21 jan 2019
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Monday and under heavy protection of Israeli forces broke into Solomon's Pools south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Local sources reported that at least 100 settlers stormed the site under tight protection by Israeli occupation forces. The settlers were allowed to carry out Talmudic rituals at the site.
Solomon's Pools have been subjected to frequent incursions by settlers in an attempt to take over control of the touristic site, which they claim to be of religious importance to them.
The pools are three ancient reservoirs, dated back to the period of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman, and located in the south-central West Bank in the Palestinian-controlled Area A.
Local sources reported that at least 100 settlers stormed the site under tight protection by Israeli occupation forces. The settlers were allowed to carry out Talmudic rituals at the site.
Solomon's Pools have been subjected to frequent incursions by settlers in an attempt to take over control of the touristic site, which they claim to be of religious importance to them.
The pools are three ancient reservoirs, dated back to the period of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman, and located in the south-central West Bank in the Palestinian-controlled Area A.
Over 2,000 Israeli settlers at dawn Monday stormed Joseph's Tomb in Nablus and performed Talmudic rituals under military protection, Maariv said.
Maariv said that the Palestinian citizens hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli forces and the buses transporting the Israeli settlers to Joseph's Tomb.
Palestinian eyewitnesses said that violent clashes broke out at daybreak in the eastern area of Nablus following a settler break-in into Joseph's Tomb.
A Palestinian young man was injured by Israeli gunfire in the thigh and was transferred to hospital for treatment.
Israeli forces and settlers on a regular basis raid Nablus to perform rituals at the tomb, which they claim to be the resting-place of the biblical patriarch Joseph, while locals and Palestinian historians affirm that the grave belongs to a local medieval Muslim Sheikh called Yousef Duwaikat.
Over the past years, Joseph's Tomb has witnessed bloody confrontations in which Israeli soldiers and Palestinians were killed, especially in 1996, when Palestinian national security forces clashed with Israeli soldiers.
At the beginning of the Second Intifada in 2000, violent clashes broke out in the area between the Palestinians and the Israeli army, resulting in deaths on both sides, which forced the Israeli army to withdraw from the shrine.
Maariv said that the Palestinian citizens hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli forces and the buses transporting the Israeli settlers to Joseph's Tomb.
Palestinian eyewitnesses said that violent clashes broke out at daybreak in the eastern area of Nablus following a settler break-in into Joseph's Tomb.
A Palestinian young man was injured by Israeli gunfire in the thigh and was transferred to hospital for treatment.
Israeli forces and settlers on a regular basis raid Nablus to perform rituals at the tomb, which they claim to be the resting-place of the biblical patriarch Joseph, while locals and Palestinian historians affirm that the grave belongs to a local medieval Muslim Sheikh called Yousef Duwaikat.
Over the past years, Joseph's Tomb has witnessed bloody confrontations in which Israeli soldiers and Palestinians were killed, especially in 1996, when Palestinian national security forces clashed with Israeli soldiers.
At the beginning of the Second Intifada in 2000, violent clashes broke out in the area between the Palestinians and the Israeli army, resulting in deaths on both sides, which forced the Israeli army to withdraw from the shrine.
Hordes of Israeli settlers on Monday morning stormed al-Aqsa Mosque under police guard.
Quds Press said that a large police force escorted the settlers when they entered the Mosque via al-Maghareba Gate until they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
The news agency reported that 48 Israeli settlers, in addition to five officials from Israel's Antiquities Authority, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in the early morning hours.
Israeli settlers carry out break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque on a daily basis, except on Fridays and Saturdays, in two rounds: in the morning and afternoon.
Quds Press said that a large police force escorted the settlers when they entered the Mosque via al-Maghareba Gate until they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
The news agency reported that 48 Israeli settlers, in addition to five officials from Israel's Antiquities Authority, broke into al-Aqsa Mosque in the early morning hours.
Israeli settlers carry out break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque on a daily basis, except on Fridays and Saturdays, in two rounds: in the morning and afternoon.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, several Palestinian areas in the occupied West Bank, searched and ransacked homes, and abducted twenty Palestinians, including a lawyer and the wife of a political prisoner.
Media sources in Nablus, in northern West Bank, said the soldiers invaded and ransacked the home of a political prisoner, identified as Amir Eshteyya, and abducted his wife, attorney Aman Mansour, in addition to confiscating their car.
