27 july 2018
Israeli settlers on Friday afternoon carried out several aggressions on Palestinian property near Jaloud town, southeast of Nablus city in the northern West Bank.
Anti-settlement activist Ghassan Daghlas said that a group of Israeli settlers from Esh Kodesh settlement, built by force on Palestinian lands, attacked a number of houses near Jaloud town. One house was burned and another was vandalized.
The settlers further burned over 50 trees and set nearby farmlands alight, according to Daghlas.
He explained that the targeted houses are owned by Palestinian citizens from neighboring villages and no-one was inside during the attack.
The Palestinian activist added that the settlers deliberately carried out the attack during Friday prayer. Palestinian citizens following the prayer rushed to the area to defend their property and clashed with the settlers.
The Israeli occupation forces later arrived in the scene, provided protection to the settlers, and detained a number of Palestinian citizens.
Anti-settlement activist Ghassan Daghlas said that a group of Israeli settlers from Esh Kodesh settlement, built by force on Palestinian lands, attacked a number of houses near Jaloud town. One house was burned and another was vandalized.
The settlers further burned over 50 trees and set nearby farmlands alight, according to Daghlas.
He explained that the targeted houses are owned by Palestinian citizens from neighboring villages and no-one was inside during the attack.
The Palestinian activist added that the settlers deliberately carried out the attack during Friday prayer. Palestinian citizens following the prayer rushed to the area to defend their property and clashed with the settlers.
The Israeli occupation forces later arrived in the scene, provided protection to the settlers, and detained a number of Palestinian citizens.
25 july 2018
Several incendiary balloons and kites flown from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday caused a series of fires in different locations in Israeli settlements near the border fence with the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to Ynetnews, balloons flown from Gaza have caused 7 fires in Israeli locations near the border since the morning.
The flaming kites have also led to the destruction of hundreds of dunums of agricultural fields in Israeli settlements near Gaza.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
According to Ynetnews, balloons flown from Gaza have caused 7 fires in Israeli locations near the border since the morning.
The flaming kites have also led to the destruction of hundreds of dunums of agricultural fields in Israeli settlements near Gaza.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
22 july 2018
David Sharaf, 41, is accused of setting fire to Arab-Israelis' property, including a souvenir shop and an olive grove in Jerusalem; 'Burn Arabs because they burn us,' Sharaf said; No mention of a nationalist motive in the indictment.
The Central District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against David Sharaf, 41, of Eilat, for setting fire to Arab Israeli citizens' property. According to the indictment, Sharaf decided to set these fires to avenge recent events in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, the indictment does not mention a nationalist motive.
According to the indictment, filed by attorney Netanel Bujo, Sharaf planned to ignite the property of the Arab population. The accused also planned to set fire to open areas in order to prevent firefighters from responding to fires aimed at the Arab population.
The first fire was set on July 8th in a souvenir shop located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The following day the accused called his relative and told him that he intends to "burn Arabs" because, he claimed, "they are burning our property." The relative told authorities about the conversation, and Sharaf was questioned by police and removed from the city of Eilat for a period of 15 days.
The next day, the accused, according to the indictment, set fire in three additional locations — a field near the IDF base in the central Nahal Sorek, an olive grove next to a residential building in an East Jerusalem's neighborhood, and vegetation near several buildings and homes in Jerusalem.
According to the arrest petition, "The location of the fires increases the potential damage of his actions. The accused set fire near a military base, a field of thorns that ignites easily, and in the heart of a city, near many bystanders."
"The accused poses a larger threat because of his motives. He chose to attack areas adjacent to the Temple Mount and the Old City with the declared intention of stirring up the public and "setting the region aflame," the arrest petition maintained.
The State Prosecutor's Office asked the court to extend Sharaf's detention until the end of the proceedings. The State Attorney's Office noted that the nationalist clause is not mentioned in the indictment because such a motive carries a double sentence for offenses that carry less than a ten year sentence. If the offense carries a longer sentence, it does not matter if a nationalist motive exists or not.
