Saturday, August 16, 2025

Israel destroyed 400 [Palestinian] homes in Gaza’s Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, over the past six days through aerial bombardment and the use of booby-trapped robots...

Smoke rises and Palestinians flee the site after Israeli army conduct attacks over al-Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, Gaza on August 06, 2025. [Khames Alrefi – Anadolu Agency]

August 16, 2025

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor on Saturday said that Israeli forces have destroyed some 400 homes in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, over the past six days through aerial bombardment and the use of booby-trapped robots, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the rights group said Israeli forces have been “leveling Zeitoun to the ground” since Aug. 11 as part of a large-scale military assault aimed at imposing full control over Gaza City and forcibly displacing its residents.

The monitor noted that “more than 90,000 Palestinians have fled the neighborhood under intense shelling.”

It added that Israeli forces have “deployed quadcopter drones to encircle residential blocks and force residents to evacuate at gunpoint, while advancing with ground units under heavy fire cover.”

The group stressed that the destruction of “nearly half of the homes in the Zeitoun neighborhood was not justified by any military necessity, as no armed clashes had been reported in the area recently.”

It said the “systematic use of robotic explosives and aerial strikes after residents were evacuated indicated the aim of the operation is not to achieve a legitimate military objective but rather the destruction of civilian life and forced displacement.”

The rights group said that the assault on Zeitoun, Gaza City’s largest neighborhood, falls within a “broader Israeli policy of genocide aimed at erasing Palestinian urban centers through mass destruction of homes, infrastructure, and essential services.”

READ: Nearly 61,900 Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 2023, as Israeli attacks persist

It urged the international community, including the UN and legal institutions, to “act urgently to stop the attacks, protect civilians, and hold Israeli leaders accountable.”

The group also called for the enforcement of International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The latest Israeli military campaign began on Aug. 11, following a government-approved plan to gradually reoccupy Gaza, starting with Gaza City.

Witnesses reported widespread home demolitions using robotic devices, artillery fire, indiscriminate shooting, and forced displacement.

Israel has killed nearly 61,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Middle East Monitor

@MiddleEastMnt

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250816-israel-destroyed-400-homes-in-gazas-zeitoun-neighborhood-euro-med-monitor/

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

Just a quick glimpse of Gaza Before & After Israel's War

2025 "Al Zaytoun, the largest neighbourhood of Gaza City, was eliminated during the past three days.. Israeli occupation forces are heading westward —Al Sabra and Tal al Islam or Tal al Hawwa.. Then, 1.5 million displaced persons would have nowhere to go except the sea!!! "

Motasem A Dalloul

@AbujomaaGaza

Gaza City only a few years ago (AFP/File)

Beaches in Gaza's seaside before Oct. 7. (AFP/File)

During the warmer months, people in Gaza used to flock to Al-Bahr Boulevard, which is lined with beaches, to cool off and enjoy the sun. In winter, the locals would visit the area to enjoy the scenery from one of the seaside cafes. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2433256/middle-east

Gaza Before & After Israel's War

St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox church in the Old City of Gaza in 1920. (Photo by Father Savignac, Ecole Biblique, Jerusalem.)


Gaza old city, around 1910, from the roof of the Latin Parish school. The Old Mosque is on the left. (Photo by Father Savignac, Ecole Biblique, Jerusalem)

How Israel's bombing campaign endangers Gaza's archaeological treasures

The Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City was sheltering 400 people of all faiths in its complex when Israel bombed the compound on 19 October (AFP)

The magnitude of destruction [by Israel] since 7 October is unparalleled in comparison with any previous Israeli assault on the Palestinian territory

Al-Hasayna Mosque, near Gaza City’s seaport, seen in January 2021 and January 2024 after it was hit by Israeli bombs (Mohammed Abed/AFP)

Friday, August 15, 2025

Old photos of Palestine c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The Ecce Homo Arch in the Via Dolorosa Jerusalem, photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The Garden of Gethsemane photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The Valley of Jehoshaphat and the Mount of Olives photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

