9 may 2014
Israeli forces detained a young Palestinian man in the southern West Bank town of Beit Ummar on Friday as he was returning home from Friday prayers, a local activist group said.
Spokesman for the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Beit Ummar Muhammad Ayad Awad said that Israeli forces detained Bilal Habis Mouhammad al-Alami, 19, in front of his home in the neighborhood of Wadi Sheikh near the main Hebron-Jerusalem road.
Awad added that al-Alami was walking home from Friday prayers when he was stopped, handcuffed, blindfolded and put in a military jeep which took him to the Gush Etzion center in the nearby settlement of the same name.
An Israeli military spokesperson did not have any information regarding the incident.
Spokesman for the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Beit Ummar Muhammad Ayad Awad said that Israeli forces detained Bilal Habis Mouhammad al-Alami, 19, in front of his home in the neighborhood of Wadi Sheikh near the main Hebron-Jerusalem road.
Awad added that al-Alami was walking home from Friday prayers when he was stopped, handcuffed, blindfolded and put in a military jeep which took him to the Gush Etzion center in the nearby settlement of the same name.
An Israeli military spokesperson did not have any information regarding the incident.
Nearly 100 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails entered the 16th day of a hunger strike on Friday as solidarity rallies were held across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Prisoner's Center for Studies said Friday that the prisoners had confirmed their determination to continue their open hunger strike until authorities meet their demands, which focus on Israel fulfilling a promise made in 2012 to limit the detention of Palestinians without charge or trial, which it does regularly under a policy called "administrative detention."
The center told Ma'an that two prisoners who have been on hunger strike since before the beginning of the mass strike were in "critical condition," including Ayman Atabeesh who has been on strike for 71 days and Adnan Shaytah who has been on strike for 48 days.
On Thursday, the vast majority of more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons took part in a solidarity hunger strike with the nearly 100 prisoners who have been refusing food since April 24.
'Friday of Anger'
Rallies in support of the hunger-striking prisoners also took place in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, after the Coalition of Youth of the Intifada, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad called for a "Friday of Anger."
Thousands took part in rallies in Hebron in what organizers claimed were some of the largest rallies in the city seen in seven years.
Hebron governor, mayor and former ministers and leaders from both Hamas and Fatah turned out for the protest beginning at the Hussein Mosque.
Amjad Najjar, president of the prisoner's club in Hebron, told Ma'an that the rally was the largest in Hebron since the beginning of the Palestinian political division in 2007 and that it was "a victory for the cause of prisoners and a victory for all the children of the Palestinian people," stressing that members of all parties had taken part in the marches.
The secretary general of Fatah in Hebron said that the party had come out "en masse" for the protest, stressing that the march showed the spirit of intra-Palestinian unity that had emerged since the national reconciliation agreement at the end of April.
"Although the majority of administrators prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails are Hamas members, we went out today to support the just issue of the prisoners," he said.
Um Wahham, the wife of administrative detainee and Palestinian legislative Council member Jamal al-Natsheh, expressed concern over the fate of her husband, who has been detained by Israel without trial for 14 months.
"I fear for the life of my husband, who has been subject to assassination attempts by Israeli forces more than once both inside prison and outside, and has spent 12 years of life in the occupation's jails," she said.
Other marchers also expressed concern over the fates of jailed relatives, including the wife of Hamas leader Abd al-Khalek Natsheh, who was placed in administrative detention 14 months ago and has still been neither charged nor tried.
She said that his health was poor and was not allowed to receive any medicine, adding: "I saw him around four months ago in prison and it was the first time that I was allowed to see him as I had been banned from visiting him, and since that time I am worried for his health."
The Prisoner's Center for Studies said Friday that the prisoners had confirmed their determination to continue their open hunger strike until authorities meet their demands, which focus on Israel fulfilling a promise made in 2012 to limit the detention of Palestinians without charge or trial, which it does regularly under a policy called "administrative detention."
The center told Ma'an that two prisoners who have been on hunger strike since before the beginning of the mass strike were in "critical condition," including Ayman Atabeesh who has been on strike for 71 days and Adnan Shaytah who has been on strike for 48 days.
On Thursday, the vast majority of more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons took part in a solidarity hunger strike with the nearly 100 prisoners who have been refusing food since April 24.
'Friday of Anger'
Rallies in support of the hunger-striking prisoners also took place in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, after the Coalition of Youth of the Intifada, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad called for a "Friday of Anger."
Thousands took part in rallies in Hebron in what organizers claimed were some of the largest rallies in the city seen in seven years.
Hebron governor, mayor and former ministers and leaders from both Hamas and Fatah turned out for the protest beginning at the Hussein Mosque.
Amjad Najjar, president of the prisoner's club in Hebron, told Ma'an that the rally was the largest in Hebron since the beginning of the Palestinian political division in 2007 and that it was "a victory for the cause of prisoners and a victory for all the children of the Palestinian people," stressing that members of all parties had taken part in the marches.
The secretary general of Fatah in Hebron said that the party had come out "en masse" for the protest, stressing that the march showed the spirit of intra-Palestinian unity that had emerged since the national reconciliation agreement at the end of April.
"Although the majority of administrators prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails are Hamas members, we went out today to support the just issue of the prisoners," he said.
Um Wahham, the wife of administrative detainee and Palestinian legislative Council member Jamal al-Natsheh, expressed concern over the fate of her husband, who has been detained by Israel without trial for 14 months.
"I fear for the life of my husband, who has been subject to assassination attempts by Israeli forces more than once both inside prison and outside, and has spent 12 years of life in the occupation's jails," she said.
