31 dec 2008
A young man injured in clashes with Israeli forces in Na'lin died from his wounds Wednesday.
Twenty-one-year-old Mohammed Said al-Khawaja was injured in protests that broke out following the first Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Saturday.
The protest took place in the central West Bank city of Na'lin, the site of the weekly Friday demonstrations against the wall. When airstrikes broke out the day after the weekly protest, demonstrators gathered for a second day to condemn the Israeli violence.
Medical sources in Ramallah Hospital confirmed the death.
Twenty-one-year-old Mohammed Said al-Khawaja was injured in protests that broke out following the first Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Saturday.
The protest took place in the central West Bank city of Na'lin, the site of the weekly Friday demonstrations against the wall. When airstrikes broke out the day after the weekly protest, demonstrators gathered for a second day to condemn the Israeli violence.
Medical sources in Ramallah Hospital confirmed the death.
Israeli soldiers hurled tear gas canisters at a Palestinian house in Hebron on Wednesday evening near the illegal Israeli Kiryat Arba settlement in the southern West Bank.
Several members of one family suffered from teargas inhalation, said Farid Ar-Razim, who lives in the home targeted by soldiers, told Ma'an over the phone from the scene of the attacks.
According to Ar-Razim the soldiers threw the canisters at the home entirely unprovoked, most likely to "amuse themselves." The vehicle from which the soldiers threw the canisters is permanently stationed near the fence between his house and the nearby Israeli settlement.
Several members of one family suffered from teargas inhalation, said Farid Ar-Razim, who lives in the home targeted by soldiers, told Ma'an over the phone from the scene of the attacks.
According to Ar-Razim the soldiers threw the canisters at the home entirely unprovoked, most likely to "amuse themselves." The vehicle from which the soldiers threw the canisters is permanently stationed near the fence between his house and the nearby Israeli settlement.
Other news/attacks
Vice President of the European Parliament tells Hebronites to continue fighting for rights
Israeli forces arrest five youths near Bethlehem
Israeli troops detain 22 Palestinians from the central West Bank
Vice President of the European Parliament tells Hebronites to continue fighting for rights
Israeli forces arrest five youths near Bethlehem
Israeli troops detain 22 Palestinians from the central West Bank
30 dec 2008
The Free Gaza ship successfully landed and unloaded three tons of medical supplies in the Gaza Port Tuesday, but was assailed by Israeli Naval ships which opened fire on the vessel.
According to organizers of the movement one Israeli gunboat rammed into the SS Dignity on the port bow side heavily damaging the ship at approximately 5am. The Israeli army is reporting that the Dignity was on a collision course and did not alter their route despite warnings that the Gaza Strip was a closed military zone and entry would not be allowed.
Israeli warships are also reported to have fired into the water in front of the Dignity in an effort to prevent the ship from continuing on its way to the Strip. The attack was filmed by journalists on board the boat and the crew and passengers will report more extensively on the event once they reach Lebanon.
Dignity passengers and crew reported that the boat was taking on water and is experiencing engine troubles.
According to the Free Gaza statement the "Dignity was clearly in international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza," when it was hit by the Israeli boat.
The boat is now 40 miles south of Lebanon where the government has given permission for the boat to land and has promised to assist the passengers if needed. The crew reported that Cyprus sea rescue contacted the boat to offer assistance.
Israeli sources deny firing on the humanitarian vessel and claim the navy offered to assist the passengers of the ship. When the offer was declined the navy "escorted the ship until it exited the state's territorial waters," according to one Israeli news agency.
Early reports said the ship was able to dock in Gaza and unload supplies, though this is no longer certain.
According to organizers of the movement one Israeli gunboat rammed into the SS Dignity on the port bow side heavily damaging the ship at approximately 5am. The Israeli army is reporting that the Dignity was on a collision course and did not alter their route despite warnings that the Gaza Strip was a closed military zone and entry would not be allowed.
Israeli warships are also reported to have fired into the water in front of the Dignity in an effort to prevent the ship from continuing on its way to the Strip. The attack was filmed by journalists on board the boat and the crew and passengers will report more extensively on the event once they reach Lebanon.
Dignity passengers and crew reported that the boat was taking on water and is experiencing engine troubles.
According to the Free Gaza statement the "Dignity was clearly in international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza," when it was hit by the Israeli boat.
The boat is now 40 miles south of Lebanon where the government has given permission for the boat to land and has promised to assist the passengers if needed. The crew reported that Cyprus sea rescue contacted the boat to offer assistance.
Israeli sources deny firing on the humanitarian vessel and claim the navy offered to assist the passengers of the ship. When the offer was declined the navy "escorted the ship until it exited the state's territorial waters," according to one Israeli news agency.
