1 sept 2015
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, earlier on Tuesday, at least nine Palestinians in different districts of the occupied West Bank, during various military invasions, and searches of homes.
Media spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Mohammad ‘Ayyad ‘Awad, said the soldiers stormed and searched several homes in the town, causing excessive property damage, and kidnapped five young men.
The kidnapped have been identified as Maisar Sadeq Abu Mariya, 28, Moayyad Hasan at-Teet, 25, Sharif Fathi Breigheeth, 25, Mohammad Jamal Abu Hashem, 20, and Mohannad Abdul-Fattah ‘Arar, 18 years of age.
All kidnapped Palestinians are former political prisoners; they were moved to the Etzion military base.
‘Awad added that the soldiers handed Hamza Ahmad Abu Hashem, 16, a military warrant for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military base.
In addition, soldiers installed several roadblocks in a number of neighborhoods in Hebron city, the main entrance of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, and the northern entrance of Hebron city, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and investigated the ID cards of the passenger.
Soldiers also invaded Zawata village, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Shaddad Shaher Abu ‘Amsha, 32, and Mohammad Thabet Abu ‘Amsha, 42.
Furthermore, soldiers kidnapped Ishaq Abdul-‘Aziz Ashqar, as he was trying to cross the Za’tara military roadblock, south of Nablus.
In Bethlehem, soldiers invaded the ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the city, searched a number of homes, and kidnapped Ahmad Mahmoud Ja’ara, 16 years of age.
Clashes have also been reported, on Tuesday at dawn, between local Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in Dahiat Um ash-Sharayet, in the al-Biereh City, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after dozens of soldiers invaded it.
Media sources said the soldiers surrounded the city, especially Um ash-Sharayet area, and besieged a residential building before breaking into several apartments, and violently searching them causing property damage.
The sources added that sounds of explosions were heard in the building, while clashes also took place between the invading soldiers and local youths.
Media spokesperson of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Mohammad ‘Ayyad ‘Awad, said the soldiers stormed and searched several homes in the town, causing excessive property damage, and kidnapped five young men.
The kidnapped have been identified as Maisar Sadeq Abu Mariya, 28, Moayyad Hasan at-Teet, 25, Sharif Fathi Breigheeth, 25, Mohammad Jamal Abu Hashem, 20, and Mohannad Abdul-Fattah ‘Arar, 18 years of age.
All kidnapped Palestinians are former political prisoners; they were moved to the Etzion military base.
‘Awad added that the soldiers handed Hamza Ahmad Abu Hashem, 16, a military warrant for interrogation in the Gush Etzion military base.
In addition, soldiers installed several roadblocks in a number of neighborhoods in Hebron city, the main entrance of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, and the northern entrance of Hebron city, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and investigated the ID cards of the passenger.
Soldiers also invaded Zawata village, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Shaddad Shaher Abu ‘Amsha, 32, and Mohammad Thabet Abu ‘Amsha, 42.
Furthermore, soldiers kidnapped Ishaq Abdul-‘Aziz Ashqar, as he was trying to cross the Za’tara military roadblock, south of Nablus.
In Bethlehem, soldiers invaded the ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the city, searched a number of homes, and kidnapped Ahmad Mahmoud Ja’ara, 16 years of age.
Clashes have also been reported, on Tuesday at dawn, between local Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in Dahiat Um ash-Sharayet, in the al-Biereh City, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after dozens of soldiers invaded it.
Media sources said the soldiers surrounded the city, especially Um ash-Sharayet area, and besieged a residential building before breaking into several apartments, and violently searching them causing property damage.
The sources added that sounds of explosions were heard in the building, while clashes also took place between the invading soldiers and local youths.
The Ateret Cohanim association at dawn Tuesday seized a Palestinian residential home in Jerusalem’s town of Silwan, to the south of Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement a horde of Israeli vandals smashed the entrance gates of the evacuated house of the Palestinian citizen Jihad Sarhan.
Earlier, on Thursday, an adjacent 13-story building was seized by Israeli settlers in the area.
Violent clashes broke out in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood after the settlers misappropriated the home.
Dozens of Palestinian protesters sustained wounds after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacked them with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
Three youngsters were kidnapped during the clashes that burst out in the area.
Earlier overnight Monday, clashes burst out after the IOF stormed Ein al-Lawza in Silwan and attacked the unarmed Palestinian protesters with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
The Palestinian youths responded to the attack by throwing stones at the heavily-armed occupation soldiers.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a statement a horde of Israeli vandals smashed the entrance gates of the evacuated house of the Palestinian citizen Jihad Sarhan.
Earlier, on Thursday, an adjacent 13-story building was seized by Israeli settlers in the area.
Violent clashes broke out in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood after the settlers misappropriated the home.
Dozens of Palestinian protesters sustained wounds after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacked them with random spates of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
Three youngsters were kidnapped during the clashes that burst out in the area.
Earlier overnight Monday, clashes burst out after the IOF stormed Ein al-Lawza in Silwan and attacked the unarmed Palestinian protesters with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.
The Palestinian youths responded to the attack by throwing stones at the heavily-armed occupation soldiers.
Daily Mail and Telegraph change headlines critical of Israel after claims arise Palestinian family photographed clashing with IDF soldier are known provocateurs and that incident was staged.
Two of Britain's leading newspapers have changed their coverage of a violent clash between an IDF soldier and Palestinian women and children after claims arose that the family involved in the incident, and particularly a blonde girl photographed biting the soldier, are known provocateurs.
