Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

24,000 Palestinians Killed, 46,000 Injured, in US-Backed Israeli Genocidal War on Gaza

December 7, 2023

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Editor's Notes:

By December 7, 2023, the initial death toll of Palestinians who have been killed by the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza Strop is 24,177+. This includes the accounted for deaths (17,177) and those who are still missing under the rubble (7,000+).

Initial reports, by December 6, 2023:

According to a December 7, 2023 statement by the spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza, since October 7, resulted in a death toll of 17,177+ and 46,000+ injuries. 

By December 4, 2023, this included 6,500+ children and 4,500+ women. There are more than 7,000+ who are missing under the rubble.

In addition, there was a complete destruction of 50,000+ housing units, and 300,000+ damaged housing units.

By December 6, 2023, 290 health personnel were killed and hundreds were injured, 102 ambulances were destroyed while on duty, killing and injuring their crews, and destroyed 56 health institutions. As a result of the strikes and lack of fuel, 26 hospitals and 46 primary care centers are not functioning.

By December 7, 2023:

There were 265 Palestinians who were killed, 3,214+ who were injured, and 3,646 who were abducted by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank.

 

Scenes of death and destruction inflicted by Israeli genocidal war on Gaza Strip, December 7, 2023	Palestinians who were forced by Israeli genocidal air strikes to take refuge in UN, without food, water, or medicine there, December 7, 2023
Palestinian teenager 'Omar Ma'hmoud Abu Bakr, 16, was killed by Israeli occupation soldiers in Ya'bad, Jineen, on December 6, 2023	'Othman Bin Qashqar Mosque in Gaza City was bombed by the Israeli occupation regime warplanes, on December 7, 2023
A Palestinian man carrying a little girl who was killed in an Israeli air strike on Rafa'h, December 7, 2023	A Palestinian young man grieving his family members who were killed by an Israeli genocidal air strike on Rafa'h, December 7, 2023

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

"مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا"  (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 32).

"وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا" (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 93).

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul, or for corruption in the land, it is as if he had killed humankind entirely" (The Holy Quran, Al-Ma-ida, 5: 32).

"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him, and has cursed him, and has prepared for him a great torment" (Al-Nisa, 4: 93).

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While brutal force has been used to create Zionist Israel and sustain it thus far, Zionist claims to Palestine are false. Actually, from the five thousand years of known written human history, there has been a continuous Palestinian-Canaanite presence in the Holy Land. Despite the Zionist false claims, the ancient Israelites ruled part of the land for only 85 years (during the reign of Prophets David and Solomon , peace be upon them, and Solomon's son).

 After that, the Egyptians conquered Palestine-Canaan in 925 BC, followed by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, before the Arab Muslim rule, starting from 636 AD.

By the Time Jesus, peace be upon him, started his mission, the three population groups of Canaanites, Palestinians, and Israelites were melted together in religion and language. Most of them became Christians when Constantine converted in 313 AD. Then, most of them became Muslims in the 7th and 8th centuries AD.

So, Palestinian Muslims, Christians, and Jews are the ones who have the right to claim descent from ancient Israelites, Palestinians, and Canaanites, not Zionists from other continents.

No matter what the Zionists and their supporters do, they cannot change the will of God, Who promised the Holy Land to Abraham and his descendants, basically the Palestinian Muslims and Christians.

No matter how much persecution and aggression the Zionists and their supporters inflict upon the Palestinian people, they will never be able to force them out of the Holy Land, which Allah, praise to Him, promised for them, and kept His promise ever since.

The following news stories are just examples, not a systematic record, of the Israeli occupation government abuse, mistreatment, and violations of Palestinian human rights, on daily basis.

More detailed news stories can be found at the following sources:

http://english.wafa.ps/, https://english.palinfo.com/, https://imemc.org/, https://paltoday.ps/ar/


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Editorial Notes about terms & names of people and places:

1. Names of people and places have been standardized to match standard Arabic grammatical rules.

2. Underlined letters and letters preceded by an apostrophe are references to Arabic letter sounds, which does not exist in the English alphabet.

