2 mar 2008
14-year-old child killed, more than 45 injured in clashes with Israeli forces in Hebron
A 14-year-old child was shot dead and more than 45 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces in the Hebron district on Sunday.
Mahmoud Muhamad Al-Masalmeh, from the town of Beit 'Awa south-west of Hebron, was shot in the heart by Israeli gunfire during the clashes west of the town of Beit 'Awa.
Local sources told Ma'an that the violent confrontations continued in areas west of the town near the separation wall, and that Israeli forces fired on townspeople and protesters. A number of citizens were injured during the confrontation.
In Hebron 21 people were injured during a march to demonstrate solidarity with the Gaza Strip. The protest started in front of the Al-Quds Open University centre in Hebron and moved on to the Bab Az-Zawiyah area where clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers. Youths threw stones at the soldiers who responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.
Dr. Sa'id As-Sarahneh the Hebron hospital director told Ma'an that 21 people had been admitted to hospital suffering from various injuries.
Mahmoud Muhamad Al-Masalmeh, from the town of Beit 'Awa south-west of Hebron, was shot in the heart by Israeli gunfire during the clashes west of the town of Beit 'Awa.
Local sources told Ma'an that the violent confrontations continued in areas west of the town near the separation wall, and that Israeli forces fired on townspeople and protesters. A number of citizens were injured during the confrontation.
In Hebron 21 people were injured during a march to demonstrate solidarity with the Gaza Strip. The protest started in front of the Al-Quds Open University centre in Hebron and moved on to the Bab Az-Zawiyah area where clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers. Youths threw stones at the soldiers who responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas.
Dr. Sa'id As-Sarahneh the Hebron hospital director told Ma'an that 21 people had been admitted to hospital suffering from various injuries.
4 injured in Bethlehem demonstration against Gaza massacres
A huge public demonstation condemning the Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip took place in Bethlehem on Sunday left four people injured when clashes erupted between protesters and Israeli soldiers.
Hundreds of protesters were joined by the Governor of Bethlehem, Major General Salah At-Ta'mari and Mayor Victor Btarseh in the demonstration which started in Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity and proceeded to the United Nations headquarters in Bab Izqaq.
The participants said they were sending a message to the world calling for an end to the Israeli massacres of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Mutaz Mezher, secretary of Bethlehem's youth movement, called on Hamas to accept the legitimacy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority in order to confront the Israeli aggressions on the Palestinian people.
A huge public demonstation condemning the Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip took place in Bethlehem on Sunday left four people injured when clashes erupted between protesters and Israeli soldiers.
Hundreds of protesters were joined by the Governor of Bethlehem, Major General Salah At-Ta'mari and Mayor Victor Btarseh in the demonstration which started in Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity and proceeded to the United Nations headquarters in Bab Izqaq.
The participants said they were sending a message to the world calling for an end to the Israeli massacres of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Mutaz Mezher, secretary of Bethlehem's youth movement, called on Hamas to accept the legitimacy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority in order to confront the Israeli aggressions on the Palestinian people.
De facto government headquarters in Gaza targeted; UN Security Council hold emergency session
Israeli aircraft targeted the headquarters of the de facto government in Gaza City early on Sunday. Deposed Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh was not in the building at the time of the attack.
Israeli aircraft launched two missiles at the building, injuring five Palestinians living nearby.
Palestinian sources have said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to halt all negotiations with Israel in response to the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.
The source added that Abbas will not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as planned, due to what he described as "Israeli crimes and massacres against Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."
The UN Security Council held an emergency session on Saturday evening at Abbas' request to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has left 93 people dead and dozens injured since Wednesday.
The Security Council later voiced deep concern at the events but failed to condemn either side.
Libya is the only Arab country in the Security Council that has voiced strong condemnation of the killing of innocent civilians including children by Israeli forces.
The Security Council was presented with a draft resolution that calls for an immediate end to the violence, including both Israeli military operations and the launching of missiles by Palestinian factions, as well as calling on all parties to respect the ceasefire.
It also calls on Israel to abide by international law, particularly humanitarian law and human rights towards the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories.
