US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday expressed ‘serious concerns' to his Israeli counterpart about violent clashes in Jerusalem sparked by planned evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the White House said in a statement.&nbsp;

Sullivan in a phone call with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat 'encouraged the Israeli government to pursue appropriate measures to ensure calm during Jerusalem Day commemorations’.&nbsp;

New confrontations broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police in parts of East Jerusalem on Sunday, including in Sheikh Jarrah and outside the walled Old City, as well as in Haifa, a mixed Arab-Jewish city in northern Israel at the height of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.&nbsp;

The clashes have been sparked by the planned evictions of several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel in a 1967 war.&nbsp;

Israel's attorney-general secured a deferment on Sunday of an Israeli Supreme Court hearing on the evictions, a session that had threatened to stoke more violence in the holy city and heighten international concern.&nbsp;

"Mr Sullivan also reiterated the United States’ serious concerns about the potential evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood," the White House statement said.&nbsp;

Sullivan and Ben-Shabbat "agreed that the launching of rocket attacks and incendiary balloons from Gaza towards Israel is unacceptable and must be condemned," the White House added.&nbsp;

It said Sullivan also expressed the Biden administration's commitment to Israel's security and to supporting peace and stability throughout the Middle East and would remain fully engaged in the days ahead to promote calm in Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday expressed ‘serious concerns' to his Israeli counterpart about violent clashes in Jerusalem sparked by planned evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the White House said in a statement.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday expressed ‘serious concerns' to his Israeli counterpart about violent clashes in Jerusalem sparked by planned evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the White House said in a statement. Sullivan in a phone call with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat 'encouraged the Israeli government to pursue appropriate measures to ensure calm during Jerusalem Day commemorations’. New confrontations broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police in parts of East Jerusalem on Sunday, including in Sheikh Jarrah and outside the walled Old City, as well as in Haifa, a mixed Arab-Jewish city in northern Israel at the height of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. The clashes have been sparked by the planned evictions of several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel in a 1967 war. Israel's attorney-general secured a deferment on Sunday of an Israeli Supreme Court hearing on the evictions, a session that had threatened to stoke more violence in the holy city and heighten international concern. "Mr Sullivan also reiterated the United States’ serious concerns about the potential evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood," the White House statement said. Sullivan and Ben-Shabbat "agreed that the launching of rocket attacks and incendiary balloons from Gaza towards Israel is unacceptable and must be condemned," the White House added. It said Sullivan also expressed the Biden administration's commitment to Israel's security and to supporting peace and stability throughout the Middle East and would remain fully engaged in the days ahead to promote calm in Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

US expresses 'serious concerns' over Jerusalem clashes, evictions

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.&nbsp;

In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets.&nbsp;

Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;

Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza.&nbsp;

Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack.&nbsp;

The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets. Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave. Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza. Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack. The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel says Palestinian militants fired second rocket from Gaza in 24 hours 

Youssef Abu Amira, a Palestinian law school graduate, never let his disabilities hold him back. Born without legs and with only partially developed arms, he has taken up a new challenge - karate.

Gaza man with disabilities conquers karate

Palestinian Layan al-Dweik, 12, started taking horseback riding sessions to improve her posture after a spinal tumour left her paralysed from the waist down. But the riding sessions have done more than that. They have helped her gain some sensation in her limbs, according to instructor Hani al-Natsheh and her father.

Palestinian turns to therapeutic horseback riding in search of rehabilitation

The first woman taxi driver in the Islamist-run Palestinian territory, the 39-year-old has become a target of sexist jibes about her abilities behind the wheel - but they pale into irrelevance beside the gratitude of her all-female clientele.

Mother-of-five steers new course as Gaza's first female taxi driver

The EU on Thursday called on Israel to cease demolishing Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank and lift a threat to demolish Palestinian schools, calling them "an impediment towards the two-state solution".

The statement, issued by the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, came two days after Israeli bulldozers razed a Bedouin village near Tubas in the Jordan Valley, leaving its nearly 80 inhabitants homeless.

Israel's army stated the homes were "built illegally" in an area used for military training.&nbsp;

The EU statement said that half the Palestinians made homeless in the demolition were children.

"This large-scale demolition confirms once again the regrettable trend of confiscations and demolitions since the beginning of the year," it said.

It added that Israel has also threatened to raze 52 Palestinian schools, including one in Ras Al-Teen in the West Bank that was co-funded by the EU and EU member states.

"The EU calls for the protection of children, including ensuring their right to education in a safe and secure school environment," the statement said, noting that education is a basic human right.

"The EU reiterates its call on Israel to halt all such demolitions, including of EU-funded structures, in particular in light of the humanitarian impact of the current coronavirus pandemic," it said.

The EU on Thursday called on Israel to cease demolishing Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank and lift a threat to demolish Palestinian schools, calling them "an impediment towards the two-state solution".

The EU on Thursday called on Israel to cease demolishing Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank and lift a threat to demolish Palestinian schools, calling them "an impediment towards the two-state solution". The statement, issued by the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, came two days after Israeli bulldozers razed a Bedouin village near Tubas in the Jordan Valley, leaving its nearly 80 inhabitants homeless. Israel's army stated the homes were "built illegally" in an area used for military training. The EU statement said that half the Palestinians made homeless in the demolition were children. "This large-scale demolition confirms once again the regrettable trend of confiscations and demolitions since the beginning of the year," it said. It added that Israel has also threatened to raze 52 Palestinian schools, including one in Ras Al-Teen in the West Bank that was co-funded by the EU and EU member states. "The EU calls for the protection of children, including ensuring their right to education in a safe and secure school environment," the statement said, noting that education is a basic human right. "The EU reiterates its call on Israel to halt all such demolitions, including of EU-funded structures, in particular in light of the humanitarian impact of the current coronavirus pandemic," it said.

EU calls for halt to Israeli demolition of Palestinian buildings

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it would not follow the United Arab Emirates and establish diplomatic ties with Israel until the Jewish state had sealed a peace accord with the Palestinians.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/policy-on-us-arms-sales-to-uae-unchanged-says-israels-netanyahu-321443">Also Read:&nbsp;Policy on US arms sales to UAE unchanged, says Israel's Netanyahu</a>

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters on a visit to Berlin that "peace must be achieved with the Palestinians" on the basis of international agreements as a condition for any normalisation of relations with Israel.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-president-invites-uae-crown-prince-countries-move-ahead-to-establish-diplomatic-ties-321363/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Once that is achieved all things are possible," he said.

The surprise Israel-UAE deal last week is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, and raises the prospect of similar accords with other pro-Western Gulf states.

Until now, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy, has maintained a conspicuous silence over the deal, but local officials have hinted that Riyadh is unlikely to immediately follow in the footsteps of its principal regional ally despite US pressure.

At a news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, Prince Faisal reiterated criticism of Israel's "unilateral policies" of annexation and building settlements in the West Bank as "illegitimate" and "detrimental" to a two-state solution.

As part of the landmark deal, Israel agreed to suspend the annexation of occupied West Bank territories, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan was not off the table in the long run.

Palestinians protested the deal as a betrayal by a major player in the Arab world, which has broadly held that normal ties with Israel are only possible once the dispute with the Palestinians is resolved.

Prince Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia had sponsored 2002 Arab peace initiatives holding out the prospect of a normalisation of ties with Israel but said Riyadh now saw no road to diplomatic relations without a Palestinian peace deal.

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it would not follow the United Arab Emirates and establish diplomatic ties with Israel until the Jewish state had sealed a peace accord with the Palestinians.

