11 july 2016
The Environmental Quality Authority said on Monday that Israeli Occupation Forces torched 10 dunums of Palestinians’ agricultural lands planted with olive trees in al-Ramadein village in southern al-Khalil.
The Environmental Quality Authority in al-Khalil city pointed out that the lands torched by Israeli army soldiers belong to the al-Sawadeh Palestinian family in the village which is located within the Separation Wall.
The inhabitants of the village have to get Israeli permits in order to pick the olives every year, the authority added.
It said that the authority’s teams witnessed the effects of fire from a distance since they could not approach the place because of the Separation Wall.
The Environmental Quality Authority in al-Khalil city pointed out that the lands torched by Israeli army soldiers belong to the al-Sawadeh Palestinian family in the village which is located within the Separation Wall.
The inhabitants of the village have to get Israeli permits in order to pick the olives every year, the authority added.
It said that the authority’s teams witnessed the effects of fire from a distance since they could not approach the place because of the Separation Wall.
The Israeli occupation army on Sunday afternoon closed the entrance to al-Aroub refugee camp, north of al-Khalil city, with mounds of dirt and rocks.
A local source told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli bulldozer escorted by soldiers closed the main road leading to the camp after a car boarded by Jewish settlers was attacked with stones.
The car was hurled with stones as it was traveling on Road 60 near the camp. The attack caused panic among the settlers and damage to their vehicle, according to the Israeli media.
Earlier, dozens of Orthodox Jewish settlers from Otniel settlement in al-Khalil organized a march to Road 60 in protest at the army's failure to protect settlers in West Bank settlements.
A local source told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli bulldozer escorted by soldiers closed the main road leading to the camp after a car boarded by Jewish settlers was attacked with stones.
The car was hurled with stones as it was traveling on Road 60 near the camp. The attack caused panic among the settlers and damage to their vehicle, according to the Israeli media.
Earlier, dozens of Orthodox Jewish settlers from Otniel settlement in al-Khalil organized a march to Road 60 in protest at the army's failure to protect settlers in West Bank settlements.
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) denied Sunday the entry of an Italian parliamentary delegation headed by Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Luigi de Maio, into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Italian Five Star Movement revealed in a statement issued Sunday that Israeli authorities informed the delegation of its decision to deny their access into Gaza.
The delegation had arranged the visit to check on the construction work of the Italian-funded projects in Gaza.
However, the delegation will be forced to head to the West Bank instead of Gaza. After being denied, Luigi de Maio criticized in televised statements the Israeli “bad” decision, saying that it contravened the international efforts to revive the peace process.
Israeli authorities justified its decision for “security reasons”.
Italian Five Star Movement revealed in a statement issued Sunday that Israeli authorities informed the delegation of its decision to deny their access into Gaza.
The delegation had arranged the visit to check on the construction work of the Italian-funded projects in Gaza.
However, the delegation will be forced to head to the West Bank instead of Gaza. After being denied, Luigi de Maio criticized in televised statements the Israeli “bad” decision, saying that it contravened the international efforts to revive the peace process.
Israeli authorities justified its decision for “security reasons”.
The strict Israeli siege and collective punishment imposed on Sa’ir and Bani Neim towns, in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, continued for the eleventh consecutive day, while the soldiers continued the invasion of homes, in various areas, and kidnapped six Palestinians, on Monday at dawn.
Dozens of soldiers invaded, during early dawn hours, Sa’ir town and the Shiokh village, before breaking into and ransacking dozens of homes, and kidnapped a young man, identified as Hamza Rajab Halayqa.
The army also illegally confiscated a Palestinian car.
Media sources in Hebron said the invasions of homes are still ongoing, while the soldiers continued to interrogate dozens of Palestinians in their own properties.
The soldiers also invaded a home, belonging to resident Ismael Saber Shalalda, in Sa’ir town, ransacked the property, and turned it into a military post and a monitoring tower, in addition to installing military equipment in the property.
In Doura, dozens of soldiers invaded the center of the town, searched homes and kidnapped ‘Ayed Ahmad al-Faqeeh, along with his son, Akram, in addition to another Palestinian, identified as Khallaf Jabara Talahma, after violently searching their homes.
The soldiers also fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, targeting local protesters, causing many Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the al-Borj village, near Doura, and searched homes before summoning one resident for interrogation in Etzion military base.
In Hebron city, the soldiers kidnapped Malek Mohammad Elia Abu Aisha, 32, after they invaded his home in violently searched it.
Another Palestinian, a former political prisoner identified as Abdullah Othman ‘Obeido, was kidnapped from his home in Senger area, the Hebron city.
