18 apr 2015
A Palestinian youth suspected of theft was shot and injured in the foot by the Israeli police claiming he attempted to stab a policeman west of Jerusalem Friday night, Israeli media reported.
The Walla Hebrew-language website said that the youth from the Nahalin town west of Bethlehem, was detained afterwards, and that his injuries were reported as light.
The Palestinian was suspected of theft while raiding a school in the Beit Shemesh town of western Jerusalem Policemen reportedly noticed three masked men inside the school, one of whom attempted to stab a policeman with a screwdriver after police ordered the three to stop.
The policeman then opened fire injuring the youth in the foot.
The youth was taken to the Hadassa Ein Karem Hospital for treatment, while another one of the masked men was able to flee the area.
An Israeli police spokesperson did not immediately return Ma'an's call for further information on the incident.
The Walla Hebrew-language website said that the youth from the Nahalin town west of Bethlehem, was detained afterwards, and that his injuries were reported as light.
The Palestinian was suspected of theft while raiding a school in the Beit Shemesh town of western Jerusalem Policemen reportedly noticed three masked men inside the school, one of whom attempted to stab a policeman with a screwdriver after police ordered the three to stop.
The policeman then opened fire injuring the youth in the foot.
The youth was taken to the Hadassa Ein Karem Hospital for treatment, while another one of the masked men was able to flee the area.
An Israeli police spokesperson did not immediately return Ma'an's call for further information on the incident.
Khaled Kotina
Danino says investigation concluded Khaled Kotina committed a 'horrible attack' which claimed the life of Shalom Yohai Cherki.
A Palestinian driver deliberately rammed his car into a Jerusalem bus stop this week and killed an Israeli man in a "horrible attack", police chief Yohanan Danino said on Saturday.
"Today we can say that it is a horrible attack," Danino said in a statement after an investigation into Wednesday's incident. He ruled out initial suggestions that it had been an accident.
Shalom Yohai Cherki, 26, and Shira Klein, 20, were seriously injured in the attack on the bus stop in east Jerusalem. Cherki, the son of prominent rabbi Ouri Cherki who is well known in the city's francophone community, died of his injuries on Thursday morning and was buried later that day.
The driver, 37-year-old Khaled Kotina from east Jerusalem, who was also hurt, was arrested and interrogated by police. Israel has been shaken by a spate of deadly attacks by Palestinians in the Holy City since last October. In March, five Israelis were injured when a Palestinian drove into a group of pedestrians before getting out of the car to try to stab people.
An Israeli border guard was killed and several people were injured in November when a Palestinian drove his vehicle into people waiting at a stop on the city's light railway system. And in a similar attack, two people including a three-month Israeli-American baby were killed in October.
Tensions have been running high in Jerusalem since a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last July and August.
Danino says investigation concluded Khaled Kotina committed a 'horrible attack' which claimed the life of Shalom Yohai Cherki.
A Palestinian driver deliberately rammed his car into a Jerusalem bus stop this week and killed an Israeli man in a "horrible attack", police chief Yohanan Danino said on Saturday.
"Today we can say that it is a horrible attack," Danino said in a statement after an investigation into Wednesday's incident. He ruled out initial suggestions that it had been an accident.
Shalom Yohai Cherki, 26, and Shira Klein, 20, were seriously injured in the attack on the bus stop in east Jerusalem. Cherki, the son of prominent rabbi Ouri Cherki who is well known in the city's francophone community, died of his injuries on Thursday morning and was buried later that day.
The driver, 37-year-old Khaled Kotina from east Jerusalem, who was also hurt, was arrested and interrogated by police. Israel has been shaken by a spate of deadly attacks by Palestinians in the Holy City since last October. In March, five Israelis were injured when a Palestinian drove into a group of pedestrians before getting out of the car to try to stab people.
An Israeli border guard was killed and several people were injured in November when a Palestinian drove his vehicle into people waiting at a stop on the city's light railway system. And in a similar attack, two people including a three-month Israeli-American baby were killed in October.
