Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman
Israeli security officials has opposed a decision by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to halt fuel shipments to the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to Israeli daily Haaretz on Sunday.
On Friday, Lieberman ordered a halt to fuel shipments to the Palestinian territory following protests on Gaza border, in which seven Palestinians were martyred and scores injured.
But Lieberman’s decision was opposed by security officials, who believe that it is impossible to pressure Hamas – which rules Gaza – and completely halt all shipments without worsening the humanitarian situation in the strip, Haaretz said.
Last week, Haaretz reported that a deal had been struck with Qatar by which the latter would finance fuel procurements for Gaza.
Since 2007, when Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from rival Palestinian faction Hamas, the coastal enclave has groaned under an Israeli blockade that has deprived its two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.
Since March, more than 200 Palestinians have been martyred and thousands more injured in anti-occupation protests along Gaza border.
Protesters demand an end to Israel’s 12-year blockade on Gaza and the “right of return” to their homes and villages in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.
Two Palestinians were injured on Sunday when an Israeli settler ran over them with her vehicle in the occupied West Bank, according to local residents.The two were run over by the settler near the Karnei Shomron settlement east of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, the residents said.It remains unclear whether the attack was intentional.There was no comment from Israeli or Palestinian authorities on the attack.On Friday, a Palestinian woman was martyred when the vehicle she was traveling in was pelted with stones by Jewish settlers as it was passing through the city of Nablus.According to Palestinian figures, more than 700,000 Jewish settlers now live in 196 settlements (built with the Israeli government’s approval) and more than 200 settler outposts (built without its approval) across the occupied West Bank.International law views the West Bank and East Jerusalem as “occupied territories” and considers all Jewish settlement-building activity there as illegal.Protests won’t stop until Gaza siege lifted: HaniyehIsrael arrests parents of suspected Palestinian shooter
Two Palestinians injured in Israeli settler run-over
Palestinian farmers on Sunday accused Israeli settlers of destroying their olive groves near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.“Settlers from the Havad Gilad settlement chopped down around 50 olive trees,” Mohamed Osaida, a farmer, told Anadolu Agency.“They looted my land; I have nothing left,” he said, going on to accuse settlers of attempting to seize control of his farmland in the area.“They are stealing our fruits and cutting down our trees,” he said.According to Palestinian figures, more than 700,000 Jewish settlers now live in 196 settlements (built with the Israeli government’s approval) and more than 200 settler outposts (built without its approval) across the occupied West Bank.Palestinian residents complain of repeated attacks by settlers, who usually enjoy the protection of Israeli military personnel.Palestinian officials accuse the Israeli army and police of turning a blind eye to the settler assaults.Protests won’t stop until Gaza siege lifted: HaniyehIsrael arrests parents of suspected Palestinian shooterGaza Health Ministry warns of Israel's 'lethal' attacks
Israeli settlers destroy olive groves near Nablus