15 oct 2017
The family of the Palestinian prisoner, Rajab al-Tahan, on Sunday called on international and local human rights organizations to pressure Israel to allow Tahan to visit his son Majd who is currently going through a critical health condition.
The family explained that Majd al-Tahan, who is suffering from leukemia, has undergone a failed bone marrow transplant, adding that Majd is now in a very serious condition lying in the intensive care unit at a 1948 occupied Palestine hospital.
They pointed out that Rajab, who was re-arrested following his release in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal, is serving a life sentence in Nafha prison and is in deep grief because of his inability to see his son who may die at any moment.
Rajab al-Tahan, 49, is a resident of Ras al-Amud neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem. He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 for being a member of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement.
After serving 13 years in Israeli jails, Tahan was released in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar deal, and less than three years later, he was re-arrested along with other prisoners released in the same deal.
Tahan's family affirmed that they have requested the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to allow him to visit his son but received no response yet.
They appealed to all human rights organizations to pressure the IPS to let Tahan visit his sick son.
The family explained that Majd al-Tahan, who is suffering from leukemia, has undergone a failed bone marrow transplant, adding that Majd is now in a very serious condition lying in the intensive care unit at a 1948 occupied Palestine hospital.
They pointed out that Rajab, who was re-arrested following his release in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal, is serving a life sentence in Nafha prison and is in deep grief because of his inability to see his son who may die at any moment.
Rajab al-Tahan, 49, is a resident of Ras al-Amud neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem. He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 for being a member of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement.
After serving 13 years in Israeli jails, Tahan was released in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar deal, and less than three years later, he was re-arrested along with other prisoners released in the same deal.
Tahan's family affirmed that they have requested the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to allow him to visit his son but received no response yet.
They appealed to all human rights organizations to pressure the IPS to let Tahan visit his sick son.
13 oct 2017
The Israeli government has renewed its conditions for its acceptance of the reconciliation deal signed on Thursday between Hamas and Fatah in Cairo.
"Any reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas must meet the Quartet's conditions, [which are] accepting international agreements, recognizing Israel and disarming Hamas," a senior official from Israeli premier’s office said.
He stressed that in addition to complying with the Quartet's conditions, Israel demands the immediate release of the Israelis held by Hamas, Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the remains of killed soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin.
He added that Israel would continue to hold Hamas responsible for any attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip, but he also said that if the reconciliation agreement came to fruition and the PA returned to control the Strip, then it, too, would be held responsible.
However, he said that Israel would follow any developments on the ground and would act accordingly.
"Any reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas must meet the Quartet's conditions, [which are] accepting international agreements, recognizing Israel and disarming Hamas," a senior official from Israeli premier’s office said.
He stressed that in addition to complying with the Quartet's conditions, Israel demands the immediate release of the Israelis held by Hamas, Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the remains of killed soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin.
He added that Israel would continue to hold Hamas responsible for any attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip, but he also said that if the reconciliation agreement came to fruition and the PA returned to control the Strip, then it, too, would be held responsible.
However, he said that Israel would follow any developments on the ground and would act accordingly.
8 oct 2017
Head of the Studies Department at the Prisoners’ and Ex-Prisoners’ Committee, Abdul Nasser Farwana, urged the international community and human rights institutions to take urgent response regarding an Israeli verdict sentencing an ex-prisoner to life.
According to Farwana, the Israeli occupation authorities re-sentenced 72-year-old Youssef Abu al-Kheir to life, 34 years after he was released as part of a prisoner-swap deal struck in 1983.
Farwana condemned, in the strongest terms, the life sentence issued against Abu al-Kheir, whom he said was re-arrested on his way to Akka (Acre) city last May to visit his family following a forced-deportation period of over 30 years.
He added that Abu al-Kheir, has been diagnosed with several health disorders.
The activist warned of a pre-planned Israeli scheme to restore the sentences of Palestinian detainees released in previous prison swap deals.
