18 mar 2016
The Israeli occupation army on Friday morning leveled Palestinian lands along the border fence in eastern blockaded Gaza Strip.
Local sources said Israeli vehicles and army jeeps have been raking through Gaza’s eastern borders since the early morning hours.
Two Israeli vehicles of the engineering corps were deployed in eastern al-Maghazi refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip, and carried out renovation works for the border fence.
Another vehicle was stationed in northern Khan Younis city, to the south of Gaza, while occupation army set up sand barriers along the border fence.
Local sources said Israeli vehicles and army jeeps have been raking through Gaza’s eastern borders since the early morning hours.
Two Israeli vehicles of the engineering corps were deployed in eastern al-Maghazi refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip, and carried out renovation works for the border fence.
Another vehicle was stationed in northern Khan Younis city, to the south of Gaza, while occupation army set up sand barriers along the border fence.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Thursday evening embarked on placing blocks of the Separation Wall on the land of Yabad town in southern Jenin.
President of Yabad municipality, Samer Abu Baker, said in a statement that Israeli forces started separating the lands of the town by a two-meter-long wall along the main road of the town.
The inhabitants of Yabad are worried of the Israeli intention to confiscate their land plots and prevent them from accessing their fields especially those located near Mabo Dothan settlement which is established by force over their lands, Abu Baker pointed out.
President of Yabad municipality, Samer Abu Baker, said in a statement that Israeli forces started separating the lands of the town by a two-meter-long wall along the main road of the town.
The inhabitants of Yabad are worried of the Israeli intention to confiscate their land plots and prevent them from accessing their fields especially those located near Mabo Dothan settlement which is established by force over their lands, Abu Baker pointed out.
17 mar 2016
Israeli soldiers invaded, late at night and on Thursday at dawn, several areas in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, kidnapped six Palestinians, including two children, and demolished six stores.
The soldiers invaded Aseera ash-Shemaliyya town, north of Nablus, stormed and searched many homes, causing excessive damage, and kidnapped Assem Jamal Yassin, Abdul-Majid Sawalma and a former political prisoner, identified as Aby Hasan Hamadna,
The army also invaded Iraq-Burin town, south of Nablus, and kidnapped a child, identified as Yazeed Ayesh Qadous, 15, after storming his family’s home and searching it.
Another child, identified as Mohammad Fateh Qadous, 15, also from the town, was kidnapped after being summoned for interrogation in a military center in Ariel colony.
In addition, the soldiers kidnapped a young man, identified as Amjad Emleitat, from Beit Forik town east of Nablus, after stopping him at a military roadblock on the main entrance of the town.
The soldiers invaded and searched many homes in the town, and collected the names and ID card numbers of many residents, especially from the families of Emleitat and Najajra.
Furthermore, many army vehicles invaded Beita town, south of Nablus, and demolished six stores, used for selling fruits and vegetables, in addition to a public toilet room, for what the army claims, “being built without construction permits.”
The army issued the demolition orders more than a month ago and destroyed the properties before discussing appeals filed by the owners.
The soldiers invaded Aseera ash-Shemaliyya town, north of Nablus, stormed and searched many homes, causing excessive damage, and kidnapped Assem Jamal Yassin, Abdul-Majid Sawalma and a former political prisoner, identified as Aby Hasan Hamadna,
The army also invaded Iraq-Burin town, south of Nablus, and kidnapped a child, identified as Yazeed Ayesh Qadous, 15, after storming his family’s home and searching it.
Another child, identified as Mohammad Fateh Qadous, 15, also from the town, was kidnapped after being summoned for interrogation in a military center in Ariel colony.
In addition, the soldiers kidnapped a young man, identified as Amjad Emleitat, from Beit Forik town east of Nablus, after stopping him at a military roadblock on the main entrance of the town.
The soldiers invaded and searched many homes in the town, and collected the names and ID card numbers of many residents, especially from the families of Emleitat and Najajra.
