NOVANEWS
- The Israeli forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the border area of the Gaza Strip
- 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded in the incursions conducted in the West Bank.
- The Israeli forces conducted 77 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
– At least 46 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were arrested in the West Bank.
– 6 children from the Gaza Strip were arrested when they attempted to cross the borders into Israel.
- The Israeli forces continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
– The Israeli forces opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats, but neither casualties nor material damages were reported.
– 4 fishermen, including 2 children, were arrested and then released after the confiscation of their boat.
- The Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
– 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded in protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
- Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
– The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
– At least 18 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children and a girl, were arrested at checkpoints.
– 2 of these detainees were arrested at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip.
- The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
– 4 houses, 3 tents, a barrack, a water well and a grocery shop were demolished.
– The Israeli government approved the construction of 436 settlement units in the West Bank’s settlements.
– The settlers continued their attacks on the Palestinian civilians and their property.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (07– 13 February 2013):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces wounded 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and 2 journalists, in the West Bank; 3 of whom, including a child and a journalist, were wounded in peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities, while the 4 others, including a child and a journalist, were wounded during 2 separate incursions. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians near the border fence.
In the West Bank, on 09 February 2013, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded when some settlers moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliam and threw stones at a number of houses. Palestinian villagers hurried to get the settlers out of the village, but the Israeli forces moved into it and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the Palestinians. As a result, 3 persons were wounded.
On 11 February 2013, journalist Amer Mohammed ‘Abdeen, 32, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right leg when the Israeli forces moved into al-Sa’ida area, southwest of Beit Awwa village, south of Hebron, to demolish civilian facilities. Following the demolition works, the Israeli forces attacked the Palestinians, who were in the area and fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, the abovementioned journalist was wounded.
In the same context, the Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a child and a journalist who were wounded in Kofur Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilia. The third one was wounded by 3 bullets to the back and left thigh in Budrus village, west of Ramallah and al-Bireh.
In the Gaza Strip, on 08 February 2013, the Israeli forces positioned at watchtowers along the border fence, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at some Palestinians who were few meters away from the abovementioned fence. On the same day, the Israeli forces positioned at watchtowers along the border fence, east of Abu Safiya area in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at some Palestinians who were few meters away from the abovementioned fence. Palestinian civilians were frightened, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported in both incidents.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 10 February 2013, the Israeli gunboats arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen, including 2 children, who were on board a fishing boat belonging to Mohammed Abdul Razeq Sa’id Baker, 42. The fishing boat was 3 nautical miles of al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City. The Israeli gunboats arrested and transported them to Ashdod seaport and then to Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing to be questioned. The Israeli forces released them on the same day, but the boat remained in custody.
On 11 February 2013, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, the fishermen were frightened and fled back to the shore for fear of being wounded or arrested. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
The full report is available online at:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/
