10 October 2000

Riots and violent incidents continued throughout the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip.IDF Spokesperson's Office: Summarization of the Events in the Territories Last Night (Correct to 10 October, 2000, 07:00)


10 October 2000

Riots and violent incidents continued throughout the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip. These actions targeted IDF security forces and Israeli civilians, and
took place in accordance with Palestinian policy, which calls for violence
and aggression. The incidents quieted down towards morning.

After gunfire directed at the Jewish settlement in Hebron was identified as
coming from Hebron's Abu-Snenah and Harat-a-Sheikh neighborhoods (both of
which are situated in Area A), IDF attack helicopters fired on open areas in
Abu-Snenah.

In the evening, IDF forces barricaded the southern exit from Bethlehem. This
action was taken after gunfire was directed at the settlement of Efrat The
source of the gunfire was the southern areas of Bethlehem, which is under
Palestinian security control. The exit is still barricaded.

The Jerusalem neighborhood of Neveh Ya'akov was also the target of gunfire
during the night. The gunfire came from the village of Dahat al-Barid. IDF
soldiers returned fire.

Other incidents involving light weapons fire at security forces: close to
the settlement of Neveh Daniel; in the northern area of Tul Karem; at the
barricade north of Nablus; at the Ayosh Junction; and west of an IDF
position in Gush Katif, where fire was directed at a mobile patrol. In all
of these incidents, security forces returned fire.

A burning tire containing explosives was placed on a water supply pipe south
of Shilo, and exploded. An explosive device exploded some 60 meters north of
an IDF position east of Rafiah. No IDF casualties were sustained in any of
these incidents.

The IDF Spokesperson wishes to stress that the IDF will act to prevent any
attempt to attack Israeli civilians or soldiers, and that violent incidents
are a gross and ongoing violation of signed agreements between the State of
Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The IDF has, for the past ten days, acted with maximal restraint, and has
avoided initiating attacks as much as possible, all the while taking
defensive actions. This restraint, as can be seen, has not proven itself
effective.