Times of Israel Liveblog, October 10 (Closed)
The Times of Israel’s liveblog of Saturday’s events is now closed.
3 cops hurt in Damascus Gate attack; terrorist killed
At least three police officers are reported injured in a stabbing attack near Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate.
One officer is seriously injured and the other two are moderately wounded, first reports say.
The terrorist has been shot dead by nearby forces.
Earlier Saturday, two ultra-Orthodox men were wounded in a stabbing attack in central Jerusalem, police and medical officials said.
Police said the perpetrator of the attack, a Palestinian teenager from East Jerusalem, was shot and killed by officers who rushed to the scene. Officials said the attacker was around 16 years old.
The two victims, aged 62 and 65, were on their way back from morning prayers at a local synagogue when they were attacked.
Magen David Adom medics said the two were both on their feet, “conscious and in stable condition,” when they arrived. One suffered light injuries and the other moderate. The two were evacuated to the city’s Shaare Zedek medical center.
The attack took place in Hanevi’im Street, located outside the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.
86 killed in bombing at Ankara peace rally
Turkey’s health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed a total of 86 people.
Minister Mehmet Muezinoglu says another 186 people were injured in the attacks in Ankara on a peace rally.
The minister said 62 people died at the scene while 24 others died after being taken to the hospital.
Riots reported near scene of fresh stabbing attack
Clashes are taking place between security forces and Arab demonstrators near the scene where three policeman were stabbed a short while ago.
Hundreds of Israeli Arabs hold Nazareth protest
Around 1,500 Israeli Arabs are demonstrating in Nazareth against Israel’s actions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Ynet news reports.
Several Palestinians have been killed and hundreds wounded in recent days as Israeli security forces grapple with a surge in Palestinian terror attacks and battle to quell ongoing rioting in both territories.
Palestinians and many Israeli Arabs suspect Israel is trying to expand its presence in Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, a claim Israel denies.
Hundreds riot in East Jerusalem after young man’s funeral
Police say hundreds of Palestinians rioted in East Jerusalem’s Shuafat refugee camp this afternoon. The protests took place after the funeral of a young man who was killed by Israeli army fire overnight. Israel says he fired a weapon at soldiers before being shot.
Rioters hurled rocks and firebombs at the soldiers. One person who came near the troops was shot in the leg. He was evacuated by the Red Crescent to a Palestinian hospital.
Palestinian men carry the body of 22-year-old Ahmad Qali, who was killed during clashes with Israeli security forces, during his funeral in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem, on October 10, 2015 (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
The demonstration has since died down.
Badly hurt Jerusalem policeman likely hit by friendly fire
The policeman shot and seriously wounded during a stabbing attack in Jerusalem a short while ago was apparently hit by friendly fire during attempts to shoot the assailant, Ynet news reports.
Two other officers were lightly and moderately wounded by the stabber before he was shot and killed.
Dozens of Gazans rioting near border fence
Dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are holding a violent protest near the border fence with Israel, Army Radio reports.
Demonstrators are hurling rocks towards Israeli troops situated near the border. The latter have so far fired warning shots in the air, according to the report.
Israeli envoy to UN: Attacks on Israelis met with silence
Israel’s outgoing Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor calls on the Security Council to denounce the rash of attacks against Israelis in recent days.
“In 72 hours alone, 11 terror attacks have taken place in cities across Israel, and the Security Council stands by in silence,” Prosor says.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor. (courtesy)
“Israelis are being attacked and murdered in the streets, in their vehicles, and even in their homes, and the UN stands by in silence.”
Prosor blames incitement and “instigation to violence by the Palestinian leadership” through inflammatory language.
“As my final act as Israel’s Ambassador, I wish to stress the urgency of this situation that requires immediate action,” he says, urging the Security Council to “denounce these attacks in a clear and unequivocal manner.”
Police arrest Israeli-Arab protesters in Ramle
Several Israeli-Arab protesters are arrested in the central city of Ramle after they threw stones at police during a protest against Israel’s actions in the recent wave of terror, police say.
According to police, some 100 protesters were gathered on Bialik Street in the city when some started hurling rocks at security forces.
