20 june 2008
Israeli forces fired tear gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets at protesters in the weekly demonstration against the separation wall in Bil'in village, northwest of Ramallah, on Friday, injuring two and starting a fire which burned about ten olive trees belonging to village residents.
Together with international and Israeli solidarity activists, Bil'in residents marched after noon prayers on Friday, carrying Palestinian flags and banners denouncing Israeli policies including construction of the separation wall, settlement construction, the closure in the West Bank and the siege on Gaza. Other banners condemned the Israeli use of violence and live bullets against unarmed civilians demonstrators, and participants also carried pictures of Ibrahim Burnat, who was hit in the leg by a live bullet fired by Israeli forces one week ago and is still hospitalized.
Demonstrators set out from the center of the village chanting slogans and headed to the wall, attempting to pass through the gate to their lands. Israeli soldiers were hiding behind cement blocks waiting for them, and opened fire on the protesters with tear gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.
Israeli forces used a new kind of weapon capable of firing 30 tear gas bombs at once, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from gas inhalation. Muhib Al-Barghouthi, a photographer with the Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper, and Rani Burnat were particularly injured by the tear gas. Tear gas bombs fired by the Israeli soldiers also set a grove of olive trees on fire, burning about ten trees.
Israeli soldiers also used another weapon known as "the scream," which they had used three years ago in Bil'in. This weapon makes a terrible sound that affects the middle ear, causing people who hear it to lose balance and fall to the ground.
Bil'in residents have held non-violent protests against the Israeli separation wall each week for over 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 regain access to some of their lands. The Israeli army has yet to re-route the wall in the village, refusing to comply with the Court's order for "security reasons."
Together with international and Israeli solidarity activists, Bil'in residents marched after noon prayers on Friday, carrying Palestinian flags and banners denouncing Israeli policies including construction of the separation wall, settlement construction, the closure in the West Bank and the siege on Gaza. Other banners condemned the Israeli use of violence and live bullets against unarmed civilians demonstrators, and participants also carried pictures of Ibrahim Burnat, who was hit in the leg by a live bullet fired by Israeli forces one week ago and is still hospitalized.
Demonstrators set out from the center of the village chanting slogans and headed to the wall, attempting to pass through the gate to their lands. Israeli soldiers were hiding behind cement blocks waiting for them, and opened fire on the protesters with tear gas bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets.
Israeli forces used a new kind of weapon capable of firing 30 tear gas bombs at once, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from gas inhalation. Muhib Al-Barghouthi, a photographer with the Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper, and Rani Burnat were particularly injured by the tear gas. Tear gas bombs fired by the Israeli soldiers also set a grove of olive trees on fire, burning about ten trees.
Israeli soldiers also used another weapon known as "the scream," which they had used three years ago in Bil'in. This weapon makes a terrible sound that affects the middle ear, causing people who hear it to lose balance and fall to the ground.
Bil'in residents have held non-violent protests against the Israeli separation wall each week for over 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 regain access to some of their lands. The Israeli army has yet to re-route the wall in the village, refusing to comply with the Court's order for "security reasons."
Large group of Israeli settlers attempt to enter Palestinian town of Halhul
Israeli military sources reported that one hundred Israeli settlers gathered on Friday morning at the entrance of Halhul, a Palestinian town near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and attempted to enter the town for a tour that was not coordinated with the Israeli army.
Israeli sources described the settler gathering as violating the order issued by the Israeli military's central command forbidding Israeli citizens from entering Palestinian Authority territories (Area A under the Oslo Accords), as well as an order declaring the specific area of the gathering a closed military zone.
Israeli sources added that a large number of Israeli soldiers, police and border police were deployed in the area to prevent the settlers from entering the Palestinian town.
Israeli military sources reported that one hundred Israeli settlers gathered on Friday morning at the entrance of Halhul, a Palestinian town near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and attempted to enter the town for a tour that was not coordinated with the Israeli army.
Israeli sources described the settler gathering as violating the order issued by the Israeli military's central command forbidding Israeli citizens from entering Palestinian Authority territories (Area A under the Oslo Accords), as well as an order declaring the specific area of the gathering a closed military zone.
Israeli sources added that a large number of Israeli soldiers, police and border police were deployed in the area to prevent the settlers from entering the Palestinian town.
Demonstrators injured, two detained in Al-Ma'sara village weekly protest
A number of demonstrators were injured and two were detained by Israeli forced during the weekly protest in the West Bank village of Al-Ma'sara on Friday against the Israeli separation wall.
Demontrators headed from Al-Ma'sara, Um-Salamouna and Marah M'alla villages, in the south of the Bethlehem governorate towards the separation wall.
Israeli forces launched a number of sound bombings towards the demonstrators and attacked them with weapons and batons, injuring a number of them, as well as arresting two members of the International Solidarity Movement.
Media spokesman of the popular campaign against the wall Mohammad Brejiyyeh said that the peaceful demonstration was organized on World Refugee Day as a show of solidarity with refugees and to assert that Palestinians have the right to return to their lands.
The secretary of Palestinian National Initiative in Bethlehem Mohammad Odeh confirmed the right of Palestinians to practice all means of resistance to defend their rights.
The coordinator of the Popular Campaign for resisting the wall in Bethlehem Mazen Al-Azzeh stated that they will expand their activities and will not be affected by Israeli actions to try to stop them.
A number of demonstrators were injured and two were detained by Israeli forced during the weekly protest in the West Bank village of Al-Ma'sara on Friday against the Israeli separation wall.
Demontrators headed from Al-Ma'sara, Um-Salamouna and Marah M'alla villages, in the south of the Bethlehem governorate towards the separation wall.
Israeli forces launched a number of sound bombings towards the demonstrators and attacked them with weapons and batons, injuring a number of them, as well as arresting two members of the International Solidarity Movement.
Media spokesman of the popular campaign against the wall Mohammad Brejiyyeh said that the peaceful demonstration was organized on World Refugee Day as a show of solidarity with refugees and to assert that Palestinians have the right to return to their lands.
The secretary of Palestinian National Initiative in Bethlehem Mohammad Odeh confirmed the right of Palestinians to practice all means of resistance to defend their rights.
The coordinator of the Popular Campaign for resisting the wall in Bethlehem Mazen Al-Azzeh stated that they will expand their activities and will not be affected by Israeli actions to try to stop them.
Palestinians are not the only ones producing homemade projectiles: Israeli settlers now also have Qassam rockets, according to the Hebrew daily newspaper Ma'ariv.
On Friday the newspaper published details of Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement near the West Bank city of Nablus launching projectiles at a nearby Palestinian village.
Two weeks ago a religious school student made a Qassam rocket and launched it at a nearby Palestinian village, but it landed in an open area, the newspaper added.
The newspaper confirmed that the student, along with the school's headmaster, was detained on Thursday evening and is being questioned over the incident.
Minutes before launching the projectile a group of settlers told Yitzhar residents that they were carrying out an experiment and not to worry about the sound of an explosion.
The loud explosion brought Israeli army forces rushing to the area, thinking the settlers were being targeted. When it was revealed it was the settlers who had launched the projectile, the matter was handed over to the Israeli police.
