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Israeli offensive claims 4 Palestinians on second day
by : Ravi Chopra
Date : Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:34:00 GMT
TEL AVIV - Four Palestinians succumbed on the second day of "Autumn Clouds,” the offensive operation initiated by Israel to stop rocket attacks on its cities. lt;br / gt;
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Residents of Beit Hanoun town on northern Gaza said that the four dead people were innocent bystanders and had nothing to do with military. "Residents are in panic as the sound of gunfire and explosions never stops. The curfew is very, very tight, " Yamen Hamad, a local journalist, told Reuters. lt;br / gt;
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It is reported that Israeli forces used loudspeakers to ask residents aged over 16 to be present at a school for questioning. The town has a population of 50,000. lt;br / gt;
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13 people have so far died since Israeli soldiers entered the town on Wednesday. The Israeli army said that the town was targeted since 300 of the 800 rockets aimed at Israeli towns and cities were launched from Beit Hanoun. lt;br / gt;
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David Baker, an official in the Prime Minister 's office said that the intention is to make sure that the town does not serve as a launching pad for missiles, "We will not allow Beit Hanoun to serve as a launching pad for missile attacks against Israel, " he said. lt;br / gt;
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Meanwhile Palestinian newspapers are furious over this uncalled for offensive, An editorial in Al-Quds said that Israel was waging a virtual war, "The international community is required to make a serious move because the tragedy that has been going on for so long cannot continue indefinitely, " it added. lt;br / gt;
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Ehud Olmert has also come in for some harsh words from Palestinian commentators. Mahmud Al-Habbash said in Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah that the Israeli Prime Minister was "the most stupid and corrupt prime minister since the establishment of the Hebrew state ". lt;br / gt;
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Olmert is slated to meet US President Bush later this month and he will want to make sure that the tensions do not escalate in the region.
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