Furthermore, many army vehicles invaded Beita town, south of Nablus, and demolished six stores, used for selling fruits and vegetables, in addition to a public toilet room, for what the army claims, “being built without construction permits.”
The army issued the demolition orders more than a month ago and destroyed the properties before discussing appeals filed by the owners.
The Israeli occupation army at dawn Thursday demolished commercial structures near Nablus city at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Chief of Beita town Wasef Abu Maalla said that Israeli bulldozers and demolition vehicles escorted by Israeli soldiers entered the town at two o'clock on Thursday morning and embarked on knocking down six structures used for commercial purposes in the central vegetable market.
The Israeli army claimed the structures were built without construction permits. Abu Maalla told Quds Press that the Israeli army had ordered the municipal authorities in the town to halt the construction of these structures about one month ago.
They were among 15 others threatened with demolition. He noted that the municipal council of town was still following up a petition it had filed with the Israeli higher court against recent stop-work orders issued against the construction of the structures.
The Israeli army systematically demolishes Palestinian homes and structures in the territories classified by Israel as Area C, which constitutes 60 percent of the West Bank, in an attempt to force the natives to leave their areas.
Chief of Beita town Wasef Abu Maalla said that Israeli bulldozers and demolition vehicles escorted by Israeli soldiers entered the town at two o'clock on Thursday morning and embarked on knocking down six structures used for commercial purposes in the central vegetable market.
The Israeli army claimed the structures were built without construction permits. Abu Maalla told Quds Press that the Israeli army had ordered the municipal authorities in the town to halt the construction of these structures about one month ago.
They were among 15 others threatened with demolition. He noted that the municipal council of town was still following up a petition it had filed with the Israeli higher court against recent stop-work orders issued against the construction of the structures.
The Israeli army systematically demolishes Palestinian homes and structures in the territories classified by Israel as Area C, which constitutes 60 percent of the West Bank, in an attempt to force the natives to leave their areas.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) broke into a number of towns in Nablus overnight and at dawn Thursday, arresting several youths.
A number of local houses were brutally stormed and searched in Beit Furik town east of the city, while a young man was arrested at Beit Furik checkpoint.
Two youths were arrested in Assira town north of the city including an ex-detainee.
Two others were rounded up in Iraq Burin town including a minor who was summoned for investigation before his detention. Along the same line, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn today the vegetables market in Beita town.
A month ago, Israeli forces notified eight store owners to stop construction of their shops. However, Israeli forces stormed the area at dawn and demolished the whole market.
A number of local houses were brutally stormed and searched in Beit Furik town east of the city, while a young man was arrested at Beit Furik checkpoint.
Two youths were arrested in Assira town north of the city including an ex-detainee.
Two others were rounded up in Iraq Burin town including a minor who was summoned for investigation before his detention. Along the same line, IOF soldiers demolished at dawn today the vegetables market in Beita town.
A month ago, Israeli forces notified eight store owners to stop construction of their shops. However, Israeli forces stormed the area at dawn and demolished the whole market.
Israeli national council for planning and building will be holding on Tuesday, March 22 a lengthy session in Occupied Jerusalem to discuss again the objections on the construction plan of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
According to QPress center, which is concerned with the affairs of Occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque, the meeting will open again the door for the endorsement of the plan and the reconstruction of the alleged temple.
This runs contrary to the previous resolutions of the same council which were issued last May and stipulate for reduction in the size of the building.
The project will be constructed only 20 meters away from the historical wall of the Aqsa Mosque and 100 meters from the Aqsa Mosque itself. The project is upheld by the Israeli government and Jerusalem municipality headed by Nir Barakat. It will be built on an area estimated at 16,000 square meters.
According to QPress center, which is concerned with the affairs of Occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque, the meeting will open again the door for the endorsement of the plan and the reconstruction of the alleged temple.
This runs contrary to the previous resolutions of the same council which were issued last May and stipulate for reduction in the size of the building.
