17 feb 2020
Armed Israeli settlers attacked today Palestinian shepherds while they were grazing their livestock in the town of al-Mughayyir, to the northeast of Ramallah city, and injured some of them, said the town`s mayor Marzouq Abu Naim. video
He told WAFA that dozens of settlers chased the Palestinian shepherds out of the grazing fields and brutally beat them up injuring five of them with bruises and fractures, three of whom were evacuated to a nearly hospital for treatment due to their severe conditions.
Abu Naim said that Israeli forces deliberately installed a flying checkpoint at the entrance of the village following the attack and prevented anyone from reaching the attacked shepherds.
Al-Mughayyir, a town with an area of 26,000 dunums, is surrounded by four Israeli colonial settlements and with a military camp.
Israeli forces almost daily attack Mughayyir residents, seize hundreds of dunums of their land and prevent construction in some parts of the village under the pretext it is classified as Area C, under full Israeli administrative and military control.
Israeli forces also consider the land located to the east of the village as a closed military zone and that farmers are not allowed to reach their land or to graze their livestock in that area.
He told WAFA that dozens of settlers chased the Palestinian shepherds out of the grazing fields and brutally beat them up injuring five of them with bruises and fractures, three of whom were evacuated to a nearly hospital for treatment due to their severe conditions.
Abu Naim said that Israeli forces deliberately installed a flying checkpoint at the entrance of the village following the attack and prevented anyone from reaching the attacked shepherds.
Al-Mughayyir, a town with an area of 26,000 dunums, is surrounded by four Israeli colonial settlements and with a military camp.
Israeli forces almost daily attack Mughayyir residents, seize hundreds of dunums of their land and prevent construction in some parts of the village under the pretext it is classified as Area C, under full Israeli administrative and military control.
Israeli forces also consider the land located to the east of the village as a closed military zone and that farmers are not allowed to reach their land or to graze their livestock in that area.
Israeli bulldozers today demolished an agricultural shack and razed land in Tarqumiya, to the west of the occupied southern West Bank city of Hebron.
WAFA correspondent said that the Israeli forces demolished the shack and razed about five dunums of land owned by Ibrahim Dababseh, a local resident.
WAFA correspondent said that the Israeli forces demolished the shack and razed about five dunums of land owned by Ibrahim Dababseh, a local resident.
Israeli forces today destroyed couplings in pipes providing water to al-Shunah area of al-Jiftlik village, located in the Jordan Valley to the north of Jericho, according to Qais al-Sinawi, a local activist.
He told WAFA that Israeli forces raided the village and proceeded to destroy the connectors supplying running water to Palestinian crops.
Palestinians tend to install water connector to the main Israeli water carrier lines which supply between 400 and 700 cubic meters of underground Palestinian water per hour to the colonial settlements, which is for them the only way they can get water to their homes, crops and livestock as Israel bans them from building water pipes of their own.
Israel does not allow Palestinian development in the Jordan Valley, which its politicians have made it clear on several occasions that the fertile Jordan Valley would be annexed to Israel.
He told WAFA that Israeli forces raided the village and proceeded to destroy the connectors supplying running water to Palestinian crops.
Palestinians tend to install water connector to the main Israeli water carrier lines which supply between 400 and 700 cubic meters of underground Palestinian water per hour to the colonial settlements, which is for them the only way they can get water to their homes, crops and livestock as Israel bans them from building water pipes of their own.
Israel does not allow Palestinian development in the Jordan Valley, which its politicians have made it clear on several occasions that the fertile Jordan Valley would be annexed to Israel.
Several armored Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Monday morning, Palestinian farmlands near Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, and opened fire at farmers in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
Media sources said several army vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Palestinian farmlands north of Beit Lahia, and started uprooting sections close to the perimeter fence. video
They added that the soldiers fired sporadic rounds of live ammunition during the invasion, before withdrawing to the military base, across the fence.
Furthermore, the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the fence, east of Khan Younis, fired many live rounds at farmers on their lands, forcing them away.
The attacks are part of ongoing violations targeting Gaza farmers, workers and fishermen, in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
Media sources said several army vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Palestinian farmlands north of Beit Lahia, and started uprooting sections close to the perimeter fence. video
They added that the soldiers fired sporadic rounds of live ammunition during the invasion, before withdrawing to the military base, across the fence.
Furthermore, the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the fence, east of Khan Younis, fired many live rounds at farmers on their lands, forcing them away.
The attacks are part of ongoing violations targeting Gaza farmers, workers and fishermen, in the besieged and improvised Gaza Strip.
16 feb 2020
Israeli soldiers chased, Sunday, many Palestinian shepherds in the al-Borj area, in the Northern Plains of the occupied West Bank.
Human rights activist Aref Daraghma stated that the soldiers attacked and chased many Palestinian shepherds, and forced them out of grazing lands.
