3 mar 2014
The Israeli military said the attack targeted a group preparing to launch rockets.
"The mission was carried out in order to eliminate an imminent attack targeting civilian communities of southern Israel," the emailed statement said.
Army spokesman Peter Lerner added in the same statement that "IDF intelligence, operational capability and determination to eliminate a real time threat keeps Israelis safe in their homes. This is our obligation and commitment to the civilians in the south of Israel."
"The mission was carried out in order to eliminate an imminent attack targeting civilian communities of southern Israel," the emailed statement said.
Army spokesman Peter Lerner added in the same statement that "IDF intelligence, operational capability and determination to eliminate a real time threat keeps Israelis safe in their homes. This is our obligation and commitment to the civilians in the south of Israel."
2 mar 2014

Saleh Mlihat 70
Saleh Mlihat,70, was killed on Sunday after being run over by an Israeli colonial settler near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Mosa Mlihat said that his father was run over during crossing the main street and transferred to hospital immediately. However, Saleh died before reaching hospital.
Local sources said that a settler, driving too fast, ran over Saleh Mlihat throwing him to 80 meters away.
Saleh Mlihat,70, was killed on Sunday after being run over by an Israeli colonial settler near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Mosa Mlihat said that his father was run over during crossing the main street and transferred to hospital immediately. However, Saleh died before reaching hospital.
Local sources said that a settler, driving too fast, ran over Saleh Mlihat throwing him to 80 meters away.
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Protesters marched through the streets of Jerusalem on Saturday to condemn the deaths of two Palestinians who have died at the hands of Israeli forces in the last week.
The protest began at Damascus Gate, where Israeli police on horseback immediately tried to disperse the demonstration, organizers said. Participants marched towards Herod's Gate and Salah al-Din street while chanting slogans to commemorate the dead. The march was held in memory of Jihad Abd al-Rahman al-Taweel, who died on Tuesday weeks after |
being assaulted by prison guards, and Muatazz Washaha, a young man killed after Israeli forces fired a shell at his home during an arrest raid on Thursday in Birzeit.
After reaching Salah al-Din street police forces on horseback chased protesters towards al-Zahra street.
Israeli police beat protesters, and assaulted journalists who were on the scene, preventing them from filming, organizers said.
Demonstrators managed to return to Damascus Gate, and continued on to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite a heavy military presence at the gates of the compound.
An Israeli police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
After reaching Salah al-Din street police forces on horseback chased protesters towards al-Zahra street.
Israeli police beat protesters, and assaulted journalists who were on the scene, preventing them from filming, organizers said.
Demonstrators managed to return to Damascus Gate, and continued on to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite a heavy military presence at the gates of the compound.
An Israeli police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
1 mar 2014
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Large crowds turned out to mourn the death of a 57-year-old Gaza woman on Saturday, hours after Israeli forces shot her dead as she walked near the separation barrier in the southern Gaza Strip.
Mourners taking part in the funeral for Aminah Qudeih in the city of Khan Younis called for a response to the killing, demanding Palestinian leadership hold Israeli authorities accountable by appealing for justice at the International Criminal Court. Although Qudeih was shot by Israeli forces east of Khan Younis late Friday, ambulance crews were prevented from reaching her until Saturday morning, at which time they found her dead. Abu Anas Qudeih, a relative of the woman, told Ma'an that Aminah had gotten lost on her way |
home from a party at her neighbors' house.
He added that although she had not approached the buffer zone that Israeli maintains near the border, Israeli forces had opened fire on her as she walked and killed her.
Qudeih added that "the policy of the enemy is blood," adding that Israel "does not understand anything except the language of resistance."
The woman's relatives told AP she was mentally ill, and assumed she wandered toward the border by mistake.
Abd al-Aziz Qudeih, a leader in the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, condemned the attack, calling upon Palestinian leadership to go the international courts and prosecute Israel for its "crimes."
He said that Israel used a policy of "intimidation" to force Palestinians to flee their lands.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that after telling the suspect to stop, and firing warning shots into the air, Israeli forces opened fire on her "lower extremities."
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17% of Gaza's total land area and 35% of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.
He added that although she had not approached the buffer zone that Israeli maintains near the border, Israeli forces had opened fire on her as she walked and killed her.
Qudeih added that "the policy of the enemy is blood," adding that Israel "does not understand anything except the language of resistance."
The woman's relatives told AP she was mentally ill, and assumed she wandered toward the border by mistake.
Abd al-Aziz Qudeih, a leader in the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, condemned the attack, calling upon Palestinian leadership to go the international courts and prosecute Israel for its "crimes."
He said that Israel used a policy of "intimidation" to force Palestinians to flee their lands.
An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an that after telling the suspect to stop, and firing warning shots into the air, Israeli forces opened fire on her "lower extremities."
Israeli forces frequently shoot at farmers and other civilians inside the Gaza Strip if they approach large swathes of land near the border that the Israeli military has deemed off-limits to Palestinians.
The "security buffer zone" extends between 500 meters and 1500 meters into the Strip, effectively turning local farms into no-go zones.
