17 july 2014

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) waged at dawn Thursday an arrest campaign throughout the West Bank focusing mainly on al-Khalil. Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday that 8 Palestinians were arrested in al-Khalil.
In Bethlehem, Israeli Special Forces arrested an 18-year-old youth after brutally attacking and beating him.
IOF soldiers also stormed the journalist Alaa al-Titi’s home in an attempt to arrest him but he was out.
Meanwhile, clashes continued between Palestinian youths and IOF soldiers following the arrest campaign targeting Palestinian MPs and academics.
PA Security Forces, in their turn, continued to suppress any attempt for the outbreak of clashes or confrontations with Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces notified the family of prisoner Hossem Qawasmi that their home in al-Khalil would be razed within two days. The detainee Qawasmi was re-arrested last week. He had already served 10 years behind Israeli bars.
His two brothers are also jailed in Israeli prisons, while his third brother was deported to Gaza after being released in Wafa al-Ahrar Swap Deal.
20 Palestinians were arrested in Bani Neim town in al-Khalil including two members of Palestinian Legislative Council.
Dozens of youths were injured including 6 with live bullets during clashes that erupted in different towns near the city, while a large march was organized in al-Khalil in solidarity with Gaza Strip.
In Nablus, an Israeli undercover unit kidnapped on Tuesday a Palestinian young man from Sibsitia town.
According to eyewitnesses, a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate carrying 4 members of IOF undercover units stopped at Rafidya Hospital’s entrance and kidnapped the young man Koutaiba Azem after brutally beating him.
Azem’s arrest came shortly after his release from PA jails where he was arrested for his participation in a solidarity sit-in in support of hunger strikers in Israeli jails.
IOF troops also arrested a Palestinian young man after raiding his home and confiscating a car belonging to a detainee.
Solidarity marches were organized in different cities and towns in occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, which led to the outbreak of clashes with Israeli forces.
In Bethlehem, Israeli Special Forces arrested an 18-year-old youth after brutally attacking and beating him.
IOF soldiers also stormed the journalist Alaa al-Titi’s home in an attempt to arrest him but he was out.
Meanwhile, clashes continued between Palestinian youths and IOF soldiers following the arrest campaign targeting Palestinian MPs and academics.
PA Security Forces, in their turn, continued to suppress any attempt for the outbreak of clashes or confrontations with Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces notified the family of prisoner Hossem Qawasmi that their home in al-Khalil would be razed within two days. The detainee Qawasmi was re-arrested last week. He had already served 10 years behind Israeli bars.
His two brothers are also jailed in Israeli prisons, while his third brother was deported to Gaza after being released in Wafa al-Ahrar Swap Deal.
20 Palestinians were arrested in Bani Neim town in al-Khalil including two members of Palestinian Legislative Council.
Dozens of youths were injured including 6 with live bullets during clashes that erupted in different towns near the city, while a large march was organized in al-Khalil in solidarity with Gaza Strip.
In Nablus, an Israeli undercover unit kidnapped on Tuesday a Palestinian young man from Sibsitia town.
According to eyewitnesses, a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate carrying 4 members of IOF undercover units stopped at Rafidya Hospital’s entrance and kidnapped the young man Koutaiba Azem after brutally beating him.
Azem’s arrest came shortly after his release from PA jails where he was arrested for his participation in a solidarity sit-in in support of hunger strikers in Israeli jails.
IOF troops also arrested a Palestinian young man after raiding his home and confiscating a car belonging to a detainee.
Solidarity marches were organized in different cities and towns in occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, which led to the outbreak of clashes with Israeli forces.
16 july 2014

Scores of Palestinian youths sustained severe bullet injuries in a round of violent clashes with the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) across different axes of al-Khalil at dawn Wednesday. Local sources said Palestinian youngster Abd al-Halim Zama'ra was shot with live ammunition while dozens of other young men sustained rubber bullet and gas injuries following a series of random incursions by the IOF into Beit Ummar village.
The Israeli occupation troops left another Palestinian youth severely wounded due to the heavy firing of live ammunition throughout the clashes that burst out in Bab al-Zaouia.
Dozens of civilians were injured by IOF rubber bullets throughout.
IOF attacks culminated in house demolition threats targeting the homes of the wanted citizens Marwen al-Qawasmi and Amer Abu Isha charged for potential involvement in the death of the three Israeli settlers a month ago.
The Israeli soldiers have already stormed the two homes and blew up some of their interior corners and entries with no prior notice.
The Israeli occupation troops left another Palestinian youth severely wounded due to the heavy firing of live ammunition throughout the clashes that burst out in Bab al-Zaouia.
Dozens of civilians were injured by IOF rubber bullets throughout.
IOF attacks culminated in house demolition threats targeting the homes of the wanted citizens Marwen al-Qawasmi and Amer Abu Isha charged for potential involvement in the death of the three Israeli settlers a month ago.
The Israeli soldiers have already stormed the two homes and blew up some of their interior corners and entries with no prior notice.