In addition, there are certain offenses, such as the incitement offense, that can carry a double sentence if a nationalist motive exists. In a crime of murder, having a background in terrorism activity can add years to the sentence. But for crimes with a longer sentence, like arson, this doesn't mean anything.
Attorney Shiran Bergman, who represents Sharaf on behalf of the Public Defender's Office, said: "We have yet to receive the investigation materials. After we receive and study them we will respond in court. The court accepted our request and sent the accused to psychiatric observation."
The State Prosecutor's Office stated that "According to the Penal Law, a nationalist motive is mentioned in the section of the offense for the purpose of doubling the sentence, when the offenses carry up to 10 years in prison, while the arson charge attributed to the accused is 15 years. The accused intention to cause harm to Israeli citizens belonging to the Arab sector is explicitly mentioned in the indictment."
The Central District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against David Sharaf, 41, of Eilat, for setting fire to Arab Israeli citizens' property. According to the indictment, Sharaf decided to set these fires to avenge recent events in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, the indictment does not mention a nationalist motive.
According to the indictment, filed by attorney Netanel Bujo, Sharaf planned to ignite the property of the Arab population. The accused also planned to set fire to open areas in order to prevent firefighters from responding to fires aimed at the Arab population.
The first fire was set on July 8th in a souvenir shop located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The following day the accused called his relative and told him that he intends to "burn Arabs" because, he claimed, "they are burning our property." The relative told authorities about the conversation, and Sharaf was questioned by police and removed from the city of Eilat for a period of 15 days.
The next day, the accused, according to the indictment, set fire in three additional locations — a field near the IDF base in the central Nahal Sorek, an olive grove next to a residential building in an East Jerusalem's neighborhood, and vegetation near several buildings and homes in Jerusalem.
According to the arrest petition, "The location of the fires increases the potential damage of his actions. The accused set fire near a military base, a field of thorns that ignites easily, and in the heart of a city, near many bystanders."
"The accused poses a larger threat because of his motives. He chose to attack areas adjacent to the Temple Mount and the Old City with the declared intention of stirring up the public and "setting the region aflame," the arrest petition maintained.
The State Prosecutor's Office asked the court to extend Sharaf's detention until the end of the proceedings. The State Attorney's Office noted that the nationalist clause is not mentioned in the indictment because such a motive carries a double sentence for offenses that carry less than a ten year sentence. If the offense carries a longer sentence, it does not matter if a nationalist motive exists or not.
In addition, there are certain offenses, such as the incitement offense, that can carry a double sentence if a nationalist motive exists. In a crime of murder, having a background in terrorism activity can add years to the sentence. But for crimes with a longer sentence, like arson, this doesn't mean anything.
Attorney Shiran Bergman, who represents Sharaf on behalf of the Public Defender's Office, said: "We have yet to receive the investigation materials. After we receive and study them we will respond in court. The court accepted our request and sent the accused to psychiatric observation."
The State Prosecutor's Office stated that "According to the Penal Law, a nationalist motive is mentioned in the section of the offense for the purpose of doubling the sentence, when the offenses carry up to 10 years in prison, while the arson charge attributed to the accused is 15 years. The accused intention to cause harm to Israeli citizens belonging to the Arab sector is explicitly mentioned in the indictment."
18 july 2018
Several incendiary balloons flown from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday caused fires in different locations in Israeli settlements near the border fence with the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to Maariv Hebrew newspaper, balloons and kites flown from Gaza have caused 23 fires in Israeli locations near the border since the morning.
The flaming kites have led to the destruction of trees, chickpeas fields and tens of apiaries in Israeli settlements near Gaza.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
According to Maariv Hebrew newspaper, balloons and kites flown from Gaza have caused 23 fires in Israeli locations near the border since the morning.
