30 oct 2013
The Greek Orthodox Archbishop Alexios in Gaza stressed that the Hamas movement and its government is very keen on the security of the Church and Christians in the Gaza Strip. Alexios hailed in an interview published by DW Arabic the security situation of the Christians in the Gaza Strip, under the Palestinian government headed by Ismail Haniyeh, and pointed out that the cooperation between the Church and the ruling authority has not changed.
"We live in safety now, especially after the outbreak of the second Palestinian Intifada in 2000. Before the rule of Hamas there was security chaos and disorder in the Palestinian street, but currently we are not facing any problems," he added.
For its part, the Palestinian government in Gaza asserted that there is no difference between Muslims and Christians in the Gaza Strip.
Media advisor to Gaza Premier Taher al-Nunu told DW Arabic: "Christians in Gaza live in safety just like the Muslims, and we always meet with officials to listen to their problems and demands in order to help them."
The Greek Orthodox Church is considered the largest and oldest of the three remaining churches in the Gaza Strip. It goes back to the era of Constantinople Emperor Arkadiusz in 402.
"We live in safety now, especially after the outbreak of the second Palestinian Intifada in 2000. Before the rule of Hamas there was security chaos and disorder in the Palestinian street, but currently we are not facing any problems," he added.
For its part, the Palestinian government in Gaza asserted that there is no difference between Muslims and Christians in the Gaza Strip.
Media advisor to Gaza Premier Taher al-Nunu told DW Arabic: "Christians in Gaza live in safety just like the Muslims, and we always meet with officials to listen to their problems and demands in order to help them."
The Greek Orthodox Church is considered the largest and oldest of the three remaining churches in the Gaza Strip. It goes back to the era of Constantinople Emperor Arkadiusz in 402.
27 oct 2013
MP Jamal Khudari, the head of the Popular Committee against the Siege, welcomed the visit by a delegation from Oxford University to the Gaza Strip these days. Khudari said in a press statement on Saturday that the delegation saw pictures depicting the suffering of Gaza people following the two wars and due to the ongoing aggression and the continuation of the Israeli siege imposed for the seventh year unabated.
The delegation was also briefed on the progress of the Islamic University and its ability to develop its facilities despite the circumstances of war and siege.
Khudari stressed that the delegation members were keen to visit Gaza, as they wanted to participate in the support of the educational sector in the Strip. He said they also took part in a scientific medical conference at the university and gave lectures to the medical students.
For his part; Professor David Cranston, senior clinical lecturer at the Nuffield Department of Surgery at the University of Oxford, expressed pleasure at attending the medical conference in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The delegation, which leaves Gaza next Thursday, includes eleven academics from the university, and is participating in the fifth medical conference at the Islamic University.
The delegation was also briefed on the progress of the Islamic University and its ability to develop its facilities despite the circumstances of war and siege.
Khudari stressed that the delegation members were keen to visit Gaza, as they wanted to participate in the support of the educational sector in the Strip. He said they also took part in a scientific medical conference at the university and gave lectures to the medical students.
For his part; Professor David Cranston, senior clinical lecturer at the Nuffield Department of Surgery at the University of Oxford, expressed pleasure at attending the medical conference in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The delegation, which leaves Gaza next Thursday, includes eleven academics from the university, and is participating in the fifth medical conference at the Islamic University.
26 oct 2013
Palestinian sources reported Friday [October 25, 2013] that a car owned by a senior resistance fighter was hit by an explosion in the center of the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The explosion did not lead to any casualties, but completely destroyed the car, and caused damage to nearby homes.
The Maan News Agency has reported that unknown persons placed an explosive charge in the car of the fighter, only identified as “A. D”, and apparently left the scene before the explosives went off.
The car belongs to a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), an armed group operating in Gaza.
Israeli sources alleged that the attack is part of internal conflicts within the PRC.
Fighters of the Salah Ed-Deen Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee, along with fighters of the Army of Islam, and the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, were behind the abduction of Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit from an Israeli military base across the border on June 25 2006.
Despite repeated wars, invasions and recruiting collaborators, Israel never managed to free Shalit until a prisoner-swap agreement was reached, under direct Egyptian mediation, securing his release on October 18 2011.
Israel released 477 Palestinian detainees on the day of Shalit’s release, while the rest were released two months later. The deal led to the release of 1027 Palestinian political prisoner.
The explosion did not lead to any casualties, but completely destroyed the car, and caused damage to nearby homes.
The Maan News Agency has reported that unknown persons placed an explosive charge in the car of the fighter, only identified as “A. D”, and apparently left the scene before the explosives went off.
