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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | |||
| IDF snipers kill 6 | |||
| 2011-06-05 | |||
| Despite reports suggesting the mass rallies planned in Syria and Lebanon to mark "Naksa Day" – the 44th anniversary of the Arab "downfall" in the Six Day War – were cancelled, some 500 people gathered Sunday on the Syrian side of the northern border. According to reports, around noon, about 150 protesters made their way to the international border fence and began stoning IDF troops and attempting to cut through the fence. IDF forces called on the demonstrators to cease their progress, before firing warning shots in mid-air. Once those were ignored as well, the troops fired at the lower extremities of several major dissidents inflaming the crowds. Unconfirmed reports by Syrian media suggest six people, including two teens, were killed and about 100 others injured, allegedly from IDF sniper fire. Red Syrian medical officials told Damascus TV that the Israeli soldiers "are shooting live rounds and aiming for the abdomen, chest and head."
Around 3pm, and at the request of the Syrian Red Nevertheless, Israel warned that should radical elements try to take advantage of the situation and storm the fence, IDF troops will not hesitate to exercise force to stop the border from being breached. IDF and police forces have increased deployment across all sectors ahead of "Naksa Day." The deployment includes tanks, jeeps and infantry forces. A military source said that "the tension on the border is palpable." A corresponding rally of about 400 people, mostly Druze and reporters, took place on the Israeli side of the border. Ali Younis, head of the Syrian Prisoners Committee, who was among the protesters, told Syrian television that "the Israeli soldiers are using tear gas and live rounds. "The terrorist Zionist entity is using savage means against boys, just like they do in the prisons. Despite all of this, our youth is not afraid. The moment of liberation and return to the Golan in close." The IDF reported that a riot also broke out near the Quneitra Crossing. IDF forces fired warning shots at them as well, reporting hitting several. Military officials noted that Syrian security forces were doing nothing to stop the demonstrators from trying to cross the border illegally.
IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai said that "the Syrian government and military are helpless to stop what is going on. I hope this is not an attempt by the Syrian regime to divert international attention from what in is going on in the country." The IDF's Spokesperson Unit's Arab Media Liaison Avichai Adrei went on al-Jazeera and said that Israel "wants to see this incident end as soon as possible and all demonstrators retune home safely. We urge them to stop all provocations. The IDF is here to protect Israeli lives." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed "Naksa Day" in Sunday's Cabinet meeting, saying that "Unfortunately, there are radical elements around us that are trying to breach our borders and threaten our citizens. "We have instructed security forces to exercise restraint, but still secure the borders," he said. | |||
| Posted by: |
| #4 The terrorist Zionist entity is using savage means against boys Yes, doing savage things to boys is certainly barbaric. Isn't it, Pencilneck? And remind me again who planned these alleged boys' participation? Who encouraged it? Who consented to it? Who bused them there? |
| Posted by: gorb 2011-06-05 21:18 |
| #3 Massrallies planned in Syria and Lebanon to mark "Naksa Day" – the 44th anniversary of the Arab "downfall" in the Six Day War They celebrate failure? Well they now have another day of failure to celebrate. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-06-05 17:52 |
| #2 Israel should deploy that pain ray (I believe it's called the Active Denial System) we developed at all their border crossings. This is a perfect opportunity IMO. |
| Posted by: YoMama 2011-06-05 17:29 |
| #1 the Syrian Gov't bussed these losers in |
| Posted by: Frank G 2011-06-05 12:13 |