8 apr 2018
Israeli forces on Sunday evening struck Palestinian lands in the blockaded Gaza Strip with artillery shells.
Reporting from Gaza, a PIC news correspondent said Israeli artilleries targeted Palestinian lands near a landfill in Juhr al-Deek, in the central Gaza Strip, with nine shells.
The Israeli army claimed the aggression comes in response to an attempted attack by Palestinian gunmen targeting an Israeli patrol. No injuries were reported in the alleged attack.
According to the PIC reporter, Palestinian ambulances evacuated four injured Palestinians from the targeted area.
Reporting from Gaza, a PIC news correspondent said Israeli artilleries targeted Palestinian lands near a landfill in Juhr al-Deek, in the central Gaza Strip, with nine shells.
The Israeli army claimed the aggression comes in response to an attempted attack by Palestinian gunmen targeting an Israeli patrol. No injuries were reported in the alleged attack.
According to the PIC reporter, Palestinian ambulances evacuated four injured Palestinians from the targeted area.
Speaker of the Jordanian parliament Atef Tarawneh has said there is a need for the Palestinians to close ranks in order to restore their usurped land, stressing that the Palestinians have a legitimate right to resist the occupation.
Tarawneh made his remarks in an interview conducted recently by the Egyptian newspaper Youm7 and published on Sunday.
The Jordanian official stated that “the differences between the [Palestinian] brothers should not lead them to lose the main objective, which is their resistance for their occupied land.”
“When we talk about resistance, we cannot talk about disarming it, but this weapon must be disciplined, with no outlaws or terrorist hiding behind it,” he said.
“In principle, I am with the legitimacy of the resistance until the land returns to its rightful owners, and its sovereignty return to the Palestinians,” he added.
Tarawneh made his remarks in an interview conducted recently by the Egyptian newspaper Youm7 and published on Sunday.
The Jordanian official stated that “the differences between the [Palestinian] brothers should not lead them to lose the main objective, which is their resistance for their occupied land.”
“When we talk about resistance, we cannot talk about disarming it, but this weapon must be disciplined, with no outlaws or terrorist hiding behind it,” he said.
“In principle, I am with the legitimacy of the resistance until the land returns to its rightful owners, and its sovereignty return to the Palestinians,” he added.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) watchdog has accused Israel of "deliberate shooting" of journalists in Gaza, after photographer Yasser Murtaja was killed while covering protests on Gaza borders.
"Palestinian photographer Yasser Murtaja was wearing a vest marked "Press": He was obviously the victim of an intentional shot," said Christophe Deloire, the Secretary General of RSF, on Twitter.
"RSF condemns absolutely the deliberate shooting of journalists by the Israeli army," he added.
Deloire called for an independent probe into the crime, urging the Israeli government to abide by the UN Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists adopted in 2015.
He also said that at least six journalists were injured by Israeli gunfire and teargas on Friday.
Photos show Murtaja was wearing the vest when he was being treated by medics after being shot in the abdomen Friday, dying a day later of his wounds. He was covering protests to the east of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza when he was hit.
Murtaja was laid to rest on Saturday, with his 'Press' flak jacket buried with him.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army since protests broke out on March 30, demanding a right for refugees to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced.
"Palestinian photographer Yasser Murtaja was wearing a vest marked "Press": He was obviously the victim of an intentional shot," said Christophe Deloire, the Secretary General of RSF, on Twitter.
"RSF condemns absolutely the deliberate shooting of journalists by the Israeli army," he added.
Deloire called for an independent probe into the crime, urging the Israeli government to abide by the UN Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists adopted in 2015.
He also said that at least six journalists were injured by Israeli gunfire and teargas on Friday.
Photos show Murtaja was wearing the vest when he was being treated by medics after being shot in the abdomen Friday, dying a day later of his wounds. He was covering protests to the east of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza when he was hit.
Murtaja was laid to rest on Saturday, with his 'Press' flak jacket buried with him.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army since protests broke out on March 30, demanding a right for refugees to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Sunday prevented several trucks laden with new vehicle tires from entering the Gaza Strip.
Ra’ed Futouh, who coordinates the entry of goods at Karam Abu Salem crossing, told Quds Press that the IOA informed the Palestinian authorities in Gaza that it would not allow the entry of four trucks carrying tires to Gaza.
Those shipments of tires were purchased by companies in Gaza.
The Israeli army already threatened not to allow shipments of tires to enter Gaza after young protesters torched thousands of used tires last Friday in Gaza border areas.
