Documentation of the Israeli abuse of power, mistreatment of humanity, and perpetration of the genocidal war on the Palestinian people in the  Gaza Strip.

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On Day 471 of US-Backed Israeli Genocidal War on Gaza Strip, 14 Palestinians Killed, 25 Injured, in the Past 24 Hours, with a Death Toll of  46,913 and 110,750 Injuries

by January 19, 2025 

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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, based on the reliable data reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza:

By January 19, 2025, the initial death toll of Palestinians who have been killed by the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza Strip is 56,913+.   

This includes the accounted for deaths (46,913), those who are still missing under the rubble (an estimate of at least 10,000+). 

By January 19, 2025, the documented injuries exceeded 110,750.

By January 19, 2025, 854 Palestinians who were killed, 6,659 who were injured, and 10,912*, who were abducted by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, since October 7, 2023, including 310 women and 640 children (Some of the detainees have been released).

* The number of the Palestinians detainees who remain in the Israeli occupation prisons has been updated today (December 5, 2024), by Wafa, to be 10,300.

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The three Israeli female-soldier captives, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, are scheduled to be released today in exchange for releasing Palestinian prisoners, January 19, 2025.	Palestinian women and children celebrating their survival from the Israeli genocidal war, on the first day of the ceasefire, in the Gaza Strip, January 19, 2025.
The Palestinian Government announced the deployment of thousands of Palestinian police officers, as part of a plan to maintain security and order in the Gaza Strip, January 19, 2025.	Displaced Palestinians leaving southern Gaza Strip on foot to their homes in the north, which maybe more likely to be destroyed, as soon as the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire went into effect, on January 19, 2025.
A displaced Palestinian family leaving southern Gaza Strip to their home in the north, which maybe more likely to be destroyed, as soon as the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire went into effect, on January 19, 2025.	Palestinians walking safely in Gaza streets, for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, January 19, 2025.
Displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in Rafa'h, southern Gaza Strip, which maybe more likely to be destroyed, as soon as the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire went into effect, on January 19, 2025.	Displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in Jabalya, northern Gaza Strip, which maybe more likely to be destroyed, as soon as the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire went into effect, on January 19, 2025.

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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). 

***

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 (Since October 7, 2023), 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.

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

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Note: The following figures only include the killed and injured Palestinians who have  been accounted for by the Palestinian hospitals. The victims who are not carried to the hospitals are not accounted for.

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Israel's genocide in Gaza: 14 Palestinians killed in 24 hours

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

At least 14 Palestinians were killed and 25 others injured in deadly attacks by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to medical reports.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught since October 7, 2023 has risen to 46,913 reported fatalities, with an additional 110,750 individuals sustaining injuries. The majority of the victims are women and children.

This morning, a long-awaited ceasefire took effect following 15 months of relentless Israeli genocide, siege and starvation that left catastrophic consequences in their wake.

The agreement, which was brokered by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Al-Shaikh Mu'hammed Bin Abdul Ra'hman Al-Thani on Wednesday, January 15, was ratified by the Israeli occupation apartheid regime government on Saturday, January 18. According to the agreement, the ceasefire was set to begin at 8:30 AM Sunday morning.

M.N.

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Israeli genocidal airstrikes in Gaza raise death toll to 11 since early morning

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces have continued their heavy genocidal airstrikes across various parts of the Gaza Strip since the early hours of Sunday, raising the death toll to 11 Palestinians and leaving dozens more injured.

According to medical sources, 11 people were killed in the ongoing attacks on the areas of Bait Lahiya, Gaza City, and Al-Buraij, with numerous others sustaining injuries. Violent shelling is currently taking place in Bait 'Hanoun and other areas in northern Gaza.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that paramedic Maha Wafi was injured in the hand when Israeli forces targeted an ambulance as it was en route to evacuate the wounded in central Khan Younus. The vehicle was also damaged in the attack.

In addition, the area surrounding Al-Quds Hospital is currently under fire, with Israeli forces continuing to target locations near medical facilities, further endangering civilians and healthcare workers.

This escalation comes despite a ceasefire agreement that was scheduled to go into effect at 8:30 AM today. However, Israeli authorities have delayed the ceasefire, stating it will not take effect until the list of female prisoners designated for release is handed over.

