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| Middle East |
| Israeli troops search for militants in Nablus |
| 2002-05-31 |
| Israeli troops poured into the West Bank city of Nablus and a neighboring refugee camp Friday, declaring a curfew and searching for militants. Nearby, a Palestinian was shot and killed while infiltrating a Jewish settlement carrying an assault rifle. Israel Radio reported that he threw grenades at a kindergarten, but the report could not immediately be confirmed. The Israeli troops entered Nablus in about 100 tanks and armored personnel carriers, Palestinians said. They also moved into the Balata camp, headquarters of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade militia. Israeli forces arrested the Fatah leader in Nablus, Issam Abu Bakr, one of the top political figures in the city. The Israeli military said its forces entered Nablus and the Balata camp "in the wake of recent murderous attacks." In a statement, the military said a curfew was imposed, two Palestinians were arrested and the operation was continuing. I liked the part about tossing the grenades into the kindergarten. (Well, figuratively, anyway... From a turbanned point of view...) Y'see, if the purpose is to provoke an Israeli overreaction, that's probably the way to do it. Why would they want to provoke an overreaction? They don't expect the IDF to destroy the Palestinians. In fact, the PA has moved closer to actually forming a state than they were before Operation Defensive Shield. But if you're a Learned Elder of Islam, or Ernst Stavro Blofeld, or Gharlane of Eddore, then you're keeping these things juggled. The Paks were getting too close on their western border — big potential for losses to al-Qaeda — so a diversion was needed. Heat things up on the eastern border. Troops moved, mission accomplished, except that now the Indos are ready to pave Pak. What's to do? Blow up the Middle East again and nobody will notice when the Paks back off just far enough. When the Middle East gets too hot, blow something up somewhere else... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |