15 july 2016

In response to the Palestinian-Jordanian draft decision this week that ignores the Jewish connection to its adherents' holiest site, the EU has circulated a different version that removes the scare quotes from 'Western Wall' but still only mentions the Muslim connection to the site.
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem is fuming over a draft decision distributed on Thursday by representatives of the European Union at meetings of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Istanbul on the subject of the Israeli capital's Old City that completely ignores the Jewish connection to the site.
The proposal is an alternative to the Jordanian-Palestinian one announced earlier this week. The Europeans distributed a document that allegedly partially softens this draft but still completely accepts the Palestinian narrative that the site that includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a site holy to Muslims alone.
While the European draft does mention the Western Wall outside of scare quotes, unlike the Palestinian version, sources in Jerusalem claim that the Europeans' proposal denies the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, despite France's apology and admission of a mistake in supporting the UNESCO proposal in April that did the same.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted, "denying Jewish Jerusalem n Temple Mount amounts to denying the roots of Christian Europe. Will EU members agree to that? Crazy .."
Amb. Carmel Shama Hacohen, Israel's representative to UNESCO who is in Istanbul and leading efforts against the European initiative, said, "A European consensus in favor of severing the Jewish connection with the Temple Mount is a new record for hypocrisy."
During the committee's debate, Shama Hacohen asked the Palestinian representative, Amb. Mounir Anastas, why the Palestinians were not prepared to recognize the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount and add the Jewish term "Temple Mount" alongside the Palestinian "Al-Haram Al-Sharif." Anastas replied, that if the Palestinians recognized the Temple Mount as such, the Palestinian president and Jordanian king would become ISIS's top target.
The Israeli ambassador answered, "The historical connection of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount is not dependent on the desires and threats of ISIS just like it's not dependent on the will or decision of foreign countries and international organizations. The Palestinians the Jordanians should thank God for the Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount that grants them and the place full freedom of religion and complete protection from ISIS and the destruction that it's sowing on cultural and religious heritage sites throughout the East."
The Foreign Ministry was also angry with the European Union for its decision to open offices in Tehran. It released a statement saying, "The opening of an EU office in Iran is a grave mistake. Iran's behavior has not changed. It is the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism. It funds murder throughout the Middle East. It hangs gays and brutally represses its own people.
"Iran brazenly violates its international obligations while literally emblazoning its missiles with 'Israel will be wiped out.' Iran recently appointed a cleric head of the Assembly of Experts who calls for the destruction of both Israel and America. Iran should not be rewarded as it spreads murder and mayhem across the world."
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem is fuming over a draft decision distributed on Thursday by representatives of the European Union at meetings of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Istanbul on the subject of the Israeli capital's Old City that completely ignores the Jewish connection to the site.
The proposal is an alternative to the Jordanian-Palestinian one announced earlier this week. The Europeans distributed a document that allegedly partially softens this draft but still completely accepts the Palestinian narrative that the site that includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a site holy to Muslims alone.
While the European draft does mention the Western Wall outside of scare quotes, unlike the Palestinian version, sources in Jerusalem claim that the Europeans' proposal denies the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, despite France's apology and admission of a mistake in supporting the UNESCO proposal in April that did the same.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted, "denying Jewish Jerusalem n Temple Mount amounts to denying the roots of Christian Europe. Will EU members agree to that? Crazy .."
Amb. Carmel Shama Hacohen, Israel's representative to UNESCO who is in Istanbul and leading efforts against the European initiative, said, "A European consensus in favor of severing the Jewish connection with the Temple Mount is a new record for hypocrisy."
During the committee's debate, Shama Hacohen asked the Palestinian representative, Amb. Mounir Anastas, why the Palestinians were not prepared to recognize the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount and add the Jewish term "Temple Mount" alongside the Palestinian "Al-Haram Al-Sharif." Anastas replied, that if the Palestinians recognized the Temple Mount as such, the Palestinian president and Jordanian king would become ISIS's top target.
