25 june 2015
Suspected Hamas UAV causes IAF to scramble jets before crashing after 40 minutes of flight; IDF engineers examining drone's remains.
A miniature drone penetrated Israeli airspace on Thursday afternoon, crashing in an open area near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
The craft was identified in the skies of Gaza at approximately 1 pm, prompting IAF fighter planes to be scrambled towards it. The drone eventually fell to the ground without any injuries. Military engineers arrived at the scene to examine it.
The drone was under surveillance from ground and air during its entire 40-minute flight.
Last summer, on the seventh day of Operation Protective Edge, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by Hamas penetrated Israeli airspace. It was eventually intercepted by a Patriot battery in the Ashdod area.
The military wing of Hamas claimed it had launched that UAV for "special operations" deep inside Israel.
The IDF has faced enemy UAVs in the past. On August 14, 2006, the final day of the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah attempted to send multiple drones into Israel. One crashed as a result of a technical malfunction before reaching Israel.
The other was identified and downed by IAF planes in the western Galilee. A week before that, another drone was downed over the sea. Additionally, last year the IDF said it had intercepted a Hezbollah UAV above the sea near Haifa.
A miniature drone penetrated Israeli airspace on Thursday afternoon, crashing in an open area near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
The craft was identified in the skies of Gaza at approximately 1 pm, prompting IAF fighter planes to be scrambled towards it. The drone eventually fell to the ground without any injuries. Military engineers arrived at the scene to examine it.
The drone was under surveillance from ground and air during its entire 40-minute flight.
Last summer, on the seventh day of Operation Protective Edge, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by Hamas penetrated Israeli airspace. It was eventually intercepted by a Patriot battery in the Ashdod area.
The military wing of Hamas claimed it had launched that UAV for "special operations" deep inside Israel.
The IDF has faced enemy UAVs in the past. On August 14, 2006, the final day of the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah attempted to send multiple drones into Israel. One crashed as a result of a technical malfunction before reaching Israel.
The other was identified and downed by IAF planes in the western Galilee. A week before that, another drone was downed over the sea. Additionally, last year the IDF said it had intercepted a Hezbollah UAV above the sea near Haifa.
24 june 2015
MP Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, said on Wednesday that the poverty and unemployment rates in Gaza had surpassed 50% due to the Israeli blockade that has entered its 8th consecutive year.
Khudari added that more than one million citizens in Gaza Strip depend on aid relief to survive, and the per capita income does not exceed two dollars a day.
He stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached horrific proportions, and is affecting all aspects of life.
The harsh economic and humanitarian conditions due to the Israeli blockade have been exacerbated by the Egyptian closure of all border tunnels, which used to provide the beleaguered Strip with a portion of its needs.
The MP called on the international community to immediately apply pressure for the lifting of the siege on Gaza, to avoid further deterioration of the already-critical humanitarian conditions.
Khudari added that more than one million citizens in Gaza Strip depend on aid relief to survive, and the per capita income does not exceed two dollars a day.
He stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached horrific proportions, and is affecting all aspects of life.
The harsh economic and humanitarian conditions due to the Israeli blockade have been exacerbated by the Egyptian closure of all border tunnels, which used to provide the beleaguered Strip with a portion of its needs.
The MP called on the international community to immediately apply pressure for the lifting of the siege on Gaza, to avoid further deterioration of the already-critical humanitarian conditions.
File - Panorama FM
The Israeli Air Forced fired, on Wednesday at dawn, a missile into a Palestinian agricultural land, in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, causing fires. Army claimed it was retaliating to a shell fired from Gaza.
Eyewitnesses said the attack did not cause any casualties, but consumed a large agricultural area, and that the Israeli Air Force was still flying over different parts in the besieged coastal region.
On Tuesday evening, the Israeli army claimed one shell was fired from Gaza, into an open area in Hof Ashkelon, causing no injuries or damage, and said it conducted a search campaign, allegedly looking for unexploded ordnance.
Israel held Hamas responsible for the escalation, and said that “although the people behind the recent incidents of rocket fire are not affiliated with Hamas, and affiliate themselves with Al-Qaeda, the movement is to be held liable.”
Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council of settlements, Yair Farjun, said "the conflict between Hamas and al-Qaeda affiliated groups, is not of interest to the Israelis," but warned “Israel will not tolerate any fire from Gaza.”
He also said that Tel Aviv would not even accept “a flotilla,” referring to solidarity ships that challenge the Israeli siege on the coastal region, to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies.
The Israeli official was referring to statements made by Arab Member of Knesset Basel Ghattas, member of the Joint Arab List, who told Israeli Ynet News, Sunday, that he intends to join the flotilla heading from Greece to Gaza, to deliver humanitarian supplies.
The Israeli Air Forced fired, on Wednesday at dawn, a missile into a Palestinian agricultural land, in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, causing fires. Army claimed it was retaliating to a shell fired from Gaza.
Eyewitnesses said the attack did not cause any casualties, but consumed a large agricultural area, and that the Israeli Air Force was still flying over different parts in the besieged coastal region.
On Tuesday evening, the Israeli army claimed one shell was fired from Gaza, into an open area in Hof Ashkelon, causing no injuries or damage, and said it conducted a search campaign, allegedly looking for unexploded ordnance.
Israel held Hamas responsible for the escalation, and said that “although the people behind the recent incidents of rocket fire are not affiliated with Hamas, and affiliate themselves with Al-Qaeda, the movement is to be held liable.”
Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council of settlements, Yair Farjun, said "the conflict between Hamas and al-Qaeda affiliated groups, is not of interest to the Israelis," but warned “Israel will not tolerate any fire from Gaza.”
He also said that Tel Aviv would not even accept “a flotilla,” referring to solidarity ships that challenge the Israeli siege on the coastal region, to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies.
The Israeli official was referring to statements made by Arab Member of Knesset Basel Ghattas, member of the Joint Arab List, who told Israeli Ynet News, Sunday, that he intends to join the flotilla heading from Greece to Gaza, to deliver humanitarian supplies.
23 june 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) advanced to a limited extent into northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon and bulldozed lands.
Quds Press said several army bulldozers escorted by military vehicles advanced into eastern Bait Hanoun and leveled land.
Leveling of lands took place amid intense firing at Palestinian houses and lands. No casualties have been reported.
The incursion is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
Quds Press said several army bulldozers escorted by military vehicles advanced into eastern Bait Hanoun and leveled land.
Leveling of lands took place amid intense firing at Palestinian houses and lands. No casualties have been reported.
The incursion is another episode in the series of Israeli daily violations of the Cairo-brokered truce accord signed in the wake of last summer’s offensive on the besieged coastal enclave, which killed over 2,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
Searching for a rocket in early June
Alarm heard in south shortly after 10 PM; IDF says rocket was launched, but that it was unclear whether it had fallen in Israeli territory.
A rocket launched from the northern Gaza Strip towards Hof Ashkelon shortly after 10 PM on Tuesday, exploding near a greenhouse in a moshav.
A Red Alert siren sounded in the area during the incident.
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman said after the incident that "He who is willing to absorb 'trickles' will ultimately get torrential rain.
"We cannot accept this situation. No government has a right to exist if it is willing to accept a situation in which less than a year after a military operation that cost us dearly in soldiers' lives and disruption of national life for two months, a situation is returning where residents of the south must again run to shelters. This situation is intolerable, unacceptable, and we must put an end to it."
A siren was sounded only last week in the Golan Heights, after which it was reported that the cause was nearby fighting in Syria.
On June 11, a siren sounded in the Ashkelon area, also around 10 PM.
Locals reported hearing a loud noise north of Ashkelon during that incident. No damage or injuries were reported. The IDF later announced that the siren was prompted by a rocket launch from Gaza that landed inside the Strip.
A Salafist group which sympathizes with the Islamic State, the "Omar Brigades," claimed responsibility.
On June 7, the Israeli Air Force struck terror infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip in response to a rocket fired at southern Israel the night before.
Alarm heard in south shortly after 10 PM; IDF says rocket was launched, but that it was unclear whether it had fallen in Israeli territory.
A rocket launched from the northern Gaza Strip towards Hof Ashkelon shortly after 10 PM on Tuesday, exploding near a greenhouse in a moshav.
A Red Alert siren sounded in the area during the incident.
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman said after the incident that "He who is willing to absorb 'trickles' will ultimately get torrential rain.
"We cannot accept this situation. No government has a right to exist if it is willing to accept a situation in which less than a year after a military operation that cost us dearly in soldiers' lives and disruption of national life for two months, a situation is returning where residents of the south must again run to shelters. This situation is intolerable, unacceptable, and we must put an end to it."
A siren was sounded only last week in the Golan Heights, after which it was reported that the cause was nearby fighting in Syria.
