13 feb 2017
The Palestinian journalist Mohamed al-Qeiq’s wife, Fayha Shalash, called for an immediate and urgent intervention to save her husband’s life as he continues his hunger strike for the 8th day.
The wife, in a telephone statement, affirmed during a solidarity sit-in with her husband on Monday that al-Qeiq was subjected to tough investigation and torture for 22 consecutive days before being held in administrative detention, pushing him to declare an open hunger strike.
During the event organized by the Waad prisoners association in Gaza, its spokesman Abdullah Qandil said that al-Qeiq’s hunger strike came in defense of all Palestinian prisoners’ demands.
He warned that the prisoners are scheduled to declare a general hunger strike in all Israeli jails next April in case their demands were not met.
Qandil called on the Palestinian people to stand firmly in support of the prisoners’ issue.
The wife, in a telephone statement, affirmed during a solidarity sit-in with her husband on Monday that al-Qeiq was subjected to tough investigation and torture for 22 consecutive days before being held in administrative detention, pushing him to declare an open hunger strike.
During the event organized by the Waad prisoners association in Gaza, its spokesman Abdullah Qandil said that al-Qeiq’s hunger strike came in defense of all Palestinian prisoners’ demands.
He warned that the prisoners are scheduled to declare a general hunger strike in all Israeli jails next April in case their demands were not met.
Qandil called on the Palestinian people to stand firmly in support of the prisoners’ issue.
Israeli Special Forces stormed Monday section 1 in Raymond prison and carried out violent searches.
Room 5 in section 1 was violently stormed and searched this morning before being closed, the PA committee for prisoners’ affairs affirmed.
Prisoners Information Center, for its part, affirmed that three rooms in section 1, where Hamas’ prisoners are held, were violently stormed.
Nearly two weeks ago, similar raids were carried out in Nafha and Negev prisons where prisoners were brutally attacked.
Three prisoners were convicted of allegedly attacking Israeli jailers during the raid, while 15 others were moved to solitary confinement.
Room 5 in section 1 was violently stormed and searched this morning before being closed, the PA committee for prisoners’ affairs affirmed.
Prisoners Information Center, for its part, affirmed that three rooms in section 1, where Hamas’ prisoners are held, were violently stormed.
Nearly two weeks ago, similar raids were carried out in Nafha and Negev prisons where prisoners were brutally attacked.
Three prisoners were convicted of allegedly attacking Israeli jailers during the raid, while 15 others were moved to solitary confinement.
At least 20 Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from the West Bank and Jerusalem at predawn time Monday.
The Israeli occupation army claimed responsibility for the abduction of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank.
The campaign targeted nine Palestinians from Bethlehem, five from Qalqilya, and four others from al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, violent clashes flared up in the northern West Ban province of Qalqilya after the IOF rolled into the area and attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy spates of teargas canisters.
The assault culminated in the abduction of two Palestinians—Khaled Sweilam and Essam Sweilam.
The IOF further broke into Palestinian homes and cracked down on civilian residents.
At the same time, Palestinian protesters hurled stones at settlers’ cars driving on an access road near Azzoun town, to the east of Qalqilya, shortly after the IOF stormed the area and sealed it off with military checkpoints.
Overnight, two Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli forces from Jerusalem’s Old City on claims that they attempted to attack Israeli cops.
The two youngsters had been subjected to aggressive beating in Al-Wad Street, in the Old City, before they were dragged to the Israeli Qishleh detention center, in western Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli police claimed a border cop sustained injuries and was transferred to an Israeli hospital.
The Israeli occupation army claimed responsibility for the abduction of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank.
The campaign targeted nine Palestinians from Bethlehem, five from Qalqilya, and four others from al-Khalil.
Meanwhile, violent clashes flared up in the northern West Ban province of Qalqilya after the IOF rolled into the area and attacked the Palestinian protesters with heavy spates of teargas canisters.