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it would not follow the United Arab Emirates and establish diplomatic ties with Israel until the Jewish state had sealed a peace accord with the Palestinians. Also Read: Policy on US arms sales to UAE unchanged, says Israel's Netanyahu Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters on a visit to Berlin that "peace must be achieved with the Palestinians" on the basis of international agreements as a condition for any normalisation of relations with Israel. Watch: "Once that is achieved all things are possible," he said. The surprise Israel-UAE deal last week is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, and raises the prospect of similar accords with other pro-Western Gulf states. Until now, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's biggest economy, has maintained a conspicuous silence over the deal, but local officials have hinted that Riyadh is unlikely to immediately follow in the footsteps of its principal regional ally despite US pressure. At a news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, Prince Faisal reiterated criticism of Israel's "unilateral policies" of annexation and building settlements in the West Bank as "illegitimate" and "detrimental" to a two-state solution. As part of the landmark deal, Israel agreed to suspend the annexation of occupied West Bank territories, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan was not off the table in the long run. Palestinians protested the deal as a betrayal by a major player in the Arab world, which has broadly held that normal ties with Israel are only possible once the dispute with the Palestinians is resolved. Prince Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia had sponsored 2002 Arab peace initiatives holding out the prospect of a normalisation of ties with Israel but said Riyadh now saw no road to diplomatic relations without a Palestinian peace deal.

Peace must be achieved with Palestinians, then all things possible: Saudi Arabia on Israel

Amid the barren hills of the Jordan Valley, Palestinian artist Khadeeja Bisharat paints scenes of bulldozers and demolitions, a reflection of fears of what may happen to her isolated Bedouin community if Israel annexes land in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian painter channels her fears of Israeli annexation through art

United Nations' World Refugee Day on Saturday (June 20), will be the same as every day for Marwan Kuwaik, a 70-year-old Palestinian in Gaza, who will be focused on trying to eke out a living by selling snack food on the street. This year's event is aimed at reminding the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society, the U.N. said on its website.

On World Refugee Day, Palestinian tries to scrape by in Gaza

A Palestinian artist uses her time during a 14-day quarantine to create educational drawings for children, showing them proper methods of protecting themselves against the coronavirus.

Palestinian artist educates children on coronavirus using cartoons

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday urged Palestinians who rejected President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan to come up with a "counter-offer" that could win Israeli support, as he headed to Britain on a five-nation tour.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-jerusalem-to-be-undivided-capital-277163">Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital</a>

Pompeo was on his way to London to help forge to a post-Brexit alliance with Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- a leader Trump once called the UK version of himself.

His tour also includes talks in Kiev on Friday that are likely to touch on many of the controversies surrounding the Ukraine-linked impeachment trial of the mercurial White House chief.

Pompeo found himself on the immediate defensive over a delayed Middle East initiative that was pronounced dead on arrival by the Palestinians but embraced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian leaders were "free to come up with a counter offer if that's what they think is appropriate", Pompeo told reporters travelling with him.

"I know the Israelis would be prepared to sit down and negotiate on the basis of the vision that the president laid out."

Trump's proposals reportedly included no Palestinian input and grants Israel much of what it has sought in decades of international diplomacy.

Pompeo said the misgivings were coming from "the same critics who have failed for 70 years".

Johnson was one of the first to voice support for Trump's proposals on Tuesday and said in his defence that "no peace plan is perfect but this (one) has the merit of a two-state solution".

The Conservative prime minister will be eager to present a united front as he looks for a US trade deal that can fill the void of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union on Friday.

Yet Pompeo's dinner Wednesday with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and meeting Thursday with Johnson threaten to become a damage limitation exercise for the so-called "special relationship".

Pompeo had been doing his best to convince Johnson that allowing China's Huawei tech giant to roll out Britain's next-generation 5G network introduced a long-term security threat.

US officials said the possibility of China using its commercial presence to spy on Britain -- or even shut down the network -- could force Washington to stop sharing intelligence with London.

Britain approved a limited but still important role for Huawei on Tuesday.

"We'll evaluate what the United Kingdom did," Pompeo said Wednesday.

"But our view is we should have Western systems with Western rules and American information should only pass across a trusted network. We'll make sure we do that."

Johnson told parliament his government will "do absolutely nothing to imperil our relationship with the US".

Some security analysts said Britain's decision to exclude Huawei from "core" parts of the network and cap its share of the market to 35 percent may have given enough reasons to brush past the dispute.

"Essentially what they've done is limit Huawei from large parts of the network," said the Royal United Services Institute think-tank's cyber research chief James Sullivan.

The EU announced a similar plan Wednesday.

But the list of disagreements between the historic allies appears to be getting longer -- just as expectations grow of them becoming closer now that Britain is leaving the EU.

Johnson has been publically pushing Washington to send back the wife of a US diplomat who is using the cover of diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution over the death of a teenager in a road accident in England.

The United States rejected Anne Sacoolas's extradition to Britain last week.

Contrasting approaches to Iran and a US prosecutor's complaint that Prince Andrew was stonewalling an FBI investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein only add to layers of tensions.

Johnson might now simply be hoping "there are no precipitous statements from the US saying that's it, this love affair is at an end", said Ian Bond of London's Centre for European Reform.

Yet the sides also have the political incentive to quickly agree on the outlines of a new trade agreement whose negotiation can begin once Brexit takes effect on Friday at 2300 GMT.

Pompeo said London and Washington had "enormous trade issues and big commercial issues" to discuss.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday urged Palestinians who rejected President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan to come up with a "counter-offer" that could win Israeli support, as he headed to Britain on a five-nation tour.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday urged Palestinians who rejected President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan to come up with a "counter-offer" that could win Israeli support, as he headed to Britain on a five-nation tour. Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital Pompeo was on his way to London to help forge to a post-Brexit alliance with Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- a leader Trump once called the UK version of himself. His tour also includes talks in Kiev on Friday that are likely to touch on many of the controversies surrounding the Ukraine-linked impeachment trial of the mercurial White House chief. Pompeo found himself on the immediate defensive over a delayed Middle East initiative that was pronounced dead on arrival by the Palestinians but embraced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestinian leaders were "free to come up with a counter offer if that's what they think is appropriate", Pompeo told reporters travelling with him. "I know the Israelis would be prepared to sit down and negotiate on the basis of the vision that the president laid out." Trump's proposals reportedly included no Palestinian input and grants Israel much of what it has sought in decades of international diplomacy. Pompeo said the misgivings were coming from "the same critics who have failed for 70 years". Johnson was one of the first to voice support for Trump's proposals on Tuesday and said in his defence that "no peace plan is perfect but this (one) has the merit of a two-state solution". The Conservative prime minister will be eager to present a united front as he looks for a US trade deal that can fill the void of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union on Friday. Yet Pompeo's dinner Wednesday with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and meeting Thursday with Johnson threaten to become a damage limitation exercise for the so-called "special relationship". Pompeo had been doing his best to convince Johnson that allowing China's Huawei tech giant to roll out Britain's next-generation 5G network introduced a long-term security threat. US officials said the possibility of China using its commercial presence to spy on Britain -- or even shut down the network -- could force Washington to stop sharing intelligence with London. Britain approved a limited but still important role for Huawei on Tuesday. "We'll evaluate what the United Kingdom did," Pompeo said Wednesday. "But our view is we should have Western systems with Western rules and American information should only pass across a trusted network. We'll make sure we do that." Johnson told parliament his government will "do absolutely nothing to imperil our relationship with the US". Some security analysts said Britain's decision to exclude Huawei from "core" parts of the network and cap its share of the market to 35 percent may have given enough reasons to brush past the dispute. "Essentially what they've done is limit Huawei from large parts of the network," said the Royal United Services Institute think-tank's cyber research chief James Sullivan. The EU announced a similar plan Wednesday. But the list of disagreements between the historic allies appears to be getting longer -- just as expectations grow of them becoming closer now that Britain is leaving the EU. Johnson has been publically pushing Washington to send back the wife of a US diplomat who is using the cover of diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution over the death of a teenager in a road accident in England. The United States rejected Anne Sacoolas's extradition to Britain last week. Contrasting approaches to Iran and a US prosecutor's complaint that Prince Andrew was stonewalling an FBI investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein only add to layers of tensions. Johnson might now simply be hoping "there are no precipitous statements from the US saying that's it, this love affair is at an end", said Ian Bond of London's Centre for European Reform. Yet the sides also have the political incentive to quickly agree on the outlines of a new trade agreement whose negotiation can begin once Brexit takes effect on Friday at 2300 GMT. Pompeo said London and Washington had "enormous trade issues and big commercial issues" to discuss.

