23 oct 2014
and Expected Suspension of Health Services at UAE Red Crescent Hospital
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) warns of the disastrous and grave deterioration that may affect the Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip due to the lack of fuel that is necessary to operate electricity generators as an alternative power supply in light of prolonged outages.
PCHR calls upon the Palestinian President and government to immediately intervene to ensure the prompt supply of fuel needed for the operation of generators in health facilities in the Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, hospitals, clinics and first aid centers suffer a real crisis due to the lack of diesel needed for the operation of generators, especially the UAE Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, which may stop offering medical services within hours because it has run out of the diesel used for generators.
Health facilities of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip have been suffering a real crisis due to the stoppage of the power plant that was bombarded by Israeli forces on 28 July 2014.
There is an acute shortage of diesel used for generators at hospitals, clinics and first aid centers in light of the power outages.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedrah, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, stated to PCHR that "the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip suffers due to the aggravating fuel crisis in all health facilities.
The Ministry's fuel reservoir is only sufficient for a maximum of two days."
He added that "efforts exercised by the Ministry have helped delaying this crisis for hours or 2 days in some hospitals."
Al-Qedra explained that "the financial donation made by a number of the Ministry's donors ended by the beginning of October 2014 and there is no sufficient funds to buy fuel for hospitals and health facilities in the Gaza Strip."
According to Dr. al-Qedra, The Gaza Strip health facilities need approximately 700,000 liters monthly; a daily average of 23,000 – 25,000 liters, in light of the frequent power outages."
Dr. al-Qedra said that "the lives of thousands of patients would be at stake if the health facilities stopped offering health services, including 113 nurseries in the Gaza Strip hospitals; over 100 patients in the intensive care units; 500 patients suffering from renal failure and use 88 dialysis machines 3 days a week; departments of birth, emergency rooms; 45 operation rooms, 11 of which are used for Caesarean section; and 5 central blood banks, as they all depend on electricity."
Dr Walid Abu Madhi, the director of the UAE Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, told PCHR that the fuel crisis started on Monday, 20 October 2014. The hospital had 300 liters of fuel, which is barely sufficient for operating generators for 12 hours in light of the power outage.
The hospital is threatened to stop working in case the 1000 liters of fuel, which the Ministry of Health provided, runs out. The aforementioned amount of fuel will serve the needs of the hospital for only three days.
Dr Madhi confirmed that when the fuel runs out, the hospital, which is the only birth and child care center in Rafah, will shut down. Hence, the services, which the hospital provides for 600 monthly births, 2,500 monthly pregnancy cases, 1,600 patients, and 400 preterm births, will no longer be available.
PCHR expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of the health conditions of the Palestinian patients. Therefore, PCHR:
1. Calls upon president Mahmoud Abbas to immediately intervene with the Ministry of Health to ensure prompt supply of fules for health facilities in the Gaza Strip; and
2. Calls for coordination between the departments of the Ministry of Health in Ramallah and Gaza, especially in the light of the atmosphere of reconciliation and the formation of a Palestinian unity government, which is hoped to effectively assume its responsibilities and ensure the right of health, incuding the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Public Document
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) warns of the disastrous and grave deterioration that may affect the Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip due to the lack of fuel that is necessary to operate electricity generators as an alternative power supply in light of prolonged outages.
PCHR calls upon the Palestinian President and government to immediately intervene to ensure the prompt supply of fuel needed for the operation of generators in health facilities in the Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, hospitals, clinics and first aid centers suffer a real crisis due to the lack of diesel needed for the operation of generators, especially the UAE Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, which may stop offering medical services within hours because it has run out of the diesel used for generators.
Health facilities of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip have been suffering a real crisis due to the stoppage of the power plant that was bombarded by Israeli forces on 28 July 2014.
There is an acute shortage of diesel used for generators at hospitals, clinics and first aid centers in light of the power outages.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedrah, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, stated to PCHR that "the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip suffers due to the aggravating fuel crisis in all health facilities.
The Ministry's fuel reservoir is only sufficient for a maximum of two days."
He added that "efforts exercised by the Ministry have helped delaying this crisis for hours or 2 days in some hospitals."
