23 june 2014
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The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers have kidnapped 529 Palestinians, during daily invasions and assaults, since three Israeli settlers went missing ten days ago.
The PPS said that the army, in extensive invasions targeting hundreds of Palestinian homes, has kidnapped at least 61 Palestinians, Monday.
As part of the ongoing military invasions, the PPS stated that 179 Palestinians have been kidnapped in the Hebron district, 87 in Nablus, 75 in Bethlehem, 52 in Jenin, 49 in Ramallah, 36 in Jerusalem, 23 in Tulkarem, 13 in Qalqilia, 7 in Tubas, 7 in Salfit, and one in Jericho.
The PPS said that the army, in extensive invasions targeting hundreds of Palestinian homes, has kidnapped at least 61 Palestinians, Monday.
As part of the ongoing military invasions, the PPS stated that 179 Palestinians have been kidnapped in the Hebron district, 87 in Nablus, 75 in Bethlehem, 52 in Jenin, 49 in Ramallah, 36 in Jerusalem, 23 in Tulkarem, 13 in Qalqilia, 7 in Tubas, 7 in Salfit, and one in Jericho.
IDF soldiers search two cars at a flying checkpoint near the intersection the three Israeli settlers went missing on June 12th
As the search for the three missing teenage settlers intensifies, the city of Hebron continues to experience complete lockdown. Checkpoints are set up across the district, barring any residents from leaving Hebron. These checkpoints are additional to the previous ones that have been in place for years. Generally checkpoints aren’t found in Area A (the 18% of the occupied West Bank that the Palestinian Authority has control over) but since the search for the three missing settlers has launched, checkpoints have been set up at the entrances to Area A in Hebron and other districts, as well as flying (temporary roadblock) checkpoints within Area A roads in the middle of Palestinian cities and towns.
As the search for the three missing teenage settlers intensifies, the city of Hebron continues to experience complete lockdown. Checkpoints are set up across the district, barring any residents from leaving Hebron. These checkpoints are additional to the previous ones that have been in place for years. Generally checkpoints aren’t found in Area A (the 18% of the occupied West Bank that the Palestinian Authority has control over) but since the search for the three missing settlers has launched, checkpoints have been set up at the entrances to Area A in Hebron and other districts, as well as flying (temporary roadblock) checkpoints within Area A roads in the middle of Palestinian cities and towns.
IDF soldier talks on her phone while cars wait to exit Hebron at a new Area A entrance checkpoint.
Protests against the siege of the city have become frequent, and injuries and arrests are common. Hebron was the first city and district to feel the force of the army’s crackdown ten days ago, however other population areas throughout the occupied West Bank are now beginning to experience similar tactics. Currently over 350 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank and five Palestinians have been shot dead.
Normal life in Hebron, which due to military occupation and the placement of an illegal Israeli settlement within the city center, has always been difficult, but this week life has become even more grim and problematic.
Protests against the siege of the city have become frequent, and injuries and arrests are common. Hebron was the first city and district to feel the force of the army’s crackdown ten days ago, however other population areas throughout the occupied West Bank are now beginning to experience similar tactics. Currently over 350 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank and five Palestinians have been shot dead.
Normal life in Hebron, which due to military occupation and the placement of an illegal Israeli settlement within the city center, has always been difficult, but this week life has become even more grim and problematic.
A woman walks by a burning tire in the city center, trying to avoid the clashes
On Friday, Hebron’s city center erupted in clashes between the shabaab (young men), and Israeli Defense Force (IDF). While protests and clashes with the IDF are common in the West Bank, they usually occur in the small villages outlying larger cities, and seldom happen in the center of Palestinian cities. However now with soldiers frequently making trips into Hebron city center along with the thousands of soldiers being deployed throughout the whole district, the atmosphere is tense. Friday’s clash in the center of Hebron lasted for over four hours; a ten-year-old boy was arrested, along with a young man, while soldiers opened live fire on protestors.
On Friday, Hebron’s city center erupted in clashes between the shabaab (young men), and Israeli Defense Force (IDF). While protests and clashes with the IDF are common in the West Bank, they usually occur in the small villages outlying larger cities, and seldom happen in the center of Palestinian cities. However now with soldiers frequently making trips into Hebron city center along with the thousands of soldiers being deployed throughout the whole district, the atmosphere is tense. Friday’s clash in the center of Hebron lasted for over four hours; a ten-year-old boy was arrested, along with a young man, while soldiers opened live fire on protestors.
Young man shot in the ankle with live fire during clashes in Hebron city center.
Now raids on houses have become commonplace. In the village of al-Dura a few kilometers from Hebron, a 14 year-old-boy was killed by live ammunition to the chest during one of these night raids. With every day bringing uncertainty around Israel’s next move, it appears the only constant is knowing that the arrests, night raids, and the crackdown will most likely continue.
“The soldiers are now everywhere” Mohammed Rabah, who lives in Halhul in the Hebron district, said. “Last night they were occupying and sleeping in the masjid [mosque] and using it as a base. Every day they are throwing so much gas, raiding people’s homes and arresting people. Yesterday they broke into my cousin’s house and pointed their guns at her and her two year old daughter. I think this is not right, this not looking for the missing settlers, it is just trying to punish us.”
Now raids on houses have become commonplace. In the village of al-Dura a few kilometers from Hebron, a 14 year-old-boy was killed by live ammunition to the chest during one of these night raids. With every day bringing uncertainty around Israel’s next move, it appears the only constant is knowing that the arrests, night raids, and the crackdown will most likely continue.
