25 feb 2020
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and U.S. Ambassador David Friedman at the overlook near Ariel
Netanyahu says mapping process will be executed 'quickly as possible', potential Gaza campaign could 'become a war' as a last option
A week before the elections, an Israeli-American mapping team toured the overlook near the West Bank city of Ariel on Monday, before Israel is set to apply its sovereignty on the territory as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the event and gave his blessing to the move.
“The joint mapping process of the Israeli team and the American team is underway here in Ariel. This is a major mission. The area has an 800-kilometer (500-mile) perimeter.
There is serious work, but we will work as quickly as possible to get it done," said Netanyahu. “The mapping is underway in order to allow for the application of Israeli law on these areas and later American recognition as well."
The process will be completed as quickly as possible. We will do this as rapidly as possible; there is no artificial impediment. For the mapping process, one must consider every valley, every section, every nook, and every line; this is serious. We are determining here lines that have historic implications.
Therefore, the work will be done as quickly as possible, and we will not stop for anything.”
Netanyahu then spoke about the recent round of violence with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
“Last night [Sunday], we attacked in both Gaza and Syria. I do not intend to let up. On the way here, I spoke with the security elements. As you can imagine, we will be in action today as well.
Beyond the severe blows that we are inflicting on our enemies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to understand – it will not continue this way. If they do not stop firing completely, and I do not mean for a day or two, but in general, if there will not be a complete halt, we will be obliged to activate the plan for an extensive campaign that we have prepared," said Netanyahu.
“These are not mere words. They contain new and surprising things that were not in Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense or Operation Defensive Shield, and whoever is in the Security Cabinet knows exactly what we are talking about.
The campaign could become a war; it is the last option. I am not rushing to go there. I know the cost our soldiers pay and the families of the fallen. This is the last option, but if there is no choice, we will go there. Woe to Hamas and Islamic Jihad if they reach that day. The choice is theirs. We will do what is necessary in order to restore complete security to the residents of the south.”
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin also lauded the move, citing its historic significance.
"The goal is to draw an accurate and complete map of the area so that Israeli sovereignty could be applied to it," said Levin. "It is definitely a historic and significant moment."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and his senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone, PMO Acting Director General Ronen Peretz and U.S. National Security Council Director for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Scott Leith were also present at the meeting.
Netanyahu says mapping process will be executed 'quickly as possible', potential Gaza campaign could 'become a war' as a last option
A week before the elections, an Israeli-American mapping team toured the overlook near the West Bank city of Ariel on Monday, before Israel is set to apply its sovereignty on the territory as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the event and gave his blessing to the move.
“The joint mapping process of the Israeli team and the American team is underway here in Ariel. This is a major mission. The area has an 800-kilometer (500-mile) perimeter.
There is serious work, but we will work as quickly as possible to get it done," said Netanyahu. “The mapping is underway in order to allow for the application of Israeli law on these areas and later American recognition as well."
The process will be completed as quickly as possible. We will do this as rapidly as possible; there is no artificial impediment. For the mapping process, one must consider every valley, every section, every nook, and every line; this is serious. We are determining here lines that have historic implications.
Therefore, the work will be done as quickly as possible, and we will not stop for anything.”
Netanyahu then spoke about the recent round of violence with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
“Last night [Sunday], we attacked in both Gaza and Syria. I do not intend to let up. On the way here, I spoke with the security elements. As you can imagine, we will be in action today as well.
Beyond the severe blows that we are inflicting on our enemies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to understand – it will not continue this way. If they do not stop firing completely, and I do not mean for a day or two, but in general, if there will not be a complete halt, we will be obliged to activate the plan for an extensive campaign that we have prepared," said Netanyahu.
“These are not mere words. They contain new and surprising things that were not in Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense or Operation Defensive Shield, and whoever is in the Security Cabinet knows exactly what we are talking about.
