22 june 2014
Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians northwest of Ramallah late Sunday in the second such incident in hours, locals said.
Two settlers shot at nine men who were working in a quarry near the village of al-Mazraa al-Gharbiya, without causing injuries, the workers told Ma'an.
They said they noticed the settlers sneaking into the quarry and fled the scene as settlers opened fire with an automatic rifle.
After being chased for nearly two miles, the workers reached al-Mazraa al-Gharabiya unscathed, they told Ma'an.
The Palestinians identified themselves as Ismail al-Rajabi, 25, Momen Idriss, 24, Anas Idriss, 18, Yacoub Idriss, 20, Bilal Idriss, 20, Ahmad Jaber, 27, Wael al-Shalaldeh, 32, Mohammad Jaber, 23, and 10-year-old Abd al-Rahman Jaber.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Earlier, a Ma'an reporter said that Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians in al-Bireh near Ramallah, injuring one as mourners gathered for the funeral of Muhammad Tarifi.
Tarifi was one of two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces early Sunday.
Israeli settlers try to kill nine Palestinians in WB
Two Israeli settlers tried on Sunday evening to kill nine Palestinian citizens from Hebron including a child in Ramallah near Nahalin settlement. worker Ismail al-Rajbi said that the settlers attacked them while working inside a quarry near the western farm. One of them pointed his weapon at us.
“ We went to another quarry but the settlers followed us until we reached the town.” He added.
None of the workers were wounded.
Living in settlements built illegally near Palestinian areas in the West Bank, Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli forces, routinely attack Palestinian citizens and homes killing some and causing damages to properties.
Two settlers shot at nine men who were working in a quarry near the village of al-Mazraa al-Gharbiya, without causing injuries, the workers told Ma'an.
They said they noticed the settlers sneaking into the quarry and fled the scene as settlers opened fire with an automatic rifle.
After being chased for nearly two miles, the workers reached al-Mazraa al-Gharabiya unscathed, they told Ma'an.
The Palestinians identified themselves as Ismail al-Rajabi, 25, Momen Idriss, 24, Anas Idriss, 18, Yacoub Idriss, 20, Bilal Idriss, 20, Ahmad Jaber, 27, Wael al-Shalaldeh, 32, Mohammad Jaber, 23, and 10-year-old Abd al-Rahman Jaber.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Earlier, a Ma'an reporter said that Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians in al-Bireh near Ramallah, injuring one as mourners gathered for the funeral of Muhammad Tarifi.
Tarifi was one of two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces early Sunday.
Israeli settlers try to kill nine Palestinians in WB
Two Israeli settlers tried on Sunday evening to kill nine Palestinian citizens from Hebron including a child in Ramallah near Nahalin settlement. worker Ismail al-Rajbi said that the settlers attacked them while working inside a quarry near the western farm. One of them pointed his weapon at us.
“ We went to another quarry but the settlers followed us until we reached the town.” He added.
None of the workers were wounded.
Living in settlements built illegally near Palestinian areas in the West Bank, Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli forces, routinely attack Palestinian citizens and homes killing some and causing damages to properties.
By Rachelle Friesen
Rachelle Friesen is a Palestine solidarity activist based in Canada.
More than 300 Palestinians have been arrested and detained by the Israeli military since last Thursday -- including over 50 that were released in the Gilad Shalit deal -- in clear violation of the agreement.
Over 750 homes in the Hebron area alone have been "searched" and invaded. On Thursday night, Birzeit University was targeted and searched.
The streets of the West Bank are crawling with 18-20-year-old Israelis armed with machine guns, and all rights have been suspended as the soldiers enter, search, arrest, and beat as they like.
In addition, a few days ago a 21-year-old was killed by the military, while on Friday two youths were shot dead in home raids. On Sunday, two more Palestinians were shot dead. Meanwhile, Gaza, which has been under siege since 2007, is experiencing daily airstrikes.
Israel claims that this is all a response to three Israeli youth going missing last week, in an apparent kidnapping. Even if you choose to believe that this is the reason for the above, it is an extreme response which is collectively punishing all of the Palestinian people.
In addition, one might question why in the media the youth who were "illegal" Israeli settlers are called "kidnapped" in their disappearance, while Palestinians who are taken are referred to as "arrested" -- but that is a discussion for another time.
What is happening in Palestine is not about three missing youth but rather power, control, propaganda, and colonization. By only choosing to look at the three missing youth, we become blinded to the larger picture and context of what is happening in Palestine. So let us examine the events leading up to last week.
This past year peace negotiations fell through as Israel walked away from the table when Hamas and Fatah signed a unity agreement. Although Israel claims that the issue was that they cannot "negotiate" with a terrorist organization, their continual construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank reveals their commitment to peace and international law. Settlement expansion actually reached new records in 2013 and by March 2014 the rate of expansion was already surpassing 2013.
After Hamas and Fatah signed the unity agreement and formed a new government, Mahmoud Abbas reiterated that the PA was still committed to nonviolence and would still recognize the state of Israel.
By backing the deal, Hamas was no longer a "militant" group outside the PA seeking the destruction of Israel. The siege on Gaza was previously "justified" by Israel because of Hamas' rule in Gaza, yet with this new government committed to nonviolence and control over all Palestinian territory, the siege could no longer be justified to the broader international community.
Suddenly, the reason behind the siege is revealed. It is not about stopping terrorism or hurting Hamas, rather it is about power and control. With the unity agreement, Israel looks like a war criminal.
Before last week, over 125 Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strike in Israeli prisons. They are protesting being held without charge or trial. The strike has continued for nearly 60 days and has been gaining momentum and attention in international media. To be held without trial or charge is in clear contradiction to international law.
The prisoners through their mass nonviolent action and sacrifice are drawing attention to the daily realities of Palestinian life. With the current incursions in the West Bank, however, few international media outlets are talking about the hunger strike. Negative attention has been diverted.
