Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

5 Palestinians Killed, Dozens Injured in Resumed Israeli Terrorist Air Strikes on Gaza Strip, August 8, 2014

 

Arabic TV stations reported that five Palestinian civilians were killed and scores were injured in resumed Israeli terrorist air strikes on Gaza Strip cities of Rafah, Khan Younis, and Jabalia, as of August 8, 2014, at 12:00 pm ET.

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Sources in Egypt say unofficial ceasefire agreed until 8 p.m.

 08/08/2014 18:20

CAIRO (Ma'an) --

Sources close to talks in Egypt told Ma'an Friday that an unofficial cessation to hostilities will be implemented until 8 p.m. as mediators attempt to reach an agreement between Palestinian and Israeli delegations.

Well placed sources in Cairo said that Palestinian and Israeli delegations have "agreed to almost all main points that need a solution" through indirect talks.

According to the sources, only "limited" disagreements remain and an agreement has been reached "on the majority of the subjects concerning the Palestinians."

The sources called for an end to military operations by both sides, but said negotiations could go on under fire until an agreement is reached.

Israeli warplanes struck multiple targets across the Gaza Strip on Friday after a 72-hour ceasefire agreement ended at 8 a.m., killing two and injuring 20 Palestinians.

The airstrikes continued into the afternoon, although they had stopped by 4 p.m.

Ahmad Naim Okal, 22, was the latest Palestinian casualty of the 33-day old Israeli assault on the Strip, bringing the total dead to 1,895 and 9,820 injured.

Okal was killed during an Israeli air raid on the area of Musabbah in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Earlier, Israeli warplanes also launched three strikes on the home of the Suleiman family in Beit Lahiya, and three injured people were taken to the Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Israel Resumes Gaza Strikes

Friday August 08, 2014 12:56 by Chris Carlson - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

Israeli occupation terrorist forces have once again resumed their attacks on the Gaza Strip, following a failed attempt by Cairo negotiators at extending the 72-hour ceasefire beyond the 8am deadline, Friday.

According to the Palestinian News Network, Israeli occupation forces have launched airstrikes on Rafah and Jabalia, to the west of Gaza City. Two Palestinians were reported injured in the strikes.

Israeli military sources say that they resumed airstrikes after rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel. PM Netanyahu instructed the Israeli army to respond "with the utmost severity, in the event of a resumption of rocket attacks on Israel", the PNN stated.

Israeli warships have also opened fire on the northern Gaza coastline.

Around 20 rockets have been fired so far, this morning, from Gaza towards southern Israel. Various armed groups, including Al-Quds Brigades, Al-Asifah Al-Nassar Salah, and al-Din Brigades have claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.

Hamas officials have stated that they are ready to reattempt negotiations in Cairo, even if the conflict in Gaza continues.

10-year-old child first casualty of Israel’s resumption of Gaza offensive

[ 08/08/2014 - 01:01 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

A 10-year-old Palestinian child was killed while 11 others were wounded in a wave of Israeli air strikes on different targets in the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday morning, bringing Gaza death toll to 1894 so far.

“Palestinian child Ibrahim al-Dawawsa was killed on Friday morning in an Israeli air strike that rocked a Gaza mosque,” Health Ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qudra, reported.

“Ibrahim’s murder is the first to be reported since the 72-hour truce ended. Israeli rivers of blood have been stepped up against Gaza civilians,” he added.

Some 11 Palestinian civilians, including children, were rushed to Gaza hospitals after they sustained medium to serious wounds.

The Israeli occupation army has resumed attacks on the Gaza Strip, where a drove of helicopters and fighter jets have been hovering shortly after the end of the cease-fire.

A barrage of Israeli air strikes, targeting Palestinian lands and civilian homes, hit the Gaza Strip.  The raids further targeted Al-Nour mosque north of the city.

Hamas denies Israeli claims of firing two rockets at Eshkol

[ 08/08/2014 - 12:43 PM ]

GAZA,(PIC)--

Israeli sources claimed that two rockets were fired on Eshkol settlement Friday morning as the three-day cease-fire in the Gaza conflict came to an end.

According to Israeli allegations, the rockets hit Eshkol Regional Council just after 4:00 A.M., several hours before the deadline set for the cease-fire ended.

The projectiles hit open areas, and no injuries were reported, while sirens sounded in the surrounding areas, the sources added.

For its part, the Hamas movement denied firing rockets at Israeli targets at dawn today.

Spokesman for the Movement, Sami Abu Zuhri stated in a brief statement that the Israeli claims about firing two rockets at occupied territories aimed to mix things up.

Israeli claims came two hours before the three-day ceasefire has come to an end at 8 o'clock on Friday morning amid uncertainty about its extension.

In a second statement, Abu Zuhri confirmed that the ceasefire would not be extended, saying that talks in this regard are underway in Cairo.

The Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza decided not to extend the ceasefire and to continue negotiation, according to his statement.

Israel launched on July 7 massive aggression against Gaza. Nearly 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed and 9,000 others were injured.

Netanyahu: The fighting in Gaza has not ended

[ 08/08/2014 - 12:10 PM ]

GAZA,(PIC)--

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened on Thursday to respond with force to the resistance fire from Gaza once the truce ends at 8:00 o'clock on Friday morning.

Not clear that the fighting has ended, said Netanyahu, speaking on Fox news channel. Achieving peace in the region depends on Hamas, he continued.

On the other hand, Israeli radio stated that an Israeli delegation returned to Cairo on Thursday evening for another round of talks with Egyptian mediators.

Meanwhile, Hamas' armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades stated that there would be no ceasefire if the Palestinian demands aren't met mainly lifting the siege on Gaza and establishing a seaport.

The Brigades called on Palestinian negotiation delegation in Cairo to refuse any ceasefire unless Palestinian demands are met.

We call on the Palestinian delegation to forsake the truce talks with Israel if the Palestinian demands are not met, especially the establishment of a seaport in Gaza, the statement asserted.

Demands Israel Has Accepted, And Rejected

Friday August 08, 2014 12:33 by IMEMC & Agencies

The following is a list of Palestinian demands presented to Israel by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, during indirect talks held in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinians teams, as published by Al-Watan News.

The main demand of ending Israeli siege of Gaza has not been approved by Israel, by allowing Palestinians to have their own seaport and airport.

1. Israel totally rejects establishing either a Seaport and an Airport in the Gaza Strip.

2. Israel totally rejects the release of all detainees who were released under the Shalit Prisoner Swap Deal, and rearrested by Israel.

3. Israel “reserves the right” to act against the tunnels in Gaza.

4. Israel “reserves the right” to conduct targeted killings.

5. Agrees to consider the Rafah Border Terminal as an Egyptian-Palestinian issue.

6. Agrees to release the fourth phase of veteran detainees “as a goodwill gesture toward president Mahmoud Abbas.”

7. Agrees to extend the Palestinian fishing zone in Gaza territorial waters.

8. Agrees to allow the transfer of money for paying salaries in the Gaza Strip.

9. Agrees to ease restrictions on Palestinians crossing the Erez terminal, will not relax restrictions on goods.

10. Agrees to the entry of construction equipment, but only under international supervision.

Just before the 72-hour ceasefire ended on Friday morning, Israeli sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to remain ready for any possible escalation.

When the came to an end the resistance fired a missile into the Nahal 'Oz military base, across the border and the army bombarded several areas in the Gaza Strip.

Armed groups also fired shells into Asqalan (Ashkelon) and a number of areas.

 

Three Palestinians wounded in clashes with IOF in West Bank

[ 08/08/2014 - 11:26 AM ]

RAMALLAH, (PIC)--

Three Palestinian young men sustained wounds on Thursday evening in violent clashes with invading Israeli troops in Deir Qaddis village, west of Ramallah city.

Eyewitnesses said two young men sustained injuries when Israeli soldiers fired a hail of tear gas and stun grenades on a group of Palestinian citizens.

Another young man was rushed to hospital to be treated for wounds he sustained after the Israeli occupation patrols stormed a telecommunication store and fired a stun grenade inside, bystanders at the scene further reported.   A wave of clashes has flared across the occupied West Bank, where the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have been attacking Palestinian civilians and peaceful pro-Gaza marchers.

In another incident, the IOF stormed on early Friday morning Palestinians’ homes in al-Arka and Zabouba and rummaged through them. The Israeli invading troops confiscated Palestinians’ personal belongings and interrogated dozens of citizens during the raids.

Eyewitnesses said the IOF rounded up Ibrahim Omar Yahya, 22, from al-Arka, south of Jenin, while he was in Umm al-Fahm in 48 Occupied Palestine before having stormed his family home, confiscated his personal laptops, and beaten up his family members.

The IOF stormed the home of Palestinian citizen Hassam Ziad Abu Zaytoun, in Zabouba, and ransacked it before forcing all the inhabitants out.

Several Palestinians Kidnapped, Two Mosques Invaded

Friday August 08, 2014 14:40 by IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Thursday, several Palestinians in different parts of the occupied West Bank. The army said all detained Palestinians have been moved to interrogation centers. Army breaks into two mosques in Hebron.

Local sources in Hebron, in the southern part of the West Bank, said dozens of soldiers invaded the city, broke into and searched, dozens of homes after forcing entire families out.

The army interrogated dozens of local youths and harassed the families and their children while their homes were being violently searched, and ransacked.