According to UNOCHA, 17% of Gaza's total land area and 35% of its agricultural land were within the buffer zone as of 2010, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 100,000 Gazans.

Amna Qudaih 58
A Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman, said that ambulance teams retrieved the body of 58-year-old Amna Qudaih near the security fence east of Khan Younis on Saturday morning hours after being shot by IOF soldiers. The woman was shot on Friday night but ambulance crews could not reach her due to the seriousness of the conditions near the border area in the dark. She bled to death.
Local sources said that Qudaih suffered from psychological disorders, adding that IOF soldiers in a watchtower fired at her near the border fence to the east of Abasan Al-Kabira village to the east of Khan Younis city.
Missing Gaza woman found killed in Israeli border firing
A Palestinian woman has been found dead after hours of being shot by Israeli forces near the fence east of the border Khan Younis town of Abasan, southern the Gaza Strip. Spokesman for Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra told ALRAY that the ambulances transferred the body of A’mna Qudaih, 58, to the Khan Younsis Nassir Medical Complex.
On Friday evening, Israeli forces fired at Qudaih, who approached the border fence unconsciously having suffered mental disorders, according to her family.
Medical crews tried to locate the body of Qudaih immediately after the incident but failed due to the nightfall and the danger of the buffer zone.
The Israeli intense firing towards the Palestinian woman coincided with launching flare bombs on the area, said ALRAY correspondent in an earlier report.
Eight have been killed, and some 38 injured in separate border shootings and airstrikes since late December 2013, according to Ministry of Health figures.
Most of the casualties sustained injured in Israeli border gunfire during popular Friday protests of the buffer zone which is between 500 and 1500 meters into the Strip.
A Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman, said that ambulance teams retrieved the body of 58-year-old Amna Qudaih near the security fence east of Khan Younis on Saturday morning hours after being shot by IOF soldiers. The woman was shot on Friday night but ambulance crews could not reach her due to the seriousness of the conditions near the border area in the dark. She bled to death.
Local sources said that Qudaih suffered from psychological disorders, adding that IOF soldiers in a watchtower fired at her near the border fence to the east of Abasan Al-Kabira village to the east of Khan Younis city.
Missing Gaza woman found killed in Israeli border firing
A Palestinian woman has been found dead after hours of being shot by Israeli forces near the fence east of the border Khan Younis town of Abasan, southern the Gaza Strip. Spokesman for Health Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra told ALRAY that the ambulances transferred the body of A’mna Qudaih, 58, to the Khan Younsis Nassir Medical Complex.
On Friday evening, Israeli forces fired at Qudaih, who approached the border fence unconsciously having suffered mental disorders, according to her family.
Medical crews tried to locate the body of Qudaih immediately after the incident but failed due to the nightfall and the danger of the buffer zone.
The Israeli intense firing towards the Palestinian woman coincided with launching flare bombs on the area, said ALRAY correspondent in an earlier report.
Eight have been killed, and some 38 injured in separate border shootings and airstrikes since late December 2013, according to Ministry of Health figures.
Most of the casualties sustained injured in Israeli border gunfire during popular Friday protests of the buffer zone which is between 500 and 1500 meters into the Strip.
28 feb 2014
the checkpoint. As a result, she said that Israeli forces used "various riot dispersal means" against the protesters.
Clashes also broke out between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers around Rachel's Tomb near the northern entrance to Bethlehem, as locals protested Thursday's killing.
Dozens were injured by excessive tear gas inhalation during those protests.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment on the clashes.
Earlier, thousands of Palestinians participated in the funeral procession of Muatazz Washaha.
The procession started with a military march in front of the Palestine Medical Complex before he was taken to his uncle's home near Birzeit.
Washaha's body was then carried by masked PFLP members to a local mosque, where he was laid to rest.
Mourners shouted slogans calling for an end to negotiations with Israel and revenge for crimes committed against Palestinians.
Washaha's death came as Amnesty International criticized Israel's killing of dozens of Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank over the past three years.
Clashes also broke out between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers around Rachel's Tomb near the northern entrance to Bethlehem, as locals protested Thursday's killing.
Dozens were injured by excessive tear gas inhalation during those protests.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories could not be reached for comment on the clashes.
Earlier, thousands of Palestinians participated in the funeral procession of Muatazz Washaha.
The procession started with a military march in front of the Palestine Medical Complex before he was taken to his uncle's home near Birzeit.
Washaha's body was then carried by masked PFLP members to a local mosque, where he was laid to rest.
Mourners shouted slogans calling for an end to negotiations with Israel and revenge for crimes committed against Palestinians.
Washaha's death came as Amnesty International criticized Israel's killing of dozens of Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank over the past three years.

Thousands of Palestinians participated in the funeral procession of Muatazz Washaha on Friday, a day after Israeli forces killed him during a siege on his home in Birzeit.
The procession started with a military march in front of the Palestine Medical Complex before he was taken to his uncle's home near Birzeit.
Washaha's body was then carried by masked PFLP members to a local mosque, where he was laid to rest.
