8 june 2015
The US yesterday announced its support for the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, stressing its "right to defend itself", Palestinian news agency SAFA reported. White House Spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip is a kind of self-defence. "The White House continues to support Israel's right to defend itself," he said.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
7 june 2015
'I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense,' prime minister says about sporadic Gaza rocket fire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the international community on Sunday morning for failing to condemn Gaza rocket fire at southern Israel.
"I did not hear a single member of the international community condemn the attack, and the UN did not say a word," Netanyahu said. "I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense."
He said the "hypocrisy" sweeping the world will not limit Israel's reaction.
Sporadic rocket fire has been ongoing over the past few weeks, with errant Palestinian factions, particularly one sympathizing with the Islamic State, breaking the ceasefire in a challenge to Hamas.
On Saturday night, a rocket was fired towards Ashkelon and landed in a field. The IAF attacked terror infrastructure at the northern Gaza Strip overnight in response for the rocket.
As many as six rocket have been fired at Israel since the end of Operation Protective Edge nearly a year ago. Two landed in Sdot Negev on Wednesday and the week before, a rocket fell in Gan Yavne.
Hamas claimed to have arrested the perpetrators behind the rocket launching in late May, saying it has no interest in an escalation with Israel at present.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," a Hamas source told Ynet on May 27. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the international community on Sunday morning for failing to condemn Gaza rocket fire at southern Israel.
"I did not hear a single member of the international community condemn the attack, and the UN did not say a word," Netanyahu said. "I'm interested to see if the silence will continue when we act in self defense."
He said the "hypocrisy" sweeping the world will not limit Israel's reaction.
Sporadic rocket fire has been ongoing over the past few weeks, with errant Palestinian factions, particularly one sympathizing with the Islamic State, breaking the ceasefire in a challenge to Hamas.
On Saturday night, a rocket was fired towards Ashkelon and landed in a field. The IAF attacked terror infrastructure at the northern Gaza Strip overnight in response for the rocket.
As many as six rocket have been fired at Israel since the end of Operation Protective Edge nearly a year ago. Two landed in Sdot Negev on Wednesday and the week before, a rocket fell in Gan Yavne.
Hamas claimed to have arrested the perpetrators behind the rocket launching in late May, saying it has no interest in an escalation with Israel at present.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," a Hamas source told Ynet on May 27. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
As rockets continue trickling from the Strip, poll finds half of respondents believe Israel will win next round of fighting with Hamas; 54% see conflict with Hezbollah as likely, with 70% believing Israel will win it.
As a trickle of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continues hitting Israel every few days, 82 percent of Israelis foresee another round of fighting against Hamas in Gaza, a poll released Sunday at the Herzliya Conference found.
According to the poll, conducted by Dr. Mina Tzemach and the Midgam Institute for the IPS Institute for Policy and Strategy, half of respondents believe Israel will defeat Hamas in the next round of fighting. When asked whether Israel defeated Hamas in last summer's Operation Protective Edge, half said yes.
On the northern front, 54 percent of Israelis foresee a confrontation with Hezbollah, with 70 percent of respondents believing Israel will win. Meanwhile, 42 percent view the Islamic State as posing less of a threat to Israel. In light of the threats Israel faces, respondents were asked what their position on the defense budget was, with 52.2 percent saying the budget should not be cut.
Forty percent of Israeli-Arabs also hold that opinion. Another topic asked about is the stalled peace process with the Palestinians, with 68 percent saying Israel should renew talks or present its own diplomatic initiative. Seventy-two percent of respondents support the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia, which offers Israel peace with the moderate Arab nations on top of peace with the Palestinians.
With regards to this year's elections, 52 percent said they were unhappy with the results that won Benjamin Netanyahu a fourth term as prime minister.
As a trickle of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip continues hitting Israel every few days, 82 percent of Israelis foresee another round of fighting against Hamas in Gaza, a poll released Sunday at the Herzliya Conference found.
According to the poll, conducted by Dr. Mina Tzemach and the Midgam Institute for the IPS Institute for Policy and Strategy, half of respondents believe Israel will defeat Hamas in the next round of fighting. When asked whether Israel defeated Hamas in last summer's Operation Protective Edge, half said yes.
