Description

Palestine Centre for Human Rights:

Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory

07 – 13 May 2020



Israeli occupation ceases the coronavirus pandemic to impose new facts on the ground and enhance settlement activity in the West Bank
Palestinian child killed in excessive use of force in IOF raid into al-Fawar refugee camp, Hebron
24 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds, including 4 children in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
7 injuries, including 4 children, in two IOF raids into al-Fawar refugee camp, and 6 in IOF suppression of a protest in Kufur Qaddoum; 6 in Tulkarm; 4 fishermen in Gaza and 1 injury in Jerusalem
Collective punishment policy: IOF continue to terrorize Yabad village in Jenin for the 3rd consecutive day
Collective punishment policy: Palestinian prisoner’s family house demolished in Ramallah
Israeli decision to annex al-Haram al-Ibrahimi in Hebron
4 shootings reported against agricultural lands and 6 times at Palestinian fishing boats in eastern and western Gaza Strip
In 72 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 89 civilians arrested, including 19 children, 3 women and a journalist
IOF renew the closure and activity ban on Palestine TV work in Jerusalem and Israel for 6 months
13 demolition and cease-construction notices distributed to 9 houses, and 3 barracks in Nablus and Bethlehem
Settlers attacks in the West Bank: Palestinian civilian assaulted and wounded; olive trees cut.
IOF established 58 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and roads closed

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to violate Palestinians’ human rights and commit crimes against civilians and their properties, conducting raids into Palestinian cities without regard to the state of emergency declared across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) since 06 March 2020, in the efforts put forward to combat the spread of coronavirus. IOF raids are conducted without proper attention to prevention and safety standards to mitigate the risk of transmitting coronavirus to Palestinian territory, as the virus is widespread throughout Israel. PCHR’s concerns over Israeli raids still stand, as those raids undermine preventive measures adopted by the government. Meanwhile, settlers backed up by IOF continued to seize more civilian property and attack civilians and their property. This week, IOF launched an arrest campaign against prominent Palestinian figures who work for the Palestinian Authority (PA), in a continuation of Israeli systematic efforts to combat the presence and work of the PA in occupied East Jerusalem. PCHR reiterates its concern over the Israeli occupation’s policy of banning any preventive measures by the Palestinian Authority in occupied East Jerusalem, especially that Israel has adopted lenient measures in the city despite its responsibility for it under international law as an occupying power.

This week, PCHR documented 168 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt. The restrictions imposed under the state of emergency have hindered our fieldwork team’s ability to cover all incidents in the oPt and were forced to collect information via phone from trusted local sources. As such, this report is an incomprehensive record of Israeli violations of human rights against Palestinians in the oPt, as IOF continues its attacks against civilians despite the exceptional circumstances that have overcome the whole world in the face of a life-threatening viral pandemic.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: IOF killed Zaid Qaisiya (16) early on Wednesday, 13 May 2020; and wounded 24 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, in excessive use of force in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The child was killed after he was shot with a live bullet in the head while on the rooftop of his 4-storey home; as a result, he fell to the ground. Additionally, 7 injuries were documented including 4 children, one of whom was arrested, in two raids into al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron. In Kufur Qaddoum, IOF suppressed a protest and wounded 6 civilians. One Palestinian was shot and wounded in occupied East Jerusalem as IOF alleged he attempted a stab attack. In the Gaza Strip, 4 fishermen were shot and wounded with rubber bullets in two separate incidents at northern Gaza sea.

Dozens of civilians suffocated due to inhalation of tear gas fired by IOF during its raids into Palestinian cities. IOF 4 shootings against agricultural lands eastern Gaza Strip, and 6 shootings were reported against Palestinian fishing boats off the western Gaza Strip shore.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 72 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 89 Palestinians were arrested, including 19 children, 3 women and a journalist. The largest number of attacks and arrests were at Yabad village, in the southwest of Jenin, as up to the writing of this report, IOF continue to raid the village since Tuesday, 12 May 2020, after IOF announced that one of its soldiers were killed after being hit with a stone from one of the rooftops. IOF have since conducted raids, and a large arrest campaign to entire families, abused the civilian population, shut sub streets and heavily used live fire in measures that align with Israel’s collective punishment policy. PCHR documented 34 arrests, including 2 women and 6 children.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two incursions into eastern Khan Younis and Central Gaza; and arrested 2 fishermen at northern Gaza sea.

Read full report at PCHR News Source Link