On June 11, a siren sounded in the Ashkelon area, also around 10 PM.
Locals reported hearing a loud noise north of Ashkelon during that incident. No damage or injuries were reported. The IDF later announced that the siren was prompted by a rocket launch from Gaza that landed inside the Strip.
A Salafist group which sympathizes with the Islamic State, the "Omar Brigades," claimed responsibility.
On June 7, the Israeli Air Force struck terror infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip in response to a rocket fired at southern Israel the night before.
Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border fence, opened fire, Tuesday, on Palestinian farmers in their own lands, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Media sources in Khan Younis said the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the border fence, fired several rounds of live ammunition at the farmers, and at a few homes, east of Khuza’a town.
The farmers had to leave their lands fearing additional Israeli military escalation; no injuries were reported.
On Monday evening, two Palestinians were injured after the soldiers opened fire on residents, east of Khan Younis.
Media sources in Khan Younis said the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the border fence, fired several rounds of live ammunition at the farmers, and at a few homes, east of Khuza’a town.
The farmers had to leave their lands fearing additional Israeli military escalation; no injuries were reported.
On Monday evening, two Palestinians were injured after the soldiers opened fire on residents, east of Khan Younis.
Two Palestinian citizens on Monday evening suffered bullet injuries when Israeli border soldiers opened fire at a residential area to the east of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that two citizens from Abu Raida family were wounded by Israeli gunfire in Khan Younis, south of Gaza.
The citizens were rushed to the European Gaza hospital for medical treatment.
Last Friday, a citizens from al-Ammour family suffered a bullet injury when Israeli soldiers opened fire at al-Fakhari area in Gaza.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that two citizens from Abu Raida family were wounded by Israeli gunfire in Khan Younis, south of Gaza.
The citizens were rushed to the European Gaza hospital for medical treatment.
Last Friday, a citizens from al-Ammour family suffered a bullet injury when Israeli soldiers opened fire at al-Fakhari area in Gaza.
21 june 2015
Ruins of Khan Younis home; about 25 members of one family were reportedly killed overnight after IOF bombared the house. Reuters 2014
A Palestinian youngster from Khan Younis refugee camp south Gaza Saturday evening has strangled himself in his family home, committing suicide.
Reporters quoted witnesses saying that (M. M) aged 25, was moved to Nasser hospital a dead body after the incident. The victim was said to have psychological disorders. There is still no further information on the case.
Rise of suicide rates
According to governmental statistics, 2014 recorded a 68.4% rise in suicide rates, since it witnessed 39 suicide cases in the West Bank and Gaza.
The rate in besieged Gaza was lower than the West Bank despite the higher populations. In Gaza, 2014 carried the suicide of 12 people. The West Bank had 27 similar cases, adding 8 people to the list of 2013.
However, Al-Shifa governmental hospital which was destroyed during the Israeli offensive last summer, said that in Gaza, at least one person attempted suicide on a daily basis. In 2014, about 350 people in Gaza attempted suicide but were saved.
Reasons
The reasons behind the boost in suicide rates in the West Bank were referred to the psychological disorders which the victims suffer as a result of the worsening social, political and financial situations.
According to report by the World Bank organizations, the deterioration of the Palestinian economy continued in 2014, particularly in Gaza where the situation was dire even before the conflict. The average yearly economic growth exceeded 8% between 2007 and 2011 but declined to 1.9% in 2013, and reached minus 1% for the first quarter of 2014. A quarter of the Palestinian population lives in poverty, with the rate in Gaza twice as high as that in the West Bank, as Palestinian businesses were crippled by the restrictions on movement of people and goods. While it is expected from the private sector to play a vital role in creating jobs, the constraints are such that only 11% of formal firms have more than 20 workers compared to 35% in comparable lower-middle income countries.
In addition, the 51-day Israeli offensive last summer on Gaza killed more than 2,200 people, about 500 of them children under the age of 11. The aggression also demolished 19,000 homes and made homeless about 100,000 people, after construction aid failed to reach Gaza.
The previous issues lead to more social disintegration, despair and existential crises, leaving the victim obsessing over escaping.
A Palestinian youngster from Khan Younis refugee camp south Gaza Saturday evening has strangled himself in his family home, committing suicide.
Reporters quoted witnesses saying that (M. M) aged 25, was moved to Nasser hospital a dead body after the incident. The victim was said to have psychological disorders. There is still no further information on the case.