The invasion into the property came as dozens of soldiers, and hundreds of illegal colonialist settlers, invaded the eastern area of Nablus city, especially Joseph Tomb, before the army fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at dozens of Palestinian protesters.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot two young men with live fire, and caused dozens of Palestinians, including many in their own homes, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers also detained Palestinian journalists and prevented them from documenting the invasion.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Qarawat Bani Hassan village, in Salfit governorate in central West Bank, searched homes and abducted Laith Abdullah Mer’ey.
The soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Kufur Qaddoum town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and abducted Mohammad Sameeh Eshteiwi.
In addition, several army jeeps invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, searched many homes, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Shaher Issa Taqatqa, in addition to Ahmad Khaled Taqatqa and Eyad Hamad.
The soldiers also invaded Teqoua’ village, east of Bethlehem, and drove in its streets and neighborhoods.
In Ramallah governorate, in central West Bank, the soldiers searched homes in Abu Shkheidim village, north of Ramallah city, and abducted Mohammad Odah Ladadwa, in addition to Ibrahim Ayyoub Ma’rouf, who was taken prisoner from his home in Deir Abu Mashal town, west of Ramallah.
Also in Ramallah, dozens of soldiers invaded the al-Mughayyir village, east of the city, violently searched several homes and abducted Mo’tasem Abu Alia, Hamdi Na’san, Jom’a Raqqad Abu Alia, Assem Abu Alia, Mahmoud Abdullah al-Haj, in addition to Mohammad and Ahmad Abu Alia. A similar invasion targeted Kufur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah.
In Hebron, in southern West Bank, the soldiers invaded the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the city, searched several homes, and abducted Ammad Mohammad Jawabra and Shawqi Khatib, in addition to Mohammad Jawad al-Wawi, who was taken prisoner from his home in Halhoul town, also north of Hebron.
In Jericho, the soldiers searched homes and abducted Haitham Kamal Shalalfa and Mohammad Kamel Shalalfa, from Fasayel Palestinian village.
It is worth mentioning that dozens of soldiers also invaded Jayyous town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and distributed leaflets warning the resident of further severe measures, if they do not stop protesting the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations.
Media sources in Nablus, in northern West Bank, said the soldiers invaded and ransacked the home of a political prisoner, identified as Amir Eshteyya, and abducted his wife, attorney Aman Mansour, in addition to confiscating their car.
The invasion into the property came as dozens of soldiers, and hundreds of illegal colonialist settlers, invaded the eastern area of Nablus city, especially Joseph Tomb, before the army fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at dozens of Palestinian protesters.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot two young men with live fire, and caused dozens of Palestinians, including many in their own homes, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers also detained Palestinian journalists and prevented them from documenting the invasion.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Qarawat Bani Hassan village, in Salfit governorate in central West Bank, searched homes and abducted Laith Abdullah Mer’ey.
The soldiers also invaded and searched homes in Kufur Qaddoum town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and abducted Mohammad Sameeh Eshteiwi.
In addition, several army jeeps invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, searched many homes, and abducted a former political prisoner, identified as Shaher Issa Taqatqa, in addition to Ahmad Khaled Taqatqa and Eyad Hamad.
The soldiers also invaded Teqoua’ village, east of Bethlehem, and drove in its streets and neighborhoods.
In Ramallah governorate, in central West Bank, the soldiers searched homes in Abu Shkheidim village, north of Ramallah city, and abducted Mohammad Odah Ladadwa, in addition to Ibrahim Ayyoub Ma’rouf, who was taken prisoner from his home in Deir Abu Mashal town, west of Ramallah.
Also in Ramallah, dozens of soldiers invaded the al-Mughayyir village, east of the city, violently searched several homes and abducted Mo’tasem Abu Alia, Hamdi Na’san, Jom’a Raqqad Abu Alia, Assem Abu Alia, Mahmoud Abdullah al-Haj, in addition to Mohammad and Ahmad Abu Alia. A similar invasion targeted Kufur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah.
In Hebron, in southern West Bank, the soldiers invaded the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the city, searched several homes, and abducted Ammad Mohammad Jawabra and Shawqi Khatib, in addition to Mohammad Jawad al-Wawi, who was taken prisoner from his home in Halhoul town, also north of Hebron.
In Jericho, the soldiers searched homes and abducted Haitham Kamal Shalalfa and Mohammad Kamel Shalalfa, from Fasayel Palestinian village.
It is worth mentioning that dozens of soldiers also invaded Jayyous town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, and distributed leaflets warning the resident of further severe measures, if they do not stop protesting the ongoing Israeli occupation and violations.
20 jan 2019
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Sunday morning forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque via al-Maghareba Gate under police guard.
