24 jan 2014
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Bilal Samer Oweidah 20
Israeli forces shot dead one Palestinian and injured another on Friday during a protest east of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip. Spokesman for the Gaza Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qidra, said that 20-year-old Bilal Samer Oweidah died after being shot dead in the chest by Israeli forces near the border. Owiedah was among a group of Palestinians who had gathered near the border to protest the buffer zone imposed by Israel, al-Qidra said. |
Another Palestinian was moderately injured when Israeli forces opened fire on the protesters, he said.
Locals said that Oweidah was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006.
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.
One Palestinian killed, 5 others wounded in Israeli gunfire east of Jabaliya
One Palestinian citizen was killed and five others were wounded on Friday afternoon when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) randomly opened fire at a residential area to the east of Jabaliya district in the Gaza Strip. A medical source told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a 20-year-old young man identified as Bilal Oweida was shot dead in Israeli gunfire to the east of Jabaliya.
He added that five other men at the same area sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Since the start of 2014, three Gazans have been killed and more than 20 others suffered different injuries in deadly attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.
Locals said that Oweidah was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006.
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17 percent of Gaza's total land area and 35 percent of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.
One Palestinian killed, 5 others wounded in Israeli gunfire east of Jabaliya
One Palestinian citizen was killed and five others were wounded on Friday afternoon when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) randomly opened fire at a residential area to the east of Jabaliya district in the Gaza Strip. A medical source told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that a 20-year-old young man identified as Bilal Oweida was shot dead in Israeli gunfire to the east of Jabaliya.
He added that five other men at the same area sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Since the start of 2014, three Gazans have been killed and more than 20 others suffered different injuries in deadly attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.
Dr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations in New York, said that the international community must act collectively to hold Israel accountable for its violations and crimes and salvage the prospects for the realization of peace and justice in this year.
Mansour statements were made in identical letters sent to the UN Secretary-General, President of the Security Council (Jordan) and President of the UN General Assembly, on Israeli aggressive and illegal actions against the Palestinian people.
Mansour said in his letter: "While serious peace efforts are being undertaken both regionally and internationally to achieve peace and to salvage the Two-State solution, Israel instead continues to choose aggression and colonization. Since the resumption of peace talks, the occupying Power hasn't ceased its oppressive and destructive measures which threatening to derail the peace talks.
He pointed out to "the latest spate of Israeli crimes took place on Wednesday, 22 January, in the Gaza Strip, an integral part of the State of Palestine, which remains under an oppressive, unlawful blockade. For the second time in a week, Israeli occupying forces launched military strikes against the Gaza Strip, firing a missile at a car carrying Ahmed Zaanin, 21 years old, and Mahmoud Zaanin, 23 years old, killing them both."
He added, "In addition to the killing of Palestinian civilians, Israel continues with its illegal, provocative measures that continue to aggravate tensions. While all these issues were highlighted during the State of Palestine's intervention at the Security Council on 20 January 2014, in particular the issue of continued settlement activities, which more than 40 Member States who addressed the Council reiterated the illegality of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the obstacle they pose to peace."
He also pointed out to the Israeli decision that was made in 22 January to "move forward with its plans for another 261 new units in two settlements located deep in the West Bank. This includes 256 units in the so-called settlement of "Nofei Prat", between Jerusalem and Jericho, which according to Peace Now dramatically changes the settlement, expanding its size and population significantly, in fact tripling its size. Another five settlement units in the massive settlement of "Ariel" in the North."
He also talked about the announcement made by the Jerusalem municipality to build a new settlement "neighborhood" south of the City, which would include 1700 settlement units. Furthermore, a further 381 new settlement units were approved to be built in the so-called settlement of "Givat Zeev" north of Jerusalem.
"Along with the innumerable violations to Palestinian rights as a result of illegal settlements, racist and fanatic Israeli settlers continue to wreak havoc and destruction on Palestinian properties and land throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," said Mansour.
In the recent period, extremist settlers have continued to vandalize homes and to destroy olive groves and other farm lands. The most recent attacks occurred yesterday when Israeli settlers uprooted over 600 recently planted olive and almond saplings in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the West Bank. It should be noted that the saplings were planted by the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Palestinian farmers, and would have benefited more than 70 families."
"The occupying Power is also pushing ahead with excavation plans for a so-called second "visitors' center" at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh in Silwan, a densely-populated neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Such excavations by the occupying Power at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh are destroying deep-rooted Islamic antiquities from the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphate eras."
Mansour confirmed that all of these illegal Israeli policies and practices are fueling tensions on the ground, inciting violence and provoking deeper mistrust. The negative impact of such Israeli breaches on the situation on the ground is vast and is deepening pessimism in respect to the potential for the success of the current peace negotiations and the ultimate viability of the two-State solution.
He stressed that a clear demand must be made to Israel to cease its illegal actions and commit to the path of peace. He said, "The international community, foremost the Security Council, has clear responsibilities in this regard and must no longer tolerate the occupying Power's empty pretexts, deception and blatant contempt for international law."
Mansour statements were made in identical letters sent to the UN Secretary-General, President of the Security Council (Jordan) and President of the UN General Assembly, on Israeli aggressive and illegal actions against the Palestinian people.
