5 apr 2016
Israeli forces stormed the occupied West Bank districts of Bethlehem and Nablus on Tuesday, detaining at least three Palestinians as well as closing roads and a major checkpoint.
Israeli forces stormed the northern occupied West Bank village of Huwwara in the southern Nablus district and forcibly shut down all shops in the town after an Israeli settler was reportedly injured by stones thrown by local youths, local sources said.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that a rock was thrown at a passing vehicle in the area, injuring an Israeli woman, and that the Huwarra area was "prone to rock hurling attacks."
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors settlement related activities in the northern West Bank, told Ma’an that Israeli forces closed the main road between Nablus and the illegal Yitzhar settlement. He added that the Israeli forces detained two Palestinian men from Huwwara.
Witnesses also said Israeli forces closed the Huwwara checkpoint, a major checkpoint between Nablus and the central West Bank, after the incident. Israeli forces had threatened to set up checkpoints outside of Huwwara on Sunday if there were any clashes with Palestinian residents of the area.
The Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that one road near Huwarra and the checkpoint had been closed, but that it was "not necessarily connected to the rock hurling," and that checkpoints were regularly closed temporarily to "reduce crowding."
In a separate incident, Israeli forces stormed al-Duheisha refugee camp in the southern occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem shortly before midday Tuesday and detained a young Palestinian man, locals told Ma’an.
Witnesses said undercover Israeli forces entered the western part of the camp shortly before Israeli military vehicles stormed the area. They surrounded the home of Nayif Ramadan and detained his son Abdullah, 24.
The family said that Israeli soldiers searched and ransacked the house, damaging the family’s property.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports of the incident.
The raids comes after at least 21 Palestinians were detained during extensive predawn search and detention operations Tuesday, which included local Hamas leaders. Israeli forces also targeted al-Quds University early Tuesday morning, confiscating and damaging university property.
Israeli forces carry out overnight search and detention operations throughout the occupied Palestinian territory nearly every night, however, raids taking place in broad daylight are less common.
Since the beginning of 2016, Israeli forces have carried out a weekly average of 92 search and detention operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, according to The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Israeli forces stormed the northern occupied West Bank village of Huwwara in the southern Nablus district and forcibly shut down all shops in the town after an Israeli settler was reportedly injured by stones thrown by local youths, local sources said.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that a rock was thrown at a passing vehicle in the area, injuring an Israeli woman, and that the Huwarra area was "prone to rock hurling attacks."
Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian official who monitors settlement related activities in the northern West Bank, told Ma’an that Israeli forces closed the main road between Nablus and the illegal Yitzhar settlement. He added that the Israeli forces detained two Palestinian men from Huwwara.
Witnesses also said Israeli forces closed the Huwwara checkpoint, a major checkpoint between Nablus and the central West Bank, after the incident. Israeli forces had threatened to set up checkpoints outside of Huwwara on Sunday if there were any clashes with Palestinian residents of the area.
The Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that one road near Huwarra and the checkpoint had been closed, but that it was "not necessarily connected to the rock hurling," and that checkpoints were regularly closed temporarily to "reduce crowding."
In a separate incident, Israeli forces stormed al-Duheisha refugee camp in the southern occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem shortly before midday Tuesday and detained a young Palestinian man, locals told Ma’an.
Witnesses said undercover Israeli forces entered the western part of the camp shortly before Israeli military vehicles stormed the area. They surrounded the home of Nayif Ramadan and detained his son Abdullah, 24.
The family said that Israeli soldiers searched and ransacked the house, damaging the family’s property.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports of the incident.
The raids comes after at least 21 Palestinians were detained during extensive predawn search and detention operations Tuesday, which included local Hamas leaders. Israeli forces also targeted al-Quds University early Tuesday morning, confiscating and damaging university property.
Israeli forces carry out overnight search and detention operations throughout the occupied Palestinian territory nearly every night, however, raids taking place in broad daylight are less common.
Since the beginning of 2016, Israeli forces have carried out a weekly average of 92 search and detention operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, according to The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Monday sealed off large areas of Palestinian lands in Nablus at the same time as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in the city.
