15 june 2008
The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RWB) released a letter calling on the EU to raise the issue of Israeli attacks on journalists in the Palestinian territories at the Israel-EU Association Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 16 June 2008.
The letter to European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner was prompted by RWB's concern that two months after Reuters cameraman Fadil Shana'a was killed by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza, the Israeli military has yet to release the results of its investigation into his death.
Reporters Without Borders noted that as part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Israel committed itself to respecting international human rights and humanitarian law, and to investigating and prosecuting violations. However, Israeli authorities show no sign of readiness to initiate proceedings against the soldiers who fired the tank shell which killed Shana'a on 16 April 2008, together with eight unarmed civilians.
The Israeli military recently reported that its preliminary investigation indicated the soldiers involved "did no wrong," although Shana'a was in a jeep clearly marked "Press" and there were no Palestinian resistance groups active in the area at the time.
Israeli authorities have not sought charges against soldiers responsible for the deaths of journalists in similiar cases, such as Raffaele Ciriello and Imad Abu Zahra in 2002, or Nazeh Darouazi and James Miller in 2003. This has led human rights groups such as RWB to suggest that Israeli military personnel benefit from "an inexplicable impunity."
"Journalists take considerable risks to report on the reality of war," Reporters Without Borders commented. "It is essential to prevent violence against them and to put those responsible on trial."
RWB also wrote to Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, deploring Israel's refusal to sign the Dublin Convention in December 2008, which would ban cluster bombs and similar munitions. The group noted that Shana'a was killed by steel flechettes released by the Israeli shell. It warned that "despite precautions taken by journalists in the field, the random spread of the ammunition from these weapons increases the risks they run. The bullet-proof vest [Shana'a] was wearing that day was not designed to protect against this type of weapon."
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency has also called on the Israeli military to publish the results of its investigation into Shanaa's death, and journalists in Gaza plan a protest on Monday to highlight Israel's failure to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
Reuters commissioned an independent report into the killing, which found there was no fighting or armed Palestinian activity in the immediate area where Shana'a was working, and that he observed safety guidelines and took all reasonable precautions.
The news agency noted that the delay in the Israeli military investigation has hampered its efforts to set safety guidelines for reporters in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Reuters and other media organisations operating in Gaza have urged the Israeli military to improve troops' awareness of journalists' activities and develop better coordination mechanisms so that journalists are not inadvertently targeted. So far, the Israeli army has refused. In a statement released in May 2008, the military announced, "There will be no coordination of press movement and activity in the areas of IDF operations."
The letter to European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner was prompted by RWB's concern that two months after Reuters cameraman Fadil Shana'a was killed by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza, the Israeli military has yet to release the results of its investigation into his death.
Reporters Without Borders noted that as part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Israel committed itself to respecting international human rights and humanitarian law, and to investigating and prosecuting violations. However, Israeli authorities show no sign of readiness to initiate proceedings against the soldiers who fired the tank shell which killed Shana'a on 16 April 2008, together with eight unarmed civilians.
The Israeli military recently reported that its preliminary investigation indicated the soldiers involved "did no wrong," although Shana'a was in a jeep clearly marked "Press" and there were no Palestinian resistance groups active in the area at the time.
Israeli authorities have not sought charges against soldiers responsible for the deaths of journalists in similiar cases, such as Raffaele Ciriello and Imad Abu Zahra in 2002, or Nazeh Darouazi and James Miller in 2003. This has led human rights groups such as RWB to suggest that Israeli military personnel benefit from "an inexplicable impunity."
"Journalists take considerable risks to report on the reality of war," Reporters Without Borders commented. "It is essential to prevent violence against them and to put those responsible on trial."
RWB also wrote to Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, deploring Israel's refusal to sign the Dublin Convention in December 2008, which would ban cluster bombs and similar munitions. The group noted that Shana'a was killed by steel flechettes released by the Israeli shell. It warned that "despite precautions taken by journalists in the field, the random spread of the ammunition from these weapons increases the risks they run. The bullet-proof vest [Shana'a] was wearing that day was not designed to protect against this type of weapon."
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency has also called on the Israeli military to publish the results of its investigation into Shanaa's death, and journalists in Gaza plan a protest on Monday to highlight Israel's failure to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
Reuters commissioned an independent report into the killing, which found there was no fighting or armed Palestinian activity in the immediate area where Shana'a was working, and that he observed safety guidelines and took all reasonable precautions.
The news agency noted that the delay in the Israeli military investigation has hampered its efforts to set safety guidelines for reporters in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Reuters and other media organisations operating in Gaza have urged the Israeli military to improve troops' awareness of journalists' activities and develop better coordination mechanisms so that journalists are not inadvertently targeted. So far, the Israeli army has refused. In a statement released in May 2008, the military announced, "There will be no coordination of press movement and activity in the areas of IDF operations."
Israeli press sources reported that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that the security cabinet has decided not to undertake a military operation in the Gaza Strip at this stage, and will instead pursue a ceasefire agreement without political considerations.
Olmert added that recent reports concerning an imminent large-scale Israeli military operation in Gaza are without any basis. He also commented that statements made last weekend by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, which linked the issue of a ceasefire to internal elections in the Kadima party, had delayed a decision on the truce.
At the same time, Olmert stressed at the weekly Israeli cabinet session on Sunday that continued rocket fire from the Gaza Strip will not be tolerated.
Olmert expressed his hope that the security cabinet decision would stop what he described as "terrorism," but also added: "If it does not stop terrorism, the government will know what to do."
Israeli Minister Avi Dichter expressed his hope that the political contacts with Egypt would lead to calm in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, but stressed that a military operation in Gaza is ultimately "inevitable" and must achieve the strategic goal of eliminating the military capabilities of Hamas and other Palestinian "terrorist" organizations.
Olmert added that recent reports concerning an imminent large-scale Israeli military operation in Gaza are without any basis. He also commented that statements made last weekend by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, which linked the issue of a ceasefire to internal elections in the Kadima party, had delayed a decision on the truce.
At the same time, Olmert stressed at the weekly Israeli cabinet session on Sunday that continued rocket fire from the Gaza Strip will not be tolerated.
Olmert expressed his hope that the security cabinet decision would stop what he described as "terrorism," but also added: "If it does not stop terrorism, the government will know what to do."
Israeli Minister Avi Dichter expressed his hope that the political contacts with Egypt would lead to calm in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, but stressed that a military operation in Gaza is ultimately "inevitable" and must achieve the strategic goal of eliminating the military capabilities of Hamas and other Palestinian "terrorist" organizations.
Hamas leaders to discus truce with Israel in Cairo
Senior Hamas officials are scheduled to meet with Egyptian intelligence chief 'Umar Sulaiman in Cairo on Sunday in order to hear Israel's response in the latest round of ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas' delegation will include the deputy head of Hamas politburo in exile, Mousa Abu Marzouq, and another member of the politburo, Muhammad Nasr.
Sulaiman has been attempting to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups, led by Hamas, in Gaza since February.
Knowledgeable Egyptian sources told the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper that Israel agreed in principal to accept the Egyptian ceasefire proposal. They added that Egypt promised the Israelis to broker a prisoner exchange deal as soon as a ceasefire is reached.
