20 jan 2015
The bullet hole in the Red Crescent building
The soldiers surrounding Ni’lin did not wait; they began firing tear gas as soon as the villagers walked down into their olive groves. Those who had braved the cold, rainy weather to attend Ni’lin’s weekly Friday demonstration were forced to retreat, running choking from the clouds of tear gas launched at them from the hillsides.
From the road overlooking Ni’lin’s fields, the tear gas looked like a layer of fog blanketing the olive groves.
“They were either straight at us or at the ambulance,” said one ISM activist as the group moved away from a tear gas canister which had landed directly behind them, on the street bordering the olive groves behind and to the side of the protest. The soldiers fired indiscriminately, launching dozens of tear gas rounds at unarmed protesters and activists attempting to film the incident.
Ni’lin residents, from the Palestinian paramedics to young boys participating in the demonstration, have been forced to grow accustomed to running, to tear gas, to the violence of the Israeli zionist forces enforcing the occupation of their land. The Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists present agreed that last week’s protest was comparatively quiet. This one week, unlike many other weeks at Ni’lin, no one was shot, no one needed to go to the hospital, and no one was arrested. Over the last few weeks, however, the village has endured a campaign of violence and arrests by Israeli forces, who engage in night raids to terrorise the Palestinian families of Ni’lin.
Saeed Amireh, Ni’lin activist, and long-time spokesperson for the plight of his village, spoke with ISM volunteers about the recent situation. Ten people were arrested in Ni’lin in the last two weeks alone, he reported, in night raids occurring nearly every other day. Twenty-five have been arrested since November 4th.
Saeed explained that under interrogation by Israeli forces in Muskubiya (the Russian Compound) prison in Jerusalem, a prisoner from Ni’lin had signed a paper implicating thirty-six people in the village. Those names now comprise a list of people wanted by the Israeli authorities – people who, if they have not already been arrested, must live in constant fear of being taken from their homes and subjected to the harsh procedures of Israel’s apartheid justice system.
Saeed spoke of the conditions suffered by Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces and taken to Israeli prisons: months of solitary confinement inside tiny cells, torture, harsh treatment from other prisoners and entrapment by Israeli spies within the prisons. All are strategies employed by interrogators attempting to trap people into admitting to things they never did. In attempts to finally be released, prisoners will often sign lists of names of other villagers, who the Israeli military will then arrest and subject to the same treatment. Over forty people from the village are currently imprisoned.
One ISM volunteer asked what people did to be put on a list of those wanted by Israeli authorities. “They go and join in the protests” Saeed replied. Even if a Palestinian is doing nothing at all violent, he explained, “They accuse you of joining illegal protests.” In yet another absurdity of the occupation, The Israelis authorities order the village to take permits from them in order to be allowed to protest against the illegal confiscation of their land.
In the night arrest raids, Israeli forces not only surround and invade houses, leaving messes of Palestinians’ personal possessions and furniture behind; they have also begun to shoot inside the village. Saeed spoke of how “Last week, the soldiers came and shot live ammunition.” He explained that people sometimes run away from their houses, fleeing arrest when the soldiers come to surround them. Israeli forces fired live ammunition at one man as he ran away from his home at night.
“When people are asleep, they come at night and start shooting tear gas, and make people suffocate.” Saeed described how the Israeli military have been entering the village with a machine that dispenses large quantities of tear gas when mounted on a military vehicle. “I don’t know how many,” he said, “It makes like a cloud on the ground. They shoot it at all houses.”
Saeed’s family live on the far south-east side of the village, beside the olive groves. These homes are the first in the line of fire for Israeli military incursions. His uncle’s house was burned, and his neighbours also suffered from the tear gas inside their home. “The neighbor’s house, they have a young baby,” Saeed told the ISM volunteers, “A one year old baby, who was suffocating . . . and they were thinking he was going to die, because tear gas entered inside the house.”
The baby had to be taken to the hospital; Palestinians injured with rubber bullets in the last few demonstrations have also had to travel to the hospital to be treated. Medical care in the village is sadly insufficient for the amount of violence its people routinely face, Saeed reported. There is not enough medical equipment, which means not enough volunteers can work alongside the two paramedics employed in the ambulance station. Nor have medical facilities been spared in previous army incursions.
A volunteer with the Red Crescent ambulances recalled the 2013 Israeli military attack which left a bullet hole in the ambulance station’s window and a scar in the ceiling of a fourth floor room above the street. The Israeli forces had aimed their fire at the building despite the fact that the people there were clearly medical professionals, and unarmed. “They don’t care,” the volunteer explained simply.
When someone is active in demonstrations, in expressing resistance, Israeli soldiers shoot to incapacitate them, explained one of the Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics. He himself had to undergo a year of physical therapy after Israeli forces shot him in the leg. Resistance is a long and proud tradition in Ni’lin, which participated in both the first and second Intifadas, as well as playing a major role in the more recent Palestinian popular nonviolent resistance against the Israeli Apartheid wall. He said the latest Israeli military incursions are an attempt to demoralise and divide people in the village, to keep them from resisting.
The village has already endured a high toll from participating in nonviolent popular resistance against annexation of their land by the Apartheid wall and by the five Israeli Zionist settlements surrounding Ni’lin. Five people were killed between 2008 and 2009, and many more have been injured and permanently disabled by Israeli military violence. Though both the wall and the settlements are illegal under international law, it is the people of Ni’lin whose homes are assaulted and whose expressions of their legal right to protest are criminalized.
Saeed reported that the weekly demonstrations have recently been subjected to more brutality. In the last months he has seen little international and no media presence in Ni’lin, giving the army free reign to come closer to the village (often into the village itself) and use more violence against the nonviolent protesters. Israeli forces have spared no one in their campaign of repression. One Palestinian journalist, who endured both the rain and the tear gas in order to document last Friday’s action, spoke of his experience filming soldiers at a previous demonstration. A soldier had threatened him, he recalled, saying that if he did not stop filming, “I will break your hand, and I will break your camera.”
Saeed spoke of the occupation’s enormous social and economic toll. “You can’t plan anything,” he told the ISM activists, as they stood with him watching the Israeli soldiers shoot round after round of tear gas into Ni’lin’s olive trees. Studying, exams, work, family life – all are tremendously impacted by the occupation.