3. The English letter i is equivalent to the Arabic short vowel known as kasra, as in Ibraheem and Qasim as well as in the English words sit and bit. So, it is incorrect to use it as a long vowel for such Arabic names as Jameel and Jibreel.

4. The English letter e is equivalent to the Arabi short vowel known as fat'ha, as in A'hmed and Mu'hammed.

5. It is more accurate to refer to the land-grabbing Israelis, who establish illegal settlements in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, as illegal Israeli settlers, than referring to them as colonists.

The term colony is a reference to a large entity or a country, such as American states before independence. It was also a reference to Egypt, and India, when they were British colonies.

In addition, the term "colony" represents a positive nostalgic theme, in the minds of native speakers of English, particularly in America and Britain.

6. It is more accurate to use the verb "abduct" than the verb "detain," in reference to taking Palestinian citizens by force to prisons and interrogation centers, by Israeli occupation regime soldiers. This is because the presence of the Israeli occupation regime forces is illegal in the Palestinian territories, and they have no jurisdiction over the Palestinian people.

Click here for more about using the apostrophe and the underlining of letters in the transliteration of Arabic names.


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Killing and Injuring of Palestinians in Ghazza (Gaza) by Israeli Occupation Regime Forces

Death toll across Palestine surges to 16,456, over 42,000 wounded

RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) –

In the wake of the devastating Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the death toll has surged to at least 16,456 , with over 42,250 individuals wounded, the Ministry of Health said in an update this evening.

The Ministry said in a press statement that the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has reached 16,200, while the death toll in the West Bank also surged to 265. In addition, the ministry said, 42,000 Palestinians have been injured in Gaza, and nearly 3,250 others in the West Bank.

Of the 35 hospitals in Gaza, 27 are currently out of service due to the Israeli bombing campaign and the depletion of fuel reserves, the statement pointed out.

The ministry explained that the health sector in Gaza is facing a severe crisis, as 55 ambulances have been completely gone of service, and dozens of healthcare centers have ceased operations due to continuous bombardment and fuel shortages.

It added that the distribution of aid has been limited to the Rafa'h governorate, with substantial interruptions in Khan Younus, while the central region remains isolated from the south.

There has been a significant rise in infectious diseases within UNRWA shelters in the south, including cases of diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, skin inflammations, and the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis A, according to the health ministry. Vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the injured, and pregnant women, are facing challenging living conditions.

The Ministry of Health reported that over 60% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed, including more than 56,000 units completely destroyed and 224,000 units partially destroyed. The final count of destroyed units and buildings remains unavailable due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

According to the statement, there has been a growing trend of Israeli occupation forces targeting hospitals, health centers, ambulances, and medical teams in the West Bank. “The occupation has escalated attacks on hospitals, besieging and raiding them, as well as assaulting ambulances and detaining the wounded.”

Settler attacks continue, it said, with 308 incidents recorded since the onset of the aggression on the Palestinian people on October 7th. These attacks have resulted in injuries and property damage owned by Palestinians. Moreover, at least 143 Palestinian families, comprising 1,014 individuals, including 388 children, have been displaced amidst settler violence and access restrictions.

M.N.

The 62nd day of the aggression, continuous genocide

Thursday 7-December-2023, GAZA, (PIC)

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued their brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip for the 62nd consecutive day on Thursday, amidst intensified airstrikes, artillery shelling, and the destruction of homes, resulting in the killing of civilians and committing more massacres and acts of genocide. The humanitarian situation has worsened due to forced displacement and aggression, while the infiltration fronts witness fierce clashes and heroic resistance from the resistance forces.

Our correspondent reported that the Israeli aircraft, artillery, and naval forces have carried out hundreds of airstrikes and shelling operations across various areas of the Gaza Strip, resulting in hundreds of martyrs and injuries.

