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Israeli troops storm several areas of the West Bank, clash with Palestinian resistance and abduct citizens
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Jenin – Bethlehem – A member of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, was injured on Tuesday in the village of Kafr Dan, to the west of Jenin, during an armed clash with the Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers entered the village and occupied several houses. The soldiers detained three Palestinian citizens, one of whom was injured by shrapnel. All three were taken to an unknown destination. Eyewitnesses said that undercover Israeli forces entered Kafr Dan and began shooting at the houses, before an armed confrontation erupted with the Palestinian resistance. The local fighters were subsequently detained and transported to an undisclosed location. Left to bleed - Israeli soldiers denied Palestinian ambulances access to the scene. A wounded man was left bleeding in the streets for more than two hours... more..
Israeli radio alleges that arms-smuggling in Gaza has severely decreased since Hamas takeover
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Bethlehem – Israeli radio stations reported on Tuesday morning that the number of tunnels used for the smuggling of arms and goods into the Gaza Strip from Egypt has decreased dramatically. Radio sources said that only 25% of the tunnels used before Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip are still in use. The reports were based on statements made by a high-ranking Egyptian officer in the Egyptian border guards. Just under two weeks ago, an Israeli military source told Haaretz, the Israeli daily newspaper, that Hamas was now in possession of "high-tech" weaponry, such as sophisticated anti-tank missiles. According to the Israeli source, Hamas was able to accomplish this due to the smuggling of weaponry into Gaza taking on "import dimensions". [end]
National Resistance Brigades and Al Aqsa Brigades team up, fire homemade projectile at Sufa Crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Khan Younis – A joint group from the National Resistance Brigades, the armed resistance wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, on Tuesday claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli-controlled Sufa Crossing, in southern Gaza. The brigades said the shelling took place on Monday evening. In a shared statement, the two groups said the operation came "as part of the retaliation for the Israeli assassinations, arrests and to confirm that we will stick to the option of resistance." The brigades also said that "the Israeli escalation will be confronted with escalation. [end]
Three resistance brigades claim joint responsibility for firing mortars at Israeli intelligence building
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Gaza – The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, the Hamas-affiliated Qassam Brigades, and the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades, on Monday evening jointly attacked an Israeli intelligence building on the northern Gaza border. In a joint strike, the brigades fired two homemade projectiles at the building. The report added that a supporting crew fired at the Israeli soldiers at the site, while under their cover of fire, one of the brigades’ fighters launched two mortars at the military post. This attack and others come as a response for all the Israeli assaults on the Palestinian public and its leaders, said the brigades in a joint statement. [end]
United brigades attack Huwwara checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Nablus - Palestinian military groups attacked Huwwara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, on Monday evening. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Al Aqsa Brigades of Fatah and the Qassam Brigades of Hamas stated that they opened fire at the checkpoint. A spokesperson for the united brigades telephoned Ma’an and claimed that there were several injuries to Israeli soldiers as a result of the attack. [end]
500 Israeli soldiers pursue their search of alleged Hamas-affiliated cell
Palestinian Information Center 7/31/2007
QALQILIA, (PIC)-- 500 Israeli soldiers are still combing Qalqilia district for two days now searching for an alleged cell belonging to the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. The IOF command received confirmed intelligence information from PA chief Mahmoud Abbas’s security apparatuses about the cell as part of the joint intelligence cooperation with the Israeli occupation, according to Hebrew press sources. Based on the information, the IOF troops reinforced by special units and sophisticated equipment have expanded their search campaign, which started on Sunday, where they deployed in all agricultural areas of Qalqilia and erected a 3 meter fence around them. According to eyewitness, the IOF troops are conducting a thorough search in the occupied area amid intensive gunfire, using very sophisticated electronic equipment, bulldozers... more..
Israeli soldiers arrest two Palestinians at Huwwara checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Bethlehem - Israeli border guards arrested two Palestinians at Huwwara checkpoint, near the West Bank city of Nablus Monday. The soldiers claimed to have found a gun in their car. The Israeli military detained the two men for questioning. [end]
Hamas fighters fire an RPG at Israeli infantry
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Gaza – The Hamas-affiliated Qassam Brigades on Tuesday claimed they fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at an Israeli patrol east of Al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. In a statement issued by the brigades, they stated the operation "came as part of the retaliation against the Israeli occupation", warning the Israelis they will continue the resistance. [end]
Security forces remove 30 right-wing activists from Homesh
Yuval Azoulay, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
Police and Border Police troops forcibly removed around 30 right-wing activists from the ruins of the former West Bank settlement of Homesh early Tuesday morning. The incident was the fourth time in the past week that security personnel have had to remove right-wing activists from the former settlement, evacuated as part of the disengagement in August 2005. Last week security forces removed a few hundred demonstrators who were attempting to construct a building on the site of the ruins. Police and soldiers destroyed the structure and then removed several activists who had taken to nearby hills. Also last week, police removed a group of youths who had squatted in the area for two days, where they read the Book of Lamentations for Tisha B’Av and listened to lectures by prominent West Bank rabbis. more..
Five Palestinians wounded in IAF strike in central Gaza Strip
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
Israel Air Force craft struck a car in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, wounding five people, including three militants. Among the wounded were three militants - two from Islamic Jihad and a third from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Two passers-by were also hurt in the strike, which ambulance staff said occurred about 10 kilometers south of Gaza City. Islamic Jihad said that the Al-Aqsa member wounded in the attack was the group’s commander in Gaza. Two other militants in the vehicle, one from Islamic Jihad and the other from Al-Aqsa, escaped unscathed. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed carrying out a strike but did not give details of the target, other than to say the attack was part of operations against terrorist activity. more..
Palestinian intelligence officer ’tortured and killed’
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Rafah - Ma’an – An officer in the Palestinian intelligence services was killed Monday in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Eyewitnesses and medical sources said Ismail Mashoukhi, 35, appeared to have been tortured. Mashoukhi’s family, who live in Tal As Sultan, to the west of Rafah, said that he left home Sunday afternoon, to visit a relative, but he disappeared before he arrived. His body was found Monday. Hamas’ Executive Forces arrested three people who they suspect were involved in the killing. An Executive Force spokesperson declined to give more information about the investigation but he assured that the organization is working to find the perpetrators. [end]
Israeli army invades Beit Omer town near Hebron and kidnaps three civilians
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/30/2007
A massive Israeli force invaded the town of Beit Omer located north of Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank and kidnapped three civilians form the twon on Monday. Troops searched homes and ransacked them then took Mohamed Bahar, 25, Izaldeen Mikbel, 16, and Mohamed Salaebi, to unknown locations. [end]
Israeli army storm Qalndyia refugee camp near Jerusalem and search homes there
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/30/2007
Palestinian sources reported that Israeli forces stormed Qalndyia refugee to the north of Jerusalem city in the West Bank searched homes there on mondya morning. Troops opened fire randomly at residents homes causing damage but no injures, the army left the camp after some time, no kidnappings were reported. [end]
Israeli forces detain five Palestinians from the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – The Israeli forces detained four Palestinian citizens from the West Bank on Monday morning. Israeli sources said that "three of them [the Palestinians] are from villages around Bethlehem and the fourth is from the Al Ram district to the north of Jerusalem." According to the Israeli forces, the men were ’wanted. ’Israeli forces also arrested another Palestinian citizen at the Huwwara checkpoint, to the south of the West Bank city of Nablus, on Sunday night. According to Israeli officials, the arrestee was carrying a gun. [end]
Al Aqsa Brigades launch projectile at Sufa crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Al Aqsa Brigades, Fatah’s main military wing, claimed responsibility Monday for launching a homemade projectile at Sufa border crossing on the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel. The Brigades said that the bombing was a response for the Israeli assassination of Yahya Barakat and Tamer Al-Khatib. The group caked for a preliminary response to another assassination attempt against the Al Aqsa leaders in the Gaza Strip Monday. [end]
Israeli soldiers arrest two Palestinians at Huwwara checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – Israeli border guards arrested two Palestinians at Huwwara checkpoint, near the West Bank city of Nablus Monday. The soldiers claimed to have found a gun in their car. The Israeli military detained the two men for questioning. [end]
144 Settlements in the West Bank are housing 476,000 Israel settlers
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/30/2007
The Palestinian Census Bureau issued a report stating that there are 144 Israeli settlements, housing 476,000 Israeli settlers, spread all over the West Bank, including the occupied city of Jerusalem. The report, which is for the year 2006, states that 26 of those settlements are in the occupied city of Jerusalem, 16 of them already annexed to Jerusalem. 259,000 settlers live in settlements in and around the occupied city of Jerusalem, while 77,000 settlers live in settlements around the central West Bank city of Ramallah. In addition, 46,000 live in settlements around the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, 29,000 located near Salfit City in the northern part of the West Bank, and 1,300 settlers live in settlements near the northern West Bank city of Tubas. more..
An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades fire projectiles at Israeli military post
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the armed wing of Popular Resistance Committees, on Monday claimed responsibility for firing three homemade projectiles at an Israeli military post to the east of Juhor Ad Dik, in the central Gaza Strip. The brigades said in a statement that the operation "is a response to Israeli crimes against Palestinians." The brigades vowed to undertake more military operations against Israel. [end]
Remembering Qana
The Daily Star, Daily Star 7/31/2007
Dignitaries attend a ceremony to commemorate the 27 civilians killed by an Israeli air strike on the southern city in last summer’s war - Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss and an array of political as well as religious figures attended a ceremony on Monday at the UNESCO Palace to commemorate the 2006 Qana bombing, under the auspices of President Emile Lahoud. On July 30 last year the Israeli Army targeted the southern village with an air strike that left 27 people dead, including 13 children. In commemoration of the attack, Lahoud on Monday saluted the martyrs of the summer 2006 war and hailed the perseverance of the South’s residents, saying it was the motivation and solidarity of southerners "that contributed to the downfall of Israel during last summer’s war. more..
IDF preparing to evacuate protesting settlers from West Bank market
Yuval Azoulay and Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to evacuate next week settlers who have broken into the wholesale market in the West Bank city of Hebron. The IDF recently sent a letter to the settlers’ attorney, Haim Cohen, saying it would charge settlers the cost of evacuating them if they did not leave of their own accord. The letter, sent by the legal advisor of the Judea and Samaria Division, said that the settlers’ window of opportunity to leave freely has closed, and that the IDF will forcibly evacuate them at a time it deems appropriate. The army said in the letter to Cohen that it would use "reasonable force" during the evacuation, and raised the possibility of placing the entire cost of the exercise the shoulders of Cohen’s clients, the settlers. more..
Several injured in an Israeli air strike targeting a Palestinian car in Gaza City
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/30/2007
An Israeli spy plane fired several missiles at a Palestinian car driving on the main highway in Gaza City on Monday in mid-day. Medical sources reported a number of injuries. Sources close to Islamic Jihad said that the car belongs to resistance fighters from the movement. Witnesses said that three young Palestinian men were driving their car on the highway when an unmanned Israeli plane fired several missiles at the car, totally destroying the car and injuring the passengers. The three fighters managed to escape the attack from the missile because it hit the front of the car, allowing a window of a few seconds that permitted the fighters to escape. [end]
Corpse of Qassam fighter discovered after twelve-year inquiry
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Khan Younis – Ma’an – The military wing of the Hamas movement, the Qassam Brigades, on Monday announced the death of one of its members, Nidal Dabbash, who had been missing for twelve years. Dabbash was from the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City. Spokesperson of the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeideh, told Ma’an, "We have found, through numerous investigations, the body of Dabbash in the same area as where a former leader, Kahil, was found in 1995." Abu Obeideh said that the Palestinian security services declared that they arrested Dabbash and handed him over to the Israelis. However, the Qassam Brigades claim that this was not entirely true. Following investigations, the Qassam Brigades found that Dabbash had never been detained or held by Israel and his corpse has now finally been discovered. more..
Army warns Hebron settlers to evacuate market willingly
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/30/2007
Military Advocate General’s office says Jewish families residing in West Bank city’s market will be held financially responsible should IDF be instructed to forcefully evacuate them from the site - The Military Advocate General’s office on Monday warned Jewish families residing in Hebron’s old market that should the IDF be instructed to forcefully evacuate them from the site, they would be held financially responsible. "The deadline for a voluntary evacuation (from the market) has passed, and the authorities in the area plan to work toward removing you from the property with the use of reasonable force,"¯ the office said in a letter addressed to the families. The council of the Jewish settlement in Hebron said, "The chutzpah and obstinacy have reached a new high. more..
Amana investigated for illegal construction in West Bank
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/30/2007
Judea and Samaria district police investigate settler movement for illegal construction of outposts following request by Peace Now - The Amana movement, headed by Ze’ev Haver, has been under investigation by the Judea and Samaria district police under suspicion of illegal construction of outposts. In November 2005, the Peace Now movement sent a letter to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, asking him to investigate the actions of Amana regarding the continued building and marketing of homes in illegal outposts throughout the West Bank. The letter claimed that Amana’s website was advertising a lot of information indicating intensive activity in illegal outposts. According to a report by Attorney Talia Sason, Amana continues to market permanent homes and temporary dwellings to a large number of illegal outposts. more..
Palestine Today 073007
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/30/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 32 MB || Time 3m38s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Monday July, 30th, 2007. Israeli army plane attacks a car in Gaza and Palestinian employees take the government to court, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The Gaza strip - An Israeli spy plane fired several missiles at a Palestinian car driving on the main highway in Gaza City on Monday in mid-day. Medical sources reported a number of injuries. Sources close to Islamic Jihad said that the car belongs to resistance fighters from the movement. Witnesses said that three young Palestinian men were driving their car on the highway when an unmanned Israeli plane fired several missiles at the car, totally destroying the car and injuring the passengers. more..
Five detained by Israeli forces in Bethlehem and Ramallah
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – Four Palestinians from Ramallah and Bethlehem, considered "wanted" by Israel, were arrested Sunday morning by Israeli forces. Separately, a Palestinian teenager was detained after being stopped at a checkpoint in Ramallah. Israeli authorities said the four "wanted" men were taken in for interrogation. Eyewitnesses said the fifth person, Majid Nizar, 17, was questioned for hours at Atarot checkpoint, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, before being taken to "an unknown location." [end]
Brigades launch series of attacks on Israeli positions from Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades and the Fatah-affiliated Abu Ar Rish Brigades have announced responsibility for the launching of several attacks at Israeli positions on Sunday morning. A statement issued by the brigades stated that they have launched one homemade projectile and four mortars at the military post near Kerem Shalom crossing on the Israeli-Gazan-Egyptian border. In a separate operation, the brigades also launched a rocket-propelled grenade at an Israeli military jeep, east of Juhor ad Dik in the central Gaza Strip. The brigades also announced that two homemade projectiles were shot at the Israeli town of Sderot, just north east of the Gaza Strip. The brigades pledged "to continue resistance against the Israeli occupation". more..
Settler population in West Bank tops 475,000
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank grew reached 475,760 in 2006. According to a new report by the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics, the settlers live in 144 individual colonies, totaling 16. 1% of the total population of the West Bank. The majority live in Jerusalem Governate, host to 259,712 settlers. Ramallah and Al Bireh Governate, with 77,120, and Bethlehem Governate, with 46,783, have the second and third most settlers. Jenin is the governate with the fewest settlers. The report looks at settlement patterns throughout the entire West Bank, including all of the territory bounded by the 1967 Green Line, the Jordanian border, and the Dead Sea. The settlements are illegal under international law. [end]
Armed factions attack Israeli forces in Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – Armed groups affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Fatah claimed responsibility Sunday for launching three mortars at an Israeli outpost in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. In a joint statement, the PFLP’s Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades and Fatah’s Al Aqsa Brigades said that the operation came "as part of the retaliation for the Israeli crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza strip and the West Bank." [end]
J’lem police hunting 3 men suspected of trying to abduct Haredi teen
Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
Jerusalem police launched a manhunt Sunday for three men, apparently of Arab nationality, traveling in a Volkswagen car whom a 14-year-old ultra-Orthodox youth said had tried to abduct him earlier in the day. The teen said he had been walking along the street in Jerusalem’s northern Sanhedria neighborhood, when the men grabbed him and forced him into the car. Police understood from his testimony that the men were Palestinians. He added that the men attempted to leave the city but had to stop at a red light, at which point he managed to escape from the vehicle. After jumping from the car, the teen said he called his mother who notified the police of his location. He was transferred to the Minorities Unit of the Jerusalem Police, where his statement was taken. more..
Wounded victims of war with Israel face long, lonely road to recovery
Rym Ghazal, Daily Star 7/30/2007
Rehabilitation centers rely mostly on private funds to treat patients - SOUTH LEBANON: Even though 17-year-old Rasha Mohammad Zayoun lost her left leg this winter when she reached into a patch of fresh zaatar and found a cluster bomb, she considers herself lucky. "I don’t have to wait for a leg as people heard of me and came to help me," said Zayoun, who became the poster child for many international and local outlets raising awareness about the plight of the southern Lebanese who have been wounded by Israeli cluster bombs since the summer 2006 war with Israel. UN officials have said that Israel fired as many as 4 million cluster bombs into South Lebanon during the war last summer, mostly in the final days of the conflict. Cluster munitions spread bomblets over a wide area. more..
Qana ’stronger’ on anniversary of Israeli attack
Hani M. Bathish, Daily Star 7/30/2007
Irish citizens attend commemoration to denounce what they say was Lebanon’s bloody Sunday - QANA, SOUTH LEBANON: Along the road of remembered indignities, Qana is a somber milestone, but one that nonetheless fuels the resolve and drive of the people of the South to hold on to their lands, despite repeated Israeli attacks. The Israelis "don’t know us yet," said Mohammad Chalhoub. "Death does not make us retreat - it only adds to our resolve. Our will today is stronger." Chalhoub, who lost his sister, brother and daughter on July 30 last year in what is often referred to as the second Qana massacre, has been confined to a wheelchair since then. Clad in black, Chalhoub’s eyes watered slightly when he spoke of his family. "It was a day like today: we went to sleep, we were all together. more..
Al Quds Brigades launch home-made projectile at Al Majdal
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Al Majdal at dawn. The brigades said that the operation came in response to "Israeli crimes, invasions, arrests and assassinations of Palestinians." [end]
IDF soldier left behind in Gaza after falling asleep following raid
Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
An Israel Defense Forces soldier was left behind by his comrades after an incursion in the Gaza Strip last week, and was located only after they had returned to Israel, it emerged Sunday. The incident is likely to result in severe disciplinary measures for a number of IDF officers. According to a preliminary investigation, soldiers from the Golani infantry Brigade’s Battalion 51 were operating southeast of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. On their way back to Israel, the force stopped some 700 meters from the border fence, and the soldier fell asleep. IDF troops regularly count off in order to prevent soldiers from separating from the force, but it appears that during the count-off, one of the soldier’s friends answered for him, and his absence was not noted. more..
’Something rotten in 51st battalion’
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/29/2007
Following incident in which IDF soldier was forgotten behind Gaza border after operation, senior military source laments lack of discipline in Golani brigade"An entire year of intensive combat operations and an extensive series of actions taken to prevent kidnappings - all that could go to waste because of faulty behavioral norms," said a senior IDF official on Sunday following the worrisome incident this weekend in which an Israeli soldier was left behind in Gaza after his unit completed an operation in the Strip. An initial inquiry into the incident determined that the soldier had fallen asleep on the mission, and the headcount, which was carried out a few times was faulty, since other soldiers eager to return to the base answered in the name of the missing soldier, leading the troops to believe all were present. more..
Israel kills Palestinians in Gaza
Al Jazeera 7/28/2007
Israeli soldiers have shot and killed two Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip as they approached the border fence, a Palestinian group has said. - An Israeli army spokeswoman said soldiers had opened fire on two men near the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya on Saturday. "They were planting an explosive device near the fence," she said. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an arm of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction, confirmed two of its fighters were killed while trying to fire mortars into Israel. A spokesman for the group said the thwarted attack was meant to send a signal that the group had no intention of abiding by the platform of Abbas’s new government in the occupied West Bank. Spokesman Abu Thaer said: "Our message is that the Zionist occupation is continuing its aggression and therefore the resistance will continue. more..
Israeli army jeep strikes and injures Palestinian child
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/28/2007
A Palestinian child from the village of Yabud, located near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, was struck by an Israeli military jeep late on Friday night. Local sources indicated that a number of military vehicles stormed the village shortly after midnight. Ala Abu Bakr, 13, was standing in front of his home when he was run over by an Israeli jeep. After soldiers hit the boy, they fled the scene and did not provide any medical assistance for the injured child. Medical sources stated that the boy sustained moderate to serious wounds and was transported to the public hospital in the city of Jenin for treatment. A similar incident of Israeli army violence against minors was witnessed in the village of Taqua, located near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem when an invading army patrol attacked a local youth from the village. more..
IDF inquiry: Soldiers lied about Dahariya rampage, wounding of innocent Palestinian
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/28/2007
Israel Defense Forces soldiers who apparently shot and wounded a Palestinian without justification in the West Bank on Thursday, lied in the initial investigation of the incident, IDF sources reported Friday. The army’s investigation into the actions of the six suspects, a lieutenant and five of his soldiers, revealed that they had hijacked a Palestinian taxi cab in the village of Dahariya near Hebron, shooting at an innocent passerby and leaving him severely wounded in the neck. On Friday a military court extended the remand of the lieutenant and the soldier suspected of pulling the trigger, while the military police continued its investigation, ordered by GOC Central Command, Major General Gadi Shamni. A central command inquiry is being conducted concurrently. more..
Israeli forces arrest a man in possession of explosives at Huwwara checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/28/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – The Israeli forces on Saturday evening arrested a Palestinian youth at Huwwara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, in the northern West Bank. The detainee was accused of being in possession of two explosive devices. Ma’an’s correspondent reported that the Israeli troops stopped the man whilst he was attempting to cross the checkpoint. The checkpoint was then closed for one hour to Palestinian citizens travelling in both directions. The explosive devices were discovered and the man was taken to an undisclosed destination. [end]
IDF to provide aid to injured Palestinian
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/29/2007
Major-General instructs soldiers to aid family of Dahariya man critically wounded Thursday in an unauthorized shooting by group of soldiers - IDF soldiers were instructed Saturday to aid a Palestinian man critically injured in an unauthorized shooting by IDF soldiers that occurred Thursday. The IDF’s Central Command Chief, Major-General Gadi Shamni, ordered the head of the military’s civilian authority to give the man’s family entrance permits into Israel and additional aid. Meanwhile, a major from the coordination division was sent to the Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, where the man is hospitalized, in order to apprise his family of the ongoing military investigation of the incident. The shooting incident, which took place in Kfar Dahariya south of Mount Hebron in the West Bank, at first appeared to be a common security incident. -- See also: Palestinian cab driver relates incident more..
Palestinian military factions strike Israeli targets in and near Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/28/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) says it clashed with Israeli forces at dawn Saturday near the abandoned Shokat as Sufi airport east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. The PRC’s An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades issued a statement Saturday saying, "The group members attacked the Israeli force by using machine guns and hand grenades." Meanwhile, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Al Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah, said Saturday that they fired mortars at an Israeli military outpost north of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The Sami Al Ghoul Brigades, a minor military wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility for launching a homemade "Qassam" projectile late Friday at the Israeli town of Sderot, in the Western Negev. more..
Anonymous caller tells PBC that a booby-trapped car will explode in Ramallah
Ma’an News Agency 7/28/2007
Ramallah – Ma’an – An anonymous caller on Saturday told the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) that a booby-trapped car will detonate in front of the PBC building, south of Ramallah, in the central West Bank, giving just half an hour’s warning. The chairman of the PBC, Basim Abu Sumayya confirmed to our Ramallah correspondent that an employee in the PBC received a telephone telling them of a booby-trapped car. Palestinian security forces arrived on the scene and combed the area along with a staff of bomb disposal engineer, who found nothing. Officials in the PBC accused the Hamas movement some weeks ago of threatening to cause an explosion in the PBC building, yet no perpetrator has yet been identified. [end]
Gaza: IDF kills 2 Palestinians
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/28/2007
Golani Brigade soldiers spot two Palestinians attempting to plant explosive device near border fence, open fire, killing both suspects - Two Palestinians were shot and killed Saturday afternoon, by Golani Brigade soldiers who spotted them throwing grenades towards the border fence in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said the two were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, Fatah’s military wing. According to the IDF, the soldiers opened fire against the two Palestinians, who were trying to plant an explosive device near the border fence. None of the soldiers were injured in the incident. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades have been working in cooperation with the Islamic Jihad in recent months. Several senior members in the organization have recently been killed in IDF attacks. more..
Hezbollah marks Lebanon war
Al Jazeera 7/28/2007
Thousands of Hezbollah supporters have rallied in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil to mark what they say was a "divine victory" over Israel last year. The town, along with much of the country’s south, was devastated during Israel’s 34-day war against Hezbollah in Lebanon last summer that ended on August 14 with a UN-brokered cease-fire. Hassan Nasrallah, secretary-general of Hezbollah, addressed a crowd of more than 5,000 late on Saturday via video link, saying the US vision of a "new Middle East" had been left in shambles, and that his group was ready to strike Israel at any time. He said: "We will not wait for anyone to defend us. We will defend ourselves and our country. "We possess and we will continue to possess rockets that can hit any area in occupied Palestine if Israel attacks Lebanon. more..
IOF troops beat up Palestinian youth to death in Bethlehem
Palestinian Information Center 7/26/2007
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Palestinian youth Jihad Khalil Al-Sha’ar, 20, died after IOF troops mercilessly beat him with batons in Bethlehem city, south of the West Bank, Thursday morning. Military sources in the IOF alleged that the victim attempted to stab an Israeli soldier near Takoo village near Bethlehem city but failed in the attempt, prompting other IOF soldiers to beat him up with batons and rifles’ butts till he died. IOF troops have a past record of beating to death a number of Palestinian citizens, especially at roadblocks, and always justified their heinous crimes by alleging that the Palestinians attempted to stab IOF servicemen. In the same context, a Palestinian youth was seriously wounded when an IOF special unit disguised in Palestinian attire assaulted him at his work site in Thahereyya town, south of Al-Khalil city. more..
Israeli forces seize ten Palestinian citizens
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – The Israeli forces took ten Palestinian citizens from different regions of the occupied Palestinian territories into custody on Friday morning, claiming that they are on the ’wanted’ list. An Israeli media source said that the military ’arrested’ six Palestinians near the West Bank city of Ramallah, three near Bethlehem and one in Nablus. In Jenin, an invading Israeli military jeep was struck by a bomb. No casualties were reported. [end]
Detaining 50 Palestinians, Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Israeli forces began withdrawing from Al Fukhkhari, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday night; their full exit was completed by Friday morning. The invasion of Al Fukhkhari, east of Khan Younis, was launched on Thursday morning and resulted in mass destruction to Palestinian land and property. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces conducted house-to-house searches and detained more than 50 Palestinian citizens. The detainees were transported in army trucks to the Israeli military post of Kisufim, east of the Gaza Strip. Devastation - On Friday morning the leadership of Fatah in the Gaza Strip visited the area of Al ’Amor, in the south, following the devastation created by the Israeli invasion. Fatah leader, Ibrahim Abu Naja, said that Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian agricultural land, homes and roads. more..
Four injured, ten arrested after fight outside Rafah mosque
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – Four Fatah members were treated for injuries after the Executive Forces intervened in a fight outside a mosque in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Eyewitnesses said that a heated argument began inside the mosque after Friday prayers. The Hamas-affiliated Executive Forces deployed on the scene after the fight spilled outside the building. Fatah member Mohammed Zanun was treated for a bullet in the leg. Another Fatah member Samir Al Maghribi was also taken to the hospital after being severely beaten. Palestinian Wafa television news reported that the Executive Forces arrested 10 Fatah men, including Ahmed Ahad, a Fatah leader in the area. [end]
Zionist settlers establish new settlement outpost on lands of Artas village
Palestinian Information Center 7/27/2007
BETHLEHEM, (PIC)-- Dozens of Zionist settlers carried out on Wednesday morning a new attack on the lands of the Artas village to the south of Bethlehem, one day after the IOA sent evacuation notices to the citizens of the village. 350 settlers invaded the "Khallat al-Cotton", a hill overlooking the village, and embarked on leveling the ground in order to establish a new settlement outpost on it to the east of the separation wall, which is still being expanded by the IOA to the detriment of the Palestinian villagers’ lands. The settlers brutally attacked the Palestinian landowners who tried to defend their lands, and caused injuries to a number of them. This area has been exposed to the Zionist settlers’ attacks many times during the recent months, who resided in it provocatively during the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba... more..
IDF: Soldiers lied during questioning over wrongful shooting of Palestinian
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/28/2007
An Israel Defense Forces platoon who shot and wounded a Palestinian without any apparent justification in the West Bank on Thursday, apparently lied in the initial investigation of the incident, IDF sources reported Friday. A military court on Friday extended the remand of the six suspects involved in the shooting, which occurred in the village of Dahariya near Hebron. An internal military police investigation, ordered by GOC Central Command Major General Gadi Shamni on Thursday, has not yet been completed. A central command inquiry is being conducted concurrently and the platoon commander has been suspended. The suspects had originally claimed that during a morning patrol in the village, one of the platoon’s soldiers sprained his ankle and couldn’t walk. more..
Israeli Army Company suspended after unprovoked attack
John Smith - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 7/27/2007
An Israeli Army company has been suspended after members shot and seriously wounded an innocent Palestinian in the south Hebron hills on Thursday. The head of Israeli central command, Major General Gadi Shamni, ordered the suspension of the company after a military probe revealed numerous procedural failings in the relevant battalion and a failure on the part of the forces involved to report the attack. The man, as yet unidentified, was seriously wounded at the Eshkolot checkpoint, located to the south of Hebron, when army forces apparently mistook him for a “wanted Palestinian” and opened fire. The victim was evacuated to an Israeli hospital for medical treatment. An investigation into the attack has been launched by Israeli military police. [end]
Two Qassam rockets fired from Gaza, one lands in Ashkelon
Mijal Grinberg, Ha’aretz 7/27/2007
Palestinian militants fired a Qassam rocket into the western Negev Friday evening, several hours after an earlier Qassam landed in Ashkelon. The first rocket landed in an open field in the Ashkelon’s southern industrial zone. The city is not often pelted with rockets, as Palestinian militants in Gaza tend to target western Negev towns east of the Strip, rather than Ashkelon which lies north of Gaza. The rocket sparked a fire in the field, but no one was injured and no damage was caused. The second rocket landed in a western Negev community, damaging several homes. As in the previous attack, no one was injured. At least 7 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since Thursday. One of them struck a home in the western Negev city of Sderot. more..
Allied brigades target Israeli military post with homemade projectiles
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – A united group of combatants affiliated to the Al Aqsa Brigades of Fatah and the National Resistance Brigades of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine launched two projectiles at the Israeli military post of Kisufim late on Thursday evening. The brigades declared that the action is a reprisal for the assassination of Palestinian leaders in Gaza and to mark the continuation of resistance. [end]
Two armed groups launch projectiles at Israeli targets near Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The military wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claims to have fired two rockets at the Israeli town of Sderot, in the western Negev. In a statement, the PFLP’s Abu Ali Mustafa said the attack was in reaction to Israeli "aggression" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Separately, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation ofPalestine (DFLP) claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at the Israeli village of Yad Mordechai, south of Ashkelon. [end]
QB fighters engage invading IOF troops in fierce clashes, lose one martyr
Palestinian Information Center 7/27/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- One fighter from the Qassam Brigades (QB), the armed wing of Hamas Movement, was martyred by Israeli tank shell while blocking an IOF incursion into the Fakhary area, east of Gaza Strip, at dawn Thursday. The QB fighter was identified as Sharif Hussein Burais, 35. Sources in Hamas Movement revealed to the PIC that its armed wing along with armed wings of other Palestinian resistance factions were heroically engaging the invaders in fierce battles, and that they attacked and damaged a number of IOF armored vehicles. PIC correspondent in the area affirmed that at least 10 IOF armored vehicles accompanied by big military bulldozers have invaded the area under intensive air cover from the Israeli Apache choppers before starting uprooting vast planted areas. more..
’Abbas’s militia’ kill university student, Islamic student bloc calls for inquiry
Palestinian Information Center 7/27/2007
NABLUS, (PIC)-- A Najah university student who was beaten and shot in the head on Tuesday in skirmishes that took place between Hamas supporters and Fatah militias died today at hospital. Muhammad Abdelrahim Raddad (21 years), a third year student at Najah University died this morning of his wounds. Eyewitnesses said that Radad was drag by a group of Fatah supporters who ganged on him, thrown to the ground and one student pulled a pistol and shot him in the head. Medical reports confirm that Radad was hit in the head from a close range. The student’s family stated that they were holding the university administrators responsible for the death of their son. The Islamic bloc at the university is calling for a full inquiry into the events of Tuesday, during which teargas was fired by the PA police at university students... more..
Israeli warplanes violate airspace
Agence France Presse, Daily Star 7/28/2007
Israeli warplanes swooped low over South Lebanon and the Bekaa on Friday in defiance of UN resolutions, causing sonic booms over the coastal city of Tyre, police said. Israeli reconnaissance aircraft passed over Bint Jbeil at 8 a. m. and stayed in Lebanese airspace for three hours, conducting concentrated flights over Khiam, Jezzine and Iqlim al-Tuffah, the National News Agency (NNA) reported Friday. The warplanes also passed over the town of Nabatieh, a Hizbullah stronghold some 65 kilometers south of Beirut. An AFP report said at least three Israeli aircraft entered Lebanese airspace at about 10:30 a. m. over Tyre. The aircraft also flew over the western Bekaa twice Friday morning, the NNA said. Simulated air raids were performed over the outskirts of Rashaya and Bekaa’s western sector. more..