The campaign could become a war; it is the last option. I am not rushing to go there. I know the cost our soldiers pay and the families of the fallen. This is the last option, but if there is no choice, we will go there. Woe to Hamas and Islamic Jihad if they reach that day. The choice is theirs. We will do what is necessary in order to restore complete security to the residents of the south.”
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin also lauded the move, citing its historic significance.
"The goal is to draw an accurate and complete map of the area so that Israeli sovereignty could be applied to it," said Levin. "It is definitely a historic and significant moment."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and his senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone, PMO Acting Director General Ronen Peretz and U.S. National Security Council Director for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Scott Leith were also present at the meeting.
European Union Representative in Jerusalem Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff said today that a bulldozer dragging the body of a dead Palestinian in Gaza goes counter to all principles of human dignity.
An Israeli army bulldozer was filmed on Sunday dragging the body of a Palestinian shot dead by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border with Israel.
The incident has prompted violent reaction from Palestinians in Gaza who fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel with the latter responding with airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip.
“No one should be witnessing scenes like that one when a military bulldozer drags away a lifeless body. This is something that goes counter to all principles of human dignity and respect,” said von Burgsdorff.
The EU official also called for a de-escalation in the fighting across the Gaza border.
“The EU has consistently reiterated on numerous occasions, that the destructive cycle of violence and counter-violence has to come to an end,” he said. “De-escalation is now imperative, not least to preserve lives of the citizens of Gaza and to relieve their suffering.”
After two days of cross border fighting, Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed last night to a ceasefire.
An Israeli army bulldozer was filmed on Sunday dragging the body of a Palestinian shot dead by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border with Israel.
The incident has prompted violent reaction from Palestinians in Gaza who fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel with the latter responding with airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip.
“No one should be witnessing scenes like that one when a military bulldozer drags away a lifeless body. This is something that goes counter to all principles of human dignity and respect,” said von Burgsdorff.
The EU official also called for a de-escalation in the fighting across the Gaza border.
“The EU has consistently reiterated on numerous occasions, that the destructive cycle of violence and counter-violence has to come to an end,” he said. “De-escalation is now imperative, not least to preserve lives of the citizens of Gaza and to relieve their suffering.”
After two days of cross border fighting, Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed last night to a ceasefire.
Three Palestinian citizens suffered bullet injures and dozens others choked on tear gas when Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled a peaceful protest in the northern Jordan Valley, northeast of the West Bank.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that three protesters were transferred to the hospital after they were wounded by live and rubber bullets fired by the IOF.
Dozens of protesters suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas and were treated in the field, it addd.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF dispersed by force a protest in the northern Jordan Valley condemning the US "peace plan" for the Middle East, known as the "deal of the century", which was announced by the US president Donald Trump in Washington on 28 January 2020.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that three protesters were transferred to the hospital after they were wounded by live and rubber bullets fired by the IOF.
Dozens of protesters suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas and were treated in the field, it addd.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF dispersed by force a protest in the northern Jordan Valley condemning the US "peace plan" for the Middle East, known as the "deal of the century", which was announced by the US president Donald Trump in Washington on 28 January 2020.
An official source from the Islamic Jihad Movement has said that a cautious ceasefire came into effect at 11:30 last night on Monday between the Israeli occupation army and the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.
SAFA news agency quoted the source as saying that “the Movement is committed to the agreement, which was brokered by Egypt and the UN, as long as it is respected by the occupation state.”
In this regard, Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah talked over the phone with head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya and discussed the Israeli military escalation against Gaza, the ceasefire mediation efforts and other developments in the Palestinian arena.
According to a statement released by Islamic Jihad, Haneyya offered his sincere condolences to Nakhalah over the martyrdom of three members of his Movement in Khan Yunis and Damascus.
The Israeli occupation army launched a spate of aerial and artillery attacks on Gaza immediately after the Palestinian resistance responded to its forces’ crime in the east of Khan Yunis, where they savagely killed a Palestinian citizen, used a bulldozer to desecrate his body and injured others on Sunday.
An Israeli overnight air raid on Damascus on the same day also claimed the lives of two Palestinians affiliated with the Islamic Jihad Movement.
