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HEAR PALESTINE
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Wednesday, 29 January 2003

NEWS
**Youth Killed in Rafah this Evening
**Gaza Strip: 3 Palestinians Killed Last Night; 1 Died of Injuries Today
**Nablus: Tight Military Measures and Arrests
**Tulkarem: Hundreds of Dunums of Land Confiscated by Military Order
**Ramallah: Police Station Raided in Abu Flah village
**Jenin: Ongoing Curfew and Military Measures for 2nd Day
**Bethlehem: Heavy Military Presence amidst Ongoing Home Raids
**Qalqilya: Ongoing Curfew and Tight Military Siege
**Jerusalem: High Security Alert and Heavy Military Presence
**Palestinian Detainees Declare Food Strike for One Day

FEATURES
**Sharon Sends a Message from Jenin to the Israeli Elector
**Nablus: Severe Beating and Confiscation of School Bag as Punishment
**The Israeli Elections: Nothing New Under Curfew

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A 19-year old resident was killed this evening in Israeli fire east of Gaza
City, near Jabalya. The area witnessed bulldozing activities since the
morning.
16 residents were wounded in Tel al-Sultan area in Rafah, 5 critically,
during bulldozing activities on the residents' land. Most of the wounded are
children. A home in the area was shelled with a missile inflicting severe
material damage.
One of the main restaurants in Ramallah city was raided this evening by a
group of soldiers who arrested 2 waiters and several customers. Surda
military roadblock continues to be closed, while dozens of residents are
held by occupation soldiers under humiliating conditions. One resident was
wounded with a bullet in the face fired by occupation soldiers in the area.
2 Israeli settlers were wounded in an armed attack northeast Ramallah this
evening. A soldier was wounded in Rafah.
The "Isolation Wall" intended to be constructed in Tulkarem by the
occupation authorities threatens to confiscate 132, 000 dunums
(1dunum=1000m2) of land, i.e. 22% of the West Bank, and to divide Tulkarem
into 5 completely isolated cantons.
Jerusalem witnesses heavy military presence and searches among Palestinian
residents today. Dozens were held at a military roadblock in 'French Hill'
settlement.
Jenin continues to be placed under tight curfew for 2nd day running. The
occupation army prevented the funeral of three of those killed yesterday
from taking place in the city today. The fourth, Mohammad al-Toubasi, was
buried in his town Toubas today.
Munir Mursi (27 years old), died today affected by wounds subjected during
the Israeli invasion of al-Zaytoun residential quarter last Sunday dawn,
raising the number of those killed in the attack to 13.
The Israeli army informed the Palestinian side that 3 unidentified
Palestinians were killed near a settlement in Rafah last night. The
occupation army continues to hold on to their bodies.
8 homes were demolished in Rafah today without warning.
Several homes were surrounded with barbed wire last night in Beit Lahya with
an aim of isolating their residents.
In Bethlehem, the occupation army lifted the curfew imposed for over 70
days, until this evening.
15 residents were arrested today throughout the occupied Palestinian
territories.
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NEWS
******

*Youth Killed East Gaza City this Evening*

Nahid Dahrouj (19 years old) from Jabalya refugee camp was killed this
evening east of Gaza City. Occupation soldiers opened fire at him from a
tank targeting him in the head and killing him straight away.

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

*16 Residents Wounded in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah*

At least 16 residents were wounded in Tel al-Sultan residential quarter in
Rafah, while the occupation army was carrying out wide-scale bulldozing
activities on the residents' land near the settlements of 'Atsmona' and
'Rafih Yam', west of Rafah.

Occupation soldiers opened fire randomly towards the residents, wounding 16,
mostly children. 5 of the wounded are in critical condition. One of the woun
ded, Hjazi Ayoub (16 years old) is reportedly in extremely critical
condition.

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

*Gaza Strip: 3 Palestinians Killed Last Night; 1 Died of Injuries Today*

Three Palestinians were killed last night near 2 settlements in Rafah. No
further information was available. The occupation army continues to hold on
to their bodies as well as the bodies of 2 others killed yesterday.

