12 apr 2019
Israeli soldiers attacked, Friday, the weekly protest in Kufur Qaddoum town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, wounding one Palestinian and causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The Palestinians marched from the center of the village, while chanting for ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine, before the soldiers attacked them life rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot a young man with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his leg, and caused dozens of Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The Palestinians hold processions in Kufur Qaddoum every Friday and Saturday, for the eighth consecutive year, demanding the army to reopen the town’s main road, which was blockaded fifteen years ago, to enable easy access for illegal colonialist settlers driving to and from the Kedumim Israeli colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
The Palestinians marched from the center of the village, while chanting for ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine, before the soldiers attacked them life rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot a young man with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his leg, and caused dozens of Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The Palestinians hold processions in Kufur Qaddoum every Friday and Saturday, for the eighth consecutive year, demanding the army to reopen the town’s main road, which was blockaded fifteen years ago, to enable easy access for illegal colonialist settlers driving to and from the Kedumim Israeli colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
Israeli soldiers injured, Friday, many Palestinians in Bab az-Zawiya area, in the center of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Media sources said the soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian protesters by firing a barrage of gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
They added that the soldiers shot a young man with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and caused dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Palestinian photojournalist, Mos’ab Shawar, said the soldiers attacked and clubbed him, in addition to shouting insults at his colleague Mousa al-Qawasmi.
Media sources said the soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian protesters by firing a barrage of gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
They added that the soldiers shot a young man with a rubber-coated steel bullet, and caused dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Palestinian photojournalist, Mos’ab Shawar, said the soldiers attacked and clubbed him, in addition to shouting insults at his colleague Mousa al-Qawasmi.
Israeli soldiers attacked, Friday, the weekly nonviolent procession against the illegal Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bil’in village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, causing many protesters to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The nonviolent procession started from the center of the village, directly after noon prayers, before the locals, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, marched towards the Annexation Wall, built on the villagers’ lands in Abu Lemon area, south of the village.
The soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs at the nonviolent protesters, causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protesters this week marched in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees, holding hunger strike in Israeli prisons and detention camps, and calling for ending the escalating Israeli violations against them.
They marched carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for the release of all detainees, the liberation of Palestine, and for implementing all resolutions regarding the Right of Return of the refugees.
The nonviolent procession started from the center of the village, directly after noon prayers, before the locals, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, marched towards the Annexation Wall, built on the villagers’ lands in Abu Lemon area, south of the village.
The soldiers fired dozens of gas bombs at the nonviolent protesters, causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protesters this week marched in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees, holding hunger strike in Israeli prisons and detention camps, and calling for ending the escalating Israeli violations against them.
They marched carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for the release of all detainees, the liberation of Palestine, and for implementing all resolutions regarding the Right of Return of the refugees.
Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Friday evening, the weekly Great March Processions in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing one child, and injuring at 55 others, including one who suffered serious wounds, and two medics.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that the soldiers shot a child, identified as Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15, after shooting him with live fire in the abdomen, east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. video
The soldiers also fired live rounds and gas bombs at medics trying to reach the child to provide him with the urgently needed medical help, before he succumbed to his wounds.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry In Gaza, said the soldiers shot 66 Palestinians, including 15 children and six women, in addition to two medics.
It added that one of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening wounds.
The Health Ministry also stated that the soldiers shot two medics and caused others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protests took place in five areas in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, from Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, in the northern part, to Gaza city and central Gaza, in addition to Khan Younis and Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Media sources in Gaza said the army used high-velocity gas bombs, and live fire, targeting many areas far away from the perimeter fence.
They added that the soldiers also targeted several ambulances, medics and journalists, with sniper fire, in addition to the high-velocity gas bombs.
The protests this week were also in support and solidarity with the hunger striking detainees in Israeli prisons, facing constant violations and denied basic rights.