He added that the occupation forces continue to focus their intense shelling on Khan Younus, northern Gaza, and its eastern areas, while expanding their ground incursion, which is met with strong resistance.

Dozens of martyrs were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Turk family’s house near Al-Nour Stadium in the Sabra neighborhood, southeast of Gaza.

Eight martyrs were killed and others were injured as a result of the IOF shelling of the Abu Taha family’s house in the Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Younus.

Four citizens were martyred in the IOF shelling of the Abu Shammala family’s house in the Nusayrat refugee camp in the middle of the Strip.

The Israeli aircraft carried out several airstrikes on Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younus, and injuries started to reach the Nasser Medical Complex.

The Israeli aircraft also bombed the 'Alwan family’s house in Jabalya, north of the Gaza Strip, while the IOF artillery continued to randomly launch dozens of rockets in the eastern areas of Jabalya.

The Israeli aircraft carried out airstrikes this morning on the Yarmouk and Al-Daraj neighborhoods in Gaza City.

The IOF carried out intensive artillery shelling on the Jabalya camp in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday morning.

A martyr was killed and others were injured as a result of the IOF shelling of the Barhoum family house in the Yibna refugee camp, south of Rafa'h.

Medical crews retrieved 4 martyrs, most of them children, from the Shoarbaji family’s house targeted by the Israeli air force in Khan Younus, south of the Strip.

The young man, Mu'hammed Abdul-Hakeem Shubair, died from his wounds as a result of the IOF shelling of the Halima Mosque in Khan Younus a few days ago.

Injuries were recorded in the IOF shelling of the Sha'at family’s houses near the old cemetery in the middle of Khan Younus.

The IOF airstrikes and artillery shelling continued on the Jabalya camp and scattered houses in Gaza City.

The Israeli aircraft launched new airstrikes on Khan Younus. They also launched a fire belt on the Quwaidar neighborhood in the Ma’an area of Khan Younus, destroying several civilian homes.

Nine martyrs, including children, were killed in the IOF shelling that targeted two houses in the Nusayrat and Al-Mughazi refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip.

The Israeli aircraft carried out an Israeli airstrike on a warehouse belonging to the 'Hamarna family in the east of Al-Mughazi.

Four martyrs from the Tilbani family, including three children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Mughazi camp.

Nasir Medical Complex in Khan Younus reported the arrival of 44 martyrs, including 12 women and 7 children, as a result of the IOF aggression yesterday, Wednesday, in addition to 190 injuries, including 48 women and 27 children.

Dozens killed and injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza

GAZA, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) -

The Israeli occupation forces continued this afternoon to target civilians and their homes in various parts of the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of people, most of them children and women, while many are still under the rubble.

The occupation warplanes targeted two residential squares in the Civil Defense areas in the northern Gaza Strip, and the 'Imran neighborhood at the Talhiya junction in the center of Khan Younus, which led to the death of dozens of people and the wounding of others.

The occupation planes also bombed a house for the Abu Haroun Al-Khouli family in the 'Asqoula area of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in southern Gaza, resulting in deaths and wounded.

A number of people were also killed and others were injured when the occupation forces bombed a house for the Abu 'Aasi family near Al-Shamaa Mosque in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in southern Gaza.

Ten were also killed and a number were wounded from the Khalaf and Abu Shahla families in the bombing of the Al-Mashharawi family’s house next to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque in the al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza.

Dozens of citizens were killed and others were injured when the occupation bombed a house for the Arbi’ family in the Batn Al-Sameen area of Khan Younus.

Civilian casualties were recorded in a raid that targeted a house in Al-Hikr neighborhood in Dair Al-Bala'h in the central Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces are besieging the Khalifa bin Zayid School, which shelters thousands of displaced people in the Bait Lahya project in the northern Gaza Strip.

