28 mar 2013
Health condition of prisoner Aridi deteriorates due to medical neglect
The Palestinian Prisoners Society in Jenin confirmed in a statement on Thursday morning that health condition of patient prisoner Sami Issa Aridi, 33 from Arraba in Jenin, has significantly deteriorated, as he has been refusing medication for the 7th month.
The PPS’s lawyer, who had visited Aridi in Megiddo Prison, confirmed that the prisoner has been refusing to take medication for 7 months, in protest against the policy of medical neglect adopted by the prison administration against him.
He pointed out that Sami has been suffering from high blood pressure for the 10th year and that he has stopped taking the medication, as the prison administration has deliberately refused to provide him with the appropriate treatment.
"I started to feel having problems in heart beats, until I have recently began to suffer from weakness in the heart muscle and breathing problems," Aridi told his lawyer.
The captive wants to undergo the necessary medical tests so that his health condition is diagnosed.
Sami al-Aridi is serving a 19-year sentence. His home town of Arraba has witnessed several protests demanding providing him with the appropriate medical treatment.
The PPS’s lawyer, who had visited Aridi in Megiddo Prison, confirmed that the prisoner has been refusing to take medication for 7 months, in protest against the policy of medical neglect adopted by the prison administration against him.
He pointed out that Sami has been suffering from high blood pressure for the 10th year and that he has stopped taking the medication, as the prison administration has deliberately refused to provide him with the appropriate treatment.
"I started to feel having problems in heart beats, until I have recently began to suffer from weakness in the heart muscle and breathing problems," Aridi told his lawyer.
The captive wants to undergo the necessary medical tests so that his health condition is diagnosed.
Sami al-Aridi is serving a 19-year sentence. His home town of Arraba has witnessed several protests demanding providing him with the appropriate medical treatment.
IOF arrests Jerusalemite woman and elderly man
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian woman from the occupied city of Jerusalem, under the pretext of her intention to stab an Israeli soldier yesterday evening.
The Hebrew radio claimed that the Palestinian woman approached the so-called "Israeli border guards" within the Old City in Jerusalem, and informed them of her intention to stab a soldier.
Nearly 12 Palestinian women are still detained in Israeli jails, where some of them were being charged with trying to stab an Israeli soldier or settler.
The Hebrew radio also reported that Molotov cocktails were thrown near a military base on Wednesday evening near the town of Issawiya in occupied Jerusalem, leading to a fire without reporting any injuries.
The Israeli military source confirmed that this military base was subjected more than one to Molotov cocktail attacks.
Meanwhile, the Israeli police and the so-called Nature and Parks Authority have arrested elderly Jerusalemite Orabi Ismail Shakir, 65, and took him to Salahuddin police station in occupied Jerusalem.
Shakir's brother told PIC reporter that his brother was removing the dangers caused by the demolition of some family's facilities before his arrest.
The occupation forces released on Wednesday morning Mohammed Yousef Mohammed Albesboss, 28, from the town of Silwan, after serving 10 months in Nafha prison, leaving behind his brother Ahmed, who is serving a 40 months' imprisonment.
The Hebrew radio claimed that the Palestinian woman approached the so-called "Israeli border guards" within the Old City in Jerusalem, and informed them of her intention to stab a soldier.
Nearly 12 Palestinian women are still detained in Israeli jails, where some of them were being charged with trying to stab an Israeli soldier or settler.
The Hebrew radio also reported that Molotov cocktails were thrown near a military base on Wednesday evening near the town of Issawiya in occupied Jerusalem, leading to a fire without reporting any injuries.
The Israeli military source confirmed that this military base was subjected more than one to Molotov cocktail attacks.
Meanwhile, the Israeli police and the so-called Nature and Parks Authority have arrested elderly Jerusalemite Orabi Ismail Shakir, 65, and took him to Salahuddin police station in occupied Jerusalem.
Shakir's brother told PIC reporter that his brother was removing the dangers caused by the demolition of some family's facilities before his arrest.
The occupation forces released on Wednesday morning Mohammed Yousef Mohammed Albesboss, 28, from the town of Silwan, after serving 10 months in Nafha prison, leaving behind his brother Ahmed, who is serving a 40 months' imprisonment.
5 prisoners continue their hunger strike in Israeli jails
Five Palestinian prisoners have continued their hunger strike since different periods in Israeli prisons, human rights sources confirmed.
