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Vermonters
for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel News Archives - January 2007 Select News by subject: Conflict • Diplomacy • Government • Human Rights • Economy • People • International |
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PM approves eastward move of section of separation barrier Ha’aretz 1/31/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved the moving of the separation barrier at least five kilometers eastward from the Green Line in the area of Modi’in Ilit, in order to take in the settlements of Nili and Na’aleh, according to security sources and a brief submitted by the state to the High Court of Justice. The new route will create two Palestinian enclaves containing about 20,000 people. Nili and Na’aleh together have some 1,500 residents. Olmert approved the change in response to pressure from residents of the two settlements, both of which would have been left outside the barrier, according to the route approved by the cabinet last April. The new route will lengthen the fence by about 12 kilometers, which will cost an estimated NIS 120 million. more.. Israeli forces increasing procedures against East Jerusalem: five houses demolished Palestine News Network 1/31/2007 After demolishing three homes in East Jerusalem’s Azaria, At Tur and Issawiya Tuesday, Israeli forces continued into the evening. Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality bulldozers destroyed two more homes in At Tur and Beit Hanina. The demolitions came at the same time as the major threat to Al Aqsa Mosque. The excavations underneath have rendered the area insecure as Israeli forces dug out tunnels linking the mosque and the Silwan neighborhood. They are also confiscating more of the Old City of East Jerusalem to build a synagogue near the Muslim holy site. Israeli forces use the pretext of “building without a permit” to destroy Palestinian homes throughout East Jerusalem. However much of the area, and specifically the Beduoin area from Tuesday morning’s demolitions, is being confiscated to expand the major Ma’ale Adumim Settlement in East Jerusalem. more.. Hamas militant killed in latest Gaza violence Middle East Online 1/30/2007 Factional fighting continues despite truce, Palestinian leader condemns Hamas executive force as illegal. -- A Hamas militant was killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, jolting a truce declared just hours earlier between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah after four days of bitter fighting. The death of Hussein al-Shubassi, 28, who according to medics was gunned down in the southern town of Khan Yunis, brought to 35 the number of people killed since the latest bout of internecine fighting erupted on Thursday, the bloodiest in a year. A spokesman for the Hamas government condemned the killing but refrained from blaming the rival Fatah party of president Mahmud Abbas. "Those who killed the young man were masked," Fawzi Barhum said. "We do not want to accuse Fatah..." -- See also: Palestinian ceasefire broken, leaving one dead and Hamas gunman shot dead in southern Gaza more.. Israeli special forces stage ambush, shoot and injure 12 year old in Jenin Palestine News Network 1/31/2007 Palestinian security sources report that Israeli forces conducted an undercover operation in which they shot a 12 year old and arrested two people on the so-called wanted listed Tuesday night. In the northern West Bank’s Jenin District, Israeli special forces set an ambush at the western entrance to Jenin, between the city and Kafr Dan Village. The targets were two men from northwestern Jenin’s Al Yamoun Village. Eyewitnesses report that an Israeli special unit suddenly appeared on Haifa Street. After lying in wait, soldiers opened fire when a car with Palestinian plates belonging to Abdullah Ahmed Noahadah drove past. At the same time, a booming explosion was heard and large numbers of Israeli forces rushed the area. Eyewitnesses saw people lying on the ground near the targeted vehicle, but Israeli forces prevented [PRCS] ambulances... more.. Israeli army abducts 23 Palestinian men from a village near Nablus International Middle East Media Center 1/30/2007 A large Israeli army force invaded the village of Kufer Kalil to the south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus and abducted 23 Palestinian men on Tuesday morning. Soldiers forced families out while searching and ransacking their homes, eyewitnesses reported. During this campaign Israeli forces abducted 23 men from the village. Among those abducted were Sae’d Amer, Bilal Mansur and three of his brothers, Murad, Jawad and Iyad. Israeli soldiers left the village and took all 23 men to an unknown military detention camp. Israeli army sources claimed that all 23 were Fatah and Hamas activists, a claim that was not verified by a Palestinian source. [end] ’We didn’t believe it would happen in our town’ Ha’aretz 1/30/2007 Hani Azoulay works at a small grocery store in the strip mall where the attack occurred. Yesterday she arrived, as usual, at 8:30 A. M. Three workers from the Lehamim bakery - owners Emil Almaliakh and Michael Ben Sa’adon and employee Israel "Izzy" Samolia - had arrived hours ago to prepare bread for local hotels and restaurants." I came in to say good morning, as usual," she said. "About an hour later, I went outside and saw Mika. I waved and we both went back inside. Less than a second later, I heard an explosion. The whole store shook and the cigarettes fell off the walls." Azoulay, like other residents of the neighborhood, assumed that the noise was a cooking gas cylinder that had exploded. No one thought it was a terrorist. Azoulay went into the bakery. "I saw the horror - arms, legs, things no one should see." more.. Eilat operation intended to stop Palestinian internal fighting, says Islamic Jihad leader; warns of more to come Ma’an News Agency 1/30/2007 Gaza - The deputy secretary-general in the Islamic Jihad movement, Ziyad Al-Nakhaleh, has stated that the bombing in the Israeli city of Eilat on Monday was intended to drop "the flaming ball" in the Israeli court and, therefore, keep internal fighting and the prospect of civil war out of the Palestinian street. He also stressed that resistance is the only choice of the Palestinian people. He also threatened that such bombing operations will return to "the heart of Israel". He also mentioned that the Eilat bomber followed a complicated route to reach his destination, and he could be followed by others in the future. Al-Nakhaleh said that the success of the bomber denies the Israeli allegations that they are controlling the security situation through building the separation wall. more.. Palestinian child injured, two fighters taken prisoner in Jenin International Middle East Media Center 1/31/2007 Palestinian sources reported on Tuesday at night that under-cover forces of the Israeli army infiltrated into the northern west Bank city of Jenin, shot and injured one child and abducted two resistance fighters. The Palestine News network, PNN, reported that the under-cover units ambushed two fighters at the western entrance of Jenin, between Kafer Dan village and Jenin. The forces were ambushing the fighters in Al Sa’ada area, in Haifa Street; after ambushing the vehicle and firing at it, soldiers called additional troops to back them up. Dozens of military vehicles arrived to the scene directly after the attack and closed the area barring even Red Crescent ambulances from crossing in. One child, identified as Sa’ed Mahmoud Abid, 12, was shot and injured by a live round in his leg. more.. Arrests in West Bank on the rise while Israeli military court postpones trials for officials Palestine News Network 1/30/2007 The Israeli policy of arrests in the West Bank was escalating before Monday’s explosion. On Saturday and Sunday Israeli forces arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the West Bank. The Ministry of Detainees and Ex Detainees Affairs appealed to the international community for help. On Monday Israeli forces arrested more than 30. Conditions in Israeli prisons remain dismal with proper medical care an unavailable luxury and torture on the books as a method of extracting confessions, while the military court system relies heavily on "secret evidence" and postponing trials. Arrests were already escalating, but after the explosion in Eilat on Monday the Israeli government said they would increase. Israeli sources reported Tuesday morning that the Israeli army was “given the green light to act against ticking bombs. ” more.. IDF to strike Islamic Jihad, but wants to maintain Gaza ’calm’ Ha’aretz 1/31/2007 The Israel Defense Forces will act against the Gazan terror infrastructure of the Islamic Jihad, it was decided Tuesday, following a consultation between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, as well as heads of the IDF and the Shin Bet security service. Islamic Jihad is the organization that took responsibility for Monday’s terror attack in Eilat which killed three people. At the same time, it was decided that Israel will otherwise maintain the cease-fire and policy of "calm" in the Gaza Strip. According to government sources in Jerusalem, all of the participants in the meeting addressed the internal situation in the Palestinian Authority and the struggle between Fatah and Hamas, saying that Israel has no vested interest in uniting the various battling factions against it. more.. An-Nasser Salah Eldin Fires a Home-made Shell at an Israeli Town International Middle East Media Center 1/30/2007 The An-Nasser Salah Eldin Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Resistance Committees, announced on Tuesday that it has fired a home-made shell at the Israeli town of Miftahim, to the east of Gaza Strip, in retaliation to an Israeli air strike on Gaza earlier in the day. Israeli air forces bombarded a tunnel near the Karni commercial crossing in eastern Gaza City, under the pretext of foiling possible Palestinian attacks in Israel. The Israeli attack on Gaza came after a Palestinian resistance attack on the southern Israeli town of Eilat on Monday, in which three