27 july 2016
From January to June 2016, Israeli authorities demolished 168 dwellings in Palestinian communities in the West Bank, leaving 740 people, including 384 minors, homeless, a report by B’Tselem found out.
According to B’Tselem’s figures, this six-month period alone saw more demolitions than any individual year over the past decade (with the exception of 2013, when occupation authorities demolished 175 homes).
The policy adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) vis-à-vis these communities keeps civilians from maintaining any semblance of a normal routine, imposes a life of constant uncertainty on locals, and constitutes harassment per se, the report read.
Even those individuals whose homes were not demolished live with the constant fear that their homes might soon be demolished and that they will be forced to leave the area they call home, the organization added.
This government policy, systematically implemented for years, constitutes the forcible transfer of Palestinians who are a protected population in an occupied territory, and as such breaches the international humanitarian law.
Home demolition plays a key role in Israeli policy implemented in the occupied West Bank.
According to the same source, demolitions are carried out only in what has been designated as Area C, which comprises about 60 percent of the occupied West Bank, and which Israel views as primarily meant to serve its own needs, and in East Occupied Jerusalem.
Accordingly, Israel acts to establish facts on the ground so as to create a reality that would be difficult to change. The state takes action to displace and expel Palestinians citing flimsy legal pretexts.
For example, one reason given for home demolition is “illegal construction” – an untenable argument given the absence of any real possibility for Palestinians to build legally.
The separation of Area C from the remainder of West Bank land helps Israel shirk its obligations to the entire Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank.
Israel instead lays the responsibility at the door of the Palestinian Authority that was supposedly given certain powers in Areas A and B. Yet this division is entirely artificial. It does not reflect a geographic reality or Palestinian life as a whole.
The policy Israel implements in Area C impacts all West Bank residents as their future depends exclusively on Israel. The majority of the West Bank’s land reserves and natural resources lie in Area C so that making use of them – for expanding Palestinian communities or building factories, for agriculture, for laying water pipes or paving roads – is subject to Israeli approval, and such authorization is rarely granted.
Israel also retains exclusive control of the movement of people and goods in the West Bank as well as of the border crossings with Israel and Jordan. It also carries on arresting and trying thousands of Palestinians a year in its military courts, the majority of whom do not live in Area C.
Carrying out demolitions and devastating communities do not constitute implementation of “the rule of law”. Rather, these actions are a longstanding, systematic dispossession to which all Israeli authorities are party, B’Tselem report further read.
According to B’Tselem’s figures, this six-month period alone saw more demolitions than any individual year over the past decade (with the exception of 2013, when occupation authorities demolished 175 homes).
The policy adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) vis-à-vis these communities keeps civilians from maintaining any semblance of a normal routine, imposes a life of constant uncertainty on locals, and constitutes harassment per se, the report read.
Even those individuals whose homes were not demolished live with the constant fear that their homes might soon be demolished and that they will be forced to leave the area they call home, the organization added.
This government policy, systematically implemented for years, constitutes the forcible transfer of Palestinians who are a protected population in an occupied territory, and as such breaches the international humanitarian law.
Home demolition plays a key role in Israeli policy implemented in the occupied West Bank.
According to the same source, demolitions are carried out only in what has been designated as Area C, which comprises about 60 percent of the occupied West Bank, and which Israel views as primarily meant to serve its own needs, and in East Occupied Jerusalem.
Accordingly, Israel acts to establish facts on the ground so as to create a reality that would be difficult to change. The state takes action to displace and expel Palestinians citing flimsy legal pretexts.
For example, one reason given for home demolition is “illegal construction” – an untenable argument given the absence of any real possibility for Palestinians to build legally.
The separation of Area C from the remainder of West Bank land helps Israel shirk its obligations to the entire Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank.
Israel instead lays the responsibility at the door of the Palestinian Authority that was supposedly given certain powers in Areas A and B. Yet this division is entirely artificial. It does not reflect a geographic reality or Palestinian life as a whole.
The policy Israel implements in Area C impacts all West Bank residents as their future depends exclusively on Israel. The majority of the West Bank’s land reserves and natural resources lie in Area C so that making use of them – for expanding Palestinian communities or building factories, for agriculture, for laying water pipes or paving roads – is subject to Israeli approval, and such authorization is rarely granted.
