- 16 nov 2008
Israeli air strike kills four activists; five rounds of projectiles launched from Gaza
Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli warplanes struck the Gaza Strip twice on Sunday, killing four Palestinian fighters in the first strike, which followed a salvo of Palestinian homemade projectiles fired into Israel.
The day saw five separate rounds of projectiles launched at Israeli targets by Palestinian military factions. Two Israelis were slightly injured and four others were treated for shock when one rocket struck a house in the town of Sderot.
Sunday's events unfolded in waves of retaliatory violence:
Dawn - Homemade projectiles were launched by the An-Nasser Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), at a western Negev Kibbutz. No injuries were reported.
9am - An Israeli air strike killed four activists east of Gaza City. Palestinian medical sources said the victims of the Israeli air strike arrived at the hospital "torn to pieces," and added that the severe damage to their bodies was accomplished by a missile fired from an Israeli reconnaissance plane.
The victims of the Israeli attack were identified as
23-year-old Talal Al-Aamudi,
Muhammad Hassuna,
Ahmad Al-Hilou and
Basil Al-If, all in their twenties.
Spokesperson of the An-Nasser Brigades Abu Ataya said the four men were on a 'jihadist mission' when they came under Israeli fire.
10am - The An-Nasser Brigades called for unified action against Israeli aggression, urging all resistance factions to revenge the deaths of the fighters and continue acting against the "Israeli atrocities."
PRC spokesperson Abu Mujahid also called on resistance factions in the Gaza Strip to act against the "Israeli crimes."
10:30 - Hamas joined the call for factional cooperation to resist Israeli actions. Party spokesperson Ismail Radwan said Hamas would not be "handcuffed" by the ceasefire, and vowed to respond to the Israeli violations. He said he held Israel responsible for the collapse of the ceasefire.
Senior Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil weighed in calling the early morning incident a "crime against our people," and accused Israel of "crossing all lines." He said Israel was "playing with the ceasefire" as a test of Palestinian resistance and capabilities.
1pm - Following up on their vow for revenge the An-Nasser Brigades launched a second round of shells and projectiles at Sderot and Karem Shalom crossing. No Israeli injuries were reported.
1:30pm - Responding to the call for collective action, the Ayman Juda unit of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades launched a mortar shell towards Erez crossing. No Israeli casualties were reported.
3:30pm - The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), also responded to the call for revenge against the death of the four activists, and launched two homemade projectiles at Sderot.
6:00pm - The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claims responsibility for launching a projectile at the western Negev.
Later a group calling itself the Al-Mujahidin Brigades claimed responsibility for firing two projectiles at Sderot, around the same time that Israelis were reported injured in the town.
Official Israeli reaction
Responding to the reports of Sunday morning projectiles Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to keep Gaza crossing points closed.
A series of consultations are scheduled for this evening in Israel to discuss reopening crossings.
Barak declared yesterday that the situation in Israeli towns bordering Gaza is "unbearable" and Israel could not allow the situation to continue.
A wide-scale military action has not been ruled out by Israeli military leaders.
Background
On 4 November Israel invaded the Gaza Strip, flagrantly violating the five month truce that had been in place. Since then Palestinian factions have resumed launching homemade projectiles at areas inside Israel. Israel has counter attacked with several air raids, killing at least 15 activists.
Israel has also sealed off the borders with the area and prevented the delivery of emergency food and fuel supplies, leaving the area dark, bakeries closed and UNRWA food aid warehouses empty.
UN agencies have warned of an impending crisis as Gazans "start to get hungry."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206322
Israeli forces once again violated the ceasefire
Sunday, Israeli forces once again violated the ceasefire and carried out yet another air strike on the gaza strip, this time killing four palestinian fighters.
The four fighters were affiliated with the nasser salah addin brigades of the popular resistance committees. the air strike was reportedly carried out by an israeli reconnaissance aircraft, though some reports indicate that the men were killed in ground fighting while the aircraft simply provided "cover fire."
Ha'aretz news reports that israeli soldiers invaded gaza, entering at least 250 meters past the border.
Some Israeli news sources have reported that the men were killed while attempting to launch homemade projectiles or plant explosives. The dead have been named as:
- Talal al-Aamudi, 23
- Muhammad Hassuna, 20
- Ahmad al-Hilou, 20
- Basil al-If, 20
Since the Israel broke from the ceasefire a few weeks ago and resumed ground invasions and air strikes, 15 palestinians have been killed by occupation forces, while another two palestinians were killed under unclear circumstances.
http://fwd4.me/0yBI 28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 16 nov 2008
Muhammad Hassuna 20
Basil Al-If, 20
28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 16 nov 2008
Ahmad Al-Hilou,20
Talal Al-Aamudi, 23
28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 17 nov 2008
Livni: 'No such thing as a partial lull' it's either there or it isn't, and today it isn't there."
28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 18 nov 2008
Israeli incursion into south Gaza
There has been a surge of violence in and around Gaza in recent weeks
The Israeli military has launched an incursion into the Gaza Strip and clashed with Palestinian gunmen there.
