Israeli forces set up new checkpoints in West Bank, fire tear gas in Hebron
Israeli soldiers established a series of new checkpoints across multiple areas in the occupied West Bank, checking the identification of Palestinians and their vehicles and causing traffic jams with prolonged delays.
Checkpoints were established at the northern entrance of Hebron City as well as the towns of Sa’ir, Yatta, Dora and Halhul, along with the Fawwar and Arroub refugee camps, according to the Wafa news agency.
Israeli forces reportedly erected a checkpoint at the main entrance of Aqbat al-Hasna, which links a series of villages in the western rural Bethlehem governorate to Bethlehem city.
At a checkpoint in Hebron, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and concussion bombs at Palestinians, causing multiple people to experience difficulty breathing.
Israel issues travel warning for UAE after soldier-rabbi goes missing
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed – on behalf of the spy agency Mossad and National Security Council – that Israeli-Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan has been missing in the United Arab Emirates since Thursday.
He was identified as a Chabad rabbi to the Gulf Arab nation, but there was no mention of his military background.
“Since his disappearance, and given information indicating that this is a terrorist incident, an active investigation has been going on in the country. Israeli security and intelligence orgs, concerned for Kogan’s safety and wellbeing, have been working tirelessly on this case,” the office said.
Israel also issued a level three or moderate travel warning for the UAE, with a recommendation to avoid any non-essential travel, and for those in the country to take extra precautions.
Israel investigating Hamas claims on captive’s death
The Israeli army says it’s reviewing the information after Hamas “released footage allegedly showing a hostage who had been killed”.
“At this stage we cannot confirm or refute it. [Army] representatives are in contact with her family and are keeping them updated with all available information,” a military statement said.
Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said contact had been restored with the woman’s captors after a break of several weeks, and it was established she was killed in an area of northern Gaza where the Israeli army has been relentlessly attacking for weeks.
Abu Obeida’s statement did not further identify the captive or say how or when she was killed.
“Hamas continues to engage in psychological terror and act with extreme brutality. Please refrain from spreading rumours and information that may harm the families of the hostages,” the army statement added.