Police suspect that the student gathered information about making projectiles through internet websites. Investigations are ongoing to discover the source of the explosive materials and whether anyone else was involved.
On Friday the newspaper published details of Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement near the West Bank city of Nablus launching projectiles at a nearby Palestinian village.
Two weeks ago a religious school student made a Qassam rocket and launched it at a nearby Palestinian village, but it landed in an open area, the newspaper added.
The newspaper confirmed that the student, along with the school's headmaster, was detained on Thursday evening and is being questioned over the incident.
Minutes before launching the projectile a group of settlers told Yitzhar residents that they were carrying out an experiment and not to worry about the sound of an explosion.
The loud explosion brought Israeli army forces rushing to the area, thinking the settlers were being targeted. When it was revealed it was the settlers who had launched the projectile, the matter was handed over to the Israeli police.
Police suspect that the student gathered information about making projectiles through internet websites. Investigations are ongoing to discover the source of the explosive materials and whether anyone else was involved.
The family of an 18-year-old Palestinian civilian, who died after being shot by Israeli security guards a few weeks ago, have donated his organs to save the lives of six Israelis.
Patient "A" was clinically dead when he was transferred to the intensive care unit in Sheba medical center in Tel Hashomer, and doctors were unable to resuscitate him.
The Hebrew daily newspaper Ma'ariv reported that his family decided to donate his organs to those who needed them, regardless of their race, religion or identity.
The National Center for Organ Transplants promised to keep information concerning his identity confidential for the safety of his family who live in an area under the Palestinian Authority. The families of the recipients were told about the identity of the donor but have also agreed to keep the information confidential, according to the newspaper.
On Wednesday evening, Patient "A"'s father had an emotional meeting with the patient who received his son's heart.
Patient "A"'s father described his son as "a great person who was loved by everyone. He was big-hearted and I didn't hesitate to donate his organs to needy patients, even though he was killed by Israeli security guards."
"At first it was hard for me, but God inspired me to take the right decision to help the patients by donating my son's organs. I'm happy with this decision and I don't differentiate between Jews and Arabs. All I care about is saving people's lives. That's why I didn't ask about the patients' identities," he added.
Patient "A" was clinically dead when he was transferred to the intensive care unit in Sheba medical center in Tel Hashomer, and doctors were unable to resuscitate him.
The Hebrew daily newspaper Ma'ariv reported that his family decided to donate his organs to those who needed them, regardless of their race, religion or identity.
The National Center for Organ Transplants promised to keep information concerning his identity confidential for the safety of his family who live in an area under the Palestinian Authority. The families of the recipients were told about the identity of the donor but have also agreed to keep the information confidential, according to the newspaper.
On Wednesday evening, Patient "A"'s father had an emotional meeting with the patient who received his son's heart.
Patient "A"'s father described his son as "a great person who was loved by everyone. He was big-hearted and I didn't hesitate to donate his organs to needy patients, even though he was killed by Israeli security guards."
"At first it was hard for me, but God inspired me to take the right decision to help the patients by donating my son's organs. I'm happy with this decision and I don't differentiate between Jews and Arabs. All I care about is saving people's lives. That's why I didn't ask about the patients' identities," he added.
Haniyeh: The blockade will be lifted ten days after the truce went into effect
Football as a sign of calm: Israeli and Palestinian press coverage of the Gaza truce
Three Israeli settlers injured in shooting north of Ramallah
Israeli army detain two Palestinians crossing from Gaza to Israel through electric fence
Ceasefire begins in Gaza after one year of blockade - IRIN
Football as a sign of calm: Israeli and Palestinian press coverage of the Gaza truce
Three Israeli settlers injured in shooting north of Ramallah
Israeli army detain two Palestinians crossing from Gaza to Israel through electric fence
Ceasefire begins in Gaza after one year of blockade - IRIN
19 june 2008
Seventy-year-old Abed Al-Lateef Ali Barhum, a resident of the village of Kufur Qadum east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, was injured on Thursday after being run over by an Israeli settler on the main Qalqilia to Nablus road, near the illegal Israeli settlement of Kedumim.
Local sources said that Barhum was moved to a hospital inside Israel, and also pointed out similiar accidents have occurred previously in the same location.
Local sources said that Barhum was moved to a hospital inside Israel, and also pointed out similiar accidents have occurred previously in the same location.
Israeli settlers burnt dozens of dunums of agricultural lands owned by civilians in the villages of Bureen and Huwwara near Nablus on Thursday.
They also closed a number of roads between Huwwara and Yitzhar, near the Huwwara checkpoint for more than an hour.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an's correspondent in Nablus that dozens of Israeli settlers from the settlement of Yitzhar attacked civilian homes and set fire to a 100 dunum olive grove.
According to the eyewitnesses, the Israeli army prevented firefighters and civil defense forces from reaching the area for more than two hours by which time the fire had spread.
On Wednesday Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and burnt three dunums of agricultural lands near the Israeli settlement of Yitzhar south of Nablus.
Eyewitnesses said that around 200 settlers attacked civilians, destroying property and setting fire to agricultural lands. They also threw stones at houses.
The settlers disrupted the movement of pedestrians, erecting checkpoints. They also attacked Arab cars passing through the area.
They also closed a number of roads between Huwwara and Yitzhar, near the Huwwara checkpoint for more than an hour.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an's correspondent in Nablus that dozens of Israeli settlers from the settlement of Yitzhar attacked civilian homes and set fire to a 100 dunum olive grove.
According to the eyewitnesses, the Israeli army prevented firefighters and civil defense forces from reaching the area for more than two hours by which time the fire had spread.
On Wednesday Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and burnt three dunums of agricultural lands near the Israeli settlement of Yitzhar south of Nablus.
Eyewitnesses said that around 200 settlers attacked civilians, destroying property and setting fire to agricultural lands. They also threw stones at houses.
The settlers disrupted the movement of pedestrians, erecting checkpoints. They also attacked Arab cars passing through the area.
Israeli forces backed by more than fifteen military jeeps invaded the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia and imposed a curfew in many neighborhoods on Wednesday.
They also demolished a house and damaged another one.
Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces invaded the city at 3 am local time backed by more than fifteen military jeeps and one military bulldozer and were deployed in the neighborhoods of Shreem and Daoud. They demolished the home of 'Aqel Hasaneen Hajul.
Local eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces carried out house to house searches.
They also demolished a house and damaged another one.
Palestinian security sources said that Israeli forces invaded the city at 3 am local time backed by more than fifteen military jeeps and one military bulldozer and were deployed in the neighborhoods of Shreem and Daoud. They demolished the home of 'Aqel Hasaneen Hajul.
Local eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces carried out house to house searches.
Just one hour before the start of the ceasefire on Thursday morning between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel, a Palestinian resistance fighter was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of resistance fighters near Johr Ad-Dik in the eastern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian medical sources reported that Rami Abu Suweirih was killed after sustaining shrapnel wounds from an Israeli rocket that hit the area.
The truce came into effect at 6 am on Thursday morning and is aimed at stopping Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip, as well as preventing missiles being fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
If the ceasefire holds for three days, Israel says it will ease its year-long blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing goods and badly-needed fuel into the impoverished coastal sector.
