1 sept 2015
The Palestinian resistance in the West Bank has remained steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation, Hamas spokesman Husam Badran said early Tuesday.
Commenting on the events cropping up overnight in the Jenin refugee camp, Husam Badran said the Palestinian resistance has taken the wind out of Israel’s sail and taught the enemy an unforgettable lesson in the art of street fighting.
“Yesterday was one of the first days of an intifada (uprising) flaring up in the West Bank,” he said. “The sound of bullets fired at the Israeli occupation in the Jenin refugee camp has brought back the memories of the heroic martyrs who have previously taught the occupation an unforgettable lesson.”
He hailed the Palestinian resistance fighters who have thwarted the preplanned attack on the Jenin refugee camp and stood firm against the heavily-armed Israeli troops, forcing them to enter into a state of unparalleled frenzy.
He further paid tribute to the young Palestinian protesters, who hurled stones at the Israeli troops that crept into the camp, and burned down a military vehicle.
Badran called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately cease security coordination with the Israeli occupation and adopt the choices opted for by the Palestinian people.
He said the PA apparatuses overnight Monday stormed the house of the ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija before he was chased down and kidnapped, along with three family members of his by the Israeli occupation officers.
Badran’s statements were released hours after an officer in the Israeli Yamam unit was wounded during a shootout between the Israeli occupation forces and Palestinian resistance fighters in the West Bank city of Jenin late Monday night.
Commenting on the events cropping up overnight in the Jenin refugee camp, Husam Badran said the Palestinian resistance has taken the wind out of Israel’s sail and taught the enemy an unforgettable lesson in the art of street fighting.
“Yesterday was one of the first days of an intifada (uprising) flaring up in the West Bank,” he said. “The sound of bullets fired at the Israeli occupation in the Jenin refugee camp has brought back the memories of the heroic martyrs who have previously taught the occupation an unforgettable lesson.”
He hailed the Palestinian resistance fighters who have thwarted the preplanned attack on the Jenin refugee camp and stood firm against the heavily-armed Israeli troops, forcing them to enter into a state of unparalleled frenzy.
He further paid tribute to the young Palestinian protesters, who hurled stones at the Israeli troops that crept into the camp, and burned down a military vehicle.
Badran called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately cease security coordination with the Israeli occupation and adopt the choices opted for by the Palestinian people.
He said the PA apparatuses overnight Monday stormed the house of the ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija before he was chased down and kidnapped, along with three family members of his by the Israeli occupation officers.
Badran’s statements were released hours after an officer in the Israeli Yamam unit was wounded during a shootout between the Israeli occupation forces and Palestinian resistance fighters in the West Bank city of Jenin late Monday night.
What has been going on in Jenin heralds a new revolution to rock the Israeli occupation and its partners in the West Bank, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil told the PIC at dawn Tuesday.
Bardawil said the Israeli assault on the West Bank city of Jenin is a manifestation of Israel’s thirst for bloodshed and attempt to wipe out all forms of resistance.
The Hamas official attributed the attack on Jenin to the “crime of security coordination.”
He added that the Israeli occupation attempts to dampen West Bankers’ resistance spirit.
He said the Palestinian resistance will make a fresh start in Jenin and other cities of the West Bank.
Bardawil said the Israeli assault on the West Bank city of Jenin is a manifestation of Israel’s thirst for bloodshed and attempt to wipe out all forms of resistance.
The Hamas official attributed the attack on Jenin to the “crime of security coordination.”
He added that the Israeli occupation attempts to dampen West Bankers’ resistance spirit.
He said the Palestinian resistance will make a fresh start in Jenin and other cities of the West Bank.
Israeli forces enter West Bank town of Jenin to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad official, sparking violent clashes, wounding at least 5 Palestinians.
An Israeli soldier was moderately wounded in clashes that erupted Monday night in Jenin in the northern West Bank after Israeli security forces entered the area to arrest a wanted Palestinian suspect. The military is investigating the possibility the soldier was wounded by friendly fire.
The clashes lasted till dawn Tuesday.
At least five Palestinians were also wounded in the clashes, and were transported to a hospital in Jenin in light condition. There were conflicting reports on the nature of the Palestinians' injuries, with Palestinian medical sources saying the five were wounded by rubber bullets, while the head of the Red Crescent in Jenin said they suffered from smoke inhalation. Some reports said as many as 20 Palestinians were hurt.
During the raid, hundreds of Palestinians rioted in the area, hurling rocks and firebombs at the Israeli forces, the military said.
The Palestinians said that heavy gunfire broke out in fighting between the Israeli troops - which included IDF and Border Police counterterrorism troops, as well as Shin Bet operatives - and Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.
At first, the IDF Spokesman's Unit said the forces were fired upon, but later said troops "heard gunfire."
Palestinian sources reported that the IDF was trying to arrest Bassam al-Saadi, a senior Islamic Jihad official in the West Bank, who spent time in Israeli jail and was released in 2011.
The Palestinians claimed that soldiers had fired a rocket at Saadi's home. According to the reports, Saadi was outside of the building at the time and was unharmed. Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources in Jenin said Saadi was able to escape and evade arrest and was "alive and wasn't killed."
Security forces also surrounded the home of the Abu Alhaija family, suspected of having ties to Hamas' military wing in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said Majdi Abu Alhaija was arrested, as well as his brother Alaa, his 15-year-old son and his mother. The house itself was demolished by the IDF.