On Friday, an IDF soldier trying to arrest a stone-throwing 13-year-old Palestinian boy drew international outrage after he was documented in a violent clash with Palestinian women and children. Members of the Tamimi family, prominent Palestinian activists, physically attacked the soldier in an attempt to free son Muhammad Tamini, whose hand was in a cast.
According to the UK Media Watch, a pro-Israel website monitoring coverage of Israel in the British press, the girl who appears in the photos biting the soldier is Ahed Tamini, the daughter of Narimen and Bassem Tamini, who is known among Israeli supporters online as "Shirley Temper."
The blonde-haired girl became a symbol of the Palestinian resistance in international media and is often documented in confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Muhammad Tamini is her brother. The website quoted Tamar Sternthal from CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America) who said that the Palestinian village of Nebi Salah, where the incident occurred, is "where photographers gather every Friday to document repetitious scenes of Palestinian residents and international activists clashing with Israeli soldiers." The site noted this was where "activists often place their children in danger to score propaganda points."
Two of Britain's leading newspapers have changed their coverage of a violent clash between an IDF soldier and Palestinian women and children after claims arose that the family involved in the incident, and particularly a blonde girl photographed biting the soldier, are known provocateurs.
On Friday, an IDF soldier trying to arrest a stone-throwing 13-year-old Palestinian boy drew international outrage after he was documented in a violent clash with Palestinian women and children. Members of the Tamimi family, prominent Palestinian activists, physically attacked the soldier in an attempt to free son Muhammad Tamini, whose hand was in a cast.
According to the UK Media Watch, a pro-Israel website monitoring coverage of Israel in the British press, the girl who appears in the photos biting the soldier is Ahed Tamini, the daughter of Narimen and Bassem Tamini, who is known among Israeli supporters online as "Shirley Temper."
The blonde-haired girl became a symbol of the Palestinian resistance in international media and is often documented in confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Muhammad Tamini is her brother. The website quoted Tamar Sternthal from CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America) who said that the Palestinian village of Nebi Salah, where the incident occurred, is "where photographers gather every Friday to document repetitious scenes of Palestinian residents and international activists clashing with Israeli soldiers." The site noted this was where "activists often place their children in danger to score propaganda points."
Screenshot: UK Media Watch
The UK Media Watch said major newspapers like The Daily Mail and The Telegraph realized the incident was staged by the Palestinians in order to cause provocation.
The Daily Mail's original headline read: "Extraordinary moment that desperate Palestinian women fought and BIT an Israeli soldier after he put boy with a broken arm in a headlock at gunpoint."
The UK Media Watch said major newspapers like The Daily Mail and The Telegraph realized the incident was staged by the Palestinians in order to cause provocation.
The Daily Mail's original headline read: "Extraordinary moment that desperate Palestinian women fought and BIT an Israeli soldier after he put boy with a broken arm in a headlock at gunpoint."
Screenshot: UK Media Watch
Later, however, the story was edited and given a different headline: "Questions raised over shocking West Bank image of boy with a broken arm being held at gunpoint by an Israeli soldier after girl, 13, seen biting attacker is revealed as prolific 'Pallywood star.'"
According to UK Media Watch, "the term 'Pallywood' refers to the staging of scenes by Palestinian journalists in order to present the Palestinians as hapless victims of Israeli aggression."
Later, however, the story was edited and given a different headline: "Questions raised over shocking West Bank image of boy with a broken arm being held at gunpoint by an Israeli soldier after girl, 13, seen biting attacker is revealed as prolific 'Pallywood star.'"
According to UK Media Watch, "the term 'Pallywood' refers to the staging of scenes by Palestinian journalists in order to present the Palestinians as hapless victims of Israeli aggression."
Screenshot: UK Media Watch
The British Telegraph initially ran the story with the headline "Palestinian women wrestle Israeli soldier off injured small boy."
The British Telegraph initially ran the story with the headline "Palestinian women wrestle Israeli soldier off injured small boy."
Screenshot: UK Media Watch
Later, however, the story was removed entirely from the Telegraph's website.
Leading British newspapers The Times of London and The Guardian did not cover the story at all, while the UK Media Watch said Channel 4 News, The Independent and the Daily Mirror - a tabloid - reported it "and largely followed the Pallywood script (the latter going with the headline ‘West Bank Freedom Biter’)."
Later, however, the story was removed entirely from the Telegraph's website.
Leading British newspapers The Times of London and The Guardian did not cover the story at all, while the UK Media Watch said Channel 4 News, The Independent and the Daily Mirror - a tabloid - reported it "and largely followed the Pallywood script (the latter going with the headline ‘West Bank Freedom Biter’)."
What has been going on in Jenin heralds a new revolution to rock the Israeli occupation and its partners in the West Bank, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil told the PIC at dawn Tuesday.
Bardawil said the Israeli assault on the West Bank city of Jenin is a manifestation of Israel’s thirst for bloodshed and attempt to wipe out all forms of resistance.
The Hamas official attributed the attack on Jenin to the “crime of security coordination.”
He added that the Israeli occupation attempts to dampen West Bankers’ resistance spirit.
He said the Palestinian resistance will make a fresh start in Jenin and other cities of the West Bank.
Bardawil said the Israeli assault on the West Bank city of Jenin is a manifestation of Israel’s thirst for bloodshed and attempt to wipe out all forms of resistance.
The Hamas official attributed the attack on Jenin to the “crime of security coordination.”
