14 mar 2019
At least two rockets launched form the besieged Gaza Strip have landed in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv, bypassing the Iron Dome missile system to mark yet another embarrassing defeat for one of the world’s most expensive military forces.
The attack on Thursday night caused rocket alerts to blare throughout central Israel, Israeli media reported.
Several people told local media that they could hear two loud blasts in in the Gush Dan (the greater Tel Aviv area), while some also claimed to have seen Iron Dome missiles being launched.
Authorities in Tel Aviv and Rishon Lezion municipalities said they would open public shelters as a cautionary measure.
The Iron Dome missile system was activated but apparently failed to intercept any of the missiles.
The Israeli military confirmed the news but tried to pass off the interception failure as a result of the missile system’s self-destruction mechanism which kicked in once it realized the missiles were going to land in open areas.
Initial reports suggested that the rockets caused no damages or injuries. However, several people had to be treated for shock as this was the first time since Israeli’s last war with Gaza in 2014 that missile sirens were being activated in Tel Aviv.
Military spokesman Ronen Manelis said nobody in Tel Aviv expected Palestinian rockets to travel this far.
"We did not have advance knowledge of this fire today, and in fact it surprised us," Manelis said.
Israel launches attacks on Gaza
Shortly after the attack, the Israeli military said it was "attacking terror targets in Gaza" but did not provide any details. Palestinian sources reported Israeli attacks near the Khan Yunis port, in southern Gaza.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza said Israeli warplanes were carrying out airstrikes across the enclave.
Press TV's correspondent said there had been no reports of casualties from the Israeli attacks, but people living in Gaza feared a major escalation from the Israeli military.
Netanyahu calls emergency meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also acts as the regime’s minister for military affairs, called an emergency meeting at army headquarters after the rocket attack.
According to reports, Israelis had asked an Egyptian security delegation in Gaza to leave the area. Media outlets in Gaza reported that the Hamas resistance movement had evacuated military posts in anticipation of Israeli attacks.
The delegation has been mediating indirect talks between Hamas and Israel since late February reportedly in hopes of striking a truce deal that could lead to a long-term agreement lasting between five to 10 years.
A Palestinian source in Gaza told Haaretz that the rockets were fired from the northern part of the enclave. No Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the attack. Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied any role in the attack.
Iron Dome’s failure
The missile attack further hurts Iron Dome’s reputation as a missile shield system that was supposed to once and for all end concerns about rocket attacks from Gaza.
The multi-billion dollar system experienced a humiliating defeat during the latest military flare-up between Gaza and Tel Aviv in November, when Hamas fired more than 460 rockets at the occupied lands in less than 24 hours in response to Israeli aggression.
The clashes ended after an Egypt-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza.
The truce was criticized by some Israeli officials and led Avigdor Lieberman to step down as the minister of military affairs. The resignation, which could bring about early elections in the occupied lands, was hailed by Hamas as “an admission of defeat” and a “political victory” for the Palestinian resistance.
Back then, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar warned Israel not to test the resistance group again or it will target Tel Aviv.
Sinwar noted that he had spoken to Muhammad Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades about the possible response to next aggression by Israel.
“Deif asked me to say that Tel Aviv and Gush Dan are next. The first barrage to hit Tel Aviv will surprise Israel," he said.
The attack on Thursday night caused rocket alerts to blare throughout central Israel, Israeli media reported.
Several people told local media that they could hear two loud blasts in in the Gush Dan (the greater Tel Aviv area), while some also claimed to have seen Iron Dome missiles being launched.
Authorities in Tel Aviv and Rishon Lezion municipalities said they would open public shelters as a cautionary measure.
The Iron Dome missile system was activated but apparently failed to intercept any of the missiles.
The Israeli military confirmed the news but tried to pass off the interception failure as a result of the missile system’s self-destruction mechanism which kicked in once it realized the missiles were going to land in open areas.
Initial reports suggested that the rockets caused no damages or injuries. However, several people had to be treated for shock as this was the first time since Israeli’s last war with Gaza in 2014 that missile sirens were being activated in Tel Aviv.
Military spokesman Ronen Manelis said nobody in Tel Aviv expected Palestinian rockets to travel this far.
"We did not have advance knowledge of this fire today, and in fact it surprised us," Manelis said.
Israel launches attacks on Gaza
Shortly after the attack, the Israeli military said it was "attacking terror targets in Gaza" but did not provide any details. Palestinian sources reported Israeli attacks near the Khan Yunis port, in southern Gaza.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza said Israeli warplanes were carrying out airstrikes across the enclave.
