Israeli troops arrested early Monday two Palestinians in the West Bank city of Qalqilya, witnesses said. The soldiers, backed by tanks and military armoured vehicles, rolled into Azon village and launched a house-to-house search campaign.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces escalated Monday their military aggression against the residents of Khan Younis and Rafah cities shortly after an aging Palestinian was killed.
In Khan Younis, Israeli troops backed by six tanks and military vehicles stormed at dawn Khoza'a town, eastern the city, witnesses said.
In Rafah, occupation soldiers swept into Tal Zourob area of the city, southern the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources reported.
Meanwhile, Israeli U.S- made Apache helicopters fired at least four missiles towards al-Shoaath area of Rafah.
Earlier, an aging Palestinian died while he was on his way home after suffering humiliation at Rafah crossing, Palestinian medical sources said. Medics at al-Najaar Hospital in the city reported that Fahmy Mahdy 70, died while he was leaving the crossing after spending more than 20 days of waiting at the crossing which was blocked by the Israel.
On its part, Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) said Monday that the number of Palestinians killed last month by Israeli fire in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is 61.
In its monthly report, MOH said that Israeli troops killed 34 in Gaza Strip, including 14 children, and 27 in West Bank cities. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
