28 sept 2018
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On Friday afternoon, 28 September 2018, using excessive force against the peaceful protesters in the eastern Gaza Strip for the 27th Friday in a row, Israeli forces Killed 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, and wounded 203 others, including 28 children, 4 women, 2 journalists, and a paramedic with live bullets and direct tear gas canisters. Ten of those wounded sustained serious wounds.
According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed heavy deployment of the Israeli forces this week as the latter heavily fired live bullets, increasing the number of causalities . The Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political |
echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators who posed no threat or danger to the life of Israeli soldiers in the areas of demonstrations.
Investigations and observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers emphasize that the demonstrations in all areas were as always fully peaceful, and neither weapons nor armed persons were seen. However, the Israeli forces’ snipers continued to position on the hills, behind the sand berms and in military jeeps along the border fence.
The incidents today, 28 September 2018, were as follows:At approximately 15:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the 5 encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege along the border fence, east of the Gaza Strip governorates. They raised flags and chanted national songs. Hundreds, including children and women, approached the border fence with Israel, set fire to tires and gathered 300 meters away from the main border fence. Some of them attempted to throw stones at the Israeli forces, pulled parts of the barbed-wire fence established inside the Palestinian territories and fired incendiary balloons along the border fence.
The Israeli shooting, which continued until 19:00, resulted in the killing of 7 civilians, including 2 children. All of them were wounded to their upper limbs. A child was killed in eastern al-Buriej Camp; 2 civilians, including a child, were killed in eastern Khuza’ah, east of Khan Yunis; and 3 civilians, including a child, were killed in eastern al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood in Gaza City. The killed persons were identified as:
Moreover, 203 civilians, including 28 children, 4 women, 4 journalists, and a paramedic, were wounded with live bullets and direct tear gas canisters. Ten of those wounded sustained serious wounds in addition dozens suffering tear gas inhalation and seizures after tear gas canisters were heavily fired by the Israeli soldiers from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
Table of Civilian Casualties due to the Israeli Suppression since the Beginning of the Great March of Return on 30 March
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there are 3 Persons 3 2 1 30 150 Killed
with Disabilities and a child suffers from
a mental disorder, while among the
children killed, there is a girl.
Among those wounded, 455 are in 116 96 222 1355 7867 Wounded
serious condition and 76 had their lower
or upper limbs amputated. The number
of those wounded only include those
wounded with live bullet and directly hit
with tear gas canisters as there have
been thousand others who suffered
tear gas inhalation and sustained
bruises.
PCHR hereby condemns the crimes committed by the Israeli forces, 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 emphasizes that continuously inflicting casualties, either killed or wounded, is unjustified, and using lethal force to target and kill 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 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.
Investigations and observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers emphasize that the demonstrations in all areas were as always fully peaceful, and neither weapons nor armed persons were seen. However, the Israeli forces’ snipers continued to position on the hills, behind the sand berms and in military jeeps along the border fence.
The incidents today, 28 September 2018, were as follows:At approximately 15:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the 5 encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege along the border fence, east of the Gaza Strip governorates. They raised flags and chanted national songs. Hundreds, including children and women, approached the border fence with Israel, set fire to tires and gathered 300 meters away from the main border fence. Some of them attempted to throw stones at the Israeli forces, pulled parts of the barbed-wire fence established inside the Palestinian territories and fired incendiary balloons along the border fence.
The Israeli shooting, which continued until 19:00, resulted in the killing of 7 civilians, including 2 children. All of them were wounded to their upper limbs. A child was killed in eastern al-Buriej Camp; 2 civilians, including a child, were killed in eastern Khuza’ah, east of Khan Yunis; and 3 civilians, including a child, were killed in eastern al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood in Gaza City. The killed persons were identified as:
- Mohamed Naiyf al-Houm (14), from al-Buriej Camp in the central Gaza Strip, was hit with a live bullet to the chest in eastern al-Buriej Camp.
- Mohamed Ashraf al-‘Awawdah (23), from al-Buriej Camp, died only few hours after being hit with a live bullet to the chest in eastern al-Buriej Camp.
- Naser ‘Azmi Mohamed Mosbeh (12), from Khan Yunis, was hit with a live bullet to the head in eastern Khan Yunis.
- Mohamed ‘Ali Mohamed Inshasiy (18), from Khan Yunis, was hit with a live bullet to the chest in eastern Khan Yunis.
- Eyad Khalil Ahmed al-Sha’ier (18), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood in Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet to the chest in eastern Gaza City.
