28 dec 2018
Israeli soldiers killed, Friday, one Palestinian, and injured at least eight, including a medic and a photojournalist, during the Great March Of Return processions in the besieged Gaza Strip. The Health Ministry said two of the wounded suffered life-threatening injuries.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the soldiers fired dozens of live rounds, high-velocity gas bombs and concussion grenades at the marchers, killing a young man, and wounding eight others.
Dr. al-Qedra stated that the soldiers killed Karam Mohammad No’man Fayyad, 26, a disabled Palestinian, after shooting him with a live round in the head, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the coastal region. video video
The soldiers also shot eight Palestinians with live ammunition, including a child who was shot in the neck, a journalist and a female medic, along the perimeter fence areas, in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, as the Great Return March processions continue for the fortieth consecutive week.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said the soldiers fired a barrage of live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, in addition to high-velocity gas bombs and concussion grenades, especially east of Gaza city, al-Boreij refugee camp, Khan Younis and Rafah.
It is worth mentioning that, since the Great Return March procession started in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has killed at least 190 Palestinians, and injured more than 25,000 others.
No Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian demonstrators participating in the ‘Great March of Return’ that has taken place each Friday since March 30th.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a total of 295 Palestinians were killed and over 29,000 were injured in 2018 by Israeli forces.
This is the highest death toll in a single year since the Gaza conflict of 2014 and the highest number of injuries recorded since OCHA began documenting casualties in the oPt in 2005.
About 61 per cent of the fatalities (180 people) and 79 per cent of the injuries (over 23,000) were in the context of Gaza’s ‘Great March of Return’ demonstrations by the fence. Across the oPt, 57 of the Palestinian fatalities and about 7,000 of the injuries were under 18 years of age. At least 28 of the Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in 2018 were members of armed groups in Gaza and another 15 were perpetrators or alleged perpetrators of attacks against Israelis in the West Bank.
A total of 14 Israelis were killed during the year by Palestinians and at least 137 others were injured. While the number of fatalities is nearly the same as in 2017 (15 people), the proportion of civilians among these fatalities (50 per cent) increased compared to the previous year (27 per cent).
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the soldiers fired dozens of live rounds, high-velocity gas bombs and concussion grenades at the marchers, killing a young man, and wounding eight others.
Dr. al-Qedra stated that the soldiers killed Karam Mohammad No’man Fayyad, 26, a disabled Palestinian, after shooting him with a live round in the head, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the coastal region. video video
The soldiers also shot eight Palestinians with live ammunition, including a child who was shot in the neck, a journalist and a female medic, along the perimeter fence areas, in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, as the Great Return March processions continue for the fortieth consecutive week.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said the soldiers fired a barrage of live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, in addition to high-velocity gas bombs and concussion grenades, especially east of Gaza city, al-Boreij refugee camp, Khan Younis and Rafah.
It is worth mentioning that, since the Great Return March procession started in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has killed at least 190 Palestinians, and injured more than 25,000 others.
No Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian demonstrators participating in the ‘Great March of Return’ that has taken place each Friday since March 30th.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a total of 295 Palestinians were killed and over 29,000 were injured in 2018 by Israeli forces.
This is the highest death toll in a single year since the Gaza conflict of 2014 and the highest number of injuries recorded since OCHA began documenting casualties in the oPt in 2005.
About 61 per cent of the fatalities (180 people) and 79 per cent of the injuries (over 23,000) were in the context of Gaza’s ‘Great March of Return’ demonstrations by the fence. Across the oPt, 57 of the Palestinian fatalities and about 7,000 of the injuries were under 18 years of age. At least 28 of the Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in 2018 were members of armed groups in Gaza and another 15 were perpetrators or alleged perpetrators of attacks against Israelis in the West Bank.
A total of 14 Israelis were killed during the year by Palestinians and at least 137 others were injured. While the number of fatalities is nearly the same as in 2017 (15 people), the proportion of civilians among these fatalities (50 per cent) increased compared to the previous year (27 per cent).
23 dec 2018
The Palestinian Ministry of Health succeeded in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the children’s fund, UNICEF, in pressuring the Israeli authorities to allow entry of children vaccines for 2019 into the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Assad Ramlawi, confirmed that the ministry will continue to pressure Israel to allow vaccines into the Palestinian territories from WHO and UNICEF, as it has been receiving them from both organizations since 1995.