According to the same sources, the Egypt also told the Hamas leadership that they will consider opening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Senior Hamas officials are scheduled to meet with Egyptian intelligence chief 'Umar Sulaiman in Cairo on Sunday in order to hear Israel's response in the latest round of ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas' delegation will include the deputy head of Hamas politburo in exile, Mousa Abu Marzouq, and another member of the politburo, Muhammad Nasr.
Sulaiman has been attempting to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups, led by Hamas, in Gaza since February.
Knowledgeable Egyptian sources told the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper that Israel agreed in principal to accept the Egyptian ceasefire proposal. They added that Egypt promised the Israelis to broker a prisoner exchange deal as soon as a ceasefire is reached.
According to the same sources, the Egypt also told the Hamas leadership that they will consider opening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Brigades claim responsibility for firing homemade rockets at Sderot
Armed Palestinian groups claim responsibility for projectile attack
Abbas: Israeli settlements obstructing peace talks
Rice singles out Israel for the first time for not meeting its Road Map obligations on settlements
14 june 2008
Al-Qassam brigades shell Israeli bulldozer in central Gaza Strip
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, claimed responsibility on Saturday evening for shelling an Israeli military bulldozer with four homemade projectiles in the Abu Safiya base, east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
The brigades said in a statement that they will continue striking Israeli targets in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinians.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, claimed responsibility on Saturday evening for shelling an Israeli military bulldozer with four homemade projectiles in the Abu Safiya base, east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
The brigades said in a statement that they will continue striking Israeli targets in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinians.
Four Palestinians injured during Israeli invasion of Bethlehem
Israeli forces withdrew from Ad-Deheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem on Saturday evening after a five hour invasion, during which clashes erupted and four Palestinian youth were injured. Medical sources described the injuries as light to moderate.
According to local security sources, more than fifteen Israeli military jeeps accompanied by two military bulldozers invaded Bethlehem and surrounded a building in the Ar-Radaida area of Ad-Deheisheh refugee camp. Israeli forces confiscated belongings from some of the apartments and then withdrew from the building.
Israeli forces also surrounded a building housing the Ar-Ru'a local TV station in the nearby town of Ad-Doha, and ransacked the family apartment of 18-year-old Mu'ath Abu 'Akar under the pretext that he is wanted by the Israeli army.
Palestinian security sources said that during the invasion of Ad-Deheisheh, Israeli troops destroyed the Zoom photography studio owned by Ahmad Mezher, and assaulted Mezher's wife, who was in the store at the time. Israeli troops also attacked a nearby electronic goods store, breaking many of the appliances in stock, and the Murad rental car company.
Stone-throwing youths confronted the invading forces at the entrance of the refugee camp. In the ensuing clashes with Israeli troops, 18-year-old Nidal Abd Al-Fatah Issa Farraj was shot in the left leg, 22-year-old Ghassan Afif Al-A'zzah was shot in the hand, 18-year-old Abdullah Nayif Jadallah Ramadan was struck by a tear gas canister, and Adham Al-U'weiwi was shot in the foot with a rubber-coated metal bullet. All four were treated at a local hospital, and numerous other citizens were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces withdrew from Ad-Deheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem on Saturday evening after a five hour invasion, during which clashes erupted and four Palestinian youth were injured. Medical sources described the injuries as light to moderate.
According to local security sources, more than fifteen Israeli military jeeps accompanied by two military bulldozers invaded Bethlehem and surrounded a building in the Ar-Radaida area of Ad-Deheisheh refugee camp. Israeli forces confiscated belongings from some of the apartments and then withdrew from the building.
Israeli forces also surrounded a building housing the Ar-Ru'a local TV station in the nearby town of Ad-Doha, and ransacked the family apartment of 18-year-old Mu'ath Abu 'Akar under the pretext that he is wanted by the Israeli army.
Palestinian security sources said that during the invasion of Ad-Deheisheh, Israeli troops destroyed the Zoom photography studio owned by Ahmad Mezher, and assaulted Mezher's wife, who was in the store at the time. Israeli troops also attacked a nearby electronic goods store, breaking many of the appliances in stock, and the Murad rental car company.
Stone-throwing youths confronted the invading forces at the entrance of the refugee camp. In the ensuing clashes with Israeli troops, 18-year-old Nidal Abd Al-Fatah Issa Farraj was shot in the left leg, 22-year-old Ghassan Afif Al-A'zzah was shot in the hand, 18-year-old Abdullah Nayif Jadallah Ramadan was struck by a tear gas canister, and Adham Al-U'weiwi was shot in the foot with a rubber-coated metal bullet. All four were treated at a local hospital, and numerous other citizens were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Hamas has not received word from Egypt regarding Israel's response to a proposed truce between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said on Friday evening.
Barhoum told Ma'an: "If we receive any response we will study it with all of the factions since the truce is within a national [framework] that serves the Palestinian interest."
Egypt has been attempting to mediate indirect truce talks between the Palestinian groups, led by Hamas, and Israel, since February. The Israeli security cabinet agreed on Wednesday to give talks more time, averting a full-scale Israeli invasion for now.
Barhoum reiterated Hamas' insisted that any ceasefire or truce be negotiated separately from the issue of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held prisoner by Palestinian fighters in Gaza since the summer of 2006. Some Israeli leaders want to resolve Shalit's fate as a part of the ceasefire deal.
"If Israel wants to speed up in the two files then we are ready, with Egyptian mediation, [to deal with] the requirements of truce and Shalit issues," Barhoum said. He said that Hamas would demand the release of Palestinian prisoners in a simultaneous prisoner exchange, along the lines of demands they have already made.
Barhoum also reaffirmed Hamas' demand that any truce deal involve an end to the year-old Israeli-led blockade of the Gaza Strip, that has destroyed the Gazan economy plunged the tiny territory into what international aid groups call a humanitarian crisis.
Hamas: we are ready for truce or open war
Hamas accused Israel on Saturday of extending ceasefire negotiations with Hamas as a political move designed to provide "cover for the daily attacks against the Palestinians."
In a statement, Hamas Spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri stated Hamas' opposition to "any truce that does not guarantee lifting the blockade, ending the attacks and opening the crossings."
He continued: "The Israeli occupation continues with its attacks on the Gaza Strip. A large number of Palestinians are killed daily which affirms that the occupation is not interested in any serious truce on one hand and they want a truce according to their conditions without offering any real price since they refuse to lift the siege and to open the crossings until this moment. Any truce that does not guarantee ending the embargo and opening the crossings and ending the attacks is a worthless and meaningless one."
On the other hand, Abu Zuhri said that none of the leaders of Hamas are afraid about the possibility that Israel might reject a ceasefire only to launch a full-scale military assault on the Gaza Strip.
"If these threats were carried out," Abu Zuhri warned, "we will confront them will all our strength and the occupation will pay a high price . taking into consideration that Israel utters these threats to cover the repeated daily attacks on Gaza. In all cases we are ready: whether a truce with a price or an open confrontation if the attacks continue."
Barhoum told Ma'an: "If we receive any response we will study it with all of the factions since the truce is within a national [framework] that serves the Palestinian interest."
