1 dec 2016

A Palestinian human rights group has reported the occurrence of 500 arrest incidents by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians last November in different areas of the occupied territories including Gaza Strip.
Among the detainees were 110 children and teenagers under age 18 as well as 14 girls and women, according to report released by the Palestinian Prisoner Center for Studies on Thursday.
14 citizens from Gaza, including eight fishermen, were also among those captives.
Israeli military and security forces carried out those arrests during the reporting month.
Among the detainees were 110 children and teenagers under age 18 as well as 14 girls and women, according to report released by the Palestinian Prisoner Center for Studies on Thursday.
14 citizens from Gaza, including eight fishermen, were also among those captives.
Israeli military and security forces carried out those arrests during the reporting month.
30 nov 2016

UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has described late Tuesday the Gaza Strip as a time-bomb and occupied Jerusalem as a powder keg.
In his remarks to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Eliasson said that the internal divisions in the West Bank add a new dimension to the paralyzing lack of Palestinian unity, which ultimately can undermine democracy and the rule of law.
Two million Palestinians in Gaza are struggling with a crumbling infrastructure and a paralyzed economy, he added.
In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted the 181 resolution which called for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states.
In his remarks to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Eliasson said that the internal divisions in the West Bank add a new dimension to the paralyzing lack of Palestinian unity, which ultimately can undermine democracy and the rule of law.
Two million Palestinians in Gaza are struggling with a crumbling infrastructure and a paralyzed economy, he added.
In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted the 181 resolution which called for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states.
25 nov 2016

The Palestinian Center for Human Right (PCHR) said that Israel unprecedentedly tightened its blockade on the Gaza Strip last month and imposed more restrictions on the movement of goods and citizens at border crossings.
This came in its report on the traffic of goods and individuals at Karam Abu Salem and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossings last October.
According to this report, the quantity of goods that were allowed into Gaza through Karam Abu Salem crossing noticeably declined.
The volume of imports in October constituted 58.3 percent of the total imports in August, while the exports did not exceed 3.1 percent of the total exports that were there before Israel imposed the siege on Gaza in June 2007.
Israel also persisted during the reporting month in banning entry of about 400 types of different supplies to Gaza, mostly basic goods and raw materials.
Besides, severe restrictions are still imposed on the delivery of building materials needed for reconstructing homes and structures in Gaza, especially those destroyed during Israel’s wars on the impoverished enclave.
Israel only allowed, of the total construction materials needed by Gaza, 2.5 percent of cement, 1.6 percent of steel and 5.3 of gravel.
There were also entry restrictions on cooking gas shipments last month, where only 34.2 percent of the population’s total needs were allowed in.
As for the movement of citizens at Beit Hanoun crossing, Israel reduced further the number of passengers allowed to cross into the Palestinian territories under its occupation.
Compared to last September, the rate of travel rejections for Gaza patients increased. Therefore, the travel of patients in October saw a decline by 33.9 percent.
Simultaneously, a large number of patients’ companions were also denied travel during the same period. The rate of their rejected travel applications dropped by 36.5 percent compared to September.
Furthermore, the rate of businessmen allowed to travel saw about a 20-percent decline, while the number of people with humanitarian cases, relatives of prisoners and elderly worshipers who visit the Aqsa Mosque on Fridays decreased by 54.3 percent, 59.7 percent and 22 percent respectively.
This came in its report on the traffic of goods and individuals at Karam Abu Salem and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossings last October.
According to this report, the quantity of goods that were allowed into Gaza through Karam Abu Salem crossing noticeably declined.
The volume of imports in October constituted 58.3 percent of the total imports in August, while the exports did not exceed 3.1 percent of the total exports that were there before Israel imposed the siege on Gaza in June 2007.
Israel also persisted during the reporting month in banning entry of about 400 types of different supplies to Gaza, mostly basic goods and raw materials.
Besides, severe restrictions are still imposed on the delivery of building materials needed for reconstructing homes and structures in Gaza, especially those destroyed during Israel’s wars on the impoverished enclave.
Israel only allowed, of the total construction materials needed by Gaza, 2.5 percent of cement, 1.6 percent of steel and 5.3 of gravel.
There were also entry restrictions on cooking gas shipments last month, where only 34.2 percent of the population’s total needs were allowed in.
As for the movement of citizens at Beit Hanoun crossing, Israel reduced further the number of passengers allowed to cross into the Palestinian territories under its occupation.
Compared to last September, the rate of travel rejections for Gaza patients increased. Therefore, the travel of patients in October saw a decline by 33.9 percent.
Simultaneously, a large number of patients’ companions were also denied travel during the same period. The rate of their rejected travel applications dropped by 36.5 percent compared to September.
Furthermore, the rate of businessmen allowed to travel saw about a 20-percent decline, while the number of people with humanitarian cases, relatives of prisoners and elderly worshipers who visit the Aqsa Mosque on Fridays decreased by 54.3 percent, 59.7 percent and 22 percent respectively.