The assault culminated in the abduction of two Palestinians—Khaled Sweilam and Essam Sweilam.
The IOF further broke into Palestinian homes and cracked down on civilian residents.
At the same time, Palestinian protesters hurled stones at settlers’ cars driving on an access road near Azzoun town, to the east of Qalqilya, shortly after the IOF stormed the area and sealed it off with military checkpoints.
Overnight, two Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli forces from Jerusalem’s Old City on claims that they attempted to attack Israeli cops.
The two youngsters had been subjected to aggressive beating in Al-Wad Street, in the Old City, before they were dragged to the Israeli Qishleh detention center, in western Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli police claimed a border cop sustained injuries and was transferred to an Israeli hospital.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, two Palestinians in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and two in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, during massive invasions and violent searches of homes.
The Hebron office of the PPS said the soldiers searched and ransacked homes, and abducted Emad Hamdi Abu Khalaf, 25, and Yousef Khairi Abu Sneina, 19.
It added that the soldiers also installed roadblocks at the entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, and Hebron’s northern and southern roads, before stopping dozens of cars, and searched them while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
In Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank, the soldiers also searched homes and abducted two Palestinians, identified as Khaled Ali Sweilem, 25, and Essam Salah Sweilem, 32.
Owners of some of the invaded and searched homes have been identified as Adnan Sweilem, Rezeq Ali Sweilem and Ayman Adnan Sweilem.
The Hebron office of the PPS said the soldiers searched and ransacked homes, and abducted Emad Hamdi Abu Khalaf, 25, and Yousef Khairi Abu Sneina, 19.
It added that the soldiers also installed roadblocks at the entrances of Sa’ir and Halhoul towns, and Hebron’s northern and southern roads, before stopping dozens of cars, and searched them while inspecting the ID cards of the passengers.
In Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank, the soldiers also searched homes and abducted two Palestinians, identified as Khaled Ali Sweilem, 25, and Essam Salah Sweilem, 32.
Owners of some of the invaded and searched homes have been identified as Adnan Sweilem, Rezeq Ali Sweilem and Ayman Adnan Sweilem.
Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Monday at dawn, several communities in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, violently searched many homes and abducted eight Palestinians, including two children, the Bethlehem office of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, and abducted two Palestinians identified as Fadi Mahmoud Taqatqa, 18, and Jawad Ibrahim Taqatqa, 16.
The soldiers also invaded the Saff Street and the Fawaghra area, in the center of Bethlehem city, searched homes and abducted three Palestinians, identified as Amin Abdullah Abu ‘Ahour, 21, Eid Kamel al-Kamel, 29, and Khader Ahmad Masalma, 55.
In addition, the soldiers invaded homes in ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, and abducted a child, identified as Adam Mahmoud Darweesh, 15.
The PPS also stated that the soldiers abducted Mazen Mohammad Zawahra, from his home in Doha town, west of Bethlehem, and Shafiq Ali Radayda, 50, from the al-‘Obeydiyya town, east of the city.
The PPS stated that the soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, and abducted two Palestinians identified as Fadi Mahmoud Taqatqa, 18, and Jawad Ibrahim Taqatqa, 16.
The soldiers also invaded the Saff Street and the Fawaghra area, in the center of Bethlehem city, searched homes and abducted three Palestinians, identified as Amin Abdullah Abu ‘Ahour, 21, Eid Kamel al-Kamel, 29, and Khader Ahmad Masalma, 55.
In addition, the soldiers invaded homes in ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, and abducted a child, identified as Adam Mahmoud Darweesh, 15.
The PPS also stated that the soldiers abducted Mazen Mohammad Zawahra, from his home in Doha town, west of Bethlehem, and Shafiq Ali Radayda, 50, from the al-‘Obeydiyya town, east of the city.
Dozens of relatives of Palestinian prisoners from the besieged Gaza Strip left the coastal enclave Monday morning through the Erez checkpoint after they were granted permission to visit their relatives being held in Israel’s Nafha prison.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesperson in Gaza Suheir Zaqout said that 65 Palestinian from Gaza visited 37 Palestinian prisoners held in Nafha prison.
