Saturday 28 July 2018

رسائل روسية و«إسرائيلية»… وبعض اللبنانيين كومبارس



يوليو 27, 2018



ناصر قنديل

– فيما تبدو المنطقة فوق صفيح ساخن من باب المندب، حيث تتوقف شحنات النفط والناقلات بعد صواريخ يمنية استهدفت ناقلة وبارجة ودمّرت زورقاً حربياً للسعودية، وتتوقف الملاحة الجوية في مطار أبو ظبي بعد غارة لطائرة يمنية بدون طيار. وتتبادل واشنطن وطهران التهديدات حول إقفال مضيق هرمز، تنجح موسكو بتحييد وجود إيران وحزب الله من طاولة التفاوض حول سورية، وتتقدّم بصيغة لتطبيق فكّ الاشتباك لم يستطع الرئيس الأميركي رفضها، وقد تلقى عرضاً روسياً مغرياً لتقاسم سوق النفط والغاز في أوروبا، تتيح لمنتجي النفط الصخري والغاز الصخري من الأميركيين الذين استثمروا ملياراتهم فيه ولم يجدوا له سوقاً، أن يضخوا بعضاً من الإنعاش في الركود الاقتصادي الأميركي، والعرض الروسي الذي لا يردّ يضع «إسرائيل» بين قبول التساكن مع بقاء إيران وحزب الله ضمن الخطوط التي يتيحها فك الاشتباك، واستبدال فتح ملف ضمّ الجولان بملف الانسحاب منه، فتتفاهم واشنطن و«إسرائيل» على تجميد التفاهم، وتردّ «إسرائيل» بإسقاط طائرة سوخوي سوريّة كانت تسهدف مواقع تنظيم داعش على حدود الجولان، وهي تعلم أنها لا تتحمّل دخول جولة مواجهة مفتوحة عسكرياً، ولا تستطيع فعل ما يمنع سيطرة الجيش السوري على ما تبقى من مواقع داعش في الجنوب، فتختار رسالتها الدموية في السويداء لتقول إنه من دون التورّط في حرب يمكن لـ «إسرائيل» تخريب النصر السوري الروسي الإيراني، بتحريك خلايا داعش، ولو سقطت مواقع التنظيم عسكرياً، والقيام بمذابح تشبه مذبحة السويداء، في مواقع سورية عديدة، وإذا أرادت سورية وروسيا وإيران صيانة النصر السوري فعليهم التحدث مجدّداً مع «إسرائيل» بعروض جديدة، وواشنطن جاهزة لتلقي العروض.

– تردّ موسكو على «إسرائيل» باستحضار عاجل للتوافق الآخر حول سورية الذي شهدته قمة هلسنكي، وهو الفصل بين عودة النازحين السوريين إلى بلادهم وبين الحلّ السياسي الذي يحتاج وقتاً وجهداً، وربما المزيد من الانتصارات حتى ينضج وفقاً للرؤية الروسية السورية. فلا تنتظر موسكو الردّ الأميركي على مشروعها التفصيلي، وتبدأ وفودها بزيارة الدول المعنية، وموسكو تعلم أنّ الملفّ على أهميته الإنسانية له بعد سياسي لا يقلّ أهمية، وهو إيجاد مبرّر موضوعي للمتورّطين في الحرب على سورية دولياً وإقليمياً للانفتاح على الدولة السورية سياسياً وأمنياً ومالياً من باب إنساني يمكن تبريره مع حفظ ماء الوجه، كاعتراف ضمني تدريجي بالتأقلم مع نصر الدولة السورية، والطبيعي أنّ إطاراً بهذا الحجم يعرض على طاولة هلسنكي بين رئيسي الدولتين العظميين، لم يتمّ غبّ الطلب تلبية لغربة رئيس الحكومة اللبنانية المأزوم بعلاقته مع السعودية، والمتعثر في تشكيل حكومته الجديدة، لإيجاد مخرج لأزمته مع سورية، وكي تتمّ العودة من دون التحدث مع الحكومة السورية، ولا يعقل كيف يصدّق البعض أنه في دولة كروسيا ومع زعيم كالرئيس بوتين يمكن الحديث عن فرضية خيالية كصياغة مبادرة استراتيجية نوعية تقدّم على طاولة التفاوض مع الرئيس الأميركي، مهمّتها فك أزمة شخصية لورطة الرئيس الحريري في تجنيبه التحدّث مع الحكومة السورية، وتأمين بديل له لعودة النازحين.

– جاء الوفد الروسي الكبير إلى بيروت واجتمع بالرؤساء والأمنيين وقال كلاماً واضحاً، لسنا بديلاً عن الحكومة السورية، والتحدث مع سورية الرسمية شرط لنجاح أيّ خطوة من خطوات عودة النازحين، ومهمة روسيا عدا عن الدور اللوجستي في العودة وطمأنة العائدين، هو فتح القنوات للتواصل بين الحكومتين اللبنانية والسورية، وأنّ موسكو تنتظر هيئة لبنانية حكومية ذات صلاحيات كافية للتنسيق مع الهيئة الروسية الموازية، لترتيب اجتماعات ثلاثية روسية لبنانية سورية. وخرج وزير شؤون النازحين، المنتمي لجناح متطرف في العداء لسورية في تيار رئيس الحكومة، يقول على قناة «العربية» إنه لا بدّ من التحدث مع الدولة السورية، وهذا قدرنا إذا أردنا عودة النازحين، ورغم ذلك يستمرّ بعض البسطاء في تصديق أكذوبة الحديث عن قناة روسية لحلّ أزمة النازحين بديلاً من التحدث مع الحكومة السورية، وبكلّ خفة يخرج مسؤولون في أحزاب سياسية يتحدثون عن انتصاراتهم في ملف النازحين على الذين كانوا يقولون إن لا حلّ إلا بالتحدث والتعاون مع الحكومة السورية.

– بعض اللبنانيين يهوى لعبة الكومبارس، وقد تقاعد عن الدخول في لعبة الكبار، فيرقص على دماء شهداء السويداء، أو يتسلى بقضية عودة النازحين، ولا يرى في الأمر أكثر من كيف يمكن التجريح بالدولة السورية، أو تحقيق انتصارات بهلوانية إعلامية، ولو كذبته الوقائع بعد أيام أو ساعات، بينما المعارك الكبرى تدور في مكان آخر، ويربحها الكبار الذين لا ينصتون لما يرد على المسرح من أقوال للاعبي أدوار الكومبارس.