Al-Qedra explained that "the financial donation made by a number of the Ministry's donors ended by the beginning of October 2014 and there is no sufficient funds to buy fuel for hospitals and health facilities in the Gaza Strip."
According to Dr. al-Qedra, The Gaza Strip health facilities need approximately 700,000 liters monthly; a daily average of 23,000 – 25,000 liters, in light of the frequent power outages."
Dr. al-Qedra said that "the lives of thousands of patients would be at stake if the health facilities stopped offering health services, including 113 nurseries in the Gaza Strip hospitals; over 100 patients in the intensive care units; 500 patients suffering from renal failure and use 88 dialysis machines 3 days a week; departments of birth, emergency rooms; 45 operation rooms, 11 of which are used for Caesarean section; and 5 central blood banks, as they all depend on electricity."
Dr Walid Abu Madhi, the director of the UAE Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, told PCHR that the fuel crisis started on Monday, 20 October 2014. The hospital had 300 liters of fuel, which is barely sufficient for operating generators for 12 hours in light of the power outage.
The hospital is threatened to stop working in case the 1000 liters of fuel, which the Ministry of Health provided, runs out. The aforementioned amount of fuel will serve the needs of the hospital for only three days.
Dr Madhi confirmed that when the fuel runs out, the hospital, which is the only birth and child care center in Rafah, will shut down. Hence, the services, which the hospital provides for 600 monthly births, 2,500 monthly pregnancy cases, 1,600 patients, and 400 preterm births, will no longer be available.
PCHR expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of the health conditions of the Palestinian patients. Therefore, PCHR:
1. Calls upon president Mahmoud Abbas to immediately intervene with the Ministry of Health to ensure prompt supply of fules for health facilities in the Gaza Strip; and
2. Calls for coordination between the departments of the Ministry of Health in Ramallah and Gaza, especially in the light of the atmosphere of reconciliation and the formation of a Palestinian unity government, which is hoped to effectively assume its responsibilities and ensure the right of health, incuding the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Public Document
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
Table of Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City in September 2014
Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (1 – 30 September 2014), including 18 shooting incidents that resulted in the injury of a fishermen while fishing.
4 chasing incidents that led to the arrest of 11 fishermen; and confiscation of 4 fishing boats and 22 pieces of fishing nets belonging to Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli naval forces did not comply with the ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian auspices on 26 August 2014.
This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail within 6 nautical miles in the Gaza Sea.
According to PCHR's investigations, all attacks took place within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their livelihoods.
Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for its rights, including every person's right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant.
Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living. Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:
First: Shooting Incidents
During the reporting period, PCHR documented 18 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. As a result, a fisherman was injured.
- On 17 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the coastal borderline, northwest of al-Sayafa area, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a group of fishermen who were near the Access Restricted Area (ARA).
As a result, Jom'aah Ahmed Mohammed Zayed (69), from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg cutting one of the veins.
It should be mentioned that Zayed was standing 200 meters away from the coastal border fence and directing his sons, who were fishing inside the waters.
He was taken to Kamal 'Ewan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive medical treatment and was then transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City where medical sources described his injury as moderate.
Second: Arrest of Fishermen:
PCHR documented incidents in which Israeli naval forces arrested and chased 11 fishermen while they were sailing within about 1.5 nautical mile off northern Gaza and Gaza City shore.
- At approximately 06:30 on 03 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by Mohammed Ishaq Mohammed Zayed (18) and Mousa Talal 'Ata al-Sultan (24), both from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing around 800 meters inside the waters.
The Israeli naval soldiers forced the two fishermen to stop fishing, jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat.
The Israeli soldiers then arrested them and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 05:00 on 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by Tariq and 'Issam 'Abdel Bari Mohammed al-Sultan (18) and (21) respectively, both from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing 1.5 nautical mile off the Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli naval soldiers surrounded the boat and arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 06:30 on 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a boat boarded by Bahaa' Yousif Mohammed al-Sultan (25) and Ahmed As'ad Mohammed al-Sultan (22), both from -Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing 1.5 nautical mile off the Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli naval soldiers arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 15:00 on 22 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing off al-Zahra shore, southwest of Gaza City.
The gunboats then surrounded a fishing boat boarded by 5 fishermen from al-Shati refugee camp.