The car belongs to a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), an armed group operating in Gaza.
Israeli sources alleged that the attack is part of internal conflicts within the PRC.
Fighters of the Salah Ed-Deen Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committee, along with fighters of the Army of Islam, and the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, were behind the abduction of Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit from an Israeli military base across the border on June 25 2006.
Despite repeated wars, invasions and recruiting collaborators, Israel never managed to free Shalit until a prisoner-swap agreement was reached, under direct Egyptian mediation, securing his release on October 18 2011.
Israel released 477 Palestinian detainees on the day of Shalit’s release, while the rest were released two months later. The deal led to the release of 1027 Palestinian political prisoner.
25 oct 2013
The European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG) strongly condemned the Israeli rejection of an official visit next week by a European Parliament delegation to Gaza to check on the humanitarian situation in the strip. The visit was scheduled to take place between 27th and 30th October 2013 to document the difficult living condition experienced by Palestinians in Gaza due to the ongoing siege, ECESG said.
The visit was planned to focus on vital public services such as schools, health centers and food distribution centers, the European Campaign added.
The ECESG stated that the Israeli decision to refuse the scheduled visit proves the Israeli arrogance and denies Israeli claims of easing the siege on Gaza.
For her part, the Chairperson of the European Parliament's Delegation, Emer Costello, said "she is both astounded and dismayed at the decision of the Israeli authorities to refuse an official visit of the Delegation to Gaza.
"Despite interventions by the European Parliament President Schulz and other distinguished parliamentarians, the Israeli authorities are preventing elected members of an official delegation from paying a humanitarian visit to this ravaged and impoverished little country," Costello said in a statement.
"Our visit was due to take place under the auspices of UNRWA, and clearly focused on vital public services," she added.
For its part, the Palestinian Legislative Council condemned the Israeli decision to reject the European delegation's official visit to Gaza; considering it a part of the Israeli daily violations of international laws.
Dr. Ahmed Bahar, First Deputy Chairman of the Council, has called on Arab and Islamic parliamentary organizations and international parliamentary unions to work on ending the siege on Gaza and prosecuting the Israeli war criminals for violating the international law by refusing access to elected Members of the European Parliament.
For his part, MP Jamal al-Khudari, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, denounced the Israeli decision, pointing out that it aims to prevent transfer of the suffering of the Palestinian people to the external world.
The visit was planned to focus on vital public services such as schools, health centers and food distribution centers, the European Campaign added.
The ECESG stated that the Israeli decision to refuse the scheduled visit proves the Israeli arrogance and denies Israeli claims of easing the siege on Gaza.
For her part, the Chairperson of the European Parliament's Delegation, Emer Costello, said "she is both astounded and dismayed at the decision of the Israeli authorities to refuse an official visit of the Delegation to Gaza.
"Despite interventions by the European Parliament President Schulz and other distinguished parliamentarians, the Israeli authorities are preventing elected members of an official delegation from paying a humanitarian visit to this ravaged and impoverished little country," Costello said in a statement.
"Our visit was due to take place under the auspices of UNRWA, and clearly focused on vital public services," she added.
For its part, the Palestinian Legislative Council condemned the Israeli decision to reject the European delegation's official visit to Gaza; considering it a part of the Israeli daily violations of international laws.
Dr. Ahmed Bahar, First Deputy Chairman of the Council, has called on Arab and Islamic parliamentary organizations and international parliamentary unions to work on ending the siege on Gaza and prosecuting the Israeli war criminals for violating the international law by refusing access to elected Members of the European Parliament.
For his part, MP Jamal al-Khudari, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, denounced the Israeli decision, pointing out that it aims to prevent transfer of the suffering of the Palestinian people to the external world.
24 oct 2013
Dr. Aziz Dweik, head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, stated that the failure of negotiations is not a surprise to the Palestinian people, adding that a Palestinian state could not be established through negotiations. In an exclusive interview with the PIC reporter, he stated that some Palestinian political parties resort to peace talks due to external interferences aiming to obtain some achievements, however every round of negotiations confirms the negotiation option's failure.
Concerning the national reconciliation, Dweik said that talks' failure has led to a breakthrough in reconciliation efforts, noting that reconciliation and negotiation cannot meet together.
He stressed that reconciliation should be on the top of all priorities away from the external and Israeli dictates and plans.
He stressed that Haniyeh's call to implement reconciliation needs a good intention from the other side, calling on the Arab and Islamic nation and the Palestinian people to overcome all internal differences in defense of al-Aqsa and Jerusalem.
Concerning the national reconciliation, Dweik said that talks' failure has led to a breakthrough in reconciliation efforts, noting that reconciliation and negotiation cannot meet together.