Egypt has been attempting to mediate indirect truce talks between the Palestinian groups, led by Hamas, and Israel, since February. The Israeli security cabinet agreed on Wednesday to give talks more time, averting a full-scale Israeli invasion for now.
Barhoum reiterated Hamas' insisted that any ceasefire or truce be negotiated separately from the issue of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held prisoner by Palestinian fighters in Gaza since the summer of 2006. Some Israeli leaders want to resolve Shalit's fate as a part of the ceasefire deal.
"If Israel wants to speed up in the two files then we are ready, with Egyptian mediation, [to deal with] the requirements of truce and Shalit issues," Barhoum said. He said that Hamas would demand the release of Palestinian prisoners in a simultaneous prisoner exchange, along the lines of demands they have already made.
Barhoum also reaffirmed Hamas' demand that any truce deal involve an end to the year-old Israeli-led blockade of the Gaza Strip, that has destroyed the Gazan economy plunged the tiny territory into what international aid groups call a humanitarian crisis.
Hamas: we are ready for truce or open war
Hamas accused Israel on Saturday of extending ceasefire negotiations with Hamas as a political move designed to provide "cover for the daily attacks against the Palestinians."
In a statement, Hamas Spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri stated Hamas' opposition to "any truce that does not guarantee lifting the blockade, ending the attacks and opening the crossings."
He continued: "The Israeli occupation continues with its attacks on the Gaza Strip. A large number of Palestinians are killed daily which affirms that the occupation is not interested in any serious truce on one hand and they want a truce according to their conditions without offering any real price since they refuse to lift the siege and to open the crossings until this moment. Any truce that does not guarantee ending the embargo and opening the crossings and ending the attacks is a worthless and meaningless one."
On the other hand, Abu Zuhri said that none of the leaders of Hamas are afraid about the possibility that Israel might reject a ceasefire only to launch a full-scale military assault on the Gaza Strip.
"If these threats were carried out," Abu Zuhri warned, "we will confront them will all our strength and the occupation will pay a high price . taking into consideration that Israel utters these threats to cover the repeated daily attacks on Gaza. In all cases we are ready: whether a truce with a price or an open confrontation if the attacks continue."
Israeli warplanes launched two attacks on Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning, witnesses and medics said. No injuries were reported in either attack.
In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli planes fired missiles at Palestinian fighters near Gaza's eastern border. No injuries were reported.
In a second strike in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses said the Israeli air force bombed Palestinian fighters in the Al-Samiri area, east of the city of Khan Younis.
While Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza from the air, witnesses said that Israeli tanks are stationed on the ground inside the eastern border of the Strip, shelling Palestinian areas "at random."
In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli planes fired missiles at Palestinian fighters near Gaza's eastern border. No injuries were reported.
In a second strike in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses said the Israeli air force bombed Palestinian fighters in the Al-Samiri area, east of the city of Khan Younis.
While Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza from the air, witnesses said that Israeli tanks are stationed on the ground inside the eastern border of the Strip, shelling Palestinian areas "at random."
Al-Aqsa Brigades claim responsibility for shelling Erez crossing
DFLP fighters 'shell Israeli forces' in Gaza
Israel to build 1,300 settler homes in East Jerusalem
DFLP fighters 'shell Israeli forces' in Gaza
Israel to build 1,300 settler homes in East Jerusalem
13 june 2008
Israeli forces injured three demonstrators with rubber-coated metal bullets at the weekly protest against the separation wall in Bil'in, west of Ramallah, on Friday, and fired tear gas at dozens of protesters.
After noon prayers on Friday, Bil'in residents marched together with international and Israeli solidarity activists towards the separation wall. The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners calling for national unity, as well as placards demanding the removal of the Israeli wall and settlements, and an end to the closure in the West Bank and the blockade on Gaza.
Immediately after the protesters reached the gate in the wall, Israeli soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets. Scores of protesters were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Israeli activist Lee Lorian was injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest and was transferred to Sheikh Zaid hospital in Ramallah for medical treatment. Palestinians Adib Ahmad Abu Rahma and Ibrahim Abdel Fatah Burnat were also injured by rubber-coated bullets.
The villagers of Bil'in have been conducting weekly nonviolent protests against the illegal separation wall and Israeli settlements for more than three years. In 2007 the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in favor of the villagers and ordered the Israeli army to dismantle a segment of the wall so that villagers would have access to more of their lands. Eight months after being ordered to re-route the wall in Bil'in, the Israeli army has not even begun to plan an alternate route and has refused to comply with the Court's order, citing "security reasons."
After noon prayers on Friday, Bil'in residents marched together with international and Israeli solidarity activists towards the separation wall. The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners calling for national unity, as well as placards demanding the removal of the Israeli wall and settlements, and an end to the closure in the West Bank and the blockade on Gaza.
Immediately after the protesters reached the gate in the wall, Israeli soldiers showered them with tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets. Scores of protesters were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Israeli activist Lee Lorian was injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest and was transferred to Sheikh Zaid hospital in Ramallah for medical treatment. Palestinians Adib Ahmad Abu Rahma and Ibrahim Abdel Fatah Burnat were also injured by rubber-coated bullets.
The villagers of Bil'in have been conducting weekly nonviolent protests against the illegal separation wall and Israeli settlements for more than three years. In 2007 the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in favor of the villagers and ordered the Israeli army to dismantle a segment of the wall so that villagers would have access to more of their lands. Eight months after being ordered to re-route the wall in Bil'in, the Israeli army has not even begun to plan an alternate route and has refused to comply with the Court's order, citing "security reasons."
Israeli forces attacked a peaceful protest against the separation wall held in the village of Al-Ma'sara, south of Bethlehem, on Friday afternoon, injuring five of the demonstrators and arresting a foreign solidarity activist.
The demonstration was organized by the Popular Campaign for Resisting the Separation Wall in the Bethlehem district and attended by local residents from Al-Ma'sara and the neighboring villages of Um Salamouna, Jurat Ash-Sham'a and Marah Ma'alla, along with international and Israeli solidarity activists.
The demonstrators raised an 80-meter-long Palestinian flag as an expression of their demand for Palestinian unity. They called on the Palestinian factions to heal the rifts between them and unite to confront the Israeli plans aimed at establishing Palestinian cantons surrounded by the separation wall instead of an independent Palestinian state. They noted that by building the wall separating Palestinian cities and villages within the West Bank, Israel is imposing a de facto apartheid system.
Mazin Al-Azza, coordinator of the Popular Campaign in the Bethlehem district, delivered a speech affirming the necessity of national unity and a coordinated strategy to counter the Israeli plans. He also emphasized that Palestinians must expand the popular struggle against the wall and recruit wider international solidarity to strengthen the grassroots resistance against the Israeli occupation. Finally, he sent a message of solidarity to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Muhammad Brejiyya, media spokesperson for the Popular Campaign, affirmed that their nonviolent resistance activities against the illegal Israeli wall and settlements will continue.
Israeli forces attacked the rally and as a result five protestors were injured. They were identified as Mazin Al-Azza, the campaign coordinator, Muhammad Brejiyya, Ahmad Taqatqa and Yousuf Jibreel. Israeli forces also arrested an unidentified foreign solidarity activist.