Ra’ed Futouh, who coordinates the entry of goods at Karam Abu Salem crossing, told Quds Press that the IOA informed the Palestinian authorities in Gaza that it would not allow the entry of four trucks carrying tires to Gaza.
Those shipments of tires were purchased by companies in Gaza.
The Israeli army already threatened not to allow shipments of tires to enter Gaza after young protesters torched thousands of used tires last Friday in Gaza border areas.
The Israeli occupation army is trying to quell Gaza's Great March of Return by all means after it was slammed worldwide for using internationally prohibited weapons against peaceful protesters killing at least 32 Palestinians.
Haaretz newspaper said on Saturday that the Israeli army may use airstrikes against Hamas targets if attempts to damage the fence on Gaza's eastern border continue during the mass demonstrations there.
According to the Hebrew newspaper, the Israeli army said that it will try to minimize the number of Palestinian casualties in the coming demonstrations and avoid a larger conflict in Gaza but will not allow any attempts to breach or damage the border fence.
Israeli army officials are worried that a war of attrition may develop along the border, the paper said, especially that Gaza border protests are scheduled to continue until mid-May.
The Israeli military institution claimed that Hamas has prepared for a campaign to sabotage the equipment Israel uses to detect resistance tunnels or kidnap Israeli soldiers if any opportunity arises during the demonstrations.
Haaretz newspaper said on Saturday that the Israeli army may use airstrikes against Hamas targets if attempts to damage the fence on Gaza's eastern border continue during the mass demonstrations there.
According to the Hebrew newspaper, the Israeli army said that it will try to minimize the number of Palestinian casualties in the coming demonstrations and avoid a larger conflict in Gaza but will not allow any attempts to breach or damage the border fence.
Israeli army officials are worried that a war of attrition may develop along the border, the paper said, especially that Gaza border protests are scheduled to continue until mid-May.
The Israeli military institution claimed that Hamas has prepared for a campaign to sabotage the equipment Israel uses to detect resistance tunnels or kidnap Israeli soldiers if any opportunity arises during the demonstrations.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has asked Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit to investigate rights group B’Tselem for asking Israeli soldiers not to kill Gaza protesters.
In a tweet, Liberman urged the state to “probe the heads of B’Tselem for incitement to disobedience after their call for soldiers to refuse orders in defending the border.”
“This subversive and impermanent organisation, together with those who hate Israel and the international media who are trying to delegitimize our soldiers who are acting in a legal and moral manner in a complicated situation,” he says. “We will put an end to this.”
B’Tselem hit back at Lieberman, stressing that live fire to disperse demonstrators is illegal under Israeli law.
In a statement, the human rights group said that the order violates Section 110 of Israel’s penal code, and Lieberman’s efforts to have the group investigated are without merit.
“The defense minister is the one inciting to break the law, and it’s good that the attorney general will now have the opportunity to officially determine this,” B’Tselem says, according to Days of Palestine.
In a tweet, Liberman urged the state to “probe the heads of B’Tselem for incitement to disobedience after their call for soldiers to refuse orders in defending the border.”
“This subversive and impermanent organisation, together with those who hate Israel and the international media who are trying to delegitimize our soldiers who are acting in a legal and moral manner in a complicated situation,” he says. “We will put an end to this.”
B’Tselem hit back at Lieberman, stressing that live fire to disperse demonstrators is illegal under Israeli law.
In a statement, the human rights group said that the order violates Section 110 of Israel’s penal code, and Lieberman’s efforts to have the group investigated are without merit.
“The defense minister is the one inciting to break the law, and it’s good that the attorney general will now have the opportunity to officially determine this,” B’Tselem says, according to Days of Palestine.
United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell released a statement over the weekend condemning the “deplorable killing” of Palestinian protesters in Gaza.
The statement was released on Friday, hours before nine Palestinians were killed along the border -- including a journalist and two minors -- bringing the death toll to 29 since “The Great March of Return” began on March 30.
“Given the deplorable killing of 16 people and the injuring of reportedly more than 1,000 others during protests in Gaza, mostly on 30 March, we are gravely concerned that further violence could occur during demonstrations today and in the coming weeks,” Throssel said.
“Given the large number of injuries and deaths, the ominous statements made by Israeli authorities in the days leading up to the protest, as well as indications that the individuals killed or wounded were unarmed or did not pose a serious threat to well-protected security forces – and in some cases were actually running away from the fence – there are strong indications that security forces used excessive force.”
