ISRAEL ARRESTS HAMAS-PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
Randy L. Harrington
June 29, 2006
GAZA STRIP—Israeli troops arrested dozens of Hamas-led Palestinian government officials, in an operation after an Israeli soldier was kidnapped. Israel has expanded their military operation in Gaza.
Israeli special operations soldiers have arrested Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Shaer among the dozens that have been arrested.
Israel holds Hamas responsible for the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. Israel defense spokesman David Hacham said that “the main purpose behind this military operation is first of all to bring the release of the Israeli soldier.”
On Thursday, Israeli fighter aircraft attacked a car carrying Palestinian militants in Gaza City. There was at least one person wounded.
Tensions were high in the region as the body of a kidnapped 18-year old Jewish settler was found shot in the head in the West Bank. Palestinian terrorists said that they executed Eliahu Asheri, whose body was found buried near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Palestinian terrorists, The Popular Resistance committee in Gaza said that they would execute Asheri if the Israeli military did not pull out of the Gaza region, after they deployed Wednesday in response to the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier. Israeli security officials said that Asheri was killed immediately after his abduction on Sunday.
Ahseri was believed to be hitchhiking, and was picked up by an unknown driver. Hitchhiking is common in the area because there is minimal bus service between the settlements.
Hamas in a parliamentary power struggle took control in January. They have resisted international pressure to renounce their violence, and recognize Israel as a legitimate state. Hamas terrorists kidnapped an Israeli soldier on Sunday. Israel has deployed their military to the Gaza region, as both sides face off in an all-out war.
Israel said that 64 Hamas terrorist government officials were arrested in an early-morning operation to round them up. Among those arrested were eight of 23 members of the Hamas Cabinet ministers, and 20 of its 72 lawmakers.
Hamas, discounting their role in kidnapping Israeli soldiers, referred to Israel's actions in arresting the Hamas terrorists as hostage-taking but would not commit to turning over the kidnapped Israeli soldier.
Hamas terrorist spokesman Osama Hamdan told the Associated Press that “It is premature to discuss this matter..if the Israelis want to trade them (the Hamas terrorist politicians) for the soldier then let them say it frankly, and then we will react.”
Israeli government officials replied that it is “the official Israeli policy that we do not negotiate with terrorists” and indicated that the arrested Hamas terrorist politicians would be held accountable, and brought to justice in an Israeli court.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: API; ISRAELI POST
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Israeli special operations soldiers have arrested Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Shaer among the dozens that have been arrested.
Israel holds Hamas responsible for the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. Israel defense spokesman David Hacham said that “the main purpose behind this military operation is first of all to bring the release of the Israeli soldier.”
On Thursday, Israeli fighter aircraft attacked a car carrying Palestinian militants in Gaza City. There was at least one person wounded.
Tensions were high in the region as the body of a kidnapped 18-year old Jewish settler was found shot in the head in the West Bank. Palestinian terrorists said that they executed Eliahu Asheri, whose body was found buried near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Palestinian terrorists, The Popular Resistance committee in Gaza said that they would execute Asheri if the Israeli military did not pull out of the Gaza region, after they deployed Wednesday in response to the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier. Israeli security officials said that Asheri was killed immediately after his abduction on Sunday.
Ahseri was believed to be hitchhiking, and was picked up by an unknown driver. Hitchhiking is common in the area because there is minimal bus service between the settlements.
Hamas in a parliamentary power struggle took control in January. They have resisted international pressure to renounce their violence, and recognize Israel as a legitimate state. Hamas terrorists kidnapped an Israeli soldier on Sunday. Israel has deployed their military to the Gaza region, as both sides face off in an all-out war.
Israel said that 64 Hamas terrorist government officials were arrested in an early-morning operation to round them up. Among those arrested were eight of 23 members of the Hamas Cabinet ministers, and 20 of its 72 lawmakers.
Hamas, discounting their role in kidnapping Israeli soldiers, referred to Israel's actions in arresting the Hamas terrorists as hostage-taking but would not commit to turning over the kidnapped Israeli soldier.
Hamas terrorist spokesman Osama Hamdan told the Associated Press that “It is premature to discuss this matter..if the Israelis want to trade them (the Hamas terrorist politicians) for the soldier then let them say it frankly, and then we will react.”
Israeli government officials replied that it is “the official Israeli policy that we do not negotiate with terrorists” and indicated that the arrested Hamas terrorist politicians would be held accountable, and brought to justice in an Israeli court.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: API; ISRAELI POST
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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