27 dec 2015
More than 20 school students in the Palestinian village of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, choked on teargas at noon Sunday after Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired teargas canisters at their school.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers fired teargas bombs in the vicinity of the schools area, west of the village, leading to breathing problems among the students.
Red Crescent ambulance crews extended assistance to the students, the sources said.
They added that the soldiers deliberately fired teargas at local houses near the schools triggering clashes with the inhabitants.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers fired teargas bombs in the vicinity of the schools area, west of the village, leading to breathing problems among the students.
Red Crescent ambulance crews extended assistance to the students, the sources said.
They added that the soldiers deliberately fired teargas at local houses near the schools triggering clashes with the inhabitants.
In lieu of growing Israeli focus on Jewish extremism, Israel’s Prime Minister on Sunday said that comparing “Arab terror and Jewish terror” was impossible, Israeli media reported.
During a weekly meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Here we condemn and they [the Palestinians] praise," according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
The PM said that "Jewish terror" was rare, while “Arab terror” frequently took place on a large scale.
Netanyahu stated that while Israeli leadership condemned terror attacks carried out by Jews, the Palestinian Authority “encourages terror and incites.”
The statement comes as ongoing investigations into the murder of three members of the Palestinian Dawabsha family by Jewish extremists as well as video footage released from an Israeli wedding party celebrating violence against Palestinians has been at the epicenter of Israeli public discussion.
Focus on the growing influence of Israeli extremist groups also coincides with a wave of violence that has left nearly 140 Palestinians and 20 Israelis dead since Oct. 1.
The majority of Palestinians were killed while carrying out attacks on Israeli military and civilians. Palestinian leadership has yet to condemn the individual attacks but has criticized Israel for its response to the recent violence.
While condemning the attacks, a UN official earlier this month said: “The injustices associated with an occupation which shows no prospect of ending feed into a perspective -- particularly among the youth -- that they have nothing to lose by sacrificing their lives."
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Saturday said that recent cases of Jewish extremism had caused politicians to ignore “seemingly less serious” offenses against Palestinians and their property, in effect supporting the perpetrators, according to Haaretz.
Focus on the cases have put other offenses on the back burner, Yaalon said, including the uprooting of Palestinian olive trees and the burning of Palestinian property by Israeli settlers.
The minister said that encouragement from ministers and members of Knesset for settlement expansion as well as verbal attacks on public figures helped to enable incidents like the Dawabsha murder and incitement, Haaretz reported.
Threat of ‘Jewish terror’
Israel has received criticism from the international community and rights groups in the past regarding government policies that encourage violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Israeli police earlier this week opened an investigation into the wedding of two right-wing Israelis after a video showed attendees dancing and singing songs about revenge while waving knives and guns in the air.
At one point during the ceremony, a masked Israeli youth waves a firebomb while another stabs a photo of Ali Dawabsha, an 18-month-old Palestinian burned alive in the arson attack that also left his parents dead.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the time that the video showed "the real face of a group that poses danger to Israeli society and security,” the daily said.
The suspects in the Dawabsha murder case have yet to be convicted, and Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet has received push-back from right-wing groups over its conduct in the investigation.
The Shin Bet last week warned that the case revealed the growing threat of Jewish terror organizations against the Israeli state as well as regional security.
Israeli settlers regularly carry out attacks on Palestinians and their property, purportedly in revenge for actions taken by Palestinians or the Israeli government against the illegal settlement enterprise.
The attacks -- over 324 of which were carried out in 2014 according to UN documentation -- were labelled as “acts of terrorism” by the US government in 2013.
During a weekly meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Here we condemn and they [the Palestinians] praise," according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
The PM said that "Jewish terror" was rare, while “Arab terror” frequently took place on a large scale.
Netanyahu stated that while Israeli leadership condemned terror attacks carried out by Jews, the Palestinian Authority “encourages terror and incites.”
The statement comes as ongoing investigations into the murder of three members of the Palestinian Dawabsha family by Jewish extremists as well as video footage released from an Israeli wedding party celebrating violence against Palestinians has been at the epicenter of Israeli public discussion.
Focus on the growing influence of Israeli extremist groups also coincides with a wave of violence that has left nearly 140 Palestinians and 20 Israelis dead since Oct. 1.
The majority of Palestinians were killed while carrying out attacks on Israeli military and civilians. Palestinian leadership has yet to condemn the individual attacks but has criticized Israel for its response to the recent violence.
While condemning the attacks, a UN official earlier this month said: “The injustices associated with an occupation which shows no prospect of ending feed into a perspective -- particularly among the youth -- that they have nothing to lose by sacrificing their lives."
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Saturday said that recent cases of Jewish extremism had caused politicians to ignore “seemingly less serious” offenses against Palestinians and their property, in effect supporting the perpetrators, according to Haaretz.
Focus on the cases have put other offenses on the back burner, Yaalon said, including the uprooting of Palestinian olive trees and the burning of Palestinian property by Israeli settlers.
The minister said that encouragement from ministers and members of Knesset for settlement expansion as well as verbal attacks on public figures helped to enable incidents like the Dawabsha murder and incitement, Haaretz reported.
Threat of ‘Jewish terror’
Israel has received criticism from the international community and rights groups in the past regarding government policies that encourage violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Israeli police earlier this week opened an investigation into the wedding of two right-wing Israelis after a video showed attendees dancing and singing songs about revenge while waving knives and guns in the air.
At one point during the ceremony, a masked Israeli youth waves a firebomb while another stabs a photo of Ali Dawabsha, an 18-month-old Palestinian burned alive in the arson attack that also left his parents dead.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the time that the video showed "the real face of a group that poses danger to Israeli society and security,” the daily said.
The suspects in the Dawabsha murder case have yet to be convicted, and Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet has received push-back from right-wing groups over its conduct in the investigation.
The Shin Bet last week warned that the case revealed the growing threat of Jewish terror organizations against the Israeli state as well as regional security.
Israeli settlers regularly carry out attacks on Palestinians and their property, purportedly in revenge for actions taken by Palestinians or the Israeli government against the illegal settlement enterprise.
The attacks -- over 324 of which were carried out in 2014 according to UN documentation -- were labelled as “acts of terrorism” by the US government in 2013.
Palestinian civilians were kidnapped in an abduction sweep carried out by the Israeli occupation army across the West Bank at predawn time on Sunday.
Al-Khalil based sources said the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rolled into the city and kidnapped two Palestinian brothers from their own family home in Halhul town.
Another youngster was kidnapped by the IOF from Beit Ummar town.
The occupation troops further kidnapped the youngster Mahmoud Abu R’mouz and summoned others for interrogation, including the university student Hamza al-Qawasmi and the son of MP Muhamad Jamal al-Natsha, Islam.
Earlier, overnight, the IOF kidnapped the student at Birzeit University Dhiaa Idris near a military checkpoint.
Meanwhile, sources based in Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank, said the IOF stormed the city at the crack of dawn and wreaked havoc on Palestinian civilian homes in Madama town before they subjected the native Palestinian inhabitants to exhaustive questioning.
Israeli army commanders reportedly threatened to jail and torture Palestinian children and youths in case they join anti-occupation activities.
The Israeli occupation troops further stormed Qalqilya’s eastern town of Azzoun and attacked the Palestinian protesters with randomly-shot waves of bullet fire and sound bombs.
The assault culminated in violent clashes with the Palestinian protesters.
The IOF cordoned off the area and sealed off its main entrances for hours.
Al-Khalil based sources said the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rolled into the city and kidnapped two Palestinian brothers from their own family home in Halhul town.
Another youngster was kidnapped by the IOF from Beit Ummar town.
The occupation troops further kidnapped the youngster Mahmoud Abu R’mouz and summoned others for interrogation, including the university student Hamza al-Qawasmi and the son of MP Muhamad Jamal al-Natsha, Islam.
Earlier, overnight, the IOF kidnapped the student at Birzeit University Dhiaa Idris near a military checkpoint.
Meanwhile, sources based in Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank, said the IOF stormed the city at the crack of dawn and wreaked havoc on Palestinian civilian homes in Madama town before they subjected the native Palestinian inhabitants to exhaustive questioning.
Israeli army commanders reportedly threatened to jail and torture Palestinian children and youths in case they join anti-occupation activities.
The Israeli occupation troops further stormed Qalqilya’s eastern town of Azzoun and attacked the Palestinian protesters with randomly-shot waves of bullet fire and sound bombs.
The assault culminated in violent clashes with the Palestinian protesters.
The IOF cordoned off the area and sealed off its main entrances for hours.
