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14/03/2006
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison.
It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage. Two Australians and an American who were also seized are believed to have been freed.
There have also been reports that an EU compound was also stormed.
The incidents followed a raid on a Palestinian-run prison by Israeli forces in an attempt to seize a prisoner wanted in connection with the killing of an Israeli Cabinet minister.
Israeli troops stormed the prison in Jericho to demand the handover of Ahmed Saadat, a militant leader who is wanted in connection with the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001.
There have been reports from Israeli television that Ahmed Saadat has now surrendered to Israeli troops, but this has not been confirmed.
According to reports, at least one Palestinian guard was killed. More than 150 prisoners are believed to have surrendered to Israeli forces.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been protesting against the raid in Gaza and the West Bank.
The raid on the prison came shortly after US and British human rights monitors withdrew from the prison, sparking criticism from Palestinians.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has blamed Britain and the US for the Israeli raid.
British and American observers had been monitoring prisoners at the jail since 2002, in order to confirm that human rights standards were being met. However, the Foreign Office said that they had been withdrawn amid concerns about their safety. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that Britain and America had written to the Palestinian Authority warning that the observers would be withdrawn if the security situation did not improve.
The Foreign Office has issued a warning advising against travel to Israel and the occupied territories. Militants have warned all Britons and Americans to leave Palestinian terrorities or face the risk of abduction.
(KMcA/GB)
It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage. Two Australians and an American who were also seized are believed to have been freed.
There have also been reports that an EU compound was also stormed.
The incidents followed a raid on a Palestinian-run prison by Israeli forces in an attempt to seize a prisoner wanted in connection with the killing of an Israeli Cabinet minister.
Israeli troops stormed the prison in Jericho to demand the handover of Ahmed Saadat, a militant leader who is wanted in connection with the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001.
There have been reports from Israeli television that Ahmed Saadat has now surrendered to Israeli troops, but this has not been confirmed.
According to reports, at least one Palestinian guard was killed. More than 150 prisoners are believed to have surrendered to Israeli forces.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been protesting against the raid in Gaza and the West Bank.
The raid on the prison came shortly after US and British human rights monitors withdrew from the prison, sparking criticism from Palestinians.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has blamed Britain and the US for the Israeli raid.
British and American observers had been monitoring prisoners at the jail since 2002, in order to confirm that human rights standards were being met. However, the Foreign Office said that they had been withdrawn amid concerns about their safety. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that Britain and America had written to the Palestinian Authority warning that the observers would be withdrawn if the security situation did not improve.
The Foreign Office has issued a warning advising against travel to Israel and the occupied territories. Militants have warned all Britons and Americans to leave Palestinian terrorities or face the risk of abduction.
(KMcA/GB)
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25 July 2006
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Fierce ground fighting in Lebanon
Israeli forces are continuing to fight Hezbollah fighters in ground battles in Lebanon, according to reports. The latest news from the region indicates that fierce ground clashes are continuing in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which is believed to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
07 August 2006
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
03 August 2006
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
30 June 2006
Palestinian officials 'detained' by Israel
Four Palestinian cabinet ministers, and dozens of officials of Hamas, have been detained in a move to "destabilise" the Hamas government according to Palestinian sources. However, in what are said to be separate moves by the Israeli government against militia targets in Palestine, two militants are reported to have been killed.
Palestinian officials 'detained' by Israel
Four Palestinian cabinet ministers, and dozens of officials of Hamas, have been detained in a move to "destabilise" the Hamas government according to Palestinian sources. However, in what are said to be separate moves by the Israeli government against militia targets in Palestine, two militants are reported to have been killed.
16 August 2005
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
