11 jan 2017

The Hamas Movement has categorically denied there are Arab mediation efforts to broker a new prisoner swap deal between the Palestinians in Gaza and Israel.
“There is no mediation over the captive soldiers being held by al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas),” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem told Quds Press.
Qasem reiterated his Movement’s call for releasing all detainees who were freed during the 2011 swap deal but rejailed later as a precondition before negotiating a new one.
Hebrew media outlets claimed that Qatar had tried to mediate a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel, but its attempt failed after the Israeli government refused to release rejailed Palestinians and demanded their banishment to Gaza or Qatar.
“There is no mediation over the captive soldiers being held by al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas),” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem told Quds Press.
Qasem reiterated his Movement’s call for releasing all detainees who were freed during the 2011 swap deal but rejailed later as a precondition before negotiating a new one.
Hebrew media outlets claimed that Qatar had tried to mediate a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel, but its attempt failed after the Israeli government refused to release rejailed Palestinians and demanded their banishment to Gaza or Qatar.

Hamas source claims the terror group made the commencement of talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and subsequently arrested once again; Israel agreed while insisting they be expelled to Gaza or Qatar—a demand Hamas reportedly rejected.
The Arab-Israeli newspaper Kul al-Arab has reported that Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas in a potential prisoner exchange deal that would secure the release of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin and Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, who were both killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014.
The deal may also involve the return of Avraham 'Abera' Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli reportedly held hostage by Hamas after he was seen crossing the border into Gaza out of his own volition in 2014.
According to the report, Hamas made the talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and who were subsequently arrested at various stages following its implementation.
The report suggests that Israel agreed to the demand on the condition that the released prisoners are expelled to the Gaza Strip or Qatar. This suggestion however, was apparently rejected by Hamas.
An official close to Hamas told Ynet that Qatar’s ambassador to the so-called Palestinian territories Mohammad al-Amadi—who is responsible for rehabilitation projects in Gaza, often visits pays visits there and occasionally meets with Israeli officials—is involved in the negotiations.
The Mengistu family said however, that they were unaware of any such talks. “The family is not updated on the issue. Until we see Abera, the publications do not console us,” they said.
Oron Shaul’s mother, Zahava also said that she had not been informed of the negotiations and called on the prime minister “to act to bring back my son Oron from the war. Don’t leave my son with Hamas.”
The report comes just days after the family of Hadar Goldin issued a scathing statement over what they described as the government’s failure to engage in any serious negotiations to secure the release of their son’s body, or that of Oron Shaul.
“Unfortunately, the prime minister waved a white flag at Hamas and gave up on bringing Hadar and Oron home. The Israeli government is demonstrating terrible weakness to Hamas,” the statement said.
While the two sit in Hamas captivity, the family said, “Netanyahu releases bodies of terrorists, while Hamas prisoners receive deluxe conditions and the government pays the salaries of Hamas terrorists.”
The Arab-Israeli newspaper Kul al-Arab has reported that Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas in a potential prisoner exchange deal that would secure the release of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin and Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, who were both killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014.
The deal may also involve the return of Avraham 'Abera' Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli reportedly held hostage by Hamas after he was seen crossing the border into Gaza out of his own volition in 2014.
According to the report, Hamas made the talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and who were subsequently arrested at various stages following its implementation.
The report suggests that Israel agreed to the demand on the condition that the released prisoners are expelled to the Gaza Strip or Qatar. This suggestion however, was apparently rejected by Hamas.
An official close to Hamas told Ynet that Qatar’s ambassador to the so-called Palestinian territories Mohammad al-Amadi—who is responsible for rehabilitation projects in Gaza, often visits pays visits there and occasionally meets with Israeli officials—is involved in the negotiations.
The Mengistu family said however, that they were unaware of any such talks. “The family is not updated on the issue. Until we see Abera, the publications do not console us,” they said.
Oron Shaul’s mother, Zahava also said that she had not been informed of the negotiations and called on the prime minister “to act to bring back my son Oron from the war. Don’t leave my son with Hamas.”
The report comes just days after the family of Hadar Goldin issued a scathing statement over what they described as the government’s failure to engage in any serious negotiations to secure the release of their son’s body, or that of Oron Shaul.
“Unfortunately, the prime minister waved a white flag at Hamas and gave up on bringing Hadar and Oron home. The Israeli government is demonstrating terrible weakness to Hamas,” the statement said.
While the two sit in Hamas captivity, the family said, “Netanyahu releases bodies of terrorists, while Hamas prisoners receive deluxe conditions and the government pays the salaries of Hamas terrorists.”

