19 jan 2015
Anwar al-Afawi
Two Palestinian young men were killed and scores of citizens suffered injuries when the Israeli police forces on Sunday evening violently attacked a funeral procession in al-Rahat town, north of the Negev region.
The funeral procession was for 21-year-old Sami Jaar, who was shot dead a few days ago by the Israeli police in the same town.
Eyewitnesses said that Sami al-Zayadena and Anwar al-Afawi died after inhaling tear gas that was intensively used by the Israeli police forces during their attack on the funeral.
They added that dozens of people, including Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, also suffered from tear gas suffocation.
They also said that the violent clashes broke out when the Israeli police sent its forces to the cemetery of the town upon the arrival of the mourners there for the burial service.
Two Palestinian young men were killed and scores of citizens suffered injuries when the Israeli police forces on Sunday evening violently attacked a funeral procession in al-Rahat town, north of the Negev region.
The funeral procession was for 21-year-old Sami Jaar, who was shot dead a few days ago by the Israeli police in the same town.
Eyewitnesses said that Sami al-Zayadena and Anwar al-Afawi died after inhaling tear gas that was intensively used by the Israeli police forces during their attack on the funeral.
They added that dozens of people, including Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in the 1948 occupied lands, also suffered from tear gas suffocation.
They also said that the violent clashes broke out when the Israeli police sent its forces to the cemetery of the town upon the arrival of the mourners there for the burial service.
Hamas condemned Israel’s murder of six members of the Syria-based Hezbollah group, dubbing the attack a renewed episode in Israel’s incessant war crimes.
Talking exclusively to the PIC, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil said on Sunday evening: “The assassination is another episode in the series of renewed Israeli crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people and Arabs.”
He said the murder is a barefaced proof of Israel’s inherent thirst for bloodshed and of the state of psychosis undergone by the Israeli parties ahead of the electoral race.
The Hamas leader raised alarm bells over the murder, and pushed for taking a tougher line against the Israeli war criminals.
Six members of Hezbollah were killed Sunday after a barrage of rockets was slammed by the Israeli occupation army into Syria, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli strike in the Syrian Golan Heights killed Jihad Moughniyah, the son of the slain top military operative Imad Moughniyah.
The fighters were killed during a field reconnaissance mission in the Mazraat Amal village of Quneitra province, a Hezbollah statement read.
No clarifications have been provided by the Israeli occupation army over the attack, claiming to never comment on pieces of news released by foreign media, in reference to Lebanese outlets.
Talking exclusively to the PIC, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil said on Sunday evening: “The assassination is another episode in the series of renewed Israeli crimes perpetrated against the Palestinian people and Arabs.”
He said the murder is a barefaced proof of Israel’s inherent thirst for bloodshed and of the state of psychosis undergone by the Israeli parties ahead of the electoral race.
The Hamas leader raised alarm bells over the murder, and pushed for taking a tougher line against the Israeli war criminals.
Six members of Hezbollah were killed Sunday after a barrage of rockets was slammed by the Israeli occupation army into Syria, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli strike in the Syrian Golan Heights killed Jihad Moughniyah, the son of the slain top military operative Imad Moughniyah.
The fighters were killed during a field reconnaissance mission in the Mazraat Amal village of Quneitra province, a Hezbollah statement read.
No clarifications have been provided by the Israeli occupation army over the attack, claiming to never comment on pieces of news released by foreign media, in reference to Lebanese outlets.
Sami Zabadna, 47
The Arabs48 news website has reported that a Palestinian man was killed, on Sunday evening, during the funeral procession of Sami al-Ja’ar, 20, who was killed by the Israeli Police in the Negev on Wednesday.
It said Sami Zabadna, 47 years of age, died due to the effects of tear gas inhalation in Rahat city, in the Negev.
The situation in Rahat is subject to further escalation due to heavy police presence, especially after the death of Zabadna, the second Palestinian to be killed since Wednesday.
The City Council in Rahat decided to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the latest Israeli escalation, and future steps to protest it.
The Arabs48 said the clashes took place on Sunday evening near the Rahat graveyard, and that at least 15 persons were injured.
Dozens of officers were deployed around the graveyard prior to the burial ceremony, an issue that led to tension and clashes with local youths; police and Border Guard units and fired gas bombs at the funeral procession.
Many persons have been hurt, while at least 15 fainted due to extreme effects of tear gas inhalation.
The police also assaulted many residents, including the father of Sami al-Ja’aar, who was killed last Wednesday.
The Police said the officers opened fire at the mourners near the graveyard, allegedly after some mourners “fired live rounds into the air during the funeral procession.”
Thousands of persons, including political and social Arab figures, participated in the funeral procession.
The Higher Arab Committee in the Negev declared a general strike that includes all schools in the Negev, to protest the police escalation and violence.
The Arabs48 news website has reported that a Palestinian man was killed, on Sunday evening, during the funeral procession of Sami al-Ja’ar, 20, who was killed by the Israeli Police in the Negev on Wednesday.