Mansour said in his letter: "While serious peace efforts are being undertaken both regionally and internationally to achieve peace and to salvage the Two-State solution, Israel instead continues to choose aggression and colonization. Since the resumption of peace talks, the occupying Power hasn't ceased its oppressive and destructive measures which threatening to derail the peace talks.
He pointed out to "the latest spate of Israeli crimes took place on Wednesday, 22 January, in the Gaza Strip, an integral part of the State of Palestine, which remains under an oppressive, unlawful blockade. For the second time in a week, Israeli occupying forces launched military strikes against the Gaza Strip, firing a missile at a car carrying Ahmed Zaanin, 21 years old, and Mahmoud Zaanin, 23 years old, killing them both."
He added, "In addition to the killing of Palestinian civilians, Israel continues with its illegal, provocative measures that continue to aggravate tensions. While all these issues were highlighted during the State of Palestine's intervention at the Security Council on 20 January 2014, in particular the issue of continued settlement activities, which more than 40 Member States who addressed the Council reiterated the illegality of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the obstacle they pose to peace."
He also pointed out to the Israeli decision that was made in 22 January to "move forward with its plans for another 261 new units in two settlements located deep in the West Bank. This includes 256 units in the so-called settlement of "Nofei Prat", between Jerusalem and Jericho, which according to Peace Now dramatically changes the settlement, expanding its size and population significantly, in fact tripling its size. Another five settlement units in the massive settlement of "Ariel" in the North."
He also talked about the announcement made by the Jerusalem municipality to build a new settlement "neighborhood" south of the City, which would include 1700 settlement units. Furthermore, a further 381 new settlement units were approved to be built in the so-called settlement of "Givat Zeev" north of Jerusalem.
"Along with the innumerable violations to Palestinian rights as a result of illegal settlements, racist and fanatic Israeli settlers continue to wreak havoc and destruction on Palestinian properties and land throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem," said Mansour.
In the recent period, extremist settlers have continued to vandalize homes and to destroy olive groves and other farm lands. The most recent attacks occurred yesterday when Israeli settlers uprooted over 600 recently planted olive and almond saplings in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the West Bank. It should be noted that the saplings were planted by the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Palestinian farmers, and would have benefited more than 70 families."
"The occupying Power is also pushing ahead with excavation plans for a so-called second "visitors' center" at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh in Silwan, a densely-populated neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Such excavations by the occupying Power at the entrance to Wadi Hilweh are destroying deep-rooted Islamic antiquities from the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphate eras."
Mansour confirmed that all of these illegal Israeli policies and practices are fueling tensions on the ground, inciting violence and provoking deeper mistrust. The negative impact of such Israeli breaches on the situation on the ground is vast and is deepening pessimism in respect to the potential for the success of the current peace negotiations and the ultimate viability of the two-State solution.
He stressed that a clear demand must be made to Israel to cease its illegal actions and commit to the path of peace. He said, "The international community, foremost the Security Council, has clear responsibilities in this regard and must no longer tolerate the occupying Power's empty pretexts, deception and blatant contempt for international law."
22 jan 2014
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Ahmed Al-Za’anin
Mohammed Al-Za'anin Palestinian medical sources have reported that Israeli soldiers assassinated two Palestinian fighters on Tuesday night, after midnight, in Beit Hanoun town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The sources said that an Israeli drone fired a missile at a Palestinian car driving on Sikka Street, killing two fighters identified as Ahmad Mohammad Za’aneen, 21, and his cousin, Mohammad Yousef Za’aneen, 22. The bodies of the slain Palestinians were severely mutilated due to the attack; their remains were moved to the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia nearby town. |
Eyewitnesses said Israeli drones could still be heard flying over different parts of the besieged coastal region, causing panic among the residents.
The assassination of the two fighters comes only two days after the army assassinated Ahmad Sa’ad, of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
Israeli raid kills two resistance fighters
Two Palestinian resistance fighters were killed in Beit Hanun, north of the Gaza Strip, after midnight Tuesday in an Israeli air strike. Medical sources told the PIC reporter that an Israeli reconnaissance plane bombed a civilian car in Sikka street in Beit Hanun town killing Ahmed Al-Za’anin and his cousin Mohammed Al-Za'anin.
The reporter said that rescue and ambulance teams rushed to the scene and evacuated the scattered remains of both fighters.
He reported a rising state of anger among inhabitants in the Strip as a result of the Israeli military escalation that came only few hours after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to Gaza.
Israeli occupation forces assassinated Ahmed Saad, a fighter affiliated with Quds Brigades the armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement, also in northern Gaza a couple of days earlier.
The assassination of the two fighters comes only two days after the army assassinated Ahmad Sa’ad, of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
Israeli raid kills two resistance fighters
Two Palestinian resistance fighters were killed in Beit Hanun, north of the Gaza Strip, after midnight Tuesday in an Israeli air strike. Medical sources told the PIC reporter that an Israeli reconnaissance plane bombed a civilian car in Sikka street in Beit Hanun town killing Ahmed Al-Za’anin and his cousin Mohammed Al-Za'anin.
The reporter said that rescue and ambulance teams rushed to the scene and evacuated the scattered remains of both fighters.
