8 apr 2019
Israeli forces prevented the opening of an agricultural road, on Monday, in western Yatta City in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.
Coordinator of a local settlement against the Israeli separation wall, Rateb al-Jbour, reported that Israeli forces prevented Palestinians in the al-Amad area in western Yatta from opening an agricultural road, southeast of a nearby illegal settlement, to be used by local farmers.
Al-Jbour pointed out that this is the second time Israel stops work on the road.
Around 3,000 Israeli settlers live in illegal Jewish-only settlements in the Yatta region, according to the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem.
The South Hebron Hills, known locally as Masafer Yatta, lie almost entirely in Area C, the 62 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli civil and security control since the 1993 Oslo Accords.
Masafer Yatta residents were expelled at the time of the establishment of a firing zone in the 1970s and were eventually allowed back following a long court battle, but are under the constant threat of being expelled or seeing their homes demolished.
Coordinator of a local settlement against the Israeli separation wall, Rateb al-Jbour, reported that Israeli forces prevented Palestinians in the al-Amad area in western Yatta from opening an agricultural road, southeast of a nearby illegal settlement, to be used by local farmers.
Al-Jbour pointed out that this is the second time Israel stops work on the road.
Around 3,000 Israeli settlers live in illegal Jewish-only settlements in the Yatta region, according to the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem.
The South Hebron Hills, known locally as Masafer Yatta, lie almost entirely in Area C, the 62 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli civil and security control since the 1993 Oslo Accords.
Masafer Yatta residents were expelled at the time of the establishment of a firing zone in the 1970s and were eventually allowed back following a long court battle, but are under the constant threat of being expelled or seeing their homes demolished.
Israeli soldiers carried out, on Monday morning, a limited invasion into Palestinian agricultural lands, in northern Gaza Strip, while navy ships attacked fishing boats and opened fire at them west of Gaza city.
Media sources said three Israeli tanks, and three armored D9 military bulldozers, advanced dozens of meters into Palestinian agricultural lands, northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza Strip.
They added that the soldiers bulldozed sections of the lands, and installed sand hills, in addition to firing live rounds to force the Palestinians away.
In related news, Israeli navy ships attacked many Palestinian fishing boats, and fired rounds of live ammunition, in Gaza territorial waters, in the Sudaniyya Sea area, northwest of Gaza city.
Media sources said three Israeli tanks, and three armored D9 military bulldozers, advanced dozens of meters into Palestinian agricultural lands, northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza Strip.
They added that the soldiers bulldozed sections of the lands, and installed sand hills, in addition to firing live rounds to force the Palestinians away.
In related news, Israeli navy ships attacked many Palestinian fishing boats, and fired rounds of live ammunition, in Gaza territorial waters, in the Sudaniyya Sea area, northwest of Gaza city.
7 apr 2019
A group of Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian shepherds, on Sunday, in the northern Jordan Valley, in attempt to seize Palestinian-owned land for illegal settlement expansion.
According to Aref Daraghmeh, who monitors Israeli settlement activities in the area, said that heavily armed Israeli forces provided protection to Israeli settlers, who stormed an open field in the northern Jordan Valley and assaulted several Palestinian shepherds.
The assaulted shepherds fled the area in fear for their lives.
Daraghmeh pointed out that about 40,000 dunams (9,884 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in the northern Jordan Valley was seized by Israeli authorities for Israeli settlement expansion plans and to make way for active Israeli military training.
More than 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law, with recent announcements of settlement expansion provoking condemnation from the international community.
The majority of the Jordan Valley is under full Israeli military control, despite being within the West Bank. Meanwhile, at least 44 percent of the total land in the Jordan Valley has been reappropriated by Israeli forces for military purposes and training exercises.
According to the Palestinian nonprofit the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ), more than 400,000 dunams (98,842 acres) of the 720,000 dunams (177,916 acres) that make up the total area of the Jordan Valley has been transformed into closed military and firing zones, with at least 27,000 dunams (6,672 acres) confiscated for illegal Israeli settlement building.
According to Aref Daraghmeh, who monitors Israeli settlement activities in the area, said that heavily armed Israeli forces provided protection to Israeli settlers, who stormed an open field in the northern Jordan Valley and assaulted several Palestinian shepherds.
