21 aug 2016
Jordanian farmers spoke out against the damage inflicted on their agricultural lands by recurring Israeli wildfires erupting on the Israeli-Jordanian borders in the northern Jordan Valley.
Jordanian farmers said fauna and flora along the border area have been remarkably ruined by Israeli wildfires that burst out in the summer due to light bombs and explosion of mines.
Fertile lands have also been frequently burned near the barbed wires of the border fence under the security pretext.
The incident represents a flagrant violation of a deal struck between the Israeli occupation and Jordanian authorities in Wadi Araba over ongoing coordination in the area.
Over the past few years, more than 24 Israeli fires broke out in the area. According to preliminary estimates, the fires swallowed up an area of 55 donums planted with various kinds of citrus trees.
Jordan Valley Farmers Union President Adnan Kh addam said the losses inflicted by the Israeli fire on Jordanian farms during the past decade are estimated at tens of millions of dollars, stressing that Israel deliberately begins the fires each summer.
He added that the fires are a proof of Israel’s disregard for Jordan’s sovereignty.
Wildfires that broke out in Zour al-Menshiya area on June 26, 1996 led to losses worth 3,000 dinars. Trees worth 15,530 dinars were also damaged by the fire.
The latest of such fires broke out last year in al-Bakoura area. Losses were estimated at 23,495 dinars. Over 195 citrus trees, 100 forest trees, 40 olive trees, 10 pomegranate trees, 50 beehives, and five donums of barley crops, along with agricultural materials, were burned down.
Jordanian farmers said fauna and flora along the border area have been remarkably ruined by Israeli wildfires that burst out in the summer due to light bombs and explosion of mines.
Fertile lands have also been frequently burned near the barbed wires of the border fence under the security pretext.
The incident represents a flagrant violation of a deal struck between the Israeli occupation and Jordanian authorities in Wadi Araba over ongoing coordination in the area.
Over the past few years, more than 24 Israeli fires broke out in the area. According to preliminary estimates, the fires swallowed up an area of 55 donums planted with various kinds of citrus trees.
Jordan Valley Farmers Union President Adnan Kh addam said the losses inflicted by the Israeli fire on Jordanian farms during the past decade are estimated at tens of millions of dollars, stressing that Israel deliberately begins the fires each summer.
He added that the fires are a proof of Israel’s disregard for Jordan’s sovereignty.
Wildfires that broke out in Zour al-Menshiya area on June 26, 1996 led to losses worth 3,000 dinars. Trees worth 15,530 dinars were also damaged by the fire.
The latest of such fires broke out last year in al-Bakoura area. Losses were estimated at 23,495 dinars. Over 195 citrus trees, 100 forest trees, 40 olive trees, 10 pomegranate trees, 50 beehives, and five donums of barley crops, along with agricultural materials, were burned down.
9 aug 2016
25 Palestinian citizens, including 13 children, suffered from smoke inhalation when a drone belonging to an Israeli aerospace company on Tuesday afternoon crashed into a residential house in the village of Zalafa near Umm al-Fahm city.
Israel Aerospace Industries said the drone crashed during a test flight and that it would investigate the circumstances of the incident.
According to Israel's Channel 2, the drone crash triggered a fire in a populated house and led a private car outside it to burn.
25 people, including 13 children, received medical care after they suffered from inhaling fire smoke. The drone that crashed is a Heron 1 type, also known as Shoval, which has been utilized by the Israeli army for over a decade.
Israel Aerospace Industries said the drone crashed during a test flight and that it would investigate the circumstances of the incident.
According to Israel's Channel 2, the drone crash triggered a fire in a populated house and led a private car outside it to burn.
25 people, including 13 children, received medical care after they suffered from inhaling fire smoke. The drone that crashed is a Heron 1 type, also known as Shoval, which has been utilized by the Israeli army for over a decade.
5 aug 2016
A Palestinian girl on Thursday suffered injuries after a horde of Jewish settlers brutally beat her near Rammun town in the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorate.
The girl was grazing sheep when the settlers physically assaulted her and tried to burn her alive, according to local sources.
The settlers stabbed 11 sheep and killed some of them before they set the place around the girl ablaze in a bid to kill her and then fled the scene.
The incident happened east of Ramallah near the Bedouin homes in al-Marajat area.
The girl was grazing sheep when the settlers physically assaulted her and tried to burn her alive, according to local sources.