Quds Press said that 50 Israeli settlers in the early morning hours entered al-Aqsa Mosque, roamed its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals before they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
Local sources said that seven high-ranking Israeli officers broke into the Mosque during the same period.
The Israeli police on a daily basis, except on Fridays and Saturdays, allow settlers to break into al-Aqsa Mosque in two rounds: in the morning and afternoon.
Quds Press said that 50 Israeli settlers in the early morning hours entered al-Aqsa Mosque, roamed its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals before they left the site through al-Silsila Gate.
Local sources said that seven high-ranking Israeli officers broke into the Mosque during the same period.
The Israeli police on a daily basis, except on Fridays and Saturdays, allow settlers to break into al-Aqsa Mosque in two rounds: in the morning and afternoon.
19 jan 2019
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday arrested a number of Palestinians during West Bank sweeps.
Local sources said that the IOF raided different neighborhoods in al-Khalil, fired sound bombs at Palestinian homes, and arrested Hasan al-Najjar, 21.
The IOF launched a similar campaign in Nahalin and Tuqu' towns in Bethlehem, arrested the Palestinian youths Mohammed Murad and Khalil Sha'aban, and transferred them to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, the Israeli police arrested a Palestinian and injured four during a raid on Silwan town.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said that a group of Israeli settlers insulted and verbally attacked Palestinian youths on al-Ain street before the Israeli police intervened and attacked the Palestinians.
Four Palestinians were injured as the police heavily fired sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets in the area.
Wadi Hilweh added that the Israeli police arrested Eyad Ghaith in Silwan and took him to a nearby detention center.
The police further detained a Jerusalemite child, insulted him, and beat him before he was released hours later.
Local sources said that the IOF raided different neighborhoods in al-Khalil, fired sound bombs at Palestinian homes, and arrested Hasan al-Najjar, 21.
The IOF launched a similar campaign in Nahalin and Tuqu' towns in Bethlehem, arrested the Palestinian youths Mohammed Murad and Khalil Sha'aban, and transferred them to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, the Israeli police arrested a Palestinian and injured four during a raid on Silwan town.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center said that a group of Israeli settlers insulted and verbally attacked Palestinian youths on al-Ain street before the Israeli police intervened and attacked the Palestinians.
Four Palestinians were injured as the police heavily fired sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets in the area.
Wadi Hilweh added that the Israeli police arrested Eyad Ghaith in Silwan and took him to a nearby detention center.
The police further detained a Jerusalemite child, insulted him, and beat him before he was released hours later.
18 jan 2019
Israeli settlers at dawn Friday destroyed 20 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Mughayyir village in Ramallah.
Former head of al-Mughayyir's village council Faraj al-Na'san said that the Israeli settlers cut down olive trees owned by the Palestinian farmer Abdulhay al-Na'san who planted them over 30 years ago.
Salah al-Khawaja, a member of the Popular Campaign Against the Wall and Settlement, said that this attack was not the first of its kind. The village has been repeatedly attacked by Israeli settlers, he added.
According to al-Khawaja, settler attacks include cutting olive trees, preventing Palestinian farmers from entering their lands, burning crops, and vandalizing Palestinian property.
Former head of al-Mughayyir's village council Faraj al-Na'san said that the Israeli settlers cut down olive trees owned by the Palestinian farmer Abdulhay al-Na'san who planted them over 30 years ago.
Salah al-Khawaja, a member of the Popular Campaign Against the Wall and Settlement, said that this attack was not the first of its kind. The village has been repeatedly attacked by Israeli settlers, he added.
According to al-Khawaja, settler attacks include cutting olive trees, preventing Palestinian farmers from entering their lands, burning crops, and vandalizing Palestinian property.
17 jan 2019
Scores of Israeli police forces and officers on Thursday morning stormed al-Marwani Mosque and the Dome of the Rock inside the Aqsa Mosque compound.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation police intensified their presence at the Aqsa Mosque and its gates after a police officer wearing a kippah (Jewish skullcap) entered the Dome of the Rock.
Meanwhile, dozens of Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards in groups under police protection.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed to daily desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces in the morning and the afternoon except on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Israeli police close al-Maghariba Gate, which is used by Jews to enter the Mosque, at 10:30 am after the settlers complete their morning tours at the holy site. Later in the afternoon, the same gate is reopened for evening tours by settlers.
During the presence of settlers inside the Mosque compound, entry restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshipers at the entrances leading to the Mosque and their IDs are seized until they leave the holy place.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation police intensified their presence at the Aqsa Mosque and its gates after a police officer wearing a kippah (Jewish skullcap) entered the Dome of the Rock.