Press TV's correspondent said there had been no reports of casualties from the Israeli attacks, but people living in Gaza feared a major escalation from the Israeli military.
Netanyahu calls emergency meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also acts as the regime’s minister for military affairs, called an emergency meeting at army headquarters after the rocket attack.
According to reports, Israelis had asked an Egyptian security delegation in Gaza to leave the area. Media outlets in Gaza reported that the Hamas resistance movement had evacuated military posts in anticipation of Israeli attacks.
The delegation has been mediating indirect talks between Hamas and Israel since late February reportedly in hopes of striking a truce deal that could lead to a long-term agreement lasting between five to 10 years.
A Palestinian source in Gaza told Haaretz that the rockets were fired from the northern part of the enclave. No Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the attack. Palestinian resistance movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied any role in the attack.
Iron Dome’s failure
The missile attack further hurts Iron Dome’s reputation as a missile shield system that was supposed to once and for all end concerns about rocket attacks from Gaza.
The multi-billion dollar system experienced a humiliating defeat during the latest military flare-up between Gaza and Tel Aviv in November, when Hamas fired more than 460 rockets at the occupied lands in less than 24 hours in response to Israeli aggression.
The clashes ended after an Egypt-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza.
The truce was criticized by some Israeli officials and led Avigdor Lieberman to step down as the minister of military affairs. The resignation, which could bring about early elections in the occupied lands, was hailed by Hamas as “an admission of defeat” and a “political victory” for the Palestinian resistance.
Back then, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar warned Israel not to test the resistance group again or it will target Tel Aviv.
Sinwar noted that he had spoken to Muhammad Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades about the possible response to next aggression by Israel.
“Deif asked me to say that Tel Aviv and Gush Dan are next. The first barrage to hit Tel Aviv will surprise Israel," he said.
Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes and assaulted residing family members, overnight, in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.
Jamal Abu Siefan told Ma’an that Israeli forces raided several houses belonging to the family, adjacent to the Kiryat Arba illegal Israeli settlement.
Israeli forces searched the homes and assaulted residents, and physically assaulted a teen.
Abu Siefan identified the assaulted teen as Izz al-Din Suleiman Siefan.
Jamal Abu Siefan told Ma’an that Israeli forces raided several houses belonging to the family, adjacent to the Kiryat Arba illegal Israeli settlement.
Israeli forces searched the homes and assaulted residents, and physically assaulted a teen.
Abu Siefan identified the assaulted teen as Izz al-Din Suleiman Siefan.
Israeli soldiers held a Palestinian journalist and an activist in the al-Shuhada Street in the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron, on Wednesday, as they were documenting the soldiers’ violations against Palestinians.
Palestinian activist with Defenders of Human Rights, Badie Dweik, said that Israeli settlers held journalist Amer al-Shaludi, and Defenders of Human Rights activist Zeidan al-Sharabati for more than one hour.
Dweik added that al-Shaludi and al-Sharabati were documenting Israeli soldiers’ firing tear-gas bombs and stun grenades towards Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers had also sealed off the military checkpoint leading to the al-Shuhada Street, preventing residents from entering.
Dweik said that Israeli soldiers confiscated his camera and mobile phone.
Palestinian activist with Defenders of Human Rights, Badie Dweik, said that Israeli settlers held journalist Amer al-Shaludi, and Defenders of Human Rights activist Zeidan al-Sharabati for more than one hour.
Dweik added that al-Shaludi and al-Sharabati were documenting Israeli soldiers’ firing tear-gas bombs and stun grenades towards Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers had also sealed off the military checkpoint leading to the al-Shuhada Street, preventing residents from entering.
Dweik said that Israeli soldiers confiscated his camera and mobile phone.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday night warned Palestinian shepherds of grazing their cattle in al-Farisiya area in the northern Jordanian Valley.
Local activist Aref Daraghmeh said that Israeli soldiers stormed last night al-Farisiya tents and ordered the residents not to graze their sheep in the green areas near the settlements.
Palestinian shepherds in the northern Jordan Valley are exposed to daily violations and assaulted by the IOF and Jewish settlers.
Local activist Aref Daraghmeh said that Israeli soldiers stormed last night al-Farisiya tents and ordered the residents not to graze their sheep in the green areas near the settlements.
Palestinian shepherds in the northern Jordan Valley are exposed to daily violations and assaulted by the IOF and Jewish settlers.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday morning kidnapped a Palestinian young man from, east of Jenin in the West Bank.