“The soldiers are now everywhere” Mohammed Rabah, who lives in Halhul in the Hebron district, said. “Last night they were occupying and sleeping in the masjid [mosque] and using it as a base. Every day they are throwing so much gas, raiding people’s homes and arresting people. Yesterday they broke into my cousin’s house and pointed their guns at her and her two year old daughter. I think this is not right, this not looking for the missing settlers, it is just trying to punish us.”
By Nasser Lahham
Nasser Lahham is the editor-in-chief of Ma'an News Agency.
Several major news outlets have in the last week repeated numerous times what the Israeli government has announced as goals of the ongoing military operation across the West Bank.
The Israelis claim that the major operation is meant to achieve three goals: finding the abductees and abductors, weakening Hamas, and thwarting the Palestinian national consensus government.
I do not believe these announced Israeli goals, but instead think that the Netanyahu government has taken advantage of the disappearance of three teenage settlers in still-unclear circumstances to implement a major political, military, and media campaign whose targets cannot clearly be understood now.
However, based on what the Israeli forces have done so far in the West Bank, we can deduce a number of clear, but as-of-yet unannounced, goals behind the ongoing crackdown.
One important goal is to weaken the Palestinian Authority so as to ensure that a Palestinian state cannot emerge. Israel will not, however, allow a full collapse of the PA -- because Israel still needs it for more services.
Israel is also seeking to instigate a major crisis in order to use it as a pretext to open a channel for contact with Egypt and its newly elected president Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi. The leader pointedly did not invite any Israeli official to his elaborate inauguration ceremony, and Israeli officials hope to re-affirm their somewhat unclear friendship with Egypt.
The Israeli government has used the kidnapping as an excuse to redeploy troops along the Jordan River as well, citing security reasons and preemptive procedures to prevent the transfer of the three abductees to Jordan, as well as to protect the borders against possible infiltration of fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Furthermore, the kidnapping of three settlers has served as a good tool for Israel to use against the growing international boycott and divestment campaign against settlement products. It is an appropriate occasion to draw the world's attention and sympathy to the settlers by showing them as victims, despite the fact that they live on stolen Palestinian lands.
Another clear goal of the ongoing Israeli military operation has been to affect the perceptions of the new generation of Palestinians who have grown up in the decade since the end of the major military operations of the Second Intifada, and to foil UN recognition of Palestinian statehood. In other words, each Palestinian child knows now that it is Israel who controls the West Bank refugee camps, and not the PA security forces.
Weakening Hamas in the West Bank and keeping Hamas' control in Gaza is another goal of the Israeli campaign, which also seeks to maintain Fatah control in the West Bank. These dual moves, which the unity government had potentially unsettled, work to prolong a status quo that works for Israel.
The campaign is also providing Israel a cover to continue the crippling siege imposed on the Gaza Strip in order to prevent any stability, quiet, construction, and future planning.
Finally, the campaign shows that Israel wants to isolate the West Bank cities from each other in order to maintain the decentralization and isolation of Palestinians and to justify direct contact between the Israeli Civil Administration and individual Palestinian municipal councils under the pretext of offering services to residents.
These goals, as of yet not announced explicitly by Israeli forces, are being fulfilled on the ground as we speak.
Nasser Lahham is the editor-in-chief of Ma'an News Agency.
Several major news outlets have in the last week repeated numerous times what the Israeli government has announced as goals of the ongoing military operation across the West Bank.
The Israelis claim that the major operation is meant to achieve three goals: finding the abductees and abductors, weakening Hamas, and thwarting the Palestinian national consensus government.
I do not believe these announced Israeli goals, but instead think that the Netanyahu government has taken advantage of the disappearance of three teenage settlers in still-unclear circumstances to implement a major political, military, and media campaign whose targets cannot clearly be understood now.
However, based on what the Israeli forces have done so far in the West Bank, we can deduce a number of clear, but as-of-yet unannounced, goals behind the ongoing crackdown.
One important goal is to weaken the Palestinian Authority so as to ensure that a Palestinian state cannot emerge. Israel will not, however, allow a full collapse of the PA -- because Israel still needs it for more services.
Israel is also seeking to instigate a major crisis in order to use it as a pretext to open a channel for contact with Egypt and its newly elected president Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi. The leader pointedly did not invite any Israeli official to his elaborate inauguration ceremony, and Israeli officials hope to re-affirm their somewhat unclear friendship with Egypt.
The Israeli government has used the kidnapping as an excuse to redeploy troops along the Jordan River as well, citing security reasons and preemptive procedures to prevent the transfer of the three abductees to Jordan, as well as to protect the borders against possible infiltration of fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Furthermore, the kidnapping of three settlers has served as a good tool for Israel to use against the growing international boycott and divestment campaign against settlement products. It is an appropriate occasion to draw the world's attention and sympathy to the settlers by showing them as victims, despite the fact that they live on stolen Palestinian lands.
Another clear goal of the ongoing Israeli military operation has been to affect the perceptions of the new generation of Palestinians who have grown up in the decade since the end of the major military operations of the Second Intifada, and to foil UN recognition of Palestinian statehood. In other words, each Palestinian child knows now that it is Israel who controls the West Bank refugee camps, and not the PA security forces.
Weakening Hamas in the West Bank and keeping Hamas' control in Gaza is another goal of the Israeli campaign, which also seeks to maintain Fatah control in the West Bank. These dual moves, which the unity government had potentially unsettled, work to prolong a status quo that works for Israel.
The campaign is also providing Israel a cover to continue the crippling siege imposed on the Gaza Strip in order to prevent any stability, quiet, construction, and future planning.
