Israeli State Terrorism for June 1, 2002

Israeli military invasions and attacks continued throughout the Palestinian occupied territories today, resulting in severe material and human losses. Large numbers of people were arrested from Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Deheishe refugee camp, Tamoun town and Tulkarem.

A Palestinian youth was killed in Israeli military attacks in Nablus today and another died from injuries subjected previously in Balata refugee camp. Several others were wounded in military attacks. A wide- scale campaign of home raids and arrests were carried out in Balata refugee camp and the Old City of Nablus for the second day, while a curfew is imposed on the residents. Hundreds have been arrested from Balata refugee camp.

At dawn, Israeli tanks invaded Bethlehem and Deheishe refugee camp and imposed a curfew on the residents. Wide-scale campaign of random arrests continued for 7 hours of Israeli military occupation of the city.

The Israeli army invaded Tamoun town, Jenin, at dawn, and opened fire randomly at homes, wounding three civilians. At least six people were arrested during the four-hour invasion of the town.

The Israeli occupation army also invaded Tulkarem at dawn and arrested 21 of its residents, then withdrew after 4 hours only to invade again in the afternoon under intense military attacks.

The Israeli army also invaded Aboud town, Ramallah, at dawn today and blew up the town's Byzantine historical Orthodox St. Barbara Church as well as raided and vandalized homes in the village. A tight military siege is imposed on Ramallah and al-Bireh for the fourth day running. Civilians attempting to cross in or out of Ramallah are subjected to Israeli military attacks.

The Gaza Strip is divided into four isolated areas and in Deir al- Balah and Khan Younis, farmers are prevented from reaching their land. In al-Mighraqa and Beit Hanoun, Israeli soldiers opened fire towards a Palestinian security location as well as attacked fields in Beit Hanoun and prevented anyone from entering the (industrial) area.

Tulkarem -----------

The Israeli army reoccupied Tulkarem late last night, invading the city using several tanks and armoured vehicles from the western and southern entrances. Israeli soldiers attack homes randomly with machine gun fire as well as impose a curfew on the residents of the city.

The Israeli army withdrew after four hours only to reinvade the city in the afternoon. At least one civilian was moderately wounded in Israeli military attacks- Ahmad Budeir, 26 years old, from Far'on village.

Bethlehem -------------

The Israeli occupation army invaded Bethlehem at dawn under intense heavy machine gun fire. Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles invaded the city through al-Khader western entrance, reaching Deheishe refugee camp and imposing a tight military siege on the refugee camp.

A tight military siege continues imposed on the city and movement is life threatening.

Ramallah ------------

The Israeli army at dawn invaded Aboud town and blew up its historical church, one of four in the village. The Orthodox Church strongly condemned the Israeli attack and called on world conscious to take seriously the dangerous attacks against the Palestinian people and their historical, cultural and holy places. "The Israeli army on Friday night detonated explosives at the site of Saint Barbara. I found that this small site was completely destroyed and became a pile of scattered stones," a Greek Orthodox priest, Father Aziz Halaweh, told Reuters.

Israeli soldiers arrested Palestinian youth Baker Allan, 17 years old, in Beit Hanina, north of Jerusalem today and abused him for no apparent reason. Israeli soldiers carved the Star of David on both his temples using a razor blade as well as beat him up severely. Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers laughed as they abused the youth who bled for over 7 hours. A public car driver picked Baker up and took him to a hospital.

Palestinian youth Tareq al-Kharaz, 23 years old, was killed by an Israeli sniper with live ammunition in the head during the Israeli army invasion and occupation of the Old City of Nablus.

Jamal Abu Musalam, 35 years old, died in a Jordanian hospital affected by injuries subjected during the previous invasion of Balata refugee camp.

The Israeli army arrested several people in Nablus under humiliating conditions. Balata refugee camp is almost empty of its residents due to the wide-scale arrests, which took place.

Over 20 students were wounded today with rubber coated metal bullets in Beit Aynoun, east of Hebron. Israeli soldiers based at a military roadblock in the area attacked those attempting to cross, mainly female students, through sand piles with rubber coated metal bullets and tear gas bombs.

Gaza Strip ------------

Yesterday, Israeli soldiers based in `Neveh Dkalim' settlement, west of Khan Younis shot dead Palestinian youth Hazim Zu'rub, 20 years old.

Gaza Strip is divided into four isolated areas and Israeli soldiers carry out attacks mainly in al-Mighraqa and Berit Hanoun areas.

arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)