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Palestinians shield targeted home Palestinians shield targeted home
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of Palestinians have formed a human shield around the house of a militant in northern Gaza to prevent an Israeli attack, residents say.Hundreds of Palestinians have formed a human shield around the house of a militant in northern Gaza to prevent an Israeli attack, residents say.
People went to the home of Mohammedweil Baroud after he was reportedly warned by Israeli forces to leave his home.People went to the home of Mohammedweil Baroud after he was reportedly warned by Israeli forces to leave his home.
Mr Baroud is a commander in the Popular Resistance Committees in Beit Lahiya.Mr Baroud is a commander in the Popular Resistance Committees in Beit Lahiya.
The Israeli army, which has not yet commented on the incident, often orders people out of homes ahead of attacks, saying it aims to avoid casualties.The Israeli army, which has not yet commented on the incident, often orders people out of homes ahead of attacks, saying it aims to avoid casualties.
A Hamas commander at the scene said people had gathered to show that the demolition strategy of the Israelis could be defeated.
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Hundreds of relatives and neighbours are reported to have gathered at the house, and some are on the roof chanting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans, the BBC's Alan Johnston reports from Gaza.Hundreds of relatives and neighbours are reported to have gathered at the house, and some are on the roof chanting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans, the BBC's Alan Johnston reports from Gaza.
The Israeli air force often targets the homes of leading militants in Gaza. The helicopter missile strikes destroy houses that the Israelis say have been used to store weapons or plan attacks on Israel. The Israeli air force often uses helicopter missile strikes to target the homes of leading militants in Gaza, which the Israelis say have been used to store weapons or plan attacks on Israel.
Israeli forces struck a building in Beit Lahiya on Friday Very often the air force telephones a warning 10 minutes before the strike to give the occupants time to escape and keep down casualties, our correspondent says.
A Hamas commander at the scene said people had gathered to show that the demolition strategy of the Israelis could be defeated. But on this occasion Mr Baroud is apparently defying what the militants say was an order to leave.
If there has been a threat to attack and the Israelis now carry it through there would clearly be many casualties, our correspondent says.
The Israeli military may have to factor in more such Palestinian protests in future when it targets the homes of suspected militants, he adds.
Mosque stand-off
Two weeks ago, Palestinian women went to a mosque in the nearby town of Beit Hanoun in response to a request from Hamas commanders.Two weeks ago, Palestinian women went to a mosque in the nearby town of Beit Hanoun in response to a request from Hamas commanders.
Israeli forces struck a building in Beit Lahiya on Friday
Up to 15 Palestinian militants were hiding inside the mosque and a tense stand-off had developed between them and the Israeli forces surrounding the building.Up to 15 Palestinian militants were hiding inside the mosque and a tense stand-off had developed between them and the Israeli forces surrounding the building.
The Israeli army said the crowd of women acted as "human shields". The men were able mingle with them and escape, despite two of the women being killed when Israeli troops opened fire on the group.The Israeli army said the crowd of women acted as "human shields". The men were able mingle with them and escape, despite two of the women being killed when Israeli troops opened fire on the group.
Earlier on Saturday, two Palestinians were killed in clashes as the Israeli army seized two houses near Beit Lahiya, Palestinian residents and medics said.Earlier on Saturday, two Palestinians were killed in clashes as the Israeli army seized two houses near Beit Lahiya, Palestinian residents and medics said.
Palestinian militants went to confront them and at one point Hamas fighters struck with an anti-tank weapon.Palestinian militants went to confront them and at one point Hamas fighters struck with an anti-tank weapon.
The army said it targeted groups that fire rockets into Israel. It said three soldiers were wounded in the raid.The army said it targeted groups that fire rockets into Israel. It said three soldiers were wounded in the raid.