Finally, the campaign shows that Israel wants to isolate the West Bank cities from each other in order to maintain the decentralization and isolation of Palestinians and to justify direct contact between the Israeli Civil Administration and individual Palestinian municipal councils under the pretext of offering services to residents.
These goals, as of yet not announced explicitly by Israeli forces, are being fulfilled on the ground as we speak.
Israeli forces entered the town of Qarawat in the central West Bank early Monday and searched several houses, locals told Ma'an.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the houses of Said Assi, Azzam Miri, Alaa Assi, Hajj Tawfiq, Muhib Miri, Abu al-Hareth Assi, Harb Rayan, Hajj Abd al-Aziz Assi, Azzam Miri, Abu Ayman Miri, and Abu Aziz Miri.
Soldiers damaged possessions and stole money in some of the houses, locals said.
The raids come amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign to find three missing Israeli teenagers.
Israeli forces have killed five Palestinians while conducting arrest operations, including two men shot dead on Sunday.
Israel accuses Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers from Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem, but the Islamist movement denies involvement.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the houses of Said Assi, Azzam Miri, Alaa Assi, Hajj Tawfiq, Muhib Miri, Abu al-Hareth Assi, Harb Rayan, Hajj Abd al-Aziz Assi, Azzam Miri, Abu Ayman Miri, and Abu Aziz Miri.
Soldiers damaged possessions and stole money in some of the houses, locals said.
The raids come amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign to find three missing Israeli teenagers.
Israeli forces have killed five Palestinians while conducting arrest operations, including two men shot dead on Sunday.
Israel accuses Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers from Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem, but the Islamist movement denies involvement.
Israeli military vehicles entered a neighborhood in eastern Gaza City on Monday, witnesses told Ma'an.
Locals said soldiers in the vehicles scanned land belonging to residents in the al-Shajaiya neighborhood and "fired shots," without causing injuries.
An Israeli army spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Locals said soldiers in the vehicles scanned land belonging to residents in the al-Shajaiya neighborhood and "fired shots," without causing injuries.
An Israeli army spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
By Khalid Amayreh in Dura
As the latest Israeli rampage of murder and terror in the West Bank continues unabated, hopes for locating three young Jewish settlers Israel says were kidnapped by suspected Hamas militants are steadily vanishing.
Tens of thousands of Israeli troops are taking part in one of the largest operations in Israel's history. So, far troops have thoroughly searched more than a thousand Palestinian homes in the Hebron region alone, but to no avail.
Soldiers have also been searching wells, abandoned caves and other possible hideouts in the large Hebron district.
In many cases, troops blast their way into Palestinian homes, using explosives. The aggressive and unnecessary measure, which often takes place in the quiet hours before dawn, is obviously intended to terrorize Palestinian civilians and inflict on them maximum emotional pain and material losses.
Few instances of beating have been reported. However, there have been numerous reports of vandalism and sabotage of public and private property.
There have also been widespread reports of theft by the troops, including stealing Jewelry, money and other valuable items. An Israeli army spokesman admitted that "tens of thousands of Shekels were confiscated" from Palestinians suspected of being sympathetic with Hamas.
Neither Hamas nor any other Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the presumed kidnapping.
Despite the ferocity of the Israeli campaign, there are signs that the Palestinians are caving in under pressure.
Indeed, many Palestinians, especially in the Hebron region, are showing definitive signs of defiance, often invoking the adage: whatever falls from the sky will hit the ground.
Cold–blooded murder
While Israel is making a huge outcry about "Jewish children kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists," Israel soldiers have murdered at least six Palestinians.
The victims include a 13-year old child from the town of Dura, south west of Hebron.
According to several eye-witnesses Muhammed Jehad Dudin was gunned down Friday morning, while standing outside his home, watching soldiers raid his neighborhood.
"He was just standing with other kids. He threw no stones, he did nothing to provoke the heavily-armed soldiers," said Ahmed Raba'i who said he witnessed the incident.
"I think the soldiers were out to spill Palestinian blood by hook or by crook in order to vent their frustration and satiate their thirst for blood. I know that my words may not bode well with the western media, but this is the truth. Otherwise what could justify the murder of an innocent child?"
The Child's uncle Shaher described the killers as "animals walking on two legs."
"Ok, even if he threw a stone toward the soldiers, would that stone have put a soldier's life to danger? Has humanity's conscience died? Muhammad's blood cries out for justice."
Interestingly, the murderous killing of Dudin was mentioned rather tersely by the Israeli media, which Palestinians say underscores the shocking apathy of the Israeli public toward Palestinian lives.
In the course of the past few years, Israel has killed more than 400 Palestinian children, mostly in the Gaza Strip.
In most cases, the murderous killings were carried out knowingly and deliberately.
Some Talmudic circles in Israel teach that the lives of non-Jews have absolutely no sanctity. Many Israeli soldiers, especially those graduating from religious schools or Yeshivot, are indoctrinated in this brashly racist ideology which views non-Jews as quasi-human beings or animals in a human shape.
Elsewhere in the West Bank, trigger-happy Israeli troops killed Mahmoud Atallah when Palestinian youngsters hurled stones on Israeli troops who raided Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Authority, Saturday night.
And in Nablus, another youth named Ahmed Khaled was murdered in several circumstances.
Israeli troops on Sunday stormed Ramallah anew as PA security personnel looked on.
Abbas losing popularity
Meanwhile, it seems that the latest events in the West Bank have dealt a strong blow to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's popularity amongst Palestinians.
