19 oct 2016
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided to temporarily stop the construction of Gaza concrete wall due to its heavy cost, Israeli media sources revealed.
Walla Hebrew website said that the project initial assessment has shown that it would cost exorbitant amounts, pushing the Israeli authorities to re-tender the project with the aim of reducing the costs.
Israel has earlier declared intention to start the construction of a giant concrete wall that will completely encircle the Gaza Strip, which is already grappling with a devastating siege.
According to Israeli media sources, the wall "will reach several stories underground, and will also be several stories above ground."
It will stretch along the 96-kilometer (60 mile) border around the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and is estimated to cost about two billion Israeli shekels (USD 531 million).
Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eizenkot said it was the "largest project" ever carried out in the history of the army.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
Israel has also waged three wars on Gaza since 2008, including the 2014 offensive, which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead and over 11,100 others injured.
Walla Hebrew website said that the project initial assessment has shown that it would cost exorbitant amounts, pushing the Israeli authorities to re-tender the project with the aim of reducing the costs.
Israel has earlier declared intention to start the construction of a giant concrete wall that will completely encircle the Gaza Strip, which is already grappling with a devastating siege.
According to Israeli media sources, the wall "will reach several stories underground, and will also be several stories above ground."
It will stretch along the 96-kilometer (60 mile) border around the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and is estimated to cost about two billion Israeli shekels (USD 531 million).
Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eizenkot said it was the "largest project" ever carried out in the history of the army.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
Israel has also waged three wars on Gaza since 2008, including the 2014 offensive, which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead and over 11,100 others injured.
The Egyptian authorities reopened on Wednesday the Rafah border-crossing on both sides so as to allow humanitarian cases’ access out of and into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Crossings Department said in a statement that the border crossing will be opened for four consecutive days starting Wednesday.
On Monday, the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah passageway on both sides.
Some 2,658 passengers gained access out of/into the border crossing on Sunday and Saturday.
Hundreds of sick passengers and humanitarian cases flocked to the waiting hall on the Palestinian side of the border crossing.
The Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on October 25, 2014, leaving thousands of Gazans, mostly humanitarian cases, stranded on the Gaza-Egypt borders.
The Egyptian blockade, along with a decade-long blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on the coastal enclave, have made life horrendous in the besieged territory.
The Crossings Department said in a statement that the border crossing will be opened for four consecutive days starting Wednesday.
On Monday, the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah passageway on both sides.
Some 2,658 passengers gained access out of/into the border crossing on Sunday and Saturday.
Hundreds of sick passengers and humanitarian cases flocked to the waiting hall on the Palestinian side of the border crossing.
The Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on October 25, 2014, leaving thousands of Gazans, mostly humanitarian cases, stranded on the Gaza-Egypt borders.
The Egyptian blockade, along with a decade-long blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on the coastal enclave, have made life horrendous in the besieged territory.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday evening clashed with local young men in Sebastia town, north of Nablus, and closed Beit Furik checkpoint, east of the city.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that violent clashes broke out in the town after it was stormed by a large number of Israeli troops aboard military vehicles.
They added that several young men suffered from inhaling tear gas and received on-site medical treatment.
Sebastia town is exposed to raids almost on a daily basis by Israeli soldiers, who provocatively patrol its streets and archeological area.
In another incident, the IOF closed in the evening the checkpoint of Beit Furik, east of Nablus city, and halted the movement of vehicles and passengers for a while.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that soldiers at the checkpoint searched Palestinian cars and citizens, and checked and photographed their IDs.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that violent clashes broke out in the town after it was stormed by a large number of Israeli troops aboard military vehicles.
They added that several young men suffered from inhaling tear gas and received on-site medical treatment.
Sebastia town is exposed to raids almost on a daily basis by Israeli soldiers, who provocatively patrol its streets and archeological area.
In another incident, the IOF closed in the evening the checkpoint of Beit Furik, east of Nablus city, and halted the movement of vehicles and passengers for a while.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that soldiers at the checkpoint searched Palestinian cars and citizens, and checked and photographed their IDs.
17 oct 2016
Dozens of Palestinians have been stranded at the Rafah border-crossing after the Egyptian authorities sealed it off on Sunday evening.
The closure comes following an exceptional two-day opening.
According to Palestinian sources some 2,658 passengers gained access out of/into the border crossing on Sunday and Saturday.
Earlier on Thursday, the Egyptian authorities announced a decision to unblock the Rafah border crossing on Saturday and Sunday.
Egypt is, meanwhile, expected to open the crossing on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on October 25, 2014, leaving thousands of Gazans, mostly humanitarian cases, stranded on the Gaza-Egypt borders, and only opened it for a few days since then for travel of certain cases.
The Egyptian blockade, along with a decade-long blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on the coastal enclave, have made life horrendous in the besieged territory.
The closure comes following an exceptional two-day opening.
According to Palestinian sources some 2,658 passengers gained access out of/into the border crossing on Sunday and Saturday.
Earlier on Thursday, the Egyptian authorities announced a decision to unblock the Rafah border crossing on Saturday and Sunday.
