Three Palestinians Reported Wounded in West Bank

A report in English at 1229 gmt reads: "A large-scale Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Qalqiliya is continuing for a second day. Israeli officials claimed they are searching for a Hamas-affiliated military cell. Israeli sources reported that their army has arrested more than 20 Hamas supporters in the city.

"Three Palestinians have been injured, one seriously, and more than ten others arrested so far in the invasion. Palestinian medical sources said that thirteen-year-old Mu’min Abu Sharib received a bullet wound to the head, and was taken to hospital in Nablus.

"More than 50 Israeli military vehicles are taking part in the operation, which is considered the biggest incursion into Qalqiliya since operation ‘Defensive Shield’ was launched against all Palestinian cities in 2002. During the current incursion, Israeli forces distributed a statement saying that the operation will continue until a ‘Hamas affiliated cell’, stationed in the city’s centre, is apprehended."

Palestinian Militants Attack Israeli Targets in Gaza Strip

Another report in Arabic at 1011 gmt reads: "A joint group of the Al-Mujahidin Brigades in Palestine, a Fatah-affiliated group, and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for firing an RPG at an Israeli jeep in the area of Juhr al-Dik in the Central Governorate in the Gaza Strip this morning. A statement issued by the group, a copy of which reached Ma’an, says that ‘this operation was carried out in direct response to the ongoing Israeli massacres, invasions and assassinations of Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip’."

A report in Arabic at 1023 gmt reads: "The Martyr Izz-al-Din al- Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier in the industrial area east of Bayt Hanun and for firing four 80mm mortars at a group of Israeli vehicles east of Al-Maghazi this morning. A statement issued by the group, a copy of which reached Ma’an, says that the two operations were carried out in response to the ongoing Israeli invasions of various areas in the Gaza Strip."

Another report in Arabic at 1118 gmt reads: "The Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility for firing two 100mm mortars at Bayt Hanun (Erez) crossing this morning." The report further cites a statement issued by the group to the effect that "this operation, which shows adherence to the option of resistance, was carried out in response to the ongoing Israeli invasions of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank."

Ma’an in Arabic reports at 1254 gmt: "The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for firing an antipersonnel Yasin rocket at a group of Israeli soldiers as they were climbing into a tank east of Zamu Street in Bayt Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip." The report cites the group as saying that "this operation was carried out in response to the ongoing Israeli attacks and raids on various areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip."

Tunnel Collapses in Gaza Refugee Camp

A report in Arabic at 1352 gmt reads: "A tunnel collapsed today in block 7 of the Al-Burayj refugee camp in the Gaza Strip’s Central Governorate."

Originally published by Ma’an News Agency website, Bethlehem, in Arabic 0000 11 Oct 07.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.