Last week, Abbas referred to the missing three Israeli settlers as "three innocent children." He made no mention of Palestinian victims of Israel's criminal colonialism and apartheid, including thousands of Palestinian political and resistance prisoners, many of them languishing in Israeli jails and detention camps without charge or trial.
The remarks have drawn angry reactions from many ordinary Palestinians, who called Abbas "a traitor par excellence,"
Abbas called security cooperation with Israel a "paramount Palestinian interest."
However, one Palestinian journalist referred to Abbas's remarks as" amounting to committing adultery with truth and with Palestinian national honor."
"What national interest is served by murdering our children in old-blood such as what happened in Dura yesterday?
"What national interest is served by rounding up hundreds of innocent people who have done nothing wrong?
"What national interest is served by raiding and vandalizing our homes, businesses, institutions and orphanages?
"Do Abbas's relentless efforts to obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Israelis have no end?"
It is widely believed that Abbas's sagging popularity is met with the an ostensibly rising popularity of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic liberation movement Israel has been trying to demonize.
A Hamas activist from Dura told this writer that the latest Israeli crackdown on the Islamist group has been a "bless in disguise."
"We achieved in one week what we have not been able to achieve in seven years."
It is hard to verify the veracity of these claims. However, from the latest Palestinian public reactions, it seems that most Palestinians are willing to give Hamas the benefit of the doubt, at least for the time being.
And this is happening at Israel's and Abbas's expense.
As the latest Israeli rampage of murder and terror in the West Bank continues unabated, hopes for locating three young Jewish settlers Israel says were kidnapped by suspected Hamas militants are steadily vanishing.
Tens of thousands of Israeli troops are taking part in one of the largest operations in Israel's history. So, far troops have thoroughly searched more than a thousand Palestinian homes in the Hebron region alone, but to no avail.
Soldiers have also been searching wells, abandoned caves and other possible hideouts in the large Hebron district.
In many cases, troops blast their way into Palestinian homes, using explosives. The aggressive and unnecessary measure, which often takes place in the quiet hours before dawn, is obviously intended to terrorize Palestinian civilians and inflict on them maximum emotional pain and material losses.
Few instances of beating have been reported. However, there have been numerous reports of vandalism and sabotage of public and private property.
There have also been widespread reports of theft by the troops, including stealing Jewelry, money and other valuable items. An Israeli army spokesman admitted that "tens of thousands of Shekels were confiscated" from Palestinians suspected of being sympathetic with Hamas.
Neither Hamas nor any other Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the presumed kidnapping.
Despite the ferocity of the Israeli campaign, there are signs that the Palestinians are caving in under pressure.
Indeed, many Palestinians, especially in the Hebron region, are showing definitive signs of defiance, often invoking the adage: whatever falls from the sky will hit the ground.
Cold–blooded murder
While Israel is making a huge outcry about "Jewish children kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists," Israel soldiers have murdered at least six Palestinians.
The victims include a 13-year old child from the town of Dura, south west of Hebron.
According to several eye-witnesses Muhammed Jehad Dudin was gunned down Friday morning, while standing outside his home, watching soldiers raid his neighborhood.
"He was just standing with other kids. He threw no stones, he did nothing to provoke the heavily-armed soldiers," said Ahmed Raba'i who said he witnessed the incident.
"I think the soldiers were out to spill Palestinian blood by hook or by crook in order to vent their frustration and satiate their thirst for blood. I know that my words may not bode well with the western media, but this is the truth. Otherwise what could justify the murder of an innocent child?"
The Child's uncle Shaher described the killers as "animals walking on two legs."
"Ok, even if he threw a stone toward the soldiers, would that stone have put a soldier's life to danger? Has humanity's conscience died? Muhammad's blood cries out for justice."
Interestingly, the murderous killing of Dudin was mentioned rather tersely by the Israeli media, which Palestinians say underscores the shocking apathy of the Israeli public toward Palestinian lives.
In the course of the past few years, Israel has killed more than 400 Palestinian children, mostly in the Gaza Strip.
In most cases, the murderous killings were carried out knowingly and deliberately.
Some Talmudic circles in Israel teach that the lives of non-Jews have absolutely no sanctity. Many Israeli soldiers, especially those graduating from religious schools or Yeshivot, are indoctrinated in this brashly racist ideology which views non-Jews as quasi-human beings or animals in a human shape.
Elsewhere in the West Bank, trigger-happy Israeli troops killed Mahmoud Atallah when Palestinian youngsters hurled stones on Israeli troops who raided Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Authority, Saturday night.
And in Nablus, another youth named Ahmed Khaled was murdered in several circumstances.
Israeli troops on Sunday stormed Ramallah anew as PA security personnel looked on.
Abbas losing popularity
Meanwhile, it seems that the latest events in the West Bank have dealt a strong blow to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's popularity amongst Palestinians.
Last week, Abbas referred to the missing three Israeli settlers as "three innocent children." He made no mention of Palestinian victims of Israel's criminal colonialism and apartheid, including thousands of Palestinian political and resistance prisoners, many of them languishing in Israeli jails and detention camps without charge or trial.
The remarks have drawn angry reactions from many ordinary Palestinians, who called Abbas "a traitor par excellence,"
Abbas called security cooperation with Israel a "paramount Palestinian interest."
However, one Palestinian journalist referred to Abbas's remarks as" amounting to committing adultery with truth and with Palestinian national honor."
"What national interest is served by murdering our children in old-blood such as what happened in Dura yesterday?
"What national interest is served by rounding up hundreds of innocent people who have done nothing wrong?
"What national interest is served by raiding and vandalizing our homes, businesses, institutions and orphanages?
