27 dec 2008
START OF CAST LEAD
Medics treat wounded Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza Strip
Three Palestinian fighters were injured on Saturday by an Israeli attack targeting a projectile launch site in the northern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
Dr Mu'awiyah Hassanein, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, told Ma'an that the fighters arrived "lightly injured" and that they had arrived from the Al-Shayma area, west of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, a militant group affiliated with Hamas, announced an attack on an Israeli site at 9:00 am on Saturday, according to a statement.
Three Palestinian fighters were injured on Saturday by an Israeli attack targeting a projectile launch site in the northern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
Dr Mu'awiyah Hassanein, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, told Ma'an that the fighters arrived "lightly injured" and that they had arrived from the Al-Shayma area, west of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, a militant group affiliated with Hamas, announced an attack on an Israeli site at 9:00 am on Saturday, according to a statement.
Other news/attacks
Palestinian projectile lands on building in Negev
Palestinian projectile lands on building in Negev
26 dec 2008
A Palestinian fighter affiliated with the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, was pronounced dead on Friday after sustaining wounds in an Israeli artillery strike in the northern Gaza Strip earlier in December.
Medical sources said that Hamza Shaheen of Jabaliyah was so seriously wounded that doctors were forced to amputate both of his legs. He died of complications on Friday.
Shaheen was reportedly injured in an Israeli airstrike, in which two missiles targeted a group of fighters in the Tal Az-Za'ater area of Jabaliyah Refugee Camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
He was apparently firing a homemade projectile toward Sderot, his southern Israeli target, when the Apache helicopter fired toward him and others.
Medical sources said that Hamza Shaheen of Jabaliyah was so seriously wounded that doctors were forced to amputate both of his legs. He died of complications on Friday.
Shaheen was reportedly injured in an Israeli airstrike, in which two missiles targeted a group of fighters in the Tal Az-Za'ater area of Jabaliyah Refugee Camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
He was apparently firing a homemade projectile toward Sderot, his southern Israeli target, when the Apache helicopter fired toward him and others.
Two Palestinians were injured in Bil'in, north of Ramallah, during the weekly Friday afternoon protest. Israeli troops fired stun grenades and rubber coated bullets at the group of locals and internationals as they approached the site of the construction of the separation wall.
Each week the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the village rallies locals and internationals who carry banners and shout slogans condemning the continued construction of the separation wall, the building of settlements, checkpoints and the Gaza siege.
This week the group marched in solidarity with all those in prison, including Israeli refusnicks, and the Palestinian political leaders at Israel's Ofer detention center including Juma'a Muosa and Ahmad Sa'adat. They encouraged Israeli activists to refuse military service, and demanded Israel end its occupation of Palestinian areas.
Each week the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the village rallies locals and internationals who carry banners and shout slogans condemning the continued construction of the separation wall, the building of settlements, checkpoints and the Gaza siege.
This week the group marched in solidarity with all those in prison, including Israeli refusnicks, and the Palestinian political leaders at Israel's Ofer detention center including Juma'a Muosa and Ahmad Sa'adat. They encouraged Israeli activists to refuse military service, and demanded Israel end its occupation of Palestinian areas.
Israeli sources reported the launch of 22 mortar shells from Gaza at Israeli targets overnight Thursday and Friday morning, and say the military is preparing for a "limited operation" in Gaza in the coming days.
Ten projectiles were claimed by the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) Salah Ad-Din Brigades, after spokesman Abu A'beer announced the beginning of a campaign titled "Death Rope." The campaign, he said, will see a continuous barrage of home-made projectiles launched at Israeli targets.
On Wednesday Israeli airstrikes and ground invasions killed three fighters in Beit Lahia, and two in southern Gaza. On Saturday one fighter was killed and three injured at a projectile launch pad in northern Gaza, and two children were injured in a separate Israeli attack.
Hundreds of home-made projectiles and mortar shells have been launched from Gaza since the 4 November Israeli invasion of the area, which essentially broke the 6 month truce then set to expire 19 December. One Thai man working in an Israeli greenhouse was injured and a handful of buildings lightly damaged by the projectiles.
Recent Israeli reports say the nation's military is preparing for a "limited operation" in Gaza that will involve both air and ground operations. These reports follow a week of speculation on the coming use of extrajudicial assassination of Hamas leaders in Gaza, which failed to materialize.
The Israeli cabinet approved in principal a ground operation of a "few days' duration with clearly defined goals," according to one paper.
Israeli officials are using inflated rhetoric around the issue of a Gaza invasion. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was quoted as saying "Anyone who harms Israeli citizens and soldiers will pay the price," and
Military Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said an operation in Gaza will target Hamas "assets" and inflict as much damage as possible in a short period of time.
International opinion is increasingly against the Israeli siege on Gaza, recognized by many as collective punishment, and international actors have begun to insist Israel take a new line on the Gaza crisis.
Ten projectiles were claimed by the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) Salah Ad-Din Brigades, after spokesman Abu A'beer announced the beginning of a campaign titled "Death Rope." The campaign, he said, will see a continuous barrage of home-made projectiles launched at Israeli targets.
On Wednesday Israeli airstrikes and ground invasions killed three fighters in Beit Lahia, and two in southern Gaza. On Saturday one fighter was killed and three injured at a projectile launch pad in northern Gaza, and two children were injured in a separate Israeli attack.
Hundreds of home-made projectiles and mortar shells have been launched from Gaza since the 4 November Israeli invasion of the area, which essentially broke the 6 month truce then set to expire 19 December. One Thai man working in an Israeli greenhouse was injured and a handful of buildings lightly damaged by the projectiles.
Recent Israeli reports say the nation's military is preparing for a "limited operation" in Gaza that will involve both air and ground operations. These reports follow a week of speculation on the coming use of extrajudicial assassination of Hamas leaders in Gaza, which failed to materialize.
The Israeli cabinet approved in principal a ground operation of a "few days' duration with clearly defined goals," according to one paper.
Israeli officials are using inflated rhetoric around the issue of a Gaza invasion. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was quoted as saying "Anyone who harms Israeli citizens and soldiers will pay the price," and
Military Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said an operation in Gaza will target Hamas "assets" and inflict as much damage as possible in a short period of time.
International opinion is increasingly against the Israeli siege on Gaza, recognized by many as collective punishment, and international actors have begun to insist Israel take a new line on the Gaza crisis.
The Israeli army demolished an Eco-Friendly Straw Bale Mosque in the unrecognized Negev Bedouin village of Wadi Al-Na'am on Christmas day.
The mud and straw-bale structure was near complete; it was a months-long project that saw local Bedouins and volunteers build a mosque as a demonstration of inexpensive and environmentally sound construction techniques.
Mahmoud Jarbeau, a Bedouin resident of Wadi Al-Na'am oversaw the construction, and has slept in the structure most nights since the Israeli demolition order was delivered. He is a Bedouin resident of Israel, and his village is not recognized by Israel, so no building permits are granted for the area.
Jarbeau served for nine years in the Israeli forces, pays taxes and has spent more than 40,000 US dollars of his own money into the Mosque construction project.
On 17 November the Mosque was set to be demolished and scores of locals and international activists surrounded the building in the hope of preventing, or at least bearing witness, to the demolition.
The demolition was averted. Then at five o'clock Christmas morning Israeli forces arrived at the mosque and razed it to the ground. Jarbeau, who had been awoken by the sound of the bulldozers, was unable to prevent the demolition.
