Overnight, the IDF makes an incursion into Bayt Awa nr. Hebron, surrounding a home in which a wanted Hamas mbr., Ali Swaiti, is hiding, occupying several nearby homes as observation posts, firing stun grenades into the home, firing on and demolishing the home with Swaiti still inside, killing him; during the operation, local Palestinians throw stones at the troops, who then fire on them with rubber-coated steel bullets, injuring 5 and arresting 3. Palestinians consider Swaiti’s death an assassination, since he could have been captured by troops. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians conducting a nonviolent march to the border fence e. of Khan Yunis to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone, causing no injuries. (OCHA, PCHR 4/29)
Monday, April 26, 2010