31 dec 2016
The Defense for Children International (DCI) - Palestine Branch said that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed 35 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem in 2016.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program Director at the Palestine section of the DCI, told the Quds Press news agency that 2016 recorded the highest number of murders committed by the IOF against Palestinian children in the West Bank and Jerusalem in 12 years, pointing out that the number of children killed in 2015 in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem had reached 26.
Abu Eqtaish said that 2016 witnessed continuous Israeli violations of the Palestinian children's rights, especially their right to live, which caused the murder of 35 children, 32 of whom are from the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, and 3 from the Gaza Strip. He added that Israel grants immunity to the soldiers who commit these crimes in absolute disregard for the basic rights of children.
He affirmed that the Israeli judiciary system is also involved in this by announcing the acquittal of the Israeli police officers and soldiers who commit such crimes although there is evidence that the children were directly killed without posing any kind of danger to the Israeli soldiers. More crimes are thus encouraged, he added.
Abu Eqtaish said that in some cases the soldiers are charged with "unintentional murder" or "failure to follow the required conditions" in an attempt to ease the gravity of the crimes. He pointed to the execution of the child Nadeem Nawwara whose killer was charged with an accidental murder despite the presence of evidence about the deliberate crime.
The DCI said in a statement that the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) are still holding the bodies of three children.
The last murder case reported in 2016 was against Ahmad al-Rimawi, 17, who was killed by the IOF with live bullets on 18th December during confrontations in Beit Rima village to the northwest of Ramallah province.
According to the international law, the lethal force can be used only when there is an imminent threat or a serious injury, or to prevent a crime that poses a great threat to many lives. This is only when the less violent means are inadequate to achieve these goals. Besides, the commentary on the Article III of the United Nations Code of Conduct stipulates that every possible effort must be made to avoid the use of firearms, especially against children.
Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program Director at the Palestine section of the DCI, told the Quds Press news agency that 2016 recorded the highest number of murders committed by the IOF against Palestinian children in the West Bank and Jerusalem in 12 years, pointing out that the number of children killed in 2015 in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem had reached 26.
Abu Eqtaish said that 2016 witnessed continuous Israeli violations of the Palestinian children's rights, especially their right to live, which caused the murder of 35 children, 32 of whom are from the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, and 3 from the Gaza Strip. He added that Israel grants immunity to the soldiers who commit these crimes in absolute disregard for the basic rights of children.
He affirmed that the Israeli judiciary system is also involved in this by announcing the acquittal of the Israeli police officers and soldiers who commit such crimes although there is evidence that the children were directly killed without posing any kind of danger to the Israeli soldiers. More crimes are thus encouraged, he added.
Abu Eqtaish said that in some cases the soldiers are charged with "unintentional murder" or "failure to follow the required conditions" in an attempt to ease the gravity of the crimes. He pointed to the execution of the child Nadeem Nawwara whose killer was charged with an accidental murder despite the presence of evidence about the deliberate crime.
The DCI said in a statement that the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) are still holding the bodies of three children.
The last murder case reported in 2016 was against Ahmad al-Rimawi, 17, who was killed by the IOF with live bullets on 18th December during confrontations in Beit Rima village to the northwest of Ramallah province.
According to the international law, the lethal force can be used only when there is an imminent threat or a serious injury, or to prevent a crime that poses a great threat to many lives. This is only when the less violent means are inadequate to achieve these goals. Besides, the commentary on the Article III of the United Nations Code of Conduct stipulates that every possible effort must be made to avoid the use of firearms, especially against children.
28 dec 2016
A four-month prison sentence was handed down on Tuesday by an Israeli military court to a 13-year-old Palestinian child, whose family was also ordered to pay a financial penalty.
According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), the military court in Ofer sentenced Bahauddin Shakarneh, a child from Nahalin town in Bethlehem, to four months in jail and fined him 10,000 shekels.
PPS lawyer Mohamed Shahin said that the Israeli prosecution office had been stalling the submission of an amended indictment against Shakarneh since his detention two months ago in order to fabricate other charges and wait for him to become over 14 years old to extract a more severe court ruling against him.
He pointed out that the military law which is used by Israeli courts against Palestinian children under age 14 specified a maximum of six months in prison for them, but the jail penalty would be more than that if the kid was older.
According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), the military court in Ofer sentenced Bahauddin Shakarneh, a child from Nahalin town in Bethlehem, to four months in jail and fined him 10,000 shekels.
PPS lawyer Mohamed Shahin said that the Israeli prosecution office had been stalling the submission of an amended indictment against Shakarneh since his detention two months ago in order to fabricate other charges and wait for him to become over 14 years old to extract a more severe court ruling against him.
He pointed out that the military law which is used by Israeli courts against Palestinian children under age 14 specified a maximum of six months in prison for them, but the jail penalty would be more than that if the kid was older.
26 dec 2016
Israeli forces detained at least 10 Palestinians, including two minors, during overnight raids in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS).
Hebron
In the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron, Israeli forces detained Majid Tayser al-Titi for the al-Arrub refugee camp and Ismail Ahmad Hawamda from the village of al-Samu.
Local sources in Hebron told Ma’an that Israeli forces installed several checkpoints in the north and south of the district, stopping and searching Palestinian vehicles.
In the Hebron area town of Beit Ummar, local activist Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma’an that Israeli forces raided at dawn homes in the town, using dogs to search the homes and “terrify Palestinian citizens. “
Awad said that Israeli forces searched the homes of Issa Mousa Rashid Awad, Zaid Awad, 35, and a small shop that sells cigarettes and tobacco. Forces used the dogs during the searches, which caused damages to the homes.