On May 15, two Palestinian youth were shot and killed with live ammunition. Local security cameras caught the images of the youth shot in the back, posing no life threatening risk to any Israeli media personnel. Meanwhile, CNN caught the soldier fire the shots at the youth. Human Rights Watch is saying the killings could amount to war crimes.
Israel's public image has taken a beating the past few months as the international community is starting to become aware of the apartheid system and colonization of Palestine. These recent kidnappings have been an opportunity to shift its image again, from aggressor back to victim. Yet while the Israel cries out victim while sending hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers to invade homes, one can only speculate what the response is actually about.
Firstly, this action could be an attempt to force a divide within the ranks of the newly-formed government. Through the raids in the West Bank, Israel has repeatedly targeted homes and building of Hamas and accused Hamas of being behind the abductions, even though there is no proof as to who is actually behind the disappearances. With Hamas members being targeted, it could weaken the newly-formed government, thus causing a divide that could once again delegitimize the PA at the international level and "justify" the siege on Gaza.
Secondly, this could be an attempt or preparation to completely re-occupy the West Bank. Israel could be using this as an opportunity to re-navigate Area A and re-assert its control. Such a mass military response and invasion, begins to look like a fact-finding mission where soldiers begin to navigate the lay of the land and assess what the local response to an invasion currently looks like.
Thirdly, it sends a strong message that despite prevailing notions of international law and signed past agreement, Israel is in control and will continue to exert its control and dominance throughout all of Palestine. It is a reminder that from the Galilee to Eilat, Palestine is under Israeli control and Israel experiences full impunity from the international community.
The future of Palestine is uncertain. However, what is clear is that this is not about three settlers going missing. Rather this is the continuation of the prevailing reality on the ground, a reality of colonization that is enforced by a brutal military offered full impunity by the international community.
This past week has made public both the power and brutality of Israel, and also how the international community is completely silent to what is happening. This is not about three settlers going missing, but rather about the continued racism and colonization of Palestine with the support of the international community.
Despite the vocal or silent support of Israel, it is up to us the masses to express our condemnation and hold Israel accountable. It is up to the people to speak to truth about what is happening and reveal the larger picture of oppression.
The victory of the divestment campaign in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Friday shows us that this possible.
It is up to us, however, to push forward the boycott, divestment, and sanctions of Israel on all levels in every country, and show the Israeli public that we refuse to tolerate the crimes being perpetrated against the Palestinian people.
Rachelle Friesen is a Palestine solidarity activist based in Canada.
More than 300 Palestinians have been arrested and detained by the Israeli military since last Thursday -- including over 50 that were released in the Gilad Shalit deal -- in clear violation of the agreement.
Over 750 homes in the Hebron area alone have been "searched" and invaded. On Thursday night, Birzeit University was targeted and searched.
The streets of the West Bank are crawling with 18-20-year-old Israelis armed with machine guns, and all rights have been suspended as the soldiers enter, search, arrest, and beat as they like.
In addition, a few days ago a 21-year-old was killed by the military, while on Friday two youths were shot dead in home raids. On Sunday, two more Palestinians were shot dead. Meanwhile, Gaza, which has been under siege since 2007, is experiencing daily airstrikes.
Israel claims that this is all a response to three Israeli youth going missing last week, in an apparent kidnapping. Even if you choose to believe that this is the reason for the above, it is an extreme response which is collectively punishing all of the Palestinian people.
In addition, one might question why in the media the youth who were "illegal" Israeli settlers are called "kidnapped" in their disappearance, while Palestinians who are taken are referred to as "arrested" -- but that is a discussion for another time.
What is happening in Palestine is not about three missing youth but rather power, control, propaganda, and colonization. By only choosing to look at the three missing youth, we become blinded to the larger picture and context of what is happening in Palestine. So let us examine the events leading up to last week.
This past year peace negotiations fell through as Israel walked away from the table when Hamas and Fatah signed a unity agreement. Although Israel claims that the issue was that they cannot "negotiate" with a terrorist organization, their continual construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank reveals their commitment to peace and international law. Settlement expansion actually reached new records in 2013 and by March 2014 the rate of expansion was already surpassing 2013.
After Hamas and Fatah signed the unity agreement and formed a new government, Mahmoud Abbas reiterated that the PA was still committed to nonviolence and would still recognize the state of Israel.
By backing the deal, Hamas was no longer a "militant" group outside the PA seeking the destruction of Israel. The siege on Gaza was previously "justified" by Israel because of Hamas' rule in Gaza, yet with this new government committed to nonviolence and control over all Palestinian territory, the siege could no longer be justified to the broader international community.
Suddenly, the reason behind the siege is revealed. It is not about stopping terrorism or hurting Hamas, rather it is about power and control. With the unity agreement, Israel looks like a war criminal.
Before last week, over 125 Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strike in Israeli prisons. They are protesting being held without charge or trial. The strike has continued for nearly 60 days and has been gaining momentum and attention in international media. To be held without trial or charge is in clear contradiction to international law.
The prisoners through their mass nonviolent action and sacrifice are drawing attention to the daily realities of Palestinian life. With the current incursions in the West Bank, however, few international media outlets are talking about the hunger strike. Negative attention has been diverted.
On May 15, two Palestinian youth were shot and killed with live ammunition. Local security cameras caught the images of the youth shot in the back, posing no life threatening risk to any Israeli media personnel. Meanwhile, CNN caught the soldier fire the shots at the youth. Human Rights Watch is saying the killings could amount to war crimes.
Israel's public image has taken a beating the past few months as the international community is starting to become aware of the apartheid system and colonization of Palestine. These recent kidnappings have been an opportunity to shift its image again, from aggressor back to victim. Yet while the Israel cries out victim while sending hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers to invade homes, one can only speculate what the response is actually about.
Firstly, this action could be an attempt to force a divide within the ranks of the newly-formed government. Through the raids in the West Bank, Israel has repeatedly targeted homes and building of Hamas and accused Hamas of being behind the abductions, even though there is no proof as to who is actually behind the disappearances. With Hamas members being targeted, it could weaken the newly-formed government, thus causing a divide that could once again delegitimize the PA at the international level and "justify" the siege on Gaza.