The demonstration was organized by the Popular Campaign for Resisting the Separation Wall in the Bethlehem district and attended by local residents from Al-Ma'sara and the neighboring villages of Um Salamouna, Jurat Ash-Sham'a and Marah Ma'alla, along with international and Israeli solidarity activists.
The demonstrators raised an 80-meter-long Palestinian flag as an expression of their demand for Palestinian unity. They called on the Palestinian factions to heal the rifts between them and unite to confront the Israeli plans aimed at establishing Palestinian cantons surrounded by the separation wall instead of an independent Palestinian state. They noted that by building the wall separating Palestinian cities and villages within the West Bank, Israel is imposing a de facto apartheid system.
Mazin Al-Azza, coordinator of the Popular Campaign in the Bethlehem district, delivered a speech affirming the necessity of national unity and a coordinated strategy to counter the Israeli plans. He also emphasized that Palestinians must expand the popular struggle against the wall and recruit wider international solidarity to strengthen the grassroots resistance against the Israeli occupation. Finally, he sent a message of solidarity to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Muhammad Brejiyya, media spokesperson for the Popular Campaign, affirmed that their nonviolent resistance activities against the illegal Israeli wall and settlements will continue.
Israeli forces attacked the rally and as a result five protestors were injured. They were identified as Mazin Al-Azza, the campaign coordinator, Muhammad Brejiyya, Ahmad Taqatqa and Yousuf Jibreel. Israeli forces also arrested an unidentified foreign solidarity activist.
Three Palestinian activists affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades were killed on Friday morning and two others were injured in an Israeli air strike against a group of fighters near Abu Bakr As-Siddiq mosque in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Mu'awiya Hassanein, director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, identified the dead activists as Mustafa Al-Batsh, Mousa Hamoudeh and Mahmoud Khadir. He said that the corpses were transferred to Kamal Udwan Hospital, as well as the two injured fighters.
In a separate development, an unidentified Palestinian citizen died on Friday from injuries sustained in Thursday's explosion at the Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.
Hassanein affirmed that the death toll from the Beit Lahiya explosion rose to eight after the unidentified man died from his wounds on Friday morning.
Seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday and at least 35 others were injured, six of them seriously, in a mysterious explosion at a home in Beit Lahiya belonging to the Hamoudeh family. Contradictory reports were received concerning the cause of the explosion; on Thursday the Israeli army denied involvement.
Mu'awiya Hassanein, director of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, identified the dead activists as Mustafa Al-Batsh, Mousa Hamoudeh and Mahmoud Khadir. He said that the corpses were transferred to Kamal Udwan Hospital, as well as the two injured fighters.
In a separate development, an unidentified Palestinian citizen died on Friday from injuries sustained in Thursday's explosion at the Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.
Hassanein affirmed that the death toll from the Beit Lahiya explosion rose to eight after the unidentified man died from his wounds on Friday morning.
Seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday and at least 35 others were injured, six of them seriously, in a mysterious explosion at a home in Beit Lahiya belonging to the Hamoudeh family. Contradictory reports were received concerning the cause of the explosion; on Thursday the Israeli army denied involvement.
Hamas: Israeli construction in Jerusalem settlements is "declaration of war on Muslims"
Israeli woman lightly injured after youth throw stones at her car near Bethlehem
PFLP military wing fires two homemade projectiles at Miftahim
Israeli security expects Hamas to undertake major bombing operation before ceasefire
Israeli woman lightly injured after youth throw stones at her car near Bethlehem
PFLP military wing fires two homemade projectiles at Miftahim
Israeli security expects Hamas to undertake major bombing operation before ceasefire
12 june 2008
The number of Palestinians killed in the explosion on Thursday at a Beit Lahiya home in the northern Gaza Strip increased to seven, after three members of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades died from their injuries. The announcement of the deaths of Al-Qassam fighters Muhammed Hamdan Maqdad, Muhammed Sabri Abu Naja, and Ahmad Munir Subeih in the explosion brought the death toll on Thursday in Gaza to 11, with dozens injured.
Medical sources had earlier announced that the body of Al-Qassam fighter Ashraf Na'im Mashtahi was also retrieved from the rubble of the two-storey Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya, which was destroyed by a massive explosion on Thursday afternoon. More than 40 people were reported wounded in the explosion, at least six of them seriously.
Four-month-old Nour Majdi Hamoudeh, 22-year-old Mahmoud 'Ataya Hamoudeh, and 27-year-old Omar Abdel Ra'ouf Abu Shaqfeh were also killed in the explosion.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein, Head of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health, said that at least three corpses and 35 injured citizens arrived at Gazan hospitals after an explosion destroyed the Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya. He said he expected the number of casualties to increase because of the serious nature of the injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that the house was completely destroyed over its residents, and that emergency services evacuated the dead and wounded from the rubble.
Contradictory reports were received regarding the explosion at the house owned by Khaled Hamoudeh. Hamas affirmed that the explosion was caused by Israeli F-16 aircraft bombing the house of an Al-Qassam Brigades leader. However, the Israeli military denied bombing the house.
Hamas and the de facto Palestinian government in Gaza accused Israel of responsibility for the "massacre" and called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities and move urgently to protect the Palestinian people under occupation and the Israeli killing machine."
In a separate incident, a Palestinian was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli air strike on the Khuza'a area, east of Khan Younis, on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier on Thursday morning, three Palestinian resistance fighters were killed by Israeli fire on Thursday in two separate operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wings of the Fatah and DFLP movements respectively, were killed in a joint operation on Thursday morning after infiltrating inside the Green Line near the evacuated settlement of Dugit, north of Beit Lahiya, and clashing with Israeli forces in the area. Armed with a machine gun and hand grenades, they fought Israeli forces for more than half an hour.
Two fighters were killed in the operation: 20-year-old Mohammad Dawla from the Al-Aqsa Brigades and 21-year-old Khaled Zaki Zohd from the National Resistance Brigades.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced early on Thursday that Israeli forces killed an armed Palestinian near the electric fence in the northern Gaza Strip, stating that soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian fighter approaching the fence and killed him.
No Palestinian faction or brigade has claimed responsibility for this operation yet, and Israeli forces have still not returned his corpse to Palestinian authorities.
In related developments, several Israeli communities and towns in the western Negev and the Erez crossing were attacked with homemade projectiles and mortar shells launched by Palestinian fighters. An Israeli woman in Yad Mordechai was lightly injured, and a fire broke out from the shelling near Kibbutz Beiri in the Negev.
Medical sources had earlier announced that the body of Al-Qassam fighter Ashraf Na'im Mashtahi was also retrieved from the rubble of the two-storey Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya, which was destroyed by a massive explosion on Thursday afternoon. More than 40 people were reported wounded in the explosion, at least six of them seriously.
Four-month-old Nour Majdi Hamoudeh, 22-year-old Mahmoud 'Ataya Hamoudeh, and 27-year-old Omar Abdel Ra'ouf Abu Shaqfeh were also killed in the explosion.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein, Head of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health, said that at least three corpses and 35 injured citizens arrived at Gazan hospitals after an explosion destroyed the Hamoudeh family home in Beit Lahiya. He said he expected the number of casualties to increase because of the serious nature of the injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that the house was completely destroyed over its residents, and that emergency services evacuated the dead and wounded from the rubble.
