17 feb 2014
PLO- Negotiations Affairs Department issued on Sunday a new report entitled "Israel's Exploitation of Palestinian Water Resources", as follows:
'Israeli exploitation of Palestinian natural resources, including water, is one of Israel's most severe violations of international law. The Israeli occupation aims specifically at annexing Palestinian land, including our natural resources.
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum domestic water consumption of 100 liters per capita per day. The average individual Palestinian domestic consumption, at 70 liters per day, falls 30 liters below this minimum, while the average Israeli consumes three times the recommended minimum (280 liters). In the southern West Bank, there are communities that use less than 15 to 20 liters per capita per day.'
Link to Full Report [PDF]
'Israeli exploitation of Palestinian natural resources, including water, is one of Israel's most severe violations of international law. The Israeli occupation aims specifically at annexing Palestinian land, including our natural resources.
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum domestic water consumption of 100 liters per capita per day. The average individual Palestinian domestic consumption, at 70 liters per day, falls 30 liters below this minimum, while the average Israeli consumes three times the recommended minimum (280 liters). In the southern West Bank, there are communities that use less than 15 to 20 liters per capita per day.'
Link to Full Report [PDF]
13 feb 2014
Settlers deploy under the Israeli forces' protection in Hebron.
Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip.
4 civilians were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
A member of an armed group and 2 civilians were wounded in an extra-judicial execution attempt in the central Gaza Strip.
7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in different shooting incidents.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
4 Palestinian civilians were wounded in Kofur Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
20 civilians were wounded in other protests in the West Bank.
Israeli forces conducted 74 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
At least 28 civilians, including 4 children, were arrested.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
At least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were arrested at checkpoints.
Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian fishermen at sea.
Israeli naval forces opened fire 6 times at Palestinian fishing boats. Three fishermen, including a child, were arrested and 2 fishing boats were confiscated.
Israel is continuing to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
A house and a truck used as a store were demolished and 7 family members became homeless.
The Israeli occupation municipality approved a plan to build a Talmudic school and a settler centre in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
Israeli forces continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
The settlers cut off 450 olive and almond seedlings in the north of Ramallah, and 200 olive seedlings in the south of Hebron.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 38 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 31 of whom, including the 4 children, were wounded in the West Bank and the 7 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also launched 3 airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, 2 shooting incidents along the border fence and 6 shooting incidents at fishing boats.
In the Gaza Strip, on 07 February 2014, 4 civilians were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada' cemetery, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at young men near the said fence.
On 09 February 2014, in an extra-judicial execution attempt, a member of an armed group and 2 other brothers were wounded when an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike in the central Gaza Strip. The attack also resulted in damaging windows of 7 houses and electricity cables around.
On 11 February 2014, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a military training site belonging to al-Qassam brigades (the armed wing of Hamas movement), in the south of Gaza City. However, no casualties were reported. On the same day, an Israeli warplane raided an open area in al-Nusairat refugee camp, resulting in crop damage in neighbouring areas.
On 06 February 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, in the southern Gaza Strip, fired sound and flare bombs, east of al-Qarara village, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting fishermen, on 06, 08, 09 and 11 February 2014, Israeli navy forces opened fire 6 times at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, 3 fishermen, including a child, were arrested and their 2 fishing boats were confiscated.
In the West Bank, on 06 February 2014, a Palestinian was seriously wounded in al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved into the camp and fired at a group of boys, who were throwing stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers.
On 11 February 2014, a child was wounded in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, when the village residents had a funeral procession in the village's cemetery and Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them.
On the same day, a 48-year-old male sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the head when Israeli forces opened fire at him while he was going home from his work, northwest of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
On 12 February 2014, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Mothallath al-Shuhada' village at the southern entrance of Jenin.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force during peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded during Kofur Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
In addition, 20 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded during 3 other demonstrations at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah; Selwad village, northeast of the city; and Qalandia checkpoint, at the northern entrance of occupied Jerusalem.
Full Report
Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas in the Gaza Strip.
4 civilians were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
A member of an armed group and 2 civilians were wounded in an extra-judicial execution attempt in the central Gaza Strip.
7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in different shooting incidents.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.
4 Palestinian civilians were wounded in Kofur Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
20 civilians were wounded in other protests in the West Bank.
Israeli forces conducted 74 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
At least 28 civilians, including 4 children, were arrested.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
At least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were arrested at checkpoints.
Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian fishermen at sea.