Munir Mursi (26 years old) died this morning affected by wounds subjected
during the wide-scale Israeli military invasion of al-Zaytoun residential
quarter last Sunday dawn. This raises the number of residents killed during
the Israeli invasion of Gaza City to 13.

Israeli bulldozers this morning leveled vast areas of agricultural land east
of Gaza City, near Jabalya, during an invasion in which tanks and bulldozers
were used.

In Khan Younis, the Israeli occupation army based in 'Neveh Dkalim'
settlement this morning waged an attack with heavy machine gun fire at
al-Namsawi residential quarter. The residential quarter in subjected to
daily Israeli military attacks.

In Rafah, 8 homes were demolished at dawn today west of Salah al-Din Gate on
the border strip that divides the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Over 20 tanks and
armored vehicles invaded the area under intense fire directed at homes,
while bulldozers demolished the homes without warning.

The residents were ordered through loud speakers to evacuate their homes
immediately without their belongings.

The demolished homes belong to the following families:
- Al-Soufi
- Al-Masri
- Abu Khatla
- Abu Telekh

Al-Tuffah military roadblock, the only entrance to al-Mawasi area, west of
Khan Younis, continues to be closed for the second day running. Dozens of
people are unable to return to their homes.

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

*Nablus: Tight Military Measures and Arrests*

The Israeli occupation army lifted the curfew imposed on Nablus for the past
11 days until this evening and tightened the imposed siege on city.

Israeli soldiers, this morning arrested a number of residents from Balata
refugee camp, east of the city, during an invasion of the refugee camp using
tanks and armored vehicles. A number of homes were besieged. Among the
arrested:

- Iyad al-Tirawi
- Mohammad al-Titi
- Two brothers from Alfa family

Burqa Village was placed under curfew at dawn today. Several homes were
raided and the residents ordered to gather in the village's courtyard.

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

*Tulkarem: Hundreds of Dunums of Land Confiscated by Military Order*

The occupation authorities issued a new military order to confiscate over
235 dunums of land from Tulkarem, for the establishment of a "separation
security wall', east of the city, which would lead to its complete isolation
from the rest of the West Bank.

The military order which was issued on 19 January 2003 declares the
confiscation of land east of Tulkarem, within the villages and towns of Deir
al-Ghasyoun, Bala'a, Kufer al-Libid, Shoufa, that stretches along 9845
meters and with a width of 24 meters, until the end of the year 2005 for
military purposes.

The construction of the wall would result in the confiscation of hundreds of
dunums of the residents' agricultural land and the destruction of dozens of
fruitful olive trees and agricultural establishments.

Tulkarem would be divided into 5 isolated cantons as a result of Israeli
measures, and the city would be confined between the wall and the 'green
line'.

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*Ramallah: Police Station Raided in Abu Flah village*

Israeli occupation military forces at dawn today raided the police station
of Abu Flah Village, Ramallah. The soldiers carried out tight searches in
the building and arrested police officer Firas Youssif.

Israeli soldiers this evening raided a restaurant in the center of the city,
and arrested 2 waiters and 7 customers. No further information is available
at this stage.

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

*Jenin: Ongoing Curfew and Military Measures for 2nd Day*

Jenin continues to be placed under tight military curfew for the second day
running.

Israeli soldiers at noon today opened fire in the center of the city and
spread intensively throughout and around Jenin City.

A number of buildings in the eastern sector and al-Mirah quarter are
occupied, while the residents are locked in small overcrowded rooms with no
means of communication with the outside world.

These homes are transferred into military bases and locations for snipers
who open fire at anyone who challenges the imposed curfew.

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

*Bethlehem: Heavy Military Presence amidst Ongoing Home Raids*

The curfew continuous in Bethlehem since 28 November 2002 was lifted today
until the evening.

In the meantime, the occupation army continues to raid and search homes in
various areas and to prevent movement in or out of the city.

