31 dec 2017
Director of Gaza hospitals Abdul-Latif al-Hajj has warned that the health situation in Gaza is going to deteriorate further due to depleting medical supplies and the failure to pay for cleaning and catering services in hospitals.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), Hajj stated that the warehouses of the health ministry hospitals in Gaza are 47 percent short of basic medicines, describing the scarcities in medicinal supplies as burdensome for doctors and families of patients.
He also held the Ramallah-based government responsible for the failure of the health ministry in Gaza to pay its contractors who employ cleaners and other service-providers at hospitals.
He said that after the consensus government took over the ministries in Gaza, the health situation, in particular, started to decline significantly, stressing that Gaza needs permanent solutions to all problems faced by the health sector.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), Hajj stated that the warehouses of the health ministry hospitals in Gaza are 47 percent short of basic medicines, describing the scarcities in medicinal supplies as burdensome for doctors and families of patients.
He also held the Ramallah-based government responsible for the failure of the health ministry in Gaza to pay its contractors who employ cleaners and other service-providers at hospitals.
He said that after the consensus government took over the ministries in Gaza, the health situation, in particular, started to decline significantly, stressing that Gaza needs permanent solutions to all problems faced by the health sector.
27 dec 2017
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, Silwan town, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem, and conducted violent searches of homes, before abducting at least thirteen Palestinians, including children, and demolished two buildings.
Media sources in Silwan said the soldiers stormed and ransacked dozens of homes in the town, and abducted thirteen Palestinians, in addition to summing many others for interrogation.
The invasion was carried out by dozens of soldiers and police officers, who also installed roadblocks in many neighborhoods, in addition to closing several roads with concrete blocks.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic), identified the abducted Palestinians as:
In addition, the army demolished a commercial building, and a barn in the town, allegedly for being constructed without permits.
The army also handed several demolition orders targeting many homes and buildings, in Silwan.
Silwanic said the soldiers violently invaded many stores, causing excessive damage, and confiscated goods and supplies, in addition to smashing the door of a store, selling propane gas, and confiscated propane gas barrels.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded a shop, and confiscated a fridge, in addition to confiscating a car in the town.
The soldiers also invaded a Restaurant in Silwan, and confiscated seven propane gas barrels, in addition to forcing a man to smash the door of his scarp shop, before invading it.
Media sources in Silwan said the soldiers stormed and ransacked dozens of homes in the town, and abducted thirteen Palestinians, in addition to summing many others for interrogation.
The invasion was carried out by dozens of soldiers and police officers, who also installed roadblocks in many neighborhoods, in addition to closing several roads with concrete blocks.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic), identified the abducted Palestinians as:
- Mohammad Sarhan, 14.
- Mo’men al-Abbassi.
- Mofeed Mohammad al-Abbassi.
- Fuad al-Qaaq, 20.
- Odai Samer Abu Tayeh, 20.
- Mohammad Zidani.
- Amjad Shweiki, 43.
- Mohannad al-Qawasmi, 24.
- Mohammad Shiokhi.
- Karim Shiokhi.
- Bassel Hamza Shalloudi, 17.
- Hamada Odeh.
- Mohammad Mousa al-Abbassi, 20.
In addition, the army demolished a commercial building, and a barn in the town, allegedly for being constructed without permits.
The army also handed several demolition orders targeting many homes and buildings, in Silwan.
Silwanic said the soldiers violently invaded many stores, causing excessive damage, and confiscated goods and supplies, in addition to smashing the door of a store, selling propane gas, and confiscated propane gas barrels.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded a shop, and confiscated a fridge, in addition to confiscating a car in the town.
The soldiers also invaded a Restaurant in Silwan, and confiscated seven propane gas barrels, in addition to forcing a man to smash the door of his scarp shop, before invading it.
26 dec 2017
Director of the Laboratories and Blood Banks Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Shahda Barhoum, sounded the alarm over the acute shortage in Gaza’s vital laboratory testing materials, saying the situation is very likely to take a turn for the worse by next year.
Barhoum said much-needed blood gas testing services might go out of operation as a result of the shortage.
Others tests needed in the pre-transfusion phases, including Hepatitis C and B tests, along with HIV analysis, also risk to be suspended in the enclave.
For his part, director of the Department of Central Laboratories, Husam Qweidar, said Gaza’s labs have run out of basic items needed for medical diagnosis and follow-up.