One of the killed settlers
Israeli forces on Tuesday delivered demolition orders to the families of two Palestinians in Hebron Israel accuses of kidnapping and killing three Israeli teenagers.
More than a week ago, Israeli forces partly demolished two of the houses, which belonged to Amer Abu Aisha and Marwan al-Qawasmi.
The commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank, who signed the decision, gave the families two days for demur.
Separately, Israeli forces handed a demolition order to family of Ahmad Ali al-Qawasmi in the Wadi Abu Kteila neighborhood of Hebron. Israel has also accused al-Qawasmi of involvement in the abduction and killing of the three teens. He has been detained for over a week.
Al-Qawasmi has served some 10 years in Israeli jails. One of his brothers was freed in the Shalit deal and was deported to the Gaza Strip, while two other brothers are still in Israeli custody.
Israeli forces on Tuesday delivered demolition orders to the families of two Palestinians in Hebron Israel accuses of kidnapping and killing three Israeli teenagers.
More than a week ago, Israeli forces partly demolished two of the houses, which belonged to Amer Abu Aisha and Marwan al-Qawasmi.
The commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank, who signed the decision, gave the families two days for demur.
Separately, Israeli forces handed a demolition order to family of Ahmad Ali al-Qawasmi in the Wadi Abu Kteila neighborhood of Hebron. Israel has also accused al-Qawasmi of involvement in the abduction and killing of the three teens. He has been detained for over a week.
Al-Qawasmi has served some 10 years in Israeli jails. One of his brothers was freed in the Shalit deal and was deported to the Gaza Strip, while two other brothers are still in Israeli custody.
5 july 2014

Israeli settlers from settlements in the Tuqu village in southern eastern Bethlehem took over lands belonging to the al-Shaer and al-Umour families on Saturday.
Taysir Abu Mifreh, head of Tuqu town council, told Ma'an that a group of settlers protected by soldiers took over al-Shaer and al-Umour lands, over 100 dunams, near a settlement in eastern Tuqu.
Abu Mifreh highlighted that settlers set up four caravans in the Thahr al-Kharrubah area next to the illegal Roman outpost in order to expand it and turn it into a settlement.
He called upon all official and concerned parties to intervene to protect the areas near the settlement.
Taysir Abu Mifreh, head of Tuqu town council, told Ma'an that a group of settlers protected by soldiers took over al-Shaer and al-Umour lands, over 100 dunams, near a settlement in eastern Tuqu.
Abu Mifreh highlighted that settlers set up four caravans in the Thahr al-Kharrubah area next to the illegal Roman outpost in order to expand it and turn it into a settlement.
He called upon all official and concerned parties to intervene to protect the areas near the settlement.

Israeli forces delivered demolition and stop-work orders to three Palestinian families in the southern West Bank town of Idhna west of Hebron, the municipal council of Idhna said.
Sources in the council confirmed that Israeli forces handed a demolition warrant to the family of Ibrahim Nofal and stop-work warrants to families of Muhammad Theib Farajallah and Mahmoud Ahmad Farajallah.
All houses are located in Khirbet al-Ras in western Idhna. Families who received the orders already live in the houses even though they aren’t completed. More than 20 people live in the three homes.
Sources in the council confirmed that Israeli forces handed a demolition warrant to the family of Ibrahim Nofal and stop-work warrants to families of Muhammad Theib Farajallah and Mahmoud Ahmad Farajallah.
All houses are located in Khirbet al-Ras in western Idhna. Families who received the orders already live in the houses even though they aren’t completed. More than 20 people live in the three homes.
4 july 2013

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) are considering demolishing dozens of Palestinian homes belonging to Hamas officials and activists in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz newspaper said Monday.
“The demolition procedures are to destroy dozens of homes of Hamas leaders and ex-prisoners released in the Shalit prisoner swap deal along with a number of Palestinian civilians charged for potential involvement in the murder of Israeli soldiers as part of its latest escalation against Hamas, Haaretz pointed out.
It added that such Israeli demolition procedures targeting the homes of Palestinian activists have been suspended in 2005 when Israel had come to realize their arbitrariness.
In an earlier incident this week, the IOF razed Ziad Awad’s home, in Idna, to the ground under pretext that he might have been involved in the shooting of an Israeli officer at the Tarkoumia checkpoint.
“The demolition procedures are to destroy dozens of homes of Hamas leaders and ex-prisoners released in the Shalit prisoner swap deal along with a number of Palestinian civilians charged for potential involvement in the murder of Israeli soldiers as part of its latest escalation against Hamas, Haaretz pointed out.
It added that such Israeli demolition procedures targeting the homes of Palestinian activists have been suspended in 2005 when Israel had come to realize their arbitrariness.
In an earlier incident this week, the IOF razed Ziad Awad’s home, in Idna, to the ground under pretext that he might have been involved in the shooting of an Israeli officer at the Tarkoumia checkpoint.
3 july 2014