The Jerusalemite prisoner Samer al-Issawi, detained in Kaplan hospital, is considered the oldest hunger strikers, where he has gone on hunger strike since 1August 2012 protesting against his re-arrest after being released in the prisoners' exchange deal in light of the Israeli calls to re-impose his 20-years sentence, PPS stated on Wednesday.
Younis Hroub, from al-Khalil, continued his hunger strike since 19 February, while Samer al-Barq, from Qalqilya, continued his strike since 23 February, in protest against their administrative detention.
The prisoner Jamal Nouri, from the Gaza Strip, has declared a hunger strike since 3 March, demanding the reduction of his sentence after serving two-thirds of his sentence, while the prisoner Ammar Moussa, from Jenin, started his hunger strike on 5 March protesting against depriving him from family visits.
Meanwhile, the National and Islamic Forces prisoners committee in the Gaza Strip called on the Palestinian people to support the prisoners' issue and to participate in solidarity activities.
The prisoners' issue is the prominent weapon to face the Israeli policies and racist laws, the committee stressed in a press release on Wednesday, insisting that the region will never witness peace without the release of all prisoners.
The statement also pointed to the issue of sick prisoners in Israeli jails, noting that large number of prisoners' health conditions have deteriorated, and calling on the human rights institutions to intervene for their release.
The Jerusalemite prisoner Samer al-Issawi, detained in Kaplan hospital, is considered the oldest hunger strikers, where he has gone on hunger strike since 1August 2012 protesting against his re-arrest after being released in the prisoners' exchange deal in light of the Israeli calls to re-impose his 20-years sentence, PPS stated on Wednesday.
Younis Hroub, from al-Khalil, continued his hunger strike since 19 February, while Samer al-Barq, from Qalqilya, continued his strike since 23 February, in protest against their administrative detention.
The prisoner Jamal Nouri, from the Gaza Strip, has declared a hunger strike since 3 March, demanding the reduction of his sentence after serving two-thirds of his sentence, while the prisoner Ammar Moussa, from Jenin, started his hunger strike on 5 March protesting against depriving him from family visits.
Meanwhile, the National and Islamic Forces prisoners committee in the Gaza Strip called on the Palestinian people to support the prisoners' issue and to participate in solidarity activities.
The prisoners' issue is the prominent weapon to face the Israeli policies and racist laws, the committee stressed in a press release on Wednesday, insisting that the region will never witness peace without the release of all prisoners.
The statement also pointed to the issue of sick prisoners in Israeli jails, noting that large number of prisoners' health conditions have deteriorated, and calling on the human rights institutions to intervene for their release.
IOF Troops Arrest Two Brothers from Bethlehem
Israeli Occupation Forces arrested at dawn, two brothers from al-Rashaydeh village, East of Bethlehem. Security source said that IOF forces arrested Saber Odeh Rashaydeh, 30, and his brother Sabry, 29, after raiding and searching their house.
Rejoub: IOF arrests meant to foil reconciliation
Hamas MP Nayef Al-Rejoub said that the Israeli occupation forces’ arrest campaign in Al-Khalil on Wednesday aimed at foiling efforts to revive national reconciliation.
Rejoub, who was released on Wednesday from Israeli occupation jails, told the PIC that the arrests (of five Hamas leaders) were in response to the Doha summit declaration of a mini Arab summit in Cairo to reactivate the reconciliation process.
The MP said that the best response to the Israeli efforts to foil reconciliation is for all parties to work for ending the vision.
Rejoub: IOF arrests meant to foil reconciliation
Hamas MP Nayef Al-Rejoub said that the Israeli occupation forces’ arrest campaign in Al-Khalil on Wednesday aimed at foiling efforts to revive national reconciliation.
Rejoub, who was released on Wednesday from Israeli occupation jails, told the PIC that the arrests (of five Hamas leaders) were in response to the Doha summit declaration of a mini Arab summit in Cairo to reactivate the reconciliation process.
The MP said that the best response to the Israeli efforts to foil reconciliation is for all parties to work for ending the vision.
Hebron Brigade commander denounces military judge for calling stone-throwing a mere 'prank'
Col. Avi Baluth was referring to a military court decision acquitting four Palestinians of attempted murder in a 2010 stone-throwing incident that severely injured a 12-year-old girl.
Hebron Brigade Commander Col. Avi Baluth came out Thursday against the recent declaration by a military judge that throwing stones at cars isn’t necessarily a lethal act and can sometimes constitute no more than a prank.