A PIC journalist quoted member of the Qaryout village council, in southern Nablus, Bashar al-Qaryuti, as stating that Israeli civil administration crews escorted by the occupation army sealed off large tracts of Palestinian lands in the area.
Anti-settlement activist Ghassan Dughlas said the Israeli occupation bulldozers destroyed an agricultural road leading to confiscated lands in southern Qaryout.
The occupation soldiers pitched sand barriers around the targeted lands, which reportedly cover hundreds of dunums, so as to block Palestinians’ access to the area.
In a related context, Israeli extremist settlers aggressively attacked Palestinian farmers in Ourata town, to the southeast of Nablus, while they were cultivating their lands near the Israeli illegal settlement of Elon Moreh.
Locals said at least three farmers were subjected to heavy beating and insults by the Israeli vandals.
A PIC journalist quoted member of the Qaryout village council, in southern Nablus, Bashar al-Qaryuti, as stating that Israeli civil administration crews escorted by the occupation army sealed off large tracts of Palestinian lands in the area.
Anti-settlement activist Ghassan Dughlas said the Israeli occupation bulldozers destroyed an agricultural road leading to confiscated lands in southern Qaryout.
The occupation soldiers pitched sand barriers around the targeted lands, which reportedly cover hundreds of dunums, so as to block Palestinians’ access to the area.
In a related context, Israeli extremist settlers aggressively attacked Palestinian farmers in Ourata town, to the southeast of Nablus, while they were cultivating their lands near the Israeli illegal settlement of Elon Moreh.
Locals said at least three farmers were subjected to heavy beating and insults by the Israeli vandals.
Spokesperson for the Turkey-based International Campaign to Lift the Siege on Gaza, Muhammad al-Nahari, announced Monday the inauguration of the campaign after one year and a half of intensive preparation and planning.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, al-Nahari said several activists and youth groups around the world supported the enough_siege hashtag launched on April 1.
According to al-Nahari the campaign moves along two basic axes; one related to media the other to relief work. Among its aims is to mobilize support for calls to break the Israeli siege on Gaza and to urge neighboring countries to lift the noose around Gazans’ neck.
He said the inauguration of the campaign will be broadcast by over 17 TV channels. The activist added that the campaign will keep going until all of its objectives come true regardless of the state of turmoil rocking the region.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, al-Nahari said several activists and youth groups around the world supported the enough_siege hashtag launched on April 1.
According to al-Nahari the campaign moves along two basic axes; one related to media the other to relief work. Among its aims is to mobilize support for calls to break the Israeli siege on Gaza and to urge neighboring countries to lift the noose around Gazans’ neck.
He said the inauguration of the campaign will be broadcast by over 17 TV channels. The activist added that the campaign will keep going until all of its objectives come true regardless of the state of turmoil rocking the region.
4 apr 2016
The construction of over 50 schools in Gaza has been blocked due to the tough Israeli siege, Assistant Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Education, Anwar al-Bar’awi said Sunday.
Al-Bar’awi raised alarm bells over the need to construct more schools in the blockaded Gaza Strip due to overcrowding. He said serious efforts have been underway to maximize pupils’ academic output, improve assessment strategies, and develop pedagogical policies.
The official also said the ministry initiated several projects to improve the learners’ reading and writing skills from the first to the sixth grade.
He further announced the launch of the “Active School” project based on team work and aimed at boosting the spirit of cooperation and partnership among the learners.
A so-called “the School Is the Nucleus of Community” is also expected to be launched sometime soon with clubs and workshops aimed at entrenching communal values.
Al-Bar’awi raised alarm bells over the need to construct more schools in the blockaded Gaza Strip due to overcrowding. He said serious efforts have been underway to maximize pupils’ academic output, improve assessment strategies, and develop pedagogical policies.
The official also said the ministry initiated several projects to improve the learners’ reading and writing skills from the first to the sixth grade.
He further announced the launch of the “Active School” project based on team work and aimed at boosting the spirit of cooperation and partnership among the learners.
A so-called “the School Is the Nucleus of Community” is also expected to be launched sometime soon with clubs and workshops aimed at entrenching communal values.