- Mohamed Bassam Mohamed Shakhsah (24), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood in Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet to the head in eastern Gaza City.
- Mohamed Waleed Mostafa Haniyah (33), from Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet to the head in eastern Gaza City.
Moreover, 203 civilians, including 28 children, 4 women, 4 journalists, and a paramedic, were wounded with live bullets and direct tear gas canisters. Ten of those wounded sustained serious wounds in addition dozens suffering tear gas inhalation and seizures after tear gas canisters were heavily fired by the Israeli soldiers from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
Table of Civilian Casualties due to the Israeli Suppression since the Beginning of the Great March of Return on 30 March
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there are 3 Persons 3 2 1 30 150 Killed
with Disabilities and a child suffers from
a mental disorder, while among the
children killed, there is a girl.
Among those wounded, 455 are in 116 96 222 1355 7867 Wounded
serious condition and 76 had their lower
or upper limbs amputated. The number
of those wounded only include those
wounded with live bullet and directly hit
with tear gas canisters as there have
been thousand others who suffered
tear gas inhalation and sustained
bruises.
PCHR hereby condemns the crimes committed by the Israeli forces, 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 emphasizes that continuously inflicting casualties, either killed or wounded, is unjustified, and using lethal force to target and kill 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 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.
The latest figures provided by the Ministry of Health (MoH) indicate that, during the demonstrations between the 10th and 22nd of September, ten Palestinians, including four children, were killed and 1,193 were injured by Israeli forces.
Out of the total 1,193 injured, 690 patients required transfer to the MoH hospitals or NGO clinics, including 127 children and 37 females. Of the hospitalized injured, 19 cases were critically life threatening, 275 moderate, 386 mild, and the remaining 10 were unspecified cases (see also figures 1 and 2 on the following page).
The MoH and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) set up a total of ten Trauma Stabilization Points (TSPs), with the tenth one established at the beach north of Gaza. At least 503 injured patients were managed at the TSPs and discharged at the TSPs. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to strengthen the capacity of the TSPs, across Gaza, to provide life-saving interventions.
According to the PNN, Gaza’s 14 public hospitals rely on donated fuel to run generators during the electricity black-outs, which continue to last up to 18-20 hours per day. The last batch of UN donated fuel has been distributed during August of 2018. Local authorities have since procured 120,000 litres, and a charity organization (Human Appeal International) has provided 10,500 litres, to sustain services at public hospitals throughout the month of September.
Nevertheless, hospitals are rationalizing the use of the remaining fuel reserves by suspending sterilization, laundry, cleaning, catering and selected diagnostic services during electricity cuts.
On 17 September the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), announced the release of US$1.0 million from the humanitarian fund for fuel procurement. This support will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for up to 250 critical health and water and sanitation facilities for a period of up to 6-7 weeks.
In August of 2018, the Central Drug Store of the MoH in Gaza reported 47% of essential drugs, at less than one month’s supply, and 40% completely depleted. 30% of essential disposables were at less than one month’s supply.
Click here for WHO Situation Report
Out of the total 1,193 injured, 690 patients required transfer to the MoH hospitals or NGO clinics, including 127 children and 37 females. Of the hospitalized injured, 19 cases were critically life threatening, 275 moderate, 386 mild, and the remaining 10 were unspecified cases (see also figures 1 and 2 on the following page).
The MoH and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) set up a total of ten Trauma Stabilization Points (TSPs), with the tenth one established at the beach north of Gaza. At least 503 injured patients were managed at the TSPs and discharged at the TSPs. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to strengthen the capacity of the TSPs, across Gaza, to provide life-saving interventions.
According to the PNN, Gaza’s 14 public hospitals rely on donated fuel to run generators during the electricity black-outs, which continue to last up to 18-20 hours per day. The last batch of UN donated fuel has been distributed during August of 2018. Local authorities have since procured 120,000 litres, and a charity organization (Human Appeal International) has provided 10,500 litres, to sustain services at public hospitals throughout the month of September.
Nevertheless, hospitals are rationalizing the use of the remaining fuel reserves by suspending sterilization, laundry, cleaning, catering and selected diagnostic services during electricity cuts.
On 17 September the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), announced the release of US$1.0 million from the humanitarian fund for fuel procurement. This support will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for up to 250 critical health and water and sanitation facilities for a period of up to 6-7 weeks.
In August of 2018, the Central Drug Store of the MoH in Gaza reported 47% of essential drugs, at less than one month’s supply, and 40% completely depleted. 30% of essential disposables were at less than one month’s supply.
