Some 100 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles were moving into the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip Thursday night.
Thursday night's operation came less than one day after a previous raid in the camp, in which eleven Palestinian civilians were killed.
Earlier Thursday, three home-made Qassam rockets landed in the Israeli town of Sderot. Hamas claimed responsibility for this attack.
Israeli troops early Thursday fired tank shells and machine guns at a group of Palestinians watching firefighters in a Gaza refugee camp, killing 11 people, including a 60-year-old elderly man, hospital officials and witnesses said.
The Israeli operation in the Jabalya refugee came hours after a Palestinian suicide bombing on a bus in the northern city of Haifa killed 15 Israelis and wounded dozens.
A gun battle had erupted in Jabalya during an overnight Israeli operation in the refugee camp, witnesses said, and continued as troops pulled out of the area and withdrew into an alley. Israeli troops fired two shells and heavy machine guns from tanks, hitting a group of people who were watching the activity.
Two other Palestinians were killed earlier during the army's operation in Gaza. The army blew up two buildings there, including one belonging to a Hamas activist.
“Until now, we have 11 killed and more than 100 wounded, among them 30 are in very critical condition, in a new massacre committed against the citizens of Jabalya,” said Dr. Mo’awia Hassanein, chief of emergency services at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
A Reuters TV cameraman and photographer also injured as shrapnel from the shell blasts was sprayed into the crowd, he added.
Palestinian medical sources identified some of the victims as Mohammed al-Biyari 60, Mohsen Abu Odeh, 30, and Mahmound al-Zanati, in his 20s.
Israeli forces also cut electricity off north of the Gaza Strip, including Beit Lahia, Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, Palestinian security sources said.
Israeli troops also opened fire at ambulances and rescue workers, which were trying to rescue some of the wounded, injuring some rescue workers and fire fighters, Palestinian sources said.
PA Minister Saeb Erekat condemned the Israeli raid in Jabaliya as the "Israeli government’s revenge" for the Haifa suicide bombing Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Israeli soldier killed an Islamic Jihad activist in Bethlehem early Thursday morning. One Israeli soldier was lightly injured in this incident.
A 16-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire near his home in the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday evening, his father said. Witnesses said youngsters were throwing stones at soldiers at the time.
Also Thursday evening, a 55-year-old mother of eight was killed by two shots in the head as she was cutting grass for her sheep near the West Bank city of Jenin, relatives said. Near the Israeli settlement of Hamra in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers killed late Thursday an armed Palestinian.
Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet decided Wednesday night to impose a full closure on the West Bank and Gaza, and step up Israeli operations.
Israeli security sources said Wednesday evening that the bombing attack in Haifa was apparently carried out by a Hamas activist from the West Bank city of Hebron. An identity card found in the remains of the bus is believed to be that of the bomber. The card's owner is 20-year-old Mahmoud Amadan Salim Kawasme, 20, a student from Hebron. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
