31 oct 2013
The Israeli military frequently bombs the besieged Gaza Strip, claiming the attacks are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.
The 1.7 million Palestinians of the Gaza Strip are living in what is called the world's largest open-air prison as Israel retains full control of the airspace, territorial waters, and border crossings of the territory.
Gaza has been blockaded by the Israeli regime since June 2007, a situation which has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
Gaza man killed by Israeli artillery near Khan Younis, another injured
A young man was killed and another wounded late Thursday in an Israeli artillery shelling east of Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, a Ma'an reporter said.
Medics said a 22-year-old man died and another was injured after the two were targeted by Israeli forces in the Absan area east of Khan Younis.
Locals said that ambulances brought the body and the injured man to the hospital.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli army did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The 1.7 million Palestinians of the Gaza Strip are living in what is called the world's largest open-air prison as Israel retains full control of the airspace, territorial waters, and border crossings of the territory.
Gaza has been blockaded by the Israeli regime since June 2007, a situation which has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
Gaza man killed by Israeli artillery near Khan Younis, another injured
A young man was killed and another wounded late Thursday in an Israeli artillery shelling east of Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, a Ma'an reporter said.
Medics said a 22-year-old man died and another was injured after the two were targeted by Israeli forces in the Absan area east of Khan Younis.
Locals said that ambulances brought the body and the injured man to the hospital.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli army did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

In an excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed on Thursday morning, a Palestinian civilian in Qabatya village, southeast of the northern West Bank town of Jenin,Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said in a press release.
According to investigation conducted by the PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 31 October 2013, Israeli force moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They stationed in the eastern part of the village. They raided a house belonging to the family of Emad Shawkat Kmail, 30, and arrested him. They then moved towards the western part of the village. There, they raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: Rassem Tawfiq Khzaimiya, 60; Mo'men Saba'na, 23; and Ayman Abdul Rahman Abu al-Rub, 28.
At approximately 05:00, while Israeli forces were withdrawing from the village taking the detainees, a number of young men gathered at the western entrance of the village. They blocked it with iron barriers and set fire to tires. When Israeli forces passed by the area, the young men threw stones and empty bottles at them. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the young men. They then fired live ammunition directly at the young men. As a result, Ahmed Emad Youseg Tazaz'a, 22, was seriously wounded by a bullet to the heart. He was immediately evacuated to al-Razi Hospital in Jernn, but medical efforts to save his life failed. He was pronounced dead at approximately 06:00.
PCHR is deeply concerned over this crime, which further proves the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the civilians' lives. Therefore, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
According to investigation conducted by the PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 31 October 2013, Israeli force moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They stationed in the eastern part of the village. They raided a house belonging to the family of Emad Shawkat Kmail, 30, and arrested him. They then moved towards the western part of the village. There, they raided a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: Rassem Tawfiq Khzaimiya, 60; Mo'men Saba'na, 23; and Ayman Abdul Rahman Abu al-Rub, 28.
At approximately 05:00, while Israeli forces were withdrawing from the village taking the detainees, a number of young men gathered at the western entrance of the village. They blocked it with iron barriers and set fire to tires. When Israeli forces passed by the area, the young men threw stones and empty bottles at them. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the young men. They then fired live ammunition directly at the young men. As a result, Ahmed Emad Youseg Tazaz'a, 22, was seriously wounded by a bullet to the heart. He was immediately evacuated to al-Razi Hospital in Jernn, but medical efforts to save his life failed. He was pronounced dead at approximately 06:00.
PCHR is deeply concerned over this crime, which further proves the use of excessive force by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians in disregard for the civilians' lives. Therefore, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate and effective actions to put an end to such crimes and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances, and their obligation under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions.
Hospital due to the seriousness of his condition. He was pronounced dead at approximately six in the morning.
Furthermore, soldiers broke into and violently searched dozens of homes causing property damage, and kidnapped four Palestinians.
The four have been identified as Rasem Khzeimiyya, 58, Mo’men Saba’na, 23, Ayman Abdul-Rahman Abu Ar-Rob, 27, and Imad Shawkat zakarna.
Also on Thursday, soldiers invaded the Al-‘Eesawiyya town, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped seven Palestinian youths.
Soldiers also invaded Bethlehem, and kidnapped two Palestinians; one in the city and one in the Deheisha refugee camp.
Palestinian youth killed in IOF shooting in Jenin village
Furthermore, soldiers broke into and violently searched dozens of homes causing property damage, and kidnapped four Palestinians.
The four have been identified as Rasem Khzeimiyya, 58, Mo’men Saba’na, 23, Ayman Abdul-Rahman Abu Ar-Rob, 27, and Imad Shawkat zakarna.
Also on Thursday, soldiers invaded the Al-‘Eesawiyya town, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped seven Palestinian youths.
Soldiers also invaded Bethlehem, and kidnapped two Palestinians; one in the city and one in the Deheisha refugee camp.
Palestinian youth killed in IOF shooting in Jenin village

