Undercover Israeli troops disguised as Palestinians kidnapped Riad Ayad, a member of the Palestinian Force 17 presidential guard, in the Northern Gaza Strip. The abduction occurred at 9 in the morning on Tuesday, and took place at in Palestinian-controlled territory north of the Netzarim junction in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli Army Radio.
Reports in the Israeli media identified the abducted man as 20 year old Riad Masoud Sa'adi Ayyad, and claim he was responsible for shooting and mortar attacks on Israeli targets in the Gaza Strip and surrounding it. Riad is the son of Force 17 officer Lt.-Col. Masoud Iyyad, who was assassinated by Israeli helicopters in February 2001.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Riad’s brother was kidnapped by Israeli forces one year ago, and is being held by Israel. The paper added that Ayad family was the first to fire mortars in the Gaza Strip, after allegedly receiving equipment and instruction from the Hezbollah.
Force 17 is Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's elite protection force, set up in the days of PLO exile. It has been accused by Israel of playing a key role in the armed confrontation in the past months.
Armored raid seizes three Palestinians
During the night between Monday and Tuesday, an Israeli force composed of infantry and armor mounted a raid into Palestinian territory. Entering Kabatya village, south of Jenin, the Israeli troops encountered rifle fire as they stormed the house of Hamas activist Nasar Zahrana. Zahrana and two other people were seized by the Israeli force, which then left the village taking the Palestinian prisoners with it. The captives were later transferred to the Israeli security service Shin Bet for interrogation, reported the Jerusalem Post.
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