He added that the Israeli occupation attempts to dampen West Bankers’ resistance spirit.
He said the Palestinian resistance will make a fresh start in Jenin and other cities of the West Bank.
Clashes broke out between Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and Palestinian school students as well as families in Johar Mount in al-Khalil on Monday. The IOF soldiers erected a military checkpoint to the north of the city.
Local sources revealed that Israeli military vehicles and reinforcements raided the vicinity of a Palestinian school in Johar Mount leading to violent clashes. Israeli troops fired tear gas and bullets at Palestinian children, schools and houses, the sources added.
The sources disclosed that families of students along with Palestinian youths confronted the IOF soldiers by stones and empty bottles. Israeli patrols erected military makeshifts and searched Palestinian vehicles.
The Israeli troops removed a military barrier and tower from the same area on Sunday. The tower was established by Israelis 12 years ago.
In the same context, the soldiers erected a new barrier in northern al-Khalil for searching Palestinian vehicles.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers erected the checkpoint at a conjunction near Gosh Etzion settlement and blocked the traffic.
Local sources revealed that Israeli military vehicles and reinforcements raided the vicinity of a Palestinian school in Johar Mount leading to violent clashes. Israeli troops fired tear gas and bullets at Palestinian children, schools and houses, the sources added.
The sources disclosed that families of students along with Palestinian youths confronted the IOF soldiers by stones and empty bottles. Israeli patrols erected military makeshifts and searched Palestinian vehicles.
The Israeli troops removed a military barrier and tower from the same area on Sunday. The tower was established by Israelis 12 years ago.
In the same context, the soldiers erected a new barrier in northern al-Khalil for searching Palestinian vehicles.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers erected the checkpoint at a conjunction near Gosh Etzion settlement and blocked the traffic.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) at dawn Monday rounded up four Palestinian young men after storming their houses in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem and Shufat town to the north of the city.
Quds Press revealed that the Palestinian men were identified as Amir Qtaineh, Wahid Meraziq, Ramzi al-Rajabi and Bilal Hroub. The first two are from the Old City of Jerusalem and the others are from Shufat town.
Clashes erupted in Shufat prior to the Israeli detention operation. Israeli forces randomly fired stun grenades and tear gas bombs at Palestinians.
Quds Press revealed that the Palestinian men were identified as Amir Qtaineh, Wahid Meraziq, Ramzi al-Rajabi and Bilal Hroub. The first two are from the Old City of Jerusalem and the others are from Shufat town.
Clashes erupted in Shufat prior to the Israeli detention operation. Israeli forces randomly fired stun grenades and tear gas bombs at Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers continued, on Tuesday at dawn, their invasion into the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and fired missiles into two homes, before demolishing a store and several walls. The invasion into the camp started on Monday evening.
During the invasion, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, his mother, his son and his brother.
The soldiers fired two "Energa" shells targeting two homes in the refugee camp, before demolishing a store and several walls, surrounding the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, who was taken prisoner after the soldiers also kidnapped his mother, his son Soheib, 18, and his brother ‘Ala.
A Civil Defense medic said the soldiers prevented the medics and ambulances from approaching the targeted homes, especially the home of Abu al-Haija.
He added that the wife of Abu al-Haija suffered fractures in one of her legs, and that the soldiers also invaded and occupied several surrounding homes.
Eyewitnesses said clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, and that armed resistance fighters also exchanged fire with the invading forces.
Sounds of loud explosions were also heard in the area, while military helicopters hovered overhead.
The Israeli army said one soldier suffered a moderate-to- severe injury, and was moved to Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
On Monday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mershed ‘Obeid Sabarna, 21, after stopping him on a military roadblock at the main entrance of his town, Beit Ummar, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
This article is an update to:
Army Kidnaps Former Political Prisoner, His Mother, Son and His Brother in Jenin
Soldier moderately wounded in West Bank arrest operation
Israeli forces enter West Bank town of Jenin to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad official, sparking violent clashes, wounding at least 5 Palestinians.
An Israeli soldier was moderately wounded in clashes that erupted Monday night in Jenin in the northern West Bank after Israeli security forces entered the area to arrest a wanted Palestinian suspect. The military is investigating the possibility the soldier was wounded by friendly fire.
The clashes lasted till dawn Tuesday.
At least five Palestinians were also wounded in the clashes, and were transported to a hospital in Jenin in light condition. There were conflicting reports on the nature of the Palestinians' injuries, with Palestinian medical sources saying the five were wounded by rubber bullets, while the head of the Red Crescent in Jenin said they suffered from smoke inhalation. Some reports said as many as 20 Palestinians were hurt.
During the raid, hundreds of Palestinians rioted in the area, hurling rocks and firebombs at the Israeli forces, the military said.
The Palestinians said that heavy gunfire broke out in fighting between the Israeli troops - which included IDF and Border Police counterterrorism troops, as well as Shin Bet operatives - and Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.
At first, the IDF Spokesman's Unit said the forces were fired upon, but later said troops "heard gunfire."
Palestinian sources reported that the IDF was trying to arrest Bassam al-Saadi, a senior Islamic Jihad official in the West Bank, who spent time in Israeli jail and was released in 2011.
The Palestinians claimed that soldiers had fired a rocket at Saadi's home. According to the reports, Saadi was outside of the building at the time and was unharmed. Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources in Jenin said Saadi was able to escape and evade arrest and was "alive and wasn't killed."
