Overnight, the IDF makes an incursion into al-Musaddar in c. Gaza, occupying several homes as operation bases, engaging in heavy clashes with local gunmen, killing 8 Palestinian gunmen, wounding 21 Palestinians (mostly civilians, including 2 journalists), detaining 50 for questioning, shelling and firing on residential areas, heavily damaging 10 homes, bulldozing 73 d. of olive and citrus groves before withdrawing in the evening; 1 IDF soldier is seriously injured, 2 are lightly injured in the operation. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into Abasan, clashing with local gunmen, killing 1 Hamas mbr. Palestinians fire rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, a Palestinian attempts to stab an IDF soldier at the Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus, is arrested. A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries sustained during the 6/07 interfactional fighting in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 12/21; NYT 12/22; OCHA 12/26; PCHR 12/27)
Thursday, December 20, 2007