A 22-year-old Palestinian youth was shot and killed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in Qabatiya village, east of Jenin, on Thursday. Local sources said that Ahmed Emad was walking to the vegetable market at dawn when IOF soldiers shot and killed him, adding that he suffered multiple gunshot wounds in his torso and died few hours later.
The sources said that the soldiers stormed the village and arrested an old man and three youths in a five hours raid that also witnessed clashes with young men.
They said that the soldiers opened intensive fire at the young men after storming many homes in the village.
Mohammed Sabana, an eyewitness, told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers were deployed in the street leading to the market when young men gathered and threw stones at them.
He said that the soldiers opened indiscriminate fire at the youths and hit Emad, adding that the soldiers blocked arrival of ambulance crews and continued to fire live ammunition and teargas at the market and surrounding area.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the soldiers broke into many homes and broke furniture before arresting a 60-year-old man and three young men and beating them in front of their relatives.
The sources said that the soldiers stormed the village and arrested an old man and three youths in a five hours raid that also witnessed clashes with young men.
They said that the soldiers opened intensive fire at the young men after storming many homes in the village.
Mohammed Sabana, an eyewitness, told the PIC reporter that IOF soldiers were deployed in the street leading to the market when young men gathered and threw stones at them.
He said that the soldiers opened indiscriminate fire at the youths and hit Emad, adding that the soldiers blocked arrival of ambulance crews and continued to fire live ammunition and teargas at the market and surrounding area.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the soldiers broke into many homes and broke furniture before arresting a 60-year-old man and three young men and beating them in front of their relatives.
26 oct 2013
|
Thousands of mourners on Wednesday participated in the funeral of a man shot dead a day earlier by Israeli forces near Ramallah.
Muhammad Assi, 28, from Beit Liqya, was killed Tuesday when Israeli soldiers stormed an area between the West Bank villages of Bilin and Kufr Nemeh, sparking a gunfight which ended at a cave, Palestinian witnesses and medics said. The funeral procession started at the Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah and Assi was then transferred to Beit Liqya where he was wrapped in Palestinian Islamic Jihad flags. The Israeli army confirmed the incident and claimed Assi was responsible for the November 2012 bombing of a Tel Aviv bus that wounded 29 people. The bus bombing occurred in response to Israel's bombardment on the Gaza Strip, which killed around 170 Palestinians. |
23 oct 2013

2 Years Following Their Deaths
Lawyers of the Legal Aid Unit at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) succeeded in ensuring remedy for the families of 3 Palestinian children, who were killed by Israeli forces in 2001.
Following years of legal work and vigorous follow-up, a settlement was concluded with the Israeli Military Prosecution’s representatives to pay NIS166,000 for each family of the victims in exchange for closing the file. Procedures to submit the amounts of money to the families are now in process.
On 30 August 2004, PCHR filed a compensation claim before Gedera District Court for the killing of the 3 children by Israeli forces.
Many hearings were held in the past years and PCHR provided evidence to confirm the Israeli forces' responsibility for the attack, the most important of which was the appearance of witnesses before the court.
Of the witnesses were Tamar Jasinski, the then head of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and doctors from Physicians for Human Rights and from the Popular Committee against Torture.
The Israeli prosecution was obliged as a result to end the file through the above-mentioned settlement.
Intensive effort was exercised by PCHR following the attack which resulted in killing the 3 children to prove Israeli forces had been responsible for willfully killing them although the children did not pose any threat to the Israeli soldiers. The Israeli authority kept claiming that the 3 children had been armed.
The attack took place on 30 December when Israeli forces fired a number of artillery shells 2001 at Ahmed Mohammed Banat (15); Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Madhoun (16); and Mohammed Ahmed Lubbad (17).
They are all from al-Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza city. According to investigations conducted by PCHR at that time, an Israeli tank positioned in the vicinity of "Eli Sinai" settlement that was located to the north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, fired 4 artillery shells at an agricultural land in the north of Beit Lahia that is about 1,200 meters to the south of the above mentioned settlement.
30 minutes later, Israeli forces announced they had killed 3 armed Palestinians who attempted to sneak into the settlement. They changed their allegation later and claimed that the 3 persons were trying to plant explosives in the area. However, the official story of Israeli forces stated the 3 persons had carried knives.
The victims' names and ages were not identified then, as Israeli forces kept the corpses. At the same time, 3 families from al-Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City reported that 3 of their children were missing after they returned from a visit to their friend in Beit Lahia.
There were concerns that they would be the victims in the attack.
On 02 January 2001, PCHR continued following the case and sent a letter to the legal adviser of the Israeli forces demanding him to deliver the 3 corpses to the Palestinian Authority to identify them.
PCHR demanded also initiating an investigation in the incident. Although Israeli forces deliver the corpses to the Palestinian Authority on the same day, an investigation was not initiated.
PCHR followed up the case through its lawyer regarding the investigation. Moreover, it had coordination with the Popular Committee against Torture and Physicians for Human Rights after providing them with the facts and results PCHR had in order to exert pressure for the interest of investigating the incident.
The Israeli Knesset assigned a session for the case, during which some information was revealed on Israeli forces' involvement in willfully killing the children and how a tank drove over one of the corpses.
Along with the legal effort, PCHR followed up the case at the international level via sending letters to John Dugard, the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions; and Olara Otunnu, Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
PCHR demanded the international officials to take immediate steps to ensure opening a comprehensive and impartial investigation by an international independent committee.
This is not the first time that PCHR achieves success in regard to efforts to prosecute war criminals via Israeli courts. PCHR had achieved other successes in this field, the latest of which was in September 2012, despite the financial, physical and legal barriers imposed by the Israeli authorities to hinder the Palestinian victims' access to justice and judicial remedy.
This Article Was First Published By PCHR
Lawyers of the Legal Aid Unit at the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) succeeded in ensuring remedy for the families of 3 Palestinian children, who were killed by Israeli forces in 2001.
Following years of legal work and vigorous follow-up, a settlement was concluded with the Israeli Military Prosecution’s representatives to pay NIS166,000 for each family of the victims in exchange for closing the file. Procedures to submit the amounts of money to the families are now in process.
On 30 August 2004, PCHR filed a compensation claim before Gedera District Court for the killing of the 3 children by Israeli forces.
Many hearings were held in the past years and PCHR provided evidence to confirm the Israeli forces' responsibility for the attack, the most important of which was the appearance of witnesses before the court.
Of the witnesses were Tamar Jasinski, the then head of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and doctors from Physicians for Human Rights and from the Popular Committee against Torture.
The Israeli prosecution was obliged as a result to end the file through the above-mentioned settlement.
Intensive effort was exercised by PCHR following the attack which resulted in killing the 3 children to prove Israeli forces had been responsible for willfully killing them although the children did not pose any threat to the Israeli soldiers. The Israeli authority kept claiming that the 3 children had been armed.
The attack took place on 30 December when Israeli forces fired a number of artillery shells 2001 at Ahmed Mohammed Banat (15); Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Madhoun (16); and Mohammed Ahmed Lubbad (17).
They are all from al-Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza city. According to investigations conducted by PCHR at that time, an Israeli tank positioned in the vicinity of "Eli Sinai" settlement that was located to the north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, fired 4 artillery shells at an agricultural land in the north of Beit Lahia that is about 1,200 meters to the south of the above mentioned settlement.
30 minutes later, Israeli forces announced they had killed 3 armed Palestinians who attempted to sneak into the settlement. They changed their allegation later and claimed that the 3 persons were trying to plant explosives in the area. However, the official story of Israeli forces stated the 3 persons had carried knives.
The victims' names and ages were not identified then, as Israeli forces kept the corpses. At the same time, 3 families from al-Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City reported that 3 of their children were missing after they returned from a visit to their friend in Beit Lahia.
There were concerns that they would be the victims in the attack.
On 02 January 2001, PCHR continued following the case and sent a letter to the legal adviser of the Israeli forces demanding him to deliver the 3 corpses to the Palestinian Authority to identify them.
PCHR demanded also initiating an investigation in the incident. Although Israeli forces deliver the corpses to the Palestinian Authority on the same day, an investigation was not initiated.
PCHR followed up the case through its lawyer regarding the investigation. Moreover, it had coordination with the Popular Committee against Torture and Physicians for Human Rights after providing them with the facts and results PCHR had in order to exert pressure for the interest of investigating the incident.
The Israeli Knesset assigned a session for the case, during which some information was revealed on Israeli forces' involvement in willfully killing the children and how a tank drove over one of the corpses.
Along with the legal effort, PCHR followed up the case at the international level via sending letters to John Dugard, the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions; and Olara Otunnu, Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
PCHR demanded the international officials to take immediate steps to ensure opening a comprehensive and impartial investigation by an international independent committee.
This is not the first time that PCHR achieves success in regard to efforts to prosecute war criminals via Israeli courts. PCHR had achieved other successes in this field, the latest of which was in September 2012, despite the financial, physical and legal barriers imposed by the Israeli authorities to hinder the Palestinian victims' access to justice and judicial remedy.
This Article Was First Published By PCHR
22 oct 2013

