Israeli troops re-entered Jesus birthplace, amid reports that at least 6 Palestinians, including militants were killed, reporters from the scene said.
Israeli troops using loud-speakers told residents to close their shops, and that a curfew was re-imposed. Gunfire was heard by witnesses, shortly after news emerged that the Israeli army assassinated several Palestinian militants.
At least six Palestinians died in several clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and five Israeli soldiers were also wounded in the military action on Thursday, December 26, several reports said.
MILITANTS KILLED
During one exchange of gunfire, Israeli soldiers shot and killed senior Islamic Jihad militant Hamza Abu Roub in the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya and then demolished his house, the Voice of America (VOA) and other reports said. Islamic Jihad reportedly vowed to revenge for the Abu Roub killing.
In Ramallah, soldiers shot and killed at least one Palestinian described as a militant linked to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement. VOA quoted Palestinian sources as saying that the man was a Palestinian policeman and that another Fatah militant was reported shot in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. A Palestinian teenager was also killed, according to several reports.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
The new violence and curfew came as a major disappointment for Palestinian Christians who had urged believers to pray for what they call the suffering church in the region.
Believers had few opportunities to celebrate Christmas as local authorities had cancelled most events while taking away Christmas decorations to protest what they called Israel’s occupation. Only the Christmas Mass at the Church of the Nativity continued, but without Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who Israel kept away from the event.
Israel officials have said that Arafat can only blame himself as he apparently did not enough to combat terrorism and end suicide bombings that have killed many Israelis.