According to Farwana, the Israeli occupation authorities re-sentenced 72-year-old Youssef Abu al-Kheir to life, 34 years after he was released as part of a prisoner-swap deal struck in 1983.
Farwana condemned, in the strongest terms, the life sentence issued against Abu al-Kheir, whom he said was re-arrested on his way to Akka (Acre) city last May to visit his family following a forced-deportation period of over 30 years.
He added that Abu al-Kheir, has been diagnosed with several health disorders.
The activist warned of a pre-planned Israeli scheme to restore the sentences of Palestinian detainees released in previous prison swap deals.
5 oct 2017
The son of the Palestinian prisoner Mohamed al-Tous, held for 33 years running in Israeli jails, has launched a cry for help, saying he has been feeling lonely without his father by his side.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies, al-Tous, a native of al-Khalil’s town of Jaba’a, is the longest serving Palestinian detainee in the occupied West Bank and the third in Palestine.
Life-sentenced al-Tous has been jailed since October 6, 1985 after the Israeli authorities charged him with carrying out anti-occupation operations.
He is the sole survivor of a bloody attack by the Israeli occupation forces near the Jordanian borders in 1985 against a Palestinian commando unit. At the time, al-Tous was injured and arrested.
His son Shadi said that the family has gone through hard times due to the absence of their father.
“Our situation has gone from bad to worse after my mother died of a stroke. My brothers and I have been gone orphaned ever since”
Shadi expressed hope that his father would be released in a new prisoner swap deal with the Israeli occupation.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies, al-Tous, a native of al-Khalil’s town of Jaba’a, is the longest serving Palestinian detainee in the occupied West Bank and the third in Palestine.
Life-sentenced al-Tous has been jailed since October 6, 1985 after the Israeli authorities charged him with carrying out anti-occupation operations.
He is the sole survivor of a bloody attack by the Israeli occupation forces near the Jordanian borders in 1985 against a Palestinian commando unit. At the time, al-Tous was injured and arrested.
His son Shadi said that the family has gone through hard times due to the absence of their father.
“Our situation has gone from bad to worse after my mother died of a stroke. My brothers and I have been gone orphaned ever since”
Shadi expressed hope that his father would be released in a new prisoner swap deal with the Israeli occupation.
2 oct 2017
Israeli military court of Ofer on Monday afternoon sentenced a Palestinian detainee, Ziyad Awad, to 2-life terms of imprisonment.
According to Israeli Channel Ten, prisoner Awad was convicted of killing Baruch Mizrahi, a senior Israeli police officer, in 2014.
Awad, who was released in Wafaa al-Ahrar swap deal in 2011, was also sentenced to additional 16 years to complete his previous sentence term. In addition, he was fined 250,000 shekels as compensation to the family of the killed officer.
According to Israeli Channel Ten, prisoner Awad was convicted of killing Baruch Mizrahi, a senior Israeli police officer, in 2014.
Awad, who was released in Wafaa al-Ahrar swap deal in 2011, was also sentenced to additional 16 years to complete his previous sentence term. In addition, he was fined 250,000 shekels as compensation to the family of the killed officer.
1 oct 2017
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12 sept 2017
Hamas leader, Hasan Yousuf, on Tuesday said that there will be no dialogue on a new prisoner swap deal with Israel until the latter releases all the Palestinian prisoners who were re-arrested after being released in the 2011 deal.
The Palestinian MP, who was released several days ago after serving 22 months in administrative detention in Israeli jails, affirmed in an exclusive interview with the PIC that Hamas will disclose new information about the Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza once Israel frees the 54 prisoners of the Wafa al-Ahrar deal, who were recaptured by Israel.
Yousuf stressed that the Palestinian resistance is the strongest party in this battle and that Israel is obliged to comply with the conditions it sets.
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, on 2nd April 2016 announced that they had captured four Israeli soldiers during the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza and later on and published their names and photos without giving further information.
The Brigades said that Israel will not get any new information until it complies with certain conditions.
In October 2011, more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit following indirect negotiations between the Qassam Brigades and Israel that lasted for five years under Egyptian auspices.