Secondly, this could be an attempt or preparation to completely re-occupy the West Bank. Israel could be using this as an opportunity to re-navigate Area A and re-assert its control. Such a mass military response and invasion, begins to look like a fact-finding mission where soldiers begin to navigate the lay of the land and assess what the local response to an invasion currently looks like.
Thirdly, it sends a strong message that despite prevailing notions of international law and signed past agreement, Israel is in control and will continue to exert its control and dominance throughout all of Palestine. It is a reminder that from the Galilee to Eilat, Palestine is under Israeli control and Israel experiences full impunity from the international community.
The future of Palestine is uncertain. However, what is clear is that this is not about three settlers going missing. Rather this is the continuation of the prevailing reality on the ground, a reality of colonization that is enforced by a brutal military offered full impunity by the international community.
This past week has made public both the power and brutality of Israel, and also how the international community is completely silent to what is happening. This is not about three settlers going missing, but rather about the continued racism and colonization of Palestine with the support of the international community.
Despite the vocal or silent support of Israel, it is up to us the masses to express our condemnation and hold Israel accountable. It is up to the people to speak to truth about what is happening and reveal the larger picture of oppression.
The victory of the divestment campaign in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Friday shows us that this possible.
It is up to us, however, to push forward the boycott, divestment, and sanctions of Israel on all levels in every country, and show the Israeli public that we refuse to tolerate the crimes being perpetrated against the Palestinian people.
Israeli settlers on Sunday opened fire at Palestinians in al-Bireh near Ramallah as they gathered for the funeral of a man killed by Israeli forces earlier that day, a Ma'an reporter said.
After the funeral procession of Muhammad Tarifi in the Jabal al-Tawil neighborhood, settlers from the Psagot settlement opened fire at mourners, injuring one of them.
When Israeli forces arrived at the scene, clashes broke out as Palestinians hurled rocks at settlers and soldiers.
Soldiers fired stun grenades, tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and live fire at Palestinians.
The Palestinians then retreated into al-Bireh's Jabal al-Tawil and al-Jinan neighborhoods.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Tarif was found dead on the roof of a commercial building in Ramallah early Sunday and an autopsy showed that the victim died of a bullet fired from an M16 assault rifle, used by Israeli forces.
Israeli soldiers were in the area at the time and clashed with Palestinians amid a number of home raids and detentions.
Tarif was the fifth Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in the last week, as they continue a massive military campaign in the West Bank in search of three missing Israeli teenagers.
Although Israeli authorities have claimed the youths were kidnapped by Hamas from the Jewish-only settlement of Gush Etzion near Bethlehem, Hamas has denied the charges.
In the 10 days since, Israeli forces have arrested over 400 Palestinians, the majority associated with Hamas, and raided more than 1,000 locations across the West Bank, vowing to "crush" Hamas.
After the funeral procession of Muhammad Tarifi in the Jabal al-Tawil neighborhood, settlers from the Psagot settlement opened fire at mourners, injuring one of them.
When Israeli forces arrived at the scene, clashes broke out as Palestinians hurled rocks at settlers and soldiers.
Soldiers fired stun grenades, tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and live fire at Palestinians.
The Palestinians then retreated into al-Bireh's Jabal al-Tawil and al-Jinan neighborhoods.
An Israeli military spokeswoman did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Tarif was found dead on the roof of a commercial building in Ramallah early Sunday and an autopsy showed that the victim died of a bullet fired from an M16 assault rifle, used by Israeli forces.
Israeli soldiers were in the area at the time and clashed with Palestinians amid a number of home raids and detentions.
Tarif was the fifth Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in the last week, as they continue a massive military campaign in the West Bank in search of three missing Israeli teenagers.
Although Israeli authorities have claimed the youths were kidnapped by Hamas from the Jewish-only settlement of Gush Etzion near Bethlehem, Hamas has denied the charges.
In the 10 days since, Israeli forces have arrested over 400 Palestinians, the majority associated with Hamas, and raided more than 1,000 locations across the West Bank, vowing to "crush" Hamas.
A group of armed Israeli settlers Saturday evening tried to storm Beit Ummar town, north of the West Bank city of Hebron. More than 20 armed settlers tried to shut down the historic Jerusalem-Hebron Road, spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Separation Wall and Settlement in Beit Ummar, Mohammad Awad, said.
" Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian activists from taking photos and seized their IDs" Awad added.
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
" Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian activists from taking photos and seized their IDs" Awad added.
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
21 june 2014
Teams of firemen and police specialized in rescue operations were in the Hebron area on Saturday searching wells, reservoirs, and caves for three missing Israeli teens, Israeli media reported.
The search was ongoing inside Hebron city itself, where a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was killed on Friday by the army as well as in Ramallah, where the army said it had raided the premises of the Hamas television channel.
Police said three fire trucks and an ATV rescue unit were present in the Hebron area where they were on stand-by, Ynet reported.
Israeli officials have announced no major breakthroughs throughout the search for the teens, who disappeared from an area near the Gush Etzion settlement on June 12.
Around 370 Palestinians have been detained just in the past week as part of an arrest campaign carried out by Israel with Palestinian Authority coordination.
Some two-thirds of those detained in recent days have been members of the Palestinian faction Hamas, which Israel accuses of being behind the alleged kidnapping of the youths.
Hamas has denied involvement.
Separately, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking near Ashkelon city without causing any casualties, the army said.
The search was ongoing inside Hebron city itself, where a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was killed on Friday by the army as well as in Ramallah, where the army said it had raided the premises of the Hamas television channel.
Police said three fire trucks and an ATV rescue unit were present in the Hebron area where they were on stand-by, Ynet reported.
Israeli officials have announced no major breakthroughs throughout the search for the teens, who disappeared from an area near the Gush Etzion settlement on June 12.
Around 370 Palestinians have been detained just in the past week as part of an arrest campaign carried out by Israel with Palestinian Authority coordination.
