27 feb 2014
Two Palestinians were injured and dozens suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation on Thursday after Israeli forces opened fired on Palestinian protesters near Safa north of Beit Ummar in the southern West Bank, according to a local committee.
Spokesman for the local popular resistance committee Mohammad Ayyad Awad said that Israeli forces fired live bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel bullets during clashes.
Two Palestinians were hit by rubber-coated steel bullets.
Awad added that Israeli forces retreated to a nearby settlement following the clashes.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli forces raided the village of Birzeit in the central West Bank and killed a young man following an hours-long standoff. Clashes broke out near Hebron in response to the killing.
Spokesman for the local popular resistance committee Mohammad Ayyad Awad said that Israeli forces fired live bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel bullets during clashes.
Two Palestinians were hit by rubber-coated steel bullets.
Awad added that Israeli forces retreated to a nearby settlement following the clashes.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli forces raided the village of Birzeit in the central West Bank and killed a young man following an hours-long standoff. Clashes broke out near Hebron in response to the killing.
Three Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces on Thursday during a protest near Hebron following the killing of Muatazz Washaha, 24, in the central West Bank earlier in the day.
Local youths in al-Fawwar refugee camp threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.
Israeli forces closed the main entrance to the camp and prevented cars from passing along the road as a result.
Washaha, 24, was killed during an arrest raid in Birzeit early Thursday.
Local youths in al-Fawwar refugee camp threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.
Israeli forces closed the main entrance to the camp and prevented cars from passing along the road as a result.
Washaha, 24, was killed during an arrest raid in Birzeit early Thursday.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed at dawn Thursday Yabad and Zibda villages south of Jenin. Three citizens were arrested and demolition notifications were distributed during the raid. Approximately 25 military vehicles raided Yabad town at 0100 am and arrested three young men, local sources said.
The sources pointed out that the occupation forces left a big mess in the houses and assaulted the residents.
On the other hand, IOF soldiers broke into Zibda town and handed over two citizens notifications to demolish two houses under construction under the pretext of being built in a military area.
The sources pointed out that the Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Yabad town and stopped vehicles carrying students.
Meanwhile, IOF served a demolition notification to a Palestinian to demolish his shed in al-Tawil area in Aqraba town south-east of Nablus for being established without a permit.
The shed covers an area of about 200 meters, and is located in area C under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords.
Al-Tawil area accomondates18 families, including 150 persons, and eight thousand head of cattle.
The sources pointed out that the occupation forces left a big mess in the houses and assaulted the residents.
On the other hand, IOF soldiers broke into Zibda town and handed over two citizens notifications to demolish two houses under construction under the pretext of being built in a military area.
The sources pointed out that the Israeli forces erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Yabad town and stopped vehicles carrying students.
Meanwhile, IOF served a demolition notification to a Palestinian to demolish his shed in al-Tawil area in Aqraba town south-east of Nablus for being established without a permit.
The shed covers an area of about 200 meters, and is located in area C under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords.
Al-Tawil area accomondates18 families, including 150 persons, and eight thousand head of cattle.
The Palestinian Government condemned the assassination of Mutaz Washaha, 25 years old, from Birzeit north of Ramallah Thursday morning by Israeli forces, indicating that this crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.
Government Media Center said in a press release Thursday that the assassination of Washaha is an additional violation against international human right treaties, since Israeli occupation forces deliberately killed him. A troop of Israeli forces surrounded the house, evacuated it from its residents, shelled the house destroying a part of it and then stormed it and killed Washaha.
The Government considers that this action and the continuous killing, detention, house demolitions, settler violations and incitement, undermines peace efforts and confirms that the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts.
The Palestinian government renews its appeal to the international community and human right organizations to bear their responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this dangerous Israeli escalation and daily violations of Palestinian rights, calling for international protection for the Palestinian people.
Government Media Center said in a press release Thursday that the assassination of Washaha is an additional violation against international human right treaties, since Israeli occupation forces deliberately killed him. A troop of Israeli forces surrounded the house, evacuated it from its residents, shelled the house destroying a part of it and then stormed it and killed Washaha.
The Government considers that this action and the continuous killing, detention, house demolitions, settler violations and incitement, undermines peace efforts and confirms that the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts.
The Palestinian government renews its appeal to the international community and human right organizations to bear their responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this dangerous Israeli escalation and daily violations of Palestinian rights, calling for international protection for the Palestinian people.
Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man on Thursday after opening fire on a property in Birzeit, locals said.
Muatazz Washaha, 24, was found dead inside the house following a stand-off between Israeli military forces which lasted several hours.