Security forces also surrounded the home of the Abu Alhaija family, suspected of having ties to Hamas' military wing in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said Majdi Abu Alhaija was arrested, as well as his brother Alaa, his 15-year-old son and his mother. The house itself was demolished by the IDF.
The wounded soldier, from the Border Police's Yamam (counterterrorism) unit was evacuated by helicopter to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa where he received care and doctors said he was in stable condition.
Shortly before dawn, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel early Tuesday, but the rocket appeared to have landed inside Gaza, the Israeli military said.
A small Salafist group in Gaza affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for firing two rockets Tuesday toward Israel, saying it was in retaliation for the West Bank arrest raid.
High-ranking Israeli officer wounded in shootout in Jenin
The Israeli army admitted that an officer in the Yamam unit was wounded during a shootout between the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin late Monday night.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eyewitnesses as stating that Palestinian activists stood on their ground to a special Israeli unit that rolled into Jenin.
The confrontation led to the wounding of a high-ranking Israeli officer from the Yamam unit.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that an officer in the Israel Police's Yamam (anti-terrorism) unit was wounded during the shootout.
Eyewitnesses said IOF soldiers kidnapped the Palestinian ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija, along with his wife, son, and brother moments after they cordoned off their family homes.
The IOF blew up Abu al-Heija’s house after they cordoned it off for long hours.
Two Palestinian youngsters sustained wounds during the violent clashes that burst out after over 40 Israeli army jeeps stormed the city. One of the casualties was hit by an Israeli military jeep.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation army intended to carry out a large-scale security sweep across Jenin, without identifying the nature of the operation.
They added that clashes broke out between a Palestinian resistance fighter, from al-Qassam Brigades, and the Israeli occupation soldiers.
Palestinian MP Mustafa al-Baghouti urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately halt all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation, saying this is the least the PA should do.
Spokesperson for the Ahrar movement, Yasser Khalaf, called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to step up resistance operations and pave the way for a third Intifada (uprising), urging the PA to cease security coordination.
The statements came out after reports were released on the sudden withdrawal of the PA security forces from Jenin moments before the assault.
The same sources added that armed fighters stood on the alert to the preplanned Israeli operation which was obviously targeting a resistance fighter in the area.
IOF deliberately runs over a minor in Jenin camp
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Tuesday a large-scale arrest campaign in the West Bank. Many arrests were reported during the campaign.
Local sources said that large numbers of Israeli forces stormed al-Khalil early today and broke into several homes. Five citizens were nabbed during the raid and taken to Etizon detention center, while another boy was summoned for investigation.
A 26-year-old young man was also arrested in Kafer Qaddum town after brutally storming and searching his home.
Several other homes were also raided under the pretext of looking for “wanted persons”.
In Jenin, IOF soldiers arrested late yesterday an ex-detainee, his mother, his son, and his brother during a large raid campaign.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that dozens of youths suffered tear gas inhalation during clashes that broke out in Jenin refugee camp after nearly 40 Israeli military vehicles stormed the city from different entrances amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
A large-scale raid and search campaign was carried out in the city, which led to the outbreak of violent confrontations. During the clashes, IOF soldiers deliberately ran over a 15-year-old boy.
Meanwhile, IOF nabbed the ex-detainee Majdi Abul Haija after violently storming his house in the camp. His mother, 18-year-old son, and brother were also detained during the raid.
During the invasion, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, his mother, his son and his brother.
The soldiers fired two "Energa" shells targeting two homes in the refugee camp, before demolishing a store and several walls, surrounding the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, who was taken prisoner after the soldiers also kidnapped his mother, his son Soheib, 18, and his brother ‘Ala.
A Civil Defense medic said the soldiers prevented the medics and ambulances from approaching the targeted homes, especially the home of Abu al-Haija.
He added that the wife of Abu al-Haija suffered fractures in one of her legs, and that the soldiers also invaded and occupied several surrounding homes.
Eyewitnesses said clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, and that armed resistance fighters also exchanged fire with the invading forces.
Sounds of loud explosions were also heard in the area, while military helicopters hovered overhead.
The Israeli army said one soldier suffered a moderate-to- severe injury, and was moved to Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
On Monday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mershed ‘Obeid Sabarna, 21, after stopping him on a military roadblock at the main entrance of his town, Beit Ummar, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
This article is an update to:
Army Kidnaps Former Political Prisoner, His Mother, Son and His Brother in Jenin
Soldier moderately wounded in West Bank arrest operation
Israeli forces enter West Bank town of Jenin to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad official, sparking violent clashes, wounding at least 5 Palestinians.
An Israeli soldier was moderately wounded in clashes that erupted Monday night in Jenin in the northern West Bank after Israeli security forces entered the area to arrest a wanted Palestinian suspect. The military is investigating the possibility the soldier was wounded by friendly fire.
The clashes lasted till dawn Tuesday.
At least five Palestinians were also wounded in the clashes, and were transported to a hospital in Jenin in light condition. There were conflicting reports on the nature of the Palestinians' injuries, with Palestinian medical sources saying the five were wounded by rubber bullets, while the head of the Red Crescent in Jenin said they suffered from smoke inhalation. Some reports said as many as 20 Palestinians were hurt.
During the raid, hundreds of Palestinians rioted in the area, hurling rocks and firebombs at the Israeli forces, the military said.
The Palestinians said that heavy gunfire broke out in fighting between the Israeli troops - which included IDF and Border Police counterterrorism troops, as well as Shin Bet operatives - and Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.
