14 apr 2018
At least five Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli gunfire on Saturday evening as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) quelled the participants of the great march of return which has been going on for 16 days in a row east of Gaza Strip.
The PIC reporter said that one Palestinian was shot in his hand while another man was injured by a tear gas canister. Three others suffocated as a result of Israeli firing of tear gas grenades while targeting a group of Palestinian youth protesters near al-Awdah refugee camp in Khuzaa east of Khan Younis.
One of the wounded men was treated in the field while the other was transferred to hospital, the PIC reporter pointed out.
The PIC reporter said that one Palestinian was shot in his hand while another man was injured by a tear gas canister. Three others suffocated as a result of Israeli firing of tear gas grenades while targeting a group of Palestinian youth protesters near al-Awdah refugee camp in Khuzaa east of Khan Younis.
One of the wounded men was treated in the field while the other was transferred to hospital, the PIC reporter pointed out.
Director general of the health ministry’s hospitals Abdul-Latif al-Hajj has appealed to international institutions to urgently provide Gaza hospitals and their emergency departments with essential medical supplies.
In a press release on Friday, Hajj said that the medical teams outside and inside hospitals had to deal with hundreds of wounded citizens who participated on Friday in the March of Return protests in Gaza.
He affirmed that such large number of injured protesters largely drained vitals medical needs and consumables in emergency departments, operating rooms and intensive care units.
He warned that the scarcity of medical supplies would prevent hospitals from providing urgent services for the wounded in their sections.
In a press release on Friday, Hajj said that the medical teams outside and inside hospitals had to deal with hundreds of wounded citizens who participated on Friday in the March of Return protests in Gaza.
He affirmed that such large number of injured protesters largely drained vitals medical needs and consumables in emergency departments, operating rooms and intensive care units.
He warned that the scarcity of medical supplies would prevent hospitals from providing urgent services for the wounded in their sections.
Four people were killed and others injured, on Saturday, in an Israeli artillery attack targeting a group of citizens who were riding a three-wheeled “tuk tuk” motorcycle (rickshaw) east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses and a medical source in Rafah said, according to the PNN, that Israeli artillery shelled the eastern border of Rafah, targeting a group of young men who were moving rubber tires near the eastern border of the city.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qadra the spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza said that 4 Palestinians were killed & several others wounded in different Israeli shellings, pointing out that the slain and injured arrived to Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospitals. Video
Eyewitnesses and a medical source in Rafah said, according to the PNN, that Israeli artillery shelled the eastern border of Rafah, targeting a group of young men who were moving rubber tires near the eastern border of the city.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qadra the spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza said that 4 Palestinians were killed & several others wounded in different Israeli shellings, pointing out that the slain and injured arrived to Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospitals. Video
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Amjad Qartous, 18
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Hesham Kallab, 18
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Hesham Abdul-Al, 22
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Ayed Hamaydeh, 23
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Four Palestinians were killed and others injured after Israeli artillery shelling targeted an auto rickshaw in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday afternoon.
Locals told Ma’an that Israeli artillery stationed along the border with Gaza fired missiles at the auto rickshaw, killing four and injuring other passers-by.
The four slain Palestinians were identified as Amjad Qartous, 18, Ayed Hamaydeh, 23, Hesham Kallab, 18, and Hesham Abdul-Al, 22. All four victims are from the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
Israeli news website Haaretz reported that the Israeli army is “investigating the possibility that the shooting incident was a work accident.”
The deadly incident brought the death toll in Gaza to 36, since the “Great March of Return” protests began on March 30.
On Friday evening, a Palestinian man succumbed to wounds he sustained during protests earlier in the day.
The six-week Great March of Return is set to end on May 15th, the 70th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, or “catastrophe,” when the state of Israel was created, leaving some 750,000 Palestinians and millions of their descendants as refugees.
Despite widespread outcry from international rights groups who have condemned Israel’s excessive use of forces against the civilian protesters, Israeli has maintained its open-fire rules for the Gaza border.
Locals told Ma’an that Israeli artillery stationed along the border with Gaza fired missiles at the auto rickshaw, killing four and injuring other passers-by.
The four slain Palestinians were identified as Amjad Qartous, 18, Ayed Hamaydeh, 23, Hesham Kallab, 18, and Hesham Abdul-Al, 22. All four victims are from the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
Israeli news website Haaretz reported that the Israeli army is “investigating the possibility that the shooting incident was a work accident.”