The wounded soldier, from the Border Police's Yamam (counterterrorism) unit was evacuated by helicopter to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa where he received care and doctors said he was in stable condition.
Shortly before dawn, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel early Tuesday, but the rocket appeared to have landed inside Gaza, the Israeli military said.
A small Salafist group in Gaza affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for firing two rockets Tuesday toward Israel, saying it was in retaliation for the West Bank arrest raid.
An Israeli soldier was moderately wounded in clashes that erupted Monday night in Jenin in the northern West Bank after Israeli security forces entered the area to arrest a wanted Palestinian suspect. The military is investigating the possibility the soldier was wounded by friendly fire.
The clashes lasted till dawn Tuesday.
At least five Palestinians were also wounded in the clashes, and were transported to a hospital in Jenin in light condition. There were conflicting reports on the nature of the Palestinians' injuries, with Palestinian medical sources saying the five were wounded by rubber bullets, while the head of the Red Crescent in Jenin said they suffered from smoke inhalation. Some reports said as many as 20 Palestinians were hurt.
During the raid, hundreds of Palestinians rioted in the area, hurling rocks and firebombs at the Israeli forces, the military said.
The Palestinians said that heavy gunfire broke out in fighting between the Israeli troops - which included IDF and Border Police counterterrorism troops, as well as Shin Bet operatives - and Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.
At first, the IDF Spokesman's Unit said the forces were fired upon, but later said troops "heard gunfire."
Palestinian sources reported that the IDF was trying to arrest Bassam al-Saadi, a senior Islamic Jihad official in the West Bank, who spent time in Israeli jail and was released in 2011.
The Palestinians claimed that soldiers had fired a rocket at Saadi's home. According to the reports, Saadi was outside of the building at the time and was unharmed. Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources in Jenin said Saadi was able to escape and evade arrest and was "alive and wasn't killed."
Security forces also surrounded the home of the Abu Alhaija family, suspected of having ties to Hamas' military wing in the West Bank. Palestinian sources said Majdi Abu Alhaija was arrested, as well as his brother Alaa, his 15-year-old son and his mother. The house itself was demolished by the IDF.
The wounded soldier, from the Border Police's Yamam (counterterrorism) unit was evacuated by helicopter to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa where he received care and doctors said he was in stable condition.
Shortly before dawn, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel early Tuesday, but the rocket appeared to have landed inside Gaza, the Israeli military said.
A small Salafist group in Gaza affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for firing two rockets Tuesday toward Israel, saying it was in retaliation for the West Bank arrest raid.
The Israeli army admitted that an officer in the Yamam unit was wounded during a shootout between the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin late Monday night.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eyewitnesses as stating that Palestinian activists stood on their ground to a special Israeli unit that rolled into Jenin.
The confrontation led to the wounding of a high-ranking Israeli officer from the Yamam unit.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that an officer in the Israel Police's Yamam (anti-terrorism) unit was wounded during the shootout.
Eyewitnesses said IOF soldiers kidnapped the Palestinian ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija, along with his wife, son, and brother moments after they cordoned off their family homes.
The IOF blew up Abu al-Heija’s house after they cordoned it off for long hours.
Two Palestinian youngsters sustained wounds during the violent clashes that burst out after over 40 Israeli army jeeps stormed the city. One of the casualties was hit by an Israeli military jeep.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation army intended to carry out a large-scale security sweep across Jenin, without identifying the nature of the operation.
They added that clashes broke out between a Palestinian resistance fighter, from al-Qassam Brigades, and the Israeli occupation soldiers.
Palestinian MP Mustafa al-Baghouti urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately halt all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation, saying this is the least the PA should do.
Spokesperson for the Ahrar movement, Yasser Khalaf, called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to step up resistance operations and pave the way for a third Intifada (uprising), urging the PA to cease security coordination.
The statements came out after reports were released on the sudden withdrawal of the PA security forces from Jenin moments before the assault.
The same sources added that armed fighters stood on the alert to the preplanned Israeli operation which was obviously targeting a resistance fighter in the area.
Army Fires Shells Into Two Homes, Demolishes A Store And Walls In Jenin
Israeli soldiers continued, on Tuesday at dawn, their invasion into the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and fired missiles into two homes, before demolishing a store and several walls. The invasion into the camp started on Monday evening.
During the invasion, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, his mother, his son and his brother.
The soldiers fired two "Energa" shells targeting two homes in the refugee camp, before demolishing a store and several walls, surrounding the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, who was taken prisoner after the soldiers also kidnapped his mother, his son Soheib, 18, and his brother ‘Ala.
A Civil Defense medic said the soldiers prevented the medics and ambulances from approaching the targeted homes, especially the home of Abu al-Haija.
He added that the wife of Abu al-Haija suffered fractures in one of her legs, and that the soldiers also invaded and occupied several surrounding homes.
Eyewitnesses said clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, and that armed resistance fighters also exchanged fire with the invading forces.
Sounds of loud explosions were also heard in the area, while military helicopters hovered overhead.
The Israeli army said one soldier suffered a moderate-to- severe injury, and was moved to Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
On Monday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mershed ‘Obeid Sabarna, 21, after stopping him on a military roadblock at the main entrance of his town, Beit Ummar, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
A PIC news correspondent quoted eyewitnesses as stating that Palestinian activists stood on their ground to a special Israeli unit that rolled into Jenin.
