11 nov 2016
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday night closed the main entrance to Azzun town east of Qalqilya city, and spread in an area near the city and Hableh town.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers closed the main entrance to Azzun town with the iron barrier gate and obstructed the movement of vehicles and passengers.
They added that the soldiers selectively interrogated young men at the entrance, without making arrests, complaining that such Israeli movement restrictions happen almost on a daily basis.
Another military force was reportedly deployed along and near the road connecting Hableh town with Qalqilya city, where soldiers were seen detaining and questioning a boy for a while.
In Occupied Jerusalem, Israeli police forces earlier on the same day stormed Bab Hitta neighborhood near the Aqsa Mosque and embarked on harassing Palestinian citizens.
Local sources said that Israeli policemen and Shin Bet officers stopped some young men in the neighborhood and interrogated them before they raided homes.
The sources, however, did not state if the police arrested anyone during their campaign in the neighborhood.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers closed the main entrance to Azzun town with the iron barrier gate and obstructed the movement of vehicles and passengers.
They added that the soldiers selectively interrogated young men at the entrance, without making arrests, complaining that such Israeli movement restrictions happen almost on a daily basis.
Another military force was reportedly deployed along and near the road connecting Hableh town with Qalqilya city, where soldiers were seen detaining and questioning a boy for a while.
In Occupied Jerusalem, Israeli police forces earlier on the same day stormed Bab Hitta neighborhood near the Aqsa Mosque and embarked on harassing Palestinian citizens.
Local sources said that Israeli policemen and Shin Bet officers stopped some young men in the neighborhood and interrogated them before they raided homes.
The sources, however, did not state if the police arrested anyone during their campaign in the neighborhood.
9 nov 2016
Senior European diplomats on Tuesday demanded that Israel end its blockade on the coastal enclave of Gaza after living conditions have become appalling in the territory.
Speaking during a field visit to the Gaza Strip, European Union representative in Palestine Ralph Tarraf said the situation in Gaza has become unbearable due to the tough Israeli siege.
Tarraf called on Israel to take urgent steps so as to bring about a categorical political, security, and economic change.
“EU’s projects are not enough. The situation has become quite alarming,” said the diplomat, demanding that Israel unblock the crossings and lift the siege.
He called for securing a safe passage for international and local humanitarian institutions, including the EU bodies and member-states, into Gaza as stipulated by the international humanitarian law.
The Palestinian minister of Labour Mamoun Abu Shahla said the visit by EU diplomats to Gaza is a proof of the key position granted to the Palestinian cause on the international arena.
“We, Gazans, do not accept to remain under the siege for the rest of our lives. We believe in ourselves and our future. . . . Gaza is steadfast and will never throw in the towel,” said Abu Shahla.
A delegation of 45 European diplomats, including 36 EU consuls, toured Gaza and met with Palestinian ministers on Tuesday.
The Palestinian diplomats briefed the EU delegation on the socio-economic repercussions of the Israeli siege and the latest developments as regards reconstruction projects.
It was the first such delegation since late 2014, which took place after Israel’s summer offensive on the coastal territory.
Israel imposed a tough blockade on Gaza in 2006, in what observes dubbed the largest “open air prison” humanity has ever witnessed.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for the blockade to be lifted and Israel’s policies of collective punishment be brought to an end in the beleaguered Palestinian territories.
Israel has prevented hundreds of internationally funded and monitored projects in Gaza and continues to do so even as Gaza children grapple with dire living conditions.
Speaking during a field visit to the Gaza Strip, European Union representative in Palestine Ralph Tarraf said the situation in Gaza has become unbearable due to the tough Israeli siege.
Tarraf called on Israel to take urgent steps so as to bring about a categorical political, security, and economic change.
“EU’s projects are not enough. The situation has become quite alarming,” said the diplomat, demanding that Israel unblock the crossings and lift the siege.
He called for securing a safe passage for international and local humanitarian institutions, including the EU bodies and member-states, into Gaza as stipulated by the international humanitarian law.
The Palestinian minister of Labour Mamoun Abu Shahla said the visit by EU diplomats to Gaza is a proof of the key position granted to the Palestinian cause on the international arena.
“We, Gazans, do not accept to remain under the siege for the rest of our lives. We believe in ourselves and our future. . . . Gaza is steadfast and will never throw in the towel,” said Abu Shahla.
A delegation of 45 European diplomats, including 36 EU consuls, toured Gaza and met with Palestinian ministers on Tuesday.
The Palestinian diplomats briefed the EU delegation on the socio-economic repercussions of the Israeli siege and the latest developments as regards reconstruction projects.
It was the first such delegation since late 2014, which took place after Israel’s summer offensive on the coastal territory.
