Deacon Dave in Hebron, Palestine

Date: 27 / 07 / 2008 Time: 09:12

Hebron – Ma'an News

Twenty-five-year-old Shihab Ad-Dein Natshah was killed by Israeli forces near Hebron.

Natshah was a Palestinian activist affiliated with the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. He was killed by Israeli forces after they demolished a house were he was hiding in the Shi'b Al-Milh region between the southern West Bank city of Hebron and the nearby town of Taffuh, eyewitnesses say.

The witnesses added that Israeli forces besieged the home on Saturday at seven in the evening. Palestinian medics reported seeing fire erupt from the besieged home, and other witnesses said heavy gunfire was heard in the area and at least 15 Israeli military vehicles were present. The military operation went through the night, with palpable tension in the area. Israeli forces summoned back-up forces accompanied by a military bulldozer to the area.

Tracks from 3 Israeli Army Tanks

Wednesday 30, April, 2008 3:30

HEBRON: At 1:00 am this morning, April 30th, the Israeli Military
raided the Hebron Girls' Orphanage near the intersection of Salaam and
Al Adel (Peace and Justice) Streets. Acting on orders issued by Major
General Shemni, soldiers looted the workshop of all its sewing and
processing machines, office equipment, rolls of cloth, finished
clothing and supplies. CPT members documented, with still photos and
video, approximately 40 Israeli soldiers emptying the workshop
contents into 2 - 40ft. trucks. The estimated value of the physical
material taken is $45,000 US. The cost in terms of the fear and

03 Apr 08

The Israeli Army has decided to close down the Islamic Charitable Society in Hebron, Palestine. They claim that the society is linked to Hamas and channels money to terrorism but this is not true. The army has stolen a large amount of food and equipment from the Society including computers and 2 school buses. Food and bread for the orphans has been stolen also. Families who rent from the society have been evicted from their homes and many businesses have been forced to close or relocate. Schools and orphanages have been given 7 days to close from the 1st April 08.

The Islamic Charitable Society (Jumaiah Shumah Muslimeen) was founded in 1962 before the occupation of the West Bank and several years before Hamas was founded. Most of its members and employees are not members of Hamas but belong to other political organisations or none at all. The accounts are published every year and have been checked by the relevant Israeli authorities. There are no irregularities. All the money raised for charitable works has been accounted for and has gone to the purposes inteneded.

Israeli Army is threatening to close 8 schools and 2 orphanages in Hebron region

Saturday 15 Sep

One person was killed and five injured in gun fights in the old City near Abraham's Mosque. A long standing feud between 2 Palestinians broke out into violence. Israeli soldiers closed the area but did not intervene until the fighting got close to one of the Jewish settlements. They shot the man who died.

Our area of Tel Rumeida and the rest of Hebron was unaffected by the violence. Ibrahimi School and the Shari'a Court were closed for the day and travelling was difficult near the mosque.

The incident raises serious questions about Israeli security if so many guns are being held within the Israeli controlled zone. It doeas show that so called security measures are not effective and are probably more intended to be harrassment of the civilian population.