Russia Ukraine War

epaselect epa09868080 A Ukrainian woman walks past destroyed Russian military machinery in the city of Bucha, Ukraine, 03 April 2022, one of the areas recaptured by the Ukrainian army from Russian forces. On 24 February, Russian troops had entered Ukrainian territory in what the Russian president declared a 'special military operation', resulting in fighting and destruction in the country, a huge flow of refugees, and multiple sanctions against Russia EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

Refugees from the city of Irpin arrive through a safe corridor into Kyiv

epaselect epa09851259 Ukrainian refugees flee from the city of Irpin as they arrive through a safe corridor into Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 26 March 2022. On 24 February Russian troops had entered Ukrainian territory in what the Russian president declared a 'special military operation', resulting in fighting and destruction in the country, a huge flow of refugees, and multiple sanctions against Russia. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli Merkava 4 tanks during a military training

epa09368248 Israeli Merkava 4 tanks are seen during a military training in the Golan Heights, next to the Israeli -Syrian border, 26 July 2021. Israeli Defense Minister Gantz said during his party meeting at the Knesset, in regard to reports of Russian aid to Syria in thwarting Israeli attacks: 'We will continue the operational activities that prevent Iran from establishing itself in the region and the transfer of weapons.' EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

Elections Campaign of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Party

epa07845175 Ultra-Orthodox Jewish supporters of the United Torah Judaism party gather in Jerusalem during the last day of election campaigns, Jerusalem, Israel, 15 September 2019, Israeli legislative elections will be held on 17 September. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

Maundy Thursday in Jerusalem

epa07527415 An Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrim prays at the Ethiopian church of Deir Al Sultan outside the Church of the Holy Sepulture, during the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony in Jerusalem's Old City, 25 April 2019. According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ carried the cross on his last day before his crucifixion in Jerusalem's old city. Orthodox Christians are observing Holy Week in honor of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

Mortar shells fired into Israeli Golan Heights

epa03864271 A large plume of smoke allegedly caused by Syrian mortar shell, on the Israeli side of the border in the North of the Golan Heights, next to Quneitra crossing, 12 September 2013. The Israeli army reported that two mortar shells exploded on the Israeli side of the border. Reports state that the shells were fired unintentionally into Israel, and were a by-product of fighting between Syran Army soldiers, loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, and rebel fighters. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Last Friday of Ramadan

epa03810681 Palestinian woman waits in front of the separation barrier at Kalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, 02 August 2013, on the last Friday of Ramadan, to reach Al-Aqsa mosque, in the old city of Jerusalem for the last Friday prayer of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Israel is allowing women to enter Israel without restriction of age, and limited the age of men to over 40 years. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli troops exercise in Jordan Valley

epa03500154 Israeli soldiers are seen marching back to their base after the end of a training day at the Jordan valley, north of the West Bank city of Jericho, on 07 December 2012. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestine tacitly acknowledged as state

epa03491148 Palestinians wave their national flags as they celebrate the UN General Assembly's vote to upgrade the Palestinian status at the United Nations to become non-member observer state, at Arafat Square in the West Bank town of Ramallah, late 29 November 2012. The UN General Assembly voted 138-9 with 41 countries abstaining to upgrade the Palestinian status at the world organization to a non-member state, tacitly acknowledging Palestine as a state. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Parachute Israeli flares illuminate the area for an artillery barrage on Israel's border with the Gaza Strip

epa03479653 Hours before a proposed cease fire may come into effect, parachute Israeli flares illuminate the area for an artillery barrage on Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, 20 November 2012. Senior Hamas in the Gaza Strip have said that an Egyptian brokered ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militants is due to begin at 10 pm local time. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli soldiers at border to Gaza Strip

epa03478653 An Israeli soldier is silhouetted against the rising sun as he mans a tank at a location in southern Israel along the border with the Gaza Strip, 20 November 2012 morning. Media reports state that Israel pounded more than 100 targets in Gaza on the seventh day of its offensive, 20 November. Israeli aircraft, ships and artillery hit targets overnight including underground rocket launchers, tunnels and houses that the military said were 'hide-outs' or 'command centres' of Hamas leaders. Palestinians also fired at least 20 rockets at Israel since midnight. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israel and Hamaz in Gaza conflict

epa03473286 Israelis from the Southern town of Ofakem take cover during a missile alert, at a concrete protections shelter, on 16 November 2012. Israel and Gaza militia groups pounded each other, trading airstrikes and rockets in the second day of an Israeli air offensive in which 19 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Aharon Smaja funeral