Israel also retains exclusive control of the movement of people and goods in the West Bank as well as of the border crossings with Israel and Jordan. It also carries on arresting and trying thousands of Palestinians a year in its military courts, the majority of whom do not live in Area C.
Carrying out demolitions and devastating communities do not constitute implementation of “the rule of law”. Rather, these actions are a longstanding, systematic dispossession to which all Israeli authorities are party, B’Tselem report further read.
Israeli bulldozers on Wednesday morning demolished the Palestinian Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev desert for the 101st time at the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Local activist Aziz al-Araqib told Quds Press that Israeli police forces escorting bulldozers stormed the village in the morning and removed all the crude homes and tents of the residents.
Araqib added that dozens of Bedouin citizens became homeless and would suffer from the scorching desert heat for a while before they could have new makeshift homes again.
"We live in a constant state of anticipation because we expect the demolition of the village at any moment after we rebuild it anew."
"This arbitrary, criminal and inhumane policy of demolition, uprooting and displacement will be of no use to the Israeli government; it will only increase our resolve and our adherence to our land and village even if they demolish it thousands of times," he said.
Al-Araqib is one of several Bedouin villages in the Negev desert, which are "unrecognized" by the Israeli occupation state.
The demolition of al-Araqib and other villages in the Negev is a systematic Israeli policy aimed at expelling the native population from the Negev and transferring them to government-zoned areas to pave the way to expand and build settlements for Jewish communities.
Local activist Aziz al-Araqib told Quds Press that Israeli police forces escorting bulldozers stormed the village in the morning and removed all the crude homes and tents of the residents.
Araqib added that dozens of Bedouin citizens became homeless and would suffer from the scorching desert heat for a while before they could have new makeshift homes again.
"We live in a constant state of anticipation because we expect the demolition of the village at any moment after we rebuild it anew."
"This arbitrary, criminal and inhumane policy of demolition, uprooting and displacement will be of no use to the Israeli government; it will only increase our resolve and our adherence to our land and village even if they demolish it thousands of times," he said.
Al-Araqib is one of several Bedouin villages in the Negev desert, which are "unrecognized" by the Israeli occupation state.
The demolition of al-Araqib and other villages in the Negev is a systematic Israeli policy aimed at expelling the native population from the Negev and transferring them to government-zoned areas to pave the way to expand and build settlements for Jewish communities.
The Tulkarem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that dozens of soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the town of Bal’a, near Tulkarem city, in the northern part of the West Bank, and kidnapped one Palestinian.
The PPS said the soldiers invaded the home of Othman Rajeh Suleiman, after forcing him and his family out of their property, and kidnapped his son, Aseed.
Suleiman said the soldiers confiscated computers and mobile phones, owned by the family, in addition to deliberately causing damage to electric equipment, and furniture, before leaving the property.
The PPS said the soldiers invaded the home of Othman Rajeh Suleiman, after forcing him and his family out of their property, and kidnapped his son, Aseed.
Suleiman said the soldiers confiscated computers and mobile phones, owned by the family, in addition to deliberately causing damage to electric equipment, and furniture, before leaving the property.
Mohammad al-Faqeeh 29
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the town of Surif, northwest of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and fired missiles into a home, before bulldozing it, leading to the death of one Palestinian, who was barricaded in the property for more than six hours, and exchanged fire with the army.
The head of Surif Local Council Mohammad Lafi said the soldiers located the remains of the slain Palestinian, who was later identified as Mohammad al-Faqeeh, 29, and took placed his body in one of their vehicles before driving away.
He added that at least seven Palestinians were injured in clashes that took place between the invading soldiers and local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles at the army, while the soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
The soldiers are now completely surrounding Surif, after they declared it a closed military zone, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it.
Updated From: Israeli Soldiers Detonate A Home In Surif, Near Hebron – Jul 27, 2016 @ 08:25
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, Surif town, northwest of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and fired missiles into a home, before bulldozing and demolishing it.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers surrounded the property, and used loud speakers demanding a Palestinian to surrender.
An exchange of fire took place between the soldiers, and a person who was barricaded in the home, before the army fired at least two missiles into it.
The property in question is a three-story building in Wad Jaddour area, in Surif, and is owned by a Palestinian identified as Mohammad al-Heeh.
The army placed Surif under complete siege, declared it a closed military zone, and said the Palestinian is wanted for the military and security services.
The head of Surif Local Council, Mohammad Lafi Eghneimat, said that the soldiers also cut electricity supplies to Surif and al-Jab’a nearby village, before pushing many armored vehicles into them.