Cop hurt at Damascus Gate stable after surgery
The policemen badly injured in the latest terror incident at Damascus Gate is in stable condition after surgery, medical officials say.
The cop was one of three injured when a Palestinian 19-year-old, Muhammad Said Muhammad from Shuafat refugee camp, pulled out a knife and attacked them when they stopped him and asked to see his ID card. Initial reports indicate the policeman was hit by friendly fire.
The other two policemen were lightly injured by the stabber.
Hamas says Palestinian killed in clashes was member
Hamas says the Palestinian man who died of his wounds Saturday after clashes with Israeli Border Police in East Jerusalem on Friday was a member of the terror group, according to the BBC.
Police say he was shot after opening fire at Border Police late on Friday night, and the Red Crescent said he was killed by a live bullet at the clashes in the Shuafat refugee camp.
He was identified by his family as 22-year-old Ahmed Qali.
PM tells Kerry he expects PA to end anti-Israel incitement
Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke yesterday with US Secretary of State John Kerry, and told him he expects the Palestinian Authority to put a halt to the incitement against Israel that is fueling the current terror surge, Netanyahu’s office says.
Kerry said the US is aware that Israel is not seeking to change the status quo at the Temple Mount, the statement says. Claims that Israel intends to allow Jewish prayer at the contested holy site have been widely disseminated by Fatah, Israel’s own Islamic Movement and others, despite insistent Israeli denials.
2 Gaza teens killed, 3 injured in clashes with IDF troops
Palestinian medical sources say two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, were killed and three others injured during clashes with IDF troops along the Gaza border near Khan Younis.
Clashes in Shuafat after funeral of Palestinian protester
Palestinian protesters throw stones and firebombs at Israeli troops in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem following the funeral of a Palestinian protester who died of his wounds today after being shot in clashes with Border Police yesterday.
Police say he was shot after opening fire at Border Police late on Friday night, and the Red Crescent said he was killed by a live bullet at the clashes in the Shuafat refugee camp. He was identified by his family as 22-year-old Ahmed Qali.
Earlier, dozens of protesters burned tires and hurled firebombs in Hebron in the West Bank after the funeral of a terrorist who stabbed and injured a policeman in Kiryat Arba on Friday.
Hamas calls for violent riots at Jerusalem soccer stadium
The Gaza-based terror group Hamas calls on its supporters in East Jerusalem to riot in areas surrounding the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem tonight to disrupt the upcoming soccer game between Israel and Cyprus.
Hamas made the call on its TV station.
Police up security ahead of Jerusalem soccer match
Police say security inside and outside Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem is being beefed up ahead of a soccer match between the Israeli and Cypriot national teams tonight.
According to police, hundreds of forces, both uniformed and plain-clothed, will secure the event.
Israel should not return bodies of terrorists to families — Liberman
Former foreign minister and head of the nationalist Yisrael Beytenu party Avigdor Liberman says he doesn’t understand why Israeli authorities are returning the bodies of the terrorists who have carried out attacks against Israelis in recent weeks back to their families.
“Each funeral is a cause for incitement,” and clashes with troops, Liberman says in an interview with Channel 2.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman speaks during a party meeting at the Knesset, June 15, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Liberman says Israel should do what the US did with the body of Osama Bin Laden, who was “tossed into the sea” after he was caught and executed in a sophisticated military operation in Pakistan in 2010.
Liberman also says that calls by politicians and others to change the status quo on the Temple Mount and to increase settlement building are the inappropriate way to go about handling the current situation.
He calls for canceling permanent residency permits of Palestinian East Jerusalem residents who take part in terror acts.
Border Police call up hundreds of reservists amid terror wave
Hundreds of Border Police reservists are being called up as the current wave of unrest persists, after a week of almost daily stabbing attacks.
The officers will be deployed in and around Jerusalem starting Sunday, according to Ynet.
On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan approved the call-up of three more Border Police companies. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the call-ups would continue as necessary.
Israel condemns ‘horrendous’ Ankara attacks
Israel condemns the “horrendous” attacks in Ankara, Turkey today in which at least 86 people were killed.
According to CNN Turk, the Israeli government issued a statement via the Israeli embassy in the Turkish capital and expressed its deepest condolences to the Turkish people.
