22 jan 2014
Hamas recently contacted officials in the Islamic Jihad movement to ensure the group observed the terms of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt in November 2012.
Jihad spokesperson Daoud Shihab told Ma'an that Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniyeh telephoned Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ramadan Abdullah Shallah and his deputy Ziad al-Nakhalah to ensure the group maintained the ceasefire.
Egyptian officials have also been in contact with senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials concerning ceasefire arrangements, Shihab said.
"Israel gives itself the right to intervene in the Gaza Strip and take action against any resistance fighter, which is an attempt to disavow the ceasefire agreement of 2012," Shihab added.
Palestinian factions are "not interested in escalation, but if Israel insists and continues with targeted assassinations, they have to bear the consequences," the Islamic Jihad official said.
An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed two Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip.
A day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to teach Hamas a lesson "very soon" after recent cross-border violence.
Over the past month, tensions have risen in and around Gaza after more than a year of relative calm following Israel's war on the coastal territory in November 2012 which killed over 170 people, mainly civilians, and injured thousands.
Since Dec. 20, six Palestinians and an Israeli have been killed in violence in and around Gaza.
Jihad spokesperson Daoud Shihab told Ma'an that Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniyeh telephoned Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ramadan Abdullah Shallah and his deputy Ziad al-Nakhalah to ensure the group maintained the ceasefire.
Egyptian officials have also been in contact with senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials concerning ceasefire arrangements, Shihab said.
"Israel gives itself the right to intervene in the Gaza Strip and take action against any resistance fighter, which is an attempt to disavow the ceasefire agreement of 2012," Shihab added.
Palestinian factions are "not interested in escalation, but if Israel insists and continues with targeted assassinations, they have to bear the consequences," the Islamic Jihad official said.
An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed two Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip.
A day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to teach Hamas a lesson "very soon" after recent cross-border violence.
Over the past month, tensions have risen in and around Gaza after more than a year of relative calm following Israel's war on the coastal territory in November 2012 which killed over 170 people, mainly civilians, and injured thousands.
Since Dec. 20, six Palestinians and an Israeli have been killed in violence in and around Gaza.
Palestinian government in the besieged Gaza Strip held the Israeli occupation responsible for killing and targeting Palestinian civilians and children, stressing the resistance factions' right to defend Palestinian people. During its weekly meeting, the government demanded an immediate end to the Israeli border incursions and assassination policy as stipulated in the calm agreement.
On the other hand, the government renewed its rejection of US Secretary of State John Kerry's pressures and framework agreement that infringes on Palestinian rights and justifies Israeli settlement construction, calling on the PA to halt the negotiation process.
The government praised Jerusalem Committee's measures in support of Jerusalemites' steadfastness especially in light Israeli threats to the holy city.
It also commended the Arab Parliamentary Union's decision to send a delegation to the Security Council Member States and the European Parliament and The Vatican to brief them on the Israeli violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The Gaza government hailed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statements during which he criticized the Israeli attempts to wipe out Jerusalem's Islamic character and identity, calling for firmer positions against the Israeli violations.
Regarding Palestinian refugees in Syria, the government renewed its call to neutralize the Palestinian camps in Syria, demanding an end to the siege imposed on Yarmouk refugee camp for eight months especially that 47 Palestinian refugees had starved to death in the camp.
On the other hand, the government condemned the PA in Ramallah for its continued political arrests, noting that 14 university students were arrested during the past week.
PA political arrest policy contradicts with Gaza government's recent decisions paving the way for national reconciliation, calling on PA to put an end to the internal division, and to accelerate the reconciliation process.
Regarding the Egyptian media smear campaign against Gaza Strip, the government called on Egyptian authorities to stop the ongoing incitements that only serve the Israeli occupation.
On the other hand, the government renewed its rejection of US Secretary of State John Kerry's pressures and framework agreement that infringes on Palestinian rights and justifies Israeli settlement construction, calling on the PA to halt the negotiation process.
The government praised Jerusalem Committee's measures in support of Jerusalemites' steadfastness especially in light Israeli threats to the holy city.