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Friday evening, the weekly Great March Processions in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing one child, and injuring at 55 others, including one who suffered serious wounds, and two medics.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that the soldiers shot a child, identified as Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15, after shooting him with live fire in the abdomen, east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. video
The soldiers also fired live rounds and gas bombs at medics trying to reach the child to provide him with the urgently needed medical help, before he succumbed to his wounds.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry In Gaza, said the soldiers shot 66 Palestinians, including 15 children and six women, in addition to two medics.
It added that one of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening wounds.
The Health Ministry also stated that the soldiers shot two medics and caused others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protests took place in five areas in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, from Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, in the northern part, to Gaza city and central Gaza, in addition to Khan Younis and Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Media sources in Gaza said the army used high-velocity gas bombs, and live fire, targeting many areas far away from the perimeter fence.
They added that the soldiers also targeted several ambulances, medics and journalists, with sniper fire, in addition to the high-velocity gas bombs.
The protests this week were also in support and solidarity with the hunger striking detainees in Israeli prisons, facing constant violations and denied basic rights.
Israeli soldiers shot, on Friday morning, a Palestinian man with live fire, on his own land, east of Gaza city.
Media sources said the soldiers, stationed in their posts across the perimeter fence east of Gaza city, fired many live rounds at Palestinians on their lands.
They added that one Palestinian was shot, and was rushed to the Shifa Medical Center, in Gaza city.
The attack is part of ongoing Israeli violations against Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
Media sources said the soldiers, stationed in their posts across the perimeter fence east of Gaza city, fired many live rounds at Palestinians on their lands.
They added that one Palestinian was shot, and was rushed to the Shifa Medical Center, in Gaza city.
The attack is part of ongoing Israeli violations against Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the northern besieged Gaza Strip, on Friday morning.
Locals reported that Israeli naval boats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip.
No injuries were reported.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas if they approach the buffer zone, as the authorities have not made clear the precise area of the designated zone.
The practice has in effect destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sector of the blockaded coastal enclave, which has been under an Israeli air, land, and sea blockade for 10 years.
Locals reported that Israeli naval boats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip.
No injuries were reported.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas if they approach the buffer zone, as the authorities have not made clear the precise area of the designated zone.
The practice has in effect destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sector of the blockaded coastal enclave, which has been under an Israeli air, land, and sea blockade for 10 years.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday at dawn, Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, stormed and violently searched homes, before abducting a wounded child, and assaulted a man with pepper-spray, causing serious wounds to his eyes.
Mohammad Tamimi, a local nonviolent activist against the Annexation Wall and colonies, said the soldiers abducted a wounded child, identified as Mohammad Fadel Tamimi, 16, after storming and ransacking his family’s home, and assaulting him.
It is worth mentioning that Mohammad was seriously injured by Israeli army fire, on December 15, 2017, when the soldiers shot him with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his face, especially since the bullet penetrated his face and reached his brain, an issue that forced the surgeons to remove a section of the skull after his brain became swollen.
In addition, the soldiers assaulted a man, identified as Mahmoud Tamimi, after breaking into his home, and used continuously spayed his face with pepper-spray, causing serious burns, including in his eyes.
The Palestinian was rushed by local medics to the Istishari hospital, where the doctors decided that he needs a cardiac catheterization, and a retina surgery.
Furthermore, the soldiers stormed the family homes of Mohannad and Maher Tamimi, and threatened “severe punishment,” if the two do not turn themselves in by Friday noon.
It is worth mentioning that Nabi Saleh has been subject to daily Israeli military invasions and violations, including violent searches of homes, and the abduction of many Palestinians, especially children.
Also at dawn, the Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and attacked protesters with live fire, gas bombs and concussion grenades, wounding two with live rounds, and causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to abducting a third Palestinian.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy ships fired live rounds at fishing boasts, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore, in the northern part of the coastal region.
