9 june 2015
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said that $2,097,225 in funding were made available for cash assistance to meet the needs of almost 565 families in the war-battered Gaza Strip.
A press release issued by UNRWA said that an amount of $ 21,800 was made available for rental subsidies, $72,298 and $96,798 for major and minor repairs, respectively, in addition to $500 reintegration grant to replace lost households goods ($9,000).
According to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency, UNRWA said the cash assistance will reach 565 refugee families across the Gaza Strip this week via cheque or through accessing the payments through local banks.
“Emergency shelter – including support for home repairs, reconstruction and interim shelter solutions – is a top priority for UNRWA. The Agency remains committed to supporting affected families yet requires new funding to continue the shelter cash assistance programme,” said the release.
To be noted, Gaza still suffers from the repercussions of the Israeli aggression which took place in the summer of 2014; the infrastructure along with thousands of homes were completely destroyed, displacing thousands of families who up until the moment live in caravans on the rubble of their homes.
A press release issued by UNRWA said that an amount of $ 21,800 was made available for rental subsidies, $72,298 and $96,798 for major and minor repairs, respectively, in addition to $500 reintegration grant to replace lost households goods ($9,000).
According to WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency, UNRWA said the cash assistance will reach 565 refugee families across the Gaza Strip this week via cheque or through accessing the payments through local banks.
“Emergency shelter – including support for home repairs, reconstruction and interim shelter solutions – is a top priority for UNRWA. The Agency remains committed to supporting affected families yet requires new funding to continue the shelter cash assistance programme,” said the release.
To be noted, Gaza still suffers from the repercussions of the Israeli aggression which took place in the summer of 2014; the infrastructure along with thousands of homes were completely destroyed, displacing thousands of families who up until the moment live in caravans on the rubble of their homes.
Israeli Defence Minister, Moshe Ya'alon
Israeli sources yesterday announced that the Israeli army had deployed the fourth Iron Dome Rocket Defence System, fearing a deterioration of the security situation in Gaza, the Anadolu Agency reported. The other systems were already in place in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Netivot as three homemade rockets were fired from Gaza during the last week.
Several Israeli officials, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, warned that Israel would never tolerate sporadic rocket attacks.
Ya'alon said: "Israel holds Hamas responsible for all firing from Gaza at our territory." He hoped that the world would remain silent "when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves."
Israel waged three wars against Gaza since 2008, it said that these were attempts to defend itself.
"Let it be clear: The spreading hypocrisy in the world will not tie our hands and prevent us from protecting Israel's citizens," he said. "Thus we have acted; thus we will act," the Israeli minister insisted.
Israeli sources yesterday announced that the Israeli army had deployed the fourth Iron Dome Rocket Defence System, fearing a deterioration of the security situation in Gaza, the Anadolu Agency reported. The other systems were already in place in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Netivot as three homemade rockets were fired from Gaza during the last week.
Several Israeli officials, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, warned that Israel would never tolerate sporadic rocket attacks.
Ya'alon said: "Israel holds Hamas responsible for all firing from Gaza at our territory." He hoped that the world would remain silent "when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves."
Israel waged three wars against Gaza since 2008, it said that these were attempts to defend itself.
"Let it be clear: The spreading hypocrisy in the world will not tie our hands and prevent us from protecting Israel's citizens," he said. "Thus we have acted; thus we will act," the Israeli minister insisted.
The National Takaful Committee said it would give 5,000 US dollars in cash to each family of a martyr killed in the last Israeli war on Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.
Member of the committee Ismail al-Ashqar told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the committee would hold two festivals for the families of martyrs to distribute the financial aid.
Ashqar added that the names of the martyrs had been approved by the Palestinian health ministry and the resistance factions in Gaza.
He also said that the committee would provide at the beginning of Ramadan 12,000 food baskets for the people who lost their homes in the war.
Member of the committee Ismail al-Ashqar told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the committee would hold two festivals for the families of martyrs to distribute the financial aid.
Ashqar added that the names of the martyrs had been approved by the Palestinian health ministry and the resistance factions in Gaza.
He also said that the committee would provide at the beginning of Ramadan 12,000 food baskets for the people who lost their homes in the war.
The Southern Region Commander Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman said Sunday night that Israel will not launch a new war on Gaza due to a few rockets.