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وراء “تهريب” الخوذ البيضاء.. هدف ثمين بقبضة المخابرات السوريّة


عمليّة سريّة نفذّتها “​اسرائيل​” تحت جنح الظلام في سورية، أجلت من خلالها المئات من عملائها وضبّاط الإستخبارات الخليجيين والتابعين لحلف “​الناتو​” من منظمة ​الخوذ البيضاء​، في خضمّ العمليّات العسكرية التي يقودها ​الجيش السوري​ جنوب البلاد..

 وسريعا ألحقت تل ابيب عمليّتها السرّية، بإسقاط طائرة سوخوي سوريّة كانت في مهمّة استهداف جيب تنظيم “داعش” في وادي اليرموك بدرعا بزعم دخولها أجواء الجولان المحتلّ، وسط تواتر تقارير صحافيّة روسيّة، كشفت عن تجهيز ردّ سوري “غير متوقّع” على اسقاط طائرة السوخوي ، يتبعه مفاجآت “من العيار الثقيل” في ادلب.

وفي غمرة تقدّم الجيش السوريّ في درعا والقنيطرة، متّجها الى طيّ صفحة اكثر الجبهات تعقيدا بما فيها “نسف” حلم الحزام الامنيّ “الإسرائيليّ” الموعود، تحرّكت تل ابيب سريعا لإنقاذ ضبّاط من أجهزة اسخباراتها واستخبارات حلف “الناتو” يعملون تحت ستار منظمة الخوذ البيضاء، فأجلتهم عبر عمليّة سريّة اعتبرتها غير مسبوقة، وارادت من خلالها ان تسجّل لنفسها ضربة استخباريّة نوعيّة في وجه “من يعنيهم الامر”، الا انّ ما أخفته اجهزة ستخباراتها وإعلامها، يكمن في توقيت العمليّة الذي أعقب مباشرة عمليّة استخباريّة سوريّة “من العيار الثقيل” خلف خطوط جبهة “النّصرة” في ادلب، تحديدا في بلدة أطمه شمال المحافظة، أفضت الى الإجهاز على مجموعة من ضبّاط الإستخبارات المعادية، بينهم اسرائيليّين -حسبما اكّد ضابط سابق في جهاز الإستخبارات البريطانية رفض تحديد اسمه لموقع “انتليجانس اونلاين” الفرنسي.

​تفجير​ معمل يحوي براميل من مادّة الكلور وموادا كيميائيّة اخرى في البلدة المذكورة، قُبيل يومين فقط من توقيت العمليّة الإسرائيليّة، ولحظة وصول عدد من ضباط الإستخبارات المعادية الى المعمل للقاء عملاء لهم في جبهة “النّصرة”.. ورغم التكتّم التي احاطته تنسيقيّات الجبهة لاحقا على عمليّة التفجير سوى الإعلان انّ ارتفاع ​درجات الحرارة​ تسبّبت بانفجار المعمل ومصرع عدد من “الفنيّين” المختصّين بمواد الدهانات، الا انّ الحقيقة حسب اشارة ضابط الإستخبارات البريطانيّ، تكمن بعمليّة استخباريّة نوعيّة أجهزت على كامل مجموعة الضباط الاستخباريين وعددهم 7، بينهم “اسرائيليّان” و3 متزعّمين من جبهة “النّصرة”، موضحا انّ عمليّة التفجير أعقبت تتبّعا ورصدا استخباريّا سوريّا دقيقا لسير مجموعة الضباط نحو الهدف المذكور، متوقفا عند نجاح هكذا عمليّة معقّدة في منطقة تخضع كليا لسيطرة التنظيمات الارهابيّة.

العمليّة الإستخباريّة السوريّة النوعيّة التي سجّلت هدفا “ذهبيّا” في مرمى المنظّمة المشبوهة، والتي اكدت تقارير المانيّة انها نتاج عمل “العيون” السورية التي تخترق جدار التنظيمات الارهابيّة في ادلب، سيّما جبهة “النّصرة، ليست يتيمة. ففي الأشهر الأخيرة، قضى اكثر من 12 متزعّم في الجبهة مرتبطين بالخوذ البيضاء، ويتبعون مباشرة لأجهزة الإستخبارات “الإسرائيليّة”، بعمليّات أُدرجت في سياق “تصفيات مجهولة المصدر”، مع التذكير بعمليّة نوعيّة سابقة في 22 آب عام 2016 ، أفضت حينها الى تصفية 7 من ضبّاط “النّاتو” يعملون بالمنظمة عينها في بلدة سرمين بريف ادلب. وجريا على العادة، احاطتها تنسيقيات جبهة “النّصرة” بتكتّم حيال اسبابها، الا انّ الصحافيّة البريطانيّة فانيسا بيلي، كشفت حينها انها ضربة استخبارية سورية في وجه اجهزة الاستخبارات المعادية للدولة السوريّة، وعلّقت على العمليّة بالقول ” عندما تُنجز دمشق كامل عمليّاتها على الأرض السورية ليحين موعد العمليّة العسكرية الكبرى في ادلب، سيشاهد الجميع ماذا سيحلّ بأعضاء منظّمة الخوذ البيضاء.

من هنا اتضحت صورة عمليّة ” تهريب” اعضاء المنظمة المشبوهة التي تكفّلت بها “اسرائيل” بالتنسيق مع ​واشنطن​ ودول الناتو و​الأردن​ والمنظومة الخليجيّة وصولا الى الأمم المتحدة! مواقع اعلاميّة عبريّة اعتبرت انّ العمليّة السريّة التي نفّذتها تل ابيب، حُدّد توقيتها بشكل سريع بعدما انتهى دور هذه المنظّمة “جرّاء الانتصارات التي يسجّلها الأسد في غالبية الأراضي السورية، وبات الخطر على اعضائها من قِبَل دمشق وحلفائها قائما بقوّة”، ولتذهب القناة العاشرة العبرية الى ترجيح ان يبادر الجيش السوري من الآن وصاعدا الى الرّد على “اسرائيل” “بشكل لا نعرف مداه بعدما بات متفرّغا للحرب الخارجيّة، سيّما بعد اسقاط طائرة “السوخوي” السوريّة”.