The project will be constructed only 20 meters away from the historical wall of the Aqsa Mosque and 100 meters from the Aqsa Mosque itself. The project is upheld by the Israeli government and Jerusalem municipality headed by Nir Barakat. It will be built on an area estimated at 16,000 square meters.
16 mar 2016
Israeli soldiers invaded, Wednesday, the ash-Shurfa area, between al-Khader and Batteer towns, west of Bethlehem, and demolished a Palestinian home. The army also kidnapped a Palestinian near Ramallah.
Several army vehicles invaded the area, surrounded a home, before forcing the family out, and demolished a home, belonging to Jouda Masood Mousa, allegedly for being built without obtaining a permit, from the Civil Administration Office, that run’s Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
The demolished property was a 200 square/meter two-story building that was completely constructed and furnished.
The area in question is subject to frequent Israeli violations, especially over the past few years, leading to demolishing many homes, in addition to several outstanding orders targeting many homes, and similar orders to stop the construction of other buildings.
The ash-Shurfa area is considered the link between Bethlehem city and its communities in the western countryside.
It is worth mentioning that the army also demolished and agricultural structure, belonging to resident Amer Hussein al-Kamel, in Wad Rahhal village, southwest of Bethlehem.
On Tuesday evening, several army vehicles invaded Silwad town, east of Ramallah, and kidnapped Bilal Tareq Hamed, 23, after stopping him on a sudden roadblock the soldiers installed on the main entrance of the town.
Several army vehicles invaded the area, surrounded a home, before forcing the family out, and demolished a home, belonging to Jouda Masood Mousa, allegedly for being built without obtaining a permit, from the Civil Administration Office, that run’s Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
The demolished property was a 200 square/meter two-story building that was completely constructed and furnished.
The area in question is subject to frequent Israeli violations, especially over the past few years, leading to demolishing many homes, in addition to several outstanding orders targeting many homes, and similar orders to stop the construction of other buildings.
The ash-Shurfa area is considered the link between Bethlehem city and its communities in the western countryside.
It is worth mentioning that the army also demolished and agricultural structure, belonging to resident Amer Hussein al-Kamel, in Wad Rahhal village, southwest of Bethlehem.
On Tuesday evening, several army vehicles invaded Silwad town, east of Ramallah, and kidnapped Bilal Tareq Hamed, 23, after stopping him on a sudden roadblock the soldiers installed on the main entrance of the town.
15 mar 2016
The Israeli government, on Tuesday, announced the seizure of 2,340 acres of land in the Jericho area, central occupied West Bank, claiming it as “state land”.
Israel radio said that the state has embarked on the confiscation despite pressures from both the United States and the United Nations attempting to prevent it.
In most cases, according to the PNN, Israel announces thousands of acres as “state lands”, which are then granted to illegal settlers.
Israeli occupation authorities have seized thousands of acres in the Jordan Valley area, including privately owned lands and, then, prevented the Palestinian owners from entering them, awarding ownership to the settlers.
Two weeks ago, Israeli forces demolished about ten northern Jordan valley facilities, including tents, barns and residential structures, in the Khillat Khader community of Al-Farisiyya, east of the Tubas district, under the pretext of building without a permit, leaving at least 20 residents homeless.
About a month ago, Israel announced the confiscation of 1,540 dunams (380 acres) of land near Jericho in the valleys, adding that the lands were in the final stages of being declared state lands.
That seizure was the largest appropriation in the West Bank since August of 2014.
Israel radio said that the state has embarked on the confiscation despite pressures from both the United States and the United Nations attempting to prevent it.
In most cases, according to the PNN, Israel announces thousands of acres as “state lands”, which are then granted to illegal settlers.
Israeli occupation authorities have seized thousands of acres in the Jordan Valley area, including privately owned lands and, then, prevented the Palestinian owners from entering them, awarding ownership to the settlers.
