16 may 2008
Islamic Jihad said on Friday they considered US President George W. Bush's calls to eliminate the Palestinian resistance as a tacit nod to Israel to stage a large scale invasion of the Gaza Strip and thus constitute a declaration of war in the region.
The movement said in a statement that Bush's support for the Jewish state during the Israeli sixtieth anniversary celebrations demonstrated American political and military support for Israel and was an affirmation of personal support to the beleagured Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.
They said they also considered Bush's visit as demonstrating complete disregard for the Arab leaders who support compromise.
The statement said that the Israeli occupation will not rule another 60 years as Bush had claimed and it will not be able to eliminate the Palestinian resistance along with the right of return and self-determination.
Islamic Jihad also called on the Arab countries that will host Bush to focus on the Palestinians' right of return, ending the siege on the Gaza Strip, re-opening the crossings and ending the ongoing atrocities against the Palestinian people.
The movement said in a statement that Bush's support for the Jewish state during the Israeli sixtieth anniversary celebrations demonstrated American political and military support for Israel and was an affirmation of personal support to the beleagured Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.
They said they also considered Bush's visit as demonstrating complete disregard for the Arab leaders who support compromise.
The statement said that the Israeli occupation will not rule another 60 years as Bush had claimed and it will not be able to eliminate the Palestinian resistance along with the right of return and self-determination.
Islamic Jihad also called on the Arab countries that will host Bush to focus on the Palestinians' right of return, ending the siege on the Gaza Strip, re-opening the crossings and ending the ongoing atrocities against the Palestinian people.
Hamas spokesperson Aiman Taha confirmed on Friday morning that Hamas have delayed their visit to Cairo to next week.
Taha told Ma'an that the visit was due to happen on Friday of this week.
He said the delegation are going to Egypt to discuss the results of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman's meeting with the Israelis regarding the proposed truce.
He also said they have not ruled out releasing kidnapped Israeli soldier Gil'ad Shalit, but this will involve conditions that differ from those set out in the truce.
Taha told Ma'an that the visit was due to happen on Friday of this week.
He said the delegation are going to Egypt to discuss the results of Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman's meeting with the Israelis regarding the proposed truce.
He also said they have not ruled out releasing kidnapped Israeli soldier Gil'ad Shalit, but this will involve conditions that differ from those set out in the truce.
By Mohammed Herzallah
BOSTON - Hamas just offered Israel a 10-year long truce. This is an important opening that could allow Israel and the United States to start engaging Hamas in the political process, either directly or through Arab allies, because the isolation of Hamas undermines the policy objectives of all parties presently involved.
Mahmoud Abbas is the elected president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, but he cannot be expected to reach a credible and lasting political settlement with the Israeli government unless and until he secures Hamas' consent and blessing. The Islamist movement maintains broad support in the occupied Palestinian territories and has demonstrated time and again that it has the necessary capacity to subvert negotiations with Israel. Discord in the Gaza Strip and the resultant security unrest in adjacent Israeli communities substantiate the claim that Palestinian national consensus is indispensable to the peace process.
Regrettably, the task of cultivating this consensus is becoming progressively more difficult. In the past, disagreements between Fatah and Hamas, the two political pillars of Palestinian politics, had always subsisted on their ideological differences. Now, the competing preferences of intrusive external powers have distorted Palestinian politics and have rendered factional differences more irreconcilable.
Fatah's decision to retract its official consent to the Yemeni accord - a national reconciliation proposal for Palestinians sponsored by President Saleh of Yemen - late March is just one example. Fatah and Hamas spent weeks negotiating the terms for reviving a Palestinian national unity government and restoring the PA's control over Gaza. Hours after the accord was signed by representatives from both parties, Fatah officials in Ramallah announced that there had been a "mix up" and subsequently withdrew their endorsement of the accord. Their announcement followed Vice-President Dick Cheney's brief visit to Ramallah, in the course of which he relayed the message that the United States will not support reconciliation with Hamas unless the Islamist movement fundamentally changes. Israel also expressed strong objections to the deal. Putting it in blunt terms, an Israeli official told Ha'aretz that Fatah can "have a peace process and dialogue with Israel or a coalition with Hamas. But it's clear that you can't have both."
The experience of the past year has proven that military and economic pressure cannot compel Hamas to discontinue showering Israel with homemade rockets. Worse, these strains are pushing Hamas closer to Tehran, which in turn is helping crystallise Iranian influence in the Palestinian-Israeli realm.
The fate of moderate Palestinian officials is also at stake. If truth were told, the very existence of a credible leadership, capable of advancing Palestinian interests through the political process, is in question. President Abbas is in a critical spot, and the United States and Israel expect him to continue negotiating with them regardless of Israel's actions against Gaza. Collective punishment policies, that include depriving Gaza's civilians of food and energy, are creating considerable popular resentment. The PA is commonly reproached by its people for not actively protesting against these violations and not doing enough to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. Some even wonder whether the PA is actually complicit in suffocating Gaza. Regardless of whether there is merit to such claims, the persistence of this perception in the Palestinian street is likely to have a long-term negative effect on the credibility of the PA among its own people. In all likelihood, this consequence will be particularly palpable when the PA is about to sign, presumably on behalf of the Palestinian people everywhere, a final peace deal with Israel.
The current approach that dominates American and Israeli policies towards Hamas might be defensible if it made Israel more secure. But this approach is only creating desperate living conditions in Gaza, which in turn are facilitating the emergence of a fiercer brand of militants such as the Army of Islam and the Army of Believers, two rogue groups that have claimed connections to Al-Qaeda and have carried out various operations in Gaza in the past year.
The launching of a credible peace process between Palestinians and Israelis - one that could lead eventually to an enduring political settlement - requires that all major players on both sides be brought to the negotiation table. Taking Hamas' 10-year truce offer seriously would be a step in the right direction. The current policy towards Hamas, which aims to extract concessions through the interposition of sanctions and use of military force, always had a high propensity to backfire, and it did.
***Mohammed Herzallah is a research fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former president of the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Harvard University.
This article was first published in Al-Ahram on 8 May 2008
BOSTON - Hamas just offered Israel a 10-year long truce. This is an important opening that could allow Israel and the United States to start engaging Hamas in the political process, either directly or through Arab allies, because the isolation of Hamas undermines the policy objectives of all parties presently involved.
Mahmoud Abbas is the elected president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, but he cannot be expected to reach a credible and lasting political settlement with the Israeli government unless and until he secures Hamas' consent and blessing. The Islamist movement maintains broad support in the occupied Palestinian territories and has demonstrated time and again that it has the necessary capacity to subvert negotiations with Israel. Discord in the Gaza Strip and the resultant security unrest in adjacent Israeli communities substantiate the claim that Palestinian national consensus is indispensable to the peace process.
Regrettably, the task of cultivating this consensus is becoming progressively more difficult. In the past, disagreements between Fatah and Hamas, the two political pillars of Palestinian politics, had always subsisted on their ideological differences. Now, the competing preferences of intrusive external powers have distorted Palestinian politics and have rendered factional differences more irreconcilable.