The invasion also led to clashes between the soldiers and many local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles, while the army fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
Medical sources in Surif said seven Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets and live rounds; three of them were moved to a hospital, while many others suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the town of Surif, northwest of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and fired missiles into a home, before bulldozing it, leading to the death of one Palestinian, who was barricaded in the property for more than six hours, and exchanged fire with the army.
The head of Surif Local Council Mohammad Lafi said the soldiers located the remains of the slain Palestinian, who was later identified as Mohammad al-Faqeeh, 29, and took placed his body in one of their vehicles before driving away.
He added that at least seven Palestinians were injured in clashes that took place between the invading soldiers and local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles at the army, while the soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
The soldiers are now completely surrounding Surif, after they declared it a closed military zone, preventing the Palestinians from entering or leaving it.
Updated From: Israeli Soldiers Detonate A Home In Surif, Near Hebron – Jul 27, 2016 @ 08:25
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, Surif town, northwest of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and fired missiles into a home, before bulldozing and demolishing it.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers surrounded the property, and used loud speakers demanding a Palestinian to surrender.
An exchange of fire took place between the soldiers, and a person who was barricaded in the home, before the army fired at least two missiles into it.
The property in question is a three-story building in Wad Jaddour area, in Surif, and is owned by a Palestinian identified as Mohammad al-Heeh.
The army placed Surif under complete siege, declared it a closed military zone, and said the Palestinian is wanted for the military and security services.
The head of Surif Local Council, Mohammad Lafi Eghneimat, said that the soldiers also cut electricity supplies to Surif and al-Jab’a nearby village, before pushing many armored vehicles into them.
The invasion also led to clashes between the soldiers and many local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles, while the army fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
Medical sources in Surif said seven Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets and live rounds; three of them were moved to a hospital, while many others suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
26 july 2016
On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers driving Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozers and other armored vehicles entered the town of Qalandia and began demolishing Palestinian homes.
A group of townspeople quickly organized a blockade, surrounding the homes with their bodies, but they were violently assaulted by the Israeli soldiers.
Local sources report that when the Israeli troops rolled into town, blockades were formed almost immediately in front of the targeted homes. Israeli troops then attacked the Palestinian residents with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, sponge bullets and concussion grenades. Seven local residents were injured as a result.
According to the Wafa News agency, among those assaulted was the head of the Qalandia village council, Youssef Awadallah, who was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the most recent United Nations OCHA report on home demolitions by Israeli forces, “There was a sharp increase in Palestinian-owned structures destroyed, dismantled or confiscated by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank during the first two months of 2016: At least 320 structures, including 88 homes, were destroyed. February 2016 stands out as having the highest number of structures demolished in a single month since OCHA began the documentation of demolitions systematically in 2009.”
In a recent report on counterpunch.org, journalist Richard Hardigan reported, “OCHA reports that during the years 2012-2015, an average of 50 homes were demolished in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem every month. So far this year, the army has destroyed 539 structures, a rate that is more than three times higher. In all of 2015, 453 buildings were demolished, so the sharp surge in this kind of activity is an extremely recent phenomenon. The reasons for this sudden increase are unclear…One thing that is clear is that the Israelis are getting impatient.
“There are currently 11,000 buildings in Area C that have been slated for demolition but as of now are still standing. Recently Major-General Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of the government’s activities in the West Bank, appeared before a subcommittee in the Israeli parliament to answer questions about the slow pace of demolitions, and he claimed that he was doing all he could. Some right-wing members of the government had accused him of unfairly singling out structures in the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but he quickly dispelled this notion.”
Hardigan quoted the Israeli Major-General of assuring the parliamentary audience, “I want to state unequivocally that enforcement is more severe towards the Palestinians”.
Israeli army razes 11 Palestinian houses in Qalandiya town
The Israeli occupation army demolished 11 Palestinian homes overnight in Qalandiya town, north of Occupied Jerusalem, at the pretext of their location near the segregation wall.
The demolitions started last night and continued until dawn Tuesday, amid violent clashes in Qalandiya and Abu Dis towns. According to Qalandiya media center, six bulldozers escorted by a large number of Israeli troops stormed 11 homes at least in Qalandiya and forced their residents out before embarking on knocking them down.
