14 nov 2018
Israeli ambassador Danny Danon slams 'morally bankrupt' countries blaming Israel for latest round of fighting with Hamas in Gaza, rejects calls for restraint on both sides: 'Hamas attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and Israel protects its people.'
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon played the Code Red rocket-alert siren during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Tuesday in an effort to demonstrate what Israelis living in border communities have to contend with when Hamas launches barrages of rockets at Israel.
The Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but diplomats said there was no agreement on how to address the crisis.
Kuwait and Bolivia requested the meeting following the worst flare-up in Gaza since the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.
Speaking at the meeting, Danon slammed Security Council members who put the blame on Israel for the latest fighting with Hamas in Gaza, calling them "morally bankrupt." He also rejected calls for restraint on both sides, dubbing it "hypocrisy."
"There is no such thing as both sides," the Israeli envoy told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. "There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people."
When asked about the botched IDF mission that sparked the Hamas attacks and Israeli bombing of Gaza, Danon insisted, "We take action to protect our people, and we will continue to do that."
"Every time Hamas fires a rocket, children, adults, and families across the country are running in fear to bomb shelters. The Security Council should condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault on civilians and declare it once and for all a terror organization," Danon said.
"Israel has cooperated with the UN to improve the conditions in the strip. However, the rampant escalation in Gaza proves there are elements that push for another round of fighting," he added.
"Hamas uses Gaza's residents as human shields.... The State of Israel will respond with force to those acting against it, and they will feel the IDF's might day and night," the Israeli ambassador warned.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that the majority of council members believe the top UN body "should do something" and some suggested a visit to the region, but no decision was taken.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired more than 460 rockets into Israel since Monday night, which claimed the life of one man in Ashkelon, while Israeli aircraft have hit 160 targets belonging to the terror organizations in response. The warring sides have since agreed to a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters after the 50-minute meeting, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council was "paralyzed" and had "failed to shoulder its responsibility" for the situation in Gaza by lack of action to end the violence.
"There is one country that is not allowing discussion at the council," Mansour said in reference to the US, which has taken a pro-Israeli stance led by President Donald Trump.
There was no statement from the council on the crisis. Such statements are agreed by consensus by all 15 council members.
Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck terror targets, flattening buildings and destroying Hamas infrastructure.
The latest round of violence began late Sunday with a botched Israeli special forces operation inside the Gaza Strip, during which IDF Lt. Col. M was killed and another officer was moderately wounded in a fire exchange that erupted between the army and Hamas.
The Palestinians responded with rocket and mortar fire. A 19 year-old IDF soldier was critically wounded after a Cornet anti-tank missile struck a bus near the Gaza border.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon played the Code Red rocket-alert siren during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Tuesday in an effort to demonstrate what Israelis living in border communities have to contend with when Hamas launches barrages of rockets at Israel.
The Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but diplomats said there was no agreement on how to address the crisis.
Kuwait and Bolivia requested the meeting following the worst flare-up in Gaza since the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.
Speaking at the meeting, Danon slammed Security Council members who put the blame on Israel for the latest fighting with Hamas in Gaza, calling them "morally bankrupt." He also rejected calls for restraint on both sides, dubbing it "hypocrisy."
"There is no such thing as both sides," the Israeli envoy told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. "There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people."
When asked about the botched IDF mission that sparked the Hamas attacks and Israeli bombing of Gaza, Danon insisted, "We take action to protect our people, and we will continue to do that."
"Every time Hamas fires a rocket, children, adults, and families across the country are running in fear to bomb shelters. The Security Council should condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault on civilians and declare it once and for all a terror organization," Danon said.
"Israel has cooperated with the UN to improve the conditions in the strip. However, the rampant escalation in Gaza proves there are elements that push for another round of fighting," he added.
"Hamas uses Gaza's residents as human shields.... The State of Israel will respond with force to those acting against it, and they will feel the IDF's might day and night," the Israeli ambassador warned.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that the majority of council members believe the top UN body "should do something" and some suggested a visit to the region, but no decision was taken.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired more than 460 rockets into Israel since Monday night, which claimed the life of one man in Ashkelon, while Israeli aircraft have hit 160 targets belonging to the terror organizations in response. The warring sides have since agreed to a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters after the 50-minute meeting, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council was "paralyzed" and had "failed to shoulder its responsibility" for the situation in Gaza by lack of action to end the violence.
"There is one country that is not allowing discussion at the council," Mansour said in reference to the US, which has taken a pro-Israeli stance led by President Donald Trump.
There was no statement from the council on the crisis. Such statements are agreed by consensus by all 15 council members.
Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck terror targets, flattening buildings and destroying Hamas infrastructure.