epa03472413 A soldier stands guard during the funeral of Aharon Smaja in the graveyard of Kiryat Malachi, southern Israel, 15 November 2012. Samaja was killed along with two others early 15 November by a rocket allegedly fired from the Gaza Strip. World leaders have reportedly expressed concern at the escalation of violence, with UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon in a telephone conversation with Iraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging a 'measured' response to the recurring Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza, 'so as not to provoke a new cycle of bloodshed that could have, dangerous spillover effects in the region'. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Horse race in the West Bank Village of Turmusaya

epa03430248 Palestinian jockeys compete during a horse race in the West Bank Village of Turmusaya, 12 October 2012. The competition is for pure Arabian horses organized by Turmusaya Equestrian Club. 70 horses from various cities of the West Bank and Arabs from inside Israel participated in the competition. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Security measures for Yom Kippur

epa03410187 A view of the separation barrier and the Israeli checkpoint of Kalandia, leading from the West Bank town of Ramallah to Jerusalem, 25 September 2012. The Israel army has reportedly imposed a two-day closure of check points in the West Bank areas because of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinians attempt to cross into Jerusalem for Ramadan Friday Prayers

epa03354457 Palestinian men use a rope to cross over the separation barrier, on the Israeli side of the Palestinian town of Al-Ram, North of Jerusalem, the West Bank, 10 August 2012, after they were prevented from crossing at the Kalandia checkpoint to attend Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque because of their age. Israeli authorities imposed an age restriction for Palestinian men, with only those over 40 and under 12 being allowed to cross to Jerusalem. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Church of the Nativity on the eve of Christmas

epa03042463 An African pilgrim for Nigeria prays at the Church of the Nativity on Christmas day in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, 24 December 2011. Christian Pilgrims and visitors from all over the world arrived to Bethlehem Jesus' traditional birthplace to celebrate Christmas. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Church of Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem

epa03040433 A pilgrim prays at the grotto in the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the site of Jesus' birth, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, on 21 December 2011. Christian worshippers began their spiritual preparations ahead of Christmas Eve and tourists from all over the world expected to flock to Jesus' traditional birthplace to celebrate the Christmas holiday. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Demonstrators protested gainst a scheduled meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofazin.

epa03290190 Palestinian Policemen block protesters in the West Bank town of Ramallah, 30 June 2012, from reaching the Palestinian presidential headquarters, during a protest in the town. Demonstrators protested gainst a scheduled meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofazin. A senior Palestinian official announced that the meeting had been postponed. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Body Building Contest

epa03010729 A Palestinian contestant poses to the judges during a competition in the West Bank town of Ramallah, 18 November 2011. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Druze Wedding in Majdal Shams

epa02991179 Syrian Druze bride Myada Abud (C), aged 27, and Druze groom Munjed Awad (C-L), aged 30, cross Quneitra checkpoint on the Israeli-Syrian border, 03 November 2011, with some of the groom's relatives. The bride from Jaramana neighborhood in Damascus and the groom from the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights met in Damascus five years ago, and on 03 November 2011 the Israeli authorities gave the bride permission to enter the Golan Heights. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Thousands of Palestinians mark Nakba

epa03220194 Palestinians throw tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers (not pictured) during clashes on Nakba Day near Ofer prison, near Ramallah, the West Bank, 15 May 2012. Thousands marched in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, commemorating the dispersal of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes in the wake of the creation of Israel 64 years ago. Known in Arabic as the Nakba, or catastrophe, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes during the war that erupted a day after Israel declared statehood on May 14, 1948. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks on statehood

epa02919606 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas giving a speech at his headquarter in the West Bank town of Ramallah, on 16 September 2011. Abbas said that he would ask from the Security Council during his speech in the UN on the 23 September, to accept Palestine as full members at the United Nations. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Clashes in Nabi Salih

epa02919359 Palestinian protesters from the West Bank village of Nabi Salih run away to avoid tear gas bomb shoot by Israeli soldiers (unseen) on 16 September 2011, during the weekly Friday protest in the village against the Israeli settlements constructions in the West Bank. In the background the Israeli settlement of Halamish. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival

epa03664708 Dancers of French company Maguy Marin, perform the piece 'May B' based on the theatre play of Samuel Beckett, during the opening ceremony of the 8th Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival at Ramallah Culture Palace in West Bank, 16 April 2013. The Festival runs until 25 April 2013. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

