By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
NABLUS, West Bank – Early on January 3, hundreds of Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers entered the West Bank city of Nablus. Then, the soldiers conducted house-by-house searches and arrested several people, including three high-ranking members of al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigades. Allegedly, the soldiers were following a lead in the deaths of two Israelis in the West Bank a week earlier.
During the arrests, local Palestinian youths demonstrated against the raid and clashed with the IDF soldiers. The youth threw rocks, while the Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, which resulted in nearly 30 injuries, at least one of which is critical. The demonstrators were expressing their discontent over the IDF raid despite Palestinian police forces already deployed in Nablus. In addition to the raid, IDF imposed a curfew on the city.
On January 4, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad criticized the operation and claimed that it undermined the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to secure Nablus. Nablus, the largest city in the West Bank, has been a hot-bed for militant groups. Fayyad designed a plan to ensure security and rein in militant groups after Fatah lost control of Gaza this past summer. The Palestinian Authority claims that the plan, which has been implemented in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem, is working. Fayyad stated that Israeli operations in the West Bank could negatively impact the effort to revive the peace process.
In addition, Israel launched several airs strikes against targets in Gaza. Target included the homes of members of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas. On January 3, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) hit the home of Mohammed Dadouh, a rocket-maker and a member of the Islamic Jihad, who was killed by the IDF in December 2007. The home of Abu al-Murshed, a leader of the Islamic Jihad, was also targeted. An IDF spokeswoman confirmed the strikes but did not comment whether any causalities occurred.
In an incursion near Khan Yunis, Israeli forces destroyed a house, killing two brothers, Ahmad and Sami Fayyad, and their sister and mother, and injuring their father, Sami’s wife and daughter. The home was destroyed when Israeli soldiers and the brothers were engaged in a firefight and the brothers were firing from in or near the house. The house was hit by at least tank shell. Sami was a member of the Islamic Jihad.
These strikes were in response for what Israel calls “an escalation” in rocket attacks. On January 3, Gaza residents fired a Katyusha rocket and it landed in northern Ashkelon, about 10 miles into Israel. This is the deepest rocket attack from Gaza. While the rocket did not cause any causalities or property damage, Ashkelon has a population of 120,000 people and may now be vulnerable to frequent attacks. Members of the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the Katyusha rocket.
During a 24 hour period from January 3 to 4, Israeli operations resulted in the deaths of 11 Palestinians; including several civilians. Israeli officials place the blame of the civilian deaths on the militants and state that militants endanger civilians when they seek refuge or engage Israeli soldiers near civilians.
For more information, please see:
The Daily Star – Israeli Forces Kill Two Hamas Men in Gaza, Wound Dozens in West Bank Raid – 5 January 2007
Al Jazeera – Israel Kills Hamas Fighters in Gaza – 4 January 2008
Associated Press – Broad Israeli Offensive Kills 11 in Gaza – 4 January 2008
BBC – Fayyad Condemns Nablus Incursion – 4 January 2008
BBC – Palestinians Killed in Gaza Raid – 4 January 2008
New York Times – Israeli Forces Kill 9 in Gaza – 4 January 2008
Reuters – Palestinian PM Assails Israel Over West Bank Raids – 4 January 2008
Al Jazeera – Israel Bombs Gaza Homes – 3 January 2008
CNN – Israel Pounds Gaza in Response to “Escalation” – 3 January 2008
Reuters – Israeli Jets Bomb Islamic Jihad Buildings in Gaza – 3 January 2008
Yedioth – Report: 25 Palestinians Wounded in IDF Operation in Nablus – 3 January 2008