However, a number of diplomats voiced their concerns that the draft resolution may be subject to a veto by the US.
Israeli aircraft targeted the headquarters of the de facto government in Gaza City early on Sunday. Deposed Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh was not in the building at the time of the attack.
Israeli aircraft launched two missiles at the building, injuring five Palestinians living nearby.
Palestinian sources have said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to halt all negotiations with Israel in response to the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip.
The source added that Abbas will not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as planned, due to what he described as "Israeli crimes and massacres against Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."
The UN Security Council held an emergency session on Saturday evening at Abbas' request to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has left 93 people dead and dozens injured since Wednesday.
The Security Council later voiced deep concern at the events but failed to condemn either side.
Libya is the only Arab country in the Security Council that has voiced strong condemnation of the killing of innocent civilians including children by Israeli forces.
The Security Council was presented with a draft resolution that calls for an immediate end to the violence, including both Israeli military operations and the launching of missiles by Palestinian factions, as well as calling on all parties to respect the ceasefire.
It also calls on Israel to abide by international law, particularly humanitarian law and human rights towards the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories.
However, a number of diplomats voiced their concerns that the draft resolution may be subject to a veto by the US.
Olmert: Israeli military operations in Gaza do not have specific timetable
The Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip does not have a specific timetable, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Israeli cabinet on Sunday.
He said that the military operation was aimed at eradicating missile launchers used by Palestinian resistance fighters to target Israeli towns.
Olmert is due to meet with the heads of the security services later on Sunday to discuss the progress of the military operations in the coastal sector.
Barak: wide-scale military operation in Gaza delayed
Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak has accepted the opinions of Israeli military commanders to delay any wide-scale military operation against the Gaza Strip, Israeli sources said on Sunday.
The head of the Israeli intelligence services believes that the conditions are not yet right for the implementation of such an operation.
"We can not talk publicly about the reasons that delay the implementation of the wide-scale operation. However, we are stepping up the pace and putting pressure on Hamas in the Gaza Strip," Barak said.
In radio interviews with the Voice of Israel and Army Radio Barak said that "major Israeli ground operations in the Gaza Strip are real and concrete." He added that Israel was not keen to launch such an operation but they must maintain the utmost security for the Israeli population living in the vicinity of Gaza and Ashkelon and Sderot."
He blamed Hamas for the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip saying that the movement should bear the consequences.
He also said that the Israeli army will not be able to eradicate the firing of rockets and missiles by Paletinian factions within the next two days.
"The Palestinian Authority is responsible for the loss of control of the Gaza Strip and that is the reason for the failure of political negotiations," Barak concluded.
Israeli internal security minister: after 5 days of fighting Israel still failing to stop Gaza rocket fire
After five days of fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip the Israeli army has not been able to achieve its objective of stopping Palestinian rocket fire at Israel, Israeli minister of internal security, Avi Dichter told the Israeli government on Sunday.
"We did not stop the firing of rockets and we did not stop the fire against us so what did we achieve? Nothing has changed for us, in the Gaza Strip?" he said angrily.
"Missile fire is greater than ever before and is now reaching Ashkelon and Netivot. Now 250,000 Israelis are under the threat of Palestinian rockets instead of 125,000," he added.
"Where were you over the last 7 years, while rockets fired at Sderot?" Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert retorted.
Defence minister Ehud Barak said during the meeting that the goal of the operation in Gaza is to stop Palestinian rocket fire and the smuggling of weapons into the sector.
98 Palestinians, many of them children, have been killed in Israeli ground and air attacks since Wednesday. More than 100 Palestinians have also been injured.
Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed and one Israeli university student in Sderot.
According to the Israeli army six Israelis were wounded, one of them seriously, by long-range rockets fired from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza launched over 40 rockets and mortars at southern Israel.
Eight of the missiles were long-range rockets that travelled as far as the coastal town of Ashkelon, 11 kilometres north of the Gaza Strip.
He said that the military operation was aimed at eradicating missile launchers used by Palestinian resistance fighters to target Israeli towns.
Olmert is due to meet with the heads of the security services later on Sunday to discuss the progress of the military operations in the coastal sector.