Other marchers also expressed concern over the fates of jailed relatives, including the wife of Hamas leader Abd al-Khalek Natsheh, who was placed in administrative detention 14 months ago and has still been neither charged nor tried.
She said that his health was poor and was not allowed to receive any medicine, adding: "I saw him around four months ago in prison and it was the first time that I was allowed to see him as I had been banned from visiting him, and since that time I am worried for his health."
Many took part in rallies across the Gaza Strip on Friday, with Islamic Jihad rallies beginning at a number of mosques in Khan Younis, while Hamas launched marches from mosques in the Jabaliya refugee camp north of Gaza.
Islamic Jihad leader Ahmad Modallal called for an uprising against the "heinous crimes" of the Israeli occupation against the rights of prisoners through policies of medical negligence and isolation.
"There are currently 5,000 prisoners in Israeli jails who will triumph against the warden, just as Khader Adnan and all other prisoners did," he said during the rally, calling upon prisoners to unite to defeat administrative detention through hunger strikes as prisoners have done before.
"Where are the international human rights organizations that demanded the release of Shalit?" he continued, comparing the international treatment of thousands of Palestinian prisoners to that of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas for five years.
Over 150 Hamas members took part in a solidarity rally with prisoners in Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, in one of the first appearances of Hamas members in the city since the national unification deal.
The march took place in the city center at the Gamal Abdel Nasser roundabout, waving green Hamas flags and pictures of prisoners and chanting Hamas slogans in solidarity with the detainees.
A 2012 agreement which ended a hunger strike of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners was meant to end the detention without trial of Palestinians, but as of March 1, 183 Palestinians were still being held under administrative detention.
Palestinians held in administrative detention are often held without charge or trial for months and without access to the evidence leading to their detention, even though international law stipulates this tactic only be used in exceptional circumstances.
The practice uses laws dating back to the British Mandate period.
Islamic Jihad leader Ahmad Modallal called for an uprising against the "heinous crimes" of the Israeli occupation against the rights of prisoners through policies of medical negligence and isolation.
"There are currently 5,000 prisoners in Israeli jails who will triumph against the warden, just as Khader Adnan and all other prisoners did," he said during the rally, calling upon prisoners to unite to defeat administrative detention through hunger strikes as prisoners have done before.
"Where are the international human rights organizations that demanded the release of Shalit?" he continued, comparing the international treatment of thousands of Palestinian prisoners to that of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas for five years.
Over 150 Hamas members took part in a solidarity rally with prisoners in Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, in one of the first appearances of Hamas members in the city since the national unification deal.
The march took place in the city center at the Gamal Abdel Nasser roundabout, waving green Hamas flags and pictures of prisoners and chanting Hamas slogans in solidarity with the detainees.
A 2012 agreement which ended a hunger strike of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners was meant to end the detention without trial of Palestinians, but as of March 1, 183 Palestinians were still being held under administrative detention.
Palestinians held in administrative detention are often held without charge or trial for months and without access to the evidence leading to their detention, even though international law stipulates this tactic only be used in exceptional circumstances.
The practice uses laws dating back to the British Mandate period.
At least two Palestinians were kidnapped on Friday, at dawn [May 9, 2014], and several residents have been detained and interrogated, as the army invaded various Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, where soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians.
Local sources said the soldiers kidnapped Odai Samir Abu Haniyya, 24, and Omar Jamal Salim, 20, after breaking into their homes and searching them.
Last night, soldiers detained two children, identified as Ala’ Hussein, 14, and Shadi Suleiman, 15, in Qalqilia, and released them several hours later.
On Friday morning, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after Israeli soldiers invaded Borqeen village, south of Jenin, and clashed with local youth.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the army fired several rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs directly after invading the village, leading to clashes with local youth who threw stones at them.
In related news, soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, especially the al-Fajr School Street, and searched several homes after forcing the residents out.
WAFA said the soldiers forced several families out of their homes, and kept them in the cold and under the rain, while searching and ransacking their property.
On Thursday at night, the army said it arrested three Palestinians allegedly carrying Molotov cocktails, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The army claimed the Palestinians intended to attack settlers’ cars driving on a nearby settlement road. The three were moved to an interrogation facility.
Several Israeli military vehicles invaded Azzoun town, east of the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, where soldiers kidnapped two Palestinians.
Local sources said the soldiers kidnapped Odai Samir Abu Haniyya, 24, and Omar Jamal Salim, 20, after breaking into their homes and searching them.
Last night, soldiers detained two children, identified as Ala’ Hussein, 14, and Shadi Suleiman, 15, in Qalqilia, and released them several hours later.
On Friday morning, several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after Israeli soldiers invaded Borqeen village, south of Jenin, and clashed with local youth.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the army fired several rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs directly after invading the village, leading to clashes with local youth who threw stones at them.
In related news, soldiers invaded Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, especially the al-Fajr School Street, and searched several homes after forcing the residents out.
WAFA said the soldiers forced several families out of their homes, and kept them in the cold and under the rain, while searching and ransacking their property.
On Thursday at night, the army said it arrested three Palestinians allegedly carrying Molotov cocktails, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The army claimed the Palestinians intended to attack settlers’ cars driving on a nearby settlement road. The three were moved to an interrogation facility.
Two Palestinian boys were arrested by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday night in Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, north of the occupied West Bank.
The two boys, Oussama Bassam Mounir Akhlil, 18, and Badawi Ali Badawi Akhlil, 19, were detained for two hours by Israeli soldiers. The troops also confiscated their IDs and forced them to sit down on the ground.
One of the boys was severely kicked by the soldiers, eyewitness reported.
The two boys, Oussama Bassam Mounir Akhlil, 18, and Badawi Ali Badawi Akhlil, 19, were detained for two hours by Israeli soldiers. The troops also confiscated their IDs and forced them to sit down on the ground.