He added that the attack comes just two days after the soldiers chased many shepherds in the same area, and detained a few of them.
The Palestinian shepherds and Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley, as well as several parts of the occupied West Bank, are subject to constant violations and assaults by the soldiers and the illegal colonialist settlers.
Human rights activist Aref Daraghma stated that the soldiers attacked and chased many Palestinian shepherds, and forced them out of grazing lands.
He added that the attack comes just two days after the soldiers chased many shepherds in the same area, and detained a few of them.
The Palestinian shepherds and Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley, as well as several parts of the occupied West Bank, are subject to constant violations and assaults by the soldiers and the illegal colonialist settlers.
Israeli soldiers fired, on Saturday night after midnight, a few missiles into a site in the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip, causing damage, after the army claimed that two shells were fired from the coastal region.
The army also revoked the permits of 500 merchants in addition to reducing the fishing zone.
Media sources said Israeli F16 warplanes fired missiles into a site west of Deir al-Balah city, in central Gaza, causing damage to the targeted location and several surrounding homes.
Israeli war jets and drones were also seen and heard flying over several parts of the coastal region.
The Israeli army claimed that it was retaliating to homemade shells that were reportedly fired from Gaza into nearby settlements.
In a statement, the Israeli army also said it has decided to revoke the permits of 500 Gaza merchants, which will prevent them from leaving the Gaza Strip on their way to Jerusalem or the rest of the occupied West Bank.
Furthermore, the Israeli Navy said it has decided to reduce the fishing zone allotted to Gaza Strip, for the second time since Wednesday, when it reduced it from 15 to 10 nautical miles, in addition to denying the entry of construction materials into the coastal region.
The army also revoked the permits of 500 merchants in addition to reducing the fishing zone.
Media sources said Israeli F16 warplanes fired missiles into a site west of Deir al-Balah city, in central Gaza, causing damage to the targeted location and several surrounding homes.
Israeli war jets and drones were also seen and heard flying over several parts of the coastal region.
The Israeli army claimed that it was retaliating to homemade shells that were reportedly fired from Gaza into nearby settlements.
In a statement, the Israeli army also said it has decided to revoke the permits of 500 Gaza merchants, which will prevent them from leaving the Gaza Strip on their way to Jerusalem or the rest of the occupied West Bank.
Furthermore, the Israeli Navy said it has decided to reduce the fishing zone allotted to Gaza Strip, for the second time since Wednesday, when it reduced it from 15 to 10 nautical miles, in addition to denying the entry of construction materials into the coastal region.
14 feb 2020
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) announced Thursday evening that the fishing zone off the coast of the besieged Gaza Strip would be expanded to 15 nautical miles.
The decision was taken a few days after the permissible fishing zone was reduced to 10 nautical miles and following repeated naval assaults on Gaza fishermen.
According to the fishermen committees in Gaza, the decision will be effective as of Friday morning.
There is still no official information if the Israeli step was taken following renewed de-escalation understandings mediated by Egypt or the UN between Israel and the Palestinian authorities in Gaza.
The decision was taken a few days after the permissible fishing zone was reduced to 10 nautical miles and following repeated naval assaults on Gaza fishermen.
According to the fishermen committees in Gaza, the decision will be effective as of Friday morning.
There is still no official information if the Israeli step was taken following renewed de-escalation understandings mediated by Egypt or the UN between Israel and the Palestinian authorities in Gaza.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday chased a number of Palestinian shepherds in al-Burj area of the northern Jordan Valley and detained some of them.
Local official Aref Daraghmeh reported that Israeli soldiers detained at least three shepherds in al-Burj area, without stating if they were released later.
In another context, Daraghmeh said that the Israeli army imposed financial penalties on him and another citizen to allow them to get back their vehicles that had been confiscated about two months ago.
He explained that he was handed a notice ordering him to pay a 3,000 shekel fine for his car, which had been seized about 50 days ago by soldiers when he was documenting Israeli demolitions in Ras al-Ahmar area.
Another citizen called Mufdi Sawafta was also ordered to pay over 2,000 shekels in order to reclaim his agricultural tractor, Daraghmeh added.
The IOF appropriated the tractor about two months ago when Sawafta was working his land in al-Maleh area of the northern Jordan Valley.
Local official Aref Daraghmeh reported that Israeli soldiers detained at least three shepherds in al-Burj area, without stating if they were released later.
In another context, Daraghmeh said that the Israeli army imposed financial penalties on him and another citizen to allow them to get back their vehicles that had been confiscated about two months ago.
He explained that he was handed a notice ordering him to pay a 3,000 shekel fine for his car, which had been seized about 50 days ago by soldiers when he was documenting Israeli demolitions in Ras al-Ahmar area.
