Israeli forces block the whole of Gaza; Palestinians vow more attacks
Palestine-Israel, Military, 1/16/2004

Thousands of Palestinians yesterday in Gaza eulogized the body of the Palestinian woman, Reem al- Reyashi, the executor of Wednesday's attack operation at Erez crossing, which resulted in killing four Israeli soldiers. The participants in the eulogy chanted slogans to continue resistance.

Several leaderships of the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, and men of veiled faces of al-Aqsa group, of the Fatah movement, took part in the eulogy, and stressed through loudspeakers intent to continue attacks of resistance.

The leading figure in the Hamas movement, Mahmoud al-Zahhar, said that the movement will never give up the option of resistance to liberate the land of Palestine, stressing that Reem al-Reyashi will not be the last in the series of operations against occupation.

Al-Zahhar considered that having an operation carried from al-Qassam group has reversed the balances in the Israeli equilibrium. Both al-Qassam and al-Aqsa groups claimed responsibility for the operation, and attributed choosing a woman to execute it because of the strong measures taken against men at the check point crossings.

Al-Reyashi funeral came after Israel has re-imposed complete closure on Gaza yesterday, and threatened to renew the military attacks targeting Palestinian activists.

The Israeli defense minister, Shaoul Mofaz, ordered the closure of Erez crossing. A statement issued by the occupation forces said that only humanitarian cases will be permitted to cross, and only after coordination with the Israeli- Palestinian liaison office.

The Israeli deputy prime minister, Ehud Olmert, threatened that the Palestinians will face an immediate military action in another attempt to deter the Palestinian groups from carrying out attacks. Israeli warplanes flew over Gaza yesterday morning, while citizens feared possible preparation for an air attack targeting groups leaders and resistance leaderships.

Previous Stories:
  Four Israelis were killed in a Palestinian operation; Hamas vows to escalate resistance   (1/15/2004)
  Arafat warns of a new Sykes Picot while Sharon hopes to withdraw from Gaza   (1/14/2004)
  Arafat rejects Sharon's 'disengagement plan'   (1/13/2004)
  Two Palestinians killed, five houses demolished by the Israelis   (1/12/2004)
  Israeli forces incur in Jenin, detain 18 Palestinians; Hamas admits indirect contacts with Washington   (1/10/2004)
  Qurei' threatens to declare a state of two nationalities   (1/9/2004)

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