11 feb 2016
Two 14-year-old Palestinian girls were indicted on Thursday after reportedly carrying out a stab attack on an Israeli security guard in Ramla’s central bus station last week, Israeli police said.
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said that following an investigation into the incident, two Palestinian students were accused by the Israeli court’s public prosecution of trying to stab the security guard.
The 14-year-old girls also faced indictments for illegally carrying knives and planning the attack beforehand, the spokesperson added.
The two were detained on Feb. 4 after Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said a security guard was lightly injured in an attack.
Rosenfeld shared a photo on social media following the incident of two kitchen knives scattered amongst school papers at the scene of the incident. The knives appeared to be clean, with no signs of blood.
Thursday’s indictment came one day after two Palestinian minors were accused in a Jerusalem court of attempted murder and possession of a deadly weapon, according to Israeli media.
The minors, aged 14 and 16, were detained by Israeli police after a 17-year-old Israeli was stabbed and injured near the Old City’s Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem on Jan. 30.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that their indictment alleged they had carried out the attack “after having watched video of Israeli soldiers degrading Palestinian women.”
Amid a wave of attacks carried out by Palestinian individuals on Israeli military and civilians that began in October, the majority of suspected attackers have been shot dead on scene, many of whom rights groups say posed no threat at the time of their death.
As trials begin for some that were detained instead of killed, they enter an Israeli court system that has long received push back from critics who argue it unfairly prosecutes Palestinians while giving Jewish Israelis immunity.
Last month, five Palestinian teens from the occupied West Bank village of Hares who were accused of manslaughter after reportedly throwing stones were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case was disputed by relatives and rights groups, who said that insufficient evidence was provided to prove that the five had any involvement in the death of an Israeli toddler who passed away two years after the teens were accused of throwing stones at her mother's vehicle, causing it to crash.
The teens denied the allegations, but later signed confessions reportedly after being abused in prison and during interrogations.
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said that following an investigation into the incident, two Palestinian students were accused by the Israeli court’s public prosecution of trying to stab the security guard.
The 14-year-old girls also faced indictments for illegally carrying knives and planning the attack beforehand, the spokesperson added.
The two were detained on Feb. 4 after Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said a security guard was lightly injured in an attack.
Rosenfeld shared a photo on social media following the incident of two kitchen knives scattered amongst school papers at the scene of the incident. The knives appeared to be clean, with no signs of blood.
Thursday’s indictment came one day after two Palestinian minors were accused in a Jerusalem court of attempted murder and possession of a deadly weapon, according to Israeli media.
The minors, aged 14 and 16, were detained by Israeli police after a 17-year-old Israeli was stabbed and injured near the Old City’s Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem on Jan. 30.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that their indictment alleged they had carried out the attack “after having watched video of Israeli soldiers degrading Palestinian women.”
Amid a wave of attacks carried out by Palestinian individuals on Israeli military and civilians that began in October, the majority of suspected attackers have been shot dead on scene, many of whom rights groups say posed no threat at the time of their death.
As trials begin for some that were detained instead of killed, they enter an Israeli court system that has long received push back from critics who argue it unfairly prosecutes Palestinians while giving Jewish Israelis immunity.
Last month, five Palestinian teens from the occupied West Bank village of Hares who were accused of manslaughter after reportedly throwing stones were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case was disputed by relatives and rights groups, who said that insufficient evidence was provided to prove that the five had any involvement in the death of an Israeli toddler who passed away two years after the teens were accused of throwing stones at her mother's vehicle, causing it to crash.
The teens denied the allegations, but later signed confessions reportedly after being abused in prison and during interrogations.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Thursday five Palestinians from al-Khalil for alleged stone-throwing attacks.
Israeli website 0404 claimed that IOF soldiers detained five youths for being involved in stone-throwing attacks on the neighboring settlement of Kiryat Arba, illegally built on Palestinian-owned land to east of al-Khalil city.
The five detainees were taken to a nearby military center for investigation, the sources added. The Israeli Knesset has approved last June a bill that strengthens the sanctions on Palestinian “stone throwers”.
The bill “allows imposing a prison sentence of up to 20 years for throwing stones.” The security cabinet has also decided to authorize Israeli police to use live ammunition against Palestinian stone-throwers.
