7 apr 2019
Israeli forces detained more than 6,000 Palestinian children since 2015, according to the Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS), on Sunday.
PPS said in a statement marking the Palestinian Children's Day, that 98% of the children held had been subjected to psychological and/or physical abuse while in Israeli custody.
PPS said Israeli forces detained dozens of Palestinian minors after shooting and injuring them either with live ammunition or rubber-coated steel bullets.
Children living in occupied East Jerusalem are the most targeted, with dozens facing arrests more than one time a month, particularly during periods of heightened tensions, such as the Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy) protests in March.
PPS added that minors were detained during night raids are transferred to interrogation and detention centers, where they are subjected to physical assaults, and being deprived of food and water for several hours.
PPS also confirmed that the children's right to have one parent or guardian present during their interrogation is often neglected and children are often forced to sign statements written in the Hebrew language, which they cannot read or understand.
“The conditions have left released children suffering from nightmares, insomnia, decline in school achievement and reacting aggressively with their environment and society,” PPS stressed.
PPS urged international human rights organizations, including UNICEF, to take “effective action against the violations committed against children who are detained by Israeli forces.”
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
PPS said in a statement marking the Palestinian Children's Day, that 98% of the children held had been subjected to psychological and/or physical abuse while in Israeli custody.
PPS said Israeli forces detained dozens of Palestinian minors after shooting and injuring them either with live ammunition or rubber-coated steel bullets.
Children living in occupied East Jerusalem are the most targeted, with dozens facing arrests more than one time a month, particularly during periods of heightened tensions, such as the Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy) protests in March.
PPS added that minors were detained during night raids are transferred to interrogation and detention centers, where they are subjected to physical assaults, and being deprived of food and water for several hours.
PPS also confirmed that the children's right to have one parent or guardian present during their interrogation is often neglected and children are often forced to sign statements written in the Hebrew language, which they cannot read or understand.
“The conditions have left released children suffering from nightmares, insomnia, decline in school achievement and reacting aggressively with their environment and society,” PPS stressed.
PPS urged international human rights organizations, including UNICEF, to take “effective action against the violations committed against children who are detained by Israeli forces.”
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there are 5,450 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons, including 205 minors, 32 of whom under 16 years old.
The Palestinian Detainee’s Committee has reported that Israeli soldiers have abducted, in March alone, at least 34 children, some of them were assaulted and tortured, in addition to imposing severe fines on them and their families.
The Committee stated that Israeli courts have imposed more than 37.000 Shekels on fines on the detained children, and added that they were moved to Ofer prison, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
It said that the army abducted twenty Palestinian children from their homes, after the soldiers stormed and ransacked them, mainly during the night or at dawn, in addition to 11 children who were taken prisoner after being stopped by the soldiers in the streets, one who was abducted at a military roadblock, one for entering Jerusalem without a permit, and one after summoning him for interrogation.
One of the detained children was shot and injured by the soldiers prior to his abduction, and at several others who were repeatedly assaulted after their abduction and during interrogation.
Israeli courts also imposed prison sentences of 19 Palestinian children, for various periods ranging between 31 days and twelve months, in addition to Mustafa Abu Ghosh, who is held under arbitrary Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.
The Committee added that Israel is holding captive 114 Palestinian children in Ofer prison and said that Israeli courts constantly impose high fines on the detained children, in addition to denying them basic rights.
Furthermore, the Committee stated that the children in Section 13 of Ofer prison started complaining from migraines after Israel installed signal jammers that apparently have high frequency.
The Committee stated that Israeli courts have imposed more than 37.000 Shekels on fines on the detained children, and added that they were moved to Ofer prison, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
It said that the army abducted twenty Palestinian children from their homes, after the soldiers stormed and ransacked them, mainly during the night or at dawn, in addition to 11 children who were taken prisoner after being stopped by the soldiers in the streets, one who was abducted at a military roadblock, one for entering Jerusalem without a permit, and one after summoning him for interrogation.
