20 june 2018
Israeli Supreme Court refused on Wednesday to return the bodies of three Palestinians who were killed by Israeli soldiers in West Bank over the past few months.
The court ruled that the State of Israel must submit all classified and intelligence documents relating to the Israeli government's decision to transfer the bodies of three slain Palestinians for burial.
The ruling came after the Goldin family, whose son Hadar was captured by Hamas Movement's armed wing during 2014's aggression on Gaza, requested the court intervene so that the government decision not to return the bodies be implemented.
The Goldins also requested that the dead Palestinians’ bodies only be released on condition that their funerals do not turn into mass events and media festivals.
The bodies in question are those of Muhammad Anbar, from Tulkarem, Mohamed Marshud, from Nablus, and Rami Sabrana from al-Khalil.
The court ruled that the State of Israel must submit all classified and intelligence documents relating to the Israeli government's decision to transfer the bodies of three slain Palestinians for burial.
The ruling came after the Goldin family, whose son Hadar was captured by Hamas Movement's armed wing during 2014's aggression on Gaza, requested the court intervene so that the government decision not to return the bodies be implemented.
The Goldins also requested that the dead Palestinians’ bodies only be released on condition that their funerals do not turn into mass events and media festivals.
The bodies in question are those of Muhammad Anbar, from Tulkarem, Mohamed Marshud, from Nablus, and Rami Sabrana from al-Khalil.
1 june 2018
Aziz Owaisat
Following a petition at the Israeli high court, the Israeli government said it would notify relatives of an army soldier who is held by Hamas 72 hours ahead of returning any Palestinian bodies in order to receive their objection.
According to the court verdict, the government will inform the family of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli captive being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, before it returns the bodies of Palestinians to their families for burial, the state attorney’s office said Thursday.
The development came after the family of soldier Hadar Goldin petitioned the high court of justice Tuesday to prevent the authorities from giving up the body of Hamas-affiliated prisoner Aziz Owaisat for burial.
During the summer 2014 Gaza war, Hamas captured two Israeli soldiers, Goldin and Oron Shaul, who are claimed by Israel to have been killed in action.
Their families have accused the government of not doing enough to bring their loved ones home.
Following a petition at the Israeli high court, the Israeli government said it would notify relatives of an army soldier who is held by Hamas 72 hours ahead of returning any Palestinian bodies in order to receive their objection.
According to the court verdict, the government will inform the family of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli captive being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, before it returns the bodies of Palestinians to their families for burial, the state attorney’s office said Thursday.
The development came after the family of soldier Hadar Goldin petitioned the high court of justice Tuesday to prevent the authorities from giving up the body of Hamas-affiliated prisoner Aziz Owaisat for burial.
During the summer 2014 Gaza war, Hamas captured two Israeli soldiers, Goldin and Oron Shaul, who are claimed by Israel to have been killed in action.
Their families have accused the government of not doing enough to bring their loved ones home.
29 may 2018
Israeli Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan has decided against transferring the corpse of a Palestinian detainee, who was died from complications after Israeli soldiers assaulted him in prison, back to his family for burial.
The detainee Aziz ‘Oweisat, 53, died a week ago while receiving treatment at an Israeli medical center; he suffered serious complications after he was assaulted by several Israeli soldiers in the prison, who claimed he attacked an officer with a sharp object.
Aziz suffered brain hemorrhage and a heart attack after the soldiers continuously assaulted him in Eshil Israeli prison, on May 2, 2018, and went into a coma before he was moved to Ramla Israeli Medical Center.
Later, the detainee was moved to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center due to the seriousness of his condition, but he suffered further deterioration, and was transferred to Tal HaShomer Medical Center.
On May 10th, 2018, he underwent heart surgery at Tal HaShomer Israeli Medical Center, but remained in a critical condition until he passed away.
Israeli sources said the head of the Israeli Internal Security Agency, and the Prison Authority, opposed Erdan’s decision, because it could lead to large-scale protests, especially during Ramadan.