Barak: wide-scale military operation in Gaza delayed
Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak has accepted the opinions of Israeli military commanders to delay any wide-scale military operation against the Gaza Strip, Israeli sources said on Sunday.
The head of the Israeli intelligence services believes that the conditions are not yet right for the implementation of such an operation.
"We can not talk publicly about the reasons that delay the implementation of the wide-scale operation. However, we are stepping up the pace and putting pressure on Hamas in the Gaza Strip," Barak said.
In radio interviews with the Voice of Israel and Army Radio Barak said that "major Israeli ground operations in the Gaza Strip are real and concrete." He added that Israel was not keen to launch such an operation but they must maintain the utmost security for the Israeli population living in the vicinity of Gaza and Ashkelon and Sderot."
He blamed Hamas for the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip saying that the movement should bear the consequences.
He also said that the Israeli army will not be able to eradicate the firing of rockets and missiles by Paletinian factions within the next two days.
"The Palestinian Authority is responsible for the loss of control of the Gaza Strip and that is the reason for the failure of political negotiations," Barak concluded.
Israeli internal security minister: after 5 days of fighting Israel still failing to stop Gaza rocket fire
After five days of fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip the Israeli army has not been able to achieve its objective of stopping Palestinian rocket fire at Israel, Israeli minister of internal security, Avi Dichter told the Israeli government on Sunday.
"We did not stop the firing of rockets and we did not stop the fire against us so what did we achieve? Nothing has changed for us, in the Gaza Strip?" he said angrily.
"Missile fire is greater than ever before and is now reaching Ashkelon and Netivot. Now 250,000 Israelis are under the threat of Palestinian rockets instead of 125,000," he added.
"Where were you over the last 7 years, while rockets fired at Sderot?" Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert retorted.
Defence minister Ehud Barak said during the meeting that the goal of the operation in Gaza is to stop Palestinian rocket fire and the smuggling of weapons into the sector.
98 Palestinians, many of them children, have been killed in Israeli ground and air attacks since Wednesday. More than 100 Palestinians have also been injured.
Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed and one Israeli university student in Sderot.
According to the Israeli army six Israelis were wounded, one of them seriously, by long-range rockets fired from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza launched over 40 rockets and mortars at southern Israel.
Eight of the missiles were long-range rockets that travelled as far as the coastal town of Ashkelon, 11 kilometres north of the Gaza Strip.
Youths clash with Israeli troops in protest march in Hebron
Violent confrontations took place between stone-throwing youths and Israeli forces during a protest in the Bab Az-Zawiyah area of central Hebron on Sunday left several people injured.
Dozens of students took part in the demonstration in Hebron condemning the continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Students gathered at Bab Az-Zawiyah in the city centre and threw stones at an Israeli military base at the entrance to Ash-Shuhada' Street, Israeli soldiers responded by firing rubber bullets and sound bombs at the demonstrators.
The governorate of Hebron is striking as a mark of solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip.
In the town of Beit Kahil east of Hebron 1,500 students marched through the streets carrying banners condemning the Israeli attacks on Gaza. They called for the international and Arab community to intervene to stop the bloodshed.
Many similar marches took place in the towns of Halhoul, Dura, Tarqumia and Yatta, where citizens reported that clashes erupted between youths and Israeli soldiers at the entrance of the town. No casualties were reported.
Violent confrontations took place between stone-throwing youths and Israeli forces during a protest in the Bab Az-Zawiyah area of central Hebron on Sunday left several people injured.
Dozens of students took part in the demonstration in Hebron condemning the continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Students gathered at Bab Az-Zawiyah in the city centre and threw stones at an Israeli military base at the entrance to Ash-Shuhada' Street, Israeli soldiers responded by firing rubber bullets and sound bombs at the demonstrators.
The governorate of Hebron is striking as a mark of solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip.
In the town of Beit Kahil east of Hebron 1,500 students marched through the streets carrying banners condemning the Israeli attacks on Gaza. They called for the international and Arab community to intervene to stop the bloodshed.