Contradictory reports were received regarding the explosion at the house owned by Khaled Hamoudeh. Hamas affirmed that the explosion was caused by Israeli F-16 aircraft bombing the house of an Al-Qassam Brigades leader. However, the Israeli military denied bombing the house.
Hamas and the de facto Palestinian government in Gaza accused Israel of responsibility for the "massacre" and called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities and move urgently to protect the Palestinian people under occupation and the Israeli killing machine."
In a separate incident, a Palestinian was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli air strike on the Khuza'a area, east of Khan Younis, on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier on Thursday morning, three Palestinian resistance fighters were killed by Israeli fire on Thursday in two separate operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wings of the Fatah and DFLP movements respectively, were killed in a joint operation on Thursday morning after infiltrating inside the Green Line near the evacuated settlement of Dugit, north of Beit Lahiya, and clashing with Israeli forces in the area. Armed with a machine gun and hand grenades, they fought Israeli forces for more than half an hour.
Two fighters were killed in the operation: 20-year-old Mohammad Dawla from the Al-Aqsa Brigades and 21-year-old Khaled Zaki Zohd from the National Resistance Brigades.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced early on Thursday that Israeli forces killed an armed Palestinian near the electric fence in the northern Gaza Strip, stating that soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian fighter approaching the fence and killed him.
No Palestinian faction or brigade has claimed responsibility for this operation yet, and Israeli forces have still not returned his corpse to Palestinian authorities.
In related developments, several Israeli communities and towns in the western Negev and the Erez crossing were attacked with homemade projectiles and mortar shells launched by Palestinian fighters. An Israeli woman in Yad Mordechai was lightly injured, and a fire broke out from the shelling near Kibbutz Beiri in the Negev.
Israeli forces storm Al-Mustaqbal Society in Nablus
Israeli forces stormed the Al-Mustaqbal Society for Development and Democracy at dawn on Thursday in Nablus, leaving chaos in their wake.
Al-Mustaqbal Society media officer Mahdi Manna' said that the society is a national association working for and with all Palestinians.
He added that the Society and its staff, volunteers and administration will remain steadfast in their work for Palestinian development and an end to the Israeli occupation.
Israeli forces stormed the Al-Mustaqbal Society for Development and Democracy at dawn on Thursday in Nablus, leaving chaos in their wake.
Al-Mustaqbal Society media officer Mahdi Manna' said that the society is a national association working for and with all Palestinians.
He added that the Society and its staff, volunteers and administration will remain steadfast in their work for Palestinian development and an end to the Israeli occupation.
Erekat: Any Israeli aggression against Gaza will destroy the peace process
Chief PLO Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat on Thursday warned that any large-scale Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip would destroy the peace process and push the region and its peoples into further violence, chaos and bloodshed.
Erekat's statements came during his reception of the German Parliament Vice-President, Dr Susanne Kastner, and her delegation.
Erekat reviewed the latest developments in the negotiations and on the ground with the delegation, and presented documents and maps prepared by the Negotiations Support Unit showing Israeli settlement activities, the separation wall, and the closure system in the West Bank and Gaza. He also discussed the Israeli-imposed blockade, the economic situation, and the issues of refugees, Jerusalem and Palestinian prisoners.
Erekat urged the international community to exert all possible efforts to help Egyptian mediators achieve a comprehensive and bilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip linked with an end to the Israeli blockade and closure. He also urged the delegation to push Israel to stop settlement activities, building the separation wall, and imposing facts on the ground, and to work for the release of Palestinian prisoners and the return of those deported.
Regarding the peace process, Erekat stressed that the Road Map defined the negotiations' aim of a complete end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, as well as referring to relevant international legal decisions, the Arab peace initiative, and President Bush's vision for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital side by side with Israel. He emphasized that solutions on the final-status issues of Jerusalem, borders, settlements, security, water, and prisoners must be based on the relevant international legal decisions and UN resolutions.
Chief PLO Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat on Thursday warned that any large-scale Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip would destroy the peace process and push the region and its peoples into further violence, chaos and bloodshed.
Erekat's statements came during his reception of the German Parliament Vice-President, Dr Susanne Kastner, and her delegation.
Erekat reviewed the latest developments in the negotiations and on the ground with the delegation, and presented documents and maps prepared by the Negotiations Support Unit showing Israeli settlement activities, the separation wall, and the closure system in the West Bank and Gaza. He also discussed the Israeli-imposed blockade, the economic situation, and the issues of refugees, Jerusalem and Palestinian prisoners.
Erekat urged the international community to exert all possible efforts to help Egyptian mediators achieve a comprehensive and bilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip linked with an end to the Israeli blockade and closure. He also urged the delegation to push Israel to stop settlement activities, building the separation wall, and imposing facts on the ground, and to work for the release of Palestinian prisoners and the return of those deported.
Regarding the peace process, Erekat stressed that the Road Map defined the negotiations' aim of a complete end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, as well as referring to relevant international legal decisions, the Arab peace initiative, and President Bush's vision for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital side by side with Israel. He emphasized that solutions on the final-status issues of Jerusalem, borders, settlements, security, water, and prisoners must be based on the relevant international legal decisions and UN resolutions.
Israeli forces stormed Jenin, its neighboring refugee camp and the town of Qabatia at dawn on Thursday, and seized two civilians from the towns of Maythaloun and Burqeen in the Jenin governorate.
Security sources said that Israeli forces detained 20-year-old Tawfiq As'ad Rabay'a in Maythaloun and Muhammed Qassem Shalameesh in Burqeen.
The sources said that Israeli forces invaded the towns of Maythaloun and Burqeen after midnight, storming houses and transferring the two detainees to an unknown location.
Local sources also reported that Israeli forces stormed Jenin and the neighboring refugee camp, where military vehicles patrolled the streets, opened intensive fire and released sound bombs.
An Israeli force also invaded the nearby town of Qabatia, storming houses in a widespread search operation, and firing sound bombs and bullets.
Civilians said that Israeli soldiers caused severe damage and destruction to residential homes as they searched houses with police dogs, claiming they were looking for "wanted" Palestinians.
Security sources said that Israeli forces detained 20-year-old Tawfiq As'ad Rabay'a in Maythaloun and Muhammed Qassem Shalameesh in Burqeen.
The sources said that Israeli forces invaded the towns of Maythaloun and Burqeen after midnight, storming houses and transferring the two detainees to an unknown location.
Local sources also reported that Israeli forces stormed Jenin and the neighboring refugee camp, where military vehicles patrolled the streets, opened intensive fire and released sound bombs.
An Israeli force also invaded the nearby town of Qabatia, storming houses in a widespread search operation, and firing sound bombs and bullets.
Civilians said that Israeli soldiers caused severe damage and destruction to residential homes as they searched houses with police dogs, claiming they were looking for "wanted" Palestinians.
Local Palestinian sources said that two civilians were injured when Israeli settlers attacked a house in Huwwara, south of Nablus, at dawn on Thursday.