Witnesses said that the victim was hit in the head by an artillery shell.
Israeli forces were reportedly trying to arrest Muatazz' brother, Thaer, who was wanted for being an activist with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
During the dawn raid, Israeli forces stormed the house and detained Thaer's brother, Ramiz, and two other men. It is unclear whether Thaer was in the property at the time of the raid or if he managed to escape.
Palestinian firefighters rushed to the scene after the house caught fire as a result of Israeli artillery shelling.
Palestinian Authority Minister of Detainees, Issa Qaraqe, said Israeli troops raided Birzeit at around 3 a.m.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that Israeli forces raided Birzeit to arrest a man suspected of "terror activity."
"After the suspect was called to turn himself in, he barricaded himself inside his house, effectively resisting arrest. Under the premise that he had weapons in his possession, the forces used different means to compete the arrest, including live fire."
The suspect was found dead in the property, she added.
Israel Kills Palestinian after Demolishing his House in Ramallah
The 25-year-old Palestinian Mutaz Washha was killed after the Israeli forces demolished a house he was in, in Birzet t area north of Ramallah.
PNN reporter in Ramallah said that Israeli forces surrounded Washha's house, and demolished part of it. The forces opened fired toward the house because Washha refused to evacuate it and killed him immediately.
IOF forces demolished the house of the recently released prisoner Thaer Washha, cousin of the Martyr Mutaz.
Clashes erupted in the area between the Palestinian and Israeli forces following the demolition of the house.
Muatazz Washaha, 24, was found dead inside the house following a stand-off between Israeli military forces which lasted several hours.
Witnesses said that the victim was hit in the head by an artillery shell.
Israeli forces were reportedly trying to arrest Muatazz' brother, Thaer, who was wanted for being an activist with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
During the dawn raid, Israeli forces stormed the house and detained Thaer's brother, Ramiz, and two other men. It is unclear whether Thaer was in the property at the time of the raid or if he managed to escape.
Palestinian firefighters rushed to the scene after the house caught fire as a result of Israeli artillery shelling.
Palestinian Authority Minister of Detainees, Issa Qaraqe, said Israeli troops raided Birzeit at around 3 a.m.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that Israeli forces raided Birzeit to arrest a man suspected of "terror activity."
"After the suspect was called to turn himself in, he barricaded himself inside his house, effectively resisting arrest. Under the premise that he had weapons in his possession, the forces used different means to compete the arrest, including live fire."
The suspect was found dead in the property, she added.
Israel Kills Palestinian after Demolishing his House in Ramallah
The 25-year-old Palestinian Mutaz Washha was killed after the Israeli forces demolished a house he was in, in Birzet t area north of Ramallah.
PNN reporter in Ramallah said that Israeli forces surrounded Washha's house, and demolished part of it. The forces opened fired toward the house because Washha refused to evacuate it and killed him immediately.
IOF forces demolished the house of the recently released prisoner Thaer Washha, cousin of the Martyr Mutaz.
Clashes erupted in the area between the Palestinian and Israeli forces following the demolition of the house.
Israeli army arrested 15 people on Thursday in the districts of Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Salfit and Jerusalem, according to local and security sources. In Hebron, Israeli forces arrested nine-year-old Fayez Ziro and 13-year-old Mohammad Ziro and led them to an unknown destination. Army also arrested mentally disabled Ahmad Asluti, 19, near the settlement of Kiryat Arba to the east of Hebron.
Army also arrested two youths, 21 and 23, in the Arroub refugee camp to the north of Hebron and handed Khader Janazreh, 23, summon to appear before the Israeli intelligence. Janazreh was shot and injured with a live bullet during confrontations that erupted in the camp almost three weeks ago.
Meanwhile in Bethlehem, Israeli forces arrested a 21-year-old at a military checkpoint near the settlement of Beitar Illit while he was on his way home.
Army forces also arrested three other youths, 21, 22 and 26, from the town of Ya’bad to the west of Jenin after raiding and searching their houses.
Forces also handed notices to stop the construction work on two houses in the nearby village of Zabda under the pretext that they fall under Area C, under full Israeli control.
However in Nablus area forces arrested two Palestinians ages 17 and 21 after searching several houses.
Forces also rounded up 16 youths after raiding their homes in the village of Usrin and led them to Za’tara (Tappuah) military checkpoint to the south of Nablus. They were later released after being detained for hours at the checkpoint.
Meanwhile in Ramallah district, Activist Saleh Tamimi, a leader of the People’s Resistance Movement, said army stormed the village of Nabi Saleh in the early morning hours and arrested Fadel Tamimi, 50, after searching and tampering with the contents of his home, leading to confrontations.
