26 may 2018
Several Israeli colonizers invaded, Friday, Palestinian agricultural lands in the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem, and cut dozens of trees.
Hasan Breijiyya, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the colonizers cut 25 Peach trees, and 35 grapevines, owned by a local farmer, identified as Salah Shahin.
Breijiyya stated that this is the second attack targeting the same area this week alone, and added that the area is frequently targeted by the colonizers, and the army, in an attempt to expand the existing illegal colonies.
Hasan Breijiyya, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the colonizers cut 25 Peach trees, and 35 grapevines, owned by a local farmer, identified as Salah Shahin.
Breijiyya stated that this is the second attack targeting the same area this week alone, and added that the area is frequently targeted by the colonizers, and the army, in an attempt to expand the existing illegal colonies.
24 may 2018
Israeli naval forces on Thursday morning arrested five Palestinian fishermen sailing off Gaza’s northern shores.
Activist Zakaria Bakr said the Israeli occupation navy arrested the two brothers Rasem and Mohamed Zayed as they were setting sail off Gaza’s northern coast.
The occupation navy fired gunshots toward the brothers’ vessel before they dragged them to an unknown location.
Israeli naval ships attack Palestinian fishing boats on a quasi-daily basis while they are sailing within the allowed six-nautical miles from the shore.
According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), all Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen have taken place within the distance of six nautical miles, which it said “proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their livelihoods.”
Activist Zakaria Bakr said the Israeli occupation navy arrested the two brothers Rasem and Mohamed Zayed as they were setting sail off Gaza’s northern coast.
The occupation navy fired gunshots toward the brothers’ vessel before they dragged them to an unknown location.
Israeli naval ships attack Palestinian fishing boats on a quasi-daily basis while they are sailing within the allowed six-nautical miles from the shore.
According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), all Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen have taken place within the distance of six nautical miles, which it said “proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their livelihoods.”
Several Israeli army jeeps invaded, earlier on Thursday morning, Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, abducted four Palestinians, and caused many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers attacked many Palestinians, who protested the invasion, and fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at them, and at many homes and shops.
Medical sources said scores of Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, especially after the army fired gas bombs at homes. The army also caused serious damage to a local barbershop.
Furthermore, the soldiers abducted a wounded former political prisoner, identified as Omar Abu Haniyya, 20, in addition to As’ad Sweidan, 30, Qussai Shaher Salim, 21, and Zakariya Shbeita, 20.
The soldiers attacked many Palestinians, who protested the invasion, and fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at them, and at many homes and shops.
Medical sources said scores of Palestinians suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, especially after the army fired gas bombs at homes. The army also caused serious damage to a local barbershop.
Furthermore, the soldiers abducted a wounded former political prisoner, identified as Omar Abu Haniyya, 20, in addition to As’ad Sweidan, 30, Qussai Shaher Salim, 21, and Zakariya Shbeita, 20.
Nikolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, has warned that the besieged Gaza Strip is on the verge of collapse.
Mladenov gave the warning while addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, where he called for urgent action to relieve the suffering of Gaza's "increasingly desperate" people.
He added that people of Gaza were living with "crippling Israeli closures and with diminishing hopes for an end to the occupation and a political solution."
"Gaza's infrastructure teeters on the verge of total collapse, particularly its electricity and water networks as well as its health system," he noted.
Mladenov further called on the international community to join "in condemning in the strongest possible terms the actions that have led to the loss of so many lives in Gaza" since March.
Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza fence on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day, which coincided with Washington’s embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
More than 2,700 Palestinians were also wounded by Israeli gunfire during that day.
The UN official also denounced Israeli settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and Israel’s destruction of dozens of Palestinian homes and structures recently.
According to him, Israeli authorities have demolished or seized some 30 Palestinian-owned structures across the West Bank, including east Jerusalem. As a result, 43 Palestinians have been displaced and the livelihoods of over 140 have been affected.
Mladenov gave the warning while addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, where he called for urgent action to relieve the suffering of Gaza's "increasingly desperate" people.
He added that people of Gaza were living with "crippling Israeli closures and with diminishing hopes for an end to the occupation and a political solution."
"Gaza's infrastructure teeters on the verge of total collapse, particularly its electricity and water networks as well as its health system," he noted.
Mladenov further called on the international community to join "in condemning in the strongest possible terms the actions that have led to the loss of so many lives in Gaza" since March.
Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza fence on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day, which coincided with Washington’s embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
More than 2,700 Palestinians were also wounded by Israeli gunfire during that day.