Rise of suicide rates
According to governmental statistics, 2014 recorded a 68.4% rise in suicide rates, since it witnessed 39 suicide cases in the West Bank and Gaza.
The rate in besieged Gaza was lower than the West Bank despite the higher populations. In Gaza, 2014 carried the suicide of 12 people. The West Bank had 27 similar cases, adding 8 people to the list of 2013.
However, Al-Shifa governmental hospital which was destroyed during the Israeli offensive last summer, said that in Gaza, at least one person attempted suicide on a daily basis. In 2014, about 350 people in Gaza attempted suicide but were saved.
Reasons
The reasons behind the boost in suicide rates in the West Bank were referred to the psychological disorders which the victims suffer as a result of the worsening social, political and financial situations.
According to report by the World Bank organizations, the deterioration of the Palestinian economy continued in 2014, particularly in Gaza where the situation was dire even before the conflict. The average yearly economic growth exceeded 8% between 2007 and 2011 but declined to 1.9% in 2013, and reached minus 1% for the first quarter of 2014. A quarter of the Palestinian population lives in poverty, with the rate in Gaza twice as high as that in the West Bank, as Palestinian businesses were crippled by the restrictions on movement of people and goods. While it is expected from the private sector to play a vital role in creating jobs, the constraints are such that only 11% of formal firms have more than 20 workers compared to 35% in comparable lower-middle income countries.
In addition, the 51-day Israeli offensive last summer on Gaza killed more than 2,200 people, about 500 of them children under the age of 11. The aggression also demolished 19,000 homes and made homeless about 100,000 people, after construction aid failed to reach Gaza.
The previous issues lead to more social disintegration, despair and existential crises, leaving the victim obsessing over escaping.
20 june 2015
Dr Mads Frederick Gilbert (centre) at Al-Shifa hospital on July 17th, treating a wounded Palestinian child, after an Israeli air strike killed 4 children and wounded 5 others
An important event took place at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on Wednesday. As people sat wiping their tears, Norway's Dr Mads Gilbert took us through the horrors and bravery of A Night in Gaza during the launch of his eponymous book. He started by stating his goal of depicting the siege on Gaza as humanly as possible; as the disastrous reality that it is; as a situation we have an obligation to do something about. The last eight years alone have seen four major Israeli offensives against the Gaza Strip which have killed thousands of Palestinians, yet international laissez-faire about their situation and peace has persisted. It was the excruciating pain of the people, as recounted by Dr Gilbert, which told the tale of the real orientalist undercurrents in the inhumane international politics facing Palestinians.
Civilians, including children, have been targeted, and the brutality is documented widely. We have witnessed entirely manmade destruction on a massive scale, which not only includes massacres, but also everyday apartheid-like conditions, involving severe limitations of movement. It has been allowed to happen by the international whitewashing of war crimes, as well as the deliberate obliteration of any trace of Palestinian history in their own occupied land. The Israeli-led blockade and border closures have meant that the Palestinians have been unable to rebuild their infrastructure. Children suffer from chronic malnutrition and three-quarters of them suffer anaemia.
Last year's offensive killed more than 1,400 civilians, including 500 children. Despite so-called "warnings", in which people were given 30 seconds to get out of their house, most were unable to do so. In any case, when they are under siege, where can they go?
Before its bomb attacks, Israel cut electricity supplies, making life very difficult for the hospitals in particular. Dr Gilbert explained how a long line of ambulances was lined up outside the hospital, with wounded and dying people on board. He praised the resilience of the Palestinians as a good lesson in crisis management and cooperation. He recalled the children who lost their parents in front of their eyes; who lost limbs and suffered terrible wounds from shrapnel which were almost impossible to treat. The Norwegian doctor and humanitarian gave the audience many accounts of brave children who had witnessed what no one should ever witness, and would insist on cleansing their wounds and seeing to their own injuries as much as they could, and then helping out as best they could.
Nurses, doctors, paramedics and rescue teams who leave their own families in times of crisis to help others show extreme bravery and skill. During Gilbert's 30 years in emergency work he was in Lebanon during Israel's attacks on West Beirut; its inhumane strategy then is similar to that used today, he said. The Israelis attack and then wait a few minutes for the rescue services to appear on the scene, and then attack again, to take the lives of those who risk all to help others. "Collapsing paramedics are a common sight," he said. Most are given oxygen and go straight back to the life-threatening rescue work.
