19 aug 2014
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Israeli and Egyptian authorities obstruct their efforts to investigate allegations of war crimes and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip. Representatives from the two organizations have failed to get official permissions to enter Gaza from Israel and Egypt since the early days of the military aggression, while the former blatantly denies that its army has committed violations in Gaza and still rejects any UN probe in this regard.
Senior Amnesty official Deborah Hyams said that despite all obstacles, its group and Watch are doing their best to document what has happened during Israel's military attacks on Gaza.
Senior Amnesty official Deborah Hyams said that despite all obstacles, its group and Watch are doing their best to document what has happened during Israel's military attacks on Gaza.
The 24-year-old Mahmoud Abu Rock was asleep in his house in Khuzaa town east of Khan Younis when shrapnel of an Israeli flechette shell hit him over a month ago. During an interview with the PIC reporter, Abu Rock has brought a dart with a length of 37.5 mm saying that it was fired by Israeli forces on July 17 and caused him serious injuries.
He added that flechette shells were fired on that day in order to force the residents to leave their homes before storming the town. Dozens of casualties were reported while large numbers of homes were destroyed.
The flechette shell is an Israeli weapon used during the last aggression on Gaza against civilians in total violation of international laws and conventions.
Military experts said that the flechette shell is an anti-personnel weapon that is generally fired from a tank.
The shell explodes in the air and releases thousands of metal darts 37.5mm in length, which disperse in a conical arch 300 meters long and about 90 meters wide.
Um Mohamed said, in her turn, that her husband was injured in a similar attack by a flechette shell.
The citizen Nahla Khalil Najjar, 37, has also suffered injuries to her chest in the flechette shelling at her home. “It contains tiny and potentially lethal metal darts, aiming to cause the largest number of casualties,” she explained.
Flechette shells were fired at very crowded civilian communities in Gaza Strip in flagrant violation of international laws that prohibit its use in residential areas.
Israeli forces have used flechette shells in previous wars against civilians, causing dozens of martyrs and injured people.
He added that flechette shells were fired on that day in order to force the residents to leave their homes before storming the town. Dozens of casualties were reported while large numbers of homes were destroyed.
The flechette shell is an Israeli weapon used during the last aggression on Gaza against civilians in total violation of international laws and conventions.
Military experts said that the flechette shell is an anti-personnel weapon that is generally fired from a tank.
The shell explodes in the air and releases thousands of metal darts 37.5mm in length, which disperse in a conical arch 300 meters long and about 90 meters wide.
Um Mohamed said, in her turn, that her husband was injured in a similar attack by a flechette shell.
The citizen Nahla Khalil Najjar, 37, has also suffered injuries to her chest in the flechette shelling at her home. “It contains tiny and potentially lethal metal darts, aiming to cause the largest number of casualties,” she explained.
Flechette shells were fired at very crowded civilian communities in Gaza Strip in flagrant violation of international laws that prohibit its use in residential areas.
Israeli forces have used flechette shells in previous wars against civilians, causing dozens of martyrs and injured people.
Israeli warplanes targeted an open area in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after the army reported three rockets fired from the coastal enclave.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
Another airstrike targeted al-Mughazi in central Gaza and an open area in Deir al-Balah.
The strikes came after Israel announced that three rockets from Gaza hit Ashkelon and Beersheva.
In an emailed statement, army spokesman Peter Lerner confirmed the attacks.
"Yet again, terrorists breach the ceasefire and renew fire at Israeli civilians from Hamas ruled Gaza Strip. This continued aggression will be addressed accordingly by the IDF; we will continue striking terror infrastructure, pursuing terrorists, and eliminating terror capabilities in the Gaza Strip, in order to restore security for the State of Israel," he said.
A new 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza will last until midnight on Tuesday under a last-minute deal reached in Cairo on Monday night.
Egyptian mediators have been pushing both sides to put a decisive end to weeks of bloodshed in Gaza, which has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 67 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.