Local environmental groups are rallying and hope to re-build the structure.
The mud and straw-bale structure was near complete; it was a months-long project that saw local Bedouins and volunteers build a mosque as a demonstration of inexpensive and environmentally sound construction techniques.
Mahmoud Jarbeau, a Bedouin resident of Wadi Al-Na'am oversaw the construction, and has slept in the structure most nights since the Israeli demolition order was delivered. He is a Bedouin resident of Israel, and his village is not recognized by Israel, so no building permits are granted for the area.
Jarbeau served for nine years in the Israeli forces, pays taxes and has spent more than 40,000 US dollars of his own money into the Mosque construction project.
On 17 November the Mosque was set to be demolished and scores of locals and international activists surrounded the building in the hope of preventing, or at least bearing witness, to the demolition.
The demolition was averted. Then at five o'clock Christmas morning Israeli forces arrived at the mosque and razed it to the ground. Jarbeau, who had been awoken by the sound of the bulldozers, was unable to prevent the demolition.
Local environmental groups are rallying and hope to re-build the structure.
Other news/attacks
Gaza hospitals cut corners in last-ditch effort to provide some care
Israeli army halts Spanish delegation en route to Nablus Christmas Day
Gaza hospitals cut corners in last-ditch effort to provide some care
Israeli army halts Spanish delegation en route to Nablus Christmas Day
25 dec 2008
Hundreds of Palestinians participated in the Wednesday evening funeral procession for three Palestinian resistance fighters affiliated to Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
The three fighters were identified as 22-year-old Ahmad A'fif Abu Al Me'za, 24-year-old Raed Waleed Ar-Radee, and 23-year-old Mohammad Akram Ma'ruf. All were from Beit Lahia and were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers near the town on Wednesday.
The funeral was attended by senior leaders of the Hamas movement, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), and representatives of the different Palestinian factions. During the funeral, mourners chanted slogans against the continued Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people.
Musheer Al-Masri, a PLC member from the Hamas bloc, said in a speech during the funeral: "They have died martyrs asserting their commitment to Palestinian interests; if a ceasefire is for our people's benefit, we are committed to it, not out of weakness, but from a standpoint of strength."
He concluded that any Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip would be place many Israeli soldiers at risk, adding, "the residents of Sderot will not live in peace as long as the Palestinians do not."
The three fighters were identified as 22-year-old Ahmad A'fif Abu Al Me'za, 24-year-old Raed Waleed Ar-Radee, and 23-year-old Mohammad Akram Ma'ruf. All were from Beit Lahia and were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers near the town on Wednesday.
The funeral was attended by senior leaders of the Hamas movement, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), and representatives of the different Palestinian factions. During the funeral, mourners chanted slogans against the continued Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people.
Musheer Al-Masri, a PLC member from the Hamas bloc, said in a speech during the funeral: "They have died martyrs asserting their commitment to Palestinian interests; if a ceasefire is for our people's benefit, we are committed to it, not out of weakness, but from a standpoint of strength."
He concluded that any Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip would be place many Israeli soldiers at risk, adding, "the residents of Sderot will not live in peace as long as the Palestinians do not."
The Israeli cabinet approved a major military operation against the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Wednesday evening.
The website of the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz quoted an Israeli official as saying, "Our response will be substantial and painful to Hamas."
Before the military measures were announced, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinian activists in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, killing Hamas militant Yahya Ash-Sha'ir, in his twenties, and injuring three others.
A fourth Palestinian was injured, photojournalist Mustafa Bakir, as he documented the shelling in Rafah. Bakir works for the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa satellite TV station.
Responding to the day's Israeli violence, Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, threatened to respond to any further Israeli assault against the Gaza Strip. "In case of any aggression, the volcano will erupt," the Brigades said.
One Israeli official, former Israeli Defense Minister Efraim Sneh, suggested an Israeli operation extend beyond Gaza and target Hamas leaders in Damascus if military factions continue to send projectiles into Israel.
The website of the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz quoted an Israeli official as saying, "Our response will be substantial and painful to Hamas."
Before the military measures were announced, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinian activists in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, killing Hamas militant Yahya Ash-Sha'ir, in his twenties, and injuring three others.
A fourth Palestinian was injured, photojournalist Mustafa Bakir, as he documented the shelling in Rafah. Bakir works for the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa satellite TV station.
Responding to the day's Israeli violence, Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, threatened to respond to any further Israeli assault against the Gaza Strip. "In case of any aggression, the volcano will erupt," the Brigades said.
One Israeli official, former Israeli Defense Minister Efraim Sneh, suggested an Israeli operation extend beyond Gaza and target Hamas leaders in Damascus if military factions continue to send projectiles into Israel.
Other news/attacks
Palestinian security forces redeployed in Nablus after Israeli military operation
Livni in Cairo: Israel will do anything to halt projectiles fired from Gaza
DFLP and Islamic Jihad military wing fires 4 homemade projectiles and barrage of mortar shells at Israeli targets
Hamas: 87 shells fired at Israeli targets in 24 hours
Palestinian military groups continue to shell Israeli towns bordering Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians head to Nativity Church for Midnight Mass
Palestinian security forces redeployed in Nablus after Israeli military operation
Livni in Cairo: Israel will do anything to halt projectiles fired from Gaza
DFLP and Islamic Jihad military wing fires 4 homemade projectiles and barrage of mortar shells at Israeli targets
Hamas: 87 shells fired at Israeli targets in 24 hours
Palestinian military groups continue to shell Israeli towns bordering Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians head to Nativity Church for Midnight Mass
24 dec 2008
Three Palestinians were killed during a military operation near the Israeli-Gaza border in the north of Gaza and another two during a separate mission in the south-central region.
Israeli sources reported the deaths of the first three activists, who they claim were planting explosives near the border-wall in preparation for a land-invasion of Israel. The sources also reported that the militants threw a grenade over the wall at Israeli targets, no injuries were reported.
A statement from Hamas confirmed the death of three activists from their Al-Qassam Brigades. A statement from the group said the three were on a mission near the Israeli town of Netiv Ha'asara on the northern border with the Gaza Strip. They were identified as Muhammad Ma'ruf, Ahmad Abu Al-Ma'azza and Raed Al-Masri.
The statement also detailed the death of two other Al-Qassam activists, who were performing a "mission of Jihad" east of Al-Qarara in the southern Gaza Strip. The two slain activists were named as Islam Jadallah and Muhammad Al-Halabi.
The military wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and Fatah reported firing dozens of homemade projectiles and mortar shells at Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in retaliation for Israeli escalation.
Al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning for launching three homemade projectiles at Israeli city of Ashkelon and four more at the town of Sderot. They said in a statement the shelling was in retaliation for the ongoing Israeli "aggressions on the Gaza Strip".
Meanwhile, Hamas' military wing said its fighters fired 17 mortar shells at Israeli towns in western Negev on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Three of these shells landed in Netiv Ha'asara and three more at Zekeim military post.
The Hamas projectiles were closely followed by the launch of two additional projectiles by Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades who reportedly launched towards Sderot.
The operations come after two days of relative calm in Gaza, the first of which was declared as a short 24-hour truce at the request of Egypt.
Israeli sources reported the deaths of the first three activists, who they claim were planting explosives near the border-wall in preparation for a land-invasion of Israel. The sources also reported that the militants threw a grenade over the wall at Israeli targets, no injuries were reported.