Israelis were killed. Israel declared it would uphold an already shaky Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire agreement which has been in place since last November. [end] Palestinian security officer dies of wounds he sustained on Monday International Middle East Media Center 1/30/2007 Palestinian medical sources reported that a Palestinian security officer of the 17 force, a Fatah affiliated force, died on Tuesday morning due to wounds he sustained on Monday during the Hamas Fatah infighting in Khan Younies city in the southern Gaza strip. Sources in Nasser hospital reported that Atief Al Najar, 43, died due to wounds in the legs and groin, sources in Khan Younies reported that Al Najar was shot by troops from the executive force, a Hamas affiliated force. On Monday at least seven Palestinians were killed during internal clashes between the two rival parties Fatah and Hamas, bringing the death toll due to infighting since Thursday to at least 35. A cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Fateh was reached at 3 A. M on Tuesday. The two movements agreed to withdraw all gunmen from the streets, and to release all abductees. more.. Bomb explodes in a music shop in Rafah Ma’an News Agency 1/30/2007 Gaza - An explosive device was detonated in a shop selling popular music tapes in Rafah refugee camp in the south of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning. Sources told Ma’an that the shop belongs to Suheil Al-Kurdi and the operation took place at 4 am on Tuesday. This is not the first time that shops of this kind, particularly those selling cassettes, videos or offering internet services, have been targeted by unknown groups. [end] 25 Gazans dead in Fatah-Hamas clashes Jerusalem Post 1/28/2007 The number of Palestinians killed in fierce fighting between Fatah and Hamas gunmen in the Gaza Strip over the weekend rose to 25 on Saturday night, with dozens more wounded in the clashes. At least six of the victims died on Saturday. Among the casualties was two-year-old Yehya Abu Bakreh, who was killed when Fatah gunmen fired at his father’s car. Fatah gunmen and Palestinian Authority policemen also attacked a mosque in Gaza City, killing a number of worshipers. The fighting, the heaviest between the two parties since Hamas came to power a year ago, left the streets of Gaza City completely deserted except for hundreds of militiamen and police officers. The PA Ministry of Education announced that studies in universities and schools would be suspended until further notice due to the growing violence. more.. Hamas: "Fateh gunmen fired at the house of FM Zahhar" International Middle East Media Center 1/27/2007 The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said on Friday at night the “Fateh gunmen” fired at the house of Palestinian Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Zahar”, one of the senior leaders of Hamas. Hamas blamed senior Fateh leader, Mohammad Dahlan for the attack since it considered him as “the leader of the coup against the Hamas-led government”. Senior Hamas sources reported that the shooting at Zahar’s house is considered at attempt to assassinate him. Zahar said that rounds of live ammunition and an RPG shell were fired at his house and vowed that the assailants will be punished. Two rooms at Al Zahar’s house were damaged, no injuries were reported. Hamas media sources blamed Fateh for the latest escalation of violence, and said that some Fateh leaders and members are trying to inflame the situation and “drag the area into civil war”. [end] IDF destroys 2 Hezbollah bunkers on Israeli side of Lebanon border Ha’aretz 1/27/2007 Israel Defense Forces troops on Friday destroyed two Hezbollah bunkers discovered during searches in the area around the Lebanese border fence. The IDF was combing the Katamon valley in the western part of the area surrounding the Lebanese border with Israel. One bunker had already been discovered during this summer’s war, and the other was discovered on Wednesday. The bunkers were both within Israel’s territory, somewhere between the international border and the border fence. The bunkers housed supplies, food and tools that would enable a long stay underground. In a statement released Friday, the IDF spokesman’s office said that the aim of the operation was to prevent Hezbollah from reclaiming the bunkers, and represents a shift in IDF methods around the border with Lebanon... more.. Fatwa issued in Gaza; internal fighting prohibited Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Gaza - A number of Islamic clerics have issued a Fatwa in the Gaza Strip, prohibiting internal fighting between Fatah and Hamas, and called for compliance with this Fatwa ruling. The delegation, a group of scientists and reformists appealed in a press conference to the presidency and the government "to sit together to resolve the differences between the two movements, so that Gaza does not become a pool of blood. [end] Two innocent bystanders from Qalqilia injured during clashes Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Qalqilia - Palestinian citizens, 15 year old Ala’ Wajih Ibtali, and Imad Jalaj Ju’eidi, aged 19, were injured on Saturday during an inter-family clash in the northern West bank city of Qalqilia. Medical sources reported that one of the young men was critically injured when he received a bullet to the head, while the other was moderately injured in the shoulder. Both victims were innocent bystanders during a fight between two other men. [end] Israeli warplanes intrude on Beirut airspace Daily Star 1/27/2007 BEIRUT: As Beirut’s curfew ended at 6 a. m. Friday and Lebanese looked forward to a day of calm following Thursday’s deadly clashes, Israeli forces conducted a series of overflights across Lebanon, including the capital, in what was for many a stark reminder of the summer 2006 war. An Israeli plane was seen "circling at a low altitude" off the coast of Beirut early Friday, in violation of the terms of the cease-fire ending the war with Israel, a Lebanese Army source told The Daily Star. This was the first time since October 30 that an Israeli plane was detected near the capital, but a spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFL) told The Daily Star that Israel violates Lebanese airspace south of the Litani River, where UNIFIL operates "almost every day." more.. 21 killed in weekend of factional clashes in Gaza Ha’aretz 1/28/2007 Six Palestinians were killed Saturday - including a 6-year-old boy - in clashes between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, bringing the number of fatalities since fighting began Thursday to 21. Some fifty people were kidnapped throughout the weekend and fifty others wounded. Talks between representatives of Fatah and Hamas to end the internecine fighting in the Gaza Strip collapsed Saturday night. The fighting between the rival Palestinian factions continued throughout the weekend, despite a cease-fire agreement reached on Friday. The incidents began on Thursday night, following the death of a Hamas militant who was killed in a car bomb in the Jabalya refugee camp. Hamas blamed Fatah for the blast, but the group affiliated with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas maintained that the explosion was the result of a "work accident"... more.. Deadly battles shatter Gaza calm BBC Online 1/27/2007 At least 13 people have died in some of the deadliest fighting between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in Gaza for months. Two civilians - one a two-year-old boy - were among those killed, Palestinian medics said. The clashes erupted after weeks of relative calm and renewed efforts to form a national unity government. Both Hamas and Fatah said they were suspending talks after the violence, which continued into the night. Both factions also kidnapped members of the opposing side during the day. More than 40 people have died as a result of a power struggle between supporters of the Hamas-led government and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction since mid-December. The BBC’s Alan Johnston in Gaza says there has been intensive mediation by Egyptian diplomats in an effort to stop the bloodshed there. more.. Gunmen fail to abduct director of endowment department in Salfit Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Salfit - Local sources in Salfit have on Saturday confirmed that an attempt by unidentified gunmen to abduct the director of Salfit governorate’s endowment department failed. Ma’an received information from multiple sources, reporting that four masked gunmen tried to kidnap Humam Mir’I, director of the endowment department, yet when they broke into the headquarters, he had already left. The gunmen then headed to the office of local governance to continue with their mission, but also failed, thanks to the efforts of the director and employees of the local governance department. Following the incident, the Salfit governorate witnessed the heavy deployment of security forces in the streets. [end] Ministry of education condemns Israeli attack on their official Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Jenin - Hashem Al-Za’muti, the director of the ministry of education in Qabatiya village has condemned the injury to the head of the operations section, Hosni Al-A’raj. Al-A’raj was traveling in a car owned by the ministry when it was deliberately hit by an Israeli tank at the Al-Bathan military checkpoint, north east of the city of Nablus, late on Wednesday evening. He stated that, through these practices, the Israelis show their lack of concern over the lives of citizens and their belongings. [end] Three Palestinians arrested near Nablus Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Nablus - Israeli forces have arrested three Palestinians during a raid in the Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp near the city of Nablus on Saturday morning. Palestinian security sources said that ten Israeli military jeeps entered the camp at dawn, breaking into several houses, and searching each invasively. The troops arrested Mohammad Abu Namous, 16, Ahmad Abu Ar Rish, 21, and Shadi Shehada, 16. They were taken to an unknown location. [end] Al