13 may 2014
The Jewish National Fund on Tuesday started tree-planting around the Arab Negev village of Awajan which locals consider a step toward displacing the Bedouin residents.
Locals told Ma’an that Israeli police detained the head of the regional council of the unrecognized Bedouin villages in Negev Atiyeh al-Asam along with three minors.
In addition, a city councilor from the nearby al-Laqiyya village Mirei al-Sani was officially notified by Israeli authorities that he must remove a tent in the village where protestors meet.
A higher guidance committee for Bedouin residents of the Negev denounced the detention of al-Asar while he was visiting the village of Awajan to attend protests against the Jewish National Fund.
“This detention is an attempt by police to frighten residents and discourage them so as to stop their legal struggle against their lands and houses,” said the committee’s facilitator Said al-Kharoumi.
Head of the northern Islamic movement in Negev Sheikh Osama al-Uqbi described the detention of al-Asam as a “political pursuit.” Knesset member representing the Islamic movement Talab Abu Arara also described the detention as “political.”
Locals told Ma’an that Israeli police detained the head of the regional council of the unrecognized Bedouin villages in Negev Atiyeh al-Asam along with three minors.
In addition, a city councilor from the nearby al-Laqiyya village Mirei al-Sani was officially notified by Israeli authorities that he must remove a tent in the village where protestors meet.
A higher guidance committee for Bedouin residents of the Negev denounced the detention of al-Asar while he was visiting the village of Awajan to attend protests against the Jewish National Fund.
“This detention is an attempt by police to frighten residents and discourage them so as to stop their legal struggle against their lands and houses,” said the committee’s facilitator Said al-Kharoumi.
Head of the northern Islamic movement in Negev Sheikh Osama al-Uqbi described the detention of al-Asam as a “political pursuit.” Knesset member representing the Islamic movement Talab Abu Arara also described the detention as “political.”
in Negev Israeli soldiers
A general strike announced in the Negev's towns and villages to protest the Israeli demolition and sweeping operations of Lakiya village.
A member of the Popular Committee for the Negev Bedouin Joma'a al-Zabarqa told Safa "The strike includes 2,500 Students who will gather in the areas where the Israeli operation took place, to prevent them from sweeping these lands."
He confirmed that a protest organized by the local residents will coincide the visiting of the Israeli agriculture minister, who oversees the implementation of the displacement plan of the village.
He added that the rising in the sweeping operations at Lakiya village is a clear implementation to the Prawer plan which is supposed to be frozen.
Al-Zaparqa pointed out that the Israeli occupation authorities prevent the 12,000 Negev residents from adding anything to their houses even if it is for repairing purposes.
The Israeli occupation authorities erected a military barracks in eastern Negev, established Street 6 at the north and turned the mountains into grassy lands in an attempt to restrict the village, he said.
Zubariqh pointed out that locals launched a permanent sit-in tent in the place which witnessed the demolishing operations, adding that more escalation steps will be considered in the coming days.
A general strike announced in the Negev's towns and villages to protest the Israeli demolition and sweeping operations of Lakiya village.
A member of the Popular Committee for the Negev Bedouin Joma'a al-Zabarqa told Safa "The strike includes 2,500 Students who will gather in the areas where the Israeli operation took place, to prevent them from sweeping these lands."
He confirmed that a protest organized by the local residents will coincide the visiting of the Israeli agriculture minister, who oversees the implementation of the displacement plan of the village.
He added that the rising in the sweeping operations at Lakiya village is a clear implementation to the Prawer plan which is supposed to be frozen.
Al-Zaparqa pointed out that the Israeli occupation authorities prevent the 12,000 Negev residents from adding anything to their houses even if it is for repairing purposes.
The Israeli occupation authorities erected a military barracks in eastern Negev, established Street 6 at the north and turned the mountains into grassy lands in an attempt to restrict the village, he said.
Zubariqh pointed out that locals launched a permanent sit-in tent in the place which witnessed the demolishing operations, adding that more escalation steps will be considered in the coming days.
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennet asserted that the annexation of the West Bank to Israel will be discussed in the next session of the Knesset. He said in a statement Monday evening, “ after we have advanced a bill that blocks amnesty for Palestinian prisoners convicted of murdering Israelis, our goal of the next summer session of the Knesset will revolve on transferring the sovereignty over the West Bank to Israel.”