One of the boys was severely kicked by the soldiers, eyewitness reported.
An Israeli Military Court convicted on Thursday, May 8 2014, two Palestinian brothers of kidnapping and killing an Israeli soldier in the West Bank, in September of 2013.
One of them had already been in prison when the incident took place, but allegedly knew of the plan.
The Israeli Radio said that the court convicted Nidal Amer of “kidnapping, and killing the soldier”, and of living and working in Israel without a permit, in addition to another account of “obstructing the investigation”.
Nidal’s brother, Noureddeen, was also convicted in connection to the attack, although he was in prison when it took place, but the prosecution claimed he knew of his brother’s intention beforehand.
Two months after the attack, the Israeli Internal Security Service published a video caught by a surveillance camera showing the soldier, Tomer Hazan, crossing with Nidal into an area near Beit Amin village.
The video shows the two crossing through an opening in a fence installed by Israel near the “Samaria Highway”. Hazan was found dead in a well, south of Qalqilia.
During interrogation, Amer said that he wanted to hide the body of the soldier in an attempt to secure the release of his detained brother, who has been imprisoned by Israel since 2003.
Hazan and Amer worked together at an Israeli restaurant.
One of them had already been in prison when the incident took place, but allegedly knew of the plan.
The Israeli Radio said that the court convicted Nidal Amer of “kidnapping, and killing the soldier”, and of living and working in Israel without a permit, in addition to another account of “obstructing the investigation”.
Nidal’s brother, Noureddeen, was also convicted in connection to the attack, although he was in prison when it took place, but the prosecution claimed he knew of his brother’s intention beforehand.
Two months after the attack, the Israeli Internal Security Service published a video caught by a surveillance camera showing the soldier, Tomer Hazan, crossing with Nidal into an area near Beit Amin village.
The video shows the two crossing through an opening in a fence installed by Israel near the “Samaria Highway”. Hazan was found dead in a well, south of Qalqilia.
During interrogation, Amer said that he wanted to hide the body of the soldier in an attempt to secure the release of his detained brother, who has been imprisoned by Israel since 2003.
Hazan and Amer worked together at an Israeli restaurant.
8 may 2014
A Palestinian youth is detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank during 2013. File Photo.
At the end of March, a total of 202 Palestinian children were imprisoned and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system, a decrease of 12 percent over February.
The number of young children detained between the ages of 12 and 15 was 24, a decrease of 33 percent from February.
In March, DCI-Palestine highlighted the case of Ali Shamlawi, a Palestinian teenager who confessed to throwing stones after he was tortured in Israeli custody. He has been in detention for over a year and neither his lawyer, nor his family know when a verdict will be reached. He faces attempted murder charges and a severe prison sentence.
The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 2014 annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child on March 13 with the theme of access to justice for children. During the discussion, several references were made to the widespread and systematic ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. For a summary of the discussion, click here.
March 2014 Detention Figures
202 children detained
24 children between 12-15 yrs
51% held inside Israel
0 girls detained
0 held in administrative detention
Detention Bulletin - Issue 51 - March 2014
At the end of March, a total of 202 Palestinian children were imprisoned and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system, a decrease of 12 percent over February.
The number of young children detained between the ages of 12 and 15 was 24, a decrease of 33 percent from February.
In March, DCI-Palestine highlighted the case of Ali Shamlawi, a Palestinian teenager who confessed to throwing stones after he was tortured in Israeli custody. He has been in detention for over a year and neither his lawyer, nor his family know when a verdict will be reached. He faces attempted murder charges and a severe prison sentence.
The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 2014 annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child on March 13 with the theme of access to justice for children. During the discussion, several references were made to the widespread and systematic ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. For a summary of the discussion, click here.
March 2014 Detention Figures
202 children detained
24 children between 12-15 yrs
51% held inside Israel
0 girls detained
0 held in administrative detention
Detention Bulletin - Issue 51 - March 2014
The District court sentenced on Thursday 6 Jerusalemites from Esawyeh and Al-Tur. Mohammad Mahmoud, Al-Dameer organization lawyer, said that the District court sentenced 15-year old Mohammad Samir Obeid, 16-year old Amin Hamed for actual imprisonment of 22 months and a fine of 1000 NIS for each in addition to a suspended probation of 10 months for 3 years.
The 15-year old Mouath Nihad Obeid was sentenced to 20 months of actual imprisonment and a suspended probation of 10 months for 3 years and a 1000 NIS in addition to 3000 NIS to compensate the female soldiers.
The judge also sentenced Odai Obeid and Adham Sabteh for a suspended probation of 6 months for a year. The children were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails several times at the Military camp established on the lands of the village of Esawyeh.
The lawyer added that the District court sentenced on Thursday the 18-year old Seif Abu Jom’a from Al-Tur for 26 months and a suspended probation of 12 months for 3 years in addition to a 2000-NIS fine on charges of throwing stones at settlers’ cars and putting the lives of passers-by at danger in addition to causing damage to the cars and the attempt to assault policemen; note that the public prosecution requested to imprison him for 7 years.
The 15-year old Mouath Nihad Obeid was sentenced to 20 months of actual imprisonment and a suspended probation of 10 months for 3 years and a 1000 NIS in addition to 3000 NIS to compensate the female soldiers.
The judge also sentenced Odai Obeid and Adham Sabteh for a suspended probation of 6 months for a year. The children were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails several times at the Military camp established on the lands of the village of Esawyeh.
The lawyer added that the District court sentenced on Thursday the 18-year old Seif Abu Jom’a from Al-Tur for 26 months and a suspended probation of 12 months for 3 years in addition to a 2000-NIS fine on charges of throwing stones at settlers’ cars and putting the lives of passers-by at danger in addition to causing damage to the cars and the attempt to assault policemen; note that the public prosecution requested to imprison him for 7 years.