Witnesses say the Israeli troops were accompanied by bulldozers which have been destroying agricultural land east of the town of Rafah, in southern Gaza.
There was no immediate reports of any injuries or deaths.
Meanwhile, Israeli defence officials say they have re-imposed a total closure of the border crossings into the Gaza Strip.
A convoy of 33 trucks of humanitarian aid was allowed in on Monday, but United Nations officials say the supplies will run out within days.
Israel says it has tightened its blockade of Gaza in response to recent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants, which have caused minor damage but no casualties.
A coalition of aid agencies which had been due to hold a meeting in Gaza held the event in the car park at Erez, the main crossing for people into Gaza, instead, in protest after they were denied entry to the Strip.
They called on the Israeli government to allow them "unimpeded humanitarian access" to help provide food, medical care and other services to Gaza's 1.5m residents.
The Israeli military described the incursion as "a routine operation to uncover explosive devices near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip", the Associated Press news agency reported.
It said two mortars were fired at troops, causing no injuries or damage.
At least 16 Palestinian militants have been killed in skirmishes with Israeli forces along the border in the past two weeks.
Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group agreed a ceasefire last July, but it has been under serious strain since early in November.
Separately, in a separate incident, the Israeli navy detained a number of Palestinian fishermen and foreign peace activists who had been accompanying them in boats off the coast of Gaza.
The International Solidarity Movement said 14 fishermen and three activists were detained.
The Israeli military said the boats had deviated from the defined fishing zone, which the ISM denied.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7735051.stm 28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 19 nov 2008
Weekly report IOF killed 4 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
6 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded by the IOF gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
IOF launched mock air raids against the Gaza Strip.
IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and one into the Gaza Strip.
28 apr 2012, 13:36 , Respect -
Maria 20 nov 2008
Mohammad Abd Ash-Shaqour Al-Ara'ir, 21
Gaza - Ma'an - A fighter affiliated with the Al-Qassam Brigades, the militant wing of Hamas, was killed early on Thursday in Gaza City by the shrapnel of a missile fired from an Israeli tank.
Mu'awiya Hassanein, the head of Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Palestinian Health Ministry, told Ma'an that 21-year-old Mohammad Abd Ash-Shaqour Al-Ara'ir died when an Israeli tank fired a missile toward him.
The tank was operating near the Nahal Oz border crossing east of Gaza City.
Al-Ara'ir was transferred to Ash-Shifa Hospital, where he died. No other injuries were immediately reported.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206417
18th Palestinian Killed In Recent Ceasefire Breaches... and the PA Still Promotes Peace?
Over the past 16 days (since november 4), the Israeli army has initiated a number of ceasefire violations resulting in the death of 18 palestinian fighters and the injury of numerous others.
During this period, termed a "lull in the fighting," Israeli forces have killed more than one Palestinian a day for 16 days;
The palestinian resistance has killed ZERO israelis, lightly injuring one in a projectile attack on Sderot.
Following each major ceasefire violation, Palestinian fighters responded by firing homemade projectiles, mortars and grad-type rockets.
In total, according to israeli military sources, "a total of 91 rockets and 38 mortar shells were fired between November 4 and 16."
Today, thursday the 20th, yet another Palestinian was killed by Israeli military forces.
According to Palestinian media sources as well as Hamas' military spokesmen, a fighter affiliated with Hamas' al-qassam brigades was killed in gaza city.
Mohammad Abd Ash-Shaqour Al-Ara'ir, 21,
was killed from a tank shell fired by an israeli tank stationed near the nahal oz border crossing located east of gaza city.
Mohammad was taken to ash-shifa hospital in gaza city where he was pronounced dead. according to the al-qassam brigades website and press statement, Mohammad was killed while on "a mission."
In response, the Palestinian resistance fired one homemade rocket into the western Negev desert.
According to israeli media, the projectile "struck an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev regional council, caused neither casualties nor property damage."
The Gaza borders remain closed in yet another ceasefire violation.
Today is the 16th day where the Gaza borders have remained closed. The opening of the Gaza borders is the main condition of the ceasefire.
By keeping the crossing closed, Israel is imposing collective punishment on the population of Gaza and violating the core terms of the ceasefire.
For the text of the 2002 saudi peace plan click here:
http://fwd4.me/0yBh 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 23 nov 2008
Jamil Othman Nasser 63
Former Jerusalem governor dead after soldiers delay ambulance
Jerusalem - Ma'an - A former governor of Jerusalem died of an apparent heart attack as his ambulance was delayed at an Israeli checkpoint en route to a hospital, relatives told Ma'an on Sunday.
The 63-year-old former Jerusalem governor, Jamil Othman Nasser, died Saturday evening after Israeli soldiers at the Az-Zaitouna checkpoint refused his ambulance, which was en route to Al-Maqassid Hospital.
The ambulance driver alternatively drove him to Abu Dis University Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival by medical officials receiving him, relatives confirmed.
He will be laid to rest on Monday at the Al-Eizariya Cemetery.
