20 jan 2008
Quds Brigades fighters exchange fire with invading forces in Qabatia
Fighter of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing if the Islamic Jihad, exchanged fire on Sunday at dawn, with Israeli forces invading Qabatia town, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. In a press release, the Al Quds Brigades reported that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces invading the town from several directions, and hurled grenades at them.
The Brigades stated that its fighters will not stop their resistance activities against the Israeli occupation and that they will not remain idle while the army is committing daily crimes against the Palestinian people.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli army killed two Palestinian fighters in Jabalia town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Saturday's fatalities bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip this week to 37, most of the casualties were civilians.
Fighter of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing if the Islamic Jihad, exchanged fire on Sunday at dawn, with Israeli forces invading Qabatia town, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. In a press release, the Al Quds Brigades reported that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces invading the town from several directions, and hurled grenades at them.
The Brigades stated that its fighters will not stop their resistance activities against the Israeli occupation and that they will not remain idle while the army is committing daily crimes against the Palestinian people.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli army killed two Palestinian fighters in Jabalia town, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Saturday's fatalities bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip this week to 37, most of the casualties were civilians.
Seven injured as Israeli settlers attack Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron
Four Palestinian women, two children and a human rights activist were injured on Saturday evening at the southern West Bank city of Hebron after they were assaulted by Israeli settlers from the Qiryat Arba colony.
Residents said the settlers pelted stones at the Palestinian homes in the areas of Wadi An-Nasara and Wadi Abu Hussain, which are close to the settlement.
Bassam Al-Ja'bari, a local resident, told Ma'an's, "The settlers attacked us and beat a human rights activist, Isa Amr, who works for the Israeli humanitarian organization B'Tselem. Then the soldiers arrested him and took him to unknown destination."
He added that four women and two children were injured and they could not be evacuated to the hospital because Israeli soldiers prevented an ambulance from reaching the area.
Residents said the settlers pelted stones at the Palestinian homes in the areas of Wadi An-Nasara and Wadi Abu Hussain, which are close to the settlement.
Bassam Al-Ja'bari, a local resident, told Ma'an's, "The settlers attacked us and beat a human rights activist, Isa Amr, who works for the Israeli humanitarian organization B'Tselem. Then the soldiers arrested him and took him to unknown destination."
He added that four women and two children were injured and they could not be evacuated to the hospital because Israeli soldiers prevented an ambulance from reaching the area.
Islamic Jihad's military wing 'launches projectile at Sderot'
Palestinian military groups claim attacks on Israeli areas bordering Gaza Strip
Cancer patient becomes 72nd victim of Israeli siege in Gaza
Al-Qassam Brigades: 160 projectiles fired from Gaza since Tuesday
Palestinian military groups claim attacks on Israeli areas bordering Gaza Strip
Cancer patient becomes 72nd victim of Israeli siege in Gaza
Al-Qassam Brigades: 160 projectiles fired from Gaza since Tuesday
19 jan 2008
ICRC: fighting in Gaza has "severe consequences" for Palestinian and Israeli civilians
The ongoing conflict between Palestinian fighter and Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip has had "severe consequences" for civilians in both Israel and the Gaza Strip, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Saturday.
In a statement they said that at least 100 rockets have struck the Israeli town of Sderot and the surrounding western Negev region, resulting
in casualties among Israeli civilians, including young children.
At the same time, air strikes and incursions by Israel forces inside the Gaza Strip have caused a high number of fatalities and injuries, including several civilians, the statement said.
"The population of Gaza is paying a high price for the violence resulting from daily Israeli army operations, which have the effect of worsening the already harsh reality of life there," the statement said.
"The ICRC is in daily contact with the Israeli army and Palestinian armed
factions in an effort to persuade them to respect the civilian population,"
said Christoph Harnisch, head of the ICRC's delegation in Israel and the
Palestinian territories.
The ICRC called on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides "to comply
with international humanitarian law" and "to ensure that the civilian population is protected."
In a statement they said that at least 100 rockets have struck the Israeli town of Sderot and the surrounding western Negev region, resulting
in casualties among Israeli civilians, including young children.
At the same time, air strikes and incursions by Israel forces inside the Gaza Strip have caused a high number of fatalities and injuries, including several civilians, the statement said.
"The population of Gaza is paying a high price for the violence resulting from daily Israeli army operations, which have the effect of worsening the already harsh reality of life there," the statement said.
"The ICRC is in daily contact with the Israeli army and Palestinian armed
factions in an effort to persuade them to respect the civilian population,"
said Christoph Harnisch, head of the ICRC's delegation in Israel and the
Palestinian territories.
The ICRC called on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides "to comply
with international humanitarian law" and "to ensure that the civilian population is protected."
US State Department: Israeli military operations constitute legal self-defence
The United States of America on Saturday described the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip that have left more than 35 people dead and scores injured this week, as "legal self-defence" against Palestinian homemade projectiles launched against the Israeli town of Sderot.
