Thursday, February 28, 2008

The IDF launches Operation Hot Winter (also called Operation Warm Winter) targeting Gaza’s “terrorist infrastructure,” making more than 20 air strikes, mostly on n. and c. Gaza, killing 20 Palestinians (including at least 2 unarmed adults and 5 children, including 4 boys ages 8–14 playing soccer in Jabaliya town), wounding more than 50 (including at least 14 children, 5 women). One of the air strikes targets a Hamas-affiliated police post nr. the home of Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh in Shati’ r.c., killing 2 police officers. Another levels the labor syndicate headquarters in Gaza City. The IDF and Gaza militants also continue to trade heavy fire across the border, with Palestinians firing at least 31 rockets and 15 mortars, injuring 2 Israelis. Israel alleges that the rockets include 8 Grads fired by Hamas, 2 of which hit a house and cemetery in Ashqelon; none causes injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fires on Palestinians in Salfit holding a nonviolent protest against the IDF attacks on Gaza, wounding 2; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. (BBC, al-Dustur [Amman], REU 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/29; PCHR 3/6)