9 apr 2017
84 Israeli settlers, escorted by police officers, stormed on Sunday morning holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
A horde of Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate as part of the morning break-in shift that concluded at 10:30 a.m.
At the same time, the Israeli forces banned 20 Palestinians from al-Aqsa Mosque for periods of up to six months.
Over recent weeks, Israeli settlers stepped up calls for mass break-ins at al-Aqsa—Muslims’ third holiest site—to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover.
A horde of Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate as part of the morning break-in shift that concluded at 10:30 a.m.
At the same time, the Israeli forces banned 20 Palestinians from al-Aqsa Mosque for periods of up to six months.
Over recent weeks, Israeli settlers stepped up calls for mass break-ins at al-Aqsa—Muslims’ third holiest site—to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Israeli soldiers abducted, overnight and at dawn Sunday, at least seventeen Palestinians in different parts of occupied East Jerusalem, in the West Bank, during extensive and violent searches of homes and property.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that the invasions and abductions were largely concentrated in the Old City, and its surrounding areas, and added that the soldiers interrogated many Palestinians, while ransacking their homes.
The PPS identified the abducted Palestinians as Yousef Abu Shousha, Mohammad Abu Farha, Khaled Melhes, Mohammad Ashour, Ahmad Joulani, Ahmad Shaweesh, Mahmoud Shaweesh, Yousef Shaweesh, Odai Sonnoqrot, Ahmad Rokn, Ahmad Hashlamoun, Mohammad Sandouqa, Mohammad Shawqi Sandouqa, Jihad Qous, Tha’er Zghayyar, Ibrahim Natsha,and Mohammad Rokn.
In addition, the soldiers summoned Rami Fakhouri and Mohammad Diqdaq for interrogation, at a military and security center, in the occupied city.
In related news, the Israeli army declared Jerusalem as a closed zone to all Palestinians, starting from today until April 17th, the end of the Jewish Pesach feast.
Meanwhile, many fanatic groups in Israel started calling and planning for extensive invasions, and provocative tours into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, along with several invasions in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that the invasions and abductions were largely concentrated in the Old City, and its surrounding areas, and added that the soldiers interrogated many Palestinians, while ransacking their homes.
The PPS identified the abducted Palestinians as Yousef Abu Shousha, Mohammad Abu Farha, Khaled Melhes, Mohammad Ashour, Ahmad Joulani, Ahmad Shaweesh, Mahmoud Shaweesh, Yousef Shaweesh, Odai Sonnoqrot, Ahmad Rokn, Ahmad Hashlamoun, Mohammad Sandouqa, Mohammad Shawqi Sandouqa, Jihad Qous, Tha’er Zghayyar, Ibrahim Natsha,and Mohammad Rokn.
In addition, the soldiers summoned Rami Fakhouri and Mohammad Diqdaq for interrogation, at a military and security center, in the occupied city.
In related news, the Israeli army declared Jerusalem as a closed zone to all Palestinians, starting from today until April 17th, the end of the Jewish Pesach feast.
Meanwhile, many fanatic groups in Israel started calling and planning for extensive invasions, and provocative tours into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, along with several invasions in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.
7 apr 2017
Two Palestinians from the Hebron-area village of Beit Ummar were lightly injured Friday after an Israeli settler attempted to run them over on a main road connecting the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron to Jerusalem.
Local activist Muhammad Awad told Ma’an that an Israeli settler was driving on the road, located near Beit Ummar, when the settler attempted to to run over Palestinians Muhammad Basem Khader al-Alami, 25, and Saed Samir Hassan al-Salibi, 20.
“The Israeli settler drove very fast with his car towards the two, who noticed the settler’s car rushing towards them at the last moment, causing them to fall on the side of the street, while the Israeli settler escaped,” Awad said, describing the scene to Ma’an.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports.
The incident came a day after Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Yitzhar in the northern West Bank closed a Nablus-area road in protest, calling for “revenge” on Palestinians after an alleged car-ramming attack was carried out earlier in the day near the illegal Israeli Ofra settlement in Ramallah, which killed an Israeli soldier and wounded another moderately.
Incidents involving Israeli settlers hitting Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory are a relatively regular occurrence, and are usually treated by Israeli security forces as accidents, even in cases when witnesses claim the car rammings were deliberate.
Many Palestinian activists and rights groups have accused Israel of fostering a “culture of impunity” for Israeli settlers and soldiers committing violent acts against Palestinians.
Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law, with announcements of settlement expansion earlier this year sparking condemnation from the international community.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there were a total of 107 reported settler attacks against Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem in 2016.
Local activist Muhammad Awad told Ma’an that an Israeli settler was driving on the road, located near Beit Ummar, when the settler attempted to to run over Palestinians Muhammad Basem Khader al-Alami, 25, and Saed Samir Hassan al-Salibi, 20.
“The Israeli settler drove very fast with his car towards the two, who noticed the settler’s car rushing towards them at the last moment, causing them to fall on the side of the street, while the Israeli settler escaped,” Awad said, describing the scene to Ma’an.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports.
The incident came a day after Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Yitzhar in the northern West Bank closed a Nablus-area road in protest, calling for “revenge” on Palestinians after an alleged car-ramming attack was carried out earlier in the day near the illegal Israeli Ofra settlement in Ramallah, which killed an Israeli soldier and wounded another moderately.
Incidents involving Israeli settlers hitting Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory are a relatively regular occurrence, and are usually treated by Israeli security forces as accidents, even in cases when witnesses claim the car rammings were deliberate.
Many Palestinian activists and rights groups have accused Israel of fostering a “culture of impunity” for Israeli settlers and soldiers committing violent acts against Palestinians.
Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law, with announcements of settlement expansion earlier this year sparking condemnation from the international community.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there were a total of 107 reported settler attacks against Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem in 2016.
6 apr 2017
Dozens of Israeli settlers blocked off a road near the illegal Yizhar settlement in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus on Thursday, holding signs that called for revenge on Palestinians after an alleged car-ramming attack was carried out earlier in the day near the illegal Israeli Ofra settlement in Ramallah, which killed an Israeli soldier and wounded another moderately.
Hebrew-language media reported that some 30 Israeli settlers, residing in the occupied Palestinian territory in contravention of international law, protested at the road under protection of armed Israeli forces, blocking Palestinian cars from passing through.
The settlers held signs reading “revenge” in Hebrew.
An Israeli army spokesperson said she would look into reports. However, she said she was not sure if Israeli army forces were at the scene. Spokespersons for the Israeli police and border police were not immediately available to comment.
Earlier on Thursday, an Israeli soldier -- 20-year-old Elchay Teharlev -- was killed and another moderately injured, after a Palestinian car slammed into them at the Ofra junction near the illegal Israeli settlement by the same name.
Israeli forces detained the Palestinian driver at the scene, who was later identified as Malik Ahmad Moussa Hamid, 23, from Silwad in northeastern Ramallah.
Israeli authorities have cracked down on alleged “incitement” among Palestinians -- detaining scores for Facebook posts since unrest first broke out in the Palestinian territory and Israel in 2015 -- charging that Palestinian "incitement" has fueled attacks against Israelis. It was unclear whether Israeli authorities would also consider Israeli settlers' calls for revenge “incitement” against Palestinians.
On Saturday, Israeli forces shot and killed 17-year-old Palestinian Ahmad Zahir Fathi Ghazal in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, after he carried out a stabbing attack that left three Israelis lightly injured.
Witnesses said at the time that more than 25 bullet holes were puncturing the walls of the apartment, while adding that Israeli forces could have easily detained the teenager, "but they executed him."
Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian woman last week after she allegedly carried out a stabbing attack near Damascus Gate in the Old City, in which no Israelis were injured. The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the slain Palestinian woman as 49-year-old Siham Ratib Nimr, from East Jerusalem.
Nimr was the mother of Mustafa Nimr, a 27-year-old Palestinian who was killed in September when Israeli border police showered his vehicle with live fire as he was driving near clashes outside of Shufat refugee camp, while he was bringing home food and baby clothes.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israelis has increased to 17 since the start of 2017, 16 of whom have been killed by Israeli armed forces, and another by an Israeli settler. Meanwhile, seven Israelis have been killed by Palestinians during the same time period.
Though Israeli forces have claimed that Palestinians were allegedly attempting to carry out attacks when they were killed in seven of these cases, Palestinians and rights groups have disputed Israel's version of events in a number of cases.
Meanwhile, Palestinians have often cited the daily frustrations, unfettered illegal Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian territory, and routine Israeli military violence imposed by Israel's nearly half century occupation of the Palestinian territory as main drivers for such attacks.
Hebrew-language media reported that some 30 Israeli settlers, residing in the occupied Palestinian territory in contravention of international law, protested at the road under protection of armed Israeli forces, blocking Palestinian cars from passing through.
The settlers held signs reading “revenge” in Hebrew.