The confrontation led to the wounding of a high-ranking Israeli officer from the Yamam unit.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that an officer in the Israel Police's Yamam (anti-terrorism) unit was wounded during the shootout.
Eyewitnesses said IOF soldiers kidnapped the Palestinian ex-prisoner Majdi Abu al-Heija, along with his wife, son, and brother moments after they cordoned off their family homes.
The IOF blew up Abu al-Heija’s house after they cordoned it off for long hours.
Two Palestinian youngsters sustained wounds during the violent clashes that burst out after over 40 Israeli army jeeps stormed the city. One of the casualties was hit by an Israeli military jeep.
According to Israeli news outlets, the occupation army intended to carry out a large-scale security sweep across Jenin, without identifying the nature of the operation.
They added that clashes broke out between a Palestinian resistance fighter, from al-Qassam Brigades, and the Israeli occupation soldiers.
Palestinian MP Mustafa al-Baghouti urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately halt all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation, saying this is the least the PA should do.
Spokesperson for the Ahrar movement, Yasser Khalaf, called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to step up resistance operations and pave the way for a third Intifada (uprising), urging the PA to cease security coordination.
The statements came out after reports were released on the sudden withdrawal of the PA security forces from Jenin moments before the assault.
The same sources added that armed fighters stood on the alert to the preplanned Israeli operation which was obviously targeting a resistance fighter in the area.
Army Fires Shells Into Two Homes, Demolishes A Store And Walls In Jenin
Israeli soldiers continued, on Tuesday at dawn, their invasion into the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and fired missiles into two homes, before demolishing a store and several walls. The invasion into the camp started on Monday evening.
During the invasion, the soldiers kidnapped a former political prisoner, his mother, his son and his brother.
The soldiers fired two "Energa" shells targeting two homes in the refugee camp, before demolishing a store and several walls, surrounding the home of former political prisoner Majdi Abu al-Haija, who was taken prisoner after the soldiers also kidnapped his mother, his son Soheib, 18, and his brother ‘Ala.
A Civil Defense medic said the soldiers prevented the medics and ambulances from approaching the targeted homes, especially the home of Abu al-Haija.
He added that the wife of Abu al-Haija suffered fractures in one of her legs, and that the soldiers also invaded and occupied several surrounding homes.
Eyewitnesses said clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, and that armed resistance fighters also exchanged fire with the invading forces.
Sounds of loud explosions were also heard in the area, while military helicopters hovered overhead.
The Israeli army said one soldier suffered a moderate-to- severe injury, and was moved to Rambam Israeli Hospital in Haifa.
On Monday evening, soldiers kidnapped a Palestinian, identified as Mershed ‘Obeid Sabarna, 21, after stopping him on a military roadblock at the main entrance of his town, Beit Ummar, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
31 aug 2015
A Molotov cocktail was tossed at dawn Monday at an Israeli bus near Yabad town south of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
An Israeli bus was subjected to a Molotov cocktail attack while passing by Yabad town, local sources told the PIC reporter, adding that the bus caught fire.
Shortly after the incident, Israeli Occupation forces (IOF) stormed the town and erected a makeshift checkpoint at its entrance. Several local residents were stopped and searched at the checkpoint.
The IOF also closed the nearby Mabo Dotan checkpoint that links between Jenin and Tulkarem, while a large raid and search campaign was carried out in the area.
Palestinians in Yabad town have been subjected for almost two years to a collective punishment under the pretext of stoning and attacking settlers’ vehicles while passing near the town. Nearly 100 arrests were carried out in the town over the past period.
An Israeli bus was subjected to a Molotov cocktail attack while passing by Yabad town, local sources told the PIC reporter, adding that the bus caught fire.
Shortly after the incident, Israeli Occupation forces (IOF) stormed the town and erected a makeshift checkpoint at its entrance. Several local residents were stopped and searched at the checkpoint.
The IOF also closed the nearby Mabo Dotan checkpoint that links between Jenin and Tulkarem, while a large raid and search campaign was carried out in the area.
Palestinians in Yabad town have been subjected for almost two years to a collective punishment under the pretext of stoning and attacking settlers’ vehicles while passing near the town. Nearly 100 arrests were carried out in the town over the past period.
30 aug 2015
An Israeli soldier was slightly injured on Saturday night in a car-ramming attack by a Palestinian young man in al-Khalil city.
The Hebrew media said that a young man drove his car into four soldiers patrolling an area near Beit Hagai, south of al-Khalil, and hit one of them.
They added that the soldiers opened fire at the car and caused some damage to it before it drove away.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli occupation forces closed the entrance to the nearby area of Sadat al-Fahes and launched a manhunt for the perpetrator.
The Hebrew media said that a young man drove his car into four soldiers patrolling an area near Beit Hagai, south of al-Khalil, and hit one of them.
They added that the soldiers opened fire at the car and caused some damage to it before it drove away.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli occupation forces closed the entrance to the nearby area of Sadat al-Fahes and launched a manhunt for the perpetrator.
29 aug 2015
Palestinian youth, on Friday, torched a private car belonging to Israeli settlers in the al-Tur neighborhood of occupied East
Witnesses told Ma'an News Agency that Palestinian youths hurled firebombs at a car belonging to Israeli settlers from an illegal outpost near al-Khalwa street in the al-Tur neighborhood, setting the car ablaze.
