21 jan 2017
Israeli forces shot a 12-year-old Palestinian boy with a rubber-coated steel bullet during clashes in the village of Kafr Qaddum west of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday afternoon.
Spokesman of the village's local popular committee Murad Shteiwi told Ma'an that 12-year-old Awad Mansour was shot in the hand during clashes as Israeli troops forcibly dispersed a rally held in the village to protest settlements and to urge Israeli authorities to reopen a road that was closed there 14 years ago.
According to Shteiwi, Israeli troops stormed the village firing live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets as they chased Palestinian youth in the alleys.
He added that soldiers detained 40-year-old Mamoon Shteiwi.
Just a day prior, Israeli forces also suppressed a protest in Kafr Qaddum.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an they were looking into reports.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum began staging weekly protests in 2011 against land confiscations, as well as the closure of the village's southern road by Israeli forces. The road, which has been closed for 14 years, is the main route to the nearby city of Nablus, the nearest economic center.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained during the demonstrations since their start in 2011, and at least 84 protesters have been injured by live fire, including 12 children, Shteiwi told Ma'an during a similar protest last year.
Some 120 others have been detained at demonstrations and were subsequently held in Israeli custody for periods ranging between four and 24 months, Shteiwi said at the time, adding that they have paid fines totaling some 25,000 shekels (approximately $6,488).
Over the course of five years, an elderly protester was killed after suffering from excessive tear gas inhalation, one youth lost his eyesight, and another his ability to speak, he added.
Israeli forces last month became the focus of international condemnation when Israeli forces, wearing matching plain clothes and black ski masks detained a seven-year-old Palestinian during a weekly protest in the village.
A video of the incident was taken by a volunteer of B’Tselem and quickly went viral. Rights groups and activists pointed out that the video seems to show the soldiers using the child as a human shield during clashes.
B’Tselem strongly condemned the incident at the time, saying that “it does not take a lawyer to know that the detention of a seven-year-old child by soldiers, keeping him by their side as they shoot at his friends, is deplorable and utterly unnacceptable."
Spokesman of the village's local popular committee Murad Shteiwi told Ma'an that 12-year-old Awad Mansour was shot in the hand during clashes as Israeli troops forcibly dispersed a rally held in the village to protest settlements and to urge Israeli authorities to reopen a road that was closed there 14 years ago.
According to Shteiwi, Israeli troops stormed the village firing live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets as they chased Palestinian youth in the alleys.
He added that soldiers detained 40-year-old Mamoon Shteiwi.
Just a day prior, Israeli forces also suppressed a protest in Kafr Qaddum.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an they were looking into reports.
Residents of Kafr Qaddum began staging weekly protests in 2011 against land confiscations, as well as the closure of the village's southern road by Israeli forces. The road, which has been closed for 14 years, is the main route to the nearby city of Nablus, the nearest economic center.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained during the demonstrations since their start in 2011, and at least 84 protesters have been injured by live fire, including 12 children, Shteiwi told Ma'an during a similar protest last year.
Some 120 others have been detained at demonstrations and were subsequently held in Israeli custody for periods ranging between four and 24 months, Shteiwi said at the time, adding that they have paid fines totaling some 25,000 shekels (approximately $6,488).
Over the course of five years, an elderly protester was killed after suffering from excessive tear gas inhalation, one youth lost his eyesight, and another his ability to speak, he added.
Israeli forces last month became the focus of international condemnation when Israeli forces, wearing matching plain clothes and black ski masks detained a seven-year-old Palestinian during a weekly protest in the village.
A video of the incident was taken by a volunteer of B’Tselem and quickly went viral. Rights groups and activists pointed out that the video seems to show the soldiers using the child as a human shield during clashes.
B’Tselem strongly condemned the incident at the time, saying that “it does not take a lawyer to know that the detention of a seven-year-old child by soldiers, keeping him by their side as they shoot at his friends, is deplorable and utterly unnacceptable."
Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies revealed that Israeli Prison Service (IPS) deliberately escalate punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners especially in winter season with the aim of increasing their suffering.