Aqsa Brigades’ unit launches six projectiles at Sderot Ma’an News Agency 1/27/2007 Gaza - The "groups of the Martyr Yasser Arafat", a unit of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, has appealed to the Fatah movement, and all militant groups, to disregard those they called "promoters of sedition". They also appealed to the people of the Hamas movement, to "resort to the language of logic and reason". The brigades assured that Abu-Marwan, the deputy general leader of the "martyr Yasser Arafat" unit is currently besieged in the house of Al-Aqsa Brigades’ leader Mansur Shalayel. In addition, the groups of the martyr Yasser Arafat announced their responsibility for the launch of six homemade projectiles towards the Israeli town of Sderot at 3:15 Friday afternoon. [end] Israeli army abducts a Palestinian clergy man from Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 The Israeli army abducted Ibraheim Thwiab, the Imam of a local mosque, on Friday morning from a village east of Bethlehem city in the southern West Bank. Israeli troops invaded Za’tara village, searched some homes then abducted the Imam and took him to an unknown military detention camp. [end] Israeli forces beat up a Palestinian man in Jerusalem International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 Ali Rumi, 31, was beaten up by Israeli soldiers on Friday morning while he was trying to cross a military checkpoint near Jerusalem. Rumi stated that soldiers stopped his car, searched it, them beat him before letting him continue his journey to work. Rumi works as the director of the prisoner’s media office that belongs to the democratic Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) movement. [end] Eight Palestinian men abducted by Israeli army in several West Bank areas International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 Israeli sources reported that the Israeli army has abducted eight Palestinian men from several West Bank areas during pre dawn invasions on Friday. According to the sources the abductions took place in Nablus, Qalqilia and Bethlehem. The Israeli army claim that all abductees are on their ’wanted’ list. [end] Violence Mars Hamas Celebrations Palestine Chronicle 1/26/2007 Hamas had originally announced that the main rally would take place in Gaza City, but it was relocated to Jabalya after an attack on Hamas supporters on Thursday night and turnout was significantly less than expected. -- GAZA - Fatah has postponed unity government talks with rival Hamas after at least nine people were killed and 24 others abducted in factional violence across the Palestinian Territories. The clashes on Friday marred celebrations to mark the first anniversary of Hamas’s election victory. They also came after Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, said a deal could be done in weeks. "The entire dialogue could explode," Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, the Fatah spokesman, said as he blamed Hamas for the violence. "How can dialogue go on when there is a bomb underneath the table?" more.. ANALYSIS: Fatah scores its first victories in clashes with Hamas Ha’aretz 1/28/2007 The recent clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza normally start with a local incident that spills over into an exchange of fire throughout the Gaza Strip, and continues with a series of abductions on both sides, use of RPGs and mortars, the takeover of homes, snipers on the roofs, roadblocks and executions - Rwanda-style. However, unlike similar clashes several weeks ago, for the first time Fatah can mark a victory. In all the previous gun battles, the number of Fatah casualties was always higher than those of Hamas. During the weekend, Hamas lost more of its people. The incident most reflective of Fatah’s success occurred on Friday night. Similar to the raid in which Colonel Muhammad A’rib, of Fatah’s Preventive Security Apparatus, was assassinated, Hamas’ Executive Force surrounded the home of a senior Fatah official... more.. Update: Thirteen killed, at least 29 abducted in the internal clashes International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 The internal clashes between Hamas and Fateh gunmen continued on Friday and the number of Palestinians killed arrived to thirteen, while at least 29 from both factions were abducted. Eight of the ten killed residents are members of both movements, and two including one child wee civilians. Hamas sources reported that thee residents were killed and several others residents were injured when gunmen fired RPG shells at a mosque in Gaza City. According to the Hamas sources, the mosque is currently surrounded and under fire. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources reported that Hamas gunmen abducted eight Fateh members while Fateh gunmen abducted eleven Hamas members in Gaza and nine members of the Hamas-led Executive Force in Nablus city, in the northern part of the West Bank. more.. Israeli army invades Tulkarem, kills 18-year-old Al-Quds Brigades’ leader Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Tulkarem - A teenage leader of the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, was killed on Thursday during an Israeli military incursion into the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Fadl Mitlak Balawneh, 18, a leader in the Al-Quds Brigades in Tulkarem, was shot by the Israeli forces as they besieged his house in the Al-Aqsa district in the north of the city, eyewitnesses reported. An eyewitness added that Balawneh was on the second floor of the besieged house when he was shot. This shot caused him to fall to the ground. Palestinian medical sources in the governmental hospital in Tulkarem confirmed that Balawneh was shot by a bullet in his lower back but the cause of death was the fall from the second floor to the ground. more.. Fatah says gunmen kill Palestinian activist in Gaza YNetNews 1/26/2007 Jeep filled with Hamas security men drives over roadside bomb in Jabalya, causing death of one Hamas activist, wounding nine others, including two children. Later, Fatah reports that one of its members shot to death by Hamas people -- Gunmen killed an activist with Fatah-linked group al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Gaza early on Friday, Fatah said, hours after a member of a Hamas-led security force was killed by a roadside bomb. The police spokesman, who is affiliated with Hamas, Islam Shahawan reported that the explosion occurred when a Jeep carrying six members of a Hamas security force drove over a roadside bomb. After the event, Hamas gunmen started shooting in the air and calling for revenge. The Hamas-affiliated mosques made announcements condemning the "traitors and Israel’s collaborators," an allusion to Fatah members. more.. Executive Force member killed, five injured in a Jabalia explosion International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 Islam Shahwan, spokesperson of the Hamas-led Executive Force, reported on Thursday at night that one member of the force was killed and five civilians were injured when an explosive charge, placed on the side of the road, detonated as the force was driving near it in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Shahwan said that the explosion targeted a patrol composed of eight members of the force driving in Al Fallouga area in Jabalia killing one member of the force and injuring several passersby, including two children. Hamas held Fateh responsible for the attack, and said that this is part of a series of attacks carried by Fateh gunmen who “are planning a coup against the Hamas-led government”. Hamas also charged that Fateh gunmen aim at escalating the situation as national unity talks are ongoing. [end] One killed, several injured by a roadside explosive device in Gaza Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - One member of the Executive Force has been killed, and at least eleven other Gazan citizens have been injured, including two children and five members of the Executive Forces of the ministry of interior, when an explosive device detonated on the roadside in Jabalia town in the northern Gaza Strip. Ma’an’s correspondent quoted the spokesperson of the Executive Force, Islam Shahwan, "the explosive device was planned to target an Executive Force patrol and resulted in the serious injury of two members. At the same time, a number of bystanders including two children were also injured. [end] Hamas condemns the attack on the Executive Force leader in northern Gaza Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - Hamas has on Thursday condemned what they called "the revolutionary group" for launching a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at the house of the Beit Hanoun leader of the Executive Force on Wednesday evening. The Hamas movement said in a statement, which Ma’an received a copy of, that unidentified gunmen hurled an RPG at the house of Mahir Udwan, who is in charge of the Executive Force in Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. However, the shell exploded before it landed on his house. Hamas warned of the outcome of this so-called "destruction and targeting honest people by hired gangs." They called on "all sane people" to end "these ridiculous performances". [end] Israeli army seizes 28 ’wanted’ West Bankers at dawn on Thursday Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli forces arrested 28 Palestinians from various areas of the occupied West Bank on Thursday at dawn, claiming that they are ’wanted’ by the Israeli authorities. Israeli media sources said that the Israeli army arrested 11 Palestinians in the southern city of Hebron, all allegedly ’wanted’ members of the Islamic Jihad movement. Reportedly, the Israeli forces also arrested 10 Palestinians in Bethlehem, who were allegedly members of Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The rest of the detainees were seized in the northern West Bank cities of Ramallah, Nablus and Jenin. [end] Israeli soldiers fire at a Palestinian youth near Qalandia Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Bethlehem - A Palestinian youth was injured by an Israeli army bullet near Qalandia refugee camp in the