Tensions have been running high in Jerusalem since a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last July and August.
Abu Obaida, the spokesman of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, said addressing the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails on the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner Day “We will not let you down”.
In a speech broadcasted by local radio stations in Gaza on Friday evening, Abu Obaida hailed the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and said “al-Qassam Brigades are working on releasing the detainees by all means”.
He confirmed that the Brigades and resistance factions in general are supporting the prisoners by action rather than words to ensure their return to their homes and families.
“Working on releasing the Palestinian captives is a duty and commitment we do not abandon in any circumstances”, Abu Obaidah said.
He addressed the captives by saying “be sure that we will not let you down”.
Abu Obaidah hailed the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank, blockaded Gaza and diaspora.
He concluded saying, “We promise our people and captives to meet their expectations to remain loyal and to achieve their hopes and wishes”.
In a speech broadcasted by local radio stations in Gaza on Friday evening, Abu Obaida hailed the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and said “al-Qassam Brigades are working on releasing the detainees by all means”.
He confirmed that the Brigades and resistance factions in general are supporting the prisoners by action rather than words to ensure their return to their homes and families.
“Working on releasing the Palestinian captives is a duty and commitment we do not abandon in any circumstances”, Abu Obaidah said.
He addressed the captives by saying “be sure that we will not let you down”.
Abu Obaidah hailed the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank, blockaded Gaza and diaspora.
He concluded saying, “We promise our people and captives to meet their expectations to remain loyal and to achieve their hopes and wishes”.
On the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner Day, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) to release the Palestinian prisoners whereas the Islamic Jihad in Palestine called on Palestinian factions to work on their release.
Abbas said the issue of Palestinian prisoners is on top of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) priorities, asserting that releasing the captives will be the first of any coming agreements with Israel. However, he expressed his willingness to return back to negotiations.
In press statements on the Palestinian Prisoner Day on Friday evening, Abbas called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the issue of Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails by offering them legal and human rights protection.
He said, “The Israeli violations of human rights will be one of the issues to be filed by the PA at the International Criminal Court (ICC)”.
For its part, the Islamic Jihad Movement called on the Palestinian factions to arrest Israeli soldiers in order to make prisoner swap deals. It called for the continuation of popular activities in solidarity with detainees as well.
In a march in Khan Younis on Friday, the Islamic Jihad leader Fuad al-Razem, who is a Jerusalemite ex-detainee, said the only option for releasing prisoners is the option made by the prisoner swap deal “Wafa al-Ahrar”.
For his part, the Islamic Jihad leader Ahmad al-Mdallal stressed the need to exert efforts for the sake of releasing Palestinian detainees.
He confirmed that the Palestinian resistance is studying suitable plans for releasing the captives, and stressed that resistance is the only way for achieving that goal.
Abbas said the issue of Palestinian prisoners is on top of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) priorities, asserting that releasing the captives will be the first of any coming agreements with Israel. However, he expressed his willingness to return back to negotiations.
In press statements on the Palestinian Prisoner Day on Friday evening, Abbas called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the issue of Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails by offering them legal and human rights protection.
He said, “The Israeli violations of human rights will be one of the issues to be filed by the PA at the International Criminal Court (ICC)”.
For its part, the Islamic Jihad Movement called on the Palestinian factions to arrest Israeli soldiers in order to make prisoner swap deals. It called for the continuation of popular activities in solidarity with detainees as well.
In a march in Khan Younis on Friday, the Islamic Jihad leader Fuad al-Razem, who is a Jerusalemite ex-detainee, said the only option for releasing prisoners is the option made by the prisoner swap deal “Wafa al-Ahrar”.
For his part, the Islamic Jihad leader Ahmad al-Mdallal stressed the need to exert efforts for the sake of releasing Palestinian detainees.
He confirmed that the Palestinian resistance is studying suitable plans for releasing the captives, and stressed that resistance is the only way for achieving that goal.
