9 sept 2015
Hamas has slammed a decision by the U.S. Department of State designating Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif, along with the Lebanese ex-prisoner Samir al-Quntar, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
According to a statement by the U.S. Department of State, the consequences of these designations include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif, and the freezing of all property and interests of Sinwar, Mushtaha, and Deif that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons.
Muhammed Deif is the top commander of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. During the 2014 Israeli offensive on blockaded Gaza, Deif was the mastermind of Hamas’s defensive strategy.
Sinwar and Mushtaha were released from occupation jails in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal.
Samir al-Quntar is a Lebanese ex-prisoner released in a swap deal struck on July 18, 2008 between Hezbollah and Israel.
Hamas dubbed the designation unethical and against international law.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the decision boosts Israeli terrorism against the Palestinian people, branding it “trivial.”
Meanwhile, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil told the Palestinian Information Center that such a biased U.S. position has never been unexpected from an administration that has always shown bias to the occupation and strived to cover up its crimes.
“The real terrorist is the one who restocked the Israeli occupation with deadly weapons that have killed thousands of innocent women and children and reduced thousands of Gaza’s populated homes into rubble,” he said.
“Before trying to blacklist our elites as terrorists, the U.S. has to look at its ugly face in the mirror,” al-Bardawil added.The U.S. is the one who produced terrorism, murder, and destruction everywhere across the globe.”
For his part, blacklisted Mushtaha told the Khaleej Online news site: “Resistance to the occupation is Palestinians’ inalienable right.”
“None of us, Palestinians, sees resistance to the Israeli occupation as terrorism. It is an internationally guaranteed law.”
He further vowed that the U.S. decision shall never dash the hopes of the Palestinian resistance and people in their national liberation struggle.
According to a statement by the U.S. Department of State, the consequences of these designations include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif, and the freezing of all property and interests of Sinwar, Mushtaha, and Deif that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons.
Muhammed Deif is the top commander of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. During the 2014 Israeli offensive on blockaded Gaza, Deif was the mastermind of Hamas’s defensive strategy.
Sinwar and Mushtaha were released from occupation jails in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal.
Samir al-Quntar is a Lebanese ex-prisoner released in a swap deal struck on July 18, 2008 between Hezbollah and Israel.
Hamas dubbed the designation unethical and against international law.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the decision boosts Israeli terrorism against the Palestinian people, branding it “trivial.”
Meanwhile, senior Hamas leader Salah al-Bardawil told the Palestinian Information Center that such a biased U.S. position has never been unexpected from an administration that has always shown bias to the occupation and strived to cover up its crimes.
“The real terrorist is the one who restocked the Israeli occupation with deadly weapons that have killed thousands of innocent women and children and reduced thousands of Gaza’s populated homes into rubble,” he said.
“Before trying to blacklist our elites as terrorists, the U.S. has to look at its ugly face in the mirror,” al-Bardawil added.The U.S. is the one who produced terrorism, murder, and destruction everywhere across the globe.”
For his part, blacklisted Mushtaha told the Khaleej Online news site: “Resistance to the occupation is Palestinians’ inalienable right.”
“None of us, Palestinians, sees resistance to the Israeli occupation as terrorism. It is an internationally guaranteed law.”
He further vowed that the U.S. decision shall never dash the hopes of the Palestinian resistance and people in their national liberation struggle.
The US State Department announced, on Tuesday, that three Hamas leaders, along with a Hezbollah spokesperson, have been added to the specially designated global terrorist list, subjecting them to US sanctions.
According to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, senior commander Muhammed Dief and two freed leaders, Yahya Sinwar and Ruhi Mushtaha, are on the list.
The move will freeze any assets they may have in US jurisdictions and prohibit Americans from doing any business with them.
Three of the four had been previously arrested by Israeli authorities for attacks on Israelis, but were later released in prisoner exchanges, including the 2011 swap that led to the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas denounced the decision as "immoral and against international law" on its Twitter account, accusing Washington of "backing Israeli terrorism".
Separately, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that blacklisting senior figures would not stop the group from succeeding in their national duty of protecting their people and liberating Palestine.
Hamas was democratically elected in 2006, with the nomination of Ismail Haniyeh as Prime Minister over the Gaza Strip.
The West Bank is controlled mainly by Fateh leadership.
