The Israeli army fatally shot a 15-year-old Palestinian girl during a raid in the occupied West Bank in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah, said the Palestinian health ministry on Monday. On the other hand, the Israeli military said that the soldiers had opened fire on a vehicle that was speeding toward them after they had signalled them to stop.&nbsp;

The victim later identified as Fulla Rasmi Abdelazeez Al-Masalmeh was due to turn 16 on her birthday tomorrow and was killed after “occupation soldiers fired at her during a raid”, the statement by the Palestinian health ministry added. The incident occurred in the city of Beitunia where the military said its soldiers were on an arrest raid.&nbsp;

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A report by Al Jazeera citing the news agency Wafa said that another Palestinian, 26-year-old Anas Hassouneh was injured after the shooting. The two victims were in the vehicle with Hassouneh driving and were reportedly unaware of the presence of the Israeli forces who had stationed themselves at several points.&nbsp;

In a statement about the incident, the Israeli army said that their troops said that they saw a “suspicious vehicle accelerating towards them during an operation by security forces”. It added that the troops had signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it accelerated towards them, after which they opened fire.&nbsp;

“These youths were in the car… The army was suspicious of the car, and then shot at the car,” said the head of the city’s municipality, Diaa Kurt to Al Jazeera. He added, that the Israeli army then handed over the girl’s body to Palestinian medics after which she was taken to the local hospital. Kurt&nbsp;also noted that three Palestinian men were detained from Beitunia, late Sunday.&nbsp;Furthermore, the city official said that the Israeli forces arrested the driver of the car, who surrendered, reported the Associated Press.

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The AP report citing a&nbsp;35-year-old witness,&nbsp;Bakr Armoush, said that he saw at least 20 Israeli soldiers who were searching parked cars near his building when the victims' car approached at a distance. He added, suddenly without any apparent warning, soldiers hiding behind the cars started firing after which the male driver got out with his hands over his head and the girl seemed slumped over in the passenger seat.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Palestinian Health Ministry had also initially misidentified the victim after which they corrected that error and the girl's&nbsp;mother, brother and sister later identified her at the morgue on Monday evening.&nbsp;The attack drew condemnation from the Palestinian foreign minister which called for “international measures” and force the “occupying state to stop its aggression against our people”.

Meanwhile, the UN special envoy for the&nbsp;East Peace Process took to Twitter and said that he is "appalled by the tragic killing" and called for an "an immediate and thorough investigation into her death."

The Israeli army has reportedly&nbsp;killed over&nbsp;130&nbsp;Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip&nbsp;so far, this year, which according to the United Nations, is the highest death toll&nbsp;in the last 16 years. The&nbsp;UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Human Rights' office has previously noted that the use of firearms against Palestinians “on mere suspicion or as a precautionary measure, in violation of international standards”.

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On the other hand, these intensified raids have&nbsp;prompted a series of Palestinian shooting attacks which led to the death of at least&nbsp;four&nbsp;Israelis in recent weeks. These raids, according to Israel are aimed at&nbsp;dismantling&nbsp;militant networks and&nbsp;cracking down on armed groups operating in the Palestinian territory.&nbsp; 
 
In a separate incident, the Israeli police said that one of their soldiers shot a man in the city of Raanana, north of Tel Aviv. The police said the soldier opened fire after feeling unsafe as a citizen approached in a “suspicious manner” at a bus station and they suspected was about to carry out an attack.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The Israeli army fatally shot a 15-year-old Palestinian girl during a raid in the occupied West Bank in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah, said the Palestinian health ministry on Monday.

The Israeli army fatally shot a 15-year-old Palestinian girl during a raid in the occupied West Bank in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah, said the Palestinian health ministry on Monday. On the other hand, the Israeli military said that the soldiers had opened fire on a vehicle that was speeding toward them after they had signalled them to stop. The victim later identified as Fulla Rasmi Abdelazeez Al-Masalmeh was due to turn 16 on her birthday tomorrow and was killed after “occupation soldiers fired at her during a raid”, the statement by the Palestinian health ministry added. The incident occurred in the city of Beitunia where the military said its soldiers were on an arrest raid. ALSO READ: UN adopts Palestinian resolution to seek ICJ opinion on Israel’s ‘prolonged occupation’ A report by Al Jazeera citing the news agency Wafa said that another Palestinian, 26-year-old Anas Hassouneh was injured after the shooting. The two victims were in the vehicle with Hassouneh driving and were reportedly unaware of the presence of the Israeli forces who had stationed themselves at several points. In a statement about the incident, the Israeli army said that their troops said that they saw a “suspicious vehicle accelerating towards them during an operation by security forces”. It added that the troops had signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it accelerated towards them, after which they opened fire. “These youths were in the car… The army was suspicious of the car, and then shot at the car,” said the head of the city’s municipality, Diaa Kurt to Al Jazeera. He added, that the Israeli army then handed over the girl’s body to Palestinian medics after which she was taken to the local hospital. Kurt also noted that three Palestinian men were detained from Beitunia, late Sunday. Furthermore, the city official said that the Israeli forces arrested the driver of the car, who surrendered, reported the Associated Press. ALSO WATCH: Violence escalates in Palestine; Over 180 Palestinians killed this year The AP report citing a 35-year-old witness, Bakr Armoush, said that he saw at least 20 Israeli soldiers who were searching parked cars near his building when the victims' car approached at a distance. He added, suddenly without any apparent warning, soldiers hiding behind the cars started firing after which the male driver got out with his hands over his head and the girl seemed slumped over in the passenger seat. The Palestinian Health Ministry had also initially misidentified the victim after which they corrected that error and the girl's mother, brother and sister later identified her at the morgue on Monday evening. The attack drew condemnation from the Palestinian foreign minister which called for “international measures” and force the “occupying state to stop its aggression against our people”. Meanwhile, the UN special envoy for the East Peace Process took to Twitter and said that he is "appalled by the tragic killing" and called for an "an immediate and thorough investigation into her death." The Israeli army has reportedly killed over 130 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip so far, this year, which according to the United Nations, is the highest death toll in the last 16 years. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' office has previously noted that the use of firearms against Palestinians “on mere suspicion or as a precautionary measure, in violation of international standards”. ALSO READ: Israeli man attacked by a mob with pepper spray in Palestine amid tensions over journalist's death On the other hand, these intensified raids have prompted a series of Palestinian shooting attacks which led to the death of at least four Israelis in recent weeks. These raids, according to Israel are aimed at dismantling militant networks and cracking down on armed groups operating in the Palestinian territory. In a separate incident, the Israeli police said that one of their soldiers shot a man in the city of Raanana, north of Tel Aviv. The police said the soldier opened fire after feeling unsafe as a citizen approached in a “suspicious manner” at a bus station and they suspected was about to carry out an attack. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israeli army fatally shot a Palestinian teenager during a raid in West Bank

The United Nations’ decolonisation committee, on Friday, adopted a Palestinian draft which sought the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “urgently” weigh in on Israel’s “prolonged occupation” and “annexation of the Palestinian territory”.&nbsp;

The resolution approved at the UN headquarters in New York requests the ICJ for an “advisory opinion” on what the resolution refers to as Israel’s “prolonged occupation” which it says is violating the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. In a statement, the Palestinian foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, said that 98 countries supported the resolution and 17 voted against it and 52 nations abstained from voting.&nbsp;

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While welcoming the vote, the Palestinian foreign minister also described the resolution as a “diplomatic and legal breakthrough” which he said would lead to a new era of “holding Israel accountable for its war crimes”.&nbsp;

The resolution titled “Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories,” was one of many in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict during the session, reported the local media.

Countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria, Israel, the Czech Republic, and several Pacific Island nations had voted against the resolution. While countries including, Russia, Bahrain, Egypt, Ukraine, and United Arab Emirates had voted in favour.

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In 1967, after the six-day war, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas which Palestinians want for a state. The resolution calls for the ICJ to weigh in on the conflict in accordance with international law and the UN charter.

On the other hand, Israel’s UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, said involving the ICJ would decimate “any chances of reconciliation” between the two countries. Furthermore, while addressing the UN, he also said that Palestine has “rejected every single peace initiative” and is now embroiling “an external body with the excuse that the conflict has not been resolved?”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-israel-palestine-where-is-the-conflict-heading-385830">Opinion | Israel-Palestine: Where is the conflict heading?</a>

Meanwhile,&nbsp;US deputy representative, Richard Mills, has said that an ICJ advisory would be “counterproductive”, taking the countries further away from the objective of a “negotiated two-state solution”, which they all share. Notably, the last advisory opinion that the ICJ gave on the conflict was in 2004 when it ruled that Israel’s separation barrier was illegal, the country has since disputed this.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The United Nations’ decolonisation committee, on Friday, adopted a Palestinian draft which sought the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “urgently” weigh in on Israel’s “prolonged occupation” and “annexation of the Palestinian territory”.