Abdul Hafeth Taim 76
76-year-old Abdul Hafeth Taim from al-Funduq town, east of Qalqiliya, died on Tuesday of injuries sustained after a settler ran over him in the first day of Eid-al-Adha.
Head of al- Funduq village council, Firas Bleh, said that the citizen Taim was seriously injured after a settler hit him on the main street in the village and was transferred to a hospital for treatment.
76-year-old Abdul Hafeth Taim from al-Funduq town, east of Qalqiliya, died on Tuesday of injuries sustained after a settler ran over him in the first day of Eid-al-Adha.
Head of al- Funduq village council, Firas Bleh, said that the citizen Taim was seriously injured after a settler hit him on the main street in the village and was transferred to a hospital for treatment.

Mohammad Al-'Aasy 24
_Palestinian sources have reported that a young Palestinian man was shot and killed during armed clashes with Israeli soldiers in Kufur Ni’ma village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, has reported that Mohammad ‘Aasy, 24 years of age, is one of its fighters.
The Israeli military said that Al-‘Aasy was hiding in a cave near the village, and that he exchanged fire with the soldiers who eventually shot him dead. The army did not report any casualties among its soldiers.
Israeli sources said that the soldiers invaded Ni’ma village during late night hours, in an attempt to kidnap Palestinian resistance fighters, and that one of the fighters escaped, but the army pursed him and managed to arrest him.
The sources added that Al-‘Aasy was shot dead after he entered a cave near Ni’ma village, and that he opened fire at the soldiers who managed to surround him, and killed him several hours later.
The Israeli army said soldiers managed to arrest one Palestinian, and took him to an interrogation facility.
_Palestinian sources have reported that a young Palestinian man was shot and killed during armed clashes with Israeli soldiers in Kufur Ni’ma village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, has reported that Mohammad ‘Aasy, 24 years of age, is one of its fighters.
The Israeli military said that Al-‘Aasy was hiding in a cave near the village, and that he exchanged fire with the soldiers who eventually shot him dead. The army did not report any casualties among its soldiers.
Israeli sources said that the soldiers invaded Ni’ma village during late night hours, in an attempt to kidnap Palestinian resistance fighters, and that one of the fighters escaped, but the army pursed him and managed to arrest him.
The sources added that Al-‘Aasy was shot dead after he entered a cave near Ni’ma village, and that he opened fire at the soldiers who managed to surround him, and killed him several hours later.
The Israeli army said soldiers managed to arrest one Palestinian, and took him to an interrogation facility.