Israeli authorities issued confiscation orders for 16 dunams of Palestinian land west of Nablus, a Palestinian official said Thursday.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity, said the Israel's civil administration informed residents that 16 dunams of land near Deir Sharif will be confiscated for military purposes.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activity, said the Israel's civil administration informed residents that 16 dunams of land near Deir Sharif will be confiscated for military purposes.

Israeli forces confiscated the contents of a dairy factory in Hebron late Wednesday, less than a week after Israel issued a demolition order to the Islamic charity which owns the property.
"We received an order a week ago, from the Israeli council of planning, to remove the factory under the pretext that it was built without a license," Sheikh Hatim al-Bakri, who chairs Hebron Islamic Charitable Society, told Ma'an.
"We filed an appeal at Israeli courts against the decision and the case is still pending a court decision, but the occupation observes no law."
"This is a punishment to humanity," he added.
Money from the factory goes to orphans registered with the Islamic Charitable Society, al-Bakri said, and the factory employs around 52 workers.
"We received an order a week ago, from the Israeli council of planning, to remove the factory under the pretext that it was built without a license," Sheikh Hatim al-Bakri, who chairs Hebron Islamic Charitable Society, told Ma'an.
"We filed an appeal at Israeli courts against the decision and the case is still pending a court decision, but the occupation observes no law."
"This is a punishment to humanity," he added.
Money from the factory goes to orphans registered with the Islamic Charitable Society, al-Bakri said, and the factory employs around 52 workers.
2 july 2014

Israeli occupation forces stole thousands of shekels from Palestinians during raid and search campaigns into their homes. A few days ago, IOF soldiers stormed the Palestinian citizen Sherif Qawadra’s home in Jenin where they stole 11 thousand shekels.
The Israeli officer asked Qawadra to hand them 11 thousands shekels after violently breaking into his home accompanied with a large military force.
When he told them that he did not have the demanded amount of money, the officer confiscated his agricultural tractor.
The citizen Milad Massad, from Jenin, was arrested recently during the Israeli latest military campaign in the West Bank. His car was also confiscated during his arrest.
Several Palestinian families were subjected to similar incidents. Said Shaban, from Jenin, was forced to hand all his money to the Israeli soldiers after raiding his home. In another incident, Israeli soldiers demanded 20 thousand dollars during their break-in into Jamal Abu Heija’s home.
During the past three weeks, IOF soldiers stole and confiscated Palestinian citizens’ money, jewelry, and personal properties as part of Israeli revenge and collective punishment policy.
Activist Mohamed Tawil said that thefts had noticeably escalated during the recent Israeli raids and search operations. The thefts were carried out systematically and individually, he added.
The Israeli officer asked Qawadra to hand them 11 thousands shekels after violently breaking into his home accompanied with a large military force.
When he told them that he did not have the demanded amount of money, the officer confiscated his agricultural tractor.
The citizen Milad Massad, from Jenin, was arrested recently during the Israeli latest military campaign in the West Bank. His car was also confiscated during his arrest.
Several Palestinian families were subjected to similar incidents. Said Shaban, from Jenin, was forced to hand all his money to the Israeli soldiers after raiding his home. In another incident, Israeli soldiers demanded 20 thousand dollars during their break-in into Jamal Abu Heija’s home.
During the past three weeks, IOF soldiers stole and confiscated Palestinian citizens’ money, jewelry, and personal properties as part of Israeli revenge and collective punishment policy.
Activist Mohamed Tawil said that thefts had noticeably escalated during the recent Israeli raids and search operations. The thefts were carried out systematically and individually, he added.
Israeli forces responded with live fire, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades, locals said.
Locals identified six Palestinians injured by live bullets as 19-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Farajallah, 17-year-old Shadi Fadil al-Najjar, 28-year-old Ismail Jubran Muhammad Atiyeh, 20-year-old Qusay Shawqi Tmeizi, 21-year-old Fadi Yousif Jiyawi, and 21-year-old Muataz Samih Mirshid Slemiya.
Four other youths were injured by rubber-coated bullets. They were identified as Bilal Tmeizi, Kathim al-Najjar, Hazim al-Najjar, and Mahmoud Said Awawda.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Ahmad Bashir Slemiya and 14-year-old Muhammad Samir Nimir Slemiya were injured after a stun grenade exploded while they were playing with it, locals added.
The two were taken to a public hospital in Hebron for treatment.
Israeli forces arrested Ziad Awad, 42, on May 7 for suspected involvement in the shooting of Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi near Hebron on April 14.
Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition to overturn a demolition order on the house, Israeli rights group HaMoked said in a statement.
"According to the principles of human rights ... house demolitions constitute collective punishment, and are contrary to both international law and the basic precept of Israeli law that a person must not be punished for the acts of others," the group said.
Locals identified six Palestinians injured by live bullets as 19-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Farajallah, 17-year-old Shadi Fadil al-Najjar, 28-year-old Ismail Jubran Muhammad Atiyeh, 20-year-old Qusay Shawqi Tmeizi, 21-year-old Fadi Yousif Jiyawi, and 21-year-old Muataz Samih Mirshid Slemiya.
Four other youths were injured by rubber-coated bullets. They were identified as Bilal Tmeizi, Kathim al-Najjar, Hazim al-Najjar, and Mahmoud Said Awawda.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Ahmad Bashir Slemiya and 14-year-old Muhammad Samir Nimir Slemiya were injured after a stun grenade exploded while they were playing with it, locals added.
The two were taken to a public hospital in Hebron for treatment.
Israeli forces arrested Ziad Awad, 42, on May 7 for suspected involvement in the shooting of Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi near Hebron on April 14.
Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition to overturn a demolition order on the house, Israeli rights group HaMoked said in a statement.
"According to the principles of human rights ... house demolitions constitute collective punishment, and are contrary to both international law and the basic precept of Israeli law that a person must not be punished for the acts of others," the group said.
1 july 2014

