Troops invade Jenin and nearby villages

Friday March 27, 2009 12:18 by IMEMC News

The Palestine News and Information Center (WAFA) reported that Israeli soldiers invaded on Friday at dawn a number of villages near the northern West Bank city of Jenin

WAFA said that soldiers invaded the towns of Qabatia and Al Zababda, and the villages of Sanour, Msalya and the Martyrs Junction, south of Jenin, and installed a number of roadblocks. Soldiers also fired sound bombs in the area.

Furthermore, soldiers invaded the villages of Al Arqa and Al Hashmiyya, near Jenin, WAFA added.

Also, soldiers deployed among olive orchards around Rommana village, west of Jenin, and shortly afterwards, three armored jeeps invaded the village.

The army recently stepped-up its invasion in the Jenin area, broke into dozens of homes and arrested several residents.

In related news, Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Thursday at night a Palestinian policeman in Beit Sahour city, near Bethlehem, after invading Al Iskan area.

Palestinian security sources reported that soldiers broke into the home of Eyad Salem Al Ghazzawi, 35, after breaking into his home, and took him to an unknown destination. Al Ghazzawi is a Palestinian policeman.

Also, soldiers broke into the house of Sameeh Da’amsa, in the same area, and searched it.

Israeli soldiers shell southern Gaza

Friday March 27, 2009 12:01 by IMEMC & Agencies

The Quds Net reported on Friday morning that Israeli soldiers stationed on the eastern side of the southern part of the Gaza Strip opened fire at civilian homes and agricultural lands; damage was reported, no injuries.

Also, soldiers stationed at the Kissufim military camp, east of Al Qarara, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of homes and farmlands in the area.

Eyewitnesses reported that at least five armored vehicles and four jeeps were seen gathering at the main gate of the military camp.

Also, military helicopters carried repeated flights over eastern Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, causing panic among the residents.

Four injured in Bil'in's weekly demonstration

Friday March 27, 2009 17:23 by IMEMC Staff

The residents of Bil'in village, located near the central west Bank city of Ramallah, marched towards the wall today after Friday prayers. The protest was joined by Israeli and international activists.


Protesters banners condemning Israeli's ongoing policies and violence against civilians, especially in Jerusalem and commemorating what the Palestinians call the Land Day. The protest began in the center of the village then headed towards the Apartheid Wall which is built on Bil'in's land.

An Israeli army unit stationed behind the wall prevented the crowd from going through the gate. The army fired tear gas canisters to break up the crowd, Four were injured among them a journalist, while dozens suffered from gas inhalation.

13 injured at Nil'in village weekly protest

Friday March 27, 2009 17:20 by IMEMC Staff

Scores of villagers from Nil'in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, held their weekly protest on Friday midday against the illegal Israeli wall being built on village land.

International and Israeli solidarity workers joined the villagers and marched towards the land which is being confiscated by Israel to build the wall.

As soon as locals and international supporters arrived in the part of the village where Israel is building the wall, soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets; also firing live rounds of ammunition. Troops also invaded the village after the protesters when back and fire tear gas the homes there.

13 people where injured among them a local youth who been taken to hospital in Ramallah city, after soldiers shot him in the leg with a live round, the rest were treated locally. Dozens were treated for gas inhalation.

Four injured at peaceful protest near Bethlehem

Friday March 27, 2009 17:13 by IMEMC News - Agencies

On Friday, more than one hundred Palestinian, Israeli and international demonstrators gathered at al-Ma'sara, a village near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The villagers along with there international and Israeli supporters marched towards the village lands where Israeli is building the wall.

Soldiers stopped the people and attacked them with rifle buts and batons, witnesses said that four sustained moderate wounds among them one journalist working for Ruters.

Palestinian activists in Bethlehem have been organizing nonviolent activities against the wall shortly after the Israeli military started building the wall on their agricultural land.

Over one million olive and other trees have been chainsawed and uprooted by Israeli bulldozers for the sake of building the wall inside the West Bank.