Palestinian leaders free to come up with a counter offer: Pompeo

Israeli security forces shot a Palestinian woman who tried to stab them at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday (September 18), Israeli police said, and Palestinian officials said she died of her injury.

Palestinian woman shot point blank

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said.

Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP.

A second teenager was shot in the stomach east of Gaza City, the spokesman said, later identifying him as Khaled al-Rabaee, 14.

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding either of the deaths.

But in a statement, it said an estimated 6,200 "rioters and demonstrators" had gathered in locations along the border and thrown "fire bombs and explosive devices" at troops, as well as approaching the fence.

Palestinians have been holding often violent weekly protests along the fortified border fence since March 2018.

The protesters are calling for Israel to end its crippling siege on the coastal enclave as well as demanding the right to return to lands their families fled in 1948, which are now inside Israel.

Israel says any such return would mean its end as a Jewish state and accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said a further 46 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire on Friday.&nbsp; &nbsp;

United Nations envoy Nickolay Mladenov called the killing of the two teenagers "appalling".

"Israel must calibrate its use of force," he wrote on Twitter, calling on protesters to "be peaceful" and for an end to "the cycle of violence".

At least 308 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, the majority during the demonstrations.

Seven Israelis have been killed. The protests have calmed in recent months. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said. Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP.

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed by Israeli fire in renewed clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave said. Ali al-Ashqar, 17, was shot in the neck along the border fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, a health ministry spokesman told AFP. A second teenager was shot in the stomach east of Gaza City, the spokesman said, later identifying him as Khaled al-Rabaee, 14. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding either of the deaths. But in a statement, it said an estimated 6,200 "rioters and demonstrators" had gathered in locations along the border and thrown "fire bombs and explosive devices" at troops, as well as approaching the fence. Palestinians have been holding often violent weekly protests along the fortified border fence since March 2018. The protesters are calling for Israel to end its crippling siege on the coastal enclave as well as demanding the right to return to lands their families fled in 1948, which are now inside Israel. Israel says any such return would mean its end as a Jewish state and accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said a further 46 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire on Friday. United Nations envoy Nickolay Mladenov called the killing of the two teenagers "appalling". "Israel must calibrate its use of force," he wrote on Twitter, calling on protesters to "be peaceful" and for an end to "the cycle of violence". At least 308 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began, the majority during the demonstrations. Seven Israelis have been killed. The protests have calmed in recent months. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Two Palestinian teenagers killed by Israeli fire during clashes: Gaza ministry

76 young musicians scattered across Palestine who come together to delight the audiences in Europe on the notes of the major classical composers of all times. And the musicians' excitement was palpable.

A Palestinian musical delight in Europe

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-hints-israel-behind-attacks-on-iran-backed-militia-depots-in-iraq-244973">Israel&nbsp;</a>said on Monday it was cutting by half the amount of&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;it supplies to&nbsp;Gaza's only power plant, in response to&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;attacks from the Palestinian territory.

Three&nbsp;rockets were fired from the Hamas Islamist-run enclave at southern&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;on Sunday and two were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, the military said.&nbsp;

There was no claim of responsibility. After&nbsp;the&nbsp;attack,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-air-strike-in-syria-sent-no-immunity-message-to-iran-245618">Israel&nbsp;launched an airstrike</a> against what the military described as a Hamas military compound.

No casualties were reported on either side of the volatile border.

In a statement, COGAT, a unit in the Defence Ministry that coordinates civilian issues with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip, said "cutting the amount of diesel in half will significantly reduce" the plant's output.

It said the measure, "following the firing of&nbsp;rockets ... and the continued violation of stability and security" will be in effect until further notice. 
Gaza&nbsp;has long suffered from a shortage of electricity and chronic blackouts.

&nbsp;A new power line from&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;has been proposed to alleviate the situation.

Mohammad Thabet, the spokesman for the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;power company, described the&nbsp;Israeli decision as collective punishment.

"We already are in a crisis and now the&nbsp;Israeli decision will make it worse. It will have a grave impact on the lives of 2 million people and vital services such as hospitals," Thabet told Reuters.

Currently, residents get six hours of electricity followed by 12 hours of blackout.

Thabet said the&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;cuts would decrease power time to only four-hour periods.

In a series of border confrontations in recent weeks,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;said it killed at least eight Palestinian militants who tried to infiltrate its territory.

Israeli and Egyptian blockades have brought the&nbsp;Gazan economy to the brink of collapse.

Recent foreign aid cuts and sanctions by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas’s rival in the West Bank, have worsened the situation. 
&nbsp;

Israel said on Monday it was cutting by half the amount of fuel it supplies to Gaza's only power plant, in response to rocket attacks from the Palestinian territory.

Israel said on Monday it was cutting by half the amount of fuel it supplies to Gaza's only power plant, in response to rocket attacks from the Palestinian territory. Three rockets were fired from the Hamas Islamist-run enclave at southern Israel on Sunday and two were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, the military said. There was no claim of responsibility. After the attack, Israel launched an airstrike against what the military described as a Hamas military compound. No casualties were reported on either side of the volatile border. In a statement, COGAT, a unit in the Defence Ministry that coordinates civilian issues with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, said "cutting the amount of diesel in half will significantly reduce" the plant's output. It said the measure, "following the firing of rockets ... and the continued violation of stability and security" will be in effect until further notice. Gaza has long suffered from a shortage of electricity and chronic blackouts. A new power line from Israel has been proposed to alleviate the situation. Mohammad Thabet, the spokesman for the Gaza power company, described the Israeli decision as collective punishment. "We already are in a crisis and now the Israeli decision will make it worse. It will have a grave impact on the lives of 2 million people and vital services such as hospitals," Thabet told Reuters. Currently, residents get six hours of electricity followed by 12 hours of blackout. Thabet said the fuel cuts would decrease power time to only four-hour periods. In a series of border confrontations in recent weeks, Israel said it killed at least eight Palestinian militants who tried to infiltrate its territory. Israeli and Egyptian blockades have brought the Gazan economy to the brink of collapse. Recent foreign aid cuts and sanctions by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas’s rival in the West Bank, have worsened the situation.

Israel reduces Gaza fuel supply after rocket attack

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-from-gaza-draws-israeli-air-strikes-one-person-wounded-12126/amp">Israeli airstrikes</a> targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said.

The strikes came just hours after the head of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah threatened Israel after two drones fell on its Beirut stronghold in what he described as a targeted "drone attack".

The National News Agency said "three hostile strikes" after midnight hit Lebanon's eastern mountains near Qusaya town "where the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command has military posts".

"They responded well a barrage of anti-aircraft fire," it said.

PFLP-GC spokesman Anwar Raja told the Al-Mayadeen television channel that it was an Israeli strike.

The PFLP-GC has close ties to Hezbollah and Syria's government.&nbsp;

It has positions in the eastern region of Bekaa, as well as in Al-Naaemeh just south of Beirut.

Qusaya is only about five kilometres (three miles) from the Syrian border.

In July 2015, a security official said a blast at a PFLP-GC base there wounded seven people, while the Palestinian group blamed it on an Israeli strike.

