14 dec 2015
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) has reported, Sunday, that around 21 detainees, held by Israel in the Huwwara prison, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, are ongoing with the hunger strike they started on December 9.
The PPS said the detainees are protesting the ongoing strip searches, repeatedly enforced on them in Huwwara, and the continued violations and abuse.
It added that the detainees started their strike on December 9 after the soldiers invaded their rooms at night, and forced them out before strip-searching them.
The PPS also said, similar to their repeated strikes, the detainees are demanding the Israeli authorities to improve their living conditions, including the quantity and quality of food, in addition to a sufficient amount of bed covers and blankets, fixing the toilets and shower rooms, proper medical attention, and various other essentials.
There are more than 6500 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including close to 1000 Palestinians who were kidnapped in November, in addition to dozens taken prisoner this month.
The PPS said the detainees are protesting the ongoing strip searches, repeatedly enforced on them in Huwwara, and the continued violations and abuse.
It added that the detainees started their strike on December 9 after the soldiers invaded their rooms at night, and forced them out before strip-searching them.
The PPS also said, similar to their repeated strikes, the detainees are demanding the Israeli authorities to improve their living conditions, including the quantity and quality of food, in addition to a sufficient amount of bed covers and blankets, fixing the toilets and shower rooms, proper medical attention, and various other essentials.
There are more than 6500 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including close to 1000 Palestinians who were kidnapped in November, in addition to dozens taken prisoner this month.
Member of Palestinian legislative Council (PLC) Khalida Jarrar said that her detention in Israeli jails is political par excellence. She accused the Israeli judiciary of seeking to silence anyone who exposes Israeli crimes.
The Palestinian Committee for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners quoted MP Jarrar, who is currently held in HaSharon prison, as stating that her defense had presented an immunity appeal to the court in accordance with the international law's immunity granted for elected officials, but the appeal was turned down.
The lawmaker added that “I did not expect anything from military courts. They are a joke, it's like a big theater, I do not trust them and my detention has been political since the beginning.”
Jarrar also said that she refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court, adding that all charges pressed against her are "ridiculous" and related to completely legal activities, including social and political work as a member of parliament.
She also pointed out that she was badly treated along with other prisoners while being transferred from Ofer court to HaSharon prison.
Jarrar added that she and other prisoners were handcuffed and their feet were shackled during visits by family members or lawyers.
On Dec. 6, an Israeli military court sentenced Jarrar to 15 months in jail. The lawmaker was also fined 10,000 shekels ($2,582) and given a suspended sentence of 12 months within a five year period.
PLC member Khalida Jarrar was arrested on 2 April 2015 and initially placed under an administrative detention order of 6 months, which was subsequently limited to one month and two days. She was then charged with 12 charges, following international outcry at her administrative detention order.
There are currently five PLC members held illegally in Israeli jails without charge or trial.
The Palestinian Committee for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners quoted MP Jarrar, who is currently held in HaSharon prison, as stating that her defense had presented an immunity appeal to the court in accordance with the international law's immunity granted for elected officials, but the appeal was turned down.
The lawmaker added that “I did not expect anything from military courts. They are a joke, it's like a big theater, I do not trust them and my detention has been political since the beginning.”
Jarrar also said that she refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court, adding that all charges pressed against her are "ridiculous" and related to completely legal activities, including social and political work as a member of parliament.
She also pointed out that she was badly treated along with other prisoners while being transferred from Ofer court to HaSharon prison.
Jarrar added that she and other prisoners were handcuffed and their feet were shackled during visits by family members or lawyers.
On Dec. 6, an Israeli military court sentenced Jarrar to 15 months in jail. The lawmaker was also fined 10,000 shekels ($2,582) and given a suspended sentence of 12 months within a five year period.
PLC member Khalida Jarrar was arrested on 2 April 2015 and initially placed under an administrative detention order of 6 months, which was subsequently limited to one month and two days. She was then charged with 12 charges, following international outcry at her administrative detention order.
There are currently five PLC members held illegally in Israeli jails without charge or trial.
Israeli border soldiers arrested Sunday a Palestinian citizen working for the Red Crescent as he was trying to travel to the West Bank through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip.
According to human rights sources, the detainee is 27-year-old Mohamed Abu Jumaiza, who works as an X-ray technician for the Red Crescent at al-Quds hospital.
Abu Jumaiza went to the crossing along with 25 coworkers after obtaining permits for their travel to Ramallah to attend a training course, but the Israeli officers there arrested him for an unknown reason and allowed his friends to cross, the sources added.
The family received a phone call from the Israeli police telling it that Abu Jumaiza was transferred to al-Majdal prison after several hours of detention at the crossing.
According to human rights sources, the detainee is 27-year-old Mohamed Abu Jumaiza, who works as an X-ray technician for the Red Crescent at al-Quds hospital.