The United Nations’ decolonisation committee, on Friday, adopted a Palestinian draft which sought the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “urgently” weigh in on Israel’s “prolonged occupation” and “annexation of the Palestinian territory”. The resolution approved at the UN headquarters in New York requests the ICJ for an “advisory opinion” on what the resolution refers to as Israel’s “prolonged occupation” which it says is violating the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. In a statement, the Palestinian foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, said that 98 countries supported the resolution and 17 voted against it and 52 nations abstained from voting. ALSO READ: What Benjamin Netanyahu's comeback to power in Israel means for India While welcoming the vote, the Palestinian foreign minister also described the resolution as a “diplomatic and legal breakthrough” which he said would lead to a new era of “holding Israel accountable for its war crimes”. The resolution titled “Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories,” was one of many in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict during the session, reported the local media. Countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria, Israel, the Czech Republic, and several Pacific Island nations had voted against the resolution. While countries including, Russia, Bahrain, Egypt, Ukraine, and United Arab Emirates had voted in favour. ALSO WATCH: 8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar In 1967, after the six-day war, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas which Palestinians want for a state. The resolution calls for the ICJ to weigh in on the conflict in accordance with international law and the UN charter. On the other hand, Israel’s UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, said involving the ICJ would decimate “any chances of reconciliation” between the two countries. Furthermore, while addressing the UN, he also said that Palestine has “rejected every single peace initiative” and is now embroiling “an external body with the excuse that the conflict has not been resolved?” ALSO READ: Opinion | Israel-Palestine: Where is the conflict heading? Meanwhile, US deputy representative, Richard Mills, has said that an ICJ advisory would be “counterproductive”, taking the countries further away from the objective of a “negotiated two-state solution”, which they all share. Notably, the last advisory opinion that the ICJ gave on the conflict was in 2004 when it ruled that Israel’s separation barrier was illegal, the country has since disputed this. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UN adopts Palestinian resolution to seek ICJ opinion on Israel’s ‘prolonged occupation’

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid in his speech at the UN General Assembly on Thursday will express his support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The revelation drew both criticism from right-wing ministers in Lapid’s eight-party coalition, and support from some of his allies on the left.

Israeli PM Yair Lapid may back two-state solution during his UNGA address

The Suddeutsche Zeitung daily has reported that the German police was aware that one of the Palestinians who took Israeli athletes hostage&nbsp;during the 1972 Munich Olympics lived in Berlin for several years following the attack.

Citing a report in Munich police archives, the German daily said that one of the three Palestinians who was released then lived for years in Berlin.

It claims that in order to avoid any more operations by Palestinian militants on its territory, West Germany facilitated the release of the three hostage-takers.

After storming the Israeli team's flat at the Olympic village, eight gunmen of the Palestinian militant group Black September shot dead two people fifty years ago.

The new report reveals that the West German police responded with a bungled rescue operation in which all nine hostages were killed.

When gunmen hijacked a Lufthansa plane on October 29 in 1972, the three remaining hostage-takers were released in exchange for them.

Israel subsequently launched the operation "Wrath of God" to hunt down the leaders of Black September after being incensed by the chain of events.

The BKA federal police had told the Munich police that the Palestinian in question was living in West Berlin and that he went to East Berlin almost daily.

Germany sought "forgiveness" from families of the Israeli victims as it marked the 50th anniversary of the attack this September.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Suddeutsche Zeitung daily has reported that the German police was aware that one of the Palestinians who took Israeli athletes hostage during the 1972 Munich Olympics lived in Berlin for several years following the attack.

The Suddeutsche Zeitung daily has reported that the German police was aware that one of the Palestinians who took Israeli athletes hostage during the 1972 Munich Olympics lived in Berlin for several years following the attack. Citing a report in Munich police archives, the German daily said that one of the three Palestinians who was released then lived for years in Berlin. It claims that in order to avoid any more operations by Palestinian militants on its territory, West Germany facilitated the release of the three hostage-takers. After storming the Israeli team's flat at the Olympic village, eight gunmen of the Palestinian militant group Black September shot dead two people fifty years ago. The new report reveals that the West German police responded with a bungled rescue operation in which all nine hostages were killed. When gunmen hijacked a Lufthansa plane on October 29 in 1972, the three remaining hostage-takers were released in exchange for them. Israel subsequently launched the operation "Wrath of God" to hunt down the leaders of Black September after being incensed by the chain of events. The BKA federal police had told the Munich police that the Palestinian in question was living in West Berlin and that he went to East Berlin almost daily. Germany sought "forgiveness" from families of the Israeli victims as it marked the 50th anniversary of the attack this September. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

German police knew that one of the Munich attackers then lived in Berlin, says report

The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;

According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property."

The state has previously designated six of them as "terrorist organisations" and is accusing them of channelling aid to militant groups, reports Reuters.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Palestine President compares Israeli action to holocaust

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On Wednesday, the designation was ratified for three of them despite opposition from the UN and human rights organisations. The UN demanded that the designations be withdrawn.

United Nations' Human Rights Office has issued a statement calling the closures "arbitrary" and saying that "despite offers to do so, Israeli authorities have not presented to the United Nations any credible evidence to justify these declarations."&nbsp;

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The Israeli military claims that the groups were used as a front&nbsp;by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reaffirmed Israel's assertion that the groups had acted covertly to support the PFLP, which has carried out deadly assaults against Israelis and is regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU.

According to Gantz, "They also assist in raising funds for the terrorist organisation via a variety of methods that include forgery and fraud."

While nine European Union nations, said they will continue cooperating with the groups due to insufficient proof to support Israel's accusation, the US has reportedly requested more information on the factors contributing to the decision to shut down the groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-indias-envoy-ruchira-kamboj-calls-israel-gaza-conflict-matter-of-grave-concern-505070">At UNSC, India's envoy Ruchira Kamboj calls Israel-Gaza conflict 'matter of grave concern'</a>

Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, said, "We will review what is provided to us and come to our own conclusion.

As per Reuters, the groups are: The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association; Al Haq; Bisan Center for Research and Development; Defense for Children International – Palestine; Health Work Committees (HWC); Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees (UPWC).

(With inputs from agencies)

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The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday. According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property.

The headquarters of several Palestinian human rights organisations in the occupied West Bank were raided by Israeli security forces on Thursday. According to an AFP report, the military said that during the overnight raids, troops and police officials "closed seven institutions and confiscated property." The state has previously designated six of them as "terrorist organisations" and is accusing them of channelling aid to militant groups, reports Reuters. Watch | Gravitas: Palestine President compares Israeli action to holocaust On Wednesday, the designation was ratified for three of them despite opposition from the UN and human rights organisations. The UN demanded that the designations be withdrawn. United Nations' Human Rights Office has issued a statement calling the closures "arbitrary" and saying that "despite offers to do so, Israeli authorities have not presented to the United Nations any credible evidence to justify these declarations." Also read | Seven injured, two grievously, in a 'terror attack' on Jerusalem bus The Israeli military claims that the groups were used as a front by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reaffirmed Israel's assertion that the groups had acted covertly to support the PFLP, which has carried out deadly assaults against Israelis and is regarded as a terrorist organisation by the US and the EU. According to Gantz, "They also assist in raising funds for the terrorist organisation via a variety of methods that include forgery and fraud." While nine European Union nations, said they will continue cooperating with the groups due to insufficient proof to support Israel's accusation, the US has reportedly requested more information on the factors contributing to the decision to shut down the groups. Also read | At UNSC, India's envoy Ruchira Kamboj calls Israel-Gaza conflict 'matter of grave concern' Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, said, "We will review what is provided to us and come to our own conclusion. As per Reuters, the groups are: The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association; Al Haq; Bisan Center for Research and Development; Defense for Children International – Palestine; Health Work Committees (HWC); Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees (UPWC). (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel raids Palestinian NGOs, labelling them 'terrorist organisations'; UN calls action 'arbitrary'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Islamist Ra'am Party's leader Mansour Abbas for the first time since the coalition government was effectively suspended.

Channel 13 News reported that the meeting was held to smooth out differences so that the Islamist Party ends its boycott of the coalition.

During a cabinet meeting, Bennett said ''Yesterday I heard the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, call on Mansour Abbas to break up the government.''

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''It is already clear to me at this stage that Hamas does not love this government; perhaps they miss the suitcases of dollars or they simply do not love the possibility of us all working together to improve the conditions of Israel's Arab citizens,'' he added.

After the Ra’am Party announced a two-week suspension of ties over the recent unrest at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel's foreign minister Yair Lapid had also met Abbas.

The Times of Israel had reported that both Lapid and Abbas had agreed that the Ra'am Party will resume voting with the coalition after the Knesset recess ends on May 9.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-police-arrests-nine-palestinians-over-violence-at-al-aqsa-mosque-471689">Also read |&nbsp;Israeli police arrest nine Palestinians over violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque</a>

Following their meeting, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar accused Ra’am of treachery as Abbas suggested that being part of the government will bring Israel and the Palestinians closer.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog had also spoken with the Abbas and wished him a good Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and expressing hopes for stability and peace going forward.

According to the Shin Bet intelligence agency, a Palestinian gunman had killed an Israeli guard at the entrance of a settlement in the occupied West Bank.

The attack came after a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank village of Azzun as per the health ministry of Palestine.

The recent upsurge of violence between Israel and Palestine has triggered concerns that they may slide back to a wider conflict.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Islamist Ra'am Party's leader Mansour Abbas for the first time since the coalition government was effectively suspended.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Islamist Ra'am Party's leader Mansour Abbas for the first time since the coalition government was effectively suspended. Channel 13 News reported that the meeting was held to smooth out differences so that the Islamist Party ends its boycott of the coalition. During a cabinet meeting, Bennett said ''Yesterday I heard the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, call on Mansour Abbas to break up the government.'' ''It is already clear to me at this stage that Hamas does not love this government; perhaps they miss the suitcases of dollars or they simply do not love the possibility of us all working together to improve the conditions of Israel's Arab citizens,'' he added. After the Ra’am Party announced a two-week suspension of ties over the recent unrest at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel's foreign minister Yair Lapid had also met Abbas. The Times of Israel had reported that both Lapid and Abbas had agreed that the Ra'am Party will resume voting with the coalition after the Knesset recess ends on May 9. Also read | Israeli police arrest nine Palestinians over violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque Following their meeting, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar accused Ra’am of treachery as Abbas suggested that being part of the government will bring Israel and the Palestinians closer. Israeli President Isaac Herzog had also spoken with the Abbas and wished him a good Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and expressing hopes for stability and peace going forward. According to the Shin Bet intelligence agency, a Palestinian gunman had killed an Israeli guard at the entrance of a settlement in the occupied West Bank. The attack came after a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank village of Azzun as per the health ministry of Palestine. The recent upsurge of violence between Israel and Palestine has triggered concerns that they may slide back to a wider conflict. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Israeli PM Naftali Bennett meets Islamist party leader for first time since suspension of coalition government

In a first since January, Israel on Tuesday carried out airstrikes on the Gaza strip. The move came as a &nbsp;response to a rocket fired by the Palestinian enclave.

