20 apr 2019
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The Palestinian Centre For Human Rights (PCHR): On Friday, 19 April 2019, in excessive use of force against peaceful protesters on the 55th Friday of the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege, Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 23 children, 5 women, 4 paramedics, and 4 journalists, in the eastern Gaza Strip. Two of those wounded sustained serious wounds.
According to observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, the Israeli forces who stationed in prone positions and in military jeeps along the fence with Israel continued to use excessive force against the protesters by firing bullets and tear gas canisters at them. |
As a result, dozens of the protesters were hit with bullets and teargas canisters without posing any imminent threat or danger to the life of soldiers.
During this week, Israeli forces have escalated their attacks against the medical personnel in the field, wounding 4 members of them and targeting an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in eastern Khan Younis with a teargas canister directly while in field and evacuating those wounded.
This indicates that there is an Israeli systematic policy to target the medical personnel and obstruct their humanitarian work that is guaranteed under the rules of the international humanitarian law.
On Friday, 19 April 2019, the incidents were as follows:
At approximately 16:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the five encampments established by the Supreme National Authority of Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege adjacent to the border fence with Israel in eastern Gaza Strip cities.
Hundreds of protesters, including children and women, gathered adjacent to the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and its vicinity tens and hundreds of meters away from the fence. The protesters chanted slogans, raised flags, and in very limited incidents attempted to approach the border fence and throw stones at the Israeli forces.
Although the protesters gathered in areas open to the Israeli snipers stationed on the top of the sand berms and military watchtowers and inside and behind the military jeeps, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to a barrage of tear gas canisters.
The Israeli shooting, which continued at around 19:00, resulted in the injury of 100 civilians, including 23 children, 5 women, 4 paramedics, and 4 journalists. Thirty-three of those wounded were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, 42 were directly hit with tear gas canisters and 13 were hit with rubber bullets. In addition, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures due to tear gas canisters that were fired by the Israeli forces from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
The following table shows the number of civilian casualties due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March:
Killed Wounded
Total 203 12161
Children 44 2351
Women 2 367
Journalists 2 198
Medical personnel 3 194
Persons with disabilities 8 Undefined
Note: Among those wounded, 543 are in serious condition and 137 had their lower or upper limbs amputated; 123 lower-limb amputations, 14 upper-limb amputations, and 25 children had their limbs amputated according to the Ministry of Health. The number of those wounded only include those wounded with live bullets and directly hit with tear gas canisters, as there have been thousand others who suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR reiterates Palestinians’ right to peaceful assembly to confront Israel and its forces’ denial of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, right to return and right to end the occupation of the Palestinian territory.
PCHR stresses that the Israeli forces should stop using excessive force and respond to the legitimate demands of the demonstrators, particularly lifting the closure which is the real solution to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR reiterates the reported published in February by the UN Commission of Inquiry which emphasizes what came by PCHR and other Palestinian and international human rights organizations. The report at the time concluded that the Israeli violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
PCHR emphasizes that continuously targeting civilians, who exercise their right to peaceful assembly or while carrying out their humanitarian duty, is a serious violation of the rules of international law, international humanitarian law, the ICC Rome Statute and Fourth Geneva Convention.
Thus, PCHR reiterates its call upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR also emphasizes that the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention should fulfill their obligation under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
During this week, Israeli forces have escalated their attacks against the medical personnel in the field, wounding 4 members of them and targeting an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in eastern Khan Younis with a teargas canister directly while in field and evacuating those wounded.
This indicates that there is an Israeli systematic policy to target the medical personnel and obstruct their humanitarian work that is guaranteed under the rules of the international humanitarian law.
On Friday, 19 April 2019, the incidents were as follows:
At approximately 16:00, thousands of civilians, including women, children and entire families, started swarming to the five encampments established by the Supreme National Authority of Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege adjacent to the border fence with Israel in eastern Gaza Strip cities.
Hundreds of protesters, including children and women, gathered adjacent to the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and its vicinity tens and hundreds of meters away from the fence. The protesters chanted slogans, raised flags, and in very limited incidents attempted to approach the border fence and throw stones at the Israeli forces.
Although the protesters gathered in areas open to the Israeli snipers stationed on the top of the sand berms and military watchtowers and inside and behind the military jeeps, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to a barrage of tear gas canisters.
The Israeli shooting, which continued at around 19:00, resulted in the injury of 100 civilians, including 23 children, 5 women, 4 paramedics, and 4 journalists. Thirty-three of those wounded were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, 42 were directly hit with tear gas canisters and 13 were hit with rubber bullets. In addition, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and seizures due to tear gas canisters that were fired by the Israeli forces from the military jeeps and riffles in the eastern Gaza Strip.