M.N.

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Nine Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza despite ceasefire agreement

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

Nine Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas across the Gaza Strip early Sunday morning.

According to local sources, five civilians were killed and others were injured when an Israeli drone struck the Sha'af neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. Medical officials confirmed the casualties.

Additionally, four more Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli artillery shelling in the northern town of Bait Lahya.

In the southern Gaza Strip, several civilians were wounded when Israeli forces targeted them with heavy fire as they attempted to return to their homes in Rafa'h and Khan Younus. Both regions have been subjected to continuous Israeli artillery bombardment since the early hours of the day.

At the same time, Israeli military vehicles opened fire in the eastern neighborhoods of Al-Shuja'iya and Al-Zaytoun in Gaza City.

This surge in attacks comes despite the ceasefire agreement that was scheduled to take effect at 8:30 AM today. However, Israeli authorities have delayed its implementation, stating that the ceasefire will not commence until the list of female prisoners designated for release is submitted.

M.N.

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Casualties, including martyrs, in Gaza on the first day of ceasefire

Sunday 19-January-2025

GAZA, (PIC)

At least 23 Palestinian citizens were martyred and dozens were injured on Sunday morning as the Israeli occupation army continued to attack different areas of the Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire agreement.

According to media sources in Gaza, the Israeli army continued to launch artillery and aerial attacks on civilians after the ceasefire deal came into effect at 08:30 a.m., killing and injuring a number of people.

Meanwhile, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense service Mahmoud Basal said that between 08:30 and 09:30, the Israeli army had killed nine civilians and injured 25 others in Gaza City and northern Gaza.

Another Israeli attack on civilians, who went to Gaza City to see their destroyed homes, claimed the lives of five of them, while casualties reported, including three martyrs, in an Israeli strike in Bait 'Hanoun in northern Gaza.

Other Israeli attacks on Rafa'h and Khan Younus in southern Gaza also claimed the lives of more people and injured many others.

Earlier, Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli army not to begin the ceasefire in Gaza at 08:30 a.m. until Hamas delivered the names of the captives to be released.

Later in the morning, Hamas’s armed wing A-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obayda named, in a Telegram statement, the first three female-soldier captives set to be released today.

“Within the framework of the Al-Aqsa Flood prisoner swap deal, Al-Qassam Brigades decided to release the Zionist captives: Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31) on Sunday, January 19,” Abu Obayda said.

According to the Hebrew media, the Israeli government has received a list containing the names of those detainees from the mediators.

After 'Hamas named the three female slated for release on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office announced that the Gaza ceasefire will begin at 11:15 a.m. local time.

Well informed sources, meanwhile, said that 'Hamas asked mediators for a stoppage of Israeli drone over flights, in accordance with the ceasefire deal, to enable the release of the captives.

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Israeli army continues to attack Gaza as ceasefire deal takes effect

Sunday 19-January-2025

GAZA, (PIC)

The majority of the Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip did no sleep at night as they waited anxiously for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which just came into effect at 08:30 a.m. on Sunday, ending 471 days of Israeli genocidal war.

As the sun started to rise this morning, dozens citizens did not wait for the agreement to come into force and started to walk towards Rafah after the Israeli occupation forces withdraw from its center to the Palestinian-Egyptian border, leaving shocking scenes of destruction.

Meanwhile, the 'Hamas Movement has reiterated its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, affirming that the delay in handing over the names of the Israeli captives to be released today as part of the first phase of the deal was “due to technical reasons on the ground.”

Hamas released its brief statement after Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the army not to cease fire after the agreement takes effect at 08:30 a.m. unless Hamas handed over the list of the female captives to be released today.

In related incidents, Palestinian casualties were evacuated this morning to the Ahli Hospital in Gaza City after the Israeli army detonated a house as citizens approached it in northern Gaza.

Two other citizens were injured in an Israeli artillery attack on Al-Nusayrat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Other shooting, artillery and aerial attacks targeted different areas of Gaza in the morning. 17 citizens were reportedly martyred while dozens were injured in those attacks.