Survivors of the Summer War
Al Jazeera 7/27/2007
Sana Chalhoub and her brother Mohamed lost 27 members of their family. - Beirut Southern Suburbs - In August 2006, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra reported from Lebanon on the aftermath of the 34 day war with Israel which left 1,191 civilians dead and 30,000 homes destroyed. He found a country devastated by war but also one which took pride in the resistance Hezbollah had shown to the power of the Israeli military. For some the war took their houses, for others their families. Retracing his journey of a year ago, Hashem investigates how the people he met in 2006 have put their lives back together and what steps the government and Hezbollah have taken to rebuild peoples homes and Lebanon’s shattered infrastructure. In Dahiya, in the Southern suburbs of Beirut, he catches up with Nassry Hijazi, a year on still... more..
This Week in Palestine – Week 302007
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC- Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/27/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - | File 12. 8 MB || Time 13m59s|| - This Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www. IMEMC. org, for July 14th through July 20th, 2007. This week the Israeli army killed 9 Palestinians during attacks in Gaza and in the West Bank while Palestinian Authority published its new platform in which, for the first time, no reference to armed struggle is made. These stories and more coming up. Stay tuned. Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine - Let’s begin our weekly report with the nonviolent action in Bil’in Pagainst the wall and settlements. IMEMC’s Rena Sahouri with details: On Friday, the village of Bil’in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah protested against the illegal Israeli wall that separates the village from its agricultural land. more..
Lebanese beaches ’still very toxic’ after oil spill
Nafez Zouk, Daily Star 7/28/2007
Environmental groups challenge previous claims of progress - BEIRUT: The Lebanese coastline remains heavily polluted from last year’s Jiyyeh oil spill and cleaning efforts have not achieved the desired result, said two environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Friday. Their conclusions contrast sharply with reports by other NGOs and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) claiming beaches were safe and the bulk of the spill had been contained. The ominous new information was issued by the NGOs Green Line and Byblos Ecologia on the first anniversary of Israel’s bombing of the Jiyyeh power plant, which dumped about 15,000 tons of crude oil into the Mediterranean. "The beaches are still very toxic," said Richard Steiner, a conservation specialist from the University of Alaska. more..
IDF kills 5 in Gaza including senior member of Jihad
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/26/2007
IDF troops killed five Palestinians yesterday in three separate incidents, killing three Islamic Jihad militants when the air force hit their vehicle in the Gaza Strip. According to Islamic Jihad, one of those killed is Omar al-Khatib, a senior member in the military wing of the organization. On Tuesday he had managed to survive an attack against him. The two other dead are Halil Daifi and Ahmed al-Al. In another incident near the town of al-Fahari, east of Khan Yunis in Gaza, the air force killed a Hamas militant. According to army sources, the man was attempting to attack an IDF ground force with an anti-tank missile, when he was hit from the air. Palestinian eyewitnesses said the IDF infantry was supported by tanks and bulldozers, and had entered an area in the southern Gaza Strip used for launching Qassam rockets. more..
Settlers attack Palestinian children near Nablus city in the West Bank
Ameen Abu Wardeh, International Middle East Media Center 7/26/2007
A group of Israeli settlers attacked and beat up three Palestinian children while they were playing on their family land in the village of Al Qassira located near the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday midday. The setters, using mountain motorbikes, chased the three children and then beat them up. Two of the three kids managed to escape while the third was detained by the setters, who tied him to one of their bikes and pulled him to a place near the village and dumped him there. The three kids sustained light wounds, according to medical personnel in the area. The families of the three kids said that the Israeli army told them that an investigation will be held. The Israeli army most of the time witnesses the attacks committed by Israeli illegal settlers and do not intervene, or they may join the setters in their attacks against Palestinian civilians. more..
Israeli troops arrest 10 Palestinians across the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – At dawn on Thursday, Israeli troops arrested ten Palestinian citizens from several areas across the West Bank, stating that the detained Palestinians were "wanted". Israeli sources confirmed that the arrested Palestinians were transferred to interrogation centres close to the cities where they had been arrested. [end]
One killed as army invades village near Bethlehem
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/26/2007
A Palestinian civilian was killed and his father was kidnapped by the Israeli army on Thursday at midday during an invasion of the village of Taqua, southeast of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank. The father was later released. Local sources reported that a massive Israeli force invaded the village and searched homes. The Israeli army said that a number of invading soldiers opened fire on Palestinian youth standing in front of the local high school in the village center, killing Jihad Al Sha’er, 20, after he attacked the soldiers. Palestinian medics working with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance said that the army abducted the dead youth’s body. When the body was later recovered by the Palestinian ambulance, the medics discovered that the soldiers had badly beaten the boy on his head, and that the severe head injuries had killed him. more..
Under cover forces invades Jenin refugee camp and kidnapped a resistance fighter
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/26/2007
An under cover Israeli army force invaded Jenin refugee camp located in the city of Jenin in the northern part of the West Bank and kidnapped one Palestinian resistance fighter there on Thursday midday. Local sources identified the man as; Raed Al Ateli the leader of Al Qudes brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad in Jenin refugee camp. [end]
Al Aqsa Brigades shoot Israeli soldier during invasion of southern Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Khan Younis - Ma’an – The Ayman Judah unit of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades have claimed responsibility for shooting an Israeli soldier in Al Fukhkhari area, south-east of Khan Younis. The soldier, part of a large invading Israeli military force, was shot after appearing from a tank. The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades have also stated that they have been involved in clashes with invading Israeli forces in the area. A statement from the Brigades assured, "this operation comes in response to the Israeli crimes; missile attacks, demolishing houses, arrests and assassinations - and as a stand against Israeli attacks on the area." [end]
New Israeli invasion of Gaza Strip leaves one Qassam Brigade member dead, several citizens injured, farmland destroyed
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Khan Younis - Ma’an – A member of the Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades has been killed, and a further five citizens have so far been injured in a new Israeli invasion in both the north and south of the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Medical sources in the European hospital said that Sharif Brais, 33, from the Al Qassam Brigades was killed in the Al Fukhkhari area. The sources declared that the man was dead on arrival to the hospital, with his corpse in two pieces. The same sources said that four other citizens arrived to the hospital, having sustained moderate and light wounds. In the north of the strip, another Palestinian was injured when he was shot by Israeli troops, east of Beit Hanoun. Medical sources in the area said that Mohammad Ibrahim, 28, was transported to Kamal Adwan hospital. more..
Israeli airstrike kills three Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - Three senior leaders of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, were killed in an Israeli airstrike Thursday in the Gaza Strip. The three leaders were in a Toyota on Salah Addin street near Wadi Gaza, south of Gaza City when, witnesses said, an unmanned aerial drone launched two rockets at the car, exploding it and burning the men inside. The Al Quds Brigades identified the men as Khalil Daifi, and Ahmed Abd Al-el, and Omar Al Khatib, one of the group’s most prominent leaders. The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Hamas Executive Force members caused a firefight after preventing members of Islamic Jihad from retrieving items the car. The paper reported that four Islamic Jihad members were treated for gunshot wounds. more..
Popular Resistance Committes’ armed wing attacks Israeli tank
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - The military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for launching a projectile against an Israeli tank southeast of the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. A statement issued by the An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades said that the attack was a "natural reply" to arrests and raids committed by occupying Israeli forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. [end]
Al Qassam Brigades shell Israeli military vehicles near Sufa crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - The Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades have claimed responsibility for the shelling of a gathering of military vehicles in the vicinity of the Sufa crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. The Al Qassam Brigades stated that this attack "comes in response to the Israeli crimes against Palestinians." [end]
Al Quds Brigades clash with Israeli forces in southern Gaza Strip; launch homemade projectiles at Israeli towns
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades announced on Thursday that its groups had launched several attacks, targeting occupying Israeli military forces, which invaded the Gaza Strip again today. The militant group also announced the launching of many projectiles at Israeli towns bordering the Strip. In one of several statements, the brigades declared that their members had launched three homemade projectiles at Sderot. Israeli sources stated that the two projectiles which landed in the town did not cause any losses or casualties. The Brigades also announced that three Rocket-Propelled Grenades were launched at an Israeli military vehicle, near the European hospital, east of Khan Younis, and that the group targeted Israeli soldiers establishing another position near the same hospital. more..
Jenin leader of Al Quds Brigades abducted by Israeli undercover agents
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Jenin – Israeli undercover forces are said to have abducted the leader of the Jenin chapter of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades, Adham Younis Al ’Azza (25), when he was visiting the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Thursday afternoon. A Ma’an correspondent reported that shots were fired at Al-’Azza’s car from a white Volkswagen with Palestinian number plates. Then, the men in the Volkswagen abducted Al-’Azza, taking him to an unknown destination. Eyewitnesses declared that dozens of Israeli soldiers could be seen standing on the rooftops of nearby houses. Al-’Azza has previously escaped many Israeli assassination attempts. [end]
Israeli forces arrest four Palestinians from their homes in Hebron
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Hebron - Occupying Israeli military forces arrested four Palestinians citizens in Hebron at dawn today. One of those arrested is a prominent local Fatah member, while another works in the National Security service. Local sources told Ma’an’s correspondent that the Israeli force invaded the Wadi Asseman area, south of Hebron at dawn. They arrested three citizens after forcibly entering and ransacking their homes; Issa Jamal Abu Turke, 34, Abed Ashafe Taha Abu Turke, 24, and Sa’ed Ahmad Abu Rmouz, 27, all affiliated with the Fatah movement. In the Abu Sneinah area, central Hebron, Israeli authorities arrested a member in the National Security service, Yahia Mahmoud ’Ashour, after breaking into his house and destroying much of the furniture. [end]
Popular Resistance Committes’ armed wing attacks Israeli tank
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for launching a projectile against an Israeli tank southeast of the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. A statement issued by the An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades said that the attack was a "natural reply" to arrests and raids committed by occupying Israeli forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. [end]
Gush Katif evacuees march toward Gaza
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/26/2007
In march marking two years since disengagement, evacuees break through police barrier, leading to a few arrests; four evacuees entering Palestinian territory are rescued by IDF. ’Eventually, we will return home’, says Elei Sinai evacuee - Hundreds of Gush Katif evacuees, mostly youths, marched toward the evacuated settlements Nisanit and Elei Sinai in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, marking two years since the disengagement. Upon arriving at the Nativ Ha’asara community, some of the marchers broke through the police barrier in the area and managed to reach the fence which separates between the community and the remains of Elei Sinai and Nisanit. Hundreds of police officers were sent to the area and clashes broke out between officers and marchers, a few of which were apprehended for investigation. more..
IDF rescues five activists who infiltrated Gaza during protest
Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/26/2007
The Israel Defense Forces rescued five young right-wing activists who had entered the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday during a protest march to the former settlement of Nissanit. A force of Golani soldiers, an IDF infantry brigade, entered the Palestinian territory in search of the youths, fearing Palestinian snipers would shoot them. Some 500 right-wing activists seeking to resettle the evacuated Gaza settlements marched toward Nissanit on Thursday to mark the second anniversary of the Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip during the 2005 disengagement. The protesters were barred by the police forces from entering Gaza, and a clash erupted just outside the Gaza border in the south of Israel. 15 protesters were arrested during the scuffle with the police, including rabbi Abraham Shriber. more..
Woman lightly injured in Qassam attack on Sderot
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/27/2007
Two Qassam rockets fired by Palestinians in Gaza hit deserted home, warehouse; resident sustains shrapnel injuries, few others suffer from shockTwo Qassam rockets fired by Palestinians in Gaza slammed into a home and a warehouse in Sderot Thursday evening. A woman sustained light shrapnel injuries, while a number of other residents suffered from shock. The home, which was deserted, was severely damaged. A total of six rockets landed in Israeli territory throughout the day, as did a few mortar shells, which landed near the border fence with Gaza and near the community of Native Ha’asara, located just north of the Strip. Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal said he had anticipated the attacks following Wednesday’s targeted killings of senior terror group members by the IDF in Gaza. more..
General calls for probe into wrongful shooting of Palestinian
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/27/2007
Israel Defense Forces GOC Central Command Major General Gadi Shamni instructed Thursday that a military police investigation be carried out against a platoon commander and his soldiers, who earlier in the day shot and wounded a Palestinian civilian without any apparent justification in the village of Dahariya near Hebron. Following an initial investigation of the incident, Shamni found the platoon commander’s actions had been "normatively wrong" and decided to suspend him and his platoon from further operational activity in the West Bank. During a morning patrol in the village, one of the platoon’s soldiers sprained his ankle. The commander decided to stop and apprehend a Palestinian taxi. After the soldiers had tied up the driver and took control of the vehicle, another Palestinian neared the car. more..
Art of war: Open-air exhibition in Dahiyeh takes visitors on a tour of conflict
Nafez Zouk, Daily Star 7/27/2007
BEIRUT: An empty lot in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs and a Hizbullah stronghold, has been converted into an open-air exhibition in remembrance of last summer’s war with Israel. Spider Web, as the exhibit is titled, serves as a stark reminder of the scale of death, destruction and the breadth of military engagement of the conflict. "The idea behind this project was conceived by a group of artists and media people in commemoration of the war last summer. The exhibition embodies a panoramic story of the war told in an artistic way," says Ali Daher, who supervised the project. The exhibit, produced by Hizbullah’s Department of Media Events, is open daily from 10 a. m. to 10 p. m. and runs until September 10. The 5,000-square-meter lot has been transformed into a military landscape, with high walls and barbed... more..
Al Qassam Brigades shell Israeli military vehicles near Sufa crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades have claimed responsibility for the shelling of a gathering of military vehicles in the vicinity of the Sufa crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. The Al Qassam Brigades stated that this attack "comes in response to the Israeli crimes against Palestinians." [end]
Palestine Today 072607
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/26/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 4 MB || Time 4m22s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Thursday July, 26th, 2007. Two Palestinian killed by the Israeli army in two separate invasions, one in the West Bank while the other in the Gaza strip. These stories and more coming up stay tuned. The Gaza strip - Palestinian medical sources reported that one Palestinian was killed and another three were injured during the ongoing Israeli military offensive that began on Thursday at dawn. The attack targeted the village of Al Fukhari, near Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza strip. The sources added that another four injured civilians were admitted with moderate wounds to hospitals in the nearby city of Khan Younis during extensive army fire on residents’ homes. more..
Border Guard arrests suicide bomber’s driver
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/26/2007
Disguised officers operating in Jenin apprehend man who transported terrorist who carried out 2005 attack in Netanya, which left six Israelis dead - Adham Yunis, the driver who transported the suicide bomber who carried out an attack at the Sharon Mall in Netanya in 2005, was arrested by Border Guard officers in Jenin, it was cleared for publication on Thursday. Six Israelis were killed and dozens more were injured in the attack. Disguised Border Guard officers operating in a refugee camp in the West Bank city spotted Yunis sitting in a car. As the officers burst the car door open they noticed he was holding a gun between his legs and immediately detained him. Yunis, who was active in the Islamic Jihad organization, was involved in several shooting attacks. more..
Israeli forces bulldoze olive farms, raid houses in Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli tanks and other military vehicles entered the Gaza Strip in the village of Juhor ad Dik at dawn Wednesday. Palestinians in the area said Israeli forces have been bulldozing farmland and raiding houses. A number of Palestinian men were arrested after they were made to gather in the Qisaria school building. The head of Johur ad Dik’s municipal council said in a phone interview that "the Israeli forces are still in the area and have bulldozed the lands and the olive farms and arrested all the males they may find in their way." [end]
Israeli troops storm Qalqilia, arrest five citizens
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Qalqilia - Ma’an – On Wednesday at dawn, Israeli troops arrested five people after storming the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, taking them to unknown locations. Eyewitnesses reported that troops stormed the area and surrounded several houses before forcibly entering some and ransacking them, arresting some men. The detainees are Osama Ateyeh, ’Ala’ Shtawi, Muhammad Hassan Salameh, Muyasara ’Anan and Hisham Khadraj. Local sources report that ’Ala’ Shtawi was recently a detainee, released just a month ago. [end]
Rightists attempt to establish outpost
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/25/2007
Several dozen settlers march to Eitam Hill in Gush Etzion with intention of establishing illegal outpost there. Police struggle to stop march - Hundreds of settlers and right-wing activists, mostly teenagers, gathered on Olive Hill in the Efrat settlement at Gush Etzion Wednesday afternoon. Several dozen settlers began marching to the nearby Eitam Hill in order to establish an outpost there. Police and IDF forces, who were in the area in order to prevent the activists from carrying out their plan, were struggling to stop the march as activists approached the hill from several directions. According to right-wing activists, Eitam Hill is within the planning boundries of Efrat. However, the hill will become Palestinian property upon completion of the separation fence in the area, which will exclude it from Efrat. more..
Israeli forces arrest two Palestinians and raid Al Aqsa Brigades leader’s house south of Nablus
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – Israeli forces arrested two Palestinians and broke into the house of members of Fatah’s Al Aqsa Brigades, destroying furniture on Wednesday morning. The raid took place in Kafr Qallil, south of the West Bank city of Nablus. The leader of the Bigades in Nablus, Shahir Qanni, told Ma’an via telephone that "Israeli forces stormed my house and shot many bullets through the windows in addition to throwing sound bombs inside the house." Qanni added that "the solders stole my wife’s gold and about 4000 Jordanian Dinar (app. 6000 USD) and seven NIS, before they called me and ordered me to turn myself in or they would blow up the house." Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli forces stormed many houses in Kafr Qallil before arresting Mohammad Qassam, 19, and Jihad Amur, 25. more..
Palestinian girl injured after settlers throw rocks in Bethlehem
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Hebrew language sources said that a Palestinian girl was injured on Wednesday after Israeli settlers threw rocks at a passing car. The incident occurred in the village of Kherbet Addeir, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The sources said that Israeli soldiers offered her first aid and that the girl was moved to a Palestinian hospital in Bethlehem. [end]
Army invades village east of Bethlehem, sets up checkpoint
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/25/2007
A massive Israeli force invaded the village of Obaiyiat east of Bethlehem city in the southern West Bank on Wednesday late morning. Troops searched homes then set up a checkpoint at the village entrance, stopping and searching cars. [end]
UN: Peacekeeper killed in south Lebanon cluster bomb explosion
Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent, the Associated Perss and Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 7/26/2007
A United Nations peacekeeper from France was killed Wednesday in an explosion of ordnance leftover from last summer’s Second Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas, a UN official said. The incident occurred at 12:40 P. M. as a demining team from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was clearing unexploded shells between the villages of Shama and Tayrharfa, near the town of Naqoura close to the Lebanese border with Israel. One UN peacekeeper died when the leftover ordnance exploded, said Yasmina Bouziane, a UNIFIL spokeswoman. She added that a medical team was sent to the explosion site and that UNIFIL had launched an investigation into the incident. Earlier, the state-run National News Agency reported that the blast was caused by a cluster bomb explosion. more..
Al Qassam Brigades claim they launched 12 mortars at the Kisofim crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Khan Yunis – Ma’an – The Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed on Wednesday responsibility for launching 12 mortars at the Israeli military post atthe Kisofim crossing north-east of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. The Brigades also said that several of its cells are sniping the Israeli soldiers at the crossing’s gate. In two separate statements, the Brigades said that the operations "came as part of the response to the Israeli aggression and crimes against the Palestinian people." [end]
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fire rocket at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at the Israeli western Negev town of Sderot on Tuesday evening. Brigades said in statement received by Ma’an that this operation is in response to Israeli attacks on Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip. [end]
Al Aqsa Brigades launch projectile at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, announced they have fired an "advanced" projectile at the Israeli Western Negev town of Sderot on Wednesday morning. The strike came in a response to the Israeli assassinations attempts directed at Palestinian fighters, claimed the brigades. [end]
Fatah blames Hamas for riots at An Najah University in Nablus
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on Wednesday condemned yesterday’s riots between Hamas and Fatah students at Al Najah University in the West Bank city of Nablus. In a statement to Ma’an, a Fatah spokesman claimed that "the Islamic front of Hamas started the actions intentionally to spread the fear amongst students and the student’s parties on campus to split the up." Fatah urged the formation of acommittee to look into the clashes, so that those responsible can be punished. [end]
Palestine Today 072507
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/25/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 66MB || Time 4m0s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Wednesday July, 25th, 2007. The Israeli army invades Gaza while in the West Bank there are attacks against civilians, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The Gaza strip - Israeli tanks and other military vehicles entered the Gaza Strip in the village of Juhor Al Deik at dawn Wednesday. Palestinians in the area said Israeli forces have been bulldozing farmland and raiding houses. A number of Palestinian men were arrested after they were made to gather in the Qisaria school building. The head of Johur Al Dik’s municipal council said in a phone interview that "the Israeli forces are still in the area and have bulldozed... more..
Israeli court issues four lifetime sentences to Anas ’Allan from Hinsafot town, east of Qalqilia
Ma’an News Agency 7/25/2007
Qalqilia - Ma’an – An Israeli military court has judged Palestinian Anas ’Allan, 23, condemning him to four lifetime sentences imprisonment. The court charged him with belonging to the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, and participating and assisting in the bombing operation carried out on 29th March 2006, near the settlement of Qadummim, east of Qalqilia, which resulted in the deaths of four Israeli settlers. Israeli troops arrested the young man on the 30th March 2006, one day after the bombing. [end]
Gush Katif evacuees: Return is a matter of time
Anat Bereshkovsky, YNetNews 7/25/2007
Former residents of Jewish settlement bloc mark two-year anniversary of Gaza pullout with rallies in Kisufim, Netivot, Sderot. Many still feel abandoned by government - Some 1000 of Gush Katif’s former residents marked the two-year anniversary of the Gaza pullout - Wednesday in a series of events, beginning at the Kisufim checkpoint and ending at Sderot. In a rally held in Netivot, many of them said they feel abandoned by the government, which even after two years had failed to find them permanent residence. Most still share one dream: to go back Gaza. "Sure, a part of me wants to say ’the hell with everything’, but at the end of the day, this is my country - not the politicians’. It important to me to change this country’s values," Smadar Golan told Ynet. more..
Israeli forces botch assassination attempt in Gaza and injure five civilians
Ma’an News Agency 7/24/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Five Palestinian citizens were injured on Tuesday when an Israeli helicopter fired a missile at a civilian car on the An Nasser crossroad in the centre of Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said that the missile missed the car and hit the upper story of an empty house, damaging the house irreparably. Neighbouring houses were also damaged, including an orphanage. Director of the ambulance and emergency department in the Palestinian ministry of health, Dr Dr. Muawiya Hassanein, said that medical staff treated eleven patients who had gone into shock following the attack. Four citizens, who had sustained serious injuries, were transferred to Ash Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Survivor - The military wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al Quds Brigades, said that the attack targeted one of their prominent leaders. more..
Israeli army attacks Palestinian homes in Hebron a nearby Al Thahriya town
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/24/2007
Israeli troops attacked and searched scores of Palestinian homes in the southern West Bank city of Hebron and the nearby Al Thahriya town on Tuesday. Troops searched homes and ransacked them b9t made no kidnappings, local sources reported. [end]
Fatah, Hamas clash at Nablus University
Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/24/2007
Hamas-affiliated students put up anti-Fatah fliers in an-Najah University causing campus riot. Clashes leave 10 injured, one in critical condition - Palestinian sources in Nablus reported Tuesday that one Hamas operative was critically injured, and nine others were lightly to moderately wounded, by Fatah gunfire near an-Najah University in Nablus. The clashes began after Hamas-affiliated students put up anti-Fatah fliers slamming the recent arrests of Hamas operatives in the city. In response, dozens of Shabiba members - the Fatah youth movement on campus - started rioting. University security personnel quickly arrived on the scene, firing warning shots in the air. At that time, dozens of al-Aqsa gunmen (Fatah’s military wing) stormed the campus and opened fire on Hamas members. more..
Hamas learns of Israeli plans to assassinate movement leaders in Gaza
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/24/2007
Palestinian sources told the London-based newspaper Al Haiyah that Israel is planning to conduct a wide-scale military offensive in the Gaza strip in the near future. This military offensive is said to include plans for the assassination of four senior Hamas leaders, among them deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Official and unofficial Palestinian sources in Al Haiyah stated that Arab and European countries informed Hamas of Israel’s plan to strike the movement after its takeover of the Gaza strip last month. Hamas said that seizing control of the Gaza strip was necessary to "crush" the Mohammad Dahlan security forces. The sources added that the planned military offensive would involve the assassination of four senior Hamas leaders in addition to Haniyeh: fired Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad... more..
Israeli army kidnaps six Palestinians from Nablus
Ameen Abu Warda, International Middle East Media Center 7/24/2007
The Israeli army kidnapped six Palestinians early Tuesday morning during an invasion of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank. Local security sources in the area reported that a massive Israeli force backed by a number of army vehicles invaded the city from several directions while shooting heavily on residents. The sources reported that Israeli forces were spread out across several neighborhoods around the city. The army ransacked homes and confiscated properties, forcing a number of residents to leave their homes. Five of the six kidnapped Palestinians were identified as Hamed Al Kouni, 30, Mohammad Mona, 25, Mo’taz Al Thaher, 25, Sae’d Al Kharaz and Naser Al Hadidi. According to an Israeli source, the military operation was carried out to abduct "wanted Palestinians," and those kidnapped allegedly belong to the Hamas movement. more..
West Bank city of Nablus rocked by conflict
Ma’an News Agency 7/24/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – Tensions in and around the West Bank city of Nablus are rising, as Israeli forces arrested five local Palestinian citizens on Tuesday morning and the Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed to have fired shots at the Bracha settlement and the Huwwara checkpoint, which is located on the road in to Nablus. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, which are affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), stated they detonated a roadside bomb near an Israeli military vehicle in the city. Sources in the Palestinian security services said that more than ten Israeli military vehicles stormed Nablus on Tuesday morning and arrested five Palestinian ’wanted’ men. [end]
Islamic Jihad’s armed wing launches hommade projectiles at Israeli positions in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/24/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for launching seven projectiles at Israeli targets in the southern Gaza Strip. In a statement issued Tuesday, the Brigades said that three of the homemade projectiles were launched at Kerem Shalom border crossing, and four at an Israeli military installation near the crossing. The Al Quds Brigades said the attacks were in retaliation for what they see as an escalation of Israeli "aggression" against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. [end]
Israeli forces arrest two Palestinians from Hebron district
Ma’an News Agency 7/24/2007
Hebron - Ma’an- The Israeli forces arrested on Tuesday morning two Palestinians from Hebron district in the southern West Bank." A university student at Palestine Technical College-Al-Arrub, Samir ’Uweidat aged 21 was arrested from his family’s home at Shuyukh town north east of Hebron, after the Israeli forces broke into the home," Palestinian security sources told Ma’an correspondent. In a separate incident, a member of the Palestinian presidential guards, Sami Shunnaran 35 from the town of Yatta south of Hebron was detained at the Israeli military checkpoint near the entrance of Jericho in the eastern West Bank before the Israeliforces took himto an unknown destination. [end]
Palestine Today 072407
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/24/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 18MB || Time 3m28s|| - xWelcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Tuesday July, 24th, 2007. Israeli army air strikes leave 5 Palestinians injured in Gaza and in the West Bank internal clashes in Nablus city leave three injured, these stories and more coming up, stay tuned. The Gaza strip - Israeli war planes fired several missiles at a car driving in Gaza city on Tuesday at mid-day. Of the five Palestinians injured in the attack, two were children, sources report. Palestinian medical sources said that those hurt were moved to the hospital with light to moderate wounds. Witnesses reported that the attack hit the top floor of a three-story building, leaving a large hole in the roof. more..
New Fatah terror group ’to target Israel’
Aaron Klein, WND, YNetNews 7/24/2007
Attacks threatened in spite of Olmert granting amnesty to militants from Abbas’ party [sic] - Militants from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ party the past few days organized a terrorist cell in the northern West Bank to commit attacks against Israel using the name Abu Ammar Brigades, according to Fatah militants leaders speaking to WND. The move comes after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week offered amnesty to 178 Fatah fighters, including many who comprise the senior leadership of Fatah’s declared military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. The Fatah militants signed a document pledging to refrain from terrorism. According to senior Palestinian sources, Olmert’s office told Palestinian officials during talks last week the Israeli army will largely refrain from carrying out anti-terror... more..
Israeli settlers set fire to Olive fields in Dier Al Hattab and Salem villages, near Nablus
Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
Israeli settlers from the "Alon Moreh" settlement, located to the north of Nablus City, set fire to fields in the Dier Al Hattab and Salem villages near Nablus on Sunday night. Local residents reported to the Palestinian News Agency "WAFA" that the huge fire extended over an area of 150 dunums of Olive fields, with fire trucks being unable to reach the area after the Israeli army closed the area. Residents of Dier Al Hattab and Salem villages directed an appeal to Human rights organizations to petition for fire trucks to be allowed to enter the area. [end]
Israeli settlers raid former West Bank settlement and build a synagogue
Ma’an News Agency 7/23/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Hundreds of Israeli right-wing settlers began marching to the evacuated northern West Bank settlement of Homesh on Sunday morning. The settlers were stopped in their tracks by Israeli police, but Israeli sources report, the settlers hid in the area, raided the site during Sunday night and proceeded to build a synagogue. The settlers also erected a wooden tower on a hill north of the former settlement to mark two years since disengagement. Homesh was one of four West Bank settlements that were evacuated during Israeli disengagement in 2005. Right-wing settlers regularly attempt to reenter the site and inhabit the area. Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that Israeli settlers waited in the area for the authorities to leave and then entered the site carrying building materials and began reconstructing... more..
Israeli settlers clash with local Palestinians near Nablus
John Smith, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
Israeli soldiers on Sunday detained 11 right-wing Israeli settlers after they clashed with local Palestinians in the vicinity of the abandoned Homesh settlement, located near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. The settlers, who were attempting to reoccupy the abandoned Homesh settlement, were arrested on suspicion of vandalizing military property. Of the approximately 300 settlers who attended the action, 70 entered Burqa village, located near Nablus, and clashed with local residents. Since Homesh was abandoned under the terms of the disengagement plan in 2005, the former settlement has been the site of much right-wing settler activity. On a number of occasions, and often under the protection of the Israeli army, settlers have re-entered the area in an attempt to reoccupy it. more..
Scores of Israeli right wing extremists storm the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem
Maysa Abu Ghazalah, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
On Monday, scores of Israeli right wing extremists stormed the Al Aqsa mosque in the city of Jerusalem. They claimed that their attack was to commemorate the destruction of the temple of Suleiman 3,000 years ago. The Al Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site on earth for Muslims, was attacked today by the group of Jewish extremists who stormed the outer yards of the mosque, then conducted their prayers inside the yard, under the full protection of Israeli police and military. When the Palestinians working in the mosque and Muslim worshipers tried to stop the extremists from attacking the mosque, the Israeli police attacked them with batons and kidnapped one man identified as Mustafa Abu Zahrah. The attack comes as part of the commemoration of the destruction of a Jewish temple, the Temple of Suleiman, by Romans 3,000 years ago. more..
Israeli forces arrest seven as West Bank raids continue
Ma’an News Agency 7/23/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Israeli forces arrested seven Palestinians at dawn today at several locations in the West Bank. Hebrew language sources reported that the Israeli soldiers were fired upon during the raid in Ramallah. Near Nablus, Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli soldiers but no one was injured. [end]
Qassam lands near Ashkelon; 3 lightly injured
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/23/2007
Rocket hits home in community south of Ashkelon. Baby injured by shrapnel, mother, grandmother suffer shock - A Qassam rocket launched from the northern Gaza Strip landed in Kibbutz Karmiya, south of Ashkelon, on Monday afternoon. The rocket hit a house in the kibbutz, destroying one of its rooms. A woman, her daughter, and her baby granddaughter were inside the house when the Qassam hit; the baby was lightly injured from shrapnel while her mother and grandmother suffered from shock. The three were taken to Ashkelon’s Barzilai medical center for treatment. Several Qassam rockets were launched from the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, all of which landed in the western Negev. One woman was lightly injured as a result of the attacks. more..
Golani troops abandon post near Gaza
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/23/2007
Infantry soldiers sentenced to 7-28 days in military prison for abandoning IDF position in protest at poor service conditions - Fifteen Golani Brigade soldiers were sentenced to seven to 28 days in a military prison for abandoning an IDF outpost near Gaza. The soldiers abandoned the outpost in protest at what they said were the poor service conditions there, but returned a short while later. The incident occurred on Sunday at around noon, when the infantry soldiers from Golani’s 51st Battalion abandoned their posts and marched a few hundred meters from the base; they returned only after discussing their grievances with the commanding officers. Battalion commanders said they would look into the soldiers’ claims. Last March dozens of Golani troops left the Tze’elim training base without authorization after claiming that their rights had been violated. more..
Officers filed dozens of complaints about conditions in pullout
Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 7/23/2007
Dozens of police officers filed complaints against the Israel Police over conditions they were forced to endure during the disengagement from Gaza in August 2005, according to a report presented to the Israel Police yesterday. The majority of the complaints were made by phone after the police set up a special hotline during the disengagement for officers to phone in complaints about their work conditions. The commanding officer in charge of police work conditions has stated that the harsh conditions were deliberately not remedied so as to avoid discriminating between police and Israel Defense Forces soldiers, who endured even harsher work conditions than the police. One complaint was issued by the mother of an officer who was dispatched to help prevent protesters from infiltrating the Gaza Strip on the eve of the disengagement. more..