Israeli website 0404 claimed that IOF soldiers detained five youths for being involved in stone-throwing attacks on the neighboring settlement of Kiryat Arba, illegally built on Palestinian-owned land to east of al-Khalil city.
The five detainees were taken to a nearby military center for investigation, the sources added. The Israeli Knesset has approved last June a bill that strengthens the sanctions on Palestinian “stone throwers”.
The bill “allows imposing a prison sentence of up to 20 years for throwing stones.” The security cabinet has also decided to authorize Israeli police to use live ammunition against Palestinian stone-throwers.
The health condition of Palestinian prisoner Bassam al-Sayeh has seriously declined as a result of his exposure to maltreatment at the hands of his jailers in Megiddo prison, his family said Wednesday.
His wife, who visited him recently, said her husband has suffered from serious health problems in heart and lungs and become unable to move properly.
She affirmed that her husband's health declined as a result of the pressure and harsh treatement he was exposed to by Israeli interrogators and jailers.
Prisoner Sayeh was detained on October 8, 2015 and his wife was also arrested later before she was released recently. His brother, Amjad, is also in an Israeli jail, serving a 20-year prison term.
His wife, who visited him recently, said her husband has suffered from serious health problems in heart and lungs and become unable to move properly.
She affirmed that her husband's health declined as a result of the pressure and harsh treatement he was exposed to by Israeli interrogators and jailers.
Prisoner Sayeh was detained on October 8, 2015 and his wife was also arrested later before she was released recently. His brother, Amjad, is also in an Israeli jail, serving a 20-year prison term.
The Palestinian commission of detainees said that Israeli doctors in Afula hospital have put hunger-striking journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq under constant medical observation because of his fast declining health condition.
Head of the commission Issa Qaraqea said the hospital put someone in the room of prisoner Qeiq to watch any serious changes in his health condition.
Qaraqea added that this happened after Qeiq suffered on Wednesday evening from convulsions and acute bouts of pain in his chest and legs. He stressed the need for international intervention to save the life of prisoner Qeiq before it is too late.
In a related context, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said that there is no any new Israeli proposal to end the suffering of prisoner Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for over 75 days in protest at his administrative detention.
The society added that the Israeli intransigent attitude towards the issue of prisoner Qeiq did not change despite the seriousness of his health condition. The society held the Israeli occupation authority fully responsible for his life and called on all concerned parties to make more efforts to save him.
Head of the commission Issa Qaraqea said the hospital put someone in the room of prisoner Qeiq to watch any serious changes in his health condition.
Qaraqea added that this happened after Qeiq suffered on Wednesday evening from convulsions and acute bouts of pain in his chest and legs. He stressed the need for international intervention to save the life of prisoner Qeiq before it is too late.
In a related context, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said that there is no any new Israeli proposal to end the suffering of prisoner Mohamed al-Qeiq, who has been on hunger strike for over 75 days in protest at his administrative detention.
The society added that the Israeli intransigent attitude towards the issue of prisoner Qeiq did not change despite the seriousness of his health condition. The society held the Israeli occupation authority fully responsible for his life and called on all concerned parties to make more efforts to save him.
Mahmoud Salem
A Palestinian family declared intention to sue an Israeli undercover unit for brutally attacking and severely beating their son during his arrest two weeks ago.
The detainee’s mother said that her son Mahmoud Salem, 18, was arrested at the hands of an Israeli undercover unit during the clashes that erupted in Bethlehem two weeks ago.
Speaking to Quds Press, the mother pointed out that her son was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital as he suffered fractures in his leg and nose. The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) had earlier revealed that the teenager Mahmoud Salem was subjected to a brutal attack nearly 18 days ago.
The center quoted the detainee as saying that he was left bleeding without any medical assistance while being handcuffed in the Israeli military vehicle for almost four hours. He was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for only two hours before being moved to Ofer jail east of Ramallah.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian girls were released on Wednesday after a few hours of their detention in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The two girls were arrested at the hand of Israeli border guards without a valid reason, family sources said.
