20 oct 2015
Israeli settlers stormed Monday Kafer al-Dick village in Slafit accompanied with a number of bulldozers, eyewitnesses revealed.
The Israeli bulldozers carried out combing operations in a Palestinian-owned agricultural land in the village west of Salfit.
The settlers also stole the olive harvest of the local farmer Musleh al-Dick, the sources added.
The local activist Khaled Maali stated that Israeli settlers usually attack and confiscate Palestinian-owned lands in occupied West Bank for settlement expansion.
Jewish settlers usually protested by Israeli settlers uproot or burn olive trees attacking Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists.
Since 1967, the Israeli occupation forces uprooted more than 800,000 olive trees n occupied Palestine.
The Israeli bulldozers carried out combing operations in a Palestinian-owned agricultural land in the village west of Salfit.
The settlers also stole the olive harvest of the local farmer Musleh al-Dick, the sources added.
The local activist Khaled Maali stated that Israeli settlers usually attack and confiscate Palestinian-owned lands in occupied West Bank for settlement expansion.
Jewish settlers usually protested by Israeli settlers uproot or burn olive trees attacking Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists.
Since 1967, the Israeli occupation forces uprooted more than 800,000 olive trees n occupied Palestine.
17 oct 2015
Dozens of Jewish settlers attacked at noon Saturday Palestinian farmers near Bourin town in southern Nablus city while picking olives.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that armed settlers from Yitzhar and Brakha outposts assaulted Palestinian farmers and tried to expel them out of their lands by force under gun threat.
A unit of the Israeli army reached the place and supported the fanatic settlers in making Palestinian farmers leave work in their lands, the eyewitnesses pointed out. No clashes or injuries were reported.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that armed settlers from Yitzhar and Brakha outposts assaulted Palestinian farmers and tried to expel them out of their lands by force under gun threat.
A unit of the Israeli army reached the place and supported the fanatic settlers in making Palestinian farmers leave work in their lands, the eyewitnesses pointed out. No clashes or injuries were reported.
Three Palestinian resistance fighters exchanged fire, on Friday evening, with dozens of Israeli soldiers invading Silwad town, east of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
Eyewitnesses said the three fighters exchanged fire with the invading army forces for nearly 30 minutes, while dozens of additional soldiers poured into town following the clashes.
The army also brought a military ambulance into the town, during the clashes, and prevented journalists from entering Silwad after completely sealing it.
The soldiers also surrounded a family from the town, while picking their olive orchard, and opened fire towards them. The family was allowed to leave several hours later.
Many Palestinians also suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes between local youths and the soldiers.
The youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading soldiers, while the army fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades.
In addition, soldiers invaded several homes, searched them and occupied their rooftops.
The army also placed sand hills on the main road leading to Palestinian villages northeast of Ramallah.
The villages are Silwad, al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiyya, Deir Jarir, Deir Debwan, Kafr Malik, at-Taybeh, and all nearby Bedouin communities.
Also Friday, soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians in Silwad, assaulted one of them causing various injuries, and prevented Palestinian medics from reaching him.
Eyewitnesses said the three fighters exchanged fire with the invading army forces for nearly 30 minutes, while dozens of additional soldiers poured into town following the clashes.
The army also brought a military ambulance into the town, during the clashes, and prevented journalists from entering Silwad after completely sealing it.
The soldiers also surrounded a family from the town, while picking their olive orchard, and opened fire towards them. The family was allowed to leave several hours later.
Many Palestinians also suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation during clashes between local youths and the soldiers.
The youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading soldiers, while the army fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades.
In addition, soldiers invaded several homes, searched them and occupied their rooftops.
The army also placed sand hills on the main road leading to Palestinian villages northeast of Ramallah.
The villages are Silwad, al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiyya, Deir Jarir, Deir Debwan, Kafr Malik, at-Taybeh, and all nearby Bedouin communities.
Also Friday, soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians in Silwad, assaulted one of them causing various injuries, and prevented Palestinian medics from reaching him.
