25 feb 2020
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and U.S. Ambassador David Friedman at the overlook near Ariel
Netanyahu says mapping process will be executed 'quickly as possible', potential Gaza campaign could 'become a war' as a last option
A week before the elections, an Israeli-American mapping team toured the overlook near the West Bank city of Ariel on Monday, before Israel is set to apply its sovereignty on the territory as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the event and gave his blessing to the move.
“The joint mapping process of the Israeli team and the American team is underway here in Ariel. This is a major mission. The area has an 800-kilometer (500-mile) perimeter.
There is serious work, but we will work as quickly as possible to get it done," said Netanyahu. “The mapping is underway in order to allow for the application of Israeli law on these areas and later American recognition as well."
The process will be completed as quickly as possible. We will do this as rapidly as possible; there is no artificial impediment. For the mapping process, one must consider every valley, every section, every nook, and every line; this is serious. We are determining here lines that have historic implications.
Therefore, the work will be done as quickly as possible, and we will not stop for anything.”
Netanyahu then spoke about the recent round of violence with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
“Last night [Sunday], we attacked in both Gaza and Syria. I do not intend to let up. On the way here, I spoke with the security elements. As you can imagine, we will be in action today as well.
Beyond the severe blows that we are inflicting on our enemies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to understand – it will not continue this way. If they do not stop firing completely, and I do not mean for a day or two, but in general, if there will not be a complete halt, we will be obliged to activate the plan for an extensive campaign that we have prepared," said Netanyahu.
“These are not mere words. They contain new and surprising things that were not in Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense or Operation Defensive Shield, and whoever is in the Security Cabinet knows exactly what we are talking about.
The campaign could become a war; it is the last option. I am not rushing to go there. I know the cost our soldiers pay and the families of the fallen. This is the last option, but if there is no choice, we will go there. Woe to Hamas and Islamic Jihad if they reach that day. The choice is theirs. We will do what is necessary in order to restore complete security to the residents of the south.”
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin also lauded the move, citing its historic significance.
"The goal is to draw an accurate and complete map of the area so that Israeli sovereignty could be applied to it," said Levin. "It is definitely a historic and significant moment."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and his senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone, PMO Acting Director General Ronen Peretz and U.S. National Security Council Director for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Scott Leith were also present at the meeting.
Netanyahu says mapping process will be executed 'quickly as possible', potential Gaza campaign could 'become a war' as a last option
A week before the elections, an Israeli-American mapping team toured the overlook near the West Bank city of Ariel on Monday, before Israel is set to apply its sovereignty on the territory as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the event and gave his blessing to the move.
“The joint mapping process of the Israeli team and the American team is underway here in Ariel. This is a major mission. The area has an 800-kilometer (500-mile) perimeter.
There is serious work, but we will work as quickly as possible to get it done," said Netanyahu. “The mapping is underway in order to allow for the application of Israeli law on these areas and later American recognition as well."
The process will be completed as quickly as possible. We will do this as rapidly as possible; there is no artificial impediment. For the mapping process, one must consider every valley, every section, every nook, and every line; this is serious. We are determining here lines that have historic implications.
Therefore, the work will be done as quickly as possible, and we will not stop for anything.”
Netanyahu then spoke about the recent round of violence with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
“Last night [Sunday], we attacked in both Gaza and Syria. I do not intend to let up. On the way here, I spoke with the security elements. As you can imagine, we will be in action today as well.
Beyond the severe blows that we are inflicting on our enemies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to understand – it will not continue this way. If they do not stop firing completely, and I do not mean for a day or two, but in general, if there will not be a complete halt, we will be obliged to activate the plan for an extensive campaign that we have prepared," said Netanyahu.
“These are not mere words. They contain new and surprising things that were not in Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense or Operation Defensive Shield, and whoever is in the Security Cabinet knows exactly what we are talking about.
The campaign could become a war; it is the last option. I am not rushing to go there. I know the cost our soldiers pay and the families of the fallen. This is the last option, but if there is no choice, we will go there. Woe to Hamas and Islamic Jihad if they reach that day. The choice is theirs. We will do what is necessary in order to restore complete security to the residents of the south.”
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin also lauded the move, citing its historic significance.
"The goal is to draw an accurate and complete map of the area so that Israeli sovereignty could be applied to it," said Levin. "It is definitely a historic and significant moment."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and his senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone, PMO Acting Director General Ronen Peretz and U.S. National Security Council Director for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Scott Leith were also present at the meeting.