One of the detained children was shot and injured by the soldiers prior to his abduction, and at several others who were repeatedly assaulted after their abduction and during interrogation.
Israeli courts also imposed prison sentences of 19 Palestinian children, for various periods ranging between 31 days and twelve months, in addition to Mustafa Abu Ghosh, who is held under arbitrary Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.
The Committee added that Israel is holding captive 114 Palestinian children in Ofer prison and said that Israeli courts constantly impose high fines on the detained children, in addition to denying them basic rights.
Furthermore, the Committee stated that the children in Section 13 of Ofer prison started complaining from migraines after Israel installed signal jammers that apparently have high frequency.
Israeli soldiers attacked, Sunday, schoolchildren while standing in line before the beginning of the school day in Hebron Elementary School, in Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation. video
Adnan Da’na, the principal of the school, told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers fired a barrage of gas bombs into the school’s yard, as the students were standing in line ahead of the start of their school day.
He added that dozens of schoolchildren, and several teachers, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, while some of them were rushed to al-Mohtaseb Hospital in the city, due to the severe effects that made them unable to breathe.
The attack is part of repeated Israeli violations targeting schoolchildren, and educational facilities in Hebron, and in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
Adnan Da’na, the principal of the school, told the WAFA Palestinian News Agency that the soldiers fired a barrage of gas bombs into the school’s yard, as the students were standing in line ahead of the start of their school day.
He added that dozens of schoolchildren, and several teachers, suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, while some of them were rushed to al-Mohtaseb Hospital in the city, due to the severe effects that made them unable to breathe.
The attack is part of repeated Israeli violations targeting schoolchildren, and educational facilities in Hebron, and in several parts of the occupied West Bank.
6 apr 2019
Israeli navy ships attacked, on Saturday morning, several Palestinian fishing boats with live fire and water cannons, near the shore of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The navy fired many live rounds at the boats and chased some of them while, using water cannons, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore.
The fishermen had to return to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
In related news, medical sources said four children were mildly injured, after an explosive which was apparently dropped by the army during an earlier invasion into Palestinian lands, east of Gaza city, detonated near them.
The navy fired many live rounds at the boats and chased some of them while, using water cannons, in Palestinian territorial waters near the shore.
The fishermen had to return to the shore without being able to fish and provide for their families.
In related news, medical sources said four children were mildly injured, after an explosive which was apparently dropped by the army during an earlier invasion into Palestinian lands, east of Gaza city, detonated near them.
5 apr 2019
A Palestinian boy suffered serious injuries on Friday after he was deliberately struck by an Israeli settler in a speeding car in At-Tuwani village, south of al-Khalil.
Local sources reported that Ays Houshiya, 15, was rushed to hospital for treatment after he was seriously injured in the attack.
Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli settler further chased other Palestinian citizens in the same village in an attempt to hit them but they managed to escape.
Local sources reported that Ays Houshiya, 15, was rushed to hospital for treatment after he was seriously injured in the attack.
Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli settler further chased other Palestinian citizens in the same village in an attempt to hit them but they managed to escape.
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Thursday evening, a Palestinian child in Azzoun town, east of Qalqilia, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Hazem Ma’moun Qatesh, 13, after invading his home and violently searching it, causing damage.
It is worth mentioning that Azzoun has been under a strict Israeli military siege for the eighth consecutive day.
The Israeli army has been surrounding the village, and conducting repeated invasions of homes, in addition to abducting many Palestinians, including children from the town.
Media sources said the soldiers abducted Hazem Ma’moun Qatesh, 13, after invading his home and violently searching it, causing damage.
It is worth mentioning that Azzoun has been under a strict Israeli military siege for the eighth consecutive day.
The Israeli army has been surrounding the village, and conducting repeated invasions of homes, in addition to abducting many Palestinians, including children from the town.
4 apr 2019
The number of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in 2018 increased sharply from the previous year and reached 57 compared to 15 in 2017, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said in a report published on Thursday marking Palestinian Child Day, which coincides on Friday.