One of those trapped in this school said the occupation forces and snipers were firing heavily at them, and there were casualties in the vicinity of the school, attacked for the second day in a row, but they could not save them. He appealed for urgent intervention to help them, before it was too late, as they had been suffering for 10 days from the lack of food and drink and very cold weather conditions.

The displaced people in Khan Younus are living in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions due to the continuous targeting of the areas, the scarcity of materials, and the difficulty of heading to the city of Rafa'h due to the occupation’s targeting of infrastructure and roads, forcing most of them to take rugged roads on foot.

M.K.

Dozens killed and injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, including the Daraj, Zaytoun, Shuja'iya, and Sabra neighborhoods

GAZA, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) -

Dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children and women, have been killed, and others have been injured, while dozens of homes, buildings, residential apartments, and public and private property have been destroyed in the ongoing Israeli occupation bombardment of the Gaza Strip, by land, sea and air.

WAFA correspondent reported that an Israeli warplane bombed a mosque in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring dozens, in addition to the destruction of a number of nearby homes.

He added that the occupation aircraft bombed homes in the Old City of Gaza City, in the vicinity of the Hammam al-Samra area, Palestine Square, Al-Zawiya Market, and the Jabalia parking lot, killing and injuring dozens, noting that ambulances were unable to reach the targeted areas and recover the dead and injured due to indiscriminate shelling.

The occupation's aircraft, artillery, and tanks also bombed homes in the neighborhoods of Al-Zaytoun, Al-Shuja'iya, and Al-Sabra, east of Gaza, killing and wounding dozens of civilians.

The indiscriminate bombing targeted the Saraya Junction in the Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City, and led to the destruction of a number of residential buildings.

Dozens were also killed and others were injured in the occupation's artillery shelling of two houses in Dair El-Bala'h in the central Gaza Strip.

The areas south of Khan Younus also saw intense indiscriminate bombardment by aircraft and artillery during the land incursion of the occupation forces. Al-Qarara, Khuza’a, 'Abasan, while Shaikh Nasir saw a series of intense raids, which killed and wounded dozens.

There are still missing people under the rubble, but ambulances are unable to reach them due to the intensity of the bombing.

The displaced people in Khan Younus also live in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions, due to the continuous targeting of the areas, the scarcity of materials, and the difficulty of heading to the city of Rafa'h, due to the occupation’s targeting of infrastructure and roads, forcing most of them to take rugged roads on foot.

K.T.

PRCS says its ambulance center in northern Gaza has stopped working

GAZA, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 (WAFA) -

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a statement tonight that its ambulance center in the northern province of Gaza has stopped working.

PRCS said the lack of fuel and the closure of hospitals in the northern Strip made it impossible to evacuate the wounded and the dead.

It added that the medical post set up by the ambulance team in Jabalya to deal with minor and moderate injuries is still working, and receives at least 250 wounded daily.

T.R.

Killing and Injuring of Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli Occupation Regime Forces

Palestinian injured in Tulkarm succumbs to his wounds

TULKARM, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) –

A Palestinian man identified as 'Awadh Tayih Anbar, 47, injured by Israeli army gunfire in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm three weeks ago, today succumbed to his wounds, according to medical sources.

They said Anbar was critically injured on November 14 during an Israeli army incursion into Tulkarm refugee camp.

He was getting treatment in hospital until he was pronounced dead.

M.K.

Large Israeli army forces storm Tulkarm city amid heavy shooting, leading to violent confrontations

TULKAREM, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces after Midnight on Wednesday stormed the city of Tulkarm, amid the heavy firing of live bullets, leading to confrontations.

WAFA correspondent said that large Israeli military forces, accompanied by heavy machinery and bulldozers, stormed the city of Tulkaem from the western side and headed toward the refugee camps of Tulkarm and Nour Shams amid the heavy firing of live ammunition, leading to violent confrontations with residents.

T.R.