They fear that this decision would also lead to further complications in the efforts to retrieve the corpses of Israeli soldiers who are believed to be killed, and held by Hamas in Gaza, since the Israeli offensive in 2014.
However, Erdan said this decision will not cause to clashes and tension in Jerusalem, and aims at pressuring Hamas to release the corpse of Israeli soldiers, without holding prisoner swap agreements.
The final decision remains in the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The detainee Aziz ‘Oweisat, 53, died a week ago while receiving treatment at an Israeli medical center; he suffered serious complications after he was assaulted by several Israeli soldiers in the prison, who claimed he attacked an officer with a sharp object.
Aziz suffered brain hemorrhage and a heart attack after the soldiers continuously assaulted him in Eshil Israeli prison, on May 2, 2018, and went into a coma before he was moved to Ramla Israeli Medical Center.
Later, the detainee was moved to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center due to the seriousness of his condition, but he suffered further deterioration, and was transferred to Tal HaShomer Medical Center.
On May 10th, 2018, he underwent heart surgery at Tal HaShomer Israeli Medical Center, but remained in a critical condition until he passed away.
Israeli sources said the head of the Israeli Internal Security Agency, and the Prison Authority, opposed Erdan’s decision, because it could lead to large-scale protests, especially during Ramadan.
They fear that this decision would also lead to further complications in the efforts to retrieve the corpses of Israeli soldiers who are believed to be killed, and held by Hamas in Gaza, since the Israeli offensive in 2014.
However, Erdan said this decision will not cause to clashes and tension in Jerusalem, and aims at pressuring Hamas to release the corpse of Israeli soldiers, without holding prisoner swap agreements.
The final decision remains in the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
26 may 2018
Hamas movement on Saturday denied reports about negotiations for a new prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
Member of Hamas's Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya in a brief statement denied what some Israeli media sources have reported about new prisoner swap talks between Hamas and Israel.
Al-Hayya said that such reports are aimed at deceiving the Israeli people.
Hamas refuses to start negotiations for a new prisoner swap deal before Israel releases over 50 Palestinian prisoners who were freed in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar deal and re-arrested later.
Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, two years ago published photos of four Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza and identified as Shaul Aron, Hadar Golden, Avera Mengistu and Hashim Badawi al-Sayyid, saying that no further details will be revealed for free.
Member of Hamas's Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya in a brief statement denied what some Israeli media sources have reported about new prisoner swap talks between Hamas and Israel.
Al-Hayya said that such reports are aimed at deceiving the Israeli people.
Hamas refuses to start negotiations for a new prisoner swap deal before Israel releases over 50 Palestinian prisoners who were freed in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar deal and re-arrested later.
Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, two years ago published photos of four Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza and identified as Shaul Aron, Hadar Golden, Avera Mengistu and Hashim Badawi al-Sayyid, saying that no further details will be revealed for free.
17 may 2018
Hamas Movement’s leader Yahya Sinwar said Wednesday that his group had reached an agreement with Egypt to prevent protests on the coastal enclave’s border with Israel from escalating to a fresh conflict with Israel, but warned it would not rule out the possibility of an armed clash in the future.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Sinwar said Hamas has pursued “peaceful resistance” during the weekly rallies of the Great March of Return on the Gaza border, which culminated on Monday as the US inaugurated its embassy in occupied Jerusalem.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t use armed resistance. If Israel goes overboard and spills lots of blood, we will be forced to respond accordingly,” Sinwar said.
Sinwar mentioned Hamas' political leader Ismail Haneyya's recent visit to Cairo, during which Egypt reiterated its commitment to the Palestinian struggle and right of return, according to Sinwar.
"The Egyptians have promised to open the Rafah Crossing to ease the blockade, but not as a condition to stopping the marches - contrary to what was said in some media outlets," he said.