An Israeli army spokesperson said she would look into reports. However, she said she was not sure if Israeli army forces were at the scene. Spokespersons for the Israeli police and border police were not immediately available to comment.
Earlier on Thursday, an Israeli soldier -- 20-year-old Elchay Teharlev -- was killed and another moderately injured, after a Palestinian car slammed into them at the Ofra junction near the illegal Israeli settlement by the same name.
Israeli forces detained the Palestinian driver at the scene, who was later identified as Malik Ahmad Moussa Hamid, 23, from Silwad in northeastern Ramallah.
Israeli authorities have cracked down on alleged “incitement” among Palestinians -- detaining scores for Facebook posts since unrest first broke out in the Palestinian territory and Israel in 2015 -- charging that Palestinian "incitement" has fueled attacks against Israelis. It was unclear whether Israeli authorities would also consider Israeli settlers' calls for revenge “incitement” against Palestinians.
On Saturday, Israeli forces shot and killed 17-year-old Palestinian Ahmad Zahir Fathi Ghazal in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, after he carried out a stabbing attack that left three Israelis lightly injured.
Witnesses said at the time that more than 25 bullet holes were puncturing the walls of the apartment, while adding that Israeli forces could have easily detained the teenager, "but they executed him."
Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian woman last week after she allegedly carried out a stabbing attack near Damascus Gate in the Old City, in which no Israelis were injured. The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the slain Palestinian woman as 49-year-old Siham Ratib Nimr, from East Jerusalem.
Nimr was the mother of Mustafa Nimr, a 27-year-old Palestinian who was killed in September when Israeli border police showered his vehicle with live fire as he was driving near clashes outside of Shufat refugee camp, while he was bringing home food and baby clothes.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israelis has increased to 17 since the start of 2017, 16 of whom have been killed by Israeli armed forces, and another by an Israeli settler. Meanwhile, seven Israelis have been killed by Palestinians during the same time period.
Though Israeli forces have claimed that Palestinians were allegedly attempting to carry out attacks when they were killed in seven of these cases, Palestinians and rights groups have disputed Israel's version of events in a number of cases.
Meanwhile, Palestinians have often cited the daily frustrations, unfettered illegal Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian territory, and routine Israeli military violence imposed by Israel's nearly half century occupation of the Palestinian territory as main drivers for such attacks.
5 apr 2017
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) handed an order on Wednesday to a Palestinian employee at the Awqaf (endowment) Department banning him from entering al-Aqsa Mosque.
The head of the information department at the Islamic Awqaf in Occupied Jerusalem, Tareq al-Hashlamon, said that the Israeli police handed him a decision ordering him to stay away from al-Aqsa Mosque for six months, according to Quds Press news agency.
For his part, the public relations and media official at the Islamic Awqaf, Feras al-Debs, said that the IOA has launched a campaign in the recent months targeting the Islamic Awqaf employees, some of whom were banished and others were arrested.
Debs pointed out that four guards of al-Aqsa Mosque who work for the Islamic Awqaf Department returned to work on Wednesday after several days of banishment.
In a related development, the Israeli police secured protection on Wednesday for 80 Israelis who broke into al-Aqsa courtyards from Bab al-Magharbeh which has been under full Israeli control since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
Feras al-Debs affirmed that 48 settlers, including 14 members of the Israeli intelligence and 18 Jewish students, stormed al-Aqsa courtyards in the morning hours.
The head of the information department at the Islamic Awqaf in Occupied Jerusalem, Tareq al-Hashlamon, said that the Israeli police handed him a decision ordering him to stay away from al-Aqsa Mosque for six months, according to Quds Press news agency.
For his part, the public relations and media official at the Islamic Awqaf, Feras al-Debs, said that the IOA has launched a campaign in the recent months targeting the Islamic Awqaf employees, some of whom were banished and others were arrested.
Debs pointed out that four guards of al-Aqsa Mosque who work for the Islamic Awqaf Department returned to work on Wednesday after several days of banishment.
In a related development, the Israeli police secured protection on Wednesday for 80 Israelis who broke into al-Aqsa courtyards from Bab al-Magharbeh which has been under full Israeli control since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
Feras al-Debs affirmed that 48 settlers, including 14 members of the Israeli intelligence and 18 Jewish students, stormed al-Aqsa courtyards in the morning hours.