He warned of an imminent crisis in phenylketonuria (PKU) test, which is done to check whether a newborn baby has the enzyme needed to use phenylalanine in his or her body.
Materials to conduct other life-saving tests, namely thyroid and organ transplantation, are also very likely to go scarce in the near future.
Qweidar warned that the absence of such vital tests for newborns might lead to mental retardation and general learning disability.
383 laboratory materials out of 657 types have gone out of stock. 274 ore types are expected to reach a stockout in no more than three months.
Barhoum said much-needed blood gas testing services might go out of operation as a result of the shortage.
Others tests needed in the pre-transfusion phases, including Hepatitis C and B tests, along with HIV analysis, also risk to be suspended in the enclave.
For his part, director of the Department of Central Laboratories, Husam Qweidar, said Gaza’s labs have run out of basic items needed for medical diagnosis and follow-up.
He warned of an imminent crisis in phenylketonuria (PKU) test, which is done to check whether a newborn baby has the enzyme needed to use phenylalanine in his or her body.
Materials to conduct other life-saving tests, namely thyroid and organ transplantation, are also very likely to go scarce in the near future.
Qweidar warned that the absence of such vital tests for newborns might lead to mental retardation and general learning disability.
383 laboratory materials out of 657 types have gone out of stock. 274 ore types are expected to reach a stockout in no more than three months.
22 dec 2017
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday evening closed the main roads of Ya’bad town in Jenin and Salfit city and prevented Palestinian vehicles from using them.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) Israeli troops brought a bulldozer and blocked the main road to Ya’bad town with mounds of dirt and rocks, claiming that the road was closed under a military order.
Other sources told the PIC that the IOF closed on the same day the main entrance to Salfit city in the central West Bank and barred the movement of vehicles on both sides of the road.
The Israeli army closes West Bank roads almost on a daily basis, citing different security reasons.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) Israeli troops brought a bulldozer and blocked the main road to Ya’bad town with mounds of dirt and rocks, claiming that the road was closed under a military order.
Other sources told the PIC that the IOF closed on the same day the main entrance to Salfit city in the central West Bank and barred the movement of vehicles on both sides of the road.
The Israeli army closes West Bank roads almost on a daily basis, citing different security reasons.
The Israeli occupation forces have tightened security measures near the main entrances to Palestinian towns and villages in the occupied West Bank in an attempt to quell projected pro-Jerusalem protests.
A series of checkpoints has been set up by the Israeli army at main thoroughfares and crossroads in an attempt to block free movement across the occupied West Bank.
The occupation forces also propped up supervision measures and equipment at flashpoints along Gaza’s border fence.
At the same time, Hamas Movement has called for a mass participation in the third Friday of anger, to be staged in response to the U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
A series of checkpoints has been set up by the Israeli army at main thoroughfares and crossroads in an attempt to block free movement across the occupied West Bank.
The occupation forces also propped up supervision measures and equipment at flashpoints along Gaza’s border fence.
At the same time, Hamas Movement has called for a mass participation in the third Friday of anger, to be staged in response to the U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
16 dec 2017
The Gaza-based Palestinian Ministry of Interior said 529 Palestinians had left the Gaza Strip to Egypt through the Rafah crossing on Saturday.
Ten buses carrying 529 passengers passed through Rafah crossing point after the Egyptian authorities unblocked the passageway for a two-way opening for four days.
Among those who crossed the passageway were 317 students, 25 sick passengers and their companions, along with a dead citizen in an ambulance car.
The Palestinian Ministry of Interior urged registered passengers to flock to Abu Yousef al-Najar terminal in Khan Younis pending their transfer.
The Egyptian authorities have kept Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s sole passageway, shut down since March. Since the start of 2017, the crossing has been opened for 18 days only, leaving thousands of Gazans, including hundreds of sick civilians and humanitarian cases, stranded.
Ten buses carrying 529 passengers passed through Rafah crossing point after the Egyptian authorities unblocked the passageway for a two-way opening for four days.
Among those who crossed the passageway were 317 students, 25 sick passengers and their companions, along with a dead citizen in an ambulance car.
The Palestinian Ministry of Interior urged registered passengers to flock to Abu Yousef al-Najar terminal in Khan Younis pending their transfer.
The Egyptian authorities have kept Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s sole passageway, shut down since March. Since the start of 2017, the crossing has been opened for 18 days only, leaving thousands of Gazans, including hundreds of sick civilians and humanitarian cases, stranded.