At first, the IDF Spokesman's Unit said the forces were fired upon, but later said troops "heard gunfire."
Palestinian sources reported that the IDF was trying to arrest Bassam al-Saadi, a senior Islamic Jihad official in the West Bank, who spent time in Israeli jail and was released in 2011.
The Palestinians claimed that soldiers had fired a rocket at Saadi's home. According to the reports, Saadi was outside of the building at the time and was unharmed. Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources in Jenin said Saadi was able to escape and evade arrest and was "alive and wasn't killed."
Security forces also surrounded the home of the Abu Alhaija family, suspected of having ties to Hamas' military wing in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said Majdi Abu Alhaija was arrested, as well as his brother Alaa, his 15-year-old son and his mother. The house itself was demolished by the IDF.
The wounded soldier, from the Border Police's Yamam (counterterrorism) unit was evacuated by helicopter to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa where he received care and doctors said he was in stable condition.
Shortly before dawn, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel early Tuesday, but the rocket appeared to have landed inside Gaza, the Israeli military said.
A small Salafist group in Gaza affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for firing two rockets Tuesday toward Israel, saying it was in retaliation for the West Bank arrest raid.
High-ranking Israeli officer wounded in shootout in Jenin
The Israeli army admitted that an officer in the Yamam unit was wounded during a shootout between the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin late Monday night.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eyewitnesses as stating that Palestinian activists stood on their ground to a special Israeli unit that rolled into Jenin.
The confrontation led to the wounding of a high-ranking Israeli officer from the Yamam unit.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that an officer in the Israel Police's Yamam (anti-terrorism) unit was wounded during the shootout.
Eyewitnesses said IOF soldiers kidnapped the Palestinian ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija, along with his wife, son, and brother moments after they cordoned off their family homes.
The IOF blew up Abu al-Heija’s house after they cordoned it off for long hours.
Two Palestinian youngsters sustained wounds during the violent clashes that burst out after over 40 Israeli army jeeps stormed the city. One of the casualties was hit by an Israeli military jeep.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation army intended to carry out a large-scale security sweep across Jenin, without identifying the nature of the operation.
They added that clashes broke out between a Palestinian resistance fighter, from al-Qassam Brigades, and the Israeli occupation soldiers.
Palestinian MP Mustafa al-Baghouti urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately halt all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation, saying this is the least the PA should do.
Spokesperson for the Ahrar movement, Yasser Khalaf, called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to step up resistance operations and pave the way for a third Intifada (uprising), urging the PA to cease security coordination.
The statements came out after reports were released on the sudden withdrawal of the PA security forces from Jenin moments before the assault.
The same sources added that armed fighters stood on the alert to the preplanned Israeli operation which was obviously targeting a resistance fighter in the area.
IOF deliberately runs over a minor in Jenin camp
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Tuesday a large-scale arrest campaign in the West Bank. Many arrests were reported during the campaign.
Local sources said that large numbers of Israeli forces stormed al-Khalil early today and broke into several homes. Five citizens were nabbed during the raid and taken to Etizon detention center, while another boy was summoned for investigation.
A 26-year-old young man was also arrested in Kafer Qaddum town after brutally storming and searching his home.
Several other homes were also raided under the pretext of looking for “wanted persons”.
In Jenin, IOF soldiers arrested late yesterday an ex-detainee, his mother, his son, and his brother during a large raid campaign.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that dozens of youths suffered tear gas inhalation during clashes that broke out in Jenin refugee camp after nearly 40 Israeli military vehicles stormed the city from different entrances amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
A large-scale raid and search campaign was carried out in the city, which led to the outbreak of violent confrontations. During the clashes, IOF soldiers deliberately ran over a 15-year-old boy.
Meanwhile, IOF nabbed the ex-detainee Majdi Abul Haija after violently storming his house in the camp. His mother, 18-year-old son, and brother were also detained during the raid.
Dozens of Israeli military vehicles invaded, late on Monday at night, the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, rammed a child with a vehicle, and fired dozens of gas bombs causing scores of injuries, before kidnapping a father, his mother, his son, and his brother.
Media sources in Jenin said the soldiers surrounded the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, before kidnapping him along with his son, Soheib, 18, his brother ‘Ala, and his mother.
The sources said the soldiers surrounded the property and used loud speakers ordering the family to leave the building, and demanded Majdi to “surrender.”
A Palestinian child, identified as Islam Dhababa, 15 years of age, was injured after being rammed with a military vehicle during the invasion.
Medics of the Civil Defense and the Red Crescent said the soldiers prevented them from even approaching Abu al-Haija family home, and pushed more soldiers into the area leading to extensive clashes with dozens of local youths.
The soldiers also used military helicopters during the invasion, while sounds of explosions were clearly heard in the entire area.
The Israeli army claimed one soldier suffered a moderate-to-severe injury during clashes in the camp, and was moved to the Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
Eyewitnesses said the invasion was carried out by at least forty military vehicles, and an armored bulldozer, advancing into Jenin and its refugee camp, from various directions.
Media sources in Jenin said the soldiers surrounded the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, before kidnapping him along with his son, Soheib, 18, his brother ‘Ala, and his mother.
The sources said the soldiers surrounded the property and used loud speakers ordering the family to leave the building, and demanded Majdi to “surrender.”
A Palestinian child, identified as Islam Dhababa, 15 years of age, was injured after being rammed with a military vehicle during the invasion.
