7 may 2016
Gaza’s power crisis has led to new horrific deaths. Three children lost their lives on Friday night during a fire caused by a candle in their bedroom.
The fire, which broke out in a house belonging to al-Hindi family in Gaza City, claimed the lives of Rahaf and Yusra, four-year-old sisters, and their baby brother, Naser, and caused medium to minor burns to their brothers, Muhanad and Ali, as well as their mother.
Spokesman for the civil defense apparatus Mohamed al-Maiddana told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the fire spread through the house, causing considerable damage to its interior walls and furniture.
Dozens of similar incidents have already happened in Gaza as a result of long hours of power outages.
The energy authority in Gaza has called several times on the Palestinian government to give a full tax exemption on the fuel supplies of the power plant, but the latter still refuses that and insists on deepening the crisis.
Hamas: Israel and PA responsible for the death of three kids in Gaza
The Hamas Movement has held the Israeli occupation state and the Palestinian Authority (PA) responsible for the death of three children in a house fire in Gaza City on Friday night.
Hamas believes that the power crisis, which it blames Israel and the PA for causing it, has forced the family to use candles and thus led to the tragic death of those three children. In a press release on Saturday, spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri mourned the three children and described them as "the martyrs of the Israeli blockade."
Abu Zuhri also blamed PA chief Mahmoud Abbas and premier Rami al-Hamdallah for the incident and accused them of pursuing a discrimination and marginalization policy against the Gaza people.
He explained that the PA-controlled government insists on imposing the blue tax on the fuel supplies used to generate power in Gaza and also refuses to submit an official request to the Israeli authorities to provide the Strip with an additional power line.
Three children from al-Hindi family lost their lives last night during a fire caused by a candle in their bedroom. Other members of the family also suffered medium to minor injuries in the incident.
Haneyya: Israel burns Gaza, the PA burns children
Ismail Haneyya, Deputy Head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, said that the Israeli occupation burns lands and homes in Gaza while the Palestinian Authority (PA) enjoys burning Palestinian children.
In a speech before thousands of Gazans in the funeral of al-Hindi three children, who died after their home caught fire by light candles, Haneyya said his movement received many phone calls after the incident from several parties in the Arab and Muslim countries.
“All attempts by conspirators have not succeeded in making Gaza submit after 10 years of siege and three Israeli successive wars.
They have nothing left to work on except for electricity power and the crossing. Gaza will not surrender," Haneyya said.
The Hamas senior leader Haneyya said that his Movement will pay the costs needed by the father of the three children for treatment, housing, living, and other needs.
The fire, which broke out in a house belonging to al-Hindi family in Gaza City, claimed the lives of Rahaf and Yusra, four-year-old sisters, and their baby brother, Naser, and caused medium to minor burns to their brothers, Muhanad and Ali, as well as their mother.
Spokesman for the civil defense apparatus Mohamed al-Maiddana told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the fire spread through the house, causing considerable damage to its interior walls and furniture.
Dozens of similar incidents have already happened in Gaza as a result of long hours of power outages.
The energy authority in Gaza has called several times on the Palestinian government to give a full tax exemption on the fuel supplies of the power plant, but the latter still refuses that and insists on deepening the crisis.
Hamas: Israel and PA responsible for the death of three kids in Gaza
The Hamas Movement has held the Israeli occupation state and the Palestinian Authority (PA) responsible for the death of three children in a house fire in Gaza City on Friday night.
Hamas believes that the power crisis, which it blames Israel and the PA for causing it, has forced the family to use candles and thus led to the tragic death of those three children. In a press release on Saturday, spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri mourned the three children and described them as "the martyrs of the Israeli blockade."
Abu Zuhri also blamed PA chief Mahmoud Abbas and premier Rami al-Hamdallah for the incident and accused them of pursuing a discrimination and marginalization policy against the Gaza people.
He explained that the PA-controlled government insists on imposing the blue tax on the fuel supplies used to generate power in Gaza and also refuses to submit an official request to the Israeli authorities to provide the Strip with an additional power line.
Three children from al-Hindi family lost their lives last night during a fire caused by a candle in their bedroom. Other members of the family also suffered medium to minor injuries in the incident.
Haneyya: Israel burns Gaza, the PA burns children
Ismail Haneyya, Deputy Head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, said that the Israeli occupation burns lands and homes in Gaza while the Palestinian Authority (PA) enjoys burning Palestinian children.