south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, north of Jerusalem, on Wednesday evening, according to Israeli sources. It was reported that a Palestinian youth threw stones at the Israeli forces working near to Qalandia on Wednesday evening and the Israeli soldiers responded with gunfire, injuring the Palestinian. No Israelis were injured. On the other hand, an Israeli settler was slightly injured when Palestinians threw stones at his car near Hebron city in the south of the occupied West Bank. The Israeli newspaper ’Yedioth Ahronoth’ reported that the settler was taken to hospital for treatment of his slight injuries. Yedioth Ahrinot that reported about the settler said that Palestinian threw stones on his car and he was injured then sent to hospital for treatment. [end] Israeli settlers abduct a youth, beat and cut him with sharp tools International Middle East Media Center 1/25/2007 Palestinian sources reported on Wednesday at night that Israeli settlers abducted a youth from Hizma village, northeast of Jerusalem, severly punched and clubbed him and cut him with blades until he fell unconsious. Eyewitness reported that three settlers abducted Ra’fat Samih Al Khateeb, 16, as he was heading back home after visiting a relative living on the main road that links Hizma with Jericho. The settlers took Al Khateeb to an area near Maali Adumim settlement and attacked him with blades while punching and kicking him. After attacking Al Khateeb, the settlers drove him to an area near his town while he was unconscious, dropped him there and sped away. He was moved later on to Haddasah Ein Karem Israeli hospital in Jerusalem. [end] Arrests on the rise: 17 from Hebron and 7 in Nablus Palestine News Network 1/25/2007 In days worth of broad arrests throughout the West Bank, Israeli forces took 17 Palestinians from Hebron to unknown locations Thursday and seven from Nablus. Yesterday it was 16 from a single Bethlehem village. The raids concentrated on the towns of Beit Awa, Deir Samit and Halhoul, southwest and north of Hebron City. Among the 17 arrested were two women and a member of the County Board, a municipal employee and a member of the mayoral office. Sources in the Joint Operations Room in the southern West Bank city said that 12 of the 17 were injured before being taken to unknown locations. Further north in the West Bank’s Nablus, Israeli forces conducted an explosive incursion this morning during which they besieged several buildings. more.. Israeli forces shoot a young shepherd boy in northern West Bank Ma’an News Agency 1/24/2007 Nablus - A young Palestinian shepherd boy was injured in his abdomen on Wednesday when Israeli forces opened fire on him as he tended his sheep. Our correspondent in the West Bank city of Nablus reported that Maher Hajja, 15, was tending his sheep near his village of Burqa, situated northwest of Nablus, when he was suddenly hit by an Israeli bullet. He was evacuated to Rafidia hospital in Nablus for treatment. In a separate incident, Israeli police apprehended a Palestinian, Ahmad Abu Bakr, 24, from the town of Ya’bad, situated west of Jenin close to the separation wall, for working in Israel without a license. [end] Palestinian cemetery attacked by settlers and soldiers in West Bank International Middle East Media Center 1/24/2007 Dozens of settlers accompanied by soldiers broke into a cemetery and vandalized headstones in Awarta village in the northern West Bank on Wednesday morning, claiming that Jewish shrines were buried there. Dozens of armed settlers accompanied by soldiers broke into a cemetery and vandalized headstones in Awarta village in the northern West Bank on Wednesday morning, claiming that Jewish shrines were buried there. Sources in the village, which is near the illegal Israeli settlement of Itamar stated that the incident occurred after the group initially stormed the village along with five army jeeps, and claimed that Jewish shrines were buried in the area. Apparently this is not the first time that the village and its cemetery have been attacked by such a group. During the incident settlers attacked and damaged houses and parked cars in the area, sources stated. [end] Youth killed, two residents injured and abducted in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 1/24/2007 Dr. Khalid Al Najjar, head of the Al Aqsa Hospital told the Maan News Agency that the youth Mahran Zakariyya Abu Al Maseer, 17, died of a gunshot injury in his stomach. The youth was shot by troops stationed east of Dir Al Balah. Palestinian medics said that the army handed them the body of Al Maseer, and informed them that two other residents were injured, and were taken prisoner. The three residents were standing near a dumpster east of Dir Al Balah, local sources reported, military bulldozers were present in the area and were bulldozing lands. Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed that the three tried to sneak into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported that Palestinian security officials said that the three are apparently manual laborers trying to illegally enter Israel through the “security fence” to find work. [end] 4 Qassam rockets land in western Negev YNetNews 1/25/2007 Rockets hit open areas in southern Israel; residents complain of recurring blasts -- Four Qassam rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip Thursday evening, landing in open areas in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Throughout the day, Sderot residents reported hearing a large number of blasts which caused panic, mainly among school children in the area. One of the residents said, "There is a feeling that something unclear is going on, because also when Qassam rockets landed we didn’t know if they were rockets or blasts. No one is giving us updated information." Qassams were last fired at the area three days ago, when two rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip towards Sderot. more.. Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian national forces in Gaza City Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - Israeli Special Forces shot and injured two members of the Palestinian national forces in east Gaza City on Wednesday evening. Our correspondent in Gaza reported that Israeli Special Forces opened fire on a group of Palestinian national security forces, moderately injuring two of them. They were taken to hospital for medical treatment. The medical sources said that the two injuries happened near the border with Israel in the area of the juice factory and the Islamic school. [end] Al-Quds Brigades attack Israeli military engineers as they repair border fence Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine, have on Thursday claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli engineering unit which was mending the electric fence east of the village of Al-Qarara, located north east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. In their statement, the Brigades affirmed that this operation falls within their natural retaliation to the Israeli violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. [end] Al-Quds Brigades launch projectile, destroy jeep Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine have, on Thursday, launched a homemade projectile towards the Israeli city of Ashkelon. They have also announced that they detonated an explosive device in an Israeli jeep in southern Gaza City. In their statement, the brigades said the operations are "natural retaliation to the Israeli violence against the Jihad leaders. [end] Gunmen open fire at the Canadian and German embassies in Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 1/26/2007 Palestinian security sources reported on Thursday that unknown gunmen fired at the Canadian and German embassies in Ramallah city, in the northern part of the West Bank, no injuries were reported. The sources stated that two gunmen fired at the German embassy in Ramallah Al Tihta area, and fired at the Canadian embassy in the center of Ramallah, causing damage but no injuries. Security devices initiated a probe into the two attacks, and deployed dozens of security personnel and policemen around the embassies and governmental institutions in the City. [end] Israel releases two teenagers, injured and arrested on Wednesday in Gaza Ma’an News Agency 1/25/2007 Gaza - The Israeli authorities released on Wednesday evening two teenage boys who were injured and arrested by Israeli soldiers in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning. Dr. Mu’awiya Hassanein, the general director of emergencies and ambulances in the ministry of health, said that the Israeli forces released the two youths who had been arrested on Wednesday morning, Abed Al-Ra’uf Al-Edeini, 15, and Imad Muhammad Abu Shikhah, 16. The two were injured by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday morning in the area east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel. When the Israeli forces stationed in the area opened fire on the youths on Wednesday morning, they killed one teenager, Mahran Zakariya Abu Nuseir, and injured the other two, Al-Edeini and Abu Shikhah. more.. Two P.A security members injured by soldiers east of Gaza International Middle East Media Center 1/25/2007 Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Wednesday at night that two members were shot and injured by the under-cover forces of the Israeli army east of Gaza City. The sources stated that the under-cover forces infiltrated through an area near the Islamic School and the Juice factory, east of the city, and fired at members of the Palestinian security forces moderately injuring two. The two were moved to a local hospital for treatment. Earlier on Wednesday, soldiers shot and killed one youth and injured two residents in the central Gaza Strip. Dr. Khalid Al Najjar, head of the Al Aqsa Hospital told the Maan News Agency that the youth Mahran Zakariyya Abu Al Maseer, 17, died of a gunshot injury in his stomach. [end] Military factions fire five projectiles at Israeli targets around the Gaza Strip Ma’an News Agency 1/24/2007 Gaza - The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, have claimed responsibility