The Israeli ambassador answered, "The historical connection of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount is not dependent on the desires and threats of ISIS just like it's not dependent on the will or decision of foreign countries and international organizations. The Palestinians the Jordanians should thank God for the Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount that grants them and the place full freedom of religion and complete protection from ISIS and the destruction that it's sowing on cultural and religious heritage sites throughout the East."
The Foreign Ministry was also angry with the European Union for its decision to open offices in Tehran. It released a statement saying, "The opening of an EU office in Iran is a grave mistake. Iran's behavior has not changed. It is the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism. It funds murder throughout the Middle East. It hangs gays and brutally represses its own people.
"Iran brazenly violates its international obligations while literally emblazoning its missiles with 'Israel will be wiped out.' Iran recently appointed a cleric head of the Assembly of Experts who calls for the destruction of both Israel and America. Iran should not be rewarded as it spreads murder and mayhem across the world."
14 july 2016

Israeli settlers desecrated at dawn Thursday al-Aqsa Mosque via the Israeli-controlled al-Magharibeh gate under heavy police protection.
The PIC reporter affirmed that Israeli settlers stormed the holy shrine in two groups and tried to perform Talmudic rituals which led to a state of tension amid the Palestinian worshipers.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Tension remained high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police repeatedly stormed the site and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site under heavy protection.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.
The PIC reporter affirmed that Israeli settlers stormed the holy shrine in two groups and tried to perform Talmudic rituals which led to a state of tension amid the Palestinian worshipers.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Tension remained high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police repeatedly stormed the site and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site under heavy protection.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.
13 july 2016

Israeli extremist settlers stormed on early Wednesday morning Islamic holy shrines in Kafl Haris, to the north of Salfit city.
A PIC correspondent quoted local sources as stating that hordes of Israeli extremist settlers stormed Islamic holy sites in Kafl Haris at dawn time and performed sacrilegious rituals.
The settlers yelled anti-Muslim slogans all the way through the assault.
The expert in Israeli illegal settlement activity, Khaled Maali, said the three shrines have been sacred places of worship for the Muslim community in the region.
In a separate development, Israeli settler hordes leveled Palestinian cultivated lands overseeing Deir Ballout area, in northern Salfit.
Local farmers said Israeli settlers have often seized Palestinian lands in the area in favor of illegal settlement expansion. The farmers appealed for an urgent intervention to stop such an illegal misappropriation of their own and only lands.
Researcher Maali said the Israeli occupation authorities have been holding sway over Palestinian lands in favor of 24 illegal settlements, in a barefaced contravention of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
A PIC correspondent quoted local sources as stating that hordes of Israeli extremist settlers stormed Islamic holy sites in Kafl Haris at dawn time and performed sacrilegious rituals.
The settlers yelled anti-Muslim slogans all the way through the assault.
The expert in Israeli illegal settlement activity, Khaled Maali, said the three shrines have been sacred places of worship for the Muslim community in the region.
In a separate development, Israeli settler hordes leveled Palestinian cultivated lands overseeing Deir Ballout area, in northern Salfit.
Local farmers said Israeli settlers have often seized Palestinian lands in the area in favor of illegal settlement expansion. The farmers appealed for an urgent intervention to stop such an illegal misappropriation of their own and only lands.
Researcher Maali said the Israeli occupation authorities have been holding sway over Palestinian lands in favor of 24 illegal settlements, in a barefaced contravention of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) delayed Tuesday a vote on a draft resolution categorizing al-Aqsa Mosque as an exclusively Islamic site.
The vote was postponed minutes before the proceedings began and it is unclear if and when the resolution will be proposed again.
Israel has put pressure on UN members to reject the vote, including a letter by Foreign Ministry chief Dore Gold, and vocal complaints from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a previous UNESCO vote on Jerusalem in April.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon said Israeli diplomats had worked hard to attain this outcome.
“Israel is constantly working, both directly and through friendly countries, to prevent the resolution’s proposal, as well as to ensure a majority is not reached,” he said.