Head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Mishaal stated Friday that his group refuses any future prisoner swap deal with Israel before the release of the ex-prisoners who were rearrested after their release during Wafa al-Ahrar deal in 2011.
“Trust your brothers’ experience in negotiating with the Israeli occupation authority”, he said addressing Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
“We shall double our ongoing efforts to force your release. The prisoners’ issue is always on the top priorities of Hamas Movement.”
Hamas is working and following in the steps of Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal, he continued.
“We will continue attempting to capture Israeli soldiers until the occupation is forced to release all prisoners”, Mishaal affirmed.
“I realize how much you are eager to know more information about the new swap deal’s timing and details. Don’t bother yourself with the details and rumors.”
“We are not only working for the release of our prisoners, but also to hold Israeli leaders accountable for committing crimes against them”, he said.
The senior Hamas leader also called for uniting ranks of prisoners in face of the oppressive jailers.
Mishaal’s statement came in commemoration of the Palestinian Prisoner Day observed in every single inch of the occupied Palestinian territories, to pay homage to the 6,500 detainees held at the Israeli occupation jails.
“Trust your brothers’ experience in negotiating with the Israeli occupation authority”, he said addressing Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
“We shall double our ongoing efforts to force your release. The prisoners’ issue is always on the top priorities of Hamas Movement.”
Hamas is working and following in the steps of Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal, he continued.
“We will continue attempting to capture Israeli soldiers until the occupation is forced to release all prisoners”, Mishaal affirmed.
“I realize how much you are eager to know more information about the new swap deal’s timing and details. Don’t bother yourself with the details and rumors.”
“We are not only working for the release of our prisoners, but also to hold Israeli leaders accountable for committing crimes against them”, he said.
The senior Hamas leader also called for uniting ranks of prisoners in face of the oppressive jailers.
Mishaal’s statement came in commemoration of the Palestinian Prisoner Day observed in every single inch of the occupied Palestinian territories, to pay homage to the 6,500 detainees held at the Israeli occupation jails.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) rounded up four Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem and al-Khalil.
Two Jerusalemite young men were arrested on Friday evening in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem whereas three Jerusalemite ex-detainees got released after being imprisoned for one week.
In a statement, Wadi Hilweh Information Center - Silwan revealed that the IOF attacked two Jerusalemite young men and arrested them on Friday. Their remand was extended to Saturday.
In a similar context, Addameer Foundation lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud said that the Israeli Magistrate Court decided on Friday to release three minors on bails ranging between $130-180 and under the condition of house arrest for 5-7 days in addition to third party guarantees.
In al-Khalil, the IOF soldiers arrested two Palestinians from the city on Saturday.
Local sources said the Israeli soldiers broke into Palestinians’ homes in al-Khalil city and Saair town to the east.
They searched and wreaked havoc in the houses before they rounded up both men and took them to an unknown destination, the sources said.
Two Jerusalemite young men were arrested on Friday evening in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem whereas three Jerusalemite ex-detainees got released after being imprisoned for one week.
In a statement, Wadi Hilweh Information Center - Silwan revealed that the IOF attacked two Jerusalemite young men and arrested them on Friday. Their remand was extended to Saturday.
In a similar context, Addameer Foundation lawyer Mohammad Mahmoud said that the Israeli Magistrate Court decided on Friday to release three minors on bails ranging between $130-180 and under the condition of house arrest for 5-7 days in addition to third party guarantees.
In al-Khalil, the IOF soldiers arrested two Palestinians from the city on Saturday.
Local sources said the Israeli soldiers broke into Palestinians’ homes in al-Khalil city and Saair town to the east.
They searched and wreaked havoc in the houses before they rounded up both men and took them to an unknown destination, the sources said.
Marking the Palestinian Prisoner Day, Italian human rights institutions have organized on Friday an international conference to shed light on the issue of Palestinian prisoners.