Israeli naval forces opened fire 6 times at Palestinian fishing boats. Three fishermen, including a child, were arrested and 2 fishing boats were confiscated.
Israel is continuing to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
A house and a truck used as a store were demolished and 7 family members became homeless.
The Israeli occupation municipality approved a plan to build a Talmudic school and a settler centre in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
Israeli forces continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
The settlers cut off 450 olive and almond seedlings in the north of Ramallah, and 200 olive seedlings in the south of Hebron.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 38 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 31 of whom, including the 4 children, were wounded in the West Bank and the 7 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also launched 3 airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, 2 shooting incidents along the border fence and 6 shooting incidents at fishing boats.
In the Gaza Strip, on 07 February 2014, 4 civilians were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shuhada' cemetery, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at young men near the said fence.
On 09 February 2014, in an extra-judicial execution attempt, a member of an armed group and 2 other brothers were wounded when an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike in the central Gaza Strip. The attack also resulted in damaging windows of 7 houses and electricity cables around.
On 11 February 2014, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a military training site belonging to al-Qassam brigades (the armed wing of Hamas movement), in the south of Gaza City. However, no casualties were reported. On the same day, an Israeli warplane raided an open area in al-Nusairat refugee camp, resulting in crop damage in neighbouring areas.
On 06 February 2014, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, in the southern Gaza Strip, fired sound and flare bombs, east of al-Qarara village, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting fishermen, on 06, 08, 09 and 11 February 2014, Israeli navy forces opened fire 6 times at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, 3 fishermen, including a child, were arrested and their 2 fishing boats were confiscated.
In the West Bank, on 06 February 2014, a Palestinian was seriously wounded in al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved into the camp and fired at a group of boys, who were throwing stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers.
On 11 February 2014, a child was wounded in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, when the village residents had a funeral procession in the village's cemetery and Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them.
On the same day, a 48-year-old male sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the head when Israeli forces opened fire at him while he was going home from his work, northwest of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.
On 12 February 2014, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Mothallath al-Shuhada' village at the southern entrance of Jenin.
In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive force during peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded during Kofur Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia.
In addition, 20 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded during 3 other demonstrations at the entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah; Selwad village, northeast of the city; and Qalandia checkpoint, at the northern entrance of occupied Jerusalem.
Full Report
Palestinian official sources said that the number of Palestinian children kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in 2013 rose to 900 detainees, compared to the past years when their average numbers would reach 700 detainees.
In a report, the ministry of prisoners' affairs in Ramallah stated that arresting and torturing Palestinian children become an Israeli systematic policy, which constitutes a serious violation of international conventions and agreements on child's rights.
The vast majority of Palestinian minors and children were exposed to torture during their arrest and interrogation to extract confessions, the report said, noting that they were held in detention centers in Israeli settlements amid very difficult detention conditions.
According to the report, 180 Palestinian minors of less than 18 years old are currently held in Israeli prisons including 43 minors between 14 and 17-year-olds.
Palestinian minors are usually subjected to severe beating with rifle butts during their detention and interrogated without the presence of their lawyers, in addition to terrorizing their families after breaking into their homes at late hours.
Some minors were seriously injured after being tortured by electric shocks and police dogs and being detained in extreme cold conditions, the report added.
The ministry pointed out that the Palestinian minor detainees are deprived of receiving medical treatment and education, and are exposed to physical assaults and maltreatment while being transferred to courts.
In a report, the ministry of prisoners' affairs in Ramallah stated that arresting and torturing Palestinian children become an Israeli systematic policy, which constitutes a serious violation of international conventions and agreements on child's rights.
The vast majority of Palestinian minors and children were exposed to torture during their arrest and interrogation to extract confessions, the report said, noting that they were held in detention centers in Israeli settlements amid very difficult detention conditions.
According to the report, 180 Palestinian minors of less than 18 years old are currently held in Israeli prisons including 43 minors between 14 and 17-year-olds.
Palestinian minors are usually subjected to severe beating with rifle butts during their detention and interrogated without the presence of their lawyers, in addition to terrorizing their families after breaking into their homes at late hours.
Some minors were seriously injured after being tortured by electric shocks and police dogs and being detained in extreme cold conditions, the report added.
The ministry pointed out that the Palestinian minor detainees are deprived of receiving medical treatment and education, and are exposed to physical assaults and maltreatment while being transferred to courts.