Quartet delegation to arrive Wednesday
A delegation of the Quartet on the Middle East — comprised of the UN, the US, the EU and Russia — is set to arrive in Israel on Wednesday, Channel 2 reports.
According to the report, the delegation will sit down for talks with both Israeli and Palestinian officials in a bid to calm recent tensions which have persisted for weeks.
The Quartet was led by former British PM Tony Blair for several years before he resigned this past May.
At least 10 Gazans breach border fence with Israel
At least 10 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip successfully infiltrated into Israel through the border fence near the southern community of the Eshkol Regional Council.
IDF troops intercepted the Gazans and turned them back, according to Israeli media reports.
PM to convene meeting on possible outlawing of Islamic Movement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a meeting on Sunday to discuss possible actions against the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, including the possible banning of the group.
“The security establishment has – in recent days, on instruction from the prime minister – formulated a series of actions against the Islamic Movement and the incitement that it is fomenting,” the PMO office says.
Israeli politicians banned from Temple Mount, says acting police chief
The police intend to prevent any attempts by politicians to access the Temple Mount, Acting Police Chief Bentzi Sau says.
“There’s a cycle [of violence] we are looking to stop and in order to do that we have the authority to limit the access of Knesset members, whether Jewish or Arab.
His statement comes after PM Netanyahu ordered this week that MKs and ministers be barred from the site.
Rightists in Haifa, Ramle protest against terror wave
Hundreds of Jewish right-wing protesters gathered for two separate demonstrations in Haifa and the central city of Ramle to protest against the recent terror wave which has seen four Israelis killed and more than 20 injured in over a dozen terror attacks across Israel and the West Bank over the past week alone.
According to Channel 2, some were chanting “death to terrorists” while others were shouting “death to Arabs.”
Israeli injured in rock-throwing attack in West Bank
An Israeli man is lightly injured in a rock-throwing attack while driving near the Jewish settlement of Efrat in the West Bank.
The man’s car came under a hail of stones but he kept driving until he reached a military checkpoint, according to reports.
Arab woman arrested after saying she wants to become martyr
A young Arab woman from the northern Israeli city of Acre has been arrested after she wrote on social media that she wished to become a martyr, police say.
The 21-year-old is currently being questioned by police.
PM’s stance on 2 states doesn’t represent gov’t, says Bennett
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements on his willingness to return to the negotiating table with the Palestinians without preconditions and his belief in two states for two people do not represent the stance of the Israeli government as a whole, says Education Minister Naftali Bennett from the ultra right-wing party Jewish Home.
“The underlying principles of this government make no mention of a Palestinian state — therefore, what the prime minister says is his opinion alone, it is not the position of the Israeli government,” Bennett said during an interview with Channel 2.
Naftali Bennett, July 20, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Netanyahu said last month that his government would be willing to reopen talks with the Palestinians “immediately” without preconditions.
Jerusalem schools to end at 1:30 p.m. in protest against security situation
Schools across Jerusalem will end at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon in protest against the current security situation in and around the capital, including two terror attacks today.
“In light of the fact that the Israeli government has yet to solve the issue of providing security at educational institutions in Jerusalem, the municipality and the parents’ council have decided that on Sunday, school sessions will end at 1:30 p.m.,” the Jerusalem city hall says in a statement.
Fans stay away from Israel-Cyprus soccer game in Jerusalem
Israel TV says only 5,000 fans have arrived so far at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem for tonight’s vital European 2016 soccer qualifier between Israel and Cyprus. The game starts in a few minutes and the no-shows are assumed to be a consequence of terror fears.
The stadium holds about 30,000, and tickets had almost sold out in recent days. Reporters at the game insist the crowd will yet swell to 15,000.
Hamas had called on its supporters in East Jerusalem to riot in areas surrounding the stadium. A large police contingent is securing the game.
If Israel wins, it could guarantee third place in its qualifying group, and would go into a play-off round for a place in next year’s tournament proper.
Barkat thanks public for coming to Matisyahu concert
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat thanks the public for showing up at the much-anticipated Matisyahu concert at Sultan’s Pool outside the Old City, despite the recent wave of terror attacks, including two earlier today.