Fatah's decision to retract its official consent to the Yemeni accord - a national reconciliation proposal for Palestinians sponsored by President Saleh of Yemen - late March is just one example. Fatah and Hamas spent weeks negotiating the terms for reviving a Palestinian national unity government and restoring the PA's control over Gaza. Hours after the accord was signed by representatives from both parties, Fatah officials in Ramallah announced that there had been a "mix up" and subsequently withdrew their endorsement of the accord. Their announcement followed Vice-President Dick Cheney's brief visit to Ramallah, in the course of which he relayed the message that the United States will not support reconciliation with Hamas unless the Islamist movement fundamentally changes. Israel also expressed strong objections to the deal. Putting it in blunt terms, an Israeli official told Ha'aretz that Fatah can "have a peace process and dialogue with Israel or a coalition with Hamas. But it's clear that you can't have both."
The experience of the past year has proven that military and economic pressure cannot compel Hamas to discontinue showering Israel with homemade rockets. Worse, these strains are pushing Hamas closer to Tehran, which in turn is helping crystallise Iranian influence in the Palestinian-Israeli realm.
The fate of moderate Palestinian officials is also at stake. If truth were told, the very existence of a credible leadership, capable of advancing Palestinian interests through the political process, is in question. President Abbas is in a critical spot, and the United States and Israel expect him to continue negotiating with them regardless of Israel's actions against Gaza. Collective punishment policies, that include depriving Gaza's civilians of food and energy, are creating considerable popular resentment. The PA is commonly reproached by its people for not actively protesting against these violations and not doing enough to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. Some even wonder whether the PA is actually complicit in suffocating Gaza. Regardless of whether there is merit to such claims, the persistence of this perception in the Palestinian street is likely to have a long-term negative effect on the credibility of the PA among its own people. In all likelihood, this consequence will be particularly palpable when the PA is about to sign, presumably on behalf of the Palestinian people everywhere, a final peace deal with Israel.
The current approach that dominates American and Israeli policies towards Hamas might be defensible if it made Israel more secure. But this approach is only creating desperate living conditions in Gaza, which in turn are facilitating the emergence of a fiercer brand of militants such as the Army of Islam and the Army of Believers, two rogue groups that have claimed connections to Al-Qaeda and have carried out various operations in Gaza in the past year.
The launching of a credible peace process between Palestinians and Israelis - one that could lead eventually to an enduring political settlement - requires that all major players on both sides be brought to the negotiation table. Taking Hamas' 10-year truce offer seriously would be a step in the right direction. The current policy towards Hamas, which aims to extract concessions through the interposition of sanctions and use of military force, always had a high propensity to backfire, and it did.
***Mohammed Herzallah is a research fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former president of the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Harvard University.
This article was first published in Al-Ahram on 8 May 2008
Former Israeli air force commander: military confrontation with Iran not ruled out
Major General Eliezer Schekede said on Friday that an Israeli military operation against Iran has not been ruled out and the Israeli air force are ready for all options.
Schekede, who ended his duties as the commander of the Israeli Air Force this week, told Israeli Radio that Israeli aircraft flying over the Gaza Strip are facing real dangers from Palestinian projectiles.
He also commented on the efforts made by the Israeli air force to avoid casualities among Palestinian civilians, pointing out there has been a 50% decrease in the civilian injuries caused by the Israeli air strikes.
Major General Eliezer Schekede said on Friday that an Israeli military operation against Iran has not been ruled out and the Israeli air force are ready for all options.
Schekede, who ended his duties as the commander of the Israeli Air Force this week, told Israeli Radio that Israeli aircraft flying over the Gaza Strip are facing real dangers from Palestinian projectiles.
He also commented on the efforts made by the Israeli air force to avoid casualities among Palestinian civilians, pointing out there has been a 50% decrease in the civilian injuries caused by the Israeli air strikes.
Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, said on Thursday that restraint, prudence and equanimity are necessary to be able to eliminate what he described as "Palestinian Terrorism" in the Gaza Strip, adding that Israel must wait for the appropriate moment to carry out a widespread military operation against the coastal sector.
He pledged to halt Palestinian projectile fire into Israeli towns, bordering the Strip and said that the "ongoing terror would not destroy or deplete Israeli military abilities."
This statement came during the last session of the "Afaq Al-Ghad" conference which was held in Jerusalem.
He pledged to halt Palestinian projectile fire into Israeli towns, bordering the Strip and said that the "ongoing terror would not destroy or deplete Israeli military abilities."
This statement came during the last session of the "Afaq Al-Ghad" conference which was held in Jerusalem.
National Resistance brigades shell Nahal Oz; Abu Ali Mustafa brigades shell Ashkelon
Al-Quds brigades shell Nativ Ha'tsara
An-Nasser brigades shell Erez crossing
Al-Quds brigades launch six projectiles at Sderot
Al-Quds brigades shell Meftahim
Al-Quds brigades shell Nativ Ha'tsara
An-Nasser brigades shell Erez crossing
Al-Quds brigades launch six projectiles at Sderot
Al-Quds brigades shell Meftahim
15 may 2008
A 40-year-old Palestinian citizen died on Thursday in an Israeli hospital where he was being treated from serious wounds he sustained in Israeli strike on his house in Khuza'ah in the southern Gaza Strip on 4 May.
Muhammad Najjar's brother, Husam Najjar, was also killed immediately in the strike.
Najjar's wife was also injured in the same strike as well as his nephew, 24-year-old Muhammad Sameer Najjar, who sustained two gunshots to his head. Medics say he is clinically dead.
Muhammad Najjar's brother, Husam Najjar, was also killed immediately in the strike.
Najjar's wife was also injured in the same strike as well as his nephew, 24-year-old Muhammad Sameer Najjar, who sustained two gunshots to his head. Medics say he is clinically dead.
Israeli army spokesman, Avihai Adravi, warned the Hamas movement on Thursday against "attempting to breach the borders of the Gaza Strip."
"We have sent a huge number of soldiers to the border areas. We will deal harshly with any attempt to breach the border and the response will be violent."
Hamas have said on more than one occasion that it will resume gathering at the borders with Israel in an attempt to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
"We have sent a huge number of soldiers to the border areas. We will deal harshly with any attempt to breach the border and the response will be violent."
Hamas have said on more than one occasion that it will resume gathering at the borders with Israel in an attempt to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian activist affiliated to Fatah Al-Intifada injured in clashes with Israeli forces
A Palestinian military group, Kamal Udwan forces affiliated to "Fatah Al- Intifada" said on Thursday that one of their activist has been injured in clashes with an undercover Israeli force south of Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that a group of their fighters was ambushed at 1 am by an undercover Israeli force. The group managed to flee the ambush after clashing with the Israeli force for more than three hours. They also fired three rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) at the Israeli troops.