The conference was held by Italian Culture Home institution in Milan with the participation of MP for the Democratic Party in Italy Leah Epeli and a number of Italian and international human rights institutions like Amnesty and the Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights.
The conference aims at shedding light on the humanitarian aspect of the prisoners’ issue and the Israeli violations against them, the Italian Culture Home said.
Workshops and photo galleries were organized on the sidelines of the conference discussing the Israeli torture in interrogation centers and detention of minors.
The conference was held by Italian Culture Home institution in Milan with the participation of MP for the Democratic Party in Italy Leah Epeli and a number of Italian and international human rights institutions like Amnesty and the Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights.
The conference aims at shedding light on the humanitarian aspect of the prisoners’ issue and the Israeli violations against them, the Italian Culture Home said.
Workshops and photo galleries were organized on the sidelines of the conference discussing the Israeli torture in interrogation centers and detention of minors.
In spite of the critical health condition of the captive Mansour Muqidi from Zawiyah town west of Salfit, he is suffering from deliberate medical neglect like all other Palestinian sick prisoners in the Israeli jails which caused his health condition to deteriorate rapidly.
The captive’s condition prompted his family and activists in prisoners' affairs to launch a media campaign demanding his treatment and release but it did not receive the required interaction.
After the last statements of the leader in Hamas Movement Mushir al-Masri, the family of the captive is optimistic that a swap deal will be conducted soon. The daughter of the captive, Mahfudha, told the PIC that they made appeals and organized sit-ins but to no avail and now the swap deal is their last hope.
Exacerbated health status
Al-Zawiyah town is hoping for the release of Mansour who is sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a settler. The captive's picture sitting on a wheelchair is very touching as he is paraplegic and he defecates and urinates in bags taped to his belly and he has a plastic stomach, according to Fuad al-Khaffash, Head of Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies.
Um Ra'd, the captive's wife, said: "Monsour's health status is very critical and he tries to hide the urine bag during our visits and he asked us to prepare a grave in the house yard."
She added: "My husband was hit with three bullets in his spine and belly causing him to become paraplegic and led to a laceration of his digestive system, sometimes his hands spasm and he suffers suffocations and sometimes he faints."
Deliberate medical neglect
"My husband was transferred to Assaf Harofeh Hospital for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and after he was injected with a needle to be placed in the MRI scanner, the doctor asked him about his health condition and when my husband told him that there is a bullet in his pelvis, the imaging was cancelled immediately because that would cause his death.”
“My husband was about to die because the doctors didn't view his medical file in advance," she said, adding: "He underwent 5 complicated operations as he is injured in sensitive areas in his stomach, intestines and bladder and he completely depends on the plastic bags to perform his body functions."
For his part, head of Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies Fuad al-Khuffash stressed that swap deals are the only guarantee to free Mansour and the other prisoners from the injustice and the harsh conditions they suffer from in the Israeli jails.
He also added that the Israeli Occupation Authorities refused to include Mansour in any swap deal previously conducted in spite of his critical health status.
The captive’s condition prompted his family and activists in prisoners' affairs to launch a media campaign demanding his treatment and release but it did not receive the required interaction.
After the last statements of the leader in Hamas Movement Mushir al-Masri, the family of the captive is optimistic that a swap deal will be conducted soon. The daughter of the captive, Mahfudha, told the PIC that they made appeals and organized sit-ins but to no avail and now the swap deal is their last hope.
Exacerbated health status
Al-Zawiyah town is hoping for the release of Mansour who is sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a settler. The captive's picture sitting on a wheelchair is very touching as he is paraplegic and he defecates and urinates in bags taped to his belly and he has a plastic stomach, according to Fuad al-Khaffash, Head of Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies.
Um Ra'd, the captive's wife, said: "Monsour's health status is very critical and he tries to hide the urine bag during our visits and he asked us to prepare a grave in the house yard."
She added: "My husband was hit with three bullets in his spine and belly causing him to become paraplegic and led to a laceration of his digestive system, sometimes his hands spasm and he suffers suffocations and sometimes he faints."