Some two-thirds of those detained in recent days have been members of the Palestinian faction Hamas, which Israel accuses of being behind the alleged kidnapping of the youths.
Hamas has denied involvement.
Separately, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking near Ashkelon city without causing any casualties, the army said.
Palestinian security expert Mahmoud al-Ajrami stated that Israel's army and security agencies failed so far to get any information that might reveal the fate of the three missing settlers after ten days of their disappearance.
Al-Ajrami told the PIC that Israeli senior military officials’ statements reflected Israel's failure to know the circumstances of the incident.
Despite its security coordination with the Palestinian authority security forces, Israel failed to find the three missing soldiers who were kidnapped in the most fortified settlement, he pointed out.
The difficult geographical features in some areas in occupied West Bank would complicate the mission for Israeli forces, despite Israeli allegations of foiling 25 previous attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers, al-Ajrami said.
If the kidnap operation was carried out by the Palestinian resistance, it means that a new breach occurred in Israel's security system.
Al-Ajrami told the PIC that Israeli senior military officials’ statements reflected Israel's failure to know the circumstances of the incident.
Despite its security coordination with the Palestinian authority security forces, Israel failed to find the three missing soldiers who were kidnapped in the most fortified settlement, he pointed out.
The difficult geographical features in some areas in occupied West Bank would complicate the mission for Israeli forces, despite Israeli allegations of foiling 25 previous attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers, al-Ajrami said.
If the kidnap operation was carried out by the Palestinian resistance, it means that a new breach occurred in Israel's security system.
20 june 2014
The Israeli ambassador to Italy on Thursday attacked the European Union for supporting the Palestinian government of national unity in light of the disappearance of three Israeli youths last week, accusing them of supporting "kidnapping."
Ambassador Naor Gilon was quoted by Israeli media sources as saying that "Europe backs Hamas' government and the kidnapping of children and Israeli civilians."
Naor Gilon said in a statement published by several Italian media that "the European Union is ignoring the conditions it placed on itself in recognizing Hamas."
"While the European Union acknowledges the Palestinian national unity government that Hamas is a part of, it gives it international legitimacy even though a terrorist organization is part of it," he was quoted by Israeli news site Ynet as saying..
Ambassador Naor Gilon was quoted by Israeli media sources as saying that "Europe backs Hamas' government and the kidnapping of children and Israeli civilians."
Naor Gilon said in a statement published by several Italian media that "the European Union is ignoring the conditions it placed on itself in recognizing Hamas."
"While the European Union acknowledges the Palestinian national unity government that Hamas is a part of, it gives it international legitimacy even though a terrorist organization is part of it," he was quoted by Israeli news site Ynet as saying..
Saleh al-'Arouri
In the first direct accusation since the three Israeli settlers went missing a week ago, an Israeli security source, accused Hamas leader, Salah al-‘Arouri, of being the mastermind, and financier, of the believed kidnapping.
The Israeli Walla News has reported that “Hamas, especially al’-Arouri, is responsible for the abduction of the settlers”, adding that “al-‘Arouri, along with the Hamas leadership in exile, are behind all attempts to abduct Israeli in the West Bank, in recent years.”
Al-‘Arouri, from ‘Aroura town, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, currently resides in Turkey, and Israel alleges he is the moving force that encourages Hamas fighters in the West Bank, to form new cells and abduct Israelis, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
The unnamed Israeli security source, quoted by Walla News, reportedly said al-‘Arouri is in charge of preparing and financing the cells, but added that Israel has no concrete proof that could implicate the Hamas leader, and directly connect him to the case of the missing Israelis.
The source added that Israel is not facing an official army that follows direct orders, but a series of cells, operating in the occupied territories.
He also alleged that dozens of envoys, sent by al-‘Arouri, visited the West Bank through Jordan, and that some of them have been kidnapped by Israel, while others managed to enter the West Bank and leave it without being detected.
The official alleges those envoys moved money, instructions and orders, to Hamas cells, “ordering them to kidnap Israelis.”
He said the chances that the Hamas leadership in Gaza, or Palestinian detainees released under the Shalit prisoner swap deal, are involved in the abduction are marginal, adding they allegedly “tried to carry out such attacks, but their chances of success are very low”.
Israel believes al-’Arouri financed cells by transferring money through charities operating in the West Bank, and that the Hamas movement has four groups capable of planning, and abducting Israelis.
He explained the groups are; the Hamas leadership in exile through al-’Arouri “who receives orders from the Hamas Political Bureau head Khaled Masha, the second is Hamas leadership in Gaza, the third of Hamas operatives who are constantly targeted by Israel, and Hamas detainees in Israeli prisons, who have very limited resources.
Soldiers Demolish Home Of Hamas Leader Near Ramallah
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Friday at dawn [June 20 2014] the ‘Aroura village, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and demolished the home of Hamas political leader, member of its political Bureau, Saleh al-’Arouri.
Local sources said a number of military vehicles and armored bulldozers, invaded the village, and handed the family a military order against their home. The soldiers invaded the property and ransacked it. Al-'Arouri currently resides in Turkey.
The source said the military helicopters also participated in the invasion, while several Israeli paratroopers were observed landed there.
Dozens of soldiers were deployed in the streets before breaking into and searching dozens of homes. The army also cut the village’s power supply, prior to the invasion.
In related news, soldiers invaded the Dahiat al-Balou’ area, north of Ramallah, before breaking into and violently searching dozens of homes.
Israeli paratroopers were also seen landing in Deir Ammar village, West of Ramallah, and dozens of soldiers also invaded the villages of Sinjil and Abwein nearby villages.
In addition, a number of fanatic Israeli settlers attacked and destroyed Palestinian cars in Dahiat Jabal at-Tawil, in al-Biereh town, near Ramallah.
In the first direct accusation since the three Israeli settlers went missing a week ago, an Israeli security source, accused Hamas leader, Salah al-‘Arouri, of being the mastermind, and financier, of the believed kidnapping.