He stressed that reconciliation should be on the top of all priorities away from the external and Israeli dictates and plans.
He stressed that Haniyeh's call to implement reconciliation needs a good intention from the other side, calling on the Arab and Islamic nation and the Palestinian people to overcome all internal differences in defense of al-Aqsa and Jerusalem.
Hamas movement said that there were no preparations for a visit to Iran by its political bureau chairman Khaled Mishaal. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that there was no previous date for the visit so that it would be cancelled as some media outlets claimed.
The London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper had published a report for its correspondent in Ramallah saying that Tehran had apologized for not being able to receive Mishaal at the present time. He claimed that the Iranian officials had postponed the visit in view of their preoccupation.
The London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper had published a report for its correspondent in Ramallah saying that Tehran had apologized for not being able to receive Mishaal at the present time. He claimed that the Iranian officials had postponed the visit in view of their preoccupation.
Palestinian citizens expelled from the occupied Palestinian city of Bethlehem 12 years ago held a press conference in front of the house of the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas in the Gaza Strip. Spokesman of the deportees, Fahmi Kanan, blamed Abbas for the length of time they spent in Gaza without returning to their home city as agreed between the PA and the Israeli occupation.
The agreement reached between the PA and the Israeli occupation meant that they should have returned two years after the time they were expelled.
Kanan addressed Abbas saying: "We chose to stand before your house in order to send you a message that our homesickness towards this city is bigger than your homesickness to this house. Add to that, we are away from our families and relatives of our original homes."
Asking Abbas to take serious measures on this issue, Kanan called upon him to contact the EU, the UN and the international community. Kanan reiterated that expelling them is a violation to international humanitarian law and to the Geneva Conventions.
He called upon Abbas to work with international institutions on applying the agreed upon conditions.
It is worth mentioning that, in addition to the 26 deportees, their family members travelled to Gaza to live with them.
The agreement reached between the PA and the Israeli occupation meant that they should have returned two years after the time they were expelled.
Kanan addressed Abbas saying: "We chose to stand before your house in order to send you a message that our homesickness towards this city is bigger than your homesickness to this house. Add to that, we are away from our families and relatives of our original homes."
Asking Abbas to take serious measures on this issue, Kanan called upon him to contact the EU, the UN and the international community. Kanan reiterated that expelling them is a violation to international humanitarian law and to the Geneva Conventions.
He called upon Abbas to work with international institutions on applying the agreed upon conditions.
It is worth mentioning that, in addition to the 26 deportees, their family members travelled to Gaza to live with them.
23 oct 2013
The body of a Gaza man reported missing six months ago was found late Tuesday in Bureij refugee camp, police in Gaza said.
Mahmoud Khalil Aloul, 23, went missing six months ago after not returning home one night and had not been seen since. Police said that an unidentified man in Bureij camp lured Aloul to his home before killing him.
He then buried the body under his house to hide the evidence.
The motive for the murder is unclear.
Aloul's family had been looking for him for over six months.
Mahmoud Khalil Aloul, 23, went missing six months ago after not returning home one night and had not been seen since. Police said that an unidentified man in Bureij camp lured Aloul to his home before killing him.
He then buried the body under his house to hide the evidence.
The motive for the murder is unclear.
Aloul's family had been looking for him for over six months.
Popular wedding singer Shafit Kabha was shot dead late Tuesday by unidentified gunmen in Umm al-Fahm, locals told Ma'an.
Kabha, 53, sustained critical injuries in the attack and was taken to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center where doctors pronounced him dead.
Israeli police said in a statement that an ambulance evacuated a man with critical gunshot wounds to the medical facility in Hadera.
Initial investigations suggest that two suspects shot opened fire at Kabha from a motorcycle before fleeing the scene. Israeli police are looking for the suspects.
Born in the village of Kafr Qara in northern Israel, Kabha is considered one of the most popular Palestinian wedding singers both in the West Bank and Palestinian towns in Israel.
He leaves behind a wife and four children.
Kabha, 53, sustained critical injuries in the attack and was taken to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center where doctors pronounced him dead.
Israeli police said in a statement that an ambulance evacuated a man with critical gunshot wounds to the medical facility in Hadera.
Initial investigations suggest that two suspects shot opened fire at Kabha from a motorcycle before fleeing the scene. Israeli police are looking for the suspects.
Born in the village of Kafr Qara in northern Israel, Kabha is considered one of the most popular Palestinian wedding singers both in the West Bank and Palestinian towns in Israel.
He leaves behind a wife and four children.