Earlier this month, Israeli authorities have issued a decree barring the Ministry of Health from importing vaccines, starting from the beginning of the year 2019, which put the supply of vaccinations at risk.
According to UNICEF, the Israeli government is bringing into force laws that have existed since 1986. Ramlawi condemned the decision, pointing out that since the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) took office in 1994, there have been no problems with the issue of vaccinations, and that much has changed since the establishment of those laws, 32 years ago.
Ramlawi pointed out that a lack of vaccination will result in the spread of disease, not only in Palestine, but in the whole of the region, putting millions at risk, particularly children.
Israeli authorities have decreed that vaccines may be imported from only 10 countries. However, the ten countries listed do not have an interest in vaccine production and therefore do not have the required certificate from WHO to export, which means that the Palestinian Ministry of Health cannot import from them in any case.
It is noteworthy that Ramlawi added that for the past 18 years, the Ministry of Health successfully achieved 100% coverage of the area with vaccine provision, resulting in eradication of diseases which are vaccinated against.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Assad Ramlawi, confirmed that the ministry will continue to pressure Israel to allow vaccines into the Palestinian territories from WHO and UNICEF, as it has been receiving them from both organizations since 1995.
Earlier this month, Israeli authorities have issued a decree barring the Ministry of Health from importing vaccines, starting from the beginning of the year 2019, which put the supply of vaccinations at risk.
According to UNICEF, the Israeli government is bringing into force laws that have existed since 1986. Ramlawi condemned the decision, pointing out that since the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) took office in 1994, there have been no problems with the issue of vaccinations, and that much has changed since the establishment of those laws, 32 years ago.
Ramlawi pointed out that a lack of vaccination will result in the spread of disease, not only in Palestine, but in the whole of the region, putting millions at risk, particularly children.
Israeli authorities have decreed that vaccines may be imported from only 10 countries. However, the ten countries listed do not have an interest in vaccine production and therefore do not have the required certificate from WHO to export, which means that the Palestinian Ministry of Health cannot import from them in any case.
It is noteworthy that Ramlawi added that for the past 18 years, the Ministry of Health successfully achieved 100% coverage of the area with vaccine provision, resulting in eradication of diseases which are vaccinated against.
21 dec 2018
Maher Yasin, 40
Two Palestinians were killed and dozens others injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces violently quelled the Great March of Return on Gaza border.
The PIC reporter said, quoting Gaza Ministry of Health, that Mohammed al-Jahjouh, 16, and Maher Yasin, a 40-year-old disabled man, died of live bullet wounds.
At least 40 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire and teargas canisters, including two journalists and four paramedics, he added.
Hundreds of Palestinians marched on the 39th Friday of the Great March of Return along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege earlier in the week called on the Palestinians in Gaza to take part in Friday's protests and show solidarity with the Palestinian people in the West Bank.
The committee released a statement praising the latest anti-occupation operations and the sacrifices made by the West Bank Palestinians, and calling for escalating all form of resistance against the occupation.
The committee stressed that the Great March of Return will maintain its popular and peaceful character and will continue until its main objectives are achieved, particularly breaking the 13-year-long Gaza blockade.
Since the start of Gaza border protests on 30 March, the Israeli occupation forces have killed 239 Palestinians, including 44 children and 5 women, and injured 25,700.
Two Palestinians were killed and dozens others injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces violently quelled the Great March of Return on Gaza border.
The PIC reporter said, quoting Gaza Ministry of Health, that Mohammed al-Jahjouh, 16, and Maher Yasin, a 40-year-old disabled man, died of live bullet wounds.
At least 40 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire and teargas canisters, including two journalists and four paramedics, he added.
Hundreds of Palestinians marched on the 39th Friday of the Great March of Return along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege earlier in the week called on the Palestinians in Gaza to take part in Friday's protests and show solidarity with the Palestinian people in the West Bank.
The committee released a statement praising the latest anti-occupation operations and the sacrifices made by the West Bank Palestinians, and calling for escalating all form of resistance against the occupation.
The committee stressed that the Great March of Return will maintain its popular and peaceful character and will continue until its main objectives are achieved, particularly breaking the 13-year-long Gaza blockade.