The Israeli naval troops forced the five fishermen to stop fishing, jump into the water and swim to the Israeli gunboat.
The Israeli naval soldiers then tied the fishermen's hands and arrested them taking them to Ashdod Seaport.
At approximately 08:00 on the next day, the Israeli forces released the fishermen, but kept their boat and fishing equipment in custody.
The fishermen were identified as: Sofian Mohyi al-Deen Kollab (47); Mohammed Yousif Abu 'Odah (24); Mustafa Haidar Abu 'Odah (25); Ahmed Ziyad al-Sharif (32). and 'Abdel Rahim Abu Selmiyah (30).
Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats
During the reporting period, PCHR documented chasing incidents and confiscation of 4 fishing boats and other fishing equipment (pieces of fishing nets).
- On 03 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by two fishermen sailing off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli gunboats then surrounded the boat and arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and fishing net.
- On 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by two fishermen. They arrested the fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of their fishing net.
- On 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and then surrounded a fishing boat.
The Israeli naval soldiers arrested two fishermen from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net
Israeli Naval forces continued to carry out attacks on Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period[1] (1 – 30 September 2014), including 18 shooting incidents that resulted in the injury of a fishermen while fishing.
4 chasing incidents that led to the arrest of 11 fishermen; and confiscation of 4 fishing boats and 22 pieces of fishing nets belonging to Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli naval forces did not comply with the ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under Egyptian auspices on 26 August 2014.
This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail within 6 nautical miles in the Gaza Sea.
According to PCHR's investigations, all attacks took place within the distance of 6 nautical miles, which proves that Israeli forces' policies aim to tighten restrictions on the Gaza Strip's fishermen and their livelihoods.
Violations of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen, who do not pose any threat to Israeli soldiers, in the Gaza Strip constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, relevant to the protection of the civilian population and respect for its rights, including every person's right to work, and the right to life, liberty and security of person, as codified in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), despite the fact that Israel is a State Party to the Covenant.
Furthermore, these attacks occurred in a time where the fishers did not pose any threat to the Israeli naval troops, as they were doing their job to secure a living. Israeli violations in the reporting period were as follows:
First: Shooting Incidents
During the reporting period, PCHR documented 18 cases in which Israeli forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza Strip shore. As a result, a fisherman was injured.
- On 17 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers along the coastal borderline, northwest of al-Sayafa area, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a group of fishermen who were near the Access Restricted Area (ARA).
As a result, Jom'aah Ahmed Mohammed Zayed (69), from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg cutting one of the veins.
It should be mentioned that Zayed was standing 200 meters away from the coastal border fence and directing his sons, who were fishing inside the waters.
He was taken to Kamal 'Ewan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive medical treatment and was then transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City where medical sources described his injury as moderate.
Second: Arrest of Fishermen:
PCHR documented incidents in which Israeli naval forces arrested and chased 11 fishermen while they were sailing within about 1.5 nautical mile off northern Gaza and Gaza City shore.
- At approximately 06:30 on 03 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by Mohammed Ishaq Mohammed Zayed (18) and Mousa Talal 'Ata al-Sultan (24), both from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing around 800 meters inside the waters.
The Israeli naval soldiers forced the two fishermen to stop fishing, jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat.
The Israeli soldiers then arrested them and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 05:00 on 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by Tariq and 'Issam 'Abdel Bari Mohammed al-Sultan (18) and (21) respectively, both from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing 1.5 nautical mile off the Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli naval soldiers surrounded the boat and arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 06:30 on 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip.
An Israeli gunboat surrounded a boat boarded by Bahaa' Yousif Mohammed al-Sultan (25) and Ahmed As'ad Mohammed al-Sultan (22), both from -Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia, while sailing 1.5 nautical mile off the Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli naval soldiers arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net.
- At approximately 15:00 on 22 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing off al-Zahra shore, southwest of Gaza City.
The gunboats then surrounded a fishing boat boarded by 5 fishermen from al-Shati refugee camp.
The Israeli naval troops forced the five fishermen to stop fishing, jump into the water and swim to the Israeli gunboat.
The Israeli naval soldiers then tied the fishermen's hands and arrested them taking them to Ashdod Seaport.