“I’m not criticizing the ruling and I haven’t read the ruling,” Baluth told Army Radio. “But to call stone-throwing a prank is a very bad choice of words. If the court used those words, then the people of Israel, and particularly the residents of Judea and Samaria, can relax: That’s not the approach of the Israel Defense Forces and particularly not of the Judea Brigade and the Judea and Samaria Division.”
Baluth was referring to a military court decision handed down in December, and publicized earlier this week in Haaretz, in which Military Judge Maj. Amir Dahan acquitted four Palestinians of attempted murder. The defendants, who were found guilty of throwing stones at a car on Route 505 in September 2010, were convicted of stone-throwing, a significantly lesser charge.
In the 2010 incident, one rock − 12 centimeters wide and 19 centimeters long − shattered the windshield of a car and struck a 12-year-old girl, breaking her skull. She required surgery and to this day suffers severe headaches.
“Throwing stones is a violation of varying seriousness depending on the circumstances,” Dahan wrote. “It could be a serious and fatal crime that definitely puts human life at risk, or it could be a prank with no potential for harm committed by a youngster who has barely passed the age of criminal responsibility.”
According to Dahan, the considerations used to determine the extent of the crime include potential risk, the degree of planning, and the use of accessories. Dahan said the court must also consider whether the rock struck a person or a vehicle, and the potential for damage. In addition it must take into account the distance from which the stone was thrown, the size of the stones, and their mass, he said.
“Both the expectations and intent needed to lead to a conviction of a more serious crime demand a higher probability of death,” wrote Dahan. “Unfortunately, hundreds of cases of stone-throwing at vehicles are brought before the military court every year. They rarely lead to injury, and it is extremely rare for it to cause the death of the driver or one of the passengers. Therefore it is impossible to determine that hurling stones at a moving car would naturally result in the death of the driver or any of the passengers, in the absence of extreme or special circumstances that strengthen that probability.”
In the Army Radio interview, Baluth also discussed the recent escalation of violence in the West Bank, saying, “We are seeing a period of escalation, and I must say that the gasoline vapors around Hebron are thicker. I don’t think we’ll get to a third intifada but we are prepared for that as well.”
He added, “We see a direct empirical connection between the cost of living and [West Bank residents'] motivation to create disturbances. Our assumption is that satisfied residents who live well are less likely to want to take to the streets.”
Hebron Brigade Commander Col. Avi Baluth came out Thursday against the recent declaration by a military judge that throwing stones at cars isn’t necessarily a lethal act and can sometimes constitute no more than a prank.
“I’m not criticizing the ruling and I haven’t read the ruling,” Baluth told Army Radio. “But to call stone-throwing a prank is a very bad choice of words. If the court used those words, then the people of Israel, and particularly the residents of Judea and Samaria, can relax: That’s not the approach of the Israel Defense Forces and particularly not of the Judea Brigade and the Judea and Samaria Division.”
Baluth was referring to a military court decision handed down in December, and publicized earlier this week in Haaretz, in which Military Judge Maj. Amir Dahan acquitted four Palestinians of attempted murder. The defendants, who were found guilty of throwing stones at a car on Route 505 in September 2010, were convicted of stone-throwing, a significantly lesser charge.
In the 2010 incident, one rock − 12 centimeters wide and 19 centimeters long − shattered the windshield of a car and struck a 12-year-old girl, breaking her skull. She required surgery and to this day suffers severe headaches.
“Throwing stones is a violation of varying seriousness depending on the circumstances,” Dahan wrote. “It could be a serious and fatal crime that definitely puts human life at risk, or it could be a prank with no potential for harm committed by a youngster who has barely passed the age of criminal responsibility.”
According to Dahan, the considerations used to determine the extent of the crime include potential risk, the degree of planning, and the use of accessories. Dahan said the court must also consider whether the rock struck a person or a vehicle, and the potential for damage. In addition it must take into account the distance from which the stone was thrown, the size of the stones, and their mass, he said.
“Both the expectations and intent needed to lead to a conviction of a more serious crime demand a higher probability of death,” wrote Dahan. “Unfortunately, hundreds of cases of stone-throwing at vehicles are brought before the military court every year. They rarely lead to injury, and it is extremely rare for it to cause the death of the driver or one of the passengers. Therefore it is impossible to determine that hurling stones at a moving car would naturally result in the death of the driver or any of the passengers, in the absence of extreme or special circumstances that strengthen that probability.”