14 oct 2015
Israeli settlers, Wednesday, set fire to large swaths of Palestinian-owned agricultural land near the village of Burin, to the south of Nablus in the West Bank, and injured a British activist while hurling stones at them, according to local sources.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in northern West Bank, told WAFA that a number of Israeli settlers broke into the area in the early morning hours and set fire to agricultural fields mostly planted with olive trees.
The settlers also chased local Palestinian farmers and targeted them with gunfire, Daghlas added.
A British activist, identified as David Hams, was accompanying Palestinian farmers to provide protection and support when Israeli settlers hurled stones at them.
Hams was hit with a large rock, and sustained serious injuries in his head. According to witnesses, Hams’ injury was serious; his blood covered his face and stained his t-shirt. He was transferred to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The village of Burin is just two kilometers away from Yitzhar, an illegal Israeli settlement that is infamous for housing the most extremist settler community in the West Bank.
Yitzhar settlers regularly attack vulnerable Palestinian communities and clash with members of the Israeli security forces.
The settlement is at the forefront of the settlers’ movement's so called 'price tag' policy, which calls for attacks against Palestinians in retaliation for actions of the Israeli government against West Bank settlements.
In May 2014, the Israeli security agency Shin Bet said the price-tag hate crimes were mainly attributed to about 100 extremist youths, mostly from Yitzhar, acting on ideas associated with Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg at the community's Od Yosef Chai yeshiva.
Violence by extremist Jewish settlers has been on the in the recent few years. However, it the attacks took a new turn on July 31, when a group of Jewish fanatics killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsha and seriously injured his entire family, during a predawn arson attack which targeted two homes in the village of Douma, south of Nablus.
The baby’s father, Sa’ad Dawabsha, died of his wounds at an Israeli hospital about a week later, while his mother, Riham, 27, died of critical burns that covered 90% of her body over a month after.
Al-Haq human rights organization said, “Attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank against members of the Palestinian population and their property are an extensive, long-term, and worsening phenomenon.”
Since the beginning of October 1, settlers have been attacking Palestinians on the main roads, stoning their vehicles and attacking passersby once they realize they are Palestinians.
The settlers who live in the northern West Bank have also been carrying out early morning and late night’s attacks against vulnerable communities in remote villages.
Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in northern West Bank, told WAFA that a number of Israeli settlers broke into the area in the early morning hours and set fire to agricultural fields mostly planted with olive trees.
The settlers also chased local Palestinian farmers and targeted them with gunfire, Daghlas added.
A British activist, identified as David Hams, was accompanying Palestinian farmers to provide protection and support when Israeli settlers hurled stones at them.
Hams was hit with a large rock, and sustained serious injuries in his head. According to witnesses, Hams’ injury was serious; his blood covered his face and stained his t-shirt. He was transferred to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The village of Burin is just two kilometers away from Yitzhar, an illegal Israeli settlement that is infamous for housing the most extremist settler community in the West Bank.
Yitzhar settlers regularly attack vulnerable Palestinian communities and clash with members of the Israeli security forces.
The settlement is at the forefront of the settlers’ movement's so called 'price tag' policy, which calls for attacks against Palestinians in retaliation for actions of the Israeli government against West Bank settlements.
In May 2014, the Israeli security agency Shin Bet said the price-tag hate crimes were mainly attributed to about 100 extremist youths, mostly from Yitzhar, acting on ideas associated with Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg at the community's Od Yosef Chai yeshiva.
Violence by extremist Jewish settlers has been on the in the recent few years. However, it the attacks took a new turn on July 31, when a group of Jewish fanatics killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsha and seriously injured his entire family, during a predawn arson attack which targeted two homes in the village of Douma, south of Nablus.
The baby’s father, Sa’ad Dawabsha, died of his wounds at an Israeli hospital about a week later, while his mother, Riham, 27, died of critical burns that covered 90% of her body over a month after.
Al-Haq human rights organization said, “Attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank against members of the Palestinian population and their property are an extensive, long-term, and worsening phenomenon.”
Since the beginning of October 1, settlers have been attacking Palestinians on the main roads, stoning their vehicles and attacking passersby once they realize they are Palestinians.