It also commended the Arab Parliamentary Union's decision to send a delegation to the Security Council Member States and the European Parliament and The Vatican to brief them on the Israeli violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The Gaza government hailed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statements during which he criticized the Israeli attempts to wipe out Jerusalem's Islamic character and identity, calling for firmer positions against the Israeli violations.
Regarding Palestinian refugees in Syria, the government renewed its call to neutralize the Palestinian camps in Syria, demanding an end to the siege imposed on Yarmouk refugee camp for eight months especially that 47 Palestinian refugees had starved to death in the camp.
On the other hand, the government condemned the PA in Ramallah for its continued political arrests, noting that 14 university students were arrested during the past week.
PA political arrest policy contradicts with Gaza government's recent decisions paving the way for national reconciliation, calling on PA to put an end to the internal division, and to accelerate the reconciliation process.
Regarding the Egyptian media smear campaign against Gaza Strip, the government called on Egyptian authorities to stop the ongoing incitements that only serve the Israeli occupation.
22 jan 2014
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened to teach Hamas a lesson "very soon" after recent cross-border violence.
"We foil terrorist attacks when we identify that they are in the making and we respond against those who attack us," Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem at a joint press conference with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.
"If Hamas and the other terror organizations forgot this lesson, they will learn it again the hard way and very soon," he said.
His warning was issued shortly after Hamas said it had deployed forces in Gaza to "preserve the truce" following an uptick of rocket fire on Israel.
Over the past month, tensions have risen in and around Gaza after more than a year of relative calm following Israel's war on the coastal territory in November 2012 which killed over 170 people, mainly civilians, and injured thousands.
Since Dec. 20, four Palestinians and an Israeli have been killed in violence in and around Gaza.
Israeli army figures show eight rockets have struck Israeli territory since Jan. 1, and another five were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system.
Israeli airstrikes this year on targets in Gaza have injured dozens of people, mainly civilians.
Earlier, Hamas confirmed its security forces had fanned out along the frontier to put a halt to firing by various militant groups.
"National security forces have been deployed in order to preserve the truce," Hamas interior ministry spokesman Islam Shawan told AFP, referring to an Egyptian-brokered deal which ended the Israel's assault on Gaza in November 2012.
Militants fired at least one rocket at southern Israel late on Monday which caused neither casualties nor damage.
Another rocket at the weekend prompted an air strike on Gaza City on Sunday which wounded two Palestinians, one critically, with the military saying it had targeted a senior Islamic Jihad member who was behind much of the rocket fire.
A 12-year-old boy was injured in the airstrike, which was condemned by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights as an "extra-judicial execution attempt" by Israel.
The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for seven years, which has severely limited imports and exports and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
"We foil terrorist attacks when we identify that they are in the making and we respond against those who attack us," Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem at a joint press conference with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.
"If Hamas and the other terror organizations forgot this lesson, they will learn it again the hard way and very soon," he said.
His warning was issued shortly after Hamas said it had deployed forces in Gaza to "preserve the truce" following an uptick of rocket fire on Israel.
Over the past month, tensions have risen in and around Gaza after more than a year of relative calm following Israel's war on the coastal territory in November 2012 which killed over 170 people, mainly civilians, and injured thousands.
Since Dec. 20, four Palestinians and an Israeli have been killed in violence in and around Gaza.
Israeli army figures show eight rockets have struck Israeli territory since Jan. 1, and another five were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system.
Israeli airstrikes this year on targets in Gaza have injured dozens of people, mainly civilians.
Earlier, Hamas confirmed its security forces had fanned out along the frontier to put a halt to firing by various militant groups.
"National security forces have been deployed in order to preserve the truce," Hamas interior ministry spokesman Islam Shawan told AFP, referring to an Egyptian-brokered deal which ended the Israel's assault on Gaza in November 2012.
Militants fired at least one rocket at southern Israel late on Monday which caused neither casualties nor damage.
Another rocket at the weekend prompted an air strike on Gaza City on Sunday which wounded two Palestinians, one critically, with the military saying it had targeted a senior Islamic Jihad member who was behind much of the rocket fire.
A 12-year-old boy was injured in the airstrike, which was condemned by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights as an "extra-judicial execution attempt" by Israel.