“ Israel woke up from its romantic vision of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, who was seen as a figure that calls for peace, after he woos Hamas movement,” Bennet added.
Since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority officially controls a geographically non-contiguous territory comprising approx. 11% of the West Bank (known as Area A) which remains subject to Israeli incursions. Area B (approx. 28%) is subject to both Israeli occcupation forces and Palestinian civil control. Area C (approx. 61%) is under full Israeli control.
“ Israel woke up from its romantic vision of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, who was seen as a figure that calls for peace, after he woos Hamas movement,” Bennet added.
Since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority officially controls a geographically non-contiguous territory comprising approx. 11% of the West Bank (known as Area A) which remains subject to Israeli incursions. Area B (approx. 28%) is subject to both Israeli occcupation forces and Palestinian civil control. Area C (approx. 61%) is under full Israeli control.
12 may 2014
Israeli military forces demolished a number of homes and steel structures south of Nablus on Monday, a Palestinian official and an Israeli spokesperson said.
Ghassan Daghlas, a PA official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of military vehicles raided the village of Khirbet al-Tawil and demolished steel structures, water wells, and several homes made from corrugated iron, without providing further details.
An spokesperson for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories confirmed the demolitions in a statement.
"Today (Monday) early in the morning security forces carried out the demolition of 7 buildings that were built illegally inside firing zones," the statement said.
"The sites were demolished after its owners appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice and their appeals were erased with their consent to exhaust possible procedures."
COGAT said the firing zones, near the Palestinian city of Nablus, were used by the Israeli army "on a regular basis for trainings."
On April 29, Israeli forces demolished a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil, affecting 29 people, 21 of which were minors, a statement by the EU said.
EU missions in East Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned the demolitions and called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
Israeli army razes Palestinian property in Attawil hamlet
Israeli military bulldozers on Monday morning demolished homes and structures in Attawil hamlet in Aqraba town to the south of Nablus city for the second time in two weeks. Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a large number of Israeli troops aboard military vehicles stormed Attawil hamlet and embarked on demolishing Palestinian-owned property.
They said that many Palestinian citizens from the town moved to the hamlet to stand by Attawil residents.
In addition to homes, the Israeli bulldozers razed water basins and a medical unit near the mosque which had been knocked down by the Israeli army two weeks ago.
The invading troops also confiscated tents used as homes by some residents whose houses had been destroyed about two weeks ago.
The Israeli occupation army demolished on April 24 the only mosque in the hamlet in addition to six homes and livestock structures at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Attawil hamlet is part of Aqraba town, southeast of Nablus, and its residents suffer from systematic demolition of their property by the Israeli army, which seeks to force them to leave the area.
Ghassan Daghlas, a PA official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that dozens of military vehicles raided the village of Khirbet al-Tawil and demolished steel structures, water wells, and several homes made from corrugated iron, without providing further details.
An spokesperson for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories confirmed the demolitions in a statement.
"Today (Monday) early in the morning security forces carried out the demolition of 7 buildings that were built illegally inside firing zones," the statement said.
"The sites were demolished after its owners appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice and their appeals were erased with their consent to exhaust possible procedures."
COGAT said the firing zones, near the Palestinian city of Nablus, were used by the Israeli army "on a regular basis for trainings."
On April 29, Israeli forces demolished a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil, affecting 29 people, 21 of which were minors, a statement by the EU said.
EU missions in East Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned the demolitions and called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
Israeli army razes Palestinian property in Attawil hamlet
Israeli military bulldozers on Monday morning demolished homes and structures in Attawil hamlet in Aqraba town to the south of Nablus city for the second time in two weeks. Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a large number of Israeli troops aboard military vehicles stormed Attawil hamlet and embarked on demolishing Palestinian-owned property.
They said that many Palestinian citizens from the town moved to the hamlet to stand by Attawil residents.
In addition to homes, the Israeli bulldozers razed water basins and a medical unit near the mosque which had been knocked down by the Israeli army two weeks ago.
The invading troops also confiscated tents used as homes by some residents whose houses had been destroyed about two weeks ago.