A Palestinian youth was shot and critically injured by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday morning after he carried out an anti-occupation stabbing attack near the central bus station of Occupied Jerusalem.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation troops fired multiple shots on a Palestinian young man after he carried out an anti-occupation stabbing attack near Jerusalem’s central bus station.
The Palestinian casualty was critically injured and kidnapped by the Israeli soldiers shortly after they rolled into the area.
More Israeli army troops also rushed to the scene and carried out abrupt combing operations.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation troops fired multiple shots on a Palestinian young man after he carried out an anti-occupation stabbing attack near Jerusalem’s central bus station.
The Palestinian casualty was critically injured and kidnapped by the Israeli soldiers shortly after they rolled into the area.
More Israeli army troops also rushed to the scene and carried out abrupt combing operations.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday came down heavily on a group of Palestinian activists who formed what they called “the longest human chain” around the Old City’s walls to push for the release of slain Palestinians’ bodies.
Hundreds of people participated in the protest despite the heavy presence of Israeli troops who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters soon as the protesters gathered in the area.
The rally-goers demanded that the Israeli occupation authorities hand over bodies of those killed to their families so that they can bid them last farewell before their burial.
A PIC journalist said a number of protesters were injured and others were chased down and arrested by the occupation soldiers.
The demonstrators gathered near the Bab al-Sahira, raising photos of the slain Palestinians and lifting banners calling for releasing their bodies.
The protesters were attacked, as they advanced hand in hand, by the Israeli troops who violently disbanded the march using tear gas grenades and rubber bullets. Several activists were subjected to heavy beating in the assault.
Spokesperson for the families of slain Palestinians, Muhammad Alyan, said: “We formed the longest human chain to restore the bodies of our sons and daughters. The Israeli occupation does not have the right to withhold dead bodies. This is a policy of collective punishment and a poof of Israel’s inherently sadistic nature.”
Former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Hatem Abdul Kader, said Israel’s seizure of Palestinian bodies is a war crime against the victims and their families alike.
He vowed that Jerusalemites shall never remain mum over such crimes and will resort to all possible means to release the dead bodies.
According to the Red Crescent, at least 20 Palestinians were injured in the Israeli attack on the human chain.
The bodies of over 50 Palestinians killed by the occupation troops since early October have been withheld by the Israeli occupation, in a move dubbed by observers an attempt to snuff out the flames of anti-occupation activism among the Palestinians.
Hundreds of people participated in the protest despite the heavy presence of Israeli troops who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters soon as the protesters gathered in the area.
The rally-goers demanded that the Israeli occupation authorities hand over bodies of those killed to their families so that they can bid them last farewell before their burial.
A PIC journalist said a number of protesters were injured and others were chased down and arrested by the occupation soldiers.
The demonstrators gathered near the Bab al-Sahira, raising photos of the slain Palestinians and lifting banners calling for releasing their bodies.
The protesters were attacked, as they advanced hand in hand, by the Israeli troops who violently disbanded the march using tear gas grenades and rubber bullets. Several activists were subjected to heavy beating in the assault.
Spokesperson for the families of slain Palestinians, Muhammad Alyan, said: “We formed the longest human chain to restore the bodies of our sons and daughters. The Israeli occupation does not have the right to withhold dead bodies. This is a policy of collective punishment and a poof of Israel’s inherently sadistic nature.”
Former Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Hatem Abdul Kader, said Israel’s seizure of Palestinian bodies is a war crime against the victims and their families alike.
He vowed that Jerusalemites shall never remain mum over such crimes and will resort to all possible means to release the dead bodies.
According to the Red Crescent, at least 20 Palestinians were injured in the Israeli attack on the human chain.
The bodies of over 50 Palestinians killed by the occupation troops since early October have been withheld by the Israeli occupation, in a move dubbed by observers an attempt to snuff out the flames of anti-occupation activism among the Palestinians.
26 dec 2015
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday morning opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of Gaza City, with no reported casualties.
Local sources that Israeli soldiers at a military watchtower near the border fence east of Gaza City opened machinegun fire at Palestinians working on hunting birds.
The Israeli occupation forces stationed behind the perimeter fence open fire at every Palestinian approaching or working in border areas, especially the farmers who own nearby plots of land.
Local sources that Israeli soldiers at a military watchtower near the border fence east of Gaza City opened machinegun fire at Palestinians working on hunting birds.
