29 nov 2018
The Palestinian Center for Development & Media Freedoms (MADA) has issued a special report on Israeli attacks targeting both male and female journalists, during their coverage of the Great March of Return protests that erupted eight months ago. It should be noted that these demonstrations mostly take place in five key areas near the barrier fence, in the Gaza Strip, to protest the continuing siege.
The report documents the grave and broad Israeli attacks witnessed during the marches in the first six months (between March 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018), committed against media freedoms.
These attacks reflect the adoption, by the Israeli occupation, of an official policy based on excluding and impeding the media from covering the events and preventing journalists from transmitting an accurate picture in various ways.
Such ways have even included murder, as the report indicates, according to the PNN, demonstrating the statement of former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in commenting on the killing of the journalist Yasser Murtaja, by the Israeli Army, which reflect the explicit call to target journalists with murder.
As Lieberman, in this regard, has stated to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, on 8 April 2018, “I do not know who he is (referring to the journalist, Murtaja), whether he was a photographer or not. Whoever turns on a drone (a small aircraft for aerial photography) above the Israeli army forces should know that he is risking his life” even though Murtaja was 300 meters away from the separating fence where the soldiers were deployed.
During the six months covered by the report, the killing of two journalists, Yasser Murtaja and Ahmad Abu Hussein, by explosive bullets fired by the occupation soldiers while the men were covering the events of the return marches, during April, is documented in the report. This is in addition to the injury of 46 male and female journalists, by live and explosive bullets, resulting in serious injuries, and impeding the journalists, for reasonable periods, from covering the events or fulfilling their journalistic duties, even though all of them were wearing visible “Press” signs.
Furthermore, most of these men and women were injured while standing between 300-350 meters away from the separating fence.
In addition to these injuries by live bullets, the report also documents the injuries of a total of 25 journalists by gas bombs fired directly at their bodies, resulting in serious injuries. The report considered this additional evidence to the deliberate targeting of journalists by the occupation army, pointing out an extended history of the repression and targeting of media freedoms in Palestine, the most serious of which was the killing of 17 journalists and media workers in less than two months, during the war launched on the Gaza Strip in 2014, by the Israeli army.
MADA renewed its call of forming an independent commission to investigate the crimes of the Israeli occupation against the media freedoms in Palestine, particularly the murders of the journalists Yasser Murtaja and Ahmad Abu Hussein, and all other crimes of occupation against journalists. The report also considers that the widespread Israeli crimes against journalists and the media, and their continuous escalation in quantity and quality, is a direct result of the impunity of soldiers and officers of the Israeli occupation army for the crimes which have been committed during the past years.
This requires the various international and official agencies to pursue the perpetrators for all of these crimes, to bring them to justice and put an end to acts of impunity, which is a direct catalyst for the continuation and escalation of Israeli attacks on journalists and the media in Palestine.
The report documents the grave and broad Israeli attacks witnessed during the marches in the first six months (between March 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018), committed against media freedoms.
These attacks reflect the adoption, by the Israeli occupation, of an official policy based on excluding and impeding the media from covering the events and preventing journalists from transmitting an accurate picture in various ways.
Such ways have even included murder, as the report indicates, according to the PNN, demonstrating the statement of former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, in commenting on the killing of the journalist Yasser Murtaja, by the Israeli Army, which reflect the explicit call to target journalists with murder.
As Lieberman, in this regard, has stated to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, on 8 April 2018, “I do not know who he is (referring to the journalist, Murtaja), whether he was a photographer or not. Whoever turns on a drone (a small aircraft for aerial photography) above the Israeli army forces should know that he is risking his life” even though Murtaja was 300 meters away from the separating fence where the soldiers were deployed.
During the six months covered by the report, the killing of two journalists, Yasser Murtaja and Ahmad Abu Hussein, by explosive bullets fired by the occupation soldiers while the men were covering the events of the return marches, during April, is documented in the report. This is in addition to the injury of 46 male and female journalists, by live and explosive bullets, resulting in serious injuries, and impeding the journalists, for reasonable periods, from covering the events or fulfilling their journalistic duties, even though all of them were wearing visible “Press” signs.
Furthermore, most of these men and women were injured while standing between 300-350 meters away from the separating fence.