AFP reports that the strike as per witness accounts and Gaza security sources didn’t cause any casualties. Hamas claims to have staved off the attack using its “anti-aircraft defence” system.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-police-palestinians-clash-in-al-aqsa-mosque-59-injured-471116">Watch: Israel police, Palestinians clash at Al-Aqsa mosque, 117 injured</a>

Following the rocket firing by Islamist group Hamas, sirens were sounded in southern Israel. Reportedly, the projectile crashed into the sea off Tel Aviv.

In a statement the Israeli ministry said that the “rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome Air Defense System," and hours later the Israeli air force announced that it has retaliated by targetting a Hamas weapon manufacturing site.

Last year, around the same time, a similar turmoil in Jerusalem had prompted multiple Hamas rocket fire into Israel, which later developed into an 11-day war.

Watch |&nbsp;Is Naftali government under threat after Al-Aqsa mosque storming?

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Tensions between Israel and Palestine have soared in recent days following violence around the Jerusalem holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque that by some tallies left more than 150 Palestinians injured. As per a report by Al Jazeera, citing Palestinian sources this number can actually be as high as 400.

The fire&nbsp;in Gaza and the Al-Aqsa violence comes following a spike in violence in the Jewish state, which included four deadly attacks by Palestinians and Israeli Arabs since late March, killing 14 people, largely civilians.&nbsp;The surge in hostilities coincides with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, and Passover, the Jewish festival.

According to an AFP tally, 23 Palestinians have been murdered in the unrest since March 22, including assailants who attacked Israelis.

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The US has expressed&nbsp;deep&nbsp;concern&nbsp;about the tensions.&nbsp;According to State Department spokesman Ned Price&nbsp;top US officials have been in contact by phone with colleagues from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab countries.

He stated, "We have urged all sides to preserve the historic status quo" at the Al-Aqsa compound and avoid "provocative" actions.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a first since January, Israel on Tuesday carried out airstrikes on the Gaza strip. The move came as a response to a rocket fired by the Palestinian enclave. AFP reports that the strike as per witness accounts and Gaza security sources didn’t cause any casualties.

In a first since January, Israel on Tuesday carried out airstrikes on the Gaza strip. The move came as a response to a rocket fired by the Palestinian enclave. AFP reports that the strike as per witness accounts and Gaza security sources didn’t cause any casualties. Hamas claims to have staved off the attack using its “anti-aircraft defence” system. Also read | Watch: Israel police, Palestinians clash at Al-Aqsa mosque, 117 injured Following the rocket firing by Islamist group Hamas, sirens were sounded in southern Israel. Reportedly, the projectile crashed into the sea off Tel Aviv. In a statement the Israeli ministry said that the “rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome Air Defense System," and hours later the Israeli air force announced that it has retaliated by targetting a Hamas weapon manufacturing site. Last year, around the same time, a similar turmoil in Jerusalem had prompted multiple Hamas rocket fire into Israel, which later developed into an 11-day war. Watch | Is Naftali government under threat after Al-Aqsa mosque storming? Tensions between Israel and Palestine have soared in recent days following violence around the Jerusalem holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque that by some tallies left more than 150 Palestinians injured. As per a report by Al Jazeera, citing Palestinian sources this number can actually be as high as 400. The fire in Gaza and the Al-Aqsa violence comes following a spike in violence in the Jewish state, which included four deadly attacks by Palestinians and Israeli Arabs since late March, killing 14 people, largely civilians. The surge in hostilities coincides with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, and Passover, the Jewish festival. According to an AFP tally, 23 Palestinians have been murdered in the unrest since March 22, including assailants who attacked Israelis. Also read | ‘Game changer’: Israel successfully tests new laser defence system The US has expressed deep concern about the tensions. According to State Department spokesman Ned Price top US officials have been in contact by phone with colleagues from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab countries. He stated, "We have urged all sides to preserve the historic status quo" at the Al-Aqsa compound and avoid "provocative" actions. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Palestine conflict: After rocket fire, Israel conducts airstrikes on Gaza

Palestine has accused Israel of using military-grade Pegasus software, developed by the NSO Group, to eavesdrop on the country.

The spying software has been detected on the phones of three officials as per the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

Ahmed al-Deek, the assistant Palestinian foreign minister for political affairs said ''We are 100% sure that these three phones were hacked.''

It has called the move a ''blatant and immoral violation of international law.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pegasus-snooping-us-blacklists-spyware-maker-nso-group-for-maliciously-targetting-journalists-426591">Also read |&nbsp;Pegasus snooping: US blacklists spyware maker NSO Group for maliciously targetting journalists</a>

The company sends its products abroad under licences from Israel's Defence Ministry, which has launched its own probe of the company's practices after the alleged software misuse emerged.

Earlier, an investigation by a European rights group had found that Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used to hack the phones of staff of Palestinian civil society groups targeted by Israel.&nbsp;

Israel insists the designated Palestinian groups work in collaboration with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Marxist group labelled a terrorist organisation by many Western states.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-national-security-council-looking-into-nso-pegasus-spyware-allegations-399484">Also read |&nbsp;Israel's National Security Council 'looking into' NSO Pegasus spyware allegations</a>

Pegasus, made by the NSO company that was put on a US blacklist last week, turns phones into pocket spying devices, giving users total access to the target's phone contents without them knowing.

Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms Inc, sued NSO for an injunction and damages in October 2019, accusing it of accessing WhatsApp servers without permission six months earlier to install its Pegasus malware on victims' mobile devices.

NSO has argued that Pegasus helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies fight crime and protect national security.

Palestine has accused Israel of using military-grade Pegasus software, developed by the NSO Group, to eavesdrop on the country. The spying software has been detected on the phones of three officials as per the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

Palestine has accused Israel of using military-grade Pegasus software, developed by the NSO Group, to eavesdrop on the country. The spying software has been detected on the phones of three officials as per the Palestinian Foreign Ministry. Ahmed al-Deek, the assistant Palestinian foreign minister for political affairs said ''We are 100% sure that these three phones were hacked.'' It has called the move a ''blatant and immoral violation of international law.'' Also read | Pegasus snooping: US blacklists spyware maker NSO Group for maliciously targetting journalists The company sends its products abroad under licences from Israel's Defence Ministry, which has launched its own probe of the company's practices after the alleged software misuse emerged. Earlier, an investigation by a European rights group had found that Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used to hack the phones of staff of Palestinian civil society groups targeted by Israel. Israel insists the designated Palestinian groups work in collaboration with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Marxist group labelled a terrorist organisation by many Western states. Also read | Israel's National Security Council 'looking into' NSO Pegasus spyware allegations Pegasus, made by the NSO company that was put on a US blacklist last week, turns phones into pocket spying devices, giving users total access to the target's phone contents without them knowing. Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms Inc, sued NSO for an injunction and damages in October 2019, accusing it of accessing WhatsApp servers without permission six months earlier to install its Pegasus malware on victims' mobile devices. NSO has argued that Pegasus helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies fight crime and protect national security.

Palestine accuses Israel of using military-grade Pegasus software for eavesdropping

Nearly 400 employees of e-commerce company Amazon and tech giant Google have asked their companies to scrap a military contract worth $1.2 billion with Israel.

They have written an open letter to their respective companies in a bid to seek the end of Project Nimbus.

Project Nimbus, a contract to provide cloud services to the government and military of Israel,&nbsp;allows the surveillance and collection of data about Palestinians. It was signed amid the conflict on the Gaza strip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-orders-massive-reinforcement-of-forces-to-quell-unrest-in-cities-after-gaza-violence-384790">Also read |&nbsp;Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence</a>

The letter states, ''We cannot look the other way, as the products we build are used to deny Palestinians their basic rights, force Palestinians out of their homes and attack Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - actions that have prompted war crime investigations by the international criminal court.''

The employees have talked about the supremacy of privacy and a vision for a better and safer future.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-conflict-idf-strikes-hamas-tunnels-in-gaza-world-leaders-call-for-de-escalation-385580">Also read |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine conflict: IDF strikes Hamas tunnels in Gaza, world leaders call for de-escalation</a>

''To build that brighter future, the companies we work for need to stop contracting with any and all militarized organizations in the US and beyond. These contracts harm the communities of technology workers and users alike. While we publicly promise to uplift and assist our users, contracts such as these secretly facilitate the surveillance and targeting of those same users.''

Both the companies are already facing backlash over their deals with Customs and Border Protection as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Amazon employees had previously written a letter to founder Jeff Bezos asking him to support Palestinians and cut ties with Israeli Defense Forces.

Nearly 400 employees of e-commerce company Amazon and tech giant Google have asked their companies to scrap a military contract worth $1.2 billion with Israel. They have written an open letter to their respective companies in a bid to seek the end of Project Nimbus.

Nearly 400 employees of e-commerce company Amazon and tech giant Google have asked their companies to scrap a military contract worth $1.2 billion with Israel. They have written an open letter to their respective companies in a bid to seek the end of Project Nimbus. Project Nimbus, a contract to provide cloud services to the government and military of Israel, allows the surveillance and collection of data about Palestinians. It was signed amid the conflict on the Gaza strip. Also read | Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence The letter states, ''We cannot look the other way, as the products we build are used to deny Palestinians their basic rights, force Palestinians out of their homes and attack Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - actions that have prompted war crime investigations by the international criminal court.'' The employees have talked about the supremacy of privacy and a vision for a better and safer future. Also read | Israel-Palestine conflict: IDF strikes Hamas tunnels in Gaza, world leaders call for de-escalation ''To build that brighter future, the companies we work for need to stop contracting with any and all militarized organizations in the US and beyond. These contracts harm the communities of technology workers and users alike. While we publicly promise to uplift and assist our users, contracts such as these secretly facilitate the surveillance and targeting of those same users.'' Both the companies are already facing backlash over their deals with Customs and Border Protection as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Amazon employees had previously written a letter to founder Jeff Bezos asking him to support Palestinians and cut ties with Israeli Defense Forces.

Hundreds of Amazon and Google employees ask their companies to end military contract with Israel

The Israeli army has recaptured the last two Palestinian fugitives involved in a spectacular jailbreak earlier this month, it announced Sunday.

At the beginning of September, six Palestinian inmates escaped Gilboa prison in Israel's north, through a tunnel dug under a sink in a cell, reportedly using tools including a spoon.

Israel launched a massive manhunt, deploying drones, road checkpoints and pouring troops into the occupied West Bank. &nbsp;

Authorities had already arrested four of the six, and in a tweet on Sunday the Israel Defence Forces said the last two had surrendered "after being surrounded by security forces that acted precisely based on accurate intelligence".

The men, 35-year-old Ayham&nbsp;Kamamji and 26-year-old Munadel Infeiat, are both members of Islamic Jihad, an armed Palestinian Islamist movement.

They were arrested in a joint operation with counterterrorism forces in Jenin, in the West Bank, the army said in a short statement to the press, adding that they were "currently being interrogated".&nbsp;

Originally from Kafr Dan, near Jenin, Kamamji was arrested in 2006 and jailed for life for the kidnap and murder of a young Israeli settler, Eliahu Asheri.

Islamic Jihad said Kamamji suffered abdominal and intestinal illness in jail and was subject to "medical negligence" by prison authorities.

Infeiat, arrested last year, had been jailed multiple times previously for his role in the armed group, and was awaiting sentencing at the time of the escape.

The other four men recaptured last week included Mahmoud Abdullah Ardah, the alleged mastermind of the escape, and Zakaria Zubeidi, a former militant leader of the Fatah movement.

The Israeli army has recaptured the last two Palestinian fugitives involved in a spectacular jailbreak earlier this month, it announced Sunday. At the beginning of September, six Palestinian inmates escaped Gilboa prison in Israel's north, through a tunnel dug under a sink in a cell, reportedly using tools including a spoon.

The Israeli army has recaptured the last two Palestinian fugitives involved in a spectacular jailbreak earlier this month, it announced Sunday. At the beginning of September, six Palestinian inmates escaped Gilboa prison in Israel's north, through a tunnel dug under a sink in a cell, reportedly using tools including a spoon. Israel launched a massive manhunt, deploying drones, road checkpoints and pouring troops into the occupied West Bank. Authorities had already arrested four of the six, and in a tweet on Sunday the Israel Defence Forces said the last two had surrendered "after being surrounded by security forces that acted precisely based on accurate intelligence". The men, 35-year-old Ayham Kamamji and 26-year-old Munadel Infeiat, are both members of Islamic Jihad, an armed Palestinian Islamist movement. They were arrested in a joint operation with counterterrorism forces in Jenin, in the West Bank, the army said in a short statement to the press, adding that they were "currently being interrogated". Originally from Kafr Dan, near Jenin, Kamamji was arrested in 2006 and jailed for life for the kidnap and murder of a young Israeli settler, Eliahu Asheri. Islamic Jihad said Kamamji suffered abdominal and intestinal illness in jail and was subject to "medical negligence" by prison authorities. Infeiat, arrested last year, had been jailed multiple times previously for his role in the armed group, and was awaiting sentencing at the time of the escape. The other four men recaptured last week included Mahmoud Abdullah Ardah, the alleged mastermind of the escape, and Zakaria Zubeidi, a former militant leader of the Fatah movement.

After massive manhunt, Israel captures last two Palestinians involved in jail break

The Israeli authorities on Wednesday ordered the demolition of Palestinian homes&nbsp;in the northern Jordan Valley, located in&nbsp;the occupied West Bank.

As a result,&nbsp;63 people were displaced from the area, designated as a military firing range, according to&nbsp;Palestinian officials.

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A substantial number of those affected live in annexed east Jerusalem and therefore have Israeli residency, without necessarily being citizens of the Jewish state.&nbsp;

Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of trying to forcibly clear out the Bedouin,&nbsp;who have returned to the site after past demolitions,&nbsp;to make room for Jewish settlement expansion.

Muataz Bsharat, an official in the Palestinian Authority that administers limited self-rule in the West Bank, said it was the seventh time Israeli authorities had destroyed tents and other structures in the village of Khirbet Humsa.

"Now 63 Palestinians became homeless. Eleven families had their homes demolished and confiscated," he said, accusing Israel of "state-sponsored terrorism" against the residents.

COGAT, an Israeli military liaison agency with the Palestinians, said Israel acted in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling in demolishing tents that again had been illegally erected by Palestinians who "invaded the firing range" in 2012.

Israel has often cited a lack of building permits, which Palestinians and rights groups say are nearly impossible to obtain, in destroying Palestinian structures in the West Bank, an area it captured in a 1967 war.

Israel has said that the Bedouin in Khirbet Humsa, in the Jordan Valley, had rejected offers to move them out of the firing zone to an alternative location.

At the site, mechanical excavators tore into the tents and then lifted the remnants into dump trucks to be carted away as residents looked on.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Israeli authorities on Wednesday ordered the demolition of Palestinian homes in the northern Jordan Valley, located in the occupied West Bank. As a result, 63 people were displaced from the area, designated as a military firing range, according to Palestinian officials.

The Israeli authorities on Wednesday ordered the demolition of Palestinian homes in the northern Jordan Valley, located in the occupied West Bank. As a result, 63 people were displaced from the area, designated as a military firing range, according to Palestinian officials. A substantial number of those affected live in annexed east Jerusalem and therefore have Israeli residency, without necessarily being citizens of the Jewish state. Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of trying to forcibly clear out the Bedouin, who have returned to the site after past demolitions, to make room for Jewish settlement expansion. Muataz Bsharat, an official in the Palestinian Authority that administers limited self-rule in the West Bank, said it was the seventh time Israeli authorities had destroyed tents and other structures in the village of Khirbet Humsa. "Now 63 Palestinians became homeless. Eleven families had their homes demolished and confiscated," he said, accusing Israel of "state-sponsored terrorism" against the residents. COGAT, an Israeli military liaison agency with the Palestinians, said Israel acted in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling in demolishing tents that again had been illegally erected by Palestinians who "invaded the firing range" in 2012. Israel has often cited a lack of building permits, which Palestinians and rights groups say are nearly impossible to obtain, in destroying Palestinian structures in the West Bank, an area it captured in a 1967 war. Israel has said that the Bedouin in Khirbet Humsa, in the Jordan Valley, had rejected offers to move them out of the firing zone to an alternative location. At the site, mechanical excavators tore into the tents and then lifted the remnants into dump trucks to be carted away as residents looked on. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel orders demolition of Palestinian homes in West Bank village

The&nbsp;Israeli government and Jewish settlers have reached a deal to vacate and remove a West Bank outpost that has become a flashpoint for clashes with Palestinians who also claim the land.

Under the agreement with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the settlers will leave the Givat Eviatar outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But it seemed likely that at least some of the outpost's new buildings would remain, locked and under military guard, an outcome that is certain to anger Palestinian protesters who demand it be removed.

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The hilltop settlement outpost near the Palestinian city of Nablus was established without Israeli government permits in May and is now home to more than 50 settler families.

The Israeli military ordered it to be cleared, presenting an early challenge for the new prime minister. Bennett was once a leader of the settler movement and heads a pro-settler party, putting him at odds with some of his own voter base if the settlers were forcibly evicted.

But his ruling coalition only survives with the support of left-wing and Islamist Arab parties, making sensitive policy decisions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict difficult.

An official with Israel's Defence Ministry, which administers the settlements, said the Givat Eviatar families had agreed to leave voluntarily by the weekend.

Troops would stay on and a land survey conducted to determine if a government-backed settlement can be established there, the official told Reuters.

Settler leader Yossi Dagan said the families would leave on Friday under the deal. The structures serving as their homes would be locked, he said, suggesting they would not be dismantled.&nbsp;

On Wednesday Moussa Hamayel, deputy mayor of the nearby Palestinian village Beita, said: "We will continue our popular activities (protests) until the settlement is removed and our land is returned to us." Beita's residents claim ownership of the area on which Givat Eviatar sits.

Most world powers deem all of the settlements, built on land Israel captured and occupied in a 1967 Middle East war, to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical ties to the land on which they sit, and its own security needs.

Israeli soldiers have shot dead five Palestinians during stone-throwing protests since the outpost was set up, Palestinian officials said. The military did not comment on fatalities, but said troops used live fire only as a last resort.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Israeli government and Jewish settlers have reached a deal to vacate and remove a West Bank outpost that has become a flashpoint for clashes with Palestinians who also claim the land.

The Israeli government and Jewish settlers have reached a deal to vacate and remove a West Bank outpost that has become a flashpoint for clashes with Palestinians who also claim the land. Under the agreement with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the settlers will leave the Givat Eviatar outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But it seemed likely that at least some of the outpost's new buildings would remain, locked and under military guard, an outcome that is certain to anger Palestinian protesters who demand it be removed. The hilltop settlement outpost near the Palestinian city of Nablus was established without Israeli government permits in May and is now home to more than 50 settler families. The Israeli military ordered it to be cleared, presenting an early challenge for the new prime minister. Bennett was once a leader of the settler movement and heads a pro-settler party, putting him at odds with some of his own voter base if the settlers were forcibly evicted. But his ruling coalition only survives with the support of left-wing and Islamist Arab parties, making sensitive policy decisions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict difficult. An official with Israel's Defence Ministry, which administers the settlements, said the Givat Eviatar families had agreed to leave voluntarily by the weekend. Troops would stay on and a land survey conducted to determine if a government-backed settlement can be established there, the official told Reuters. Settler leader Yossi Dagan said the families would leave on Friday under the deal. The structures serving as their homes would be locked, he said, suggesting they would not be dismantled. On Wednesday Moussa Hamayel, deputy mayor of the nearby Palestinian village Beita, said: "We will continue our popular activities (protests) until the settlement is removed and our land is returned to us." Beita's residents claim ownership of the area on which Givat Eviatar sits. Most world powers deem all of the settlements, built on land Israel captured and occupied in a 1967 Middle East war, to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical ties to the land on which they sit, and its own security needs. Israeli soldiers have shot dead five Palestinians during stone-throwing protests since the outpost was set up, Palestinian officials said. The military did not comment on fatalities, but said troops used live fire only as a last resort. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli government and Jewish settlers reach deal to vacate West Bank outpost

Hundreds of Palestinians attended a funeral on Thursday&nbsp;in the West Bank town of Beita, for a teenager who medical sources said had died after being shot by&nbsp;Israeli soldiers during clashes in the town.

Mourners carried the boy's body on their shoulders, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted slogans, including "To Jerusalem we go, martyrs in millions."

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The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 15-year-old Ahmed Bani Shamsa was shot in the head on Wednesday evening. His death was announced on Thursday at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus.

The Israeli military said a group of Palestinians approached the troops and&nbsp;a suspicious object was hurled at them, which exploded later. A soldier fired in the air and then shot the Palestinian who threw the object.

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967 and, excluding annexed east Jerusalem, some 475,000 Israeli settlers now live alongside around 2.8 million Palestinians.

A Palestinian woman was also shot dead by Israeli troops on Wednesday, after what the army said was an attempt to ram Israeli soldiers with her car and attack them with a knife.

Local media identified her as&nbsp;Mai Afana, 29, from the town of Abu Dis, just outside Jerusalem.

On Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian militants again launched incendiary balloons from Gaza, hours after Israel retaliated for earlier launches.

The violence in Gaza was the first between Israel and Hamas since a ceasefire took effect on May 21, ending 11 days of heavy fighting.

In recent years, Israel has seen a series of shootings, stabbings, and car-ramming attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the West Bank. Most have been carried out by Palestinians with no apparent links to organized militant groups.

Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups say the soldiers often use excessive force and could stop the assailants without killing them. In some cases, they say that innocent people have been identified as attackers and shot.

The Palestinians seek the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exerts limited self-rule, as part of a future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel says Jerusalem is indivisible. Peace negotiations have stalled for many years.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Hundreds of Palestinians attended a funeral on Thursday in the West Bank town of Beita, for a teenager who medical sources said had died after being shot by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the town.

Hundreds of Palestinians attended a funeral on Thursday in the West Bank town of Beita, for a teenager who medical sources said had died after being shot by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the town. Mourners carried the boy's body on their shoulders, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted slogans, including "To Jerusalem we go, martyrs in millions." The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 15-year-old Ahmed Bani Shamsa was shot in the head on Wednesday evening. His death was announced on Thursday at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus. The Israeli military said a group of Palestinians approached the troops and a suspicious object was hurled at them, which exploded later. A soldier fired in the air and then shot the Palestinian who threw the object. The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967 and, excluding annexed east Jerusalem, some 475,000 Israeli settlers now live alongside around 2.8 million Palestinians. A Palestinian woman was also shot dead by Israeli troops on Wednesday, after what the army said was an attempt to ram Israeli soldiers with her car and attack them with a knife. Local media identified her as Mai Afana, 29, from the town of Abu Dis, just outside Jerusalem. On Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian militants again launched incendiary balloons from Gaza, hours after Israel retaliated for earlier launches. The violence in Gaza was the first between Israel and Hamas since a ceasefire took effect on May 21, ending 11 days of heavy fighting. In recent years, Israel has seen a series of shootings, stabbings, and car-ramming attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the West Bank. Most have been carried out by Palestinians with no apparent links to organized militant groups. Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups say the soldiers often use excessive force and could stop the assailants without killing them. In some cases, they say that innocent people have been identified as attackers and shot. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exerts limited self-rule, as part of a future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel says Jerusalem is indivisible. Peace negotiations have stalled for many years. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinian teenager shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies

The Israeli military is reining in a controversial practice of conducting late-night raids of Palestinian homes in the West Bank aimed at gathering information about the houses and their inhabitants.

Even though human rights groups say the policy served only to intimidate civilians, the&nbsp;Israeli military&nbsp;has in the past defended the practice, known as 'intelligence mapping,'&nbsp;as a necessary measure to counter militant groups.

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Under the practice, soldiers would rouse families in the middle of the night to document the dimensions and inhabitants of homes in the occupied territory. Rights groups said the raids, conducted in homes where no one was suspected of illegal activities, served no strategic purpose and caused deep psychological trauma.

The change in policy came half a year after Yesh Din, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, and Breaking the Silence, three Israeli activist groups, published a report on what they described as 'arbitrary invasions'&nbsp;of private Palestinian homes.

They said the practice ''effectively serves as a means to oppress and intimidate the Palestinian population and increase control over it.''

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. While the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority administers autonomous zones within the territory, Israel retains overall control and frequently conducts military raids even in Palestinian-controlled areas.

Today, almost 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, according to official Palestinian figures, alongside nearly half a million Israeli settlers.

The Palestinians seek the entire West Bank as the heartland of an independent state, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel says the West Bank is a disputed territory whose fate should be resolved through negotiations. Most of the international community considers the West Bank-occupied territory and Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace.

In a letter to Yesh Din on Tuesday, the army said its raids were not ''random operations" and were "intended for an operational-intelligence purpose.''

It said there were strict guidelines for such operations ''in order to minimize the damage and disturbance to the residents' quality of life.''

The announcement came less than a month after widespread unrest in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and within Israeli cities during May's 11-day war between the Israeli military and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The conflict erupted after Hamas launched rockets at Israeli cities following weeks of mounting tensions and violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in the contested city of Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Israeli military is reining in a controversial practice of conducting late-night raids of Palestinian homes in the West Bank aimed at gathering information about the houses and their inhabitants.

The Israeli military is reining in a controversial practice of conducting late-night raids of Palestinian homes in the West Bank aimed at gathering information about the houses and their inhabitants. Even though human rights groups say the policy served only to intimidate civilians, the Israeli military has in the past defended the practice, known as 'intelligence mapping,' as a necessary measure to counter militant groups. Under the practice, soldiers would rouse families in the middle of the night to document the dimensions and inhabitants of homes in the occupied territory. Rights groups said the raids, conducted in homes where no one was suspected of illegal activities, served no strategic purpose and caused deep psychological trauma. The change in policy came half a year after Yesh Din, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, and Breaking the Silence, three Israeli activist groups, published a report on what they described as 'arbitrary invasions' of private Palestinian homes. They said the practice ''effectively serves as a means to oppress and intimidate the Palestinian population and increase control over it.'' Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. While the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority administers autonomous zones within the territory, Israel retains overall control and frequently conducts military raids even in Palestinian-controlled areas. Today, almost 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, according to official Palestinian figures, alongside nearly half a million Israeli settlers. The Palestinians seek the entire West Bank as the heartland of an independent state, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel says the West Bank is a disputed territory whose fate should be resolved through negotiations. Most of the international community considers the West Bank-occupied territory and Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. In a letter to Yesh Din on Tuesday, the army said its raids were not ''random operations" and were "intended for an operational-intelligence purpose.'' It said there were strict guidelines for such operations ''in order to minimize the damage and disturbance to the residents' quality of life.'' The announcement came less than a month after widespread unrest in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and within Israeli cities during May's 11-day war between the Israeli military and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The conflict erupted after Hamas launched rockets at Israeli cities following weeks of mounting tensions and violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in the contested city of Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli military halts controversial 'intelligence mapping' of Palestinian homes

For the first time in 13 years, Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi is visiting Egypt to discuss ways to establish a ‘permanent ceasefire’ between Israel and Gaza.

"We will discuss establishing a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, a mechanism for providing humanitarian aid &amp; the reconstruction of Gaza with a pivotal role played by the intl. Community," Ashkenazi tweeted in English, Arabic and Hebrew.

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Thank you, FM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sameh_Shoukry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sameh_Shoukry</a>, for your invitation to visit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Egypt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Egypt</a>, the first formal visit of an Israeli FM in 13 years. 
 
During the visit we will discuss regional issues as well as ways and means to strengthen our bilateral relations. <a href="https://t.co/j6pcv4gs9T">pic.twitter.com/j6pcv4gs9T</a>
— גבי אשכנזי - Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gabi_Ashkenazi/status/1398921142849638403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Ashkenazi has also assured that the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government will also discuss the terms to repatriate the Israeli prisoners held by the Hamas group in Gaza.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-should-go-back-to-europe-us-irans-quds-force-commander-388271" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-should-go-back-to-europe-us-irans-quds-force-commander-388271&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjot9HzmPHwAhVzmeYKHWNxCPQQFjACegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bIOrE3nkvetE4-nhNXZKX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-should-go-back-to-europe-us-irans-quds-force-commander-388271" target="_blank">Israelis should 'go back' to Europe, US: Iran's Quds Force</a>

While Ashkenazi visits Egypt to meet his counterpart, Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, along with a high-security delegation, is visiting Israel and Palestinian communities and hold discussions on similar tunes.

"President (Abdel Fattah) al-Sisi instructed the general intelligence chief to discuss with the Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and concerned authorities the fixing of a permanent ceasefire and the latest developments on the Palestinian front," Egyptian security officials told news agency AFP.

In addition to this, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also promised to help re-build the destroyed areas in Gaza by donating $500 million for the cause.

The peace-building plans have come after Egypt successfully brokered a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, which killed 354 Palestinians and 12 Israelis during the weeks-long fight.

For the first time in 13 years, Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi is visiting Egypt to discuss ways to establish a ‘permanent ceasefire’ between Israel and Gaza.

For the first time in 13 years, Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi is visiting Egypt to discuss ways to establish a ‘permanent ceasefire’ between Israel and Gaza. "We will discuss establishing a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, a mechanism for providing humanitarian aid & the reconstruction of Gaza with a pivotal role played by the intl. Community," Ashkenazi tweeted in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Thank you, FM #Sameh_Shoukry, for your invitation to visit #Egypt, the first formal visit of an Israeli FM in 13 years. During the visit we will discuss regional issues as well as ways and means to strengthen our bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/j6pcv4gs9T — גבי אשכנזי - Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) May 30, 2021 × Ashkenazi has also assured that the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government will also discuss the terms to repatriate the Israeli prisoners held by the Hamas group in Gaza. Also read | Israelis should 'go back' to Europe, US: Iran's Quds Force While Ashkenazi visits Egypt to meet his counterpart, Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, along with a high-security delegation, is visiting Israel and Palestinian communities and hold discussions on similar tunes. "President (Abdel Fattah) al-Sisi instructed the general intelligence chief to discuss with the Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and concerned authorities the fixing of a permanent ceasefire and the latest developments on the Palestinian front," Egyptian security officials told news agency AFP. In addition to this, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has also promised to help re-build the destroyed areas in Gaza by donating $500 million for the cause. The peace-building plans have come after Egypt successfully brokered a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, which killed 354 Palestinians and 12 Israelis during the weeks-long fight.

Israel's foreign minister visits Egypt to discuss 'permanent ceasefire' with Gaza

Israeli forces on Friday shot dead a Palestinian man during clashes in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Zakaria Hamayel was struck by a bullet to the chest in the village of Beita, south of Nablus, during a protest against Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land, the ministry said.

Tensions remain high in the region despite a ceasefire reached last week between&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza that ended 11 days of fighting.

A few hundred Palestinians had gathered near Nablus in the northern West Bank to protest against&nbsp;Israeli settlements.

The&nbsp;Israeli military said there had been "a violent riot" at the scene with Palestinians setting fires, burning tyres and hurling rocks at troops, who then "responded with riot dispersal means".

"We are aware of reports regarding a killed Palestinian. The cause of the injury is still unknown. The incident is being examined," a military spokeswoman said.

Israeli forces have been carrying out arrests across the West Bank following violence that erupted around the 11-day conflict between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas that broke out on May 10 and ended with an Egyptian-brokered truce last week.

Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians including 66 children and some fighters from May 10, the Gaza authorities says.

Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in&nbsp;Israel, including one child, an Arab-Israeli teenager, and an Israeli&nbsp;soldier, medics say.

The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has ravaged homes and businesses as well as key power and water networks in the already impoverished enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.

Some 258 buildings, comprising 1,042 housing and commercial units, have been completely destroyed, authorities in Gaza say, while the United Nations says at least 6,000 people have been made homeless.

The conflict flared after Hamas demanded&nbsp;Israeli security forces leave the al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem following confrontations there with Palestinians, and later launched rockets towards&nbsp;Israel.

The compound sits atop the Old City plateau known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews as Temple Mount. It is the most sensitive site in the&nbsp;Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The West Bank has been occupied since 1967, when the Israeli army captured it along with the Gaza Strip in the so-called Six-Day War.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli forces on Friday shot dead a Palestinian man during clashes in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Zakaria Hamayel was struck by a bullet to the chest in the village of Beita, south of Nablus, during a protest against Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land, the ministry said.

Israeli forces on Friday shot dead a Palestinian man during clashes in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. Zakaria Hamayel was struck by a bullet to the chest in the village of Beita, south of Nablus, during a protest against Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian land, the ministry said. Tensions remain high in the region despite a ceasefire reached last week between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza that ended 11 days of fighting. A few hundred Palestinians had gathered near Nablus in the northern West Bank to protest against Israeli settlements. The Israeli military said there had been "a violent riot" at the scene with Palestinians setting fires, burning tyres and hurling rocks at troops, who then "responded with riot dispersal means". "We are aware of reports regarding a killed Palestinian. The cause of the injury is still unknown. The incident is being examined," a military spokeswoman said. Israeli forces have been carrying out arrests across the West Bank following violence that erupted around the 11-day conflict between Israel and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas that broke out on May 10 and ended with an Egyptian-brokered truce last week. Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians including 66 children and some fighters from May 10, the Gaza authorities says. Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child, an Arab-Israeli teenager, and an Israeli soldier, medics say. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has ravaged homes and businesses as well as key power and water networks in the already impoverished enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. Some 258 buildings, comprising 1,042 housing and commercial units, have been completely destroyed, authorities in Gaza say, while the United Nations says at least 6,000 people have been made homeless. The conflict flared after Hamas demanded Israeli security forces leave the al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem following confrontations there with Palestinians, and later launched rockets towards Israel. The compound sits atop the Old City plateau known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews as Temple Mount. It is the most sensitive site in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The West Bank has been occupied since 1967, when the Israeli army captured it along with the Gaza Strip in the so-called Six-Day War. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli troops kill Palestinian during West Bank clash

The World Health Organization called on Friday for access to patients in the Gaza strip and the possibility to be able to evacuate them for medical treatment as health workers struggle to care for the sick and wounded after 11 days of violence.

WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a Geneva briefing that around 600 patients, including some with chronic conditions, needed to be referred outside of the Palestinian enclave since hostilities began earlier this month, but had been unable to due to crossing closures.

Dozens of health centres were damaged during Israeli bombings earlier this month, prompting the WHO to warn that facilities risked being overwhelmed.

Before a truce took hold last Friday, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict, the health ministry in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;says.&nbsp;

Rocket and other fire from&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded.

The Israeli bombardment of&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;has ravaged homes and businesses as well as key power and water networks in the already impoverished enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.

Some 258 buildings, comprising 1,042 housing and commercial units, have been completely destroyed, authorities in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;say, while the United Nations says at least 6,000 people have been made homeless.

The UN says it has released millions of dollars for its humanitarian response and other countries such as Qatar, Egypt and the United States have pledged millions more in aid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization called on Friday for access to patients in the Gaza strip and the possibility to be able to evacuate them for medical treatment as health workers struggle to care for the sick and wounded after 11 days of violence.

The World Health Organization called on Friday for access to patients in the Gaza strip and the possibility to be able to evacuate them for medical treatment as health workers struggle to care for the sick and wounded after 11 days of violence. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a Geneva briefing that around 600 patients, including some with chronic conditions, needed to be referred outside of the Palestinian enclave since hostilities began earlier this month, but had been unable to due to crossing closures. Dozens of health centres were damaged during Israeli bombings earlier this month, prompting the WHO to warn that facilities risked being overwhelmed. Before a truce took hold last Friday, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict, the health ministry in Gaza says. Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has ravaged homes and businesses as well as key power and water networks in the already impoverished enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. Some 258 buildings, comprising 1,042 housing and commercial units, have been completely destroyed, authorities in Gaza say, while the United Nations says at least 6,000 people have been made homeless. The UN says it has released millions of dollars for its humanitarian response and other countries such as Qatar, Egypt and the United States have pledged millions more in aid. (With inputs from agencies)

World Health Organization calls for access to patients in Gaza strip

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that his country and Egypt are&nbsp;working together to reinforce a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants.

Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States.

"We've had in Egypt a real and effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close, relatively quickly," Blinken said, following a meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and intelligence head Abbas Kamel.

The two countries were now "working closely together build something positive", he said, adding that Egypt was vital to shared aspirations for Palestinians and Israelis to "live in safety and security to enjoy equal measures of freedom, opportunity and dignity".

Sisi told Blinken recent events reaffirmed the need for direct talks between the two sides with Washington's involvement, according to an Egyptian presidency statement. Sisi also discussed the issue in a video call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Blinken arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah before flying on to Jordan, where he landed in the late afternoon. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States would provide new aid to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $5.5 million in disaster relief and nearly $33 million for the UN&nbsp;Palestinian aid agency there.

He also said the United States intended to ensure that Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by Washington as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from humanitarian aid.

Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, said the group welcomed Arab and international efforts to rebuild the enclave.

"We will ease and facilitate the task for everyone and we will make sure that the process will be transparent and fair and we will make sure that no penny goes to Hamas or Qassam (the Hamas armed wing)," Sinwar told a news conference.

"We have satisfactory sources of money for Hamas and Qassam. A major part of it from Iran and part in donations from Arabs, Muslims and liberals of the world who are sympathetic to our people and their rights," he added.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has been invited to visit Cairo for talks over rebuilding Gaza, Hamas sources said.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has security contacts with Hamas, is likely to have a role in channeling aid, a senior US&nbsp;State Department official said earlier.

During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and its Sinai Peninsula in order to provide medical aid and evacuate the wounded.

It also sent a security delegation to Israel and Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire after it came into effect on Friday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that his country and Egypt are working together to reinforce a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants. Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that his country and Egypt are working together to reinforce a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants. Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States. "We've had in Egypt a real and effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close, relatively quickly," Blinken said, following a meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and intelligence head Abbas Kamel. The two countries were now "working closely together build something positive", he said, adding that Egypt was vital to shared aspirations for Palestinians and Israelis to "live in safety and security to enjoy equal measures of freedom, opportunity and dignity". Sisi told Blinken recent events reaffirmed the need for direct talks between the two sides with Washington's involvement, according to an Egyptian presidency statement. Sisi also discussed the issue in a video call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Blinken arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah before flying on to Jordan, where he landed in the late afternoon. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States would provide new aid to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $5.5 million in disaster relief and nearly $33 million for the UN Palestinian aid agency there. He also said the United States intended to ensure that Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by Washington as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from humanitarian aid. Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, said the group welcomed Arab and international efforts to rebuild the enclave. "We will ease and facilitate the task for everyone and we will make sure that the process will be transparent and fair and we will make sure that no penny goes to Hamas or Qassam (the Hamas armed wing)," Sinwar told a news conference. "We have satisfactory sources of money for Hamas and Qassam. A major part of it from Iran and part in donations from Arabs, Muslims and liberals of the world who are sympathetic to our people and their rights," he added. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has been invited to visit Cairo for talks over rebuilding Gaza, Hamas sources said. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has security contacts with Hamas, is likely to have a role in channeling aid, a senior US State Department official said earlier. During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and its Sinai Peninsula in order to provide medical aid and evacuate the wounded. It also sent a security delegation to Israel and Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire after it came into effect on Friday.

Blinken says US and Egypt are working closely to reinforce Gaza ceasefire

Iran said on Friday that Palestinians had won a "historic victory" over Israel, which the Revolutionary Guards warned to expect "deadly blows" after the 11-day Gaza conflict showed the power of the Palestinian arsenal.

Iran, which does not recognise Israel, supports and arms the Islamist militants of Hamas, who rule the Gaza Strip while President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority controls Palestinian-populated areas of the occupied West Bank.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group fired hundreds of rockets into Israel before Friday's truce, killing a dozen civilians, although Israel said its "Iron Dome" defence system had shot the majority of them down.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei&nbsp;called on Muslim states to support Palestinians militarily and financially and help rebuild Gaza.

"Muslim states must sincerely support the Palestinian people, through military ...or financial support ...or in rebuilding Gaza's infrastructure," Khamenei said in a statement carried by media outlets. He urged Muslims to demand that their governments back Palestinians.

He had said a year ago that Tehran had transformed the military balance of power between Israel and the Palestinians.

Iran on Friday displayed an Iranian-made combat drone that it said had a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles), naming it "Gaza" in honour of the Palestinians' struggle against Israel, state media reported.

"Congratulations to our Palestinian sisters and&nbsp;brothers for the historic victory. Your resistance forced the aggressor to retreat," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh tweeted.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said in a statement: "The intifada (Palestinian uprising) has gone from using stones to powerful, precise missiles ... and in the future the Zionists (Israel) can expect to endure deadly blows from within the occupied territories."

Iran said on Friday that Palestinians had won a "historic victory" over Israel, which the Revolutionary Guards warned to expect "deadly blows" after the 11-day Gaza conflict showed the power of the Palestinian arsenal.

Iran said on Friday that Palestinians had won a "historic victory" over Israel, which the Revolutionary Guards warned to expect "deadly blows" after the 11-day Gaza conflict showed the power of the Palestinian arsenal. Iran, which does not recognise Israel, supports and arms the Islamist militants of Hamas, who rule the Gaza Strip while President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority controls Palestinian-populated areas of the occupied West Bank. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group fired hundreds of rockets into Israel before Friday's truce, killing a dozen civilians, although Israel said its "Iron Dome" defence system had shot the majority of them down. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslim states to support Palestinians militarily and financially and help rebuild Gaza. "Muslim states must sincerely support the Palestinian people, through military ...or financial support ...or in rebuilding Gaza's infrastructure," Khamenei said in a statement carried by media outlets. He urged Muslims to demand that their governments back Palestinians. He had said a year ago that Tehran had transformed the military balance of power between Israel and the Palestinians. Iran on Friday displayed an Iranian-made combat drone that it said had a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles), naming it "Gaza" in honour of the Palestinians' struggle against Israel, state media reported. "Congratulations to our Palestinian sisters and brothers for the historic victory. Your resistance forced the aggressor to retreat," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh tweeted. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said in a statement: "The intifada (Palestinian uprising) has gone from using stones to powerful, precise missiles ... and in the future the Zionists (Israel) can expect to endure deadly blows from within the occupied territories."

Iran hails Palestinians 'historic victory' over Israel

The Israel-Palestine Conflict was a test Joe Biden wasn't prepared for. Democrats want him to build pressure on Israel, but President Biden is reluctant. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why America can't criticise Israel beyond a point.

Gravitas: Why America can't criticise Israel

Israel is not setting a timeframe for an end to hostilities with Gaza as its military pounded the Palestinian enclave with airstrikes and Hamas militants unleashed new cross-border rocket attacks.

Qatar is the most important financial backer and ally of Hamas. So far, the emirate has transferred $1.8 billion to Hamas.

Qatari Emir Sheik Hamad bin-Khalifa al-Thani was the first state leader to visit Hamas government in 2012.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-who-funds-hamas-386117/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A $15 million Qatari cash infusion has been&nbsp;paid out to impoverished Palestinian civil servants in the Gaza Strip every month since 2018. However, it cannot be verified that the funds were utilised for this purpose.

Qatar’s official news agency said the donated money would benefit 27,000 civil servants out of over 40,000 public servants hired by Hamas since 2007. The rest would be paid through local revenues, it said.

State-sponsored terrorism&nbsp;is a trademark policy of&nbsp;Qatar. Several Muslim nations had cut diplomatic ties with it in 2017 and&nbsp;imposed a trade blockade. However, this was lifted&nbsp;earlier this year.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's foreign minister, recently&nbsp;met Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in the capital, Doha.&nbsp;

The foreign ministry said Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for the international community to act urgently to stop the repeated brutal Israeli attacks against civilians in Gaza.&nbsp;

Israel had previously agreed to the gas-rich Gulf Arab state donating materials for civilian construction projects or fuel, worried that more fungible cash donations could reach Hamas, against which it has fought three wars in a decade.

Branded as a terrorist group in the West, Hamas has been under years of embargo by Israel and neighbouring Egypt. Hamas leaders said in the past they had received funds from other countries including Iran and Turkey.

Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting airstrikes on Gaza and called it a "terror state" after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem.

Last year, he hosted the&nbsp;military chief of Hamas, who has a $5 million dollar bounty on his head by Turkish ally NATO.

Iran has been paying $70 million per year, this is equivalent to $6 million per month.

A vast majority of the funding received by Hamas is humanitarian aid intended for the people of Gaza. However, it rarely reaches them.

Hamas’s political rival based in the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has previously slashed Gaza budgets.

Hamas spends 55 per cent&nbsp;of its budget on the military and merely&nbsp;5 per cent&nbsp;is allocated for rehabilitating its people.

It&nbsp;collects $27 million dollars in taxes but most of it&nbsp;is used to pay their fighters and workers.&nbsp;

Hamas prides itself as a militant group. It smuggles Iranian rockets through&nbsp;Egypt and Sudan.&nbsp;

It&nbsp;sources the materials and technology from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Hamas has&nbsp;around 10,000 rockets in their arsenal.&nbsp;They are mostly short-range missiles&nbsp;worth $800 apiece.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas,&nbsp;each launch costing reportedly almost $50,000.&nbsp;

The Israeli government has installed the system in cities as a ground-based installation used to shoot down short-range missiles.&nbsp;Reports say each battery of the dome costs approximately $100 million, with missiles costing $50,000.

The current exchange of fire has been the most intensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza, and has prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

Gaza has a population of approximately two million and the poverty rate is 56 per cent. 50 per cent of the its population is unemployed.

It lacks basic infrastructure such as schools and has only&nbsp;11 big hospitals for the entire population.

Almost 85 per cent&nbsp;of all schools in Gaza run double shifts and&nbsp;work without electricity.

Gaza is the perfect example of a poor land with rich rulers. Hamas is the third richest terror group in the world.

Saving the people of Gaza is not beyond Hamas. But that would mean&nbsp;shelving their military ambitions.

A victory against Israel is not in the hands of&nbsp;Hamas. But giving their people a better life is.

Israel is not setting a timeframe for an end to hostilities with Gaza as its military pounded the Palestinian enclave with airstrikes and Hamas militants unleashed new cross-border rocket attacks.

