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Photo:
Graphic: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) Published by PCHR and IMEMC News
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by IMEMC News
April 22, 2021

Summary for April 15 – 21, 2021
Israeli occupation soldiers 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. This week, soldiers detained 3 Palestinians running for the Legislative Council elections and an elections-related meeting was banned in occupied East Jerusalem; soldiers also continued to suppress worshipers in Damascus Gate before and after Maghreb prayers. Even more, soldiers continued its demolition operations and delivery of cease-construction and demolition notices in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 162 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by soldiers and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

Israeli army shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

Seven Palestinians sustained wounds as a result of Israeli soldiers’ excessive use of force against civilians in the West Bank: six were wounded in occupation forces suppression of worshipers and passersby in Damascus Gate, which leads to Al-Aqsa Mosque; another civilian was wounded at the weekly Kufur Qaddoum protests in Qalqilia. Dozens of others suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, and others were wounded in various assaults by Israeli soldiers, across the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip: 2 on lands in Rafah and Buraij refugee camp, causing partial damage to a vacant poultry farm. Additionally, 4 army shootings were reported on agricultural lands eastern Gaza; and 6 at fishing boats in the Gaza sea.

Army incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

The army carried out 95 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, 46 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 children and a journalist. Soldiers also detained 3 candidates for PLC elections (2 from Fatah List and the third from the United Left List) in occupied East Jerusalem; they were detained for several hours and informed that all election-related activities are banned in the city.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted two limited incursions into eastern Rafah.

Demolitions:

PCHR documented 7 incidents as follows:

Hebron: cease-construction notice served against an Islamic cemetery that is being restored; mobile caravan confiscated and a car towing a caravan.

Jericho: wheel loader and tractor confiscated in Bardala in two separate incidents.

East Jerusalem: under-construction house self-demolished in Jabel Mukaber

Nablus: 13 cease-construction and demolition notices served in Qabalan.

Bethlehem: construction commenced on 96 new settlement units at “Gush Etzion.”

Settler-attacks:

PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 4 attacks:

Nablus: 45 olive, fruit and citrus trees seedlings uprooted; construction equipment and materials damaged at construction site.
Hebron: assault on civilians and agricultural lands in Maghayir al ‘Abeed

Bethlehem: 50 fruitful olive trees set ablaze in Beit Fajjar

Occupied East Jerusalem: steel chains removed in prelude to confiscating a land in Silwan.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life. The United Nations confirmed that the Gaza conditions are worsening, with deteriorating health, power, and water services. The UN emphasized that the Gaza Strip requires immense efforts in the housing and education sectors and to create job opportunities.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

See full report here

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