Palestinian teen fatally shot by Israeli occupation regime army's live fire in Jineen's town of Ya'bad 

JENIN, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 (WAFA) –

A Palestinian teenager was fatally shot, and two others were injured by live fire during an Israeli occupation regime military incursion tonight into the town of Ya'bad, southwest of Jineen, according to the Ministry of Health.

The ministry said that 16-year-old 'Omar Ma'hmoud Abu Bakr was fatally shot in the chest by Israeli forces’ live fire in Ya'bad.

WAFA correspondent said that confrontations broke out following a military incursion into the town of Ya'bad, during which Israeli soldiers attacked residents with live fire, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades, shooting and killing the 16-year-old teen.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said its crews transported three cases with live gunshot wounds to hospital.

The number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the beginning of this year has reached 473, including 265 people who were killed since the start of the all-out Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people on October 7th.

T.R. 

Abduction of Palestinians by Israeli Occupation Regime Soldiers

Euro-Med: The Israel occupation regime forces abduct dozens of Palestinian civilians at UNRWA schools in Gaza Strip

Thursday 7-December-2023, GENEVA, (PIC)

The Israeli occupation regime army abducted and severely abused dozens of Palestinian civilians in the northern Gaza Strip, said Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, surrounding two shelter centers in the town of Bait Lahya for days before beating the individuals and stripping them of their clothes.

Euro-Med Monitor received reports that Israeli forces launched random and arbitrary arrest campaigns against displaced people, including doctors, academics, journalists, and elderly men, in the Khalifa Bin Zayid and New Aleppo schools, both of which are affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The sister of journalist Dhiyaa Al-Ka'hloot told Euro-Med Monitor that members of the Israeli military forced Al-Ka'hloot to leave his seven-year-old disabled child, Nada, on her own. He was then taken into custody at gunpoint and, like all of the other detainees, had his clothes removed after being beaten severely.

Mu'hammed Al-Ka'hloot, who is of no relation to Dhiyaa Al-Kahlot, said that the Israeli forces deliberately set fire to several homes in the Bait Lahya area and launched random arrest campaigns against the remaining residents.

Euro-Med Monitor has documented incidents of sniping and direct killing carried out by the Israeli army against displaced people in the vicinity of the two aforementioned schools. The Geneva-based human rights organization stated that members of Israel’s army targeted everyone who tried to leave, even though they were raising white flags.

A young man called Mohammed Al-Rai told the Euro-Med Monitor team that he saw at least seven other young men shot and killed by the Israeli forces in separate incidents due to their refusal to undress and comply with the humiliating orders of the army.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor called for the opening of an urgent investigation into the Israeli army’s violations against civilians and for the United Nations to assume its responsibilities for acting to protect displaced Palestinian people and ensure their safety.

Israeli occupation forces abduct six Palestinians in Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem)

JERUSALEM, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces abducted six Palestinian civilians in Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) this evening, according to the Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority.

The authority reported that the Israeli occupation forces carried out a raid in the neighborhood of Sour Bahir, where they arrested two brothers, identified as Mu'hammed and 'Abed 'Amira, along with a father and his son, identified respectively as Ameer and 'Omar 'Attoun.

Additionally, Israeli occupation forces abducted two teenagers who were present in the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city.

The timing of these abductions is noteworthy, coinciding with the preparations of extremist Israeli settler groups to conduct a provocative march in occupied Jerusalem and its historic Old City.

M.N.

Israeli occupation forces detain at least 44 Palestinians in the West Bank, more than half of them Gaza workers

RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) –

The Israeli occupation forces today detained at least 44 Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank, more than half of them workers from the Gaza Strip who were stranded in the West Bank following Israel’s aggression on the Gaza Strip two months ago.

They said that soldiers rounded up 19 Gaza workers who were staying in the town of Faroun, south of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm district, in addition to two others detained in the Nablus-district village of Qousin, and three other workers detained in Duhaisha refugee camp in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The soldiers also abducted 13 people from different towns in the Hebron governorate, two from Bethlehem, and two others from the old city of Nablus.