Resident Mahmoud Khalaf told Ma'an that two settlers from the Yitzhar settlement attacked his house on 'Ainabous Huwwara Street at dawn on Thursday, injuring his 33-year-old brother Ahmad Khalaf, who was stabbed with a knife, and 25-year-old Samer Mustafa Al-Haj Ali, who was hit on the head with a metal wrench and had to be transferred to the Rafidia hospital in Nablus.
Khalaf confirmed that this is not the first time his house has been attacked by Israeli settlers in the area, and called on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Military Liaison Office to intervene with the Israeli authorities to stop these frequent settler attacks.
Resident Mahmoud Khalaf told Ma'an that two settlers from the Yitzhar settlement attacked his house on 'Ainabous Huwwara Street at dawn on Thursday, injuring his 33-year-old brother Ahmad Khalaf, who was stabbed with a knife, and 25-year-old Samer Mustafa Al-Haj Ali, who was hit on the head with a metal wrench and had to be transferred to the Rafidia hospital in Nablus.
Khalaf confirmed that this is not the first time his house has been attacked by Israeli settlers in the area, and called on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Military Liaison Office to intervene with the Israeli authorities to stop these frequent settler attacks.
Three Palestinian resistance fighters were killed by Israeli fire on Thursday in two separate operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wings of the Fatah and DFLP movements respectively, were killed in a joint military operation on Thursday morning. The brigades infiltrated into Israeli territory inside the Green Line near the evacuated Dugit settlement north of Beit Lahiya and clashed with Israeli forces in the area for more than half an hour.
National Resistance Brigades spokesperson Abu Saleem told Ma'an that this operation was aimed at storming an Israeli military base north of Beit Lahiya. He stated that a joint group of fighters from the two brigades were able to infiltrate behind the Green Line north of Dugit settlement and clashed with Israeli forces, where they attacked an Israeli military jeep with homemade grenades while other fighters fired mortar shells at the Israeli troops. Two fighters were killed in the operation: 20-year-old Mohammad Dawla from the Al-Aqsa Brigades and 21-year-old Khaled Zaki Zohd from the National Resistance Brigades.
Abu Saleem confirmed that the operation came in response to the ongoing Israeli atrocities and in revenge for Palestinian blood shed by Israeli forces, and to show that their acceptance of a ceasefire is from a position of strength. He confirmed that both factions will accept a concurrent and bilateral ceasefire associated with ending the Israeli aggression, lifting the blockade, and reopening the crossings.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced their responsibility for killing an armed Palestinian near the electric fence in the northern Gaza Strip, stating that they opened fire at a Palestinian fighter approaching the fence and killed him.
No Palestinian faction or brigade has claimed responsibility for this operation yet, and Israeli forces have not yet returned his corpse to Palestinian authorities.
Two members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wings of the Fatah and DFLP movements respectively, were killed in a joint military operation on Thursday morning. The brigades infiltrated into Israeli territory inside the Green Line near the evacuated Dugit settlement north of Beit Lahiya and clashed with Israeli forces in the area for more than half an hour.
National Resistance Brigades spokesperson Abu Saleem told Ma'an that this operation was aimed at storming an Israeli military base north of Beit Lahiya. He stated that a joint group of fighters from the two brigades were able to infiltrate behind the Green Line north of Dugit settlement and clashed with Israeli forces, where they attacked an Israeli military jeep with homemade grenades while other fighters fired mortar shells at the Israeli troops. Two fighters were killed in the operation: 20-year-old Mohammad Dawla from the Al-Aqsa Brigades and 21-year-old Khaled Zaki Zohd from the National Resistance Brigades.
Abu Saleem confirmed that the operation came in response to the ongoing Israeli atrocities and in revenge for Palestinian blood shed by Israeli forces, and to show that their acceptance of a ceasefire is from a position of strength. He confirmed that both factions will accept a concurrent and bilateral ceasefire associated with ending the Israeli aggression, lifting the blockade, and reopening the crossings.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced their responsibility for killing an armed Palestinian near the electric fence in the northern Gaza Strip, stating that they opened fire at a Palestinian fighter approaching the fence and killed him.
No Palestinian faction or brigade has claimed responsibility for this operation yet, and Israeli forces have not yet returned his corpse to Palestinian authorities.
PFLP and PRC brigades claim attacks on Israeli targets in Gaza
An-Nasser brigades shell Nahal Oz military base
PFLP, PRC affiliated brigades shell As-Sureij gate in Kisufim base
An-Nasser brigades shell Nahal Oz military base
PFLP, PRC affiliated brigades shell As-Sureij gate in Kisufim base
11 june 2008
The Israeli security cabinet decided on Wednesday afternoon to support the Egyptian efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and stopping Palestinian rocket fire on the western Negev, according to Israeli sources.
At the same meeting, the security cabinet also issued instructions for the Israeli military to continue its preparations to confront any possible scenario if the Egyptian efforts do not succeed.
Israeli radio reported that the Israeli cabinet had adopted the position of Minister of Defence Ehud Barak that all possibilities for reaching a ceasefire should be exhausted before the army undertakes a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli television had announced previously that the Israeli government was demanding a ceasefire agreement include the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but it appears that this matter is now being discussed separately.
For his part, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum stated that the Israeli cabinet's decision to attack Gaza if the ceasefire efforts fail, and the continuing Israeli military preparations for this operation, reveal the cabinet's intention to justify a widespread attack against the Gaza Strip in order to destroy the Palestinian resistance, bring down the national unity government, eliminate the Hamas movement, and force Palestinians to assent to Israel's plans.
In a statement, Barhoum said the Israeli call for an attack on Gaza comes with American blessings, as US President George Bush already gave Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert the green light for this operation during Olmert's recent visit to Washington. He added that Israel exploits the Arab silence, European collusion and American support to continue its crimes and scheduled terror against the Palestinian people.
Barhoum concluded, "In the context of these dangerous decisions, we appeal to our Egyptian brothers to define their position towards the Israeli escalation on the borders of Gaza and the Israeli cabinet decisions aimed at aborting the efforts towards a ceasefire and justifying an attack on Gaza. We announce to the whole world that the Israeli authorities are seeking to sabotage the Egyptian efforts for a ceasefire."
At the same meeting, the security cabinet also issued instructions for the Israeli military to continue its preparations to confront any possible scenario if the Egyptian efforts do not succeed.
Israeli radio reported that the Israeli cabinet had adopted the position of Minister of Defence Ehud Barak that all possibilities for reaching a ceasefire should be exhausted before the army undertakes a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli television had announced previously that the Israeli government was demanding a ceasefire agreement include the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but it appears that this matter is now being discussed separately.
For his part, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum stated that the Israeli cabinet's decision to attack Gaza if the ceasefire efforts fail, and the continuing Israeli military preparations for this operation, reveal the cabinet's intention to justify a widespread attack against the Gaza Strip in order to destroy the Palestinian resistance, bring down the national unity government, eliminate the Hamas movement, and force Palestinians to assent to Israel's plans.
In a statement, Barhoum said the Israeli call for an attack on Gaza comes with American blessings, as US President George Bush already gave Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert the green light for this operation during Olmert's recent visit to Washington. He added that Israel exploits the Arab silence, European collusion and American support to continue its crimes and scheduled terror against the Palestinian people.