The longest-serving Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi, 59, has been transferred from Raymond prison to Gilboa prison, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) revealed.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has recently transferred Barghouthi for more than four times between Israeli prisons.
Barghouthi is the longest-held Palestinian political prisoner as he has been imprisoned for 36 years in Israeli jails.
Along with over 1,000 fellow prisoners, he was released in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal.
While he got married after his release and returned to his normal life, in 2014, he was re-arrested along with other former prisoners in a series of arrests in flagrant violation of the prisoners exchange deal.
He was then sentenced to 30 months which he had finished on December 17, 2016.
However, Israeli authorities kept him jailed pending the response of the military objection committee to the attorney general’s appeal calling for applying the same old verdict against him for a life sentence and 18 additional years.
Last week, Israeli military court of Ofer refused to release Barghouthi pending the issuance of the appeals committee’s decision.
The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) has recently transferred Barghouthi for more than four times between Israeli prisons.
Barghouthi is the longest-held Palestinian political prisoner as he has been imprisoned for 36 years in Israeli jails.
Along with over 1,000 fellow prisoners, he was released in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal.
While he got married after his release and returned to his normal life, in 2014, he was re-arrested along with other former prisoners in a series of arrests in flagrant violation of the prisoners exchange deal.
He was then sentenced to 30 months which he had finished on December 17, 2016.
However, Israeli authorities kept him jailed pending the response of the military objection committee to the attorney general’s appeal calling for applying the same old verdict against him for a life sentence and 18 additional years.
Last week, Israeli military court of Ofer refused to release Barghouthi pending the issuance of the appeals committee’s decision.
5 jan 2017

Israeli military court of Ofer refused to release the Palestinian captive Nael Barghouthi pending the issuance of the appeals committee’s decision.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society revealed on Wednesday that the court’s judge issued the order based on fears of the escape of detainee Barghouthi who is likely to be sentenced with the same previous verdict for a life sentence and 18 additional years.
The Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi was released among other detainees in Wafaa al-Ahrar swap deal. He was rearrested in July, 2014 and sentenced to 30 months which he had finished on December 17, 2016. However, Israeli authorities kept him jailed pending the response of the military objection committee to the attorney general’s appeal calling for applying the same old sentence against him.
Detainee Barghouthi, 59, from Koper town in Ramallah, served the longest imprisonment period in Israeli jails which was estimated at 36 years with 34 years being spent continuously.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society revealed on Wednesday that the court’s judge issued the order based on fears of the escape of detainee Barghouthi who is likely to be sentenced with the same previous verdict for a life sentence and 18 additional years.
The Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi was released among other detainees in Wafaa al-Ahrar swap deal. He was rearrested in July, 2014 and sentenced to 30 months which he had finished on December 17, 2016. However, Israeli authorities kept him jailed pending the response of the military objection committee to the attorney general’s appeal calling for applying the same old sentence against him.
Detainee Barghouthi, 59, from Koper town in Ramallah, served the longest imprisonment period in Israeli jails which was estimated at 36 years with 34 years being spent continuously.
3 jan 2017

Israeli Special Forces assigned for quelling prisoners stormed overnight section 1 in Nafha prison and assaulted Palestinian prisoners, causing injuries among prisoners and damages to their personal belongings, Palestinian Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs revealed Monday.
Head of the committee Issa Qaraqe affirmed that three Palestinian prisoners were injured as Israeli special forces attacked prisoners, “beating them violently and firing tear gas inside their wards.”
He added that Israeli forces transferred 10 Palestinian prisoners including Mohamed al-Dahnoun, who serves as the representative for the prisoners in section 4 of Nafha, to solitary confinement after the prisoners attempted to “resist the Israeli aggression against them.”
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the prisoners information center Abdul Rahman Shadid affirmed that Israeli forces stormed section 1 where Hamas’s prisoners are held and violently searched their belongings.
The Special Forces also prevented the prisoners from going out and violently attacked them with pepper gas.
Shadid pointed out that a state of tension has prevailed throughout the prison, warming of more punitive measures against the prisoners.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’s prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
Head of the committee Issa Qaraqe affirmed that three Palestinian prisoners were injured as Israeli special forces attacked prisoners, “beating them violently and firing tear gas inside their wards.”
He added that Israeli forces transferred 10 Palestinian prisoners including Mohamed al-Dahnoun, who serves as the representative for the prisoners in section 4 of Nafha, to solitary confinement after the prisoners attempted to “resist the Israeli aggression against them.”
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the prisoners information center Abdul Rahman Shadid affirmed that Israeli forces stormed section 1 where Hamas’s prisoners are held and violently searched their belongings.
The Special Forces also prevented the prisoners from going out and violently attacked them with pepper gas.
Shadid pointed out that a state of tension has prevailed throughout the prison, warming of more punitive measures against the prisoners.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’s prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
2 jan 2017

