8 feb 2019
Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes, in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), for the week of 31 January – 06 February, 2019.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. A Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wound while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base. 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic, were wounded.
9 civilians were wounded in the West Bank. A Palestinian civilian were killed and a child was wounded near a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, under the pretext of throwing a homemade pipe bomb at the soldiers. 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in separate incidents in the West Bank.
Shooting:
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized along the Gaza Strip borders, which witnessed the peaceful protests for the 45th week along the eastern and northern border area of the Gaza Strip. They also continued to use armed force as well during the incursions into the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The injury of 7 of them was reported serious.
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces killed a girl and a boy while another civilian was killed by Israeli settlers shooting. The Israeli forces wounded 24 civilians, including a child.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian on 04 February 2019, and wounded another one accompanying him at a military checkpoint in the north of the West Bank. The Israeli forces claimed that a homemade pipe bomb was thrown at the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint. Moreover, the Israeli forces wounded 15 civilians, including 3 children, in separate incidents in the West Bank.
On 03 February 2019, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Ahmed Abu Jabal (29), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of the city, after he succumbed to his wound. Ahmed was hit with a live bullet to the legs on 29 January 2019 while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Injuries in the Gaza Strip from 31 January to 06 February 2019 According to the Governorate
Governorate Injuries
Total Children Women Journalists Paramedics Critical Injuries
Northern Gaza Strip 25 7 1 0 0 3
Gaza City 27 1 0 0 0 0
Central Gaza Strip 14 7 1 1 0 0
Khan Younis 15 11 0 0 0 2
Rafah 19 3 1 0 1 2
Total 100 29 3 1 1 7
As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, indicating the on-going Israeli policy to target their livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 2 incidents were as follows: 1 incident adjacent to Khan Yunis Shore and 1 incident adjacent to Rafah Shore.
As part of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, opened fire 5 times at lands located in the border areas with Israel in the central of Gaza Strip and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Moreover, the Israeli tanks targeted 2 military sites with artillery shells in eastern Khan Yunis.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 56 Palestinians, including 14 children and a woman. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions in eastern Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 01 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed the lands along the border fence with Israel.
On 04 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of the border fence with Israel, east of Dir al-Balah. The Israeli vehicles levelled and combed lands along the border fence. On the next day, the Israeli vehicles recurred the incursion, leveled lands and combed the area.
Israeli Forces Continued to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem City:
Israeli Forces continued their settlement activities, and the settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against the Palestinians civilians and their property, on 01 February 2019, a group of 7 settlers stepped out of their car and attacked a group of Palestinian young men while walking in Jibiya village forests, on “al-Qimma Park” Street, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers severely beat Aram Wadee’ Hussein ‘Awees (18), so he sustained bruises in his face and throughout his body.
On 05 February 2019, a group of settlers, from “Ma’un” settlement, established on civilian’s lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, uprooted 23 olive seedlings planted a month ago in a land belonging to Jom’a Moussa Rab’ee (45), in al-Hamra area.
Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:
Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and it was named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstration was in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed large participation by Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstration were fully peaceful. The demonstration was as follows during the reporting period:
Gaza Strip:
In the 45th week of the March of Return and Breaking Siege activities, a Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wounds. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The incidents were as follows:
West Bank:
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Notices and House Demolitions:
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attacks:
Israeli settlers’ attacks:
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it.
PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
Fully detailed document available at the official website of the Palestine Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. A Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wound while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base. 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic, were wounded.
9 civilians were wounded in the West Bank. A Palestinian civilian were killed and a child was wounded near a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, under the pretext of throwing a homemade pipe bomb at the soldiers. 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in separate incidents in the West Bank.
Shooting:
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized along the Gaza Strip borders, which witnessed the peaceful protests for the 45th week along the eastern and northern border area of the Gaza Strip. They also continued to use armed force as well during the incursions into the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The injury of 7 of them was reported serious.
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces killed a girl and a boy while another civilian was killed by Israeli settlers shooting. The Israeli forces wounded 24 civilians, including a child.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian on 04 February 2019, and wounded another one accompanying him at a military checkpoint in the north of the West Bank. The Israeli forces claimed that a homemade pipe bomb was thrown at the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint. Moreover, the Israeli forces wounded 15 civilians, including 3 children, in separate incidents in the West Bank.