The revised joint Palestinian-Jordanian draft resolution on “the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls” was submitted to the 21-member committee.
The text calls for a return of the al-Aqsa Mosque to “the historic status quo” following the 1967 Six Day War, under which the Jordanian Waqf religious authority had the right to administer all aspects of the site “including maintenance, restoration, and regulating access.”
Under arrangements agreed to by Israel after it captured the area, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site but not to pray. A similar resolution adopted by UNESCO’s executive board in April infuriated Israel.
In the UN document, Israel is repeatedly referred to as the “occupying power” while being accused of causing damage to the site, conducting illegal excavations and preventing the Jordanian Waqf, which administers the site, from conducting repairs and renovations. In the draft, the Jordanians and Palestinians accuse Israel of “intrusive constructions, tunneling and underground excavations” and “aggressions against religious sites and prayer places.”
The April resolution criticized Israel for “excavations works” in East Occupied Jerusalem, and urged it to stop “aggressions and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims’ access” to their holy site.
The resolution also accused Israel of “planting fake Jewish graves in Muslim cemeteries” and of “the continued conversion of many Islamic and Byzantine remains into the so-called Jewish ritual baths or into Jewish prayer places.”
The vote was postponed minutes before the proceedings began and it is unclear if and when the resolution will be proposed again.
Israel has put pressure on UN members to reject the vote, including a letter by Foreign Ministry chief Dore Gold, and vocal complaints from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a previous UNESCO vote on Jerusalem in April.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon said Israeli diplomats had worked hard to attain this outcome.
“Israel is constantly working, both directly and through friendly countries, to prevent the resolution’s proposal, as well as to ensure a majority is not reached,” he said.
The revised joint Palestinian-Jordanian draft resolution on “the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls” was submitted to the 21-member committee.
The text calls for a return of the al-Aqsa Mosque to “the historic status quo” following the 1967 Six Day War, under which the Jordanian Waqf religious authority had the right to administer all aspects of the site “including maintenance, restoration, and regulating access.”
Under arrangements agreed to by Israel after it captured the area, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site but not to pray. A similar resolution adopted by UNESCO’s executive board in April infuriated Israel.
In the UN document, Israel is repeatedly referred to as the “occupying power” while being accused of causing damage to the site, conducting illegal excavations and preventing the Jordanian Waqf, which administers the site, from conducting repairs and renovations. In the draft, the Jordanians and Palestinians accuse Israel of “intrusive constructions, tunneling and underground excavations” and “aggressions against religious sites and prayer places.”
The April resolution criticized Israel for “excavations works” in East Occupied Jerusalem, and urged it to stop “aggressions and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims’ access” to their holy site.
The resolution also accused Israel of “planting fake Jewish graves in Muslim cemeteries” and of “the continued conversion of many Islamic and Byzantine remains into the so-called Jewish ritual baths or into Jewish prayer places.”

Israeli settler groups stormed Wednesday morning al-Aqsa Mosque via the Israeli-controlled al-Magharibeh gate under heavy police protection.
A state of tension prevailed among Palestinian worshipers who started shouting Takbeer when Israeli settlers tried to perform Talmudic rituals in the holy Islamic shrine.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Tension remained high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police repeatedly stormed the site and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site under heavy protection.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.
A state of tension prevailed among Palestinian worshipers who started shouting Takbeer when Israeli settlers tried to perform Talmudic rituals in the holy Islamic shrine.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Tension remained high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police repeatedly stormed the site and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site under heavy protection.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.
12 july 2016

More than 200 Israeli settlers stormed Tuesday morning al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli police protection.
The Islamic Endowment Department affirmed that 221 Israeli extremist settlers stormed the Mosque in two groups via the Israeli-controlled al-Magharibeh gate under heavy police protection.
Some of the settlers tried to perform Talmudic rituals in total provocation to Palestinian worshipers.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Meanwhile, deputy head of Islamic Movement inside the Green Line called for intensifying Palestinian presence in the holy shrine as Israeli extremist groups call for carrying out mass break-ins into al-Aqsa on Tuesday.