The spokesperson of the US State Department Shaun McCormack said, "There have been Israeli military operations which fall in the category of legal self-defence, and they [Israel] have the full right of self-defence."
Meanwhile, he called on the Israeli authorities to avoid killing Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip "as much as possible."
"When Israel practices self-defence, we encourage them to do their best to avoid harming civilians, the same as our armed forces do," he added.
The spokesperson of the US State Department Shaun McCormack said, "There have been Israeli military operations which fall in the category of legal self-defence, and they [Israel] have the full right of self-defence."
Meanwhile, he called on the Israeli authorities to avoid killing Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip "as much as possible."
"When Israel practices self-defence, we encourage them to do their best to avoid harming civilians, the same as our armed forces do," he added.
Israeli jet fighters attack northern Gaza killing two, death toll stands at 37 this week
Palestinian sources reported that two Palestinians said to be resistance fighters for Al Qassam Brigades the armed wing of Hamas were killed on Saturday morning, when Israeli jet fighters fired missiles at them in the northern Gaza Strip town on Jabaliya. Medical sources identified them as; Ali Jom'a and Ihab Al Bana, both in their 20's. The sources added that another four were injured during the attack.
Witnesses said that Israeli tanks and bulldozers invaded the farming area near the town, undercover Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian resistance fighters, during the clashes, Israeli jet fighters fired missiles at the Palestinian fighters positions killing two and injuring four.
Also on Saturday Israeli jet fighters attacked civilian cars east of Gaza City, damage was reported but no injuries.
Saturday's fatalities bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip this week to 37, all due to Israeli attacks. Throughout the week, many victims of Israeli air strikes were civilians, either walking in streets or driving their cars.
Palestinian sources reported that two Palestinians said to be resistance fighters for Al Qassam Brigades the armed wing of Hamas were killed on Saturday morning, when Israeli jet fighters fired missiles at them in the northern Gaza Strip town on Jabaliya. Medical sources identified them as; Ali Jom'a and Ihab Al Bana, both in their 20's. The sources added that another four were injured during the attack.
Witnesses said that Israeli tanks and bulldozers invaded the farming area near the town, undercover Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian resistance fighters, during the clashes, Israeli jet fighters fired missiles at the Palestinian fighters positions killing two and injuring four.
Also on Saturday Israeli jet fighters attacked civilian cars east of Gaza City, damage was reported but no injuries.
Saturday's fatalities bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip this week to 37, all due to Israeli attacks. Throughout the week, many victims of Israeli air strikes were civilians, either walking in streets or driving their cars.
Two Hamas fighters killed in Gaza
Two Palestinian activists affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades were killed and three others injured in an Israeli air raid on a group of fighters who attempted to stop the infiltration of an Israeli force into Izbat Abed Rabbo in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday morning.
Muawiya Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry named the victims as Eyhab Al-Banna and Ali Jum'a. He added that three wounded were taken to hospital.
In the same regard, another Al-Qassam activist twenty-one-year-old Shadi Qteifan has died of wounds he sustained two days ago east of Gaza City.
Hassanain said that the Israeli forces fired at ambulances as they tried to evacuate injured people, preventing ambulance crews from reaching the injured.
Separately, a group of Palestinian activists survived an assassination attempt on Saturday morning, as Israeli warplanes targeted a car in the area of Sanafur east of Gaza City, completely destroying the car.
Early on Saturday, more than 40 Israeli military tanks entered Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip from the east, destroying Palestinian homes.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes have launched intermittent airstrikes on open areas in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
Fayyad condemns killing of Al-Aqsa Brigades leader
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Saturday condemned the assassination of Al-Aqsa Brigades leader, Ahmad Sanakra, who was assassinated in Nablus on Friday by Israeli forces.
He also denounced the continued Israeli aggression against the cities of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He continued by saying that the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June has just brought misery to Palestinians and harmed the Palestinian case.
Fayyad was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Salfit industrial zone for crafts, financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy.
He added that he hoped the industrial zone would create new job opportunities for local citizens, as well as assisting in activating the Palestinian economy.
Muawiya Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry named the victims as Eyhab Al-Banna and Ali Jum'a. He added that three wounded were taken to hospital.
In the same regard, another Al-Qassam activist twenty-one-year-old Shadi Qteifan has died of wounds he sustained two days ago east of Gaza City.
Hassanain said that the Israeli forces fired at ambulances as they tried to evacuate injured people, preventing ambulance crews from reaching the injured.
Separately, a group of Palestinian activists survived an assassination attempt on Saturday morning, as Israeli warplanes targeted a car in the area of Sanafur east of Gaza City, completely destroying the car.
Early on Saturday, more than 40 Israeli military tanks entered Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip from the east, destroying Palestinian homes.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes have launched intermittent airstrikes on open areas in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
Fayyad condemns killing of Al-Aqsa Brigades leader
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Saturday condemned the assassination of Al-Aqsa Brigades leader, Ahmad Sanakra, who was assassinated in Nablus on Friday by Israeli forces.