A young man was brutally attacked while trying to prevent their arrest. They were moved to a police station before their release after they were searched and investigated for few hours. Along the same line, IOF soldiers tightened their restrictions throughout occupied Jerusalem and erected three make-shift checkpoints, causing a traffic jam.
A Palestinian family declared intention to sue an Israeli undercover unit for brutally attacking and severely beating their son during his arrest two weeks ago.
The detainee’s mother said that her son Mahmoud Salem, 18, was arrested at the hands of an Israeli undercover unit during the clashes that erupted in Bethlehem two weeks ago.
Speaking to Quds Press, the mother pointed out that her son was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital as he suffered fractures in his leg and nose. The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) had earlier revealed that the teenager Mahmoud Salem was subjected to a brutal attack nearly 18 days ago.
The center quoted the detainee as saying that he was left bleeding without any medical assistance while being handcuffed in the Israeli military vehicle for almost four hours. He was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for only two hours before being moved to Ofer jail east of Ramallah.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian girls were released on Wednesday after a few hours of their detention in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. The two girls were arrested at the hand of Israeli border guards without a valid reason, family sources said.
A young man was brutally attacked while trying to prevent their arrest. They were moved to a police station before their release after they were searched and investigated for few hours. Along the same line, IOF soldiers tightened their restrictions throughout occupied Jerusalem and erected three make-shift checkpoints, causing a traffic jam.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at night and Thursday at dawn, several neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem, and kidnapped seven Palestinians, including four children.
The soldiers invaded Jerusalem's Old City, searched homes and kidnapped two children, identified as Yousef Mohammad Masharqa, 14, and Mohammad Nabil Taweel, 13.
Masharqa's mother said her son, and his friends, were playing near their homes when the soldiers assaulted and kidnapped them, before moving the two children to the al-Qashla Police Station, where they were interrogated without the presence of a lawyer or a family member. video
In addition, the head of the Jerusalem Detainees' Committee, Amjad Abu Assab, said the soldiers also kidnapped Mohammad Omar Abu Khdeir, 13, and Mohammad Abdul-Kareem Ed'eis, 13, from Shu'fat, north of Jerusalem.
The soldiers also kidnapped Ra'fat Mousa 'Allan, 17, from the Qalandia refugee camp, in addition to Naji Bassam Daoud, 18, and Mohammad Ismael Rayyan, from Beit Doqqo town.
The soldiers invaded Jerusalem's Old City, searched homes and kidnapped two children, identified as Yousef Mohammad Masharqa, 14, and Mohammad Nabil Taweel, 13.
Masharqa's mother said her son, and his friends, were playing near their homes when the soldiers assaulted and kidnapped them, before moving the two children to the al-Qashla Police Station, where they were interrogated without the presence of a lawyer or a family member. video
In addition, the head of the Jerusalem Detainees' Committee, Amjad Abu Assab, said the soldiers also kidnapped Mohammad Omar Abu Khdeir, 13, and Mohammad Abdul-Kareem Ed'eis, 13, from Shu'fat, north of Jerusalem.
The soldiers also kidnapped Ra'fat Mousa 'Allan, 17, from the Qalandia refugee camp, in addition to Naji Bassam Daoud, 18, and Mohammad Ismael Rayyan, from Beit Doqqo town.
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded, on Thursday at dawn, Qabatia town, south of Jenin, and kidnapped six Palestinians, while another Palestinian was kidnapped near Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank. The army also demolished structures and sheds in The West Bank’s Northern Plains.
The soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of Jenin, broke into and violently searched several homes, and kidnapped six Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Mahmoud Bassem Kameel, 17, Aladdin Mohammad Zakarna, 28, Aladdin Abdullah Hanthawi, 18, Dergham Fayez Zakarna, 18, Ahmad Abdul-Rahman Loubani, 18, and Mohammad Farouq Kameel.
The soldiers also invaded Beita village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped Ra’ef Mahmod Aqel, after storming his home and ransacking it.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the homes of Ibrahim, Hmeid and Hammoud Aqel Sama’na, in the town, and violently searched them.
In Zawata nearby town, the soldiers invaded the home of al-Mo’tasembillah Jouda, and violently assaulted his brother Abdul-Karim.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Khallet Khadra area, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, and demolished several residential structures, and sheds, including five tents and a barn.