He reported a rising state of anger among inhabitants in the Strip as a result of the Israeli military escalation that came only few hours after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to Gaza.
Israeli occupation forces assassinated Ahmed Saad, a fighter affiliated with Quds Brigades the armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement, also in northern Gaza a couple of days earlier.
18 jan 2014
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By Graham Liddell
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered across Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank to mourn the anniversary of the death of a boy killed during protests a year earlier. Fifteen-year-old Saleh al-Amarin from Azza camp died Jan. 23, 2013 after being shot in the head during clashes with Israeli forces days before. Around noon Jan. 18, 2013, Saleh attended a protest at the nearby Aida refugee camp. As tensions |
grew, he and his friends threw stones toward the Israeli separation wall, while soldiers fired tear-gas canisters back at the boys.
Then the protest came to an abrupt end. Saleh was hit in the head with a live bullet. His friends and the Palestinian Red Crescent carried him to a nearby hospital, and he died five days later.
A year later, locals held memorial services and military parades in Saleh's honor.
On Thursday, hundreds from the Bethlehem area attended a memorial service in Dheisheh camp's Phoenix Center.
Several men gave speeches, a children's dance crew performed, and a video of the aftermath of Saleh's death was screened. Saleh's face was emblazoned on walls, t-shirts, and pamphlets.
On Wednesday, a group of teenagers from Dheisheh and Azza organized a march on a main street in Bethlehem, temporarily blocking traffic.
Dozens of masked youths dressed in ragtag military garb paraded through Azza and out onto Manger Street, carrying makeshift weapons. Following a truck whose speakers blared patriotic tunes, the boys in the front of the group held a banner that read "Friends of the martyr hero Saleh al-Amarin."
Men gave speeches as the youths marched in place. Women reached into baskets and threw candy into the street, and boys and girls on the sidelines ran to collect it. Later, a few of the "soldiers" snuck quick grabs at the candy, or returned unmasked after the march was over to casually snatch a few pieces.
On Saturday, Azza camp held another memorial service commemorating the day Saleh was shot.
"Saleh is a martyr of Palestine," his father said in a speech. "He is the martyr of three refugee camps," he added, referring to Bethlehem's Aida, Dheisheh, and Azza.
'We were brothers'
In separate interviews with Ma'an, Saleh's friends from Azza said he was beloved by everybody in the camp.
"Everyone loved him," said 16-year-old Muhannad. "He would always joke around with us. ... He'd always make us laugh."
Muhannad said Saleh loved to wrestle with other kids.
"Not 'kill, kill,' but just joking around," Muhannad said, smiling.
Saleh was respected by everyone, he said.
Fifteen-year old Nour told Ma'an: "Me and Saleh were more than friends. We were brothers."
Saleh and a group of about 10 friends were "best friends," Nour said. "We'd go everywhere together."
Nour said he attended the clashes at Aida camp on Jan. 18, 2013.
"We were throwing stones and marching, and everyone was there at the march," he said.
"Saleh was there, and the soldiers started shooting live bullets. But the live bullets they were shooting were silent. They would be shot but you couldn't hear anything. So the bullet came and went right into his head."
Nour said the boys carried Saleh away and went to the hospital, recounting that Saleh died at "approximately 3:00 p.m." on Jan. 23.
When people found out he had died, "it was terrible news."
"Everyone was shocked by this news. Everyone started crying. ... No one could believe it."
Another friend of Saleh's, 16-year-old Atallah, told Ma'an that he had attended protests around the time Saleh died.
"We thought they just used rubber bullets," Atallah said. "We didn't realize they used live bullets."
He said the reason Saleh's face had been spray-painted all over Bethlehem, and the reason his friends posted pictures of him on Facebook on a near-daily basis, was so "no one would forget."
Atallah, Muhannad, and Nour all said they regularly took part in clashes at Aida camp.
Muhannad and Atallah said they attended the clashes even more after Saleh died.
"Any clash that happens, I go," Muhannad said. "I go because of Saleh."
'Excessive force'
According to a Palestinian-led activist group, doctors speculated that the bullet that killed Saleh was an expanding dumdum bullet, due to the fragmentation of shrapnel within his skull.
One doctor said he was sure a dumdum bullet was used, the International Solidarity Movement reported on the day of Saleh's death.
Expanding bullets have been illegal [PDF] under international law since the Hague convention of 1899.
Their use by Israeli forces has been documented in various news reports throughout the past decade.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an she could not confirm whether a dumdum bullet was used to kill Saleh.
Asked whether the Israeli army used dumdum bullets at all, the spokeswoman said she was not authorized to provide such information.
But she confirmed the incident on Jan. 18, 2013, saying: "a gang of around 30 Palestinian protesters threw rocks towards the security presence in the area."
"A Palestinian protester, who was injured during the violent protest, was evacuated with the help of the Red Crescent to a nearby hospital. Upon his death, an investigation was immediately undertaken by the Military Police and the case is currently under the jurisdiction of the Military General Advocate," she said.
She added: "The protest took place within the context of a spate of extremely violent protests in the prior days, during which molotov cocktails were thrown and rocks hurled towards worshipers and security forces."