Mourners shouted slogans calling for an end to negotiations with Israel and revenge for crimes committed against Palestinians.
Washaha's mother said she would avenge her son's killing and called for a response to Israeli crimes.
On Thursday, the Palestinian Authority condemned the "assassination" and demanded the "provision of international protection to the Palestinian People," arguing that the "crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians."
The statement argued the killing was "deliberate," highlighting that Israeli forces had surrounded the house, evacuated residents, and then shelled the house, knowing Washaha was inside.
Muatazz Washaha was killed in a dawn raid on the central West Bank village of Birzeit after Israeli forces surrounded and shelled his home.
Israeli forces stormed the house and detained his brother, Ramiz Washaha, as well as Fadi Sedqi and Samir al-Qaisi, during the raid. No shots were fired at any point from within the house during the hours-long standoff.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the raid was carried out to arrest an individual suspected of involvement in "terror activity."
Israeli forces have killed 40 Palestinians since the beginning of US-backed negotiations with Israel.
Scores of Palestinians attend funeral of Moataz Washha in Birzeit
Thousands of Palestinians on Friday afternoon marched in the funeral procession of Moataz Washha, who had been killed on Thursday by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during a violent raid on his home in Birzeit town, north of Ramallah city. The Palestinian information center (PIC) reporter in Ramallah said that the funeral of Washha set off from Ramallah hospital ahead of the Friday prayers to his hometown in Birzeit.
Some participants in the funeral chanted slogans vowing to avenge the death of Washha.
The mother of Washha explained to the PIC reporter some of what had happened to the family during the raid.
"The occupation forces raided our home at dawn and asked me to take all my kids out of the house, and I did so, but Moataz stayed in and asked us to leave," she said.
"Then, they started to pressure me to ask my son to turn himself in, and I told them that if they wanted Moataz they could go to him inside, but they refused that and brought a bulldozer that embarked on demolishing the house," the mother added.
"Moataz chose to be martyred rather than get arrested by brutes, and I respect his choice, God's mercy upon him," she said.
The IOF destroyed the house of Washha and killed him during a campaign that started at an early hour Thursday and lasted until afternoon.
The Palestinian Authority security forces had withdrawn from their sites in Birzeit town during the IOF campaign.
The procession started with a military march in front of the Palestine Medical Complex before he was taken to his uncle's home near Birzeit.
Washaha's body was then carried by masked PFLP members to a local mosque, where he was laid to rest.
Mourners shouted slogans calling for an end to negotiations with Israel and revenge for crimes committed against Palestinians.
Washaha's mother said she would avenge her son's killing and called for a response to Israeli crimes.
On Thursday, the Palestinian Authority condemned the "assassination" and demanded the "provision of international protection to the Palestinian People," arguing that the "crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians."
The statement argued the killing was "deliberate," highlighting that Israeli forces had surrounded the house, evacuated residents, and then shelled the house, knowing Washaha was inside.
Muatazz Washaha was killed in a dawn raid on the central West Bank village of Birzeit after Israeli forces surrounded and shelled his home.
Israeli forces stormed the house and detained his brother, Ramiz Washaha, as well as Fadi Sedqi and Samir al-Qaisi, during the raid. No shots were fired at any point from within the house during the hours-long standoff.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the raid was carried out to arrest an individual suspected of involvement in "terror activity."
Israeli forces have killed 40 Palestinians since the beginning of US-backed negotiations with Israel.
Scores of Palestinians attend funeral of Moataz Washha in Birzeit
Thousands of Palestinians on Friday afternoon marched in the funeral procession of Moataz Washha, who had been killed on Thursday by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during a violent raid on his home in Birzeit town, north of Ramallah city. The Palestinian information center (PIC) reporter in Ramallah said that the funeral of Washha set off from Ramallah hospital ahead of the Friday prayers to his hometown in Birzeit.
Some participants in the funeral chanted slogans vowing to avenge the death of Washha.
The mother of Washha explained to the PIC reporter some of what had happened to the family during the raid.
"The occupation forces raided our home at dawn and asked me to take all my kids out of the house, and I did so, but Moataz stayed in and asked us to leave," she said.
"Then, they started to pressure me to ask my son to turn himself in, and I told them that if they wanted Moataz they could go to him inside, but they refused that and brought a bulldozer that embarked on demolishing the house," the mother added.
"Moataz chose to be martyred rather than get arrested by brutes, and I respect his choice, God's mercy upon him," she said.
The IOF destroyed the house of Washha and killed him during a campaign that started at an early hour Thursday and lasted until afternoon.
The Palestinian Authority security forces had withdrawn from their sites in Birzeit town during the IOF campaign.

Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouthi said that Israeli killing crimes against the Palestinians have been escalated since the peace talks started.
40 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since it resumes its negotiations with the Palestinian authority most recently.
Commenting on the recent Israeli killing of Moataz Washha in Birzeit, he said that the Israeli occupation exploits the ongoing negotiations in order to expand settlements and escalate its repression and assaults against the Palestinian people.
He pointed out that Moataz was killed in a cold-blooded crime committed by Israeli forces, considering it an execution with malice aforethought.
