"Priest Killed in Bethlehem" + "Ramallah Update"
Susan Brannon & MMN Syndicate, 2 Apr 2002
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Priest Killed in Bethlehem
April 2, 2002
Copyright © 2002 MMN Syndicate / Susan Brannon
Jerusalem, April 2, 2002 (MMN Syndicate / Susan Brannon) - Reports of a Salesian priest, Fr. Franco Ranzani, 65 was killed Tuesday outside of the convent of Santa Maria in Bethlehem. Ten nuns were also wounded during an incursion of the church by the IDF during gunfire as the troops rolled through the town.
Heavy fighting occurred near Manger Square throughout the night and morning with shelling being heard about every 3-5 minutes, says a local resident during a telephone interview. The families are locked inside their homes and most stay in the back rooms or "safe rooms" for their safety. Electricity, water and telephone service is available throughout most of the city. The families listen to a constant rumble sound of helicopters flying overhead and are never sure where the missiles may strike. Once again, parents gather with their children to discuss the situation and what to do in the event of soldiers occupying their home. Throughout the incursion the parents attempt to calm the young children's fears and try to provide a since of security while listening to constant gunfire raging outside.
Deheishe, Ayda and Azza refugee camps are without water and electricity, they minimize the use of propane heaters because they do not know when they can obtain more gas. It is cold and rainy in the region. There are many reports of constant heavy incursions of the IDF soldiers, tanks and jeeps on the ground and swarming throughout the camps and city. Some of the private houses are being taken over by the IDF to be used for firing from the roofs. House-to-house searches are occurring in Deheishe camp and the IDF is rounding up all men between the ages of 15 - 50 and women between 15-25.
Reported yesterday, 6 foreigners were shot by the IDF in Biet Jalla during a peaceful demonstration and many are in the Al Huissen Hospital in and one is in serious condition.
Also in Bethlehem, Palestinians killed 11 other Palestinian men suspected of collaborating with Israel. The cities call it the "Nests of Palestinian terror." The men were killed execution style and their bodies were dragged through the town near manger square. A camera crew filmed the even and later, Palestinians warning them about the filming took the film.
At the Star Hotel in Bethlehem an Al Jazeera journalist was shot while on the 5th floor of the building. The IDF has declared Bethlehem a "military zone", not allowing any press or foreigners into the city.
Susan Brannon is a free-lance American Photographer and
MMN's correspondent in Palestine.
Copyright © 2002 Susan Brannon & MMN Syndicate
http://syndicate.mediamonitors.net
All rights reserved.
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Ramallah Update
April 2, 2002
Copyright © 2002 MMN Syndicate / Susan Brannon
Jerusalem, April 2, 2002 - (MMN Syndicate / Susan Brannon) Ramallah, it is being reported that 400 workers inside of the Al Ammen Al Wekaái, Preventive Security building 200 surrendered and 30 were killed during the invasion of the building. They are being head for questioning.
The water, electricity and phone lines are shut off near Arafat's headquarters and other areas of the city. It is estimated that 25,000 residents are without water, electricity and phone lines including the hospital. The IDF allowed the 25 bodies to be removed from the hospital during the 3-hour lift of curfew.
The Red Crescent medical staff and said they had not seen anything like this for the last 30 years and are not allowed to enter for medical relief and assistance. Earlier today, a UN convoy entered into Ramallah to deliver medicines to the Hospital. They were shot at during their venture in Ramallah and the IDF arrested one of the drivers. Their mission was successful.
The citizens are under a heavy curfew and were only allowed to exit their homes for 3 hours this afternoon to shop for food. The Israeli Army distributed food in some of the areas. Many of the residents reported shooting during the lift of curfew and were scared to exit their homes for fear of being shot.
Reports of soldiers entering into private homes, detaining inhabitants in single rooms while they use the flats for gunfire. Some of the families are isolated into one room and not allowed access to the telephone, and sometimes food and water. They have to remain quiet while being held hostage in their own homes while the soldiers destroy their belongings. The luckier families can share a bedroom, use the kitchen, toilet and play computer games during the occupation.
In certain areas of Ramallah the IDF is asking all males from 16-40 to surrender and house-to-house searches are occurring.
Susan Brannon is a free-lance American Photographer and
MMN's correspondent in Palestine.
Copyright © 2002 Susan Brannon & MMN Syndicate
http://syndicate.mediamonitors.net
All rights reserved.
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