"Do Abbas's relentless efforts to obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Israelis have no end?"
It is widely believed that Abbas's sagging popularity is met with the an ostensibly rising popularity of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic liberation movement Israel has been trying to demonize.
A Hamas activist from Dura told this writer that the latest Israeli crackdown on the Islamist group has been a "bless in disguise."
"We achieved in one week what we have not been able to achieve in seven years."
It is hard to verify the veracity of these claims. However, from the latest Palestinian public reactions, it seems that most Palestinians are willing to give Hamas the benefit of the doubt, at least for the time being.
And this is happening at Israel's and Abbas's expense.
Israeli forces raided East Jerusalem and nearby villages overnight, arresting 18 Palestinians, local officials said Monday.
Popular committee spokesman Muhammad Abu al-Hummus told Ma'an Israeli troops and intelligence officers raided the al-Isawiya neighborhood of Jerusalem and detained five Palestinians.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian was detained in nearby Shufat refugee camp, a local Fatah spokesman said.
Thaer Abed Rabbu told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided Shufat refugee camp and detained Mutee Abu al-Zayid as clashes broke out at the entrance of the camp.
Israeli forces also raided villages east of Jerusalem overnight, arresting 12 Palestinians, a local official said Monday.
Sami Abu Ghaliya, secretary-general of the Jahalin Bedouin, told Ma'an Israeli soldiers raided Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, al-Sawahira, and Arab al-Jahalin overnight.
The forces raided and searched al-Quds University, two mosques, shops, and houses amid clashes with Palestinians, Abu Ghaliya said.
Soldiers fired tear gas, sound bombs, live fire, and rubber-coated steel bullets at locals, he said.
He identified those detained as Hani Abu Halabiya, Ashraf Dweik, Rami Abu Rumi, Ali Abu Ziyad, Jamil Abu Ziyad, Mahdi Qtmeira, Mopussa Faroun, Jamil Abu Hilal, Ahmad Ayyad, Mahmoud Jaffal, Laith Jaffal, and Mahmoud Ireiqat."
An spokesman for the Israeli police did not answer calls seeking comment.
The raids come amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign to find three missing Israeli teenagers.
Israeli forces have killed five Palestinians while conducting arrest operations, including two men shot dead on Sunday.
Israel accuses Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers from Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem, but the Islamist movement denies involvement.
Popular committee spokesman Muhammad Abu al-Hummus told Ma'an Israeli troops and intelligence officers raided the al-Isawiya neighborhood of Jerusalem and detained five Palestinians.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian was detained in nearby Shufat refugee camp, a local Fatah spokesman said.
Thaer Abed Rabbu told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided Shufat refugee camp and detained Mutee Abu al-Zayid as clashes broke out at the entrance of the camp.
Israeli forces also raided villages east of Jerusalem overnight, arresting 12 Palestinians, a local official said Monday.
Sami Abu Ghaliya, secretary-general of the Jahalin Bedouin, told Ma'an Israeli soldiers raided Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, al-Sawahira, and Arab al-Jahalin overnight.
The forces raided and searched al-Quds University, two mosques, shops, and houses amid clashes with Palestinians, Abu Ghaliya said.
Soldiers fired tear gas, sound bombs, live fire, and rubber-coated steel bullets at locals, he said.
He identified those detained as Hani Abu Halabiya, Ashraf Dweik, Rami Abu Rumi, Ali Abu Ziyad, Jamil Abu Ziyad, Mahdi Qtmeira, Mopussa Faroun, Jamil Abu Hilal, Ahmad Ayyad, Mahmoud Jaffal, Laith Jaffal, and Mahmoud Ireiqat."
An spokesman for the Israeli police did not answer calls seeking comment.
The raids come amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign to find three missing Israeli teenagers.
Israeli forces have killed five Palestinians while conducting arrest operations, including two men shot dead on Sunday.
Israel accuses Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers from Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem, but the Islamist movement denies involvement.
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At least 10 Syrian soldiers were killed in Israeli overnight air raids on positions near the Israeli-held Golan Heights, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on Monday.
"At least 10 Syrian soldiers were killed in Israeli raids against military positions next to the occupied part of the Golan. Nine missiles were fired by aircraft and at least two tanks and two artillery batteries were destroyed," the Observatory said. The teenage son of a defense ministry contractor was killed on the Golan on Sunday when a blast hit the car he was traveling in with his father. The victim was named as Mohammed Qaraqra, a Palestinian citizen of |
Israel from the northern village of Arabeh in the Galilee region, military radio said.
A number of Israeli bulldozers have penetrated, Monday at dawn, into Palestinian lands near Nahil Ouz east of al-Shija’ya neighborhood, eastern Gaza city. The bulldozers razed several Palestinian farmlands in the area, according to eyewitnesses.
They added that the Israeli warplanes were flying at law levels during the operation.
Despite the withdrawing of the Israeli settlers and military forces from Gaza in 2005, Israel maintains complete control over the Gaza Strip's airspace, territorial waters, and most land crossings.
Israel tightened a blockade on the Gaza Strip in 2007 following Hamas' election victory.
They added that the Israeli warplanes were flying at law levels during the operation.
Despite the withdrawing of the Israeli settlers and military forces from Gaza in 2005, Israel maintains complete control over the Gaza Strip's airspace, territorial waters, and most land crossings.
Israel tightened a blockade on the Gaza Strip in 2007 following Hamas' election victory.
Former IDF Chief Rabbi Avihai Ronsky believes that Israel must hit Palestinians hard - collectively - in order to free the kidnapped teens.