Qassam rocket hits house in the western Negev
John Smith - IMEMC & agencies, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
A Qassam rocket on Monday struck a house in the Karmiah Kibbutz, located near Ashkelon in the western Negev region. The rocket, believed to be launched from the Gaza Strip, breached the roof of the house before exploding in one of the bedrooms. Among Israeli media sources, there were conflicting reports of injuries sustained. While ynet reported that one person, a child, sustained light shrapnel wounds, Haaretz online reported that no one was injured in the attack. In a statement released to the press, representatives of the Kibbutz indicated that they would provide temporary housing for the residents of the attacked house. [end]
Palestinian combatants target Israeli locations in retaliation for the assassinations of activists
Ma’an News Agency 7/23/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The military wing of the Fatah movement, the Al Aqsa Brigades, on Monday morning claimed responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at Israeli army tanks stationed east of Gaza City. The brigades announced that the operation was a reprisal for the Israeli forces’ assassination of two Palestinian activists. In a separate incident, another group of Al Aqsa Brigades fighters targeted the Israeli-controlled Sufa Crossing point, between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip, with a homemade projectile." The shelling was retaliation for the Israeli escalation and frequent targeted killing of Palestinians," said the brigades in a press statement. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s military wing, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, announced that they clashed with an Israeli undercover... more..
Al Aqsa Brigades launch two attacks on Israeli forces in West Bank and Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/23/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Al Buraq Army, a wing of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades announced that they bombed an Israeli jeep on Sunday in the West Bank city of Nablus. The group said the jeep was heading to nearby Israeli settlement. Following the attack, they said, a large Israeli supporting force arrived, which they said "assured" Palestinian casualties. In a separate incident, the Al Aqsa Brigades announced that they launched homemade projectiles Monday at Israeli forces stationed at Sufa border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported in the incident. The Al Aqsa Brigades said their attacks are a response to widespread Israeli practices of assassination and arbitrary arrest committed against Palestinian citizens and leaders. [end]
Hamas security forces foil attempted attack on Israeli soldiers by Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/23/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Palestinian sources declared on Monday that members of Hamas special security forces arrested a member of the Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, near the border fence in the south of the Gaza Strip on Sunday evening. The Islamic Jihad fighter was planting an explosive device at the fence in order to attack Israeli soldiers. According to Haaretz, the Israeli daily newspaper, eyewitnesses said that following the arrest, tensions rose between Hamas and Islamic Jihad members as gunmen of Islamic Jihad threatened Hamas with mass kidnappings of its members. It was only due to the interference of both factions’ leadership that the volatile situation was defused and no real clashes erupted. A spokesman of Islamic Jihad refused to comment on the incident, neither denying nor confirming the report. more..
Settlers evacuated from Homesh
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/23/2007
Rightists who arrived at former West Bank settlement removed by security forces - Police evacuated the settlers and right-wing activists who arrived at the former Israeli settlement of Homesh during the early hours of Monday morning. Some activists agreed to leave willingly, while others fled to nearby hills. According to the settlers and organizers of the march to Homesh, police forcefully removed female activists from the area and confiscating cameras. Earlier the settlers said they built a "tower"¯ made of bricks on one of the hills, adding that they were in the process of constructing a synagogue in the former Israeli settlement. IDF officials expressed their indignation over the rightists’ march to Homesh. more..
Israeli settlers take control of Homesh settlement
IMEMC staff - IMEMC & agencies, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
Israeli border police and Israeli army troops started on Monday to evacuate hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists who managed to infiltrate the abandoned Homesh settlement and commence with building a synagogue there. Using water canons and batons only, the troops managed to arrest a number of activists, while others escaped to nearby Palestinian-owned land. The police evacuated the settlement on Sunday, but several hundred settlers managed to bypass the huge number of Israeli police and army troops and infiltrated the settlement on Monday morning. Israeli soldiers on Sunday detained 11 right-wing Israeli settlers after they clashed with local Palestinians in the vicinity of the abandoned Homesh settlement, located near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. more..
Isareli army invades Bethlehem area
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
The Israeli army invaded the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem and the nearby Al Doha town on Monday morning. [end]
Palestine Today 072307
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/23/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 65MB || Time 3m59s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Monday July, 23rd 2007. Israeli settlers attacked a village in the West Bank and the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, while the Israeli army killed four Palestinians in the Gaza strip, these stories and more coming up, stay tuned. The Gaza strip - Four Palestinian resistance fighters were killed by Israeli military forces on Sunday in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip. Two young Palestinian fighters with the al-Qassam brigade, the armed wing of the Hamas party, were killed on Sunday as they approached the Gaza-Israel border-fence in the northern Gaza strip. more..
Israel kills four Palestinians
Al Jazeera 7/22/2007
Four Palestinian fighters have been killed in two separate incidents in the northern Gaza Strip. An Israeli airstrike left two Palestinian fighters dead after fighter planes hit a rocket-launching site that the Israeli military said was firing rockets into Israel. Abu Hamzeh, a member of Islamic Jihad, said the two men belonged to the group and "were on a holy mission". The organisation also said it had fired two rockets at Israel. Israeli rescue services said the rockets fired from northern Gaza had exploded in the Israeli town of Sderot, wounding an Israeli woman and damaging a school. In a separate incident earlier on Sunday, Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians also in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian health workers said that the bodies of two men were brought to... more..
Woman lightly hurt in Qassam attack
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/22/2007
Two rockets land in southern town of Sderot. One injures woman in Sapir College; another lands in elementary school, causes damage. Islamic Jihad’s military wing claims responsibility; two group members killed in IDF strike shortly afterwards A woman was lightly hurt Sunday afternoon in a Qassam attack on the western Negev. Palestinians fired two rockets from the northern Gaza Strip. One landed in the Sapir College parking lot and injured the woman, while the other hit a sports field near an elementary school in Sderot, causing damage. Luckily, the school was empty due to the summer break. A third rocket fired shortly afterwards landed in an open area. The injured woman received medical treatment at the scene of the attack and was later evacuated to the Barzilay Medical Center in Ashkelon. more..
Protesters barred from marching to ex-W. Bank settlement hurl rocks at Palestinian homes
Yuval Azoulay and Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/22/2007
Dozens of right-wing activists, barred by police from marching to the former West Bank settlement of Homesh on Sunday, entered a nearby Palestinian village and hurled rocks at the residents’ homes. Earlier Sunday, police forces removed hundreds of activists from a grove close to the ruins of Homesh, one of four northern West Bank settlements evacuated when Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip during the 2005 disengagement. The residents of the West Bank village of Burkah responded to the settlers’ attack by hurling rocks back at them, as large police and army forces arrived to calm the situation. As the Israel Defense Forces troops were attempting to separate the warring groups, several Palestinians detonated an explosive device, aimed at harming the IDF troops. more..
Hamas members foil attack on IDF forces
Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/22/2007
Palestinian sources report members of Hamas’ security force arrested Islamic Jihad member as he attempted to plant explosive device near border fence - Members of Hamas’ special security force arrested an armed member of the al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, as he attempted to place an explosive device near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday evening. The device was slated to be used in an attack against IDF soldiers. Palestinians sources and eyewitnesses reported that following the arrest, tensions between the two organizations rose. Islamic Jihad gunmen threatened to respond with a wave of kidnappings against Hamas members. An interference on the part of the group’s leaders prevented clashes. more..
Settlers clash with Palestinians near Homesh
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/22/2007
Hundreds of right-wing activists blocked from pilgrimage to evacuated Israeli settlement by IDF troops. Clashes with local Palestinian residents erupt after several dozen of those blocked reach nearby village; 11 right-wing activists detained for questioning - Police on Sunday detained 11 right-wing activists suspected of vandalizing military property during a riot in a Palestinian village near Nablus. The IDF and police have deployed forces in the region for the second consecutive night in an attempt to prevent thousands of people from reaching the evacuated settlement of Homesh in the northern West Bank. Several hundred right-wing activists and settlers attempted to make the journey on Sunday, but security forces were prepared and had set up numerous roadblocks to cut them off before they could reach their destination. more..
IOF shooting wounds Palestinian, WB incursions never cease
Palestinian Information Center 7/22/2007
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- IOF soldiers fired at a Palestinian citizen on Sunday morning and wounded him near Dura southwest of Al-Khalil city but could not kidnap him, IOF sources told the Hebrew radio. They added that the soldiers found a weapon and a bullet-proof vest near the place where he was shot. A local source said that big numbers of IOF troops stormed Dura and broke into many homes searching for the wounded Palestinian. The soldiers also kidnapped three Palestinians in the same village, including a father and his son, at the pretext they were wanted for interrogation. Other IOF units stormed the village of Zawata, west of Nablus, and the city itself in pre dawn raids Sunday and wreaked havoc in those areas but no arrests were reported. The Palestinian center for human rights, meanwhile, pointed out in a report that the IOF daily incursions into various West Bank cities, villages and refugee camps never really ceased despite Israeli premier Ehud Olmert’s reported promises to the contrary during talks with PA chief Mahmoud Abbas. The center counted 20 incursions for the occupation forces in various West Bank areas over the past week during which indiscriminate fire was opened at Palestinian civilians and their homes terrorizing women and children in the process especially that most of those raids are launched at pre dawn hours when people are fast asleep. more..
Commercials to warn children of danger of unexploded ordnance
Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/23/2007
BEIRUT: Two animation television spots, produced by Save the Children, Sweden, and which will soon hit local television channels, will help South Lebanon’s children stay away of millions of unexploded ordnances dropped by Israel. Children between the ages of 13 and 18 constitute the majority of dead and wounded. Six children have been killed and 68 injured since the end of last summer’s war, according to the national demining office. "Children are the most at risk of death or injury from unexploded cluster bombs because they are more curious and less caution than adults, that is why it is important for us to constantly remind children and their parents of this danger," said Mazen Haber, who is managing the Early Recovery Program at Save the Children Sweden, in a press release. more..
IDF kills two Hamas militants in northern Gaza Strip
Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Service and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/22/2007
Israel Defense Forces soldiers shot dead two Hamas gunmen in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, which the militant group said were trying to ambush IDF soldiers operating just inside the Strip. The army said troops opened fire after the two gunmen shot toward them, and had tampered with the security fence in an attempt to enter Israel. The soldiers entered a few meters into the Gaza Strip as they conducted a routine patrol northeast of the Palestinian town of Beit Lahiya against attempts by militants to tunnel into Israel and carry out attacks against troops, the army said. The troops discovered that both men had been carrying grenades in addition to their guns, the spokesman said. Palestinian medics said the bodies of the two men were brought to hospital after they were shot near the site of a former Jewish settlement in Gaza. more..
Two Palestinians killed by invading Israeli forces in Gaza
Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/22/2007
Palestinian medical sources have reported that two young Palestinian men, fighters with the Qassam brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas party, were killed on Sunday when they attempted to ambush an invading Israeli force. The Israeli undercover forces were invading the Palestinian territory known as the Gaza Strip, at the same time as Israeli settlers were attempting to re-occupy an evacuated colony on stolen Palestinian land nearby. The incursion took place near the evacuated settlement known as Eli Sinai, near the town of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip. The two youth gunned down by the Israeli forces were identified as Muhammed Ma’roof (19) and Mustafa Abbas (20). Ambulances dispatched to the scene from the closest Palestinian hospital were stopped by Israeli forces, and as a result the two... more..
Two Hamas fighters killed by invading Israeli forces in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/22/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Two fighters from Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, were killed on Sunday morning in an armed confrontation with invading Israeli forces in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip. The area of the incursion is the location of the evacuated Israeli settlement of Eli Sinai. The Qassam Brigades confirmed that 19-year-old Muhammad Ma’roof and Mustafa Abbas, aged 20, were killed whilst attempting to ambush an Israeli undercover force. Palestinian medical sources told Ma’an’s Gaza correspondent that ambulances were delayed in transporting the bodies to Kamal Udwan Hospital. The corpses reached the hospital two hours after they were killed as a result of the intensive gunfire in the area. After the incident, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the Al Quds Brigades, announced that they detonated a 50-kilogram explosive device near an Israeli military tank. more..
Civilian car explodes in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/22/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Unidentified assailants on Sunday bombed a car belonging to a Palestinian citizen in the central Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian security sources, the private vehicle was completely destroyed. It had been parked in the An Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip [end]
Palestinian man dies of wounds sustained during the recent infighting
Ma’an News Agency 7/22/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Palestinian citizen, Khalid Salma, aged 24, on Sunday died of wounds he sustained during clashes with Hamas fighters near the presidential headquarters in Gaza City in June. Salma received a bullet to his neck and had been receiving medical treatment at an Israeli hospital. Palestinian medical sources announced his death on Sunday morning. [end]
DFLP combatants shell Israeli military post near Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/22/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The armed wing of the democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the National Resistance Brigades, launched a homemade projectile at the Israeli military post in Kisufim, east of the Gaza Strip, on Sunday. The brigades asserted that the shelling is a justified response to Israeli aggression and incursions in the Gaza Strip. [end]
Army braces to evacuate Homesh settlers
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/22/2007
Hundreds of settlers gather on hill near former settlement of Homesh in defiance of army orders - Hundreds of settlers and their supporters gathered Sunday on a hill facing the former West Bank settlement of Homesh where they set up a number of tents. IDF forces are preparing for a forceful evacuation of the right-wing activists if they disobey orders to leave the area which was declared an off-limit military zone since the 2005 pullout from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Dozens of supporters were on their way to Homesh, which had witnessed confrontations between security forces and angry settlers bent on rebuilding the evacuated settlement. Earlier Sunday, the army blocked two groups of settlers from entering Homesh. Settler leaders instructed activists not to exhibit violence against IDF soldiers, and there were no reports of clashes between the two sides. more..
The Israeli army attacks a town near Bethlehem and kidnaps one civilian
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/21/2007
Palestinian sources reported that six Israeli army vehicles stormed the town of Al Khader to the south of Bethlehem city in the southern part of the West Bank, on Saturday morning , soldiers searched a number of homes and kidnapped one civilian. The sources identified the man as Suliman Subeh, 40. [end]
Army invades Qabatia town near Jenin
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/21/2007
Israeli forces invaded the town of Qabatia near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, on Saturday at dawn, soldiers searched scores of homes and ransacked them, troops left the village after several hours, no kidnappings were reported. [end]
Israeli settlers plan to reoccupy a West Bank settlement
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/21/2007
Israeli Media sources reported on Saturday that a right wing Israeli groups calling it self " Homish first" is planning on Sunday to reoccupy a West Bank settlement in the northern part of the West Bank that was evacuated during the 2005 Israeli unilateral disengagement plan. The group was planning to reoccupy the settlement last Tuesday, but due to heavy deployment of Israeli police and army around the settlement the organizers of the event said they will do it in Sunday. They plane on Tuesday was to reoccupy the settlement then build a Synagogue there then the activists will stay and live in the settlement. The Israeli army refused to give permission to the settlers to protest in the location and said that the army and police will arrests anyone who tries to reach the location of the settlement. more..
Al Aqsa-affiliated Buraq Group claims attack on checkpoint near Jenin
Ma’an News Agency 7/21/2007
Jenin – Ma’an – The Buraq Group, one of the cells of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, has claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli military checkpoint to the east of Jenin on Saturday morning. In a statement, the Brigades said that the operation came as "part of the natural reactions against the Israeli aggression in the territories." [end]
IOF troops demolish Palestinian home, kidnap West Bankers
Palestinian Information Center 7/20/2007
NABLUS, (PIC)-- IOF troops demolished on Thursday a two-storey Palestinian home in Ziwata village, west of Nablus city, few hours after kidnapping the 21-year-old owner’s son Jihad Natur. More than 30 IOF armored vehicles stormed the village at an early hour Thursday and encircled the said house, asking its occupants and inhabitants of all neighboring buildings to get out of them. The soldiers imposed a curfew on the village and occupied rooftops of nearby houses before bursting into the home of Abu Jihad where they forced him and his son Jihad to strip before kidnapping the young man. They returned a few hours later escorting a huge bulldozer that leveled the house to the ground, rendering all nine inhabitants homeless. The Hebrew radio quoted an IOF spokesman as saying that his forces kidnapped 17 Palestinians... more..
Farmers in Marda banned from reaching their lands by occupying authorities
Ma’an News Agency 7/20/2007
Salfit - Ma’an- Israeli occupation authorities banned Palestinian farmers in the West Bank village of Marda, north of the city of Salfit, from reaching their lands located behind the separation wall, according to a statement from the head of the village council. The village official added that the illegal Israeli separation barrier has seized most of the land in the southern part of the village and that the Israeli authorities still aim to confiscate still more land. He declared that Israel is making the village a "big prison"after nearly surrounding it with the separation wall and the closuring all entrances to the village, except a entrance which is controlled by an iron gate, cameras, and a control tower. [end]
Israeli army invades Nablus, injures 3, arrests another 3
Ma’an News Agency 7/20/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - Israeli forces invaded the West Bank city of Nablus early on Friday morning, injuring three Palestinians and arresting a further three. At the same time as Israel was making the final preparations for releasing 255 Palestinian prisoners – in a "goodwill gesture" to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - dozens of Israeli military vehicles entered Nablus and raided ’Ein Beit Al Ma’ refugee camp. The army entered the camp, located in the north of Nablus city, soon after midnight and stormed more than ten houses, blowing up the walls of many houses in the process, our Nablus correspondent reported. The Israeli forces made three arrests in their lengthy military incursion: Mohammad Sharaf, Maher Abu Munir, and Munir Muhannad, all from Nablus city. more..
Qassam fired from Gaza hits Sderot; man treated for shock
Mijal Grinberg, and Haaret Service, Ha’aretz 7/21/2007
A man from Sdeort was treated for shock Friday morning when Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket that landed near the western Negev town, Israel Radio reported. Palestinians also fired mortar shells from the Strip, causing no injuries. Later Friday, another Qassam hit the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries, the radio reported. Meanwhile, demonstrators holed up in a portable shelter in Sderot on Friday to protest its removal from the town. The Sderot municipality said the shelter was not being removed altogether, but would be replaced with another one. The Sha’ar Hanegev regional council said this week it would not open the schools in its jurisdiction after the summer unless the buildings were protected or the pupils transferred to Kibbutz Ruhama in the Negev. more..
Several Palestinian militant groups launch attacks on Israeli targets in and near Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/20/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Several Palestinian militant groups announced launching homemade projectiles and other attacks on Israeli targets late Thursday and early Friday. Islamic Jihad’s Al Quds brigades announced that it has launched two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, in the western Negev desert, late Thursday. In a joint statement, Al Quds brigades and Fatah’s Al Aqsa brigades claimed responsibility for detonating a road sidebombnear Al Maghazi refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip when an Israelijeep passed by Thursday night. Another statement issued by An Nasser Salah Addin brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees and al Mujahideen brigades, another Fatah militant wing, said they were able to "snipe" an Israeli soldier in military post east of Al Maghazi Friday morning. more..
IOF troops arrest seven Palestinians in the West Bank
Palestinian Information Center 7/20/2007
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- IOF troops arrested on Thursday night seven Palestinians in the West Bank claiming they were wanted by the occupation authority. The Israeli radio reported the arrest of five Palestinians from Ein Beit al-Ma’ refugee camp near Nablus, one in Ramallah and a seventh in the Qalqilya district. The IOF troops claimed discovering an explosive charge at the refugee camp near Nablus and that three home made grenades were hurled at the invading troops, but reported no casualties. The invading troops imposed a curfew on the refugee camp and raided an ransacked a number of homes. The radio also reported that during the Ramallah raid in which one Palestinian was arrested the IOF troops came twice under fire but no casualties were reported. more..
Palestinian resistance attack occupation forces and settlements
Palestinian Information Center 7/20/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- Two Palestinian resistance groups claimed responsibility for an attack against and Israel occupation army jeep to the east to the Maghazi Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip. The Quds Brigades, armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, and the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, armed wing of Fatah have issued a joint statement announcing that their fighters detonated a highly explosive roadside bomb in the army jeep in retaliation to continuing occupation atrocities against Palestinians. Meanwhile, the Israeli radio said on Friday that five mortars fell on the settlement of Natif Hatesrah to the north of the Gaza Strip, no casualties were reported according to the radio broadcast. Furthermore, the Quds Brigades announced that its fighters fired a homemade missile at the settlement of Sderot. Israeli sources acknowledged the attack and said that four of the settlers suffered shock. [end]
IDF worried about Hamas, but no major Gaza operation in offing
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/20/2007
The Israel Defense Forces is very concerned about Hamas’ growing strength in the Gaza Strip, but not enough to lead it to ask for permission to carry out a large-scale military operation there, a senior military source said. Moreover, it seems that the Hamas takeover of Gaza and the crushing of Fatah there has made a confrontation with Israel more remote. Hamas is not interested in a direct military clash, while it is difficult to rally domestic support in Israel - both among the public and politicians - that would enable a major offensive, even though it is recognized that Hamas is significantly improving its military capabilities, The main reason for the Israeli reluctance to launch a major operation has to do with concerns about losses. more..
Catching up with al-Khiyam
Martin Asser, BBC Online 7/20/2007
It is nearly a year since photographer Phil Coomes and I spent several days in the bombed-out South Lebanon town of al-Khiyam in order to do what we call a laptop link-up for the BBC News website. Back then the 15,000-strong community was living through a major crisis, with more than 700 houses badly damaged and barely a single home left intact. Last August, inhabitants were just taking the first steps to recover from the disaster, crowding the municipality building to get water tanks for their homes, mattress to sleep on and food. Eleven months later the town offers a very different scene. The debris littering the streets is gone;many houses that were mere skeletons have been patched up with fresh brick and concrete. Many of those we met during our visit last year have resumed their lives with barely a qualm about what they have been through. more..
IDF warns protestors ahead of planned march to ex-settlement
Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/21/2007
The Israel Defense Forces on Friday warned right-wing activists against as planned march to the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, saying the army has no intention of authorizing such an event, Israel Radio reported. The army clarified that any individual who participates in the march, scheduled for Sunday, will be in violation of the law. Police on Thursday removed dozens of right-wing activists from the site of the former settlement to prepare for Sunday’s anticipated "mass arrival" of protesters. Activists postponed a march to Homesh planned for Tuesday and rescheduled it for next week due to preparations by security forces to thwart the unauthorized protest. Tuesday’s march was intended to mark the two-year anniversary of the evacuation of the illegal outpost during the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank. more..
This Week in Palestine – Week 29 2007
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC -Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/20/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 9. 83MB || Time 10m44s|| - This Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www. IMEMC. org, for July 14th through July 20th, 2007. This week the Israeli government releases 250 Palestinian political prisoners while the army continues to attack Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza strip. These stories and more coming up. Stay tuned. Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine - Let’s begin our weekly report with the nonviolent action in Bil’in Pagainst the wall and settlements. IMEMC’s Rena Sahouri with details: The village of Bil’in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, conducted its weekly demonstration against the illegal Israeli wall that now separates the village from its land. more..
Troops invade village near Nablus, demolish one home, kidnap two residents
Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/20/2007
Palestinian sources in Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank, reported on Thursday that Israeli troops invaded Zawata village, west of the city, demolished on home and kidnapped two residents. The sources stated that soldiers surrounded for more than seven hours a house which belongs to Al Natour family, broke into it and kidnapped Jihad As’ad Al Natour, 21, his cousin Fares Mahmoud Al Natour, and took them to an unknown destination. Also, soldiers forced the family out of their home and demolished most of it using military bulldozers. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers also forced several men and youth to undress as the soldiers were searching them. Soldiers occupied several houses and used them as military posts and monitoring towers. more..
Israeli bulldozers begin demolishing home of Hamas loyalist in Nablus
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - Israeli military bulldozers on Thursday morning started demolishing parts of a Palestinian home belonging to the Natour family in the Zawata suburb of west Nablus, in the northern West Bank. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that dozens of Israeli military vehicles invaded the village at 5:00 in the morning and besieged the home of As’ad Natour before arresting his son Jihad, 21. Palestinian security sources stated that Natour is a Hamas loyalist in the area, yet he is not a prominent activist. A neighbor who lives near the besieged home, Um Muhammad, told Ma’an via telephone that dozens of Israeli troops surrounded the area and forced the residents of the Natour house to evacuate it. [end]
Israeli army arrests at least 16 West Bank Palestinians, including large number from Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Tulkarem - Ma’an - The Israeli army arrested at least sixteen Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank on Thursday morning. In the West Bank city of Tulkarem, the Israeli army arrested ten Palestinian Hamas activists from Nur Shams refugee camp, located in the east of the city, our correspondent reported. Quoting Palestinian security sources, our correspondent said that dozens of Israeli military vehicles and armoured personnel carriers invaded Tulkarem, ransacking homes before arresting the Hamas activists. Meanwhile, Israeli sources stated that the Israeli army arrested seven Palestinians in Tulkarem. The Israeli sources added that eight Palestinians in Hebron, and one in Bethlehem, in the south of the occupied West Bank, were arrested. [end]
IOA flattens Jerusalemite home for the second time
Palestinian Information Center 7/19/2007
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority’s bulldozers on Thursday knocked down the home of a Palestinian Jerusalemite in Beit Hanina at the pretext he did not obtain prior permit from the IOA-controlled municipality, locals reported. They said that IOA bulldozers leveled the 150-square-meter home of Walid Khalil Al-Rajabi, 47, who works as a laborer and who had constructed his home in 2004 to provide shelter for ten individuals, now rendered homeless. This is the second time the IOF bulldozers flatten the home of Rajabi where it had demolished his first home in 2003 and imposed almost a ten thousand dollars fine against him. Large numbers of occupation border policemen surrounded the entire suburb and cordoned off the targeted home blocking citizens from reaching it. more..
Palestinian military wings fire projectiles and mortar shells at Israeli targets in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Fatah’s military wing, the Al-Aqsa Brigades, and Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday evening for launching two homemade projectiles at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. In a separate incident, the Al-Aqsa Brigades claimed responsibility for launching two mortar shells at an Israeli military post near Nahal ’Oz, located east of Gaza City. The brigades said in their statements that their operations came in retaliation for the Israeli "criminal acts" against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. [end]
Man wounded last month in Israeli attack on Gaza dies
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Ali Zohdi Hallas, 23, a Palestinian injured in an Israeli incursion into Gaza last month, succumbed to his wounds Thursday morning in an Israeli hosptial. Palestinian General Director of ambulance and emergency services, Dr Mu’awiya Hassanein, said that Hallas was taken last month to an Israeli hospital called Yekhlof with serious chest wounds. Officials said they are working to bring the body to Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian security services are planning to coordinate with Israeli authorities to bring the body of Sanaa Shannan, the woman who died on the Egyptian side of Rafah border crossing yesterday. Previous attempts to coordinate the transfer of human remains over the border have not succeeded. [end]
Islamic Jihad and Fatah armed groups fire projectiles at Israeli targets near Gaza Strip, Israel admits hit in Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, and a group affiliated to Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Brigades, both claimed responsibility on Thursday for launching several attacks against Israeli targets in and near the Gaza Strip. In the first of three separate statements, Al-Quds claimed to have launched a homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot, in the Western Negev. Israeli authorities later confirmed that a projectile landed on a house the town. Four Israelis suffered from shock, and the house was damaged. Al Quds also said they opened fire at two Israeli civilian vehicles east of the village of Khuza’a, near the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The group also claimed responsibility for launching two mortar shells at the Erez border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. more..
"Hamas in possession of ’high-tech" anti-tank and aircraft missiles, says Israeli army officer
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - The Israeli army suspects Hamas of having upgraded their weapons arsenal considerably over the past two years, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Thursday. Furthermore, the volume of weapons coming into the Gaza Strip, where Hamas took over power in mid June, has now taken on "import" dimensions, an Israeli military officer told Haaretz. According to the source, the Rafah crossing has become "porous," after Hamas’s take-over of the Gaza Strip. The officer added that Hamas may have smuggled 20 tons of explosives into the Strip in just one month. In addition to the explosives, Hamas is believed to be in possession of a small quantity of ’high-tech’ weaponry, such as anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank rockets, which are most likely Sagger guided missiles. more..
Nablus police headquarters recieves bomb threat
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – Police in the West Bank City of Nablus were put on alert after receiving a phone call warning them of a booby-trapped car near the police headquarters. Nablus police chief Ahmad Al Sharqawi told Ma’an that the phone call came from inside Israel. The police, in cooperation with the bomb section, made a full security check of all vehicles around the building. No bombs were found. [end]
Al Quds Brigades fire a projectile at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, have claimed responsibility on Thursday for launching one projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot, located close to the northern Gaza StripIn a statement received by Ma’an, the brigades declared that "this operation was in response to the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians", and "to demonstrate their continued resistance". [end]
Sderot home hit by Qassam rocket
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/19/2007
Seve people suffer from shock following attack; ’our lives mean nothing to government officials’, resident saysA Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday hit a home in the city of Sderot. Seven people suffering from shock were taken to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. A number of buildings were damaged in the strike. "We heard a very loud blast,"¯ one resident told Ynet. "My relatives who live on the other side of town also hear the explosion. The rocket landed next to us, and I felt my house shudder. Shrapnel was flying all over the place. "Most of the homes here are old and don’t contain secure rooms. The population here is poor; the people cannot afford building their own secure rooms. It’s a miracle no one was killed in the attack,"¯ he said. more..
20 rightists forcefully removed from Homesh
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/19/2007
Right-wing activists, most of them teenagers, removed by police after arriving at former West Bank settlement without authorizationPolice forcefully removed some 20 rightwing activists who arrived early Thursday to the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, which was emptied during the 2005 disengagement. The rightists, most of them teenagers, arrived without prior coordination with security forces. The IDF and police are preparing to prevent the arrival of additional activists, expected on Sunday. Another 40 youths managed to escape to nearby hills. Last Monday night settler leaders cancelled a march to the former West Bank settlement, which was scheduled for last Tuesday, but vowed to arrive at the area by the annual fast day of Tisha B’Av, which will take place next Tuesday. more..
Sderot parents threaten to boycott 2007 school year
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/19/2007
Parents Association says work on school fortifications has almost stopped, despite High Court ruling in May requiring government to secure Gaza vicinity schools by time school reopens Fortifications of Sderot schools are still incomplete and local parents are threatening to boycott the opening of the school year, just like they did in 2006. "Fortifications won’t be ready by September 1, and I’m wondering where they intend to send the students? The State must find alternative locations. Since these don’t exist, we won’t start the school year," Sderot Parents Association chairman Batya Katar told Ynet Thursday. In 2006, the school year started with a two-week delay and parents agreed to send their children to school based on the promise of future fortifications. more..
Palestinian gets life sentence for 2006 murder of Italian tourist
The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 7/19/2007
An Israeli military court on Thursday sentenced a Palestinian to life imprisonment for the 2006 killing of an Italian tourist near Jerusalem’s Old City. Angelo Frammartino, from the town of Monte Rotondo near Rome, was fatally stabbed last August in what the military described as an ambush near the Herod’s Gate entrance to the walled city. He was 24 when he died. Ashraf Hanaisha was arrested within days of the stabbing and confessed, the military said. He pleaded guilty at the opening of his trial and was convicted of murder. At the time of Hanaisha’s arrest, the army said he had told interrogators he had intended to kill a Jew, and the murder of the Italian tourist was a mistake. [end]
Police remove Homesh activists in run-up to Sunday’s protest
Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/19/2007
Police yesterday removed dozens of right-wing activists from the former West Bank outpost Homesh to prepare for the "mass arrival" of protesters planned for Sunday. The outpost had been evacuated during the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank. The activists canceled a march to Homesh on Tuesday following preparations by the police and Israel Defense Forces to stop the action, but they vowed to arrive en masse next week. Tuesday’s march was intended to mark the two-year anniversary of the evacuation of the illegal outpost. Earlier this week the police and IDF began setting up roadblocks in an effort to stop thousands of settlers and right-wing activists from converging on the Homesh site. The group spearheading the move, Homesh First, reported that a 14-year-old girl had been lightly injured in yesterday’s evacuation. more..
Gush Katif evacuees document and commemorate ’what the state destroyed’
Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/19/2007
Ari Odes, who was forced to leave Tel Katifa in Gush Katif, has found a suitable place on the border of the Gaza Strip to build a lookout tower as a monument to the settlements destroyed during the disengagement. The plan is now going through the authorization process. It is not certain former residents of Gush Katif will rush to visit the tower and gaze at the ruins of their former settlements. Most, say people now involved in documenting what was Gush Katif, are still too busy trying to find permanent housing and employment. A few evacuees say they avoid junctions and signs that remind them of "the way home" to the Gush that once was. Others have had the opposite reaction. Soldiers in the Kissufim area say evacuees come to the roadblock, stand silently at what once was the entrance to Gush Katif and stare stoically into the distance, with tears in their eyes. more..
Palestine Today 071907
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/19/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 35MB || Time 3m40s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Thursday July, 19th 2007. The Israeli army kidnaps 17 civilians in the West Bank while Palestinians protest in Gaza, these stories and more coming up, stay tuned. The West Bank - Israeli troops kidnapped 17 Palestinian civilians during a pre-dawn invasion conducted by the Israeli army in several West Bank cities and towns on Thursday, Palestinian sources reported. The invasions reportedly took place in Hebron, Bethlehem and Tulkarem. In the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, witnesses said that more that 20 Israeli army vehicles stormed the city and the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp. more..