No injuries were reported in the fire bombing incident.
Israeli forces responded to the incident, storming the al-Tur neighborhood and firing stun grenades “haphazardly” at Palestinian youth, before the forces broke into a Palestinian house looking for suspects, witnesses said.
Israeli border police said they could not immediately comment on Saturday due to observance of the Jewish Sabbath holiday.
Israeli forces on Thursday closed off the main entrance to the al-Khalla area of al-Tur after an Israeli police vehicle was set ablaze in the area on Wednesday.
Palestinians youths in the al-Tur neighborhood threw a Molotov cocktail at a police jeep on the street overnight Wednesday setting it on fire, locals told Ma'an at the time.
Israeli police and special forces raided the neighborhood following the incident and opened fire with live rounds and stun grenades, detaining three residents, locals added.
An Israeli spokesperson from COGAT had no information on the closure.
Al-Tur residents, along with the rest of Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem, face frequent tension with Israeli forces and settlers who have been present in the area since Israel annexed the area in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israeli forces often seal off streets leading into the al-Tur neighborhood following clashes, preventing the movement of residents and hindering crucial services such as ambulances and school buses.
Tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers have been particularly high in recent weeks after an arson attack carried out by settlers last month in the southern Nablus village of Douma killed an 18-month-old infant and his father. The infant's mother and brother remain in critical condition.
Since the start of 2015 Palestinians have injured six Israelis in the occupied Palestinian Territory, while Israeli settlers have committed 50 cases of violence towards Palestinians and 91 cases of damage to Palestinian property since the start of the year, according to documentation by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Witnesses told Ma'an News Agency that Palestinian youths hurled firebombs at a car belonging to Israeli settlers from an illegal outpost near al-Khalwa street in the al-Tur neighborhood, setting the car ablaze.
No injuries were reported in the fire bombing incident.
Israeli forces responded to the incident, storming the al-Tur neighborhood and firing stun grenades “haphazardly” at Palestinian youth, before the forces broke into a Palestinian house looking for suspects, witnesses said.
Israeli border police said they could not immediately comment on Saturday due to observance of the Jewish Sabbath holiday.
Israeli forces on Thursday closed off the main entrance to the al-Khalla area of al-Tur after an Israeli police vehicle was set ablaze in the area on Wednesday.
Palestinians youths in the al-Tur neighborhood threw a Molotov cocktail at a police jeep on the street overnight Wednesday setting it on fire, locals told Ma'an at the time.
Israeli police and special forces raided the neighborhood following the incident and opened fire with live rounds and stun grenades, detaining three residents, locals added.
An Israeli spokesperson from COGAT had no information on the closure.
Al-Tur residents, along with the rest of Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem, face frequent tension with Israeli forces and settlers who have been present in the area since Israel annexed the area in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israeli forces often seal off streets leading into the al-Tur neighborhood following clashes, preventing the movement of residents and hindering crucial services such as ambulances and school buses.
Tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers have been particularly high in recent weeks after an arson attack carried out by settlers last month in the southern Nablus village of Douma killed an 18-month-old infant and his father. The infant's mother and brother remain in critical condition.
Since the start of 2015 Palestinians have injured six Israelis in the occupied Palestinian Territory, while Israeli settlers have committed 50 cases of violence towards Palestinians and 91 cases of damage to Palestinian property since the start of the year, according to documentation by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
27 aug 2015
An Israeli police jeep on Wednesday evening went on fire when it was attacked with a Molotov cocktail in Attur neighborhood of east Jerusalem.
One Israeli policeman suffered light injuries and others managed to escape before the vehicle burst into flames, according to Quds Press.
Quds Press affirmed that a Palestinian young man throw the Molotov cocktail at the police vehicle, adding that other Palestinian cars and one electricity pole also sustained fire damage in the attack.
Immediately following the attack, Israeli ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene as police reinforcements were clashing with local young men and showering them with a hail of tear gas and stun grenades.
Three Palestinian young men were arrested during the events, one was severely beaten by policemen and left bleeding inside a jeep.
One Israeli policeman suffered light injuries and others managed to escape before the vehicle burst into flames, according to Quds Press.
Quds Press affirmed that a Palestinian young man throw the Molotov cocktail at the police vehicle, adding that other Palestinian cars and one electricity pole also sustained fire damage in the attack.
Immediately following the attack, Israeli ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene as police reinforcements were clashing with local young men and showering them with a hail of tear gas and stun grenades.
Three Palestinian young men were arrested during the events, one was severely beaten by policemen and left bleeding inside a jeep.
26 aug 2015
580 incidents against both civilians and security forces recorded in June-July 2015, including hundreds of stone and firebomb throwing, as well as desecration of graves on the Mount of Olives.
Jerusalem has seen a sharp increase in violent security incidents, with 580 such incidents against civilians or security forces recorded over the past two months, according to new data released on Tuesday.
The data, gathered by the Construction Ministry, only includes security incidents that occurred in the Old City Basin - the three neighborhoods inside the walls: The Mount of Olives, Silwan and the City of David. The data does not include security incidents that occurred in villages and neighborhoods in East Jerusalem - including Shuafat, Beit Hanina, Isawiya, Jebel Mukabar and others - meaning that the situation in the capital is likely much worse than this data indicates.