Mads Gilbert told us of the many lessons he has learnt and encouraged the audience to look on the Palestinians with admiration rather than pity, and support their right to resist the Israeli occupation. He encouraged people to get active and ask the Palestinians what they can do to help; to protest and change the political and media discourse that maintains the occupation and siege.
Despite UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describing Gaza as a source of shame for the international community, no attempt has been made to solve its problems politically. The total impunity that Israel enjoys to carry out its massacres continues. Last year the international community, shamefully, closed its eyes to 51 days and nights of the merciless bombing of civilians; it was 100 per cent avoidable, 100 per cent manmade. The Geneva Convention should have protected civilians from attack, but didn't.
Dr Mads Gilbert has done us all a favour by highlighting, once again, with his first-hand knowledge and experience, the death and destruction – in the name of a supposedly democratic state's "self-defence" – that shames the world.
That Israel not only has complete impunity for these crimes, but also profits from them through its multi-billion dollar weapons industry demonstrates that asymmetric force is used against an occupied people. It also reveals the cold-hearted truth of how Europe and America perceive what Dr Mads Gilbert calls the "crushing of the resistance DNA". The moral detachment and irresponsible attitude is due to orientalist indoctrination, still so regrettably pervasive in both media and politics. Palestinian children in Gaza have been starved for eight years, and victims of military offensives every other year thanks to political decisions that would be unacceptable in any European country.
Furthermore, the pity we have shown, on which NGOs arguably thrive, is counter-productive, said Dr Gilbert. We need action rather than cheques, which make certain parties feel better about themselves but which also makes them forget their responsibility to push for political mobilisation against the siege. We need memory to help retrieve the long strain of apartheid that has and is taking place on Palestinian land. And we need to engage ourselves politically, and encourage a local debate on an issue in which we are totally complicit by, if nothing else, the fact that we are aware of it. A serious self-examination is needed in the West, both politically as well within the NGO establishment that steps on many of the resilience qualities possessed by Palestinians to help themselves.
In closing, Mads Gilbert quoted the former President of Mozambique, Comrade Samora Machel: Solidarity is not charity but unity between allies fighting on different terrains towards the same objectives.
An important event took place at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on Wednesday. As people sat wiping their tears, Norway's Dr Mads Gilbert took us through the horrors and bravery of A Night in Gaza during the launch of his eponymous book. He started by stating his goal of depicting the siege on Gaza as humanly as possible; as the disastrous reality that it is; as a situation we have an obligation to do something about. The last eight years alone have seen four major Israeli offensives against the Gaza Strip which have killed thousands of Palestinians, yet international laissez-faire about their situation and peace has persisted. It was the excruciating pain of the people, as recounted by Dr Gilbert, which told the tale of the real orientalist undercurrents in the inhumane international politics facing Palestinians.
Civilians, including children, have been targeted, and the brutality is documented widely. We have witnessed entirely manmade destruction on a massive scale, which not only includes massacres, but also everyday apartheid-like conditions, involving severe limitations of movement. It has been allowed to happen by the international whitewashing of war crimes, as well as the deliberate obliteration of any trace of Palestinian history in their own occupied land. The Israeli-led blockade and border closures have meant that the Palestinians have been unable to rebuild their infrastructure. Children suffer from chronic malnutrition and three-quarters of them suffer anaemia.
Last year's offensive killed more than 1,400 civilians, including 500 children. Despite so-called "warnings", in which people were given 30 seconds to get out of their house, most were unable to do so. In any case, when they are under siege, where can they go?
Before its bomb attacks, Israel cut electricity supplies, making life very difficult for the hospitals in particular. Dr Gilbert explained how a long line of ambulances was lined up outside the hospital, with wounded and dying people on board. He praised the resilience of the Palestinians as a good lesson in crisis management and cooperation. He recalled the children who lost their parents in front of their eyes; who lost limbs and suffered terrible wounds from shrapnel which were almost impossible to treat. The Norwegian doctor and humanitarian gave the audience many accounts of brave children who had witnessed what no one should ever witness, and would insist on cleansing their wounds and seeing to their own injuries as much as they could, and then helping out as best they could.
Nurses, doctors, paramedics and rescue teams who leave their own families in times of crisis to help others show extreme bravery and skill. During Gilbert's 30 years in emergency work he was in Lebanon during Israel's attacks on West Beirut; its inhumane strategy then is similar to that used today, he said. The Israelis attack and then wait a few minutes for the rescue services to appear on the scene, and then attack again, to take the lives of those who risk all to help others. "Collapsing paramedics are a common sight," he said. Most are given oxygen and go straight back to the life-threatening rescue work.