Such Israeli crimes provoked the Palestinian resistance to launch dozens of counterattacks on Israeli settlements and military targets.
SAFA news agency quoted the source as saying that “the Movement is committed to the agreement, which was brokered by Egypt and the UN, as long as it is respected by the occupation state.”
In this regard, Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah talked over the phone with head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya and discussed the Israeli military escalation against Gaza, the ceasefire mediation efforts and other developments in the Palestinian arena.
According to a statement released by Islamic Jihad, Haneyya offered his sincere condolences to Nakhalah over the martyrdom of three members of his Movement in Khan Yunis and Damascus.
The Israeli occupation army launched a spate of aerial and artillery attacks on Gaza immediately after the Palestinian resistance responded to its forces’ crime in the east of Khan Yunis, where they savagely killed a Palestinian citizen, used a bulldozer to desecrate his body and injured others on Sunday.
An Israeli overnight air raid on Damascus on the same day also claimed the lives of two Palestinians affiliated with the Islamic Jihad Movement.
Such Israeli crimes provoked the Palestinian resistance to launch dozens of counterattacks on Israeli settlements and military targets.
Two Palestinian citizens on Monday evening suffered rubber bullet injuries when Israeli soldiers attacked the car they were aboard in the west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, two citizens arrived at the Palestine Hospital, suffering from injuries caused by rubber bullets.
One of the victims was injured in his shoulder and the other in his leg, and their conditions were described as stable by the health ministry.
Eyewitnesses said the citizens were injured when soldiers unjustifiably opened fire at a car traveling on a road near Beit Sira town, west of Ramallah.
Following the incident, the IOF stormed Beit Sira town and clashed with local youths.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, two citizens arrived at the Palestine Hospital, suffering from injuries caused by rubber bullets.
One of the victims was injured in his shoulder and the other in his leg, and their conditions were described as stable by the health ministry.
Eyewitnesses said the citizens were injured when soldiers unjustifiably opened fire at a car traveling on a road near Beit Sira town, west of Ramallah.
Following the incident, the IOF stormed Beit Sira town and clashed with local youths.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced, Monday evening, that a number of citizens were injured by the Israeli aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The ministry said in a press statement: “The arrival of 8 different injuries from eastern Gaza to the Al-Shifa Medical Complex due to the Israeli escalation.”
A Shehab correspondent reported that an Israeli missile, fired by the Iron Dome – air defense system, towards Gaza’s rockets, landed in a Palestinian citizen’s home in the Shejaiya area, eastern Gaza Strip.
The ministry said in a press statement: “The arrival of 8 different injuries from eastern Gaza to the Al-Shifa Medical Complex due to the Israeli escalation.”
A Shehab correspondent reported that an Israeli missile, fired by the Iron Dome – air defense system, towards Gaza’s rockets, landed in a Palestinian citizen’s home in the Shejaiya area, eastern Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian citizen was injured, Monday evening, in an airstrike by Israeli occupation planes targeting his motorbike, east of Gaza City.
WAFA correspondent, quoting medical sources, stated that the occupation planes targeted, with at least one missile, a motorcycle on Salah El-Din Street, east of the city, which resulted in one injured Palestinian civilian.
Tensions have been running high in the besieged Gaza Strip since Sunday, when Israeli forces killed a Palestinian resistance member and desecrated the slain man’s body, also injuring several Palestinians that were attempting to rescue the body.
WAFA correspondent, quoting medical sources, stated that the occupation planes targeted, with at least one missile, a motorcycle on Salah El-Din Street, east of the city, which resulted in one injured Palestinian civilian.
Tensions have been running high in the besieged Gaza Strip since Sunday, when Israeli forces killed a Palestinian resistance member and desecrated the slain man’s body, also injuring several Palestinians that were attempting to rescue the body.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday, ordered the army to continue airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.
In a written statement on social media, Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision to persist with the bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, after speaking with several Israeli officials, including the head of the Shin Bet security agency, defense minister, Naftali Bennett, and the head of National Security.