Abu Jumaiza went to the crossing along with 25 coworkers after obtaining permits for their travel to Ramallah to attend a training course, but the Israeli officers there arrested him for an unknown reason and allowed his friends to cross, the sources added.
The family received a phone call from the Israeli police telling it that Abu Jumaiza was transferred to al-Majdal prison after several hours of detention at the crossing.
A number of Palestinian citizens were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Sunday evening and Monday dawn in a mass-abduction sweep launched across the southern West Bank province of al-Khalil.
Eight Palestinians, including a lady, were kidnapped by the IOF at dawn time.
Eye-witnesses said the IOF rolled into Sadat al-Fahs village, in southern al-Khalil, and showered the area with gunfire. A military jet was, meanwhile, hovering over the territory.
The IOF soldiers have been sealing off al-Khalil’s southern entrance and subjecting passers-by to exhaustive questioning.
A PIC correspondent said the IOF soldiers further kidnapped 37-year-old Haifa Abu Rmeila, a mother of six children, after they broke into her family home in al-Hawez neighborhood and wreaked havoc on the building.
The IOF further kidnapped three Palestinians, including an injured youth, after they ravaged their family homes in Beit Awa town.
The IOF also kidnapped two Palestinian youths, in their 20’s of age, from the Arroub refugee camp.
Two Palestinians were, meanwhile, abducted by the IOF from al-Khalil city.
Earlier, on Sunday, a Palestinian girl was shot and injured by the Israeli occupation troops near the Kiryat Arba illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands in al-Khalil, on allegations that she attempted to stab an occupation soldier.
Local sources identified the girl as 16-year-old student Lama Monder al-Bukri.
Five Palestinians were, meanwhile, wounded in clashes with the IOF in the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
Eight Palestinians, including a lady, were kidnapped by the IOF at dawn time.
Eye-witnesses said the IOF rolled into Sadat al-Fahs village, in southern al-Khalil, and showered the area with gunfire. A military jet was, meanwhile, hovering over the territory.
The IOF soldiers have been sealing off al-Khalil’s southern entrance and subjecting passers-by to exhaustive questioning.
A PIC correspondent said the IOF soldiers further kidnapped 37-year-old Haifa Abu Rmeila, a mother of six children, after they broke into her family home in al-Hawez neighborhood and wreaked havoc on the building.
The IOF further kidnapped three Palestinians, including an injured youth, after they ravaged their family homes in Beit Awa town.
The IOF also kidnapped two Palestinian youths, in their 20’s of age, from the Arroub refugee camp.
Two Palestinians were, meanwhile, abducted by the IOF from al-Khalil city.
Earlier, on Sunday, a Palestinian girl was shot and injured by the Israeli occupation troops near the Kiryat Arba illegal settlement, built on Palestinian lands in al-Khalil, on allegations that she attempted to stab an occupation soldier.
Local sources identified the girl as 16-year-old student Lama Monder al-Bukri.
Five Palestinians were, meanwhile, wounded in clashes with the IOF in the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested overnight 30 Palestinians during a large-scale raid campaign across the West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said that IOF arrested at dawn Monday nine Palestinian citizens in al-Khalil. A girl and two minors were among the reported detainees.
In Nablus, eight detainees were reported as IOF broke into Qaryout town. Four children aged between 13 and 14 were among the detainees.
Along the same line, at least six Palestinians were kidnapped including two minors in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli forces also arrested two citizens in Ramallah and al-Bireh in the central West Bank.
In Qalqilia, three brothers were among four detainees in the city.
Another young man, from Tulkarem, was arrested while visiting his detained brother in Negev prison.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said that IOF arrested at dawn Monday nine Palestinian citizens in al-Khalil. A girl and two minors were among the reported detainees.
In Nablus, eight detainees were reported as IOF broke into Qaryout town. Four children aged between 13 and 14 were among the detainees.
Along the same line, at least six Palestinians were kidnapped including two minors in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli forces also arrested two citizens in Ramallah and al-Bireh in the central West Bank.
In Qalqilia, three brothers were among four detainees in the city.
Another young man, from Tulkarem, was arrested while visiting his detained brother in Negev prison.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed at dawn Monday Jayus town, east of Qalqilia, in occupied West Bank and carried out a large scale raid and search campaign.
The PIC reporter affirmed that a large number of Israeli forces stormed several homes at the outskirts of the town and forced their inhabitants to stay outside for long hours despite the extreme cold weather.
All entrances to the town were closed during the raid where Palestinian vehicles' movement was blocked in both directions.
The town had witnessed over the past few days violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths.
On the other hand, the Israeli army called up four battalions to reinforce its presence in the West Bank with the aim of quelling Jerusalem Intifada activities.
Maariv Hebrew newspaper said that Israeli authorities decided to reinforce army forces in the West Bank after multiple military and security agencies met to discuss the ongoing "turmoil".
