Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Undercover Israelis shoot two dead in West Bank

Justin Huggler
Friday 31 January 2003 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Just two days after Ariel Sharon was re-elected Prime Minister, Israeli tanks were back in action yesterday, demolishing a Palestinian vegetable market in Hebron.

In Tulkarem on the West Bank, Israeli undercover soldiers shot dead two Palestinians. The army said both were militants. Palestinians said one was an innocent bystander. Reports said one of the men killed was Fayez Jabr, the local leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group which has connections with Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.

In Hebron, the Israeli army searched private homes and Palestinian Authority offices and closed three police stations, two television channels and a radio station.

Palestinians threw stones at soldiers, who replied with live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets. The incursion follows the killing of three Israeli soldiers near a Jewish settlement outside Hebron a week ago.

Hours before the Hebron incursion Mr Sharon dismissed an offer from Mr Arafat of talks and a ceasefire. Mr Sharon's spokesman said the offer was "duplicity and deception". Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian cabinet minister, said Mr Sharon's refusal to talk was "a reflection of the policies of the next government of Israel – a frozen peace process, deterioration and escalation, and attempts to dictate rather than negotiate".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in