The Israeli occupation forces stationed behind the perimeter fence open fire at every Palestinian approaching or working in border areas, especially the farmers who own nearby plots of land.
25 dec 2015
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The Popular Committee in Kafr Qaddoum said dozens of soldiers surrounded the town before invading it, and attacked the Palestinian, Israeli and international protesters.
The invasion led to clashes between the soldiers and many local youths; the army fired live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs. One child ,identified as Yazan Abdullah Eshteiwy, 15, was shot with a live round in his thigh, while many protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation. The child was moved to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank. |
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Kafr Qaddoum, Morad Eshteiwy, said the soldiers invaded the town even before the procession started, while sharpshooters and soldiers also invaded homes, and occupied rooftops.
Israeli soldiers shot and injured, Friday, more than ten Palestinians in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and four near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Palestinian family in Bethlehem deliberately targeted with gas bombs fire into their home.
Medical sources in Bethlehem said ten Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets in Bethlehem and the nearby towns of al-Khader and Marah Rabah, while many others suffered severe effects of teargas inhalation.
The Red Crescent Society (RCS) in Bethlehem said at least two Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets near Bilal Bin Rabah mosque, at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, and several others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
In addition, various members of Halabi Palestinian family, in Bethlehem, suffered severe effects of teargas inhalation after the soldiers fired many gas bombs directly into their home.
Linda Halabi told the Palestine News Network (PNN) that the soldiers deliberately and repeatedly fired gas bombs at their home, north of Bethlehem, causing many family members to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Halabi was moved to the Beit Jala governmental hospital after the family voiced an appeal through the PNN after the soldiers started targeting their home; medics provided her family with the needed medical treatment.
The RCS also said that three Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and many others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, during clashes that took place after the soldiers invaded Um Rokba area, south of al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem.
In Marah Rabah area, south of Bethlehem, five Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets; one of them was moved to the Beit Jala Hospital suffering an injury in his abdomen.
In Beit Forik town, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the soldiers shot and injured two Palestinians with live rounds, and at least two others with rubber-coated steel bullets.
Aref Hanani, head of Beit Forik Local Council, said several military vehicles invaded the town, and clashes with dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them. The army fired several live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
It should be noted that these attacks on Palestinian demonstrators in the Bethlehem area took place on the day when Christians from around the world were converging on Bethlehem for the annual Christmas celebration.
Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in separate incidents – one in Gaza, where Israeli troops attacked a number of demonstrations against the Israeli occupation, and one in Silwad, where troops shot a woman who was driving a car too close to them.
Medical sources in Bethlehem said ten Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets in Bethlehem and the nearby towns of al-Khader and Marah Rabah, while many others suffered severe effects of teargas inhalation.
The Red Crescent Society (RCS) in Bethlehem said at least two Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets near Bilal Bin Rabah mosque, at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, and several others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
In addition, various members of Halabi Palestinian family, in Bethlehem, suffered severe effects of teargas inhalation after the soldiers fired many gas bombs directly into their home.
Linda Halabi told the Palestine News Network (PNN) that the soldiers deliberately and repeatedly fired gas bombs at their home, north of Bethlehem, causing many family members to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Halabi was moved to the Beit Jala governmental hospital after the family voiced an appeal through the PNN after the soldiers started targeting their home; medics provided her family with the needed medical treatment.
The RCS also said that three Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and many others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, during clashes that took place after the soldiers invaded Um Rokba area, south of al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem.
In Marah Rabah area, south of Bethlehem, five Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets; one of them was moved to the Beit Jala Hospital suffering an injury in his abdomen.
In Beit Forik town, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the soldiers shot and injured two Palestinians with live rounds, and at least two others with rubber-coated steel bullets.
Aref Hanani, head of Beit Forik Local Council, said several military vehicles invaded the town, and clashes with dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them. The army fired several live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs.
It should be noted that these attacks on Palestinian demonstrators in the Bethlehem area took place on the day when Christians from around the world were converging on Bethlehem for the annual Christmas celebration.
Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in separate incidents – one in Gaza, where Israeli troops attacked a number of demonstrations against the Israeli occupation, and one in Silwad, where troops shot a woman who was driving a car too close to them.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Bil’in, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, has reported, Friday, that Israeli soldiers attacked the weekly nonviolent protest, causing many, including those dressed like Santa, to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The protesters marched from the center of the village, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting against Israel's illegal colonies, the Annexation Wall, the ongoing and escalating crimes against the Palestinian people.