Barghouthi called for holding Israeli occupation accountable in International Criminal Court for its continued crimes against Palestinian people under negotiations' cover.
40 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since it resumes its negotiations with the Palestinian authority most recently.
Commenting on the recent Israeli killing of Moataz Washha in Birzeit, he said that the Israeli occupation exploits the ongoing negotiations in order to expand settlements and escalate its repression and assaults against the Palestinian people.
He pointed out that Moataz was killed in a cold-blooded crime committed by Israeli forces, considering it an execution with malice aforethought.
Barghouthi called for holding Israeli occupation accountable in International Criminal Court for its continued crimes against Palestinian people under negotiations' cover.
27 feb 2014

The Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement on Thursday that it will respond to Israeli forces' killing of Muatazz Washaha, 24, during a raid earlier in the day.
The PFLP and its military wing Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said that the "response is undoubtedly coming," vowing to "continue to resist until the occupation is removed from all Palestinian soil."
The PFLP also called upon the Palestinian Authority to end security coordination with Israel, and to "return to the Palestinian people."
The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, condemned the "assassination" in a statement on Thursday and demanded the "provision of international protection to the Palestinian People," arguing that the "crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians."
The statement argued the killing was "deliberate," highlighting that Israeli forces had surrounded the house, evacuated residents, and then shelled the house, knowing Washaha was inside.
The statement said that such actions "undermine peace efforts" and confirm that "the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts."
Muatazz Washaha was killed in a dawn raid on the central West Bank village of Birzeit after Israeli forces surrounded and shelled his home.
Israeli forces stormed the house and detained his brother, Ramiz Washaha, as well as Fadi Sedqi and Samir al-Qaisi, during the raid. No shots were fired at any point from within the house during the hours-long standoff.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the raid was carried out to arrest an individual suspected of involvement in "terror activity."
The Palestinian Government Condemns the Assassination of "Washaha", Demands International Protection to the Palestinian People
The Palestinian Government condemned the assassination of Mutaz Washaha, 25 years old, from Birzeit north of Ramallah Thursday morning by Israeli forces, indicating that this crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.
Government Media Center said in a press release Thursday that the assassination of Washaha is an additional violation against international human right treaties, since Israeli occupation forces deliberately killed him. A troop of Israeli forces surrounded the house, evacuated it from its residents, shelled the house destroying a part of it and then stormed it and killed Washaha.
The Government considers that this action and the continuous killing, detention, house demolitions, settler violations and incitement, undermines peace efforts and confirms that the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts.
The Palestinian government renews its appeal to the international community and human right organizations to bear their responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this dangerous Israeli escalation and daily violations of Palestinian rights, calling for international protection for the Palestinian people.
The PFLP and its military wing Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said that the "response is undoubtedly coming," vowing to "continue to resist until the occupation is removed from all Palestinian soil."
The PFLP also called upon the Palestinian Authority to end security coordination with Israel, and to "return to the Palestinian people."
The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, condemned the "assassination" in a statement on Thursday and demanded the "provision of international protection to the Palestinian People," arguing that the "crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians."
The statement argued the killing was "deliberate," highlighting that Israeli forces had surrounded the house, evacuated residents, and then shelled the house, knowing Washaha was inside.
The statement said that such actions "undermine peace efforts" and confirm that "the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts."
Muatazz Washaha was killed in a dawn raid on the central West Bank village of Birzeit after Israeli forces surrounded and shelled his home.
Israeli forces stormed the house and detained his brother, Ramiz Washaha, as well as Fadi Sedqi and Samir al-Qaisi, during the raid. No shots were fired at any point from within the house during the hours-long standoff.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the raid was carried out to arrest an individual suspected of involvement in "terror activity."
The Palestinian Government Condemns the Assassination of "Washaha", Demands International Protection to the Palestinian People
The Palestinian Government condemned the assassination of Mutaz Washaha, 25 years old, from Birzeit north of Ramallah Thursday morning by Israeli forces, indicating that this crime marks further escalation and an addition to the daily killing practiced by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians.
Government Media Center said in a press release Thursday that the assassination of Washaha is an additional violation against international human right treaties, since Israeli occupation forces deliberately killed him. A troop of Israeli forces surrounded the house, evacuated it from its residents, shelled the house destroying a part of it and then stormed it and killed Washaha.
The Government considers that this action and the continuous killing, detention, house demolitions, settler violations and incitement, undermines peace efforts and confirms that the Israeli government is constantly seeking to foil these efforts.
The Palestinian government renews its appeal to the international community and human right organizations to bear their responsibility and intervene immediately to stop this dangerous Israeli escalation and daily violations of Palestinian rights, calling for international protection for the Palestinian people.
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Israeli forces were reportedly trying to arrest Muatazz' brother, Thaer, who was wanted for being an activist with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
During the dawn raid, Israeli forces stormed the house and detained Thaer's brother, Ramiz, and two other men. It is unclear whether Thaer was in the property at the time of the raid or if he managed to escape. Palestinian firefighters rushed to the scene after the house caught fire as a result of Israeli artillery shelling. Palestinian Authority Minister of Detainees, Issa Qaraqe, said Israeli troops raided Birzeit at around 3 a.m. |
An Israeli army spokeswoman said that Israeli forces raided Birzeit to arrest a man suspected of "terror activity."