Zaqout added that there were 15 children among the visitors.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesperson in Gaza Suheir Zaqout said that 65 Palestinian from Gaza visited 37 Palestinian prisoners held in Nafha prison.
Zaqout added that there were 15 children among the visitors.
12 feb 2017
Al Mezan Center For Human Rights slammed on Sunday the Israeli Supreme Court for upholding a request from the Israeli prosecution to increase the prison sentence of Al Mezan’s client—Palestinian prisoner, Jihad Khalid Abu Hadaid, 28—from six years of imprisonment to eight.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemned the increase in prison term in a case built on the torture of the defendant, and called on the international community to intervene.
On 25 July 2014, during Israel’s bombardment on the Gaza Strip codenamed “Operation Protective Edge”, the Israeli forces launched a ground invasion into the area of Al Fukhari, Khan Younis, and arrested Abu Hadaid, among others, a statement by Al Mezan Center read.
In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Abu Hadaid described the use of torture and other cruel and degrading treatment during his arrest and interrogation by Israeli security forces and authorities.
Abu Hadaid stated that he was beaten; forced to sit in direct sunlight for several hours; during interrogation his hands were cuffed from behind while he was seated in a “stress position” on a small chair; he was verbally abused; and he was kept in solidarity confinement for several days.
In one verbal threat, Abu Hadaid was told by Israeli authorities that his house would be attacked; his home was later attacked by the Israeli air force. Abu Hadaid was prevented from meeting with a lawyer for 21 days after arrest.
Al Mezan asserted that the level of coercion used against Abu Hadaid resulted in a forced confession, which must not be used as evidence in court.
“A confession obtained under means of torture, including enhanced interrogation techniques, or other forms of duress is considered a forced confession under international law,” Al Mezan warned. “The ruling issued by the High Court is dependent on a confession by torture and, as a serious miscarriage of justice, amounts to a serious violation of international law and blatant disregard for justice principles.”
The ruling further violates article (5) of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, article (10) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article (14) of the International Covenant on Civilian and Political Rights, articles (11,12,13, and 14) of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners relating to the conditions in which Abu Hadaid is kept, and the Convention against Torture relating to the absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment.
Al Mezan called on the international community to uphold its moral and legal obligations toward Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel and to exert pressure on Israel to respect international law, in particular the absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment and the principles of justice.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemned the increase in prison term in a case built on the torture of the defendant, and called on the international community to intervene.
On 25 July 2014, during Israel’s bombardment on the Gaza Strip codenamed “Operation Protective Edge”, the Israeli forces launched a ground invasion into the area of Al Fukhari, Khan Younis, and arrested Abu Hadaid, among others, a statement by Al Mezan Center read.
In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Abu Hadaid described the use of torture and other cruel and degrading treatment during his arrest and interrogation by Israeli security forces and authorities.
Abu Hadaid stated that he was beaten; forced to sit in direct sunlight for several hours; during interrogation his hands were cuffed from behind while he was seated in a “stress position” on a small chair; he was verbally abused; and he was kept in solidarity confinement for several days.
In one verbal threat, Abu Hadaid was told by Israeli authorities that his house would be attacked; his home was later attacked by the Israeli air force. Abu Hadaid was prevented from meeting with a lawyer for 21 days after arrest.
Al Mezan asserted that the level of coercion used against Abu Hadaid resulted in a forced confession, which must not be used as evidence in court.
“A confession obtained under means of torture, including enhanced interrogation techniques, or other forms of duress is considered a forced confession under international law,” Al Mezan warned. “The ruling issued by the High Court is dependent on a confession by torture and, as a serious miscarriage of justice, amounts to a serious violation of international law and blatant disregard for justice principles.”