22 oct 2013
Highway 60, called the Tunnel Road, which bypasses Palestinian villages to connect Jerusalem to nearby Jewish settlements. The road is only open to Israeli license plates.
Israeli lawmakers approved a bill on Sunday stipulating that a two-thirds majority of Knesset members would have to consent before the Israeli government could begin any negotiations over the status of Jerusalem.
The bill passed with a 5-4 majority through the ministerial committee in charge of approving draft legislation before being sent to the Israeli parliament.
The bill comes only a few months after the Palestinian Authority and Israel resumed peace negotiations following US pressure.
The bill would require that 80 out of 120 Knesset members vote in favor of any decision to even begin discussions of the status of Jerusalem, including the future of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
Without this majority, the Israeli government will not be allowed to commence any discussions on the topic, which is one of the most central issues in the ongoing peace negotiations.
Both Israelis and Palestinians consider Jerusalem to the be the capital of their states, although Israel refuses to allow Palestinian authorities to reside in the city.
Israeli forces occupied Palestinian East Jerusalem in 1967, along with the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and other territories. Israeli authorities annexed East Jerusalem to the State of Israel in 1980, in a move that brought international condemnation.
Palestinian officials and onlookers denounced the move, confirming that it undermines the potential for success in the current peace talks. Meanwhile, many Israeli politicians supported the bill and a few opposed it.
"The right wing Israeli government has been trying to foil negotiations since they started," says senior Fatah leader and member of the movement’s Central Committee Jamal Muheisin. He pointed out that the suggested bill would prevent any land swap.
"Peace," he added, "can be achieved only if Israel wishes."
Similarly, coordinator of the Committee against the Judaization of Jerusalem Khadr Salamah described the bill as an "Israeli attempt to evade any commitments to the peace process."
"The bill," he added, "will mainly affect the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem as it entails continuation of settlement expansion in East Jerusalem."
Palestinian political analyst Ahmad Rafiq Awad says if the bill is passed the peace process will be meaningless. "Passing this law means a Palestinian state cannot be established because that isn't possible without the eternal capital Jerusalem," he said.
"This move by the Israeli government," added Awad, "shows that a majority of the Israelis are moving toward the extremist ultra-orthodox right wing. There is a consensus demanding that Jerusalem remains undivided and confirming that it is an eternal capital of Israel.”
On the other hand, Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni announced that she would contest the bill. "We will do everything to protect the interests of the state of Israel, and we do that through negotiations."
Commenting on the proposed bill, Livni said it is a "rude" attempt to undermine the authorities of the Israeli government, rendering it unable to make decisions and run political affairs in Israel.
"This proposal is needless because it harms the government’s independence. It is regrettable and strange that members of the coalition support it."
Meanwhile, Israeli minister of economy Naftali Bennett, who heads the right wing Jewish Home party, welcomed the bill as a "very important move."
Addressing members of his party, Bennett said that Jerusalem belonged to the successive generations of the Jewish people, "and even 120 Knesset members can’t relinquish it."
He urged Israeli premier Netanyahu to immediately submit the bill to the cabinet for approval.
"The capital of the Jewish people is not negotiable," he added
Israeli lawmakers approved a bill on Sunday stipulating that a two-thirds majority of Knesset members would have to consent before the Israeli government could begin any negotiations over the status of Jerusalem.
The bill passed with a 5-4 majority through the ministerial committee in charge of approving draft legislation before being sent to the Israeli parliament.
The bill comes only a few months after the Palestinian Authority and Israel resumed peace negotiations following US pressure.
The bill would require that 80 out of 120 Knesset members vote in favor of any decision to even begin discussions of the status of Jerusalem, including the future of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
Without this majority, the Israeli government will not be allowed to commence any discussions on the topic, which is one of the most central issues in the ongoing peace negotiations.
Both Israelis and Palestinians consider Jerusalem to the be the capital of their states, although Israel refuses to allow Palestinian authorities to reside in the city.
Israeli forces occupied Palestinian East Jerusalem in 1967, along with the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and other territories. Israeli authorities annexed East Jerusalem to the State of Israel in 1980, in a move that brought international condemnation.
Palestinian officials and onlookers denounced the move, confirming that it undermines the potential for success in the current peace talks. Meanwhile, many Israeli politicians supported the bill and a few opposed it.
"The right wing Israeli government has been trying to foil negotiations since they started," says senior Fatah leader and member of the movement’s Central Committee Jamal Muheisin. He pointed out that the suggested bill would prevent any land swap.
"Peace," he added, "can be achieved only if Israel wishes."
Similarly, coordinator of the Committee against the Judaization of Jerusalem Khadr Salamah described the bill as an "Israeli attempt to evade any commitments to the peace process."
