Another Bloody Israel Day in Beit Hanoun

Ongoing Israeli incursion in Beit Hanoun; three killed;one Israeli soldier, three Palestinian schoolchildren injured

November 22, 2006

Gaza - Ma'an - During the latest developments, as an Israeli military incursion continues in the Gaza Strip, two more Palestinians have been killed and 18 more injured. Artillery shelling killed the Al-Qassam Brigades' activist, Mus'ad Ahmad Abu Mu'attiq, 35, in addition to Sami Az-Zibdah, 22.

Asma' abu Marsah, 45, earlier succumbed to wounds she incurred early on Wednesday, during the heavy Israeli artillery shelling of northern Gaza, bringing today's death toll to three.

Earlier this afternoon, it was reported that three Palestinian school students were injured by the Israeli forces in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

In addition, one Israeli soldier was seriously injured when he was hit by an anti-tank projectile in Beit Hanoun. He was transferred to Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva, according to Israeli sources.

In Beit Lahiya, also in the northern Gaza Strip, a member of the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, was killed earlier on Wednesday.

Palestinian medical sources said that three Palestinian students were injured when Israeli tanks used machine guns in the area of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses said that the students were leaving the schools, escaping from the Israeli tank fire. The students were shot at by the tanks and the Israeli helicopters which were hovering in the area.

Residents of the area said that the tanks were heading towards the Agriculture School and the UNRWA schools in Beit Hanoun.

Ambulances had arrived on the scene in an attempt to evacuate any casualties.

Israeli bulldozers had also started bulldozing and destroying farms and houses in the Qalibo area of Beit Hanoun, according to eyewitnesses.

In the same sequence, an Israeli soldier was hit by an anti-tank projectile while he was with another Israeli soldier in a house in Beit Hanoun. Israeli sources said that he was transported to Soroka hospital.

Witnesses said that an Israeli helicopter arrived and evacuated the soldiers, including the injured soldier.