According to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency, senior commander Muhammed Dief and two freed leaders, Yahya Sinwar and Ruhi Mushtaha, are on the list.
The move will freeze any assets they may have in US jurisdictions and prohibit Americans from doing any business with them.
Three of the four had been previously arrested by Israeli authorities for attacks on Israelis, but were later released in prisoner exchanges, including the 2011 swap that led to the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas denounced the decision as "immoral and against international law" on its Twitter account, accusing Washington of "backing Israeli terrorism".
Separately, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that blacklisting senior figures would not stop the group from succeeding in their national duty of protecting their people and liberating Palestine.
Hamas was democratically elected in 2006, with the nomination of Ismail Haniyeh as Prime Minister over the Gaza Strip.
The West Bank is controlled mainly by Fateh leadership.
3 sept 2015
The Islamic bloc, Hamas's student wing, launched at noon Wednesday September 2, 2015 an event in the Unknown Soldier's plaza in Gaza. The event included a sketch entitled "Count your soldiers" which embodies the case of the Israeli captives' held by al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
The museum contained a number of cells with members of al-Qassam Brigades guarding them. Photos of the three Israeli captives; Shaul Aron, Hadar Goldin, and Abraham Mengistu were hung on three cells and question marks were drawn on the other cells (indicating that more Israeli soldiers will be captured.)
The leader in Hamas Movement Fathi Hammad unveiled a banner reading "Opening of al-Qassam central prison". The event was sponsored by al-Qassam commander in chief Muhammad Deif.
Hammad stressed, in a speech he delivered during the event, that al-Qassam Brigades will never give up on the Palestinian captives and will never stop fighting for the release of all the captives in the Israeli jails.
He refused to reveal any details about any future deals, talks, or negotiations with any party saying that "al-Qassam Brigades is fighting a silent battle".
The Hamas leader hailed the resistance's victories in the three battles it fought against Israel in Gaza over the past few years, saying: "al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, and all resistance factions are now stronger than ever."
He also hailed the courage of the Palestinians in the West Bank, especially in Jenin, where they stood against and engaged the Israeli soldiers a couple of days ago, and urged the Palestinian people in the West Bank to rise up against the Israeli occupation and the security coordination.
The Hamas leader called on the Arab peoples to send funds and ammunition and to honorably participate in the coming battle with the Israeli occupation. He also slammed the Egyptian decision to launch a waterway on Gaza borders which will tighten the unjust siege imposed on the war-torn enclave.
For his part, vice president of the Islamic bloc Saeed Hattoum said that the Palestinian captives' cause is accorded a top priority and declared: "They are a source of pride and honor to Palestine."
Hattoum stressed that this symbolic prison is an important victory for the Palestinian people and their cause.
Denied childhood
The child Ahmad Ashour said with his eyes filled with tears: "Ask the captives' wives how they spend their days, how they raise their children, how they manage to face life's heavy burdens on their own. Ask them what it means to wait … ask their children if they still can cry to express their deep grief and pain."
"The dawn is close God willing," Um Nabil, the mother of Hamas leader prisoner Hassan Salamah, told the PIC reporter. The old lady insisted to attend the event in spite of her old age and poor health.
Um Nabil optimistically said: "In just a few days the captives will be with us and patience is the key to relief."
The museum contained a number of cells with members of al-Qassam Brigades guarding them. Photos of the three Israeli captives; Shaul Aron, Hadar Goldin, and Abraham Mengistu were hung on three cells and question marks were drawn on the other cells (indicating that more Israeli soldiers will be captured.)
The leader in Hamas Movement Fathi Hammad unveiled a banner reading "Opening of al-Qassam central prison". The event was sponsored by al-Qassam commander in chief Muhammad Deif.
Hammad stressed, in a speech he delivered during the event, that al-Qassam Brigades will never give up on the Palestinian captives and will never stop fighting for the release of all the captives in the Israeli jails.
He refused to reveal any details about any future deals, talks, or negotiations with any party saying that "al-Qassam Brigades is fighting a silent battle".
The Hamas leader hailed the resistance's victories in the three battles it fought against Israel in Gaza over the past few years, saying: "al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, and all resistance factions are now stronger than ever."
He also hailed the courage of the Palestinians in the West Bank, especially in Jenin, where they stood against and engaged the Israeli soldiers a couple of days ago, and urged the Palestinian people in the West Bank to rise up against the Israeli occupation and the security coordination.