Tensions remain high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police stormed the parameters and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site surrounded by tight security.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.
The Islamic Endowment Department affirmed that 221 Israeli extremist settlers stormed the Mosque in two groups via the Israeli-controlled al-Magharibeh gate under heavy police protection.
Some of the settlers tried to perform Talmudic rituals in total provocation to Palestinian worshipers.
On the other hand, Israeli police continued to prevent a number of Jerusalemite women from having access to al-Aqsa for allegedly being involved in protests against settlers’ presence in the holy shrine.
Meanwhile, deputy head of Islamic Movement inside the Green Line called for intensifying Palestinian presence in the holy shrine as Israeli extremist groups call for carrying out mass break-ins into al-Aqsa on Tuesday.
Tensions remain high in and around al-Aqsa Mosque since early October 2015 after Israeli police stormed the parameters and restricted Palestinians’ access into it, while allowing large numbers of settlers to access the holy site surrounded by tight security.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.
It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the “Jewish state” in a move never recognized by the international community.

UNESCO is expected to vote Tuesday on a joint Palestinian-Jordanian draft categorizing the holy al-Aqsa Mosque as an Islamic place of worship.
The resolution was submitted to the 21-member committee which is convening for its 40th session.
The text calls for a return of the al-Aqsa Mosque to its historical status quo, a status that existed before the 1967 war.
In the UN document, Israel is repeatedly referred to as the “occupying power” while being accused of causing damage to the site, conducting illegal excavations and preventing the Jordanian Waqf, which administers the site, from conducting repairs and renovations.
The revised draft is expected to be very similar in nature and language to the April resolution which criticized Israel for “excavations and works” in Occupied Jerusalem, and urged it to stop aggression and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims’ access to their holy site.
The resolution also accuses Israel of “planting fake Jewish graves in Muslim cemeteries” and of the continued conversion of many Islamic and Byzantine remains into the so-called Jewish ritual baths or into the self-proclaimed Jewish prayer places.
In a letter on Monday, Israel's Foreign Ministry chief Dore Gold slammed UNESCO for “considering the adoption of a draft resolution that “deliberately ignores the historical connection” between Jews and Jerusalem.
“UNESCO’s adoption of utterly false allegations about Israeli archaeological practices is misplaced and hypocritical, at best,” Gold claimed. The letter was sent to 16 of the 21 members on the committee, including Turkey, urging them to “oppose this effort to distort history.”
Reports have also been releasing on Israel’s massive efforts to quash any intent on the part of the UNESCO to approve the draft resolution.
The resolution was submitted to the 21-member committee which is convening for its 40th session.
The text calls for a return of the al-Aqsa Mosque to its historical status quo, a status that existed before the 1967 war.
In the UN document, Israel is repeatedly referred to as the “occupying power” while being accused of causing damage to the site, conducting illegal excavations and preventing the Jordanian Waqf, which administers the site, from conducting repairs and renovations.
The revised draft is expected to be very similar in nature and language to the April resolution which criticized Israel for “excavations and works” in Occupied Jerusalem, and urged it to stop aggression and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims’ access to their holy site.
The resolution also accuses Israel of “planting fake Jewish graves in Muslim cemeteries” and of the continued conversion of many Islamic and Byzantine remains into the so-called Jewish ritual baths or into the self-proclaimed Jewish prayer places.
In a letter on Monday, Israel's Foreign Ministry chief Dore Gold slammed UNESCO for “considering the adoption of a draft resolution that “deliberately ignores the historical connection” between Jews and Jerusalem.
“UNESCO’s adoption of utterly false allegations about Israeli archaeological practices is misplaced and hypocritical, at best,” Gold claimed. The letter was sent to 16 of the 21 members on the committee, including Turkey, urging them to “oppose this effort to distort history.”