Earlier Monday the Israeli army said warplanes targeted a post of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement in the northern part of the Strip. Palestinian officials said there were no casualties or injuries from the Israeli attacks. video
At noon, 14 rockets were allegedly fired from Gaza toward Israel, 12 of them were purportedly destroyed by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, no reports of any injuries were reported at the time of reporting.
This flare up of violence between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance group began on Sunday when Israeli forces killed Mohammad Ali Hasan an-Na’em, 27, a member of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.
The Israeli human rights group Adalah said the army committed a war crime in its actions dealing with the deceased Palestinian, with no respect for the sanctity of death.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) also condemned the army’s dispicable actions.
In a written statement on social media, Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision to persist with the bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, after speaking with several Israeli officials, including the head of the Shin Bet security agency, defense minister, Naftali Bennett, and the head of National Security.
Earlier Monday the Israeli army said warplanes targeted a post of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement in the northern part of the Strip. Palestinian officials said there were no casualties or injuries from the Israeli attacks. video
At noon, 14 rockets were allegedly fired from Gaza toward Israel, 12 of them were purportedly destroyed by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, no reports of any injuries were reported at the time of reporting.
This flare up of violence between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance group began on Sunday when Israeli forces killed Mohammad Ali Hasan an-Na’em, 27, a member of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.
The Israeli human rights group Adalah said the army committed a war crime in its actions dealing with the deceased Palestinian, with no respect for the sanctity of death.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) also condemned the army’s dispicable actions.
24 feb 2020
A number of locations in the northern and southern Gaza Strip were shelled by Israeli artillery today evening without any reported injuries, said sources.
Israeli tanks stationed along the borderline fence to the east of the Strip fired several missiles targeting a location to the northwest of Beit Lahiya town, in the northern Gaza Strip, and another to the east of the town of Khaza’a, east of Khan Younis in the southern Strip.
Israeli warplanes are seen shelling sites and agricultural lands in the northern and southern Strip from time to time.
Four Palestinians were injured last night in Israeli airstrikes on several sites in the Gaza Strip, reported WAFA correspondent, and six people, including Palestinians, were killed in an Israeli strike on Syria.
Israel Resumes Airstrikes and Shelling of Gaza Strip
Shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a security meeting in Tel Aviv, on Monday, Israeli warplanes resumed its airstrikes against targets in the besieged Gaza Strip, Days of Palestine reports.
The following is a complete breakdown of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
2:55 PM: Israeli warplanes attacked a Palestinian post belonging to the resistance in the city of Rafah. southern Gaza Strip.
4:50 PM: An Israeli drone targeted a group of citizens in the northern Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, no injuries have been reported so far.
5:05 PM: Israeli warplanes targeted a Palestinian post in the northern of the Gaza Strip.
5:12 PM: Israeli artillery targeted a Palestinian post in the city of Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip.
5:19 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the northeastern areas of Rafah Governorate.
5:25 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the eastern Gaza Strip and towards Beit Lahia city, northern Gaza Strip.
5:39 PM: Israeli artillery renews shelling towards eastern border areas of the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, and the power is cut in the area.
5:48 PM: Heavy Israeli airstrikes north of Gaza city.
5:50 PM: At least one Palestinian man is targeted by Israeli tanks in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Palestinian resistance fired rockets toward Israel in retribution for the murder and sadistic treatment of the slain man, Israel responding with airstrikes.
Israeli tanks stationed along the borderline fence to the east of the Strip fired several missiles targeting a location to the northwest of Beit Lahiya town, in the northern Gaza Strip, and another to the east of the town of Khaza’a, east of Khan Younis in the southern Strip.
Israeli warplanes are seen shelling sites and agricultural lands in the northern and southern Strip from time to time.
Four Palestinians were injured last night in Israeli airstrikes on several sites in the Gaza Strip, reported WAFA correspondent, and six people, including Palestinians, were killed in an Israeli strike on Syria.