The settlers who live in the northern West Bank have also been carrying out early morning and late night’s attacks against vulnerable communities in remote villages.
13 oct 2015
Israeli settlers, Tuesday afternoon, attacked olive farmers near Turmus‘ayya and Tal villages, south and west of Nablus, as well as hurled stones at a Palestinian car driving at Ramallah-Nablus Road, said a local activist and security sources.
According to WAFA, several settlers attacked four Palestinian farmers while they were picking olives near the Nablus village of Tal.
The settlers, protected by Israeli forces, detained and attacked four Palestinian farmers who were harvesting their olive trees near the village. The farmers were identified as Mohammad Ishtayeh, Ahmad Hindi, Meqdad Zeidan and Karim Ramadan.
This came as a Palestinian teenage from the Nablus village of Beita was reportedly attacked by settlers near Karne Shomron settlement, east of Qalqilia city.
Mahmoud Yassin, 18, suffered from bruises and was admitted into a Nablus hospital in the aftermath of the attack.
In the meantime, Ghasan Daghlas, an anti-settlement activist in the northern West Bank, told WAFA that settlers threw stones at a Palestinian man driving along Ramallah-Nablus Road, near Turmus‘ayya village, south of Nablus, smashing his windshield and injuring him, before they fled the scene.
The man, identified as Mohammad Qutob, 58, sustained light injuries and was rushed into a Nablus hospital for treatment.
Dozens of settlers, Tuesday, attacked other Palestinian vehicles with stones at Nablus-Qalqilia road, as well as near the town of Yatta in Hebron district, according to local sources.
The sources said settlers from the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron, illegally built on the land of Kafr Laqif village, attacked Palestinians vehicles with stones while passing at the Nablus-Qalqilia main road. The settlers also chanted racist slogans against the Palestinian passers-by.
Meanwhile, settlers guarded by a military escort assaulted Palestinian vehicles with stones and empty glass bottles near the town of Yatta, south of Hebron, provoking confrontations with local Palestinians.
Soldiers used teargas and toxic gas canisters to disperse the angry Palestinian protesters, causing cases of suffocation by teargas inhalation.
Settlers recently stepped up their violent attacks against Palestinians across the West Bank and Jerusalem, amid growing tension and renewing clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army and police.
Monday evening, at least 18 Palestinians were shot and injured with live rounds fired by Israeli forces during clashes at Huwwara military checkpoint.
Palestinian medical sources affirmed that all injuries were admitted into hospitals for treatment.
According to WAFA, several settlers attacked four Palestinian farmers while they were picking olives near the Nablus village of Tal.
The settlers, protected by Israeli forces, detained and attacked four Palestinian farmers who were harvesting their olive trees near the village. The farmers were identified as Mohammad Ishtayeh, Ahmad Hindi, Meqdad Zeidan and Karim Ramadan.
This came as a Palestinian teenage from the Nablus village of Beita was reportedly attacked by settlers near Karne Shomron settlement, east of Qalqilia city.
Mahmoud Yassin, 18, suffered from bruises and was admitted into a Nablus hospital in the aftermath of the attack.
In the meantime, Ghasan Daghlas, an anti-settlement activist in the northern West Bank, told WAFA that settlers threw stones at a Palestinian man driving along Ramallah-Nablus Road, near Turmus‘ayya village, south of Nablus, smashing his windshield and injuring him, before they fled the scene.
The man, identified as Mohammad Qutob, 58, sustained light injuries and was rushed into a Nablus hospital for treatment.
Dozens of settlers, Tuesday, attacked other Palestinian vehicles with stones at Nablus-Qalqilia road, as well as near the town of Yatta in Hebron district, according to local sources.
The sources said settlers from the illegal settlement of Karnei Shomron, illegally built on the land of Kafr Laqif village, attacked Palestinians vehicles with stones while passing at the Nablus-Qalqilia main road. The settlers also chanted racist slogans against the Palestinian passers-by.
Meanwhile, settlers guarded by a military escort assaulted Palestinian vehicles with stones and empty glass bottles near the town of Yatta, south of Hebron, provoking confrontations with local Palestinians.