During June and July of 2015, 477 incidents of stone-throwing at vehicles were recorded, as well as 28 incidents of Molotov cocktail throwing at Jewish-owned vehicles and homes. Other incidents included hurling of empty glass bottles, firing fireworks and vandalism.
Out of the 359 incidents recorded in June, 213 were in the City of David, 125 were on the Mount of Olives and 21 in the Old City. In addition to throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails, four instances of tombstone desecration occurred on the Mount of Olives, while six Jews were attacked in the Old City (five civilians and one Border Policeman). July saw a decline in incidents, with 108 of the total 221 incidents occurring in the City of David, 92 on the Mount of Olives, and 21 in the Old City. In addition to 170 cases of stone-throwing and 16 of Molotov cocktail throwing, one grave was desecrated, there were four instances of glass bottles being thrown at Jews in the Old City, and there were also several incidents of fireworks being fired at security forces.
Despite the decline noted in July, Jerusalem is still facing a difficult reality, in which not a day goes by without several violent incidents happening in the Old City Basin area. Jerusalem city councilman Aryeh King claimed that the increasing terrorism in the city is happening because the political leadership "ties the hands of security forces." He said police can't respond properly to violent incidents, while the judicial system either releases suspects or gives them lenient punishments. He called on the government to open police stations in the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, residents from the Ma'ale ha-Zeitim neighborhood started an organization called "Anti-Terror TV," that aims to document the violent incidents on video and distribute it to increase awareness of the situation in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Police said in response: "We are operating based on a plan that includes the deployment of increased forces, both covert and public activity, the incorporation of special units to conduct arrests and the incorporation of many technological measures against rioting in East Jerusalem, in order to protect the residents of the city and its visitors and increase their security.
"Police operates determinedly, and holds a dialogue with local leaders, which has led to an ongoing decline in stone and firebomb throwing incidents in recent months. Most of the violent incidents are done against security forces due to the friction with rioters in East Jerusalem neighborhoods.
"It's important to stress that despite the ongoing trend of decline, dealing with rioters cannot be done only by police enforcement. The violence is a general problem, and therefore should be handled by police, as well as the judicial system, the prosecution, the municipality, welfare, education and more - persistently and long-term."
Jerusalem has seen a sharp increase in violent security incidents, with 580 such incidents against civilians or security forces recorded over the past two months, according to new data released on Tuesday.
The data, gathered by the Construction Ministry, only includes security incidents that occurred in the Old City Basin - the three neighborhoods inside the walls: The Mount of Olives, Silwan and the City of David. The data does not include security incidents that occurred in villages and neighborhoods in East Jerusalem - including Shuafat, Beit Hanina, Isawiya, Jebel Mukabar and others - meaning that the situation in the capital is likely much worse than this data indicates.
During June and July of 2015, 477 incidents of stone-throwing at vehicles were recorded, as well as 28 incidents of Molotov cocktail throwing at Jewish-owned vehicles and homes. Other incidents included hurling of empty glass bottles, firing fireworks and vandalism.
Out of the 359 incidents recorded in June, 213 were in the City of David, 125 were on the Mount of Olives and 21 in the Old City. In addition to throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails, four instances of tombstone desecration occurred on the Mount of Olives, while six Jews were attacked in the Old City (five civilians and one Border Policeman). July saw a decline in incidents, with 108 of the total 221 incidents occurring in the City of David, 92 on the Mount of Olives, and 21 in the Old City. In addition to 170 cases of stone-throwing and 16 of Molotov cocktail throwing, one grave was desecrated, there were four instances of glass bottles being thrown at Jews in the Old City, and there were also several incidents of fireworks being fired at security forces.
Despite the decline noted in July, Jerusalem is still facing a difficult reality, in which not a day goes by without several violent incidents happening in the Old City Basin area. Jerusalem city councilman Aryeh King claimed that the increasing terrorism in the city is happening because the political leadership "ties the hands of security forces." He said police can't respond properly to violent incidents, while the judicial system either releases suspects or gives them lenient punishments. He called on the government to open police stations in the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, residents from the Ma'ale ha-Zeitim neighborhood started an organization called "Anti-Terror TV," that aims to document the violent incidents on video and distribute it to increase awareness of the situation in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Police said in response: "We are operating based on a plan that includes the deployment of increased forces, both covert and public activity, the incorporation of special units to conduct arrests and the incorporation of many technological measures against rioting in East Jerusalem, in order to protect the residents of the city and its visitors and increase their security.
"Police operates determinedly, and holds a dialogue with local leaders, which has led to an ongoing decline in stone and firebomb throwing incidents in recent months. Most of the violent incidents are done against security forces due to the friction with rioters in East Jerusalem neighborhoods.
"It's important to stress that despite the ongoing trend of decline, dealing with rioters cannot be done only by police enforcement. The violence is a general problem, and therefore should be handled by police, as well as the judicial system, the prosecution, the municipality, welfare, education and more - persistently and long-term."
Suspect previously imprisoned, released for murdering Jews; security forces overpower Palestinian attacker, who lightly wounded guard by stabbing him in the leg in Jerusalem's Old City.
A Palestinian attempted to attack a group of border guards near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.
The guards managed to overpower the Palestinian, who managed to stab one of them in the leg, wounding him lightly. The suspect was arrested. The wounded guard was taken by ambulance to Hadassah Medical Center.
