THE Palestinian Mission in London reported yesterday that ‘In the past year Israeli government forces have further intensified their provocations and attack against Al-Aqsa mosque compound by allowing Israeli extremist settlers free reign to storm the Holy site in an attempt to change its status quo.
‘According to the Islamic Endowments in Jerusalem between January 14 and September 15 of this year alone, Israeli forces and extremists under their protection carried out a total of more than 450 attacks against this holy site and against Palestinian civilians who went there to pray.
‘They have employed live ammunition against worshippers and prohibited their entry to the holy mosque. As the Israeli government continues its belligerent occupation, oppression and apartheid policies, the Palestinian population is subjected to extra judicial execution for protesting in defence of its rights.
‘Meanwhile the International Community remains silent. The Special Report: Highlighting Extrajudicial Executions summarises some of the aggression that Palestinians have endured at the hands of Israeli forces and settlers just over the past month September 13 to October 13 2015. It summarises 18 killings in the West Bank and 11 in the Gaza strip.
‘The number of injuries is calculated at 1,100. There have been 393 raids on the West Bank, 553 detentions, 313 temporary detentions, 678 gunfire attacks, 5 home demolitions, 79 confiscations of properties and 197 settler attacks.’
• A Palestinian was killed and 27 others injured as Israeli forces opened fire at demonstrators in the Gaza Strip on Friday, medical staff reported. Ashraf al-Qidra, Gaza’s Ministry of Health spokesperson, said a 20-year-old Palestinian was killed after being shot in the head by Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza.
He was taken to the al-Awda hospital in Jabalia, where he was pronounced dead. At least 11 Palestinians were shot with live fire and 14 suffered tear gas inhalation during the demonstrations, al-Qidra added. Clashes also broke out east of the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, with Israeli forces firing tear gas at demonstrators, who set fire to tyres.
Demonstrations were reported near the Erez and Nahal Oz crossings in the northern Gaza Strip, as thousands of Palestinians marched following a call by the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups. Protests set off from different mosques following Friday prayers, calling for an escalation against Israel. Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas official, called upon all factions to take part in the ‘Intifada against Israel’. The leader of Islamic Jihad, Khalid al-Batsh, said the movement would remain ‘ready to strike the enemy’.
At least 32 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since October 1, while seven Israeli have been killed in attacks by Palestinians. Unknown assailants opened fire at Israeli military vehicles stationed near the border with Gaza on Friday, Israel’s army said.