A Palestinian military group, Kamal Udwan forces affiliated to "Fatah Al- Intifada" said on Thursday that one of their activist has been injured in clashes with an undercover Israeli force south of Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that a group of their fighters was ambushed at 1 am by an undercover Israeli force. The group managed to flee the ambush after clashing with the Israeli force for more than three hours. They also fired three rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) at the Israeli troops.
Two Palestinian activists, affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, were killed on Wednesday at midnight and three others were injured when Israeli military tanks targeted a group of fighters in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City.
Palestinian medical sources named those killed as Ahmad Al-Malahi and Muhammad Harara, both in their thirties. The wounded activists were evacuated to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and medics described their condition as serious. The dead bodies were also taken to the same hospital.
Israeli artillery fired another shell at an open agricultural area near the American school in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties have been reported.
Palestinian medical sources named those killed as Ahmad Al-Malahi and Muhammad Harara, both in their thirties. The wounded activists were evacuated to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and medics described their condition as serious. The dead bodies were also taken to the same hospital.
Israeli artillery fired another shell at an open agricultural area near the American school in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties have been reported.
PLC member Tamlieh: Bush's visit to Israel is an approval of settlement expansion in West Bank
Israeli settlers attempt to found settlement outpost in Beit Sahour
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades shell the Western Negev
Al-Quds Brigades shell Israeli military post near Gaza City
Hamas calls for rally at Beit Hanoun crossing
Israeli shopping mall shelling was a joint operation, Brigades say
Army seizes 19 across West Bank
Palestinian military groups continue to fire projectiles at Israeli targets bordering Gaza
Israeli settlers attempt to found settlement outpost in Beit Sahour
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades shell the Western Negev
Al-Quds Brigades shell Israeli military post near Gaza City
Hamas calls for rally at Beit Hanoun crossing
Israeli shopping mall shelling was a joint operation, Brigades say
Army seizes 19 across West Bank
Palestinian military groups continue to fire projectiles at Israeli targets bordering Gaza
14 may 2008
Hamas leaders will travel to Cairo next week to discuss the Israeli response to a ceasefire proposal signed by 12 Palestinian factions and delivered to Israel Egyptian intelligence chief Umar Sulaiman on Monday.
Senior Hamas leader Ayman Taha said that Hamas has accepted an invitation from the Egyptian government for the new round of talks.
"We are not against releasing [captive Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit, but this issue has its . conditions that the captors insist on," Taha said. Shalit, and the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, are among the issues on the agenda during the ceasefire talks.
Other issues of debate are the Gaza Strip's borders, which have been closed by Israel since last June.
"The problem is not about us. It is about the Israelis who demanded a ceasefire, and when the Palestinian factions agreed on that ceasefire, they just added more demands and preconditions, and they bound that ceasefire to releasing Shalit and stopping smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip," Taha added.
He labeled the new Israeli demands as an attempt by the Israeli government to gain support from their people by 'playing with their emotions.'
Senior Hamas leader Ayman Taha said that Hamas has accepted an invitation from the Egyptian government for the new round of talks.
"We are not against releasing [captive Israeli soldier] Gilad Shalit, but this issue has its . conditions that the captors insist on," Taha said. Shalit, and the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, are among the issues on the agenda during the ceasefire talks.
Other issues of debate are the Gaza Strip's borders, which have been closed by Israel since last June.
"The problem is not about us. It is about the Israelis who demanded a ceasefire, and when the Palestinian factions agreed on that ceasefire, they just added more demands and preconditions, and they bound that ceasefire to releasing Shalit and stopping smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip," Taha added.
He labeled the new Israeli demands as an attempt by the Israeli government to gain support from their people by 'playing with their emotions.'
Israeli forces on Wednesday forcibly dispersed a peaceful rally marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Palestinian catastrophe (Nakba) at the Huwwara checkpoint south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.
Dozens of Palestinians rallied from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus, heading to the Huwwara checkpoint, raising UN flags and calling for the UN to implement its own resolutions related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Israeli soldiers hurled tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Palestinian medics said that several protestors were slightly injured as a result of the sound bombs and inhaling tear gas.
Tayseer Nasrallah from the committee to mark the memory of the Nakba said the rally was meant to urge the UN to implement resolutions which the UN Security Council and General Assembly have previously passed on the Palestinian question especially resolution 194.
Dozens of Palestinians rallied from Balata refugee camp east of Nablus, heading to the Huwwara checkpoint, raising UN flags and calling for the UN to implement its own resolutions related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Israeli soldiers hurled tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. Palestinian medics said that several protestors were slightly injured as a result of the sound bombs and inhaling tear gas.
Tayseer Nasrallah from the committee to mark the memory of the Nakba said the rally was meant to urge the UN to implement resolutions which the UN Security Council and General Assembly have previously passed on the Palestinian question especially resolution 194.
The Minister of Agriculture in the de facto government condemns Israeli agression on Gaza
The Palestinian minister of Agriculture in the de facto government in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Mohammed Ramadan Al-Agha, on Wednesday condemned the ongoing Israeli invasions into the eastern area of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Agha said this area is subjected to daily Israeli aggressions and widespread destruction by Israeli bulldozers.
He confirmed that a number of farmers have been killed along with the destruction of the infrastructure due to Israeli aggressive practices against the area.
He said that the Israelis tend to burn or raze the wheat harvest depriving belonging to Palestinian farmers, adding that the amount of losses has exceeded 2.5 million dollars in the agricultural areas of the sector.
The Palestinian minister of Agriculture in the de facto government in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Mohammed Ramadan Al-Agha, on Wednesday condemned the ongoing Israeli invasions into the eastern area of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Agha said this area is subjected to daily Israeli aggressions and widespread destruction by Israeli bulldozers.
He confirmed that a number of farmers have been killed along with the destruction of the infrastructure due to Israeli aggressive practices against the area.
He said that the Israelis tend to burn or raze the wheat harvest depriving belonging to Palestinian farmers, adding that the amount of losses has exceeded 2.5 million dollars in the agricultural areas of the sector.
The Israeli Channel 10 TV station on Tuesday evening revealed details of the proposed ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, submitted by the Egyptians through 'Umar Sulaiman, head of Egyptian intelligence.
According to Channel 10, the deal consists of four stages.
Stage one proposes both Hamas and Israeli halt hostilities against each other in the Gaza Strip.
In stage two, the rest of Palestinian military groups will stop launching homemade projectiles against Israeli targets, and in exchange, Israel forces will stop hostilities against these groups in the Gaza Strip.
In stage three, Israel will provide the Gaza Strip with basic needs through the border crossings after negotiations over captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit are resumed.
Stage four will be the completion of the prisoners swap, in exchange for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing betweenEgypt and the Gaza Strip.
Channel 10's military reporter Alon Ben David said expectations of success of the ceasefire agreement were not high and that opportunities of war in the region remain higher than those of peace.
For his part, Israeli TV Channel 2's political analyst, Ehud Ya'ari, said, "Hamas wants Israel to lift the siege of the Gaza Strip, reopen the Rafah crossing and wants to resume negotiations with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. They also want to be back in the international political arena, all that in exchange for halting homemade projectiles only."