The flaming kites have led to the destruction of trees, chickpeas fields and tens of apiaries in Israeli settlements near Gaza.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
17 july 2018
Jewish settlers attacked, on Tuesday, Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank village of Assira al-Qibliya, and set farmland on fire, according to Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlers’ activities in the north of the West Bank.
Daghlas told WAFA that settlers from the illegal Yitzhar settlement attacked the Palestinian homes and torched land planted with olive trees.
He said that residents rushed to defend their homes and land but the Israeli army intervened, to protect the settlers, and confronted the residents, shooting at them to keep them back.
Residents also physically confronted the soldiers, as well as the settlers, he said.
Daghlas told WAFA that settlers from the illegal Yitzhar settlement attacked the Palestinian homes and torched land planted with olive trees.
He said that residents rushed to defend their homes and land but the Israeli army intervened, to protect the settlers, and confronted the residents, shooting at them to keep them back.
Residents also physically confronted the soldiers, as well as the settlers, he said.
16 july 2018
Several incendiary balloons flown from the Gaza Strip on Monday caused fires in different locations in Israeli settlements near the border fence with the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli Hebrew sources, balloons flown from Gaza have caused fires in Israeli locations near the border including including Karmiya Reserve, Shikma Reservoir near Zikim, in addition to two fires in Eshkol Regional Council, two other fires in Kibbutz Beeri, and four fires at Kibbutz Kissufim.
The flaming kites were flown in challenge to the Israeli decision on Sunday afternoon to end the issue of Gaza balloons by “military reaction”.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
According to Israeli Hebrew sources, balloons flown from Gaza have caused fires in Israeli locations near the border including including Karmiya Reserve, Shikma Reservoir near Zikim, in addition to two fires in Eshkol Regional Council, two other fires in Kibbutz Beeri, and four fires at Kibbutz Kissufim.
The flaming kites were flown in challenge to the Israeli decision on Sunday afternoon to end the issue of Gaza balloons by “military reaction”.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett during a cabinet meeting on Sunday called for targeting Gaza children who fly fire kites near Gaza border by warplanes.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday, a sharp dispute broke out in the Israeli cabinet session. The ministers disagreed on the direct shooting of Palestinian children flying kites and balloons over Gaza border fence. Naftali repeatedly called for children to be targeted by warplanes.
"Why do not we shoot at anyone who fires aerial weapons at our communities? There is no legal impediment. Why do we shoot next to them and not at them? We are talking about terrorists in every respect."
The Israeli occupation army's Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot opposed Naftali's request saying, "I do not think that it is right to target children and young people who usually fly fire kites."
"And if a fire kite flyer was identified as an adult?" asked Bennett. "Are you suggesting dropping bombs from an aircraft on kites and balloons flyers?" asked Eisenkot. "Yes," said Bennett.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended the discussion by saying that fire kites terrorism must come to an end without explaining how.
Bennett further criticized the Egypt-brokered ceasefire reached with the Palestinian resistance factions saying that it would give Hamas a chance to rearm.
Bennett, Eisenkot go head-to-head over IDF's Gaza policy
Education minister believes all incendiary balloon and kite launchers should be fired upon, while the IDF chief cautions there are children and teenagers among them; 'It's against my operational and moral positions,' Eisenkot says.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett went head-to-head with IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday afternoon over the military's reluctance to shoot incendiary balloon and kite fliers.
The Security Cabinet met Sunday to discuss the tensions on the Gaza border, with the discussion focusing on a response to the incendiary kites and balloons, which have been wreaking havoc in Israel, burning thousands of acres of farmland and wooded areas. While the Cabinet approved a new policy according which the IDF would open fire on any cells launching incendiary balloons and kites, Bennett disagreed with the nature and force of the response.
When discussing the fact children are often among the incendiary balloon and kite cells, Bennett wondered, "Why not shoot anyone who launches aerial weapons at our communities, and at the cells? There is no legal impediment. Why shoot next to them and not directly at them? These are terrorists for all intents and purposes."
The IDF chief responded, saying, "I don't think shooting teens and children—who are sometimes the ones launching the balloons and kites—is right."