Israeli radio: Israel contemplating major offensive against Hamas in Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/19/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – An Israeli radio program reported that Israel is considering an all-out offensive on the Gaza Strip in response to an alleged military buildup by Hamas. Voice of Israel radio reported Thursday: "The military source [said] that the decision to invade Gaza is now at the political level, which has different considerations from the military one. The military source said that Hamas will soon possess Katyusha rockets, and it has made a huge shift in owning weapons since the Israeli military left [the Gaza Strip] two years ago." The sources also said: "Hamas is continuing its growth, and smuggled 20 tons of explosive materials into Gaza Strip in the last few months." The Voice of Israel reporter, Eial Alima, reported that Hamas has a well trained army in Gaza, and in the last two years, with its... more..
Haifa: Religious, secular residents clash
Ahiya Raved, YNetNews 7/19/2007
Concerned about Breslov students’ ’takeover’ of their local synagogue and intention to move into neighborhood, secular residents come to blows with students - Five people were arrested Tuesday following a violent scuffle between secular and religious Haifa residents fighting over the character of their neighborhood. The secular residents protested what they saw as the takeover of religious elements of their local synagogue, and their fear that these elements were "infiltrating the neighborhood." The confrontation began about six months ago, after the synagogue gabai (manager) in the Romema neighborhood decided to allow a group of Breslov students to hold classes and pray in the building. The manager, Moshe Honig, complied with the request because the synagogue has stopped attracting worshippers to the... more..
Israeli army invades Hebron city and nearby villages and kidnaps two civilians
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/18/2007
The Israeli invaded Hebron city and the nearby villages of Dora and Al Thahria, located in the southern part of the West Bank searched and ransacked homes then kidnapped two Palestinian civilians, on Wednesday at dawn. Zayed Al Jundi and his brother Ayman were kidnapped from there homes located in Hebron old city when troops searched and ransacked there family home, witnesses reported. Dora and Al Thahria troops searched homes but no kidnappings were made local sources reported. [end]
IOF troops storm Nablus, arrest 16 West Bankers overnight
Palestinian Information Center 7/18/2007
NABLUS, (PIC)-- IOF troops stormed the largest West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday from various axes and roamed its suburbs and alleys and retreated after kidnapping a 22-year-old Palestinian youth from his family home. Local sources said that the heavily-armed troops broke into many civilian homes and wreaked havoc in the home of Baha’ Al-Muslimani before taking him away. The troops also burst into the Beit Al-Ma refugee camp west of Nablus, encircled a building and destroyed its outside fence in addition to damaging the water network in the vicinity. Eyewitnesses reported that the soldiers fired live bullets and sonic bombs at civilians in the camp, and noted that one of the youth suffered burns in his face. Other units barged into the Balata refugee camp east of the city and broke into a number of civilian houses... more..
IOF troops demolish citizen’s home
Palestinian Information Center 7/18/2007
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Reinforced Israeli special forces along with policemen under direct orders from the IOA on Tuesday demolished a one-year-old house owned by Nader Sawaf, 40, in the Christian neighborhood in the old city of occupied Jerusalem at the pretext that it was built without permit. In another development, the IOF troops has tightened its procedures on Tuesday at Hawarah military checkpoint and other checkpoints surrounding Nablus city, northern West Bank at the pretext of finding an explosive belt with a Palestinian citizen, who reportedly escaped. Witnesses confirmed that the IOF troops established several mobile barriers at the entrances to villages and the northern areas surrounding Nablus. Three military armored vehicles, on Monday midnight, raided the northern West Bank city of Nablus... more..
Two civilians kidnapped as army invades a village near Bethlehem
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/18/2007
Two Palestinian civilians were kidnapped by Israeli troops when the army invaded Al Sahwaora village near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday morning. Troops attacked several homes and searched them then kidnapped Tayser Hamdan, 30, and Wafak, Hamadan, 22, and took them to unknown location, sources in the village reported. [end]
Israeli forces fired upon in Nablus
Ma’an News Agency 7/18/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Israeli forces operating in the West Bank City of Nablus were fired upon Wednesday morning. According to Israeli sources, armed Palestinians threw "explosive devices" at the soldiers and shot at the soldiers in several different areas of Nablus. No casualties were reported. [end]
Two men arrested from Ash Sawawra village, east of Bethlehem
Ma’an News Agency 7/18/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – On Wednesday at dawn, occupying Israeli military forces arrested two Palestinians from Ash Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. Security sources reported that many Israeli military jeeps invaded the village, with troops breaking into several houses, and arrested two Palestinians. Faiek Hamdan Ashawawra, 24, and his cousin, Tayseer Talab Ashawawra, 28, were both taken to an unknown location. The brother of the arrested mean told Ma’an that Israeli soldiers interrogated all those in the family home, before ransacking the house and destroying their property. [end]
Al-Quds Brigades open fire at an Israeli car adjacent to the Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/18/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, on Wednesday claimed responsibility for opening fire at an Israeli civilian car near an Israeli military post at Kisofim, east of Khan Younis. No injuries have yet been reported. [end]
Palestine Today 071807
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/18/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 2. 71 MB || Time 3m35s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Wednesday July, 18th 2007. Army invades several parts of the West Bank and kidnaps 14 civilians and a Palestinian woman dies at the Gaza strip borders, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The West Bank - Israeli forces invaded Al Jalazon refugee camp, north of the central West bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday. During a search conducted by troops in the camp, three residents were kidnapped and one Palestinian journalist was injured. Witnesses reported that Israeli troops and armored vehicles stormed the camp in the morning, with soldiers opening fire randomly at residents’ homes and causing damage. more..
Israeli army invades Romanah village near Jenin and kidnaps one Palestinian civilian
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/17/2007
The Israeli army invaded the village of Romanah located near the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday morning and kidnapped one civilian there. Witnesses said that troops surround the house of Tarik Sinihat, 22, searched and ransacked the home then took his to unknown detention camp. [end]
Tariq Subhi, Palestinian citizen of Jenin area, abducted by Israeli military forces from his home at 2am
Ma’an News Agency 7/17/2007
Jenin - Ma’an – Occupying Israeli military forces on Tuesday morning arrested a Palestinian citizen from the town of Rummana, north-west of Jenin. Palestinian security sources told Ma’an’s correspondent that Israeli forces stormed the town at 2am, and arrested Tariq Subhi, 23. Eyewitnesses reported, "Israeli soldiers besieged the house of the man, and called on the residents, through loudspeakers, to evacuate the house. They interrogated the family members before taking the man to an unknown destination". [end]
Two armed Palestinian groups fire homemade projectiles at Israeli targets
Ma’an News Agency 7/17/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades took responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at an airstrip east of Maghazi on Monday evening. The Brigades, who are affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees, said that the operation constituted retaliation for "Israeli aggressions and attacks against Palestinian people." Seperately, Al Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for launching one projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot Tuesday morning. Al Quds, affiliated with Islamic Jihad, issued a statement in which it saying the attack came "as a part of the retaliation for Israeli assassinations, arrests, and incursions against Palestinian people." [end]
Israeli forces enter Tulkarem
Ma’an News Agency 7/17/2007
Tulkarem - Ma’an – Since dawn on Tuesday occupying Israeli forces have spread out in the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Eyewitnesses confirmed that huge numbers of Israeli soldiers and numerous military vehicles fanned out in Al Madak Wa’r Shakra and Ber Siflani at 1 am this morning. The witnesses also added that, although the number of the soldiers is now decreasing, many have remained. No houses were entered and no arrests have yet been made. [end]
Islamic Jihad’s armed wing shoots homemade projectile at Ashkelon
Ma’an News Agency 7/17/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al Quds Brigades have announced responsibility for launching another homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Ashkelon on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Islamic Jihad-affiliated group said, "the operation came as part of the retaliation for Israeli aggression and attacks against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories." [end]
Settlers cancel Homesh march
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/17/2007
Defense establishment prepares for arrival of thousands of right-wing activists to former West Bank settlement on Tuesday, but organizers announce, ’We will not take part in this game, march is postponed’ - Settler leaders cancelled on Monday night a march to the former West Bank settlement of Homesh scheduled for Tuesday. The organizers vowed, however, that they would arrive at the area by the annual fast day of Tisha B’Av, which will take place in one week. Right-wing organizers announced in recent weeks that they planned to march to the evacuated settlement on Tuesday and rebuild it. The organizations issued ads calling on right-wing activists and settlers to arrive at the place. According to estimates, thousands of people were expected to march to Homesh. more..
Israeli army closes Huwara checkpoint
Ameen Abowarda, International Middle East Media Center 7/17/2007
The Israeli army closed Huwara checkpoint south of Nablus City on Tuesday morning, on suspicion of a parked car and a person standing near the checkpoint. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli army closed the checkpoint immediately after they suspected the presence of a civilian with an explosive belt in the area. The Israeli army banned the movement of civilians entering or leaving Nablus, causing the obstruction of traffic and leaving crowds of people stranded on either side. The Israeli army reported that the suspicious civilian escaped from the area. They also reported their suspicion of a car parked near the checkpoint. After the suspension, the Israeli army tightened restrictions on all checkpoints surrounding the city of Nablus, closing them completely and banning the passage of civilians through them, citing security reasons. more..
Palestine Today 071706
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/17/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 58MB || Time 3m54s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Tuesday July, 17th 2007. Four Palestinians have been injured at the Gaza-Eygptian borders and Israeli settlers canceled a march in the West Bank. These stories and more coming up so stay tuned. The News Cast - Palestinian sources told IMEMC that clashes took place between the Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side of the Gaza strip borders on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses told IMEMC that the clashes took place when one of the stranded Palestinians had a Nervous breakdown, he ran outside of the limited area at the Egyptian borders where more than 4000 Palestinians have been forced to stay in for the past five weeks. more..
Report: Israeli army killed 49 Palestinians, injured 147, arrested 383, in June
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - 49 Palestinians were killed and 147 wounded by the Israeli army during the month of June, the Palestinian National Information Centre, a state body, has claimed in its most recent report. In total, the Israeli army committed some 2,380 violations against the Palestinian people during June, the centre claimed. Since the start of 2007, the centre has recorded 30,930 violations. The centre’s researcher, Fayez Abu Rizq, said that the violations include shooting and shelling of residential areas, repeated incursions into Palestinian cities and towns, the erection of military roadblocks on roads leading to Palestinian cities and towns, the frequent closure of Palestinian communities, land confiscation and other assaults. The report pointed out that the Israeli forces had opened fire towards Palestinian civilians and property 205 times during June. more..
’IDF preparing for all-out war’
Haman Greenberg, YNetNews 7/16/2007
General who served in Second Lebanon War says army’s premise now completely different than before war which ’proved we were wrong in 2000 when our military power was aimed at Palestinian terror; now we realize that we should be preparing for something completely different’ - "The IDF is preparing itself for an all-out war, and this is a major change in the military’s working premise following the Second Lebanon War, " said Major-General (res) Eyal Ben-Reuven, who served as the Northern Command chief’s deputy during the war. "By preparing for an all-out war, we can also deal with Palestinian terror, and not the other way round, as it was believed so far," Ben-Reuven said at an Institute for National Security Studies conference covering the different aspects of war. more..
Roadside bomb explodes near UNIFIL peacekeepers in South Lebanon
Mohammed Zaatari, Daily Star 7/17/2007
QASMIYEH: A small bomb exploded near a UN peacekeeping vehicle in South Lebanon Monday, causing no casualties, witnesses and UN officials said. Witnesses said the bomb detonated near the Qasmiyeh Bridge on the main coastal road north of Tyre, where UN military police maintain an observation post near a Lebanese Army checkpoint. The explosion led to limited damage to a UN four-wheel-drive vehicle. A Lebanese security source said the military police unit involved was from Tanzania, which has some 80 soldiers serving as part ofthe United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). "We can confirm an explosion occurred in the area of the Qasmiyeh bridge involving one UNIFIL vehicle," said UNIFIL’s spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane, adding no casualties had been reported. more..
One person lightly wounded as Qassam rocket hits Sderot house
Mijal Grinberg, Ha’aretz 7/17/2007
A Sderot man was lightly wounded Monday, when a Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip hit his house in the western Negev town. The Qassam struck as the wounded man and his family were in the reinforced area of their home designed to shield them from such an attack. His wife and three children were treated for shock. Two additional rockets were fired at the western Negev on Monday, one striking near a local kibbutz’s security fence, and the other causing a fire near Route 34. On Thursday, five Qassam rockets and several mortar shells were fired at the western Negev, causing no injuries. Israel Defense Forces soldier Arbel Reich, 21, was killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. He was the first IDF fatality in the Strip this year. more..
Israeli settler attacks an elderly Palestinian farmer in the Immanu’el settlement bloc
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Salfit - Ma’an - An Israeli settler on Monday reportedly attacked an elderly Palestinian man, Isma’il Kokash, as he was heading to his fields in Wadi Qana, close to the village of Deir Istiya, located between the Israeli illegal settlement blocs of Ari’el and Immanu’el, in the north of the occupied Palestinian West Bank. Wadi Qana is situated inside the Immanu’el settlement bloc, squeezed between the settlements of Immanu’el and Yaqir. According to a statement issued by Salfit governorate, the Palestinian man was injured in his face, hand and thigh. He was sent to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus city in the northern West Bank for treatment. [end]
Settlers in Hebron area cut down Palestinian trees, in sign of plans for settlement expansion
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Hebron - Ma’an - Israeli settlers from the illegal West Bank settlement of Otni’el, located south west of Hebron, have been observed cutting down trees belonging to the Palestinian West Bank village of Rabud, Palestinian security sources have reported. Abd Al Hadi Hantash, a Hebron-based Palestinian expert on Israeli settlement, surmised that this action represents the preparatory stage for settlement expansion into Palestinian land. He added that he expects the settlers to now set up tents where Palestinian trees used to grow and to prohibit the Palestinian citizens from reaching their land, in order to take control of the land. All Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank are illegal under international law. [end]
Number of West Bank Settlers reaches 275,000, says Israeli Interior Ministry report
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – According to a report issued by the Israeli interior ministry, the number of Israeli settlers, living in contravention of international law within the West Bank [not including East Jerusalem], has reached 275,000, an increase of 5. 5% in relation to last year. The total number of Jewish people in Israel has risen by 1. 5% overall. The report stated that the number of religious settlers increased the most. 4,000 new settlers came to the settlement of Modi’in Illit, west of Ramallah. Bitar Illit settlement, near Bethlehem, grew by some 400 settlers. [end]
DFLP’s armed wing fires at Sufa Crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), announced on Monday that they have fired two projectiles at Sufa Crossing, located between the southern Gaza Strip and Israel. The brigades asserted that this was a retaliatory action for the continuous aggression of the Israeli occupation towards the Palestinians. [end]
Body of a Palestinian man, abducted a few days ago in Gaza, appears showing signs of suffocation
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The body of a Palestinian man, abducted a few days ago by unidentified gunmen in Gaza City, arrived in Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday. Palestinian medical sources said that the body of Mahir Abu Dhalfa arrived in the hospital on Monday morning, showing signs of suffocation. [end]
Islamic Jihad’s armed wing claims to have escaped an Israeli bombardment in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have claimed that they escaped an Israeli bombardment at dawn on Monday. The brigades clarified that they were about to launch a projectile against Israeli areas when an Israeli helicopter shot at them, but no one was injured. In a statement received by Ma’an, the brigades said that the Israeli attacks would just increase their struggle and the Palestinian defense. [end]
International Press Center: 2380 Israeli attacks killed 49 Palestinians in June
Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 7/16/2007
Israeli military forces carried out last month some 2380 attacks on Palestinian lands killing 49 and wounding 147 Palestinians, said the Gaza-based International Press Center (IPC) in a report issued on Monday. The data, assembled by Fayez Abu Rezeq of the National Information Center at the organization, includes Israeli violence against Palestinians in the form of shelling neighborhoods, random shootings, ongoing invasions of the Palestinian towns and cities, establishing checkpoints at roads, closures of travel passages, and land confiscation among other attacks. The report also cites detention of civilians at checkpoints, closures of international crossings, the continuous construction of the illegal Annexation wall, and 34 settlers’ attacks against unarmed Palestinians. more..
Israeli settlers to reoccupy Homesh settlement
R. P, International Middle East Media Center 7/16/2007
Thousands of Israeli settlers plan to reoccupy the settlement of Homesh in the northern West Bank, according to Israeli media sources. An Israeli right-wing group called "Homesh First" has decided to march on Tuesday to the site of the former settlement, evacuated during the Israeli disengagement of August 2005, with supplies of food, water, clothing and bricks to build a synagogue there. The Israeli government has not authorized the march, and senior military officials have threatened to bring criminal charges against the marchers for violating laws implemented during the disengagement, Y-Net News reported. The Israeli military began setting up roadblocks on Sunday to allegedly prevent activists from reaching the former settlement. However, last month thousands of settlers held an event at the site with the authorization and protection of Israeli soldiers. more..
Gush Katif evacuees prepare for visit ’home’
Nadav Shragai, Ha’aretz 7/16/2007
Today, as thousands of people are expected to return to the West Bank outpost of Homesh for the fifth time since its evacuation, a group of former settlers from the Gush Katif area of the Gaza Strip is preparing its maiden effort to return to their former homes. The Gush Katif group, headed by former Neveh Dekalim resident Tzion Ohayan, is planning to try to reach the ruins of Nisanit, the former Gaza Strip settlement, on Thursday of next week. They will be joined by MK Uri Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party) and Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu. Ohayan told Haaretz that the campaign is modeled on that of Homesh First. "We have coordinators in deportees’ camps like Nitzan, and with the Kfar Darom deportees," Ohayan said. "The idea of returning is very popular with the young people who were evacuated,... more..
Gazan indicted over 2004 terror attack that killed pregnant mother, daughters
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/17/2007
A Gaza man has been indicted after the Shin Bet security service arrested him last month on suspicion of involvement in a 2004 terror attack near Kissufim in which a pregnant woman and her four daughters were killed. A gag order on his arrest and indictment was lifted on Monday. Jihad Abu Dahar, 25, from a village near Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip was caught in a raid by infantry troops in June. He admitted during questioning to having carried out surveillance on IDF movements in the area for several weeks preceding the attack, the Shin Bet said. He had also taken photos of the area where Tali Hatuel and her children, Hila, 11, Hadar, 9, Roni, 7, and Merav, 2 were later shot in their car by gunmen. During the attack, he was in charge of the cart and donkey that the gunmen used to disguise themselves as vegetable vendors, and in which their weapons were hidden. more..
Qassam hits Sderot home
Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 7/16/2007
Just two hours after Abbas, Olmert conclude diplomatic meeting in Jerusalem, Palestinians in north Gaza launch rocket barrage towards Israeli communities in western Negev; one person suffers shock - Palestinians in northern Gaza fired three Qassam rockets towards Sderot just hours after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas concluded a diplomatic meeting in Jerusalem. One of the rockets directly hit a Sderot home, causing structural damage and leading one person to suffer shock. Two more rockets landed in open areas near the Sha’ar Hanegev regional council. The Qassam landed in an area which has suffered from rocket hits in the past. Moshe, who lives opposite the house that was hit, told Ynet: "We heard a really loud explosion. more..
Israeli forces tour West Bank village with maps and diggers
Ma’an News Agency 7/16/2007
Tulkarem - Ma’an - Israeli occupying soldiers were observed near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, in the early hours of Monday morning, suspiciously eyeing maps and directing military diggers. The troops were seen at the entrance to the village of Beit Lid, east of Tulkarem city, south of the illegal Israeli settlement of Enav. The diggers were carrying large concrete blocks. The reason for this Israeli military activity is not yet clear. [end]
IDF: Fewer opt for combat units
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/17/2007
Army says 67. 3 percent of those enlisted this year chose combat units in comparison to 68. 9 percent last year - Fewer new recruits are opting to serve in the IDF’s combat units, the army said Monday. In the latest enlistment to the army, 67. 3 percent of those cleared to serve in combat units chose to do so in comparison to 68. 9 and 70 percent in August and November last year. But army officials maintain that a look at the enlistment statistics of the last five years points to the contrary. In 2005, 64. 3 percent of soldiers fit enough to serve in combat did so. "After the war we saw larger numbers that pointed a rise in motivation. We believe that the war’s influence ended and the figures are getting back to how they used to be," said Colonel Amir Rogovsky. more..
Israeli Sources: Palestinian resistance may attack Israeli targets
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/16/2007
Israeli security agencies have raised the level of alert after receiving warning of possible Palestinian resistance attacks aimed at breaching the current state of calm declared by the Israeli army, according to Israeli media sources. An Israeli army official stated that, beginning last week, the army had begun a policy of calm in order to aid diplomatic efforts and to empower the Palestinian appointed government of Salam Faiyad. The armed wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al Quds Brigades, managed to launch an attack last Thursday on an Israeli military checkpoint located near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem. Israeli army officials considered this operation significant and dangerous, since the Palestinian fighter who was killed in the attack had managed to infiltrate one of the most secure Israeli military sites in the West Bank. more..
Palestine Today 071607
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/16/2007
CLick here to download or listen to MP3 File - || File 4. 14 MB || Time 4m31s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Monday July, 16th 2007. Abbas Olmert meets in Jerusalem in an attempt to bolster the new Palestinian government while settlers plan to reoccupy settlements in the West Bank, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The News Cast - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon, their first meeting since the four-way summit at an Egyptian Sharme Al Shiekh resort two weeks ago. Today’s meeting focused on security issues and on relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in light of Hamas’ total control of the Gaza Strip. more..
PRC and Islamic Jihad military wings fire shells at Israeli targets
Ma’an News Agency 7/15/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility on Saturday evening for launching a homemade projectile at the Israeli military position in Nahal Oz, adjacent to the northern Gaza Strip. In a separate incident, the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said they launched four mortars and a rocket-propelled grenade towards Israeli vehicles occupying Gaza International Airport. Israeli military forces took over the now-defunct airport on Friday. The Al-Quds Brigades have released a statement, adding that their members also clashed with Israeli forces near the Kerem Shalom crossing, at the Gazan border with Israel and Egypt. more..
Al Buraq Army shoots at Israeli soldiers late on Saturday night
Ma’an News Agency 7/15/2007
Ramallah – Ma’an – The Al Buraq Army, a unit of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, on Saturday evening claimed responsibility for attacking an Israeli military post at an Israeli settlement, north of Ramallah. In statement received by Ma’an, the Brigades announced that "a group of Al Buraq army successfully targeted the Israeli military post. They starting shooting against the Israeli soldiers, scaring them. The Israeli soldiers didn’t return fire." The brigades alleged that there may be injuries among the Israeli soldiers at the position. The brigades concluded, confirming "continuity of resistance till the occupation is overcome." [end]
Al-Qassam Brigades launch barrage of mortars at Erez crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/15/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, have claimed responsibility on Sunday for launching 8 mortar shells at the Israeli military position at Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. [end]
IDF mulls legal action against organizers of Homesh march
Yuval Azoulay, Ha’aretz 7/16/2007
The security establishment is contemplating legal action against right-wing activists who are organizing a march on Tuesday to the site of the former settlement of Homesh, which was evacuated in Israel’s 2005 disengagement from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. The lawsuit under consideration stems from the fact that the organizers have not coordinated the march with the Israel Defense Forces or with police. IDF sources estimate that five to eight thousand people, from 13 different right-wing organizations, will try to reach Homesh Tuesday - two years after the settlement was evacuated. The activists have declared their intention to rebuild homes on the site of the former settlement. The lawsuits are intended to cover army expenses for protecting and eventually evacuating the activists. more..
IDF braces for pilgrimage to Homesh
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/16/2007
Under banners proclaiming ’remember, return, rebuild,’ thousands of right-wing activists will return to evacuated West Bank settlement. Army prepares for clashes, stresses zero tolerance policy against violenceIDF forces on Sunday began setting up roadblocks throughout the West Bank as part of an effort to prevent thousands of right-wing activists from journeying to the evacuated settlement of Homesh on Tuesday. A military official said the army would employ a "zero tolerance" policy against violence. Officials within the security establishment have said that if the activists do indeed attempt to journey to Homesh, the IDF and police would file lawsuits against the organizers demanding millions in monetary reimbursement for the funds spent securing the event. more..
City of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank enters fourteenth day of isolaton
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Tulkarem – Ma’an – For fourteen days in a row, the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem has been besieged by Israeli military forces. The city has been cut off by the deployment of two checkpoints to the south and the east of the city, and many additional movable roadblocks. Ma’an’s reporter said that the Israeli forces are preventing anyone under the age of 35 from crossing the checkpoints, "on account of unreasonable justifications". Palestinians are prohibited from moving freely throughout many Palestinian districts in the West Bank. Eyewitnesses stated, "The Israeli forces staffing the checkpoints are intent on humiliating and holding the Palestinians for a long time". The siege has continued, following the killing of an operative from the Al Quds Brigades, who tried to bomb Israeli soldiers at the eastern checkpoint in Tulkarem some days ago. more..
Israeli military invades defunct Gaza airport; widens aggression into Rafah neighbourhoods
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Rafah - Ma’an - The Israeli military have now widened their aggression and incursion in the southern Gaza Strip district ofRafah. At least sixtanks, reinforced by military bulldozers have entered the Nahda neighbourhood, east of Rafah, under cover of heavy machine gun fire, shot toward homes and agricultural areas. Ma’an’s correspondent stated that undercover Israeli forces were seen in the area to the north of Gaza airport, seized on Friday by Israeli troops. Eyewitnesses said that undercover forces broke into several homes and occupied several rooftops. On Friday, Israeli military vehicles invaded the eastern Rafah district, in the south of the Gaza Strip, taking over the now-defunct airport, and occupying it as a military base. Eyewitnesses stated that, late on Friday night, over 15 Israeli tanks completed... more..
Israeli troops arrest Khaled Shakora, Fatah leader, from home in Khan Younis
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Khan Younis - Ma’an - Israeli military forces have arrested Khaled Shakora, a leader of the Fatah movement, from his home in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. His family told Ma’an, "Three Israeli military jeeps showed up at our home and took him." Shakora’s destination, and current location, remain unknown. [end]
Brigades shoot two homemade projectiles from Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Khan Younis – Ma’an – A joint group of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement, have shot two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Kisufim, adjacent to the Gaza Strip, on Saturday. In a joint statement, the brigades said that the shelling was "a natural reaction to Israel’s assassination policy that targets the Palestinian armed resistance, and the Israeli practices against the entire Palestinian population". Both the National Resistance Brigades and the Al Aqsa Brigades have sworn they will "keep up their armed resistance until all of the Palestinian territories are liberated". more..
Palestinian brigades shoot projectiles at Israeli targets
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Several Palestinian brigades said that they have launched military operations against Israel, firing home-made projectiles at Israeli towns and military posts near the Gaza Strip. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed they have launched mortars at the Erez crossing to the north of the Strip. The military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), the An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, said that they have launched a homemade projectile at the Israeli village of Kfar Aza, located east of Gaza City, and four mortars at the Kerem Shalom crossing in south Gaza. In separate statements, the brigades declared that the operations are "part of the retaliation for the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. more..
Al Buraq Army attacks Israeli military post at Salem DCL
Ma’an News Agency 7/14/2007
Jenin - Ma’an – The Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades have announced that the Al Buraq Army, a unit of the Brigades, launched an attack against the Israeli military position at Salem, on the northern border of the West Bank, north west of Jenin, on Saturday morning. A statement issued by the brigades stated "the operation came as part of the retaliation against the Israeli crimes against Palestinian people." No casualties have yet been reported. [end]
Israeli soldier dies in Gaza attack
Al Jazeera 7/12/2007
Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters have clashed in the Gaza Strip, leaving one Israei soldier dead and two slightly wounded. About 10 tanks and two bulldozers backed by helicopters moved before dawn about 500m into farming fields near the Bureij refugee camp, Palestinian witnesses said. Hamas said that its fighters detonated two large mines in response, injuring soldiers. The Israeli army said the soldier had been killed in an operation against "terror threats" and that when gunmen approached their troops, Israeli aircraft had fired on them and identified hitting them. Palestinians injured - Hamas said two Palestinians were injured, one, a fighter, seriously. The movement said that its fighters later fired two rocket-propelled grenade launchers at an army bulldozer, setting it on fire. more..
Israeli forces invade several areas in West Bank, kidnap six Palestinian civilians
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/12/2007
The Israeli army invaded several cities and towns in different parts of the West Bank on Thursday morning and kidnapped at least six Palestinian civilians. Four of those kidnapped were taken from the southern West Bank city of Hebron and nearby Ithna and Yatta villages. Soldiers attacked and searched homes, kidnapping four civilians who local sources identified as Ibraheem Na’em, Isma’el Al Hibaewi, Fadi Al Hibaewi, and Mohamed Al Najar. In the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, which is attacked on a daily basis by the Israeli army, Israeli troops attacked and searched homes in the city center and in the nearby Balata refugee camp. During the house-to-house search, troops kidnapped two civilians. Palestinian media sources in the city identified the two as Firas Salaeh, 27, and Samed Iz-al Deen. more..
Israel makes new incursion into Gaza Strip
Middle East Online 7/12/2007
Hamas said it hit an Israeli tank - Two Israeli soldiers wounded as armour, helicopter gunships move in before dawn in El Bureij sector. - GAZA CITY - The Israeli army Thursday carried out a new incursion into the centre of the Gaza Strip, with infantry backed by armour and helicopter gunships moving in before dawn in the El Bureij sector, Palestinian and Israeli military sources said. A military spokesman said the forces had "fired at armed individuals" who were approaching them. Two soldiers were slightly wounded in the clash. Members of the armed wing of Hamas said they had suffered two wounded, and claimed to have hit a tank. The last such raid wound up last Friday. [end]
Palestinian man killed at checkpoint in northern West Bank after opening fire at Israeli troops
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Tulkarem - Ma’an – A Palestinian citizen was shot by Israeli soldiers at a roadblock east of Tulkarem on Thursday afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported that the man, who has not been identified, shot at the soldiers with an automatic rifle. The Israeli soldiers stationed at the post retaliated, killing him instantly. After the incident, the Israeli forces closed the road in both directions and started shooting randomly in order to disperse citizens gathered there, waiting to pass. Eyewitnesses also said that the soldiers prohibited ambulances from approaching the scene. Security sources told Ma’an’s reporter that the Israeli forces transported the man in an Israeli military ambulance to an unknown destination. The barrier remains closed. Ma’an’s correspondent reported security sources saying that the man was... more..
Israeli authorities demolish more homes in Qalqilia district
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Qalqilia – Ma’an - Israeli forces demolished the home and a pool belonging to Palestinian citizen, Ali Awad in Ras Tira village, southeast of Qalqilia. The Israeli authorities claim that it was built without a license. Israeli troops demolished a water tank belonging to Mohammad Hashim in the same village earlier on Thursday. Israeli military forces also demolished some of the farmers’ huts in Hijja village, northeast of Qalqilia, as well as demolishing a home in Jinsafut, east of the city, claiming that it was also built without a license. [end]
Qalqilia city raided by Israeli troops; Islamic charity attacked
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Qalqilia - Ma’an – Occupying Israeli military forces have raided the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia on Thursday, storming the headquarters of the Zakat alms-giving committee in the center of town. Israeli troops seized computers and files belonging to the charitable organization. Security sources told Ma’an that "several Israeli military vehicles raided the city at dawn, before storming the committee building, searching it invasively and seizing the computers and other files." The sources added that the soldiers also broke into the house of the director of the city’s Awqaf programme, Sheikh Bilal Hannoun, holding the man for several hours before eventually freeing him. [end]
Israeli forces demolish home in Jensafot village near Qalqilia
Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 7/12/2007
Israeli military forces demolished on Thursday a private home in a village of the Qalqilia district in northern West Bank claiming that the house was located in Zone "C" and, therefore, was built illegally. According to the Oslo agreements, the West Bank is divided into three zones -- A, B, and C. Zone A, which is under complete Palestinian control, includes the towns of Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarim, Qalqilia, Ramallah and Bethlehem. Territories in Zone B are subjected to Palestinian control in regards to civil matters, while Israel handles security issues there. Israel has full control over lands and inhabitants in Zone C, which also covers uninhabited areas, Jewish settlements and military installations. During Israeli invasion of the West Bank in 2002, Israeli army seized all the areas, including Zones A and B. more..
Army invades Beit Awa and Sa’er villages near Hebron, two civilians kidnapped
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/12/2007
Palestinian sources reported that Israeli troops stormed Sa’er and Beit Awa villages near Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank searched homes then kidnapped two civilians. The two were identified as; Khalil Al Furuch, 22, and Abed Al Kareem Al Masalmah, 33. [end]
Islamic Jihad’s armed wing clashes with Israeli soldiers in central Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, claimed responsibility Thursday morning for launching a rocket propelled grenade at an Israeli military vehicle east of Al-Bureij refugee camp before they clashed with an undercover Israeli force which they say had infiltrated the area. The brigades said in a statement that two of their activists were slightly injured after an unmanned Israeli drone launched a rocket at them. In a separate incident, the An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, who are the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility Thursday morning for launching a homemade projectile at the Western Negev Israeli town of Sderot. [end]
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades clash with Israeli troops in central Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The PFLP-affiliated Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades have clashed with occupying Israeli military forces, as Israeli troops raided eastern areas of Al Bureij on Thursday morning. A statement issued by the brigades declared that their members "were able to confront the Israeli soldiers who had invaded the area at dawn. The clash reportedly lasted for 20 minutes. No casualties were reported. [end]
Israeli forces arrest at least four Palestinians in Hebron, invade towns in northern West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Israeli troops arrested at least four Palestinians in the Hebron area, the southern West Bank, at dawn on Thursday, claiming that they are "wanted" by Israel. The Israeli army also invaded a number of towns in the north of the occupied West Bank but no arrests were reported in the north. Israeli sources said that their soldiers seized one allegedly wanted individual from Al-Fawwar refugee camp, located south of Hebron, and four others from Idhna, a town located west of Hebron, in the south of the occupied West Bank. However, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society in Hebron later announced that three men had been arrested in Idhna and one in Fawwar refugee camp. An Israeli military contingent broke into Idhna on Thursday at dawn and arrested Ibrahim Naim, Ismail Jiyawi, and Fadi Awad, the PPS said. more..