Two weeks ago, Israeli forces demolished about ten northern Jordan valley facilities, including tents, barns and residential structures, in the Khillat Khader community of Al-Farisiyya, east of the Tubas district, under the pretext of building without a permit, leaving at least 20 residents homeless.
About a month ago, Israel announced the confiscation of 1,540 dunams (380 acres) of land near Jericho in the valleys, adding that the lands were in the final stages of being declared state lands.
That seizure was the largest appropriation in the West Bank since August of 2014.
Israeli authorities, on Tuesday, demolished four Palestinian-owned stores and the foundations of a building in Beit Hanina, an outskirt of Jerusalem, according to local sources.
WAFA correspondence said that Israeli police, accompanied by bulldozers, cordoned off the town and denied the entry and exit of local Palestinians, before they proceeding to demolish the structures, under the pretext of construction without an Israeli permit.
The police also razed a land which was used as a playground for children, the sources added.
The demolished structures belong to local al-Haroub family.
Habiba al-Hroub, owner of one of the stores, said that his family and he had repeatedly applied for a permit, but that they were denied so, as the four stores were close to an Israeli military base.
During the offensive in Beit Hanina, Israeli police also detained a local Fateh official, identified as Shadi Metawir.
Over the course of 2015, Israel demolished 521 structures in Area C as well as in East Jerusalem, displacing 636 people, according to the UN monitoring group OCHA.
The vast majority of these demolitions were carried out on the grounds of construction without a permit. Between 2010 and 2014, only 1.5 percent of applications for building permits in Area C were approved by Israeli occupation authorities, OCHA adds.
WAFA correspondence said that Israeli police, accompanied by bulldozers, cordoned off the town and denied the entry and exit of local Palestinians, before they proceeding to demolish the structures, under the pretext of construction without an Israeli permit.
The police also razed a land which was used as a playground for children, the sources added.
The demolished structures belong to local al-Haroub family.
Habiba al-Hroub, owner of one of the stores, said that his family and he had repeatedly applied for a permit, but that they were denied so, as the four stores were close to an Israeli military base.
During the offensive in Beit Hanina, Israeli police also detained a local Fateh official, identified as Shadi Metawir.
Over the course of 2015, Israel demolished 521 structures in Area C as well as in East Jerusalem, displacing 636 people, according to the UN monitoring group OCHA.
The vast majority of these demolitions were carried out on the grounds of construction without a permit. Between 2010 and 2014, only 1.5 percent of applications for building permits in Area C were approved by Israeli occupation authorities, OCHA adds.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has informed Palestinian citizens in Beit Hanina and Issawiya, east of Jerusalem, of its intention to demolish their homes at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
According to activist Mohamed Abul-Hems, municipal employees escorted by police officers stormed several homes in Issawiya district, took pictures and measurements of them and verbally threatened to raze them.
Another Israeli municipal crew also stormed al-Marawha neighborhood in Beit Hanina district and put up an administrative demolition order against a house belonging to Zaidan Abu Asaba.
According to activist Mohamed Abul-Hems, municipal employees escorted by police officers stormed several homes in Issawiya district, took pictures and measurements of them and verbally threatened to raze them.
Another Israeli municipal crew also stormed al-Marawha neighborhood in Beit Hanina district and put up an administrative demolition order against a house belonging to Zaidan Abu Asaba.
14 mar 2016
Israeli municipal crews on early Monday handed administrative demolition orders to the Palestinian natives of al-Issawiya village, in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said Israeli municipal teams, escorted by army troops, stormed the apartment of Palestinian citizen Fadi al-Issawi and handed his family an administrative demolition order.
The Israeli occupation claimed the demolition was issued on account of unlicensed construction. House owner al-Issawi said his three-storey apartment, a home to eight members, had been legally built in 2001.
He said the Israeli occupation made him shell out 75,000 shekels for the few square meters he added to the apartment and that he had been done with all the installments of the fine since 2006.