Since the start of Gaza border protests on 30 March, the Israeli occupation forces have killed 239 Palestinians, including 44 children and 5 women, and injured 25,700.
Muhammad Muin al-Jahjouh,16
A Palestinian teen was shot and killed by Israeli forces, while at least 40 others sustained injuries with Israeli live fire, and dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation as Israeli forces suppressed the 39th Friday of the return marches across the eastern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that Muhammad Muin al-Jahjouh,16, was shot and killed by Israeli forces at the eastern borders of Gaza, while 40 Palestinians were injured with Israeli bullets.
The ministry added that a journalist and a paramedic were among those injured.
Palestinian protesters had gathered at the eastern borders of Gaza.
Israeli forces opened live fire and tear-gas bombs directly targeting Palestinian protesters gathered at the eastern borders of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, and in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip.
"The Great March of Return" protests were launched on March 30th by thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza -- which has suffered from a decade-long Israeli siege -- who took to the borders to demand their right of return as refugees to their original homelands, now in present-day Israel.
A Palestinian teen was shot and killed by Israeli forces, while at least 40 others sustained injuries with Israeli live fire, and dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation as Israeli forces suppressed the 39th Friday of the return marches across the eastern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that Muhammad Muin al-Jahjouh,16, was shot and killed by Israeli forces at the eastern borders of Gaza, while 40 Palestinians were injured with Israeli bullets.
The ministry added that a journalist and a paramedic were among those injured.
Palestinian protesters had gathered at the eastern borders of Gaza.
Israeli forces opened live fire and tear-gas bombs directly targeting Palestinian protesters gathered at the eastern borders of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, and in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip.
"The Great March of Return" protests were launched on March 30th by thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza -- which has suffered from a decade-long Israeli siege -- who took to the borders to demand their right of return as refugees to their original homelands, now in present-day Israel.
20 dec 2018
by Ihab Rimawi
Updated from 12/12/18 Israel Restricts Vaccine Imports to Palestine
Lara Hamdan had no idea, when she went to the health services center in Ramallah, to vaccinate her one-year-old daughter, that the vaccination was not available and that she had to wait until Israeli authorities allow the vaccines to enter Palestine before her daughter can be vaccinated.
Hamdan was concerned that, if her daughter does not get the right vaccination for children on time, her health might be at risk.
Israel has halted admission of all vaccinations to the Palestinian territories, and has been holding them at its ports for over three months, claiming that a 1986 law allows the import of the vaccines from only 10 countries.
However, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has been importing vaccines, ever since it was established in 1995, from the countries that were certified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the vaccines were brought to Palestine by UNICEF.
Director general of the public health department, in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Yasser Bouzieh, warned that barring or delaying the entry of vaccines will lead to the outbreak of many diseases which could lead to an epidemic, and will affect not only Palestine but the neighboring countries, and the region as a whole.
He said that many diseases have been eradicated in Palestine, due to the vaccination, and, by preventing them from reaching Palestine, it means that diseases such as polio, of which the last case discovered was in 1988, along with many other serious diseases such as chicken pox and measles.
WHO had previously said that Palestine was free of these diseases, but it is now feared that they will come back to threaten the lives of the children.
Bouzieh said that the vaccination for tuberculosis will disappear from the stores of the Ministry of Health by the end of this month, and vaccine for pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough”, has been unavailable for more than a month, as a result of the Israeli decision. Stockpiles of other vaccinations are also running out.
Undersecretary of the Health Ministry, Assad Ramlawi, wondered about the timing of the Israeli decision, particularly since this law has been in place for 32 years. “So, why now?” he asks.
He said that UNICEF has been bringing the vaccines to Palestine since 1995, and that they were all certified by WHO. He went on to say that the 10 countries which Israel allows the vaccines to be imported from may not be certified by WHO and, therefore, the ministry will not be able to get the vaccines from these countries.
Ramlawi further stated, according to WAFA, that efforts by UNICEF and WHO, to get Israel to change its decision, have not yielded any results thus far, expressing hope that pressure on Israel, at the United Nations, may persuade authorities to change their decision and allow the vaccines to reach Palestine before it is too late
Updated from 12/12/18 Israel Restricts Vaccine Imports to Palestine
Lara Hamdan had no idea, when she went to the health services center in Ramallah, to vaccinate her one-year-old daughter, that the vaccination was not available and that she had to wait until Israeli authorities allow the vaccines to enter Palestine before her daughter can be vaccinated.