On 03 February 2019, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Ahmed Abu Jabal (29), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of the city, after he succumbed to his wound. Ahmed was hit with a live bullet to the legs on 29 January 2019 while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Injuries in the Gaza Strip from 31 January to 06 February 2019 According to the Governorate
Governorate Injuries
Total Children Women Journalists Paramedics Critical Injuries
Northern Gaza Strip 25 7 1 0 0 3
Gaza City 27 1 0 0 0 0
Central Gaza Strip 14 7 1 1 0 0
Khan Younis 15 11 0 0 0 2
Rafah 19 3 1 0 1 2
Total 100 29 3 1 1 7
As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, indicating the on-going Israeli policy to target their livelihoods. During the reporting period, PCHR documented 2 incidents were as follows: 1 incident adjacent to Khan Yunis Shore and 1 incident adjacent to Rafah Shore.
As part of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, opened fire 5 times at lands located in the border areas with Israel in the central of Gaza Strip and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Moreover, the Israeli tanks targeted 2 military sites with artillery shells in eastern Khan Yunis.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 56 Palestinians, including 14 children and a woman. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions in eastern Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, on 01 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed the lands along the border fence with Israel.
On 04 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of the border fence with Israel, east of Dir al-Balah. The Israeli vehicles levelled and combed lands along the border fence. On the next day, the Israeli vehicles recurred the incursion, leveled lands and combed the area.
Israeli Forces Continued to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem City:
- As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices, on 01 February 2019, Mahmoud Abu Hussein started to demolish his house in al-Mukaber Mount, south of occupied East Jerusalem, after Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the house under the pretext of non-licensing. The 120-square-meter house sheltered 3 families of 13 members, including 7 children, and it was a building attached to a 100-square-meter older building.
- On 02 February 2019, Majdy Abu Teyeh started to demolish his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, after the Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the two rooms under the pretext of non-licensing. The 70-square-meter house sheltered a family of 6 members, including 4 children.
Israeli Forces continued their settlement activities, and the settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against the Palestinians civilians and their property, on 01 February 2019, a group of 7 settlers stepped out of their car and attacked a group of Palestinian young men while walking in Jibiya village forests, on “al-Qimma Park” Street, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers severely beat Aram Wadee’ Hussein ‘Awees (18), so he sustained bruises in his face and throughout his body.
On 05 February 2019, a group of settlers, from “Ma’un” settlement, established on civilian’s lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, uprooted 23 olive seedlings planted a month ago in a land belonging to Jom’a Moussa Rab’ee (45), in al-Hamra area.
Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:
Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and it was named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstration was in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed large participation by Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstration were fully peaceful. The demonstration was as follows during the reporting period:
Gaza Strip:
In the 45th week of the March of Return and Breaking Siege activities, a Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wounds. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The incidents were as follows:
- Gaza City: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 27 civilians, including a child and a journalist. 10 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, 2 were hit with rubber bullets and 14 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded journalist was identified as:
- ‘Abed al-Rahman Hani ‘Abed al-Qader al-Kahlout (22), a freelance journalist, who was hit with a tear gas canister at the shoulder.
- Northern Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 25 civilians, including 7 children and a woman. 13 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 12 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded civilians were then taken to the Gaza European Hospital and al-‘Awda Hospital via an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC). The injury of 3 of them were reported serious.
- Central Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:30, in the injury of 14 civilians, including 7 children and a woman. 5 of them were hit with live bullets and 9 were directly hit with tear gas canisters.
- Khan Yunis: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:30, resulted in the injury of 15 civilians, including 11 children. The injury of 2 of them, including a 17-year-old girl, was reported serious as they were hit with a live bullet to the chest.
- Rafah: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:00, resulted in the injury of 19 civilians, including 3 children and a female paramedic. 11 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 8 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The injury of 2 of them were reported serious. The wounded paramedic was identified as Eman Mostafa Hammad Abu Sha’ar (30). Eman is a volunteer paramedic at the Ministry of Health and she was hit with a tear gas canister to the right ear.
- Civilian Succumbed to His Wounds:
- At approximately 16:45 on Sunday, 03 February 2019, medical resources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Ahmed Ghazi ‘Abbas Abu Jabal (29), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of the Gaza Strip. Ahmed succumbed to wounds he sustained on 29 January 2019 while participating in the protests organized in Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Ahmed was hit with a live bullet to the leg caused a cut in the veins. Due to hos serious health condition, Ahmed was then referred to al-Shifa Hospital and stayed there until his death was declared.
