufah Junction in Khan Younis, 2 of which are in extremely critical condition.
Late this evening, Israeli attack helicopters fired 3 missiles at residential areas of Deir Al Balah, injuring at least one Palestinian who was in his home, and causing damage to a number of homes. No further information is available.
Clashes erupted this afternoon at the northern entrance of Al Bireh, with at least 15 Palestinians injured from live ammunition.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Dahiet Al Barid, Shufat Refugee Camp and Kalandia Refugee Camp, with 4 Palestinians reported injured from live ammunition. The Israeli military authorities arrested 4 students this afternoon from the Rashidiya School in Jerusalem.
Brief clashes erupted this afternoon in Tulkarem following funeral processions, with at least 10 Palestinians reported injured. The Israeli military attacked Palestinian workers this afternoon attempting to reach their places of work, with at least 5 Palestinians admitted to hospital for injuries sustained after being beaten by Israeli soldiers. In Nazlit Issa, brief clashes were reported, with lands along the main road of the village bulldozed by the Israeli authorities.
Late this evening, the Israeli military attacked residential areas in Nablus with heavy machine gun fire, causing damage to a number of homes. No further information is available.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in the Salfit and Qalqilya area following funeral processions, with at least 6 Palestinians injured from live ammunition. Israeli settlers set fire to a plot of land in the Qalqilya area, burning more than a hundred dunums of land and trees. Israeli soldiers and settlers prevented residents from putting out the fire. The Israeli military then informed owners of commercial stores and agricultural centers on the outskirts of Qalqilya to remove their property from these areas because of their intention to demolish and bulldoze the area. The area was subject to heavy shelling last night, in addition to late this evening, with at least 3 houses damaged.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in the Jenin area, with at least 5 Palestinians injured from live ammunition. In the village of Silt Al Thaher, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian residents and Israeli soldiers forced stores on main roads and schools to shut down. A curfew was re-imposed on the village this evening.
In the village of Zababdeh, Israeli settlers attacked and beat Palestinian residents, with several injuries reported. Israeli soldiers attacked anyone attempting to reach those injured and prevented ambulances from reaching the site of clashes. Late this evening, heavy machine gun fire attacks by the Israeli military were reported in the Zababdeh area.
North west of Jenin, near the village of Salem, Israeli soldiers raided Palestinian olive groves while farmers were picking olives, arresting people and confiscating any olives already picked. The farmers were beaten and chased off the orchards, with threats from the Israeli military to shoot anyone who attempted to enter the orchards. In Al Jelamie, near Jenin, the Israeli authorities bulldozed and destroyed Palestinian agricultural lands, including a number of greenhouses.
Attacks on residential areas with heavy machine gun fire were reported earlier this evening in the eastern section of Jenin, and the villages of Sabah Al Kheir and Jelamie. Exchange of fire was reported late in the evening near Jelamie.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in the Nablus area, with at least 3 Palestinians injured from live ammunition. In Huwarra, Israeli settlers shot at Palestinian residential areas under curfew for the 33rd day. The village of Burin has been under Israeli imposed curfew for the last 3 days.
Late this evening, the Israeli military attacked with heavy machine gun fire residential areas of Nablus, with at least one Palestinian reported injured thus far and a number of homes damaged.
Clashes erupted this afternoon in Hebron, with at least 10 Palestinians injured from live ammunition. Israeli settler attacks were reported this afternoon throughout Hebron, with settlers throwing stones at Palestinian cars and attacking residential areas. The Israeli controlled sections of Hebron remain under Israeli imposed curfew for the 42nd day.
Late this evening, the Israeli military attacked with tanks and heavy machine gun fire residential areas of Hebron, with at least 1 Palestinian injured by shrapnel to his chest while in his home. He is currently undergoing surgery. No further information is available.