On the northern front, 54 percent of Israelis foresee a confrontation with Hezbollah, with 70 percent of respondents believing Israel will win. Meanwhile, 42 percent view the Islamic State as posing less of a threat to Israel. In light of the threats Israel faces, respondents were asked what their position on the defense budget was, with 52.2 percent saying the budget should not be cut.
Forty percent of Israeli-Arabs also hold that opinion. Another topic asked about is the stalled peace process with the Palestinians, with 68 percent saying Israel should renew talks or present its own diplomatic initiative. Seventy-two percent of respondents support the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia, which offers Israel peace with the moderate Arab nations on top of peace with the Palestinians.
With regards to this year's elections, 52 percent said they were unhappy with the results that won Benjamin Netanyahu a fourth term as prime minister.
Walla! Israeli website, following the latest rocket on Israel yesterday, said that a Salafist group leader in Gaza announced the group will continue with its strikes if Hamas does not halt its crackdown on them, return their weapons and release their detainees which it arrested.
Sirens broke out in Israel yesterday at about 9:45 PM in Askalan (Ashkelon) and the areas surrounding it after a rocket was fired from Gaza by the salafist groups.
Moshe Ya’alon, IDF minister on Sunday said that Israel’s response will be “harsh.”
Following the rocket, he ordered striking two sites in Gaza, in addition to the closure of Erez and Karm Abu Salem crossings.
The targeted sites were for the Izz Eddin Al-Qassam brigades (Hamas wing). No injuries were reported.
Ya’alon said that opening the crossing will take time of assessment, blaming Hamas Islamic resistance movement for the happenings in Gaza.
The group continues to use the people of Gaza as hostages to make Hamas bind to their demands.
On Thursday, the group -which is an Islamic State supporter – adopted two strikes on Israel, calling it a response to Hamas’ crackdown on them in the Strip.
Following the rockets, Israel attacked Gaza with massive explosions using F16 military jets.
The Salafists in Gaza last Tuesday issued Hamas a 48-hour deadline to stop its crackdown on them, the Associated Press reported. On the same day, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
Hamas, which has ruled over Gaza since 2007, has clamped down on radical Islamists after a series of unclaimed bombings, arresting activists and seizing arms. It also mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafist groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
Sirens broke out in Israel yesterday at about 9:45 PM in Askalan (Ashkelon) and the areas surrounding it after a rocket was fired from Gaza by the salafist groups.
Moshe Ya’alon, IDF minister on Sunday said that Israel’s response will be “harsh.”
Following the rocket, he ordered striking two sites in Gaza, in addition to the closure of Erez and Karm Abu Salem crossings.
The targeted sites were for the Izz Eddin Al-Qassam brigades (Hamas wing). No injuries were reported.
Ya’alon said that opening the crossing will take time of assessment, blaming Hamas Islamic resistance movement for the happenings in Gaza.
The group continues to use the people of Gaza as hostages to make Hamas bind to their demands.
On Thursday, the group -which is an Islamic State supporter – adopted two strikes on Israel, calling it a response to Hamas’ crackdown on them in the Strip.
Following the rockets, Israel attacked Gaza with massive explosions using F16 military jets.
The Salafists in Gaza last Tuesday issued Hamas a 48-hour deadline to stop its crackdown on them, the Associated Press reported. On the same day, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
Hamas, which has ruled over Gaza since 2007, has clamped down on radical Islamists after a series of unclaimed bombings, arresting activists and seizing arms. It also mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafist groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
6 june 2015
MK Chaim Yellin during Operation Protective Edge last year.
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fired at Israel; no reports of injuries or damage as politicians push for military response.
One rocket was fired from Gaza at approximately 9:40 pm Saturday night, landing in an open area near Ashkelon, and inspiring a response from Yesh Atid MK Chaim Yellin who said, "Operation Protective Edge isn't over.
"Netanyahu is busy dividing the foreign ministry and rebuilding Gaza without disarming it. That's not how you run a country; that's not how you make sure your citizens are safe; that's not how you fight terror and international boycotts," said Yellin.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom but the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. A salafist group in Gaza who claimed responsibility for the last two rocket attacks on Israel, did so again Saturday night. No reports of injuries or damage were forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket. After a review of the situation, authorities decided that school would be held as normal on Sunday.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel, suggesting that a similar response would be likely on Saturday night.
Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni also had words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the rocket fire Saturday. "This is a moment of truth for the Israeli government," he said. "We aren't talking any more about a mistake or one rocket, but the blatent breaking of the cease fire."
The cease fire that was signed at the end of the 50-day Operation Protective Edge last year, has loosely held for over nine months, although there have been as many as six rocket attacks in that time.
"The peace that we though would survive in our area after Protective Edge dissolved much quicker than we expected and we can't agree to this kind of reality," said Shimoni. "This is the moment to change it."
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
After rocket strikes two weeks ago, Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fired at Israel; no reports of injuries or damage as politicians push for military response.
One rocket was fired from Gaza at approximately 9:40 pm Saturday night, landing in an open area near Ashkelon, and inspiring a response from Yesh Atid MK Chaim Yellin who said, "Operation Protective Edge isn't over.
"Netanyahu is busy dividing the foreign ministry and rebuilding Gaza without disarming it. That's not how you run a country; that's not how you make sure your citizens are safe; that's not how you fight terror and international boycotts," said Yellin.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom but the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. A salafist group in Gaza who claimed responsibility for the last two rocket attacks on Israel, did so again Saturday night. No reports of injuries or damage were forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket. After a review of the situation, authorities decided that school would be held as normal on Sunday.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel, suggesting that a similar response would be likely on Saturday night.
Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni also had words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the rocket fire Saturday. "This is a moment of truth for the Israeli government," he said. "We aren't talking any more about a mistake or one rocket, but the blatent breaking of the cease fire."
The cease fire that was signed at the end of the 50-day Operation Protective Edge last year, has loosely held for over nine months, although there have been as many as six rocket attacks in that time.
"The peace that we though would survive in our area after Protective Edge dissolved much quicker than we expected and we can't agree to this kind of reality," said Shimoni. "This is the moment to change it."
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
After rocket strikes two weeks ago, Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas recently killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
At least 1 rocket fired at Israel after two recent attacks from Gaza; no reports of injuries or damage after latest Sirens on Saturday.
Code red sirens were heard in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the city Ashkelon in the south of Israel at approximately 9:40 pm on Saturday, when at least one rocket was fired from Gaza, landing in an open area near the city of Ashkelon.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom and it the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. No reports of injuries or damage were immediately forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket.
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
At least two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel last Wednesday at around 11 pm local time, with at least one of them falling in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. No one was hurt from the rocket fire.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel.
Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible for the rocket fire, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
Code red sirens were heard in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the city Ashkelon in the south of Israel at approximately 9:40 pm on Saturday, when at least one rocket was fired from Gaza, landing in an open area near the city of Ashkelon.
Residents in the south reported hearing at least one loud boom and it the exact location of the rocket strike was initially unclear. No reports of injuries or damage were immediately forth coming and authorities began searching for the fallen rocket.
Saturday's code red sirens came after the IDF deployed Iron Dome batteries covering Ashdod and Netivot on Friday, following recent rocket attacks from Gaza.
At least two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel last Wednesday at around 11 pm local time, with at least one of them falling in an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. No one was hurt from the rocket fire.
The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks ago in response to rocket fire at southern Israel.
Hamas claimed to have arrested those responsible for the rocket fire, saying that local supporters of ISIS were responsible.
The recent rounds of rocket fire come as ISIS supporters in Gaza have been openly challenging Hamas, even threatening the ruling group with an ultimatum to end its crackdown on other groups. In response to the ultimatum, Hamas killed one of the ISIS supporters in a gun fight that erupted during an attempted arrest.
4 june 2015
Several massive explosions rocked the Gaza Strip at predawn time on
Thursday amid multiple reports of Israeli jets buzzing the area.
At least three major blasts rocked Gaza city as online media outlets got flooded with reports of residents waking up to the sounds of airstrikes and Israeli F-16 jets flying over.
The strikes took place in the western part of the strip, near the Maqousi Towers residential area. Two empty resistance sites of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were also struck with four missiles.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but Israeli combat jets continue to hover over Gaza’s sky.
Earlier, Wednesday evening, the Israeli occupation army claimed three rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli-run open areas but cause no damage.
An ISIS affiliated group in Gaza claimed responsibility in what analysts believed a move to embarrass Hamas and use Israel in their attempts to gain foothold in Gaza.
Israel’s minister of agriculture Uri Ariel warned of “a strong” attack to hit Gaza in response to the alleged rocket fire.
