Listen to the audio from the MP3 Player on the right column. || Click here to Download MP3 file 4.19 MB || time: 4m 34s
Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre www.imemc.org for Monday November 6, 2006.
Four Palestinians are killed in the Gaza Strip, raising the death toll to 54, and one soldier is lightly injured as the Israeli army expands its military offensive in the Strip, while in the West Bank, Israeli troops invade the city of Nablus, injure two residents and take prisoner several others. These stories and more coming up, stay tuned.
Gaza Update
A Palestinian woman detonated an explosive charge she was carrying as she passed by a group of Israeli soldiers Monday who invaded the town of Beit Hanoun last week.
Al-Quds Brigade, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed the bomber and lightly wounded an Israeli soldier.
Israeli sources said the woman blew herself up when Israeli soldiers ordered her to stop.
Earlier, two Palestinians were killed Monday afternoon in two separate Israeli military attacks in Gaza City and Beit Lahia. At least four residents were injured in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported.
The Israeli army killed one member of the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Beit Lahia town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, as part of a military operation against Palestinian resistance fighters operating in the area.
In a press release, Al Qassam Brigades identified the fighter as Mahmoud Taha, 31. He was killed east of Al Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City.
In Beit Lahia, one resident, identified as Ala' Tawfiq Siyam, 24, was shot and killed by Israeli troops stationed at the Israeli-Gaza border line. Siyam was standing near the American School in the town.
Moreover, local sources reported that four Palestinians were injured after the Israeli air force fired one missile at fighters in Al Qarm area, east of Jabalia. The four were moved to Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City when he was shot.
The army also fired several shells at Jabal Al Rayyes area east of Gaza City as several tanks and military vehicles attempted to advance and were met by fierce resistance, local sources reported.
Earlier on Monday, two children were killed after the Israeli air force fired a missile at a vehicle driving beside a school bus; nine children, and one teacher, were also injured in the attack. The teachers’ wounds were described as serious.
The two were identified as Mohammad Ahmad Ashour, 16, and Ramzi Al Sharafi, 15. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the injured children are between 10 – 13 year-old.
At least fifty-four residents have been killed and more than 300 have been injured, dozens seriously since the Israeli army started its military offensive “Autumn Clouds” six days ago.
West Bank Update
Israeli forces invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus and the nearby Askar Refugee Camp early Monday, injured two members of the Palestinian National Security force and arrested several youth.
Soldiers began their invasion with attacks on a school in Nablus where they opened fire on residents, injuring Ihab Al Halabi, 27, and Sa’ed Musleh, 34. Both are members of the Palestinian National Security force.
Israeli forces attacked on Monday the Iraq Al Taih area in Nablus and took one young man to an unknown location.
Soldiers also invaded Askar Refugee Camp in Nablus and took several residents prisoner, including brothers Mo'taz, 20 and Mohammad Hamza Mansour, 16. Both were taken to unknown locations.
Meanwhile, efforts to bridge the gap between the two major parties, Hamas and Fatah are ongoing and the agreement to form a national unity government is near. The two groups agreed to form the government but some details must still be resolved. It is not known yet who will head the new government, however, certainly not Ismael Haniya.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining us from Occupied Bethlehem. You have been listening to Palestine Today from the International Middle East Media Centre, www.imemc.org brought to you by Caysha Cay & George Rishmawi.