Local sources said that the IOF kidnapped Rami Yassin after ransacking his home in the village.
Meanwhile, the IOF closed the checkpoint of Barta’a, southwest of Jenin, as military drills were taking place on nearby agricultural plots of land behind the separation wall.
Local sources said that the IOF kidnapped Rami Yassin after ransacking his home in the village.
Meanwhile, the IOF closed the checkpoint of Barta’a, southwest of Jenin, as military drills were taking place on nearby agricultural plots of land behind the separation wall.
13 mar 2019
Israeli soldiers invaded, Wednesday, the southern area of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and fired gas bombs at schoolchildren heading to their educational facility.
Media sources said the soldiers fired many gas bombs at students of Hebron Preparatory School for Boys, causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, and others suffered severe anxiety attacks.
They added that the soldiers surrounded the school, and prevented the Palestinians from entering or leaving it, leading to the disruption of the school day, especially after the soldiers fired several gas bombs into the school campus.
It is worth mentioning that the army repeatedly attacks the school, which hosts 370 students, and invades it, similar to violations targeting several other schools in Hebron governorate.
Media sources said the soldiers fired many gas bombs at students of Hebron Preparatory School for Boys, causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, and others suffered severe anxiety attacks.
They added that the soldiers surrounded the school, and prevented the Palestinians from entering or leaving it, leading to the disruption of the school day, especially after the soldiers fired several gas bombs into the school campus.
It is worth mentioning that the army repeatedly attacks the school, which hosts 370 students, and invades it, similar to violations targeting several other schools in Hebron governorate.
12 mar 2019
Mohamed Shahin 23
A Palestinian young man was killed and dozens suffered injuries on Tuesday evening when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed Salfit city and clashed with local youths.
The Palestinian health ministry affirmed that 23-year-old Mohamed Shahin was shot dead by an Israeli soldier during skirmishes with the IOF in Salfit.
local sources told a reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Shahin suffered a bullet injury in the heart after Israeli troops stormed, amid intensive gunfire, the streets of al-Medina al-Munawara and al-Quds in central Salfit.
For its part, the Red Crescent said its ambulance crews provided medical assistance for 40 Palestinians who were injured by rubber bullets or suffered from their exposure to tear gas fumes during the events.
The IOF also prevented citizens from leaving their places during the events and confiscated security camera recordings from many commercial stores in the raided areas.
A Palestinian young man was killed and dozens suffered injuries on Tuesday evening when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed Salfit city and clashed with local youths.
The Palestinian health ministry affirmed that 23-year-old Mohamed Shahin was shot dead by an Israeli soldier during skirmishes with the IOF in Salfit.
local sources told a reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Shahin suffered a bullet injury in the heart after Israeli troops stormed, amid intensive gunfire, the streets of al-Medina al-Munawara and al-Quds in central Salfit.
For its part, the Red Crescent said its ambulance crews provided medical assistance for 40 Palestinians who were injured by rubber bullets or suffered from their exposure to tear gas fumes during the events.
The IOF also prevented citizens from leaving their places during the events and confiscated security camera recordings from many commercial stores in the raided areas.
Violent clashes broke out on Monday evening between dozens of Palestinians youths and the Israeli occupation forces in Nabi Saleh village in Ramallah.
The Israeli forces heavily fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters, while the Palestinian youths responded by throwing stones.
The Israeli forces later summoned reinforcements to the area, sealed off the iron gate placed at the main entrance to the village, and blocked the Palestinian citizens' movement.
They later showered the Palestinian homes in Nabi Saleh with tear gas bombs. A number of Palestinians suffered breathing difficulties.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian youths were injured during an Israeli raid into Kobar town north of Ramallah.
Local sources reported that the Israeli forces opened fire at the Palestinians who confronted the Israeli raid. Two Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, and others choked on tear gas.
The Israeli forces heavily fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters, while the Palestinian youths responded by throwing stones.
The Israeli forces later summoned reinforcements to the area, sealed off the iron gate placed at the main entrance to the village, and blocked the Palestinian citizens' movement.
They later showered the Palestinian homes in Nabi Saleh with tear gas bombs. A number of Palestinians suffered breathing difficulties.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian youths were injured during an Israeli raid into Kobar town north of Ramallah.
Local sources reported that the Israeli forces opened fire at the Palestinians who confronted the Israeli raid. Two Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, and others choked on tear gas.
The Israeli forces on Monday evening raided Hizma town northeast of Occupied Jerusalem.
