16 aug 2018
Israeli navy forces detained on Thursday four Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza City coast and seized their boats.
Head of Gaza’s Fisherman Union, Nizar Ayyash, told the PIC that Israel’s gunboats opened fire at the fishermen who were sailing in two vessels north of Gaza’s seashore and towed their boats to Ashdod airport.
Ayyash identified the fishermen as Mohamed Ahmed Zayed and his son Tamer, along with Tawfiq al-Sultan and Rafat al-Sultan.
The attack comes just one day after the occupation authorities green-lighted the expansion of the fishing zone for Gaza’s fishermen.
The Israeli occupation navy continues to target Gaza fishermen on a daily basis, violating the ceasefire accord struck in the wake of the 2014 Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza.
Head of Gaza’s Fisherman Union, Nizar Ayyash, told the PIC that Israel’s gunboats opened fire at the fishermen who were sailing in two vessels north of Gaza’s seashore and towed their boats to Ashdod airport.
Ayyash identified the fishermen as Mohamed Ahmed Zayed and his son Tamer, along with Tawfiq al-Sultan and Rafat al-Sultan.
The attack comes just one day after the occupation authorities green-lighted the expansion of the fishing zone for Gaza’s fishermen.
The Israeli occupation navy continues to target Gaza fishermen on a daily basis, violating the ceasefire accord struck in the wake of the 2014 Israeli offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza.
An Israeli guard of the illegal Ariel colony attacked and injured, on Wednesday afternoon, a Palestinian farmer, while Israeli soldiers prevented several others from entering their lands, in Kifl Haris village, north of Salfit, in northwestern West Bank.
Media sources said the farmer suffered various cuts and bruises, and was moved to Yasser Arafat hospital, in Salfit.
They added that the soldiers prevented many farmers from entering their lands, isolated near the illegal colony, and demanded them to obtain permits from the Israeli “Civil Administration Office.”
Media sources said the farmer suffered various cuts and bruises, and was moved to Yasser Arafat hospital, in Salfit.
They added that the soldiers prevented many farmers from entering their lands, isolated near the illegal colony, and demanded them to obtain permits from the Israeli “Civil Administration Office.”
15 aug 2018
Head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege MP Jamal al-Khudari on Tuesday said that Gaza's per capita daily income, if there is any, is $2, which is the lowest in the world.
Al-Khudari warned that the poverty rate has increased to 85% due to the tightening of the blockade and the almost complete closure of Karam Abu Salem crossing.
In press statements on Tuesday, al-Khudari said that 62% of Palestinian youths in Gaza do not have jobs, while about 350,000 workers have become unemployed because of the 12-year-blockade.
He added that dozens of new workers join the list everyday as a result of the closure of factories and shops and the lack of goods, raw materials, and job opportunities.
As Eid al-Adha and the new school year approach, al-Khudari noted, hundreds of trucks loaded with goods worth $100 million are still being withheld by the Israeli authorities, stressing that their owners may suffer heavy losses if they are not allowed entry into Gaza soon.
Holding Israel fully responsible for the siege and the resulting humanitarian disaster, al-Khudari called for real efforts on the Arab and international levels to end the siege and save what can be saved in Gaza.
He called on all Palestinian factions to assume their responsibilities toward the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to overcome the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.
Al-Khudari warned that the poverty rate has increased to 85% due to the tightening of the blockade and the almost complete closure of Karam Abu Salem crossing.
In press statements on Tuesday, al-Khudari said that 62% of Palestinian youths in Gaza do not have jobs, while about 350,000 workers have become unemployed because of the 12-year-blockade.
He added that dozens of new workers join the list everyday as a result of the closure of factories and shops and the lack of goods, raw materials, and job opportunities.
As Eid al-Adha and the new school year approach, al-Khudari noted, hundreds of trucks loaded with goods worth $100 million are still being withheld by the Israeli authorities, stressing that their owners may suffer heavy losses if they are not allowed entry into Gaza soon.
Holding Israel fully responsible for the siege and the resulting humanitarian disaster, al-Khudari called for real efforts on the Arab and international levels to end the siege and save what can be saved in Gaza.
