Israeli occupation forces Sunday assassinated Jihad Hassan Abu Na’eem, 34, the commander of the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, military wing of Fatah Movement, in the city of Salfit to the north of the West Bank.
Eyewitnesses said that an explosive device was planted in a place frequented by the commander and blasted on his arrival. The victim, who was wanted for several years on charges of commanding the Aqsa Brigades and planning anti-Israeli attacks, was married and a father of two children.
Earlier, an Israeli helicopter fired two missiles into a metal workshop in the Gaza Strip refugee camp of Khan Yunis early Sunday, slightly injuring two people, witnesses and medical workers said.
The Israeli army said the workshop was used by Hamas to manufacture mortar shells.
On Saturday, army bulldozers razed a number of houses in Khan Yunis. A United Nations official said 35 homes were demolished. Witnesses said up to 100 people were left homeless in the raid.
Meanwhile, Israel on Saturday denied entry to Egypt to a first batch of 85 Palestinian security personnel due to receive training ahead of a planned Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip, AFP reported.
The group included 45 security personnel due to begin a seven-week training course Saturday, and 40 Palestinian trainees set to join Egypt's police academy. The Egyptian border police said Israel had not given any reason for the decision.
Meanwhile, according to Israeli media reports, Palestinians fired two Qassam rockets into the southern Israeli town of Sderot. No immediate reports of casualties were reported. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