Turgeman's statements came during a meeting with mayors of Israeli towns bordering Gaza Strip.
Israel won't launch a military operation in Gaza in response to sporadic rocket fire from the Strip that lands in open areas, he said.
Turgeman did stress, however, that great effort was going toward increasing the IDF's defense capabilities against such attacks from rockets and tunnels dug.
The Israeli occupation army at dawn Sunday launched an aerial attack on an area in the besieged Gaza Strip, after they claimed that a rocket was fired from Gaza and landed in an open area near Ashkelon.
Israeli political and military officials expressed their belief that the rocket attack was carried out by a Salafi group, who seeks to drag Hamas into a new war with Israel.
Last summer, Israel launched a 51-day aggression on Gaza, resulted in nearly 2,300 martyrs mostly children and women while tens of thousands others were injured.
In south, Israelis fear rerun of last year's Gaza war
Spate of rocket strikes from Gaza spark concerns of another summer conflict; Rivlin: No one will disrupt our lives.
After a series of rocket strikes from Gaza, residents of southern Israel who had been hoping for a quiet summer to make up for last year's war, again find themselves in a state of uncertainty.
"We had a crazy night to the accompaniment of IDF bombings," said Aviva Fuld from the Netiv HaAsara moshav, referring to Saturday night's attack and Israeli response.
"We woke at three in the morning and weren't able to get back to sleep afterwards. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that the summer is going to be just like the last one. It's unacceptable, and we shouldn't have to come to terms with the situation.
"We want a quiet summer, without air raid sirens and without having to pick up and move all over the country. We simply want to be at home and to enjoy ourselves."
Speaking Sunday at the opening of a film festival in Sderot, President Reuven Rivlin also commented on the current tension in the south.
"When I was asked if I am going to Sderot this evening, I didn't understand the question," Rivlin said. "Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Sderot – they're all the same. No one will disrupt our lives."
The rocket that was fired Saturday night from the Gaza Strip was found on Sunday in a field of sunflowers in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. Once again, the Israel Defense Forces responded to the rocket fire and launched air strikes against targets in the Strip; and residents of the south have expressed fears about a "rerun" of the events of last summer.
At a meeting Sunday night with GOC Southern Command Major General Sami Turgeman, leaders of the Gaza-border communities expressed concerns about a potential escalation in the area and asked the senior IDF officer for a report on the current situation.
Turgeman said that while Hamas was indeed making efforts to prevent the rocket attacks, Israel still held the organization responsible for the incidents and would respond accordingly whenever necessary. The major general also said that the IDF would not mount an operation in Gaza in response to sporadic rockets that land in open areas.
Turgeman's statements came during a meeting with mayors of Israeli towns bordering Gaza Strip.
Israel won't launch a military operation in Gaza in response to sporadic rocket fire from the Strip that lands in open areas, he said.
Turgeman did stress, however, that great effort was going toward increasing the IDF's defense capabilities against such attacks from rockets and tunnels dug.
The Israeli occupation army at dawn Sunday launched an aerial attack on an area in the besieged Gaza Strip, after they claimed that a rocket was fired from Gaza and landed in an open area near Ashkelon.
Israeli political and military officials expressed their belief that the rocket attack was carried out by a Salafi group, who seeks to drag Hamas into a new war with Israel.
Last summer, Israel launched a 51-day aggression on Gaza, resulted in nearly 2,300 martyrs mostly children and women while tens of thousands others were injured.
In south, Israelis fear rerun of last year's Gaza war
Spate of rocket strikes from Gaza spark concerns of another summer conflict; Rivlin: No one will disrupt our lives.
After a series of rocket strikes from Gaza, residents of southern Israel who had been hoping for a quiet summer to make up for last year's war, again find themselves in a state of uncertainty.
"We had a crazy night to the accompaniment of IDF bombings," said Aviva Fuld from the Netiv HaAsara moshav, referring to Saturday night's attack and Israeli response.
"We woke at three in the morning and weren't able to get back to sleep afterwards. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that the summer is going to be just like the last one. It's unacceptable, and we shouldn't have to come to terms with the situation.
"We want a quiet summer, without air raid sirens and without having to pick up and move all over the country. We simply want to be at home and to enjoy ourselves."
