7 dec 2018
At least 33 Palestinians were injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) heavily opened fire at the peaceful protesters taking part in the Great March of Return on Gaza border.
The PIC reporter said that hundreds of Palestinians marched along the border fence east of Gaza for the 37th week of the Great March of Return despite the cold and stormy weather.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege early on Friday called for the largest participation the border march which is set to commemorate the anniversary of the First Intifada.
Member of the committee and the Political Bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Talal Abu Zarifa, said in press statements that the Palestinians are determined to continue their protests until they achieve their goals, particularly a complete halt of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
"Today we take part in the Great March of Return armed with international legitimacy after the failure of the US draft resolution condemning the resistance at the United Nations General Assembly," he added.
The Palestinians have been protesting since 30 March along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied territories to demand an end for the 13-year-long blockade on the enclave and call for the return of refugees to their lands from which they were expelled in the 1948 war.
Since the start of the border protests, 247 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF, while 22,000 injured, 500 of whom are in critical conditions.
The PIC reporter said that hundreds of Palestinians marched along the border fence east of Gaza for the 37th week of the Great March of Return despite the cold and stormy weather.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege early on Friday called for the largest participation the border march which is set to commemorate the anniversary of the First Intifada.
Member of the committee and the Political Bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Talal Abu Zarifa, said in press statements that the Palestinians are determined to continue their protests until they achieve their goals, particularly a complete halt of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
"Today we take part in the Great March of Return armed with international legitimacy after the failure of the US draft resolution condemning the resistance at the United Nations General Assembly," he added.
The Palestinians have been protesting since 30 March along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and the 1948 occupied territories to demand an end for the 13-year-long blockade on the enclave and call for the return of refugees to their lands from which they were expelled in the 1948 war.
Since the start of the border protests, 247 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF, while 22,000 injured, 500 of whom are in critical conditions.
Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riyad al-Malki, presented a complaint, on Wednesday, to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, for procrastination in opening an investigation into Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people.
The ministry said, in a statement, that al-Malki expressed his disappointment to Bensouda with the initial study carried out by the prosecutor’s office on the situation in Palestine.
Al-Malki’s comments were made during a meeting with Bensouda on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC; the event opened in The Hague, on Wednesday.
He also called upon Bensouda to speed up opening an investigation into Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people, to bring justice to the Palestinian victims of the Israeli atrocities.
Al-Malki said that a probe will restrain Israel from continuing to carry out war crimes and will bring justice to the Palestinians.
He told Bensouda that “any delay in the investigation is a delay in bringing justice and gives the occupying power impunity and more time to commit its daily crimes.”
On May 22nd, the Palestinian Authority had submitted a referral to the ICC, for the first time, calling on the prosecutor to open an immediate investigation into Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories; the referral was presented after Israeli forces had killed 62 Palestinians, mostly in the Gaza Strip, on May 14, who were protesting against the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem.
The ministry said, in a statement, that al-Malki expressed his disappointment to Bensouda with the initial study carried out by the prosecutor’s office on the situation in Palestine.
Al-Malki’s comments were made during a meeting with Bensouda on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC; the event opened in The Hague, on Wednesday.
He also called upon Bensouda to speed up opening an investigation into Israeli war crimes against the Palestinian people, to bring justice to the Palestinian victims of the Israeli atrocities.
Al-Malki said that a probe will restrain Israel from continuing to carry out war crimes and will bring justice to the Palestinians.
He told Bensouda that “any delay in the investigation is a delay in bringing justice and gives the occupying power impunity and more time to commit its daily crimes.”
On May 22nd, the Palestinian Authority had submitted a referral to the ICC, for the first time, calling on the prosecutor to open an immediate investigation into Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories; the referral was presented after Israeli forces had killed 62 Palestinians, mostly in the Gaza Strip, on May 14, who were protesting against the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem.
3 dec 2018
Dozens of Palestinians were injured on Monday when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacked peaceful protesters on northern Gaza coast.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that 47 Palestinians were injured in the protests.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF heavily fired live ammunition and teargas canisters at the Palestinian protesters who launched balloons attached to portraits of the Great March of Return martyrs.
Dozens of Palestinian fishing boats took part in the protests and marched near the sea border, north of the Gaza Strip.
9 Palestinians injured as Israel suppresses 18th naval march
At least nine Palestinians were injured with Israeli live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets, while dozens of others suffered from tear-gas inhalation, on Monday, as Israeli forces suppressed the 17th naval march setting off from the Gaza seaport in an attempt to break the nearly 12-year Israeli siege.