Israel is not setting a timeframe for an end to hostilities with Gaza as its military pounded the Palestinian enclave with airstrikes and Hamas militants unleashed new cross-border rocket attacks. Qatar is the most important financial backer and ally of Hamas. So far, the emirate has transferred $1.8 billion to Hamas. Qatari Emir Sheik Hamad bin-Khalifa al-Thani was the first state leader to visit Hamas government in 2012. A $15 million Qatari cash infusion has been paid out to impoverished Palestinian civil servants in the Gaza Strip every month since 2018. However, it cannot be verified that the funds were utilised for this purpose. Qatar’s official news agency said the donated money would benefit 27,000 civil servants out of over 40,000 public servants hired by Hamas since 2007. The rest would be paid through local revenues, it said. State-sponsored terrorism is a trademark policy of Qatar. Several Muslim nations had cut diplomatic ties with it in 2017 and imposed a trade blockade. However, this was lifted earlier this year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's foreign minister, recently met Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in the capital, Doha. The foreign ministry said Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for the international community to act urgently to stop the repeated brutal Israeli attacks against civilians in Gaza. Israel had previously agreed to the gas-rich Gulf Arab state donating materials for civilian construction projects or fuel, worried that more fungible cash donations could reach Hamas, against which it has fought three wars in a decade. Branded as a terrorist group in the West, Hamas has been under years of embargo by Israel and neighbouring Egypt. Hamas leaders said in the past they had received funds from other countries including Iran and Turkey. Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting airstrikes on Gaza and called it a "terror state" after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem. Last year, he hosted the military chief of Hamas, who has a $5 million dollar bounty on his head by Turkish ally NATO. Iran has been paying $70 million per year, this is equivalent to $6 million per month. A vast majority of the funding received by Hamas is humanitarian aid intended for the people of Gaza. However, it rarely reaches them. Hamas’s political rival based in the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has previously slashed Gaza budgets. Hamas spends 55 per cent of its budget on the military and merely 5 per cent is allocated for rehabilitating its people. It collects $27 million dollars in taxes but most of it is used to pay their fighters and workers. Hamas prides itself as a militant group. It smuggles Iranian rockets through Egypt and Sudan. It sources the materials and technology from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hamas has around 10,000 rockets in their arsenal. They are mostly short-range missiles worth $800 apiece. Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas, each launch costing reportedly almost $50,000. The Israeli government has installed the system in cities as a ground-based installation used to shoot down short-range missiles. Reports say each battery of the dome costs approximately $100 million, with missiles costing $50,000. The current exchange of fire has been the most intensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza, and has prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control. Gaza has a population of approximately two million and the poverty rate is 56 per cent. 50 per cent of the its population is unemployed. It lacks basic infrastructure such as schools and has only 11 big hospitals for the entire population. Almost 85 per cent of all schools in Gaza run double shifts and work without electricity. Gaza is the perfect example of a poor land with rich rulers. Hamas is the third richest terror group in the world. Saving the people of Gaza is not beyond Hamas. But that would mean shelving their military ambitions. A victory against Israel is not in the hands of Hamas. But giving their people a better life is.

Who is bankrolling the Gaza conflict?

Gaza violence: How is Hamas growing its arsenal of rockets to strike Israel?

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his support for Israel as he visited Thursday, and called for a ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers Hamas.

"I came here to express my solidarity... Israel has the right to defend itself against this massive and unacceptable attack," he said at joint news conference with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi in Tel Aviv.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-conflict-ceasefire-could-come-by-friday-predicts-hamas-official-386196" hreflang="en">Gaza conflict: Ceasefire could come by Friday, predicts Hamas official</a>

Maas visited after 10 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Militants in the blockaded Gaza Strip have fired more than 4,000 rockets towards Israel, said the Israeli military, which has responded with devastating air strikes.

"Let me say it again very clearly: For us the security of Israel and the security of all Jews in Germany are non-negotiable and Israel can always rely on that," said Maas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-protesters-supporting-israel-palestinians-clash-in-new-york-386203" hreflang="en">Watch: Protesters supporting Israel, Palestinians clash in New York</a>

The German foreign minister said he had been in "nearly constant contact" with Ashkenazi during the past week, as well as diplomats in Cairo, Doha, Amman and Washington.

"I hope that the efforts to reach a ceasefire will also be successful," he said.

Maas is scheduled to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah. He has no plans to meet with Hamas, which the European Union considers a terrorist organisation.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his support for Israel as he visited Thursday, and called for a ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers Hamas.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his support for Israel as he visited Thursday, and called for a ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers Hamas. "I came here to express my solidarity... Israel has the right to defend itself against this massive and unacceptable attack," he said at joint news conference with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi in Tel Aviv. Also read | Gaza conflict: Ceasefire could come by Friday, predicts Hamas official Maas visited after 10 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Militants in the blockaded Gaza Strip have fired more than 4,000 rockets towards Israel, said the Israeli military, which has responded with devastating air strikes. "Let me say it again very clearly: For us the security of Israel and the security of all Jews in Germany are non-negotiable and Israel can always rely on that," said Maas. Also read | Watch: Protesters supporting Israel, Palestinians clash in New York The German foreign minister said he had been in "nearly constant contact" with Ashkenazi during the past week, as well as diplomats in Cairo, Doha, Amman and Washington. "I hope that the efforts to reach a ceasefire will also be successful," he said. Maas is scheduled to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah. He has no plans to meet with Hamas, which the European Union considers a terrorist organisation.

German FM expresses 'solidarity' with Israel, calls for ceasefire

President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;is largely sticking to a time-worn US&nbsp;playbook despite pressure from progressive Democrats for a tougher line toward Israel and from America’s allies for a more active role to end the violence.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said even after speaking with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;in their fourth call in a week that he was "determined to continue" operations against Gaza's ruling Hamas militants.

Biden&nbsp;has faced increasing pressure, even from fellow Democrats, to take a more active and public role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel, the country's closest ally in the Middle East, and the militant group Hamas.

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"The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a brief statement aboard Air Force One.

During his phone call, Biden&nbsp;encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.

By citing Israel’s right to defend itself against a rocket barrage from the Hamas-ruled enclave and only nudging Netanyahu toward a ceasefire,&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;has effectively given Israeli forces more time to press their offensive against Palestinian militants there.

Tackling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is something that has bedeviled US&nbsp;presidents for decades. Although the latest eruption of Gaza violence caught the new administration off guard, and it has responded so far in accordance with a familiar pattern.

Biden, a longtime supporter of Israel from his decades in the Senate and the vice presidency, began by backing Israel’s right to self-defence against the cross-border rocket attacks, something successive presidents have always said of Washington’s chief Middle Eastern ally.

While America provides millions of dollars of aid to Israel, the latter protects American interests in West Asia,&nbsp;shares intelligence on Islamic terrorism, and&nbsp;provides cutting-edge military technology.&nbsp;

Pro-Israel lobbies donate large sums of money to American politicians and influence policy.

The United States has blocked any Security Council action on the Gaza issue, saying it would not help calm the crisis and would continue intensive diplomacy.

Gaza medical officials say 217 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children, and more than 1,400 wounded since the fighting began on May 10. Israeli authorities say 12 people have been killed in Israel, including two children.

Hamas began firing rockets on May 10 in retaliation for what it said were Israeli rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The rocket attacks followed Israeli security police clashes with worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and a court case by Israeli settlers to evict Palestinians from a neighbourhood in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.

President Joe Biden is largely sticking to a time-worn US playbook despite pressure from progressive Democrats for a tougher line toward Israel and from America’s allies for a more active role to end the violence.

President Joe Biden is largely sticking to a time-worn US playbook despite pressure from progressive Democrats for a tougher line toward Israel and from America’s allies for a more active role to end the violence. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said even after speaking with Biden in their fourth call in a week that he was "determined to continue" operations against Gaza's ruling Hamas militants. Biden has faced increasing pressure, even from fellow Democrats, to take a more active and public role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel, the country's closest ally in the Middle East, and the militant group Hamas. Apartheid states aren’t democracies. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 15, 2021 × "The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a brief statement aboard Air Force One. During his phone call, Biden encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. By citing Israel’s right to defend itself against a rocket barrage from the Hamas-ruled enclave and only nudging Netanyahu toward a ceasefire, Biden has effectively given Israeli forces more time to press their offensive against Palestinian militants there. Tackling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is something that has bedeviled US presidents for decades. Although the latest eruption of Gaza violence caught the new administration off guard, and it has responded so far in accordance with a familiar pattern. Biden, a longtime supporter of Israel from his decades in the Senate and the vice presidency, began by backing Israel’s right to self-defence against the cross-border rocket attacks, something successive presidents have always said of Washington’s chief Middle Eastern ally. While America provides millions of dollars of aid to Israel, the latter protects American interests in West Asia, shares intelligence on Islamic terrorism, and provides cutting-edge military technology. Pro-Israel lobbies donate large sums of money to American politicians and influence policy. The United States has blocked any Security Council action on the Gaza issue, saying it would not help calm the crisis and would continue intensive diplomacy. Gaza medical officials say 217 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children, and more than 1,400 wounded since the fighting began on May 10. Israeli authorities say 12 people have been killed in Israel, including two children. Hamas began firing rockets on May 10 in retaliation for what it said were Israeli rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The rocket attacks followed Israeli security police clashes with worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and a court case by Israeli settlers to evict Palestinians from a neighbourhood in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.

US President Joe Biden encourages Israel to ensure protection of innocent civilians