Soldiers fired tear gas toward the residents to disperse them, causing several suffocation cases among them.
In Jerusalem, police raided the house of paramedic Wesam Hammoudah, 35, in the old city, and strip-searched him before arresting him. He was led to a nearby police station.
Army also stormed the village of Marda near Salfit, raided several houses and arrested two youngsters aged 19.
Another youth, 22, was arrested in the nearby village of Kafr Eddeek after refusing a full-body pat down.
Army also arrested two youths, 21 and 23, in the Arroub refugee camp to the north of Hebron and handed Khader Janazreh, 23, summon to appear before the Israeli intelligence. Janazreh was shot and injured with a live bullet during confrontations that erupted in the camp almost three weeks ago.
Meanwhile in Bethlehem, Israeli forces arrested a 21-year-old at a military checkpoint near the settlement of Beitar Illit while he was on his way home.
Army forces also arrested three other youths, 21, 22 and 26, from the town of Ya’bad to the west of Jenin after raiding and searching their houses.
Forces also handed notices to stop the construction work on two houses in the nearby village of Zabda under the pretext that they fall under Area C, under full Israeli control.
However in Nablus area forces arrested two Palestinians ages 17 and 21 after searching several houses.
Forces also rounded up 16 youths after raiding their homes in the village of Usrin and led them to Za’tara (Tappuah) military checkpoint to the south of Nablus. They were later released after being detained for hours at the checkpoint.
Meanwhile in Ramallah district, Activist Saleh Tamimi, a leader of the People’s Resistance Movement, said army stormed the village of Nabi Saleh in the early morning hours and arrested Fadel Tamimi, 50, after searching and tampering with the contents of his home, leading to confrontations.
Soldiers fired tear gas toward the residents to disperse them, causing several suffocation cases among them.
In Jerusalem, police raided the house of paramedic Wesam Hammoudah, 35, in the old city, and strip-searched him before arresting him. He was led to a nearby police station.
Army also stormed the village of Marda near Salfit, raided several houses and arrested two youngsters aged 19.
Another youth, 22, was arrested in the nearby village of Kafr Eddeek after refusing a full-body pat down.
Hundreds of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, raided on Thursday the Joseph's tomb east of Nablus, to perform their religious rituals.
Witnesses said that the buses the settlers were riding stormed east of the city and confrontations erupted between the settlers and the Palestinians in that area.
IOF forces fired tear gas canisters and several Palestinians suffered suffocation injuries.
3 Palestinians injured in clashes near Nablus tomb
Three Palestinians were injured early Thursday during clashes with Israeli military forces in Nablus, locals said.
Clashes broke out after a large force of Israeli soldiers entered Nablus to escort hundreds of settlers to Joseph's Tomb.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at local youths, injuring Issa Lutfi al-Hashash, 17, and Abdul-Karim Raed Fattouh, 16.
Both teenagers were taken to hospital for treatment.
Ibrahim Abdul-Raof Shakokani, 27, was hospitalized after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Joseph's Tomb was to remain under Israeli control. But the Israeli army evacuated the premises in October 2000 shortly after the start of the second intifada, or uprising, and it was immediately destroyed and burnt by the Palestinians.
The restoration of the tomb was completed recently, and following improved security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, the army allows Jewish worshipers to make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages to the site.
Witnesses said that the buses the settlers were riding stormed east of the city and confrontations erupted between the settlers and the Palestinians in that area.
IOF forces fired tear gas canisters and several Palestinians suffered suffocation injuries.
3 Palestinians injured in clashes near Nablus tomb
Three Palestinians were injured early Thursday during clashes with Israeli military forces in Nablus, locals said.
Clashes broke out after a large force of Israeli soldiers entered Nablus to escort hundreds of settlers to Joseph's Tomb.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at local youths, injuring Issa Lutfi al-Hashash, 17, and Abdul-Karim Raed Fattouh, 16.
Both teenagers were taken to hospital for treatment.
Ibrahim Abdul-Raof Shakokani, 27, was hospitalized after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Joseph's Tomb was to remain under Israeli control. But the Israeli army evacuated the premises in October 2000 shortly after the start of the second intifada, or uprising, and it was immediately destroyed and burnt by the Palestinians.
The restoration of the tomb was completed recently, and following improved security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, the army allows Jewish worshipers to make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages to the site.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided on Thursday, the village of Nabi Saleh in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate in the central West Bank and arrested Fadel al-Tamimi, 54, an activist in the popular resistance committees, Tamimi Press said in a press release.