Hamas Movement said that the Israeli government has no other option for the release of its captured soldiers but meeting the Palestinian resistance’s conditions.
Spokesman for the group Hazem Qassem described Israeli cabinet’s decision not to return the remains of Hamas’s members who were killed during anti-occupation attacks to their families as “an illegal, barbaric move which reflects the Israeli nature.”
Such measures would not succeed in breaking our people and resistance’s will, he underlined.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’s prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
Spokesman for the group Hazem Qassem described Israeli cabinet’s decision not to return the remains of Hamas’s members who were killed during anti-occupation attacks to their families as “an illegal, barbaric move which reflects the Israeli nature.”
Such measures would not succeed in breaking our people and resistance’s will, he underlined.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’s prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, during 2014 aggression on Gaza.

Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’ prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
According to Yediot Ahranot Hebrew newspaper, Israeli authorities would not return the remains of the members of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas who were killed during anti-Israel operations to their families but would instead bury them.
The announcement was made via a statement posted on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official Twitter account, saying that the decision was made following a cabinet meeting.
The decision also includes the imposition of a number of punitive measures against Hamas’ prisoners and the re-arrest of ex-prisoners released during Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal, the paper added.
The move came after Hamas released footage showing a mock birthday party for an Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian resistance in the 2014 Gaza war.
On July 20, 2014, al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for killing 14 Israeli soldiers and capturing Oron Shaul during an Israeli military incursion into the eastern border area of al-Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City.
According to Yediot Ahranot Hebrew newspaper, Israeli authorities would not return the remains of the members of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas who were killed during anti-Israel operations to their families but would instead bury them.
The announcement was made via a statement posted on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official Twitter account, saying that the decision was made following a cabinet meeting.
The decision also includes the imposition of a number of punitive measures against Hamas’ prisoners and the re-arrest of ex-prisoners released during Wafa al-Ahrar swap deal, the paper added.
The move came after Hamas released footage showing a mock birthday party for an Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian resistance in the 2014 Gaza war.
On July 20, 2014, al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for killing 14 Israeli soldiers and capturing Oron Shaul during an Israeli military incursion into the eastern border area of al-Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City.

Israeli Special Forces assigned for quelling prisoners stormed overnight section 1 in Nafha prison and carried out a violent search campaign, Prisoners Information Center revealed Monday.
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the center Abdul Rahman Shadid affirmed that Israeli forces stormed section 1 where Hamas’ prisoners are held and violently searched their belongings.
The Special Forces also prevented the prisoners from going out and violently attacked them with pepper gas.
Shadid pointed out that a state of tension has been erupted throughout the prison, warming of more punitive measures against the prisoners.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’ prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
Speaking to the PIC reporter, head of the center Abdul Rahman Shadid affirmed that Israeli forces stormed section 1 where Hamas’ prisoners are held and violently searched their belongings.
The Special Forces also prevented the prisoners from going out and violently attacked them with pepper gas.
Shadid pointed out that a state of tension has been erupted throughout the prison, warming of more punitive measures against the prisoners.
Israeli cabinet declared Sunday a series of punitive measures against Hamas’ prisoners and martyrs in a failed attempt to push for the release of Israeli soldiers captured by Qassam Brigades during 2014 aggression on Gaza.
1 jan 2017