The Hamas leader called on the Arab peoples to send funds and ammunition and to honorably participate in the coming battle with the Israeli occupation. He also slammed the Egyptian decision to launch a waterway on Gaza borders which will tighten the unjust siege imposed on the war-torn enclave.
For his part, vice president of the Islamic bloc Saeed Hattoum said that the Palestinian captives' cause is accorded a top priority and declared: "They are a source of pride and honor to Palestine."
Hattoum stressed that this symbolic prison is an important victory for the Palestinian people and their cause.
Denied childhood
The child Ahmad Ashour said with his eyes filled with tears: "Ask the captives' wives how they spend their days, how they raise their children, how they manage to face life's heavy burdens on their own. Ask them what it means to wait … ask their children if they still can cry to express their deep grief and pain."
"The dawn is close God willing," Um Nabil, the mother of Hamas leader prisoner Hassan Salamah, told the PIC reporter. The old lady insisted to attend the event in spite of her old age and poor health.
Um Nabil optimistically said: "In just a few days the captives will be with us and patience is the key to relief."
The family of the Israeli soldier Avera Mengistu, of Ethiopian origin, declared its intention to go out in demonstration on Thursday for the demand of releasing its son held by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Walla website revealed that the demonstration to be organized by the family will be launched from Erez crossing for the purpose of demanding the release of the soldier as well as knowing his fate.
Mengistu’s family claims that its son is held captive by Hamas movement in the Strip. It called for an immediate release of Avera Mengistu who suffers psychological problems, according to the family.
Avera's family accused the Israeli government of neglect because their son is black.
The Israeli Walla website revealed that the demonstration to be organized by the family will be launched from Erez crossing for the purpose of demanding the release of the soldier as well as knowing his fate.
Mengistu’s family claims that its son is held captive by Hamas movement in the Strip. It called for an immediate release of Avera Mengistu who suffers psychological problems, according to the family.
Avera's family accused the Israeli government of neglect because their son is black.
28 aug 2015
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) refused to comment on al-Qassam Brigades’ recent statements regarding the capture of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin in Gaza last year.
Spokesman for Israeli army refused to comment on the investigation broadcast by al-Jazeera TV Channel last night, during which Hamas’ armed wing denied the Israeli allegations saying that Hadar Goldin was killed during clashes with al-Qassam fighters.
A screened probe aired on al-Jazeera TV Channel on Thursday said Israel discovered the loss of the soldier Hadar Goldin two hours after an ambush was carried out by al-Qassam Brigades, proving that the Israeli army is responsible for breaching the truce.
According to al-Qassam, the clashes took place 25 minutes before the truce was put into effect.
The video report said the Israeli occupation army mistook the body of the resistance fighter Walid Tawfiq Masoud for that of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin during clashes that flared up prior to the violent bombardment of Rafah city.
Spokesman for Israeli army refused to comment on the investigation broadcast by al-Jazeera TV Channel last night, during which Hamas’ armed wing denied the Israeli allegations saying that Hadar Goldin was killed during clashes with al-Qassam fighters.
A screened probe aired on al-Jazeera TV Channel on Thursday said Israel discovered the loss of the soldier Hadar Goldin two hours after an ambush was carried out by al-Qassam Brigades, proving that the Israeli army is responsible for breaching the truce.
According to al-Qassam, the clashes took place 25 minutes before the truce was put into effect.
The video report said the Israeli occupation army mistook the body of the resistance fighter Walid Tawfiq Masoud for that of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin during clashes that flared up prior to the violent bombardment of Rafah city.
27 aug 2015
Some 20 demonstrators gathered outside Erez crossing with Gaza on Thursday morning to urge Hamas to free a captive soldier.
The demonstrators called for the immediate release of captive Avraham Mengistu, who is reportedly held by Hamas, allegedly due to a mental illness.
The Israeli authorities have been trying to prevent pro-Mengistu popular demos, but the captive’s family threatened to go to the streets in case of further reluctance by the Israeli government to seek a release for Mengistu.
Earlier, the Israeli authorities admitted that a 28-year-old Ethiopian-Israeli soldier was held captive by Hamas’s armed wing last September.
Mengistu was apprehended off Gaza shores following last summer’s Israeli offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Hamas has been refusing to release any updates on the fate of Mengistu or to strike prisoner swap deals before the Wafa al-Ahrar recaptured prisoners are released from Israeli jails.
