- Title: GAZA/ WEST BANK: ISRAELIS FIRE MISSILE INTO GAZA CITY /CLASHES ON WEST BANK
- Date: 25th July 2004
- Summary: (W4) GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 25, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. QIDE OF GAZA CITY SKYLINE WITH SMOKE RISING 0.09 2. WIDE OF SMOKE RISING FROM SITE WHERE ISRAELI MISSILE HIT BUILDING IN AIR RAID ON SUSPECTED PALESTINIAN MILITANTS 0.21 3. LV OF SKYLINE AND SMOKE RISING 0.29 4. VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS GATHERING AROUND STRIKE SITE 0.34
- Embargoed: 9th August 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA/ QALANDIA REFUGEE CAMP, WEST BANK
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Reuters ID: LVABFA8SC91MF28RGXT7TZXSB4TQ
- Story Text: Israeli helicopter gunship fired at least one
missile at a building in Gaza City, while clashes erupt in
the West Bank.
An Israeli helicopter fired missiles at the home of
a suspected militant in Gaza on Sunday (July 25), wounding
at least four people and adding to the wired tension in the
territory at the heart of a Palestinian leadership crisis.
After more than a week of unprecedented Palestinian
turmoil, mediators tried to mend fences between veteran
President Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, who
resigned amid the chaos and calls for reforms to a jumble
of security forces.
A helicopter fired at least two missiles into a
building in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood. Local
residents said the building was the home of a militant from
the Islamic Hamas group, which has sworn to destroy the
Jewish state.
The apparent target, Abu Malik Jindiah, escaped unhurt.
But four bystanders were wounded, medics said. The
explosions tore apart the building and sent up a column of
thick, black smoke.
Israel's army made no immediate comment, but an Israeli
security source said they were looking for Hamas activists.
Israeli helicopters have often targeted Palestinian
militants during nearly four years of conflict.
In addition to the regular Israeli raids, Gaza has been
touched by unprecedented internal unrest over the past week
that has stirred fears of Palestinian civil war.
A power struggle, triggered by an Israeli plan to
abandon occupied Gaza next year, pits Arafat's old guard
against younger members of his Fatah movement demanding the
removal of officials seen as corrupt and changes in the
security forces.
Prime Minister Qurie tendered his resignation over the
crisis and although Arafat refused to accept it, the
moderate premier has made clear he will not withdraw his
resignation unless the wily former guerrilla leader makes
real changes.
An Arafat aide told Reuters that a mediation team had
been set up to negotiate between the president and the
prime minister and differences could be resolved at a
Tuesday (July 27) cabinet meeting.
Arafat, who has long resisted calls for reforms that
might cost him power and influence, said on Saturday (July
24) that he would accept any government changes proposed by
Qurie. He also made two new senior security appointments.
Just five kilometres (three miles) from Arafat's
battered West Bank compound, Israeli troops stormed a
Palestinian refugee camp. Witnesses said they opened fire
towards dozens of youths who pelted them with stones.
Witnesses said the incursion followed a report that an
Israeli civilian had strayed into Qalandia camp and had
come under attack by residents. There was no immediate word
of casualties. The Israeli army declined comment.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None