5 may 2014
Israeli navy patrol boats opened Monday fire at Palestinian fishing boats off Sudaniya coast in the northern Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli occupation forces routinely attack Gazan fishermen and their fishing boats which coincided with the Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip.
Israel imposes wide restrictions on the Gaza fishing zone, deprives Palestinian fishers from the right of access to the fishery resources, putting their life at risk.
The Israeli occupation forces routinely attack Gazan fishermen and their fishing boats which coincided with the Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip.
Israel imposes wide restrictions on the Gaza fishing zone, deprives Palestinian fishers from the right of access to the fishery resources, putting their life at risk.
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Saturday, May 3rd, was the United Nations World Press Freedom Day, when journalists celebrated, remembered, and protested on a date commemorated worldwide since 1992.
In Palestine, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) reports, the 3rd of May calls for a protest by members of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) and, yesterday, this was at the Beit El military checkpoint. ISM witnessed approximately 70 journalists gathering in the city of Ramallah, driving towards the Bet El checkpoint before leaving their cars and attempting to walk through the military gate. The journalists carried nothing but signs and cameras, as they chanted for freedom from the Israeli occupation. It was a completely non-violent demonstration, according to the ISM. |
Upon arrival at the checkpoint, Israeli border police first closed the gate and, then, called many more soldiers to the area, who proceeded to watch and film the demonstrators with their personal phones. The journalists then tried to open the gate, upon which border police began throwing stun grenades into the crowd.
More than eight grenades were thrown towards the legs of the protesters. One hit an ISM colleague in the foot. She was lucky to be wearing thick running shoes and jeans and, therefore, was not injured, it was reported.
More than eight grenades were thrown towards the legs of the protesters. One hit an ISM colleague in the foot. She was lucky to be wearing thick running shoes and jeans and, therefore, was not injured, it was reported.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have arrested on Monday a Palestinian young man from Assira town in Nablus after brutally assaulting his uncle. According to local sources, five Israeli patrols stormed a number of homes in Assira town and arrested Mohamed Tahan after violently raiding and searching his home. He was then taken to an unknown destination.
The Israeli forces have brutally attacked and beat the detainee's uncle, after which he was taken to hospital for treatment.
In Burqa village north-west of Nablus, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian teenagers on Sunday evening.
The 18-year-old Talal Khalid Saif was arrested after being summoned to Israeli intelligence headquarters in Hawara, while Mustafa Salah, 18, was arrested at Zatara checkpoint on his way home. In addition, a student at al-Najah University was arrested this morning in Nablus.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers stormed Yamoun, Silat al-Harthiya, Kafr Dan and Tanach towns west of Jenin, where they carried out combing operations and raid campaigns into Palestinian homes and stores.
Eyewitnesses added that an Israeli military checkpoint was erected between Silat al-Harithiya and Tanach towns, and checked passers-by IDs.
In al-Khalil, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian citizen after breaking into a number of homes in the city.
Local sources said that Israeli troops broke into a number of neighborhoods, where they stormed and searched Palestinian homes on Monday morning.
In the same context, Israeli forces raided Idna town and stormed into Palestinian homes including the detainee Akram Fessissi's home and interrogated his family members.
On the other hand, IOF soldiers stormed on Sunday afternoon Jamaa neighborhood northwest of al-Khalil and broke into the liberated prisoner Ayoub Qawasmi's shop.
As a result, limited clashes erupted between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian youths in the neighborhood, where Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas bombs towards Palestinian stores and homes.
Ayub Qawasmi was released several weeks ago from Israeli jails. He was arrested more than once by Israeli and PA forces.
The Israeli forces have brutally attacked and beat the detainee's uncle, after which he was taken to hospital for treatment.
In Burqa village north-west of Nablus, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian teenagers on Sunday evening.
The 18-year-old Talal Khalid Saif was arrested after being summoned to Israeli intelligence headquarters in Hawara, while Mustafa Salah, 18, was arrested at Zatara checkpoint on his way home. In addition, a student at al-Najah University was arrested this morning in Nablus.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers stormed Yamoun, Silat al-Harthiya, Kafr Dan and Tanach towns west of Jenin, where they carried out combing operations and raid campaigns into Palestinian homes and stores.
Eyewitnesses added that an Israeli military checkpoint was erected between Silat al-Harithiya and Tanach towns, and checked passers-by IDs.
In al-Khalil, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian citizen after breaking into a number of homes in the city.
Local sources said that Israeli troops broke into a number of neighborhoods, where they stormed and searched Palestinian homes on Monday morning.
In the same context, Israeli forces raided Idna town and stormed into Palestinian homes including the detainee Akram Fessissi's home and interrogated his family members.
On the other hand, IOF soldiers stormed on Sunday afternoon Jamaa neighborhood northwest of al-Khalil and broke into the liberated prisoner Ayoub Qawasmi's shop.
As a result, limited clashes erupted between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian youths in the neighborhood, where Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas bombs towards Palestinian stores and homes.
Ayub Qawasmi was released several weeks ago from Israeli jails. He was arrested more than once by Israeli and PA forces.