PFLP fighters clash with Israeli forces in Nablus
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed responsibility on Thursday morning for clashing with an Israeli force near Ein Beit Al Ma refugee camp, located west of Nablus in the northern West Bank. The brigades said in a statement that three Israeli soldiers were injured. The statement explained that the PFLP fighters ambushed an Israeli infantry patrol and detonated two explosive devices before they clashed with the Israeli troops. Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, also allegedly took part in the operation. Israeli military forces reported that an explosive device was detonated while an Israeli patrol passed in Nablus, yet they claimed there were no casualties. [end]
Fatah and PFLP fighters clash with Israeli forces in Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Members of a cell within Fatah’s Al Aqsa Brigades, calling themselves "The Martyr Yasser Arafat Group," have claimed responsibility for clashing with some Israeli troops east of Al Burej refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the brigades announced that several Israeli soldiers were injured, and some planes were seen flying overhead in order to evacuate them. The brigades assured that this operation was in response to "the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian resistance in the West Bank and Gaza". Earlier on Thursday, the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, claimed responsibility for launching a rocket propelled grenade at an Israeli military vehicle east of Al-Bureij refugee camp and clashing with an undercover Israeli force in the area. more..
Al Aqsa Brigades operative shot in foot by Israeli troops
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Ramallah- Ma’an -A Fatah source has revealed that an operative of the Al Aqsa Brigades has been injured by Israeli soldiers in northern Ramallah. The sources told Ma’an that Abdullah As Sa’di, 34, was injured in the foot. Israeli troops had chased him after he managed to evade a flying checkpoint in the Oyoun Al Haramiya area of northern Ramallah. The source added that the operative had been returning from Ramallah city to the north, when he was surprised by an Israeli checkpoint. He managed to escape, although the Israeli soldiers shot at him, and injured him in the foot." [end]
PFLP and Fatah-affiliated fighters fire at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/12/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Homat Al-Aqsa (the ’Al-Aqsa Protectors’), who are Fatah-affiliated, have announced their mutual responsibility for launching a homemade projectiles at the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Thursday afternoon. In a joint statement the brigades said that the "operation is a message that the resistance will continue." They added that it also shows that they would continue their "retaliation for the Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people in the [occupied Palestinian] territories." [end]
Fighter killed in an attack against an military roadblock near Tulkarem
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/13/2007
The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, reported on Thursday evening that one of its fighters was killed in an attack against an Israeli military roadblock east of Tulkarem, in the northern part of the West Bank. The Brigades stated that one of its fighters approached the Ennab military roadblock and fired at the soldiers who are stationed there. The fighter exchanged fire with the soldiers and hurled some grenades before they managed to shoot him dead. The fighter was identified as Mohammad Omar Ziad, 24, from Kafer Ra’ey village, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The Brigades stated that this attack is part of a series of attacks in retaliation to the Israeli assassinations against its leaders especially after the army assassinated Ziad Malaisha and Mahmoud Nazzal. more..
A year on, Hizbullah continues to meet needs of victims of conflict
Daily Star 7/13/2007
HARET HREIK: Whether it is mothers who lost their sons in combat or other Shiites whose homes were destroyed in Israel’s blitz of Beirut a year ago, Hizbullah is still riding high on its home turf. Two sisters, Loyal and Iman Shahrur, aged 20 and 21, are keen to stress it was Hizbullah - both in battle and on the social services front - that helped find them work and a new home. Thousands of apartments, like their former home in the Haret Hreik district of the Shiite group’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, were razed to the ground in the 34-day Israel-Hizbullah conflict which erupted on July 12, 2006. The young women moved into a ground-floor apartment in September, with a year’s rent of $4,000 paid by Hizbullah. more..
Northern residents suffer from anxiety
Hagai Einav, YNetNews 7/12/2007
One year after Second Lebanon War, study shows significant amount of adults in north suffer from acute post-traumatic stress symptoms, third of children suffer from anxiety - One year after the Second Lebanon War, 23 percent of Jewish residents in the north suffer from acute post-traumatic stress symptoms, according to a study conducted by the Resources (Mashabim) Center and the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma. Children in the north have been even more psychologically affected by the war; 30 percent of children in the Jewish sector, and 40 percent of children in the Arab sector, suffer from anxiety. Of the 386 people questioned for the study, 35 percent of women said they suffered from post-traumatic stress symptoms, as opposed to 12 percent of men. more..
Rough ride for Lebanon’s displaced
Omar Khalifa, Al Jazeera 7/12/2007
The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict resulted in 1,191 deaths, destroyed 30,000 homes and displaced almost one million Lebanese - one quarter of the population, according to Lebanon’s Higher Relief Council (HRC). About 200,000 Lebanese remain internally displaced, trying to rebuild the homes and livelihoods destroyed by the Israeli army one year ago. About 90 per cent of displaced families have returned to their homes in southern Lebanon, south Beirut and the Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon, but more than 900,000 cluster bombs still plague their land. Johanna Djurhuus, UNHCR, said: "They have coped pretty well with it given that there were 600 - 800 people returning over two weeks immediately after the ceasefire." Katia Saleh, a London-based film-maker in Beirut, said: "Sixty to 70 per cent of people in... more..
Driver of suicide bomber found guilty of 5 counts of murder
Roni Singer-Heruti, Ha’aretz 7/12/2007
The Tel Aviv District Court convicted on Thursday Ashraf Keisi, responsible for driving a suicide bomber to the Tel Aviv nightclub where he blew himself in 2005, killing five people and injuring 50. Keisi was convicted on five counts of murder and on another count of attempted murder. Keisi was also convicted of aiding an enemy during wartime, supporting a terror organization, causing mental anguish and other offenses. Hearings on his sentence will take place at the end of August. Twenty-eight-year-old Keisi, from Baka al-Garbiyeh, drove Abdullah Badran in February 2005 to "Stage," located on the Tel Aviv beachfront promenade, where he blew himself up at the entrance to the club. In the ensuing investigation, Keisi admitted that he had been in contact with Islamic Jihad militants in order to help choose the location of the attack. more..
Palestine Today 071207
Ghassan Bannoura - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/12/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 4. 18 MB || Time 4m34s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Thursday July, 12th 2007. Army invades Gaza city, Palestinian resistance clashes with the invading troops and kill one soldier while in the West Bank at least six civilians kidnapped by Israeli troops, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The Gaza strip - One Israeli soldier was killed and two others wounded by a homemade bomb fired by Palestinian resistance fighters at Israeli forces, which invaded Al Buriej refugee camp in Gaza City early on Thursday morning, said Israeli army officials. Israeli special units, trying to infiltrate the refugee camp, were ambushed by a group of resistance men from Al Qassam brigades,... more..
Israeli army invades Nablus and refugee camps, kidnapping one Palestinian
Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 7/11/2007
Israeli military forces invaded early on Wednesday morning Nablus, a city in northern West Bank, and two of the local refugee camps --- Balata and Ein Beit El Ma’. Security sources reported that a large Israeli unit stormed several city neighborhoods, shooting randomly at residents. No injuries were reported. During the invasion of Balata refugee camp, Israeli forces kidnapped one Palestinian civilian identified as Mohammad Faraj, after ransacking his home and confiscating his belongings. The Israeli troops launched a wide-scale operation in Balata refugee camp targeting several other households. In the same attack, the Israeli military took over Ein El Ma’ refugee camp, located west of Nablus City. They caused a massive explosion in the area, inflicting damage but no injuries, according to local sources. more..
Four Islamic Jihad members kidnapped by the army in Jenin
Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center 7/11/2007
Palestinian sources reported on Wednesday that Israeli soldiers kidnapped four members of the Islamic Jihad movement in an invasion to Jenin refugee camp, and Rummana village, west of Jenin city. The invasion was carried out by 25 armored vehicles and a military bulldozer, and the soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition as the soldiers chased several resistance fighters. Local sources reported that soldiers surrounded the house of Sa’id Tubassy, who was killed by the army during this intifada, and forced the family out of their home for several hours. Soldiers searched the three-story building and caused damage to its furniture and property. Later on, soldiers kidnapped Ibrahim Tubassy, the brother of Sa’id, and took him to an unknown destination. more..
Israeli forces arrest seven Palestinians across the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/11/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - The Israeli forces arrested on Wednesday seven Palestinians in various areas in the occupied West Bank, Israeli sources have reported. The sources added that "the Israeli forces arrested three Fatah members in Nablus, a Hamas member in Bethlehem, and three Fatah members in the Hebron area." The sources confirmed that the arrested men were taken for interrogation. The Israeli sources also added that the Israeli forces in Jenin, in the north of the West Bank, were attacked with an explosive device but no casualties were reported. [end]
Israeli forces close off only link between Qalqilya city and its southern villages
Ma’an News Agency 7/11/2007
Qalqilya - Ma’an - The Israeli forces have banned on Tuesday Palestinian citizens from leaving Qalqilya city, located in the north west of the occupied West Bank, through the tunnel checkpoint, which connects the city to its southern villages. For the local Palestinian population, this tunnel is the only link between Qalqilya city and the villages of Habla, Ras Atiya, Izbat Jal’ud, and many others, without taking a long and arduous detour around the large, illegal, Israeli settlement bloc of Immanu’el. Our Qalqilya correspondent reported that the Israeli soldiers stationed at the barrier are blocking dozens of cars at the barrier and not allowing Palestinians to move in either direction. [end]
Islamic Jihad’s armed wing launches projectiles and other military attacks at Israeli targets in Gaza and West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/11/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for launching a number of projectiles, and carrying out other "military activities ", against Israeli targets. In a statement, the brigades said that the group launched one homemade projectile and four mortars at an Israeli military post near Kerem Shalom, a crossing point in the south of the Gaza Strip. The statement added that two other mortars were launched at Nahal Oz, a crossing point and Israeli community located near the north east of the Gaza Strip, and another at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. The brigades added that they detonated an explosive device near an Israeli military jeep close to Kfar Dan village in the Jenin district. more..
Children are suffering ’invisible scars’ of trauma
Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/12/2007
BEIRUT: The risk to children of psychological trauma from the summer 2006 war with Israel remains formidable 11 months after the end of the conflict, with continuing high-profile violence in the country preventing full recovery, studies conducted by children’s organizations and published Wednesday revealed. The ability of children to recover completely and move on has been severely hindered by armed clashes in the North and bombings and other violence across the country in the last year, according to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). "Over the past several months, instability and flash crises - from bombing incidents throughout the country to conflict and resulting displacement in Palestinian refugee camps in the North - have brought a renewed sense of insecurity and anxiety for Lebanon’s children," said a statement released by UNICEF. more..
Blasts leave hole in Gaza-Egypt border wall
Associated Press, YNetNews 7/11/2007
Two explosions cause no injuries but send Gazans rushing to the infiltrate open crossing. Meanwhile, Egyptians step up security at border, apparently toughening position against Hamas Two explosions early Wednesday caused a large hole in the Gaza-Egypt border wall, witnesses reported. The blast caused no injuries but sent Gazans rushing to the open crossing. Hamas gunmen rushed to the scene to prevent anyone from crossing the border, and there were no immediate crossings reported. Several Palestinian groups had issued threats in recent days about attacking the wall, to allow Palestinians out of Gaza and allow others stranded in the Sinai peninsula to enter the Strip. Hamas confirmed two explosions took place but denied any hole was created in the wall between Gaza and Egypt. more..
Israeli army kidnaps four Palestinians, implements military drills in Hebron
Nisreen Qumsieh, International Middle East Media Center 7/11/2007
Israeli military forces kidnapped four Palestinians from Hebron and the nearby towns of Dora and Al Samowa’ in the southern West Bank early Wednesday morning. Official sources from the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) in Hebron reported that the Israeli army invaded the city of Hebron and abducted four Palestinians after storming their households. The abducted Palestinians were identified as: Amer Abu Ramoz, 20, and Abed El Ghani, 23, both from Hebron; Ayob Al Zagharer, 30, from Al Samowa’; and Isamael Al Awowawdeh, 44, from Dora. At the same time, Israeli military forces carried out a wide scale ransacking operation targeted several areas in and around Hebron. The army also implemented military drills, storming several houses in the area. [end]
PMO DG Dinur says home front not ready for war
Ruth Sinai, Ha’aretz 7/11/2007
The home front is not fully prepared for war, although it is better organized than it was last year, the director general of the Prime Minister’s Office, Raanan Dinur, said yesterday. Dinur spoke at a news conference with five ministries’ directors general, who reported about implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War and preparing for future emergencies. Dinur estimated that an investment of NIS 5 billion was required to build and renovate shelters nationwide. These shelters would not be completed either this year or the next, he said. However, by the end of August, the entire country will be covered by missile alarm sirens, Dinur said. In the northern and central regions, advanced systems automatically activated by sensors that can identify missile launching have already been installed. more..
IDF unable to prevent another abduction
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/11/2007
One year after the Second Lebanon War, reservists say nothing has changed along the northern border and that another kidnapping, like the one that sparked last summer’s war, is merely a matter of time. ? Soldiers from three reserve units that recently completed operational duty in the North said equipment malfunctions and shortages, as well as other signs of neglect, abound. If Hezbollah wanted to, it would have no trouble seizing another soldier, they said. In response, the Israel Defense Forces Northern Command said that over the past year, great efforts have been made to change the modus operandi along the border, and tens of millions of shekels have been invested in improving defenses and equipment. There are still problems, admitted one senior officer, but the situation is much better than it was last July. more..
Rightists warned over plans to rebuild settlement
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/11/2007
Security establishment says police charges will be filed against activists if they march toward former West Bank settlement of Homesh - Security officials threatened Wednesday to take action against right-wing activists if they pushed on with plans to march toward the former West Bank settlement of Homesh next week without authorization. "We will file police charges (against the rightists),"¯ a senior IDF officer told Ynet. Over the past few weeks several right-wing groups have called on activists to march to Homesh next Tuesday with the aim of rebuilding it. The security establishment said in response that entrance to the former settlement had been prohibited since the disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in the summer of 2005, and that the march would not be allowed. more..
Pipe to channel purified sewage for farming, but problems abound
Zafrir Rinat, Ha’aretz 7/11/2007
The Civil Administration and the Water and Sewage Authority recently approved the construction of a pipe to channel purified sewage to irrigate agriculture in the [Palestinian] Jordan Valley. But environmental experts say the move will prevent an overall solution to the problem of the flow of sewage from Jerusalem and Bethlehem into the Kidron Stream toward the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Work on the project, which is also said to contravene agreements with the Palestinians, has begun in recent weeks to build a pipe from the Hyrcania Valley, about halfway between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. At that point a dam will confine the sewage, which will be channeled by pipe to the Jordan Valley where, after purification, it will irrigate date plantations. more..
Waqf Temple Mount excavation raises archaeologists’ protests
Meron Rapoport, Ha’aretz 7/11/2007
The Waqf Muslim religious trust is digging a ditch from the northern side of the Temple Mount compound to the Dome of the Rock as a prelude to infrastructure work in the area, generating protests from archaeologists. The dig has been approved by the police, but the Israel Antiquities Authority declined to respond to the Waqf’s excavations and would not comment on whether one of its archaeologists had approved the move. The Committee for the Prevention of Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, an apolitical group comprised of archaeologists and intellectuals from the left and right, criticized the use of a tractor for excavation at the Temple Mount "without real, professional and careful archaeological supervision involving meticulous documentation. more..
Palestine Today 071107
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/11/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 10MB || Time 3m23s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Wednesday, July 11th 2007. The Israeli army continues to attack West Bank cities and kidnap civilians, while the Palestinian President has called for the deployment of international forces in the Gaza Strip. These stories and more coming up, stay tuned. The West Bank - Israeli military forces kidnapped four Palestinians from Hebron and the nearby towns of Dora and Al Samowa’ in the southern West Bank early on Wednesday morning. Official sources in the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) in Hebron reported that the Israeli army invaded the city of Hebron and abducted four Palestinians after storming their homes. more..
IDF closes Kerem Shalom crossing after mortars hit nearby structures
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/10/2007
Palestinian militants fired at least 11 mortar shells toward Israel yesterday from the Gaza Strip. No one was injured, but two structures near the Kerem Shalom border crossing sustained damage, and the Israel Defense Forces closed the crossing down. An anti-tank missile was also fired at IDF troops on the Gaza border, but no one was hurt. Hamas targeted the crossing apparently because of Israel’s intention to make it the main entry point into Gaza. The militant group, which currently controls the coastal strip after a violent takeover last month, opposes the move to make Kerem Shalom a main crossing because it believes this would give Israel full control over entry and exit from Gaza. Israel had meant to open the crossing in the south of the strip today to allow some 5,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt after Hamas’ coup to return to their homes in Gaza. more..
Israeli army arrests 20 Palestinians across the West Bank Tuesday morning, another 10 Monday evening
Ma’an News Agency 7/10/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Israeli forces arrested on Tuesday morning twenty Palestinians in various towns and cities in the occupied West Bank. Israeli sources affirmed that seven of the arrested men are Fatah operatives from ’Azzun near Qalqilya; they are accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli cars. Another nine Fatah operatives were arrested in ’Anabta village near Tulkarem. The sources also said that during the Israeli military’s search-and-arrest campaign, the Israeli forces found two homemade pistols. Late on Monday, undercover Israeli forces also entered the village of Birqin, located south west of Jenin, in the north of the occupied West Bank, and arrested ten Palestinians. Eyewitnesses told Ma’an that undercover Israeli Special Forces, disguised in civilian clothes, stormed a café in the... more..
Israeli army ends military offensive in Nablus; three residents kidnapped
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center 7/10/2007
The Israeli army evacuated the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday midday, after occupying the city for several hours, searching scores of local homes and kidnapping three civilians. The kidnapped civilians were identified as Ali Ashur, Nidal Al Faqieh, and Samer Abran. All were taken to unknown detention camp. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers invaded the city, sorrounding the Physicians Housing and Rafidia neighbourhoods and using loudspeakers to order residents to evacuate their homes. A number of residents were later interrogated. Local sources stated that soldiers initiated the invasion at 6 in the morning and surrounded an area near the Al Quds Open University, barring residents from entering or leaving the area. more..
Israeli army arrests three men in Nablus after siege on residential building
Ma’an News Agency 7/10/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - Israeli troops stormed the city of Nablus, in the north of the occupied West Bank, on Tuesday morning, and arrested three Palestinians. In an extensive search-and-arrest campaign, the Israeli forces arrested some twenty Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank early on Tuesday. In Nablus, the Israeli troops besieged the Al Atibbaa building near the Al Quds Open University in the west of the city, before arresting two members of Fatah’s armed wing, the Al Aqsa Brigades. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli forces arrested Nidal Al Faqih, who is considered a prominent Al Aqsa leader in the area, and who has been considered ’wanted’ for many years. The sources added that Al Faqih was arrested with his comrade, Samir Iran, and the owner of the building, Ali Ashour. more..
Palestinian militants fire at least 11 mortar shells at Israeli targets
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/11/2007
Palestinian militants fired at least 11 mortar shells toward Israel on Tuesday from the Gaza Strip. No one was injured, but two structures near the Kerem Shalom border crossing sustained damage. Several of the shells were aimed at the border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, apparently due to Hamas objection to Israel’s intention to make it the main border crossing into Gaza. The militant group, currently controlling the coastal strip after a violent takeover last month, opposes the move to make Kerem Shalom a main entrance point because it would reportedly give Israel full control over entry and exit from the strip. An anti-tank missile was also fired at Israel Defense Forces troops on the Gaza border Tuesday. No one was injured. more..
Israeli army shells Palestinian homes; Palestinian resistance retaliates with homemade shells
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/10/2007
Israeli army tanks stationed at the southern Gaza-Israeli borders shelled Palestinian homes located in Rafah city on Tuesday midday. Palestinian sources said the heavy shelling caused a great deal of damage to homes, and inured several civilians. [end]
Armed wings of Islamic Jihad and Hamas fire at Kerem Shalom Crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/10/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al Qassam Brigades have claimed responsibility for firing twelve missiles at Karem Abu Salem/ Kerem Shalom crossing, between the southern Gaza Strip, Egypt and Israel, on Tuesday morning. They added that the attack was in response to all the Israeli crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. Earlier, the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for launching one homemade projectile at an Israeli military post near the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip. They said in a statement that the operation came in retaliation for the Israeli escalation against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and as affirmation that they will stick to armed resistance as their choice. [end]
Qassam Brigades hurl mortars towards Nahal Oz
Ma’an News Agency 7/10/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility on Tuesday for launching three mortars at Israeli military vehicles near Nahal Oz, in Israel. [end]
Palestine Today 071007
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/10/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 76MB || Time 4m 6s - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Tuesday July 10, 2007. In the West Bank, Israeli forces invade a number of West Bank towns and cities, kidnapping several residents. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli tanks shell homes in Rafah city. These stories and more coming up. Say tuned. The West Bank - Palestinian sources in the northern West Bank city of Jenin reported on Monday night that Israeli troops invaded Borqeen town, west of Jenin, and kidnapped twelve residents, including an Islamic Jihad leader. The sources stated that under-cover Israeli forces surrounded a restaurant in the center of the town and broke into it after additional forces, supported by armored vehicles, invaded the area. more..
Israeli army kills Al-Quds Brigades’ leader and fails attempted assassination of four Fatah fighters
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Jenin - Ma’an - Israeli undercover forces on Sunday night assassinated a leader of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, in the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya. In another incident, the Israeli forces reportedly arrested an activist from the same group in Jenin, also in the north of the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces failed, however, to assassinate four Fatah combatants in the same area." The Israeli unit was disguised in a Mercedes bus, at the entrance of the village of Ash Shuhada, and suddenly they opened fire heavily towards a Hyundai in which three Palestinian citizens were travelling," an eyewitness told Ma’an. Mahmoud Najib Nazzal, 26, a leader of the Al-Quds Brigades in Qabatiya, was killed in the gunfire. more..
Israeli army invades Nablus, arrests 5, injures 2
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - Two Palestinians were injured on Monday when an explosive device was detonated in Balata refugee camp in east Nablus, in the northern West Bank. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian citizens from Nablus and Balata. Palestinian security sources told our Nablus correspondent that two young men were moderately injured in Balata on Monday morning when the Israeli military patrols passed through the refugee camp. The identities of the injured men have not been revealed. The sources added that heavy Israeli forces stormed the old city of Nablus and also some neighborhoods in the west of the city. They launched search campaigns in several houses and arrested Osama As-Sa’eh, 21; Omar As-Sa’eh; Islam Salahat; and another unidentified Palestinian. more..
Israeli forces storm homes in Hebron, confiscate cars in Tulkarem
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Hebron - Ma’an - In addition to bloody incursions into Jenin and Nablus in the north of the occupied West Bank, the Israeli forces also invaded towns and homes in the Hebron district of the southern West Bank. In the town of Adh-Dhahiriya, the Israeli forces besieged a family home and then blew open the door with explosives. Local and security sources told our Hebron correspondent that an Israeli military force besieged the home of Atef Al Wireidat and, through loudspeakers, demanded that all the inhabitants evacuate the building. Then the soldiers blew open the door and stormed the home. No arrests have been announced. The sources added that Atef Al Wireidat is a member of the Palestinian presidential guards, and he is currently detained in Israeli jail. more..
3 years after the West Bank wall was declared illegal, construction continues unchecked
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Three years ago, on 9 July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued an advisory opinion stating that the route of Israel’s barrier in the West Bank, and its associated regime of permits and restrictions, constituted a serious breach of international law. However, its construction has continued unabated, and it is now 56. 5% completed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In fact, 200km has been constructed since the ICJ declared it illegal, OCHA says. With the barrier’s construction, Israel is annexing large swathes of Palestinian West Bank land into Israel (10. 2% of the West Bank including East Jerusalem, according to UN data), while also leaving thousands of Palestinians in limbo, stuck between the West Bank barrier and the Green Line. more..
Palestinian combatants retaliate for the Israeli escalation in the territories
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, the Al Quds Brigades, announced responsibility for launching a homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Ashkelon on Monday afternoon. The brigades issued a statement declaring that the operation was "part of the retaliation for the Israeli escalation against Palestinians in the territories and to affirm our choice of resistance." Hamas fightersThe armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, launched six mortar shells at the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom Crossing between Gaza and Israel on Monday. The brigades said the operation is "in retaliation to Israeli crimes against Palestinians." [end]
Fatah armed wing clashes with Israeli forces at Salem checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Jenin - Ma’an - The Yasser Arafat group, which is affiliated to Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Brigades, claimed responsibility on Monday for clashing with an Israeli military force at Salem military checkpoint, north of Jenin, in the northern West Bank. The groups said in a statement which Ma’an received that the operation was in retaliation for the assassination of the leader of the Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades near Jenin by the Israeli forces. [end]
Israeli settlers attack Palestinian farmers near Hebron
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/9/2007
On Monday, a group of Israeli settlers from the settlement of "Hafat Ya’er" located near Yatta village south of Hebron city in the southern West Bank, attacked and damaged Palestinian homes. Witnesses in Yatta, mostly farmers who live there, said that setters using guns and batons attacked residents and damaged a number of homes in the village. No injuries were reported. The witnesses added that, during the attack, settlers chanted racist songs calling for killing the Palestinians and taking over their lands. In the meantime in Hebron’s old city, a group of right-wing illegal settlers attacked Palestinian homes and shops. They tried to uproot olive trees that belong to Palestinian residents in the area. [end]
Police arrest Haredi man suspected of trying to stab Arab cab driver
Jonathan Lis, Ha’aretz 7/9/2007
Jerusalem Police on Sunday arrested a 30-year-old ultra-Orthodox man after he allegedly attempted to stab a Palestinian taxi driver at the Mount of Olives. Police stated that the suspect hailed the cab Sunday night and asked the driver to take him to the Neve Samuel neighborhood for prayers. Shortly thereafter, the two got into an argument and the driver offered to take the suspect to the Mount of Olives. The suspect agreed, and when the two arrived at the Mount, he allegedly drew a knife and attempted to stab the driver. The driver was not harmed and was able to call for help. A Border Police patrol operating in the area came to the driver’s aid and subdued and arrested the suspect. [end]
Unidentified gunmen abduct internal security officer from his home in Gaza City
Ma’an News Agency 7/9/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Unknown gunmen abducted an officer from the internal security from the gate to his home in Gaza City on Monday. The mother of Luay Saqa, told Ma’an that her son was abducted by armed men in a Peugeot car, "under threat of the use of weapons". She urged President Abbas, deposed Prime Minister, Haniyeh, and the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force to intervene and enable the safe return of her son. [end]
Lebanon makes slow recovery from summer war
Middle East Online 7/9/2007
Rebuilding of homes has been slow, services sector remain stagnant a year after Israeli-Lebanese war. BEIRUT - A year after the Israel-Hezbollah war which battered Lebanon, much of the infrastructure has been restored but the rebuilding of homes has been slow and the services sector remains stagnant. International aid has flowed in, with pledges totalling 7. 6 billion dollars made at a Paris conference in January. According to government figures, 91 of the country’s 150 bridges were destroyed in the 34-day conflict, as Israel tried to cut the supply lines of the Shiite guerrillas of Hezbollah. Fifty-one of them have now been rebuilt. On Thursday, exactly a year after the outbreak of war, the Awali highway bridge, a major artery between the capital and south Lebanon that was destroyed in an Israeli air strike, is to be reopened. more..
Palestine Today 070907
IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/9/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 65MB || Time 3m 59s - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Monday July 9th, 2007. In the West Bank, a senior commander of the al-Quds brigades is assassinated by undercover Israeli forces. Meanwhile, In the Gaza Strip, five Qassam rockets are launched at the western Negev region. These stories and more coming up. Stay tuned. The West Bank - Palestinian security and medical sources in Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank, reported on Sunday that under-cover forces of the Israeli army assassinated the leader of the armed wing of Islamic Jihad after ambushing him in Qabatia town, near Jenin. The fighter was identified as Mahmoud Najeeb Nazzal, 24, leader of the Al Quds brigades. more..
Mortar barrages pound Negev
Ynet reporters, YNetNews 7/9/2007
Gaza Palestinians launch series of mortar shell, Qassam attacks towards western Negev; no one wounded in attacks. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility - Palestinian terror cells bombarded the western Negev with rockets and mortars throughout the day Monday. No casualties or damage were caused in any of the attacks. Five mortar shells fired from southern Gaza landed in open areas near the Kerem Shalom crossing Monday afternoon. Earlier Palestinians in northern Gaza fired two Qassam rockets towards Israel. One landed near a kibbutz in the Sha’ar Hanegev regional council, and the other apparently landed in Palestinian territory. Around noon Monday three mortar shells were fired from north Gaza towards Israeli military vehicles operating near the security fence. more..
Israeli troops re-invade Gaza less than 24 hours after their withdrawal
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli forces have again besieged parts of the Gaza Strip, less than 24 hours after their withdrawal from the area, after having killed 11 Palestinians and injuring 28. Incursions took place in the towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia, in the northernmost part of the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli soldiers entered the area and blocked off the entrance to Beit Lahia. In Beit Hanoun, Israeli Special Forces reinforced regular military forces, which "occupied many of the rooftops of houses." According to people from the town, they then "started shooting at the local citizens." Meanwhile, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, a military wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), said that they had clashed with the Israeli forces and exchanged fire with them. more..
Israeli invades Nablus and nearby refugee camp located in the northern part of the W.B.
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/7/2007
The Israeli army invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus and the nearby Balata refugee camp on Saturday at dawn. Witnesses said that Israeli troops opened fire randomly at residents’ homes, and added that soldiers searched and ransacked scores of homes in the city center and the refugee camp. No kidnappings were reported. Meanwhile Israeli troops stationed at several military checkpoints surrounding the city of Nablus did not allow students to cross those checkpoints to get to their schools and university in the city, Palestinian sources reported. [end]
Israeli forces arrest Fatah leader near Qalqilia
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Nablus – Ma’an – Occupying Israeli military forces on Friday arrested the prominent Fatah leader, Ayman Muslih Ad Dik, in the northern West Bank. Ad Dik’s deputy, Abu Mahmoud, said that Ad Dik was arrested after Israeli special forces besieged a house near Qalqilia. The deputy said that Ad Dik was the leader of the Yasser Arafat group, part of Fatah’s Al Aqsa Brigades. He added that "what is going on is a bloody war against us." Abu Mahmoud vowed to continue resistance against the Israeli’s, and that "there will be no limits to hitting Israel." Israeli officials did not deny the arrest of the man. They also stated that ten Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank on Friday. [end]
Five members of Hamas arrested by Israeli troops in Palestinian city of Tubas
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Nablus - Ma’an - Israeli military forces arrested five Hamas members in the northern West Bank town of Tubas late on Friday evening. Ma’an’s correspondent reported that several Israeli military vehicles invaded the city and stormed into many houses, before arresting Hamas members, taking them to unknown destinations. One of the more prominent Hamas leaders in the area, Faze’a Sawafta, was among those arrested, alongside his two brothers, Ala’a and Arafat, his cousin Mohammad Sawafta and Ala’a Maslamani. [end]
Israeli forces attack Jenin city and nearby villages
Ghassan Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 7/7/2007
The Israeli army attacked and searched scores of Palestinian homes in the cioty of Jenin and nearby villages of Araba and Beir Al Nasha on Saturday. Soldiers stormed the city and the two villages, opened fire randomly at residents homes then searched and ransacked scores of them, Israeli sources said that the Israeli army was looking for Wanted Palestinians. Local sources reported damage to the houses but no injures or kidnappings. [end]
Israeli settlers torch Palestinian crops
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Tulkarem – Ma’an – Israeli settlers from Enav settlement, on Saturday set Palestinian fields ablaze in the village of Ramin, near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem. According to a representative from the general command of factional coordination, Sadiq Salih, 150 dunams (150,000m²) were incinerated. The land had been used to cultivate wheat, olives, almonds and figs in the area called Wadi Al-A’raj, west of Ramin. [end]
Islamic Jihad combatants shoot Israeli infantry in central Gaza
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, the Al Quds Brigades, announced on Saturday that its fighters shot intensively at Israeli infantry east of Deir al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. The brigades said that they directly hit their targets and saw Israeli vehicles gathering and helicopters flying overhead after the incident. [end]
Jewish settlements overspill limits
Middle East Online 7/7/2007
All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are illegal - Study shows Israeli government adopts deliberate policy of encroaching on Palestinians. - JERUSALEM - The built-up areas of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank occupy less than a 10th of their allotted land but often spill over on to private Palestinian property, according to a study released on Friday. Israel’s Peace Now group, which published the report, claimed this was part of a deliberate policy of encroaching on the Palestinians. Construction in the settlements covers nine percent of the municipal territory placed under their jurisdiction, or 4,500 hectares (11,120 acres) out of 52,000 hectares (128,500), the report said. But while 90 percent of settlements have ample room for growth, up to a third of building is outside those zones, it said. more..