The following table shows the number of civilian casualties due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March:
Killed Wounded
Total 203 12161
Children 44 2351
Women 2 367
Journalists 2 198
Medical personnel 3 194
Persons with disabilities 8 Undefined
Note: Among those wounded, 543 are in serious condition and 137 had their lower or upper limbs amputated; 123 lower-limb amputations, 14 upper-limb amputations, and 25 children had their limbs amputated according to the Ministry of Health. The number of those wounded only include those wounded with live bullets and directly hit with tear gas canisters, as there have been thousand others who suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR reiterates Palestinians’ right to peaceful assembly to confront Israel and its forces’ denial of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, right to return and right to end the occupation of the Palestinian territory.
PCHR stresses that the Israeli forces should stop using excessive force and respond to the legitimate demands of the demonstrators, particularly lifting the closure which is the real solution to end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR reiterates the reported published in February by the UN Commission of Inquiry which emphasizes what came by PCHR and other Palestinian and international human rights organizations. The report at the time concluded that the Israeli violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
PCHR emphasizes that continuously targeting civilians, who exercise their right to peaceful assembly or while carrying out their humanitarian duty, is a serious violation of the rules of international law, international humanitarian law, the ICC Rome Statute and Fourth Geneva Convention.
Thus, PCHR reiterates its call upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR also emphasizes that the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention should fulfill their obligation under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
19 apr 2019
Israeli forces found an incendiary balloon, on Friday morning, on the beach of Ashkelon city, in southern Israel.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, after an incendiary “explosive” balloon was found on the beach, Israeli forces called the explosives unit team to transfer and handle it in a safe place.
Sources added that although most incendiary objects are launched from the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities opened an investigation into the origin of the incendiary balloon.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, after an incendiary “explosive” balloon was found on the beach, Israeli forces called the explosives unit team to transfer and handle it in a safe place.
Sources added that although most incendiary objects are launched from the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities opened an investigation into the origin of the incendiary balloon.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
12 apr 2019
Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Friday evening, the weekly Great March Processions in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing one child, and injuring at 55 others, including one who suffered serious wounds, and two medics.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that the soldiers shot a child, identified as Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15, after shooting him with live fire in the abdomen, east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. video
The soldiers also fired live rounds and gas bombs at medics trying to reach the child to provide him with the urgently needed medical help, before he succumbed to his wounds.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry In Gaza, said the soldiers shot 66 Palestinians, including 15 children and six women, in addition to two medics.
It added that one of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening wounds.
The Health Ministry also stated that the soldiers shot two medics and caused others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protests took place in five areas in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, from Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, in the northern part, to Gaza city and central Gaza, in addition to Khan Younis and Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Media sources in Gaza said the army used high-velocity gas bombs, and live fire, targeting many areas far away from the perimeter fence.
They added that the soldiers also targeted several ambulances, medics and journalists, with sniper fire, in addition to the high-velocity gas bombs.
The protests this week were also in support and solidarity with the hunger striking detainees in Israeli prisons, facing constant violations and denied basic rights.
Israeli soldiers attacked, on Friday evening, the weekly Great March Processions in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing one child, and injuring at 55 others, including one who suffered serious wounds, and two medics.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that the soldiers shot a child, identified as Maisara Mousa Ali Abu Shallouf, 15, after shooting him with live fire in the abdomen, east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. video
The soldiers also fired live rounds and gas bombs at medics trying to reach the child to provide him with the urgently needed medical help, before he succumbed to his wounds.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry In Gaza, said the soldiers shot 66 Palestinians, including 15 children and six women, in addition to two medics.
It added that one of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening wounds.
The Health Ministry also stated that the soldiers shot two medics and caused others to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The protests took place in five areas in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, from Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, in the northern part, to Gaza city and central Gaza, in addition to Khan Younis and Rafah, in the southern part of the coastal region.
Media sources in Gaza said the army used high-velocity gas bombs, and live fire, targeting many areas far away from the perimeter fence.
They added that the soldiers also targeted several ambulances, medics and journalists, with sniper fire, in addition to the high-velocity gas bombs.
The protests this week were also in support and solidarity with the hunger striking detainees in Israeli prisons, facing constant violations and denied basic rights.
6 apr 2019
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Israeli forces have been using the Great Return March and its thousands of protesters as a sort of testing ground for new forms of weaponry and crowd control, say physicians in the Gaza Strip.