For the first time since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, the Israeli authorities will call up two battalions of reservists at the beginning of 2016 to the region. Two battalions of the regular IOF will join them.
The battalions will reportedly be deployed specifically in West Bank roads, the sources added.
An IOF spokesman told Maariv Sunday night that further reinforcements are still on the table, and could be deployed at any time depending on how the situation develops.
The PIC reporter affirmed that a large number of Israeli forces stormed several homes at the outskirts of the town and forced their inhabitants to stay outside for long hours despite the extreme cold weather.
All entrances to the town were closed during the raid where Palestinian vehicles' movement was blocked in both directions.
The town had witnessed over the past few days violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths.
On the other hand, the Israeli army called up four battalions to reinforce its presence in the West Bank with the aim of quelling Jerusalem Intifada activities.
Maariv Hebrew newspaper said that Israeli authorities decided to reinforce army forces in the West Bank after multiple military and security agencies met to discuss the ongoing "turmoil".
For the first time since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, the Israeli authorities will call up two battalions of reservists at the beginning of 2016 to the region. Two battalions of the regular IOF will join them.
The battalions will reportedly be deployed specifically in West Bank roads, the sources added.
An IOF spokesman told Maariv Sunday night that further reinforcements are still on the table, and could be deployed at any time depending on how the situation develops.
Clashes broke out in Nablus at dawn Monday between dozens of local youths and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) after hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed Youssef tomb, east of the city, under the army protection.
A PIC reporter quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Israeli buses and cars carrying hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed the city from Awarta checkpoint, accompanied by large numbers of Israeli military vehicles.
Clashes erupted when the Israeli soldiers fired tear gas bombs into Palestinian houses, which led to a number of suffocation cases among the Palestinian youths who responded by throwing stones and empty bottles.
A number of homes were also stormed and searched in the area including an ex-detainee’s home.
Eight Palestinians including a child were detained during the Israeli raid into the city.
A PIC reporter quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Israeli buses and cars carrying hundreds of Jewish settlers stormed the city from Awarta checkpoint, accompanied by large numbers of Israeli military vehicles.
Clashes erupted when the Israeli soldiers fired tear gas bombs into Palestinian houses, which led to a number of suffocation cases among the Palestinian youths who responded by throwing stones and empty bottles.
A number of homes were also stormed and searched in the area including an ex-detainee’s home.
Eight Palestinians including a child were detained during the Israeli raid into the city.
Five Palestinians suffered different injuries on Sunday when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) invaded al-Janiya village, northwest of Ramallah city, and attacked citizens and homes.
According to local sources, the IOF started yesterday morning to impose a tight blockade on the village and fired volleys of tear gas grenades at its homes, which caused two children and one elderly man identified as 80-year-old Abdul-Majid Madloum to suffocate.
The invading troops also captured and physically assaulted two kids as they were trying to reach the house of their grandfather Madloum, who suffered from inhaling tear gas.
Later, the soldiers released the boys, who were rushed aboard a Palestinian ambulance to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah to receive treatment.
As a result of the intense tear gas attacks on the eastern and central areas of the village, several families were evacuated from their homes.
According to local sources, the IOF started yesterday morning to impose a tight blockade on the village and fired volleys of tear gas grenades at its homes, which caused two children and one elderly man identified as 80-year-old Abdul-Majid Madloum to suffocate.
The invading troops also captured and physically assaulted two kids as they were trying to reach the house of their grandfather Madloum, who suffered from inhaling tear gas.
Later, the soldiers released the boys, who were rushed aboard a Palestinian ambulance to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah to receive treatment.
As a result of the intense tear gas attacks on the eastern and central areas of the village, several families were evacuated from their homes.
Israel has recently witnessed rise in indictments against Palestinians under the pretext of “online incitement”, Haaretz Hebrew newspaper said Sunday.
Over the past three months, Israeli authorities issued 105 indictments against Palestinian bloggers for “online incitement”, whereas 50 indictments were issued over the first six months of 2015.
The Israeli indictments were based on allegations submitted by the Israeli Intelligence Services (Shin Bet).
The most recent Israeli indictment was submitted against the young man Mohamed Abu Kaf, 21, from occupied Jerusalem for supporting Jerusalem Intifada and hailing Palestinian martyrs on social media networks.
The Israeli prosecutor considered Abu Kaf’s Facebook posts as an incitement to violence.
Over the past three months, Israeli authorities issued 105 indictments against Palestinian bloggers for “online incitement”, whereas 50 indictments were issued over the first six months of 2015.
The Israeli indictments were based on allegations submitted by the Israeli Intelligence Services (Shin Bet).
The most recent Israeli indictment was submitted against the young man Mohamed Abu Kaf, 21, from occupied Jerusalem for supporting Jerusalem Intifada and hailing Palestinian martyrs on social media networks.
