Israeli troops move into Palestinian section of Hebron

By Nasser Shiyoukhi

Associated Press

HEBRON, West Bank – Israeli troops and tanks moved into the Palestinian-controlled section of the West Bank city of Hebron at daybreak Friday, killing at least five Palestinians and indicating cease-fire efforts were over.

Soldiers clamped a curfew on the two neighborhoods, suggesting they might not leave quickly, even though the military said the operation was for a “limited period.”

The move came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded angrily to a string of Palestinian attacks, including a gunman disguised as an Israeli soldier who opened fire on a bus station, killing three Israelis.

Charging that the Palestinians had sabotaged all truce efforts, Sharon said, “From now on we will count only on ourselves.” He said his Cabinet had authorized the military to take whatever steps were necessary to protect Israeli citizens.

Also Friday, an Israeli was killed in a Palestinian shooting attack near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Avnei Hefetz, near the Palestinian town of Tulkarem, the military said.

Israeli forces took control of the Abu Sneineh and Haret a-Sheikh neighborhoods overlooking three Israeli enclaves in the divided city. Israel controls about 20 percent of Hebron, guarding 500 settlers living among 130,000 Palestinians.

Five Palestinians were killed and 12 wounded in exchanges of gunfire during the incursion. Advancing tanks fired machine guns and shells, witnesses said. Palestinian security officials said two of those killed were gunmen and the others were civilians killed by a tank shell.

Hundreds of people, many of them in tears, gathered at Hebron’s hospital, where the casualties were taken. A young man holding an assault rifle covered his face with an Arab headdress to conceal his identity. He said one of the dead was a neighbor. “We will continue resistance until the last settler leaves Hebron,” he said.

Abbas Zaki, a Palestinian leader in Hebron, denounced the Israeli incursion. “It is a new crime by the Sharon government,” he said. “We will fight against this incursion, and we are calling on the world to provide international protection for the Palestinian people.”

The Israeli military said the incursion was a response to constant Palestinian gunfire from hilltops at Jewish enclaves below, including attacks on crowds of Jews visiting the city to celebrate a Jewish holiday.

The renewed violence followed an apparently fruitless meeting Thursday between high-level officials from the two sides. The meeting was aimed at implementing a truce announced on Sept. 26 after intense U.S. pressure to cool down the conflict before it interferes with efforts to build a coalition to fight international terrorism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met with two top Palestinian negotiators, Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qureia and Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat. But the session degenerated into mutual accusations of truce violations, both sides said.

Minutes after the meeting, a Palestinian gunman wearing an Israeli army uniform opened fire at the central bus station in Afula, an Israeli city just across the line from the West Bank city of Jenin, killing three Israelis.

Relatives said they recognized the picture of the gunman published in a Palestinian newspaper. They said he was Natheer Abu Hamad, 27, from Araqa village near Jenin. He was married with two small daughters and did not belong to a political movement, his brother said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Palestinians fired at Israelis visiting the city and its disputed holy site, the traditional burial cave of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. On Wednesday, two women were wounded.

Since fighting erupted on Sept. 28, 2000, 670 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and 183 on the Israeli side.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.