أنهت القيادة السوريّة دور منظّمة هي بالأصل ذراع “اسرائيل” والناتو في الحرب على ​سوريا​، وباتت قاب قوسين او ادنى من اطلاق عملية “طحن” الآلاف من مرتزقتهم الذين تمّ تجميعهم في ادلب، خصوصا بعد عمليّة إجلاء سكّان ​كفريا​ والفوعة التي لم تتخذها من عبث في هذا التوقيت تحديدا، وانما لإزالة عثرة قد تؤثّر على سير عمليات الجيش السوري القادمة، والانطلاق بها دونما ايّ حذر لوجود ما يناهز 8000 مدني في البلدتين سيتمّ اتخاذهم حتما رهائن.. ليأتي السؤال المشروع” ماذا عن ​تركيا​؟ وهل ستسمح لدمشق بسحق مجاميع الميليشيات المسلّحة في ادلب التي تتبع لها مباشرة؟ وبالتالي نسف اطماعها باقتطاع “كانتون” من الشمال السوري عقب تجنيس اكثر من 60 الف سوري على اراضيها،الهدف منه اعادتهم الى ادلب وغرب حلب، بعد ان يصبحوا جالية تركيّة كبيرة هناك، وبالتالي سيحقّ ” للاتراك الجدد الإنفصال والحصول على حكم ذاتي؟-حسب اشارة مركز فيريل الألماني للدراسات.

يكتفي أحد قادة غرفة عمليات حلفاء الجيش السوري، بتأكيد ان ادلب ستكون تحت سيطرة الجيش السوري قريبا، كاشفا عن رسالة سورية وصلت الى أنقرة تفيد، بأن العملية العسكرية المنتظرة لتحرير ادلب ستكون “مرعبة” في تكتيكاتها والأسلحة التي ستدخل الى رحى المعركة، مع التذكير بمؤازرة جميع الحلفاء وترسانة جوية روسية غير مسبوقة..

كما ألمح الى عدم استبعاد ان يأتي الرد السوري على اسقاط طائرة السوخوي السورية، من قلب اجواء ​فلسطين​.. هذه المرة! الثبات

ماجدة الحاج –


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Syria in the Last 24 Hours: Army Discovers “White Helmets” Munitions-filled Hideout in Sahem al-Golan



Army discovers hideout for ‘White Helmets’ with ammunition inside it in Sahem al-Golan, Daraa countryside
27 July، 2018
Daraa, SANA
An army unit discovered a hideout for the so-called ‘White Helmets’ organization with mines and ammunition inside during combing operations in the newly-liberated towns and villages in Daraa northwestern countryside, in yet another proof of their involvement in carrying out terrorist acts in Syria.
SANA’s reporter said that army units continue to sweep the villages of Hait, Jileen and Sahem al-Golan which have been liberated yesterday to secure them for the return of the displaced locals.
The reporter said that the hideout of the ‘White Helmets’ was found in Sahem al-Golan town with anti-armor mines and artillery shells’ fillings of various kinds inside it.
The reporter indicated that scores of displaced families have begun to return to their houses in Jileen town hours after liberating it from terrorists and the army’s sweeping operations in the town.
On Thursday, army units operating in the southern region liberated the villages and towns of al-Sheikh Hussein, Kawkab, al-Shabrak, Mseirteh, al-Lweihek, Salbak, Tal al-Jomou’ and Sahem al-Golan following fierce battles with Daesh (ISIS) terrorists whose control over areas has shrunk to narrow spaces in al-Shajara town and several other smaller villages in Daraa northwestern countryside.
Syrian Army targets last hotbeds of Daesh in al-Yarmouk basin area in Daraa
27 July، 2018
Daraa, SANA
After clearing the towns of Jilleen, Sahm al-Golan, and Haitt in the western countryside od Daraa provice of terrorism following violent clashes with Daesh (ISIS), army units continued on Friday their operations against Daesh terrorists in the towns of Nafi’a and al-Shajara, the latter being the biggest stronghold of the terror organization in al-Yarmouk basin area.
A field commander told SANA’s correspondent that terrorists in Jilleen had been holed up in the Syrian-Libyan Cattle Company building in the town and set up a defensive line there, which the army managed to break on Thursday, and this was followed by entering the town from several directions and defeating terrorists within a few hours.
The commander said that Daesh attempted to use car bombs and suicide bombers to hinder the army’s progress, but they were dealt with before they could reach their targets, and the terrorists’ defeat in the town led to a collapse in the ranks of terrorists in the nearby towns of Sahm al-Golan and Haitt.
The correspondent, touring a number of towns and villages liberated by the army during the past few hours, said that Daesh had converted houses, state establishments, and mosques into bases and field hospitals, including one base for the so-called “White Helmets” in Sahm al-Golan.
After clearing it of terrorism, al-Rafeed town celebrates victory
27 July، 2018
Quneitra, SANA
Syrian army units continue fighting in the northwestern countryside of Daraa and the southwestern countryside of Quneitra and retake control over tens of towns, villages, farms and hills, the last of which is al-Rafeed town, near the barbed-wire fence hundreds of meters to the east of Tel al-Faras.
The town’s inhabitants, who stood steadfast against the Israeli authorities over the past years, are now welcoming the Syrian army units and celebrating victory over terrorist groups affiliated to Daesh (ISIS) organization.
Normal life is gradually returning in the town as the Syrian army continues its achievements and liberate more areas such as Saida town towards al-Yarmouk Basin in the far southwestern countryside of Daraa.
A secondary school student said that the town has received hundreds of displaced families who fled the heinous crimes and atrocities of Daesh terrorists in their villages.
Competent authorities in al-Rafeed town started to settle the legal status of those who have gone AWOL in order to restore life and security.
Some of people who have their legal status settled told SANA reporter that the armed terrorist groups attempted to put pressure on them and forced them to fight against their homeland.
The Syrian national flag flies over al-Tahrir Square in liberated city of Quneitra

27 July، 2018
Quneitra, SANA
Syria’s national flag has been hoisted at al-Tahrir Square in the liberated city of Quneitra amid huge crowd as a step towards the declaration of the whole city free of terrorism
SANA reporter noted that the Syrian army units secured the city after they had eliminated the terrorist presence and dismantled landmines and explosive devices left by terrorist groups.
The residents expressed their relief over the entry of army units to Quneitra city and the stability and security which prevailed in the city after the eradication of terrorism.
They voiced support to the Syrian soldiers in their battle against terrorism till the liberation of the entire Syrian territory.