The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for seven years, which has severely limited imports and exports and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
20 jan 2014
Israel's war minister Moshe Ya'alon said that the army will attack all those who threaten the security of the Israelis, holding Hamas responsible for the recent military escalation. Ya'alon said, in a statement on Sunday after an Israeli aircraft targeted an activist from the Jihad movement, “We will not accept the targeting of Israel, and we will act to cause damage to anyone that threatens the security of our citizens.”
He said that Hamas is responsible for any rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli targets, adding that it was not imposing its authority on the field. “Thus we will work against it and damage its interests”.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We advise Hamas to take our threats seriously," adding, "The Israeli security policy toward Gaza envisages preemptive strikes to thwart attacks before they are implemented and to strongly respond to any attempt to harm us."
Earlier on Sunday, Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister, warned the Israeli occupation of continuing the military escalation on the Gaza Strip.
Nunu advised the occupation to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people, pointing out that the escalation is a risky adventure and will not enable the occupation to achieve any victory.
He said that Hamas is responsible for any rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli targets, adding that it was not imposing its authority on the field. “Thus we will work against it and damage its interests”.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We advise Hamas to take our threats seriously," adding, "The Israeli security policy toward Gaza envisages preemptive strikes to thwart attacks before they are implemented and to strongly respond to any attempt to harm us."
Earlier on Sunday, Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister, warned the Israeli occupation of continuing the military escalation on the Gaza Strip.
Nunu advised the occupation to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people, pointing out that the escalation is a risky adventure and will not enable the occupation to achieve any victory.
19 jan 2014
The military wing of a Palestinian faction said Sunday that Israeli violations of a ceasefire with Gaza might lead to the ceasefire's end, the same day Israeli airstrikes injured two in the Strip.
Israel's "continuous violations against our people may lead to the collapse of this agreement unless they stop immediately," the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement said in a statement.
The al-Quds Brigades said the Israeli strikes were the latest in a "long series of crimes" to which the militant group would respond at the appropriate time.
The group said Israel would pay a heavy price for further attacks on Gaza.
Earlier Sunday, a young Palestinian man and a child were injured after Israel launched three strikes against the Gaza Strip.
A spokesman for Gaza's Ministry of Health told Ma'an that a 22-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy were hospitalized due to injuries sustained by the strike.
The Israeli army said in a statement that the strikes "successfully targeted a terrorist operative" named Ahmad Saad, who it described as "a senior operative in the 'Palestinian Islamic Jihad'" organization.
The statement added that Saad was a specialist "in rocket launching" and is "personally responsible for the launching of 5 rockets towards Ashkelon" on Thursday.
An Israeli military spokesperson said the attacks came after a homemade shell fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Western Negev.
The airstrikes come days after four Palestinian children and a woman were injured in an Israeli bombing on Gaza early Thursday, and a day after after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian protesters near the border, injuring two.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
Israel's "continuous violations against our people may lead to the collapse of this agreement unless they stop immediately," the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement said in a statement.
The al-Quds Brigades said the Israeli strikes were the latest in a "long series of crimes" to which the militant group would respond at the appropriate time.
The group said Israel would pay a heavy price for further attacks on Gaza.
Earlier Sunday, a young Palestinian man and a child were injured after Israel launched three strikes against the Gaza Strip.
A spokesman for Gaza's Ministry of Health told Ma'an that a 22-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy were hospitalized due to injuries sustained by the strike.
The Israeli army said in a statement that the strikes "successfully targeted a terrorist operative" named Ahmad Saad, who it described as "a senior operative in the 'Palestinian Islamic Jihad'" organization.
The statement added that Saad was a specialist "in rocket launching" and is "personally responsible for the launching of 5 rockets towards Ashkelon" on Thursday.
An Israeli military spokesperson said the attacks came after a homemade shell fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Western Negev.
The airstrikes come days after four Palestinian children and a woman were injured in an Israeli bombing on Gaza early Thursday, and a day after after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian protesters near the border, injuring two.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
Israeli warplanes launched two raids on Palestinian resistance positions in southern and central Gaza Strip at dawn Sunday. Local sources told the PIC reporter that the warplanes blasted a position for the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Bani Suhaila to the east of Khan Younis, south of the Strip.