A statement from Hamas confirmed the death of three activists from their Al-Qassam Brigades. A statement from the group said the three were on a mission near the Israeli town of Netiv Ha'asara on the northern border with the Gaza Strip. They were identified as Muhammad Ma'ruf, Ahmad Abu Al-Ma'azza and Raed Al-Masri.
The statement also detailed the death of two other Al-Qassam activists, who were performing a "mission of Jihad" east of Al-Qarara in the southern Gaza Strip. The two slain activists were named as Islam Jadallah and Muhammad Al-Halabi.
The military wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and Fatah reported firing dozens of homemade projectiles and mortar shells at Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in retaliation for Israeli escalation.
Al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning for launching three homemade projectiles at Israeli city of Ashkelon and four more at the town of Sderot. They said in a statement the shelling was in retaliation for the ongoing Israeli "aggressions on the Gaza Strip".
Meanwhile, Hamas' military wing said its fighters fired 17 mortar shells at Israeli towns in western Negev on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Three of these shells landed in Netiv Ha'asara and three more at Zekeim military post.
The Hamas projectiles were closely followed by the launch of two additional projectiles by Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades who reportedly launched towards Sderot.
The operations come after two days of relative calm in Gaza, the first of which was declared as a short 24-hour truce at the request of Egypt.
Other news/attacks
Nativity Church deportees in Gaza complain of dire economic conditions
Gaza priest cancels Midnight Mass in protest of Israeli blockade
Elderly Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli jail
DFLP fires homemade projectiles at Sderot Tuesday evening
Nativity Church deportees in Gaza complain of dire economic conditions
Gaza priest cancels Midnight Mass in protest of Israeli blockade
Elderly Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli jail
DFLP fires homemade projectiles at Sderot Tuesday evening
23 dec 2008
Other news/attacks
Abbas says Israel, Hamas to blame for siege on Gaza
Jerusalem patriarch slams Israel during Gaza Christmas address
DFLP, PRC wings fire two projectiles toward Sderot
Report: Hamas will decide ceasefire's fate by Wednesday
Most Gaza bakeries closed as flour, gas supplies depleted
Egypt: Hamas can't make up mind on ceasefire
DFLP wing fires mortars, homemade projectiles at Israeli targets
EU says Israel blocking cash payments to Gaza
UN: Majority Gaza crossings remain closed
Israeli army mulls Gaza invasion; remembers Lebanon
Abbas says Israel, Hamas to blame for siege on Gaza
Jerusalem patriarch slams Israel during Gaza Christmas address
DFLP, PRC wings fire two projectiles toward Sderot
Report: Hamas will decide ceasefire's fate by Wednesday
Most Gaza bakeries closed as flour, gas supplies depleted
Egypt: Hamas can't make up mind on ceasefire
DFLP wing fires mortars, homemade projectiles at Israeli targets
EU says Israel blocking cash payments to Gaza
UN: Majority Gaza crossings remain closed
Israeli army mulls Gaza invasion; remembers Lebanon
22 dec 2008
Israeli forces detained three men from the village of Ni'lin west of Ramallah and broke into several homes destroying property in the area.
Local sources said Israeli troops invaded the village Monday before dawn and saw dozens of military vehicles along with a bulldozer. The jeeps fired rubber bullets and tear gas as they toured the village.
Eyewitnesses reported that troops broke into the house of Ibrahim Mustafa Amira and his brothers Sami and Ahmad. Soldiers broke several windows in the home and opened fire at the water tanks above the home. Before leaving troops detained Ibrahim Amira, a university student, as well as Mahmoud Dahoud and Muhammad Zarul Amira.
Local sources said Israeli troops invaded the village Monday before dawn and saw dozens of military vehicles along with a bulldozer. The jeeps fired rubber bullets and tear gas as they toured the village.
Eyewitnesses reported that troops broke into the house of Ibrahim Mustafa Amira and his brothers Sami and Ahmad. Soldiers broke several windows in the home and opened fire at the water tanks above the home. Before leaving troops detained Ibrahim Amira, a university student, as well as Mahmoud Dahoud and Muhammad Zarul Amira.
Two Palestinians were slightly injured when an Israeli F16 fighter jet fired a missile at a barracks belonging to the Hamas-allied police in the east of Gaza City, witnesses said.
Mu'awiyah Hassanain, the director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the news.
An Israeli military spokesperson had no information about the strike.
Meanwhile Hamas' armed wing the Al-Qassam Brigades claimed to have shot at an Israeli soldier in a watchtower along the Gaza-Israel border, south of the Kissufim military base, east of the city of Khan Younis.
The same military spokesperson said maintainence workers came under fire at the Kissufim base. No one was injured.
In another development, the Ahmad Abu Ar-Rish Brigades, a small armed faction claiming allegiance to Fatah, claimed to have fired two homemade projectiles at the Kissufim base on Monday.
Israeli media reported that one projectile landed at the same time in the Eshkol area, to the east of the Gaza Strip.
On Monday evening the Fatah-aligned Al-Aqsa Brigades announced that they launched projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot. The Brigades said in a statement that the attack was to assure Israel of Palestinians' continued commitment to resistance.
Mu'awiyah Hassanain, the director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the news.
An Israeli military spokesperson had no information about the strike.
Meanwhile Hamas' armed wing the Al-Qassam Brigades claimed to have shot at an Israeli soldier in a watchtower along the Gaza-Israel border, south of the Kissufim military base, east of the city of Khan Younis.
The same military spokesperson said maintainence workers came under fire at the Kissufim base. No one was injured.
In another development, the Ahmad Abu Ar-Rish Brigades, a small armed faction claiming allegiance to Fatah, claimed to have fired two homemade projectiles at the Kissufim base on Monday.
Israeli media reported that one projectile landed at the same time in the Eshkol area, to the east of the Gaza Strip.
On Monday evening the Fatah-aligned Al-Aqsa Brigades announced that they launched projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot. The Brigades said in a statement that the attack was to assure Israel of Palestinians' continued commitment to resistance.
Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi
Egypt secured a pledge from Israel not to launch a major invasion of the Gaza Strip for up to two weeks after the end of a six-month ceasefire, an Israeli website reported on Monday.
The independent Israeli Hebrew news website Inyan Merkazi ("Central Issues") says Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak asked Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to promise to restrain the Israeli military in order to allow time to renegotiate the truce, which expired on Friday.
The report also says the United States pressed Israel to agree to the Egyptian demand.
A second report in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi said Egypt reinitiated talks aimed at restoring the truce. According to this account and to the report in Inyan Merkazi, Egyptian officials have been discussing a renewed truce with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, not the Hamas government in Gaza.
On Sunday night the Israeli government filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council regarding Palestinian homemade projectiles fired from Gaza. The complaint is part of an attempt to marshal international support for an eventual military operation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in a rare public statement Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told Israeli Army Radio that that one of the obstacles before a major operation in Gaza is the life of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian fighters in Gaza since 2006.
Ashkenazi said Israel is worried that Shalit could be killed during military operation. However, "We have responsibility towards thousands of other soldiers," he added.
Egypt secured a pledge from Israel not to launch a major invasion of the Gaza Strip for up to two weeks after the end of a six-month ceasefire, an Israeli website reported on Monday.
