Palestinian killed in Balata refugee camp

Friday June 29, 2007 13:05 by John Smith - IMEMC News

Following Thursday’s invasion of Nablus, the Israeli army on Friday killed a member of the al-Aqsa brigades in Balata refugee camp.

Israeli military vehicles backed by monstrous bulldozers stormed the West Bank city of Nablus from all sides and took over the city center, the old city outskirts and several neighborhoods in the area in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Palestinian security sources stated that the invasion was carried out by at least 100 military vehicles and jeeps, and that the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition in many directions. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli troops seized several buildings and used them to surround local hospitals. Shops in the area were also ransacked, and local radio stations were taken over and used to broadcast military orders. In addition this, the military struck the electricity transformer in the eastern part of Nablus City, causing an electricity failure in hundreds of residences in the area

At least 30 Palestinians from Nablus were reported to be kidnapped by Thursday afternoon. The Israeli soldiers clashed with local resistance and resistance fighters shelled the army with homemade bombs. Israeli sharpshooters positioned themselves on top of buildings in an attempt to fire at the resistance fighters who confronted them.

One Israeli captain and at least seven other Israeli soldiers were injured, one seriously, during the clashes, according to Palestinian security sources. Israeli media confirmed the report but said that only five soldiers were hurt. The operation is still under way with troops currently breaking into private homes.

On Friday morning, one Palestinian was reported as killed by the Israeli army while driving through Balata refugee camp in the early hours of the morning. The man, identified as Hitham Salah, 26, a member of the al-Aqsa brigades was killed instantly when Israeli forces opened fire on the taxi that he was driving.

It remains unclear if Salah was engaged in fighting with Israeli forces when he was fired upon.

Throughout Nablus, Israeli forces have continued to comb the area and search houses and other buildings, with local residents reporting that the military controls the crossroads of the balata refugee camp.

nablus | israeli attacks | news report