One Million Palestinians Arrested Since 1967

Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian boy during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 13, 2017. - REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian boy during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 13, 2017. - REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
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One Million Palestinians Arrested Since 1967

Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian boy during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 13, 2017. - REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian boy during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 13, 2017. - REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Head of the Palestinian Authority Prisoners' Affairs Commission Qadri Abu Bakr called on the international community to break its silence and act promptly to put an end to the continuous arrests against the Palestinians.

Abu Bakr said that Palestinians are paying a high price as Israel’s disrespect of the international agreements and charters continue, stressing that the situation needs to end.

Around one million Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since the 1967 Middle East war, according to the Palestinian Authority Prisoners' Affairs Commission.

"Around 17,000 women and girls and 50,000 children were among those detained," the Commission said in a statement on Saturday.

The NGO said more than 54,000 administrative detention orders were recorded since 1967.

"A total of 226 detainees have died inside Israeli prisons since 1967," it added.

The NGO said all those detained experienced "some form of physical or psychological torture, moral abuse, and cruel treatment".

The Commission noted that the Israeli occupation adopted the policy of arrests since 1967. Arrests became a daily phenomenon and an integral part of the life of Palestinians.

For his part, Fatah deputy chief Mahmoud al-Aloul stressed that the Palestinian people insist on fighting for their rights and for ending the occupation, especially their right of return.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.