Saeed’s brother is engaged to be married, but his future, like that of all those attempting to continue with their lives in Ni’lin, is uncertain. Saeed’s brother is on the list of people currently targeted by Israeli authorities. “He is going to get married in two weeks, if he is not arrested.”
The soldiers surrounding Ni’lin did not wait; they began firing tear gas as soon as the villagers walked down into their olive groves. Those who had braved the cold, rainy weather to attend Ni’lin’s weekly Friday demonstration were forced to retreat, running choking from the clouds of tear gas launched at them from the hillsides.
From the road overlooking Ni’lin’s fields, the tear gas looked like a layer of fog blanketing the olive groves.
“They were either straight at us or at the ambulance,” said one ISM activist as the group moved away from a tear gas canister which had landed directly behind them, on the street bordering the olive groves behind and to the side of the protest. The soldiers fired indiscriminately, launching dozens of tear gas rounds at unarmed protesters and activists attempting to film the incident.
Ni’lin residents, from the Palestinian paramedics to young boys participating in the demonstration, have been forced to grow accustomed to running, to tear gas, to the violence of the Israeli zionist forces enforcing the occupation of their land. The Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists present agreed that last week’s protest was comparatively quiet. This one week, unlike many other weeks at Ni’lin, no one was shot, no one needed to go to the hospital, and no one was arrested. Over the last few weeks, however, the village has endured a campaign of violence and arrests by Israeli forces, who engage in night raids to terrorise the Palestinian families of Ni’lin.
Saeed Amireh, Ni’lin activist, and long-time spokesperson for the plight of his village, spoke with ISM volunteers about the recent situation. Ten people were arrested in Ni’lin in the last two weeks alone, he reported, in night raids occurring nearly every other day. Twenty-five have been arrested since November 4th.
Saeed explained that under interrogation by Israeli forces in Muskubiya (the Russian Compound) prison in Jerusalem, a prisoner from Ni’lin had signed a paper implicating thirty-six people in the village. Those names now comprise a list of people wanted by the Israeli authorities – people who, if they have not already been arrested, must live in constant fear of being taken from their homes and subjected to the harsh procedures of Israel’s apartheid justice system.
Saeed spoke of the conditions suffered by Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces and taken to Israeli prisons: months of solitary confinement inside tiny cells, torture, harsh treatment from other prisoners and entrapment by Israeli spies within the prisons. All are strategies employed by interrogators attempting to trap people into admitting to things they never did. In attempts to finally be released, prisoners will often sign lists of names of other villagers, who the Israeli military will then arrest and subject to the same treatment. Over forty people from the village are currently imprisoned.
One ISM volunteer asked what people did to be put on a list of those wanted by Israeli authorities. “They go and join in the protests” Saeed replied. Even if a Palestinian is doing nothing at all violent, he explained, “They accuse you of joining illegal protests.” In yet another absurdity of the occupation, The Israelis authorities order the village to take permits from them in order to be allowed to protest against the illegal confiscation of their land.
In the night arrest raids, Israeli forces not only surround and invade houses, leaving messes of Palestinians’ personal possessions and furniture behind; they have also begun to shoot inside the village. Saeed spoke of how “Last week, the soldiers came and shot live ammunition.” He explained that people sometimes run away from their houses, fleeing arrest when the soldiers come to surround them. Israeli forces fired live ammunition at one man as he ran away from his home at night.
“When people are asleep, they come at night and start shooting tear gas, and make people suffocate.” Saeed described how the Israeli military have been entering the village with a machine that dispenses large quantities of tear gas when mounted on a military vehicle. “I don’t know how many,” he said, “It makes like a cloud on the ground. They shoot it at all houses.”
Saeed’s family live on the far south-east side of the village, beside the olive groves. These homes are the first in the line of fire for Israeli military incursions. His uncle’s house was burned, and his neighbours also suffered from the tear gas inside their home. “The neighbor’s house, they have a young baby,” Saeed told the ISM volunteers, “A one year old baby, who was suffocating . . . and they were thinking he was going to die, because tear gas entered inside the house.”
The baby had to be taken to the hospital; Palestinians injured with rubber bullets in the last few demonstrations have also had to travel to the hospital to be treated. Medical care in the village is sadly insufficient for the amount of violence its people routinely face, Saeed reported. There is not enough medical equipment, which means not enough volunteers can work alongside the two paramedics employed in the ambulance station. Nor have medical facilities been spared in previous army incursions.
A volunteer with the Red Crescent ambulances recalled the 2013 Israeli military attack which left a bullet hole in the ambulance station’s window and a scar in the ceiling of a fourth floor room above the street. The Israeli forces had aimed their fire at the building despite the fact that the people there were clearly medical professionals, and unarmed. “They don’t care,” the volunteer explained simply.
When someone is active in demonstrations, in expressing resistance, Israeli soldiers shoot to incapacitate them, explained one of the Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics. He himself had to undergo a year of physical therapy after Israeli forces shot him in the leg. Resistance is a long and proud tradition in Ni’lin, which participated in both the first and second Intifadas, as well as playing a major role in the more recent Palestinian popular nonviolent resistance against the Israeli Apartheid wall. He said the latest Israeli military incursions are an attempt to demoralise and divide people in the village, to keep them from resisting.
The village has already endured a high toll from participating in nonviolent popular resistance against annexation of their land by the Apartheid wall and by the five Israeli Zionist settlements surrounding Ni’lin. Five people were killed between 2008 and 2009, and many more have been injured and permanently disabled by Israeli military violence. Though both the wall and the settlements are illegal under international law, it is the people of Ni’lin whose homes are assaulted and whose expressions of their legal right to protest are criminalized.
Saeed reported that the weekly demonstrations have recently been subjected to more brutality. In the last months he has seen little international and no media presence in Ni’lin, giving the army free reign to come closer to the village (often into the village itself) and use more violence against the nonviolent protesters. Israeli forces have spared no one in their campaign of repression. One Palestinian journalist, who endured both the rain and the tear gas in order to document last Friday’s action, spoke of his experience filming soldiers at a previous demonstration. A soldier had threatened him, he recalled, saying that if he did not stop filming, “I will break your hand, and I will break your camera.”