"After the suspect was called to turn himself in, he barricaded himself inside his house, effectively resisting arrest. Under the premise that he had weapons in his possession, the forces used different means to compete the arrest, including live fire."
The suspect was found dead in the property, she added.
Israel Kills Palestinian after Demolishing his House in Ramallah
The 25-year-old Palestinian Mutaz Washha was killed after the Israeli forces demolished a house he was in, in Birzet t area north of Ramallah.
PNN reporter in Ramallah said that Israeli forces surrounded Washha's house, and demolished part of it. The forces opened fired toward the house because Washha refused to evacuate it and killed him immediately.
IOF forces demolished the house of the recently released prisoner Thaer Washha, cousin of the Martyr Mutaz.
Clashes erupted in the area between the Palestinian and Israeli forces following the demolition of the house.
Israeli version
Police force kills suspected Palestinian terrorist in West Bank
Special elite force disguised as Arabs raids Palestinian village in search of suspected terrorists; one suspect killed by force after entrenching himself in building for hours.
"After the suspect was called to turn himself in, he barricaded himself inside his house, effectively resisting arrest. Under the premise that he had weapons in his possession, the forces used different means to compete the arrest, including live fire."
The suspect was found dead in the property, she added.
Israel Kills Palestinian after Demolishing his House in Ramallah
The 25-year-old Palestinian Mutaz Washha was killed after the Israeli forces demolished a house he was in, in Birzet t area north of Ramallah.
PNN reporter in Ramallah said that Israeli forces surrounded Washha's house, and demolished part of it. The forces opened fired toward the house because Washha refused to evacuate it and killed him immediately.
IOF forces demolished the house of the recently released prisoner Thaer Washha, cousin of the Martyr Mutaz.
Clashes erupted in the area between the Palestinian and Israeli forces following the demolition of the house.
Israeli version
Police force kills suspected Palestinian terrorist in West Bank
Special elite force disguised as Arabs raids Palestinian village in search of suspected terrorists; one suspect killed by force after entrenching himself in building for hours.

An Israeli soldier fires a tear gas canister during clashes in Hebron
Israeli military forces routinely use "unnecessary, arbitrary and brutal force" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with some killings amounting to war crimes, Amnesty International said Thursday.
In a report entitled 'Trigger-happy', the human rights group says Israeli forces display a "callous disregard" for human life with near total impunity for the killing of Palestinian civilians in cases examined since 2011.
"The report presents a body of evidence that shows a harrowing pattern of unlawful killings and unwarranted injuries of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the West Bank," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.
"The frequency and persistence of arbitrary and abusive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers and police officers – and the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators – suggests that it is carried out as a matter of policy."
Amnesty documented the killing of 22 Palestinians in 2013, 14 of which took place during protests and four of whom were children.
In all cases the civilians killed posed no direct or immediate threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers and there is evidence that some were willfully killed, which would amount to a war crime.
The report presents a case study of the killing of Samir Awad, 16, in the Ramallah village of Budrus, who was shot three times in the back of the head, leg and shoulder as he fled Israeli soldiers in January 2013.
Awad and his friends had tried to stage a protest against Israel's separation wall before being ambushed by Israeli forces and fleeing.
"They shot him first in the leg, yet he managed to run away… how far can an injured child run? They could have easily arrested him… instead they shot him in the back with live ammunition," a friend of Samir told Amnesty.
Samir's killing may amount to an extrajudicial execution, or willful killing, which is considered a war crime under international law, the report added.
Forty-five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since 2011, with peaceful protesters, civilian bystanders, human rights activists and journalists among the victims.
In the same time period, 261 Palestinians, including 67 children, have been seriously injured by live fire, while over 8,500 people, including 1,500 children, have been shot and wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters.
"The staggering numbers of wounded provide a sobering reminder of the relentless daily danger faced by Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank," said Philip Luther.
In many cases several victims were shot in the back, indicating that they posed no genuine threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers and were targeted as they fled.
Israeli investigations into suspected unlawful killings have lacked transparency, impartiality and "proved woefully inadequate."
"Too much civilian blood has been spilled. This long-standing pattern of abuse must be broken. If the Israeli authorities wish to prove to the world they are committed to democratic principles and international human rights standards, unlawful killings and unnecessary use of force must stop now," Luther said.
Israel's army responded to the report by noting a "substantial increase in Palestinian violence" over the past year.
"The IDF holds itself to the highest of professional standards and trains and equips itself as such. When there is any suspicion of wrong doing, or breach of discipline, the IDF reviews, investigates and takes action where appropriate," a statement said.
Israeli military forces routinely use "unnecessary, arbitrary and brutal force" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with some killings amounting to war crimes, Amnesty International said Thursday.