Deliberate medical neglect
"My husband was transferred to Assaf Harofeh Hospital for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and after he was injected with a needle to be placed in the MRI scanner, the doctor asked him about his health condition and when my husband told him that there is a bullet in his pelvis, the imaging was cancelled immediately because that would cause his death.”
“My husband was about to die because the doctors didn't view his medical file in advance," she said, adding: "He underwent 5 complicated operations as he is injured in sensitive areas in his stomach, intestines and bladder and he completely depends on the plastic bags to perform his body functions."
For his part, head of Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies Fuad al-Khuffash stressed that swap deals are the only guarantee to free Mansour and the other prisoners from the injustice and the harsh conditions they suffer from in the Israeli jails.
He also added that the Israeli Occupation Authorities refused to include Mansour in any swap deal previously conducted in spite of his critical health status.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) detained Friday a Palestinian young man after being shot and injured during the weekly march of Kafer Qaddum town to the north of the West Bank, Palestinian activists reported.
The march that marks the Palestinian Prisoner Day was organized in protest against settlement expansion and called for opening the town’s main gate closed for more than 13 years.
Spokesperson for Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Kafer Qaddum, Murad Shtaiwi, stated that IOF soldiers violently attacked and opened fire at the protesters.
A young man was shot and injured in his foot during the march before being detained and transferred to investigation center in Kedumim settlement built on the town’s land, Shtaiwi added.
A second Palestinian young man, from Jenin, was nabbed for allegedly entering the 1948 occupied territories without permission.
IOF also broke into Jaba’a town in Jenin and arrested a 20-year-old Palestinian at dawn Friday.
Meanwhile, a number of injuries were reported after Friday prayers during clashes that broke out in Bil’in town near Ramallah.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces attacked a local march organized to mark the Palestinian Prisoner Day.
Friday, April 17, marks the Palestinian Prisoner Day, observed in every single inch of the occupied Palestinian territories, to pay homage to the 6,500 detainees held in Israeli occupation jails.
The march that marks the Palestinian Prisoner Day was organized in protest against settlement expansion and called for opening the town’s main gate closed for more than 13 years.
Spokesperson for Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Kafer Qaddum, Murad Shtaiwi, stated that IOF soldiers violently attacked and opened fire at the protesters.
A young man was shot and injured in his foot during the march before being detained and transferred to investigation center in Kedumim settlement built on the town’s land, Shtaiwi added.
A second Palestinian young man, from Jenin, was nabbed for allegedly entering the 1948 occupied territories without permission.
IOF also broke into Jaba’a town in Jenin and arrested a 20-year-old Palestinian at dawn Friday.
Meanwhile, a number of injuries were reported after Friday prayers during clashes that broke out in Bil’in town near Ramallah.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces attacked a local march organized to mark the Palestinian Prisoner Day.
Friday, April 17, marks the Palestinian Prisoner Day, observed in every single inch of the occupied Palestinian territories, to pay homage to the 6,500 detainees held in Israeli occupation jails.
An Israeli military court brought 12 charges against Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jerrar earlier this week in connection to her PFLP membership, rights group says.
After being detained, interrogated, and held since April 2, Jerrar was charged by Israeli military prosecution on Wednesday, according to a report released Friday by Amnesty International.
Charges included membership of an illegal organization, participation in protests, and incitement to kidnap Israeli soldiers.
Jerrar's defense team argued there was no basis to the incitement charge, and that it was vindictive, according to Amnesty's report.
The majority of Palestinian political organizations are considered illegal by Israel, including those that make of the PLO, and association with such parties is often used as grounds for imprisonment, according to Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association Addameer.
Jerrar was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 as a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Following her arrest on April 2, an Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that Jerrar was detained for being the leader of a "terrorist organization," and had encouraged "terror activities" over the previous few weeks.
Jerrar's home in the Ramallah neighborhood of al-Bireh was raided by Israeli forces at the time of her arrest, after which she was interrogated at the nearby Ofer detention center before being taken to Hasharon prison inside of Israel.