On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel after what he described as a targeted "drone attack" in a stronghold of his group in the south of Beirut.

"The time when Israeli aircraft come and bombard parts of Lebanon is over," he said.

"I say to the Israeli army along the border, from tonight be ready and wait for us," he said. "What happened yesterday will not pass."

Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and also a key government backer in war-torn Syria.

The latest incident also came after Israel on Saturday launched strikes in neighbouring Syria to prevent what it said was an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli airstrikes targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said.

Israeli airstrikes targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said. The strikes came just hours after the head of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah threatened Israel after two drones fell on its Beirut stronghold in what he described as a targeted "drone attack". The National News Agency said "three hostile strikes" after midnight hit Lebanon's eastern mountains near Qusaya town "where the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command has military posts". "They responded well a barrage of anti-aircraft fire," it said. PFLP-GC spokesman Anwar Raja told the Al-Mayadeen television channel that it was an Israeli strike. The PFLP-GC has close ties to Hezbollah and Syria's government. It has positions in the eastern region of Bekaa, as well as in Al-Naaemeh just south of Beirut. Qusaya is only about five kilometres (three miles) from the Syrian border. In July 2015, a security official said a blast at a PFLP-GC base there wounded seven people, while the Palestinian group blamed it on an Israeli strike. On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel after what he described as a targeted "drone attack" in a stronghold of his group in the south of Beirut. "The time when Israeli aircraft come and bombard parts of Lebanon is over," he said. "I say to the Israeli army along the border, from tonight be ready and wait for us," he said. "What happened yesterday will not pass." Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and also a key government backer in war-torn Syria. The latest incident also came after Israel on Saturday launched strikes in neighbouring Syria to prevent what it said was an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli strikes hit pro-Syria Palestinian group in Lebanon

Three Israelis were injured by a bomb in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-palestinians-killed-by-israeli-troops-at-gaza-border-ministry-243777">a Palestinian attack</a> near a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli military said.

A military spokesman said an Israeli man and his two children were "seriously injured" by an improvised explosive device (IED) while visiting a spring near the settlement of Dolev, northwest of the Palestinian city of Ramallah.

One of those wounded was treated at the scene and the other two were evacuated to hospital by an Israeli military helicopter, the spokesman said.

The military said it was being treated as a terrorist attack.

Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it was treating three people in "serious condition", including a 46-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, and an 18-year-old woman.

The hilly central region of the West Bank around Dolev is studded with olive groves and orchards and is popular with hikers.

The area saw clashes last year between Palestinians and Israelis over settlement expansions, as Palestinian villagers complained that settlers were trying to take over land, including water sources.

On Friday morning the Israeli military quickly cordoned off the area around Ein Bobin spring near the Palestinian village of Deir Ibzi', while soldiers blocked roads and searched the area.

The natural water source was named Danny Spring by Israelis after an Israeli student, Danny Gonen, was killed there in 2015.

That attack was claimed by a group claiming to be affiliated with the Islamist group Hamas.

Three Israelis were injured by a bomb in a Palestinian attack near a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli military said. A military spokesman said an Israeli man and his two children were "seriously injured" by an improvised explosive device (IED) while visiting a spring near the settlement of Dolev, northwest of the Palestinian city of Ramallah.

Three Israelis were injured by a bomb in a Palestinian attack near a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the Israeli military said. A military spokesman said an Israeli man and his two children were "seriously injured" by an improvised explosive device (IED) while visiting a spring near the settlement of Dolev, northwest of the Palestinian city of Ramallah. One of those wounded was treated at the scene and the other two were evacuated to hospital by an Israeli military helicopter, the spokesman said. The military said it was being treated as a terrorist attack. Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it was treating three people in "serious condition", including a 46-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, and an 18-year-old woman. The hilly central region of the West Bank around Dolev is studded with olive groves and orchards and is popular with hikers. The area saw clashes last year between Palestinians and Israelis over settlement expansions, as Palestinian villagers complained that settlers were trying to take over land, including water sources. On Friday morning the Israeli military quickly cordoned off the area around Ein Bobin spring near the Palestinian village of Deir Ibzi', while soldiers blocked roads and searched the area. The natural water source was named Danny Spring by Israelis after an Israeli student, Danny Gonen, was killed there in 2015. That attack was claimed by a group claiming to be affiliated with the Islamist group Hamas.

Three Israelis injured by a bomb in an attack near settlement: Military

Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday, in the face of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-palestinians-killed-in-clashes-with-israeli-troops-in-gaza-west-bank-192841">Palestinian protests and international criticism</a>.

Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli soldiers and police moved in to Sur Baher, a Palestinian village on the edge of East Jerusalem in an area that Israel captured and occupied in the 1967 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-us-over-extra-troop-deployment-to-middle-east-228294">Middle East War</a>.

Palestinians fear that the razing of village buildings near the fence will set a precedent for other towns along the route of the barrier, which runs for hundreds of kilometres around and through the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The pending demolition is the latest round of protracted wrangling over the future of Jerusalem, home to more than 500,000 Israelis and 300,000 Palestinians, and sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Israel's Supreme Court ruled in June that the structures violated a construction ban. The deadline for residents to remove the buildings expired on Friday.

However, some residents said they would be made homeless. Owners said they had obtained permission to build from the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israeli forces cut through the wire fence near the village early on Monday, allowing them easier access to the buildings.

Floodlights lit up a partly constructed multi-storey building as dozens of vehicles brought helmeted police and soldiers into the area.

They were filmed and photographed by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists who had mobilised to try and stop the demolition.

"Since 2 a.m. they have been evacuating people from their homes by force and they have started planting explosives in the homes they want to destroy. There are hundreds of soldiers here," said Hamada Hamada, a community leader in one of the threatened areas.

Demolition Preparations

The sprawling village of Sur Baher straddles the line between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Its political geography is complicated by the fact that parts of it lie outside the municipal boundaries of Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem but on the Israeli side of the barrier, cutting it off from the rest of the West Bank.

Palestinian officials say the threatened structures lie within areas that they should control. The Palestine Liberation Organization issued a statement accusing the Israeli court of aiming "to set a precedent to enable the Israeli occupying forces to demolish numerous Palestinian buildings located nearby" to the barrier.

Jamie McGoldrick, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator, and other UN officials called on the Israeli authorities last week to halt the demolition plans. They said 17 Palestinians faced displacement from the plans to level 10 buildings, including dozens of apartments.

The European Union issued a statement saying: "The continuation of this policy undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for lasting peace."

However, the Israeli Supreme Court's 3-judge panel ruled unanimously in favor of demolition. "The petitioners took the law into their own hands when they began and continued building structures without receiving a special permit from the military commander," it said.

The court said construction close to the barrier could provide cover for attackers. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on Monday and said it was checking the reports.

Israel credits the barrier projected to be 720 km (450 miles) long when complete with stemming Palestinian suicide bombings that peaked in 2002 and 2003. Palestinians call it a land grab designed to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements.

In some areas of Jerusalem and the West Bank, the barrier is a high concrete wall, but in Sur Baher, it consists of two wire fences separated by a military patrol road and protected by watchtowers and electronic sensors.

Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday, in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism.

Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday, in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism. Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli soldiers and police moved in to Sur Baher, a Palestinian village on the edge of East Jerusalem in an area that Israel captured and occupied in the 1967 Middle East War. Palestinians fear that the razing of village buildings near the fence will set a precedent for other towns along the route of the barrier, which runs for hundreds of kilometres around and through the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The pending demolition is the latest round of protracted wrangling over the future of Jerusalem, home to more than 500,000 Israelis and 300,000 Palestinians, and sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Israel's Supreme Court ruled in June that the structures violated a construction ban. The deadline for residents to remove the buildings expired on Friday. However, some residents said they would be made homeless. Owners said they had obtained permission to build from the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli forces cut through the wire fence near the village early on Monday, allowing them easier access to the buildings. Floodlights lit up a partly constructed multi-storey building as dozens of vehicles brought helmeted police and soldiers into the area. They were filmed and photographed by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists who had mobilised to try and stop the demolition. "Since 2 a.m. they have been evacuating people from their homes by force and they have started planting explosives in the homes they want to destroy. There are hundreds of soldiers here," said Hamada Hamada, a community leader in one of the threatened areas. Demolition Preparations The sprawling village of Sur Baher straddles the line between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Its political geography is complicated by the fact that parts of it lie outside the municipal boundaries of Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem but on the Israeli side of the barrier, cutting it off from the rest of the West Bank. Palestinian officials say the threatened structures lie within areas that they should control. The Palestine Liberation Organization issued a statement accusing the Israeli court of aiming "to set a precedent to enable the Israeli occupying forces to demolish numerous Palestinian buildings located nearby" to the barrier. Jamie McGoldrick, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator, and other UN officials called on the Israeli authorities last week to halt the demolition plans. They said 17 Palestinians faced displacement from the plans to level 10 buildings, including dozens of apartments. The European Union issued a statement saying: "The continuation of this policy undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for lasting peace." However, the Israeli Supreme Court's 3-judge panel ruled unanimously in favor of demolition. "The petitioners took the law into their own hands when they began and continued building structures without receiving a special permit from the military commander," it said. The court said construction close to the barrier could provide cover for attackers. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on Monday and said it was checking the reports. Israel credits the barrier projected to be 720 km (450 miles) long when complete with stemming Palestinian suicide bombings that peaked in 2002 and 2003. Palestinians call it a land grab designed to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements. In some areas of Jerusalem and the West Bank, the barrier is a high concrete wall, but in Sur Baher, it consists of two wire fences separated by a military patrol road and protected by watchtowers and electronic sensors.

Israel prepares to demolish homes on Jerusalem outskirts, stoking Palestinian fears

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers.

Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said,&nbsp;"I think you can, I think you can."&nbsp;

"I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said.

He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay.

Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks.

But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded.

"The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement.

He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation."

Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people.

In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections.

"We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said.

"They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting.

Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked. The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers. Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said, "I think you can, I think you can." "I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said. He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay. Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks. But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded. "The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement. He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation." Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people. In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections. "We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said. "They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank. Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting. Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Calls to sack Israel education minister, Rafi Peretz over gay therapy comments

Palestinian leaders say a US envoy's comments on<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-in-interview-does-not-rule-out-israeli-annexation-in-west-bank-225577"> Israel having the right to annex</a> at least parts of the occupied West Bank show "extremists" are involved in White House policy on the issue.

In a statement late Saturday in response to US ambassador to Israel David Friedman's comments in a New York Times interview, a Palestinian government spokesman said some leading US policy on the issue were "extremists" lacking in "political maturity."

The Palestinian foreign ministry said it was looking into filing a complaint with the International Criminal Court on the issue.

Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat on Twitter called Friedman an "extreme ambassador of the settlers."

"Their vision is about the annexation of occupied territory, a war crime under international law," he said.

Erekat also renewed a Palestinian call for countries to boycott a June 25-26 conference in Bahrain to discuss economic aspects of a peace deal the White House has been working on.

In the interview published Saturday, Friedman said some degree of the annexation of the West Bank would be legitimate.

"Under certain circumstances, I think Israel has the right to retain some, but unlikely all, of the West Bank," he said.

Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War and its construction of settlements there is viewed as a major stumbling block to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Friedman has in the past been a supporter of Israeli settlements as has the family of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser leading efforts to put together the peace deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged ahead of April elections to begin annexing West Bank settlements.

Bringing settlements under Israeli sovereignty on a large-scale could end any remaining hopes for a two-state solution to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

More than 600,000 Jewish settlers now live in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem among some three million Palestinians.

On the long-delayed peace plan, Friedman said it was aimed at improving the quality of life for Palestinians but would fall well short of a "permanent resolution to the conflict".

Publication of the plan looks set to be further delayed after the Israeli parliament called a snap general election for September, the second this year.

The plan is regarded as too sensitive to release during the campaign.

The Palestinian leadership has already rejected the plan, saying Trump's moves so far show him to be blatantly biased in favour of Israel.

Those moves include recognising the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and cutting hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid to the Palestinians.

Palestinian leaders say a US envoy's comments on Israel having the right to annex at least parts of the occupied West Bank show "extremists" are involved in White House policy on the issue.

Palestinian leaders say a US envoy's comments on Israel having the right to annex at least parts of the occupied West Bank show "extremists" are involved in White House policy on the issue. In a statement late Saturday in response to US ambassador to Israel David Friedman's comments in a New York Times interview, a Palestinian government spokesman said some leading US policy on the issue were "extremists" lacking in "political maturity." The Palestinian foreign ministry said it was looking into filing a complaint with the International Criminal Court on the issue. Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat on Twitter called Friedman an "extreme ambassador of the settlers." "Their vision is about the annexation of occupied territory, a war crime under international law," he said. Erekat also renewed a Palestinian call for countries to boycott a June 25-26 conference in Bahrain to discuss economic aspects of a peace deal the White House has been working on. In the interview published Saturday, Friedman said some degree of the annexation of the West Bank would be legitimate. "Under certain circumstances, I think Israel has the right to retain some, but unlikely all, of the West Bank," he said. Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War and its construction of settlements there is viewed as a major stumbling block to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state. Friedman has in the past been a supporter of Israeli settlements as has the family of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser leading efforts to put together the peace deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged ahead of April elections to begin annexing West Bank settlements. Bringing settlements under Israeli sovereignty on a large-scale could end any remaining hopes for a two-state solution to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians. More than 600,000 Jewish settlers now live in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem among some three million Palestinians. On the long-delayed peace plan, Friedman said it was aimed at improving the quality of life for Palestinians but would fall well short of a "permanent resolution to the conflict". Publication of the plan looks set to be further delayed after the Israeli parliament called a snap general election for September, the second this year. The plan is regarded as too sensitive to release during the campaign. The Palestinian leadership has already rejected the plan, saying Trump's moves so far show him to be blatantly biased in favour of Israel. Those moves include recognising the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and cutting hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid to the Palestinians.

US envoy's annexation comments show 'extremist' approach: Palestinian leaders

A Palestinian stabbed and wounded two Israelis in annexed east Jerusalem on Friday before being shot dead, police said, despite tight security for Ramadan.

One of the Israelis was in a critical condition and the other suffered serious wounds, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

"Police units that responded at the scene saw the attacker with a knife. The attacker was shot and killed by police units," Rosenfeld said.

Police identified the assailant as a 19-year-old Palestinian.

The Old City, where the attack took place, has been the scene of numerous stabbings of Israelis by wildcat Palestinian assailants in recent years.

The first Israeli was stabbed near Damascus Gate. The second was attacked near Jaffa Gate on the other side of the walled city.

Security has been stepped up across Jerusalem during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Tens of thousands of believers were expected to gather at the Old City's politically contentious Al-Aqsa mosque compound later for the last Friday prayers of Ramadan.

The attack came just two days before Israelis hold a major march to mark Jerusalem Day, the annual commemoration of the capture of east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967.&nbsp;

It was later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community.

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump broke with decades of bipartisan policy to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital in a move that prompted the Palestinians to cut all contacts with his administration and which has sent tensions soaring.

Israel insists the whole of Jerusalem is its "eternal, indivisible capital". The Palestinians demand the city's eastern sector as the capital of their long-promised state.

Trump's gift&nbsp;

On Thursday evening, Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-protest-moves-to-grant-netanyahu-immunity-limit-supreme-court-221711">Benjamin Netanyahu </a>in Jerusalem as part of a Middle East tour before Washington unveils its long-awaited plan for Israel-Palestinian peace.