He also denounced the continued Israeli aggression against the cities of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He continued by saying that the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June has just brought misery to Palestinians and harmed the Palestinian case.
Fayyad was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Salfit industrial zone for crafts, financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy.
He added that he hoped the industrial zone would create new job opportunities for local citizens, as well as assisting in activating the Palestinian economy.
Israeli Peace group slams Israel for its attacks on the Gaza strip
Al-Qassam Brigades vow to continue projectile attacks
Two military groups attack Israeli patrol
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fire projectiles at Israeli military post
Acting PLC speaker calls on Palestinian resistance groups to "teach Israel a lesson it will not forget"
Al-Qassam Brigades vow to continue projectile attacks
Two military groups attack Israeli patrol
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fire projectiles at Israeli military post
Acting PLC speaker calls on Palestinian resistance groups to "teach Israel a lesson it will not forget"
18 jan 2008
Arab Israeli MP: Israel is conducting a vicious war on Gaza, and Lieberman is racist.
The Arab member of the Israeli parliament Ibraheem Abdullh stated on Thursday that there is no comparison between the vicious Israeli army attacks and the amount of killing and destruction they cause, with the Palestinian resistance attacks on northern Israeli towns.
Abdullh added that it is time for Israeli leaders to take courageous steps and stop its military machine from violently attacking the Palestinian population in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. The Arab MP also included in his statement that since Israel always starts to attack Palestinians it should be the first one to announce a truce.
Commenting on the resignation statement of the Israeli planning minister, Avder Lieberman, Abdullh said that "Lieberman is a racist, Russian refugee on Palestinian land. He is a fascist and a racist and it is not worth wasting time responding to him."
Lieberman, the leader of the Israeli right wing Israel Betouno (Israel our home), handed in his resignation from the Israeli government on Wednesday. Lieberman stated that his resignation comes as a protest at the ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians, and his political group is not willing to give up anything to the Palestinians, adding that if Israel gives a state to the Palestinians the Palestinian population living in Israel would demand Palestinian citizenship but would still continue to benefit from the Israeli welfare system.
Lieberman concluded his statement by saying that Israel must be a Jewish state and if the Palestinians living inside Israel don't like that, they can leave.
The Arab member of the Israeli parliament Ibraheem Abdullh stated on Thursday that there is no comparison between the vicious Israeli army attacks and the amount of killing and destruction they cause, with the Palestinian resistance attacks on northern Israeli towns.
Abdullh added that it is time for Israeli leaders to take courageous steps and stop its military machine from violently attacking the Palestinian population in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. The Arab MP also included in his statement that since Israel always starts to attack Palestinians it should be the first one to announce a truce.
Commenting on the resignation statement of the Israeli planning minister, Avder Lieberman, Abdullh said that "Lieberman is a racist, Russian refugee on Palestinian land. He is a fascist and a racist and it is not worth wasting time responding to him."
Lieberman, the leader of the Israeli right wing Israel Betouno (Israel our home), handed in his resignation from the Israeli government on Wednesday. Lieberman stated that his resignation comes as a protest at the ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians, and his political group is not willing to give up anything to the Palestinians, adding that if Israel gives a state to the Palestinians the Palestinian population living in Israel would demand Palestinian citizenship but would still continue to benefit from the Israeli welfare system.
Lieberman concluded his statement by saying that Israel must be a Jewish state and if the Palestinians living inside Israel don't like that, they can leave.
3 injured, 6 arrested in demonstration against separation wall
Three Palestinians were injured during the weekly demonstration against the Israeli separation wall in the village of Bil'in, near Ramallah on Friday.
A large group of local villagers, international peace activists and Israelis chanted slogans condemning the recent massacres of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and calling for the lifting of the siege on the coastal strip.
The march began in the village and as the protestors headed towards the separation wall Israeli soldiers opened fire on them with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas. Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Bernat was shot in the head and was taken to Ramallah governmental hospital. Abdallah Muhammad Ali Yassin, and Mustafa Abed Al Karim Khatib also received gunshot wounds.
The Israeli forces detained six Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators, holding them for some hours before releasing them.
Three Palestinians were injured during the weekly demonstration against the Israeli separation wall in the village of Bil'in, near Ramallah on Friday.
A large group of local villagers, international peace activists and Israelis chanted slogans condemning the recent massacres of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and calling for the lifting of the siege on the coastal strip.
The march began in the village and as the protestors headed towards the separation wall Israeli soldiers opened fire on them with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas. Ibrahim Abdul Fattah Bernat was shot in the head and was taken to Ramallah governmental hospital. Abdallah Muhammad Ali Yassin, and Mustafa Abed Al Karim Khatib also received gunshot wounds.
The Israeli forces detained six Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators, holding them for some hours before releasing them.
Four injured, among them a journalist in Hebron city during clashes with the Israeli army
Four Palestinian civilians were injured, among them one Palestinian journalist, during clashes between Palestinian youth and the Israeli army in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday morning.
