Israeli occupation troops ransack parts of Hebron, destroy three radio, TV, stations
Occupied Jerusalem: 30 April
By Khalid Amayreh
Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday vandalized homes and ransacked businesses in downtown Hebron on the second day of their reoccupation of this town of 170,000 Palestinians.
Palestinian sources reported that Israeli soldiers raided civilian homes, smashing furniture, computers, television sets and other appliances.
“They (Israeli soldiers) are acting like street criminals, this is not an army of disciplined soldiers, this is an army of criminals and gangsters,” said Ahmed Hirbawi, a shop keeper.
“I can’t understand how they will convince us of their desire for peace by acting like barbarians.”
Earlier, Israeli troops destroyed the antennas of al-Mustakbal Television station and arrested its proprietor, Amjad al Kurd.
Troops also vandalized the Nawras Television station and two other radio stations, Marah and al-Hurriya, apparently for reporting Israeli atrocities against Palestinian civilians.
The Israeli army said it arrested hundreds of people in Hebron on suspicion of involvement in “hostile activities,” an allusion to Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation and apartheid.
Among the people reportedly arrested are Mustafa Shawar, a professor at the University of Hebron and several officials at the Islamic Charitable Society, Hebron’s largest philanthropic institution.
At least ten Palestinians were killed and scores injured in the initial Israeli incursion into Hebron.
Hospital sources said at least six of the victims were innocent civilians killed when an Israeli helicopter gunship fired several missiles at a home at the Bussa neighborhood.
The Israeli army alleged a “gunman” was hiding in the vicinity of the house, a claim Palestinians labeled as “cheap and mendacious.”
“It is an act of sheer criminality to attack a civilian home with rockets just because there is suspicion that a resistance activists might be in the vicinity of the home. Those who did and order it are criminals,” said a neighbor who wouldn’t give his name, fearing possible Israeli reprisal.
An Israeli military spokesman said Tuesday said the army would leave Hebron tonight.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops continued to rampage through the nearby town of Dura (pop. 30,000), conducting house-to-house searches for weapons and “wanted” Palestinians, the term the Israeli army uses for Palestinian freedom fighters.
At one point an Israeli Merkava-tank overturned in the center of Dura.
There were no reports of casualties.