Exclusive to Ma'an – The Insan Center for Democratic and Human Rights in Palestine issued an immediate press report demanding a stop to the Israeli attacks on Palestinians, particularly during the ongoing invasion of Nablus and its eastern Balata Refugee Camp.
Since Sunday, 19 February, Israeli forces have been in Balata Refugee Camp. On that day over 30 Israeli vehicles, supported by encircling Apache helicopters, invaded the camp. They broke into several homes, turning them into military installations. Israeli soldiers also arrested the 25 year old Palestinian citizen Ahmed Al Issa and two other Palestinians, taking them to unknown locations.
The next morning the children of the refugee camp had had enough and began throwing stones at the Israeli military vehicles, while Israeli soldiers shot at them from the rooftops of homes the soldiers had over taken.
Israeli forces wounded 16 Palestinians at that point, among them a 44 year old woman, Anan Al Aterah. She is one of the emergency medical team crew members in Nablus. Israeli soldiers shot her in the head.
Israeli soldiers also shot two other Palestinians in the head, including 16 year old child Mohammad Habesh. Israeli soldiers injured 35 year old Mohammad Zaaryn in the leg as a gas bomb exploded next to him. Israeli forces then arrested 31 year old Salih Mousa Abu 'Alef who also suffered a leg injury.
The cruelest of the killings in this devastating period was that of two teenagers. Israeli snipers took deadly aim and shot both 17 year old Ahmed Issa and 17 year old Mohammad Al Nator in their necks, immediately killing the boys.
Eyewitnesses reported that they had not participated in any actions in the camp.
On Monday, 20 February, Israeli forces expanded their operations in the region, also hitting Nablus City. More than 40 military vehicles invaded the city while Apache helicopters circled overhead. The city was devastated within a single hour and 15 minutes at dawn on Monday. Israeli forces besieged the Sheikh Musallam District in the southeastern area of the city near the major Mosque.
It was here that resistance fighters stepped in and Israeli forces killed 29 year old Ahmed Mohmmad Nayef by shooting him twice in the chest. The Israelis claimed he was a leader in Saraya Al Quds, the armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad.