Before dawn, Hamas mbrs. fire at least 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel fr. the property of an UNRWA school in Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. Nearly 2 hrs. later, the IDF sends troops into the area in response, occupying the school and surrounding area while classes are in session, clashing with and making an air strike on Hamas mbrs., leaving 3 Hamas gunmen, 1 Palestinian civilian, 1 IDF soldier dead and 2 IDF soldiers, 2 Hamas mbrs., 7 bystanders (including 2 children) seriously wounded. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen along the Rafah coast, damaging an UNRWA building; the UNRWA condemns the incidents. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus (exchanging fire with local Palestinians, leaving 1 IDF soldier wounded), in Qalqilya, and nr. Hebron, Jenin. In Hebron, unidentified gunmen fire on a PSF patrol, wounding 5 PSF officers. In Ramallah, Palestinians demonstrate for the release of Hamas mbrs. held by the PA; PA security forces disperse the protesters. (NYT, WP 10/30; OCHA 10/31; IFM, PCHR 11/1; NYT 11/2)
Monday, October 29, 2007