The Israeli Walla News has reported that “Hamas, especially al’-Arouri, is responsible for the abduction of the settlers”, adding that “al-‘Arouri, along with the Hamas leadership in exile, are behind all attempts to abduct Israeli in the West Bank, in recent years.”
Al-‘Arouri, from ‘Aroura town, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, currently resides in Turkey, and Israel alleges he is the moving force that encourages Hamas fighters in the West Bank, to form new cells and abduct Israelis, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
The unnamed Israeli security source, quoted by Walla News, reportedly said al-‘Arouri is in charge of preparing and financing the cells, but added that Israel has no concrete proof that could implicate the Hamas leader, and directly connect him to the case of the missing Israelis.
The source added that Israel is not facing an official army that follows direct orders, but a series of cells, operating in the occupied territories.
He also alleged that dozens of envoys, sent by al-‘Arouri, visited the West Bank through Jordan, and that some of them have been kidnapped by Israel, while others managed to enter the West Bank and leave it without being detected.
The official alleges those envoys moved money, instructions and orders, to Hamas cells, “ordering them to kidnap Israelis.”
He said the chances that the Hamas leadership in Gaza, or Palestinian detainees released under the Shalit prisoner swap deal, are involved in the abduction are marginal, adding they allegedly “tried to carry out such attacks, but their chances of success are very low”.
Israel believes al-’Arouri financed cells by transferring money through charities operating in the West Bank, and that the Hamas movement has four groups capable of planning, and abducting Israelis.
He explained the groups are; the Hamas leadership in exile through al-’Arouri “who receives orders from the Hamas Political Bureau head Khaled Masha, the second is Hamas leadership in Gaza, the third of Hamas operatives who are constantly targeted by Israel, and Hamas detainees in Israeli prisons, who have very limited resources.
Soldiers Demolish Home Of Hamas Leader Near Ramallah
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Friday at dawn [June 20 2014] the ‘Aroura village, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and demolished the home of Hamas political leader, member of its political Bureau, Saleh al-’Arouri.
Local sources said a number of military vehicles and armored bulldozers, invaded the village, and handed the family a military order against their home. The soldiers invaded the property and ransacked it. Al-'Arouri currently resides in Turkey.
The source said the military helicopters also participated in the invasion, while several Israeli paratroopers were observed landed there.
Dozens of soldiers were deployed in the streets before breaking into and searching dozens of homes. The army also cut the village’s power supply, prior to the invasion.
In related news, soldiers invaded the Dahiat al-Balou’ area, north of Ramallah, before breaking into and violently searching dozens of homes.
Israeli paratroopers were also seen landing in Deir Ammar village, West of Ramallah, and dozens of soldiers also invaded the villages of Sinjil and Abwein nearby villages.
In addition, a number of fanatic Israeli settlers attacked and destroyed Palestinian cars in Dahiat Jabal at-Tawil, in al-Biereh town, near Ramallah.
The recent wave of arrests, attacks, killings and total closure of large parts of the West Bank following the disappearance of three Israeli settlers is a clear form of collective punishment against the Palestinian people.
Since the disappearance of the three settlers on Thursday 12 June, Israeli forces in Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, have killed a Palestinian man, Ahmad Sabarin, 20, and have arrested approximately 200 Palestinians across the West Bank.
In total, eight members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) have been arrested since 12 June, including the head of the PLC. One PLC member has since been released. On 15 June three people were injured, including an eight-year old boy, when the Israeli military blew up the entrance of a house in Hebron during an arrest operation. In addition, on 16 June six Palestinian were injured at Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah, including Yazan Yacoub, 17, who was, according to reports, shot in the chest and abdomen with a live bullet, critically wounding him.
As the Occupying Power, Israel is obligated to carry out its search for the missing settlers in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). IHRL imposes an absolute obligation on Israel to respect the right to life of Palestinians by ensuring that the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is carried out in a manner that minimises damage and injury and respects and preserves human life.
IHRL further prohibits arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence and affords all persons the right to liberty and security of person, which demands a legal basis for each and every individual arrest. Furthermore, all persons that are arrested must be treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity.
Although some of the measures carried out by the Israeli forces in large parts of the West Bank may have a link to the investigation into the disappearances, the methods employed are indiscriminate in their nature and are undermining the fundamental rights of the persons concerned. Furthermore, these restrictive measures are being carried out based on mere speculation regarding both the identity of those responsible for the disappearances and their location.
As such, these measures indicate Israel’s intention to impose punitive measures against large portions of the Palestinian population in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibiting reprisals against protected persons and their property, as well as collective punishment. Furthermore, Israeli government threats to expel Hamas personnel from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip based on allegations that the organisation is responsible for the settlers’ disappearances not only amounts to indiscriminate collective punishment but also violates Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcible transfers and deportations of protected persons in occupied territory.
The violation of this provision amounts to a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and as such may constitute a war crime under Article 8(2)(a)(vii) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council (PHROC) condemns Israel’s disregard for its obligations under international law and its use of reprisals against the Palestinian population in carrying out its investigations into the disappeared youths. PHROC calls upon High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to uphold their obligation to ensure respect for the Conventions as established under Common Article 1, by taking concrete measures to pressure Israel to halt its violations of international law.
PHROC further condemns the Israeli government-initiated law proposal to permit force-feeding of hunger strikers. Currently, over 125 Palestinian detainees and prisoners have been on hunger strike in protest against Israel’s illegal practice of Administrative Detention. Force feeding is defined as torture by the World Medical Association and has been condemned by the United Nations (UN), including by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
As such, PHROC calls upon the international community to condemn the law publicly and to urge the Israeli government to withdraw it. Moreover, PHROC calls on Israel to heed to the demands of the hunger strikers by bringing its illegal practice of administrative detention to an immediate end.
Since the disappearance of the three settlers on Thursday 12 June, Israeli forces in Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, have killed a Palestinian man, Ahmad Sabarin, 20, and have arrested approximately 200 Palestinians across the West Bank.