Former IDF Chief Rabbi Avihai Ronsky believes that there is only one way Israel can find and free kidnapped teens Eyal Yifrah (19), Naftali Frenkel (16), and Gilad Sha'ar (16) – by punishing all Palestinians in the area where searches are taking place, collectively.
Writing on his Facebook page, Rabbi Ronsky said that even though the IDF was conducting mass arrests against Hamas terrorists, and had imposed a closure on Hevron, there was still much more to be done. “The steps already taken are very basic,” he said. “We must cause an earthquake, at least within Hamas.
“We see examples of the proper attitude in the Tanach (Hebrew Bible),” he said, “as well as in modern days.” The Bible (in Genesis 34) tells of how a local warlord in Shechem raped his daughter Dinah, and then asked for her hand in marriage. His sons Shimon and Levi refused to allow this, and massacred the residents of the city, who had not directly participated in he rape.
“When Jacob confronted them and expressed his fears that now he would be a target of the other warlords, Shimon and Levi asked 'are you satisfied to allow our sister to turned into a prostitute?' In other words, if we remain quiet and do not react, our security situation will become worse, not better,” Rabbi Ronsky wrote.
“Only with a sharp blow will we make it clear that Jewish blood is not cheap,” he wrote. “The same goes today: Only by dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which caused millions of deaths, did the US bring an end to World War II. In the end, the number of victims were smaller than they would have been both for the allies and the Japanese.” By striking hard at Hamas, he added, Israel would ultimately be saving lives, both Israeli and Palestinian.
Former IDF Chief Rabbi Avihai Ronsky believes that there is only one way Israel can find and free kidnapped teens Eyal Yifrah (19), Naftali Frenkel (16), and Gilad Sha'ar (16) – by punishing all Palestinians in the area where searches are taking place, collectively.
Writing on his Facebook page, Rabbi Ronsky said that even though the IDF was conducting mass arrests against Hamas terrorists, and had imposed a closure on Hevron, there was still much more to be done. “The steps already taken are very basic,” he said. “We must cause an earthquake, at least within Hamas.
“We see examples of the proper attitude in the Tanach (Hebrew Bible),” he said, “as well as in modern days.” The Bible (in Genesis 34) tells of how a local warlord in Shechem raped his daughter Dinah, and then asked for her hand in marriage. His sons Shimon and Levi refused to allow this, and massacred the residents of the city, who had not directly participated in he rape.
“When Jacob confronted them and expressed his fears that now he would be a target of the other warlords, Shimon and Levi asked 'are you satisfied to allow our sister to turned into a prostitute?' In other words, if we remain quiet and do not react, our security situation will become worse, not better,” Rabbi Ronsky wrote.
“Only with a sharp blow will we make it clear that Jewish blood is not cheap,” he wrote. “The same goes today: Only by dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which caused millions of deaths, did the US bring an end to World War II. In the end, the number of victims were smaller than they would have been both for the allies and the Japanese.” By striking hard at Hamas, he added, Israel would ultimately be saving lives, both Israeli and Palestinian.
On Thursday 12th of this month, three settler youth disappeared while hitchhiking in the Hebron area of the West Bank. No Palestinian group or organisation has taken responsibility for the disappearance.
15-year-old Mohammad Dudeen was murdered in the early hours of Friday morning (20th) after he was shot with live ammunition by the Israeli military. This was during a raid on his home village of Dura, near the city of Hebron.
15-year-old Mohammad Dudeen was murdered in the early hours of Friday morning (20th) after he was shot with live ammunition by the Israeli military. This was during a raid on his home village of Dura, near the city of Hebron.
Mohammad Dudeen
Mohammed was not the only youth killed on Friday. The Israeli military raided Qalandiya refugee camp (south of Ramallah) and shot three youths with live ammunition. Mustafa Hosni Aslan, 22-years-old, was shot in the head and died of his wounds later the same day.
A Palestinian man in his sixties died of a heart attack on Saturday, 21st, after the Israeli military invaded his home. Hajj Jamil Ali Jaber Souf was at his home in Hares village, near Salfit, when the Israeli military violently broke in and attacked him. One of his nephews stated that the soldiers prevented the family from moving Jabber to a local clinic to receive medial treatment.
The Israeli army invaded the city of Nablus last night at approximately 2AM. The youth took to the streets and clashes ensued as they attempted to drive the soldiers out of the city. Many stun grenades were used throughout the night and a final barrage of tear gas was fired on the youths as the were leaving the city centre at approximately 5AM.
An ISMer in al-Khalil (Hebron): “For the past week in Hebron, there has been a heavy military presence. Solders from the Israeli military have been taking over Palestinian homes for their own use and harassing people in the streets with body searches. Many people have been detained, beaten, and arrested.
Mohammed was not the only youth killed on Friday. The Israeli military raided Qalandiya refugee camp (south of Ramallah) and shot three youths with live ammunition. Mustafa Hosni Aslan, 22-years-old, was shot in the head and died of his wounds later the same day.
A Palestinian man in his sixties died of a heart attack on Saturday, 21st, after the Israeli military invaded his home. Hajj Jamil Ali Jaber Souf was at his home in Hares village, near Salfit, when the Israeli military violently broke in and attacked him. One of his nephews stated that the soldiers prevented the family from moving Jabber to a local clinic to receive medial treatment.
The Israeli army invaded the city of Nablus last night at approximately 2AM. The youth took to the streets and clashes ensued as they attempted to drive the soldiers out of the city. Many stun grenades were used throughout the night and a final barrage of tear gas was fired on the youths as the were leaving the city centre at approximately 5AM.
