Israeli policies have led to an exodus of Palestinians out of parts of the West Bank city of Hebron, an official of an international monitoring group based in the city said Monday. Roar Sorensen of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, said difficult conditions in the area of the city under Israeli control had caused many Palestinians to leave, but he did not have exact figures. B'tselem, an Israeli group that specializes in Palestinian human rights issues, estimates as many as 15,000 of its 35,000 Palestinian residents have left the Israeli-controlled zone. Altogether, about 130,000 Palestinians live in Hebron. In a lengthy response, the Israeli military insisted soldiers take pains not to harm civilians but did not address the claim that many Palestinians have left parts of Hebron under Israeli control. The Palestinian governor of the Hebron area, Arif Jaabari, said many Palestinians have fled because of Israeli curfews and other harsh security measures. "People always feel afraid," he said. "Anyone who has an opportunity to leave the area will leave."
| Have they considered ceasing hostilities?... I thought not. |
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