The latest round of violence began late Sunday with a botched Israeli special forces operation inside the Gaza Strip, during which IDF Lt. Col. M was killed and another officer was moderately wounded in a fire exchange that erupted between the army and Hamas.
The Palestinians responded with rocket and mortar fire. A 19 year-old IDF soldier was critically wounded after a Cornet anti-tank missile struck a bus near the Gaza border.
In protest of Gaza ceasefire and efforts to reach an arrangement with Hamas, Defense Minister Lieberman resigns and quits the government; Israel is 'buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term,' he charges.
Avigdor Lieberman resigned from his post as defense minister on Wednesday in protest of the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, criticizing it as "surrender to terrorism."
"The question being asked is why now. As far as I'm concerned, the ceasefire yesterday, along with the entire process of reaching an arrangement with Hamas, means surrendering to terrorism," Lieberman said at during a special meeting of his Yisrael Beytenu faction.
He also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call early elections as soon as possible.
Lieberman charged that in negotiating with Hamas, Israel was "buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term."
"It's no secret there have been disagreements between the prime minister and myself in recent months," he said. "I'll mention allowing in (to Gaza) Qatari-funded fuel, which I thought was a mistake. It was only after the prime minister issued a written order that I had to allow the Qatari-funded fuel into the strip."
Lieberman's resignation will come into effect within 48 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take on the defense minister's job until further notice.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, who is a member of Lieberman's party, is also expected to tend in her resignation from the government.
A senior Likud official said that Lieberman's resignation "doesn't necessarily mean calling early elections at a time of such a sensitive security situation. The government can live out its days."
Hamas rejoiced at Lieberman's resignation, saying he is "admitting defeat and acknowledging his inability to handle the Palestinian resistance."
"This is a political victory for Gaza, which succeeded in standing strong and causing a political earthquake in Israel," Hamas added in a statement.
Islamic Jihad also saw the resignation as "a victory to our people's steadfast resistance to the occupation."
Avigdor Lieberman resigned from his post as defense minister on Wednesday in protest of the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, criticizing it as "surrender to terrorism."
"The question being asked is why now. As far as I'm concerned, the ceasefire yesterday, along with the entire process of reaching an arrangement with Hamas, means surrendering to terrorism," Lieberman said at during a special meeting of his Yisrael Beytenu faction.
He also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call early elections as soon as possible.
Lieberman charged that in negotiating with Hamas, Israel was "buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term."
"It's no secret there have been disagreements between the prime minister and myself in recent months," he said. "I'll mention allowing in (to Gaza) Qatari-funded fuel, which I thought was a mistake. It was only after the prime minister issued a written order that I had to allow the Qatari-funded fuel into the strip."
Lieberman's resignation will come into effect within 48 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take on the defense minister's job until further notice.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, who is a member of Lieberman's party, is also expected to tend in her resignation from the government.
A senior Likud official said that Lieberman's resignation "doesn't necessarily mean calling early elections at a time of such a sensitive security situation. The government can live out its days."
Hamas rejoiced at Lieberman's resignation, saying he is "admitting defeat and acknowledging his inability to handle the Palestinian resistance."
"This is a political victory for Gaza, which succeeded in standing strong and causing a political earthquake in Israel," Hamas added in a statement.
Islamic Jihad also saw the resignation as "a victory to our people's steadfast resistance to the occupation."
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at night, Toura village, in Ya’bad area, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and caused dozens of Palestinians to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation. The soldiers also invaded homes in a town, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Media sources in Jenin said several army vehicles invaded Toura village, and drove provocatively in many neighborhoods, before firing gas bombs at Palestinians in the street, and many surrounding homes.
They added that many gas bombs struck homes in the town, causing dozens of Palestinians, including children, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The families had to leave their homes due to the excessive amount of gas from the bombs.
In Hebron governorate, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers invaded many neighborhoods in Yatta town, south of Hebron city, before breaking into and violently searching many homes.
The soldiers forced the families in one room in their homes, while searching and ransacking their properties.
Owners of five of the invaded and searched homes have been identified as Mohammad Mahmoud Najjar, Nafez Mohammad al-‘Amour, Rafat al-Adra, Azzam Khalil Makhamra and Amjad Mahmoud Najjar.
Media sources in Jenin said several army vehicles invaded Toura village, and drove provocatively in many neighborhoods, before firing gas bombs at Palestinians in the street, and many surrounding homes.
They added that many gas bombs struck homes in the town, causing dozens of Palestinians, including children, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The families had to leave their homes due to the excessive amount of gas from the bombs.
In Hebron governorate, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers invaded many neighborhoods in Yatta town, south of Hebron city, before breaking into and violently searching many homes.
The soldiers forced the families in one room in their homes, while searching and ransacking their properties.
