4 july 2014
Israeli fighter jets bombed three Hamas sites in the southern Gaza Strip late Friday after 14 projectiles were fired from the besieged enclave into southern Israel, military officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
In a statement, the Israeli military said the bombings were in response to "constant rocket fire" toward southern Israel from the Gaza Strip.
"Since midnight, 14 projectiles were fired at Israel. 10 rockets and mortars hit Israel, 3 were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and 1 landed in Palestinian territory," it said.
"Since the kidnapping of the three Israeli teenagers, approximately 150 projectiles were fired at Israel, out of which approximately 98 landed in Israel and 18 were intercepted by the Iron Dome," the statement said.
Earlier, a Palestinian was shot and critically injured by Israeli forces in the central Gaza Strip. Medical sources said he was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital.
The army said it opened fire at Palestinians who approached the fence and were suspected of attempting to plant an explosive device.
Hours before that, Israeli forces fired multiple mortar shells at southern Gaza, locals and Israel's army said.
Witnesses said that tanks fired at least three shells east of Rafah that targeted the abandoned Yasser Arafat airport.
No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed at the time that Israeli forces used mortar fire in the southern Gaza Strip in response to two mortar shells fired from Gaza.
The mortars landed in the Eshkol regional council with no injuries reported.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
In a statement, the Israeli military said the bombings were in response to "constant rocket fire" toward southern Israel from the Gaza Strip.
"Since midnight, 14 projectiles were fired at Israel. 10 rockets and mortars hit Israel, 3 were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and 1 landed in Palestinian territory," it said.
"Since the kidnapping of the three Israeli teenagers, approximately 150 projectiles were fired at Israel, out of which approximately 98 landed in Israel and 18 were intercepted by the Iron Dome," the statement said.
Earlier, a Palestinian was shot and critically injured by Israeli forces in the central Gaza Strip. Medical sources said he was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital.
The army said it opened fire at Palestinians who approached the fence and were suspected of attempting to plant an explosive device.
Hours before that, Israeli forces fired multiple mortar shells at southern Gaza, locals and Israel's army said.
Witnesses said that tanks fired at least three shells east of Rafah that targeted the abandoned Yasser Arafat airport.
No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed at the time that Israeli forces used mortar fire in the southern Gaza Strip in response to two mortar shells fired from Gaza.
The mortars landed in the Eshkol regional council with no injuries reported.
Israeli soldiers assaulted Thursday night a resident and his mother in Beit Ummar and a family from Hebron, an official said.
A spokesman for popular committees in Beit Ummar said that Israeli forces assaulted Ashraf Izzat Khalil Sabarneh as he was trying to enter his own house. They hit him in his head and face and followed him inside the house. He suffered bruises.
The spokesman, Muhammad Ayyad Awad, said that soldiers also assaulted Sabarneh’s mother when she tried to defend her son. They assaulted her and pushed her to the ground before they threw a tear-gas canister inside the house.
Ashraf Sabarneh was sent to a near hospital for treatment.
Awad highlighted that Israeli forces prevented him from taking pictures of Sabarneh’s house.
Israeli forces also raided a house that belongs to the Massoudi family near the Ibrahimi mosque in the city of Hebron.
Soldiers assaulted the family, leaving two brothers with bruises and injuries.
A spokesman for popular committees in Beit Ummar said that Israeli forces assaulted Ashraf Izzat Khalil Sabarneh as he was trying to enter his own house. They hit him in his head and face and followed him inside the house. He suffered bruises.
The spokesman, Muhammad Ayyad Awad, said that soldiers also assaulted Sabarneh’s mother when she tried to defend her son. They assaulted her and pushed her to the ground before they threw a tear-gas canister inside the house.
Ashraf Sabarneh was sent to a near hospital for treatment.
Awad highlighted that Israeli forces prevented him from taking pictures of Sabarneh’s house.
Israeli forces also raided a house that belongs to the Massoudi family near the Ibrahimi mosque in the city of Hebron.
Soldiers assaulted the family, leaving two brothers with bruises and injuries.
Five Palestinians were injured in clashes that broke out in Sureif village northwest of Hebron on Friday, activists said.
Spokesman for the popular resistance committee Mohammad Ayyad Awad said two were shot with live bullets in the feet, three were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets, and others suffered excessive tear=-gas inhalation.
Clashes erupted after Israeli settlers started building a new outpost in the village, Awad added.
Spokesman for the popular resistance committee Mohammad Ayyad Awad said two were shot with live bullets in the feet, three were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets, and others suffered excessive tear=-gas inhalation.
Clashes erupted after Israeli settlers started building a new outpost in the village, Awad added.
Eight Palestinians were injured in clashes that broke out after noon prayers near Qalandiya checkpoint in Ramallah.
Medical sources said two people were hit with live bullets, four with rubber-coated steel bullets, and two others were hit with tear-gas canisters.
The clashes broke out in different areas around an Israeli army watchtower.
Clashes also erupted at the northern entrance of al-Ram village, as Israeli forces closed the main entrance and fired live, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas. No injuries were reported.
Palestinians also clashed with Israeli forces near Ofer detention center, without any injuries being reported.
Medical sources said two people were hit with live bullets, four with rubber-coated steel bullets, and two others were hit with tear-gas canisters.
The clashes broke out in different areas around an Israeli army watchtower.
Clashes also erupted at the northern entrance of al-Ram village, as Israeli forces closed the main entrance and fired live, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas. No injuries were reported.
Palestinians also clashed with Israeli forces near Ofer detention center, without any injuries being reported.
A Palestinian was shot and critically injured by Israeli forces in the central Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said he was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital.
The Israeli army said it opened fire at Palestinians who approached the fence and were suspected of attempting to plant an explosive device.
Hours earlier, Israeli forces fired multiple mortar shells at southern Gaza, locals and Israel's army said.
Witnesses said that tanks fired at least three shells east of Rafah that targeted the abandoned Yasser Arafat airport.
No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed that Israeli forces used mortar fire in the southern Gaza Strip in response to two mortar shells fired from Gaza.
The mortars landed in the Eshkol regional council with no injuries reported.
Medical sources said he was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital.
The Israeli army said it opened fire at Palestinians who approached the fence and were suspected of attempting to plant an explosive device.
Hours earlier, Israeli forces fired multiple mortar shells at southern Gaza, locals and Israel's army said.
Witnesses said that tanks fired at least three shells east of Rafah that targeted the abandoned Yasser Arafat airport.
No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed that Israeli forces used mortar fire in the southern Gaza Strip in response to two mortar shells fired from Gaza.
The mortars landed in the Eshkol regional council with no injuries reported.
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Video footage emerged Thursday of Israeli border police brutally beating a Palestinian man unconscious in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Shufat.