In addition to these injuries by live bullets, the report also documents the injuries of a total of 25 journalists by gas bombs fired directly at their bodies, resulting in serious injuries. The report considered this additional evidence to the deliberate targeting of journalists by the occupation army, pointing out an extended history of the repression and targeting of media freedoms in Palestine, the most serious of which was the killing of 17 journalists and media workers in less than two months, during the war launched on the Gaza Strip in 2014, by the Israeli army.
MADA renewed its call of forming an independent commission to investigate the crimes of the Israeli occupation against the media freedoms in Palestine, particularly the murders of the journalists Yasser Murtaja and Ahmad Abu Hussein, and all other crimes of occupation against journalists. The report also considers that the widespread Israeli crimes against journalists and the media, and their continuous escalation in quantity and quality, is a direct result of the impunity of soldiers and officers of the Israeli occupation army for the crimes which have been committed during the past years.
This requires the various international and official agencies to pursue the perpetrators for all of these crimes, to bring them to justice and put an end to acts of impunity, which is a direct catalyst for the continuation and escalation of Israeli attacks on journalists and the media in Palestine.
28 nov 2018
B’Tselem has completed a very revealing survey of 406 live gunshot wound survivors, with information from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This investigation involved 406 protesters wounded with live ammunition shot from Israeli soldiers across the perimeter fence, dividing Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The Great March of Return protest began in Gaza on March 30, 2018, and have continued every Friday since then.
63 youth under the age of 18 were included in this group, and made up 15% of the 406 surveyed.
The survey focused on one specific group injured and only represent 7% of the total gunshot victims.
An analysis of the questionnaires elicited the following information :
85% (348) including 48 minors reported lower limb injuries, while only 8% (33) including 10 minors reported upper limb injuries.
58% (237) of this group were more than 10 meters away from the so called security fence which is militantly protected by the Israeli forces.
41% (167) including 29 minors were shot anywhere from 1-10 meters away, while 35% (145) including 24 minors were shot by Israeli forces while at a distance of 10 – 150 meters away.
The protesters reported being involved in the following activities that lead to there being shot by is really forces.
Some were waving a Palestinian flag, over filming the protest while watching the protest, or assisting wounded protesters. These actions DO NOT warrant the use live ammunition, however Israel’s open fire policy allows it, clearly exposed in this survey.
83% (339) of these victims have undergone prolonged and continued medical treatment with 57% (233) have endured physical therapy and rehabilitation. 10% (42) of the surveyed group have become handicapped, a greatly disproportionate punishment.
The report includes an analysis of photographs, obtained by Amnesty International by a forensic pathologist, who after reviewing the photographs stated many of the wounds we’re consistent with the ones caused by 5.56 mm military ammunition. As well as 7.62 mm hunting ammunition, which expand once it hits its target.
Amnesty International said in regards to the injuries that “using high-velocity military weapons designed to cause maximum harm” is “deeply disturbing, not to mention completely illegal.”
The human rights group called Israel’s deliberate shooting of protesters to cause maximum damage a war crime according to International Law.
The effects of these injuries have been devastating for so many Palestinians who should have the right to protest peacefully.
Many of the stories in this report have one outcome, incapacitation. so many have lost their ability to walk, and most have lost the ability to live the life they did before the protests.
One example being Muhammad Abu ‘Aker from Khan Younis, whom approached the fence, threw stones, and burned tires to restrict the view of the Israeli soldiers.
Muhammad was 30 meters away from the fence and had his back turned to the soldiers when he was shot in the back.
He was in the intensive care unit for a week and in the hospital for four more weeks. He now lives with a colostomy, which he hates, in addition to being in chronic pain, and living on narcotics for relief.
A protester at 30 meters away from the fence, facing away from the fence, can not logically be considered a threat, but, Israels’ “open-fire policy” as coined by B’Tselem, is not based on logic, or beneficence, but a flawed sense of validity.
This investigation involved 406 protesters wounded with live ammunition shot from Israeli soldiers across the perimeter fence, dividing Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The Great March of Return protest began in Gaza on March 30, 2018, and have continued every Friday since then.
63 youth under the age of 18 were included in this group, and made up 15% of the 406 surveyed.
The survey focused on one specific group injured and only represent 7% of the total gunshot victims.