But few details have emerged of the state of the negotiations given the apparently irreconcilable demands of the two sides.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
Another airstrike targeted al-Mughazi in central Gaza and an open area in Deir al-Balah.
The strikes came after Israel announced that three rockets from Gaza hit Ashkelon and Beersheva.
In an emailed statement, army spokesman Peter Lerner confirmed the attacks.
"Yet again, terrorists breach the ceasefire and renew fire at Israeli civilians from Hamas ruled Gaza Strip. This continued aggression will be addressed accordingly by the IDF; we will continue striking terror infrastructure, pursuing terrorists, and eliminating terror capabilities in the Gaza Strip, in order to restore security for the State of Israel," he said.
A new 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza will last until midnight on Tuesday under a last-minute deal reached in Cairo on Monday night.
Egyptian mediators have been pushing both sides to put a decisive end to weeks of bloodshed in Gaza, which has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 67 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.
But few details have emerged of the state of the negotiations given the apparently irreconcilable demands of the two sides.
Israeli warplanes bombed on Tuesday evening different targets in Gaza Strip in a new violation of the 24-hour truce mediated last night by Cairo.
Local sources said that Israeli airstrikes targeted agricultural lands east of Badawiya village north of Gaza Strip, the Zaytun neighborhood in Gaza City, and Maghazi refugee camp. No injuries were reported.
Israeli warplanes have also bombed agricultural lands in east of Khan Younis and northern Rafah southern Gaza Strip, without any casualties reported.
Hamas Movement held Israel responsible for the latest escalation in Gaza, saying that such attacks weaken any possibility of reaching a truce agreement.
“We have no information about the firing of rockets from Gaza,” spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Israeli military sources claimed Tuesday evening that three rockets were fired from Gaza Strip towards Beersheba. No injuries or material damages were reported.
Local sources said that Israeli airstrikes targeted agricultural lands east of Badawiya village north of Gaza Strip, the Zaytun neighborhood in Gaza City, and Maghazi refugee camp. No injuries were reported.
Israeli warplanes have also bombed agricultural lands in east of Khan Younis and northern Rafah southern Gaza Strip, without any casualties reported.
Hamas Movement held Israel responsible for the latest escalation in Gaza, saying that such attacks weaken any possibility of reaching a truce agreement.
“We have no information about the firing of rockets from Gaza,” spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Israeli military sources claimed Tuesday evening that three rockets were fired from Gaza Strip towards Beersheba. No injuries or material damages were reported.
The Israeli military has discovered the body of a missing soldier, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
David Gordon, originally from the US, was reported missing earlier the same day.
Israeli media reported Tuesday that he was found with a gun next to him.
Gordon, 21, lived in Jerusalem, Israel's Ynet news site reported.
The military police have opened an investigation into his death, the website reported.
Report: US-born Israeli soldier reported missing
An Israeli soldier has been reported missing from a military base in central Israel, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
The soldier, who was born in the United States, was named as David Menachem Gordon, 21, and was last seen near the Tzrifin military base on Sunday.
He was wearing an Israeli army uniform at the time and carrying a rifle.
David Gordon, originally from the US, was reported missing earlier the same day.
Israeli media reported Tuesday that he was found with a gun next to him.
Gordon, 21, lived in Jerusalem, Israel's Ynet news site reported.
The military police have opened an investigation into his death, the website reported.
Report: US-born Israeli soldier reported missing
An Israeli soldier has been reported missing from a military base in central Israel, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
The soldier, who was born in the United States, was named as David Menachem Gordon, 21, and was last seen near the Tzrifin military base on Sunday.
He was wearing an Israeli army uniform at the time and carrying a rifle.
Palestinian jurists and politicians called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to be decisive with its declared intention to join the international criminal court. This came during a workshop organized on Monday by the Palestinian center for policy research and strategic studies in el-Bireh city.
Several speakers during the meeting called on the PA not to procrastinate its recent decision to join the criminal court, and stressed the need for a popular pressure on the Palestinian leadership in this regard.
The speakers unanimously agreed that joining this international tribunal would act as a deterrent that would prevent Israel from committing further crimes and violations against the Palestinian people in the future.