The Egyptian authorities on Saturday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in both directions for the travel of Palestinian passengers.
In a press release, the crossings and border authority in Gaza said that the Egyptian authorities decided to open the Rafah crossing for four days for the movement of Palestinian passengers from both sides.
Earlier, the interior ministry in Gaza published a list of the passengers who would be allowed to leave Gaza through the crossing.
This is considered the second time the Rafah crossing is opened after the Palestinian consensus government assumed responsibility for the crossing last November.
In a press release, the crossings and border authority in Gaza said that the Egyptian authorities decided to open the Rafah crossing for four days for the movement of Palestinian passengers from both sides.
Earlier, the interior ministry in Gaza published a list of the passengers who would be allowed to leave Gaza through the crossing.
This is considered the second time the Rafah crossing is opened after the Palestinian consensus government assumed responsibility for the crossing last November.
14 dec 2017
The Palestinian border and crossings authority declared Thursday evening that the Rafah crossing will be open in both directions for three days early next week.
According to WAFA news agency, head of the body Nathmi Mhana affirmed that “the Egyptian side has informed its Palestinian counterpart that the crossing will be opened Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, on both sides.”
Egyptian authorities had earlier declared intention to open the crossing on Nov. 25, however; the mass killing in al-Rawda mosque last month prevented the opening.
Over 2017, the Rafah crossing was opened only for 17 days under security pretexts.
According to WAFA news agency, head of the body Nathmi Mhana affirmed that “the Egyptian side has informed its Palestinian counterpart that the crossing will be opened Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, on both sides.”
Egyptian authorities had earlier declared intention to open the crossing on Nov. 25, however; the mass killing in al-Rawda mosque last month prevented the opening.
Over 2017, the Rafah crossing was opened only for 17 days under security pretexts.
The Israeli occupation authorities said on Wednesday evening that the crossing points of Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Erez to Gaza would be closed for "security concerns" as of Thursday.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement that the crossings would not be open as of Thursday in light of the latest escalations.
Adraee also claimed that Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted two missiles fired from Gaza into Sderot.
The Israeli army attacked at daybreak Thursday four Palestinian resistance sites in the blockaded Gaza Strip with 15 missiles, inflicting heavy material damage on the sites and on nearby civilian homes.
Tension has risen across the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last week to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The Gaza Strip has been blockaded by the Israeli occupation forces for over a decade’s time, confining over two million Palestinians in the world’s largest open-air prison.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement that the crossings would not be open as of Thursday in light of the latest escalations.
Adraee also claimed that Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted two missiles fired from Gaza into Sderot.
The Israeli army attacked at daybreak Thursday four Palestinian resistance sites in the blockaded Gaza Strip with 15 missiles, inflicting heavy material damage on the sites and on nearby civilian homes.
Tension has risen across the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last week to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The Gaza Strip has been blockaded by the Israeli occupation forces for over a decade’s time, confining over two million Palestinians in the world’s largest open-air prison.
8 dec 2017
Earlier Friday, dozens of Israeli soldiers surrounded and isolated Kufur Qaddoum town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, ahead of the weekly protest against the Annexation Wall and colonies.
The army stopped and searched dozens of cars, and interrogated many Palestinians, while inspecting their ID cards.
Morad Eshteiwi, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Kufur Qaddoum, said the army is trying to prevent the Palestinians, along with Israeli and international peace activists, from marching.
He added that these military measures will not prevent the procession, adding that the protesters will practice their legal right, and will protest the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump, to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital on Israel, and the preparations for moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Whatever measures Israel’s takes, and regardless of the siege and roadblocks, our protest will be held at noon,” Eshteiwi stated, “We will all voice our rejection to this immoral, hostile and illegal decision, and Trump’s support to this criminal occupation of our land.”
The army stopped and searched dozens of cars, and interrogated many Palestinians, while inspecting their ID cards.
Morad Eshteiwi, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Kufur Qaddoum, said the army is trying to prevent the Palestinians, along with Israeli and international peace activists, from marching.
He added that these military measures will not prevent the procession, adding that the protesters will practice their legal right, and will protest the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump, to recognize occupied Jerusalem as the unified capital on Israel, and the preparations for moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Whatever measures Israel’s takes, and regardless of the siege and roadblocks, our protest will be held at noon,” Eshteiwi stated, “We will all voice our rejection to this immoral, hostile and illegal decision, and Trump’s support to this criminal occupation of our land.”
