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HEAR PALESTINE
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Sunday, 01 December 2002

NEWS
**Car Shelled from Apache Helicopters East Gaza, 3 Civilians Wounded
**Israeli Tanks Shoot Civilian in Rafah
**2 Civilians Killed, 11 Wounded in Wide-Scale Israeli Attack on Beit Lahya
**Israeli Army Escalates Oppressive Measures in Toubas
**Bethlehem Under Curfew for 11th Day Running
**Ramallah Under Curfew for 3rd Day Running

FEATURES
**Tanks, Ditches, Sand Piles Strangle Jenin; Movement a Dangerous Adventure
**Israeli Attacks near Settlements Impose New Traditions on Residents

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The Israeli occupation army invaded Beit Lahya town, north Gaza Strip, late
last night and imposed its control on the area. Around 55 tanks and armored
vehicles, bulldozers and military ambulances invaded the area from the
northern side of the town and the beach under intense and random heavy fire.
The invading army continued reaching the entrance of Jabalya refugee camp.
Limited confrontations broke out between the invading army and Palestinian
fighters. The Israeli military operation in Beit Lahya continued through the
morning hours of today.

2 Palestinian civilians were killed and over 11 wounded in the attack. 3
homes were demolished. One of the civilians killed, died under the rubble of
his demolished home after refusing to leave despite threats by the
occupation army of demolition.

Israeli occupation soldiers specifically besieged the homes of those killed
during the current Intifada in the area. 4 helicopters hovered at a low
altitude and attacked the locations of Palestinian fighters with heavy
machine gun fire.

Israeli occupation soldiers yesterday morning killed youngster Hatem al-Ijla
(16 years old) while passing with his friends near al-Muntar crossing, east
Gaza City. Witnesses reported that al-Ijla was 600 meters away from
occupation soldiers and did not impose any threat on them. None of his
friends were wounded.

In Rafah, 3 civilians were wounded last night in al-Salam residential
quarter when occupation soldiers opened fire towards a group of people in
the area. The Israeli army invaded the residential quarter with a number of
armored vehicles under intense machine gun fire directed towards homes. An
Israeli bulldozer under military protection demolished land cultivated with
olive trees. Bulldozing activities on agricultural land and of the rubble of
homes demolished in the past continued since the morning in the area.

In Khan Younis, the Israeli occupation army supported by tanks invaded
Qaizan Abu Rashwan area, south of the city at dawn yesterday. The occupation
army demolished agricultural land and establishments near 'Jan Or'
settlement in the area, which was invaded by Israeli tanks and bulldozers
within a distance of 400 meters.

In Ramallah and al-Bireh, the Israeli occupation army yesterday arrested 8
youths for challenging the imposed curfew since Friday dawn. Since early
morning, Israeli armored jeeps chase cars and people on the streets in an
attempt to enforce the curfew.

A curfew continues to be imposed on Bethlehem, where military measures
imposed on the residents were tightened even further.

In Hebron, the Israeli occupation army fire bullets and tear gas bombs at
residents in the center of the city to enforce the curfew continuous for 2
weeks and prevent the residents from reaching the commercial center of the
city (Bab al-Zawiya). Groups of Israeli settlers carried out attacks against
Palestinian homes and property in the city in front of Israeli soldiers who
did not interfere to stop them. On another front, the occupation authorities
issued 3 home demolition orders in the village of 'Arab al-Ramadin'.

In Tulkarem, the Israeli occupation army continues to impose a tight
military siege while intermittently invading the city that lives under
difficult conditions as a result of the continuous siege and systematic
destruction of the its infrastructure.

In Nablus, the occupation authorities lifted the imposed curfew on the city
today and tightened the military closure around it. All entrances were
closed with sand piles, while a large number of military forces spread in
surrounding fields. Random home raids continue to be carried out in the city
at the same time.