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Injuries reported as Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza ahead of ceasefire

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

Several civilians were injured this morning in Israeli airstrikes on various areas of the Gaza Strip, just hours before the ceasefire agreement is set to take effect.

Local sources reported that multiple people were injured when Israeli occupation forces targeted a group of civilians northwest of Rafa'h, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

Additionally, four civilians sustained injuries as Israeli strikes hit tents sheltering displaced families in Al-Mawasi area, west of Rafa'h.

In central Gaza, the Israeli occupation army destroyed several buildings in tandem with heavy artillery shelling north of Al-Nusayrat refugee camp.

Meanwhile, Israeli military vehicles fired heavy machine guns at the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

In northern Gaza, several injuries were reported after an explosion in a booby-trapped house detonated by Israeli forces before their withdrawal from the area.

Meantime, WAFA correspondent confirmed that ten Palestinians were admitted to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City due to injuries caused by unexploded ordnance left behind by Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Civil Administration area east of Jabalya refugee camp.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 2023 has so far resulted in at least 46,899 documented Palestinian fatalities, with over 110,725 others injured.

Thousands of victims are feared trapped under rubble, inaccessible to emergency and civil defense teams due to Israeli attacks.

M.N.

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Israeli occupation forces destroy residential buildings in Gaza ahead of ceasefire

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces demolished residential buildings late last night north of Al-Nusayrat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to local sources.

In addition, Israeli occupation forces launched an airstrike on Gaza City and carried out artillery shelling west of Rafa'h in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, hours before a ceasefire is expected to come into effect.

Since the announcement of the ceasefire agreement last Wednesday, over 120 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in widespread Israeli strikes across various parts of the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 2023 has so far resulted in at least 46,899 documented Palestinian fatalities, with over 110,725 others injured.

Thousands of victims are feared trapped under rubble, inaccessible to emergency and civil defense teams due to Israeli attacks.

M.N.

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Streets of the Gaza Strip shake off the ashes of genocide and chant for resistance

Sunday 19-January-2025

GAZA, (PIC)

At 08.30 in the morning on January 19, 2025, the scene in the Gaza Strip was different, as celebrations and joy filled the streets and displacement camps with the entry of the ceasefire to halt the genocide in the Gaza Strip coming into effect. However, these celebrations were marred by violations from the Israeli occupation army, even hours after the ceasefire began, resulting in the martyrdom of 23 citizens and injuries to dozens who were counting down the seconds to the moment when the shadow of genocide would be lifted.

A PIC correspondent reported that many vehicles filled the streets of the cities in the Gaza Strip, honking in celebration of the end of the genocide, while the calls to prayer from the mosques, including those that were destroyed, rose in volume. There was an overwhelming sense of joy at the resilience of the people and their resistance in the face of the fiercest war witnessed in modern times by an occupying force that rallied the world to annihilate two million people in a narrow coastal enclave. Spontaneous marches erupted, filled with chants supporting the resistance and greetings to the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and other Palestinian resistance factions.

The people of Gaza repeated the slogan they had long sung during previous confrontations with the occupation, declaring their unity around the man who announced the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” battle: “Place the sword against the sword; we are all men of Mu'hammed Dhaif,” thus expressing their absolute awareness that they side with the option of resistance, regardless of the sacrifices, and despite the multitude of wounds in the body of Gaza, exhausted from betrayal except for the resistance in the Al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, and other resistance factions, for whom the celebrants chanted, “Long live the Al-Qassam Brigades.”

The streets of the Gaza Strip, burdened with explosive rockets searching for resistance, saw the deployment of thousands of security personnel to maintain order in the region, after months of genocide during which security personnel were primary targets, seeking tribal rule loyal to the occupation. However, those tribes did not yield, thwarting the occupation’s plans and paying the price with the blood of their leaders.

In a scene familiar to the people of Gaza, every confrontation with the occupation has become commonplace. The resistance fighters soon emerged, armed and riding in vehicles through the streets of the cities, amidst a spirit of popular unity. Citizens also fired bullets and fireworks in abundance, celebrating the end of the genocide and commemorating the victory of the resistance and the failure of Israel to achieve any of its declared objectives, primarily the elimination of the resistance.

