IDF attacks 2 Gaza houses

Air Force attacks two houses in north Gaza Strip that IDF claims serve to store weapons; Palestinians say 13 people were wounded during attacks on Thursday night although IDF warned residents of area prior to strike

Ali Waked|Published: 08.25.06 , 11:03

Strikes in Gaza persist: The Air Force attacked two houses of terrorists in Gaza on Thursday night, which the IDF claims served to store combat material.

Palestinian sources reported that 13 people were injured in the attacks. The IDF spokesperson said that prior to the strike the IDF informed the residents about the operation and asked them to steer clear of the area and of houses used by terror groups to store weaponry.

Palestinian sources in the strip reported that five people were wounded during the first strike when the Air Force bombed the house of Salim Taabat, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

The three-storey building was completely destroyed and a number of its residents were injured. Sources also reported that during the Air Force's second strike, a metal workshop in Gaza was destroyed, apparently because it was suspected to have been used to produce rockets. During the second strike, eight people were injured, Palestinian sources said.

The Palestinians claim that the IDF bombarded another target in southern Gaza and it is not yet confirmed whether there are any casualties.

West Bank arrests

Meanwhile, the IDF stated that two explosives devices were hurled at soldiers and gunshots were fired in their direction in operations in Nablus on Friday. There were no injured and no damages. It was also reported that Palestinians opened fire on the IDF during its operations in Jenin and an army vehicle was damaged.

The force also arrested six wanted terror suspects in Judea and Samaria overnight Friday. In a village west of Jenin, the IDF arrested three wanted members of the Islamic Jihad. Two other members of the Islamic Jihad were arrested in a village south of Jenin and another in a village north-west of Ramallah. A member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was arrested in Nablus.

At dawn, the IDF suspended their operation in order to evacuate several Hassidic Breslov members who went to visit Joseph's Tomb in Nablus without permission. Three of them were brought before police.