"The bill," he added, "will mainly affect the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem as it entails continuation of settlement expansion in East Jerusalem."
Palestinian political analyst Ahmad Rafiq Awad says if the bill is passed the peace process will be meaningless. "Passing this law means a Palestinian state cannot be established because that isn't possible without the eternal capital Jerusalem," he said.
"This move by the Israeli government," added Awad, "shows that a majority of the Israelis are moving toward the extremist ultra-orthodox right wing. There is a consensus demanding that Jerusalem remains undivided and confirming that it is an eternal capital of Israel.”
On the other hand, Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni announced that she would contest the bill. "We will do everything to protect the interests of the state of Israel, and we do that through negotiations."
Commenting on the proposed bill, Livni said it is a "rude" attempt to undermine the authorities of the Israeli government, rendering it unable to make decisions and run political affairs in Israel.
"This proposal is needless because it harms the government’s independence. It is regrettable and strange that members of the coalition support it."
Meanwhile, Israeli minister of economy Naftali Bennett, who heads the right wing Jewish Home party, welcomed the bill as a "very important move."
Addressing members of his party, Bennett said that Jerusalem belonged to the successive generations of the Jewish people, "and even 120 Knesset members can’t relinquish it."
He urged Israeli premier Netanyahu to immediately submit the bill to the cabinet for approval.
"The capital of the Jewish people is not negotiable," he added
Palestine Agencies - A mild earthquake hit north PalestineTuesday morning for the fifth time in a week. The Geophysical Institute of Israel said the 3.3-magnitude quake struck at 8:50 am, adding that its epicenter was located northwest of Lake Tiberias , some 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) northeast of Kibbutz Ginosar. The institute said there were no reports of injury or damage.
The earthquake was felt in Tiberias, Karmiel, Nazareth Illit and the Golan Heights, among other places. "I was meditating in the living room when I suddenly saw the shelf and television shake," Sigalit Tuati of Moshav Ramot near Lake Tiberias said. "You just wait until it ends. We hope this was the last earthquake," she said.
The earthquake was felt in Tiberias, Karmiel, Nazareth Illit and the Golan Heights, among other places. "I was meditating in the living room when I suddenly saw the shelf and television shake," Sigalit Tuati of Moshav Ramot near Lake Tiberias said. "You just wait until it ends. We hope this was the last earthquake," she said.
20 oct 2013
Hamas, its Gaza Strip stronghold cut off by the new military-backed government in Egypt, called upon rival Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday to end their six-year schism and form a unity government. Abbas's secular, U.S.-backed Fatah faction lost a 2006 ballot to Islamist Hamas. They sat in an uneasy alliance until a civil war the following year left Hamas ruling Gaza while Abbas's authority was limited to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Egypt brokered a Palestinian reconciliation deal in 2011 but it was never implemented. In Cairo, meanwhile, Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was toppled by the army, which treats Egypt's Hamas neighbours as security threats.
"Our conditions do not allow for keeping up differences," Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister in the Gaza administration, said in a speech calling on Abbas and Fatah to renew dialogue with Hamas, schedule new elections and enter a temporary power-share.
"Let's have one government, one parliament and one president," Haniyeh said.
The overture was received coolly by Fatah, whose leader, Abbas, is engaged in a new round of U.S.-sponsored peace talks with Israel. Hamas refuses coexistence with the Jewish state.
Ahmed Assaf, a Fatah spokesman, said Haniyeh's speech "included nothing new, neither a clear plan nor a certain timetable".
Pressured by the deterioration of ties with former regional backers Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, as well as by Mursi's fall and the ensuing Egyptian crackdown on Palestinian tunnels used to smuggle arms and commercial goods into Gaza, Hamas is in steep financial decline.
Haniyeh sought to soften tensions with Cairo, denying Egyptian accusations the group had intervened in the internal unrest on behalf of Mursi's Islamist supporters.
Hamas has also tried to fend off allegations that it was aiding Islamist militants in the lawless Egyptian Sinai desert, which borders both Gaza and Israel.
"We have not intervened in internal Egyptian affairs, neither in Sinai nor anywhere else in Egypt," Haniyeh said.
Cairo's closure of some 1,200 smuggling tunnels on the Egypt-Gaza border has deepened Palestinian material shortages, adding to pressure from a long-standing Israeli embargo on the coastal strip, and denied Hamas a major source of tax revenue.
Haniyeh said Palestinians could do without the smuggling tunnels were Egypt to open up its border with Gaza rather than support the Israeli blockade.