The suspect in the attack is a 56-year-old resident of Hebron, who does not have a permit to enter Israel and was previously incarcerated for murdering a Jew in Jerusalem, and was released in 2013 as part of the third round of Palestinian prisoner releases.
Stabbing attacks have been on the rise in Israel for many months. On August 17, a Palestinian was shot dead while attempting a knife attack at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank, while on August 15, two different stabbings occurred in the West Bank.
In June, a border guard was stabbed at the same location, while the site saw clashes in May ahead of Jerusalem Day.
Israeli soldier slightly injured in Jerusalem stabbing attack
An Israeli soldier was injured on Wednesday evening after being stabbed by a Palestinian man near the Damascus gate in Occupied Jerusalem.
Hebrew sources said that Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian who has not been identified yet.
The electronic website of Maariv Hebrew newspaper reported that the stabber shouted at Israeli border guard soldiers while carrying a sharp tool before attacking them. The soldiers were able to control the Palestinian man who injured one soldier in his foot.
A Palestinian attempted to attack a group of border guards near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.
The guards managed to overpower the Palestinian, who managed to stab one of them in the leg, wounding him lightly. The suspect was arrested. The wounded guard was taken by ambulance to Hadassah Medical Center.
The suspect in the attack is a 56-year-old resident of Hebron, who does not have a permit to enter Israel and was previously incarcerated for murdering a Jew in Jerusalem, and was released in 2013 as part of the third round of Palestinian prisoner releases.
Stabbing attacks have been on the rise in Israel for many months. On August 17, a Palestinian was shot dead while attempting a knife attack at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank, while on August 15, two different stabbings occurred in the West Bank.
In June, a border guard was stabbed at the same location, while the site saw clashes in May ahead of Jerusalem Day.
Israeli soldier slightly injured in Jerusalem stabbing attack
An Israeli soldier was injured on Wednesday evening after being stabbed by a Palestinian man near the Damascus gate in Occupied Jerusalem.
Hebrew sources said that Israeli forces arrested the Palestinian who has not been identified yet.
The electronic website of Maariv Hebrew newspaper reported that the stabber shouted at Israeli border guard soldiers while carrying a sharp tool before attacking them. The soldiers were able to control the Palestinian man who injured one soldier in his foot.
18 aug 2015
The Palestinian Authority security forces on Tuesday said that there was no evidence that Palestinians shot by Israeli forces in recent days, in two cases fatally, had stabbed Israeli soldiers.
In the last week, Israeli forces have shot three Palestinians, killing two, who they claimed attempted to stab Israeli soldiers or Border Police officers.
However, the spokesperson for the PA security forces, Major-General Adnan Dmeiri, said in a statement that Israel had provided no evidence to support its allegations. He questioned the fact that in each case the Israeli army or police force investigated its own soldiers or officers, "without the interference of any other party."
He said that the investigations had portrayed the Israeli soldiers and officers as "heroes. "Dmeiri criticized the fact that the army and police force were both the investigators and the "executors" of Palestinians.
Most recently, Israeli forces shot dead a young Palestinian man on Monday afternoon after they claimed he attempted to stab an Israeli Border Police officer. An Israeli army spokeswoman alleged that the Palestinian man approached Israeli Border Police officers at Tappuah junction, known to Palestinians as Zaatara military checkpoint, asking for "medical assistance."
The spokeswoman said that he then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab an Israeli officer before he was shot dead. She said that the Israeli police officer was lightly injured.
Two days earlier, Border Police shot dead another Palestinian after the army said he stabbed an Israeli Border Police officer near Beita in southern Nablus.Rafeeq Kamil Rafeeq al-Taj, 21, was shot five times, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.
On the same day, Israeli forces shot and lightly injured a Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed a soldier west of Ramallah. He was taken into custody following the incident.
Israeli media recently reported that the Israeli army had implemented new rules of engagement, requiring soldiers in the occupied Palestinian territory to hold their fire unless there is a genuine threat to their lives.
Previous rules allowed Israeli soldiers to use fire "warning shots" when their lives were not at imminent risk, and subsequently aim for lower extremities when engaging with Palestinians on the ground.
Since the beginning of 2015 Israeli forces have injured an average of 37 Palestinians a week, and killed a total of at least 25 Palestinians, according to UN figures.
In the last week, Israeli forces have shot three Palestinians, killing two, who they claimed attempted to stab Israeli soldiers or Border Police officers.
However, the spokesperson for the PA security forces, Major-General Adnan Dmeiri, said in a statement that Israel had provided no evidence to support its allegations. He questioned the fact that in each case the Israeli army or police force investigated its own soldiers or officers, "without the interference of any other party."
He said that the investigations had portrayed the Israeli soldiers and officers as "heroes. "Dmeiri criticized the fact that the army and police force were both the investigators and the "executors" of Palestinians.
Most recently, Israeli forces shot dead a young Palestinian man on Monday afternoon after they claimed he attempted to stab an Israeli Border Police officer. An Israeli army spokeswoman alleged that the Palestinian man approached Israeli Border Police officers at Tappuah junction, known to Palestinians as Zaatara military checkpoint, asking for "medical assistance."
The spokeswoman said that he then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab an Israeli officer before he was shot dead. She said that the Israeli police officer was lightly injured.
Two days earlier, Border Police shot dead another Palestinian after the army said he stabbed an Israeli Border Police officer near Beita in southern Nablus.Rafeeq Kamil Rafeeq al-Taj, 21, was shot five times, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.