A video posted by Palestine Today TV shows what appears to be masked Israeli border police in riot gear beating, kicking and stamping on a Palestinian man until he lost consciousness. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said he was unaware of the incident and had not seen the images. |
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At least 20 Palestinians were reported injured on Friday in clashes following the funeral of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir, medics said.
Thousands of Palestinians gathered early Friday to receive the body of the 16-year-old boy after a Red Crescent ambulance collected the body from Hadassah hospital. Grieving Palestinian youths carried the teenager on their shoulders chanting "We have had enough!" as crowds waved Palestinian flags and shouted slogans demanding freedom. |
Crowds chanted "Allah Akbar!" and "We sacrifice our blood for you!" as Muhammad's body was taken for burial.
Clashes broke out following the funeral procession, with Palestinian youths throwing rocks at Israeli forces, who responded with riot dispersal means.
At least 20 Palestinians have been shot and injured with rubber-coated steel bullets in the ongoing clashes.
Earlier, clashes were reported in the Old City of Jerusalem and Ras al-Amud, as young Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces.
Israeli police said "thousands" of officers were on the streets across East Jerusalem ahead of the teenager's funeral in the Shufat neighborhood, which coincided with the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Just 8,000 Palestinian worshipers joined the prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, police said, with many staying away for fear of clashes with Israeli forces.
On the same day last year police reported a crowd of 80,000.
New clashes in Jerusalem after Friday prayers
Clashes broke out following the funeral procession, with Palestinian youths throwing rocks at Israeli forces, who responded with riot dispersal means.
At least 20 Palestinians have been shot and injured with rubber-coated steel bullets in the ongoing clashes.
Earlier, clashes were reported in the Old City of Jerusalem and Ras al-Amud, as young Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces.
Israeli police said "thousands" of officers were on the streets across East Jerusalem ahead of the teenager's funeral in the Shufat neighborhood, which coincided with the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Just 8,000 Palestinian worshipers joined the prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, police said, with many staying away for fear of clashes with Israeli forces.
On the same day last year police reported a crowd of 80,000.
New clashes in Jerusalem after Friday prayers
Clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers after Friday prayers in the Old City of Jerusalem as crowds gathered in Shufat for the funeral of Muhammad Abu Khdeir.
Israeli authorities set up barriers in the streets and alleyways of the Old City and closed down several roads, preventing worshipers from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Israeli police said "thousands" of officers were on the streets across East Jerusalem ahead of the teenager's funeral in the Shufat neighborhood, which coincided with the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"Dozens of Palestinian youngsters, some masked, threw stones at police in Ras al-Amud," Israeli police tweeted, referring to a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.
Just 8,000 Palestinian worshipers joined the prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, police said, with many staying away for fear of clashes with Israeli forces.
On the same day last year police reported a crowd of 80,000.
Residents of Shufat have been gathering since the early morning to receive the body of Muhammad Abu Khdeir for burial.
The Palestinian teenager was kidnapped and murdered overnight Tuesday in a suspected revenge attack by Israelis.
Red Crescent ambulances left from outside of the Abu Khdeir family home on Friday afternoon to receive the boy's body from Hadassah hospital.
Israeli authorities set up barriers in the streets and alleyways of the Old City and closed down several roads, preventing worshipers from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Israeli police said "thousands" of officers were on the streets across East Jerusalem ahead of the teenager's funeral in the Shufat neighborhood, which coincided with the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"Dozens of Palestinian youngsters, some masked, threw stones at police in Ras al-Amud," Israeli police tweeted, referring to a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.
Just 8,000 Palestinian worshipers joined the prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, police said, with many staying away for fear of clashes with Israeli forces.
On the same day last year police reported a crowd of 80,000.
Residents of Shufat have been gathering since the early morning to receive the body of Muhammad Abu Khdeir for burial.
The Palestinian teenager was kidnapped and murdered overnight Tuesday in a suspected revenge attack by Israelis.
Red Crescent ambulances left from outside of the Abu Khdeir family home on Friday afternoon to receive the boy's body from Hadassah hospital.
The Israeli occupation army has declared its intention to cease fire for 48 hours if Hamas stops rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
The sources stressed that the Israeli occupation forces would intensify in the same time their presence around Gaza borders.
Israel has given an ultimatum to Hamas to stop rocket fire from Gaza for 48 hours. Otherwise, it intends to launch a large-scale attack on Gaza, the sources warned.
The Israeli cabinet has met yesterday for the fourth time to discuss Israel's response to the killing of three settlers in al-Khalil.
Media blackout was imposed on the results of Israeli Cabinet meetings, Hebrew media sources revealed.
The sources stressed that the Israeli occupation forces would intensify in the same time their presence around Gaza borders.
Israel has given an ultimatum to Hamas to stop rocket fire from Gaza for 48 hours. Otherwise, it intends to launch a large-scale attack on Gaza, the sources warned.
The Israeli cabinet has met yesterday for the fourth time to discuss Israel's response to the killing of three settlers in al-Khalil.
Media blackout was imposed on the results of Israeli Cabinet meetings, Hebrew media sources revealed.
Six Palestinian young men were kidnapped by Israeli undercover forces in a wave of brutal clashes that broke out Thursday in occupied Jerusalem following the kidnapping and murder of Palestinian child Mohamed Abu Khudeir.
Jerusalemite sources identified some of the abducted citizens as Amer Al-Laftawi, 30, Kareem Abu Khdeir, 21, and Tarek Abu Khdeir.
The Israeli kidnappers dragged all the Palestinian hostages to an unknown location, the sources added.
Heavy firing of tear gas and stun grenades by the Israeli occupation police took place during the events.
The IOF have been heavily deployed in Jerusalem in anticipation of further escalation of the ongoing clashes in different areas of east Jerusalem neighborhoods.
The confrontations started last Wednesday morning and led to severe injuries among scores of Palestinian civilians after extremist Jewish settlers kidnapped Abu Khdeir and murdered him in cold blood.
In a related event, Beit Hanina natives have been on the alert to the attempts of Israeli extremist settlers to kidnap Jerusalemite child Muhammad Ali al-Kiswani, 11, from the town, north of Jerusalem.
Jerusalemite sources identified some of the abducted citizens as Amer Al-Laftawi, 30, Kareem Abu Khdeir, 21, and Tarek Abu Khdeir.
The Israeli kidnappers dragged all the Palestinian hostages to an unknown location, the sources added.
Heavy firing of tear gas and stun grenades by the Israeli occupation police took place during the events.
The IOF have been heavily deployed in Jerusalem in anticipation of further escalation of the ongoing clashes in different areas of east Jerusalem neighborhoods.
The confrontations started last Wednesday morning and led to severe injuries among scores of Palestinian civilians after extremist Jewish settlers kidnapped Abu Khdeir and murdered him in cold blood.
In a related event, Beit Hanina natives have been on the alert to the attempts of Israeli extremist settlers to kidnap Jerusalemite child Muhammad Ali al-Kiswani, 11, from the town, north of Jerusalem.