He called on all Palestinian factions to assume their responsibilities toward the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to overcome the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.
Palestinian Businessmen Association in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday condemned the Israeli authorities' arrest of the former board member Bassam Abu Shari'a while he was travelling through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
Head of the Association, Ali al-Hayek, in a press statement denounced Israel's arbitrary arrest policy targeting Palestinian merchants and businessmen at Beit Hanoun crossing, north of Gaza.
Al-Hayek said that this policy is part of a plan to tighten the blockade on Gaza and destroy what is left of its economy.
He explained that Gaza merchants and businessmen are rarely allowed to travel via Beit Hanoun crossing, pointing out that their journeys are usually accompanied by harassment or arbitrary search and arrest under flimsy security pretexts.
He called on the Palestinian Authority and human rights organizations to pressure Israel to end this policy and immediately release all businessmen and merchants it is detaining.
Head of the Association, Ali al-Hayek, in a press statement denounced Israel's arbitrary arrest policy targeting Palestinian merchants and businessmen at Beit Hanoun crossing, north of Gaza.
Al-Hayek said that this policy is part of a plan to tighten the blockade on Gaza and destroy what is left of its economy.
He explained that Gaza merchants and businessmen are rarely allowed to travel via Beit Hanoun crossing, pointing out that their journeys are usually accompanied by harassment or arbitrary search and arrest under flimsy security pretexts.
He called on the Palestinian Authority and human rights organizations to pressure Israel to end this policy and immediately release all businessmen and merchants it is detaining.
The European Union and Austria made a contribution of €16.4 million to the Palestinian Authority (PA) payment of social allowances to poor families in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The European Union and Austria (€15 million EU and €1.4 million Austria) will contribute to payments to around 64,500 families, 80% of them live in the Gaza Strip.
"Poverty is the first obstacle against social development, security, and growth. Our joint efforts with the Ministry of Social development work to eradicate poverty and protect Palestinian citizens," said the EU Representative Ralph Tarraf.
"The Cash Transfer program largely supports Palestinians in Gaza. Amid the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Gaza, the EU and Member States remain committed to supporting families in need," he added.
The Palestinian Authority cash transfer program supports some 108,000 vulnerable families through an inclusive and equitable social protection system.
The European Union and Austria (€15 million EU and €1.4 million Austria) will contribute to payments to around 64,500 families, 80% of them live in the Gaza Strip.
"Poverty is the first obstacle against social development, security, and growth. Our joint efforts with the Ministry of Social development work to eradicate poverty and protect Palestinian citizens," said the EU Representative Ralph Tarraf.
"The Cash Transfer program largely supports Palestinians in Gaza. Amid the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Gaza, the EU and Member States remain committed to supporting families in need," he added.
The Palestinian Authority cash transfer program supports some 108,000 vulnerable families through an inclusive and equitable social protection system.
14 aug 2018
On Tuesday at dawn, dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and surrounding villages, before storming and searching homes, and abducted five Palestinians. The soldiers also invaded Palestinian lands near Nablus, and bulldozed them, in preparation for expanding an illegal colony.
Media sources in Nablus, said the soldiers invaded many neighborhoods in the city, and abducted Mohannad Mo’in Tabanja, and Husam Emad al-‘Amoudi, in addition to Islam Anan Bishkar, from the New Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.
They added that the soldiers also invaded Burin village, south of Nablus, and abducted Montaser Khader Najjar, 20.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Bara’ Na’el Dweikat, from his home in Rojeeb village, east of Nablus.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Palestinian farmlands in the northeastern part of Einabus village, south of Nablus, before the military bulldozers uprooted them in preparation for expanding the illegal Yitzhar colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
The lands are owned by one Palestinian, identified as Hashem Mustafa Allan, local sources said.
Media sources in Nablus, said the soldiers invaded many neighborhoods in the city, and abducted Mohannad Mo’in Tabanja, and Husam Emad al-‘Amoudi, in addition to Islam Anan Bishkar, from the New Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.