Several homes were raided last night in Deheishe refugee camp and villages
west of Bethlehem, mainly Housan and Tqou'. At least 5 youths were arrested.

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

*Qalqilya: Ongoing Curfew and Tight Military Siege*

Qalqilya continues to be placed under curfew for the second day running,
while occupation soldiers spread intensively at the entrances and
agricultural fields to prevent the residents' movement.

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

*Jerusalem: High Security Alert and Heavy Military Presence*

Dozens of Palestinians were held at the military roadblock established on
'French Hill' settlement today.

Israeli police and soldiers spread intensively throughout the city and set
up several military roadblocks, under claims of reports concerning a
possible attack in the city.

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

*Palestinian Detainees Declare Food Strike for One Day*

The detainees of Nafha, Asqalan, Hadarim, Shatta, Majido, Ofer, al-Naqab and
al-Ramla declared a food strike today for one day in protest against the
escalation of the policy of isolation, which Israeli prison administrations
began implementing lately.

Over 70 detainees are placed in the isolation cells of Be'r al-Sabi', while
the detainee Marwan Barghouti was transferred to the isolation prison of
al-Ramla (Netsan), where he is placed underground under extremely difficult
conditions.

The female detainee Itaf Ulayan isolated in Kfar Etsion prison refuses to
eat for the 15th day running, in protest against her isolation and lack of
medical attention. Over 80 detainees suffer from bad medical conditions in
Etsion prison and are continuously subjected to physical attacks at the
hands of occupation soldiers.


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FEATURES
**********

*Sharon Sends a Message from Jenin to the Israeli Elector*
Mohammad Ballas (Al-Ayam daily newspaper)

Spilling more Palestinian blood was yesterday the main factor through which
Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, "urged" the Israeli voter to vote for
the 'Likud' Party which he heads.

As was expected among many Palestinians, Sharon's government took advantage
of a day of elections in the Knesset to send a message to the Israeli voter,
its main theme is that this government is the only one able to break what is
referred to as Palestinian "terrorism" and to offer security and comfort to
the Israeli society.

It is not by chance that Sharon's government chose Jenin and its refugee
camp in order to get the message of "blood" across to the Israeli elector.

The city destroyed by Israeli war machines, and its refugee camp that still
carries the wounds of April, was the place chosen in order to get the
message across on the same day of elections.

While Israeli voters where choosing their representative in the Knesset, a
large Israeli military force was heading into Jenin and its refugee camp
from all entrances and opening heavy machine gun fire in all directions,
targeting anything that moves.

The new Israeli attack on the city and refugee camp started at 3:00 am, and
by the time the sun came out, the occupation military force of 30 heavy
armored vehicles controlled the city, spread more military forces at the
entrances of the city, and isolated the eastern and al-Mirah residential
quarters and the Old City completely from there surroundings.

Everyone in Jenin knew very well that the occupation army this time invaded
the city not to arrest anyone or raid homes as was usually the case under
the pretext of searching for the "wanted", but with an aim "to kill for the
sake of killing", especially in light of the intense fire in all directions.

By 2:00 am, the first person was killed, Rashad al-Orabi (26 years old), a
member of Al-Aqsa Brigades (Fateh militant faction), at one of the entrances
of the Old City.

In the meantime, the residents rushed to the rescue of al-Orabi. As soon as
they approached his body, they were all targeted by Israeli fire. Nidal
Kastoni (18 years old) was killed with several bullets throughout the body,
his only fault being that he attempted to rescue his neighbor.

The body of al-Orabi was left on the street for over one hour, during which
the residents attempted to get the help of Palestinian and foreign
journalists present near the location in reaching and rescuing al-Orabi.

The journalists thought that the nature of their work and the bullet proof
vests they were wearing would protect them from Israeli bullets; however
occupation soldiers opened fire at them, wounding Saif al-Dahla,
photographer for the French Press Agency.

Al-Dahla, who was wounded in the leg, says that occupation soldiers opened
fire "intentionally" at the journalists.