West Bank:
- Following the Friday prayer, on 01 February 2019, dozens of Palestinian young men, from al-Moghair village, northeast of Ramllah, headed to al-Sahel Mount area, adjacent to 60 settlement road from the northern side, to protest at confiscating and seizing their lands by the Israeli settlers. When the protestors arrived at the mentioned area, the Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded. 6 of them were hit with live bullets and another one was hit with a rubber bullet to the thigh. The wounded civilians were taken to the Palestine Medical Complex via a PRCS ambulance. After they received first aid at the Emergency Department, they were referred to the Specialist Hospital in al-Rihan suburb, north of the city. Medical sources said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the injury of them were described between minor and moderate.
- At approximately 13:00 on Friday, a peaceful demonstration started from the center of Kafur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyia, and then headed towards the eastern entrance to the village, which was closed 15 years ago in favor of “Kedumim” settlement. The demonstrators chanted national slogans calling for ending occupation and condemning the Israeli forces‘ crimes committed against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms. The Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were hit with rubber bullets; one of them were hit to the shoulder while the second one was hit to left hand. The injury of them was reported minor. They received medical treatment on the spot by the staff of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
- Efforts to Create A Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Notices and House Demolitions:
- On Friday morning, 01 February 2019, Mahmoud Abu Hussein started to demolish his house in al-Mukaber Mount, south of occupied East Jerusalem, after Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the house under the pretext of non-licensing. The 120-square-meter house sheltered 3 families of 13 members, including 7 children, and it was a building attached to a 100-square-meter older building. It should be mentioned that Mahmoud is still paying a fee of NIS 35,000 for the older building under the pretext of non-licensing as well.
- On Saturday morning, 02 February 2019, Majdy Abu Teyeh started to demolish his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, after the Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the two rooms under the pretext of non-licensing. The 70-square-meter house sheltered a family of 6 members, including 4 children. It should be mentioned that Majdy is paying a fee of NIS 50,000 imposed on him by the Jerusalem Municipal Court.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attacks:
- At approximately 10:00, on Thursday, 31 January 2019, Israeli forces leveled a road connecting between Mssafer Yatta, south of Hebron, and Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam, under the pretext that it passes through Israeli controlled areas. Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam is in Mssafer Yatta. The constructed area in Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam is 110 dunums where 9 families of 81 members, including 37 children, live in 10 accommodations of 7 tents, 3 barracks of tin plates and a caravan.
Israeli settlers’ attacks:
- At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 01 February 2019, a group of 7 settlers stepped out of their car and attacked a group of Palestinian young men while walking in Jibiya village forests, on “al-Qimma Park” Street, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers severely beat Aram Wadee’ Hussein ‘Awees (18), so he sustained bruises in his face and throughout his body. Aram fainted and was then taken to Palestine Medical Complex. He discharged 2 hours later. It should be mentioned that Aram studies Computer Science at Birzeit University.
- At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 04 February 2019, dozens of settlers, protected by Israeli forces, moved into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah, and rioted on the village’s street. They wrote racist slogans against Palestinian civilians on houses walls and then withdrew.
- At dawn hours, on 05 February 2019, a group of settlers, from “Ma’un” settlement, established on civilian’s lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, uprooted 23 olive seedlings planted a month ago in a land belonging to Jom’a Moussa Rab’ee (45), in al-Hamra area. At morning hours, Israeli forces and police arrived at the area in order to prevent any settlers from approaching the land as Jom’a has a court decision that proves that al-Rab’ee family owns this land and settlers are not allowed to enter it. The aforementioned land is 500 meters away from “Ma’un” settlement.
- Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it.
PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
Fully detailed document available at the official website of the Palestine Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).
The advancement of settlement units continued at an unprecedented high level during the second half of 2018 (July-December), according to a recent EU report on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
More than 7,000 units in the occupied West Bank (4,350), including East Jerusalem (2,900), were advanced in different stages of the planning and implementation process (tenders and plans).
The report said that several important developments took place during the reporting period. In East Jerusalem, Israeli High Court decisions brought between 600 and 700 Palestinians at risk of being evicted in Batan al Hawa (close to the Old city) and families in Sheikh Jarrah (32 persons) lost their final appeal against eviction. A development that will deepen the Israel control of East Jerusalem and the Old City Bassin.
