Palestinian medics reported Wednesday noon that a taxi driver died of wounds he sustained earlier by Israeli fire at Gaza city coastal road, located southern Gaza city. They told WAFA that Mustafa al-Sawarka, 32, died of severe wounds he sustained in the head when Israeli soldiers, stationed at vicinity of "Netzarim" settlement, opened fire at al-Sawarka and other passengers as they were moving on the road heading toward Gaza city.
In another incident, Israeli forces shelled houses in the area, located eastern al-Shejayia neighbourhood, eastern Gaza city, razing vast areas of arable land.
It should be noted that Israeli soldiers have been splitting Gaza Strip into three parts for the fourth day running as they have been blocking Abu Huli and al-Matahen (Wheat Mills) Israeli military checkpoints as well as Gaza city coastal road, denying the citizens' access from-into Gaza city.
In the West Bank city of Nablus, a child was wounded when Israeli soldiers chased some children and assaulted them in the city village of Talouza, Palestinian medics at the city stated. They said that Tareef Yassin 15, was wounded with fractions all over hisbody. Elsewhere in the city, Israeli soldiers arrested a policeman, Shawky Salem 29, in Bazarya village, leading him into an unknown place.
In Tulkarem city, Israeli soldiers arrested two men, Nader Kharoof 28, and Mohammed Ablaan 24, as they broke into the city town of Illaar amid intensive fire shooting and stormed several houses.
Meanwhile, the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, has flatly rejected calls by PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas for ending all forms of armed resistance to Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian homeland. Hamas politburo chief Khalid Mash'al described the call as "dangerous and irresponsible."
In an interview with an Arab satellite station Wednesday, Mash'al said it was both illogical and impossible to ask or expect the Palestinians to stop defending themselves. "How could any reasonable person expect our people to stop defending our children and women against this Gestapo-like onslaught?…Should we let them murder our children in schools and kindergartens and then complain to Bush and Blair?"
Hamas on Wednesday canceled its 17th anniversary rally over concerns that Israel could target its leaders in retaliation for the recent attack on an army outpost in Gaza Strip.
