17 oct 2017
Dozens of Israeli settlers on Tuesday morning stormed the courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli police.
Quds Press reported that 62 settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque from Bab al-Maghareba and roamed the courtyards of the holy site in the presence of a large number of Israeli policemen and armed special forces.
The news agency pointed out that presentations on the history of the alleged Temple Mount were delivered by Jewish guides during the four-hour incursion before the settlers left the site via Bab al-Silsila where they performed prayers and Talmudic rituals.
It noted that 17 Jewish students had broken into al-Aqsa Mosque during the morning shift of incursions, adding that some student groups are allowed to tour all of the Mosque's courtyards, except for roofed oratories, without following a certain path like other settlers.
Settlers' incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque are carried out almost on a daily basis and they are done in two rounds: The first begins from 7 to 11 a.m. and the second starts after the Muslim noon prayer and lasts for an hour.
Quds Press reported that 62 settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque from Bab al-Maghareba and roamed the courtyards of the holy site in the presence of a large number of Israeli policemen and armed special forces.
The news agency pointed out that presentations on the history of the alleged Temple Mount were delivered by Jewish guides during the four-hour incursion before the settlers left the site via Bab al-Silsila where they performed prayers and Talmudic rituals.
It noted that 17 Jewish students had broken into al-Aqsa Mosque during the morning shift of incursions, adding that some student groups are allowed to tour all of the Mosque's courtyards, except for roofed oratories, without following a certain path like other settlers.
Settlers' incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque are carried out almost on a daily basis and they are done in two rounds: The first begins from 7 to 11 a.m. and the second starts after the Muslim noon prayer and lasts for an hour.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday morning destroyed walls surrounding cultivated Palestinian lands south of Nablus province, in the northern West Bank.
According to the head of Qasra’s village council, Abdul Adhim al-Wadi, Israeli bulldozers and army jeeps rolled into al-Wa’ar and Ras al-Nakhla, south of Qasra, at the crack of dawn, before they embarked on a large-scale leveling operation.
The occupation soldiers forced the Palestinian locals out of the area and proceeded with the demolition of stone walls recently built to protect cultivated land lots from abrupt assaults by Israeli settlers and untamed animal herds.
Sometime earlier, the Israeli occupation authorities handed over demolition writs to the land lords on account that the targeted tracts are located in the Israeli-run Area C.
According to the head of Qasra’s village council, Abdul Adhim al-Wadi, Israeli bulldozers and army jeeps rolled into al-Wa’ar and Ras al-Nakhla, south of Qasra, at the crack of dawn, before they embarked on a large-scale leveling operation.
The occupation soldiers forced the Palestinian locals out of the area and proceeded with the demolition of stone walls recently built to protect cultivated land lots from abrupt assaults by Israeli settlers and untamed animal herds.
Sometime earlier, the Israeli occupation authorities handed over demolition writs to the land lords on account that the targeted tracts are located in the Israeli-run Area C.
On Monday, at dawn, Israeli settlers robbed olives from Al-Janiya town, west of Ramallah, and al-Sawiya town, south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank.
Ghassan Douglass, a Palestinian official in charge of settlement activity in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, said that residents of Beit Ra’anan settlement stole olives from Palestinian lands belonging to Ayed Mazloum, in Al-Janiya town, west of Ramallah.
Douglass further added, according to Al Ray, that others from the Rahalim settlement stole olives from a land belonging to Palestinian Ali Taher, in Al-Talmah area, near Al-Sawiya town, south of Nablus.
Ghassan Douglass, a Palestinian official in charge of settlement activity in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, said that residents of Beit Ra’anan settlement stole olives from Palestinian lands belonging to Ayed Mazloum, in Al-Janiya town, west of Ramallah.
Douglass further added, according to Al Ray, that others from the Rahalim settlement stole olives from a land belonging to Palestinian Ali Taher, in Al-Talmah area, near Al-Sawiya town, south of Nablus.