Riyad al-Ashqar, researcher concerned with Palestinian detainees’ affairs, said that Palestinian captives complain about the IPS's storming operations since they are usually conducted at night under chilly weather conditions.
Israeli prison jailers deliberately choose times after midnight hours in severe cold hours to let Israeli heavily-armed Special Forces suddenly break into Palestinian captives’ rooms and evacuate them under the threat of weapons.
The detainees have then to wait outside their wards in open large yards with light clothes on, usually sleeping clothes, since the incursions are carried out all of a sudden while detainees are asleep, Ashqar elaborated.
Israeli jailers tend to ruin captives’ belongings and room contents during search operations which usually last for long hours. The IPS has carried out over eight storming operations since the beginning of January. Prisoners in desert jails such as the Negev prison suffer the most since temperature degrees are usually below zero, Ashqar highlighted.
Riyad al-Ashqar, researcher concerned with Palestinian detainees’ affairs, said that Palestinian captives complain about the IPS's storming operations since they are usually conducted at night under chilly weather conditions.
Israeli prison jailers deliberately choose times after midnight hours in severe cold hours to let Israeli heavily-armed Special Forces suddenly break into Palestinian captives’ rooms and evacuate them under the threat of weapons.
The detainees have then to wait outside their wards in open large yards with light clothes on, usually sleeping clothes, since the incursions are carried out all of a sudden while detainees are asleep, Ashqar elaborated.
Israeli jailers tend to ruin captives’ belongings and room contents during search operations which usually last for long hours. The IPS has carried out over eight storming operations since the beginning of January. Prisoners in desert jails such as the Negev prison suffer the most since temperature degrees are usually below zero, Ashqar highlighted.
Violent clashes broke out at dawn Saturday in Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, after an Israeli military force stormed its neighborhoods and handed some young men summonses for interrogation from the Shin Bet.
Local sources said that soldiers raided homes in the town and handed summonses to two young men called Yousef Thawabteh and Musaab Taqatiqa.
Meanwhile, the same soldiers fired volleys of tear gas and stun grenades to disperse angry local young men, who responded by throwing stones.
Israeli soldiers also stormed at dawn Nahalin town, west of Bethlehem, and delivered similar summonses issued against two young men identified as Mohamed Najajera and Bilal Abu Fannuna.
Local sources said that soldiers raided homes in the town and handed summonses to two young men called Yousef Thawabteh and Musaab Taqatiqa.
Meanwhile, the same soldiers fired volleys of tear gas and stun grenades to disperse angry local young men, who responded by throwing stones.
Israeli soldiers also stormed at dawn Nahalin town, west of Bethlehem, and delivered similar summonses issued against two young men identified as Mohamed Najajera and Bilal Abu Fannuna.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday raided the house of ex-detainee Qassam Halayka in Ash-Shuyukh town, northeast of al-Khalil, and handed him a summons for interrogation from the Shin Bet.
The mother of Halayka affirmed that her 25-year-old son was summoned for interrogation by a Shin Bet officer, although he was released a few days ago.
Halayka was released five days ago after he spent 18 months in administrative detention, with no indictment or trial.
His brother Majd, 24, has also been in administrative detention for 18 months, while his father Mousa has been in jail for 12 years, serving a 22-year prison term.
The mother of Halayka affirmed that her 25-year-old son was summoned for interrogation by a Shin Bet officer, although he was released a few days ago.
Halayka was released five days ago after he spent 18 months in administrative detention, with no indictment or trial.
His brother Majd, 24, has also been in administrative detention for 18 months, while his father Mousa has been in jail for 12 years, serving a 22-year prison term.
20 jan 2017
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested on Friday evening the Palestinian ex-prisoner Randa al-Shahatit, a mother of three children, at a military checkpoint to the south of al-Khalil city.
Yusuf al-Araj, Randa's husband, told the PIC reporter that his wife was returning from an engagement party when she was stopped and arrested at a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil city.
Al-Shahatit is a mother of 3 children aged between 6 months and 4 years. She was released as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal. She served 6 years in Israeli jails and had a year and a half left in her prison sentence.
The IOF re-arrested al-Shahatit four months ago when she was taking her child to the hospital for treatment and then released her on bail.
