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.

 

Egyptian PM Visits Gaza, 23 Palestinians Killed, Including 7 Children, 245 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes

 

 

Two Palestinians, Including A Child, Killed In Jabalia

Friday November 16, 2012 13:17 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

22 Killed, 245 injured, Since Wednesday

The Israeli Air Force fired, Friday, several missiles into Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, killing two Palestinians, including one child, and wounded seven other residents, mainly children, after an Israeli missile hit a home in the town.

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 245 have been injured by Israeli shells since Wednesday; the casualties include children and infants.

Medical sources in Gaza reported that four Palestinians were wounded when the army fired shells near a home close to the western junction in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza; they were all moved to the Kamal Odwan Hospital.

The army also bombarded agricultural areas in the Bedouin Village, in northern Gaza; damage was reported, no injuries.

Soldiers bombarded an area close to the Al-Karama residential towers, in northern Gaza.

Israeli drones also fired missiles in Al-Qarm area, east of Jabalia, hitting a carpentry workshop completely damaging it. Several missiles were further fired into open areas in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza.

The attacks were carried out despite the fact that Israel claimed it would stop the bombardment while Egypt’s Prime Minister, Hisham Qandeel, is visiting Gaza. Qandeel arrived in Gaza on Friday along with several Egyptian officials.

Qandeel visited several wounded residents, especially the children, at the Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

He also held a meeting with the head of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, Ismael Haniyya, at his office in Gaza.

In an interview with Israel’s Yedioth Aharonoth paper, Israeli Transportation Minister, Yisrael Katz, stated that Haniyya, and Hamas political leader Dr. Mahmoud Zahhar, “are legitimate targets for assassination”.

Katz added that the Israeli aggression, that started two days ago, will likely expand very soon, to include 16.000 reserve soldiers of the infantry brigade, and added that the military operations will not stop until “all threats are eliminated”.

Commenting on the visit of Qandeel to Gaza, Katz stated that this visit could be an opportunity for Egypt “to perform its duties in resolving the situation”, and added that former President, Hosni Mubarak, “did not consider Gaza an internal Egyptian situation, therefore, it is possible that the new Egyptian President, and the Muslim Brotherhood, will likely do the same”.

Katz also expressed satisfaction regarding the stance of the U.S. President, Barack Obama, supporting Israel in this war.

As the Israeli offensive continues to expand leading to more civilian casualties, including children and infants, Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza claimed responsibility for firing dozens of shells into Nativot, Asqalan, Ra’eem, Ashdod, Miftahim, Ofakim, Nir Yitzak, Megan, Nirim, the Western Negev, Bir Shiva, in addition to targeting military bases, including aerial bases, such as Milassim, Nahal Oz, Miftahim, Ofakim and the Orim Military Intelligence base, and many other areas.

Armed groups in Gaza stated that talking about a truce or a ceasefire cannot take place while Israel continues to target the civilians in Gaza, killing, maiming and injuring dozens of civilians, including infants, children, women and elderly.

On Thursday evening, three Palestinian children were killed when the army bombarded a home in As-Sikka Street, in Beit Hanoun.

Ashraf Al-Qorda, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that the slain civilians were identified as Fares Al-Basyouni, 9, Odai Jamal Nasser, 16, and Tareq Jamal Nasser, 14; the mother of Odai and Jamal suffered serious injuries.

On Thursday evening, Hanin Tafesh, 10 months, died of wounds suffered when the Israeli army bombarded her home.

Medical sources in Gaza reported that at least 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and shells wince Wednesday, and more than 245 Palestinians have been injured; dozens seriously.

Eight children are among the slain Palestinians, in addition to one pregnant woman and two elderly men.

Woman Dies Of Wounds Suffered During Friday Morning Israeli Strike

Friday November 16, 2012 14:44 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources in Gaza reported that a Palestinian woman died of serious injuries sustained on Friday morning, when the army bombarded Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. 23 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 245 have been injured since Israel launched its aggression Wednesday.

The sources said that Tahrir Suleiman, 22, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital in the area.

She was injured when the Israeli army bombarded a home that belongs to Salman family in Beit Lahia; medics and rescue teams managed to rescue five of her family members who were buried under the rubble.

Earlier on Friday, the army fired several missiles into Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, killing two Palestinians, including one child; at least seven Palestinians, including children, have been injured when a missile fired by the Israeli army hit a home in Beit Lahia.

Also on Friday, Medical sources in Gaza reported that four Palestinians were wounded when the army fired shells near a home close to the western junction in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza; they were all moved to the Kamal Odwan Hospital.

On Thursday evening, Hanin Tafesh, 10 months, died of wounds suffered when the Israeli army bombarded her home.

