Nablus Incursions -Curfews
Saif reports from Nablus that tanks are moving into the city from the east and west directions and from the Rojeeb area.
Amman St is closed and 2 tanks are are blocking the entrance to the Mohafada government building. The city of Nablus has
been separated, with no movement possible between east and west. Soldiers are opening fire on anything that moves. 3
people are reported to have been injured. Ramallah is under curfew today. Reports are that a family is being held
hostage in the Al-Tireh area and that snipers have positioned themselves at the windows of the home. Clashes in Balata
Refugee Camp, Nablus
Sunday, May 18th, clashes erupted between the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) and at least 80 Palestinian youth of the
Balata refugee camp near Nablus. IOF entered Balata in an armored personnel carrier (APC) and a jeep at 4.25 AM. One
hour later, Israeli soldiers entered and occupied a house of a Palestinian family on the outskirts of Balata.
At 6.00 AM a heavily amoured caterpillar and three additional jeeps arrived on the scene. Soon thereafter clashes
erupted between stonethrowing youth of Balata and the IOF, who responded by firing several warning shots. The clashes
intensified during the morning attracting more youths who joined in the stone throwing. The IOF responded by detonating
shock grenades, shooting at the surrounding walls, and firing towards the ground in attempt to scatter the youth.
At 9 AM the IOF left the occupied house and pulled back under the cover of a tank and a jeep firing warning shots and
shock grenades.
At 10 AM the IOF withdrew from the area and relocated to the outskirts of the camp. One tank, a bulldozer, and an
armored personnel carrier continued their operations within a small field on the east side of the camp where children
engaged in further stone throwing. Two miliatry jeeps maintained a roadblock near the original site of the clashes where
Palestinian citizens expressed a concern regarding the detainment of at least one youth.