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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened to inflict “very strong blows” on Hamas after fresh violence erupted on the Gaza Strip.
“If they do not stop the violence against us, we are very close to another type of action which would include very strong blows.” he said.
Palestine’s political scene has remained deeply polarized since mid-2007, when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after sweeping legislative elections one year earlier.
About 200 Palestinians, including 37 minors, have been martyred by Israeli forces, and 22,000 others injured since the start of mass demonstrations in March against Israeli occupation.
Protesters demand 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.
They also demand an end to Israel’s 11-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its roughly two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.
Israeli authorities on Sunday banned all fuel shipments into the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to a Palestinian security official.“Israel prevented the entry of all fuel transfers, including Qatari-funded shipments, into Gaza,” the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor 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.On Sunday, Israeli daily Haaretz said that Israeli security officials had opposed Lieberman’s decision to halt fuel shipment into the blockaded enclave.The officials, according to Haaretz, believe that it was impossible to pressure Hamas – which rules Gaza – and completely halt all shipments without worsening the humanitarian situation in the strip.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.More than 200 Palestinians have been martyred and thousands more injured by Israeli army fire in anti-occupation protests along Gaza border since late March.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.Protests won’t stop until Gaza siege lifted: HaniyehIsrael arrests parents of suspected Palestinian shooterGaza Health Ministry warns of Israel's 'lethal' attacksPalestinian man dies in Israeli jailHamas eyes truce with Israel in return for end of siege
Israel bans fuel shipments into Gaza
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