The ongoing IDF action in the Balata neighborhood - an ex-refugee camp, and now a terrorist base where 22,000 people live - continues this afternoon. Troops are searching house-to-house for terrorists, weapons, and explosives in a large-scale operation involving infantry, tanks, and helicopters. The Arabs greeted the forces by firing at the tanks and helicopters, and even a roadside bomb that they had prepared in advance. The fighting, which began last night, claimed the life of one Israeli soldier, Sgt. Chaim Bechar, 20, of Tel Aviv, who was buried this afternoon.
Lt.-Col. (res.) Rabbi Avi Ronsky of Itamar, just east of Shechem, provided Arutz-7 with this first-hand report:
\"Balata is at the eastern entrance to Shechem, not far from Joseph\'s Tomb... Since last night we have been able to hear and see many helicopters, as well as gunshots, tank shells, and other explosions... I think this type of operation is effective, for a few reasons. First of all, it\'s a serious form of deterrence. Even the PA police have not dared to go into Balata during the last year or two, because it\'s considered a fortress of terrorism. In addition, the place is a center for terrorists, many arms bunkers, weapons, and even Kassam rockets. There is no way to get all this stuff without physically going in there.\"
Many Balata residents requested to leave their homes during the operation, although some elected to remain. The IDF made arrests, collected weapons, a helicopter fired two rockets at specific targets, and tanks fired shells. The IDF spokesman denied all reports that a force was encircled by Palestinian gunmen, although he did emphasize the difficulty of fighting house-to-house in densely-built areas. The IDF also operated in the PA-controlled city of Jenin, and altogether the Arabs report 11 dead and 100 wounded - 10 in critical condition. In an official statement, the IDF said, \"The refugee camps are central bases for terrorist elements that are responsible for the murder of dozens of Israeli citizens. The terrorists will not be able to find refuge here.\"
In response, Fatah began shooting at the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo this afternoon, threatening not to stop until the IDF leaves Balata. The terrorists even fired a mortar shell at the capital\'s southeastern-most neighborhood, but it fell short of its mark. A 19-year-old resident of Gilo was lightly wounded, and six apartments were damaged. The shots, which originated in Beit Jala, also targeted the Tunnels Highway between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. Israeli forces took over parts of Beit Jala last October, then withdrew when the Arabs promised to maintain quiet; Prime Minister Sharon promised in turn that if the terrorist violence recurred, the army would return. The terrorists have fired at least ten times at Gilo since then; the army briefly took over two houses there earlier this month, but nothing more.
PLO terrorists also resumed shooting at Hevron\'s Jewish community this afternoon. Israeli soldiers returned fire.
Lt.-Col. (res.) Rabbi Avi Ronsky of Itamar, just east of Shechem, provided Arutz-7 with this first-hand report:
\"Balata is at the eastern entrance to Shechem, not far from Joseph\'s Tomb... Since last night we have been able to hear and see many helicopters, as well as gunshots, tank shells, and other explosions... I think this type of operation is effective, for a few reasons. First of all, it\'s a serious form of deterrence. Even the PA police have not dared to go into Balata during the last year or two, because it\'s considered a fortress of terrorism. In addition, the place is a center for terrorists, many arms bunkers, weapons, and even Kassam rockets. There is no way to get all this stuff without physically going in there.\"
Many Balata residents requested to leave their homes during the operation, although some elected to remain. The IDF made arrests, collected weapons, a helicopter fired two rockets at specific targets, and tanks fired shells. The IDF spokesman denied all reports that a force was encircled by Palestinian gunmen, although he did emphasize the difficulty of fighting house-to-house in densely-built areas. The IDF also operated in the PA-controlled city of Jenin, and altogether the Arabs report 11 dead and 100 wounded - 10 in critical condition. In an official statement, the IDF said, \"The refugee camps are central bases for terrorist elements that are responsible for the murder of dozens of Israeli citizens. The terrorists will not be able to find refuge here.\"
In response, Fatah began shooting at the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo this afternoon, threatening not to stop until the IDF leaves Balata. The terrorists even fired a mortar shell at the capital\'s southeastern-most neighborhood, but it fell short of its mark. A 19-year-old resident of Gilo was lightly wounded, and six apartments were damaged. The shots, which originated in Beit Jala, also targeted the Tunnels Highway between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. Israeli forces took over parts of Beit Jala last October, then withdrew when the Arabs promised to maintain quiet; Prime Minister Sharon promised in turn that if the terrorist violence recurred, the army would return. The terrorists have fired at least ten times at Gilo since then; the army briefly took over two houses there earlier this month, but nothing more.
PLO terrorists also resumed shooting at Hevron\'s Jewish community this afternoon. Israeli soldiers returned fire.