for launching 5 homemade projectiles at Israeli targets over the last 24 hours. The Al-Quds Brigades launched two homemade projectiles at an Israeli military airbase, east of the village of Qarara in the south of the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday morning. The Al-Aqsa Brigades launched three homemade projectiles at the Israeli villages of Erez and Netiv Ha’asara, located north of the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday evening. The two brigades assured in separate statements that these operations came in response to Israel’s continuous aggression against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. more.. Winograd quizzes Peretz on Lebanon war Ha’aretz 1/26/2007 Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who testified before the Winograd Committee yesterday, explained the decision-making process that took place the day the war broke out. In the session, which lasted more than four hours, Peretz described the talks he had with the prime minister that day. He was asked if the objectives of the war had been defined before hostilities began - and what predictions the defense staff had made regarding the war’s duration. Peretz was also asked how much Israel knew about Hezbollah’s capabilities on the day the war started, July 12. Peretz spoke about the decision not to launch a major ground offensive at the beginning of the fighting, although there was a detailed plan for such an offensive. He was asked about the decision to launch the large ground operation in the last two days of fighting... more.. IDF troops kill Palestinian trying to sneak into Israel from Gaza Ha’aretz 1/24/2007 Israel Defense Forces troops shot dead a Palestinian early Wednesday and arrested two others, as the men tried to sneak into Israel from the Gaza Strip, the army said. Palestinian security officials in Gaza said the Israeli had informed them of the incident and that the three men had apparently been manual laborers trying to slip into Israel to find work. An army spokeswoman said that before dawn, troops spotted three crouching figures near the dividing fence and when they ignored orders to halt and disregarded warning shots the soldiers fired at one of the group. On Tuesday, Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. more.. Tens of people homeless after Israeli bulldozers destroy Jerusalem apartment building Palestine News Network 1/23/2007 Bulldozers belonging to Israeli-annexed Jerusalem’s municipality demolished a four story residential building belonging to Mohammad Mahmoud Al Aemes. Israeli forces used the pretext of building a street for a settlement in destroying the Sur Baher neighborhood home. But they did not finish on Monday, leaving half for today. Several months prior to demolition foreign solidarity activists camped out in the building in hopes of saving it, but to no avail. At 8:30 in the morning yesterday Israeli forces came from all directions using several means, including horses, to enter quickly. They attacked neighbors and residents, beating all family members in the building with batons and rifle butts. The father of the homeowner, 60 year old Mahmoud Al Aemes, has a fractured neck while his 35 year old son in law, Abu Zaid Awadullah has a broken hand. more.. Three French nationals seized in Nablus released Ma’an News Agency 1/23/2007 Nablus - Three French nationals seized by the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah, on Tuesday afternoon, have been released, according to local sources. Members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades seized three French nationals a few hours previously in the West Bank city of Nablus on suspicion of collaborating with the Israeli military, according to sources in the Brigades. Sources in the Al-Aqsa Brigades told Ma’an that its members ’arrested’ three Israeli Special Forces members dressed in Palestinian disguise and masquerading as French journalists. They say that the undercover soldiers were on a mission to assassinate an Al-Aqsa leader in the city. However, according to the French newspaper ’Le Monde’, the three French men had been kidnapped in Nablus by armed gunmen. more.. Israeli forces destroy two Palestinian homes near Bethlehem Ma’an News Agency 1/23/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli forces destroyed two Palestinian homes on Tuesday in the area of As-Sawahira, located north east of the city of Bethlehem and south of Jerusalem, claiming they were built without a license. Our Bethlehem correspondent reported that the Israeli forces demolished two houses, one belonging to Jamal At Taweel and the other to Amir Abu Diab, in the As-Sawahira area between Jerusalem and Bethlehem on Tuesday afternoon. [end] Gaza tourist resort attacked in al-Qaeda’s name YNetNews 1/23/2007 Some 40 masked gunmen storm beach resort, blow up reception hall; no injuries reported. Assailants claim to be members of Osama bin Laden’s terror organization, but officials say ’there no evidence indicating al-Qaeda is operating in Strip; attack linked to Fatah-Hamas struggle’ -- Dozens of masked gunmen claiming to be members of al-Qaeda stormed an empty beach resort and blew up a reception hall on Tuesday, saying they were sending a message to a close ally of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Officials said there were no injuries and they were investigating the claim. Security officials have discounted such claims in the past.... “Tell Dahlan al-Qaeda has arrived in Gaza and his property and assets are targets,” Sari quoted the attackers as saying. Dahlan is widely rumored to own the resort... more.. A Palestinian Civilian Dies of Wounds he Sustained from Israeli Army Gunfire International Middle East Media Center 1/23/2007 A Palestinian resident of Khan Younis City, south of Gaza Strip, died on Tuesday of wounds he sustained last September, medical sources confirmed. Ziyad Abu Sa’ada, 23, of the Kheza’a village, to the east of Khan Younis, died early on Tuesday after having been battling with critical wounds he sustained during an Israeli army invasion into his village last September, the Alwafa local hospital in Gaza City announced. The Israeli army launched a massive military attack on various parts of the Gaza Strip in June 2006, killing so far at least 500 Palestinians, wounding about 4000 others and causing large-scale destruction to main points of infrastructure such as homes, ministerial buildings, bridges, power plants and water networks. [end] Israeli military arrest two Palestinian brothers from Tulkarem Ma’an News Agency 1/23/2007 Tulkarem - Israeli sources have said that on Monday ’Izat Mahmud ’Amir, aged 47, and his brother Haitham, 43, from the village of Bal’a, east of Tulkarem, were arrested in the Palestinian occupied West Bank. Ma’an’s correspondent reported that the two brothers were arrested from their shop in the region of Shwekeh, north of Tulkarem, by an Israeli military force, who took them to an unknown destination. [end] Sea still spitting oil six months after Lebanon war Middle East Online 1/22/2007 Rain, low tide have created new pollution zones which may take at least a year to get rid of. -- Six months after thousands of tonnes of fuel oil spilled into the Mediterranean when Israel bombed a Lebanese power plant, the waters are still spitting out black poison despite efforts to clean up the mess." The rain and the low tide have created new pollution zones," Ahmed Kojok of the Sea of Lebanon association said. On Beirut’s sun-splashed Ramlet al-Bayda beach, a human chain passed buckets filled with large black chunks -- mixtures of fuel oil, sand and debris -- which were emptied by a volunteer into large white watertight bags." It’s sad," muttered a fisherman who works for the association, running his fingers over dozens of seashells mucked together in a sticky glob. more.. Fatah youth leader arrested in an Israeli military raid on a village near Nablus Ma’an News Agency 1/23/2007 Nablus - Tulkarem - Israeli forces arrested the secretary of the Fatah youth organization in the village of Beita, south of the city of Nablus, on Tuesday. Local sources said that five Israeli jeeps invaded the village and the Israeli troops broke into the house of Sultan Barham, 19, before arresting him and taking him to an unknown destination. In another regard, the Israeli military court at Salem detention centre sentenced Mo’ammar Amara, 28, from Tulkarem refugee camp, to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 1500 Israeli shekels (~ US $354). The Amara family said that their son was arrested on 28 March 2006 and he is now in Megiddo prison. The reason for his arrest was not revealed. [end] Officer: Ground ops only considered in third week of war Ha’aretz 1/24/2007 A senior officer in the Israel Defense Forces General Staff said Tuesday that during last summer’s war, the option of a large-scale ground operation in southern Lebanon was not seriously discussed by the General Staff or by the political establishment until July 27, more than two weeks after the war broke out. The officer made the comments in response to a report published in Haaretz Tuesday regarding the consultations held among the army’s top brass during the war. The senior officer told Haaretz that "the only senior member of the political-security establishment to demand on July 12 to initiate a major ground operation was Mossad Chief Meir Dagan. I was present at all the major discussions - and Dagan was the only one who made a clear demand on the issue." more.. One year of Palestinian crisis ReliefWeb 1/23/2007 GAZA CITY, Jan 24, 2007 (AFP) - Palestinian factions have been locked in a power struggle since Hamas dramatically trounced the Fatah faction of president Mahmud Abbas in elections a year ago. Here is a chronology of key events since Hamas’s election win, which led to a Western aid freeze and an Israeli boycott of peace talks. 