On the same day, Israeli forces shot and lightly injured a Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed a soldier west of Ramallah. He was taken into custody following the incident.
Israeli media recently reported that the Israeli army had implemented new rules of engagement, requiring soldiers in the occupied Palestinian territory to hold their fire unless there is a genuine threat to their lives.
Previous rules allowed Israeli soldiers to use fire "warning shots" when their lives were not at imminent risk, and subsequently aim for lower extremities when engaging with Palestinians on the ground.
Since the beginning of 2015 Israeli forces have injured an average of 37 Palestinians a week, and killed a total of at least 25 Palestinians, according to UN figures.
17 aug 2015
Palestinian shot after trying to stab border guard at Tapuach Junction
A Palestinian was shot after attempting to stab a border guard at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank on Monday. The junction is roughly where a border guard was stabbed on Saturday by a Palestinian.
A Palestinian was shot after attempting to stab a border guard at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank on Monday. The junction is roughly where a border guard was stabbed on Saturday by a Palestinian.
16 aug 2015
Report of wounded woman was false, say MDA and IDF
The MDA and IDF said Saturday night that an earlier report of a woman wounded by stones thrown at vehicle near Shilo was false.
The MDA and IDF said Saturday night that an earlier report of a woman wounded by stones thrown at vehicle near Shilo was false.
15 aug 2015
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Suspect shot by soldiers and is now receiving treatment at the scene, his condition unknown; earlier this week, another Israeli was stabbed not far from the scene of Saturday's attack.
A Palestinian terrorist stabbed a soldier at a checkpoint Route 443 near Beit Horon in the West Bank on Saturday, not far from where another Israeli was stabbed on Sunday, the IDF said. The terrorist was shot by other soldiers at the checkpoint and arrested. He was receiving treatment at the scene, but his condition is not currently known. |
The soldier, who was lightly wounded in his hand, was also being treated at the scene.
Israeli security forces closed off the area following the attack.
Israeli Troops Shoot, then Abduct Palestinian Youth Near Ramallah
Israeli soldiers shot and wounded, on Saturday morning, a young Palestinian man near Beit ‘Aour al-Foqa town, West of the Central West Bank City of Ramallah, before abducting him; Israeli army sources claim the Palestinian stabbed a soldier, causing a mild injury.
The young Palestinian, identified as Mahmoud Nassim Jomhour, was shot near Road #443, southwest of Ramallah after allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier in the hand with a sharp object. There has been no independent confirmation of the army's claim - in numerous previous incidents, Israeli military spokespeople have fabricated attacks by Palestinians to justify their shooting of the Palestinians, and these allegations are later proven to be false.
Jomhour is from Beit ‘Anan town, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The checkpoint where he was shot is located on Route 443, an Israeli bypass road that is considered the main traffic artery between Ramallah and several Palestinian villages to the southwest of the city.
The Red Crescent said its medics tried to provide first aid to the wounded Palestinian, in an attempt to move him to a local hospital, but the soldiers prevented them. The Israeli military then took the wounded young man to an unknown destination.
Israeli army sources said the Palestinian was shot, and mildly wounded, after he “stabbed a soldier in the upper body,” and that another soldier shot the young man in the shoulder before the soldiers arrested him.
Both were treated at the scene before being moved to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, in occupied Jerusalem.
On August 9, 20-year-old Anas Taha from Qatanna, to the northwest of Jerusalem, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near Ofer prison, west of Ramallah, also for reportedly stabbing an Israeli settler.
According to a report published on June 2015, B’Tselem, Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, documented dozens of cases in the Ramallah area of the West Bank in which Palestinians were injured, some severely, by live ammunition fired by Israeli security forces.
Medical reports collected from Palestinian hospitals by B’Tselem field researcher Iyad Hadad indicate that at least 47 Palestinians – including one woman and 24 minors – were injured by live fire in the West Bank since the beginning of February 2015 in demonstrations or clashes with Israeli security forces.
“The frequent use of live ammunition at demonstrations, in breach of open-fire regulations, shows that it is a not a matter of exceptional incidents but rather the implementation of an unlawful policy,” stated the center.
B’Tselem called on ‘the security forces to discontinue the use of any and all live gunfire – with any type of ammunition – aimed at unarmed civilians, with the exception of extreme situations of immediate mortal danger.’
Youth shot and wounded after attacking soldier
A Palestinian young man was shot and injured after he attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife at the Ofer military road barrier west of Ramallah city afternoon Saturday.
Hebrew media reported that the young man was arrested after he was shot at, and identified him as Mohammed Nassim from Beit Anan village in occupied Jerusalem.
The media report would not specify the condition of the wounded soldier, but added that military reinforcements were sent to the scene and closed off the entire area.
For its part, a Hebrew website said that the soldier was only slightly wounded and was treated on the field.
The Palestinian youth approached the soldiers at the roadblock and asked for water then drew a knife and attacked one of them, according to the website.
The attack is the last in a series of “lone-wolf” attacks carried out by Palestinian young men in the West Bank against Israeli soldiers and settlers in retaliation to the escalating settlers’ attacks on citizens, the most brutal of which was burning a Palestinian baby alive in Duma village in Nablus. The baby’s father died a few days later while his mother and little brother are still in intensive care due to the severe burns suffered in the arson attack on their home.