The Israeli prosecutor considered Abu Kaf’s Facebook posts as an incitement to violence.
Palestinian Prisoner Society revealed on Sunday that the Palestinian captives in the Israeli jail of Howarah have been on hunger strike for four days.
The detainees’ decision of hunger strike came in protest at the strip search they were subjected to on December 09. It also aims at demanding the improvement of detention conditions, the society pointed out.
The captives of Howarah demanded, during the society’s lawyer visitation, improving the quality of food served at prison, providing new heavy clothes and blankets for winter season and repairing the toilets which are leaking water into prison sections.
The detainees’ decision of hunger strike came in protest at the strip search they were subjected to on December 09. It also aims at demanding the improvement of detention conditions, the society pointed out.
The captives of Howarah demanded, during the society’s lawyer visitation, improving the quality of food served at prison, providing new heavy clothes and blankets for winter season and repairing the toilets which are leaking water into prison sections.
At least nine Palestinians have been kidnapped, on Monday at dawn, after dozens of soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities, in different parts of the southern West Bank District of Hebron. One Palestinian was also kidnapped in Jerusalem.
The soldiers invaded several homes in Hebron city, violently searched them, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Haitham Issam al-Jo’ba, 23, and a woman identified as Haifa’ Makroum Tamimi, 37.
The soldiers also invaded Beit ‘Awwa town, southwest of Hebron, and kidnapped Baree' Ismael Shallash, 17, Wael Hussein Masalma, 35, and Ahmad ‘Awni Abdul-Hadi Sweity.
In the al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, the soldiers also searched homes and kidnapped Haitham Yousef Abu Ghazi, 17, Saed Ibrahim Badawi, 24, and Emad Zoheir Abu Warda, 23.
Another Palestinian, identified as Ishaq Ismael Houshiyya, was kidnapped from his home in Yatta town, south of Hebron.
In addition, the soldiers searched many homes in Hebron city, installed roadblocks on the its entrances , in addition to Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and examined the ID cards of scores of Palestinians.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers invaded Jabal al-Mokabber neighborhood, searched a few homes, and kidnapped one resident identified as Mohammad Hasan Khalaila.
The soldiers invaded several homes in Hebron city, violently searched them, and kidnapped two Palestinians identified as Haitham Issam al-Jo’ba, 23, and a woman identified as Haifa’ Makroum Tamimi, 37.
The soldiers also invaded Beit ‘Awwa town, southwest of Hebron, and kidnapped Baree' Ismael Shallash, 17, Wael Hussein Masalma, 35, and Ahmad ‘Awni Abdul-Hadi Sweity.
In the al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, the soldiers also searched homes and kidnapped Haitham Yousef Abu Ghazi, 17, Saed Ibrahim Badawi, 24, and Emad Zoheir Abu Warda, 23.
Another Palestinian, identified as Ishaq Ismael Houshiyya, was kidnapped from his home in Yatta town, south of Hebron.
In addition, the soldiers searched many homes in Hebron city, installed roadblocks on the its entrances , in addition to Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and examined the ID cards of scores of Palestinians.
In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers invaded Jabal al-Mokabber neighborhood, searched a few homes, and kidnapped one resident identified as Mohammad Hasan Khalaila.
Israeli soldiers carried out, on Monday at dawn, extensive military searches of Palestinian homes in Qaryout village, in the northern West Bank district of Nablus, and kidnapped eight Palestinians.
Media sources said the soldiers invaded, searched and ransacked many homes in the village, interrogated many Palestinians, and kidnapped eight.
The kidnapped have been identified as Musleh Badawi, his child Mo'tasem, Mohammad Mjalli Issa, his child Islam, Abed Anwar Azem, Tawfiq Khaldoun (child), Mohammad Hisham, and a child identified as Qassed Mohammad Mousa.
The soldiers also surrounded various neighborhoods, villages and towns in the Nablus district, before searching homes and cars, and inspected the ID cards of dozens of residents.
Media sources said the soldiers invaded, searched and ransacked many homes in the village, interrogated many Palestinians, and kidnapped eight.
The kidnapped have been identified as Musleh Badawi, his child Mo'tasem, Mohammad Mjalli Issa, his child Islam, Abed Anwar Azem, Tawfiq Khaldoun (child), Mohammad Hisham, and a child identified as Qassed Mohammad Mousa.
The soldiers also surrounded various neighborhoods, villages and towns in the Nablus district, before searching homes and cars, and inspected the ID cards of dozens of residents.
On November 26th 2015, the Israeli court charged teenagers Ali Shamlawi, Mohammed Kleib, Mohammed Suleiman, Ammar Souf and Tamer Souf with manslaughter.
The court sentenced the boys to 15 years in prison, provided they each pay NIS 30,000 (approximately $7,750) by January 28th 2016.
Failure to pay this amount will likely result in another 10 years of prison time added to each boys' sentence.