The mayor praised the concert-goers for sticking to routine life and thanked police and emergency response services for their work.
Israeli teen injured in rock throwing attack in Kiryat Arba
An Israeli teenager is lightly injured in a stone-throwing attack in Kiryat Arba, near Hebron in the West Bank.
Paramedics at the scene are treating the 14-year-old, Magen David Adom says.
PM orders mobilization of more Border Police
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the mobilization of 13 more Border Police companies, in addition to the three called up earlier today, amid the ongoing wave of violence in Israel and the West Bank, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Saturday.
The three companies called up earlier were of Border Police reservists who will be deployed mostly in and around Jerusalem starting Sunday, Ynet reported.
In addition to the capital, troops will be deployed along major highways and mixed Israeli Arab cities where residents have clashed with police amid high tensions in recent days.
IDF troops shot at in South Hebron hills; gunman injured
A Palestinian gunman shoots at a group of Israeli soldiers in the South Hebron hills in the West Bank.
The forces hit back, injuring the gunman in the leg, according to the IDF.
There were no reports of injuries among the soldiers.
Bus driver injured in rock-throwing attack in Jerusalem
The driver of a bus in Jerusalem is lightly injured after coming under a rock-throwing attack on Shmuel Hanavi street in the capital.
The bus sustained some damage.
אבן הושלכה לעבר אוטובוס ברחוב יחזקאל & שמואל הנביא בירושלים, הנהג נפצע קלות. שמשת האוטובוס נופצה צילום: דודי גלויברמן pic.twitter.com/IctKAQ453H
— אלי שלזינגר (@leizersh) October 10, 2015
Matisyahu performs to full house in Jerusalem
Matisyahu is performing to a packed venue at Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem’s Old City tonight.
His opening act, Israeli singer-songwriter Idan Raichel, thanks Matisyahu and his band for playing “here in these crazy days,” amid a surge of terror attacks in Jerusalem, the West Bank and elsewhere, including two today in the capital.
“It’s our pleasure,” Matisyahu replies before launching into his hit song “Jerusalem,” amid cheers from the appreciative crowd.
Israeli man seriously injured in second attack in Kiryat Arba
An Israeli man is said to be in moderate-to-serious condition after Palestinians hurled marbles at his head using sling-shots.
The attack occurred in Kiryat Arba and comes after a rock-throwing attack in the city earlier today in which an Israeli man was lightly injured.
Sirens warning of incoming rocket fire sound in southern Israel
Sirens warning of incoming rocket fire from Gaza sound in southern Israel.
The sirens are heard in Ashkelon, Zikim, Netiv Haasara and Yad Mordechai.
Kerry shares ‘deep concern’ with Abbas, Netanyahu over attack surge
US Secretary of State John Kerry says he shared his “deep concern” over the spiraling violence between Israelis and Palestinians during telephone calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, his office says.
Kerry “stressed the importance of upholding the status quo in word and deed at the al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and of preventing inflammatory rhetoric and actions that will increase tensions,” the statement says
— AFP
Iron Dome shoots down rocket over Hof Ashkelon
The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system shoots down at least one rocket fired from Gaza over the Hof Ashkelon region.
No injuries reported.
Israel loses to Cyprus in vital soccer qualifier
Israel has lost 2-1 to Cyprus in the vital European Championships soccer qualifying game at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. The home defeat all-but puts an end to Israel’s chances of qualifying for next year’s tournament.
A win would have given Israel a likely play-off place, but those hopes were quashed by the unexpected defeat. It is now in fourth place in the group and would need to beat Belgium away and hope other results worked in its favor in the final round of games to make the playoffs.
Having beaten Cyprus away earlier in the qualifying stages, Israel was the favorite to win at home tonight, but Cyprus took a 58th minute lead through Dossa Junior header. Israel’s Nir Bitton equalized with a glorious strike from outside the penalty area in the 76th minute. But as Israel poured forward in search of a winning goal, it was Cyprus that scored through Jason Demetriou in the 80th minute.
The home team left Teddy to boos from disappointed fans.
