February 12, 2003

Israeli Soldier Killed in Manger Square

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Last evening JZ's Band had our first almost-complete-band practice since the beginning of November. A lot of friends and bandmembers were present -- JZ, Rana, Osama, Hana, Rika, Liz, and me. After practice, we dropped down to Mariachis, the only Mexican restaurant in Bethlehem. We had some delicious salads and headed home. On the way, a few of us passed together through Manger Square. A group of people stood around the smoldering remains of a car. We were told that about fifteen minutes earlier Israeli soldiers had bombed it. And then a soldier was shot. A pool of blood was in the street between the Peace Center and Nativity Church. Later we learned that the soldier had died and the PFLP claimed responsibility for the shooting. And Bethlehem went under an immediate curfew. Since photojournalists are barred from Bethlehem now, here's a photo of the car.

Bombed car in Manger Square beside Nativity Church

Here's the report from AP writer, Ibrahim Hazboun:

BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Israeli forces tightened their grip Wednesday on Bethlehem, with tanks patrolling the streets for the first time in months after a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli army officer near the Church of the Nativity.

In Bethlehem, the Palestinian sniper opened fire late Tuesday on an Israeli military jeep on patrol near the church, which marks the traditional birthplace of Jesus. The army said soldiers were checking a suspicious vehicle when a Palestinian fired from a nearby alley and killed the officer.

Palestinian residents said the officer was standing just in front of the church. Bloodstains marked the spot where he fell, and soldiers covered the area with sand early Wednesday.

Shortly after the attack, Israeli soldiers declared a curfew, confining Palestinians to their homes. Two tanks rumbled into the biblical town, heading for Manger Square in front of the church, witnesses said. It was the first time Israeli tanks have been seen in Bethlehem since June.

In mid-June, Israeli forces took control of all West Bank cities and towns, except Jericho, in response to a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings.

They pulled out of Bethlehem briefly during the summer but reoccupied it in November after a suicide bomber from the town blew up a bus in nearby Jerusalem, killing 11 passengers.

However, the Israelis did not send tanks back into Bethlehem in November, reoccupying the town with armored personnel carriers and jeeps instead.

The Israeli military late Tuesday declared Bethlehem a closed military area, banning reporters and other civilians from entering.