10 oct 2018
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed over the past month 22 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including seven children, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said on Wednesday.
In its monthly report, the rights center documented that 22 Palestinians were killed during Gaza border protests while 1020 others were injured including 151 children.
During the reported period, Israeli forces also carried out 166 violation including shooting attacks, land bulldozing, bombing, and infiltration.
Ten fishermen, including three children, were also arrested during September, the center underlined.
The center strongly condemned “Israeli forces’ escalated violations against Palestinian farmers and fishermen which breach their right to personal safety and security.”
PCHR considered the Israeli deliberate targeting of civilians as “a war crime.”
In its monthly report, the rights center documented that 22 Palestinians were killed during Gaza border protests while 1020 others were injured including 151 children.
During the reported period, Israeli forces also carried out 166 violation including shooting attacks, land bulldozing, bombing, and infiltration.
Ten fishermen, including three children, were also arrested during September, the center underlined.
The center strongly condemned “Israeli forces’ escalated violations against Palestinian farmers and fishermen which breach their right to personal safety and security.”
PCHR considered the Israeli deliberate targeting of civilians as “a war crime.”
Violent clashes broke out on Wednesday between the Israeli police and Palestinian youths in Shu'fat refugee camp, northeast of Occupied Jerusalem.
Activist Thaer Fasfous told Quds Press that dozens of Israeli police officers stormed Shu'fat refugee camp in the afternoon.
Fasfous said that the police and the accompanying municipality crews issued heavy fines against Palestinian drivers and shop owners in the camp.
These practices have become a daily policy in Jerusalem, the Palestinian activist added.
The Israeli police clashed with Palestinian youths in Shu'fat and heavily fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at them with no injuries reported.
Israel imposes high taxes on the Palestinians living in Jerusalem while they are actually denied basic health and infrastructure services.
Activist Thaer Fasfous told Quds Press that dozens of Israeli police officers stormed Shu'fat refugee camp in the afternoon.
Fasfous said that the police and the accompanying municipality crews issued heavy fines against Palestinian drivers and shop owners in the camp.
These practices have become a daily policy in Jerusalem, the Palestinian activist added.
The Israeli police clashed with Palestinian youths in Shu'fat and heavily fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at them with no injuries reported.
Israel imposes high taxes on the Palestinians living in Jerusalem while they are actually denied basic health and infrastructure services.
Israeli military bulldozers on Wednesday morning crept into the eastern corners of Jabalia town, north of the blockaded Gaza Strip.
A PIC reporter said Israeli bulldozers stationed at military sites along Gaza’s border moved dozens of meters into Palestinian lands near al-Awda camp, east of Jabalia, and leveled land lots.
Israeli military incursions near the border fence separating Gaza from territories occupied in 1948 have long been a near-daily occurrence.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas.
The practice, often carried out under the security pretext, has destroyed much of the agricultural harvest of the blockaded coastal enclave.
A PIC reporter said Israeli bulldozers stationed at military sites along Gaza’s border moved dozens of meters into Palestinian lands near al-Awda camp, east of Jabalia, and leveled land lots.
Israeli military incursions near the border fence separating Gaza from territories occupied in 1948 have long been a near-daily occurrence.
The Israeli army also regularly detains and opens fire on unarmed Palestinian fishermen, shepherds, and farmers along the border areas.
The practice, often carried out under the security pretext, has destroyed much of the agricultural harvest of the blockaded coastal enclave.
Violent clashes broke out Wednesday morning in Urif town to the south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Head of the village council told PIC reporter that Palestinians were forced to defend their homes after a group of Israeli settlers attacked a number of local homes and a school.
The school was immediately evacuated following the attack, he said.
Israeli forces later arrived to the town and started firing heavy teargas bombs to disperse the locals.
Head of the village council told PIC reporter that Palestinians were forced to defend their homes after a group of Israeli settlers attacked a number of local homes and a school.
The school was immediately evacuated following the attack, he said.
Israeli forces later arrived to the town and started firing heavy teargas bombs to disperse the locals.
9 oct 2018
At least four Palestinians were injured on Tuesday evening when the Israeli occupation forces opened fire at peaceful protesters east of Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that the Israeli forces heavily fired live ammunition and teargas canisters at dozens of Palestinian protesters east of Deir al-Balah.
Some of the protesters choked on teargas and were treated in the field, while others, who suffered live bullet wounds, were transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
Palestinian youths in Deir al-Balah march in the evening every Tuesday at the border fence. Night demonstrations have been for weeks a major part of the Great March of Return which started on 30 March.