Head of Hamas’s department of foreign relations, Osama Hamdan, said in press statements that the group’s silence over Mengistu’s fate forced Israel to admit its human losses, adding that Hamas will not comment on such news until Israel fully admits the exact number of its missing soldiers.
The demonstrators called for the immediate release of captive Avraham Mengistu, who is reportedly held by Hamas, allegedly due to a mental illness.
The Israeli authorities have been trying to prevent pro-Mengistu popular demos, but the captive’s family threatened to go to the streets in case of further reluctance by the Israeli government to seek a release for Mengistu.
Earlier, the Israeli authorities admitted that a 28-year-old Ethiopian-Israeli soldier was held captive by Hamas’s armed wing last September.
Mengistu was apprehended off Gaza shores following last summer’s Israeli offensive on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Hamas has been refusing to release any updates on the fate of Mengistu or to strike prisoner swap deals before the Wafa al-Ahrar recaptured prisoners are released from Israeli jails.
Head of Hamas’s department of foreign relations, Osama Hamdan, said in press statements that the group’s silence over Mengistu’s fate forced Israel to admit its human losses, adding that Hamas will not comment on such news until Israel fully admits the exact number of its missing soldiers.
24 aug 2015
Former defense minister Ehud Barak heard in recording saying that PM agreed to deal under pressure and was only interested in a photo op with the released prisoner.
A tape released Monday revealed former defense minister Ehud Barak's criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gilad Shalit case. In the recording, which was aired by Israel's Channel 2 News, Barak was heard saying that the prime minister consistently opposed the deal that could bring Shalit home from captivity.
According to Barak, once Shalit had been released in 2012, the most important thing to the prime minister was getting the first photo with the formerly imprisoned soldier.
Barak said that planning of the event at which Shalit arrived after his release was supposed to be the military's responsibility, but the Prime Minister's Office was directing every move. "His office sent teams to organize it and everything was directed towards one thing: For the picture to be the first picture when the kid (Shalit) comes down and for him to be with only Bibi in the frame."
Barak continued criticizing Netanyahu in the recording. "Bibi strongly feels that it's really the picture, the word, that's more important than the actual deed."
Barak, who was one of the politicians closest to Netanyahu, said in the recording that the prime minister opposed to prisoner exchange deal to secure Shalit's release, but was convinced after being pressured, including by Barak.
"I bothered him for months to do two things," said Barak. "To do Gilad Shalit and then to accept the Shamgar Commission (a committee that submitted guidelines on prisoner exchange negotiations). In the end he was convinced that he had to release Shalit and wasn't convinced to do the rest of what I asked, and that's how he found himself when the three teenagers were kidnapped. There was something embarrassingly petty about him."
It was revealed on Sunday that Barak had referred to Netanyahu as a person who is "weak and doesn't want to take difficult steps unless you force him." In another recording, Barak said that Netanyahu was "shrouded in a kind of deep pessimism."
A tape released Monday revealed former defense minister Ehud Barak's criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gilad Shalit case. In the recording, which was aired by Israel's Channel 2 News, Barak was heard saying that the prime minister consistently opposed the deal that could bring Shalit home from captivity.
According to Barak, once Shalit had been released in 2012, the most important thing to the prime minister was getting the first photo with the formerly imprisoned soldier.
Barak said that planning of the event at which Shalit arrived after his release was supposed to be the military's responsibility, but the Prime Minister's Office was directing every move. "His office sent teams to organize it and everything was directed towards one thing: For the picture to be the first picture when the kid (Shalit) comes down and for him to be with only Bibi in the frame."
Barak continued criticizing Netanyahu in the recording. "Bibi strongly feels that it's really the picture, the word, that's more important than the actual deed."
Barak, who was one of the politicians closest to Netanyahu, said in the recording that the prime minister opposed to prisoner exchange deal to secure Shalit's release, but was convinced after being pressured, including by Barak.
"I bothered him for months to do two things," said Barak. "To do Gilad Shalit and then to accept the Shamgar Commission (a committee that submitted guidelines on prisoner exchange negotiations). In the end he was convinced that he had to release Shalit and wasn't convinced to do the rest of what I asked, and that's how he found himself when the three teenagers were kidnapped. There was something embarrassingly petty about him."