In a report entitled 'Trigger-happy', the human rights group says Israeli forces display a "callous disregard" for human life with near total impunity for the killing of Palestinian civilians in cases examined since 2011.
"The report presents a body of evidence that shows a harrowing pattern of unlawful killings and unwarranted injuries of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the West Bank," said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.
"The frequency and persistence of arbitrary and abusive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers and police officers – and the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators – suggests that it is carried out as a matter of policy."
Amnesty documented the killing of 22 Palestinians in 2013, 14 of which took place during protests and four of whom were children.
In all cases the civilians killed posed no direct or immediate threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers and there is evidence that some were willfully killed, which would amount to a war crime.
The report presents a case study of the killing of Samir Awad, 16, in the Ramallah village of Budrus, who was shot three times in the back of the head, leg and shoulder as he fled Israeli soldiers in January 2013.
Awad and his friends had tried to stage a protest against Israel's separation wall before being ambushed by Israeli forces and fleeing.
"They shot him first in the leg, yet he managed to run away… how far can an injured child run? They could have easily arrested him… instead they shot him in the back with live ammunition," a friend of Samir told Amnesty.
Samir's killing may amount to an extrajudicial execution, or willful killing, which is considered a war crime under international law, the report added.
Forty-five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since 2011, with peaceful protesters, civilian bystanders, human rights activists and journalists among the victims.
In the same time period, 261 Palestinians, including 67 children, have been seriously injured by live fire, while over 8,500 people, including 1,500 children, have been shot and wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas canisters.
"The staggering numbers of wounded provide a sobering reminder of the relentless daily danger faced by Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank," said Philip Luther.
In many cases several victims were shot in the back, indicating that they posed no genuine threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers and were targeted as they fled.
Israeli investigations into suspected unlawful killings have lacked transparency, impartiality and "proved woefully inadequate."
"Too much civilian blood has been spilled. This long-standing pattern of abuse must be broken. If the Israeli authorities wish to prove to the world they are committed to democratic principles and international human rights standards, unlawful killings and unnecessary use of force must stop now," Luther said.
Israel's army responded to the report by noting a "substantial increase in Palestinian violence" over the past year.
"The IDF holds itself to the highest of professional standards and trains and equips itself as such. When there is any suspicion of wrong doing, or breach of discipline, the IDF reviews, investigates and takes action where appropriate," a statement said.
26 feb 2014

Widad Salim Deeb 77
A Palestinian old woman died at Erez (Beit Hanun) crossing in northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday while en route to a hospital in the West Bank.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman in Gaza, told the PIC reporter that 77-year-old Widad Salim Deeb was on her way to Nablus in the West Bank to undergo a heart surgery.
Israeli occupation forces manning Gaza border crossing, Beit Hanun, deliberately humiliate and delay passengers regardless of their conditions and on some occasions try to recruit them as informants.
Sick Gaza Woman Dies at Erez Crossing
A Palestinian woman, sick with a heart disease, died Wednesday morning at Eretz crossing, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra said that Wedad Deeb, 71, died while waiting at the Israeli side of the crossing, adding that she was on her way to a West Bank hospital to get medical treatment.
Al-Qedra did not identified the deceased woman. He explained that she got referred by the ministry to undergo a surgery in a Nablus hospital, northern occupied West Bank.
Restrictions of movement through the Rafah crossing effective since July 2013 have seen referrals of patients to Egypt falling by half and through, according to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Patient permit applications during the second half of 2013 increased by 28.7 per cent compared to the first half of the year, the office stats showed.
It added that eighty-eight per cent of these applications during 2013 were approved, 11.7 per cent delayed and 0.3 per cent denied.
On a related note, the restrictions at Rafah practically halted shipments of medical aid used to be donated by international solidarity groups, which had accounted for 30 per cent of medicines used by the Ministry of Health in Gaza. According to the Palestinian terminal authority in Rafah, there were no shipments of drugs in the second half of 2013 except for a single delivery comprising four truckloads in November, donated by the Union of Arab Physicians in Egypt.
A Palestinian old woman died at Erez (Beit Hanun) crossing in northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday while en route to a hospital in the West Bank.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra, the health ministry spokesman in Gaza, told the PIC reporter that 77-year-old Widad Salim Deeb was on her way to Nablus in the West Bank to undergo a heart surgery.
Israeli occupation forces manning Gaza border crossing, Beit Hanun, deliberately humiliate and delay passengers regardless of their conditions and on some occasions try to recruit them as informants.
Sick Gaza Woman Dies at Erez Crossing
A Palestinian woman, sick with a heart disease, died Wednesday morning at Eretz crossing, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra said that Wedad Deeb, 71, died while waiting at the Israeli side of the crossing, adding that she was on her way to a West Bank hospital to get medical treatment.
Al-Qedra did not identified the deceased woman. He explained that she got referred by the ministry to undergo a surgery in a Nablus hospital, northern occupied West Bank.
Restrictions of movement through the Rafah crossing effective since July 2013 have seen referrals of patients to Egypt falling by half and through, according to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Patient permit applications during the second half of 2013 increased by 28.7 per cent compared to the first half of the year, the office stats showed.