Israel Resumes Airstrikes and Shelling of Gaza Strip
Shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a security meeting in Tel Aviv, on Monday, Israeli warplanes resumed its airstrikes against targets in the besieged Gaza Strip, Days of Palestine reports.
The following is a complete breakdown of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
2:55 PM: Israeli warplanes attacked a Palestinian post belonging to the resistance in the city of Rafah. southern Gaza Strip.
4:50 PM: An Israeli drone targeted a group of citizens in the northern Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, no injuries have been reported so far.
5:05 PM: Israeli warplanes targeted a Palestinian post in the northern of the Gaza Strip.
5:12 PM: Israeli artillery targeted a Palestinian post in the city of Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip.
5:19 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the northeastern areas of Rafah Governorate.
5:25 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the eastern Gaza Strip and towards Beit Lahia city, northern Gaza Strip.
5:39 PM: Israeli artillery renews shelling towards eastern border areas of the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, and the power is cut in the area.
5:48 PM: Heavy Israeli airstrikes north of Gaza city.
5:50 PM: At least one Palestinian man is targeted by Israeli tanks in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Palestinian resistance fired rockets toward Israel in retribution for the murder and sadistic treatment of the slain man, Israel responding with airstrikes.
Shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has concluded a security meeting in Tel Aviv today, Israeli warplanes resumed this afternoon airstrikes against targets in the besieged Gaza Strip causing damage but no injuries.
WAFA correspondent in Gaza said a drone and jetfighters bombed several locations in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. video
There were no immediate reports of injuries even though heavy damage to the locations was reported.
The renewed attacks came on the heels of late last night and early this morning attacks on the Gaza Strip following the Israeli army killing yesterday of a Palestinian in Khan Yunis and mutilating his body with a bulldozer, which provoked rocket attacks by armed groups based in Gaza.
WAFA correspondent in Gaza said a drone and jetfighters bombed several locations in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. video
There were no immediate reports of injuries even though heavy damage to the locations was reported.
The renewed attacks came on the heels of late last night and early this morning attacks on the Gaza Strip following the Israeli army killing yesterday of a Palestinian in Khan Yunis and mutilating his body with a bulldozer, which provoked rocket attacks by armed groups based in Gaza.
Palestinian resistance fighters exchanged fire, on Monday at dawn, with Israeli soldiers who invaded Qabatia town, south of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Media sources said the fighters fired bursts of live ammunition at Israeli military vehicles invading the town, and that the soldiers fired a barrage of bullets at the sources of the fire.
They added that fighters were firing at the invading army vehicles from several directions and that the exchange of fire lasted for an extended time. video video
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also invaded and ransacked homes, before abducting a young man, identified as Mustafa As’ad Abu ar-Rob, before withdrawing from the town.
Media sources said the fighters fired bursts of live ammunition at Israeli military vehicles invading the town, and that the soldiers fired a barrage of bullets at the sources of the fire.
They added that fighters were firing at the invading army vehicles from several directions and that the exchange of fire lasted for an extended time. video video
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also invaded and ransacked homes, before abducting a young man, identified as Mustafa As’ad Abu ar-Rob, before withdrawing from the town.
Saraya Al Quds, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, on Sunday, in retaliation for the Israeli crime of murdering and mutilating Palestinian Muhammad Na’em in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Quds News Network (QNN) reports. video video
Late Sunday, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinians, according to an army statement, striking north-west of Beit Lahia in the northern besieged Gaza Strip, with four rockets and a reconnaissance missile. video
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that four Palestinians were injured by the airstrikes and were evacuated to Ash Shifa hospital in Gaza, no further information was known at the time of reporting.
Late Sunday, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinians, according to an army statement, striking north-west of Beit Lahia in the northern besieged Gaza Strip, with four rockets and a reconnaissance missile. video
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that four Palestinians were injured by the airstrikes and were evacuated to Ash Shifa hospital in Gaza, no further information was known at the time of reporting.