An analysis of the questionnaires elicited the following information :
85% (348) including 48 minors reported lower limb injuries, while only 8% (33) including 10 minors reported upper limb injuries.
58% (237) of this group were more than 10 meters away from the so called security fence which is militantly protected by the Israeli forces.
41% (167) including 29 minors were shot anywhere from 1-10 meters away, while 35% (145) including 24 minors were shot by Israeli forces while at a distance of 10 – 150 meters away.
The protesters reported being involved in the following activities that lead to there being shot by is really forces.
Some were waving a Palestinian flag, over filming the protest while watching the protest, or assisting wounded protesters. These actions DO NOT warrant the use live ammunition, however Israel’s open fire policy allows it, clearly exposed in this survey.
83% (339) of these victims have undergone prolonged and continued medical treatment with 57% (233) have endured physical therapy and rehabilitation. 10% (42) of the surveyed group have become handicapped, a greatly disproportionate punishment.
The report includes an analysis of photographs, obtained by Amnesty International by a forensic pathologist, who after reviewing the photographs stated many of the wounds we’re consistent with the ones caused by 5.56 mm military ammunition. As well as 7.62 mm hunting ammunition, which expand once it hits its target.
Amnesty International said in regards to the injuries that “using high-velocity military weapons designed to cause maximum harm” is “deeply disturbing, not to mention completely illegal.”
The human rights group called Israel’s deliberate shooting of protesters to cause maximum damage a war crime according to International Law.
The effects of these injuries have been devastating for so many Palestinians who should have the right to protest peacefully.
Many of the stories in this report have one outcome, incapacitation. so many have lost their ability to walk, and most have lost the ability to live the life they did before the protests.
One example being Muhammad Abu ‘Aker from Khan Younis, whom approached the fence, threw stones, and burned tires to restrict the view of the Israeli soldiers.
Muhammad was 30 meters away from the fence and had his back turned to the soldiers when he was shot in the back.
He was in the intensive care unit for a week and in the hospital for four more weeks. He now lives with a colostomy, which he hates, in addition to being in chronic pain, and living on narcotics for relief.
A protester at 30 meters away from the fence, facing away from the fence, can not logically be considered a threat, but, Israels’ “open-fire policy” as coined by B’Tselem, is not based on logic, or beneficence, but a flawed sense of validity.
27 nov 2018
Muhammad Jasser Barbakh no longer dreams of owning a bicycle or kicking a ball, or even going back to the school that he had left to help support his poor family. His big wish these days is simply to be able to leave his bed to play with his peers.
The Palestinian boy, who is not yet 14 years old, was shot on 26 October by an Israeli sniper while taking part in the Great March of Return protests on the nominal border of the Gaza Strip. His right leg has since been amputated and he has nightmares about what happened to him, so much so that he fears to fall asleep. “I did nothing to harm the Israeli occupation,” he explains. “I only raised a Palestinian flag.”
Six other Palestinians were killed on the day that Muhammad was shot near the eastern edge of Khan Younis. He was one of the dozens who were wounded, victims of Israel’s decision to use live ammunition against unarmed protesters.
Sitting in his wheelchair with a pair of crutches beside him, young Muhammad recalled what happened on that fateful day. “I took part in the Marches of Return to demand my right to live in dignity in my country. On the 31st Friday of the protests, I was shot by the occupation forces. I was carrying a flag and running in between the protesters. I did nothing that might harm the Israeli soldiers.”
The boy did not expect to be targeted by the snipers who shot him. “But I was, and when I was shot I fell to the ground. A young man crawled over and tried to help me. I later learned that he was also shot and martyred next to me. We were taken to an ambulance together.”
After treatment at a local hospital, Muhammad was transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital in occupied Jerusalem. His leg could not be saved.
“I do not know what I have done to deserve this. What will I do now that my leg has been amputated? What crime did I commit that made the occupation soldiers shoot me?”
These are big questions for a 14-year-old boy to ask, never mind the answer. For the time being, he depends on painkillers, which make clear thinking difficult.
“After leaving school, I used to play with my friends and go out in the morning with my father to the market to help him sell trinkets. However, now I can’t even get out of bed without help, and I spend all day at home.”
Although he hopes to get a prosthetic leg, Muhammad’s family can’t really afford one. His father’s income is barely enough to meet his family’s basic needs.