Mads Gilbert told us of the many lessons he has learnt and encouraged the audience to look on the Palestinians with admiration rather than pity, and support their right to resist the Israeli occupation. He encouraged people to get active and ask the Palestinians what they can do to help; to protest and change the political and media discourse that maintains the occupation and siege.
Despite UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describing Gaza as a source of shame for the international community, no attempt has been made to solve its problems politically. The total impunity that Israel enjoys to carry out its massacres continues. Last year the international community, shamefully, closed its eyes to 51 days and nights of the merciless bombing of civilians; it was 100 per cent avoidable, 100 per cent manmade. The Geneva Convention should have protected civilians from attack, but didn't.
Dr Mads Gilbert has done us all a favour by highlighting, once again, with his first-hand knowledge and experience, the death and destruction – in the name of a supposedly democratic state's "self-defence" – that shames the world.
That Israel not only has complete impunity for these crimes, but also profits from them through its multi-billion dollar weapons industry demonstrates that asymmetric force is used against an occupied people. It also reveals the cold-hearted truth of how Europe and America perceive what Dr Mads Gilbert calls the "crushing of the resistance DNA". The moral detachment and irresponsible attitude is due to orientalist indoctrination, still so regrettably pervasive in both media and politics. Palestinian children in Gaza have been starved for eight years, and victims of military offensives every other year thanks to political decisions that would be unacceptable in any European country.
Furthermore, the pity we have shown, on which NGOs arguably thrive, is counter-productive, said Dr Gilbert. We need action rather than cheques, which make certain parties feel better about themselves but which also makes them forget their responsibility to push for political mobilisation against the siege. We need memory to help retrieve the long strain of apartheid that has and is taking place on Palestinian land. And we need to engage ourselves politically, and encourage a local debate on an issue in which we are totally complicit by, if nothing else, the fact that we are aware of it. A serious self-examination is needed in the West, both politically as well within the NGO establishment that steps on many of the resilience qualities possessed by Palestinians to help themselves.
In closing, Mads Gilbert quoted the former President of Mozambique, Comrade Samora Machel: Solidarity is not charity but unity between allies fighting on different terrains towards the same objectives.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Makarim Wibisono, on Friday expressed deep concern about the human rights situation of Palestinians living under the 48-year-long Israeli occupation.
“Accounts show that occupation policies constrain Palestinian life and push Palestinians to leave their land and homes, especially in area C of the West Bank, and East Jerusalem,” said the expert after his second mission to the region.
From 9 to 12 June 2015, Mr. Wibisono visited Amman, Jordan, and met with civil society and Palestinian local community representatives, UN agencies, and Palestinian government officials. He was unable to access the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), as the Israeli Government has not granted him access and has not formally responded to his requests for access to Israel and the OPT.
“The briefings I received reflect a situation that is deeply alarming. The crisis in war-torn Gaza is deepening. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, there are daily infringements of Palestinian rights as land is increasingly lost to illegal settlements,” the human rights expert warned.
“Simply closing our eyes is allowing these practices to continue – the international community must ensure the promise of universal human rights no longer
rings hollow to Palestinians,” he stressed reiterating his call for accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the OPT.
“Accountability is critical for dealing with past violations as well as preventing future ones,” Mr. Wibisono explained. “This includes accountability for violations in the context of successive Israeli military operations, including the 2014 hostilities in Gaza. It is the only way to move forward.”
Gaza
The independent expert heard how nine months after the ceasefire, of some 12,600 homes totally destroyed during the 2014 hostilities, not a single one has been rebuilt in Gaza. Multiple factors affect the slow reconstruction in Gaza, including unfulfilled donor pledges.
Mr. Wibisono noted that the blockade, now in its eighth year, imposes severe restrictions on Palestinian movement, imports and exports and has left Gaza dependent on international aid and with soaring unemployment.
“The bottom line remains that, if Gaza is to recover from the damage wrought by multiple rounds of hostility and a shattered economy, the blockade must be lifted. The people deserve help and realisation of their human rights, not collective punishment,” he said.
The Special Rapporteur was also briefed on the lack of access to health care in Gaza, where more than 11,000 Palestinians were left injured after last summer’s escalation of hostilities. “Health services too are affected by the blockade. There are prolonged and chronic shortages of drugs and medical supplies,” he said.