2006January 25: In its first electoral outing, Hamas sweeps legislative elections in the Palestinian territories, ending 10 years of Fatah domination. Israel refuses to do business with the new administration, saying it is led by terrorists bent on destroying the Jewish state. February 4: First meeting between Hamas leaders and Abbas, who was elected 13 months earlier after the death of Yasser Arafat. February 19: Israel implements sanctions against the Palestinians, triggering an economic crisis.... more.. Israeli Army: At least 44 roadblocks allegedly removed, did not exist International Middle East Media Center 1/22/2007 An Israeli army source admitted that at least 44 roadblocks that were allegedly removed from around West Bank villages did not actually exist, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said on Monday. Last Tuesday, the Israeli army announced that it had removed 44 roadblocks to fullfil promises made by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in their meeting nearly a month ago. Olmert had pledged measures to ease the lives of Palestinian civilians, however nothing has changed. Haaretz quoted a military source as saying that these obstacles "had either been removed before the political level decided on the alleviations or had been bypassed by Palestinians earlier, and a decision had been made not to rebuild them." This statement confirms allegations by the United Nations organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories that most of these barriers were not removed, because they had not existed for months. There are nearly 500 dirt blocks and military checkpoints placed all over the West Bank, which disrupt the everyday lives of Palestinians. [end] Israeli Army Invades Yatta Village Near Hebron, Abduct Two Palestinian Men and Attack Three Others International Middle East Media Center 1/22/2007 Israeli forces invaded the village of Yatta, to the south of Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank on Monday morning, abducted two Palestinian men and attacked another three. Issa Al Imor, 26, and Ahmad Murr, 25, were abducted by Israeli troops and taken to an unknown location when soldiers attacked and searched their families homes in the village. Eyewitnesses reported that during the invasion, soldiers also attacked the house of Khalil Musif, 45, and forced him outside along with his two sons Khaled, 24, and Thaer, 22. The three were attacked and hit with rifle butts and batons by the soldiers detaining them; they were released shortly thereafter with cuts and bruises. Soldiers were apparently looking for a family member called Khairat, who they claimed is on their wanted list, the Musif family reported. [end] Israeli army invades Balata refugee camp in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 1/22/2007 The Israeli army invaded Balata refugee camp in the eastern side of the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Monday morning and searched houses. Local sources reported that more than 10 army vehicles and one bulldozer stormed the Balata refugee camp, surrounded and searched the house of Ibrahiem Hanoun and a factory which makes carton boxes. Soldiers also forced some neighboring families out of their houses and interrogated them for some time. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired live rounds and sound bombs randomly at residents’ houses, medical sources reported no injuries. Residents told IMEMC that the Israeli army troops are invading the city and nearby refugee camps on a daily basis. [end] Israeli forces invade Palestinian areas during the night arresting four Ma’an News Agency 1/22/2007 Jerusalem - Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian citizen from Az Za’ayyem, east of Jerusalem early on Monday. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army raided the town and broke into the house of Rasmi Al Asmar and arrested his son, 22 year old Jafar, after damaging the furniture of the house. The young man was taken to an unknown destination. Israeli forces also arrested three Palestinian citizens late on Sunday evening from the town of Yatta, south of the city of Hebron, in the Palestinian occupied West Bank. Palestinian police sources said that the Israeli forces raided the town and broke into many houses claiming they were looking for "wanted" Palestinians. The sources added that the Israeli forces arrested.... They were also taken to an unknown destination. more.. Islamic Movement in Israel: "Israel is still digging under Al Aqsa Mosque" International Middle East Media Center 1/21/2007 The Islamic Movement in Israel, headed by member of Knesset Ibrahim Sarsour, said on Sunday that Israel is still digging and carrying out excavations under the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which is threatening the foundations of the mosque. -- Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported that Sarsour said that Israel paid a Palestinian vendor $60,000 for his store bordering with the Temple Mount compound on which the mosque is located. Israel denied the report. Northern branch leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Ra’ed Salah, said that the digging comes “to fulfill Israel’s darkest dream of building a Jewish temple in place of the Al Aqsa mosque”. Haaretz added that several leaders of the movement said that they will present information about any upcoming digging that Israel intends to carry out under the mosque. more.. Halutz objected to ground offensive almost until end of war Ha’aretz 1/23/2007 The outgoing Chief of Staff Dan Halutz strongly opposed a broad ground operation until the very last stage of the war in Lebanon last summer, even though the two General Staff members also from the air force - Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin and Major General Idan Nehushtan - supported such action. What is surprising is that the two major generals who supported a broad ground offensive at an early stage - Deputy Chief of Staff Moshe Kaplinsky and Chief of Operations Gadi Eisenkot - changed their views as the war continued and then hesitated to carry out such an offensive. A Haaretz probe in recent weeks has enabled, for the first time, a reconstruction of critical parts of the exchanges during a series of meetings headed by the chief of staff. more.. Hamas accuses Fatah-affiliates of launching an RPG at the house of a leading Hamas figure Ma’an News Agency 1/21/2007 Gaza - The Hamas movement on Sunday accused Fatah members of launching a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at the house of a leading Hamas figure, Mahmoud Abu Salman, which resulted in the injuring of his son. In a statement that Ma’an received, Hamas said that "Fatah affiliated members, who belong to the so-called revolutionary current within the Fatah movement, have launched an RPG shell at the house on Saturday at midnight. Furthermore, they opened fire on Sunday evening at a group of Hamas members near the Al-Awdah towers in northern Gaza City, injuring one. [end] Israeli PM grants license to build Jewish synagogue at door of Muslim Quarter near Al Aqsa Mosque Palestine News Network 1/22/2007 The current Israeli Prime Minister and former Mayor of Jerusalem is achieving his dream to further Judaize the Palestinian capital. Ehud Olmert has granted a license for a Jewish synagogue to be built 40 feet from Al Aqsa Mosque. The Israelis would not allow President Arafat to be buried in Jerusalem, despite UN Resolution 35 which states that Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem, and claiming the city as its own capital, is illegal and must be immediately rescinded. Over the past month in the Old City of East Jerusalem along the western side of the Al Aqsa Mosque Israeli forces have built a ramp and answered inquiries as to what they were doing with a simple, “just cleaning,” as they excavated to the point of damaging the western side of Al Aqsa’s wall. Olmert has just granted a license to build a Jewish synagogue at the door of the Muslim Quarter in the Old City... more.. PA police chief: West Bank crime up 60%; blames militants, poverty Ha’aretz 1/22/2007 Crime in the West Bank was up 60 percent in 2006, the Palestinian police chief said Monday, blaming growing poverty and increasingly brazen militants. Coordination problems with Israel are hampering crimefighting, said the West Bank chief, Colonel Adnan Aldameri. Israel still controls large areas of the West Bank, and Palestinian police have to coordinate to move from place to place, a time-consuming process that often slows down the hunt for suspects, Aldameri said. About 20,000 regular police patrol in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but only 7. 5 percent have weapons, said Aldameri. Ammunition is also scarce, with the price of bullets for Kalashnikov assault rifle driven up by an arms race between the rival Hamas and Fatah movements. Gunmen from the different factions have far more firepower than the police, Aldameri said. more.. Closure of Al-Badhan checkpoint Ma’an News Agency 1/22/2007 Nablus - Occupying Israeli military forces have, on Monday, re-closed the checkpoint in the Al Badhan valley, north-east of Nablus in the northern West Bank. Eyewitnesses told Ma’an that Israeli troops stopped hundreds of Palestinian citizens, who had earlier left the city, and prevented them from coming back through the checkpoint. Dozens of private vehicles, as well as public transport, were stuck at the barrier. The Israeli authorities have stated that the checkpoint is closed for 24 hours, for "security reasons". [end] Israeli army abducts one Palestinian man from Al Ezariya village near Jerusalem International Middle East Media Center 1/22/2007 An Israeli army force invaded the village of Al Ezariya to the east of Jerusalem and abducted one Palestinian man on Monday morning. Soldiers attacked and searched the home of Ja’far Al Asmar, 22, then abducted him and took him to an unknown military detention camp. The Ja’far family reported that soldiers destroyed some furniture an beat up their son during the abduction. [end] Palestinian security arrest a man guilty of collaborating with Israel Ma’an News Agency 1/22/2007 Gaza - The Palestinian preventive security on Monday revealed that a collaborator with the Israeli intelligence force ’shabak,’ was apprehended. He was transferred to the general prosecution following his confession. In a statement which Ma’an received, the preventive security said "the 33 year