However, dozens of the freed prisoners living in the occupied West Bank were subsequently re-arrested.
The Palestinian MP, who was released several days ago after serving 22 months in administrative detention in Israeli jails, affirmed in an exclusive interview with the PIC that Hamas will disclose new information about the Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza once Israel frees the 54 prisoners of the Wafa al-Ahrar deal, who were recaptured by Israel.
Yousuf stressed that the Palestinian resistance is the strongest party in this battle and that Israel is obliged to comply with the conditions it sets.
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, on 2nd April 2016 announced that they had captured four Israeli soldiers during the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza and later on and published their names and photos without giving further information.
The Brigades said that Israel will not get any new information until it complies with certain conditions.
In October 2011, more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit following indirect negotiations between the Qassam Brigades and Israel that lasted for five years under Egyptian auspices.
However, dozens of the freed prisoners living in the occupied West Bank were subsequently re-arrested.
10 sept 2017
Israel’s Channel 7 has revealed that active diplomatic efforts have been launched to highlight the issue of the Israeli captives being held in Gaza and pressure for their release.
According the channel, the family of soldier Hadar Goldin along with the Israeli representative to the UN, Danny Danon, met recently with ambassadors of different countries, including Ukraine, Peru and Poland to discuss the issue of the Israeli captives.
Similar meetings with representatives of major countries at the UN Security Council also took place.
The family of Goldin brought up the subject of their son in particular, but they also asked for giving priority to the issue of all Israelis held captive in Gaza.
According the channel, the family of soldier Hadar Goldin along with the Israeli representative to the UN, Danny Danon, met recently with ambassadors of different countries, including Ukraine, Peru and Poland to discuss the issue of the Israeli captives.
Similar meetings with representatives of major countries at the UN Security Council also took place.
The family of Goldin brought up the subject of their son in particular, but they also asked for giving priority to the issue of all Israelis held captive in Gaza.
6 sept 2017
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening asked the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, to intervene to bring back the Israeli soldiers missing in Gaza.
The website of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Netanyahu's request came during his meeting with Maurer in Jerusalem, adding that he asked the ICRC president to help his government obtain some information about the soldiers.
For his part, Maurer said that the ICRC has been in the region for a long time and has always aimed to find effective ways to solve the prevailing challenges in the region.
During the 2014 aggression on Gaza, Hamas managed to capture 4 Israelis, including two soldiers. The Movement said it will not disclose any information about them until Israel releases all the Palestinians who were re-arrested after their release in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal.
On Tuesday, Maurer met with the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah as well as the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya al-Sinwar, as part of his tour in the occupied Palestinian territories to learn about the "humanitarian situation" there.
The website of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Netanyahu's request came during his meeting with Maurer in Jerusalem, adding that he asked the ICRC president to help his government obtain some information about the soldiers.
For his part, Maurer said that the ICRC has been in the region for a long time and has always aimed to find effective ways to solve the prevailing challenges in the region.
During the 2014 aggression on Gaza, Hamas managed to capture 4 Israelis, including two soldiers. The Movement said it will not disclose any information about them until Israel releases all the Palestinians who were re-arrested after their release in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal.
On Tuesday, Maurer met with the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah as well as the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya al-Sinwar, as part of his tour in the occupied Palestinian territories to learn about the "humanitarian situation" there.
29 aug 2017
Head of the Hamas Movement in Gaza Yahya Sinwar has said that several Arab and foreign parties offered mediation lately to broker a new prisoner swap deal with Israel.
Sinwar told journalists in his office on Monday that Israel must release 54 detainees who were rejailed after they were freed in the 2011 swap deal as a necessary condition before engaging in indirect talks over a new one.
He reiterated his Movement’s pledge to extract the freedom of all prisoners in honorable exchange deals, and accused Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu of selling illusions to the families of Israeli soldiers being held captive in Gaza.
In another context, the Hamas official said that his Movement is not afraid of another war with the Israeli occupation, but affirmed that it does not seek a new confrontation.