Click here for WHO Situation Report
27 sept 2018
Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes, in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), for the week of 20 – 26 September, 2018.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against unarmed civilians and peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. 3 civilians were killed in Gaza City and northern Gaza. 311 civilians, including 59 children, 120 women, 4 journalists and 4 paramedics, were wounded. Eight of those wounded sustained serious wounds. 3 civilians were wounded in the West Bank.
Shooting:
Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized within the activities of the “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed for the 26th week in a row peaceful demonstrations along the eastern and northern Gaza Strip border area. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and wounded 311 civilians, including 59 children, 2 women, 4 journalists, and 4 paramedics. In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
In the Gaza Strip, on 21 September 2018, the Israeli forces killed Karim Mohammed Mahmoud Kullab (20) from Gaza City after being shot with a bullet that penetrated his abdomen and exited his back, during his participation in the Return and Breaking the Siege March, east of the city.
On 23 September 3018, the Israeli forces killed Imad Dawound Mahmoud Ishteiwi (21) from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, after being shot with a bullet to the head during his participation in a night demonstration within the Return and Breaking the Siege Activities, east of Gaza City.
On the next day, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Fayez Abu al-Sadeq (21) from al-Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza City after being shot with a bullet to the head from the back during his participation in the Return and Breaking the Siege protests in al-Seifa area “off Zikim Military Base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Injuries in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period:
Governorate Injuries
Total Children Women Journalists Paramedics Critical Injuries
Northern Gaza Strip 115 3 5 2 4 1 2
Gaza City 128 7 0 0 3 0
Central Gaza Strip 25 5 0 0 0 2
Khan Younis 27 6 0 1 0 1
Rafah 16 6 0 0 0 3
Total 311 27 5 3 7 18
As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, pointing out to the ongoing Israeli policy of targeting their livelihoods. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces opened fire 3 times off the northern Gaza Strip shore.
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces during the reporting period wounded 3 Palestinian civilians after suppressing the peaceful protests against settlements and siege.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 27 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman who is a journalist, in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 15 other civilians, including 2 children, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs.
Israeli Forces continued to create a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
As part of the house demolitions and other civilian objects, on 20 September 2018, the Israeli forces forced a civilian to self-demolish his house in al-Ashqariyah neighbourhood in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, upon a decision by the Israeli Municipality.
On 23 September 2018, Israeli authorities notified the residents of Khan al-Ahamr Bedouin Community, east of occupied East Jerusalem, to evacuate their dwellings and self-demolish them within a week at the latest.
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 Palestinian civilians and their property, on 20 September 2018, the Israeli authorities handed a notice to a civilian in order to stop the construction works in his house. They also took photos of 2 other houses and retaining walls in ‘Ein al-Jweizeh neighbourhood in al-Walajah village, northwest of Bethlehem.
On the same day, the Israeli forces demolished an under-construction house in Rantis village, west of Ramallah, under the pretext of building without a license in the area classified C which is under the Israeli control according to 1993 Oslo Accords.
The Israeli forces carried out a wide land-levelling operation in the Khelet al-Nahlah Hill opposite to Urtas village, southwest of Behtlehem. They opened the road connecting the Hill with “Givat Itmar” settlement outpost that has been closed by the Israeli forces for 4 years.
As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, a group of Israeli settlers accompanied with Israeli government officials and police officers tried to take over a land belonging to a civilian in al-Sheikh Jarrah, north of East Jerusalem’s Old City.
On 24 September 2018, Israeli forces confiscated a caravan after dismantling it and a vehicle in Um al-Shaqhan area near Kherbet al-Mafqarah, east of Yata in southern Hebron, under the pretext of building and working in area C, without any prior authorization.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attack:
• At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 20 September 2018, Israeli bulldozer demolished an under-construction house in Rantees village, west of Ramallah, under the pretext of non-licensing in area classified as Area C, that is under the Israeli control. The above-mentioned 180-square-meter house belongs to Anwar al-Sab’awi. Anwar said that he previously got a license for his house after submitting an official letter via the Palestinian Liaison to the Israeli competent authorities, which gave him the approval to build his house.
