By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza – On December 11, Israeli tanks, accompanied by military aircraft and bulldozers, moved into southern Gaza. Residents and Hamas members state that 30 tanks participated in the operation near the Sufa crossing. According witnesses, the tanks pushed about 2 miles into Gaza and engaged Palestinian gunmen. However, an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson stated that only 10 tanks were involved.
As a result, an estimated four to six militants were killed in the operation; including members from the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees. Palestinian medics report that twelve others were injured; three were injured critically and five seriously. Also, four Israeli soldiers were “lightly” injured when their tanks was hit by an antitank missiles. During the operation, the IDF went house-to-house and detained 60 Palestinians for questioning about Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli government has down played the operation as a normal response to the constant rocket attacks launched from Gaza. Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, claims that over 4,000 rockets have been launched from Gaza in the past few months. Israel argues that the rocket attacks justify this “surgical incursion” into Gaza to destroy terrorist infrastructure.
Also, last week, Israel announced plans to build over 300 housing units in East Jerusalem. In 2003, Israel promised to freeze development on occupied Palestinian territory. However, Israel claims that they annexed East Jerusalem and thus the building is not contrary to international law. Palestinians responded to the operation and the housing announcement with outrage. President Abbas’ spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, stated “the Israeli policy of escalation aims to sabotage and place obstacles before the negotiations even before they start.”
One result of the Annapolis conference was that Olmert and Abbas agreed to meet in the future and to negotiate a final peace agreement by 2008. The first meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for December 12.
In addition to this operation in southern Gaza, an airstrike was carried out in northern Gaza. It killed one member of the Islamic Jihad.
For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israel Launches Gaza Incursion – 11 December 2007
BBC – Israeli Tanks Push Deep into Gaza – 11 December 2007
CNN – Six Dead in Israeli Attacks – 11 December 2007
International Herald Tribune – Israeli Army Attacks Southern Gaza Ahead of Talks – 11 December 2007
New York Times – Israeli Bulldozers Move into Gaza – 11 December 2007
Reuters – Israeli Ground Troop Kill Five in Gaza Strip – 11 December 2007
Times – Israeli Tanks in Gaza Threaten Peace Talks – 11 December 2007
Yedioth – Gaza Operation: 6 Militants Killed, 40 Interrogated – 11 December 2007
