15 july 2008
Hamas prevented the improvement of living conditions in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli disengagement, Director of the Liaison and Coordination office of Gaza crossings, Colonel Nir Press said on Monday.
Speaking to journalists in East Jerusalem, Press expressed his sorrow over developments in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas takeover of the coastal sector in June 2007. "It was the deposed Palestinian government, and not the Israeli government that was behind the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip," he said.
Press is about to end a three-year-stint as Director in charge of the Gaza crossings. He began his posting the day after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip. "Both the Palestinians and the Israelis then expected an improvement in economic conditions after disengagement," he said. "5,000 Gazan workers worked in Israel and agricultural exports from the coastal territory saw a noticeable increase, namely strawberries and flowers. During the first year after disengagement, 44 million flowers and 13 tons of strawberry were exported from the Gaza Strip to Europe," Press said.
After the Hamas takeover of Gaza, the situation deteriorated rapidly, according to Press.
"What made things even worse was that crossing points were attacked and targeted with mortar shells and homemade projectiles, given that the crossings were meant to serve Palestinian citizens," he added.
He went on to say, "Personally, I believe that the residents of the Strip should decide how they want to live. We continued with liaison in order to ship basic materials and medicines because we see the residents of the Gaza Strip more as neighbours than enemies."
"The Palestinians must decide - strawberries or Qassams, flowers or mortars," he added.
With regards to power cut in the Gaza Strip due to lack of fuel shipment from Israel, Press said Israel used to provide the Strip with 124 Megawatts, in addition to 17 Megawatts from Egypt and 55-60 produced by the Gaza Strip Electricity generating station. He affirmed that Israel and Egypt did not stop electricity supplies, but the Electricity Generating Station stopped for a few days because of Palestinian attacks on the Nahal 'Oz crossing point through which fuel to run the station is shipped.
Press highlighted that the Hamas de facto government in Gaza has attempted to use this as propaganda. "When the Palestinians refused to receive the quantities of fuel which were available at the Nahal 'Oz terminal, they had a reserve of 800,000 litres of diesel and 188,000 litres of benzene "and despite that they attempted to accuse Israel of creating a disastrous situation in the Gaza Strip," he said.
Regarding the Gaza ceasefire which came into effect on June 19, Press said there has never been complete "calm" as "homemade projectiles and mortar shells are constantly being launched at Israeli targets, and that has a negative effect on the performance of the crossing points and prevents the improvement of living conditions in the Strip."
Despite that, Press pointed out that shipments of goods to the Strip have increased in quantity and quality, pinpointing that the crossing points have been closed several times after shells were launched from the Gaza Strip breaching the ceasefire. He also affirmed that priority was given to goods, which the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by President Mahmoud Abbas, recommends. "Lists are arranged on a daily basis," he said.
Press concluded by saying that he is hope is that if the Gaza truce continues and captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is released, then life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would see a significant improvement.
Speaking to journalists in East Jerusalem, Press expressed his sorrow over developments in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas takeover of the coastal sector in June 2007. "It was the deposed Palestinian government, and not the Israeli government that was behind the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip," he said.
Press is about to end a three-year-stint as Director in charge of the Gaza crossings. He began his posting the day after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip. "Both the Palestinians and the Israelis then expected an improvement in economic conditions after disengagement," he said. "5,000 Gazan workers worked in Israel and agricultural exports from the coastal territory saw a noticeable increase, namely strawberries and flowers. During the first year after disengagement, 44 million flowers and 13 tons of strawberry were exported from the Gaza Strip to Europe," Press said.
After the Hamas takeover of Gaza, the situation deteriorated rapidly, according to Press.
"What made things even worse was that crossing points were attacked and targeted with mortar shells and homemade projectiles, given that the crossings were meant to serve Palestinian citizens," he added.
He went on to say, "Personally, I believe that the residents of the Strip should decide how they want to live. We continued with liaison in order to ship basic materials and medicines because we see the residents of the Gaza Strip more as neighbours than enemies."
"The Palestinians must decide - strawberries or Qassams, flowers or mortars," he added.
With regards to power cut in the Gaza Strip due to lack of fuel shipment from Israel, Press said Israel used to provide the Strip with 124 Megawatts, in addition to 17 Megawatts from Egypt and 55-60 produced by the Gaza Strip Electricity generating station. He affirmed that Israel and Egypt did not stop electricity supplies, but the Electricity Generating Station stopped for a few days because of Palestinian attacks on the Nahal 'Oz crossing point through which fuel to run the station is shipped.
Press highlighted that the Hamas de facto government in Gaza has attempted to use this as propaganda. "When the Palestinians refused to receive the quantities of fuel which were available at the Nahal 'Oz terminal, they had a reserve of 800,000 litres of diesel and 188,000 litres of benzene "and despite that they attempted to accuse Israel of creating a disastrous situation in the Gaza Strip," he said.
Regarding the Gaza ceasefire which came into effect on June 19, Press said there has never been complete "calm" as "homemade projectiles and mortar shells are constantly being launched at Israeli targets, and that has a negative effect on the performance of the crossing points and prevents the improvement of living conditions in the Strip."
Despite that, Press pointed out that shipments of goods to the Strip have increased in quantity and quality, pinpointing that the crossing points have been closed several times after shells were launched from the Gaza Strip breaching the ceasefire. He also affirmed that priority was given to goods, which the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by President Mahmoud Abbas, recommends. "Lists are arranged on a daily basis," he said.
Press concluded by saying that he is hope is that if the Gaza truce continues and captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is released, then life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would see a significant improvement.
Palestinians protest against arrests of local officials in Nablus
Israeli forces continued their campaign against alleged Hamas-affiliated institutions in Nablus in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, arresting two members of the municipal council and the former chair of the Alms Giving Committee as well as seven directors of civil society institutions.
Local Palestinian security sources said that Israeli military vehicles stormed the city at 1:30 am and ransacked several homes.
Deputy Mayor of Nablus, Hafidh Shaheen said that Israeli forces arrested municipal council member Husam Qatalouni and his 25-year-old son, Mus'ab, as well as the administrative deputy mayor, Khulood Al-Masri, and her husband 'Ammar Al-Masri after ransacking their home.
Shaheen condemned the Israeli apprehension campaign. He told Ma'an that the Israeli campaign began in the southern West Bank and expanded to the north, namely to Nablus. He highlighted that six out of 15 members of the Nablus municipal council have already been arrested.
The municipal council of Nablus works under the umbrella of the Palestinian ministry of local government and it abides by the regulations of the Palestinian Authority, Shaheen added. He said that the 1,800 employees of the municipal council will continue to offer services to the residents of Nablus.
Local sources told Ma'an' that on Tuesday Israeli forces arrested 66-year-old Dr Abdul-Rahim Al-Hanbali, former chair of the Nablus Alms Giving Committee after storming his home. They also arrested 40-year-old Muhyi As-Sal'us, financial manager of the Women's Union Hospital and Haneen Druza, a member of the Union's board of directors and her 19-year-old son 'Aamir Al-'Ammuri.
Meanwhile Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the village of Deir Sharaf west of Nablus and arrested six young people. The sources named the arrestees as Wahid Hamid, Abdullah Fuqaha, Ahmad Diab, Ibrahim Nofal, Kamil 'Abbadi and Muhammad Qatawi.
The crackdown on alleged Hamas-institutions in Nablus began on July 8 when the Israeli army closed six associations, confiscating documents and equipment as part of an Israeli crackdown on Islamic charities in the West Bank. The campaign has continued with Israeli troops targeting institutions, such as media outlets, medical centres, governmental centres and schools in the city, claiming they are Hamas-affiliated and are "funding terrorist activities."
A shopping mall in the city centre, containing 50 shops and businesses has also been closed down a the Israeli authorities claim head of the mall's administration, Adli Yayish, is affiliated to Hamas.
Israeli forces continued their campaign against alleged Hamas-affiliated institutions in Nablus in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, arresting two members of the municipal council and the former chair of the Alms Giving Committee as well as seven directors of civil society institutions.
Local Palestinian security sources said that Israeli military vehicles stormed the city at 1:30 am and ransacked several homes.
Deputy Mayor of Nablus, Hafidh Shaheen said that Israeli forces arrested municipal council member Husam Qatalouni and his 25-year-old son, Mus'ab, as well as the administrative deputy mayor, Khulood Al-Masri, and her husband 'Ammar Al-Masri after ransacking their home.
Shaheen condemned the Israeli apprehension campaign. He told Ma'an that the Israeli campaign began in the southern West Bank and expanded to the north, namely to Nablus. He highlighted that six out of 15 members of the Nablus municipal council have already been arrested.