The PCBS report said that based on data provided by the Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP), among the 57 children killed in 2018 five were in the age group of 0 to 12 years, 29 in the age group of 13 to 15 years, and 23 children were in the age group of 16 to 17 years.
The PCBS also said that according to data released by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, 1,063 children were among around 6,500 detention cases in 2018, and among around 6,000 Palestinian detainees by end of 2018, 250 were children under 18 years of age.
It also said that the percentage of children who were living in poverty rose from 27% in 2011 to 31% in 2017, which is 645,000 children (14% in the West Bank, and 53% in Gaza Strip). In 2017, the percentage of children who were suffering from deep poverty was 17% (5% in the West Bank, and 34% in Gaza Strip). While in 2011, it was 14% (8% in the West Bank, and 22% in Gaza Strip).
The percentage of employed children remained low at only 3% and includes both paid or unpaid employment in the age group of 10 to 17 years with 4% in the West Bank and 1.3% in Gaza Strip and 5.5% males and 0.2% females.
The percentage of children enrolled in schools and engaged in the labor market reached 0.8% (1.1% in the West Bank compared to 0.4% in Gaza Strip and 1.5% males compared to 0.2% females).
The PCBS report said estimated number of children under 18 years was 2,226,077 in Palestine in by mid-2019, with 1,139,311 males, and 1,086,766 females. Children in Palestine comprise 45% of the total population (43% in the West Bank, and 48% in Gaza Strip).
PCBS also said that despite the significant decrease in the percentage of early marriage in Palestine; still, one-fifth of the registered marriage contracts included female children.
Data of the Population, Housing, and Establishments Census 2017 showed a decrease in the percentage of women (20-24 years) who were married before the age of 18 years from 30% in 1997 to 11% in 2017.
The data of registered marriages contracts showed a decline in the percentage of early marriage for both males and females (less than 18 years). The percentage of females under 18 years of age who got married during the year 2017 is around 20% of the total number of married females in the same year (19% in the West Bank, and around 21% in Gaza Strip). Whereas the percentage of 2010 was 24%.
The percentage of males under 18 years of age who got married in 2017 is around 1% of the total number of married males during the same year. Whereas the percentage was 1.5% in 2010, according to the database of marriages and divorces in Palestine.
The primary data for the scholastic year 2018/2019 showed that the number of school students in Palestine reached about 1.289 million students, of which 1.048 million were students in the elementary stage (50.4% males and 49.6% females), and 241,000 students in the high school (45% males and 55% females).
While the number of children enrolled in kindergartens in the scholastic year 2018/2019 in Palestine reached about 148,000 children (51% males and 49% females).
The scholastic year of 2016/2017 witnessed a drop-out rate of 1.1% among males compared to 0.8% among females. When comparing the drop-out rate based on the grade, the highest rate is amongst males in the tenth and eleventh grades. Whereas the highest drop-out rate among females was in the eleventh and twelfth grades, according to the database of the education survey for the scholastic year of 2017/2018.
According to the Population, Housing and Establishments Census of 2017, there were 18,206 children (0-17 years) suffered from at least one type of disability, (7,729 children in the West Bank, and 10,477 children in Gaza Strip). (10,771 male children and 7,435 female children).
The PCBS report said that based on data provided by the Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP), among the 57 children killed in 2018 five were in the age group of 0 to 12 years, 29 in the age group of 13 to 15 years, and 23 children were in the age group of 16 to 17 years.
The PCBS also said that according to data released by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, 1,063 children were among around 6,500 detention cases in 2018, and among around 6,000 Palestinian detainees by end of 2018, 250 were children under 18 years of age.
It also said that the percentage of children who were living in poverty rose from 27% in 2011 to 31% in 2017, which is 645,000 children (14% in the West Bank, and 53% in Gaza Strip). In 2017, the percentage of children who were suffering from deep poverty was 17% (5% in the West Bank, and 34% in Gaza Strip). While in 2011, it was 14% (8% in the West Bank, and 22% in Gaza Strip).