According to Israeli sources, negotiations on the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will continue next Tuesday in Cairo.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Ma'an on Wednesday that the border crossings will be partially opened hours after the truce goes into effect, and the commercial crossings will be fully opened afterwards.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was skeptical about the truce lasting. In a speech in Tel Aviv he said, "what they are calling a ceasefire is fragile and will probably last for a short period of time."
Quartet Representative Tony Blair issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: "The period of calm is a positive development, and recognises the need for a new approach in Gaza. It will be particularly important to ensure that access of goods is progressively and rapidly increased."
"We should be under no illusion, however, that this calm is fragile. Hamas now have a chance to demonstrate their true intentions to the people of Gaza, of Israel and the world. If they want peace and prosperity, it is on offer. President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority are working hard and sincerely to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel, and they deserve the support of all Palestinian people and groups. In the case of Gaza, that means an end to Hamas support for and carrying out of terrorist attacks, whose only effect is to make the lives of Gazan people worse," the statement added.
Palestinian medical sources reported that Rami Abu Suweirih was killed after sustaining shrapnel wounds from an Israeli rocket that hit the area.
The truce came into effect at 6 am on Thursday morning and is aimed at stopping Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip, as well as preventing missiles being fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
If the ceasefire holds for three days, Israel says it will ease its year-long blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing goods and badly-needed fuel into the impoverished coastal sector.
According to Israeli sources, negotiations on the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will continue next Tuesday in Cairo.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Ma'an on Wednesday that the border crossings will be partially opened hours after the truce goes into effect, and the commercial crossings will be fully opened afterwards.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was skeptical about the truce lasting. In a speech in Tel Aviv he said, "what they are calling a ceasefire is fragile and will probably last for a short period of time."
Quartet Representative Tony Blair issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: "The period of calm is a positive development, and recognises the need for a new approach in Gaza. It will be particularly important to ensure that access of goods is progressively and rapidly increased."
"We should be under no illusion, however, that this calm is fragile. Hamas now have a chance to demonstrate their true intentions to the people of Gaza, of Israel and the world. If they want peace and prosperity, it is on offer. President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority are working hard and sincerely to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel, and they deserve the support of all Palestinian people and groups. In the case of Gaza, that means an end to Hamas support for and carrying out of terrorist attacks, whose only effect is to make the lives of Gazan people worse," the statement added.
Israeli forces detain six brothers and demolish two houses in Qalqilia
Popular Resistance Committees affirm commitment to ceasefire
Al-Ta'mari: Ceasefire is not a victory, Hamas should apologize to the Palestinians
Popular Resistance Committees affirm commitment to ceasefire
Al-Ta'mari: Ceasefire is not a victory, Hamas should apologize to the Palestinians
18 june 2008
Six Palestinians were injured, including four resistance fighters, on Wednesday evening in a series of Israeli airstrikes on different areas of the northern Gaza Strip.
Head of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry Mu'awiyya Hassanein said that six Palestinians, including four resistance fighters, were hit in three different Israeli air strikes on Qleibo, Ash-Sheikh Zayed and As-Sudaniyyeh areas of the northern Gaza Strip.
He said two of the injured are in a serious condition.
Islamic Jihad's military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades announced that three activists were injured in Qleibo north west of Jabalia.
They also claimed they shelled an Israeli kibbutz in the western Negev with dozens of projectiles, just hours before the ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance factions and Israel is due to start.
Abu Ahmed, an Al-Quds Brigades spokesman told Ma'an that they launched more than 20 projectiles on Wednesday, most of them in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the An-Nasser brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) announced they had launched two projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon and another two at the Nahal Oz Israeli military post.
Moreover, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Libertion of Palestine (PFLP), claimed responsibility for launching four projectiles at Sderot and the western Negev on Wednesday afternoon as well as launching two mortar shells at an Israeli military post north of Beit Hanoun.
Israel authorities admitted that one projectile landed on an Israeli house in Sderot causing damage.
Spokesman of the Abu Ar-Rish brigades Abu Haroun confirmed on Wednesday that the brigades will not defy the ceasefire but said that "if it is violated by Israelis we will be ready to respond."
Head of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry Mu'awiyya Hassanein said that six Palestinians, including four resistance fighters, were hit in three different Israeli air strikes on Qleibo, Ash-Sheikh Zayed and As-Sudaniyyeh areas of the northern Gaza Strip.
He said two of the injured are in a serious condition.
Islamic Jihad's military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades announced that three activists were injured in Qleibo north west of Jabalia.
They also claimed they shelled an Israeli kibbutz in the western Negev with dozens of projectiles, just hours before the ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance factions and Israel is due to start.
Abu Ahmed, an Al-Quds Brigades spokesman told Ma'an that they launched more than 20 projectiles on Wednesday, most of them in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the An-Nasser brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) announced they had launched two projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon and another two at the Nahal Oz Israeli military post.
Moreover, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Libertion of Palestine (PFLP), claimed responsibility for launching four projectiles at Sderot and the western Negev on Wednesday afternoon as well as launching two mortar shells at an Israeli military post north of Beit Hanoun.
Israel authorities admitted that one projectile landed on an Israeli house in Sderot causing damage.
Spokesman of the Abu Ar-Rish brigades Abu Haroun confirmed on Wednesday that the brigades will not defy the ceasefire but said that "if it is violated by Israelis we will be ready to respond."
Israeli forces storm house in Hebron
Israeli force stormed the house of Diab Shaker Al-Qudsi located in As-Salam street in Hebron on Wednesday afternoon.
Al-Qudsi told Ma'an that an Israeli force entered his home and detained fifteen men in one room and twenty women and children in another room.
According to the house owner, soldiers destroyed furniture in the seven apartments in the building and took photographs of all family members before leaving.
Israeli force stormed the house of Diab Shaker Al-Qudsi located in As-Salam street in Hebron on Wednesday afternoon.
Al-Qudsi told Ma'an that an Israeli force entered his home and detained fifteen men in one room and twenty women and children in another room.
According to the house owner, soldiers destroyed furniture in the seven apartments in the building and took photographs of all family members before leaving.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians and burnt three dunums of agricultural lands near the Israeli settlement of Yatsahar south of Nablus.
Eyewitnesses said that around 200 settlers attacked civilians, destroying property and setting fire to agricultural lands. They also threw stones at houses causing a large amount of damage to the house owned by 'Atallah Taqo, a resident of Huwwara.
The settlers disrupted the movement of pedestrians, erecting checkpoints. They also attacked Arab cars passing through the area.
Eyewitnesses said that around 200 settlers attacked civilians, destroying property and setting fire to agricultural lands. They also threw stones at houses causing a large amount of damage to the house owned by 'Atallah Taqo, a resident of Huwwara.
The settlers disrupted the movement of pedestrians, erecting checkpoints. They also attacked Arab cars passing through the area.
Hamas, Israel placing onus on each other for success of ceasefire
Israeli officials are worried that armed Palestinian groups will carry out an attack on Israeli forces before the newly announced ceasefire comes into effect in the Gaza Strip at 6am on Thursday.