16 oct 2017
Israeli police offered protection for 43 Jewish settlers who stormed on Monday morning the plazas of al-Aqsa Mosque from al-Magharebah gate in Occupied Jerusalem.
Quds Press said that the settlers were escorted by large numbers of Israeli forces while roaming the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine. Israeli police along with Special Forces were also deployed near al-Qebli Mosque in the area during the incursion where settlers performed Talmudic rituals, dancing and singing.
The police persisted in banning many Jerusalemites from entering al-Aqsa Mosque. They searched Muslim worshipers while passing through the gates of the holy site and confiscated their IDs while being inside.
Quds Press said that the settlers were escorted by large numbers of Israeli forces while roaming the courtyards of the Muslims’ holy shrine. Israeli police along with Special Forces were also deployed near al-Qebli Mosque in the area during the incursion where settlers performed Talmudic rituals, dancing and singing.
The police persisted in banning many Jerusalemites from entering al-Aqsa Mosque. They searched Muslim worshipers while passing through the gates of the holy site and confiscated their IDs while being inside.
IOF Central Command chief General Roni Numa visited on Monday Har Adar illegal settlement, west of occupied Jerusalem, and met with its security coordinator to plan the lifting of the closure on Palestinian workers.
Numa’s visit came more than two weeks after the anti-occupation attack that was carried out at Har Adar gate and left three security guards dead and another injured.
The Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported that new security measures including erecting surveillance cameras have been recently taken at the gate.
However, settlers at Har Adar settlement declared their strong rejection to any attempt to lift the ban on Palestinian workers, threatening to protest against the plan.
In the wake of the anti-occupation attack on September 26, Israeli authorities barred Palestinian workers from entering Har Adar and pledged to make tight security measures at the checkpoint workers must pass through at the entrance to the settlement.
Numa’s visit came more than two weeks after the anti-occupation attack that was carried out at Har Adar gate and left three security guards dead and another injured.
The Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported that new security measures including erecting surveillance cameras have been recently taken at the gate.
However, settlers at Har Adar settlement declared their strong rejection to any attempt to lift the ban on Palestinian workers, threatening to protest against the plan.
In the wake of the anti-occupation attack on September 26, Israeli authorities barred Palestinian workers from entering Har Adar and pledged to make tight security measures at the checkpoint workers must pass through at the entrance to the settlement.
Israeli settlers tried, on Sunday at dawn, to set fie to Eltona Mosque in Moshafer Yatta, south of Hebron governorate, occupied West Bank.
Local sources reported, according to Al Ray, that residents of nearby Ma’on settlement stormed, at dawn, the village mosque and tried to burn it before Palestinian residents discovered them.
They added that Israeli forces interfered and protected the setters by throwing gas, and sound bombs towards the residents.
Local sources reported, according to Al Ray, that residents of nearby Ma’on settlement stormed, at dawn, the village mosque and tried to burn it before Palestinian residents discovered them.
They added that Israeli forces interfered and protected the setters by throwing gas, and sound bombs towards the residents.
An Israeli settler, on Sunday morning, physically assaulted two children while they were on their way to school in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, according to local sources.
Noura Nasser, principal of Qurtuba school in Hebron, told WAFA that an Israeli settler, who was hiding behind a vehicle parking outside the school, assaulted Ameer Ibrahim Ramadan, eight years old, while he was on his way to school.
The settler also assaulted Ramadan’s sister, Yara, when she attempted to defend him.
Earlier today, Israeli settlers backed by a military escort attacked Palestinian residents of the village of at-Tuwani, east of the town of Yatta, to the south of Hebron.
Noura Nasser, principal of Qurtuba school in Hebron, told WAFA that an Israeli settler, who was hiding behind a vehicle parking outside the school, assaulted Ameer Ibrahim Ramadan, eight years old, while he was on his way to school.
The settler also assaulted Ramadan’s sister, Yara, when she attempted to defend him.