It was revealed on Sunday that Barak had referred to Netanyahu as a person who is "weak and doesn't want to take difficult steps unless you force him." In another recording, Barak said that Netanyahu was "shrouded in a kind of deep pessimism."
Head of the legal unit at the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society Jawad Boulus said on Sunday the Palestinian prisoners of Wafaa al-Ahrar swap deal of those who were rearrested are studying the idea of waging protest steps including hunger strike.
Boulus who visited the detainees in Gilboa prison quoted captive Nasser Abed Rabbu as saying the rearrested detainees are Adnan Maragha, Jamal Abu Saleh, Ala Albazyan, Aref Al-Fakhouri, Samer Al-Issawi and himself.
He revealed that the captives are studying the option of waging protest moves including open hunger strike, calling for activating prisoners’ issue at the legal, political and popular levels.
Boulus also met with the representative of Palestinian prisoners, Dhergham al-Araj, who confirmed that the captives at Gliboa jail suffer many problems and violations. He pointed out that he discussed prisoners’ complaints with prison administration in a previous session and that he will follow up in this regard.
In the same context, Boulus was able to visit Samer Al-Issawi who ended his hunger strike in solidarity with prisoner Mohammad Allan on Thursday.
Boulus who visited the detainees in Gilboa prison quoted captive Nasser Abed Rabbu as saying the rearrested detainees are Adnan Maragha, Jamal Abu Saleh, Ala Albazyan, Aref Al-Fakhouri, Samer Al-Issawi and himself.
He revealed that the captives are studying the option of waging protest moves including open hunger strike, calling for activating prisoners’ issue at the legal, political and popular levels.
Boulus also met with the representative of Palestinian prisoners, Dhergham al-Araj, who confirmed that the captives at Gliboa jail suffer many problems and violations. He pointed out that he discussed prisoners’ complaints with prison administration in a previous session and that he will follow up in this regard.
In the same context, Boulus was able to visit Samer Al-Issawi who ended his hunger strike in solidarity with prisoner Mohammad Allan on Thursday.
17 aug 2015
Malachi Rosenfeld
Indictments filed against terrorists behind murders of Rosenfeld, Danny Gonen; leader of terror cell, released in Shalit deal, used PA monthly stipend to train and arm cell members.
The Military Advocate General filed indictments on Monday against the terrorists involved in the murders of Israelis Danny Gonen and Malachi Rosenfeld a month ago in the Binyamin area of the West Bank.
The Shin Bet investigation into Rosenfeld's murder found that the Palestinian Authority, which arrested two members of the terror cell and maintains security cooperation with the IDF, actually inadvertently funded the attack. Ahmad Najar, the head of the terror cell that murdered Rosenfeld, was imprisoned in Israeli jail for the murder of six Israelis in 2004. After his release as part of the Shalit deal, he received a monthly stipend from the Palestinian Authority, which he used to train and arm his terror cell.
Indictments filed against terrorists behind murders of Rosenfeld, Danny Gonen; leader of terror cell, released in Shalit deal, used PA monthly stipend to train and arm cell members.
The Military Advocate General filed indictments on Monday against the terrorists involved in the murders of Israelis Danny Gonen and Malachi Rosenfeld a month ago in the Binyamin area of the West Bank.
The Shin Bet investigation into Rosenfeld's murder found that the Palestinian Authority, which arrested two members of the terror cell and maintains security cooperation with the IDF, actually inadvertently funded the attack. Ahmad Najar, the head of the terror cell that murdered Rosenfeld, was imprisoned in Israeli jail for the murder of six Israelis in 2004. After his release as part of the Shalit deal, he received a monthly stipend from the Palestinian Authority, which he used to train and arm his terror cell.
Danny Gonen
After his release, Najar moved to Jordan. For the attack, he recruited his brother Amjad, who withdrew the money the PA deposited for Ahmad in a bank account in the West Bank.
On June 29, the terror cell's members shot Rosenfeld to death and wounded his three friends near the settlement Shvut Rachel. Before that, they made sure the road was clear and that it was safe for them to commit the murder.
Even before murdering Rosenfeld, they attempted to commit another attack but ran into a police roadblock, they also opened fire at a Magen David Adom ambulance near Beit El, in an incident that ended without injuries. Two of the cell members, Mu'ad Hamed and Ahmad Shibrawi, have been arrested and are held by the Palestinian Authority because of their involvement in the attack.