Barhoum concluded, "In the context of these dangerous decisions, we appeal to our Egyptian brothers to define their position towards the Israeli escalation on the borders of Gaza and the Israeli cabinet decisions aimed at aborting the efforts towards a ceasefire and justifying an attack on Gaza. We announce to the whole world that the Israeli authorities are seeking to sabotage the Egyptian efforts for a ceasefire."
Four Palestinians have been killed since Wednesday morning by Israeli bombing and artillery in the Gaza Strip, and at least six others have been wounded.
26-year-old Yasser Abu Haleeb was killed and three other civilians were injured by Israeli artillery shelling targeting a group of civilians east of the town of Al-Qarara near Khan Younis on Wednesday afternoon.
Head of Ambulance and Emergency Services, Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein, told Ma'an that Abu Haleeb's body and those injured were transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, describing their cases as serious. Among those received at the hospital was 3-year-old Wa'ed Fayyad, who suffered serious shrapnel injuries from Israeli tank shelling.
Earlier on Wednesday, an Al-Qassam brigades fighter and a young girl were also killed by Israeli bombing in Al-Qarara. The bombing injured three members of the girl's family and was accompanied by an Israeli incursion into the town.
Palestinian medical sources said that the torn body of 9-year-old Hadeel Abdel Kareem As-Sumeiri was taken to the Khan Younis hospital, along with her three injured family members.
Palestinian sources said that Israeli tanks invaded from near the Kisufim military crossing and shelled the As-Sumeiri family home, causing huge material damage to the structure.
Ibrahim Mahmoud Saad, a fighter with the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam brigades, was killed by an Israeli air strike targeting a group of fighters resisting the Israeli incursion east of Al-Qarara.
Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein reported that medical personnel were unable to transfer Saad's body for an hour after he was killed due to Israeli fire targeting the ambulances. According to Hassanein, this is the fifteenth Israeli violation against medical personnel during the last month.
In a separate incident on Wednesday afternoon, one Palestinian civilian was killed and others were injured when Israeli aircraft fired a missile at an open area near an Israeli military base east of Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Dr Hassanein reported that 60-year-old Hassan 'Esseileh was pronounced dead on arrival at the Al-'Awda hospital. The hospital also received a number of moderately injured civilians.
26-year-old Yasser Abu Haleeb was killed and three other civilians were injured by Israeli artillery shelling targeting a group of civilians east of the town of Al-Qarara near Khan Younis on Wednesday afternoon.
Head of Ambulance and Emergency Services, Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein, told Ma'an that Abu Haleeb's body and those injured were transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, describing their cases as serious. Among those received at the hospital was 3-year-old Wa'ed Fayyad, who suffered serious shrapnel injuries from Israeli tank shelling.
Earlier on Wednesday, an Al-Qassam brigades fighter and a young girl were also killed by Israeli bombing in Al-Qarara. The bombing injured three members of the girl's family and was accompanied by an Israeli incursion into the town.
Palestinian medical sources said that the torn body of 9-year-old Hadeel Abdel Kareem As-Sumeiri was taken to the Khan Younis hospital, along with her three injured family members.
Palestinian sources said that Israeli tanks invaded from near the Kisufim military crossing and shelled the As-Sumeiri family home, causing huge material damage to the structure.
Ibrahim Mahmoud Saad, a fighter with the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam brigades, was killed by an Israeli air strike targeting a group of fighters resisting the Israeli incursion east of Al-Qarara.
Dr Mo'awiya Hassanein reported that medical personnel were unable to transfer Saad's body for an hour after he was killed due to Israeli fire targeting the ambulances. According to Hassanein, this is the fifteenth Israeli violation against medical personnel during the last month.
In a separate incident on Wednesday afternoon, one Palestinian civilian was killed and others were injured when Israeli aircraft fired a missile at an open area near an Israeli military base east of Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Dr Hassanein reported that 60-year-old Hassan 'Esseileh was pronounced dead on arrival at the Al-'Awda hospital. The hospital also received a number of moderately injured civilians.
Hamas fighters launch homemade projectiles at Israel
PFLP-affiliated fighters launch projectile at Nativ Ha'asara
Israeli forces seize charity worker and driving instructor near Hebron
Al-Aqsa brigades fire two mortar shells at Erez crossing
PFLP-affiliated fighters launch projectile at Nativ Ha'asara
Israeli forces seize charity worker and driving instructor near Hebron
Al-Aqsa brigades fire two mortar shells at Erez crossing
10 june 2008
Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday implied that favors a ceasefire with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Peres reportedly met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and exchanged views with him. Barak is said to be leaning towards launching an offensive on Gaza instead of embracing a ceasefire.
According to Israeli radio, Peres said that Israel is seeking to get captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit released, a step that Hamas says could only be taken separately from any truce or ceasefire agreement.
Egypt has been mediating in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel regarding a ceasefire.
In a different regard, Israeli radio said that 180 million dollars of delayed Palestinian tax revenue have been delivered to the Palestinian Authority. Seventy million have been witheld and paid to the Israeli water supply company Makorot, the Israeli power company and Israeli hospitals to whom Israel says the Palestinian Authority owed money.
Peres reportedly met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and exchanged views with him. Barak is said to be leaning towards launching an offensive on Gaza instead of embracing a ceasefire.
According to Israeli radio, Peres said that Israel is seeking to get captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit released, a step that Hamas says could only be taken separately from any truce or ceasefire agreement.
Egypt has been mediating in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel regarding a ceasefire.
In a different regard, Israeli radio said that 180 million dollars of delayed Palestinian tax revenue have been delivered to the Palestinian Authority. Seventy million have been witheld and paid to the Israeli water supply company Makorot, the Israeli power company and Israeli hospitals to whom Israel says the Palestinian Authority owed money.
Israeli tanks killed three Palestinian fighters in two separate attacks east of Gaza City on Tuesday, medical sources confirmed. Five Palestinians were injured in the shelling.
Medics said the slain fighters, Ahmad As-Safadi, Yahya Hamid and Mustafa Atallah, were all in their twenties and were affiliated to Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Witnesses said the first burst of shelling targeted armed Palestinians near Al-Wafa Hospital, killing two and injuring three. The second attack was aimed at fighters stationed near a juice factory, killing one and injuring two
The remains of the dead Palestinians were taken to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed to have fired 18 mortar rounds at the Nahal Oz area. Israeli media confirmed that 18 mortars landed in the area, causing no injuries or damage.
Medics said the slain fighters, Ahmad As-Safadi, Yahya Hamid and Mustafa Atallah, were all in their twenties and were affiliated to Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Witnesses said the first burst of shelling targeted armed Palestinians near Al-Wafa Hospital, killing two and injuring three. The second attack was aimed at fighters stationed near a juice factory, killing one and injuring two
The remains of the dead Palestinians were taken to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed to have fired 18 mortar rounds at the Nahal Oz area. Israeli media confirmed that 18 mortars landed in the area, causing no injuries or damage.
Hamas fighters attack Israeli bulldozer in Gaza Strip
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for launching an rocket-propelled grenade at an Israeli bulldozer next to east of the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday morning.
The Brigades said in a statement, that they attacked the invading bulldozer at 9am.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for launching an rocket-propelled grenade at an Israeli bulldozer next to east of the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday morning.