Violence had certainly escalated at the time, as at least five other Palestinians were fatally shot by Israeli forces throughout the first three weeks of January.
An Israeli rights group reported a five-year high in the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2013.
According to B'Tselem, 27 West Bank Palestinians were killed in 2013, including four during protests that involved stone-throwing.
In April, Amnesty International condemned the use of "excessive force" by the Israeli army against Palestinians.
"Israel must take urgent steps to ensure its forces in the West Bank limit the use of live fire to situations when their own lives or others are genuinely in danger in order to avoid further unlawful deaths and injuries," said Ann Harrison, Amnesty's Middle East director.
There are 19 refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, within which live about a quarter of the 771,000 registered refugees in the territory.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
Then the protest came to an abrupt end. Saleh was hit in the head with a live bullet. His friends and the Palestinian Red Crescent carried him to a nearby hospital, and he died five days later.
A year later, locals held memorial services and military parades in Saleh's honor.
On Thursday, hundreds from the Bethlehem area attended a memorial service in Dheisheh camp's Phoenix Center.
Several men gave speeches, a children's dance crew performed, and a video of the aftermath of Saleh's death was screened. Saleh's face was emblazoned on walls, t-shirts, and pamphlets.
On Wednesday, a group of teenagers from Dheisheh and Azza organized a march on a main street in Bethlehem, temporarily blocking traffic.
Dozens of masked youths dressed in ragtag military garb paraded through Azza and out onto Manger Street, carrying makeshift weapons. Following a truck whose speakers blared patriotic tunes, the boys in the front of the group held a banner that read "Friends of the martyr hero Saleh al-Amarin."
Men gave speeches as the youths marched in place. Women reached into baskets and threw candy into the street, and boys and girls on the sidelines ran to collect it. Later, a few of the "soldiers" snuck quick grabs at the candy, or returned unmasked after the march was over to casually snatch a few pieces.
On Saturday, Azza camp held another memorial service commemorating the day Saleh was shot.
"Saleh is a martyr of Palestine," his father said in a speech. "He is the martyr of three refugee camps," he added, referring to Bethlehem's Aida, Dheisheh, and Azza.
'We were brothers'
In separate interviews with Ma'an, Saleh's friends from Azza said he was beloved by everybody in the camp.
"Everyone loved him," said 16-year-old Muhannad. "He would always joke around with us. ... He'd always make us laugh."
Muhannad said Saleh loved to wrestle with other kids.
"Not 'kill, kill,' but just joking around," Muhannad said, smiling.
Saleh was respected by everyone, he said.
Fifteen-year old Nour told Ma'an: "Me and Saleh were more than friends. We were brothers."
Saleh and a group of about 10 friends were "best friends," Nour said. "We'd go everywhere together."
Nour said he attended the clashes at Aida camp on Jan. 18, 2013.
"We were throwing stones and marching, and everyone was there at the march," he said.
"Saleh was there, and the soldiers started shooting live bullets. But the live bullets they were shooting were silent. They would be shot but you couldn't hear anything. So the bullet came and went right into his head."
Nour said the boys carried Saleh away and went to the hospital, recounting that Saleh died at "approximately 3:00 p.m." on Jan. 23.
When people found out he had died, "it was terrible news."
"Everyone was shocked by this news. Everyone started crying. ... No one could believe it."
Another friend of Saleh's, 16-year-old Atallah, told Ma'an that he had attended protests around the time Saleh died.
"We thought they just used rubber bullets," Atallah said. "We didn't realize they used live bullets."
He said the reason Saleh's face had been spray-painted all over Bethlehem, and the reason his friends posted pictures of him on Facebook on a near-daily basis, was so "no one would forget."
Atallah, Muhannad, and Nour all said they regularly took part in clashes at Aida camp.
Muhannad and Atallah said they attended the clashes even more after Saleh died.
"Any clash that happens, I go," Muhannad said. "I go because of Saleh."
'Excessive force'
According to a Palestinian-led activist group, doctors speculated that the bullet that killed Saleh was an expanding dumdum bullet, due to the fragmentation of shrapnel within his skull.
One doctor said he was sure a dumdum bullet was used, the International Solidarity Movement reported on the day of Saleh's death.
Expanding bullets have been illegal [PDF] under international law since the Hague convention of 1899.
Their use by Israeli forces has been documented in various news reports throughout the past decade.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an she could not confirm whether a dumdum bullet was used to kill Saleh.
Asked whether the Israeli army used dumdum bullets at all, the spokeswoman said she was not authorized to provide such information.
But she confirmed the incident on Jan. 18, 2013, saying: "a gang of around 30 Palestinian protesters threw rocks towards the security presence in the area."
"A Palestinian protester, who was injured during the violent protest, was evacuated with the help of the Red Crescent to a nearby hospital. Upon his death, an investigation was immediately undertaken by the Military Police and the case is currently under the jurisdiction of the Military General Advocate," she said.
She added: "The protest took place within the context of a spate of extremely violent protests in the prior days, during which molotov cocktails were thrown and rocks hurled towards worshipers and security forces."
Violence had certainly escalated at the time, as at least five other Palestinians were fatally shot by Israeli forces throughout the first three weeks of January.
An Israeli rights group reported a five-year high in the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in 2013.