Israel imposed a tough blockade on Gaza in 2006, in what observes dubbed the largest “open air prison” humanity has ever witnessed.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for the blockade to be lifted and Israel’s policies of collective punishment be brought to an end in the beleaguered Palestinian territories.
Israel has prevented hundreds of internationally funded and monitored projects in Gaza and continues to do so even as Gaza children grapple with dire living conditions.
8 nov 2016
45 European envoys, including 36 European Union consuls, entered the blockaded Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanun border-crossing.
A PIC news correspondent said the visit is the first of its kind in terms of the number of EU delegates who reached out to the blockaded coastal territory.
The stopover involved diplomats from Sweden, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, Austria, Hungary, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.
Speaking with the PIC on Monday, International Relations Council Chief, Bassem Na’im, said the visit makes part of underway efforts to keep a close eye on the dire living and socio-economic conditions endured by the Palestinians in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Na’im hailed the projected visit, which he said falls in line with the international community’s awareness of the tragic fallout of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Na’im any reluctance as the regards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will trigger an explosion not only in the Palestinian territories but in the entire Middle East region.
He added that the European delegates are expected to meet with representatives of civil and international institutions in Gaza.
However, he denied underway arrangements for meetings with political factions.
A PIC news correspondent said the visit is the first of its kind in terms of the number of EU delegates who reached out to the blockaded coastal territory.
The stopover involved diplomats from Sweden, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, Austria, Hungary, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.
Speaking with the PIC on Monday, International Relations Council Chief, Bassem Na’im, said the visit makes part of underway efforts to keep a close eye on the dire living and socio-economic conditions endured by the Palestinians in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Na’im hailed the projected visit, which he said falls in line with the international community’s awareness of the tragic fallout of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Na’im any reluctance as the regards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will trigger an explosion not only in the Palestinian territories but in the entire Middle East region.
He added that the European delegates are expected to meet with representatives of civil and international institutions in Gaza.
However, he denied underway arrangements for meetings with political factions.
7 nov 2016
Ambassadors from 22 European states are expected to reach the blockaded Gaza Strip via the Beit Hanun (Erez) border-crossing on Tuesday.
Speaking with the PIC, International Relations Council Chief, Bassem Na’im, said the visit makes part of underway efforts to keep a close eye on the dire living and socio-economic conditions endured by the Palestinians in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Na’im hailed the projected visit, which he said falls in line with the international community’s awareness of the tragic fallout of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Na’im any reluctance as the regards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will trigger an explosion not only in the Palestinian territories but in the entire Middle East region.
Over recent years, a bundle of international and field reports sounded the alarm over the critical nosedive in Gazans’ purchasing power and living standards.
Speaking with the PIC, International Relations Council Chief, Bassem Na’im, said the visit makes part of underway efforts to keep a close eye on the dire living and socio-economic conditions endured by the Palestinians in the blockaded coastal enclave.
Na’im hailed the projected visit, which he said falls in line with the international community’s awareness of the tragic fallout of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Na’im any reluctance as the regards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will trigger an explosion not only in the Palestinian territories but in the entire Middle East region.
Over recent years, a bundle of international and field reports sounded the alarm over the critical nosedive in Gazans’ purchasing power and living standards.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Monday morning the entrances to Aqraba and Osarin villages, south of Nablus, without prior notice.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that Israeli military bulldozers escorted with Israeli forces stormed the area and closed the entrances to both villages with sand barriers without any known reasons.
The entrances to Aqraba and Osarin villages were closed for several months before being opened two weeks ago to be re-closed today by the IOF.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that Israeli military bulldozers escorted with Israeli forces stormed the area and closed the entrances to both villages with sand barriers without any known reasons.
The entrances to Aqraba and Osarin villages were closed for several months before being opened two weeks ago to be re-closed today by the IOF.
6 nov 2016
Israeli authorities postponed, for the third time, a planned temporary expansion of the besieged Gaza Strip’s fishing zone, on Sunday, claiming that Palestinian officials have not fulfilled their commitments.
An Israeli official said that the temporary expansion of the northern Gaza Strip’s fishing zone would take place once Palestinian authorities in Gaza “carry out their commitments”, which include placing a ship to observe the area, to monitor any violations.
The head of Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Yoav Mordechai, said, on his official Facebook page, that the expansion had been postponed until Sunday, but that “your representatives did not implement what was agreed on.”
It remained unclear, from the statement, as to how long the expansion would be postponed.
According to Ma’an News Agency, this marks the third time in the span of a week that Israel has decided to postpone the expansion of the fishing zone from six to nine nautical miles.
Israeli authorities had previously postponed the temporary expansion on Oct. 30, citing poor weather, and again on Thursday.
Israeli authorities had planned to expand the fishing zone off the northern Gaza coast for the duration of the month of November, with Israeli officials indicating that the extension could be effective for an additional month “if the Palestinian side maintains calmness at the maritime boundaries.”