The attack did not lead to casualties, but forced the fishermen back to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
Mohammad Tamimi, a local nonviolent activist against the Annexation Wall and colonies, said the soldiers abducted a wounded child, identified as Mohammad Fadel Tamimi, 16, after storming and ransacking his family’s home, and assaulting him.
It is worth mentioning that Mohammad was seriously injured by Israeli army fire, on December 15, 2017, when the soldiers shot him with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his face, especially since the bullet penetrated his face and reached his brain, an issue that forced the surgeons to remove a section of the skull after his brain became swollen.
In addition, the soldiers assaulted a man, identified as Mahmoud Tamimi, after breaking into his home, and used continuously spayed his face with pepper-spray, causing serious burns, including in his eyes.
The Palestinian was rushed by local medics to the Istishari hospital, where the doctors decided that he needs a cardiac catheterization, and a retina surgery.
Furthermore, the soldiers stormed the family homes of Mohannad and Maher Tamimi, and threatened “severe punishment,” if the two do not turn themselves in by Friday noon.
It is worth mentioning that Nabi Saleh has been subject to daily Israeli military invasions and violations, including violent searches of homes, and the abduction of many Palestinians, especially children.
Also at dawn, the Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and attacked protesters with live fire, gas bombs and concussion grenades, wounding two with live rounds, and causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to abducting a third Palestinian.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy ships fired live rounds at fishing boasts, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore, in the northern part of the coastal region.
The attack did not lead to casualties, but forced the fishermen back to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
Israeli forces detained at least seven Palestinians from areas across the occupied West Bank, on predawn Friday.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that the Israeli army detained 7 Palestinians and transferred them for interrogation.
The Israeli army also reportedly confiscated weapons from the Sair town in northeastern Hebron in the southern West Bank.
Additionally, two Palestinians were shot and injured, on predawn Friday, during clashes with Israeli forces in the Jenin in the northern West Bank.
Dozens of locals suffocated with tear-gas as Israeli forces fired tear-gas bombs during clashes.
Israeli forces also fired live bullets and stun grenades to suppress youths, injuring two with live bullets in the legs.
The two injured were identified as Iyad Hamza Sabaaneh and Youssef Jasser Nazzal.
One Palestinian was detained and identified as Muhammad Ahmad Abu Mualla.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 48 female prisoners, and 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
Israeli Soldiers Shoot Two Palestinians, Abduct One, In Qabatia
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday at dawn, Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and attacked protesters with live fire, gas bombs and concussion grenades, wounding two with live rounds, and causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to abducting a third Palestinian.
Media sources said the soldiers shot Eyad Hamza Saba’na and Yousef Jasser Nazzal, with live rounds in their legs, and abducted Mohammad Ahmad Abu M’allah after invading his home and searching it.
They added that dozens of Palestinians, including many in their homes, suffered the severe effects of teargas inhalation.
The invasion lasted for several hours, and the soldiers withdrew from the town on Friday morning.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that the Israeli army detained 7 Palestinians and transferred them for interrogation.
The Israeli army also reportedly confiscated weapons from the Sair town in northeastern Hebron in the southern West Bank.
Additionally, two Palestinians were shot and injured, on predawn Friday, during clashes with Israeli forces in the Jenin in the northern West Bank.
Dozens of locals suffocated with tear-gas as Israeli forces fired tear-gas bombs during clashes.
Israeli forces also fired live bullets and stun grenades to suppress youths, injuring two with live bullets in the legs.
The two injured were identified as Iyad Hamza Sabaaneh and Youssef Jasser Nazzal.
One Palestinian was detained and identified as Muhammad Ahmad Abu Mualla.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 48 female prisoners, and 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
Israeli Soldiers Shoot Two Palestinians, Abduct One, In Qabatia
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday at dawn, Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and attacked protesters with live fire, gas bombs and concussion grenades, wounding two with live rounds, and causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to abducting a third Palestinian.
Media sources said the soldiers shot Eyad Hamza Saba’na and Yousef Jasser Nazzal, with live rounds in their legs, and abducted Mohammad Ahmad Abu M’allah after invading his home and searching it.