In the Army Radio interview, Baluth also discussed the recent escalation of violence in the West Bank, saying, “We are seeing a period of escalation, and I must say that the gasoline vapors around Hebron are thicker. I don’t think we’ll get to a third intifada but we are prepared for that as well.”
He added, “We see a direct empirical connection between the cost of living and [West Bank residents'] motivation to create disturbances. Our assumption is that satisfied residents who live well are less likely to want to take to the streets.”
27 mar 2013
IPS releases MP Nayef Rajoub
The Israeli Prison Services (IPS) released on Wednesday morning the MP for Change and Reform Bloc and former Minister of Awqaf Nayef Mahmoud Rajoub, 55, from al-Khalil after spending 28 months in administrative detention.
IPS in the Negev desert prison released this morning MP Rajoub through Mitar barrier set up between the towns of Dahriya and Samu south of the occupied city of al-Khalil, local sources confirmed.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Rajoub on 01 December 2010 after storming his house in the city of Dura, south of al-Khalil in the West Bank.
MP Rajoub spent nearly 10 years on aggregate in Israeli prisons, where he is considered the oldest Palestinian deputy detained administratively. He also was one of the deportees to Marj Zhour in 1992.
The IOF still continues to detain 14 Palestinian MPs, mostly from the Change and Reform Bloc, they are MP Mohammed Jamal Natshe, MP Hassan Yousef, MP Yasser Mansour, MP Ahmed Attoun, MP Hatem Kafisha, MP Mohammad Totah, MP Bassem Zarir, MP Imad Nofal, MP Fathi Qraawi, MP Marwan Barghouti, MP Jamal al-Tirawi, MP Ahmad Saadat, MP Mahmoud Ramahi, and MP Mohammad al-Tal.
The occupation forces had previously arrested MP Rajoub's eldest son Hudhayfah, 25, while returning from the UAE after completing his higher education, where he was detained for two weeks before being released.
IPS in the Negev desert prison released this morning MP Rajoub through Mitar barrier set up between the towns of Dahriya and Samu south of the occupied city of al-Khalil, local sources confirmed.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Rajoub on 01 December 2010 after storming his house in the city of Dura, south of al-Khalil in the West Bank.
MP Rajoub spent nearly 10 years on aggregate in Israeli prisons, where he is considered the oldest Palestinian deputy detained administratively. He also was one of the deportees to Marj Zhour in 1992.
The IOF still continues to detain 14 Palestinian MPs, mostly from the Change and Reform Bloc, they are MP Mohammed Jamal Natshe, MP Hassan Yousef, MP Yasser Mansour, MP Ahmed Attoun, MP Hatem Kafisha, MP Mohammad Totah, MP Bassem Zarir, MP Imad Nofal, MP Fathi Qraawi, MP Marwan Barghouti, MP Jamal al-Tirawi, MP Ahmad Saadat, MP Mahmoud Ramahi, and MP Mohammad al-Tal.
The occupation forces had previously arrested MP Rajoub's eldest son Hudhayfah, 25, while returning from the UAE after completing his higher education, where he was detained for two weeks before being released.
Israeli court extends detention of Palestinian journalist
The Israeli military court in Ofer on Wednesday extended the remand of Palestinian journalist Musab Abu Shawer until the next trial hearing scheduled on 7/5/2013.
Fuad Al-Khafsh, the director of Ahrar center for prisoners’ studies and human rights, said that journalist, who is a prisoners’ activist, was arrested from his home on 25/2/2013.
He said that Musab, who works with Al-Khalil radio station, attended many hearings but they were always adjourned.
Khafsh said that the Israeli occupation forces arrested four Palestinian journalists in the months of February and March.
Media forum: Occupation detains 14 Palestinian journalists
Palestinian media forum confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces are still detaining 14 Palestinian journalists, including six arrested during this year. The Forum said in a statement on Wednesday that the Israeli forces have continued their attacks against Palestinian journalists, the last of which took place last Sunday when they detained journalist Abdul Aziz Nofal, while preparing a report on settlement in Tel Rumeida in the center of al-Khalil, and held him for several hours before releasing him.
The statement stressed that the occupation authorities are pursuing a systematic policy in targeting press crews and preventing them from performing their job, especially during the coverage of the occupation and the settlers' crimes.