4 apr 2017
Jewish settlers of the Israeli settlement of Sidi Bouaz leveled on Tuesday a Palestinian land in Ein al-Qessis area in al-Khader town south of Bethlehem.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Separation Wall and Settlement in al-Khader village, said that settlers used soil and rocks in order to level the Palestinian land. The land leveling aimed at setting up mobile house caravans for settlers in the area, he pointed out.
This move is a new challenge to Resolution No 2334 adopted by the UN Security Council by absolute majority on December 23, 2016. It stipulates halting Israeli settlement in occupied Palestinian territories.
Ahmed Salah, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Separation Wall and Settlement in al-Khader village, said that settlers used soil and rocks in order to level the Palestinian land. The land leveling aimed at setting up mobile house caravans for settlers in the area, he pointed out.
This move is a new challenge to Resolution No 2334 adopted by the UN Security Council by absolute majority on December 23, 2016. It stipulates halting Israeli settlement in occupied Palestinian territories.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed at daybreak Tuesday Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank.
According to eyewitnesses, over seven buses carrying hundreds of Israeli settlers rolled into Nablus’s eastern zone under heavy police escort.
The Israeli settlers broke into Joseph’s Tomb and performed sacrilegious rituals.
Overnight, Israeli military patrols cordoned off the environs of the tomb as they set the stage for the break-in.
Clashes flared up in the area between the Israeli soldiers and the Palestinian anti-occupation youth in Amman Street and near the northern entrance to Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The occupation forces attacked the Palestinian protesters with randomly-discharged barrages of teargas canisters.
According to eyewitnesses, over seven buses carrying hundreds of Israeli settlers rolled into Nablus’s eastern zone under heavy police escort.
The Israeli settlers broke into Joseph’s Tomb and performed sacrilegious rituals.
Overnight, Israeli military patrols cordoned off the environs of the tomb as they set the stage for the break-in.
Clashes flared up in the area between the Israeli soldiers and the Palestinian anti-occupation youth in Amman Street and near the northern entrance to Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The occupation forces attacked the Palestinian protesters with randomly-discharged barrages of teargas canisters.
2 apr 2017
67 Israeli settlers on Sunday morning stormed the plazas of holy al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate.
Israeli policemen escorted 67 Israelis as they toured the al-Aqsa place of worship during the morning break-in shift.
A round of sacrilegious rituals was performed by the Israeli settlers all the way through the break-in.
The Israeli policemen have often cracked down on the peaceful Muslim worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosuqe—the third holiest site in Islam.
Israeli policemen escorted 67 Israelis as they toured the al-Aqsa place of worship during the morning break-in shift.
A round of sacrilegious rituals was performed by the Israeli settlers all the way through the break-in.
The Israeli policemen have often cracked down on the peaceful Muslim worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosuqe—the third holiest site in Islam.
1 apr 2017
A group of fanatic Jewish settlers on Saturday evening attacked Palestinians in Huwara and Bourin towns south of Nablus city in the northern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the Huwara attack took place close to Yitzhar settlement.
Calls were heard through mosques’ loudspeakers urging people to gather and confront the attacking Jewish settlers, the eyewitnesses pointed out.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the Huwara attack took place close to Yitzhar settlement.
Calls were heard through mosques’ loudspeakers urging people to gather and confront the attacking Jewish settlers, the eyewitnesses pointed out.
A group of Israeli settlers prevented on Saturday morning Palestinian farmers’ access to their lands in Qaryout town, south of Nablus city in the northern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the settlers stormed the town accompanied with Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and blocked local farmers from reaching their agricultural lands.
The settlers attacked the farmers and threatened them if they tried to reach their lands again, the sources added.
The settlers’ attack was carried out under the IOF protection.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the settlers stormed the town accompanied with Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and blocked local farmers from reaching their agricultural lands.
The settlers attacked the farmers and threatened them if they tried to reach their lands again, the sources added.
The settlers’ attack was carried out under the IOF protection.
31 mar 2017
Israeli settlers bulldozed Palestinian lands in Broukin town, west of Salfit, to expand the Ariel industrial zone.
A PIC news correspondent said Israeli bulldozers leveled Palestinian cultivated lands and ranches covering 20 dunums in Khilet al-Zaafaran, in Broukin.
Researcher Khaled Maali said the move makes part of Israeli attempts to build more factories in the Ariel industrial zone, in an act feared to destabilize even further the Palestinian ecosystem.
Maali added that four Israeli industrial zones have been established on Palestinian land in Salfit, in flagrant infringement of international law.
A PIC news correspondent said Israeli bulldozers leveled Palestinian cultivated lands and ranches covering 20 dunums in Khilet al-Zaafaran, in Broukin.