Referring to the Great March of Return protests, Sinwar said they did not achieve all goals, but they achieved the key goal of bringing the Palestinian agenda back into the public discourse.
"The strategic situation around the Palestinian agenda today is very complex, mostly because the American administration fully adopted the Zionist stance," said Sinwar, also referring to the normalization of Israel at by several Arab nations, at the expense of Palestine.
Sinwar also called upon the Fatah and PLO leadership to allow Palestinians from the West Bank to join the demonstrations. "Let the Palestinian people commence a non-violent civil struggle against the occupation in the West Bank," he said.
On the other hand, Sinwar said that talks between his group and Israel were being held several months ago regarding a possible prisoner swap deal.
"An opportunity to turn the talks into a deal arose, but Israel withdrew because it was not willing to pay the price," Sinwar clarified.
"In the past four months there have been no talks or breakthroughs on the matter," the Hamas leader added.
Sinwar’s remarks were his first since Israel’s massacre against Gaza’s peaceful protests last Monday, which left more than 60 killed and thousands more injured.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Sinwar said Hamas has pursued “peaceful resistance” during the weekly rallies of the Great March of Return on the Gaza border, which culminated on Monday as the US inaugurated its embassy in occupied Jerusalem.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t use armed resistance. If Israel goes overboard and spills lots of blood, we will be forced to respond accordingly,” Sinwar said.
Sinwar mentioned Hamas' political leader Ismail Haneyya's recent visit to Cairo, during which Egypt reiterated its commitment to the Palestinian struggle and right of return, according to Sinwar.
"The Egyptians have promised to open the Rafah Crossing to ease the blockade, but not as a condition to stopping the marches - contrary to what was said in some media outlets," he said.
Referring to the Great March of Return protests, Sinwar said they did not achieve all goals, but they achieved the key goal of bringing the Palestinian agenda back into the public discourse.
"The strategic situation around the Palestinian agenda today is very complex, mostly because the American administration fully adopted the Zionist stance," said Sinwar, also referring to the normalization of Israel at by several Arab nations, at the expense of Palestine.
Sinwar also called upon the Fatah and PLO leadership to allow Palestinians from the West Bank to join the demonstrations. "Let the Palestinian people commence a non-violent civil struggle against the occupation in the West Bank," he said.
On the other hand, Sinwar said that talks between his group and Israel were being held several months ago regarding a possible prisoner swap deal.
"An opportunity to turn the talks into a deal arose, but Israel withdrew because it was not willing to pay the price," Sinwar clarified.
"In the past four months there have been no talks or breakthroughs on the matter," the Hamas leader added.
Sinwar’s remarks were his first since Israel’s massacre against Gaza’s peaceful protests last Monday, which left more than 60 killed and thousands more injured.
25 apr 2018
Hamas Movement on Wednesday denied Israeli reports about negotiations for a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government was doing “diplomatic and covert” efforts to retrieve Israelis held in the Gaza Strip since 2014.
This came in a statement issued by Netanyahu’s office following a meeting between the prime minister and the family of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas described Netanyahu’s statement as a “mere fabrication and lies to cover up his failure in managing this issue”.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing declared that it had captured four Israeli soldiers, without giving any further details.
Earlier Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government was doing “diplomatic and covert” efforts to retrieve Israelis held in the Gaza Strip since 2014.
This came in a statement issued by Netanyahu’s office following a meeting between the prime minister and the family of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas described Netanyahu’s statement as a “mere fabrication and lies to cover up his failure in managing this issue”.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing declared that it had captured four Israeli soldiers, without giving any further details.
22 apr 2018
As the Malaysian authorities conduct an autopsy on the body of Dr. Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh, Israel’s War Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that the government will not allow the casualty’s body to reach Gaza through Israel.
“However, if they try to transfer it through Egypt and the Rafah Border Crossing, then we won’t have any control over the matter,” said Lieberman.