Kushner, accompanied by Trump envoy Jason Greenblatt, arrived in Jerusalem after earlier stops in Morocco and Jordan.

He is a key architect of the peace plan that the White House says it intends to present in the coming weeks.

But the plan, previously delayed for an Israeli general election on April 9, could face further postponements due to Israeli politics.

Israel is set to hold another general election in September after Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government, and the plan is widely seen as too sensitive an issue to introduce during a political campaign.

The Palestinian leadership has rejected the peace plan without seeing it, saying Trump has shown himself to be blatantly biased in favour of Israel.

They cite moves including declaring the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital and cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian aid.

Trump has also handed Netanyahu other diplomatic coups, notably US recognition of Israel's 1981 annexation of the strategic Golan &nbsp;Heights captured from Syria in the Six-Day War.

On Thursday, Kushner delivered Netanyahu a gift from Trump, a map of Israel signed and approvingly annotated by the US president showing the Golan as inside the Jewish state's borders.

A Palestinian stabbed and wounded two Israelis in annexed east Jerusalem on Friday before being shot dead, police said, despite tight security for Ramadan. One of the Israelis was in a critical condition and the other suffered serious wounds, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

A Palestinian stabbed and wounded two Israelis in annexed east Jerusalem on Friday before being shot dead, police said, despite tight security for Ramadan. One of the Israelis was in a critical condition and the other suffered serious wounds, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. "Police units that responded at the scene saw the attacker with a knife. The attacker was shot and killed by police units," Rosenfeld said. Police identified the assailant as a 19-year-old Palestinian. The Old City, where the attack took place, has been the scene of numerous stabbings of Israelis by wildcat Palestinian assailants in recent years. The first Israeli was stabbed near Damascus Gate. The second was attacked near Jaffa Gate on the other side of the walled city. Security has been stepped up across Jerusalem during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Tens of thousands of believers were expected to gather at the Old City's politically contentious Al-Aqsa mosque compound later for the last Friday prayers of Ramadan. The attack came just two days before Israelis hold a major march to mark Jerusalem Day, the annual commemoration of the capture of east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967. It was later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community. In December 2017, US President Donald Trump broke with decades of bipartisan policy to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital in a move that prompted the Palestinians to cut all contacts with his administration and which has sent tensions soaring. Israel insists the whole of Jerusalem is its "eternal, indivisible capital". The Palestinians demand the city's eastern sector as the capital of their long-promised state. Trump's gift On Thursday evening, Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem as part of a Middle East tour before Washington unveils its long-awaited plan for Israel-Palestinian peace. Kushner, accompanied by Trump envoy Jason Greenblatt, arrived in Jerusalem after earlier stops in Morocco and Jordan. He is a key architect of the peace plan that the White House says it intends to present in the coming weeks. But the plan, previously delayed for an Israeli general election on April 9, could face further postponements due to Israeli politics. Israel is set to hold another general election in September after Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government, and the plan is widely seen as too sensitive an issue to introduce during a political campaign. The Palestinian leadership has rejected the peace plan without seeing it, saying Trump has shown himself to be blatantly biased in favour of Israel. They cite moves including declaring the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital and cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian aid. Trump has also handed Netanyahu other diplomatic coups, notably US recognition of Israel's 1981 annexation of the strategic Golan Heights captured from Syria in the Six-Day War. On Thursday, Kushner delivered Netanyahu a gift from Trump, a map of Israel signed and approvingly annotated by the US president showing the Golan as inside the Jewish state's borders.

Two Israelis wounded in Jerusalem stabbings, attacker killed: Police

After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire.

Half-drained coffee cups and unfinished sandwiches still sat on desks, but opposite city hall the car park of a local mall was packed as people went back to business as usual.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian leaders in Gaza announced a ceasefire with Israel, ending a sharp escalation of violence that threatened another war between them.

There was, as in previous truces, no confirmation from the Israeli side but there were no reports of rocket launches or retaliatory Israeli strikes during the day.

Civilians on both side of the Gaza border, just four kilometres from Ashkelon's city limits, said they were unhappy with the absence of a long-term solution and feared it would not be long before the bloodletting resumed.

The latest flareup began Saturday with massive rocket fire from blockaded Gaza, drawing waves of Israeli retaliatory strikes that continued throughout Sunday.

At least 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed.

Four Israeli civilians were also killed -- two of them in Ashkelon and a third nearby.

Nissim Dadon, a resident of the nearby Israeli town of Sderot, accused Israel's government of being too soft on Hamas.

"We are too nice with them, like suckers," he told AFP.

"We need to make a thorough clean-up there with a firm hand and without mercy, and to be over with this situation once and for all."

In Gaza City, where the funerals of Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes were taking place, the truce was welcomed.

It coincided with the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when believers fast during daylight hours.

"We are happy that there is a truce agreement but we need peace and calm for all the month of Ramadan," Rami Abu Azzam, 30, told AFP.

"This morning I rushed to the market early to buy all we need for Ramadan out of fear that the airstrikes would start again. We didn’t buy anything in the three days before fasting started."

'In seconds'

Sitting in his blast-proof office, Ashkelon's municipal chief of emergency services and security, Yossi Greenfeld, said the first rocket fired from Gaza into his city was in the year after Israel's 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip.

The fire intensified, he said, after Islamist movement Hamas seized power in Gaza from the administration of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007.

"People here, in going about their daily lives, take into account the possibility of rocket fire," he told AFP.

"Every resident is aware that he can find himself going from routine to a state of emergency in seconds."

Israel said some 690 rockets were fired from Gaza in total and it hit some 350 militant targets in the strip in retaliation.

The Gaza health ministry said the dead from the Israeli strikes included a 14-month-old baby and a pregnant woman, 37. Israel strongly disputed the claim and said the deaths were due to errant Hamas fire.

The Gazan ministry reported late Sunday that another four-month-old baby was among those killed in Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel's army had no comment.

"There are many martyrs and injured and dozens of homes destroyed. How will they spend Ramadan?" asked Wafa Abu Sayf, 20, from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

On the Israeli side of the border in Sderot, resident Amir Plut said: "We don't want war, where all sides only lose."

"We want peace with the Arabs, who are human beings like us."

Emerging from the Ashkelon bunker, Greenfeld pointed to a patch in the road outside, where a rocket crater from a previous attack had been filled in.

"You see that in many places around the city," he said, then gestured to the walls of neighbouring buildings, pockmarked by shrapnel.

"It's like living in a Wild West town. You need to know how to survive."&nbsp;

After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire.