Another citizen called Mufdi Sawafta was also ordered to pay over 2,000 shekels in order to reclaim his agricultural tractor, Daraghmeh added.
The IOF appropriated the tractor about two months ago when Sawafta was working his land in al-Maleh area of the northern Jordan Valley.
13 feb 2020
The Israeli occupation navy on Thursday morning attacked Palestinian fishermen and their boats off the coast of the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to local sources, Israeli gunboats opened machinegun fire at fishing boats in Gaza northern waters, forcing them to return ashore.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the shooting attack.
About 351 violations against Gaza fishermen were reported by different human rights groups during 2019.
Israeli naval forces and their 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 between six to 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 local sources, Israeli gunboats opened machinegun fire at fishing boats in Gaza northern waters, forcing them to return ashore.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the shooting attack.
About 351 violations against Gaza fishermen were reported by different human rights groups during 2019.
Israeli naval forces and their 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 between six to 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.
12 feb 2020
Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) on Wednesday ordered the confiscation of dozens of dunums of Palestinian-owned farmland west of Bethlehem City.
Anti-settlement activist Hasan Breijiya said that the agricultural lands targeted by the IOA are located in several areas neighboring Tzur Hadassah settlement.
Breijiya explained that the confiscated lands are set to be used for the construction of new housing units and an industrial area in the Israeli settlement.
The IOA has recently taken over vast tracts of Palestinian lands in Bethlehem district to establish new settler outposts, expand existing settlements or build new bypass roads for Israeli settlers.
Anti-settlement activist Hasan Breijiya said that the agricultural lands targeted by the IOA are located in several areas neighboring Tzur Hadassah settlement.
Breijiya explained that the confiscated lands are set to be used for the construction of new housing units and an industrial area in the Israeli settlement.
The IOA has recently taken over vast tracts of Palestinian lands in Bethlehem district to establish new settler outposts, expand existing settlements or build new bypass roads for Israeli settlers.
The government of Japan announced today the provision of new financial aid to the Palestinian people in the amount of $32,764,655 to be granted through international organizations.
It said this new package includes assistance to Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), support the urgent protection of marginalized communities through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Women (UNWOMEN), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNMAS), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The assistance also includes the provision of medical supplies through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and support to achieve economic progress through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Office of the International Quartet.
It said this new package includes assistance to Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), support the urgent protection of marginalized communities through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Women (UNWOMEN), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNMAS), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The assistance also includes the provision of medical supplies through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and support to achieve economic progress through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Office of the International Quartet.
The head of the International Quartet in Palestine, John Clark, affirmed today that his office is going to intervene regarding the Israeli decision to ban Palestinian exports of agricultural products and to take the necessary steps in cooperation with international partners in relation to the Israeli decision.
This came during his meeting with Minister of Economy Khaled Osaili at the ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah to discuss the implications of the Israeli decision and its turning back truckloads of agricultural products consisting of olive oil, dates and medicinal herbs intended for export to the United States, Sweden, Turkey and others countries.
Osaili briefed Clark on the ramifications of the Israeli decision and the Palestinian government's response to it by stopping the import of Israeli vegetables, fruits, juices, mineral water and carbonated drinks into the Palestinian markets.
The two sides also discussed the current economic situation in Palestine and the Israeli policies and measures related to import and export, pointing to the importance of international assistance for improving the Palestinian economy.
This came during his meeting with Minister of Economy Khaled Osaili at the ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah to discuss the implications of the Israeli decision and its turning back truckloads of agricultural products consisting of olive oil, dates and medicinal herbs intended for export to the United States, Sweden, Turkey and others countries.
Osaili briefed Clark on the ramifications of the Israeli decision and the Palestinian government's response to it by stopping the import of Israeli vegetables, fruits, juices, mineral water and carbonated drinks into the Palestinian markets.
The two sides also discussed the current economic situation in Palestine and the Israeli policies and measures related to import and export, pointing to the importance of international assistance for improving the Palestinian economy.
The Palestinian municipality of al-Khalil province said that the Israeli occupation army bulldozed on Tuesday Souk al-Halal, a livestock market, in Wadi al-Samen area in the east of al-Khalil city.
According to the municipality, the market is an important cattle auction hub for Palestinian citizens and provides them with their livestock needs
The municipality affirmed that this market belongs to it, considering such Israeli measure as a flagrant violation of international treaties and agreements.
It appealed to the international community to necessarily assume its legal and moral responsibility towards this Israeli violation.
According to the municipality, the market is an important cattle auction hub for Palestinian citizens and provides them with their livestock needs
The municipality affirmed that this market belongs to it, considering such Israeli measure as a flagrant violation of international treaties and agreements.
It appealed to the international community to necessarily assume its legal and moral responsibility towards this Israeli violation.