It said Sami Zabadna, 47 years of age, died due to the effects of tear gas inhalation in Rahat city, in the Negev.
The situation in Rahat is subject to further escalation due to heavy police presence, especially after the death of Zabadna, the second Palestinian to be killed since Wednesday.
The City Council in Rahat decided to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the latest Israeli escalation, and future steps to protest it.
The Arabs48 said the clashes took place on Sunday evening near the Rahat graveyard, and that at least 15 persons were injured.
Dozens of officers were deployed around the graveyard prior to the burial ceremony, an issue that led to tension and clashes with local youths; police and Border Guard units and fired gas bombs at the funeral procession.
Many persons have been hurt, while at least 15 fainted due to extreme effects of tear gas inhalation.
The police also assaulted many residents, including the father of Sami al-Ja’aar, who was killed last Wednesday.
The Police said the officers opened fire at the mourners near the graveyard, allegedly after some mourners “fired live rounds into the air during the funeral procession.”
Thousands of persons, including political and social Arab figures, participated in the funeral procession.
The Higher Arab Committee in the Negev declared a general strike that includes all schools in the Negev, to protest the police escalation and violence.
Jihad Moghaniya
The Israeli air force, on Sunday evening, fired missiles targeting a number of fighters from the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, in the Syrian bity of al-Qneitra, killing several fighters, including the son of late Hezbollah leader Imad Mughaniya, who was assassinated by Israel in February of 2008.
The Hezbollah party, headed by Hasan Nasrallah, said that seven of its fighters, including three senior leaders, were killed by Israeli missiles, and that one of slain has been identified as Jihad Moghaniya.
The other six slain fighters are Mahdi Mosawy, Ali Fuad, Hasan al-Ash-hab, Hussein Hasan, Mohammad Issa and Ali Rida.
Hezbollah-run TV in Lebanon, al-Manar, said the Israeli army targeted the fighters while inspecting al-Amal Farms in al-Qneitra.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Major General (res.) Yuav Galant hinted that the assassination, especially the timing of it, was motivated by the upcoming Israeli elections.
Galant said that the timing of the assassination is similar to the assassination of al-Qassam leader in Gaza, Ahmad al-Ja’bari, who was killed by an Israeli missile in 2012.
This assassination was the breaking point that was followed by the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, dubbed by Tel Aviv as “Pillar Of Defense.”
Galant said that al-Ja’abary’s assassination comes just two months ahead of the 2013 Israel election.
He said the move took place as Israel was preparing for general election and, although the army had many previous opportunities to kill him, they did not do so due to timing considerations.
He was serving as general commander of the Southern Command of the Israeli military, prior to the assassination.
The Israeli army claims that the fighters were killed, allegedly, “while planning to attack Israel”.
The assassination comes but a few days after the Hezbollah leader denounced the repeated Israeli strikes against Syria as an ongoing aggression, and that his party, fighting in Syria in cooperation with the Syrian army, has the right to retaliate.
Israeli TV Channel 2 reported, Sunday evening, that Israel believes Hezbollah will retaliate for the assassination, and that the army has stepped-up its readiness in the northern region, close to the border with Syria and Lebanon.
The army estimates that Hezbollah fighters will likely fires mortar shells, and other types of missiles and, at the time of this publication, Israel has reportedly deployed its Iron Dome missile intercepting system in the region..
Although Israel did not officially claim the assassination, Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told Israeli radio that “if Hezbollah says its men were killed in the attack, then let them explain to us what were they doing in Syria to start with”.
Meanwhile, Arabs48 news website also reported that, according to an Israeli security official, the air force targeted fighters in the Al-Qneitra area, allegedly, as they were “planning to attack Israel”.
Syrian sources said that an Israeli drone fired two missiles which led to the death of the Hezbollah fighters.
The area of al-Qneitra is the site of fierce battles between the Syrian army and different armed groups, including fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda.
It is worth mentioning that Imad Moghaniya was assassinated in Damascus, in 2008, and was regarded as one of the most sought fighters by Israel and the United States, for attacks against Israeli and other targets.
The Israeli army is responsible for numerous strikes targeting Syria, including several against military centers and scientific research facilities, leading to dozens of casualties.
Iran general killed with Hezbollah fighters in Israel raid
An Israeli strike on Syria killed an Iranian general, Tehran confirmed Monday, as thousands of supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah gathered to bury one of six fighters killed in the same raid.
The attack on Sunday near Quneitra on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights enraged Hezbollah's supporters, but analysts said the group would avoid a major escalation with Israel.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of one of their generals in a statement on their website.
"General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and a number of fighters and Islamic Resistance (Hezbollah) forces were attacked by the Zionist regime's helicopters," it said.
"This brave general and some members of Hezbollah were martyred."
A source close to Hezbollah said six Iranians had been killed in the attack. Hezbollah told AFP that it was not the source of that toll.
Among Hezbollah's dead was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of an assassinated commander from the group, and Mohammed Issa, a commander responsible for Hezbollah's operations in Syria and Iraq.