The Israeli occupation army declared yesterday that 8 wanted Palestinians
were arrested, including 2 Islamic Jihad activists. The Israeli army
arrested an Islamic Jihad activist in Bethlehem, which was re-occupied on 22
November, according to Israeli military sources. 5 Palestinians were
arrested in Bani N'im near Hebron and a 6th on Nablus yesterday. More were
arrested today.

The Israeli military sources reported that 55 "wanted" Palestinians have
been arrested in Nablus, adding that 5 of these are leaders of armed groups,
including Majid al-Masri head of Al-Aqsa Brigades in Nablus (arrested
Friday).

Israeli military sources claimed that 8 of the arrested were preparing to
carry out operations against Israeli targets, without giving any more
clarifications. On another front, the Israeli occupation army declared that
a (40 kg) bomb was discovered and discharged yesterday after it was planted
on a fence near 'Kisofim' settler crossing.
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NEWS
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*Car Shelled from Apache Helicopters East Gaza, 3 Civilians Wounded*

An Israeli Apache helicopter shelled a car east Gaza City, near Jabalya
refugee camp, with 2 rockets. Three passers by were wounded in the attack.
The car was completely demolished.

The two people who were inside the car and who it is assumed were the target
of the assassination managed to escape before the car was attacked.

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*Israeli Tanks Shoot Civilian in Rafah*

Iyad Abu Jarad (29 years old) was wounded this evening when a tank opened
fire at him while on his agricultural land near Rafah crossing, southeast
Rafah City.

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*2 Civilians Killed, 11 Wounded in Wide-Scale Israeli Attack on Beit Lahya*

Two Palestinian civilians were killed and over 11 wounded in a wide-scale
Israeli military attack on Beit Lahya that started late last night, just
before midnight.

The resident Mahmoud Na'rani (32 years old) was killed in Israeli fire in
Beit Lahya after midnight. Medical sources reported that Na'rani was hit
with several bullets, which led to his death.

A 70-year old man was killed under the rubble of his demolished home in Beit
Lahya. Ashour Dib insisted on staying inside his 6-story house despite
Israeli army threats to demolish the home with him inside.

According to his relatives, Ashour suffers from hearing and vision problems
because of his old age and that occupation soldiers did not give the
residents a chance to evacuate the house and prevented them from collecting
their basic belongings.

Ashour was pulled out from underneath the rubble after his home was blown up
remotely using explosives.

Over 50 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles invaded the town and demolished 3
homes under claims of searches for "wanted" people. The Israeli occupation
army advanced from settlements north of the Gaza Strip towards al-Atatira
and Beit Lahya, north Gaza Strip.

A curfew was imposed on the residents during the military operation. Israeli
occupation soldiers spread intensively in and around the town and besieged a
number of homes. Several homes were brutally raided and youths arrested
randomly.

Israeli snipers occupied several roofs and directed machine guns towards
anything that moves on the streets or balconies.

The home of the deceased Jihad al-Masri was blown up using explosives as
well as another home that belongs to the Mayor of Beit Lahya Khaled
Hammouda, whose son has been chased by the occupation army for several
years. A third home that belongs to Hisham Salem was also blown up after
those inside were forced to leave under the threat of weapons. Dozens of
adjacent homes were damaged as a result as well as electricity and general
services made in-operational.

The invasion, as usual, took place under the cover of attack helicopters and
observation planes. Israeli tanks and helicopters waged random attacks on
homes with heavy machine gun fire.

At least 11 people were wounded in the attack on areas north Gaza Strip.
Medical sources reported that Israeli soldiers prevent the movement of
ambulances into the area and threaten to shoot at any ambulance that
attempts to approach.

Israeli soldiers also occupied the Palestinian intelligence headquarters in
Atatira area and besieged the police station in Beit Lahya, the town's
council building and Fateh headquarters.

Israeli soldiers also besieged Salem mosque and ordered those inside to
evacuate under the threat of weapons.