In total, eight members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) have been arrested since 12 June, including the head of the PLC. One PLC member has since been released. On 15 June three people were injured, including an eight-year old boy, when the Israeli military blew up the entrance of a house in Hebron during an arrest operation. In addition, on 16 June six Palestinian were injured at Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah, including Yazan Yacoub, 17, who was, according to reports, shot in the chest and abdomen with a live bullet, critically wounding him.
As the Occupying Power, Israel is obligated to carry out its search for the missing settlers in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). IHRL imposes an absolute obligation on Israel to respect the right to life of Palestinians by ensuring that the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is carried out in a manner that minimises damage and injury and respects and preserves human life.
IHRL further prohibits arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence and affords all persons the right to liberty and security of person, which demands a legal basis for each and every individual arrest. Furthermore, all persons that are arrested must be treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity.
Although some of the measures carried out by the Israeli forces in large parts of the West Bank may have a link to the investigation into the disappearances, the methods employed are indiscriminate in their nature and are undermining the fundamental rights of the persons concerned. Furthermore, these restrictive measures are being carried out based on mere speculation regarding both the identity of those responsible for the disappearances and their location.
As such, these measures indicate Israel’s intention to impose punitive measures against large portions of the Palestinian population in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibiting reprisals against protected persons and their property, as well as collective punishment. Furthermore, Israeli government threats to expel Hamas personnel from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip based on allegations that the organisation is responsible for the settlers’ disappearances not only amounts to indiscriminate collective punishment but also violates Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcible transfers and deportations of protected persons in occupied territory.
The violation of this provision amounts to a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and as such may constitute a war crime under Article 8(2)(a)(vii) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council (PHROC) condemns Israel’s disregard for its obligations under international law and its use of reprisals against the Palestinian population in carrying out its investigations into the disappeared youths. PHROC calls upon High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to uphold their obligation to ensure respect for the Conventions as established under Common Article 1, by taking concrete measures to pressure Israel to halt its violations of international law.
PHROC further condemns the Israeli government-initiated law proposal to permit force-feeding of hunger strikers. Currently, over 125 Palestinian detainees and prisoners have been on hunger strike in protest against Israel’s illegal practice of Administrative Detention. Force feeding is defined as torture by the World Medical Association and has been condemned by the United Nations (UN), including by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
As such, PHROC calls upon the international community to condemn the law publicly and to urge the Israeli government to withdraw it. Moreover, PHROC calls on Israel to heed to the demands of the hunger strikers by bringing its illegal practice of administrative detention to an immediate end.
19 june 2014
Israeli soldiers interrogate a Palestinian family during a raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Jalazon, north of Ramallah, June 16, 2014
Human life only refers to ours; concern for it and its liberty only matters when it’s us. Only we are permitted to be our “Brother’s Keeper,” as the IDF is calling the operation to find the three kidnapped teens.
Only Israel is permitted.
Only Israel is permitted to carry out illegal, immoral operations. Only it is permitted to be sanctimonious, to be shocked and to shout from the rooftops when others do the same thing to Israel. Only Israel is permitted to take hostages. Recall, for example, the 1989 capture of Sheikh Abd al-Karim Obeid, in an operation that was no less of a war crime than the abduction of three yeshiva students in the West Bank.
In that operation, Israel kidnapped 21 Lebanese nationals to serve as “bargaining chips” it hoped would lead to the release of the missing Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad. In addition to Obeid and Mustafa Dirani, head of security for Lebanon’s Amal militia, 19 other young men were abducted, including two 15-year-old boys and one man with severe developmental disabilities. They had no idea who Ron Arad was, and they languished in prison for years. When the elite special-operations force Sayeret Matkal kidnapped Obeid, it also killed a neighbor who dared to approach his home.
An extra-large sack was tailor-made for the outsized Obeid. This was an abduction for the purposes of bargaining, just as that of the three West Bank teens may have been. But Israel did it, and therefore it was legitimate. Almost no one protested, the world wasn’t asked to denounce it and no one thought to define Israel as a “vicious terror organization,” as GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon called Hamas on Tuesday, declaiming his remarks like a bar-mitzvah boy, as thousands of his soldiers made war in the West Bank.
Only Israel is permitted.
Only Israel is permitted now to arrest dozens of Palestinians every night, most if not all of whom have nothing to do with the teens’ abduction. Only it is permitted now to launch a collective-punishment operation that includes the bullying of tens of thousands of innocent people. Only Israel is permitted to wallow in a bath of ultra-nationalist religious schmaltz, sticky and greasy, and to speak bathetically, at the drop of a hat, about the sanctity of its people’s lives — only theirs. And perhaps the teens’ kidnappers, with their cruel abduction, are trying to win the release of thousands of their brothers, imprisoned for long years in Israel, some of them without benefit of trial. Perhaps the three yeshiva students are also “bargaining chips.”
But in racism, as in racism, to paraphrase a maxim: Human life only refers to ours, concern for it and its liberty only matters when it’s us; only we are permitted to be our “Brother’s Keeper,” as the Israel Defense Forces is calling its operation in English. Only attempt to dare to say that Palestinians may use violent resistance against the occupation, even in accordance with international law, and you will immediately be tagged as enemies, heretics and traitors who must be incarcerated, as happened to MK Haneen Zoabi, who said what every Israeli said at the time about the abductions of the Lebanese. Zoabi erred when she said the kidnappers aren’t terrorists; they committed an act of terror, much more limited than Israel’s acts of terror.
One must hope that the teens are alive, fear for their safety and pray that they are released safe and sound, but what is happening in the meantime in distant Israel is far from its “finest hour;” this is one of Israel’s ugliest hours. All the seeds of ultra-nationalism and messianism that have been planted over the past several years are germinating now and blooming in the flower beds of rot. All of the Israeli hatreds have reared their heads in the wake of the kidnapping of three yeshiva students whose place of learning is in the heart of the occupied territory. All of the destructiveness and the intolerance for other views, all of the unity and the falling into rank in Israel have now assembled for the biggest display of ultra-nationalism ever. All the seeds of religiosity have sprouted into a mass prayer service led by the television broadcasters, every single last one of which has volunteered for propaganda duty. No one questions the mass arrests, the re-imprisonment of the Palestinians who were freed in the Gilad Shalit exchange deal, the arrests of members of the Palestinian parliament, the deportations to the Gaza Strip and the warmongering. Anyone who does has sealed his own fate.