But he hinted that Hamas was hard at work digging a different kind of tunnel - under the border with Israel, to strike at the Jewish state in a future conflict. Israel and Hamas fought an eight-day war in November.
The Israelis unearthed one such tunnel last week, saying its Palestinian operators apparently planned to kidnap a soldier or set off underground explosives.
Hamas did not claim or deny responsibility for that tunnel. But Haniyeh said in the speech that "thousands of heroes have been working in silence, below ground, to prepare for the coming battles in Palestine".
Egypt brokered a Palestinian reconciliation deal in 2011 but it was never implemented. In Cairo, meanwhile, Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was toppled by the army, which treats Egypt's Hamas neighbours as security threats.
"Our conditions do not allow for keeping up differences," Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister in the Gaza administration, said in a speech calling on Abbas and Fatah to renew dialogue with Hamas, schedule new elections and enter a temporary power-share.
"Let's have one government, one parliament and one president," Haniyeh said.
The overture was received coolly by Fatah, whose leader, Abbas, is engaged in a new round of U.S.-sponsored peace talks with Israel. Hamas refuses coexistence with the Jewish state.
Ahmed Assaf, a Fatah spokesman, said Haniyeh's speech "included nothing new, neither a clear plan nor a certain timetable".
Pressured by the deterioration of ties with former regional backers Syria, Hezbollah, Iran, as well as by Mursi's fall and the ensuing Egyptian crackdown on Palestinian tunnels used to smuggle arms and commercial goods into Gaza, Hamas is in steep financial decline.
Haniyeh sought to soften tensions with Cairo, denying Egyptian accusations the group had intervened in the internal unrest on behalf of Mursi's Islamist supporters.
Hamas has also tried to fend off allegations that it was aiding Islamist militants in the lawless Egyptian Sinai desert, which borders both Gaza and Israel.
"We have not intervened in internal Egyptian affairs, neither in Sinai nor anywhere else in Egypt," Haniyeh said.
Cairo's closure of some 1,200 smuggling tunnels on the Egypt-Gaza border has deepened Palestinian material shortages, adding to pressure from a long-standing Israeli embargo on the coastal strip, and denied Hamas a major source of tax revenue.
Haniyeh said Palestinians could do without the smuggling tunnels were Egypt to open up its border with Gaza rather than support the Israeli blockade.
But he hinted that Hamas was hard at work digging a different kind of tunnel - under the border with Israel, to strike at the Jewish state in a future conflict. Israel and Hamas fought an eight-day war in November.
The Israelis unearthed one such tunnel last week, saying its Palestinian operators apparently planned to kidnap a soldier or set off underground explosives.
Hamas did not claim or deny responsibility for that tunnel. But Haniyeh said in the speech that "thousands of heroes have been working in silence, below ground, to prepare for the coming battles in Palestine".
19 oct 2013
North occupied Palestine
Mild earthquake has been felt in Hula Valley region in North occupied Palestine at around 2:30 am Saturday night. Ynet.net quoted Geophysical Institute of (Israel) as saying that the quake registered a light 3.6 on the Richter scale. No injuries or significant damage was reported.
Residents from the area emailed Ynet and reported their experience: "The windows and beds really moved," one wrote.
At around 9:20 pm Thursday night, a mild earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale hit northern Israel. No reports of injury or damage emerged.
Last Saturday a 6.4-magnitude earthquake which originated west of the island of Crete was felt in Israel. The center of the quake was 22.5 miles below the seabed 43 miles west of Chania on Crete, the US Geological Survey said.
Mild earthquake has been felt in Hula Valley region in North occupied Palestine at around 2:30 am Saturday night. Ynet.net quoted Geophysical Institute of (Israel) as saying that the quake registered a light 3.6 on the Richter scale. No injuries or significant damage was reported.
Residents from the area emailed Ynet and reported their experience: "The windows and beds really moved," one wrote.
At around 9:20 pm Thursday night, a mild earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale hit northern Israel. No reports of injury or damage emerged.
Last Saturday a 6.4-magnitude earthquake which originated west of the island of Crete was felt in Israel. The center of the quake was 22.5 miles below the seabed 43 miles west of Chania on Crete, the US Geological Survey said.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip said they received phone calls on Friday from the Israeli army accusing Hamas of failing to provide for civilians.
"To the residents of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army warns you against obeying the orders of the terrorist Hamas or having any contact with it," the recipient of one such pre-recorded message quoted it as saying.
"Know that Hamas is spending millions of dollars on tunnels used for hostile and terrorist acts against the state of Israel," it said. "This money should have gone to infrastructure, education and health projects."