At approximately 08:00 on the next day, the Israeli forces released the fishermen, but kept their boat and fishing equipment in custody.
The fishermen were identified as: Sofian Mohyi al-Deen Kollab (47); Mohammed Yousif Abu 'Odah (24); Mustafa Haidar Abu 'Odah (25); Ahmed Ziyad al-Sharif (32). and 'Abdel Rahim Abu Selmiyah (30).
Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats
During the reporting period, PCHR documented chasing incidents and confiscation of 4 fishing boats and other fishing equipment (pieces of fishing nets).
- On 03 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by two fishermen sailing off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli gunboats then surrounded the boat and arrested the two fishermen and confiscated their boat and fishing net.
- On 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off Beit Lahia shore.
The Israeli gunboat surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by two fishermen. They arrested the fishermen and confiscated their boat and pieces of their fishing net.
- On 09 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and then surrounded a fishing boat.
The Israeli naval soldiers arrested two fishermen from al-Salateen neighborhood in Beit Lahia and confiscated their boat and pieces of fishing net
17 oct 2014
The Palestinian Centre For Human Rights (PCHR) published its weekly report on Israeli violations against the Palestinians in occupied Palestine in the period between October 2 to October 14. The report is for two weeks, instead of the usual weekly report.
The soldiers carried out 55 invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and kidnapped 51 Palestinians, including six children.
13 of the kidnapped Palestinians, including three children, have been kidnapped in occupied Jerusalem.
The PCHR said that two Palestinians died of wounds suffered during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, while the army continued to open fire on border areas in the coastal region, and continued to attack Palestinian fishermen.
It said seven Palestinians, including two children and a woman, were shot by army fire in a number of Israeli violations, while three children were wounded when an unspent concussion grenade detonated after they found it.
Israel settlers continued their attacks against the Palestinians, cut, uprooted and burned at least 124 olive trees in the northern part of the West Bank.
The settlers also burnt a mosque in ‘Aqraba town, southeast of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Israel also continued to the excessive use of force against nonviolent protests against the Annexation Wall and settlements in the occupied West Bank, while one child and a cameraman of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlement in Nabi Saleh village, near Ramallah, were injured.
The soldiers installed dozens of roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and obstructed traffic while searching cars and interrogating the passengers and inspecting their ID cards.
At least five Palestinians, including a child, have been taken prisoner on Israeli military roadblocks in the West Bank.
Israeli navy boats continued the violations against fishermen in Gaza territorial waters, and opened fire at fishing boats at least five times, in northern and southern Gaza.
Attacks Against Nonviolent Protests
The army continued the use of excessive force against nonviolent protests against the Wall and Settlements in the West Bank, and attacked dozens of locals, Israel and international peace activists.
While military attacks are ongoing, fanatic Israeli settlers continued their assaults against the Palestinian, their lands, property and their holy sites, while the Israeli government continued to overlook the assaults and continues to keep the assaults uninvestigated.
Israel Military Assaults
Two Palestinians, who were seriously injured during the Israeli aggression on Gaza, have died from their wounds, while 12 Palestinians, including six children and a young woman, have bee injured in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip:
Medical sources said on October 10, 2014, that a Palestinian identified as Arafat Soheil Tafesh, 30, from Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City, died of wounds suffered on July 30, during the heavy Israeli bombardment of the densely populated area, instantly killing 30 and wounding hundreds of Palestinians.
On October 11, another Palestinian died at a hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, of wounds suffered on August 3 when the soldiers fired a missile at the entrance of the Rafah School for Boys, run the UNRWA.
The school was turned into a temporary shelter during the aggression.
The slain Palestinian has been identified as Abdul-Rahman Jamal Abu Lebda, 50.
On October 11, a Palestinian worker was shot and wounded while collected stones and iron close to the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza.
The soldiers used automatic fire against many workers; the wounded man suffered a moderate injury and was moved to a hospital in Beit Lahia.
Attacks against fishermen in Gaza
On October 10 2014, the Israeli navy opened fire on Palestinian boats, northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, and Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
On October 11, the navy opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats also northwest of Beit Lahia.
On October 13, the navy targeted boats near the Rafah shore, and fired missiles at boats close to the Egyptian border, no injuries were reported.