Once solely focused on fighting Israel, Hezbollah is now deeply involved in the war in neighboring Syria, where it backs President Bashar Assad.
'Resistance will decide response'
With its forces spread thin, and little appetite in fragile Lebanon for a new conflict with Israel, analysts said Hezbollah would seek to respond to the raid without provoking a full-on war.
On Monday afternoon, thousands of mourners gathered in Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold for Mughniyeh's funeral.
"God willing, the resistance will retaliate but the leadership of the resistance will be the one to decide the nature and timing," said Hassana Sadaqa, as she prepared to pay her respects.
Mourners chanted "Our party is Hezbollah, our leader is Nasrallah" as the coffin was carried through the streets and shots were fired into the air.
Mughniyeh was buried in the same cemetery as his father Imad, who was killed in a 2008 car bombing that Hezbollah blamed on Israel.
As the crowds marched through the streets, residents threw confetti down from their balconies, celebrating what they see as the fighters' "martyrdom."
Hezbollah's al-Manar television said the six were killed as they carried out reconnaissance.
But an Israeli security source said an Israeli helicopter carried our a strike on "terrorists" who were preparing an attack on Israel.
'Israel called Hezbollah's bluff'
The strike came days after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted the movement was stronger than ever.
He touted its sophisticated arsenal, including Fateh-110 missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) or more and are capable of hitting much of Israel.
Analysts said the Israeli strike, days after Nasrallah's bellicose remarks, stood to embarrass Hezbollah.
"What happened is that the Israelis called Hezbollah's bluff last night," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University in Beirut.
But he said Hezbollah's response was likely to be limited "because if it retaliates, it will be another war. Hezbollah is in Syria and it is not ready for another war against Israel."
Walid Charara, an analyst close to Hezbollah, said he had "no doubt" that the group would respond, either from Lebanese or Syrian territory.
Khashan said Hezbollah could resort to small-scale attacks, like a roadside bomb on the ceasefire line with Israel it claimed last year, but would avoid a more serious response.
Speaking to reporters at the funeral, Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah's political bureau, said all-out war was unlikely, but that "the war of (limited) strikes, assassinations, and intermittent confrontation continues."
But another Hezbollah official, MP Bilal Farhat, refused to say what might happen next. "Let's wait and see," he said.
Lebanese media weighed the prospect of conflict, with the al-Safir newspaper saying Hezbollah needed something "more than a reply and less than a war."
In Israel, analysts made the same calculation.
"Hezbollah doesn't want a full-fledged war," said Yoram Schweitzer, a former Israeli military counterterrorism chief.
"It has a number of possibilities to respond in different arenas. We assume that it currently does not want full contact," he told AFP.
Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.
In 2006, Israel fought a bloody war against Hezbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Israel strike on Syria 'also killed 6 Iranians'
An Israeli strike on Syria that killed six members of Hezbollah also killed six Iranian solders, including commanders, a source close to the Lebanese Shiite group told AFP on Monday.
"The Israeli strike killed six Iranian soldiers, including commanders, as well as the six members of Hezbollah. They were all in a convoy of three cars," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Israeli air force, on Sunday evening, fired missiles targeting a number of fighters from the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, in the Syrian bity of al-Qneitra, killing several fighters, including the son of late Hezbollah leader Imad Mughaniya, who was assassinated by Israel in February of 2008.
The Hezbollah party, headed by Hasan Nasrallah, said that seven of its fighters, including three senior leaders, were killed by Israeli missiles, and that one of slain has been identified as Jihad Moghaniya.
The other six slain fighters are Mahdi Mosawy, Ali Fuad, Hasan al-Ash-hab, Hussein Hasan, Mohammad Issa and Ali Rida.
Hezbollah-run TV in Lebanon, al-Manar, said the Israeli army targeted the fighters while inspecting al-Amal Farms in al-Qneitra.
Israeli Ynet News reported that Major General (res.) Yuav Galant hinted that the assassination, especially the timing of it, was motivated by the upcoming Israeli elections.
Galant said that the timing of the assassination is similar to the assassination of al-Qassam leader in Gaza, Ahmad al-Ja’bari, who was killed by an Israeli missile in 2012.
This assassination was the breaking point that was followed by the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, dubbed by Tel Aviv as “Pillar Of Defense.”
Galant said that al-Ja’abary’s assassination comes just two months ahead of the 2013 Israel election.
He said the move took place as Israel was preparing for general election and, although the army had many previous opportunities to kill him, they did not do so due to timing considerations.
He was serving as general commander of the Southern Command of the Israeli military, prior to the assassination.
The Israeli army claims that the fighters were killed, allegedly, “while planning to attack Israel”.
The assassination comes but a few days after the Hezbollah leader denounced the repeated Israeli strikes against Syria as an ongoing aggression, and that his party, fighting in Syria in cooperation with the Syrian army, has the right to retaliate.
Israeli TV Channel 2 reported, Sunday evening, that Israel believes Hezbollah will retaliate for the assassination, and that the army has stepped-up its readiness in the northern region, close to the border with Syria and Lebanon.
