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.

 

On Day 88 of the US-Backed Israeli Genocidal War on Gaza Strip, 15 Massacres, 207 Palestinians Killed, 338 Injured, with a Death Toll of  22,185 and 58,035 Injuries

January 2, 2024 

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Editor's Notes:  

Here are some initial (not final) statistics, which show the Israeli war crimes against humanity, during the current Israeli genocidal war on Gaza Strip:  

By January 2, 2024, the initial death toll of Palestinians who have been killed by the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza Strip is 29,185+.   

This includes the accounted for deaths (22,185) and those who are still missing under the rubble (Corrected on December 23, 2023: 7,000+).   

By January 2, 2024, the documented injuries exceeded 58,035, and more than 2,520 civilians have been abducted from Gaza Strip (80 mutilated corpses were returned on 12/27/23).

By January 2, 2024, there were 324 Palestinians who were killed, 3,536 who were injured, and 4,926, who were abducted by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, since October 7, 2023.

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By December 28, 2023, the death toll included 8,800+ children and 6,300+ women.   

By December 27 2023,  there was a complete destruction of 65,000+ housing units, and a partial destruction of 290,000+ housing units (60% of Gaza housing units). This forced about 1.5 million people to become homeless, taking refuge in crowded UN schools and ultimately sleeping in the streets.  

The Israeli refusal to allow international aid caravans to enter Gaza freely led the Palestinian population to be on the verge of mass extermination for the lack of food, water, medicine, and fuel.  

By January 1, 2024, 326 health personnel and 97 journalists were killed and hundreds were injured, 104 ambulances were destroyed while on duty, killing and injuring their crews, and destroyed 150 health institutions. As a result of the strikes and lack of fuel, 30 hospitals and 53 primary care centers are not functioning.  

Meanwhile, 126 government offices and 92 schools and universities were completely destroyed, while 285 schools and universities were partially damaged.

115 mosques were completely destroyed, while 200 others were partially damaged, in addition to three churches.

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An Israeli aerial attack on an apartment and a car in Beirut’s Dhahiyah claimed the deputy chief of 'Hamas politburo, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, on January 2, 2024	Site of the Israeli aerial attack on an apartment and a car in Beirut’s Dhahiyah, which claimed the deputy chief of 'Hamas politburo, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, on January 2, 2024

Four Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli occupation forces in 'Azzoun, Qalqilya, January 2, 2024 wafa	Palestinian political prisoner, 'Abdul Ra'hman Basim Al-Ba'hsh, 23, was assassinated by Israeli occupation forces inside Megiddo prison, January 2, 2024
Jineen 'Omar, 21, and other Palestinian political prisoners have been exposed to abuse and beatings in Israeli occupation regime prisons, file, January 2, 2024	Palestinian female political prisoners have been exposed to abuse and beatings in Israeli occupation regime prisons, file, January 2, 2024
Performing funeral prayer on victims of an Israeli genocidal air strike at Al-Aqsa hospital in Dair El-Bala'h, January 2, 2024	Displaced Palestinian children receiving soup food in a refugee place, in Dair El-Bala'h, January 2, 2024
Getting victims of an Israeli genocidal air strike to Shuhada Al-Aqsa hospital in Dair El-Bala'h, January 2, 2024	Rising smoke in Gaza as a result of the continuous Israeli genocidal air strikes, January 2, 2024

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).

"إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ " (الإسْرَاءُ ، 17: 7). 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

"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).

"If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, (you do it) to yourselves" (Al-Isra, 17: 7). 

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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.

This is a necessary brief background to understand the US-Backed Zionist Israeli continuous wars against the Arab nation generally, and the Palestinian people in particular, which included the wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, 1978, 1982, the brutal crushing of the two Uprisings (1987-1993 and 2000-2004), 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the current genocidal war on Gaza, which has culminated a blockade of Gaza since 2007. In addition, the Israeli occupation and apartheid regime launched so many covert operations, raids, and air strikes on many Arab states since 1948.

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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Hamas says Israel assassinated its deputy leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri in Beirut

Tuesday 2-January-2024, BEIRUT, (PIC)

The Hamas Movement has announced that the Israeli occupation regime assassinated Sali'h Al-'Arouri, deputy head of its political bureau, and three of his companions in an attack that targeted a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday evening.

“The cowardly assassinations that are carried out by the Zionist occupation against our people’s leaders and symbols inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking our people’s will and steadfastness or undermining their valiant resistance,” member of Hamas’s political bureau Ezzat Al-Rishiq said in a statement.

Earlier, the Lebanese news agency reported that four people were killed and others were injured in a blast that targeted a building containing an office for the Hamas Movement in Al-Mushrifiyah area in the southern suburb of Beirut. 