A global civil society alliance and several NGO networks on Tuesday called for the release of imprisoned Palestinian activist Ameer Makhoul four years after he was arrested by Israeli intelligence services during a nighttime raid on his Haifa home.
The Palestinian citizen of Israel and active defender of human rights was later sentenced to nine years in jail as part of a plea bargain in which he admitted to "spying" and having contacts with the Lebanese group Hizbullah.
Makhoul charged, however, that his confession was obtained after he was tortured and drugged in prison, and supporters say that the case was meant to intimidate Palestinian activists in Israel.
On the fourth anniversary of his arrest, the Arab Association for Human Rights, the Arab NGO Network for Development, Baladna: Association for Arab Youth, CIVICUS and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization Network called for Israeli authorities to "immediately and unconditionally release" him.
"Ameer Makhoul has unjustly spent years in prison as a result of his legitimate and peaceful activities as a human rights defender," Mandeep Tiwana, Head of Policy and Research at CIVICUS, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, said in a statement.
"His trial and conviction were marred by a number of flaws and inconsistencies and we are calling on the Israeli government to release him immediately."
Prior to his arrest, Makhoul had been active for many years in Palestinian civil society within Israel, including as the General Director of Ittijah -- Union of Arab Community Based Associations, the largest Arab civil society coalition in Israel. He was also a member of CIVICUS, among other regional and international organizations.
Supporters say the imprisonment of Makhoul on May 6, 2010 by Israeli intelligence services is part of a larger strategy to silence dissent by the 1.2 million Palestinian citizens inside Israel, particularly those who actively oppose Israeli policies against Palestinians in the occupied territories and who have contact with Palestinian refugees abroad.
"Ameer Makhoul is yet another victim of the Israeli government's unrelenting campaign to muzzle Palestinian human rights defenders peacefully advocating for genuine human rights reform in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Mandeep Tiwana said in the statement.
"Israeli authorities must abandon their practice of arresting and detaining activists. Rather they should engage in substantive and pluralistic dialogue with a cross section of civil society."
Makhoul was denied access to legal counsel and to his family for two weeks following his arrest, and he alleged that he was deprived of sleep for 72 hours and tied to a small chair as part of the torture he suffered before his confession was obtained.
Ittijah, the organization he was director of, was also ransacked by security forces on the night of his arrest, and both incidents were followed by a gag order across Israel that prohibited media outlets, civil society groups and individuals from publishing any information on the case for a period of three weeks, the statement said.
In January 2011, Makhoul was sentenced to nine years with an additional one year suspended sentence.
Immediately following the sentence, human rights watchdog Amnesty International signaled their concern regarding the case.
"Ameer Makhoul's jailing is a very disturbing development and we will be studying the details of the sentencing as soon as we can," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, in a statement at the time.
"Ameer Makhoul is well known for his human rights activism on behalf of Palestinians in Israel and those living under Israeli occupation. We fear that this may be the underlying reason for his imprisonment."
The Palestinian citizen of Israel and active defender of human rights was later sentenced to nine years in jail as part of a plea bargain in which he admitted to "spying" and having contacts with the Lebanese group Hizbullah.
Makhoul charged, however, that his confession was obtained after he was tortured and drugged in prison, and supporters say that the case was meant to intimidate Palestinian activists in Israel.
On the fourth anniversary of his arrest, the Arab Association for Human Rights, the Arab NGO Network for Development, Baladna: Association for Arab Youth, CIVICUS and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization Network called for Israeli authorities to "immediately and unconditionally release" him.
"Ameer Makhoul has unjustly spent years in prison as a result of his legitimate and peaceful activities as a human rights defender," Mandeep Tiwana, Head of Policy and Research at CIVICUS, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, said in a statement.
"His trial and conviction were marred by a number of flaws and inconsistencies and we are calling on the Israeli government to release him immediately."
Prior to his arrest, Makhoul had been active for many years in Palestinian civil society within Israel, including as the General Director of Ittijah -- Union of Arab Community Based Associations, the largest Arab civil society coalition in Israel. He was also a member of CIVICUS, among other regional and international organizations.
Supporters say the imprisonment of Makhoul on May 6, 2010 by Israeli intelligence services is part of a larger strategy to silence dissent by the 1.2 million Palestinian citizens inside Israel, particularly those who actively oppose Israeli policies against Palestinians in the occupied territories and who have contact with Palestinian refugees abroad.
"Ameer Makhoul is yet another victim of the Israeli government's unrelenting campaign to muzzle Palestinian human rights defenders peacefully advocating for genuine human rights reform in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Mandeep Tiwana said in the statement.
"Israeli authorities must abandon their practice of arresting and detaining activists. Rather they should engage in substantive and pluralistic dialogue with a cross section of civil society."
Makhoul was denied access to legal counsel and to his family for two weeks following his arrest, and he alleged that he was deprived of sleep for 72 hours and tied to a small chair as part of the torture he suffered before his confession was obtained.
Ittijah, the organization he was director of, was also ransacked by security forces on the night of his arrest, and both incidents were followed by a gag order across Israel that prohibited media outlets, civil society groups and individuals from publishing any information on the case for a period of three weeks, the statement said.
In January 2011, Makhoul was sentenced to nine years with an additional one year suspended sentence.
Immediately following the sentence, human rights watchdog Amnesty International signaled their concern regarding the case.
"Ameer Makhoul's jailing is a very disturbing development and we will be studying the details of the sentencing as soon as we can," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, in a statement at the time.