The deadly incident brought the death toll in Gaza to 36, since the “Great March of Return” protests began on March 30.
On Friday evening, a Palestinian man succumbed to wounds he sustained during protests earlier in the day.
The six-week Great March of Return is set to end on May 15th, the 70th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, or “catastrophe,” when the state of Israel was created, leaving some 750,000 Palestinians and millions of their descendants as refugees.
Despite widespread outcry from international rights groups who have condemned Israel’s excessive use of forces against the civilian protesters, Israeli has maintained its open-fire rules for the Gaza border.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Friday for "an independent and transparent" investigation into Israeli crimes on Gaza borders.
The U.N. chief told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that “the recent violence in Gaza has resulted in many needless deaths and injuries."
Elaborating on several pressing situations, Guterres said the wounds of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were deepening once again.
Reiterating his call for an independent and transparent investigation into the recent violence in Gaza and appealing to those concerned to refrain from action that could lead to more casualties, he reaffirmed the Organization's readiness to support a revitalization of the peace process leading to a two-State solution.
Israel killed 36 Palestinians in Gaza since 30 March, when the Great March of Return protests began. Twenty-seven of those killed, including three children and a journalist, were fatally wounded during protests.
More than 3,000 were injured during the first two Fridays of the Great March of Return, which is set to culminate on 15 May, when Palestinians commemorate the ethnic cleansing of the lands on which the state of Israel was declared in 1948.
The U.N. chief told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that “the recent violence in Gaza has resulted in many needless deaths and injuries."
Elaborating on several pressing situations, Guterres said the wounds of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were deepening once again.
Reiterating his call for an independent and transparent investigation into the recent violence in Gaza and appealing to those concerned to refrain from action that could lead to more casualties, he reaffirmed the Organization's readiness to support a revitalization of the peace process leading to a two-State solution.
Israel killed 36 Palestinians in Gaza since 30 March, when the Great March of Return protests began. Twenty-seven of those killed, including three children and a journalist, were fatally wounded during protests.
More than 3,000 were injured during the first two Fridays of the Great March of Return, which is set to culminate on 15 May, when Palestinians commemorate the ethnic cleansing of the lands on which the state of Israel was declared in 1948.
Five Palestinian journalists were reportedly injured by Israeli gunfire on Friday as they were covering the March of Return protests in different border areas.
Reporters for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) said that Israeli soldiers deliberately targeted media and ambulance crews in an obvious attempt to prevent journalists from exposing their violations and paramedics from helping injured protesters.
One of the PIC reporters said that photojournalist Ahmed Abu Hussein suffered a serious bullet injury in his abdomen and was evacuated to hospital.
Reporters for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) said that Israeli soldiers deliberately targeted media and ambulance crews in an obvious attempt to prevent journalists from exposing their violations and paramedics from helping injured protesters.
One of the PIC reporters said that photojournalist Ahmed Abu Hussein suffered a serious bullet injury in his abdomen and was evacuated to hospital.
U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (GA-04) released the following statement in advance of demonstrations scheduled to take place on Friday within the territory of Gaza.
The Members of Congress are urging Gaza protesters to carry out their right to assembly nonviolently, while also calling on members of Israel Defense Forces to exercise utmost restraint in the use of deadly force and to fully comply with international law.
“We are deeply disturbed by the tragic loss of life over the past two weeks of protests carried out within the territory of Gaza, with more than a dozen Palestinians killed by sniper fire – including an unarmed teenager and a respected photojournalist – and many hundreds more injured by live ammunition.
“While it appears that the vast majority of Palestinians who have gathered to protest have been peaceful, we object to reported cases of non-peaceful actions carried out by some Gaza protesters, and we call on them to exercise their rights nonviolently. We also urge Israeli soldiers to refrain from shooting live ammunition at unarmed Palestinian protesters from hundreds of meters away, across the fence separating the two territories.
“We strongly reject the dangerous contention made on April 8 by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman that ‘there are no innocent people in the Gaza Strip.’ Media reports suggest that on Friday, Israeli soldiers will once again be ordered by high command – in contravention of international law – to engage in sniper fire on Gaza residents who come within 300 meters of the border fence or engage in other non-life-threatening actions.
“We applaud Israeli human rights groups that are calling on Israeli soldiers to resist such illegal orders from their superiors, and are urging IDF forces to fully comply with international law and exercise utmost restraint in their use of deadly force. Such measures must only be used as a last resort to stop an imminent threat to life.”