According to B'Tselem, 27 West Bank Palestinians were killed in 2013, including four during protests that involved stone-throwing.
In April, Amnesty International condemned the use of "excessive force" by the Israeli army against Palestinians.
"Israel must take urgent steps to ensure its forces in the West Bank limit the use of live fire to situations when their own lives or others are genuinely in danger in order to avoid further unlawful deaths and injuries," said Ann Harrison, Amnesty's Middle East director.
There are 19 refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, within which live about a quarter of the 771,000 registered refugees in the territory.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
11 jan 2014
The UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs in occupied Palestine (OCHA) said that two Palestinians were killed and 25 others were wounded by either Israeli troops or settlers during the first week of 2014. In a report released on Saturday, OCHA stated that an 85-year-old Palestinian from Kafr Qaddum village, east of Qalqiliya city, had died last week after he had inhaled tear gas fired by Israeli troops at Palestinian homes.
It added in its report, which covered some of the Israeli violations that took place from December 31, 2013 until January 6, 2014, that a 16-year-old boy was also killed and three others suffered injuries in Gaza when they were targeted by Israeli soldiers at the pretext of their presence near the security fence.
It noted that 17 Palestinian citizens suffered different injuries during Israeli violent attacks on the weekly anti-settlement marches of the West Bank as well as on Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps.
Five Palestinians, including a female child, were also wounded by Jewish settlers in Nablus and Al-Khalil cities during the reporting week, OCHA affirmed.
It added in its report, which covered some of the Israeli violations that took place from December 31, 2013 until January 6, 2014, that a 16-year-old boy was also killed and three others suffered injuries in Gaza when they were targeted by Israeli soldiers at the pretext of their presence near the security fence.
It noted that 17 Palestinian citizens suffered different injuries during Israeli violent attacks on the weekly anti-settlement marches of the West Bank as well as on Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps.
Five Palestinians, including a female child, were also wounded by Jewish settlers in Nablus and Al-Khalil cities during the reporting week, OCHA affirmed.
9 jan 2014
The assassination of senior Islamic Jihad official Mohamed Al-Ajla on Wednesday in the Gaza Strip raised the number of Palestinians that have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) since it accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce in November 2012 to 15 victims. Ajla, a senior member of the Islamic Jihad's armed wing Al-Quds Brigades, was killed yesterday morning in an Israeli artillery attack on east of Gaza city. Other Palestinian civilians suffered injuries in the attack.
Later on the same day, huge masses of Palestinian citizens and Islamic Jihad members marched in the funeral procession of Ajla and attended his burial ceremony in Gaza.
For its part, Islamic Jihad said it decided to reexamine the Egyptian-brokered calm between the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation, and vowed to avenge the death of Ajla.
It said that it would choose the right time and place to retaliate to Israel's crimes.
In this regard, informed sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Ajla was killed during his attempt to repel an Israeli military incursion into the east of Al-Shuja'eiya neighborhood.
The sources added that an Israeli tank fired a shell at Ajla as he was attempting to launch a mortar attack to ward off the invading troops.
They noted that some civilians including children suffered shrapnel wounds during the Israeli attack.
Later on the same day, huge masses of Palestinian citizens and Islamic Jihad members marched in the funeral procession of Ajla and attended his burial ceremony in Gaza.
For its part, Islamic Jihad said it decided to reexamine the Egyptian-brokered calm between the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation, and vowed to avenge the death of Ajla.
It said that it would choose the right time and place to retaliate to Israel's crimes.
In this regard, informed sources told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Ajla was killed during his attempt to repel an Israeli military incursion into the east of Al-Shuja'eiya neighborhood.
The sources added that an Israeli tank fired a shell at Ajla as he was attempting to launch a mortar attack to ward off the invading troops.
They noted that some civilians including children suffered shrapnel wounds during the Israeli attack.
8 jan 2014
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Mohammed Al-Ajala 32
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired an artillery shell on a group of citizens east of Gaza city on Wednesday morning killing a resistance fighter and critically wounding a 9-year-old child. Palestinian security sources said that the shell exploded near a petrol station east of Gaza city killing Mohammed Al-Ajala, a member of the Quds Brigades the armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement, and seriously wounding the child. They pointed out that intensified flights of Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance planes were noticed over the area at the time of the shelling. |
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers opened fire east of Breij refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip, in line with military exercises.
Palestinian Killed By Israeli Shell In Gaza, Two Children Injured
Palestinian medical sources have reported that one Palestinian has been killed, and two children injured, one seriously, when Israeli soldiers fired shells into the Al-Kassarat area, east of Gaza city.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qodra, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, said that that the body of slain resident Mohammad Salama al-Ajla, 32, was severely mutilated due to the blast, and his remains were moved to the Shifa Medical Center in Gaza.
Al-Qodra added that two children were wounded in the Israeli attack; one of them suffered serious injuries.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, said that Al-Ajla is one of its members, and added that it “will practice its right to retaliate.”
The Brigades added that its response would come after evaluating it and its effects on the situation in the besieged coastal region.