West Bank:
Four Palestinians, including two children, were shot and wounded by army fire when several Israeli military jeeps invaded the city to accompany Israeli settlers to the Joseph Tomb in the city.
Clashes took place following the invasion, especially east of Nablus and the center of the city.
All wounded were shot by rounds of live ammunition.
On October 14, one Palestinian was shot in the face and nose by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by the soldiers while invading the al-‘Far’a refugee camp, south of the central West Bank city of Tubas.
A woman, pregnant in her seventh month, suffered various injuries to the chest when the soldiers threw a concussion grenade into her home, causing windows to shatter all over the place. She was moved to a local hospital.
On the same say, three children were injured east of Beit Ummar, north of the southern West bank city of Hebron, after the soldiers threw a concussion grenade at them as they played near their home. The children are 8-10 years of age.
On October 15, a young Palestinian woman was shot and injured by army fire in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, after dozens of settlers stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque while hundreds of soldiers were deployed in the area preventing Muslim worshipers from entering the mosque area, or even close to it.
The woman, 22, was shot in her back, while her brother, 17, suffered a broken leg.
The use of force against nonviolent protesters
The soldiers continued to violently attack nonviolent Palestinian, international and Israeli peace activists protesting against the Wall and Settlement in the West Bank.
A child, 15, was struck by a concussion grenade to the face, many protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, while the soldiers also used pepper-spray against many protesters.
The PCHR said the soldiers are ongoing with home invasions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and continued to assault abuse and terrorize the residents in their own homes, in addition to causing serious property damage, including detonated doors and deliberately smashing furniture and electronics.
During the invasions, the soldiers confined men in a room, and women in a separate room, for several hours while searching their homes.
At least one home was partially burnt due to Israeli concussion grenades.
Settlements and Settler Attacks
Fanatic Israeli settlers continued to attack the Palestinians and their property in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and occupied Jerusalem. The attacks also targeted mosques.
On October 2, Israel handed a resident a military order forcing him to demolish his home under the pretext of being built without a permit near Hebron, and gave him seven days to comply.
On October 9, dozens of soldiers, bulldozers and vehicles invaded an agricultural land west of Bethlehem, and uprooted more than three Dunams close to Daniel illegal settlement near al-Khader in the Bethlehem district.
The soldiers placed a sign stating Israel will be building a public garden for Jewish settlers in the area.
On October 10, the soldiers ordered a Palestinian shepherd, in Khirbit Um Sarara, near Hebron, to remove his residential tent and his barn.
On October 6, fanatic settlers living in an illegal outpost near Burin village south of Nablus, cut 15 olive trees, and harvested around 400 Palestinian olive trees.
On October 7, the settlers attacked a Palestinian man was working on his land, and harvesting his olive trees, near Burin.
The man was injured after the settler threw stones at him, while Israeli soldiers failed to act.
On October 10, a group of settlers attacked lands belonging to Yasouf residents, near Salfit, and burnt many olive trees after pouring gasoline on them and surrounding them with car tires. They also cut nearly six more olive trees.
On the same day, settlers cut dozens of olive trees in the same area, while the soldiers prevented the villagers from reaching their lands.
Another settler group also burnt around 100 olive trees in the Eastern Mountain area of Marda village, near Salfit.
On October 11, settlers attacked a woman from Yasouf village, causing various cuts and bruises. She and her husband were picking olive trees in their own orchard.
On the same day, a teenager, and his child brother were wounded after the settlers struck them with clubs and batons while herding sheep in Yatta, near Hebron.
On October 14, fanatic settlers burnt a mosque in ‘Aqraba town, southeast of Nablus.
On October 12, Israeli settlers attempted to kidnap a 4-year-old Palestinian child in occupied East Jerusalem, as he was standing at the entrance of the building where his family resides.
Siege and restrictions on Freedom of Movement
Israel continued its illegitimate siege on the occupied territories, choking the Palestinian economy, and causing more hardships.
The siege included cutting, and limiting, imports and exports, and the entry of basic humanitarian supplies in Gaza, while similar restrictions remain in effects on the travel of West Bank Palestinians and their ability to import and export goods and supplies.