Al-Dahla was critically wounded on 11 September 2001 by missile shrapnel,
while with his colleague Ali Sammoudi, who works for Reuters.

Occupation soldiers did not allow anyone, including medical teams that
belong to the Palestinian Red Crescent, from approaching al-Orabi until they
made sure he was dead.

At the same location of the killing of al-Orabi and Kastoni, two other
residents were killed, Youssif al-Sa'di, member of Saraya al-Quds (Islamic
Jihad militant faction) and Mohammad Toubasi, member of al-Aqsa Brigades.

The children, who made it a point to challenge the imposed curfew by going
out to the streets and throwing stones in the direction of Israeli war
machines, did not escape the bullets of the occupation.

At least 3 were wounded, including, Fadi Qaniri (13 years old) from Jenin
refugee camp, who was hit with 3 bullets in the arm, stomach and leg.

Walid Abu Mweis, head of Jenin municipality described what was witnessed in
the city as "cold blooded killing". Abu Mweis agrees with other Palestinian
officials that what took place in the city, unexplainable preplanned crimes
had a strong connection to the Israeli elections, since according to Abu
Mweis "Sharon knows very well that any drop of Palestinian blood will earn
him more votes."

"Sharon wants to establish his new government on Palestinian skulls," says
Abu Mweis, who considers that the reason for choosing Jenin to commit such
terrorist crimes on the day of elections has to do with its special history
of resistance."

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

*Nablus: Severe Beating and Confiscation of School Bag as Punishment*
Ghazi Beni Oda (Al-Ayam daily newspaper)

The confiscation of a school bag seems logical within an equation that sees
school lessons an obstacle to the security of a society armed to the teeth,
and sees in Palestinian blood a winning card in the democratic system.

The physical attack, which the child Mohammad Fatayir was subjected to, is
nothing new for the soldiers who have become experts in killing. Physical
attacks have become nothing but a space that separates killing episodes
which the Palestinian resident is subjected to night and day.

The reading lesson which Mohammad (12 years old) was heading to yesterday
morning was transferred according to the will of the soldiers into an hour
of kicking and beating that ended with the confiscation of his school bag.
The soldiers refused to hand over the school bag until his mother went to
the military base to get it back.

The day started with the chasing of residents and students heading to school
under the slogan of breaching the curfew which has not been lifted in Nablus
officially since June of last year except for days that do not exceed 5
weeks.

From their location in the home of Abu Sanfa family, which was transferred
into a military base, Israeli soldiers cooperated with army patrols roaming
the streets. They spotted the child Mohammad Fatayir as soon as he left his
home heading to school.

"The situation cannot handle forgiveness or leniency, the Israeli elections
require quiet in the city, which school students from their classrooms may
disrupt," said the actions of Israeli soldiers throughout the occupied
Palestinian territories yesterday.

Mohammad had to pay the price for breaching the curfew in the city where
every activity becomes prohibited according to the mood of the soldiers.

However, the soldiers' mood was fine yesterday morning, since no blood was
spilled, the punishment was limited to a beating and the confiscation of his
bag until his mother headed to the nearby military base.

Israeli soldiers held Mohammad's mother (45 years old) for over an hour, and
showered her with insults. The mother thought that there was no problem in
requesting the bag that belongs to her son, who committed nothing wrong.

While Um Kamal, the mother of Mohammad, was being held by occupation
soldiers, one of her neighbors was forced to walk in front of an Israeli
army patrol on the streets and to stop anyone he finds outside their homes
and to take them to the military base, where he had to spend half his day
for not being able to play the role of the occupier from a victim's
position.

Bored Israeli soldiers become creative in finding ways to torture and
humiliate Palestinians, man or woman, child or an elderly person.

Mohammad Awad, taxi driver, says that the price he pays for his children to
get to school every morning is a pack of cigarettes at each military
roadblock.

He said, "I do not smoke, but I am now forced to keep packets of cigarettes
in my car at all times, because it has become like a law to cross a number
of roadblocks, where soldiers ask drivers for cigarettes if they wished to
continue to work or school under curfew."