12 feb 2014
Euro-Mediterranean Observer for Human Rights said that the observer is to issue a detailed report on Palestinian security forces violations, arbitrary arrests and torture, in particular, in the Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip) during 2013.
Euro-Mid stated that it recorded more than 800 cases of arbitrary arrests in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and nearly 1400 summons orders for the Palestinian citizens by the security forces. The backgrounds of the arrests are related to the expression of opinion and peaceful assembly.
The observer mentioned in the report that the security forces in the West Bank, dominated by Fatah movement, carried out 723 arbitrary arrests and 1137 illegal summons orders in 2013 without judicial authorization in most of these cases. The arrest reasons go back to the social and political activity of the victims or to the expression of their opinion peacefully.
Euro-Mid added that the report documented several cases in which the accused victim was prevented from meeting his defense lawyer and deprived of communication with the outside world. Some victims, interviewed by Euro-Mid, complained that they were exposed to torture during interrogation process to force them give confessions about charges against them.
It noted that the security forces in the West Bank arrested and summons 56 persons on the background of their activity on the social media websites. The forces detained and summons 19 journalists during the last year and arrested caricature painters and article writers because of their writings and paintings against the Palestinian authority policy.
Euro-Mid explained that it recorded 117 torture cases in the West Bank in which the victims claimed that they were exposed to whipping on their hands and feet, beating on many different parts of their bodies and preventing them from sleeping for long time.
Regarding Gaza violations, the report recorded 84 arbitrary arrests, 22 torture cases, 217 summons orders. The strip witnessed 7 cases of assault against journalists. The observer noted that the security forces in Gaza stepped up outlaw arrests alongside the referral that called the people to revolt against the government in Gaza.
At the end of the report, Euro-Mid confirmed that both authorities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip should respect their duties according to the Palestinian laws and the human rights laws.
Euro-Mid stated that it recorded more than 800 cases of arbitrary arrests in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and nearly 1400 summons orders for the Palestinian citizens by the security forces. The backgrounds of the arrests are related to the expression of opinion and peaceful assembly.
The observer mentioned in the report that the security forces in the West Bank, dominated by Fatah movement, carried out 723 arbitrary arrests and 1137 illegal summons orders in 2013 without judicial authorization in most of these cases. The arrest reasons go back to the social and political activity of the victims or to the expression of their opinion peacefully.
Euro-Mid added that the report documented several cases in which the accused victim was prevented from meeting his defense lawyer and deprived of communication with the outside world. Some victims, interviewed by Euro-Mid, complained that they were exposed to torture during interrogation process to force them give confessions about charges against them.
It noted that the security forces in the West Bank arrested and summons 56 persons on the background of their activity on the social media websites. The forces detained and summons 19 journalists during the last year and arrested caricature painters and article writers because of their writings and paintings against the Palestinian authority policy.
Euro-Mid explained that it recorded 117 torture cases in the West Bank in which the victims claimed that they were exposed to whipping on their hands and feet, beating on many different parts of their bodies and preventing them from sleeping for long time.
Regarding Gaza violations, the report recorded 84 arbitrary arrests, 22 torture cases, 217 summons orders. The strip witnessed 7 cases of assault against journalists. The observer noted that the security forces in Gaza stepped up outlaw arrests alongside the referral that called the people to revolt against the government in Gaza.
At the end of the report, Euro-Mid confirmed that both authorities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip should respect their duties according to the Palestinian laws and the human rights laws.
10 feb 2014
A Palestinian report showed that the Israeli occupation arrested up to 107 Palestinians from across the occupied West Bank last week. The stats report issued by Hamas Movement’s information center on Sunday, February 9, said that the detainees were mostly divided over Jerusalem, Nablus and Hebron with 26, 23 from and 22 respectively.
While seven were from Qalqilyah and Bethlehem, six from Jenin, Jericho and Ramalla, three from Tulkarem, and one from Salfeet.
Of the detainees was Rasmeyyeh Balawneh, 50, mother of ex-prisoner and deportee to Gaza Shadi Balawneh, who was freed under prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel in October 2011, as well as Alaa’ Awawdeh, a university student from As-Samou previously arrested by Palestinian Security Services in the West Bank.
Israel is holding nearly 5000 Palestinians in its prisons, including some 490 from the Gaza Strip. 206 prisoners have died as a result of medical negligence so far, according to the official statics of Ministry of Health.
While seven were from Qalqilyah and Bethlehem, six from Jenin, Jericho and Ramalla, three from Tulkarem, and one from Salfeet.