The Members of Congress are urging Gaza protesters to carry out their right to assembly nonviolently, while also calling on members of Israel Defense Forces to exercise utmost restraint in the use of deadly force and to fully comply with international law.
“We are deeply disturbed by the tragic loss of life over the past two weeks of protests carried out within the territory of Gaza, with more than a dozen Palestinians killed by sniper fire – including an unarmed teenager and a respected photojournalist – and many hundreds more injured by live ammunition.
“While it appears that the vast majority of Palestinians who have gathered to protest have been peaceful, we object to reported cases of non-peaceful actions carried out by some Gaza protesters, and we call on them to exercise their rights nonviolently. We also urge Israeli soldiers to refrain from shooting live ammunition at unarmed Palestinian protesters from hundreds of meters away, across the fence separating the two territories.
“We strongly reject the dangerous contention made on April 8 by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman that ‘there are no innocent people in the Gaza Strip.’ Media reports suggest that on Friday, Israeli soldiers will once again be ordered by high command – in contravention of international law – to engage in sniper fire on Gaza residents who come within 300 meters of the border fence or engage in other non-life-threatening actions.
“We applaud Israeli human rights groups that are calling on Israeli soldiers to resist such illegal orders from their superiors, and are urging IDF forces to fully comply with international law and exercise utmost restraint in their use of deadly force. Such measures must only be used as a last resort to stop an imminent threat to life.”
13 apr 2018
Islam Herzallah, 28
Updated: The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has confirmed, Friday, that a young man was killed, and at least 969 Palestinians have been injured, by Israeli army fire, along the eastern border areas, in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the soldiers shot Islam Herzallah, 28, with a live round in the abdomen, east of Gaza city.
The young man was rushed to the Shifa medical center in Gaza city, where he succumbed to his serious wounds.
Dr. al-Qedra added that the young man was shot east of Gaza city, and received the urgently needed treatment in a field clinic, before he was transferred to the medical center where he was rushed to surgery but succumbed to his serious wounds.
He also said that the army injured 969 Palestinians near border areas Rafah, Khan Younis, al-Boreij, east of Gaza, and east of Jabalia. 419 of them were moved to hospitals and medical centers, and 550 received treatment in field clinics and make-shift hospitals near border areas.
Among the wounded Palestinians are seventeen medics, after the army deliberately targeted field clinics with gas bombs, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The army also seriously injured a journalist, identified as Ahmad Abu Hussein, who was shot in the abdomen, and moderately injured another reporter, Mohammad Najjar, who was shot in the shoulder.
Many other journalists fainted after inhaling gas fired by the army, especially when army drones fired gas bombs at media vehicles and reporters.
Herzallah’s death brings the number of Palestinians who were killed by Israeli army fire since March 30th, to 36 Palestinians.
Updated: The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has confirmed, Friday, that a young man was killed, and at least 969 Palestinians have been injured, by Israeli army fire, along the eastern border areas, in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the soldiers shot Islam Herzallah, 28, with a live round in the abdomen, east of Gaza city.
The young man was rushed to the Shifa medical center in Gaza city, where he succumbed to his serious wounds.
Dr. al-Qedra added that the young man was shot east of Gaza city, and received the urgently needed treatment in a field clinic, before he was transferred to the medical center where he was rushed to surgery but succumbed to his serious wounds.
He also said that the army injured 969 Palestinians near border areas Rafah, Khan Younis, al-Boreij, east of Gaza, and east of Jabalia. 419 of them were moved to hospitals and medical centers, and 550 received treatment in field clinics and make-shift hospitals near border areas.
Among the wounded Palestinians are seventeen medics, after the army deliberately targeted field clinics with gas bombs, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The army also seriously injured a journalist, identified as Ahmad Abu Hussein, who was shot in the abdomen, and moderately injured another reporter, Mohammad Najjar, who was shot in the shoulder.
Many other journalists fainted after inhaling gas fired by the army, especially when army drones fired gas bombs at media vehicles and reporters.
Herzallah’s death brings the number of Palestinians who were killed by Israeli army fire since March 30th, to 36 Palestinians.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that Israeli soldiers injured, Friday, seventeen medics, after the army deliberately targeted field clinics with gas bombs, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. 701 Palestinians injured by army fire in the Gaza Strip.
The Ministry stated that the army targeted the clearly marked field clinics, causing seventeen medics to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation, along with dozens of Palestinians, who were receiving treatment there.