They added that the second raid targeted another position for the Hamas armed wing in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
The sources affirmed that the raids caused only material damage and no casualties were reported.
The IOF command claimed that the raids were in reprisal to the firing of a homemade rocket from Gaza Strip on the western Negev.
Meanwhile, a field observer told Quds Press that groups of IOF soldiers entered northern Gaza Strip at dawn Sunday and bulldozed land amidst indiscriminate shooting.
He said that the soldiers opened heavy gunfire but no casualties were suffered.
They added that the second raid targeted another position for the Hamas armed wing in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
The sources affirmed that the raids caused only material damage and no casualties were reported.
The IOF command claimed that the raids were in reprisal to the firing of a homemade rocket from Gaza Strip on the western Negev.
Meanwhile, a field observer told Quds Press that groups of IOF soldiers entered northern Gaza Strip at dawn Sunday and bulldozed land amidst indiscriminate shooting.
He said that the soldiers opened heavy gunfire but no casualties were suffered.
16 jan 2014
Israeli army: 5 rockets launched from Gaza
Israel's Iron Dome interception system shot down five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip toward Ashkelon in southern Israel, an army spokeswoman said early Thursday.
There were no reports of injury or damage.
Israel's Iron Dome interception system shot down five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip toward Ashkelon in southern Israel, an army spokeswoman said early Thursday.
There were no reports of injury or damage.
13 jan 2014
Israeli media reported that two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Monday during the funeral of former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon near the border.
A Ynet report said that there were no injuries or damage as a result of the rockets, which landed in an open area near the border fence.
The report added that Israeli forces were not "planning to respond."
The rockets came towards the end of Sharon's funeral, which took place at his ranch near Sderot in southern Israel.
Sharon died on Saturday after eight years in a coma.
Sharon is remembered in the wider Middle East as leading Israel's devastating 1982 invasion of Lebanon, which killed up to 20,000 people, and for presiding over the massacre of around 3,000 Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut.
A Ynet report said that there were no injuries or damage as a result of the rockets, which landed in an open area near the border fence.
The report added that Israeli forces were not "planning to respond."
The rockets came towards the end of Sharon's funeral, which took place at his ranch near Sderot in southern Israel.
Sharon died on Saturday after eight years in a coma.
Sharon is remembered in the wider Middle East as leading Israel's devastating 1982 invasion of Lebanon, which killed up to 20,000 people, and for presiding over the massacre of around 3,000 Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut.
11 jan 2014
The Hamas-led government in the besieged Gaza Strip warned that Israel is escalating its aggression on Gaza, and that armed resistance groups in the coastal region have the right to retaliate.
Abdul-Salam Siyam, secretary of the Ministerial Council in Gaza, said that the Israeli military is deliberately targeting the Palestinians, and continues to violate the ceasefire deal that was mediated by Egypt in November of 2012.
He also called on Egypt to contact the Israeli side and inform Tel Aviv that this escalation is leading the region into a new confrontation.
“Egypt must stop this calculated escalation against Gaza and its people”, Siyam added, “All factions are committed to the truce, but Israel is repeatedly violating it”.
Siyam further said that armed resistance is a legitimate option, and that Palestinian fighters in Gaza will counter this aggression, the constant attacks against the Palestinians and their lands.
The Israeli military recently repeatedly bombarded several areas in the Gaza Strip, assassinated a fighter of the Al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Jihad, and wounded dozens of Palestinians.
On Sunday [December 29 2013], two Palestinians were injured after Israeli artillery fired on the central Gaza Strip.
Nearly two weeks ago, an Israeli shell, fired at a local home, killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, and injured several residents.
The attack took place after an Israeli Civil Defense employee was killed by a sniper while inspecting the border electronic fence.
Dozens of casualties have been reported since the ceasefire agreement, reached in November of 2012, brought an end of over a week of war, which left over 171 Palestinians, including 102 civilians, killed, while hundreds were injured.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza said the Israeli war on November 2012 led to the death of 35 children, 14 women. At least 16 of the wounded suffered permanent disabilities.
Abdul-Salam Siyam, secretary of the Ministerial Council in Gaza, said that the Israeli military is deliberately targeting the Palestinians, and continues to violate the ceasefire deal that was mediated by Egypt in November of 2012.