In the alleys of the displacement camps scattered throughout the Gaza Strip, citizens began distributing sweets to the children psychologically drained by the war, whose small bodies were weakened by hunger, and who had paid the highest price for the genocide with their blood and limbs. They openly declared that today is a day of celebration, and they have the right to celebrate in every way possible despite the horrors they have endured.

In another scene, citizens began dismantling their tents and moving back to their homes, raising signs of victory and Palestinian flags above the ruins of the destroyed residential neighborhoods. Revolutionary songs rose from the heart of the displacement camps, expressing a state of joy and pride, in a scene that pulsated with dignity and pride.

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Gaza Electricity: We lost 80% of equipment and will work to operate vital facilities

Saturday 18-January-2025

GAZA, (PIC)

The spokesman for the Electricity Distribution Company in the Gaza Strip, Mu'hammed Thabit, announced that the company has lost 80% of its equipment and capacity during the Israeli genocidal war on the Strip, noting that it will re-operate the vital facilities in the Strip with the start of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip.

In a press conference that was held in front of the journalists’ tent at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on Saturday, Thabit said the company will work hard to resupply vital facilities with electricity to enable the resumption of humanitarian and other kinds of services to citizens urgently.

He revealed that the company has plans ready to restore all damaged parts of the power network to re-operate it as soon as possible.

He stated that the initial losses at the places that the company’s crews were able to reach amounted to about $450 million, noting that the number of damaged overhead power distribution transformers amounted to 1,980, while the number of destroyed ground transformers amounted to about 125, in addition to most of the company’s facilities, buildings and warehouses and 52 company vehicles that were completely destroyed.

Thabit pointed out that the process of restoring electricity in the Strip depends on the entry pace of maintenance supplies and requirements needed to restore part of the power network.

***

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

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Palestinian teenager killed following alleged stabbing incident

Saturday 18-January-2025

NAZARETH, (PIC)

One Israeli has been killed in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv, while Israeli media reported that other Israelis have been injured, and the resistance fighter who carried out the attack was martyred.

The Israeli occupation army radio said that three settlers were wounded in the incident, one of whom was seriously injured, while the resistance fighter who carried out that stabbing attack was shot dead by an armed settler who was present in the place, without further information being released.

For its part, the Israeli channel 14 revealed that the attacker was identified as 19-year-old Sala'h Ya'hya from Toulkarm.

Footage and pictures show that an Israeli gunman shot a young man believed to be the resistance fighter who carried out the Tel Aviv stabbing attack.

Yedioth A'hronoth also quoted the Israeli occupation police, as confirming that the resistance fighter tried to stab passersby on Levontin Street in Tel Aviv, and that the Israeli occupation forces are combing the area.

The Israeli media initially suggested that a number of Israelis have been injured due to a shooting attack in Tel Aviv, before it has been made clear that the attack was a stabbing incident.

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Four Palestinian children injured by IOFs gunfire in Al-Khaleel (Hebron)

Sunday 19-January-2025

WEST BANK, (PIC)

Four Palestinian children suffered bullet injuries on Saturday evening when the Israeli occupation forces (IOFs) stormed Bait Ummar town in northern Al-Khaleel (Hebron) and opened fire at local youths.

According to local sources, the IOFs intensively fired live ammunition, stun grenades and tear gas canisters during clashes with local youths in Bait Ummar town.

Three children were reportedly injured by IOFs gunfire in their lower extremities and another child suffered shrapnel wounds in his hand, while dozens of citizens suffered from their exposure to tear gas.

Local sources said that the wounded kids were rushed to hospitals in Al-Khaleel (Hebron) City.

In a separate incident, a Palestinian young man was injured in his leg by IOFs gunfire in Al-Beereh City.

Local sources said that Israeli soldiers at the entrance of Psagot settlement opened fire at a young man during his presence in Jabel at-Tawil neighborhood of the city, injuring him in his leg.

In eastern Ramallah, the IOFs set up a road barrier and concrete blocks at the main entrance of Kafr Malik village.

The IOFs also set up a checkpoint at the entrance of Sinjil town in the northeast of Ramallah and intercepted cars and citizens for security checks.

IOFs raids were also reported in other areas of the West Bank on Saturday night, with no reported arrests.