Saeed spoke of the occupation’s enormous social and economic toll. “You can’t plan anything,” he told the ISM activists, as they stood with him watching the Israeli soldiers shoot round after round of tear gas into Ni’lin’s olive trees. Studying, exams, work, family life – all are tremendously impacted by the occupation.
Saeed’s brother is engaged to be married, but his future, like that of all those attempting to continue with their lives in Ni’lin, is uncertain. Saeed’s brother is on the list of people currently targeted by Israeli authorities. “He is going to get married in two weeks, if he is not arrested.”
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday ordered the Palestinian residents in Khirbet Ibziq hamlet in the northern Jordan Valley to evacuate their homes.
Locals said that the IOF demanded all residents of the hamlet to leave their homes before six o'clock on Tuesday morning at the pretext of conducting military drills in the area.
In addition to its systematic displacement of the Jordan Valley natives, the Israeli army deliberately leaves behind unexploded devices and mines each time it conducts military drills in the Jordan Valley, which endangers their lives.
Locals said that the IOF demanded all residents of the hamlet to leave their homes before six o'clock on Tuesday morning at the pretext of conducting military drills in the area.
In addition to its systematic displacement of the Jordan Valley natives, the Israeli army deliberately leaves behind unexploded devices and mines each time it conducts military drills in the Jordan Valley, which endangers their lives.
Gunboats of the Israeli navy opened fire at Gaza fishermen off the coast in northwestern Gaza City overnight Monday.
Witnesses who live in al-Sudaniyya neighborhood told Ma’an they heard four blasts off the coast.
They added that the blasts were Israeli shells fired at Gaza fishermen.
No casualties have been reported.
Israeli Navy Continues Attacks on Gaza Fishermen, Missiles Fired
Israeli gunboats, on Tuesday, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats offshore al-Sudaniyya area, northwest of the city of Gaza, in a continued breach of a truce agreement reached on August 29, 2014, according to one of the fishermen.
A fisherman notified WAFA correspondence that gunboats opened fire at the fishermen, despite the fact that they were sailing within the six-nautical-mile zone allowed for fishing, and forcing them to leave the sea for fear of being killed or injured.
Meanwhile, Israeli gunboats fired on Monday night four missiles targeting fishermen in the same area, causing damage to the boats. Light injuries were reported.
Witnesses who live in al-Sudaniyya neighborhood told Ma’an News Agency that they heard four blasts off the coast, adding that the blasts were Israeli shells fired at Gaza fishermen.
The Israeli navy targets fishermen and their boats almost on daily basis, in a clear breach of the Egyptian brokered truce agreement reached on August 29, 2014, following the bloody summer-long aggression on the Gaza Strip which claimed the lives of more than 2,200 Palestinians (predominantly coming from the civilian population), including children and women, in addition to almost 10,000 injuries.
OXFAM reported on the fishing industry and fishermen saying, “With most of the fish at least nine miles out at sea, they have already been struggling to make a living and now 90 percent of them need international aid.”
During the Egypt-brokered ceasefire indirect talks, Israel agreed to extend the fishing zone to six nautical miles, a term that was stipulated under the 2012 ceasefire agreement, but was rescinded by Israel just a few months later.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen under 1993 Oslo Accords.
These restrictions prevent access to large farming and fishing areas and their enforcement places civilians at serious physical risk. Methods of enforcement include the use of live ammunition, detention and harassment of fishermen, leveling of farm land, destruction of private and public property, and confiscation of fishing boats.
Witnesses who live in al-Sudaniyya neighborhood told Ma’an they heard four blasts off the coast.
They added that the blasts were Israeli shells fired at Gaza fishermen.
No casualties have been reported.
Israeli Navy Continues Attacks on Gaza Fishermen, Missiles Fired
Israeli gunboats, on Tuesday, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats offshore al-Sudaniyya area, northwest of the city of Gaza, in a continued breach of a truce agreement reached on August 29, 2014, according to one of the fishermen.
A fisherman notified WAFA correspondence that gunboats opened fire at the fishermen, despite the fact that they were sailing within the six-nautical-mile zone allowed for fishing, and forcing them to leave the sea for fear of being killed or injured.
Meanwhile, Israeli gunboats fired on Monday night four missiles targeting fishermen in the same area, causing damage to the boats. Light injuries were reported.
Witnesses who live in al-Sudaniyya neighborhood told Ma’an News Agency that they heard four blasts off the coast, adding that the blasts were Israeli shells fired at Gaza fishermen.
The Israeli navy targets fishermen and their boats almost on daily basis, in a clear breach of the Egyptian brokered truce agreement reached on August 29, 2014, following the bloody summer-long aggression on the Gaza Strip which claimed the lives of more than 2,200 Palestinians (predominantly coming from the civilian population), including children and women, in addition to almost 10,000 injuries.
OXFAM reported on the fishing industry and fishermen saying, “With most of the fish at least nine miles out at sea, they have already been struggling to make a living and now 90 percent of them need international aid.”
During the Egypt-brokered ceasefire indirect talks, Israel agreed to extend the fishing zone to six nautical miles, a term that was stipulated under the 2012 ceasefire agreement, but was rescinded by Israel just a few months later.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen under 1993 Oslo Accords.
These restrictions prevent access to large farming and fishing areas and their enforcement places civilians at serious physical risk. Methods of enforcement include the use of live ammunition, detention and harassment of fishermen, leveling of farm land, destruction of private and public property, and confiscation of fishing boats.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday at night and Tuesday at dawn, at least thirteen Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, including two children who were kidnapped along with four other Palestinian in Hebron.
Local sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, have reported that the soldiers invaded the city, stormed and searched several homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians identified as Ahmad Abu Shamsiyya, 24, Mohammad Yousef Rajabi, and Bara’ Mohammad al-Fakhoury, 16.
The soldiers also invaded the al-'Arroub refugee camp, in Hebron, kidnapped Wadea’ Salama al-Jondi, 15, and assaulted his brothers Islam, 13, and Jihad, 17, causing various cuts and bruises.
Another Palestinian, identified as Shehda Walid ‘Amro, 27, was kidnapped in Sinjer area, in Doura nearby town.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, said the soldiers kidnapped Mahdi Ali Ekhlayyel, 21 years of age, after invading his home and ransacking it property.