The ruling further violates article (5) of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, article (10) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article (14) of the International Covenant on Civilian and Political Rights, articles (11,12,13, and 14) of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners relating to the conditions in which Abu Hadaid is kept, and the Convention against Torture relating to the absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment.
Al Mezan called on the international community to uphold its moral and legal obligations toward Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel and to exert pressure on Israel to respect international law, in particular the absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment and the principles of justice.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested two Palestinian youths on Sunday who were accused of throwing stones at settlers' houses northeast of al-Bireh city in the West Bank.
The Hebrew website 0404 claimed that Palestinian youths targeted houses of Israeli settlers living in Beit El settlement, which was built by force on Palestinian lands northeast of al-Bireh city.
According to the website, the IOF, using the surveillance cameras set up in the vicinity of the settlement, arrested two Palestinian young men suspected of being responsible for the stone-throwing attack which caused no injuries.
Meanwhile in Bethlehem city, the IOF announced in a statement on Sunday the detention of a 13-year-old Palestinian child from Aida refugee camp for allegedly throwing stones at Rachel’s Tomb.
The statement noted that the child will be released on a conditional basis, and an indictment will be filed later against him.
The Hebrew website 0404 claimed that Palestinian youths targeted houses of Israeli settlers living in Beit El settlement, which was built by force on Palestinian lands northeast of al-Bireh city.
According to the website, the IOF, using the surveillance cameras set up in the vicinity of the settlement, arrested two Palestinian young men suspected of being responsible for the stone-throwing attack which caused no injuries.
Meanwhile in Bethlehem city, the IOF announced in a statement on Sunday the detention of a 13-year-old Palestinian child from Aida refugee camp for allegedly throwing stones at Rachel’s Tomb.
The statement noted that the child will be released on a conditional basis, and an indictment will be filed later against him.
The spokesman of Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies, Riyad al-Ashqar, revealed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) extended the administrative detention orders against four Palestinian detainees for the fifth time.
Ashqar said that Israeli authorities extended the illegal detention orders against each of Anas Qaqour, 31, from Jenin and Jamal Barham, 56, from Ramin town in Tulkarem, to three months each.
As for the two other prisoners, the IOA extended the administrative detention orders against both Shaher al-Raei, 47, from the West Bank city of Qalqilya and Maher al-Qadi, 27, from Ramallah city to four months each.
All of the four Palestinian detainees were arrested after their homes had been stormed and searched thoroughly. As ex-prisoners, they all had served long sentences in Israeli jails in previous arrests, Ashqar pointed out.
Ashqar said that Israeli authorities extended the illegal detention orders against each of Anas Qaqour, 31, from Jenin and Jamal Barham, 56, from Ramin town in Tulkarem, to three months each.
As for the two other prisoners, the IOA extended the administrative detention orders against both Shaher al-Raei, 47, from the West Bank city of Qalqilya and Maher al-Qadi, 27, from Ramallah city to four months each.
All of the four Palestinian detainees were arrested after their homes had been stormed and searched thoroughly. As ex-prisoners, they all had served long sentences in Israeli jails in previous arrests, Ashqar pointed out.
The Israeli Supreme Court in Occupied Jerusalem on Sunday sentenced a 17-year-old Palestinian young man to 12 years imprisonment after charging him with a stabbing attempt carried out last year.
Amjad Abu Asab, Head of the Committee of Jerusalemite Prisoners' Families, recalled that Israeli authorities had arrested the Palestinian boy Huthayfa Taha on January 04, 2016 after he was shot by Israeli occupation forces with four bullets in his hand and feet near Damascus gate in Occupied Jerusalem after attempting to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
The Jerusalemite minor captive, who is detained in Megiddo jail, attempted to carry out the anti-occupation stabbing attack in al-Masrarah neighborhood in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem. Two Israelis were hurt: one due to panic and the other by shrapnel of Israeli bullets that were shot at the juvenile.