Medics of the Civil Defense and the Red Crescent said the soldiers prevented them from even approaching Abu al-Haija family home, and pushed more soldiers into the area leading to extensive clashes with dozens of local youths.
The soldiers also used military helicopters during the invasion, while sounds of explosions were clearly heard in the entire area.
The Israeli army claimed one soldier suffered a moderate-to-severe injury during clashes in the camp, and was moved to the Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
Eyewitnesses said the invasion was carried out by at least forty military vehicles, and an armored bulldozer, advancing into Jenin and its refugee camp, from various directions.
31 aug 2015
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened their machine gun fire Monday morning towards Palestinian fishermen and farmers in Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported during the attack.
Eyewitnesses said that Israeli soldiers stationed at military watchtowers east of Khan Younis opened heavy fire at Palestinian farmers and Palestinian homes in the border area.
The attack coincided with intensive flights of Israeli drones over the area, the sources added.
In a similar attack, Israeli Navy Forces attacked Palestinian fishing boats Monday morning while sailing within the Israeli-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone off Gaza City on Saturday morning.
Palestinian sources said no injuries were reported during the attack. However, the fishermen were forced to leave the sea.
Israeli forces routinely open fire at Palestinian fishermen and farmers in flagrant violation of the calm agreement reached on August 26, 2014 to end Israel’s summer aggression on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, mostly children and women.
Eyewitnesses said that Israeli soldiers stationed at military watchtowers east of Khan Younis opened heavy fire at Palestinian farmers and Palestinian homes in the border area.
The attack coincided with intensive flights of Israeli drones over the area, the sources added.
In a similar attack, Israeli Navy Forces attacked Palestinian fishing boats Monday morning while sailing within the Israeli-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone off Gaza City on Saturday morning.
Palestinian sources said no injuries were reported during the attack. However, the fishermen were forced to leave the sea.
Israeli forces routinely open fire at Palestinian fishermen and farmers in flagrant violation of the calm agreement reached on August 26, 2014 to end Israel’s summer aggression on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, mostly children and women.
Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border fence, opened fire on Monday morning at a number of Palestinian farmers, in their lands, and at several homes, east of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The WAFA News Agency has reported that the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition targeting farmers and homes, east of Khuza’a border town, causing anxiety attack among several children.
The Palestinians had to leave their lands, and try to seek shelter in their homes that also came under Israeli army fire.
The soldiers frequently attack Palestinian homes and lands in border areas in the Gaza Strip, in addition to ongoing assaults and violations targeting Gaza fishers and their boats.
The WAFA News Agency has reported that the soldiers fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition targeting farmers and homes, east of Khuza’a border town, causing anxiety attack among several children.
The Palestinians had to leave their lands, and try to seek shelter in their homes that also came under Israeli army fire.
The soldiers frequently attack Palestinian homes and lands in border areas in the Gaza Strip, in addition to ongoing assaults and violations targeting Gaza fishers and their boats.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are suffering from the rising Judaization and settlement schemes which expose the Israeli occupation and the settler gangs' malicious intent. These schemes don't only threaten the Palestinian citizens, but also their houses, their holy sites, and everything related to the Palestinians' lives.
In this report, the PIC sheds light on the settlement file and the statistics of competent authorities and settlement experts who affirmed that the settlers and their extremist groups' crimes committed against the Palestinians, their properties, and sanctities have been steadily increasing.
Shocking statistics
According to the latest statistics issued by the Popular Committee against Wall and Settlement, the settlement areas in the West Banl reached about 505 including settlements, settlement outposts, military outposts, services areas, and industrial and touristic sites, let alone the 93 houses which have been misappropriated partially or completely in Jerusalem.
16% of these settlement areas are in Jerusalem and Ramallah, 13% in al-Khalil and Jericho, and 12% are in Qalqilya.
Settlers' assaults
The Committee's statistics indicated that the settlers have escalated their assaults against the Palestinian citizens; in 2013 about 550 violations by Israeli settlers were reported, in 2014 the assaults were more than 760 while since the beginning of 2015 until end of August the assaults have reached 400.
The committee also pointed out that in 2014 the settlers' assaults in the West Bank governorates reached about 887 cases. Nablus took the lion's share of these violations, followed by al-Khalil and Jerusalem.
These violent attacks included beating up, running over, hurling stones, attacking Palestinian properties, kidnap attempts, shooting, breaking into houses, releasing gas and chemical materials, stabbing, burning homes, burning houses of worship, and even burning Palestinian citizens to death.
Even the trees and the farms were not spared the settlers' assaults; they burn and cut trees, attack the farmers, prevent water from reaching the farms, and unleash dangerous animals in the Palestinian agricultural lands.
The committee drew attention to the fact that over the past few years the settlers' assaults were limited to direct attacks against Palestinian citizens or against their trees and crops whereas today the systematic attacks, which are openly supported and protected by the Israeli army, extended to include the Palestinian lands, tress, houses, and mosques.
For his part, Suhail Khaliliyya, from the Applied Research Institute-ARIJ in Bethlehem, pointed to the noticeable increase in the settlers’ number which coincides with a similar increase in the settlement construction during the recent years.
According to the institute, the number of the settlement outposts has remarkably increased during the last years and the settlements have been expanded at the expense of the Palestinian lands.
The institute reviewed aerial photos that show that the number of the settlement blocs has increased by about a million square meters compared to the years 2012 and 2014.