8 Palestinians arrested as IOF storms Jenin, Nablus
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Thursday a large-scale raid campaign in a number of towns in Jenin and erected several make-shift checkpoints.
Local sources told a PIC news reporter that Israeli forces stormed in large numbers Qabatiya town after closing its main entrance. At least six locals were arrested during the raid while a number of homes were stormed and searched.
A military checkpoint was also erected at Jenin-Nablus road where dozens of Palestinian vehicles were stopped and searched.
Meanwhile, violent clashes broke out in Nablus when IOF soldiers stormed a number of towns in the province and arrested two young men. During the clashes, Israeli forces heavily fired tear gas bombs and rubber bullets at the residents. However, no casualties were reported.
The soldiers invaded Qabatia town, south of Jenin, broke into and violently searched several homes, and kidnapped six Palestinians.
The kidnapped residents have been identified as Mahmoud Bassem Kameel, 17, Aladdin Mohammad Zakarna, 28, Aladdin Abdullah Hanthawi, 18, Dergham Fayez Zakarna, 18, Ahmad Abdul-Rahman Loubani, 18, and Mohammad Farouq Kameel.
The soldiers also invaded Beita village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped Ra’ef Mahmod Aqel, after storming his home and ransacking it.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the homes of Ibrahim, Hmeid and Hammoud Aqel Sama’na, in the town, and violently searched them.
In Zawata nearby town, the soldiers invaded the home of al-Mo’tasembillah Jouda, and violently assaulted his brother Abdul-Karim.
In related news, the soldiers invaded Khallet Khadra area, in the West Bank’s Northern Plains, and demolished several residential structures, and sheds, including five tents and a barn.
8 Palestinians arrested as IOF storms Jenin, Nablus
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Thursday a large-scale raid campaign in a number of towns in Jenin and erected several make-shift checkpoints.
Local sources told a PIC news reporter that Israeli forces stormed in large numbers Qabatiya town after closing its main entrance. At least six locals were arrested during the raid while a number of homes were stormed and searched.
A military checkpoint was also erected at Jenin-Nablus road where dozens of Palestinian vehicles were stopped and searched.
Meanwhile, violent clashes broke out in Nablus when IOF soldiers stormed a number of towns in the province and arrested two young men. During the clashes, Israeli forces heavily fired tear gas bombs and rubber bullets at the residents. However, no casualties were reported.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, several Palestinian communities, in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, invaded and searched homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers stormed and ransacked many homes, and kidnapped Ramadan Waleed Taweel, 28, from Hebron city, Bassam Awad Ramadan, from the al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Yousef Jamil Makhamra, 18, from Khallet al-Mayya village, northeast of Yatta.
Mohammad Awad, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, said the soldiers placed sand hills, closing all roads leading to all villages in Khallet al-Mayya, completely isolating them.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the Red Crescent Society in Ethna town, west of Hebron, and searched it.
Media sources in Hebron said the soldiers stormed and ransacked many homes, and kidnapped Ramadan Waleed Taweel, 28, from Hebron city, Bassam Awad Ramadan, from the al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Yousef Jamil Makhamra, 18, from Khallet al-Mayya village, northeast of Yatta.
Mohammad Awad, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, said the soldiers placed sand hills, closing all roads leading to all villages in Khallet al-Mayya, completely isolating them.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the Red Crescent Society in Ethna town, west of Hebron, and searched it.
Palestinian activists on Wednesday rallied outside the Red Cross headquarters in Jenin to urge the Palestinian embassy in Bulgaria not to extradite Omar al-Nayef to the Israeli occupation.
The activists spoke out against Israeli attempts to arrest Palestinians taking refuge overseas. Bulgarian authorities gave the Palestinian embassy, where Nayef has taken refuge for over three weeks, 72 hours to turn Nayef in so that he could be brought before a Bulgarian court.
Omar Nayef escaped from Israeli custody 26 years ago. The Israeli occupation authorities requested that the Bulgarian government extradite him.
Nayef, a native of Jenin province, is married to a Bulgarian wife and is the father of three children.