After a weekend of deadly Palestinian fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, the underground bunker where public officials studied CCTV and incoming rockets from Gaza was hushed Monday after a tentative ceasefire. Half-drained coffee cups and unfinished sandwiches still sat on desks, but opposite city hall the car park of a local mall was packed as people went back to business as usual. Earlier in the day, Palestinian leaders in Gaza announced a ceasefire with Israel, ending a sharp escalation of violence that threatened another war between them. There was, as in previous truces, no confirmation from the Israeli side but there were no reports of rocket launches or retaliatory Israeli strikes during the day. Civilians on both side of the Gaza border, just four kilometres from Ashkelon's city limits, said they were unhappy with the absence of a long-term solution and feared it would not be long before the bloodletting resumed. The latest flareup began Saturday with massive rocket fire from blockaded Gaza, drawing waves of Israeli retaliatory strikes that continued throughout Sunday. At least 25 Palestinians, including at least nine militants, were killed. Four Israeli civilians were also killed -- two of them in Ashkelon and a third nearby. Nissim Dadon, a resident of the nearby Israeli town of Sderot, accused Israel's government of being too soft on Hamas. "We are too nice with them, like suckers," he told AFP. "We need to make a thorough clean-up there with a firm hand and without mercy, and to be over with this situation once and for all." In Gaza City, where the funerals of Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes were taking place, the truce was welcomed. It coincided with the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when believers fast during daylight hours. "We are happy that there is a truce agreement but we need peace and calm for all the month of Ramadan," Rami Abu Azzam, 30, told AFP. "This morning I rushed to the market early to buy all we need for Ramadan out of fear that the airstrikes would start again. We didn’t buy anything in the three days before fasting started." 'In seconds' Sitting in his blast-proof office, Ashkelon's municipal chief of emergency services and security, Yossi Greenfeld, said the first rocket fired from Gaza into his city was in the year after Israel's 2005 pullout from the Gaza Strip. The fire intensified, he said, after Islamist movement Hamas seized power in Gaza from the administration of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007. "People here, in going about their daily lives, take into account the possibility of rocket fire," he told AFP. "Every resident is aware that he can find himself going from routine to a state of emergency in seconds." Israel said some 690 rockets were fired from Gaza in total and it hit some 350 militant targets in the strip in retaliation. The Gaza health ministry said the dead from the Israeli strikes included a 14-month-old baby and a pregnant woman, 37. Israel strongly disputed the claim and said the deaths were due to errant Hamas fire. The Gazan ministry reported late Sunday that another four-month-old baby was among those killed in Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel's army had no comment. "There are many martyrs and injured and dozens of homes destroyed. How will they spend Ramadan?" asked Wafa Abu Sayf, 20, from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. On the Israeli side of the border in Sderot, resident Amir Plut said: "We don't want war, where all sides only lose." "We want peace with the Arabs, who are human beings like us." Emerging from the Ashkelon bunker, Greenfeld pointed to a patch in the road outside, where a rocket crater from a previous attack had been filled in. "You see that in many places around the city," he said, then gestured to the walls of neighbouring buildings, pockmarked by shrapnel. "It's like living in a Wild West town. You need to know how to survive."

Israelis, Palestinians welcome truce but fear more violence

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-palestinians-killed-as-rocket-barrages-from-gaza-draw-israeli-strikes-216001">death toll rose&nbsp;to five in an Israeli retaliatory strike</a> in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, news agency AFP reported.

The Gazan health ministry identified the man killed as Hamad al-Khodori, 34. Hamas's armed wing claimed him as one of its commanders.

Gaza militants on Saturday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-army-denies-gaza-mother-baby-killed-by-israeli-strike-216109">fired some 250 rockets at Israel</a>, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation.

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The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire.

Israel said around 250 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them.

The death toll rose to five in an Israeli retaliatory strike in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, news agency AFP reported. The Gazan health ministry identified the man killed as Hamad al-Khodori, 34.

The death toll rose to five in an Israeli retaliatory strike in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, news agency AFP reported. The Gazan health ministry identified the man killed as Hamad al-Khodori, 34. Hamas's armed wing claimed him as one of its commanders. Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. Israel said around 250 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them.

Death toll rises to five in Israeli retaliatory strike in Gaza Strip

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-vows-more-massive-strikes-in-response-to-gaza-rockets-216066">Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother</a> and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths.

"The terror organisations' propaganda at its finest," Israeli army spokesman Ronen Manelis said on Twitter.

"The mother and girl they're claiming in Gaza that were killed in an (Israeli) attack were killed by Hamas use of weapons," he added, without providing further details.

Another Israeli military spokesman, Jonathan Conricus, told journalists later that based on intelligence "we are now confident" that the deaths were not due to an Israeli strike.

"Their unfortunate death was not a result of (Israeli) weaponry but a Hamas rocket that was fired and exploded not where it was supposed to," he said.

The Gazan health ministry said on Saturday that Falestine Abu Arar, 37, and her 14-month-old daughter were killed by an Israeli strike that hit their home.

A severe escalation that began Saturday has seen Palestinian militants fire some 430 rockets from Gaza, Israel's army says.&nbsp;

Israel has responded with waves of air and tank strikes and says it is targeting only military-related sites.

Four other Palestinians have been reported killed, including at least two militants.

One Israeli civilian was killed in a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border.

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths.

Israel's army on Sunday denied claims from Gazan authorities that an Israeli strike killed a pregnant Palestinian mother and her baby, saying errant Hamas fire was to blame for the deaths. "The terror organisations' propaganda at its finest," Israeli army spokesman Ronen Manelis said on Twitter. "The mother and girl they're claiming in Gaza that were killed in an (Israeli) attack were killed by Hamas use of weapons," he added, without providing further details. Another Israeli military spokesman, Jonathan Conricus, told journalists later that based on intelligence "we are now confident" that the deaths were not due to an Israeli strike. "Their unfortunate death was not a result of (Israeli) weaponry but a Hamas rocket that was fired and exploded not where it was supposed to," he said. The Gazan health ministry said on Saturday that Falestine Abu Arar, 37, and her 14-month-old daughter were killed by an Israeli strike that hit their home. A severe escalation that began Saturday has seen Palestinian militants fire some 430 rockets from Gaza, Israel's army says. Israel has responded with waves of air and tank strikes and says it is targeting only military-related sites. Four other Palestinians have been reported killed, including at least two militants. One Israeli civilian was killed in a rocket strike on the city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border.

Israel army denies Gaza mother, baby killed by strike

The Palestinians on Monday restated their refusal to accept tax revenues collected on its behalf by Israel so long as the Jewish state deducts millions of dollars over a dispute about prisoners.

"Our position is as it was, We will not receive any money from Israel if it is incomplete," Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmud Abbas told the weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

"This is something we will not accept at any cost."

Israel collects around $190 million a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports, and then it transfers the money to the PA.

In February, the Jewish state decided to deduct around $10 million a month from those revenues, corresponding to the amount it said the PA paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails.

The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made.

Israeli public radio reported Monday that a month's payment -- minus the $10 million deductions -- had recently been transferred to PA bank accounts, in the hope the authority would quietly accept payment.

But after two weeks, the radio said, the money was returned to the Israeli finance ministry.

Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence.

The PA describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes.

The Arab League pledged last week to provide the PA with $100 million monthly, potentially averting a financial crisis caused by the row.

Abbas on Monday called on the body to honour that pledge.

"We do not have high hopes, but perhaps the amount could be considered a debt that we return as soon as Israel returns" the money, he said.

Abbas also renewed his opposition to a proposed US peace plan expected to be unveiled this summer.

He has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump's administration since December 2017, when the US president controversially recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Abbas, 84, has previously faced accusations of anti-Semitism in comments about the history of Israel, Jews and Zionism, the ideological movement behind the creation of a Jewish state, accusations he denies.

On Monday, he said,&nbsp;"Europe created -- this slightly annoys our neighbours -- Zionism and Israel."

"Let's not fool ourselves -- this is what history says."

The Palestinians on Monday restated their refusal to accept tax revenues collected on its behalf by Israel so long as the Jewish state deducts millions of dollars over a dispute about prisoners.

The Palestinians on Monday restated their refusal to accept tax revenues collected on its behalf by Israel so long as the Jewish state deducts millions of dollars over a dispute about prisoners. "Our position is as it was, We will not receive any money from Israel if it is incomplete," Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmud Abbas told the weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "This is something we will not accept at any cost." Israel collects around $190 million a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports, and then it transfers the money to the PA. In February, the Jewish state decided to deduct around $10 million a month from those revenues, corresponding to the amount it said the PA paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails. The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made. Israeli public radio reported Monday that a month's payment -- minus the $10 million deductions -- had recently been transferred to PA bank accounts, in the hope the authority would quietly accept payment. But after two weeks, the radio said, the money was returned to the Israeli finance ministry. Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence. The PA describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes. The Arab League pledged last week to provide the PA with $100 million monthly, potentially averting a financial crisis caused by the row. Abbas on Monday called on the body to honour that pledge. "We do not have high hopes, but perhaps the amount could be considered a debt that we return as soon as Israel returns" the money, he said. Abbas also renewed his opposition to a proposed US peace plan expected to be unveiled this summer. He has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump's administration since December 2017, when the US president controversially recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Abbas, 84, has previously faced accusations of anti-Semitism in comments about the history of Israel, Jews and Zionism, the ideological movement behind the creation of a Jewish state, accusations he denies. On Monday, he said, "Europe created -- this slightly annoys our neighbours -- Zionism and Israel." "Let's not fool ourselves -- this is what history says."