This beautiful book is printed on India paper in addition of 100 and is exquisitely illustrated with 24 photogravures from photographs by Cecil V. Shadbolt printed by the partnership of Annan & Swan, a photoengraving firm set up by James Craig Annan and Donald Swan in London in 1885. https://photogravure.com/collection/?artist=All&portfolio=Walks%20in%20Palestine&keywords=

Bethlehem photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

Jaffa, the Ancient Joppa photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The Mount of Temptation near Jericho photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"


The Jordan photographed c 1885 by Cecil Shadbolt, published in his book "Walks in Palestine"

The water fountain is called a sabil [in Arabic], a word that originally meant path. Later, it came to mean path to God. Sabils were widespread in the Muslim world until the early 20th century. They were charitable water fountains refilled by water carriers at specific times of the day

Jerusalem- Naqshbandi Zawiya- a historical little mosque built from about 300 years ago and also used as Islamic information center offers a free rest station for tourist free Islamic books free drinks and give an intro about Islam

Bukhari Mosque in Jerusalem

Arabs in Pictures The water fountain is called a sabil, a word that originally meant path. Later, it came to mean path to God.

Sabils were widespread in the Muslim world until the early 20th century. They were charitable water fountains refilled by water carriers at specific times of the day.

"Illegal Israeli settlers’ seize the land of the ancient monastery of St Gerasimos in the West Bank [Palestine] near Jericho- an ancient early Christian sanctuary" - William Dalrymple, author of From the Holy Mountain: A Journey Among the Christians of the Middle East

William Dalrymple

@DalrympleWill

The monastery is the site of the famous story of St.Gerasimos and the Lion. It has been much painted, but perhaps most delightfully by Carpaccio in the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni in Venice

It is one of the oldest Monasteries of Palestine, built in 455 by St Gerasimos himself. St Gerasimos came from the town Myra of Lycia. His presence was fundamental in the monasticism of Palestine, combining the anchorite with the coenobitic monasticism.

William Dalrymple

@DalrympleWill

Illegal Israeli settlers’ seize the land of the ancient monastery of St Gerasimos in the West Bank near Jericho- an ancient early Christian sanctuary that I visited during the writing of From the Holy Mountain

From the Holy Mountain: A Journey Among the Christians of the Middle East by William Dalrymple

Greek Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate lands face encroachments by Israeli settlers near Jericho

The monastery, founded in the 5th century by Saint Gerasimos and located north of the Dead Sea, includes sections dating back to the 9th and 12th centuries.

Vassilis Nedos

07.08.2025

Greek authorities have expressed deep concern over reports of expanded land encroachments by Israeli settlers on property belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church in the West Bank, particularly around the historic Monastery of Saint Gerasimos of the Jordan near Jericho.

A high-level meeting was held in Athens to assess the situation, which, according to exclusive reports, involves the extension of illegal settlement activity on land under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. The monastery, founded in the 5th century by Saint Gerasimos and located north of the Dead Sea, includes sections dating back to the 9th and 12th centuries.

While Athens cannot intervene broadly in Israeli settlement policy, diplomatic channels between Greece and Israel are activated when church property is affected. These issues are managed directly by the Greek Foreign Ministry due to their sensitive religious and historical significance.

Greek-Israeli tensions over Orthodox Church properties have surfaced multiple times in recent years. The pressure on the Jericho region has intensified in the past two years, particularly following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza. At least five new settler outposts have reportedly been established near Jericho, often preceding further land seizures.... READ MORE https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1277381/athens-upset-by-west-bank-seizure-reports/

The Holy Monastery of Saint Gerasimos of the Jordan

One of the oldest Monasteries of Palestine is the Holy Monastery of Saint Gerasimos of the Jordan, which was built in 455 by Saint Gerasimos himself. Saint Gerasimos came from the town Myra of Lycia. His presence was fundamental in the monasticism of Palestine, combining the anchorite with the coenobitic monasticism. The monastery is built on the south-east valley of Jericho. The exact place of Christ’s baptism, as well as the Dead Sea is nearby, the place where the ancient cities Sodom and Gomorra used to be.

