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Kuwait Times
3 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
West Bank ‘plane chalet' helps aviation dreams take off
A guest house in the shape of a plane would stand out anywhere in the world, but in the occupied West Bank devoid of airports, Minwer Harsha's creation helps aviation dreams take flight. 'So many kids want to come,' said 27-year-old Harsha, who built the guest house in the hills of the northern West Bank, within view of the separation barrier between the Zionist entity and the Palestinian territory. 'And that's the goal: since we don't have planes or airports, people come here instead,' he told AFP. Harsha said he designed the concrete plane himself, with a master bedroom in the cockpit and a children's bedroom in the tail. The price tag, between 1,000 and 2,000 shekels (about $300-$600) per night, is out of reach for most Palestinians, particularly as unemployment soars due to the war in Gaza. He has nonetheless been pleased with the reactions to his chalet, having initially faced skepticism. 'I wanted to bring something unique, something new to the area and to Palestine,' Harsha said of the unit, which opened a month ago. Since its launch, his red and white concrete plane has become a local landmark, featuring in local media and on social networks. Harsha said he originally wanted to place a Palestinian flag on his chalet and call it the 'Palestinian Queen', but avoided such signs out of caution. The guest house is located in the West Bank's Area C, which covers more than 60 percent of the territory and is under full Zionist control. 'I just made it look like a plane. I avoided politics entirely because of the hardships our people are going through,' he said. 'We're a people who are constantly losing things -- our land, our rights, our lives.' A man walks underneath a guest house built in the shape of an airplane. A man stands next to a swimming pool underneath a guest house built in the shape of an airplane. A man stands underneath a guest house built in the shape of an airplane. Using the land The Zionist entity has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and frequently demolishes homes it says are built without permission in the mostly rural Area C. Though no airport currently services the Palestinian territories, both the West Bank and Gaza once had their own terminals, in east Jerusalem and the southern Gaza city of Rafah, respectively. Both were closed during the Second Intifada, the Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s, and what remains of east Jerusalem's airport is now isolated from the rest of the West Bank by Zionist's separation barrier. Despite difficulties and threats of demolition, Harsha believes that Palestinians can find freedom and fulfilment in projects like his. 'I encourage everyone who has land to work on it and invest in it -- with creativity and ambition,' he said, flanked by his two brothers who helped him build the unit. Harsha himself has more plans for his land. 'After this airplane, we'll build a ship next year,' he said. 'It will be something unique and beautiful,' he said, pointing out that while many West Bank Palestinians have seen planes flying overhead, a large number of people from the landlocked territory have never seen a real ship at all. — AFP
eNCA
13 hours ago
- eNCA
West Bank 'plane chalet' helps aviation dreams take off
JERUSALEM - A guest house in the shape of a plane would stand out anywhere in the world, but in the occupied West Bank devoid of airports, Minwer Harsha's creation helps aviation dreams take flight. "So many kids want to come," said 27-year-old Harsha, who built the guest house in the hills of the northern West Bank, within view of the separation barrier between Israel and the Palestinian territory. "And that's the goal: since we don't have planes or airports, people come here instead," he told AFP. Harsha said he designed the concrete plane himself, with a master bedroom in the cockpit and a children's bedroom in the tail. The price tag, between 1,000 and 2,000 shekels (about $300-$600) per night, is out of reach for most Palestinians, particularly as unemployment soars due to the war in Gaza. He has nonetheless been pleased with the reactions to his chalet, having initially faced scepticism. "I wanted to bring something unique, something new to the area and to Palestine," Harsha said of the unit, which opened a month ago. Since its launch, his red and white concrete plane has become a local landmark, featuring in local media and on social networks. Harsha said he originally wanted to place a Palestinian flag on his chalet and call it the "Palestinian Queen", but avoided such signs out of caution. The guest house is located in the West Bank's Area C, which covers more than 60 percent of the territory and is under full Israeli control. "I just made it look like a plane. I avoided politics entirely because of the hardships our people are going through," he said. "We're a people who are constantly losing things -- our land, our rights, our lives." - Using the land - Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and frequently demolishes homes it says are built without permission in the mostly rural Area C. Though no airport currently services the Palestinian territories, both the West Bank and Gaza once had their own terminals, in east Jerusalem and the southern Gaza city of Rafah, respectively. Both were closed during the Second Intifada, the Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s, and what remains of east Jerusalem's airport is now isolated from the rest of the West Bank by Israel's separation barrier. Despite difficulties and threats of demolition, Harsha believes that Palestinians can find freedom and fulfilment in projects like his. "I encourage everyone who has land to work on it and invest in it -- with creativity and ambition," he said, flanked by his two brothers who helped him build the unit. Harsha himself has more plans for his land. "After this aeroplane, we'll build a ship next year," he said. "It will be something unique and beautiful," he said, pointing out that while many West Bank Palestinians have seen planes flying overhead, a large number of people from the landlocked territory have never seen a real ship at all. The information contained in the article posted represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Israel kills seven senior Hamas terrorists released in 2011 prisoner deal