Terrorist committed murder without cell member
After his release, Najar moved to Jordan. For the attack, he recruited his brother Amjad, who withdrew the money the PA deposited for Ahmad in a bank account in the West Bank.
On June 29, the terror cell's members shot Rosenfeld to death and wounded his three friends near the settlement Shvut Rachel. Before that, they made sure the road was clear and that it was safe for them to commit the murder.
Even before murdering Rosenfeld, they attempted to commit another attack but ran into a police roadblock, they also opened fire at a Magen David Adom ambulance near Beit El, in an incident that ended without injuries. Two of the cell members, Mu'ad Hamed and Ahmad Shibrawi, have been arrested and are held by the Palestinian Authority because of their involvement in the attack.
Terrorist committed murder without cell member
Muhammed Abu Shaheen from Qalandiya was indicted for shooting Danny Gonen to death near the settlement Dolev and wounding his friend Netanel Hadad. According to the indictment, he was a part of a cell with three other people who planned the attack for several weeks, scouted the area for weeks, and waited for the right time to act.
The indictment reveals that the members of the cell arrived to the Bubin stream, where the murder took place, several times in the month prior to the attack with an FN semi-automatic 9mm handgun, and followed the comings and goings of those who came to bathe in the stream, using binoculars.
In one instance, they came near a group of armed soldiers who came to bathe in the stream in civilian clothes, but decided not to shoot at them because they were outnumbered. In another instance, the cell members stopped a vehicle and intended to kill its passengers, but stopped when they realized they were Arabic speakers.
The indictment reveals that the members of the cell arrived to the Bubin stream, where the murder took place, several times in the month prior to the attack with an FN semi-automatic 9mm handgun, and followed the comings and goings of those who came to bathe in the stream, using binoculars.
In one instance, they came near a group of armed soldiers who came to bathe in the stream in civilian clothes, but decided not to shoot at them because they were outnumbered. In another instance, the cell members stopped a vehicle and intended to kill its passengers, but stopped when they realized they were Arabic speakers.
On June 19, Friday afternoon, Abu Shaheen headed to the stream without the other cell members and scouted the area for an hour until Gonen and Hadad arrived. When they got closer to him on the dirt road near the stream, he cocked his weapon and hid it, according to the indictment. He indicated to Gonen, the driver, that he wanted them to stop and asked him if he knew whether there was water in the stream. Gonen responded in Hebrew, and drove on.
Then, according to the indictment, Abu Shaheen called out "listen!" in Arabic and Gonen stopped again. Abu Shaheen walked towards the car and fired two bullets from half a meter away at Gonen's upper body. According to the indictment, Abu Shaheen then moved to the front of the car and fired eight additional bullets that wounded Hadad. He then escaped in his car to Qalandiya, met with his terror cell friends, and told them he had murdered a Jew. According to the indictment, the other members of the cell were angry that he did so without their knowledge.
The charges against the cell members also include several cases of shooting at soldiers in Qalandiya and planning to kidnap an Israel.
Then, according to the indictment, Abu Shaheen called out "listen!" in Arabic and Gonen stopped again. Abu Shaheen walked towards the car and fired two bullets from half a meter away at Gonen's upper body. According to the indictment, Abu Shaheen then moved to the front of the car and fired eight additional bullets that wounded Hadad. He then escaped in his car to Qalandiya, met with his terror cell friends, and told them he had murdered a Jew. According to the indictment, the other members of the cell were angry that he did so without their knowledge.
The charges against the cell members also include several cases of shooting at soldiers in Qalandiya and planning to kidnap an Israel.
Palestinian prisoner and long-term hunger striker Samer al-Issawi launched on Sunday a hunger strike in solidarity with imprisoned Palestinian lawyer Muhammad Allan, demanding his immediate release from administrative detention.
Al-Issawi’s family said their son Samer, detained in the Israeli occupation jail of Jalbou, initiated a hunger strike in solidarity with inmate Allan, who has been on hunger strike for over two months demanding his freedom.
Allan is currently comatose and facing a medical crisis in Barzilai Hospital, where he is held in critical health condition.
Al-Issawi was released in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal; In 2013 he initiated one of the longest strikes in prisoners’ history, refusing food for 266 days, until he achieved his release after 17 months of detention.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society said that Mohammad al-Aqraa, locked up in Ella prison, has also started a hunger strike in solidarity with prisoner Allan.
