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Israelis, Palestinians Continue Exchange of Fire in West Bank
The Israeli army and Palestinian gunmen were continuing exchange of gunfire in an area north of the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday morning, after the Israeli army entered the Palestinian village of Beit Jalla overnight and held Palestinian positions.
The Palestinian gunmen resumed shooting at the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo, south of Jerusalem, while the Israeli positions near the Rachel's Tomb on the northern edge of Bethlehem were also under fire, the army said on Tuesday.
The Israeli soldiers returned fire, but there were no reports of casualties from both sides, the army added.
Israeli Chief of General Staff Shaul Mofaz Tuesday morning visited Israel's tank positions in Beit Jalla from Gilo, a Jewish settlement set up on the Palestinian territories.
The army said that it dose not intend to remain in Beit Jalla, and would like to leave in the next few days pending a total cessation of Palestinian attacks on Gilo.
But an official from the Prime Minister Office said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was expected to convene the security cabinet Tuesday to discuss whether to maintain the Israeli troops' presence in Beit Jalla or withdraw the troops currently positioned there.
As helicopters hovered overhead, Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered Beit Jalla at small hours Tuesday, and took control of several homes and positions. Israeli paratroopers and engineering corps participated in the operation.
Palestinian sources said that a policeman, Muhamad Samur, 23, was killed in the exchange of fire in the village. The sources reported earlier that a second person was killed in the operation, without giving further details.
Israeli ministers were updated on the Beit Jalla operation by telephone on Monday evening. Like other ministers, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres was informed of the operation, but was not asked whether he supported it.
Cabinet Secretary Gideon Sa'ar denied reports Tuesday morning that Peres had expressed opposition to the incursion during the telephone call.
Senior diplomatic sources estimated that the operation would last longer than those carried out in the West Bank towns of Hebron last week and Jenin two weeks ago, in which troops entered the Palestinian-controlled towns for several hours and then withdrew.
One source said that it was possible that the Israeli troops would stay in Beit Jalla "for several hours, possibly even several days."
Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit from the Likud said on Tuesday that the army would "stay in Beit Jalla as long as is needed." If the shooting at Gilo continued, "we will seize the whole town if necessary," he added.
Transport Minister Ephraim Sneh from the Labor was more circumspect, saying that the plan was "not to conquer Beit Jalla."
Israeli troops and tanks also thrust into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza overnight, and tore down eight homes which Israel claims were used by Palestinian gunmen to attack the army's positions. The forces withdrew after completing the operation.
Palestinian sources said that 22 people were injured during the incursion into Rafah, four of them seriously, adding that eight tanks and several bulldozers destroyed 14 homes and damaged 20 more in the refugee camp.
Heavy exchange of fire between Palestinian gunmen in Beit Jalla and Israeli soldiers in Gilo began Monday evening, after Israel assassinated Abu Ali Mustafa, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah earlier in the day.
A 63-year-old Gilo resident was lightly wounded by Palestinian gunfire and was taken to hospital. A synagogue and five apartments were also damaged in the shooting.
The Israeli army had planned to carry out an operation in Beit Jalla after heavy fire on Gilo two weeks ago. However, the operation was delayed after Israel received word that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat instructed Palestinian security forces to stop the shooting.
In another development, Israeli tanks destroyed a Palestinian roadblock in the West Bank city of Nablus Tuesday morning.
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