Palestinian media forum expressed surprise at the ongoing silence of international organizations concerned with the affairs of journalists, such as the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters without Borders, regarding Israeli crimes against Palestinian journalists.
It considered that being silent means taking part of the responsibility for the attack on the Palestinian journalists, and stressed that it is time to start prosecuting the Israeli government before International Courts for its open war against the Palestinian journalists and the freedom of speech.
Fuad Al-Khafsh, the director of Ahrar center for prisoners’ studies and human rights, said that journalist, who is a prisoners’ activist, was arrested from his home on 25/2/2013.
He said that Musab, who works with Al-Khalil radio station, attended many hearings but they were always adjourned.
Khafsh said that the Israeli occupation forces arrested four Palestinian journalists in the months of February and March.
Media forum: Occupation detains 14 Palestinian journalists
Palestinian media forum confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces are still detaining 14 Palestinian journalists, including six arrested during this year. The Forum said in a statement on Wednesday that the Israeli forces have continued their attacks against Palestinian journalists, the last of which took place last Sunday when they detained journalist Abdul Aziz Nofal, while preparing a report on settlement in Tel Rumeida in the center of al-Khalil, and held him for several hours before releasing him.
The statement stressed that the occupation authorities are pursuing a systematic policy in targeting press crews and preventing them from performing their job, especially during the coverage of the occupation and the settlers' crimes.
Palestinian media forum expressed surprise at the ongoing silence of international organizations concerned with the affairs of journalists, such as the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters without Borders, regarding Israeli crimes against Palestinian journalists.
It considered that being silent means taking part of the responsibility for the attack on the Palestinian journalists, and stressed that it is time to start prosecuting the Israeli government before International Courts for its open war against the Palestinian journalists and the freedom of speech.
IOF soldiers arrest five Hamas leaders including MP
Mohammed Jamal Al-Natshe
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) nabbed five Hamas leaders in pre-dawn raids on Wednesday in Al-Khalil city including MP Mohammed Jamal Al-Natshe. Local sources said that IOF soldiers stormed the home of the 55-year-old MP south of Al-Khalil city and searched it and confiscated mobile phones and a computer before taking away the lawmaker.
For her part, the wife of Dr. Amjad Al-Hammouri, a leader within Hamas, said that IOF soldiers broke into their house in central Al-Khalil and thoroughly searched it before taking away her husband.
Sources close to Sheikh Abdulkhaleq Al-Natshe, a Hamas leader, said that IOF soldiers encircled his house in the Hawooz suburb and arrested him.
Sheikh Natshe was released from Israeli prisons on 28/3/2012 after ten years imprisonment.
IOF soldiers also detained Jawad Al-Jabari, who is a liberated prisoner, and Sheikh Tahseen Shawer, an administrative manager in Al-Khalil Islamic charity, who was also an ex-prisoner.
Hamas condemns the arrest of the MPs
Hamas movement has strongly condemned the campaign of arrests waged by occupation on Wednesday against five of its leaders and MPs, in the city of al-Khalil, and described it as a "criminal act."
A statement issued by Hamas on Wednesday said: "We in Hamas strongly condemn the occupation ongoing criminal practices that arbitrarily target the Palestinian leaders and icons ... We hold the occupation fully responsible for their lives and safety, and we warn it of the serious repercussions of the continuation of its offenses against our people and its national icons" .
Hamas confirmed that the arrest of the MPs and leaders will not deter them from defending the Palestinian rights, constants and sanctities.
It has also called on the Palestinian people and its different factions to join hands in order to confront the "criminal schemes of the occupation", as the statement expressed.
In a different context, Hamas congratulated the Palestinian people, deputies and captives on the occasion of the release of the MP Sheikh Nayef Rajoub from the occupation jails.
The movement's statement calls on the human rights and humanitarian organizations, the parliamentarians and the free people around world to expose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian MPs and to pressure the occupation to release the kidnapped MPs and stop chasing them.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) nabbed five Hamas leaders in pre-dawn raids on Wednesday in Al-Khalil city including MP Mohammed Jamal Al-Natshe. Local sources said that IOF soldiers stormed the home of the 55-year-old MP south of Al-Khalil city and searched it and confiscated mobile phones and a computer before taking away the lawmaker.
For her part, the wife of Dr. Amjad Al-Hammouri, a leader within Hamas, said that IOF soldiers broke into their house in central Al-Khalil and thoroughly searched it before taking away her husband.