Palestinian leaders, such as exiled Hamas political chief Khalid Mesh'al, believe the onus is on Israel to restrain its military if the ceasefire is to succeed.
The ceasefire was announced just hours after Israeli warplanes struck the Gaza Strip, killing six Palestinians. Palestinian military organizations also continued to launch homemade projectiles from Gaza into Israel.
An Israeli official source told Israeli reporters: "the Palestinians [will use] the moments before the truce so as to show off and be the strongest in front of the public but if that took place Israel will end the truce immediately."
Three stages
Israeli sources say that the truce will be implemented in three stages:
The first stage is a period of calm that will begin on Thursday morning and last three days.
The second stage, beginning on Sunday, involves Israel opening some of the Gaza Strip's border crossings, and the beginning of negotiations towards a prisoner exchange and the release of Gilad Shalit.
The third stage begins only when Shalit's release has been secured. Only then, Israeli officials say, will they allow Egypt to open the critical Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt.
Israeli officials say that each of these stages is dependent on the discipline of Hamas and its commitment, along with the other factions, to implement the ceasefire.
Mash'al: violations will be addressed
Hamas leader Khalid Mash'al said that the truce means that Israel has to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip and that Israeli violation of the agreement will not go unanswered.
"If you go back, we go back. The resistance factions are not in a weak position, they are in a strong position... We are a people with a cause and we will not be broken by aggression or invasion," Meshal told Reuters during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
"We will deal with the position on the ground as necessary," he added.
Peres concerned
Israeli President Peres said that Hamas is being worn down by the Israeli blockade of Gaza and worried that there may be disagreement among Palestinian officials about the meaning of the agreement since the pact was negotiated indirectly through Egyptian mediators.
Al-Qassam committed to the truce; warns of harsh response if violated
DFLP weighing options; Islamic Jihad committed to ceasefire
Hamas: Egypt will supervise implementation of truce
Haniyeh: Abbas is welcome in Gaza; Palestinian factions embrace ceasefire
Israeli officials are worried that armed Palestinian groups will carry out an attack on Israeli forces before the newly announced ceasefire comes into effect in the Gaza Strip at 6am on Thursday.
Palestinian leaders, such as exiled Hamas political chief Khalid Mesh'al, believe the onus is on Israel to restrain its military if the ceasefire is to succeed.
The ceasefire was announced just hours after Israeli warplanes struck the Gaza Strip, killing six Palestinians. Palestinian military organizations also continued to launch homemade projectiles from Gaza into Israel.
An Israeli official source told Israeli reporters: "the Palestinians [will use] the moments before the truce so as to show off and be the strongest in front of the public but if that took place Israel will end the truce immediately."
Three stages
Israeli sources say that the truce will be implemented in three stages:
The first stage is a period of calm that will begin on Thursday morning and last three days.
The second stage, beginning on Sunday, involves Israel opening some of the Gaza Strip's border crossings, and the beginning of negotiations towards a prisoner exchange and the release of Gilad Shalit.
The third stage begins only when Shalit's release has been secured. Only then, Israeli officials say, will they allow Egypt to open the critical Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt.
Israeli officials say that each of these stages is dependent on the discipline of Hamas and its commitment, along with the other factions, to implement the ceasefire.
Mash'al: violations will be addressed
Hamas leader Khalid Mash'al said that the truce means that Israel has to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip and that Israeli violation of the agreement will not go unanswered.
"If you go back, we go back. The resistance factions are not in a weak position, they are in a strong position... We are a people with a cause and we will not be broken by aggression or invasion," Meshal told Reuters during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
"We will deal with the position on the ground as necessary," he added.
Peres concerned
Israeli President Peres said that Hamas is being worn down by the Israeli blockade of Gaza and worried that there may be disagreement among Palestinian officials about the meaning of the agreement since the pact was negotiated indirectly through Egyptian mediators.
Al-Qassam committed to the truce; warns of harsh response if violated
DFLP weighing options; Islamic Jihad committed to ceasefire
Hamas: Egypt will supervise implementation of truce
Haniyeh: Abbas is welcome in Gaza; Palestinian factions embrace ceasefire
Gaza city
The Israeli government has officially confirmed that Israel and Hamas have agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The agreement is scheduled to take effect at 6am on Thursday.
"If the fighting indeed ceases Thursday as planned, Israel will ease its blockade of Gaza next week," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.
The truce was approved by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and by Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Amos Gilad, the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's political-military bureau, was in Cairo on Tuesday to put the finishing touches on the pact. Gilad met with the Egyptian mediator, intelligence chief Umar Sulaiman, to hammer out the conditions of the ceasefire.
The agreement calls for a halt to all military operations by Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said on Tuesday that Israel would continue military action in the occupied West Bank.
Khalil Al-Hayyah, one of the Hamas officials who negotiated the truce in Cairo, said that the calm is intended to last for six months.
He added that during the early hours of the pact, Gaza's border crossings will be opened in order to allow basic supplies into the Strip. Al-Hayyah said that Egyptian mediators are working to extend the truce to the West Bank.
Al-Hayyah siad: "During the second week of the truce, Cairo will host a meeting bringing Hamas and the Palestinian presidency and European members to work on the opening of the Rafah border crossing."
Israeli military sources doubted that the ceasefire would be a success, stressing that the military continues to prepare for a military operation in Gaza.
Senior Israeli leaders, such as Vice Premier Haim Ramon, vociferously opposed the truce pact. "The tahadiyeh [ceasefire] is recognition of Hamas and a very serious blow to the Palestinian Authority and its leaders, who will negotiate to establish a joint government with Hamas," Ramon said.
The Israeli government has officially confirmed that Israel and Hamas have agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The agreement is scheduled to take effect at 6am on Thursday.
"If the fighting indeed ceases Thursday as planned, Israel will ease its blockade of Gaza next week," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.
The truce was approved by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and by Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Amos Gilad, the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's political-military bureau, was in Cairo on Tuesday to put the finishing touches on the pact. Gilad met with the Egyptian mediator, intelligence chief Umar Sulaiman, to hammer out the conditions of the ceasefire.
The agreement calls for a halt to all military operations by Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said on Tuesday that Israel would continue military action in the occupied West Bank.
Khalil Al-Hayyah, one of the Hamas officials who negotiated the truce in Cairo, said that the calm is intended to last for six months.
He added that during the early hours of the pact, Gaza's border crossings will be opened in order to allow basic supplies into the Strip. Al-Hayyah said that Egyptian mediators are working to extend the truce to the West Bank.
Al-Hayyah siad: "During the second week of the truce, Cairo will host a meeting bringing Hamas and the Palestinian presidency and European members to work on the opening of the Rafah border crossing."
Israeli military sources doubted that the ceasefire would be a success, stressing that the military continues to prepare for a military operation in Gaza.
Senior Israeli leaders, such as Vice Premier Haim Ramon, vociferously opposed the truce pact. "The tahadiyeh [ceasefire] is recognition of Hamas and a very serious blow to the Palestinian Authority and its leaders, who will negotiate to establish a joint government with Hamas," Ramon said.