As the West Bank continues to be fragmented by the Wall, settlements and roadblocks, around 1.8 Million Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer from the ongoing and deadly Israeli siege.
Israel continues to restrict the entry of basic supplies, keeping border terminals closed, and only opening them for a few hours of certain days.
The PCHR calls on the International Community to act on ending the illegitimate Israel occupation of Palestine, ending the deadly siege on Gaza, and to stop Israel's settlement construction and expansion activities.
It said the siege on Gaza is collective punishment that violate all international treaties and laws, including the Geneva Conventions and all agreements regarding the rights of persons living under occupation. (hundreds of Palestinian patients died due to the siege.)
The PCHR calls on the European Union, the United Nations, and various countries around the world to ensure Israel abides by International Law, and to ensure the full implementation of the Palestinian rights of independence and liberty.
It said the International Community must act on implementing all laws and treaties, and to impose sanctions on Israel for its ongoing crimes and violations, and demanded the UN to provide guarantees preventing Israel from repeating its wars and aggressions against the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip.
The PCHR added that all countries, signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention, must prosecute war criminals regardless of their nationalities or the locations of their crimes, to ensure prosecuting all Israeli war criminals who are committing their crimes with impunity.
** A Link to the full PCHR Report in English will be provided once the PCHR publishes it.
The soldiers carried out 55 invasions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and kidnapped 51 Palestinians, including six children.
13 of the kidnapped Palestinians, including three children, have been kidnapped in occupied Jerusalem.
The PCHR said that two Palestinians died of wounds suffered during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, while the army continued to open fire on border areas in the coastal region, and continued to attack Palestinian fishermen.
It said seven Palestinians, including two children and a woman, were shot by army fire in a number of Israeli violations, while three children were wounded when an unspent concussion grenade detonated after they found it.
Israel settlers continued their attacks against the Palestinians, cut, uprooted and burned at least 124 olive trees in the northern part of the West Bank.
The settlers also burnt a mosque in ‘Aqraba town, southeast of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Israel also continued to the excessive use of force against nonviolent protests against the Annexation Wall and settlements in the occupied West Bank, while one child and a cameraman of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlement in Nabi Saleh village, near Ramallah, were injured.
The soldiers installed dozens of roadblocks in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and obstructed traffic while searching cars and interrogating the passengers and inspecting their ID cards.
At least five Palestinians, including a child, have been taken prisoner on Israeli military roadblocks in the West Bank.
Israeli navy boats continued the violations against fishermen in Gaza territorial waters, and opened fire at fishing boats at least five times, in northern and southern Gaza.
Attacks Against Nonviolent Protests
The army continued the use of excessive force against nonviolent protests against the Wall and Settlements in the West Bank, and attacked dozens of locals, Israel and international peace activists.
While military attacks are ongoing, fanatic Israeli settlers continued their assaults against the Palestinian, their lands, property and their holy sites, while the Israeli government continued to overlook the assaults and continues to keep the assaults uninvestigated.
Israel Military Assaults
Two Palestinians, who were seriously injured during the Israeli aggression on Gaza, have died from their wounds, while 12 Palestinians, including six children and a young woman, have bee injured in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip:
Medical sources said on October 10, 2014, that a Palestinian identified as Arafat Soheil Tafesh, 30, from Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City, died of wounds suffered on July 30, during the heavy Israeli bombardment of the densely populated area, instantly killing 30 and wounding hundreds of Palestinians.
On October 11, another Palestinian died at a hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, of wounds suffered on August 3 when the soldiers fired a missile at the entrance of the Rafah School for Boys, run the UNRWA.
The school was turned into a temporary shelter during the aggression.
The slain Palestinian has been identified as Abdul-Rahman Jamal Abu Lebda, 50.
On October 11, a Palestinian worker was shot and wounded while collected stones and iron close to the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza.
The soldiers used automatic fire against many workers; the wounded man suffered a moderate injury and was moved to a hospital in Beit Lahia.
Attacks against fishermen in Gaza
On October 10 2014, the Israeli navy opened fire on Palestinian boats, northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, and Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
On October 11, the navy opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats also northwest of Beit Lahia.
On October 13, the navy targeted boats near the Rafah shore, and fired missiles at boats close to the Egyptian border, no injuries were reported.