Palestinian Injured During Funeral Of Slain Fighter In Gaza
Palestinian medical sources have reported that at least one Palestinian was wounded after Israeli soldiers attacked the funeral procession of a Palestinian fighter killed earlier in the day, east of Gaza city.
The sources said that the soldiers, stationed across the border fence, fired gas bombs at dozens of residents during the funeral procession of Mohammad A-‘Ajla, a member of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
The wounded residents, 20 years of age, was moved to a local hospital suffering moderate injuries, the Safa News Agency has reported.
The assassination of Al-‘Ajla led to the injury of two Palestinian children, one of them was seriously hurt.
Safa said that the soldiers also fired rounds of live ammunition into an area close to the border fence to prevent the Palestinians from approaching it.
The Al-Quds Brigades vowed retaliation for the assassination of Al-‘Ajla and Israel’s ongoing violations and assaults against the Palestinians and their property in occupied Palestine.
Palestinian Killed By Israeli Shell In Gaza, Two Children Injured
Palestinian medical sources have reported that one Palestinian has been killed, and two children injured, one seriously, when Israeli soldiers fired shells into the Al-Kassarat area, east of Gaza city.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qodra, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, said that that the body of slain resident Mohammad Salama al-Ajla, 32, was severely mutilated due to the blast, and his remains were moved to the Shifa Medical Center in Gaza.
Al-Qodra added that two children were wounded in the Israeli attack; one of them suffered serious injuries.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, said that Al-Ajla is one of its members, and added that it “will practice its right to retaliate.”
The Brigades added that its response would come after evaluating it and its effects on the situation in the besieged coastal region.
Palestinian Injured During Funeral Of Slain Fighter In Gaza
Palestinian medical sources have reported that at least one Palestinian was wounded after Israeli soldiers attacked the funeral procession of a Palestinian fighter killed earlier in the day, east of Gaza city.
The sources said that the soldiers, stationed across the border fence, fired gas bombs at dozens of residents during the funeral procession of Mohammad A-‘Ajla, a member of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad.
The wounded residents, 20 years of age, was moved to a local hospital suffering moderate injuries, the Safa News Agency has reported.
The assassination of Al-‘Ajla led to the injury of two Palestinian children, one of them was seriously hurt.
Safa said that the soldiers also fired rounds of live ammunition into an area close to the border fence to prevent the Palestinians from approaching it.
The Al-Quds Brigades vowed retaliation for the assassination of Al-‘Ajla and Israel’s ongoing violations and assaults against the Palestinians and their property in occupied Palestine.
7 jan 2014
Adel Muhammad Yakoub 59
A Palestinian man has died inside of an Israeli checkpoint, on Sunday, in the northern West Bank, while on his way to work in Israel.
According to witnesses, 59-year-old Adel Muhammad Yakoub, from the northern West Bank village of Balaa, has died as a result of extreme overcrowding inside the checkpoint at Ephraim/Taybeh, Ma'an News Agency has reported.
10,000 Palestinian workers cross through this checkpoint, every day, and inspection procedures at the checkpoint are very slow, causing dangerous levels of overcrowding.
The victim left behind a wife and seven children, aged 11-16. He is reported to have suffered from heart disease.
Ma'an adds that Israeli forces maintain severe restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement, in the West Bank, through a complex combination of fixed checkpoints, flying checkpoints, roads forbidden to Palestinians but open to settlers, and other various obstructions.
At any given time there are about 100 permanent Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, while surprise "flying" checkpoints often number into the hundreds.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories, of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part, have been occupied by Israeli military since 1967.
A Palestinian man has died inside of an Israeli checkpoint, on Sunday, in the northern West Bank, while on his way to work in Israel.
According to witnesses, 59-year-old Adel Muhammad Yakoub, from the northern West Bank village of Balaa, has died as a result of extreme overcrowding inside the checkpoint at Ephraim/Taybeh, Ma'an News Agency has reported.
10,000 Palestinian workers cross through this checkpoint, every day, and inspection procedures at the checkpoint are very slow, causing dangerous levels of overcrowding.
The victim left behind a wife and seven children, aged 11-16. He is reported to have suffered from heart disease.
Ma'an adds that Israeli forces maintain severe restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement, in the West Bank, through a complex combination of fixed checkpoints, flying checkpoints, roads forbidden to Palestinians but open to settlers, and other various obstructions.
At any given time there are about 100 permanent Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, while surprise "flying" checkpoints often number into the hundreds.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories, of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part, have been occupied by Israeli military since 1967.
6 jan 2014
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(L) Sameer Ahmad Abdul-Rahim Mohammad Awad 16, killed jan 15 2013 and (R) Wajih Ramahi 14, killed dec 7 2013
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has slammed Israel for not presenting any evidence in the case of killing two Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank in 2013. In January 2013, Samir Awad was shot three times in the leg, back and head. The 16-year-old was about 250 meters away from his school when he was shot. Also in December 2013 an Israeli soldier shot dead 16-year-old Wajih al-Ramahi in an area between his school and a market. |
“Twice this year, Israeli soldiers hiding near schools, apparently to make arrests, have killed children who posed no apparent threat,” said Joe Stork, the deputy Middle East and North Africa director at HRW on Sunday.
The HRW said there was no justification for the use of live ammunitions in either of the cases.