Egypt is, meanwhile, expected to open the crossing on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on October 25, 2014, leaving thousands of Gazans, mostly humanitarian cases, stranded on the Gaza-Egypt borders, and only opened it for a few days since then for travel of certain cases.
The Egyptian blockade, along with a decade-long blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on the coastal enclave, have made life horrendous in the besieged territory.
16 oct 2016
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday night assaulted Palestinian citizens and showered them with tear gas on the main road to Azzun town, east of Qalqiliya province.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli troops closed once again the road leading to Azzun town after residents opened it recently.
They added that the soldiers obstructed the movement of citizens and vehicles on the road and at the entrance to the town.
Meanwhile, a group of Jewish settlers committed acts of bullying against Palestinian citizens on another road near Azzun town, according to eyewitnesses.
Earlier on the same day, the Israeli army reclosed the main road leading to Aqraba town, south of Nablus, a few days after locals opened it.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that Israeli bulldozers belonging to the army closed the road anew with mounds of dirt and rocks as well as concrete blocks.
The Israeli army had closed the road several months ago, but local residents managed to open it many times.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli troops closed once again the road leading to Azzun town after residents opened it recently.
They added that the soldiers obstructed the movement of citizens and vehicles on the road and at the entrance to the town.
Meanwhile, a group of Jewish settlers committed acts of bullying against Palestinian citizens on another road near Azzun town, according to eyewitnesses.
Earlier on the same day, the Israeli army reclosed the main road leading to Aqraba town, south of Nablus, a few days after locals opened it.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC that Israeli bulldozers belonging to the army closed the road anew with mounds of dirt and rocks as well as concrete blocks.
The Israeli army had closed the road several months ago, but local residents managed to open it many times.
Eight buses carrying 783 passengers left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing on Saturday after the Egyptian authorities decided to open it for two consecutive days.
The crossings and border authority in Gaza stated that 11 patients left Gaza aboard ambulances, while one of the buses was boarded by citizens holding Egyptian passports.
61 political, academic and media figures were also able to cross into Egypt to participate in a conference to be held in Cairo.
The authority noted that other citizens would be allowed to travel on Sunday through the crossing in accordance with the lists of names announced on the website of the Palestinian interior ministry.
According to the interior ministry in Gaza, the Egyptian authorities will also reopen the crossing for another four days as of next Wednesday.
25,000 Palestinians, including 4,000 patients, have registered for travel through the crossing.
The crossings and border authority in Gaza stated that 11 patients left Gaza aboard ambulances, while one of the buses was boarded by citizens holding Egyptian passports.
61 political, academic and media figures were also able to cross into Egypt to participate in a conference to be held in Cairo.
The authority noted that other citizens would be allowed to travel on Sunday through the crossing in accordance with the lists of names announced on the website of the Palestinian interior ministry.
According to the interior ministry in Gaza, the Egyptian authorities will also reopen the crossing for another four days as of next Wednesday.
25,000 Palestinians, including 4,000 patients, have registered for travel through the crossing.
The Israeli authorities have placed the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under a very strict siege, while Israeli celebrates the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
The decision was made by both the political and military branches of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The closure remains in effects from Saturday night at midnight until Monday night at midnight.
The Israeli army said that “only in rare medical emergencies that the Palestinians will be allowed to cross into Israel, or travel abroad.”
The closure also means a significant increase of military roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
The decision was made by both the political and military branches of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The closure remains in effects from Saturday night at midnight until Monday night at midnight.
The Israeli army said that “only in rare medical emergencies that the Palestinians will be allowed to cross into Israel, or travel abroad.”
The closure also means a significant increase of military roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
14 oct 2016
Head of the far left Israeli NGO B'tselem Hagi El-Ad spoke at the UN Security Council in a special session convened at the behest of the Palestinians on Friday; he called on the UN to take action immediately to end the '50 year long occupation of the Palestinian people.'
The UN Security Council held a special session at the behest of the Palestinians on the subject of the Israeli settlements. Israeli left-wing NGO B'tselem was invited by the Security Council to speak at the council condemning Israel over settlement activities.
B'tselem chairman Hagi El-Ad, used his time at the UN to attack the Israeli government’s policies, blame the government for violence against the Palestinians, “take action (against Israel), now.”
The Israeli leftist organization “Peace Now” was also invited to the session, but was unable to come, instead sending a representative from its US office. The representative said that “the values enshrined in the Israeli Declaration of Independence are in question.”
The unofficial hearing was the opening shot fired by the Palestinians to get a Security Council resolution passed against Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The session was officially convened by the countries of Malaysia, Venezuela, Senegal, and Angola after a Palestinian request. The name of the session was “Settlements as a barrier to peace and to the two state solution.”
The B'tselem CEO opened the session by thanking the UN Security Council for the opportunity to voice his organization’s positions at the UN.
“What I am about to tell you is not intended to shock you,” he began. “The occupation of Palestine is unjust – we are about to finish 50 years of occupation, and I am urging you all to take action. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, what does it mean to live practically 49 years under military rule? Living under military occupation means living under violence, violence directed at Palestinian lives from the cradle to the grave.”