The army estimates that Hezbollah fighters will likely fires mortar shells, and other types of missiles and, at the time of this publication, Israel has reportedly deployed its Iron Dome missile intercepting system in the region..
Although Israel did not officially claim the assassination, Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told Israeli radio that “if Hezbollah says its men were killed in the attack, then let them explain to us what were they doing in Syria to start with”.
Meanwhile, Arabs48 news website also reported that, according to an Israeli security official, the air force targeted fighters in the Al-Qneitra area, allegedly, as they were “planning to attack Israel”.
Syrian sources said that an Israeli drone fired two missiles which led to the death of the Hezbollah fighters.
The area of al-Qneitra is the site of fierce battles between the Syrian army and different armed groups, including fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda.
It is worth mentioning that Imad Moghaniya was assassinated in Damascus, in 2008, and was regarded as one of the most sought fighters by Israel and the United States, for attacks against Israeli and other targets.
The Israeli army is responsible for numerous strikes targeting Syria, including several against military centers and scientific research facilities, leading to dozens of casualties.
Iran general killed with Hezbollah fighters in Israel raid
An Israeli strike on Syria killed an Iranian general, Tehran confirmed Monday, as thousands of supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah gathered to bury one of six fighters killed in the same raid.
The attack on Sunday near Quneitra on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights enraged Hezbollah's supporters, but analysts said the group would avoid a major escalation with Israel.
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of one of their generals in a statement on their website.
"General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and a number of fighters and Islamic Resistance (Hezbollah) forces were attacked by the Zionist regime's helicopters," it said.
"This brave general and some members of Hezbollah were martyred."
A source close to Hezbollah said six Iranians had been killed in the attack. Hezbollah told AFP that it was not the source of that toll.
Among Hezbollah's dead was Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of an assassinated commander from the group, and Mohammed Issa, a commander responsible for Hezbollah's operations in Syria and Iraq.
Once solely focused on fighting Israel, Hezbollah is now deeply involved in the war in neighboring Syria, where it backs President Bashar Assad.
'Resistance will decide response'
With its forces spread thin, and little appetite in fragile Lebanon for a new conflict with Israel, analysts said Hezbollah would seek to respond to the raid without provoking a full-on war.
On Monday afternoon, thousands of mourners gathered in Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold for Mughniyeh's funeral.
"God willing, the resistance will retaliate but the leadership of the resistance will be the one to decide the nature and timing," said Hassana Sadaqa, as she prepared to pay her respects.
Mourners chanted "Our party is Hezbollah, our leader is Nasrallah" as the coffin was carried through the streets and shots were fired into the air.
Mughniyeh was buried in the same cemetery as his father Imad, who was killed in a 2008 car bombing that Hezbollah blamed on Israel.
As the crowds marched through the streets, residents threw confetti down from their balconies, celebrating what they see as the fighters' "martyrdom."
Hezbollah's al-Manar television said the six were killed as they carried out reconnaissance.
But an Israeli security source said an Israeli helicopter carried our a strike on "terrorists" who were preparing an attack on Israel.
'Israel called Hezbollah's bluff'
The strike came days after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted the movement was stronger than ever.
He touted its sophisticated arsenal, including Fateh-110 missiles, which have a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) or more and are capable of hitting much of Israel.
Analysts said the Israeli strike, days after Nasrallah's bellicose remarks, stood to embarrass Hezbollah.
"What happened is that the Israelis called Hezbollah's bluff last night," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University in Beirut.
But he said Hezbollah's response was likely to be limited "because if it retaliates, it will be another war. Hezbollah is in Syria and it is not ready for another war against Israel."
Walid Charara, an analyst close to Hezbollah, said he had "no doubt" that the group would respond, either from Lebanese or Syrian territory.
Khashan said Hezbollah could resort to small-scale attacks, like a roadside bomb on the ceasefire line with Israel it claimed last year, but would avoid a more serious response.
Speaking to reporters at the funeral, Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah's political bureau, said all-out war was unlikely, but that "the war of (limited) strikes, assassinations, and intermittent confrontation continues."
But another Hezbollah official, MP Bilal Farhat, refused to say what might happen next. "Let's wait and see," he said.
Lebanese media weighed the prospect of conflict, with the al-Safir newspaper saying Hezbollah needed something "more than a reply and less than a war."
In Israel, analysts made the same calculation.
"Hezbollah doesn't want a full-fledged war," said Yoram Schweitzer, a former Israeli military counterterrorism chief.
"It has a number of possibilities to respond in different arenas. We assume that it currently does not want full contact," he told AFP.
Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.
In 2006, Israel fought a bloody war against Hezbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Israel strike on Syria 'also killed 6 Iranians'
An Israeli strike on Syria that killed six members of Hezbollah also killed six Iranian solders, including commanders, a source close to the Lebanese Shiite group told AFP on Monday.