Israeli forces notified on Tuesday Abbas Fawwaz Qaraan they they would demolish his house in el-Bireh.
Israeli forces raided Qarqaan’s house and delivered the demolish notice by hand.
After raiding his house, Israeli forces officially notified Qaraan that they would demolish his house because it was “unauthorized”.
However, the house is registered by the el-Bireh municipality in the Jabal al-Taawil area.
Israeli forces raided Qarqaan’s house and delivered the demolish notice by hand.
After raiding his house, Israeli forces officially notified Qaraan that they would demolish his house because it was “unauthorized”.
However, the house is registered by the el-Bireh municipality in the Jabal al-Taawil area.

A group of settlers from Maale Adumim east of Jerusalem set up tents Tuesday in the “E1” area in an attempt to control it, Israel's Rechet Bet radio reported.
The Maale Adumim settlement mayor Benny Kashriel arrived in the area demanding that Israeli authorities expand it into a “settlement neighborhood.”
Settlers demanded that the Israeli government respond to the killing of the three Israeli settlers, who went missing on June 12 and were found dead Monday night.
Another group of settlers seized the Gifaat Uz area near Gush Etzion settlement in southern Bethlehem.
The Maale Adumim settlement mayor Benny Kashriel arrived in the area demanding that Israeli authorities expand it into a “settlement neighborhood.”
Settlers demanded that the Israeli government respond to the killing of the three Israeli settlers, who went missing on June 12 and were found dead Monday night.
Another group of settlers seized the Gifaat Uz area near Gush Etzion settlement in southern Bethlehem.

Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition to overturn a demolition order on the house of Ziad Awwad, who Israel says was responsible for the killing of an Israeli policeman in April.
Israeli rights group HaMoked had petitioned the Israeli court to overturn the order after Israel announced its intention to destroy the property on June 26.
The demolition order was slated for Monday but will now not be carried out until 12 hours after the supreme court ruling.
Israel's military initially intended to demolish the entire two-story building, but HaMoked proved that the building was owned by his brother and will only likely destroy the western half.
"According to the principles of human rights, to which HaMoked is committed, house demolitions constitute collective punishment, and are contrary to both international law and the basic precept of Israeli law that a person must not be punished for the acts of others," the group said.
Israeli forces arrested Ziad Awad, 42, on May 7 for suspected involvement in the shooting of Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi near Hebron on April 14.
According to B'Tselem, 13 people, including eight children, currently live in the property slated for demolition.
Israeli rights group HaMoked had petitioned the Israeli court to overturn the order after Israel announced its intention to destroy the property on June 26.
The demolition order was slated for Monday but will now not be carried out until 12 hours after the supreme court ruling.
Israel's military initially intended to demolish the entire two-story building, but HaMoked proved that the building was owned by his brother and will only likely destroy the western half.
"According to the principles of human rights, to which HaMoked is committed, house demolitions constitute collective punishment, and are contrary to both international law and the basic precept of Israeli law that a person must not be punished for the acts of others," the group said.
Israeli forces arrested Ziad Awad, 42, on May 7 for suspected involvement in the shooting of Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi near Hebron on April 14.
According to B'Tselem, 13 people, including eight children, currently live in the property slated for demolition.

