Israeli clampdown amid rise in 'sonic bombs'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/internatio...605674,00.html

Chris McGreal in Erez
Tuesday November 1, 2005
The Guardian

The Israeli defence ministry has barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip in an apparent attempt to limit reporting on the killing of Palestinian civilians, the firing of artillery shells and the use of "sonic bombs" to terrify the local population.

Over the weekend, Israeli air force jets caused two dozen sonic booms, many at night, which human rights groups have described as "terrifying collective punishment".

The crossing post at Erez was closed after a suicide bomb last Wednesday in Hadera killed five Israelis. It was reopened yesterday to Palestinians with permits.