Many similar marches took place in the towns of Halhoul, Dura, Tarqumia and Yatta, where citizens reported that clashes erupted between youths and Israeli soldiers at the entrance of the town. No casualties were reported.
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10 killed in Gaza brings death toll to 98 since Wednesday
The death toll in the Gaza Strip continued to rise on Sunday with 10 Palestinian citizens were killed in continued Israeli shelling and air raids in the northern Gaza Strip. Medical sources said the latest deaths occurred in an Israeli air strike on a group of resistance fighters near Al- Zemo in eastern Jabalia. Several people were also wounded. Ahmed Abu Warda also died on Sunday after being shot by Israeli forces him in his house. He was left to bleed to death after Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching him. Five people were killed early on Sunday morning in the northern Gaza Strip. Two bodies were also discovered in a house in the Yarmouk neighbourhood of Gaza City on Sunday. The house was hit by an Israeli airtsrike on Saturday evening. |
Eyewitnesses said Israeli aircraft attacked the office of deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City early on Sunday morning.
This brings the number of victims of the "Israeli holocaust" since Saturday to 84 killed with 200 injured, some seriously. 98 people have died since Israel began military operations in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Gazans are hurrying to bury the dead as hospital morgues can not cope with the number of bodies.
The ministry of health in the de facto Gaza government has appealed to the Egyptian government to provide them with cement and coffins for the burials. Both are commodities that are in short supply in the impoverished coastal region because of the Israeli imposed siege.
Medical sources said ambulance crews are being prevented by Israeli troops from evacuating the injured.
The Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Palestinian resistance fighters killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot.
Saturday proved to be the bloodiest day of the Israeli military operation dubbed "Operation Hot Winter" by the Israeli government.
67 people were killed on Saturday alone as Israeli tanks backed up by helicopters, pushed into the town and refugee camp of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, pounding the area throughout the day. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters.
At least 16 of the Palestinians killed were fighters - including 13 from Hamas, two from Islamic Jihad and one from the Popular Resistance Committees.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has condemned Israel for using "excessive" force in the Gaza Strip and demanded a halt to its offensive. The UN has also called on resistance factions to stop their rocket fire.
The UN Security Council has also expressed "deep concern" over the situation in the Gaza Strip.
This brings the number of victims of the "Israeli holocaust" since Saturday to 84 killed with 200 injured, some seriously. 98 people have died since Israel began military operations in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Gazans are hurrying to bury the dead as hospital morgues can not cope with the number of bodies.
The ministry of health in the de facto Gaza government has appealed to the Egyptian government to provide them with cement and coffins for the burials. Both are commodities that are in short supply in the impoverished coastal region because of the Israeli imposed siege.
Medical sources said ambulance crews are being prevented by Israeli troops from evacuating the injured.
The Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Palestinian resistance fighters killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot.
Saturday proved to be the bloodiest day of the Israeli military operation dubbed "Operation Hot Winter" by the Israeli government.
67 people were killed on Saturday alone as Israeli tanks backed up by helicopters, pushed into the town and refugee camp of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, pounding the area throughout the day. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters.
At least 16 of the Palestinians killed were fighters - including 13 from Hamas, two from Islamic Jihad and one from the Popular Resistance Committees.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has condemned Israel for using "excessive" force in the Gaza Strip and demanded a halt to its offensive. The UN has also called on resistance factions to stop their rocket fire.