The boys have been in an adult Israeli prison for 2 years and 8 months already, accused of throwing stones at a settlers’ car.
The boys’ arrest stemmed from an accident in March 2013, when a settler driving with her three daughters crashed into a parked truck on Route 5.
The settler’s children were severely injured. One child died this year from the injuries she sustained in the accident, compounded by pneumonia.
Though the truck driver originally testified that he had pulled over on the road due to a flat tire, he later claimed that he had also seen rocks on the side of the road.
A senior Israeli military officer told Al-Jazeera that on that day, 20 Israeli drivers filed insurance claims stating that stones hit their cars on Route 5.
But, none of the allegedly affected Israelis contacted the police.
Consequently, there are no eyewitnesses to corroborate the claim that anyone had been throwing stones that day, much less caused this particular accident.
Nevertheless, Israeli authorities labeled the accident as a “terrorist attack” and conducted night raids in the nearby village of Hares. Nineteen boys, all between 16 and 17 years old, were detained.
After subjecting the minors to solitary confinement and denying them legal representation for days or even weeks at a time, the Israeli authorities released all but five boys, claiming that they had confessed to the crime.
However, the five imprisoned boys and their families maintain that the boys’ confessions were forced, extracted by torture and threats.
The sentencing of the Hares boys is another clear example of the way the Israeli court system functions to criminalize Palestinians, without any concern for due process or any notion of justice.
The Israeli military court system convicts 99.7% of the Palestinians that come before it.
In a press release, the Free the Hares Boys campaign calls for local and international human rights organizations and people of conscience to demand justice for the Hares Boys.
The court sentenced the boys to 15 years in prison, provided they each pay NIS 30,000 (approximately $7,750) by January 28th 2016.
Failure to pay this amount will likely result in another 10 years of prison time added to each boys' sentence.
The boys have been in an adult Israeli prison for 2 years and 8 months already, accused of throwing stones at a settlers’ car.
The boys’ arrest stemmed from an accident in March 2013, when a settler driving with her three daughters crashed into a parked truck on Route 5.
The settler’s children were severely injured. One child died this year from the injuries she sustained in the accident, compounded by pneumonia.
Though the truck driver originally testified that he had pulled over on the road due to a flat tire, he later claimed that he had also seen rocks on the side of the road.
A senior Israeli military officer told Al-Jazeera that on that day, 20 Israeli drivers filed insurance claims stating that stones hit their cars on Route 5.
But, none of the allegedly affected Israelis contacted the police.
Consequently, there are no eyewitnesses to corroborate the claim that anyone had been throwing stones that day, much less caused this particular accident.
Nevertheless, Israeli authorities labeled the accident as a “terrorist attack” and conducted night raids in the nearby village of Hares. Nineteen boys, all between 16 and 17 years old, were detained.
After subjecting the minors to solitary confinement and denying them legal representation for days or even weeks at a time, the Israeli authorities released all but five boys, claiming that they had confessed to the crime.
However, the five imprisoned boys and their families maintain that the boys’ confessions were forced, extracted by torture and threats.
The sentencing of the Hares boys is another clear example of the way the Israeli court system functions to criminalize Palestinians, without any concern for due process or any notion of justice.
The Israeli military court system convicts 99.7% of the Palestinians that come before it.
In a press release, the Free the Hares Boys campaign calls for local and international human rights organizations and people of conscience to demand justice for the Hares Boys.
A group more than five Israeli soldiers dressed as Palestinian civilians (Musta’ribeen), on Sunday morning, opened fire on and kidnapped two Palestinian youths from Jabaa’ checkpoint, north of Jerusalem.
Media sources said, according to the PNN, that the Musta’ribeen, AKA Death Unit, kidnapped the youths after opening fire at their vehicle on Jabaa’ checkpoint. One of them was injured in the shooting.
Last month, the Musta’ribeen broke into Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron overnight, executed a patient and kidnapped his cousin.
According to the hospital CCTV, one of the group members was dressed as a pregnant woman wearing the Hijab and Jilbab (Islamic dress code), and another faked being a patient on a wheel-chair to infiltrate the hospital. The rest were dressed as Palestinians and wearing the Kufiyyeh (Palestinian scarf).
Minutes later, their guns were out.
The same unit has infiltrated at least five Palestinian demonstrations within the past two months, where they shot and kidnapped youth from Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, which also include schoolboys.
The unit includes soldiers who are professionally trained to act, speak and look like Palestinians. They are armed and guarded by Israeli soldiers during their sudden attacks.
Media sources said, according to the PNN, that the Musta’ribeen, AKA Death Unit, kidnapped the youths after opening fire at their vehicle on Jabaa’ checkpoint. One of them was injured in the shooting.
Last month, the Musta’ribeen broke into Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron overnight, executed a patient and kidnapped his cousin.