According to Channel 10, the deal consists of four stages.
Stage one proposes both Hamas and Israeli halt hostilities against each other in the Gaza Strip.
In stage two, the rest of Palestinian military groups will stop launching homemade projectiles against Israeli targets, and in exchange, Israel forces will stop hostilities against these groups in the Gaza Strip.
In stage three, Israel will provide the Gaza Strip with basic needs through the border crossings after negotiations over captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit are resumed.
Stage four will be the completion of the prisoners swap, in exchange for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing betweenEgypt and the Gaza Strip.
Channel 10's military reporter Alon Ben David said expectations of success of the ceasefire agreement were not high and that opportunities of war in the region remain higher than those of peace.
For his part, Israeli TV Channel 2's political analyst, Ehud Ya'ari, said, "Hamas wants Israel to lift the siege of the Gaza Strip, reopen the Rafah crossing and wants to resume negotiations with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. They also want to be back in the international political arena, all that in exchange for halting homemade projectiles only."
Four Palestinians were killed and more than 15 were injured on Wednesday in several Israeli air and ground raids on the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian medics affirmed that two Palestinians were killed and six others were injured as Israeli forces invaded 'Izbat Abid Rabbu near Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, a series of Israeli air strikes on the southern Gaza Strip killed one Palestinian activist affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades and injured five others, most of them seriously.
The director of Kamal Udwan Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Bassam Abu Warda, stated that two dead bodies arrived to the hospital, one of them so badly injured it has not yet been identified. The other was identified as 17-year-old Mahmoud Al-Majdhub who received a gunshot to his back as Israeli soldiers invaded 'Izbat Abid Rabbu. Eyewitnesses said the boy was riding his bicycle with his school bag on his back.
Earlier, Palestinian security sources announced that one activist affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades was killed and six others were injured in a series of Israeli air strikes on the village of Abasan east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Al-Qassam Brigades named the dead activist as 21-year-old Muhammad Habib from Khan Younis. They said he was killed while a group of fighters were attempting to stop the progress of Israeli military tanks.
In a similar Israeli raid on Abasan, three fighters affiliated to the military wing of Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigades were killed. Medical sources identified three of the injured activists as 20-year-old Muhammad Abu Tair, who received a gunshot to the chest, 19-year-old Fadi Salah who lost his legs and 21-year-old Mousa Shahwan.
Palestinian medics affirmed that two Palestinians were killed and six others were injured as Israeli forces invaded 'Izbat Abid Rabbu near Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, a series of Israeli air strikes on the southern Gaza Strip killed one Palestinian activist affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades and injured five others, most of them seriously.
The director of Kamal Udwan Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Bassam Abu Warda, stated that two dead bodies arrived to the hospital, one of them so badly injured it has not yet been identified. The other was identified as 17-year-old Mahmoud Al-Majdhub who received a gunshot to his back as Israeli soldiers invaded 'Izbat Abid Rabbu. Eyewitnesses said the boy was riding his bicycle with his school bag on his back.
Earlier, Palestinian security sources announced that one activist affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades was killed and six others were injured in a series of Israeli air strikes on the village of Abasan east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Al-Qassam Brigades named the dead activist as 21-year-old Muhammad Habib from Khan Younis. They said he was killed while a group of fighters were attempting to stop the progress of Israeli military tanks.
In a similar Israeli raid on Abasan, three fighters affiliated to the military wing of Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigades were killed. Medical sources identified three of the injured activists as 20-year-old Muhammad Abu Tair, who received a gunshot to the chest, 19-year-old Fadi Salah who lost his legs and 21-year-old Mousa Shahwan.
Al-Quds brigades shell Israeli positions east of Gaza
US Ambassador: Bush will not interfere in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
Al-Quds brigades launch three homemade projectiles at Natif Ha'tsara
Palestinian Resistance factions claim launching of projectiles at Israeli sites
US Ambassador: Bush will not interfere in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
Al-Quds brigades launch three homemade projectiles at Natif Ha'tsara
Palestinian Resistance factions claim launching of projectiles at Israeli sites
13 may 2008
One Palestinian fighter affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades was killed and two others were injured on Tuesday when an Israeli reconnaissance plane fired a missile at a group of fighters east of Al-Qarara, near the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Mu'awiyah Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry identified the dead activist as 21-year-old Tahrir Abdul Ghafoor. Hassanain also said that the wounded were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. He said one of the injured men was in critical condition.
The Israeli strike came shortly after two Palestinian homemade projectiles landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. One Israeli woman went in shock as a result, and Israeli greenhouses were damaged, Israeli media reported.
Mu'awiyah Hassanain, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry identified the dead activist as 21-year-old Tahrir Abdul Ghafoor. Hassanain also said that the wounded were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. He said one of the injured men was in critical condition.
The Israeli strike came shortly after two Palestinian homemade projectiles landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. One Israeli woman went in shock as a result, and Israeli greenhouses were damaged, Israeli media reported.
A Palestinian worker died on Friday while trying to pass 'illegally' through the Israeli separation wall to get to work in Jerusalem.
Abed Ar-Rahman Saba'neh, 44, from the West Bank town of Qabatia, south of Jenin suffered a heart attack and died after being detained and abused by Israeli soldiers.
Faisal Saba'neh, Abed Ar-Rahman's cousin, told Ma'an "the incident took place last Friday when Abed Ar- Rahman was on way to his work in the city of Jerusalem. The Israeli soldiers chased him and eventually seized him along with other workers and took him to the Qalandiyah crossing north of Jerusalem."
"The Israeli soldiers issued fines for each of them, claiming that they do not have permission to enter Jerusalem for work and ordered them to leave. But Abed Ar-Rahman tried again to enter Jerusalem but suffered a heart attack and died," Faisal added.
Faisal affirmed that Abed Ar-Rahman tried to get a permit to enter Israel for work but the Israeli authorities refused to give him such a permit under the pretext of "security reasons."
Abed Ar-Rahman leaves six children 8-year-old Abed al Fatah, 9-year-old Ahmad, 11-year-old Ansar, 14-year-old Mohammad, 16-year-old Aminah, and 17-year-old Ayah.
Abed Ar-Rahman Saba'neh, 44, from the West Bank town of Qabatia, south of Jenin suffered a heart attack and died after being detained and abused by Israeli soldiers.
Faisal Saba'neh, Abed Ar-Rahman's cousin, told Ma'an "the incident took place last Friday when Abed Ar- Rahman was on way to his work in the city of Jerusalem. The Israeli soldiers chased him and eventually seized him along with other workers and took him to the Qalandiyah crossing north of Jerusalem."
"The Israeli soldiers issued fines for each of them, claiming that they do not have permission to enter Jerusalem for work and ordered them to leave. But Abed Ar-Rahman tried again to enter Jerusalem but suffered a heart attack and died," Faisal added.
Faisal affirmed that Abed Ar-Rahman tried to get a permit to enter Israel for work but the Israeli authorities refused to give him such a permit under the pretext of "security reasons."