The movement's interior ministry said that dozens of Palestinians received the calls.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israeli officials on Sunday said troops had uncovered a tunnel running from Gaza 450 yards into Israel and allegedly intended as a springboard for attacks.
Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth said Friday that Israel had known about the tunnel for over a year and let Hamas leaders continue to pour resources into it.
"Sometimes, as part of the war of minds, (Israel) lets them invest money, wrack their brains, waste human resources, and only toward the end of the digging, does it hold up a stop sign," the paper's defense correspondent Alex Fishman wrote.
Friday's phone blitz came on the anniversary of the Oct. 18, 2011 release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Shalit was snatched in June 2006 by a group of Hamas and other armed groups who snuck into Israel through a tunnel and took their prisoner back to Gaza the same way.
Hamas feted the lopsided prisoner swap as a major victory.
"Resistance is our way to destroy the (Israeli) occupation and break its will and is our way to liberate our prisoners and our holy places," it said Friday in a statement to mark the anniversary.
"To the residents of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army warns you against obeying the orders of the terrorist Hamas or having any contact with it," the recipient of one such pre-recorded message quoted it as saying.
"Know that Hamas is spending millions of dollars on tunnels used for hostile and terrorist acts against the state of Israel," it said. "This money should have gone to infrastructure, education and health projects."
The movement's interior ministry said that dozens of Palestinians received the calls.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israeli officials on Sunday said troops had uncovered a tunnel running from Gaza 450 yards into Israel and allegedly intended as a springboard for attacks.
Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth said Friday that Israel had known about the tunnel for over a year and let Hamas leaders continue to pour resources into it.
"Sometimes, as part of the war of minds, (Israel) lets them invest money, wrack their brains, waste human resources, and only toward the end of the digging, does it hold up a stop sign," the paper's defense correspondent Alex Fishman wrote.
Friday's phone blitz came on the anniversary of the Oct. 18, 2011 release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Shalit was snatched in June 2006 by a group of Hamas and other armed groups who snuck into Israel through a tunnel and took their prisoner back to Gaza the same way.
Hamas feted the lopsided prisoner swap as a major victory.
"Resistance is our way to destroy the (Israeli) occupation and break its will and is our way to liberate our prisoners and our holy places," it said Friday in a statement to mark the anniversary.
18 oct 2013
Danny Danon, the Israeli Deputy War Minister, the right-wing of Likud party, declared his total rejection of the idea of a Palestinian state. During a meeting held in Ramat Gan in solidarity with settlements in the occupied West Bank, Danon vowed that his party will not sign any interim agreement with Palestinians.
The Palestinian and Israeli Authorities have resumed direct negotiations under the US auspices since mid-August in an attempt to put an end to the conflict in the area according to their statements.
The Palestinian and Israeli Authorities have resumed direct negotiations under the US auspices since mid-August in an attempt to put an end to the conflict in the area according to their statements.
17 oct 2013
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A Palestinian man from Gaza says he will be forced to offer his 6-year-old daughter for "sale" if he does not receive aid from the government, NGOs, or charitable individuals.
Hani al-Hadidi, 33, a construction worker from Gaza's al-Shajaiya neighborhood, says he is struggling to provide for his wife and five children. Three of his children are in need of surgery, he says, and he cannot afford medical bills on top of the everyday costs of living. "I swear by almighty God that we have had only bread and salt for breakfast for several months," al-Hadidi's wife told Ma'an. Al-Hadidi said he would have to sell his daughter, Nahla, in order to make life better for the rest of his family. |
"No one dares to sell his children, but the hard situation we live in has forced me to make such a decision."
Before coming to this ultimatum, al-Hadidi said that he approached several local charitable organizations in Gaza to ask for help, but that none of them granted his request.
He called on the government, NGOs, and charitable individuals to donate money to help provide a better life for his family.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since 2007.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Palestinians.
Before coming to this ultimatum, al-Hadidi said that he approached several local charitable organizations in Gaza to ask for help, but that none of them granted his request.
He called on the government, NGOs, and charitable individuals to donate money to help provide a better life for his family.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since 2007.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Palestinians.
Manar al-Ayasseh, 16 year old resident of Azza Refugee camp is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. The girl, who suffers from a failed kidney, also lives with diabetes and thalassemia. Recently, 70% of her kidney functions have stopped. Before her condition became life-threatening, the young woman attended school regularly.
Munthir Al-Aysa, Manar’s father has spent all of his savings and sold his house, in his attempt to keep his daughter alive. Munther al-Ayasseh says he has run out of options, except to appeal to the president.
PNN’s Monjed Jadou reports that Manar, along with her friends and family, spent Thursday morning sitting in Bethlehem’s Manger Street, holding banners calling for President Mahmoud Abbas and all conscientious people to work to save her life – before it's too late.