Meanwhile, dozens of Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards in groups under police protection.
The Aqsa Mosque is exposed to daily desecration by Jewish settlers and police forces in the morning and the afternoon except on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Israeli police close al-Maghariba Gate, which is used by Jews to enter the Mosque, at 10:30 am after the settlers complete their morning tours at the holy site. Later in the afternoon, the same gate is reopened for evening tours by settlers.
During the presence of settlers inside the Mosque compound, entry restrictions are imposed on Muslim worshipers at the entrances leading to the Mosque and their IDs are seized until they leave the holy place.
16 jan 2019
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Wednesday morning stormed al-Aqsa Mosque under police guard.
Local sources said that 69 Israeli settlers in the early morning forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate while escorted by a large police force.
The settlers toured the Mosque and performed Talmudic rituals at al-Rahma Gate, they added.
The same sources said that 35 Jewish students of religious institutes and Hebrew universities defiled the Islamic site during the same period.
The Israeli police over the past two days have banned six Aqsa guards from entering the Mosque for different periods of time.
Spokesman for Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department Feras al-Dibs is set to appear on Wednesday afternoon before the Israeli Intelligence Service for interrogation based on a police order.
Local sources said that 69 Israeli settlers in the early morning forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghareba Gate while escorted by a large police force.
The settlers toured the Mosque and performed Talmudic rituals at al-Rahma Gate, they added.
The same sources said that 35 Jewish students of religious institutes and Hebrew universities defiled the Islamic site during the same period.
The Israeli police over the past two days have banned six Aqsa guards from entering the Mosque for different periods of time.
Spokesman for Jerusalem's Islamic Awqaf Department Feras al-Dibs is set to appear on Wednesday afternoon before the Israeli Intelligence Service for interrogation based on a police order.
15 jan 2019
71 Israeli settlers defile al-Aqsa MosqueDozens of Israeli settlers on Tuesday morning forced their way into al-Aqsa Mosque under police guard.
Local sources said that 71 Israeli settlers entered al-Aqsa Mosque in consecutive groups through al-Maghareba Gate.
Israeli police forces were present in large numbers in the site during the morning break-in. Another group of settlers is expected to visit the Islamic site following noon prayer.
The Israeli police decided to ban five Palestinians, including three Aqsa guards, from entering the Mosque for a week following the tension that erupted in the site on Monday.
An Israeli police officer on Monday attempted to break into the Dome of the Rock shrine while wearing kippah (a Jewish head covering).
When al-Aqsa guards closed the doors of the Mosque to prevent the officer from entering the site, the police summoned more forces to the place, detained Palestinian worshipers, and prevented them from performing noon prayer.
Hours later, hundreds of Palestinians in Jerusalem city demonstrated around the Mosque and managed to break the siege. Many were arrested by the police including five Aqsa guards.
Local sources said that 71 Israeli settlers entered al-Aqsa Mosque in consecutive groups through al-Maghareba Gate.
Israeli police forces were present in large numbers in the site during the morning break-in. Another group of settlers is expected to visit the Islamic site following noon prayer.
The Israeli police decided to ban five Palestinians, including three Aqsa guards, from entering the Mosque for a week following the tension that erupted in the site on Monday.
An Israeli police officer on Monday attempted to break into the Dome of the Rock shrine while wearing kippah (a Jewish head covering).
When al-Aqsa guards closed the doors of the Mosque to prevent the officer from entering the site, the police summoned more forces to the place, detained Palestinian worshipers, and prevented them from performing noon prayer.
Hours later, hundreds of Palestinians in Jerusalem city demonstrated around the Mosque and managed to break the siege. Many were arrested by the police including five Aqsa guards.
Israeli soldiers abducted, overnight until morning hours Tuesday, at least 28 Palestinians, including children, and a shepherd, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported.
The PPS office in Jenin, in northern West Bank, has reported that the soldiers abducted eight Palestinians in the governorate, after invading their homes and ransacking them.
They have been identified as Majd Ahmad Ba’jawi, Abdullah Maher Abu Bakr, Jihad Allam Abu Bakr, Thaher Haitham Amarna, and his brother Adel, all from Ya’bad town, west of Jenin, in addition to Rateb Abdul-Karim ‘Oweis, Baha’ Qasrawi and Mohammad Adel Alaqma, from several towns in the governorate.
It is worth mentioning that Rateb is the son of Abdul-Karim ‘Oweis, who is imprisoned by Israel after being sentenced to life.
