In its Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for the week of 27 May – 02 June 2010, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that 5 Palestinian fighters were killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, and 6 Palestinian civilians, including an old woman, a child and two journalists, were wounded by Israeli gunfire. The report did not include an international incident that also took place this week, in which Israeli forces attacked an aid convoy of ships in international waters, killing 9 civilians.During the last week, Israeli warplanes bombarded civilian and paramilitary sites in the Gaza Strip. A workshop in Gaza City and a number of buildings in the Gaza International Airport were destroyed. Israeli forces continued to use force against peaceful protests.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, 6 civilians, including a child and two journalists (one of whom is American), were wounded when Israeli forces used forced to disperse peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 9 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children. They also harassed two Palestinian families in Hebron and Jerusalem.
Israeli forces harassed a Palestinian family in Hebron and another one in Jerusalem.
Israeli troops stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank abducted 5 Palestinian civilians, including two children.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 5 Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, in two separate attacks near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel on 01 June 2010.
On 27 May 2010, two Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces fired artillery shells east of Gaza City. On 01 June 2010, an old woman was wounded when Israeli forces fired an artillery shell at the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. On 02 June 2010, a Palestinian worker was wounded when Israeli forces fired at workers who were collecting bricks and iron bars from the debris of destroyed buildings in the northern Gaza Strip.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces bombarded and destroyed a workshop in Gaza City and some buildings in Gaza International Airport.
Also in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted one incursion into the east of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas in the Gaza Strip and at fishing boats along the Gaza Strip beaches.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israel has continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 28 May 2010, Israeli settlers from ‘Beit Jonathan’ settlement outpost in Silwan village, to the south of the old city of Jerusalem, harassed a number of Palestinian woman. Immediately, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli settlers. Israeli forces intervened and attacked ‘Essam Da’na, 48, and Riaham Ussama al-Rjabi, 20, who is pregnant and miscarried as a result. A number of women present also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
On the same day, one Israeli settler from a group of settlers at the intersection of ‘Karni Shmoron’ settlement near Qalqilya-Nablus road, east of Qalqilya, threw a large stone from a close distance at a Palestinian civilian vehicle that was traveling to Qalqilya. The stone broke the back window of the vehicle, and 4 civilians were injured.
On 29 May 2010, guards of ‘Beit Jonathan’ settlement outpost in Silwan village, to the south of the old city of Jerusalem, attacked a group of Palestinian children who were playing. Palestinian civilians gathered to protect their children. Immediately, Israeli forces arrived at the area and violently beat Noura al-Rajabi and Mohammed and Ahmed Gazzawi.
Israeli Annexation Wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall and settlement activities. At least 6 civilians were injured, including a child and two journalists, one of whom is American. Dozens of others also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 28 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah. The demonstrators moved towards the Annexation Wall and attempted to cross it towards annexed lands. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators, and they chased the demonstrators into fields. Fire broke out in a tract of agricultural land. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 4 Israelis, including one 73-year old, were arrested by Israeli forces.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 28 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with Israeli forces troops positioned near the Wall. Israeli forces troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 28 May 2010 as well, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabil Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest to land confiscation in Wad al-Raya area between Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam villages. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near ‘Halmish’ settlement, Israeli troop fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, two Palestinian civilians, including a child, were injured. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 29 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of Iraq Bourin village, south of Nablus, and organized a peaceful demonstration towards areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the east of the village, which Israeli forces threaten to confiscate near ‘Barkha’ settlement. Israeli troops intercepted them and fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Ayman Ameen al-Noubani, 24, a photographer and reporter of Palestine News Agency (Wafa), who was covering the demonstration, was hit by a tear gas canister to the left leg, and ‘Imad Qadous, 19, was hit by a tear gas canister to the foot.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 31 May 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration near Qalandya crossing, north of Jerusalem, in protest to the Israeli attack on the Gaza-aid flotilla. They raised the Palestinian and Turkish flags and threw stones at Israeli troops stationed at the crossing. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators. As a result, Emily Henochowicz, 25, an American journalist, was hit by a tear gas canister to the left eye. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights made a number of recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The PCHR reiterated that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace agreement or process must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