The percentage of employed children remained low at only 3% and includes both paid or unpaid employment in the age group of 10 to 17 years with 4% in the West Bank and 1.3% in Gaza Strip and 5.5% males and 0.2% females.
The percentage of children enrolled in schools and engaged in the labor market reached 0.8% (1.1% in the West Bank compared to 0.4% in Gaza Strip and 1.5% males compared to 0.2% females).
The PCBS report said estimated number of children under 18 years was 2,226,077 in Palestine in by mid-2019, with 1,139,311 males, and 1,086,766 females. Children in Palestine comprise 45% of the total population (43% in the West Bank, and 48% in Gaza Strip).
PCBS also said that despite the significant decrease in the percentage of early marriage in Palestine; still, one-fifth of the registered marriage contracts included female children.
Data of the Population, Housing, and Establishments Census 2017 showed a decrease in the percentage of women (20-24 years) who were married before the age of 18 years from 30% in 1997 to 11% in 2017.
The data of registered marriages contracts showed a decline in the percentage of early marriage for both males and females (less than 18 years). The percentage of females under 18 years of age who got married during the year 2017 is around 20% of the total number of married females in the same year (19% in the West Bank, and around 21% in Gaza Strip). Whereas the percentage of 2010 was 24%.
The percentage of males under 18 years of age who got married in 2017 is around 1% of the total number of married males during the same year. Whereas the percentage was 1.5% in 2010, according to the database of marriages and divorces in Palestine.
The primary data for the scholastic year 2018/2019 showed that the number of school students in Palestine reached about 1.289 million students, of which 1.048 million were students in the elementary stage (50.4% males and 49.6% females), and 241,000 students in the high school (45% males and 55% females).
While the number of children enrolled in kindergartens in the scholastic year 2018/2019 in Palestine reached about 148,000 children (51% males and 49% females).
The scholastic year of 2016/2017 witnessed a drop-out rate of 1.1% among males compared to 0.8% among females. When comparing the drop-out rate based on the grade, the highest rate is amongst males in the tenth and eleventh grades. Whereas the highest drop-out rate among females was in the eleventh and twelfth grades, according to the database of the education survey for the scholastic year of 2017/2018.
According to the Population, Housing and Establishments Census of 2017, there were 18,206 children (0-17 years) suffered from at least one type of disability, (7,729 children in the West Bank, and 10,477 children in Gaza Strip). (10,771 male children and 7,435 female children).
A Palestinian child who went missing on Tuesday was eventually found in ‘Ofer’ prison, after Israeli soldiers kidnapped him from his village, Dir Nitham, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and his family was never informed.
The child, Ramez Tamimi, 14, was kidnapped by Israeli soldiers during an invasion into his village, and the army never informed the family, the Red Cross, the District Coordination office or any other department that they have taken him prisoner.
The family started searching for their missing child on the same day of his abduction, and contacted the Palestinian police, the Palestinian District Coordination Office, and various departments, and a day later, the Israeli army said they have him in prison.
The child was kidnapped by the soldiers after three days of constant military invasions, and violent searches of Palestinian homes, including his family’s home, in the village.
The army is now claiming that the child is one of many Palestinians who are protesting in the village, and “involved in throwing stones at army jeeps and settlers’ cars,” on the main bypass road near the village.
Despite his young age, the child is a former political prisoner, who was abducted by and detained by soldiers two years ago from the village’s mosque, after the army invaded it.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army have abducted dozens of Palestinians from the village in the year 2018, among them more than twenty children, many of them were taken prisoner after the soldiers frequently stormed their school, fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to attacking many students and teachers.
The Israeli army also frequently closes the main entrance of the village with iron gates, which were again closed three days ago, and were never reopened, forcing the villagers to use one road that passes near Halamish illegal colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
This led to numerous attacks by the colonists against the Palestinians and their cars, in addition to the roadblocks frequently installed by the soldiers who stop the residents, search them along with their cars, in addition to interrogating many of them and holding them for several hours.