Of the detainees was Rasmeyyeh Balawneh, 50, mother of ex-prisoner and deportee to Gaza Shadi Balawneh, who was freed under prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel in October 2011, as well as Alaa’ Awawdeh, a university student from As-Samou previously arrested by Palestinian Security Services in the West Bank.
Israel is holding nearly 5000 Palestinians in its prisons, including some 490 from the Gaza Strip. 206 prisoners have died as a result of medical negligence so far, according to the official statics of Ministry of Health.
8 feb 2014
Most Israelis fear a boycott if peace talks with the Palestinians fail but agree with criticism of US Secretary of State John Kerry over such a threat, a poll published Friday showed. Israel's hardline foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, however, rejected concerns over an economic boycott and took to Kerry's defence.
"We don't want to turn our friends into enemies. We don't agree with Kerry over everything, but he is a true friend of Israel," Lieberman said at an economic forum, quoted by army radio.
Kerry, trying to hammer out a framework agreement to advance peace talks, has come under fire from Israeli ministers after warning last week that the Jewish state faced growing delegitimization if negotiations collapsed, also referring to "talk of boycotts".
According to a poll in the Jerusalem Post, 67 percent of Israelis said they agreed with the criticism of Kerry, with some saying it should not have taken place publicly.
The same poll, conducted by Geocartography Institute among 500 people with a margin of error of 4.2 percent, also found that over two thirds of Israelis "agreed with the concerns about a potential boycott".
Only 17 percent said they had no such worries.
"We don't want to turn our friends into enemies. We don't agree with Kerry over everything, but he is a true friend of Israel," Lieberman said at an economic forum, quoted by army radio.
Kerry, trying to hammer out a framework agreement to advance peace talks, has come under fire from Israeli ministers after warning last week that the Jewish state faced growing delegitimization if negotiations collapsed, also referring to "talk of boycotts".
According to a poll in the Jerusalem Post, 67 percent of Israelis said they agreed with the criticism of Kerry, with some saying it should not have taken place publicly.
The same poll, conducted by Geocartography Institute among 500 people with a margin of error of 4.2 percent, also found that over two thirds of Israelis "agreed with the concerns about a potential boycott".
Only 17 percent said they had no such worries.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that Israeli demolition policy has increased by 43% since the talks' resumption in August 2013. ICRC has suspended provision of tents to displaced Palestinians in the Jordan Valley in protest over Israeli demolition policy.
"We're suspending the distribution of tents and shelter materials because we have seen a pattern of obstacles and confiscations since the beginning of 2013," said Jon Martin Larsen, a spokesman for the ICRC, calling for "an immediate halt to the demolitions of Palestinian homes".
The international organization also called on Israeli authorities to "facilitate immediate, full and unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid can reach people in need."
According to the data of the United Nations Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), of 286 demolitions that occurred after the beginning of the current round in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, 171 occurred in the Jordan Valley.
Accordingly, 452 people were displaced, accounting to 43 percent of displacement during the negotiations process, while 200 demolitions were carried out in 2012.
The organization's figures indicated that the total number of Palestinian structures destroyed in 2013, stood at 390, up from 279 a year earlier.
"We're suspending the distribution of tents and shelter materials because we have seen a pattern of obstacles and confiscations since the beginning of 2013," said Jon Martin Larsen, a spokesman for the ICRC, calling for "an immediate halt to the demolitions of Palestinian homes".
The international organization also called on Israeli authorities to "facilitate immediate, full and unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid can reach people in need."
According to the data of the United Nations Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), of 286 demolitions that occurred after the beginning of the current round in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, 171 occurred in the Jordan Valley.
Accordingly, 452 people were displaced, accounting to 43 percent of displacement during the negotiations process, while 200 demolitions were carried out in 2012.
The organization's figures indicated that the total number of Palestinian structures destroyed in 2013, stood at 390, up from 279 a year earlier.
7 feb 2014
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) issued its weekly reports on Israeli violations in the occupied territories for the period between January 30 to February 5, 2014.
The PCHR stated that the army carried out more than 72 invasions into Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped 58 Palestinians, including three children and one woman.
The Center said Israeli soldiers and settlers have continued their crimes and escalation against the Palestinian people, their lands and holy sites, while Israeli officials continued their incitement against the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian Authority.