• On Thursday morning, Israeli forces levelled the mountain hill known as Khelet al-Nahla, which is adjacent to Atras village, southwest of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces opened a road that connects Khelet al-Nahla Hill with “Geoffat Itamar“settlement. The abovementioned road was closed 4 years ago by the Israeli forces following the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision upon a petition submitted by the hill’s residents and the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. Hasan Breajah, Representative of Committee against Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, said that those measures came after inciting the Israeli Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, despite of the presence of 2 decisions from the Israeli Supreme Court to close it. The levelling operations and opening the road after a number of Israeli settlers came into Khelet Nahlah Hill, which is around 400 dumuns, established mobile houses, raised Israeli flags, and supplied electricity. Breajah clarified that a number of Israeli activists, who are from “Efrat“ settlement, came into the hill after evicting it years ago.
• At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 24 September 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with 2 military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a truck moved into Um Shaqhan area near Kherbit al-Mofaqqarah, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. Um Shaqhan area is surrounded by “Avigal “settlement established on the Palestinians lands. The Israeli forces confiscated a caravan after dismantling it by the Israeli Civil Administration staff, a generator and tools belonging to Ahmed ‘Okasha Makharmah, and a vehicle belonging to Ishaq Mohamed Zain. All the confiscated items were taken to a detention facility in “Gush Etzion “ settlement, south of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces confiscated these items under the pretext of working in area classified as Area C, without taking a prior permission as the Israeli authorities prevented persons from expanding their lands whether building on or repairing those lands, which became uninhabited. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities targeted Kherbet al-Mofakharah, which shelters around 150 people, by demolishing its building and notifying its residents. Each building and facility in Kherbet al-Mofakharah received notices and orders whereas the Israeli authorities conducted expansion works in settlements established on Palestinian civilians’ lands and other nearby lands.
Israeli settlers’ attack:
• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 20 September 2018, a group of Israeli settlers accompanied with Israeli government officials and police officers attacked a plot of land belonging to ‘Abed al-Razeq al-Shaiekh in al-Shaiekh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli setters raided the land, under the Israeli forces’ protection, for the second consecutive time during 20 days. The eyewitnesses clarified that the Israeli settlers brought tools to set up a tent in ‘Abed al-Razeq’s land, but the neighborhood’s residents confronted them and prevented them from continuing their work. The eyewitnesses pointed out that the settlers came into the area with an employee from the so-called Absentee Property Custodian Department and an Israeli settler, Aryeh King.
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.
1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
4. PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.
Fully detailed document available at the official website for the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against unarmed civilians and peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. 3 civilians were killed in Gaza City and northern Gaza. 311 civilians, including 59 children, 120 women, 4 journalists and 4 paramedics, were wounded. Eight of those wounded sustained serious wounds. 3 civilians were wounded in the West Bank.
Shooting:
Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized within the activities of the “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed for the 26th week in a row peaceful demonstrations along the eastern and northern Gaza Strip border area. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and wounded 311 civilians, including 59 children, 2 women, 4 journalists, and 4 paramedics. In the West Bank, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
In the Gaza Strip, on 21 September 2018, the Israeli forces killed Karim Mohammed Mahmoud Kullab (20) from Gaza City after being shot with a bullet that penetrated his abdomen and exited his back, during his participation in the Return and Breaking the Siege March, east of the city.
On 23 September 3018, the Israeli forces killed Imad Dawound Mahmoud Ishteiwi (21) from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, after being shot with a bullet to the head during his participation in a night demonstration within the Return and Breaking the Siege Activities, east of Gaza City.
On the next day, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Fayez Abu al-Sadeq (21) from al-Shati’ refugee camp, west of Gaza City after being shot with a bullet to the head from the back during his participation in the Return and Breaking the Siege protests in al-Seifa area “off Zikim Military Base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Injuries in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period:
Governorate Injuries
Total Children Women Journalists Paramedics Critical Injuries
Northern Gaza Strip 115 3 5 2 4 1 2
Gaza City 128 7 0 0 3 0
Central Gaza Strip 25 5 0 0 0 2
Khan Younis 27 6 0 1 0 1
Rafah 16 6 0 0 0 3
Total 311 27 5 3 7 18
As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, pointing out to the ongoing Israeli policy of targeting their livelihoods. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces opened fire 3 times off the northern Gaza Strip shore.
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces during the reporting period wounded 3 Palestinian civilians after suppressing the peaceful protests against settlements and siege.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 27 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman who is a journalist, in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 15 other civilians, including 2 children, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs.
Israeli Forces continued to create a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
As part of the house demolitions and other civilian objects, on 20 September 2018, the Israeli forces forced a civilian to self-demolish his house in al-Ashqariyah neighbourhood in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, upon a decision by the Israeli Municipality.