The activists spoke out against Israeli attempts to arrest Palestinians taking refuge overseas. Bulgarian authorities gave the Palestinian embassy, where Nayef has taken refuge for over three weeks, 72 hours to turn Nayef in so that he could be brought before a Bulgarian court.
Omar Nayef escaped from Israeli custody 26 years ago. The Israeli occupation authorities requested that the Bulgarian government extradite him.
Nayef, a native of Jenin province, is married to a Bulgarian wife and is the father of three children.
10 feb 2016
The Palestinian prisoner Ismail Arouj, 33, was severely tortured and beaten in Maskoubiya investigation center, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) revealed Wednesday.
Arouj, from Bethlehem district, was arrested in March 2014. He was moved to Maskoubiya investigation center after his wife’s detention on January 21 this year.
During the investigation, he was tortured so as to confess to charges against him. I was severely beaten by five Israeli interrogators all over my body while being tied to a chair, the PPS quoted the detainee as saying.
The rights group pointed out that Arouj was subjected to a stress position commonly known as the “banana”– bending the back of the interrogee into an arch while he is seated on a backless chair for long hours, causing him severe disc problems.
He was forced to sit in the “shabah position”, and he was exposed to humiliations and threats, including threats of sexual assault and threats that he would never see his family, according to the PPS.
Arouj, from Bethlehem district, was arrested in March 2014. He was moved to Maskoubiya investigation center after his wife’s detention on January 21 this year.
During the investigation, he was tortured so as to confess to charges against him. I was severely beaten by five Israeli interrogators all over my body while being tied to a chair, the PPS quoted the detainee as saying.
The rights group pointed out that Arouj was subjected to a stress position commonly known as the “banana”– bending the back of the interrogee into an arch while he is seated on a backless chair for long hours, causing him severe disc problems.
He was forced to sit in the “shabah position”, and he was exposed to humiliations and threats, including threats of sexual assault and threats that he would never see his family, according to the PPS.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) maintained their siege on Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, on Wednesday for the second day.
The IOF soldiers closed all entrances to the village with cement cubes and military barricades, blocked all traffic in or out of the village, and searched many houses.
The IOF claims that the Palestinian youth who stabbed a settler in Neve Daniel settlement, illegally built on Palestinian lands in southern Bethlehem, had fled to Nahalin.
Citizens said that the soldiers were breaking into houses and wreaking havoc on them, arresting young men and turning roofs of houses into military observation posts.
The IOF soldiers closed all entrances to the village with cement cubes and military barricades, blocked all traffic in or out of the village, and searched many houses.
The IOF claims that the Palestinian youth who stabbed a settler in Neve Daniel settlement, illegally built on Palestinian lands in southern Bethlehem, had fled to Nahalin.
Citizens said that the soldiers were breaking into houses and wreaking havoc on them, arresting young men and turning roofs of houses into military observation posts.
Dozens of Israeli fanatics stormed on early Wednesday morning Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque via the Maghareba Gate.
A PIC news reporter said Israeli special units and rapid intervention troops escorted the 32 fanatics all the way through the break-in. The Muslim learners and worshipers at al-Aqsa kept chanting “Allah is the Greatest” in protest at the sacrilegious break-in.
Muslim women who have been banned from entering al-Aqsa rallied outside the Mosque and recited Holy Quran. A lady maintaining vigil at the Mosque said the occupation police kidnapped a Muslim youth from the plazas of al-Aqsa and dragged him to a detention center in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Meanwhile, Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, spoke out against the rising tide of Israeli terror and vandalism at the Mosque. He said the increasing Israeli break-ins have fanned the flames of the simmering tension across Occupied Jerusalem, which stands in sharp contrast to Israeli calls to restore calm.
He added that the occupation police have cracked down on the peaceful Muslim worshipers at the entrances to the Mosque and sealed off its gates with metal barriers before they provocatively seized Muslims’ IDs.
A PIC news reporter said Israeli special units and rapid intervention troops escorted the 32 fanatics all the way through the break-in. The Muslim learners and worshipers at al-Aqsa kept chanting “Allah is the Greatest” in protest at the sacrilegious break-in.