They added that dozens of Palestinians, including many in their homes, suffered the severe effects of teargas inhalation.
The invasion lasted for several hours, and the soldiers withdrew from the town on Friday morning.
11 apr 2019
By: Ramzy Baroud
Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and editor of Palestine Chronicle. His latest book is The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story (Pluto Press, London, 2018). He earned a Ph.D. in Palestine Studies from the University of Exeter and is a Non-Resident Scholar at Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies, UCSB.
The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel’s Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the “party is over.”
“Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end,” Erdan was quoted in the Jerusalem Post.
Then, the so-called Erdan’s Committee recommended various measures aimed at ending the alleged “party”, which included placing limits on prisoners’ use of water, banning food preparations in cells, and installing jamming devices to block the alleged use of smuggled cell phones.
The last measure, in particular caused outrage among prisoners, for such devices have been linked to severe headaches, fainting and other long-term ailments.
Erdan followed his decision with a promise of the "use of all means in (Israel's) disposal” to control any prisoners' protests in response to the new restrictions.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) "will continue to act with full force" against prison "riots", he said, as reported by the Times of Israel.
That "full force" was carried out on January 20 at the Ofer Military Prison near Ramallah, in the West Bank, where a series of Israeli raids resulted in the wounding of more than 100 prisoners, many of whom sustaining bullet wounds.
The Nafha and Gilboa prisons were also targeted with the same violent pattern.
The raids continued, leading to more violence in the Naqab Prison on March 24, this time conducted by the IPS force, known as the Metzada unit.
Metzada is IPS’ ‘hostage rescue special operation’ force and is known for its very violent tactics against prisoners. Its attack on Naqab resulted in the wounding of many prisoners, leaving two in critical condition. Palestinian prisoners fought back, reportedly stabbing two prison guards with sharp objects.
On March 25, more such raids were conducted, also by Metzada, which targeted Ramon, Gilboa, Nafha and Eshel prisons.
In response, the leadership of Palestinian prisoners adopted several measures including the dismantling of the regulatory committees and any other form of representation of prisoners inside Israeli jails.
The decentralization of Palestinian action inside Israeli prisons would make it much more difficult for Israel to control the situation and would allow prisoners to use whichever form of resistance they may deem fit.
But why is Israel provoking such confrontations when Palestinian prisoners are already subjected to a most horrid existence and numerous violations of international law?
Equally important, why now?
On December 24, embattled Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders of Israel’s right-wing government dissolved the Knesset (parliament) and declared early elections on April 9.
A most winning strategy for Israeli politicians during such times is usually increasing their hostility against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, including the besieged Gaza Strip.
Indeed, a hate-fest, involving many of Israel’s top candidates kicked in, some calling for war on Gaza, others for teaching Palestinians a lesson, annexing the West Bank, and so on.
Merely a week after the election date announcement was made, raids of prisons began in earnest.
For Israel, it seemed like a fairly safe and controlled political experiment. Video footage of Israeli forces beating up hapless prisoners, accompanied by angry statements made by top Israeli officials captured the imaginations of a decidedly right-wing, militant society.
And that’s precisely what took place, at first. However, on March 25, a flare in violence in Gaza led to a limited, undeclared war.
A full-fledged Israeli war on Gaza would be a big gamble during an election season, especially as recent events suggest that the time of easy wars is over. While Netanyahu adopted the role of the decisive leader, so determined to crush the Gaza resistance, his options on the ground are actually quite limited.
Even after Israel accepted Egyptian-mediated ceasefire terms with the Gaza factions, Netanyahu continued to talk tough.
“I can tell you we are prepared to do a lot more,” Netanyahu said in reference to the Israeli attack on Gaza during a video speech beamed to his supporters in Washington on March 26.
But, for once, he couldn't, and that failure, from an Israeli viewpoint, intensified verbal attacks by his political rivals.
