Monday, December 02, 2002

Witnesses: Israeli Troops Kill 15 - Year - Old

Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teen-ager and wounded 16 people in a crowded market in the West Bank town of Jenin Monday, Palestinian witnesses and hospital sources said.

Violence also flared in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army said it killed a Palestinian gunman posing as an Israeli soldier who attacked an army post near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim. One soldier was lightly wounded.

In Jenin, troops backed by two tanks and two armored vehicles opened fire on Palestinians shopping for food ahead of the Eid el-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, witnesses said.

Israeli military sources said troops had been sent to enforce a curfew and returned fire after armed men shot at them. The sources said soldiers shot dead a youth who climbed onto an armored vehicle.

``They were worried he was carrying a bomb or had an explosive belt,'' one military source said.

But witnesses said Mo'taz Abu al-Doom, 15, was killed while working at his family's cigarette stand. They also said Palestinian gunmen shot back only after the Israelis opened fire first.

The past week has seen an escalation in violence despite Washington's calls for quiet to ensure Arab support as it prepares for a possible military campaign against Iraq.

At least 1,690 Palestinians and 668 Israelis have been killed since the Palestinian uprising began in September 2000.

Adding to tensions was Israel's disclosure of plans to demolish 15 Palestinian houses in Hebron to create a secure passage for Jewish worshippers going to pray at a biblical shrine in the divided West Bank city.

Israeli officials said the buildings were empty. Palestinian officials said they were home to 30 families.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had pledged to set up ``security corridors'' connecting tiny enclaves of Jewish settlers in the predominantly Palestinian city after an attack by Palestinian gunmen killed 12 soldiers and settler security men in November.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat condemned the plan as part of a ``Judaisation process'' to expel Arab residents.
http://nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-mideast.html

No comments:

Post a Comment

con·cept