They expressed their belief that the negative political effects of taking such step would be much less than its advantages and benefits, and could be minimized and overcome with time.
Several speakers during the meeting called on the PA not to procrastinate its recent decision to join the criminal court, and stressed the need for a popular pressure on the Palestinian leadership in this regard.
The speakers unanimously agreed that joining this international tribunal would act as a deterrent that would prevent Israel from committing further crimes and violations against the Palestinian people in the future.
They expressed their belief that the negative political effects of taking such step would be much less than its advantages and benefits, and could be minimized and overcome with time.
Israel on Tuesday ordered the military to respond after three rockets from Gaza struck the south as the two sides were observing a 24-hour truce, an Israeli official said.
Speaking to AFP, the official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "ordered the IDF to attack terror targets in Gaza" in response to the fire, which saw three rockets hit near the southern city of Beersheba that is home to some 200,000 people.
A new 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza will last until midnight on Tuesday under a last-minute deal reached in Cairo on Monday night.
Egyptian mediators have been pushing both sides to put a decisive end to weeks of bloodshed in Gaza, which has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 67 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.
But few details have emerged of the state of the negotiations given the apparently irreconcilable demands of the two sides.
Report: Netanyahu instructs Israel army to respond to rocket fire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon instructed the army to resume attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Israeli media reported.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu and Yaalon's command comes in response to three rockets fired from Gaza that landed in open areas in southern Israel earlier in the day.
No injuries or damages were reported as a result of the rockets.
Speaking to AFP, the official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "ordered the IDF to attack terror targets in Gaza" in response to the fire, which saw three rockets hit near the southern city of Beersheba that is home to some 200,000 people.
A new 24-hour ceasefire in Gaza will last until midnight on Tuesday under a last-minute deal reached in Cairo on Monday night.
Egyptian mediators have been pushing both sides to put a decisive end to weeks of bloodshed in Gaza, which has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 67 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.
But few details have emerged of the state of the negotiations given the apparently irreconcilable demands of the two sides.
Report: Netanyahu instructs Israel army to respond to rocket fire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon instructed the army to resume attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Israeli media reported.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu and Yaalon's command comes in response to three rockets fired from Gaza that landed in open areas in southern Israel earlier in the day.
No injuries or damages were reported as a result of the rockets.
Army: 3 rockets fired from Gaza land near Beersheba
Three rockets fired from Gaza landed near the Israeli city of Beersheba on Tuesday, Israel's army said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that the rockets landed in open areas, with no reports of injuries or damage.
Three rockets fired from Gaza landed near the Israeli city of Beersheba on Tuesday, Israel's army said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that the rockets landed in open areas, with no reports of injuries or damage.
100 international organizations signed a petition supporting the justice of the Palestinian demands being tabled in Cairo truce talks, especially with regard to ending Israel's land and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip. "We support the demands of the Palestinian delegation to Cairo, and emphasize that they are non-negotiable basic rights," the organizations, including human rights groups, stated on Monday.
The Palestinian delegation to Cairo demands an Israeli pledge to end its financial and economic blockade on Gaza, ensure the freedom of fishing within 12 nautical miles and freedom of movement inside the border areas of Gaza, and allow international reconstruction efforts.
"It is no longer acceptable to return to the policy of strangulation against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip… and control their basic living resources, the food they provide for their children and their interaction with the whole world," their petition emphasized.
"It would also not be acceptable any more to give Israel a free rein to threaten the Gaza population," the petition added.
The Palestinian delegation to Cairo demands an Israeli pledge to end its financial and economic blockade on Gaza, ensure the freedom of fishing within 12 nautical miles and freedom of movement inside the border areas of Gaza, and allow international reconstruction efforts.
"It is no longer acceptable to return to the policy of strangulation against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip… and control their basic living resources, the food they provide for their children and their interaction with the whole world," their petition emphasized.
"It would also not be acceptable any more to give Israel a free rein to threaten the Gaza population," the petition added.