Soldiers used teargas and toxic gas canisters to disperse the angry Palestinian protesters, causing cases of suffocation by teargas inhalation.
Settlers recently stepped up their violent attacks against Palestinians across the West Bank and Jerusalem, amid growing tension and renewing clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army and police.
Monday evening, at least 18 Palestinians were shot and injured with live rounds fired by Israeli forces during clashes at Huwwara military checkpoint.
Palestinian medical sources affirmed that all injuries were admitted into hospitals for treatment.
9 oct 2015
Four Palestinian workers were injured on Friday morning when an Israeli settler attacked with a knife in Daymona in the Negev.
Two of the injured were identified as Ahmad Al Azah and Sa’di Rasrass, from Al Fowar refugee camp in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
According to Israeli police report the settler stabbing attack was politically motivated and that police officers have managed to arrest him.
Elsewhere, a group of Israeli settlers uprooted on Friday morning olive trees owned by farmers from the village of Rojeeb, to the south of the northern west Bank city of Nablus.
According to Palestinian famers, settlers have stepped up their attacks targeting olive trees as the season of olive harvest began this week.
Two of the injured were identified as Ahmad Al Azah and Sa’di Rasrass, from Al Fowar refugee camp in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
According to Israeli police report the settler stabbing attack was politically motivated and that police officers have managed to arrest him.
Elsewhere, a group of Israeli settlers uprooted on Friday morning olive trees owned by farmers from the village of Rojeeb, to the south of the northern west Bank city of Nablus.
According to Palestinian famers, settlers have stepped up their attacks targeting olive trees as the season of olive harvest began this week.
2 oct 2015
Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees on Palestinian agricultural land near the Nablus village of Burin, on Friday, as tensions remain high in the occupied West Bank following the killing of two settlers and reprisal attacks on Palestinian villages.
A Burin village committee member told Ma'an News Agency that a large group of settlers torched dozens of olive trees on land belonging to Um Ayman Sufian and attempted to set fire to her home.
A local guard committee set up by villagers to ward off attacks managed to prevent the settlers from burning the house.
Mahmoud Musleh, director of public relations in the Palestinian Civil Defense, said that firemen managed to extinguish the fire before it reached other homes in the village.
Settlers also set fire to land east of Burin village, he added.
In the nearby town of Huwwara, settlers set fire to dozens of dunams of agricultural land, a spokesperson from Fatah said. Awad Najm said firefighters were en route to the scene. Hundreds of Israeli settlers rioted across the occupied West Bank late Thursday, with multiple attacks reported on Palestinian homes and vehicles in the aftermath of the shooting of two Israeli settlers.
Eitam and Naama Henkin, both in their 30s, were shot while driving on Thursday night between the illegal settlements of Itamar and Elon More.
Their four children, aged between four months and nine years, were found unharmed in the back of the car.
Improving 'security for all Israeli citizens'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday that Israeli security services would work to "capture the murderers and improve security for all Israeli citizens."
The Nablus area was on virtual lock-down overnight and hundreds of Israeli troops were searching for suspected Palestinian gunmen on Friday following the shooting.
Palestinians across the West Bank are readying to protect their towns and villages as reports of settlers gathering to seek revenge for the shooting continue.
In Huwwara, 200 settlers reportedly attempted to raid the town under the protection of Israeli soldiers Thursday night, while Palestinians used speakers from a mosque to mobilize villagers to resist the incursion.
Palestinian towns and villages in the Nablus area are surrounded by Israeli settlements and outposts, many of which are protected by the Israeli military and have gained notoriety for being comprised of the most extremist settlers.
The Palestinian government has no jurisdiction over Israelis in the West Bank, and violent acts carried out by Israeli settlers often occur in the presence of Israeli military forces who rarely act to protect Palestinian residents.
Palestinians are therefore left to fend for themselves as few options for their personal security remain.
While Israeli forces will detain a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank for possessing a knife or gun, Israelis living in the same area are legally able to carry such weapons. Rights groups have criticized Israel for implementing different legal systems for Palestinians and Israeli settlers living in the same area.