In a speech before thousands of Gazans in the funeral of al-Hindi three children, who died after their home caught fire by light candles, Haneyya said his movement received many phone calls after the incident from several parties in the Arab and Muslim countries.
“All attempts by conspirators have not succeeded in making Gaza submit after 10 years of siege and three Israeli successive wars.
They have nothing left to work on except for electricity power and the crossing. Gaza will not surrender," Haneyya said.
The Hamas senior leader Haneyya said that his Movement will pay the costs needed by the father of the three children for treatment, housing, living, and other needs.
6 may 2016
Israeli forces injured dozens of Palestinians during weekly Friday protests in the occupied West Bank villages of Kafr Qaddum and Bilin.
Three Palestinians, including two journalists, were injured on Friday as Israeli forces dispersed the weekly protest in Kafr Qaddum in the northern West Bank district of Qalqiliya.
Coordinator for popular resistance in the village Murad Shtewi said dozens of Israeli soldiers raided the village firing rubber-coated steel bullets, sponge rounds, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades.
Akif Jumaa, 55, was injured by a sponge round fired at his wrist. He was taken to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Reporter for the Palestinian news station Palestine TV Ahmad Shawir was injured with rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces at his hand and foot, while the photojournalist Muthanna al-Deek was injured with a rubber bullet fired at his the foot. They were treated on the scene.
In the central West Bank village of Bilin, dozens suffered from tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces dispersed the weekly protest there.
Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters at the western entrance to the village, causing a fire to erupt on land belonging to Awad Yasin in the Khallat al-Ful area.
Participants in the protest raised Palestinian flags and roamed the village chanting songs for national unity and resistance. They called for the release of all prisoners including journalist Omar Nazzal and hunger striking prisoners.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports on the incident.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum and Bilin are among many in Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank that carry out weekly Friday demonstrations in opposition to the decades-long Israeli military occupation.
Israeli forces have received criticism for excessive use of force as well as lethal methods of crowd control that often result in death or injury of protesters.
2 journalists among dozens of injured during Friday protests
At least three Palestinians, including two journalists, were injured while dozens choked on teargas as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) suppressed Friday weekly marches across the West Bank.
Local activist Murad Shteiwi told the PIC reporter that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed Kafer Qaddum town amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and sound grenades and violently quelled the anti-settlement weekly march.
Three injuries were reported during the attack including two journalists, while dozens suffered breathing difficulties due to the excessive IOF firing of teargas bombs, he added.
During the march, Israeli forces deliberately targeted the journalists and their equipment, Shteiwi pointed out. Hundreds of locals and foreign activists participated in the weekly march while holding banners and chanting slogans calling for an end to Israeli occupation and settlement expansion.
In a similar attack, dozens of Palestinians suffered breathing problems after Israeli forces suppressed Friday afternoon Bi’lin weekly march that was organized against Israeli settlement construction.
Dozens of olive trees were burned due to the excessive firing of teargas bombs during the march.
Meanwhile, nine rubber bullet injuries and 23 teargas suffocation cases were also reported as clashes erupted in Abu Dis town east of occupied Jerusalem.
Three Palestinians, including two journalists, were injured on Friday as Israeli forces dispersed the weekly protest in Kafr Qaddum in the northern West Bank district of Qalqiliya.
Coordinator for popular resistance in the village Murad Shtewi said dozens of Israeli soldiers raided the village firing rubber-coated steel bullets, sponge rounds, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades.
Akif Jumaa, 55, was injured by a sponge round fired at his wrist. He was taken to Rafidia hospital for treatment.
Reporter for the Palestinian news station Palestine TV Ahmad Shawir was injured with rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli forces at his hand and foot, while the photojournalist Muthanna al-Deek was injured with a rubber bullet fired at his the foot. They were treated on the scene.
In the central West Bank village of Bilin, dozens suffered from tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces dispersed the weekly protest there.
Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters at the western entrance to the village, causing a fire to erupt on land belonging to Awad Yasin in the Khallat al-Ful area.
Participants in the protest raised Palestinian flags and roamed the village chanting songs for national unity and resistance. They called for the release of all prisoners including journalist Omar Nazzal and hunger striking prisoners.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports on the incident.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum and Bilin are among many in Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank that carry out weekly Friday demonstrations in opposition to the decades-long Israeli military occupation.