According to his mother, Majidah, 40, the boy doesn’t have any peaceful sleep. “He has been in pain since he was shot, and we do not know the solution for this. I suffer and die a thousand times a day when I look at him and feel that I cannot do anything.” Her child’s life, she cries, is ruined. “What did my son do to make a soldier shoot him? How did he deserve this?”
She was worried about Muhammad taking part in the protests even though, as far as she is concerned, he used to go every Friday to have fun with his friends and schoolmates. She insists that he posed no threat to the Israeli soldiers. “When I asked him one day not to go, he insisted and told me he does not approach the border fence.”
Muhammad’s mother heard that he had been “slightly injured” when she received a phone call from an unknown person. “However, when I went to the hospital, I was told that the bullet had shattered the main artery, veins and nerves in his leg.”
When he was transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital, she added, hope faded away. Muhammad is but one of the 18,000 Palestinians who have been wounded by Israeli soldiers since the protests started on 31 March. At least 214 have been killed in the same period. Nobody is ever likely to brought to account for shooting the unarmed 14-year-old boy carrying a flag.
~ Andalou/Days of Palestine
The Palestinian boy, who is not yet 14 years old, was shot on 26 October by an Israeli sniper while taking part in the Great March of Return protests on the nominal border of the Gaza Strip. His right leg has since been amputated and he has nightmares about what happened to him, so much so that he fears to fall asleep. “I did nothing to harm the Israeli occupation,” he explains. “I only raised a Palestinian flag.”
Six other Palestinians were killed on the day that Muhammad was shot near the eastern edge of Khan Younis. He was one of the dozens who were wounded, victims of Israel’s decision to use live ammunition against unarmed protesters.
Sitting in his wheelchair with a pair of crutches beside him, young Muhammad recalled what happened on that fateful day. “I took part in the Marches of Return to demand my right to live in dignity in my country. On the 31st Friday of the protests, I was shot by the occupation forces. I was carrying a flag and running in between the protesters. I did nothing that might harm the Israeli soldiers.”
The boy did not expect to be targeted by the snipers who shot him. “But I was, and when I was shot I fell to the ground. A young man crawled over and tried to help me. I later learned that he was also shot and martyred next to me. We were taken to an ambulance together.”
After treatment at a local hospital, Muhammad was transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital in occupied Jerusalem. His leg could not be saved.
“I do not know what I have done to deserve this. What will I do now that my leg has been amputated? What crime did I commit that made the occupation soldiers shoot me?”
These are big questions for a 14-year-old boy to ask, never mind the answer. For the time being, he depends on painkillers, which make clear thinking difficult.
“After leaving school, I used to play with my friends and go out in the morning with my father to the market to help him sell trinkets. However, now I can’t even get out of bed without help, and I spend all day at home.”
Although he hopes to get a prosthetic leg, Muhammad’s family can’t really afford one. His father’s income is barely enough to meet his family’s basic needs.
According to his mother, Majidah, 40, the boy doesn’t have any peaceful sleep. “He has been in pain since he was shot, and we do not know the solution for this. I suffer and die a thousand times a day when I look at him and feel that I cannot do anything.” Her child’s life, she cries, is ruined. “What did my son do to make a soldier shoot him? How did he deserve this?”
She was worried about Muhammad taking part in the protests even though, as far as she is concerned, he used to go every Friday to have fun with his friends and schoolmates. She insists that he posed no threat to the Israeli soldiers. “When I asked him one day not to go, he insisted and told me he does not approach the border fence.”
Muhammad’s mother heard that he had been “slightly injured” when she received a phone call from an unknown person. “However, when I went to the hospital, I was told that the bullet had shattered the main artery, veins and nerves in his leg.”
When he was transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital, she added, hope faded away. Muhammad is but one of the 18,000 Palestinians who have been wounded by Israeli soldiers since the protests started on 31 March. At least 214 have been killed in the same period. Nobody is ever likely to brought to account for shooting the unarmed 14-year-old boy carrying a flag.
~ Andalou/Days of Palestine
26 nov 2018
Three Palestinians were injured with Israeli live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets, while dozens of others suffered from tear-gas inhalation, on Monday, during the 17th naval march setting off from the Gaza seaport in attempt to break the nearly 12-year Israeli siege.