Such practices, they say, protect the expansion of settlements while systematically removing the ability for Palestinians to move freely throughout the occupied territory.
In a speech at the funeral of the parents slain Thursday, Israeli president Reuven Rivlin reiterated Israel’s sovereignty over the West Bank and said that settlement construction would continue.
A Burin village committee member told Ma'an News Agency that a large group of settlers torched dozens of olive trees on land belonging to Um Ayman Sufian and attempted to set fire to her home.
A local guard committee set up by villagers to ward off attacks managed to prevent the settlers from burning the house.
Mahmoud Musleh, director of public relations in the Palestinian Civil Defense, said that firemen managed to extinguish the fire before it reached other homes in the village.
Settlers also set fire to land east of Burin village, he added.
In the nearby town of Huwwara, settlers set fire to dozens of dunams of agricultural land, a spokesperson from Fatah said. Awad Najm said firefighters were en route to the scene. Hundreds of Israeli settlers rioted across the occupied West Bank late Thursday, with multiple attacks reported on Palestinian homes and vehicles in the aftermath of the shooting of two Israeli settlers.
Eitam and Naama Henkin, both in their 30s, were shot while driving on Thursday night between the illegal settlements of Itamar and Elon More.
Their four children, aged between four months and nine years, were found unharmed in the back of the car.
Improving 'security for all Israeli citizens'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday that Israeli security services would work to "capture the murderers and improve security for all Israeli citizens."
The Nablus area was on virtual lock-down overnight and hundreds of Israeli troops were searching for suspected Palestinian gunmen on Friday following the shooting.
Palestinians across the West Bank are readying to protect their towns and villages as reports of settlers gathering to seek revenge for the shooting continue.
In Huwwara, 200 settlers reportedly attempted to raid the town under the protection of Israeli soldiers Thursday night, while Palestinians used speakers from a mosque to mobilize villagers to resist the incursion.
Palestinian towns and villages in the Nablus area are surrounded by Israeli settlements and outposts, many of which are protected by the Israeli military and have gained notoriety for being comprised of the most extremist settlers.
The Palestinian government has no jurisdiction over Israelis in the West Bank, and violent acts carried out by Israeli settlers often occur in the presence of Israeli military forces who rarely act to protect Palestinian residents.
Palestinians are therefore left to fend for themselves as few options for their personal security remain.
While Israeli forces will detain a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank for possessing a knife or gun, Israelis living in the same area are legally able to carry such weapons. Rights groups have criticized Israel for implementing different legal systems for Palestinians and Israeli settlers living in the same area.
Such practices, they say, protect the expansion of settlements while systematically removing the ability for Palestinians to move freely throughout the occupied territory.
In a speech at the funeral of the parents slain Thursday, Israeli president Reuven Rivlin reiterated Israel’s sovereignty over the West Bank and said that settlement construction would continue.
28 sept 2015
IOA to uproot 140 olive trees in Salfit
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) notified Palestinian farmers that 140 olive trees will be demolished west of Salfit in the West Bank.
The Israeli decision to remove the trees came under the pretext of being located in nature reserve, local farmers revealed.
Palestinian researcher Khaled Maali said that the IOA used to confiscate Palestinian agricultural lands and uproot Palestinian-owned trees under the same pretext, as there are currently three nature reserves in the same area that are exploited in settlement expansion.
Maali called on local and international institutions to intervene urgently in order to cancel the Israeli decision against the olive trees.
9 sept 2015
IOA to uproot 140 olive trees in Salfit
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) notified Palestinian farmers that 140 olive trees will be demolished west of Salfit in the West Bank.
The Israeli decision to remove the trees came under the pretext of being located in nature reserve, local farmers revealed.
Palestinian researcher Khaled Maali said that the IOA used to confiscate Palestinian agricultural lands and uproot Palestinian-owned trees under the same pretext, as there are currently three nature reserves in the same area that are exploited in settlement expansion.
Maali called on local and international institutions to intervene urgently in order to cancel the Israeli decision against the olive trees.