Dozens of soldiers invaded, during early dawn hours, Sa’ir town and the Shiokh village, before breaking into and ransacking dozens of homes, and kidnapped a young man, identified as Hamza Rajab Halayqa.
The army also illegally confiscated a Palestinian car.
Media sources in Hebron said the invasions of homes are still ongoing, while the soldiers continued to interrogate dozens of Palestinians in their own properties.
The soldiers also invaded a home, belonging to resident Ismael Saber Shalalda, in Sa’ir town, ransacked the property, and turned it into a military post and a monitoring tower, in addition to installing military equipment in the property.
In Doura, dozens of soldiers invaded the center of the town, searched homes and kidnapped ‘Ayed Ahmad al-Faqeeh, along with his son, Akram, in addition to another Palestinian, identified as Khallaf Jabara Talahma, after violently searching their homes.
The soldiers also fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs, targeting local protesters, causing many Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the al-Borj village, near Doura, and searched homes before summoning one resident for interrogation in Etzion military base.
In Hebron city, the soldiers kidnapped Malek Mohammad Elia Abu Aisha, 32, after they invaded his home in violently searched it.
Another Palestinian, a former political prisoner identified as Abdullah Othman ‘Obeido, was kidnapped from his home in Senger area, the Hebron city.
10 july 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) at noon on Saturday closed main and bypass roads in Doura and Yatta towns in al-Khalil.
The coordinator of the national committee against settlement in Yatta, Ratib al-Jabour, told Quds Press that Israeli forces closed, by stones and sand berms, all of the entrances to the town.
The IOF soldiers stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles at military barriers while verifying Palestinians’ IDs, Jabour highlighted.
Israeli soldiers fired gas and stun grenades at Palestinians at one of the checkpoints leading to suffocation among some of them.
The IOF also closed the main gate leading to Doura town from the side of al-Fuwar refugee camp and blocked the main entrance to the camp as well by sand berms.
The coordinator of the national committee against settlement in Yatta, Ratib al-Jabour, told Quds Press that Israeli forces closed, by stones and sand berms, all of the entrances to the town.
The IOF soldiers stopped and searched Palestinian vehicles at military barriers while verifying Palestinians’ IDs, Jabour highlighted.
Israeli soldiers fired gas and stun grenades at Palestinians at one of the checkpoints leading to suffocation among some of them.
The IOF also closed the main gate leading to Doura town from the side of al-Fuwar refugee camp and blocked the main entrance to the camp as well by sand berms.
MP Jamal al-Khudari, head of the popular committee against the siege, called on the donor countries to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction to end the suffering of its 70,000 displaced families due to the Israeli aggression since 2014.
In a statement on Saturday, Khudari underlined that the donors have paid 35% only of their pledges; while the siege, the closure of the crossings, and the restriction on the entry of construction materials had obstructed the reconstruction process.
“Lifting the siege on Gaza is the most important gate to the reconstruction and ending the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip”, he said.
MP Khudari called for uniting the Palestinian efforts to alleviate the crises' level. He revealed that thousands of Gazan families are still living in caravans or small rented homes.
In a statement on Saturday, Khudari underlined that the donors have paid 35% only of their pledges; while the siege, the closure of the crossings, and the restriction on the entry of construction materials had obstructed the reconstruction process.
“Lifting the siege on Gaza is the most important gate to the reconstruction and ending the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip”, he said.
MP Khudari called for uniting the Palestinian efforts to alleviate the crises' level. He revealed that thousands of Gazan families are still living in caravans or small rented homes.
7 july 2016
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) have temporarily opened on Thursday the Karem Abu Salem border crossing with Gaza to allow the entry of Turkish humanitarian aids to the territory.
In press statements, director of the Palestinian side of the crossing Munir Ghalban affirmed that Israeli authorities decided today to open Abu Salem crossing to allow the entry of 50 trucks currying Turkish supplies that reached Gaza last Monday.
The crossing will be temporary opened to allow the travel of the Turkish trucks and the entry of a limited supply of industrial diesel for Gaza’s power plant, he explained.
The aid supplies would be distributed to needy people according to the Ministry’s lists under the supervision of the Turkish Red Crescent, he continued.
A Turkish ship carrying over 11,000 tons of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip had reached the Israeli port of Ashdod on Sunday afternoon and is scheduled to transfer its load to Gaza Strip via Karm Abu Salem crossing starting from Monday.
The vessel Lady Leyla set sail late Friday from the Turkish city Mersin. The ship is carrying food, toys, clothes and shoes, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
In press statements, director of the Palestinian side of the crossing Munir Ghalban affirmed that Israeli authorities decided today to open Abu Salem crossing to allow the entry of 50 trucks currying Turkish supplies that reached Gaza last Monday.