“Hamas has built up a respectful military force and will continue its preparations in order to serve the national project,” he added.
He also highlighted the relations with Egypt, saying that his Movement has channels of communication with the Egyptian side
He affirmed that his Movement’s relations with Egypt saw a major breakthrough recently, adding that the Egyptian authorities pledged to open the Rafah border crossing frequently during the coming period for the movement of individuals and goods.
Sinwar told journalists in his office on Monday that Israel must release 54 detainees who were rejailed after they were freed in the 2011 swap deal as a necessary condition before engaging in indirect talks over a new one.
He reiterated his Movement’s pledge to extract the freedom of all prisoners in honorable exchange deals, and accused Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu of selling illusions to the families of Israeli soldiers being held captive in Gaza.
In another context, the Hamas official said that his Movement is not afraid of another war with the Israeli occupation, but affirmed that it does not seek a new confrontation.
“Hamas has built up a respectful military force and will continue its preparations in order to serve the national project,” he added.
He also highlighted the relations with Egypt, saying that his Movement has channels of communication with the Egyptian side
He affirmed that his Movement’s relations with Egypt saw a major breakthrough recently, adding that the Egyptian authorities pledged to open the Rafah border crossing frequently during the coming period for the movement of individuals and goods.
1 aug 2017
The fate of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, held captive by Hamas, remains mysterious for the Israelis, Hamas’s armed wing—the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades—said Tuesday.
Al-Qassam Brigades said the fate of Hadar Goldin has gone enigmatic since the 2014 offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza.
Hamas’s armed wing added that the Israelis will not receive any piece of information as regards the fate of its captive soldiers until all the conditions set by the Palestinian resistance are met.
On day 26 of the Israeli offensive on Gaza coinciding August 1, 2014, bloody hostilities burst out between Palestinian resistance fighters and the Israeli occupation forces after the latter moved over two kilometers into eastern Rafah. Shortly after the clashes, Goldin was declared missing.
Al-Qassam Brigades said the fate of Hadar Goldin has gone enigmatic since the 2014 offensive on the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza.
Hamas’s armed wing added that the Israelis will not receive any piece of information as regards the fate of its captive soldiers until all the conditions set by the Palestinian resistance are met.
On day 26 of the Israeli offensive on Gaza coinciding August 1, 2014, bloody hostilities burst out between Palestinian resistance fighters and the Israeli occupation forces after the latter moved over two kilometers into eastern Rafah. Shortly after the clashes, Goldin was declared missing.
31 july 2017
President Reuven Rivlin appeared Sunday at a protest held in front of the official president’s residence in Occupied Jerusalem, advocating for the release of Ethiopian Israeli immigrant Abera Mengistu, who has been held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Hebrew-speaking media, Rivlin told the family and its supporters that he was in touch with the family since the day their son crept into Gaza’s borders.
“For almost three years, my brother Abera has been screaming ‘save me,’ and unfortunately his voice has not been heard. We appeal to President Reuven Rivlin to make use of his status and ties and put an end to the suffering of Abera and my family,” Abera’s brother, Ilan Mengistu, said.
Rivlin answered, “I was in contact with the Mengistu family from Day One,” after first speaking with Ilan Mengistu, Abera’s brother. The president apologized for not adding Mengistu to the conversation when he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the remains of the two Israeli occupation soldiers who are reportedly being held in Gaza by Hamas.
A meeting between the Israeli president and the family is scheduled for Monday.
According to Hebrew-speaking media, Rivlin told the family and its supporters that he was in touch with the family since the day their son crept into Gaza’s borders.
“For almost three years, my brother Abera has been screaming ‘save me,’ and unfortunately his voice has not been heard. We appeal to President Reuven Rivlin to make use of his status and ties and put an end to the suffering of Abera and my family,” Abera’s brother, Ilan Mengistu, said.