European Union Representative in Jerusalem Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff said today that a bulldozer dragging the body of a dead Palestinian in Gaza goes counter to all principles of human dignity.
An Israeli army bulldozer was filmed on Sunday dragging the body of a Palestinian shot dead by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border with Israel.
The incident has prompted violent reaction from Palestinians in Gaza who fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel with the latter responding with airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip.
“No one should be witnessing scenes like that one when a military bulldozer drags away a lifeless body. This is something that goes counter to all principles of human dignity and respect,” said von Burgsdorff.
The EU official also called for a de-escalation in the fighting across the Gaza border.
“The EU has consistently reiterated on numerous occasions, that the destructive cycle of violence and counter-violence has to come to an end,” he said. “De-escalation is now imperative, not least to preserve lives of the citizens of Gaza and to relieve their suffering.”
After two days of cross border fighting, Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed last night to a ceasefire.
An Israeli army bulldozer was filmed on Sunday dragging the body of a Palestinian shot dead by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border with Israel.
The incident has prompted violent reaction from Palestinians in Gaza who fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel with the latter responding with airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip.
“No one should be witnessing scenes like that one when a military bulldozer drags away a lifeless body. This is something that goes counter to all principles of human dignity and respect,” said von Burgsdorff.
The EU official also called for a de-escalation in the fighting across the Gaza border.
“The EU has consistently reiterated on numerous occasions, that the destructive cycle of violence and counter-violence has to come to an end,” he said. “De-escalation is now imperative, not least to preserve lives of the citizens of Gaza and to relieve their suffering.”
After two days of cross border fighting, Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed last night to a ceasefire.
An official source from the Islamic Jihad Movement has said that a cautious ceasefire came into effect at 11:30 last night on Monday between the Israeli occupation army and the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.
SAFA news agency quoted the source as saying that “the Movement is committed to the agreement, which was brokered by Egypt and the UN, as long as it is respected by the occupation state.”
In this regard, Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah talked over the phone with head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya and discussed the Israeli military escalation against Gaza, the ceasefire mediation efforts and other developments in the Palestinian arena.
According to a statement released by Islamic Jihad, Haneyya offered his sincere condolences to Nakhalah over the martyrdom of three members of his Movement in Khan Yunis and Damascus.
The Israeli occupation army launched a spate of aerial and artillery attacks on Gaza immediately after the Palestinian resistance responded to its forces’ crime in the east of Khan Yunis, where they savagely killed a Palestinian citizen, used a bulldozer to desecrate his body and injured others on Sunday.
An Israeli overnight air raid on Damascus on the same day also claimed the lives of two Palestinians affiliated with the Islamic Jihad Movement.
Such Israeli crimes provoked the Palestinian resistance to launch dozens of counterattacks on Israeli settlements and military targets.
SAFA news agency quoted the source as saying that “the Movement is committed to the agreement, which was brokered by Egypt and the UN, as long as it is respected by the occupation state.”
In this regard, Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah talked over the phone with head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya and discussed the Israeli military escalation against Gaza, the ceasefire mediation efforts and other developments in the Palestinian arena.
According to a statement released by Islamic Jihad, Haneyya offered his sincere condolences to Nakhalah over the martyrdom of three members of his Movement in Khan Yunis and Damascus.
The Israeli occupation army launched a spate of aerial and artillery attacks on Gaza immediately after the Palestinian resistance responded to its forces’ crime in the east of Khan Yunis, where they savagely killed a Palestinian citizen, used a bulldozer to desecrate his body and injured others on Sunday.
An Israeli overnight air raid on Damascus on the same day also claimed the lives of two Palestinians affiliated with the Islamic Jihad Movement.
Such Israeli crimes provoked the Palestinian resistance to launch dozens of counterattacks on Israeli settlements and military targets.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday, ordered the army to continue airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.
In a written statement on social media, Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision to persist with the bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, after speaking with several Israeli officials, including the head of the Shin Bet security agency, defense minister, Naftali Bennett, and the head of National Security.
Earlier Monday the Israeli army said warplanes targeted a post of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement in the northern part of the Strip. Palestinian officials said there were no casualties or injuries from the Israeli attacks.
At noon, 14 rockets were allegedly fired from Gaza toward Israel, 12 of them were purportedly destroyed by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, no reports of any injuries were reported at the time of reporting.
