IDF troops this morning, backed by tanks and helicopter gun ships, entered the Arab village of Dura, in the Hevron district. This morning’s operation comes despite further demands by US president George Bush, that Israel withdraw from all PLO controlled areas, “Without delay.”
Yesterday IDF forces took over the casbah section of the city of Shechem amidst intense gun battles. PLO sources say that there were at least 50 Arabs killed in the fighting. In addition, hundreds of Arab gunmen surrendered to the IDF. Army officials report that troops uncovered about 100 pipe bombs and an unspecified quantity of explosives in the casba area.
The IDF this morning also completed its pullback from the towns of Tulkarm and Kalkilya. IDF officials say that the withdrawal was carried out, since forces were successful in destroying the terrorist infrastructure in those towns. Army forces have established tight buffer zones outside of those cities to ensure that terrorists are unable to leave, and perpetrate attacks. IDF forces continue to operate in the towns of Ramallah, Jenin, and Bethlehem.
Yesterday IDF forces took over the casbah section of the city of Shechem amidst intense gun battles. PLO sources say that there were at least 50 Arabs killed in the fighting. In addition, hundreds of Arab gunmen surrendered to the IDF. Army officials report that troops uncovered about 100 pipe bombs and an unspecified quantity of explosives in the casba area.
The IDF this morning also completed its pullback from the towns of Tulkarm and Kalkilya. IDF officials say that the withdrawal was carried out, since forces were successful in destroying the terrorist infrastructure in those towns. Army forces have established tight buffer zones outside of those cities to ensure that terrorists are unable to leave, and perpetrate attacks. IDF forces continue to operate in the towns of Ramallah, Jenin, and Bethlehem.