Palestine Today 050608

Tuesday May 06, 2008 18:10 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept.

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Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www.imemc.org, for Tuesday May 6th 2008.

One Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, while in the West Bank Israeli soldiers detained a Palestinian official. These stories, and more, coming up. So stay tuned.

News Cast

Early on Tuesday, an Israeli air strike killed a Palestinian resistance fighter from Hamas and wounded another, when the car they were driving in northern Gaza Strip was hit with an Israeli missile. Medical sources in the northern Gaza Strip confirmed that Hesham Shomar, 23, was killed and Omar Hammad, 25, was wounded after sustaining critical injuries. Hammad's limbs were amputated, medics added.

Earlier this morning, Israeli tanks rolled near the eastern cemetery of Jabalya refugee camp, firing at local residents, as bulldozers began razing farm land nearby.

Recently, small-scale Israeli army incursions have increased in Gaza, as well as pinpoint air strikes, after the ruling Hamas party offered a ceasefire with Israel, to bring calm to the region.

Israel reiterated their rejection to the proposal and demanded certain conditions, just prior to the visit of Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, who has been mediating the ceasefire initiative.

Palestinian sources reported on Tuesday that one Palestinian youth was injured as clashes took place in Qabatiya, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

Security sources in Qabatiya said that as the Palestinian Authority forces were targeting criminals and stolen cars, armed clashes took place between the forces and unknown gunmen. Ahmed Ikmeil, 20, was hit with a stray round.

Medical sources told IMEMC that Ikmeil underwent surgery, and now lies in Intensive Care, condition critical.

On Sunday, 600 Israeli security officers were deployed in the district of Jenin as part of a deal with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel. The deal was supervised by the U.S.

Elsewhere, Israeli troops manning the Beit Iba checkpoint—west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus—detained one Palestinian Police official and assaulted another.

Major Abed Al Lateef Al Qadomi from the Palestinian police in Nablus was going to his work when troops stopped him at the checkpoint and detained him from several hours. Lieutenant Nidal Al Jarumy was with Al Qadomi. Troops beat him up, after which they were released.

Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers attacked the village of Kufer Qalil—also near Nablus—searched homes, and kidnapped one civilian.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem. You have been listening to Palestine Today, from the International Middle East Media Center, www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Ghassan Bannoura and George Rishmawi.

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