Consequently, violent clashes broke out with the occupation troops, leading to the injury of several young protesters from the town. Medical sources said that three young men suffered bullet injuries and at least four others suffocated by tear gas during the events.
Journalist Mahmoud Awadallah and chief of the town Yousef Awadallah also suffered injuries when Israeli soldiers physically assaulted them during the events.
The Israeli army justified the demolition of the houses by claiming they were built illegally near the wall without construction permits, according to one of the owners.
Owners of the demolished houses had received last Sunday notices giving them 72 hours to evacuate their homes before razing them.
In a related incident, 30 Palestinian young men suffered bullet and tear gas injuries during confrontations with the occupation troops in Abu Dis town, east of Jerusalem, according to the Red Crescent.
A group of townspeople quickly organized a blockade, surrounding the homes with their bodies, but they were violently assaulted by the Israeli soldiers.
Local sources report that when the Israeli troops rolled into town, blockades were formed almost immediately in front of the targeted homes. Israeli troops then attacked the Palestinian residents with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, sponge bullets and concussion grenades. Seven local residents were injured as a result.
According to the Wafa News agency, among those assaulted was the head of the Qalandia village council, Youssef Awadallah, who was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the most recent United Nations OCHA report on home demolitions by Israeli forces, “There was a sharp increase in Palestinian-owned structures destroyed, dismantled or confiscated by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank during the first two months of 2016: At least 320 structures, including 88 homes, were destroyed. February 2016 stands out as having the highest number of structures demolished in a single month since OCHA began the documentation of demolitions systematically in 2009.”
In a recent report on counterpunch.org, journalist Richard Hardigan reported, “OCHA reports that during the years 2012-2015, an average of 50 homes were demolished in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem every month. So far this year, the army has destroyed 539 structures, a rate that is more than three times higher. In all of 2015, 453 buildings were demolished, so the sharp surge in this kind of activity is an extremely recent phenomenon. The reasons for this sudden increase are unclear…One thing that is clear is that the Israelis are getting impatient.
“There are currently 11,000 buildings in Area C that have been slated for demolition but as of now are still standing. Recently Major-General Yoav Mordechai, the coordinator of the government’s activities in the West Bank, appeared before a subcommittee in the Israeli parliament to answer questions about the slow pace of demolitions, and he claimed that he was doing all he could. Some right-wing members of the government had accused him of unfairly singling out structures in the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but he quickly dispelled this notion.”
Hardigan quoted the Israeli Major-General of assuring the parliamentary audience, “I want to state unequivocally that enforcement is more severe towards the Palestinians”.
Israeli army razes 11 Palestinian houses in Qalandiya town
The Israeli occupation army demolished 11 Palestinian homes overnight in Qalandiya town, north of Occupied Jerusalem, at the pretext of their location near the segregation wall.
The demolitions started last night and continued until dawn Tuesday, amid violent clashes in Qalandiya and Abu Dis towns. According to Qalandiya media center, six bulldozers escorted by a large number of Israeli troops stormed 11 homes at least in Qalandiya and forced their residents out before embarking on knocking them down.
Consequently, violent clashes broke out with the occupation troops, leading to the injury of several young protesters from the town. Medical sources said that three young men suffered bullet injuries and at least four others suffocated by tear gas during the events.
Journalist Mahmoud Awadallah and chief of the town Yousef Awadallah also suffered injuries when Israeli soldiers physically assaulted them during the events.
The Israeli army justified the demolition of the houses by claiming they were built illegally near the wall without construction permits, according to one of the owners.
Owners of the demolished houses had received last Sunday notices giving them 72 hours to evacuate their homes before razing them.
In a related incident, 30 Palestinian young men suffered bullet and tear gas injuries during confrontations with the occupation troops in Abu Dis town, east of Jerusalem, according to the Red Crescent.
25 july 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Monday afternoon two Palestinian women in addition to two brothers in Occupied Jerusalem.
Wadi Helweh information center in Silwan town revealed that the IOF troops broke into the home of al-Zaatari family in al-Swieh neighborhood in the town and arrested Ruwaida al-Zaatari, 42, and Zuhour al-Zaatari, 41, and took them to a detention center after confiscating their money.
In a similar context, the IOF soldiers arrested the brothers Ahmad and Hasan Abu Asab near al-Karmi neighborhood in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
Wadi Helweh information center in Silwan town revealed that the IOF troops broke into the home of al-Zaatari family in al-Swieh neighborhood in the town and arrested Ruwaida al-Zaatari, 42, and Zuhour al-Zaatari, 41, and took them to a detention center after confiscating their money.