"The Israeli strike killed six Iranian soldiers, including commanders, as well as the six members of Hezbollah. They were all in a convoy of three cars," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
18 jan 2015
A single day general strike has been declared in the Negev and 1948 occupied territories on Sunday to protest the killing of a Palestinian youth at the hands of Israeli police.
Israeli policemen shot dead the Palestinian youth, Sami Khalid al-Jaar, on Wednesday January 14 in Rahat town in the Negev.
The supreme follow-up committee of the Arabs in Negev and Rahat announced a full scale strike on Sunday in Negev Arab towns as well as Arab local councils of 1948 occupied territories.
The committee announced the one day industrial action on Sunday, which marks the funeral day of Martyr al-Jaar, to protest his murder by the Israeli policemen.
The committee called for holding a meeting immediately after the funeral to discuss new protest steps in response to the frequent assaults of the Israeli police on Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Israeli policemen were deployed in the vicinity of Rahat in anticipation of expected confrontation during the funeral.
Israeli policemen shot dead the Palestinian youth, Sami Khalid al-Jaar, on Wednesday January 14 in Rahat town in the Negev.
The supreme follow-up committee of the Arabs in Negev and Rahat announced a full scale strike on Sunday in Negev Arab towns as well as Arab local councils of 1948 occupied territories.
The committee announced the one day industrial action on Sunday, which marks the funeral day of Martyr al-Jaar, to protest his murder by the Israeli policemen.
The committee called for holding a meeting immediately after the funeral to discuss new protest steps in response to the frequent assaults of the Israeli police on Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Israeli policemen were deployed in the vicinity of Rahat in anticipation of expected confrontation during the funeral.
16 jan 2015
Scores of Palestinians in Yatta town on Thursday afternoon marched in the funeral procession of the Palestinian minor Osama Abu Jundiyah, who was shot dead by an Israeli soldier on Wednesday.
Local sources said the family received the body of its son on Thursday after it had been seized by the Israeli occupation for 24 hours.
The 17-year-old victim was killed by an Israeli soldier in cold-blood near the illegal Gush Etzion settlement, north of al-Khalil city, where eyewitnesses said he was posing no threat to anyone.
Local sources said the family received the body of its son on Thursday after it had been seized by the Israeli occupation for 24 hours.
The 17-year-old victim was killed by an Israeli soldier in cold-blood near the illegal Gush Etzion settlement, north of al-Khalil city, where eyewitnesses said he was posing no threat to anyone.
15 jan 2015
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By Alex Shams
As the second anniversary of the death of a young Palestinian boy from Bethlehem approaches, his friends came out to paint a mural on the wall of his childhood home to keep his memory alive. 15-year-old Saleh al-Amarin was shot in the head with a live bullet by Israeli soldiers in Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem on Jan. 18, 2013, and he passed away five days later at a Jerusalem hospital. For his friends and family, the pain of the loss has hardly subsided, and his visage has been spray-painted across much of the neighborhood. On Wednesday night, a mural went up on his house in Azza refugee camp to remind both locals as well as passing tourists of the loss the community suffered on a cold January day two years before. Two of the muralists, brothers from the nearby Duheisha refugee camp where Saleh |
was a student, told Ma'an that the mural was a way for them to commemorate their friend and the way he died. For them, it was also a form of resistance.
"He was a close friend of mine, like my brother," Ali Obeid, 17, told Ma'an as he took a break from painting. "By painting these murals, I can express my feelings about his death and I'm also able to struggle against the Israeli occupation."
"I don't throw rocks (at soldiers), but I express myself and my freedom through these murals. Everything we express, the Israelis try to suppress. But by painting his face and his eyes on the wall, I can spread awareness of his martyrdom."
Ali's brother Muhammad, 18, also helped paint the mural.
"He was one of us, a young guy from the camps, so we knew each other well," he told Ma'an.
"We are painting this mural on the door of his home. But it is also on a main road that many tourists pass by. They should know that here there was a 15-year-old martyr who was killed even though he wasn't doing anything."
The Israeli military say Saleh was shot while a group of youths threw rocks at the eight-meter high concrete Israeli separation wall as it passes through the nearby Aida refugee camp, though eyewitness testimony directly contradicts the account and suggests nothing was happening at the time.
For locals -- all of whom are refugees whose families were forced from their original homes in villages in what is now Israel in 1948 -- whether or not Saleh was throwing rocks when he was shot is less important than the facts of the incident: an unarmed youth was shot dead by an Israel soldier holding a rifle, protected by a concrete barrier.
'The martyr of three camps'
Saleh's father, Ahmad al-Amarin, stood near the the crowd of his son's friends as they painted the mural, smiling occasionally at the light-hearted jokes and staring wistfully at the greater-than-life portrait of his only son taking shape on the refugee camp wall.
"They call him the martyr of the three camps," he told Ma'an, "because Saleh was studying at an academy in Duheisha, he was born and lived here in Azza, and he was martyred in Aida."
"His friends paint these murals because they refuse to forget the dear friend of theirs that died, their brother, their beloved," he told Ma’an, pointing at the crowd of youths from all over Bethlehem gathered as the mural took shape.