The assaulted shepherds fled the area in fear for their lives.
Daraghmeh pointed out that about 40,000 dunams (9,884 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in the northern Jordan Valley was seized by Israeli authorities for Israeli settlement expansion plans and to make way for active Israeli military training.
More than 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law, with recent announcements of settlement expansion provoking condemnation from the international community.
The majority of the Jordan Valley is under full Israeli military control, despite being within the West Bank. Meanwhile, at least 44 percent of the total land in the Jordan Valley has been reappropriated by Israeli forces for military purposes and training exercises.
According to the Palestinian nonprofit the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ), more than 400,000 dunams (98,842 acres) of the 720,000 dunams (177,916 acres) that make up the total area of the Jordan Valley has been transformed into closed military and firing zones, with at least 27,000 dunams (6,672 acres) confiscated for illegal Israeli settlement building.
Israeli forces opened heavy fire towards Palestinian farmers and fishermen, on Sunday, in the besieged Gaza Strip.
A Ma'an reporter said that Israeli forces deployed in military watchtowers opened fire towards Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, targeting farmers.
Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces also opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, while working off the northwestern coast of Gaza, forcing fishermen to sail back to the shore.
No injuries were reported from both incidents.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas if they approach the buffer zone, as the authorities have not made clear the precise area of the designated zone.
The practice has in effect destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sector of the blockaded coastal enclave, which has been under an Israeli air, land, and sea blockade for nearly 12 years.
A Ma'an reporter said that Israeli forces deployed in military watchtowers opened fire towards Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, targeting farmers.
Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces also opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, while working off the northwestern coast of Gaza, forcing fishermen to sail back to the shore.
No injuries were reported from both incidents.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas if they approach the buffer zone, as the authorities have not made clear the precise area of the designated zone.
The practice has in effect destroyed much of the agricultural and fishing sector of the blockaded coastal enclave, which has been under an Israeli air, land, and sea blockade for nearly 12 years.
6 apr 2019
An Israeli soldier on Saturday assaulted a Palestinian shepherd who was herding his sheep in the Jordan Valley.
Activist Aref Daraghmeh said that an Israeli soldier violently beat the shepherd Tahsin Bani Odeh in the northern Jordan Valley.
Israeli soldiers and settlers attack Palestinian shepherds, arrest them, force them out of their lands, and prevent them from grazing their sheep in the Jordan Valley on a regular basis.
Activist Aref Daraghmeh said that an Israeli soldier violently beat the shepherd Tahsin Bani Odeh in the northern Jordan Valley.
Israeli soldiers and settlers attack Palestinian shepherds, arrest them, force them out of their lands, and prevent them from grazing their sheep in the Jordan Valley on a regular basis.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Saturday arrested a Palestinian citizen while he was working in his farmland in Shufa village in Tulkarem near the Israeli settlement Avni Hefetz.
Tahsin Hamed, the detainee's uncle, said that the IOF soldiers stormed the land where his nephew Esam Hamed, 33, was working and abducted him.
Tahsin Hamed said that the IOF soldiers regularly assault and arrest the Palestinian farmers whose lands are close to Avni Hefetz under the pretext that they "pose a threat" to the Israeli settlers living there.
He added that three years ago the IOF attacked his nephew's farmland and destoryed its trees, crops, and greenhouses.
The Israeli authorities, further, are currently expanding the settlement, which was built illegally on privately-owned Palestinian lands, at the expense of vast tracts of farmland.
Tahsin Hamed, the detainee's uncle, said that the IOF soldiers stormed the land where his nephew Esam Hamed, 33, was working and abducted him.
Tahsin Hamed said that the IOF soldiers regularly assault and arrest the Palestinian farmers whose lands are close to Avni Hefetz under the pretext that they "pose a threat" to the Israeli settlers living there.
He added that three years ago the IOF attacked his nephew's farmland and destoryed its trees, crops, and greenhouses.
The Israeli authorities, further, are currently expanding the settlement, which was built illegally on privately-owned Palestinian lands, at the expense of vast tracts of farmland.