Sources close to Sheikh Abdulkhaleq Al-Natshe, a Hamas leader, said that IOF soldiers encircled his house in the Hawooz suburb and arrested him.
Sheikh Natshe was released from Israeli prisons on 28/3/2012 after ten years imprisonment.
IOF soldiers also detained Jawad Al-Jabari, who is a liberated prisoner, and Sheikh Tahseen Shawer, an administrative manager in Al-Khalil Islamic charity, who was also an ex-prisoner.
Hamas condemns the arrest of the MPs
Hamas movement has strongly condemned the campaign of arrests waged by occupation on Wednesday against five of its leaders and MPs, in the city of al-Khalil, and described it as a "criminal act."
A statement issued by Hamas on Wednesday said: "We in Hamas strongly condemn the occupation ongoing criminal practices that arbitrarily target the Palestinian leaders and icons ... We hold the occupation fully responsible for their lives and safety, and we warn it of the serious repercussions of the continuation of its offenses against our people and its national icons" .
Hamas confirmed that the arrest of the MPs and leaders will not deter them from defending the Palestinian rights, constants and sanctities.
It has also called on the Palestinian people and its different factions to join hands in order to confront the "criminal schemes of the occupation", as the statement expressed.
In a different context, Hamas congratulated the Palestinian people, deputies and captives on the occasion of the release of the MP Sheikh Nayef Rajoub from the occupation jails.
The movement's statement calls on the human rights and humanitarian organizations, the parliamentarians and the free people around world to expose the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian MPs and to pressure the occupation to release the kidnapped MPs and stop chasing them.
IOF Troops Arrest Youngster at Israeli Checkpoint
Israeli occupation forces arrested a youngster from Balata refugee camp Tuesday night, at al-Hamra military checkpoint in Tubas governorate.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested the 17-year-old Mohammad Ashraf Abu Amrah from Balata refugee camp in Nablus while crossing the checkpoint that was closed by Israeli forces on Tuesday for several hours.
The forces isolated Jenin from Tubas and prevented Palestinians from returning to their homes through the checkpoint.
In Jenin, Israeli forces raided Beit Qad and Galqamous villages, and searched several Palestinian properties. No arrests were reported.
Security sources said that Israeli forces arrested the 17-year-old Mohammad Ashraf Abu Amrah from Balata refugee camp in Nablus while crossing the checkpoint that was closed by Israeli forces on Tuesday for several hours.
The forces isolated Jenin from Tubas and prevented Palestinians from returning to their homes through the checkpoint.
In Jenin, Israeli forces raided Beit Qad and Galqamous villages, and searched several Palestinian properties. No arrests were reported.
Israeli Forces Arrest Nine Palestinians Across West Bank
Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinians, including four youths, from across the West Bank cities of Hebron and Nablus.
Security sources told Palestinian official news agency WAFA that Israeli Forces stormed the city of Hebron and arrested five Palestinians, including Hamas lawmaker Mohammed Jamal al-Natshe, after raiding and searching their houses and rummaging with their contents.
Israeli Forces also raided a Palestinian private-owned three-story house belonging to Salameh al-salaymeh in al Baqaa area, east of Hebron, and turned it into a military outpost.
The Forces also arrested four Palestinian youths from the town of Burqa, northwest of Nablus after raiding and searching several homes.
IOF arrests 5 Palestinians in Nablus and seizes house in al-Khalil
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested on Wednesday five young men from Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, and stormed the city of Jenin and searched citizens' houses. According to local media sources, a number of military jeeps stormed at dawn the village of Burqa west Nablus, where the soldiers searched a number of houses and arrested four citizens.
The Israeli forces arrested also a 17-year-old boy, from the Balata refugee camp last night, while crossing Al-Hamra checkpoint in the Jordan Valley in Tubas Governorate.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil early on Wednesday morning and detained five Hamas leaders and MPs, local sources said.
The detainees were identified as MP Muhammad Jamal Natsha, Mr. Abdul-Khaliq Hasan Natsha, Dr. Amjad Hamouri, Sheikh Muhammad Tahsin Shawar, and Jawad al-Jaabari.
They were all taken to unknown destination.
An Israeli military force broke into the home of the citizen Salama Salaymeh in the neighborhood of al-Buqa'a in eastern al-Khalil, and turned it into a military base.