"His martyrdom caused a great shock for all of the kids around here, and it is clear they have not forgotten him … For me, mural or no mural, I won't forget him."
Saleh's father spent the five days following his son's shooting in the hospital at his bedside along with the rest of the family. Even two years later, he told Ma'an, he cannot understand why Israeli soldiers chose to kill his son, whose greatest dream in life was to play soccer in a professional league.
"They shot an unarmed child. What kind of danger did he pose to them?," he asked, as the kids gathered around murmured in agreement.
"If he was carrying a rifle or if there was an exchange of fire, I can understand perhaps. But this was a kid walking around with nothing on him, and a soldier opened fire. Why do you shoot a child? Why do you kill him just like that?"
Al-Amarin also highlighted the deep sadness he felt on the day the doctors told him there was nothing that could be done to save Saleh's life.
After he passed away, the family brought him home to be buried in the cemetery of Aida camp, only a few meters from where he was shot.
His small body was laid to rest in a small white tomb overlooked by the same Israeli military watchtowers that gazed upon his wounded body as it lay bleeding on the pavement of the nearby street.
'It's as if we're not even human'
Before the killing of his son, Saleh's father used to work at a job in Jerusalem to earn money for his family. Once his son was killed, however, Israeli authorities took away his work permit, in a policy often meted out to those whose family members' lives are taken by Israeli soldiers.
For Saleh's father, the "punishment" he received only highlights the double standard faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
"Imagine if he was an Israeli child and the Palestinian police shot him, what would have happened? They would have destroyed his home and punished his family. And for us what happens? Nothing!"
"They forget. It's as if we're not even human. They shoot us and there are no consequences."
Palestinians continue to be killed with few consequences for their murderers, protected as they are by the uniforms of the Israeli military. 49 Palestinians were killed across the West Bank in 2014, and nearly 2,300 were slaughtered in Gaza in the same period.
Two years after Saleh's life was taken, justice for his friends and family seems further than ever.
"He was a close friend of mine, like my brother," Ali Obeid, 17, told Ma'an as he took a break from painting. "By painting these murals, I can express my feelings about his death and I'm also able to struggle against the Israeli occupation."
"I don't throw rocks (at soldiers), but I express myself and my freedom through these murals. Everything we express, the Israelis try to suppress. But by painting his face and his eyes on the wall, I can spread awareness of his martyrdom."
Ali's brother Muhammad, 18, also helped paint the mural.
"He was one of us, a young guy from the camps, so we knew each other well," he told Ma'an.
"We are painting this mural on the door of his home. But it is also on a main road that many tourists pass by. They should know that here there was a 15-year-old martyr who was killed even though he wasn't doing anything."
The Israeli military say Saleh was shot while a group of youths threw rocks at the eight-meter high concrete Israeli separation wall as it passes through the nearby Aida refugee camp, though eyewitness testimony directly contradicts the account and suggests nothing was happening at the time.
For locals -- all of whom are refugees whose families were forced from their original homes in villages in what is now Israel in 1948 -- whether or not Saleh was throwing rocks when he was shot is less important than the facts of the incident: an unarmed youth was shot dead by an Israel soldier holding a rifle, protected by a concrete barrier.
'The martyr of three camps'
Saleh's father, Ahmad al-Amarin, stood near the the crowd of his son's friends as they painted the mural, smiling occasionally at the light-hearted jokes and staring wistfully at the greater-than-life portrait of his only son taking shape on the refugee camp wall.
"They call him the martyr of the three camps," he told Ma'an, "because Saleh was studying at an academy in Duheisha, he was born and lived here in Azza, and he was martyred in Aida."
"His friends paint these murals because they refuse to forget the dear friend of theirs that died, their brother, their beloved," he told Ma’an, pointing at the crowd of youths from all over Bethlehem gathered as the mural took shape.
"His martyrdom caused a great shock for all of the kids around here, and it is clear they have not forgotten him … For me, mural or no mural, I won't forget him."
Saleh's father spent the five days following his son's shooting in the hospital at his bedside along with the rest of the family. Even two years later, he told Ma'an, he cannot understand why Israeli soldiers chose to kill his son, whose greatest dream in life was to play soccer in a professional league.
"They shot an unarmed child. What kind of danger did he pose to them?," he asked, as the kids gathered around murmured in agreement.
"If he was carrying a rifle or if there was an exchange of fire, I can understand perhaps. But this was a kid walking around with nothing on him, and a soldier opened fire. Why do you shoot a child? Why do you kill him just like that?"
Al-Amarin also highlighted the deep sadness he felt on the day the doctors told him there was nothing that could be done to save Saleh's life.
After he passed away, the family brought him home to be buried in the cemetery of Aida camp, only a few meters from where he was shot.
His small body was laid to rest in a small white tomb overlooked by the same Israeli military watchtowers that gazed upon his wounded body as it lay bleeding on the pavement of the nearby street.