The municipal council of Nablus works under the umbrella of the Palestinian ministry of local government and it abides by the regulations of the Palestinian Authority, Shaheen added. He said that the 1,800 employees of the municipal council will continue to offer services to the residents of Nablus.
Local sources told Ma'an' that on Tuesday Israeli forces arrested 66-year-old Dr Abdul-Rahim Al-Hanbali, former chair of the Nablus Alms Giving Committee after storming his home. They also arrested 40-year-old Muhyi As-Sal'us, financial manager of the Women's Union Hospital and Haneen Druza, a member of the Union's board of directors and her 19-year-old son 'Aamir Al-'Ammuri.
Meanwhile Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the village of Deir Sharaf west of Nablus and arrested six young people. The sources named the arrestees as Wahid Hamid, Abdullah Fuqaha, Ahmad Diab, Ibrahim Nofal, Kamil 'Abbadi and Muhammad Qatawi.
The crackdown on alleged Hamas-institutions in Nablus began on July 8 when the Israeli army closed six associations, confiscating documents and equipment as part of an Israeli crackdown on Islamic charities in the West Bank. The campaign has continued with Israeli troops targeting institutions, such as media outlets, medical centres, governmental centres and schools in the city, claiming they are Hamas-affiliated and are "funding terrorist activities."
A shopping mall in the city centre, containing 50 shops and businesses has also been closed down a the Israeli authorities claim head of the mall's administration, Adli Yayish, is affiliated to Hamas.
Israeli patrols storm Jenin and Arraba
Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp, as well as the nearby town of Arraba on Tuesday morning.
Palestinian security sources said that three Israeli military vehicles stormed Jenin and the camp, and patrolling the streets without arresting any one.
Separately, five Israeli patrols toured the western neighborhood of Arraba in southwestern Jenin and withdrew without arresting any one.
Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp, as well as the nearby town of Arraba on Tuesday morning.
Palestinian security sources said that three Israeli military vehicles stormed Jenin and the camp, and patrolling the streets without arresting any one.
Separately, five Israeli patrols toured the western neighborhood of Arraba in southwestern Jenin and withdrew without arresting any one.
Israeli forces raid Beit Fajjar near Bethlehem
In an ongoing military operation, Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Fajjar south of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank on Tuesday morning.
Local sources told Ma'an that a large number of Israeli military vehicles stormed the town from all directions and closed all entrances to the town before imposing a curfew.
Ma'an's reporter stated that Israeli forces occupied several buildings, including the former headquarters of the municipality.
Four people have also been apprehended. They are Thaer Taqatqa, Hussein Jum'a, 'Alaa Taqatqa and 'Alaa Thawabta.
Military bulldozers closed minor entrances to the town with piles of earth and rocks. The operation is ongoing.
In an ongoing military operation, Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Fajjar south of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank on Tuesday morning.
Local sources told Ma'an that a large number of Israeli military vehicles stormed the town from all directions and closed all entrances to the town before imposing a curfew.
Ma'an's reporter stated that Israeli forces occupied several buildings, including the former headquarters of the municipality.
Four people have also been apprehended. They are Thaer Taqatqa, Hussein Jum'a, 'Alaa Taqatqa and 'Alaa Thawabta.
Military bulldozers closed minor entrances to the town with piles of earth and rocks. The operation is ongoing.
Israeli soldiers stand by while settlers arrive at Ish Al-Grab
More than 100 Israeli settlers, some of them armed, set up camp in an abandoned military base in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour on Monday night in what may in the future become an illegal settlement outpost.
While the settlers left the encampment by 6am, the faithful who filled into the camp on Monday evening had long-term designs in mind.
"We're here to build a Jewish city, with the help of God," one teenage boy settler told a half-dozen journalists, as he scouted out his new campsite, camera in hand.
While Palestinian families gathered for a festival in a public park less than 100 meters away, Israelis from the nearby settlements of Efrat, Har Homa, Gush Eztion, and Tekoa arrived in a chartered bus and private cars. A handful of Israeli soldiers and civilian police looked on, blocking the road between the military base and the park, keeping journalists out of the military base.
The settlers, among them families, a Russian-speaking security guard and a contingent of teenage boys wearing kippas and shorts, had publicized the camp-out in advance on movement websites, part of what they view as an effort to reclaim the site for Jews and for Greater Israel.
"This is Israeli territory and we want it to stay that way," said a woman in sunglasses, who spoke in American-accented English and refused to give her name or other identifying information.
Asked whether they planned to build a settlement, a smiling man with an amber beard and glasses said, "Could be . if enough people want to live here. It's a good location; it's close to Jerusalem." The man said he lives in Efrat settlement and originally hails from Canada.
As the sun set, two young women in long skirts prayed, their heads bobbing, facing Jerusalem. An Israeli flag was hoisted on top of a massive cubic water cistern. In the park below, the last night of the local festival was kicking off, Arabic pop blaring. More settlers arrived. One group piled out of a black SUV with a Confederate battle emblem, that symbol of racism in the American south, plastered to its front license plate holder.
The site, known as Oush Al-Ghrab, is a former Jordanian military base that was taken over by Israel after its 1967 occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military evacuated the base in 2006, demolishing the cistern. The rest of the facility was looted by Palestinians, and went unused until this year. After the military evacuated the area, the Israeli authorities allowed the Beit Sahour municipality built the park. Ish Al-Grab is in Area C, designated by the Oslo Interim Agreement to be under full Israeli control until a final peace agreement compels Israel to withdraw completely from the West Bank.
In addition to the park on the slope just below the base, the area is designated for further development. In December 2007, CURE International announced it would donate 16 million US dollars to build a hospital on the hillside. In total 65 dunams (65,000 square meters) have been designated for the hospital and other development, except for the hilltop, the location of the abandoned base.
In May, settler groups began to return to the base, known as Shdema when the army was still present. The settlers organized a series of visits on Fridays, culminating last week in a tour titled "Shdema - a Jewish City." The event was attended by settler movement notables such as MK Uri Uriel, who urged the settlers to take direct action and to defy the Israeli authorities. In Uriel's words, even the apparatus of the occupation, such as the Civil Administration, as "representing the Arabs." The settlers formed the "Committee for a Jewish Shdema" with representatives from Har Homa, Gush Etzion, Efrat, and Kiryat Arba in Hebron.
Palestinian and international activists, meanwhile, began to mobilize against the settlers around the same time, repeatedly painting over the slogans the settlers painted on the walls of the base, and organizing outdoor games and other activities at the site, to reanimate it as a living part of the local community.
"The main strategy is to keep this place alive and reachable for Palestinians by our attendance here, without having any interaction with the settlers or the soldiers that can create violence. . [If violence took place] we would lose everything, and provide a big reason for the army to evacuate us from the place," said Palestinian activist and educator Ala' Hilu.
"We're not here to provoke them [the settlers]. We're here to send the message that this area is Palestinian, and the area is going to be used for humanitarian purposes, by following the plan of the municipality, which is to build a hospital. If we use violence, we would lose. . We just want to be here and to get Palestinians here," Hilu added.
There were hundreds of Palestinians present on Monday. The vibe in the park was relaxed. A brief cultural show took place on a stage, with teenagers dancing the traditional Palestinian dabke.
Sitting among the Palestinian families, Beit Sahour's mayor, Hani Al-Hayek, said that based on his communication with the Israeli authorities, the plan for the hospital will go forward. He said he expected the Israeli military to evict the settlers by the morning.
Like the activists who first mobilized against the settlers, the mayor endorsed a life-affirming nonviolent strategy against the settlement. "This is our model of resistance, to come here and play and use the cafeteria. We will live here and stay here. The people are not afraid," he said.
The activists had planned an all-night party (with music but no alcohol) to keep the settlers awake and keep locals and internationals present at the site. At 10:30pm the Beit Sahour municipality put the kibosh on the music, worried it would keep the park's Palestinian neighbors awake.
More than 100 Israeli settlers, some of them armed, set up camp in an abandoned military base in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour on Monday night in what may in the future become an illegal settlement outpost.
While the settlers left the encampment by 6am, the faithful who filled into the camp on Monday evening had long-term designs in mind.
"We're here to build a Jewish city, with the help of God," one teenage boy settler told a half-dozen journalists, as he scouted out his new campsite, camera in hand.
While Palestinian families gathered for a festival in a public park less than 100 meters away, Israelis from the nearby settlements of Efrat, Har Homa, Gush Eztion, and Tekoa arrived in a chartered bus and private cars. A handful of Israeli soldiers and civilian police looked on, blocking the road between the military base and the park, keeping journalists out of the military base.