It said that the medics will always provide the needed treatment to all wounded Palestinians despite the ongoing and escalating Israeli violations against them, in direct violation of International Law.
The Ministry also called on the international community to take a decisive and firm stance condemning Israel’s escalating violations, and to provide the urgently needed protection to the Palestinian people, and to ensure an end to the violations against the medics and all medical facilities.
It stated that the seventeen medics were among 701 Palestinians, including journalists, who were injured by Israeli army fire. 163 of the wounded Palestinians were shot with live ammunition.
296 of the wounded were rushed to various hospitals and medical center in the coastal region.
Among the wounded is a journalist identified as Ahmad Abu Hussein, who was seriously shot in the abdomen, and Mohammad Najjar, who was shot in the shoulder.
Many other journalists fainted after inhaling gas fired by the army, especially when army drones fired gas bombs at media vehicles and reporters.
The Ministry stated that the army targeted the clearly marked field clinics, causing seventeen medics to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation, along with dozens of Palestinians, who were receiving treatment there.
It said that the medics will always provide the needed treatment to all wounded Palestinians despite the ongoing and escalating Israeli violations against them, in direct violation of International Law.
The Ministry also called on the international community to take a decisive and firm stance condemning Israel’s escalating violations, and to provide the urgently needed protection to the Palestinian people, and to ensure an end to the violations against the medics and all medical facilities.
It stated that the seventeen medics were among 701 Palestinians, including journalists, who were injured by Israeli army fire. 163 of the wounded Palestinians were shot with live ammunition.
296 of the wounded were rushed to various hospitals and medical center in the coastal region.
Among the wounded is a journalist identified as Ahmad Abu Hussein, who was seriously shot in the abdomen, and Mohammad Najjar, who was shot in the shoulder.
Many other journalists fainted after inhaling gas fired by the army, especially when army drones fired gas bombs at media vehicles and reporters.
The Israeli occupation forces on Friday attacked Palestinian paramedics and a mobile clinic at the Awda (return) camp, east of Khuza’a town with heavy spates of teargas canisters on the third Friday of the Great March of Return.
The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned, in the strongest terms, the assault, which it said aims to prevent medics and paramedics from evacuating wounded protesters.
Over recent weeks, Israeli soldiers have frequently opened gunfire and fired teargas canisters at non-violent protesters near Gaza’s border fence, killing 34 and injuring thousands of others, including children.
The Gaza-based Ministry of Health announced that hospitals and medical personnel have been on high alert as of Friday dawn to deal with the anticipated influx of casualties.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about Gaza’s capacity to handle thousands of wounded in the past several weeks, highlighting the besieged enclave’s already strained resources.
The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned, in the strongest terms, the assault, which it said aims to prevent medics and paramedics from evacuating wounded protesters.
Over recent weeks, Israeli soldiers have frequently opened gunfire and fired teargas canisters at non-violent protesters near Gaza’s border fence, killing 34 and injuring thousands of others, including children.
The Gaza-based Ministry of Health announced that hospitals and medical personnel have been on high alert as of Friday dawn to deal with the anticipated influx of casualties.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about Gaza’s capacity to handle thousands of wounded in the past several weeks, highlighting the besieged enclave’s already strained resources.
Update By The Health Ministry: The soldiers injured 363 Palestinians (At least 30 with live fire). 14 Medics suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Red Crescent Society have reported that Israeli soldiers shot, Friday, twenty-three Palestinians with live fire, and caused dozens, including 10 medics, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, while protesting on their lands, in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
They said the soldiers, shot seven Palestinians with live fire, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, before they were rushed to Nasser Hospital.
Many other Palestinians, including ten medics, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, especially when the soldiers targeted them and their ambulances with gas bombs.
Three Palestinians were also injured with live fire, including one who suffered serious wounds, after the army opened fire on protesters north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the coastal region; they were rushed to the Indonesian Hospital, in nearby Beit Lahia.
Furthermore, the soldiers shot five Palestinians with live fire, near the border fence east of Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, before they were rushed to the Indonesian Hospital.
In Rafah, in southern Gaza, the soldiers also attacked the protesters with live fire, wounding at least five, in addition to causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
In Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, the soldiers shot at least three Palestinians with live fire, and caused many others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the number of Palestinians injured by Israeli fire and gas bombs has arrived to 112.