Around 1:30 a.m. five military jeeps stormed the village, broke into the house of activist Fadel Al-Tamimi, searched it and brutally intimidated his family members. The IOF arrested Fadel and took him to an unknown destination.
Clashes then erupted in response to the continuous intimidation actions that the IOF carries out in Nabi Saleh and in other villages such as: arrests, night raids and repeated attacks. The Palestinian youth rushed into the streets and started throwing stones at the jeeps, while the Israeli forces fired stun grenades before withdrawing from the village.
Witnesses said that the IOF also stormed Deir Nidam village near Nabi Saleh at the same time and threw sound bombs in the streets. The IOF arrested 18 years old Tamim Ahmad Al-Tamimi from Deir Nidam.
Lately, Nabi Saleh is witnessing continuous turmoils and daily clashes between the two sides due to the gas drilling on the village's land. In addition to, a group of settlers from Halamish settlement attempted to broke into the village but withdrew when they saw the Palestinians gathering to push them back.
These actions are all aimed to intimidate the residents in the Nabi Saleh village which, however, the village's residents will continue to stand steadfast and protect their village.
Clashes in Nabi Saleh as Israeli forces detain 54-year-old man
Clashes erupted on Thursday morning after Israeli forces stormed the village of Nabi Saleh north of Ramallah in order to detain a 54-year-old Palestinian man.
Locals told Ma'an that Israeli troops raided the village and ransacked the home of Fadil Tamimi, 54, "brutally assaulting his family members" before detaining him.
As a result, fierce clashes broke out between soldiers and angry villagers, who "showered" Israeli military vehicles with stones. The soldiers deployed in the streets as a result, firing stun grenades and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
Separately, Israeli forces also stormed the nearby village of Deir Nitham, firing stun grenades in the streets.
Neither the Israeli military nor the police had any information on the raids.
Around 1:30 a.m. five military jeeps stormed the village, broke into the house of activist Fadel Al-Tamimi, searched it and brutally intimidated his family members. The IOF arrested Fadel and took him to an unknown destination.
Clashes then erupted in response to the continuous intimidation actions that the IOF carries out in Nabi Saleh and in other villages such as: arrests, night raids and repeated attacks. The Palestinian youth rushed into the streets and started throwing stones at the jeeps, while the Israeli forces fired stun grenades before withdrawing from the village.
Witnesses said that the IOF also stormed Deir Nidam village near Nabi Saleh at the same time and threw sound bombs in the streets. The IOF arrested 18 years old Tamim Ahmad Al-Tamimi from Deir Nidam.
Lately, Nabi Saleh is witnessing continuous turmoils and daily clashes between the two sides due to the gas drilling on the village's land. In addition to, a group of settlers from Halamish settlement attempted to broke into the village but withdrew when they saw the Palestinians gathering to push them back.
These actions are all aimed to intimidate the residents in the Nabi Saleh village which, however, the village's residents will continue to stand steadfast and protect their village.
Clashes in Nabi Saleh as Israeli forces detain 54-year-old man
Clashes erupted on Thursday morning after Israeli forces stormed the village of Nabi Saleh north of Ramallah in order to detain a 54-year-old Palestinian man.
Locals told Ma'an that Israeli troops raided the village and ransacked the home of Fadil Tamimi, 54, "brutally assaulting his family members" before detaining him.
As a result, fierce clashes broke out between soldiers and angry villagers, who "showered" Israeli military vehicles with stones. The soldiers deployed in the streets as a result, firing stun grenades and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
Separately, Israeli forces also stormed the nearby village of Deir Nitham, firing stun grenades in the streets.
Neither the Israeli military nor the police had any information on the raids.
IOF Forces deported on Thursday morning, 23 families from Ra's al-Ahmar area in the northern Jordan Valleys in the West Bank.
Head of al-Maleh Village Council Aref Daraghmeh said that Israeli occupation ordered the families to evacuate their homes, under the pretext that they want to carry out military exercises using live ammunition.
Daraghmeh said that IOF Forces carry out military exercises in area in the northern Jordan Valleys, adding that in the past few weeks the Israeli forces deported dozens of families from their homes.
Head of al-Maleh Village Council Aref Daraghmeh said that Israeli occupation ordered the families to evacuate their homes, under the pretext that they want to carry out military exercises using live ammunition.
Daraghmeh said that IOF Forces carry out military exercises in area in the northern Jordan Valleys, adding that in the past few weeks the Israeli forces deported dozens of families from their homes.