The UN Security Council has also expressed "deep concern" over the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Israelis injured as Sderot comes under continued rocket fire
Palestinian resistance brigades respond to the Israeli attacks on Gaza
Palestinian resistance brigades respond to the Israeli attacks on Gaza
1 mar 2008
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One dead; others injured in airstrike in northern Gaza Strip
One Palestinian was killed and four others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Abed Rabbo Street in east Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses reported that the dead person was taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital but has not yet been identified as the body was so badly mutilated. 56 dead in Gaza brings death toll to 87 since Wednesday
Sanah's brother was wailing and screaming for his sister as ambulance staff gathered up parts of her dismembered body, asking "Where's the rest?" 17-year-old Jacqueline Mohammed Abu Shbak saw her 14-year-old brother Iyad struck down by an Israeli artillery shell. As she rushed towards him Israeli soldiers shot her in the heart. As 45-year-old Bassam 'Ubeid was leaving his house accompanied by his son an Israeli artillery shell targeted them both. As another of 'Ubeid's sons hurried to rescue them, he was seriously injured and is now lying in hospital in intensive care. As the ongoing Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip reaches its fourth day, the number of people killed in the coastal sector rose to 56 with more than 150 injured on Saturday. Palestinian medical sources have warned of a fuel shortage both in hospitals and for the ambulances that are ferrying the dead and injured to the morgues and operating theatres. Children, women and men are being ripped apart and emergency staff are talking about the appalling scenes they face as they try to rescue the injured, despite being directly targeted by Israeli forces. Dr. Mu'awya Hassanain, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Palestinian Health Ministry said that the number of people killed in the offensive on the northern Gaza Strip since Wednesday has reached 87, including 56 killed on Saturday. Hassanain added that 19 children have been killed since Wednesday, including a 2-day-old baby. Seven children were killed on Saturday alone. More than 30 civilians died in bombing raids on their homes on Saturday. Medical sources also confirmed that more than 200 citizens have been injured since Wednesday, 150 of whom were wounded in the ongoing Israeli aggression on Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip that began early on Saturday morning. Hassanain said that several ambulance crews have come under Israeli fire as they |
try to evacuate the dead and injured.
Journalists have also been targeted as they cover the ongoing events. An Al-Jazeera correspondent and her crew were shot at and journalists from the Palestinian news agency Ramatan were targeted by the Israeli army in the northern Gaza Strip.
Journalists have also been targeted as they cover the ongoing events. An Al-Jazeera correspondent and her crew were shot at and journalists from the Palestinian news agency Ramatan were targeted by the Israeli army in the northern Gaza Strip.
Sleepless in Palestine
By Nidal Sakr
Just past 3:00 am, my cell phone beeped to let me know I got an SMS. I thought it was a dream, so I shrugged it off and went back to sleep.
Then it went off again.
I checked and the message said: "Now we stand as human shields on top of the houses Israel threatens to bomb. Pray for us."
I woke up and realized I was not the only one who was asleep. The whole world was.
One place, though, seemed to be sleepless. In Palestine, women and children stay awake to witness their own killing, as if refusing to be murdered in their sleep.
And there it was - the perpetrators. Gangs of settlers (lest all Israelis are settlers) are also awake with guns, artillery, and fighter jets picking their civilian targets.
With thirty-something Palestinians killed in 24 hours, all innocent and indigenous, I wonder: where have we all been??!!!
One "unlawful" settler killed in over 9 months, and we never hear the end of it. But with over thirty indigenous women and children murdered, we only read about the new one hundred F-35 Joint Strike Fighters US is supplying Israel, as if thirty dead in a day is just not enough.
It seems we ought to find a solution. One solution is that we all find a rehab program to enroll in. A rehab so we may one day be able to fit back into a species called "human."
As for those who are responsible, why am I reminded of a sign I once saw in a demonstration?
The Arabic sign read something like: "To you: Your Majesties, Highnesses, Honorables, and Royals: "Etphoo"!!!!"
Indeed, some words need no translation.
Just past 3:00 am, my cell phone beeped to let me know I got an SMS. I thought it was a dream, so I shrugged it off and went back to sleep.
Then it went off again.
I checked and the message said: "Now we stand as human shields on top of the houses Israel threatens to bomb. Pray for us."
I woke up and realized I was not the only one who was asleep. The whole world was.
One place, though, seemed to be sleepless. In Palestine, women and children stay awake to witness their own killing, as if refusing to be murdered in their sleep.
And there it was - the perpetrators. Gangs of settlers (lest all Israelis are settlers) are also awake with guns, artillery, and fighter jets picking their civilian targets.
With thirty-something Palestinians killed in 24 hours, all innocent and indigenous, I wonder: where have we all been??!!!
One "unlawful" settler killed in over 9 months, and we never hear the end of it. But with over thirty indigenous women and children murdered, we only read about the new one hundred F-35 Joint Strike Fighters US is supplying Israel, as if thirty dead in a day is just not enough.
It seems we ought to find a solution. One solution is that we all find a rehab program to enroll in. A rehab so we may one day be able to fit back into a species called "human."
As for those who are responsible, why am I reminded of a sign I once saw in a demonstration?
The Arabic sign read something like: "To you: Your Majesties, Highnesses, Honorables, and Royals: "Etphoo"!!!!"
Indeed, some words need no translation.
Human rights organisation: Israel must face trial for Gaza atrocities
Israel must face trial for the deaths of 69 Palestinians killed in Israeli military attacks on the Gaza Strip since Wednesday, the human rights organization Al-Haq said on Saturday.
Al-Haq issued a statement saying, "Many of the recent Israeli attacks constitute war crimes which may amount to grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, for which individuals can be held criminally responsible."
"The use of unrestrained force against a civilian population in response to the unlawful rocket attacks carried out by Palestinian armed groups is a blatant violation of the laws of war, enshrined in customary international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention," the statement read.
Calling on the international community to intervene, Al-Haq said "All States have criminal jurisdiction to try those accused of grave breaches, whatever their nationality, or wherever the crimes were committed, by virtue of the principle of universal jurisdiction."
Member States of the European Union have enacted the necessary legislation implementing the principle of universal jurisdiction over grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. "No excuse can therefore justify their inaction in view of the unlawful willful killing of civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Al-Haq concluded.
Al-Haq issued a statement saying, "Many of the recent Israeli attacks constitute war crimes which may amount to grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, for which individuals can be held criminally responsible."
"The use of unrestrained force against a civilian population in response to the unlawful rocket attacks carried out by Palestinian armed groups is a blatant violation of the laws of war, enshrined in customary international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention," the statement read.
Calling on the international community to intervene, Al-Haq said "All States have criminal jurisdiction to try those accused of grave breaches, whatever their nationality, or wherever the crimes were committed, by virtue of the principle of universal jurisdiction."
Member States of the European Union have enacted the necessary legislation implementing the principle of universal jurisdiction over grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. "No excuse can therefore justify their inaction in view of the unlawful willful killing of civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Al-Haq concluded.
34 Palestinians dead, more than 100 wounded; 2 Israeli soldiers dead, five wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza
34 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip on since dawn Saturday, including five children and more than 100 wounded in Israeli shelling on the northern Gaza Strip.
Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed and five injured as Israeli forces step up its attacks on the coastal region.
In the latest attack Abdul Rahman Shahab the son of Hamas leader Muhamad Shahab was killed.
Two sisters 13-year-old Salwa Zedan and 17-year-old Samah Zedan were killed in an Israeli attack near their house east of Jabalia.
Two resistance fighters from the Al-Qassam Brigades Mu'tasem Abed Rabbo and Abdullah Abu Shahira were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
Israeli Special Forces backed by tanks penetrated the area east of Jabalia in the eastern Gaza Strip under the cover of Israeli warplanes that showered the region with rockets and missiles early on Saturday morning.
Medical sources confirmed that houses were bomabarded with air and ground fire.
According to Dr Mu'awiya Hassanain, director of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry, the dead and injured were transferred to Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Fathi Thabet and Tal'at Darduna were the first to be killed in the Israeli attack. Less than an hour later Ibrahim Az-Zein and Sa'id Al-Hsheim died after being hit by Israeli artillery shells near Az-Zawiyah in the eastern area of the Jabaliya camp. Eyewitnesses reported that Hussein Al-Batsh was also killed.
According to medical sources, a missile fell on the house of Abu Shbak family, killing 12-year-old Jacqueline Shbak and her brother Iyad Mohammed Abu Shbak, along with 45-year-old Bassam Obeid and his son Muhammad. Muhammad Al-Jamal and Abed Faraj were killed in another missile attack. They are reported to be affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades.
On Friday an Al-Qassam Brigades commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in Jabalia.
The Al-Qassam Brigades told Ma'an that "Iyad Al-Ashram a commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades died when a missile targeted his car in the Al-Zamo area of Jabaliya."
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in violent clashes between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli army east of Jabaliya.
Israeli sources reported that two of the soldiers are in a serious condition. They were air-lifted by helicopter to the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli Special Forces unit in a house east of the Jabaliya camp with two rocket propelled grenades. The brigades claim there were casualties and planes were seen evacuating the wounded from the scene.
The Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for launching two rocket propelled grenades at a group of soldiers inside located the Darduna family's home in east Jabalia.
Moreover, five Palestinian resistance fighters were wounded as they launched projectiles at the Israeli town of Ashkelon on Saturday.
Israeli sources confirmed that five Israeli citizens were slightly injured when a missile landed on a house in the city of Ashkelon.
According to Israeli military sources 18 rockets have landed in the western Negev and Ashkelon since dawn on Saturday.
Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed and five injured as Israeli forces step up its attacks on the coastal region.
In the latest attack Abdul Rahman Shahab the son of Hamas leader Muhamad Shahab was killed.
Two sisters 13-year-old Salwa Zedan and 17-year-old Samah Zedan were killed in an Israeli attack near their house east of Jabalia.
Two resistance fighters from the Al-Qassam Brigades Mu'tasem Abed Rabbo and Abdullah Abu Shahira were killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
Israeli Special Forces backed by tanks penetrated the area east of Jabalia in the eastern Gaza Strip under the cover of Israeli warplanes that showered the region with rockets and missiles early on Saturday morning.
Medical sources confirmed that houses were bomabarded with air and ground fire.
According to Dr Mu'awiya Hassanain, director of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry, the dead and injured were transferred to Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Fathi Thabet and Tal'at Darduna were the first to be killed in the Israeli attack. Less than an hour later Ibrahim Az-Zein and Sa'id Al-Hsheim died after being hit by Israeli artillery shells near Az-Zawiyah in the eastern area of the Jabaliya camp. Eyewitnesses reported that Hussein Al-Batsh was also killed.
According to medical sources, a missile fell on the house of Abu Shbak family, killing 12-year-old Jacqueline Shbak and her brother Iyad Mohammed Abu Shbak, along with 45-year-old Bassam Obeid and his son Muhammad. Muhammad Al-Jamal and Abed Faraj were killed in another missile attack. They are reported to be affiliated to Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades.
On Friday an Al-Qassam Brigades commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in Jabalia.
The Al-Qassam Brigades told Ma'an that "Iyad Al-Ashram a commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades died when a missile targeted his car in the Al-Zamo area of Jabaliya."
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in violent clashes between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli army east of Jabaliya.
Israeli sources reported that two of the soldiers are in a serious condition. They were air-lifted by helicopter to the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
The Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli Special Forces unit in a house east of the Jabaliya camp with two rocket propelled grenades. The brigades claim there were casualties and planes were seen evacuating the wounded from the scene.
The Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for launching two rocket propelled grenades at a group of soldiers inside located the Darduna family's home in east Jabalia.
Moreover, five Palestinian resistance fighters were wounded as they launched projectiles at the Israeli town of Ashkelon on Saturday.
Israeli sources confirmed that five Israeli citizens were slightly injured when a missile landed on a house in the city of Ashkelon.
According to Israeli military sources 18 rockets have landed in the western Negev and Ashkelon since dawn on Saturday.
Hamas: 91 killed in Israeli raids in February
Hamas said on Saturday morning that 91 Palestinian citizens were killed in Israeli raids during the month of February, including eight from the West Bank and 83 from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas told Ma'an that 35 of the 91 martyrs belonged to the Al-Qassam Brigades, 20 were from the resistance factions and the other 36 were Palestinian citizens.
They also said that 427 Palestinians were arrested in February, 94 from the Gaza Strip and 332 from the West Bank. A Palestinian woman was also arrested in Jerusalem.
Hamas told Ma'an that 35 of the 91 martyrs belonged to the Al-Qassam Brigades, 20 were from the resistance factions and the other 36 were Palestinian citizens.
They also said that 427 Palestinians were arrested in February, 94 from the Gaza Strip and 332 from the West Bank. A Palestinian woman was also arrested in Jerusalem.