Hamdan was concerned that, if her daughter does not get the right vaccination for children on time, her health might be at risk.
Israel has halted admission of all vaccinations to the Palestinian territories, and has been holding them at its ports for over three months, claiming that a 1986 law allows the import of the vaccines from only 10 countries.
However, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has been importing vaccines, ever since it was established in 1995, from the countries that were certified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the vaccines were brought to Palestine by UNICEF.
Director general of the public health department, in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Yasser Bouzieh, warned that barring or delaying the entry of vaccines will lead to the outbreak of many diseases which could lead to an epidemic, and will affect not only Palestine but the neighboring countries, and the region as a whole.
He said that many diseases have been eradicated in Palestine, due to the vaccination, and, by preventing them from reaching Palestine, it means that diseases such as polio, of which the last case discovered was in 1988, along with many other serious diseases such as chicken pox and measles.
WHO had previously said that Palestine was free of these diseases, but it is now feared that they will come back to threaten the lives of the children.
Bouzieh said that the vaccination for tuberculosis will disappear from the stores of the Ministry of Health by the end of this month, and vaccine for pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough”, has been unavailable for more than a month, as a result of the Israeli decision. Stockpiles of other vaccinations are also running out.
Undersecretary of the Health Ministry, Assad Ramlawi, wondered about the timing of the Israeli decision, particularly since this law has been in place for 32 years. “So, why now?” he asks.
He said that UNICEF has been bringing the vaccines to Palestine since 1995, and that they were all certified by WHO. He went on to say that the 10 countries which Israel allows the vaccines to be imported from may not be certified by WHO and, therefore, the ministry will not be able to get the vaccines from these countries.
Ramlawi further stated, according to WAFA, that efforts by UNICEF and WHO, to get Israel to change its decision, have not yielded any results thus far, expressing hope that pressure on Israel, at the United Nations, may persuade authorities to change their decision and allow the vaccines to reach Palestine before it is too late
17 dec 2018
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, Shweika area, north of Tulkarem, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and demolished the family home of Ashraf Na’alwa, 23, who was killed by the army in a Palestinian home in Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus. The soldiers also injured seven Palestinians, and abducted three, during protests against the demotion.
Dozens of soldiers and many armored military vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Shweika, before many Palestinian youngsters started throwing stones at them, while heading to the home, the Palestinian TV has reported. video
The soldiers shot six Palestinians and abducted three others during the invasion, while all schools, including kindergartens, did not open in the morning, due to the ongoing military offensive.
The soldiers stormed and violently searched many homes, and occupied the rooftops of several buildings, near Na’alwa family home, to use them as military towers and firing posts.
The military bulldozers then advanced to the three-story building, and knocked its foundation and main walls down, while the soldiers also manually demolished sections of the property.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Tulkarem said the soldiers injured seven Palestinians, including three who were moved to Dr. Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital, in Tulkarem, and are in a stable condition; one of them was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and one suffered burns.
It added that four Palestinians suffered the severe effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by medics of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
The PRCS said the soldiers also fired rubber-coated steel bullets at one of its ambulances, while trying to reach wounded Palestinians.
It is worth mentioning that dozens of Palestinians gathered, on Sunday evening, in and around the Na’alwa family home, just before the army invaded the area, and forced them out, to prepare for the demolition of the property.
Ashraf Na’alwa, 23, who was killed by the army, on December 13th, 2018, at a home in Askar refugee camp, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, is accused of carrying out the fatal shooting in Barkan colony, illegally built on Palestinian lands.
The two Israelis have been identified as Kim Levengrond Yehezkel, 28, from Rosh HaAyin, and Ziv Hagbi, 35, from Rishon LeZion colonies.
Following the demolition, the Palestinian Authority issued a statement denouncing the Israeli violations, especially since the home demolition policy is an illegal act of collective punishment, targeting entire families.
It said that world leaders and countries must understand that Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, and its escalating hostile policies and violations, are the core factors of ongoing tension and violence.
The authority also called on the international community to provide the urgently-needed protection to the Palestinian civilians, and added that there can be no real peace and stability in the region as long as Israel continues its illegal occupation and violations.