Eye witnesses said Israeli troops clashed with the local residents and forced shops to close and imposed a curfew on several parts of the city. During the clashes the Israelis fired randomly at nearby homes and civilian cars, injuring the four civilians, including a journalist working for the French news agency AFP. The journalist was known as Hazem Baader, 42.
Medical sources stated that all those injured were admitted to the Hebron public hospital and described their injuries as moderate.
The clashes started when the army attacked the demonstration organized by the local residents of Hebron protesting the continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Local youth threw stones at the army after soldiers attacked them with rifle butts and batons.
In Gaza, Israeli attacks since Monday have so far left 22 killed and at least 50 injured in a number of air strikes and ground invasions targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
On Wednesday several similar protests were reported in different cities in the West Bank and in several cities inside Israel protesting the continuing attacks in Gaza.
Four Palestinian civilians were injured, among them one Palestinian journalist, during clashes between Palestinian youth and the Israeli army in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday morning.
Eye witnesses said Israeli troops clashed with the local residents and forced shops to close and imposed a curfew on several parts of the city. During the clashes the Israelis fired randomly at nearby homes and civilian cars, injuring the four civilians, including a journalist working for the French news agency AFP. The journalist was known as Hazem Baader, 42.
Medical sources stated that all those injured were admitted to the Hebron public hospital and described their injuries as moderate.
The clashes started when the army attacked the demonstration organized by the local residents of Hebron protesting the continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Local youth threw stones at the army after soldiers attacked them with rifle butts and batons.
In Gaza, Israeli attacks since Monday have so far left 22 killed and at least 50 injured in a number of air strikes and ground invasions targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
On Wednesday several similar protests were reported in different cities in the West Bank and in several cities inside Israel protesting the continuing attacks in Gaza.
Israeli forces storm village near Qalqilya
Israeli forces raided the village of 'Azbet At-Tabib, near Qalqilya in the West Bank on Friday, storming a number of houses.
The village chairman told Ma'an that the forces forced many villagers out of their houses and firing on children during the raid.
The village chairman told Ma'an that the forces forced many villagers out of their houses and firing on children during the raid.
Israeli aircraft bomb interior ministry of de facto government in Gaza; one woman dead, 46 injured
A woman was killed and 46 people were injured, three of them seriously, in an Israeli airstrike on the interior ministry of the de facto government in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Al-Hawa, on Friday afternoon.
The building was completely destroyed and a missile hit a wedding party in front of the ministry, resulting in the injury of dozens of people, including women and children.
According to Muawiya Hassanein, the director of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry, fifty-two-year-old Haniya Abd Al-Jawad was killed. 32 of the injured were taken to Ash-Shifaa' Hospital in Gaza City, three of them in a critical condition. 14 others were taken to Al-Quds Hospital.
The de facto government's interior ministry has been targeted twice in the past several months by the Israeli airforce.
Meanwhile Israeli warplanes also bombed the marine headquarters of the security services, west of Dir Al-Balah. No one is reported injured.
During a meeting between Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi at the Israeli army headquarters in Gaza, it was decided to wait until the spring before launching a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv reported on Thursday.
However, the newspaper added that Barak issued instructions during the meeting to increase assassination operations. "We must continue to increase assassination operations," he was quoted as saying.
It has been the bloodiest week in recent months in the Gaza Strip, with 36 people killed and scores injured in Israeli military operations in the past four days.
The building was completely destroyed and a missile hit a wedding party in front of the ministry, resulting in the injury of dozens of people, including women and children.
According to Muawiya Hassanein, the director of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry, fifty-two-year-old Haniya Abd Al-Jawad was killed. 32 of the injured were taken to Ash-Shifaa' Hospital in Gaza City, three of them in a critical condition. 14 others were taken to Al-Quds Hospital.
The de facto government's interior ministry has been targeted twice in the past several months by the Israeli airforce.
Meanwhile Israeli warplanes also bombed the marine headquarters of the security services, west of Dir Al-Balah. No one is reported injured.
During a meeting between Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi at the Israeli army headquarters in Gaza, it was decided to wait until the spring before launching a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv reported on Thursday.
However, the newspaper added that Barak issued instructions during the meeting to increase assassination operations. "We must continue to increase assassination operations," he was quoted as saying.
It has been the bloodiest week in recent months in the Gaza Strip, with 36 people killed and scores injured in Israeli military operations in the past four days.
Fresh Israeli attack on Beit Lahiya in Northern Gaza strip leaves three killed from the same family
Palestinian sources reported that a fresh Israeli air raid targeting a horse carriage in the northern Gaza strip town of Beit Lahiya left three members of a Palestinian family killed and five others injured on Thursday night.
The sources said those killed are a Palestinian woman and two of her sons. Medical sources identified the killed as Maryam Al Rahel and her sons Mohamed and Mansour.