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Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon

Al-Mayadeen Today, January 2, 2024, at 18:58 Beirut time -

An Israeli air strike targeting a building in Beirut's Southern Suburb (Al-Dha'hiya) has killed at least 6 people, including 'Hamas deputy chief Sali'h Al-'Arouri.

The leader of the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, was threatened to be assassinated openly by Israeli leaders, on August 2023. 

Lebanon's National News Agency reported that "an Israeli drone targeted an office of the 'Hamas movement in Musharafiya while "ambulances reached the area to transport casualties."

Al-Mayadeen's correspondent reported that an Israeli drone targeted the building with three missiles, resulting in the martyrdom of six individuals.

The Islamic Resistance Movement, 'Hamas, mourned the "great national leader," Sali'h Al-'Arouri, who commanded the Resistance in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and was the architect of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The late martyr and leader had previously discussed in an interview for Al Mayadeen increasing Israeli death threats against him. When asked about the issue, martyr al-'Arouri said: "The Israeli threat against me will not change my convictions, and it will not have an impact on the path [that I have chosen]."

"We hope that our lives will end with martyrdom, which we cherish," late martyr and leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri said.

Hamas official Al-Arouri stresses unity, determination

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Al-Aqsa Station 25 Aug 2023

The deputy head of the political bureau of 'Hamas, Saleh Al-'Arouri, underscores Palestinian unity, determination, and readiness for resistance.

During a television interview with the Palestinian Al-Aqsa TV, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, the deputy head of the political bureau of 'Hamas, said that the West Bank is now returning to the "repeated pages of glory," stressing that the Palestinian people are "unified in the West Bank, Gaza, the occupied territories in 1948, and the diaspora, adhering to their right and principles."

Al-'Arouri added that the people of Palestine are always ready "to confront [Israel] with resistance, to obtain their rights and defend their sanctities."

The deputy head of Hamas' political bureau stressed that every day they delay igniting a comprehensive battle against settlements in the West Bank would lead to waging the battle later under difficult and worse circumstances.

To exploit the internal division of the occupation

He also stressed the need to confront the occupation project at present, and "we have the opportunity in light of their internal division and in light of a global division and an unprecedented negative attitude towards this government."

"The occupation wants to demolish Al-Aqsa and Judaize Al-Quds, uproot our people from the West Bank, and falsify all of our history. Therefore, each of us must have a role in resisting the occupation in the West Bank," he added, describing the West Bank as the heart of the battle now.

Occupation "does not sleep at night"

He noted that despite having a limited number of active resistance fighters in the West Bank, the occupier "does not sleep at night."

The permanent state of tension, turmoil, and confusion of the occupation, has made occupation authorities' attempt to attract millions of settlers much more difficult, day after day.

"The Zionist government has taken settlement decisions, and has placed all tools in the hands of the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, the most extreme and insane person, and he says that at least one million settlers will be transferred to the West Bank, during the remaining tenure of this government."

The Hamas leader expressed his optimism when there are individual resistance operations by people who are not involved in any organization, "because we are all in one organization called the Palestinian people; this is our organization for which all the factions and the people work."

Hamas focuses its operations against the illegal Israeli settlements

In the same context, the deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas said that the movement "focuses its operations against settlements, because it is the heart of the occupation, and it is its most dangerous face."

Al-'Arouri considered in his speech that organized movements such as Hamas should always be ready to launch resistance, "but when the confrontation turns into comprehensive popular resistance, this is because of the occupation and its measures that push all the people to join the resistance."

The leader in Al-Hurmah addressed the people of the West Bank, saying: "We must fight, and there is no excuse for anyone to fail to participate in this battle, and I do not think that a young man from our people accepts this shame in his history and conscience."

Al-'Arouri stressed that "Hamas is part of this people and at the heart of the resistance, and we do not disavow or embarrass ourselves from the resistance, and therefore we are present in the resistance, and we do not accept ourselves to be absent from the resistance of our people."

Assassination threats do not scare us

Regarding the occupation's threats to assassinate leaders of the movement, Al-'Arouri stressed that this matter is not new, as the occupation project began with massacres, killings, displacement, and torture, and it assassinates everyday martyrs from among the Palestinian people.

Al-'Arouri stressed that "these threats do not frighten us, and we as the Palestinian people do not have options, and therefore we will not stop resisting." 

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Palestinian Resistance factions mourn martyred leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri

 Al Mayadeen, January 2, 2024

The Resistance factions confirm that the Israeli occupation will pay a heavy price for all the crimes it committed, including the assassination of Hamas' Deputy Chief and senior leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri.

Palestinian Resistance factions condemned the assassination of the Deputy Chief of Hamas' political bureau Sali'h Al-'Arouri on Tuesday in an Israeli drone strike that targeted Lebanon's Beirut Southern Suburb, declaring that this crime will not break the Resistance's will to fight the occupation.