In December, the Israeli government announced that it would allocate land at the Givat Eitam outpost site for the purpose of planning a new settlement in the strategic “E2” area, that potentially will cut off Bethlehem from the southern West Bank, completing the near encirclement of Bethlehem by Israeli settlements.
The many settlement approvals also included plans that will effectively regulate two new settlements (by legalizing the unauthorized outposts of Ibei Hanachal and Gva’ot) and establish two new settlement industrial zones (one near the Beitar Illit settlement and one near the Avnei Hefetz settlement).
The total advancement of settlement units in 2018 (January-December) amounted to more than 15,800 units (9,400 units in the West Bank and 6,400 units in East Jerusalem). The figures show a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This development will, over several years, enable potentially more than 60,0001 Israeli settlers to move to the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
According to the PNN, there are currently approximately 215,000 Israelis living in East Jerusalem, while the settler population in Area C in the occupied West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, is some 413,0002 . This brings the settler population to approximately 630,000 Israeli settlers in 143 settlement locations in the West Bank (132) including East Jerusalem (11)3 and 106 outposts.
Settlements are illegal under international law as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and the developments on the ground make the prospect of a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, increasingly unattainable.
More than 7,000 units in the occupied West Bank (4,350), including East Jerusalem (2,900), were advanced in different stages of the planning and implementation process (tenders and plans).
The report said that several important developments took place during the reporting period. In East Jerusalem, Israeli High Court decisions brought between 600 and 700 Palestinians at risk of being evicted in Batan al Hawa (close to the Old city) and families in Sheikh Jarrah (32 persons) lost their final appeal against eviction. A development that will deepen the Israel control of East Jerusalem and the Old City Bassin.
In December, the Israeli government announced that it would allocate land at the Givat Eitam outpost site for the purpose of planning a new settlement in the strategic “E2” area, that potentially will cut off Bethlehem from the southern West Bank, completing the near encirclement of Bethlehem by Israeli settlements.
The many settlement approvals also included plans that will effectively regulate two new settlements (by legalizing the unauthorized outposts of Ibei Hanachal and Gva’ot) and establish two new settlement industrial zones (one near the Beitar Illit settlement and one near the Avnei Hefetz settlement).
The total advancement of settlement units in 2018 (January-December) amounted to more than 15,800 units (9,400 units in the West Bank and 6,400 units in East Jerusalem). The figures show a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This development will, over several years, enable potentially more than 60,0001 Israeli settlers to move to the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
According to the PNN, there are currently approximately 215,000 Israelis living in East Jerusalem, while the settler population in Area C in the occupied West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem, is some 413,0002 . This brings the settler population to approximately 630,000 Israeli settlers in 143 settlement locations in the West Bank (132) including East Jerusalem (11)3 and 106 outposts.
Settlements are illegal under international law as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) and the developments on the ground make the prospect of a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, increasingly unattainable.
6 feb 2019
The Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainee Committee has reported that Israeli military courts have imposed more than 60.000 Shekels in fines on Palestinian children who were abducted by the soldiers and held in Ofer Israeli prison.
In its report, the committee stated that 57 children were moved to Ofer in January; 39 of them were taken prisoner from their homes during dawn invasions by the soldiers, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem.
It added that ten children were abducted while walking in their towns and neighborhoods, and three others were taken prisoner at several military roadblocks, in addition to five children who were summoned for interrogation at military bases and were taken prisoner.
One of the detained children was shot and injured by the soldiers before he was abducted, and at least seventeen of the abducted children were subject to assaults and torture during their arrest or while under interrogation.
Furthermore, Israeli courts imposed prison terms on 28 of the detained children, and ordered one of them, identified as Laith Abu Kharma, 17, under Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
Israel is currently holding captive 128 Palestinian children in Ofer prison, facing very difficult living conditions, and deprived from their basic rights, guaranteed under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In its report, the committee stated that 57 children were moved to Ofer in January; 39 of them were taken prisoner from their homes during dawn invasions by the soldiers, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem.
It added that ten children were abducted while walking in their towns and neighborhoods, and three others were taken prisoner at several military roadblocks, in addition to five children who were summoned for interrogation at military bases and were taken prisoner.
One of the detained children was shot and injured by the soldiers before he was abducted, and at least seventeen of the abducted children were subject to assaults and torture during their arrest or while under interrogation.
Furthermore, Israeli courts imposed prison terms on 28 of the detained children, and ordered one of them, identified as Laith Abu Kharma, 17, under Administrative Detention, without charges or trial.