They also chanted for Palestinian unity, liberation, steadfastness, ongoing popular resistance and the release of all political prisoners.
The committee said the soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades at locals, Israeli and international peace activists, just as they reached the Palestinian lands, and chased the protesters in the villagers' olive orchards.
In addition, the committee called on the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli leaders for war crimes against humanity, and for their repeated and escalated violations of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The protesters marched from the center of the village, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting against Israel's illegal colonies, the Annexation Wall, the ongoing and escalating crimes against the Palestinian people.
They also chanted for Palestinian unity, liberation, steadfastness, ongoing popular resistance and the release of all political prisoners.
The committee said the soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades at locals, Israeli and international peace activists, just as they reached the Palestinian lands, and chased the protesters in the villagers' olive orchards.
In addition, the committee called on the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli leaders for war crimes against humanity, and for their repeated and escalated violations of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday night arrested a Palestinian young man from the Gaza Strip after he tried to infiltrate into the 1948 occupied lands.
Local sources said that the IOF arrested the young man near the security fence to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops fired flares as they were combing the eastern areas of central Gaza.
Local sources said that Israeli soldiers stationed at the Kissufim military post, south of Gaza, fired flares over the eastern parts of Deir al-Balah district and the refugee camps of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi, amid intensive drone overflights.
Local sources said that the IOF arrested the young man near the security fence to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops fired flares as they were combing the eastern areas of central Gaza.
Local sources said that Israeli soldiers stationed at the Kissufim military post, south of Gaza, fired flares over the eastern parts of Deir al-Balah district and the refugee camps of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi, amid intensive drone overflights.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested at dawn Friday five Palestinians after storming different areas of the West Bank.
The PIC reporter said that Israeli troops broke into the Old City in al-Khalil since the early morning hours and arrested a young man after storming and violently searching his family house.
Following the Israeli raid, violent clashes broke out in the area where tear gas bombs were heavily used.
Two other youths were detained in Kafer Dik village near Qalqilia while two others were arrested in al-Khalil.
IOF also stormed the injured female prisoner Abla al-Adam’s house in Beit Uwa, west of al-Khalil. Her husband and children were investigated during the raid.
The PIC reporter said that Israeli troops broke into the Old City in al-Khalil since the early morning hours and arrested a young man after storming and violently searching his family house.
Following the Israeli raid, violent clashes broke out in the area where tear gas bombs were heavily used.
Two other youths were detained in Kafer Dik village near Qalqilia while two others were arrested in al-Khalil.
IOF also stormed the injured female prisoner Abla al-Adam’s house in Beit Uwa, west of al-Khalil. Her husband and children were investigated during the raid.
Three Palestinians were injured as clashes continued at dawn Friday in Qalandia refugee camp north of occupied Jerusalem.
Qalandia Information Center said that Israeli occupation forces stormed the refugee camp at dawn today and deployed into its neighborhoods amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
Local youths responded by stoning the invading soldiers.
Three protesters suffered moderate injuries after they were shot in their legs with live rounds during the clashes.
Israeli forces prevented ambulance crews from transferring the injured young men to Ramallah Medical complex.
The Israeli soldiers broke into three slain Palestinians’ homes after they were killed on Thursday for allegedly carrying out attacks.
The homes were violently searched before being turned into military barracks.
Israeli forces took the measurements of the three stormed homes as a prelude to demolish them as part of the Israeli collective punishment policy.
Earlier on Thursday, four Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli fire. Three of the slain Palestinians were shot dead for allegedly carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers.
Qalandia Information Center said that Israeli occupation forces stormed the refugee camp at dawn today and deployed into its neighborhoods amid heavy fire of tear gas bombs.
Local youths responded by stoning the invading soldiers.
Three protesters suffered moderate injuries after they were shot in their legs with live rounds during the clashes.
Israeli forces prevented ambulance crews from transferring the injured young men to Ramallah Medical complex.
The Israeli soldiers broke into three slain Palestinians’ homes after they were killed on Thursday for allegedly carrying out attacks.
The homes were violently searched before being turned into military barracks.
Israeli forces took the measurements of the three stormed homes as a prelude to demolish them as part of the Israeli collective punishment policy.