Netanyahu has “lost his grip on security,” the Blue and White party leader, Benny Gantz proclaimed.
Gantz’s accusation was just another insult in an edifice of similar blistering attacks questioning Netanyahu’s ability to control Gaza.
In fact, a poll, conducted by the Israeli TV channel, Kan on March 27, found that 53% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu’s response to the Gaza resistance is “too weak.”
Unable to counter with more violence, at least for now, the Netanyahu government responded by opening another battlefront, this time in Israeli prisons.
By targeting prisoners, especially those affiliated with certain Gaza factions, Netanyahu is hoping to send a message of strength, and to assure his nervous constituency of his prowess.
Aware of the Israeli strategy, Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh linked the ceasefire to the issue of prisoners.
We “are ready for all scenarios,” Haniyeh said in a statement.
In truth, the Netanyahu-Erdan war on Palestinian prisoners is foolish and unwinnable. It has been launched with the assumption that a war of this nature will have limited risks, since prisoners are, by definition, isolated and unable to fight back.
To the contrary, Palestinian prisoners have, without question, demonstrated their tenacity and ability to devise ways to resist the Israeli occupier throughout the years. But more importantly, these prisoners are far from being isolated.
In fact, the nearly 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails represent whatever semblance of unity among Palestinians that transcends factions, politics and ideology.
Considering the direct impact of the situation in Israeli prisons on the collective psyche of all Palestinians, any more reckless steps by Netanyahu, Erdan and their IPS goons will soon result in greater collective resistance, a struggle that Israel cannot easily suppress.
Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and editor of Palestine Chronicle. His latest book is The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story (Pluto Press, London, 2018). He earned a Ph.D. in Palestine Studies from the University of Exeter and is a Non-Resident Scholar at Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies, UCSB.
The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel’s Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the “party is over.”
“Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end,” Erdan was quoted in the Jerusalem Post.
Then, the so-called Erdan’s Committee recommended various measures aimed at ending the alleged “party”, which included placing limits on prisoners’ use of water, banning food preparations in cells, and installing jamming devices to block the alleged use of smuggled cell phones.
The last measure, in particular caused outrage among prisoners, for such devices have been linked to severe headaches, fainting and other long-term ailments.
Erdan followed his decision with a promise of the "use of all means in (Israel's) disposal” to control any prisoners' protests in response to the new restrictions.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) "will continue to act with full force" against prison "riots", he said, as reported by the Times of Israel.
That "full force" was carried out on January 20 at the Ofer Military Prison near Ramallah, in the West Bank, where a series of Israeli raids resulted in the wounding of more than 100 prisoners, many of whom sustaining bullet wounds.
The Nafha and Gilboa prisons were also targeted with the same violent pattern.
The raids continued, leading to more violence in the Naqab Prison on March 24, this time conducted by the IPS force, known as the Metzada unit.
Metzada is IPS’ ‘hostage rescue special operation’ force and is known for its very violent tactics against prisoners. Its attack on Naqab resulted in the wounding of many prisoners, leaving two in critical condition. Palestinian prisoners fought back, reportedly stabbing two prison guards with sharp objects.
On March 25, more such raids were conducted, also by Metzada, which targeted Ramon, Gilboa, Nafha and Eshel prisons.
In response, the leadership of Palestinian prisoners adopted several measures including the dismantling of the regulatory committees and any other form of representation of prisoners inside Israeli jails.
The decentralization of Palestinian action inside Israeli prisons would make it much more difficult for Israel to control the situation and would allow prisoners to use whichever form of resistance they may deem fit.
But why is Israel provoking such confrontations when Palestinian prisoners are already subjected to a most horrid existence and numerous violations of international law?
Equally important, why now?
On December 24, embattled Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders of Israel’s right-wing government dissolved the Knesset (parliament) and declared early elections on April 9.
A most winning strategy for Israeli politicians during such times is usually increasing their hostility against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, including the besieged Gaza Strip.