In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 17 – 24 November 2016, Israeli forces continued their systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories. During the past week, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded at the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 ones in occupied Jerusalem. 52 civilians, including 13 children and 3 women, were abducted. Eighteen of them, including 12 children and a woman, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandya checkpoint at the northern entrance to occupied East Jerusalem shot a Palestinian civilian dead. Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to stab an Israeli security officer.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, in new crime of excessive force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others during peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded during a peaceful protest near the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.
In context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 November 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, northwest of al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Similar attacks happened in the same area on 19, 20 and 21 November 2016. It should be noted the fishing boats were sailing within 2-3 nautical miles and no casualties were reported.
Israeli settlement activities:
In the context of seizing houses in favour of settlement activities, on 17 November 2016, Ateret Cohanim handed over Ghaithand Shehada families in Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the city, notices claiming the land on which the houses of the two families were built.
Concerning targeting educational institutions in the city, on 19 November 2016, Israeli forces raided the campus of al-Quds (Abu Dis) University, east of occupied Jerusalem. They damaged some contents and confiscated belongings of student unions during a student fair that is annually held by the Islamic organization in the university.
On 20 November 2016, Israeli forces distributed 12 notices to halt construction works for Palestinian families in Kherbet Um al-Khair, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building without a license from the Israeli authorities.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops engaged in excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
In a new crime of using lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while 2 others sustained moderate wounds. That happened when those civilians were participating in a peaceful demonstration, east of al-Buraij, in the central Gaza Strip, protesting against the Israeli violations in the West Bank.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 14:30 on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of youngsters made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the youngster in response.
As a result, Mohammed Abu Sa’ad (25), from al-Nuseirat, sustained a live bullet wound to the chest (the bullet entered and exited the chest) and immediately died. Moreover, 2 other civilians were wounded namely Mohammed Subhi Arafah (28), who sustained a live bullet wound to the left hand, and Ali Suhail Mansour (25), who was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. Israeli forces also abducted Ahmed Mohammed al-Esawi (25) and released him the next day.
Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al- Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at dozens of civilian young men, who made their way to Nahal Oz area, east of al- Nahal Oz, to participate in activities supporting Jerusalem. As a result, Hashem Adel Mesbah Suaidan (27) was hit with a live bullet to the feet. Hashem was transported via a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to al-Shiaa’ Hospital to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his wound as minor.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
In addition, the PCHR called upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
For the full text of the report, click here.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 ones in occupied Jerusalem. 52 civilians, including 13 children and 3 women, were abducted. Eighteen of them, including 12 children and a woman, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandya checkpoint at the northern entrance to occupied East Jerusalem shot a Palestinian civilian dead. Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to stab an Israeli security officer.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, in new crime of excessive force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others during peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded during a peaceful protest near the border fence, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.
In context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 November 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, northwest of al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Similar attacks happened in the same area on 19, 20 and 21 November 2016. It should be noted the fishing boats were sailing within 2-3 nautical miles and no casualties were reported.
Israeli settlement activities:
In the context of seizing houses in favour of settlement activities, on 17 November 2016, Ateret Cohanim handed over Ghaithand Shehada families in Batn al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the city, notices claiming the land on which the houses of the two families were built.
Concerning targeting educational institutions in the city, on 19 November 2016, Israeli forces raided the campus of al-Quds (Abu Dis) University, east of occupied Jerusalem. They damaged some contents and confiscated belongings of student unions during a student fair that is annually held by the Islamic organization in the university.
On 20 November 2016, Israeli forces distributed 12 notices to halt construction works for Palestinian families in Kherbet Um al-Khair, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building without a license from the Israeli authorities.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops engaged in excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
In a new crime of using lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian while 2 others sustained moderate wounds. That happened when those civilians were participating in a peaceful demonstration, east of al-Buraij, in the central Gaza Strip, protesting against the Israeli violations in the West Bank.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 14:30 on Friday, 18 November 2016, dozens of youngsters made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the youngster in response.
As a result, Mohammed Abu Sa’ad (25), from al-Nuseirat, sustained a live bullet wound to the chest (the bullet entered and exited the chest) and immediately died. Moreover, 2 other civilians were wounded namely Mohammed Subhi Arafah (28), who sustained a live bullet wound to the left hand, and Ali Suhail Mansour (25), who was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. Israeli forces also abducted Ahmed Mohammed al-Esawi (25) and released him the next day.
Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al- Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at dozens of civilian young men, who made their way to Nahal Oz area, east of al- Nahal Oz, to participate in activities supporting Jerusalem. As a result, Hashem Adel Mesbah Suaidan (27) was hit with a live bullet to the feet. Hashem was transported via a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to al-Shiaa’ Hospital to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his wound as minor.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community and the United Nations use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
In addition, the PCHR called upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip.
For the full text of the report, click here.