Hamas mourned the "great national leader" Al-'Arouri, who commanded the Resistance in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and was the architect of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

A member of 'Hamas' politburo, 'Izzat al-Rashiq, affirmed that the Israeli occupation will not succeed in undermining the Resistance's courage and resistance through the assassination of Palestinian Resistance figures and leaders both inside and outside Palestine.

Al-Rashiq stated in a press release that the assassination of the 'Hamas leader demonstrates, yet again, the utter failure of the occupation to achieve any of its war objectives in the Gaza Strip.

Israelis aim to expand the war to cover up their failure in Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement mourned leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri and his fellow martyrs.

The Resistance group emphasized that the assassination operation aims to expand the conflict and drag the entire region into war so Israelis can cover up their military failure in the Gaza Strip and the political impasse faced by the Israeli government. The crime also comes after the failed Israeli attempts to impose its conditions on the Palestinian people while the Resistance still has had the upper hand politically and militarily.

Talking to Al-Mayadeen, PIJ's spokesperson Mus'ab Al-Bureim recalled that leader Al-'Arouri spent his life on the battlefields of Resistance and was martyred on the path of al-Quds.

Al-Bureim confirmed that his assassination confirmed his significant and strong role, as he was a source of concern for the Israeli entity. He added, "We will continue to be a source of concern for the Israeli entity and pave the way, through the choice of martyrdom, for its eradication from the heart of the nation."

The spokesperson pointed out that the Resistance is growing stronger, evidently by carrying out the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and delivering a powerful blow to the occupation through it.

"The Resistance has become a genetic trait passed from one generation to another," he added.

On the Resistance's core strength, Al-Bureim noted that "Al-Arouri spoke clearly about his convictions regarding the effectiveness of Resistance through uniting the battlefields."

On his part, I'hsan Ataya, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, emphasized to Al-Mayadeen that the Israeli entity will pay a heavy price for its all crimes, including the assassination of leader Al-'Arouri.

Furthermore, a leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Maher al-Taher, announced that "avenging the blood" of martyr al-Arouri is "inevitable".

Mourning the martyrdom of Al-Arouri, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stressed that "defencing our people only increases our determination to resist."

The Resistance group vowed the Israeli enemy with retaliation for all its crimes against the Palestinian people.

Resistance resolve will not be weakened

The leadership of the Popular Resistance Committees affirmed that the heinous assassination crime of martyr Al-'Arouri and Resistance leaders will not weaken the resolve of the Resistance but will only "intensify it in Palestine and on all fronts confronting the Zionist enemy."

"The policy of assassinations pursued by the Zionist enemy against the leaders of the Resistance has always proven its failure in undermining the determination of our people who aspire to liberate their land, no matter how great the sacrifices may be."

The Committees also confirmed that the Resistance will "undoubtedly avenge the blood of Sheikh Saleh and every drop of blood shed by the sons of our people in this open confrontation with the defeated Zionist enemy."

'Israeli threats will not change my convictions'

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also mourned the martyred senior Hamas official.

In a statement, Dr. Salim 'Atallah said, "The policy of assassinations will only make us more steadfast and committed to our path until we end the occupation of all of Palestine."

"The enemy will pay a heavy price for this cowardly crime and for all the crimes it has committed against our people," he added.

The martyred leader had previously discussed in an interview for Al Mayadeen increasing Israeli death threats against him. When asked about the issue, martyr Al-'Arouri said, "The Israeli threat against me will not change my convictions, and it will not have an impact on the path [that I have chosen]."

Read more about Al-'Arouri in the interview with Al-Mayadeen below.

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Over 10,000 cancer patients in Gaza struggle without medical treatment, say health authorities

GAZA, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) -

Over 10,000 cancer patients in Gaza are currently denied the necessary medical care following the forced closure of the Palestinian-Turkish Friendship Hospital due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the territory for over 88 days.

Health officials in the besieged territory say that cancer patients there are enduring unbearable and inhumane conditions, lacking any access to specialized cancer treatment medications.

The third and final floor of the Palestinian-Turkish Friendship Hospital, the only hospital in Gaza for treatment of cancer patients, was targeted by Israeli airstrikes by the end of October, causing significant damage and rendering the hospital out of service. 

Financed by the Turkish government, the hospital stands as one of the largest medical facilities in Palestine, solely dedicated to treating cancer patients in Gaza. 

Covering an area of 34,800 square meters and spanning three floors, the hospital had 180 beds. The absence of this crucial medical facility exacerbates the already challenging situation for cancer patients in the besieged enclave.

M.N.

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4,156 Palestinian students killed, 381 schools shelled in the Israeli aggression

Tuesday 2-January-2024, GAZA, (PIC) -

Palestinian Education Ministry announced that 4,156 students have been killed and 7,818 have been injured in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7.

The Ministry explained in a statement on Tuesday that the number of students martyred in the Gaza Strip reached more than 4,119, and the number of wounded rose to 7,536. Meanwhile, 37 students were martyred, 282 were injured, and 85 others were arrested in the West Bank.