He also called on Egypt to contact the Israeli side and inform Tel Aviv that this escalation is leading the region into a new confrontation.
“Egypt must stop this calculated escalation against Gaza and its people”, Siyam added, “All factions are committed to the truce, but Israel is repeatedly violating it”.
Siyam further said that armed resistance is a legitimate option, and that Palestinian fighters in Gaza will counter this aggression, the constant attacks against the Palestinians and their lands.
The Israeli military recently repeatedly bombarded several areas in the Gaza Strip, assassinated a fighter of the Al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Jihad, and wounded dozens of Palestinians.
On Sunday [December 29 2013], two Palestinians were injured after Israeli artillery fired on the central Gaza Strip.
Nearly two weeks ago, an Israeli shell, fired at a local home, killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, and injured several residents.
The attack took place after an Israeli Civil Defense employee was killed by a sniper while inspecting the border electronic fence.
Dozens of casualties have been reported since the ceasefire agreement, reached in November of 2012, brought an end of over a week of war, which left over 171 Palestinians, including 102 civilians, killed, while hundreds were injured.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza said the Israeli war on November 2012 led to the death of 35 children, 14 women. At least 16 of the wounded suffered permanent disabilities.
10 jan 2014
The Israeli army claimed it had shot down last Monday a drone belonging to Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas as it was overflying a settlement near Gaza. The Hebrew radio quoted an Israeli military official as saying that the unmanned aircraft was downed as it was flying over Netzarim settlement in southern Gaza.
The official added that Israel had developed defense systems with the aim of countering drones that might be possibly operated by Hamas and other groups.
He said Hamas has been working hard since early last year to improve its military capability in order to take Israel by surprise.
The Israeli drone claims have not yet been commented on by Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
The official added that Israel had developed defense systems with the aim of countering drones that might be possibly operated by Hamas and other groups.
He said Hamas has been working hard since early last year to improve its military capability in order to take Israel by surprise.
The Israeli drone claims have not yet been commented on by Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
The Israeli Occupation Forces withdrew on Thursday afternoon from Khan Younis southern Gaza Strip amid an exchange of fire with the Palestinian resistance. Several Israeli military bulldozers and vehicles have penetrated Thursday morning Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis, amid heavy gunfire.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the occupation forces fired several artillery shells to cover their withdrawal, while resistance fighters responded with three mortar shells.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the occupation forces fired several artillery shells to cover their withdrawal, while resistance fighters responded with three mortar shells.
9 jan 2014
Palestinian factions on Thursday took responsibility for launching mortar shells at Israeli military targets earlier in the day.
The military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, said in a statement that it fired two 80-millimeter mortar shells at a group of Israeli tanks that had invaded an area east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The statement said that the group would continue to resist the Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the National Resistance Brigades, said it fired two mortar shells at an Israeli military site east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that the shells were fired in a response to ongoing Israeli escalation in Gaza, saying it would continue to conduct operations against Israel.
It called on all Palestinian military wings to unite in resisting the Israeli occupation.
Earlier Thursday, three Palestinians were injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted the southern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "earlier this morning three mortars were fired from Gaza at Israeli forces operating adjacent to the security fence in southern Gaza. An hour later, the IDF targeted terrorists in Gaza who were identified as preparing to fire rockets at Israel."
On Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said man was killed on in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City by an Israeli drone strike.
The Israeli army denied involvement.
Violent incidents at the Gaza-Israel border along with Israeli airstrikes have been a frequent occurrence throughout the last two weeks, after an upheaval of violence killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee and a Palestinian toddler on Dec. 24.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and more than a thousand injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched several incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
The military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, said in a statement that it fired two 80-millimeter mortar shells at a group of Israeli tanks that had invaded an area east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The statement said that the group would continue to resist the Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the National Resistance Brigades, said it fired two mortar shells at an Israeli military site east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that the shells were fired in a response to ongoing Israeli escalation in Gaza, saying it would continue to conduct operations against Israel.
It called on all Palestinian military wings to unite in resisting the Israeli occupation.
Earlier Thursday, three Palestinians were injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted the southern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "earlier this morning three mortars were fired from Gaza at Israeli forces operating adjacent to the security fence in southern Gaza. An hour later, the IDF targeted terrorists in Gaza who were identified as preparing to fire rockets at Israel."
On Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said man was killed on in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City by an Israeli drone strike.
The Israeli army denied involvement.
Violent incidents at the Gaza-Israel border along with Israeli airstrikes have been a frequent occurrence throughout the last two weeks, after an upheaval of violence killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee and a Palestinian toddler on Dec. 24.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and more than a thousand injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched several incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006.
Islamic Jihad leader Ahmad Mudallal said Israel's recent escalation in the Gaza Strip aims to sabotage plans for national reconciliation.
Mudallal told Ma'an that Israel is waging a war of attrition against Palestinian resistance groups, especially Islamic Jihad, which Israel views as one of the most dangerous Palestinian factions.
He said Israel wants to break the spirit of resistance in order to impose its will on Palestinians.
Earlier Thursday, three Palestinians were injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted the southern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "earlier this morning three mortars were fired from Gaza at Israeli forces operating adjacent to the security fence in southern Gaza. An hour later, the IDF targeted terrorists in Gaza who were identified as preparing to fire rockets at Israel."
The military wings of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for firing mortar shells at Israeli military targets on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said man was killed on in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City by an Israeli drone strike.
The Israeli army denied involvement.
Violent incidents at the Gaza-Israel border along with Israeli airstrikes have been a frequent occurrence throughout the last two weeks, after an upheaval of violence killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee and a Palestinian toddler on Dec. 24.
Both Fatah and Hamas have recently spoken of an increased desire for reconciliation between the Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip and the Fatah-led government in the West Bank.
Fatah's reconciliation team proposed a national unity plan to Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday, a Fatah spokesman said.
The proposal came as Hamas released seven Fatah prisoners who were in Gaza jails for "security reasons."
On Monday, AFP quoted Haniyeh as saying that "the (Hamas) government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip (in 2007) to return, without any preconditions," apart from those accused of killing Hamas members during intense factional fighting that year.
The division between the two Palestinian factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
Mudallal told Ma'an that Israel is waging a war of attrition against Palestinian resistance groups, especially Islamic Jihad, which Israel views as one of the most dangerous Palestinian factions.
He said Israel wants to break the spirit of resistance in order to impose its will on Palestinians.
Earlier Thursday, three Palestinians were injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted the southern Gaza Strip, medical officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "earlier this morning three mortars were fired from Gaza at Israeli forces operating adjacent to the security fence in southern Gaza. An hour later, the IDF targeted terrorists in Gaza who were identified as preparing to fire rockets at Israel."
The military wings of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for firing mortar shells at Israeli military targets on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said man was killed on in the al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City by an Israeli drone strike.
The Israeli army denied involvement.
Violent incidents at the Gaza-Israel border along with Israeli airstrikes have been a frequent occurrence throughout the last two weeks, after an upheaval of violence killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee and a Palestinian toddler on Dec. 24.
Both Fatah and Hamas have recently spoken of an increased desire for reconciliation between the Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip and the Fatah-led government in the West Bank.
Fatah's reconciliation team proposed a national unity plan to Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday, a Fatah spokesman said.
The proposal came as Hamas released seven Fatah prisoners who were in Gaza jails for "security reasons."
On Monday, AFP quoted Haniyeh as saying that "the (Hamas) government will allow all Fatah members who are from Gaza and who left the Strip (in 2007) to return, without any preconditions," apart from those accused of killing Hamas members during intense factional fighting that year.
The division between the two Palestinian factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years, most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) raided southern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning and were met with mortar shells fired by resistance elements. Local sources told the PIC reporter that the soldiers escorted six bulldozers 150 meters into eastern Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis, and started leveling land.
They said that sounds of explosions were heard in the area after resistance fighters fired mortar shells at the invading troops. The IOF retaliated by opening indiscriminate fire causing unspecified number of casualties.
They said that sounds of explosions were heard in the area after resistance fighters fired mortar shells at the invading troops. The IOF retaliated by opening indiscriminate fire causing unspecified number of casualties.