The settlers stabbed 11 sheep and killed some of them before they set the place around the girl ablaze in a bid to kill her and then fled the scene.
The incident happened east of Ramallah near the Bedouin homes in al-Marajat area.
31 july 2016
Hundreds of residents arrived to the scene to assist the firefighters as they battled to extinguish the gigantic flames; Serious damage caused to the mosque; Police believe fire caused by electrical malfunction.
A massive fire broke out on Sunday evening in the Al-Jazzar mosque in the northern city of Acre causing heavy damage to the structure. Police officials said that the fire was likely caused by a technical fault which led to an electrical failure.
One person was lightly injured from smoke inhalation and firefighters were immediately called to the scene to extinguish the flames which were consuming the holy site. Hundreds of residents in the area arrived at the mosque in an effort to assist the firefighters.
“The second that we saw the fire we left work and quickly ran to the scene,” said the residents. “We started to help to put out the massive fire. We don’t know how it happened. We are all waiting to hear the results of the checks.”
Al-Jazzar mosque is the largest and most important of all in Acre and the most important after the al-Aqsa mosque.
While the cause of the fire was not initially known, residents never really suspected that it could have been an arson attack, according to one resident who celebrated the good relations between Jews and Arabs. “There is no way that someone set the mosque on fire in the heart of the city. This is a place in which Arabs and Jews live together and have good relations. We never suspected that any person would want to harm a mosque - Not today or any other day."
The Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Samir Assi, was the victim on an attack in 2014 when a masked individual threw acid at his car. The Sheikh is known for his efforts, along with Jewish clergy and people of the municipality, in acting as a mediator between Muslims and Jews in the mixed city.
He undertook great efforts to prevent friction between the two communities and participated with Israel’s former chief rabbi, Shlomo Amar, along with other religious muslims, christians and Druze people, in a condolence visit to the synagogue in Har Nof which witnessed an infamous massacre in 2015.
A massive fire broke out on Sunday evening in the Al-Jazzar mosque in the northern city of Acre causing heavy damage to the structure. Police officials said that the fire was likely caused by a technical fault which led to an electrical failure.
One person was lightly injured from smoke inhalation and firefighters were immediately called to the scene to extinguish the flames which were consuming the holy site. Hundreds of residents in the area arrived at the mosque in an effort to assist the firefighters.
“The second that we saw the fire we left work and quickly ran to the scene,” said the residents. “We started to help to put out the massive fire. We don’t know how it happened. We are all waiting to hear the results of the checks.”
Al-Jazzar mosque is the largest and most important of all in Acre and the most important after the al-Aqsa mosque.
While the cause of the fire was not initially known, residents never really suspected that it could have been an arson attack, according to one resident who celebrated the good relations between Jews and Arabs. “There is no way that someone set the mosque on fire in the heart of the city. This is a place in which Arabs and Jews live together and have good relations. We never suspected that any person would want to harm a mosque - Not today or any other day."
The Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Samir Assi, was the victim on an attack in 2014 when a masked individual threw acid at his car. The Sheikh is known for his efforts, along with Jewish clergy and people of the municipality, in acting as a mediator between Muslims and Jews in the mixed city.
He undertook great efforts to prevent friction between the two communities and participated with Israel’s former chief rabbi, Shlomo Amar, along with other religious muslims, christians and Druze people, in a condolence visit to the synagogue in Har Nof which witnessed an infamous massacre in 2015.
30 july 2016
Hours after Eilat restaurant Eddie's Hideaway burned down early Saturday, Haoman Street Club in Jerusalem also caught fire; police are investigating both incidents under suspicion of arson; Chef Rafi Cohen's Neve Tzedek home also burned down.
Jerusalem Police responded to a call Saturday morning reporting a fire at Haoman Street club. Following an initial inquiry, an investigator for the Firefighting and Rescue Commission ruled that the fire was the result of arson, and an investigation on the incident was opened. As the club is not operational on Saturday, no one was hurt.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire, keep it from spreading to nearby buildings and eventually to extinguish it within one hour. Preliminary evidence found that the fire was started by unidentified arsonists who had poured a large amount of flammable liquid into the club and lit it on fire.