An ISMer in al-Khalil (Hebron): “For the past week in Hebron, there has been a heavy military presence. Solders from the Israeli military have been taking over Palestinian homes for their own use and harassing people in the streets with body searches. Many people have been detained, beaten, and arrested.
Settlers from the illegal settlements walk around armed and have been attacking Palestinians on the streets. Today the Israeli army attacked the residents of the Qeitun neighbourhood in Hebron. They entered several times during the day, but this evening the solders attacked an 11-year-old boy by hitting him on the mouth. They arrested two Palestinians and searched the locals for no reason. The solders continued the violence with property damage, ripping apart a local car under the guise of a ‘search’.”
Last night Israel’s army invaded Ramallah district from three directions – Qalandia, Beituniya and Beit El, reaching as deep as Arafat Square inside the city. Pal Media offices in Baloa’ were raided. In Burj al-Sheikh, the army raided the office of a prisoner that was released in the Shalit exchange deal, and used it as a firing post against youths attempting to repel them from the area. The youths sustained multiple injuries from rubber coated steel bullets. In Batn al-Hawa the army raided a charity building and confiscated computers.
Last night Israel’s army invaded Ramallah district from three directions – Qalandia, Beituniya and Beit El, reaching as deep as Arafat Square inside the city. Pal Media offices in Baloa’ were raided. In Burj al-Sheikh, the army raided the office of a prisoner that was released in the Shalit exchange deal, and used it as a firing post against youths attempting to repel them from the area. The youths sustained multiple injuries from rubber coated steel bullets. In Batn al-Hawa the army raided a charity building and confiscated computers.
Nablus Street, al bireh, Ramallah
These are just some examples of life in Palestine over the last nine days. According to Maan News, approximately 370 Palestinians have been arrested since last Thursday. The Israeli military have been brutal in their tactics of collectively punishing the citizens of Palestine for the disappearance of three Israeli youths.
These are just some examples of life in Palestine over the last nine days. According to Maan News, approximately 370 Palestinians have been arrested since last Thursday. The Israeli military have been brutal in their tactics of collectively punishing the citizens of Palestine for the disappearance of three Israeli youths.
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All over the West Bank, in villages, towns, and cities, Palestinian homes and offices have been raided, cities have been held under siege, people have been injured, arrested, and executed.
In Gaza, Israeli warplanes have targeted several locations and caused extensive property damage and injuries, spreading panic among Palestinian civilians. The Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 33, states that: “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited.” Source: International Solidarity Movement |
An Israeli senior officer said on Sunday that the ongoing Israeli military campaigns in the West Bank in hunt for the three missing setters are expected to be stalled within days, search operations will continue. Hebrew Walla website mentioned that the Israeli occupation forces have conducted two parallel military campaigns in the West Bank; the first concentrated on Hebron in hunt for the missing settlers. However; the second included all areas in the West Bank with great aims, mainly, destroying the infrastructure of Hamas.
Some analytics pointed out that the reason behind stalling the operation is the growing tension and anger among Palestinians in the West Bank and to prevent breaking in of a new Intifada.
Israeli army has launched military campaigns in the West Bank killing at least five Palestinians, detaining more than 370, and raiding more than 1,100 sites including homes, offices, and universities in hunt for three settlers who were missed last June, 12 in the West Bank city of Hebron. Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
Some analytics pointed out that the reason behind stalling the operation is the growing tension and anger among Palestinians in the West Bank and to prevent breaking in of a new Intifada.
Israeli army has launched military campaigns in the West Bank killing at least five Palestinians, detaining more than 370, and raiding more than 1,100 sites including homes, offices, and universities in hunt for three settlers who were missed last June, 12 in the West Bank city of Hebron. Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
Dozens of Israeli military vehicles invaded Palestinian communities, in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, and clashed with dozens of local youths.
Local sources said the soldiers broke into and searched dozens of homes, and assaulted several Palestinians while interrogating them.
The sources added that dozens of vehicles invaded the Jenin refugee camp, through Haifa Street area, and through Wad Borqin, leading to clashes in several neighborhoods.
Dozens of vehicles were also deployed in the al-Jabriyyat area, and the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, concussion grenades, and gas bombs.
Eyewitnesses said the also soldiers invaded the home of Hamas leader Sheikh Jamal Abu al-Haija, and searched it before using it as a military post for several hours.
Soldiers also invaded the Eastern Neighborhood, in Jenin city, and clashed with dozens of youths who hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at them; the army fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and searched several homes.
In addition, soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, south of Jenin, leading to clashed with local youths, while dozens of residents received treatment for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli soldiers kidnapped 37 Palestinians Palestinian in different parts of the West Bank, as its military offensive continues for the eleventh consecutive day.
Local sources said the soldiers broke into and searched dozens of homes, and assaulted several Palestinians while interrogating them.
The sources added that dozens of vehicles invaded the Jenin refugee camp, through Haifa Street area, and through Wad Borqin, leading to clashes in several neighborhoods.
Dozens of vehicles were also deployed in the al-Jabriyyat area, and the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, concussion grenades, and gas bombs.
Eyewitnesses said the also soldiers invaded the home of Hamas leader Sheikh Jamal Abu al-Haija, and searched it before using it as a military post for several hours.
Soldiers also invaded the Eastern Neighborhood, in Jenin city, and clashed with dozens of youths who hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at them; the army fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and searched several homes.
In addition, soldiers invaded Ya’bad town, south of Jenin, leading to clashed with local youths, while dozens of residents received treatment for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli soldiers kidnapped 37 Palestinians Palestinian in different parts of the West Bank, as its military offensive continues for the eleventh consecutive day.