The soldiers also invaded the home of detainee Ahmad Khader Abu Hashem, for the second time this week, and searched the property while military dogs ravaged through the furniture.
The invasion led to clashes in different parts of the town, while the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs; many residents received treatment or the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers invaded various neighborhoods in Hebron city, the Shiokh town, and installed roadblocks on the main entrances of Hebron city, Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, stopped and searched dozens of cars and interrogated the residents while inspecting their ID cards.
In occupied Jerusalem, soldiers invaded the al-‘Eesawiyya town during morning hours, Tuesday, and kidnapped a young Palestinian, identified as Ahmad Zomorrod, after beating and kicking him causing various cuts and bruises to his head, face and several other parts of his body.
Also in Jerusalem, soldiers kidnapped on Monday, three Palestinians identified as Abdullah Abu Kaff, Mohammad ‘Amira and Ahmad ‘Amira, in Sur Baher town.
They also invaded al-“Eesawiyya town and installed a roadblock blocking its western entrance.
In Bethlehem, soldiers invaded the ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the city, and handed a young man, identified as Ra’fat Mallash, an order for interrogation in the Etzion military base, south of Bethlehem.
They also invaded and ransacked the homes of Ibrahim Abu Jouda, and ‘Emad ‘Ayyad, and violently searched their homes.
On Monday at night, several military vehicles invaded the Nour Shams refugee camp, in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Hazem ‘Ali Abu Dayya, 23, after breaking into his home and searching it.
The soldiers also invaded Jaba’ village, in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Mohammad Yousef Salatma, 22 years of age.
Local sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, have reported that the soldiers invaded the city, stormed and searched several homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians identified as Ahmad Abu Shamsiyya, 24, Mohammad Yousef Rajabi, and Bara’ Mohammad al-Fakhoury, 16.
The soldiers also invaded the al-'Arroub refugee camp, in Hebron, kidnapped Wadea’ Salama al-Jondi, 15, and assaulted his brothers Islam, 13, and Jihad, 17, causing various cuts and bruises.
Another Palestinian, identified as Shehda Walid ‘Amro, 27, was kidnapped in Sinjer area, in Doura nearby town.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, said the soldiers kidnapped Mahdi Ali Ekhlayyel, 21 years of age, after invading his home and ransacking it property.
The soldiers also invaded the home of detainee Ahmad Khader Abu Hashem, for the second time this week, and searched the property while military dogs ravaged through the furniture.
The invasion led to clashes in different parts of the town, while the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs; many residents received treatment or the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, soldiers invaded various neighborhoods in Hebron city, the Shiokh town, and installed roadblocks on the main entrances of Hebron city, Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, stopped and searched dozens of cars and interrogated the residents while inspecting their ID cards.
In occupied Jerusalem, soldiers invaded the al-‘Eesawiyya town during morning hours, Tuesday, and kidnapped a young Palestinian, identified as Ahmad Zomorrod, after beating and kicking him causing various cuts and bruises to his head, face and several other parts of his body.
Also in Jerusalem, soldiers kidnapped on Monday, three Palestinians identified as Abdullah Abu Kaff, Mohammad ‘Amira and Ahmad ‘Amira, in Sur Baher town.
They also invaded al-“Eesawiyya town and installed a roadblock blocking its western entrance.
In Bethlehem, soldiers invaded the ‘Aida refugee camp, north of the city, and handed a young man, identified as Ra’fat Mallash, an order for interrogation in the Etzion military base, south of Bethlehem.
They also invaded and ransacked the homes of Ibrahim Abu Jouda, and ‘Emad ‘Ayyad, and violently searched their homes.
On Monday at night, several military vehicles invaded the Nour Shams refugee camp, in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Hazem ‘Ali Abu Dayya, 23, after breaking into his home and searching it.
The soldiers also invaded Jaba’ village, in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, and kidnapped one Palestinian identified as Mohammad Yousef Salatma, 22 years of age.
The Israeli police said that five of its men suffered injuries and six Palestinians were arrested during the clashes that broke out Monday evening in al-Rahat city, north of the Negev region.
According to Maariv newspaper, the clashes started following the funeral of Sami Zayadna, who had died from inhaling tear gas.
For its part, the Arabs 48 website said that hundreds of Rahat young men, angry over the killing of two of their compatriots, rallied following the funeral at the entrance to the city near an Israeli police station, and blocked the main road there with burning tires, rocks and garbage containers.
Then, the Israeli police sent reinforcements to the area, where they intensively used tear gas and stun grenades to suppress the angry protesters.
Earlier on Monday, scores of Palestinians in Rahat marched in the funeral procession of 47-year-old Sami Zayadna, who had died of tear gas suffocation during a violent police attack on the funeral of another slain Palestinian from the city.
The killing of these two Palestinians in Rahat city at the hands of Israeli policemen has caused growing unrest and anger among the natives.
The higher follow-up committee for Arab citizens decided, during an emergency meeting yesterday, to stage a general strike and a march on Tuesday in the city in protest at the Israeli police crimes.
According to Maariv newspaper, the clashes started following the funeral of Sami Zayadna, who had died from inhaling tear gas.
For its part, the Arabs 48 website said that hundreds of Rahat young men, angry over the killing of two of their compatriots, rallied following the funeral at the entrance to the city near an Israeli police station, and blocked the main road there with burning tires, rocks and garbage containers.
Then, the Israeli police sent reinforcements to the area, where they intensively used tear gas and stun grenades to suppress the angry protesters.
Earlier on Monday, scores of Palestinians in Rahat marched in the funeral procession of 47-year-old Sami Zayadna, who had died of tear gas suffocation during a violent police attack on the funeral of another slain Palestinian from the city.
The killing of these two Palestinians in Rahat city at the hands of Israeli policemen has caused growing unrest and anger among the natives.
The higher follow-up committee for Arab citizens decided, during an emergency meeting yesterday, to stage a general strike and a march on Tuesday in the city in protest at the Israeli police crimes.
Two Palestinian youngsters sustained wounds and one of them was kidnapped Monday evening in a raid launched by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil.
A PIC news reporter quoted local sources as stating that the IOF troops heavily beat up the Palestinian brothers Islam and Wadi’ al-Jundi, from the Aroub refugee camp to the north of al-Khalil city.
