Gaza strip: Elderly woman killed in house demolition

The Israeli military today demolished the home of a Palestinian militant in the Gaza Strip, killing an elderly woman inside, witnesses said.

The house in the Maghazi refugee camp belonged to Baha Abu Said, who died during a November 2000 attack in which he killed two Israeli soldiers.

His stepmother, Kamla Abu Said, was in the home when it was knocked down and died of chest injuries, relatives and doctors at the Al Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah said. It was not clear why she was still in the house at the time.

Israeli troops call for people to leave a building before tearing it down. But there have been cases where deaf people have been trapped inside.

Abu Said’s relatives said her hearing was poor, but she was not deaf.

The Israeli military, which has torn down dozens of militants’ homes in recent months, said it was investigating the incident.

Palestinian witnesses also said four members of the Abu Said family were detained, but the military said it had no information about arrests.

During the Israeli incursion into the camp, troops and Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire, and a 62-year-old Palestinian bystander was wounded, apparently while watching from his window, Palestinians said.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank town of Qalqiliya, Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian policeman, and a second man was injured as the army conducted a search operation.

Palestinian officials and residents said 10 Israeli jeeps entered town at 3.30am and fired at unarmed Palestinian police.

The Israeli army said soldiers spotted the police and began to flee, ignoring orders to stop. The army said the troops then opened fire, killing one man and injuring another.

The army said 15 wanted Palestinians were arrested in raids throughout the West Bank early today, and seven more Palestinians were taken for questioning.