“They are always blaming us for these things. With the same accuracy rate of their claims, it would be possible to also blame James Bond,” he claimed. “We don’t need to comment on every remark made by [Hamas leader Ismail] Haniyeh. We are focusing on what’s happening along our borders.”
“We don’t allow the bodies of Hamas terrorists to enter the Gaza Strip,” Lieberman said when he was asked about the possibility of Batsh being buried in the coastal enclave. “We won’t allow the transfer of the engineer’s body from Malaysia to Gaza for a burial”.
“However, if they try to transfer it through Egypt and the Rafah Border Crossing, then we won’t have any control over the matter, even though yesterday evening we conveyed our position through the acceptable channels,” he added.
Israel’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett also said he would work to prevent the return of Batsh's body to Gaza until the bodies of captive Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in Gaza are returned to Israel.
On Sunday morning, the Malaysian authorities started an autopsy on the body of Dr. Fadi al-Batsh.
Batash, 35, was an expert in alternative energy and unmanned aircraft systems. He was reportedly shot by masked gunmen at 6 a.m. (local time) while on his way to dawn prayers at a mosque.
For the past decade, Batash had been living in Malaysia, where he worked as a teacher at a private university and was active in a Malaysian charity for Palestinian welfare.
Dr. Batsh’s father has requested from the Malaysian authorities that his body be sent back to Gaza and that a probe be immediately launched into the assassination.
“However, if they try to transfer it through Egypt and the Rafah Border Crossing, then we won’t have any control over the matter,” said Lieberman.
“They are always blaming us for these things. With the same accuracy rate of their claims, it would be possible to also blame James Bond,” he claimed. “We don’t need to comment on every remark made by [Hamas leader Ismail] Haniyeh. We are focusing on what’s happening along our borders.”
“We don’t allow the bodies of Hamas terrorists to enter the Gaza Strip,” Lieberman said when he was asked about the possibility of Batsh being buried in the coastal enclave. “We won’t allow the transfer of the engineer’s body from Malaysia to Gaza for a burial”.
“However, if they try to transfer it through Egypt and the Rafah Border Crossing, then we won’t have any control over the matter, even though yesterday evening we conveyed our position through the acceptable channels,” he added.
Israel’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett also said he would work to prevent the return of Batsh's body to Gaza until the bodies of captive Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in Gaza are returned to Israel.
On Sunday morning, the Malaysian authorities started an autopsy on the body of Dr. Fadi al-Batsh.
Batash, 35, was an expert in alternative energy and unmanned aircraft systems. He was reportedly shot by masked gunmen at 6 a.m. (local time) while on his way to dawn prayers at a mosque.
For the past decade, Batash had been living in Malaysia, where he worked as a teacher at a private university and was active in a Malaysian charity for Palestinian welfare.
Dr. Batsh’s father has requested from the Malaysian authorities that his body be sent back to Gaza and that a probe be immediately launched into the assassination.
18 apr 2018
Head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya said his Movement is ready to negotiate, through a mediator, a prisoner swap deal with the Israeli side.
In televised remarks on Tuesday, Haneyya affirmed that the Palestinian resistance would work on achieving the hope of the Palestinian people and extract the freedom of prisoners in Israeli jails.
He expressed his belief that the Israeli occupation would accept a prisoner swap deal sooner or later, stressing that his Movement would tread every path in order to liberate the prisoners and end their suffering.
“We renew the oath of manhood, resistance and steadfastness to the families of prisoners, and we will remain loyal to the martyrs, prisoners, the wounded, refugees, and the return to the Palestinian national territory with Jerusalem as its eternal capital,” the Hamas official said.
As for the Palestinian unity, Haneyya reiterated his Movement’s readiness to go far to heal the rift in the Palestinian arena and form a national council able to bring all major Palestinian factions together in accordance with Beirut understandings.
In televised remarks on Tuesday, Haneyya affirmed that the Palestinian resistance would work on achieving the hope of the Palestinian people and extract the freedom of prisoners in Israeli jails.