'It's as if we're not even human'
Before the killing of his son, Saleh's father used to work at a job in Jerusalem to earn money for his family. Once his son was killed, however, Israeli authorities took away his work permit, in a policy often meted out to those whose family members' lives are taken by Israeli soldiers.
For Saleh's father, the "punishment" he received only highlights the double standard faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
"Imagine if he was an Israeli child and the Palestinian police shot him, what would have happened? They would have destroyed his home and punished his family. And for us what happens? Nothing!"
"They forget. It's as if we're not even human. They shoot us and there are no consequences."
Palestinians continue to be killed with few consequences for their murderers, protected as they are by the uniforms of the Israeli military. 49 Palestinians were killed across the West Bank in 2014, and nearly 2,300 were slaughtered in Gaza in the same period.
Two years after Saleh's life was taken, justice for his friends and family seems further than ever.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, mourned Osama Abu Jundiyeh and called for avenging his murder.
The Israeli occupation forces killed the 17-year-old Abu Jundiyeh from the town of Yatta, south of al-Khalil, and wounded another on Wednesday evening, claiming the soldiers were responding to fire after one of their patrols was attacked.
Hamas said, in a statement on Thursday, the escalation of resistance is the only option to respond to the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
Palestinians are clinging to their lands and rights despite all the Zionist murder and destruction policies to keep them away from their homeland Palestine, Hamas said.
The Israeli occupation forces killed the 17-year-old Abu Jundiyeh from the town of Yatta, south of al-Khalil, and wounded another on Wednesday evening, claiming the soldiers were responding to fire after one of their patrols was attacked.
Hamas said, in a statement on Thursday, the escalation of resistance is the only option to respond to the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
Palestinians are clinging to their lands and rights despite all the Zionist murder and destruction policies to keep them away from their homeland Palestine, Hamas said.
Dr. Ahmad Tibi
Arab Member of Israeli Knesset, head of the Arab Movement for Change, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Police Commissioner Major-General Yohanan Danino, demanding him to conduct an investigation into the police killing of a Palestinian man in Rahat, on Wednesday.
Dr. Tibi said Sami al-Ja’aar, 20 years of age, is the 49th Palestinian citizen of Israel to be killed by the Police since the al-Aqsa Intifada started in late September 2000, an issue that indicates that the Police and the army regard the Arab citizens as hostiles, and not as equal citizens.
He added that the lack of accountability “seems to be encouraging trigger-happy police and soldiers to target more Palestinians in the country, without any fear of prosecution.”
“In November, the police killed Kheir Hamdan, 22, in the Kufr Kanna in the Galilee, and now they killed al-Ja’ar. The officers take wrong decisions in the field and Arab citizens end up paying heavily for that,” Dr. Tibi said, “The officers need to be instructed on how to deal with the public, and how not to consider the lives of young Arabs as something less than others.”
The official demanded the Israeli Justice Minister, also in command of the Ministry of Justice Police Investigation Unit (Mahash) to establish an external, independent, investigation committee to investigate those violations in order to avoid what usually happens when the police shuts the investigations, without punishing the officers who hurt, and killed, Arab citizens.
Dr. Tibi also said that the Police Investigation Committee is very lenient when dealing with officers who kill and assault Arab citizens.
“We do not see convictions, or punishment, that is why we are demanding an independent, external, investigation committee," he added, “We want serious and impartial investigations.”
“Why is it that the Police only kills Arab citizens, when Jewish citizens protest and clash with the police no one gets killed,” Dr. Tibi said, “This only proves duality in dealing with the Arabs; you can easily see the difference in how the Police deals with Jews, and how it deals with Arabs.”
Arab Member of Israeli Knesset, head of the Arab Movement for Change, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, sent an urgent letter to the Israeli Police Commissioner Major-General Yohanan Danino, demanding him to conduct an investigation into the police killing of a Palestinian man in Rahat, on Wednesday.
Dr. Tibi said Sami al-Ja’aar, 20 years of age, is the 49th Palestinian citizen of Israel to be killed by the Police since the al-Aqsa Intifada started in late September 2000, an issue that indicates that the Police and the army regard the Arab citizens as hostiles, and not as equal citizens.
He added that the lack of accountability “seems to be encouraging trigger-happy police and soldiers to target more Palestinians in the country, without any fear of prosecution.”
“In November, the police killed Kheir Hamdan, 22, in the Kufr Kanna in the Galilee, and now they killed al-Ja’ar. The officers take wrong decisions in the field and Arab citizens end up paying heavily for that,” Dr. Tibi said, “The officers need to be instructed on how to deal with the public, and how not to consider the lives of young Arabs as something less than others.”
The official demanded the Israeli Justice Minister, also in command of the Ministry of Justice Police Investigation Unit (Mahash) to establish an external, independent, investigation committee to investigate those violations in order to avoid what usually happens when the police shuts the investigations, without punishing the officers who hurt, and killed, Arab citizens.
Dr. Tibi also said that the Police Investigation Committee is very lenient when dealing with officers who kill and assault Arab citizens.
“We do not see convictions, or punishment, that is why we are demanding an independent, external, investigation committee," he added, “We want serious and impartial investigations.”