"Ameer Makhoul is well known for his human rights activism on behalf of Palestinians in Israel and those living under Israeli occupation. We fear that this may be the underlying reason for his imprisonment."
Palestinian administrative detainees refused to suspend their hunger-strike on Thursday in return for insincere promises by Israeli Prison Service (IPS). Head of the legal unit in the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) Jawad Boulos said in a statement that the administrative hunger-strikers have been without food for the 15th consecutive day and confirmed the strike will be going on until all of their demands are met.
Around 130 Palestinian prisoners held in different Israeli jails partook in the hunger strike.
MP Mohamed Maher was left injured after Israeli guards attacked him, Boulos further documented.
Along the same line, Hamas called on for a mass solidarity campaign and demonstrations on Friday in support of the prisoners’ cause.
Fawzi Barhoum said on his Facebook page: “Tomorrow we will partake in a mass-solidarity campaign assisted by hundreds of our Palestinian offspring and national factions across the country.”
Barhoum urged the Palestinian masses to adopt a new approach to the issue of Palestinian prisoners.
Around 130 Palestinian prisoners held in different Israeli jails partook in the hunger strike.
MP Mohamed Maher was left injured after Israeli guards attacked him, Boulos further documented.
Along the same line, Hamas called on for a mass solidarity campaign and demonstrations on Friday in support of the prisoners’ cause.
Fawzi Barhoum said on his Facebook page: “Tomorrow we will partake in a mass-solidarity campaign assisted by hundreds of our Palestinian offspring and national factions across the country.”
Barhoum urged the Palestinian masses to adopt a new approach to the issue of Palestinian prisoners.
Ofer Military Court has rejected an appeal submitted by MP Hatem Kufaisheh, from al-Khalil, against its decision to extend his administrative detention. MP Kufaisheh was kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces in April 2013 and held in administrative detention for six months before being extended for another six months, according to his wife.
On the day of his supposed release three months ago, Israeli occupation authorities extended his administrative detention for six months for the third time in a row. MP Kufaisheh had earlier appealed against the court's order.
The wife said that her husband is denied appropriate medical treatment, as he only receives painkillers despite his poor health condition.
His wife charged that her husband's health condition had seriously deteriorated due to frequent arrests by IOF soldiers. She said that he suffers from cysts, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastric ulcers, in addition to sharp neck pains.
MP Kufaisheh has declared hunger strike two weeks ago along with 130 administrative detainees in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, Israeli court in occupied Jerusalem has extended on Wednesday the arrest of the lawyer Shirin Issawi for further investigation.
According to Palestinian Prisoners Society, Shirin was charged of providing services to "outlawed organizations".
The liberated detainee Samer Issawi said that his sister Shirin's detention was extended for six months.
On the day of his supposed release three months ago, Israeli occupation authorities extended his administrative detention for six months for the third time in a row. MP Kufaisheh had earlier appealed against the court's order.
The wife said that her husband is denied appropriate medical treatment, as he only receives painkillers despite his poor health condition.
His wife charged that her husband's health condition had seriously deteriorated due to frequent arrests by IOF soldiers. She said that he suffers from cysts, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastric ulcers, in addition to sharp neck pains.
MP Kufaisheh has declared hunger strike two weeks ago along with 130 administrative detainees in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, Israeli court in occupied Jerusalem has extended on Wednesday the arrest of the lawyer Shirin Issawi for further investigation.
According to Palestinian Prisoners Society, Shirin was charged of providing services to "outlawed organizations".
The liberated detainee Samer Issawi said that his sister Shirin's detention was extended for six months.
The London-based Arab organization for human rights (AOHR) sent letters to lawmakers and politicians around the world to urge them to save the lives of the Palestinian administrative detainees who started an open-ended hunger strike 15 days ago. "The administrative detainees have resorted to hunger strike while they know it is a life-threatening way after they exhausted all other means to demand an end to the administrative detention and get themselves released," the Arab organization stated in its letters.
It noted that the Israeli occupation state has used the administrative detention policy since its inception and adopted it as systematic mass punishment against the Palestinians.
It added that this detention policy targeted all Palestinians from different spectra, especially those who have scientific degrees.
The Arab organization affirmed that from 2003 to 2012, the Israeli occupation regime had issued more than 19,000 administrative detention orders against Palestinians.
In a related context, the families of hunger striking administrative detainees called for more popular participation in events and activities in solidarity with their sons.
They said that the popular rallying around the cause of the administrative detainees is very important for the success of their hunger strike.
Several events and rallies have been organized recently in different West Bank areas in solidarity with the hunger striking administrative detainees.
It noted that the Israeli occupation state has used the administrative detention policy since its inception and adopted it as systematic mass punishment against the Palestinians.
It added that this detention policy targeted all Palestinians from different spectra, especially those who have scientific degrees.
The Arab organization affirmed that from 2003 to 2012, the Israeli occupation regime had issued more than 19,000 administrative detention orders against Palestinians.
In a related context, the families of hunger striking administrative detainees called for more popular participation in events and activities in solidarity with their sons.
They said that the popular rallying around the cause of the administrative detainees is very important for the success of their hunger strike.
Several events and rallies have been organized recently in different West Bank areas in solidarity with the hunger striking administrative detainees.
Mohammed al-Zeer 13, heart patient
Israeli Magistrate's Court in the occupied Jerusalem extended Wednesday the detention of five Jerusalemite youths and released three others. Addameer organization lawyer Mohammed Mahmoud and lawyer of prisoner club Mofid al-Haj said that the court judge extended the arrest of three minors, from Sa'adiya quarter, known as Hamed Tamimi, Omar and Mostafa Mona.