This flare up of violence between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance group began on Sunday when Israeli forces killed Mohammad Ali Hasan an-Na’em, 27, a member of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.
The Israeli human rights group Adalah said the army committed a war crime in its actions dealing with the deceased Palestinian, with no respect for the sanctity of death.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) also condemned the army’s dispicable actions.
In a written statement on social media, Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision to persist with the bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, after speaking with several Israeli officials, including the head of the Shin Bet security agency, defense minister, Naftali Bennett, and the head of National Security.
Earlier Monday the Israeli army said warplanes targeted a post of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement in the northern part of the Strip. Palestinian officials said there were no casualties or injuries from the Israeli attacks.
At noon, 14 rockets were allegedly fired from Gaza toward Israel, 12 of them were purportedly destroyed by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, no reports of any injuries were reported at the time of reporting.
This flare up of violence between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian resistance group began on Sunday when Israeli forces killed Mohammad Ali Hasan an-Na’em, 27, a member of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.
The Israeli human rights group Adalah said the army committed a war crime in its actions dealing with the deceased Palestinian, with no respect for the sanctity of death.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) also condemned the army’s dispicable actions.
24 feb 2020
Shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a security meeting in Tel Aviv, on Monday, Israeli warplanes resumed its airstrikes against targets in the besieged Gaza Strip, Days of Palestine reports.
The following is a complete breakdown of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
2:55 PM: Israeli warplanes attacked a Palestinian post belonging to the resistance in the city of Rafah. southern Gaza Strip.
4:50 PM: An Israeli drone targeted a group of citizens in the northern Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, no injuries have been reported so far.
5:05 PM: Israeli warplanes targeted a Palestinian post in the northern of the Gaza Strip.
5:12 PM: Israeli artillery targeted a Palestinian post in the city of Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip.
5:19 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the northeastern areas of Rafah Governorate.
5:25 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the eastern Gaza Strip and towards Beit Lahia city, northern Gaza Strip.
5:39 PM: Israeli artillery renews shelling towards eastern border areas of the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, and the power is cut in the area.
5:48 PM: Heavy Israeli airstrikes north of Gaza city.
5:50 PM: At least one Palestinian man is targeted by Israeli tanks in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Palestinian resistance fired rockets toward Israel in retribution for the murder and sadistic treatment of the slain man, Israel responding with airstrikes.
The following is a complete breakdown of Israel’s assault on Gaza.
2:55 PM: Israeli warplanes attacked a Palestinian post belonging to the resistance in the city of Rafah. southern Gaza Strip.
4:50 PM: An Israeli drone targeted a group of citizens in the northern Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, no injuries have been reported so far.
5:05 PM: Israeli warplanes targeted a Palestinian post in the northern of the Gaza Strip.
5:12 PM: Israeli artillery targeted a Palestinian post in the city of Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip.
5:19 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the northeastern areas of Rafah Governorate.
5:25 PM: Israeli artillery fired a shell towards the eastern Gaza Strip and towards Beit Lahia city, northern Gaza Strip.
5:39 PM: Israeli artillery renews shelling towards eastern border areas of the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Younis, and the power is cut in the area.
5:48 PM: Heavy Israeli airstrikes north of Gaza city.
5:50 PM: At least one Palestinian man is targeted by Israeli tanks in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Palestinian resistance fired rockets toward Israel in retribution for the murder and sadistic treatment of the slain man, Israel responding with airstrikes.
Saraya Al Quds, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, on Sunday, in retaliation for the Israeli crime of murdering and mutilating Palestinian Muhammad Na’em in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Quds News Network (QNN) reports. video video
Late Sunday, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinians, according to an army statement, striking north-west of Beit Lahia in the northern besieged Gaza Strip, with four rockets and a reconnaissance missile. video
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that four Palestinians were injured by the airstrikes and were evacuated to Ash Shifa hospital in Gaza, no further information was known at the time of reporting.
Late Sunday, Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinians, according to an army statement, striking north-west of Beit Lahia in the northern besieged Gaza Strip, with four rockets and a reconnaissance missile. video
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that four Palestinians were injured by the airstrikes and were evacuated to Ash Shifa hospital in Gaza, no further information was known at the time of reporting.
16 feb 2020
Israeli soldiers fired, on Saturday night after midnight, a few missiles into a site in the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip, causing damage, after the army claimed that two shells were fired from the coastal region.
