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Latest Developments No. 56 - Thursday 16 November 2000
Ramallah, West Bank



A strict Israeli imposed closure on the West Bank and Gaza remains in place, particularly harsh in the northern West Bank, with the majority of villages isolated from one another. A number of Palestinian cities have been witness to another night of regular attacks by the Israeli military with heavy machine gun fire, linked automatic 40mm 'launched' grenades, tank fire and helicopter missiles on residential areas.

Samer Mohmammad Al Khdour, 28 years old from Fawwar Refugee Camp, Hebron, was shot and killed by live ammunition to his heart.

Youssef Sliman Abu Awwad, 30 years old from Beit Ummar, Hebron, was shot at killed at close range by live ammunition to his head.

Samara Nimr Abdullah Nimr, 32 years old from Qalqilya, died as a result of injuries sustained two weeks ago.

Suhail Abu Shahmeh, 11 years old from Khan Younis, died early this morning from injuries sustained several days ago.

Dr. Harry Fischer, a 50 year old German Doctor residing in Beit Jala, was killed late last night during shelling from the nearby settlement of Gilo.

Hebron Brief clashes erupted this afternoon in Hebron, with at least 10 Palestinians reported injured. Samer Mohmammad Al Khdour, 28 years old from Fawwar Refugee Camp, Hebron, was shot and killed by live ammunition to his heart. Early this evening, 30 year old Youssef Sliman Abu Awwad from Beit Ummar, Hebron, was stopped by Israeli military at a checkpoint near the eastern entrance of the city while driving home from work. He was told to get out of his car, after which a shouting match erupted between him and the soldiers. According to eyewitnesses, Youssef was then shot at close range in the head with live ammunition, killing him instantly.

Late in the evening, the Israeli military attacked residential areas throughout Hebron with heavy machine gun fire and tanks, particularly in the Al Sheikh, Abu Sneineh, and Bab Al Zawyeh neighborhoods, and the village of Dura. At least 7 Palestinians were reported injured as a result of the attacks, which continue at the time of writing, with one in critical condition as a result of heavy machine gun fire to his chest. As a result of last night's attack, the Fatah offices in Hebron were severely damaged.

Bethlehem Attacks by the Israeli military with heavy machine gun fire, tanks and helicopter missiles continued from 11 pm last night until 5 am this morning, resulting in severe damage and fire to a large number of homes, including a nearby field hospital. Ambulances were prevented from reaching those injured because of the continuous shelling. One family was trapped in their home until 3am this morning while their home was being shelled. Dr. Harry Fischer, a 50 year old German doctor, married to a resident of Beit Jala and living in the village for almost 20 years, was killed while attempting to assist those injured during the attacks. He was hit directly by a tank shell, killing him instantly.

Late this evening, the Israeli military attacked with heavy machine gun fire the village of 'Abayat, near Beit Sahour, with at least 2 Palestinians reported injured: Ibrahim Mousa 'Abayat was injured by shrapnel to a number of areas on his body and Mohammad Ahmad 'Abayat was injured by shrapnel to his chest.

Ramallah Brief clashes erupted at the northern entrance of Al Bireh this afternoon, with at least 3 Palestinians injured by live ammunition. Settler attacks against Palestinian residents of a number of surrounding villages near Ramallah were reported throughout the day, in addition to arrest campaigns conducted in a number of villages. This afternoon, the Israeli military attacked with heavy machine gun fire the village of Silwad. Late last night, the village of Beit En was witness to attacks by the Israeli military with heavy machine gun fire and tank fire, with at least 20 tank shells falling in residential areas, causing damage to a number of homes and an elementary school.

Nablus Brief clashes erupted this afternoon near the village of Huwarra, which remains under Israeli imposed curfew for the 45th day. At least 5 Palestinians were reported injured. The Israeli military earlier in the day raided a boys elementary school in the village, and arrested a number of students. Settler attacks were also reported against Palestinian residents and farmers attempting to harvest olives throughout the day.

Early in the evening, the Israeli military attacked residential areas in Nablus with heavy machine gun fire and tanks, causing severe damage to homes and injuring 5, one of which is in critical condition. Damage was also reported to the offices of Palestinian Force 17, injuring a member of the Palestinian National security forces.

Salfit and Qalqilya Clashes erupted near the southern entrance of Qalqilya this afternoon, with at least 20 Palestinians reported injured, 4 of which are in critical condition. In the nearby village of Atlit, the Israeli authorities bulldozed 20 dunums of agricultural lands, uprooting olive and carob trees. . In Salfit, at least 60 dunums of olive groves were bulldozed and trees uprooted, and a water cistern supplying water to a number of orchards was destroyed. Settler attacks were reported throughout the day. Late last night and into this morning, the Israeli military attacked residential areas of Salfit with heavy machine gun fire and tanks, causing damage to a number of homes, the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government and a nearby Fateh office. One resident was injured while asleep in his home by heavy machine gun fire to his leg.

Jenin Brief clashes erupted this afternoon in the Silt Al Thaher area, with at least 14 Palestinians reported injured. Arrest campaigns continue to be conducted by the Israeli authorities in the village, with 5 Palestinians arrested today. Settler attacks against Palestinian residents were reported throughout the day. The Israeli military bulldozed approximately 20 dunums of land in the Jenin area this afternoon, uprooting hundreds of olive trees.

Tulkarem Brief clashes were reported this afternoon in Tulkarem, with at least 14 Palestinians injured. An Israeli imposed curfew remains in place on the villages of Nazlit 'Issa and Baqa Al Sharqiyeh.

Gaza Brief clashes were reported in Gaza, with at least 17 Palestinians injured, 2 of which are in critical condition. The Israeli military sealed off five roads in the Rafah area, along Salah Eddin street. This afternoon, the Israeli military attacked with heavy machine gun fire and tanks residential areas of Rafah, causing damage to a number of homes. Later this evening, the Israeli military attacked with heavy machine gun fire and tanks residential areas of Khan Younis, Deir Al Balah and Karara. No information on injuries or damage is available.

Jerusalem An arrest campaign by the Israeli authorities continues throughout areas in Jerusalem, particularly in Wadi Al Joze and Ras Al 'Amoud. Clashes erupted this afternoon at Qalandia refugee camp, with no injuries reported. Israeli settler attacks against Palestinian residents resulted in the injury of 2 Palestinians. Early this morning, 5 Palestinian workers were beaten by the Israeli military while on their way to work near Hizmah.

Jericho The Israeli military attacked residential areas of Jericho with heavy machine gun fire and tanks late this evening. At least one Palestinian was reported to be in critical condition as a result of the attack. No further information is available.


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