“An attack on a civilian that is carried out intentionally or recklessly is a war crime,” HRW said in a statement on its website.
Last week, another Palestinian teenager also died of the wounds he sustained after being shot by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border.
According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, the 16-year-old, identified as Adnan Abu Khater, succumbed to his wounds on January 3 a day after Israeli forces shot him in the leg in the Jabalia city, located four kilometers north of Gaza City.
Israel has recently intensified its military operations on the besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli military frequently targets Palestinians along the border with Gaza, which has remained literally cut off from the outside world by a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007.
Israel also frequently bombs the coastal enclave, claiming the attacks are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.
The HRW said there was no justification for the use of live ammunitions in either of the cases.
“An attack on a civilian that is carried out intentionally or recklessly is a war crime,” HRW said in a statement on its website.
Last week, another Palestinian teenager also died of the wounds he sustained after being shot by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border.
According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, the 16-year-old, identified as Adnan Abu Khater, succumbed to his wounds on January 3 a day after Israeli forces shot him in the leg in the Jabalia city, located four kilometers north of Gaza City.
Israel has recently intensified its military operations on the besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli military frequently targets Palestinians along the border with Gaza, which has remained literally cut off from the outside world by a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007.
Israel also frequently bombs the coastal enclave, claiming the attacks are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.
3 jan 2014
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Adnan Abu Khater 17
Palestinian Medical sources have reported that a Palestinian teen died of wounds suffered Thursday after Israeli soldiers opened fire at an area in northern Gaza. The sources said that Adnan Abu Khater, 17 years of age, was seriously injured east of Jabalia town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, and was moved to the Ash-Shifa Medical Center, west of Gaza City. Abu Khater was then moved to surgery, and remained in a very serious condition until he passed away on Friday morning. |
Furthermore, the Israeli army fired several shells at an area, east of the Al-Boreij refugee camp, in Central Gaza, causing excessive damage but no injuries.
The Israeli Air Force also carried out several air strikes targeting various areas in the Gaza Strip, mainly agricultural lands east of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, in addition to firing missiles into lands east of Gaza City, and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border east of Gaza City, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition into Palestinian farmlands.
Israeli navy boats also fired rounds of live ammunition at several Palestinian fishing boats, in Palestinian territorial waters, causing damage but no injuries.
The Israeli Air Force also carried out several air strikes targeting various areas in the Gaza Strip, mainly agricultural lands east of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, in addition to firing missiles into lands east of Gaza City, and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border east of Gaza City, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition into Palestinian farmlands.
Israeli navy boats also fired rounds of live ammunition at several Palestinian fishing boats, in Palestinian territorial waters, causing damage but no injuries.
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Two decades after deadly terror attacks in Argentina's capital, former Israeli ambassador says 'large majority of those responsible are no longer of this world, we did it ourselves'
Israel has killed most of those behind the deadly attacks on its embassy and a Jewish charities building in Argentina in the 1990s, a former Israeli envoy said Thursday. The July 1994 bombing of the Argentine Jewish Charities Federation (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires killed 85 people. Hundreds were hurt in a bombing Argentina says was masterminded by Iran. |
Two years earlier, in March 1992, a car bombing in front of the Israeli embassy in the capital killed 29 and wounded 200 others.
"The large majority of those responsible are no longer of this world, and we did it ourselves," Itzhak Aviran, who was Israel's ambassador to Argentina from 1993 to 2000, told the Buenos Aires-based AJN Jewish news agency. Two decades after the blasts, those who instigated them have not been brought to justice.
Neither Carlos Menem, who was Argentina's president from 1989 to 1999, nor his successor Fernando de la Rua and those who followed "did anything to get to the bottom of this tragedy," Aviran said. "We still need an answer (from the Argentine government) on what happened," he added. "We know who the perpetrators of the embassy bombing were and they did it a second time." Argentine courts have charged eight Iranians over the AMIA bombing and authorities are demanding their extradition.
They include former defense minister Ahmad Vahidi and ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Argentine authorities also suspect Iran of being behind the 1992 bombing. Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. Argentina's 300,000-strong Jewish community is the largest in Latin America.
"The large majority of those responsible are no longer of this world, and we did it ourselves," Itzhak Aviran, who was Israel's ambassador to Argentina from 1993 to 2000, told the Buenos Aires-based AJN Jewish news agency. Two decades after the blasts, those who instigated them have not been brought to justice.
Neither Carlos Menem, who was Argentina's president from 1989 to 1999, nor his successor Fernando de la Rua and those who followed "did anything to get to the bottom of this tragedy," Aviran said. "We still need an answer (from the Argentine government) on what happened," he added. "We know who the perpetrators of the embassy bombing were and they did it a second time." Argentine courts have charged eight Iranians over the AMIA bombing and authorities are demanding their extradition.
They include former defense minister Ahmad Vahidi and ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Argentine authorities also suspect Iran of being behind the 1992 bombing. Iran has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. Argentina's 300,000-strong Jewish community is the largest in Latin America.