Israeli navy ships attacked, on Saturday morning, several Palestinian fishing boats with live fire and water cannons, near the shore of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The navy fired many live rounds at the boats and chased some of them while, using water cannons, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore.
The fishermen had to return to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
In related news, medical sources said four children were mildly injured, after an explosive which was apparently dropped by the army during an earlier invasion into Palestinian lands, east of Gaza city, detonated near them.
The navy fired many live rounds at the boats and chased some of them while, using water cannons, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore.
The fishermen had to return to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
In related news, medical sources said four children were mildly injured, after an explosive which was apparently dropped by the army during an earlier invasion into Palestinian lands, east of Gaza city, detonated near them.
4 apr 2019
The UN and its partners have mobilized nearly 45 million dollars that will allow for the creation of approximately 20,000 temporary jobs for Gazans in 2019.
In a recent statement, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov said that “discussions with the Palestinian and Israeli governments, and the private sector continue to support sustainable job creation, the expansion of Gaza’s industrial sectors and generally improving economic conditions and movement and access.”
“Since September, approximately 4.6 million dollars in support to the humanitarian response plan has contributed to the delivery of large quantities of 15 types of essential drugs and the performance of some 9,500 emergency surgeries,” he added
“An amount of three million dollars has been pledged to support immediate needs in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. Over the coming period it is expected that construction on the associated works of the Gaza central desalination plant will also begin.”
“These efforts will continue in coordination with all stakeholders, yet at its core the crisis in Gaza is political. Significant progress on the lifting of the closures and advancing intra-Palestinian reconciliation remain essential.
I call on all Palestinian factions to engage in earnest with Egypt on reconciliation efforts.”
In a recent statement, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov said that “discussions with the Palestinian and Israeli governments, and the private sector continue to support sustainable job creation, the expansion of Gaza’s industrial sectors and generally improving economic conditions and movement and access.”
“Since September, approximately 4.6 million dollars in support to the humanitarian response plan has contributed to the delivery of large quantities of 15 types of essential drugs and the performance of some 9,500 emergency surgeries,” he added
“An amount of three million dollars has been pledged to support immediate needs in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. Over the coming period it is expected that construction on the associated works of the Gaza central desalination plant will also begin.”
“These efforts will continue in coordination with all stakeholders, yet at its core the crisis in Gaza is political. Significant progress on the lifting of the closures and advancing intra-Palestinian reconciliation remain essential.
I call on all Palestinian factions to engage in earnest with Egypt on reconciliation efforts.”
Several bulldozers, owned by Israeli settlers, razed and leveled Palestinian lands in the Burin village, in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus, on Thursday morning.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that several bulldozers, owned by Israeli settlers from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, razed and leveled lands in the Karm Abu Salim area of the village.
Daghlas added that settlers plan to expand the Yitzhar settlement from the Burin village side.
The razed lands are planted with fruitful trees that belong to several locals.
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma'an that several bulldozers, owned by Israeli settlers from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, razed and leveled lands in the Karm Abu Salim area of the village.
Daghlas added that settlers plan to expand the Yitzhar settlement from the Burin village side.
The razed lands are planted with fruitful trees that belong to several locals.
Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.
The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.
Israeli naval forces opened heavy fire, on Thursday morning, towards Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of the northwestern besieged Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli naval forces fired several mortar shells towards Palestinian fishing boats in al-Sudaniyeh off the northwestern coast, forcing the fishermen to head back to shore in fear for their lives.
The fishing boats were targeted while working within two nautical miles of the permitted fishing zone, which is six nautical miles in the al-Sudaniyeh area.
No injuries were reported.
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem recently concluded that Israel's Gaza closure and "harassment of fishermen" have been "destroying Gaza's fishing sector," with 95% of fishermen living below the poverty line.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli naval forces fired several mortar shells towards Palestinian fishing boats in al-Sudaniyeh off the northwestern coast, forcing the fishermen to head back to shore in fear for their lives.
The fishing boats were targeted while working within two nautical miles of the permitted fishing zone, which is six nautical miles in the al-Sudaniyeh area.
No injuries were reported.