He called on the international community to intervene, and stop the seriously escalating Israeli violations, including the targeting of unarmed protesters with live fire, the ongoing attacks against journalists and medics.
Israeli Army Injures Nine Palestinians In Gaza
Apr 13, 2018 @ 12:24
Israeli soldiers shot, Friday, three young men with live fire near Gaza city, and one in central Gaza, just as the protests started on Palestinian lands, near border areas, in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Update: Medical sources have confirmed that the number of wounded Palestinians, in several parts of the Gaza Strip, has reached nine.
Palestinian medical sources said Israeli army sharpshooters shot three young men east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza city.
They added that the three young men suffered moderate wounds, after the soldiers shot them with live rounds in their lower extremities.
Furthermore, the soldiers shot a young man with live fire, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza.
The Israeli fire came just as the protesters were still gathering in many parts of the besieged coastal region, to start their popular nonviolent processions, demanding their Right of Return, and the liberation of Palestine.
The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Red Crescent Society have reported that Israeli soldiers shot, Friday, twenty-three Palestinians with live fire, and caused dozens, including 10 medics, to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, while protesting on their lands, in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
They said the soldiers, shot seven Palestinians with live fire, east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, before they were rushed to Nasser Hospital.
Many other Palestinians, including ten medics, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, especially when the soldiers targeted them and their ambulances with gas bombs.
Three Palestinians were also injured with live fire, including one who suffered serious wounds, after the army opened fire on protesters north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the coastal region; they were rushed to the Indonesian Hospital, in nearby Beit Lahia.
Furthermore, the soldiers shot five Palestinians with live fire, near the border fence east of Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, before they were rushed to the Indonesian Hospital.
In Rafah, in southern Gaza, the soldiers also attacked the protesters with live fire, wounding at least five, in addition to causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
In Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, the soldiers shot at least three Palestinians with live fire, and caused many others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, said the number of Palestinians injured by Israeli fire and gas bombs has arrived to 112.
He called on the international community to intervene, and stop the seriously escalating Israeli violations, including the targeting of unarmed protesters with live fire, the ongoing attacks against journalists and medics.
Israeli Army Injures Nine Palestinians In Gaza
Apr 13, 2018 @ 12:24
Israeli soldiers shot, Friday, three young men with live fire near Gaza city, and one in central Gaza, just as the protests started on Palestinian lands, near border areas, in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Update: Medical sources have confirmed that the number of wounded Palestinians, in several parts of the Gaza Strip, has reached nine.
Palestinian medical sources said Israeli army sharpshooters shot three young men east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza city.
They added that the three young men suffered moderate wounds, after the soldiers shot them with live rounds in their lower extremities.
Furthermore, the soldiers shot a young man with live fire, east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza.
The Israeli fire came just as the protesters were still gathering in many parts of the besieged coastal region, to start their popular nonviolent processions, demanding their Right of Return, and the liberation of Palestine.
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In a step aimed at covering up Israeli crimes, MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu) has called for introducing a new bill punishing anyone who photograph or videorecord soldiers while performing their duties in order to undermine their morale.
He made his proposal after a video went viral on the internet showing an Israeli soldier shooting at a Palestinian on Gaza border as other follow soldiers were verbally attacking other protesters. According to the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom, the proposed bill calls for imposing a five-year prison punishment on anyone exposing on-duty soldiers’ behavior. It also calls for jailing for 10 years anyone who does so with the intention of |
harming Israel’s national security.
The proposed bill mentions NGOs such as B’Tselem, Machsom Watch and Breaking the Silence, calling them “anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian...and BDS organizations.”
It claims that “for many years, there has been a disturbing phenomenon in Israel of documenting soldiers through videos, stills and voice recordings,” and that some NGOs have people follow soldiers all day long to try to “document them in a biased and slanted way... while sometimes accusing and insulting them.”
Ilatov said the time came to put an end to what he called “anarchy.” “It cannot be that any left-wing activist or organization, supported by foreign entities, can get free access and document, undisturbed, soldiers on duty.”
“We have the responsibility to give soldiers the optimal conditions to do their jobs, without them having to be worried about a left-wing activist or organization sending out their photo and trying to shame them.”
The proposed bill mentions NGOs such as B’Tselem, Machsom Watch and Breaking the Silence, calling them “anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian...and BDS organizations.”
It claims that “for many years, there has been a disturbing phenomenon in Israel of documenting soldiers through videos, stills and voice recordings,” and that some NGOs have people follow soldiers all day long to try to “document them in a biased and slanted way... while sometimes accusing and insulting them.”