The settlers, among them families, a Russian-speaking security guard and a contingent of teenage boys wearing kippas and shorts, had publicized the camp-out in advance on movement websites, part of what they view as an effort to reclaim the site for Jews and for Greater Israel.
"This is Israeli territory and we want it to stay that way," said a woman in sunglasses, who spoke in American-accented English and refused to give her name or other identifying information.
Asked whether they planned to build a settlement, a smiling man with an amber beard and glasses said, "Could be . if enough people want to live here. It's a good location; it's close to Jerusalem." The man said he lives in Efrat settlement and originally hails from Canada.
As the sun set, two young women in long skirts prayed, their heads bobbing, facing Jerusalem. An Israeli flag was hoisted on top of a massive cubic water cistern. In the park below, the last night of the local festival was kicking off, Arabic pop blaring. More settlers arrived. One group piled out of a black SUV with a Confederate battle emblem, that symbol of racism in the American south, plastered to its front license plate holder.
The site, known as Oush Al-Ghrab, is a former Jordanian military base that was taken over by Israel after its 1967 occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military evacuated the base in 2006, demolishing the cistern. The rest of the facility was looted by Palestinians, and went unused until this year. After the military evacuated the area, the Israeli authorities allowed the Beit Sahour municipality built the park. Ish Al-Grab is in Area C, designated by the Oslo Interim Agreement to be under full Israeli control until a final peace agreement compels Israel to withdraw completely from the West Bank.
In addition to the park on the slope just below the base, the area is designated for further development. In December 2007, CURE International announced it would donate 16 million US dollars to build a hospital on the hillside. In total 65 dunams (65,000 square meters) have been designated for the hospital and other development, except for the hilltop, the location of the abandoned base.
In May, settler groups began to return to the base, known as Shdema when the army was still present. The settlers organized a series of visits on Fridays, culminating last week in a tour titled "Shdema - a Jewish City." The event was attended by settler movement notables such as MK Uri Uriel, who urged the settlers to take direct action and to defy the Israeli authorities. In Uriel's words, even the apparatus of the occupation, such as the Civil Administration, as "representing the Arabs." The settlers formed the "Committee for a Jewish Shdema" with representatives from Har Homa, Gush Etzion, Efrat, and Kiryat Arba in Hebron.
Palestinian and international activists, meanwhile, began to mobilize against the settlers around the same time, repeatedly painting over the slogans the settlers painted on the walls of the base, and organizing outdoor games and other activities at the site, to reanimate it as a living part of the local community.
"The main strategy is to keep this place alive and reachable for Palestinians by our attendance here, without having any interaction with the settlers or the soldiers that can create violence. . [If violence took place] we would lose everything, and provide a big reason for the army to evacuate us from the place," said Palestinian activist and educator Ala' Hilu.
"We're not here to provoke them [the settlers]. We're here to send the message that this area is Palestinian, and the area is going to be used for humanitarian purposes, by following the plan of the municipality, which is to build a hospital. If we use violence, we would lose. . We just want to be here and to get Palestinians here," Hilu added.
There were hundreds of Palestinians present on Monday. The vibe in the park was relaxed. A brief cultural show took place on a stage, with teenagers dancing the traditional Palestinian dabke.
Sitting among the Palestinian families, Beit Sahour's mayor, Hani Al-Hayek, said that based on his communication with the Israeli authorities, the plan for the hospital will go forward. He said he expected the Israeli military to evict the settlers by the morning.
Like the activists who first mobilized against the settlers, the mayor endorsed a life-affirming nonviolent strategy against the settlement. "This is our model of resistance, to come here and play and use the cafeteria. We will live here and stay here. The people are not afraid," he said.
The activists had planned an all-night party (with music but no alcohol) to keep the settlers awake and keep locals and internationals present at the site. At 10:30pm the Beit Sahour municipality put the kibosh on the music, worried it would keep the park's Palestinian neighbors awake.
14 july 2008
Israeli forces storm village near Jenin
Israeli forces raided the town of Kafr Dan, west of the city of Jenin, searching a number of buildings overnight, witnesses reported on Monday.
Residents of the town told Ma'an that Israeli forces conducted house-to-house raids from 1am to 5:30am. No one was arrested.
Israeli forces raided the town of Kafr Dan, west of the city of Jenin, searching a number of buildings overnight, witnesses reported on Monday.
Residents of the town told Ma'an that Israeli forces conducted house-to-house raids from 1am to 5:30am. No one was arrested.
Israeli forces stormed the Nablus Mall in the northern West Bank city on Monday.
Spokesperson of the Nablus Mall, Ali 'Ashur, told Ma'an that Israeli forces ransacked the retail outlet at 2:30 am, breaking the main gate and searched all 50 shops inside the mall.
He quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Israeli forces spoke to a Palestinian citizen, living next to the mall giving him directives that entry to the mall is absolutely forbidden. However, the security guard said he was unaware of the Israeli directives.
On Tuesday the Israeli army stormed the Nablus Mall, confiscating documents related to funding projects as well as computers and cameras.
The Nablus Mall has 50 shops and offices, including the Al-Itiman company, which has a capital of 4 million Jordanian Dinars (5.64 million US dollars). Israel says this company funds Hamas and 'encourages terrorism.' The head of the Mall administration Adli Yayish has been in Israeli custody for a year and a half, accused of being affiliated to Hamas.
The Israeli army told shop owners this week that the property rights to the Nablus mall will be transferred to Israel as of 15 August. The army said they will imprison anyone who enters the building for 5 years. The mall, they claimed, is being used to fund terrorist activities.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has declared the closure of the mall as invalid, and has affirmed to residents of Nablus that the Palestinian government is committed to compensating all the losses caused by Israeli forces.
Separately, Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces apprehended five Palestinian men, after storming several houses in the Askar refugee camp near Nablus.
The sources identified the arrestees as Ahmad Al-Ghandur, Yousif Habbush, Ahmad Munthir and Abdullah Dimyati, all from the Askar refugee camp, in addition to Mousa At-Tanbur from the centre of Nablus.
Spokesperson of the Nablus Mall, Ali 'Ashur, told Ma'an that Israeli forces ransacked the retail outlet at 2:30 am, breaking the main gate and searched all 50 shops inside the mall.
He quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Israeli forces spoke to a Palestinian citizen, living next to the mall giving him directives that entry to the mall is absolutely forbidden. However, the security guard said he was unaware of the Israeli directives.
On Tuesday the Israeli army stormed the Nablus Mall, confiscating documents related to funding projects as well as computers and cameras.
The Nablus Mall has 50 shops and offices, including the Al-Itiman company, which has a capital of 4 million Jordanian Dinars (5.64 million US dollars). Israel says this company funds Hamas and 'encourages terrorism.' The head of the Mall administration Adli Yayish has been in Israeli custody for a year and a half, accused of being affiliated to Hamas.
The Israeli army told shop owners this week that the property rights to the Nablus mall will be transferred to Israel as of 15 August. The army said they will imprison anyone who enters the building for 5 years. The mall, they claimed, is being used to fund terrorist activities.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has declared the closure of the mall as invalid, and has affirmed to residents of Nablus that the Palestinian government is committed to compensating all the losses caused by Israeli forces.
Separately, Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces apprehended five Palestinian men, after storming several houses in the Askar refugee camp near Nablus.
The sources identified the arrestees as Ahmad Al-Ghandur, Yousif Habbush, Ahmad Munthir and Abdullah Dimyati, all from the Askar refugee camp, in addition to Mousa At-Tanbur from the centre of Nablus.
A Palestinian was shot by Israeli soldiers, near Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip on Monday morning.
The Israeli authorities informed their Palestinian counterparts that soldiers opened fire on a Palestinian man, who was ten meters way from the border near the Kisufim crossing, east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security sources say that coordination is ongoing to transfer the injured man to hospital. His identity is not yet known. It is also still unclear whether he is still alive.
The Israeli authorities informed their Palestinian counterparts that soldiers opened fire on a Palestinian man, who was ten meters way from the border near the Kisufim crossing, east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security sources say that coordination is ongoing to transfer the injured man to hospital. His identity is not yet known. It is also still unclear whether he is still alive.
Villagers from Jordan Valley community demand water, electricity in Ramallah protest
Al-Khudari: Israeli blockade affecting education in Gaza
Al-Khudari: Israeli blockade affecting education in Gaza
13 july 2008
Israeli soldiers brutally beat then arrested a Palestinian student in the village of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem on Saturday night, and arrested four other Palestinians in the southern West Bank.