The rocket strikes on the besieged coastal enclave mark another Israeli violation of the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord struck with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of Israel’s 51-day offensive last summer, which took away the lives of at least 2,300 Palestinians and left thousands of others critically wounded.
At least three major blasts rocked Gaza city as online media outlets got flooded with reports of residents waking up to the sounds of airstrikes and Israeli F-16 jets flying over.
The strikes took place in the western part of the strip, near the Maqousi Towers residential area. Two empty resistance sites of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were also struck with four missiles.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but Israeli combat jets continue to hover over Gaza’s sky.
Earlier, Wednesday evening, the Israeli occupation army claimed three rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli-run open areas but cause no damage.
An ISIS affiliated group in Gaza claimed responsibility in what analysts believed a move to embarrass Hamas and use Israel in their attempts to gain foothold in Gaza.
Israel’s minister of agriculture Uri Ariel warned of “a strong” attack to hit Gaza in response to the alleged rocket fire.
The rocket strikes on the besieged coastal enclave mark another Israeli violation of the Cairo-brokered ceasefire accord struck with Palestinian resistance factions in the wake of Israel’s 51-day offensive last summer, which took away the lives of at least 2,300 Palestinians and left thousands of others critically wounded.
3 june 2015
Sdot Negev officials inspect the remains of the rocket that struck Wednesday night.
Israel's military reported, late Wednesda,y that two rockets were fired from the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed reports of rocket-warning sirens going off in Ashkelon and Netivot. No injures or damage were immediately reported, the military reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from armed groups in Gaza.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli forces continued near-daily incursions into the Gaza Strip, shooting and injuring one east of Khan Younis and detaining four fishermen off the coast of Gaza City.
Residents of the village of Khuzaa east of Khan Younis said that forces in Israeli watchtowers across the borders with Gaza opened fire at a Palestinian farmer because he came close to the border fence.
The 22-year-old man was in a moderate condition after being shot in the stomach, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have immediate information on the shooting.
Separately, Israeli naval forces detained four Gazan fishermen off the coast of Gaza City after obstructing and confiscating their boat, fishermen told Ma'an News Agency.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that two fishing vessels deviated from the designated fishing zone Wednesday morning. When the vessels failed to respond to warning shots fired into the air by Israeli naval forces, the forces escorted the vessels back to the shore, she added.
Noting multiple alleged attempts of weapons smuggling via boat into the Gaza Strip in recent months, the spokeswoman emphasized that every deviation from the designated zone is considered a security threat.
In a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last summer, Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore and to continue to expand the area gradually, however fishermen are routinely stopped within the zone.
Three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.
Risk of death or detention by Israeli forces is compounded by ongoing harassment and interference with their work from Israeli naval forces who frequently confiscate boats and fishing materials.
Israeli authorities also maintain a "buffer zone" along the Gaza-Israel border, however its exact limits are ambiguous. Farmers whose land lies within or close to the buffer zone face near daily fire or threat of fire from Israeli forces, often preventing them from cultivating their crops, rights groups say.
Gaza-based Israeli watchdog Al Mezan documented Israeli forces opening fire in the border areas six separate times during the first ten days of May, leaving four injured including one child.
According to Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the buffer zone, which Palestinians are prohibited from entering, "is illegal under both Israeli and international law."
Israel's military reported, late Wednesda,y that two rockets were fired from the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed reports of rocket-warning sirens going off in Ashkelon and Netivot. No injures or damage were immediately reported, the military reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from armed groups in Gaza.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli forces continued near-daily incursions into the Gaza Strip, shooting and injuring one east of Khan Younis and detaining four fishermen off the coast of Gaza City.
Residents of the village of Khuzaa east of Khan Younis said that forces in Israeli watchtowers across the borders with Gaza opened fire at a Palestinian farmer because he came close to the border fence.
The 22-year-old man was in a moderate condition after being shot in the stomach, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not have immediate information on the shooting.
Separately, Israeli naval forces detained four Gazan fishermen off the coast of Gaza City after obstructing and confiscating their boat, fishermen told Ma'an News Agency.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that two fishing vessels deviated from the designated fishing zone Wednesday morning. When the vessels failed to respond to warning shots fired into the air by Israeli naval forces, the forces escorted the vessels back to the shore, she added.
