Martial Law Regulations in Nablus Ignored for the Second Consecutive Day - 2002-07-29

For the second consecutive day, Palestinians in the city of Nablus in the West Bank have ignored the martial law regulations imposed by the Israeli army and have taken to the streets to procure and stock up on their necessities. Reports from news agencies indicate that Israeli soldiers did not act to enforce the martial law and allowed Palestinians to go about their lives. Israeli forces reoccupied Nablus and six other cities in the West Bank last month following a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that he hopes to discuss plans to reduce the Israeli military presence in areas that have maintained calm with Palestinian officials in the coming days. Last night, Israeli soldiers arrested two senior leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in a covert operation in the city of Ramallah in the West Bank. Israel considers the two responsible for many suicide attacks against Israelis. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced yesterday that despite the recent outbreak of deadly violence in the West Bank, he will ease the restrictions imposed due to the military occupation of those areas. The Israeli army will reduce the number of curfew hours and dismantle checkpoints in some areas. Several thousand Palestinians will be allowed to go to Israel for work. Previously, a Palestinian teenage boy was killed by Israeli soldiers near Ramallah, and a Palestinian teenage girl was shot dead in Hebron during clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinians.