10 oct 2015
10 Palestinian Civilians Killed and 187 Civilians Wounded, Including 27 Children, Physician and Turkish Journalist, by Israeli Forces in the oPt; Seven of the Victims Were Killed in the Gaza Strip in Few Hours.
Using excessive force, on Friday, 9 October 2015, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinian civilians, and wounded 67 civilians, including 17 children and a Turkish photojournalist, in five locations near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Israeli forces opened fire at hundreds and young men and children who demonstrated in protest against attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In the past 48 hours, Israeli forces killed also three Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem and Hebron and wounded 120 others, including 10 children and a physician, throughout the West Bank.
Field investigations indicate that Israeli forces used excessive lethal force in the Gaza Strip in violation of the principles of proportionality and military necessity.
Many of the Palestinian victims were shot in the upper parts of their bodies, reflecting an Israeli intention to cause maximum casualties among Palestinian civilians, who did not pose any serious threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers stationed in fortified military sites far away from the demonstrators.
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 13:15 on Friday, 9 October 2015, dozens of young men and children headed to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, particularly the vicinity of Nahal Ouz military post, to the east of al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, to express solidarity with the popular uprising in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Once they approached the border and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed behind it, Israeli forces opened fire at them. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed and 31 others, including 11 children, were wounded.
A Turkish journalist, Metin Yuksel Kaya, an Anadolu Agency photojournalist, was also injured as a bullet hit his camera and its shrapnel hit his fingers. The civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Shadi Hussamuddin Dawla, 24, from al-Zayotoun neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a bullet to the abdomen;
2. Ahmed Yahia al-Herbawi, 20, from al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, hit by a bullet to the chest;
3. Abdul Majid Majdi al-Wehaidi, 18, from Jabalya, hit by a bullet to the neck;
4. Ziad Nabil Ziad Sharaf, 18, from al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a bullet that entered the chest and existed the back.
At approximately 14:45, dozens of young men and children gathered in the east of al-Farrahin area in Abassan village and Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They headed towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel raising Palestinian flags.
Once they approached the border and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed there, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them.
Israeli soldiers continued to fire at the Palestinian demonstrators sporadically until the evening. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, two Palestinian civilians, were killed and 11 others were wounded, including a young man who was seriously wounded and was pronounced dead on Saturday morning.
The Palestinian civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Mohammed Hisham Mohsen (al-Reqeb), 18, from Bani Suhaila village east of Khan Yunis, hit by a bullet to the chest;
2. Adnan Mousa Abu Olayan, 23, from Bani Suhaila village east of Khan Yunis, hit by a bullet to the head;
3. Jihad Zayed Salem Obaid, 21, from Deir al-Balah, hit by a bullet to the abdomen and he succumbed to his wound at 05:50 on Saturday, 10 October 2015.
Similar clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces near the border between the Gaza Strip to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces fired at those civilians wounding 67 of them, including 17 children.
Five of the wounded are in critical conditions. Additionally, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces fired dozens of tear gas canisters at them.
Following these incidents, Israeli authorities decided to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for three days, thus tightening the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on Saturday morning, 10 October 2015, Israeli soldiers positioned at Shufat checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, shot dead Ahmed Jamal Salah, 22, with a bullet to the head from a close range, during clashes near the checkpoint. Another two civilians were also wounded.
When Salah was wounded, Israeli forces left him bleeding on the ground for a long time. They then transported him to Hadassa Hospital in Israel where he was later pronounced dead.
At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 9 October 2015, Israeli forces positioned along the road linking between the Ibrahimi Mosque and "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, shot dead Mohammed Fares Abdullah al-Ja'bari, 19, from Khillat Haddour area in the southeast of Hebron, with several bullets, when he was near the road leading to "Givat Havot" settlement outpost. Al-Ja'bari was transported by an Israeli ambulance to "Kharsina" settlement.
His body was delivered to Palestine Red Crescent Society at approximately 21:00 on the same day. Israeli forces claimed that al-Ja'bari stabled an Israeli soldier and attempted to seize his gun before other soldiers shot him.
Following the Friday prayer, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces in various areas in Hebron, during which young men threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired in response live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.
As a result, 15 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a physician, were wounded. The physician, Omar Aaqel, 25, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the eye, due to which he lost his eye.
Earlier, on Thursday evening, 8 October 2015, Israeli forces shot dead Wissam Jamal Faraj al-Mansi, 20, with a dum dum bullet to the head, and wounded 33 others – 6 ones with live ammunition and the others with rubber-coated metal bullets – in Shu'fat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem.
Israeli forces that had moved into the camp opened fire at a number of young men who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli military vehicles.
According to PCHR's documentation, in the past 24 hours, 120 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. Dozens of civilians also suffered tear gas inhalation used by Israeli forces.
PCHR strongly condemns the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the their lives.
PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
Using excessive force, on Friday, 9 October 2015, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinian civilians, and wounded 67 civilians, including 17 children and a Turkish photojournalist, in five locations near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Israeli forces opened fire at hundreds and young men and children who demonstrated in protest against attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In the past 48 hours, Israeli forces killed also three Palestinian civilians in East Jerusalem and Hebron and wounded 120 others, including 10 children and a physician, throughout the West Bank.
Field investigations indicate that Israeli forces used excessive lethal force in the Gaza Strip in violation of the principles of proportionality and military necessity.
Many of the Palestinian victims were shot in the upper parts of their bodies, reflecting an Israeli intention to cause maximum casualties among Palestinian civilians, who did not pose any serious threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers stationed in fortified military sites far away from the demonstrators.
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 13:15 on Friday, 9 October 2015, dozens of young men and children headed to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, particularly the vicinity of Nahal Ouz military post, to the east of al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, to express solidarity with the popular uprising in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Once they approached the border and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed behind it, Israeli forces opened fire at them. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed and 31 others, including 11 children, were wounded.
A Turkish journalist, Metin Yuksel Kaya, an Anadolu Agency photojournalist, was also injured as a bullet hit his camera and its shrapnel hit his fingers. The civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Shadi Hussamuddin Dawla, 24, from al-Zayotoun neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a bullet to the abdomen;
2. Ahmed Yahia al-Herbawi, 20, from al-Nussairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, hit by a bullet to the chest;
3. Abdul Majid Majdi al-Wehaidi, 18, from Jabalya, hit by a bullet to the neck;
4. Ziad Nabil Ziad Sharaf, 18, from al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, hit by a bullet that entered the chest and existed the back.
At approximately 14:45, dozens of young men and children gathered in the east of al-Farrahin area in Abassan village and Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They headed towards the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel raising Palestinian flags.
Once they approached the border and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed there, Israeli soldiers opened fire at them.
Israeli soldiers continued to fire at the Palestinian demonstrators sporadically until the evening. As a result of the Israeli gunfire, two Palestinian civilians, were killed and 11 others were wounded, including a young man who was seriously wounded and was pronounced dead on Saturday morning.
The Palestinian civilians who were killed were identified as:
1. Mohammed Hisham Mohsen (al-Reqeb), 18, from Bani Suhaila village east of Khan Yunis, hit by a bullet to the chest;
2. Adnan Mousa Abu Olayan, 23, from Bani Suhaila village east of Khan Yunis, hit by a bullet to the head;
3. Jihad Zayed Salem Obaid, 21, from Deir al-Balah, hit by a bullet to the abdomen and he succumbed to his wound at 05:50 on Saturday, 10 October 2015.
Similar clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces near the border between the Gaza Strip to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces fired at those civilians wounding 67 of them, including 17 children.
Five of the wounded are in critical conditions. Additionally, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces fired dozens of tear gas canisters at them.
Following these incidents, Israeli authorities decided to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for three days, thus tightening the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on Saturday morning, 10 October 2015, Israeli soldiers positioned at Shufat checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, shot dead Ahmed Jamal Salah, 22, with a bullet to the head from a close range, during clashes near the checkpoint. Another two civilians were also wounded.
When Salah was wounded, Israeli forces left him bleeding on the ground for a long time. They then transported him to Hadassa Hospital in Israel where he was later pronounced dead.
At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 9 October 2015, Israeli forces positioned along the road linking between the Ibrahimi Mosque and "Kiryat Arba" settlement, east of Hebron, shot dead Mohammed Fares Abdullah al-Ja'bari, 19, from Khillat Haddour area in the southeast of Hebron, with several bullets, when he was near the road leading to "Givat Havot" settlement outpost. Al-Ja'bari was transported by an Israeli ambulance to "Kharsina" settlement.
His body was delivered to Palestine Red Crescent Society at approximately 21:00 on the same day. Israeli forces claimed that al-Ja'bari stabled an Israeli soldier and attempted to seize his gun before other soldiers shot him.
Following the Friday prayer, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces in various areas in Hebron, during which young men threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired in response live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.
As a result, 15 Palestinian civilians, including two children and a physician, were wounded. The physician, Omar Aaqel, 25, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the eye, due to which he lost his eye.
Earlier, on Thursday evening, 8 October 2015, Israeli forces shot dead Wissam Jamal Faraj al-Mansi, 20, with a dum dum bullet to the head, and wounded 33 others – 6 ones with live ammunition and the others with rubber-coated metal bullets – in Shu'fat refugee camp, north of Jerusalem.
Israeli forces that had moved into the camp opened fire at a number of young men who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli military vehicles.
According to PCHR's documentation, in the past 24 hours, 120 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. Dozens of civilians also suffered tear gas inhalation used by Israeli forces.
PCHR strongly condemns the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the their lives.
PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
Anti-Arab Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu incited on his Facebook page to kill Palestinians saying “Israeli government has to set a law to eliminate Palestinian fighters.”
This came in Eliyahu’s Answer to a journalist’s question on whether Palestinians who carry out resistance operations should be detained and released later on or should be killed.
Eliyahu added “If you are certain that he constitutes a real risk, you should leave him live and interrogate him strongly, then send him to hell. A policeman who lets terrorists live must be held accountable.”
Since October the first, clashes have been flaring up in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem and recently in the Gaza Strip for the defense of the Aqsa Mosque and the holy city of Jerusalem.
17 Palestinians have been killed whereas hundreds got injured in the clashes. However, Palestinian youths carried out stabbing operations against Israeli settlers and soldiers.
This came in Eliyahu’s Answer to a journalist’s question on whether Palestinians who carry out resistance operations should be detained and released later on or should be killed.
Eliyahu added “If you are certain that he constitutes a real risk, you should leave him live and interrogate him strongly, then send him to hell. A policeman who lets terrorists live must be held accountable.”
Since October the first, clashes have been flaring up in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem and recently in the Gaza Strip for the defense of the Aqsa Mosque and the holy city of Jerusalem.
17 Palestinians have been killed whereas hundreds got injured in the clashes. However, Palestinian youths carried out stabbing operations against Israeli settlers and soldiers.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said that the statement of American Secretary of State John Kerry about the intifada reflected the ugly image of the United States.
Abu Zuhri said, in a press release on Saturday, that Kerry’s statement, describing the intifada activities as acts of terrorism, legitimizes and supports Israeli crimes.
Abu Zuhri said, in a press release on Saturday, that Kerry’s statement, describing the intifada activities as acts of terrorism, legitimizes and supports Israeli crimes.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Saturday morning that 16 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1000 others were injured by Israeli troops live gunfire and rubber-coated steel bullets since the start of October.
The ministry explained in a press statement that its report cover the period from October 1st, to the morning of Saturday October 10th.
Israeli troops shoot and killed a Palestinian youth on Saturday before noon in the al-Misrara area, in Bab al-Amoud in occupied east Jerusalem.
Earlier on Saturday morning, medical sources reported that two Palestinians died of severe gunshot injuries they suffered at the hands of Israeli soldiers in separate incidents, one in occupied Jerusalem, and one in Deir al-Balah, in Central Gaza.
The Palestinian Health Ministry report named those killed as:
In the West Bank:
1- Moahmed Halabi, 19, Ramallah
2- Fadi Aloun, 19, Jerusalem
3- Amjad Al Jindi, 17, Yatta village near Hebron
4- Tha’er Abu Ghazala, 19, of Kufer Aqeb near Jerusalem
5- Abd Al-Rahman Abedallah, 11, Bethlehem
6- Howthifa Suliman, 18, Tulkarem
7- Wissam Jammal, 20, Sho’fat Refugee Camp-Jerusalem
8- Moahmed Al Ja’bari, 19, Hebron
9- Ahmad Salah, 20, Sho’fat Refugee Camp-Jerusalem
In Gaza:
10- Shadi Hussam Dolah, 20
11- Ahmad Al Hirbawi, 20
12- Abed Al Wahidi, 20
13- Moahmed Al Raqeb,15
14- Adnan Abu E’lian, 22
15- Zyiad Sharaf, 20
16- Jihad Al Abed,22
The Health Ministry noted that those killed in Gaza were all shot when Israeli troops attacked protests organized in Gaza city and Khan Younis in the southern part of the costal enclave on Friday October 9th.
The ministry explained in a press statement that its report cover the period from October 1st, to the morning of Saturday October 10th.
Israeli troops shoot and killed a Palestinian youth on Saturday before noon in the al-Misrara area, in Bab al-Amoud in occupied east Jerusalem.
Earlier on Saturday morning, medical sources reported that two Palestinians died of severe gunshot injuries they suffered at the hands of Israeli soldiers in separate incidents, one in occupied Jerusalem, and one in Deir al-Balah, in Central Gaza.
The Palestinian Health Ministry report named those killed as:
In the West Bank:
1- Moahmed Halabi, 19, Ramallah
2- Fadi Aloun, 19, Jerusalem
3- Amjad Al Jindi, 17, Yatta village near Hebron
4- Tha’er Abu Ghazala, 19, of Kufer Aqeb near Jerusalem
5- Abd Al-Rahman Abedallah, 11, Bethlehem
6- Howthifa Suliman, 18, Tulkarem
7- Wissam Jammal, 20, Sho’fat Refugee Camp-Jerusalem
8- Moahmed Al Ja’bari, 19, Hebron
9- Ahmad Salah, 20, Sho’fat Refugee Camp-Jerusalem
In Gaza:
10- Shadi Hussam Dolah, 20
11- Ahmad Al Hirbawi, 20
12- Abed Al Wahidi, 20
13- Moahmed Al Raqeb,15
14- Adnan Abu E’lian, 22
15- Zyiad Sharaf, 20
16- Jihad Al Abed,22
The Health Ministry noted that those killed in Gaza were all shot when Israeli troops attacked protests organized in Gaza city and Khan Younis in the southern part of the costal enclave on Friday October 9th.
The Palestinian Health Ministry announced that seven Palestinian civilians were killed on Friday and at least 153 others were injured by Israeli troops gunfire during ongoing clashes between Palestinian Youth and Israeli troops in different areas of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Four youth were killed and at least 55, injured in clashes erupted in the area sounding the Nahal Oz military base located to the east of Gaza city.
The ministry said that four killed Palestinians near Nahal Oz were identified as Ahmad Al Hirbawi, 21, was killed due to live gunshot wound in his chest, in addition to Abed Al Wahidi, 20, Husam Doulah, 20, and Ziyad Sharaf, 20.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old, Mohamed Al Raqab and Mousa Abu Aliyan, 22, were killed when Israeli troops opened live gunfire at Palestinian protesters in al Faraheen area east of Khan Younis city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Five more civilians were injured by Israeli troops gunfire during the ongoing clashes there.
Elsewhere, Soldiers shoot and killed Fares Al Ja’bari, 19 at the entrance of Kriyat Arba illegal settlement in Hebron city, southern West Bank.
The Israeli army claimed that Al Ja’bari tried to stab a soldier and take control of his gun. Palestinian eyewitness assured media that the youth carried no knife of any other sharp objects and that soldiers shot him without any reason.
Local sources said Al Ja’bari was left bleeding on the ground and that troops did not allow Palestinian medics to provide him with medical help.
The Health Ministry reported that 10 more Palestinian protesters were injured during ongoing clashes with Israeli troops in different parts of Hebron city.
Three of them were shot by Israeli troops live gunfire in the foot.
Also in the southern West Bank, Israeli troops attacked protesters near the Israeli wall separating Bethlehem city from Jerusalem.
The health ministry said that six youth were injured by Israeli troops gunfire, among them a youth that was hit by a live round in the foot.
Moreover, 23 youth were injured, four critically by live gunfire, during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers at the entrance of Al Berah town, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced on Friday that 1640 Palestinians have been injured all over the West Bank since the start of October until Thursday midnight.
101 were injured after being hit by Israeli troops’ live gunfire, 442 were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets and 1066 were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. In addition there was 31 residents who were injured after being beat-up by soldiers, the RCS reported.
Four youth were killed and at least 55, injured in clashes erupted in the area sounding the Nahal Oz military base located to the east of Gaza city.
The ministry said that four killed Palestinians near Nahal Oz were identified as Ahmad Al Hirbawi, 21, was killed due to live gunshot wound in his chest, in addition to Abed Al Wahidi, 20, Husam Doulah, 20, and Ziyad Sharaf, 20.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old, Mohamed Al Raqab and Mousa Abu Aliyan, 22, were killed when Israeli troops opened live gunfire at Palestinian protesters in al Faraheen area east of Khan Younis city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Five more civilians were injured by Israeli troops gunfire during the ongoing clashes there.
Elsewhere, Soldiers shoot and killed Fares Al Ja’bari, 19 at the entrance of Kriyat Arba illegal settlement in Hebron city, southern West Bank.
The Israeli army claimed that Al Ja’bari tried to stab a soldier and take control of his gun. Palestinian eyewitness assured media that the youth carried no knife of any other sharp objects and that soldiers shot him without any reason.
Local sources said Al Ja’bari was left bleeding on the ground and that troops did not allow Palestinian medics to provide him with medical help.
The Health Ministry reported that 10 more Palestinian protesters were injured during ongoing clashes with Israeli troops in different parts of Hebron city.
Three of them were shot by Israeli troops live gunfire in the foot.
Also in the southern West Bank, Israeli troops attacked protesters near the Israeli wall separating Bethlehem city from Jerusalem.
The health ministry said that six youth were injured by Israeli troops gunfire, among them a youth that was hit by a live round in the foot.
Moreover, 23 youth were injured, four critically by live gunfire, during ongoing clashes between local youth and invading Israeli soldiers at the entrance of Al Berah town, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced on Friday that 1640 Palestinians have been injured all over the West Bank since the start of October until Thursday midnight.
101 were injured after being hit by Israeli troops’ live gunfire, 442 were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets and 1066 were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. In addition there was 31 residents who were injured after being beat-up by soldiers, the RCS reported.
9 oct 2015
By Nada Elia
One telling meme has been circulating on social media over the past week: “My name is Fadi. I’m 19 years old. I was being pursued by Israeli settlers. So I rushed to the Israeli police for help. They shot me dead.” Along with the meme, the videotape of the killing of Fadi Alloun, as the settlers who had pursued him chanted “Death to Arabs,” has gone viral.
Alloun’s death is symbolic of the predicament West Bank Palestinians find themselves in, in their own occupied land, where they are hounded by armed settlers, who have the full protection of the Israeli military, while the Palestinian Authority, in charge of “coordinating security” with the Israeli forces, fails yet again at protecting its citizens.
Since Alloun’s death, five more Palestinians have been killed, over 175 Palestinians injured, and scores detained, as violent clashes with the Israeli military spread throughout the West Bank. More are expected to fall victim to this latest round of “fierce clashes,” as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised an “all-out war” on Palestinians, who continue to take to the streets. The escalating violence has given rise to talk of a “third Intifada,” with various politicians and some media warning about such a development, as if it were to usher a significant deterioration in the living circumstances of Palestinians in the West Bank.
Is a Third Intifada in the making? How exactly does one define or recognise an Intifada, that Arabic word that has entered Western discourse, finding its way into the Merriem-Webster’s dictionary, and now in currency with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, who use it to describe the grassroots rebellion against law enforcement violence in the US? And why would an Intifada be a negative development, something to fear, if it is indeed a rebellion, an uprising, against a racist, brutal, murderous, occupying juggernaut?
Which begs the question, how does one understand an “all-out war” on the Palestinians, as distinct from the murderous violence Israel engages on a daily basis? Is the seven decades-long violation of the most basic human rights of a people not “an all-out war” against that people, when it is implemented through apartheid, dispossession, disenfranchisement, home demolitions, restrictions on freedom of movement, all-encompassing structural violence, and, in Gaza, a siege that is tantamount to genocide?
Any journalist covering Palestine/Israel knows it is extremely easy at any given time to give an exact count of Israeli casualties, if any, over the previous week, even as it is quasi-impossible, at that same time, to give any more than an approximation of Palestinian casualties. Do we count Palestinians who die of malnutrition as “casualties?” What about those who die due to lack of access to healthcare? What about miscarriages as a result of stress? And what words do we use to describe the situation in Gaza, in between the recurrent vicious land, air, and maritime assaults Israel refers to as “mowing the grass?”
How does one define “low intensity conflict,” as distinct from “all-out war?” Would the people of, say, England or the US consider the circumstances of Palestinians under occupation, in those periods not identified “all-out war,” livable? Why, then, the “fear” of an intifada? Is it a fear of a change in the status quo that politicians are invested in, a status quo of peace talks that never translate into peace, road maps that lead to nowhere, while the military industrial complex grows ever more murderous?
“What possibly awaits us here is something like a new intifada,” said Martin Schafer, spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry. “That can’t be in anyone’s interest – it can’t be something anyone in Israel wants, or which any responsible Palestinian politician wants.”
But here’s part of the problem: truly responsible Palestinian politicians are not at the political helm. The so-called “Palestinian Authority” of Mahmoud Abbas is not responsible for the safety of the Palestinian people, it is not accountable to the Palestinians, it is a sub-contractor of the occupation. Like most politicians, Abbas is more invested in the process, than in genuine peace. “Responsible Palestinians” are the civilians who persevere in their dogged attempts to survive, to go to school, to work, feed their families, have dreams and ambitions, be free, be sovereign. Responsible Palestinians rebel against injustice and violence.
Intifadas are good. They reveal to the world that Palestinians have not, will not, acquiesce to their oppression. The third intifada must be against the ongoing occupation as undertaken by the Israeli forces as well as their sub-contractor, the Palestinian Authority. Only then will the farce of Peace Accords and Road Maps be finally tossed into the trash heap of history, where it belongs.
An escalation in Israeli violence, both "state violence" and "state-facilitated settler violence," along with an escalation in angry Palestinian resistance - because there is always resistance, but it changes qualitatively, in response to escalating Israeli violence - do not necessarily make for a Third Intifada. Yet the right mix of elements are there, the climate is ripe, and an intifada may indeed be brewing. The hope - not fear - is that this time, it will be against both Israel and all involved in the farce that is the “peace talks”. It is time for action.
- Nada Elia is a Diaspora Palestinian writer and political commentator.
The article was published in the Middle East Eye website.
One telling meme has been circulating on social media over the past week: “My name is Fadi. I’m 19 years old. I was being pursued by Israeli settlers. So I rushed to the Israeli police for help. They shot me dead.” Along with the meme, the videotape of the killing of Fadi Alloun, as the settlers who had pursued him chanted “Death to Arabs,” has gone viral.
Alloun’s death is symbolic of the predicament West Bank Palestinians find themselves in, in their own occupied land, where they are hounded by armed settlers, who have the full protection of the Israeli military, while the Palestinian Authority, in charge of “coordinating security” with the Israeli forces, fails yet again at protecting its citizens.
Since Alloun’s death, five more Palestinians have been killed, over 175 Palestinians injured, and scores detained, as violent clashes with the Israeli military spread throughout the West Bank. More are expected to fall victim to this latest round of “fierce clashes,” as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised an “all-out war” on Palestinians, who continue to take to the streets. The escalating violence has given rise to talk of a “third Intifada,” with various politicians and some media warning about such a development, as if it were to usher a significant deterioration in the living circumstances of Palestinians in the West Bank.
Is a Third Intifada in the making? How exactly does one define or recognise an Intifada, that Arabic word that has entered Western discourse, finding its way into the Merriem-Webster’s dictionary, and now in currency with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, who use it to describe the grassroots rebellion against law enforcement violence in the US? And why would an Intifada be a negative development, something to fear, if it is indeed a rebellion, an uprising, against a racist, brutal, murderous, occupying juggernaut?
Which begs the question, how does one understand an “all-out war” on the Palestinians, as distinct from the murderous violence Israel engages on a daily basis? Is the seven decades-long violation of the most basic human rights of a people not “an all-out war” against that people, when it is implemented through apartheid, dispossession, disenfranchisement, home demolitions, restrictions on freedom of movement, all-encompassing structural violence, and, in Gaza, a siege that is tantamount to genocide?
Any journalist covering Palestine/Israel knows it is extremely easy at any given time to give an exact count of Israeli casualties, if any, over the previous week, even as it is quasi-impossible, at that same time, to give any more than an approximation of Palestinian casualties. Do we count Palestinians who die of malnutrition as “casualties?” What about those who die due to lack of access to healthcare? What about miscarriages as a result of stress? And what words do we use to describe the situation in Gaza, in between the recurrent vicious land, air, and maritime assaults Israel refers to as “mowing the grass?”
How does one define “low intensity conflict,” as distinct from “all-out war?” Would the people of, say, England or the US consider the circumstances of Palestinians under occupation, in those periods not identified “all-out war,” livable? Why, then, the “fear” of an intifada? Is it a fear of a change in the status quo that politicians are invested in, a status quo of peace talks that never translate into peace, road maps that lead to nowhere, while the military industrial complex grows ever more murderous?
“What possibly awaits us here is something like a new intifada,” said Martin Schafer, spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry. “That can’t be in anyone’s interest – it can’t be something anyone in Israel wants, or which any responsible Palestinian politician wants.”
But here’s part of the problem: truly responsible Palestinian politicians are not at the political helm. The so-called “Palestinian Authority” of Mahmoud Abbas is not responsible for the safety of the Palestinian people, it is not accountable to the Palestinians, it is a sub-contractor of the occupation. Like most politicians, Abbas is more invested in the process, than in genuine peace. “Responsible Palestinians” are the civilians who persevere in their dogged attempts to survive, to go to school, to work, feed their families, have dreams and ambitions, be free, be sovereign. Responsible Palestinians rebel against injustice and violence.
Intifadas are good. They reveal to the world that Palestinians have not, will not, acquiesce to their oppression. The third intifada must be against the ongoing occupation as undertaken by the Israeli forces as well as their sub-contractor, the Palestinian Authority. Only then will the farce of Peace Accords and Road Maps be finally tossed into the trash heap of history, where it belongs.
An escalation in Israeli violence, both "state violence" and "state-facilitated settler violence," along with an escalation in angry Palestinian resistance - because there is always resistance, but it changes qualitatively, in response to escalating Israeli violence - do not necessarily make for a Third Intifada. Yet the right mix of elements are there, the climate is ripe, and an intifada may indeed be brewing. The hope - not fear - is that this time, it will be against both Israel and all involved in the farce that is the “peace talks”. It is time for action.
- Nada Elia is a Diaspora Palestinian writer and political commentator.
The article was published in the Middle East Eye website.
Violent clashes broke out after Friday prayers across West Bank and Gaza Strip, resulted in the killing of seven Palestinians and the injuring of 123 others.
Six Palestinians were shot dead during Friday’s clashes, while 60 others were injured, ten of them suffered serious wounds, as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a demonstration by the border fence east of Gaza City and near Khan Younis on Friday.
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old young man was killed by Israeli fire in al-Khalil (Hebron), while 11 Palestinians were injured with live and rubber bullets during the clashes that were witnessed throughout the city.
Late Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health declared that 14 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and around 1,000 others have been injured with live and rubber-coated steel bullets in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip since Oct. 1.
By the end of the day on Friday alone, seven Palestinians were killed and around 200 injured with live and rubber-coated steel bullets, while seven suffered from bruises after being physically assaulted by Israeli forces in clashes across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the ministry added.
According to the ministry, the numbers include those who were admitted to hospitals, while hundreds of others were treated on the scene.
In occupied Jerusalem, a Jewish settler was stabbed by a Palestinian boy on Friday morning. Hebrew media claimed that the stabber was a 14-year-old boy and that he was shot and arrested.
In Jenin, 9 Palestinians injured with live bullets to the feet, and two with rubber-coated steel bullets, including one Palestinian who was hit in the neck.
Another Palestinian suffered several bruises and fractures after being beaten up by Israeli forces in Jericho, the ministry added.
The injuries were reported during the clashes that erupted at Jalama checkpoint after Friday prayers in defense of al-Aqsa Mosque.
In al-Khalil, a Palestinian youth was shot dead after attacking an Israeli policeman near Kiryat Arba settlement at noon Friday.
The PIC reporter identified the attacker as Hamada al-Ja’bari from al-Khalil, adding that he was killed in the incident.
Following the stabbing attack, violent clashes broke out throughout the city resulted in a number of moderate and serious injuries among Palestinian youths.
In Nablus, similar clashes broke out in Beit Furik town in protest against the Israeli continued closure of Beit Furik checkpoint.
In ongoing clashes near the Beit El settlement in the Ramallah district, eight people were injured with live bullets and 22 with rubber-coated steel bullets, according to the ministry. Four those injured are currently in serious condition.
As clashes persisted in Bethlehem, five were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets, and one with live bullet in the foot, the ministry said.
Three Palestinians were also injured with live bullets in the stomach and feet in clashes in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya, and six others were beaten up by Israeli forces and settlers in Beit Furik in Nablus, one of them suffering fractures to the head.
Six Palestinians were shot dead during Friday’s clashes, while 60 others were injured, ten of them suffered serious wounds, as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire at a demonstration by the border fence east of Gaza City and near Khan Younis on Friday.
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old young man was killed by Israeli fire in al-Khalil (Hebron), while 11 Palestinians were injured with live and rubber bullets during the clashes that were witnessed throughout the city.
Late Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health declared that 14 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and around 1,000 others have been injured with live and rubber-coated steel bullets in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip since Oct. 1.
By the end of the day on Friday alone, seven Palestinians were killed and around 200 injured with live and rubber-coated steel bullets, while seven suffered from bruises after being physically assaulted by Israeli forces in clashes across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the ministry added.
According to the ministry, the numbers include those who were admitted to hospitals, while hundreds of others were treated on the scene.
In occupied Jerusalem, a Jewish settler was stabbed by a Palestinian boy on Friday morning. Hebrew media claimed that the stabber was a 14-year-old boy and that he was shot and arrested.
In Jenin, 9 Palestinians injured with live bullets to the feet, and two with rubber-coated steel bullets, including one Palestinian who was hit in the neck.
Another Palestinian suffered several bruises and fractures after being beaten up by Israeli forces in Jericho, the ministry added.
The injuries were reported during the clashes that erupted at Jalama checkpoint after Friday prayers in defense of al-Aqsa Mosque.
In al-Khalil, a Palestinian youth was shot dead after attacking an Israeli policeman near Kiryat Arba settlement at noon Friday.
The PIC reporter identified the attacker as Hamada al-Ja’bari from al-Khalil, adding that he was killed in the incident.
Following the stabbing attack, violent clashes broke out throughout the city resulted in a number of moderate and serious injuries among Palestinian youths.
In Nablus, similar clashes broke out in Beit Furik town in protest against the Israeli continued closure of Beit Furik checkpoint.
In ongoing clashes near the Beit El settlement in the Ramallah district, eight people were injured with live bullets and 22 with rubber-coated steel bullets, according to the ministry. Four those injured are currently in serious condition.
As clashes persisted in Bethlehem, five were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets, and one with live bullet in the foot, the ministry said.
Three Palestinians were also injured with live bullets in the stomach and feet in clashes in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya, and six others were beaten up by Israeli forces and settlers in Beit Furik in Nablus, one of them suffering fractures to the head.
Spokesman for Hamas Movement Houssam Badran called Thursday on Palestinian youths to destroy all surveillance cameras across the West Bank.
Surveillance cameras installed across the West Bank are the main reason behind revealing the identities of stone-throwers during clashes, he said.
The spokesman for the group called on media outlets to shed light on the seriousness of surveillance cameras phenomenon in the occupied West Bank.
He also called on Palestinian protesters to destroy all surveillance cameras installed in West Bank streets and towns that have been witnessing violent clashes.
It is important to install security cameras inside shops and not to direct them to the streets, he added.
Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier decided to increase the use of surveillance cameras across West Bank towns and cities.
Surveillance cameras installed across the West Bank are the main reason behind revealing the identities of stone-throwers during clashes, he said.
The spokesman for the group called on media outlets to shed light on the seriousness of surveillance cameras phenomenon in the occupied West Bank.
He also called on Palestinian protesters to destroy all surveillance cameras installed in West Bank streets and towns that have been witnessing violent clashes.
It is important to install security cameras inside shops and not to direct them to the streets, he added.
Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier decided to increase the use of surveillance cameras across West Bank towns and cities.
The Hamas Movement has said that Israel's recent extrajudicial killing of many Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem vindicates the fact that its government is only a gang and not a state.
"The cold-blooded killing of several Palestinians recently by the Zionist occupation confirm that we deal with a gang led by Netanyahu, which has nothing in common with the governments or the states known by the world," Hamas spokesman Husam Badran stated in a press release on Thursday.
Badran underlined that the Palestinian people would not raise the white flag, whatever the sacrifices, warning Israel that its persistence in desecrating the Aqsa Mosque would not go unnoticed.
He added that the growing resistance activities in the occupied territories reflected the Palestinian people's adherence to the resistance option as the only solution to remove the occupation and liberate the land.
The Hamas spokesman reiterated his Movement's support for all forms of resistance with any means available to confront the occupation and its violations against the holy shrines.
"The cold-blooded killing of several Palestinians recently by the Zionist occupation confirm that we deal with a gang led by Netanyahu, which has nothing in common with the governments or the states known by the world," Hamas spokesman Husam Badran stated in a press release on Thursday.
Badran underlined that the Palestinian people would not raise the white flag, whatever the sacrifices, warning Israel that its persistence in desecrating the Aqsa Mosque would not go unnoticed.
He added that the growing resistance activities in the occupied territories reflected the Palestinian people's adherence to the resistance option as the only solution to remove the occupation and liberate the land.
The Hamas spokesman reiterated his Movement's support for all forms of resistance with any means available to confront the occupation and its violations against the holy shrines.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said in a press conference that there was no “magic solution” to the disturbances in the occupied territories on a day that saw five attacks on Israeli settlers and soldiers.
Amid ongoing tension across the West Bank, Netanyahu on Thursday evening addressed a press conference along with Israeli War Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Israeli Interior Minister Gadi Eisenkot and Interim Police Chief Bentzi Sau.
“We will take aggressive measures against the Islamic Movement in Israel and against other inciters,” Netanyahu said during the news conference.
The measures include an increased number of detentions without charges and speeding up demolitions of the homes of Palestinians who are allegedly involved in stabbing or stone-throwing attacks.
These measures “are not an immediate, magical solution,” Netanyahu said.
Ya’alon, from his part, has also given police greater latitude to open fire at Palestinian protesters.
Seven Palestinians have been killed, including a 13-year-old boy, and hundreds more were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
Amid ongoing tension across the West Bank, Netanyahu on Thursday evening addressed a press conference along with Israeli War Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Israeli Interior Minister Gadi Eisenkot and Interim Police Chief Bentzi Sau.
“We will take aggressive measures against the Islamic Movement in Israel and against other inciters,” Netanyahu said during the news conference.
The measures include an increased number of detentions without charges and speeding up demolitions of the homes of Palestinians who are allegedly involved in stabbing or stone-throwing attacks.
These measures “are not an immediate, magical solution,” Netanyahu said.
Ya’alon, from his part, has also given police greater latitude to open fire at Palestinian protesters.
Seven Palestinians have been killed, including a 13-year-old boy, and hundreds more were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
Two Israeli soldiers were injured Thursday evening in an alleged Palestinian stab attack near Nazareth city within the Green Line.
Yediot Aharanot Hebrew newspaper reported that a Palestinian young man stabbed two Israeli soldiers and moderately injured them in Afula south of Nazareth.
The Palestinian suspect was immediately arrested after being shot and injured, the sources added.
Nine other soldiers were injured after being targeted with a Molotov cocktail during clashes that erupted in Shufat refugee camp in occupied Jerusalem.
Wissam Faraj, 20, was shot dead during the clashes, while six youths were also injured.
Meanwhile, ten Israelis were also injured during five separate attacks on Thursday.
Later in the day, a settler was seriously wounded in the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba by a Palestinian suspect, who fled the scene and has not been found.
In a similar attack, four Israelis including a soldier were injured by a Palestinian man in a Tel Aviv stabbing attack. The attacker was shot dead at the scene.
The Hebrew radio said that the youth stabbed a female conscript and three others, adding that the conscript sustained serious injuries.
The broadcast said that the youth snatched the conscript’s weapon after stabbing her and stabbed other pedestrians before being gunned down.
Meanwhile, Israeli policemen on Thursday afternoon opened fire at a Palestinian young man after he allegedly attempted to stab a Jewish settler and grab a gun from a security guard at the light rail station in Sheikh Jarrah district, east of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Hebrew media reported the settler suffered a serious injury in his neck, pointing out that the attacker was detained after being seriously wounded.
Two other soldiers were injured during two separate stone-throwing attacks in al-Khalil and Ramallah.
The latest stabbing and stone-throwing attacks bring the total number of Israeli settlers and soldiers injured on Thursday to 21 during separate attacks.
On the other hand, seven Palestinians were killed over the past eight days including a 13-year-old boy while 790 others were injured during clashes that broke out across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
Yediot Aharanot Hebrew newspaper reported that a Palestinian young man stabbed two Israeli soldiers and moderately injured them in Afula south of Nazareth.
The Palestinian suspect was immediately arrested after being shot and injured, the sources added.
Nine other soldiers were injured after being targeted with a Molotov cocktail during clashes that erupted in Shufat refugee camp in occupied Jerusalem.
Wissam Faraj, 20, was shot dead during the clashes, while six youths were also injured.
Meanwhile, ten Israelis were also injured during five separate attacks on Thursday.
Later in the day, a settler was seriously wounded in the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba by a Palestinian suspect, who fled the scene and has not been found.
In a similar attack, four Israelis including a soldier were injured by a Palestinian man in a Tel Aviv stabbing attack. The attacker was shot dead at the scene.
The Hebrew radio said that the youth stabbed a female conscript and three others, adding that the conscript sustained serious injuries.
The broadcast said that the youth snatched the conscript’s weapon after stabbing her and stabbed other pedestrians before being gunned down.
Meanwhile, Israeli policemen on Thursday afternoon opened fire at a Palestinian young man after he allegedly attempted to stab a Jewish settler and grab a gun from a security guard at the light rail station in Sheikh Jarrah district, east of Occupied Jerusalem.
The Hebrew media reported the settler suffered a serious injury in his neck, pointing out that the attacker was detained after being seriously wounded.
Two other soldiers were injured during two separate stone-throwing attacks in al-Khalil and Ramallah.
The latest stabbing and stone-throwing attacks bring the total number of Israeli settlers and soldiers injured on Thursday to 21 during separate attacks.
On the other hand, seven Palestinians were killed over the past eight days including a 13-year-old boy while 790 others were injured during clashes that broke out across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem.
After Palestinian activists and political factions called for a day of protest against Israeli violations, the Israeli government decided to close Jerusalem, and only allow Palestinian men who are above 50 to pray on Friday at the Al Aqsa mosque.
The recent wave of clashes erupted over a week ago, as Israeli settlers under the protection of the Israeli army escalated their invasions of the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city.
According to the Palestinian ministry of health, seven Palestinian have been killed, including a child, and more than 750 others have been injured by Israeli military live gunfire, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas since the start of October.
In related news, the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, urged Israeli residents of Jerusalem to carry weapons. On Thursday one Palestinian was killed in Tel Aviv, and two others were arrested in separate incidents, one in Al Afoula near Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem, for allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers and settlers.
The Israeli online site Ynet news quoted Baraket saying that Israeli “civilians with operational combat experience can help foil terror attacks and increase residents' confidence.”
On Wednesday, an armed Israeli settler shot and seriously wounded, a teenage Palestinian girl, 18 years of age, near the Council Gate (Bab al-Majles) in the Old City.
The Israeli shooter claimed that the girl tried to stab him, while eyewitness accounts contradicted his allegation. The Israeli police alleged the young woman “stabbed the settler in the neck, and tried to escape, before he shot her."
But Palestinian eyewitnesses said the wounded girl, from Sur Baher in Jerusalem, did not carry a knife, or a weapon, and that the Israeli assailant was harassing and insulting her, near Bab al-Majles (The Council Gate) before removing her hijab, covering her head, and shooting her when she tried to push him away.
The recent wave of clashes erupted over a week ago, as Israeli settlers under the protection of the Israeli army escalated their invasions of the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city.
According to the Palestinian ministry of health, seven Palestinian have been killed, including a child, and more than 750 others have been injured by Israeli military live gunfire, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas since the start of October.
In related news, the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, urged Israeli residents of Jerusalem to carry weapons. On Thursday one Palestinian was killed in Tel Aviv, and two others were arrested in separate incidents, one in Al Afoula near Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem, for allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers and settlers.
The Israeli online site Ynet news quoted Baraket saying that Israeli “civilians with operational combat experience can help foil terror attacks and increase residents' confidence.”
On Wednesday, an armed Israeli settler shot and seriously wounded, a teenage Palestinian girl, 18 years of age, near the Council Gate (Bab al-Majles) in the Old City.
The Israeli shooter claimed that the girl tried to stab him, while eyewitness accounts contradicted his allegation. The Israeli police alleged the young woman “stabbed the settler in the neck, and tried to escape, before he shot her."
But Palestinian eyewitnesses said the wounded girl, from Sur Baher in Jerusalem, did not carry a knife, or a weapon, and that the Israeli assailant was harassing and insulting her, near Bab al-Majles (The Council Gate) before removing her hijab, covering her head, and shooting her when she tried to push him away.
8 oct 2015
At least 1,289 Palestinians have been left wounded in clashes with the Israeli occupation troops across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported Thursday.
According to official data released by the Red Crescent, 1,298 Palestinian civilians have been injured over the past five days, 76 among whom sustained live bullet wounds and 344 sustained rubber bullet injuries.
849 Palestinians choked on tear gas and 20 others were subjected to heavy beating, the organization further documented.
Tension has been running high in the West Bank and Jerusalem after the Israeli occupation troops and extremist settlers stepped up aggressions on the holy al-Aqsa Mosque and the peaceful Muslim congregation.
Several Palestinians were critically wounded in aggressive attacks, by the occupation patrols, on pro-Aqsa demos.
According to official data released by the Red Crescent, 1,298 Palestinian civilians have been injured over the past five days, 76 among whom sustained live bullet wounds and 344 sustained rubber bullet injuries.
849 Palestinians choked on tear gas and 20 others were subjected to heavy beating, the organization further documented.
Tension has been running high in the West Bank and Jerusalem after the Israeli occupation troops and extremist settlers stepped up aggressions on the holy al-Aqsa Mosque and the peaceful Muslim congregation.
Several Palestinians were critically wounded in aggressive attacks, by the occupation patrols, on pro-Aqsa demos.
Abdul-Rahman Obeidallah, 13, killed by an Israeli sniper gunfire in Bethlehem on Monday
The Palestinian Health Minister, Dr. Jawad Awwad, announced on Thursday that Israeli attacks targeting Palestinian protesters in the West Bank have left five killed civilians including a child and more than 750 others were injured by Israeli military gunfire, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.
According to Dr. Jawad's press statement, at least 140 civilians were hit by Israeli military live gunfire, while 360 others were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets. The rest were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Monday afternoon, a Palestinian child, 13 years of age, near the main entrance of 'Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Abdul-Rahman Obeidallah, was shot with a live round in the chest, and died of his serious wounds shortly after being moved to Bethlehem governmental hospital. The slain child was walking back home from school when the fatal Israeli round struck him.
At least 90 civilians were injured by Israeli settlers attacks targeting Palestinian civilians, Dr. Jawad said in his statement. He added that the ministry also documented 18 attacks by Israeli soldiers targeting Palestinian Ambulances, and that 20 medics were injured while providing help for the wounded during protests.
Moreover, the minister condemned the attack by Israeli settlers on a medical crew from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem and the invasion of Nablus city hospital by Israeli undercover troops who kidnapped a patient from the hospital. The kidnapped patient is Karam Riziq - he remains in Israeli custody and his health condition is unknown.
As to the ammunition used by the Israeli army, Dr. Jawad said that the ministry have documented the use of live rounds of all sorts including explosive ones and high calibre sniper ammunition fire from what is called a “Roger sniper rifle”.
He explained that most injuries were focused in the upper part of the body indicating that the aim is “to shoot to kill” and not, as the army claims, to engage in 'non-lethal' use of force against demonstrators.
The recent wave of clashes erupted over a week ago, as Israeli settlers under the protection of the Israeli army escalated their invasions to the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city.
The Palestinian Health Minister, Dr. Jawad Awwad, announced on Thursday that Israeli attacks targeting Palestinian protesters in the West Bank have left five killed civilians including a child and more than 750 others were injured by Israeli military gunfire, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.
According to Dr. Jawad's press statement, at least 140 civilians were hit by Israeli military live gunfire, while 360 others were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets. The rest were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Monday afternoon, a Palestinian child, 13 years of age, near the main entrance of 'Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Abdul-Rahman Obeidallah, was shot with a live round in the chest, and died of his serious wounds shortly after being moved to Bethlehem governmental hospital. The slain child was walking back home from school when the fatal Israeli round struck him.
At least 90 civilians were injured by Israeli settlers attacks targeting Palestinian civilians, Dr. Jawad said in his statement. He added that the ministry also documented 18 attacks by Israeli soldiers targeting Palestinian Ambulances, and that 20 medics were injured while providing help for the wounded during protests.
Moreover, the minister condemned the attack by Israeli settlers on a medical crew from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem and the invasion of Nablus city hospital by Israeli undercover troops who kidnapped a patient from the hospital. The kidnapped patient is Karam Riziq - he remains in Israeli custody and his health condition is unknown.
As to the ammunition used by the Israeli army, Dr. Jawad said that the ministry have documented the use of live rounds of all sorts including explosive ones and high calibre sniper ammunition fire from what is called a “Roger sniper rifle”.
He explained that most injuries were focused in the upper part of the body indicating that the aim is “to shoot to kill” and not, as the army claims, to engage in 'non-lethal' use of force against demonstrators.
The recent wave of clashes erupted over a week ago, as Israeli settlers under the protection of the Israeli army escalated their invasions to the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s old city.
Dozens of Palestinians were injured during violent clashes that broke out Wednesday across West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, medical sources said.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 288 Palestinians were injured across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, including 89 by rubber-coated steel bullets and 10 with live rounds and 189 who suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In Ramallah, an Israeli undercover unit kidnapped four Palestinian youths during clashes that broke out at Beit El checkpoint north of the city. One of the detainees was seriously injured after being shot in his head with a live bullet.
The clashes broke out when Israeli forces quelled a large march that set-off from Birzeit University towards the Beit El settlement.
The Israeli forces heavily fired rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and live fire at the youths.
Journalists were also attacked during the clashes while trying to film the kidnapping process of four Palestinian youths.
Hundreds of students have participated in the massive march heading to Beit El settlement in protest against settlers’ deadly attacks.
In al-Khalil, fierce clashes were reported in different parts of the city between local youths and Israeli forces.
Clashes broke out in the town of Beit Ummar north of the city, when Imad al-Sleibi, 17, was detained by Israeli forces and taken to the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Karmi Tzur.
A local official said Israeli soldiers chased several other youths in an attempt to detain them during clashes in the al-Thahr area of Beit Ummar, near the settlement, taking over the rooftops of three homes in the area and firing tear-gas and stun grenades from the roofs, causing several teargas suffocation cases among locals.
Similar clashes were reported in Yatta town between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths after a Palestinian man, identified as a young man from the area, was killed in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel.
In Bethlehem, several youths choked on teargas as clashes erupted at the northern entrance of the town.
In occupied Jerusalem, Israeli police stormed and violently searched the house of Shourouk Dweikat who was earlier shot and seriously injured by an Israeli settler in the Old City. Shourouk was hospitalized in critical condition.
In Qalqilia, several youths were injured while some others were detained as clashes broke out at the entrance of the city amid heavy fire of teargas bombs. At least four youths were hit with rubber-coated bullets, eyewitnesses said.
In Jericho, confrontations were reported after Israeli police suppressed a peaceful march organized in the city in defense of al-Aqsa Mosque and in protest against settlers’ attacks against Palestinians and their properties.
Four Palestinians were hit with rubber-coated bullets during the clashes, while 30 choked on teargas. Three minors were also detained during the clashes including a boy with special needs.
Over the past week, there have been increasing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians over the storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers, who are being backed by Israel's right-wing government.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 288 Palestinians were injured across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, including 89 by rubber-coated steel bullets and 10 with live rounds and 189 who suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In Ramallah, an Israeli undercover unit kidnapped four Palestinian youths during clashes that broke out at Beit El checkpoint north of the city. One of the detainees was seriously injured after being shot in his head with a live bullet.
The clashes broke out when Israeli forces quelled a large march that set-off from Birzeit University towards the Beit El settlement.
The Israeli forces heavily fired rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and live fire at the youths.
Journalists were also attacked during the clashes while trying to film the kidnapping process of four Palestinian youths.
Hundreds of students have participated in the massive march heading to Beit El settlement in protest against settlers’ deadly attacks.
In al-Khalil, fierce clashes were reported in different parts of the city between local youths and Israeli forces.
Clashes broke out in the town of Beit Ummar north of the city, when Imad al-Sleibi, 17, was detained by Israeli forces and taken to the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Karmi Tzur.
A local official said Israeli soldiers chased several other youths in an attempt to detain them during clashes in the al-Thahr area of Beit Ummar, near the settlement, taking over the rooftops of three homes in the area and firing tear-gas and stun grenades from the roofs, causing several teargas suffocation cases among locals.
Similar clashes were reported in Yatta town between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths after a Palestinian man, identified as a young man from the area, was killed in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel.
In Bethlehem, several youths choked on teargas as clashes erupted at the northern entrance of the town.
In occupied Jerusalem, Israeli police stormed and violently searched the house of Shourouk Dweikat who was earlier shot and seriously injured by an Israeli settler in the Old City. Shourouk was hospitalized in critical condition.
In Qalqilia, several youths were injured while some others were detained as clashes broke out at the entrance of the city amid heavy fire of teargas bombs. At least four youths were hit with rubber-coated bullets, eyewitnesses said.
In Jericho, confrontations were reported after Israeli police suppressed a peaceful march organized in the city in defense of al-Aqsa Mosque and in protest against settlers’ attacks against Palestinians and their properties.
Four Palestinians were hit with rubber-coated bullets during the clashes, while 30 choked on teargas. Three minors were also detained during the clashes including a boy with special needs.
Over the past week, there have been increasing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians over the storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque by settlers, who are being backed by Israel's right-wing government.
7 sept 2015
Sheikh Raed Salah , head of the Islamic Movement in 1948 Occupied Palestine, held the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the escalation of the situation in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
Sheikh Salah said, according to the news agency Anatolia, that: "The head of the Israeli government, Netanyahu, bear full responsibility for the escalations in the West Bank and Jerusalem, because of his attempts to tamper with the al-Aqsa Mosque, thinking that the weak and confused Arab situation would enable him to divide al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews".
He added that: "in my opinion, current events will not stop but will develop into a massive intifada, if Netanyahu did not realize his sin when he infringed on the feelings of the Muslims by his policemen assaults on women, the sit-inners, and on al-Aqsa Mosque".
Sheikh Raed Salah commented on the Israeli government’s accusation that the Islamic Movement had planned the clashes in Jerusalem, by saying, "This accusation is funny, because the Palestinian people living in Jerusalem see and hear what the occupation state commits and tries to change in al-Aqsa Mosque, and thus the confrontation widens and grows. Israel is responsible for what is happening and for the violence that will not stop".
With regard to Netanyahu's call for the Israeli mini security cabinet to "outlaw the Islamic Movement", Sheikh Salah said that "Netanyahu must realize that the Islamic Movement is considered legitimate only by its beliefs, its Nation, and the people who loved it, so we will continue our work, our activity and our victory for al-Aqsa Mosque, whatever Netanyahu does or says".
Sheikh Salah pointed out that "the Islamic Movement does not pay attention to what the Israeli officials say, because the Islamic Movement is a thought and a vision, and a doctrine that is settled in the hearts of the believers".
And with regard to the Arab position on the current events in al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Salah said, "The position of Arabs is very weak, but among the advanced positions is the statement delivered by King Abdullah II, in which he stressed that al-Aqsa Mosque is an Islamic holy place that cannot be divided".
Sheikh Salah continued: "The most important positions that we have obtained through our communications with Arab and Islamic countries and officials, was Turkey's position represented by its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who told us in a meeting with him last month that: whoever tampers with al-Aqsa Mosque will be playing with fire, and Turkey will not accept any infringement on the de facto situation in al-Aqsa Mosque".
Sheikh Salah concluded: "I swear to God, who raised the sky without pillars, that the division of al-Aqsa Mosque will never happen, and non-Muslims will never have an inch of it, this is our covenant with God, and a right guaranteed by both heavenly and earthly laws".
Sheikh Salah said, according to the news agency Anatolia, that: "The head of the Israeli government, Netanyahu, bear full responsibility for the escalations in the West Bank and Jerusalem, because of his attempts to tamper with the al-Aqsa Mosque, thinking that the weak and confused Arab situation would enable him to divide al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews".
He added that: "in my opinion, current events will not stop but will develop into a massive intifada, if Netanyahu did not realize his sin when he infringed on the feelings of the Muslims by his policemen assaults on women, the sit-inners, and on al-Aqsa Mosque".
Sheikh Raed Salah commented on the Israeli government’s accusation that the Islamic Movement had planned the clashes in Jerusalem, by saying, "This accusation is funny, because the Palestinian people living in Jerusalem see and hear what the occupation state commits and tries to change in al-Aqsa Mosque, and thus the confrontation widens and grows. Israel is responsible for what is happening and for the violence that will not stop".
With regard to Netanyahu's call for the Israeli mini security cabinet to "outlaw the Islamic Movement", Sheikh Salah said that "Netanyahu must realize that the Islamic Movement is considered legitimate only by its beliefs, its Nation, and the people who loved it, so we will continue our work, our activity and our victory for al-Aqsa Mosque, whatever Netanyahu does or says".
Sheikh Salah pointed out that "the Islamic Movement does not pay attention to what the Israeli officials say, because the Islamic Movement is a thought and a vision, and a doctrine that is settled in the hearts of the believers".
And with regard to the Arab position on the current events in al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Salah said, "The position of Arabs is very weak, but among the advanced positions is the statement delivered by King Abdullah II, in which he stressed that al-Aqsa Mosque is an Islamic holy place that cannot be divided".
Sheikh Salah continued: "The most important positions that we have obtained through our communications with Arab and Islamic countries and officials, was Turkey's position represented by its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who told us in a meeting with him last month that: whoever tampers with al-Aqsa Mosque will be playing with fire, and Turkey will not accept any infringement on the de facto situation in al-Aqsa Mosque".
Sheikh Salah concluded: "I swear to God, who raised the sky without pillars, that the division of al-Aqsa Mosque will never happen, and non-Muslims will never have an inch of it, this is our covenant with God, and a right guaranteed by both heavenly and earthly laws".
By Gideon Levy
Only rarely does a cliche as well-worn as this one hit the mark so precisely: The writing is on the wall, indeed. My readers will pardon me; no response, explanation or analysis seems more pertinent, at this juncture, when the danger of a third Palestinian Intifada breaking out seems greater than at any time in the last decade. Anyone claiming to be surprised has not been living in the Middle East over the last 10 years. Anyone who claims to be surprised has, along with most Israelis, been burying his head in the sand for a decade. The only surprising thing is that a renewed uprising has taken a decade to occur.
Israeli security figures are still trying to minimise the obvious, insisting that this is only a “wave of terror,” not an Intifada. They said exactly the same thing when the two previous Intifadas erupted. When the first Intifada began, I met members of the entourage of the then Minister of Defence Yitzhak Rabin, visiting the United States at the time, in a large New York department store. There was no reason to hurry home to Israel, they said; everything was under control. Nor was the second Intifada exactly anticipated. Yet both erupted, intensely, the second worse than the first. The dimensions of the third will be greater still.
Not yet clear is whether the events occurring right now will develop into a full-blown Intifada or not, but meantime there will be no period of quiet between the Jordan River and the sea any time soon. It’s true that there have been various factors preventing, thus far, the outbreak of a third Intifada: the heavy price paid by the Palestinians for the second Intifada that failed to achieve anything whatever for them; the absence of a leadership moving the people toward another broad uprising; internal Palestinian divisions, greatly intensified in recent years, between Fatah and Hamas; the international isolation of the Palestinians amid growing international indifference; and the slightly improved economic situation on the West Bank.
But all these factors, most of them still in play, cannot over time prevent a third Intifada from erupting. Even if Israeli security forces somehow manage to stuff this reawakening genie back in its bottle, it won’t stay there for long. And they are unlikely to succeed in any case. At this writing, a day after two Jews were murdered in Jerusalem’s Old City, some 100 Palestinians have already been wounded by the Israeli Army and Israeli police in disturbances throughout the West Bank: an ominous portent.
The writing has been on the wall because Israel’s conduct, in all its insufferable arrogance and imperviousness, cannot fail to lead to another terrible explosion. The West Bank has been quiescent for nearly 10 years, during which time Israel has consistently proven to the Palestinians that quiet will be met only with an intensification of the occupation, settlement expansion, more home demolitions and more mass arrests – including thousands of so-called administrative detainees who are incarcerated without trial, continuing confiscation of land, wholly useless incursions and arrests, and an itchy finger on the trigger resulting in dozens of needless human deaths and countless provocations inflaming Muslim sensibilities regarding al-Aqsa and the Temple Mount.
Are Palestinians to assent to all of this in silence? To show restraint when the Dawabsheh family is burnt alive in Duma and no one is arrested or brought to trial by Israel, while Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon boasts that Israel knows who perpetrated that shocking crime but, to safeguard its intelligence network, will not arrest them?
What people could maintain restraint in the face of such a sequence of events, with the entire might of the occupation in the background, without hope, without prospects, with no end in sight. No negotiations are underway, even in secret, the two-state solution is apparently permanently dead and Israel has no alternative to offer – and the Palestinians are to accept all of that and sit still? Nothing like that has ever happened anywhere, nor will it ever.
While quiet has been sustained on the other side of the Wall for nearly 10 years, Israel has proven that there is no chance it will act as a partner for serious negotiations about the status of the West Bank, and that it has no intention of ending the occupation, with or without terrorism. A government that has the president of the United States wound around its little finger, incurring no punishment in return, has become drunk with power toward the Palestinians too. That’s what happens when the world permits Israel to run rampant in Gaza and the West Bank, inflating Israel’s arrogance and intoxication of power beyond all boundaries.
Now the bill is coming due. Those who imagined that Israel could go on this way forever, and that the Palestinians would continue to acquiesce, to submit, indefinitely – has simply never read a history book. No people anywhere has ever acquiesced in its own conquest without resistance, and certainly not in modern times. Resistance is its right, incidentally, enshrined in international law.
Now the bill is coming due: Intifada, the wave of an uprising that has been temporarily forgotten but will now come again, and soon. The truth is, these distinctions don’t matter anymore. The third Intifada is already here or, in the best case, is just around the corner. Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s current government, historically right-wing, nationalist and religious, have no intention of doing anything to prevent the pending eruption, and there will only be more bloodshed, more checkpoints, more arrests, more detentions, more destruction and more killing. This is the only language spoken by the current government of Israel; it has no other. There is no chance that this government will tread a different path.
Given this state of affairs, the current crisis sits squarely at the doorstep of the international community. Absent a responsible entity in Israel, responsibility is devolved there. The international community has long behaved fawningly toward Israel but this method, over half a century, has proven itself a resounding failure.
The time has now arrived to change the rules of the game for the international community as well, first and foremost the United States: whoever now continues enabling Israel to run amok while taking no real steps to end the occupation, will also bear responsibility for the next round of violence in the region. And the bloodshed will not be confined between the Jordan River and the sea; in the history of this conflict, its crises have always reached further than that, exacerbating the bloodshed occurring elsewhere in the world. Let the indifferent world bestir itself now and take notice.
- Gideon Levy is a Haaretz columnist and a member of the newspaper's editorial board.
The article was published in the Middle East Eye website.
Only rarely does a cliche as well-worn as this one hit the mark so precisely: The writing is on the wall, indeed. My readers will pardon me; no response, explanation or analysis seems more pertinent, at this juncture, when the danger of a third Palestinian Intifada breaking out seems greater than at any time in the last decade. Anyone claiming to be surprised has not been living in the Middle East over the last 10 years. Anyone who claims to be surprised has, along with most Israelis, been burying his head in the sand for a decade. The only surprising thing is that a renewed uprising has taken a decade to occur.
Israeli security figures are still trying to minimise the obvious, insisting that this is only a “wave of terror,” not an Intifada. They said exactly the same thing when the two previous Intifadas erupted. When the first Intifada began, I met members of the entourage of the then Minister of Defence Yitzhak Rabin, visiting the United States at the time, in a large New York department store. There was no reason to hurry home to Israel, they said; everything was under control. Nor was the second Intifada exactly anticipated. Yet both erupted, intensely, the second worse than the first. The dimensions of the third will be greater still.
Not yet clear is whether the events occurring right now will develop into a full-blown Intifada or not, but meantime there will be no period of quiet between the Jordan River and the sea any time soon. It’s true that there have been various factors preventing, thus far, the outbreak of a third Intifada: the heavy price paid by the Palestinians for the second Intifada that failed to achieve anything whatever for them; the absence of a leadership moving the people toward another broad uprising; internal Palestinian divisions, greatly intensified in recent years, between Fatah and Hamas; the international isolation of the Palestinians amid growing international indifference; and the slightly improved economic situation on the West Bank.
But all these factors, most of them still in play, cannot over time prevent a third Intifada from erupting. Even if Israeli security forces somehow manage to stuff this reawakening genie back in its bottle, it won’t stay there for long. And they are unlikely to succeed in any case. At this writing, a day after two Jews were murdered in Jerusalem’s Old City, some 100 Palestinians have already been wounded by the Israeli Army and Israeli police in disturbances throughout the West Bank: an ominous portent.
The writing has been on the wall because Israel’s conduct, in all its insufferable arrogance and imperviousness, cannot fail to lead to another terrible explosion. The West Bank has been quiescent for nearly 10 years, during which time Israel has consistently proven to the Palestinians that quiet will be met only with an intensification of the occupation, settlement expansion, more home demolitions and more mass arrests – including thousands of so-called administrative detainees who are incarcerated without trial, continuing confiscation of land, wholly useless incursions and arrests, and an itchy finger on the trigger resulting in dozens of needless human deaths and countless provocations inflaming Muslim sensibilities regarding al-Aqsa and the Temple Mount.
Are Palestinians to assent to all of this in silence? To show restraint when the Dawabsheh family is burnt alive in Duma and no one is arrested or brought to trial by Israel, while Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon boasts that Israel knows who perpetrated that shocking crime but, to safeguard its intelligence network, will not arrest them?
What people could maintain restraint in the face of such a sequence of events, with the entire might of the occupation in the background, without hope, without prospects, with no end in sight. No negotiations are underway, even in secret, the two-state solution is apparently permanently dead and Israel has no alternative to offer – and the Palestinians are to accept all of that and sit still? Nothing like that has ever happened anywhere, nor will it ever.
While quiet has been sustained on the other side of the Wall for nearly 10 years, Israel has proven that there is no chance it will act as a partner for serious negotiations about the status of the West Bank, and that it has no intention of ending the occupation, with or without terrorism. A government that has the president of the United States wound around its little finger, incurring no punishment in return, has become drunk with power toward the Palestinians too. That’s what happens when the world permits Israel to run rampant in Gaza and the West Bank, inflating Israel’s arrogance and intoxication of power beyond all boundaries.
Now the bill is coming due. Those who imagined that Israel could go on this way forever, and that the Palestinians would continue to acquiesce, to submit, indefinitely – has simply never read a history book. No people anywhere has ever acquiesced in its own conquest without resistance, and certainly not in modern times. Resistance is its right, incidentally, enshrined in international law.
Now the bill is coming due: Intifada, the wave of an uprising that has been temporarily forgotten but will now come again, and soon. The truth is, these distinctions don’t matter anymore. The third Intifada is already here or, in the best case, is just around the corner. Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s current government, historically right-wing, nationalist and religious, have no intention of doing anything to prevent the pending eruption, and there will only be more bloodshed, more checkpoints, more arrests, more detentions, more destruction and more killing. This is the only language spoken by the current government of Israel; it has no other. There is no chance that this government will tread a different path.
Given this state of affairs, the current crisis sits squarely at the doorstep of the international community. Absent a responsible entity in Israel, responsibility is devolved there. The international community has long behaved fawningly toward Israel but this method, over half a century, has proven itself a resounding failure.
The time has now arrived to change the rules of the game for the international community as well, first and foremost the United States: whoever now continues enabling Israel to run amok while taking no real steps to end the occupation, will also bear responsibility for the next round of violence in the region. And the bloodshed will not be confined between the Jordan River and the sea; in the history of this conflict, its crises have always reached further than that, exacerbating the bloodshed occurring elsewhere in the world. Let the indifferent world bestir itself now and take notice.
- Gideon Levy is a Haaretz columnist and a member of the newspaper's editorial board.
The article was published in the Middle East Eye website.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, called on Palestinians to continue the popular mobilization and to support the ongoing uprising in order to be able to confront Israeli crimes.
Hamas’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in a statement on Wednesday, the large-scale arrest campaign against Palestinians in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem at dawn Wednesday proves the Israeli intention of continuing escalation against the Palestinian people.
A popular uprising has been prevailing in different locations of the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem against Israeli occupation forces. A few resistance operations have been carried out by Palestinians in protest against Israel’s escalation of its offensive practices against Palestinians and their sacred places.
Hamas’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, in a statement on Wednesday, the large-scale arrest campaign against Palestinians in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem at dawn Wednesday proves the Israeli intention of continuing escalation against the Palestinian people.
A popular uprising has been prevailing in different locations of the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem against Israeli occupation forces. A few resistance operations have been carried out by Palestinians in protest against Israel’s escalation of its offensive practices against Palestinians and their sacred places.
The Palestinian people will never allow Israel’s intents to divide the al-Aqsa Mosque both spatially and temporally to see the day, Hamas representative in Lebanon, Ali Baraka said Tuesday.
Baraka said in a statement delivered during the civil solidarity campaign to support Palestine and the nation’s causes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut: “The intifada (uprising) sparked by the Palestinian people and youth is in itself a message from which the Israeli occupation should draw lessons.”
He added addressing Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu: “Enough is enough Netanyahu! Palestinians’ have run out of patience! We will never remain mum over the mounting Israeli aggressions on the holy al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to divide it.”
He stressed the need for Palestinians to pool resources so as to liberate the occupied territories and restore their rights.
The activist called on the PLO to convene a meeting for its leadership at the soonest time possible so as to set a unified road-map to face up to the Israeli occupation.
Baraka said in a statement delivered during the civil solidarity campaign to support Palestine and the nation’s causes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut: “The intifada (uprising) sparked by the Palestinian people and youth is in itself a message from which the Israeli occupation should draw lessons.”
He added addressing Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu: “Enough is enough Netanyahu! Palestinians’ have run out of patience! We will never remain mum over the mounting Israeli aggressions on the holy al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to divide it.”
He stressed the need for Palestinians to pool resources so as to liberate the occupied territories and restore their rights.
The activist called on the PLO to convene a meeting for its leadership at the soonest time possible so as to set a unified road-map to face up to the Israeli occupation.