The monastery stands majestically 400 metres above the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. On its north side there is a three-aisled church dedicated to Saint Gerasimos, Saint Euthymios, Saint Zosimas and Saint Mary of Egypt. All interior decoration is dated back to the 12^th century. On the ground floor under the church there is another smaller one, dedicated to the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt when persecuted by King Herod. According to the tradition, the Theotokos with Christ as baby and Saint Joseph were accommodated for a short while in that place and the following incident happened. That was also the hiding place of a chief bandit. He threatened the other bandits not to harm that family or else they would deal with him. In the evening Theotokos bathed Christ. The chief bandit’s wife took the used water and bathed her ill son with it. The child was instantly healed. It is said that that boy was the bandit who was crucified on Christ’s right hand side and was granted life in Heaven. That area is also called the area of the grouse (Deir Jajla). It received that name after the Theotokos. When people saw her passing by they said she walked like a grouse. Someone characteristically said “this woman is so beautiful! If there is a Mother of God it must be her”.

With the Persian army’s raids in 614 the monastery was destroyed and was not rebuilt until the beginning of the 9^th century. Today’s monastery is built above the ruins of another important monastery known as... READ MORE https://en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info/holy-shrines/the-holy-monastery-of-saint-gerasimos-the-jordanian/

Our complicity in Gaza has set the stage for a second genocide - in the West Bank ... the back story that utterly undermines Israel's "self-defence" narrative in Gaza by Jonathan Cook

https://x.com/Jonathan_K_Cook/status/1956325210505859098

Jonathan Cook

@Jonathan_K_Cook

There is a revealing back story to Israel's so-called E1 Plan, a massive settlement project that includes the building of many thousands of new homes. The plan’s goal is to irreversibly sever the illegally annexed eastern, Palestinian side of Jerusalem from the West Bank, and then break the illegally occupied West Bank into two separate territorial cantons, destroying any hope of future Palestinian statehood.

That back story utterly undermines Israel's "self-defence" narrative in Gaza.

The media are playing up the role of Bezalel Smotrich, the self-declared fascist minister in Netanyahu's government, in the E1 Plan – as though it somehow reflects his ugly and malign influence. That is pure misdirection.

In fact, this plan has been around since the 1990s and was first formulated by the supposedly "peacenik" Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. It was intended as a parallel move to the “peace accords” of that time negotiated in Oslo.

The Oslo accords had incited huge divisions in Israeli society because it was assumed that they would cede back to the Palestinians significant pieces of territory Israel was illegally occupying and colonising in the West Bank. Domestic opposition ultimately led to Rabin’s assassination.

In Rabin's eyes, E1 overrode those objections. It would protect the then largest of the illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Maale Adumim, incorporating it into the eastern side of Jerusalem, which Israel had already annexed and was furiously settling with Jews while displacing Palestinian communities there.

As an aside, let us note that Rabin, who won the Nobel peace prize along with Yasser Arafat for signing the Oslo accords, was expressly against the creation of a real Palestinian state. He wanted “ an entity which is less than a state” – a vision that appears to have viewed that “entity” as little more than a glorified local authority running schools and collecting the rubbish.

Notably, Rabin also drew up plans for a separation wall across the West Bank between Israel and its settlements, on one side, and Palestinian communities on the other. A successor, Ariel Sharon, a hawkish former army general, would be the one to build that wall nearly a decade later, imprisoning Palestinian communities behind steel and concrete fortifications, and in the process stealing vast swaths of their agricultural land. Western capitals, as ever meekly protested to zero effect.

After Rabin, every Israeli prime minister, whether they identified with the Zionist left or right, advanced the E1 Plan: Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, Sharon, Ehud Olmert.

And all helped build the initial infrastructure – the roads, and even a police station – to make E1 become a reality.