6 dec 2017
Israeli soldiers closed, Wednesday, the western road of Ya’bad town, and several minor roads, southwest of Jenin, invaded and ransacked homes, and confiscated surveillance equipment.
Media sources in Jenin said Israeli army bulldozers placed rocks and sand hills at the western entrance of Ya’bad town, and roads leading to the homes of Abdullah Khatib and Nasser Abu Bakr.
The sources added that the soldiers invaded and violently searched many homes, including the use of k9 units, and confiscated surveillance recordings and equipment from the home of Yahia Abu Shamla.
On Tuesday at night, the soldiers closed the gate leading to Um ar-Reehan area, in Ya’bad town, in addition closing Barta’a and Dothan military roadblocks.
Media sources in Jenin said Israeli army bulldozers placed rocks and sand hills at the western entrance of Ya’bad town, and roads leading to the homes of Abdullah Khatib and Nasser Abu Bakr.
The sources added that the soldiers invaded and violently searched many homes, including the use of k9 units, and confiscated surveillance recordings and equipment from the home of Yahia Abu Shamla.
On Tuesday at night, the soldiers closed the gate leading to Um ar-Reehan area, in Ya’bad town, in addition closing Barta’a and Dothan military roadblocks.
3 dec 2017
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) erected overnight a number of military checkpoints in Qalqilia city and Azzun town to the north of West Bank.
Local sources told PIC reporter that a military checkpoint was erected at the road linking between Qalqilia and Habla town, causing a traffic jams.
A second military checkpoint was erected at the eastern entrance to the city where several vehicles were stopped and searched, the sources added.
Meanwhile, a number of checkpoints were erected at all entrances to Azzun town, east of Qalqilia.
Local sources told PIC reporter that a military checkpoint was erected at the road linking between Qalqilia and Habla town, causing a traffic jams.
A second military checkpoint was erected at the eastern entrance to the city where several vehicles were stopped and searched, the sources added.
Meanwhile, a number of checkpoints were erected at all entrances to Azzun town, east of Qalqilia.
Major crossings between Israel and the Palestinian territories are expected to be shut down on Sunday due to an Israeli labor dispute, halting the transfer of goods and banning the movement of over 70,000 Palestinian workers, Hebrew sources reported on Saturday.
Israel’s border crossing staff members, who administer many of the border terminals between Israel, the occupied West Bank, and the blockaded Gaza Strip, have been on a strike to protest their employment conditions.
The union representing crossings workers said that they had reached an impasse in talks with government officials.
Among the border crossings affected by the strike will be Gaza’s Erez crossing — the main passage point for civilians in and out of the Strip — as well as the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, the main point of entry for goods into Gaza.
The entry of essential equipment and much-needed humanitarian aid will also be at risk as a result of the strike.
Israel’s border crossing staff members, who administer many of the border terminals between Israel, the occupied West Bank, and the blockaded Gaza Strip, have been on a strike to protest their employment conditions.
The union representing crossings workers said that they had reached an impasse in talks with government officials.
Among the border crossings affected by the strike will be Gaza’s Erez crossing — the main passage point for civilians in and out of the Strip — as well as the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, the main point of entry for goods into Gaza.
The entry of essential equipment and much-needed humanitarian aid will also be at risk as a result of the strike.
1 dec 2017
The family of the al-Qassam Brigades’ martyr Yahya Ayyash, said that Israeli occupation forces banned Ayyash’s father from travelling abroad for medical treatment.
The family pointed out that Israeli occupation authorities also denied Abdullatif Ayyash his right to receiving treatment in hospitals of Occupied Jerusalem at the pretext of security reasons.
The family of martyr Ayyash, from Rafat town in Salfit, has been suffering from Israeli harassment for over 25 years because of Ayyash’s anti-occupation attacks that led to the death of many Israeli soldiers.
The family pointed out that Israeli occupation authorities also denied Abdullatif Ayyash his right to receiving treatment in hospitals of Occupied Jerusalem at the pretext of security reasons.
The family of martyr Ayyash, from Rafat town in Salfit, has been suffering from Israeli harassment for over 25 years because of Ayyash’s anti-occupation attacks that led to the death of many Israeli soldiers.