Abed Ar-Rahman leaves six children 8-year-old Abed al Fatah, 9-year-old Ahmad, 11-year-old Ansar, 14-year-old Mohammad, 16-year-old Aminah, and 17-year-old Ayah.
Four Palestinians were injured on Monday as Israeli forces opened fire at a rally protesting the separation wall in the central West Bank village of Ni'lin west of Ramallah.
Local residents from the village rallied in protest against the Israeli separation wall after Israeli construction companies began to draw the borders for the passage of the separation wall through the village's agricultural fields in the south.
According to 'Ahid Khawaja, coordinator of the popular campaign for countering the separation wall in Ni'lin, the Israeli authorities handed over warrants, informing the villagers that 2,500 dunums of the village's lands will be confiscated. He said there were 5,000 olive trees in the area threatened with confiscation.
"The village possessed 57,000 dunums before 1948, of which 21,000 was confiscated after 1967, and now after the separation wall, only 19,000 will be left," he said.
He also pointed out that a large number of the village's residents have emmigrated because of Israeli pressure and unemployment.
Local residents from the village rallied in protest against the Israeli separation wall after Israeli construction companies began to draw the borders for the passage of the separation wall through the village's agricultural fields in the south.
According to 'Ahid Khawaja, coordinator of the popular campaign for countering the separation wall in Ni'lin, the Israeli authorities handed over warrants, informing the villagers that 2,500 dunums of the village's lands will be confiscated. He said there were 5,000 olive trees in the area threatened with confiscation.
"The village possessed 57,000 dunums before 1948, of which 21,000 was confiscated after 1967, and now after the separation wall, only 19,000 will be left," he said.
He also pointed out that a large number of the village's residents have emmigrated because of Israeli pressure and unemployment.
Army installs temporary checkpoint at entrance to Baqa Al-Sharqieh
Rafah crossing re-sealed until new Palestinian-Egyptian accord is reached
Al-Quds Brigades shell Israeli kibbutz
Army shuts down a military checkpoint; installs dozens of temporary ones around Nablus
Israeli bulldozers dig up vast areas of agricultural lands in Khan Younis
Two Palestinian military groups fire projectiles at Sderot
Islamic Jihad's military group claims responsibility for projectile that killed Israeli woman
Rafah crossing re-sealed until new Palestinian-Egyptian accord is reached
Al-Quds Brigades shell Israeli kibbutz
Army shuts down a military checkpoint; installs dozens of temporary ones around Nablus
Israeli bulldozers dig up vast areas of agricultural lands in Khan Younis
Two Palestinian military groups fire projectiles at Sderot
Islamic Jihad's military group claims responsibility for projectile that killed Israeli woman
12 may 2008
Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar and Islamic Jihad leader Muhammad Al-Hindi said that the Palestinian people have a right to defend themselves if Israel chooses to reject an Egyptian ceasefire proposal.
Egyptian intelligence chief Umar Sulaiman is in Israel on Monday seeking Israeli cooperation with a ceasefire. Earlier, Sulaiman said he had "high expectations" for talks with Israeli leaders. The Palestinian factions in Gaza have already agreed in principle to a ceasefire.
In a press conference in Gaza City, Zahhar said he does not expect Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire, but rather to haggle about the details of the deal, including the conditions of reopening the Gaza Strip's border crossings.
"They will appear weak before the Palestinian people's will," Zahhar said.
"We hope that the voice of reason governs the Israeli stance and gets them to stop their aggression on the Palestinian people and lift the siege of the Gaza Strip after that failed to break the Palestinian will," Zahhar added.
He also said that Palestinians Palestinian officials asked Egypt to open the Rafah border even if Israel rejects the Egyptian plan.
Islamic Jihad's leader Muhammad Al-Hindi said, "There are many signs indicating that Israel is inclined to agree on a ceasefire, but either way, the Palestinian people have a complete right to defend themselves, and from now on, we will not beg for a ceasefire. We will find many ways to defend our people and our rights,"
"Those who celebrate the anniversary of Israel in statehood fail to see the Palestinian people's suffering. Israel kills patients through denying them passage to travel abroad for treatment. The upcoming conference celebrating the establishment of Israel is one of hypocrisy, and those who partake in it are symbols of anti-Semitism and terrorism."
Egyptian intelligence chief Umar Sulaiman is in Israel on Monday seeking Israeli cooperation with a ceasefire. Earlier, Sulaiman said he had "high expectations" for talks with Israeli leaders. The Palestinian factions in Gaza have already agreed in principle to a ceasefire.
In a press conference in Gaza City, Zahhar said he does not expect Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire, but rather to haggle about the details of the deal, including the conditions of reopening the Gaza Strip's border crossings.
"They will appear weak before the Palestinian people's will," Zahhar said.
"We hope that the voice of reason governs the Israeli stance and gets them to stop their aggression on the Palestinian people and lift the siege of the Gaza Strip after that failed to break the Palestinian will," Zahhar added.
He also said that Palestinians Palestinian officials asked Egypt to open the Rafah border even if Israel rejects the Egyptian plan.
Islamic Jihad's leader Muhammad Al-Hindi said, "There are many signs indicating that Israel is inclined to agree on a ceasefire, but either way, the Palestinian people have a complete right to defend themselves, and from now on, we will not beg for a ceasefire. We will find many ways to defend our people and our rights,"
"Those who celebrate the anniversary of Israel in statehood fail to see the Palestinian people's suffering. Israel kills patients through denying them passage to travel abroad for treatment. The upcoming conference celebrating the establishment of Israel is one of hypocrisy, and those who partake in it are symbols of anti-Semitism and terrorism."
Twenty-five-year-old Mu'ataz Abu 'Anza died on Monday morning of wounds he sustained during an Israeli incursion in the town of Khaza'a in the southern Gaza Strip last Wednesday, medic said.
Mauawiya Hassanein, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry said that Abu 'Anza died on Sunday in Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Yunis.
Hassanein added that Abu 'Anza's death brings the number of victims of the last week's incursion to seven.
Mauawiya Hassanein, the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry said that Abu 'Anza died on Sunday in Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Yunis.
Hassanein added that Abu 'Anza's death brings the number of victims of the last week's incursion to seven.
A high-ranking Egyptian mediator said on Monday that he has "high expectations" that a ceasefire agreement could be reached between Israel and the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip.
The head of the Egyptian intelligence services, Umar Sulaiman arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday and met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Sulaiman is scheduled to meat with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem later on Monday.
Answering a question from a journalist, Sulaiman made a thumbs-up sign, and said in English, "high expectations".
Israeli political sources told reporters on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will visit Egypt in the coming weeks to discuss Egypt's ceasefire proposal with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Olmert will not, however, attend a meeting of the Egyptian, American, and Palestinian Presidents in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm Al-Sheikh next week.
Under the Egyptian plan, Israel will accept the opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Palestinian fighters will halt the fire of homemade projectiles, and Israel will stop military action in Gaza. After six months, the ceasefire will extend to the West Bank.