3 jan 2014
Israeli media outlets have recently re-focused on Hamas' military power, saying that its military wing has improved its medium-range rockets that hit Tel Aviv one year ago during the last Israeli aggression on Gaza. Hamas has restored its military power that sustained some damage during the 2012 war, Israel's radio quoted an Israeli senior military officer as saying on Thursday.
For its part, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that Hamas has recently tested long-range rockets, especially on Wednesday when large explosion sounds were heard off the Gaza coast.
The Palestinian resistance has conducted launch tests to improve its homemade missiles, which are able to reach Gush Dan settlement inside Israel, the newspaper claimed.
During the test, the resistance fired some rockets out to sea, but the explosions were heard in Kiryat Gat towns, causing panic among Israelis.
For its part, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that Hamas has recently tested long-range rockets, especially on Wednesday when large explosion sounds were heard off the Gaza coast.
The Palestinian resistance has conducted launch tests to improve its homemade missiles, which are able to reach Gush Dan settlement inside Israel, the newspaper claimed.
During the test, the resistance fired some rockets out to sea, but the explosions were heard in Kiryat Gat towns, causing panic among Israelis.
Israeli war planes launched strikes against the Gaza Strip early Friday,
the army said, shortly after a rocket from the besieged coastal enclave
hit an Israeli area.
A statement from the army said that "in response to rocket fire toward Israel," its "aircraft targeted a terror infrastructure site in the central Gaza Strip and three concealed rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip."
"Direct hits were confirmed," the statement read.
Palestinian sources within Gaza said that the strikes targeted agricultural land near al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, the town of Beit Hanoun in the north, and another neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.
There were no injuries reported.
Late Thursday night a projectile fired from the Strip hit southern Israel, causing no harm or damage, an Israeli police spokeswoman told AFP.
Earlier Thursday, a Palestinian man was shot and injured by Israeli forces near the border in the northern Gaza Strip. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the man was "damaging" the border fence, and that Israeli soldiers resorted to shooting him in the leg. The Israeli news site Ynet reported he was "throwing stones" at the separation barrier.
The shooting and the airstrikes come approximately a week after an upheaval in violence in Gaza left two dead and several injured.
On Dec. 24, Israeli airstrikes killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl and injured several others after a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee working at the border.
Two days later, two more Palestinians were injured in Israeli airstrikes, after two rockets fired from Gaza hit open Israeli areas, causing no injuries or damage.
On Saturday, Israeli tank fire injured two more Palestinians in central Gaza in an attack that was unconfirmed by the Israeli army but nonetheless made international headlines.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and more than a thousand injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israel since 2006.
IAF strikes Gaza targets; rocket launchers destroyed
Air Force strikes several Gaza Strip targets in retaliation for rocket fire earlier Thursday at open area Sdot Negev Regional Council
The IDF launched airstrikes on three Gaza Strip targets. Military sources reported that rocket launchers and observation posts were destroyed. The strikes, the sources noted, were in retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire on Israeli territory.
On Thursday evening a Qassam rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip and exploded in an open area at the Sdot Negev Regional Council.
The rocket hit away from residential area and a color red alert was therefore not activated. No injuries or damage were reported.
On Monday a rocket exploded between two residential communities in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. No injuries or damages were reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon vowed to retaliate any attack from the strip. "We will strike those who open fire and strike those who advocate them. No one will be immune," Netnyahu said last week.
The IDF stated that "Terror groups in the strip have set a goal to harm Israeli citizens. The IDF will continue to work diligently and as much as it takes against any source that executed terror against the State of Israel."
The IDF statement added: "The terror group Hamas is the address and it is the accountable entity."
A statement from the army said that "in response to rocket fire toward Israel," its "aircraft targeted a terror infrastructure site in the central Gaza Strip and three concealed rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip."
"Direct hits were confirmed," the statement read.
Palestinian sources within Gaza said that the strikes targeted agricultural land near al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, the town of Beit Hanoun in the north, and another neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.
There were no injuries reported.
Late Thursday night a projectile fired from the Strip hit southern Israel, causing no harm or damage, an Israeli police spokeswoman told AFP.
Earlier Thursday, a Palestinian man was shot and injured by Israeli forces near the border in the northern Gaza Strip. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the man was "damaging" the border fence, and that Israeli soldiers resorted to shooting him in the leg. The Israeli news site Ynet reported he was "throwing stones" at the separation barrier.