Researcher Khaled Maali said the move makes part of Israeli attempts to build more factories in the Ariel industrial zone, in an act feared to destabilize even further the Palestinian ecosystem.
Maali added that four Israeli industrial zones have been established on Palestinian land in Salfit, in flagrant infringement of international law.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed Friday morning Al-Muwaraq Palace in Dura town, west of al-Khalil, under heavy military protection.
According to the PIC reporter, a number of Israeli buses carrying dozens of settlers stormed the site escorted by large numbers of Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
IOF soldiers were deployed in large numbers at the entrances of the town and prevented Palestinian movement during the provocative raid.
The settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the Palace before leaving the area.
Al-Muwaraq Palace is an ancient Roman building established over an area of 1,600 square meters. It is open daily except on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays under the administration of the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
According to the PIC reporter, a number of Israeli buses carrying dozens of settlers stormed the site escorted by large numbers of Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
IOF soldiers were deployed in large numbers at the entrances of the town and prevented Palestinian movement during the provocative raid.
The settlers performed Talmudic rituals in the Palace before leaving the area.
Al-Muwaraq Palace is an ancient Roman building established over an area of 1,600 square meters. It is open daily except on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays under the administration of the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
30 mar 2017
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested on Thursday four Palestinian activists of the National Campaign to Lift the Closure of the Old City of al-Khalil during the commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the Land Day in Jaber neighborhood close to Kiryat Arba settlement.
Human Rights Defenders Assembly in al-Khalil said that a group of settlers, who escorted the IOF troops, assaulted the Palestinian activists while participating in the event.
The IOF soldiers quelled the Land Day commemoration event, arrested the four activists and evicted others from the place, the assembly added.
Human Rights Defenders Assembly in al-Khalil said that a group of settlers, who escorted the IOF troops, assaulted the Palestinian activists while participating in the event.
The IOF soldiers quelled the Land Day commemoration event, arrested the four activists and evicted others from the place, the assembly added.
An Israeli government-owned company has agreed to allow temple mount groups to hold the Passover sacrifice ceremony in the Umayyad Palaces (archeological park) area close to the Aqsa Mosque, according to Israeli media reports.
The Umayyad Palaces is run by the company for the reconstruction and development of the Jewish quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, a government-owned corporation under the authority of the construction and housing ministry. The company approved the request to hold the ceremony in the park, but required organizers to also receive permission from the police in the city, Haaretz said.
Organizers of the event threatened that if the police refused to issue a permit for the sacrifice ceremony, they would petition the Israeli high court of justice for permission.
Aviad Visoly, a lawyer for the activists, said that if the high court did not overrule the police, the ceremony would be split into two parts, with the sacrifice conducted elsewhere and brought to the site.
The Jerusalem police said the event has not been approved and the issue is still under discussion.
The sacrifice ceremony has been conducted annually as a semi-underground event for the past 15 years. In recent years, the ceremony has become an institution and the most important event for temple mount groups.
Last year, the event was held in the Bet Orot outpost on the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the Aqsa Mosque. This year, organizers decided to hold the ceremony as close to the Temple Mount as possible, just south of the Western Wall Plaza.
In recent years, the Jerusalem municipality has supported the event, which is attended by hundreds of right-wing Israelis, including Knesset members, rabbis and other public figures.
The Umayyad Palaces is run by the company for the reconstruction and development of the Jewish quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, a government-owned corporation under the authority of the construction and housing ministry. The company approved the request to hold the ceremony in the park, but required organizers to also receive permission from the police in the city, Haaretz said.
Organizers of the event threatened that if the police refused to issue a permit for the sacrifice ceremony, they would petition the Israeli high court of justice for permission.
Aviad Visoly, a lawyer for the activists, said that if the high court did not overrule the police, the ceremony would be split into two parts, with the sacrifice conducted elsewhere and brought to the site.
The Jerusalem police said the event has not been approved and the issue is still under discussion.
The sacrifice ceremony has been conducted annually as a semi-underground event for the past 15 years. In recent years, the ceremony has become an institution and the most important event for temple mount groups.
Last year, the event was held in the Bet Orot outpost on the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the Aqsa Mosque. This year, organizers decided to hold the ceremony as close to the Temple Mount as possible, just south of the Western Wall Plaza.
In recent years, the Jerusalem municipality has supported the event, which is attended by hundreds of right-wing Israelis, including Knesset members, rabbis and other public figures.