Violent Israeli incursion into Nablus, 8 occupation soldiers reportedly injured 

Date: 28 / 06 / 2007 Time: 09:32

Nablus - Ma'an - 

Eight Israeli occupation soldiers were moderately injured in the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday morning after explosive devices were hurled at the Israeli patrols, Israeli sources reported. In the ongoing incursion, at least four Palestinians have been arrested and numerous Palestinian houses have been transformed into military bases, eyewitnesses have reported.

The Israeli occupation army also took control of local radio stations in order to issue orders to the local inhabitants over the airwaves.

Israeli sources added that Palestinian activists threw four explosive devices towards Israeli patrols in the Al-Qasaba (old city) neighbourhood, injuring eight soldiers, who were transferred to Israeli hospitals.

For their part, Palestinian security sources said that the military operation in the city is still ongoing since it began in the early morning. Fierce clashes continue between the Israeli forces, who are stationed in the old city of Nablus, and Palestinian fighters.

The Palestinian sources added that the Israeli forces conducted an arrest campaign and imposed a curfew on the area. They are also monitoring the entrances of the Nablus hospitals.

Heavy Israeli occupation forces invaded the city on Wednesday evening amidst heavy gunfire. Our Nablus correspondent stated that the Israeli forces also blew up the electricity transformer which supplies power to Amman Street in Nablus.

The Al-Buraq Army, which is affiliated to Fatah, and the Al-Quds Brigades, who are the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, also claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device next to an Israeli patrol and clashing with Israeli troops near Rafidia hospital on Thursday morning.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent in Nablus that the Israeli occupation forces transformed dozens of Palestinian homes into military posts and observation towers. The Israeli forces also carried out house-to-house searches.

Eyewitnesses affirmed that several homes were stormed in the Habalah and Qasaba neighbourhoods, and four Palestinians were arrested.

Palestinian sources added that the Israeli forces ransacked the home of Ahmad Tbouq, a former activist who was killed by the Israelis. They arrested all the residents before then detonating an explosive in the house. The Israeli forces also invaded the Sirrisi and Hirzallah neighbourhoods of the city.

Palestinian sources added that the Israeli forces broke into home of the Al-Asaly family in the Rafidia neighbourhood of west Nablus and arrested a young man after searching the house.

The Israeli forces also took control of the frequencies of local radio stations in Nablus and used them to give orders to the local residents.

Nablus TV said that the Israeli forces transmitted the curfew order through the local stations. The TV station called this Israeli practise "illegal" and a violation of the freedom of press. The station called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to exert pressure on the Israelis to stop their violations which damage the freedom of press.

PNI and Fateh condemn invasion

The secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative and former information minister, Dr. Mustafa Al Barghouthi, condemned the Israeli attack on Nablus, criticising in particular the siege placed on Rafidia and other hospitals by the Israeli forces.

He added that the Israeli forces have turned more than 30 Palestinian homes into military bases and terrified women and children.

He also pointed out that this incursion into Nablus prevents students from taking their final school exams. It also exacerbates the poor economic situation in Nablus, he said.

Fateh spokesman Jamal Nazzal also condemned the invasion, saying that it called "the credibility of the Israeli government into question."

Considering President Abbas decreed on 26 June that all Palestinian armed groups lay down their weapons – which Nazzal points out was a "very controversial and unpopular [decision] in the Palestinian territories" – Nazzal questions Israel's motives.

Contrary to the Israeli government's stated intentions of bolstering Abbas and his emergency government, "Israel's reaction to the decision [of Abbas'] is harmful, inconsiderate, and is obviously intended to "weaken Abbas's leadership," Nazzal charges in a press statement.

Nazzal adds that the Israeli army's actions in Nablus on Thursday demonstrate "that the military carry out the most important decision-making in Israel, thereby completely ignoring the decisions of the political leadership of Israel."

**updated 13:40, 28 June 07

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