I need water. I was just caught in teargas. We were at a demonstration before the checkpoint (the one that was previously known as the Ram-checkpoint). Thousands of protesters, Palestinians (a huge number from “inside”), Israeli’s, Italians, French, Dutch, Belgians, Swiss, and other foreigners, and a lot of international media (probably because they are prevented from covering Israel’s assaults on Palestinian cities) were present. Read more about A demonstration at the checkpoint
“The children are in the bathroom, they are scared to watch”, said a woman who called me. “Their mother and their big brother have been killed and are in another room of the house. They are afraid to watch. Read more about A call from Bethlehem, these children
I just called my cousin in Ramallah. She told me that she just went out to get some groceries. As she arrived in Manara Square and Israeli soldiers saw her car, they shot in the air to scare her away and make way for an Israeli tank to pass. She told me that they believed that the curfew was lifted until five o’clock, however, according to other sources, the curfew was supposed to be lifted until six o’clock. Read more about Curfew lifted for only one hour
I haven’t slept last night. Apache helicopters hovering above our appartment, the sounds of impact of tank shells, and heavy machinegunfire. It sounded like 500mm ammunition that was keeping me from sleeping. Strange as it is, the longer I’m here, the more I become a military expert, recognizing ammuntion, types of missiles, and the countries the equipment originates from. This morning both CNN and BBC World reported that “heavy gunfire was heard” near the headquarters of Jibril Rajub in Beitunia. Read more about A sleepless night, the shelling continues
I had to return back to the office. In particular to check on unconfirmed and confusing reports from Ramallah about the situation of around thirty Palestinian policemen. I had just returned back to our appartment in Dahiya al-Barid after visiting Sheikh Jarrah with Annet. We visited the hotel where a part of the group of international solidarity activists have been, had dinner, and bought an international phonecard. Read more about At night, recalled back to the office
The last thing I did before leaving the office yesterday was writing a press release about the five Palestinians found dead in Taiboun building by Dubai bureau chief Maher Shalabi. His story was confirmed by Michael Holmes of CNN. Read more about 'Back at the office'
Reports from Hebron say that Israeli forces have entered Palestinian-controlled areas in Hebron, also known as “H1”. This area covers residential sectors as well as the commercial areas of Bab Al-Zawiya and Wadi Al-Tuffah, situated west of the Old City. Read more about Israeli forces enter Palestinian areas in Hebron
Reports from Ramallah indicate that Israeli forces have started to round up all men between the age of 16 and 40 years old. They are currently rounding up Palestinian men and teens at the square of al-Omari Mosque near El-Bireh Municipality. Read more about All men between 16 and 40 years old
At 1.30 Israeli forces surrounded and entered al-Ra’ya Hospital. Six Israeli soldiers with dogs entered the hospital and demolished the entrance to the health insurance room and tried to enter a room with injured persons to arrest them. Doctors and staff prevented them, because the staff feared infections from the dogs. After 15 minutes the Israeli soldiers left the hospital. There are now six tanks opposite the hospital. Read more about Ra'ya hospital in danger
This morning we received several reports of Israeli assaults on medical personnel and the wounded. At 11 o’clock this morning, Israeli forces stopped two ambulances near the Arab Bank in the old city of Ramallah. One ambulance belongs to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the other belongs to the Ministry of Health. The crew, including paramedics, has been arrested. At this moment, Israeli forces in Ramallah are using the ambulance to move around in the city. Additionally, a few minutes later, another ambulance, belonging to the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees has been confiscated near the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. The driver and the injured have been arrested. Read more about Assaults on medical personnel and mistreatment of the injured