3 apr 2016
Palestinian fishermen on Sunday afternoon set sail within nine nautical miles at Gaza sea following an Israeli decision to extend the fishing zone off some parts of the Gaza Strip coast.
Soon as the decision took effect, Gaza fishermen were able to set sail for nine nautical miles from central Wadi Gaza to Rafah southward.
Spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture Fayez al-Sheikh expressed hope that the fishing season would go for the better and that the Israeli occupation would keep to its promises.
Fisherman Mahdi Bakr said for the first time in several years Gaza fishermen are able to sail within nine nautical miles perimeter.
As part of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave since 2007, Palestinian fishermen have been forced to work within a limited six-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza coast.
Soon as the decision took effect, Gaza fishermen were able to set sail for nine nautical miles from central Wadi Gaza to Rafah southward.
Spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture Fayez al-Sheikh expressed hope that the fishing season would go for the better and that the Israeli occupation would keep to its promises.
Fisherman Mahdi Bakr said for the first time in several years Gaza fishermen are able to sail within nine nautical miles perimeter.
As part of Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave since 2007, Palestinian fishermen have been forced to work within a limited six-nautical-mile fishing zone off Gaza coast.
Israeli soldiers on Saturday evening stole a sum of money from a Palestinian civilian at a military makeshift checkpoint located southwest of Jenin city.
According to WAFA news agency, soldiers intercepted Rami Abu Ghalyoun, a resident of al-Bireh city, at a roadblock near the intersection of Arraba town and stole 1,800 shekels from him.
Abu Ghalyoun lodged an official complaint about the incident with the Palestinian Authority security liaison office after he arrived in Jenin.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on the same day a Palestinian young man at the entrance to Yabad town, also south of Jenin.
His identity is still unknown. IOF soldiers also set up a roadblock at the entrance to Yabad town and clashed with local young men. Local sources said that several young men suffered from inhaling tear gas during the clashes with the invading troops.
According to WAFA news agency, soldiers intercepted Rami Abu Ghalyoun, a resident of al-Bireh city, at a roadblock near the intersection of Arraba town and stole 1,800 shekels from him.
Abu Ghalyoun lodged an official complaint about the incident with the Palestinian Authority security liaison office after he arrived in Jenin.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnapped on the same day a Palestinian young man at the entrance to Yabad town, also south of Jenin.
His identity is still unknown. IOF soldiers also set up a roadblock at the entrance to Yabad town and clashed with local young men. Local sources said that several young men suffered from inhaling tear gas during the clashes with the invading troops.
Palestinian and Arab users of Twitter launched on Friday an international campaign on social media networks calling for ending the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza Strip.
The activists of the campaign under the hashtag #enough_siege which got a large-scale support by users of Facebook and Twitter demanded the opening of Rafah border crossing and ending the siege which has been imposed on Gaza by Israeli authorities for ten years.
Over 54,000 tweets which reached 25.7 million followers focused on the disastrous implications of the Israeli siege. The hashtag reached an international trend including Arab and foreign countries.
Arab countries included Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Morocco, and Algeria, while, foreign countries included France, Iran, USA, England, Indonesia and Malaysia. Most of the Tweets were from Palestine.
Ezzat al-Resheq, member of Hamas political bureau, said that besieging about two millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is “the crime of the age”. He called on the free people of the world to exert urgent efforts to end this crime.
The activists of the campaign under the hashtag #enough_siege which got a large-scale support by users of Facebook and Twitter demanded the opening of Rafah border crossing and ending the siege which has been imposed on Gaza by Israeli authorities for ten years.
Over 54,000 tweets which reached 25.7 million followers focused on the disastrous implications of the Israeli siege. The hashtag reached an international trend including Arab and foreign countries.
Arab countries included Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Morocco, and Algeria, while, foreign countries included France, Iran, USA, England, Indonesia and Malaysia. Most of the Tweets were from Palestine.
Ezzat al-Resheq, member of Hamas political bureau, said that besieging about two millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is “the crime of the age”. He called on the free people of the world to exert urgent efforts to end this crime.
Raed Fattouh, chairman of the coordination committee for the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip, said on Friday that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) suddenly stopped the entry of cement into the besieged Gaza enclave starting from Sunday.