An Israeli official on Tuesday denied a report about the "understandings" between Israel and the United States regarding a gradual lifting of the blockade on Gaza. A report in the Israeli news website Ynet cited an unnamed government official who said that Israel told Washington that it agreed to incrementally remove the blockade of Gaza, first by opening the ground crossings into the Strip and later permitting the opening of the sea port as well.
Lifting Israeli blockade and Egyptian restrictions on the border crossings to Gaza, eight years after they were put in place, is a key demand of the Palestinian delegation.
Israeli official - who spoke to the Israeli Channel 2 on condition of anonymity - said that no comprehensive agreement for a long-term truce has been made, and that the Israeli delegation remained in Cairo in order not to undermine the Egyptian initiative.
Contrary to reports , Israeli representatives have not left Egypt after agreeing to lift the blockade on Gaza, according to a senior Israeli official involved in the negotiations.
The sources reported that talks are still continuing over core issues, including if and how the Israeli blockade of Gaza could be eased without compromising Israeli security.
The head of Palestinian delegation, Azzam al-Ahmad, played down the claims that a "major breakthrough" had been made in talks .
"If no agreement is reached, the cycle of violence will be renewed," he warned.
Lifting Israeli blockade and Egyptian restrictions on the border crossings to Gaza, eight years after they were put in place, is a key demand of the Palestinian delegation.
Israeli official - who spoke to the Israeli Channel 2 on condition of anonymity - said that no comprehensive agreement for a long-term truce has been made, and that the Israeli delegation remained in Cairo in order not to undermine the Egyptian initiative.
Contrary to reports , Israeli representatives have not left Egypt after agreeing to lift the blockade on Gaza, according to a senior Israeli official involved in the negotiations.
The sources reported that talks are still continuing over core issues, including if and how the Israeli blockade of Gaza could be eased without compromising Israeli security.
The head of Palestinian delegation, Azzam al-Ahmad, played down the claims that a "major breakthrough" had been made in talks .
"If no agreement is reached, the cycle of violence will be renewed," he warned.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper claimed on Tuesday that the US and Israel agreed in camera on steps to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip gradually by opening crossings. The newspaper quoted Israeli official sources in occupied Jerusalem as saying that US secretary of state John Kerry is due to arrive in Israel next week to reiterate his country's support for Israel and premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and to show that the relationship between the two allies has never been in crisis.
According to the same sources, the US and Israel decided that Israel should gradually lift its blockade on Gaza, starting with the land crossings and eventually opening up sea traffic.
During this secret meeting, Israel has been convinced to allow the transfer of salaries to the Palestinian authority civil servants who are affiliated with Hamas in Gaza and facilitate international efforts to reconstruct Gaza.
As for Gaza's demilitarization, this issue will not be tabled in the talks underway in Cairo, though the US will support Israel's diplomatic moves to prevent Hamas and other Palestinian factions from rearming, the sources told Yedioth Ahronoth.
The newspaper noted that there is still no confirmation by the Americans of such secret agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel announced late Monday night that it had agreed to extend the temporary ceasefire in Gaza for 24 hours while, at Egypt's request, it continued to negotiate a permanent truce deal with the Palestinian delegation in Cairo.
In another context, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu held on Monday night a security consultation meeting at the headquarters of the war ministry in Tel Aviv to discuss the details of the Egyptian ceasefire talks.
The meeting was attended by war minister Moshe Yaalon, chief of staff Benny Gantz, and head of the Shin Bet Yoram Cohen.
Walla news website quoted an Israeli security official as saying that the meeting was not intended for approving the ceasefire proposal being tabled in Cairo but for discussing its details.
The official added that in case a long-term truce deal was brokered in Cairo, there would be a need for convening the cabinet to sanction it.
According to the same sources, the US and Israel decided that Israel should gradually lift its blockade on Gaza, starting with the land crossings and eventually opening up sea traffic.
During this secret meeting, Israel has been convinced to allow the transfer of salaries to the Palestinian authority civil servants who are affiliated with Hamas in Gaza and facilitate international efforts to reconstruct Gaza.