An Israeli warplane at dawn Friday bombed a cultivated land in Azzeitoun neighborhood to the southeast of the Gaza Strip. Local sources told Quds Press that an Israeli drone fired one missile at least at an agricultural land in Azzeitoun neighborhood.
The aerial attack caused no casualties among civilian or resistance fighters, the sources said.
The air raid took place shortly after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said that his army was ready for calm in Gaza if the Palestinian rockets stopped to fall on Israel.
The Israeli occupation army escalated its aerial attacks on Gaza recently after the disappearance of three Jewish settlers in Gaza. The attacks rendered many Palestinians either killed or wounded, and caused extensive material damage to homes and infrastructure.
Since Israel accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce deal with the Palestinians in Gaza in November 2012, its army sporadically committed several violations, killing and wounding several civilians.
The aerial attack caused no casualties among civilian or resistance fighters, the sources said.
The air raid took place shortly after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said that his army was ready for calm in Gaza if the Palestinian rockets stopped to fall on Israel.
The Israeli occupation army escalated its aerial attacks on Gaza recently after the disappearance of three Jewish settlers in Gaza. The attacks rendered many Palestinians either killed or wounded, and caused extensive material damage to homes and infrastructure.
Since Israel accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce deal with the Palestinians in Gaza in November 2012, its army sporadically committed several violations, killing and wounding several civilians.
According to an unnamed Hamas officials, a ceasefire could be declared in the coming few hours between the Hamas movement in Gaza and Israel, under direct Egyptian mediation.
According to a BBC report, Egyptian mediators held extensive talks with Israeli and Hamas officials, and managed to reach an agreement for a ceasefire that would be declared in a matter of hours.
The deal is meant to stop Israeli hostilities and ongoing bombardment targeting different parts of the besieged and improvised coastal region, and to stop the firing of shells from Gaza into adjacent Israeli areas.
On Thursday evening, Hamas and Israel traded accusations and threats of a larger escalation in the region, while Israel claimed its offensive is “only meant to stop the firing of shells from Gaza”, while Hamas and other armed groups said that the shells were fired it retaliation to the ongoing Israeli aggression.
Israel even deployed more tanks and troops near the border with Gaza, amidst ongoing air strikes and bombardment
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, said Israel’s threats, and the deployment of its soldiers, do not scare it, and vowed a fierce battle should Israel conduct further escalation on Gaza, or attempt to invade it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to wage an extended war on Gaza, and said that Israel is ready for two scenarios; “calm and end to rocket fire from Gaza, or a military operation with full force to secure cities in southern Israel”, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
Netanyahu’s statements came during a dinner marking America’s Independence, with the American ambassador at his home, near Tel Aviv, Israeli sources said.
On Thursday evening, the Israeli Security Cabinet of the Knesset decided that Israel would refrain from conducting a large-scale offensive on Gaza should calm be restored, adding that “the coming 24 hours would be very instrumental in determining the exact nature and volume of Israel’s retaliation.”
During a press conference held on Thursday evening in Gaza, Abu Obeida, spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades, said the brigades and all armed groups in Gaza are ready for all possible scenarios.
“The Israeli threats do not scare us, the enemy will be taught a tough lesson,” Abu Obeida stated. “Israel needs to realize that former wars Israel waged on Gaza will be nothing comparing to what he have prepared and planned for the upcoming battle.”
According to a BBC report, Egyptian mediators held extensive talks with Israeli and Hamas officials, and managed to reach an agreement for a ceasefire that would be declared in a matter of hours.
The deal is meant to stop Israeli hostilities and ongoing bombardment targeting different parts of the besieged and improvised coastal region, and to stop the firing of shells from Gaza into adjacent Israeli areas.
On Thursday evening, Hamas and Israel traded accusations and threats of a larger escalation in the region, while Israel claimed its offensive is “only meant to stop the firing of shells from Gaza”, while Hamas and other armed groups said that the shells were fired it retaliation to the ongoing Israeli aggression.
Israel even deployed more tanks and troops near the border with Gaza, amidst ongoing air strikes and bombardment
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, said Israel’s threats, and the deployment of its soldiers, do not scare it, and vowed a fierce battle should Israel conduct further escalation on Gaza, or attempt to invade it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to wage an extended war on Gaza, and said that Israel is ready for two scenarios; “calm and end to rocket fire from Gaza, or a military operation with full force to secure cities in southern Israel”, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
Netanyahu’s statements came during a dinner marking America’s Independence, with the American ambassador at his home, near Tel Aviv, Israeli sources said.
On Thursday evening, the Israeli Security Cabinet of the Knesset decided that Israel would refrain from conducting a large-scale offensive on Gaza should calm be restored, adding that “the coming 24 hours would be very instrumental in determining the exact nature and volume of Israel’s retaliation.”
During a press conference held on Thursday evening in Gaza, Abu Obeida, spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades, said the brigades and all armed groups in Gaza are ready for all possible scenarios.
“The Israeli threats do not scare us, the enemy will be taught a tough lesson,” Abu Obeida stated. “Israel needs to realize that former wars Israel waged on Gaza will be nothing comparing to what he have prepared and planned for the upcoming battle.”
15-year old Palestinian-America Tariq beaten by Israeli police
A Palestinian teenager identified by local sources as the cousin of the 16-year-old who was murdered on Wednesday was beaten and abducted by Israeli police on Thursday, and was refused medical treatment for his broken nose and other injuries while in custody.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported that over 170 Palestinians have been injured since Monday, when the bodies of three Israeli teenagers who had gone missing two weeks earlier were found.
15-year old Tariq was allegedly participating in one of several protests that took place in Shu'fat and nearby areas after Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, was abducted by Israelis, according to eyewitnesses, and later found burned to death on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Palestinians took part in the protests, which were met with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and concussion grenades. At least three incidents have been reported of Israeli police and military using live ammunition against the demonstrators. Of the 170 injured since Monday, at least six are journalists.
Since his death Wednesday, the family of Muhammed Abu Khdeir has faced interrogations, DNA tests and a misinformation campaign started by the Israeli police to claim, based on no evidence, that the boy was killed in a family dispute -- in addition to the Israeli police refusing to look at surveillance video showing the assailants, which would normally be a major part of an investigation.
The attack on the 15-year-old appears to be the latest affront to a family that is mourning the brutal death of a child. Tariq is a Palestinian-American who was staying with family in Jerusalem when he was beaten and abducted by Israeli police. He full extent of his injuries is still unknown.
A Palestinian teenager identified by local sources as the cousin of the 16-year-old who was murdered on Wednesday was beaten and abducted by Israeli police on Thursday, and was refused medical treatment for his broken nose and other injuries while in custody.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported that over 170 Palestinians have been injured since Monday, when the bodies of three Israeli teenagers who had gone missing two weeks earlier were found.