Ilatov said the time came to put an end to what he called “anarchy.” “It cannot be that any left-wing activist or organization, supported by foreign entities, can get free access and document, undisturbed, soldiers on duty.”
“We have the responsibility to give soldiers the optimal conditions to do their jobs, without them having to be worried about a left-wing activist or organization sending out their photo and trying to shame them.”
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by Abir Kopty
The sickening video of an Israeli sniper apparently filming himself gunning down a Palestinian protester across the fence in Gaza then rejoicing and praising his "success" with other soldiers has been widely spread and condemned. A week before, another video documented the shooting of another Palestinian protester in the back. This video has also received wide condemnation. We must transfer all our rage and disgust into joining a growing movement that works beyond a machinery of words and short-term clicktivism to stop Israel's crimes. However, for Palestinians what is most worrying about these videos from the recent Gaza Great Return March is that while these horrible scenes will trigger a wave of rage, it will only last for a short period until the next crime happens. The world has forgotten Gaza and the decade-long blockade imposed by Israel on its people. It takes the killing of 31 Palestinians to remind the international community of the biggest open-air prison in the world that has become Gaza. Distant and forgotten While these videos present a potential archival material for human rights organisations and the International community, it is important that they, as well as hundreds of others, should not be just an "archive". |
The commercial-digitalised world which we live in ensures that such videos get lost and buried under the heaps of information we consume every day. We are shocked by a video until we get used to such images and get prepared for more shocking images.
Moreover, people's struggles, resistance and sacrifices are often tailored for consumption, victims turn into trendy images and solidarity becomes a click through a keyboard. Distant and forgotten, Gaza has now become trendy again, only to receive another wave of short-term empathy.
It is also frightening that we know already by heart the arsenal of terms that is used each time Israel commits a crime against the Palestinians. The media equates between the victim and the attacker, calling it "clashes" and "confrontation"; the international community calls for "restraint", they express their "concern" and if they can afford to be harsher, they call for an "inquiry". This would probably be inquiry number one thousand, to join all those before it in a cold dark basement somewhere.
The root causes of violence
This is especially annoying when the world has lectured Palestinians for so long on how they should resist and, in other words, "be nice to their oppressors". Instead of pointing to the root cause of violence, the Palestinians are the ones put behind bars and ordered to prove to the world how "non-violent" they are.
This attitude is not only patronising, but also disregards the rich Palestinian culture of resistance, past and present, and their right to decide for themselves. Since the Zionist colonisation started in Palestine, there has been resistance, and it will continue as long as the colonisation continues.
Gaza protests are just a continuation of a long Palestinian history of popular protest. Not only in Gaza, but in other Palestinian cities and areas, popular resistance has been happening on a daily basis and in so many ways, through direct actions, culture, art, BDS, campaigning, creating independent economical project and so on.
Many Palestinian villages have been protesting weekly and facing the same brutality. No mainstream media attention, support or protection have been given to those taking part in the protests. Ahed Tamimi, for example, had to lose her childhood innocence so the world could take note of the struggle of a small Palestinian village, Nabi Saleh, where Tamimi hailed from, that paid a heavy price for demanding freedom and justice.
Israel, again, knows it will get away with its crimes, and therefore it keeps on committing them. We have the responsibility first to know where to point our fingers - it is certainly not against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip which, according to a UN report, will not be livable by 2020 - and second to transfer all our rage and disgust into joining a growing movement that works beyond a machinery of words and short-term clicktivism to stop Israel's crimes.
- Abir Kopty is a Palestinian writer and PhD student. Her article appared in the Middle East Eye.
Moreover, people's struggles, resistance and sacrifices are often tailored for consumption, victims turn into trendy images and solidarity becomes a click through a keyboard. Distant and forgotten, Gaza has now become trendy again, only to receive another wave of short-term empathy.
It is also frightening that we know already by heart the arsenal of terms that is used each time Israel commits a crime against the Palestinians. The media equates between the victim and the attacker, calling it "clashes" and "confrontation"; the international community calls for "restraint", they express their "concern" and if they can afford to be harsher, they call for an "inquiry". This would probably be inquiry number one thousand, to join all those before it in a cold dark basement somewhere.