Fattouh told Anadolu agency that the Israeli decision does not include the cement used in the reconstruction projects implemented by Qatar and UNRWA.
The undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Economy in Gaza Hatem Uwaida said that the ministry monitors the qualities and quantities of commodities that enter the Gaza Strip including cement in order to maintain reasonable prices.
For his part, Mohammad Abu Jabbah, one of the big importers of cement into the Gaza Strip, said that the IOA limited the quantities of cement entered daily into the Strip from 5400 to 1800 tons, according to Quds Press.
MP Jamal al-Khudari, chairman of the popular committee against the siege, said that the Israeli decision is very dangerous because it means that hundreds of construction projects will be stopped and the reconstruction process would be hindered.
Israel waged an aggression on the Gaza Strip on July 07, 2014 that led to the martyrdom of 2320 Palestinians and entire demolition of 12,000 homes. The number of partially demolished houses reached 160,000 including 6600 uninhabitable units.
Fattouh told Anadolu agency that the Israeli decision does not include the cement used in the reconstruction projects implemented by Qatar and UNRWA.
The undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Economy in Gaza Hatem Uwaida said that the ministry monitors the qualities and quantities of commodities that enter the Gaza Strip including cement in order to maintain reasonable prices.
For his part, Mohammad Abu Jabbah, one of the big importers of cement into the Gaza Strip, said that the IOA limited the quantities of cement entered daily into the Strip from 5400 to 1800 tons, according to Quds Press.
MP Jamal al-Khudari, chairman of the popular committee against the siege, said that the Israeli decision is very dangerous because it means that hundreds of construction projects will be stopped and the reconstruction process would be hindered.
Israel waged an aggression on the Gaza Strip on July 07, 2014 that led to the martyrdom of 2320 Palestinians and entire demolition of 12,000 homes. The number of partially demolished houses reached 160,000 including 6600 uninhabitable units.
Robert Piper, the UN's coordinator for humanitarian aid in the occupied Palestinian territories urged Israel to restore Palestinians’ right to free movement and to ease restrictions on the besieged enclave of Gaza.
“As many of us join this celebratory event, we remain acutely aware of the many barriers to freedom of movement faced by Palestinians every day,” Piper said during the annual marathon hosted by the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem.
“I am sorry to hear that Gazan runners, including last year’s marathon winner Nader al Masri, have not been granted permits by the Israeli occupation authorities to participate in today’s event for example,” he said.
The UN statement highlighted the extensive movement restrictions faced by Palestinians, which it said “permeate almost all facets of everyday life and continue to separate Palestinians and fragment the territory.”
It pointed in particular to Israel’s separation wall, checkpoints, roadblocks, as well as Israel’s use of travel permits and the closures of entire areas, while it condemned Israel’s crippling eight-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.
“As many of us join this celebratory event, we remain acutely aware of the many barriers to freedom of movement faced by Palestinians every day,” Piper said during the annual marathon hosted by the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem.
“I am sorry to hear that Gazan runners, including last year’s marathon winner Nader al Masri, have not been granted permits by the Israeli occupation authorities to participate in today’s event for example,” he said.
The UN statement highlighted the extensive movement restrictions faced by Palestinians, which it said “permeate almost all facets of everyday life and continue to separate Palestinians and fragment the territory.”
It pointed in particular to Israel’s separation wall, checkpoints, roadblocks, as well as Israel’s use of travel permits and the closures of entire areas, while it condemned Israel’s crippling eight-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.
2 apr 2016
Israeli authorities say that the Palestinian Olympic Committee submitted the names of the Gazan runners late, leaving insufficient time for COGAT to prepare permits; COGAT says, 'Palestinian officials are being provocative'
4,300 runners competed in the fourth annual Palestine Marathon on Friday in Bethlehem.
Despite the festive atmosphere, the event was not free of political tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. 102 Gazans requested permission to participate in the race including Nader Al-Masri, who represented the Palestinians at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and won the Palestine Marathon last year.
The Palestinian Olympic Committee submitted the names of the Gazan runners to the PA Civil Affairs Ministry two weeks before the race. And the Civil Affairs Ministry only sent the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the names a week before the race, leaving insufficient time for Israeli authorities to prepare permits for the Gazan runners.