All of this is permitted to Israel, only to Israel. The immediate victims of the “finest hour” are the wretched families of the abducted teens and tens of thousands of Palestinians. But after this affair ends, the light will rise on a new, even darker Israel.
Human life only refers to ours; concern for it and its liberty only matters when it’s us. Only we are permitted to be our “Brother’s Keeper,” as the IDF is calling the operation to find the three kidnapped teens.
Only Israel is permitted.
Only Israel is permitted to carry out illegal, immoral operations. Only it is permitted to be sanctimonious, to be shocked and to shout from the rooftops when others do the same thing to Israel. Only Israel is permitted to take hostages. Recall, for example, the 1989 capture of Sheikh Abd al-Karim Obeid, in an operation that was no less of a war crime than the abduction of three yeshiva students in the West Bank.
In that operation, Israel kidnapped 21 Lebanese nationals to serve as “bargaining chips” it hoped would lead to the release of the missing Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad. In addition to Obeid and Mustafa Dirani, head of security for Lebanon’s Amal militia, 19 other young men were abducted, including two 15-year-old boys and one man with severe developmental disabilities. They had no idea who Ron Arad was, and they languished in prison for years. When the elite special-operations force Sayeret Matkal kidnapped Obeid, it also killed a neighbor who dared to approach his home.
An extra-large sack was tailor-made for the outsized Obeid. This was an abduction for the purposes of bargaining, just as that of the three West Bank teens may have been. But Israel did it, and therefore it was legitimate. Almost no one protested, the world wasn’t asked to denounce it and no one thought to define Israel as a “vicious terror organization,” as GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon called Hamas on Tuesday, declaiming his remarks like a bar-mitzvah boy, as thousands of his soldiers made war in the West Bank.
Only Israel is permitted.
Only Israel is permitted now to arrest dozens of Palestinians every night, most if not all of whom have nothing to do with the teens’ abduction. Only it is permitted now to launch a collective-punishment operation that includes the bullying of tens of thousands of innocent people. Only Israel is permitted to wallow in a bath of ultra-nationalist religious schmaltz, sticky and greasy, and to speak bathetically, at the drop of a hat, about the sanctity of its people’s lives — only theirs. And perhaps the teens’ kidnappers, with their cruel abduction, are trying to win the release of thousands of their brothers, imprisoned for long years in Israel, some of them without benefit of trial. Perhaps the three yeshiva students are also “bargaining chips.”
But in racism, as in racism, to paraphrase a maxim: Human life only refers to ours, concern for it and its liberty only matters when it’s us; only we are permitted to be our “Brother’s Keeper,” as the Israel Defense Forces is calling its operation in English. Only attempt to dare to say that Palestinians may use violent resistance against the occupation, even in accordance with international law, and you will immediately be tagged as enemies, heretics and traitors who must be incarcerated, as happened to MK Haneen Zoabi, who said what every Israeli said at the time about the abductions of the Lebanese. Zoabi erred when she said the kidnappers aren’t terrorists; they committed an act of terror, much more limited than Israel’s acts of terror.
One must hope that the teens are alive, fear for their safety and pray that they are released safe and sound, but what is happening in the meantime in distant Israel is far from its “finest hour;” this is one of Israel’s ugliest hours. All the seeds of ultra-nationalism and messianism that have been planted over the past several years are germinating now and blooming in the flower beds of rot. All of the Israeli hatreds have reared their heads in the wake of the kidnapping of three yeshiva students whose place of learning is in the heart of the occupied territory. All of the destructiveness and the intolerance for other views, all of the unity and the falling into rank in Israel have now assembled for the biggest display of ultra-nationalism ever. All the seeds of religiosity have sprouted into a mass prayer service led by the television broadcasters, every single last one of which has volunteered for propaganda duty. No one questions the mass arrests, the re-imprisonment of the Palestinians who were freed in the Gilad Shalit exchange deal, the arrests of members of the Palestinian parliament, the deportations to the Gaza Strip and the warmongering. Anyone who does has sealed his own fate.
All of this is permitted to Israel, only to Israel. The immediate victims of the “finest hour” are the wretched families of the abducted teens and tens of thousands of Palestinians. But after this affair ends, the light will rise on a new, even darker Israel.
The US ambassador to Israel visited the family of Naftali Frenkel, one of three missing Israeli teenagers who is an American-Israeli dual citizen, Israeli media reported.
Dan Shapiro “offered the strong support of the US government” and his “own support in all the efforts” to bring the three boys back, reports said.
Shapiro added that the US “fully supports” and “encourages” the Israeli search and continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, and that he hopes the teenagers will return home soon
Dan Shapiro “offered the strong support of the US government” and his “own support in all the efforts” to bring the three boys back, reports said.
Shapiro added that the US “fully supports” and “encourages” the Israeli search and continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, and that he hopes the teenagers will return home soon
45 extremist settlers of Talmudic institutions stormed al-Aqsa on Thursday led by Jewish Rabbi Yehuda Glick. Backed by Israeli police, the settlers stormed the mosque from al- Maghareba Gate and toured in the courtyards.
The director of media at Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage Mahmoud Abu al-Atta said that 45 Israeli students stormed al-Aqsa in groups.
Muslim worshipers and Students were in the mosque when the settlers organized tours and Talmudic Rituals inside, he pointed out.
Abu al-Atta confirmed that the Israeli police tightened their measures at the mosque gates and scrutinized the identity cards of Palestinian worshipers and students.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli security forces, have repeatedly forced their way into the Al-Aqsa complex. The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
The director of media at Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage Mahmoud Abu al-Atta said that 45 Israeli students stormed al-Aqsa in groups.
Muslim worshipers and Students were in the mosque when the settlers organized tours and Talmudic Rituals inside, he pointed out.