Eyewitnesses said that more than 15 Israeli military vehicles, and a military bulldozer, invaded the area, imposed curfew forcing the residents under house arrest, and initiated a search campaign in an area that became isolated by the Annexation Wall.
The eyewitnesses that that, approximately at seven in the morning, soldiers kidnapped several Palestinians, some identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Nasr, William Abu ‘Aady, and Abdullah Suleiman, all from Ni’ma village, and took them to a military base in the area.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles at them, while the army fired gas bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets at the residents and several homes in the area.
Soldiers also prevented the residents, including schoolchildren, from leaving their homes, and completely isolated the area.
Local sources in Bil'in village, have reported that several Palestinians, including a two-month old infant, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
They added, that dozens of soldiers invaded the village, and clashes with local youths.
Israeli officer: West Bank atmosphere does not bode well
A senior Israeli officer in the IOF's so-called Central Command described the atmosphere currently prevailing in the West Bank as that of military actions and negative intentions. He told Israel's 10 Channel that the atmosphere does not bode well in the wake of the recent operations; it is true that there is no connection between them, but today the atmosphere is favorable for those thinking to carry out a military operation.
Israeli army minister Moshe Ya'alon said Tuesday morning while touring the Jewish Quarter in occupied Hebron that "as long as there is no infrastructure for what he called 'terrorism' in the West Bank, such operations shall remain individual, and can be controlled; there are no signs of a looming third intifada,"
A Palestinian resistance operative has been killed in the Kafr Ne'ma village to the west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank in an armed clash with Israeli forces who surrounded the Caves area.
The eyewitnesses that that, approximately at seven in the morning, soldiers kidnapped several Palestinians, some identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Nasr, William Abu ‘Aady, and Abdullah Suleiman, all from Ni’ma village, and took them to a military base in the area.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles at them, while the army fired gas bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets at the residents and several homes in the area.
Soldiers also prevented the residents, including schoolchildren, from leaving their homes, and completely isolated the area.
Local sources in Bil'in village, have reported that several Palestinians, including a two-month old infant, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
They added, that dozens of soldiers invaded the village, and clashes with local youths.
Israeli officer: West Bank atmosphere does not bode well
A senior Israeli officer in the IOF's so-called Central Command described the atmosphere currently prevailing in the West Bank as that of military actions and negative intentions. He told Israel's 10 Channel that the atmosphere does not bode well in the wake of the recent operations; it is true that there is no connection between them, but today the atmosphere is favorable for those thinking to carry out a military operation.
Israeli army minister Moshe Ya'alon said Tuesday morning while touring the Jewish Quarter in occupied Hebron that "as long as there is no infrastructure for what he called 'terrorism' in the West Bank, such operations shall remain individual, and can be controlled; there are no signs of a looming third intifada,"
A Palestinian resistance operative has been killed in the Kafr Ne'ma village to the west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank in an armed clash with Israeli forces who surrounded the Caves area.
21 oct 2013

The Israeli Authorities were supposed to hand the body of slain Palestinian Younis Ahmad Radayda, to his family on Sunday October 20, 2013, but decided to keep the body allegedly to conclude all paperwork.
Head of the Al-Obeydiyya village council, Suleiman Al-Assa, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that Israel was supposed to hand the body of the slain Palestinian to his family after releasing it from the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center in occupied Jerusalem.
Al-Assa added that, on Sunday morning, the family took an ambulance to retrieve the body of their son, after Israel granted them the Okay, but were told that more paperwork, and legal documents, are still needed.
The family is hoping to get the body Monday so that they can perform prayers and the burial ceremony.
Radayda was shot and killed by Israeli army fire, on Thursday, after the army claimed he drove his bulldozer into a military base, close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem.
His family said their son must have lost control over his bulldozer, and that Israel is fabricating the incident to make it appear as a deliberate attack.
The family was initially hoping to receive the body of their son on Friday, but Israel decided to keep the body at the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center.
Head of the Al-Obeydiyya village council, Suleiman Al-Assa, told the Radio Bethlehem 2000 that Israel was supposed to hand the body of the slain Palestinian to his family after releasing it from the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center in occupied Jerusalem.
Al-Assa added that, on Sunday morning, the family took an ambulance to retrieve the body of their son, after Israel granted them the Okay, but were told that more paperwork, and legal documents, are still needed.
The family is hoping to get the body Monday so that they can perform prayers and the burial ceremony.
Radayda was shot and killed by Israeli army fire, on Thursday, after the army claimed he drove his bulldozer into a military base, close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem.
His family said their son must have lost control over his bulldozer, and that Israel is fabricating the incident to make it appear as a deliberate attack.
The family was initially hoping to receive the body of their son on Friday, but Israel decided to keep the body at the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center.
18 oct 2013

The Israeli Authorities are still holding the body of Younis Radayda, who was shot and killed on Thursday allegedly after he drove into a military base, and said that his body will be handed to the Palestinians Sunday, the Palestine News Network (PNN) has reported.
Radayda was driving a bulldozer when he was shot; Israel claims he deliberately drove into a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
His family, from the Al-Obeydiyya town, near Bethlehem, said that their son must have lost control over his bulldozer, and that Israel is fabricating the incident to make it appear as a deliberate attack.
Activists in Al-Obeydiyya said that the family was preparing to hold the burial ceremony for Younis today, Friday October 18, 2013, but Israel decided to keep the body at the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center.
The Israeli authorities later said that the body of Radayda would be handed to his family this coming Sunday.
Radayda was driving a bulldozer when he was shot; Israel claims he deliberately drove into a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
His family, from the Al-Obeydiyya town, near Bethlehem, said that their son must have lost control over his bulldozer, and that Israel is fabricating the incident to make it appear as a deliberate attack.
Activists in Al-Obeydiyya said that the family was preparing to hold the burial ceremony for Younis today, Friday October 18, 2013, but Israel decided to keep the body at the Abu Kabeer Forensic Center.
The Israeli authorities later said that the body of Radayda would be handed to his family this coming Sunday.