Muslim women who have been banned from entering al-Aqsa rallied outside the Mosque and recited Holy Quran. A lady maintaining vigil at the Mosque said the occupation police kidnapped a Muslim youth from the plazas of al-Aqsa and dragged him to a detention center in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Meanwhile, Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, spoke out against the rising tide of Israeli terror and vandalism at the Mosque. He said the increasing Israeli break-ins have fanned the flames of the simmering tension across Occupied Jerusalem, which stands in sharp contrast to Israeli calls to restore calm.
He added that the occupation police have cracked down on the peaceful Muslim worshipers at the entrances to the Mosque and sealed off its gates with metal barriers before they provocatively seized Muslims’ IDs.
Israeli soldiers have kidnapped, late at night and on Wednesday at dawn, at least 23 Palestinians, including several children, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, mainly in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers searched several homes in different parts of the occupied city, and kidnapped 14 Palestinians.
The PPS stated that the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Azmi Mteir, Rajab No’man Mteir, Atef No’man Mteir and Nassim Yahya Mteir, from Qalandia refugee camp, in addition to Loqman Attoun, 25, Mos’ab Oleyyan, 25, and Bassel Tortash, 25, from Sur Baher town.
The PPS added that the army also kidnapped Ahmad Abu Roumi, 17, Ahmad Oweis, 14, Odai Mustafa, 15, and Adam Abu Shammala, 16, from al-‘Eesawiyya town. Resident Mohammad Hasan Woheish was kidnaped in Abu Dis town, while Baha’ Bassa and Mohammad Hammad were kidnapped in al-‘Ezariyya town.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the Deheishe refugee camp and Nahhalin town, in Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Zawahra, 25, Ali Abdul-Hameed at-Tous, 19, Mahmoud Yacoub Sweity, 24, Mahmoud Mohammad Najajra, 50, his son Nathem, 27, and Ahmad Jawdat Najajra, 22 years of age.
In Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank, the soldiers kidnapped Abdul-Salam Majed Abu al-Haija, 40, while Daoud Salam Abu al-Halawa, was kidnapped from his home in Hebron. Another Palestinian, identified as Eyad Hikmat Balawna, 31, was kidnapped in the northern West Bank district of Tulkarem.
Several arrests reported during IOF raids
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Wednesday a large-scale raid and arrest campaign across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) documented overnight 23 detainees including 14 in occupied Jerusalem and six others in Bethlehem. Three other arrests were reported in al-Khalil, Jenin, and Tulkarem.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly 12 Israeli military vehicles stormed at dawn today Jenin refugee camp which led to the outbreak of violent clashes amid heavy fire of tear gas and sound bombs.
Several local homes were stormed and searched during the raid, the sources pointed out. Similar raids were also reported in Yabad and Qabatia towns south of Jenin, where a number of make-shift checkpoints were erected throughout the towns.
In Nablus, IOF soldiers stormed Beita town and broke into several homes without carrying out any arrests. Eyewitnesses noted that Israeli soldiers checked during the raids identity cards of local residents and asked for their phone numbers.
On the other hand, locals gathered around a Palestinian prisoner’s house after Israeli forces threatened on Friday to demolish it. In Tulkarem, IOF soldiers broke into Tulkarem refugee camp and arrested a young man after shooting and injuring him.
The injured detainee was identified by locals as Iyad Balawna, 31. Violent clashes erupted in the area following Iyad’s arrest while a number of checkpoints were erected in the surrounding areas, local sources told the PIC reporter.
The Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said the soldiers searched several homes in different parts of the occupied city, and kidnapped 14 Palestinians.
The PPS stated that the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Azmi Mteir, Rajab No’man Mteir, Atef No’man Mteir and Nassim Yahya Mteir, from Qalandia refugee camp, in addition to Loqman Attoun, 25, Mos’ab Oleyyan, 25, and Bassel Tortash, 25, from Sur Baher town.
The PPS added that the army also kidnapped Ahmad Abu Roumi, 17, Ahmad Oweis, 14, Odai Mustafa, 15, and Adam Abu Shammala, 16, from al-‘Eesawiyya town. Resident Mohammad Hasan Woheish was kidnaped in Abu Dis town, while Baha’ Bassa and Mohammad Hammad were kidnapped in al-‘Ezariyya town.