26 feb 2014
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested 14 Palestinian citizens from different areas in the West Bank. The IOF soldiers arrested ten citizens from Halhul, six of them were arrested last night after throwing a Molotov cocktail towards an army patrol, while the four others were arrested at dawn today in raids on their homes, and were transferred to an unknown destination.
Three other citizens from the city of al-Khalil were also arrested at dawn by the Israeli forces.
In the town of Azzun east of Qalqiliya, the occupation troops detained four Palestinians, after storming their homes.
Separately, violent clashes broke out on Tuesday night in the town of Ya'abad, south of Jenin, after the occupation forces stormed the town.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers, deployed in the streets of the town, fired stun grenades with the aim of disturbing the citizens, while the young men threw stones at them.
They added that more than 20 citizens suffered suffocation from tear gas inhalation during the clashes, which lasted until late night.
IOF Forces Arrest 10 Palestinians from Hebron
Israeli occupation forces arrested on Wednesday 10 Palestinians from Halhoul village, north of West Bank city of Hebron.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians after raiding Wadi Qaboun area in the village. The detainees were identified as: Mohammed ASli al-Sa'da, 24, Imad Ali al-Sa'da, 24, Mohammed Bilal Issa al-Sa'da, 20, Mohammed Omar al-Qashesh, 26, Majd Khader Abu Rayan, Ahmed Majed al-Sa'da, 20, Mohammed Ayed Khalil al-Sa'da, 16, Sa'di Mahmoud al-Zma'rah, Mohammed Jamal al-Takrouri, and Nidal Waheed al-Hadad.
Israeli troops set a military checkpoint at the main entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, searched the vehicles and checked the passengers' IDs.
Three other citizens from the city of al-Khalil were also arrested at dawn by the Israeli forces.
In the town of Azzun east of Qalqiliya, the occupation troops detained four Palestinians, after storming their homes.
Separately, violent clashes broke out on Tuesday night in the town of Ya'abad, south of Jenin, after the occupation forces stormed the town.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers, deployed in the streets of the town, fired stun grenades with the aim of disturbing the citizens, while the young men threw stones at them.
They added that more than 20 citizens suffered suffocation from tear gas inhalation during the clashes, which lasted until late night.
IOF Forces Arrest 10 Palestinians from Hebron
Israeli occupation forces arrested on Wednesday 10 Palestinians from Halhoul village, north of West Bank city of Hebron.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians after raiding Wadi Qaboun area in the village. The detainees were identified as: Mohammed ASli al-Sa'da, 24, Imad Ali al-Sa'da, 24, Mohammed Bilal Issa al-Sa'da, 20, Mohammed Omar al-Qashesh, 26, Majd Khader Abu Rayan, Ahmed Majed al-Sa'da, 20, Mohammed Ayed Khalil al-Sa'da, 16, Sa'di Mahmoud al-Zma'rah, Mohammed Jamal al-Takrouri, and Nidal Waheed al-Hadad.
Israeli troops set a military checkpoint at the main entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, searched the vehicles and checked the passengers' IDs.
25 feb 2014
Israeli forces on Tuesday evening handed notices for 20 families in Ibzeeq valley in the north of the Jordan Valley to leave their homes for the day.
Valley representative Imad al-Hroub said Israeli forces raided the area and handed them notices to evacuate the premises from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for military purposes.
Valley representative Imad al-Hroub said Israeli forces raided the area and handed them notices to evacuate the premises from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for military purposes.
Large Israeli forces stormed on Tuesday morning al-Aqsa Mosque and heavily fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at Palestinian worshipers who confronted and stoned the invading forces. More than 20 injuries were reported. Violent clashes took place in the Mosque last night when Israeli police tried to force out Palestinian worshipers. However, the worshipers managed to remain inside the Mosque until the morning hours.
As a result, Israeli forces imposed this morning tight restrictions on the worshipers' access to the Mosque courtyards, preventing worshipers under the age of 50 years from entering. Hundreds of students have been prevented from attending their courses in al-Aqsa Mosque.
Occupation forces were heavily deployed at the Mosque's gates and prevented the entry of Palestinian youths who in turn threw stones at the soldiers.
Three Palestinian youths were arrested while trying to enter the Mosque’s courtyards.
The clashes came few hours before Israeli Knesset's session to discuss strengthening Israeli control over al-Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, al-Aqsa Foundation for Human Rights warned that Israeli Knesset plans to discuss ways to strengthen Israeli control over al-Aqsa Mosque during the next two days amid Jewish rabbis' wide support and participation.
Knesset's Committee for the Interior and Environment, headed by Likud MK Miri Regev, is scheduled to discuss next Wednesday preparations for mass settler raid on al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover.