Family of Younis Ahmad Radayda, who was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers on Thursday, stated that he did not intend to harm any soldiers or person, and that he accidentally drove into the military base.
Younis was killed on Thursday evening when Israeli soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at him after he allegedly drove into the base with the intent to attack them.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, has reported that Mohammad Radayda, the uncle of Younis, said that his nephew never intended to attack the base, and that the Israeli claims are fabrications, the Arabs48 News Website has reported.
He said, in 2009, soldiers killed Mer’ey, the brother of Younis, “after accusing him of attacking Israelis with his bulldozer in occupied Jerusalem.” Two Israeli police officers were injured in the incident before some police officers shot him dead.
The uncle added that Younis had to ideological motive for the attack, and added that he is married, and a father of four children.
“He was working hard to feed his children, and provide them with everything they needed”, Mohammad said, “Younis must have lost control over his bulldozer, and accidentally entered the military base”.
“The soldiers just considered him a terrorist because he is an Arab, they decided to shoot and kill him”, Mohammad added, “If he survived the shooting, he would have told him that he did not intend to hurt anybody, but now he is dead, and Israel labeled him as a dead terrorist”.
Furthermore, Radayda denied reports stating that his family received Israeli orders informing them that the army intends to demolish the home of Younis, adding that Younis and his family do not own property, and live in a rented residence.
Younis was killed on Thursday evening when Israeli soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at him after he allegedly drove into the base with the intent to attack them.
Israeli daily, Haaretz, has reported that Mohammad Radayda, the uncle of Younis, said that his nephew never intended to attack the base, and that the Israeli claims are fabrications, the Arabs48 News Website has reported.
He said, in 2009, soldiers killed Mer’ey, the brother of Younis, “after accusing him of attacking Israelis with his bulldozer in occupied Jerusalem.” Two Israeli police officers were injured in the incident before some police officers shot him dead.
The uncle added that Younis had to ideological motive for the attack, and added that he is married, and a father of four children.
“He was working hard to feed his children, and provide them with everything they needed”, Mohammad said, “Younis must have lost control over his bulldozer, and accidentally entered the military base”.
“The soldiers just considered him a terrorist because he is an Arab, they decided to shoot and kill him”, Mohammad added, “If he survived the shooting, he would have told him that he did not intend to hurt anybody, but now he is dead, and Israel labeled him as a dead terrorist”.
Furthermore, Radayda denied reports stating that his family received Israeli orders informing them that the army intends to demolish the home of Younis, adding that Younis and his family do not own property, and live in a rented residence.
17 oct 2013

Younes Ahmad Radayda 25
Israeli military sources have reported on Thursday evening [October 17, 2013] that soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, shot and killed a Palestinian driving a bulldozers after he allegedly drove into the base to attack soldiers.
The sources said that the soldiers opened fire at the bulldozer seriously wounding the driving, who died of his wounds later on.
The Radio Bethlehem 2000 has reported that the slain Palestinian has been identified as Younes Ahmad Radayda, 25, from Al-Obeydiyya town, near Bethlehem.
The Palestinian managed to damage an Israeli military vehicle parked in the base before he was shot. One soldier was in the vehicle, and suffered mild injuries that did not require hospitalization.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that dozens of soldiers were alerted of the attack, and rushed to the base.
Furthermore, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that clashes took place in the area between dozens of youths and Israeli soldiers.
The army fired rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades at the youths who threw stones and empty bottles.
Israeli forces shoot, kill Palestinian at West Bank army base
Israeli forces on Thursday shot and killed a Palestinian man who drove a tractor into an army base north of Jerusalem, according to Israeli media and a military official.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that soldiers confirmed a "direct hit" after firing at the Palestinian, who she said had driven a tractor into an army base in al-Ram, near Jerusalem.
"The Palestinian made it into the base which posed a life threat to the soldiers nearby," the spokeswoman said.
Israel's Walla news site reported that the unnamed man died after resuscitation efforts failed at a hospital in Qalandiya, near Ramallah. It said he suffered five bullet wounds.
Palestinian security officials named him as Yusef Ahmed Radaida, 28, AFP reported.
The Israeli army said a soldier was lightly injured by the tractor.
Israeli military sources have reported on Thursday evening [October 17, 2013] that soldiers stationed at a military base close to the Qalandia terminal, north of occupied Jerusalem, shot and killed a Palestinian driving a bulldozers after he allegedly drove into the base to attack soldiers.
The sources said that the soldiers opened fire at the bulldozer seriously wounding the driving, who died of his wounds later on.
The Radio Bethlehem 2000 has reported that the slain Palestinian has been identified as Younes Ahmad Radayda, 25, from Al-Obeydiyya town, near Bethlehem.
The Palestinian managed to damage an Israeli military vehicle parked in the base before he was shot. One soldier was in the vehicle, and suffered mild injuries that did not require hospitalization.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that dozens of soldiers were alerted of the attack, and rushed to the base.
Furthermore, the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that clashes took place in the area between dozens of youths and Israeli soldiers.
The army fired rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades at the youths who threw stones and empty bottles.
Israeli forces shoot, kill Palestinian at West Bank army base
Israeli forces on Thursday shot and killed a Palestinian man who drove a tractor into an army base north of Jerusalem, according to Israeli media and a military official.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that soldiers confirmed a "direct hit" after firing at the Palestinian, who she said had driven a tractor into an army base in al-Ram, near Jerusalem.
"The Palestinian made it into the base which posed a life threat to the soldiers nearby," the spokeswoman said.
Israel's Walla news site reported that the unnamed man died after resuscitation efforts failed at a hospital in Qalandiya, near Ramallah. It said he suffered five bullet wounds.
Palestinian security officials named him as Yusef Ahmed Radaida, 28, AFP reported.
The Israeli army said a soldier was lightly injured by the tractor.
15 oct 2013