With this attack, the number of the Palestinians killed today by the army reaches five. On Thursday midday in an 'apparently' total disregard to civilian lives in Gaza, an Israeli warplane fired a missile on a car in northern Gaza Strip, killing a Palestinian and his wife.
Palestinian medical sources reported that Ra'd Abu Fool, 43, of the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing and his wife Amna Abu Fool, 40, have been killed today noon, when an Israeli warplane fired at least one missile towards their car.
Palestinian health ministry's sources had earlier voiced belief that the Israeli army has been using fletches and illicit weapons against Palestinian civilians. Such doubts have not been verified by independent sources yet. Israeli army attacks on Gaza have been steadily increasing through the week, with a death toll estimated at least 28 and injuries at about 60; 12 of whom are critical.
Palestinian sources reported that a fresh Israeli air raid targeting a horse carriage in the northern Gaza strip town of Beit Lahiya left three members of a Palestinian family killed and five others injured on Thursday night.
The sources said those killed are a Palestinian woman and two of her sons. Medical sources identified the killed as Maryam Al Rahel and her sons Mohamed and Mansour.
With this attack, the number of the Palestinians killed today by the army reaches five. On Thursday midday in an 'apparently' total disregard to civilian lives in Gaza, an Israeli warplane fired a missile on a car in northern Gaza Strip, killing a Palestinian and his wife.
Palestinian medical sources reported that Ra'd Abu Fool, 43, of the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing and his wife Amna Abu Fool, 40, have been killed today noon, when an Israeli warplane fired at least one missile towards their car.
Palestinian health ministry's sources had earlier voiced belief that the Israeli army has been using fletches and illicit weapons against Palestinian civilians. Such doubts have not been verified by independent sources yet. Israeli army attacks on Gaza have been steadily increasing through the week, with a death toll estimated at least 28 and injuries at about 60; 12 of whom are critical.
Funerals of 7 victims of Israeli airstrikes held in Gaza
Crowds of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza City on Friday for the funerals of seven people killed in Israeli airstrikes.
Twenty-seven-year-old Muhammad Al-Barsh and twenty-two-year-old Ismael Radwan, both members of the Al-Qassam Brigades were killed on Friday morning, in an Israeli strike in the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. On Thursday, Ashraf Al-Ashi and Mahmoud Al-Banna were killed in another Israeli raid.
Fifty-year-old Maryam Ar-Rahl was killed, along with her two sons Muhammad and Mansour, when as Israeli plane targeted a car in Beit Lahiyah in the northern Gaza Strip.
The funeral procession started at Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and proceeded to Kamal Udwan Hospital. The coffins of the deceased were raised on the shoulders of the mourners and taken to their final resting place.
Twenty-seven-year-old Muhammad Al-Barsh and twenty-two-year-old Ismael Radwan, both members of the Al-Qassam Brigades were killed on Friday morning, in an Israeli strike in the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. On Thursday, Ashraf Al-Ashi and Mahmoud Al-Banna were killed in another Israeli raid.
Fifty-year-old Maryam Ar-Rahl was killed, along with her two sons Muhammad and Mansour, when as Israeli plane targeted a car in Beit Lahiyah in the northern Gaza Strip.
The funeral procession started at Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and proceeded to Kamal Udwan Hospital. The coffins of the deceased were raised on the shoulders of the mourners and taken to their final resting place.
Al-Aqsa Brigades leader killed in clashes with Israeli forces; Abbas denies reports he threatened to resign
A leader from the military wing of Fatah, the Al-Aqsa Brigades, was killed during several hours of clashes with Israeli Special Forces in the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus on Friday.
Israeli Special Forces stormed Balata refugee camp east of Nablus at dawn, and surrounded a house where four brigades members were holed up. Armed clashes ensued and Al-Aqsa leader Ahmed Sanakra was killed. His three fellow combatants, Yousef Hanoun, Mohamed Hweta and Mahmoud Shtawi, were arrested.
The Israeli military had made several attempts to assassinate twenty-five-year-old Ahmed Sanakra in recent years.
Medical sources reported that three-year-old Yazan Qar'an was also shot and wounded during the large scale invasion, carried out by more than 50 military vehicles that surrounded the camp from all its sides.
The Israeli forces raided several houses and imposed a curfew in the camp before withdrawing, leaving Sanakra dead, and several Palestinian citizens injured.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denied the report published in the Jerusalem-based daily newspaper Al-Quds on Friday that he threatened to resign and end negotiations with Israel in protest at the continued Israeli aggression. He told Ma'an the report was "simply untrue."
The Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee commented that it is evident from the escalation of Israeli military aggression in the Gaza Strip that the Israeli government intensd to expand the circle of violence against the Palestinian people.
Israeli Special Forces stormed Balata refugee camp east of Nablus at dawn, and surrounded a house where four brigades members were holed up. Armed clashes ensued and Al-Aqsa leader Ahmed Sanakra was killed. His three fellow combatants, Yousef Hanoun, Mohamed Hweta and Mahmoud Shtawi, were arrested.