The Foundation stressed in its statement the importance of intensifying Palestinian presence in al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on Palestinians in Jerusalem and inside the Green Line to defend and protect the holy mosque in face Israeli Judaization schemes.
Jewish extremist activists have launched a campaign on social media networks calling for breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday and raising Israeli flags in its courtyards.
The Foundation said that Israeli break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque especially by Israeli MKs, ministers, and political and religious figures came as part of Israeli scheme to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially as a prelude to establishing the alleged Temple.
As a result, Israeli forces imposed this morning tight restrictions on the worshipers' access to the Mosque courtyards, preventing worshipers under the age of 50 years from entering. Hundreds of students have been prevented from attending their courses in al-Aqsa Mosque.
Occupation forces were heavily deployed at the Mosque's gates and prevented the entry of Palestinian youths who in turn threw stones at the soldiers.
Three Palestinian youths were arrested while trying to enter the Mosque’s courtyards.
The clashes came few hours before Israeli Knesset's session to discuss strengthening Israeli control over al-Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, al-Aqsa Foundation for Human Rights warned that Israeli Knesset plans to discuss ways to strengthen Israeli control over al-Aqsa Mosque during the next two days amid Jewish rabbis' wide support and participation.
Knesset's Committee for the Interior and Environment, headed by Likud MK Miri Regev, is scheduled to discuss next Wednesday preparations for mass settler raid on al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover.
The Foundation stressed in its statement the importance of intensifying Palestinian presence in al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on Palestinians in Jerusalem and inside the Green Line to defend and protect the holy mosque in face Israeli Judaization schemes.
Jewish extremist activists have launched a campaign on social media networks calling for breaking into al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday and raising Israeli flags in its courtyards.
The Foundation said that Israeli break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque especially by Israeli MKs, ministers, and political and religious figures came as part of Israeli scheme to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially as a prelude to establishing the alleged Temple.
Six Palestinian citizens were wounded including four journalists when Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened fire at a peaceful demonstration east of Gaza city afternoon Tuesday. Local sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers fired live bullets and teargas at dozens of young men who demonstrated near the border fence in memory of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre in Al-Khalil.
The youths raised Palestinian flags and placards denouncing occupation and its crimes against the Palestinian people.
The media forum said that four journalists were injured in the shooting including one with a bullet in his left knee, another in his foot, a third was hit with a teargas canister in his hand, and the fourth was treated for suffocation.
3 injured in Gaza clashes on massacre anniversary
Three Palestinian men were injured and others suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation during clashes with Israeli forces east of Gaza City on Tuesday, an official said.
Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that three people in Nahal Oz were injured, one of whom was a journalist.
The three were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, al-Qidra said.
Clashes broke out after dozens of people from the Intifada Youth Coalition rallied to demonstrate on the anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that forces fired at Palestinians who approached a security fence despite instructions from Israeli forces to turn back. She said they identified direct hits.
On Feb. 25, 1994, a Jewish extremist entered Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque and opened fire, killing 29 worshipers and injuring 125.
The youths raised Palestinian flags and placards denouncing occupation and its crimes against the Palestinian people.
The media forum said that four journalists were injured in the shooting including one with a bullet in his left knee, another in his foot, a third was hit with a teargas canister in his hand, and the fourth was treated for suffocation.
3 injured in Gaza clashes on massacre anniversary
Three Palestinian men were injured and others suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation during clashes with Israeli forces east of Gaza City on Tuesday, an official said.
Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that three people in Nahal Oz were injured, one of whom was a journalist.
The three were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, al-Qidra said.
Clashes broke out after dozens of people from the Intifada Youth Coalition rallied to demonstrate on the anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that forces fired at Palestinians who approached a security fence despite instructions from Israeli forces to turn back. She said they identified direct hits.
On Feb. 25, 1994, a Jewish extremist entered Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque and opened fire, killing 29 worshipers and injuring 125.
Palestinian medical sources have reported that at least twenty Palestinians have been wounded after undercover soldiers of the Israeli army invaded the yards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem.
The sources said the soldiers fired concussion grenades and firebombs at dozens of Palestinians who tried to stop Israeli extremists invading the mosque area.
The attack came a few hours before a special Knesset session to discuss “Israel’s full control of the al-Aqsa Mosque”, instead of the Jordanian supervision. Likud Member of Knesset, Moshe Feiglin, presented the bill.
Dozens of soldiers, and undercover units of the army, invaded the yards of the mosque, and prevented hundreds of Palestinians from entering it.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf (Endowment) And Heritage said that hundreds of Palestinians stayed in the mosque area since Monday evening, after repeated calls by extremist Israeli groups to invade it.