Al-Aqsa brigades claim launched two projectiles at Ashkelon and Zikim military base
Projectile salvos continue, PFLP and Islamic Jihad say
Palestinian armed groups in Gaza launch barrage of projectiles at Israeli towns
Projectile salvos continue, PFLP and Islamic Jihad say
Palestinian armed groups in Gaza launch barrage of projectiles at Israeli towns
17 june 2008
Six Palestinians were killed in three Israeli air strikes on civilian cars in the southern and central Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon.
Witnesses said the first attack targeted a jeep near the town of Al-Qarara, north of the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, killing five and injuring others.
The director of the ambulance and emergency department in the Palestinian Health Ministry, Mu'awiyya Hassanein, said the bodies arrived in "charred pieces" at the hospital.
Meanwhile, a second air strike targeted another jeep near the Mediterranean coast in Deir Al-Balah governorate in the central Gaza Strip, killing one and injuring another.
The third attack targeted a Hyundai on Al-Baraka street in the city of Deir Al-Balah, less than half an hour after the other attacks. Medical sources confirmed that three people were wounded in the raid, one of them seriously.
Israeli fire has killed ten people in Gaza in less than two days. Israeli ground forces killed four Palestinian fighters on Monday.
Witnesses said the first attack targeted a jeep near the town of Al-Qarara, north of the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, killing five and injuring others.
The director of the ambulance and emergency department in the Palestinian Health Ministry, Mu'awiyya Hassanein, said the bodies arrived in "charred pieces" at the hospital.
Meanwhile, a second air strike targeted another jeep near the Mediterranean coast in Deir Al-Balah governorate in the central Gaza Strip, killing one and injuring another.
The third attack targeted a Hyundai on Al-Baraka street in the city of Deir Al-Balah, less than half an hour after the other attacks. Medical sources confirmed that three people were wounded in the raid, one of them seriously.
Israeli fire has killed ten people in Gaza in less than two days. Israeli ground forces killed four Palestinian fighters on Monday.
One injured, one detained as Israeli forces invade two towns near Tulkarem
A Palestinian boy was injured by Israeli fire on Monday evening when Israeli forces stormed the town of Anabta east of the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem.
Witnesses said four military jeeps stormed the town. Stone-throwing Palestinians confronted the troops. Israeli soldiers fired on the demonstrators, injuring 16-year-old Majdi Nu'aman Melhem. Melhem was treated at Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarem.
On Tuesday morning Israeli forces stormed the town of Seida, north of Tulkarem and seized 27-year-old Mahmoud Saleh Abdalah Al-Ashqar.
A Palestinian boy was injured by Israeli fire on Monday evening when Israeli forces stormed the town of Anabta east of the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem.
Witnesses said four military jeeps stormed the town. Stone-throwing Palestinians confronted the troops. Israeli soldiers fired on the demonstrators, injuring 16-year-old Majdi Nu'aman Melhem. Melhem was treated at Thabet Thabet hospital in Tulkarem.
On Tuesday morning Israeli forces stormed the town of Seida, north of Tulkarem and seized 27-year-old Mahmoud Saleh Abdalah Al-Ashqar.
Hamas to announce "final response" on ceasefire within two days
Hamas will announce its final response regarding a ceasefire with Israel as soon as it completes one last round of consultations within the movement and with other Palestinian factions in Gaza, Hamas official spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said on Tuesday.
"Hamas' final response regarding ceasefire will be announced as soon as the delegation returns from Egypt and consults with the leadership of Hamas and reviews the results of conversations in Egypt to with Palestinian factions when a final and official response will be given," Barhoum said.
Hamas is seeking an end to the Israeli-imposed siege of the Gaza Strip in Egypian mediated talks with Israel. Barhoum's remarks suggest that nearly five months of back and forth meetings maybe coming to a conclusion.
Barhoum denied reports that it would take two full days for Hamas to make its decision, implying that Hamas' answer would come sooner.
Barhoum efused to give any details regarding meetings between the Hamas delegation that left Cairo to meet with Hamas leadership abroad. He said that time is a factor, as is Palestinians' desire to end the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leaders were in Cairo on Sunday for a meeting with Umar Sulaiman, the Egyptian intelligence chief and the head mediator in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.
Asked about captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who Israel wants freed as a part of any ceasefire agreement, Barhoum referred reporters to Haniyeh's remarks on Monday, in which he suggested that Hamas and Israel had agreed to separate the Shalit issue from the ceasefire proposal.
Hamas will announce its final response regarding a ceasefire with Israel as soon as it completes one last round of consultations within the movement and with other Palestinian factions in Gaza, Hamas official spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said on Tuesday.
"Hamas' final response regarding ceasefire will be announced as soon as the delegation returns from Egypt and consults with the leadership of Hamas and reviews the results of conversations in Egypt to with Palestinian factions when a final and official response will be given," Barhoum said.
Hamas is seeking an end to the Israeli-imposed siege of the Gaza Strip in Egypian mediated talks with Israel. Barhoum's remarks suggest that nearly five months of back and forth meetings maybe coming to a conclusion.
Barhoum denied reports that it would take two full days for Hamas to make its decision, implying that Hamas' answer would come sooner.
Barhoum efused to give any details regarding meetings between the Hamas delegation that left Cairo to meet with Hamas leadership abroad. He said that time is a factor, as is Palestinians' desire to end the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leaders were in Cairo on Sunday for a meeting with Umar Sulaiman, the Egyptian intelligence chief and the head mediator in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.
Asked about captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who Israel wants freed as a part of any ceasefire agreement, Barhoum referred reporters to Haniyeh's remarks on Monday, in which he suggested that Hamas and Israel had agreed to separate the Shalit issue from the ceasefire proposal.
Israeli forces have seized seven civilians during an overnight raid in the West Bank city of Nablus and surrounding villages.
Palestinian security sources said Israeli troops entered Nablus at one on Tuesday morning. Israeli special forces were deployed heavily in Nablus' old city. The sources said that that Israeli forces 'exploded bombs' inside civilian houses. Among others, the Ad-Dardouk building, in the Ras Al-Ein area, was damaged.
Also in the old city, Israeli troops detained 23-year-old Maysoon Qadoumi, her 26-year-old husband Ziyad Dawaya, and his 28-year-old and 30-year-old brothers Aiman and Imad.
In the village of Asira Ash-Shamilia, north of Nablus, Israeli troops seized 20-year-old Mohammad Anas Hussni Al-Burini and 22-year-old Ihab 'Awwad Ash-Shuli.
In the Al-Juneid area, west of the city, Israeli soldiers seized 24-year-old Sami Mustafa Abu Baker. The soldiers also confiscated Abu Baker's personal computer and other possessions.
At dawn Israeli troops imposed a curfew on the village of Beit Furik, east of the city, sources in the community said. Israeli troops shut down the checkpoint between Beit Furik and the center of Nablus.
The head of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, 32-year-old Munadel Hanini, who lives in Nablus, told Ma'an's correspondent that dozens of military vehicles stormed Beit Furik at midnight on Monday and ordered residents to stay in their houses, preventing the entire village from going to work in the morning.