The Israeli military had made several attempts to assassinate twenty-five-year-old Ahmed Sanakra in recent years.
Medical sources reported that three-year-old Yazan Qar'an was also shot and wounded during the large scale invasion, carried out by more than 50 military vehicles that surrounded the camp from all its sides.
The Israeli forces raided several houses and imposed a curfew in the camp before withdrawing, leaving Sanakra dead, and several Palestinian citizens injured.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denied the report published in the Jerusalem-based daily newspaper Al-Quds on Friday that he threatened to resign and end negotiations with Israel in protest at the continued Israeli aggression. He told Ma'an the report was "simply untrue."
The Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee commented that it is evident from the escalation of Israeli military aggression in the Gaza Strip that the Israeli government intensd to expand the circle of violence against the Palestinian people.
Two dead, two injured in Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza Strip
Two Palestinians were killed and two others injured on Friday morning in an Israeli airstrike on the city of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Muawiyya Hassanain, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Ministry of Health identified on of the dead as twenty-two-year-old Ismail Radwan. Seventeen-year-old Mahmoud Ramadan was seriously wounded in the attack and died later in hospital, according to Hassanain.
The latest killing brings the number of dead to 35 in four days of Israeli military offensives against the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, local Palestinian sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces have moved one of their military bases several hundred meters inside Israel from its original site, east of Khan Younis on the Gaza border. The base has been repeatedly targeted by Palestinian projectiles over the past few days.
Muawiyya Hassanain, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Ministry of Health identified on of the dead as twenty-two-year-old Ismail Radwan. Seventeen-year-old Mahmoud Ramadan was seriously wounded in the attack and died later in hospital, according to Hassanain.
The latest killing brings the number of dead to 35 in four days of Israeli military offensives against the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, local Palestinian sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces have moved one of their military bases several hundred meters inside Israel from its original site, east of Khan Younis on the Gaza border. The base has been repeatedly targeted by Palestinian projectiles over the past few days.
Israeli army kidnaps 8 Palestinians from the West Bank
Troops break into the headquarters of the Popular Resistance Committees in Hebron
In the first half of January 100 Palestinian workers kidnapped
Israeli military kidnaps one Palestinian near Ramallah
Israeli army invades Nablus from several directions; no abductions reported.
Al-Quds and Al-Qassam Brigades fire on Israeli targets
Brigades attack Israeli targets
Al-Aqsa Brigades announce end to 3-month ceasefire
Troops break into the headquarters of the Popular Resistance Committees in Hebron
In the first half of January 100 Palestinian workers kidnapped
Israeli military kidnaps one Palestinian near Ramallah
Israeli army invades Nablus from several directions; no abductions reported.
Al-Quds and Al-Qassam Brigades fire on Israeli targets
Brigades attack Israeli targets
Al-Aqsa Brigades announce end to 3-month ceasefire
17 jan 2008
3 dead in new Israeli airstrike on car in Beit Lahiya
Three people were killed, including a woman and her son and several others were injured in a fresh Israeli raid, targeting a civilian car in Beit Lahiyah, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Thursday.
Muawiya Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry told Ma'an that three dead bodies were taken to the Kamal Udwan Hospital, along with four people who are seriously injured.
Medical sources told Ma'an that the car was carrying members of the Islamic Jihad movement, killing two of them. The blast also hit a horse-drawn carriage, traveling behind the car, killing a woman named Maryam Rahil and seriously injuring her ten-year-old son, Mansour.
The latest Israeli strike came just hours after Israeli helicopters assassinated a leader fromthe military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, the An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, and his wife by shelling his car as he was traveling near Sheikh Zayid City in the northern Gaza Strip.
The latest killings bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip to 28 in the past three days.
The offensive came as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Israel was "at war" with Palestinian resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip, who bombard Israeli towns bordering the coastal area with projectiles.
"A war is going on in the south, every day, every night. We cannot and will not tolerate this increasing fire at Israeli citizens ... so we will continue to operate, with wisdom and daring, with the maximum precision that will enable us to hit those who want to attack us," Olmert said in a speech.
Muawiya Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry told Ma'an that three dead bodies were taken to the Kamal Udwan Hospital, along with four people who are seriously injured.
Medical sources told Ma'an that the car was carrying members of the Islamic Jihad movement, killing two of them. The blast also hit a horse-drawn carriage, traveling behind the car, killing a woman named Maryam Rahil and seriously injuring her ten-year-old son, Mansour.
The latest Israeli strike came just hours after Israeli helicopters assassinated a leader fromthe military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, the An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, and his wife by shelling his car as he was traveling near Sheikh Zayid City in the northern Gaza Strip.
The latest killings bring the death toll in the Gaza Strip to 28 in the past three days.
The offensive came as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Israel was "at war" with Palestinian resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip, who bombard Israeli towns bordering the coastal area with projectiles.
"A war is going on in the south, every day, every night. We cannot and will not tolerate this increasing fire at Israeli citizens ... so we will continue to operate, with wisdom and daring, with the maximum precision that will enable us to hit those who want to attack us," Olmert said in a speech.