COGAT sources said, "Palestinian officials are being provocative and trying to delegitimize Israel. The request was submitted with insufficient time for us to handle it." COGAT also accused the Palestinians of repeatedly exploiting sport for political gain.
Gisha, an Israeli NGO, demanded that Israel review its cumbersome bureaucratic processes that lead to inability of the Gazan runners to participate in the marathon.
4,300 runners competed in the fourth annual Palestine Marathon on Friday in Bethlehem.
Despite the festive atmosphere, the event was not free of political tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. 102 Gazans requested permission to participate in the race including Nader Al-Masri, who represented the Palestinians at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and won the Palestine Marathon last year.
The Palestinian Olympic Committee submitted the names of the Gazan runners to the PA Civil Affairs Ministry two weeks before the race. And the Civil Affairs Ministry only sent the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the names a week before the race, leaving insufficient time for Israeli authorities to prepare permits for the Gazan runners.
COGAT sources said, "Palestinian officials are being provocative and trying to delegitimize Israel. The request was submitted with insufficient time for us to handle it." COGAT also accused the Palestinians of repeatedly exploiting sport for political gain.
Gisha, an Israeli NGO, demanded that Israel review its cumbersome bureaucratic processes that lead to inability of the Gazan runners to participate in the marathon.
31 mar 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Thursday fenced Palestinian agricultural lands in Shoufeh village in southern Tulkarem with barbed wires.
The forces separated the lands from each other and barred their owners from accessing them claiming that it is a measure to prevent stone throwing at Israeli vehicles.
Saqer Othman, an inhabitant of the village, told Quds Press that the lands fenced by Israeli forces contain planted greenhouses. Israeli forces prevented Othman from accessing his greenhouses.
Othman pointed out that the IOF soldiers fenced over 300 meters of the land which will negatively affect the inhabitants of the village.
The forces separated the lands from each other and barred their owners from accessing them claiming that it is a measure to prevent stone throwing at Israeli vehicles.
Saqer Othman, an inhabitant of the village, told Quds Press that the lands fenced by Israeli forces contain planted greenhouses. Israeli forces prevented Othman from accessing his greenhouses.
Othman pointed out that the IOF soldiers fenced over 300 meters of the land which will negatively affect the inhabitants of the village.
30 mar 2016
Al-Mizan Center for Human Rights accused the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) of seriously threatening the Gazan patients' lives by preventing them from traveling for treatment and by arresting some of them at Beit Hanon- Erez crossing.
The official in the Department of field research at the center, Samir Zaqout, said that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) had arrested eight patients from the Gaza Strip at the Erez crossing in northern Gaza Strip since the beginning of this year 2016.
Zaqout told Quds Press that the IOF had arrested on Monday patient Mohamed Kamel Abu Oudeh, 34, from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, while he was on his way for treatment in a hospital in the West Bank.
He pointed out that the arrest of Oudeh is the second case of arrest of patients in less than a week, as the patient Hani Salim, 40, was arrested last Thursday, in the same way.
The Palestinian researcher charged that the arrest of patients “exploits the Gazan patients' need to cross Erez crossing in order to arrest or blackmail them", he described arresting patients through the crossing as "arbitrary."
Al-Mizan Center asserted that what the Israeli occupation authorities do against patients comes in the context of "gross and systematic violations" of the rules of international humanitarian law, especially in light of the continuation of the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than eight years.
He called on the international community to put pressure on the IOA to compel it to respect the international law, to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and to ensure the freedom of movement of people and goods.
The IOF arrested 44 Palestinians, including four patients and 30 merchants at the Beit Hanon- Erez crossing over the past year 2015.
The official in the Department of field research at the center, Samir Zaqout, said that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) had arrested eight patients from the Gaza Strip at the Erez crossing in northern Gaza Strip since the beginning of this year 2016.
Zaqout told Quds Press that the IOF had arrested on Monday patient Mohamed Kamel Abu Oudeh, 34, from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, while he was on his way for treatment in a hospital in the West Bank.