As for Gaza's demilitarization, this issue will not be tabled in the talks underway in Cairo, though the US will support Israel's diplomatic moves to prevent Hamas and other Palestinian factions from rearming, the sources told Yedioth Ahronoth.
The newspaper noted that there is still no confirmation by the Americans of such secret agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel announced late Monday night that it had agreed to extend the temporary ceasefire in Gaza for 24 hours while, at Egypt's request, it continued to negotiate a permanent truce deal with the Palestinian delegation in Cairo.
In another context, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu held on Monday night a security consultation meeting at the headquarters of the war ministry in Tel Aviv to discuss the details of the Egyptian ceasefire talks.
The meeting was attended by war minister Moshe Yaalon, chief of staff Benny Gantz, and head of the Shin Bet Yoram Cohen.
Walla news website quoted an Israeli security official as saying that the meeting was not intended for approving the ceasefire proposal being tabled in Cairo but for discussing its details.
The official added that in case a long-term truce deal was brokered in Cairo, there would be a need for convening the cabinet to sanction it.
The Palestinian delegation in Cairo agreed on Egypt-brokered appeals to extend Gaza ceasefire by extra 24 hours until another round of talks is finished, member of Hamas political bureau, Ezzet al-Resheq, said on Tuesday. “Many difficulties have been lying ahead of the negotiation process due to Israel’s procrastination,” he said, adding, “extending the truce by 24 hours came following Egyptian appeals to give another chance for the advancement of the current talks.”
The truce-extension came as a formerly announced five-day ceasefire expired overnight Monday.
Resheq said the negotiations were on the verge of breaking down after the Israeli delegation reiterated a striking inflexibility vis-à-vis Hamas terms, supposedly settled in former ceasefire talks.
Resheq raised alarm bells over the ad-hominem-campaign triggered by the Israeli occupation and other offhand parties.
“All what has been circulated regarding the truce agreement is just groundless,” Resheq declared, dubbing Israel’s wordplay as a psychological war waged against Palestinians, each of which has been longing for a permanent ceasefire agreement.
“Israel has been fooling around and pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes. This is a typical Israeli tactic,” he said.
“We’ve done it all to reach an agreement commensurate with our own people’s wishes. We will do our best in the next 24 hours. But if Israel’s stubbornness is kept up, we will react as our people sees it fit,” he added.
Al least 2017 Palestinians were killed while thousands of others sustained critical wounds in the Israeli offensive that has rocked besieged Gaza since July 7. Yet, Israel is paying no heed to Egyptian-brokered appeals for a permanent truce, the Palestinian envoy charged.
Hamas leader and member of the Palestinian delegation Mousa Abu Marzouk said in a statement posted on his Facebook page Tuesday dawn: “Things have turned out unbearable for the Palestinian masses due to such scenes of gives-and-takes. No single agreement has been reached so far. All otherwise provided updates are just groundless.”
Azzam al-Ahmad, head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, said no steps have been made forward in the indirect talks, adding: “We hope that Israel would press ahead with a ceasefire agreement within the next 24 hours or else the cycle of violence would return.”
For its part, a Palestinian faction, the Palestinian Resistance Committees, has warned in a statement on Monday of Israel’s attempts to “abuse Palestinians’ fair demands,” most notably the cessation of the Gaza offensive and lifting the notorious siege once and for all.”
“The sacrifices of the Palestinian people are urging everybody to hold out and stand up to their legitimate and inalienable rights. From now on our people will never accept to live under such oppressive blockade.”
The committees called on the Egyptian mediator to side with the Palestinians and step up pressure on the Israeli occupation until all of Palestinians’ demands are met, vowing to stand firm against such Israeli “terror campaigns” no matter the means.
The truce-extension came as a formerly announced five-day ceasefire expired overnight Monday.
Resheq said the negotiations were on the verge of breaking down after the Israeli delegation reiterated a striking inflexibility vis-à-vis Hamas terms, supposedly settled in former ceasefire talks.