The Ministry said that 221 teachers and administrative workers were also killed and 703 others were injured in Gaza; while in the West Bank, 5 were wounded and more than 71 were arrested.

The statement also highlighted that the Israeli occupation army shelled 278 government schools, and 65 UNRWA schools, leaving 83 of which badly damaged and 7 others completely damaged. In the West Bank, 38 schools were invaded and sabotaged by Israeli occupation forces.

The Ministry of Education asserted, in its statement, that Israeli targeting of schools has affected 90% of government schools and educational facilities, which were subjected to direct or indirect shelling, with 29% of the schools knocked out of service due to being demolished or severely damaged. Some 133 government schools were used as shelter centers in the besieged Gaza Strip, the statement added.

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Euro-Med accuses Israel of kidnaping Gaza children

Tuesday 2-January-2024, GAZA, (PIC)

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has called on Israel to disclose the whereabouts of Palestinian children who were forcibly moved or abducted from the Gaza Strip by its soldiers and bring them back to Gaza.

In a statement on Tuesday, Euro-Med urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities regarding the horrific crime of kidnaping Palestinian children from Gaza, and the enforced disappearance of hundreds of Palestinian citizens who were kidnaped by Israeli forces from Gaza.

Euro-Med said it is gravely concerned about reports from Israeli media, which revealed the kidnaping of a Palestinian infant from the Gaza Strip by an Israeli officer after her family was killed in an airstrike.

Euro-Med also highlighted that hundreds of families in the Gaza Strip have reported their children missing, pointing out that the ongoing Israeli incursions, difficulties in clearing debris, disrupted communications and internet services, and the scattering of families due to forced displacement make it challenging to know the fate of these children. 

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

On January 2, 2024, Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra, the Spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the Israeli genocidal air strikes and bombardment on Gaza Strip resulted in 15 massacres, in which  207 Palestinian civilians were killed, and 338 were injured, in the past 24 hours. This increased the death toll in Gaza Strip to 22,185 and the injuries to 57,035, since October 7, 2023.  

Health Ministry In Hamas-run Gaza Says War Death Toll Hits 22,185 | Barron's (barrons.com)

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US-backed Israeli genocidal war on Gaza enters Day 88

Tuesday 2-January-2024, GAZA, (PIC)

As the US-backed Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip entered Day 88 on Tuesday, massive aerial and artillery strikes continued to pound and level whole blocks and homes and massacre more civilians, mostly children and women.

A reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) said that the Israeli occupation army continued to attack different areas of Gaza last night and on Tuesday morning.

According to local sources, Israeli attacks on central Gaza during the past 24 hours had killed at least 70 civilians and injured over 100 others.

15 civilians from the family of Matar were reportedly martyred following an Israeli airstrike on their house in Dair El-Bala'h in central Gaza.

Al-Jazeera satellite channel reported that Dair El-Bala'h and the refugee camps of Al-Buraij and Al-Maghazi in central Gaza had been exposed to intensive Israeli attacks during the past hours. 

More civilian casualties in Gaza as Israel persists in its aerial, ground assault

GAZA, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) – 

A number of civilians were tragically killed and dozens more sustained injuries today as Israeli occupation forces persist in their airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza for the 88th consecutive day, according to local and medical sources.

Various areas across the Gaza Strip experienced a series of airstrikes by Israeli fighter jets and drones, along with continuous artillery bombardment and ground offensive in the north and south of the enclave. The attacks resulted in the loss of many lives and injuries to many more, as well as in extensive damage to the properties and homes of civilians.

The central region of Gaza, specifically the area of Ju'hor Al-Dieek, witnessed an Israeli airstrike, while the northern and eastern regions of Gaza City were subjected to artillery shelling.

Israeli occupation forces also launched airstrikes that targeted the entrance of the Al-Buraij refugee camp in central Gaza. Additionally, the occupation forces targeted the Qandil building in the nearby Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Furthermore, forces targeted Tower 2 of the 'Ain Jalout Towers in central Gaza with artillery bombardment.

Last night, an Israeli bombardment targeted a house in Dair El-Bala'h, central Gaza, resulting in the murder of at least 15 civilians, mostly women and children, and the injury of several others.

Another airstrike targeted a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp, resulting in casualties. Additionally, multiple civilians were injured in an Israeli artillery shelling targeting downtown Khan Younus in southern Gaza.

By January 1, 2024, in a preliminary toll, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, since October 7, has resulted in the killing of 21,978 people and the injury of 57,697 others, the majority of whom are children and women. The toll continues to rise, with thousands still unaccounted for, according to health sources.

M.N.

