HAMAS DETAINS AL-DURA'S DAD

Hamas detains Mohammed al-Dura's dad (JPost)
Hamas security briefly detained on Saturday the father of a Palestinian boy who became a national symbol when he was allegedly killed during intense fighting in Gaza seven years ago.

Jamal al-Dura, 44, said he was held for four hours in a central Gaza police station and interrogated for allegedly shooting in the air during a family wedding. Al-Dura, a Fatah supporter, denied the accusations and said he can't carry guns because of his medical condition.

On Sept. 30, 2000, al-Dura and his son, Mohammed, 12, were reportedly caught in a furious exchange of fire between IDF troops and Palestinian gunmen. A French TV crew seemed to capture the two cowering behind a wall, and the boy falling after he was fatally shot. The father was badly wounded.

The scene was broadcast around the world and became a symbol of the second intifada.

The IDF has ruled out the notion that al-Dura was killed by Israeli fire and a court case in France is set to resume on February 27 to determined what actually happened.

At the police station, Hamas asked al-Dura to sign a piece of paper to pledge he will abide by the law, al-Dura said. He refused.

MR. AL-DURA SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO FIRE A GUN IN THE AIR.  AFTER ALL, SOMEONE, PERHAPS EVEN A CHILD, COULD GET KILLED.