Haoman Street is located at the spot where the legendary Jerusalem Club Haoman 17 originally stood. After Haoman Street was opened, a contentious legal battle began between its owners and Haoman 17's owners, who claimed that the new club's name was misleading and would likely make club goers mistakenly think that Haoman 17 had reopened in Jerusalem. Haoman 17's Tel Aviv branch is still operational.
Haoman Street's owner is Yaron Segev, a business partner of Jerusalem nightlife leader Guy Cohen, who had fled Israel after accumulating millions of shekels in debt.
A few hours prior, the well-known Eilat restaurant Eddie's Hideaway also caught fire. The incident is similarly being investigated as a result of arson, and one suspect has already been arrested. No one was hurt in the fire. Eddie's Hideaway has been active since 1979.
In a third, perhaps unrelated incident, the Neveh Tzedek home of noted Chef Chaim Cohen also caught fire. There were no injured parties, and the family dog was safely rescued by the firefighting team from the burning house. Cohen attributed the fire to "a ray of light that must have reached the dining room's many glass surfaces."
Jerusalem Police responded to a call Saturday morning reporting a fire at Haoman Street club. Following an initial inquiry, an investigator for the Firefighting and Rescue Commission ruled that the fire was the result of arson, and an investigation on the incident was opened. As the club is not operational on Saturday, no one was hurt.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire, keep it from spreading to nearby buildings and eventually to extinguish it within one hour. Preliminary evidence found that the fire was started by unidentified arsonists who had poured a large amount of flammable liquid into the club and lit it on fire.
Haoman Street is located at the spot where the legendary Jerusalem Club Haoman 17 originally stood. After Haoman Street was opened, a contentious legal battle began between its owners and Haoman 17's owners, who claimed that the new club's name was misleading and would likely make club goers mistakenly think that Haoman 17 had reopened in Jerusalem. Haoman 17's Tel Aviv branch is still operational.
Haoman Street's owner is Yaron Segev, a business partner of Jerusalem nightlife leader Guy Cohen, who had fled Israel after accumulating millions of shekels in debt.
A few hours prior, the well-known Eilat restaurant Eddie's Hideaway also caught fire. The incident is similarly being investigated as a result of arson, and one suspect has already been arrested. No one was hurt in the fire. Eddie's Hideaway has been active since 1979.
In a third, perhaps unrelated incident, the Neveh Tzedek home of noted Chef Chaim Cohen also caught fire. There were no injured parties, and the family dog was safely rescued by the firefighting team from the burning house. Cohen attributed the fire to "a ray of light that must have reached the dining room's many glass surfaces."
20 july 2016
A group of settlers set fire at dawn Wednesday to a local house in Duma town south of Nablus belonging to Dawabsheh family.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a group of settlers threw Molotov cocktails into the house which led to the outbreak of fire in the kitchen and bedroom.
Fortunately, Mohamed Dawabsheh’s family managed to get out of the house in the right time.
They were later taken to hospital suffering the effect of smoke inhalation.
Mohamed Dawabsheh affirmed that he heard suspicious noises around the house before the incident. A slight explosion was then heard before the fire started, he continued.
Local activist Ghassan Daghlas affirmed that it is a deliberate settlers’ attack. Palestinian civil defense managed to put down the fire that completely burned the kitchen and bedroom.
The incident came only few days before the anniversary of the settlers’ arson attack that targeted Saad Dawabsheh family during which a Palestinian toddler and his parents were burned to death, while the four-year-old Ahmed Dawabsheh, the elder son, is still receiving treatment after sustaining burns in 60 percent of his body.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that a group of settlers threw Molotov cocktails into the house which led to the outbreak of fire in the kitchen and bedroom.
Fortunately, Mohamed Dawabsheh’s family managed to get out of the house in the right time.
They were later taken to hospital suffering the effect of smoke inhalation.
Mohamed Dawabsheh affirmed that he heard suspicious noises around the house before the incident. A slight explosion was then heard before the fire started, he continued.
Local activist Ghassan Daghlas affirmed that it is a deliberate settlers’ attack. Palestinian civil defense managed to put down the fire that completely burned the kitchen and bedroom.
The incident came only few days before the anniversary of the settlers’ arson attack that targeted Saad Dawabsheh family during which a Palestinian toddler and his parents were burned to death, while the four-year-old Ahmed Dawabsheh, the elder son, is still receiving treatment after sustaining burns in 60 percent of his body.