Resheq raised alarm bells over the ad-hominem-campaign triggered by the Israeli occupation and other offhand parties.
“All what has been circulated regarding the truce agreement is just groundless,” Resheq declared, dubbing Israel’s wordplay as a psychological war waged against Palestinians, each of which has been longing for a permanent ceasefire agreement.
“Israel has been fooling around and pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes. This is a typical Israeli tactic,” he said.
“We’ve done it all to reach an agreement commensurate with our own people’s wishes. We will do our best in the next 24 hours. But if Israel’s stubbornness is kept up, we will react as our people sees it fit,” he added.
Al least 2017 Palestinians were killed while thousands of others sustained critical wounds in the Israeli offensive that has rocked besieged Gaza since July 7. Yet, Israel is paying no heed to Egyptian-brokered appeals for a permanent truce, the Palestinian envoy charged.
Hamas leader and member of the Palestinian delegation Mousa Abu Marzouk said in a statement posted on his Facebook page Tuesday dawn: “Things have turned out unbearable for the Palestinian masses due to such scenes of gives-and-takes. No single agreement has been reached so far. All otherwise provided updates are just groundless.”
Azzam al-Ahmad, head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, said no steps have been made forward in the indirect talks, adding: “We hope that Israel would press ahead with a ceasefire agreement within the next 24 hours or else the cycle of violence would return.”
For its part, a Palestinian faction, the Palestinian Resistance Committees, has warned in a statement on Monday of Israel’s attempts to “abuse Palestinians’ fair demands,” most notably the cessation of the Gaza offensive and lifting the notorious siege once and for all.”
“The sacrifices of the Palestinian people are urging everybody to hold out and stand up to their legitimate and inalienable rights. From now on our people will never accept to live under such oppressive blockade.”
The committees called on the Egyptian mediator to side with the Palestinians and step up pressure on the Israeli occupation until all of Palestinians’ demands are met, vowing to stand firm against such Israeli “terror campaigns” no matter the means.
One third of the overall area of Gaza City has become uninhabitable due to the unprecedented damage wrought by the Israeli occupation, particularly in the eastern suburbs, Gaza mayor Nizar Hijazi said. “The Israeli occupation has deliberately targeted water pumps and sewage plants so as to dampen the spirits of Gaza populace,” Hijazi said in exclusive statements to the PIC.
Two members of the municipality staff were killed during the Gaza offensive while some 120 others had their homes shelled, including the mayor’s.
Hijazi said the dearth of Gaza municipality has become increasingly edgier since the launch of the Israeli offensive. This includes shortages in equipment, work tools, and mechanisms.
Yet the municipality is trying all possible ways to meet Gazans’ demands despite the scarcity of the available means and the salary crisis rocking the Strip for the past three months.
“Since the launch of the Gaza offensive we have formed a central emergency committee working round-the-clock despite the ceaseless Israeli rocket-fire unleashed against our staff personnel,” Hijazi declared.
He said the Israeli occupation destroyed more than 13 water wells and wastewater treatment plants in Gaza, forcing the municipality to pump water into the sea without treatment and triggering health crises and diseases among Palestinian citizens.
Gaza mayor spoke against Israel’s targeting of Gaza’s sole power plant, reducing the hours of water supply and leading to the spread of diseases and insects among the local inhabitants.
Hijazi acclaimed Qatari assistance to Gaza municipality, calling on the unity government to assume their responsibilities and provide the municipality with an operating budget along with the urgent reimbursement of Gazan’s salaries.
“Ever since the launch of the aggression, stakeholders at the unity government have neither been in touch with us nor do they have listened to our demands,” he charged.
Two members of the municipality staff were killed during the Gaza offensive while some 120 others had their homes shelled, including the mayor’s.
Hijazi said the dearth of Gaza municipality has become increasingly edgier since the launch of the Israeli offensive. This includes shortages in equipment, work tools, and mechanisms.
Yet the municipality is trying all possible ways to meet Gazans’ demands despite the scarcity of the available means and the salary crisis rocking the Strip for the past three months.