The army also revoked the permits of 500 merchants in addition to reducing the fishing zone.
Media sources said Israeli F16 warplanes fired missiles into a site west of Deir al-Balah city, in central Gaza, causing damage to the targeted location and several surrounding homes.
Israeli war jets and drones were also seen and heard flying over several parts of the coastal region.
The Israeli army claimed that it was retaliating to homemade shells that were reportedly fired from Gaza into nearby settlements.
In a statement, the Israeli army also said it has decided to revoke the permits of 500 Gaza merchants, which will prevent them from leaving the Gaza Strip on their way to Jerusalem or the rest of the occupied West Bank.
Furthermore, the Israeli Navy said it has decided to reduce the fishing zone allotted to Gaza Strip, for the second time since Wednesday, when it reduced it from 15 to 10 nautical miles, in addition to denying the entry of construction materials into the coastal region.
The army also revoked the permits of 500 merchants in addition to reducing the fishing zone.
Media sources said Israeli F16 warplanes fired missiles into a site west of Deir al-Balah city, in central Gaza, causing damage to the targeted location and several surrounding homes.
Israeli war jets and drones were also seen and heard flying over several parts of the coastal region.
The Israeli army claimed that it was retaliating to homemade shells that were reportedly fired from Gaza into nearby settlements.
In a statement, the Israeli army also said it has decided to revoke the permits of 500 Gaza merchants, which will prevent them from leaving the Gaza Strip on their way to Jerusalem or the rest of the occupied West Bank.
Furthermore, the Israeli Navy said it has decided to reduce the fishing zone allotted to Gaza Strip, for the second time since Wednesday, when it reduced it from 15 to 10 nautical miles, in addition to denying the entry of construction materials into the coastal region.
10 feb 2020
Israeli warplanes early Monday pounded sites in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah cities in the southern besieged Gaza Strip, according to WAFA correspondent.
He said that Israeli warplanes fired some ten missiles towards a site to the northwest of Khan Younis, completely destroying it and causing fires to break out.
Warplanes also targeted a site to the west of Deir al Balah with three missiles, completely destroying it and causing damages to nearby civilian properties. video
Meanwhile, Israeli artillery fired three shells towards a site to the east of the Gaza Strip, destroying it totally and causing damages to close properties and agricultural lands.
No human casualties were reported, however.
Israel claimed that the attack on the war-battered strip came in retaliation to a rocket fire from the coastal enclave.
Fourteen years following the Israeli “disengagement” from Gaza, Israel has not actually disengaged from Gaza; it still maintains control of its land borders, access to the sea and airspace.
Two million Palestinians live the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to a punishing and crippling Israeli blockade for 12 years and repeated onslaughts that have heavily damaged much of the enclave’s infrastructure.
Gaza’s 2-million population remains under “remote control” occupation and a strict siege, which has destroyed the local economy, strangled Palestinian livelihoods, plunged them into unprecedented rates of unemployment and poverty, and cut off from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories and the wider world.
Gaza remains occupied territory, having no control over its borders, territorial waters or airspace.
Meanwhile, Israel upholds very few of its responsibilities as the occupying power, failing to provide for the basic needs of Palestinian civilians living in the territory.
Every two in three Palestinians in Gaza is a refugee from lands inside what is now Israel. That government forbids them from exercising their right to return as enshrined in international law because they are not Jews.
He said that Israeli warplanes fired some ten missiles towards a site to the northwest of Khan Younis, completely destroying it and causing fires to break out.
Warplanes also targeted a site to the west of Deir al Balah with three missiles, completely destroying it and causing damages to nearby civilian properties. video
Meanwhile, Israeli artillery fired three shells towards a site to the east of the Gaza Strip, destroying it totally and causing damages to close properties and agricultural lands.
No human casualties were reported, however.
Israel claimed that the attack on the war-battered strip came in retaliation to a rocket fire from the coastal enclave.
Fourteen years following the Israeli “disengagement” from Gaza, Israel has not actually disengaged from Gaza; it still maintains control of its land borders, access to the sea and airspace.
Two million Palestinians live the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to a punishing and crippling Israeli blockade for 12 years and repeated onslaughts that have heavily damaged much of the enclave’s infrastructure.