9 sept 2015
Extremist Jewish settlers torched at dawn Wednesday olive trees near Bourin town in southern Nablus city.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a group of fanatic Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian fields of fruitful olive trees. The burned land is located near Yitzhar settlement which was built on Palestinians’ lands by force, the sources added.
The inhabitants of Bourin tried to access their lands in order to extinguish the fire, but Israeli forces closed Hawara checkpoint which is the main pathway of Palestinians living in the town. Accordingly, tension ran high in the town since dawn hours, the sources revealed.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a group of fanatic Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian fields of fruitful olive trees. The burned land is located near Yitzhar settlement which was built on Palestinians’ lands by force, the sources added.
The inhabitants of Bourin tried to access their lands in order to extinguish the fire, but Israeli forces closed Hawara checkpoint which is the main pathway of Palestinians living in the town. Accordingly, tension ran high in the town since dawn hours, the sources revealed.
6 sept 2015
Palestinian activists opposing Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank on Saturday managed to plant about 1,000 olive and almond saplings in Umm Lasfa town, east of Yatta city.
Anti-settlement activist Rateb al-Jabour said in press remarks that these saplings were planted in plots of lands which used to be minefields in Umm Lasfa town.
He stated that this agricultural initiative was part of a campaign aimed at planting one million trees in different occupied areas of Palestine, pointing out that the campaign was funded by the Jordan-based Arab Society for the Protection of Nature.
Anti-settlement activist Rateb al-Jabour said in press remarks that these saplings were planted in plots of lands which used to be minefields in Umm Lasfa town.
He stated that this agricultural initiative was part of a campaign aimed at planting one million trees in different occupied areas of Palestine, pointing out that the campaign was funded by the Jordan-based Arab Society for the Protection of Nature.
28 aug 2015
The Israeli nature authority objected to the decision of the war ministry to resume construction of the separation barrier near Beit Jala, south of Occupied Jerusalem, after the Supreme Court had invalidated the building of the barrier in that region and ordered the government to reconsider it, Haaretz reported Thursday.
A few days ago the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) uprooted olive trees along the wall's route.
On Wednesday the IOA carried out large-scale excavations in the area.
The Palestinians along with adjacent Christian monasteries and Israelis residing in the illegal settlement of Gush Etzion have objected to the construction of the separation wall saying it rather affects the environment and is unnecessary for Israel’s security.
The IOA resumed construction of the wall after years of deliberations with the Supreme Court that culminated in recommendations to reconsider the planned route of the separation barrier in the area.
The war ministry, however, resumed its work on the wall without altering its route, promising to leave a 200-meter gap in the wall near the local monasteries.
A few days ago the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) uprooted olive trees along the wall's route.
On Wednesday the IOA carried out large-scale excavations in the area.
The Palestinians along with adjacent Christian monasteries and Israelis residing in the illegal settlement of Gush Etzion have objected to the construction of the separation wall saying it rather affects the environment and is unnecessary for Israel’s security.
The IOA resumed construction of the wall after years of deliberations with the Supreme Court that culminated in recommendations to reconsider the planned route of the separation barrier in the area.
The war ministry, however, resumed its work on the wall without altering its route, promising to leave a 200-meter gap in the wall near the local monasteries.
22 aug 2015
A group of Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned agricultural land in Burin town, south of Nablus, on Friday.
Local activist Bilal Eid affirmed that a group of settlers, from the nearby Yitzhar settlement built on Palestinian lands south of the city, set fire to agricultural lands in three different areas in the town.
Eid told Quds Press that 30 olive trees were burned during the attack in addition to a number of almond trees.
Palestinian Civil Defense crews managed to control the fire before it spreading to other areas, he added.
Yitzhar settlers are used to carrying out attacks against Palestinian villages and property in the surrounding areas under Israeli military protection.
Local activist Bilal Eid affirmed that a group of settlers, from the nearby Yitzhar settlement built on Palestinian lands south of the city, set fire to agricultural lands in three different areas in the town.
Eid told Quds Press that 30 olive trees were burned during the attack in addition to a number of almond trees.
Palestinian Civil Defense crews managed to control the fire before it spreading to other areas, he added.
Yitzhar settlers are used to carrying out attacks against Palestinian villages and property in the surrounding areas under Israeli military protection.