West Bank:
Four Palestinians, including two children, were shot and wounded by army fire when several Israeli military jeeps invaded the city to accompany Israeli settlers to the Joseph Tomb in the city.
Clashes took place following the invasion, especially east of Nablus and the center of the city.
All wounded were shot by rounds of live ammunition.
On October 14, one Palestinian was shot in the face and nose by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by the soldiers while invading the al-‘Far’a refugee camp, south of the central West Bank city of Tubas.
A woman, pregnant in her seventh month, suffered various injuries to the chest when the soldiers threw a concussion grenade into her home, causing windows to shatter all over the place. She was moved to a local hospital.
On the same say, three children were injured east of Beit Ummar, north of the southern West bank city of Hebron, after the soldiers threw a concussion grenade at them as they played near their home. The children are 8-10 years of age.
On October 15, a young Palestinian woman was shot and injured by army fire in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem, after dozens of settlers stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque while hundreds of soldiers were deployed in the area preventing Muslim worshipers from entering the mosque area, or even close to it.
The woman, 22, was shot in her back, while her brother, 17, suffered a broken leg.
The use of force against nonviolent protesters
The soldiers continued to violently attack nonviolent Palestinian, international and Israeli peace activists protesting against the Wall and Settlement in the West Bank.
A child, 15, was struck by a concussion grenade to the face, many protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, while the soldiers also used pepper-spray against many protesters.
The PCHR said the soldiers are ongoing with home invasions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and continued to assault abuse and terrorize the residents in their own homes, in addition to causing serious property damage, including detonated doors and deliberately smashing furniture and electronics.
During the invasions, the soldiers confined men in a room, and women in a separate room, for several hours while searching their homes.
At least one home was partially burnt due to Israeli concussion grenades.
Settlements and Settler Attacks
Fanatic Israeli settlers continued to attack the Palestinians and their property in different parts of the occupied West Bank, and occupied Jerusalem. The attacks also targeted mosques.
On October 2, Israel handed a resident a military order forcing him to demolish his home under the pretext of being built without a permit near Hebron, and gave him seven days to comply.
On October 9, dozens of soldiers, bulldozers and vehicles invaded an agricultural land west of Bethlehem, and uprooted more than three Dunams close to Daniel illegal settlement near al-Khader in the Bethlehem district.
The soldiers placed a sign stating Israel will be building a public garden for Jewish settlers in the area.
On October 10, the soldiers ordered a Palestinian shepherd, in Khirbit Um Sarara, near Hebron, to remove his residential tent and his barn.
On October 6, fanatic settlers living in an illegal outpost near Burin village south of Nablus, cut 15 olive trees, and harvested around 400 Palestinian olive trees.
On October 7, the settlers attacked a Palestinian man was working on his land, and harvesting his olive trees, near Burin.
The man was injured after the settler threw stones at him, while Israeli soldiers failed to act.
On October 10, a group of settlers attacked lands belonging to Yasouf residents, near Salfit, and burnt many olive trees after pouring gasoline on them and surrounding them with car tires. They also cut nearly six more olive trees.
On the same day, settlers cut dozens of olive trees in the same area, while the soldiers prevented the villagers from reaching their lands.
Another settler group also burnt around 100 olive trees in the Eastern Mountain area of Marda village, near Salfit.
On October 11, settlers attacked a woman from Yasouf village, causing various cuts and bruises. She and her husband were picking olive trees in their own orchard.
On the same day, a teenager, and his child brother were wounded after the settlers struck them with clubs and batons while herding sheep in Yatta, near Hebron.
On October 14, fanatic settlers burnt a mosque in ‘Aqraba town, southeast of Nablus.
On October 12, Israeli settlers attempted to kidnap a 4-year-old Palestinian child in occupied East Jerusalem, as he was standing at the entrance of the building where his family resides.
Siege and restrictions on Freedom of Movement
Israel continued its illegitimate siege on the occupied territories, choking the Palestinian economy, and causing more hardships.
The siege included cutting, and limiting, imports and exports, and the entry of basic humanitarian supplies in Gaza, while similar restrictions remain in effects on the travel of West Bank Palestinians and their ability to import and export goods and supplies.