Israeli forces have received criticism for excessive use of force as well as lethal methods of crowd control that often result in death or injury of protesters.
2 journalists among dozens of injured during Friday protests
At least three Palestinians, including two journalists, were injured while dozens choked on teargas as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) suppressed Friday weekly marches across the West Bank.
Local activist Murad Shteiwi told the PIC reporter that dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed Kafer Qaddum town amid heavy firing of teargas bombs and sound grenades and violently quelled the anti-settlement weekly march.
Three injuries were reported during the attack including two journalists, while dozens suffered breathing difficulties due to the excessive IOF firing of teargas bombs, he added.
During the march, Israeli forces deliberately targeted the journalists and their equipment, Shteiwi pointed out. Hundreds of locals and foreign activists participated in the weekly march while holding banners and chanting slogans calling for an end to Israeli occupation and settlement expansion.
In a similar attack, dozens of Palestinians suffered breathing problems after Israeli forces suppressed Friday afternoon Bi’lin weekly march that was organized against Israeli settlement construction.
Dozens of olive trees were burned due to the excessive firing of teargas bombs during the march.
Meanwhile, nine rubber bullet injuries and 23 teargas suffocation cases were also reported as clashes erupted in Abu Dis town east of occupied Jerusalem.
29 apr 2016
Dozens of Palestinians were injured on Friday as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) violently suppressed the peaceful weekly marches in Ramallah and Qalqilia in the West Bank.
43 injuries including three rubber bullet injuries and 39 teargas suffocation cases were reported as clashes broke out in Kafer Qaddum town in Qalqilia province, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces stormed the town and brutally suppressed the anti-occupation march with teargas bombs and rubber bullets, causing several injuries.
In Ramallah, dozens of protesters including foreign activists suffered breathing problems after being targeted with teargas bombs during Bil’in weekly march. Local sources affirmed that IOF soldiers fired teargas bombs and rubber bullets at the anti-settlement march in Bil’in village, which led to several injuries among the peaceful protesters.
Dozens of nearby olive trees were burned due to the excessive use of teargas bombs.
The peaceful march kicked off in the village amid large participation of local, foreign, and Israeli activists holding Palestinian and South African flags and banners calling for ending the Israeli Apartheid policies.
Also in Ramallah, Israeli forces brutally suppressed the anti-settlement march in Ni’lin village. Local sources affirmed that Israeli forces fired teargas bombs at the march, causing several injuries among the participants. The march was organized just after Friday prayers in protest against Israeli apartheid wall.
43 injuries including three rubber bullet injuries and 39 teargas suffocation cases were reported as clashes broke out in Kafer Qaddum town in Qalqilia province, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces stormed the town and brutally suppressed the anti-occupation march with teargas bombs and rubber bullets, causing several injuries.
In Ramallah, dozens of protesters including foreign activists suffered breathing problems after being targeted with teargas bombs during Bil’in weekly march. Local sources affirmed that IOF soldiers fired teargas bombs and rubber bullets at the anti-settlement march in Bil’in village, which led to several injuries among the peaceful protesters.
Dozens of nearby olive trees were burned due to the excessive use of teargas bombs.
The peaceful march kicked off in the village amid large participation of local, foreign, and Israeli activists holding Palestinian and South African flags and banners calling for ending the Israeli Apartheid policies.
Also in Ramallah, Israeli forces brutally suppressed the anti-settlement march in Ni’lin village. Local sources affirmed that Israeli forces fired teargas bombs at the march, causing several injuries among the participants. The march was organized just after Friday prayers in protest against Israeli apartheid wall.
26 apr 2016
Temperatures climb to 40 degrees Celsius in central Israel, while Gedera and Kfar Saba see 39 degrees; firefighting crews battle blazes in western and upper Galilee, on Highway 1, and next to the railways between Be'er Ya'akov and Lod.
Several forest fires broke out across Israel on Tuesday as the country was hit by a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in the Tel Aviv area.
Fires were reported all across the country, including in the Western Galilee between the town of Shlomi and Kibbutz Matzuva and also in the city of Nahariya, where two trees burned down near residential buildings; in the Upper Galilee near Kibbutz Gadot; in Kibbutz Yizre'el near Afula; on Highway 1 connecting Jerusaelm and Tel Aviv, close to Kibbutz Gamzu, and also in the city of Jerusalem; next to the railway between Be'er Ya'akov and Lod, and additionally between Ramla and Kibbutz Na'an.