Israeli sources said Feiglin held talks with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and members of the coalition government, in an effort to arrive at an agreement on a statement regarding the “future of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The sources said Netanyahu seems to be uninterested in changing the statuesque of the Mosque.
In related news, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Knesset talks were supposed to be held last week, but was postponed, and that the talks were supposed to include a vote on the wording of the proposal.
Haaretz added that Feiglin held talks with Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at Netanyahu’s office, Monday, in an attempt to reach a “wording that could be acceptable to all coalition partners”.
It said that Feiglin is seeking a formal Israeli declaration that sets Israel’s control, and exclusive sovereignty, on the holy site.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu wants a better, softer, wording to avoid tension and clashes in Jerusalem, and the Arab world.
Zehava Gal-On, head of the Meretz Israeli party, said Feiglin is seeking more tension, and that the clashes are a direct outcome of Feiglin’s “provocative initiative”.
“Feiglin’s timing of his initiative, especially while the government is holding final-status talks with the Palestinians, including the future of Jerusalem, and the holy sites, is meant to foil any attempt to reach a peace deal”, she said.
She added that this issue cannot be resolved without resolving other core issues on the table between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators.
Israeli police attack Al-Aqsa protesters ahead of annexation debate
Israeli troops and police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex early Tuesday and forcefully dispersed Palestinian worshipers and protesters ahead of a Knesset debate on a plan to annex the mosque.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades at Muslim worshipers while protesters hurled stones.
Several worshipers were hurt as a result of the pepper spray and others were hit directly by rubber-coated bullets, witnesses said.
They added that Israeli intelligence agents stormed the Al-Aqsa complex through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and blockaded the prayer hall, closing its gates with chains.
Meanwhile, Jerusalemite students who study inside the complex were denied entry to Al-Aqsa, and three youths trying to access the complex though the Chain Gate were arrested, witnesses said.
Director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Azzam al-Khatib said that Israeli forces also closed the Moroccan Gate and denied Jewish extremists entry to the complex.
He added that Israeli forces later pulled out and were deployed at the main gates.
Around 50 Palestinians had spent the night inside the complex in protest of an Israeli Knesset debate, scheduled for Tuesday, over a plan to place the holy site under full Israeli jurisdiction.
Their protest was also in reaction to reports that Israeli rightist organizations had announced plans to raise Israeli flags inside the Al-Aqsa complex.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP that Israeli police used "means of dispersion" against stone-throwing protesters at the mosque.
Rosenfeld said there was "high tension" ahead of the Knesset debate.
Right-wing Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin initiated Al-Aqsa annexation debate, which was originally scheduled for last Tuesday. On Wednesday, Feiglin visited the mosque escorted by Israeli police and a cameraman.
Due to the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls the compound -- overseen by Jordan -- to restrict the area for Muslim prayers.
Israeli forces, however, regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, often leading to tension with Palestinians.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
The sources said the soldiers fired concussion grenades and firebombs at dozens of Palestinians who tried to stop Israeli extremists invading the mosque area.
The attack came a few hours before a special Knesset session to discuss “Israel’s full control of the al-Aqsa Mosque”, instead of the Jordanian supervision. Likud Member of Knesset, Moshe Feiglin, presented the bill.
Dozens of soldiers, and undercover units of the army, invaded the yards of the mosque, and prevented hundreds of Palestinians from entering it.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf (Endowment) And Heritage said that hundreds of Palestinians stayed in the mosque area since Monday evening, after repeated calls by extremist Israeli groups to invade it.
Israeli sources said Feiglin held talks with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and members of the coalition government, in an effort to arrive at an agreement on a statement regarding the “future of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The sources said Netanyahu seems to be uninterested in changing the statuesque of the Mosque.
In related news, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Knesset talks were supposed to be held last week, but was postponed, and that the talks were supposed to include a vote on the wording of the proposal.
Haaretz added that Feiglin held talks with Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at Netanyahu’s office, Monday, in an attempt to reach a “wording that could be acceptable to all coalition partners”.
It said that Feiglin is seeking a formal Israeli declaration that sets Israel’s control, and exclusive sovereignty, on the holy site.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu wants a better, softer, wording to avoid tension and clashes in Jerusalem, and the Arab world.
Zehava Gal-On, head of the Meretz Israeli party, said Feiglin is seeking more tension, and that the clashes are a direct outcome of Feiglin’s “provocative initiative”.
“Feiglin’s timing of his initiative, especially while the government is holding final-status talks with the Palestinians, including the future of Jerusalem, and the holy sites, is meant to foil any attempt to reach a peace deal”, she said.