Large-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza postponed until spring, Israeli newspaper says
The Israeli army is waiting for the spring before launching a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv reported on Thursday.
However, the invasion may be brought forward if the continuing Palestinian rocket attacks on the towns bordering the coastal strip cause severe injury to Israeli citizens, the newspaper report said.
The newspaper added that the Israeli military had received instructions from the Israeli government to hold off on a large-scale incursion and to continue with what they describe as "low level" incursions, despite the continued launching of projectiles by Palestinian resistance groups.
According to the newspaper, the new instructions are consistent with the position of senior Israeli army commanders, who fear that any Israeli invasion of Gaza to stop the projectile attacks will result in a prolonged military campaign.
Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed 25 people in the past two days, including three members of the same family.
However, the invasion may be brought forward if the continuing Palestinian rocket attacks on the towns bordering the coastal strip cause severe injury to Israeli citizens, the newspaper report said.
The newspaper added that the Israeli military had received instructions from the Israeli government to hold off on a large-scale incursion and to continue with what they describe as "low level" incursions, despite the continued launching of projectiles by Palestinian resistance groups.
According to the newspaper, the new instructions are consistent with the position of senior Israeli army commanders, who fear that any Israeli invasion of Gaza to stop the projectile attacks will result in a prolonged military campaign.
Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed 25 people in the past two days, including three members of the same family.
Israeli forces raid Tulkarem; seize 25 Palestinians
Israeli forces withdrew from the centre of the West Bank city of Tulkarem on Thursday evening, after conducting an extensive military operation in the city and arresting more than 25 Palestinian citizens.
Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses said that a large Israeli military force stormed the city centre at six o'clock on Thursday evening and surrounded a cafe next to a Fatah office. They apprehended all of the people inside the cafe and took them away to an unknown destination.
The latest Israeli raid on the city is the first of its kind since the declaration of the Palestinian security apparatus campaign on 4 December 2007, when more than 15 Israeli military vehicles stormed the city.
Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses said that a large Israeli military force stormed the city centre at six o'clock on Thursday evening and surrounded a cafe next to a Fatah office. They apprehended all of the people inside the cafe and took them away to an unknown destination.
The latest Israeli raid on the city is the first of its kind since the declaration of the Palestinian security apparatus campaign on 4 December 2007, when more than 15 Israeli military vehicles stormed the city.
Popular Resistance Committees leader, wife killed as Israeli helicopters target car in northern Gaza Strip
Israeli helicopters assassinated a leader in the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, the An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, and his wife by shelling his car as he was traveling near Sheikh Zayid City in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon.
Palestinian medics and sources within the An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades named the victims as forty-three-year-old Ra'd Abu Al-Ful and his forty-year-old wife Amina Abu Al-Ful.
Muawiya Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that the bodies of the victims were torn to pieces. They were taken to Kamal Udwan hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.
Witnesses said several other people were injured in the raid.
Today's killings bring the total number of people killed in the Gaza Strip to 25 in the past two days. On Tuesday Israeli tank fire killed Husam Zahhar, the son of one of Hamas' senior leaders, Mahmoud Zahhar, a former Palestinian Foreign Minister.
Palestinian medics and sources within the An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades named the victims as forty-three-year-old Ra'd Abu Al-Ful and his forty-year-old wife Amina Abu Al-Ful.
Muawiya Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that the bodies of the victims were torn to pieces. They were taken to Kamal Udwan hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.
Witnesses said several other people were injured in the raid.
Today's killings bring the total number of people killed in the Gaza Strip to 25 in the past two days. On Tuesday Israeli tank fire killed Husam Zahhar, the son of one of Hamas' senior leaders, Mahmoud Zahhar, a former Palestinian Foreign Minister.
Youths clash with Israeli soldiers in Hebron
A number of Palestinian citizens were injured in the southern West Bank city of Hebron after clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers in the city centre.
Ma'an's reporter said that dozens of young Palestinian men threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who responded with gunfire, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.
Palestinian medical sources in Hebron said that several people had received medical treatment at the governmental hospital in Hebron including Agence France Presse photojournalist, Hazim Badir, who was injured in his foot.
The sources added that Ayman Abu Arqub from the town of As-Samu', west of Hebron was shot in the back during the clashes. He is undergoing surgery and his condition is said to be stable.
Ma'an's reporter added that the Israeli army had ordered shop owners in the city to close their premises.
Ma'an's reporter said that dozens of young Palestinian men threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who responded with gunfire, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.
Palestinian medical sources in Hebron said that several people had received medical treatment at the governmental hospital in Hebron including Agence France Presse photojournalist, Hazim Badir, who was injured in his foot.
The sources added that Ayman Abu Arqub from the town of As-Samu', west of Hebron was shot in the back during the clashes. He is undergoing surgery and his condition is said to be stable.