Knesset right-winger Yoni Chetboun, from the Jewish Home party, lashed out at the Israeli army for using its soldiers as policemen and deploying them at checkpoints, urging it to change its rules of engagement. "A soldier's place is not behind a fixed position, but in the field," Chetboun said in an interview with the Israeli news agency Arutz Sheva.
He made his remarks to justify an incident that took place a few days ago in which an Israeli soldier was videotaped threatening at gunpoint to shoot Palestinian young men in the head.
According to Chetboun, policemen should be appointed to run checkpoints, but soldiers should instead do what they are trained to do and invade Palestinian villages and towns to prevent anyone from approaching and attacking checkpoints.
"Soldiers are educated to defeat the enemy. You have to put them in the heart of the field, and leave police to man checkpoints," he said.
He also criticized whom he described as radical leftists and anarchists for using cameras to document certain actions by soldiers, expressing his belief that their cameras make the hands of soldiers and policemen tied and unable to react appropriately to the situations they handle.
He made his remarks to justify an incident that took place a few days ago in which an Israeli soldier was videotaped threatening at gunpoint to shoot Palestinian young men in the head.
According to Chetboun, policemen should be appointed to run checkpoints, but soldiers should instead do what they are trained to do and invade Palestinian villages and towns to prevent anyone from approaching and attacking checkpoints.
"Soldiers are educated to defeat the enemy. You have to put them in the heart of the field, and leave police to man checkpoints," he said.
He also criticized whom he described as radical leftists and anarchists for using cameras to document certain actions by soldiers, expressing his belief that their cameras make the hands of soldiers and policemen tied and unable to react appropriately to the situations they handle.
Israeli soldiers points his gun at a Palestinian teen from the West Bank city of Hebron
The reprimand of an Israeli soldier — who was caught on video cursing and pointing a cocked gun toward the head of a Palestinian teen — has triggered the biggest outpouring of frustration by Israeli soldiers in years about their service in the West Bank.
Thousands posted messages of support on social media for the infantry soldier after the army said he apparently violated norms of behavior during a shoving match in Hebron, where several hundred radical Israeli settlers guarded by soldiers live in daily friction with tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The protest campaign appeared largely aimed at the army’s perceived failure to back the soldier, rather than any moral judgments about Israel’s 47-year military occupation of the West Bank. Some critics said the video reflected daily realities there and it was hypocritical to portray the confrontation, and the soldier’s behavior, as unusual.
The video, shot about a week ago, begins when one of the teens stands close to the soldier and dares him in broken Hebrew to call the Israeli police. The teen then moves even closer. The soldier says: “Listen, you better not do this again, do you understand?” He shoves the teen who says in Arabic, “Lower your hand.” The soldier quickly raises and cocks his weapon a few inches from the Palestinian.
Another young Palestinian suddenly appears behind the soldier who spins around with his rifle and calls out, “Hey.” The first Palestinian tries to lead the second away from the soldier, who kicks at them.
The soldier then curses and walks toward a Palestinian filming the scene. “Turn off the camera,” he shouts as his weapon points half-way to the ground. “I’ll put a bullet in your head.” There’s a break and the next scene shows the soldier walking away with the first Palestinian.
The footage was shot by Youth Against Settlements, a group of Palestinian activists, and aired last week on Israel’s Channel 10 TV.
Issa Amro, the group’s spokesman, said the incident took place outside Beit Hadassah, a settler enclave in the center of Hebron where the military heavily restricts Palestinian movement.
Amro, who was not present at the time, said that tensions flared before filming began. He said three Palestinians — including one who later appears in the video — were walking along the main thoroughfare outside Beit Hadassah when settlers yelled insults from a van and one of the Palestinians responded in kind. He said the trio was then detained for more than an hour by the soldier, who had been manning a nearby checkpoint.
A chief military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said that a review is underway but the army’s initial position was that the behavior shown “did not seem to fall in line with what we expect from our soldiers, as far as conduct is concerned.”
He said the second youth shown in the video was briefly detained on suspicion he had held a metal chain during the confrontation. Amro said the youth had held prayer beads. He also said Israeli forces repeatedly searched the offices of his group in recent days and made threats against the activists.
Lerner said the soldier faces 20 days in military jail for twice striking unit commanders, not for the incident on the video. Lerner said the scroll on Channel 10’s initial report mistakenly said the soldier was being relieved of combat duty.
Still, the military’s distancing itself from the soldier, identified only by his first name David, struck a nerve.
A Facebook page with the theme “I stand with David HaNahlawi” — slang for someone from the Nahal Infantry Brigade — scored almost 130,000 likes.
Boaz Golan, who runs a news website, said a Facebook page linked to his site received thousands of photos, many from soldiers. In some, groups posed with handwritten signs saying, “I stand with David HaNahlawi.” In others, they arranged uniform insignia, combat boots or weapons next to such signs, not showing their faces.
Golan argued that soldiers must be allowed to use more force and be “given the ability to respond.”
Many commentators said young conscripts sent to police the West Bank — war-won land the Palestinians claim for a state — face impossibly complex situations.
Yet there were sharp disagreements.
Some see the Hebron video as a reminder of the urgent need for a peace deal with the Palestinians, although peace talks broke down last month.