Earlier on Thursday, four Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli fire. Three of the slain Palestinians were shot dead for allegedly carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers.
Several Palestinian citizens suffered from inhaling tear gas during violent clashes on Thursday evening with Israeli soldiers near Rummanah village, northwest of Jenin city.
Red Crescent official Mahmoud al-Saadi told WAFA news agency that dozens of Rummanah villagers suffocated when soldiers from Salem military camp showered them with tear gas.
Local sources affirmed that the events started when soldiers at the checkpoint of Salem camp acted provocatively against a group of citizens waiting for a prisoner to be released from an Israeli jail.
The sources added that a nearby cultivated plot of land caught fire as a result of the intensive firing of tear gas and stun grenades in the area before a civil defense crew controlled the flames.
Red Crescent official Mahmoud al-Saadi told WAFA news agency that dozens of Rummanah villagers suffocated when soldiers from Salem military camp showered them with tear gas.
Local sources affirmed that the events started when soldiers at the checkpoint of Salem camp acted provocatively against a group of citizens waiting for a prisoner to be released from an Israeli jail.
The sources added that a nearby cultivated plot of land caught fire as a result of the intensive firing of tear gas and stun grenades in the area before a civil defense crew controlled the flames.
24 dec 2015
Violent clashes broke out Thursday afternoon in Yabad town, south of Jenin, after Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched a provocative raid campaign.
The PIC reporter quoted local sources as saying that IOF soldiers stormed the town after closing its main entrance and started questioning the passers-by in a provocative way.
Local youths responded to the Israeli raid by throwing stones and empty bottles at the invading soldiers, the sources added.
Yabad town has been subjected to daily Israeli raids and search campaigns as it is located near the Israeli settlement of Mabo Dotan, built illegally on the town's land.
The PIC reporter quoted local sources as saying that IOF soldiers stormed the town after closing its main entrance and started questioning the passers-by in a provocative way.
Local youths responded to the Israeli raid by throwing stones and empty bottles at the invading soldiers, the sources added.
Yabad town has been subjected to daily Israeli raids and search campaigns as it is located near the Israeli settlement of Mabo Dotan, built illegally on the town's land.
Israeli planes reportedly sprayed agricultural crops along the Gaza border, on Wednesday, with pesticides that have been killing off crops for the third day in a row, the general manager of the plant protection department at the Gaza-based Ministry of Agriculture said.
Wael Thabet said, according to Ma'an, that “several farmers informed the ministry that Israeli planes sprayed their lands with pesticides around the al-Qarrara area, in eastern Khan Younis, and the Wadi al-Salqa area ofeast central Gaza, damaging a large number of crops.”
Saleh al-Najjar, a farmer from al-Qarrara, said he lost some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of spinach and pea crops due to the spraying, which has taken place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. over the past three days.
Another farmer, Wael al-Shami, said he lost crops of parsley and beans which were planted near al-Qarrara in eastern Khan Younis.
Thabet alleged that Israeli forces deliberately spray pesticides periodically on agricultural lands near the Gaza-Israeli border to destroy crops.
Thabet added that the Red Cross made a trip to observe the damaged lands and reportedly estimated that 1500 dunams (371 acres) of land in central Gaza and 200 dunams (50 acres) of land in eastern Khan Younis were damaged according to initial reports.
Thabet demanded that the Red Cross contact Israel and call for it to stop its violations against farmers in Gaza.
Wael Thabet said, according to Ma'an, that “several farmers informed the ministry that Israeli planes sprayed their lands with pesticides around the al-Qarrara area, in eastern Khan Younis, and the Wadi al-Salqa area ofeast central Gaza, damaging a large number of crops.”
Saleh al-Najjar, a farmer from al-Qarrara, said he lost some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of spinach and pea crops due to the spraying, which has taken place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. over the past three days.
Another farmer, Wael al-Shami, said he lost crops of parsley and beans which were planted near al-Qarrara in eastern Khan Younis.
Thabet alleged that Israeli forces deliberately spray pesticides periodically on agricultural lands near the Gaza-Israeli border to destroy crops.
Thabet added that the Red Cross made a trip to observe the damaged lands and reportedly estimated that 1500 dunams (371 acres) of land in central Gaza and 200 dunams (50 acres) of land in eastern Khan Younis were damaged according to initial reports.
Thabet demanded that the Red Cross contact Israel and call for it to stop its violations against farmers in Gaza.