“Such incitement encourages the settlers to escalate their assaults; numerous attacks have been carried out by extremist settlers, and the soldiers protected them instead of removing them”, the PCHR said, “Israel is ignoring complaints filed by the Palestinians against fanatic settlers, who commit crimes, while Arab countries, and the international community, remain idle, an issue that encourages Israel to continue to act as a state that is above the law”.
The PCHR stated that eight Palestinians, including three women and two children, were injured in two Israeli Air Strikes targeting Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The strikes caused excessive property damage to several homes and structures in the area.
The PCHR said a resistance center was bombarded, and partial damages were reported in four homes, a school, and a maintenance workshop, in the first air strike.
While a well, a home and five hothouses were destroyed, in addition to partial damage in another home and eleven hothouses, in the second strike.
Furthermore, seven Palestinian civilians were shot and wounded after Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border, opened fire at them while working in Palestinian lands close to border areas.
In the West Bank, the soldiers shot and injured two Palestinian civilians after the army attacked the weekly nonviolent protest in Kufr Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank.
The PCHR has reported that the army continued the use of excessive force against Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists protesting the illegitimate apartheid wall, and settlements.
On January 31, the army violently attacked nonviolent protesters against the Wall and settlements, in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israeli and international peace activists participated in the weekly protest, and marched against the Wall and settlements and against the killing of Mohammad Mubarak, who was shot and killed by the army on January 29, 2014.
As the protesters reached Palestinian orchards close to the Wall, soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs, concussion grenades, and sprayed the protesters with sewage water mixed with chemicals.
Several protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, while many protesters suffered cuts and bruises after being violently assaulted by the soldiers.
The army also attacked nonviolent protesters in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, and prevented the residents, Israeli and international peace activists, from reaching Palestinian orchards isolated behind the wall.
They fired gas bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets, and sprayed the protesters with waste-water mixed with chemicals. Several Palestinians were injured.
Furthermore, soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists, conducting the weekly nonviolent protest in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
The soldiers isolated the village, and attacked the nonviolent protesters with rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, and also used waste-water mixed with chemical against them.
Several protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, while many suffered cuts and bruises after being attacked and beaten by the soldiers.
The army also attacked the weekly protest in Kufur Qaddoum, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
Soldiers surrounded the area, and violently assaulted the protesters after firing rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs, and concussion grenades at them, wounding at least two Palestinians.
Soldiers also attacked nonviolent protests in the al-Ma’sara village, near Bethlehem, violently attacked and beat them causing several injuries.
Nineteen Palestinians, including two children, were also injured when the soldiers assaulted nonviolent protesters at the entrance of the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, and Silwad, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
One of the wounded Palestinians, 17 years of age, suffered a serious injury after being shot by three rounds of live ammunition to the left side of his throat, his right thigh, and left knee.
After surgery at the Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah, the Palestinian was moved to the Intensive Care Unit.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered at the western entrance of Silwad, and hurled stones at Israeli soldiers and settlers driving on Road #60.
The soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs. One Palestinian was shot by a live round to the leg, while several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The soldiers also set off explosives in a home in the al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, in central West Bank, after invading it.
The PCHR stated that the army bulldozed and removed 14 tents used by local Bedouins, 10 tents used as sheds for sheep, three barns, and 6 kitchens, in the Jordan Valley.
The attacks led to the displacement of 52 Palestinians in the area, the PCHR added.
Furthermore, soldiers installed various roadblocks in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped at least six Palestinian civilians, on different roadblocks.
As for illegitimate settlement activities, and attacks carried out by Israeli settlers, the PCHR said extremist settlers continued their assaults and violations against the residents, and their property.
It said the settlers uprooted 1745 olive saplings, and 20 almond trees, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The PCHR stated that Area C in the occupied West Bank, under Israeli security and military control, is still under constant attacks aiming at constructing and expanding Israel’s settlements, and removing the Palestinians from their homes and lands, mainly in occupied East Jerusalem, and its suburbs.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Navy continued to target the Palestinian fishermen, and carried out four attacks against fishing boats, causing damage but no casualties.
The PCHR said Israel continued its illegitimate siege on the coastal area, adding that the siege, imposed more than seven years ago, is an act of collective punishment in direct violation of International Law, and all related human rights treaties.
It stated the army continued to prevent the import of construction supplies and material into Gaza for the sixth year, while two years ago, Israel allowed the entry of limited supplies to be used by international organization operating in Gaza, and conducting some reconstruction of homes and property.