Al-Issawi added that he has long been trying to obtain a construction license for the added section but to no avail. The Israeli municipality crews further stormed the four-storey building of the Palestinian citizen Muhammad Daud Mahmoud in al-Madaris neighborhood and handed him an administrative demolition order.
The notification targets two newly-added floors of Mahmoud’s own and only apartment. The house owner said he has been made to pay a fine of 100,000 shekels for every added floor.
Palestinian family homes in al-Issawiya have often been the target of Israeli demolition campaigns in its capacity as a symbol of steadfastness in face of Israeli occupation schemes.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said Israeli municipal teams, escorted by army troops, stormed the apartment of Palestinian citizen Fadi al-Issawi and handed his family an administrative demolition order.
The Israeli occupation claimed the demolition was issued on account of unlicensed construction. House owner al-Issawi said his three-storey apartment, a home to eight members, had been legally built in 2001.
He said the Israeli occupation made him shell out 75,000 shekels for the few square meters he added to the apartment and that he had been done with all the installments of the fine since 2006.
Al-Issawi added that he has long been trying to obtain a construction license for the added section but to no avail. The Israeli municipality crews further stormed the four-storey building of the Palestinian citizen Muhammad Daud Mahmoud in al-Madaris neighborhood and handed him an administrative demolition order.
The notification targets two newly-added floors of Mahmoud’s own and only apartment. The house owner said he has been made to pay a fine of 100,000 shekels for every added floor.
Palestinian family homes in al-Issawiya have often been the target of Israeli demolition campaigns in its capacity as a symbol of steadfastness in face of Israeli occupation schemes.
13 mar 2016
Israeli settlers seized 100 dunums of Palestinian lands in al-Awja town, in Jericho, the Palestinian Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs reported Saturday.
Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Youssef Id’is, said the targeted land lots are Palestinian Awqaf (endowment property) leased to agricultural investors and that hundreds of palms have been grown in the area.
He said the misappropriation of the lands makes part of an Israeli scheme to destabilize Palestinian economy and displace Palestinian natives from their own lands in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
“The land just makes part and parcel of who we, Palestinians, are. We are nationally, ethically and historically responsible for protecting our land,” said Id’is.
He called on Arabs and Muslims everywhere across the globe to speak up for Palestinians’ land rights and boost their resistance in the face of the Israeli occupation.
Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Youssef Id’is, said the targeted land lots are Palestinian Awqaf (endowment property) leased to agricultural investors and that hundreds of palms have been grown in the area.
He said the misappropriation of the lands makes part of an Israeli scheme to destabilize Palestinian economy and displace Palestinian natives from their own lands in favor of illegal settlement expansion.
“The land just makes part and parcel of who we, Palestinians, are. We are nationally, ethically and historically responsible for protecting our land,” said Id’is.
He called on Arabs and Muslims everywhere across the globe to speak up for Palestinians’ land rights and boost their resistance in the face of the Israeli occupation.
11 mar 2016
The Israeli occupation army on Friday notified the family of Palestinian martyr Bashar Masalha, who carried out a recent stabbing attack in the port city of Jaffa, of its intention to demolish its home in Qalqiliya.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed at dawn the alleys of Hajja town near Qalqiliya and handed the family of Masalha a demolition notice during a raid on the house.
The sources added that soldiers raided the house yesterday and took pictures and measurements of the house, noting that they arrested and assaulted the father and brothers of the martyr during the raid.
The Israeli army has been imposing a tight siege on Hajja town since Masalah carried out his attack, which led to the killing of one settler and injured 13 others.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed at dawn the alleys of Hajja town near Qalqiliya and handed the family of Masalha a demolition notice during a raid on the house.
The sources added that soldiers raided the house yesterday and took pictures and measurements of the house, noting that they arrested and assaulted the father and brothers of the martyr during the raid.
The Israeli army has been imposing a tight siege on Hajja town since Masalah carried out his attack, which led to the killing of one settler and injured 13 others.