A Ma'an reporter confirmed that nine Palestinians, 1 with injured with a live bullet, 4 with with rubber-coated steel bullets and 4 injured by tear-gas bombs, were transferred to hospitals for treatment.
He added that dozens of others suffered tear-gas inhalation.
Some 30 boats, along with hundreds of Palestinians arrived to the northern border to participate in the 18th naval march.
Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas bombs towards Palestinian crowds while the Israeli navy opened fire at Gaza boats attempting to break the siege.
Member of the politburo of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Talal Abu Tharifeh, said that naval marches would continue until their goals are achieved.
The National Committee for Breaking the Siege, organizer of the march, called on the United Nations, the European Union, and fellow Arab countries to immediately intervene and carry out their legal responsibilities to force Israel to end the occupation and break the siege.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that 47 Palestinians were injured in the protests.
The PIC reporter said that the IOF heavily fired live ammunition and teargas canisters at the Palestinian protesters who launched balloons attached to portraits of the Great March of Return martyrs.
Dozens of Palestinian fishing boats took part in the protests and marched near the sea border, north of the Gaza Strip.
9 Palestinians injured as Israel suppresses 18th naval march
At least nine Palestinians were injured with Israeli live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets, while dozens of others suffered from tear-gas inhalation, on Monday, as Israeli forces suppressed the 17th naval march setting off from the Gaza seaport in an attempt to break the nearly 12-year Israeli siege.
A Ma'an reporter confirmed that nine Palestinians, 1 with injured with a live bullet, 4 with with rubber-coated steel bullets and 4 injured by tear-gas bombs, were transferred to hospitals for treatment.
He added that dozens of others suffered tear-gas inhalation.
Some 30 boats, along with hundreds of Palestinians arrived to the northern border to participate in the 18th naval march.
Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas bombs towards Palestinian crowds while the Israeli navy opened fire at Gaza boats attempting to break the siege.
Member of the politburo of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Talal Abu Tharifeh, said that naval marches would continue until their goals are achieved.
The National Committee for Breaking the Siege, organizer of the march, called on the United Nations, the European Union, and fellow Arab countries to immediately intervene and carry out their legal responsibilities to force Israel to end the occupation and break the siege.
2 dec 2018
On Friday evening, 30 November 2018, Israeli forces wounded 58 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children and a paramedic in the peaceful demonstrations in the eastern Gaza Strip despite the decreasing intensity of the demonstrations there for the fifth week consecutively and absence of most means usually used during the demonstrations since the beginning of the Return and Breaking the Siege March 7 months ago.
According to observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, for the fifth week since the beginning of the Return March on 30 March 2018, the demonstrators abstained from setting fire to tires while the attempts to cross the border fence and throw stones and incendiary balloons were completely absent.
Though the demonstrators were around tens of meters away from the border fence, the Israeli forces who stationed in sniper positions and military jeeps along the fence continued to use excessive force against the demonstrators by opening fire and firing teargas canisters at them, without the later posing any imminent threat or danger to the life of soldiers.
On 30 November 2018, the incidents were as follows:
At approximately 14:30, 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 and raised flags, chanted national songs in addition to organizing sportive and folklore performances inside the encampments and its yards. Hundreds, including children and women, approached the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and gathered tens of meters away from the main border fence. Further, setting fire to tires, throwing stones, incendiary balloons and Molotov cocktails were almost absent.
Despite the prevailing calmness, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to hundreds of teargas canisters, particualry in eastern Jabalia, Gaza and al-Bureij refugee camp. The Israeli shooting, which continued at around 17:00, resulted in the injury of 58 Palestinian civilians, including 14 child and a paramedic. Doctors classified 4 civilians’ injury as serious. In addition, hundreds 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 victims due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there were 6 Persons
with Disabilities and a girl. 3 2 1 33 175 Killed
148 118 274 1717 9621 Wounded
Among those wounded, 508 are in serious condition and 94 had their lower or upper limbs amputated; 82 lower-limb amputations, 2 upper-limb amputations, 10 finger amputations and 17 children had their limbs amputated according to the Ministry of Health.
The number of those wounded only include those wounded with live bullet and directly hit with tear gas canisters as there have been thousand others who suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR 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 calls upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR hereby condemns the excessive use of force and commission of crimes by the Israeli forces despite the prevailed calmness, believing it is as a result of Israel’s enjoying impunity thanks to the U.S. and so encouraging the Israeli forces to commit further crimes upon an official decision by the highest military and political echelons.