Alex Odeh oct 11 1985
Washington- FBI suspected the Jewish Defense League of the bombing which killed Alex Odeh, but never cracked the case.
US Civil rights groups and members of Congress are pressing the Justice Department to renew its investigation of a 1985 office bombing that killed Palestinian-American civil rights leader Alex Odeh and injured seven people.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Jewish Voice for Peace and others have launched a petition campaign asking Justice to further investigate the explosion, which demolished the committee’s office in Santa Ana, California. The online petition has about 10,000 signatures.
At the time of the attack, the FBI said they believed the bombing was the responsibility of the militant Jewish Defense League. An attorney for the group denied the allegations and asked for a retraction from the agency. The FBI also linked Odeh’s killing to two other acts of domestic terrorism in Brentwood, New York and Paterson, New Jersey that same year.
California Democratic Representative Loretta Sanchez sent a letter to the department in June and is seeking other lawmakers to sign a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. The FBI identified suspects after the attack, but none were ever named or indicted.
“Whenever a leader for a civil rights organization is killed, it is the responsibility of our country as a whole— and a civil rights community as a whole— to stand up and demand that their killers be brought to justice and to insure that the US Department of Justice does everything in its power to close the case,” NAACP President Ben Jealous told reporters in a conference call Monday.
Washington- FBI suspected the Jewish Defense League of the bombing which killed Alex Odeh, but never cracked the case.
US Civil rights groups and members of Congress are pressing the Justice Department to renew its investigation of a 1985 office bombing that killed Palestinian-American civil rights leader Alex Odeh and injured seven people.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Jewish Voice for Peace and others have launched a petition campaign asking Justice to further investigate the explosion, which demolished the committee’s office in Santa Ana, California. The online petition has about 10,000 signatures.
At the time of the attack, the FBI said they believed the bombing was the responsibility of the militant Jewish Defense League. An attorney for the group denied the allegations and asked for a retraction from the agency. The FBI also linked Odeh’s killing to two other acts of domestic terrorism in Brentwood, New York and Paterson, New Jersey that same year.
California Democratic Representative Loretta Sanchez sent a letter to the department in June and is seeking other lawmakers to sign a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. The FBI identified suspects after the attack, but none were ever named or indicted.
“Whenever a leader for a civil rights organization is killed, it is the responsibility of our country as a whole— and a civil rights community as a whole— to stand up and demand that their killers be brought to justice and to insure that the US Department of Justice does everything in its power to close the case,” NAACP President Ben Jealous told reporters in a conference call Monday.
“We’re going to pursue it vigorously and we’re not going to let any more time lapse,” Conyers said. “We’re going to continue to help all of the organizations that are involved build up more and more support for us getting to where we ought to be in terms of a horrific, violent crime that has, I think, been put on the back burner for far too long.”
Odeh, the West Coast regional director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, was killed as he opened the door to his office on October 11, 1985. The bombing occurred the morning after Odeh said on a Los Angeles television news broadcast that Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yassir Arafat was a “man of peace” because of his role in securing the release of passengers from the hijacked Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in Egypt. Odeh, who came to the US from Palestine, was described by both Jews and Arabs as a nonviolent man who advocated compromise. According to the American-Arab committee, Odeh immigrated to the United States in 1972 and became a US citizen in 1977. He was a poet and lecturer.
This article was written by The Associated Press.
Odeh, the West Coast regional director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, was killed as he opened the door to his office on October 11, 1985. The bombing occurred the morning after Odeh said on a Los Angeles television news broadcast that Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yassir Arafat was a “man of peace” because of his role in securing the release of passengers from the hijacked Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in Egypt. Odeh, who came to the US from Palestine, was described by both Jews and Arabs as a nonviolent man who advocated compromise. According to the American-Arab committee, Odeh immigrated to the United States in 1972 and became a US citizen in 1977. He was a poet and lecturer.
This article was written by The Associated Press.
9 oct 2013

A garden of flowers planted in used tear gas grenades memorializes Bassem Abu Rahmah, killed by Israeli forces in 2009 in Bil’in. But recent AP photo coverage looks mostly at the flowers and misses the memorial.
The act is one of both peaceful resistance and an answer to the separation wall erected by the State of Israel. Residents of the village of Bil’in have created an oasis in the arid landscape of the West Bank, and sown flowers in tear gas canisters which were fired at protesters by Israeli forces. Bassem Abu Rahmah, a protest leader, was killed in 2009 when Israeli forces shot him in the chest with a tear gas grenade. The garden is to commemorate him and other victims in the Palestinians’ fight for their land.
However, that key context of the garden was missing from the photos in a widely circulated Associated Press photo story. None of the AP photos included the centerpiece of the memorial garden, a translucent photo of Bassem mounted on a frame of spent tear gas shell casings. Moreover, photo captions identified only “A Palestinian woman” watering the garden, failing to mention that it was Sabiha Abu Rahmah, Bassem’s mother.
The act is one of both peaceful resistance and an answer to the separation wall erected by the State of Israel. Residents of the village of Bil’in have created an oasis in the arid landscape of the West Bank, and sown flowers in tear gas canisters which were fired at protesters by Israeli forces. Bassem Abu Rahmah, a protest leader, was killed in 2009 when Israeli forces shot him in the chest with a tear gas grenade. The garden is to commemorate him and other victims in the Palestinians’ fight for their land.
However, that key context of the garden was missing from the photos in a widely circulated Associated Press photo story. None of the AP photos included the centerpiece of the memorial garden, a translucent photo of Bassem mounted on a frame of spent tear gas shell casings. Moreover, photo captions identified only “A Palestinian woman” watering the garden, failing to mention that it was Sabiha Abu Rahmah, Bassem’s mother.