“Why is it that the Police only kills Arab citizens, when Jewish citizens protest and clash with the police no one gets killed,” Dr. Tibi said, “This only proves duality in dealing with the Arabs; you can easily see the difference in how the Police deals with Jews, and how it deals with Arabs.”
Sami al-Ja’aar, 20
The Arabs48 News Website has reported that the Israeli police shot and killed, on Wednesday evening, a young Palestinian man, and wounded two others, during clashes with local residents in Rahat city, in the Negev.
It said Sami al-Ja’aar, 20 years of age, was shot and seriously wounded, and died of his wounds at the Barzelai hospital in Asqalan (Ashkelon).
In a statement, the Israeli Police said it was operating against drugs in Basin #25 area, and clashes with local youths who hurled stones at them. The army also moderately injured another Palestinian; two officers suffered mild injuries.
The Police is alleging the sources of fire that killed al-Ja’aar was still unclear, and that the two wounded Palestinians are related to slain Palestinian.
Dozens of military and police vehicles have been deployed in the area, especially around the Police station in Rahat, following the death of the Palestinian.
The Rahat Local Council declared a strike that does not include schools and medical centers, on Thursday, and demanded the formation of a credible investigations committee.
The Arabs48 News Website has reported that the Israeli police shot and killed, on Wednesday evening, a young Palestinian man, and wounded two others, during clashes with local residents in Rahat city, in the Negev.
It said Sami al-Ja’aar, 20 years of age, was shot and seriously wounded, and died of his wounds at the Barzelai hospital in Asqalan (Ashkelon).
In a statement, the Israeli Police said it was operating against drugs in Basin #25 area, and clashes with local youths who hurled stones at them. The army also moderately injured another Palestinian; two officers suffered mild injuries.
The Police is alleging the sources of fire that killed al-Ja’aar was still unclear, and that the two wounded Palestinians are related to slain Palestinian.
Dozens of military and police vehicles have been deployed in the area, especially around the Police station in Rahat, following the death of the Palestinian.
The Rahat Local Council declared a strike that does not include schools and medical centers, on Thursday, and demanded the formation of a credible investigations committee.
Osama ‘Ali Mohammad Abu Jundiyya, 17
Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Wednesday evening, a Palestinian teenager from Yatta town, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped his friend, while walking near the Etzion Junction, south of Bethlehem.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot Osama ‘Ali Mohammad Abu Jundiyya, 17 years of age, seriously wounding him, and prevented a Palestinian ambulance that rushed to the scene from reaching him, before he died of his wounds.
The soldiers also kidnapped Jundiyya’s friend, Mousa Jibrin an-Najjar, 20 years of age, and took him to the Etzion military base.
The Israeli Police alleged the slain Palestinian, and his friend, attempted to attack a car of an Israeli settler at the junction, and that one of the soldiers opened fire at them.
Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfed told the Maan News Agency that the two were part of what he called “a criminal incident”, and that the Police opened fire on them after they “attempted to escape.”
Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian Teen, Claim He "Acted Suspiciously"
Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Wednesday evening, a Palestinian teenager from Yatta town, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and kidnapped his friend, while walking near the Etzion Junction, south of Bethlehem.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot Osama ‘Ali Mohammad Abu Jundiyya, 17 years of age, seriously wounding him, and prevented a Palestinian ambulance that rushed to the scene from reaching him, before he died of his wounds.
The soldiers also kidnapped Jundiyya’s friend, Mousa Jibrin an-Najjar, 20 years of age, and took him to the Etzion military base.
The Israeli Police alleged the slain Palestinian, and his friend, attempted to attack a car of an Israeli settler at the junction, and that one of the soldiers opened fire at them.
Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfed told the Maan News Agency that the two were part of what he called “a criminal incident”, and that the Police opened fire on them after they “attempted to escape.”
Israeli Soldiers Kill Palestinian Teen, Claim He "Acted Suspiciously"
Israeli soldiers Wednesday evening chased car which two Palestinians rid near Gosh Etsyon settlement South Bethlehem, then opened fire at it, killing Osama Abu Jundeya (17) from Yatta village south Hebron, and injuring the other.
According to Israeli channel 2, the two Palestinians "acted strange" near the Rami Levi store in Etsyon. Army jeep then chased their car and opened fire at it.
However, occupation police report claimed that the two youngsters were acting suspiciously near a car parked in the store parking, and so one of them was arrested, while police shot the other after he tried to escape.
The Red Hilal ambulances later announced that Osama Al-Jundi died of his wounds after shot in the head, and his mate is currently injured.
According to Israeli channel 2, the two Palestinians "acted strange" near the Rami Levi store in Etsyon. Army jeep then chased their car and opened fire at it.
However, occupation police report claimed that the two youngsters were acting suspiciously near a car parked in the store parking, and so one of them was arrested, while police shot the other after he tried to escape.
The Red Hilal ambulances later announced that Osama Al-Jundi died of his wounds after shot in the head, and his mate is currently injured.