Israel is currently holding captive 128 Palestinian children in Ofer prison, facing very difficult living conditions, and deprived from their basic rights, guaranteed under International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
3 feb 2019
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Israeli forces took into custody some 380 Palestinians, including 5 women and 67 children, in January of 2019, the Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies said on Saturday.
In a statement, the Center explained that Israeli forces detained 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including 5 fishermen who were kidnapped while sailing off Gaza shore. One Palestinian youth was detained at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, and 6 others were taken while allegedly attempting to cross the border fence east of the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Center said that, in January, the Israel Prison Service launched a crime, against Palestinian detainees being housed in |
Ofer jail, that was described as “the most dangerous” since the 2007 attack in Negev prison.
According to the statement, dozens of Palestinian detainees suffered bruises, wounds, and fractures as a result of being beaten, sprayed with gas, and hit with rubber-coated metal bullets by the Israel prison guards.
During the same period, the Israeli occupation authorities issued 55 administrative detention orders, issuing 18 new ones and renewing the detention of 37 detainees for 2-6 months, Days of Palestine reports.
Editor’s note: Administrative detention is an archaic legal procedure, dating back to the days of British Mandate, in which detainees are imprisoned without charge or trial, for renewable periods of up to six months.
According to the statement, dozens of Palestinian detainees suffered bruises, wounds, and fractures as a result of being beaten, sprayed with gas, and hit with rubber-coated metal bullets by the Israel prison guards.
During the same period, the Israeli occupation authorities issued 55 administrative detention orders, issuing 18 new ones and renewing the detention of 37 detainees for 2-6 months, Days of Palestine reports.
Editor’s note: Administrative detention is an archaic legal procedure, dating back to the days of British Mandate, in which detainees are imprisoned without charge or trial, for renewable periods of up to six months.
2 feb 2019
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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)On Friday afternoon, 01 February, 2019, in use of excessive force against peaceful protesters on the 45th Friday of the Great March of Return in the eastern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 98 civilians, including 15 children, 4 women; 2 of them are paramedics, and a journalist.
The injury of 7 of those wounded were reported serious, including a 17-year-old girl who was shot with a bullet to the chest in eastern Khan Younis. According to observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, though the demonstrators were around tens of meters away from the border fence, the Israeli forces who stationed in prone positions and in military jeeps along the fence continued to use excessive force against the demonstrators by opening fire and firing teargas canisters at them. |
As a result, dozens of them were hit with bullets and teargas canisters without posing any imminent threat or danger to the life of soldiers.
On this Friday, the Israeli forces continued to target the medical personnel in field and wounded 2 of female paramedics in eastern Gaza City and Rafah when a PRCS ambulance was targeted with a bullet. This indicates an Israeli systematic policy to target the medical personnel and obstruct their humanitarian work that is guaranteed with protection under the international humanitarian law.
At approximately 15:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the five encampments established by the Supreme National Authority of Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege adjacent to the border fence with Israel in eastern Gaza Strip cities.
Hundreds, including children and women, gathered along the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and protested between tens and hundreds of meters away from the border fence. In seevreal area, the demonstratorsmoved hundreds of meters away from the encampment to protest in front of the border fence with Israel, and some of them attempted to throw stones at the Israeli forces in addition to chanting slogans.
In very limited incidents in Rafah, a group of demonstrators approached the border fence and set fire to tires. Although the demonstrators gathered in areas open to the Israeli snipers who were stationed on top of the sand berms and military watchtowers and inside and behind the military jeeps, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to a barrage of teargas canisters at them.
The Israeli shooting, which continued until around 17:30, resulted in the injury of 98 Palestinian civilians, including 15 children, 4 women; 2 of them were paramedics, and a journalist. The injury of 7 of those wounded was reported serious, including a 17-year-old girl who was shot with a bullet to the chest in eastern Khan Younis. Moreover, dozens of demonstrators, paramedics and journalists suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures due to the tear gas canisters that were fired by the Israeli forces from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
The following table shows the number of civilian victims due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March:
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there were 8 Persons with Disabilities
and a girl. 3 2 2 35 181 Killed
Among those wounded, 523 are in serious condition and
101 had their lower or upper limbs amputated;
89 lower-limb amputations, 2 upper-limb amputations,
10 finger amputations and 17 children had their limbs
amputated according to the Ministry of Health. 170 174 312 1956 10,641 Wounded
The number of those wounded only include those wounded
with live bullets and directly hit with tear gas canisters
as there have been thousand others who suffered tear
gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR emphasizes Palestinians’ right to peaceful assembly that is guaranteed by all International human rights instruments, stressing that the Israeli forces should stop using excessive force and respond to the legitimate demands of the demonstrators, particularly lifting the closure which is the real solution to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR emphasizes that targeting the medical personnel and ambulances is a serious violation of the rules of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, whose International standards regulate the protection of medical personnel, including ambulance crews, vehicles and medical facilities. These serious violations practiced and deliberate attacks against the medical personnel amount to war crimes according to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly the protection provided for by the Convention.