He pointed out that the arrest of Oudeh is the second case of arrest of patients in less than a week, as the patient Hani Salim, 40, was arrested last Thursday, in the same way.
The Palestinian researcher charged that the arrest of patients “exploits the Gazan patients' need to cross Erez crossing in order to arrest or blackmail them", he described arresting patients through the crossing as "arbitrary."
Al-Mizan Center asserted that what the Israeli occupation authorities do against patients comes in the context of "gross and systematic violations" of the rules of international humanitarian law, especially in light of the continuation of the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than eight years.
He called on the international community to put pressure on the IOA to compel it to respect the international law, to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, and to ensure the freedom of movement of people and goods.
The IOF arrested 44 Palestinians, including four patients and 30 merchants at the Beit Hanon- Erez crossing over the past year 2015.
27 mar 2016
An Israeli soldier suffered injuries during clashes on Saturday with Palestinian young men in Kafr Qaddum town, east of Qalqiliya.
The Hebrew website Walla said that the soldiers was injured when angry local young men hurled stones at invading troops in Kafr Qaddum town.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed on the same day the checkpoint of Beit Furik town, east of Nablus, which caused traffic jams on the roads leading to it. In addition, the IOF closed the southern entrance to Nahalin town, which leads to al-Jab'a town.
Local sources said the closure of Nahalin's entrance with an iron gate prevented local residents from moving between the two towns. In Occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli police kidnapped a young man in Hazma town, northeast of the holy city, and another one during a campaign in Bab al-Maghariba neighborhood, southwest of the Aqsa Mosque.
The police also set up a roadblock at the main entrance to Hazma town, where they intercepted cars and maltreated passengers.
The Hebrew website Walla said that the soldiers was injured when angry local young men hurled stones at invading troops in Kafr Qaddum town.
In a separate incident, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed on the same day the checkpoint of Beit Furik town, east of Nablus, which caused traffic jams on the roads leading to it. In addition, the IOF closed the southern entrance to Nahalin town, which leads to al-Jab'a town.
Local sources said the closure of Nahalin's entrance with an iron gate prevented local residents from moving between the two towns. In Occupied Jerusalem, the Israeli police kidnapped a young man in Hazma town, northeast of the holy city, and another one during a campaign in Bab al-Maghariba neighborhood, southwest of the Aqsa Mosque.
The police also set up a roadblock at the main entrance to Hazma town, where they intercepted cars and maltreated passengers.
26 mar 2016
Israeli forces detained a Palestinian Thursday at the Erez crossing as he was attempting to leave the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel, it was revealed Saturday.
A human rights lawyer told Ma’an that Sharab is the fifth case of a Palestinian patient being detained at the crossing since the start of the year.
Palestinians detained at Erez are often interrogated for several hours, sometimes for days, before they are either allowed into Israel or sent back to Gaza.
Erez is the only land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and travel is heavily restricted by Israeli authorities as part of a crippling blockade on the coastal enclave in place since Hamas took power in 2007.
As part of the siege, Israel limits medical equipment allowed into the Gaza Strip and restricts travel for doctors seeking further medical training and specialization.
According to rights group B’Tselem, “One outcome of this situation is a harsh reality in which many patients need medical treatment that can only be provided outside the Gaza Strip.... (and others) have no choice but to go without care, including people suffering from severe orthopedic problems, hearing and visual impairment and other grave illnesses.”
The UN has warned that unless current trends in the Gaza Strip are altered, the coastal enclave could become uninhabitable for residents in just five years.
"The social, health and security-related ramifications of the high population density and overcrowding are among the factors that may render Gaza unlivable by 2020," the UN's development agency said last year.
A human rights lawyer told Ma’an that Sharab is the fifth case of a Palestinian patient being detained at the crossing since the start of the year.
Palestinians detained at Erez are often interrogated for several hours, sometimes for days, before they are either allowed into Israel or sent back to Gaza.
Erez is the only land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and travel is heavily restricted by Israeli authorities as part of a crippling blockade on the coastal enclave in place since Hamas took power in 2007.
As part of the siege, Israel limits medical equipment allowed into the Gaza Strip and restricts travel for doctors seeking further medical training and specialization.