Archives show Israel levelled mosques
Middle East Online 7/7/2007
Dayan gave orders to destroy Islamic ancient sites - Report shows Jewish State gave orders to destroy more than 100 mosques in Palestinian villages. - TEL AVIV - Israel destroyed more than 100 mosques in Palestinian villages incorporated into the state, including the site where the head of Imam Hussein was allegedly buried, a daily wrote on Friday. According to archives quoted by the Haaretz newspaper, Israel’s legendary general Moshe Dayan -- himself an avid amateur archaeologist -- gave the order to blow up the mosque while he was a young lieutenant colonel. Haaretz said the Mashhad Nabi Hussein in Majdal, now Ashkelon, dated back to the 11th century and was where tradition had it that the head of Imam Hussein was interred. Around 9,000 Arabs who lived in Majdal fled during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and... more..
Executive Force storms Al-Azhar University in Gaza and seizes chemicals
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Several groups of armed men from the Executive Force of Hamas raided Al-Azhar University in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The force members stormed the storehouses and labs that belonged to the scientific faculties at the university and confiscated large amounts of chemicals which have been used for scientific research for over 6 years. The university announced that it has been conducting scientific research on heavy minerals, water, chemicals and agriculture, in accordance with the terms of contracts it has with local and international institutions. The university accused the Executive Forces of attempting to sabotage the university’s academic activity. Al-Azhar’s board of trustees issued its condemnation of the act, which it said aims to harm the academic reputation of the university internationally. more..
Three homemade projectiles shot at Sufa Crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Ayman Judah unit of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, alongside the Popular Resistance Committees, have announced responsibility for an attack launched against the Israeli military presence at the Sufa Crossing early on Saturday morning. In a joint statement issued by the brigades, they revealed that they launched three homemade projectiles at the crossing, and that the operation came "in retaliation for the Israeli arrests, assassinations and attacks against Palestinians in the occupied territories." [end]
Al Quds Brigades launch homemade projectile at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Al Quds Brigades, of the Islamic Jihad movement, have announced that they launched a homemade projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot on Friday evening. In statement received by Ma’an, the brigades stated that one of its units managed to launch the projectile at Sderot from the north of the Gaza Strip. The statement concluded, "the operation was part of the retaliation against the Israeli crimes and assassinations, and as a confirmation of the option of resistance against the Israeli occupation." On Friday, Israeli troops withdrew from an incursion into the central Gaza Strip which lasted several days and left eleven Palestinians dead. [end]
Israeli settler’s car attacked in northern West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/7/2007
Nablus - Ma’an – The Al Buraq army, part of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, announced their responsibility late on Friday night for an attack on an Israeli settlers’ car, near Qedumim, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank. A statement issued by the group said that the operation was "part of the natural retaliation against Israeli actions, arrests, assassinations and attacks in the territories." [end]
Negev hit as army wraps up Gaza thrust
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/7/2007
Three Qassam rockets landed in the western Negev yesterday, causing no injuries or damage. In two other cases, Israel Defense Forces troops moving along the fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip, came under fire. There were no injuries. The IDF completed on Friday morning its operation in the central Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives on Thursday of 11 Palestinian gunmen, most Hamas members. Infantry units from the Givati Brigade with armored support carried out the operation on the outskirts of the Al-Muwazi and Al-Bureij refugee camps. During the operation, dozens of Palestinians were detained for questioning. Ten were arrested for further interrogation by the Shin Bet inside Israel. A reconnaissance Givati unit found eight Qassam rocket launchers on Friday, in fields on the outskirts of Beit-Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. more..
Palestinians mourn Gaza raid dead
Al Jazeera 7/6/2007
Thousands of Palestinians have marched in Gaza at the funerals of 11 people, including nine Hamas fighters, who were killed in an Israeli raid into the central Gaza Strip a day earlier. The Israeli military on Friday said it had concluded an incursion into Gaza near al-Barij and al-Maghazi refugee camps and had pulled its forces out overnight. Troops, backed by tanks, entered Gaza early on Thursday and killed nine fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, as well as a member of the smaller armed group, Islamic Jihad, and a man medical staff said was a civilian. More than 25 Palestinians were injured in Thursday’s attacks, including an Al-Aqsa TV journalist, shot as he was covering the story. Call for revenge - Thousands of people marched in the streets of al-Barij refugee camp on Friday and armed men fired rifles into the air, vowing revenge. more..
In pictures: Lebanon’s leftover munitions
BBC Online 7/7/2007
A year since the war between Hezbollah and Israel ended, the threat from unexploded cluster bomblets remains. Here, a banner warns citizens not to touch suspicious-looking objects. More than 200 civilians have been injured or killed by leftover munitions since the end of the war last August. This cluster bomblet, held by a farmer, has been deactivated. Many cluster bombs scattered bomblets across arable land. "My crops were destroyed," said this farmer. "I was too afraid to work my land until it was cleared by professional deminers." Shadi knew the risks but says he could not afford to lose his crops by waiting for a demining team. He tried clearing the land himself, but was injured in an explosion. "We didn’t know there were cluster bombs among the debris in the street," said Ibrahim. more..
Israeli forces arrest Fatah leader in the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/6/2007
Qalqilia - Ma’an - Israeli interior intelligence agency, Shabak, announced on Thursday that the Israeli military arrested leader of the Fatah movement, Ayman Muslih, from Kafr ad Dik village, near Qalqilia. According to Shabak, the Israeli army besieged the home of Muslih, before arresting him. [end]
Israeli forces arrest ten ’wanted’ Palestinians on Friday at dawn
Ma’an News Agency 7/6/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – The Israeli occupation forces on Friday morning arrested ten Palestinian citizens from various areas of the West Bank. Israeli sources said that the apprehended men were some of the Palestinians that are ’wanted’ by Israel. Israeli sources said that an Israeli car was shot at by armed Palestinians in northern Ramallah, the sources added that Palestinians opened fire from a vehicle and shot at an Israeli settler car. Nor casualties were reported. In Bethlehem, the Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian brothers on Friday at dawn. They were arrested from the Marah Rabah area, south of Bethlehem. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces stormed into the small village of Marah Rabah and arrested two brothers Mohammad, aged 24, and Ali Yousef, aged 22. more..
Israeli cluster bombs and mines have killed 30, maimed 205
Mohammed Zaatari, Daily Star 7/7/2007
SIDON: The number of people harmed while defusing bombs and extracting mines left by the Israelis following last summer’s war has reached 205, including a reported 30 deaths. The large number of casualties comes as a result of the massive volumes of unexploded ordinance and cluster bombs left behind by Israel across Southern Lebanon in the days immediately preceding a UN-sponsored cease-fire which brought hostilities to a halt. Dalya Farran, the spokeswoman for the UN Mine Action Coordination Center, said that technicians continue to work in various sites. "There are about 922 sites being currently worked on in various Southern areas," Farran said. "Some parts have already been covered. The 96 teams, which include about 1,300 experts and trainees, are doing all they can to finish up the mission as soon as possible," she added. more..
Five Hamas members abducted in an Israeli invasion to Tubas
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/6/2007
A senior source at the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, reported on Fridaythat Israeli soldiers kidnapped five residents, members of Hamas movement, in the West Bank city of Tubas. Three of the abducted residents are brothers. The source added that one of the abductees is Fazi’ Sawafta, one of the prominent leaders of Hamas. Resident Sidqi Mohammad Sa’id stated that Israeli soldiers surrounded his house, broke into it and detained all family members for several hours while searching and sabotaging the house. Sawafta added that his son Faze’ spent 13 years imprisoned by Israel, his second son Arafat sent seven year, his third son Ala’ spent five years, and his fourth son Asem was members of Al Qassam brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and killed by the army during Al Aqsa Intifada. more..
Hamas has rockets than can hit IDF planes
YNetNews 7/6/2007
During its recent takeover of Gaza, Hamas seized mass quantities of arms from Fatah depots, including anti-aircraft and antitank missiles. Weapons could help Hamas army more than double number of gunmen -- Senior defense officials are extremely concerned by the fact that Hamas has recently seized large quantities of anti-aircraft missiles, antitank rockets and Katyusha rockets. In the course of Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip in the last several weeks, the group’s gunmen took control over Fatah and PA security forces’ depots containing vast amounts of weapons. A Southern Command official explained that some of the weapons were smuggled into Gaza in violation of agreements and understandings with Israel, and may pose substantial risk to the IDF. more..
Israeli Arab: Attack on policeman meant to avenge cousin’s death
Fadi Eyadat and Eli Ashkenazi, Ha’aretz 7/6/2007
A 23-year-old Israeli Arab man said Friday that his assault of a Border Police officer the day before was an attempt to avenge the death of his cousin, who was killed by Border Police nearly two years ago. Nadim Milham, a resident of the Wadi Ara town of Arara, told police he attempted to snatch the security officer’s rifle, and planned to shoot him and and sell the weapon. He said his action came in reaction to the justice system’s failure to hold the policeman who killed his cousin accountable for the shooting. Milham’s cousin was fatally shot in the back while security forces searched his house. The Border Police officer who opened fire is currently on trial for manslaughter. Milham’s lawyer, Sami Milham, said he would ask the court to send his client to a psychiatric evaluation because of suspected mental instability. more..
Arab - Israeli arrested attempting to kill an Israeli border guard
Ma’an News Agency 7/6/2007
Karkur – Ma’an – A 23-year old Palestinian man from the village of Ar’ara, in Israel, was arrested near the Israeli village of Karkur on Thursday after attempting to grab an Israeli soldier’s weapon. He admitted to planning to kill the soldier. The man confessed that he wanted to avenge his cousin, 28-year old Nadim Malham, who was killed by a border policeman during a search of his house about 18 months ago. The suspect said he had been looking for a soldier he could easily overpower. After the act, the suspect said he intended to sell the gun. An Israeli security guard saw the scuffle between the two men and intervened, upon which the assailant fled the scene. After a short pursuit, the suspect was apprehended by the police. [end]
Hamas says it fired two Qassam rockets at Israel
Amos Oren, Avi Isaacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg and AP, Ha’aretz 7/6/2007
Hamas said it fired two rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel on Friday, a day after heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in the coastal strip left 11 Palestinians militants dead. This is the first time Hamas has claimed responsibility for firing rockets at Israel since it took control of Gaza by force in mid-June. One of the rockets hit an intersection in Israel and a second fell in an empty field, but no one was hurt, the Israel Defense Forces said. Following the Gaza takeover, rocket attacks had largely been carried out by Islamic Jihad and other small armed groups. Earlier on Friday, IDF troops concluded operations against Qassam rocket launching crews that operate in open fields near the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun. During their operations in the Beit Hanun area, troops from the Givati Infantry... more..
Fatah’s new Ayman Jouda group launch mortar attack on Israeli town
Ma’an News Agency 7/6/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Ayman Jouda group of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades on Thursday announced that they launched two mortar projectiles at the Israeli town of Nahal Oz, east of the Gaza Strip. The brigades issued a statement on Thursday night declaring that the operation "was part of the retaliation for Israeli crimes and massacres, especially in the Al Bureij and Al Maghazi refugee camps, and also the Israeli assassinations and arrests." [end]
Allied brigades launch homemade projectile attack on Israeli town
Ma’an News Agency 7/6/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – A joint group of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Al Buraq army, which are part of the Fatah-affiliated Al Aqsa Brigades, on Friday claimed responsibility for a projectile attack on the Israeli town of Kisufim, bordering Gaza. During the attack, three homemade projectiles were fired at the town. In a statement received by Ma’an, the brigades claimed that the shelling is "a retaliatory action for the crimes committed by the Israeli occupational forces." [end]
Israeli troops pull out of Gaza after deadly raid
Middle East Online 7/6/2007
Israeli incursion results in killing eleven Palestinians, leaves twenty-five wounded. - GAZA CITY - Israeli troops withdrew from the Gaza Strip overnight after a commando-style incursion left 11 Palestinian fighters dead in heavy fighting, sources on both sides said on Friday. An Israeli army spokesman said the incursion in central Gaza around the Mughazi refugee camp, and another in the northern part of the territory had ended and that troops were back in Israel. Of the 11 Palestinian fighters killed, six belonged to the armed wing of Hamas. More than 25 Palestinians were wounded during the incursion, including five left in a serious condition, local medical sources said. Two Israeli soldiers were also wounded in the central Gaza Strip operation, which saw around 100 troops backed by tanks and helicopters advance through the territory on foot, witnesses said. more..
This Week in Palestine – Week 27 2007
International Middle East Media Center 7/6/2007
Click here to play or download MP3 File - || File 15. 2MB || Time 16m 37s - This Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www. IMEMC. org, for June 30th through July 6th, 2007. Israel attacks Palestinian communities in the Gaza strip and the West Bank, and kills 21. Meanwhile Palestinians continue their nonviolent struggle against the wall and settlements in the West Bank. These stories and more coming up, stay tuned. Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine - Let’s begin our weekly report with the nonviolent actions in Palestine against the wall and settlements. Non-violence Report Wadi el-Neiss - Approximately 100 Palestinian villagers from Wad el-Neiss, located to the south of Bethlehem in the southern part of the West Bank, side-by side with Israeli and international... more..
Israel raids kill 11 Palestinians
Al Jazeera 7/5/2007
Nine fighters from the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have been killed during an Israeli incursion into al-Barij and al-Maghazi refugee camps in central Gaza. Hours later, witnesses said a member of the smaller fighter group, Islamic Jihad, was killed by an Israeli rocket fired at civilians trying to rescue a wounded person. Medics said an eleventh person killed was a civilian. More than 25 Palestinians were injured in Thursday’s attacks, including an Al-Aqsa TV journalist, shot as he tried to cover the story. One of the men, Muhamad Siam, was identified as a local Hamas leader. Israeli troops, backed by tanks, crossed the border into Gaza early on Thursday and continued to exchange fire with Palestinian fighters in the eastern part of the refugee camps as night fell. Palestinian fighters said they shot back at Israeli troops with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. more..
In pre dawn invasions into the West Bank Israeli army kidnaps 13 Palestinians
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/5/2007
Palestinian sources reported that the Israeli army attacked and ransacked scores of Palestinian homes during invasions to several West Bank cities on Thursday at dawn and kidnapped 13 Palestinian civilians. The sources added that six were kidnapped from Hebron, four from Bethlehem both cities located in the southern part of the West Bank while three others were kidnapped from Ramallah and Jenin cities in central and northern part of the West Bank. [end]
The Israeli army kidnaps a Palestinian civilian in Qafeen village near Tulkarem city
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/5/2007
A massive Israeli force invaded the village of Qafeen located east of Tulkarem city in the northern part of the West Bank on Thursday morning, troops searched and ransacked home before kidnapping one civilian. Local sources identified the man as Khatab Amarnah, 21, he was taken to unknown detention camp, his family reported. [end]
Israel starts to build illegal wall near Beit Jalla town in Bethlehem area
Najeep faraaj - 1 of International Middle East Media Center - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 7/5/2007
The Israeli army started this week to built a huge section of the illegal wall on land confiscated from Palestinians near the town of Beit Jalla, near Bethlehem city in the southern West Bank. The wall, which will surround the settlers-only road that connects the illegal southern Israeli settlements with Jerusalem, will annex 6000 dunams (1500 acres) of agricultural land that belong to Palestinians from Beit Jalla. Israeli bulldozers have demolished land and uprooted olive trees that date back one thousand years, according to local farmers. Samiah Ziet, the engineer of the Beit Jalla municipality, said that completing this section of the illegal wall will mean that the town will have no land to expand on, and will also lead to the total destruction of the farming industry in the town since all farming lands will be on the Israeli side of the wall. more..
Hamas urges Gazans to fight back against IDF raid
Avi Issacharoff and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondents and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/6/2007
Hamas leader and deposed prime minister Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday condemned an Israel Defense Forces operation in which 11 Palestinians were killed in exchanges of fire in the Gaza Strip, and urged Palestinians to fight back. "We assert that our people have the full right to defend themselves and to confront these aggressions," Haniyeh said. A spokesman for the group’s political rivals, Fatah, also condemned the operation. Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded in the clashes Thursday, one of the deadliest days of fighting since Hamas wrested control of Gaza weeks earlier. Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded in the fighting as gunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades at an army vehicle. At least 20 Palestinians were also hurt. A Palestinian cameraman was seriously wounded while documenting the clashes,... more..
Peace Now report: Settlements build on just 9 percent of state-allocated land
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/5/2007
West Bank settlements have been allocated huge amounts of land, but use very little of it, according to a Peace Now report. Only nine percent of the area under settlement jurisdiction has been built on, and only 12 percent is being used at all, the report said, citing Civil Administration figures. But despite their huge unused land reserves, 90 percent of the settlements exceed their boundaries, and about one-third of the territory they do use lies outside their jurisdiction, the report added. The findings attest to the government’s ongoing cooperation with the settlements’ expansion, Peace Now charged: On one hand, the state earmarks huge tracts for the settlements, out of all all proportion to their size, in order to prevent Palestinian construction in those areas. more..
Palestine Today 070507
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/5/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 2. 73MB || Time 3m 0s - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Thursday July 5th, 2007. Israeli troops invaded Gaza killing seven Palestinians, and in the West Bank Israeli forces kidnapped at least 13 civilians, these stories and more coming up stay tuned. The Gaza strip Israeli troops invaded Gaza on Thursday morning killing five Palestinian resistance fighters and two civilians. At least four other Palestinian fighters and a dozen civilians, among them children, were wounded in the attack, according to hospital officials. The Israeli army invaded central Gaza and instigated clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters in al-Maghazi and Bureij refugee camps. more..
Four further deaths during Israeli army invasion of central Gaza Strip; death toll now reaches 11 Palestinian citizens
Ma’an News Agency 7/5/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Five Palestinians operatives from the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were killed on Thursday morning in clashes with Israeli forces, east of Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Six other Gazans have since been killed in the ongoing clashes. Over 20 Palestinians have been injured, including a photographer for Al Aqsa TV. Our Gaza correspondent quoted medical sources as saying that Muhammad Siyam, Muhammad Al-Uweidat and Ahmad Al-Qreinawi from the Al-Qassam Brigades were killed. Later, medical sources said that the bodies of Muhammad Nour and Mahmoud Abu Gharqood, also both members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, had also arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al Balah. Their bodies were "torn into pieces," the sources said. more..
Israeli army vandalize three mosques in Hebron
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/4/2007
Witnesses in Hebron old city located in the southern part of the West Bank stated that Israeli troops attacked and vandalize three mosques on Wednesday morning. Troops also damaged some of the windows and furniture inside the three mosques. [end]
De-miners say clearing Nahr al-Bared of UXOs will take at least a month
IRIN News.org, Daily Star 7/6/2007
BEIRUT: The de-mining agency tasked with neutralizing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the six-week conflict between Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese Army in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp has said the removal of immediate UXO threats will take at least a month. This raises the specter of further unrest among displaced refugees increasingly desperate to return home." The operation should take around four weeks to eliminate the immediate threats, but there is bound to be [more] UXO found," David Horrocks, Lebanon Country Program Manager for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), told IRIN." It is going to be very difficult to stop people going back, and it’s important we let the Palestinians know they are returning. But our concern is that the more people who go back the more difficult our job becomes. more..
Israeli troops storm headquarters of Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions in Ramallah
Ma’an News Agency 7/4/2007
Ramallah - Ma’an - A large Israeli military force stormed the headquarters of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine on Wednesday at dawn, causing material damage to property and the building, claiming that there were "wanted" men inside the building. The General Secretary of the union, Shaher Saad, and secretary of the union, Hossen al Fokaha, condemned the attack. Saad stated "this is not the first time that our workers have faced violence, aggression and brutality, especially during their work." Hossen al Fokaha declared that he "will call on all organizations and the international trade union federations to stop the Israeli attacks". [end]
Al Qassam Brigades launch mortars at Kerem Shalom, Al Quds Brigades shoot RPG at Israeli jeep
Ma’an News Agency 7/4/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Hamas-affiliated Al Qassam Brigades have announced responsibility for launching three mortars at the Israeli military post at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Wednesday. In a statement received by Ma’an, the brigades said "the operation came as part of the retaliation against the Israeli aggressions against Palestinians in the territories". The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades also stated that they launched a Rocket-Propelled Grenade at an Israeli jeep, east of Deir Al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. [end]
Palestinian killed after being rammed by a settlers bus
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/4/2007
Palestinian sources in the West Bank city of Bethlehem reported on Tuesday that one resident died after being rammed by a settlers bus as he was standing on the side of the road at the Um Salmouna junction on Tuesday morning. The resident was identified as Mahmoud Abudl-Hamid Taqatqa, 45, a resident of Beit Fajjar town, west of Bethlehem. Eyewitnesses reported that he died instantly after he was rammed by the bus which belongs to Egged Israel bus company. Dozens of Israeli police officers arrived at the scene and barred a Red Crescent ambulance from transferring the body of Taqatqa. His body was transferred by an Israeli ambulance to a forensic center in Israel, apparently for autopsy. [end]
Israeli army kidnaps five Palestinians from Balata refugee camp and Nablus
Nisreen Qumsieh - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/3/2007
Local Security sources reported to the Palestinian News Agency WAFA that a huge number of Israeli military vehicles carried out an invasion of the City of Nablus in the northern part of the West Bank in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Israeli soldiers randomly opened fire on the residents, besieged and ransacked a number of homes, and kidnapped five Palestinians. No injuries were reported. In Nablus, two Palestinians were kidnapped. They were identified as Ashraf Calbouna, 24, and Husam Calbouna, 20. In Balata refugee camp, three Palestinian were kidnapped. Among them were Nimer Abu El Zuhd, 20, and Ibrahim Fatouh,35. The identity of the third person remains unknown. The Israeli army transferred all the kidnapped Palestinians to unknown detention camp, although many suspect is to be the Huwara military jail, located to the southeast of Nablus City. more..
Israeli army raids several areas in Hebron city in the southern West Bank
Nisreen Qumsieh - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 7/3/2007
The Israeli army carried out a wide-scale invasion of several areas in Hebron City in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Security sources reported to the Palestinian news agency WAFA that a policeman identified as Mo’taz Doufash was kidnapped in the old city of Hebron. Doufash were taken to unknown destination. In Hebron and the nearby town of Halhoul, the Israeli army implemented a military operation designed to kidnap so-called "wanted Palestinians." Prisoners’ Society sources in Hebron reported that the Israeli army kidnapped two Palestinian civilians during the operation. The men were identified as Mo’taz Al Doudi, 18, from Halhoul, and Waseem Abu Amer, 19, from Hebron. [end]
Israeli army invades Ya’bad and Qabatiya towns near Jenin
Ali Samoudi - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 7/3/2007
Local sources in Jenin reported that Israeli army launched an invasion of Ya’bad town to southwest of Jenin City in the early hours of Monday morning. Local residents reported that more than 20 Israeli military vehicles invaded the area, searched and ransacked homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians, with Israeli military sources claiming that the men are Hamas activists. Hamas sources identified the men as Mohammad Abu Bakr, Mohammad Sami and Ismael Al Kelani, adding that has been recently detained and subsequently released by the Palestinian Security forces. In Qabatiya town, Israel forces invaded the area for several hours and searched many homes in the area. Israeli bulldozers also destroyed electricity transformers in the area, causing a local electricity failure. more..
Israeli forces launch widespread arrest campaign and seize 13 Palestinians
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – The Israeli forces launched a widespread arrest campaign on Tuesday morning, in which 13 Palestinian citizens were taken. Israeli sources said that those arrested included several operatives from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah, from several areas of the occupied Palestinian West Bank. The Israeli sources reported that the Israeli military were targeted with gunfire in Jenin and Tulkarem. No casualties were reported in either case. Balata refugee camp - Israeli forces arrested four Palestinian men on Tuesday at dawn from Balata refugee camp, in the West Bank city of Nablus. The arrests followed an early morning invasion of several Israeli military jeeps into the area. Palestinian security sources revealed the names of those apprehended, "Ibraheem Fotoh, aged 35, Nimer Nasser, 18, Ashraf Sabe, 24, and Housam Kalbouna. more..
Israeli forces raid West Bank town at dawn in unsuccessful arrest mission
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Jenin – Ma’an – The Israeli occupation forces invaded the town of Qabatiya, near the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin, on Tuesday at dawn. The soldiers stormed several Palestinian homes in the western area and deployed snipers on the mounds surrounding the town. Local sources informed Ma’an’s reporter that an Israeli military force comprising around 30 vehicles entered the town from all sides and raided many houses. The sources added that the soldiers searched residences and forced inhabitants to evacuate their homes. The Israeli military claimed they were in search of ’wanted’ Palestinians. Eyewitnesses said the forces withdrew at 4am, without having made any arrests. [end]
Palestinian teenager killed by unidentified gunmen in southern Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - Unidentified gunmen shot dead on Tuesday evening a Palestinian teenager in the south of the Gaza Strip. He has been named as Nasser Al-Kilani, 19. He was shot near the eastern road leading to the Rafah crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip. [end]
Rightists plan new illegal outposts
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/4/2007
Settlers in the West Bank are planning to establish several illegal outposts on the hills surrounding Gush Etzion. According to a decision by settler leaders, a group of settlers will establish the first outpost on Efrat’s Eitam hill in about three weeks. In the weeks to follow, four other outposts are expected to be established. According to the settlers, the hill in question is within the borders of Efrat in Gush Etzion. However, the hill will become Palestinian property upon completion of the separation fence in the area, which will exclude it from Efrat. For fear of losing the land, Right-wing organizations have begun spreading notices calling for a renewal of settlement activity. "The establishment of a settlement in Eitam will be the first step in renewing a wave of settlements in Judea and Samaria. more..
Report: Mortar shells hit Negev before U.S. university heads visit
Tamara Traubmann, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 7/3/2007
Palestinians fired three mortar shells at the Negev on Tuesday, shortly before a planned visit bya delegation of American university presidents, Israel Radio reported. The university leaders arrived in Israel Sunday on a visit organized by the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Project Interchange. The project aims to explain Israel’s policies to the leaders of U.S. academic institutions and to strengthen scientific collaboration between the two countries. The visit takes place amid attempts to impose an academic boycott of Israel and controversy over Israel on U.S. campuses between the right and the left. The delegation, including representatives of Rice University, Houston; the University of California, San Diego; the universities of Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina and Virginia, met on Sunday with Education Minister Yuli Tamir. more..
Huge Israeli contingent invades small Palestinian village and arrests three young men
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Jenin - Ma’an – The Israeli occupation forces arrested three citizens from Ya’bad, southwestern Jenin, in the northern West Bank, on Tuesday morning. Eyewitnesses informed Ma’an’s correspondent that the Israeli forces stormed several Palestinian homes, including those of the men that were apprehended. The forces took the arrestees to an undisclosed location. Local sources told Ma’an’s reporter that around 20 military vehicles, accompanied by Israeli intelligence cars, invaded the town from the eastern entrance and began raiding the local residences. The homes of Mohammad Sami, aged 24, Ismael Adnan, 24, and Mohammad Abu Baker, 24, were ransacked before they were arrested. All three are Hamas members, according to local sources. more..
Allied Islamic Jihad and Fatah combatants launch 3 projectiles at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al Quds Brigades and Fatah’s Al Aqsa Brigades, together launched three homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, late on Monday evening. In a joint statement, the brigades said the operation was "part of the retaliation for Israeli crimes against Palestinians in the occupied territories." [end]
Following the deaths of Al Aqsa fighters in Gaza, Fatah vows to struggle against the occupation
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – A leader of the Fatah movement, Dr Hazem Abu Shanab, announced that Fatah "will be struggling against the Israeli occupation, along with the other Palestinian fighters." Abu Shanab made the announcement following the funeral of Al Aqsa Brigades operatives in Al Maghazi refugee camp, in central Gaza. The office of the Fatah spokesperson stated, "Fatah would never consider killing its own blood, we get our strength from the Palestinians streets, its blood loss weakens us. Therefore, we would never consider killing each other." Those gathered at the funeral asserted that Fatah and its supporters will never bow down to the Israeli occupation. The mourners expressed their loyalty to Fatah and President Abbas. [end]
Islamic Jihad and Fatah armed factions fire projectiles at Kerem Shalom Crossing
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The armed wings of both Islamic Jihad and Fatah have claimed responsibility for firing projectiles at the Kerem Shalom crossing, located in the southern most point of the Gaza Strip, on the border with both Israel and Egypt. The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, said they launched two homemade projectiles at Kerem Shalom Crossing. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the brigades said that the operation was retaliation for "the Israeli assassinations of Palestinians in the territories." The Al Aqsa Brigades of Fatah also claimed responsibility on Tuesday for launching three homemade projectiles at Kerem Shalom Crossing. They affirmed in a statement received by Ma’an that the operation came in retaliation for "Israeli atrocities", which culminated in the recent assassination... more..
Al-Quds Brigades fire three mortars at Israeli military post in central Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/3/2007
Gaza - Ma’an - The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility on Tuesday for launching three mortars at the Israeli military post called "Abu Mteibeiq" east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The brigades said in a statement that the operation came within their natural retaliation for the "Israeli atrocities" against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. [end]
Palestine Today 070307
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 7/3/2007
Click on Link to download or play MP3 file - || File 3. 12MB|| Time 3m24s|| - Welcome to Palestine Today, a service of the International Middle East Media Centre, www. imemc. org, for Tuesday July 3rd, 2007. In the West bank, the Israeli army invades several areas, kidnapping a number of Palestinian civilians. In Gaza Strip news, Israel and Egypt have announced an agreement that will allow stranded Palestinians to return to the coastal region. These stories and more coming up. Stay tuned. The West Bank - Local sources in Jenin reported that Israeli army launched an invasion of Ya’bad town to southwest of Jenin City in the early hours of Monday morning. Residents reported that more than 20 Israeli military vehicles invaded the area, searched and ransacked homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians. more..
Al-Aqsa Martyrs commander shot dead
Al Jazeera 7/2/2007
Israeli soldiers have shot dead a local comander of a Palestinian armed group linked to the Fatah faction of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, in the West Bank. Mohammed Abu el-Heija of the the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades was killed in the gunfight in the Jenin refugee camp, Palestinian security sources said on Monday. "A Fatah member opened fire on soldiers conducting a routine operation in Jenin, and they returned fire and killed him, wounding another armed Palestinian," an Israeli military spokeswoman said. She said the Palestinian was armed with a M16 assault rifle with a telescope. "During the incident, an explosive charge was thrown and the Israeli force came under fire," she said. Israeli raids - Palestinians said al-Heija was considered to be close to Zakariya Zubeidi, a high-profile... more..
IOF armored vehicles advance into northern Gaza, demolish mosque
Palestinian Information Center 7/2/2007
BEIT HANUN, (PIC)-- A number of IOF armored vehicles and bulldozers on Monday morning advanced into the vicinity of Beit Hanun town north of the Gaza Strip and demolished a mosque under construction. Eyewitnesses said that more than five armored vehicles and tanks and two bulldozers installed a number of sand barriers in Ghizlan area near the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing and blocked citizens’ movement. Municipality chairman of Ghizlan, Abdullah Abu Ghazal, said that the IOF bulldozers flattened a mosque that was under construction in the area. He added that citizens could not get out of their homes fearing the soldiers’ shooting, adding that the area looked like a deserted, closed military zone. [end]
Hamas fires Qassams for first time since Gaza takeover
Avi Issacharoff, Ha’aretz 7/2/2007
After some weeks in which Hamas refrained from launching Qassam rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, members of its armed wing, Iz a Din al-Kassam, have resumed the attacks: During the past two days, at least three rockets were fired at Israel. One of the likely reasons for the resumption of Hamas involvement in rocket launchings - which have primarily been conducted by Islamic Jihad, Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and members of local clans in the Gaza Strip - is recent activity by the Israel Defense Force in the West Bank. Fearing that a lack of response to the recent killings there of seven Palestinians by Israeli forces would undermine their standing among the Palestinians in the strip, members of the Hamas’ military wing decided to resume attacks. more..
Hamas armed wing defies leaders, fires Qassam rockets
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/2/2007
The Hamas military wing, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Ja’abari, is launching Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip, contrary to the opinion of the political leadership of the organization. After some weeks in which Hamas avoided launching Qassam rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, members of Iz a Din al-Kassam have resumed the attacks: During the past two days, at least three rockets were fired at Israel. One of the likely reasons for the resumption of Hamas involvement in rocket launchings - which have primarily been conducted by Islamic Jihad, Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and members of local clans in the Gaza Strip - is recent activity by the Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank. Fearing that a lack of response to the recent killings there of seven Palestinians by IDF forces would undermine their... more..
MTC report says mobile phones helped Lebanese cope with Israeli onslaught
Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/3/2007
BEIRUT: The parent company of one of Lebanon’s two cellular operators released a study on Monday demonstrating what it said were the benefits of mobile telephony during last summer’s war with Israel. Kuwait-based Mobile Telecommunications Co. (MTC), owner of Lebanon’s MTC Touch, released the report during a press conference in London. It said the study, which was conducted by research company Neilsen and consultancy Enlightenment Economics, underscored "the role that reliable and robust mobile communications now plays in crisis situations." According to the report - titled "Mobility: A Nation Under Siege" - call volumes jumped by some 40 percent in the first few days of the conflict. "Mobiles proved essential in keeping people in touch during the massive movement of people from the South of the country to other... more..
Court sentences Palestinian to 2 life terms for murdering woman
Fadi Eyadat, Haaretz Correspondent, Ha’aretz 7/2/2007
Haifa District Court on Monday sentenced Palestinian national Jafar Abu Hanani to two life sentences for murdering a woman as part of a bid to join a terror cell. Abu Hanani, 28, of the West Bank village of A’arabeh, killed Dina Guetta in 2001 in Haifa’s port. He made contact with the Omar al-Mukhtar cell that had ties with Hezbollah operatives in Jordan, and was instructed to kill a Jew in order to be accepted into the organization. Following his orders, Abu Hanani and an associate arrived at Haifa’s port where they met Guetta who worked as a prostitute on Ha’atzmaut Street. Guetta went with Hanani and his associate to an alley where she was murdered. Abu Hanani was convicted as part of a plea bargain with the Haifa District Prosecution, by which he will serve only 8 out of the 16 years sentenced by a military... more..