The Israeli occupation army demolished on April 24 the only mosque in the hamlet in addition to six homes and livestock structures at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Attawil hamlet is part of Aqraba town, southeast of Nablus, and its residents suffer from systematic demolition of their property by the Israeli army, which seeks to force them to leave the area.
7 may 2014
Representatives of the Israeli Land Authority on Wednesday issued eviction notices for buildings in the Negev village of Wadi al-Niam, locals and an official said.
Locals told Ma'an that eviction notices were posted on a mosque, a house, and a store in the village.
Residents were given 80 days to either evacuate the buildings or file an appeal.
Labbad Abu Affash, head of the local Wadi al-Niam, told Ma'an that the move was "very dangerous."
"Israeli has declared war against us from all directions," Abu Affash said.
"Where do they plan to evacuate us? To the moon?"
A longstanding plan to displace tens of thousands of Palestinian Bedouin citizens of Israel was scrapped in December, but locals say Israel has continued to implement it on the ground with ongoing demolitions and land confiscations.
There are about 260,000 Bedouin in Israel, mostly living in and around the Negev in the arid south. More than half live in unrecognized villages without utilities and many also live in extreme poverty.
Locals told Ma'an that eviction notices were posted on a mosque, a house, and a store in the village.
Residents were given 80 days to either evacuate the buildings or file an appeal.
Labbad Abu Affash, head of the local Wadi al-Niam, told Ma'an that the move was "very dangerous."
"Israeli has declared war against us from all directions," Abu Affash said.
"Where do they plan to evacuate us? To the moon?"
A longstanding plan to displace tens of thousands of Palestinian Bedouin citizens of Israel was scrapped in December, but locals say Israel has continued to implement it on the ground with ongoing demolitions and land confiscations.
There are about 260,000 Bedouin in Israel, mostly living in and around the Negev in the arid south. More than half live in unrecognized villages without utilities and many also live in extreme poverty.
6 may 2014
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah on Monday condemned recent home demolitions and evictions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, urging Israel against such actions, a statement said.
The missions called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
The statement pointed specifically at the April 29 demolition of a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil near Nablus, "affecting 29 individuals of which 21 are minors."
Additionally, Israeli municipality officials on April 28 issued eviction notices to homes populated by a total of 38 people in Sateh al-Bahr near Jericho, the statement said.
"The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah call on the Government of Israel not to implement these orders."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations, the PLO said in a statement on April 29.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
The missions called on Israel "to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by halting the forced transfer of population and demolitions of Palestinian housing and infrastructure."
The statement pointed specifically at the April 29 demolition of a mosque and three houses in Khirbet al-Tawil near Nablus, "affecting 29 individuals of which 21 are minors."
Additionally, Israeli municipality officials on April 28 issued eviction notices to homes populated by a total of 38 people in Sateh al-Bahr near Jericho, the statement said.
"The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah call on the Government of Israel not to implement these orders."
Israel demolished over 500 Palestinian structures throughout the US-brokered peace negotiations, the PLO said in a statement on April 29.
Citing figures from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the PLO said Israel demolished a total of 508 Palestinian structures, 312 of which were homes, from July 30, 2013 to April 29, 2014.
Area C makes up about 61 percent of the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO, it is under full Israeli military control.
Last year, the World Bank reported that Israel's control over Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year.
Israeli colonial authorities notified the people of Khader town Monday of demolishing a water well under the pretext of building it without permit, it located to the south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Local sources said occupation handed Palestinian farmer Hasan Salah,67, a demolish order of a water well owned by him in Abaseya district near Eliezer Settlement built on Bethlehem lands.
The farmer has 35 days to submit an objection to the authorities , the sources added.
The occupation has recently escalated attacks against the farmers and their facilities in Khader town. A few days ago, farmers were notified to demolish barracks and a sheep pen in Umrukba area.
The farmer has 35 days to submit an objection to the authorities , the sources added.
The occupation has recently escalated attacks against the farmers and their facilities in Khader town. A few days ago, farmers were notified to demolish barracks and a sheep pen in Umrukba area.