Several Palestinians have been kidnapped in the city and in the Sammoua’ nearby town, where the army fired gas bombs and hurled concussion grenades into several homes causing several injuries.

Also in Hebron, soldiers invaded and searched two mosques, and conducted provocative acts against the worshippers, the Radio Bethlehem 2000 has reported.

One Palestinian, identified as Mohammad Ibrahim al-’Allamy, 17, was kidnapped in Aseeda area, in Beit Ummar town, near Hebron.

Clashes took place after the soldiers harassed and assaulted several residents in the city.

Soldiers also installed several roadblocks at the main entrances of Hebron city, held dozens of residents and interrogated them, and attacked several Palestinians.

In related news, medical sources said a child identified as Rosy Talab Jaber, 8, was injured after being rammed by a settler’s car in the city, and was moved to a local hospital.

Soldiers also invaded Wadi Fokkin village, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, also broke into and ransacked several homes, and kidnapped three teenagers.

Head of the Wadi Fokkin Village Council Ahmad Sokkar, stated the soldiers kidnapped Nadim Ibrahim Manasra, 18, Majd Mohammad Manasra, 17, and Mohammad Yousef al-Hroub, 16.

Pro-Gaza rally in Haifa

[ 08/08/2014 - 01:30 PM ]

HAIFA, (PIC)--

A solidarity march has been organized in Haifa on Thursday in protest at Israel's military aggression against Gaza and its mass killing of Palestinian civilians.

The participants hailed the legendary steadfastness of Palestinian people in Gaza, saying that Israeli crimes and massacres will go unpunished.

The protested chanted slogans in support of Palestinian resistance and people in Gaza, calling for bringing Israeli leaders to trial for committing war crimes.

They also condemned the Egyptian authorities' cooperation with Israelis and the continued closure of Rafah crossing before the wounded.

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Hospitals and Journalists Were Targeted by Israeli Terrorist Strikes on Gaza, Including Killing 14 Palestinian Journalists, July-August, 2014

14 Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza

[ 08/08/2014 - 01:12 PM ]

RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- 

At least 14 Palestinian journalists and news reporters were killed while dozens sustained severe wounds in 30 days of massive Israeli attacks on the densely-populated Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Youth Media Assembly reported.   The assembly slammed in a statement on Thursday the ongoing Israeli crimes perpetrated against Palestinian civilians and journalists.

“Such attacks will never succeed in severing the chord that links us, Palestinian journalists, together. It is a real push to carry out our professional and ethical missions in the very best way we can. Such terror policies have never been a source of fear to the committed Palestinian journalist,” the Youth Assembly said.

The group called on all international and regional media institutions, most notably the International Federation of Journalists, Reporters without Borders, and the Federation of Arab Journalists to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis the Palestinian journalists and provide them with the shield needed to face up to such Israeli crimes.

The Youth Assembly further called on international press groups to assume their responsibilities and work on providing Palestinian journalists with international protection.

Amnesty International: The Israeli army deliberately attacked Gaza hospitals

[ 08/08/2014 - 12:55 PM ]

LONDON, (PIC)--

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that there is a mounting evidence of deliberate attacks against hospitals and medical personnel in Gaza by the Israeli army.

The report was based on testimonies from doctors, nurses, and ambulance personnel working in Gaza.

“The harrowing descriptions by ambulance drivers and other medics of the utterly impossible situation in which they have to work, with bombs and bullets killing or injuring their colleagues as they try to save lives, paint a grim reality of life in Gaza,” the report said.

Such attacks are absolutely prohibited by international law and would amount to war crimes, according to the report.

The Palestinian Health Ministry has earlier declared that 21 medics have been killed while 85 others were injured during the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Eight hospitals and dozens of medical centers were totally or partially destroyed due to the heavy shelling, while 20 ambulances were directly targeted and damaged.

Israeli interrogators torture Jordanian citizen to death in Tel Aviv

[ 08/08/2014 - 09:00 AM ]

AMMAN, (PIC)--

A Jordanian citizen working in Tel Aviv was reportedly killed under torture by Israeli interrogators following his detention on allegations of his illegal stay in Israel.

The Israeli side claimed that 39-year-old Jordanian citizen Wael Mustafa died after he fell to the ground during an interrogation session.

Qutaiba, the brother of the victim, belied the Israeli claims and explained that Wael had worked in Tel Aviv for about one and a half year and was in a good health condition when he was arrested four days ago.

He added that his brother was tortured to death on the same day of his detention and there were signs of torture on his body.

After the Jordanian authorities contacted the Israeli side, the body of Wael Mustafa was transferred to Amman where it was autopsied at Al-Bashir hospital.

According to a Jordanian forensic report, Wa'el died because he suffered from bleeding in the brain, fractured libs and multiple bruises on the chest, which indicated his exposure to torture at the hands of Israeli interrogators.