17 aug 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces started a large-scale operation of leveling Palestinian lands and uprooting olive trees in Beit Jala city to the west of Bethlehem on Monday.
Walid al-Shatleh, Beit Jala resident, told the PIC reporter that the inhabitants of the city were astounded in the morning when the IOF escorted by military bulldozers and heavy vehicles stormed their agricultural lands.
He revealed that the Israeli bulldozers leveled over 6 out of 30 dunums intended to be leveled for the establishment of the Separation Wall in the area.
Shatleh pointed out that the Israeli forces also started uprooting perennial olive trees that date back to over 5,000 years.
The inhabitants of the city along with activists tried to protest against the Israeli violation and to stop leveling works, but the IOF barred them under threat of weapon.
Media sources disclosed that the IOF arrested a photographer called Amer Hejazi while he was covering the incident.
Walid al-Shatleh, Beit Jala resident, told the PIC reporter that the inhabitants of the city were astounded in the morning when the IOF escorted by military bulldozers and heavy vehicles stormed their agricultural lands.
He revealed that the Israeli bulldozers leveled over 6 out of 30 dunums intended to be leveled for the establishment of the Separation Wall in the area.
Shatleh pointed out that the Israeli forces also started uprooting perennial olive trees that date back to over 5,000 years.
The inhabitants of the city along with activists tried to protest against the Israeli violation and to stop leveling works, but the IOF barred them under threat of weapon.
Media sources disclosed that the IOF arrested a photographer called Amer Hejazi while he was covering the incident.
6 aug 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Thursday three agricultural roads and uprooted olive trees in Kafr Qaddum town near Qalqilya in the northern West Bank.
The Coordinator of the Popular Resistance Committees in the town, Murad Eshtaiwi, revealed that Israeli forces escorted by a military bulldozer blocked the roads by sand berms and uprooted perennial olive trees in the area.
He added that the forces closed the roads without a prior notice, claiming that it is for security reasons.
Eshtaiwi pointed out that the Israeli army has escalated the campaign of collective punishment against the town’s inhabitants for the continuation of the weekly march demanding the opening of a street which has been closed for 13 years.
The Coordinator of the Popular Resistance Committees in the town, Murad Eshtaiwi, revealed that Israeli forces escorted by a military bulldozer blocked the roads by sand berms and uprooted perennial olive trees in the area.
He added that the forces closed the roads without a prior notice, claiming that it is for security reasons.
Eshtaiwi pointed out that the Israeli army has escalated the campaign of collective punishment against the town’s inhabitants for the continuation of the weekly march demanding the opening of a street which has been closed for 13 years.
4 aug 2015
Israeli settlers on Monday everning have torched tens of olive trees in private Palestinian land in Azzoon town east of Qalilya, northern West Bank.Security sources said that civil defense forces headed to the land, and put off the fire which had already damaged a number of trees.
Settlers by then have fled the scene.
Israeli settler attacks on trees have been on the increase now, especially with the support of Israeli soldiers and police which destroy trees under security pretexts.
On Sunday morning, a horde of Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian olive orchards and cultivated lands in al-Mugheir village, east of Ramallah city, moments after they failed to torch a Palestinian family home.
According to the Palestinian Information Center, eyewitnesses said a gang of Israeli vandals residing in an illegal nearby settlement tried to burn down a Palestinian family home before they were stopped by the local residents.
The Israeli occupation forces showed up at the scene and attacked the Palestinian locals with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
On 22 July, IOF have uprooted a number of trees, destroying an agricultural land in Beit Oula village near Hebron, under security pretext.
The land and trees are property of citizen Faried Atrash. Israeli forces have previously told him to uproot the trees for alleged security reasons, but he refused. IOF then have savagely destroyed the land, ensuring that he can not fix again.
Settlers by then have fled the scene.
Israeli settler attacks on trees have been on the increase now, especially with the support of Israeli soldiers and police which destroy trees under security pretexts.
On Sunday morning, a horde of Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian olive orchards and cultivated lands in al-Mugheir village, east of Ramallah city, moments after they failed to torch a Palestinian family home.