5 may 2014
Israeli settlers razed 25 Dunums of lands in Jales town to the east of West Bank city of Hebron. Citizen from the town, Abu Rami al-Zaru, said the colonial settlers’ bulldozers penetrated into the lands of al-Tamimi family near Havat Jal and razed them.
This measure aimed to expand the nearby settlement for the building of gardens at the expense of the Palestinian citizens.
Abu Rami said that the razing operation were conducted within the sight of the Israeli occupation soldiers and police who protected the colonial settlers in their assaults to Palestinians.
Settlers regularly attack West Bank village, burning cars and uprooting olive trees.
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The United Nations regards the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured in the war and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
This measure aimed to expand the nearby settlement for the building of gardens at the expense of the Palestinian citizens.
Abu Rami said that the razing operation were conducted within the sight of the Israeli occupation soldiers and police who protected the colonial settlers in their assaults to Palestinians.
Settlers regularly attack West Bank village, burning cars and uprooting olive trees.
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The United Nations regards the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured in the war and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied lands.
4 may 2014
Israeli occupation seized on Saturday evening a tractor owned by a Palestinian citizen after attacking Marj Bin Amer Plain west of Jenin in the West Bank.
Local sources reported that the tractor belongs to Imad Mofleh.
The occupation confiscated it while he was cultivating his farm in the town of Kafr Dan.
Local sources reported that the tractor belongs to Imad Mofleh.
The occupation confiscated it while he was cultivating his farm in the town of Kafr Dan.
3 may 2014
Further Israeli violations against Palestinians and their property continue in the West Bank, this week, with home invasion and harassment in the village of Awarta and the demolition of several structures in Khirbet al-Taweel.
At 4:30 am, on Wednesday the 30th of April, a group of Israeli soldiers broke into a family home in the village of Awarta, near the illegal settlement of Itamar, according to a recent report by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
11 soldiers woke the family, under the pretext of conductiong a “security search”, upon which a member of the family asked to see the order and was shown a piece of paper written in Hebrew.
Once inside the house, the ISM reports, the soldiers forced the family into the living room, where they confiscated their mobile phones.
According to family member Muhammad Sharab, they were detained in their home for 12 hours. No one in the house was allowed to exit for work or school; there are six children in the family, all under the age of 14.
During those 12 hours, the soldiers slept in the house’s bedrooms and used the shower.
Muhammed described his exchange with the soldiers: “What you would do if I would come in your house in Tel Aviv and do the same as you?”
“I’m just following orders,” was his reply.
The soldiers finally left the home and the village.
Other reports surfacing in the village reveal soldiers raided another house, that same night.
The house is apparently located in the same area where, just under two weeks ago, Israeli soldiers entered houses and fired several tear gas grenades.
20 Palestinians, including children, were taken to the hospital for tear gas inhalation.
The village of Awarta has increasingly been targeted by the Israeli military, possibly due to close proximity of the illegal Itamar settlement.
In the last two weeks, a new settlement road connecting with the main village road has been built, and resident report that many local olives tree were destroyed during the construction.
In a related violation, on Tuesday the 29th of April, at 2:00 AM, the Israeli army invaded the small Bedouin village of Khirbet al-Taweel to demolish several structures, claining that they were built without permits.
In total, three houses, several animal shelters and the village’s mosque were destroyed.
Khirbet al-Taweel has an approximate population of 180 inhabitants, according to the ISM. 30 of them have now been left homeless because of the demolitions, 17 of which are children; the youngest only one-year old.
In the raid, three families were forced out of their homes at gunpoint, with no time to collect their belongings and able to take with them only the most necessary items before witnessing the destruction of their homes.
The Israeli army took two hours to carry out the demolitions, until 04:00AM, destroying three houses in addition to the village mosque, built in 2008.
The families also suffered the loss of their water tanks, due to the demolitions. In order to get drinking water, they now have to walk 30 minutes uphill to get to the nearest town (Aqraba), and then back, ISM stated.
During the day, Red Crescent provided the families with some tents. However, according to one of the women who were evicted, the army informed them that they were not allowed to stay in the area and had to leave immediately.
The woman replied: “We have nowhere to go. This is our land, our homes. Where should we go?”