Islam was rushed to the hospital so as to be urgently treated for the wounds inflicted in the assault while his wounded brother Wadi’ was kidnapped by the IOF and dragged to an unidentified destination.
The attack culminated in the abduction of the Palestinian boy Baraa al-Fakhouri from al-Khalil’s Old City.
Meanwhile, a series of flying checkpoints has been pitched by the IOF patrols at the southern and northern entrances to al-Khalil city, where Palestinian IDs and vehicles have been provocatively inspected.
A round of clashes flared up in Al-Dhuhr neighborhood, in al-Khalil’s town of Beit Ummar, near the Israeli illegal Karmi Tsur settlement.
Heavy volleys of tear gas grenades and rubber bullets have been randomly discharged by the Israeli occupation soldiers in the process.
A PIC news reporter quoted local sources as stating that the IOF troops heavily beat up the Palestinian brothers Islam and Wadi’ al-Jundi, from the Aroub refugee camp to the north of al-Khalil city.
Islam was rushed to the hospital so as to be urgently treated for the wounds inflicted in the assault while his wounded brother Wadi’ was kidnapped by the IOF and dragged to an unidentified destination.
The attack culminated in the abduction of the Palestinian boy Baraa al-Fakhouri from al-Khalil’s Old City.
Meanwhile, a series of flying checkpoints has been pitched by the IOF patrols at the southern and northern entrances to al-Khalil city, where Palestinian IDs and vehicles have been provocatively inspected.
A round of clashes flared up in Al-Dhuhr neighborhood, in al-Khalil’s town of Beit Ummar, near the Israeli illegal Karmi Tsur settlement.
Heavy volleys of tear gas grenades and rubber bullets have been randomly discharged by the Israeli occupation soldiers in the process.
19 jan 2015
At least two Palestinian youths were kidnapped Sunday evening in a raid launched by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
The IOF rounded up the Palestinian youth Saber Samara and dragged him to an unknown location, moments after they stormed his family home in Beit Amrein village and scoured it, by-standers at the scene told the PIC.
The IOF troops further moved into eastern Nablus and cordoned off the al-Jabarini’s family home shortly before they broke into the building and ravaged it.
The attack culminated in the abduction of an unidentified Palestinian at the hands of the Israeli occupation soldiers who suddenly pushed their way into the Faraa refugee camp, to the east of Nablus.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians sustained critical breathing disorders and gas injuries during a wave of clashes rocking al-Khalil’s town of Beit Ummar.
According to Mohamed Awad, coordinator for the Popular Committee against Settlement in Beit Ummar, the Israeli occupation patrols raided Beit Dhuhr neighborhood, in the village, and climbed over the rooftops of Mohamed Bahr’s house.
Heavy volleys of tear gas canisters were randomly discharged by the invading IOF squads in the process, leading to a number of suffocation cases among the Palestinian civilians, who reportedly responded by hurling stones at the Israeli invading troops.
The IOF rounded up the Palestinian youth Saber Samara and dragged him to an unknown location, moments after they stormed his family home in Beit Amrein village and scoured it, by-standers at the scene told the PIC.
The IOF troops further moved into eastern Nablus and cordoned off the al-Jabarini’s family home shortly before they broke into the building and ravaged it.
The attack culminated in the abduction of an unidentified Palestinian at the hands of the Israeli occupation soldiers who suddenly pushed their way into the Faraa refugee camp, to the east of Nablus.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians sustained critical breathing disorders and gas injuries during a wave of clashes rocking al-Khalil’s town of Beit Ummar.
According to Mohamed Awad, coordinator for the Popular Committee against Settlement in Beit Ummar, the Israeli occupation patrols raided Beit Dhuhr neighborhood, in the village, and climbed over the rooftops of Mohamed Bahr’s house.
Heavy volleys of tear gas canisters were randomly discharged by the invading IOF squads in the process, leading to a number of suffocation cases among the Palestinian civilians, who reportedly responded by hurling stones at the Israeli invading troops.
18 jan 2015
Early Wednesday morning, January 14, 2015, a massive deployment of 400 Israeli occupation forces invaded the village of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.
From 2:00 – 5:00 am, the occupation forces invaded approximately 100 Palestinian homes, arresting 25 males and leaving notices for 15 additional males to meet with the Israeli intelligence.
Occupation soldiers invaded the private homes with violent force, blowing open the front doors with explosions, ransacking the rooms, breaking the furniture inside, smashing windows, and attacking the residents. One of the victims of this brutal invasion was the family of 25-year-old Nidal Abu Maria.
Nidal is the oldest son of Ahmed Abu Maria, who has been imprisoned for the last four months. According to the family, the occupation soldiers forcibly entered their home with large aggressive dogs, blowing the door open with explosives. Nidal’s mother, sister, and two brothers ages 6 and 7 were inside, and awoke shocked to find soldiers inside their home. The occupation forces locked Nidal’s mother in a separate room, away from her children, and took her phone, noting the family members phone numbers from it.
The pregnant sister attempted to speak to the young boys, who were scared of the military invasion and their dogs, when the occupation forces violently hit her in the face and told her to keep quiet. In addition to physical violence against the family, the soldiers also ransacked the home, destroying the windows, the furniture, and the entire kitchen. Nearly 99 other houses were also invaded this same night, and experienced the same destruction.
During this brutal night invasion, 25 males were taken from their homes and arrested without any official charges or explanations. According to Ma’an News, those detained were as young as sixteen years old. The youths were not known activists nor had there been any protests in Beit Ummar since the massacre in Gaza for them to take part in. Five were released the next morning, while the rest still remain in custody. Additionally, the invading soldiers left official request notices for 15 residents of Beit Ummar to report to the Israeli Intelligence at the Kfar Etzion prison in the nearby Kfar Etzion settlement the following day. Nidal Abu Maria, along with his brother and cousin, were among those that were requested to report to Kfar Etzion.
Nidal decided to not comply with the occupying army’s request, and did not report to the prison at 9:00 AM on Wednesday as the soldiers demanded. However, after the occupation forces called him and his mother on the phone, threatening the lives of the family, he felt he had no choice. When Nidal answered one of the many phone calls from the military and questioned why he should follow orders from an occupying military, the Secret Service member told him, “I am the state of Israel, I am the one who has power, I am the law”.