The plan was formally frozen in 2009 only after the US exerted huge pressure on Israel. Why? Because the realisation of E1 could mean only one thing: a permanent end to the pretence of a two-state solution. Israel's interest in "peacemaking" would be exposed as the hollow charade it always was, even under Rabin.

Smotrich has made precisely that point in his usual blunt way, saying E1 is necessary because it will “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”. It is the prelude to his ambition, one shared by the rest of the Israeli government and large parts of the public, to formally annex the West Bank.

Which is why the Guardian and other media are calling the E1 Plan " hugely controversial" – a predictable and hugely controversial understatement.

In fact, E1 is utterly illegal.

It is the precise opposite of what the International Court of Justice – the world's highest court – ordered last year. Which was for Israel to begin dismantling the settlements, end its system of apartheid rule over Palestinians that has been required to enforce decades of colonisation, and restore all of the territory stolen by the Israeli occupation regime from the Palestinian people.
 
Spinning this the best way he could for Israel, the Guardian’s veteran foreign affairs correspondent Peter Beaumont observed, as if he was some sort of rookie journalist: “It remained unclear on Thursday how much buy-in Smotrich has from Netanyahu and the Trump administration.”
 
“Buy-in”?! As noted, every Israeli prime minister has sought to advance E1 – Netanyahu at least as enthusiastically as the rest of them. There is nothing controversial about the E1 Plan inside Israel.
So how does all of this relate to Gaza?
 
Establishment media, including so-called liberal outlets such as the BBC and Guardian, would like you to digest the news from the West Bank and the news from Gaza as though they are happening in entirely different universes. As though what Israel does to Palestinians in Ramallah is unconnected to what it does to Palestinians in Gaza City.
 
That is patently ridiculous. The two territories, the two occupations, the two systems of apartheid, the two programmes of ethnic cleansing draw on exactly the same Israeli impulse for domination, the same Israeli desire for ethnic cleansing and colonisation, the the same racist Israeli disregard for Palestinian life.
 
Israel’s settler colonial project has been going on for decades. All too obviously, the West Bank and Gaza are only separate territories – disconnected parts of the same Palestinian homeland – because Israel enforced their separation.
 
All Israeli leaders have signed up to the same settler-colonial programme that requires the removal and replacement of the Palestinian people. In Gaza, that removal is being carried out to a tight deadline and has required an overt genocide. In the West Bank, it is – for the time being, at least – being carried out more by stealth, more incrementally, more obliquely.
 
But the intended fate of the people in the West Bank is ultimately no different from the fate of the people in Gaza – unless we in the West stop it by refusing to remain silent about what is happening.
E1 is the last phase in an apartheid system made concrete by Israel in the form of the checkpoints and walls it has built across the West Bank. E1 is that territory’s version of the military cage Israel built around Gaza in the early 1990s, when the E1 Plan was first on the drawing board. It will create the conditions for an intensified blockade of the West Bank, in the same way that the cage around Gaza made possible the siege of Gaza that began in 2007.
 
We know where Gaza’s siege led: to years of different forms of Palestinian revolt, including non-violent protests at the perimeter of their cage. Ultimately it led to Hamas’ break-out on 7 October 2007, and Israel’s genocidal response.
 
When we continue to do nothing to stop the Gaza genocide, or actively assist it as our governments have been doing for the past two years, Israel feels more emboldened. Our complicity in Gaza is precisely why Israel is dusting off the E1 Plan for the West Bank now.
 
Israel will continue intensifying its oppression there until it creates conditions for open revolt, as it earlier did in Gaza. Israel will seize such a revolt, as it did in Gaza, as the pretext for committing a second genocide – this time in the West Bank.
 
We know what is coming. The question is: Have we learnt anything? This time, will we act?

"Why are Western politicians and media outlets suddenly speaking about Israel's crimes? Not to save the Palestinian people from genocide. It's to protect their own reputations." OWEN JONES: Have Israel's Friends ABANDONED It? w/. Omar Baddar

"Why are Western politicians and media outlets suddenly speaking about Israel's crimes? Not to save the Palestinian people from genocide. It's to protect their own reputations."