He expressed his belief that the Israeli occupation would accept a prisoner swap deal sooner or later, stressing that his Movement would tread every path in order to liberate the prisoners and end their suffering.
“We renew the oath of manhood, resistance and steadfastness to the families of prisoners, and we will remain loyal to the martyrs, prisoners, the wounded, refugees, and the return to the Palestinian national territory with Jerusalem as its eternal capital,” the Hamas official said.
As for the Palestinian unity, Haneyya reiterated his Movement’s readiness to go far to heal the rift in the Palestinian arena and form a national council able to bring all major Palestinian factions together in accordance with Beirut understandings.
9 apr 2018
The family of Hadar Goldin launched a campaign on Sunday to bring back the bodies of soldiers held captive by Hamas—Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
The campaign will include ads on apps and websites bearing the headline: "The Israeli nation shall remember to bring back Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul."
"Israel is preparing for the 70th Independence Day's celebration, but ours is incomplete without Oron and Hadar," claimed the Goldin family.
"We and the public are here to remind the prime minister and ministers that two soldiers were sent to defend this country and are still being held in Gaza by Hamas," the family added.
The Israeli occupation authorities have accused Hamas of withholding Goldin’s body after he was allegedly killed in a shootout with the movement’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, east of Rafah, in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Hamas has not confirmed the allegation.
On July 20, 2014, the Qassam Brigades announced that they kidnapped Shaul during an attempted infiltration by the Israeli army into eastern Gaza city.
* 18 feb 2018 Israel Still Holding Corpses of 260 Palestinians In “Numbers Graveyards”, 19 In Morgues
The campaign will include ads on apps and websites bearing the headline: "The Israeli nation shall remember to bring back Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul."
"Israel is preparing for the 70th Independence Day's celebration, but ours is incomplete without Oron and Hadar," claimed the Goldin family.
"We and the public are here to remind the prime minister and ministers that two soldiers were sent to defend this country and are still being held in Gaza by Hamas," the family added.
The Israeli occupation authorities have accused Hamas of withholding Goldin’s body after he was allegedly killed in a shootout with the movement’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, east of Rafah, in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Hamas has not confirmed the allegation.
On July 20, 2014, the Qassam Brigades announced that they kidnapped Shaul during an attempted infiltration by the Israeli army into eastern Gaza city.
* 18 feb 2018 Israel Still Holding Corpses of 260 Palestinians In “Numbers Graveyards”, 19 In Morgues
2 apr 2018
'We're celebrating the holiday of freedom. This is a chance for a man to go free,' says brother Ilan. 'We came here to remind the prime minister and members of cabinet that they have forgotten about an Israeli citizen who is rotting in captivity.'
Dozens of activists for the release of Avera Mengistu, who is being held in Gaza for 1,303 days, protested outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, once again calling on the government to work to secure his release.
"We're celebrating the holiday of freedom. This is a chance for a man to go free. My brother has been in Gaza for three and a half years now, and we don't know what's going on with him," said Ilan Mengistu, Avera's brother.
The activists were wearing T-shirts that said, among other things, "Avera is still alive," and put up signs that said "Freedom for Avera," "Love your neighbor as yourself" and a big sign marking the number of days he is being held in captivity.
"We, the family, set up a protest and solidarity tent. We came here to remind the prime minister and members of cabinet that they have forgotten about an Israeli citizen who is rotting in captivity, and no efforts are being made to return him home," Ilan Mengistu said.
"We received no sign of life from him. He's a helpless man who accidentally crossed the border. The state needs to use the relevant bodies—such as human rights activists and the international community—to bring him home, and it is not doing so."
Agernash Mengistu, Avera's mother, said, "This is a holiday with a lot of crying. I miss the laughter and joy, and because Avera is not home, it's hard for me to make everyone happy and have a holiday atmosphere. I want the prime minister to bring back my son. We waited for the state to do something and give us an update, but nothing has happened. Avera is not part of the discourse. His suffering must stop."