Khaliliyya affirmed that the Israeli occupation pursues a systematic policy to expand the settlement construction in an attempt to impose new facts on the ground and force the Palestinians to exchange their lands that are located in areas desired by the Israelis.
Official support
The researcher stressed that the Israeli government supports the settlers' crimes, contrary to what it claims in the media, and clarified that when the Dawabsha family house was burned the Israeli army reached the scene very quickly which indicates that the army knew about the arson attack beforehand.
He warned that this will boost the settlers' persistence in carrying out these heinous systematic attacks especially that the Israeli parties always side with the settlers in their crimes against Palestinian innocent civilians.
The researcher, however, affirmed that the settlers' indulgence in committing crimes against Palestinian citizens will never weaken the Palestinians' steadfastness and adherence to their land.
In this report, the PIC sheds light on the settlement file and the statistics of competent authorities and settlement experts who affirmed that the settlers and their extremist groups' crimes committed against the Palestinians, their properties, and sanctities have been steadily increasing.
Shocking statistics
According to the latest statistics issued by the Popular Committee against Wall and Settlement, the settlement areas in the West Banl reached about 505 including settlements, settlement outposts, military outposts, services areas, and industrial and touristic sites, let alone the 93 houses which have been misappropriated partially or completely in Jerusalem.
16% of these settlement areas are in Jerusalem and Ramallah, 13% in al-Khalil and Jericho, and 12% are in Qalqilya.
Settlers' assaults
The Committee's statistics indicated that the settlers have escalated their assaults against the Palestinian citizens; in 2013 about 550 violations by Israeli settlers were reported, in 2014 the assaults were more than 760 while since the beginning of 2015 until end of August the assaults have reached 400.
The committee also pointed out that in 2014 the settlers' assaults in the West Bank governorates reached about 887 cases. Nablus took the lion's share of these violations, followed by al-Khalil and Jerusalem.
These violent attacks included beating up, running over, hurling stones, attacking Palestinian properties, kidnap attempts, shooting, breaking into houses, releasing gas and chemical materials, stabbing, burning homes, burning houses of worship, and even burning Palestinian citizens to death.
Even the trees and the farms were not spared the settlers' assaults; they burn and cut trees, attack the farmers, prevent water from reaching the farms, and unleash dangerous animals in the Palestinian agricultural lands.
The committee drew attention to the fact that over the past few years the settlers' assaults were limited to direct attacks against Palestinian citizens or against their trees and crops whereas today the systematic attacks, which are openly supported and protected by the Israeli army, extended to include the Palestinian lands, tress, houses, and mosques.
For his part, Suhail Khaliliyya, from the Applied Research Institute-ARIJ in Bethlehem, pointed to the noticeable increase in the settlers’ number which coincides with a similar increase in the settlement construction during the recent years.
According to the institute, the number of the settlement outposts has remarkably increased during the last years and the settlements have been expanded at the expense of the Palestinian lands.
The institute reviewed aerial photos that show that the number of the settlement blocs has increased by about a million square meters compared to the years 2012 and 2014.
Khaliliyya affirmed that the Israeli occupation pursues a systematic policy to expand the settlement construction in an attempt to impose new facts on the ground and force the Palestinians to exchange their lands that are located in areas desired by the Israelis.
Official support
The researcher stressed that the Israeli government supports the settlers' crimes, contrary to what it claims in the media, and clarified that when the Dawabsha family house was burned the Israeli army reached the scene very quickly which indicates that the army knew about the arson attack beforehand.
He warned that this will boost the settlers' persistence in carrying out these heinous systematic attacks especially that the Israeli parties always side with the settlers in their crimes against Palestinian innocent civilians.
The researcher, however, affirmed that the settlers' indulgence in committing crimes against Palestinian citizens will never weaken the Palestinians' steadfastness and adherence to their land.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) quelled a peaceful march in Beit Jala to the west of Bethlehem on Sunday in protest against the Separation Wall.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers used stun grenades and tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators. The march was organized by the Popular Committees against the Separation Wall and Settlement as well as by Beit Jala municipality, he added.
The march was launched from Beer Oneh area where Israeli military vehicles are working on completing the construction of the Separation Wall.
Patriarch Michel Sabbah along with scores of Palestinian activists and national figures in addition to inhabitants of Beit Jala participated in the march. They raised Palestinian flags and anti-Separation Wall slogans.
The IOF soldiers prevented the march from reaching the working place of Israeli vehicles and fired stun grenades and tear gas bombs at the marchers. The Israeli forces assaulted and arrested two Palestinians.
The forces attacked Palestinian press crews and forced them to leave the scene under gun threat.
In a speech, Patriarch Michel Sabbah stressed the need for supporting the inhabitants of Beit Jala in their popular resistance of the Separation Wall. He asked the Palestinian Authority to work on halting the Israeli violations and exposing it at the international level.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF soldiers used stun grenades and tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators. The march was organized by the Popular Committees against the Separation Wall and Settlement as well as by Beit Jala municipality, he added.
The march was launched from Beer Oneh area where Israeli military vehicles are working on completing the construction of the Separation Wall.
Patriarch Michel Sabbah along with scores of Palestinian activists and national figures in addition to inhabitants of Beit Jala participated in the march. They raised Palestinian flags and anti-Separation Wall slogans.
The IOF soldiers prevented the march from reaching the working place of Israeli vehicles and fired stun grenades and tear gas bombs at the marchers. The Israeli forces assaulted and arrested two Palestinians.