Yusuf al-Araj, Randa's husband, told the PIC reporter that his wife was returning from an engagement party when she was stopped and arrested at a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil city.
Al-Shahatit is a mother of 3 children aged between 6 months and 4 years. She was released as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal. She served 6 years in Israeli jails and had a year and a half left in her prison sentence.
The IOF re-arrested al-Shahatit four months ago when she was taking her child to the hospital for treatment and then released her on bail.
Israeli police Friday afternoon arrested two Palestinian young men in the wake of violent clashes that erupted after Israeli police forces stormed al-Eizariya town to the east of Occupied Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli policemen showered the Palestinian youths with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets resulting in suffocation cases among the young men, who were treated in the field.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli policemen showered the Palestinian youths with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets resulting in suffocation cases among the young men, who were treated in the field.
The Israeli occupation forces at noontime Friday attacked Palestinian activists as they reconstructed the Palestinian Bab al-Shams village, near the illegal Ma'aleh Adumim settlement, in eastern Occupied Jerusalem.
At least four Palestinians, including a female activist, were arrested by the IOF in an attack on the newly-reconstructed Bab al-Shams village.
The IOF soldiers aggressively disbanded the group of Palestinians who flocked to the area.
A PIC news reporter quoted the activists as saying that the move makes part of underway endeavors to thwart Israeli attempts to annex Palestinian lands, which were seized in favor of the Ma'aleh Adumim settlement, to Occupied Jerusalem.
The move coincides with the swearing-in of the US 45th president Donald Trump, who pledged to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Makeshift tents topped with Palestinian flags have been set up in the village.
Bab al-Shams is a symbolic makeshift village established by Palestinian activists on lands threatened with confiscation in favor of illegal settlement activity.
Since 2013, the village has witnessed nonstop demolitions (by the Israelis) and reconstruction attempts (by the Palestinians).
At least four Palestinians, including a female activist, were arrested by the IOF in an attack on the newly-reconstructed Bab al-Shams village.
The IOF soldiers aggressively disbanded the group of Palestinians who flocked to the area.
A PIC news reporter quoted the activists as saying that the move makes part of underway endeavors to thwart Israeli attempts to annex Palestinian lands, which were seized in favor of the Ma'aleh Adumim settlement, to Occupied Jerusalem.
The move coincides with the swearing-in of the US 45th president Donald Trump, who pledged to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Makeshift tents topped with Palestinian flags have been set up in the village.
Bab al-Shams is a symbolic makeshift village established by Palestinian activists on lands threatened with confiscation in favor of illegal settlement activity.
Since 2013, the village has witnessed nonstop demolitions (by the Israelis) and reconstruction attempts (by the Palestinians).
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested at dawn Friday five Palestinians throughout the West Bank.
Israeli 0404 Hebrew website said that two Palestinians were detained in Bethlehem and al-Khalil for being “wanted” by the Israeli Intelligence Service.
Weapons were allegedly found during the pre-dawn raids in al-Khalil, the sources claimed.
Along the same line, three other young men were arrested for allegedly damaging the Israeli security fence erected near Deir Qadis town west of Ramallah. No further details were revealed.
Meanwhile, the IOF soldiers stormed at dawn today Burin town, south of Nablus, and erected a number of make-shift checkpoints.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that Israeli forces stormed the town and were deployed in large numbers throughout its neighborhoods.
On the other hand, two young men from Irak Burn village, southwest of Nablus, were sentenced on Thursday to two years imprisonment after one year of their detention. A young man, attending the trial of his two friends, was detained during the court hearing before being released later.
Israeli 0404 Hebrew website said that two Palestinians were detained in Bethlehem and al-Khalil for being “wanted” by the Israeli Intelligence Service.
Weapons were allegedly found during the pre-dawn raids in al-Khalil, the sources claimed.
Along the same line, three other young men were arrested for allegedly damaging the Israeli security fence erected near Deir Qadis town west of Ramallah. No further details were revealed.
Meanwhile, the IOF soldiers stormed at dawn today Burin town, south of Nablus, and erected a number of make-shift checkpoints.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that Israeli forces stormed the town and were deployed in large numbers throughout its neighborhoods.