Starting on September 17 2013, Israel allowed the entry of limited construction materials for the use of the private sector, and denied import of such materials on October 13 2013, and nearly a month ago, it allowed the entry of supplies to be used by the UNRWA and the UNDP.
Restrictions on exports from Gaza are still in place, affecting the impoverished Palestinians in the coastal region; only the export of berries, spices and flowers was allowed.
The PCHR stated that the army carried out more than 72 invasions into Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped 58 Palestinians, including three children and one woman.
The Center said Israeli soldiers and settlers have continued their crimes and escalation against the Palestinian people, their lands and holy sites, while Israeli officials continued their incitement against the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian Authority.
“Such incitement encourages the settlers to escalate their assaults; numerous attacks have been carried out by extremist settlers, and the soldiers protected them instead of removing them”, the PCHR said, “Israel is ignoring complaints filed by the Palestinians against fanatic settlers, who commit crimes, while Arab countries, and the international community, remain idle, an issue that encourages Israel to continue to act as a state that is above the law”.
The PCHR stated that eight Palestinians, including three women and two children, were injured in two Israeli Air Strikes targeting Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The strikes caused excessive property damage to several homes and structures in the area.
The PCHR said a resistance center was bombarded, and partial damages were reported in four homes, a school, and a maintenance workshop, in the first air strike.
While a well, a home and five hothouses were destroyed, in addition to partial damage in another home and eleven hothouses, in the second strike.
Furthermore, seven Palestinian civilians were shot and wounded after Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border, opened fire at them while working in Palestinian lands close to border areas.
In the West Bank, the soldiers shot and injured two Palestinian civilians after the army attacked the weekly nonviolent protest in Kufr Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the West Bank.
The PCHR has reported that the army continued the use of excessive force against Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists protesting the illegitimate apartheid wall, and settlements.
On January 31, the army violently attacked nonviolent protesters against the Wall and settlements, in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israeli and international peace activists participated in the weekly protest, and marched against the Wall and settlements and against the killing of Mohammad Mubarak, who was shot and killed by the army on January 29, 2014.
As the protesters reached Palestinian orchards close to the Wall, soldiers fired rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs, concussion grenades, and sprayed the protesters with sewage water mixed with chemicals.
Several protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, while many protesters suffered cuts and bruises after being violently assaulted by the soldiers.
The army also attacked nonviolent protesters in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, and prevented the residents, Israeli and international peace activists, from reaching Palestinian orchards isolated behind the wall.
They fired gas bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets, and sprayed the protesters with waste-water mixed with chemicals. Several Palestinians were injured.
Furthermore, soldiers attacked dozens of Palestinian, Israeli and international peace activists, conducting the weekly nonviolent protest in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
The soldiers isolated the village, and attacked the nonviolent protesters with rounds of live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, and also used waste-water mixed with chemical against them.
Several protesters suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, while many suffered cuts and bruises after being attacked and beaten by the soldiers.
The army also attacked the weekly protest in Kufur Qaddoum, near the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia.
Soldiers surrounded the area, and violently assaulted the protesters after firing rounds of live ammunition, gas bombs, and concussion grenades at them, wounding at least two Palestinians.
Soldiers also attacked nonviolent protests in the al-Ma’sara village, near Bethlehem, violently attacked and beat them causing several injuries.
Nineteen Palestinians, including two children, were also injured when the soldiers assaulted nonviolent protesters at the entrance of the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, and Silwad, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
One of the wounded Palestinians, 17 years of age, suffered a serious injury after being shot by three rounds of live ammunition to the left side of his throat, his right thigh, and left knee.
After surgery at the Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah, the Palestinian was moved to the Intensive Care Unit.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered at the western entrance of Silwad, and hurled stones at Israeli soldiers and settlers driving on Road #60.
The soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs. One Palestinian was shot by a live round to the leg, while several Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The soldiers also set off explosives in a home in the al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, in central West Bank, after invading it.
The PCHR stated that the army bulldozed and removed 14 tents used by local Bedouins, 10 tents used as sheds for sheep, three barns, and 6 kitchens, in the Jordan Valley.
The attacks led to the displacement of 52 Palestinians in the area, the PCHR added.
Furthermore, soldiers installed various roadblocks in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped at least six Palestinian civilians, on different roadblocks.
As for illegitimate settlement activities, and attacks carried out by Israeli settlers, the PCHR said extremist settlers continued their assaults and violations against the residents, and their property.
It said the settlers uprooted 1745 olive saplings, and 20 almond trees, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah.