Earlier today, Israeli settlers backed by a military escort attacked Palestinian residents of the village of at-Tuwani, east of the town of Yatta, to the south of Hebron.
A Palestinian shop owner was hospitalized after hundreds of extremist Israeli settlers rioted in the Jerusalem’s Old City, an eyewitness told mass media.
Approximately 400 extremist Jewish-Israeli settlers marched through the Old City from Al-Buraq Wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque towards the Damascus Gate, an eyewitness said, according to Days of Palestine.
While they were walking, the extremists were shouting, beating the doors of houses and shops, throwing rocks and smashing car windows.
As they approached Damascus Gate, they stormed an open shop and attacked the shop’s Palestinian owner, who was taken to Hadassah University Hospital to be treated for his wounds.
Later on, about 20 Israeli police officers arrived at the scene and escorted the rioters out of the Old City.
However, no arrests were made. Police issued a statement, on Thursday morning, saying that there had been a fight between two groups of youth.
Police confirmed that an investigation had been opened into the incident, and that damage had been caused to a shop and a number of motor vehicles.
Louis Zorba, a resident in the area, spoke to Haaretz saying: “I heard shouts and banging on the houses, but we are used to it because it happens every time there is a Jewish holiday.”
“I told the officers that if it were Palestinians who were rioting, they would have sent for reinforcements, and probably shot tear gas and stun grenades.”
NGO Ir Amim said: “This is not the first time that the police have not done their job to protect the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.”
The NGO accused the police of attempting to hide the nature of the attack when it described it in as a fight between groups of youths, and not as an attack on Palestinians and their property.
Approximately 400 extremist Jewish-Israeli settlers marched through the Old City from Al-Buraq Wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque towards the Damascus Gate, an eyewitness said, according to Days of Palestine.
While they were walking, the extremists were shouting, beating the doors of houses and shops, throwing rocks and smashing car windows.
As they approached Damascus Gate, they stormed an open shop and attacked the shop’s Palestinian owner, who was taken to Hadassah University Hospital to be treated for his wounds.
Later on, about 20 Israeli police officers arrived at the scene and escorted the rioters out of the Old City.
However, no arrests were made. Police issued a statement, on Thursday morning, saying that there had been a fight between two groups of youth.
Police confirmed that an investigation had been opened into the incident, and that damage had been caused to a shop and a number of motor vehicles.
Louis Zorba, a resident in the area, spoke to Haaretz saying: “I heard shouts and banging on the houses, but we are used to it because it happens every time there is a Jewish holiday.”
“I told the officers that if it were Palestinians who were rioting, they would have sent for reinforcements, and probably shot tear gas and stun grenades.”
NGO Ir Amim said: “This is not the first time that the police have not done their job to protect the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.”
The NGO accused the police of attempting to hide the nature of the attack when it described it in as a fight between groups of youths, and not as an attack on Palestinians and their property.
14 oct 2017
Jewish settlers of Shilo settlement have been working on the construction of a business center on a hill overlooking the historical Silon hamlet located on the lands of Qaryout town near Nablus city in the West Bank.
The Palestinian activist against settlement, Bashar al-Qaryuti, said in a press statement on Saturday that the center which is about to be completed includes a round-shaped building with domes placed on a triangular stone.
Israeli settlers claim that the area includes remnants of a coffin from the Old Testament.
Archaeological excavations and leveling works are still going on in Silon village with full disregard to a resolution issued by Israeli Supreme Court on May 14, 2014. The court's decision stipulates halting excavation works in the area by settlers in order not to change the site's historical nature, Qaryuti highlighted.
He pointed out that settlers had announced a plan to seize al-Sahlat area south of Qariout town to expand the touristic area in Silon.
The Palestinian activist against settlement, Bashar al-Qaryuti, said in a press statement on Saturday that the center which is about to be completed includes a round-shaped building with domes placed on a triangular stone.
Israeli settlers claim that the area includes remnants of a coffin from the Old Testament.