Noting multiple alleged attempts of weapons smuggling via boat into the Gaza Strip in recent months, the spokeswoman emphasized that every deviation from the designated zone is considered a security threat.
In a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last summer, Israel agreed to expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore and to continue to expand the area gradually, however fishermen are routinely stopped within the zone.
Three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since September.
Risk of death or detention by Israeli forces is compounded by ongoing harassment and interference with their work from Israeli naval forces who frequently confiscate boats and fishing materials.
Israeli authorities also maintain a "buffer zone" along the Gaza-Israel border, however its exact limits are ambiguous. Farmers whose land lies within or close to the buffer zone face near daily fire or threat of fire from Israeli forces, often preventing them from cultivating their crops, rights groups say.
Gaza-based Israeli watchdog Al Mezan documented Israeli forces opening fire in the border areas six separate times during the first ten days of May, leaving four injured including one child.
According to Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the buffer zone, which Palestinians are prohibited from entering, "is illegal under both Israeli and international law."
2 june 2015
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Proponents of ISIS in the Gaza Strip have issued Hamas a 48-hour deadline to stop its crackdown on them, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
In a statement sent to the media, the ISIS supporters claimed responsibility for a rocket fired at Israel from Gaza, last week. The claim could not be independently verified. PNN reports that Hamas, which has ruled over Gaza since 2007, has clamped down on radical Islamists after a series of unclaimed bombings, arresting activists and seizing arms. The ISIS-supporters accuse Hamas of being soft on Israel and failing to |
impose religious law. It’s unclear how many ISIS supporters are in Gaza, or if any have operational links to the group.
On Tuesday, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival Islamist militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
A spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry identified the man, Younis al-Honnor, only as a “lawbreaker”, and said he was shot dead after firing at security officers who came to arrest him, according to Haaretz.
Local residents who witnessed the incident said Honnor was an activist in a Salafi group.
Hamas has mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafi groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
The group responded by threatening to kill Hamas members – publishing some of their names and photos – unless Hamas releases several men, including a local Salafi sheikh.
In the video, a parody skit invokes the general sentiment, in Palestine, regarding ISIS:
On Tuesday, Hamas security forces killed an activist of a rival Islamist militant group in a shoot-out at his Gaza home, witnesses said.
A spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry identified the man, Younis al-Honnor, only as a “lawbreaker”, and said he was shot dead after firing at security officers who came to arrest him, according to Haaretz.
Local residents who witnessed the incident said Honnor was an activist in a Salafi group.
Hamas has mounted occasional crackdowns on rival and more radical Salafi groups that support global holy war endorsed by Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
The current tensions between the two groups began on May 3, when Hamas destroyed a mosque belonging to a group known as the “Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.”
The group responded by threatening to kill Hamas members – publishing some of their names and photos – unless Hamas releases several men, including a local Salafi sheikh.
In the video, a parody skit invokes the general sentiment, in Palestine, regarding ISIS:
Media sources in Gaza said the Hamas-run security forces in the Gaza Strip shot and killed, on Tuesday morning, a Palestinian man, believed to be a supporter of ISIS, in his home, in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, believed to be a supporter of ISIS.
Iyad al-Bozom, spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, stated on his Facebook page that Younis Sa’id al-Hanr, 27 years of age, was killed after initiating fire on the security forces, and that he refused to surrender.
Al-Bozom added that the security forces located explosive belts and charges, RPG rockets, and various types of weapons and ammunition.
The official only said that the slain man was an “outlaw” without providing further information.
Media sources in Gaza said the security forced tried to invade the home, a while ago, but did not advance after learning he was carrying an explosive belt.
After the death of al-Hanr, his brother told the Watania TV that the security forces broke into the home, after hurling a grenade, and fired several rounds of live ammunition at al-Hanr just as he was preparing to open fire on them.
He added that the security forces also fired two rounds of live ammunition on him as he was trying to run out of the family home.
The killing of al-Hanr comes amidst increasing tension between the Hamas-run security forces in Gaza and various gunmen believed to be affiliated with ISIS, especially after several attacks and bombings targeted homes and property belonging to Hamas leaders.