The UN official also denounced Israeli settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and Israel’s destruction of dozens of Palestinian homes and structures recently.
According to him, Israeli authorities have demolished or seized some 30 Palestinian-owned structures across the West Bank, including east Jerusalem. As a result, 43 Palestinians have been displaced and the livelihoods of over 140 have been affected.
23 may 2018
Indonesia has decided to open its markets for Palestinian products with zero import duty.
Indonesia's Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has said that his country will receive all kinds of goods from Palestine without imposing an import duty.
During a meeting with the Palestinian ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair al-Shun at the Ministry of Trade in Jakarta, Lukita said that his country is also ready to export goods to the Palestinian markets based on their needs.
Head of the Fderation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce Khalil Rezeq hailed Indonesia's decision, saying that it would strengthen the Palestinian economy by encouraging traders and factories to export their goods to Indonesia and creating new opportunities for investment.
Rezeq told Quds Press that the taxes imposed on Palestinian imports in other countries are a major obstacle to the export movement, in addition to the restrictions imposed by Israel to strangle the Palestinian economy.
He affirmed that Palestinian factories are able to export goods that can compete internationally, but the Israeli restrictions are the biggest challenge to the Palestinian trade and industry movement.
In another context, Indonesia on Tuesday decided to ban Israeli citizens from entering the country in response to the latest Israeli massacre in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation army on 14th May killed 65 Palestinians and injured 3,188 while they were peacefully protesting the US embassy transfer to Jerusalem near Gaza's eastern border fence.
Indonesia's Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has said that his country will receive all kinds of goods from Palestine without imposing an import duty.
During a meeting with the Palestinian ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair al-Shun at the Ministry of Trade in Jakarta, Lukita said that his country is also ready to export goods to the Palestinian markets based on their needs.
Head of the Fderation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce Khalil Rezeq hailed Indonesia's decision, saying that it would strengthen the Palestinian economy by encouraging traders and factories to export their goods to Indonesia and creating new opportunities for investment.
Rezeq told Quds Press that the taxes imposed on Palestinian imports in other countries are a major obstacle to the export movement, in addition to the restrictions imposed by Israel to strangle the Palestinian economy.
He affirmed that Palestinian factories are able to export goods that can compete internationally, but the Israeli restrictions are the biggest challenge to the Palestinian trade and industry movement.
In another context, Indonesia on Tuesday decided to ban Israeli citizens from entering the country in response to the latest Israeli massacre in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli occupation army on 14th May killed 65 Palestinians and injured 3,188 while they were peacefully protesting the US embassy transfer to Jerusalem near Gaza's eastern border fence.
Palestinian farmers from Salfit have launched calls for opening an agricultural road closed off by the Israeli military in Haris village, west of Salfit.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, local farmers said the Israeli army’s closure of a vital agricultural road by concrete roadblocks has wrought remarkable losses on farmers and shopkeepers in the area.
Activist Jamal al-Ahmad said the closure comes as part of Israeli measures to tighten the noose around Palestinians’ neck in Haris for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion.
Researcher Khaled Maali said several such measures have been carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities across Salfit under the security guise at the same time as new access roads have been opened to smooth the movement of hundreds of Israelis residing in 25 illegal settlement outposts built on Palestinian lands in the area.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, local farmers said the Israeli army’s closure of a vital agricultural road by concrete roadblocks has wrought remarkable losses on farmers and shopkeepers in the area.
Activist Jamal al-Ahmad said the closure comes as part of Israeli measures to tighten the noose around Palestinians’ neck in Haris for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion.
Researcher Khaled Maali said several such measures have been carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities across Salfit under the security guise at the same time as new access roads have been opened to smooth the movement of hundreds of Israelis residing in 25 illegal settlement outposts built on Palestinian lands in the area.
22 may 2018
Israeli settlers on Tuesday cut off 700 grape trees planted in Halhoul town, north of al-Khalil.
According to the owners, brothers Maher and Ismail karja, Israeli settlers cut off a total of 400 grape trees; 200 of each. The other 300 are owned by Younes Abu Arish and Walid Duhdel; 100 and 200, respectively.
The sources said the trees were cut around dawn using an electric chainsaw.
Last week, Israeli settlers cut off 300 grape trees in Umm Sahali area near the town of Halhoul.
According to the owners, brothers Maher and Ismail karja, Israeli settlers cut off a total of 400 grape trees; 200 of each. The other 300 are owned by Younes Abu Arish and Walid Duhdel; 100 and 200, respectively.