The shooting and the airstrikes come approximately a week after an upheaval in violence in Gaza left two dead and several injured.
On Dec. 24, Israeli airstrikes killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl and injured several others after a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli Civil Defense employee working at the border.
Two days later, two more Palestinians were injured in Israeli airstrikes, after two rockets fired from Gaza hit open Israeli areas, causing no injuries or damage.
On Saturday, Israeli tank fire injured two more Palestinians in central Gaza in an attack that was unconfirmed by the Israeli army but nonetheless made international headlines.
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and more than a thousand injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the Israel since 2006.
IAF strikes Gaza targets; rocket launchers destroyed
Air Force strikes several Gaza Strip targets in retaliation for rocket fire earlier Thursday at open area Sdot Negev Regional Council
The IDF launched airstrikes on three Gaza Strip targets. Military sources reported that rocket launchers and observation posts were destroyed. The strikes, the sources noted, were in retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire on Israeli territory.
On Thursday evening a Qassam rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip and exploded in an open area at the Sdot Negev Regional Council.
The rocket hit away from residential area and a color red alert was therefore not activated. No injuries or damage were reported.
On Monday a rocket exploded between two residential communities in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. No injuries or damages were reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon vowed to retaliate any attack from the strip. "We will strike those who open fire and strike those who advocate them. No one will be immune," Netnyahu said last week.
The IDF stated that "Terror groups in the strip have set a goal to harm Israeli citizens. The IDF will continue to work diligently and as much as it takes against any source that executed terror against the State of Israel."
The IDF statement added: "The terror group Hamas is the address and it is the accountable entity."
2 jan 2014
Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Thursday that Hamas did not seek a new war with Israel, a week after an upheaval of violence in the Strip left an Israeli civil defense employee and a Palestinian toddler dead.
"We always expect treacheries from our enemy, yet our people shouldn't be obsessed with a new war," Haniyeh said at the graduation of a class of security officers in Gaza City.
But Haniyeh also noted that Hamas was ready to face any emergency.
Hamas, he added, is ready to "mitigate relations with our Arab brothers, and despite the fog which overshadowed the relation with Egypt."
"We can't do without Egypt or other Arab countries," Haniyeh said.
Haniyeh said his government would soon make major moves "to create a better environment to help achieve national and communal reconciliation. Every single Palestinian citizen will feel these decisions."
Soon after the Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terror organization in Egypt, PLO officials called on Hamas to break its ties with the Brotherhood, some referring to the latter as a "terrorist group."
In late December, both Fatah and Hamas officials said they had renewed their commitment to national reconciliation.
The division between the two factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
"We always expect treacheries from our enemy, yet our people shouldn't be obsessed with a new war," Haniyeh said at the graduation of a class of security officers in Gaza City.
But Haniyeh also noted that Hamas was ready to face any emergency.
Hamas, he added, is ready to "mitigate relations with our Arab brothers, and despite the fog which overshadowed the relation with Egypt."
"We can't do without Egypt or other Arab countries," Haniyeh said.
Haniyeh said his government would soon make major moves "to create a better environment to help achieve national and communal reconciliation. Every single Palestinian citizen will feel these decisions."
Soon after the Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terror organization in Egypt, PLO officials called on Hamas to break its ties with the Brotherhood, some referring to the latter as a "terrorist group."
In late December, both Fatah and Hamas officials said they had renewed their commitment to national reconciliation.
The division between the two factions began in 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections.
In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied West Bank.
1 jan 2014
Palestinian resistance fighters engaged an Israeli army patrol near the Gaza borders at an early hour on Wednesday. Palestinian security sources told the PIC reporter that a violent exchange of fire was going on north of the Kissufim position.
They said that the Israeli occupation forces fired flare bombs and sent reconnaissance planes.
Hebrew media sources said that an IOF patrol came under gun fire near Kissufim position, but would not elaborate further.
They said that the Israeli occupation forces fired flare bombs and sent reconnaissance planes.
Hebrew media sources said that an IOF patrol came under gun fire near Kissufim position, but would not elaborate further.
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