Israeli man injured in Kiryat Arba attack is IDF officer
A Palestinian protester armed with a slingshot moderately wounded an IDF officer during a violent demonstration outside of Kiryat Arba in the West Bank, the army reports.
Protesters threw rocks, rolled burning tires and fired marbles at IDF troops.
The soldier was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem for treatment, the IDF says.
— Judah Ari Gross
Kiryat Arba settlers arrested for rock-throwing
A number of Jewish residents of Kiryat Arba outside Hebron are arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks at nearby Palestinians amid a tumultuous night of clashes in the area.
Earlier Saturday, a 14-year-old Jewish resident of Kiryat Arba was lightly wounded from rocks thrown by rioting Palestinians. An IDF officer was wounded by a marble thrown by a Palestinian late Saturday.
Palestinian youth wounded in Thursday protest dies
A Palestinian youth who was seriously wounded last Thursday from rubber bullets fired by IDF soldiers during a protest in northern Hebron dies in a Hebron hospital.
The youth was a resident of Beit Omar, the Walla news site reports. He has been hospitalized at Hebron’s al-Ahli Hospital since being wounded.
PM delays vote on approving illegal settlements
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders that a vote to legalize several unapproved West Bank settlements be delayed indefinitely.
The move appears meant to avoid a step that could further escalate growing tensions and a spate of violence between Arabs and Jews in recent days.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation, a key cabinet committee, was set to vote Sunday on a bill that would give legal sanction to several West Bank settlements and buildings built illegally, some of which have been ordered removed down by the High Court of Justice.
Fierce battles in central Syria amid Russian airstrikes
Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes seize a village in central Syria amid fierce clashes with rebels, part of a ground offensive launched earlier this week.
That offensive marked the first major air-and-ground assault since Moscow began its military campaign in Syria on Sept. 30. Russian officials say the airstrikes are targeting mainly Islamic State militants, but most strikes are hitting areas where the extremist group is not present.
The fighting is concentrated in Hama and the northern Idlib provinces, where a consortium of mainstream rebels as well as al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, are operating.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists across Syria, says government troops seize control of Atshan amid intense Russian airstrikes in the region. It says troops also seize the nearby Um Hartein village.
— AP
Rocks thrown on Highway 6; no injuries
Palestinians are throwing rocks at Highway 6 near Taibe, police say.
There are no reports of injuries or damage from the attacks. The Sharon Region Police are sweeping the area in pursuit of the attackers.
US offers ‘condolence’ payments for Afghan hospital bombing victims
The Pentagon announces Saturday it would make payments in compensation for those killed and injured by US airstrikes on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz.
The group, known by its French acronym MSF, has demanded an independent international investigation.
It says 33 people are still missing after the October 3 attack, in addition to 12 MSF staff and 10 patients already confirmed dead.
“The Department of Defense believes it is important to address the consequences of the tragic incident,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook says in a statement, adding that US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) also has the authority to pay for repairs to the hospital.
“One step the department can take is to make condolence payments to civilian non-combatants injured and the families of civilian non-combatants killed as a result of US military operations.”
— AFP
Two drivers hurt from rocks thrown near Galilee Arab village
A man and woman are lightly injured late Saturday in a rock-throwing attack near the Galilee vilage of Tour’an.
The two victims were hit by flying glass when their cars’ windows shattered after being struck by stones as they drove on Road 77 near the Arab village.
Two Arab Israelis held after late-night protests
An Arab Israeli man is arrested in Kafr Kana early Sunday on suspicion of throwing rocks at security forces in late Saturday riots in the village.
Another Arab Israeli, age 17, is arrested in Bu’eine Nujeidat, east of Haifa, on suspicion of setting a tire on fire at the entrance to the nearby Jewish village of Beit Netofa.
IDF bombs Hamas weapon factories in Gaza
Israeli Air Force jets strike two Hamas weapons manufacturing facilities in the northern Gaza Strip, the army says early Sunday.
The attack follows a rocket launch from Gaza at the Israeli city of Ashkelon which was intercepted late Saturday by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
“Tonight’s attack was the second rocket attack in the past two days, along with multiple attempts to infiltrate into Israeli territory,” an IDF statement says.