Gaza’s 2-million population remains under “remote control” occupation and a strict siege, which has destroyed the local economy, strangled Palestinian livelihoods, plunged them into unprecedented rates of unemployment and poverty, and cut off from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories and the wider world.
Gaza remains occupied territory, having no control over its borders, territorial waters or airspace.
Meanwhile, Israel upholds very few of its responsibilities as the occupying power, failing to provide for the basic needs of Palestinian civilians living in the territory.
Every two in three Palestinians in Gaza is a refugee from lands inside what is now Israel. That government forbids them from exercising their right to return as enshrined in international law because they are not Jews.
9 feb 2020
PM says leaders of the terror group should refresh their memories regarding Islamic Jihad commander assassination, while the defense minister claims 'no one is immune' and Israel would have to take a 'different kind of action' if the attacks from Gaza don't cease
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday issued a thinly-veiled threat against Hamas, warning Israel might have to resort to targeted killings if the terror group continues to launch attacks on Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip.
Tensions on the southern border have risen over the past several weeks, with militants in the Hamas-controlled enclave sporadically firing rockets launching explosives attached to balloons at Israeli cities and towns.
Netanyahu kicked off the weekly cabinet meeting by warning Hamas that its leaders might face the same fate as the military leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Baha Abu Al Atta, killed in an Israeli raid three months ago.
“Only a few weeks ago, we targeted the senior Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza, and I suggest that both Islamic Jihad and Hamas should refresh their memories,” said the prime minister. “I will not go into detail about all of our plans in front of the media, but we are prepared to take devastating action against the terrorist organizations in Gaza.”
Bennett, meanwhile, toured the IDF’s Gaza Division and met with high-profile military officials. He also went on to imply that Israel will go back to targeted killings if the attacks originating in Gaza won’t cease.
“No one is immune,” said Bennett. “The lawless conduct of Hamas leaders is bringing us closer to taking a decisive action against them. We won’t reveal when or where it will happen, but the action we would take will be very different from any previous ones,” he added.
"The State of Israel does not want a war with Hamas, but we have a commitment to the residents of the south.”
The exchanges of fire between the militants in Gaza and the Israeli military have become a near-daily occurrence. On Saturday evening a rocket from Gaza landed in a nearby Israeli community with a rocket alert siren being sounded prior.
The army responded by striking a series of Hamas targets in the enclave.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday issued a thinly-veiled threat against Hamas, warning Israel might have to resort to targeted killings if the terror group continues to launch attacks on Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip.
Tensions on the southern border have risen over the past several weeks, with militants in the Hamas-controlled enclave sporadically firing rockets launching explosives attached to balloons at Israeli cities and towns.
Netanyahu kicked off the weekly cabinet meeting by warning Hamas that its leaders might face the same fate as the military leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Baha Abu Al Atta, killed in an Israeli raid three months ago.
“Only a few weeks ago, we targeted the senior Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza, and I suggest that both Islamic Jihad and Hamas should refresh their memories,” said the prime minister. “I will not go into detail about all of our plans in front of the media, but we are prepared to take devastating action against the terrorist organizations in Gaza.”
Bennett, meanwhile, toured the IDF’s Gaza Division and met with high-profile military officials. He also went on to imply that Israel will go back to targeted killings if the attacks originating in Gaza won’t cease.
“No one is immune,” said Bennett. “The lawless conduct of Hamas leaders is bringing us closer to taking a decisive action against them. We won’t reveal when or where it will happen, but the action we would take will be very different from any previous ones,” he added.
"The State of Israel does not want a war with Hamas, but we have a commitment to the residents of the south.”
The exchanges of fire between the militants in Gaza and the Israeli military have become a near-daily occurrence. On Saturday evening a rocket from Gaza landed in a nearby Israeli community with a rocket alert siren being sounded prior.
The army responded by striking a series of Hamas targets in the enclave.
Israeli tanks on Saturday night bombed two Palestinian sites north of the besieged Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that Israeli tanks stationed at the border fence east of Gaza fired several missiles at two sites in the northern area of the Gaza Strip with no injuries reported.
The Israeli occupation army claimed that prior to the attack a projectile was fired from the Gaza Strip towards neighboring Israeli settlements.
The PIC reporter said that Israeli tanks stationed at the border fence east of Gaza fired several missiles at two sites in the northern area of the Gaza Strip with no injuries reported.
The Israeli occupation army claimed that prior to the attack a projectile was fired from the Gaza Strip towards neighboring Israeli settlements.