Nidal and his brother reported to the Kfar Etzion prison on Thursday morning and were interrogated for several hours by the Israeli intelligence. During the interrogation when the brothers were being questioned, they were told, “We want to make sure you guys are ok, and that you are doing the right things and not the wrong things.”
Additionally, the interrogator told Nidal, “If you miss your uncle (the martyr), I will send you to him.” Nidal interprets this as a direct threat against his life.
Nidal’s family is no stranger to such violence at the hands of the Israeli occupation. Nidal’s father has been detained and imprisoned eight times for a total length of five years – once on charges of organizing peaceful protests in Beit Ummar, while the other seven times were without official charges. Additionally, Nidal’s uncle Hashem Abu Maria was executed on July 25, 2014 during a peaceful protest against the 2014 massacre in Gaza. Hashem was shot in the heart by an Israeli sniper on the main street, while encouraging the children to go home rather than risk being hurt in the demonstration.
Hashem worked for the Defence For Children International documenting child-rights violation in Hebron and, according to Haaretz, this was the role that Hashem played in many protests. Nidal’s aunt, the wife of Hashem, has suffered greatly since his death, and even months later she is still afraid to sleep in the house without him.
Ten days after Hashem’s assassination, the occupation forces invaded Beit Ummar and arrested Ahmed, Nidal’s father. He is currently still imprisoned and has not been officially charged with any crime. Despite not facing official charges, Nidal’s family is told that he faces three years in prison.
In the year of 2014, over 400 residents of Beit Ummar were arrested and over 120 residents are still currently imprisoned, some without official charges. Additionally, 3 residents were killed during this time. When asked why Beit Ummar experiences such frequent violence at the hands of the occupation army, Nidal explains it has a lot to do with its location. “Beit Ummar is surrounded by three settlements: Migdal Oz, Kfar Etzion and Karmei Zur. The village is located close to the main road that connects the settlements from Bethlehem to Hebron. The official explanation from the occupation forces are that these actions are taken against Beit Ummar for ‘security reasons’.”
These nearby settlements have confiscated nearly one third of the village’s land which is located in Area C. Additionally, much of the military violence against Beit Ummar can be attributed to their strong commitment to resistance against the occupation. Beit Ummar was the site of nearly two protests every week during the 2014 attack on Gaza.
For residents of Beit Ummar the recent violence happens whenever there is a new commander in the area. Nidal explains that the commanders like to introduce themselves by sending a strong message to the local Palestinian population. The new commander in the Beit Ummar area goes under the name Abu Abed and is a former member of the Israeli Intelligence.
From 2:00 – 5:00 am, the occupation forces invaded approximately 100 Palestinian homes, arresting 25 males and leaving notices for 15 additional males to meet with the Israeli intelligence.
Occupation soldiers invaded the private homes with violent force, blowing open the front doors with explosions, ransacking the rooms, breaking the furniture inside, smashing windows, and attacking the residents. One of the victims of this brutal invasion was the family of 25-year-old Nidal Abu Maria.
Nidal is the oldest son of Ahmed Abu Maria, who has been imprisoned for the last four months. According to the family, the occupation soldiers forcibly entered their home with large aggressive dogs, blowing the door open with explosives. Nidal’s mother, sister, and two brothers ages 6 and 7 were inside, and awoke shocked to find soldiers inside their home. The occupation forces locked Nidal’s mother in a separate room, away from her children, and took her phone, noting the family members phone numbers from it.
The pregnant sister attempted to speak to the young boys, who were scared of the military invasion and their dogs, when the occupation forces violently hit her in the face and told her to keep quiet. In addition to physical violence against the family, the soldiers also ransacked the home, destroying the windows, the furniture, and the entire kitchen. Nearly 99 other houses were also invaded this same night, and experienced the same destruction.
During this brutal night invasion, 25 males were taken from their homes and arrested without any official charges or explanations. According to Ma’an News, those detained were as young as sixteen years old. The youths were not known activists nor had there been any protests in Beit Ummar since the massacre in Gaza for them to take part in. Five were released the next morning, while the rest still remain in custody. Additionally, the invading soldiers left official request notices for 15 residents of Beit Ummar to report to the Israeli Intelligence at the Kfar Etzion prison in the nearby Kfar Etzion settlement the following day. Nidal Abu Maria, along with his brother and cousin, were among those that were requested to report to Kfar Etzion.
Nidal decided to not comply with the occupying army’s request, and did not report to the prison at 9:00 AM on Wednesday as the soldiers demanded. However, after the occupation forces called him and his mother on the phone, threatening the lives of the family, he felt he had no choice. When Nidal answered one of the many phone calls from the military and questioned why he should follow orders from an occupying military, the Secret Service member told him, “I am the state of Israel, I am the one who has power, I am the law”.
Nidal and his brother reported to the Kfar Etzion prison on Thursday morning and were interrogated for several hours by the Israeli intelligence. During the interrogation when the brothers were being questioned, they were told, “We want to make sure you guys are ok, and that you are doing the right things and not the wrong things.”
Additionally, the interrogator told Nidal, “If you miss your uncle (the martyr), I will send you to him.” Nidal interprets this as a direct threat against his life.
Nidal’s family is no stranger to such violence at the hands of the Israeli occupation. Nidal’s father has been detained and imprisoned eight times for a total length of five years – once on charges of organizing peaceful protests in Beit Ummar, while the other seven times were without official charges. Additionally, Nidal’s uncle Hashem Abu Maria was executed on July 25, 2014 during a peaceful protest against the 2014 massacre in Gaza. Hashem was shot in the heart by an Israeli sniper on the main street, while encouraging the children to go home rather than risk being hurt in the demonstration.
Hashem worked for the Defence For Children International documenting child-rights violation in Hebron and, according to Haaretz, this was the role that Hashem played in many protests. Nidal’s aunt, the wife of Hashem, has suffered greatly since his death, and even months later she is still afraid to sleep in the house without him.
Ten days after Hashem’s assassination, the occupation forces invaded Beit Ummar and arrested Ahmed, Nidal’s father. He is currently still imprisoned and has not been officially charged with any crime. Despite not facing official charges, Nidal’s family is told that he faces three years in prison.