"From the beginning, we spoke to the prime minister and we said the state must demand fairness and reciprocity," Ilan added. "It cannot be that Hamas prisoners get family visits every two weeks and get to hug their children, while we have no information about his situation."
Dozens of activists for the release of Avera Mengistu, who is being held in Gaza for 1,303 days, protested outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, once again calling on the government to work to secure his release.
"We're celebrating the holiday of freedom. This is a chance for a man to go free. My brother has been in Gaza for three and a half years now, and we don't know what's going on with him," said Ilan Mengistu, Avera's brother.
The activists were wearing T-shirts that said, among other things, "Avera is still alive," and put up signs that said "Freedom for Avera," "Love your neighbor as yourself" and a big sign marking the number of days he is being held in captivity.
"We, the family, set up a protest and solidarity tent. We came here to remind the prime minister and members of cabinet that they have forgotten about an Israeli citizen who is rotting in captivity, and no efforts are being made to return him home," Ilan Mengistu said.
"We received no sign of life from him. He's a helpless man who accidentally crossed the border. The state needs to use the relevant bodies—such as human rights activists and the international community—to bring him home, and it is not doing so."
Agernash Mengistu, Avera's mother, said, "This is a holiday with a lot of crying. I miss the laughter and joy, and because Avera is not home, it's hard for me to make everyone happy and have a holiday atmosphere. I want the prime minister to bring back my son. We waited for the state to do something and give us an update, but nothing has happened. Avera is not part of the discourse. His suffering must stop."
"From the beginning, we spoke to the prime minister and we said the state must demand fairness and reciprocity," Ilan added. "It cannot be that Hamas prisoners get family visits every two weeks and get to hug their children, while we have no information about his situation."
19 mar 2018
Human rights institutions on Monday warned of the deteriorating health condition of the Palestinian ex-prisoner Tareq Izz al-Din who is facing the risk of death at any moment.
Both Waed and Mohjat al-Quds associations staged a protest on Monday in solidarity with Izz al-Din and called on international human rights organizations to intervene to save his life.
Izz al-Din, 44, is a Palestinian ex-prisoner from Arraba town in Jenin who was released in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal and expelled to Gaza in 2011 after serving 10 years in Israeli jails.
Izz al-Din suffers from leukemia and he has been held at Abdulaziz al-Rantisi Hospital in Gaza for about a month.
The closure of Rafah crossing has deprived Izz al-Din of his right to travel abroad for treatment although he already has the necessary permit.
Director of Waed association Abdullah Qandil said in an interview with the PIC reporter that every minute matters in Izz al-Din's case, calling on the Palestinian Authority to act urgently to save him.
Mohjat al-Quds Foundation appealed in a statement to the concerned Palestinian institutions to pressure Egypt to open Rafah crossing immediately and allow the travel of Izz al-Din and other humanitarian cases.
Both Waed and Mohjat al-Quds associations staged a protest on Monday in solidarity with Izz al-Din and called on international human rights organizations to intervene to save his life.
Izz al-Din, 44, is a Palestinian ex-prisoner from Arraba town in Jenin who was released in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange deal and expelled to Gaza in 2011 after serving 10 years in Israeli jails.
Izz al-Din suffers from leukemia and he has been held at Abdulaziz al-Rantisi Hospital in Gaza for about a month.
The closure of Rafah crossing has deprived Izz al-Din of his right to travel abroad for treatment although he already has the necessary permit.
Director of Waed association Abdullah Qandil said in an interview with the PIC reporter that every minute matters in Izz al-Din's case, calling on the Palestinian Authority to act urgently to save him.
Mohjat al-Quds Foundation appealed in a statement to the concerned Palestinian institutions to pressure Egypt to open Rafah crossing immediately and allow the travel of Izz al-Din and other humanitarian cases.
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