Speaking Sunday at the opening of a film festival in Sderot, President Reuven Rivlin also commented on the current tension in the south.
"When I was asked if I am going to Sderot this evening, I didn't understand the question," Rivlin said. "Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Sderot – they're all the same. No one will disrupt our lives."
The rocket that was fired Saturday night from the Gaza Strip was found on Sunday in a field of sunflowers in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. Once again, the Israel Defense Forces responded to the rocket fire and launched air strikes against targets in the Strip; and residents of the south have expressed fears about a "rerun" of the events of last summer.
At a meeting Sunday night with GOC Southern Command Major General Sami Turgeman, leaders of the Gaza-border communities expressed concerns about a potential escalation in the area and asked the senior IDF officer for a report on the current situation.
Turgeman said that while Hamas was indeed making efforts to prevent the rocket attacks, Israel still held the organization responsible for the incidents and would respond accordingly whenever necessary. The major general also said that the IDF would not mount an operation in Gaza in response to sporadic rockets that land in open areas.
8 june 2015
The military wing of Hamas deployed several fighters north of Gaza on Sunday to protect a construction site after the Israeli army fired at the bulldozers building a road there. According to a witness, the Israelis were targeting the heavy machinery working along the security fence, reported Quds Press.
"Shortly after the shooting," said the witness, "a number of fighters from Al-Qassam Brigades arrived in military vehicles."
Work has started recently to build a road parallel to the security fence along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip under the supervision of the military wing. Nobody from Al-Qassam Brigades has commented on or announced this officially.
"Shortly after the shooting," said the witness, "a number of fighters from Al-Qassam Brigades arrived in military vehicles."
Work has started recently to build a road parallel to the security fence along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip under the supervision of the military wing. Nobody from Al-Qassam Brigades has commented on or announced this officially.
The US yesterday announced its support for the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, stressing its "right to defend itself", Palestinian news agency SAFA reported. White House Spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip is a kind of self-defence. "The White House continues to support Israel's right to defend itself," he said.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
"Ban Ki-moon’s decision not to include Israel on the list of violators of children’s rights twists the knife in the heart of every Palestinian parent, making it very clear that in the eyes of the United Nations Palestinian children’s lives don’t count," Hemaya Center for Human rights said in a press release on Monday.
It said, "When a military with the most sophisticated and accurate weaponry on the planet can kill more than 500 children in cold blood with complete impunity, as Israel’s absence from the list shows, it reveals more than just the complete disregard for Palestinian lives that has become so commonplace in the halls of power. It also makes it abundantly clear that the UN, the single most important international organisation charged with protecting the lives of the most vulnerable, is failing spectacularly."
The release pointed out that Children are the lifeblood of the future. How can any world citizen look at the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Palestinian child death toll from the 2014 Israeli aggression, and this decision, and not be appalled?
"At best it reflects the paucity of responsible leadership evident in the UN under Ban Ki-moon’s secretaryship, which has seen public faith in the international organisation reach an all-time low."
The center said, "At worst it underlines the gross politicisation of an organisation purporting to uphold the rights of ALL humans – and failing.The only way Ban Ki-moon’s decision – if not his entire leadership in relation to the Palestinian issue – can be called a success is if the intention is to ‘grow’ a generation of increasingly angry cynics with no respect for the abject hypocrisy emanating from Geneva and New York."
Hemaya expressed its utmost disappointment in the attitude to Palestinian children that the decision represents, and called on human rights bodies and concerned citizens everywhere to roundly reject it by supporting and valuing those Palestinian children who survived, and who continue to suffer under illegal occupation, repression and siege.
Israel, Hamas not included on UN blacklist
Ban Ki-moon decides to exclude Israel and Hamas both from list of countries, organizations that harm children despite opposing recommendations.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's new list of parties that kill or injure children in armed conflict does not include Israel or Hamas, as some UN officials had recommended.
But the UN chief also said in the report circulated Monday that the killing and injuring of Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank is unacceptable.
Ban urged Israel "to take concrete and immediate steps, including by reviewing existing policies and practices, to protect children, to prevent the killing and maiming of children, and to respect the special protections afforded to schools and hospitals."