In a similar context, the IOF soldiers arrested the brothers Ahmad and Hasan Abu Asab near al-Karmi neighborhood in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, several Palestinian homes in different parts of the southern West Bank district of Hebron, searched many homes, kidnapped two Palestinians, and closed many roads with sand hills and concrete blocks.
The soldiers invaded Beit Awwa town, southwest of Hebron, and kidnapped Ziad Abu Kreisa Sweity, after searching his home, and several nearby homes.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and kidnapped Ali Mohammad Ahmad Sarahna, after confiscating his car.
The PPS added that the soldiers also invaded Dour and Bani Neim towns, in addition to Kharsa village, near Hebron, and violently searched many homes, causing excessive damage.
The soldiers also continued the closure of Sa’ir, Shiokh, Bani Neim, Yatta, Sammoa’ and Doura towns, in addition to invading several neighborhoods in Hebron city.
The army installed two roadblocks on the main roads leading to Farsh al-Hawa area, west of Hebron, and al-Fahs area, south of the city, before searching dozens of cars while inspecting the ID cards of many passengers, and interrogated many of them.
It is worth mentioning that Hebron’s northern entrance, Jouret Bahlas, remained closed with concrete blocks, sand hills and an iron gate.
Rateb al-Jabour, the coordinator of the Popular and National Committee against the Wall and Colonies in southern Hebron, said the soldiers also held dozens of Palestinians at the main entrance of the at-Tiwani village and interrogated many of them.
The soldiers invaded Beit Awwa town, southwest of Hebron, and kidnapped Ziad Abu Kreisa Sweity, after searching his home, and several nearby homes.
The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers also invaded the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and kidnapped Ali Mohammad Ahmad Sarahna, after confiscating his car.
The PPS added that the soldiers also invaded Dour and Bani Neim towns, in addition to Kharsa village, near Hebron, and violently searched many homes, causing excessive damage.
The soldiers also continued the closure of Sa’ir, Shiokh, Bani Neim, Yatta, Sammoa’ and Doura towns, in addition to invading several neighborhoods in Hebron city.
The army installed two roadblocks on the main roads leading to Farsh al-Hawa area, west of Hebron, and al-Fahs area, south of the city, before searching dozens of cars while inspecting the ID cards of many passengers, and interrogated many of them.
It is worth mentioning that Hebron’s northern entrance, Jouret Bahlas, remained closed with concrete blocks, sand hills and an iron gate.
Rateb al-Jabour, the coordinator of the Popular and National Committee against the Wall and Colonies in southern Hebron, said the soldiers also held dozens of Palestinians at the main entrance of the at-Tiwani village and interrogated many of them.
24 july 2016
The Israeli High Court ruled for the misappropriation of 100 dunums of Palestinian lands in al-Khalil’s southern town of Yatta, in the southern occupied West Bank.
Coordinator for the local anti-settlement committee, Rateb al-Jabour, said the Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal filed by the Palestinian citizen Hussein al-Hamamdeh to cancel the confiscation order.
The Israeli court claimed the targeted lands are abandoned tracts and that the occupation authorities have the right to seize them in favor of Israeli settlers.
Land expert Abdul Hadi Hantash said the Israeli occupation authorities have held sway over one million and 300,000 dunums of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank and registered them as “state property” under the pretext that they are abandoned.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Yatta and a human rights group have petitioned the High Court of Justice in order to have the army lift the blockade imposed on the West Bank town of Yatta.
The closure was imposed on June 9 after it was found that the perpetrators of the anti-occupation attack on the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv had come from Yatta.
A court rule is expected to be issued Wednesday over the appeal. The army initially completely blocked off all 12 entrances and exits from the town before they opened them a few days later.
On July 2 and following an anti-occupation shooting attack near Road 60, the army reimposed a cordon on the area and blockaded Palestinians’ movement in and out.
A home to 70,000 Palestinians, Yatta has been subjected to a tough blockade. Civilians could not reach hospitals while others failed to get to their workplaces as a result of the closure.
Coordinator for the local anti-settlement committee, Rateb al-Jabour, said the Israeli Supreme Court turned down an appeal filed by the Palestinian citizen Hussein al-Hamamdeh to cancel the confiscation order.