The independent Israeli Hebrew news website Inyan Merkazi ("Central Issues") says Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak asked Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to promise to restrain the Israeli military in order to allow time to renegotiate the truce, which expired on Friday.
The report also says the United States pressed Israel to agree to the Egyptian demand.
A second report in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi said Egypt reinitiated talks aimed at restoring the truce. According to this account and to the report in Inyan Merkazi, Egyptian officials have been discussing a renewed truce with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, not the Hamas government in Gaza.
On Sunday night the Israeli government filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council regarding Palestinian homemade projectiles fired from Gaza. The complaint is part of an attempt to marshal international support for an eventual military operation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in a rare public statement Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told Israeli Army Radio that that one of the obstacles before a major operation in Gaza is the life of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian fighters in Gaza since 2006.
Ashkenazi said Israel is worried that Shalit could be killed during military operation. However, "We have responsibility towards thousands of other soldiers," he added.
An Israeli apache helicopter came under fire from Palestinian fighters while before it fired on the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday night, the Israeli military said.
The military said the helicopter fired back at the fighters, who were also preparing to launch homemade projectiles.
Mua'waiyah Hassanein, the Ministry of Health's director of Ambulance and Emergency Services said that four Palestinians were injured in a strike on the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza city. One of the injured was a child.
The airstrike was one event in a day of continued violence in Gaza. A shaky-six month old truce between armed Palestinian groups and Israel expired on Friday.
Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades held training exercises in central Gaza involving the use of machine guns to attack Israeli helicopters.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, hit an Israeli helicopter for the first time in March 2008, forcing the helicopter to retreat from the town of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza. The helicopter landed safely.
Earlier on Sunday, a Palestinian woman was injured by shrapnel from an Israeli artillery shell in Beit Hanoun, medical officials and witnesses said. Witnesses reported that Israeli artillery shelled a house.
Separately, a group of Palestinian fighters say they were unharmed after an unmanned Israeli drone aircraft fired a rocket at them near the Industrial Zone, east of the Ash-Shuja'iyyah neighborhood of Gaza city.
Palestinian fighters also fired up to 14 homemade projectiles and mortars into Israel on Sunday from the Gaza Strip, causing little damage.
The military said the helicopter fired back at the fighters, who were also preparing to launch homemade projectiles.
Mua'waiyah Hassanein, the Ministry of Health's director of Ambulance and Emergency Services said that four Palestinians were injured in a strike on the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza city. One of the injured was a child.
The airstrike was one event in a day of continued violence in Gaza. A shaky-six month old truce between armed Palestinian groups and Israel expired on Friday.
Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades held training exercises in central Gaza involving the use of machine guns to attack Israeli helicopters.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, hit an Israeli helicopter for the first time in March 2008, forcing the helicopter to retreat from the town of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza. The helicopter landed safely.
Earlier on Sunday, a Palestinian woman was injured by shrapnel from an Israeli artillery shell in Beit Hanoun, medical officials and witnesses said. Witnesses reported that Israeli artillery shelled a house.
Separately, a group of Palestinian fighters say they were unharmed after an unmanned Israeli drone aircraft fired a rocket at them near the Industrial Zone, east of the Ash-Shuja'iyyah neighborhood of Gaza city.
Palestinian fighters also fired up to 14 homemade projectiles and mortars into Israel on Sunday from the Gaza Strip, causing little damage.
Other news/attacks
Hamas: Twenty-four hour ceasefire in effect
Top-level British delegation visits Hebron to witness "facts on the ground"
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Israeli forces seize seven Palestinians from Nablus
B'Tselem: 33-year-old settlement as illegal as any outpost
Israeli troops seize at least ten Palestinians in West Bank raids
PFLP fighters fire two homemade projectiles at Kfar Azza
Hamas: Twenty-four hour ceasefire in effect
Top-level British delegation visits Hebron to witness "facts on the ground"
Gazans condemn Israeli Ofer prison violence, call it step in chain of Israeli aggression
Israeli forces seize seven Palestinians from Nablus
B'Tselem: 33-year-old settlement as illegal as any outpost
Israeli troops seize at least ten Palestinians in West Bank raids
PFLP fighters fire two homemade projectiles at Kfar Azza
21 dec 2008
Injured youth, Rafah
Four Palestinians were injured late on Sunday night after an Israeli Apache helicopter fired missiles on eastern Gaza City.
One of the injured is reportedly a child.
Dr Mua'waiyah Hassanein, the Ministry of Health's director of Ambulance and Emergency Services, confirmed the injuries. He added that the four Palestinians were moderately injured in the assault.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed the attack, according to Al-Jazeera.
Four Palestinians were injured late on Sunday night after an Israeli Apache helicopter fired missiles on eastern Gaza City.
One of the injured is reportedly a child.
Dr Mua'waiyah Hassanein, the Ministry of Health's director of Ambulance and Emergency Services, confirmed the injuries. He added that the four Palestinians were moderately injured in the assault.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed the attack, according to Al-Jazeera.
Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian house in the West Bank city of Hebron on Sunday evening, the latest in a series of attacks in the city.
Nedal Fareed Al-Awawi, a resident of Hebron's settler-occupied Old City issued an appeal to international human rights organizations to protect him and his family.
He told Ma'an, "My home that is adjacent to the illegal Israeli outpost of Avraham Avinu, and is repeatedly attacked by the Israeli settlers. I fear for my children's lives because of these vindictive attacks against me after the evacuation from the Ar- Rajabi building."
Settlers rampaged through Hebron on 4 December when Israeli police and soldiers evicted 250 hard-line settlers from a house belonging to the Ar-Rajabi family. Al-Awawi home was one of the buildings set on fire by the enraged settlers.
Al-Awawi says Israeli police were present at the time of Sunday's attack, but made no arrests.
"'I saw that settler attack on you, you should file a complaint. Be careful of settlers tonight,'" Al-Awawi says the police told him.
Al-Awawi's home still smells of smoke from the riots over two weeks ago. During the rampage, one room of the house was completely burned, and the house's electricity and water connections destroyed. He says settlers assaulted him when he was installing a new water tank on the roof of his home, and destroyed the new tank as well.
Al-Awawi says he has received assistance from the Hebron Municipality and the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, an organization dedicated to preserving the city's cultural heritage.
The director of the Rehabilitation Committee, Imad Hamadan said "We hold the Israeli authorities fully responsible for the life of the Palestinian families who are living near the Israeli outposts in the heart of Hebron."
He called on Israel to comply with the Forth Geneva Convention, which requires the protection of civilians under occupation.
Nedal Fareed Al-Awawi, a resident of Hebron's settler-occupied Old City issued an appeal to international human rights organizations to protect him and his family.
He told Ma'an, "My home that is adjacent to the illegal Israeli outpost of Avraham Avinu, and is repeatedly attacked by the Israeli settlers. I fear for my children's lives because of these vindictive attacks against me after the evacuation from the Ar- Rajabi building."
Settlers rampaged through Hebron on 4 December when Israeli police and soldiers evicted 250 hard-line settlers from a house belonging to the Ar-Rajabi family. Al-Awawi home was one of the buildings set on fire by the enraged settlers.
Al-Awawi says Israeli police were present at the time of Sunday's attack, but made no arrests.
"'I saw that settler attack on you, you should file a complaint. Be careful of settlers tonight,'" Al-Awawi says the police told him.