He also urged Israel to ensure accountability for perpetrators of alleged violations and to engage in talks with the UN special envoy for children in armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, "to ensure that there is no recurrence."
The UN secretary-general's envoy for Children and Armed Conflict had recommended that the IDF be included the blacklist of countries and organizations accused of regularly causing harm to children.
The UN also faced heavy pressure from the Palestinians, their supporters and human rights organizations to include the Israeli army on the list.
It said, "When a military with the most sophisticated and accurate weaponry on the planet can kill more than 500 children in cold blood with complete impunity, as Israel’s absence from the list shows, it reveals more than just the complete disregard for Palestinian lives that has become so commonplace in the halls of power. It also makes it abundantly clear that the UN, the single most important international organisation charged with protecting the lives of the most vulnerable, is failing spectacularly."
The release pointed out that Children are the lifeblood of the future. How can any world citizen look at the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Palestinian child death toll from the 2014 Israeli aggression, and this decision, and not be appalled?
"At best it reflects the paucity of responsible leadership evident in the UN under Ban Ki-moon’s secretaryship, which has seen public faith in the international organisation reach an all-time low."
The center said, "At worst it underlines the gross politicisation of an organisation purporting to uphold the rights of ALL humans – and failing.The only way Ban Ki-moon’s decision – if not his entire leadership in relation to the Palestinian issue – can be called a success is if the intention is to ‘grow’ a generation of increasingly angry cynics with no respect for the abject hypocrisy emanating from Geneva and New York."
Hemaya expressed its utmost disappointment in the attitude to Palestinian children that the decision represents, and called on human rights bodies and concerned citizens everywhere to roundly reject it by supporting and valuing those Palestinian children who survived, and who continue to suffer under illegal occupation, repression and siege.
Israel, Hamas not included on UN blacklist
Ban Ki-moon decides to exclude Israel and Hamas both from list of countries, organizations that harm children despite opposing recommendations.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's new list of parties that kill or injure children in armed conflict does not include Israel or Hamas, as some UN officials had recommended.
But the UN chief also said in the report circulated Monday that the killing and injuring of Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank is unacceptable.
Ban urged Israel "to take concrete and immediate steps, including by reviewing existing policies and practices, to protect children, to prevent the killing and maiming of children, and to respect the special protections afforded to schools and hospitals."
He also urged Israel to ensure accountability for perpetrators of alleged violations and to engage in talks with the UN special envoy for children in armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, "to ensure that there is no recurrence."
The UN secretary-general's envoy for Children and Armed Conflict had recommended that the IDF be included the blacklist of countries and organizations accused of regularly causing harm to children.
The UN also faced heavy pressure from the Palestinians, their supporters and human rights organizations to include the Israeli army on the list.
The Israeli war boats opened Monday morning machinegun fire towards Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza shores. No injuries were reported during the attack.
Local sources affirmed that a number of Palestinian fishing boats were sailing within 6 nautical miles off Gaza northern shores when they were subjected to a brutal Israeli Navy attack.
The fishermen were obliged to leave the sea, while no injuries were reported, the sources added.
Israeli attacks against fishermen have notably escalated; nearly 20 Palestinian fishermen were recently shot and injured by Israeli navy shooting while practicing fishing within the allowed water zone.
The attack is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
Local sources affirmed that a number of Palestinian fishing boats were sailing within 6 nautical miles off Gaza northern shores when they were subjected to a brutal Israeli Navy attack.
The fishermen were obliged to leave the sea, while no injuries were reported, the sources added.
Israeli attacks against fishermen have notably escalated; nearly 20 Palestinian fishermen were recently shot and injured by Israeli navy shooting while practicing fishing within the allowed water zone.
The attack is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
7 june 2015
'I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense,' prime minister says about sporadic Gaza rocket fire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the international community on Sunday morning for failing to condemn Gaza rocket fire at southern Israel.
"I did not hear a single member of the international community condemn the attack, and the UN did not say a word," Netanyahu said. "I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense."
He said the "hypocrisy" sweeping the world will not limit Israel's reaction.
Sporadic rocket fire has been ongoing over the past few weeks, with errant Palestinian factions, particularly one sympathizing with the Islamic State, breaking the ceasefire in a challenge to Hamas.