The PIC reporter said that the Israeli forces heavily fired live ammunition and teargas canisters at dozens of Palestinian protesters east of Deir al-Balah.
Some of the protesters choked on teargas and were treated in the field, while others, who suffered live bullet wounds, were transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
Palestinian youths in Deir al-Balah march in the evening every Tuesday at the border fence. Night demonstrations have been for weeks a major part of the Great March of Return which started on 30 March.
Israeli soldiers and employees of the Israeli Health Ministry invaded, Monday, a clinic run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sahera Gate area, in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers and health department employees invaded the clinic, and attempted to break into its pharmacy, allegedly to document the available medicines, their descriptions and usage in addition to the place of manufacturing.
The invasion into the UNRWA clinic came just days after the Jerusalem City Council said it intends to shut down all UNRWA-run facilities in occupied Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat announced that the Agency’s operations in Jerusalem would be shut down, although many Palestinians depend on UNRWA for medical, educational and food services.
In response, UNRWA representatives said that the Israeli shutdown of the Agency’s operations is likely a violation of the agreements made between the Israeli government and the United Nations.
In addition, they questioned Barkat’s motives in making this move, which comes just two months before he is scheduled to leave office. Barkat has also repeatedly expressed anti-Palestinian sentiments, and has taken a number of measures to discriminate against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and to force their removal.
A report in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz noted that when Barkat made his announcement that he will shut down UNRWA in Jerusalem, he “didn’t give an interview next to UNRWA’s main Jerusalem activity center, in the Shuafat refugee camp. The camp, located on the opposite side of a separation barrier, is barely recognized by the city as a neighborhood and the city hardly provides it with any services. It’s UNRWA that steps in to provide the camp with education, health and welfare services.”
The Jerusalem City Council said it plans to shut down the UNRWA clinic in Shu’fat refugee camp, and in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, under the allegation that the UN-run clinics were not licensed by the Health Ministry, and the patients “can receive services from Kupat Holim health maintenance organization.
The Mayor claims that the 1,800 Palestinian students which attend UNRWA schools in Jerusalem would be “absorbed into existing schools”. But Israeli government schools are highly segregated, and those that are designated for Palestinians in Jerusalem are extremely overcrowded and underfunded already.
The city government of Jerusalem made no indication as to how they would carry out this plan – and Palestinian residents fear that there is no plan, and they will be shut out of schools and medical care altogether.
In addition, UNRWA provides trash service and cleanup for the refugee camp. With the Israeli government takeover, residents fear a backlog of garbage along with excessive fees being imposed on Jerusalem’s poorest residents.
The mayor’s statement claims that UNRWA is “an illegal organization operating to advance terrorism and incitement”. But there is no evidence presented to back this bizarre claim.
There is already a major shortage of classrooms, early childcare centers, medical clinics, maternity clinics, welfare and sanitation services in the Palestinian areas of Jerusalem.
UNRWA has, until now, been able to provide some of the needed services for Palestinian refugees who live within the city of Jerusalem. With the shutdown of UNRWA, the refugees expect that they will simply end up being more neglected and unable to access medical care, education or sanitation.
Attorney Nazreen Elayan told the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, “Instead of establishing infrastructure where needed, Barkat wants to take over existing infrastructure. We are fighting for years with the city to open more mother-child centers in East Jerusalem and it hasn’t done so. So now they’re going to take over the good clinics run by UNRWA”.
In it’s statement in support of Mayor Barkat, the city council of Jerusalem stated, “Barkat’s decision aims to blow up the lie of the ‘Palestinian refugee problem,’ which is part of the Palestinian Authority’s propaganda under UN sponsorship and encouragement, which aims to destroy Israel by eternalizing refugee status and the perpetual call for the ‘right of return’ to Israel,.”
Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, told the paper, “The statement (by Barkat) challenges the independent humanitarian, non-discriminatory actions by UNRWA and doesn’t reflect the traditionally positive dialogue between UNRWA and Israel.”
And attorney Danny Seidman told reporters, “How can the mayor of Jerusalem declare war on a recognized international establishment that does no damage and is helpful? It’s all about theater, pure McCarthyism for the sake of Likud primaries”.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers and health department employees invaded the clinic, and attempted to break into its pharmacy, allegedly to document the available medicines, their descriptions and usage in addition to the place of manufacturing.
