Thursday, April 19, 2007

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya fire on 2 Palestinian teenagers who stray nr. the border fence, wounding 1. Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF post along the Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun; the IDF responds with heavy gunfire; no injuries are reported on either side. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Nussayrat r.c. and Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In Rafah, a Hamas mbr. is injured when an explosive device he is handling explodes prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF exchanges fire with Palestinian gunmen nr. Ramallah, leaving 2 IDF soldiers wounded; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians at Qalandia checkpoint, causing no reported injuries; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes (48 residents) nr. Susia settlement, 1 home (16 residents) nr. another Hebron settlement; bulldozes 5 d. of Palestinian olive groves nr. Avigail settlement nr. Hebron; raids the Change and Reform offices in Hebron, confiscating computers and files; conducts late-night arrest raids in Jenin town and r.c., Qabatya and nr. Hebron. For the 3d day, Jewish settlers occupying a Palestinian home in Hebron vandalize nearby Palestinian homes, attack Palestinian residents, and try to break into several Palestinian homes. Unidentified Palestinian gunmen shoot, wound a PA intelligence officer in Qalqilya. (NYT 4/20; OCHA 4/25; PCHR 4/26)