Among those killed were Riyad Asila and Bassem Abu Sanina, who carried out the 1998 stabbing murder of Israeli civilian Haim Kerman in Jerusalem ANI Middle East Seven senior Hamas terrorists who were released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and deported to Gaza were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Defence Forces announced Monday. The targeted operatives, all members of Hamas's Judea and Samaria "headquarters," were involved in recruiting terrorists and coordinating attacks from Gaza into Judea and Samaria. Among those killed were Riyad Asila and Bassem Abu Sanina, who carried out the 1998 stabbing murder of Israeli civilian Haim Kerman in Jerusalem. Both were sentenced to lengthy prison terms but were released as part of the deal in which Israel freed 1,027 security prisoners in exchange for captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. After their exile to Gaza, the two resumed operational roles in Hamas, with Asila later joining the group's "Jerusalem Department," responsible for recruiting terrorists in eastern Jerusalem. According to the Shin Bet, Asila helped direct terrorist activity from Gaza back into Israel, continuing "to promote terrorist operations against the State of Israel." Another key operative eliminated in the strike was Mahmoud Saria, who was convicted of killing IDF Staff Sgt. Ehud (Udi) Tal was in a stabbing attack at the Dotan Civil Administration centre in 1996. Like the others, Saria returned to terrorist activity after his release and exile to Gaza. The Shin Bet confirmed that all seven operatives killed had been convicted of involvement in deadly attacks during the Second Intifada and were serving life sentences before their release. "After their deportation to Gaza, they joined Hamas's West Bank Headquarters, operating in regional committees responsible for promoting attacks in Judea and Samaria, including by transferring weapons and funds to terrorists," the agency said. "The terrorists who were eliminated had a long record of murderous activity and had continued operating from Gaza, using their experience and connections to support Hamas's war efforts," the statement added. The airstrike also reportedly killed Muhammad Adin, commander of Hamas's Daraj Tuffah battalion, in an IDF strike northeast of Gaza City. Adin was said to be accompanied by other senior commanders. His death follows the recent elimination of three other top Hamas leaders, including Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, and Hakam al-Issa, who the IDF described as one of Hamas's founding figures and its head of combat support operations. At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Days of Palestine
5 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Mass Arrest Campaign Sweeps West Bank
DaysofPal – Palestinian detainee organizations reported that Israeli forces carried out 3,850 arrests across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the first half of 2025. Among those detained were around 400 children and 125 women. The figures, published Monday by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners Society, and Addameer, describe an intensified policy of mass arrests under what the groups called an ongoing campaign of systematic repression. The month of March saw the highest number of arrests—around 800 cases—including individuals who were later released. The majority of arrests targeted youth, former prisoners, and recently released detainees. The cities of Jenin and Tulkarem, which have faced some of the most aggressive military assaults since the Second Intifada, recorded the highest number of arrests, with 920 and 455 respectively. These campaigns were accompanied by large-scale displacement, home demolitions, extrajudicial killings, and mass detentions, particularly in refugee camps. Torture, Field Interrogations In many areas, field interrogations have become a widespread tactic, often replacing formal arrests. Hundreds of Palestinians—including children, women, and the elderly—have been subjected to violent beatings, psychological torture, and various forms of abuse during these interrogations. Human rights organizations noted that such practices are no less brutal than those taking place inside Israeli detention centers. Settler violence has also played a role in driving up arrests, especially in villages near illegal settlements. These raids often involve both settlers and Israeli soldiers acting in coordination, resulting in arrests, property destruction, and physical assaults on residents. Deteriorating Conditions Inside Israeli prisons, detainees continue to face deteriorating and inhumane conditions. The report highlighted a surge in torture, starvation, medical neglect, isolation, and sexual abuse since the war on Gaza began. The spread of scabies and other infectious diseases has worsened the health crisis among detainees. At least 19 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody in the first half of the year, including 10 from Gaza and 9 from the West Bank. One of them was a 17-year-old boy, Waleed Ahmad, from the town of Silwad. Testimonies from inside prisons and military detention centers reveal a pattern of systemic abuse. Many former detainees released in recent months have described horrific conditions, especially those who were held in secret locations or subjected to prolonged field interrogations. Administrative Detention Administrative detention—imprisonment without charge or trial—has reached an all-time high. As of early July 2025, Israel is holding 3,629 Palestinians under administrative detention orders, including 87 children and 10 women. Most of those detained this way are former prisoners, many of whom have been held multiple times under similar orders. Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank alone. This number does not include thousands more detained in Gaza, where mass arrests have been carried out in secrecy. At least 560 women and 1,450 children have been detained since the onset of what rights groups describe as a campaign of extermination. As of this month, there are approximately 10,800 Palestinians in Israeli prisons—the highest number since the Second Intifada. This figure does not include those held in Israeli military camps. Among them are 50 women (including two from Gaza), more than 450 children, and 2,454 detainees classified by Israel as 'unlawful combatants,' a category that strips individuals of legal protections under international law and includes detainees from Lebanon and Syria. The report concludes by warning that these policies reflect a deepening effort to suppress Palestinian society through mass incarceration, collective punishment, and denial of fundamental rights. Shortlink for this post:
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Israeli operations in West Bank push wave of Palestinians from their homes
Palestinian Nasser Al-Furatawi stands inside his damaged shop after Israeli soldiers turned it into a military barrack, near Tulkarm camp, during the ongoing military operation, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, July 7, 2025. REUTERS/ Raneen Sawafta TULKARM, West Bank — Malik Lutfi contemplated which of his family's belongings to salvage in the few moments he was given while Israeli troops carried out home demolitions in the Tulkarm refugee camp where he grew up in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Now 51, the father of six has rented a small room in the nearby city of Tulkarm, but without access to his electronic repair shop in the cordoned-off camp, he has no income to meet the rent, sparking anxiety about his family's future. With bulldozers roaring outside, he said: "They kicked us out six months ago and we are still out. When you go back you try to bring anything you can, but in two hours with only our hands, you cannot bring many things." He said he knew many families in a worse situation even than his, pushed to living in crowded schools or on patches of farmland. "We are waiting for help," he said. Israeli operations are pushing tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians like Lutfi out of their homes, says B'Tselem, the independent Israeli human rights information center for the occupied territories. Around 40,000 residents from the Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin refugee camps have been displaced by the military operation this year, B'Tselem said. Israel says it is acting against flashpoints of militancy, including the northern cities of Tulkarm and Jenin. "This requires the demolition of buildings, allowing the forces to operate freely and move unhindered within the area," an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. "The decision to demolish these structures is based on operational necessity and was made only after considering alternative options," the statement said. Israeli demolitions have drawn widespread international criticism and coincide with heightened fears among Palestinians of an organized effort by Israel to formally annex the West Bank, the area seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Reuters witnesses this week saw bulldozers ploughing through buildings and wide, new roads lined by rubble that bulldozers had carved out by demolishing concrete homes. Residents piled chairs, blankets and cooking equipment onto trucks. Tulkarm's governor Abdullah Kamil said in recent weeks the destruction had intensified, with 106 homes and 104 other buildings in the nearby Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps destroyed. "What is happening in Tulkarm is an Israeli political decision, the issue has nothing to do with security," Kamil, the Palestinian governor, said. "There is nothing left in the camp, it has become a ghost camp." Israel's northern West Bank operation which began in January has been one of the biggest since the Second Intifada uprising by Palestinians more than 20 years ago, involving several brigades of troops earlier this year backed by drones, helicopters and, for the first time in decades, heavy battle tanks. Simmering situation As efforts ramp up in Washington and Qatar to secure a Gaza ceasefire deal, some international officials and rights groups say they are also worried about the simmering situation for Palestinians in the West Bank. "In the northern West Bank, Israel has begun replicating tactics and combat doctrines honed in its current offensive on Gaza," said Shai Parnes, public outreach director at B'Tselem. "This includes and deliberate destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, and forced displacement of civilians from areas designated by the military as combat zones." Israeli hardliners inside and outside the government have called repeatedly for Israel to annex the West Bank, a kidney-shaped area around 100 kilometers (62 miles) long that Palestinians see as the core of a future independent state, along with Gaza and with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israeli government ministers deny that the West Bank operation has any wider purpose than battling militant groups. The Israeli military in its statement said it was following international law and targeting militancy. Kamil, the Palestinian governor, said displacement was putting pressure on a community already reeling economically, with thousands sheltering in mosques, schools and overcrowded homes with relatives. Returning for the first time in six months, Lutfi said he was shocked at the scale of damage. "Most people when they come back to look at their homes, they find them destroyed, the destruction that meets them is enormous: wide streets, destroyed infrastructure and electricity," he said. "If we want to rebuild, it will take a long time." — Reuters
