Several main checkpoints in West Bank locked down by Israeli forces, Israeli forces invade Nablus, Balata in ongoing siege Four arrested by Israeli forces in Bethlehem Four arrested by Israeli forces in north Tulkarem raid.  These stories and more coming up stay tuned.
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Palestine Today , a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www.IMEMC.org, for Monday, May 29th, 2006

Several main checkpoints in West Bank locked down by Israeli forces, Israeli forces invade Nablus, Balata in ongoing siege Four arrested by Israeli forces in Bethlehem Four arrested by Israeli forces in north Tulkarem raid

These stories and more coming up stay tuned.

Several main checkpoints in West Bank locked down by Israeli forces       

Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli troops locked down Beit Ebyia, Hewara, Ytzhar and Zaatra checkpoints downtown in the West Bank, adding that Israeli occupation forces have partially re-opened most of these checkpoints. 

The same sources added that the closure of the checkpoints was simultaneous with a wide scale comb of the area between Aseera Al Qeblyia and Bourin villages in which several residents were arrested. 

Israeli forces invade Nablus, Balata in ongoing siege       

A large contingent of Israeli forces invaded Nablus district in the West Bank from all directions on Monday, reported Palestinian sources. 

Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses said that the Israeli occupation troops advanced deep into Raphedia neighborhood and into Al Seka Street.  The troops shot guns and fired stun grenades towards civilian houses. 

The sources added that parts of Balata refugee camp were the scene of sporadic clashes between Palestinian teenage stone throwers and the Israeli occupation forces. No injuries were reported. 

As of this report (early Monday afternoon), the Israeli occupation forces have sealed off all the military checkpoints, besieging Nablus city.

Four arrested by Israeli forces in Bethlehem       

Israeli military sources said that four residents were arrested in Bethlehem in pre-dawn raids Monday morning. 

The arrestees were identified as Fadi Hussein Najajra,23, Khalil Radyda,33, Mohammed Rba’a,25, and Ali Ibraheem Abu Sama,25 on the pretenses of being wanted.

Four arrested by Israeli forces in north Tulkarem raid       

A correspondent to the Palestinian International Press Center reported that during recent incursions by Israeli troops backed by military jeeps into Alar and Ateel towns, north of Tulkarem, four residents were arrested: Saeb Asrawe,33, Mazoz Taqatqa,22, Majdi Jeebat,34, and A shraf Abu Khalil,28. 

Witnesses mentioned that the invading Israeli soldiers wreaked havoc on the residents’ houses and belongings and terrorized the civilians.  

Army arrests the daughter of Palestinian Prime Minister       

 Israeli troops arrested the daughter of Isma’el Abu Hannia, the Palestinian Prime Minister on Monday afternoon. 

Kholod Abu Hannia was arrested whilst visiting her fiancé, who is a prisoner in Bir Shiva Israeli military prison. 

The soldiers claimed that they arrested her because she claimed to be his sister, she was taken to an unknown destination, eyewitnesses said. 

The Prime Minister’s office confirmed the arrest and said that they are in negotiation with the Red Cross to arrange the release of Abu Hannia.

 Israeli Army invades Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem clashes with residents       

The Israeli army invaded Aida refugee camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem and clashed with  stone throwing youth on Monday afternoon. 

Soldiers entered the camp from several directions surrounding  the youth center and taking positions on roof tops, eyewitnesses said. 

The clashes are ongoing with  the army are repressing  the youth using live rounds and sound bombs. 

Aida refugee camp is regularly invaded by the Israeli army, arresting and injuring  youth and children, this is due to the camp location,  just meters  from the Wall and Israeli  military post.

Conclusion

And that’s just some of the news for today in Palestine. For constant updates, check out the International Middle East Media Center website, www.IMEMC.org.  As always, thanks for joining us.  From Occupied Bethlehem, this is Palestine Today from Palestine brought to you by Pennie Quinton and Ghassan Bannoura.