The soldier “is not the problem,” said Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief. “The real story is our inability to move forward in negotiations and get our soldiers out of there.”
Yet activists said soldiers suspected of breaking rules of engagement are rarely prosecuted, suggesting regulations are easily broken. From 2009-2012, only 22 of 632 military investigations of violence by soldiers against Palestinians or their property ended in convictions, said the Israeli group B’Tselem.
Video footage of West Bank confrontations has become increasingly common, as Palestinian and Israeli activists use cameras to back up allegations of human rights violations by troops. But large-scale criticism of the army by soldiers remains rare in Israel, where service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women.
The military chief, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, said last week that Facebook does not replace clear communication between commanders and soldiers. He said the incident “raises (questions of) military ethics and we need to deal with them on all levels, and that’s what we will do.”
The Facebook campaign comes a decade after another protest by soldiers, including those who served in Hebron and formed a group called Breaking The Silence.
The group said it has since collected testimony from almost 1,000 soldiers to let Israelis know the moral price they pay when they send their sons and daughters to the West Bank as soldiers.
The two campaigns are different, with the current one apparently mainly seeking stronger army backing for soldiers, but share a message, said Yehuda Shaul of Breaking The Silence.
The current protest is essentially asking, “What do you want from him (the soldier)? That’s how things work (in the West Bank),” said Shaul. The behavior shown in the video “is the price of occupation.”
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
source: Associated Press
The reprimand of an Israeli soldier — who was caught on video cursing and pointing a cocked gun toward the head of a Palestinian teen — has triggered the biggest outpouring of frustration by Israeli soldiers in years about their service in the West Bank.
Thousands posted messages of support on social media for the infantry soldier after the army said he apparently violated norms of behavior during a shoving match in Hebron, where several hundred radical Israeli settlers guarded by soldiers live in daily friction with tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The protest campaign appeared largely aimed at the army’s perceived failure to back the soldier, rather than any moral judgments about Israel’s 47-year military occupation of the West Bank. Some critics said the video reflected daily realities there and it was hypocritical to portray the confrontation, and the soldier’s behavior, as unusual.
The video, shot about a week ago, begins when one of the teens stands close to the soldier and dares him in broken Hebrew to call the Israeli police. The teen then moves even closer. The soldier says: “Listen, you better not do this again, do you understand?” He shoves the teen who says in Arabic, “Lower your hand.” The soldier quickly raises and cocks his weapon a few inches from the Palestinian.
Another young Palestinian suddenly appears behind the soldier who spins around with his rifle and calls out, “Hey.” The first Palestinian tries to lead the second away from the soldier, who kicks at them.
The soldier then curses and walks toward a Palestinian filming the scene. “Turn off the camera,” he shouts as his weapon points half-way to the ground. “I’ll put a bullet in your head.” There’s a break and the next scene shows the soldier walking away with the first Palestinian.
The footage was shot by Youth Against Settlements, a group of Palestinian activists, and aired last week on Israel’s Channel 10 TV.
Issa Amro, the group’s spokesman, said the incident took place outside Beit Hadassah, a settler enclave in the center of Hebron where the military heavily restricts Palestinian movement.
Amro, who was not present at the time, said that tensions flared before filming began. He said three Palestinians — including one who later appears in the video — were walking along the main thoroughfare outside Beit Hadassah when settlers yelled insults from a van and one of the Palestinians responded in kind. He said the trio was then detained for more than an hour by the soldier, who had been manning a nearby checkpoint.
A chief military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said that a review is underway but the army’s initial position was that the behavior shown “did not seem to fall in line with what we expect from our soldiers, as far as conduct is concerned.”
He said the second youth shown in the video was briefly detained on suspicion he had held a metal chain during the confrontation. Amro said the youth had held prayer beads. He also said Israeli forces repeatedly searched the offices of his group in recent days and made threats against the activists.
Lerner said the soldier faces 20 days in military jail for twice striking unit commanders, not for the incident on the video. Lerner said the scroll on Channel 10’s initial report mistakenly said the soldier was being relieved of combat duty.
Still, the military’s distancing itself from the soldier, identified only by his first name David, struck a nerve.
A Facebook page with the theme “I stand with David HaNahlawi” — slang for someone from the Nahal Infantry Brigade — scored almost 130,000 likes.
Boaz Golan, who runs a news website, said a Facebook page linked to his site received thousands of photos, many from soldiers. In some, groups posed with handwritten signs saying, “I stand with David HaNahlawi.” In others, they arranged uniform insignia, combat boots or weapons next to such signs, not showing their faces.
Golan argued that soldiers must be allowed to use more force and be “given the ability to respond.”
Many commentators said young conscripts sent to police the West Bank — war-won land the Palestinians claim for a state — face impossibly complex situations.
Yet there were sharp disagreements.
Some see the Hebron video as a reminder of the urgent need for a peace deal with the Palestinians, although peace talks broke down last month.
The soldier “is not the problem,” said Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief. “The real story is our inability to move forward in negotiations and get our soldiers out of there.”
Yet activists said soldiers suspected of breaking rules of engagement are rarely prosecuted, suggesting regulations are easily broken. From 2009-2012, only 22 of 632 military investigations of violence by soldiers against Palestinians or their property ended in convictions, said the Israeli group B’Tselem.