An AP article text that accompanied the photos on many news sites did mention Bassem’s death and that of his cousin Jawaher, who is believed to have died because of tear gas inhalation in 2011. But some publications, such as the UK’s Daily Mail, did not include the AP text, instead running a staff writer’s summary of Israel’s word against “critics” regarding the separation wall. On Ynet‘s version, not only is there no mention of the Abu Rahmah deaths as the reason for the memorial garden, but their concluding sentence further obfuscates the price of Bilin’s resistance: “Every Friday, Palestinian and Israeli leftist activists come to protest the separation fence at the site, and several of these demonstrations have ended in injuries.” Who injures whom and how badly is left to the reader’s imagination.
In addition to memorializing the Abu Rahma family’s losses, the eclectic potted plants also mark land that Palestine was able to reclaim two years ago through a protracted court battle that finally re-routed Israel’s wall.
Residents of Bilin say 60% of their farmland was cut off by the Israeli separation wall. Since 2005, villagers have been going out almost every Friday for anti-wall protests, which often result in violent crackdowns by Israeli forces. Bilin has become a symbol of Palestinian protests against Israeli policies in the West Bank, and the village’s struggle to regain its land became the subject of a 2012 Oscar-nominated documentary Five Broken Cameras.
Since the Israeli regime began building the separation wall in 2002, the route has been the target of regular protests waged by residents of various towns whose land is threatened by or has already been cut off by the barrier. What many outside the Palestinian community misunderstand is how the Israeli government has effectively confiscated large plots of Palestinian land in order to erect the barrier. When the 435-mile barrier is complete, 85 percent of it will have been built inside the West Bank, rather than on the internationally recognized Green Line between the State of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The result is that the wall does not simply divide “Israel from the West Bank” as is often stated, but rather Palestinian land from Palestinian land, dividing farmers from their land, children from schools, and families from each other.
This article was originally posted on +972 Magazine.
In addition to memorializing the Abu Rahma family’s losses, the eclectic potted plants also mark land that Palestine was able to reclaim two years ago through a protracted court battle that finally re-routed Israel’s wall.
Residents of Bilin say 60% of their farmland was cut off by the Israeli separation wall. Since 2005, villagers have been going out almost every Friday for anti-wall protests, which often result in violent crackdowns by Israeli forces. Bilin has become a symbol of Palestinian protests against Israeli policies in the West Bank, and the village’s struggle to regain its land became the subject of a 2012 Oscar-nominated documentary Five Broken Cameras.
Since the Israeli regime began building the separation wall in 2002, the route has been the target of regular protests waged by residents of various towns whose land is threatened by or has already been cut off by the barrier. What many outside the Palestinian community misunderstand is how the Israeli government has effectively confiscated large plots of Palestinian land in order to erect the barrier. When the 435-mile barrier is complete, 85 percent of it will have been built inside the West Bank, rather than on the internationally recognized Green Line between the State of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The result is that the wall does not simply divide “Israel from the West Bank” as is often stated, but rather Palestinian land from Palestinian land, dividing farmers from their land, children from schools, and families from each other.
This article was originally posted on +972 Magazine.
3 oct 2013
Meanwhile, the popular resistance in Bil'in has organized on Wednesday its annual conference for popular resistance attended by a large number of Palestinian factions' leaders and representatives and foreign activists.
The four-day conference was organized in the liberated part of the town after managing to gain a decision from the ICC to restore the lands confiscated by the occupation.
For his part, Bassem al-Tamimi a leader of the Popular Resistance in Nabi Saleh village called during the conference for escalating popular resistance in the coming days especially in light of the political crisis.
Resistance is the sole effective option to address the occupation, he stressed, calling for a national strategy to overcome this crisis.
The occupation had confiscated 2,200 dunums of lands in Bil'in village, while the villagers managed to restore 1200 acres of them in 2011 where economic projects and public parks for children were established.
The confiscated lands are located near Modi'in settlement built on the village's lands. It is worth mentioning that violent clashes take place each Fridays in the village when soldiers try to quell peaceful demonstrations protesting the apartheid wall and the land confiscation.
The four-day conference was organized in the liberated part of the town after managing to gain a decision from the ICC to restore the lands confiscated by the occupation.
For his part, Bassem al-Tamimi a leader of the Popular Resistance in Nabi Saleh village called during the conference for escalating popular resistance in the coming days especially in light of the political crisis.
Resistance is the sole effective option to address the occupation, he stressed, calling for a national strategy to overcome this crisis.
The occupation had confiscated 2,200 dunums of lands in Bil'in village, while the villagers managed to restore 1200 acres of them in 2011 where economic projects and public parks for children were established.
The confiscated lands are located near Modi'in settlement built on the village's lands. It is worth mentioning that violent clashes take place each Fridays in the village when soldiers try to quell peaceful demonstrations protesting the apartheid wall and the land confiscation.
1 oct 2013