On Saturday night, a rocket was fired towards Ashkelon and landed in a field. The IAF attacked terror infrastructure at the northern Gaza Strip overnight in response for the rocket.
As many as six rocket have been fired at Israel since the end of Operation Protective Edge nearly a year ago. Two landed in Sdot Negev on Wednesday and the week before, a rocket fell in Gan Yavne.
Hamas claimed to have arrested the perpetrators behind the rocket launching in late May, saying it has no interest in an escalation with Israel at present.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," a Hamas source told Ynet on May 27. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the international community on Sunday morning for failing to condemn Gaza rocket fire at southern Israel.
"I did not hear a single member of the international community condemn the attack, and the UN did not say a word," Netanyahu said. "I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense."
He said the "hypocrisy" sweeping the world will not limit Israel's reaction.
Sporadic rocket fire has been ongoing over the past few weeks, with errant Palestinian factions, particularly one sympathizing with the Islamic State, breaking the ceasefire in a challenge to Hamas.
On Saturday night, a rocket was fired towards Ashkelon and landed in a field. The IAF attacked terror infrastructure at the northern Gaza Strip overnight in response for the rocket.
As many as six rocket have been fired at Israel since the end of Operation Protective Edge nearly a year ago. Two landed in Sdot Negev on Wednesday and the week before, a rocket fell in Gan Yavne.
Hamas claimed to have arrested the perpetrators behind the rocket launching in late May, saying it has no interest in an escalation with Israel at present.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," a Hamas source told Ynet on May 27. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
As rockets continue trickling from the Strip, poll finds half of respondents believe Israel will win next round of fighting with Hamas; 54% see conflict with Hezbollah as likely, with 70% believing Israel will win it.
As a trickle of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continues hitting Israel every few days, 82 percent of Israelis foresee another round of fighting against Hamas in Gaza, a poll released Sunday at the Herzliya Conference found.
According to the poll, conducted by Dr. Mina Tzemach and the Midgam Institute for the IPS Institute for Policy and Strategy, half of respondents believe Israel will defeat Hamas in the next round of fighting. When asked whether Israel defeated Hamas in last summer's Operation Protective Edge, half said yes.
On the northern front, 54 percent of Israelis foresee a confrontation with Hezbollah, with 70 percent of respondents believing Israel will win. Meanwhile, 42 percent view the Islamic State as posing less of a threat to Israel. In light of the threats Israel faces, respondents were asked what their position on the defense budget was, with 52.2 percent saying the budget should not be cut.
Forty percent of Israeli-Arabs also hold that opinion. Another topic asked about is the stalled peace process with the Palestinians, with 68 percent saying Israel should renew talks or present its own diplomatic initiative. Seventy-two percent of respondents support the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia, which offers Israel peace with the moderate Arab nations on top of peace with the Palestinians.
With regards to this year's elections, 52 percent said they were unhappy with the results that won Benjamin Netanyahu a fourth term as prime minister.
As a trickle of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continues hitting Israel every few days, 82 percent of Israelis foresee another round of fighting against Hamas in Gaza, a poll released Sunday at the Herzliya Conference found.
According to the poll, conducted by Dr. Mina Tzemach and the Midgam Institute for the IPS Institute for Policy and Strategy, half of respondents believe Israel will defeat Hamas in the next round of fighting. When asked whether Israel defeated Hamas in last summer's Operation Protective Edge, half said yes.
On the northern front, 54 percent of Israelis foresee a confrontation with Hezbollah, with 70 percent of respondents believing Israel will win. Meanwhile, 42 percent view the Islamic State as posing less of a threat to Israel. In light of the threats Israel faces, respondents were asked what their position on the defense budget was, with 52.2 percent saying the budget should not be cut.
Forty percent of Israeli-Arabs also hold that opinion. Another topic asked about is the stalled peace process with the Palestinians, with 68 percent saying Israel should renew talks or present its own diplomatic initiative. Seventy-two percent of respondents support the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia, which offers Israel peace with the moderate Arab nations on top of peace with the Palestinians.
With regards to this year's elections, 52 percent said they were unhappy with the results that won Benjamin Netanyahu a fourth term as prime minister.