“Since the launch of the Gaza offensive we have formed a central emergency committee working round-the-clock despite the ceaseless Israeli rocket-fire unleashed against our staff personnel,” Hijazi declared.
He said the Israeli occupation destroyed more than 13 water wells and wastewater treatment plants in Gaza, forcing the municipality to pump water into the sea without treatment and triggering health crises and diseases among Palestinian citizens.
Gaza mayor spoke against Israel’s targeting of Gaza’s sole power plant, reducing the hours of water supply and leading to the spread of diseases and insects among the local inhabitants.
Hijazi acclaimed Qatari assistance to Gaza municipality, calling on the unity government to assume their responsibilities and provide the municipality with an operating budget along with the urgent reimbursement of Gazan’s salaries.
“Ever since the launch of the aggression, stakeholders at the unity government have neither been in touch with us nor do they have listened to our demands,” he charged.
93 alleged Hamas operatives were arrested in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem over the past few months for suspected involvement in the setting up of a network of armed cells run by Turkey-based Hamas leader Salah al-Arouri, Shin Bet intelligence apparatus claimed Monday. The Israeli Channel 10 said the cell members were planning to carry out “suicide attacks” against the Israeli occupation, launch hostage-taking operations against soldiers, and establish ordnance stockrooms.
According to a statement released by Shin Bet, the captives of the West-Bank- and Jerusalem-based Hamas cell were arrested between May and August and were restocked with arms and Hamas-backed funds.
The Israeli channel said the projected attacks were orchestrated by al-Arouri, who has been in charge of the West Bank file ever since his deportation in 2010.
The list of Hamas captives includes ex-prisoner Mahmoud Abu Daoud, who claimed responsibility for the staffing of armed cells to carry out retaliatory attacks staged in response to Israeli rocket fire against Gaza civilians.
Shin Bet dubbed the newly captured cell as the “largest and most threatening ever”, claiming its presence is a sign of the risks laid by Hamas’ determination to carry out its strategic goals.” It also said that the cell was part of a Hamas plan to overthrow the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Along the same line, an official Ramallah-based Hamas source denied, in a statement to Anadolu News Agency, having been involved in plans to topple the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling such claims “mere no-nonsense and malevolent attempts to disband the unity of the Palestinian factions.”
“Riadh Nasser, Sheikh Jamal al-Tawil, Sheikh Salah Bkirat, among many other Hamas blacklisted leaders, are religious community leaders,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, added.
“Rumors about plans to hold sway over the West Bank and overthrow the PA are counterfeited claims aimed at striking a blow at the unified Palestinian position in Cairo truce talks,” the same source maintained.
According to a statement released by Shin Bet, the captives of the West-Bank- and Jerusalem-based Hamas cell were arrested between May and August and were restocked with arms and Hamas-backed funds.
The Israeli channel said the projected attacks were orchestrated by al-Arouri, who has been in charge of the West Bank file ever since his deportation in 2010.
The list of Hamas captives includes ex-prisoner Mahmoud Abu Daoud, who claimed responsibility for the staffing of armed cells to carry out retaliatory attacks staged in response to Israeli rocket fire against Gaza civilians.
Shin Bet dubbed the newly captured cell as the “largest and most threatening ever”, claiming its presence is a sign of the risks laid by Hamas’ determination to carry out its strategic goals.” It also said that the cell was part of a Hamas plan to overthrow the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Along the same line, an official Ramallah-based Hamas source denied, in a statement to Anadolu News Agency, having been involved in plans to topple the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling such claims “mere no-nonsense and malevolent attempts to disband the unity of the Palestinian factions.”
“Riadh Nasser, Sheikh Jamal al-Tawil, Sheikh Salah Bkirat, among many other Hamas blacklisted leaders, are religious community leaders,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, added.
“Rumors about plans to hold sway over the West Bank and overthrow the PA are counterfeited claims aimed at striking a blow at the unified Palestinian position in Cairo truce talks,” the same source maintained.