“One wrong move and your rights are taken away,” El-Ad continued, speaking about the reality of living in the West Bank as a Palestinian. “Who can take checkpoints for half a century? Israel constantly enacts laws which are contrary to the Human Rights Council. Israel announced that 20 percent of West Bank land is state territory, and insists that all of these actions are legal under international law.”
“Despite the international agreements that these settlements are illegal,” El-Ad said, “the only thing which is growing are the settlements. Btzelem has been working for 27 years to document the live of the Palestinians. We are fighting against infringements on human rights. B'tselem mission is to explain to Israelis how the Palestinians live.”
“I feel it necessary to ask – how many Palestinian houses need to be demolished before action is taken? The Palestinians have the right to life and self determination. This is the time to take action. The Security Council doesn’t only have the power, but also has the obligation to take action and send a message to the world – Israel cannot occupy a population and call itself a democracy.
Israel was established based on international legitimacy. I am a citizen of that nation, it is my home, and I’ve lived my entire life with this reality, and millions of Israelis and Palestinians don’t know a different reality. We need your help – 50 years of occupation is too much. The occupation must end. The UN Security Council must act, and that time is now.”
In response, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Dannon said that the Palestinians are looking for any way they can to get out of negotiations, and are committing “diplomatic terrorism” against Israel.
“During these days when our souls are being weighed and we are praying for the unity of the Nation of Israel, it is sad and disappointing that Israeli organizations are providing moral cover for persecution against Israel at the UN. “
The UN Security Council held a special session at the behest of the Palestinians on the subject of the Israeli settlements. Israeli left-wing NGO B'tselem was invited by the Security Council to speak at the council condemning Israel over settlement activities.
B'tselem chairman Hagi El-Ad, used his time at the UN to attack the Israeli government’s policies, blame the government for violence against the Palestinians, “take action (against Israel), now.”
The Israeli leftist organization “Peace Now” was also invited to the session, but was unable to come, instead sending a representative from its US office. The representative said that “the values enshrined in the Israeli Declaration of Independence are in question.”
The unofficial hearing was the opening shot fired by the Palestinians to get a Security Council resolution passed against Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The session was officially convened by the countries of Malaysia, Venezuela, Senegal, and Angola after a Palestinian request. The name of the session was “Settlements as a barrier to peace and to the two state solution.”
The B'tselem CEO opened the session by thanking the UN Security Council for the opportunity to voice his organization’s positions at the UN.
“What I am about to tell you is not intended to shock you,” he began. “The occupation of Palestine is unjust – we are about to finish 50 years of occupation, and I am urging you all to take action. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, what does it mean to live practically 49 years under military rule? Living under military occupation means living under violence, violence directed at Palestinian lives from the cradle to the grave.”
“One wrong move and your rights are taken away,” El-Ad continued, speaking about the reality of living in the West Bank as a Palestinian. “Who can take checkpoints for half a century? Israel constantly enacts laws which are contrary to the Human Rights Council. Israel announced that 20 percent of West Bank land is state territory, and insists that all of these actions are legal under international law.”
“Despite the international agreements that these settlements are illegal,” El-Ad said, “the only thing which is growing are the settlements. Btzelem has been working for 27 years to document the live of the Palestinians. We are fighting against infringements on human rights. B'tselem mission is to explain to Israelis how the Palestinians live.”
“I feel it necessary to ask – how many Palestinian houses need to be demolished before action is taken? The Palestinians have the right to life and self determination. This is the time to take action. The Security Council doesn’t only have the power, but also has the obligation to take action and send a message to the world – Israel cannot occupy a population and call itself a democracy.
Israel was established based on international legitimacy. I am a citizen of that nation, it is my home, and I’ve lived my entire life with this reality, and millions of Israelis and Palestinians don’t know a different reality. We need your help – 50 years of occupation is too much. The occupation must end. The UN Security Council must act, and that time is now.”
In response, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Dannon said that the Palestinians are looking for any way they can to get out of negotiations, and are committing “diplomatic terrorism” against Israel.
“During these days when our souls are being weighed and we are praying for the unity of the Nation of Israel, it is sad and disappointing that Israeli organizations are providing moral cover for persecution against Israel at the UN. “
The Egyptian authorities intend to open the Rafah border crossing on Saturday and Sunday for the travel of passengers in both directions.
The crossing will be opened for these two days in order to allow the travel of people with humanitarian cases, according to the border and crossings authority in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
The names of the passengers who will cross into Egypt have been published on the website of the Palestinian interior ministry.
The Egyptian authorities also may reopen the crossing for another four days as of next Wednesday, October 19, for the same purpose, according to local newspapers in Cairo.
The Rafah crossing is closed permanently by Egypt and only opened for a few days during the year.
The crossing will be opened for these two days in order to allow the travel of people with humanitarian cases, according to the border and crossings authority in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
The names of the passengers who will cross into Egypt have been published on the website of the Palestinian interior ministry.
The Egyptian authorities also may reopen the crossing for another four days as of next Wednesday, October 19, for the same purpose, according to local newspapers in Cairo.
The Rafah crossing is closed permanently by Egypt and only opened for a few days during the year.