Israel Defense Forces Destroying Ramallah

Ramallah / Bethlehem On-Site Update
by amanda, imc-ireland . Sunday March 31, 2002 at 02:55 PM

update from palestine

http://jerusalem.indymedia.org/news/2002/03/1938.php

In Ramallah full military martial law has been declared. The order is
that all non Israeli personell on the streets will be shot.

Despite reports to the contrary there are still 33 international
citizens inside Arafat's compound. Caoimhe Butterly is still amoung
them. This was confirmed by a Palestian imc reporter I spoke to
minutes ago.

10 of the internationals and 3 Palestinian medics were arrested
earlier.  They were originally taken to Beit El, an Israeli military
compound, but have been moved in the last hour to the Israeli Ofra
settlement. This means they are now legally in Israeli territory and
it makes their legal situation worse.

Israeli soldiers have also being targeting American reporters. They
have shot at a CNN news vehicle which was clearly mark. They have also
shot a reporter from the Boston Globe. It has not been confirmed how
serious her injuries are or if she is alive.

On a positive note there has in the last few hours been some
restoration of electricity in Ramallah. This means that the people
inside the compound have been able to communicate with the outside
world to try and rally more support.

In Bethleham the Israeli's are still amassing tanks at the checkpoints
around the area. Reports are that members of the press who try to
enter the area are being refused entry at gun point. I was told by imc
reporters that the Israelis were shelling and firing into the Ayda and
Azza refugee camps.

At present the area still has electricity and there is some freedom of
movement apart from where curfew has been imposed around Bilal Mosque
& Carritas Street in north Bethleham since 19.30 local time.  There
will be a protest beginning at the US embassey in Dublin at 15.00
tomorrow. It will protest US support for Israel and will the move to
the Israeli embassey to call for the safety of Caoimhe and Mary Kelly,
the other Irish woman in Ramallah, and for an end to Israeli
aggression in Palestine.

http://jerusalem.indymedia.org/news/2002/03/1938.php