On 23 September 2018, Israeli authorities notified the residents of Khan al-Ahamr Bedouin Community, east of occupied East Jerusalem, to evacuate their dwellings and self-demolish them within a week at the latest.
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 Palestinian civilians and their property, on 20 September 2018, the Israeli authorities handed a notice to a civilian in order to stop the construction works in his house. They also took photos of 2 other houses and retaining walls in ‘Ein al-Jweizeh neighbourhood in al-Walajah village, northwest of Bethlehem.
On the same day, the Israeli forces demolished an under-construction house in Rantis village, west of Ramallah, under the pretext of building without a license in the area classified C which is under the Israeli control according to 1993 Oslo Accords.
The Israeli forces carried out a wide land-levelling operation in the Khelet al-Nahlah Hill opposite to Urtas village, southwest of Behtlehem. They opened the road connecting the Hill with “Givat Itmar” settlement outpost that has been closed by the Israeli forces for 4 years.
As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, a group of Israeli settlers accompanied with Israeli government officials and police officers tried to take over a land belonging to a civilian in al-Sheikh Jarrah, north of East Jerusalem’s Old City.
On 24 September 2018, Israeli forces confiscated a caravan after dismantling it and a vehicle in Um al-Shaqhan area near Kherbet al-Mafqarah, east of Yata in southern Hebron, under the pretext of building and working in area C, without any prior authorization.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attack:
• At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 20 September 2018, Israeli bulldozer demolished an under-construction house in Rantees village, west of Ramallah, under the pretext of non-licensing in area classified as Area C, that is under the Israeli control. The above-mentioned 180-square-meter house belongs to Anwar al-Sab’awi. Anwar said that he previously got a license for his house after submitting an official letter via the Palestinian Liaison to the Israeli competent authorities, which gave him the approval to build his house.
• On Thursday morning, Israeli forces levelled the mountain hill known as Khelet al-Nahla, which is adjacent to Atras village, southwest of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces opened a road that connects Khelet al-Nahla Hill with “Geoffat Itamar“settlement. The abovementioned road was closed 4 years ago by the Israeli forces following the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision upon a petition submitted by the hill’s residents and the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. Hasan Breajah, Representative of Committee against Wall and Settlements in Bethlehem, said that those measures came after inciting the Israeli Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, despite of the presence of 2 decisions from the Israeli Supreme Court to close it. The levelling operations and opening the road after a number of Israeli settlers came into Khelet Nahlah Hill, which is around 400 dumuns, established mobile houses, raised Israeli flags, and supplied electricity. Breajah clarified that a number of Israeli activists, who are from “Efrat“ settlement, came into the hill after evicting it years ago.
• At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 24 September 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with 2 military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a truck moved into Um Shaqhan area near Kherbit al-Mofaqqarah, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. Um Shaqhan area is surrounded by “Avigal “settlement established on the Palestinians lands. The Israeli forces confiscated a caravan after dismantling it by the Israeli Civil Administration staff, a generator and tools belonging to Ahmed ‘Okasha Makharmah, and a vehicle belonging to Ishaq Mohamed Zain. All the confiscated items were taken to a detention facility in “Gush Etzion “ settlement, south of Bethlehem. The Israeli forces confiscated these items under the pretext of working in area classified as Area C, without taking a prior permission as the Israeli authorities prevented persons from expanding their lands whether building on or repairing those lands, which became uninhabited. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities targeted Kherbet al-Mofakharah, which shelters around 150 people, by demolishing its building and notifying its residents. Each building and facility in Kherbet al-Mofakharah received notices and orders whereas the Israeli authorities conducted expansion works in settlements established on Palestinian civilians’ lands and other nearby lands.
Israeli settlers’ attack:
• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 20 September 2018, a group of Israeli settlers accompanied with Israeli government officials and police officers attacked a plot of land belonging to ‘Abed al-Razeq al-Shaiekh in al-Shaiekh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli setters raided the land, under the Israeli forces’ protection, for the second consecutive time during 20 days. The eyewitnesses clarified that the Israeli settlers brought tools to set up a tent in ‘Abed al-Razeq’s land, but the neighborhood’s residents confronted them and prevented them from continuing their work. The eyewitnesses pointed out that the settlers came into the area with an employee from the so-called Absentee Property Custodian Department and an Israeli settler, Aryeh King.
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.
1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
4. PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.
Fully detailed document available at the official website for the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).
Over the past two years, more than 2,000 people have been impacted by a decision to revoke entry permits to Israel, from Palestinians who share a name with someone who has carried out a resistance attack.