The number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army since Wednesday has arrived at 23, while the number of wounded residents totals approximatley 252, including children, infants and women. Those civilians killed include children, women and elderly.

Friday; Israel Carried Out 30 Air Strikes Against Gaza In Less Than 30 Minutes

Friday November 16, 2012 07:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Israeli Army continued to escalate the attacks carried out against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, early on Friday morning, with more than 30 air strikes against different areas of Gaza in less than 30 minutes.

Media sources in Gaza reported that at approximately 6 a.m. Friday, Israeli war planes carried out 30 attacks, targeting civilian areas, resistance centers and buildings that belong to the Ministry of Interior leading to extensive damage; several injuries were reported.

One of the bombarded buildings is a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza.

The army also bombarded several Palestinian security centers in addition to firing missiles into the Civilian Branch of the Ministry of Interior, west of Gaza City; extensive damage were also reported.

In Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, the army bombarded another UNRWA school also leading to extensive damage.

Furthermore, the Ahrar Center for Detainees’ Studies, reported that the Israeli army also bombarded an under construction church in Gaza City leading to excessive damage.

The latest Israeli military escalation claimed that lives of 19 Palestinians, including seven children, since Wednesday evening, while at least 180 were injured.

Children, infants, women and elderly are among the casualties, including children whose bodies were severely mutilated and burnt due to Israeli shells. A pregnant woman and her unborn fetus are among the killed.

Responding to the Israeli military escalation, Palestinian armed groups in Gaza claimed responsibility for firing dozens of shells into Israel, including shells that hit Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and several other areas.

The resistance said that it will continue to defend its people, living under constant Israeli attacks and violations, and as long as Israel continues to kill and injure civilians, including children. Three Israelis were killed by Palestinian shells, and several others were injured.

23 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli shells since last Saturday; most of the casualties are civilians, children and women. Among the casualties are 7 children, a pregnant woman, and two elderly. More than 180 Palestinians have been injured; dozens are in serious conditions.

Three More Palestinians Killed In Gaza, 19 in 24 Hours, 23 Since Saturday

Friday November 16, 2012 02:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Israeli army continued it aggression and massive offensive against the civilians in the Gaza Strip, and bombarded on Thursday at night dozens of targets in the besieged coastal region killing three children and wounding several residents. 19 Palestinians have been killed since Wednesday evening, and at least 180 have been injured. 23 Palestinians have been killed since last Saturday; most of the casualties are civilians, children and women.

Ashraf al-Qodra, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that Israeli war jets fired a missile at a civilian car in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, killing three children.

The slain children were identified as Fares al-Basyouni, 9, and brothers Odai Jamal Nasser & Tareq Jamal Nasser, 16 & 14 respectivley.

Earlier on Thursday evening, a 10-month-old infant, identified as Haneen Tafesh, died at the ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, after being seriously injured in an earlier Israeli attack.

The Israeli army is widening its assault against the civilians in Gaza, bombarding their homes and lands.

Israel killed 23 Palestinians in the coastal region since Saturday, 19 of whom were killed in the last 24 hours; among the casualties are 7 children, a pregnant women, and two elderly. More than 180 Palestinians have been injured; dozens are in serious conditions.

Thousands of Palestinians held protests in different parts of the occupied West Bank denouncing the ongoing Israeli military aggression against Gaza. The army fired rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets at them leading to a number of injuries.

Clashes were reported in different parts of the Hebron district, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and the soldiers kidnapped three Palestinians.

Injuries were reported in Jenin and Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank during clashes with the army, a number of residents were kidnapped.

The army also occupied a school in Jenin and turned it into a military base.

Soldiers also invaded Beit Sahour and Beit Jala, in the West Bank district of Bethlehem, and clashed with local residents who hurled stones at the invading forces.

22 martyrs, including 7 children and 255 injuries in Israeli airstrikes

[ 16/11/2012 - 01:04 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The Israeli occupation army started, on the third day of the aggression on the Gaza Strip, bombing dozens of targets violently and continuously in different parts of the strip, where the number of martyrs, since Wednesday evening, has increased to 22 martyrs including the Chief of Al-Qassam Brigades, Ahmed al-Jabari, and more than 255 injuries, in dozens of Israeli raids that covered most parts of the Gaza Strip.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip told PIC reporter that among the martyrs 7 children and a pregnant woman and two elderly people in addition to 255 injuries, after the martyrdom of 3 people in Israeli raid targeting a house in al-Sika Street in the town of Beit Hanoun in the late evening on Thursday.

Dr. Ashraf Qudra spokesman for the Health Ministry stated that the Israeli warplanes targeted a civilian car in the town of Beit Hanoun which led to the martyrdom of the Children Fares Bassiouni, 9, Uday Jamal Nasser,16, and Tariq Jamal Nasser, 14, in addition to the injury of the children's father Nasser.