Walla! Israeli website, following the latest rocket on Israel yesterday, said that a Salafist group leader in Gaza announced the group will continue with its strikes if Hamas does not halt its crackdown on them, return their weapons and release their detainees which it arrested.
Sirens broke out in Israel yesterday at about 9:45 PM in Askalan (Ashkelon) and the areas surrounding it after a rocket was fired from Gaza by the salafist groups.
Moshe Ya’alon, IDF minister on Sunday said that Israel’s response will be “harsh.”
Following the rocket, he ordered striking two sites in Gaza, in addition to the closure of Erez and Karm Abu Salem crossings.
The targeted sites were for the Izz Eddin Al-Qassam brigades (Hamas wing). No injuries were reported.
Ya’alon said that opening the crossing will take time of assessment, blaming Hamas Islamic resistance movement for the happenings in Gaza.
The group continues to use the people of Gaza as hostages to make Hamas bind to their demands.
On Thursday, the group -which is an Islamic State supporter – adopted two strikes on Israel, calling it a response to Hamas’ crackdown on them in the Strip.
Following the rockets, Israel attacked Gaza with massive explosions using F16 military jets.
The Salafists in Gaza last Tuesday issued Hamas a 48-hour deadline to stop its crackdown on them, the Associated Press reported. On the same day, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
Hamas, which has ruled over Gaza since 2007, has clamped down on radical Islamists after a series of unclaimed bombings, arresting activists and seizing arms. It also mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafist groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
Sirens broke out in Israel yesterday at about 9:45 PM in Askalan (Ashkelon) and the areas surrounding it after a rocket was fired from Gaza by the salafist groups.
Moshe Ya’alon, IDF minister on Sunday said that Israel’s response will be “harsh.”
Following the rocket, he ordered striking two sites in Gaza, in addition to the closure of Erez and Karm Abu Salem crossings.
The targeted sites were for the Izz Eddin Al-Qassam brigades (Hamas wing). No injuries were reported.
Ya’alon said that opening the crossing will take time of assessment, blaming Hamas Islamic resistance movement for the happenings in Gaza.
The group continues to use the people of Gaza as hostages to make Hamas bind to their demands.
On Thursday, the group -which is an Islamic State supporter – adopted two strikes on Israel, calling it a response to Hamas’ crackdown on them in the Strip.
Following the rockets, Israel attacked Gaza with massive explosions using F16 military jets.
The Salafists in Gaza last Tuesday issued Hamas a 48-hour deadline to stop its crackdown on them, the Associated Press reported. On the same day, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
Hamas, which has ruled over Gaza since 2007, has clamped down on radical Islamists after a series of unclaimed bombings, arresting activists and seizing arms. It also mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafist groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
Israeli occupation army on Sunday will conduct drill in residential areas surrounding Gaza, as part of its annual training plan.
The IOF spokesperson said that the drill aims to keep the soldiers in the Gaza front “ready” for all field happenings, as the Seventh Israeli channel has reported.
Israeli forces this morning fired a rocket on Gaza, hitting two sites in the north, in addition to closing the Gaza crossings.
Maariv Israeli news outlet today said that the Israeli army has constructed a new Iron Dome in Rehovot city (central Israel), in addition to the intents of setting two others in the South.
The outlet said that the construction of these domes comes in the Wake of the rockets fired by Salafist groups (IS supporters) from Gaza to Israel, which comes as a response to the ruling Islamic resistance party, Hamas’ crackdown on them.
The IOF spokesperson said that the drill aims to keep the soldiers in the Gaza front “ready” for all field happenings, as the Seventh Israeli channel has reported.
Israeli forces this morning fired a rocket on Gaza, hitting two sites in the north, in addition to closing the Gaza crossings.
Maariv Israeli news outlet today said that the Israeli army has constructed a new Iron Dome in Rehovot city (central Israel), in addition to the intents of setting two others in the South.
The outlet said that the construction of these domes comes in the Wake of the rockets fired by Salafist groups (IS supporters) from Gaza to Israel, which comes as a response to the ruling Islamic resistance party, Hamas’ crackdown on them.
The figures and the statistics regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza have never been shocking as is the case in these days; as they unveiled the miserable lives of about two million citizens which may lead to what Palestinian observers called an "explosion".