Abu al-Atta confirmed that the Israeli police tightened their measures at the mosque gates and scrutinized the identity cards of Palestinian worshipers and students.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli security forces, have repeatedly forced their way into the Al-Aqsa complex. The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
"Abbas has to rescind the reconciliation agreement to prove his sincerity," Israeli Prime minister's office announced Thursday following Abbas statement. The office also demanded Abbas to cooperate with Israel to bring the settlers back.
In his statements that were condemned By Hamas, Abbas emphasized Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority will cooperate with Israel to find the missing soldiers. He defended the security cooperation with Israel, claiming that "it is for the interests of the Palestinian people.”
Israeli army have stormed Palestinian cities and towns, raided more than 700 houses, and arrested 300 citizens in hunt for three settlers who were missed a week ago in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
In his statements that were condemned By Hamas, Abbas emphasized Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority will cooperate with Israel to find the missing soldiers. He defended the security cooperation with Israel, claiming that "it is for the interests of the Palestinian people.”
Israeli army have stormed Palestinian cities and towns, raided more than 700 houses, and arrested 300 citizens in hunt for three settlers who were missed a week ago in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
The National Bureau for the Defense of Land and Resistance to Settlements warned in a weekly report that the settlement activity in the occupied West Bank has escalated during the past week. The report revealed an Israeli scheme to construct 12 thousand new settlement units in "Modi'in - Maccabim - Reut" settlement bloc within the next four years.
It added that Israel Lands Administration (ILA) has recently marketed lands to establish 1735 settlement units during this year. Some land plots in north Jerusalem are also being marketed to construct 182 units in the settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Planning and Building Committee announced its final approval for the construction of the Kedem center in Wadi Hilwa to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque, in order to boost Israel's tourism in the neighborhood. The building will be supervised by the Elad association.
The National Bureau’s report further stated that Netanyahu government has approved construction permits for 387 settlement units in Ramat Shlomo, to the south of occupied Jerusalem.
It added that last week the Israeli government also approved the establishment of a new settlement neighborhood in Ariel and Berkane settlements in Salfit, northern the West Bank, in addition to other settlement projects in "Kochav Jacob" and "Pisgat Ze'ev" near Jerusalem.
The report reviewed the Israeli persistent plans to Judaize Jerusalem, pointing out that the occupation municipality, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Jerusalem Development Authority have organized the Jewish Festival of Lights for the sixth successive year in the city, during which hundreds of settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation authorities bulldozed a Palestinian land in Wadi Joz neighborhood near the historic walls of Jerusalem for unknown reasons.
Dozens of settlers have also seized lands owned by Palestinian citizens from the village of Jalud, to the south of Nablus
In al-Khalil province, Israeli soldiers expanded the vicinity of the military watchtower placed at the entrance of Beit Ummar town.
It added that Israel Lands Administration (ILA) has recently marketed lands to establish 1735 settlement units during this year. Some land plots in north Jerusalem are also being marketed to construct 182 units in the settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Planning and Building Committee announced its final approval for the construction of the Kedem center in Wadi Hilwa to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque, in order to boost Israel's tourism in the neighborhood. The building will be supervised by the Elad association.
The National Bureau’s report further stated that Netanyahu government has approved construction permits for 387 settlement units in Ramat Shlomo, to the south of occupied Jerusalem.
It added that last week the Israeli government also approved the establishment of a new settlement neighborhood in Ariel and Berkane settlements in Salfit, northern the West Bank, in addition to other settlement projects in "Kochav Jacob" and "Pisgat Ze'ev" near Jerusalem.
The report reviewed the Israeli persistent plans to Judaize Jerusalem, pointing out that the occupation municipality, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Jerusalem Development Authority have organized the Jewish Festival of Lights for the sixth successive year in the city, during which hundreds of settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation authorities bulldozed a Palestinian land in Wadi Joz neighborhood near the historic walls of Jerusalem for unknown reasons.
Dozens of settlers have also seized lands owned by Palestinian citizens from the village of Jalud, to the south of Nablus
In al-Khalil province, Israeli soldiers expanded the vicinity of the military watchtower placed at the entrance of Beit Ummar town.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said that Israel was fabricating more lies against his Movement. The spokesman said in a terse statement on Wednesday night that Israeli claims that political bureau chairman of Hamas Khaled Mishaal had issued orders for the kidnap of Israeli soldiers was part of the “Zionist campaign of lies and deceit”.
He said that the statements fell in line with Israeli attempts to liquidate his Movement and to blur the issue of the administrative detainees’ hunger strike.
Meshaal speech and Hebron incident not related: Hamas denies
Allegations against Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mashaal are continuation of Israeli series of lies, Hamas said. The movement denied that Meshaal gave anybody instructions to kidnap settlers.
The allegations are aimed to justify the crackdown of Hamas the West Bank and to distract world attention from the hunger strike declared by administrative detainees since last April, 24, Hamas said.
An officer at the Israeli army said that Meshaal's speech last month was a clear hint for groups in the West Bank to kidnap Israelis.
Israeli army have stormed Palestinian cities and towns, raided more than 700 houses, and arrested 300 citizens in hunt for three settlers who were missed a week ago in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
He said that the statements fell in line with Israeli attempts to liquidate his Movement and to blur the issue of the administrative detainees’ hunger strike.
Meshaal speech and Hebron incident not related: Hamas denies
Allegations against Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mashaal are continuation of Israeli series of lies, Hamas said. The movement denied that Meshaal gave anybody instructions to kidnap settlers.
The allegations are aimed to justify the crackdown of Hamas the West Bank and to distract world attention from the hunger strike declared by administrative detainees since last April, 24, Hamas said.
An officer at the Israeli army said that Meshaal's speech last month was a clear hint for groups in the West Bank to kidnap Israelis.
Israeli army have stormed Palestinian cities and towns, raided more than 700 houses, and arrested 300 citizens in hunt for three settlers who were missed a week ago in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Yet, no clear evidence the three settlers were abducted as Israel claimed.