2 jan 2014
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Sa'id Jasir Ali 85
An 85-year-old man died overnight Wednesday after inhaling excessive amounts of tear gas fired by Israeli forces in the Qalqiliya village of Kafr Qaddum, locals said, representing the first Palestinian death of 2014. The incident occurred after Israeli forces dispersed a rally in the town commemorating the 49th anniversary of the founding of the Fatah movement. The rally marched towards the entrance of the town before Israeli troops showered the area with tear gas. A canister landed in the home of Said Jasir, causing him to suffocate. |
He was taken to the Al-Arabi hospital in Nablus where he was pronounced dead overnight.
There are weekly protests in Kafr Qaddum to protest the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.
Elderly Man Dies Of Teargas Inhalation In Kufur Qaddoum
The Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Kufur Qaddoum village, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, has reported that an elderly man died of teargas inhalation after Israeli soldiers invaded the village.
The Committee said that (Hajj) Sa’id Jasser Ali, 85 years of age, suffered serious complications after Israeli soldiers fired dozens of gas homes at a number of homes in the village, and its neighborhoods.
Local sources said that dozens of Palestinians held a nonviolent procession marking the 49th anniversary of forming the Fateh movement, headed by president Mahmoud Abbas.
The sources added that as the Palestinians marched from the center of the village towards its main entrance, Israeli soldiers started firing gas bombs at them and at several homes.
One of the bombs entered a home, causing the family to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Ali, the elderly man, required hospitalization after inhaling gas fired by the soldiers, and was moved to a local hospital in a serious condition before he died late on Wednesday at night.
His burial ceremony will be held on Thursday around noon, while clashes with the army are very likely as the village is subject to ongoing Israeli invasions and assaults.
The army frequently invades the village due to its continuous nonviolent protests against the illegal Israeli annexation wall, and its illegitimate Israeli settlement encircling the village, and denying the Palestinian the right to their own lands and orchards.
There are weekly protests in Kafr Qaddum to protest the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.
Elderly Man Dies Of Teargas Inhalation In Kufur Qaddoum
The Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Kufur Qaddoum village, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, has reported that an elderly man died of teargas inhalation after Israeli soldiers invaded the village.
The Committee said that (Hajj) Sa’id Jasser Ali, 85 years of age, suffered serious complications after Israeli soldiers fired dozens of gas homes at a number of homes in the village, and its neighborhoods.
Local sources said that dozens of Palestinians held a nonviolent procession marking the 49th anniversary of forming the Fateh movement, headed by president Mahmoud Abbas.
The sources added that as the Palestinians marched from the center of the village towards its main entrance, Israeli soldiers started firing gas bombs at them and at several homes.
One of the bombs entered a home, causing the family to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Ali, the elderly man, required hospitalization after inhaling gas fired by the soldiers, and was moved to a local hospital in a serious condition before he died late on Wednesday at night.
His burial ceremony will be held on Thursday around noon, while clashes with the army are very likely as the village is subject to ongoing Israeli invasions and assaults.
The army frequently invades the village due to its continuous nonviolent protests against the illegal Israeli annexation wall, and its illegitimate Israeli settlement encircling the village, and denying the Palestinian the right to their own lands and orchards.
Ahrar Center for Prisoners' Studies confirmed in its annual report that 40 Palestinians were killed in occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip during 2013 by Israeli occupation forces. The center's director Fuad Khuffash stated that there are no data discrepancies between his center's annual report and Amnesty and B'Tselem organizations' reports.
The two human rights organizations have only documented Palestinian martyrs killed by Israeli fire, while Ahrar center has added the names of Captive Movement's martyrs Ashraf Abu Dra'a, Arafat Jaradat, Maysara Abu Hamdiya, and Hassan al-Turabi who martyred due to Israeli medical negligence policy, he clarified.
According to Ahrar's report, 31 Palestinians were killed in occupied West Bank, while nine martyrs have been documented in the besieged Gaza Strip by Israeli fire and shells.
The two human rights organizations have only documented Palestinian martyrs killed by Israeli fire, while Ahrar center has added the names of Captive Movement's martyrs Ashraf Abu Dra'a, Arafat Jaradat, Maysara Abu Hamdiya, and Hassan al-Turabi who martyred due to Israeli medical negligence policy, he clarified.
According to Ahrar's report, 31 Palestinians were killed in occupied West Bank, while nine martyrs have been documented in the besieged Gaza Strip by Israeli fire and shells.
1 jan 2014
Israeli occupation army attacks against unarmed civilians in Gaza Strip killed 12, including two babies, and wounded 152 in the course of 2013, Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman, said. He said in a press release on Tuesday that five of those killed were from Khan Younis, south of the Strip, while three were killed in the central region, two in Gaza area, and two north of the Strip.
The spokesman pointed out that 44 children and 8 women were among the wounded with the biggest casualties recorded in northern Gaza with 76 wounded.
Qudra said that the Israeli occupation forces were deliberately targeting civilians especially fishermen and farmers at work, adding that the IOF strikes do not differentiate between old and young in total disregard to international conventions and norms.
The spokesman pointed out that 44 children and 8 women were among the wounded with the biggest casualties recorded in northern Gaza with 76 wounded.
Qudra said that the Israeli occupation forces were deliberately targeting civilians especially fishermen and farmers at work, adding that the IOF strikes do not differentiate between old and young in total disregard to international conventions and norms.
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