In addition, the expert was briefed on how the extensive damage caused to civilian infrastructure has worsened the provision of essential utility services. “One man described how ‘Gazans wake up every day to wash with salt-water and sleep at the end of the day without electricity’ – People are deprived of the means to help themselves and they cannot leave – this is a very dangerous situation,” he warned.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the independent expert noted the interplay between Israeli control of natural resources, such as land and water, and advancement of Israeli settlements.
The Special Rapporteur was briefed on the scarcity of water for Palestinians, including farmers, while settlements enjoy up to 6-8 times the amount of water. “The impact of untreated sewage and waste from settlements on Palestinian crops and the environment is also concerning,” Mr. Wibisono added.
From Bedouin communities in the West Bank, to Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, families live under the threat of settler violence, home demolitions and forcible transfer.
“I would like to highlight the small village of Susiya. All of its 170 structures located in Area C, from homes to animal shelters, schools and latrines, are now at imminent risk of demolition. This includes structures donated as international humanitarian assistance,” the expert said noting that residents have been subjected to multiple waves of demolitions since an illegal Israeli settlement sprung up nearby the village in the 1980s.
“Occupation policies and practices go beyond control of land – they impact every aspect of life and wear heavily on the social fabric of communities,” he said. “Palestinians are kept apart by movement restrictions: Between Gaza and the West Bank, between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and within the West Bank, including by the separation wall, which is illegal under international law.”
“The end result is that, if you are Palestinian, family and social life is dictated by the granting or refusal by the Israeli authorities of the right permit,” the Special Rapporteur highlighted.
The human rights expert expressed concern over Palestinian deaths and injuries resulting from excessive use of force by Israeli security forces, including in refugee camps.
“In addition to use of fire arms, there are troubling accounts of how ‘crowd-control’ weapons are used by Israeli security forces. Weapons such as tear-gas, cannot accurately be described as ‘non-lethal’ –they can have serious health effects and in several cases have been used with fatal consequences,” he said.
Regarding detention and imprisonment of Palestinians, including through the practice of administrative detention, the Special Rapporteur described the situation as one of justice turned on its head.
“A high percentage of the Palestinian population, including hundreds of children, are detained by Israel every year and there are serious questions over lack of due process protections afforded under the military justice system,” he stated. “On the other hand, there appears to be little legal consequence for numerous allegations of settler violence or excessive use of force by Israeli security forces against Palestinians.”
Speaking of his meeting with a youth group from the city of Hebron, which is severely affected by military checkpoints and settlements, Wibisono commented: “A young Palestinian human rights defender, who cannot walk freely in the streets due to checkpoints, emphasized that he bore no ill will towards the Israeli people and simply said: ‘The problem is the occupation’.”
The Special Rapporteur will present his next report during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“Accounts show that occupation policies constrain Palestinian life and push Palestinians to leave their land and homes, especially in area C of the West Bank, and East Jerusalem,” said the expert after his second mission to the region.
From 9 to 12 June 2015, Mr. Wibisono visited Amman, Jordan, and met with civil society and Palestinian local community representatives, UN agencies, and Palestinian government officials. He was unable to access the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), as the Israeli Government has not granted him access and has not formally responded to his requests for access to Israel and the OPT.
“The briefings I received reflect a situation that is deeply alarming. The crisis in war-torn Gaza is deepening. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, there are daily infringements of Palestinian rights as land is increasingly lost to illegal settlements,” the human rights expert warned.
“Simply closing our eyes is allowing these practices to continue – the international community must ensure the promise of universal human rights no longer
rings hollow to Palestinians,” he stressed reiterating his call for accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the OPT.
“Accountability is critical for dealing with past violations as well as preventing future ones,” Mr. Wibisono explained. “This includes accountability for violations in the context of successive Israeli military operations, including the 2014 hostilities in Gaza. It is the only way to move forward.”
Gaza
The independent expert heard how nine months after the ceasefire, of some 12,600 homes totally destroyed during the 2014 hostilities, not a single one has been rebuilt in Gaza. Multiple factors affect the slow reconstruction in Gaza, including unfulfilled donor pledges.
Mr. Wibisono noted that the blockade, now in its eighth year, imposes severe restrictions on Palestinian movement, imports and exports and has left Gaza dependent on international aid and with soaring unemployment.