15-year old Tariq was allegedly participating in one of several protests that took place in Shu'fat and nearby areas after Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, was abducted by Israelis, according to eyewitnesses, and later found burned to death on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Palestinians took part in the protests, which were met with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets and concussion grenades. At least three incidents have been reported of Israeli police and military using live ammunition against the demonstrators. Of the 170 injured since Monday, at least six are journalists.
Since his death Wednesday, the family of Muhammed Abu Khdeir has faced interrogations, DNA tests and a misinformation campaign started by the Israeli police to claim, based on no evidence, that the boy was killed in a family dispute -- in addition to the Israeli police refusing to look at surveillance video showing the assailants, which would normally be a major part of an investigation.
The attack on the 15-year-old appears to be the latest affront to a family that is mourning the brutal death of a child. Tariq is a Palestinian-American who was staying with family in Jerusalem when he was beaten and abducted by Israeli police. He full extent of his injuries is still unknown.
Palestinian sources in occupied Jerusalem have reported that the clashes and confrontations between Israeli occupation soldiers have been ongoing, while hundreds Palestinians have been wounded since a number of extremist settlers abducted a murdered a Palestinian child in occupied Jerusalem, Wednesday.
The clashes have been taking place in several Arab neighborhoods and towns in the occupied city, especially in the neighborhood of Shu’fat, where the Palestinian child Mohammad Abu Khdeir, age 16, was born and lived until his abduction and murder, on Wednesday evening.
Medical sources said undercover forces of the Israeli army kidnapped six Palestinians in Shu’fat, assaulted and dragged several Palestinians, after soldiers infiltrated the neighborhood and fired rounds of live ammunition, wounding several Palestinians, including Tareq Salah Abu Khdeir. Salim Mousa Abu Khdeir and Amer al-Lifftawi.
The clashes extended from the Shu’fat neighborhood, to Beit Hanina nearby neighborhood, while medical sources said at least eight Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, mainly in the head and upper body parts.
Eyewitnesses said that, shortly after midnight, dozens of Palestinian youths surrounded a Palestinian home that was illegally taken over by fanatic Israeli settlers two years ago, and were attacked by more than 25 undercover soldiers who were hiding in the home.
The youths managed to torch the main door of the home, and some of its windows.
Four more Palestinians have been wounded in Shu’fat refugee camp, while soldiers kidnapped two Palestinian children. One Palestinian was moved to a local hospital after a soldier fired a gas bomb directly at him.
Several Palestinians were injured by live rounds at the Anata town junction, and more than twenty Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and concussion grenades.
Two of the wounded Palestinians suffered head injuries after being hit by rubber-coated metal bullets, and were moved to a local hospital.
Clashes also continued in the at-Tour neighborhood, Silwan, Ras al-’Amoud and the al-Eesawiyya town in occupied Jerusalem.
In addition, one woman was shot in the back by a rubber bullet as she was standing in front of her home.
Local youth threw stones and Molotov cocktails at dozens of invading soldiers, who fired rounds of live ammunition.
At least ten Palestinians have been injured in the al-‘Eesawiyya town, after the soldiers invaded it, while resident Aisha Hamdan, 60 years of age, suffered a broken leg after she was hit by a concussion grenade, fired by the soldiers at her.
Hundreds of soldiers have also been deployed in areas separating between the French Hill, the Hebrew University and the Hadassah Hospital, in order to prevent the protesters from entering those areas, where they fired several rounds of live ammunition at them.
In al-Ram, at least three Palestinians have been wounded, while undercover forces of the Israeli military kidnapped at least three more Palestinians.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians in a number of neighborhoods in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.
One Palestinian, identified as Nidal Amin Shqeirat, 33, suffered various cuts and bruises after being violently assaulted and beaten by Israeli soldiers in Jabal al-Mokabber.
The soldiers prevented a Palestinian ambulance crew from reaching him, an issue that led to further clashes.
Meanwhile, dozens of extremist Israeli settlers attacked the Mamanallah Mall, chanting slogans, including “Death To Arabs”, and “Revenge” before trying to attack Palestinian workers and residents.
The police arrived at the scene and forced the settlers out, but did not arrest any of them.
The clashes have been taking place in several Arab neighborhoods and towns in the occupied city, especially in the neighborhood of Shu’fat, where the Palestinian child Mohammad Abu Khdeir, age 16, was born and lived until his abduction and murder, on Wednesday evening.
Medical sources said undercover forces of the Israeli army kidnapped six Palestinians in Shu’fat, assaulted and dragged several Palestinians, after soldiers infiltrated the neighborhood and fired rounds of live ammunition, wounding several Palestinians, including Tareq Salah Abu Khdeir. Salim Mousa Abu Khdeir and Amer al-Lifftawi.
The clashes extended from the Shu’fat neighborhood, to Beit Hanina nearby neighborhood, while medical sources said at least eight Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, mainly in the head and upper body parts.
Eyewitnesses said that, shortly after midnight, dozens of Palestinian youths surrounded a Palestinian home that was illegally taken over by fanatic Israeli settlers two years ago, and were attacked by more than 25 undercover soldiers who were hiding in the home.
The youths managed to torch the main door of the home, and some of its windows.
Four more Palestinians have been wounded in Shu’fat refugee camp, while soldiers kidnapped two Palestinian children. One Palestinian was moved to a local hospital after a soldier fired a gas bomb directly at him.
Several Palestinians were injured by live rounds at the Anata town junction, and more than twenty Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and concussion grenades.
Two of the wounded Palestinians suffered head injuries after being hit by rubber-coated metal bullets, and were moved to a local hospital.
Clashes also continued in the at-Tour neighborhood, Silwan, Ras al-’Amoud and the al-Eesawiyya town in occupied Jerusalem.
In addition, one woman was shot in the back by a rubber bullet as she was standing in front of her home.
Local youth threw stones and Molotov cocktails at dozens of invading soldiers, who fired rounds of live ammunition.
At least ten Palestinians have been injured in the al-‘Eesawiyya town, after the soldiers invaded it, while resident Aisha Hamdan, 60 years of age, suffered a broken leg after she was hit by a concussion grenade, fired by the soldiers at her.
Hundreds of soldiers have also been deployed in areas separating between the French Hill, the Hebrew University and the Hadassah Hospital, in order to prevent the protesters from entering those areas, where they fired several rounds of live ammunition at them.
In al-Ram, at least three Palestinians have been wounded, while undercover forces of the Israeli military kidnapped at least three more Palestinians.
In addition, soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians in a number of neighborhoods in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.
One Palestinian, identified as Nidal Amin Shqeirat, 33, suffered various cuts and bruises after being violently assaulted and beaten by Israeli soldiers in Jabal al-Mokabber.
The soldiers prevented a Palestinian ambulance crew from reaching him, an issue that led to further clashes.
Meanwhile, dozens of extremist Israeli settlers attacked the Mamanallah Mall, chanting slogans, including “Death To Arabs”, and “Revenge” before trying to attack Palestinian workers and residents.