For his part, Israeli Deputy Defense minister Matan Vilnai said he would consider the Egyptian-supervised ceasefire proposal already signed by 12 Palestinian factions.
Separately, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said he would support releasing Palestinian prisoners with "blood on their hands" in exchange for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who has been detained in the Gaza Strip since 23 June 2006.
Tremors of conflict
Even as Sulaiman arrived, Palestinian fighters continued to launch homemade projectiles from the besieged Gaza Strip into Israel, part of what they see as their right to resist Israel's continued domination of Palestinian territory.
On Monday morning, the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for launching two projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, north of the Gaza Strip. At least one woman was treated for shock when one projectile landed near a residential building, Israeli media reported. The other rocket landed in Ashkelon National Park.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, also claimed responsibility for launching three projectiles at Sderot and Netivot late on Sunday.
The head of the Egyptian intelligence services, Umar Sulaiman arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday and met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Sulaiman is scheduled to meat with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem later on Monday.
Answering a question from a journalist, Sulaiman made a thumbs-up sign, and said in English, "high expectations".
Israeli political sources told reporters on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will visit Egypt in the coming weeks to discuss Egypt's ceasefire proposal with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Olmert will not, however, attend a meeting of the Egyptian, American, and Palestinian Presidents in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm Al-Sheikh next week.
Under the Egyptian plan, Israel will accept the opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Palestinian fighters will halt the fire of homemade projectiles, and Israel will stop military action in Gaza. After six months, the ceasefire will extend to the West Bank.
For his part, Israeli Deputy Defense minister Matan Vilnai said he would consider the Egyptian-supervised ceasefire proposal already signed by 12 Palestinian factions.
Separately, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said he would support releasing Palestinian prisoners with "blood on their hands" in exchange for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who has been detained in the Gaza Strip since 23 June 2006.
Tremors of conflict
Even as Sulaiman arrived, Palestinian fighters continued to launch homemade projectiles from the besieged Gaza Strip into Israel, part of what they see as their right to resist Israel's continued domination of Palestinian territory.
On Monday morning, the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for launching two projectiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, north of the Gaza Strip. At least one woman was treated for shock when one projectile landed near a residential building, Israeli media reported. The other rocket landed in Ashkelon National Park.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, also claimed responsibility for launching three projectiles at Sderot and Netivot late on Sunday.
Israeli forces invade Jenin and nearby villages, arresting one
Israeli forces stormed the West Bank city of Jenin, Jenin refugee camp and the nearby villages of Al-Yamun and Birqin early on Monday morning.
Local sources said that several Israeli military vehicles entered Jenin. Israeli troops ransacked house of Ammar Abu Ghalyon, in the refugee camp.
Separately, Palestinian sources said that Israeli forces stormed the town of Burqin, near Jenin and arrested 29-year-old Hilal Makhloof. Sources said the Israeli soldiers fired heavily into the air while they raided the town.
In the town of Al-Yamun, south of Jenin, Israeli forces ransacked several houses including one belonging to Islamic Jihad fighter Bajis Hamdiyya. The soldiers told the family inside the house that Hamdiyya must surrender to the Israeli military or face assassination.
Israeli forces stormed the West Bank city of Jenin, Jenin refugee camp and the nearby villages of Al-Yamun and Birqin early on Monday morning.
Local sources said that several Israeli military vehicles entered Jenin. Israeli troops ransacked house of Ammar Abu Ghalyon, in the refugee camp.
Separately, Palestinian sources said that Israeli forces stormed the town of Burqin, near Jenin and arrested 29-year-old Hilal Makhloof. Sources said the Israeli soldiers fired heavily into the air while they raided the town.
In the town of Al-Yamun, south of Jenin, Israeli forces ransacked several houses including one belonging to Islamic Jihad fighter Bajis Hamdiyya. The soldiers told the family inside the house that Hamdiyya must surrender to the Israeli military or face assassination.
Israeli military re-imposes roadblock it had planned to remove in Hebron
Israeli bulldozers closed a key road in southern Hebron on Monday morning with earth and rocks after local Palestinian residents forced the road open with a bulldozer on Sunday.
The Israeli military had planned to remove the roadblock, but postponed the implementation of that plan twice. On Sunday, Israeli settlers converged on the roadblock, attempting to block the military from opening the road. Israeli police dispersed the demonstrating settlers.
The road, which links the city of Hebron with a nearby industrial zone, has been closed to since the beginning of the second Palestinian Intifada.
The Israeli government pledged to remove dozens of roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank in late March. There are more than 500 such barriers to Palestinian movement throughout the occupied West Bank.
Israeli bulldozers closed a key road in southern Hebron on Monday morning with earth and rocks after local Palestinian residents forced the road open with a bulldozer on Sunday.
The Israeli military had planned to remove the roadblock, but postponed the implementation of that plan twice. On Sunday, Israeli settlers converged on the roadblock, attempting to block the military from opening the road. Israeli police dispersed the demonstrating settlers.
The road, which links the city of Hebron with a nearby industrial zone, has been closed to since the beginning of the second Palestinian Intifada.
The Israeli government pledged to remove dozens of roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank in late March. There are more than 500 such barriers to Palestinian movement throughout the occupied West Bank.
Israeli forces impose curfew on Azzun Atma
Israeli forces imposed a curfew on Sunday afternoon on the northern West Bank village of Azzun Atma after a Molotov cocktail was thrown towards an Israeli vehicle traveling on the main road near the village.
Eyewitnesses stated that several Israeli military vehicles raided the village and announced the curfew through loudspeakers
Located on the western side of the Israeli separation wall near the city of Qalqilia, a key road used by Israeli settlers passes through Azzun Atma.
The village witnesses Israeli military activity almost daily.
Israeli forces imposed a curfew on Sunday afternoon on the northern West Bank village of Azzun Atma after a Molotov cocktail was thrown towards an Israeli vehicle traveling on the main road near the village.
Eyewitnesses stated that several Israeli military vehicles raided the village and announced the curfew through loudspeakers
Located on the western side of the Israeli separation wall near the city of Qalqilia, a key road used by Israeli settlers passes through Azzun Atma.
The village witnesses Israeli military activity almost daily.
Palestinian fighters claim projectile attack, clash with Israeli forces in Gaza
Popular Resistance Committees shell Erez crossing
Popular Resistance Committees shell Erez crossing
11 may 2008
Undercover Israeli forces killed a Palestinian fighter in the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, witnesses and medical sources said.
The dead body of 23-year-old Usama Al-Astal, a fighter with Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was taken to a hospital in the city of Khan Younis.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an's reporter that Al-Astal was on lookout duty east of the town of Al-Qarara, when he noticed Israeli special forces entering the area. He immediately hurled a grenade towards the Israelis, who fired back, killing him and wounding three other fighters.
Separately, local Palestinian sources said on Sunday morning that undercover Israeli forces infiltrated in the Nahda neighborhood of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, amid heavy gunfire. No casualties were reported.