"And what if it's an adult identified as an adult?" Bennett asked.
"Are you proposing to drop a bomb from a plane on incendiary balloon and kite cells?" Eisenkot asked.
When Bennett responded in the affirmative, the IDF chief said: "I disagree with you. It's against my operational and moral positions."
During the discussion, defense officials reported that Hamas was very surprised by the intensity of the IDF attacks over the weekend and begged for a ceasefire. They explained the IDF's policy regarding the incendiary balloons launchers is not to shoot to kill them, with the attacks carried out near launch sites in an effort to wound and deter.
Bennett was also criticial of the government's decision to accept the ceasefire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza after an intense round of fighting on Saturday. "A ceasefire without stopping terrorism is surrender," he determined.
"For three months, we've been witnessing the fire terrorism, with some 1,000 explosive and incendiary balloons used against the Gaza border residents. Just in the past few days, the south's residents suffered some 200 rockets," Bennett lamented.
"In a timing that is convenient it, Hamas is dictating that we're now having a ceasefire. So let's make this clear: a ceasefire without stopping the fire terrorism is not deterrence, it's surrender," he stressed.
Bennett said he and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked would object in the Cabinet to "any ceasefire that allows Hamas to rearm itself and allows Hamas to continue launching fire balloons towards the south's residents."
According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday, a sharp dispute broke out in the Israeli cabinet session. The ministers disagreed on the direct shooting of Palestinian children flying kites and balloons over Gaza border fence. Naftali repeatedly called for children to be targeted by warplanes.
"Why do not we shoot at anyone who fires aerial weapons at our communities? There is no legal impediment. Why do we shoot next to them and not at them? We are talking about terrorists in every respect."
The Israeli occupation army's Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot opposed Naftali's request saying, "I do not think that it is right to target children and young people who usually fly fire kites."
"And if a fire kite flyer was identified as an adult?" asked Bennett. "Are you suggesting dropping bombs from an aircraft on kites and balloons flyers?" asked Eisenkot. "Yes," said Bennett.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended the discussion by saying that fire kites terrorism must come to an end without explaining how.
Bennett further criticized the Egypt-brokered ceasefire reached with the Palestinian resistance factions saying that it would give Hamas a chance to rearm.
Bennett, Eisenkot go head-to-head over IDF's Gaza policy
Education minister believes all incendiary balloon and kite launchers should be fired upon, while the IDF chief cautions there are children and teenagers among them; 'It's against my operational and moral positions,' Eisenkot says.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett went head-to-head with IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday afternoon over the military's reluctance to shoot incendiary balloon and kite fliers.
The Security Cabinet met Sunday to discuss the tensions on the Gaza border, with the discussion focusing on a response to the incendiary kites and balloons, which have been wreaking havoc in Israel, burning thousands of acres of farmland and wooded areas. While the Cabinet approved a new policy according which the IDF would open fire on any cells launching incendiary balloons and kites, Bennett disagreed with the nature and force of the response.
When discussing the fact children are often among the incendiary balloon and kite cells, Bennett wondered, "Why not shoot anyone who launches aerial weapons at our communities, and at the cells? There is no legal impediment. Why shoot next to them and not directly at them? These are terrorists for all intents and purposes."
The IDF chief responded, saying, "I don't think shooting teens and children—who are sometimes the ones launching the balloons and kites—is right."
"And what if it's an adult identified as an adult?" Bennett asked.
"Are you proposing to drop a bomb from a plane on incendiary balloon and kite cells?" Eisenkot asked.
When Bennett responded in the affirmative, the IDF chief said: "I disagree with you. It's against my operational and moral positions."
During the discussion, defense officials reported that Hamas was very surprised by the intensity of the IDF attacks over the weekend and begged for a ceasefire. They explained the IDF's policy regarding the incendiary balloons launchers is not to shoot to kill them, with the attacks carried out near launch sites in an effort to wound and deter.