They talk of explosive bullets and an unknown gas that causes severe convulsions and loss of consciousness, among other symptoms. “We are being used as guinea pigs to test new weapons, as the case in past Israeli wars on Gaza,” says Ashraf al-Qedra, MD, spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry. Local sources said that Israeli forces used an unknown kind of teargas |
against peaceful protesters on the 53rd Friday of the Great March of Return.
These are new teargas bombs that give off red and yellow fumes and have been used for the first time against the peaceful protestors, and no one knows what they are composed of, the source added, according to Days of Palestine.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that at least 83 Palestinians reached the hospitals on the 53rd Friday of the Great March of Return.
Palestinians participate in these protests every Friday, in an attempt to put pressure on Israeli authorities to break the siege imposed for more than 12 years.
Israel has killed more than 260 Palestinians, injured more than 28,000 others since the beginning of the marches, on March 30, 2018.
These are new teargas bombs that give off red and yellow fumes and have been used for the first time against the peaceful protestors, and no one knows what they are composed of, the source added, according to Days of Palestine.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that at least 83 Palestinians reached the hospitals on the 53rd Friday of the Great March of Return.
Palestinians participate in these protests every Friday, in an attempt to put pressure on Israeli authorities to break the siege imposed for more than 12 years.
Israel has killed more than 260 Palestinians, injured more than 28,000 others since the beginning of the marches, on March 30, 2018.
5 apr 2019
Dozens of Palestinians were injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces heavily opened fire at the peaceful protesters taking part in the Great March of Return in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a brief statement that 83 Palestinian protesters were injured by live ammunition and tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli occupation forces.
Hundreds of Palestinians marched on the 53rd Friday of the Great March of Return along the border between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip started border protests on 30 March 2018 to demand the return of Palestinian refugees and call for lifting the 13-year-long blockade on the seaside area.
Since the start of the Great March of Return, the Israeli occupation army has killed 282 Palestinians, and injured 31,000 others, 500 of whom are in critical condition.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a brief statement that 83 Palestinian protesters were injured by live ammunition and tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli occupation forces.
Hundreds of Palestinians marched on the 53rd Friday of the Great March of Return along the border between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip started border protests on 30 March 2018 to demand the return of Palestinian refugees and call for lifting the 13-year-long blockade on the seaside area.
Since the start of the Great March of Return, the Israeli occupation army has killed 282 Palestinians, and injured 31,000 others, 500 of whom are in critical condition.
3 apr 2019
Israeli warplanes fired one missile towards a group of Palestinian youths, in the southeastern al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to Ma’an that one missile landed near Palestinian youths in eastern Gaza.
No injuries were reported.
According to the Israeli army, the targeted youths were allegedly firing incendiary balloons towards southern Israel.
On late Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes were carried out in three areas across the Gaza Strip. However no injuries or damages were reported.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to Ma’an that one missile landed near Palestinian youths in eastern Gaza.
No injuries were reported.
According to the Israeli army, the targeted youths were allegedly firing incendiary balloons towards southern Israel.
On late Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes were carried out in three areas across the Gaza Strip. However no injuries or damages were reported.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
Fares Abu Hajras, 26
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that a young man died, on Tuesday evening, from serious wounds he suffered last Saturday, after Israeli soldiers shot him east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian, Fares Abu Hajras, 26, was shot with a live round in the abdomen, and remained in a critical condition until he succumbed to his wounds.
Hajras was shot, Saturday, east of Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis, while the Palestinians were marking the first anniversary of the Great Return March, and the 43rd anniversary of Palestinian Land Day.
On the day of his injury, the soldiers killed four Palestinians, and injured 316 others, including 14 who suffered life-threatening wounds, during protests across the perimeter fence, in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip.
The Maan News Agency has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed 271 Palestinians since March 30th, 2018 in the Gaza Strip, and injured more than 30398 others, including 16027 who were moved to various hospitals and medical centers.
The Health Ministry said that among the wounded are 3175 children and 1008 women and added that 136 Palestinians suffered amputations; 122 in the lower limbs, and 14 in the upper limbs.
The army also killed three medics, identified as Razan Najjar, 22, Mousa Jaber Abu Hassanein, 36, and Abdullah al-Qutati, 20, and injured 665 others, in addition to causing damage to 112 ambulances.
Also among the slain Palestinians are two journalists, identified as Yasser Mortaja, and journalist Ahmad Abu Hussein, in the Gaza Strip, while the soldiers injured dozens of journalists.