According to rights group B’Tselem, “One outcome of this situation is a harsh reality in which many patients need medical treatment that can only be provided outside the Gaza Strip.... (and others) have no choice but to go without care, including people suffering from severe orthopedic problems, hearing and visual impairment and other grave illnesses.”
The UN has warned that unless current trends in the Gaza Strip are altered, the coastal enclave could become uninhabitable for residents in just five years.
"The social, health and security-related ramifications of the high population density and overcrowding are among the factors that may render Gaza unlivable by 2020," the UN's development agency said last year.
22 mar 2016
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed that the Israeli army had embarked on building a 9-meter-high concrete wall in the Galilee along the border with Lebanon.
The Israeli newspaper quoted an Israeli military source on Tuesday as saying that there are ongoing engineering efforts to enhance security in the northern areas including erecting cement walls as well as military checkpoints.
The Israeli army has recently started to build a series of obstacles and to put high cement blocks along the Lebanon border. It also reduced the number of its forces in patrols along the borders.
The Israeli security measures came in the wake of the escalation of tension between Israel and Hezbollah party on the issue of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Samir al-Qentar at the end of last year in Syria.
Israeli forces are planning to establish a network of walls along the borders with Jordan and Egypt as well as the border with Gaza in addition to the current Separation Wall in the West Bank and Jerusalem due to their fear of fighters who may sneak into 1948 Occupied Palestine to conduct anti-occupation attacks.
The Israeli newspaper quoted an Israeli military source on Tuesday as saying that there are ongoing engineering efforts to enhance security in the northern areas including erecting cement walls as well as military checkpoints.
The Israeli army has recently started to build a series of obstacles and to put high cement blocks along the Lebanon border. It also reduced the number of its forces in patrols along the borders.
The Israeli security measures came in the wake of the escalation of tension between Israel and Hezbollah party on the issue of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Samir al-Qentar at the end of last year in Syria.
Israeli forces are planning to establish a network of walls along the borders with Jordan and Egypt as well as the border with Gaza in addition to the current Separation Wall in the West Bank and Jerusalem due to their fear of fighters who may sneak into 1948 Occupied Palestine to conduct anti-occupation attacks.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) said it would impose a complete closure on the West Bank starting from Tuesday evening until next Thursday at the pretext of securing Jewish celebrations.
The Palestinian Authority liaison office said on Monday that the closure would include the crossings leading to the 1948 occupied lands.
The liaison office noted that Eyal crossing would remain open only for the travel of people with humanitarian cases.
The Palestinian Authority liaison office said on Monday that the closure would include the crossings leading to the 1948 occupied lands.
The liaison office noted that Eyal crossing would remain open only for the travel of people with humanitarian cases.
21 mar 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued closing main as well as bypass roads in Salfit governorate.
The main entrance to Salfit city as well as the main southern entrance of Kafr Haris town are still closed in addition to some of the agricultural roads in the area.
The inhabitants of Salfit have to take alternative long roads in order to move in and out of the area. The Israeli occupation authorities claimed security purposes for the closure as well as for erecting more military checkpoints.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the Israeli soldiers were intensively deployed at the junction of Ariel settlement which is established on Salfit lands.
The main entrance to Salfit city as well as the main southern entrance of Kafr Haris town are still closed in addition to some of the agricultural roads in the area.
The inhabitants of Salfit have to take alternative long roads in order to move in and out of the area. The Israeli occupation authorities claimed security purposes for the closure as well as for erecting more military checkpoints.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the Israeli soldiers were intensively deployed at the junction of Ariel settlement which is established on Salfit lands.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have recently erected mobile military watchtowers along the security fence to the east of the Gaza Strip.
According to Quds Press, the new military watchtowers are located along the border that separates Gaza from 1948 Occupied Palestine. One of watchtowers is close to Karni crossing.
Palestinian witnesses revealed that Israeli soldiers who are stationed at one of those watchtowers used it to shoot at Palestinian youths and injured three of them last Friday.
According to Quds Press, the new military watchtowers are located along the border that separates Gaza from 1948 Occupied Palestine. One of watchtowers is close to Karni crossing.