12 july 2016
A horde of extremist Jewish settlers on Monday evening set fire to plots of cultivated land in Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah city.
Afterwards, the settlers obstructed the movement of fire trucks and tried to prevent their crews from extinguishing the flames, according to local eyewitnesses.
The fire caused extensive damage to the agricultural area, which is owned by Palestinian farmers from the village.
Recently, a number of arson attacks on Palestinian homes and property reportedly took place in the West Bank.
Afterwards, the settlers obstructed the movement of fire trucks and tried to prevent their crews from extinguishing the flames, according to local eyewitnesses.
The fire caused extensive damage to the agricultural area, which is owned by Palestinian farmers from the village.
Recently, a number of arson attacks on Palestinian homes and property reportedly took place in the West Bank.
11 july 2016
The Environmental Quality Authority said on Monday that Israeli Occupation Forces torched 10 dunums of Palestinians’ agricultural lands planted with olive trees in al-Ramadein village in southern al-Khalil.
The Environmental Quality Authority in al-Khalil city pointed out that the lands torched by Israeli army soldiers belong to the al-Sawadeh Palestinian family in the village which is located within the Separation Wall.
The inhabitants of the village have to get Israeli permits in order to pick the olives every year, the authority added.
It said that the authority’s teams witnessed the effects of fire from a distance since they could not approach the place because of the Separation Wall.
The Environmental Quality Authority in al-Khalil city pointed out that the lands torched by Israeli army soldiers belong to the al-Sawadeh Palestinian family in the village which is located within the Separation Wall.
The inhabitants of the village have to get Israeli permits in order to pick the olives every year, the authority added.
It said that the authority’s teams witnessed the effects of fire from a distance since they could not approach the place because of the Separation Wall.
24 june 2016
Israeli soldiers invaded, late on Thursday evening, Doha town, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and shot a young Palestinian man, during clashes that took place following the invasion.
Medical sources said a young man, 21, was shot with a live round in his leg, and was moved to a local hospital, suffering a moderate injury.
The soldiers fired many live rounds, gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing fires in many trees and farmlands, before Palestinian firefighters, and Civil Defense teams, rushed to the site and extinguished the fires.
IOF sets fire to Palestinian-owned lands
Palestinian-owned agricultural lands, south of Bethlehem, were gutted by fire late Friday when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) heavily fired teargas bombs in the surrounding areas.
Security sources affirmed that Israeli forces heavily fired flare bombs west of al-Khuder town, south of Bethlehem, which led to the outbreak of fire in the area. Palestinian civil defense crews managed to control the fire and put it out.
Medical sources said a young man, 21, was shot with a live round in his leg, and was moved to a local hospital, suffering a moderate injury.
The soldiers fired many live rounds, gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing fires in many trees and farmlands, before Palestinian firefighters, and Civil Defense teams, rushed to the site and extinguished the fires.
IOF sets fire to Palestinian-owned lands
Palestinian-owned agricultural lands, south of Bethlehem, were gutted by fire late Friday when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) heavily fired teargas bombs in the surrounding areas.
Security sources affirmed that Israeli forces heavily fired flare bombs west of al-Khuder town, south of Bethlehem, which led to the outbreak of fire in the area. Palestinian civil defense crews managed to control the fire and put it out.
23 june 2016
A group of Israeli settlers set fire Thursday evening to dozens of dunums of Palestinian-owned agricultural lands planted with olive trees near the Qablan junction, south of Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank.
Eyewitnesses told a PIC reporter that several settlers from the Israeli settlement of Rachalim illegally built on Palestinian lands near al-Sawiya village set fire to dozens of dunums of farmlands.
Large parts of the surrounding area quickly caught fire due to the heat, causing dozens more olive and other trees to burn, the sources added.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there has been a total of 49 reported settler attacks against Palestinians and their properties in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem since the start of 2016, and a total of 221 attacks in 2015.
Eyewitnesses told a PIC reporter that several settlers from the Israeli settlement of Rachalim illegally built on Palestinian lands near al-Sawiya village set fire to dozens of dunums of farmlands.
Large parts of the surrounding area quickly caught fire due to the heat, causing dozens more olive and other trees to burn, the sources added.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there has been a total of 49 reported settler attacks against Palestinians and their properties in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem since the start of 2016, and a total of 221 attacks in 2015.