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Assad: ‘White Helmets’ to Lay down Arms or Be Killed, The Goal Now Is Idlib

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said members of the so-called White Helmets are practically terrorists and will be given the same choice as others: lay down their weapons and invoke amnesty or be killed.
Talking to Russian journalists on Thursday, the Syrian president stressed there is no such legitimate organization as White Helmets.
“The fate of White Helmets will be the same as any other terrorist. They have two choices: to lay down their arms and use the amnesty we have offered over the last four or five years, or be killed like the other terrorists,” Assad said.
“It’s a mask, a mask for Al-Nusra (an Al-Qaeda affiliate),” he said.
“You have videos and photos of this group’s members holding swords and celebrating the death of Syrian soldiers.”
“What more evidence do you need that they are not a humanitarian organization, but a mask used by Al-Qaeda?” Assad said.
The self-styled rescue organization operates only in areas of Syria under control of foreign-backed militants. They have been key witnesses to claims of Syrian atrocities, including allegations of chemical weapons use, that have been used as pretext for attempted intervention by Western powers.
Last week, the Zionist entity evacuated a number of “White Helmets” from the militant-held territory in Daraa ahead of the advancing Syrian forces.
On the other hand, the Syrian leader told reporters that after eliminating the terrorists’ pockets in Deraa, the Syrian army is setting its sights on the militant stronghold of Idlib.
“Our goal now is Idlib, but not only Idlib,” he said. “There are territories in the east of Syria controlled by various groups. A little bit is held by IS, and some by the Al-Nusra Front and other militant formations.”
SourceAgencies
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أعلن الرئيس ، بشار الأسد، أن تحرير محافظة إدلب سيمثل أولوية بالنسبة للجيش السوري في عملياته المقبلة، فيما وعد بالقضاء على كل عناصر “الخوذ البيضاء” الرافضين للمصالحة.
أولويات الجيش
وقال الرئيس الأسد، في مقابلة موسعة مع عدد من وسائل الإعلام الروسية نشر نصها اليوم الخميس، ردا على سؤال حول أولية القوات الحكومية: “منذ بداية الحرب، حينما سيطر الإرهابيون على بعض المناطق في سوريا، أكدنا بوضوح أن واجبنا كحكومة يكمن في تحرير كل شبر من الأرض السورية”.
وأشار الرئيس الأسد إلى الإنجازات الميدانية الأخيرة التي حققها الجيش السوري، لا سيما استعادة كامل منطقة الغوطة الشرقية وتحرير معظم أراضي جنوب غرب البلاد، حيث تقترب عملية انتزاع السيطرة عليها من نهايتها.
وتابع الرئيس السوري: “الآن هدفنا هو إدلب، لكن ليست إدلب وحدها، وهناك بالطبع أراض في شرق سوريا تسيطر عليها جماعات متنوعة”.
وأضاف موضحا أن من بين هذه الجهات تنظيم “داعش”، الذي بقيت لديه بؤر صغيرة، وكذلك “جبهة النصرة” وتشكيلات متطرفة أخرى.
وأكد الأسد: “لهذا السبب سنتقدم إلى كل هذه المناطق، والعسكريون سيحددون الأولويات، وإدلب واحدة منها”.
مصير الخوذ البيضاء
من جهة أخرى، خير الأسد عناصر تنظيم “الدفاع المدني السوري”، المعروف باسم “الخوذ البيضاء”، بين المصالحة مع الحكومة أو تصفيتهم.
ووصف الرئيس الأسد في المقابلة “الخوذ البيضاء” بالغطاء للإرهابيين من “جبهة النصرة”، مشيرا إلى من ترك البلاد من عناصر ما يسمى بـ”الدفاع المدني” هم على الأرجح قياديون في التنظيم.
وأشار إلى أن الكثير من “الخوذ البيضاء” مسلحون، مضيفا بأن الحكومة السورية تعمل حاليا على المصالحة معهم.
وتابع الأسد أن بعضهم بقوا في سوريا كمدنيين وألقوا أسلحتهم، فيما توجه أغلبهم إلى محافظة إدلب حيث يمكنهم العيش مع “إخوتهم الإرهابيين”، الذين يبلغ عددهم عشرات الآلاف في هذه المحافظة حاليا.
وشدد الرئيس السوري على أن “مصير الخوذ البيضاء هو نفسه الذي يواجهه كل إرهابي”، وأردف مبينا: “لديهم خياران، إلقاء الأسلحة والاستفادة من العفو، كما يحدث ذلك على مدار 4 أو 5 سنوات ماضية، وإما تصفيتهم على غرار الإرهابيين الآخرين”.
رسالة للاجئين
من جانب آخر، دعا الأسد جميع اللاجئين السوريين الذين غادروا البلاد بسبب الحرب، لا سيما هؤلاء الذين كانت لديهم استثمارات في سوريا، للعودة إلى وطنهم.
وقال الرئيس الأسد في المقابلة: “نرغب في أن يعود كل سوري إلى سوريا خاصة منذ تحقيق الانتصار على الإرهاب في حلب أواخر العام 2016، والآن نطرد الإرهابيين بكثافة أكثر، ولقد تم تحرير معظم الأراضي السورية منهم”.
وأضاف الرئيس الاسد : “لذلك ندعو اللاجئين، لاسيما الذين كانت لديهم أعمال خاصة بهم، للعودة إلى البلاد”.
وأشار الرئيس الأسد إلى أن نصف العام الماضي شهد عودة عدة آلاف لاجئ سوري فقط، لافتا إلى أن العراقيل الأساسية أمام عودتهم تتمثل بتدمير البنية التحتية  ومنازلهم.
وأكد أنه مع ذلك هناك أمور ضرورية لا بد من حلها لكي يواصل اللاجئون حياتهم في سوريا بشكل طبيعي، وأوضح: “لهذا السبب تفعل حكومتنا كل شيء ممكن لإعادة إعمار البنية التحتية، لكن ذلك غير كاف”.
وتابع: “يجب كذلك التفكير في إحياء الاقتصاد وخلق ظروف العمل وإقامة المدارس وبالدرجة الأولى بناء البيوت لهم لكي يكون لديهم مكان للإقامة”.
وفي رده على سؤال توضيحي حول المدة المحتملة لعودة اللاجئين، قال الرئيس الأسد إن هذا الأمر يتوقف على رغبتهم “لأن البعض منهم لا يزال يعتقد أنه ذلك أمر مبكر جدا ويريدون أن تكون سوريا محررة من الإرهابيين بشكل كامل”.
وأردف: “كل شخص يتخذ القرار حول ذلك بنفسه، لكن العملية انطلقت والناس يعودون”.
جانبان للوجود العسكري الروسي في سوريا
وعلى صعيد آخر، أكد الرئيس الأسد أن وجود القوات الروسية في سوريا والشرق الأوسط بشكل عام أمر ضروري من وجهتي نظر التوازن السياسي في العالم ومكافحة الإرهاب.
وقال في هذا السياق: “إن وجود القوات الروسية مهم بالنسبة للمعادلة في منطقتنا حتى أن يتغير التوازن السياسي في العالم، وهذا قد لا يحدث على الإطلاق، نحن لا نعرف ذلك، لهذا السبب هذا الأمر مهم بل ضروري”.
واعتبر الرئيس الأسد أن الوجود العسكري الروسي في سوريا “لديه جانبان”، موضحا أن “الأول يكمن في محاربة الإرهاب، لأن الروس يحمون من خلال ذلك كلا من سوريا وروسيا والدول الأخرى، فيما الثاني يتمثل بالتوازن العسكري والسياسي في العام”.
وتابع الرئيس السوري: “روسيا ليست دولة صغيرة، إنها قوى عظمى، لهذا السبب تتحمل واجبا إزاء كل العالم كما تتحمل مسؤولية عنه”.
ولفت إلى أن “جزءا من هذه المسؤولية يمثله الوجود السياسي والعسكري في مختلف مناطق العالم حال وجود ضرورة لذلك”.
المصدر: وكالات روسية

