Dozens of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have struck southern Israel, today, according to the Israel army. Residents in the occupied West Bank said three rockets landed in the illegal Gush Etzion settlement near Bethlehem, as well, though no immediate reports of injury or damage have surfaced. Clashes continue across Palestine, with escalating violence by soldiers and settlers.Meanwhile, a Code Red siren was heard in the Hof Ashkelon regional council, according to Ma’an News Agency.
Nine Palestinians, six of whom were members of Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, were killed in Israeli air strikes, during the night.
Earlier today, Israeli warplanes struck the northern Gaza Strip, injuring a young boy, according to medics. Agricultural areas in northern Jabaliya were also hit. One four-year-old boy has sustained moderate injuries. Additionally, another two strikes hit agricultural lands in eastern Jabaliya, causing property damage. Nearby Beit Lahiya was hit with two airstrikes, with no injuries reported. In the al-Shujayyia neighborhood of Gaza City, another strike occurred, with no injuries reported.
In related news, Ma’an further reports that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ended his 20-month party alliance with the ruling right-wing Likud.
At a press conference, the decision was announced following a dispute between Lieberman and PM Netanyahu over the Israeli government’s handling of militant rocket fire in the Gaza Strip.
Lieberman has been pushing for a full reoccupation of the territory. His political faction will remain in government, and he has renewed his call for a major ground operation in Gaza.
The al-Nasser Saladin Brigades, Popular Resistance Committee’s armed wing, has vowed to respond to the recent killings in region: ‘The enemy should bear the consequences of its ongoing crimes and aggressions.’
Violent confrontations have been taking place, over the last few days, between Palestinian youth and the Israeli Occupation Forces all over historic Palestine, PNN reports.
Clashes have erupted in many Palestinian cities and towns accross the region, mostly between youth and Israeli police, who fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets during recent protests, during which 51 Palestinians were arrested in Nazareth and Akka.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, the total number arrests in the 1948 territories amounts to 110 individuals, half of which are minors.
Clashes have erupted in different neighborhoods and towns of Jerusalem, where Israeli police also responded to protests with tear gas, causing numerous cases of suffocation. Rubber-coated metal bullets, stun grenades and live ammunition were also used to disprse the youngsters, who were throwing stones and, occasionally, fireworks at the police, according to the PNN.
Israeli settlers attacked three Palestinians, today in Jerusalem.
One worker, Mohammad Abu- Abed, age 42, from Yatta, was injured in his head and transferred to al-Makassed Hospital, in serious condition.
Israeli forces raided Al-Quds University, in Abu dis, where they clashed with youth and students. Tear gas was agains used on the protesters, many of whom suffered from suffocation as a result.
Similar clashes erupted in Nablus, as well, at the Hawara checkpoint. In Tulkarem, violent confrontations occured at the Gashory Factory, west of the city, where soldiers fired tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition against Palestinians who threw stones at them.
Two Palestinians were transferred to the Rafedya Hospital in Nablus, with serious injuries: Samer al-Msyeai, 21, was shot in the foot with a live round and Aysar Raed Nasrallah, 17, from Tulkarem refugee camp, was shot in the pelvis, also with live ammunition.
Furthermore, in Jericho, clashes broke out at the main entrance of the city, where several Palestinians were injured with rubber bullets. In Bethlehem, hundreds of Israeli settlers raided the area of al-Ferdous, to the west of the city.
In the city’s center, violent confrontations took place near to Rachel’s Tomb, where Israeli forces also fired tear gas, stun grenades, rubber and live bullets on protesters who met them with stones, small explosive devices and fireworks.
In Hebron, the PNN furhter reports that clashes erupted in the Old City and in the entrances of Beit Ummar and Yatta. Several Palestinians were injured with rubber-coated bullets and some suffered from tear gas inhalation.
One Hamad Ehmedan Salhab, age 22, was abducted by Israeli forces, after being shot the foot.