Rivlin answered, “I was in contact with the Mengistu family from Day One,” after first speaking with Ilan Mengistu, Abera’s brother. The president apologized for not adding Mengistu to the conversation when he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the remains of the two Israeli occupation soldiers who are reportedly being held in Gaza by Hamas.
A meeting between the Israeli president and the family is scheduled for Monday.
28 july 2017
Simcha Goldin, father of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body is reportedly held captive by Hamas, has expressed his criticism of Army Minister Avigdor Lieberman at a three-year memorial service for his son on Friday.
Goldin stated that before Lieberman was appointed as minister, he promised to return the bodies of Hadar and Oron Shaul within 48 hours.
Goldin added that Lieberman is sending him and his family to 50 years of nightmares, and that Lieberman should be aware that by acting against putting pressure on Hamas, he is acting against the values that are the "essence of a people's army."
Goldin also stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lieberman keep abandoning the Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli occupation army had lost contact with Goldin in Rafah, south of the blockaded Gaza Strip, since the end of the 2014 Israeli offensive on the coastal enclave.
Goldin stated that before Lieberman was appointed as minister, he promised to return the bodies of Hadar and Oron Shaul within 48 hours.
Goldin added that Lieberman is sending him and his family to 50 years of nightmares, and that Lieberman should be aware that by acting against putting pressure on Hamas, he is acting against the values that are the "essence of a people's army."
Goldin also stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lieberman keep abandoning the Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli occupation army had lost contact with Goldin in Rafah, south of the blockaded Gaza Strip, since the end of the 2014 Israeli offensive on the coastal enclave.
11 july 2017
Palestinian ex-prisoners, whose salaries were cut off by the Palestinian Authority (PA), continued on Tuesday their protest sit-in for the 24th consecutive day in Yasser Arafat Square in Ramallah City.
The protesting ex-prisoners have started the sit-in nearly three weeks ago in Yasser Arafat Square after the PA decided to cut off their monthly payments.
Palestinian MPs, national figures and local and foreign activists have been joining the sit-in on daily basis showing their total support for the protesters’ demands.
The PA recently stopped to pay salaries to 277 ex-detainees, most of them released as part of the 2011 swap deal.
The protesting ex-prisoners have started the sit-in nearly three weeks ago in Yasser Arafat Square after the PA decided to cut off their monthly payments.
Palestinian MPs, national figures and local and foreign activists have been joining the sit-in on daily basis showing their total support for the protesters’ demands.
The PA recently stopped to pay salaries to 277 ex-detainees, most of them released as part of the 2011 swap deal.
18 june 2017
The family of the Israeli soldier Avra Mengistu, who is reportedly being held by Hamas, received last night a video documenting Avra's crossing of the border fence into the Gaza Strip.
The video was given in the presence of a "Defense Ministry representative" and the head of the department of missing and captive persons in the intelligence branch, according to Hebrew-speaking outlets.
The footage, dating back to 2014, shows the moments when the captive soldier crossed the border fence from Israel into the Gaza Strip, where he is believed to have been captured by Hamas resistance group
Mengistu, a 30-year-old Israeli of Ethiopian descent, has reportedly been held in Gaza ever since. His family claimed that he suffers from a mental illness and stumbled across the border into the coastal territory by accident.
The family was first shown the video three months after Mengistu entered Gaza, on September 7, 2014, but in January this year asked the Israeli occupation forces for a copy. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot approved the measure.
The video was given in the presence of a "Defense Ministry representative" and the head of the department of missing and captive persons in the intelligence branch, according to Hebrew-speaking outlets.
The footage, dating back to 2014, shows the moments when the captive soldier crossed the border fence from Israel into the Gaza Strip, where he is believed to have been captured by Hamas resistance group
Mengistu, a 30-year-old Israeli of Ethiopian descent, has reportedly been held in Gaza ever since. His family claimed that he suffers from a mental illness and stumbled across the border into the coastal territory by accident.
The family was first shown the video three months after Mengistu entered Gaza, on September 7, 2014, but in January this year asked the Israeli occupation forces for a copy. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot approved the measure.
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