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blog!

Weekly report on israel’s terrorism against Palestinians (19 – 25 July 2018

IMEMC News
  
26 Jul  8:50 PM
Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the week of 19 – 25 July, 2018.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian civilian was killed and 2 civilians succumbed to their previous wounds. 99 Palestinian civilians, including 23 children, a woman, a male journalist, and a female journalist, were wounded; 3 of them sustained serious wounds.
Shooting:

Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized within the activities of the “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed for the 17th week in a row peaceful demonstrations along the eastern and northern Gaza Strip border area. During the reporting period in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while 2 civilians succumbed to their previous wounds.  Moreover, the Israeli forces wounded 124 others, including 30 children, 4 women, a male journalist, and a female journalist. 3 of those wounded sustained serious wounds. In the West Bank, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others, including 2 children.

  • In the Gaza Strip, on 20 July 2018, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sharif ‘Abed Badwan (23), from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, while participating with thousands of protestors in the Return and Breaking Siege March, east of Malakah square , east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Mohamed was hit with a live bullet to the chest.

  • On 23 July 2018, medical sources at the European hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, announced the death of Karam Ibrahim ‘Ali ‘Arafat (26) from ‘Abasan al-Jadidah, east of the city, succumbing to previous wounds he sustained on 08 June 2018. Karam was hit with a tear gas canister to the head while participating in the
Return and Breaking Siege March in Khuza’ah village. Karam’s wounds were described as critical and he was then admitted to the Intensive Care Unit ICU and stayed there until his death was announced.

  • On 24 July 2018, medical sources at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip announced the death of Majd Suhail Mohammed ‘Aqeel (26) from al-Sekkah Street in Jabalia succumbing to wounds he sustained on 14 May 2018, during his participation in the March of Return and Breaking Siege.

  • During the reporting period, while using the excessive force against the peaceful protesters along the Gaza Strip borders, the Israeli forces wounded 99 Palestinian civilians, including 23 children, a woman, a male journalist, and a female journalist. 3 of those wounded sustained serious wounds.


As part of targeting the border areas, during the reporting period, Israeli forces fired 19 artillery shells along the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip with Israel.

As part of the airstrikes, Israeli warplanes launched 23 air raids targeting a group of Palestinian civilians, claiming that they fired incendiary balloons; military sites belonging to Palestinian resistance groups; and empty lands. The Israeli warplanes fired 46 missiles resulted in the wounding of 25 civilians, including 7 children and 3 women. Moreover, 7 Palestinian officers in the Gaza Interior Ministry were killed.

An air raid resulted in the death of 54 sheep, 60 doves and 160 chickens, in addition to damaging tools used for breeding livestock in a farm belonging to Majed al-Shaiekh. The abovementioned farm is located in the eastern borders, adjacent to al-Hajjah Handah Street, east of al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Moreover, al-Nakheel Resort, west of al-Buriej Camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip, sustained partial damages after targeting it.

As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, pointing out to the ongoing Israeli policy of targeting their livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 4 shooting incidents at the fishermen, including 3 in the northern Gaza Strip and 1 in the southern Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, on 23 July 2018, in new crime of excessive use of lethal force against Palestinian civilians, Israeli forces killed Arkan Mizher (15) and wounded another one in al-Dahish refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. Arkan was hit with a live bullet that entered his heart and exited his back.

Further to the above mentioned wounded person, during the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 5 civilians, including 2 children.
Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 46 Palestinians, including a child and a woman, in the West Bank.  Meanwhile, 13 other civilians, including 2 children and 2 women, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs.

In the Gaza Strip, on 19 July 2018, Israeli forces moved into al-Shawka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands and repaired border fence and barbed wire before re-deploying along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel.


Israeli Forces Continued their Measures to Create a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem

As part of demolishing houses and civilian facilities, on 19 July 2018, Israeli forces ordered al-Shawamrah and Abu Irmilah families to demolish 4 apartments in al-Ashqariyia neighborhood in Beit Haninah village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, as an implementation to the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision. The Israeli Supreme Court claimed that the ownership of the plot of land, where the apartments were established, belongs to Israeli settlers from 1974. The two families built the abovementioned apartments on an area of 1.5 dunums in 2000. Al-Shawamrah and Abu Irmilah families bought the 3-dunum plot of land from a Jerusalemite family before resorting to the courts to protect the plot of land and property built on it. The two families self-demolished their houses, which cost NIS 30.000, and set up a tent sheltering 30 members, half of them were children.