Al-Awawi's home still smells of smoke from the riots over two weeks ago. During the rampage, one room of the house was completely burned, and the house's electricity and water connections destroyed. He says settlers assaulted him when he was installing a new water tank on the roof of his home, and destroyed the new tank as well.
Al-Awawi says he has received assistance from the Hebron Municipality and the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, an organization dedicated to preserving the city's cultural heritage.
The director of the Rehabilitation Committee, Imad Hamadan said "We hold the Israeli authorities fully responsible for the life of the Palestinian families who are living near the Israeli outposts in the heart of Hebron."
He called on Israel to comply with the Forth Geneva Convention, which requires the protection of civilians under occupation.
A Palestinian woman was moderately injured by shrapnel from an Israeli artillery shell in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern the Gaza Strip on Sunday evening.
Witnesses said Israeli artillery shelled a house in the eastern section of Beit Hanoun, near the border with Israel.
The Director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry, Muawiya Hassanain, said the woman was treated for "moderate" injuries at a local hospital in Beit Hanoun.
Separately, a group of Palestinian fighters say they were unharmed after an unmanned Israeli drone aircraft fired a rocket at them near the Industrial Zone, east of the Ash-Shuja'iyyah neighborhood of Gaza city.
The fighters were affiliated with the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the PFLP, and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah.
The strike was the second reported in Gaza on Sunday. The first strike followed a volley of homemade projectiles fired into Israel by Palestinian fighters.
The Israeli media reported that 14 projectiles and mortars landed in Israel, causing little damage.
Witnesses said Israeli artillery shelled a house in the eastern section of Beit Hanoun, near the border with Israel.
The Director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry, Muawiya Hassanain, said the woman was treated for "moderate" injuries at a local hospital in Beit Hanoun.
Separately, a group of Palestinian fighters say they were unharmed after an unmanned Israeli drone aircraft fired a rocket at them near the Industrial Zone, east of the Ash-Shuja'iyyah neighborhood of Gaza city.
The fighters were affiliated with the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the PFLP, and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah.
The strike was the second reported in Gaza on Sunday. The first strike followed a volley of homemade projectiles fired into Israel by Palestinian fighters.
The Israeli media reported that 14 projectiles and mortars landed in Israel, causing little damage.
"Muhammad is a pig," "Death to the Arabs" spray-painted on Jaffa Mosque
Israeli extremists on Saturday evening spray-painted slogans insulting the Prophet Muhammad and Arabs in general on the walls of the Sea Mosque in the city of Jaffa, on the Israeli Mediterranean coast.
When Muslim worshippers arrived at the mosque for the dawn prayer, they found "Muhammad is a pig" and "Death to the Arabs," said Muhammad Ashqar, a member of the Al-Aqsa Foundation, and organization dedicated to preserving Muslim heritage.
The Head of the Islamic movement in Jaffa, Sheikh Ahmad Abu Ajwah and head of Al-Aqsa Foundation in Jaffa, Zaki Ighbariyya called the vandalism a "criminal act."
"We don't rule out that Israeli extremist settlers were involved in writing these slogans, especially that similar acts have taken place in the West Bank recently. We say that what happened today in the Sea Mosque was a natural outcome of the incitement campaign at the official level against Palestinian living in Israel," Sheikh Abu Ajwah told Ma'an.
He highlighted Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's recent remarks suggesting that Palestinians living in Israel should be transferred to a future Palestinian state, or in other words ethnically cleansed from within Israel.
Sheikh Abu Ajwah predicts the perpetrators of the attack would receive little or no punishment, citing past attacks on Mosques in Jaffa.
He mentioned one case where right-wing Israeli Jews threw a pig's head and Molotov cocktails at the Hasan Bik Mosque in Jaffa.
He also referred to assaults against the Palestinian population of the city of Acre, in the north of Israel.
Sheikh Abu Ajwah attributed all such assaults to official incitement policy by Israeli government reminding that any assault against an Israeli Jewish cemetery or Jewish holy place in Europe would be condemned by the Israeli government as anti-Semitism. However, when it comes to Israeli assaults against Muslim and Arab holy places, he said, government remains silent.
Israeli extremists on Saturday evening spray-painted slogans insulting the Prophet Muhammad and Arabs in general on the walls of the Sea Mosque in the city of Jaffa, on the Israeli Mediterranean coast.
When Muslim worshippers arrived at the mosque for the dawn prayer, they found "Muhammad is a pig" and "Death to the Arabs," said Muhammad Ashqar, a member of the Al-Aqsa Foundation, and organization dedicated to preserving Muslim heritage.
The Head of the Islamic movement in Jaffa, Sheikh Ahmad Abu Ajwah and head of Al-Aqsa Foundation in Jaffa, Zaki Ighbariyya called the vandalism a "criminal act."
"We don't rule out that Israeli extremist settlers were involved in writing these slogans, especially that similar acts have taken place in the West Bank recently. We say that what happened today in the Sea Mosque was a natural outcome of the incitement campaign at the official level against Palestinian living in Israel," Sheikh Abu Ajwah told Ma'an.
He highlighted Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's recent remarks suggesting that Palestinians living in Israel should be transferred to a future Palestinian state, or in other words ethnically cleansed from within Israel.
Sheikh Abu Ajwah predicts the perpetrators of the attack would receive little or no punishment, citing past attacks on Mosques in Jaffa.
He mentioned one case where right-wing Israeli Jews threw a pig's head and Molotov cocktails at the Hasan Bik Mosque in Jaffa.
He also referred to assaults against the Palestinian population of the city of Acre, in the north of Israel.
Sheikh Abu Ajwah attributed all such assaults to official incitement policy by Israeli government reminding that any assault against an Israeli Jewish cemetery or Jewish holy place in Europe would be condemned by the Israeli government as anti-Semitism. However, when it comes to Israeli assaults against Muslim and Arab holy places, he said, government remains silent.
Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud Zahhar should avoid moving freely during the day, Israeli Minister of Transportation Shaul Mofaz told Israeli Army Radio Sunday afternoon.
Mofaz's comments seem to affirm the new Israeli position on military retaliations for Palestinian projectile launches from the Gaza Strip.
To date Israeli fire has targeted Gazan resistance fighters usually at projectile launch areas, or the launch pads themselves.
Mofaz expressed disapproval over the way Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has been responding to the projectile launches from Gaza, wondering what more Barak wanted before he escalated the Israeli response. He described the current response as one of 'merely opening and closing crossings.'
"There is only one way to respond to the escalation by Hamas," Mofaz added.
He also expressed incredulity over the fact that it is a "terrorist" organization that is determining the fate of the ceasefire.
Mofaz's comments seem to affirm the new Israeli position on military retaliations for Palestinian projectile launches from the Gaza Strip.
To date Israeli fire has targeted Gazan resistance fighters usually at projectile launch areas, or the launch pads themselves.
Mofaz expressed disapproval over the way Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has been responding to the projectile launches from Gaza, wondering what more Barak wanted before he escalated the Israeli response. He described the current response as one of 'merely opening and closing crossings.'
"There is only one way to respond to the escalation by Hamas," Mofaz added.
He also expressed incredulity over the fact that it is a "terrorist" organization that is determining the fate of the ceasefire.
Israeli assassination list
Hamas was never officially informed of ongoing contacts between Israel and Egypt regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza factions, but say they are prepared to discuss any possibilities.