The arrest came after Jerrar refused an initial deportation order from Israeli authorities in August
Detaining symbols of resistance
Jerrar has been targeted by Israeli authorities throughout her life, however Wednesday marked the fist time the lawmaker was officially charged by Israeli military courts, and Palestinian factions have decried her detention.
Legislative Council lawmaker Jamil al-Majdalawi said following her arrest that "Israel does not lose a chance to attempt to break the resistance's will, the people's resistance and their leadership symbols, and Khalida Jarrar is one of those symbols of resistance."
Most recently, Jerrar was selected in February 2015 for the Palestinian committee in charge of conducting ICC investigation into crimes committed in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. She is also vice chair of prisoner rights group Addameer.
From the time of her detention until receiving charges, Jerrar was held under administrative detention
Administration detention is a practice allowed international law that enables a state to hold a prisoner without charge or trial in extenuating circumstances, where the individual poses a significant and immediate threat and the state has no alternative options.
In practice, Israel routinely uses administrative detention to hold Palestinians indefinitely without trial, according to Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem.
Israeli is currently holding 14 PLC members in prisons, eight of which under administrative detention orders.
A review of Jerrar's detention under the 12 charges will take place on April 29, the report said.
After being detained, interrogated, and held since April 2, Jerrar was charged by Israeli military prosecution on Wednesday, according to a report released Friday by Amnesty International.
Charges included membership of an illegal organization, participation in protests, and incitement to kidnap Israeli soldiers.
Jerrar's defense team argued there was no basis to the incitement charge, and that it was vindictive, according to Amnesty's report.
The majority of Palestinian political organizations are considered illegal by Israel, including those that make of the PLO, and association with such parties is often used as grounds for imprisonment, according to Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association Addameer.
Jerrar was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 as a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Following her arrest on April 2, an Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that Jerrar was detained for being the leader of a "terrorist organization," and had encouraged "terror activities" over the previous few weeks.
Jerrar's home in the Ramallah neighborhood of al-Bireh was raided by Israeli forces at the time of her arrest, after which she was interrogated at the nearby Ofer detention center before being taken to Hasharon prison inside of Israel.
The arrest came after Jerrar refused an initial deportation order from Israeli authorities in August
Detaining symbols of resistance
Jerrar has been targeted by Israeli authorities throughout her life, however Wednesday marked the fist time the lawmaker was officially charged by Israeli military courts, and Palestinian factions have decried her detention.
Legislative Council lawmaker Jamil al-Majdalawi said following her arrest that "Israel does not lose a chance to attempt to break the resistance's will, the people's resistance and their leadership symbols, and Khalida Jarrar is one of those symbols of resistance."
Most recently, Jerrar was selected in February 2015 for the Palestinian committee in charge of conducting ICC investigation into crimes committed in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. She is also vice chair of prisoner rights group Addameer.
From the time of her detention until receiving charges, Jerrar was held under administrative detention
Administration detention is a practice allowed international law that enables a state to hold a prisoner without charge or trial in extenuating circumstances, where the individual poses a significant and immediate threat and the state has no alternative options.
In practice, Israel routinely uses administrative detention to hold Palestinians indefinitely without trial, according to Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem.
Israeli is currently holding 14 PLC members in prisons, eight of which under administrative detention orders.
A review of Jerrar's detention under the 12 charges will take place on April 29, the report said.
Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Saturday at dawn, two Palestinians, and summoned three others for interrogation, in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers invaded Sa’ir town, northeast of Hebron, searched and ransacked several homes, and kidnapped Odai Ali Jabarin.
The soldiers also invaded homes in Hebron’s Old City, and kidnapped Mohammad Ali Abu Sneina, 19 years of age.
In addition, soldiers handed Omar al-Mohtaseb and Obada Mousa Amro military orders for interrogation in the Etzion base, after violently searching their homes.
