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Photo: Reuters
Clashes in Qalqilya (Archive photo)
Photo: Reuters

Qalqilya: 1 killed, 30 injured in IDF operation

Clashes break out between Palestinians, soldiers besieging a house in Qalqilya. Troops call on Hamas operatives hiding in house to turn themselves in

Palestinian sources in the West Bank city of Qalqilya reported that an 18-year-old was killed and at least 30 people were wounded in clashes that broke out Friday evening between Palestinians and Israel Defense Forces soldiers besieging a building in the city.

 

According to the IDF, wanted Hamas members were hiding in the house besieged by the troops.

 

According to the Palestinians, a large number of the wounded were children and youths, who were shot after hurling stones at the soldiers.

 

In light of the inability of hospitals in Qalqilya to treat the wounded, many of them were transferred to hospitals in Ramallah.

 

The Palestinians reported that the soldiers called on the wanted suspects to turn themselves in. It was also reported that troops brought bulldozers to the scene, apparently in order to force the suspects out of the building.

 

The IDF reported that a number of Palestinians hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at the soldiers. The troops fired back at the bottom part of the rioters' bodies and hit nine of them.

 

The youth killed was shot after hurling a Molotov cocktail at the soldiers. According to the Palestinians, the soldiers arrested the wanted suspect's three brothers. There were no injuries among the troops.

 

Islamic Jihad to halt Qassam fire?

On Thursday, security forces arrested Muhammad Zitawi, a Tanzim activist from Tulkarm suspected by the Shin Bet of being involved in the murder of eight Israelis in January 2001. Of the eight Israelis murdered were two restaurateurs, Moti Dayan and Etgar Zaituni.

 

A team of soldiers from the elite Duvdevan Unit surrounded the building in which Zitawi was hiding and called him to come out. When they didn’t receive a response, the force started to wreck the building in order to compel him to come out.

 

During the operation, Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the troops, and they returned fire. Molotov cocktails and rocks were thrown at the troops. At one point, the soldiers identified a Palestinian throwing a burning tire being at them. The soldiers returned fire and hit the Palestinian.

 

None of the soldiers was hurt and no damage was caused throughout the incident.

 

And on the southern front, sources in the Islamic Jihad reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suggested that the group stop firing Qassam rockets at Israel, if Israel halts its attacks.

 

Sheikh Khaled al-Batash, one of the group leaders, said that the delegation informed Abbas that it would be ready to consider the proposal, as part of an intra-Palestinian dialogue.

 

It should be noted that all the Palestinian organizations have declared several times in the past that they would agree to halt the Qassam fire if the IDF halts its operations.

 

Efrat Weiss contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.17.06, 21:34
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