Early reports said the ship was able to dock in Gaza and unload supplies, though this is no longer certain.
Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the northern West Bank town of Kafr Haris, west of Salfit, on Tuesday, local sources told Ma'an.
Israeli soldiers claimed that Palestinian youths from the town had hurled stones at Israeli vehicles on the main road near the town.
According to sources within the town, soldiers then deployed in the area and prevented the movement of residents.
Israeli soldiers claimed that Palestinian youths from the town had hurled stones at Israeli vehicles on the main road near the town.
According to sources within the town, soldiers then deployed in the area and prevented the movement of residents.
29 dec 2008
Israeli soldiers on Monday morning stole the life savings of 47-year-old Mahir Al-Qit as they ransacked his home and arrested his son, 21-year-old Muhammad, in the northern West Bank village of Madama, south of Nablus on Monday.
Mahir al-Qit told Ma'an that "at 2:00 am, Israeli soldiers knocked on my door in the eastern neighborhood of Madama. They detained all our family members, four girls and a boy, Muhammad who studies at An-Najah National University, near the staircase."
"Dozens of soldiers went to the second floor of the house refusing to let me accompany them while they inspect the house," he added.
Al-Qit said that about one hour later, an intelligence officer told him they wanted to arrest his son Muhammad for interrogation.
After the soldiers left, Al-Qit started checking up on his properties to find out that his wife's jewelry had been stolen, in addition to 500 ($700) Jordanian Dinars, which he described as his life savings.
Mahir al-Qit told Ma'an that "at 2:00 am, Israeli soldiers knocked on my door in the eastern neighborhood of Madama. They detained all our family members, four girls and a boy, Muhammad who studies at An-Najah National University, near the staircase."
"Dozens of soldiers went to the second floor of the house refusing to let me accompany them while they inspect the house," he added.
Al-Qit said that about one hour later, an intelligence officer told him they wanted to arrest his son Muhammad for interrogation.
After the soldiers left, Al-Qit started checking up on his properties to find out that his wife's jewelry had been stolen, in addition to 500 ($700) Jordanian Dinars, which he described as his life savings.
The student council at the Hebron University organized a demonstration to condemn Israeli violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip Monday afternoon. The demonstration march became a clash with Israeli troops and nine students were injured.
Hundreds of students gathered for a press conference on the university campus where student leaders delivered speeches condemning the attacks.
The students called on factions to unify and reconcile so they could best support Gaza in its dark hours.
The demonstrators lifted banners and slogans calling on the world to break the silence and call for an end to the tragedy in Gaza. Many students carried black flags to mark the mourning period for the now over 300 dead.
"Mourning is not staying at home and keeping the silence, but touring the streets, lifting our banners high and shouting to the world that we condemn Israeli practices, "said Head of the Student Council Muhannad Amro.
Demonstrators marched through the streets students and angry slogans and chanting lead to clashes with the Israeli troops who guard more than 700 settlers living in Hebron's city center. Nine students were injured as the rally marched past Hebron's Bab Az-Sawiyah, and dozens of others choked on tear gas fired on them by Israeli troops.
As the rally passed near the illegal Israeli settlements dotting the city center and south-western outskirts some demonstrators threw stones at the settlement. Israeli troops opened fire on the demonstrators.
Hebron is observing the second day of a general strike to commemorate and mourn the Gaza dead.
Hundreds of students gathered for a press conference on the university campus where student leaders delivered speeches condemning the attacks.
The students called on factions to unify and reconcile so they could best support Gaza in its dark hours.
The demonstrators lifted banners and slogans calling on the world to break the silence and call for an end to the tragedy in Gaza. Many students carried black flags to mark the mourning period for the now over 300 dead.
"Mourning is not staying at home and keeping the silence, but touring the streets, lifting our banners high and shouting to the world that we condemn Israeli practices, "said Head of the Student Council Muhannad Amro.
Demonstrators marched through the streets students and angry slogans and chanting lead to clashes with the Israeli troops who guard more than 700 settlers living in Hebron's city center. Nine students were injured as the rally marched past Hebron's Bab Az-Sawiyah, and dozens of others choked on tear gas fired on them by Israeli troops.
As the rally passed near the illegal Israeli settlements dotting the city center and south-western outskirts some demonstrators threw stones at the settlement. Israeli troops opened fire on the demonstrators.
Hebron is observing the second day of a general strike to commemorate and mourn the Gaza dead.
Other news/attacks
Soldiers detain three Palestinians north of Hebron
Four Israelis injured in stabbing attacks
Soldiers detain three Palestinians north of Hebron
Four Israelis injured in stabbing attacks
28 dec 2008
Aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, Sunday
Palestinian youth hurled Molotov Cocktails at an Israeli military post near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city Hebron in the southern West Bank Sunday.