The police arrived at the scene and forced the settlers out, but did not arrest any of them.
Israeli settlers attempted to kidnap a seven-year-old Palestinian child in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina overnight Thursday, locals said.
Witnesses told Ma'an that four settlers from Pisgat Zeev tried to kidnap Muhammad Ali al-Kiswani while he was playing in the neighborhood late Thursday after breaking the Ramadan fast.
Children in the area alerted family members, who thwarted the attack, according to witnesses.
Witnesses told Ma'an that four settlers from Pisgat Zeev tried to kidnap Muhammad Ali al-Kiswani while he was playing in the neighborhood late Thursday after breaking the Ramadan fast.
Children in the area alerted family members, who thwarted the attack, according to witnesses.
The settlers fled on foot, locals said.
An Israeli police spokesman could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, was kidnapped from the Shufat neighborhood and later found dead in a Jerusalem forest. His body was found badly burnt.
Earlier, two settlers attempted to kidnap Mousa Zalloum, 10, in Beit Hanina, locals said. The kidnapping was reportedly thwarted by the boy's mother and local residents.
An Israeli police spokesman could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, was kidnapped from the Shufat neighborhood and later found dead in a Jerusalem forest. His body was found badly burnt.
Earlier, two settlers attempted to kidnap Mousa Zalloum, 10, in Beit Hanina, locals said. The kidnapping was reportedly thwarted by the boy's mother and local residents.
640 arrested arrested since beginning of new Israeli raids
Violence by Israeli soldiers and settlers against the Palestinian community continued across the region, today, beginning with 20 reported kidnappings by occupying forces in the West Bank. At least 640 Palestinians have been arrested since the beginning of Israel's recently escalated arrest campaign.
Israeli forces, today, abducted around 20 Palestinians, including minors, in predawn raids across the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to reports by local, media and security sources.
In the Hebron district, seven people were taken by Israeli forces, including three children between the ages of 8 and 10, under a pretext of throwing stones at soldiers.
According to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency, the children were released later in the day, after the Palestinian Liaison Office intervened.
In the nearby village of Beit Ummar, 3 more Palestinians were kidnapped and another was taken at the ‘Atzion’ checkpoint, following a beating in the head by soldiers with their rifle butts.
In Jenin and its nearby refugee camp, soldiers invaded the area, abducting one local resident, age 29, after raiding his house and wrecking his furniture.
Soldiers turned several homes them into military outposts for hours in the camp, as well. The invasions led to violent confrontations with local residents, causing several cases of suffocation as soldiers fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and live bullets.
In Qalqilya, three Palestinian residents, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, were kidnapped by soldiers who both stormed the city and the nearby village of Kafr Qaddum.
Many other homes were raided in the nearby village of Azzoun, where soldiers tampered with their contents. No further arrests were reported.
In Tulkarm refugee camp, Israeli forces took with them a local resident after invading his home in the late night hours.
Additionally, one Palestinian youngster was kidnapped after soldiers stormed his house in the village of Hazma, Jerusalem Governorate.
Meanwhile, army forces abducted five Palestinians, including four ex-detainees, in both Nablus and in the nearby al-Ein refugee camp, as well as the villages of Qaryout and Madama.
Futhermore, forces again stormed Awarta village, where they raided a house; no arrests were reported.
Attacks by Israeli settlers continued today as Arab students attenfing the College of Safed, in the Upper Galilee were subjected to threats by Jewish fellow students belonging to right-wing parties and religious groups in the college.
Arab MK, Massoud Ghanayim, reported that he had received letters from Arab students in demand of his intervention in stopping the attacks against them, explaining that they were exposed to attempts of assault following the kidnapping and killing of the three settlers, WAFA reports.
Ghanayim then sent urgent messages to the Israeli Defense Minister and the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Faculty of Safed, requesting security and protection for Arab students.
Just today, an Israeli settler got out of his car and opened fire, with a pistol, at one Ali Abu-Samra, age 30, near ar-Ram town, northeast of Hebron. Ali was injured in the foot by the shot.
The settler reportedly fled the scene, following the incident.
In Jerusalem, A 46-year-old Palestinian, from the town of Halhoul, where the 3 missing settlers were uncovered, reported that he was nearly kidnapped by three Israelis, early this morning.
Ammar Abu Asbeh, 46, told WAFA that a car carrying three Israelis pulled in front of him while he was at Shaftai Israel St in Jerusalem, asking him for his identity card.
Upon his refusal, they pushed him into car and fled the scene, but he was later able to open the door and escape. He was currently at an Israeli police station, at the time of the report.
Violence by Israeli soldiers and settlers against the Palestinian community continued across the region, today, beginning with 20 reported kidnappings by occupying forces in the West Bank. At least 640 Palestinians have been arrested since the beginning of Israel's recently escalated arrest campaign.
Israeli forces, today, abducted around 20 Palestinians, including minors, in predawn raids across the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to reports by local, media and security sources.
In the Hebron district, seven people were taken by Israeli forces, including three children between the ages of 8 and 10, under a pretext of throwing stones at soldiers.
According to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency, the children were released later in the day, after the Palestinian Liaison Office intervened.
In the nearby village of Beit Ummar, 3 more Palestinians were kidnapped and another was taken at the ‘Atzion’ checkpoint, following a beating in the head by soldiers with their rifle butts.
In Jenin and its nearby refugee camp, soldiers invaded the area, abducting one local resident, age 29, after raiding his house and wrecking his furniture.
Soldiers turned several homes them into military outposts for hours in the camp, as well. The invasions led to violent confrontations with local residents, causing several cases of suffocation as soldiers fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and live bullets.
In Qalqilya, three Palestinian residents, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, were kidnapped by soldiers who both stormed the city and the nearby village of Kafr Qaddum.
Many other homes were raided in the nearby village of Azzoun, where soldiers tampered with their contents. No further arrests were reported.
In Tulkarm refugee camp, Israeli forces took with them a local resident after invading his home in the late night hours.
Additionally, one Palestinian youngster was kidnapped after soldiers stormed his house in the village of Hazma, Jerusalem Governorate.
Meanwhile, army forces abducted five Palestinians, including four ex-detainees, in both Nablus and in the nearby al-Ein refugee camp, as well as the villages of Qaryout and Madama.
Futhermore, forces again stormed Awarta village, where they raided a house; no arrests were reported.
Attacks by Israeli settlers continued today as Arab students attenfing the College of Safed, in the Upper Galilee were subjected to threats by Jewish fellow students belonging to right-wing parties and religious groups in the college.
Arab MK, Massoud Ghanayim, reported that he had received letters from Arab students in demand of his intervention in stopping the attacks against them, explaining that they were exposed to attempts of assault following the kidnapping and killing of the three settlers, WAFA reports.