Ma'an's reporter added that the Israeli army had ordered shop owners in the city to close their premises.
Palestinian citizen shot by Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza
A thirty-five-year-old man was shot and injured by Israeli soldiers in the town of Deir Al-Balah, in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources announced on Thursday.
Muawiyah Hasanain, head of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry told Ma'an that Subhi Al-Bahari was shot in his right knee, as well as suffering an injury to his neck. He was taken to the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza City for treatment.
Muawiyah Hasanain, head of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian health ministry told Ma'an that Subhi Al-Bahari was shot in his right knee, as well as suffering an injury to his neck. He was taken to the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza City for treatment.
United by tragedy
Mahmoud Zahhar at his son's funeral
By Ibrahim Milhim
Ibrahim Milhim - In an act of compassion that bears deep political significance, Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas telephoned senior Hamas hardliner Mahmoud Zahhar and offered condolences for the death of Zahhar's son Husam on Tuesday. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other Fatah leaders did the same.
It was a noble gesture a by leader towards a political rival who lost his second son as a "martyr" in an Israeli massacre against the Gaza Strip which left dozens dead and more injured. However, Abbas' call could also indicate a crack in the hard wall that has been erected on the road to inter-Palestinian dialogue, preventing any contiguity, especially after Hamas staged a military coup in the Gaza Strip against the once-dominant Fatah.
This gesture comes also at a time when the Palestinian people desperately need anything that can help bridge the gap between Fatah and Hamas and repair the rift in their relations, keeping in mind that the Israelis are not sparing any effort to take advantage of that widening gap. The Palestinian people are actually eager to see US President George W. Bush's so-called vision of a two-state solution, but they have concluded that vision was no more than an unattainable fantasy.
In fact, the Palestinian president has recently made several positive gestures towards reconciliation with Hamas. The most evident of those was during Abbas' speech during celebrations marking the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement. I believe that Hamas' leaders should reply to Abbas' gestures with an equal or greater step, as the Islamic teachings advise that if one receives a greeting from someone else, he has to reply in a better way or at least the same way.
Once this is done, there will be a better chance for ending this state of disagreement and tit-for-tat criticism and even violence among Palestinians. Furthermore, the way will be paved for resuming serious dialogue between the Palestinians who live in the same homeland. They could even agree on early legislative and presidential elections as this is said to be the only way out of the current impasse.
Finally, we offer our sincerest condolences to Dr Zahhar and all families who lost their loved ones hoping that the best way to remain loyal to our martyrs will be through bridging political gaps, and opening our hearts open to dialogue which will eventually reunite the Palestinian people in the face of a shared experience of catastrophe.
By Ibrahim Milhim
Ibrahim Milhim - In an act of compassion that bears deep political significance, Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas telephoned senior Hamas hardliner Mahmoud Zahhar and offered condolences for the death of Zahhar's son Husam on Tuesday. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other Fatah leaders did the same.
It was a noble gesture a by leader towards a political rival who lost his second son as a "martyr" in an Israeli massacre against the Gaza Strip which left dozens dead and more injured. However, Abbas' call could also indicate a crack in the hard wall that has been erected on the road to inter-Palestinian dialogue, preventing any contiguity, especially after Hamas staged a military coup in the Gaza Strip against the once-dominant Fatah.
This gesture comes also at a time when the Palestinian people desperately need anything that can help bridge the gap between Fatah and Hamas and repair the rift in their relations, keeping in mind that the Israelis are not sparing any effort to take advantage of that widening gap. The Palestinian people are actually eager to see US President George W. Bush's so-called vision of a two-state solution, but they have concluded that vision was no more than an unattainable fantasy.
In fact, the Palestinian president has recently made several positive gestures towards reconciliation with Hamas. The most evident of those was during Abbas' speech during celebrations marking the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement. I believe that Hamas' leaders should reply to Abbas' gestures with an equal or greater step, as the Islamic teachings advise that if one receives a greeting from someone else, he has to reply in a better way or at least the same way.
Once this is done, there will be a better chance for ending this state of disagreement and tit-for-tat criticism and even violence among Palestinians. Furthermore, the way will be paved for resuming serious dialogue between the Palestinians who live in the same homeland. They could even agree on early legislative and presidential elections as this is said to be the only way out of the current impasse.
Finally, we offer our sincerest condolences to Dr Zahhar and all families who lost their loved ones hoping that the best way to remain loyal to our martyrs will be through bridging political gaps, and opening our hearts open to dialogue which will eventually reunite the Palestinian people in the face of a shared experience of catastrophe.
Islamic Jihad calls for ending negotiation with Israel, resisting the ongoing Israeli assaults
Al-Aqsa brigades shoot and injure Israeli near Ramallah
Armed Palestinian groups fire on Israeli towns
Gazan family to sue Israel over man's death from denial of medical treatment
Al-Aqsa brigades shoot and injure Israeli near Ramallah
Armed Palestinian groups fire on Israeli towns
Gazan family to sue Israel over man's death from denial of medical treatment