According to the hospital CCTV, one of the group members was dressed as a pregnant woman wearing the Hijab and Jilbab (Islamic dress code), and another faked being a patient on a wheel-chair to infiltrate the hospital. The rest were dressed as Palestinians and wearing the Kufiyyeh (Palestinian scarf).
Minutes later, their guns were out.
The same unit has infiltrated at least five Palestinian demonstrations within the past two months, where they shot and kidnapped youth from Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, which also include schoolboys.
The unit includes soldiers who are professionally trained to act, speak and look like Palestinians. They are armed and guarded by Israeli soldiers during their sudden attacks.
13 dec 2015
Luma al-Bakari 16
A Palestinian schoolgirl was shot by Israeli soldiers, moderately wounded and left to bleed on the ground, under claims that she attempted to stab a soldier, PNN reports.
The shooting took place near Kiryat Arba’ settlement, northwest of Hebron's Old City.
According to Israeli media, the teenager attempted to stab an Israeli settler near the Givat Ramot neighborhood of the illegal settlement before being shot near a car repair shop in the area.
The victim was identified as Lama Al-Bakri, aged 16, and the incident took place as she was heading home from school. She was taken into custody some time after.
There were no reports of Israeli injuries.
The alleged attack attempt is the latest to take place in the occupied Palestinian territory, where an escalation of violence that kicked off in October has continued full-fledged into December, Ma'an further reported.
Hebron’s Old City, nearby where Sunday’s incident took place, was designated a “closed military zone” last month in the wake of attacks in the area.
Palestinians living in the Hebron area have since come under severe restrictions on movement, arrest raids, and invasive security checks by Israeli forces.
A Palestinian schoolgirl was shot by Israeli soldiers, moderately wounded and left to bleed on the ground, under claims that she attempted to stab a soldier, PNN reports.
The shooting took place near Kiryat Arba’ settlement, northwest of Hebron's Old City.
According to Israeli media, the teenager attempted to stab an Israeli settler near the Givat Ramot neighborhood of the illegal settlement before being shot near a car repair shop in the area.
The victim was identified as Lama Al-Bakri, aged 16, and the incident took place as she was heading home from school. She was taken into custody some time after.
There were no reports of Israeli injuries.
The alleged attack attempt is the latest to take place in the occupied Palestinian territory, where an escalation of violence that kicked off in October has continued full-fledged into December, Ma'an further reported.
Hebron’s Old City, nearby where Sunday’s incident took place, was designated a “closed military zone” last month in the wake of attacks in the area.
Palestinians living in the Hebron area have since come under severe restrictions on movement, arrest raids, and invasive security checks by Israeli forces.
Israeli forces early Sunday detained a former Palestinian prisoner who was released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, according to a local prisoners’ committee.
Fahd Sharaya was detained from the Balata refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, the coordinator for a local Palestinian prisoners’ committee, Imad al-Din Ishteiwi, told Ma’an.
Sharaya was initially sentenced to 14 years in jail but released in the Shalit exchange in 2011 after serving 10 years.
The former prisoner is a member of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades -- a military wing of the Fatah movement -- and is married with four children, Ishteiwi said, adding that Sharaya was in poor health at the time of his re-arrest.
An Israeli army spokesperson had no immediate information on Sharaya’s detention.
Several Palestinians released during the Shalit deal have since been rearrested or exiled to the Gaza Strip. Over 1,000 Palestinian detainees were released in the Egypt-brokered 2011 agreement between Hamas and Israel in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held captive by Hamas for five years.
At least 50 Shalit-deal prisoners were rearrested in the summer of 2014 during a detention campaign referred to as "Operation Brother's Keeper," in which Israeli forces detained at least 800 Palestinians without charge or trial and killed nine civilians.
At the time of their re-arrest, Shalit-deal prisoners released a statement contesting Israel's violation of the deal, saying they had demonstrated commitment to its terms.
Nine other Palestinians were also detained in the occupied West Bank in Israeli raids early Sunday, an Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an.
Four of those detained were from the Jenin area, while two “Hamas operatives” were detained from the Bethlehem and Hebron areas.
The PLO Department of Arab Relations told Ma'an that a director in the department, Ismail al-Amsi, was also detained near the Ramallah-area Jaba military checkpoint.
At least 6,700 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails, according to prisoners’ rights group Addameer.
Fahd Sharaya was detained from the Balata refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, the coordinator for a local Palestinian prisoners’ committee, Imad al-Din Ishteiwi, told Ma’an.
Sharaya was initially sentenced to 14 years in jail but released in the Shalit exchange in 2011 after serving 10 years.
The former prisoner is a member of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades -- a military wing of the Fatah movement -- and is married with four children, Ishteiwi said, adding that Sharaya was in poor health at the time of his re-arrest.
An Israeli army spokesperson had no immediate information on Sharaya’s detention.