Al-Issawi’s family said their son Samer, detained in the Israeli occupation jail of Jalbou, initiated a hunger strike in solidarity with inmate Allan, who has been on hunger strike for over two months demanding his freedom.
Allan is currently comatose and facing a medical crisis in Barzilai Hospital, where he is held in critical health condition.
Al-Issawi was released in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal; In 2013 he initiated one of the longest strikes in prisoners’ history, refusing food for 266 days, until he achieved his release after 17 months of detention.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society said that Mohammad al-Aqraa, locked up in Ella prison, has also started a hunger strike in solidarity with prisoner Allan.
Relatives, activists demonstrating for release of Avraham Mangisto, who crossed the border and disappeared in Gaza almost a year ago.
Relatives of Avraham Mangisto, who has been held in the Gaza Strip since last September, on Monday morning arrived at Hadarim Detention Center in central Israel to protest his confinement in the Gaza Strip.
The relatives were joined by social activists holding signs with slogans such as: "Free Avra Now" and "Avra's mother wants to visit him, too". The protest occurred while Palestinians visited relatives inside the prison. Police allowed only 25 protesters to arrive, and these handed out Arab-language pamphlets to relatives of prisoners.
"We have come here today to send a message: Holding a helpless, mentally ill man is an unprecedented crime, and we want to release him immediately and give him the medical treatment he requires," said Ilan Mangisto, Avraham's brother.
The decision to address families of prisoners was made, he said, because "it's one of the ways to deliver the message – because there are prisoners here, some with blood on their hands, who receive all the humanitarian aid – be it medical treatment or meals – and all of this at whose expense? The taxpayers' expense. Which I pay and you pay and all Israeli citizens pay – it doesn't make any sense." He said he hoped to thwart the transfer of humanitarian aid to Hamas, "because Hamas is a terrorist organization".
The 29-year-old Mangisto, who is an Ethiopian Israeli, crossed the border into Gaza in September 2014, but the news was only cleared for publication last month. At that time, it was also revealed that a Bedouin youth was also in Gaza.
Up to now now, the Mangisto family abided by the government's request that it keep a low profile, and even asked social activists from the Ethiopian community, who were determined to launch a campaign for Mangisto's release, to hold off on such efforts.
Now, however, they are breaking their silence and calling on Israelis to join their protest.
Sources in contact with the family said that "this is a different protest than the Gilad Shalit case, because this is a humanitarian case rather than a military one. The family is aware of the difference, and aware of the existing difficulties. On the other hand, they want to see their son return home. We want to put pressure on Hamas using the families of the prisoners."
Relatives of Avraham Mangisto, who has been held in the Gaza Strip since last September, on Monday morning arrived at Hadarim Detention Center in central Israel to protest his confinement in the Gaza Strip.
The relatives were joined by social activists holding signs with slogans such as: "Free Avra Now" and "Avra's mother wants to visit him, too". The protest occurred while Palestinians visited relatives inside the prison. Police allowed only 25 protesters to arrive, and these handed out Arab-language pamphlets to relatives of prisoners.
"We have come here today to send a message: Holding a helpless, mentally ill man is an unprecedented crime, and we want to release him immediately and give him the medical treatment he requires," said Ilan Mangisto, Avraham's brother.
The decision to address families of prisoners was made, he said, because "it's one of the ways to deliver the message – because there are prisoners here, some with blood on their hands, who receive all the humanitarian aid – be it medical treatment or meals – and all of this at whose expense? The taxpayers' expense. Which I pay and you pay and all Israeli citizens pay – it doesn't make any sense." He said he hoped to thwart the transfer of humanitarian aid to Hamas, "because Hamas is a terrorist organization".
The 29-year-old Mangisto, who is an Ethiopian Israeli, crossed the border into Gaza in September 2014, but the news was only cleared for publication last month. At that time, it was also revealed that a Bedouin youth was also in Gaza.
Up to now now, the Mangisto family abided by the government's request that it keep a low profile, and even asked social activists from the Ethiopian community, who were determined to launch a campaign for Mangisto's release, to hold off on such efforts.
Now, however, they are breaking their silence and calling on Israelis to join their protest.
Sources in contact with the family said that "this is a different protest than the Gilad Shalit case, because this is a humanitarian case rather than a military one. The family is aware of the difference, and aware of the existing difficulties. On the other hand, they want to see their son return home. We want to put pressure on Hamas using the families of the prisoners."