The crossing will be temporary opened to allow the travel of the Turkish trucks and the entry of a limited supply of industrial diesel for Gaza’s power plant, he explained.
The aid supplies would be distributed to needy people according to the Ministry’s lists under the supervision of the Turkish Red Crescent, he continued.
A Turkish ship carrying over 11,000 tons of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip had reached the Israeli port of Ashdod on Sunday afternoon and is scheduled to transfer its load to Gaza Strip via Karm Abu Salem crossing starting from Monday.
The vessel Lady Leyla set sail late Friday from the Turkish city Mersin. The ship is carrying food, toys, clothes and shoes, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
6 july 2016
Two years since the outbreak of the 2014 war that cost the lives of 2,492 Palestinian civilians, including 551 children, much of the Gaza Strip remains in ruins.
Entire neighborhoods remain cut off from water supplies, destroyed hospitals and clinics have not yet been rebuilt, and tens of thousands remain without a home.
While some reconstruction has progressed, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Less than 10% of the 11,000 homes that were completely destroyed during the 51 day bombardment have been rebuilt. As a result of the war and the impact of the blockade imposed in 2007 by Israel, more than 75,000 Palestinians in Gaza still have no home to return to.
“Two years since the beginning of the war, the blockade is severely impeding reconstruction and recovery in Gaza. Unless it is lifted, Palestinians living in Gaza will be unable to move on with their lives and live in freedom, dignity, and safety,” Oxfam Country Director Chris Eijkemans said, according to the PNN.
“When the ceasefire began, world leaders promised to work towards sustainable and long-term development for Palestinians living in Gaza. However, there is little evidence of those promises on the ground.”
International organizations working in the occupied Palestinian territory are sounding the alarm on the lack of progress in Gaza’s reconstruction as a result of Israel’s heavy restrictions on the entry of materials critical to the recovery process. The organizations called on world leaders to live up to their commitments and press for an immediate end to the blockade.
The almost decade long blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy. Without the ability to sell to external markets, private sector employment has plummeted. Overall unemployment is above 40%, with Gaza’s youth unemployment among the highest in the world.
The impact of the blockade on children is particularly devastating, and tens of thousands of children remain without a home as a result of the 2014 conflict. “Half of Gaza’s population are children, many of whom have lived their whole life under blockade. Hundreds of children requiring vital medical treatment are prevented from leaving Gaza. Two years on, the root causes of their suffering have still not been addressed,” said Fikr Shalltoot, Director of Programmes in Gaza for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Mr Eijkemans said that lifting the blockade is the only solution to give people access to the basic services they desperately need, to allow reconstruction to proceed in full, and to allow Gaza’s crippled economy to restore.
“The blockade is illegal under international law and amounts to collective punishment of an entire population. Only its immediate end will bring about long-term security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
According to UN statistics, Palestinians now make up the largest percentage of refugees in the entire world.
Entire neighborhoods remain cut off from water supplies, destroyed hospitals and clinics have not yet been rebuilt, and tens of thousands remain without a home.
While some reconstruction has progressed, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Less than 10% of the 11,000 homes that were completely destroyed during the 51 day bombardment have been rebuilt. As a result of the war and the impact of the blockade imposed in 2007 by Israel, more than 75,000 Palestinians in Gaza still have no home to return to.
“Two years since the beginning of the war, the blockade is severely impeding reconstruction and recovery in Gaza. Unless it is lifted, Palestinians living in Gaza will be unable to move on with their lives and live in freedom, dignity, and safety,” Oxfam Country Director Chris Eijkemans said, according to the PNN.
“When the ceasefire began, world leaders promised to work towards sustainable and long-term development for Palestinians living in Gaza. However, there is little evidence of those promises on the ground.”
International organizations working in the occupied Palestinian territory are sounding the alarm on the lack of progress in Gaza’s reconstruction as a result of Israel’s heavy restrictions on the entry of materials critical to the recovery process. The organizations called on world leaders to live up to their commitments and press for an immediate end to the blockade.
The almost decade long blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy. Without the ability to sell to external markets, private sector employment has plummeted. Overall unemployment is above 40%, with Gaza’s youth unemployment among the highest in the world.
