Nablus (Ma'an) - Nablus Governor Said Abu Ali cautioned against the continuation of Israel's massive military raid on Nablus and its Balata Refugee Camp. He said that the Israelis have killed five Palestinians and injured over 40 as of this point.
Abu Ali called on human rights institutions to intervene to halt the Israeli attack on the northern West Bank city. He accused Israel of escalating the volatile situation in Palestine.
A Ma'an correspondent reported that Israeli forces have reinforced military vehicles, including jeeps, tanks, and APCs, in the city over the past three days. According to eyewitnesses, these reinforcements include military bulldozers which the Israeli army is using against Palestinian citizens.
The Governor told Ma'an News that Israeli authorities informed Palestinian officials that the raid would take place, but did not specify a time period.
He said that the Nablus District Government formed a Higher Emergency Committee to do follow-up on the situation of citizens being victimized by the assault, particularly in Balata Refugee Camp. The Governor noted that today the District will distribute food and medical rations throughout the camp.
Israeli soldiers opened fire on Palestinians throwing stones, injuring several teenagers throughout the weekend. And during another confrontation Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers injured five Palestinians. Medical sources report that 17 year old Kamal Al Khalily was shot in the chest. He was transferred to Rafidiya Hospital were he underwent emergency surgery. Khalily is currently in critical condition.
A Ma'an correspondent in the area also reported that Israeli soldiers have overtaken a number of homes in the camp, turning them into sniper posts and military installations. The home of 42 year old Moustafa Masmar in the Al Dahiah neighborhood toward the front of Balata Camp is homeless for the time being. Israeli soldiers have overtaken several of the main grocery stores with belong to 51 year old Adel Al Shahrouri.
The Israeli forces said today that they shot and injured two Palestinians in Nablus City, after the two threw a space-heater at one of the military vehicles, as is the Israeli claim. None of the soldiers were injured.