It added that eighty-eight per cent of these applications during 2013 were approved, 11.7 per cent delayed and 0.3 per cent denied.
On a related note, the restrictions at Rafah practically halted shipments of medical aid used to be donated by international solidarity groups, which had accounted for 30 per cent of medicines used by the Ministry of Health in Gaza. According to the Palestinian terminal authority in Rafah, there were no shipments of drugs in the second half of 2013 except for a single delivery comprising four truckloads in November, donated by the Union of Arab Physicians in Egypt.

Hundreds of Palestinian participated on Wednesday night in the funeral of the 47-year old Martyr Jihad Abdulrahman Tawil who passed away on Monday after being assaulted in Beer Sheva prison.
The Martyr’s family received his body from Abu Kabeer hospital at around 8 p.m. Wednesday as the hospital’s administration meant to delay the process of handing the body to his family. He was then transferred to Al-Maqased hospital in Jerusalem and then to his home in Ras Al-Amoud in order to take the last and final look at him.
The funeral started from his house to Al-Aqsa Mosque where Palestinian flags, green banners and Fateh movement flags were raised. Also, slogans in support of the Martyr were chanted as well as others requesting to investigate the circumstances of the assault.
The participants prayed the funeral prayer at Lions Gate – one of Al-Aqsa Gates- after they were prevented from entering Al-Aqsa.
During the funeral, some young men set the police station at Lions Gate on fire and broke the surveillance cameras of the occupation authorities; note that the Israeli forces withdrew from the roads and streets and the police station at Lions Gate and were stationed near a settlement outpost in Ras Al-Amoud.
The family explained that Jihad was arrested at the end of last year to serve a 3-month sentence on charges of driving without a license. During the arrest, an Israeli force broke into the “Dekel” department where he was detained and assaulted him and severely beat him in addition to spraying him with pepper gas causing him serious injuries; note that he has been in the hospital since then.
The family added that the prison’s administration informed the family that they no longer want to detain Jihad and asked them to sign the papers of releasing him and take his personal items but the family refused.
The family also demanded an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident which led to the death of Jihad stressing on the point that he was not suffering from any health problems.
It is noteworthy that the family wanted to burry Jihad on Tuesday but the prison’s administration delayed handing his ID to his family which delayed the funeral, and the administration delayed handing the body on Wednesday causing the funeral to take place at night time.
It is also noteworthy to mention that the Martyr’s brother, Ashraf Tawil, passed away in June 2012 after being stabbed in Tel Aviv.
Clashes in Ras Al-Amoud
Clashes broke out at around 11:30 p.m. in the neighbourhood of Ras Al-Amoud between the young men and Israeli forces which fired sound grenades and rubber bullets. The young men burnt tires and responded with throwing stones.
The Martyr’s family received his body from Abu Kabeer hospital at around 8 p.m. Wednesday as the hospital’s administration meant to delay the process of handing the body to his family. He was then transferred to Al-Maqased hospital in Jerusalem and then to his home in Ras Al-Amoud in order to take the last and final look at him.
The funeral started from his house to Al-Aqsa Mosque where Palestinian flags, green banners and Fateh movement flags were raised. Also, slogans in support of the Martyr were chanted as well as others requesting to investigate the circumstances of the assault.
The participants prayed the funeral prayer at Lions Gate – one of Al-Aqsa Gates- after they were prevented from entering Al-Aqsa.
During the funeral, some young men set the police station at Lions Gate on fire and broke the surveillance cameras of the occupation authorities; note that the Israeli forces withdrew from the roads and streets and the police station at Lions Gate and were stationed near a settlement outpost in Ras Al-Amoud.
The family explained that Jihad was arrested at the end of last year to serve a 3-month sentence on charges of driving without a license. During the arrest, an Israeli force broke into the “Dekel” department where he was detained and assaulted him and severely beat him in addition to spraying him with pepper gas causing him serious injuries; note that he has been in the hospital since then.
The family added that the prison’s administration informed the family that they no longer want to detain Jihad and asked them to sign the papers of releasing him and take his personal items but the family refused.
The family also demanded an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident which led to the death of Jihad stressing on the point that he was not suffering from any health problems.
It is noteworthy that the family wanted to burry Jihad on Tuesday but the prison’s administration delayed handing his ID to his family which delayed the funeral, and the administration delayed handing the body on Wednesday causing the funeral to take place at night time.
It is also noteworthy to mention that the Martyr’s brother, Ashraf Tawil, passed away in June 2012 after being stabbed in Tel Aviv.
Clashes in Ras Al-Amoud
Clashes broke out at around 11:30 p.m. in the neighbourhood of Ras Al-Amoud between the young men and Israeli forces which fired sound grenades and rubber bullets. The young men burnt tires and responded with throwing stones.
25 feb 2014
Al-Taweel passed out during the assault, the relative said.
A week after al-Taweel was hospitalized, the Israeli prison service had asked his family to sign discharge papers, but the family refused to sign until they could ensure his situation had stabilized enough for him to be discharged.