A similar order was handed to resident Samih Adwan Abu Fara, after the soldiers stormed and searched his home in Surif town, northwest of Hebron.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks on the northern entrances of Hebron city, and the main entrances of Yatta and Sa’ir towns, before stopping and searching dozens of cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers and interrogating some of them.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers invaded Sa’ir town, northeast of Hebron, searched and ransacked several homes, and kidnapped Odai Ali Jabarin.
The soldiers also invaded homes in Hebron’s Old City, and kidnapped Mohammad Ali Abu Sneina, 19 years of age.
In addition, soldiers handed Omar al-Mohtaseb and Obada Mousa Amro military orders for interrogation in the Etzion base, after violently searching their homes.
A similar order was handed to resident Samih Adwan Abu Fara, after the soldiers stormed and searched his home in Surif town, northwest of Hebron.
The soldiers also installed roadblocks on the northern entrances of Hebron city, and the main entrances of Yatta and Sa’ir towns, before stopping and searching dozens of cars while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers and interrogating some of them.
Hadi al-Fakhri was 26 the first time he hugged his father, one of thousands of Palestinians serving time in Israeli prisons for alleged militant activity in the occupied West Bank.
A decade later, more than 30 years into a life sentence, Fakhri's father was freed when more than 1,000 prisoners were swapped for an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas for five years.
The landmark 2011 deal to free Gilad Shalit sparked hope for thousands being held in Israeli prisons.
But more than three years on, with the peace process in tatters and ties with Israel severely strained, Palestinian hopes of seeing their prisoners released look more remote than ever.
Almost every Palestinian family is touched by the prisoners issue.
"Every Palestinian family has experience of the occupation's prisons -- people have either been locked up themselves, or they have a family member who's been in jail at some point," said Nojood Qassem, 40, whose husband is serving life.
Her daughter, who is now 13, has grown up knowing her father only through the glass of a prison window.
"My daughter doesn't even know her father. She only sees him behind glass panes on prison visits, and talks to him via a telephone only then. It's maybe a couple of times a month," she told AFP.
Growing up with his father in prison was a tough experience for Fakhri too.
"When you're a child you want to play with your dad, you want his love, his physical presence, his hug.
"I only got that after 26 years and, instead of being normal, it was a bizarre feeling for me."
Day of resistance
The fate of those held in Israeli jails is a highly emotive topic for Palestinians. Prisoners Day, marked every April 17, is widely observed with marches and rallies.
"Prisoners Day is a national day where the Palestinian people express their opposition to occupation, and their support for those resisting it," said Qadura Fares, a former inmate and head of the Prisoners Club.
Fares was released during a prisoner swap as part of the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
"Palestinian prisoners are in jail precisely because they resisted the occupation. They're a symbol of resistance," he said.
On Wednesday, about 200 protesters paid homage to them, waving flags and demanding "freedom" for relatives and friends.
"Today, as we approach Prisoners Day, there are some 6,000 Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails," a speaker declared through a microphone.
"It is our right to live in freedom!"
But that right is being trampled, the Palestinians say, as the number of inmates increases.
The current number of at least 6,200 is the biggest for at least five years, according to figures from rights groups.
Since the Shalit deal, Israel has rearrested some of those freed and has rounded up hundreds more following the kidnapping and murder of three teens in the West Bank last June.
This month alone, Israel has arrested 49 Hamas members as well as a female MP.
Since 1967, a total of 800,000 Palestinians have spent time inside, according to the Palestinian foreign ministry.
International action
Few hold much hope of getting their loved ones out of jail any time soon.
Peace talks collapsed last year and many Palestinians feel hopes of resuming some kind of process ended last month after the re-election of hardline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged during the campaign that there would be no Palestinian state on his watch.
Netanyahu subsequently back-tracked, saying conditions were not right at the moment.
But Qassem was pessimistic.
"There's no hope of release for many prisoners, especially now there are no more talks with Israel. Netanyahu has closed all doors to peace," she said.
