Israel to expel 18 Palestinians from West Bank; invasion of Rafah and buffer zone with Egypt
The Israeli government of Ariel Sharon yesterday escalated the collective punishment against the Palestinians and decided to expel 10 Palestinian administrative detainees from the West Bank to Gaza which witnessed yesterday a new incursion by the occupation forces, which reinvaded Rafah area and demolished more homes in order to establish a buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza.
Military sources said that Israel will expel some 18 Palestinians under administrative detention ( accused of terrorist activities ) including 8 members in the Hamas movement and five in the Islamic Jihad movement. It explained that this measure intends to "limit the aggressions against the Palestinians " following the attacks recently executed.
The Israeli army radio said that those Palestinians will be first transported to an Israeli detention center in Gaza and then released and expelled to Gaza, not permitted to return back to their homes in the West Bank. The 18 Palestinians have only 48 hours as from yesterday to appeal for the decision to an Israeli judge. Israeli military sources said that the "expulsion measure was taken against Palestinians who Israel can bring before the judiciary without disclosing source of information that "allowed their detention."
On May 10th, 2002, the Israeli authorities expelled 26 Palestinians to Gaza and 13 others outside the country following the Israeli army besiege of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. The Israeli forces also expelled two Palestinians to Gaza in September.
The Israeli prime minister Ahmad Qrei condemned the expulsion decision saying "Israel commits flagrant aggressive actions to obstruct easing down efforts."
Meantime, the Israeli forces re-incurred into Rafah, 48 hours after its partial withdrawal. Sources said that Israeli tanks and bulldozers backed by helicopters incurred for hundreds of meters on Monday evening into Rafah camp where Palestinian sources announced that three Palestinians including one child and one teenager were injured.