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IOFs kidnap several citizens in West Bank raids

Sunday 19-January-2025

WEST BANK, (PIC)

The Israeli occupation forces (IOFs) kidnapped last night and on Sunday morning a number of Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, amid clashes with resistance fighters in some areas.

According to local sources, the IOFs kidnapped three young men and seized a car they were in near the village of Al-Manshiya in Bait La'hm (Bethlehem).

In Ramallah, the IOFs kidnapped three citizens from their homes in Al-Jalazoan refugee camp.

Another citizen was taken prisoner during an IOFs raid in Baqat Al-Hatab village, northeast of Qalqilya.

In Toulkarm, the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped two brothers from the family of Mulawa'h and another citizen after raiding their hoes in the suburb of the city.

The IOFs also kidnapped two citizens and detained others for a while during raids in Al-Khaleel City, while another citizen was taken prisoner during an IOFs raid in Idhna town.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out between resistance fighters and Israeli occupation forces during an IOFs raids in Tammoun town, south of Toubas, Toulkarm refugee camp, and Nablus City.

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‎The Israeli occupation apartheid regime forces kidnap two citizens, and illegal settlers chase residents and shepherds in Masafir Yatta‎

‎Al-Khaleel (Hebron), 19-1-2025 Wafa -

Today, Sunday, the Israeli occupation forces arrested two citizens from Masafir Yatta, while the settlers chased citizens and shepherds in a number of gatherings and vandalism‎‎.‎

‎Activist Osama Makhamra said that the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped Mu'hammed Ma'hmoud Al-Najjar and Saddam Mu'hammed Al-Najjar while they were trying to expel the illegal Israeli settlers who released their sheep in their agricultural crops in Khirbet Al-Markaz, in Masafir Yatta‎‎.‎

‎The settlers also released their sheep on citizens' lands planted with olive trees in Khirbet Al-Fakheet, belonging to the citizens Shi'hada Makhamra and Kayid Makhamra‎‎.‎

‎In Khirbet al-Tuba, settlers released their livestock into agricultural crops belonging to the 'Eisa 'Awwad family, tried to steal a herd of cattle from the people near Khirba, and chased 'Ali Al-'Hamamda, preventing him from grazing his sheep in the Bir Ma'in area.‎

‎P.O.I/M.L‎.

***

Israeli occupation forces raid homes of prisoners to be released in Al-'Aisawiya, Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem)

Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem), January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

Israeli occupation forces raided the neighborhood of Al-'Aisawiya, northeast of Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem), this morning, where they stormed several homes belonging to Palestinian prisoners who are scheduled to be released this evening.

The Israeli occupation forces stormed the homes of several Palestinian prisoners who are slated for release under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Among the prisoners targeted were Zaina Barbar and Aseel 'Eid, as well as 'Isam Abu Dthiyab and Fahmi Farrokh from the neighborhood of Silwan, south of Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem). The raid also included the home of prisoner Firas Al-Wawi.

During the raids, Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the families of the prisoners, prohibiting gatherings, the display of flags, and celebrations in anticipation of their release.

M.N.

***

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Aggression and Attacks by Illegal Israeli Settlers and Soldiers

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Note: Despite the Biden administration total support for the Israeli genocidal war on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. official policy is still considering the Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territories as illegal.

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Israeli occupation apartheid regime begin construction of settler road in southern West Bank

Bait La'hm (Bethlehem), January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

 The Israeli occupation apartheid regime began construction of a new illegal settler road in the lands of the village of Al-Jabaa, southeast of Bait La'hm (Bethlehem), on Sunday morning.

Dthiyab Masha'lah, head of the Al-Jabaa Village Council, reported that Israeli bulldozers started working on the road from the western side of the village, which will extend to the neighboring village of Wadi Fukkeen and end in the village of 'Husan, in accordance with the Israeli plan. The road will stretch over a distance of 5 kilometers.

Masha'lah added that this measure will result in the seizure of hundreds of dunums of agricultural land and will prevent farmers from accessing their lands located to the west of the settler road under construction.

The new settler road is part of a broader Israeli plan to expand its infrastructure in the occupied West Bank, which is expected to further exacerbate the displacement of Palestinian communities and restrict their movement and access to their lands.