On 25 July 2018, Israeli bulldozers demolished a kindergarten and a woman center in “ al-Baba Mount” Bedouin Community, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The 60-square-meter kindergarten was comprised of mobile houses (caravan) built of tin plates and donated by the EU for the village residents 2 months ago. The kindergarten was serving around 28 children. It should be noted that here is around 56 families are living in the community.


As part of Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

On 22 July 2018, the Israeli police secured hundreds of Israeli settlers while raiding al-Aqsa Mosque yards in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, on the anniversary of so-called “Temple Destruction”. The Islamic Endowment (Awqaf) Department said that the Israeli forces imposed a military cordon on al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates and obstructed the worshipers’ movement. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians, journalists and traders in al-Qataneen Market right, which is located near al-Aqsa Mosque. The settlers also raided and searched some shops and damaged their contents under the Israeli police’ protection.
Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:

Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force for the 17th consecutive Friday against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The demonstrations were named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege. The demonstrations were also in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. The demonstrations were as follows during the reporting period:

Gaza Strip:

  • At approximately 16:00 on Friday 20 July 2018, thousands of civilians swarmed to the Return encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, east of Malakah intersection, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City in the 17th consecutive Friday titled “The UNRWA conspiracy will not pass on refugees.” The activities included raising flags, chanting national slogans, setting fire to tires and flying kites. Though the demonstrations were fully peaceful, Israeli forces stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel deliberately and randomly fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Mohammed Sharif Abed Badwan (23), from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, was killed after being hit with a live bullet to the chest. Moreover, 35 civilians, including 3 children and a woman, were hit with live bullets and its shrapnel and tear gas canisters.

  • Around the same time, hundreds of Palestinians swarmed to the Return encampments, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip to participate in the demonstrations organized by Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege. The number of protestors increased at approximately 16:30, as the participants gathered inside and outside the encampment’s yard and raised flags, chanted national slogans and flew dozens of kites and balloons as dozens of them, including women and children, approached the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel and set fire. A number of them attempted to throw stones at Israeli forces and remove the barbed wire fence established by those forces on the Palestinian lands 30-50 meters away from the main border fence. The Israeli forces stationed behind hills, sand barriers, military vehicles and their vicinity sporadically opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at the protestors and at the area behind them. An Israeli tank arrived at the area and stationed adjacent to the protestors in Khuza’ah, east of Khan Younis, and opened fire at the protestors a doctors classified a civilian’s injury as serious. At approximately 18:10, the shooting, which continued until approximately 20:00. As a result, 10 civilians, including 2 children and a female journalist, were hit with live bullets and tear gas canisters. The wounded journalist identified as Heba Sami Mohammed ‘Awad (21), from Khan Younis and works at PalHadath Agency, was hit with a tear gas canister to the left hand as she was wearing a Vest Clearly Marked Press. The wounded civilians were taken to the field hospital and then transferred to Nasser, Gaza European and Algerian Hospitals. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Some of them received medical treatment on the spot or in the field hospital while others were transferred to hospitals to receive medical treatment due to suffering from tear gas inhalation and seizures.

  • Around the same time, hundreds of civilians swarmed to the Return encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, 400 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. Dozens of young men, children and women approached the border fence, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The Israeli forces fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the participants. The clashes continued until approximately 20:00 on the same day. As a result, 14 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. Twelve of them were hit with live bullets and 2 others were hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded civilians were taken via ambulances belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Doctors classified a civilian’s injury as serious and he was then transferred him to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The injuries of the other wounded civilians were classified between minor and moderate.

  • At approximately 17:00, hundreds of Palestinian swarmed to the Return encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return, east of Abu Safiyah Hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. The protestors raised Palestinian flags, chanted national slogans and set fire to tires. Dozens of them approached the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence. The Israeli forces deliberately and randomly fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. The clashes continued until approximately 21:00 on the same day. As a result, 18 civilians, including 8 children, were wounded. Seven of them were hit with live bullets and its shrapnel while 11 were hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded civilians were transferred via ambulances belonging to PRCS, Medical Services and the Ministry of Health to the Indonesian and al-Awda Hospitals. Doctors classified the injury of a civilian as serious.

  • Around the same time, thousands of civilians swarmed to the Return encampment established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, 300 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. A number of young men approached the border fence, flew kites, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. The clashes continued until approximately 20:00. As a result, 15 civilians, including 7 children, a woman and a journalist, were wounded. Ten of them were hit with live bullets and its shrapnel and 5 were hit with tear gas canisters. Among the wounded was Zaki Yahiya Zaki ‘Awadallah (27), a journalists at One Media Network, was hit with an explosive live bullet to the legs. The wounded civilians were taken to the field hospital in the Return camp and then transferred to Abu Yusuf al-Najjar hospital in Rafah. Doctors classified their injuries as moderate.

  • At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 22 July 2018, dozens of children and young men gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, to participate in the Return March and Breaking the Siege. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters. The clashes continued until approximately 20:00 on the same day. As a result, an 18-year-old civilian was hit with a live bullet to the lower limbs. The wounded civilian was transferred via a PRCS ambulance to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah and doctors classified his injury as moderate.

  • At approximately 12:05 on Monday, 23 July 2018, Israeli forces stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuhada’a Islamic Cemetery, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians participating in the demonstrations as they approached the border fence. As a result, a 15-year-old civilian, from al-Sheja’eya neighborhood in Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet to the right leg. He was transferred to the Indonesian Hospital and doctors classified his injury as moderate.

  • At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 24 July 2018, Israeli forces stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuhada’a Islamic Cemetery, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians participating in the March Return activates as they approached the border fence. As a result, a 23-year-old civilian, from Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh, causing a cut to the tendons and fracture to the thigh bone. The wounded civilian was taken to the Indonesian Hospital and doctors classified his injury as moderate.