Day 88 of the genocide: Ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza claim more innocent lives

GAZA, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) -

As the relentless Israeli onslaught on Gaza enters its 88th consecutive day, multiple civilians, including children and women, were killed and others injured amid the nonstop Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling over the last few hours across the enclave, according to local and medical sources.

Numerous homes and structures were destroyed overnight and early morning in continuing Israeli attacks across the besieged territory over the last few hours, local sources and witnesses reported.

Multiple areas of the Gaza Strip witnessed a series of airstrikes by warplanes and drones, accompanied by artillery shelling, causing immense damage. 

The central Gaza Strip, particularly the northern region of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, experienced Israeli artillery bombardment, while naval forces heavily targeted other areas in the central governorate of Gaza.

In the south, Israeli airstrikes struck fiercely in the central and eastern areas of Khan Younus, with artillery shelling hitting the northern neighborhoods of the city, resulting in civilian casualties, including children and women.

Intense clashes erupted in the northern Gaza regions where Israeli tanks are advancing, coinciding with continuous aerial and artillery bombardment by the Israeli occupation forces. 

In central Gaza, at least 15 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed and others injured last night in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the city of Dair El-Bala'h.

In another incident, multiple civilians were massacred and others were wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in the Nusayrat refugee camp, central Gaza. 

Yesterday evening, seven civilians were killed and others injured in an Israeli strike which pounded two houses in Dair El-Bala'h. Nine civilians also lost their lives and dozens were injured in Khan Younus due to Israeli airstrikes.

By January 1, 2024, in a preliminary toll, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, since October 7, has resulted in the killing of 21,978 people and the injury of 57,697 others, the majority of whom are children and women. The toll continues to rise, with thousands still unaccounted for, according to health sources.

M.N.

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Israeli occupation soldier executes Palestinian detainee in Gaza

Tuesday 2-January-2024, NAZARETH, (PIC)

The Israeli Hebrew media revealed on Monday that an Israeli occupation soldier cold-bloodedly killed a Palestinian civilian in his custody a few hours after he was taken prisoner in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli occupation army’s military police claimed that they launched an investigation into the killing of this Palestinian by a soldier who was supposed to be guarding him.

According to the Israeli Hebrew media, Israeli occupation soldiers abducted a Palestinian in Gaza on Sunday evening and later they handed him over to a soldier to guard him after interrogators finished questioning him, but the soldier suddenly opened fire at the detainee and killed him.

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

Palestinian political prisoner killed in Israeli occupation regime prison, says Prisoners' Commission

RAMALLAH, Monday, January 1, 2024 (WAFA) –

The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said on Monday evening that a Palestinian prisoner has been killed in the Israeli occupation prisons.

The Commission and the Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) said that the Israeli Prison Services assassinated prisoner Abdul Ra'hman Basim Al-Ba'hsh, 23, from Nablus, in Megiddo prison.

They said that he has been detained since May 31, 2022, and has been sentenced to prison for a period of 35 months, noting that Al-Bahash is the first slain Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on the first day 2024, and the seventh in the occupation prisons since October 2023, along with a number of Gaza detainees.

The Commission and the PPS said in a joint statement that assassinating prisoner Abdul Ra'hman Al-Ba'hsh in Megiddo prison, who was one of the prisons that witnessed horrific crimes and systematic torture against prisoners after October 7, in which three prisoners were killed before him, confirms that the occupation continues without no deterrent, or any consideration, in carrying out more assassination operations against prisoners and detainees in its prisons, in addition to the systematic crimes of torture and abuse, which aim to kill them directly.

Qaddoura Faris, head of The Commission, said that the detainee’s killing comes within the framework of the occupation’s crimes against detainees in its prisons, which raised the number of detainees who died inside prisons since October 7 of last year (2023) to seven.

Faris pointed out that the seven slain detainees in the occupation prisons are the only ones known so far, noting that there are other slain prisoners from the Gaza Strip detainees that no one knows about yet.

K.T.

Four Palestinians shot dead by Israeli occupation forces in 'Azzoun

QALQILYA, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) - Four young Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli occupation forces this morning in the town of 'Azzoun, in the northern West Bank province of Qalqilya, according to Palestinian security sources.

The sources revealed that the four Palestinians were shot dead during confrontations that erupted as Israeli occupation forces stormed the town, sparking intense confrontations.

Israeli occupation soldiers fired live ammunition, stun grenades, and teargas towards the local residents during the raid resulting in a tragic human toll. 

The four martyrs were identified as Waleed Radhwan, 18, Qusai Jamal 'Adwan, 21, Iyad Shubeita, 22, and Mu'hammed Abdul Fatta'h Radhwan, 29. The bodies of the four martyrs were subsequently seized and taken away by the occupying forces.

During the raid, the Israeli occupation forces conducted raids and searches of homes and businesses, seizing surveillance footage from multiple shops. 

In response to the tragic incident, the town's community has declared an inclusive strike today that includes all aspects of public life in mourning of the four martyrs.