Owners of five of the invaded and searched homes have been identified as Mohammad Mahmoud Najjar, Nafez Mohammad al-‘Amour, Rafat al-Adra, Azzam Khalil Makhamra and Amjad Mahmoud Najjar.
Israeli soldiers shot, on Wednesday morning, a young Palestinian man as he approached the perimeter fence, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, and abducted him.
Media sources in Gaza said the young man, in his twenty was shot in his leg, before the soldiers abducted him and took him to an unknown destination.
The incident is the latest of a serious of similar assaults carried out by the soldiers against the Palestinians near the perimeter fence, including farmers working on their own lands.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of Israeli colonialist settlers gathered near Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossing with Gaza, and prevented many trucks, loaded with goods, food, fuel and cooking gas, and construction materials, from reaching the terminal, on their way to Gaza.
Dozens of colonists gathered near the terminal since morning hours, and stopped the trucks, for the second time since Sunday, after closing the road leading to the only commercial crossing.
Settlers protesting ceasefire close Karam Abu Salem crossing
Dozens of Israeli settlers at night on Tuesday marched near Karam Abu Salem commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip.
Hebrew media sources reported that the march came as a protest step after the Israeli government agreed on a ceasefire agreement with Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip.
The same sources said that the protesting settlers burned car tires and prevented the entry of trucks loaded with goods into the enclave.
The Israeli occupation army on Monday and Tuesday launched a large-scale military operation bombing several civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, including the al-Aqsa TV channel building. Palestinian resistance groups responded by firing hundreds of rockets toward Israeli settlements neighboring Gaza.
Seven Palestinian resistance fighters were killed after they clashed with an Israeli special force that sneaked into Gaza on Sunday evening, and seven civilians were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Monday and Tuesday, according to Palestinian sources.
The Israeli media said that two Israelis were killed and 90 others injured by the Palestinian resistance rockets.
Media sources in Gaza said the young man, in his twenty was shot in his leg, before the soldiers abducted him and took him to an unknown destination.
The incident is the latest of a serious of similar assaults carried out by the soldiers against the Palestinians near the perimeter fence, including farmers working on their own lands.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of Israeli colonialist settlers gathered near Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossing with Gaza, and prevented many trucks, loaded with goods, food, fuel and cooking gas, and construction materials, from reaching the terminal, on their way to Gaza.
Dozens of colonists gathered near the terminal since morning hours, and stopped the trucks, for the second time since Sunday, after closing the road leading to the only commercial crossing.
Settlers protesting ceasefire close Karam Abu Salem crossing
Dozens of Israeli settlers at night on Tuesday marched near Karam Abu Salem commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip.
Hebrew media sources reported that the march came as a protest step after the Israeli government agreed on a ceasefire agreement with Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip.
The same sources said that the protesting settlers burned car tires and prevented the entry of trucks loaded with goods into the enclave.
The Israeli occupation army on Monday and Tuesday launched a large-scale military operation bombing several civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, including the al-Aqsa TV channel building. Palestinian resistance groups responded by firing hundreds of rockets toward Israeli settlements neighboring Gaza.
Seven Palestinian resistance fighters were killed after they clashed with an Israeli special force that sneaked into Gaza on Sunday evening, and seven civilians were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Monday and Tuesday, according to Palestinian sources.
The Israeli media said that two Israelis were killed and 90 others injured by the Palestinian resistance rockets.
Undercover Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at night, the al-‘Isawiya town, in occupied East Jerusalem, and abducted two teenage boys.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the undercover soldiers infiltrated into the town, before kidnapping Abed al-‘Oweiwi, 16, and Mohammad Mousa Hamdan, 19.
The undercover soldiers then drove away, taking the two Palestinians to an unknown destination, before regular army units invaded the town, and started firing flares, in addition to live rounds, gas bombs and concussion grenades, at Palestinians who protested the attack, and the abduction of the two teens.
The soldiers also invaded many neighborhoods and alleys in the town, and chased several Palestinians in an attempt to abduct them.
In related news, an Israeli court in occupied Jerusalem ordered six young Palestinian men, who were abducted on Tuesday at dawn, under further interrogation.
They have been identified as Mahmoud Abdul-Latif, Rami al-Fakhouri, Rawhi al-Kalghassi, Jihad Nasser Qous, Mahmoud Mo’nes and Jamil al-Abbassi.
Media sources in Jerusalem said the undercover soldiers infiltrated into the town, before kidnapping Abed al-‘Oweiwi, 16, and Mohammad Mousa Hamdan, 19.
The undercover soldiers then drove away, taking the two Palestinians to an unknown destination, before regular army units invaded the town, and started firing flares, in addition to live rounds, gas bombs and concussion grenades, at Palestinians who protested the attack, and the abduction of the two teens.