Lawyers pointed out that the minors were detained on charge of participating in clashes erupted last April. The court extended Ibrahim Bayaa's detention from Shoa'afat refugee camp up to May 11.
In a related context, the court’s judge decided to release Naser Jarjour,14, Mohammed Dala'a, 14, and Jamal Mezero on bail of NIS 350. The court ruled to put both of them under house arrest until May 9.
The court judge released Mohammed Tofaha,16, with a fine of NIS 3600.
The detention of sick child Mohammed al-Zeeer was extended till May 9 for interrogation purposes , accusing him of throwing stones in Solwan. Despite his young age and suffering from heart disease , Israeli forces arrested al-Zeer after raiding his house in Solwan.
Israeli occupation extended Ramadan Abu Torok's detention who was arrested from inside al-Aqsa mosque. He refused to sign an order of 15-day exile.
Israeli Magistrate's Court in the occupied Jerusalem extended Wednesday the detention of five Jerusalemite youths and released three others. Addameer organization lawyer Mohammed Mahmoud and lawyer of prisoner club Mofid al-Haj said that the court judge extended the arrest of three minors, from Sa'adiya quarter, known as Hamed Tamimi, Omar and Mostafa Mona.
Lawyers pointed out that the minors were detained on charge of participating in clashes erupted last April. The court extended Ibrahim Bayaa's detention from Shoa'afat refugee camp up to May 11.
In a related context, the court’s judge decided to release Naser Jarjour,14, Mohammed Dala'a, 14, and Jamal Mezero on bail of NIS 350. The court ruled to put both of them under house arrest until May 9.
The court judge released Mohammed Tofaha,16, with a fine of NIS 3600.
The detention of sick child Mohammed al-Zeeer was extended till May 9 for interrogation purposes , accusing him of throwing stones in Solwan. Despite his young age and suffering from heart disease , Israeli forces arrested al-Zeer after raiding his house in Solwan.
Israeli occupation extended Ramadan Abu Torok's detention who was arrested from inside al-Aqsa mosque. He refused to sign an order of 15-day exile.
Israeli Occupation Court extended Wednesday the arrest of the lawyer Shirin Issawi from Jerusalem, and refused to release her claiming some judicial procedures need to be accomplished since she is a dangerous person. The court postponed the trial of al-Issawi for 6 months, and transferred her to Hasharon prison, until pending the decision in the case.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club explained that the decision of extending the detention of Issawi followed the submitting of an indictment against al- Issawi by the Israeli occupation prosecution , accusing her of providing services to "Prohibited organizations ". It attached a request to extend the detention of her.
The occupation authorities arrested the lawyer Issawi last March on alleged charges of transferring messages between Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners and their leaders.
Israeli police arrested Shirin and her brother Medhat al-Issawi ,41, and 4 other lawyers working in a law office in Issawiya town run by lawyer-Issawi, who is known of her activities in monitoring and documenting Israeli occupation violations against the prisoners.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club explained that the decision of extending the detention of Issawi followed the submitting of an indictment against al- Issawi by the Israeli occupation prosecution , accusing her of providing services to "Prohibited organizations ". It attached a request to extend the detention of her.
The occupation authorities arrested the lawyer Issawi last March on alleged charges of transferring messages between Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners and their leaders.
Israeli police arrested Shirin and her brother Medhat al-Issawi ,41, and 4 other lawyers working in a law office in Issawiya town run by lawyer-Issawi, who is known of her activities in monitoring and documenting Israeli occupation violations against the prisoners.
Gaza government Prime Minister, Ismail Haneyya, called on Egypt to pressure Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) to abide by the terms of the Karama agreement signed with the Palestinian hunger-strikers. Haneyya hailed the Palestinian hunger-strikers incarcerated in Israeli lock-ups during a conference held on Wednesday under the slogan “Towards a fruitful alms-giving (Zakat).”
Haneyya confirmed Hamas and Gaza Government’s unyielding support for the prisoners: “We will always stand by our prisoners and do whatever it takes to have all of their demands met”.
Haneyya further urged the Palestinian masses to stand up for Palestinian prisoners’ rights through popular, political, and media mass-campaigns.
The strike is the largest ever launched by administrative prisoners behind Israeli bars, including MPS, prominent national leadership figures, and civilian captives.
Hamas supreme leadership declared a wide-scale solidarity hunger-strike en masse is to be launched on Thursday in all Israeli prisons as a back-up move to their fellow administrative prisoners.
A mass hunger-strike was suspended in 2012 following the Karama agreement signed between Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) outlawing any potential renewal of arbitrary administrative detention with no legitimate charge. But the terms were sidestepped, in every possible way, by IPS.
Haneyya confirmed Hamas and Gaza Government’s unyielding support for the prisoners: “We will always stand by our prisoners and do whatever it takes to have all of their demands met”.
Haneyya further urged the Palestinian masses to stand up for Palestinian prisoners’ rights through popular, political, and media mass-campaigns.
The strike is the largest ever launched by administrative prisoners behind Israeli bars, including MPS, prominent national leadership figures, and civilian captives.
Hamas supreme leadership declared a wide-scale solidarity hunger-strike en masse is to be launched on Thursday in all Israeli prisons as a back-up move to their fellow administrative prisoners.
A mass hunger-strike was suspended in 2012 following the Karama agreement signed between Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) outlawing any potential renewal of arbitrary administrative detention with no legitimate charge. But the terms were sidestepped, in every possible way, by IPS.
Jerusalem Post Hebrew newspaper claimed that PA forces in Qalqilya discovered a cell of four Palestinians, including one from 48-occupied territories, which was planning to carry out attacks against Israeli targets. The cell was arrested in November 2013 by PA forces who then handed the case to the Israeli authorities, which arrested them later, according the newspaper.