M.N. 

Israeli occupation soldiers assault Palestinian man, steal his vehicle near Nablus

NABLUS, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) -

Israeli occupation forces attacked a Palestinian man today and stole his vehicle outside the village of Yanoun, in the northern West Bank province of Nablus, according to local sources.

Rashid Murrar, the head of the Yanoun Village Council, informed WAFA that an Israeli military unit stationed at a checkpoint near the village briefly detained Yasir Fahmi Murrar, a local Palestinian resident, while he was trying to pass through the checkpoint. 

Murrar pointed out that the Israeli soldiers physically assaulted Yasir before and confiscated his vehicle. He was briefly detained by the soldiers during the incident before he was let go.

M.N.

K.T. 

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Abduction of Palestinians by Israeli Occupation Regime Soldiers

Israeli Occupation Foces kidnap several Palestinians in the West Bank

Tuesday 2-January-2024, WEST BANK, (PIC)

The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) kidnaped a number of Palestinian citizens during raids in different West Bank areas, amid clashes with local youths in some areas.

According to local sources, the IOF kidnaped 11 citizens in Al-Dthahiriya town and Al-'Arroub refugee camp in Al-Khaleel province.

Israeli occupation forces also launched a large-scale campaign in Al-Khaleel province, raiding homes and closing the entrances leading to its city, towns, villages and refugee camps with road barriers, mounds of dirt and checkpoints.

In Nablus, the IOF assaulted a young man from Khirbit Yanoun hamlet near 'Aqraba town and confiscated his vehicle, with no reason.

Two citizens were taken prisoners during an IOF raid in Nablus City.

In Jineen, the IOF raided homes and businesses and confiscated security camera recordings in Ya’bad town and set up checkpoints on roads.

Last night, violent clashes broke out between local youths and Israeli occupation soldiers in Ya’bad town.

The IOF also stormed Faqqu’ah village in the northeast of Jineen, which provoked clashes with local youths.

In Ramallah, Israeli occupation forces kidnaped a Palestinian woman from Al-Jalazoan refugee camp, amid raids on homes and stores.

In Tulkarm, one young man was taken prisoner during IOF raids on homes in Shuwaika neighborhood.

In a separate incident, a horde of illegal extremist Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers prevented on Tuesday morning a group of Palestinian farmers from working their swaths of agricultural land in the southeast of Tubas.

Hamas calls on int’l community to stop Israeli violations against Palestinian female political prisoners

Monday 1-January-2024, GAZA, (PIC)

The Hamas Movement demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international human rights organizations “stand up to their responsibilities” regarding the Israeli violations of Palestinian female political prisoners in Israeli jails, including malnourishment and medical negligence.

The Movement also called for “shedding light on what Palestinian prisoners in general and female prisoners in particular, whose number has reached 76, most of whom are from the Gaza Strip, are exposed to, documenting these violations, filing them before the competent courts, and holding Israeli officials accountable for these grave violations.”

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs has affirmed that a number of Palestinian women, including prisoner Jineen Taha 'Omar, were exposed to abuse and severe beatings at the hands of Israeli jailers.

According to the Commission, a number of Israeli occupation soldiers raided the house of 21-year-old Jineen 'Omar in Al-Khaleel City on the night of December 3, handcuffed and blindfolded her, and then took her to a nearby army site, where she stayed until the morning before transferring her to 'Ofer jail.

Regarding the incarceration conditions of the Palestinian women in Damoon jail, the Commission affirmed that the female political prisoners in the jail suffer from harsh treatment and are deprived of their basic needs, while their cells are raided on a daily basis.

The number of the Palestinian female political prisoners in Ramoon jail has climbed recently to 76, including 43 female political prisoners from Gaza, 18 from the West Bank, and the rest from Jerusalem and 1948-occupied Palestine. 

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Aggression and Attacks by Illegal Israeli Settlers and Soldiers

Occupation forces embark on bulldozing land in Bait Safafa

Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem), Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces embarked today on excavating a Palestinian-owned land and uprooting trees in the village of Bait Safafa, located south of Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem), according to local sources and witnesses.

Eyewitnesses informed WAFA correspondent that Israeli forces, accompanied by two bulldozers, stormed agricultural land belonging to the 'Ulayan family in Bait Safafa. The forces started excavating the land and uprooting olive trees surrounding the family's homes, signaling the initiation of a project to construct a settler-only road.

Um Muhammad Alian, one of the landlords of the targeted land, clarified that the targeted land spans an area of 20 dunams, and that Israeli authorities have been attempting to seize it for the benefit of the Givat Hamatos colonial settlement established on the lands of Bait Safafa.

She added that Israeli authorities previously attempted to obtain court decisions for the land's acquisition, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Today, they returned with a show of force to seize the land.

Um Muhammad pointed out that Israeli occupation forces also stormed one of the 'Ulayan family's homes located on the targeted land. During the incursion, they physically assaulted several young men and arrested two of them.