The relative said that al-Taweel, who was a father of five, was serving a three-month sentence in Beersheba prison after Israeli police caught him driving a vehicle without a driver's license.
Detainee Dies Of Injuries Suffered After Soldiers Attacked Him In Prison
A Palestinian detainee from occupied Jerusalem died in an Israeli hospital of injuries suffered nearly two weeks ago, after Israeli soldiers violently assaulted him while at the Beersheba Israeli prison.
Detainee Jihad Abdul-Rahman at-Tawil, 47, was held in the Dekel section of the Beersheba Israeli prison, when Israeli soldiers attacked him, and violently struck him with batons in addition to spraying him with gas.
His brother, Sharif, said Jihad died at midnight at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba after succumbing to his serious wounds, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan, has reported.
Sharif added that his brother was serving a three-month term for “driving a car without a permit.”
His brother lost consciousness after being assaulted by the soldiers and fell into a coma until he was pronounced dead.
Sharif added that his brother was kidnapped in late December of 2013, and that Israel was about to release him before he was assaulted and seriously wounded.
He was supposed to be moved to surgery on Sunday February 23rd.
Jihad is from Ras al-’Amoud neighborhood in Silwan town, in occupied East Jerusalem; he is a married father of five children.
A week after al-Taweel was hospitalized, the Israeli prison service had asked his family to sign discharge papers, but the family refused to sign until they could ensure his situation had stabilized enough for him to be discharged.
The relative said that al-Taweel, who was a father of five, was serving a three-month sentence in Beersheba prison after Israeli police caught him driving a vehicle without a driver's license.
Detainee Dies Of Injuries Suffered After Soldiers Attacked Him In Prison
A Palestinian detainee from occupied Jerusalem died in an Israeli hospital of injuries suffered nearly two weeks ago, after Israeli soldiers violently assaulted him while at the Beersheba Israeli prison.
Detainee Jihad Abdul-Rahman at-Tawil, 47, was held in the Dekel section of the Beersheba Israeli prison, when Israeli soldiers attacked him, and violently struck him with batons in addition to spraying him with gas.
His brother, Sharif, said Jihad died at midnight at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba after succumbing to his serious wounds, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, in Silwan, has reported.
Sharif added that his brother was serving a three-month term for “driving a car without a permit.”
His brother lost consciousness after being assaulted by the soldiers and fell into a coma until he was pronounced dead.
Sharif added that his brother was kidnapped in late December of 2013, and that Israel was about to release him before he was assaulted and seriously wounded.
He was supposed to be moved to surgery on Sunday February 23rd.
Jihad is from Ras al-’Amoud neighborhood in Silwan town, in occupied East Jerusalem; he is a married father of five children.

Four Palestinians suspected of involvement in killing a man in Yatta south of Hebron have fled to an Israeli military camp that has refused to hand them to the Palestinian Authority, police said.
The four suspects are accused of killing Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, from Yatta earlier on Monday.
"The Israeli army, which is protecting the suspects, claimed that the four are Israeli soldiers who entered the camp in civilian outfits and are under (its) protection," a police statement said.
The statement explained that al-Ardah was struck with an iron rod and was taken to a hospital where he pronounced dead on arrival. After initial investigations four people who had argued with the man were sought but they fled to an Israeli military camp in Masafer Yatta, it said.
“It was not enough for the Israeli army to commit organized crime against our people … Now they work on harboring fugitives,” the statement concluded.
An Israeli military spokesman responded that eight people were detained and taken for questioning after an incident in a nearby town but did not elaborate.
The spokesman referred further inquiries to a police spokesman who did not immediately return calls late Monday.
The four suspects are accused of killing Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, from Yatta earlier on Monday.
"The Israeli army, which is protecting the suspects, claimed that the four are Israeli soldiers who entered the camp in civilian outfits and are under (its) protection," a police statement said.
The statement explained that al-Ardah was struck with an iron rod and was taken to a hospital where he pronounced dead on arrival. After initial investigations four people who had argued with the man were sought but they fled to an Israeli military camp in Masafer Yatta, it said.
“It was not enough for the Israeli army to commit organized crime against our people … Now they work on harboring fugitives,” the statement concluded.
An Israeli military spokesman responded that eight people were detained and taken for questioning after an incident in a nearby town but did not elaborate.
The spokesman referred further inquiries to a police spokesman who did not immediately return calls late Monday.
24 feb 2014

Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah 44
A man was killed on Monday as part of an ongoing clan feud in the southern West Bank town of Yatta, locals told Ma'an.
Witnesses said that Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, was beaten to death by unidentified assailants in relation to a family feud which started over a month ago.
Palestinian Authority security forces have been moved into the city to keep order and prevent revenge attacks between the families.
A man was killed on Monday as part of an ongoing clan feud in the southern West Bank town of Yatta, locals told Ma'an.
Witnesses said that Ali Ismail Ibrahim al-Adrah, 44, was beaten to death by unidentified assailants in relation to a family feud which started over a month ago.
Palestinian Authority security forces have been moved into the city to keep order and prevent revenge attacks between the families.