Archaeological excavations and leveling works are still going on in Silon village with full disregard to a resolution issued by Israeli Supreme Court on May 14, 2014. The court's decision stipulates halting excavation works in the area by settlers in order not to change the site's historical nature, Qaryuti highlighted.
He pointed out that settlers had announced a plan to seize al-Sahlat area south of Qariout town to expand the touristic area in Silon.
A group of Israeli settlers surrounded a Palestinian family while they were picking olives on their private land east of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday morning.
A local source told PIC that a number of settlers from the illegal Alon Moreh settlement surrounded Abu Yasser family while they were picking olives on their land in the outskirts of the village of Deir Hatab and threatened to kill them if they don’t leave the area.
Local residents immediately rushed to the area and forced the settlers to leave before an Israeli patrol arrived.
During olive harvest season, settlers’ attacks on Palestinian harvesters and their olive groves have been a near daily occurrence in past years.
A local source told PIC that a number of settlers from the illegal Alon Moreh settlement surrounded Abu Yasser family while they were picking olives on their land in the outskirts of the village of Deir Hatab and threatened to kill them if they don’t leave the area.
Local residents immediately rushed to the area and forced the settlers to leave before an Israeli patrol arrived.
During olive harvest season, settlers’ attacks on Palestinian harvesters and their olive groves have been a near daily occurrence in past years.
13 oct 2017
A group of Israeli settlers on Friday stole olive crops from 420 olive trees in the villages of Qaryut and Awarta to the south of Nablus city.
Anti-settlement activist in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said that the Israeli settlers stole olives from about 300 olive trees belonging to a Palestinian land in Qaryut village that is owned by the Palestinian citizen Jibril Mousa.
Daghlas added that a similar incident involving 120 olive trees was reported in Palestinian lands in Awarta village located near the illegal settlement of Itamar.
According to the human rights activist Zakaria al-Sadda, Mousa's family were supposed to pick their olives next Sunday after they have managed to obtain a permit from the Israeli authorities, but they lost their whole harvest of olives.
Mousa's family were previously exposed to multiple attacks and received threats from Israeli settlers to destroy their lands.
Anti-settlement activist in the northern West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, said that the Israeli settlers stole olives from about 300 olive trees belonging to a Palestinian land in Qaryut village that is owned by the Palestinian citizen Jibril Mousa.
Daghlas added that a similar incident involving 120 olive trees was reported in Palestinian lands in Awarta village located near the illegal settlement of Itamar.
According to the human rights activist Zakaria al-Sadda, Mousa's family were supposed to pick their olives next Sunday after they have managed to obtain a permit from the Israeli authorities, but they lost their whole harvest of olives.
Mousa's family were previously exposed to multiple attacks and received threats from Israeli settlers to destroy their lands.
A group of Israeli settlers on Friday afternoon stole olive crops from Palestinian lands in Awarta town to the south of Nablus city.
Eyewitnesses reported that a number of Palestinian activists managed to record a video of a group of settlers stealing olives near the illegal settlement of Itamar.
The Palestinian researcher, Khalid Ma'ali, said that the Palestinian lands adjacent to Israeli settlements or located behind the separation wall are the most vulnerable to such thefts which occur every year especially in the southern area of Nablus province.
Ma'ali pointed out that Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season suffer heavy losses that increase each new year because of the settlement expansion and the Israeli army's protection of the settlers who steal the crops.
Eyewitnesses reported that a number of Palestinian activists managed to record a video of a group of settlers stealing olives near the illegal settlement of Itamar.
The Palestinian researcher, Khalid Ma'ali, said that the Palestinian lands adjacent to Israeli settlements or located behind the separation wall are the most vulnerable to such thefts which occur every year especially in the southern area of Nablus province.
Ma'ali pointed out that Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season suffer heavy losses that increase each new year because of the settlement expansion and the Israeli army's protection of the settlers who steal the crops.
Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked properties of Palestinians, in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, on Thursday, as they made their way to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli forces.
