4 Arrested in Nablus, 3 Houses Demolished in Hebron
NABLUS, May 17, 2004, (WAFA) – Four civilians were arrested late on Sunday when Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) broke into Balata Refugee Camp of Nablus City, Palestinian security sources said.... The sources confirmed that the IOF troops, backed by military vehicles, stormed the city and arrested Sarhan Hijazy 23, Abdallah Hijazy 19, Ahmed abu Lail 22 and Marwan Barakat 18, leading them to an undisclosed place.... In Hebron, IOF demolished early Monday three civilian houses near Israeli colony of “Ashkilotâ€, south of the city, local sources said.... They confirmed that the Israeli house demolitions ignited clashes between the households and the Israeli occupation soldiers who imposed a military closure over the area, declaring it as a military zone.... Palestinian security sources in the city said that at 7:00 A.M the IOF troops, supported by three military bulldozers and military vehicles, broke into the area and imposed a tight closure shortly before starting knocking down three houses.... Palestinian municipal sources confirmed that the houses destroyed are owned by the three brothers Youssef, Hany and Yasser al-Jamaeen who live in 300 meter-square building which shelters more than 25 family members. The other two houses demolished are owned by Mussa al-Jama'een and his son Diab.... Al-Jama'een told WAFA that the IOF soldiers did not let them vacate any of the family personal belongings. The Israeli demolition policy aims at annexing land to the colonies to expand them and this is part of their land grabbing policy.