Palestinian specialists in Israeli affairs have opined that the release of two videos on Israeli soldier Oron Shaul on Saturday by al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas has sent strong messages to the Israelis, describing it as part of the resistance’s successful management of its struggle against the occupation.
Political analyst Alaa al-Rimawi said the two videos sent the strongest signal to Israel about the possible number of soldiers in captivity and the health of Shaul, expressing belief that there would be a momentum for the issue of missing soldiers in Gaza during 2017.
For his part, Palestinian writer and political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun stated that the videos confirmed that Shaul could be alive and confined to a wheelchair.
Madhoun added that al-Qassam Brigades threw the ball in the court of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his government by telling them that the road to liberating Shaul would only be reached through taking similar steps like the ones taken to liberate Gilad Shalit.
Palestinian professor and writer Husam al-Dajani, for his part, said that the scene of a solider in a wheelchair signaled that Shaul could have been injured and not killed.
Dajani also pointed to the digits which some soldiers in one of the videos held, saying that this could denote the number of captive soldiers and bodies which al-Qassam Brigades has in Gaza.
He also said that videos reflected the resistance’s creativeness in using words and images to launch a psychological war on Israel.
Political analyst Alaa al-Rimawi said the two videos sent the strongest signal to Israel about the possible number of soldiers in captivity and the health of Shaul, expressing belief that there would be a momentum for the issue of missing soldiers in Gaza during 2017.
For his part, Palestinian writer and political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun stated that the videos confirmed that Shaul could be alive and confined to a wheelchair.
Madhoun added that al-Qassam Brigades threw the ball in the court of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his government by telling them that the road to liberating Shaul would only be reached through taking similar steps like the ones taken to liberate Gilad Shalit.
Palestinian professor and writer Husam al-Dajani, for his part, said that the scene of a solider in a wheelchair signaled that Shaul could have been injured and not killed.
Dajani also pointed to the digits which some soldiers in one of the videos held, saying that this could denote the number of captive soldiers and bodies which al-Qassam Brigades has in Gaza.
He also said that videos reflected the resistance’s creativeness in using words and images to launch a psychological war on Israel.

The family of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of "raising a white flag" and surrendering to Hamas, two years after their son has been held captive in Gaza.
Goldin’s family slammed the Israeli occupation government for returning the bodies of Palestinian anti-occupation youths who were killed while carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers.
"It seems the Prime Minister has waved a white flag in front of Hamas and has given up on returning Hadar and Oron [Shaul] home." Goldin's family said. "For a long time, the Israeli government has demonstrated a terrible weakness against Hamas."
"While Hadar and Oren are in captivity, Netanyahu releases the bodies of Palestinians, upgrades the infrastructure of Gaza, pays salaries to Hamas affiliates, and provides goods to Gaza which no government ever has made in the past,” added the family.
“All of this occurs without Israel asking for information on the whereabouts of Hadar and Oron and without having conducted negotiations for their return," the family stated.
"The statements by the Prime Minister and his ministers that claimed Israel is doing everything in its power to bring its children back have been revealed to be empty words," the statement further read.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released on Saturday two videos simulating Israeli soldier Oron Shaul celebrating his birthday and three years in captivity.
The videos seem to be intended for the Israeli government, which already announced its intention to convene a meeting for the security cabinet on Sunday to discuss the issue of missing soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
The video ends with an intertitle reading “The decision is in the government’s hand.”
Goldin’s family slammed the Israeli occupation government for returning the bodies of Palestinian anti-occupation youths who were killed while carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers.
"It seems the Prime Minister has waved a white flag in front of Hamas and has given up on returning Hadar and Oron [Shaul] home." Goldin's family said. "For a long time, the Israeli government has demonstrated a terrible weakness against Hamas."
"While Hadar and Oren are in captivity, Netanyahu releases the bodies of Palestinians, upgrades the infrastructure of Gaza, pays salaries to Hamas affiliates, and provides goods to Gaza which no government ever has made in the past,” added the family.
“All of this occurs without Israel asking for information on the whereabouts of Hadar and Oron and without having conducted negotiations for their return," the family stated.
"The statements by the Prime Minister and his ministers that claimed Israel is doing everything in its power to bring its children back have been revealed to be empty words," the statement further read.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released on Saturday two videos simulating Israeli soldier Oron Shaul celebrating his birthday and three years in captivity.
The videos seem to be intended for the Israeli government, which already announced its intention to convene a meeting for the security cabinet on Sunday to discuss the issue of missing soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
The video ends with an intertitle reading “The decision is in the government’s hand.”
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