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*Israeli Army Escalates Oppressive Measures in Toubas*

The Israeli occupation army this morning tightened the imposed military
siege on Toubas and its suburbs, while placing more military roadblocks at
the entrances of the city and its alternative sand routes.

Public car drivers in the area said that a new military roadblock was placed
at the southern entrance of Toubas, preventing cars from crossing either way
and confiscating car keys.

Residents also reported that the Israeli army also sets up moving military
roadblocks at the entrances of residential quarters and streets to limit
their movement within the town.

Framers were chased by armored jeeps this morning and forced to return to
their homes, a measure that has been repeated continuously since the
beginning of the season.

The occupation army invaded Toubas for the 5th time in 5 days, and last
night closed Tayaseer military roadblock, east of the city with a metal gate
and a pad lock.

Hundreds were prevented today from reaching their work places especially in
the Jordan Valley villages.

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*Bethlehem Under Curfew for 11th Day Running*

The Israeli occupation army continues to impose a curfew on the cities,
towns, villages and refugee camps of Bethlehem for the 11th day running,
while escalating attacks against the residents and their property and
tightening the imposed siege.

Several military roadblocks are set up before fast breaking time to delay
the movement of people. There have been several reports of Israeli soldiers
physically attacking and abusing residents at these military roadblocks.

A gas bomb almost killed a whole family in al-Khader Village today. Israeli
soldiers fired the gas bomb inside Issa family home while they were asleep.

The occupation army set up more military roadblocks today on main and side
roads, limiting the movement of ambulances and journalists.

Yesterday, Israeli soldiers fired metal bullets and teargas bombs at
children throwing stones in their direction in Deheishe refugee camp.

The residents of Bethlehem suffer from shortage of gas for cooking and
heating.

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*Ramallah Under Curfew for 3rd Day Running*

The Israeli occupation army this morning imposed a tight curfew on Ramallah
and al-Bireh for the 3rd day running and chased residents who challenged the
curfew throughout the city. Israeli soldiers fire bullets and teargas and
sound bombs towards civilians in the city to enforce the curfew.

Israeli army patrols roam the streets continuously. A number of people were
physically attacked today and their car keys confiscated.

Despite the curfew, a tight military siege was imposed on the city today.
Residents in surrounding villages were unable to move.

************************************

*Salah al-Din Road Closed*

The Israeli occupation army without warning closed al-Matahin military
roadblock, north al-Qarara in Khan Younis, on Salah al-Din Road today and
held hundreds of people attempting to cross with their cars.

Salah al-Din Road links north and south Gaza Strip.

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FEATURES
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*Tanks, Ditches, Sand Piles Strangle Jenin; Movement a Dangerous Adventure*
By Muhammad Ballas (Al-Ayam daily newspaper)

The scene of queues of cars and hundreds of residents attempting to cross
into the city of Jenin has become familiar for anyone who crosses the
'Borqin Road', which has become the only route and a very difficult one to
reach the city since the occupation army imposed an unprecedented siege of
ditches, sand piles and destruction of routes leading to the city.

Anyone who takes this route is forced to walk on foot for a long distance
over high sand piles on destroyed land.

Everyone who passes through this route has a story. Among them are elderly
people trying to obtain aid, patients after medicine not found in their
villages, students whose only worry is to get to university and employees
whose motive is reaching their work places.

Among these is Haj Abu Muhammad from Borqin Village who required the help of
a number of youths to cross the difficult route and then to find a car to
take him to the city to reach the diabetes center.

"Thank God we crossed half the way, we still have another half to go," said
Abu Muhammad while thanking the youths who helped him cross the deep ditch
and the sand pile, thinking of the size of the difficulties he is going to
face, without escape, on the way back.

This old man's situation was similar to everyone else who waited for the
heavy Israeli war machinery to leave 'Borqin Road' before they rushed as
soon as these are gone to sneak into the city.

Abu Ali said he had no choice but to take the risk, since his medical
condition does not allow him to wait until the siege is lifted, especially
after he ran out of medicine for his diabetes, which can not be obtained
except from the health headquarters in Jenin.