In addition, the soldiers invaded the Deheishe refugee camp and Nahhalin town, in Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Zawahra, 25, Ali Abdul-Hameed at-Tous, 19, Mahmoud Yacoub Sweity, 24, Mahmoud Mohammad Najajra, 50, his son Nathem, 27, and Ahmad Jawdat Najajra, 22 years of age.
In Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank, the soldiers kidnapped Abdul-Salam Majed Abu al-Haija, 40, while Daoud Salam Abu al-Halawa, was kidnapped from his home in Hebron. Another Palestinian, identified as Eyad Hikmat Balawna, 31, was kidnapped in the northern West Bank district of Tulkarem.
Several arrests reported during IOF raids
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched at dawn Wednesday a large-scale raid and arrest campaign across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) documented overnight 23 detainees including 14 in occupied Jerusalem and six others in Bethlehem. Three other arrests were reported in al-Khalil, Jenin, and Tulkarem.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that nearly 12 Israeli military vehicles stormed at dawn today Jenin refugee camp which led to the outbreak of violent clashes amid heavy fire of tear gas and sound bombs.
Several local homes were stormed and searched during the raid, the sources pointed out. Similar raids were also reported in Yabad and Qabatia towns south of Jenin, where a number of make-shift checkpoints were erected throughout the towns.
In Nablus, IOF soldiers stormed Beita town and broke into several homes without carrying out any arrests. Eyewitnesses noted that Israeli soldiers checked during the raids identity cards of local residents and asked for their phone numbers.
On the other hand, locals gathered around a Palestinian prisoner’s house after Israeli forces threatened on Friday to demolish it. In Tulkarem, IOF soldiers broke into Tulkarem refugee camp and arrested a young man after shooting and injuring him.
The injured detainee was identified by locals as Iyad Balawna, 31. Violent clashes erupted in the area following Iyad’s arrest while a number of checkpoints were erected in the surrounding areas, local sources told the PIC reporter.
Fr Manuel Hanna Musallam, priest of the Latin Church in Palestine, said he will be fasting for three days in solidarity with journalist Muhammad al-Qeiq, whose hunger strike has entered its 78th day.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, Fr Musallam addressed al-Qeiq saying: “Dear hero your life is more precious to us than your death.”
Fr Musallam called on Muslims and Christians to fast and pray for al-Qeiq. “The world did not show sympathy for the oppressed Palestinian detainees. History shall curse and condemn all those who remained silent over Israel’s crimes and persecution of the Palestinian people,” the priest added.
He spoke out against the administrative detention policy pursued by the occupation authorities, saying: “Israel will be brought before international courts for its counterfeit condemnations of Palestinians.” “Your message has reached the entire world. Stop at death’s door but never cross it. We need you to teach our younger generations the true meaning of patience and resistance.
You forced the enemy to concede defeat. We would like you to live for Palestine,” he further told al-Qeiq. Fr Musallam also expressed his solidarity with the protesters, MPs, and anti-occupation activists held in Israeli lock-ups.
Family of hunger-striker sounds alarm, calls for mass rallies
The family of the Palestinian journalist Muhammad al-Qeiq called, on Tuesday evening, for a mass participation in the rallies and marches set to be staged across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday evening.
Al-Qeiq’s family urged the Palestinian masses to partake in the solidarity campaign set to kick off at 6 p.m. in support for al-Qeiq, who has been struggling against death after 78 days of ongoing hunger strike.
Hours earlier, al-Qeiq’s wife Fayhaa Shelesh said her husband insists on keeping up his hunger strike until he is released from the Afula hospital. She denied reports on underway deals with the Israeli prosecution to transfer al-Qeiq to a public hospital in Ramallah under the supervision of Palestinian Authority apparatuses.
Meanwhile, a rally was staged on Tuesday evening by the Supreme Follow-up Committee in 1948 Occupied Palestine outside the Afula Hospital in solidarity with the hunger-striker. The rally-goers lifted banners and chanted slogans condemning Israeli administrative detention policy and demanding the urgent release of al-Qeiq. The protesters further called for stepping up protest moves and solidarity marches on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in support for al-Qeiq.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, Fr Musallam addressed al-Qeiq saying: “Dear hero your life is more precious to us than your death.”