In the year of 2014, over 400 residents of Beit Ummar were arrested and over 120 residents are still currently imprisoned, some without official charges. Additionally, 3 residents were killed during this time. When asked why Beit Ummar experiences such frequent violence at the hands of the occupation army, Nidal explains it has a lot to do with its location. “Beit Ummar is surrounded by three settlements: Migdal Oz, Kfar Etzion and Karmei Zur. The village is located close to the main road that connects the settlements from Bethlehem to Hebron. The official explanation from the occupation forces are that these actions are taken against Beit Ummar for ‘security reasons’.”
These nearby settlements have confiscated nearly one third of the village’s land which is located in Area C. Additionally, much of the military violence against Beit Ummar can be attributed to their strong commitment to resistance against the occupation. Beit Ummar was the site of nearly two protests every week during the 2014 attack on Gaza.
For residents of Beit Ummar the recent violence happens whenever there is a new commander in the area. Nidal explains that the commanders like to introduce themselves by sending a strong message to the local Palestinian population. The new commander in the Beit Ummar area goes under the name Abu Abed and is a former member of the Israeli Intelligence.
Three Palestinians required medical treatment, Sunday morning, after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers while working at a bakery in the center of Nablus.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an News Agency that Israeli military forces entered the city center in the area of Shuhada Square, early Sunday, where they carried out a number of raids on stores in the Anabtawi building.
They entered the Palestine Bakery and, during the raid, physically assaulted three workers.
Nayif Muhammad Ali al-Shami, his brother Jihad al-Shami, and Muhammad Ali Ramadan were taken to al-Watani Hospital in Nablus, as a result of the incident, and were later discharged after receiving treatment.
Security sources said that, during the Nablus raid, clashes also took place between Palestinian youth and soldiers, in the streets.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an News Agency that Israeli military forces entered the city center in the area of Shuhada Square, early Sunday, where they carried out a number of raids on stores in the Anabtawi building.
They entered the Palestine Bakery and, during the raid, physically assaulted three workers.
Nayif Muhammad Ali al-Shami, his brother Jihad al-Shami, and Muhammad Ali Ramadan were taken to al-Watani Hospital in Nablus, as a result of the incident, and were later discharged after receiving treatment.
Security sources said that, during the Nablus raid, clashes also took place between Palestinian youth and soldiers, in the streets.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several Palestinians were injured, Saturday, while dozens of others suffocated from tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces dispersed a peaceful march to the north of Surif town, north of Hebron, according to local activists and WAFA correspondence.
Israeli forces attacked and attempted to crush a peaceful march that was organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in the southern West Bank, brutally assaulting participants with the butts of their rifles, spraying them with pepper spray, and firing tear gas canisters and stun grenades at them.
Several Palestinians were injured, while dozens others suffocated as a result of excessive tear gas inhalation.
The march was organized in protest of the ongoing closure of the road linking Surif with al-Jab‘a village to the southwest of Bethlehem.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Hebron, Rateb al-Jabour, said that the march was intended to protest the ongoing closure and siege imposed on Palestinian communities in these areas, especially in communities located adjacent to illegal settlements, as well as the seizure of 2,000 dunums of land belonging to Surif for the benefit of settlement expansion.
Several activists were briefly detained by soldiers, including Ahmad al-Hih and Loai Ghnaimat.
Marchers demanded the removal of the metal gate that has been installed for the last fourteen years by Israeli forces between Surif and al-Jab‘a.
In related news, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees from Palestinian-owned land located between the Ramallah villages of al- Mughayyir and Turmus-Ayya, on Saturday.
Local sources told WAFA that settlers uprooted around 20 fruitful olive trees belonging to Rakid al-Nasaan.
OCHA Protection of Civilians report covering the period between 16– 22 December 2014, reported an average of six incidents of Israeli attacks against Palestinians, resulting in Palestinian casualties or damage to property since the beginning of 2014.
“In 2013, the report of the United Nations International Fact-Finding Mission on Settlements highlighted the failure of the Israeli authorities to enforce the law by investigating such incidents and taking measures against their perpetrators. The Fact-Finding Mission came to the 'clear conclusion that there is institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people when it comes to addressing violence,” stated al-Haq, an independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization.
B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, stressed that “As the occupying force, Israel must protect the Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the Israeli authorities neglect to fulfill this responsibility and do not do enough to prevent Israeli civilians from attacking Palestinians, their property and their lands. The undeclared policy of the Israeli authorities in response to these attacks is lenient and conciliatory. Perpetrators are rarely tried, and many cases are not investigated at all or are closed with no operative conclusions.”
Israeli forces attacked and attempted to crush a peaceful march that was organized by the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in the southern West Bank, brutally assaulting participants with the butts of their rifles, spraying them with pepper spray, and firing tear gas canisters and stun grenades at them.
Several Palestinians were injured, while dozens others suffocated as a result of excessive tear gas inhalation.
The march was organized in protest of the ongoing closure of the road linking Surif with al-Jab‘a village to the southwest of Bethlehem.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Hebron, Rateb al-Jabour, said that the march was intended to protest the ongoing closure and siege imposed on Palestinian communities in these areas, especially in communities located adjacent to illegal settlements, as well as the seizure of 2,000 dunums of land belonging to Surif for the benefit of settlement expansion.
Several activists were briefly detained by soldiers, including Ahmad al-Hih and Loai Ghnaimat.
Marchers demanded the removal of the metal gate that has been installed for the last fourteen years by Israeli forces between Surif and al-Jab‘a.
In related news, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees from Palestinian-owned land located between the Ramallah villages of al- Mughayyir and Turmus-Ayya, on Saturday.
Local sources told WAFA that settlers uprooted around 20 fruitful olive trees belonging to Rakid al-Nasaan.
OCHA Protection of Civilians report covering the period between 16– 22 December 2014, reported an average of six incidents of Israeli attacks against Palestinians, resulting in Palestinian casualties or damage to property since the beginning of 2014.
“In 2013, the report of the United Nations International Fact-Finding Mission on Settlements highlighted the failure of the Israeli authorities to enforce the law by investigating such incidents and taking measures against their perpetrators. The Fact-Finding Mission came to the 'clear conclusion that there is institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people when it comes to addressing violence,” stated al-Haq, an independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization.