The dead body of 23-year-old Usama Al-Astal, a fighter with Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was taken to a hospital in the city of Khan Younis.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an's reporter that Al-Astal was on lookout duty east of the town of Al-Qarara, when he noticed Israeli special forces entering the area. He immediately hurled a grenade towards the Israelis, who fired back, killing him and wounding three other fighters.
Separately, local Palestinian sources said on Sunday morning that undercover Israeli forces infiltrated in the Nahda neighborhood of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, amid heavy gunfire. No casualties were reported.
13 injured as Israeli forces crack down on demonstration near Tulkarem
Israeli forces violently dispersed a demonstration in the village of Shufa, near Tulkarem, on Saturday afternoon, wounding 11 Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and two journalists.
The organization Combatants for Peace organized the action, which was aimed at removing roadblocks at the entrances of the village in order to ease the movement of residents in and out.
Hundreds of international, Israeli and Palestinian activists took part in the rally along with local residents. Using rope and ordinary tools to move boulders, the protestors were able to remove one roadblock.
When the protestors attempted to remove another roadblock, Israeli troops attacked them, firing rubber-coated metal bullets, sonic bombs, and tear gas. As a result, thirteen people were injured, including one Israeli and one from a third country.
Agence France-Presse cameraman Ja'far Shtayya was injured. PalMedia cameraman Hazim Labadi was also wounded, his camera struck by a bullet. The wounded were evacuated to Thabit Thabit Hospital in Tulkarem.
A coordinator of Combatants for Peace, Nur Shahada, condemned the Israel's response to the rally, affirming that the organization will continue to organize such rallies and activities.
The secretary of the Fatah movement in Shufa, Murad Drubi, said the residents in his village suffered a great deal as a result of Israeli roadblocks which have closed the village's entrances to ordinary traffic. Instead of cars, he said, the villagers are forced to use donkeys for transportation
Israeli forces violently dispersed a demonstration in the village of Shufa, near Tulkarem, on Saturday afternoon, wounding 11 Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and two journalists.
The organization Combatants for Peace organized the action, which was aimed at removing roadblocks at the entrances of the village in order to ease the movement of residents in and out.
Hundreds of international, Israeli and Palestinian activists took part in the rally along with local residents. Using rope and ordinary tools to move boulders, the protestors were able to remove one roadblock.
When the protestors attempted to remove another roadblock, Israeli troops attacked them, firing rubber-coated metal bullets, sonic bombs, and tear gas. As a result, thirteen people were injured, including one Israeli and one from a third country.
Agence France-Presse cameraman Ja'far Shtayya was injured. PalMedia cameraman Hazim Labadi was also wounded, his camera struck by a bullet. The wounded were evacuated to Thabit Thabit Hospital in Tulkarem.
A coordinator of Combatants for Peace, Nur Shahada, condemned the Israel's response to the rally, affirming that the organization will continue to organize such rallies and activities.
The secretary of the Fatah movement in Shufa, Murad Drubi, said the residents in his village suffered a great deal as a result of Israeli roadblocks which have closed the village's entrances to ordinary traffic. Instead of cars, he said, the villagers are forced to use donkeys for transportation
Israeli settlers take over house in village near Bethlehem
Israeli settlers seized control of a Palestinian house in the southern West Bank village of Artas, near Bethlehem, on Saturday evening.
According to Khalid Al-Azza, the head of the Popular Committee against settlement construction and the separation wall in Bethlehem, large numbers of Israeli settlers took control of the 120 square meter house which belongs to the Christian monastery in Artas. They surrounded the house with barbed wire.
Israeli settlers seized control of a Palestinian house in the southern West Bank village of Artas, near Bethlehem, on Saturday evening.
According to Khalid Al-Azza, the head of the Popular Committee against settlement construction and the separation wall in Bethlehem, large numbers of Israeli settlers took control of the 120 square meter house which belongs to the Christian monastery in Artas. They surrounded the house with barbed wire.
Israeli soldiers severely beat a Palestinian man at a checkopint at the entrance to the village of Azzun Atma, near the West Bank city of Qalqilia, on Saturday evening.
Thirty-one-year-old Khalid Ahmad was severely bruised and wounded in the head when he arrived at the United Nations hospital in Qalqilia, sources at the hospital said. He was transferred to another hospital in the city of Nablus.
Residents of Azzun Atma said this was not the first time Israeli troops have assaulted Palestinians at the entrance of the village. The village is isolated from the rest of the West Bank by the Israeli separation wall. Residents can only enter and leave the community through a gate controlled by Israeli soldiers.
Ten Palestinian civilians were wounded in a confrontation that took place with Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint in mid-April.
Thirty-one-year-old Khalid Ahmad was severely bruised and wounded in the head when he arrived at the United Nations hospital in Qalqilia, sources at the hospital said. He was transferred to another hospital in the city of Nablus.
Residents of Azzun Atma said this was not the first time Israeli troops have assaulted Palestinians at the entrance of the village. The village is isolated from the rest of the West Bank by the Israeli separation wall. Residents can only enter and leave the community through a gate controlled by Israeli soldiers.
Ten Palestinian civilians were wounded in a confrontation that took place with Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint in mid-April.
Islamic Jihad's military wing fires three projectiles at Sderot
Israeli settlers in Hebron protest roadblock removal
Israeli soldier shot in Khan Younis, Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades say
Projectiles fired at Kerem Shalom crossing
Gaza blacked out for second night due to Israeli fuel cuts
Israeli settlers in Hebron protest roadblock removal
Israeli soldier shot in Khan Younis, Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades say
Projectiles fired at Kerem Shalom crossing
Gaza blacked out for second night due to Israeli fuel cuts
10 may 2008
The Israeli army invaded the town of Jaba', south of the West Bank city of Jenin, and forcibly entered a number of private homes and the offices of the Fatah movement in the town. Thirteen Palestinians, mostly teenagers, were injured in the incursion.
Medical sources reported that six residents were treated at a hospital in Jenin after being hit by rubber-coated steel bullets and shrapnel. Others suffered from the inhalation of teargas Some of the injuries reportedly took resulted after stone-throwing youths confronted the invading soldiers.
The clashes took place at the center of the town, near where the soldiers broke into the Fatah offices. Israeli soldiers positioned themselves on the roof of the office and on houses in the eastern neighborhood of the town. More Israeli forces arrived to support the initial invading force.
The mayor of Jaba', Ziad A'lawnah, said that Israeli troops seized three children and used them as human shields, forcing them to walk in front of their armored vehicles.
Medics at the Jenin hospital identified the wounded as: 14-year-old Naseem Adeeb Khaleeliyah, 18-year-old Shawqi Sulieman Ali, 15-year-old Khalid Waleed Ragheb, 12-year-old Ali Mohammad 'Ibeid, 19-year-old Mohamad farhat Abu U'n, 37-year-old Bilal Salamah, Khamees Adeeb Khalelieyah (age not given), Mohammad Bassam Jarar (age not given) and Khalid Waleed A'lawnah (age not given).