Ghanayim then sent urgent messages to the Israeli Defense Minister and the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Faculty of Safed, requesting security and protection for Arab students.
Just today, an Israeli settler got out of his car and opened fire, with a pistol, at one Ali Abu-Samra, age 30, near ar-Ram town, northeast of Hebron. Ali was injured in the foot by the shot.
The settler reportedly fled the scene, following the incident.
In Jerusalem, A 46-year-old Palestinian, from the town of Halhoul, where the 3 missing settlers were uncovered, reported that he was nearly kidnapped by three Israelis, early this morning.
Ammar Abu Asbeh, 46, told WAFA that a car carrying three Israelis pulled in front of him while he was at Shaftai Israel St in Jerusalem, asking him for his identity card.
Upon his refusal, they pushed him into car and fled the scene, but he was later able to open the door and escape. He was currently at an Israeli police station, at the time of the report.
At 9 o’clock in the evening of July 2nd, Israeli forces invaded the small Palestinian village of Qarawat Bani Hassan, approximately 10 km northwest of Salfit in the northern half of the West Bank.
They approached the mosque in the center of town and fired tear gas and stun grenades inside. One witness described the scene as follows:
“There were maybe 500 people inside the mosque – many old men, women and children. The tear gas was horrible. It was difficult to breathe. The sound bombs were terrifying, and the children were so afraid.”
The motives of the soldiers remain mystifying, since the streets surrounding the mosque had been empty before the attack. “They just come here to make problems,” suggested one witness.
The occupants of the mosque escaped the tear gas, and clashes ensued on the nearby streets. Qasaam Mareh, a fourteen year old boy, was detained by the soldiers.
According to witnesses, they interrogated and beat him, before they took him away in a jeep. Qasaam was held for approximately eighteen hours before finally being released the next day.
They approached the mosque in the center of town and fired tear gas and stun grenades inside. One witness described the scene as follows:
“There were maybe 500 people inside the mosque – many old men, women and children. The tear gas was horrible. It was difficult to breathe. The sound bombs were terrifying, and the children were so afraid.”
The motives of the soldiers remain mystifying, since the streets surrounding the mosque had been empty before the attack. “They just come here to make problems,” suggested one witness.
The occupants of the mosque escaped the tear gas, and clashes ensued on the nearby streets. Qasaam Mareh, a fourteen year old boy, was detained by the soldiers.
According to witnesses, they interrogated and beat him, before they took him away in a jeep. Qasaam was held for approximately eighteen hours before finally being released the next day.
The past 24 hours have brought about an unprecedented explosion of settler aggression against Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Jerusalem, says Dr. Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative Party (Mubadara). He adds, “we are currently witnessing a very serious qualitative change in the situation”.
“This is collective punishment. These are acts of revenge. The Israeli military is behaving like a gang, and it is allowing illegal settlers to conduct a war of terror against Palestinians,” say Barghouti.
After the killing of three Israeli teens in the West Bank, Israel began conducting a massive campaign of collective punishment across the occupied Palestinian territory, Barghouti said. This campaign includes the spreading and tightening of Israel’s system of checkpoints throughout the territories, preventing Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem (and canceling all permits to do so), and preventing medical personnel from reaching their work in Jerusalem hospitals.
Additionally, according to Barghouti, permits for prayer have been canceled and UNRWA workers from the West Bank have been barred from reaching their headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Secondly, Israeli forces have begun to demolish the homes of people they have labeled guilty, despite the fact that they have not demonstrated any physical proof of their guilt or allowed them any judicial process, argued Barghouti. The Israeli army has, thus far, destroyed three Palestinian homes in the last two days. All three are in the Hebron area.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s security service, has named Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, both residents of Hebron, as the primary suspects in the abduction and killing of the teens. Both men have spent time in Israeli prisons and have reportedly disappeared since the night the teens went missing. Israeli forces detonated explosive charges in both of their homes shortly after the teens’ bodies were found Monday evening.
Overnight on Tuesday, Israeli forced destroyed the home of Ziad Awad, one of two Palestinians charged with the murder of off-duty Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi in April of this year. Awad had recently been released as part of the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap in 2011.
According to Barghouti, Israeli authorities have recently given additional orders to demolish the homes of three past prisoners in the Ramallah area: Bajes Nakhleh (Jalazone refugee camp), Mohammad Duheish (Jalazone refugee camp), and Abbas Qur’an (Al-Bireh).
“Israel, who claims itself as a democratic country that respects the rule of law, is violating every principle of the rule of law by demolishing the houses of people without any single proof that they are responsible for this incident,” said Barghouti.
The Israeli army shot and killed a 16-year-old boy during clashes in the Jenin refugee camp early Tuesday morning. “Yousef Abu Zagha was killed for no reason – in cold blood,” Barghouti said. “We have confirmed this. It is absolutely not true that he tried to attack the army. He presented no threat whatsoever.”
The most important issue that has arisen since the bodies of the three Israeli teens were found two days ago is the overwhelming rise in extremist settler attacks against Palestinians, according to Barghouti. “We have had reports over the last 24 hours of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian citizens all over the West Bank and Jerusalem, particularly in the Jerusalem, Nablus and Hebron areas,” said Barghouti.
Over the last 12 hours, there have been two instances of kidnapping carried out by Israelis against Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Two Israeli settlers reportedly attempted to force Mousa Rami Zalloum, 10, into a car in the Beit Hanina neighborhood of Jerusalem Tuesday morning. The boy was prevented from being pulled into the car after his mother and local residents grabbed him from the two assailants.
Overnight on Tuesday, however, reports rolled in that a Palestinian teen had been forced into a car by Israelis in the Shu’fat area of East Jerusalem. Residents said that cameras in the area confirm that three Israeli men forced Mohammad Hussein Abu Khdeir, 16, into a Hyundai in front of the boy’s home before speeding off. His burnt body was found by Israeli police in West Jerusalem early Tuesday morning.
The boy’s murder sparked clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli security forces throughout the eastern half of the city. Police responded with rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades.
Tensions have peaked in Jerusalem since the three Israeli teens were buried Tuesday evening. Shortly after the funeral, hundreds of right-wing Israelis poured through the streets, chanting “death to Arabs.”
Barghouti appealed to the international community for help. “There is currently no system in place to protect us. We urge members of the international community to step in and protect the Palestinian people.”
The Hebron Defense Committee has also issued an urgent appeal to the international community.
“This is collective punishment. These are acts of revenge. The Israeli military is behaving like a gang, and it is allowing illegal settlers to conduct a war of terror against Palestinians,” say Barghouti.
After the killing of three Israeli teens in the West Bank, Israel began conducting a massive campaign of collective punishment across the occupied Palestinian territory, Barghouti said. This campaign includes the spreading and tightening of Israel’s system of checkpoints throughout the territories, preventing Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem (and canceling all permits to do so), and preventing medical personnel from reaching their work in Jerusalem hospitals.