Palestinian witnesses revealed that Israeli soldiers who are stationed at one of those watchtowers used it to shoot at Palestinian youths and injured three of them last Friday.
20 mar 2016
The Israeli occupation army on Sunday continued its siege on Beit Fajjar town, northeast of al-Khalil city, for the fourth consecutive day.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed in the morning all entrances to Beit Fajjar town and prevented its residents from entering or leaving it as a punitive measure.
The military cordon on the town started after two local young men named Ali Thwabteh and Ali Taqatqa carried out a stabbing attack in Ariel settlement near Salfit. Both of them were killed on site.
The Palestinian Red Crescent, for its part, said the Israeli side would hand over the bodies of Thawabteh and Taqateqa to their families soon.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed in the morning all entrances to Beit Fajjar town and prevented its residents from entering or leaving it as a punitive measure.
The military cordon on the town started after two local young men named Ali Thwabteh and Ali Taqatqa carried out a stabbing attack in Ariel settlement near Salfit. Both of them were killed on site.
The Palestinian Red Crescent, for its part, said the Israeli side would hand over the bodies of Thawabteh and Taqateqa to their families soon.
Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) barred last week 34 Palestinians from travel outside of Palestinian territories via al-Karama crossing, the only pathway for Palestinians to the outside world through Jordan.
Palestinian police revealed in a press statement on Sunday that Israeli occupation last week prevented the travel of the 34 Palestinians for unreleased security reasons.
A slight increase on the number of Palestinians banned of travel last week was recorded in comparison to the previous week when 32 Palestinians were denied their right of travel, the statement added.
Over 28,000 Palestinians used al-Karama crossing last week either to leave or to visit the Palestinian territories, Palestinian police pointed out.
Palestinian police revealed in a press statement on Sunday that Israeli occupation last week prevented the travel of the 34 Palestinians for unreleased security reasons.
A slight increase on the number of Palestinians banned of travel last week was recorded in comparison to the previous week when 32 Palestinians were denied their right of travel, the statement added.
Over 28,000 Palestinians used al-Karama crossing last week either to leave or to visit the Palestinian territories, Palestinian police pointed out.
19 mar 2016
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed on Saturday morning al-Fahes gate south of al-Khalil and erected a checkpoint at the entrance to Seir town north of the city.
The Israeli forces prevented people’s movement in both directions south of the Old City after closing al-Fahes gate with concrete blocks, declaring the area a closed military zone.
The Israeli restrictions came shortly after an IOF soldier was seriously injured in an alleged stabbing attack at Abu Rish checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
On the other hand, the Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to Seir town north of al-Khalil. Palestinian vehicles were stopped and searched at the checkpoint, causing a traffic jam.
Meanwhile, the IOF closed the main entrance to Salfit under flimsy security pretexts, forcing the residents to take long detours.
The Israeli forces prevented people’s movement in both directions south of the Old City after closing al-Fahes gate with concrete blocks, declaring the area a closed military zone.
The Israeli restrictions came shortly after an IOF soldier was seriously injured in an alleged stabbing attack at Abu Rish checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
On the other hand, the Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to Seir town north of al-Khalil. Palestinian vehicles were stopped and searched at the checkpoint, causing a traffic jam.
Meanwhile, the IOF closed the main entrance to Salfit under flimsy security pretexts, forcing the residents to take long detours.
18 mar 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Thursday evening embarked on placing blocks of the Separation Wall on the land of Yabad town in southern Jenin.
President of Yabad municipality, Samer Abu Baker, said in a statement that Israeli forces started separating the lands of the town by a two-meter-long wall along the main road of the town.
The inhabitants of Yabad are worried of the Israeli intention to confiscate their land plots and prevent them from accessing their fields especially those located near Mabo Dothan settlement which is established by force over their lands, Abu Baker pointed out.
President of Yabad municipality, Samer Abu Baker, said in a statement that Israeli forces started separating the lands of the town by a two-meter-long wall along the main road of the town.
The inhabitants of Yabad are worried of the Israeli intention to confiscate their land plots and prevent them from accessing their fields especially those located near Mabo Dothan settlement which is established by force over their lands, Abu Baker pointed out.