The forces attacked Palestinian press crews and forced them to leave the scene under gun threat.
In a speech, Patriarch Michel Sabbah stressed the need for supporting the inhabitants of Beit Jala in their popular resistance of the Separation Wall. He asked the Palestinian Authority to work on halting the Israeli violations and exposing it at the international level.
30 aug 2015
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday morning, the ar-Ras al-Ahmar area, east of the central West Bank city of Tubas, and displaced 14 families, so that the army can conduct a five-day training drill.
Head of the Wadi al-Maleh and Bedouin Tribes Local Council 'Aref Daraghma said the soldiers surrounded the entire area, declared it a closed military zone and displaced the fourteen families.
Daraghma added that the army said its training would last five days, from six in the morning until twelve at noon.
The army frequently displaces Palestinian families, especially Bedouin families that depend on their livestock as their only sources of income, in order to conduct live-fire military training in the Jordan Valley, the countryside of the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and various other areas.
On Sunday August 9, a Palestinian child was seriously injured after an unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by the Israeli army exploded in the city of Hebron.
Head of the Wadi al-Maleh and Bedouin Tribes Local Council 'Aref Daraghma said the soldiers surrounded the entire area, declared it a closed military zone and displaced the fourteen families.
Daraghma added that the army said its training would last five days, from six in the morning until twelve at noon.
The army frequently displaces Palestinian families, especially Bedouin families that depend on their livestock as their only sources of income, in order to conduct live-fire military training in the Jordan Valley, the countryside of the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and various other areas.
On Sunday August 9, a Palestinian child was seriously injured after an unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by the Israeli army exploded in the city of Hebron.
The Israeli occupation navy at dawn Sunday opened machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the northwestern coast of the besieged Gaza Strip, with no reported causalities.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli frigates attacked the fishermen off the coast of al-Waha and al-Sudaniya areas and chased a number of them, which forced all boats to go back to the shores.
The Israeli army had unilaterally reduced the fishing limit off the coast of Gaza to three nautical miles from the six miles agreed on as part of the last ceasefire agreement.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli frigates attacked the fishermen off the coast of al-Waha and al-Sudaniya areas and chased a number of them, which forced all boats to go back to the shores.
The Israeli army had unilaterally reduced the fishing limit off the coast of Gaza to three nautical miles from the six miles agreed on as part of the last ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday violently attacked a peaceful march organized near al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil city, in protest at the appropriation of Beit al-Baraka building by Jewish settlers.
Beit al-Baraka used to be a hospital belonging to an American Christian society, which had been providing free medical care for tuberculosis patients since its inception in the early 40s until its closure in 1983.
Anti-settlement activist in al-Khalil, Rateb al-Jabour, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a number of protesters were slightly injured when Israeli soldiers subdued them during a march demanding the protection of Beit al-Baraka building against Judaization.
Jabour added that the soldiers violently attacked the protesters outside the hospital building with their rifle butts and declared the area a closed military zone.
Father Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Palestinian Orthodox Church in Occupied Jerusalem, and foreign activists participated in the march.
Beit al-Baraka used to be a hospital belonging to an American Christian society, which had been providing free medical care for tuberculosis patients since its inception in the early 40s until its closure in 1983.
Anti-settlement activist in al-Khalil, Rateb al-Jabour, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a number of protesters were slightly injured when Israeli soldiers subdued them during a march demanding the protection of Beit al-Baraka building against Judaization.
Jabour added that the soldiers violently attacked the protesters outside the hospital building with their rifle butts and declared the area a closed military zone.
Father Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of the Palestinian Orthodox Church in Occupied Jerusalem, and foreign activists participated in the march.
A Palestinian boy on Saturday evening suffered a serious bullet injury in the leg when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) violently attacked a peaceful march in support of the Aqsa Mosque in Kafr Qaddum town near Qalqiliya.
Popular resistance activist Murad Ashtiwi reported that 17-year-old Amjad Abu Khaled was shot by an Israeli soldier in one of his legs, which caused him a femur fracture, adding that the boy was rushed to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Ashtiwi explained that hundreds of Palestinian young men rallied in Kafr Qaddum to protest Israel's attempts to divide the Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially before they marched to an area near the illegal settlement of Kedumim, where Israeli soldiers fired a hail of tear gas grenades and bullets at them.
In another incident, a horde of Jewish settlers on the evening of the same day closed the main road to Yasuf town, northeast of Salfit city, with barriers and embarked on attacking passing Palestinian vehicles with stones.
A local source from the town told Quds Press that Israeli troops arrived to the scene and provided protection for settlers from Taffuh settlement, which was built illegally on Palestinian lands south of Nablus.
Popular resistance activist Murad Ashtiwi reported that 17-year-old Amjad Abu Khaled was shot by an Israeli soldier in one of his legs, which caused him a femur fracture, adding that the boy was rushed to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Ashtiwi explained that hundreds of Palestinian young men rallied in Kafr Qaddum to protest Israel's attempts to divide the Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially before they marched to an area near the illegal settlement of Kedumim, where Israeli soldiers fired a hail of tear gas grenades and bullets at them.
In another incident, a horde of Jewish settlers on the evening of the same day closed the main road to Yasuf town, northeast of Salfit city, with barriers and embarked on attacking passing Palestinian vehicles with stones.
A local source from the town told Quds Press that Israeli troops arrived to the scene and provided protection for settlers from Taffuh settlement, which was built illegally on Palestinian lands south of Nablus.