The six-month truce agreement expired on 19 December, though both the Israeli army and Palestinian factions have been involved in escalating violence since 4 November, when Israel invaded the area. All factions have declared the ceasefire terminated and no effort has been made to contact Egyptian mediators regarding a renegotiation.
"We consider the ceasefire expired, and we have not renewed it," Hamas spokesperson Ismail Radwan said Sunday, explain that the "occupation is to be held accountable for the failure of ceasefire because they failed to commit to its conditions."
He added, "Hamas defends the Palestinian people and its behavior on the ground is according to the Palestinian people's higher interests." He also affirmed that Hamas coordinates with other Palestinian factions to serve Palestinian interests.
Hamas was never officially informed of ongoing contacts between Israel and Egypt regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza factions, but say they are prepared to discuss any possibilities.
The six-month truce agreement expired on 19 December, though both the Israeli army and Palestinian factions have been involved in escalating violence since 4 November, when Israel invaded the area. All factions have declared the ceasefire terminated and no effort has been made to contact Egyptian mediators regarding a renegotiation.
"We consider the ceasefire expired, and we have not renewed it," Hamas spokesperson Ismail Radwan said Sunday, explain that the "occupation is to be held accountable for the failure of ceasefire because they failed to commit to its conditions."
He added, "Hamas defends the Palestinian people and its behavior on the ground is according to the Palestinian people's higher interests." He also affirmed that Hamas coordinates with other Palestinian factions to serve Palestinian interests.
Family of fighter killed by Israeli strike Saturday
Thirteen homemade projectiles and several mortar shells were fired by Palestinian armed factions on Sunday, two days after a six-month old truce between Israel and Palestinian factions expired.
After an initial salvo of projectiles, an Israeli aerial drone fired two missiles at a projectile launch site near Qlebo Dome in the northern Gaza Strip.
In Israel a Thai man was injured, several greenhouses and a home were slightly damaged by Palestinian projectiles in the border town of Sderot, while no injuries have been reported in Gaza. On Saturday Israeli fire killed one Gazan fighter and injured five including two children playing in an open field in the north of the Strip. The same day reports of between ten and fifteen projectile launches resulted in no Israeli injuries.
Director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry Muawiya Hassanain told Gazans to exercise extreme caution and prevent children from playing in open fields. He also recommended keeping streets clear so ambulances can move quickly in case of emergency.
Israeli Radio announced an imminent escalation of attacks against Gaza targets, which will most likely be targeted assassinations.
Thirteen homemade projectiles and several mortar shells were fired by Palestinian armed factions on Sunday, two days after a six-month old truce between Israel and Palestinian factions expired.
After an initial salvo of projectiles, an Israeli aerial drone fired two missiles at a projectile launch site near Qlebo Dome in the northern Gaza Strip.
In Israel a Thai man was injured, several greenhouses and a home were slightly damaged by Palestinian projectiles in the border town of Sderot, while no injuries have been reported in Gaza. On Saturday Israeli fire killed one Gazan fighter and injured five including two children playing in an open field in the north of the Strip. The same day reports of between ten and fifteen projectile launches resulted in no Israeli injuries.
Director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry Muawiya Hassanain told Gazans to exercise extreme caution and prevent children from playing in open fields. He also recommended keeping streets clear so ambulances can move quickly in case of emergency.
Israeli Radio announced an imminent escalation of attacks against Gaza targets, which will most likely be targeted assassinations.
Israeli security sources indicated a confrontation with Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip is imminent and that there is little chance of a détente after days of fire from both sides.
According to Radio Israel the army will carry out ground and air attacks on the Gaza Strip Sunday, they will aim weapons at military and factional leaders carrying through with earlier threats of targeted assassinations. The siege will continue.
In the past targeted assassinations have resulted in tens of civilian deaths, since the civilian centers in the Gaza Strip are densely populated and high-ranking officials are not likely to be in the field launching projectiles.
The Israeli sources explained that the military would "not necessarily" be conducting widespread ground invasions, indicating targeted air attacks.
The Israeli cabinet is scheduled to hold its weekly session Sunday, where the situation will be reviewed. On Saturday Israeli shells killed one fighter and injured three others from the Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades, and a later artillery strike injured a three and seven year old near Beit Hanoun. Gaza factions responded to the day's violence with ten homemade projectile launches at Israeli targets, which resulted in no damage or injuries.
Israel reported the launch of 15 projectiles, but confirmed there were no damages or injuries.
Israeli ministers Haim Ramon and Eli Yishai have demanded that Israel change its policy towards the launch of Palestinian projectiles, and are expected to demand extra judicial executions be carried out.
According to Radio Israel the army will carry out ground and air attacks on the Gaza Strip Sunday, they will aim weapons at military and factional leaders carrying through with earlier threats of targeted assassinations. The siege will continue.
In the past targeted assassinations have resulted in tens of civilian deaths, since the civilian centers in the Gaza Strip are densely populated and high-ranking officials are not likely to be in the field launching projectiles.
The Israeli sources explained that the military would "not necessarily" be conducting widespread ground invasions, indicating targeted air attacks.
The Israeli cabinet is scheduled to hold its weekly session Sunday, where the situation will be reviewed. On Saturday Israeli shells killed one fighter and injured three others from the Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades, and a later artillery strike injured a three and seven year old near Beit Hanoun. Gaza factions responded to the day's violence with ten homemade projectile launches at Israeli targets, which resulted in no damage or injuries.
Israel reported the launch of 15 projectiles, but confirmed there were no damages or injuries.
Israeli ministers Haim Ramon and Eli Yishai have demanded that Israel change its policy towards the launch of Palestinian projectiles, and are expected to demand extra judicial executions be carried out.
Other news/attacks
Aid ship leaves Gaza with five Palestinians on board
Israeli troops stole money from West Bank home during raid, resident says
Al-Aqsa Brigades fire projectiles from Gaza in response to killing of fighter
Aid ship leaves Gaza with five Palestinians on board
Israeli troops stole money from West Bank home during raid, resident says
Al-Aqsa Brigades fire projectiles from Gaza in response to killing of fighter
20 dec 2008
Image from a 2005 Ofer clash
Eight prisoners and two wardens were injured during clashes in Israel's Ofer Prison in the West Bank on Saturday.
The Palestinian prisoners were protesting an earlier search of prisoner property which damaged the living quarters of the prisoners. In response to the protest Israeli soldiers fired rounds of rubber coated bullets and gas canisters on the prisoners, igniting some of the tents.
Several prisoners were able to make calls from the prison during the clashes and reported that several prisoners with heart or lung conditions were suffocating on the dozens of gas canisters fired at the group.
Others reported having been harshly beaten by Israeli soldiers, saying many were forced out of their living areas and taken to solitary confinement cells.
According to some estimates about 400 prisoners participated in the clash.
Head of the Prisoners' Society Abed Al-A'al Al-A'nani described the situation in the prison as a dangerous destabilization of condition, adding that "the Israeli soldiers used water hoses, gas bombs and rubber coated bullets to repress the prisoners."
Israeli sources reported that fires broke out in several tents housing the prisoners and that special Israeli forces were called to the scene after three guards sustained injuries.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the violence in a statement published by the official government press agency WAFA, saying they did not further peace in the Middle East.
Eight prisoners and two wardens were injured during clashes in Israel's Ofer Prison in the West Bank on Saturday.