Additionally, according to Barghouti, permits for prayer have been canceled and UNRWA workers from the West Bank have been barred from reaching their headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Secondly, Israeli forces have begun to demolish the homes of people they have labeled guilty, despite the fact that they have not demonstrated any physical proof of their guilt or allowed them any judicial process, argued Barghouti. The Israeli army has, thus far, destroyed three Palestinian homes in the last two days. All three are in the Hebron area.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s security service, has named Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, both residents of Hebron, as the primary suspects in the abduction and killing of the teens. Both men have spent time in Israeli prisons and have reportedly disappeared since the night the teens went missing. Israeli forces detonated explosive charges in both of their homes shortly after the teens’ bodies were found Monday evening.
Overnight on Tuesday, Israeli forced destroyed the home of Ziad Awad, one of two Palestinians charged with the murder of off-duty Israeli police officer Baruch Mizrahi in April of this year. Awad had recently been released as part of the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap in 2011.
According to Barghouti, Israeli authorities have recently given additional orders to demolish the homes of three past prisoners in the Ramallah area: Bajes Nakhleh (Jalazone refugee camp), Mohammad Duheish (Jalazone refugee camp), and Abbas Qur’an (Al-Bireh).
“Israel, who claims itself as a democratic country that respects the rule of law, is violating every principle of the rule of law by demolishing the houses of people without any single proof that they are responsible for this incident,” said Barghouti.
The Israeli army shot and killed a 16-year-old boy during clashes in the Jenin refugee camp early Tuesday morning. “Yousef Abu Zagha was killed for no reason – in cold blood,” Barghouti said. “We have confirmed this. It is absolutely not true that he tried to attack the army. He presented no threat whatsoever.”
The most important issue that has arisen since the bodies of the three Israeli teens were found two days ago is the overwhelming rise in extremist settler attacks against Palestinians, according to Barghouti. “We have had reports over the last 24 hours of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian citizens all over the West Bank and Jerusalem, particularly in the Jerusalem, Nablus and Hebron areas,” said Barghouti.
Over the last 12 hours, there have been two instances of kidnapping carried out by Israelis against Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Two Israeli settlers reportedly attempted to force Mousa Rami Zalloum, 10, into a car in the Beit Hanina neighborhood of Jerusalem Tuesday morning. The boy was prevented from being pulled into the car after his mother and local residents grabbed him from the two assailants.
Overnight on Tuesday, however, reports rolled in that a Palestinian teen had been forced into a car by Israelis in the Shu’fat area of East Jerusalem. Residents said that cameras in the area confirm that three Israeli men forced Mohammad Hussein Abu Khdeir, 16, into a Hyundai in front of the boy’s home before speeding off. His burnt body was found by Israeli police in West Jerusalem early Tuesday morning.
The boy’s murder sparked clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli security forces throughout the eastern half of the city. Police responded with rubber-coated steel bullets and stun grenades.
Tensions have peaked in Jerusalem since the three Israeli teens were buried Tuesday evening. Shortly after the funeral, hundreds of right-wing Israelis poured through the streets, chanting “death to Arabs.”
Barghouti appealed to the international community for help. “There is currently no system in place to protect us. We urge members of the international community to step in and protect the Palestinian people.”
The Hebron Defense Committee has also issued an urgent appeal to the international community.
Eleven Palestinians were injured late Thursday during clashes with Israeli forces in Qalandiya refugee camp and the town of al-Ram, locals said.
Five youths were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets and live fire after locals clashed with Israeli forces who had deployed overnight to prepare for expected clashes on the first Friday of Ramadan.
Six people were injured in the nearby town of al-Ram as Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets at youths.
Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli forces, eventually forcing them to retreat from the town.
Dozens Injured In Qalandia and Al-Ram
Palestinian medical sources reported that eleven Palestinians have been injured by rounds of live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets, while dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading the al-Ram town, and Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem.
The sources said five Palestinians were shot by rounds of live ammunition, and rubber-coated metal bullets in clashes that took place close to the Qalandia terminal.
Local youths hurled stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, especially as hundreds of additional soldiers have been deployed in different parts of occupied Jerusalem, as the Muslims prepare to mark the first Friday of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades, at Palestinian demonstrators, and Palestinian cars driving on the main Ramallah-Jerusalem road, just before the Qalandia terminal and roadblock.
Clashes have also been reported near the northern entrance of the al-Ram nearby town, before dozens of soldiers invaded it.
Five Palestinians were injured during ensuing clashes, and the soldiers had to retreat from the town by dozens of Palestinian protesters.
Clashes have been ongoing in occupied Jerusalem, especially in Shu’fat and carious Palestinian areas after a number of fanatic Israelis abducted and murder a Palestinian child, in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Five youths were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets and live fire after locals clashed with Israeli forces who had deployed overnight to prepare for expected clashes on the first Friday of Ramadan.
Six people were injured in the nearby town of al-Ram as Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets at youths.
Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli forces, eventually forcing them to retreat from the town.
Dozens Injured In Qalandia and Al-Ram
Palestinian medical sources reported that eleven Palestinians have been injured by rounds of live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets, while dozens suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, during clashes with Israeli soldiers invading the al-Ram town, and Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem.
The sources said five Palestinians were shot by rounds of live ammunition, and rubber-coated metal bullets in clashes that took place close to the Qalandia terminal.
Local youths hurled stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, especially as hundreds of additional soldiers have been deployed in different parts of occupied Jerusalem, as the Muslims prepare to mark the first Friday of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The soldiers fired live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades, at Palestinian demonstrators, and Palestinian cars driving on the main Ramallah-Jerusalem road, just before the Qalandia terminal and roadblock.
Clashes have also been reported near the northern entrance of the al-Ram nearby town, before dozens of soldiers invaded it.
Five Palestinians were injured during ensuing clashes, and the soldiers had to retreat from the town by dozens of Palestinian protesters.
Clashes have been ongoing in occupied Jerusalem, especially in Shu’fat and carious Palestinian areas after a number of fanatic Israelis abducted and murder a Palestinian child, in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Israeli SWAT police members secure a street during clashes with Palestinian protesters in the Shufat neighborhood in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, on July 3, 2014
Israel warned Hamas Thursday against any escalation in violence, reinforcing its Gaza border amid heightened tensions after the murder of a Palestinian teenager.
"We are looking for calm, not escalation, but if Hamas chooses to act against us, we shall be ready," armed forces chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said in remarks tweeted by the army.
Two rockets were fired early Friday from Gaza, Israeli media reported, both landing in an open area near Sderot. There were no reports of airstrikes overnight.
Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades warned Israel to wind down its Gaza airstrikes and widespread West Bank arrests -- mainly of Hamas members.
"What the enemy is doing in the West Bank and Gaza... adds fuel to the fire of confrontation," spokesman Abu Obeida told reporters.
"Idiotic measures by your leaders will be enough for us to turn your localities and sites... into embers."