Two Civilians Succumbed to Their Wounds:

  • At approximately 00:48 on Monday, 23 July 2018, medical sources at the European hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, announced the death of Karam Ibrahim ‘Ali ‘Arafat (26) from ‘Abasan al-Jadidah, east of the city, succumbing to his previous wounds. According to PCHR’s investigations, ‘Arafat was wounded on 08 June 2018, after being hit with a tear gas canister to the head during his participation in the March of Return and Breaking Siege in Khuza’ah village. It should be noted that the Israeli forces’ opening fire on the same day caused the killing of Ziyad al-Braim (28) and wounding 11 civilians, including ‘Arafat, whose injury was classified as serious. ‘Arafat stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until his death was announced.

  • At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 24 July 2018, medical sources at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip announced the death of Majd Suhail Mohammed ‘Aqeel (26) from al-Sekkah Street in Jabalia succumbing to wounds he sustained during his participation in the March of Return and Breaking Siege. According to PCHR’s investigations, Majd was wounded on 14 May 2017 in the clashes that erupted on the anniversary the Palestinian Nakbah Day, east of Abu Safiyah Hill, northeast of Jabalia, as he was hit with a live bullet to the thighs, cutting the main vein. Majd was taken to the Indonesian Hospital. On 21 May 2018, he was then transferred al-Mutala’ Hospital in Jerusalem. Majd returned from al-Mutala’ Hospital to the Indonesian Hospital on 05 July 2018, and he stayed in the ICU section until his death was announced.


West Bank:

  • At approximately 13:40 on Friday, 20 July 2018, a group of Palestinian civilians moved from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, to the eastern entrance to the village, which has been closed for 15 years in favor of the entrance to “Kedumim” settlement established on the village lands. The protestors chanted national slogans demanding end of occupation, condemning the U.S President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and condemning the Israeli forces’ crimes against Palestinian protestors along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip within “The Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” activities. Several representatives of national factions and representatives of National Action Factions in the north of the West Bank and a number of foreign and Israeli activists. Israeli soldiers suppressed the demonstration and fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 3 civilians, including a 13-year-old child, was hit with a live bullet shrapnel to the left hand.

  • Following the end of Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests condemning the annexation wall, settlement activity and the U.S President Donald Trump’s decision relevant to Jerusalem in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah and al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of the City. The Israeli forces used force to disperse the protestors by firing live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. The soldiers also chased them into olive fields and between houses. As a result, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, but neither casualties nor arrests were reported. Mowafaq ‘Amirah,  a reporter at Palestine TV Channel from Ni’lin village, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that on Thursday, 19 July 2018, the Israeli forces established a military checkpoint  at the village entrance. The soldiers distributed leaflets on civilians who were inside their civilian vehicles and fixed some on houses’ walls and shops that are near the village entrance. The leaflet included a threat from the Israeli forces to the village residents if they organized demonstrations.

  • At approximately 14:00 on the same day, a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of a Military Checkpoint (56) established at the entrance to al-Shuhada’a Street in the center of Hebron and threw stones at the checkpoint. Israeli soldiers deployed in al-Zawiyah Gate area and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone throwers. The soldiers also chased them between shops. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. The children continued throwing stones at the soldiers, who fired rubber bullets at them. As a result, a 14-year-old child was hit with a rubber bullet to the face. The child was transferred via a PRCS ambulance to Hebron Governmental Hospital to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his injury as moderate.
  • Efforts to Create A Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:


Arrests and Incursions:

  • At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 22 July 2018, Israeli forces moved into manu neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Jihad Naser Qaws (24), Mohamed al-Dabbagh and Rohi al-Kalghasi.

  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hizmah village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’d Sayil al-Qadi (20) and then arrested him.


  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner ‘Amr Bassam Abu ‘Arafah (30) and arrested him.

  • At approximately 02:30 on Sunday, 22 July 2018, Israeli forces moved into Wadi Qaddoum neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Ma’moun Mohamed al-Razim (43) and then arrested him.


  • At approximately 04:30 on Sunday, Israeli forces moved into al-Sawanah neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Hanadi al-Helwani (38) and then arrested her. Hanadi was then taken to an investigation center for interrogation and was released on the same day evening.

  • At approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, 24 July 2018, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Waseem Naiyf ‘Obaid (40) and then arrested him along with his wife Ibtisam ‘Obaid (35). Waseem and his wife were then taken to a detention facility in occupied Jerusalem. Mohamed Abu al-Humus, Member of the Follow-up Committee in -‘Issawiyia village, said that the Israeli forces accompanied with Israeli Intelligence officers moved into the village and arrested Ibtisam ‘Obaid and her husband Waseem under the pretext of illegally entering Jerusalem and because Ibtisam holds the West Bank ID. Ibtisam was taken to Salah al-Deen Station and then to ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah. Abu al-Humus added the Israeli police released Waseem after detaining and interrogating him for few hours. They also asked him about staying his wife in the house and considered it as a violation of law because she did not have a permit. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities deported Ibtisam from Jerusalem in last March, noting that she lives in Jerusalem from 16 years with her husband and their children. During the past years, Ibtisam attempted to get an ID or a residency from the competent Israeli bodies, but in vain under the pretext of “security refusal”.

House Demolitions and Notices:

  • On Thursday, 19 July 2018, Israeli forces ordered al-Shawamrah and Abu Irmilah families to demolish 4 apartments in al-Ashqariyia neighborhood in Beit Haninah village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, as an implementation to the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision. The Israeli Supreme Court claimed that the ownership of the plot of land, where the apartments were established, belongs to Israeli settlers from 1974. According to PCHR’s investigations, Rohi Abu Irmilah and Jehad Shawamrah built the abovementioned apartments on an area of 1.5 dunums in 2000. Al-Shawamrah and Abu Irmilah families bought the 3-dunum plot of land from a Jerusalemite family before resorting to the courts to protect the plot of land and property built on it. At the beginning, the court’s decision came in favor of the 2 families, but a settlement association then appealed the court’s decision in 2013 and submitted papers that proved its ownership to the land. The two families said that the papers submitted by the settlement association are counterfeit. The Israeli Supreme Court issued a decision that grants the land’s ownership to Israeli settlers. The families preferred to self-demolish their houses instead of leaving them for the Israeli settlers or taking compensations and for fear of transferring their apartments to settlement outposts. On Thursday morning, the two families self-demolished their houses, which cost NIS 30.000, and set up a tent sheltering 30 members, half of them were children. Jehad al-Shawarmah, one of the apartments’ owners, said that after building the apartments in 2000, the Israeli Municipality imposed financial fines on them under the pretext of non-licensing. After that, the families attempted to license the apartments and got an initial approval for licensing, but the Israeli settlers then claimed their ownership of the land from 2006. Jehad also said that an Israeli settler, Aryeh King, asked them through his lawyer for the land and paid a rent allowance for using it in the past years. After heading to courts, the judges proved ownership of the land to the Palestinians living in the house, but the settler demanded the land again. The Magistrate Court closed the case file in favor of the Palestinians while the Israeli settler headed to the District Court in order to appeal the case and submitted counterfeit documents, which claim that the Israeli settlers own the land. The District Court then issued a decision that grants the land’s ownership to Israeli settlers and the Israeli Supreme Court confirmed this decision. Jehad added that his family refused the Israeli forces’ bargaining and said: “we refuse to give our houses to the Israeli settlers”. It should be noted that the abovementioned apartments were sheltering 30 members, most of them were children, and now they are living in 2 tents established on nearby land, because rent prices are high in Jerusalem.
  • At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 25 July 2018, Israeli bulldozers demolished a kindergarten and a woman center in “ al-Baba Mount” Bedouin Community, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. ‘Atallah Mazar’a, Representative of al-Baba Mount Bedouin Community, said that the Israeli Civil Administration staff accompanied with bulldozers moved into al-Baba Mount Bedouin Community without a prior warning, under the Israeli forces’ protection. The Israeli bulldozers demolished the only kindergarten in the community and the woman center without allowing the residents to approach. He also said that the 60-square-meter kindergarten was comprised of mobile houses (caravan) built of tin plates and donated by the EU for the village residents 2 months ago. The kindergarten was serving around 28 children. ‘Atallah clarified that it was not the first time that the Israeli Civil Administration demolish the houses of al-Baba Mount Bedouin Community. It should be noted that here is around 56 families are living in the community.

  • On 04 July 2018, Israeli forces demolished 10 dwellings and 9 barracks used for breeding livestock in Abu Nawar Bedouin Community near al-‘Izariyia village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. As a result, around 60 Palestinian civilians became homeless. It should be noted that the residents of Khan al-Ahmar Community got a precautionary order to stop demolishing the community until the middle of next month. These measures imposed on Khan al-Ahmar Community residents are a prelude to expel its residents within project “E1”, which is a settlement project targeted around 12.000 dunums of East Jerusalem and the West Bank lands in favor of Israeli projects serving Israeli settlers. The“E1” project also aims at separating occupied Jerusalem from the West Bank and emptying the area from any Palestinian residents as part of project to separate south of the West Bank from its center and isolate occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank.


Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

 Israeli forces’ attacks

  • On Sunday morning, 22 July 2018, Israeli police and special Israeli forces provided protection for hundreds of settlers while raiding al-Aqsa Mosque yards in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, on the anniversary of so-called “Temple Destruction”. The Islamic Endowment(Awqaf) Department said that around 1336 Israeli settlers raided al-Aqsa Mosque as groups from Al-Maghariba Gate. The Islamic Endowment Department stated that the Israeli settlers performed rituals and Talmudic prayers in the mosque’s yards, under the protection of hundreds of Israeli forces and armed Special Forces, who imposed a military cordon on al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates and obstructed the worshipers’ movement. The storming of al-Aqsa Mosque came in the framework of invitations by Jewish organizations via their websites and media channels within unprecedented jewish majority program. This program aims at doubling the number of settlers, who raid al-Aqsa Mosque on the anniversary of the so-called “Temple’s Destruction”. These invitations received great support and encouragement from the Israeli Government, which endeavors to change the historical and legal situation of al-Aqsa Mosque.
Feras El-Debs, Head of Media and Public Relation Department in the Islamic Endowments (Awqaf), said that raiding of al-Aqsa Mosque usually happens by entering another group of settlers after exiting the first one from al-Aqsa Mosque, but the Israeli forces allowed all groups to raid the mosque together without waiting for the first to exit al-Selselah Gate.  He also said that the Israeli police deliberately imposed restrictions on al-Aqsa Mosque’s worshipers and guards and attacked some of them. He emphasized that groups of Israeli settlers, who were performing prayers at al-Asbat Gate (Lions Gate), obstructed media interviews conducted with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Sheikh Mohammed Huissen, and the Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, Omar Al-Keswani.
According to PCHR’s fieldworker, few numbers of Palestinian worshipers, who were allowed to enter al-Aqsa Mosque, tried to confront the settlers’ raiding of al-Aqsa Mosque, but the Israeli police prevented them, chased them and threatened them to be arrested. The eyewitnesses also said that the Israeli police arrested Islam Bader Iskafi (14) from al-Aqsa Mosque while raising the Palestinian flag. They also arrested Hamza al-Nabulsi (15) while present in front of al-Asbat gate and Bassam Abu-Nab and Mohammed Abu-Nab while getting out of the mosque.
Furthermore, the Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians, journalists and traders in al-Qataneen Market right, which is located near al-Aqsa Mosque. They raided and searched some shops and damaged their contents under the Israeli police’ protection. It should be noted that on Saturday, 21 July 2018, the Israeli police closed with steel barriers many roads leading to Jerusalem and the Old City. The Israeli police also provocatively deployed police officer and special Israeli forces in the area to secure the settlers demonstrations, which started from the Old City and headed to al-Buraq Wall.


 Israeli settlers’ attacks

  • At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 21 July 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Susya” settlement, south of Yatta, south of Hebron, moved into Kherbit Susya established on the above-mentioned settlement’s lands and performed their religious rituals. The Israeli settlers cursed the village’s residents, who were present in the area, without any intervention of the Israeli forces. Al-Kherbah witnessed a large presence of the settlers during 3 days, causing fear among the residents.

  • At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 22 July 2018, Israeli forces closed Bab al-Zawiyiah area and Beer Sheva Street in the center of Hebron. They also ordered the shop’s owners to close and allowed Israeli settlers to access to an ancient building on Beer Sheva Street. The settlers performed their Talmudic rituals there, claiming that there was a Hebron grave and holy places for them.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967.  PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.  PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
  1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
  2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
  3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
  4. PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
  5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
  6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
  7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
  8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
  9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
  10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
  11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
  12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
  13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
  14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian   
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