Reports have also been releasing on Israel’s massive efforts to quash any intent on the part of the UNESCO to approve the draft resolution.

A horde of 20 Israeli settlers stormed on Tuesday Islamic holy shrines in Kafl Hares town, to the north of Salfit city.
A PIC journalist quoted eyewitnesses as stating that fanatic Israeli settlers have flocked to the town since the early morning hours and performed sacrilegious rituals.
The assault triggered a state of panic and anger across the town.
A PIC journalist quoted eyewitnesses as stating that fanatic Israeli settlers have flocked to the town since the early morning hours and performed sacrilegious rituals.
The assault triggered a state of panic and anger across the town.

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Tuesday a large-scale raid and search campaign across West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
19 Palestinians were arrested and two others were injured during the campaign. The clashes broke out when hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed under heavy military protection Youssef tomb east of Nablus.
Local sources affirmed that nearly 1,600 Israeli settlers stormed the tomb including head of the West Bank settlement regional council Yossi Dagan and military officials.
The sources told a PIC reporter that Palestinian youths threw stones and empty bottles at 15 Israeli buses carrying hundreds of settlers.
In their turn, Israeli forces fired a hail of rubber bullets and teargas bombs. Ten Palestinians were injured including five who choked on teargas.
Earlier yesterday, Israeli forces arrested five Palestinians from Hawara town in the city. In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested a young man after storming Barqa town, west of the city, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Several local homes were also stormed and searched during the raid. Similar clashes were reported in Qabatia town after being stormed by Israeli forces. In Qalqilia, violent clashes broke out when Israeli forces stormed its neighborhoods amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and rubber bullets.
Seven locals were arrested during the confrontations. A young man suffered rubber bullet injury in his foot while several others suffered from effects of teargas inhalation.
In al-Khalil, Israeli forces stormed overnight and at dawn today several towns and villages which led to the outbreak of clashes with local youths.
Local sources said that the clashes broke out when Israeli forces stormed al-Shyoukh town amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and rubber bullets. Palestinian youths responded by stoning the military vehicles.
At least two locals were shot and injured during the clashes, while dozens others suffered from effects of teargas inhalation. Israeli forces also intensified their presence in Sa'ir town, which led to the outbreak of clashes at the main entrances to the town.
Similar raids and arrests were carried out in Dura town, west of the al-Khalil. Local homes and a mosque were stormed during the campaign under the pretext of looking for “wanted” persons.
A whole family, a husband, his son, and wife were arrested from their house in Dura and taken to an unknown detention center. Another young man was arrested during the campaign, while a woman was injured when Israeli forces violently stormed her house. Two more arrests were carried out in occupied Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Israeli Soldiers Kidnap Eleven Palestinians In Qalqilia, Nablus, And Jenin
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, the northern West Bank districts of Qalqilia, Nablus, and Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped ten Palestinians.
The Qalqilia office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded the city from various directions before storming into homes and searching them.
It added that the soldiers kidnapped seven Palestinians identified as Fares Nazzal, 35, Hindi Mahmoud Zeid, 22, Anas Saleh Farraj, Yousef Qaher Abu Shehab, 22, Amin Abdul-Rahman Abu Sa’sa’, 28, Mosheer Sa’id J’eidi and Sharhabeel Shobaki.
The soldiers also fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades during the invasion; no injuries were reported.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Huwwara town, south of Nablus and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Nasser al-Huwwari, Mujahid Daoud Odeh and Ahmad Ziyad Khammous.
The soldiers stopped the three Palestinians while driving near Ibn Sina College in Huwwara, allegedly for driving and an unlicensed car, and abducted them.
Also in Nablus, dozens of Israeli colonists, and soldiers, invaded Qabr Yousef (Joseph Tomb), in Nablus, leading to clashes with local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles, while the soldiers fired live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets.