Bennett was also criticial of the government's decision to accept the ceasefire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza after an intense round of fighting on Saturday. "A ceasefire without stopping terrorism is surrender," he determined.
"For three months, we've been witnessing the fire terrorism, with some 1,000 explosive and incendiary balloons used against the Gaza border residents. Just in the past few days, the south's residents suffered some 200 rockets," Bennett lamented.
"In a timing that is convenient it, Hamas is dictating that we're now having a ceasefire. So let's make this clear: a ceasefire without stopping the fire terrorism is not deterrence, it's surrender," he stressed.
Bennett said he and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked would object in the Cabinet to "any ceasefire that allows Hamas to rearm itself and allows Hamas to continue launching fire balloons towards the south's residents."
15 july 2018
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, called on Israeli authorities to halt targeting the children of Gaza.
Mladenov, who visited Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, said there is only one way to end the ongoing escalation which is through maintaining peace, seizing fire and putting an end to the humanitarian crisis.
He added that the UN and its partners have immediate plans to end the tragic situation in Gaza, but basic issues need to be solved first. He called for returning to reconciliation and supporting the Palestinian government.
Mladenov also urged Palestinians to maintain peaceful demonstrations and to halt firing rockets and flying of burning kites.
The UN envoy hailed the Egyptian efforts to open Rafah crossing permanently and stressed that the UN will increase its presence in Gaza for ending the suffering of the Gazan people.
Mladenov, who visited Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, said there is only one way to end the ongoing escalation which is through maintaining peace, seizing fire and putting an end to the humanitarian crisis.
He added that the UN and its partners have immediate plans to end the tragic situation in Gaza, but basic issues need to be solved first. He called for returning to reconciliation and supporting the Palestinian government.
Mladenov also urged Palestinians to maintain peaceful demonstrations and to halt firing rockets and flying of burning kites.
The UN envoy hailed the Egyptian efforts to open Rafah crossing permanently and stressed that the UN will increase its presence in Gaza for ending the suffering of the Gazan people.
Israeli firefighters were dispatched on Sunday morning to the Gaza border area allegedly after flaming balloons were sent soaring over the border, causing at least six fires in Israeli settlements.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
Kites and balloons flown from Gaza led to the destruction of large areas of agricultural fields along with agricultural equipment over the past months.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
Kites and balloons flown from Gaza led to the destruction of large areas of agricultural fields along with agricultural equipment over the past months.
13 july 2018
At least 40 burning balloons were fired at dawn Friday at Gaza-Israel border areas, Israeli military sources claimed.
Israeli 0404 website quoted an Israeli army official as saying that ‘creative alternatives’ are being used by Gazans to ravage hundreds of hectares of land in the South, and the IOF doesn’t know what to do about it.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
Israeli 0404 website quoted an Israeli army official as saying that ‘creative alternatives’ are being used by Gazans to ravage hundreds of hectares of land in the South, and the IOF doesn’t know what to do about it.
Incendiary kites and balloons have been launched into Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Great March of Return protests, launched on March 30 at the Gaza border to call for Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
A number of extremist Israeli colonists invaded, on Friday at dawn, Orif village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and burnt two Palestinian cars.
Media sources in Nablus said the Israeli assailants came from the illegal Yitzhar colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
They added that the colonists invaded the village, approximately at three at dawn, burnt two cars, owned by Ziad Abdul-Aziz Omar, and wrote racist graffiti, in Wadi as-Sarrar area, northeast of Orif.
Palestinian firefighters rushed to the village, and extinguished the fire, but the cars were badly burnt.
Media sources in Nablus said the Israeli assailants came from the illegal Yitzhar colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
They added that the colonists invaded the village, approximately at three at dawn, burnt two cars, owned by Ziad Abdul-Aziz Omar, and wrote racist graffiti, in Wadi as-Sarrar area, northeast of Orif.
Palestinian firefighters rushed to the village, and extinguished the fire, but the cars were badly burnt.