Salaymeh said that Israeli troops raided his three-storey home at dawn and forced him to gather his 15 family members and stay in the first floor.
The soldiers stationed themselves on the third floor and turned into a military post.
Al-Buqa'a area has been subjected to a fierce campaign that aims to evacuate its residents, in order to provide protection to the settlers who live in the nearby settlements of Kiryat Arba and Kharsina.
Occupation authorities have been demolishing Palestinian houses in the area since 1982 in an attempt to seize it and incorporate it into the two settlements.
The IOF have also stormed at dawn Wednesday, the city of Jenin and the two villages of Beit Qad and Jalqamus east of the city. No arrests have been reported.
According to local sources, five military vehicles broke into the eastern neighborhood of the city of Jenin, where they erected a checkpoint and raided houses.
The occupation forces stormed the villages of Beit Qad and Jalqamus east of Jenin. The soldiers searched the greenhouses and olive groves and questioned a number of farmers.
The occupation issued a decision to enlarge al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin, which represents the only passage from Jenin to the Palestinian 1948-occupied territories, and handed over citizens from the village of Jalama notices to confiscate their lands for the expansion of the checkpoint.
Al-Jalama village council said that Saleh Abu Farha received a warrant reading that the administration of al-Jalama commercial checkpoint decided to possess three dunums of his land in order to enlarge the checkpoint and install a security gate at the main entrance.
The village council pointed in a statement today to its concern about the occupation scheme to expand the al-Jalama checkpoint, set up on the citizens' lands, at the expense of other lands threatened with confiscation.
It added that the occupation has confiscated almost 80% of al-Jalama village lands since 1948.
Security sources told Palestinian official news agency WAFA that Israeli Forces stormed the city of Hebron and arrested five Palestinians, including Hamas lawmaker Mohammed Jamal al-Natshe, after raiding and searching their houses and rummaging with their contents.
Israeli Forces also raided a Palestinian private-owned three-story house belonging to Salameh al-salaymeh in al Baqaa area, east of Hebron, and turned it into a military outpost.
The Forces also arrested four Palestinian youths from the town of Burqa, northwest of Nablus after raiding and searching several homes.
IOF arrests 5 Palestinians in Nablus and seizes house in al-Khalil
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested on Wednesday five young men from Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, and stormed the city of Jenin and searched citizens' houses. According to local media sources, a number of military jeeps stormed at dawn the village of Burqa west Nablus, where the soldiers searched a number of houses and arrested four citizens.
The Israeli forces arrested also a 17-year-old boy, from the Balata refugee camp last night, while crossing Al-Hamra checkpoint in the Jordan Valley in Tubas Governorate.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil early on Wednesday morning and detained five Hamas leaders and MPs, local sources said.
The detainees were identified as MP Muhammad Jamal Natsha, Mr. Abdul-Khaliq Hasan Natsha, Dr. Amjad Hamouri, Sheikh Muhammad Tahsin Shawar, and Jawad al-Jaabari.
They were all taken to unknown destination.
An Israeli military force broke into the home of the citizen Salama Salaymeh in the neighborhood of al-Buqa'a in eastern al-Khalil, and turned it into a military base.
Salaymeh said that Israeli troops raided his three-storey home at dawn and forced him to gather his 15 family members and stay in the first floor.
The soldiers stationed themselves on the third floor and turned into a military post.
Al-Buqa'a area has been subjected to a fierce campaign that aims to evacuate its residents, in order to provide protection to the settlers who live in the nearby settlements of Kiryat Arba and Kharsina.
Occupation authorities have been demolishing Palestinian houses in the area since 1982 in an attempt to seize it and incorporate it into the two settlements.
The IOF have also stormed at dawn Wednesday, the city of Jenin and the two villages of Beit Qad and Jalqamus east of the city. No arrests have been reported.
According to local sources, five military vehicles broke into the eastern neighborhood of the city of Jenin, where they erected a checkpoint and raided houses.
The occupation forces stormed the villages of Beit Qad and Jalqamus east of Jenin. The soldiers searched the greenhouses and olive groves and questioned a number of farmers.
The occupation issued a decision to enlarge al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin, which represents the only passage from Jenin to the Palestinian 1948-occupied territories, and handed over citizens from the village of Jalama notices to confiscate their lands for the expansion of the checkpoint.