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem recently concluded that Israel's Gaza closure and "harassment of fishermen" have been "destroying Gaza's fishing sector," with 95% of fishermen living below the poverty line.
3 apr 2019
Israeli soldiers carried out, on Wednesday morning, a limited invasion into Palestinian lands in central Gaza, while navy ships opened fire on fishing boats in southern Gaza.
Media sources said more than five armored military vehicles, including a bulldozer, invaded Palestinian lands near the perimeter fence, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and bulldozed them.
They added that the soldiers also installed sand hills in the Palestinian lands, near the fence, while military drones flew overhead.
In addition, Israeli navy boats fired many live rounds at Palestinian fishing boats, in Gaza territorial waters, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Zakariya Bakr, the coordinator of the Fishermen’s Union, said the Israeli navy ships chased several Palestinian fishing boats, and fired many live rounds at them, in Khan Younis and Rafah, in southern Gaza.
Media sources said more than five armored military vehicles, including a bulldozer, invaded Palestinian lands near the perimeter fence, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and bulldozed them.
They added that the soldiers also installed sand hills in the Palestinian lands, near the fence, while military drones flew overhead.
In addition, Israeli navy boats fired many live rounds at Palestinian fishing boats, in Gaza territorial waters, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Zakariya Bakr, the coordinator of the Fishermen’s Union, said the Israeli navy ships chased several Palestinian fishing boats, and fired many live rounds at them, in Khan Younis and Rafah, in southern Gaza.
A group of extremist illegal Israeli colonists, squatting on Palestinian lands near Ramallah, in central West Bank, invaded Palestinian farmlands, Tuesday, and cut 550 trees and grapevines, owned by a Palestinian from Deir Jarir village, northeast of the city.
The owner of the land, Abdul-Dayim Ajaj, said the Israeli assailants cut 400 grapevines, and 150 almond trees, which he planted in his land five years ago.
Ajaj added that the colonists also wrote racist graffiti on the water tank he has on his land and fled the scene.
Palestinian Minister, the head of the Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission, Walid Assaf, strongly denounced the attack, and added that it is part of repeated assaults and violations targeting that area.
He stated that Deir Jarir and several surrounding villages are subject to constant violations by illegal colonists from Kokhav HaShahar outpost, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
Assaf added that the Israeli assailants are also responsible for cutting hundreds of trees, burning Palestinian farmlands, attacking Palestinian farmers and shepherds, in addition to steeling and killing sheep and other livestock.
He also stated that the names of the assailants are known to Israeli Police and the soldiers, but instead of apprehending and prosecuting them, the police is protecting them, and is constantly attacking the Palestinians who try to defend their lands.
The owner of the land, Abdul-Dayim Ajaj, said the Israeli assailants cut 400 grapevines, and 150 almond trees, which he planted in his land five years ago.
Ajaj added that the colonists also wrote racist graffiti on the water tank he has on his land and fled the scene.
Palestinian Minister, the head of the Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission, Walid Assaf, strongly denounced the attack, and added that it is part of repeated assaults and violations targeting that area.
He stated that Deir Jarir and several surrounding villages are subject to constant violations by illegal colonists from Kokhav HaShahar outpost, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
Assaf added that the Israeli assailants are also responsible for cutting hundreds of trees, burning Palestinian farmlands, attacking Palestinian farmers and shepherds, in addition to steeling and killing sheep and other livestock.
He also stated that the names of the assailants are known to Israeli Police and the soldiers, but instead of apprehending and prosecuting them, the police is protecting them, and is constantly attacking the Palestinians who try to defend their lands.
2 apr 2019
Israeli navy ships attacked, on Tuesday at noon, several Palestinian fishing boats in the Central District of the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip.
The head of the Palestinian Fishermen Union in Gaza, Zakariya Bakr, said the navy chased several fishing boats less than twelve nautical miles from the shore.
Bakr added that the navy sprayed the boats with waste-water mixed with chemicals.
In related news, Egyptian navy ships surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat nearly 250 meters away from Egyptian waters, before detaining three fishermen, identified as Mos’ab Qannan, 23, Khaled Qannan, 26, and Ra’fat Qanna, 43, from Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and confiscated their boat.