The Israeli court claimed the targeted lands are abandoned tracts and that the occupation authorities have the right to seize them in favor of Israeli settlers.
Land expert Abdul Hadi Hantash said the Israeli occupation authorities have held sway over one million and 300,000 dunums of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank and registered them as “state property” under the pretext that they are abandoned.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Yatta and a human rights group have petitioned the High Court of Justice in order to have the army lift the blockade imposed on the West Bank town of Yatta.
The closure was imposed on June 9 after it was found that the perpetrators of the anti-occupation attack on the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv had come from Yatta.
A court rule is expected to be issued Wednesday over the appeal. The army initially completely blocked off all 12 entrances and exits from the town before they opened them a few days later.
On July 2 and following an anti-occupation shooting attack near Road 60, the army reimposed a cordon on the area and blockaded Palestinians’ movement in and out.
A home to 70,000 Palestinians, Yatta has been subjected to a tough blockade. Civilians could not reach hospitals while others failed to get to their workplaces as a result of the closure.
23 july 2016
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday raided different homes and handed summonses from the Shin Bet during campaigns in different West Bank areas.
In Jenin, a large number of Israeli troops stormed Sanur town and handed four Palestinians summonses for interrogation from the Shin Bet in Salem military base.
Local sources said the occupation troops combed areas in the town and established a makeshift checkpoint at its entrance. In al-Khalil, Israeli soldiers aboard armored vehicles invaded Dura town and ransacked several homes, without making arrests.
One of the homes that had been raided by soldiers belonged to prisoner Mohamed Abdul-Majid, who works for the Palestinian Authority national security apparatus.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli officer handed the family of Abdul-Majid a military demolition order against their house, without stating when this would happen.
The Shin Bet has accused Abdul-Majid of carrying out the shooting attack in early July that killed a rabbi and injured three members of his family near Deir Razeh town and Otniel settlement in al-Khalil.
The IOF soldiers also broke into and ransacked homes in Beit Awwa town in al-Khalil. Meanwhile, clashes broke out between local young men and soldiers during an IOF dawn campaign in Sa'ir town, northeast of al-Khalil.
Several homes and buildings were raided, with no reported arrests, in the town.
In Jenin, a large number of Israeli troops stormed Sanur town and handed four Palestinians summonses for interrogation from the Shin Bet in Salem military base.
Local sources said the occupation troops combed areas in the town and established a makeshift checkpoint at its entrance. In al-Khalil, Israeli soldiers aboard armored vehicles invaded Dura town and ransacked several homes, without making arrests.
One of the homes that had been raided by soldiers belonged to prisoner Mohamed Abdul-Majid, who works for the Palestinian Authority national security apparatus.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli officer handed the family of Abdul-Majid a military demolition order against their house, without stating when this would happen.
The Shin Bet has accused Abdul-Majid of carrying out the shooting attack in early July that killed a rabbi and injured three members of his family near Deir Razeh town and Otniel settlement in al-Khalil.
The IOF soldiers also broke into and ransacked homes in Beit Awwa town in al-Khalil. Meanwhile, clashes broke out between local young men and soldiers during an IOF dawn campaign in Sa'ir town, northeast of al-Khalil.
Several homes and buildings were raided, with no reported arrests, in the town.
22 july 2016
On the morning of July 14th, Israeli excavators arrived on Majid Mahmoud’s farmland in Deir Qaddis to begin work on an illegal expansion of a wastewater facility for the nearby illegal settlement of Nili.
Construction vehicles and Occupation forces were met by about fifty Palestinians from Deir Qaddis and nearby Nil’in, in protest of the theft and destruction of village land, who refused to leave until the construction was halted.
Through nonviolent means the villagers managed to temporarily prevent the destruction of their grazing lands, though excavation and land clearing did resume in the days afterwards. Illegal settlements around Deir Qaddis have been expanding for decades, swallowing up thousands of dunams and dispossessing farmers and agricultural workers in the area.
Majid’s land, now on the other side of a settler road, has been rendered mostly inaccessible by both the expansion of illegal settlements and the threat of violence from Israeli forces and private settlement security.
“We have no rights under this Occupation. I cannot ask the soldiers why they are on my land. It is as if I am being beaten, but cannot question it or raise my hands to stop it,” Majid said. “We have all the papers to prove ownership, but it does not matter.”
Majid and members of the local council are planning to bring the case to court and have all the documentation necessary to do so. They are not optimistic, however, about their chances.