Witnesses said Israeli troops raided an apartment in the old section of Al-Khader, shouting at the occupants and claiming that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at an Israeli vehicle in the area.
Twenty-one-year-old Nadim Issa, a physical education student at Al-Quds University, heard the noise from another apartment in the building and went to check up on his relatives. Following a heated argument, Issa scuffled with the soldiers, but was subdued, then severely beaten and arrested.
Meanwhile Israeli forces stormed the Wadi M'ali neighborhood of Bethlehem in the and arrested 31-year-old Raed Abu Hlayyil.
Separately, undercover Israeli forces infiltrated Ayda refugee camp in Bethlehem. The undercover unit was followed by seven military vehicles which surrounded the homes of 22-year-old Ayman Al-'Amareen and 25-year-old Hammuda Srur and arrested them after ransacking both houses.
The arrestees are members of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority and closely linked to Fatah.
Separately, Israeli troops seized one Palestinian from the city of Hebron, Israeli sources reported.
Witnesses said Israeli troops raided an apartment in the old section of Al-Khader, shouting at the occupants and claiming that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at an Israeli vehicle in the area.
Twenty-one-year-old Nadim Issa, a physical education student at Al-Quds University, heard the noise from another apartment in the building and went to check up on his relatives. Following a heated argument, Issa scuffled with the soldiers, but was subdued, then severely beaten and arrested.
Meanwhile Israeli forces stormed the Wadi M'ali neighborhood of Bethlehem in the and arrested 31-year-old Raed Abu Hlayyil.
Separately, undercover Israeli forces infiltrated Ayda refugee camp in Bethlehem. The undercover unit was followed by seven military vehicles which surrounded the homes of 22-year-old Ayman Al-'Amareen and 25-year-old Hammuda Srur and arrested them after ransacking both houses.
The arrestees are members of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority and closely linked to Fatah.
Separately, Israeli troops seized one Palestinian from the city of Hebron, Israeli sources reported.
UNWRA: stop the seige open the borders
PLO takes official action on closed Nablus organizations
205 Gazans dead this year as direct result of Israeli seige
Islamic Jihad leader praises Jerusalem attacks
PLO takes official action on closed Nablus organizations
205 Gazans dead this year as direct result of Israeli seige
Islamic Jihad leader praises Jerusalem attacks
12 july 2008
Three weeks after Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip agreed to hold their fire, Palestinians in Gaza are disappointed with the results.
Life in Gaza has improved marginally - the constant shelling has stopped and a few more goods have been allowed into the besieged territory - but Israel's continuing total closure of the borders to civilian travel has rendered the ceasefire a letdown.
Only the purported reason for the closure has changed. Whereas before Israel blockaded Gaza in response to homemade rockets fired by Palestinian fighters, it now justifies the closure in terms of "violations of the truce." Some Gazans call their new predicament a "truce-struggle." It is a struggle over their own fate, in which ordinary Palestinians see themselves as powerless.
Twenty-year-old Mohammad, a university student, who Ma'an spoke with on the Gaza beach, said "I think that our situation is not a one of a truce but it more like the same siege but with a new flavor."
"After one month of the truce I found out that the truce is a big bluff on the Palestinians and the Israelis proved that they do not want a truce," he added.
Haj Abu Nader, a Gazan pensioner, said " I think that the truce will probably work if we embarrassed the Israelis and got a little more patience from them until the crossings are opened for at least two months so that the country will flourish economically."
Tariq, an engineer, said that "One month after the truce, we do not have any facilities. The crossings rarely open. The truce did not change anything. All are the same including the siege. I think that the truce had failed but we have to be little patient so that the goods are allowed into the Gaza Strip as a supply for the coming war."
Asked his view on the homemade projectiles still fired occasionally from Gaza, Tariq said " I think that the homemade shells are impropriate at this time because their harm is bigger that their benefit."
Meanwhile, Muntaser, a university student stranded in Gaza said, "I thought that the truce will solve my problem but unfortunately it did not anything for us, as stranded students. I was thinking that the truce will return the Gaza Strip to the situation ten years ago, before the Intifada, but unfortunately the situation is getting worse every day."
Ahmad, another Gazan that "I did not feel any change over the past month that is makes the situation now different from the year before. I was thinking that the truce will pave the way for an agreement between Fatah and Hamas but it did not. On the contrary the situation is worsening and deteriorating."
Gazans divided
Palestinians in Gaza are divided into two camps. One camp wants the ruling Hamas movement and the other factions to comply with the truce in hopes that Israel will slowly ease the blockade in accordance with the truce. The other camp wants Hamas to break the truce, and force Israel accept terms more favorable to the Palestinians.
Construction worker Abed An-Nasser belongs to the first group: "I do not support the violation of the truce. I want the crossings to be opened so that cement will enter. We construction workers want to work because our situation is very difficult. We did not work for over a year."
Abu Yasser, a taxi driver, belongs to the second camp. "Hamas has to break the truce until it reaches an agreement that would oblige Israel to comply and not to play with the fate of the Palestinians," he said. "[Currently] one day the crossings are opened and the next they are not," he added.
Life in Gaza has improved marginally - the constant shelling has stopped and a few more goods have been allowed into the besieged territory - but Israel's continuing total closure of the borders to civilian travel has rendered the ceasefire a letdown.
Only the purported reason for the closure has changed. Whereas before Israel blockaded Gaza in response to homemade rockets fired by Palestinian fighters, it now justifies the closure in terms of "violations of the truce." Some Gazans call their new predicament a "truce-struggle." It is a struggle over their own fate, in which ordinary Palestinians see themselves as powerless.
Twenty-year-old Mohammad, a university student, who Ma'an spoke with on the Gaza beach, said "I think that our situation is not a one of a truce but it more like the same siege but with a new flavor."
"After one month of the truce I found out that the truce is a big bluff on the Palestinians and the Israelis proved that they do not want a truce," he added.
Haj Abu Nader, a Gazan pensioner, said " I think that the truce will probably work if we embarrassed the Israelis and got a little more patience from them until the crossings are opened for at least two months so that the country will flourish economically."
Tariq, an engineer, said that "One month after the truce, we do not have any facilities. The crossings rarely open. The truce did not change anything. All are the same including the siege. I think that the truce had failed but we have to be little patient so that the goods are allowed into the Gaza Strip as a supply for the coming war."
Asked his view on the homemade projectiles still fired occasionally from Gaza, Tariq said " I think that the homemade shells are impropriate at this time because their harm is bigger that their benefit."
Meanwhile, Muntaser, a university student stranded in Gaza said, "I thought that the truce will solve my problem but unfortunately it did not anything for us, as stranded students. I was thinking that the truce will return the Gaza Strip to the situation ten years ago, before the Intifada, but unfortunately the situation is getting worse every day."
Ahmad, another Gazan that "I did not feel any change over the past month that is makes the situation now different from the year before. I was thinking that the truce will pave the way for an agreement between Fatah and Hamas but it did not. On the contrary the situation is worsening and deteriorating."
Gazans divided
Palestinians in Gaza are divided into two camps. One camp wants the ruling Hamas movement and the other factions to comply with the truce in hopes that Israel will slowly ease the blockade in accordance with the truce. The other camp wants Hamas to break the truce, and force Israel accept terms more favorable to the Palestinians.
Construction worker Abed An-Nasser belongs to the first group: "I do not support the violation of the truce. I want the crossings to be opened so that cement will enter. We construction workers want to work because our situation is very difficult. We did not work for over a year."
Abu Yasser, a taxi driver, belongs to the second camp. "Hamas has to break the truce until it reaches an agreement that would oblige Israel to comply and not to play with the fate of the Palestinians," he said. "[Currently] one day the crossings are opened and the next they are not," he added.
The Israeli army apprehended a medical team from the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and the Committee of Physicians for Human Rights in the early hours of Saturday morning at the entrance of the village of Ni'lin.
Secretary General of the Palestinian Natioanl Intiative and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr Mustafa al Barghuthi denounced the Israeli act of apprehending the medical team in a statement and affirmed that "the Israeli procedure is a form of punishment. [for] steadfastness in the face of settlement expansion."
He added that Israeli soldiers apprehended the medical team while they were trying to reach Ni'lin to offer treatment to residents who had been under a strict curfew.
The team was barred entry into the town, and was not able to transfer in the medications that they had brought with them.