7 Palestinians killed in a bloody night of IOF raids
Palestinian Information Center 7/1/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- A series of IOF air raids on the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed seven Palestinians including a father and his son while 15 others were wounded. Israeli F-16 warplanes blasted a foundry in central Gaza Strip with two missiles that killed three citizens including a father (the owner of the workshop) and his son, two of whom were identified as members of the AMB-Ayman Jouda, one of the armed wings of the Fatah faction, while three others were wounded. A fourth Palestinian was later proclaimed dead in the same raid, medical sources said. The Israeli warplanes later in the night returned and fired two missiles at the same foundry wounding five civilians one of whom was in critical condition. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli bombardment destroyed the workshop and started fires, adding that bodies of the martyrs were burnt in the blast. more..
PM: Israel will push forward with crackdown on PA militants
Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 7/1/2007
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday said the Israel Defense Forces would push forward with the latest crackdown on Palestinian militants, despite Israel’s warming ties with the new Palestinian government in the West Bank. Olmert spoke a day after a series of Israel Air Force strikes killed seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel also has been targeting militants in the West Bank, including members of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement. Abbas, a moderate who favors peace talks with Israel, has been trying to consolidate his control of the West Bank since the rival Islamic group Hamas violently seized control of Gaza last month. Abbas last week ordered all armed groups, including Fatah gunmen, to disarm as part of his efforts to restore law and order. more..
Islamic Jihad and Fatah combatants attack Israeli targets in and around the Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/1/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, on Sunday claimed responsibility for exploding an anti-personnel mine at a group of Israeli soldiers in the southern Gaza Strip. The brigades also claimed that they launched three mortar shells towards an Israeli military post, east of Khan Younis, in the south. The brigades issued a statement announcing: "a unit within the brigades was able to explode an anti-personnel mine weighing 10 kilograms at a group of Israeli troops near the Rafah airport, in the southern Gaza Strip. Another group launched three mortars towards the Israeli military post located east of the Farahin neighbourhood, east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip." The Al Aqsa Brigades, the armed group affiliated to the Fatah movement, on Sunday claimed... more..
Hamas fighters shell Israeli forces at the border of the Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 7/1/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – The Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, on Sunday launched three mortar shells at a gathering of Israeli troops and vehicles near the memorial statue in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. The brigades announced that the operation is retaliation for Israeli aggression and targeted assassinations of Palestinian resistance fighters. The Qassam Brigades warned Israel against any future attempts to invade the Gaza Strip, saying "our response will be tough and painful; we will not allow the occupation to enter our strip." Israeli media reported the attack, stating that at least three mortar shells landed in Israeli areas bordering the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. [end]
Israel Launches New Deadly Gaza Attacks
Palestine Chronicle 7/1/2007
Although Hamas gunmen took part in the fighting and were among the dead, the group appears to be scaling back its military activity against Israel as it struggles to consolidate its hold on Gaza. - GAZA CITY - At least seven Palestinians have been killed by a series of attacks launched by Israeli aircraft in the Gaza Strip. Samir Abu Shamala, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, also said that Ziyad Ghannam, one of the senior leaders of the al-Quds Brigades, was among the dead. Israel launched six attacks aimed at increasing pressure on the area controlled by Hamas. The second Israeli air strike targeted a metal workshop in Gaza’s Maghazi refugee camp, killing three Palestinians, including the owner, and wounding two other people, medics said. more..
Al Quds Brigades fire a projectile at Sderot
Ma’an News Agency 6/30/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, on Saturday claimed responsibility for launching an ’Al Quds’ medium-range projectile at the Israeli town of Sderot. In a statement, the brigades said "the operation is part of our retaliation for the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the territories." [end]
IOF troops storm and ransack Palestinian homes in Al-Khalil and Nablus
Palestinian Information Center 7/1/2007
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)- - The IOF troops have stormed and ransacked at dawn Sunday a number of houses in the old city of Al-Khalil, southern West Bank; no arrests or casualties among Palestinian citizens have been reported, according to eyewitnesses. In Nablus, large numbers of IOF troops advanced late Saturday night from the Hawara checkpoint into the Balata and Askar refugee camps in the city as clashes took place between the Palestinian resistance and Israeli soldiers without resulting in the kidnapping or wounding of any citizen, local sources reported. Later on midnight Saturday the IOF troops advanced into downtown Nablus amid intensive gunfire and raided and ransacked a number of houses in the area. In retaliation to the persistent Israeli atrocities against Palestinian people, the Qassam Brigades... more..
Palestinian resistance shells southern Israel
Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News, International Middle East Media Center 6/30/2007
Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza fired two home made Qassam shells at Israeli targets located in Western Negev in the southern part of Israel on Friday late at night. One of the shells landed near a factory and damaged shipping container while the other hit houses, both shells caused damage but no injuries, the Israeli radio reported. In the Gaza strip this week, the Israeli army conducted three invasions, during which 15 Palestinians were killed and many more injured. At least 13 Palestinians were killed and 40 were injured in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday when the Israeli army invaded the region and attacked two neighborhoods. [end]
Allied Palestinian fighters shell Israeli target on the border of the Gaza Strip
Ma’an News Agency 6/30/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – A joint group of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed responsibility on Saturday for launching three ’improved’ projectiles at the Sufa crossing, between the southern Gaza Strip and Israel. The brigades said in a joint statement that the shelling came in retaliation for the Israeli escalation against the Palestinian people. [end]
Palestinian sentenced to life for Jewish teen’s murder
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/1/2007
Judea military court finds Iman Kamamgi guilty of kidnapping, murder and planning suicide attack. Orders two terms of life imprisonmentThe Judea Military Court convicted Iman Kamamgi Sunday for the murder of 18-year-old Eliyahu Asheri, who was kidnapped from a hitchhiking post near the settlement of Ofra a year ago and was shot to death. Kamamgi confessed and was subsequently convicted of numerous felonies, including attempted kidnapping, kidnapping with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder, murder and firing a weapon with the intent to harm others. "The man a killed was no boy, he was attending the Air Force Academy"¦ I’m not the first and I won’t be the last," said Kamamgi. Captain Sagiv Lichtman, who prosecuted the case, said during the hearing "this was a vile act which... more..
This Week in Palestine – Week 26 2007
IMEMC - Audio Dept, International Middle East Media Center 6/29/2007
Click Here to download or Play MP3 - || File 18. 3 MB || Time 20m0s || - This Week in Palestine, a service of the International Middle East Media Center, www. IMEMC. org, for June 23 through 29, 2007. Israel invades the Gaza Strip and Nablus, kills 14 after a four-way summit in Egypt offers nothing to the Palestinians, who continue their nonviolent struggle against the wall and settlements in the West Bank. These stories and more coming up, stay tuned. Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine- Let’s begin our weekly report with the nonviolent actions in Palestine against the wall and settlements. Non-violence Report - Bil’in - Residents of the village of Bil’in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, joined by international and Israeli supporters, today marched against the construction... more..
Diplomacy
Report: Olmert, Abbas holding secret talks on final status agreement
Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 8/1/2007
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are engaged in secret talks on final status issues, Israel Radio quoted the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayyat as reporting Tuesday. According to the report, the two leaders agreed to open a secret channel to discuss the issues, which include such sticking points as refugees, Jerusalem, and final borders, during their meeting roughly two weeks ago. The report stated that the talks have yet to produce a breakthrough. Olmert confirmed last week that he intends to engage in negotiations with Abbas on the formation of a Palestinian state. Olmert was responding to a Haaretz report, according to which he offered to hold negotiations toward an "Agreement of Principles" for the establishment of a Palestinian state comprised of the Gaza Strip and most of the West Bank. more..
Syria says willing to attend int’l Mideast peace conference
Reuters, Ha’aretz 8/1/2007
Syria is ready to take part in a U.S. -sponsored international Mideast peace conference to be held later this year, despite the country’s stance that Washington is behind instability in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said on Tuesday. U.S. President George W. Bush called for an international peace conference during a major policy speech earlier this month, but gave scant details. It is not known whether the U.S. administration plans to invite Syria, whose ties with Washington plummeted in recent years. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed the proposed conference with Arab officials in Egypt on Tuesday and said the meeting should not be portrayed as "Made in America." "Syria will support and participate in any international conference for peace. more..
Israel restores contacts with official PA representatives abroad
Barak Ravid, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
Israel has renewed contacts with official Palestinian Authority representatives abroad, in the wake of the formation of the Palestinian government headed by independent Salam Fayad. Last week, the Foreign Ministry issued instructions to all its ambassadors and consuls, saying that, "In light of the new situation that has emerged in the Palestinian Authority, and the formation of the new government headed by Salam Fayad, the instructions that banned all contacts with official Palestinian diplomatic representatives have been altered. It is allowable to resume contacts with Palestinian representatives, like in the past." The new instructions are part of growing trend in the Foreign Ministry toward strengthening relations with the PA. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met twice last month with Fayad, the Palestinian... more..
Palestinians welcome withdrawal of UN statement on Gaza crisis
Reuters, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
The Palestinian Authority on Monday welcomed the withdrawal of a proposed United Nations Security Council statement meant to express concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Since the militant Hamas faction violently seized control of the coastal territory in mid-June, the crossings along its borders have largely remained closed, creating a severe shortage of food and other essentials. The Palestinian delegation to the UN, affiliated with Fatah, opposed the statement partly because of the party’s rivalry with Hamas. The Palestinian delegation said the authority did not object to the content of the proposed Security Council statement, drafted by Qatar, but rather objected to not being consulted on the initiative. Officials from Qatar, which currently sits on the Security Council, confirmed... more..
Russian FM urges Abbas to hold dialogue with Hamas
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Moscow – Agencies – Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov urged President Abbas to hold dialogue with the Hamas movement. Lavrov asserted that Palestinian unity should be enhanced through dialogue between all factions. Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Moscow for a three-day visit in which he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement declaring that "this [the meeting] will help in creating an atmosphere in which to revive the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, and that will result in the establishment of a united and viable Palestinian state according to international law and resolutions." Lavrov vowed to Abbas, at the start of their meeting, the support of Moscow for the Palestinian Authority and presidency, and Abbas as legitimate president of the Palestinians. more..
Russia announces intentions to downgrade ties with Hamas
The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
Russia intends to downgrade its ties with Hamas, and no high-level contacts with the Palestinian faction are planned for the near future, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday that he is the legitimate leader of all Palestinians, Russian news agencies reported. Abbas heads the Fatah Party, Hamas’ rival. "I want to assure you that Russia will support you as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people. I am convinced that you will do everything to restore the unity of the Palestinian people," Putin was quoted by ITAR-Tass and Interfax as telling Abbas during his visit to Moscow. "We have repeatedly come out in favor of the legal defense of the Palestinian people, down to the creation of a Palestinian state," ITAR-Tass quoted Putin as saying. more..
Asharq Al-Awsat: there is a secret negotiation channel between Abbas and Olmert
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Bethlehem - A ’well-informed source’ revealed to London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat (Middle East) that there is a secret negotiation channel between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. In its Tuesday edition, the paper said that the channel is to discuss a political solution, but is yet to make any breakthroughs, especially with regards to final status issues such as statehood, the settlements, Jerusalem and the Palestinian diaspora. [end]
Amman refuses deployment of Jordanian soldiers in the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Amman – The spokesman of the Jordanian government, Nasser Judeh, on Tuesday announced Jordan’s refusal to send Jordanian forces into the West Bank. The announcement came in response to the Israeli news of July 30th, which said that Israeli Prime Minister Olmert considered allowing Jordanian soldiers into the West Bank in an attempt to bolster Palestinian President Abbas’ position. According to Israeli news sources, among them the Israeli daily Haaretz, Olmert suggested using regular Jordanian soldiers, after discussions about deploying a Palestinian division of the Jordanian army, the Fatah-affiliated Badr division, had come to naught. Judeh commented, "Such news is absolutely unacceptable by the Jordanian government and it is only a rumour." He added that this information "intends to spread false ideas about the Palestinian authorities..." more..
Return of 41 Palestinian refugees from Iraq is first step to returning all refugees, says Information Minister Maliki
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Bethlehem – The minister of information of the caretaker government, Riyad Maliki, on Tuesday stated that he views the return of the 41 Palestinian refugees from Iraq as a first step in the return of all of the Palestinian refugees in Iraq to the West Bank. Speaking from Cairo to Ma’an, he stated that the Palestinian government is to pursue the issue and to make the necessary consultations with the Israeli government to persuade it to let all of the 18,000 Palestinian refugees in Iraq return. The minister was glad to announce that he "succeeded in returning part of them," adding that the government is doing everything in its power to relocate all of the refugees to the West Bank. He further stated that Prime Minister Fayyad has met with various Arab foreign ministers who support the Palestinian presidency and the caretaker government. more..
We must take advantage of favourable conditions to make headway in the peace process, says PM Fayyad
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Gaza – Caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday stressed the necessity of taking advantage of the currently available opportunities to move forward in the peace process. Speaking to the London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, he said "we should do our best to achieve positive results in the peace process." Regarding his government’s platform, which eradicates armed struggle; he said "the platform starts with ending the occupation, including any efforts." In respect to the elections, Fayyad stated "what we are looking for is reaching stability and security in the Palestinian territories, especially after what occurred in the Gaza Strip." He confirmed that it is important to have the Palestinian Authority’s legitimacy restored in Gaza. Fayyad expressed his gratitude for the role the Egyptians are playing in supporting the Palestinian cause. more..
Negotiations for the release of Shalit have reached stalemate, says Hamas spokesperson
Ma’an News Agency 7/31/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum on Tuesday denied that the Israeli authorities have offered to resume negotiations regarding the release of captured Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit. In an interview with Ma’an’s correspondent in the Gaza Strip, Barhoum said "we do not have any new information on the issue; we did not receive anything new." He pointed out that the factions have discussed the matter, and "it is now up to the Israeli side." The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israeli vice Premier Haim Ramon has asked Egyptian’s chief of security Omar Suleiman to resume negotiations with Hamas. Barhoum also stated that Hamas will insist on the conditions for the release of the Israeli soldier. Accusing the Israeli’s of obstructing the deal, he added... more..
PM expects calm summer, fall, despite impending war warnings
The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 8/1/2007
The summer season will be calmer than some people think, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday, countering persistent reports predicting a new war. Olmert, speaking at a graduation ceremony in Jerusalem for the Israel Defense Forces’ command college, said people on both sides of Israel’s borders want peace, not war. "I firmly believe that the coming summer and fall will not be too hot," Olmert said. "There is no place for creating an atmosphere of ’the eve of war. ’" Ever since last summer’s inconclusive war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, which cost Olmert most of his public support, Israeli media, quoting anonymous security officials, have been warning that the probability of another war this summer is high. "Our neighbors know very well that we prefer to sit with them and talk about... more..
Olmert considers sending Jordanian troops into the West Bank
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is exploring the idea of allowing Jordanian forces into the West Bank instead of NATO forces, in order to help the Palestinian Authority suppress Palestinian military operations against Israel. According to the Jerusalem Post, Olmert wants regular Jordanian army troops and Bedouin fighters, but not the Badr Brigade – a group of Palestinians affiliated to Fatah and loyal to the Palestinian presidency. Discussions about introducing the Badr Brigade, whose members are paid by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and which consists of about 1,500 to 2,000 soldiers, into the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to support President Abbas failed. In recent meetings with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Olmert raised the possibility of introducing regular Jordanian... more..
Second batch of stranded Palestinians relocated
Xinhua News Agency, ReliefWeb 7/30/2007
CAIRO, Jul 30, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The second batch of 527 Palestinians stranded in Egypt near the border with the Gaza Strip were relocated Monday to an Egyptian-Israeli border terminal en route to Gaza, Egypt’s official MENA news agency reported. Hani al-Jabbour, the first secretary of the Palestinian embassy and a liaison officer in Cairo, confirmed that the new batch of the stranded Palestinians were sent to Aloja checkpoint one day after the first 101-member batch entered Gaza in conformity with an agreement reached between Egypt and Israel. More coordination is under way to send some 6,000 stranded Palestinians in batches to Israel via Aloja and then back to the Gaza Strip in a few days, according to MENA. Thousands of Palestinians, who left the Gaza Strip through Rafah crossing before Hamas... more..
Russian FM tells visiting Abbas he has Moscow’s firm support
News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
Abbas: "The most important thing that I will raise and discuss with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov is the bloody overthrow that happened in Gaza." - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Monday that Moscow supports him in his conflict with Hamas. "We firmly support you as leader of the entire Palestinian people," Lavrov told Abbas, making his first trip to Russia since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip. Abbas, who arrived Sunday in Moscow, was also slated to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his three-day trip. The daily newspaper Kommersant reported that Abbas hoped to persuade Putin to give full support to his Fatah movement. The PA chairman told Lavrov via an interpreter: "We have a lot to talk about. more..
US military aid for Middle East
BBC Online 7/30/2007
The US is to spend billions of dollars on military assistance for allies in the Middle East, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has confirmed. Israel is to receive $30bn (£15bn) in aid over the next 10 years, and Egypt $13bn (£6. 5). Deals are being discussed with Saudi Arabia and more Gulf states. Ms Rice said the assistance was needed to counter influences from Iran, Syria, and regional militant groups. She is embarking a tour of the region with Defence Secretary Robert Gates. They will visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt together and other countries separately. Opposition - Ms Rice said the US administration was starting discussions with Egypt about the $13bn military assistance deal. She said it would strengthen Egypt’s ability to "address shared strategic goals". more..
Hamas shows Gaza to foreign reporters
Steven Gutkin, Yahoo! News 7/30/2007
Associated Press - GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Never mind the international isolation, growing poverty and reports of violent retribution against its defeated Fatah rivals. In Hamas’ own eyes, its takeover of Gaza has made the coastal strip "safe, clean and green." In an attempt to get that message across, Hamas took two busloads of foreign journalists on an air conditioned tour of Gaza on Monday — including a stop in a refugee camp where the deposed prime minister waved from his balcony and a prison visit hosted by one of Hamas’ most powerful military men. Hamas officials said they were worried about the negative publicity they have received since taking over Gaza in June. Journalists walked 500 yards into Gaza across a mortar-pocked no man’s land from Israel and boarded the buses, accompanied by a convoy of security vehicles... more..
Arab League maneuvers to gather steam for renewed peace initiative
Compiled by Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/31/2007
The Arab League met in Cairo Monday to discuss recent efforts by its representatives to rally support for an Arab initiative for a peace deal with Israel, the group said in a draft statement. Meanwhile, Russia on Monday called for dialogue between Fatah and Hamas as the two warring Palestinian factions separately sought Moscow’s help in resolving their stand-off. The Arab foreign ministers that make up the 22-member group were also expected to formulate a response to US President George W. Bush’s recent call for an international Mideast peace conference to be held later this year. During Monday’s meeting, Arab League chief Amr Moussa reported on the outcome of the group’s efforts over the past two months to promote the Arab peace plan. The statement did not provide details of the report. more..
Arab League welcomes ’positive elements’ of Bush plan for Mideast
News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said Monday that members of the body welcomed the "positive elements" of a new Middle East initiative by U.S. President George W. Bush, especially those related to "founding an independent Palestine state, his call for ending the Israeli settlements and ending the Israeli occupation." In a statement issued after the talks, the League said it "supports convening a meeting or a conference with the participation of all parties concerned with the peace process, in order to launch talks on all tracks." "Peace cannot be completed without withdrawal from Syrian territory, so all the parties have to be there," Moussa told a press conference in Egypt after the talks. During the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. more..
Lebanon’s Siniora slams hike in U.S. military assistance to Israel
Shmuel Rosner, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora criticized a proposed U.S. arms deal Monday that offers a sharp increase in defense aid to Israel, a rare rebuke against Washington by the Western-backed premier. A statement issued by Siniora’s office said he expressed displeasure, surprise and astonishment when he learned of United States plans to increase military aid to Israel by 25 percent, from $2. 4 billion to $3 billion per year, guaranteed for 10 years. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said the increase in military aid would guarantee the country’s strategic superiority over its neighbors, irrespective of upgrades to Arab forces in the region. Also Monday, the U.S. announced a proposed $13 billion military aid package for Egypt along with plans to provide such aid to Saudi Arabia and Gulf states. more..
Golan residents call for talks with Syria
Attila Somfalvi, YNetNews 7/31/2007
Peace with Syria movement conference urges Israeli government to hold negotiations with Damascus with American presence or Quartet representation. Local Arabs: Golan must be returned to Syria - The Peace with Syria movement held a conference Monday evening at Kibbutz Gadot with the participation of hundreds of Golan Heights residents. During the rally, former Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Liel, who heads the movement, called on Israel’s government to launch negotiations with Syrian President Bashar Assad and urged US President George W. Bush to allow such a move. Labor Knesset Member Ami Ayalon echoed Liel’s call, but said Israel should first focus on advancing talks with the Palestinian Authority "now that President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad have abandoned the path of violence"¯. more..
Syrian diplomat scorns Bush Mideast proposal
Associated Press, YNetNews 7/31/2007
Other Arab League representatives reluctant to support Bush’s call for international conference on Palestinian-Israeli conflict - Arab League governments were reluctant Monday to support US President Bush’s call for an international conference to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with top diplomats stressing the importance of making the Arab peace initiative key to any talks. Meeting in Cairo to build a response to the US proposal to hold an international conflict to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks, the Arab League released a statement saying it "supports convening a meeting or a conference with the participation of all parties concerned with the peace process, in order to launch talks on all tracks." But while it welcomed what it called "the positive elements" in the proposed peace conference,... more..
Israel preparing plan to ease West Bank travel restrictions
Reuters, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
Israel is preparing to remove some of the roadblocks and checkpoints that restrict Palestinian travel in the West Bank as a gesture to Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, officials said on Monday. Security sources said a list of barriers and restrictions was being compiled to be presented to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak for final approval. "The urgency is clear to everybody. These measures should be taken soon," a senior source said on condition of anonymity. After removing some of the travel restrictions, Israel would then consider transferring responsibility for some West Bank enclaves to Abbas and his security forces, officials said. It is unclear how many of the estimated 500 West Bank roadblocks, checkpoints and other barriers would be removed or relocated under the plan being drawn up. more..
PLC member condemns Israeli trial of secretary-general of the PFLP
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Gaza – Ma’an – A member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Hussam Attaweil, on Monday condemned the trial of Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Sa’adat, at the Israeli military court of Ofer. Attaweil described the trial as illegal and appealed to Palestinians to initiate dialogue instead of continued in-fighting in order to achieve national aims and free prisoners. He also said that the court trial contravenes international law and represents "an attack", following Sa’adat’s kidnapping by Israeli soldiers. [end]
DFLP appeals to Arab League to urge Hamas to restore Gaza to pre-takeover state
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) on Monday implored the foreign ministers of the Arab League to follow up on the decision they made on the 19th of June, calling on Hamas to restore the situation in the Gaza Strip to pre-June 14 conditions. A reliable source within the DFLP expressed the need to return and adhere to the Palestinian National Agreement of June 2006 and the Cairo Agreement of March 2005. Also, "we should apply [ourselves] to reaching a fulfilling Palestinian democratic rehabilitation and protect the multi-political factions, so the Palestinians can survive the current situation and unify their efforts to fight the occupation, stop the assassination campaigns and start to lay down the way for a Palestinian state. more..
Israeli and Palestinian police commanders discuss cooperation
Ma’an News Agency 7/30/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – Israeli media are reporting the Israeli police commander, Shlomi Ka’atabi, met with Palestinian Police director Kamal Sheikh in an effort to enhance cooperation between the two countries in fighting crime. The sources didn’t mention the place of the meeting. [end]
Jordan backs PA efforts to restore security in Palestine
Source: Government of Jordan, ReliefWeb 7/30/2007
FM to brief Arab peers on outcome of Israel visit; Abbas in Moscow for talks with Putin - AMMAN, July 30 - Jordan on Sunday said it backs the caretaker government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to bring the security situation in the Palestinian lands under control. During talks Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit held in Amman with Fayyad, he reiterated the country’s support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its institutions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The two premiers reviewed regional and international efforts to revive the peace process, especially in light of the recent visit of the Jordanian and Egyptian foreign ministers to Israel and US President George W. Bush’s call for an international peace conference. Fayyad, in his capacity as the foreign minister, will leave for Cairo to participate... more..
French FM Kouchner plans first visit to Israel, PA in two months time
Barak Ravid and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is planning his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in two months time, a French diplomat told Haaretz Monday. This will be Kouchner’s first trip to Israel since his appointment as foreign minister in May. The diplomatic source told Haaretz that "the details of the trip are yet to be finalized, and it is dependent mainly on the Palestinian and Israeli timetable - which will become very cramped at that period with the Jewish holidays and Ramadan. Kouchner’s primary aim is expected to be meeting the key figures in the region and being updated on developments in contacts between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as on the situation in the PA. Kouchner has already met Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, when she visited Paris a month and half ago. more..
Leading US Evangelicals for Palestine
Palestine Chronicle 7/30/2007
A letter marks a clear departure from the usual position reiterated by top Evangelical leaders that they have a biblical and moral obligation to support and protect Israel. CAIRO - A group of evangelical leaders have signaled a rare support for the creation of a Palestinian state, drawing immediate reprimands from fellow evangelical figures, The New York Times reported on Sunday, July 29. Both Israelis and Palestinians have "legitimate rights stretching back for millennia to the lands of Israel/Palestine," some 34 evangelical leaders wrote in a letter to President George Bush on Friday, July 27. They signaled support for the creation of a Palestinian state "that includes the vast majority of the West Bank. ". Palestinians want an independent state on lands occupied by Israel after the 1967 which includes... more..
U.S. Christians voice support for Palestinian state
Laurie Goodstein, MIFTAH 7/30/2007
NEW YORK: In recent years, conservative evangelicals who claimed a biblical mandate to protect Israel have built a bulwark of support for the Jewish state - sending donations, denouncing its critics and urging it not to evacuate settlements or forfeit territory. Now more than 30 evangelical leaders have stepped forward to say these efforts have given the wrong impression about the stance of many, if not most, U.S. Christians. On Friday, these leaders sent a letter to President George W. Bush saying that both Israelis and Palestinians had "legitimate rights stretching back for millennia to the lands of Israel/Palestine," and that they supported the creation of a Palestinian state "that includes the vast majority of the West Bank." They said that being a friend to Jews and to Israel "does not mean withholding criticism when it is warranted. more..
Peres says Ahmadinejad worships bomb over God
Reuters, Ha’aretz 7/31/2007
President Shimon Peres, in a radio interview on Monday, called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a "joke" and said he appeared to worship "the bomb more than he’s worshipping the God in heaven." Peres told U.S. National Public Radio in Jerusalem that a united front by the international community could stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be "wiped off the map" and recently forecast its destruction. Peres said Ahmadinejad was "an unbelievable joke," adding the Iranian president "claims he’s religious." "My impression is that in his eyes the nuclear bomb is higher than Allah, than the God in heaven. He’s worshipping the bomb more than he’s worshipping the God in heaven," Peres said. Tehran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful, has defied a United Nations... more..
Russia pledges support to Abbas
Al Jazeera 7/30/2007
Moscow’s official contacts with Hamas have riled Abbas, who will likely press Putin to sever links, analysts said. - Russia’s foreign minister has pledged his country’s support to Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Sergei Lavrov, during talks in Moscow on Monday, said: "We firmly support you as the lawful leader of all Palestinians and support all your efforts directed at... the achievement of unity among Palestinians." "We are discussing the question of providing support to the Palestinian people and to your administration," he said. Abbas arrived on Sunday for three days of negotiations to win Russia’s support in the power struggle between his Fatah party and its rival faction, Hamas. He is due to meet Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, on Tuesday for their first talks since Hamas seized control of Gaza on June 14. more..
Abbas open to Russian mediation
BBC Online 7/30/2007
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said he would welcome Russian mediation in attempts to heal the rift between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements. Mr Abbas is in Moscow to urge Russian involvement in Middle East diplomacy. Russia is the only member of the Quartet group of negotiators that maintains contact with Hamas, which took control of Gaza in June. But, at the start of bilateral talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gave his full backing to Mr Abbas. "We firmly support you as leader of the entire Palestinian people," he said. Correspondents say Moscow’s willingness to continues ties with Hamas has annoyed Mr Abbas, who leads Fatah. The Palestinian leader is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. more..
Academics oppose Israel boycott
BBC Online 7/30/2007
Thousands of academics from around the world have condemned plans for a UK boycott of Israeli institutions over its treatment of the Palestinians. More than 10,000 academics have signed a declaration saying they would not join any project which barred Israelis. The group, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME), said the boycott plans attacked academic freedoms. The UK’s University and College Union voted in May to debate a boycott, and suspects this has been misunderstood. ’Moral implications’ - Thirty-two Nobel prize winners were among the thousands who signed the condemnation of the UCU boycott plan. Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, who drafted the statement for SPME, said the signatories represented a cross-section of academics from around the world. more..
European Union assistance to the Palestinian people in 2007 tops $1 billion
European Union - EU, ReliefWeb 7/30/2007
At a meeting between the Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, members of the Government and the Representatives of donor Governments and international organisations in Ramallah on Tuesday 24 July, the European Commission announced a decision taken in Brussels the same day to allocate a further $123 million for assistance to the Palestinian people. Together with generous allocations by its different member countries, this decision brings total European Union assistance so far in 2007 to over $1 billion, which is more than the assistance that was given in the whole of 2006. Just over half of the funds for 2007 have been donated by the European Union through the European Commission, with the rest being donated bilaterally by the individual countries which make up the EU. more..
Israeli tourists may enter US without visa
Yitzhak Benhorin, YNetNews 7/30/2007
New US legislation will eliminate need for visa for Israeli tourists wishing to enter US for three months or less. Israel to join 38 other countries with same prerogative - WASHINGTON - Israeli tourists traveling to the United States for a period of three months or less may soon be able to do so without an entry visa. The US is currently working on an amendment to its visa protocol which would allow for 12 states to be added to the 27 whose citizens do not need visas to enter the US. So far, all of Israel’s efforts to exempt Israeli tourists from the lengthy process of obtaining a US visa have failed, due to the US criteria saying that only countries which had less than a third of their applications denied may be included on the list. The US Congress is said to vote on new security legislation, which allows... more..
Israel hails US military aid rise
BBC Online 7/29/2007
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has confirmed that the United States is planning a significant increase in military and defence aid to Israel. The package would reportedly amount to more than $30bn (£14. 8bn) over the next 10 years. Mr Olmert described it as an important element for the security of Israel. Washington is reportedly preparing a package of major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states because of concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. US defence aid to Israel currently stands at $2. 4bn a year - the new package would amount to a 25% increase. Mr Olmert said the aid had been agreed at a meeting with US President George W Bush in Washington last month. Saudi arms deal - The BBC’s Bethany Bell in Jerusalem says the package is seen as an attempt to allay Israeli concerns... more..
Olmert: US committed to Israel’s security
Ronny Sofer, YNetNews 7/29/2007
Prime minister says Israel’s military advantage over Arab states still top priority for US, despite reports Americans mulling $20 billion defense deal with Saudi Arabia Defense aid to Israel is still a top priority for the United States, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the cabinet Sunday, saying that Israel enjoys more financial assistance than other countries in the Middle East. "We have renewed agreements and a renewed commitment from the Americans that would help preserve our advantage over the Arab countries," the prime minister added, referring to reports that the US is mulling a $20 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states. However, Olmert said that Israel fully understood the US’ need to support the moderate states in the region. more..
Peres: Israel believes both troops alive
Vered Luvitch, YNetNews 7/29/2007
President says as far as Israel is concerned Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are alive, describes Hizbullah as ’cheap traders’ - President Shimon Peres said Sunday that as far as Israel was concerned the two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah last summer were still alive, despite reports that one of them is dead. Quoting German diplomats working on the release of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, the Lebanese Daily An-Nahar reported Saturday that one of the two soldiers died from injuries he sustained in the July 12 cross-border operation during which they were snatched. Peres made the comments during a visit to an IDF recruitment center in Tel Hashomer where he met dozens of new recruits. "These are cheap traders, the State of Israel is acting under the assumption that both soldiers are still alive," Peres said. more..
President, parents dismiss report one soldier died in Hezbollah’s hands
Haaretz Staff, Ha’aretz 7/29/2007
President Shimon Peres said on Sunday that Israel is acting under the assumption that both Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted last year by Hezbollah guerillas are still alive. "Our position has not changed, and we are doing everything to bring the boys home," Army Radio quoted Peres as saying. The president was responding to a report in the pro-government Lebanese daily An-Nahar that only one of the two is still alive. The mother of one of two IDF soldiers also rejected the report. Miki Goldwasser, the mother of Ehud Goldwasser, told Israel Radio on Sunday that the report was "a cynical attempt to toy with the feelings of the abductees’ families." Goldwasser and fellow IDF reservist Eldad Regev were abducted in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah fighters in July 2006. more..