M.N. 

***

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News Related to the Israeli Genocidal War on the Palestinian People

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193 journalists killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024, says Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate

RAMALLAH, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate reported today that 193 journalists were killed by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip during 2024.

Nasir Abu Bakr, the head of the Syndicate, made this statement at the annual Freedom Conference held on Sunday at the Syndicate's headquarters in Ramallah. The event, titled A Wounded Voice and a Clearer Image, focused on the challenges faced by journalists working in Palestine.

Abu Bakr emphasized the resilience of Palestinian journalists, noting that despite the violence, including killings, bombings, and destruction, they remained committed to their work and continued to report the truth to the world. He confirmed that the Syndicate would submit its third complaint to the International Criminal Court regarding the attacks against Palestinian journalists.

Mu'hammed A-La'ham, head of the Syndicate's Freedom Committee, presented the committee's annual report, calling for a focus on the human impact of the attacks on journalists. The report revealed that 86 journalists were injured by live ammunition and rocket shrapnel, with the number of killed journalists surpassing the number of injured, indicating that all injured journalists were potential targets.

The report also highlighted 64 cases of detention of journalists by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the destruction of 54 media institutions, either fully or partially, or their seizure and vandalism. Additionally, there were attempts by Israeli forces to run over journalists with military vehicles.

Al-La'ham noted a significant increase in incidents of live fire directed at journalists to intimidate them and prevent coverage. In 2024, 148 such incidents resulted in injuries, compared to 85 cases of injuries from toxic gas inhalation and tear gas canisters.

The report also highlighted ongoing restrictions on journalistic work, including the detention, threats, kidnapping, and disruption of press activities through the targeting of communication networks and the hacking of Palestinian content on social media.

M.N.

***

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After delays by Israel, Gaza ceasefire finally takes effect

GAZA, January 19, 2025 (WAFA) –

After prolonged delays and continued Israeli aggression, the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip finally took effect at 11:15 am today, following 15 months of relentless Israeli genocide, siege and starvation that left catastrophic consequences in their wake.

The agreement, which was brokered by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Al-Shaikh Mu'hammed Bin Abdul Ra'hman Al-Thani, on Wednesday, January 15, was ratified by the Israeli government on Saturday, January 18. According to the agreement, the ceasefire was set to begin at 8:30 AM Sunday morning.

The ceasefire deal is to be executed in three phases, with the first phase lasting 42 days, during which further details of the second and third phases will be negotiated.

A devastating human toll

The toll of the aggression, which began in October 2023, has been devastating, particularly in Gaza, where over 157,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured—most of them women and children.

The onslaught has also left more than 11,000 Palestinians missing, with widespread destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens of children and the elderly, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Alongside the massacre in Gaza, Israeli occupation forces and colonists escalated attacks in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, resulting in the killing of 835 Palestinians and injuries to thousands more.

Thousands have also been detained, homes and structures demolished, and military checkpoints erected to isolate towns, villages, and cities. Meanwhile, racist laws passed by the Israeli Knesset have increased pressure on Palestinians, particularly in terms of restricting their movement and activities, as well as undermining the work of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Gaza Strip: a devastating impact

Since the beginning of October 2023, Israeli forces launched a brutal offensive on Gaza, leading to the killing of at least 46,899 Palestinians, including 17,581 children and 12,048 women. More than 110,725 have been injured, and around 11,000 are still missing under rubble or in the streets. This has caused Gaza’s population to drop by 6% by the end of 2024.

Over 85% of Gaza’s residents—more than 1.93 million people—have been displaced due to the destruction of their homes, while an additional 100,000 people have fled the region. Approximately 1.6 million people are currently living in shelters and tents that lack basic necessities, amid unprecedented destruction of infrastructure, with over 80% of Gaza in ruins.

The closure of all Gaza crossings and the ongoing siege have caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel, resulting in widespread famine. Currently, 96% of Gaza’s population faces extreme food insecurity, with over 495,000 individuals experiencing catastrophic food insecurity. An estimated 11,000 pregnant women, 3,500 children, and countless others are at risk of starvation.