Israeli occupation forces on Thursday delivered stop-work and demolition orders to 28 Palestinian homes and structures in the occupied West Bank city of Qalqilya and 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Activist Hassan Shubaita, a local who documents Israeli violations in the Qalqilya area, said that Israeli military forces rolled into Azzun town, in eastern Qalqilya, and delivered stop-work and demolition orders targeting 12 civilian homes, homes under construction, and tin shacks under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
The owners of the structures, along with the village authorities plan to appeal the demolitions, he added. Shubaita said the structures and houses in question are located in Area C, which is under full Israeli military control.
Over recent days, Israeli mass-abduction campaigns and abrupt home break-ins rocked Azzun town under the pretext of searching for arms.
In a related context, Palestinian sources said members of the Israeli Interior Ministry handed 13 stop-construction and demolition orders to Palestinian families in al-Tira city, in 1948 Occupied Palestine, on account of unlicensed building.
Expert Hanna Sweid said at least 50,000 Palestinian homes are threatened with demolition. The same number is estimated in the Negev. The number of Palestinians displaced due to Israeli demolitions has seen striking surge. Such demolitions have often been carried out as part of a larger scheme of ethnic cleansing.
Activist Hassan Shubaita, a local who documents Israeli violations in the Qalqilya area, said that Israeli military forces rolled into Azzun town, in eastern Qalqilya, and delivered stop-work and demolition orders targeting 12 civilian homes, homes under construction, and tin shacks under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
The owners of the structures, along with the village authorities plan to appeal the demolitions, he added. Shubaita said the structures and houses in question are located in Area C, which is under full Israeli military control.
Over recent days, Israeli mass-abduction campaigns and abrupt home break-ins rocked Azzun town under the pretext of searching for arms.
In a related context, Palestinian sources said members of the Israeli Interior Ministry handed 13 stop-construction and demolition orders to Palestinian families in al-Tira city, in 1948 Occupied Palestine, on account of unlicensed building.
Expert Hanna Sweid said at least 50,000 Palestinian homes are threatened with demolition. The same number is estimated in the Negev. The number of Palestinians displaced due to Israeli demolitions has seen striking surge. Such demolitions have often been carried out as part of a larger scheme of ethnic cleansing.
The Israeli security cabinet on Thursday approved a set of measures against Palestinian anti-occupation activists, in a move aimed at aborting the underway Jerusalem Intifada.
According to Israeli news outlets, the Israeli cabinet pushed for cutting down the time it takes to knock down the homes of Palestinian anti-occupation protesters.
Among the steps on the agenda were fast-tracking legislation to crackdown on those employing or assisting Palestinians who enter 1948 Occupied Palestine in search of a living, along with the cancellation of work permits held by family members and close acquaintances of activists.
The cabinet further approved shutting down Palestinian media channels which broadcast incitement for anti-occupation activism against Israelis and expanding prosecution against those who incite.
The cabinet further approved immediate work to seal off gaps in the security fence in Occupied Jerusalem and to complete construction of the apartheid barrier in the area of Tarkumiya, south of al-Khalil.
According to Israeli news outlets, the Israeli cabinet pushed for cutting down the time it takes to knock down the homes of Palestinian anti-occupation protesters.
Among the steps on the agenda were fast-tracking legislation to crackdown on those employing or assisting Palestinians who enter 1948 Occupied Palestine in search of a living, along with the cancellation of work permits held by family members and close acquaintances of activists.
The cabinet further approved shutting down Palestinian media channels which broadcast incitement for anti-occupation activism against Israelis and expanding prosecution against those who incite.
The cabinet further approved immediate work to seal off gaps in the security fence in Occupied Jerusalem and to complete construction of the apartheid barrier in the area of Tarkumiya, south of al-Khalil.
9 mar 2016
Israeli forces before dawn on Wednesday made preparations for the punitive demolition of the home of a Palestinian who carried out a deadly attack in Jaffa the night before, locals said.