PCHR also reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
According to observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, for the fifth week since the beginning of the Return March on 30 March 2018, the demonstrators abstained from setting fire to tires while the attempts to cross the border fence and throw stones and incendiary balloons were completely absent.
Though the demonstrators were around tens of meters away from the border fence, the Israeli forces who stationed in sniper positions and military jeeps along the fence continued to use excessive force against the demonstrators by opening fire and firing teargas canisters at them, without the later posing any imminent threat or danger to the life of soldiers.
On 30 November 2018, the incidents were as follows:
At approximately 14:30, 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 and raised flags, chanted national songs in addition to organizing sportive and folklore performances inside the encampments and its yards. Hundreds, including children and women, approached the border fence with Israel in front of each encampment and gathered tens of meters away from the main border fence. Further, setting fire to tires, throwing stones, incendiary balloons and Molotov cocktails were almost absent.
Despite the prevailing calmness, the Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets in addition to hundreds of teargas canisters, particualry in eastern Jabalia, Gaza and al-Bureij refugee camp. The Israeli shooting, which continued at around 17:00, resulted in the injury of 58 Palestinian civilians, including 14 child and a paramedic. Doctors classified 4 civilians’ injury as serious. In addition, hundreds 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 victims due to the Israeli forces’ suppression of the Great March of Return since its beginning on 30 March
Notes Medical Crews Journalists Women Children Total Casualties
Among those Killed, there were 6 Persons
with Disabilities and a girl. 3 2 1 33 175 Killed
148 118 274 1717 9621 Wounded
Among those wounded, 508 are in serious condition and 94 had their lower or upper limbs amputated; 82 lower-limb amputations, 2 upper-limb amputations, 10 finger amputations and 17 children had their limbs amputated according to the Ministry of Health.
The number of those wounded only include those wounded with live bullet and directly hit with tear gas canisters as there have been thousand others who suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.
PCHR 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 calls upon the ICC Prosecutor to open an official investigation in these crimes and to prosecute and hold accountable all those applying or involved in issuing orders within the Israeli Forces at the security and political echelons.
PCHR hereby condemns the excessive use of force and commission of crimes by the Israeli forces despite the prevailed calmness, believing it is as a result of Israel’s enjoying impunity thanks to the U.S. and so encouraging the Israeli forces to commit further crimes upon an official decision by the highest military and political echelons.
PCHR also reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
PCHR calls upon Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depository State for the Convention, to demand the High Contracting Parties to convene a meeting and ensure Israel’s respect for this Convention, noting that these grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied territories.
~Doctors Without Borders/Days of Palestine
The vast majority of the 3,117 patients treated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) between 30 March and 31 October – out of the total 5,866 the Ministry of Health says have been injured by live fire – had been shot in the leg. Around half suffered open fractures, with severe soft tissue damage to many of the rest.
These are complex and serious injuries that do not quickly heal. Their severity and the lack of appropriate treatment in Gaza’s crippled health system means that infection is a high risk, especially for patients with open fractures.
Gaza currently lacks the ability to properly diagnose bone infections, but from experience MSF expects that at least 25 per cent of patients with fractures are infected. Out of roughly 3,000 open fractures, this means it is likely that more than 1,000 patients are infected.
Based on a preliminary analysis of MSF’s patients in Gaza, we estimate that at least 60 per cent of the total number of injured patients treated by all health providers – a massive 3,520 people – will need further surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
A significant proportion of those patients will require some form of reconstructive surgery to properly heal, but untreated infections will prevent that from happening.
This burden is too much to bear for the health system in Gaza in its current form, weakened as it is by more than a decade of blockade.
Such a large number of injuries affects not just the injured; it also puts a strain on the provision of regular healthcare in Gaza.
The consequences of these wounds – especially if untreated – will be lifelong disability for many, and if infections are not tackled then the results could be amputation or even death.
Although MSF and other organisations are working hard to provide treatment for these patients, the scale of the needs is quickly becoming overwhelming, challenging our continued ability to respond.
The situation is also worsening as more people are shot, wounded flesh and bone dies, and the risk of infection increases.
An adequate response will cost tens of millions of euros – money that urgently needs to be found.
“MSF has already tripled its capacity in Gaza but the required volume of surgery, carefully managed antibiotics, intensive nursing care, and long-term physiotherapy and rehabilitation is staggering,” said Marie-Elisabeth Ingres, MSF’s head of mission in Palestine.