Hanini added that Israeli forces are conducting house-to-house searches in the town, especially in the upper neighborhood. Israeli troops stormed a youth center affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the mosque of Omar Eben Al-Khattab, among other public buildings.
Palestinian security sources said Israeli troops entered Nablus at one on Tuesday morning. Israeli special forces were deployed heavily in Nablus' old city. The sources said that that Israeli forces 'exploded bombs' inside civilian houses. Among others, the Ad-Dardouk building, in the Ras Al-Ein area, was damaged.
Also in the old city, Israeli troops detained 23-year-old Maysoon Qadoumi, her 26-year-old husband Ziyad Dawaya, and his 28-year-old and 30-year-old brothers Aiman and Imad.
In the village of Asira Ash-Shamilia, north of Nablus, Israeli troops seized 20-year-old Mohammad Anas Hussni Al-Burini and 22-year-old Ihab 'Awwad Ash-Shuli.
In the Al-Juneid area, west of the city, Israeli soldiers seized 24-year-old Sami Mustafa Abu Baker. The soldiers also confiscated Abu Baker's personal computer and other possessions.
At dawn Israeli troops imposed a curfew on the village of Beit Furik, east of the city, sources in the community said. Israeli troops shut down the checkpoint between Beit Furik and the center of Nablus.
The head of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, 32-year-old Munadel Hanini, who lives in Nablus, told Ma'an's correspondent that dozens of military vehicles stormed Beit Furik at midnight on Monday and ordered residents to stay in their houses, preventing the entire village from going to work in the morning.
Hanini added that Israeli forces are conducting house-to-house searches in the town, especially in the upper neighborhood. Israeli troops stormed a youth center affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the mosque of Omar Eben Al-Khattab, among other public buildings.
Mu'taz Tafish's Funeral
Israeli tanks killed one Palestinian fighter during shelling in the Al-Maqbara Sharqiya, the Eastern Cemetary, east of Gaza City, in the Northern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources at Kamal Udwan hospital in Beit Lahiya said that 28-year-old Mu'taz Tafish was killed by artillery shrapnel.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said that Tafish was killed while he and other fighters were attempting to launch homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, which borders the Gaza Strip.
Also on Monday night, Israeli warplanes bombed two blacksmiths' shops in the Gaza Strip, one in the Ma'en area, south of the city of Khan Younis, and one in eastern Gaza City. No one was injured.
The killing of Tafish brought Monday's death toll in the Gaza Strip to four. Three other Islamic Jihad fighters were shot dead by Israeli forces near the city of Khan Younis, in Southern Gaza, earlier on Monday.
At midnight on Monday, the National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), claimed responsibility for firing two mortar shells at Israeli military vehicles east of Al-Bureij refugee camp. The Brigades said this action was in retaliation for Israel's 'daily aggression.'
Israeli tanks killed one Palestinian fighter during shelling in the Al-Maqbara Sharqiya, the Eastern Cemetary, east of Gaza City, in the Northern Gaza Strip.
Medical sources at Kamal Udwan hospital in Beit Lahiya said that 28-year-old Mu'taz Tafish was killed by artillery shrapnel.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said that Tafish was killed while he and other fighters were attempting to launch homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, which borders the Gaza Strip.
Also on Monday night, Israeli warplanes bombed two blacksmiths' shops in the Gaza Strip, one in the Ma'en area, south of the city of Khan Younis, and one in eastern Gaza City. No one was injured.
The killing of Tafish brought Monday's death toll in the Gaza Strip to four. Three other Islamic Jihad fighters were shot dead by Israeli forces near the city of Khan Younis, in Southern Gaza, earlier on Monday.
At midnight on Monday, the National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), claimed responsibility for firing two mortar shells at Israeli military vehicles east of Al-Bureij refugee camp. The Brigades said this action was in retaliation for Israel's 'daily aggression.'
16 june 2008
Journalists demonstrate in Gaza
Dozens of journalists demonstrated in central Gaza City on Tuesday demanding that Israel publish the results of an investigation into the killing by Israeli troops of Reuters cameraman Fadil Shana'a, who died during an Israeli incursion in the Gaza Strip over two months ago.
During the protest, the journalists laid down their cameras in a symbolic work stoppage.
The demonstration was organized by an organization calling itself the Committee of Shana'a, and started from the Al-Shuruq tower in the center of Gaza City toward Soldier Square.
Shana'a was killed when an Israeli tank shell exploded, releasing metal darts known as flechettes. Shana'a, whose vest and car were clearly marked "Press" and "TV", was filming the tank from 1.5 km away when the Israelis opened fire. Eight other civilians were killed in the attack.
In a speech, journalist Shams Odeh said that Israel was trying to hide the truth, and that the killing of journalists would only make the press more determined to uncover the facts. Odeh called for human rights institutions to stand beside the Palestinian press, demanding international intervention to compel Israel to release of the results of the investigation.
The organizing committee said the protest was the first of a series of actions it hopes will pressure Israel to release the results of its investigation.
Reuter's commissioned a separate independent investigation that concluded that the forces should have been able to identify Shana'a as a non-target.
Reuters Middle East Managing Editor Mark Thompson said: "We are deeply disappointed that the Israeli army has failed to provide an account of the circumstances in which Fadel Shana was killed by a tank shell on April 16, nor any evidence to support its claim that they could not identify him as a journalist."
"Fadel had taken all reasonable precautions while filming that day and the refusal of the Israeli army to work with the media on safety issues since his death has forced us and others to curtail reporting in Gaza."
Dozens of journalists demonstrated in central Gaza City on Tuesday demanding that Israel publish the results of an investigation into the killing by Israeli troops of Reuters cameraman Fadil Shana'a, who died during an Israeli incursion in the Gaza Strip over two months ago.
During the protest, the journalists laid down their cameras in a symbolic work stoppage.
The demonstration was organized by an organization calling itself the Committee of Shana'a, and started from the Al-Shuruq tower in the center of Gaza City toward Soldier Square.
Shana'a was killed when an Israeli tank shell exploded, releasing metal darts known as flechettes. Shana'a, whose vest and car were clearly marked "Press" and "TV", was filming the tank from 1.5 km away when the Israelis opened fire. Eight other civilians were killed in the attack.
In a speech, journalist Shams Odeh said that Israel was trying to hide the truth, and that the killing of journalists would only make the press more determined to uncover the facts. Odeh called for human rights institutions to stand beside the Palestinian press, demanding international intervention to compel Israel to release of the results of the investigation.
The organizing committee said the protest was the first of a series of actions it hopes will pressure Israel to release the results of its investigation.
Reuter's commissioned a separate independent investigation that concluded that the forces should have been able to identify Shana'a as a non-target.
Reuters Middle East Managing Editor Mark Thompson said: "We are deeply disappointed that the Israeli army has failed to provide an account of the circumstances in which Fadel Shana was killed by a tank shell on April 16, nor any evidence to support its claim that they could not identify him as a journalist."
"Fadel had taken all reasonable precautions while filming that day and the refusal of the Israeli army to work with the media on safety issues since his death has forced us and others to curtail reporting in Gaza."