The statement went on to note that Israeli forces are required by international human rights law “to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression and to use, to the extent possible, non-violent means to discharge their duties.”
“In accordance with international human rights law, firearms may be used only in cases of extreme necessity, as a last resort, and in response to an imminent threat of death or risk of serious injury.”
Throssel highlighted that even if protesters “attempt to approach or cross the green-line fence,” it “does not amount to a threat to life or serious injury that would justify the use of live ammunition.”
“We remind Israel of its obligations to ensure that excessive force is not employed against protestors and that in the context of a military occupation, as is the case in Gaza, the unjustified and unlawful recourse to firearms by law enforcement resulting in death may amount to a wilful killing, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention,” Throssel said.
“We echo the call by the UN Secretary-General for an independent and transparent investigation into these incidents, with a view to holding accountable those responsible.”
Following the deadly first day of protests in Gaza last week, the UN and European Union (EU) called for an investigation into the Israeli army’s violent suppression of protests .
Israel’s Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman rejected the calls, instead saying “from the standpoint of the [Israeli Defence Force] soldiers, they did what had to be done.”
Lieberman added that he thinks “all of our troops deserve a commendation.”
Israel has repeatedly perpetuated the narrative that the massive demonstrations -- which were organized by grassroots organizations and local activists as a nonviolent protest -- were organized by the Hamas movement, and that the protests were being used as to “camouflage terror.”
The UN call for the investigation into the killings came after the US blocked a UN Security Council (UNSC) statement condemning Israel's use of force against civilian protesters at the Gaza border, which rights groups have deemed criminal and illegal.
Israeli forces have long been criticized for their use of excessive force against Palestinians, and what rights groups have termed their policy of “extrajudicial execution” in instances where Palestinians who did not pose a direct threat to the lives of soldiers could have been detained or subdued in a non-lethal manner.
The statement was released on Friday, hours before nine Palestinians were killed along the border -- including a journalist and two minors -- bringing the death toll to 29 since “The Great March of Return” began on March 30.
“Given the deplorable killing of 16 people and the injuring of reportedly more than 1,000 others during protests in Gaza, mostly on 30 March, we are gravely concerned that further violence could occur during demonstrations today and in the coming weeks,” Throssel said.
“Given the large number of injuries and deaths, the ominous statements made by Israeli authorities in the days leading up to the protest, as well as indications that the individuals killed or wounded were unarmed or did not pose a serious threat to well-protected security forces – and in some cases were actually running away from the fence – there are strong indications that security forces used excessive force.”
The statement went on to note that Israeli forces are required by international human rights law “to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression and to use, to the extent possible, non-violent means to discharge their duties.”
“In accordance with international human rights law, firearms may be used only in cases of extreme necessity, as a last resort, and in response to an imminent threat of death or risk of serious injury.”
Throssel highlighted that even if protesters “attempt to approach or cross the green-line fence,” it “does not amount to a threat to life or serious injury that would justify the use of live ammunition.”
“We remind Israel of its obligations to ensure that excessive force is not employed against protestors and that in the context of a military occupation, as is the case in Gaza, the unjustified and unlawful recourse to firearms by law enforcement resulting in death may amount to a wilful killing, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention,” Throssel said.
“We echo the call by the UN Secretary-General for an independent and transparent investigation into these incidents, with a view to holding accountable those responsible.”
Following the deadly first day of protests in Gaza last week, the UN and European Union (EU) called for an investigation into the Israeli army’s violent suppression of protests .
Israel’s Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman rejected the calls, instead saying “from the standpoint of the [Israeli Defence Force] soldiers, they did what had to be done.”
Lieberman added that he thinks “all of our troops deserve a commendation.”
Israel has repeatedly perpetuated the narrative that the massive demonstrations -- which were organized by grassroots organizations and local activists as a nonviolent protest -- were organized by the Hamas movement, and that the protests were being used as to “camouflage terror.”
The UN call for the investigation into the killings came after the US blocked a UN Security Council (UNSC) statement condemning Israel's use of force against civilian protesters at the Gaza border, which rights groups have deemed criminal and illegal.
Israeli forces have long been criticized for their use of excessive force against Palestinians, and what rights groups have termed their policy of “extrajudicial execution” in instances where Palestinians who did not pose a direct threat to the lives of soldiers could have been detained or subdued in a non-lethal manner.