Though the people of Deir Qaddis did succeed in halting the illegal construction on Thursday, it has since resumed. Fares Naser, mayor of the village, has little confidence that the settlement expansion and illegal construction will ever end.
“It will not stop,” said Fares, “and the next generation will wonder why it is this way.”
Deir Qaddis is surrounded on three sides by the Apartheid Wall and the illegal Israeli settlements of Nili, Modi’in Illit, and Na’aleh, cutting it off from much of the West Bank. According to Fares, only 4,000 of the village’s original 10,000 dunams have not yet been seized by Israeli forces and settlers. Over ninety percent of the Deir Qaddis is classified as “Area C,” territory in which Israel maintains full military and civil control.
In 1999, Israeli authorities assured the people of Deir Qaddis that all land lying west of the town would remain untouched. Israel has since broken that promise, with both state confiscation and private theft of valuable farmland within Deir Qaddis.
According to international law, all Israeli settlements are illegal, as is nearly every piece of the Israeli colonial apparatus. Israel will continue to build, and the people of Deir Qaddis will continue to resist the ongoing theft of their land and livelihoods.
Construction vehicles and Occupation forces were met by about fifty Palestinians from Deir Qaddis and nearby Nil’in, in protest of the theft and destruction of village land, who refused to leave until the construction was halted.
Through nonviolent means the villagers managed to temporarily prevent the destruction of their grazing lands, though excavation and land clearing did resume in the days afterwards. Illegal settlements around Deir Qaddis have been expanding for decades, swallowing up thousands of dunams and dispossessing farmers and agricultural workers in the area.
Majid’s land, now on the other side of a settler road, has been rendered mostly inaccessible by both the expansion of illegal settlements and the threat of violence from Israeli forces and private settlement security.
“We have no rights under this Occupation. I cannot ask the soldiers why they are on my land. It is as if I am being beaten, but cannot question it or raise my hands to stop it,” Majid said. “We have all the papers to prove ownership, but it does not matter.”
Majid and members of the local council are planning to bring the case to court and have all the documentation necessary to do so. They are not optimistic, however, about their chances.
Though the people of Deir Qaddis did succeed in halting the illegal construction on Thursday, it has since resumed. Fares Naser, mayor of the village, has little confidence that the settlement expansion and illegal construction will ever end.
“It will not stop,” said Fares, “and the next generation will wonder why it is this way.”
Deir Qaddis is surrounded on three sides by the Apartheid Wall and the illegal Israeli settlements of Nili, Modi’in Illit, and Na’aleh, cutting it off from much of the West Bank. According to Fares, only 4,000 of the village’s original 10,000 dunams have not yet been seized by Israeli forces and settlers. Over ninety percent of the Deir Qaddis is classified as “Area C,” territory in which Israel maintains full military and civil control.
In 1999, Israeli authorities assured the people of Deir Qaddis that all land lying west of the town would remain untouched. Israel has since broken that promise, with both state confiscation and private theft of valuable farmland within Deir Qaddis.
According to international law, all Israeli settlements are illegal, as is nearly every piece of the Israeli colonial apparatus. Israel will continue to build, and the people of Deir Qaddis will continue to resist the ongoing theft of their land and livelihoods.
Violent clashes broke out at dawn Friday when Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed Aroub refugee camp in al-Khalil to the south of the West bank.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces threatened to demolish a local house belonging to a Palestinian who was killed by Israeli gunfire three days ago for allegedly stabbing two Israeli soldiers.
Local residents stoned the Israeli soldiers and prevented their advance into the refugee camp, local sources said.
During the clashes, Israeli forces fired teargas bombs towards local homes causing several teargas inhalation cases among the residents.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed early today Beit Laqya and al-Musbah villages near Ramallah and deployed in their neighborhoods. All passing individuals were stopped and searched during the raid.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces threatened to demolish a local house belonging to a Palestinian who was killed by Israeli gunfire three days ago for allegedly stabbing two Israeli soldiers.
Local residents stoned the Israeli soldiers and prevented their advance into the refugee camp, local sources said.
During the clashes, Israeli forces fired teargas bombs towards local homes causing several teargas inhalation cases among the residents.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces stormed early today Beit Laqya and al-Musbah villages near Ramallah and deployed in their neighborhoods. All passing individuals were stopped and searched during the raid.