Israeli forces given free hand for incursions to Palestinian areas
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
TEL AVIV — Israel's military has been given a free hand to conduct
operations in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Military sources said Israeli military commanders can now order a
counteroffensive into PA areas if they come under attack. The order does not
allow the troops to remain in the area for more than several hours.
"In principle, I have approved any entry into Area A [PA areas] if that
is necessary for our security," Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin
Ben-Eliezer said. "You don't expect me to stop a commander from entering
Area A during a pursuit until he obtains my approval because I know he will
not stay there."
Israeli troops have entered Palestinian areas three times in a 24-hour
period. On Monday, Israeli forces entered the Bethlehem area to pursue a
Palestinian car whose occupants had fired toward a military outpost.
Palestinian sources said the troops were backed by an armored force and
battled PA police.
On late Sunday, Israeli troops entered the Tulkarm area in the
northeastern West Bank and destroyed a PA military position used to fire on
a nearby Israeli police base. Palestinian sources said Israeli tanks fired
toward the Palestinian force and 11 Palestinians were injured in the clash.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli ground and armored units entered the
Bethlehem-suburb of Bet Jallah for four fours. The incursion was
amid clashes between Israeli and Palestinian troops in the area used by
Palestinian snipers to target Israeli motorists.
Witnesses said Israeli tanks pounded PA positions while soldiers engaged
in a shootout with Palestinian forces. They said an Israeli force
commandeered several buildings used by Palestinian snipers.
By Sunday noon [0500 EST], Israeli troops withdrew from Bet Jallah.
Palestinian sources said a Fatah combatant was killed and 12 others were
injured during the battle.
The Israeli incursion was regarded as the first into Bet Jallah since
the mini-war erupted in late September. Last week, the U.S. State Department
criticized an earlier Israeli military incursion into the Gaza city of Rafah
near the Egyptian border.
Palestinians, however, resumed attacks on Israeli positions. On Monday,
Palestinian gunners fired mortars toward the Jewish settlements of Atzmona
and Neve Dekalim. Nobody was reported injured.
Israeli tanks shelled Palestinian positions in nearby Khan Yunis.
Palestinian sources said a baby was killed in the bombardment.
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
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