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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights:

Summary for February 18–24, 2021
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning hours. Additionally, IOF arrested several Hamas movement leaders and raided the houses of others in the West Bank and threatened them with arrest if they seek candidacy in the upcoming Palestinian elections.

This week, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 176 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

IOF shooting and violations of the right to bodily integrity:

IOF shot and injured 7 civilians in its attacks on peaceful protests in the West Bank: 3 children sustained wounds during IOF raid on Abu Shukheidim village in Ramallah; and 3 civilians were wounded in IOF attacks on two separate protests in Kufur Qaddoum – Qalqilia; and another sustained wounds in IOF raid into al-‘Isawiya in occupied East Jerusalem. Dozens of others suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.

In the Gaza Strip, seven IOF shootings were reported on agricultural lands eastern Gaza Strip, and seven others at fishing boats off Gaza’s northern shore. Additionally, IOF drones sprayed pesticides on agricultural lands, eastern Khan Younis – approximate to the border fence, destroying crops.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

IOF carried out 98 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, 79 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 children and 2 women.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 2 limited incursions into eastern Central Gaza.

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