The Palestinian prisoners were protesting an earlier search of prisoner property which damaged the living quarters of the prisoners. In response to the protest Israeli soldiers fired rounds of rubber coated bullets and gas canisters on the prisoners, igniting some of the tents.
Several prisoners were able to make calls from the prison during the clashes and reported that several prisoners with heart or lung conditions were suffocating on the dozens of gas canisters fired at the group.
Others reported having been harshly beaten by Israeli soldiers, saying many were forced out of their living areas and taken to solitary confinement cells.
According to some estimates about 400 prisoners participated in the clash.
Head of the Prisoners' Society Abed Al-A'al Al-A'nani described the situation in the prison as a dangerous destabilization of condition, adding that "the Israeli soldiers used water hoses, gas bombs and rubber coated bullets to repress the prisoners."
Israeli sources reported that fires broke out in several tents housing the prisoners and that special Israeli forces were called to the scene after three guards sustained injuries.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the violence in a statement published by the official government press agency WAFA, saying they did not further peace in the Middle East.
Israeli Forces hurled two tear gas canisters toward an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society on Friday during confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian youth in the central West Bank village of Ni'lin, west of Ramallah.
Confrontations erupted as Palestinian youth rallied protesting the erection of the separation wall in Ni'lin.
According to Mu'tasim Awad, a legal official within the Red Crescent, Israeli forces hurled a tear gas canister from close distance at an ambulance while its staff was treating an injured Palestinian. The canister settled under the ambulance before going off, injuring all five of its staff as they inhaled tear gas. They were evacuated to a health center for treatment.
He added that an hour later, Israeli soldiers fired another tear gas canister at another ambulance. The canister hit the front of the car directly, causing damage. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society condemned the alleged assaults.
Confrontations erupted as Palestinian youth rallied protesting the erection of the separation wall in Ni'lin.
According to Mu'tasim Awad, a legal official within the Red Crescent, Israeli forces hurled a tear gas canister from close distance at an ambulance while its staff was treating an injured Palestinian. The canister settled under the ambulance before going off, injuring all five of its staff as they inhaled tear gas. They were evacuated to a health center for treatment.
He added that an hour later, Israeli soldiers fired another tear gas canister at another ambulance. The canister hit the front of the car directly, causing damage. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society condemned the alleged assaults.
A scene from Hijazi's funeral in Beit Lahiya
One Palestinian was killed and five injured including two children Saturday as Israeli artillery bombarded the northern Gaza Strip towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. Palestinian factions responded by firing several projectiles at Israeli targets.
Sunday started with two ground-to-ground missiles fired by the Israeli army at a group of Palestinian fighters killing 25-year-old Ali Hijazi and injuring two others who have not been identified.
Initial reports said Hijazi was with a group of civilians, though later information confirmed the three were fighters affiliated with Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades.
A third Israeli missile was fired at the same area, causing no casualties.
Responding to the Israeli attacks Brigades affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Al-Qassam and Al-Quds, fired projectiles on a number of Israeli towns Saturday afternoon.
The Al-Qassam brigades fired six homemade shells on two Israeli military posts in Sufa and the military intelligence center east of Rafah city. The Al-Quds brigades fired one homemade projectile on Sderot north east of Gaza.
The Brigades affirmed their intention to continue shelling Israeli areas in response to the attacks on Gaza.
As Brigades launched projectiles Palestinian medical sources at Kamal Udwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya received the body of Hijazi, who they described as arriving at the hosptial "torn to pieces." The injured fighters were reported to have been treated for moderate to slight wounds.
Following the attacks witnesses noted Israeli reconnaissance planes flying over the northern Gaza Strip, while Israeli forces moved, unusually, on the ground; perhaps in preparation for an incursion in the area.
Israeli tanks later fired shells on the northern Gaza Strip, injuring two children near the Erez Industrial Zone.
The seven and three-year-old were moderately injured and taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital for treatment, said Head of Emergency department Mu'weiyah Hasaneen.
Then Saturday evening the Al-Aqsa Brigades, affiliated with Fatah, claimed three homemade projectiles that landed near Ashkelon.
A Brigades statement said the act was in response to "Israeli escalation and attacks on Gaza," and specifically for the death of one Al-Aqsa Brigadesman and the injuring of three others Saturday morning.
Due to the apparent Israeli armed forces' buildup, a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades called on Palestinian factions to watch for Israeli warplanes flying overhead.
"We will respond to Israeli shelling, and we call on activists to stay alert," the spokesperson, Abu Ahmad said.
With regard to forming of a cooperative operation center, he said, "We would like to form a joint operation room, but that is not currently possible due to disagreement between factions."
Meanwhile, a Palestinian activist from the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Muhammad Abu Shammalah, succumbed to wounds sustained five years ago.
According to Palestinian medical sources, Abu Shammalah was injured five years ago in an Israeli airstrike on the central Gaza Strip. He was paralyzed in the attack, and on Saturday died of complications from his injuries.
One Palestinian was killed and five injured including two children Saturday as Israeli artillery bombarded the northern Gaza Strip towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. Palestinian factions responded by firing several projectiles at Israeli targets.
Sunday started with two ground-to-ground missiles fired by the Israeli army at a group of Palestinian fighters killing 25-year-old Ali Hijazi and injuring two others who have not been identified.
Initial reports said Hijazi was with a group of civilians, though later information confirmed the three were fighters affiliated with Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades.
A third Israeli missile was fired at the same area, causing no casualties.
Responding to the Israeli attacks Brigades affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Al-Qassam and Al-Quds, fired projectiles on a number of Israeli towns Saturday afternoon.
The Al-Qassam brigades fired six homemade shells on two Israeli military posts in Sufa and the military intelligence center east of Rafah city. The Al-Quds brigades fired one homemade projectile on Sderot north east of Gaza.
The Brigades affirmed their intention to continue shelling Israeli areas in response to the attacks on Gaza.
As Brigades launched projectiles Palestinian medical sources at Kamal Udwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya received the body of Hijazi, who they described as arriving at the hosptial "torn to pieces." The injured fighters were reported to have been treated for moderate to slight wounds.
Following the attacks witnesses noted Israeli reconnaissance planes flying over the northern Gaza Strip, while Israeli forces moved, unusually, on the ground; perhaps in preparation for an incursion in the area.
Israeli tanks later fired shells on the northern Gaza Strip, injuring two children near the Erez Industrial Zone.
The seven and three-year-old were moderately injured and taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital for treatment, said Head of Emergency department Mu'weiyah Hasaneen.
Then Saturday evening the Al-Aqsa Brigades, affiliated with Fatah, claimed three homemade projectiles that landed near Ashkelon.
A Brigades statement said the act was in response to "Israeli escalation and attacks on Gaza," and specifically for the death of one Al-Aqsa Brigadesman and the injuring of three others Saturday morning.
Due to the apparent Israeli armed forces' buildup, a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades called on Palestinian factions to watch for Israeli warplanes flying overhead.
"We will respond to Israeli shelling, and we call on activists to stay alert," the spokesperson, Abu Ahmad said.
With regard to forming of a cooperative operation center, he said, "We would like to form a joint operation room, but that is not currently possible due to disagreement between factions."
Meanwhile, a Palestinian activist from the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Muhammad Abu Shammalah, succumbed to wounds sustained five years ago.