It called for the immediate implementation of all United Nations and Security Council resolutions, in addition to all related international treaties and agreements, to ensure the establishment of an independent, viable and contagious Palestinian state, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Dozens of soldiers and many armored military vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Shweika, before many Palestinian youngsters started throwing stones at them, while heading to the home, the Palestinian TV has reported. video
The soldiers shot six Palestinians and abducted three others during the invasion, while all schools, including kindergartens, did not open in the morning, due to the ongoing military offensive.
The soldiers stormed and violently searched many homes, and occupied the rooftops of several buildings, near Na’alwa family home, to use them as military towers and firing posts.
The military bulldozers then advanced to the three-story building, and knocked its foundation and main walls down, while the soldiers also manually demolished sections of the property.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Tulkarem said the soldiers injured seven Palestinians, including three who were moved to Dr. Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital, in Tulkarem, and are in a stable condition; one of them was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and one suffered burns.
It added that four Palestinians suffered the severe effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by medics of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
The PRCS said the soldiers also fired rubber-coated steel bullets at one of its ambulances, while trying to reach wounded Palestinians.
It is worth mentioning that dozens of Palestinians gathered, on Sunday evening, in and around the Na’alwa family home, just before the army invaded the area, and forced them out, to prepare for the demolition of the property.
Ashraf Na’alwa, 23, who was killed by the army, on December 13th, 2018, at a home in Askar refugee camp, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, is accused of carrying out the fatal shooting in Barkan colony, illegally built on Palestinian lands.
The two Israelis have been identified as Kim Levengrond Yehezkel, 28, from Rosh HaAyin, and Ziv Hagbi, 35, from Rishon LeZion colonies.
Following the demolition, the Palestinian Authority issued a statement denouncing the Israeli violations, especially since the home demolition policy is an illegal act of collective punishment, targeting entire families.
It said that world leaders and countries must understand that Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, and its escalating hostile policies and violations, are the core factors of ongoing tension and violence.
The authority also called on the international community to provide the urgently-needed protection to the Palestinian civilians, and added that there can be no real peace and stability in the region as long as Israel continues its illegal occupation and violations.
It called for the immediate implementation of all United Nations and Security Council resolutions, in addition to all related international treaties and agreements, to ensure the establishment of an independent, viable and contagious Palestinian state, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Israeli soldiers shot, Sunday, a young Palestinian man with live fire, while driving his car in Silwad town, east of Ramallah, in central West Bank.
Media sources said the soldiers installed a military roadblock at the western entrance of the town, and fired live rounds at many cars nearly 400 meters away, without any cause of justification.
They added that the Palestinian was injured, before the medics, who rushed to the scene, moved him to a hospital in Ramallah.
The soldiers also fired several live rounds at a Palestinian ambulance, driving in the same area.
Israeli Forces Open Fire on Ambulance, Injure Palestinian Youth
One Palestinian youth was injured by shrapnel from live Israeli ammunition, after forces opened fire targeting his vehicle in the Silwad area of Ramallah, late Sunday.
Witnesses reported that Israeli forces, deployed at military checkpoint at the western entrance of Silwad, opened live fire targeting a Palestinian vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle sustained minors injuries by shrapnel.
Israeli soldiers also opened fire at an ambulance that was passing by the road.
Sources added, according to Ma’an, that that Israeli forces have reportedly targeted any vehicle that approaches within 400-meters of the checkpoint.
Media sources said the soldiers installed a military roadblock at the western entrance of the town, and fired live rounds at many cars nearly 400 meters away, without any cause of justification.
They added that the Palestinian was injured, before the medics, who rushed to the scene, moved him to a hospital in Ramallah.
The soldiers also fired several live rounds at a Palestinian ambulance, driving in the same area.
Israeli Forces Open Fire on Ambulance, Injure Palestinian Youth
One Palestinian youth was injured by shrapnel from live Israeli ammunition, after forces opened fire targeting his vehicle in the Silwad area of Ramallah, late Sunday.
Witnesses reported that Israeli forces, deployed at military checkpoint at the western entrance of Silwad, opened live fire targeting a Palestinian vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle sustained minors injuries by shrapnel.
Israeli soldiers also opened fire at an ambulance that was passing by the road.
Sources added, according to Ma’an, that that Israeli forces have reportedly targeted any vehicle that approaches within 400-meters of the checkpoint.