The Israeli press said the youth, protesting the Israeli atrocities in Gaza, set fire to car tires and threw Molotov cocktails at the Israeli military post in the West Bank city.
On Saturday protests erupted in all West Bank cities and in several neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. In Hebron and refugee camps in Jerusalem clashes broke out when Israeli soldiers tried to stifle the angry crowds who demanded a stop to the Israeli violence.
Palestinian youth hurled Molotov Cocktails at an Israeli military post near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city Hebron in the southern West Bank Sunday.
The Israeli press said the youth, protesting the Israeli atrocities in Gaza, set fire to car tires and threw Molotov cocktails at the Israeli military post in the West Bank city.
On Saturday protests erupted in all West Bank cities and in several neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. In Hebron and refugee camps in Jerusalem clashes broke out when Israeli soldiers tried to stifle the angry crowds who demanded a stop to the Israeli violence.
Protests against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Sunday while a comprehensive strike was declared throughout the country.
In Ni'lin, weekly Friday protests continued until Sunday, when clashes erupted between protesters and Israeli soldiers. The clashes saw one Palestinian killed and six others injured.
The slain man was identified as A'raft Al-Khwaja.
Among the injured was Mohammad Al-Khawaja, who was shot in the head. He and others were transferred to a Ramallah hospital.
At Shufat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem, hundreds of youths rallied and threw stones at Israeli soldiers and traffic, where one child was lightly injured.
In Hebron, youths hurled Molotov cocktails at an Israeli military post near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City. Others set fire to car tires near an Israeli military post. One settler was reported injured after being hit by a stone.
In Ramallah, the Palestinian National Initiative organized a sit-in at the center of the city, where signs denounced Israeli attacks and expressed solidarity with Gaza. Protestors carried Palestinian flags and banners that denounced the world's silence on what they called "massacres."
In Bethlehem, city officials announced that Manger Square's Christmas lights would be turned off as the West Bank mourns the loss of hundreds of Palestinians and prays for a safe recovery of the nearly 1,000 injured.
In Ni'lin, weekly Friday protests continued until Sunday, when clashes erupted between protesters and Israeli soldiers. The clashes saw one Palestinian killed and six others injured.
The slain man was identified as A'raft Al-Khwaja.
Among the injured was Mohammad Al-Khawaja, who was shot in the head. He and others were transferred to a Ramallah hospital.
At Shufat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem, hundreds of youths rallied and threw stones at Israeli soldiers and traffic, where one child was lightly injured.
In Hebron, youths hurled Molotov cocktails at an Israeli military post near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City. Others set fire to car tires near an Israeli military post. One settler was reported injured after being hit by a stone.
In Ramallah, the Palestinian National Initiative organized a sit-in at the center of the city, where signs denounced Israeli attacks and expressed solidarity with Gaza. Protestors carried Palestinian flags and banners that denounced the world's silence on what they called "massacres."
In Bethlehem, city officials announced that Manger Square's Christmas lights would be turned off as the West Bank mourns the loss of hundreds of Palestinians and prays for a safe recovery of the nearly 1,000 injured.
National and Islamic factions announced Sunday the formation of a leadership coalition for "daily action that would interact with those who took to the streets over the past two days in protest to the Israeli attacks on Gaza."
This leadership group will organize daily activities in all parts of the West Bank, it said in a statement.
Factions had called for Palestinians to carry Palestinian and black flags in all of their actions in the West Bank, adding that the leadership will work with all organizations of the civil community and each of the anti-occupation committees, aiming at "lifting the siege, resisting the construction of the wall on a daily basis until the occupation has ended."
This statement was released after an urgent meeting that was held by national and Islamic factions in the West Bank city of Ramallah to discuss consequences of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
It urged the Palestinian leadership to fully halt all negotiations, end political arrests and stop security coordination.
It also urged a "joint Arab stance in the coming Arab summit... a national stance that will address international legitimacy, in spite of Israeli and American domination."
This leadership group will organize daily activities in all parts of the West Bank, it said in a statement.
Factions had called for Palestinians to carry Palestinian and black flags in all of their actions in the West Bank, adding that the leadership will work with all organizations of the civil community and each of the anti-occupation committees, aiming at "lifting the siege, resisting the construction of the wall on a daily basis until the occupation has ended."
This statement was released after an urgent meeting that was held by national and Islamic factions in the West Bank city of Ramallah to discuss consequences of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
It urged the Palestinian leadership to fully halt all negotiations, end political arrests and stop security coordination.
It also urged a "joint Arab stance in the coming Arab summit... a national stance that will address international legitimacy, in spite of Israeli and American domination."