old worked in Israel for several years during which he was assigned by the Israeli Mafia to steel containers of goods belonging to Palestinians from the Ashdood terminal in Israel. The stolen goods included frozen meats and electric tools. He used forged ID cards to commit the robberies." The agent had joined the Israeli intelligence in June 2006 and was given money and a mobile phone simcard so as to monitor those launching homemade projectiles and resistance fighters in general. more.. Islamic Jhad’s military wing fires projectile at kibbutz near Sderot as part of ’Operation Red Rose’ Ma’an News Agency 1/22/2007 Gaza - The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at an Israeli kibbutz south of the town of Sderot around noon on Monday. The Brigades assured in a statement that this operation came in response to the aggressions of the Israeli occupation army in the West Bank and Gaza. They also said that this action is a continuation of a new operation launched by the brigades on Sunday 21 January, which they are calling ’Operation Red Rose. [end] Palestinian militants in Gaza fire three Qassam rockets at Israel Ha’aretz 1/22/2007 Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired three Qassam rockets at Israel on Monday. One of the rockets was fired in the afternoon at strategic facilities located in the southern city of Ashkelon, but it could not be determined exactly where the rocket hit. Two additional rockets were fired Monday evening at the western Negev town of Sderot, and apparently hit in open areas. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in any of the attacks. On Sunday, three mortar shells landed near the border fence in central Gaza early and two Qassam rockets struck an open area near the Negev town of Sderot. No injuries were reported in either attack. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for Sunday’s Qassam attacks. more.. Anti-Wall demonstration in Um Salamonah village near Bethlehem International Middle East Media Center 1/19/2007 At least 1500 Palestinian and international peace activists gathered in Um Salamonah village near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Friday to protest the construction of the illegal Israeli wall on the village land. Before the demonstration Friday prayers were conducted on the farm land, 700 dunams of which is intended for confiscation. If this goes ahead, much of the agricultural land which supplies the village’s income will be annexed behind the wall or destroyed. Protesters were met by more than 100 Israeli soldiers and after chanting resistance slogans and waving flags for some time, decided to end the demonstration with the promise to return soon. No clashes with the army occurred, eyewitnesses told IMEMC. more.. Israeli army invades Nablus, kills 22-year-old Fatah operative Ma’an News Agency 1/18/2007 Nablus - In a major military operation, the Israeli army has shot dead a member of a previously unknown armed wing of Fatah on Thursday morning in the old city of Nablus, in the north of the occupied West Bank. Our correspondent in Nablus reported that, according to Palestinian security and medical sources, Muhanad Muhammad Al-Ghandour, 22, was killed in an armed confrontation with Israeli soldiers in the old city of Nablus. Al-Ghandour, nicknamed "the Jordanian", was a member of a new armed group calling themselves the Al-’Awda Brigades (’The Return’ Brigades), which is reported to be affiliated to the Fatah movement. Al-Ghandour was shot by an Iraeli sniper while another 3 Palestinians were injured in subsequent clashes.... more than 50 military vehicles, plus a number of Israeli bulldozers have been carrying out a major operation... more.. Palestinian patient dies at a military checkpoint, woman died of earlier wounds International Middle East Media Center 1/18/2007 Palestinian sources reported on Thursday that at night that a Palestinian patient died at an Israeli military roadblock after the soldiers stopped the vehicle transferring him to hospital. In a separate incident, one woman died of wounds suffered two days ago. The sources stated that resident Taiseer Al Qaisy, 45, from the northern West Bank city of Nablus, died after soldiers stationed at a Nablus checkpoint stopped the vehicle transferring him to hospital. Troops claimed that the car “does not carry a permit to cross the checkpoint”. Al Qaisy had to step out of the car, and fell dead after he walked a few meters. In a separate incident, Palestinian sources in Jerusalem reported that Abeer Al Arameen, who was shot and injured by Israeli military fire two days ago, died of her wounds on Thursday. more.. Israeli troops seize dozens of West Bankers at dawn on Thursday; invasions in Nablus, Qalqiliya, Ramallah, Tulkarem Ma’an News Agency 1/18/2007 West Bank - The Israeli forces arrested on Thursday at dawn at least 13 Palestinians from various cities in the occupied West Bank, claiming that they are wanted by Israel. Israeli media sources have reported that the arrests took place in a number of West Bank cities including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus. According to our correspondent and Palestinian sources, a Palestinian man was shot dead by an Israeli sniper in the northern city of Nablus. Israeli sources say, however, that an armed Palestinian was injured in a shooting exchange with the Israeli forces in Nablus. The Israeli sources add that some Palestinians shot at the Israeli army in Ramallah; no injuries or casualties were reported. Palestinian security sources add that some nine Israeli military vehicles also broke into the city of Jenin from its western axis... more.. Israeli tanks roll into northern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning Ma’an News Agency 1/18/2007 Gaza - On Thursday morning, a number of Israeli tanks and other military vehicles advanced into the area of Abu Safieh, east of Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip, amid random gunfire. The director general of ambulances and emergencies in the Palestinian health ministry warned of the severe risk of casualties as a result of the shooting, particularly as the invasion came during a period of high activity in the streets with children going to school and workers heading to their workplaces. He also warned of the danger to farmers in the north east of the Gaza Strip due to this most recent invasion. The Israeli military aircraft also fired this morning flares in the skies of the northern Gaza Strip. [end] Qalqilia: frequency of invasions on the rise, number of residents in Israeli jails reaches 600 Palestine News Network 1/18/2007 Israeli forces invaded Qalqilia’s ’Azzoun Village on Thursday and took 10 Palestinians, one of whom is blind, to unknown locations. Families of the arrestees described a high number of military vehicles storming the northwestern West Bank this morning. Ra’ed Abdel Fattah is blind and was arrested for the second time. Three and a half years ago Israeli forces imprisoned him while his family appealed for his release due to his condition. Ashraf Abdel Awad Qur’an, Khaled Aref Mohammed Nofal, Abdel Basset Tawfiq, Khalil Abdullah Abu Awad, Nayef Awad Atta of Egypt, and Mahmoud Mohamed Khaddrg, Mohsen Hardan and another who had just been released for a year after six and a half years in prison, were all taken Thursday morning after invasive searches of their homes and the contents. more.. Gunmen fire at vehicles of Ramallah deputy mayor and municipality board member International Middle East Media Center 1/19/2007 Palestinian sources reported on Thursday that unknown gunmen fired at the vehicles of Ramallah deputy Mayor and municipality board member as the two vehicles were parked in front of the municipality building. The gunmen fired at the vehicles as the municipality council was holding a session at the city-hall. The Hamas-run news website, Palestineinfo, reported that the gunmen “are believed to be Fateh members”, but the claim was not verified. The vehicles that were fried at belong to deputy mayor of Ramallah, Mahmoud Abdullah, and municipality engineer and board member, Khaldoun Khader. The Hamas-run website said that Fateh members who, according to the site, are planning a coup against the Hamas-led government, carried several shooting attacks and broke into several governmental institutions... more.. Rabbis: Naveh deserves to be killed Jerusalem Post 1/19/2007 A group of rabbis have issued a halachic opinion implying that OC Central Command Maj. -Gen. Yair Naveh deserves to be killed. The rabbis, all connected with a movement to resurrect the Sanhedrin, the ancient Jewish governing body, said in their halachic ruling this week that Naveh was guilty of being a moser, a Hebrew word that can be roughly translated as an informant or traitor. Literally, it means someone who transfers another’s property or person to enemy authorities. The rabbis see the Olmert government as the equivalent of a gentile enemy that "evilly and violently expels and causes mental and physical damage to Jews." Maimonides ruled in his Mishneh Torah: "It is permitted to kill a Jewish moser anywhere, even today when rabbinic courts are not permitted to decide on capital punishment matters." more.. Indictment: Jewish convert aided terror YNetNews 1/18/2007 Assaf Ben David, 39 year-old Palestinian convert to Judaism, charged with conspiring to aid his brother, a member of Islamic Jihad -- The Haifa District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment at the Haifa District Court Thursday against Assaf Ben David for conspiring with the enemy, and having contact with a foreign agent. The indictment accused Ben David of contacting his brother, a member of Islamic Jihad and other terror organizations with the intention of aiding in attacks against Israel. Ben David, a 39 year-old Palestinian who converted to Judaism, left both his village and his religion to become haredi.... Ben David’s brother, Saleh Suafta, was an Islamic Jihad activist who had been wanted by security forces for a long period of time. The indictment claimed that Ben David was aware of his brother’s involvement in the terror organization. more.. Israeli government continues to judaise