The PCHR stated that Area C in the occupied West Bank, under Israeli security and military control, is still under constant attacks aiming at constructing and expanding Israel’s settlements, and removing the Palestinians from their homes and lands, mainly in occupied East Jerusalem, and its suburbs.
In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Navy continued to target the Palestinian fishermen, and carried out four attacks against fishing boats, causing damage but no casualties.
The PCHR said Israel continued its illegitimate siege on the coastal area, adding that the siege, imposed more than seven years ago, is an act of collective punishment in direct violation of International Law, and all related human rights treaties.
It stated the army continued to prevent the import of construction supplies and material into Gaza for the sixth year, while two years ago, Israel allowed the entry of limited supplies to be used by international organization operating in Gaza, and conducting some reconstruction of homes and property.
Starting on September 17 2013, Israel allowed the entry of limited construction materials for the use of the private sector, and denied import of such materials on October 13 2013, and nearly a month ago, it allowed the entry of supplies to be used by the UNRWA and the UNDP.
Restrictions on exports from Gaza are still in place, affecting the impoverished Palestinians in the coastal region; only the export of berries, spices and flowers was allowed.
6 feb 2014
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A picture of two Gazan Kids suffering from cancer
The number of cancer patients in the besieged Gaza Strip is on the rise as Israel uses weapons containing carcinogenic agents against Palestinians, medical sources reported. On Tuesday, Gazan patients and doctors marked the World Cancer Day by staging a protest inside Gaza’s Shifa hospital. An average of 1,000 cancer cases has been recorded annually among Gazans for the past two years. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Israeli occupation’s use of internationally-banned weapons has sharply increased the number of cancer cases. |
“Thousands of tons of unconventional weapons containing carcinogenic agents were fired on Gaza in the last 14 years. Many of the weapons used by the Israeli forces are internationally banned and contain illegal substances that not only affect people but they also have long-term effects on the environment,” said Health Ministry Spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra.
During the December 2008-January 2009 war against Gaza, Norwegian Doctor Mads Fredrik Gilbert, who volunteered at Gaza’s Shifa hospital, said that some victims had traces of depleted uranium in their wounds.
“The Israeli forces used all sorts of weapons against us. They are testing their weapons on us and on our children,” said a Gazan cancer patient.
Over 160 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed and about 1,200 others injured in Israel’s eight-day offensive on the coastal enclave, which ended on November 21, 2012.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standards of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid occupation denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
During the December 2008-January 2009 war against Gaza, Norwegian Doctor Mads Fredrik Gilbert, who volunteered at Gaza’s Shifa hospital, said that some victims had traces of depleted uranium in their wounds.
“The Israeli forces used all sorts of weapons against us. They are testing their weapons on us and on our children,” said a Gazan cancer patient.
Over 160 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed and about 1,200 others injured in Israel’s eight-day offensive on the coastal enclave, which ended on November 21, 2012.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standards of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid occupation denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
Recent Statistics of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that the number of Palestinian buildings the Israeli Civil Administration demolished in the Jordan Valley has doubled in 2013. Israeli occupation demolished 390 buildings in 2013 compared to 172 in 2012; 156 were residential buildings while the rest were structures such as livestock pens, storage sheds and field kitchens.
In the rest of Area C, Israel demolished 52 residential buildings and 123 other buildings. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation demolished 52 residential buildings and 46 ancillary structures — 663 buildings in all.
Accordingly, in 2013, 1,103 Palestinians, including 558 children, lost their homes as a result of the demolitions. In the Jordan Valley alone, 590 people, including 297 children, lost their homes because of Israel’s colonial policy.
Israeli daily paper, Harretz reported that the international Committee of the Red Cross has stopped providing emergency tents to Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley whose homes have been demolished by Israel.
The Red Cross explained that the Israeli army has methodically kept the tents from arriving at their destination, confiscating or destroying them.
In the rest of Area C, Israel demolished 52 residential buildings and 123 other buildings. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli occupation demolished 52 residential buildings and 46 ancillary structures — 663 buildings in all.
Accordingly, in 2013, 1,103 Palestinians, including 558 children, lost their homes as a result of the demolitions. In the Jordan Valley alone, 590 people, including 297 children, lost their homes because of Israel’s colonial policy.
Israeli daily paper, Harretz reported that the international Committee of the Red Cross has stopped providing emergency tents to Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley whose homes have been demolished by Israel.