The impact of the blockade on children is particularly devastating, and tens of thousands of children remain without a home as a result of the 2014 conflict. “Half of Gaza’s population are children, many of whom have lived their whole life under blockade. Hundreds of children requiring vital medical treatment are prevented from leaving Gaza. Two years on, the root causes of their suffering have still not been addressed,” said Fikr Shalltoot, Director of Programmes in Gaza for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Mr Eijkemans said that lifting the blockade is the only solution to give people access to the basic services they desperately need, to allow reconstruction to proceed in full, and to allow Gaza’s crippled economy to restore.
“The blockade is illegal under international law and amounts to collective punishment of an entire population. Only its immediate end will bring about long-term security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
According to UN statistics, Palestinians now make up the largest percentage of refugees in the entire world.
The Egyptian authorities decided Tuesday to extend the opening of Rafah crossing for more four days in both directions.
The Middle East News Agency quoted official sources in the Rafah crossing as affirming that the crossing has been re-opened for four days in both directions “to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza during Eid al-Fiter.”
Egypt had closed at dawn Tuesday the Rafah border crossing after 5-day opening.
The Border and Crossing Authority in Gaza revealed that 3,750 passengers were allowed to leave the Strip for humanitarian purposes or were allowed admission as a result of holding Egyptian passports.
Meanwhile, 1620 stranded passengers were allowed to enter Gaza during the five-day opening while 159 passengers were prevented from entering Egypt for unknown reasons, according to the sources.
Spokesman for the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza pointed out that 28,000 people are still in dire need for travel.
The Middle East News Agency quoted official sources in the Rafah crossing as affirming that the crossing has been re-opened for four days in both directions “to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza during Eid al-Fiter.”
Egypt had closed at dawn Tuesday the Rafah border crossing after 5-day opening.
The Border and Crossing Authority in Gaza revealed that 3,750 passengers were allowed to leave the Strip for humanitarian purposes or were allowed admission as a result of holding Egyptian passports.
Meanwhile, 1620 stranded passengers were allowed to enter Gaza during the five-day opening while 159 passengers were prevented from entering Egypt for unknown reasons, according to the sources.
Spokesman for the Palestinian Interior Ministry in Gaza pointed out that 28,000 people are still in dire need for travel.
5 july 2016
Egypt closed its only crossing with the besieged Gaza Strip on Monday evening, leaving hundreds of Gazans and humanitarian cases stranded in the coastal enclave.
The closure came after a five-day opening to allow humanitarian cases through.
Spokesman for the Gaza-based Ministry of Interior, Iyad al-Bazm, said that Egyptian authorities had stopped the influx of humanitarian cases trying to leave the blockaded coastal territory through the Rafah crossing.
Al-Bazm added that the humanitarian crisis was worsening in Gaza and that over 28,000 Palestinians have been in need of urgent travel. He called on Egypt to extend the opening of the crossing to allow humanitarian cases through.
On Wednesday, the Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing for five days only after they had kept it closed for 23 days running. The heavy border restrictions imposed by the Egyptian authorities come as Israel's military blockade of the Gaza Strip approaches nearly a decade.
Gaza's 1.8 million residents continue to struggle to meet their basic needs due to severe constraints on goods coming in and out. While the Egyptian border has remained the main lifeline for Gazans to the outside world.
Egyptian authorities have frequently sealed off movement through the border since democratically-elected president Muhammad Morsi was toppled by the Egyptian army in 2013.
Due to the constraints on Palestinian movement through the crossing, many are commonly barred from leaving or entering the Gaza Strip, some for months at a time, as the crossing is only periodically opened by Egyptian authorities, stranding Palestinians on both sides of the crossing during closures.
The closure came after a five-day opening to allow humanitarian cases through.
Spokesman for the Gaza-based Ministry of Interior, Iyad al-Bazm, said that Egyptian authorities had stopped the influx of humanitarian cases trying to leave the blockaded coastal territory through the Rafah crossing.
Al-Bazm added that the humanitarian crisis was worsening in Gaza and that over 28,000 Palestinians have been in need of urgent travel. He called on Egypt to extend the opening of the crossing to allow humanitarian cases through.
On Wednesday, the Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing for five days only after they had kept it closed for 23 days running. The heavy border restrictions imposed by the Egyptian authorities come as Israel's military blockade of the Gaza Strip approaches nearly a decade.
Gaza's 1.8 million residents continue to struggle to meet their basic needs due to severe constraints on goods coming in and out. While the Egyptian border has remained the main lifeline for Gazans to the outside world.
Egyptian authorities have frequently sealed off movement through the border since democratically-elected president Muhammad Morsi was toppled by the Egyptian army in 2013.
Due to the constraints on Palestinian movement through the crossing, many are commonly barred from leaving or entering the Gaza Strip, some for months at a time, as the crossing is only periodically opened by Egyptian authorities, stranding Palestinians on both sides of the crossing during closures.