The Egyptian navy also detained another fisherman, identified as Soheib Abu Salmiya, after opening fire at his boat, near Rafah, in southern Gaza.
The head of the Palestinian Fishermen Union in Gaza, Zakariya Bakr, said the navy chased several fishing boats less than twelve nautical miles from the shore.
Bakr added that the navy sprayed the boats with waste-water mixed with chemicals.
In related news, Egyptian navy ships surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat nearly 250 meters away from Egyptian waters, before detaining three fishermen, identified as Mos’ab Qannan, 23, Khaled Qannan, 26, and Ra’fat Qanna, 43, from Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and confiscated their boat.
The Egyptian navy also detained another fisherman, identified as Soheib Abu Salmiya, after opening fire at his boat, near Rafah, in southern Gaza.
1 apr 2019
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, several Palestinian governorates in various parts of the occupied West Bank, searched and ransacked homes and workshops, and abducted eleven Palestinians, in addition to shooting one during ensuing protests.
Media sources said the soldiers invaded ‘Anata town, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, before storming a blacksmith workshop, and confiscated machines and tools while violently searching it.
In Jenin city, in northern West Bank, the soldiers shot and injured a young man, after the army invaded the city, and opened fire at dozens of protesters. The army also claimed that some protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at the military jeeps.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, searched homes and abducted Bara’ Ahmad Hourani, 21, and Tareq Ahmad Abu Srour, 20.
In Hebron, in southern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Ahmad Nidal Abu Ghazi and Jihad Emad at-Teety, from the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, in addition to Ahmad al-Bayed and Ahmad Salama Abu Ras, 21, from Doura town.
Also in Hebron, the soldiers invaded Ethna and the ath-Thaheriyya towns, and installed roadblocks at Hebron’s northern and southern roads, in addition to the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, before searching many cars, and interrogated dozens of Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
Media sources said the soldiers invaded ‘Anata town, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, before storming a blacksmith workshop, and confiscated machines and tools while violently searching it.
In Jenin city, in northern West Bank, the soldiers shot and injured a young man, after the army invaded the city, and opened fire at dozens of protesters. The army also claimed that some protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at the military jeeps.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, searched homes and abducted Bara’ Ahmad Hourani, 21, and Tareq Ahmad Abu Srour, 20.
In Hebron, in southern West Bank, the soldiers abducted Ahmad Nidal Abu Ghazi and Jihad Emad at-Teety, from the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, in addition to Ahmad al-Bayed and Ahmad Salama Abu Ras, 21, from Doura town.
Also in Hebron, the soldiers invaded Ethna and the ath-Thaheriyya towns, and installed roadblocks at Hebron’s northern and southern roads, in addition to the main entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, before searching many cars, and interrogated dozens of Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
The Israeli occupation army on Sunday officially announced the expansion of the fishing zone in the Gaza sea after Egyptian efforts succeeded in brokering a ceasefire deal between the Palestinian resistance factions and Israel.
The Israeli decision on expanding the fishing zone would go into effect Monday.
The Israeli side told the Egyptian mediator that as of Monday morning, the permitted fishing areas would be six nautical miles from the northern waters to Gaza port, then 12 nautical miles from there to central Gaza and 15 nautical miles to the maritime border with Egypt, according to Nizzar Ayyash, chief of the fishermen.
The Israeli side will also allow the entry of fiberglass (used for making boats) and some fishing gear, Ayyash said.
The fishermen chief expected that the expansion of the fishing zone would improve the fishing industry in Gaza.
The Israeli decision on expanding the fishing zone would go into effect Monday.
The Israeli side told the Egyptian mediator that as of Monday morning, the permitted fishing areas would be six nautical miles from the northern waters to Gaza port, then 12 nautical miles from there to central Gaza and 15 nautical miles to the maritime border with Egypt, according to Nizzar Ayyash, chief of the fishermen.
The Israeli side will also allow the entry of fiberglass (used for making boats) and some fishing gear, Ayyash said.
The fishermen chief expected that the expansion of the fishing zone would improve the fishing industry in Gaza.