Huwaishel Ismail Abu Huwaishel 38
Palestinian medical teams retrieved on Tuesday the body of a Palestinian man who was killed near the northern borders of Gaza Strip at the hands of Israeli occupation forces (IOF). IOF sources claimed that two Palestinians were detected while trying to approach the Gaza border fence on Monday night and fired at them killing one on the spot and injuring another.
The Palestinian health ministry said that its ambulance cars recovered the body of Huwaishel Ismail Abu Huwaishel, 38, who was a resident of Breij refugee camp in central Gaza.
The ministry said that the body was found near Beit Hanun town and that it was riddled with bullets.
It added that the ambulance crews combed the area and did not find more bodies or any wounded man.
Palestinian medical teams retrieved on Tuesday the body of a Palestinian man who was killed near the northern borders of Gaza Strip at the hands of Israeli occupation forces (IOF). IOF sources claimed that two Palestinians were detected while trying to approach the Gaza border fence on Monday night and fired at them killing one on the spot and injuring another.
The Palestinian health ministry said that its ambulance cars recovered the body of Huwaishel Ismail Abu Huwaishel, 38, who was a resident of Breij refugee camp in central Gaza.
The ministry said that the body was found near Beit Hanun town and that it was riddled with bullets.
It added that the ambulance crews combed the area and did not find more bodies or any wounded man.

A relative of Palestinian Huweshil Abu Huweshil mourns during his funeral on October 1, 2013
Palestinians on Tuesday held the funeral of a Gaza resident killed by the Israeli army the night before, an AFP correspondent said, in an incident human rights groups condemned.
Huwayshel Hawajira, 36, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday evening, Palestinian medical sources said, and taken to a nearby hospital in Beit Hanun.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said soldiers had shot and "hit" two Palestinians in the same area as they tried to cut through the security fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip.
The second man was wounded and taken in for questioning by the army, a separate Israeli security source told AFP on Tuesday.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, an NGO based in Hamas-ruled Gaza, condemned an "excessive use of lethal force" by the Israeli army, adding artillery shells had also been heard hitting near where the two men were shot.
On August 11, Israeli troops also shot dead a Palestinian on the border with Hamas-ruled Gaza, with the military saying he had been seen behaving suspiciously in an area close to the border fence.
Palestinians on Tuesday held the funeral of a Gaza resident killed by the Israeli army the night before, an AFP correspondent said, in an incident human rights groups condemned.
Huwayshel Hawajira, 36, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday evening, Palestinian medical sources said, and taken to a nearby hospital in Beit Hanun.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said soldiers had shot and "hit" two Palestinians in the same area as they tried to cut through the security fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip.
The second man was wounded and taken in for questioning by the army, a separate Israeli security source told AFP on Tuesday.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, an NGO based in Hamas-ruled Gaza, condemned an "excessive use of lethal force" by the Israeli army, adding artillery shells had also been heard hitting near where the two men were shot.
On August 11, Israeli troops also shot dead a Palestinian on the border with Hamas-ruled Gaza, with the military saying he had been seen behaving suspiciously in an area close to the border fence.

Hweishel Ismael Abu Hweishel 36
Monday evening [September 30, 2013] Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man, injured and kidnapped another, near the border fence, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media sources said that the soldiers opened fire at two Palestinians who approached the border fence, and attempted to cut a hole in it before the army chased them.
The sources added that the army did not mention anything about whether the Palestinians carried any weapons or explosives, an issue that indicates they might have been trying to enter Israeli territory searching for work.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that the army initiated an investigation into the incident, under the assumption that the two “might have been trying to plant an explosive in the area”. After searching the area, the army could not locate any explosives or weapons.
Palestinian sources in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, stated that the soldiers fired a number of shells into a land east of the town, and fired several flares, while a military chopper hovered overhead.
Medical sources in Kamal Adwan Hospital, in the nearby town of Beit Lahia, stated that Palestinian medics located the body of Hweishel Ismael Abu Hweishel, in his thirties, and moved it to hospital.
The slain resident is from Al-Mighraqa area, south of Gaza city.
Palestinian shot dead at Gaza border:photos
Monday evening [September 30, 2013] Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man, injured and kidnapped another, near the border fence, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media sources said that the soldiers opened fire at two Palestinians who approached the border fence, and attempted to cut a hole in it before the army chased them.
The sources added that the army did not mention anything about whether the Palestinians carried any weapons or explosives, an issue that indicates they might have been trying to enter Israeli territory searching for work.
Israeli Ynet News has reported that the army initiated an investigation into the incident, under the assumption that the two “might have been trying to plant an explosive in the area”. After searching the area, the army could not locate any explosives or weapons.
Palestinian sources in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, stated that the soldiers fired a number of shells into a land east of the town, and fired several flares, while a military chopper hovered overhead.
Medical sources in Kamal Adwan Hospital, in the nearby town of Beit Lahia, stated that Palestinian medics located the body of Hweishel Ismael Abu Hweishel, in his thirties, and moved it to hospital.
The slain resident is from Al-Mighraqa area, south of Gaza city.
Palestinian shot dead at Gaza border:photos
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Israeli forces have opened fire on two Palestinians in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, killing one and wounding the other. The Israeli military said on Monday that its soldiers shot the Palestinians, alleging the two were trying to cut through the security fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip. Hospital officials in the Gaza Strip also confirmed that a Palestinian had been shot dead.
Meanwhile, residents of Beit Hanoun said they noticed Israeli tank fire as well as Apache helicopter gunships flying over the town. The Israeli forces frequently attack the Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured. |
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.