PCHR emphasizes that continuously targeting civilians, who exercise their right to peaceful assembly or while carrying out their humanitarian duty, is a serious violation of the rules of international law, international humanitarian law, the ICC Rome Statute and Fourth Geneva Convention. Thus, PCHR calls upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR hereby condemns the excessive use of force and commission of crimes by the Israeli forces despite the prevailed calmness, believing it is as a result of Israel’s enjoying impunity thanks to the U.S. and so encouraging the Israeli forces to commit further crimes upon an official decision by the highest military and political echelons.
PCHR also reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
On this Friday, the Israeli forces continued to target the medical personnel in field and wounded 2 of female paramedics in eastern Gaza City and Rafah when a PRCS ambulance was targeted with a bullet. This indicates an Israeli systematic policy to target the medical personnel and obstruct their humanitarian work that is guaranteed with protection under the international humanitarian law.
At approximately 15:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the five encampments established by the Supreme National Authority of Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege adjacent to the border fence with Israel in eastern Gaza Strip cities.
Hundreds, including children and women, gathered along the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and protested between tens and hundreds of meters away from the border fence. In seevreal area, the demonstratorsmoved hundreds of meters away from the encampment to protest in front of the border fence with Israel, and some of them attempted to throw stones at the Israeli forces in addition to chanting slogans.
In very limited incidents in Rafah, a group of demonstrators approached the border fence and set fire to tires. Although the demonstrators gathered in areas open to the Israeli snipers who were stationed on top of the sand berms and military watchtowers and inside and behind the military jeeps, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to a barrage of teargas canisters at them.
The Israeli shooting, which continued until around 17:30, resulted in the injury of 98 Palestinian civilians, including 15 children, 4 women; 2 of them were paramedics, and a journalist. The injury of 7 of those wounded was reported serious, including a 17-year-old girl who was shot with a bullet to the chest in eastern Khan Younis. Moreover, dozens of demonstrators, paramedics and journalists suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures due to the tear gas canisters that were fired by the Israeli forces from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
The following table shows the number of civilian victims due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March:
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there were 8 Persons with Disabilities
and a girl. 3 2 2 35 181 Killed
Among those wounded, 523 are in serious condition and
101 had their lower or upper limbs amputated;
89 lower-limb amputations, 2 upper-limb amputations,
10 finger amputations and 17 children had their limbs
amputated according to the Ministry of Health. 170 174 312 1956 10,641 Wounded
The number of those wounded only include those wounded
with live bullets and directly hit with tear gas canisters
as there have been thousand others who suffered tear
gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR emphasizes Palestinians’ right to peaceful assembly that is guaranteed by all International human rights instruments, stressing that the Israeli forces should stop using excessive force and respond to the legitimate demands of the demonstrators, particularly lifting the closure which is the real solution to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR emphasizes that targeting the medical personnel and ambulances is a serious violation of the rules of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, whose International standards regulate the protection of medical personnel, including ambulance crews, vehicles and medical facilities. These serious violations practiced and deliberate attacks against the medical personnel amount to war crimes according to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly the protection provided for by the Convention.
PCHR emphasizes that continuously targeting civilians, who exercise their right to peaceful assembly or while carrying out their humanitarian duty, is a serious violation of the rules of international law, international humanitarian law, the ICC Rome Statute and Fourth Geneva Convention. Thus, PCHR calls upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR hereby condemns the excessive use of force and commission of crimes by the Israeli forces despite the prevailed calmness, believing it is as a result of Israel’s enjoying impunity thanks to the U.S. and so encouraging the Israeli forces to commit further crimes upon an official decision by the highest military and political echelons.
PCHR also reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