Abdul-Sattar Qassem, a Palestinian writer and a Professor of Political Science at Birzeit University in Ramallah, told Anadolu news agency: " The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level of deterioration, alarming numbers issued by international institutions warn of the rising unemployment rates and poverty in conjunction with the lack of any political solution in sight and the delayed reconstruction process of Gaza. We are talking about a ticking bomb of anger and despair that might explode at any moment."
Qassem also warned: "People in Gaza feel like they have nothing to lose which may prompt them to explode and revolt against the Egyptian siege, Israel, and the different factions that rule them."
In his visit to the blockaded enclave on Monday, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the situation in Gaza as a "powder keg" and said in a press conference held in Gaza seaport: "The conditions in Gaza are catastrophic and must not continue, Gaza is a powder keg that must not ignite." Steinmeier said that he is working with Palestinian and Israeli officials on amending the tragic situation in Gaza as well as assuring the prevention of a new coming war with Israel.
UN warning
For his part, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, warned of the repercussions of the continued dire humanitarian situation in besieged Gaza and said in a statement on Wednesday in New York on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of “The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)”: "Gaza is a powder keg, mounting frustration and anger will surely light the fuse. Action is needed now."
The World Bank issued on May 22 a statement saying that the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 43% which is the highest rate in the world, while it rose among youths to more than 60% by the end of 2014 which is a cause for concern.
Steen Lau Jorgensen, the World Bank Country Director for West Bank and Gaza, pointed out that poverty, unemployment rates, and the economic expectations in Gaza are very worrying, and highlighted that the continued siege and the Israeli war on Gaza in 2014 caused disastrous effects on the economy and on people's lives.
Catastrophic situation
"Gaza is on the brink of collapse," Maher al-Tabba a Palestinian economist said, adding: "life in Gaza is worse than people can imagine, it has been turned into the biggest prison in the world," and clarified: "Gaza is in a state of clinical death; no reconstruction, no crossings, no water, no electricity, no work, no medicine, no development, there is no life at all." He called for necessarily pressuring Israel into lifting the unjust siege.
Israel has been imposing land and sea blockade on Gaza since the democratic elections that brought Hamas to power in January 2006.
The Israeli war on the Strip in summer 2014 led to a decline in the gross domestic product (GDP) by about $460 million, and construction, agriculture, industry, and electricity sectors were affected the most, according to the World Bank statistics.
World Bank data show that the Gazans are suffering from the poor essential public services and that 80% of them receive a form of social welfare assistance and 40% are still living below the poverty line.
Muin Rajab, a professor of Economics al-Azhar University in Gaza, said that the reports and the economic indicators issued by local and international institutions warn of the gravity of the situation in besieged Gaza and called for alleviating the humanitarian situation to avoid any more deterioration.
Abdul-Sattar Qassem, a Palestinian writer and a Professor of Political Science at Birzeit University in Ramallah, told Anadolu news agency: " The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level of deterioration, alarming numbers issued by international institutions warn of the rising unemployment rates and poverty in conjunction with the lack of any political solution in sight and the delayed reconstruction process of Gaza. We are talking about a ticking bomb of anger and despair that might explode at any moment."
Qassem also warned: "People in Gaza feel like they have nothing to lose which may prompt them to explode and revolt against the Egyptian siege, Israel, and the different factions that rule them."
In his visit to the blockaded enclave on Monday, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the situation in Gaza as a "powder keg" and said in a press conference held in Gaza seaport: "The conditions in Gaza are catastrophic and must not continue, Gaza is a powder keg that must not ignite." Steinmeier said that he is working with Palestinian and Israeli officials on amending the tragic situation in Gaza as well as assuring the prevention of a new coming war with Israel.
UN warning
For his part, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, warned of the repercussions of the continued dire humanitarian situation in besieged Gaza and said in a statement on Wednesday in New York on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of “The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)”: "Gaza is a powder keg, mounting frustration and anger will surely light the fuse. Action is needed now."
The World Bank issued on May 22 a statement saying that the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 43% which is the highest rate in the world, while it rose among youths to more than 60% by the end of 2014 which is a cause for concern.
Steen Lau Jorgensen, the World Bank Country Director for West Bank and Gaza, pointed out that poverty, unemployment rates, and the economic expectations in Gaza are very worrying, and highlighted that the continued siege and the Israeli war on Gaza in 2014 caused disastrous effects on the economy and on people's lives.