The sources said the trees were cut around dawn using an electric chainsaw.
Last week, Israeli settlers cut off 300 grape trees in Umm Sahali area near the town of Halhoul.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Tuesday issued several demolition orders against a number of Palestinian facilities, including a clinic, in Yatta town to the south of al-Khalil, said local sources.
According to Rateb Jabour, coordinator of the Anti-Settlement Committee, Israeli forces handed two Palestinians demolition orders of two residential units and a shed as well as a demolition order of a clinic that serves the people in the area under the pretext of being built without permit.
The notified facilities are located in Sha’ab al-Batm area, to the east of the town. The area has been subjected to multiple attacks by Israeli settlers.
According to Rateb Jabour, coordinator of the Anti-Settlement Committee, Israeli forces handed two Palestinians demolition orders of two residential units and a shed as well as a demolition order of a clinic that serves the people in the area under the pretext of being built without permit.
The notified facilities are located in Sha’ab al-Batm area, to the east of the town. The area has been subjected to multiple attacks by Israeli settlers.
Israeli settlers carrying light weapons on Tuesday came down heavily on Palestinian shepherds in the northern Jordan Valley.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli settlers escorted by armed officers stormed Khilet Hamad, in the northern Jordan Valley, and forced Palestinian shepherds out of the area at gunpoint.
Sometime earlier, Israeli settlers set up makeshift homes and barracks for raising livestock on Palestinian land in the area.
Palestinian families living in the area have also often been forced out of their homes and tents by the Israeli occupation army under the guise of military drills.
Eye-witnesses said Israeli settlers escorted by armed officers stormed Khilet Hamad, in the northern Jordan Valley, and forced Palestinian shepherds out of the area at gunpoint.
Sometime earlier, Israeli settlers set up makeshift homes and barracks for raising livestock on Palestinian land in the area.
Palestinian families living in the area have also often been forced out of their homes and tents by the Israeli occupation army under the guise of military drills.
21 may 2018
The illegal settlement of Ariel in the occupied West Bank continues to dump its wastewater into Palestinian lands west of Salfit, causing large-scale air, water and soil pollution, according to local sources.
Local residents complained of foul odors nowadays due to the large amount of sewage coming from Ariel settlement, especially with the current heat wave hitting the area.
The flow of Ariel's waste has already damaged the flora and fauna in Wadi al-Matawi area, between Salfit and Ariel.
Many Palestinian farmers have suffered from agricultural losses after the resulting pollution caused widespread damage to their cultivated plots of land.
This issue has been going on for many years now as the settlement persistently keeps pumping sewage water into Wadi al-Matawi, with no regard to the environment or the local residents.
Local residents complained of foul odors nowadays due to the large amount of sewage coming from Ariel settlement, especially with the current heat wave hitting the area.
The flow of Ariel's waste has already damaged the flora and fauna in Wadi al-Matawi area, between Salfit and Ariel.
Many Palestinian farmers have suffered from agricultural losses after the resulting pollution caused widespread damage to their cultivated plots of land.
This issue has been going on for many years now as the settlement persistently keeps pumping sewage water into Wadi al-Matawi, with no regard to the environment or the local residents.
20 may 2018
Israeli settlers overnight on Saturday set fire to Palestinian lands in Huwara town, south of Nablus province, triggering tension in the area.
Speaking with the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), eye-witnesses said wildfires broke out in large areas of Huwara lands, located east of the illegal Israeli Yitzhar settlement outpost.
Moments after the arson attack, heavily-armed Israeli patrols cordoned off the main access road to the town and the bypass road in the area.
Local Palestinian farmer Munawar Odeh said the attack has not been the only one of its kind as Israel’s settler gangs routinely assault Palestinian olive groves and property in the area in the presence of the occupation army.
Speaking with the Palestinian Information Center (PIC), eye-witnesses said wildfires broke out in large areas of Huwara lands, located east of the illegal Israeli Yitzhar settlement outpost.
Moments after the arson attack, heavily-armed Israeli patrols cordoned off the main access road to the town and the bypass road in the area.
Local Palestinian farmer Munawar Odeh said the attack has not been the only one of its kind as Israel’s settler gangs routinely assault Palestinian olive groves and property in the area in the presence of the occupation army.
17 may 2018
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday wreaked havoc on a grape field in Halhul town, north of al-Khalil in the West Bank.
A local official said that Israeli soldiers stormed the field and cut off about 500 grape trees near the bypass in Wadi Qabbun area, east of Qalqilya.