7th Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival - Opening Ceremony

epa03189046 Members of British dance company BalletBoyz present their show 'The Talent' during the opening ceremony of the seventh Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival (RCDF), at the Ramallah Culture Palace, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, 19 April 2012. The festival runs until 03 May. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian women crossing a checkpoint during Ramadan

epa02864018 Palestinian women walk next to the separation barrier at the Kalandia checkpoint to go from the West Bank town of Ramallah to Jerusalem on 12 August 2011, to attend the second Friday prayers in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The Israeli Army limited the age of Palestinians who can enter Jerusalem; over 50 for men, and women over the age of 45. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Holy Fire ceremony

epa03182593 A Christian Orthodox Nun holds a candle during the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Easter in the old city of Jerusalem, Israel, 14 April 2012. Orthodox Christian believer’s mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Clashes break out in West Bank, East Jerusalem on Land Day

epa03165502 Palestinian stone throwers clash with Israeli soldiers during a protest at the checkpoint of Kalandia north of Jerusalem, 30 March 2012. Palestinians clashed with Israeli soldiers and police in the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Friday, during protests to mark Land Day, an annual commemoration of the 1976 shooting of six Arab-Israelis. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

stone throwers

epa03159942 Palestinian stone throwers run away from tear gas during clashes with Israeli soldiers at Bitwonia crossing outside the Israeli military prison of Ofer, run for cover, on 26 March 2012, during a protest in support of the Palestinian prisoner Hana Shalabi 30, Shalabi is on hunger strike since 40 days because of her administrative detentions. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

First planned Palestine city

epa02510436 Construction works continue at the site which is suppose to become the first planned Palestinian city, Rawabi in the West Bank, some 22km north to the West Bank town of Ramallah, 30 December 2010. The project is under construction and expect to accommodate 40,000 people when ready. About 20 Israeli suppliers will help build the city, but only after promising they will not use products or services from Israeli settlements, the project's developer Bashar Masri said . EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Church of Nativity at Christmas day in Bethlehem

epa02505696 Christian pilgrims from Nigeria pray inside the Church of Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, on 24 December 2010. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

West Bank clashes erupt after Palestinian detainee funeral

epa03600412 An Israeli soldier fires tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinian stone throwers, during clashes next to the Israeli military prison Ofer, south of the West Bank town of Ramallah, 25 February 2013. Palestinians clashed with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on 25 February after the funeral of a Palestinian who died in an Israeli jail. Thousands attended the funeral of Arafat Jaradat, 30, whose death on 23 February sparked riots across the Israeli-occupied West Bank. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestine International Festival - Flamenco

epa02813651 Flamenco Band 'Los Mulero' from Spain performs on the fourth day of the 13th Palestine International Festival in the West Bank town of Ramallah, 07 July 2011, The festival, organized by the Popular Art Center, will feature music, dancing and singing performances from several Arab and foreign countries. The festival runs until 09 July. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Wheat harvest in West Bank village of Houara

epa02779886 A members of Hammed family, Palestinian from the West Bank village of Houara, giving hand during the wheat harvest on their field in south of the West Bank city of Nablus, 14 June 2011. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

bad news

epa02418663 Palestinian Um Easa, in the 90th of her age, standing at the entrance of her house in the Arab east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah on 29 October 2010.Um Easa had been confirmed by the Israeli Authorities that her house belongs to Israeli settlers . EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Baptism

epa03542920 An Orthodox pilgrim enters the water on the West Bank side of the Jordan River for the baptismal ceremony at the site known as Qasr el-Yahud on the the Jordan River near the city of Jericho, on 18 January 2013. Thousand of Orthodox pilgrims flocked to the Jordan River to attend the Epiphany feast celebrations at the traditional site where it is believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli forces fire tear gas at hundreds of Syrians and Palestinians who are trying to cross the Israeli-Syrian

epa02767898 Locals carry a protester after Israeli forces fired tear gas at hundreds of Syrians and Palestinians protesters who were trying to cross the Israeli-Syrian border to mark the outbreak of the 1967 Six-Day War, an event they call the 'Naksa' (setback), near the village of Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights, Israel, on 05 June 2011. According to media sources, 12 people were reportedly killed as Israeli soldiers opened fire on Syrians and Palestinians trying to breach the Israeli-controlled border on the occupied Golan Heights, on what is called 'Naksa Day', marking the 44th anniversary of the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli forces fire tear gas at hundreds of Syrians and Palestinians who are trying to cross the Israeli-Syrian