Video footage of West Bank confrontations has become increasingly common, as Palestinian and Israeli activists use cameras to back up allegations of human rights violations by troops. But large-scale criticism of the army by soldiers remains rare in Israel, where service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women.
The military chief, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, said last week that Facebook does not replace clear communication between commanders and soldiers. He said the incident “raises (questions of) military ethics and we need to deal with them on all levels, and that’s what we will do.”
The Facebook campaign comes a decade after another protest by soldiers, including those who served in Hebron and formed a group called Breaking The Silence.
The group said it has since collected testimony from almost 1,000 soldiers to let Israelis know the moral price they pay when they send their sons and daughters to the West Bank as soldiers.
The two campaigns are different, with the current one apparently mainly seeking stronger army backing for soldiers, but share a message, said Yehuda Shaul of Breaking The Silence.
The current protest is essentially asking, “What do you want from him (the soldier)? That’s how things work (in the West Bank),” said Shaul. The behavior shown in the video “is the price of occupation.”
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
source: Associated Press
Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz said his army has been embarking on intensive military exercises since the peace talks ended on April 29 in preparation for any possible field developments on the southern and northern fronts as well as in the West Bank. Gantz made his remarks on Sunday evening during his visit to a training military site on West Bank hills.
The military chief expressed his belief that the Palestinians would not stay calm forever, which makes it necessary for the Israeli army to get ready for any developments on the ground.
"In Gaza, the situation is controlled by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but we are watching them while we do not rule out any wide confrontations in Gaza in the future because there are daily developments. Hezbollah's missiles also cover all Israel, so nothing is new, but we keep watching and developing our capabilities to face any situation," Gantz was quoted as saying.
He also added that the Israeli army follows up what happens in some Arab countries and is ready to respond to any attack launched from their territories.
As for the situation in the Sinai, the chief of staff hailed the calm on the Sinai front and the good relations with the Egyptian army, noting that if the Israeli army decided to work inside the Egyptian territories, it would not do that alone.
The military chief expressed his belief that the Palestinians would not stay calm forever, which makes it necessary for the Israeli army to get ready for any developments on the ground.
"In Gaza, the situation is controlled by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but we are watching them while we do not rule out any wide confrontations in Gaza in the future because there are daily developments. Hezbollah's missiles also cover all Israel, so nothing is new, but we keep watching and developing our capabilities to face any situation," Gantz was quoted as saying.
He also added that the Israeli army follows up what happens in some Arab countries and is ready to respond to any attack launched from their territories.
As for the situation in the Sinai, the chief of staff hailed the calm on the Sinai front and the good relations with the Egyptian army, noting that if the Israeli army decided to work inside the Egyptian territories, it would not do that alone.
4 may 2014
United Nations' reports reveal that some 222 Palestinians were injured by Israeli military and police forces during the month of April.
Fourteen of the 222 were injured by live ammunition. Six Palestinians were injured with live ammunition during clashes with Israeli forces on 4 April near the Beituniya checkpoint, where a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners was held.
Between 8 and 14 April, The Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem witnessed violent clashes between residents and Israeli forces. On 13 April Noha Katamish, a 44 year old Palestinian woman from the camp, died after suffering and being treated for tear gas inhalation two days earlier. The woman suffered from multiple ailments, including respiratory problems and asthma. During these clashes in Aida 42 Palestinians, including 20 children, were injured.
Most of 222 Palestinians were injured during clashes in and around East Jerusalem, in connection to the entry of Israeli Jewish groups into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. These Israeli Jewish groups advocate construction of the biblical Third Temple in this compound.
The most serious clashes in Jerusalem were recorded during such visits on 16 and 20 April. Multiple other protests against this phenomenon, some of which evolved into confrontations with Israeli forces, were registered during the reporting period in other areas of East Jerusalem, as well as in adjacent towns such as Abu Dis and Al ‘Eizariya. Moreover, 36 Palestinians were reportedly detained in the context of these confrontations and clashes.
The United Nations reports that the other major locus of violence during the month of April was in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Large confrontations were reported on 16 and 17 April in the Bab Az Zawiya area of the city, during demonstrations commemorating the 1988 anniversary of Israel's assassination of Fatah leader Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) in Tunis and Palestinian Prisoners' Day.
During the last two weeks of April Israeli forces conducted a total of 158 search and arrest operations in Palestinian villages and towns. At least six of these operations triggered violent clashes with local residents which resulted in injuries, including nine people in Awarta (Nablus area ), five in Idhna (Hebron area ), one in Deir Nidham (Ramallah area) and one in El Far’a refugee camp (Tubas area).
Fourteen of the 222 were injured by live ammunition. Six Palestinians were injured with live ammunition during clashes with Israeli forces on 4 April near the Beituniya checkpoint, where a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners was held.
Between 8 and 14 April, The Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem witnessed violent clashes between residents and Israeli forces. On 13 April Noha Katamish, a 44 year old Palestinian woman from the camp, died after suffering and being treated for tear gas inhalation two days earlier. The woman suffered from multiple ailments, including respiratory problems and asthma. During these clashes in Aida 42 Palestinians, including 20 children, were injured.
