[THREAD] Today marks 20 years since the beginning of the Second Intifada, which lasted five years and would claim the lives of over 4,200 Palestinians
Here’s what happened on that fateful day 👇(📸: AFP)
On September 28, 2000 right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon entered the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem with more than 1,000 Israeli police in a move that was seen as purposefully provocative
He caused uproar after stating: "The Temple Mount is in our hands"
After Sharon left the site, angry demonstrations outside quickly erupted into violence with Israeli police firing tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets while protesters hurled stones
The military soon adopted a series of sweeping operations and administrative policies designed to collectively punish Palestinians
Three weeks later, the UN released Resolution 1322 condemning Israel for the use of excessive force against Palestinians
On February 6, 2001, Sharon became Israel’s prime minister and oversaw the biggest offensive in the West Bank since 1967
Palestinian cities and villages were blocked with concrete blocks and checkpoints and curfews were enforced
On June 16, 2002, Israel began the construction of a separation barrier, following a wave of suicide bombings, with majority of it built on Palestinian land
Two years later, the International Court of Justice ruled the construction illegal and ordered for it to be halted
The Intifada is believed to have ended in February 2005. In September of the same year, Israel withdrew all its troops and settlers from Gaza
At least 4,200 Palestinians were killed in the uprising, including 1,262 children and 274 women
Tens of thousands were injured during the five years of violence mostly as a result of air strikes in the Gaza Strip and the major assaults on various West Bank villages, cities, and refugee camps
Some 6,500 Palestinian homes were also damaged by Israeli forces
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🧵: EXCLUSIVE: Arrest warrant applications for Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on charges of apartheid are ready and in the hands of two deputy prosecutors at the ICC, Middle East Eye can reveal ⤵️
If the warrants are issued, it will be the first time that the crime of apartheid is charged at an international court
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had prepared cases against Ben Gvir and Smotrich before he went on leave in May, according to numerous sources in the court with knowledge of the matter
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🔴 UPDATE
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