Palestinians keep up refusal of tax revenues after Israel cuts

Israeli police arrested the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Gheith.

The police and governor's lawyer Mohammed Mahmud said that he allegedly violated an order previously given to him by authorities.

Adnan Gheith was ordered not to visit the occupied West Bank for six months and also not to contact certain people and he violated it.

police spokesman Micky Rosenfield confirmed Gheith's arrest.

A Palestinian news agency said that Gheith was later released on Sunday and was given a fine of $280.

The governor, Adnan Gheith, has been arrested several times in recent months in connection with an investigation related to a land sale.

(With inputs from AFP)

Israeli police arrested the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Gheith. The police and governor's lawyer Mohammed Mahmud said that he allegedly violated an order previously given to him by authorities.

Israeli police arrested the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Gheith. The police and governor's lawyer Mohammed Mahmud said that he allegedly violated an order previously given to him by authorities. Adnan Gheith was ordered not to visit the occupied West Bank for six months and also not to contact certain people and he violated it. police spokesman Micky Rosenfield confirmed Gheith's arrest. A Palestinian news agency said that Gheith was later released on Sunday and was given a fine of $280. The governor, Adnan Gheith, has been arrested several times in recent months in connection with an investigation related to a land sale. (With inputs from AFP)

Israel arrests Palestinian governor Gheith of Jerusalem

Palestinian government ministers were sworn in for a second time on Sunday after a lawyer noticed that the oath they took the day before had been missing a phrase.

Lawyer Nael Al-Hawah spotted the omission after Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh's new government was sworn in before president Mahmud Abbas on Saturday.

The oath had dropped a clause where ministers swear to be loyal "to the people and its national heritage", he said.

"I noticed the error and I posted a status update on Facebook," he told AFP.

Shtayyeh called Al-Hawah to acknowledge the error and inform him that the oath would be repeated in its entirety on Sunday, he said.

Official Palestinian news agency WAFA said the oath was indeed repeated, adding that the mistake had been caused by a "typing error."

Al-Hawah said he was familiar with the vow having closely followed Palestinian governments and because it was part of his teaching for law trainees.

He said the error could have placed the government's legality in doubt.

According to WAFA, the full oath reads: "I swear by Almighty God to be loyal to the homeland and its sanctities, to the people and its national heritage, to respect the constitutional order and the law, and to take full care of the interests of the Palestinian people."

The new ministers took office following a change of government that several analysts said was made to further isolate Hamas, at odds with the Fatah party of Abbas for more than a decade.

Abbas, 84, is seen as retaining the real decision-making authority.&nbsp;

While his term was meant to expire in 2009, Abbas has remained in office in the absence of elections since the Fatah-Hamas split.

The Palestinian Authority government is based in the occupied West Bank, while Hamas rules the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian government ministers were sworn in for a second time on Sunday after a lawyer noticed that the oath they took the day before had been missing a phrase.

Palestinian government ministers were sworn in for a second time on Sunday after a lawyer noticed that the oath they took the day before had been missing a phrase. Lawyer Nael Al-Hawah spotted the omission after Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh's new government was sworn in before president Mahmud Abbas on Saturday. The oath had dropped a clause where ministers swear to be loyal "to the people and its national heritage", he said. "I noticed the error and I posted a status update on Facebook," he told AFP. Shtayyeh called Al-Hawah to acknowledge the error and inform him that the oath would be repeated in its entirety on Sunday, he said. Official Palestinian news agency WAFA said the oath was indeed repeated, adding that the mistake had been caused by a "typing error." Al-Hawah said he was familiar with the vow having closely followed Palestinian governments and because it was part of his teaching for law trainees. He said the error could have placed the government's legality in doubt. According to WAFA, the full oath reads: "I swear by Almighty God to be loyal to the homeland and its sanctities, to the people and its national heritage, to respect the constitutional order and the law, and to take full care of the interests of the Palestinian people." The new ministers took office following a change of government that several analysts said was made to further isolate Hamas, at odds with the Fatah party of Abbas for more than a decade. Abbas, 84, is seen as retaining the real decision-making authority. While his term was meant to expire in 2009, Abbas has remained in office in the absence of elections since the Fatah-Hamas split. The Palestinian Authority government is based in the occupied West Bank, while Hamas rules the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian ministers sworn in again after oath foul-up

A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces on Tuesday during clashes with troops in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said.

The Israeli military said troops opened fire after Palestinians threw rocks and explosives at them during an operation southeast of the city of Ramallah.

The Palestinian health ministry said the man had lived in Qalandia refugee camp and that three other Palestinians were wounded.

Tensions have been high in the West Bank since a Palestinian killed an Israeli soldier and a rabbi in a stabbing and shooting attack in mid-March.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to establish a state there and in the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces on Tuesday during clashes with troops in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said. The Israeli military said troops opened fire after Palestinians threw rocks and explosives at them during an operation southeast of the city of Ramallah.

A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces on Tuesday during clashes with troops in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said. The Israeli military said troops opened fire after Palestinians threw rocks and explosives at them during an operation southeast of the city of Ramallah. The Palestinian health ministry said the man had lived in Qalandia refugee camp and that three other Palestinians were wounded. Tensions have been high in the West Bank since a Palestinian killed an Israeli soldier and a rabbi in a stabbing and shooting attack in mid-March. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to establish a state there and in the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

Israeli troops kill Palestinian man in West Bank clashes

Thousands protest at border, but Gaza-Israel truce holds

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long.

Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets.

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached.

Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes.

Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance.

Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas.

The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants.

Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general.

Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump.

"Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression."

Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself.

In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed.

Hamas attack

The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack.

The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014.

Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual.

The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year.

Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation.

Wide range of scenarios

Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds.

The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic.

"We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said.

Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes.

The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed.

Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence.

Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled.

Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse.

Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term.

At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years. After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long. Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets. Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached. Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes. Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance. Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas. The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants. Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general. Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump. "Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression." Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself. In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed. Hamas attack The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack. The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014. Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual. The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year. Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation. Wide range of scenarios Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds. The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic. "We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said. Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes. The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed. Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence. Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled. Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse. Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term. At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel, Hamas clash over Gaza, then truce reached

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-kill-palestinian-suspected-of-deadly-attack-in-west-bank-204414">A Palestinian was shot dead</a> late Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian medical sources said, with the Israeli army saying a soldier opened fire after Israeli cars were stoned.

The Palestinian health ministry said Ahmed Manasara, 26, was shot dead near a checkpoint close to Bethlehem without providing further details.

The Israeli military said that a soldier had "opened fire after identifying rocks being thrown at Israeli vehicles."&nbsp;

A Palestinian was shot dead late Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian medical sources said, with the Israeli army saying a soldier opened fire after Israeli cars were stoned.

A Palestinian was shot dead late Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian medical sources said, with the Israeli army saying a soldier opened fire after Israeli cars were stoned. The Palestinian health ministry said Ahmed Manasara, 26, was shot dead near a checkpoint close to Bethlehem without providing further details. The Israeli military said that a soldier had "opened fire after identifying rocks being thrown at Israeli vehicles."

Palestinian shot dead after he threw stones at Israeli cars: Medics, army

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