Locals told Ma’an that the Israeli military raided the family house of 22-year-old Bashar Masalha in the occupied West Bank village of Hajja before taking measurements of the home.
The forces searched Masalha’s home hours after he stabbed and killed an American tourist and injured nine other Israelis. Masalha was shot dead on scene.
Hajja was sealed by military forces following the attack late Tuesday, as was the village of al-Zawiya after 17-year-old resident Abd Al-Rahman Radad stabbed and injured an Israeli in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikvah.
The Israeli army confirmed to Ma’an that Hajja and al-Zawiya were still closed Wednesday evening following “security assessments” of the area.
All entrance and exit to the villages was still being prevented with the exception of humanitarian cases, according to the army spokesperson.
Israeli authorities have typically carried out punitive measures on Palestinian communities following individual attacks on Israelis that increased in October and have continued well into this year.
Such measures have been widely condemned by international rights organizations as collective punishment, particularly the Israeli policy of punitive home demolition.
Israeli rights group B’Tselem has slammed the policy as “court sanctioned revenge,” as demolitions punish family members of Palestinians who have already been killed following attacks or suspected attacks on Israelis.
Israeli authorities have also revoked work permits for family or community members of those who carry out attacks, while on several occasions cutting off communities for days or weeks at a time.
Last month the Palestinian village of Qabatiya was sealed for three consecutive days after three residents of the town carried out a deadly attack in Jerusalem.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had decried the closure at the time, saying: “Ongoing Israeli policies of collective punishment, field executions, and blockading Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps will worsen the security situation in the area.
“By confining our people and suffocating them with military checkpoints, Israel is violating all international laws and conventions,” Hamdallah said.
Locals told Ma’an that the Israeli military raided the family house of 22-year-old Bashar Masalha in the occupied West Bank village of Hajja before taking measurements of the home.
The forces searched Masalha’s home hours after he stabbed and killed an American tourist and injured nine other Israelis. Masalha was shot dead on scene.
Hajja was sealed by military forces following the attack late Tuesday, as was the village of al-Zawiya after 17-year-old resident Abd Al-Rahman Radad stabbed and injured an Israeli in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikvah.
The Israeli army confirmed to Ma’an that Hajja and al-Zawiya were still closed Wednesday evening following “security assessments” of the area.
All entrance and exit to the villages was still being prevented with the exception of humanitarian cases, according to the army spokesperson.
Israeli authorities have typically carried out punitive measures on Palestinian communities following individual attacks on Israelis that increased in October and have continued well into this year.
Such measures have been widely condemned by international rights organizations as collective punishment, particularly the Israeli policy of punitive home demolition.
Israeli rights group B’Tselem has slammed the policy as “court sanctioned revenge,” as demolitions punish family members of Palestinians who have already been killed following attacks or suspected attacks on Israelis.
Israeli authorities have also revoked work permits for family or community members of those who carry out attacks, while on several occasions cutting off communities for days or weeks at a time.
Last month the Palestinian village of Qabatiya was sealed for three consecutive days after three residents of the town carried out a deadly attack in Jerusalem.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had decried the closure at the time, saying: “Ongoing Israeli policies of collective punishment, field executions, and blockading Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps will worsen the security situation in the area.
“By confining our people and suffocating them with military checkpoints, Israel is violating all international laws and conventions,” Hamdallah said.
Israeli interior ministry inspectors, escorted by large numbers of policemen, on Wednesday razed the Palestinian Bedouin village al-Araqib in the Negev.
Local sources pointed out that the act was the 95th time their village was razed by the Israeli authorities at the pretext of being not-recognized as a village in the Negev.
They charged the Israeli authorities with targeting Palestinian Bedouin villages in order to pave the way for building Jewish-only settlements in their places.
Local sources pointed out that the act was the 95th time their village was razed by the Israeli authorities at the pretext of being not-recognized as a village in the Negev.
They charged the Israeli authorities with targeting Palestinian Bedouin villages in order to pave the way for building Jewish-only settlements in their places.