Fr Musallam called on Muslims and Christians to fast and pray for al-Qeiq. “The world did not show sympathy for the oppressed Palestinian detainees. History shall curse and condemn all those who remained silent over Israel’s crimes and persecution of the Palestinian people,” the priest added.
He spoke out against the administrative detention policy pursued by the occupation authorities, saying: “Israel will be brought before international courts for its counterfeit condemnations of Palestinians.” “Your message has reached the entire world. Stop at death’s door but never cross it. We need you to teach our younger generations the true meaning of patience and resistance.
You forced the enemy to concede defeat. We would like you to live for Palestine,” he further told al-Qeiq. Fr Musallam also expressed his solidarity with the protesters, MPs, and anti-occupation activists held in Israeli lock-ups.
Family of hunger-striker sounds alarm, calls for mass rallies
The family of the Palestinian journalist Muhammad al-Qeiq called, on Tuesday evening, for a mass participation in the rallies and marches set to be staged across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday evening.
Al-Qeiq’s family urged the Palestinian masses to partake in the solidarity campaign set to kick off at 6 p.m. in support for al-Qeiq, who has been struggling against death after 78 days of ongoing hunger strike.
Hours earlier, al-Qeiq’s wife Fayhaa Shelesh said her husband insists on keeping up his hunger strike until he is released from the Afula hospital. She denied reports on underway deals with the Israeli prosecution to transfer al-Qeiq to a public hospital in Ramallah under the supervision of Palestinian Authority apparatuses.
Meanwhile, a rally was staged on Tuesday evening by the Supreme Follow-up Committee in 1948 Occupied Palestine outside the Afula Hospital in solidarity with the hunger-striker. The rally-goers lifted banners and chanted slogans condemning Israeli administrative detention policy and demanding the urgent release of al-Qeiq. The protesters further called for stepping up protest moves and solidarity marches on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in support for al-Qeiq.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the northern West Bank district of Jenin, and kidnapped one Palestinian, while six more were kidnapped by soldiers invading different parts of Bethlehem.
The soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp, in Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Abdul-Salam Majed Abu al-Haija, 39. The soldiers sealed the camp before several military vehicles invaded it.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Zawahra, 25, Ali Abdul-Hamid at-Tous, 19, and Mahmoud Yacoub Sweity, 24, in addition to summoning Salem Qassem al-Masri, 24, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
Clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, while the army fired gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing many residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, the army invaded Nahhalin town, west of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mahmoud Mohammad Najajra, 50, his son Nathem, 27, and Ahmad Jawdat Najajra, 27.
On Tuesday evening, the soldiers closed all roads leading to Nahhalin town, conducted massive searches of homes, and kidnapped many Palestinians; two of them have been identified as Mohammad Rabah Shakarna, 27, and Mohammad Abdul-Fattah Fannoun, 21.
The army also invaded local clinics, and a pharmacy, in the town before violently searching them, causing excessive damage.
The soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp, in Jenin, searched homes and kidnapped Abdul-Salam Majed Abu al-Haija, 39. The soldiers sealed the camp before several military vehicles invaded it.
In Bethlehem, the soldiers kidnapped Mohammad Ibrahim Zawahra, 25, Ali Abdul-Hamid at-Tous, 19, and Mahmoud Yacoub Sweity, 24, in addition to summoning Salem Qassem al-Masri, 24, for interrogation in the Etzion military base.
Clashes took place between the soldiers and dozens of local youths, who hurled stones and empty bottles on them, while the army fired gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing many residents to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In addition, the army invaded Nahhalin town, west of Bethlehem, and kidnapped Mahmoud Mohammad Najajra, 50, his son Nathem, 27, and Ahmad Jawdat Najajra, 27.
On Tuesday evening, the soldiers closed all roads leading to Nahhalin town, conducted massive searches of homes, and kidnapped many Palestinians; two of them have been identified as Mohammad Rabah Shakarna, 27, and Mohammad Abdul-Fattah Fannoun, 21.
The army also invaded local clinics, and a pharmacy, in the town before violently searching them, causing excessive damage.