epa02767878 Israeli forces fire tear gas at hundreds of Syrians and Palestinians who are trying to cross the Israeli-Syrian border to mark the outbreak of the 1967 Six-Day War, an event they call the 'Naksa' (setback), near the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, Israel, on 05 June 2011. According to media sources, 12 people were reportedly killed as Israeli soldiers opened fire on Syrians and Palestinians trying to breach the Israeli-controlled border on the occupied Golan Heights, on what is called 'Naksa Day', marking the 44th anniversary of the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Nakba Day

epa02732659 A Palestinian woman passes by Israeli soldiers taking positions during clashes with Palestinians, at the checkpoint of Kalandai leading from the West Bank town of Ramallah to Jerusalem, 14 May 2011, as Palestinians mark the 63rd anniversary of 'Nakba (catastrophe) Day'. Nakba Day on May 15 is an annual day of commemoration for the Palestinian people of the displacement that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Golan Heights snow

epa03060754 Israeli tourists ride the ski lift on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, northern Israel, 15 January 2012. A snowstorm hit the north of the country, which led to more than two meters of snow at Mount of Hermon. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian brothers dressed with their new clothes walk in the alley of Al –Amarrie Refugee camp

epa02329097 Palestinian brothers dressed with their new clothes walk in the alley of Al –Amarrie Refugee camp near the West bank town of Ramallah, on 11 September 2010, the second day of the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, that mark the end of the Muslim holly fasting month of Ramadan. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Church of Nativity at Christmas day in Bethlehem

epa01974102 Christian pilgrims from Nigeria pray inside the Church of Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, on 24 December 2009. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Three years old Palestinian girl Ayeda , stands watching her friends playing

epa01901984 Three years old Palestinian girl Ayeda , stands watching her friends playing in an alley of the West Bank refugee camp of Al Ammaarie near Ramallah, 18 October 2009. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Druze protest

epa02582796 A Druze youth wearing the Syrian army uniform from the border village of the Majdal Shams, next to the Israeli Syrian border, in the Golan Heights, on 14 February 2011, dring a protest near the border against the Israeli annexations low of the Golan from the year 1981, that consider the Golan as part of Israel. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Druze religious from the Golan Heights crossing to Syria

epa01872660 An Israeli female soldier helps an elderly Druze woman from the Golan heights, north of Israel cross to Syria, through the Qunitra crossing border between Israel and Syria for religious occasion, 24 September 2009. Around 500 men and 43 Druze religious women were allowed by the Israeli authorities to cross to Syria for a six days visit, to enable them to visit what the Druze believe to be the grave of Prophet Abel near Damascus. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Wheat harvest in the West Bank village of Louban

epa02193490 Um Auni, a Palestinian woman collects her harvest of wheat in her filed in the West Bank village of Louban north of Ramallah, 09 June 2010. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian from the West Bank to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem

epa01847206 An elderly Palestinian woman waits sitting on the ground to pass security checks at Kalandia checkpoint that lead from the West Bank town of Ramallah to Jerusalem on 04 September 2009 in order to attend the Friday prayers of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. During Ramadan, Muslims have to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Palestinian from the West Bank to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem

epa01847205 A Palestinian girl helps and elderly woman to pass security checks at Kalandia checkpoint that lead from the West Bank town of Ramallah to Jerusalem on 04 September 2009 in order to attend the Friday prayers of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. During Ramadan, Muslims have to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Daily life

epa02162702 Palestinians kids playing football, next to their house in the West Bank town of Ramallah, on 18 May 2010. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Clashes in The Old City of Jerusalem

epa02066175 A Palestinian man with his son taking cover near the Lions Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem during clashes 05 March 2010. Israeli police stormed the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif plateau after Muslims who participated in Friday prayers threw stones at Jews praying at the Wailing Wall underneath the compound, witnesses said. Some 50 policemen entered the open-air plateau, which houses the al-Aqsa Mosque, and fired stun grenades to disperse at the crowd, Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said. Around 60 of the several hundred protesters were treated for teargas inhalation. Rosenfeld said 15 policemen were slightly injured and five of them taken to hospital. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

A Palestinian protester runs for cover avoiding tear gas thrown by Israeli soldiers

epa02010711 A Palestinian protester runs for cover avoiding tear gas thrown by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank village of Nabi Salaeh, on 29 January 2010, during a demonstration against the settlers from the nearby Jewish settlement of Halamish. EPA/ATEF SAFADI