Palestinian areas live worst Israeli siege conditions, Palestinian shot, child wounded
The Israeli tanks on Monday bombarded houses in Beit Lahia, resulted in wounding one child while the Israeli bulldozers were demolishing the town's yields and lands. One Palestinian youth was killed immediately when the Israeli soldiers opened fire at him.
An armored Israeli force on Monday broke into Yata village, of Hebron district and al-Ezareyah town near Jerusalem and arrested several youth on resistance charges.
The breaking in and detention operations also extended to cover Nablus area and Fourik and Bazaria villages.
News reports said that Hebron is in its worst conditions following the Israeli settlers storming into the city.
The commander of the Israeli military unit in Hebron said that his forces which are deployed in various parts of the city will provide protection for the settlers and will not prevent them from attacking the Palestinians.
Meanwhile the Israeli peace bloc said the attack, carried out by the settlers in Hebron and resulted to killing of one girl and wounding 9, was held in coordination with Sharon government.
A statement by the peace bloc said that Israel's Defense Minister Benyamin Ben Eliezer is personally taking part in planning the aggressions and supervises its implementation at a time when he says he opposes settlements.
The Palestinians retaliated by shelling Neve Dekalim and Nisanit settlements in Gaza. Israeli sources admitted that two cars were damaged as a result.
The founder of the Hamas movement Sheikh Ahmad Yassin reiterated his movement's rejection to stop "operations." He said that the answer of al-Qassam groups to the Israeli violations will be strong, and resistance will continue until occupation is eliminated.
Meantime, the Japanese foreign ministry expressed deep sympathy with the families of the dismissed Palestinians who were killed in the Israeli attack against Gaza. In a statement, the Japanese ministry said what the Israeli forces is doing would lead to the escalation of feeling of hostilities.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin expressed the concern of France and the European Union member states towards the deteriorated conditions in the region, especially under the absence of political initiatives.
The French foreign minister stressed the need to revive the peace process and the withdrawal of the Israeli forces form the occupied Arab lands and the foundation of an independent Palestinian sovereign state on the ground of UN resolutions 242 and 338 and Madrid conference terms of reference, guaranteed by the international community.