Locals told Ma’an News Agency that, around dawn, Israeli settlers threw rocks and chairs at Palestinian shopfronts inside the Old City, and damaged Palestinian cars in the Aqabat al-Khaldiyeh and Council Gate areas, outside the walls of the Old City.
Sources added that Palestinian youth “attempted to stop the settlers,” but they were unsuccessful, as Israeli forces maintained a heavy security presence around the settlers.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces closed main roads and streets in the Silwan neighborhood, south of the Old City, in order to allow Israeli settlers living in the area to head to the Al-Aqsa Mosque Old for ongoing Jewish holidays.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The third holiest site in Islam, it is also venerated as Judaism’s most holy place, as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound were a main contributor to the increasing unrest that erupted in October 2015, after right-wing Israelis made frequent visits to the site during a succession of Jewish holidays.
Meanwhile, ahead of the beginning of Sukkot, Israel announced an 11-day general closure for both the West Bank and Gaza — during which only humanitarian, medical, and exceptional cases were to be allowed to exit or enter — between Oct. 4 and Oct. 14.
Israel regularly imposes closures on the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish holidays, but week-long festivals like Sukkot usually only have closures imposed at the end of the holiday, lasting a few days.
Locals told Ma’an News Agency that, around dawn, Israeli settlers threw rocks and chairs at Palestinian shopfronts inside the Old City, and damaged Palestinian cars in the Aqabat al-Khaldiyeh and Council Gate areas, outside the walls of the Old City.
Sources added that Palestinian youth “attempted to stop the settlers,” but they were unsuccessful, as Israeli forces maintained a heavy security presence around the settlers.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces closed main roads and streets in the Silwan neighborhood, south of the Old City, in order to allow Israeli settlers living in the area to head to the Al-Aqsa Mosque Old for ongoing Jewish holidays.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The third holiest site in Islam, it is also venerated as Judaism’s most holy place, as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound were a main contributor to the increasing unrest that erupted in October 2015, after right-wing Israelis made frequent visits to the site during a succession of Jewish holidays.
Meanwhile, ahead of the beginning of Sukkot, Israel announced an 11-day general closure for both the West Bank and Gaza — during which only humanitarian, medical, and exceptional cases were to be allowed to exit or enter — between Oct. 4 and Oct. 14.
Israel regularly imposes closures on the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish holidays, but week-long festivals like Sukkot usually only have closures imposed at the end of the holiday, lasting a few days.
11 oct 2017
Three Palestinians were injured on Wednesday night, in clashes that erupted with Israeli occupation forces, when Israeli settlers raided Jospeh’s Tomb in Nablus city.
Local witnesses reported that more than 30 buses of Israeli settlers stormed the tomb, escorted by a large group of Israeli soldiers, according to Al Ray.
Clashes erupted as the Palestinian youths tried to confront Israeli soldiers who responded by firing rubber-coated metal bullets; three Palestinian were injured.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Ibrahimi Mosque as well, in Hebron, for the second day in a row, under tight protection of Israeli police and special units.
According to eyewitnesses, more than 30 buses arrived carrying hundreds of settlers, each, who stormed the tomb in Nablus to perform Talmudic prayers and religious rituals and lasted until the early morning hours.
Local witnesses reported that more than 30 buses of Israeli settlers stormed the tomb, escorted by a large group of Israeli soldiers, according to Al Ray.
Clashes erupted as the Palestinian youths tried to confront Israeli soldiers who responded by firing rubber-coated metal bullets; three Palestinian were injured.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Ibrahimi Mosque as well, in Hebron, for the second day in a row, under tight protection of Israeli police and special units.
According to eyewitnesses, more than 30 buses arrived carrying hundreds of settlers, each, who stormed the tomb in Nablus to perform Talmudic prayers and religious rituals and lasted until the early morning hours.