The Israeli court charged on Wednesday the cell members with making remote-control explosives, grenades, and other explosives to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.
"The Central District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment with the Lod District Court on Wednesday against Khaled Daoud, 21, for his involvement in the cell, including charges of manufacturing and attempting to manufacture weapons as well as conspiracy to commit a felony," according to the newspaper's allegations.
The Israeli General Security Service has claimed few weeks ago the detention of a Palestinian cell in Qalqilya.
Spokesman for the Israeli government stated that the cell members were arrested and investigated by PA forces and then detained by Israeli forces shortly after their release.
The Israeli court charged on Wednesday the cell members with making remote-control explosives, grenades, and other explosives to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.
"The Central District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment with the Lod District Court on Wednesday against Khaled Daoud, 21, for his involvement in the cell, including charges of manufacturing and attempting to manufacture weapons as well as conspiracy to commit a felony," according to the newspaper's allegations.
The Israeli General Security Service has claimed few weeks ago the detention of a Palestinian cell in Qalqilya.
Spokesman for the Israeli government stated that the cell members were arrested and investigated by PA forces and then detained by Israeli forces shortly after their release.
Family of MP Nizar Ramadan in al-Khalil said that the detained MP was transferred from Ofer prison to Soroka hospital at noon Wednesday. Huthaifa, the MP’s son, said that his father is suffering from an unstable health condition due to a number of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and colon and eye problems.
He added that his father had undergone a catheritization procedure 20 days before his last detention and is in need of daily medical attention and treatment.
He pointed out that his father was detained on 28/10/2013 and ordered held in administrative custody for four months that was renewed for six months on 17/12/2014.
He added that his father had undergone a catheritization procedure 20 days before his last detention and is in need of daily medical attention and treatment.
He pointed out that his father was detained on 28/10/2013 and ordered held in administrative custody for four months that was renewed for six months on 17/12/2014.
Israeli forces arrested at dawn 19 Palestinians after storming the West Bank cities of Nablus, Salfit, Hebron and Jenin. Witnesses said dozens of Israeli military patrols stormed Bani Hassan and Sarata villages, north Salfit, and arrested 10 youths.
Israeli forces searched Palestinian citizens and interrogated the houses’ owners after erecting two military checkpoints at the entrances of the villages.
The occupation stormed Aqraba town, south of Nablus, and arrested a citizen after raiding his house and searching it.
In Aqria village to the south of Nablus, Israeli military patrols stormed the village’s quarters and arrested citizen Omar Khater. They also stormed Beit- Forik village, east of Nablus. No arrests were reported.
In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested three youths after ransacking several houses in the eastern neighborhood in the city.
In Hebron, the forces arrested four citizens after storming Halhoul town. They stormed Dura town and arrested another Palestinian during raid and search operations.
Israeli occupation forces routinely carry out arrest raids in the West Bank. Around 40 percent of Palestinian men living in the occupied territories have been detained by Israel at some point in their lives.
Raid campaigns, mass-arrests in West Bank
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out large-scale raid campaigns in the West Bank and arrested 18 Palestinian citizens while 9 others were summoned for interrogation, most of them Hamas members. IOF raided Qarawat Bani Hassan village in Salfit province on Thursday and arrested ten Hamas-affiliated citizens.
Eye-witnesses told the PIC correspondent: “Dozens of military vehicles and large military troops raided the town at midnight, attacked several Palestinian homes, and arrested the aforementioned Hamas members.”
IOF carried out several combing procedures in different quarters and inspected by-passers’ vehicles.
Along the same line, three Palestinian young men from Jenin refugee camp were arrested on Thursday by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Eye-witnesses told PIC correspondent: “Israeli troops invaded Jenin camp at dawn and arrested the three young men, all of them aged 23”. They pointed out that the three were wanted by PA security forces.
“The camp where the three arrested youths live has been targeted with PA break-ins under pretext of searching for them,” according to local sources.
Along the same line, dozens of IOF troops raided several quarters in Akraba village, south of Nablus, at dawn and arrested Palestinian instructor Omar Khater, local sources told a PIC news reporter.
In al-Khalil IOF arrested four citizens, including two brothers, after having raided Halhoul and Doura towns and rummaged through several homes.
Three citizens were served summonses for interrogation after IOF raided Bani Naim town.
Several ex-detainees and a student from al-Khalil city and nearby Yatta town were also summoned for interrogation.
Other raids and combing operations were documented throughout El-Bireh city under the pretext of searching for armed Palestinians.
Israeli forces detain 11 Palestinians in arrest raids
Israeli forces detained 11 Palestinians in arrest raids overnight Wednesday, locals and Israel's army said.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that several Israeli military patrols stormed Jenin refugee camp after midnight and detained Bahaa Samih, 23, Khadir Abu Qutnah, 24, and Mahmoud Tawfiq Rajab Qreini, 23.
Israeli forces also raided Aqraba village near Nablus and detained local schoolteacher Omar Khatir, 34.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said 11 Palestinians were detained overnight, three in Halhul, three in el-Bireh, two in Dura, one in Salfit, one in Ramallah, and one in Nablus.
Army Kidnaps Nine Palestinians In The West Bank
Israeli soldiers invading different parts of the occupied West Bank have kidnapped at least nine Palestinians. They also detained and interrogated several Palestinians.
Local sources in Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank, said dozens of soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp, violently searched homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians.
The three have been identified as Mahmoud Tawfiq Qreiny, 23, Baha’ Abu as-Sbaa’, 23, and Khader Abu Qotna, 24.
The army withdrew from the camp later on, and took the kidnapped Palestinians to a nearby military base.
Several Israeli military vehicles also invaded Aqraba village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a schoolteacher after invading his home, and searching it.