Al-Jalama village council said that Saleh Abu Farha received a warrant reading that the administration of al-Jalama commercial checkpoint decided to possess three dunums of his land in order to enlarge the checkpoint and install a security gate at the main entrance.
The village council pointed in a statement today to its concern about the occupation scheme to expand the al-Jalama checkpoint, set up on the citizens' lands, at the expense of other lands threatened with confiscation.
It added that the occupation has confiscated almost 80% of al-Jalama village lands since 1948.
Army Kidnaps Three Palestinians In Hebron
Israeli military sources reported, Tuesday evening, that the army kidnaped three Palestinian youths in Ta Romeida, in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and claimed that the three obtained weapons and opened fire at Israeli targets.
The Palestine News Network (PNN) reported that the three are being interrogated for “opening fire at soldiers manning a roadblock in Hebron”, and that are allegedly arms dealers, according to the army.
The army filed indictments agonist the three, and decided to keep them under interrogation.
The Palestine News Network (PNN) reported that the three are being interrogated for “opening fire at soldiers manning a roadblock in Hebron”, and that are allegedly arms dealers, according to the army.
The army filed indictments agonist the three, and decided to keep them under interrogation.
Journalists detained in Hebron, two civilians abducted by Israeli troops
Journalists detained in Hebron
On the afternoon of the 24th March, two Palestinian Al Jazeera journalists arrived into Hebron to interview a Palestinian family living near the illegal Israeli settlement in the area of Tel Rumeida. When they arrived, settlers called the Israeli military and police, who arrived and confiscated the journalists’ ID cards, despite having seen their press credentials.
The Al Jazeera reporters had their ID cards returned after around an hour, but two Palestinians from Hebron who attempted to intervene on their behalf with police were abducted and removed in a police car. Their status is currently unknown and no reason was given for their detention.
After the journalists were apprehended, police and settlers arrived into the area with rolls of barbed wire, informing another Palestinian resident that his primary access to the main road would be closed. Hashem Azzeh and his family live underneath the Tel Rumeida settlement, with their access to the main road running directly next to the settlement. This path has been repeatedly closed by the Israeli authorities since 2000, and was only opened most recently in late 2012 after extensive legal battles in the Israeli courts.
The police and settlers claimed that the path would be closed from now on, because ‘unapproved people’ had been walking along it. According to the Israeli authorities, only Hashem, his family and guests walking with them have permission to use the path. Hashem states that he has no knowledge of strangers using this route to access his house.
Without the path, Hashem and his family have to travel a much longer, rock-strewn and hazardous route to leave their home. Hashem said today, “I think they will close my access now, they will say it is for security reasons.”
He thinks that the settlers used the arrival of the journalists and the subsequent confusion as a pretext to close his path and restrict his family’s movement, in further attempts to drive them from their home – they already face regular hassle from Israeli authorities and attacks from the settlers, including on Hashem’s young children.
On the afternoon of the 24th March, two Palestinian Al Jazeera journalists arrived into Hebron to interview a Palestinian family living near the illegal Israeli settlement in the area of Tel Rumeida. When they arrived, settlers called the Israeli military and police, who arrived and confiscated the journalists’ ID cards, despite having seen their press credentials.
The Al Jazeera reporters had their ID cards returned after around an hour, but two Palestinians from Hebron who attempted to intervene on their behalf with police were abducted and removed in a police car. Their status is currently unknown and no reason was given for their detention.
After the journalists were apprehended, police and settlers arrived into the area with rolls of barbed wire, informing another Palestinian resident that his primary access to the main road would be closed. Hashem Azzeh and his family live underneath the Tel Rumeida settlement, with their access to the main road running directly next to the settlement. This path has been repeatedly closed by the Israeli authorities since 2000, and was only opened most recently in late 2012 after extensive legal battles in the Israeli courts.
The police and settlers claimed that the path would be closed from now on, because ‘unapproved people’ had been walking along it. According to the Israeli authorities, only Hashem, his family and guests walking with them have permission to use the path. Hashem states that he has no knowledge of strangers using this route to access his house.
Without the path, Hashem and his family have to travel a much longer, rock-strewn and hazardous route to leave their home. Hashem said today, “I think they will close my access now, they will say it is for security reasons.”
He thinks that the settlers used the arrival of the journalists and the subsequent confusion as a pretext to close his path and restrict his family’s movement, in further attempts to drive them from their home – they already face regular hassle from Israeli authorities and attacks from the settlers, including on Hashem’s young children.