3 july 2016
Egyptian authorities on Sunday opened the Rafah border crossing on both sides for the forth day running.
Sources at the border crossings committee said the Egyptian authorities unblocked the Rafah passageway, allowing buses access out of and into the crossing.
Seven buses only were allowed access into the Egyptian side of the crossing on Saturday, with a total of 560 passengers.
32 stranded Gazans were, however, denied access out of the crossing.
317 Palestinian passengers stranded in the Egyptian territories managed to reach Gaza. On Wednesday, the Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing for five days only after they had kept it closed for 23 days running.
Egypt has been closing the Rafah border-crossing since 2013, except for a few days when the crossing is intermittently opened before humanitarian cases and sick passengers. Over 28,000 Palestinians have reportedly been in need of urgent travel.
Sources at the border crossings committee said the Egyptian authorities unblocked the Rafah passageway, allowing buses access out of and into the crossing.
Seven buses only were allowed access into the Egyptian side of the crossing on Saturday, with a total of 560 passengers.
32 stranded Gazans were, however, denied access out of the crossing.
317 Palestinian passengers stranded in the Egyptian territories managed to reach Gaza. On Wednesday, the Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing for five days only after they had kept it closed for 23 days running.
Egypt has been closing the Rafah border-crossing since 2013, except for a few days when the crossing is intermittently opened before humanitarian cases and sick passengers. Over 28,000 Palestinians have reportedly been in need of urgent travel.
A security cordon has been imposed by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on the southern West Bank province of al-Khalil for the third day running.
A PIC news correspondent said the IOF soldiers have sealed off Palestinian towns and villages in and around al-Khalil.
Violent clashes burst out shortly after the IOF rolled into Bani Na’im town, to the east, and attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy spates of stun grenades and teargas canisters.
The IOF kidnapped the sister of the slain Palestinian anti-occupation youth Muhammad Al-Tarayra from the city. Violent clashes with the Israeli troops also rocked the Fawar refugee camp, in southern al-Khalil, after the IOF soldiers wreaked havoc on civilian homes in search for the Palestinian instructor Fedha Hadeeb and policeman Tareq Hadeeb, along with another youth.
The soldiers aggressively attacked the youngsters Luay Masharqa and Luay Hadeeb after they tied them to electricity poles. Confrontations flared up at the Beit Ainun crossroads, to the north, as large IOF troops have been deployed across the area to protect Israeli stone-throwers.
An Israeli army patrol stormed the family home of the slain Palestinian girl Kalzar al-Aweiwi and forced the inhabitants out. The IOF further kidnapped Major General Khaled al-Madhoun from his home in Jabal al-Rahma, in al-Khalil.
The assault culminated in the abduction of two youngsters from Bethlehem’s southern town of Beit Fajjar along with journalist Amjad Arafa from Occupied Jerusalem. A series of military checkpoints has been pitched by the IOF across al-Khalil, blocking Palestinians’ movement in and out.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinians have been left injured as Israeli settler gangs attacked vehicles driving in southern and western Nablus city.
A PIC news correspondent said the IOF soldiers have sealed off Palestinian towns and villages in and around al-Khalil.
Violent clashes burst out shortly after the IOF rolled into Bani Na’im town, to the east, and attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy spates of stun grenades and teargas canisters.
The IOF kidnapped the sister of the slain Palestinian anti-occupation youth Muhammad Al-Tarayra from the city. Violent clashes with the Israeli troops also rocked the Fawar refugee camp, in southern al-Khalil, after the IOF soldiers wreaked havoc on civilian homes in search for the Palestinian instructor Fedha Hadeeb and policeman Tareq Hadeeb, along with another youth.
The soldiers aggressively attacked the youngsters Luay Masharqa and Luay Hadeeb after they tied them to electricity poles. Confrontations flared up at the Beit Ainun crossroads, to the north, as large IOF troops have been deployed across the area to protect Israeli stone-throwers.
An Israeli army patrol stormed the family home of the slain Palestinian girl Kalzar al-Aweiwi and forced the inhabitants out. The IOF further kidnapped Major General Khaled al-Madhoun from his home in Jabal al-Rahma, in al-Khalil.
The assault culminated in the abduction of two youngsters from Bethlehem’s southern town of Beit Fajjar along with journalist Amjad Arafa from Occupied Jerusalem. A series of military checkpoints has been pitched by the IOF across al-Khalil, blocking Palestinians’ movement in and out.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinians have been left injured as Israeli settler gangs attacked vehicles driving in southern and western Nablus city.