The soldiers also hurled a concussion grenade at a Palestinian car with Israeli license plates, causing it to crash into another vehicle.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Burqin town, south of Jenin, and kidnapped a young man, identified as Mohammad Yousef Khaled Khallouf, 22, after storming his family home and searching it. The family said the soldiers detonated the front door of their property, before invading the property.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, and Mothallath ash-Shuhada village, near Jenin, and clashes with local youths who hurled stones on the invading army vehicles.
19 Palestinians were arrested and two others were injured during the campaign. The clashes broke out when hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed under heavy military protection Youssef tomb east of Nablus.
Local sources affirmed that nearly 1,600 Israeli settlers stormed the tomb including head of the West Bank settlement regional council Yossi Dagan and military officials.
The sources told a PIC reporter that Palestinian youths threw stones and empty bottles at 15 Israeli buses carrying hundreds of settlers.
In their turn, Israeli forces fired a hail of rubber bullets and teargas bombs. Ten Palestinians were injured including five who choked on teargas.
Earlier yesterday, Israeli forces arrested five Palestinians from Hawara town in the city. In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested a young man after storming Barqa town, west of the city, which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Several local homes were also stormed and searched during the raid. Similar clashes were reported in Qabatia town after being stormed by Israeli forces. In Qalqilia, violent clashes broke out when Israeli forces stormed its neighborhoods amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and rubber bullets.
Seven locals were arrested during the confrontations. A young man suffered rubber bullet injury in his foot while several others suffered from effects of teargas inhalation.
In al-Khalil, Israeli forces stormed overnight and at dawn today several towns and villages which led to the outbreak of clashes with local youths.
Local sources said that the clashes broke out when Israeli forces stormed al-Shyoukh town amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and rubber bullets. Palestinian youths responded by stoning the military vehicles.
At least two locals were shot and injured during the clashes, while dozens others suffered from effects of teargas inhalation. Israeli forces also intensified their presence in Sa'ir town, which led to the outbreak of clashes at the main entrances to the town.
Similar raids and arrests were carried out in Dura town, west of the al-Khalil. Local homes and a mosque were stormed during the campaign under the pretext of looking for “wanted” persons.
A whole family, a husband, his son, and wife were arrested from their house in Dura and taken to an unknown detention center. Another young man was arrested during the campaign, while a woman was injured when Israeli forces violently stormed her house. Two more arrests were carried out in occupied Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Israeli Soldiers Kidnap Eleven Palestinians In Qalqilia, Nablus, And Jenin
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, the northern West Bank districts of Qalqilia, Nablus, and Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped ten Palestinians.
The Qalqilia office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported that the soldiers invaded the city from various directions before storming into homes and searching them.
It added that the soldiers kidnapped seven Palestinians identified as Fares Nazzal, 35, Hindi Mahmoud Zeid, 22, Anas Saleh Farraj, Yousef Qaher Abu Shehab, 22, Amin Abdul-Rahman Abu Sa’sa’, 28, Mosheer Sa’id J’eidi and Sharhabeel Shobaki.
The soldiers also fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades during the invasion; no injuries were reported.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Huwwara town, south of Nablus and kidnapped three Palestinians, identified as Mohammad Nasser al-Huwwari, Mujahid Daoud Odeh and Ahmad Ziyad Khammous.
The soldiers stopped the three Palestinians while driving near Ibn Sina College in Huwwara, allegedly for driving and an unlicensed car, and abducted them.
Also in Nablus, dozens of Israeli colonists, and soldiers, invaded Qabr Yousef (Joseph Tomb), in Nablus, leading to clashes with local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on the military vehicles, while the soldiers fired live rounds and rubber-coated steel bullets.
The soldiers also hurled a concussion grenade at a Palestinian car with Israeli license plates, causing it to crash into another vehicle.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Burqin town, south of Jenin, and kidnapped a young man, identified as Mohammad Yousef Khaled Khallouf, 22, after storming his family home and searching it. The family said the soldiers detonated the front door of their property, before invading the property.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded Qabatia town, and Mothallath ash-Shuhada village, near Jenin, and clashes with local youths who hurled stones on the invading army vehicles.