A group of soldiers during a previous invasion of the city used a different
crossing law for several weeks. This depended on the color of clothes.
Residents wearing certain colors, which the soldiers chose, could not pass.

The day in Nablus seems to be controlled by the mood of the soldiers, who
seem to be taking part in a race concerning how many buildings and cars they
demolish and how many residents they torture.

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

*The Israeli Elections: Nothing New Under Curfew*
Mohammad Daraghma (Al-Ayam daily newspaper)

The Palestinians seemed fairly indifferent towards the Israeli elections
yesterday, expecting nothing new.

Futoun Qadri (25 years old), an employee from Nablus said, "Tomorrow would
be just like today, nothing new under siege and curfew."

The city of Nablus is placed under continuous curfew since 11 days.

Yesterday, the curfew spread to include all cities north of the West Bank as
well as Bethlehem in the south.

The Palestinians seemed interested in the Israeli elections at the
beginning, 3 months ago, hoping for a change in the Israeli political scene
that would bring an outlet from the current situation, considered the most
dangerous and bloody in the history of Palestinian-Israeli struggle.

The Israeli society, however, is not ready for an Israeli Charles de Gaulle,
meaning a leader able and willing to solve the historical struggle and to
put an end to the ongoing blood bath, just as the French leader Charles de
Gaulle did in Algiers, when he took the historical decision to end the
occupation of the Arab state, which was considered a part of France. The
Algerians achieved independence in 1962.

The new Israeli Labor leader Amram Mitzna who declared a political program
that would perform a unilateral withdrawal from the majority of Palestinian
areas, the dismantlement of settlements and the continuation of the wall
isolating the two people, was received with no excitement in the Israeli
street.

This street preferred to continue to support the current Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon moved by slogans of the Israeli right factions that are based
on war, revenge and the defeat of the Palestinians, who the propaganda
campaign of these factions portrays as wanting to end the State of Israel
and not to achieve freedom in peace alongside the Hebrew State, which is
what the majority of the Palestinian political factions call for.

The Palestinians received the decision of the Israeli street with great
worry. Dr. Ali al-Jarbawi, Political Science professor at Bir Zeit
University said, "It worries me that Sharon is in power, but what worries
more is the society that chose Sharon."

He wondered, "How can we make peace with a society that elects Sharon."

Contrary to what the electors of Sharon looked for through choosing him to
continue the war on the Palestinians, the Palestinians do not seem scared
that Sharon remained in power, despite being known for his brutality and
bloodiness.

Futoun Qadri said, "Will Sharon do more than what he did already, I believe
that the worse is gone", referring to the wide-scale invasion and
reoccupation of all the West Bank cities last April, during which whole
residential areas were completely demolished and collective killings of
Palestinian residents were committed.

Following the re-occupation, the Israeli siege was tightened even further in
an unprecedented manner not simply in the history of the struggle between
the two people, but throughout human history. The Israeli army changed every
village, city, town and refugee camp into a canton closed with military
roadblocks and isolated from the outside world.

The percentage of poverty and unemployment among the Palestinians rose as a
result of the siege reaching an unbelievable level. Over two thirds of the
Palestinians live under the poverty line, i.e. on less than $2 daily. Over
half Palestinian mothers and children under the age of 5 years old suffer
from anemia and malnutrition diseases as a result.

The Palestinians saw the day of Israeli elections a day like the rest of
their days, counting their dead and thinking of ways to overcome their
difficult situation.

In Jenin alone, for example, 4 Palestinians were killed on the day of
Israeli elections.

Riad Abu Hassan (29 years old), an employee in a trade company in Nablus
said, "I did not think too much of the Israeli elections, the results were
expected, all I thought of was how to sneak out to the company's storage
room, and how I would deal with the accumulating debts of the customers, and
how I would make it home without being held by occupation soldiers for
several hours, and have my car confiscated as they usually do, and on top of
that I did not stop worrying about my children who went to school despite
the presence of dozens of tanks always in the city.