A report by Hebrew channel Social TV revealed, this week, that since 2016, thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank, many of whom have worked in Israel for over 20 years, have had their entry denied overnight, rendering them jobless.
When the reason for the refusal is requested, Israeli authorities state that it is due to a shared family name with a suspected resistance attacker, even if no actual familial connection exists between the two parties. The move has impacted hundreds of people with common Palestinian names.
“It could be hundreds or thousands of people for that matter,” Yoav Gal Tamir of the workers Advice Centre, which represents Palestinian workers, said. “It is as if cancelling the entry permit for someone called Cohen, when someone else called Cohen did something wrong.”
Whilst Israel regularly implements such a policy on the direct family members of resistance attackers, usually for the space of a year, some of the recent permit refusals have been found to state their expiry date as 100 years from the time of issuance, effectively barring Palestinians from exiting the West Bank for life.
With unemployment in the occupied territories high and wages low, the latest refusals have increased the financial strain on hundreds of families, many of whom have numerous dependents to support. Palestinians have argued that this only increases the likelihood of resistance attacks against Israeli forces, as young men feel hopeless at the prospect of continued economic hardship for their families.
“Take a balloon. If you keep blowing into a balloon, how long will it last? In the end, it will explode. We are fed up and waiting to explode. We want to work, we have family responsibilities,” Kaher Al-Jamal, a Beit Surik resident who previously worked as a gardener in Israel, said.
The prevention of Palestinian employees crossing the border has also caused concern among Israeli companies which require workers, particularly in the field of construction. Some Israeli contractors have raised the issue with border administration officials, but to no avail.
Many Palestinians have attempted to address their exclusion through legal channels. Whilst the Israeli authorities have defended their right to block entry to those deemed a security threat, many have found their permit reinstated prior to scheduled court dates, according to Attorney Tamir Blank, suggesting that authorities wish to avoid hearings on the issue.
The Israeli High court has ruled that measures that constitute collective and arbitrary punishment are illegal, but occupation forces have otherwise been permitted to carry out such actions with impunity.
~ Middle East Monitor/Days pf Palestine
Opinion/Analysis 09/21/18: Alt-Right March for Israel, Human Rights Activist Smeared as Anti-Semitic
A report by Hebrew channel Social TV revealed, this week, that since 2016, thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank, many of whom have worked in Israel for over 20 years, have had their entry denied overnight, rendering them jobless.
When the reason for the refusal is requested, Israeli authorities state that it is due to a shared family name with a suspected resistance attacker, even if no actual familial connection exists between the two parties. The move has impacted hundreds of people with common Palestinian names.
“It could be hundreds or thousands of people for that matter,” Yoav Gal Tamir of the workers Advice Centre, which represents Palestinian workers, said. “It is as if cancelling the entry permit for someone called Cohen, when someone else called Cohen did something wrong.”
Whilst Israel regularly implements such a policy on the direct family members of resistance attackers, usually for the space of a year, some of the recent permit refusals have been found to state their expiry date as 100 years from the time of issuance, effectively barring Palestinians from exiting the West Bank for life.
With unemployment in the occupied territories high and wages low, the latest refusals have increased the financial strain on hundreds of families, many of whom have numerous dependents to support. Palestinians have argued that this only increases the likelihood of resistance attacks against Israeli forces, as young men feel hopeless at the prospect of continued economic hardship for their families.
“Take a balloon. If you keep blowing into a balloon, how long will it last? In the end, it will explode. We are fed up and waiting to explode. We want to work, we have family responsibilities,” Kaher Al-Jamal, a Beit Surik resident who previously worked as a gardener in Israel, said.
The prevention of Palestinian employees crossing the border has also caused concern among Israeli companies which require workers, particularly in the field of construction. Some Israeli contractors have raised the issue with border administration officials, but to no avail.
Many Palestinians have attempted to address their exclusion through legal channels. Whilst the Israeli authorities have defended their right to block entry to those deemed a security threat, many have found their permit reinstated prior to scheduled court dates, according to Attorney Tamir Blank, suggesting that authorities wish to avoid hearings on the issue.
The Israeli High court has ruled that measures that constitute collective and arbitrary punishment are illegal, but occupation forces have otherwise been permitted to carry out such actions with impunity.
~ Middle East Monitor/Days pf Palestine
Opinion/Analysis 09/21/18: Alt-Right March for Israel, Human Rights Activist Smeared as Anti-Semitic
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