The information does not include dozens of Palestinians who were killed or injured by the Israeli army after crossing the perimeter fence and were never returned to the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that a young man died, on Tuesday evening, from serious wounds he suffered last Saturday, after Israeli soldiers shot him east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian, Fares Abu Hajras, 26, was shot with a live round in the abdomen, and remained in a critical condition until he succumbed to his wounds.
Hajras was shot, Saturday, east of Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis, while the Palestinians were marking the first anniversary of the Great Return March, and the 43rd anniversary of Palestinian Land Day.
On the day of his injury, the soldiers killed four Palestinians, and injured 316 others, including 14 who suffered life-threatening wounds, during protests across the perimeter fence, in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip.
The Maan News Agency has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed 271 Palestinians since March 30th, 2018 in the Gaza Strip, and injured more than 30398 others, including 16027 who were moved to various hospitals and medical centers.
The Health Ministry said that among the wounded are 3175 children and 1008 women and added that 136 Palestinians suffered amputations; 122 in the lower limbs, and 14 in the upper limbs.
The army also killed three medics, identified as Razan Najjar, 22, Mousa Jaber Abu Hassanein, 36, and Abdullah al-Qutati, 20, and injured 665 others, in addition to causing damage to 112 ambulances.
Also among the slain Palestinians are two journalists, identified as Yasser Mortaja, and journalist Ahmad Abu Hussein, in the Gaza Strip, while the soldiers injured dozens of journalists.
The information does not include dozens of Palestinians who were killed or injured by the Israeli army after crossing the perimeter fence and were never returned to the Gaza Strip.
2 apr 2019
Israeli warplanes targeted a group of Palestinian youths east of the besieged Gaza Strip, on Tuesday.
A Ma'an reporter said that Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile towards a group of Palestinian youths, who were allegedly launching incendiary balloons into southern Israel.
No injuries nor damages were reported.
Sources added that another Israeli warplane targeted an open field, east of the Strip.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
A Ma'an reporter said that Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile towards a group of Palestinian youths, who were allegedly launching incendiary balloons into southern Israel.
No injuries nor damages were reported.
Sources added that another Israeli warplane targeted an open field, east of the Strip.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
31 mar 2019
Thousands gathered in London on 'Land day' and the first anniversary of the Great Return March responding to the call of the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War coalition, Friend of Alaqsa (FOA) and the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB).
Adnan Hmidan, media spokesperson for the PFB stated that this demonstration is in solidarity with Gaza after the last attack and comes at the same time as the one million march organized in Gaza which brought 3 martyrs and hundreds of injuries in the east of Gaza.
Speakers at the demonstration also spoke out against attempts to smear criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic.
Zeid Truscott of the National Union of Students spoke of how student activists had faced attempts to clamp down on campaigning.
Other speakers called for activists to make sure the Palestine Solidarity movement kept mobilizing people—including for a national PSC demonstration on 11 May.
Ben Jamal said, “We need you here in great numbers—tens of thousands of us—on 11 May."
Adnan Hmidan, media spokesperson for the PFB stated that this demonstration is in solidarity with Gaza after the last attack and comes at the same time as the one million march organized in Gaza which brought 3 martyrs and hundreds of injuries in the east of Gaza.
Speakers at the demonstration also spoke out against attempts to smear criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic.
Zeid Truscott of the National Union of Students spoke of how student activists had faced attempts to clamp down on campaigning.
Other speakers called for activists to make sure the Palestine Solidarity movement kept mobilizing people—including for a national PSC demonstration on 11 May.
Ben Jamal said, “We need you here in great numbers—tens of thousands of us—on 11 May."
Dozens of US citizens on Saturday participated in a march staged in New York City in solidarity with Palestine and the besieged Gaza Strip.
The march, which was organized in New York’s Times Square on the occasion of the Palestinian Land Day and the first anniversary of the March of Return in Gaza, was called for by New York for Palestine and other civil society organizations.
The participants carried Palestinian flags and placards denouncing Israel and calling for ending blockade on Gaza and US aid to Israel.
Some participants also chanted slogans in support of the Palestinian resistance, describing it as a legitimate right.
The march, which was organized in New York’s Times Square on the occasion of the Palestinian Land Day and the first anniversary of the March of Return in Gaza, was called for by New York for Palestine and other civil society organizations.
The participants carried Palestinian flags and placards denouncing Israel and calling for ending blockade on Gaza and US aid to Israel.
Some participants also chanted slogans in support of the Palestinian resistance, describing it as a legitimate right.