Local sources said that the Israeli forces stormed the eastern side of the town amid heavy firing of stun grenades and tear gas canisters. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli forces carry out almost daily raids into Hizma, arbitrarily arresting Palestinians and searching homes.
Local sources said that the Israeli forces stormed the eastern side of the town amid heavy firing of stun grenades and tear gas canisters. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli forces carry out almost daily raids into Hizma, arbitrarily arresting Palestinians and searching homes.
A Palestinian human rights activist was injured on Monday after being beaten by the Israeli occupation forces in al-Khalil.
According to Wafa, Zeidan al-Sharbati was injured in the eye when the Israeli forces violently assaulted him in al-Shuhadaa street in the Old City.
Al-Sharbati, with a bleeding eye, was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
According to Wafa, Zeidan al-Sharbati was injured in the eye when the Israeli forces violently assaulted him in al-Shuhadaa street in the Old City.
Al-Sharbati, with a bleeding eye, was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
11 mar 2019
Two Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli forces, on Monday, during violent clashes in the village of Kobar, in the central occupied West Bank district of Ramallah.
Local sources said that a large number of heavily armed Israeli forces raided the village, causing clashes to erupt among Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear-gas bombs, and sound grenades.
Sources confirmed that two Palestinians were shot and injured with rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces.
The two injured were taken to a nearby hospital for necessary medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers razed a road that connects Kobar village and Beitillu village, in addition sealed off the road, preventing Palestinians from passing through in both directions.
Local sources said that a large number of heavily armed Israeli forces raided the village, causing clashes to erupt among Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear-gas bombs, and sound grenades.
Sources confirmed that two Palestinians were shot and injured with rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces.
The two injured were taken to a nearby hospital for necessary medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers razed a road that connects Kobar village and Beitillu village, in addition sealed off the road, preventing Palestinians from passing through in both directions.
A Palestinian teenage fisherman on Monday afternoon suffered a rubber bullet injury when Israeli naval forces opened fire at him off the coast of the Gaza Strip.
According to the agricultural work committees in Gaza, 15-year-old Khalil Miqdad, a resident of ash-Shati refugee camp was wounded by a rubber bullet fired from an Israeli gunboat.
Miqdad was working aboard his boat within the permitted fishing area in the northern waters of Gaza, particularly off the shore of Beit Lahia.
Earlier in the morning, the Israeli navy kidnapped two fishermen and confiscated their boat.
In this regard, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights said that Gaza fishermen had been assaulted five times during the last three days by Israeli naval forces.
The Center added that seven fishermen were arrested, two fishing boats were confiscated and three others sustained damage during those assaults.
The Center also noted that Israeli warplanes recently bombed two buildings belonging to the union of fishermen in central Gaza and Khan Younis.
According to the agricultural work committees in Gaza, 15-year-old Khalil Miqdad, a resident of ash-Shati refugee camp was wounded by a rubber bullet fired from an Israeli gunboat.
Miqdad was working aboard his boat within the permitted fishing area in the northern waters of Gaza, particularly off the shore of Beit Lahia.
Earlier in the morning, the Israeli navy kidnapped two fishermen and confiscated their boat.
In this regard, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights said that Gaza fishermen had been assaulted five times during the last three days by Israeli naval forces.
The Center added that seven fishermen were arrested, two fishing boats were confiscated and three others sustained damage during those assaults.
The Center also noted that Israeli warplanes recently bombed two buildings belonging to the union of fishermen in central Gaza and Khan Younis.
Israeli navy ships attacked, Monday, Palestinian fishing boats in the Waha Sea area, northwest of Gaza city, and abducted two fishermen.
Media sources said the navy fired many live rounds at the fishing boats in Palestinian territorial waters, in addition to using water cannons, and surrounded one boat before abducting two fishermen, identified as Mohammad Adnan Sultan and Hasan Akram Zayed.
The attack is part of ongoing violations against the fishermen in the besieged Gaza Strip, in addition to constant violations targeting farmers and shepherds on Palestinian lands close to the perimeter fence, in the eastern parts of the coastal region.
Media sources said the navy fired many live rounds at the fishing boats in Palestinian territorial waters, in addition to using water cannons, and surrounded one boat before abducting two fishermen, identified as Mohammad Adnan Sultan and Hasan Akram Zayed.
The attack is part of ongoing violations against the fishermen in the besieged Gaza Strip, in addition to constant violations targeting farmers and shepherds on Palestinian lands close to the perimeter fence, in the eastern parts of the coastal region.