Ten firefighting crews from around the Western Galilee and four firefighting planes from KKL-JNF are working to put out the blaze near Shlomi on route 70. Firefighters reported that dozens of acres have already burned, as well as banana plantations near Shlomi, but there is no danger to the nearby towns. Meanwhile, electricity has been cut off to Matzuva and the surrounding communities of Kibbutz Kabri and Moshav Avidon. The fire is now reported to be under control.
Fire broke out near Kibbutz Gadot in two different locations, not far from a white water rafting site. Four firefighting teams from the upper Galilee were dispatched to the scene and reported heavy smoke. All visitors in the area, on the bank of the Jordan River, were evacuated.
Firefighting teams also battled a bush fire at a junkyard on the eastern side of the village of Sheikh Danun in the western Galilee.
Due to the fact that the fires in the Lod and Ramla areas occurred close to rail lines, train service was disrupted in different areas of the Shfela region, Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva.
A fire broke out on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, but was quickly brought under control. Meanwhile, a second fire broke out in the Shalom Forest next to Mount Herzel in the far west of the capital. A house in the neighborhood of Abu Tor was evacuated due to smoke.
Two firefighting planes and four firefighting crews from Afula were sent to fight a bush fire near Kibbutz Yizre'el, putting it out. The fire was stopped several dozens of meters from the homes of the kibbutz, and some 100 acres were burned.
The blaze in Kibbutz Yizre'el was started due to visitors to the area lighting a barbeque, much like the blaze in Birya Forest on Monday.
Following an investigation into the Birya Forest fire, it was revealed that the cause of the fire was a couple who were attmpting to light a barbeque with their four children. Sparks from the barbeque flew out and started a small fire which the family immediately tried to put out with the water and juice they brought with them for their picnic. They also immediately called police and fire services.
KKL-JNF forester Eli Hafuta said that all of the KKL-JNF firefighting crews are on high alert. "Firefighters, fire inspectors on all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and volunteers are stationed at the parking lots of the parks. We sent in reinforcements after what happened in Birya and also as a result of the heat wave. Crews are going through the parking lots and checking to make sure that bonfires and barbeques aren't being lit inside the forests themselves, and are only being lit in permitted areas. We are operating from early in the morning until late at night."
Tens of thousands of visitors and massive traffic jams
The scorching heat, however, did not deter around 80,000 Israelis who visited nature reserves, national parks and the beaches all across the country.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority said that the most visited sites in the country were water sites, such as the Ayun stream, HaBanim, Ein Prat, Ein Gedi, and Gan Hashlosha (Sahne).
The Authority also said that crowds were seen at the Nahal Snir Nature Reserve, the Tal Forest, and at the Ashkelon National Park.
Meanwhile, the Jordan River Park north of the Sea of Galilee was closed to visitors due to so many people arriving. Traffic jams stretching for miles were reported around the lake.
Thousands of tourists who were looking for a respite from the heat went to the natural pools in Eshkol Park in the Merhavim Regional Council.
5,000 people took part in a hike near Latrun organized by the Yad LeShiryon organization, which took place on the 100th anniversary of the invention of the tank. Yad LeShiryon is an organization for Armored Corps veterans.
Members of the tank division led the hike, and explained to the participants about the evolution of the tank from its beginnings in 1916 to its role in modern warfare today. The hike included a children's area, and presentations of tank and artillery weaponry, firefighting equipment, Magen David Adom equipment, and more.
Almost 75,000 visitors came to the rock sculpture festival at Monfort lake in Ma'a lot in the first three days of Chol Ha'moed (the intermediate days of Passover). 11 sculptors from Israel and around the world are featured at the festival
The flock of vacationers also led to massive traffic jams, including on Highway 1, Highway 2, Highway 4, Ayalon Highway and in other routes in northern Israel.
Meteo-Tech weatherman Tzachi Waxman said the highest temperature measured was in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area - 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while Gedera and Kfar Saba saw 39 degrees (102.2 Fahrenheit).