Amjad Abu Asab, Head of the Committee of Jerusalemite Prisoners' Families, recalled that Israeli authorities had arrested the Palestinian boy Huthayfa Taha on January 04, 2016 after he was shot by Israeli occupation forces with four bullets in his hand and feet near Damascus gate in Occupied Jerusalem after attempting to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
The Jerusalemite minor captive, who is detained in Megiddo jail, attempted to carry out the anti-occupation stabbing attack in al-Masrarah neighborhood in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem. Two Israelis were hurt: one due to panic and the other by shrapnel of Israeli bullets that were shot at the juvenile.
Several Palestinians have been kidnapped at daybreak Sunday shortly after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rolled into West Bank provinces and ravaged Palestinian homes.
At least three Palestinian were kidnapped by the occupation army from the southern West Bank provinces of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
The IOF reportedly wreaked havoc on Palestinian civilian homes, triggering panic among children and women.
At predawn time, the Israeli army claimed, in a statement, responsibility for the abduction of three Palestinians on claims of involvement in anti-occupation activities.
According to the military statement, the campaign targeted two Palestinians from Bethlehem’s western town of Tekou’ and another from al-Khalil’s northern town of Beit Ummar.
A PIC news correspondent identified the three arrestees as Mahmoud al-Amour and Akrema al-Amour, both natives of Tekou’.
The third captive—Kays Abu Maria—was kidnapped by the IOF from his own family home in Beit Ummar. The Israeli soldiers handcuffed and blindfolded him all the way through the assault.
The Israeli forces further rummaged into the home of the Palestinian prisoner Jameel Awad in al-Khalil’s southern town of Yatta, and summoned his son, Haytham, to questioning.
At the same time, the IOF, escorted by intelligence officers, rolled into Ourata town, in southern Nablus, and carried out abrupt break-ins into civilian homes.
Overnight, the IOF tightened military grip at the Beit Furik checkpoint, to the east of Nablus, blocking Palestinian passengers’ and vehicles’ access out of and into the area.
Late on Saturday evening, the occupation army stormed Kafl Haris, to the north of Salfit province, and set up a makeshift military checkpoint.
A PIC news correspondent said the IOF cracked down on the Palestinian locals and attacked civilians with acoustic grenades.
Palestinian passengers and vehicles had also been subjected to intensive inspection as they attempted to pass through the newly-pitched checkpoint.
At least three Palestinian were kidnapped by the occupation army from the southern West Bank provinces of al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
The IOF reportedly wreaked havoc on Palestinian civilian homes, triggering panic among children and women.
At predawn time, the Israeli army claimed, in a statement, responsibility for the abduction of three Palestinians on claims of involvement in anti-occupation activities.
According to the military statement, the campaign targeted two Palestinians from Bethlehem’s western town of Tekou’ and another from al-Khalil’s northern town of Beit Ummar.
A PIC news correspondent identified the three arrestees as Mahmoud al-Amour and Akrema al-Amour, both natives of Tekou’.
The third captive—Kays Abu Maria—was kidnapped by the IOF from his own family home in Beit Ummar. The Israeli soldiers handcuffed and blindfolded him all the way through the assault.
The Israeli forces further rummaged into the home of the Palestinian prisoner Jameel Awad in al-Khalil’s southern town of Yatta, and summoned his son, Haytham, to questioning.
At the same time, the IOF, escorted by intelligence officers, rolled into Ourata town, in southern Nablus, and carried out abrupt break-ins into civilian homes.
Overnight, the IOF tightened military grip at the Beit Furik checkpoint, to the east of Nablus, blocking Palestinian passengers’ and vehicles’ access out of and into the area.
Late on Saturday evening, the occupation army stormed Kafl Haris, to the north of Salfit province, and set up a makeshift military checkpoint.
A PIC news correspondent said the IOF cracked down on the Palestinian locals and attacked civilians with acoustic grenades.
Palestinian passengers and vehicles had also been subjected to intensive inspection as they attempted to pass through the newly-pitched checkpoint.