16 aug 2015
Not mentally ill Ethiopian Israeli soldier was captured in August 2014, not September according to Moussa Abu Marzouk, and Israel knows it
Family of Israeli held in Gaza since September 2014 to protest outside Hadarim Detention Center when families of Palestinian security prisoners come to visit.
After maintaining a low profile for almost a year to allow secret negotiations with Hamas for their son to continue, Avraham Mangisto's family decided to stage their first public protest on Monday.
The family will hold a demonstration outside the Hadarim Detention Center during visitations hours, when families of Palestinian security prisoners arrive to visit them. The Mangisto family is being accompanied by Kibbutz Movement official Yoel Marshak, who led the campaign for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Until now, the Mangisto family respected the government's request that they stay quiet, and even asked social activists from the Ethiopian community, who were determined to launched a campaign for Mangisto's release, to hold off on such efforts.
Now, however, they are breaking their silence and calling on Israelis to join their protest. Sources in contact with the family said that "this is a different protest than the Gilad Shalit case, because this is a humanitarian case rather than a military one.
The family is aware of the difference, and aware of the existing difficulties. On the other hand, they want to see their son return home. We want to put pressure on Hamas using the families of the prisoners."
After ten months, it was cleared for publication last month that the 29-year-old Mangisto from Ashkelon was being held in the Gaza Strip since September 8, 2014, after crossing the border fence from Israel into Gaza.
After the story broke out, Channel 10 aired audio of conversations the family had with Lior Lotan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's representative, in which he warns them: "Whoever connects Avra with the story between the Ethiopian community and the State of Israel will leave him in Gaza for another year," said Lotan referencing recent protests led by Ethiopian-Israelis against racism.
Lotan also warned the family against documenting the meeting saying, "This is unacceptable. Meetings with me don't get documented." Mangisto's brother can be heard in the recording trying to interject, but Lotan stopped him, saying, "Don't get into these things with me please, I'm an older man than you. Decide what you want - to work together or make a scene and manipulate us." After the recordings were released, both Lotan and Netanyahu arrived at the family home in Ashkelon to apologize.
A security official said last month that Hamas would want something in return even for information on Mangisto, as well as another Israeli held in Gaza whose name is under gag order.
Family of Israeli held in Gaza since September 2014 to protest outside Hadarim Detention Center when families of Palestinian security prisoners come to visit.
After maintaining a low profile for almost a year to allow secret negotiations with Hamas for their son to continue, Avraham Mangisto's family decided to stage their first public protest on Monday.
The family will hold a demonstration outside the Hadarim Detention Center during visitations hours, when families of Palestinian security prisoners arrive to visit them. The Mangisto family is being accompanied by Kibbutz Movement official Yoel Marshak, who led the campaign for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Until now, the Mangisto family respected the government's request that they stay quiet, and even asked social activists from the Ethiopian community, who were determined to launched a campaign for Mangisto's release, to hold off on such efforts.
Now, however, they are breaking their silence and calling on Israelis to join their protest. Sources in contact with the family said that "this is a different protest than the Gilad Shalit case, because this is a humanitarian case rather than a military one.
The family is aware of the difference, and aware of the existing difficulties. On the other hand, they want to see their son return home. We want to put pressure on Hamas using the families of the prisoners."
After ten months, it was cleared for publication last month that the 29-year-old Mangisto from Ashkelon was being held in the Gaza Strip since September 8, 2014, after crossing the border fence from Israel into Gaza.
After the story broke out, Channel 10 aired audio of conversations the family had with Lior Lotan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's representative, in which he warns them: "Whoever connects Avra with the story between the Ethiopian community and the State of Israel will leave him in Gaza for another year," said Lotan referencing recent protests led by Ethiopian-Israelis against racism.
Lotan also warned the family against documenting the meeting saying, "This is unacceptable. Meetings with me don't get documented." Mangisto's brother can be heard in the recording trying to interject, but Lotan stopped him, saying, "Don't get into these things with me please, I'm an older man than you. Decide what you want - to work together or make a scene and manipulate us." After the recordings were released, both Lotan and Netanyahu arrived at the family home in Ashkelon to apologize.
A security official said last month that Hamas would want something in return even for information on Mangisto, as well as another Israeli held in Gaza whose name is under gag order.
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