The extreme weather also had a negative effect. At Nahal El Al in the Golan Heights, an Israeli woman around 30 years old suffered heat stroke and dehydration, while the search and rescue unit also extracted a 40-year-old woman from Jalaboun Stream, who was suffering from dehydration. Near moshav Haspin in the Golan, a 40-year-old Beit Shemesh resident was bit by a snake and suffered a light-to-moderate injury. He was evacuated to the Poriya hospital in Tiberias.
In the Negev, volunteers from the rescue unit were called to extra an Israeli man suffering from dehydration from Ma'ale Hod Akev.
The Meteo-Tech company reported that the weather will be torrid and may be accompanied by haze. During the day light rain is also likely. Temperatures will decrease in the evening, at which time heavy winds and haze are expected.
In the evening, winds will reach 50 kph. Medium to heavy heat is expected on the coastal plain, in the north and in the Negev. Heavy to extreme heat is expected in the eastern valleys.
On Wednesday, there will be a significant drop of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Several forest fires broke out across Israel on Tuesday as the country was hit by a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in the Tel Aviv area.
Fires were reported all across the country, including in the Western Galilee between the town of Shlomi and Kibbutz Matzuva and also in the city of Nahariya, where two trees burned down near residential buildings; in the Upper Galilee near Kibbutz Gadot; in Kibbutz Yizre'el near Afula; on Highway 1 connecting Jerusaelm and Tel Aviv, close to Kibbutz Gamzu, and also in the city of Jerusalem; next to the railway between Be'er Ya'akov and Lod, and additionally between Ramla and Kibbutz Na'an.
Ten firefighting crews from around the Western Galilee and four firefighting planes from KKL-JNF are working to put out the blaze near Shlomi on route 70. Firefighters reported that dozens of acres have already burned, as well as banana plantations near Shlomi, but there is no danger to the nearby towns. Meanwhile, electricity has been cut off to Matzuva and the surrounding communities of Kibbutz Kabri and Moshav Avidon. The fire is now reported to be under control.
Fire broke out near Kibbutz Gadot in two different locations, not far from a white water rafting site. Four firefighting teams from the upper Galilee were dispatched to the scene and reported heavy smoke. All visitors in the area, on the bank of the Jordan River, were evacuated.
Firefighting teams also battled a bush fire at a junkyard on the eastern side of the village of Sheikh Danun in the western Galilee.
Due to the fact that the fires in the Lod and Ramla areas occurred close to rail lines, train service was disrupted in different areas of the Shfela region, Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva.
A fire broke out on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, but was quickly brought under control. Meanwhile, a second fire broke out in the Shalom Forest next to Mount Herzel in the far west of the capital. A house in the neighborhood of Abu Tor was evacuated due to smoke.
Two firefighting planes and four firefighting crews from Afula were sent to fight a bush fire near Kibbutz Yizre'el, putting it out. The fire was stopped several dozens of meters from the homes of the kibbutz, and some 100 acres were burned.
The blaze in Kibbutz Yizre'el was started due to visitors to the area lighting a barbeque, much like the blaze in Birya Forest on Monday.
Following an investigation into the Birya Forest fire, it was revealed that the cause of the fire was a couple who were attmpting to light a barbeque with their four children. Sparks from the barbeque flew out and started a small fire which the family immediately tried to put out with the water and juice they brought with them for their picnic. They also immediately called police and fire services.
KKL-JNF forester Eli Hafuta said that all of the KKL-JNF firefighting crews are on high alert. "Firefighters, fire inspectors on all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and volunteers are stationed at the parking lots of the parks. We sent in reinforcements after what happened in Birya and also as a result of the heat wave. Crews are going through the parking lots and checking to make sure that bonfires and barbeques aren't being lit inside the forests themselves, and are only being lit in permitted areas. We are operating from early in the morning until late at night."
Tens of thousands of visitors and massive traffic jams
The scorching heat, however, did not deter around 80,000 Israelis who visited nature reserves, national parks and the beaches all across the country.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority said that the most visited sites in the country were water sites, such as the Ayun stream, HaBanim, Ein Prat, Ein Gedi, and Gan Hashlosha (Sahne).
The Authority also said that crowds were seen at the Nahal Snir Nature Reserve, the Tal Forest, and at the Ashkelon National Park.
Meanwhile, the Jordan River Park north of the Sea of Galilee was closed to visitors due to so many people arriving. Traffic jams stretching for miles were reported around the lake.
Thousands of tourists who were looking for a respite from the heat went to the natural pools in Eshkol Park in the Merhavim Regional Council.