Sudan: Jews behind Darfur conflict
Yaakov Lappin, YNetNews 7/29/2007
Sudanese defense minister says ’24 Jewish organizations fueling conflict in Darfur’ - Sudan’s defense minister, Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein, has accused "24 Jewish organizations" of "fueling the conflict in Darfur" last week in an interview with a Saudi newspaper. Hussein was interviewed during an official state-visit to the Saudi kingdom last week. A journalist from Saudi Arabia’s Okaz newspaper asked Hussein: "Some people are talking about the penetration of Jewish organizations in Darfur and that there is no conflict there?" "The Darfur issue is being fuelled by 24 Jewish organizations, who are making the largest amount of noise over the issue, and using the Holocaust in their campaigning," the Sudanese defense minister replied. Hussein added that the Darfur conflict was driven by "friction between farmers and herders and shepherds. more..
Israel and PA in talks toward releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Ramallah - Ma’an – Aides to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that Israel has agreed to study the possibility of releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners in the next few weeks. Saudi newspaper Al Jazeera has quoted Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Ashraf Ajrami, speaking in Ramallah, saying that "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian Authority Chairman will discuss a new list of prisoners in their next meeting, according to new criteria." It is also reported that Ajrami said he will "meet with the Israeli internal security minister Avi Dichter and General Matan Vilnai to assign the criteria for the release of the prisoners." Speaking to Ma’an, however, Ashraf Al Ajrami denied the al Jazeera newspaper reports published about a promise made by the Israeli government to President... more..
Israeli authorities take initial steps to move first transport of stranded Palestinians from Rafah to Erez
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an - Israeli sources have revealed that the Israeli army has initiated the necessary steps to transport the first "batch" of Palestinians currently stranded at the Rafah Crossing to the northern Erez Crossing. Several dozen of the 6,000 currently stranded between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will be transported through Nitzana crossing, in cooperation with Egyptian authorities. Palestinian sources have told Ma’an that the first cohort of those to be returned to the Gaza Strip will be selected from the sick people waiting at Rafah, without access to medical treatment. Israeli sources reported that some 637 will be allowed to enter via Erez. The names of the Palestinians allowed to cross have been scrutinised by Israeli authorities, leading Hamas to reject the idea of the return via any crossing other than Rafah crossing, ostensibly controlled by the EU. more..
Hamas rejects plan for return of stranded Palestinians as Israeli forces delay convoy
Ma’an News Agency 7/29/2007
Gaza - Ma’an – The foreign ministry of the Deposed Hamas government stated its objection Sunday to the Palestinian Authority-negotiated plan to return Palestinians stranded in Egypt to the Gaza Strip through Israeli-controlled border crossings. Under the agreement, announced yesterday, more than 600 of the 6,000 stranded Palestinians will be taken on busses to Al Awja crossing, known to Israelis as Nitzana, through Israel to Erez Crossing, at the northern end of the Gaza Strip. The name of each person taken into Gaza must be approved in advance by Israeli authorities. The foreign ministry in the Hamas government issued a statement Sunday saying, "We warn of this step as this will harm dozens of the stranded Palestinians; they might be arrested by the Israelis. more..
Israel to allow dozens of Iraqi Palestinians into W. Bank
Akiva Eldar, Ha’aretz 7/29/2007
Israel has recently agreed to allow a group of 41 Iraqi refugees of Palestinian origin to enter the West Bank and reunite with relatives there, as a gesture of good will to the government of Prime Minister Salam Fayad. However, the request of another group of 10 refugees who sought to join their relatives in the Gaza Strip was denied. The Prime Minister’s Bureau confirmed last night that officials were in the process of completing the procedure, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry and the relevant security authorities. The Foreign Ministry clarified to the relevant parties involved, primarily the United Nations, that Israel does not consider granting entry to Iraqi refugees a precedent heralding the return of Palestinians to the territories - and certainly not to Israel. more..
Jordanian, Palestinian leaders talk peace moves
DPA, Ha’aretz 7/29/2007
Amman - Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad yesterday discussed the latest attempts to revive peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Bakhit and Fayad "reviewed various regional and international efforts aimed at reviving the peace process" - particularly the outcome of last Wednesday’s visit to Israel by the Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit, an official statement said. Speaking to reporters later, Fayad stressed that last week’s visit to Israel by Khatib and Aboul Gheit served to convey to the Israeli government the importance of the Arab peace initiative. [end]
Gazans return home via Israel
Al Jazeera 7/29/2007
Around 100 of the thousands of Palestinians stranded in Egypt have crossed into Israel and returned to the Gaza Strip. Egypt and Israel on Saturday agreed that 627 of the 6,000 stranded Palestinians, who have been living in idire conditions, would be allowed back into Gaza, with 100 crossing on Sunday and 527 on Monday. The 101 were taken by bus to the Awja/Nizana cargo crossing, south of the Rafah border terminal between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, which has been closed since Hamas’s takeover of the territory in mid-June. From there they were taken through Israel to the Erez terminal in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said. Reporters at the scene said the Palestinians began crossing back into Gaza through Erez. The Erez crossing is a long bus ride away from Rafah, where most of the Palestinians were waiting. more..
’Quartet or UN should sponsor peace talks’
Compiled by Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/30/2007
The Arab League chief said Sunday that a Middle East peace conference called for by US President George W. Bush should be sponsored by either the UN or the "Quartet" of Mideast mediators. Amr Moussa expressed his opinion a day before Arab foreign ministers were scheduled to meet in Cairo to formulate a response to Bush’s proposal. His remarks also came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were set to depart Monday on a regional trip to seek Arab support for Iraq and consultations on aid and weapons sales to allies in the region. "We have suggested that the Quartet should take the initiative for an international peace conference, or it should be in the framework of the Security Council," Moussa told reporters. more..
US boosts Israel’s annual defense aid to $3 billion
Compiled by Daily Star staff, Daily Star 7/30/2007
[headline corrected - Israel to get $30 billion over next decade] Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced a new $30 billion US defense package to Israel Sunday and voiced satisfaction over Washington’s plan to supply state-of-the-art weapons to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states as a counterweight to Iranian influence. The aid boost to Israel has been widely seen as a US bid to help allay Israeli concerns over a package of arms sales, that could be worth some $20 billion over the next decade, which Washington is preparing for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. "We understand the need of the United States to support the Arab moderate states and there is a need for a united front between the US and us regarding Iran," Olmert told a weekly Cabinet meeting. more..
Ahmadinejad hails Nasrallah as soldier in army of the ’messiah’
Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 7/30/2007
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a greeting card to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to mark the first anniversary of the Second Lebanon War, calling the head of the Islamist Lebanese group a soldier in the messiah’s army, an Iranian news agency reported Sunday. Celebrating last summer’s war between Hezbollah and Israel, Ahmadinejad wrote "the wonderful victory of the Lebanese people over the Zionist occupiers is a result of faith, unity and resistance," the Iranian news agency IRNA reported. A more liberal news agency, belonging to a senior Iranian official, reported that Ahmadinejad also wrote that Nasrallah is one of the soldiers of "Mahdi", the prophesized redeemer of Islam. "The Imam Mahdi carries the flag of humanity, support, and guidance for the faithful," Ahmadinejad reportedly wrote. more..
625 of 6,000 stranded at Rafah crossing to be transported to Gaza on Monday; Hamas objects
Ma’an News Agency 7/28/2007
Rafah – Ma’an – Palestinian sources on Saturday stated that coordination between Egyptian and Palestinian officials over forming lists of names of people stranded at the Rafah crossing has begun, in order to start returning the Palestinians there to the Gaza Strip. The sources stated that a list of 625 names, out of some 6,000 reported to be stuck at the crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, has been approved to travel back to Gaza through the Awja route, which crosses into Israel from the Sinai, then enters the Gaza Strip through the northerly Erez crossing. The northern Sinai district officials informed Palestinians at the Rafah crossing that their crisis "is about to come to an end", and that all of them will leave to the Gaza Strip in several groups. more..
Barghuothi: Israeli claims concerning the peace initiative are simply deceiving
IMEMC Staff, International Middle East Media Center 7/28/2007
Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghuothi the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative faction confirmed today that the Israeli allegations of the peace initiative are simply deceiving. Adding, it is just another way of by passing the final status of peace negotiations with the Palestinians. His statements came during a conference held in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday. Dr. Al-Barghuothi added that the Israeli talk about pulling out from 90% of the West Bank is false due to status of the current geopolitical map. Israel is planning to pull out from 90% of the 50% of the West Bank left over after constructing the wall, and annexing major illegal Israeli settlements to Israel also excluding Jerusalem and the Jordanian Valley. more..
US state department ’funding Blair’
Mark Seddon, diplomatic correspondent, Al Jazeera 7/28/2007
There are questions emerging over Tony Blair’s appointment as the Quartet’s [the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia] Middle East envoy. The uncertainties start with funding, who is paying the bills for the former British prime minister’s new job as special representative for the diplomatic grouping? This is a hugely sensitive position. It is also a position that Blair had his eyes on for some time. In this, he had the whole-hearted backing of George Bush, the US president, and the US state department. However, it appears that it was not just political support that was on offer. Trust fund - Tony Blair’s seemless transition from prime minister to special representative for the Quartet last month was accompanied by raised eyebrows at the UN and within the British foreign office. more..
Abbas reveals that he has discussed final status issues with Olmert
Ma’an News Agency 7/28/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with Israeli daily newspaper Maariv on Saturday that a creative solution to the refugee problem can be found. Abbas also suggested that imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi could be his successor as president. Abbas said that US officials are determined to push Palestinian rivals towards a political compromise, specifically during the term of the Bush administration." I heard this myself from the US President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. They want to achieve a political comprise between Israel and the Palestinians next year," said Abbas. In respect to the recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Abbas expressed optimism and said "we discussed everything". more..
Report from Lebanon: One of captive soldiers dead
Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 7/28/2007
Lebanese newspaper quotes German diplomats, reports only one of two kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon alive - One of the two kidnapped IDF soldiers in Lebanon are dead, according to estimates by German security sources, who were quoted in the Lebanese newspaper, An-Nahar, Saturday. "Security forces understood that one of the kidnapped soldiers is still alive, however, the other is dead,"¯ An-Nahar reported. According to the report, senior diplomatic sources in Berlin said that the German government had begun to get seriously involved in negotiations for the release of captive soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The report said that the Germans were in direct contact with the Christian general, Michel Aoun, who is currently in the midst of a presidential campaign in Lebanon. more..
U.S. pledges to increase its military aid to Israel
Aluf Benn, Ha’aretz 7/29/2007
The U.S. is prepared to increase military aid to Israel in order to ease the defense establishment’s concerns over a proposed American weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, diplomatic sources in Jerusalem told Haaretz over the weekend, thereby confirming reports in the U.S. media. According to the New York Times and the Washington Post, the proposed package of advanced weaponry for Saudi Arabia is expected to eventually total $20 billion. It reportedly includes advanced satellite-guided bombs, upgrades to its fighter jets and new naval vessels. It has reportedly raised concerns in Israel and among its supporters in Congress. Senior officials who described the package on Friday said they believed the administration had resolved those concerns, in part by promising Israel $30. more..
EU will help to ease the movement of Palestinians especially in Rafah
Mayssa Abu Ghazalah, International Middle East Media Center 7/28/2007
A meeting took place between Ibrahim Abduh Sarsur, member of the Knesset, with head of the Arab list and vice president of the European Commission in Israel, Mr. Manuel Giafrit and manager of projects Mr. Eric Galvin. During the meeting the group discussed the latest political situation especially within the Palestinian Authority, and its lack of progress in the road to peace. All parties agreed that there was an urgent need for efforts to revive the peace process. In addition to helping the Palestinian people in overcoming their internal differences, and help alleviate the suffering caused by this, and the oppressive Israeli occupation. Sheikh Ibrahim Abdel reiterated this, in a call upon the Palestinian people to resolve their internal differences as soon as possible. more..
Brown to Appoint his Own Middle East Envoy
Ian Black, MIFTAH 7/28/2007
Gordon Brown is to appoint his own Middle East envoy, opening up the possibility of a clash with the work of Tony Blair, who is now representing the international "Quartet" - the US, EU, UN and Russia. Michael Williams, currently a special coordinator for the regional peace process for the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, is expected to be confirmed in the job next week, the Guardian has learned. Mr Williams, 58, a former BBC journalist, worked for the UN in Cambodia and the Balkans, and as an adviser to Robin Cook and Jack Straw in the Foreign Office. Details of the appointment are still being finalised, but his move to Downing Street suggests that the prime minister is keen to develop his own policy for the Middle East, despite his predecessor’s new high-profile role for the Quartet. more..
Doctors attack British Medical Journal for airing boycott debate
Tamara Traubmann, Ha’aretz 7/28/2007
The internationally respected British Medical Journal has reignited debate over an academic boycott of Israel by running two opinion pieces on the subject last week. In response, several physicians in Britain and the United States have proposed a boycott of BMJ, the official organ of the British Medical Association, and among the leading journals in its field worldwide. The features section of the July 21 edition presented opposing views under the title, "Head to head: Should we consider a boycott of Israeli academic institutions?" The first article was by Tom Hickey of the University of Brighton, who was among the initiators of the resolution adopted by the University and Colleges Union, which he chairs, to consider imposing a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. more..
Nasrallah: Lebanon war crushed U.S. vision for ’new Middle East’
Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 7/29/2007
Last summer’s war in south Lebanon has left the U.S. vision of a new Middle East in shambles, and Hezbollah is ready to strike Israel at any time, the guerrilla group’s leader said late Saturday. "We will not wait for anyone to defend us. We will defend ourselves and our country," Sheik Hassan Nasrallah told a mass rally in the southern town of Bint Jbail. "We possess and we will continue to possess rockets that can hit any area in occupied Palestine if Israel attacks Lebanon," he said. Nasrallah did not personally attend the rally, but his speech was relayed to the crowd on a giant screen set up in the town’s main square. Located near Lebanon’s southern border, Bint Jbail saw during the Second Lebanon War heavy house-to-house fighting between troops from the Israel Defense Forces’ Golani Brigade and Hezbollah guerillas. more..
Israel to allow Palestinians in Egypt into Gaza Strip
Associated Press, YNetNews 7/28/2007
Thousands of Palestinians stranded in Egypt will be allowed entry into Gaza Strip, Palestinian information minister says; Israeli officials confirm report, say Palestinian will have to enter Strip through Kerem Shalom crossing - Israel has agreed to allow Palestinians stranded in Egypt for weeks to pass into Israel and then into the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said Saturday. Palestinian Information Minister Riad Maliki said that some of the 6,000 Palestinians who have been waiting in the Egyptian border town of Rafah would be allowed to pass at the beginning of next week. Government officials in Jerusalem confirmed the report Saturday, saying that the Palestinian would have to go through the Kerem Shalon crossing and undergo security checks before they enter the Strip. more..
Egyptian FM: Bibi not opposed to Arab initiative
Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 7/28/2007
Foreign Minsiter says Arab countries waiting for Israel response to Saudi peace initiative - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit said Saturday that Arab countries were waiting for a clear indication from Israel that it was interested in discussing peace with its neighbors. Speaking to Al-Ahram newspaper, Abul Gheit said an Arab peace-for-land initiative that offers Israel normalization with the Arab world in return for a full withdrawal from land occupied during the 1967 Israeli-Arab war was aimed at establishing a Palestinian state through negotiations. Abul Gheit said opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu told him during talks in Jerusalem earlier this week that he was not opposed to the initiative. Netanyahu was said to be opposed to the Arab peace plan because he redeemed it dangerous to Israel’s security. more..
Palestinians block UN initiative on Gaza crisis
Shlomo Shamir, Ha’aretz 7/28/2007
The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations is blocking a Security Council initiative aimed at expressing the organization’s concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Since the militant Hamas faction violently seized control over the coastal territory in mid-June, border crossings between Gaza and its neighbors Israel and Egypt have largely remained closed, limiting the transfer of food and supplies into the Strip. Hamas routed rival faction Fatah in the takeover, and thus the resolution of the humanitarian crisis stands in conflict with the interests of the Fatah-affiliated Palestinian delegation to the UN. Senior UN officials reported Friday that the Palestinian representatives have been relentlessly operating in recent days to foil an initiative ultimately aimed at issuing a Security Council... more..
’Armed resistance’ taken off PA gov’t platform for first time
Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 7/28/2007
The Palestinian Authority government published its platform on Friday, which for the first time does not include a reference to armed struggle against Israel. Nonetheless, the government stressed that it is committed to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ call for a "popular struggle against the Israeli occupation." Israel welcomed on Friday remarks by ministers that Palestinian Prime Miniser Salam Fayad’s government program, yet to be presented to parliament, does not feature a commitment to "armed resistance" - unlike those of its Hamas-led predecessors. The Arabic word muqawma, which literally means resistance and has appeared in all prior PA governments’ platform, is generally understood to mean armed struggle. The term "popular struggle" includes, among other things, demonstrations and political activism. more..
Israel strengthens Abbas with arms shipment
John Smith - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 7/27/2007
Israeli sources reported on Thursday that the Israeli cabinet has agreed to transfer approximately 1,000 rifles to the West Bank apparently to be used by forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the weapons were transferred from Jordan on Thursday. The shipment, the largest ever of its kind, is apparently designed to strengthen the authority of Abbas in the West Bank and to help prevent any possible future challenge to his power from the Hamas movement. [end]
Thousands more rifles reach Palestinian Authority
Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/27/2007
About 3,000 rifles transferred to Jericho on Thursday, as part of plans to bolster Palestinian security organizations; three more trucks arrive in Ramallah on Friday - Three Jordanian trucks loaded with Kalashnikov rifles arrived Friday afternoon at the Muqataa compound in Ramallah, a Palestinian security source told Ynet. Palestinian security officers began unloading some thousands of rifles off the truck slated to be used by the security organizations. On Thursday, Ynet reported that four Jordanian trucks had arrived at the Palestinian Authority, containing more than 3,000 rifles. According to the security source, six additional trucks were expected to arrive in the coming days. An Israeli military source on Thursday confirmed the report on the arrival of trucks carrying rifles to the... more..
Abbas and Bush hamper UNSC resolution to alleviate suffering in Gaza
Palestinian Information Center 7/27/2007
NEW YORK, (PIC)-- The PA delegation to the UN, which is accountable to President Abbas, intervened to hamper a draft resolution submitted to the UNSC by Qatar and Indonesia to ease the suffering of the people living in the Gaza Strip. The US for its part intervened to enforce amendments on the draft resolution and expressed support for the PA delegation’s views. The draft resolution, which was submitted on Thursday and distributed to members of the council, called for the UNSC to express concern for the stranded Palestinians at the Rafah crossing and to urge a quick resolution for their predicament. It also calls for allowing the free flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The PA delegation objected to the Indonesian-Qatari move on the pretext that they should have been consulted on the draft resolution before it was submitted. more..
Spanish delegation impressed with Hamas’s good job in Gaza; deplores US stand
Palestinian Information Center 7/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- A Spanish delegation representing civil society institutions and labor syndicates in the northern Spanish Basque region was impressed with the efforts exerted by Hamas Movement to ensure security and stability in Gaza Strip. The delegation that was received by a delegation from Hamas Movement in Gaza city Wednesday also expressed satisfaction with the freedom granted by Hamas Movement to every Palestinian individual in the Strip after the Movement took responsibility for security there in mid June. Furthermore, the Spanish delegation deplored the USA and the EU stands towards Hamas Movement, affirming that those stands weren’t justified; especially that Hamas Movement had won very clean and democratic elections in the PA, making it the real democratic choice of the Palestinian people. more..
PA and Israeli intelligence cooperate to foil attacks
John Smith - IMEMC, International Middle East Media Center 7/27/2007
Israeli sources reported on Thursday that forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had transferred information that had aided in foiling several attacks in both the West Bank and Israel. While refusing to detail the specific nature of the asserted cooperation, Israeli security sources revealed that the Palestinian Authority had resumed the sharing of intelligence in recent weeks, a report confirmed by Palestinian sources. Despite the apparent renewal of coordination, Palestinian security sources have expressed a level of dissatisfaction, arguing that Israeli intelligence seems uninterested in full and extensive cooperation, citing Israel’s refusal to transfer control over a number of West Bank cities to the PA as evidence of this assertion. more..
Barghouthi decries Israeli murder of a Palestinian youth at a Bethlehem checkpoint
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Ramallah – Ma’an – General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative party, Mustafa Barghouthi, decried the Israeli assassination of 20-year-old Jihad Al Shaer at a checkpoint near Bethlehem on Thursday. Al-Shaer was killed near the Palestinian village of Tuqu’ on the outskirts of Bethlehem, in the southern West Bank. Hospital sources revealed that Al Shaer had been beaten over the head several times with a club. Barghouthi said that the "barbaric murder, committed by Israeli soldiers in cold blood, adds to the series of Israeli crimes against Palestinians." Barghouthi also said that Israeli government is fully responsible for the crimes the Israeli military commits against civilians. He urged the international community to protect the Palestinian public from the "daily murders and assaults at the hands of the Israeli forces. more..
Palestinians stranded in Egypt will be bussed home, says prisoners affairs minister
Ma’an News Agency 7/27/2007
Bethlehem - Ma’an – Palestinian Minister of Prisoner Affairs Ashraf Al-Ajrami declared Friday that the 6,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt at Rafah border crossing will be returned to the Gaza Strip by the end of next week. Arjami said the Palestinian Authority has reached an agreement with Israeli authorities to transport the Palestinians on busses into the Gaza Strip through a different, Israeli-controlled crossing. The minister added that the use of alternative crossings has resolved similar problems in the past, such as transporting large numbers of Palestinians to Mecca for the Hajj. [end]
Israel deputy PM favours West Bank "pullout"
Middle East Online 7/27/2007
TEL AVIV - Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon on Friday publicly supported the idea of an Israeli withdrawal from most of the occupied West Bank as part of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. He told public radio in an interview that it was in Israel’s interest to "leave the majority of the territory of Judea and Samaria while maintaining the large settlement blocs." Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was elected in 2006 on a ticket of withdrawing from most of the West Bank while effectively annexing the largest Jewish settlements to Israel, but the project was shelved after the Lebanon war. "We should not insist on keeping territories when their continued occupation threatens our national existence and harms our position in the world," said Ramon, one of Olmert’s closest colleagues and a leading light in his Kadima party. more..
UN Mideast Envoy Warns of Gaza Collapse
Justin Bergman, MIFTAH 7/27/2007
The U. N. Mideast envoy warned Wednesday of impending economic collapse in the Gaza Strip unless Israel reopens the Hamas-led territory’s main commercial crossing to the outside world to ease international isolation. Michael Williams said the closure of the Karni crossing in early June has prevented the export of agricultural and industrial goods to Israel, the West Bank and elsewhere, as well as the import of materials needed for manufacturing and construction. The restriction has brought the Gaza economy to a standstill. The World Bank estimates that 75 percent of Gaza’s factories have closed and more than 68,000 Palestinian workers have been laid off as a result, he said." Unless the crossings are open for imports and exports, the downward economic spiral will lead to extensive hardship for an already impoverished Gaza Strip," Williams told the U. more..
PRC: Foreign Minister remarks on refugees extremely offensive and damaging
Palestinian Information Center 7/27/2007
LONDON, (PIC)-- The Palestinian Return Centre, London, has written a letter of protest to the British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband regarding a statement by his Minister of State, Dr Kim Howells, on the Palestinian refugees. During a press conference in Amman this week [22 July] Dr Howells said the right of return is ‘illogical’ and “could not be achieved. ”PRC Director Majed al Zeer in his letter said, ‘while Britain is free to honour its strategic commitment to Israel it should not do so in contravention of the UN Charter. ’The PRC letter pointed out that the minister’s statement was in clear breach of Article 103 which states: “In the event of a conflict between the obligations of the Members of the United Nations under the present Charter and their obligations under any other international agreement, their obligations under the present Charter shall prevail." more..
Greening the Green Line
Omar Khalifa, Al Jazeera 7/23/2007
A lack of solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, brought on by 40 years of occupation of Palestinian land by Israel, has meant years of failed attempts at co-operation between the two sides. But two mayors - one Israeli and one Palestinian - signed a joint cross-border agreement in July for the benefit of the people in both of their two towns. Yitzhak Wald, mayor of Baqa al-Gharbiya (West Baqa) on the Israeli side of the border, and Muayed Hussein, mayor of Baqa al-Sharqiya (East Baqa), on the Palestinian side, have agreed to co-operate over matters of health and the environment. The declaration was brought about by Friends of the Earth (FOE) Middle East, to promote co-operation over water, waste management and conservation on both sides of the Green Line - established between Israel and Syria, Jordan,... more..
Economic and Social Council adopts texts on Palestinian people, Independence for colonial countries, social development
United Nations Economic and Social Council - ECOSOC, ReliefWeb 7/26/2007
GENEVA, 26 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this afternoon adopted a number of decisions and resolutions on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan; granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples; and social development, including new partnerships for Africa’s development, among others. The Council adopted a resolution by a roll-call vote of 29 in favour to 2 against, with 18 abstentions on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan, in which it... more..
Brown to appoint his own Middle East envoy
Ian Black, middle East editor, The Guardian 7/28/2007
Gordon Brown is to appoint his own Middle East envoy, opening up the possibility of a clash with the work of Tony Blair, who is now representing the international "Quartet" - the US, EU, UN and Russia. Michael Williams, currently a special coordinator for the regional peace process for the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, is expected to be confirmed in the job next week, the Guardian has learned. Mr Williams, 58, a former BBC journalist, worked for the UN in Cambodia and the Balkans, and as an adviser to Robin Cook and Jack Straw in the Foreign Office. Details of the appointment are still being finalised, but his move to Downing Street suggests that the prime minister is keen to develop his own policy for the Middle East, despite his predecessor’s new high-profile role for the Quartet. more..
Naim: Palestinians entitled to use all means to liberate their captives
Palestinian Information Center 7/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- Dr. Bassem Naim, the minister of the prisoners’ affairs in the caretaker government, accused the Palestinian presidency in Ramallah of attempting to exercise pressure on the captors of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and not following the same logic towards the Palestinian prisoners’ issue highlighting that the Palestinian people have the right to use all means to liberate their prisoners. Dr. Naim affirmed on Wednesday, during a symposium entitled: "The reality of the prisoners in the light of recent political variables," that the issue of the Palestinian prisoners is still in the focus of the Palestinian people. The issue of prisoners was not dealt with according to its importance during the years of PA’s lifetime as the release of prisoners was according to political affiliations and according to pledges the prisoners were compelled to sign... more..
3,000 rifles arrive in Jericho
Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/26/2007
Palestinian security source reports large delivery of Kalashnikovs, other ammunition to West Bank to continue over next few days - Some 3,000 rifles were delivered to the Palestinian security forces in Jericho on Thursday, a Palestinian security source told Ynet. Israel allowed the entrance of four Jordanian trucks carrying Kalashnikovs and other rifles, along with hundreds of thousands of bullets and other ammunition into the Muqata’a compound in the city. Dozens of National Security officers transferred the weapons to warehouses across the West Bank, the source said. The source could not say where the funding for the equipment came from, but mentioned that nine more trucks were expected to arrive in Jericho over the next few days carrying bullet proof vests and additional equipment. more..
PA shares info to help Israel quash terror in W. Bank
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/26/2007
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have resumed limited security cooperation in recent weeks, considered to be the most significant exchanges of this type in the past six years. Palestinian security organizations loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have transferred information on terrorist plots in the West Bank to Israel, security sources said. The information served Israeli security services in countering plans to carry out terrorist attacks. However, Israeli security sources emphasized that the Shin Bet does not rely exclusively on Palestinian security organizations for intelligence, and recognizes the limited nature of this information. Palestinian security sources also confirmed that limited coordination has been resumed with Israel. more..
Abbas wants talks with Israel, but not dialogue with Hamas
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Ramallah - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his refusal to negotiate with the Hamas movement as long as they maintain what he sees as illegal control over the Gaza Strip. Abbas also expressed hope that there will be a "comprehensive peace with the Israelis within one year." Speaking to the press in his Ramallah headquarters Thursday morning, Abbas said that although a date for a poll has not been set, "There is a wish and a decision to have early elections." Abbas spoke to reporters after meeting with Yossi Beilin, head of the left-wing Israeli Meretz Party. Abbas said he ready to proceed with peace talks, but he said, "We are still waiting for the Israelis to agree on the issue." In an interview to be published tomorrow in the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Abbas expressed his belief that United States President George W. Bush... more..
Israel, PA resume West Bank civil co-ordination severed in Jan.
Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/27/2007
Israel and the Palestinian Authority completed preparations Wednesday for renewed coordination in civil administration functions between the two sides during a short ceremony in Qalqilyah. Over the past two weeks, work resumed in all the West Bank cities, after ties between Israel and the PA were severed following the Hamas victory in the January 2006 Palestinian elections. The swearing-in of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad’s government gave the green light for a resumption of cooperation on the civil and security levels. On the Palestinian side, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh to run the Civil Affairs Administration, responsible for coordination with Israel in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. more..
IDF: PA helped foil terror attacks against Israel
Amos Harel, Ha’aretz 7/27/2007
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have resumed limited security cooperation in recent weeks, considered to be the most significant exchanges of this type in the past six years. Palestinian security organizations loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have transferred information on terrorist plots in the West Bank to Israel, security sources said. The information served Israeli security services in countering plans to carry out terrorist attacks. However, Israeli security sources emphasized that the Shin Bet does not rely exclusively on Palestinian security organizations for intelligence, and recognizes the limited nature of this information. Palestinian security sources also confirmed that limited coordination has been resumed with Israel. more..
US to fund defense systems for Israel
Yitzhak Benhorin, YNetNews 7/27/2007
Congress to vote on DoD budget proposal asking for tens of millions of dollars for development, purchase of new systems to defend Israeli skies against ballistic missiles - WASHINGTON - The 2008 budget for the US Department of Defense includes the allocation of tens of millions of dollars for Israel to either independently develop or purchase existing defense systems to counter possible ballistic rocket attacks. The new system would be used in addition to Israel’s existing sophisticated ’Arrow’ system, a project the US continues to fund. On Thursday the House Appropriations Committee voted to give Israel an additional $70 million in defense aid beyond the $80 million requested by the administration. Should the budget pass both the House and Senate votes, Israel stands to receive no less than $150 million. more..
US Secretary expresses need for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank
Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies, International Middle East Media Center 7/26/2007
U. S Secretary of States, Condoleezza Rice, said on Thursday that Israel needs to put an end to its occupation of the West Bank. Her remarks came in an interview with Radio Sawa, an Arabic-speaking American station. Commenting on President’s speech last week, Rice told the Radio that Israel’s future should be limited to Israel itself by further concentrating on the development of the Galiliee and the Negev areas. Rice also reiterated her country’s stance that a viable Palestinian state should be established along side Israel The American high-ranking official is scheduled to visit the region next week along with the U. S Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. The two will expectedly meet with foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf States. more..
Plight of Palestinians stranded at the Rafah crossing to be resolved soon, says DFLP Central Committee member Nasser
Ma’an News Agency 7/26/2007
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Salih Nasser of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) has stated that the Front is "making intensive contacts to alleviate and solve the issue of the Palestinians stranded at the Rafah crossing on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt." In a statement issued by Nasser, he said that he expects that "with these contacts, the DFLP will succeed in ending the tragic conditions the Palestinians are living in at the crossing". Nasser called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to help solve the issue and to help end the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. [end]
Israel Said Proposing Deal on Statehood Points
Reuters, MIFTAH 7/26/2007
Israel is proposing new talks with the Palestinians about "an agreement of principles" that could establish a Palestinian state on 90 percent of occupied territory, the Haaretz daily newspaper reported on Wednesday. The report came as Western leaders were working to renew peace talks and as the Quartet of Middle East power brokers’ new envoy, Tony Blair, wrapped up talks in the region where he said he saw a "moment of opportunity" for peace. Blair is set to fly on to the Gulf on Wednesday, when the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan arrive in Israel to promote an Arab League peace proposal. Israeli officials said earlier this week Olmert was ready to discuss core issues of Palestinian statehood such as borders and Jerusalem in "general terms", but still held it was premature to start detailed final status negotiations. more..
Blair Glimpses a Chance for Peace Through Economy Still Tops Agenda
James Hider, MIFTAH 7/26/2007
Tony Blair held out a distant prospect of peace in the Middle East yesterday as he met the Israeli and Palestinian presidents, but he gave no promises that anything would come of his new role as the international community’s intermediary. “I think that, even from the conversations I’ve had, there is a sense of possibility,” Mr Blair said after his meeting with Shimon Peres, the 83-year-old Israeli President. “But whether that sense of possibility can be translated into something — that is something that needs to be worked at and thought about over time. ” While Israel insists that Mr Blair must stick to his allotted role in rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure, rather than handling peace talks, Mr Peres said that a new economic initiative with the Palestinian Authority could play a vital role. more..
Arab Ministers Encouraged on Israel Peace Puch
Agence France Presse, MIFTAH 7/26/2007
Arab ministers said they were encouraged by how Israel received a new Middle East peace plan on Wednesday as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said serious talks had begun towards creating a Palestinian state. The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan -- the only two Arab countries to recognise the Jewish state -- travelled to Jerusalem to urge Israel to accept the Arab League’s plan for comprehensive regional peace adopted in March. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said the initiative had met with a positive reception from Israel, after talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and the largely ceremonial head of state, Shimon Peres. “We have heard a lot of positive commentary, from which we discern an intention on behalf of Israel to work seriously on giving the Palestinians an opportunity to achieve their state,” he told a news conference. more..
Israel Ships 1000 Rifles to West Bank through Jordan
Palestine Chronicle 7/26/2007
Israel is scheduled to ship the largest ever transfer of weapons to Abbas’ forces in the Occupied West Bank; it’s objective is fighting Hamas.