The child, Ramez Tamimi, 14, was kidnapped by Israeli soldiers during an invasion into his village, and the army never informed the family, the Red Cross, the District Coordination office or any other department that they have taken him prisoner.
The family started searching for their missing child on the same day of his abduction, and contacted the Palestinian police, the Palestinian District Coordination Office, and various departments, and a day later, the Israeli army said they have him in prison.
The child was kidnapped by the soldiers after three days of constant military invasions, and violent searches of Palestinian homes, including his family’s home, in the village.
The army is now claiming that the child is one of many Palestinians who are protesting in the village, and “involved in throwing stones at army jeeps and settlers’ cars,” on the main bypass road near the village.
Despite his young age, the child is a former political prisoner, who was abducted by and detained by soldiers two years ago from the village’s mosque, after the army invaded it.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army have abducted dozens of Palestinians from the village in the year 2018, among them more than twenty children, many of them were taken prisoner after the soldiers frequently stormed their school, fired live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades, causing dozens to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation, in addition to attacking many students and teachers.
The Israeli army also frequently closes the main entrance of the village with iron gates, which were again closed three days ago, and were never reopened, forcing the villagers to use one road that passes near Halamish illegal colony, built on private Palestinian lands.
This led to numerous attacks by the colonists against the Palestinians and their cars, in addition to the roadblocks frequently installed by the soldiers who stop the residents, search them along with their cars, in addition to interrogating many of them and holding them for several hours.
2 apr 2019
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Tuesday at dawn, ten Palestinians from their homes, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has reported.
The soldiers invaded and searched many homes across the West Bank, and interrogated dozens of residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The PPS said the soldiers abducted Bashar Najeeb, Tawfiq Najeeb, Ibrahim No’man Mteir, Rajab No’man Mteir, Yousef No’man Mteir, in addition to Jamal Khalaf and his son Mohammad, 15, in Jerusalem, governorate.
The soldiers also invaded many dorms and houses, inhabited by students of the Al-Quds University in Abu Dis town, southeast of Jerusalem, and interrogated many of them.
In Jenin, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted two young men, identified as Mo’awiya Thaher and Taleb Mohammad Jaradat.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers abducted Hasan Yousef, a former political prisoner who spent at least twenty years in Israeli prisons, including several years under Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.
The soldiers invaded and searched many homes across the West Bank, and interrogated dozens of residents while inspecting their ID cards.
The PPS said the soldiers abducted Bashar Najeeb, Tawfiq Najeeb, Ibrahim No’man Mteir, Rajab No’man Mteir, Yousef No’man Mteir, in addition to Jamal Khalaf and his son Mohammad, 15, in Jerusalem, governorate.
The soldiers also invaded many dorms and houses, inhabited by students of the Al-Quds University in Abu Dis town, southeast of Jerusalem, and interrogated many of them.
In Jenin, in northern West Bank, the soldiers abducted two young men, identified as Mo’awiya Thaher and Taleb Mohammad Jaradat.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers abducted Hasan Yousef, a former political prisoner who spent at least twenty years in Israeli prisons, including several years under Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial.
Two Palestinian teens from occupied East Jerusalem said that they were severely beaten when they were detained by special Israeli forces, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission said, today.
Muhammad Abu Sneineh, 15, and Qais Basiti, 17, told the commission that they were thrown to the ground when they were detained in the plaza of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem’s Old City, WAFA reports.
They were also kicked, punched and beaten with rifle butts after they were taken to the Russian Compound police station in West Jerusalem, where they were abused verbally and interrogated several times to force a confession to charges levied against them.
Muhammad Abu Sneineh, 15, and Qais Basiti, 17, told the commission that they were thrown to the ground when they were detained in the plaza of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem’s Old City, WAFA reports.
They were also kicked, punched and beaten with rifle butts after they were taken to the Russian Compound police station in West Jerusalem, where they were abused verbally and interrogated several times to force a confession to charges levied against them.