5,000 people took part in a hike near Latrun organized by the Yad LeShiryon organization, which took place on the 100th anniversary of the invention of the tank. Yad LeShiryon is an organization for Armored Corps veterans.
Members of the tank division led the hike, and explained to the participants about the evolution of the tank from its beginnings in 1916 to its role in modern warfare today. The hike included a children's area, and presentations of tank and artillery weaponry, firefighting equipment, Magen David Adom equipment, and more.
Almost 75,000 visitors came to the rock sculpture festival at Monfort lake in Ma'a lot in the first three days of Chol Ha'moed (the intermediate days of Passover). 11 sculptors from Israel and around the world are featured at the festival
The flock of vacationers also led to massive traffic jams, including on Highway 1, Highway 2, Highway 4, Ayalon Highway and in other routes in northern Israel.
Meteo-Tech weatherman Tzachi Waxman said the highest temperature measured was in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area - 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while Gedera and Kfar Saba saw 39 degrees (102.2 Fahrenheit).
The extreme weather also had a negative effect. At Nahal El Al in the Golan Heights, an Israeli woman around 30 years old suffered heat stroke and dehydration, while the search and rescue unit also extracted a 40-year-old woman from Jalaboun Stream, who was suffering from dehydration. Near moshav Haspin in the Golan, a 40-year-old Beit Shemesh resident was bit by a snake and suffered a light-to-moderate injury. He was evacuated to the Poriya hospital in Tiberias.
In the Negev, volunteers from the rescue unit were called to extra an Israeli man suffering from dehydration from Ma'ale Hod Akev.
The Meteo-Tech company reported that the weather will be torrid and may be accompanied by haze. During the day light rain is also likely. Temperatures will decrease in the evening, at which time heavy winds and haze are expected.
In the evening, winds will reach 50 kph. Medium to heavy heat is expected on the coastal plain, in the north and in the Negev. Heavy to extreme heat is expected in the eastern valleys.
On Wednesday, there will be a significant drop of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
25 apr 2016
Firefighters gain control over the blaze and stop its advance towards the settlement of Amuka; forest has been evacuated of dozens of visitors and nearby roads closed.
A large fire broke out on Monday afternoon near the tomb of Rabbi Jonathan ben Uzziel in Biriya Forest in the upper Galilee. Firefighters were able to gain control over the fire and stop its advancement towards the nearby communal settlement of Amuka.
Many firefighting forces were dispatched to the forest to combat the blaze, including six airtankers and the Fire Department's northern district enacted the "Lashes of Fire" alert, used when there's concern a large-scale fire would quickly spread.
Dozens of visitors were evacuated from the area. The forest is among one of the more popular among KKL-JNF forests and is many Israelis visit it during Chol HaMoed.
Roads in the area, from Hatzor HaGlilit and Biriya to Amuka, were closed, and a command and control center was set up in the area including firefighting, Magen David Adom and police forces.
KKL forester Eli Hafuta estimated that dozens of dunams have burned down.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a grove on Highway 3 near Yesodot in the Shephelah region in central Israel. Firefighting forces were working to stop the spread of the fire towards the moshav. Train movement in the area was stopped and visitors were evacuated.
A fire also broke out in Elad Forest in the Samaria district of the West Bank. Firefighting and KKL teams were able to stop the spread of the fire, and evacuated visitors to the forest.
A large fire broke out on Monday afternoon near the tomb of Rabbi Jonathan ben Uzziel in Biriya Forest in the upper Galilee. Firefighters were able to gain control over the fire and stop its advancement towards the nearby communal settlement of Amuka.
Many firefighting forces were dispatched to the forest to combat the blaze, including six airtankers and the Fire Department's northern district enacted the "Lashes of Fire" alert, used when there's concern a large-scale fire would quickly spread.
Dozens of visitors were evacuated from the area. The forest is among one of the more popular among KKL-JNF forests and is many Israelis visit it during Chol HaMoed.
Roads in the area, from Hatzor HaGlilit and Biriya to Amuka, were closed, and a command and control center was set up in the area including firefighting, Magen David Adom and police forces.
KKL forester Eli Hafuta estimated that dozens of dunams have burned down.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a grove on Highway 3 near Yesodot in the Shephelah region in central Israel. Firefighting forces were working to stop the spread of the fire towards the moshav. Train movement in the area was stopped and visitors were evacuated.