They added that the soldiers also invaded Burin village, south of Nablus, and abducted Montaser Khader Najjar, 20.
In addition, the soldiers abducted Bara’ Na’el Dweikat, from his home in Rojeeb village, east of Nablus.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Palestinian farmlands in the northeastern part of Einabus village, south of Nablus, before the military bulldozers uprooted them in preparation for expanding the illegal Yitzhar colony, which was built on private Palestinian lands.
The lands are owned by one Palestinian, identified as Hashem Mustafa Allan, local sources said.
The World Bank has announced a new project to provide Gaza‘s unemployed youth with short-term income support.
About 4,400 targeted youth, half of them women, will be hired by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliver services in severely needed fields such as health, education and support to the disabled and elderly.
As part of the $17 million grant, the new project will also finance skills training and internet-based job support to an additional 750 youth.
The World Bank’s Gaza Emergency Cash for Work and Self-Employment Support project will target unemployed young people between the ages of 18 to 34.
The project will work with NGOs that have solid track records in delivering social services to especially vulnerable communities, and not-for-profit organizations that provide support for freelancers in the digital economy.
About 4,400 targeted youth, half of them women, will be hired by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliver services in severely needed fields such as health, education and support to the disabled and elderly.
As part of the $17 million grant, the new project will also finance skills training and internet-based job support to an additional 750 youth.
The World Bank’s Gaza Emergency Cash for Work and Self-Employment Support project will target unemployed young people between the ages of 18 to 34.
The project will work with NGOs that have solid track records in delivering social services to especially vulnerable communities, and not-for-profit organizations that provide support for freelancers in the digital economy.
13 aug 2018
Dozens of Palestinians rallied on Monday in the blockaded Gaza Strip, protesting the Palestinian Authority (PA) decision to stop paying monthly salaries to the families of about 160 prisoners.
The rally, staged outside of the office of the Council of Ministers in Gaza city, demanded that prisoners’ salaries be immediately shelled out.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Wesam Haj Ahmad stressed the need to support prisoners and ex-prisoners.
The activist railed against the salary cut, saying such a measure will seriously affect the life of prisoners and their families.
He urged Mahmoud Abbas to backtrack on the decision and rally round Palestinian detainees.
The rally, staged outside of the office of the Council of Ministers in Gaza city, demanded that prisoners’ salaries be immediately shelled out.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Wesam Haj Ahmad stressed the need to support prisoners and ex-prisoners.
The activist railed against the salary cut, saying such a measure will seriously affect the life of prisoners and their families.
He urged Mahmoud Abbas to backtrack on the decision and rally round Palestinian detainees.
12 aug 2018
Israel’s naval forces on Sunday morning kidnapped five Palestinian fishermen as they were working off the northern coast of the Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli navy rounded up five fishermen and confiscated their boats after intercepting them off the northern shores of Gaza.
The fishermen were identified as Naser Fadel, Hasan Fadel, Yaser Naser, Ahmed Naser and Fadel Naser. All of them are relatives from the family of Baker.
Israeli gunboats are around Gaza fishermen almost every day, harassing them, shooting at them, damaging their boats, and making arrests. Sometimes fishermen are injured or killed during gunfire attacks.
Under the 1993 Oslo accords, Palestinian fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza, but since then Israel has kept reducing the fishing area gradually to a limit of three nautical miles as part of its blockade on Gaza.
Fishermen and human rights groups also say that, since the 2008-09 war in Gaza, the Israeli army has been regularly enforcing a limit even closer to the shore.
According to a local report, the Israeli navy detained last year, 2017, 39 fishermen and released them later.
14 of those fishermen who were arrested last year suffered bullet injuries when the navy opened fire at their boats. Another two fishermen were also killed.
Israeli navy attacks, detains 5 Gaza fishermen
Israeli naval forces attacked a number of Palestinian fishing boats and detained several of the fishermen on Sunday in the northern besieged Gaza Strip.
Nizar Ayyash, the boat captain, told Ma'an that the Israeli naval forces fired at the fishing boats and detained five Palestinian fishermen, who were taken to an unknown location.