B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, stressed that “As the occupying force, Israel must protect the Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the Israeli authorities neglect to fulfill this responsibility and do not do enough to prevent Israeli civilians from attacking Palestinians, their property and their lands. The undeclared policy of the Israeli authorities in response to these attacks is lenient and conciliatory. Perpetrators are rarely tried, and many cases are not investigated at all or are closed with no operative conclusions.”
Media sources have reported that three Palestinian workers have been injured, on Sunday at dawn, after Israeli soldiers invaded the center of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
The sources said the soldiers invaded the Shuhada Junction, in the heart of Nablus city, and clashed with local youths.
Soldiers invaded a building in the area, broke into and ransacked several stores, and interrogated a number of Palestinians.
The invasion led to clashes with a number of youths; the soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs.
Medical sources said three young Palestinians were mildly injured, and were moved to a hospital in the city, before they were discharged later on. The three work in a local bakery in the invaded building.
They have been identified as Nayef Mohammad ash-Shami (teenager), Jihad Mohammad ash-Shami (teenager), and Mohammad Ali Ramadan, 22 years of age.
The sources said the soldiers invaded the Shuhada Junction, in the heart of Nablus city, and clashed with local youths.
Soldiers invaded a building in the area, broke into and ransacked several stores, and interrogated a number of Palestinians.
The invasion led to clashes with a number of youths; the soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs.
Medical sources said three young Palestinians were mildly injured, and were moved to a hospital in the city, before they were discharged later on. The three work in a local bakery in the invaded building.
They have been identified as Nayef Mohammad ash-Shami (teenager), Jihad Mohammad ash-Shami (teenager), and Mohammad Ali Ramadan, 22 years of age.
Israeli navy vessels opened heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Nizar Ayyash, head of the Palestinian fishermen syndicate in Gaza, said Israeli naval boats targeted Palestinian fishermen while sailing off the shores of Gaza. No casualties were reported.
He added the Israeli navy claimed that the fishermen exceeded the allowed six-nautical-mile fishing zone in accordance with the ceasefire agreement reached with Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza under Egyptian mediation.
No immediate comment on the incident has been issued yet by the Israeli army.
Palestinian officials said Israeli army and navy forces almost daily open gunfire in Gaza targeting fishing boats and farming lands at the borders in flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.
A long-term ceasefire was reached on August 26, 2014 between Israelis and Palestinians under Egyptian mediation. The ceasefire put an end to the Israeli aggression which lasted for 51 days, killed more than two thousand Palestinians, wounded eleven thousand others and destroyed hundreds of houses.
Nizar Ayyash, head of the Palestinian fishermen syndicate in Gaza, said Israeli naval boats targeted Palestinian fishermen while sailing off the shores of Gaza. No casualties were reported.
He added the Israeli navy claimed that the fishermen exceeded the allowed six-nautical-mile fishing zone in accordance with the ceasefire agreement reached with Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza under Egyptian mediation.
No immediate comment on the incident has been issued yet by the Israeli army.
Palestinian officials said Israeli army and navy forces almost daily open gunfire in Gaza targeting fishing boats and farming lands at the borders in flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.
A long-term ceasefire was reached on August 26, 2014 between Israelis and Palestinians under Egyptian mediation. The ceasefire put an end to the Israeli aggression which lasted for 51 days, killed more than two thousand Palestinians, wounded eleven thousand others and destroyed hundreds of houses.
17 jan 2015
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out at dawn Saturday raid campaigns in Nablus and al-Khalil. Arrests and injuries were reported during clashes in al-Khalil.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to the PIC reporter that a number of Israeli military vehicles broke into Nablus since the early morning hours and deployed in its neighborhoods.
Raids and searches were reported in local residents’ homes and shops, the sources added.
Following the raids, violent clashes erupted between dozens of local youths and Israeli forces who heavily fired tear gas and sound bombs.
In al-Khalil, a Palestinian young man was nabbed at dawn today in Arroub refugee camp to the north of the city during an Israeli raid campaign into local homes.
Local sources pointed out that a number of homes were violently stormed and searched by Israeli forces. Some electronic properties were confiscated during the searches.
Also in al-Khalil, a number of people suffered different injuries during clashes that broke out in Surif town in northern the city when IOF soldiers suppressed a peaceful march.
The local activist Ratib Rajoub told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces brutally attacked Palestinian protesters while heading towards the town’s gate that was closed for more than 14 years, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Several injuries were reported among the participants.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to the PIC reporter that a number of Israeli military vehicles broke into Nablus since the early morning hours and deployed in its neighborhoods.
Raids and searches were reported in local residents’ homes and shops, the sources added.
Following the raids, violent clashes erupted between dozens of local youths and Israeli forces who heavily fired tear gas and sound bombs.
In al-Khalil, a Palestinian young man was nabbed at dawn today in Arroub refugee camp to the north of the city during an Israeli raid campaign into local homes.
Local sources pointed out that a number of homes were violently stormed and searched by Israeli forces. Some electronic properties were confiscated during the searches.
Also in al-Khalil, a number of people suffered different injuries during clashes that broke out in Surif town in northern the city when IOF soldiers suppressed a peaceful march.
The local activist Ratib Rajoub told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces brutally attacked Palestinian protesters while heading towards the town’s gate that was closed for more than 14 years, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Several injuries were reported among the participants.
A 12-year-old Palestinian child was hit with a rubber bullet in the head fired by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at a group of children in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem on Friday evening.
Eyewitnesses said that IOF soldiers opened heavy barrages of rubber-coated bullets and teargas canisters at Laji center in the camp wounding the child Mutez Ibrahim in the head.
They charged the soldiers with deliberately and randomly firing at a group of children and foreign activists while exiting the Laji center after completing a training session on folkloric dances known as Dabka
Eyewitnesses said that IOF soldiers opened heavy barrages of rubber-coated bullets and teargas canisters at Laji center in the camp wounding the child Mutez Ibrahim in the head.
They charged the soldiers with deliberately and randomly firing at a group of children and foreign activists while exiting the Laji center after completing a training session on folkloric dances known as Dabka
