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<font size=4 color="#FF0000"><b>TWO STORIES FOLLOW<br><br>
</font><font size=4>Israeli forces kill four Palestinians in targeted
assassinations of Hamas-linked armed resistance <br>
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http://english.pnn.ps/index.php</a><br><br>
(Gaza) Bisan Hisham <br>
Wednesday, 06 September 2006 <br><br>
In late night air attacks on the southern Gaza Strip Israeli forces
killed four Palestinians. All were members of the armed resistance and
the killings were targeted assassinations. <br><br>
Security sources report that Israeli warplanes fired missiles in two
separate assaults on the city of Rafah. Eyewitnesses said that the
first attack targeted the car in which two members of the Al Qassam
Brigades were riding. <br><br>
An Israeli military reconnaissance plane fired at least two missiles into
the car, killing two Palestinians from the Hamas linked resistance group.
Medical sources report that in the attack Israeli forces injured eight
other people. <br><br>
Shortly after, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft bombed another car that
was traveling on a residential street in Rafah. The attack instantly
killed another member of the Al Qassam Brigades and wounded the fourth
man who later died of sustained injuries. <br><br>
Residents said they heard a series of explosions marking the death of the
four and the injury of 12 others in total. <br><br>
Medical sources report that the dead are Ahmed Ta’lab, Ahmed Ashour,
Mohammad Nasser and Rajah Al Sheeti. All were affiliated with Al Qassam
Brigades, the armed resistance wing of the Hamas party. <br><br>
</font><font size=4><b>Hopes high with the possibility of political
prisoner release <br>
</b></font><font size=3>(Nablus) Amin Abu Wardeh <br>
Wednesday, 06 September 2006 <br><br>
The frequent news reports regarding a possible prisoners release is
giving renewed hope to many Palestinians. Negotiations for an exchange
are in the works. <br><br>
The Israeli government is expected to release 800 Palestinian
political prisoners, down from the original 1,200, in exchange for the
Israeli soldier captured while he invaded the southern Gaza Strip earlier
this summer. Times have been so dismal that this news of a mere
possibility is raising morale through the roof. <br><br>
Israeli political sources have finally confirmed news reports that they
have been denying for days. The reports include details of the terms of
the possible agreement. The deal is sponsored by the Egyptian government
and includes 800 Palestinians to be released from Israeli jails in three
stages. The first phase includes releasing 300 political prisoners in
direct exchange for the Israeli soldier. The second phase, to be
implemented after two months, will release another 300 Palestinians, and
the third phase is slated to take place at year’s end when 200 political
prisoners will be released.<br>
<br>
Tamam Attallah says she is hoping that her brother, Abdel Nasser Issa
Attallah will be released. “The only solution is for all of the prisoners
to be released, especially those serving lengthy sentences. It is the
only way for people to be able to begin realizing their hopes and
aspirations.” <br><br>
Jamil Hawaiti is praying for Palestinian children to be released from
Israeli jails, including his young son who was recently sentenced to
several years as a political prisoner.<br>
<br>
One mother is hoping that her son will be released so that he can take
the secondary school examination. Another mother, with four sons in
Israeli prisons, says she is optimistic that at least one of her children
will be released. <br><br>
The deal has also raised hopes for Palestinian Legislative Council member
Hussam Khader’s family. He has been a political prisoner for years and is
missing out on his life, including his brother’s funeral after he died in
Jordan last month. Khader said that all Palestinian officials must be
released including ministers and members of Parliament, and that
children, women, and elderly prisoners cannot remain in Israeli prisons.
<br><br>
The Palestinian Initiative for Deepening Global Dialogue and Democracy
says that releasing Palestinian political prisoners is one of the most
important factors in building trust for the Palestinian people. It would
serve as a message, says the Initiative, that the Israeli government is
serious about stopping its violations of human rights law. <br><br>
<br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
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