Egyptian mediators have succeeded in separating the issue of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from a track of negotiations dealing with a proposed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday.
Haniyeh's comment suggests that Hamas has succeeded in deflecting one of Israel's demands in the indirect ceasefire talks. Israeli officials repeatedly asked that Shalit's release be a part of a negotiated truce. Hamas has insisted that the issue of Shalit and the 11,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails be settled separately, so that the non-Hamas groups involved in his capture can be involved. Shalit was taken prisoner in the summer of 2006.
Haniyeh made the remark during a ceremony opening a new headquarters for the Ministry of Justice affiliated to Haniyeh's Hamas-led de facto government. He said he hoped the Egyptian-sponsored talks would succeed in "halting Israeli aggression, ending the siege and opening the crossing points."
"Lifting the siege, opening the crossing points and halting aggression are our demands for which we worked with the Egyptians," he said, adding that hoped that Palestinians would one day "manage the situation in national agreement which would achieve our people's hopes."
Asked about a plan announced by the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem to build 40,000 new apartments in Jerusalem, including many in illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, Haniyeh said "When the Israelis announce establishment of 40 thousand new residential units during Rice's visit, they are undermining Palestinian rights. They are also disregarding the Palestinian negotiators, which means that continuation of negotiations and meetings with the Israelis must stop because it provide coverage for Israeli settlement expansion and disregard Palestinian people's suffering.
Haniyeh's comment suggests that Hamas has succeeded in deflecting one of Israel's demands in the indirect ceasefire talks. Israeli officials repeatedly asked that Shalit's release be a part of a negotiated truce. Hamas has insisted that the issue of Shalit and the 11,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails be settled separately, so that the non-Hamas groups involved in his capture can be involved. Shalit was taken prisoner in the summer of 2006.
Haniyeh made the remark during a ceremony opening a new headquarters for the Ministry of Justice affiliated to Haniyeh's Hamas-led de facto government. He said he hoped the Egyptian-sponsored talks would succeed in "halting Israeli aggression, ending the siege and opening the crossing points."
"Lifting the siege, opening the crossing points and halting aggression are our demands for which we worked with the Egyptians," he said, adding that hoped that Palestinians would one day "manage the situation in national agreement which would achieve our people's hopes."
Asked about a plan announced by the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem to build 40,000 new apartments in Jerusalem, including many in illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, Haniyeh said "When the Israelis announce establishment of 40 thousand new residential units during Rice's visit, they are undermining Palestinian rights. They are also disregarding the Palestinian negotiators, which means that continuation of negotiations and meetings with the Israelis must stop because it provide coverage for Israeli settlement expansion and disregard Palestinian people's suffering.
Two eight year old girls have been killed by the IOF in the Gaza Strip in less than a week.
By the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
On June 11, eight year old Hadeel Al-Sumairi was killed when her home in south eastern Gaza was shelled by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Less than a week earlier, eight year old Aya Hamdan Al-Najjar was killed by a rocket fired from an IOF helicopter. These two young girls had been living just a few kilometers apart, in villages in south eastern Gaza, near the border with Israel. Their violent deaths highlight both the continual dangers facing families who live anywhere near the Israeli border - and the grim and rising child death toll in the Gaza Strip. Sixty two children have been killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip this year - almost double the number of children who were killed by the IOF in Gaza during the whole of last year. (1)
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is still investigating the circumstances of Hadeel Al-Sumairi's death. Her uncle, Amin Suleiman Ahmad Al-Sumairi, has given PCHR an eye-witness account of the IOF invasion of Al-Qarara village near Khan Yunis, where Hadeel was killed. 'I was at home when I heard a huge explosion. I ran from my house and saw fire coming from the home of my brother, Abdul Karim' he told PCHR. 'As I ran towards the house I could smell burning flesh.' The IOF had just fired two tank shells into Al-Qarara village, and both shells struck the house where Abdul Karim Al-Sumairi and his family lived. His daughter, Hadeel, was killed instantly, her small body dismembered.
Six days earlier, On June 5, Zahra Ibrahim Al-Najjar, was at her in home in nearby Khizaa village with her young daughter, Aya. 'My daughter had finished school just one week earlier and was waiting for her friends to come and join her' says Zahra Al-Najjar. 'At about 2pm I heard the sound of [Israeli] drones and helicopters. I went to the window to see what was happening, but I didn't see anyone outside. I thought Aya was inside our building, or with a neighbour. Then there was a loud explosion.'
The helicopter had just fired a rocket, which, with pinpoint accuracy, hit eight year old Aya as she stood just three or four metres from her own house. Zahra Al-Najjar, who was struck in the head by shrapnel from the rocket, did not know her daughter had just been killed. It was the neighbours who found a small hand in the rubble outside. After collecting the other parts of Aya's body, which were scattered over a distance of more than 150 metres, they then had the grim task of telling Zahra and her husband, Hamdan Hamdan Al-Najjar, that their daughter was dead.
Zahra and Hamdan Al-Najjar believe that Aya was deliberately targeted by the IOF in retaliation for the death of an Israeli civilian earlier the same day. The Israeli man was killed between 11-12 am, by mortar shells fired from inside the Gaza Strip that struck the Nir Oz kibbutz near south eastern Gaza. 'The mortars [that killed the Israeli] had been fired at least two hours before Aya was killed' says Hamdan Al-Najjar. 'But those mortars were not fired from here, there was no shooting in our village, and there was no-one outside our house except for my daughter. She was not carrying a gun and she did not fire a rocket. They wanted revenge for the death of the Israeli.'
Parents of other children that have been killed by the IOF in Gaza this year have also consistently alleged that their children were deliberately targeted by the IOF. On 20 May, twelve year Majde Ziyad Abu Oukal was killed in Jabalia, northern Gaza, by a missile fired from an IOF drone that dismembered him. His parents, Ziyad and Tahariya Abu Oukal, believe he was deliberately targeted in order to pressurize local parents to stop rockets being launched towards Israel.
The deliberate targeting of civilians is illegal under international human rights law, and constitutes a gross violation of human rights amounting to a war crime. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is investigating these allegations in depth, and this summer will publish its findings in a report on child killings committed by the Israeli Occupying Forces in the Gaza Strip.
Driving along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip is a sinister experience. In between villages like Al-Qarara and Khizaa are vast tracts of empty land and hundreds of boarded up and abandoned houses. The IOF make frequent incursions here, and local Palestinian villagers are fleeing in fear of their lives, and the lives of their children.
'The Israelis can see everything from their planes' says Hamdan Al-Najjar. 'They could see Aya was alone outside - and they could see she was just a small child. When we finally saw [the remains of] our daughter, there was almost nothing left of her. We could not even bury her properly, because her body had been completely destroyed.' All that Aya's parents have left of their daughter now is one small, grainy photograph.