Several Palestinians released during the Shalit deal have since been rearrested or exiled to the Gaza Strip. Over 1,000 Palestinian detainees were released in the Egypt-brokered 2011 agreement between Hamas and Israel in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held captive by Hamas for five years.
At least 50 Shalit-deal prisoners were rearrested in the summer of 2014 during a detention campaign referred to as "Operation Brother's Keeper," in which Israeli forces detained at least 800 Palestinians without charge or trial and killed nine civilians.
At the time of their re-arrest, Shalit-deal prisoners released a statement contesting Israel's violation of the deal, saying they had demonstrated commitment to its terms.
Nine other Palestinians were also detained in the occupied West Bank in Israeli raids early Sunday, an Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an.
Four of those detained were from the Jenin area, while two “Hamas operatives” were detained from the Bethlehem and Hebron areas.
The PLO Department of Arab Relations told Ma'an that a director in the department, Ismail al-Amsi, was also detained near the Ramallah-area Jaba military checkpoint.
At least 6,700 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails, according to prisoners’ rights group Addameer.
Several Palestinian civilians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Sunday in a mass-abduction sweep launched across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation soldiers kidnapped the ex-prisoner Maher Hamed from his own family home and dragged him to an unidentified location shortly after they rolled into Ramallah’s eastern town of Silwad, in the central West Bank.
The IOF also ravaged Palestinian family homes in Beituna town, in western Ramallah, and summoned five Palestinian ex-prisoners to questioning in the Ofer detention center.
Overnight clashes flared up in the Jinan neighborhood, to the east of al-Bireh city, after the IOF rolled into the area and attacked the Palestinian protesters with live rounds.
Two more Palestinians were kidnapped by the IOF from the Arroub refugee camp, in the southern West Bank district of al-Khalil.
Violent clashes rocked, meanwhile, Tulkarem province at the crack of dawn and culminated in a wave of abrupt home break-ins across the refugee camps of Nur Shams and Tulkarem, along with the Shweika suburb.
The IOF also raked through Sahl Uteil area and set up a series of ambushes.
28-year-old Islam Sameer Abu Haneya was detained for hours by the IOF and was released late at night.
Islam’s brother, Luay, was arrested by the occupation army at dawn Saturday, from his family home in Tulkarem’s al-Salam neighborhood.
16-year-old Ahmad Abu Khalaf was, meanwhile, kidnapped by the IOF from Jerusalem’s town of Silwan.
According to local sources, the Israeli occupation soldiers kidnapped the ex-prisoner Maher Hamed from his own family home and dragged him to an unidentified location shortly after they rolled into Ramallah’s eastern town of Silwad, in the central West Bank.
The IOF also ravaged Palestinian family homes in Beituna town, in western Ramallah, and summoned five Palestinian ex-prisoners to questioning in the Ofer detention center.
Overnight clashes flared up in the Jinan neighborhood, to the east of al-Bireh city, after the IOF rolled into the area and attacked the Palestinian protesters with live rounds.
Two more Palestinians were kidnapped by the IOF from the Arroub refugee camp, in the southern West Bank district of al-Khalil.
Violent clashes rocked, meanwhile, Tulkarem province at the crack of dawn and culminated in a wave of abrupt home break-ins across the refugee camps of Nur Shams and Tulkarem, along with the Shweika suburb.
The IOF also raked through Sahl Uteil area and set up a series of ambushes.
28-year-old Islam Sameer Abu Haneya was detained for hours by the IOF and was released late at night.
Islam’s brother, Luay, was arrested by the occupation army at dawn Saturday, from his family home in Tulkarem’s al-Salam neighborhood.
16-year-old Ahmad Abu Khalaf was, meanwhile, kidnapped by the IOF from Jerusalem’s town of Silwan.
Four detainees, including a journalist, have been on an open-ended hunger strike in protest at the mistreatment they have been subjected to in the Israeli occupation jails, the prisoners’ and ex-prisoners’ committee reported Saturday.
One of the four detainees has been on hunger strike since December 2 in protest at being denied the right to be visited by his lawyer.
The detained journalist was identified as Mohamed al-Qeeq, from the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil. He was arrested on Nov. 25 and has been held in the Jalama lock-up.
Prisoner Ihsan Dababsa started her hunger-strike some four days ago in protest at inter-prison transfers.
Inmate Salim al-Ja’ba, serving four years in the Israeli jail of Megiddo, has also been on a hunger-strike since the start of December.
The fourth hunger-striker has been identified as the Jordanian Abdullah Abu Jabeur, sentenced to 20 years in jail and is currently isolated in the Ramla prison hospital.
Abu Jabeur initiated his hunger-strike on November 8 to protest the visit bans slapped on him by the prison administration.
The inmate appealed to the occupation authorities to deport him to his motherland, Jordan, to spend the five remaining years in Jordanian prisons.