Nasser was the first governor of Jerusalem since the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority 14 years ago. He was a member of the National Council and head of the Agricultural Society in Jericho, as well as an influential member of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206505 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 24 nov 2008
Fawzi Hamad
19th Palestinian Fatality Since November 4th Ceasefire Unraveling Began
Monday- A Palestinian resistance fighter died today from injuries he sustained during fighting with Israeli troops on november 15th.
Fawzi Hamad, was injured during the Israeli invasion on Gaza nine days ago.
He was active with the Nasser Salah Addin brigades, the armed wing of the popular resistance committees.
Additionally, a Palestinian civilian was shot and injured by israeli soldiers in a new ceasefire violation.
The unnamed man was reportedly shot in the leg while hunting birds in Abu Safiyah, near the northern Gaza border.
Following internal meetings among numerous Palestinian resistance factions, the Hamas movement has stated that they remain committed to the ceasefire if Israel acts to "lift the closure of commercial crossing."
Hamas said that it would work to prevent other factions from launching projectiles in exchange for Israel making good on its commitment to allow food, medicine and fuel into the besieged gaza strip.
Monday was the first day in 20 days where aid was allowed into gaza. Today, small amounts of fuel were allowed in. This fuel is earmarked for Gaza's main power plant which has been off since fuel supplies ceased.
Also, United Nations refugee works association (UNRWA) food aid was allowed in, though not enough to allow Gaza's bakeries to begin baking bread again.
Since Gaza's crossing have been closed, there has been a shortage of flour in Gaza and thus most bakeries have closed as they are unable to bake bread and other foodstuffs.
http://fwd4.me/0yBg http://fwd4.me/0yLb 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 24 nov 2008
Israeli troops kill suspected drug smuggler on Egyptian border
Bethlehem - Ma'an - An Israeli border guard shot dead a suspected drug smuggler on the Egyptian border on Monday morning, south of the Israeli town of Mitzpe Ramon.
According to Israeli sources, two other people were wounded in the shooting.
Israeli officials told reporters that the group was dropping sacks of drugs on the Israeli side of the border order for accomplices to collect them.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206523 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 26 nov 2008
Hikmat Udah, 60
Elderly Palestinian woman dies of a heart attack as Israeli soldiers arrest her son
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Sixty-year-old Hikmat Udah from Qalandia Refugee Camp near Ramallah died on Wednesday morning when Israeli soldiers ransacked her home to arrest her son.
Palestinian security sources told Ma'an that Udah died of a heart attack resulting from the raid.
The sources added that the soldiers proceeded to seize her son Muhammad despite his mother's death.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206564 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 26 nov 2008
Report: Israeli army misled High Court over assassinations
Ziad Malaisha
Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli army has been assassinating wanted West Bank Palestinians in spite of the High Court of Justice's guidelines, according to operational briefings obtained by Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz and published on Wednesday.
High-level military officials approved assassinations in the West Bank, "even when it could have been possible to arrest the targets instead," according to the Ha'aretz report.
Army officers authorized the killings in advance, "in writing, even if innocent bystanders would be killed as well," the report goes on to say.
The assassinations policy also runs contrary to what the military had been telling the High Court, "as they were subject only to minimal restrictions" prior to a court ruling that demanded otherwise.
Ziad Malaisha, who was killed on 20 June 2007 near Jenin was published in the Israeli newspaper as an example of one such mission. The obtained document, which is a preliminary paper called "Operation Two Towers," details a mission planned by Israeli commander Yair Naveh. Though it insists that "the mission is arest," the document allows for the army to kill any of three Islamic Jihad members.
On 12 April, the same commander approved the killing of just one of the three, as well as "another two people at most."
According to a spokesperson for the Israeli army's office, the plans to kill Islamic Jihad members would only be implemented if arrests failed, but that the "alternative is preferable."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206576 28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 26 nov 2008
Weekly report 7 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded by the IOF gunfire in the West Bank.
IOF conducted 32 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
28 apr 2012, 13:37 , Respect -
Maria 28 nov 2008
One dead, several injured by Israeli shells east of Khan Younis; seven projectiles launched by brigades in response
Gaza - Ma'an - The Al-Qassam Brigades launched five homemade projectiles at Israeli targets, and the Al-Mujahidin Brigades another two following the death of one activist by Israeli shells north east of Khan Younis Friday afternoon.
One man was reported dead and several others injured after Israeli warplanes launched three rounds of shells at An-Nasser Brigades activists, from the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), in the town of Al-Qarara.
Director of Ambulances and Emergency at the Ministry of Health Dr Mu'awiya Hassanein said three men were transported to the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. He also confirmed three loud explosions were heard in the region, and said ambulances were unable to reach the remote area where the shells hit immediately.
Hassanein indicated medical staff had heard reports of one man killed and several others injured.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced that the projectiles were in response to the Israeli shelling of Al-Qarara.
The Al-Mujahidin Brigades, affiliated with Fatah, sent a statement on Friday evening claiming they sent two homemade projectiles at an unspecified Israeli military target in the Al-Farahin neighborhood east of Khan Younis.
Israeli sources have not reported any injuries.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206621
PPP denounces Israeli attacks on Khan Younis villages