Secretary General of the Palestinian Natioanl Intiative and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr Mustafa al Barghuthi denounced the Israeli act of apprehending the medical team in a statement and affirmed that "the Israeli procedure is a form of punishment. [for] steadfastness in the face of settlement expansion."
He added that Israeli soldiers apprehended the medical team while they were trying to reach Ni'lin to offer treatment to residents who had been under a strict curfew.
The team was barred entry into the town, and was not able to transfer in the medications that they had brought with them.
Israeli forces raided the northern West Bank town of Al-Yamun on Saturday, in addition to nearby neighborhoods. No arrests have been reported.
Palestinian security sources stated that Israeli military vehicles stormed Al-Yamoun west of Jenin and patrolled streets in the town's center firing into the air and detonating sonic bombs.
The sources added that Israeli forces stationed themselves in the areas between the towns of Kafr Dan, Al-Yamun and Al-'Araqa.
At the north end of the Jordan valley, Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces ordered the closure of several small fruit and vegetable stands. According to reports, Israeli forces have destroyed and closed several stands twice during the past year and a half.
Palestinian security sources stated that Israeli military vehicles stormed Al-Yamoun west of Jenin and patrolled streets in the town's center firing into the air and detonating sonic bombs.
The sources added that Israeli forces stationed themselves in the areas between the towns of Kafr Dan, Al-Yamun and Al-'Araqa.
At the north end of the Jordan valley, Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces ordered the closure of several small fruit and vegetable stands. According to reports, Israeli forces have destroyed and closed several stands twice during the past year and a half.
Many injured or detained at Ni'lin march
As has now become custom, people in Ni'lin began marching on Friday afternoon in an effort to peacefully condemn the separation wall which has confiscated most of their lands and threatens their livlihoods.
Ni'lin's residents and farmers were joined by international solidarity groups showing support for their call to stop the wall.
The protest began with a prayer, participants spreading mats on the ground, and listening to Sheikh Mohammed Daoud speak about the necessity of popular struggle; against settlements, against the wall. When the prayers concluded, the protest turned into clashes with army troops that surrounded the site.
Mohammed Nazhi Hussein was injured and Mohamed Hussein Srur was detained.
As if in retaliation for the protest, Israeli troops burned lands in the southern area of Ni'lin near their military checkpoint.
Along with what was left of the village land on the east side of the wall, 50 olive trees were burned.
Clashes continued between army troops and the town's young men into the evening.
The Higher Committee to resist the wall organized a second march at six o'clock Friday evening.
The Coordinator of the Higher Committee to resist the wall Mr. 'Ahid Khawaja said that the marches were an important way to show support for the people living in Ni'lin.
In this time of truce, said Khawaja, when there many are killed it is most important to commit to this peaceful form of resistance and protest.
The Higher Committee to resist the wall called on people to the town on Saturday at 10:00 am where Physicians for Human Rights and Palestinian Medical Relief staff will be treating the sick in the city free of charge, in support of their steadfastness.
Live bullets shot at protesters during curfew
In the past month, the peaceful marchers of Ni'lin have been shot at, sound bombed and tear gassed. While most of the bullets were rubber-coated, three men have been hit with life bullets, and two of them have been admitted to the Ramallah hospital.
Jamil Srur is an electrician in Ni'lin and was not taking part to the demonstration on Monday, the fourth day of the curfew in the town. He did, however, watch the gathered crowd as they passed his front door. According to a press release from a representative of the protest organizers, as Srur watched the crowd, an Israeli sniper shot him in the belly.
The bullet lodged itself into Srur's back. Doctors are unable to remove the bullet, for fear that the damage to his spine will cause paralysis.
Mutia' Amira, a 32-year-old construction worker from Ni'lin, was participating in the protest march Monday. He was protesting because the 9 dunums owned by his family will be cut off from the village according to the planned route of the wall.
During the protest a live bullet caught Amira in the knee. He remains in Ramallah hospital.
As has now become custom, people in Ni'lin began marching on Friday afternoon in an effort to peacefully condemn the separation wall which has confiscated most of their lands and threatens their livlihoods.
Ni'lin's residents and farmers were joined by international solidarity groups showing support for their call to stop the wall.
The protest began with a prayer, participants spreading mats on the ground, and listening to Sheikh Mohammed Daoud speak about the necessity of popular struggle; against settlements, against the wall. When the prayers concluded, the protest turned into clashes with army troops that surrounded the site.
Mohammed Nazhi Hussein was injured and Mohamed Hussein Srur was detained.
As if in retaliation for the protest, Israeli troops burned lands in the southern area of Ni'lin near their military checkpoint.
Along with what was left of the village land on the east side of the wall, 50 olive trees were burned.
Clashes continued between army troops and the town's young men into the evening.
The Higher Committee to resist the wall organized a second march at six o'clock Friday evening.
The Coordinator of the Higher Committee to resist the wall Mr. 'Ahid Khawaja said that the marches were an important way to show support for the people living in Ni'lin.
In this time of truce, said Khawaja, when there many are killed it is most important to commit to this peaceful form of resistance and protest.
The Higher Committee to resist the wall called on people to the town on Saturday at 10:00 am where Physicians for Human Rights and Palestinian Medical Relief staff will be treating the sick in the city free of charge, in support of their steadfastness.
Live bullets shot at protesters during curfew
In the past month, the peaceful marchers of Ni'lin have been shot at, sound bombed and tear gassed. While most of the bullets were rubber-coated, three men have been hit with life bullets, and two of them have been admitted to the Ramallah hospital.
Jamil Srur is an electrician in Ni'lin and was not taking part to the demonstration on Monday, the fourth day of the curfew in the town. He did, however, watch the gathered crowd as they passed his front door. According to a press release from a representative of the protest organizers, as Srur watched the crowd, an Israeli sniper shot him in the belly.
The bullet lodged itself into Srur's back. Doctors are unable to remove the bullet, for fear that the damage to his spine will cause paralysis.
Mutia' Amira, a 32-year-old construction worker from Ni'lin, was participating in the protest march Monday. He was protesting because the 9 dunums owned by his family will be cut off from the village according to the planned route of the wall.
During the protest a live bullet caught Amira in the knee. He remains in Ramallah hospital.
Fatah spokesperson responds to Hamas' criticism on truce, national dialogue
PA will appeal to Quartet to reverse closure of Nablus institutions
Israel claims Gazans launched another round of projectiles at western Negev
EU VP: "escalation of the Israeli raids is unacceptable"
Hamas: Success of operations in Jerusalem reflect Israeli security's fragility
130 West Bankers arrested in one week
Fayyad to US: stop Israeli incursions into West Bank
PA will appeal to Quartet to reverse closure of Nablus institutions
Israel claims Gazans launched another round of projectiles at western Negev
EU VP: "escalation of the Israeli raids is unacceptable"
Hamas: Success of operations in Jerusalem reflect Israeli security's fragility
130 West Bankers arrested in one week
Fayyad to US: stop Israeli incursions into West Bank
11 july 2008
Funeral of Mahmoud Othman Assi
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian man on Thursday night, after he opened fire on a group of Israeli soldiers, security sources in the Salfit in the northern West Bank said Friday.
Forty-five-year-old Mahmoud Othman Assi, from the village of Qarauet Bani Zeid, north west of the city of Salfit was taken to the Yasser Arafat Hospital with four bullet wounds. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Israeli sources said that a Palestinian resistance fighter had opened fire on Israeli soldiers near the Israeli settlement of Yakir north west of the city of Salfit. The soldier was slightly injured, according to the Israeli sources.
The Israeli army gave further details of the incident, saying that on Friday morning announced they killed a Palestinian during an exchange of fire in the Salfit District. They claimed a gun and ammunition were found near the body. Israeli sources said the man was "wanted" and was a Hamas supporter. He was a father of twelve children.
In a separate incident, an Israeli vehicle was hit with two Molotov cocktails, near the village of Azun, near Qalqilia. No injuries were reported but the vehicle was damaged.
Meanwhile, Israeli cars were pelted with stones near the village of Mikhmas near the West Bank city of Ramallah and also in a separate incident near the village of Taqu' near the city of Bethlehem. Some of the vehicles were damaged.
Separately, Israeli soldiers detained seven Palestinians from different parts of the West Bank early on Friday morning. Their identities have not been revealed.
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian man on Thursday night, after he opened fire on a group of Israeli soldiers, security sources in the Salfit in the northern West Bank said Friday.
Forty-five-year-old Mahmoud Othman Assi, from the village of Qarauet Bani Zeid, north west of the city of Salfit was taken to the Yasser Arafat Hospital with four bullet wounds. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Israeli sources said that a Palestinian resistance fighter had opened fire on Israeli soldiers near the Israeli settlement of Yakir north west of the city of Salfit. The soldier was slightly injured, according to the Israeli sources.