Two Islamic Jihad fighters killed in clashes with Israeli forces
The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, announced that two of their fighters, Musleh Mohammed Musleh and Hassan Sami Al-Batsh, were killed during clashes with Israeli forces east of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
The Brigades claimed responsibility for launching a number of missiles at Israeli Special Forces and Israeli tanks that penetrated the area at dawn on Saturday.
They also claimed responsibility for launching three rocket propelled grenades at an Israeli Special Forces unit that entered the region of "Mount Al-Kashif," saying they clashed with Israeli forces in the region. Musleh was killed in the clashes.
They said that Al-Batsh died during clashes with Israeli forces in the area of Al-Ja'el, east of Jabalia.
The Brigades claimed responsibility for launching a number of missiles at Israeli Special Forces and Israeli tanks that penetrated the area at dawn on Saturday.
They also claimed responsibility for launching three rocket propelled grenades at an Israeli Special Forces unit that entered the region of "Mount Al-Kashif," saying they clashed with Israeli forces in the region. Musleh was killed in the clashes.
They said that Al-Batsh died during clashes with Israeli forces in the area of Al-Ja'el, east of Jabalia.
Abbas: what is happening in Gaza is more than a Holocaust
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday described the ongoing Israeli military campaign on the Gaza Strip as "more than a Holocaust."
"Today, the number of people killed in Gaza has risen to 62. Unfortunately, what is happening is more than a Holocaust and so we appeal to the international community to see what is happening here in the region," he said at a meeting in Ramallah.
"It's inconceivable that the Israeli reaction to missiles, which we condemn, should be so huge and terrible," he added.
"I'm sorry that Israel is now using the word that has been a pariah word for more than 60 years. The word is Holocaust. We call on the world to respond," Abbas said.
"We need the world to see what is going on and who is committing international terrorism," he went on.
Israeli deputy defence minister Matan Vilna'i on Friday warned residents of Gaza that they risk being subject to a "Holocaust" if they do not stop firing rockets into Israeli towns. Some argue that the Hebrew word for Holocaust is "shoah" which also has the meaning of "an indication of a coming disaster" and does not necessarily mean Holocaust in its historical sense.
However, the strength of Vilna'i's tone reflects growing Israeli anger after the killing of an Israeli civilian in a rocket attack on Sderot on Wednesday.
The United States has urged Israel to "consider the consequences" of its actions. It is scheduled that the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas this week.
"Today, the number of people killed in Gaza has risen to 62. Unfortunately, what is happening is more than a Holocaust and so we appeal to the international community to see what is happening here in the region," he said at a meeting in Ramallah.
"It's inconceivable that the Israeli reaction to missiles, which we condemn, should be so huge and terrible," he added.
"I'm sorry that Israel is now using the word that has been a pariah word for more than 60 years. The word is Holocaust. We call on the world to respond," Abbas said.
"We need the world to see what is going on and who is committing international terrorism," he went on.
Israeli deputy defence minister Matan Vilna'i on Friday warned residents of Gaza that they risk being subject to a "Holocaust" if they do not stop firing rockets into Israeli towns. Some argue that the Hebrew word for Holocaust is "shoah" which also has the meaning of "an indication of a coming disaster" and does not necessarily mean Holocaust in its historical sense.
However, the strength of Vilna'i's tone reflects growing Israeli anger after the killing of an Israeli civilian in a rocket attack on Sderot on Wednesday.
The United States has urged Israel to "consider the consequences" of its actions. It is scheduled that the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas this week.
Palestinian military wings claim attacks on Israeli towns bordering Gaza
Palestinian People's Party: Israel responsible for death of Palestinian prisoner
European Commission expresses condolences for loss of civilian life in Gaza
Blair: Palestinian rocket attacks must stop
Al-Aqsa Brigades claim rocket attack on Sderot
Al-Aqsa Brigades target Israeli tank
Palestinian People's Party: Israel responsible for death of Palestinian prisoner
European Commission expresses condolences for loss of civilian life in Gaza
Blair: Palestinian rocket attacks must stop
Al-Aqsa Brigades claim rocket attack on Sderot
Al-Aqsa Brigades target Israeli tank