The war of words came as Palestinians in East Jerusalem protested for the second day against the abduction and murder of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir.
The family lawyer told AFP the boy's body had been burnt "beyond recognition".
After an autopsy Abu Khdeir will be buried following traditional Friday prayers, the first of Islam's holy month of Ramadan.
'You will pay'
Hamas said it held Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government directly responsible for Abu Khdeir's killing.
"You will pay the price for your crimes," it said.
As tensions rose, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said "we are moving and we have moved forces in order to serve defense activities and forward preparation, but we have no interest in escalation".
The reinforcements were reserve officers at "headquarter level, not in the field", Lerner said, and were purely defensive.
However, an AFP photographer saw tanks arriving at a kibbutz near the Gaza border.
"We are prepared for two possibilities in the south," army radio quoted Netanyahu as telling a July 4 reception at the US ambassador’s residence.
"That the fire at our communities will stop and our activities will also stop, or that the fire at our residents of the south will continue and then the reinforced troops which are in place will act forcefully."
Israeli warplanes pounded targets inside Gaza on Thursday and militants fired 34 rockets into Israel, the army said.
It said another two were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system and four more failed to clear the border.
Netanyahu denounced Abu Khdeir's killing as "despicable" and urged both sides "not to take the law into their own hands".
Four Israeli soldiers who allegedly used social media to call for revenge and to "annihilate terrorists" have been jailed for 10 days.
Outgoing Israeli President Shimon Peres in a statement called for restraint.
"People who are engaged in incitement are not always aware where it can lead, to more sorrow, to more dangers," he said.
Witnesses saw 'abduction'
Witnesses told AFP they saw Abu Khdeir being forced into a black Honda Civic by "two Israelis" with a third in the driving seat. It then drove off at high speed, evading two cars which tried to follow.
The killing drew condemnation from around the world, including from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the abduction and murder of civilians "must stop now".
A rally in central Tel Aviv called by leftist Israeli groups to protest against violence and counter calls for revenge had a poor turnout, with witnesses estimating the crowd at no more than 2,000.
Police said "hundreds" attended a similar event outside Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem.
Tensions have soared since June 12 when the three Israelis disappeared in the West Bank, triggering a vast search and arrest operation which saw over 600 Palestinians detained and at least six killed.
Israel warned Hamas Thursday against any escalation in violence, reinforcing its Gaza border amid heightened tensions after the murder of a Palestinian teenager.
"We are looking for calm, not escalation, but if Hamas chooses to act against us, we shall be ready," armed forces chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said in remarks tweeted by the army.
Two rockets were fired early Friday from Gaza, Israeli media reported, both landing in an open area near Sderot. There were no reports of airstrikes overnight.
Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades warned Israel to wind down its Gaza airstrikes and widespread West Bank arrests -- mainly of Hamas members.
"What the enemy is doing in the West Bank and Gaza... adds fuel to the fire of confrontation," spokesman Abu Obeida told reporters.
"Idiotic measures by your leaders will be enough for us to turn your localities and sites... into embers."
The war of words came as Palestinians in East Jerusalem protested for the second day against the abduction and murder of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir.
The family lawyer told AFP the boy's body had been burnt "beyond recognition".
After an autopsy Abu Khdeir will be buried following traditional Friday prayers, the first of Islam's holy month of Ramadan.
'You will pay'
Hamas said it held Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government directly responsible for Abu Khdeir's killing.
"You will pay the price for your crimes," it said.
As tensions rose, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said "we are moving and we have moved forces in order to serve defense activities and forward preparation, but we have no interest in escalation".
The reinforcements were reserve officers at "headquarter level, not in the field", Lerner said, and were purely defensive.
However, an AFP photographer saw tanks arriving at a kibbutz near the Gaza border.
"We are prepared for two possibilities in the south," army radio quoted Netanyahu as telling a July 4 reception at the US ambassador’s residence.
"That the fire at our communities will stop and our activities will also stop, or that the fire at our residents of the south will continue and then the reinforced troops which are in place will act forcefully."
Israeli warplanes pounded targets inside Gaza on Thursday and militants fired 34 rockets into Israel, the army said.
It said another two were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system and four more failed to clear the border.
Netanyahu denounced Abu Khdeir's killing as "despicable" and urged both sides "not to take the law into their own hands".
Four Israeli soldiers who allegedly used social media to call for revenge and to "annihilate terrorists" have been jailed for 10 days.
Outgoing Israeli President Shimon Peres in a statement called for restraint.
"People who are engaged in incitement are not always aware where it can lead, to more sorrow, to more dangers," he said.
Witnesses saw 'abduction'
Witnesses told AFP they saw Abu Khdeir being forced into a black Honda Civic by "two Israelis" with a third in the driving seat. It then drove off at high speed, evading two cars which tried to follow.
The killing drew condemnation from around the world, including from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the abduction and murder of civilians "must stop now".
A rally in central Tel Aviv called by leftist Israeli groups to protest against violence and counter calls for revenge had a poor turnout, with witnesses estimating the crowd at no more than 2,000.
Police said "hundreds" attended a similar event outside Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem.
Tensions have soared since June 12 when the three Israelis disappeared in the West Bank, triggering a vast search and arrest operation which saw over 600 Palestinians detained and at least six killed.
Israeli tanks fired on Friday morning two artillery shells east of Rafah area in the south of the Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian resistance responded by firing four mortar shells at Karem Abu Salem military site.
The state of calm that was prevailed during the past few hours in Gaza Strip was broken after firing two artillery shells on Gaza International Airport, local sources told the PIC reporter. No injuries or material damages were reported.
In turn, Palestinian resistance have targeted Karem Abu Salem military site with four mortar shells.
A state of anticipation has been prevailed since the early morning hours in Gaza Strip after several air raids carried out last night. 35 rockets were also fired towards Israeli settlements.
Unconfirmed sources said that efforts led by Arab parties have been made to reach ceasefire without official confirmation from Hamas. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids overnight in different parts of the Gaza Strip, security sources told the PIC reporter.
For its part, the Palestinian resistance fired last night more than 30 rockets and five mortar shells toward Israeli settlements and different targets.
The state of calm that was prevailed during the past few hours in Gaza Strip was broken after firing two artillery shells on Gaza International Airport, local sources told the PIC reporter. No injuries or material damages were reported.
In turn, Palestinian resistance have targeted Karem Abu Salem military site with four mortar shells.
A state of anticipation has been prevailed since the early morning hours in Gaza Strip after several air raids carried out last night. 35 rockets were also fired towards Israeli settlements.
Unconfirmed sources said that efforts led by Arab parties have been made to reach ceasefire without official confirmation from Hamas. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids overnight in different parts of the Gaza Strip, security sources told the PIC reporter.
For its part, the Palestinian resistance fired last night more than 30 rockets and five mortar shells toward Israeli settlements and different targets.