Israel expels one Palestinian, tightens siege on Nablus

The Israeli occupation forces yesterday, expelled one Palestinian from the West Bank to Gaza, on charge of being a member in the Islamic Jihad Movement.

Israeli security officials explained that the Israeli army evacuated Mustafa Abed, 40 year old, a father for 7 children from Nablus in the West Bank to Gaza. An Israeli military source confirmed the expulsion decision.

Abed is among other 18 Palestinians of the West Bank waiting to be expelled to Gaza, over suspicion of taking part in resistance operations against the Israeli occupation forces, after the supreme Israeli court refused their appeal in contesting the expulsion decision.

Abed said that the occupation forces detained him one year ago, and he was held without accusations, and he is now accused of being a member in the Islamic Jihad movement.

Other five Palestinians in the list were expelled in November 2003.

Palestinian officials and international human rights groups deplored the expulsions Israel embarks on, and described that as "a violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and the International law."

On the other hand, the Israeli occupation forces tightened siege yesterday on the city of Nablus, which is under curfew for the 7th running day, and broke into the two cities of Barqa and Dama near the city. The Israeli soldiers continued breaking in operations by detaining scores of youths and then freed them, according to witnesses.