Badran: Ofer stab attack affirms adherence to resistance path
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran said that the stabbing operation, which took place close to Ramallah city at noon Saturday, is a popular confirmation that the Palestinians will continue along the path of resistance.
Badran pointed out in a statement on Saturday evening that the Israeli soldiers who are wreaking havoc in the West Bank are now in constant fear of possible Palestinian reactions to the Israeli violations.
"The Palestinian youths knew the right way to defeat the Israeli occupation and free occupied Palestine, and they started to pave that way courageously and bravely," the Hamas leader said.
Badran called on all Palestinian resistance factions in the West Bank to mobilize the youths' energies to serve the brave resistance, and asked the PA to put an end to the security coordination with Israel.
"The shots fired by the PA security apparatuses at the Palestinian political detainees' families today were supposed to be fired at the Israeli forces instead," Badran said.
A Palestinian youth was shot and injured after he attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife at the Ofer military road barrier west of Ramallah city on Saturday.
Israeli security forces closed off the area following the attack.
Israeli Troops Shoot, then Abduct Palestinian Youth Near Ramallah
Israeli soldiers shot and wounded, on Saturday morning, a young Palestinian man near Beit ‘Aour al-Foqa town, West of the Central West Bank City of Ramallah, before abducting him; Israeli army sources claim the Palestinian stabbed a soldier, causing a mild injury.
The young Palestinian, identified as Mahmoud Nassim Jomhour, was shot near Road #443, southwest of Ramallah after allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier in the hand with a sharp object. There has been no independent confirmation of the army's claim - in numerous previous incidents, Israeli military spokespeople have fabricated attacks by Palestinians to justify their shooting of the Palestinians, and these allegations are later proven to be false.
Jomhour is from Beit ‘Anan town, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem. The checkpoint where he was shot is located on Route 443, an Israeli bypass road that is considered the main traffic artery between Ramallah and several Palestinian villages to the southwest of the city.
The Red Crescent said its medics tried to provide first aid to the wounded Palestinian, in an attempt to move him to a local hospital, but the soldiers prevented them. The Israeli military then took the wounded young man to an unknown destination.
Israeli army sources said the Palestinian was shot, and mildly wounded, after he “stabbed a soldier in the upper body,” and that another soldier shot the young man in the shoulder before the soldiers arrested him.
Both were treated at the scene before being moved to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, in occupied Jerusalem.
On August 9, 20-year-old Anas Taha from Qatanna, to the northwest of Jerusalem, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near Ofer prison, west of Ramallah, also for reportedly stabbing an Israeli settler.
According to a report published on June 2015, B’Tselem, Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, documented dozens of cases in the Ramallah area of the West Bank in which Palestinians were injured, some severely, by live ammunition fired by Israeli security forces.
Medical reports collected from Palestinian hospitals by B’Tselem field researcher Iyad Hadad indicate that at least 47 Palestinians – including one woman and 24 minors – were injured by live fire in the West Bank since the beginning of February 2015 in demonstrations or clashes with Israeli security forces.
“The frequent use of live ammunition at demonstrations, in breach of open-fire regulations, shows that it is a not a matter of exceptional incidents but rather the implementation of an unlawful policy,” stated the center.
B’Tselem called on ‘the security forces to discontinue the use of any and all live gunfire – with any type of ammunition – aimed at unarmed civilians, with the exception of extreme situations of immediate mortal danger.’
Youth shot and wounded after attacking soldier
A Palestinian young man was shot and injured after he attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife at the Ofer military road barrier west of Ramallah city afternoon Saturday.
Hebrew media reported that the young man was arrested after he was shot at, and identified him as Mohammed Nassim from Beit Anan village in occupied Jerusalem.
The media report would not specify the condition of the wounded soldier, but added that military reinforcements were sent to the scene and closed off the entire area.
For its part, a Hebrew website said that the soldier was only slightly wounded and was treated on the field.
The Palestinian youth approached the soldiers at the roadblock and asked for water then drew a knife and attacked one of them, according to the website.
The attack is the last in a series of “lone-wolf” attacks carried out by Palestinian young men in the West Bank against Israeli soldiers and settlers in retaliation to the escalating settlers’ attacks on citizens, the most brutal of which was burning a Palestinian baby alive in Duma village in Nablus. The baby’s father died a few days later while his mother and little brother are still in intensive care due to the severe burns suffered in the arson attack on their home.
Badran: Ofer stab attack affirms adherence to resistance path
Hamas spokesman Husam Badran said that the stabbing operation, which took place close to Ramallah city at noon Saturday, is a popular confirmation that the Palestinians will continue along the path of resistance.
Badran pointed out in a statement on Saturday evening that the Israeli soldiers who are wreaking havoc in the West Bank are now in constant fear of possible Palestinian reactions to the Israeli violations.
"The Palestinian youths knew the right way to defeat the Israeli occupation and free occupied Palestine, and they started to pave that way courageously and bravely," the Hamas leader said.
Badran called on all Palestinian resistance factions in the West Bank to mobilize the youths' energies to serve the brave resistance, and asked the PA to put an end to the security coordination with Israel.
"The shots fired by the PA security apparatuses at the Palestinian political detainees' families today were supposed to be fired at the Israeli forces instead," Badran said.
A Palestinian youth was shot and injured after he attacked an Israeli soldier with a knife at the Ofer military road barrier west of Ramallah city on Saturday.