The Israeli army gave further details of the incident, saying that on Friday morning announced they killed a Palestinian during an exchange of fire in the Salfit District. They claimed a gun and ammunition were found near the body. Israeli sources said the man was "wanted" and was a Hamas supporter. He was a father of twelve children.
In a separate incident, an Israeli vehicle was hit with two Molotov cocktails, near the village of Azun, near Qalqilia. No injuries were reported but the vehicle was damaged.
Meanwhile, Israeli cars were pelted with stones near the village of Mikhmas near the West Bank city of Ramallah and also in a separate incident near the village of Taqu' near the city of Bethlehem. Some of the vehicles were damaged.
Separately, Israeli soldiers detained seven Palestinians from different parts of the West Bank early on Friday morning. Their identities have not been revealed.
Haniyeh agrees Carter Center to monitor truce
Fatah supports truce; statements with Al-Aqsa brigades logo false
France denounces Israeli approval for large settlement construction in East Jerusalem
Israeli army seizes 13 Palestinians from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp
Fatah supports truce; statements with Al-Aqsa brigades logo false
France denounces Israeli approval for large settlement construction in East Jerusalem
Israeli army seizes 13 Palestinians from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp
10 july 2008
Palestinian Minister of Health Fathi Abu Moghli strongly condemned the Israeli storming of Ramallah governmental hospital at 2am Wednesday night.
In a statement made Thursday, Abu Moghli also condemned the searching of the hospital's medical stores as well as the invasion into the intensive care unit and destruction of the door sealing the room filled with heart surgery equipment.
"These practices are barbaric and cannot be justified under any circumstances," said Abu Moghli, referring to a number of similar actions which, he continued, "did nothing but disrupt work in hospitals, and frighten healthcare workers and their patients, especially children."
Abu Moghli aimed his statement at Israeli Minister of Health Yaacov Ben Yizri, to whom he declared that such actions undermine the security and stability in PA areas, and violate the simplest humanitarian and legal rights defined by the Geneva Convention.
Abu Moghli said that he holds Ben Yizri personally responsible for the violations.
In a statement made Thursday, Abu Moghli also condemned the searching of the hospital's medical stores as well as the invasion into the intensive care unit and destruction of the door sealing the room filled with heart surgery equipment.
"These practices are barbaric and cannot be justified under any circumstances," said Abu Moghli, referring to a number of similar actions which, he continued, "did nothing but disrupt work in hospitals, and frighten healthcare workers and their patients, especially children."
Abu Moghli aimed his statement at Israeli Minister of Health Yaacov Ben Yizri, to whom he declared that such actions undermine the security and stability in PA areas, and violate the simplest humanitarian and legal rights defined by the Geneva Convention.
Abu Moghli said that he holds Ben Yizri personally responsible for the violations.
The body of Salim Hamidi
The Israeli army killed a Palestinian on Thursday near the Kissufim crossing southeast of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources from Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza named the dead man as 18-year-old Salim Jum'a Hamidi from the village of Az-Zawaydeh in the central Gaza Strip.
Dr Mu'awiyah Hassanein, director general of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Strip, said that Israeli officials reported that a young man was shot dead by Israeli troops at 7:30 am on Thursday.
Dr Hassanein said that Hamidi had sustained bullet wounds to the stomach and shoulder, and that medical evidence indicated his injury was sustained at approximately 4am. No report of the incident, however, was made until 7am, by which time it was too late to resuscitate the young man.
Hamidi's body was taken to the Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza, medical sources said.
The Israeli army confirmed that their forces killed a Palestinian close to the Gaza-Israeli border, near the Kissufim crossing.
Local sources in the Gaza Strip believe he was attempting to cross the border into Israel to look for work, and maintain that he was a civilian.
This marks the first time that a Gazan has died as a result of Israeli gunfire since the truce between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip went into effect 19 June 2008.
The Israeli army killed a Palestinian on Thursday near the Kissufim crossing southeast of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources from Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza named the dead man as 18-year-old Salim Jum'a Hamidi from the village of Az-Zawaydeh in the central Gaza Strip.
Dr Mu'awiyah Hassanein, director general of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Strip, said that Israeli officials reported that a young man was shot dead by Israeli troops at 7:30 am on Thursday.
Dr Hassanein said that Hamidi had sustained bullet wounds to the stomach and shoulder, and that medical evidence indicated his injury was sustained at approximately 4am. No report of the incident, however, was made until 7am, by which time it was too late to resuscitate the young man.
Hamidi's body was taken to the Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza, medical sources said.
The Israeli army confirmed that their forces killed a Palestinian close to the Gaza-Israeli border, near the Kissufim crossing.
Local sources in the Gaza Strip believe he was attempting to cross the border into Israel to look for work, and maintain that he was a civilian.
This marks the first time that a Gazan has died as a result of Israeli gunfire since the truce between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip went into effect 19 June 2008.
Nafha Association ordered to close; calls measure arbitrary and unjust
Fayyad: Israeli decision to close Nablus mall void
Israeli forces detain 7 civilians, demolish homes in Hebron
Israel: projectiles launched at Negev by Al-Aqsa violate truce
Al-Quds Brigades record all Israeli truce violations
Fatah calls for crisis unit to tackle Israeli crackdown in Nablus
Israeli High Court: Nu'man villagers reside illegally in ancestral homes
Israeli crackdown on "Hamas" institutions in Nablus continues
Israeli forces detained five Palestinians across West Bank
Al-Aqsa Brigades doubt Israeli committment to truce; threaten response
Fayyad: Israeli decision to close Nablus mall void
Israeli forces detain 7 civilians, demolish homes in Hebron
Israel: projectiles launched at Negev by Al-Aqsa violate truce
Al-Quds Brigades record all Israeli truce violations
Fatah calls for crisis unit to tackle Israeli crackdown in Nablus
Israeli High Court: Nu'man villagers reside illegally in ancestral homes
Israeli crackdown on "Hamas" institutions in Nablus continues
Israeli forces detained five Palestinians across West Bank
Al-Aqsa Brigades doubt Israeli committment to truce; threaten response
9 july 2008
Israeli special forces shot and then detained a resistance fighter affiliated with Fatah in the village of Kafr Dan west of Jenin on Wednesday night.
The man died shortly after he was taken by Israeli soldiers.
Israeli news sources said that Israeli soldiers were in a private car when they opened fire on Talal Sa'id Abed, a 32-year-old resistance fighter. Abed was in his car when he was shot in the neck. He tried to escape the soldiers but was captured, and died later in hospital as a result of his injuries.
The man died shortly after he was taken by Israeli soldiers.
Israeli news sources said that Israeli soldiers were in a private car when they opened fire on Talal Sa'id Abed, a 32-year-old resistance fighter. Abed was in his car when he was shot in the neck. He tried to escape the soldiers but was captured, and died later in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad spoke out about recent Israeli actions during a joint press conference with Italian foreign minister Franco Frattiti.
In response to Fayyad's speech, which highlighted the increased number of homes slated to be built in Israeli settlements since the Annapolis conference, and the recent increase in incursions especially into towns of Nablus, Ramallah and Jenin which have increased by 50% over the past weeks, Fratini called on Israel to stop settlement building and stop invasions of Palestinian territories.
Commenting on recent Israeli incursions, Fayyad described the attacks and closures of Nablus mosques, charities and shopping malls as Israel "showing off and trying to humiliate the Palestinian people." The actions, he said, "only hamper the Palestinian government's efforts to improve the security and the economic situation of its people." He pointed out that the settlement and the daily invasions undermine the peace process and the efforts taken by the PNA.
Fayyad made note that the day of the press conference coincided with the fourth anniversary of the decision of the International Court of Justice declaring the Israeli separation wall illegal.
In commemoration of the day, Fayyad applauded European Union countries for their opposition to the separation wall.
For his part, Fratini announced that Italy will provide an additional 20 million euros for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and added that Italy won't stop its support to Palestine.
The Prime Minister thanked the Italian minister for Italy's support directly or through the European Union, and its decision to provide additional financial support for the PNA. He also thanked the Italian people for their solidarity with Palestinians and their rights.
Responding to a question about the internal division of the Palestinian leadership follwoing the conference, Fayyad said, "these practical ideas come in the framework of the initiative announced by President Abu Mazen and his efforts to end the state of division."