Following the attack, Israeli naval forces confiscated the fishing boats and sailed them towards the Israeli Ashdod seaport.
Ayyash identified the detained fishermen as Hassan Fadel Baker and his brother, Nasser, along with his three sons Yasser, Ahmad, and Fadel Nasser Baker.
Israeli military incursions inside the besieged Gaza Strip and near the "buffer zone," which lies on both land and sea sides of Gaza, have long been a near-daily occurrence.
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.
According to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, Israel’s Gaza siege and “harassment of fishermen” have been “destroying Gaza’s fishing sector,” with 95 percent of fishermen living below the poverty line.
The Palestinian Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) issued its annual report for 2017 showing Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the besieged Gaza Strip, highlighting that “these attacks deny fishermen from practicing their fishing work and accessing their livelihood resources.”
Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli navy rounded up five fishermen and confiscated their boats after intercepting them off the northern shores of Gaza.
The fishermen were identified as Naser Fadel, Hasan Fadel, Yaser Naser, Ahmed Naser and Fadel Naser. All of them are relatives from the family of Baker.
Israeli gunboats are around Gaza fishermen almost every day, harassing them, shooting at them, damaging their boats, and making arrests. Sometimes fishermen are injured or killed during gunfire attacks.
Under the 1993 Oslo accords, Palestinian fishermen are permitted to fish up to 20 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza, but since then Israel has kept reducing the fishing area gradually to a limit of three nautical miles as part of its blockade on Gaza.
Fishermen and human rights groups also say that, since the 2008-09 war in Gaza, the Israeli army has been regularly enforcing a limit even closer to the shore.
According to a local report, the Israeli navy detained last year, 2017, 39 fishermen and released them later.
14 of those fishermen who were arrested last year suffered bullet injuries when the navy opened fire at their boats. Another two fishermen were also killed.
Israeli navy attacks, detains 5 Gaza fishermen
Israeli naval forces attacked a number of Palestinian fishing boats and detained several of the fishermen on Sunday in the northern besieged Gaza Strip.
Nizar Ayyash, the boat captain, told Ma'an that the Israeli naval forces fired at the fishing boats and detained five Palestinian fishermen, who were taken to an unknown location.
Following the attack, Israeli naval forces confiscated the fishing boats and sailed them towards the Israeli Ashdod seaport.
Ayyash identified the detained fishermen as Hassan Fadel Baker and his brother, Nasser, along with his three sons Yasser, Ahmad, and Fadel Nasser Baker.
Israeli military incursions inside the besieged Gaza Strip and near the "buffer zone," which lies on both land and sea sides of Gaza, have long been a near-daily occurrence.
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.
According to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, Israel’s Gaza siege and “harassment of fishermen” have been “destroying Gaza’s fishing sector,” with 95 percent of fishermen living below the poverty line.
The Palestinian Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) issued its annual report for 2017 showing Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the besieged Gaza Strip, highlighting that “these attacks deny fishermen from practicing their fishing work and accessing their livelihood resources.”
11 aug 2018
Israeli forces chased Palestinian shepherds and detained one while they were herding their livestock in fields near Yatta City in the southern West Bank district of Hebron on Saturday.
Coordinator of a local popular committee against the separation wall and settlements, Rateb al-Jbour, told the Palestinian Authority (PA)-owned news agency Wafa that Israeli forces chased after shepherds in the Masafer Yatta area fields before they detaining one.
Al-Jbour said that Israeli forces claim that the fields are under a military training zone and therefore prevent shepherds from entering the area in an attempt to force Palestinian residents out of the area for the benefit of settlement construction.
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 popular committee against the separation wall and settlements, Rateb al-Jbour, told the Palestinian Authority (PA)-owned news agency Wafa that Israeli forces chased after shepherds in the Masafer Yatta area fields before they detaining one.
Al-Jbour said that Israeli forces claim that the fields are under a military training zone and therefore prevent shepherds from entering the area in an attempt to force Palestinian residents out of the area for the benefit of settlement construction.
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.