In Nablus, also in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted two siblings, identified as Ala’ Hashash and his brother Ameed, in addition to Sultan Ibrahim Abu Mustafa and Fadi Emad Abu Hadrous.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded many homes in the Ramallah and al-Biereh Governorate, in central West Bank, and abducted six Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Mahmoud Qa’ad, 28, Suleiman Abu Ghosh, Yahia Silwadi, Ibrahim Abdullah Askar, Sa’id Jouda Yacoub and Assef Refa’ey.
In Hebron governorate, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers abducted Mohammad Mahmoud Awad, 28, Mershed Mohammad Za’aqeeq, 46, Hamza Hosni Nassereddin, 19, Hasan Abdul-Salam ‘Oweiwi, and Ahmad Fadel Mahfouth, 19, after invading their homes and searching them.
In Bethlehem, south of occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted Mohannad Sabri Thawabta, 14, Mohammad Nabil Thawabta, 15, Mohammad Hasan Abu Ajamiyya and Baha’ Khaled al-Badan.
In addition, the soldiers abducted a Palestinian shepherd identified as Yousef Bisharat, in Makhoul area, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, after a group of extremist illegal Israeli colonists chased him, and his herd.
It is worth mentioning that the colonists frequently attack Palestinian shepherds in the area, leading to many injuries, in addition to steeling or killing some of their livestock, while Israeli soldiers also abducted many of shepherds and farmers.
The PPS office in Jenin, in northern West Bank, has reported that the soldiers abducted eight Palestinians in the governorate, after invading their homes and ransacking them.
They have been identified as Majd Ahmad Ba’jawi, Abdullah Maher Abu Bakr, Jihad Allam Abu Bakr, Thaher Haitham Amarna, and his brother Adel, all from Ya’bad town, west of Jenin, in addition to Rateb Abdul-Karim ‘Oweis, Baha’ Qasrawi and Mohammad Adel Alaqma, from several towns in the governorate.
It is worth mentioning that Rateb is the son of Abdul-Karim ‘Oweis, who is imprisoned by Israel after being sentenced to life.
In Nablus, also in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted two siblings, identified as Ala’ Hashash and his brother Ameed, in addition to Sultan Ibrahim Abu Mustafa and Fadi Emad Abu Hadrous.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded many homes in the Ramallah and al-Biereh Governorate, in central West Bank, and abducted six Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Mahmoud Qa’ad, 28, Suleiman Abu Ghosh, Yahia Silwadi, Ibrahim Abdullah Askar, Sa’id Jouda Yacoub and Assef Refa’ey.
In Hebron governorate, in the southern part of the West Bank, the soldiers abducted Mohammad Mahmoud Awad, 28, Mershed Mohammad Za’aqeeq, 46, Hamza Hosni Nassereddin, 19, Hasan Abdul-Salam ‘Oweiwi, and Ahmad Fadel Mahfouth, 19, after invading their homes and searching them.
In Bethlehem, south of occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted Mohannad Sabri Thawabta, 14, Mohammad Nabil Thawabta, 15, Mohammad Hasan Abu Ajamiyya and Baha’ Khaled al-Badan.
In addition, the soldiers abducted a Palestinian shepherd identified as Yousef Bisharat, in Makhoul area, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, after a group of extremist illegal Israeli colonists chased him, and his herd.
It is worth mentioning that the colonists frequently attack Palestinian shepherds in the area, leading to many injuries, in addition to steeling or killing some of their livestock, while Israeli soldiers also abducted many of shepherds and farmers.
A group of illegal Israeli colonialist settlers invaded, Tuesday, Palestinian farmlands in Khirbat Yanoun village, south of the northern West bank city of Nablus, and uprooted them.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the colonist invaded the lands with their bulldozers, and uprooted nearly 30 Dunams.
Daghlas added that the colonists usually bulldoze and uproot the Palestinian lands before planting them, in order to take control of the properties.
He also said that the uprooted lands are privately-owned by the villages, who have been denied access to them since the year 2006.
The lands are surrounding by four illegal colonialist outposts, which were all installed on private Palestinian property.
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the colonist invaded the lands with their bulldozers, and uprooted nearly 30 Dunams.
Daghlas added that the colonists usually bulldoze and uproot the Palestinian lands before planting them, in order to take control of the properties.
He also said that the uprooted lands are privately-owned by the villages, who have been denied access to them since the year 2006.
The lands are surrounding by four illegal colonialist outposts, which were all installed on private Palestinian property.