Jerusalem and destroy ancient Arab buildings and land Ma’an News Agency 1/17/2007 Jerusalem - The Al-Aqsa Institution for the Reconstruction of the Islamic Sanctities has announced that the Israeli government has carried out a wide excavation campaign in the furthest western side of the ’Al-Buraq’ yard, on the outer perimeter of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Israeli goverrnment also carried out excavations on a vast surrounding area, which entailed the demolition of ancient Arab and Islamic buildings and the removal of hundreds of cubic metres of earth by bulldozers. They were digging for weeks in the area, which was considered until 1967 a major part of Al-Magharbeh neighborhood of the Old City of Jerusalem and included at that time dozens of historic and valuable buildings from various Islamic eras. [end] PA minister: Israel plots to annex more Palestinian lands Palestinian Information Center 1/17/2007 Gaza - Mohammed Al-Agha, the PA minister of agriculture, has denounced the Israeli occupation forces’ repeated closure of the gates of the "racist wall" in the West Bank, which prevented Palestinian farmers from properly attending to their farmlands that are isolated behind that separation wall. Agha said in a press release on Wednesday that the IOF deliberately reduce the daily number of hours during which the gate north of Jayos town, Qalqilia district, opens namely from 12 to only 3 hours. He charged that the measure caused major frustration for citizens especially the farmers who could not accomplish their works in such a short period of time. The minister noted that the IOF troops were surveying Palestinian lands in prelude to annexing them to build the separation wall. more.. Palestinian killed by unexploded Israeli ordnance in south Lebanon ReliefWeb/Deutsche Presse Agentur 1/17/2007 Beirut, Jan 16 -- A Palestinian man was killed in southern Lebanon Tuesday when he tried to defuse an unexploded Israeli bomb, police said. According to the police, 30-year-old Palestinian refugee Ahmed Houeidi was trying to cut the tip off an unexploded Israeli bomb to use the metal when it blew up in his hands killing him instantly. Houeidi was a Palestinian refugee living in a camp near the southern port city of Tyre, the police said. Police said the bomb was a result of munitions dropped by the Israeli air force over Lebanon its July 2006 war against the Hezbollah movement. The police said around 800,000 cluster bomblets were dropped over Lebanon, some 40 per cent of which failed to explode on impact. Since the UN-sponsored ceasefire on August 14, 2006, unexploded ordnance has killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 146. [end] Leftovers from Israeli war in Lebanon kill one Palestinian Ma’an News Agency 1/17/2007 Bethlehem - Lebanese police have on Wednesday announced that a Palestinian citizen was killed when remnants from a cluster bomb detonated. The bomb was part of the one-million leftover pieces of unexploded cluster bomb ordinance from the latest Israeli war against Lebanon. The sources reported that Kamal Ad-Din Muhammad, aged 43, was collecting wood near the Rashidiya refugee camp, when he stepped on an explosive "bomblet", which ended his life after causing serious wounds. [end] Israeli army invades Hebron city and several nearby villages and abducts eight Palestinian men International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 On Wednesday morning, Israeli forces invaded Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank and the nearby villages of Yata, Doura, and Halhol. Eight Palestinian men were abducted in the operation. In Yatta village south of Hebron, Israeli jeeps and troops stormed and searched a number of houses and ransacked them. During the operation the Israeli army abducted five villagers, eyewitnesses reported.... Moreover, in downtown Hebron city, and the nearby village of Halhol, Israeli forces attacked and searched residents’ homes, and took three Palestinian men prisoner. ... The sources added that soldiers gave military orders for another six men in the city to be interviewed at the secret service office in the Kufar Atzion military post east of the city.... anyone who tried to ask the Israeli soldiers not to damage the house was attacked with rifle butts and batons. more.. Israeli forces abduct a Palestinian student from Jordan valley area in northern West Bank International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 Hanifa Salah, 19, was abducted by the Israeli army while working on his family’s farm in the Jordan valley in the northern West Bank on Wednesday morning. Soldiers and jeeps arrived at the farm, detained the young man and questioned him, then took him to an unknown military detention camp, eyewitnesses reported. [end] Israeli Army fires one tank shell into the eastern side of Beit Hannoun International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 Israeli army tanks stationed at the Gaza/Israel borders fired one tank shell into the eastern side of Beit Hannoun in the northern part of the Gaza strip on Wednesday at midday. The shell landed in farming lands and caused damage but no injures, Palestinian sources reported. The residents of Beit Hannoun said that Israeli tanks have fired several shells since Wednesday morning at different areas in Beit Hannoun, but reported no injuries. [end] Palestinian teen injured in Jabalia refugee camp International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 Ibrahiem Hassan, 16, was injured when an unidentified object exploded near him in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern part of the Gaza strip on Wednesday. The boy sustained critical wounds in his right hand, medical sources reported, and added that he was moved to Kamal Adwan hospital for treatment. [end] Palestinians: Girl, 10, seriously hurt by Border Police fire Ha’aretz 1/17/2007 A 10-year-girl was seriously wounded by Border Police troops Tuesday in the West Bank village of Anata, northeast of Jerusalem, according to Palestinian sources. Abir Aramin suffered a serious head wound Tuesday during her school’s recess. At the time, there were clashes nearby between Border Police forces and protestors, and witnesses and her family say she was injured by Border Police fire directed near her school. A spokeswoman for Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Karem, where the girl is currently hospitalized, said the cause of her injuries cannot be absolutely determined based on medical evidence. Aramin is unconscious, and is on a respirator. A hospital source said, however, that she seemed to have suffered wounds from a ricochet, which would support the "conjecture" that a stun grenade exploded near her head. -- See also: Soldiers hit 10 year old in the head at Jerusalem school, Director: soldiers throw grenades at kids more.. Hamas and Islamic Jihad members arrested in Jerusalem for allegedly opening fire at Israeli border guards Ma’an News Agency 1/17/2007 Jerusalem - Israeli sources have announced on Wednesday that the Israeli forces have exposed a Palestinian cell which Israel accuses of opening fire at Israeli border guards stationed near the separation wall in the Dahiat Al-Barid neighborhood in north Jerusalem. Israeli radio stated that the cell consists of 9 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives. [end] Israeli army abducts one Palestinian man from Tulkarem International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 The Israeli army invaded the eastern side of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem on Wednesday at dawn, and abducted one Palestine man. Islam Bider, 21, was taken by the army to an unknown military detention camp after troops attacked and searched his father’s houses in the city, the family reported. Soldiers also searched some nearby houses and left the city shortly afterwards. [end] Israeli army abducts three Palestinian men during invasions of villages near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 Israeli forces invaded several villages near the southern West Bank city of Hebron and abducted three men on Wednesday morning. They also gave military orders to another six for interviews with the Israeli secret service agents in a nearby military complex. [end] Unknown gunmen throw a hand grenade at a shop in downtown Gaza city International Middle East Media Center 1/17/2007 A group of unknown gunmen threw a hand grenade at a shop in downtown Gaza city on Wednesday morning. The shop, which is a cell phone shop, was badly damaged. No injures were reported. [end] Home demolitions begin for the year in East Jerusalem Palestine News Network 1/16/2007 Four Palestinian houses in East Jerusalem were demolished today. They were postponed on Monday after Kazim Abdullah’s home was demolished without prior warning. Early yesterday bulldozers belonging to the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality surrounded the Tur neighborhood house. Soldiers, police and workers were in full force. The police blocked every door, preventing anyone from going in or the family from leaving, as soldiers overtook neighboring rooftops. Police presented the family with a demolition order from the Municipal Court ruling to destroy the Palestinian house under the pretext that it did not have an Israeli-issued building permit. Abdullah told PNN on Monday, “We were surprised this morning at the presence of a large force of police and border guards at the house and the demolition workers with the bulldozers..." more.. Israeli forces attacked in Jenin and fourteen Palestinians arrested throughout the West Bank Ma’an News Agency 1/16/2007 Jerusalem - Israeli sources have stated that Israeli forces have been attacked with hurled bombs and gunfire in Jenin, in the northern occupied West Bank, no injures were reported. Israeli radio informed also that the Israeli forces discovered nine bombs, two shotguns and a handgun in a house in Aida refugee camp northern Bethlehem. Israeli occupation forces also apprehended 14 Palestinians in various areas of the West Bank including a woman and her daughter in Aida refugee camp last night. [end] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