Most of 222 Palestinians were injured during clashes in and around East Jerusalem, in connection to the entry of Israeli Jewish groups into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. These Israeli Jewish groups advocate construction of the biblical Third Temple in this compound.
The most serious clashes in Jerusalem were recorded during such visits on 16 and 20 April. Multiple other protests against this phenomenon, some of which evolved into confrontations with Israeli forces, were registered during the reporting period in other areas of East Jerusalem, as well as in adjacent towns such as Abu Dis and Al ‘Eizariya. Moreover, 36 Palestinians were reportedly detained in the context of these confrontations and clashes.
The United Nations reports that the other major locus of violence during the month of April was in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Large confrontations were reported on 16 and 17 April in the Bab Az Zawiya area of the city, during demonstrations commemorating the 1988 anniversary of Israel's assassination of Fatah leader Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) in Tunis and Palestinian Prisoners' Day.
During the last two weeks of April Israeli forces conducted a total of 158 search and arrest operations in Palestinian villages and towns. At least six of these operations triggered violent clashes with local residents which resulted in injuries, including nine people in Awarta (Nablus area ), five in Idhna (Hebron area ), one in Deir Nidham (Ramallah area) and one in El Far’a refugee camp (Tubas area).
Six Palestinians were injured and one was arrested in clashes with Israeli forces in al-Issawiya village northeast of Jerusalem on Sunday, locals said.
They told Ma’an that Israeli forces erected a flying checkpoint near al-Madares school and thoroughly searched people, which sparked the clashes.
Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets injuring six people moderately in the head.
Walid Ulliyan, 22, was detained during the clashes, residents said.
Violent clashes in Esawyeh…arrests and injuries
The Israeli forces arrested one young man and injured six others during violent clashes that broke out in the village of Esawyeh.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the forces arrested 22-year old Walid Alyan, and injured six others in the head with rubbers bullets and shrapnel of sound grenades during the violent clashes that broke out in the Schools’ Street in Esawyeh.
The Center added that the clashes broke out after the Israeli Special Forces unit was stopping cars and pedestrians and checking their IDs.
In a related matter, the Israeli forces arrested on Sunday early morning hours the 21-year old Mohannad Khalil Mahmoud and 17-year old Seif Ramadan Obeid after raiding their houses in the village of Esawyeh.
They told Ma’an that Israeli forces erected a flying checkpoint near al-Madares school and thoroughly searched people, which sparked the clashes.
Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets injuring six people moderately in the head.
Walid Ulliyan, 22, was detained during the clashes, residents said.
Violent clashes in Esawyeh…arrests and injuries
The Israeli forces arrested one young man and injured six others during violent clashes that broke out in the village of Esawyeh.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the forces arrested 22-year old Walid Alyan, and injured six others in the head with rubbers bullets and shrapnel of sound grenades during the violent clashes that broke out in the Schools’ Street in Esawyeh.
The Center added that the clashes broke out after the Israeli Special Forces unit was stopping cars and pedestrians and checking their IDs.
In a related matter, the Israeli forces arrested on Sunday early morning hours the 21-year old Mohannad Khalil Mahmoud and 17-year old Seif Ramadan Obeid after raiding their houses in the village of Esawyeh.
Israeli forces in Salfit early Sunday smashed a car and fired tear gas at Palestinians, security sources said.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the central West Bank city and fired tear gas and stun grenades.
Five locals suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation and were taken to a nearby hospital.
Additionally, Israeli soldiers smashed a vehicle belonging to Salfit resident Nael Yousif Marabta, the sources said.
An Israeli military spokesman said the army conducted a "routine patrol" in Salfit early Sunday.
"Several Palestinians hurled rocks," he said. Soldiers responded with "riot dispersal means."
The spokesman said he was "not familiar with any further incident."
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the central West Bank city and fired tear gas and stun grenades.
Five locals suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation and were taken to a nearby hospital.
Additionally, Israeli soldiers smashed a vehicle belonging to Salfit resident Nael Yousif Marabta, the sources said.
An Israeli military spokesman said the army conducted a "routine patrol" in Salfit early Sunday.
"Several Palestinians hurled rocks," he said. Soldiers responded with "riot dispersal means."
The spokesman said he was "not familiar with any further incident."
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested central committee member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Hasan Shehade from his home in Abu Dis town, south east of occupied Jerusalem. Local sources told the PIC reporter that a joint force of the IOF and intelligence broke into Shehade’s home before dawn Sunday and searched it for two hours using hounds.
They said that the provocative search frightened the children and ended with confiscating Shehade’s mobile phones and computers before taking him away to a nearby army base.
The sources noted that the soldiers then stormed the home of Shehade’s father and forced all of its occupants out of it for search, adding that the soldiers wreaked havoc in the house.
Eyewitnesses said that confrontations were reported with young men protesting the raid in which the soldiers randomly fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters spreading panic in the town.
Shehade was released from Israeli captivity in 2009 after eight years in prison. He is married and a father of two children Issa, 4, and Karam, 2.
They said that the provocative search frightened the children and ended with confiscating Shehade’s mobile phones and computers before taking him away to a nearby army base.