The Israeli occupation regime forces abducted 3,640 Palestinians since the start of its aggression on Gaza on October 7, according to Palestinian prisoners’ advocacy groups.

M.K.

Aggression and Attacks by Illegal Israeli Settlers and Soldiers

Ancient mosque destroyed in an Israeli strike in Gaza

GAZA, Thursday, December 7, 2023 (WAFA) -

The ancient archaeological Othman bin Qashqar Mosque in the old town of Gaza City was bombed today by Israeli occupation regime warplanes, which also caused casualties among people and damage to nearby homes.

The mosque was built in the year 620 Hijra (1220 AD), and despite its small area, it is one of the oldest mosques and archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip. It is located in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, and is adjacent to the Great Al-'Omari Mosque, which was also destroyed by the occupation warplanes during this aggression.

Since the start of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, the Israeli occupation regime warplanes have destroyed dozens of archaeological sites and ancient homes in a blatant deliberate attempt to target the Palestinian cultural heritage.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the occupation warplanes bombed eight museums, including the Rafa'h Museum, the Al-Qarara Museum, and the Khan Younus Museum, in addition to destroying most parts of the Old City of Gaza City, including dozens of historical buildings.

Nine publishing houses and libraries were also destroyed, in addition to complete or partial destruction of at least 21 cultural centers. Most parts of the old town of Gaza City were also destroyed, including 20 historical buildings, including churches, mosques, museums, and archaeological sites. Three studios and media and artistic production companies were also damaged.

M.K.

Amidst the war, Israeli plan for construction of new colonial neighborhood in East Jerusalem has been approved

TEL AVIV, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 (WAFA) -

On Wednesday, November 29, the Jerusalem District Planning Committee approved the plan for the construction of the Lower Aqueduct neighborhood (Plan 101-0808840). The approved plan proposes the construction of 1,738 housing units, said Peace Now in a statement.

Half of the Lower Aqueduct neighborhood is situated beyond the Green Line in East Jerusalem, and the other half is within the Green Line. However, its strategic location between the colonial neighborhoods of Givat Hamatos and Har Homa makes it particularly problematic from a political standpoint.

The Lower Aqueduct neighborhood plan was finally approved after internal deliberations, overcoming objections from the Jerusalem District Committee. A small portion of the objections mainly focused on issues related to open spaces and public areas. At the end of the discussion, it was decided to approve 1,738 housing units, distributed as follows: 1,230 residential units, 262 special housing units, and 246 small apartment units.

It is worth noting that although about half of the plan area is beyond the Green Line, and about half is within the Green Line, its strategic location between the colonial neighborhoods of Givat Hamatos and Har Homa makes it particularly problematic from a political standpoint, said the statement.

The plan effectively obstructs the last remaining corridor connecting the Palestinian neighborhoods of Bait Safafa and Shorafat with the rest of East Jerusalem. This plan poses a significant challenge to the possibility of creating a Palestinian urban continuum in East Jerusalem and obstructs almost every urban connection between Bethlehem and East Jerusalem it added.

The discussion on the plan’s approval for the construction of a new colonial neighborhood in East Jerusalem during the Gaza conflict aligns with the broader trend of advancing additional plans in East Jerusalem under the guise of wartime initiatives, said Peace Now.

Recently, the Planning Committee approved the plan for the Kidmat Zion settlement located in the Ras Al-'Amoud neighborhood. In September, just before the Israeli aggression started, the Jerusalem District Committee approved the Strip Plan for the construction of 3,500 housing units adjacent to the Givat Hamatos colonial neighborhood and southeast of the Lower Aqueduct colonial neighborhood.

Peace Now said that the Israeli government continues to undermine any viable two-state solution, advancing construction beyond the Green Line, further jeopardizing the security of everyone.

T.R.

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