The Red Cross explained that the Israeli army has methodically kept the tents from arriving at their destination, confiscating or destroying them.
A Palestinian boy pictured in the Jordan Valley
Israeli forces destroyed 27 homes in the occupied Jordan Valley in January, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem, leaving 147 people homeless.
Nearly half of those displaced were children and 65 people lived in communities that had been demolished more than once by Israel, B'Tselem said.
On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would stop providing tents to Palestinians whose homes had been demolished in the Jordan Valley because Israel would often confiscate them.
Last week, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories criticized Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in the Jordan Valley.
"I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians ... along the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year," James Rawley said in a statement.
"This activity not only deprives Palestinians of access to shelter and basic services, it also runs counter to international law."
The number of structures demolished by the Israeli authorities in the Jordan Valley in 2013 more than doubled, from 192 in 2012 to 393 in 2013
Israel has said in recent negotiations that it is not willing to compromise security in the Jordan Valley, which forms a third of the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of the Jordan Valley is designated as Area C, with illegal settlements controlling up to 50 percent of the land area.
Israeli forces destroyed 27 homes in the occupied Jordan Valley in January, according to Israeli rights group B'Tselem, leaving 147 people homeless.
Nearly half of those displaced were children and 65 people lived in communities that had been demolished more than once by Israel, B'Tselem said.
On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would stop providing tents to Palestinians whose homes had been demolished in the Jordan Valley because Israel would often confiscate them.
Last week, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories criticized Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in the Jordan Valley.
"I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians ... along the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year," James Rawley said in a statement.
"This activity not only deprives Palestinians of access to shelter and basic services, it also runs counter to international law."
The number of structures demolished by the Israeli authorities in the Jordan Valley in 2013 more than doubled, from 192 in 2012 to 393 in 2013
Israel has said in recent negotiations that it is not willing to compromise security in the Jordan Valley, which forms a third of the occupied West Bank.
Over 90 percent of the Jordan Valley is designated as Area C, with illegal settlements controlling up to 50 percent of the land area.
5 feb 2014
Following her visit to Megiddo prison, lawyer Hiba Mosalha revealed Israeli violations and ill-treatment policy against Palestinian minors in Israeli jails. The lawyer confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli violations include severe beatings, insults and psychological and physical torture.
The 16-year-old detainee Samer Jabri was detained in September 2013 and held in Ariel settlement. He was severely beaten, causing him serious bleeding. He was then handcuffed to the chair in a very painful and harmful position for long hours, according to the lawyer.
The lawyer quoted another detainee Walid Awda, 16, as saying that he was brutally attacked during his arrest by Israeli forces who severely beat him with their rifle butts.
He was held in a military camp and kept under extreme cold weather till late hours before being transferred to Ariel settlement for interrogation, he continued.
On the other hand, Tadamun Foundation for human rights said that Palestinian detainees in Ofer prison suffer overcrowding in their rooms.
Following his visit to Ofer prison on Monday, the Foundation's lawyer confirmed that Israeli Prison Administration has moved a number of administrative detainees to other prisons particularly Megiddo to alleviate the overcrowding.
Section 14 in Ofer prison can accommodate only 120 prisoners; however, 145 detainees are currently held in the mentioned section, he explained.
Increasing numbers of Palestinian detainees are forced to sleep on the floor due to the prison overcrowding in addition to the lack of blankets, the lawyer added.
The 16-year-old detainee Samer Jabri was detained in September 2013 and held in Ariel settlement. He was severely beaten, causing him serious bleeding. He was then handcuffed to the chair in a very painful and harmful position for long hours, according to the lawyer.
The lawyer quoted another detainee Walid Awda, 16, as saying that he was brutally attacked during his arrest by Israeli forces who severely beat him with their rifle butts.
He was held in a military camp and kept under extreme cold weather till late hours before being transferred to Ariel settlement for interrogation, he continued.
On the other hand, Tadamun Foundation for human rights said that Palestinian detainees in Ofer prison suffer overcrowding in their rooms.
Following his visit to Ofer prison on Monday, the Foundation's lawyer confirmed that Israeli Prison Administration has moved a number of administrative detainees to other prisons particularly Megiddo to alleviate the overcrowding.
Section 14 in Ofer prison can accommodate only 120 prisoners; however, 145 detainees are currently held in the mentioned section, he explained.
Increasing numbers of Palestinian detainees are forced to sleep on the floor due to the prison overcrowding in addition to the lack of blankets, the lawyer added.