During the past five years, the village has been the target of several demolitions. According to local villagers, this is simply a strategy from Israeli authorities to force an exodus fromlocal populations, thus expanding illegal Israeli farming settlements, located on the other side of the mountain from Khirbet al-Taweel.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in direct contravention of international law and with the full complicity of Western governments, in the form of billions in foreign aid and weapons, each year.
Despite the Israeli government's relentless appeal to officials and taxpayers, in regard to "security concerns", the Palestinian Authority has no official army, navy or air force to speak of.
The infamous Hamas rocket attacks, which Western mainstream media outlets are so quick to respond to, do very little damage, in fact, as the default projectiles are not even equipped with guidance systems and are tipped with only a relatively tiny warhead, if any at all.
Though outbreaks of serious violence do erupt from the Palestinian side, they are usually in response to Israeli violations and incitements against the Palestinian people and their property. with the majority of Palestinian child detainees being held on charges of throwing stones.
(Each year, around 500-700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12, are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military detention system.)
At 4:30 am, on Wednesday the 30th of April, a group of Israeli soldiers broke into a family home in the village of Awarta, near the illegal settlement of Itamar, according to a recent report by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
11 soldiers woke the family, under the pretext of conductiong a “security search”, upon which a member of the family asked to see the order and was shown a piece of paper written in Hebrew.
Once inside the house, the ISM reports, the soldiers forced the family into the living room, where they confiscated their mobile phones.
According to family member Muhammad Sharab, they were detained in their home for 12 hours. No one in the house was allowed to exit for work or school; there are six children in the family, all under the age of 14.
During those 12 hours, the soldiers slept in the house’s bedrooms and used the shower.
Muhammed described his exchange with the soldiers: “What you would do if I would come in your house in Tel Aviv and do the same as you?”
“I’m just following orders,” was his reply.
The soldiers finally left the home and the village.
Other reports surfacing in the village reveal soldiers raided another house, that same night.
The house is apparently located in the same area where, just under two weeks ago, Israeli soldiers entered houses and fired several tear gas grenades.
20 Palestinians, including children, were taken to the hospital for tear gas inhalation.
The village of Awarta has increasingly been targeted by the Israeli military, possibly due to close proximity of the illegal Itamar settlement.
In the last two weeks, a new settlement road connecting with the main village road has been built, and resident report that many local olives tree were destroyed during the construction.
In a related violation, on Tuesday the 29th of April, at 2:00 AM, the Israeli army invaded the small Bedouin village of Khirbet al-Taweel to demolish several structures, claining that they were built without permits.
In total, three houses, several animal shelters and the village’s mosque were destroyed.
Khirbet al-Taweel has an approximate population of 180 inhabitants, according to the ISM. 30 of them have now been left homeless because of the demolitions, 17 of which are children; the youngest only one-year old.
In the raid, three families were forced out of their homes at gunpoint, with no time to collect their belongings and able to take with them only the most necessary items before witnessing the destruction of their homes.
The Israeli army took two hours to carry out the demolitions, until 04:00AM, destroying three houses in addition to the village mosque, built in 2008.
The families also suffered the loss of their water tanks, due to the demolitions. In order to get drinking water, they now have to walk 30 minutes uphill to get to the nearest town (Aqraba), and then back, ISM stated.
During the day, Red Crescent provided the families with some tents. However, according to one of the women who were evicted, the army informed them that they were not allowed to stay in the area and had to leave immediately.
The woman replied: “We have nowhere to go. This is our land, our homes. Where should we go?”
During the past five years, the village has been the target of several demolitions. According to local villagers, this is simply a strategy from Israeli authorities to force an exodus fromlocal populations, thus expanding illegal Israeli farming settlements, located on the other side of the mountain from Khirbet al-Taweel.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in direct contravention of international law and with the full complicity of Western governments, in the form of billions in foreign aid and weapons, each year.
Despite the Israeli government's relentless appeal to officials and taxpayers, in regard to "security concerns", the Palestinian Authority has no official army, navy or air force to speak of.
The infamous Hamas rocket attacks, which Western mainstream media outlets are so quick to respond to, do very little damage, in fact, as the default projectiles are not even equipped with guidance systems and are tipped with only a relatively tiny warhead, if any at all.