Extremist Jewish settlers on Wednesday afternoon attacked Palestinian farmers while picking olives in al-Mantara area in Kafr Qalil town, south of Nablus city, in the northern West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the attacking settlers were from Har Brakha settlement which was illegally established over Mount Gerizim in Nablus.
The inhabitants rushed to the area to protect the farmers after hearing their calls and managed to confront the attacking settlers and force them to leave.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the attacking settlers were from Har Brakha settlement which was illegally established over Mount Gerizim in Nablus.
The inhabitants rushed to the area to protect the farmers after hearing their calls and managed to confront the attacking settlers and force them to leave.
Tension has been running high in the southern occupied West Bank province of al-Khalil as over 40,000 Israeli settlers stormed the Ibrahimi Mosque over the past couple of days.
According to the 0404 news website, thousands of Israeli settlers defiled the Ibrahimi Mosque over the past two days to mark the Sukkot holiday.
At the same time, the Israeli occupation forces prevented the peaceful Muslim worshipers from entering the site to perform their daily prayers and banned the call to prayers.
The occupation patrols also sealed off Beer Sheba Street, in al-Khalil, so as to allow Israeli masses to scour holy sites in the area.
The Israeli occupation authorities have often closed the Ibrahimi Mosque during Jewish Holidays, dividing the Islamic site between Muslims and Jews.
In July, UNESCO declared the Old City of al-Khalil a protected heritage site. The UN’s cultural arm voted 12 to three—with six abstentions—to give heritage status to the area.
According to the 0404 news website, thousands of Israeli settlers defiled the Ibrahimi Mosque over the past two days to mark the Sukkot holiday.
At the same time, the Israeli occupation forces prevented the peaceful Muslim worshipers from entering the site to perform their daily prayers and banned the call to prayers.
The occupation patrols also sealed off Beer Sheba Street, in al-Khalil, so as to allow Israeli masses to scour holy sites in the area.
The Israeli occupation authorities have often closed the Ibrahimi Mosque during Jewish Holidays, dividing the Islamic site between Muslims and Jews.
In July, UNESCO declared the Old City of al-Khalil a protected heritage site. The UN’s cultural arm voted 12 to three—with six abstentions—to give heritage status to the area.
Violent clashes broke out at dawn Wednesday between Palestinian young men and Israeli soldiers in the eastern area of Nablus city after hundreds of Jewish settlers entered the area to perform rituals at Joseph’s Tomb.
Local sources said that dozens of young men blocked roads in the eastern area with rocks and burning tires after midnight and confronted Israeli soldiers and their patrol vehicles by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails.
Consequently, several local young men suffered injuries during the events, which took place mainly on Amman road and at the entrance to Balata refugee camp.
The skirmishes started after Israel troops aboard military vehicles, including a bulldozer, stormed the eastern area of Nablus and spread through its streets in order to provide protection for buses and cars carrying scores of settlers.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of settlers aboard buses and cars gathered at first at the Beit Furik checkpoint east of the city before heading for the area where Joseph’s Tomb is located after the bulldozer cleared the way for them.
They added that the settlers were dancing, singing, and screaming loudly and hysterically at Joseph’s Tomb for long hours, which caused a disturbance to local residents.
Local sources said that dozens of young men blocked roads in the eastern area with rocks and burning tires after midnight and confronted Israeli soldiers and their patrol vehicles by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails.
Consequently, several local young men suffered injuries during the events, which took place mainly on Amman road and at the entrance to Balata refugee camp.
The skirmishes started after Israel troops aboard military vehicles, including a bulldozer, stormed the eastern area of Nablus and spread through its streets in order to provide protection for buses and cars carrying scores of settlers.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of settlers aboard buses and cars gathered at first at the Beit Furik checkpoint east of the city before heading for the area where Joseph’s Tomb is located after the bulldozer cleared the way for them.
They added that the settlers were dancing, singing, and screaming loudly and hysterically at Joseph’s Tomb for long hours, which caused a disturbance to local residents.