The invasion into the UNRWA clinic came just days after the Jerusalem City Council said it intends to shut down all UNRWA-run facilities in occupied Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat announced that the Agency’s operations in Jerusalem would be shut down, although many Palestinians depend on UNRWA for medical, educational and food services.
In response, UNRWA representatives said that the Israeli shutdown of the Agency’s operations is likely a violation of the agreements made between the Israeli government and the United Nations.
In addition, they questioned Barkat’s motives in making this move, which comes just two months before he is scheduled to leave office. Barkat has also repeatedly expressed anti-Palestinian sentiments, and has taken a number of measures to discriminate against the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and to force their removal.
A report in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz noted that when Barkat made his announcement that he will shut down UNRWA in Jerusalem, he “didn’t give an interview next to UNRWA’s main Jerusalem activity center, in the Shuafat refugee camp. The camp, located on the opposite side of a separation barrier, is barely recognized by the city as a neighborhood and the city hardly provides it with any services. It’s UNRWA that steps in to provide the camp with education, health and welfare services.”
The Jerusalem City Council said it plans to shut down the UNRWA clinic in Shu’fat refugee camp, and in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, under the allegation that the UN-run clinics were not licensed by the Health Ministry, and the patients “can receive services from Kupat Holim health maintenance organization.
The Mayor claims that the 1,800 Palestinian students which attend UNRWA schools in Jerusalem would be “absorbed into existing schools”. But Israeli government schools are highly segregated, and those that are designated for Palestinians in Jerusalem are extremely overcrowded and underfunded already.
The city government of Jerusalem made no indication as to how they would carry out this plan – and Palestinian residents fear that there is no plan, and they will be shut out of schools and medical care altogether.
In addition, UNRWA provides trash service and cleanup for the refugee camp. With the Israeli government takeover, residents fear a backlog of garbage along with excessive fees being imposed on Jerusalem’s poorest residents.
The mayor’s statement claims that UNRWA is “an illegal organization operating to advance terrorism and incitement”. But there is no evidence presented to back this bizarre claim.
There is already a major shortage of classrooms, early childcare centers, medical clinics, maternity clinics, welfare and sanitation services in the Palestinian areas of Jerusalem.
UNRWA has, until now, been able to provide some of the needed services for Palestinian refugees who live within the city of Jerusalem. With the shutdown of UNRWA, the refugees expect that they will simply end up being more neglected and unable to access medical care, education or sanitation.
Attorney Nazreen Elayan told the Israeli paper Ha’aretz, “Instead of establishing infrastructure where needed, Barkat wants to take over existing infrastructure. We are fighting for years with the city to open more mother-child centers in East Jerusalem and it hasn’t done so. So now they’re going to take over the good clinics run by UNRWA”.
In it’s statement in support of Mayor Barkat, the city council of Jerusalem stated, “Barkat’s decision aims to blow up the lie of the ‘Palestinian refugee problem,’ which is part of the Palestinian Authority’s propaganda under UN sponsorship and encouragement, which aims to destroy Israel by eternalizing refugee status and the perpetual call for the ‘right of return’ to Israel,.”
Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, told the paper, “The statement (by Barkat) challenges the independent humanitarian, non-discriminatory actions by UNRWA and doesn’t reflect the traditionally positive dialogue between UNRWA and Israel.”
And attorney Danny Seidman told reporters, “How can the mayor of Jerusalem declare war on a recognized international establishment that does no damage and is helpful? It’s all about theater, pure McCarthyism for the sake of Likud primaries”.
8 oct 2018
At least 29 Palestinians were injured Monday evening as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened their machinegun fire at thousands of protesters in northern Gaza Strip.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 11 people were injured with live bullets, eight had shrapnel injuries and six were hit by gas bombs.
Nine children and five women were among those injured, the ministry added.
Earlier Monday, thousands of Palestinians participated in a beach demonstration demanding an end to Israel’s 11-year siege on Gaza Strip.
Protesters on fishing boats fixed Palestinian flags on a fence that extends into the Mediterranean, while others continued to protest along the land borders.
Israeli soldiers responded with tear gas and live fire.
Palestinians in Gaza launched mass protests demanding the end of the 11-year siege on the Strip and calling for their right to return to homes their families were forced out of to make way for the creation of the state of Israel.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 11 people were injured with live bullets, eight had shrapnel injuries and six were hit by gas bombs.
Nine children and five women were among those injured, the ministry added.
Earlier Monday, thousands of Palestinians participated in a beach demonstration demanding an end to Israel’s 11-year siege on Gaza Strip.