Note:
(1) 34 children were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip in 2007
By the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
On June 11, eight year old Hadeel Al-Sumairi was killed when her home in south eastern Gaza was shelled by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Less than a week earlier, eight year old Aya Hamdan Al-Najjar was killed by a rocket fired from an IOF helicopter. These two young girls had been living just a few kilometers apart, in villages in south eastern Gaza, near the border with Israel. Their violent deaths highlight both the continual dangers facing families who live anywhere near the Israeli border - and the grim and rising child death toll in the Gaza Strip. Sixty two children have been killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip this year - almost double the number of children who were killed by the IOF in Gaza during the whole of last year. (1)
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is still investigating the circumstances of Hadeel Al-Sumairi's death. Her uncle, Amin Suleiman Ahmad Al-Sumairi, has given PCHR an eye-witness account of the IOF invasion of Al-Qarara village near Khan Yunis, where Hadeel was killed. 'I was at home when I heard a huge explosion. I ran from my house and saw fire coming from the home of my brother, Abdul Karim' he told PCHR. 'As I ran towards the house I could smell burning flesh.' The IOF had just fired two tank shells into Al-Qarara village, and both shells struck the house where Abdul Karim Al-Sumairi and his family lived. His daughter, Hadeel, was killed instantly, her small body dismembered.
Six days earlier, On June 5, Zahra Ibrahim Al-Najjar, was at her in home in nearby Khizaa village with her young daughter, Aya. 'My daughter had finished school just one week earlier and was waiting for her friends to come and join her' says Zahra Al-Najjar. 'At about 2pm I heard the sound of [Israeli] drones and helicopters. I went to the window to see what was happening, but I didn't see anyone outside. I thought Aya was inside our building, or with a neighbour. Then there was a loud explosion.'
The helicopter had just fired a rocket, which, with pinpoint accuracy, hit eight year old Aya as she stood just three or four metres from her own house. Zahra Al-Najjar, who was struck in the head by shrapnel from the rocket, did not know her daughter had just been killed. It was the neighbours who found a small hand in the rubble outside. After collecting the other parts of Aya's body, which were scattered over a distance of more than 150 metres, they then had the grim task of telling Zahra and her husband, Hamdan Hamdan Al-Najjar, that their daughter was dead.
Zahra and Hamdan Al-Najjar believe that Aya was deliberately targeted by the IOF in retaliation for the death of an Israeli civilian earlier the same day. The Israeli man was killed between 11-12 am, by mortar shells fired from inside the Gaza Strip that struck the Nir Oz kibbutz near south eastern Gaza. 'The mortars [that killed the Israeli] had been fired at least two hours before Aya was killed' says Hamdan Al-Najjar. 'But those mortars were not fired from here, there was no shooting in our village, and there was no-one outside our house except for my daughter. She was not carrying a gun and she did not fire a rocket. They wanted revenge for the death of the Israeli.'
Parents of other children that have been killed by the IOF in Gaza this year have also consistently alleged that their children were deliberately targeted by the IOF. On 20 May, twelve year Majde Ziyad Abu Oukal was killed in Jabalia, northern Gaza, by a missile fired from an IOF drone that dismembered him. His parents, Ziyad and Tahariya Abu Oukal, believe he was deliberately targeted in order to pressurize local parents to stop rockets being launched towards Israel.
The deliberate targeting of civilians is illegal under international human rights law, and constitutes a gross violation of human rights amounting to a war crime. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is investigating these allegations in depth, and this summer will publish its findings in a report on child killings committed by the Israeli Occupying Forces in the Gaza Strip.
Driving along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip is a sinister experience. In between villages like Al-Qarara and Khizaa are vast tracts of empty land and hundreds of boarded up and abandoned houses. The IOF make frequent incursions here, and local Palestinian villagers are fleeing in fear of their lives, and the lives of their children.
'The Israelis can see everything from their planes' says Hamdan Al-Najjar. 'They could see Aya was alone outside - and they could see she was just a small child. When we finally saw [the remains of] our daughter, there was almost nothing left of her. We could not even bury her properly, because her body had been completely destroyed.' All that Aya's parents have left of their daughter now is one small, grainy photograph.
Note:
(1) 34 children were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip in 2007
Palestinians mourned three Islamic Jihad fighters during a funeral procession in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon.
The three, Yasser Abu Ulayyan, Ara Al-Breim, and Mahmoud Abu Shab, were killed during a fight with Israeli forces east of the city on Moday morning. Three other Palestinian fighters were wounded by Israeli warplanes east of the city of Rafah on Monday.
The Israeli military said soldiers spotted three armed Palestinian men approaching the border wall east of Khan Younis, and shot them dead. The Israeli army mentioned that two explosive devices and rifles were found on the bodies of the three.
Palestinian medical sources say that the bodies of the victims remained on the ground for hours, because Israeli forces were shooting heavily in the area, preventing medical crews from evacuating the bodies.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said they bombed an Israeli jeep, east of the town of Khuza'a, near Khan Younis, and then clashed with the troops.
The Al-Quds Brigades said an Israeli jeep was on patrol near the "Abu Rida Gate" to the east of the town of Khuza'a, near Khan Younis. They added that the fighters exchanged fire with the Israeli troops before contact with the fighters was lost.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, also claimed responsibility on Monday for launching three homemade projectiles during a clash with invading Israeli troops east of the city of Khan Younis.
Air strike wounds Hamas fighters
Later Israeli warplanes attacked a group of Palestinian fighters near the Sufa crossing point, east of Rafah, injuring three of them. Medical sources identified the wounded as members of Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
They were transported to the European Hospital in Rafah and the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Earlier on Monday, the Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for firing a homemade projectile at the Israeli military post Kisufim.
The three, Yasser Abu Ulayyan, Ara Al-Breim, and Mahmoud Abu Shab, were killed during a fight with Israeli forces east of the city on Moday morning. Three other Palestinian fighters were wounded by Israeli warplanes east of the city of Rafah on Monday.
The Israeli military said soldiers spotted three armed Palestinian men approaching the border wall east of Khan Younis, and shot them dead. The Israeli army mentioned that two explosive devices and rifles were found on the bodies of the three.
Palestinian medical sources say that the bodies of the victims remained on the ground for hours, because Israeli forces were shooting heavily in the area, preventing medical crews from evacuating the bodies.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said they bombed an Israeli jeep, east of the town of Khuza'a, near Khan Younis, and then clashed with the troops.
The Al-Quds Brigades said an Israeli jeep was on patrol near the "Abu Rida Gate" to the east of the town of Khuza'a, near Khan Younis. They added that the fighters exchanged fire with the Israeli troops before contact with the fighters was lost.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, also claimed responsibility on Monday for launching three homemade projectiles during a clash with invading Israeli troops east of the city of Khan Younis.
Air strike wounds Hamas fighters
Later Israeli warplanes attacked a group of Palestinian fighters near the Sufa crossing point, east of Rafah, injuring three of them. Medical sources identified the wounded as members of Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
They were transported to the European Hospital in Rafah and the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Earlier on Monday, the Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for firing a homemade projectile at the Israeli military post Kisufim.
Israel closes two checkpoints around Nablus
Gaza Governor: Israeli blockade has ruined Gaza's economy
Islamic Jihad fighters launch three homemade projectiles
Gaza Governor: Israeli blockade has ruined Gaza's economy
Islamic Jihad fighters launch three homemade projectiles
