Middle East Roundup: August 24, 2016

 

PBS map
PBS map

Israeli soldier hurt in Palestinian stabbing attack

(JNS.org) An Israeli soldier was lightly hurt in a stabbing attack by a Palestinian terrorist near the Jewish community of Yitzhar in the Shomron Regional Council south of Nablus on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the IDF, the attack began as a Palestinian vehicle was throwing rocks at passing vehicles. After security forces pursed the vehicle and forced it off the road, a Palestinian man exited the car and then proceeded to stab one of the nearby soldiers, lightly wounding him.

The assailant was then shot and killed by the injured soldier at the scene of the attack.

The soldier was evacuated from the scene for medical treatment and the IDF is investigating the attack.
*

More illegal Palestinian arms seized in fresh West Bank raid

(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A trove of illegal weapons and munitions was discovered Tuesday night during an Israel security forces raid on several weapons mills in the Bethlehem area. A joint operation by the Judea and Samaria District Police and the military’s Etzion Brigade, Tuesday’s raid was the second operation this week targeting illegal Palestinian weapon manufacturers and dealers across Judea and Samaria.

The search yielded a hunting rifle, guns, dozens of rifle barrels, a large variety of gun magazines, hundreds of bullets, and a large number of firearm components such as triggers and safeties, as well as military clothing.

A military official described the raids as part of “the biggest operation carried out this year against illegal arms” in Judea and Samaria.

He said two suspects, one of them a “high-profile arms dealer,” were arrested during Tuesday’s raid. Both have been turned over to the Shin Bet security agency for interrogation.

A military source with the Judea and Samaria Division told Israel Hayom the troops were surprised by the sheer quantity of illegal arms seized. “We thought they [the Palestinians] would be a little more sophisticated. We didn’t expect to just find them [the weapons] lying around.”
*

Last surviving animals leave ‘world’s worst zoo’ in Gaza

(JNS.org) An animal rights group rescued the last surviving animals from a zoo in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday before the closing what’s been dubbed “the world’s worst zoo.”

Due to financial difficulties, the supply and infrastructure at Khan Yunis Zoo deteriorated and conditions became deplorable. The zoo became so poor that many of the animals died of neglect and starvation. Some were found mummified.

In February, the Vienna-based organization Four Paws International, started providing health checks, veterinary treatment and relocation out of Gaza to Israel.

Over the summer, the group continued making trips to the zoo to sedate the remaining animals and give medical examinations such as ultrasounds and vaccinations before moving the rest of them out and closing the facility.
*

Israeli Judo Olympian sells autographed ID badge to help kids with cancer

(JNS.org) Israeli Judo Olympic bronze medalist Yarden Gerbi will auction off the name badge she wore during the Rio games to raise money for kids with cancer.

The Children’s Oncology Department at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital will receive the proceeds from Gerbi’s eBay auction going on now through Aug. 29.

“Yarden proves that she is not just a champion on the field, she’s also a whole-hearted player with a true soul,” said the medical center director Professor Roni Gamzu, as reported inArutz Sheva. “The whole hospital, and the children of the ward, thank her profusely for thinking of us, and for the support and encouragement she is giving to sick children.”

In the first three hours of online bidding, the highest amount offered for the name tag exceeded $10,000.

Gerbi wrote on her Facebook page that she had visited the children’s oncology ward at Ichilov.

“I met amazing kids who are heroes, doing their best to fight and keep high spirits,” Gerbi wrote. “I recently found out that Liran Or, a sweet and loving girl whom I was in contact with, had passed away. That’s the reason I decided to donate to the same ward.”

*
Articles from JNS.org appear on San Diego Jewish World through the generosity of Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman.  Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)