Dr Fayyad called on Palestinian society to support the President's initiative to restore the unity and end the division and to help in building a strong government on the basis of national consensus, stressing that these ideas come in the context of affirmative search for practical solutions to emerge from the crisis of internal division, adding, "I do not see any justification for not dealing positively with these ideas which only strengthen national unity."
In response to Fayyad's speech, which highlighted the increased number of homes slated to be built in Israeli settlements since the Annapolis conference, and the recent increase in incursions especially into towns of Nablus, Ramallah and Jenin which have increased by 50% over the past weeks, Fratini called on Israel to stop settlement building and stop invasions of Palestinian territories.
Commenting on recent Israeli incursions, Fayyad described the attacks and closures of Nablus mosques, charities and shopping malls as Israel "showing off and trying to humiliate the Palestinian people." The actions, he said, "only hamper the Palestinian government's efforts to improve the security and the economic situation of its people." He pointed out that the settlement and the daily invasions undermine the peace process and the efforts taken by the PNA.
Fayyad made note that the day of the press conference coincided with the fourth anniversary of the decision of the International Court of Justice declaring the Israeli separation wall illegal.
In commemoration of the day, Fayyad applauded European Union countries for their opposition to the separation wall.
For his part, Fratini announced that Italy will provide an additional 20 million euros for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and added that Italy won't stop its support to Palestine.
The Prime Minister thanked the Italian minister for Italy's support directly or through the European Union, and its decision to provide additional financial support for the PNA. He also thanked the Italian people for their solidarity with Palestinians and their rights.
Responding to a question about the internal division of the Palestinian leadership follwoing the conference, Fayyad said, "these practical ideas come in the framework of the initiative announced by President Abu Mazen and his efforts to end the state of division."
Dr Fayyad called on Palestinian society to support the President's initiative to restore the unity and end the division and to help in building a strong government on the basis of national consensus, stressing that these ideas come in the context of affirmative search for practical solutions to emerge from the crisis of internal division, adding, "I do not see any justification for not dealing positively with these ideas which only strengthen national unity."
Israeli settlers, taking a page from Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, launched three homemade projectiles at Palestinian villages south of the city of Nablus, in the West Bank on Wednesday.
Palestinian security source told Ma'an: "The projectiles were launched on Tuesday evening from the settlement of Bracha at the villages of Burin and Madama, they landed near civilians' houses with no injuries reported."
This was the third such attack. The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israeli army are investigating the incident.
Information delivered by Israeli army to the PA says that the projectiles were launched by a group of extremist students at a theological school located in the settlement.
No arrests were made in the previous two projectile attacks.
Palestinian security source told Ma'an: "The projectiles were launched on Tuesday evening from the settlement of Bracha at the villages of Burin and Madama, they landed near civilians' houses with no injuries reported."
This was the third such attack. The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israeli army are investigating the incident.
Information delivered by Israeli army to the PA says that the projectiles were launched by a group of extremist students at a theological school located in the settlement.
No arrests were made in the previous two projectile attacks.
A 12-year-old Palestinian boy suffered facial fractures after he was badly beaten by Israeli forces during a raid on the town of Al-'Araqa, west of Jenin on Tuesday evening.
Local sources said that Mahmoud Abdel Rahim is being treated in the local hospital in Jenin.
The sources added that a number of Israeli patrols stormed the town and set up a military checkpoint at the main entrance, preventing cars from leaving the village. Israeli troops patrolled the village streets. They attacked the boy, claiming he threw stones at them.
Meanwhile in another raid on the Al-Far'a refugee camp in the Tubas governorate on Wednesday morning, Israeli soldiers shot and wounded two 13-year-old children during clashes with local youths. Mohammad Shawish was hit by a bullet in his stomach. His condition has been described as serious. Iyad Melhem received a bullet wound to the shoulder. He is in a stable condition.
Local sources added that Israeli soldiers detained Mohammad Abdel Qader Salim and his brother Ahmad after storming a number of houses in the refugee camp.
Meanwhile, security sources said that Israeli forces detained three children in the village of Arbouna north west of Jenin, claiming they were too close to the separation wall.
The security sources added that the detainees are 16-year-old Mahdi Maher Bani Hassan, 16-year-old Salem Mahmoud Bani Hassan and 12-year-old Odai Talal Bani Hassan.
Local sources said that Mahmoud Abdel Rahim is being treated in the local hospital in Jenin.
The sources added that a number of Israeli patrols stormed the town and set up a military checkpoint at the main entrance, preventing cars from leaving the village. Israeli troops patrolled the village streets. They attacked the boy, claiming he threw stones at them.
Meanwhile in another raid on the Al-Far'a refugee camp in the Tubas governorate on Wednesday morning, Israeli soldiers shot and wounded two 13-year-old children during clashes with local youths. Mohammad Shawish was hit by a bullet in his stomach. His condition has been described as serious. Iyad Melhem received a bullet wound to the shoulder. He is in a stable condition.
Local sources added that Israeli soldiers detained Mohammad Abdel Qader Salim and his brother Ahmad after storming a number of houses in the refugee camp.
Meanwhile, security sources said that Israeli forces detained three children in the village of Arbouna north west of Jenin, claiming they were too close to the separation wall.
The security sources added that the detainees are 16-year-old Mahdi Maher Bani Hassan, 16-year-old Salem Mahmoud Bani Hassan and 12-year-old Odai Talal Bani Hassan.
Israeli forces impose curfew in Kifl Haris
Israeli forces imposed curfew on the village of Kifl Haris, north of the Wesrt Bank city of Salfit on Tuesday.
The Israeli army said that curfew was imposed after Palestinians threw an inflammable bottle at a car owned by an Israeli settler on the main road near the town.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that Israeli forces stormed the town, opening fire and launching sound bombs. They also threatened that anyone who violates the curfew will be punished.
Israeli forces imposed curfew on the village of Kifl Haris, north of the Wesrt Bank city of Salfit on Tuesday.
The Israeli army said that curfew was imposed after Palestinians threw an inflammable bottle at a car owned by an Israeli settler on the main road near the town.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that Israeli forces stormed the town, opening fire and launching sound bombs. They also threatened that anyone who violates the curfew will be punished.
B'Tselem: International High Court nullified sections of wall four years ago Wednesday, still no action
Israel approves expansion of two West Bank settlements
Al-Ahrar movement condemns shutdown of Nablus charities
Israel approves expansion of two West Bank settlements
Al-Ahrar movement condemns shutdown of Nablus charities
8 july 2008
A delegation of Hamas leaders will leave the Gaza Strip for the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Tuesday afternoon for talks with Egyptian leaders regarding the truce with Israel and a proposed prisoner exchange.
"The delegation will discuss the truce file and will insist on the total lift of the blockade and opening the crossings," said senior Hamas leader Mahmoud.
The delegation includes Az-Zahhar, Jamal Abu Hashem, and Said Siyam, the interior minister in the de facto government of the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas officials will hear Israel's response in the Egypian-mediated negotiations with Israel regarding a prisoner exchange. Israel wants Palestinian fighters in Gaza to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been captive since 2006, and Hamas wants Israel to release a list of Palestinian prisoners.
In addition, "there will be talks on the Rafah crossing and some outstanding issues especially the three detained in the Egyptian prisons," Az-Zahhar told Ma'an.
"There is nothing new related to Palestinian dialogue," added Az-Zahhar, referring to suggestions from Hamas' rival, Fatah, that they are interested in reopening direct talks. Division between Hamas and Fatah has paralyzed Palestinian internal politics for over a year, following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Moussa Abu Marzouk, the vice chief of the political bureau of Hamas, said on Monday that Hamas will call on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing frequently, two to three times a week. The crossing between Gaza and Egypt is officially closed, but Egypt opens it occasionally.
"The delegation will discuss the truce file and will insist on the total lift of the blockade and opening the crossings," said senior Hamas leader Mahmoud.
The delegation includes Az-Zahhar, Jamal Abu Hashem, and Said Siyam, the interior minister in the de facto government of the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas officials will hear Israel's response in the Egypian-mediated negotiations with Israel regarding a prisoner exchange. Israel wants Palestinian fighters in Gaza to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been captive since 2006, and Hamas wants Israel to release a list of Palestinian prisoners.
In addition, "there will be talks on the Rafah crossing and some outstanding issues especially the three detained in the Egyptian prisons," Az-Zahhar told Ma'an.
"There is nothing new related to Palestinian dialogue," added Az-Zahhar, referring to suggestions from Hamas' rival, Fatah, that they are interested in reopening direct talks. Division between Hamas and Fatah has paralyzed Palestinian internal politics for over a year, following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Moussa Abu Marzouk, the vice chief of the political bureau of Hamas, said on Monday that Hamas will call on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing frequently, two to three times a week. The crossing between Gaza and Egypt is officially closed, but Egypt opens it occasionally.