M.N.

Israeli occupation forces seize a house near Bait La'hm (Bethlehem)

Bait La'hm (Bethlehem), Monday, January 1, 2024 (WAFA) –

The Israeli occupation forces Monday evening seized a house and turned its roof into an observation point, in the town of Al-Khadir, south of Bait La'hm (Bethlehem).

Local sources told WAFA correspondent that the occupation forces seized a house in the Umm Rukba area, south of the town, belonging to local resident Hassan Marzouq, and turned its roof into an observation point, amidst the firing of stun grenades and toxic tear gas in the area.

Illegal Israeli settlers attack Palestinian farmers in Masafir Yatta south of Al-Khaleel (Hebron)

Al-Khaleel (Hebron), Tuesday, January 2, 2023 (WAFA) -

A group of illegal Israeli settlers attacked this evening Palestinian farmers in the Masafir Yatta area, south of Al-Khaleel (Hebron), and prevented them from plowing their land.

According to local sources, a group of colonists attacked farmers while they were plowing their land; which is threatened with seizure by the Israeli occupation.

The occupation forces, who protected the colonists in their attack, closed off the area and declared it a "closed military zone", and detained several farmers, after assaulting them and thoroughly searching them in a humiliating manner.

The colonists continued, under the protection of the occupation forces, to pursue farmers in all communities across Masafir Yatta, with the aim to take over more land for the benefit of colonial expansion.

T.R.

Illegal Israeli settlers prevent Palestinian farmers from cultivating land in Tubas

TUBAS, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 (WAFA) –

Illegal Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli occupation soldiers, prevented Palestinian farmers from plowing their lands today in the village of 'Atouf, to the east of Tubas town in the northern West Bank, according to local sources and witnesses.

Eyewitnesses and local activist Ayman Gharayib revealed that a group of settlers hindered several farmers from cultivating their fields in the vicinity of the village. He added that the soldiers accompanying the settlers confiscated personal identification cards from the farmers and detained them for several hours.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian farmers in accessing and working on their lands, particularly in areas close to Israeli settlements.

Israeli settler violence is commonplace across the occupied West Bank, and is supported and endorsed by the far-right Israeli government.

M.N.

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Exclusive - Al-'Arouri: Resistance Axis preparing for all-out war

By Al-Mayadeen English

 Al-Mayadeen, 25 Aug 2023, at 21:46

Saleh Al-Arouri, Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, discussed a range of topics in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, including the spread of the Resistance in the West Bank, the potential for an all-out regional war, and relations with regional countries.

Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, stated in an exclusive interview with Al-Mayadeen that the occupation has made numerous decisions regarding assassinations, targeting many individuals such as the leader Mu'hammed Al-Dhayf, who they attempted to assassinate multiple times and ultimately killed his family.

"The Israeli threat against my person does not change my beliefs and stances, nor will it alter my path by so much as an inch," he said. 

"We are believers, and we hope to conclude our lives with martyrdom, which we hold in high esteem, and that is the great victory in our eyes."

The Resistance in the West Bank Proliferates 

The deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas explained that day by day the power balance tips in favor of the Resistance and its allies, noting that the most important element of this new equation is the spread of the Resistance in the West Bank. 

"The occupation's army has mobilized over 30 brigades in the northern West Bank to neutralize the Resistance, yet it [the resistance] continues to grow more powerful and steadfast."

"The proliferation of the Resistance across the entire West Bank is a nightmare for the occupation, striking panic and fear [within the ranks of occupation]."

Al-Arouri further highlighted that "the Resistance has foiled the policies of the fascist [Israeli] government, such as settlement expansion in the West Bank."

Every Israeli official who adopts extremist policies ends up facing an unprecedented defeat, as was the case with Rabin and Sharon, he added.

Al-'Arouri pointed out that the government of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir aims to displace Palestinians from the West Bank, increase settlements, and gain control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"This extremist government will suffer a resounding defeat, which would lead to their withdrawal from the entire West Bank," he added. 

The senior Resistance official also noted that the ruling elite in the occupied territories, which is driven by racism and fascism, will breed internal divisions and ruin the entity's foreign relations. These sources of instability will eventually bring about the destruction of the occupation regime. 

"The leaders of the occupation government, with their extremist policies, will cause an all-out war in the region."

"Smotrich desires a major conflict that would allow him to displace Palestinians from the West Bank and the '48 territories. Some in the cabinet are considering actions such as taking control of Al-Aqsa Mosque and dividing it, along with assassinations, knowing that this would lead to a regional war."

Read more: Al-Arouri: Next confrontation with Israeli occupation a turning point

Regional War

Regarding an all-out regional confrontation, Al-Arouri affirmed that "the Resistance alliance is prepared and motivated by reason, will, and common interests to partake in a regional war, and the active parties are ready and prepared for it."