Palestinian officials agree a political solution appears unlikely.
"With a rightwing Israeli government being formed, and with a halt in talks, the political route is closed," said Issa Qaraqe, head of prisoners affairs for the Palestinian government.
But senior foreign ministry official Majed Bamya alluded to international steps the Palestinians could make on the prisoners issue.
"A new element is that we've joined the International Criminal Court. We consider the prisoners issue as one of the priorities" there, he said.
The Palestinians formally joined the ICC this month, and intend to sue Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.
"Mass imprisonment can be considered a war crime, a crime against humanity," Bamya warned.
A decade later, more than 30 years into a life sentence, Fakhri's father was freed when more than 1,000 prisoners were swapped for an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas for five years.
The landmark 2011 deal to free Gilad Shalit sparked hope for thousands being held in Israeli prisons.
But more than three years on, with the peace process in tatters and ties with Israel severely strained, Palestinian hopes of seeing their prisoners released look more remote than ever.
Almost every Palestinian family is touched by the prisoners issue.
"Every Palestinian family has experience of the occupation's prisons -- people have either been locked up themselves, or they have a family member who's been in jail at some point," said Nojood Qassem, 40, whose husband is serving life.
Her daughter, who is now 13, has grown up knowing her father only through the glass of a prison window.
"My daughter doesn't even know her father. She only sees him behind glass panes on prison visits, and talks to him via a telephone only then. It's maybe a couple of times a month," she told AFP.
Growing up with his father in prison was a tough experience for Fakhri too.
"When you're a child you want to play with your dad, you want his love, his physical presence, his hug.
"I only got that after 26 years and, instead of being normal, it was a bizarre feeling for me."
Day of resistance
The fate of those held in Israeli jails is a highly emotive topic for Palestinians. Prisoners Day, marked every April 17, is widely observed with marches and rallies.
"Prisoners Day is a national day where the Palestinian people express their opposition to occupation, and their support for those resisting it," said Qadura Fares, a former inmate and head of the Prisoners Club.
Fares was released during a prisoner swap as part of the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
"Palestinian prisoners are in jail precisely because they resisted the occupation. They're a symbol of resistance," he said.
On Wednesday, about 200 protesters paid homage to them, waving flags and demanding "freedom" for relatives and friends.
"Today, as we approach Prisoners Day, there are some 6,000 Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails," a speaker declared through a microphone.
"It is our right to live in freedom!"
But that right is being trampled, the Palestinians say, as the number of inmates increases.
The current number of at least 6,200 is the biggest for at least five years, according to figures from rights groups.
Since the Shalit deal, Israel has rearrested some of those freed and has rounded up hundreds more following the kidnapping and murder of three teens in the West Bank last June.
This month alone, Israel has arrested 49 Hamas members as well as a female MP.
Since 1967, a total of 800,000 Palestinians have spent time inside, according to the Palestinian foreign ministry.
International action
Few hold much hope of getting their loved ones out of jail any time soon.
Peace talks collapsed last year and many Palestinians feel hopes of resuming some kind of process ended last month after the re-election of hardline Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged during the campaign that there would be no Palestinian state on his watch.
Netanyahu subsequently back-tracked, saying conditions were not right at the moment.
But Qassem was pessimistic.
"There's no hope of release for many prisoners, especially now there are no more talks with Israel. Netanyahu has closed all doors to peace," she said.
Palestinian officials agree a political solution appears unlikely.
"With a rightwing Israeli government being formed, and with a halt in talks, the political route is closed," said Issa Qaraqe, head of prisoners affairs for the Palestinian government.
But senior foreign ministry official Majed Bamya alluded to international steps the Palestinians could make on the prisoners issue.
"A new element is that we've joined the International Criminal Court. We consider the prisoners issue as one of the priorities" there, he said.
The Palestinians formally joined the ICC this month, and intend to sue Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.
"Mass imprisonment can be considered a war crime, a crime against humanity," Bamya warned.