On Sunday, a group claiming allegiance with ISIS issued a statement claiming responsibility for assassinating a senior Hamas commander by detonating his store in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Iyad al-Bozom, spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, stated on his Facebook page that Younis Sa’id al-Hanr, 27 years of age, was killed after initiating fire on the security forces, and that he refused to surrender.
Al-Bozom added that the security forces located explosive belts and charges, RPG rockets, and various types of weapons and ammunition.
The official only said that the slain man was an “outlaw” without providing further information.
Media sources in Gaza said the security forced tried to invade the home, a while ago, but did not advance after learning he was carrying an explosive belt.
After the death of al-Hanr, his brother told the Watania TV that the security forces broke into the home, after hurling a grenade, and fired several rounds of live ammunition at al-Hanr just as he was preparing to open fire on them.
He added that the security forces also fired two rounds of live ammunition on him as he was trying to run out of the family home.
The killing of al-Hanr comes amidst increasing tension between the Hamas-run security forces in Gaza and various gunmen believed to be affiliated with ISIS, especially after several attacks and bombings targeted homes and property belonging to Hamas leaders.
On Sunday, a group claiming allegiance with ISIS issued a statement claiming responsibility for assassinating a senior Hamas commander by detonating his store in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
27 may 2015
Hamas source tells Ynet rocket fire is 'against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip,' noting there are mediation efforts underway in attempt to calm situation
Hamas arrested the militants behind the rocket launched Tuesday night at southern Israel, a Hamas source told Ynet on Wednesday.
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area in southern Israel on Tuesday night. No damage was caused, but one teenager was treated for shock.
The IAF retaliated against the rocket fire, striking Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Popular Resistance Committees targets near the Gaza airport in the southern part of the Strip, as well as Hamas targets in Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the Strip, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported. The Palestinians reported no injuries in the attacks.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," the Hamas source said. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
"Right after the rocket fire, our security forces were deployed to different places across the Strip and hunted for the shooters until they were found and arrested," the source continued. He noted there were mediation efforts underway between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible. While refusing to elaborate on who the mediators were, he said Egypt was not involved.
Meanwhile, Ma'an quoted Egyptian sources as saying that Cairo has asked Jerusalem to halt its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip and show restraint following the Israeli counterstrike.
Tuesday's attack was the first time since last year's 50-day Operation Protective Edge in Gaza that a medium-range Grad rocket was fired into Israeli territory.
Defense establishment sources said the rocket was likely fired by an errant Palestinian faction, but Ya'alon stressed, "Hamas is responsible" for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip.
"It would be best for Hamas to work to rein in any attempt to fire at Israel or any provocation against Israel, otherwise we will have to act with greater power," Ya'alon added.
Hamas media outlets reported that the organization began evacuating all its security headquarters for fear of an Israeli reprisal to the attack. The evacuation was expected to continue into the morning hours.
Hamas arrested the militants behind the rocket launched Tuesday night at southern Israel, a Hamas source told Ynet on Wednesday.
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area in southern Israel on Tuesday night. No damage was caused, but one teenager was treated for shock.
The IAF retaliated against the rocket fire, striking Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Popular Resistance Committees targets near the Gaza airport in the southern part of the Strip, as well as Hamas targets in Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the Strip, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported. The Palestinians reported no injuries in the attacks.
"What happened yesterday (the rocket fire) goes against the interests of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and against our national interests," the Hamas source said. "We consider the rocket fire to be a dangerous thing."
"Right after the rocket fire, our security forces were deployed to different places across the Strip and hunted for the shooters until they were found and arrested," the source continued. He noted there were mediation efforts underway between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible. While refusing to elaborate on who the mediators were, he said Egypt was not involved.
Meanwhile, Ma'an quoted Egyptian sources as saying that Cairo has asked Jerusalem to halt its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip and show restraint following the Israeli counterstrike.
Tuesday's attack was the first time since last year's 50-day Operation Protective Edge in Gaza that a medium-range Grad rocket was fired into Israeli territory.
Defense establishment sources said the rocket was likely fired by an errant Palestinian faction, but Ya'alon stressed, "Hamas is responsible" for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip.
"It would be best for Hamas to work to rein in any attempt to fire at Israel or any provocation against Israel, otherwise we will have to act with greater power," Ya'alon added.
Hamas media outlets reported that the organization began evacuating all its security headquarters for fear of an Israeli reprisal to the attack. The evacuation was expected to continue into the morning hours.