Indeed, a hate-fest, involving many of Israel’s top candidates kicked in, some calling for war on Gaza, others for teaching Palestinians a lesson, annexing the West Bank, and so on.
Merely a week after the election date announcement was made, raids of prisons began in earnest.
For Israel, it seemed like a fairly safe and controlled political experiment. Video footage of Israeli forces beating up hapless prisoners, accompanied by angry statements made by top Israeli officials captured the imaginations of a decidedly right-wing, militant society.
And that’s precisely what took place, at first. However, on March 25, a flare in violence in Gaza led to a limited, undeclared war.
A full-fledged Israeli war on Gaza would be a big gamble during an election season, especially as recent events suggest that the time of easy wars is over. While Netanyahu adopted the role of the decisive leader, so determined to crush the Gaza resistance, his options on the ground are actually quite limited.
Even after Israel accepted Egyptian-mediated ceasefire terms with the Gaza factions, Netanyahu continued to talk tough.
“I can tell you we are prepared to do a lot more,” Netanyahu said in reference to the Israeli attack on Gaza during a video speech beamed to his supporters in Washington on March 26.
But, for once, he couldn't, and that failure, from an Israeli viewpoint, intensified verbal attacks by his political rivals.
Netanyahu has “lost his grip on security,” the Blue and White party leader, Benny Gantz proclaimed.
Gantz’s accusation was just another insult in an edifice of similar blistering attacks questioning Netanyahu’s ability to control Gaza.
In fact, a poll, conducted by the Israeli TV channel, Kan on March 27, found that 53% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu’s response to the Gaza resistance is “too weak.”
Unable to counter with more violence, at least for now, the Netanyahu government responded by opening another battlefront, this time in Israeli prisons.
By targeting prisoners, especially those affiliated with certain Gaza factions, Netanyahu is hoping to send a message of strength, and to assure his nervous constituency of his prowess.
Aware of the Israeli strategy, Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh linked the ceasefire to the issue of prisoners.
We “are ready for all scenarios,” Haniyeh said in a statement.
In truth, the Netanyahu-Erdan war on Palestinian prisoners is foolish and unwinnable. It has been launched with the assumption that a war of this nature will have limited risks, since prisoners are, by definition, isolated and unable to fight back.
To the contrary, Palestinian prisoners have, without question, demonstrated their tenacity and ability to devise ways to resist the Israeli occupier throughout the years. But more importantly, these prisoners are far from being isolated.
In fact, the nearly 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails represent whatever semblance of unity among Palestinians that transcends factions, politics and ideology.
Considering the direct impact of the situation in Israeli prisons on the collective psyche of all Palestinians, any more reckless steps by Netanyahu, Erdan and their IPS goons will soon result in greater collective resistance, a struggle that Israel cannot easily suppress.
Several Israeli army jeeps invaded, Thursday, Sebastia town, north of Nablus in northern West Bank, and caused many Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The head of Sebastia Town Council, Mohammad Azem, told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers invaded the archeological area of the town, and forced the Palestinians away.
He added that many youngsters protested the invasion, and hurled stones at the soldiers who fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
Many Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation and received the needed treatment by local medics.
The head of Sebastia Town Council, Mohammad Azem, told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers invaded the archeological area of the town, and forced the Palestinians away.
He added that many youngsters protested the invasion, and hurled stones at the soldiers who fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
Many Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation and received the needed treatment by local medics.
Israeli navy ships fired, on Thursday morning, many live rounds at Palestinian fishing boats, and attacked them with water cannons, in Gaza territorial waters, in the Sudaniyya Sea area, northwest of Gaza city.
The Palestinian fishermen’s syndicate in Gaza said the fishing boats were less than three nautical miles in the Palestinian waters when the navy attacked them, causing damage.
It added that the fishermen had to sail back to shore without being able to fish and provide for their families, in fear of further Israeli violations.
The attack is the latest in ongoing assaults and violations carried out by the navy against the fishermen and their boats.