The sources noted that the soldiers then stormed the home of Shehade’s father and forced all of its occupants out of it for search, adding that the soldiers wreaked havoc in the house.
Eyewitnesses said that confrontations were reported with young men protesting the raid in which the soldiers randomly fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters spreading panic in the town.
Shehade was released from Israeli captivity in 2009 after eight years in prison. He is married and a father of two children Issa, 4, and Karam, 2.
The Palestinian Land Defense Office said Israeli army is taking part in Price-Tag terrorist attacks against Palestinian natives and properties. According to the weekly report issued on Saturday by the Office on settlement activity and Israeli occupation forces’ attacks in the Palestinian territories, IOF uprooted last week more than 200 olive trees from the Araba area in the presence of dozens of Israeli settlers.
50 more olive trees and hundreds of olive saplings were also uprooted by a bunch of Israeli settlers near Wadi Rahal, south of Bethlehem.
The report confirmed Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have been turning blind eyes and deaf ears, with malice aforethought, to such crimes carried out by Jewish settlers in different areas, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, Negev, Triangle area and the Galilee.
Such terrorist attacks make part of Israel’s pre-arranged settlement and Judaization conspiracies against Palestinians.
The report further documented the permanent targeting of mosques and churches by Price Tag gangs, who have been frequently scrawling racist slogans and threatening letters.
According to the report, demolition processes to several Palestinian houses and trees along with several agricultural crops and equipment have been ceaselessly carried out.
The report revealed plans by the so-called Israeli Land Authorities (ILA) and Open Spaces Fund to execute a six million-shekel-Judaization project aimed at establishing hundreds of alleged Israeli graves over the so-called Samboski Cemetery and opening passageways between the Old City and Occupied Jerusalem.
Desecration schemes have reached unparalleled levels due to settler break-ins to al-Aqsa courtyards under the protection of Israeli security forces
In Ramallah, Israeli forces bulldozed upkeep-walls in the agricultural lands owned by Safa village natives, west of Ramallah, and brutally attacked four Palestinian citizens while they were working in their land near Aboud village, north of Ramallah.
In al-Khalil IOF demolished three houses in Aroub camp in favor of a new street linking nearby settlements, along with another house and water well in Wadi al-Baqar southeast of al-Khalil, where Ibrahim Awad Zain was handed a demolition threat targeting his sheep barn and a shed where he and his family live.
IOF stormed Al-Fakhit school, set over an area that has long been threatened with deportation and demolition orders for months, and took photos of its buildings, the report said.
Settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles east of al-Khalil, the report further revealed.
In Bethlehem, the IOF impeded a reconstruction project to the main street, under pretext of being located within Israeli-administered territories, and confiscated a bulldozer and a drilling machine.
Mohamad Yahya Ayesh, 55, was heavily beaten and attacked by settlers’ dogs south of Bethlehem.
In the same context, an Israeli settler’s car ran over a Palestinian elderly farmer, 70, and a Palestinian youth, 32, in Bethlehem.
Several demolition threats were handed by IOF to al-Khader village natives within a deadline of 45 days while settlers uprooted dozens of olive saplings south of Bethlehem.
A mosque and three houses were demolished and hundreds of olive trees were uprooted south of Nablus under the security pretext.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers raided Joseph’s tomb in Nablus under the religious pretext.
In the Jordan Valley, IOF and settler gangs continued construction work in the so-called Maskyout settlement. Rotem settlers stole hospital building materials and stones of an old building that was formerly used as a military hospital.
Meanwhile, the Israeli radio reported on Sunday a fresh Price –Tag attack in Akka (north of Palestine occupied in 1948) as unknown Jewish assailants attacked a Palestinian vehicle and scribbled extremist slogans over it after puncturing its tires.
The radio quoted MK Issawi Freij as stating: “The Price-Tag phenomenon is a contagious, cancerous tumor that will soon affect us all.”
During a seminar held in Petah Tikva, Freij considered the virtual silence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli security forces over such pre-arranged terrorist attacks omens of a forthcoming calamity.
50 more olive trees and hundreds of olive saplings were also uprooted by a bunch of Israeli settlers near Wadi Rahal, south of Bethlehem.
The report confirmed Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have been turning blind eyes and deaf ears, with malice aforethought, to such crimes carried out by Jewish settlers in different areas, including the West Bank, Jerusalem, Negev, Triangle area and the Galilee.
Such terrorist attacks make part of Israel’s pre-arranged settlement and Judaization conspiracies against Palestinians.
The report further documented the permanent targeting of mosques and churches by Price Tag gangs, who have been frequently scrawling racist slogans and threatening letters.
According to the report, demolition processes to several Palestinian houses and trees along with several agricultural crops and equipment have been ceaselessly carried out.
The report revealed plans by the so-called Israeli Land Authorities (ILA) and Open Spaces Fund to execute a six million-shekel-Judaization project aimed at establishing hundreds of alleged Israeli graves over the so-called Samboski Cemetery and opening passageways between the Old City and Occupied Jerusalem.