What is required now is:
As Ingres concludes, “the alternative – that thousands of patients will be left to deal with terrible injuries, with many permanently disabled and dependent on their families – is unconscionable when adequate treatment is within the world’s grasp.”
The vast majority of the 3,117 patients treated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) between 30 March and 31 October – out of the total 5,866 the Ministry of Health says have been injured by live fire – had been shot in the leg. Around half suffered open fractures, with severe soft tissue damage to many of the rest.
These are complex and serious injuries that do not quickly heal. Their severity and the lack of appropriate treatment in Gaza’s crippled health system means that infection is a high risk, especially for patients with open fractures.
Gaza currently lacks the ability to properly diagnose bone infections, but from experience MSF expects that at least 25 per cent of patients with fractures are infected. Out of roughly 3,000 open fractures, this means it is likely that more than 1,000 patients are infected.
Based on a preliminary analysis of MSF’s patients in Gaza, we estimate that at least 60 per cent of the total number of injured patients treated by all health providers – a massive 3,520 people – will need further surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
A significant proportion of those patients will require some form of reconstructive surgery to properly heal, but untreated infections will prevent that from happening.
This burden is too much to bear for the health system in Gaza in its current form, weakened as it is by more than a decade of blockade.
Such a large number of injuries affects not just the injured; it also puts a strain on the provision of regular healthcare in Gaza.
The consequences of these wounds – especially if untreated – will be lifelong disability for many, and if infections are not tackled then the results could be amputation or even death.
Although MSF and other organisations are working hard to provide treatment for these patients, the scale of the needs is quickly becoming overwhelming, challenging our continued ability to respond.
The situation is also worsening as more people are shot, wounded flesh and bone dies, and the risk of infection increases.
An adequate response will cost tens of millions of euros – money that urgently needs to be found.
“MSF has already tripled its capacity in Gaza but the required volume of surgery, carefully managed antibiotics, intensive nursing care, and long-term physiotherapy and rehabilitation is staggering,” said Marie-Elisabeth Ingres, MSF’s head of mission in Palestine.
What is required now is:
- for the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to do all they can to facilitate the free access and work of all healthcare providers in Gaza that are trying to build the advanced capacity to care for these people;
- for other countries in the region and around the globe to step forward and offer funding and space in their hospitals where advanced surgical capacity exists; and
- for authorities in Palestine and Israel to facilitate the transfer of these patients abroad.
As Ingres concludes, “the alternative – that thousands of patients will be left to deal with terrible injuries, with many permanently disabled and dependent on their families – is unconscionable when adequate treatment is within the world’s grasp.”
30 nov 2018
At least 28 Palestinians were injured on Friday when the Israeli occupation forces opened fire at the peaceful protesters taking part in the Great March of Return on Gaza border.
Spokesman for Gaza's Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qedra said that 28 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire, including a journalist, and an ambulance was partially damaged after it was attacked with teargas canisters.
Hundreds of Palestinians on Friday marched along the border fence between Gaza and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories, holding Palestinian flags and portraits of the Great March of Return martyrs.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return in a statement on Thursday said that the demonstrations of the 36th week of the Great March of Return are aimed at marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
For his part, Abdullatif al-Qanou', Hamas's spokesman, said in a press statement that the solidarity with the Palestinian people should be translated into actions toward breaking the 13-year-long blockade on Gaza and ending the occupation.
The Great March of Return was launched on 30 March with the aim of highlighting the Palestinian refugees' right to return, and breaking the siege on Gaza.
Hundreds of Palestinian civilians have died and thousands injured as a result of Israel's use of lethal force to quell the border protests.
Spokesman for Gaza's Ministry of Health Ashraf al-Qedra said that 28 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire, including a journalist, and an ambulance was partially damaged after it was attacked with teargas canisters.
Hundreds of Palestinians on Friday marched along the border fence between Gaza and the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories, holding Palestinian flags and portraits of the Great March of Return martyrs.
The Higher National Committee for the Great March of Return in a statement on Thursday said that the demonstrations of the 36th week of the Great March of Return are aimed at marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
For his part, Abdullatif al-Qanou', Hamas's spokesman, said in a press statement that the solidarity with the Palestinian people should be translated into actions toward breaking the 13-year-long blockade on Gaza and ending the occupation.
The Great March of Return was launched on 30 March with the aim of highlighting the Palestinian refugees' right to return, and breaking the siege on Gaza.
Hundreds of Palestinian civilians have died and thousands injured as a result of Israel's use of lethal force to quell the border protests.
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