Headlines for 10-20-07

Three die in heavy Gaza fighting The dead included a 13-year-old boy caught in the crossfire, medics said.


Israeli forces kill two Palestinians off Gaza coast Two Palestinians were shot dead on Saturday by Israeli forces that fired on their vessel off the Gaza Strip coast, according to Palestinian medical sources.


Two Palestinian lifeguards killed by Israeli Navy off Gaza beach


Israel shaken by troops' tales of brutality against Palestinians Nufar Yishai-Karin, a clinical psychologist at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, interviewed 21 Israeli soldiers and heard confessions of frequent brutal assaults against Palestinians, aggravated by poor training and discipline. In her recently published report, co-authored by Professor Yoel Elizur, Yishai-Karin details a series of violent incidents, including the beating of a four-year-old boy by an officer.......The soldiers described dozens of incidents of extreme violence. One recalled an incident when a Palestinian was shot for no reason and left on the street.


One child seriously injured as Israeli forces attack various parts of the West Bank


Erekat on Friday's meeting - seriousness on both sides; but too early to judge


Israeli shelling on northern Gaza wound three Palestinians


After Putin, PM set to discuss Iran with Sarkozy, Brown The Israeli assumption is that from now until the Annapolis conference, the international pressure on the Jewish state will only intensify. The majority of the pressure will come from the US but European states will also exert some pressure.




Israel detains five Palestinian militants in West Bank Meanwhile, an eight-year-old girl was wounded when she was caught in the crossfire of a battle involving Palestinian militants in Tulkarem, also in the northern West Bank, according to Palestinian security officials. Palestinian officials said the battle involved Israeli troops, but the Israeli army spokesman denied there had been any activity in Tulkarem.



Chinese disabled art troupe performs in Bethlehem A group of special Chinese artists on Friday evening gave a performance in the west bank city of Bethlehem, drawing great applause from the Palestinian audience.


Israeli troops arrest Hamas commander in West Bank town


Super surfer visits Israel to promote peace


Senior Hamas figure criticises takeover of Gaza A well-known Hamas figure on Saturday publicly criticized the group's seizure of the Gaza Strip, in a rare case of open dissent within the ranks of the Islamist group.


Life in Gaza: price hikes force reluctant smokers to quit or cut back Many smokers argue they need cigarettes to reduce tensions from the conflict with Israel, whether it's long waits at checkpoints, loss of jobs or fighting in the streets. Smoking is also part of male bonding; many men spend their evenings in smoke-filled coffee shops, away from crowded homes with noisy children.


Feature: Palestinian widows: mother and father at the same time "Our society sees my husband as a hero, but if my children want to follow my husband's footsteps, I will do anything to prevent them from doing so," said Khadija. "As a mother, I don't want to lose my kids and I don't want them to meet early death as their father did in fighting with Israeli troops,"


A Friday in Jerusalem during Ramadan There are children here but no teenagers and no young men or women. This is because the Israeli government prohibits the 2.3 million Palestinians who live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip from entering Jerusalem (only Palestinians living in East Jerusalem have the necessary permits).


After seven months, man has freedom but not answers Growing up in Rafa, Gaza, Abuhajjaj was kidnapped and tortured more than once, according to Justice Department records. He threw rocks at Israelis during demonstrations against Israeli occupation in 1987, records said. He was shot in the leg walking home from school at age 19


Israeli parliament's web site attacked by hackers The official web site of Israel's Knesset (parliament) was hacked on Saturday, with profiles of several legislators being changed and assaulted by hackers, local media said.


Laura Bush leaves for cancer, diplomatic mission in Mideast The United States' image in the region has suffered badly in recent years due to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the conduct of the US "war on terror," Washington's support for Israel and the troubled peace process for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


The Syrian ?Nuke? Hoax