The teacher has been identified as Omar Khater, 24; he teaches at a school the Beita village, near Nablus.
In addition, a number of military vehicles invaded the Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of the central West Bank city of Salfit, broke into and searched at least 15 homes, before detaining and interrogating 10 Palestinians in the village.
Also, several military jeeps invaded various communities and in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and kidnapped five Palestinians.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that several vehicles invaded Halhoul town, north of Hebron, and kidnapped Mohammad Jawad al-Wawy, 21, his brother, Mahmoud, 27, and Mohammad Taiseer Zama’ra, 23; and took them to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded Doura town, south of Hebron, searched several homes and kidnapped Jebreel Salama ash-Sharha, and Ahmad Abdul-Majid al-‘Amayra, 26, and moved them to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also installed various roadblocks in several neighborhoods in Hebron city, and at the entrances of a number of towns, south of the city, and the al-Fawwar refugee camp, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and investigated the ID cards of dozens of residents while interrogating them.
Israeli forces searched Palestinian citizens and interrogated the houses’ owners after erecting two military checkpoints at the entrances of the villages.
The occupation stormed Aqraba town, south of Nablus, and arrested a citizen after raiding his house and searching it.
In Aqria village to the south of Nablus, Israeli military patrols stormed the village’s quarters and arrested citizen Omar Khater. They also stormed Beit- Forik village, east of Nablus. No arrests were reported.
In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested three youths after ransacking several houses in the eastern neighborhood in the city.
In Hebron, the forces arrested four citizens after storming Halhoul town. They stormed Dura town and arrested another Palestinian during raid and search operations.
Israeli occupation forces routinely carry out arrest raids in the West Bank. Around 40 percent of Palestinian men living in the occupied territories have been detained by Israel at some point in their lives.
Raid campaigns, mass-arrests in West Bank
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out large-scale raid campaigns in the West Bank and arrested 18 Palestinian citizens while 9 others were summoned for interrogation, most of them Hamas members. IOF raided Qarawat Bani Hassan village in Salfit province on Thursday and arrested ten Hamas-affiliated citizens.
Eye-witnesses told the PIC correspondent: “Dozens of military vehicles and large military troops raided the town at midnight, attacked several Palestinian homes, and arrested the aforementioned Hamas members.”
IOF carried out several combing procedures in different quarters and inspected by-passers’ vehicles.
Along the same line, three Palestinian young men from Jenin refugee camp were arrested on Thursday by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Eye-witnesses told PIC correspondent: “Israeli troops invaded Jenin camp at dawn and arrested the three young men, all of them aged 23”. They pointed out that the three were wanted by PA security forces.
“The camp where the three arrested youths live has been targeted with PA break-ins under pretext of searching for them,” according to local sources.
Along the same line, dozens of IOF troops raided several quarters in Akraba village, south of Nablus, at dawn and arrested Palestinian instructor Omar Khater, local sources told a PIC news reporter.
In al-Khalil IOF arrested four citizens, including two brothers, after having raided Halhoul and Doura towns and rummaged through several homes.
Three citizens were served summonses for interrogation after IOF raided Bani Naim town.
Several ex-detainees and a student from al-Khalil city and nearby Yatta town were also summoned for interrogation.
Other raids and combing operations were documented throughout El-Bireh city under the pretext of searching for armed Palestinians.
Israeli forces detain 11 Palestinians in arrest raids
Israeli forces detained 11 Palestinians in arrest raids overnight Wednesday, locals and Israel's army said.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that several Israeli military patrols stormed Jenin refugee camp after midnight and detained Bahaa Samih, 23, Khadir Abu Qutnah, 24, and Mahmoud Tawfiq Rajab Qreini, 23.
Israeli forces also raided Aqraba village near Nablus and detained local schoolteacher Omar Khatir, 34.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said 11 Palestinians were detained overnight, three in Halhul, three in el-Bireh, two in Dura, one in Salfit, one in Ramallah, and one in Nablus.
Army Kidnaps Nine Palestinians In The West Bank
Israeli soldiers invading different parts of the occupied West Bank have kidnapped at least nine Palestinians. They also detained and interrogated several Palestinians.
Local sources in Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank, said dozens of soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp, violently searched homes, and kidnapped three Palestinians.
The three have been identified as Mahmoud Tawfiq Qreiny, 23, Baha’ Abu as-Sbaa’, 23, and Khader Abu Qotna, 24.
The army withdrew from the camp later on, and took the kidnapped Palestinians to a nearby military base.
Several Israeli military vehicles also invaded Aqraba village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and kidnapped a schoolteacher after invading his home, and searching it.
The teacher has been identified as Omar Khater, 24; he teaches at a school the Beita village, near Nablus.
In addition, a number of military vehicles invaded the Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of the central West Bank city of Salfit, broke into and searched at least 15 homes, before detaining and interrogating 10 Palestinians in the village.
Also, several military jeeps invaded various communities and in the southern West Bank district of Hebron, and kidnapped five Palestinians.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that several vehicles invaded Halhoul town, north of Hebron, and kidnapped Mohammad Jawad al-Wawy, 21, his brother, Mahmoud, 27, and Mohammad Taiseer Zama’ra, 23; and took them to an unknown destination.
Soldiers also invaded Doura town, south of Hebron, searched several homes and kidnapped Jebreel Salama ash-Sharha, and Ahmad Abdul-Majid al-‘Amayra, 26, and moved them to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also installed various roadblocks in several neighborhoods in Hebron city, and at the entrances of a number of towns, south of the city, and the al-Fawwar refugee camp, stopped and searched dozens of cars, and investigated the ID cards of dozens of residents while interrogating them.