She added that this issue cannot be resolved without resolving other core issues on the table between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators.
Israeli police attack Al-Aqsa protesters ahead of annexation debate
Israeli troops and police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex early Tuesday and forcefully dispersed Palestinian worshipers and protesters ahead of a Knesset debate on a plan to annex the mosque.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades at Muslim worshipers while protesters hurled stones.
Several worshipers were hurt as a result of the pepper spray and others were hit directly by rubber-coated bullets, witnesses said.
They added that Israeli intelligence agents stormed the Al-Aqsa complex through the Moroccan Gate and the Chain Gate and blockaded the prayer hall, closing its gates with chains.
Meanwhile, Jerusalemite students who study inside the complex were denied entry to Al-Aqsa, and three youths trying to access the complex though the Chain Gate were arrested, witnesses said.
Director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Azzam al-Khatib said that Israeli forces also closed the Moroccan Gate and denied Jewish extremists entry to the complex.
He added that Israeli forces later pulled out and were deployed at the main gates.
Around 50 Palestinians had spent the night inside the complex in protest of an Israeli Knesset debate, scheduled for Tuesday, over a plan to place the holy site under full Israeli jurisdiction.
Their protest was also in reaction to reports that Israeli rightist organizations had announced plans to raise Israeli flags inside the Al-Aqsa complex.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP that Israeli police used "means of dispersion" against stone-throwing protesters at the mosque.
Rosenfeld said there was "high tension" ahead of the Knesset debate.
Right-wing Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin initiated Al-Aqsa annexation debate, which was originally scheduled for last Tuesday. On Wednesday, Feiglin visited the mosque escorted by Israeli police and a cameraman.
Due to the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls the compound -- overseen by Jordan -- to restrict the area for Muslim prayers.
Israeli forces, however, regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, often leading to tension with Palestinians.
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
According to mainstream Jewish religious leaders, Jews are forbidden from entering for fear they would profane the "Holy of Holies," or the inner sanctum of the Second Temple.
Al-Aqsa is located in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
Palestinian medical sources reported Monday [February 24, 2014] that two young Palestinian men were shot and injured by Israeli army fire in Teqoua’ town, southeast of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Two Palestinians kidnapped near Nablus.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that dozens of soldiers invaded the town, during noon hours Monday, and opened fire at local youths who hurled stones at them.
He added that a young man was shot by a live round in his leg, and was moved to the Beit Jala Governmental Hospital, and that another young man was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet.
In related news, Israeli military sources said the army kidnapped, Monday, two young Palestinian men allegedly after they threw a homemade grenade at an area in Elon Moreh illegal Israeli settlement, near Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The army said the soldiers chased the two Palestinians, and kidnapped them, before moving them to an interrogation facility.
Mohammad al-Badan, head of the Teqoua’ village council, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that dozens of soldiers invaded the town, during noon hours Monday, and opened fire at local youths who hurled stones at them.
He added that a young man was shot by a live round in his leg, and was moved to the Beit Jala Governmental Hospital, and that another young man was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet.
In related news, Israeli military sources said the army kidnapped, Monday, two young Palestinian men allegedly after they threw a homemade grenade at an area in Elon Moreh illegal Israeli settlement, near Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
The army said the soldiers chased the two Palestinians, and kidnapped them, before moving them to an interrogation facility.
Israeli warplanes have launched airstrikes on targets near the border between Lebanon and Syria, reports say.
There were contradictory reports on the targets of Monday’s attacks, with sources in Lebanon saying the airstrikes hit inside Syrian territory.
Israeli sources, however, claimed that the warplanes bombed a target in Lebanon.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
The Lebanese government has filed several complaints to the United Nations over the violation of the country’s airspace by the Israeli military aircraft.
Israel has carried out strikes on Syria several times since the beginning of 2013. Damascus says the attacks were aimed at helping the foreign-backed militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
On January 30, the Syrian army said two people were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a research center in Jamraya, near Damascus.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the unrest.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.
There were contradictory reports on the targets of Monday’s attacks, with sources in Lebanon saying the airstrikes hit inside Syrian territory.
Israeli sources, however, claimed that the warplanes bombed a target in Lebanon.
Israel violates Lebanon's airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.
The Lebanese government has filed several complaints to the United Nations over the violation of the country’s airspace by the Israeli military aircraft.
Israel has carried out strikes on Syria several times since the beginning of 2013. Damascus says the attacks were aimed at helping the foreign-backed militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
On January 30, the Syrian army said two people were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a research center in Jamraya, near Damascus.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the unrest.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.