Two Palestinians have died of COVID-19 related causes, far fewer than the 222 Israelis who have died from the virus.
The IMEMC reports that Israeli colonial settlers unleashed their cattle, on Wednesday, onto Palestinian-owned farmlands in the northern Alghour area of the Jordan Valley, in the West Bank.
At a time when Palestinians would usually be flooding the markets doing Ramadan shopping and hanging festive lights outside their homes, the streets are empty, and the usual excitement and anticipation has been replaced with an air of sadness.
Every year during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Israeli authorities approve a package to “relax” the restrictions on movement for West Bank Palestinians to facilitate worshippers’ trips to Jerusalem. As a result, tens of thousands of Palestinians headed to Qalandiya checkpoint, Bethlehem 300 checkpoint, and Zaytoun checkpoint early on Friday mornings to take advantage of the unusual regulations. Ahmad Al-Bazz reports from Qalandiya and Bethlehem to show what life under Israel control looks like.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo really donate €1.5 million to Palestinians for Ramadan? The short answer: no. The long answer, however, is more interesting. From Albanian-language outlets to Russian government owned media, how the hoax was developed, how it spread, and how it eventually became uncritically accepted as “fact.”
Israeli forces dropped leaflets by drones on the Gaza Strip Thursday, warning residents “not to get close to the border or try to attack Israelis”. The leaflets said, “Residents of the Gaza Strip! Greetings, and may Ramadan bring you blessings,” the leaflets said. “A wise man considers the results of his actions in advance and chooses the action whose benefits outweigh the costs…
The AP reports, “The Palestinian men who chant and beat drums to wake up the faithful during Ramadan in Jerusalem’s Old City say they are being unfairly targeted by Israeli police over their early-morning tradition.” The wakers, called “musaharati,” canvass Jerusalem’s Old City at 2 a.m., calling Muslims to rise for the last meal before the Ramadan fast begins.
Muslims across the world have spent June observing the religious month of Ramadan. In Gaza, where reconstruction after three wars in six years has stalled, the celebrations, fasts followed by feasts, and prayer has brought a welcomed sense of normalcy. Palestinian photographer Mohammed Asad brings a glimpse of how Gazans enjoy the month of Ramadan.
As Israel held funerals yesterday for those killed in an attack in Tel Aviv earlier in the week, police limited Palestinian travel from the West Bank and Gaza during the Ramadan holiday.