The soldiers also invaded many neighborhoods and alleys in the town, and chased several Palestinians in an attempt to abduct them.
In related news, an Israeli court in occupied Jerusalem ordered six young Palestinian men, who were abducted on Tuesday at dawn, under further interrogation.
They have been identified as Mahmoud Abdul-Latif, Rami al-Fakhouri, Rawhi al-Kalghassi, Jihad Nasser Qous, Mahmoud Mo’nes and Jamil al-Abbassi.
13 nov 2018
The head of the Palestinian Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip, Salama Maarouf, affirmed that 13 Palestinians have been killed and 28 others were injured since the start of Israel’s aggression against the blockaded Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Since Sunday, 150 Israeli air raids were carried out during which 80 buildings and institutions, including governmental and civilian facilities, were targeted.
Maarouf said that the deadly events broke out following the Israeli army ground incursion into Gaza, saying that the Palestinian resistance’s response was a natural reaction towards the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza.
Targeting civilian areas is a clear war crime that needs an urgent international intervention, he underlined.
Since Sunday, 150 Israeli air raids were carried out during which 80 buildings and institutions, including governmental and civilian facilities, were targeted.
Maarouf said that the deadly events broke out following the Israeli army ground incursion into Gaza, saying that the Palestinian resistance’s response was a natural reaction towards the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza.
Targeting civilian areas is a clear war crime that needs an urgent international intervention, he underlined.
The Israeli Cabinet reportedly decided, on Tuesday afternoon, to resume the offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip, following a meeting that lasted several hours.
Hebrew-language news sites reported that, following a meeting that lasted for nearly seven hours, the Israeli Cabinet decided to continue airstrikes targeting the Gaza Strip “as necessary.”
According to a statement released by the Cabinet and published on Israel National News, the Political-Security Cabinet discussed events in the south. The cabinet heard reports, from the Israeli army and security sources, about the attacks and the widespread actions against the terrorist elements in Gaza, and instructed the army to continue its operations as necessary.
UN and Egyptian officials will reportedly visit Gaza on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, sources told Ma’an that the Palestinian factions agreed to a ceasefire agreement upon request by Egypt and the United Nations (UN.)
A total of seven Palestinians have been killed since Monday evening, while more than 30 were injured.
Hebrew-language news sites reported that, following a meeting that lasted for nearly seven hours, the Israeli Cabinet decided to continue airstrikes targeting the Gaza Strip “as necessary.”
According to a statement released by the Cabinet and published on Israel National News, the Political-Security Cabinet discussed events in the south. The cabinet heard reports, from the Israeli army and security sources, about the attacks and the widespread actions against the terrorist elements in Gaza, and instructed the army to continue its operations as necessary.
UN and Egyptian officials will reportedly visit Gaza on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, sources told Ma’an that the Palestinian factions agreed to a ceasefire agreement upon request by Egypt and the United Nations (UN.)
A total of seven Palestinians have been killed since Monday evening, while more than 30 were injured.
Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip announced an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel, on Tuesday, following two days of Israeli shelling of the Strip, said WAFA sources.
A ceasefire deal was reached following intensive efforts exerted by the Egyptian side.
The ceasefire agreement came following two days of continued Israeli military aggression against Gaza, which left at least 14 people killed and dozens others injured, and caused the destruction of around 80 buildings, including governmental and residential buildings, media institutions, and agricultural lands across the Strip.
Israel closed Erez/Beit Hanoun crossing with Gaza, preventing anyone, including humanitarian cases, from crossing. They also barred fishermen from fishing in the sea.
A ceasefire deal was reached following intensive efforts exerted by the Egyptian side.
The ceasefire agreement came following two days of continued Israeli military aggression against Gaza, which left at least 14 people killed and dozens others injured, and caused the destruction of around 80 buildings, including governmental and residential buildings, media institutions, and agricultural lands across the Strip.
Israel closed Erez/Beit Hanoun crossing with Gaza, preventing anyone, including humanitarian cases, from crossing. They also barred fishermen from fishing in the sea.
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As the extensive Israeli air strikes continued over various parts of the Gaza Strip, the army fired missiles at a hotel, west of Gaza city, and destroyed it.
Media sources in Gaza said the Israeli Airforce fired many missiles into the Al-Amal Hotel, in the densely populated al-Mina’ Area, west of Gaza city. The five-story hotel was leveled to the ground, before rescue teams and firefighters rushed to the area. video There have been no immediate reports of casualties among the Palestinians due to the bombing, but it also caused damage to surrounding buildings. |
It is worth mentioning that the army also fired missiles at many residential buildings and homes in the Gaza Strip, in addition to targeting the Al-Aqsa Satellite TV station in Gaza.