Israel carried out retaliatory air raids on Syrian army positions in the Golan Heights overnight after a teenager on the Israeli side was killed in an attack from Syria, the army said early Monday.
"The IDF (Israeli army) targeted nine Syrian army positions in response to the earlier attack that originated in Syria killing an Israeli teenager and injuring two other Israeli civilians," an army spokesman said.
Sunday's action marked the most serious escalation along the ceasefire line with Syria since the 1973 Middle East War, with Israel's defense minister warning Damascus would pay a "high price" for helping militants.
The targeted sites of Israel's retaliatory raids included "Syrian military headquarters and launching positions", and "direct hits were confirmed", said the statement by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, the army's foreign press spokesman.
There were no reports of Syrian casualties.
The air raids came after the 13-year-old son of an Israeli defense ministry contractor was killed on the Golan on Sunday morning.
The victim was named as Mohammed Qaraqra, a Palestinian citizen of Israel from the northern village of Arabeh in the Galilee region, military radio said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the deadly attack.
"Israel's enemies will stop at nothing," he told the dead boy's grieving father by phone, his office said.
"They won't stop at attacking civilians or even murdering children as happened this morning," Netanyahu added.
Israel's defense ministry said the boy was killed when a blast hit the car he was traveling in with his father and another contractor, both of whom were wounded.
'Unprovoked act of aggression'
"The IDF (Israeli army) targeted nine Syrian army positions in response to the earlier attack that originated in Syria killing an Israeli teenager and injuring two other Israeli civilians," an army spokesman said.
Sunday's action marked the most serious escalation along the ceasefire line with Syria since the 1973 Middle East War, with Israel's defense minister warning Damascus would pay a "high price" for helping militants.
The targeted sites of Israel's retaliatory raids included "Syrian military headquarters and launching positions", and "direct hits were confirmed", said the statement by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, the army's foreign press spokesman.
There were no reports of Syrian casualties.
The air raids came after the 13-year-old son of an Israeli defense ministry contractor was killed on the Golan on Sunday morning.
The victim was named as Mohammed Qaraqra, a Palestinian citizen of Israel from the northern village of Arabeh in the Galilee region, military radio said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the deadly attack.
"Israel's enemies will stop at nothing," he told the dead boy's grieving father by phone, his office said.
"They won't stop at attacking civilians or even murdering children as happened this morning," Netanyahu added.
Israel's defense ministry said the boy was killed when a blast hit the car he was traveling in with his father and another contractor, both of whom were wounded.
'Unprovoked act of aggression'
Mohammed Karaka 13
Military sources said the vehicle belonged to the defense ministry and was being used "as part of construction work on the border".
Lerner said the army was "not certain if it was an explosive device, a rocket or a mortar" that hit the car, noting there was a hole in the nearby fence.
"Yesterday's attack was an unprovoked act of aggression against Israel... The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to breach Israel's sovereignty and will act in order to safeguard the civilians of the State of Israel," Lerner stressed.
"This is the most substantial incident on the border with Syria since the beginning of the civil war," he said earlier, confirming it was the first death on the Israeli side.
Residents in northern Israel heard explosions from the Syrian side of the border, the Israeli news site Ynet reported.
The army spokesman told reporters that Israeli tanks had fired at Syrian army posts shortly after the attack from Syria.
Sunday's fatal attack took place near Tel Khazeka, just south of Quneitra which is located in the center of the Golan plateau.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there was ongoing fighting in the area between Syrian military and rebels, adding regime forces had bombarded some villages in the Quneitra area.
Israel, which is still technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers of the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.
Around 510 square kilometers of the plateau remains under Syrian control.
Since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, the plateau has been tense, with a growing number of projectiles, mostly stray, hitting the Israeli side and prompting occasional armed responses.
Over the past year, Israel has reportedly carried out a series of raids on Syrian and Hezbollah targets, but has not officially acknowledged doing so.
In March, Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian army positions just hours after a bomb wounded four Israeli soldiers on the Golan, one severely.
Military sources said the vehicle belonged to the defense ministry and was being used "as part of construction work on the border".
Lerner said the army was "not certain if it was an explosive device, a rocket or a mortar" that hit the car, noting there was a hole in the nearby fence.
"Yesterday's attack was an unprovoked act of aggression against Israel... The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to breach Israel's sovereignty and will act in order to safeguard the civilians of the State of Israel," Lerner stressed.
"This is the most substantial incident on the border with Syria since the beginning of the civil war," he said earlier, confirming it was the first death on the Israeli side.
Residents in northern Israel heard explosions from the Syrian side of the border, the Israeli news site Ynet reported.
The army spokesman told reporters that Israeli tanks had fired at Syrian army posts shortly after the attack from Syria.
Sunday's fatal attack took place near Tel Khazeka, just south of Quneitra which is located in the center of the Golan plateau.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there was ongoing fighting in the area between Syrian military and rebels, adding regime forces had bombarded some villages in the Quneitra area.
Israel, which is still technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers of the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.
Around 510 square kilometers of the plateau remains under Syrian control.
Since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, the plateau has been tense, with a growing number of projectiles, mostly stray, hitting the Israeli side and prompting occasional armed responses.
Over the past year, Israel has reportedly carried out a series of raids on Syrian and Hezbollah targets, but has not officially acknowledged doing so.
In March, Israeli warplanes attacked Syrian army positions just hours after a bomb wounded four Israeli soldiers on the Golan, one severely.