According to the Palestinian Information Center, eyewitnesses said a gang of Israeli vandals residing in an illegal nearby settlement tried to burn down a Palestinian family home before they were stopped by the local residents.
The Israeli occupation forces showed up at the scene and attacked the Palestinian locals with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
On 22 July, IOF have uprooted a number of trees, destroying an agricultural land in Beit Oula village near Hebron, under security pretext.
The land and trees are property of citizen Faried Atrash. Israeli forces have previously told him to uproot the trees for alleged security reasons, but he refused. IOF then have savagely destroyed the land, ensuring that he can not fix again.
3 aug 2015
A wave of violent confrontations broke out at dawn Monday after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rolled into Jenin’s southern town of Yabad and attacked the Palestinian unarmed protesters with tear gas canisters.
Eye-witnesses said over 10 army jeeps raided Yabad, spurring clashes across the town.
Dozens of olive trees planted in al-Maloul neighborhood were reduced to ashes due to the heavy spates of tear gas randomly discharged by the IOF.
The Palestinian protesters responded to the assault by hurling stones at the Israeli occupation soldiers.
The IOF further broke into two Palestinian homes, wreaked havoc on them, and attacked their owners.
The IOF sealed off the access road to the town with makeshift roadblocks, where Palestinian vehicles and citizens have been meticulously inspected.
Eye-witnesses said over 10 army jeeps raided Yabad, spurring clashes across the town.
Dozens of olive trees planted in al-Maloul neighborhood were reduced to ashes due to the heavy spates of tear gas randomly discharged by the IOF.
The Palestinian protesters responded to the assault by hurling stones at the Israeli occupation soldiers.
The IOF further broke into two Palestinian homes, wreaked havoc on them, and attacked their owners.
The IOF sealed off the access road to the town with makeshift roadblocks, where Palestinian vehicles and citizens have been meticulously inspected.
2 aug 2015
A horde of Israeli settlers at dawn Sunday set fire to dozens of Palestinian olive orchards and cultivated lands in al-Mugheir village, east of Ramallah city, moments after they failed to torch a Palestinian family home.
Eye-witnesses said a gang of Israeli vandals residing in an illegal nearby settlement tried to burn down a Palestinian family home before they were stopped by the local residents.
The Israeli occupation forces showed up at the scene and attacked the Palestinian locals with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
Meanwhile, Palestinian cultivated lands and olive orchards went up in flames after the Israeli vandals sneaked into the Rafid area, in al-Mugheir, and reduced over 50 olive trees to ashes.
In the meantime, three unidentified Palestinian youngsters were heavily beaten by Israeli occupation soldiers and dragged to an unknown location via Israeli ambulances.
A number of Palestinians sustained wounds and others choked on tear gas in the clashes that burst out in the area.
Earlier, on Saturday evening, the woods of the Quds University, in Jerusalem’s town of Abu Dis, burst into flames after Israeli soldiers showered the area with tear gas canisters and stun grenades in an attempt to disband non-violent Palestinian marchers.
Red Crescent and civil defense crews rushed to the area to put out the wild fire.
Eye-witnesses said a gang of Israeli vandals residing in an illegal nearby settlement tried to burn down a Palestinian family home before they were stopped by the local residents.
The Israeli occupation forces showed up at the scene and attacked the Palestinian locals with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
Meanwhile, Palestinian cultivated lands and olive orchards went up in flames after the Israeli vandals sneaked into the Rafid area, in al-Mugheir, and reduced over 50 olive trees to ashes.
In the meantime, three unidentified Palestinian youngsters were heavily beaten by Israeli occupation soldiers and dragged to an unknown location via Israeli ambulances.
A number of Palestinians sustained wounds and others choked on tear gas in the clashes that burst out in the area.
Earlier, on Saturday evening, the woods of the Quds University, in Jerusalem’s town of Abu Dis, burst into flames after Israeli soldiers showered the area with tear gas canisters and stun grenades in an attempt to disband non-violent Palestinian marchers.
Red Crescent and civil defense crews rushed to the area to put out the wild fire.