According to local sources, Israeli forces fired tear-gas bombs towards large Palestinian crowds gathered at the northern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip, while the Israeli navy opened fire at Gaza boats attempting to break the siege.
Sources added that hundreds of Palestinians arrived to the northern border to participate in the 17th naval march.
A Ma'an reporter confirmed that three Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli forces, while others suffered from tear-gas inhalation.
The medical condition of the three injured remained unknown.
The National Committee for Breaking the Siege, which organized the naval march, reiterated that the naval marches would continue until the Israeli siege over Gaza is lifted.
The committee 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.
According to local sources, Israeli forces fired tear-gas bombs towards large Palestinian crowds gathered at the northern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip, while the Israeli navy opened fire at Gaza boats attempting to break the siege.
Sources added that hundreds of Palestinians arrived to the northern border to participate in the 17th naval march.
A Ma'an reporter confirmed that three Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli forces, while others suffered from tear-gas inhalation.
The medical condition of the three injured remained unknown.
The National Committee for Breaking the Siege, which organized the naval march, reiterated that the naval marches would continue until the Israeli siege over Gaza is lifted.
The committee 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.
23 nov 2018
Israeli soldiers attacked, Friday, the Great Return March processions on Palestinian lands near the perimeter fence in the besieged Gaza Strip, and shot fourteen Palestinians, including one child.
Medical sources said the soldiers stationed in their fortified posts across the fence, fired dozens of live rounds and high-velocity gas bombs at the protesters.
It added that the soldiers shot three Palestinians with live fire, and causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, east Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The soldiers also shot two Palestinians east of Gaza city, and east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the coastal region.
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that the soldiers have injured at least 14 Palestinians, and caused dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The processions are still ongoing, while hundreds of Palestinians continue to gather in and near the Great Return March encampments across the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip.
This week’s processions are dubbed as “Resistance Unites Us,” and marks the 35th consecutive week of ongoing processions.
Dozens of women also gathered in tents, and started baking bread and cookies on wood fire, as part of ongoing activities of the Great Return March processions.
Medical sources said the soldiers stationed in their fortified posts across the fence, fired dozens of live rounds and high-velocity gas bombs at the protesters.
It added that the soldiers shot three Palestinians with live fire, and causing many to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, east Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The soldiers also shot two Palestinians east of Gaza city, and east of Jabalia, in the northern part of the coastal region.
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that the soldiers have injured at least 14 Palestinians, and caused dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The processions are still ongoing, while hundreds of Palestinians continue to gather in and near the Great Return March encampments across the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip.
This week’s processions are dubbed as “Resistance Unites Us,” and marks the 35th consecutive week of ongoing processions.
Dozens of women also gathered in tents, and started baking bread and cookies on wood fire, as part of ongoing activities of the Great Return March processions.
The Higher National Commission of the March of Return and Breaking the Siege has called on the Palestinian masses to take part in the large-scale protests set to be staged on Friday along Gaza’s borderlands.
The Higher Commission said in a statement that the peaceful protests make part of Palestinians’ struggle to liberate their land, lift the siege on Gaza, and thwart the US-drafted deal of the century.
The commission stressed Palestinians’ commitment to defend their land, holy sites, and inalienable rights, most notably the right to establish a Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Kacem said the march is an indication of Palestinians’ strong-determination and iron will in the face of the Israeli crimes and agendas.
Thousands of Palestinians have taken to the Gaza border since March 30 to push for lifting the crippling Israeli siege and speak up for the refugees’ right of return to their homeland.
The Higher Commission said in a statement that the peaceful protests make part of Palestinians’ struggle to liberate their land, lift the siege on Gaza, and thwart the US-drafted deal of the century.
The commission stressed Palestinians’ commitment to defend their land, holy sites, and inalienable rights, most notably the right to establish a Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Kacem said the march is an indication of Palestinians’ strong-determination and iron will in the face of the Israeli crimes and agendas.
Thousands of Palestinians have taken to the Gaza border since March 30 to push for lifting the crippling Israeli siege and speak up for the refugees’ right of return to their homeland.
Page: 57 - 56 - 55 - 54 - 53 - 52 - 51 - 50 - 49 - 48 - 47 - 46 - 45 - 44 - 43 - 42 - 41 - 40 - 39 - 38 - 37 - 36