The root causes of violence
This is especially annoying when the world has lectured Palestinians for so long on how they should resist and, in other words, "be nice to their oppressors". Instead of pointing to the root cause of violence, the Palestinians are the ones put behind bars and ordered to prove to the world how "non-violent" they are.
This attitude is not only patronising, but also disregards the rich Palestinian culture of resistance, past and present, and their right to decide for themselves. Since the Zionist colonisation started in Palestine, there has been resistance, and it will continue as long as the colonisation continues.
Gaza protests are just a continuation of a long Palestinian history of popular protest. Not only in Gaza, but in other Palestinian cities and areas, popular resistance has been happening on a daily basis and in so many ways, through direct actions, culture, art, BDS, campaigning, creating independent economical project and so on.
Many Palestinian villages have been protesting weekly and facing the same brutality. No mainstream media attention, support or protection have been given to those taking part in the protests. Ahed Tamimi, for example, had to lose her childhood innocence so the world could take note of the struggle of a small Palestinian village, Nabi Saleh, where Tamimi hailed from, that paid a heavy price for demanding freedom and justice.
Israel, again, knows it will get away with its crimes, and therefore it keeps on committing them. We have the responsibility first to know where to point our fingers - it is certainly not against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip which, according to a UN report, will not be livable by 2020 - and second to transfer all our rage and disgust into joining a growing movement that works beyond a machinery of words and short-term clicktivism to stop Israel's crimes.
- Abir Kopty is a Palestinian writer and PhD student. Her article appared in the Middle East Eye.
The Israeli occupation forces at daybreak Friday attacked a group of Palestinian young men peacefully gathering near the Awda (return) camp in Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis, as part of the non-violent Great March of Return rallies which have been ongoing for three consecutive weeks along Gaza’s borderland.
Reporting from southern Gaza Strip, a PIC news correspondent said the Israeli military opened fire at Palestinian anti-occupation youth as part of underway attempts to disband protests.
Tension is slated to reach a zenith following Friday’s noon prayers. Palestinian protesters will burn the Israeli flag as a means to express their anger over Israel’s cold-blooded murders of disarmed Palestinian youths.
Hundreds of Palestinians have flocked to vigil camps held across the Gaza Strip.
The High Commission to Follow Up on the March of Return said protest moves and rallies have been under full swing to speak up for the refugees’ right of return and call for lifting the oppressive Israeli siege on Gaza.
34 Palestinians, including three children, have been killed since the outbreak of “The Great March of Return” protests, on March 30. 3,079 others have been left wounded, 106 among them in critical conditions.
Reporting from southern Gaza Strip, a PIC news correspondent said the Israeli military opened fire at Palestinian anti-occupation youth as part of underway attempts to disband protests.
Tension is slated to reach a zenith following Friday’s noon prayers. Palestinian protesters will burn the Israeli flag as a means to express their anger over Israel’s cold-blooded murders of disarmed Palestinian youths.
Hundreds of Palestinians have flocked to vigil camps held across the Gaza Strip.
The High Commission to Follow Up on the March of Return said protest moves and rallies have been under full swing to speak up for the refugees’ right of return and call for lifting the oppressive Israeli siege on Gaza.
34 Palestinians, including three children, have been killed since the outbreak of “The Great March of Return” protests, on March 30. 3,079 others have been left wounded, 106 among them in critical conditions.
Two Palestinian young men sustained injuries on Thursday evening after they were shot by Israeli snipers near Gaza’s border fence, east of Khan Younis province.
According to eye-witnesses, Israeli snipers deployed near the border fence in Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinians, critically injuring one of them.
Another Palestinian sustained moderate wounds after he was shot by Israeli snipers deployed east of the Bureij refugee camp.
The witnesses said the Palestinians posed no threat to the soldiers and were gathering peacefully in the area. They were also at least 200 meters away from the border fence.
At least 34 Palestinians, including three children, have been killed since the outbreak of “The Great March of Return” protests, on March 30. 3,079 others have been left wounded, 106 among them in critical conditions.
According to eye-witnesses, Israeli snipers deployed near the border fence in Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinians, critically injuring one of them.
Another Palestinian sustained moderate wounds after he was shot by Israeli snipers deployed east of the Bureij refugee camp.
The witnesses said the Palestinians posed no threat to the soldiers and were gathering peacefully in the area. They were also at least 200 meters away from the border fence.
At least 34 Palestinians, including three children, have been killed since the outbreak of “The Great March of Return” protests, on March 30. 3,079 others have been left wounded, 106 among them in critical conditions.