Suddenly Abu Muhamamd and all those attempting to cross started running
towards the adjacent olive groves, as they heard the sounds of Israeli tanks
approaching the place.

Heavy Israeli war machines do not hesitate to open fire towards anyone who
attempts to cross the 'Borqin Road', which forces the residents to wait for
long hours and in some cases all day until they get the chance to cross.
Many are forced to return when they feel that it has become late.

Even the mountains that were the residents' last option to reach the city,
did not escape Israeli army practices. Parts of the mountains were destroyed
which prevents the residents from crossing.

Muhammad Ghanem, head of Borqin Village Council, described the siege imposed
by the occupation army on the village and all towns and villages surrounding
Jenin as "the tightest of its kind since several years, it paralyzed all
aspects of life, especially on the agricultural and labor fronts, which form
the sources of income for the residents of the town, over 5000 people."

Ghanem said, "We are facing a programmed hunger war that targets the daily
living of our children, these sand piles and ditches that spread everywhere
have become like a knife placed on our necks, making our lives an unbearable
hell."

He stressed that unemployment has been on the increase since 2 years, while
opportunities for work in the local market are limited, even non-existent as
a result of the siege and the curfew imposed.

On the agricultural front, Ghanim said, "This sector witnesses a dangerous
retreat as a result of the inability of farmers to reach their land,
especially Ibin Amer Marj fields and Kufer Dan fields, which have become
bases for Israeli tanks that intentionally destroy agriculture while in the
first stages of growth."

Farmers in the area know very well that any attempt to reach their land
could cost them their lives, since Israeli tanks in the area open fire at
anything that moves.

Israeli soldiers threatened farmers several times to shoot them if they
tried to return to their land and physically attacked dozens of them and
opened fire in their direction.

The farmers also suffer from the destructive activities carried out on their
land, agriculture and water network.

Olive farmers suffered severely during this olive season. They were unable
to harvest their olives and forced to leave their trees, which were picked
and/or destroyed by the occupation army.

************************************

*Israeli Attacks near Settlements Impose New Traditions on Residents*
By Khali al-Sheikh (Al-Ayam daily newspaper)

The almost daily Israeli military attacks and shelling in areas near the
demarcation lines and settlements has become a new tradition at times of
'Iftar' (fast breaking time in the evening) and 'Suhour' (last meal before
day break) and also in between.

As soon as people in these areas prepare to eat, Israeli military movements
start.

The residents take their precautions beforehand from random bullets fired by
the occupation army invading their land and residential areas.

The resident Jihad (38 years old) who lives in a humble home at the southern
borders of 'Dogit' settlement established on Palestinian land in Beit Lahya
said that he spends most hours of the night awake with his 6 children in
case of Israeli military attacks or a sudden invasion of the area, which
would place his family in danger.

He said that members of his family are used to such conditions and
atmospheres, pointing out that they make sure to stay up at night when
occupation soldiers intentionally intensify their military attacks.

Muhammad Awad (16 years old) from Beit Hanoun town was walking in front of
his home the night before last when Israeli soldiers based near 'Nitsanit'
settlement established on Palestinian land east of the town shot him dead.

The residents do not know if the occupation army intentionally intensified
attacks against them during eating times or if the military measures carried
out almost on a daily basis are simply a coincidence.

One citizen who resides north Beit Lahya said that there are new traditions
at times of 'Iftar' and 'Suhour'. They are forced to eat in fear and panic
every day as a result of the continuation of machine gun fire from fixed
Israeli military bases only a few hundred meters away or from tanks.

The residents are also subjected to Israeli attacks during other times.

The residents of the Bedouin village near 'Nitsanit' settlement are subject
to continuous invasions and attacks. The village is placed under a tight
military siege with machine guns and tanks directed towards them. The
residents reported that Israeli occupation soldiers open fire at the village
during the nighttime. The village and its homes were also raided twice
during the month of Ramadan.