Israeli Apache Gunfire attacks a hospital and kill 2 Palestinian nurses
Palestine-Israel, Military, 2/6/2003

The Palestinian National Authority said Two Palestinian nurses were killed early yesterday when an Israeli Apache gunship opened heavy machinegun fire on a hospital compound in eastern Gaza City, Palestinian medical sources said

Meanwhile, two Palestinian teenagers were killed in separate attacks in the West Bank, sources added.

In Gaza, Palestinian security sources confirmed that two nurses identified as Omar Hassan, 26 and Abed al-Karim Loubed, 41, were killed in the compound surrounding the al-Wafaa hospital for the elderly where they both worked. When the air raid started, the two men went outside into the courtyard where they were immediately gunned down, falling dead on the spot, the sources said.

Several heavy machinegun bullets also penetrated the hospital building, but no one else was injured.

Witnesses said several Israeli tanks moved into an area east of al-Shajiyeh district, in a renewed incursion into part of the PNA-controlled area.

Also in Gaza, IOF soldiers on Wednesday physically attacked members of the "Doctors without Border" delegation and prevented them from entering al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis.

Israeli occupation soldiers based at al-Tuffah military roadblock-- the only exit for the residents of al-Mawasi-- attacked and prevented 4 foreign doctors from the international delegation from entering the area to monitor the humanitarian conditions of the Palestinian citizens living there.

Al-Mawasi area, inhabited by around 4000 people, has been placed under tight military siege for over two years. IOF have also imposed tough limitations on the movement of residents who live under extremely difficult conditions due to lack of basic services and isolation.

In the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Samer al-Zaria, 17, was killed overnight in the center of Nablus City, when an Israeli occupation force raided the area and opened fire at citizens' houses.

Nearby, Arif Basharat, 11, from Tamoun village in the south of Jenin was killed with live bullets fired by IOF.

Witnesses said Israeli occupation soldiers opened fire at a group of residents in the village. Basharat was hit by live ammunition in the head and died at a later stage as a result of critical wounds.

IOF also invaded the town of Tamoun, which is also located east of Toubas, and imposed a tight military siege on the residents.

The Mayor of the village, Bashar Beni Oda, said that soldiers invaded the village late night from all four entrances, terrorized the residents and caused severe destruction to much property.

Several homes in the villages were raided, two of which were transferred into military outposts and their inhabitants forced out into the cold. The homes belong to residents Mahmoud Beni Oda and Mohammad Basharat, witnesses said.

In Ramallah City, witnesses said four residents were wounded in the center of Ramallah City, when Israeli soldiers dispersed fire and teargas bombs at group of people near al-Manara.

The incident took place in the central Manara Square area, as a group of around 100 Palestinians gathered to hold a peaceful protest by singing anti-war songs, security sources said.

Three Palestinians holding a "singing protest" were wounded by rubber bullets as the Israeli occupation army fired at them, Palestinian medical and security sources said.

Earlier in the day, a journalist working with the Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera escaped unharmed when a bomb went off as he tried to enter his car, Palestinian security sources said.

Wael Abu Daka, who was not injured, told AFP he did not know who had placed the bomb under the driving seat.

"I don't know why this has happened," he said. "I don't have any enemies, I'm just a journalist."

Previous Stories:
  Israeli Forces Raid AL-Magazi Refugee Camp in Gaza strip   (2/5/2003)
  Israeli Human rights group: Israel uses forbidden weapons against Palestinians   (2/5/2003)
  Two Palestinians killed, houses destroyed by the Israeli forces   (2/4/2003)
  Arafat ready to meet Sharon, for negotiations; Hamas, al-Jihad for escalation of resistance   (1/30/2003)
  UN envoy voices serious concern over demolition of palestinian property in west bank   (1/22/2003)

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