"If we reach the point of an all-out confrontation, Israel will face an unprecedented defeat in its history, and we are confident of that."

The battle for liberation in the West Bank is currently on the table, and Palestine has now entered the era of resolving this conflict, as evidenced by the attempts at the Judaization of the West Bank and the deportation of Palestinians, Al-Arouri pointed out. The breakout of an all-out war is inevitable at this point, he continued. 

Al-Arouri also reminded of the commitment expressed by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, when he said that any attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds would be met with regional war, and also recalled Sayyid Nasrallah's speech on the liberation of Al-Jalil.

"We are preparing for an all-out war, and we are closely discussing the prospects of this war with all relevant parties."

Furthermore, he added, "The all-out war will be a defeat for Israel, and we see that classical wars have changed, and this is evidenced by the conflict in Ukraine."

Resistance Operations Against Settlers

In regards to the Resistance operations against settlers, the Hamas official stated that the current Israeli plot is centered around increasing the number of settlers in the West Bank, and to confront this plot, it is necessary to strike at its central subject.

"Due to Israeli technological advancement and security cooperation, Resistance cells struggle to sustain themselves. However, the recent developments in the West Bank changed the situation; they are expanding the base of resistance operations and developing goals and means."

Al-Arouri also called on all Palestinian youth in the West Bank to partake in resistance in any way possible.

Furthermore, he added that if an all-out conflict erupts, Resistance forces are capable of closing off the airspace and sea of the occupation regime, leaving them devoid of electricity and communication infrastructure.

Resistance Factions Meeting 

"Hamas has adopted the position and decision to keep national dialogues ongoing and to avoid reaching a rupture," Al-Arouri said.

"The meetings between factions do not solve all the problems because we have differences in visions and approaches."

"Hamas has a vision that Resistance is the solution to confront the occupation, but our brother Abou Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] insists on international legitimacy and international institutions and rejects Resistance."

He affirmed, however, that "meetings between different factions alleviate tensions and solve some problems, and we say that the administration in Gaza follows the government in Ramallah."

Al-Arouri addressed the issue of the Palestinian Authority's arrest of Resistance members, saying, "This issue can only be resolved by changing the [Palestinian] authority's approach."

He continued, "The stance of the PIJ in calling for the liberation of the Resistance members is valid, and this is a pertinent problem we suffer from, but we believe that dialogue helps solve this problem."

In regards to prisoner exchange, he pointed out that it remains on the table, but the complications are from the Israeli occupation's end. 

"We are ready to conduct a prisoner exchange deal, but the Netanyahu government is not ready yet."

 'Ain Al-Hilwah Camp

Al-Arouri confirmed that "Hamas had no hand in the events of the 'Ain Al-Hilwah camp but rather contributed to the ceasefire and preventing escalation to find solutions."

Hamas, he said, spoke with the Lebanese leadership for the purpose of working on a ceasefire.

"Hamas is keen to build better relations with all components of Ain Al-Hilweh camp for the sake of maintaining calm. [However] it does not provide direct or indirect support for anyone in the 'Ain Al-Hilwah camp."

Regarding the formation of a national unity government, Al-Arouri stated that "there are no understandings or prospects of understanding with Fatah to form a national unity government." "We were offered the formation of a national unity government, and we rejected it unless legislative and presidential elections are held."

Arab and International Stances

The official also discussed relations with Saudi Arabia, saying "From our side, there has been no change in our attitude towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the change occurred on their part in the relationship."

"Our close relationship with Iran is natural, and it remains the same despite the rapprochement or divergence between Riyadh and Tehran."

He further emphasized that building relationships with all countries is in favor of the Palestinian cause.

"Perhaps there are shifts in Saudi Arabia, and we hope that they [the shifts] are in favor of the Palestinian cause and [we hope] that there would be no Saudi normalization with Israel, as rumored."

Al-Arouri noted that the prospect of a Saudi normalization deal with "Israel" would be different from the normalization of any other country because Saudi Arabia holds de facto religious legitimacy by hosting Islamic sanctities, and a normalization deal would entail a recognition of "Israel's" authority over the Islamic sanctities in Al-Quds. 

Regarding relations with Syria, Al-Arouri said, "There was a disruption in the relationship with Syria, and Hamas' stance towards Syria remains unchanged. We do not interfere in internal conflicts."

"We wanted to correct the disruption in the relationship with Syria. There are current bilateral meetings, and we have not received any negative messages from Syria." He added that he expressed his hopes that the process of reestablishing relations would proceed well.

Regarding Qatari-Palestinian relations, Al-Arouri said that "Qatar did not reduce the value of the financial grant to the Gaza Strip. Instead, there have only been delays or changes in its dissemination."

Exclusive - Al Arouri: Resistance Axis preparing for all-out war | Al Mayadeen English

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