On the night of October 24,2001, the Israeli attack against Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and the other Palestinian cities intensified dramatically. Israeli army has been shooting indiscriminately, showing absolutely no mercy or compassion. They make no distinction between armed fighters, children or women; they intend their bullets to kill regardless.
Press release issued on October 26, 2001
Beit Sahour Municipality
On the night of October 24,2001, the Israeli attack against Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and the other Palestinian cities intensified dramatically. Israeli army has been shooting indiscriminately, showing absolutely no mercy or compassion. They make no distinction between armed fighters, children or women; they intend their bullets to kill regardless.
On October 24, 2001 at 1:30 pm, a local man was shot and killed whilst driving home after collecting his wife from her work. The bullet hit his car from the rear, and entered his back. The bullet tore through him then exited through the windscreen. His name was Issa Jeries Jameel Al Ali, 55 years old, and a father of three children.
During the early morning of today, October 25, 2001, two more people have been shot. One is dead and the other is seriously wounded. After yesterday’s massacre in Biet Rima, we have stopped counting the mounting death toll.
The result of the renewed and intensified Israeli bombing campaign against Beit Sahour is as follows:
- About 60 houses have suffered damage to water tanks and window glass.
- Two houses have been severely damaged due to missile attacks which emanated from the army camp at Jabal Abu Gnain ( the Har Homa Settlement). One of these houses is the Dir Mar Saba Monastery, and belongs to the Greek Community. Margaret, a Greek woman lives there. This is the third time her home has been attacked and damaged and she has miraculously survived uninjured.
We desperately need more action. We need all internationals to demand the complete and immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian areas, as agreed under Oslo I and II. How can the world accept the continuation of Israeli aggression against our civilians throughout Palestine?
We need an international observation force to be deployed on the ground in Palestine immediately. We are particularly concerned that Mr. Sharon has refused to listen and act upon the United States demand to withdraw immediately from the reoccupied Palestinian areas. We are even more concerned regarding the last statement issued by Mr. Sharon. He claims that when all objectives have been achieved then Israel’s troops will be withdrawn. But what exactly are the objectives of this latest incursion? As far as we can see it has been to systematically destroy the infrastructure of our towns and to kill unarmed, innocent civilians.
Mr. Sharon has been responsible for other massacres over the years and we are desperately afraid that our safety and future is in his control. We are struggling against the illegal occupation of our land and we are determined to achieve peace and justice for our people, however, whilst an aggressive and militaristic man leads Israel, they will continue to wage their ugly and vicious war against us.
Picture of the Paradise Hotel in Bethlehem
Picture of the Mar Saba Monastery