As the West Bank continues to be fragmented by the Wall, settlements and roadblocks, around 1.8 Million Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer from the ongoing and deadly Israeli siege.
Israel continues to restrict the entry of basic supplies, keeping border terminals closed, and only opening them for a few hours of certain days.
The PCHR calls on the International Community to act on ending the illegitimate Israel occupation of Palestine, ending the deadly siege on Gaza, and to stop Israel's settlement construction and expansion activities.
It said the siege on Gaza is collective punishment that violate all international treaties and laws, including the Geneva Conventions and all agreements regarding the rights of persons living under occupation. (hundreds of Palestinian patients died due to the siege.)
The PCHR calls on the European Union, the United Nations, and various countries around the world to ensure Israel abides by International Law, and to ensure the full implementation of the Palestinian rights of independence and liberty.
It said the International Community must act on implementing all laws and treaties, and to impose sanctions on Israel for its ongoing crimes and violations, and demanded the UN to provide guarantees preventing Israel from repeating its wars and aggressions against the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip.
The PCHR added that all countries, signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention, must prosecute war criminals regardless of their nationalities or the locations of their crimes, to ensure prosecuting all Israeli war criminals who are committing their crimes with impunity.
** A Link to the full PCHR Report in English will be provided once the PCHR publishes it.
16 oct 2014
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) released a report, on Thursday, estimating that over 80 percent of Palestinian journalists were engaged in self-censorship.
The group released a report of its findings following two studies, along with a meeting on self-censorship and its impact on freedom of expression and media in Palestine, according to Ma'an News Agency.
Mousa Rimawi, general director of MADA, said that self-censorship is the most "serious and dangerous kind of censorship" journalists face, noting that the practice began during the Israeli occupation prior to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
Mr. Rimawi said that direct censorship by Israeli authorities during the First Intifada, in the late eighties, led to self-censorship among Palestinian journalists as media outlets used different methods of skirting Israeli restrictions on media output.
Self-censorship continued after the creation of the PA, Rimawi said, and has escalated "concretely and dangerously" since the 2007 split between Hamas and Fateh.
Ma'an further reports that, during a meeting entitled "Self-censorship: Is there a way to get rid of it?", dozens of journalists and media students were presented with the results of two studies by MADA which revealed that some 80 percent of journalists surveyed practiced self-censorship on some or all of the material which they had written or produced.
Over 68 percent of journalists claim that their work, or their colleagues' work, had been banned from being published, at one time or another, by their employer.
They also explained that the practice of self-censorship was related not only to official institutions, but also to fears that society and publishers are not willing to discuss taboo subjects.
MADA released a statement, in December of 2013, which documented "worrying violations" against media freedoms in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The report noted several arbitrary arrests of journalists by PA forces in the West Bank, as well as Hamas security forces in Gaza.
The group released a report of its findings following two studies, along with a meeting on self-censorship and its impact on freedom of expression and media in Palestine, according to Ma'an News Agency.
Mousa Rimawi, general director of MADA, said that self-censorship is the most "serious and dangerous kind of censorship" journalists face, noting that the practice began during the Israeli occupation prior to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
Mr. Rimawi said that direct censorship by Israeli authorities during the First Intifada, in the late eighties, led to self-censorship among Palestinian journalists as media outlets used different methods of skirting Israeli restrictions on media output.
Self-censorship continued after the creation of the PA, Rimawi said, and has escalated "concretely and dangerously" since the 2007 split between Hamas and Fateh.
Ma'an further reports that, during a meeting entitled "Self-censorship: Is there a way to get rid of it?", dozens of journalists and media students were presented with the results of two studies by MADA which revealed that some 80 percent of journalists surveyed practiced self-censorship on some or all of the material which they had written or produced.
Over 68 percent of journalists claim that their work, or their colleagues' work, had been banned from being published, at one time or another, by their employer.
They also explained that the practice of self-censorship was related not only to official institutions, but also to fears that society and publishers are not willing to discuss taboo subjects.
MADA released a statement, in December of 2013, which documented "worrying violations" against media freedoms in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The report noted several arbitrary arrests of journalists by PA forces in the West Bank, as well as Hamas security forces in Gaza.