“The bottom line remains that, if Gaza is to recover from the damage wrought by multiple rounds of hostility and a shattered economy, the blockade must be lifted. The people deserve help and realisation of their human rights, not collective punishment,” he said.
The Special Rapporteur was also briefed on the lack of access to health care in Gaza, where more than 11,000 Palestinians were left injured after last summer’s escalation of hostilities. “Health services too are affected by the blockade. There are prolonged and chronic shortages of drugs and medical supplies,” he said.
In addition, the expert was briefed on how the extensive damage caused to civilian infrastructure has worsened the provision of essential utility services. “One man described how ‘Gazans wake up every day to wash with salt-water and sleep at the end of the day without electricity’ – People are deprived of the means to help themselves and they cannot leave – this is a very dangerous situation,” he warned.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the independent expert noted the interplay between Israeli control of natural resources, such as land and water, and advancement of Israeli settlements.
The Special Rapporteur was briefed on the scarcity of water for Palestinians, including farmers, while settlements enjoy up to 6-8 times the amount of water. “The impact of untreated sewage and waste from settlements on Palestinian crops and the environment is also concerning,” Mr. Wibisono added.
From Bedouin communities in the West Bank, to Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, families live under the threat of settler violence, home demolitions and forcible transfer.
“I would like to highlight the small village of Susiya. All of its 170 structures located in Area C, from homes to animal shelters, schools and latrines, are now at imminent risk of demolition. This includes structures donated as international humanitarian assistance,” the expert said noting that residents have been subjected to multiple waves of demolitions since an illegal Israeli settlement sprung up nearby the village in the 1980s.
“Occupation policies and practices go beyond control of land – they impact every aspect of life and wear heavily on the social fabric of communities,” he said. “Palestinians are kept apart by movement restrictions: Between Gaza and the West Bank, between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and within the West Bank, including by the separation wall, which is illegal under international law.”
“The end result is that, if you are Palestinian, family and social life is dictated by the granting or refusal by the Israeli authorities of the right permit,” the Special Rapporteur highlighted.
The human rights expert expressed concern over Palestinian deaths and injuries resulting from excessive use of force by Israeli security forces, including in refugee camps.
“In addition to use of fire arms, there are troubling accounts of how ‘crowd-control’ weapons are used by Israeli security forces. Weapons such as tear-gas, cannot accurately be described as ‘non-lethal’ –they can have serious health effects and in several cases have been used with fatal consequences,” he said.
Regarding detention and imprisonment of Palestinians, including through the practice of administrative detention, the Special Rapporteur described the situation as one of justice turned on its head.
“A high percentage of the Palestinian population, including hundreds of children, are detained by Israel every year and there are serious questions over lack of due process protections afforded under the military justice system,” he stated. “On the other hand, there appears to be little legal consequence for numerous allegations of settler violence or excessive use of force by Israeli security forces against Palestinians.”
Speaking of his meeting with a youth group from the city of Hebron, which is severely affected by military checkpoints and settlements, Wibisono commented: “A young Palestinian human rights defender, who cannot walk freely in the streets due to checkpoints, emphasized that he bore no ill will towards the Israeli people and simply said: ‘The problem is the occupation’.”
The Special Rapporteur will present his next report during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
One Palestinian citizen on Friday evening suffered a bullet injury when Israeli soldiers to the east of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip opened fire at him.
Medical sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a 20-year-old young man was wounded by Israeli gunfire during his presence in the eastern area of al-Fakhari, southeast of Khan Younis.
Local sources explained that Israeli border soldiers opened machinegun fire with no reason at agricultural lands east of the area, which led to the injury of the young man.
The Israeli occupation army carries out gunfire attacks every once in a while on Palestinian border areas in Gaza in violation of the Egyptian-brokered truce it had agreed on with the Palestinian resistance in last August.
Medical sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a 20-year-old young man was wounded by Israeli gunfire during his presence in the eastern area of al-Fakhari, southeast of Khan Younis.
Local sources explained that Israeli border soldiers opened machinegun fire with no reason at agricultural lands east of the area, which led to the injury of the young man.
The Israeli occupation army carries out gunfire attacks every once in a while on Palestinian border areas in Gaza in violation of the Egyptian-brokered truce it had agreed on with the Palestinian resistance in last August.
Truce violations List of names Pictures of martyrs
Days: Aug: 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
July: 31 - 30 - 29 - 28 - 27 - 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8