The Palestine News Network, which has been following Manar’s case and pushing politicians to save Manar’s life, received a call from President Abbas around two o’clock on Thursday afternoon. The president responded positively to Manar’s plea, and has promised to cover the costs of all her operations and transportation.
Starting next week, Manar’s family will be tested to see if any of them are a viable match to donate a kidney.
Munthir Al-Aysa, Manar’s father has spent all of his savings and sold his house, in his attempt to keep his daughter alive. Munther al-Ayasseh says he has run out of options, except to appeal to the president.
PNN’s Monjed Jadou reports that Manar, along with her friends and family, spent Thursday morning sitting in Bethlehem’s Manger Street, holding banners calling for President Mahmoud Abbas and all conscientious people to work to save her life – before it's too late.
The Palestine News Network, which has been following Manar’s case and pushing politicians to save Manar’s life, received a call from President Abbas around two o’clock on Thursday afternoon. The president responded positively to Manar’s plea, and has promised to cover the costs of all her operations and transportation.
Starting next week, Manar’s family will be tested to see if any of them are a viable match to donate a kidney.
US ambassador to the Israeli entity Dan Shapiro stressed his country's support to "Israel's right to defend itself against the Palestinian terrorist organizations in Gaza." The US ambassador's statement came during his visit to the tunnel discovered running from Gaza to the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948 to allegedly carry out resistance attacks.
The United States continues its double standards policy in total bias to the Israeli occupation at the expense of Palestinian rights.
The United States continues its double standards policy in total bias to the Israeli occupation at the expense of Palestinian rights.
Alaa Haroun al-Zghaier
A man was knocked down and killed in Hebron late Wednesday in a hit-and-run incident, locals said.
Alaa Haroun al-Zghaier was hit by a car in Hebron and seriously wounded. He was taken to al-Ahli hospital in Hebron where he was pronounced dead.
The driver fled the scene.
Palestinian Authority police have opened an investigation into the incident.
A man was knocked down and killed in Hebron late Wednesday in a hit-and-run incident, locals said.
Alaa Haroun al-Zghaier was hit by a car in Hebron and seriously wounded. He was taken to al-Ahli hospital in Hebron where he was pronounced dead.
The driver fled the scene.
Palestinian Authority police have opened an investigation into the incident.
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Palestinian artist Reem Banna will be awarded the 2013 Ibn Rushd prize for Freedom of Thought. The Ibn Rushd Fund for Freedom of Thought is an independent organization registered in Germany that honors personalities and organizations in support of freedom of thought and democracy in the Arab world.
The fund was created on December 10th, 1998, in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Ibn Rushd's (Averroes’) death, and on the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Universal Human Rights. The award ceremony will be held on November 15 at the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin. |
Rim Banna is a Palestinian singer from the northern city of Nazareth. She is a composer, arranger and activist, known primarily for her modern interpretations of traditional Palestinian songs and poetry.
Banna first achieved popularity in the early 1990s, after recording her own versions of traditional Palestinian children's songs that were on the verge of being forgotten. Many such songs and rhymes sung by Palestinian families again today are said to be thanks to Banna's work in preserving them via her recordings.
This article was originally posted on the Alternative Information Center.
Banna first achieved popularity in the early 1990s, after recording her own versions of traditional Palestinian children's songs that were on the verge of being forgotten. Many such songs and rhymes sung by Palestinian families again today are said to be thanks to Banna's work in preserving them via her recordings.
This article was originally posted on the Alternative Information Center.
16 oct 2013
Head of Hamas's political bureau Khaled Mashaal attended the reception held on Tuesday in the Palestinian embassy in Qatar on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. Wafa news agency said that Mashaal and senior Hamas officials residing in Qatar as well as some exiled ex-detainees attended the reception.
It added that the ambassador conveyed the best regards of PA president Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and his pride in the Palestinian community in Qatar for their high sense of patriotism and commitment to the national cause.
It added that the ambassador conveyed the best regards of PA president Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and his pride in the Palestinian community in Qatar for their high sense of patriotism and commitment to the national cause.
Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya reached Mahmoud Abbas, the PA chief in Ramallah, and congratulated him on the occasion of Eidul Adha on Tuesday. A statement for the premier’s office said that Haneyya affirmed the importance of restoring national unity and ending division.
Haneyya also extended felicitations to the Palestinian people and the Arab and Muslim countries over the advent of the holy Eidul Adha.
Haneyya also extended felicitations to the Palestinian people and the Arab and Muslim countries over the advent of the holy Eidul Adha.