Education has also been severely impacted, with 788,000 students unable to attend school for two consecutive years, and 77 schools destroyed, alongside 191 schools damaged. Higher education institutions have also been devastated, with 51 university buildings destroyed and 57 partially damaged.

Hospitals, including 14 that remain operational, are facing severe shortages of medical supplies and staff, contributing to the spread of diseases. Religious and cultural heritage sites have not been spared, with 815 mosques and several churches and historical landmarks completely destroyed. The destruction of Gaza’s economy has been unprecedented, with the GDP shrinking by over 82% by the end of 2024, leading to an unemployment rate of 80%.

West Bank and Jerusalem: escalating attacks and settler violence

In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Israeli aggression has claimed the lives of 835 Palestinians, including 173 children. Israeli settlers and forces have carried out nearly 20,000 attacks on Palestinian citizens and their properties. This violence has also resulted in the destruction of thousands of olive trees and damage to thousands of homes.

The Israeli occupation has confiscated 53,000 dunums of Palestinian land and legalized the expansion of settlements, building thousands of new housing units and settler outposts. Home demolitions have increased, with 1,022 homes and agricultural structures destroyed and over 1,100 demolition orders issued.

The Knesset has also passed numerous laws to legitimize and further entrench occupation policies, including measures targeting Palestinians in Jerusalem and areas annexed by Israel.

Prisoners: the systematic oppression

Since October 2023, Israeli authorities have escalated their crackdown on Palestinian prisoners, with over 25,000 Palestinians detained, including 13,000 from the West Bank. Administrative detention has been widely used, with nearly 10,000 Palestinians subjected to this punitive measure.

Over 54 prisoners have died in Israeli jails due to harsh conditions, and 450 women and young girls remain incarcerated. Israel has also continued its policy of withholding the bodies of deceased prisoners.

Economic collapse and humanitarian crisis

The ongoing siege and Israeli confiscations of Palestinian tax revenues have deepened the financial crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority. As a result, public sector employees have not been fully paid for months, and vital services such as healthcare and education are on the brink of collapse.

The lack of medical supplies, with over 120 drugs unavailable, and the ongoing disruptions to education are severely impacting the quality of life for Palestinians.

The overall Palestinian economy, including Gaza and the West Bank, has suffered a catastrophic decline, with the national GDP shrinking by an estimated 28% by the end of 2024. Unemployment has surged to 51%, exacerbating the already dire social and humanitarian conditions.

Racist legislation and attacks on Palestinian identity

The Israeli Knesset has passed several racist laws targeting Palestinians, including measures to limit the operations of UNRWA and further encroach on Palestinian territory. Among the laws are those that criminalize family reunification, label Palestinians as "terrorists" based on their activism, and reject any notion of Palestinian statehood.

Palestinian citizens of Israel (1948 Palestinians)

Palestinians within Israel, those in the 1948 territories, have also faced intensified repression during the period of the Gaza aggression. Israeli authorities have implemented emergency laws to suppress protests, extend detentions without trial, and restrict freedom of expression. These measures are aimed at further subjugating the Palestinian population within Israel and limiting their ability to organize politically.

The ongoing Israeli aggression has plunged Palestine into one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, with widespread devastation, loss of life, and suffering. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the long-term impacts of this genocide will be felt for generations to come, as the Palestinian people continue to endure occupation, displacement, and systematic oppression.

M.N.

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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 verbs "abduct" and "kidnap" than the verbs "detain" and "arrest," 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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Names of some of the Palestinian cities, as pronounced in standard Arabic, and their foreign names in parentheses: 

Al-Khaleel (Hebron)

Al-Nusayrat

Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem)

Aree'ha (Jericho)

Al-Zaytoun (al-Zeitoun)

Bait (Beit)

Bait La'hm (Bethlehem)

Dair El-Bala'h

Jineen (Jenin)

Khan Younus (Khan Younis)

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Person's names as pronounced in standard Arabic:

A'hmed, 'Hasan, Mu'hammed, Younus, Yousuf,  

'Hasan Mulai'hat,

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Conflict terminology

The Israeli occupation apartheid regime (the Israeli government)

Illegal Israeli settlers (instead of settlers, colonists)

A group of the illegal Israeli settlers

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