Catastrophic situation
"Gaza is on the brink of collapse," Maher al-Tabba a Palestinian economist said, adding: "life in Gaza is worse than people can imagine, it has been turned into the biggest prison in the world," and clarified: "Gaza is in a state of clinical death; no reconstruction, no crossings, no water, no electricity, no work, no medicine, no development, there is no life at all." He called for necessarily pressuring Israel into lifting the unjust siege.
Israel has been imposing land and sea blockade on Gaza since the democratic elections that brought Hamas to power in January 2006.
The Israeli war on the Strip in summer 2014 led to a decline in the gross domestic product (GDP) by about $460 million, and construction, agriculture, industry, and electricity sectors were affected the most, according to the World Bank statistics.
World Bank data show that the Gazans are suffering from the poor essential public services and that 80% of them receive a form of social welfare assistance and 40% are still living below the poverty line.
Muin Rajab, a professor of Economics al-Azhar University in Gaza, said that the reports and the economic indicators issued by local and international institutions warn of the gravity of the situation in besieged Gaza and called for alleviating the humanitarian situation to avoid any more deterioration.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on early Sunday morning showered Palestinian farmers and homes east of the blockaded Gaza Strip with random volleys of gunfire, re-breaching the Cairo-brokered truce deal.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eye-witnesses as reporting that the IOF troops deployed in military watchtowers along the border fence in eastern Gaza opened heavy machine gun fire on Palestinian farmers and homes.
The targeted farmers were forced to backtrack from their planted lands and cease the cultivation chores for fear of further escalation.
No injuries have been reported so far.
The Israeli occupation has been ceaselessly breaching the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord signed with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of last summer’s aggression on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eye-witnesses as reporting that the IOF troops deployed in military watchtowers along the border fence in eastern Gaza opened heavy machine gun fire on Palestinian farmers and homes.
The targeted farmers were forced to backtrack from their planted lands and cease the cultivation chores for fear of further escalation.
No injuries have been reported so far.
The Israeli occupation has been ceaselessly breaching the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord signed with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of last summer’s aggression on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Czech foreign minister, Lubomír Zaorálek, arrived in the blockaded Gaza Strip via the Beit Hanoun crossing on early Sunday morning.
The Palestinian Interior Ministry said in a statement the Czech Foreign Minister managed to gain access into the blockaded Gaza Strip via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanoun (Erez) border-crossing.
A number of European diplomats and officials have increasingly been paying visits to the Gaza Strip to check up on the current state of affairs in the besieged coastal enclave.
Earlier, one week ago, the German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Interior Ministry said in a statement the Czech Foreign Minister managed to gain access into the blockaded Gaza Strip via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanoun (Erez) border-crossing.
A number of European diplomats and officials have increasingly been paying visits to the Gaza Strip to check up on the current state of affairs in the besieged coastal enclave.
Earlier, one week ago, the German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation army at dawn Sunday launched an aerial attack on an area in the besieged Gaza Strip and closed its border crossings.
Media sources said an Israeli warplane bombed a resistance post belonging to al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Beit Lahiya, north of Gaza, causing only material damage.
In this regard, a spokesperson for the Israeli army said the airstrike was in retaliation to the fall of one Palestinian rocket from Gaza in an open area near Ashkelon.
Israeli political and military officials expressed their belief that the rocket attack was carried out by a Salafi group, who seeks to drag Hamas into a new war with Israel.
For his part, Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon announced the closure of Beit Hanoun (Erez) and Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossings with Gaza until further notice as a punitive measure for the attack.
Media sources said an Israeli warplane bombed a resistance post belonging to al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Beit Lahiya, north of Gaza, causing only material damage.
In this regard, a spokesperson for the Israeli army said the airstrike was in retaliation to the fall of one Palestinian rocket from Gaza in an open area near Ashkelon.
Israeli political and military officials expressed their belief that the rocket attack was carried out by a Salafi group, who seeks to drag Hamas into a new war with Israel.
For his part, Israeli war minister Moshe Ya'alon announced the closure of Beit Hanoun (Erez) and Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossings with Gaza until further notice as a punitive measure for the attack.
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