Palestinian farmers have complained that sewage coming from Ariel settlement is polluting the atmosphere and the natural park in western Salfit.
According to local farmers on Saturday morning, wastewater is being channeled from Ariel settlement to the area and park of Wadi al-Matwi and Ghanates in western Salfit.
The wastewater has also reached the town of Kafr ad-Dik in Salfit, the farmers reported.
The settlement of Ariel has been pumping its sewage directly into nearby Palestinian areas for years, creating a dangerous and unhealthy situation for local residents and contaminating groundwater and crops.
According to local farmers on Saturday morning, wastewater is being channeled from Ariel settlement to the area and park of Wadi al-Matwi and Ghanates in western Salfit.
The wastewater has also reached the town of Kafr ad-Dik in Salfit, the farmers reported.
The settlement of Ariel has been pumping its sewage directly into nearby Palestinian areas for years, creating a dangerous and unhealthy situation for local residents and contaminating groundwater and crops.
9 aug 2018
Israeli soldiers invaded, Thursday, Marj an-Na’ja village, north of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, and demolished a grocery store.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the soldiers demolished the store, and then told the owner that the reason behind the destruction is that it was built without a permit from the Israeli side.
Last month, the army demolished two homes in Duyuk at-Tihta village, west of Jericho, under the same pretenses.
Israel’s policies in the Jordan Valley and the West Bank’s Plains prevent, and seriously limit, the Palestinian constructions of homes and other property on their own lands, so that it can continue to build and expand its illegal colonies, in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The army also uses large areas of lands in the occupied West Bank, especially in the Jordan Valley, Hebron and the Northern Plains, for live fire military training, including the use of explosives and bombs.
In many incidents, Palestinian families are ordered to leave their communities during the military drills, and later return after the army is done with its live-fire training, including the use of explosives, which are sometimes left behind, leading to casualties, including fatalities.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said the soldiers demolished the store, and then told the owner that the reason behind the destruction is that it was built without a permit from the Israeli side.
Last month, the army demolished two homes in Duyuk at-Tihta village, west of Jericho, under the same pretenses.
Israel’s policies in the Jordan Valley and the West Bank’s Plains prevent, and seriously limit, the Palestinian constructions of homes and other property on their own lands, so that it can continue to build and expand its illegal colonies, in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The army also uses large areas of lands in the occupied West Bank, especially in the Jordan Valley, Hebron and the Northern Plains, for live fire military training, including the use of explosives and bombs.
In many incidents, Palestinian families are ordered to leave their communities during the military drills, and later return after the army is done with its live-fire training, including the use of explosives, which are sometimes left behind, leading to casualties, including fatalities.
Media sources in Gaza have reported that, among various sites and areas targeted by Israeli missiles in the coastal region, are water wells, and tourist areas.
Yousef Abu Kamil, from the Public Relations department of al-Mughraqa Local Council, said the Israeli missiles destroyed a well owned by the city, and provides water for approximately 11.000 Palestinians.
He added that the Israeli missiles also destroyed two cars of the local council, in addition to other property damage.
Abu Kamil also said that the new building of the local council sustained property damage, in addition a radio transmission tower and a fuel pumping machine.
In addition, Beit Lahia municipality said the army also bombarded its well, providing the residents with water, in addition to causing serious property damage to buildings and property owned by the city.
The Israeli army claims its attacks targeted centers run by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, yet, its missiles have led to civilian casualties, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in the besieged coastal region.
Yousef Abu Kamil, from the Public Relations department of al-Mughraqa Local Council, said the Israeli missiles destroyed a well owned by the city, and provides water for approximately 11.000 Palestinians.
He added that the Israeli missiles also destroyed two cars of the local council, in addition to other property damage.
Abu Kamil also said that the new building of the local council sustained property damage, in addition a radio transmission tower and a fuel pumping machine.
In addition, Beit Lahia municipality said the army also bombarded its well, providing the residents with water, in addition to causing serious property damage to buildings and property owned by the city.
The Israeli army claims its attacks targeted centers run by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, yet, its missiles have led to civilian casualties, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in the besieged coastal region.
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