Desecration schemes have reached unparalleled levels due to settler break-ins to al-Aqsa courtyards under the protection of Israeli security forces
In Ramallah, Israeli forces bulldozed upkeep-walls in the agricultural lands owned by Safa village natives, west of Ramallah, and brutally attacked four Palestinian citizens while they were working in their land near Aboud village, north of Ramallah.
In al-Khalil IOF demolished three houses in Aroub camp in favor of a new street linking nearby settlements, along with another house and water well in Wadi al-Baqar southeast of al-Khalil, where Ibrahim Awad Zain was handed a demolition threat targeting his sheep barn and a shed where he and his family live.
IOF stormed Al-Fakhit school, set over an area that has long been threatened with deportation and demolition orders for months, and took photos of its buildings, the report said.
Settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles east of al-Khalil, the report further revealed.
In Bethlehem, the IOF impeded a reconstruction project to the main street, under pretext of being located within Israeli-administered territories, and confiscated a bulldozer and a drilling machine.
Mohamad Yahya Ayesh, 55, was heavily beaten and attacked by settlers’ dogs south of Bethlehem.
In the same context, an Israeli settler’s car ran over a Palestinian elderly farmer, 70, and a Palestinian youth, 32, in Bethlehem.
Several demolition threats were handed by IOF to al-Khader village natives within a deadline of 45 days while settlers uprooted dozens of olive saplings south of Bethlehem.
A mosque and three houses were demolished and hundreds of olive trees were uprooted south of Nablus under the security pretext.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers raided Joseph’s tomb in Nablus under the religious pretext.
In the Jordan Valley, IOF and settler gangs continued construction work in the so-called Maskyout settlement. Rotem settlers stole hospital building materials and stones of an old building that was formerly used as a military hospital.
Meanwhile, the Israeli radio reported on Sunday a fresh Price –Tag attack in Akka (north of Palestine occupied in 1948) as unknown Jewish assailants attacked a Palestinian vehicle and scribbled extremist slogans over it after puncturing its tires.
The radio quoted MK Issawi Freij as stating: “The Price-Tag phenomenon is a contagious, cancerous tumor that will soon affect us all.”
During a seminar held in Petah Tikva, Freij considered the virtual silence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli security forces over such pre-arranged terrorist attacks omens of a forthcoming calamity.
Israeli Occupation forces Sunday morning arrested a Palestinian citizen and injured three others after storming Abu Dis town, to the southeast of occupied Jerusalem. Spokesperson of Popular Resistance Committees, Hani Halabiyeh, said that Israeli the IOF stormed the town and raided Hassan Shahadah's house, member of the central committee of the DFLP, ransacked it and forced its residents to leave.
The IOF arrested Shahada after seizing his personal computer, Halabiyeh added, clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and the forces in the place. Three youths were injured.
Halabiyeh pointed out that Hassan Shahada is an ex-prisoner and was arrested several times in the Israeli prisons.
Clashes erupted Saturday between the IOF and Palestinian youths from Abu Dis and Ezariyeh towns after staging a march in support to al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli forces shot sonic bombs and tear gas at them. Several suffocation cases were reported.
The IOF arrested Shahada after seizing his personal computer, Halabiyeh added, clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and the forces in the place. Three youths were injured.
Halabiyeh pointed out that Hassan Shahada is an ex-prisoner and was arrested several times in the Israeli prisons.
Clashes erupted Saturday between the IOF and Palestinian youths from Abu Dis and Ezariyeh towns after staging a march in support to al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli forces shot sonic bombs and tear gas at them. Several suffocation cases were reported.
Israeli navy gunboats opened heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats while at sea off the coast of Khan Younis and Rafah to the south of Gaza Strip on Saturday night. Source in the marine police told the PIC reporter that the gunboats also fired a number of projectiles at the fishing boats.
They said that the fishermen returned to shore to avoid the shooting, adding that no casualties were reported.
The attack fell in line with the constant targeting of those fishermen despite working in the limited area allowed for them to fish in Gaza waters.
They said that the fishermen returned to shore to avoid the shooting, adding that no casualties were reported.
The attack fell in line with the constant targeting of those fishermen despite working in the limited area allowed for them to fish in Gaza waters.
On the World Press Freedom Day, Israeli occupation forces suppressed a demo of Palestinian journalists in front of Bethel military checkpoint, north of Ramallah. Dozens of journalists gathered on Saturday evening at the checkpoint to call for their freedom of movement.
According to Wafa Agency Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades and tear gas towards the journalists who shouted slogans demanding the freedom of movement for all the Palestinian journalists and local media in addition to the necessity to protect them from the Israeli occupation’s violations.
Chairman of Journalist Syndicate Abdel Nasser Najjar said our message on the World Press Freedom Day is that, “ we want our freedom guaranteed and protected, and an immediate stop of the series of the Israeli occupation’s dangerous attacks against the Palestinian journalists and all the journalists working in Palestine.”
“Media plays an important role in exposing the Israeli repressive measures and crimes and in defending human rights; and today we came to demand our rights”, he added.
Al-Najjar pointed out, “ over the last five years, hundreds of journalists and media workers in the occupied Palestine were wounded whether due to the occupation’s bullets, physical abuse or due to inhalation of poisonous gas.
