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Palestinians shield targeted home Human shield deters Israel strike
(about 1 hour 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. The Israelis have called off a planned air attack on a house in northern Gaza after hundreds of Palestinians formed a human shield to defend it.
People went to the home of Mohammedweil Baroud after he was reportedly warned by Israeli forces to leave his home. Mohammedweil Baroud said he was warned by Israeli forces to leave his home. He instead ran to a mosque and summoned neighbours to help protect the house.
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 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.A Hamas commander at the scene said people had gathered to show that the demolition strategy of the Israelis could be defeated.
Previous success Chanting slogans
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 BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says it appears that an unprecedented act of defiance by the Palestinians to a particular Israeli tactic has worked.
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. The Israeli air force often uses night-time 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.
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.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.
But on this occasion Mr Baroud is apparently defying what the militants say was an order to leave. But on this occasion, the presence of so many people has made it impossible for the Israelis to carry though their planned air strike.
If there has been a threat to attack and the Israelis now carry it through there would clearly be many casualties, our correspondent says. Hundreds of relatives and neighbours gathered at the house, where about 50 people reportedly climbed onto the roof. Others stood in the street chanting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans.
The Israeli military may have to factor in more such Palestinian protests in future when it targets the homes of suspected militants, he adds. The Israeli military may have to factor in more such Palestinian protests in future when it targets the homes of suspected militants from the air, our correspondent adds.
Mosque stand-offMosque 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 FridayIsraeli 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.