Settlers from Bat Ayn on Mt. Hebron chopped down 15 olive trees on Monday
The Israeli military leveled lands in Kfar a-Dik, a Palestinian village in the Salfit district of the central West Bank, locals reported. On Monday settlers chopped down olive trees north of Beit Ummar, in the Hebron district.
According to Khalid Maali, a local researcher in the central West Bank , an Israeli court had approved confiscation of 3,000 dunams of land. The bulldozers, however, leveled an area of more than 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres).
Israeli settlers chopped down 15 olive trees in the Abu Ar-Rish valley to the north of Beit Ummar on Monday .
Mohammad ‘Ayyad, a spokesperson for the local popular committee against settlements, said the damage was carried out by settlers from the nearby Bat Ayn.
Although an Israeli court ruled that the Palestinian owner of this land install a barbed wire fence around his approximately 80 dunam area to protect it against settler attacks, Israeli forces have obstructed the implementation of this ruling, allowing settlers to continue their attacks unabated.
The Israeli military leveled lands in Kfar a-Dik, a Palestinian village in the Salfit district of the central West Bank, locals reported. On Monday settlers chopped down olive trees north of Beit Ummar, in the Hebron district.
According to Khalid Maali, a local researcher in the central West Bank , an Israeli court had approved confiscation of 3,000 dunams of land. The bulldozers, however, leveled an area of more than 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres).
Israeli settlers chopped down 15 olive trees in the Abu Ar-Rish valley to the north of Beit Ummar on Monday .
Mohammad ‘Ayyad, a spokesperson for the local popular committee against settlements, said the damage was carried out by settlers from the nearby Bat Ayn.
Although an Israeli court ruled that the Palestinian owner of this land install a barbed wire fence around his approximately 80 dunam area to protect it against settler attacks, Israeli forces have obstructed the implementation of this ruling, allowing settlers to continue their attacks unabated.
After Israeli forces in Halhul north of Hebron found three bodies presumed to be those of three Israeli teens who went missing on June 12, soldiers surrounded the houses, forcibly removed the families, and declared the area a closed military zone, locals said.
Witnesses said the homes were then blown up by explosives.
Locals had told Ma'an earlier that soldiers were preparing to demolish the homes.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that the homes "were not demolished," but said Israeli forces searched the houses late Monday.
Meanwhile, Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces, hurling empty bottles and stones at soldiers, who fired tear gas and stun grenades, locals said.
Entrances to Halhul and Hebron were shut down, witnesses added.
Israeli forces have killed six Palestinians in the West Bank military operation that followed the disappearance of three Israeli teenagers from the Gush Etzion settlement on June 12.
The Israeli army said on Thursday that it was still searching for Abu Eisha and al-Qawasmeh.
Abu Eisha's family has denied the allegations.
Report: Israel demolishes home of abduction suspect
Israeli forces late Monday demolished the house of Marwan Kawasme, one of two suspects in the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers who were found dead hours earlier, reports said.
The Times of Israel said the home was demolished Monday night, hours after the bodies of Naftali Fraenkel, Eyal Yifrach and Gil-ad Saar were found.
Witnesses said the homes were then blown up by explosives.
Locals had told Ma'an earlier that soldiers were preparing to demolish the homes.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that the homes "were not demolished," but said Israeli forces searched the houses late Monday.
Meanwhile, Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces, hurling empty bottles and stones at soldiers, who fired tear gas and stun grenades, locals said.
Entrances to Halhul and Hebron were shut down, witnesses added.
Israeli forces have killed six Palestinians in the West Bank military operation that followed the disappearance of three Israeli teenagers from the Gush Etzion settlement on June 12.
The Israeli army said on Thursday that it was still searching for Abu Eisha and al-Qawasmeh.
Abu Eisha's family has denied the allegations.
Report: Israel demolishes home of abduction suspect
Israeli forces late Monday demolished the house of Marwan Kawasme, one of two suspects in the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers who were found dead hours earlier, reports said.
The Times of Israel said the home was demolished Monday night, hours after the bodies of Naftali Fraenkel, Eyal Yifrach and Gil-ad Saar were found.