Protesters on fishing boats fixed Palestinian flags on a fence that extends into the Mediterranean, while others continued to protest along the land borders.
Israeli soldiers responded with tear gas and live fire.
Palestinians in Gaza launched mass protests demanding the end of the 11-year siege on the Strip and calling for their right to return to homes their families were forced out of to make way for the creation of the state of Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that Israel is preparing for the possibility of a new military operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media sources revealed.
“If the reality of civil distress in Gaza is diminished, that is desirable, but that is not certain to happen, and so we are preparing militarily — that is not an empty statement,” Netanyahu said during his cabinet meeting.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have entered their 11th year under a suffocating siege imposed by Israel. The blockade dictates the day-to-day reality for people in Gaza, where Israel controls the borders, airspace, and waters.
Gaza's isolation has devastated its economy, impoverished much of the Strip's two million people, and left them without adequate electricity, water and health services.
Netanyahu: Army Prepping for Possible Military Assault on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly informed his cabinet that the army is preparing for a possible military campaign against the blockaded Gaza Strip, in the case that the situation was not improved, according to Israeli media.
“If the reality of civil distress in Gaza is diminished, that is desirable, but that is not certain to happen, and so we are preparing militarily — that is not an empty statement,” Netanyahu said.
For the past six months, Palestinians have been protesting on the border of Gaza as part of the “Great Return March” in which 190 Palestinians have been killed, 64 of whom were killed on the day the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In 2014, Israel waged a devastating 51-day military onslaught on the Gaza Strip, in which more than 2,300 Palestinians were martyred and tens of thousands injured.
“If the reality of civil distress in Gaza is diminished, that is desirable, but that is not certain to happen, and so we are preparing militarily — that is not an empty statement,” Netanyahu said during his cabinet meeting.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have entered their 11th year under a suffocating siege imposed by Israel. The blockade dictates the day-to-day reality for people in Gaza, where Israel controls the borders, airspace, and waters.
Gaza's isolation has devastated its economy, impoverished much of the Strip's two million people, and left them without adequate electricity, water and health services.
Netanyahu: Army Prepping for Possible Military Assault on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly informed his cabinet that the army is preparing for a possible military campaign against the blockaded Gaza Strip, in the case that the situation was not improved, according to Israeli media.
“If the reality of civil distress in Gaza is diminished, that is desirable, but that is not certain to happen, and so we are preparing militarily — that is not an empty statement,” Netanyahu said.
For the past six months, Palestinians have been protesting on the border of Gaza as part of the “Great Return March” in which 190 Palestinians have been killed, 64 of whom were killed on the day the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In 2014, Israel waged a devastating 51-day military onslaught on the Gaza Strip, in which more than 2,300 Palestinians were martyred and tens of thousands injured.
Israeli soldiers shot, overnight, one Palestinian with live fire, and caused many others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to invading farmlands, in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot a young man with live fire, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and caused many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army attacked protesters on Palestinian lands near the fence.
The soldiers also attacked protesters with live fire and gas bombs, east of Gaza city, and east of Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
In related news, five armored Israeli military bulldozers carried out a limited invasion into Palestinian lands, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and bulldozed them.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot a young man with live fire, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and caused many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, after the army attacked protesters on Palestinian lands near the fence.
The soldiers also attacked protesters with live fire and gas bombs, east of Gaza city, and east of Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
In related news, five armored Israeli military bulldozers carried out a limited invasion into Palestinian lands, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza, and bulldozed them.
Date: 07 October 2018: Time: 10:30 GMT: Two Fishermen Arrested and One of Them Wounded, Israeli Naval Forces again Reduce Allowed Area for Fishing. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
Yesterday, the Israeli naval forces arrested 2 fishermen and wounded one of them as part of the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen and preventing them from freely sailing and accessing the fish breeding areas.
Yesterday afternoon, The Israeli forces declared that they reduced the area allowed for fishing in the Gaza Sea to 6 nautical miles, deteriorating the economic and living conditions of the fishermen and inflicting great losses due to restricting their movement and denying their access to the areas where fish breed.
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 06:15, on Saturday, 06 October 2018, the Israeli gunboats stationed off the northwestern shore of al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within 2 nautical miles.
The gunboats surrounded a fishing boat manned by Safwat Zayet Mahmoud Zayed (42) and his brother Ref’at (29). The Israeli naval soldiers ordered both fishermen to take their clothes off, jump to the sea and swim towards one of the gunboats. Both fishermen were then taken to Ashdod Seaport without confiscating their boat.