Abu Jabeur had gone on a 20-day hunger-strike some three months ago, resulting in a sharp deterioration in his health status. He has been diagnosed with remarkable weight loss, physical fatigue, and unbearable headaches, among other diseases.
One of the four detainees has been on hunger strike since December 2 in protest at being denied the right to be visited by his lawyer.
The detained journalist was identified as Mohamed al-Qeeq, from the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil. He was arrested on Nov. 25 and has been held in the Jalama lock-up.
Prisoner Ihsan Dababsa started her hunger-strike some four days ago in protest at inter-prison transfers.
Inmate Salim al-Ja’ba, serving four years in the Israeli jail of Megiddo, has also been on a hunger-strike since the start of December.
The fourth hunger-striker has been identified as the Jordanian Abdullah Abu Jabeur, sentenced to 20 years in jail and is currently isolated in the Ramla prison hospital.
Abu Jabeur initiated his hunger-strike on November 8 to protest the visit bans slapped on him by the prison administration.
The inmate appealed to the occupation authorities to deport him to his motherland, Jordan, to spend the five remaining years in Jordanian prisons.
Abu Jabeur had gone on a 20-day hunger-strike some three months ago, resulting in a sharp deterioration in his health status. He has been diagnosed with remarkable weight loss, physical fatigue, and unbearable headaches, among other diseases.
Israeli prosecution submitted an indictment to the Israeli court of juveniles in Occupied Jerusalem against a 16-year-old Palestinian girl Nourhan Awad from Qalandya. The indictment included two charges: attempted murder and possessing a knife.
The Israeli Walla website said Nourhan is charged with carrying out a stabbing operation by scissors in Jaffa Street to the west of Occupied Jerusalem.
Nourhan along with her cousin Hadil, 14, was allegedly accused of attacking Israeli settlers.
The stabbing operation resulted in the injury of two Israelis including a policeman who seems to have been shot by friendly fire. Nourhan was injured seriously by Israeli gunfire, while her cousin Hadil was killed.
The court approved the indictment and endorsed the extension of her detention order.
The Israeli Walla website said Nourhan is charged with carrying out a stabbing operation by scissors in Jaffa Street to the west of Occupied Jerusalem.
Nourhan along with her cousin Hadil, 14, was allegedly accused of attacking Israeli settlers.
The stabbing operation resulted in the injury of two Israelis including a policeman who seems to have been shot by friendly fire. Nourhan was injured seriously by Israeli gunfire, while her cousin Hadil was killed.
The court approved the indictment and endorsed the extension of her detention order.
12 dec 2015
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Friday evening, Palestinian orchards, in the al-Yamoun town, west of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and kidnapped five children; the Palestinian District Coordination Office said it managed to secure their release. The soldiers also kidnapped two young men in Qalqilia.
Local sources said the soldiers attacked many children, playing in Palestinian orchards, near the Annexation Wall, when the soldiers attacked and kidnapped them.
They have been identified as Soheib Sami Houshiyya, 15, Forsan Rawhi Houshiyya, 17, Kamal Fawzi Abu Saifein, 16, Odai Mohammad Houshiyya, 15, and Mohammad Wael Houshiyya, 16.
The Palestinian District Coordination Office (DCO) said it contacted its Israeli counterpart, and eventually managed to secure the release of the kidnapped children.
Lieutenant Mojahed Abu Dayya, head of the Palestinian DCO office in Jenin, urged the Palestinian to instantly inform the DCO of such incidents, especially when the soldiers abduct children, so that the office can act fast, and attempt to secure their release.
DCO offices are rarely able to secure the release of abducted Palestinians, but had a few successes with releasing children before they were sent to interrogation facilities.
On Friday at night, the soldiers invaded Qalqilia city, also in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped two young men, identified as Malek Saleh al-Aqra’ and Ziad Nasser Nofal.
Local sources said the soldiers attacked many children, playing in Palestinian orchards, near the Annexation Wall, when the soldiers attacked and kidnapped them.
They have been identified as Soheib Sami Houshiyya, 15, Forsan Rawhi Houshiyya, 17, Kamal Fawzi Abu Saifein, 16, Odai Mohammad Houshiyya, 15, and Mohammad Wael Houshiyya, 16.
The Palestinian District Coordination Office (DCO) said it contacted its Israeli counterpart, and eventually managed to secure the release of the kidnapped children.
Lieutenant Mojahed Abu Dayya, head of the Palestinian DCO office in Jenin, urged the Palestinian to instantly inform the DCO of such incidents, especially when the soldiers abduct children, so that the office can act fast, and attempt to secure their release.
DCO offices are rarely able to secure the release of abducted Palestinians, but had a few successes with releasing children before they were sent to interrogation facilities.
On Friday at night, the soldiers invaded Qalqilia city, also in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped two young men, identified as Malek Saleh al-Aqra’ and Ziad Nasser Nofal.