Mortar shell lands in Israel, violating truce
PLC official: Arab companies buying lands in Jerusalem, selling it to Israeli companies
Israeli army shuts down six Hamas-affiliated associations in Nablus
Barak agrees to Egyptian request to open Gaza crossings
Israeli forces withdraw from Ni'lin after four-day blockade
Israeli forces detain nine Palestinians from the West Bank
PLC official: Arab companies buying lands in Jerusalem, selling it to Israeli companies
Israeli army shuts down six Hamas-affiliated associations in Nablus
Barak agrees to Egyptian request to open Gaza crossings
Israeli forces withdraw from Ni'lin after four-day blockade
Israeli forces detain nine Palestinians from the West Bank
7 july 2008
Destruction at the Rafedia Islamic School in Nablus
Israeli forces closed four Hamas-affiliated charities in Nablus in the northern West Bank on Monday, after ransacking the offices and confiscating computers and cash.
The closure has been imposed for three years.
Israeli authorities claimed the charities were part of Hamas' infrastructure in Nablus, and that was the reason they were shut down.
Palestinian security sources said The Orphan's Charity, The Charitable Solidarity Club, Islamic School in Rafedia and the At-Tadamun Dispensary in the Rawda mosque were closed.
The Israeli forces also stormed the directorate of the Ministry of Endowment offices in the city.
Director of the At-Tadamun dispensary in Nablus, Dr Hafizh As-Sadr told Ma'an, "Israeli soldiers destroyed all the contents of the dispensary, including its safe." He affirmed that 10,000 NIS (3,000 US dollars) and 1,500 Jordanian Dinars (2,000 US dollars) were stolen from the clinic's safe.
As-Sadr said the clinic provides medical services to local residents. He also refuted Israeli accusations that the clinic was part of any Hamas' infrastructure, explaining that it was established in 1977 which was ten years before the Hamas movement was founded.
Israel's legal authorities have recently approved such raids on Hamas-affiliated Islamic charities in the West Bank, in a bid to curb Hamas' rising popularity. Israeli Forces have been carrying out similar raids in the Hebron, Qalqilyah and Ramallah areas since the beginning of the year, but the legal sanction means the campaign will now be expanded to other parts of the West Bank.
Israeli forces closed four Hamas-affiliated charities in Nablus in the northern West Bank on Monday, after ransacking the offices and confiscating computers and cash.
The closure has been imposed for three years.
Israeli authorities claimed the charities were part of Hamas' infrastructure in Nablus, and that was the reason they were shut down.
Palestinian security sources said The Orphan's Charity, The Charitable Solidarity Club, Islamic School in Rafedia and the At-Tadamun Dispensary in the Rawda mosque were closed.
The Israeli forces also stormed the directorate of the Ministry of Endowment offices in the city.
Director of the At-Tadamun dispensary in Nablus, Dr Hafizh As-Sadr told Ma'an, "Israeli soldiers destroyed all the contents of the dispensary, including its safe." He affirmed that 10,000 NIS (3,000 US dollars) and 1,500 Jordanian Dinars (2,000 US dollars) were stolen from the clinic's safe.
As-Sadr said the clinic provides medical services to local residents. He also refuted Israeli accusations that the clinic was part of any Hamas' infrastructure, explaining that it was established in 1977 which was ten years before the Hamas movement was founded.
Israel's legal authorities have recently approved such raids on Hamas-affiliated Islamic charities in the West Bank, in a bid to curb Hamas' rising popularity. Israeli Forces have been carrying out similar raids in the Hebron, Qalqilyah and Ramallah areas since the beginning of the year, but the legal sanction means the campaign will now be expanded to other parts of the West Bank.
Mortar shell lands in Israel near Karni crossing
PA facing 559 million lawsuit over death of Israeli family
First shipment of iron allowed into Gaza in a year
Israeli forces seize six Palestinians in Zububa, near Jenin
Ni'lin under seige for fourth consecutive day
PA facing 559 million lawsuit over death of Israeli family
First shipment of iron allowed into Gaza in a year
Israeli forces seize six Palestinians in Zububa, near Jenin
Ni'lin under seige for fourth consecutive day
6 july 2008
DFLP: Israeli threats for Gaza retaliations manipulation of truce
Israel is looking for a pretext to manipulate truce conditions, said the spokesman of National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Abu Salim
According to the spokesman, it is Israel's latest threats to Palestinians launching projectiles at Israeli areas, which shows its lack of commitment to the conditions of truce.
The truce, says Abu Salim "has not fulfilled Palestinians' aspirations," noting that the continued closings of crossings means that life conditions have not altered much.
He warned Israel that such threats are taken seriously and if Israel decides to retaliate against the people of Gaza, it is "with the resistance's right" to protect their people.
Israel is looking for a pretext to manipulate truce conditions, said the spokesman of National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Abu Salim
According to the spokesman, it is Israel's latest threats to Palestinians launching projectiles at Israeli areas, which shows its lack of commitment to the conditions of truce.
The truce, says Abu Salim "has not fulfilled Palestinians' aspirations," noting that the continued closings of crossings means that life conditions have not altered much.
He warned Israel that such threats are taken seriously and if Israel decides to retaliate against the people of Gaza, it is "with the resistance's right" to protect their people.
Israeli forces used machine guns to fire on Palestinian farmers who were tending their fields near the high-tech border fence in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday.
As a result of heavy fire, farmers were forced to abandon work in their fields which they had only begun after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions went into effect on 19 June.
The Israeli military announced on Friday that it would reserve fire on any Palestinians who come within 300 meters of the Israel-Gaza border, despite the ceasefire. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military took over the frequencies of local radio stations to warn locals than anyone who approaches the border would be shot.
The Palestinian local initiative for countering Israeli aggression in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, called this decision "a death penalty for thousands of farmers," and said warned that thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and irrigation wells would be lost to the border zone.
The media director of the local initiative Sabir Za'aneen said the northern and eastern Gaza Strip borders have bcome "death borders" which will result in the loss of thousands of jobs for Palestinian farmers when they lose access to their fields.
The Ministry of Agriculture in the Gaza-based Hamas de facto government criticized the Israeli military's decision to turn the border area into a kill zone.
"[The Israeli] occupation's procedures double Palestinian citizens' suffering, especially farmers who have hoped to reform their lands and plant it again after the ceasefire with Israel came into effect," said the Ministry of Agriculture in a statement.
As a result of heavy fire, farmers were forced to abandon work in their fields which they had only begun after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions went into effect on 19 June.
The Israeli military announced on Friday that it would reserve fire on any Palestinians who come within 300 meters of the Israel-Gaza border, despite the ceasefire. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military took over the frequencies of local radio stations to warn locals than anyone who approaches the border would be shot.
The Palestinian local initiative for countering Israeli aggression in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, called this decision "a death penalty for thousands of farmers," and said warned that thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and irrigation wells would be lost to the border zone.
The media director of the local initiative Sabir Za'aneen said the northern and eastern Gaza Strip borders have bcome "death borders" which will result in the loss of thousands of jobs for Palestinian farmers when they lose access to their fields.
The Ministry of Agriculture in the Gaza-based Hamas de facto government criticized the Israeli military's decision to turn the border area into a kill zone.
"[The Israeli] occupation's procedures double Palestinian citizens' suffering, especially farmers who have hoped to reform their lands and plant it again after the ceasefire with Israel came into effect," said the Ministry of Agriculture in a statement.
Israeli forces raid Jenin and Qabatiya
Israeli forces raided the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the nearby town of Qabatiya on Sunday firing in the air and deploying sonic bombs. No casualties or arrests have been reported.
Palestinian security sources stated that Israeli patrols stormed Jenin at 1:00am and roamed the streets. They withdrew one and a half hours later.
Just after storming Jenin, Israeli forces invaded the southern neighborhood of Qabatiya and withdrew later.
Israeli forces raided the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the nearby town of Qabatiya on Sunday firing in the air and deploying sonic bombs. No casualties or arrests have been reported.
Palestinian security sources stated that Israeli patrols stormed Jenin at 1:00am and roamed the streets. They withdrew one and a half hours later.
Just after storming Jenin, Israeli forces invaded the southern neighborhood of Qabatiya and withdrew later.
Palestinian villagers defiant as Israeli forces tighten blockade of Nil'in
Barak orders Gaza crossing points open
Barak orders Gaza crossing points open