At approximately 17:20 on the same day, the Israeli authorities released both fishermen via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, noting that Ref’at was found wounded with 2 rubber-coated bullets to the left leg and thigh.
On 06 October 2018, the Israeli authorities decided to reduce the area allowed for fishing to 6 nautical miles along the Gaza Strip shores. This is part of the Israeli policy to impose restrictions on fishermen and target their livelihoods.
PCHR emphasizes that the attacks by the Israeli naval forces against the fishermen in the Gaza Strip fall within the collective punishments imposed against the Palestinian civilians.
Moreover, PCHR stresses that the decision to reduce the area allowed for fishing violates the right to work recognized by Article (6) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Thus, PCHR:
Public Document
**************************************
Follow PCHR on Facebook and Twitter
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893
Gaza- Jamal ‘Abdel Nasser “al-Thalathini” Street – Al-Roya Building- Floor 12 , El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: [email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
Yesterday, the Israeli naval forces arrested 2 fishermen and wounded one of them as part of the Israeli attacks against Palestinian fishermen and preventing them from freely sailing and accessing the fish breeding areas.
Yesterday afternoon, The Israeli forces declared that they reduced the area allowed for fishing in the Gaza Sea to 6 nautical miles, deteriorating the economic and living conditions of the fishermen and inflicting great losses due to restricting their movement and denying their access to the areas where fish breed.
According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 06:15, on Saturday, 06 October 2018, the Israeli gunboats stationed off the northwestern shore of al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within 2 nautical miles.
The gunboats surrounded a fishing boat manned by Safwat Zayet Mahmoud Zayed (42) and his brother Ref’at (29). The Israeli naval soldiers ordered both fishermen to take their clothes off, jump to the sea and swim towards one of the gunboats. Both fishermen were then taken to Ashdod Seaport without confiscating their boat.
At approximately 17:20 on the same day, the Israeli authorities released both fishermen via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, noting that Ref’at was found wounded with 2 rubber-coated bullets to the left leg and thigh.
On 06 October 2018, the Israeli authorities decided to reduce the area allowed for fishing to 6 nautical miles along the Gaza Strip shores. This is part of the Israeli policy to impose restrictions on fishermen and target their livelihoods.
PCHR emphasizes that the attacks by the Israeli naval forces against the fishermen in the Gaza Strip fall within the collective punishments imposed against the Palestinian civilians.
Moreover, PCHR stresses that the decision to reduce the area allowed for fishing violates the right to work recognized by Article (6) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Thus, PCHR:
- Calls upon the Israeli authorities to withdraw immediately the decision to reduce the area allowed for fishing and to enable fishermen to freely practice their work;
- Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to intervene to stop all Israeli violations against fishermen and allow them to fish freely in the Gaza Sea.
- Calls upon the Israeli authorities to stop chasing the fishermen and enable them to fish freely, especially that they do not pose threat to the Israel authorities; and
- Calls for releasing the arrested fishermen and compensate them for their losses.
Public Document
**************************************
Follow PCHR on Facebook and Twitter
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893
Gaza- Jamal ‘Abdel Nasser “al-Thalathini” Street – Al-Roya Building- Floor 12 , El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: [email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
7 oct 2018
An Israeli aircraft has attacked on Sunday evening a group of Palestinian protesters near the eastern border of the southern Gaza Strip.
Local sources affirmed that a group of demonstrators came under attack by an Israeli aircraft to the south of Rafah city.
The Israeli army claimed the demonstrators were firing fire balloons when its aircraft targeted them on Sunday evening.
No injuries were reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The incident comes as fresh demonstrations are continued along the Gaza border on nearly daily basis.
On March 30, Gazans marched to the border fence at the start of a six-week protest, dubbed “The Great March of Return.”
The mass protest, however, turned violent when Israeli military forces used lethal force to disperse the crowd.
Local sources affirmed that a group of demonstrators came under attack by an Israeli aircraft to the south of Rafah city.
The Israeli army claimed the demonstrators were firing fire balloons when its aircraft targeted them on Sunday evening.
No injuries were reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The incident comes as fresh demonstrations are continued along the Gaza border on nearly daily basis.
On March 30, Gazans marched to the border fence at the start of a six-week protest, dubbed “The Great March of Return.”
The mass protest, however, turned violent when Israeli military forces used lethal force to disperse the crowd.