According to Palestinian medical sources, Abu Shammalah was injured five years ago in an Israeli airstrike on the central Gaza Strip. He was paralyzed in the attack, and on Saturday died of complications from his injuries.
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Israeli Supreme Court ruling allows wall to separate Jerusalem residents from city
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Hamas: Palestinian factions must respond to Israeli attacks
UN secretary-general calls for end to rocket attacks against Israel
DFLP wing fires two more shells at Israeli military post
Latest Free Gaza ship docks; fifth since August
DFLP militant wing fires three mortar shells at Sufa military post
Islamic Jihad militants fire projectile toward Israeli kibbutz
Israeli Supreme Court ruling allows wall to separate Jerusalem residents from city
Armed groups launch projectiles toward Israeli towns
Hamas: Palestinian factions must respond to Israeli attacks
UN secretary-general calls for end to rocket attacks against Israel
DFLP wing fires two more shells at Israeli military post
Latest Free Gaza ship docks; fifth since August
DFLP militant wing fires three mortar shells at Sufa military post
Islamic Jihad militants fire projectile toward Israeli kibbutz
19 dec 2008
A village near Nablus is completely without water after Israel suddenly cut water lines into the area on Friday, according to a municipal official.
Awad Dweikat of the Beita Municipality said Israel did not provide a reason for cutting the water to Beita. When villagers turned the taps on nothing came out, and it soon became clear the whole area was without the service.
A formal letter of notification saying the water had been cut off was received by the municipality Friday morning.
The Israeli military spokesperson would not return calls to clarify the situation.
Dwaikat called on the Red Cross and others to intervene in the decision, saying "at this moment" there is not a drop of water in the city.
He called the water main cuts "embarrassing, especially considering that tomorrow (Saturday) is an official holiday for people in the village."
A Israeli military raid was carried out in the village on Wednesday and 15 were arrested. While the water cut mayb be related to the invasion, there is no information to confirm this.
Beita's 10,000 residents consume about 500 cubic meters of water each day, the municipality said.
Awad Dweikat of the Beita Municipality said Israel did not provide a reason for cutting the water to Beita. When villagers turned the taps on nothing came out, and it soon became clear the whole area was without the service.
A formal letter of notification saying the water had been cut off was received by the municipality Friday morning.
The Israeli military spokesperson would not return calls to clarify the situation.
Dwaikat called on the Red Cross and others to intervene in the decision, saying "at this moment" there is not a drop of water in the city.
He called the water main cuts "embarrassing, especially considering that tomorrow (Saturday) is an official holiday for people in the village."
A Israeli military raid was carried out in the village on Wednesday and 15 were arrested. While the water cut mayb be related to the invasion, there is no information to confirm this.
Beita's 10,000 residents consume about 500 cubic meters of water each day, the municipality said.
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Israeli TV reporter unveils military plan to destroy Gaza tunnels
Egypt: An open Rafah would mean the end of the Palestinian cause
Russia expresses concern over ceasefire end; urges Hamas to reconsider
Factions say no new truce in Gaza; Fatah appears divided on issue
Blair hints support for Israeli assassination policy in Gaza during Haaretz interview
Truce declared dead; Israeli press reacts
Israel showered with projectiles as six-month ceasefire expires
UN: 290 settler-related attacks on Palestinians by November
Human rights group: Israel escalating attacks on Gaza
UN: Gaza blockade "unprecedented;" hardship "unacceptable"
Israeli TV reporter unveils military plan to destroy Gaza tunnels
Egypt: An open Rafah would mean the end of the Palestinian cause
Russia expresses concern over ceasefire end; urges Hamas to reconsider
Factions say no new truce in Gaza; Fatah appears divided on issue
Blair hints support for Israeli assassination policy in Gaza during Haaretz interview
Truce declared dead; Israeli press reacts
Israel showered with projectiles as six-month ceasefire expires
UN: 290 settler-related attacks on Palestinians by November
Human rights group: Israel escalating attacks on Gaza
UN: Gaza blockade "unprecedented;" hardship "unacceptable"
18 dec 2008
Seven Palestinians were injured in two Israeli air strikes targeting the northern and eastern areas of the Gaza Strip, local medical sources told Ma'an.
Three of the injured belong to an armed group, although the sources did not specify which.
Those three injured Palestinians were taken to As-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where their conditions were described as moderate.
The four others were injured in an Israeli airstrike in the Zamu neighborhood of Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, an armed group affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility for targeting invading Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
The PFLP-affiliated Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said in a statement sent to Ma'an that they and other armed fighters linked with Islamic Jihad targeted the soldiers, driving them into the strip's Eastern Cemetery by firing several homemade projectiles.
Ma'an could not immediately confirm the accuracy of the groups' claims.
Both factions said in a statement that "this attack came in retaliation to the continued Israeli attacks and threats."
Three of the injured belong to an armed group, although the sources did not specify which.
Those three injured Palestinians were taken to As-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where their conditions were described as moderate.
The four others were injured in an Israeli airstrike in the Zamu neighborhood of Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, an armed group affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility for targeting invading Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
The PFLP-affiliated Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said in a statement sent to Ma'an that they and other armed fighters linked with Islamic Jihad targeted the soldiers, driving them into the strip's Eastern Cemetery by firing several homemade projectiles.
Ma'an could not immediately confirm the accuracy of the groups' claims.
Both factions said in a statement that "this attack came in retaliation to the continued Israeli attacks and threats."
Israeli troops overrun village near Nablus
Israeli troops launched a military operation on the Beita village south of Nablus at 11:00 pm on Wednesday.
More than 15 military vehicles unloaded dozens of Israeli troops, who spread out through the village. The soldiers broke into several houses, in some cases evicting residents and turning the homes into temporary military posts.
Forces also detained at least 15 Palestinians from the area, held them overnight and released them Thursday morning.
Witnesses said Israeli soldiers broke the gate and door of the house of Anis Ash-Shanar, a local resident who is currently living abroad in the United Arab Emirates.
Israeli troops launched a military operation on the Beita village south of Nablus at 11:00 pm on Wednesday.
More than 15 military vehicles unloaded dozens of Israeli troops, who spread out through the village. The soldiers broke into several houses, in some cases evicting residents and turning the homes into temporary military posts.
Forces also detained at least 15 Palestinians from the area, held them overnight and released them Thursday morning.
Witnesses said Israeli soldiers broke the gate and door of the house of Anis Ash-Shanar, a local resident who is currently living abroad in the United Arab Emirates.
Other news/attacks
Report: Khaled Masha'al ordered end to truce
Jihad affiliates fire three projectiles on southern Israeli cities
Palestinian factions shell invading Israeli troops in Gaza Strip
PRC: Israel ended the truce long before projectiles were fired
Reports: Israeli military preparing to assassinate Gaza leaders
Lebanese FM, Palestinian representative discuss Gaza
Barghouthi blames Israel for truce collapse; encourages Palestinian unity
PFLP fighters launch three projectiles at Israel
Report: Khaled Masha'al ordered end to truce
Jihad affiliates fire three projectiles on southern Israeli cities
Palestinian factions shell invading Israeli troops in Gaza Strip
PRC: Israel ended the truce long before projectiles were fired
Reports: Israeli military preparing to assassinate Gaza leaders
Lebanese FM, Palestinian representative discuss Gaza
Barghouthi blames Israel for truce collapse; encourages Palestinian unity
PFLP fighters launch three projectiles at Israel