22 june 2016
Israeli settlers set fire Tuesday evening to dozens of olive trees in Palestinian agricultural land near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
A local agricultural committee affirmed that a group of settlers torched 100 acres planted with dozens of olive trees and wheat.
The attack came only ten days after a similar incident in the same area, the committee pointed out. 120 olive trees were completely burned during the attack.
Palestinian towns and villages in occupied West Bank are surrounded by Israeli settlements and outposts, many of which are protected by the Israeli military and have gained notoriety for being comprised of the most extremist settlers.
While Israeli forces will detain a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank for possessing a knife or gun, Israelis living in the same area are legally able to carry such weapons.
Rights groups have criticized Israel for implementing different legal systems for Palestinians and Israeli settlers living in the same area. Such practices, they say, protect the expansion of settlements while systematically eliminating the ability for Palestinians to move freely throughout their occupied territory.
A local agricultural committee affirmed that a group of settlers torched 100 acres planted with dozens of olive trees and wheat.
The attack came only ten days after a similar incident in the same area, the committee pointed out. 120 olive trees were completely burned during the attack.
Palestinian towns and villages in occupied West Bank are surrounded by Israeli settlements and outposts, many of which are protected by the Israeli military and have gained notoriety for being comprised of the most extremist settlers.
While Israeli forces will detain a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank for possessing a knife or gun, Israelis living in the same area are legally able to carry such weapons.
Rights groups have criticized Israel for implementing different legal systems for Palestinians and Israeli settlers living in the same area. Such practices, they say, protect the expansion of settlements while systematically eliminating the ability for Palestinians to move freely throughout their occupied territory.
15 june 2016
Jerusalem Forest near the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem is being threatened by a massive wildfire; 35 firefighting teams, 8 firefighting planes are working to battle the blaze.
A large forest fire is raging in the Jerusalem forest next to Givat Shaul. The fire is being carried by the wind in an easterly direction.
Jerusalem District Firefighter Spokesman Sergeant First Class Udi Gal said that eight firefighting planes have been dispatched, and that "firefighters are fighting huge flames and are trying to prevent them from getting close to houses and critical infrastructure. Additional forces from Beit Shemesh and the West Bank have been called up to help," he said. There are currently 35 firefighting teams fighting the blaze.
He also stressed that the flames are being fanned by the wind, and that the fire still is not under control. A seminary and Israel Electric Corporation offices have been evacuated.
Gal added that "the fire has rapidly progressed due to strong winds, and is spreading towards the Israel Electric Corporation offices. There are 35 firefighting teams on the ground. We call on the residents of Givat Shaul and the surrounding areas to shutter your homes and close your windows.
Arik Abulof from the Jerusalem firefighters said that "the fire is spreading towards the Har Nof neighborhood. We are sending teams to the neighborhoods and to the (Jerusalem) forest to try and keep the flames from getting to the houses, which would require us to evacuate the residents. This is a persistent fire. We are expecting to be battling this fire for several more hours."
The Jerusalem Police said that traffic has been closed in the Har Nof area, but that route 1 to Tel Aviv remains open.
A large forest fire is raging in the Jerusalem forest next to Givat Shaul. The fire is being carried by the wind in an easterly direction.
Jerusalem District Firefighter Spokesman Sergeant First Class Udi Gal said that eight firefighting planes have been dispatched, and that "firefighters are fighting huge flames and are trying to prevent them from getting close to houses and critical infrastructure. Additional forces from Beit Shemesh and the West Bank have been called up to help," he said. There are currently 35 firefighting teams fighting the blaze.
He also stressed that the flames are being fanned by the wind, and that the fire still is not under control. A seminary and Israel Electric Corporation offices have been evacuated.
Gal added that "the fire has rapidly progressed due to strong winds, and is spreading towards the Israel Electric Corporation offices. There are 35 firefighting teams on the ground. We call on the residents of Givat Shaul and the surrounding areas to shutter your homes and close your windows.
Arik Abulof from the Jerusalem firefighters said that "the fire is spreading towards the Har Nof neighborhood. We are sending teams to the neighborhoods and to the (Jerusalem) forest to try and keep the flames from getting to the houses, which would require us to evacuate the residents. This is a persistent fire. We are expecting to be battling this fire for several more hours."
The Jerusalem Police said that traffic has been closed in the Har Nof area, but that route 1 to Tel Aviv remains open.