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said ‘Israel’ committed 135 violations against the Journalists across the occupied Palestinian territories during a quarter and one years.
The center in a report issued on the ''World Press Freedom Day'' said a significant increase in press violations by the occupation military apparatuses has marked the period between January 1, 2013 and 31 March, 2014.
All of the attacks committed were premeditated and by use of excessive force, without taking into account the principles of distinction and proportionality, or being justified by a military necessity.
According to Wafa Agency Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades and tear gas towards the journalists who shouted slogans demanding the freedom of movement for all the Palestinian journalists and local media in addition to the necessity to protect them from the Israeli occupation’s violations.
Chairman of Journalist Syndicate Abdel Nasser Najjar said our message on the World Press Freedom Day is that, “ we want our freedom guaranteed and protected, and an immediate stop of the series of the Israeli occupation’s dangerous attacks against the Palestinian journalists and all the journalists working in Palestine.”
“Media plays an important role in exposing the Israeli repressive measures and crimes and in defending human rights; and today we came to demand our rights”, he added.
Al-Najjar pointed out, “ over the last five years, hundreds of journalists and media workers in the occupied Palestine were wounded whether due to the occupation’s bullets, physical abuse or due to inhalation of poisonous gas.
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said ‘Israel’ committed 135 violations against the Journalists across the occupied Palestinian territories during a quarter and one years.
The center in a report issued on the ''World Press Freedom Day'' said a significant increase in press violations by the occupation military apparatuses has marked the period between January 1, 2013 and 31 March, 2014.
All of the attacks committed were premeditated and by use of excessive force, without taking into account the principles of distinction and proportionality, or being justified by a military necessity.
Palestinian medical sources have reported that five residents have been wounded after Israeli soldiers invaded the central West Bank city of Salfit.
Eyewitnesses said several Israeli military jeeps invaded the city, and fired dozens of gas bombs and concussion grenades at local residents causing five to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers damaged a Palestinian car that belongs to a resident identified as Nael Yousef Marabta, after ramming it with their jeep as it was parked in front of his home, the Maan News Agency has reported.
Also on Sunday, soldiers invaded various districts in the occupied West Bank, broke into and searched dozens of homes, and handed a number of residents military notices ordering them to head to nearby military bases for interrogation.
Eyewitnesses said several Israeli military jeeps invaded the city, and fired dozens of gas bombs and concussion grenades at local residents causing five to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers damaged a Palestinian car that belongs to a resident identified as Nael Yousef Marabta, after ramming it with their jeep as it was parked in front of his home, the Maan News Agency has reported.
Also on Sunday, soldiers invaded various districts in the occupied West Bank, broke into and searched dozens of homes, and handed a number of residents military notices ordering them to head to nearby military bases for interrogation.
Ten Palestinian citizens were treated for breathing problems after Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacked citizens in Qabatiya village to the east of Jenin at dawn Sunday. Local sources said that the soldiers raided the village in 12 army vehicles and combed and searched two suburbs.
They said that dozens of young men confronted the invading forces and hurled stones at them while the soldiers responded by firing live bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters.
Soldiers Invade Qabatia
Palestinian medical sources reported Sunday [April 4, 2014] that several Israeli military jeeps invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and clashed with local youths, causing several Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The sources said the soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and concussion grenades, causing several Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation. Some of the gas bombs struck also homes in the town.
All wounded Palestinians received treatment by local medics, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported.
WAFA added that the soldiers invaded various neighborhoods in the town, leading to clashes with local youths who threw stones at them.
In related news, soldiers invaded the al-Asakra village, east of Bethlehem, broke into one home, searched it, and handed a resident, identified as Ali Ibrahim Asakra, a military warrant ordering him to head to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
In addition, dozens of soldiers also invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, and violently searched several homes after breaking into them.
The soldiers also placed sand barriers closing all entrances of the town, thus blocking all inbound and outbound traffic.
On Saturday evening, soldiers invaded Um Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, and handed resident Hayyan Ibrahim Taqatqa, 27, a military warrant ordering him to head to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
They said that dozens of young men confronted the invading forces and hurled stones at them while the soldiers responded by firing live bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters.
Soldiers Invade Qabatia
Palestinian medical sources reported Sunday [April 4, 2014] that several Israeli military jeeps invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and clashed with local youths, causing several Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The sources said the soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and concussion grenades, causing several Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation. Some of the gas bombs struck also homes in the town.
All wounded Palestinians received treatment by local medics, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported.
WAFA added that the soldiers invaded various neighborhoods in the town, leading to clashes with local youths who threw stones at them.
In related news, soldiers invaded the al-Asakra village, east of Bethlehem, broke into one home, searched it, and handed a resident, identified as Ali Ibrahim Asakra, a military warrant ordering him to head to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
In addition, dozens of soldiers also invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, and violently searched several homes after breaking into them.
The soldiers also placed sand barriers closing all entrances of the town, thus blocking all inbound and outbound traffic.
On Saturday evening, soldiers invaded Um Salmouna village, south of Bethlehem, and handed resident Hayyan Ibrahim Taqatqa, 27, a military warrant ordering him to head to the Etzion military base for interrogation.