Medical sources reported that six residents were treated at a hospital in Jenin after being hit by rubber-coated steel bullets and shrapnel. Others suffered from the inhalation of teargas Some of the injuries reportedly took resulted after stone-throwing youths confronted the invading soldiers.
The clashes took place at the center of the town, near where the soldiers broke into the Fatah offices. Israeli soldiers positioned themselves on the roof of the office and on houses in the eastern neighborhood of the town. More Israeli forces arrived to support the initial invading force.
The mayor of Jaba', Ziad A'lawnah, said that Israeli troops seized three children and used them as human shields, forcing them to walk in front of their armored vehicles.
Medics at the Jenin hospital identified the wounded as: 14-year-old Naseem Adeeb Khaleeliyah, 18-year-old Shawqi Sulieman Ali, 15-year-old Khalid Waleed Ragheb, 12-year-old Ali Mohammad 'Ibeid, 19-year-old Mohamad farhat Abu U'n, 37-year-old Bilal Salamah, Khamees Adeeb Khalelieyah (age not given), Mohammad Bassam Jarar (age not given) and Khalid Waleed A'lawnah (age not given).
The United States has given Israel a green light to carry out a large-scale military attack in the Gaza Strip, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Saturday.
Quoting anonymous sources, the newspaper said that Israel sent an intelligence report to Washington to stressing the importance of military action to crack down on Palestinian military groups that Israel believes have developed an "unprecedented" level of weaponry.
The source said that Israeli intelligence officials believe that the armed wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and even Fatah, are rearming.
Regarding the Al-Aqsa Brigades, Fatah's armed wing, the source said, "It received huge amounts of money from several sources, especially from Hizbullah of Lebanon through which the brigades reorganized itself and increased its military readiness."
A large share of the reported Israeli intelligence was devoted to the issue of arms smuggling routes from Egypt into the Gaza Strip. Israel asked Washington to pressure Egypt to stop the flow of weapons across the border. The Israeli report said that limited military operations in Gaza's southern border area would be required simply to gather information about the location and extent of the tunnels.
Diplomatic sources also told Al-Akhbar that the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Barak have been holding meetings about the timing and scope of an invasion of Gaza.
Israel pulled its forces from the streets of the Gaza Strip in 1994 as a part of the Oslo peace process, and evacuated settlers in 2005. Israel however continues to control the Strip's borders, airspace, territorial waters, and tax system. The Israeli military also makes frequent incursions into the Strip, exercising what some observers term "effective control" inside Gaza.
Quoting anonymous sources, the newspaper said that Israel sent an intelligence report to Washington to stressing the importance of military action to crack down on Palestinian military groups that Israel believes have developed an "unprecedented" level of weaponry.
The source said that Israeli intelligence officials believe that the armed wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and even Fatah, are rearming.
Regarding the Al-Aqsa Brigades, Fatah's armed wing, the source said, "It received huge amounts of money from several sources, especially from Hizbullah of Lebanon through which the brigades reorganized itself and increased its military readiness."
A large share of the reported Israeli intelligence was devoted to the issue of arms smuggling routes from Egypt into the Gaza Strip. Israel asked Washington to pressure Egypt to stop the flow of weapons across the border. The Israeli report said that limited military operations in Gaza's southern border area would be required simply to gather information about the location and extent of the tunnels.
Diplomatic sources also told Al-Akhbar that the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Barak have been holding meetings about the timing and scope of an invasion of Gaza.
Israel pulled its forces from the streets of the Gaza Strip in 1994 as a part of the Oslo peace process, and evacuated settlers in 2005. Israel however continues to control the Strip's borders, airspace, territorial waters, and tax system. The Israeli military also makes frequent incursions into the Strip, exercising what some observers term "effective control" inside Gaza.
Two wounded in ground incursion in southern Gaza
Two Palestinian fighters were injured on Saturday while attempting to confront an Israeli incursion in the Al-Faraheen area east of Khan Younis, medical sources said.
The affiliation and identity of the wounded fighters were not given.
Thirteen Israeli armored vehicles invaded Al-Faraheen at dawn on Saturday, firing heavily at both fighters and civilians, witnesses in the area said.
During the incursion, Israeli forces bulldozed swaths of agricultural land, destroying a chicken farm. The farm was one of the last remaining in the area, as the Israeli military has devastated much of the farmland in Al-Faraheen.
The Israeli forces withdrew at 7:30am local time.
Two Palestinian fighters were injured on Saturday while attempting to confront an Israeli incursion in the Al-Faraheen area east of Khan Younis, medical sources said.
The affiliation and identity of the wounded fighters were not given.
Thirteen Israeli armored vehicles invaded Al-Faraheen at dawn on Saturday, firing heavily at both fighters and civilians, witnesses in the area said.
During the incursion, Israeli forces bulldozed swaths of agricultural land, destroying a chicken farm. The farm was one of the last remaining in the area, as the Israeli military has devastated much of the farmland in Al-Faraheen.
The Israeli forces withdrew at 7:30am local time.
A Palestinian named Hamdi Eshbeer died on Saturday morning of wounds he sustained four days ago in an Israeli air strike on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, medical sources said.
Eshbeer was from Ash-Shati refugee camp near Gaza City.
Eshbeer was from Ash-Shati refugee camp near Gaza City.
The Israeli air force bombed two police stations in the cities of Rafah and Kahn Younis, in the Gaza Strip, leaving five Palestinians dead late on Friday.
Witnesses said that an Israeli F16 fighter jet fired a missile at a police station operated by Gaza's de facto government in Rafah, killing two.
Separately, an Israeli helicopter gunship attacked the police headquarters in Khan Younis, killing three.
Medical sources at Abu Yousef An-Najjar hospital in Rafah identified the dead as 23-year-old Bassam Ahmad Abu Shbeikah, 25-year-old Mohammad Mazen Abu I'rmanah, Mohamamd Abu Odah (whose age was not reported), Omar al Ser and Samir Wafi (age also not reported).
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement, claimed responsibility for shelling an Israeli community bordering Gaza, killing one Israeli civilian and injured three Israeli soldiers.
Witnesses said that an Israeli F16 fighter jet fired a missile at a police station operated by Gaza's de facto government in Rafah, killing two.
Separately, an Israeli helicopter gunship attacked the police headquarters in Khan Younis, killing three.
Medical sources at Abu Yousef An-Najjar hospital in Rafah identified the dead as 23-year-old Bassam Ahmad Abu Shbeikah, 25-year-old Mohammad Mazen Abu I'rmanah, Mohamamd Abu Odah (whose age was not reported), Omar al Ser and Samir Wafi (age also not reported).
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement, claimed responsibility for shelling an Israeli community bordering Gaza, killing one Israeli civilian and injured three Israeli soldiers.
PFLP fighters claim projectile attack
Al-Quds Brigades claim projectile attack
Palestinian fighters launch barrage of projectiles at areas bordering Gaza
Al-Quds Brigades claim projectile attack
Palestinian fighters launch barrage of projectiles at areas bordering Gaza