He added that the soldiers used saws to remove the trees, which belonged to local farmers from the family of Jahshan.
A local official said that Israeli soldiers stormed the field and cut off about 500 grape trees near the bypass in Wadi Qabbun area, east of Qalqilya.
He added that the soldiers used saws to remove the trees, which belonged to local farmers from the family of Jahshan.
16 may 2018
The Israeli artillery on Wednesday afternoon bombed Palestinian resistance posts east of the Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that two resistance posts were struck by several artillery projectiles east of Jabalia and al-Shuja'iyya neighborhood.
The Israeli attacks caused severe damages in the bombed areas and the surrounding farmlands.
The Israeli occupation army claimed that the attack came in response to shooting attacks launched from the Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that two resistance posts were struck by several artillery projectiles east of Jabalia and al-Shuja'iyya neighborhood.
The Israeli attacks caused severe damages in the bombed areas and the surrounding farmlands.
The Israeli occupation army claimed that the attack came in response to shooting attacks launched from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldiers shot, Tuesday, two Palestinians with live fire and 71 with rubber-coated steel bullets, in addition to causing approximately 100 to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, and abducted two others, in Nablus governorate, in the northern part of the West Bank.
Medical sources said the soldiers attacked hundreds of protesters, who marched in the al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, and near Huwwara military roadblock, south of Nablus, marking the Palestinian Nakba, and the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The soldiers also attacked protesters in Beita village, south of Nablus, in addition to Azmout and Beit Forik, east of Nablus, and Deir Sharaf, west of the city.
Ahmad Jibreel, the head of the Emergency Unit of the Red Crescent Society, said the soldiers shot two Palestinians with live fire, and 69 others with rubber-coated steel bullets, in addition to causing approximately 100 to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers also abducted Mohammad Nubani, 23, and Kamal ‘Oweiss, and took them to an unknown destination.
In related news, the soldiers attacked dozens of nonviolent protesters in Budrus village, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after the army attacked a symbolic “Right of Return Camp,” causing several injuries.
Also in Nablus, several extremist Israeli colonialist settlers cut several Palestinian olive trees near the main entrance of Burqa village, north of the city.
Many Palestinians then gathered in the area, before the soldiers invaded it and fired several live rounds and gas bombs at them.
Medical sources said the soldiers attacked hundreds of protesters, who marched in the al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, and near Huwwara military roadblock, south of Nablus, marking the Palestinian Nakba, and the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The soldiers also attacked protesters in Beita village, south of Nablus, in addition to Azmout and Beit Forik, east of Nablus, and Deir Sharaf, west of the city.
Ahmad Jibreel, the head of the Emergency Unit of the Red Crescent Society, said the soldiers shot two Palestinians with live fire, and 69 others with rubber-coated steel bullets, in addition to causing approximately 100 to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers also abducted Mohammad Nubani, 23, and Kamal ‘Oweiss, and took them to an unknown destination.
In related news, the soldiers attacked dozens of nonviolent protesters in Budrus village, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after the army attacked a symbolic “Right of Return Camp,” causing several injuries.
Also in Nablus, several extremist Israeli colonialist settlers cut several Palestinian olive trees near the main entrance of Burqa village, north of the city.
Many Palestinians then gathered in the area, before the soldiers invaded it and fired several live rounds and gas bombs at them.
14 may 2018
Israeli soldiers installed, Monday, two iron gates on agricultural roads leading to Palestinian farmlands in the al-Khader town, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Ahmad Salah, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in al-Khader, said the soldiers installed the iron gates at the entrance of in Khallet al-Fahim area, and Salman Lands area, without any cause or justification.
Salah told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the Israeli violation would prevent the Palestinians from entering their lands, and added that the soldiers installed, a few days ago, several mobile homes in Khallet al-Fahim, in preparation for a new illegal colony on private Palestinian lands.
Al-Kader is subject to frequent assaults and violations by the military and illegal colonialist settlers, who constantly seek to build and expand their colonies and outposts on Palestinian lands.
Ahmad Salah, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in al-Khader, said the soldiers installed the iron gates at the entrance of in Khallet al-Fahim area, and Salman Lands area, without any cause or justification.
Salah told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the Israeli violation would prevent the Palestinians from entering their lands, and added that the soldiers installed, a few days ago, several mobile homes in Khallet al-Fahim, in preparation for a new illegal colony on private Palestinian lands.
Al-Kader is subject to frequent assaults and violations by the military and illegal colonialist settlers, who constantly seek to build and expand their colonies and outposts on Palestinian lands.