Israel previously extended the fishing zone off Gaza’s southern coast to nine miles on April 3, before reducing it again to six miles on June 6, then re-extending the zone for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan due to an “abundance of fish” at the time.
As part of Israel’s blockade off the coastal enclave since 2007, Palestinian fishermen have been required to work within a limited “designated fishing zone.”
The exact limits of the zone are decided by the Israeli authorities and have historically fluctuated, most recently extended to six nautical miles from three, following a ceasefire agreement that ended Israel’s 2014 offensive on the Palestinian territory.
However, the fishing zone was technically set to 20 nautical miles according to the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the PA in the early 1990s.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has reported that Israeli naval forces often open fire on fishermen within these limits, putting their lives in danger on a near-daily basis.
Due to the high frequency of the attacks, live fire on fishing boats often goes unreported.
Last year Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen at least 139 times, killing three, wounding dozens, and damaging at least 16 fishing boats.
The Israeli army often says, in such circumstances, that the use of live fire is necessary to deter potential “security threats,” a policy which has, in effect, destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sectors of the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
An Israeli official said that the temporary expansion of the northern Gaza Strip’s fishing zone would take place once Palestinian authorities in Gaza “carry out their commitments”, which include placing a ship to observe the area, to monitor any violations.
The head of Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Yoav Mordechai, said, on his official Facebook page, that the expansion had been postponed until Sunday, but that “your representatives did not implement what was agreed on.”
It remained unclear, from the statement, as to how long the expansion would be postponed.
According to Ma’an News Agency, this marks the third time in the span of a week that Israel has decided to postpone the expansion of the fishing zone from six to nine nautical miles.
Israeli authorities had previously postponed the temporary expansion on Oct. 30, citing poor weather, and again on Thursday.
Israeli authorities had planned to expand the fishing zone off the northern Gaza coast for the duration of the month of November, with Israeli officials indicating that the extension could be effective for an additional month “if the Palestinian side maintains calmness at the maritime boundaries.”
Israel previously extended the fishing zone off Gaza’s southern coast to nine miles on April 3, before reducing it again to six miles on June 6, then re-extending the zone for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan due to an “abundance of fish” at the time.
As part of Israel’s blockade off the coastal enclave since 2007, Palestinian fishermen have been required to work within a limited “designated fishing zone.”
The exact limits of the zone are decided by the Israeli authorities and have historically fluctuated, most recently extended to six nautical miles from three, following a ceasefire agreement that ended Israel’s 2014 offensive on the Palestinian territory.
However, the fishing zone was technically set to 20 nautical miles according to the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the PA in the early 1990s.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has reported that Israeli naval forces often open fire on fishermen within these limits, putting their lives in danger on a near-daily basis.
Due to the high frequency of the attacks, live fire on fishing boats often goes unreported.
Last year Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen at least 139 times, killing three, wounding dozens, and damaging at least 16 fishing boats.
The Israeli army often says, in such circumstances, that the use of live fire is necessary to deter potential “security threats,” a policy which has, in effect, destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sectors of the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
Paul Garnier, ambassador of Switzerland to the Palestinian Authority (PA), arrived Sunday morning in the blockaded Gaza Strip via the Israeli-controlled Beit Hanun border-crossing.
A PIC news correspondent quoted sources from Beit Hanun crossing as stating that the Swiss diplomat Paul Garnier and his accompanying delegation entered the Gaza Strip through the Beit Hanun crossing.
No details were, however, revealed about the ambassador’s agenda and the duration of his stopover in the besieged coastal enclave.
A PIC news correspondent quoted sources from Beit Hanun crossing as stating that the Swiss diplomat Paul Garnier and his accompanying delegation entered the Gaza Strip through the Beit Hanun crossing.
No details were, however, revealed about the ambassador’s agenda and the duration of his stopover in the besieged coastal enclave.
The Israeli occupation army on Saturday evening closed four vital roads in al-Khalil province and prevented Palestinian passengers from using the road 60, which leads to towns and villages in the east.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli military force established a roadblock at the entrance to Sa’ir town and embarked on searching passing cars and passengers until late at night.
Israeli soldiers also sealed the entrance to al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, with the iron gate, and closed the main entrances to al-Samua town and Dura town.
These road closures forced the locals to take longer routes in order to reach their destinations.
According to the Hebrew media, the Israeli army closed these roads in order to use road 60 for overnight military drills.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that an Israeli military force established a roadblock at the entrance to Sa’ir town and embarked on searching passing cars and passengers until late at night.
Israeli soldiers also sealed the entrance to al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, with the iron gate, and closed the main entrances to al-Samua town and Dura town.
These road closures forced the locals to take longer routes in order to reach their destinations.
According to the Hebrew media, the Israeli army closed these roads in order to use road 60 for overnight military drills.