The violations, including those targeting farmers on their own lands near the perimeter fence, have led to hundreds of casualties, including many fatalities, in addition to the frequent abductions of the fishermen and the confiscation of their boats.
The Palestinian fishermen’s syndicate in Gaza said the fishing boats were less than three nautical miles in the Palestinian waters when the navy attacked them, causing damage.
It added that the fishermen had to sail back to shore without being able to fish and provide for their families, in fear of further Israeli violations.
The attack is the latest in ongoing assaults and violations carried out by the navy against the fishermen and their boats.
The violations, including those targeting farmers on their own lands near the perimeter fence, have led to hundreds of casualties, including many fatalities, in addition to the frequent abductions of the fishermen and the confiscation of their boats.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday evening raided the house of Palestinian journalist Ra’ed al-Sharif in al-Khalil city.
According to local sources, Israeli soldiers broke into and ransacked the house of journalist Sharif after detaining all members of his family inside a room.
Meanwhile, the IOF set up a makeshift checkpoint at the junction of Arraba town in the south of Jenin, obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles and interrogated some passengers.
The IOF also stormed the residential area of teachers in Jenin and embarked on intercepting and questioning passers-by.
According to local sources, Israeli soldiers broke into and ransacked the house of journalist Sharif after detaining all members of his family inside a room.
Meanwhile, the IOF set up a makeshift checkpoint at the junction of Arraba town in the south of Jenin, obstructed the movement of Palestinian vehicles and interrogated some passengers.
The IOF also stormed the residential area of teachers in Jenin and embarked on intercepting and questioning passers-by.
10 apr 2019
Israeli bulldozers on Wednesday morning infiltrated into a border area in the Gaza Strip, while soldiers opened fire at Palestinian workmen in Rafah.
Local sources reported that four armored bulldozers left a military post in the east of Rafah, south of Gaza, and entered a border area to level lands.
They added that Israeli soldiers also opened fire at a group of Palestinian workers as they were collecting aggregate in a border area to the northeast of Rafah, with no reported casualties.
Local sources reported that four armored bulldozers left a military post in the east of Rafah, south of Gaza, and entered a border area to level lands.
They added that Israeli soldiers also opened fire at a group of Palestinian workers as they were collecting aggregate in a border area to the northeast of Rafah, with no reported casualties.
9 apr 2019
An Israeli warplane on Monday evening bombed an agricultural tract of land in the east of al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, with no known reason.
According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at an empty agricultural piece of land near the border fence in the east of al-Bureij camp.
The airstrike only caused material damage to the place.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces rounded up on the same day two Palestinian young men near the border fence in southern Gaza.
According to the Hebrew website 0404, the young men were unarmed and tried to infiltrate into Israel.
According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at an empty agricultural piece of land near the border fence in the east of al-Bureij camp.
The airstrike only caused material damage to the place.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces rounded up on the same day two Palestinian young men near the border fence in southern Gaza.
According to the Hebrew website 0404, the young men were unarmed and tried to infiltrate into Israel.
Dozens of Palestinian students and teachers suffocated with tear-gas as Israeli soldiers targeted their schools, in the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron, with tear-gas bombs and stun grenades, on Tuesday.
Locals reported that Israeli forces heavily fired tear-gas bombs and stun grenades targeting the adjacent schools of Hebron Elementary School, Tareq Ben Ziad School, al-Hajriya Elementary School and the Khadija Ben Khweiled Elementary School.
Dozens of students, mostly children, and teachers suffered tear-gas suffocation and were treated on the spot.
Locals reported that Israeli forces heavily fired tear-gas bombs and stun grenades targeting the adjacent schools of Hebron Elementary School, Tareq Ben Ziad School, al-Hajriya Elementary School and the Khadija Ben Khweiled Elementary School.
Dozens of students, mostly children, and teachers suffered tear-gas suffocation and were treated on the spot.