On the other hand, two young men from Irak Burn village, southwest of Nablus, were sentenced on Thursday to two years imprisonment after one year of their detention. A young man, attending the trial of his two friends, was detained during the court hearing before being released later.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal intelligence agency, on Thursday extended the detention of journalist Mohamed al-Qiq, 33, for four days, without stating if they would file an indictment against him.
Journalist Fayha Shalash, Qiq’s wife, said that the Israeli security authorities extended her husband’s detention until next Monday, adding that he started an open-ended hunger strike immediately after his arrest.
Israeli soldiers last Sunday rearrested Qiq, who works as a reporter for the Saudi satellite channel al-Majd, at Beit El checkpoint north of Ramallah city. The Shin Bet accuses him of incitement against Israel.
Last May 2016, the Israeli occupation authorities decided to release the journalist after he staged a protracted hunger strike in protest at his detention administratively, with no indictment or trial.
Journalist Fayha Shalash, Qiq’s wife, said that the Israeli security authorities extended her husband’s detention until next Monday, adding that he started an open-ended hunger strike immediately after his arrest.
Israeli soldiers last Sunday rearrested Qiq, who works as a reporter for the Saudi satellite channel al-Majd, at Beit El checkpoint north of Ramallah city. The Shin Bet accuses him of incitement against Israel.
Last May 2016, the Israeli occupation authorities decided to release the journalist after he staged a protracted hunger strike in protest at his detention administratively, with no indictment or trial.
Ofer military court imposed on Thursday harsh sentences and fines against four Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank.
The prisoner Yosri Sharbati was sentenced to 22 years plus a fine of 70,000 shekels, family sources revealed.
Sharbati was arrested in 2013, two years after his release during Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal after serving eight years out of his 25-year sentence.
However, Israeli authorities re-imposed his former sentence plus five years for allegedly violating the swap deal terms.
The prisoner Abdul Aziz Hamad was also sentenced to nine months plus a fine of 2,000 shekels, while the prisoner Fares Aslan was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with a fine of 3,000 shekels.
Along the same line, a 20-month sentence and a fine of 4,000 shekels were imposed on the prisoner Ibrahim Hamed.
The prisoner Yosri Sharbati was sentenced to 22 years plus a fine of 70,000 shekels, family sources revealed.
Sharbati was arrested in 2013, two years after his release during Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal after serving eight years out of his 25-year sentence.
However, Israeli authorities re-imposed his former sentence plus five years for allegedly violating the swap deal terms.
The prisoner Abdul Aziz Hamad was also sentenced to nine months plus a fine of 2,000 shekels, while the prisoner Fares Aslan was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with a fine of 3,000 shekels.
Along the same line, a 20-month sentence and a fine of 4,000 shekels were imposed on the prisoner Ibrahim Hamed.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) released Thursday evening the former hunger striker Ayed al-Hrimi, 24, after he served his 9-month administrative detention sentence.
According to the PIC reporter, al-Hrimi was released after waging a hunger strike for 45 days in protest against his administrative detention without charge or trial.
He suspended his strike after reaching an agreement with Israeli authorities yielding to his demand not to extend his administrative detention.
Al-Hrimi, from Bethlehem, was arrested in 2013 for being affiliated with Jihad Movement. He was freed in 2015 to be re-arrested only a week after his release and placed since then in administrative detention up to date.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities renewed the administrative detention of the prisoner Mahmoud Wardian, 38.
Wardian spent more than 12 years in Israeli jails in separate arrests, mostly in administrative detention.
According to the PIC reporter, al-Hrimi was released after waging a hunger strike for 45 days in protest against his administrative detention without charge or trial.
He suspended his strike after reaching an agreement with Israeli authorities yielding to his demand not to extend his administrative detention.
Al-Hrimi, from Bethlehem, was arrested in 2013 for being affiliated with Jihad Movement. He was freed in 2015 to be re-arrested only a week after his release and placed since then in administrative detention up to date.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities renewed the administrative detention of the prisoner Mahmoud Wardian, 38.
Wardian spent more than 12 years in Israeli jails in separate arrests, mostly in administrative detention.