Though outbreaks of serious violence do erupt from the Palestinian side, they are usually in response to Israeli violations and incitements against the Palestinian people and their property. with the majority of Palestinian child detainees being held on charges of throwing stones.
(Each year, around 500-700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12, are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military detention system.)
2 may 2014
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Friday morning stormed Madama village to the south of Nablus city and embarked on uprooting and destroying olive trees in Palestinian-owned fields. Eyewitnesses reported that a large number of Israeli military vehicles stopped near the bypass in the western side of the village as troops were cutting and removing olive trees.
Israeli soldiers on Thursday had put up a military notice written in Hebrew on one of the trees warning the landowners of their intention to uproot the olive trees in their fields.
The villagers condemned the Israeli military decision to remove their olive trees as arbitrary and unfair, saying it was taken without giving them a chance to take legal action against it.
Israeli soldiers on Thursday had put up a military notice written in Hebrew on one of the trees warning the landowners of their intention to uproot the olive trees in their fields.
The villagers condemned the Israeli military decision to remove their olive trees as arbitrary and unfair, saying it was taken without giving them a chance to take legal action against it.
1 may 2014
A Palestinian house and a water well were demolished by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Thursday morning in Wad al-Baqar in al-Khalil, while several Palestinian vehicles were attacked by a bunch of Israeli settlers. The house owner Muhammad Rajaby revealed in a statement to PIC his unparalleled shock upon catching sight of his house and the nearby water well reduced to rubble by Israeli demolishing apparatuses.
Rajaby called on all concerned parties to act so as to halt such demolition processes, and pay him off for all the ensuing upshots of Israel’s thoughtless destruction of his home, his own and only living place.
In another event, Kiryat Arba and Kharsina settlers threw stones at several vehicles belonging to Palestinian passers-by in al-Khalil, local sources told PIC correspondent.
Such demolition processes and attacks have remarkably increased following the declaration of the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement.
Rajaby called on all concerned parties to act so as to halt such demolition processes, and pay him off for all the ensuing upshots of Israel’s thoughtless destruction of his home, his own and only living place.
In another event, Kiryat Arba and Kharsina settlers threw stones at several vehicles belonging to Palestinian passers-by in al-Khalil, local sources told PIC correspondent.
Such demolition processes and attacks have remarkably increased following the declaration of the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have conducted on Wednesday evening several bombings in the vicinity of a Palestinian home in Dura town in al-Khalil province. SAFA news agency quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Israeli forces surrounded a house belonging to Mahmud al-Namorh in Dura town, before starting bombing the surrounding areas.
Dozens of Israeli forces accompanied with bulldozers prevented the home's owner from entering it, the sources added, pointing out that those forces have earlier stormed the home and tried to expel its owners.
IOF soldiers also erected a number of military checkpoints in the vicinity of Kharssa and Tabka villages in al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers handed over demolition notifications to three Palestinian citizens on Thursday targeting two shops and a barn in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Khader town confirmed that the Israeli forces threatened to demolish two auto repair shops and a barn in 45 days in Um Rokba area in al-Khader town.
Um Rokba area has been subjected years ago to an Israeli fierce demolition campaign against its homes and facilities.
Dozens of Israeli forces accompanied with bulldozers prevented the home's owner from entering it, the sources added, pointing out that those forces have earlier stormed the home and tried to expel its owners.
IOF soldiers also erected a number of military checkpoints in the vicinity of Kharssa and Tabka villages in al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers handed over demolition notifications to three Palestinian citizens on Thursday targeting two shops and a barn in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Khader town confirmed that the Israeli forces threatened to demolish two auto repair shops and a barn in 45 days in Um Rokba area in al-Khader town.
Um Rokba area has been subjected years ago to an Israeli fierce demolition campaign against its homes and facilities.
Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers entered a border area in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, witnesses told Ma'an.
Locals said that Israeli military forces escorted eight bulldozers as they leveled Palestinian land east of Khan Younis in Khuzaah.
Israeli forces fired smoke bombs during the operation, witnesses added.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.
Locals said that Israeli military forces escorted eight bulldozers as they leveled Palestinian land east of Khan Younis in Khuzaah.
Israeli forces fired smoke bombs during the operation, witnesses added.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.
