Jeningrad

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday June 19, 2002 13:51 by jim D ulrikemary at hotmail dot com

Israelis have reinvaded Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank and seem to be making preparations to remain dug in there. Caoimhe butterly is in the camp and reporteed some of the following to a friend in Nablus.

The Israeli Army reinvaded Jenin Refugee camp last night at about 1am. The invasion began when 2 houses were bombed from the Air by Apache helicopters. Approximately 50 tanks surrounding the camp then began shelling continuosly until 7am this morning (19th June). Light resistance from local fighters lasted for about one hour.

Irish resident of the camp, Caoimhe Butterly, arrived at about 6am and witnessed soldiers looting and vandalising stores in the camp, in particular pillowcases filled with material removed from a mobile phone shop and placed in a tank. Throughout the morning several houses were bombed with tank shells as tanks rolled through the camp. Soldiers went house to house detaining what few men remain after the April arrests. Caoimhe saw several groups of men shackled and blindfolded left waiting in the sun some of whom showed injuries they said were from beatings.

Tanks sit on top of the pile of rubble left after the attacks in April. They destroyed tents which had been placed there for families of the dead to receive visitors.

No ambulance movement is being allowed by the Israelis, those that try must negotiate with each tank commander on the streets.
Noone has died in the fighting though there are injuries. One woman died when soldiers broke into her house. This seems to have been the result of fright or heart attack.

Caoimhe also reports that the Al Razee charity hospital has been overrun and trashed by the Israaelis. Systematic vandalism is taking place there. While in the camp Caoimhe has been verbally assaulted by the soldiers who have called her ‘Eva Braun’ (Hitlers girlfriend), ‘Nazi Cow’ and ‘Arab Fucker’. She has seen flags of ultra Zionist football teams adorning tanks.

Military busses are standing by presumably to carry off detainees and reports are circulating of caravans being brought in to house soldiers indicating that the Israelis may be planning to remain in the camp. 5 armoured buldozers have also been seen.

People in the camp have no water, phones or electricity and are “terrified”.

Jim Davis PH Israel 053 812874

Caoimhe Butterly. Israel 055 975374