The girl Hanin Tafesh, 10 months, was martyred on Thursday evening in Gaza's Shifa Hospital due to wounds she sustained in previous Israeli raids.

For his part, the Minister of Health in Gaza Mufid Al-makhllaty stated that "what is happening in the Gaza strip is a war crime, where the Israeli threats to wage war on the Gaza strip came to restore the memory of Furquan war, where 1520 Palestinian were murdered in cold-blood in addition to 5,000 injuries."

The Israeli Air Force has continued its raids on different areas and targets in the Gaza Strip until the moment.

Abu Ubaida: bombing Tel Rabii is just a "message" to the Israeli occupation

[ 15/11/2012 - 10:26 PM ]

GAZA,(PIC)--

Abu Obeida, the Qassam Brigades' spokesman, stressed that bombing the occupied city of Tel-Rabii (75 miles from the Gaza Strip) by two missiles was only a "message" to the occupation.

"The Qassam Brigades did not show all of it has up its sleeve yet", he said in a brief statement to al-Aqsa TV channel on Thursday afternoon, noting that "the brigades only responds through deeds, not words, and Tel-Rabii's bombing is a message that must be read well by the occupation."

Abu Obeida confirmed that the assassination of the leader al-Jabari by the occupation is an omen to the Israeli occupation that will open fire on the millions of Israeli settlers and soldiers, adding that "resistance is able to control their choices and initiative as well."

It cannot be acceptable any more the bombing of the Palestinian people and the targeting of the resistance leaders without responding.. Resistance is sending a message to the heart of the entity, he said.

If the enemy was trying to enter few meters into Gaza, the resistance tells him that it is able to reach the heart of the criminal entity that supports and calls for aggression on Gaza, he added.

Egyptian consensus to support Gaza

[ 15/11/2012 - 10:51 PM ]

CAIRO, (PIC)--

Dr. Yasser Ali Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency said that President Mohamed Morsi, has commissioned the Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to go to the Gaza Strip on Friday at the head of a high-level delegation.

The spokesman said that Qandil's visit to Gaza came to emphasize Egypt's solidarity with the people of Gaza in the face of the brutal Israeli aggression, as well as to provide the urgent needs for the Palestinian people.

Sources from the Egyptian presidency confirmed that President Morsi held an emergency meeting this afternoon with a number of Egyptian ministers headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip after the brutal aggression.

The Palestinian government has welcomed the Egyptian prime minister's visit to Gaza, praising the Egyptian "courageous" position towards aggression, and called on Arab countries to follow the Egyptian leadership's position and to send official delegations in solidarity with the Gaza Strip.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi had earlier considered the Israeli escalation on the Gaza Strip as unacceptable aggression, and called on the Arab foreign ministers to hold an emergency meeting in Cairo to discuss the Israeli attack which killed 15 people and wounded 150 others so far.

Mursi said in a short speech broadcasted on Egyptian official TV channel that "the Israelis have to understand that aggression cannot be accepted and can only lead to instability in the region."

Meanwhile, the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the assassination of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam leader Ahmed al-Jabari, has caused angry reactions among the Egyptian people who called on the Egyptian government to take tougher positions to stop the aggression on Gaza.

The Egyptian political and religious forces and movements stressed on the need to support Gaza and to take more advanced steps that could translate the revolutionary change in Egypt.

The Egyptian political and partisan forces praised President Mohamed Morsi's decision to withdraw Cairo's ambassador from the Israeli entity, and considered it "a good step to be followed by other steps to protect the land of Sinai."

Morsi Warns Israel Against Attacking Egyptian Delegates Visiting Gaza

Friday November 16, 2012 08:11 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, warned Israel against attacking official Egyptian delegates who will be visiting the Gaza strip, on Friday, adding that the delegates will be carrying medical supplies to the coastal region.

The Egyptian envoys are headed by Egyptian Prime Minister, Hisham Qandeel; he will be accompanied by four government ministers, including the Egyptian Minister of Health, and official representatives of the president.

Egyptian security sources told the Maan News Agency that Morsi is holding Israel responsible for the lives of his envoys to Gaza.

They will be delivering twelve ambulances and tons of medical supplies and medications to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The visit will take place amidst ongoing Israeli military escalation against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that he will halt the strikes against Gaza during the visit of the Egyptian officials, the Maan News Agency reported.

It is worth noting that, on Friday morning, the Israeli military carried out more than 30 air strikes against different parts of the Gaza Strip in less than 30 minutes.

Israel has killed 23 Palestinians in the coastal region since Saturday, 19 of whom were killed in the last 24 hours. Among the casualties are 7 children, a pregnant women, and two elderly. More than 180 Palestinians have been injured; dozens are classified as in a serious condition.