A fire also broke out in Elad Forest in the Samaria district of the West Bank. Firefighting and KKL teams were able to stop the spread of the fire, and evacuated visitors to the forest.
24 apr 2016
Dozens of dunums of Palestinian agricultural lands were gutted by fire in Surif town west of al-Khalil to the south of the occupied West Bank on Sunday.
The local activist Mohamed Awad affirmed that a wildfire ripped through 50 dunums owned by Mohamed Hamad. Dozens of olive trees were burned during the fire, he added.
Palestinian civil defense crews rushed to the area and managed to put down the fire.
The local activist Mohamed Awad affirmed that a wildfire ripped through 50 dunums owned by Mohamed Hamad. Dozens of olive trees were burned during the fire, he added.
Palestinian civil defense crews rushed to the area and managed to put down the fire.
22 apr 2016
A Palestinian teenager was wounded by a rubber-coated steel bullet and dozens others suffered excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces dispersed weekly protests across the occupied West Bank on Friday.
Popular resistance coordinator Murad Shtewei told Ma'an Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades, and rubber-coated steel bullets at demonstrators taking part in the weekly protest in the northern West Bank village of Kafr Qaddum.
A 15-year-old teenager was treated on the scene after he was hit by a rubber-coated bullet in the arm.
Shtewei said hundreds took part in the protest, chanting nationalistic Palestinian songs and calling for an end to the Israeli occupation.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum stage regular protests against land confiscations as well as the closure of the village's southern road by Israeli forces. The road, which has been closed 13 years, is the main route to the nearby city of Nablus, the nearest economic hub.
Meanwhile, dozens of activists suffered excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces suppressed the weekly protest in the village of Bilin.
Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters as they approached the Israeli separation wall.
Locals said that a swath of farmland planted with olive and almond trees, belonging to local residents Haytham al-Khatib and Hashim Burnat, caught fire when Israeli forces chased activists in the fields.
Many villages in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem participate in weekly Friday protests, including Nabi Saleh, Nillin, and al-Masara.
Israeli forces have come under repeated criticism for excessive use force and methods of crowd control that often result in death or injury of protesters.
Popular resistance coordinator Murad Shtewei told Ma'an Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades, and rubber-coated steel bullets at demonstrators taking part in the weekly protest in the northern West Bank village of Kafr Qaddum.
A 15-year-old teenager was treated on the scene after he was hit by a rubber-coated bullet in the arm.
Shtewei said hundreds took part in the protest, chanting nationalistic Palestinian songs and calling for an end to the Israeli occupation.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum stage regular protests against land confiscations as well as the closure of the village's southern road by Israeli forces. The road, which has been closed 13 years, is the main route to the nearby city of Nablus, the nearest economic hub.
Meanwhile, dozens of activists suffered excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces suppressed the weekly protest in the village of Bilin.
Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters as they approached the Israeli separation wall.
Locals said that a swath of farmland planted with olive and almond trees, belonging to local residents Haytham al-Khatib and Hashim Burnat, caught fire when Israeli forces chased activists in the fields.
Many villages in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem participate in weekly Friday protests, including Nabi Saleh, Nillin, and al-Masara.
Israeli forces have come under repeated criticism for excessive use force and methods of crowd control that often result in death or injury of protesters.
20 apr 2016
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the Zbeidat town, in the West Bank’s Plains, in the Jordan Valley, and demolished two Palestinian homes.
Several military vehicles invaded the town, violently searched a number of homes, and kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Eyad Mohammad Abed Zbeidat, 35, and Mohammad Omar Zbeidat, 24.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers hurled a firebomb into Eyad’s home, causing parts of the property, including the furniture, to burn. Eyad is a supervisor at the Palestinian Education Ministry.
They added that Mohammad is a farmer, and that the soldiers violently invaded his home and searched it, before abducting him.
Several military vehicles invaded the town, violently searched a number of homes, and kidnapped two Palestinians, identified as Eyad Mohammad Abed Zbeidat, 35, and Mohammad Omar Zbeidat, 24.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers hurled a firebomb into Eyad’s home, causing parts of the property, including the furniture, to burn. Eyad is a supervisor at the Palestinian Education Ministry.
They added that Mohammad is a farmer, and that the soldiers violently invaded his home and searched it, before abducting him.