The Brigades said in a statement, that they attacked the invading bulldozer at 9am.
Israeli troops shoot Palestinian man near Hebron
Israeli soldiers shot a young Palestinian man in the feet at midnight on Monday near the West Bank village of Beit Ummar, near the city of Hebron, Israeli sources reported.
The Israeli military claims that the man threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli military position, provoking the shooting.
In a separate incident, An Israeli settler's car was pelted with stones near the West Bank town of Tarqumiya, west of Hebron. The car was reportedly damaged, although no one was injured.
Israeli soldiers shot a young Palestinian man in the feet at midnight on Monday near the West Bank village of Beit Ummar, near the city of Hebron, Israeli sources reported.
The Israeli military claims that the man threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli military position, provoking the shooting.
In a separate incident, An Israeli settler's car was pelted with stones near the West Bank town of Tarqumiya, west of Hebron. The car was reportedly damaged, although no one was injured.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is scheduled to preside over a meeting with Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday to discuss whether to agree to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip or to launch a major military operation there.
Israeli political sources say that several members of the Israeli cabinet, including Barak, are leaning towards military escalation and away from ceasefire.
The Israeli cabinet will also hold its weekly session and discuss political and security issues on Tuesday. Israeli Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim said he will ask the cabinet to make a final decision regarding a harsh military operation which he hopes will devastate Hamas. He added that such an operation would empower "moderates" in the Gaza Strip to assert themselves against Hamas.
In this regard, Israeli sources told Ma'an, "Tuesday's session is not expected to make the decision to hit the Gaza Strip. It is rather expected that the [officials] will discuss it comprehensively in order to give it priority on the government's agenda especially that the home front in Israel remains worried about the problem of homemade projectiles launched from Gaza at Israeli towns."
The Israeli source added, "I do not think an Israeli military attack on Gaza is looming. Ceasefire is more likely to occur, and the coming weeks will tell whether it will succeed or not." Despite the open talks about a military operation in Gaza, the cabinet's meeting is meant to discuss the Egyptian efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
According to Roni Daniel, the political analyst in Israeli TV Channel 2, the Israeli intelligence is convinced that Hamas genuinely wants a ceasefire, and so Israeli leaders will discuss how to deal with this. What makes the situation more urgent is that Egypt promised to strengthen control over its borders and prevent smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli TV expects the ceasefire to come in effect on Tuesday or Wednesday or by the end of this week. Israeli military commanders are said to be happy that Hamas' military wing has stopped launching homemade projectiles into Israel, resulting in relative calm along the Gaza-Israel border.
Israeli political sources say that several members of the Israeli cabinet, including Barak, are leaning towards military escalation and away from ceasefire.
The Israeli cabinet will also hold its weekly session and discuss political and security issues on Tuesday. Israeli Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim said he will ask the cabinet to make a final decision regarding a harsh military operation which he hopes will devastate Hamas. He added that such an operation would empower "moderates" in the Gaza Strip to assert themselves against Hamas.
In this regard, Israeli sources told Ma'an, "Tuesday's session is not expected to make the decision to hit the Gaza Strip. It is rather expected that the [officials] will discuss it comprehensively in order to give it priority on the government's agenda especially that the home front in Israel remains worried about the problem of homemade projectiles launched from Gaza at Israeli towns."
The Israeli source added, "I do not think an Israeli military attack on Gaza is looming. Ceasefire is more likely to occur, and the coming weeks will tell whether it will succeed or not." Despite the open talks about a military operation in Gaza, the cabinet's meeting is meant to discuss the Egyptian efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
According to Roni Daniel, the political analyst in Israeli TV Channel 2, the Israeli intelligence is convinced that Hamas genuinely wants a ceasefire, and so Israeli leaders will discuss how to deal with this. What makes the situation more urgent is that Egypt promised to strengthen control over its borders and prevent smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli TV expects the ceasefire to come in effect on Tuesday or Wednesday or by the end of this week. Israeli military commanders are said to be happy that Hamas' military wing has stopped launching homemade projectiles into Israel, resulting in relative calm along the Gaza-Israel border.
9 june 2008
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade urged Hamas and Israel to hold their fire on Monday afternoon.
"I ask Israel and Hamas to declare an immediate cease-fire from Monday June 9, 2008, at 1200 GMT: no more attacks or Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip and no more shooting by Hamas in the direction of Israel," Wade said in a statement received by the Associated Press.
In case of a breach in his proposed ceasefire, Wade said both sides should turn to him for mediation.
Hamas applauded the Senegalese call confirming that they are ready to enter into a bilateral ceasefire so long as Israel lifts its crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Ma'an: "It's not a problem of Hamas or the resistance, it is the problem of Israel, where as soon as they commit to ending blockade and aggressions Hamas will be ready to perform what has been agreed on."
Barhoum pointed out that Egypt is continuing its effort to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. He reiterated Hamas' demand for a "bilateral and concurrent ceasefire associated with ending the blockade and aggression".
President Wade met with leaders of Hamas and its Palestinian rival, Fatah, in an effort to jumpstart a dialogue intended to reunite the once-warring factions.
Wade is the current head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's largest and most prominent Islamic body.
"I ask Israel and Hamas to declare an immediate cease-fire from Monday June 9, 2008, at 1200 GMT: no more attacks or Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip and no more shooting by Hamas in the direction of Israel," Wade said in a statement received by the Associated Press.
In case of a breach in his proposed ceasefire, Wade said both sides should turn to him for mediation.
Hamas applauded the Senegalese call confirming that they are ready to enter into a bilateral ceasefire so long as Israel lifts its crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Ma'an: "It's not a problem of Hamas or the resistance, it is the problem of Israel, where as soon as they commit to ending blockade and aggressions Hamas will be ready to perform what has been agreed on."
Barhoum pointed out that Egypt is continuing its effort to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. He reiterated Hamas' demand for a "bilateral and concurrent ceasefire associated with ending the blockade and aggression".
President Wade met with leaders of Hamas and its Palestinian rival, Fatah, in an effort to jumpstart a dialogue intended to reunite the once-warring factions.
Wade is the current head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's largest and most prominent Islamic body.
Four Palestinians, including a woman, were injured when masked Israeli settlers attacked shepherds on Sunday in the West Bank village of Sussia, south of the city of Hebron.
Shepherds told to the Israeli police, who were present during the attack, that the attackers were Israeli settlers and they beat them with sticks and clubs.
The shepherds fainted and were transferred to Soroka hospital in the Israeli city of Beer Sheva for treatment.
Other shepherds were treated at a Hebron hospital.
Shepherds told to the Israeli police, who were present during the attack, that the attackers were Israeli settlers and they beat them with sticks and clubs.
The shepherds fainted and were transferred to Soroka hospital in the Israeli city of Beer Sheva for treatment.
Other shepherds were treated at a Hebron hospital.
Al-Quds Brigades claim mortar attack
Fatah-linked fighters claim mortar attack
Palestinians demand return of loved ones' remains still held by Israel
Three Palestinian military groups fire attack Israeli targets bordering Gaza
Fatah-linked fighters claim mortar attack
Palestinians demand return of loved ones' remains still held by Israel
Three Palestinian military groups fire attack Israeli targets bordering Gaza