Awad added that during the raid, Israeli forces summoned Issa Awad’s 22-year-old son, a former prisoner who spent two years in Israeli prison, for interrogation at the Gush Etzion military center.
Awad said that Israeli forces also assaulted Zaid Awad as he tried to prevent the soldiers from entering his house, adding that Israeli soldiers beat him in front of his wife and children and allowed a police dog to attack him.
The raid lasted for two hours before Israeli forces retreated, Awad added.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports of the raid, the use of dogs, and the assault of of Zaid Awad.
Jerusalem
According to PPS, Israeli forces detained seven Palestinians from the central occupied West Bank Jerusalem district.
The detainees were identified as 13 year-old Muhannad Abu Assab, 15 year-old Yazan Abu Assab, Anas Darwish, Ahmad Darwish, Ahmad al-Elmi, Abdullah al-Elme and 24 year-old Imad Shmasna from Qatanna village northwest of Jerusalem.
Nablus
In the northern district of Nablus, Israeli forces forces detained Hatim Firas al-Zagha.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed a total of four detentions to Ma’an, citing one “Hamas operative” from Nablus, one detainee from Qatanna, one from the al-Arrub refugee camp, and another “Hamas operative” in al-Samu.
Separately, the Israeli army published a video on Monday that shows Israeli forces detaining four Palestinians that were throwing rocks at Israeli settler cars along route 55 in the occupied West Bank.
The army did not publish the names of the detainees or the name of the exact location that the incident took place.
Hebron
In the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron, Israeli forces detained Majid Tayser al-Titi for the al-Arrub refugee camp and Ismail Ahmad Hawamda from the village of al-Samu.
Local sources in Hebron told Ma’an that Israeli forces installed several checkpoints in the north and south of the district, stopping and searching Palestinian vehicles.
In the Hebron area town of Beit Ummar, local activist Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma’an that Israeli forces raided at dawn homes in the town, using dogs to search the homes and “terrify Palestinian citizens. “
Awad said that Israeli forces searched the homes of Issa Mousa Rashid Awad, Zaid Awad, 35, and a small shop that sells cigarettes and tobacco. Forces used the dogs during the searches, which caused damages to the homes.
Awad added that during the raid, Israeli forces summoned Issa Awad’s 22-year-old son, a former prisoner who spent two years in Israeli prison, for interrogation at the Gush Etzion military center.
Awad said that Israeli forces also assaulted Zaid Awad as he tried to prevent the soldiers from entering his house, adding that Israeli soldiers beat him in front of his wife and children and allowed a police dog to attack him.
The raid lasted for two hours before Israeli forces retreated, Awad added.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports of the raid, the use of dogs, and the assault of of Zaid Awad.
Jerusalem
According to PPS, Israeli forces detained seven Palestinians from the central occupied West Bank Jerusalem district.
The detainees were identified as 13 year-old Muhannad Abu Assab, 15 year-old Yazan Abu Assab, Anas Darwish, Ahmad Darwish, Ahmad al-Elmi, Abdullah al-Elme and 24 year-old Imad Shmasna from Qatanna village northwest of Jerusalem.
Nablus
In the northern district of Nablus, Israeli forces forces detained Hatim Firas al-Zagha.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed a total of four detentions to Ma’an, citing one “Hamas operative” from Nablus, one detainee from Qatanna, one from the al-Arrub refugee camp, and another “Hamas operative” in al-Samu.
Separately, the Israeli army published a video on Monday that shows Israeli forces detaining four Palestinians that were throwing rocks at Israeli settler cars along route 55 in the occupied West Bank.
The army did not publish the names of the detainees or the name of the exact location that the incident took place.
Four Palestinian female prisoners, including minors, faced harsh sentences recently issued by Israeli military courts, researcher for prisoners’ affairs Riyad Ashqar revealed.
The Israeli magistrate’s court in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday sentenced the 19-year-old Palestinian girl Shurouq Dwayyat to 16 years in prison, after she was accused of attempting to stab an Israeli settler in the Old City in Oct. 2015.
Shurouq was shot and injured by an Israeli settler before her arrest in Jerusalem's Old City after she allegedly attempted to stab him on Oct. 7, 2015.
The Palestinian young woman Maysoun Jabali, 22, was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after being arrested in June 2015 for an alleged stabbing attack.
An Israeli military court sentenced 16-year-old Nurhan Awad to 13 years and a half in prison after she was convicted of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint along with her cousin who was shot dead in the scene.
Nurhan suffered serious foot injuries prior her arrest in Nov. 2015.
The Jerusalemite woman Israa Jaabis, 31, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for allegedly carrying out a hit-and-run attack in Oct. 2015.
Jaabis was shot and injured during her detention at Zaim military checkpoint.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian female prisoners have been further sentenced to different prison terms including Amal Taqatqa, 23, who faced seven-year sentence for an alleged stabbing attack in January 2014.
Amal, from Bethlehem, was hit with five live bullets during her detention.
The 23-year-old female prisoner Hulwa Hamamra was also sentenced to six years imprisonment, while the prisoners Ataya Abu Aisha and Yasmin Shaaban were sentenced to five years in prison.
The 45-year-old Abla Adam, a mother of nine children, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for allegedly trying to carry out a stabbing attack in Dec. 2015.
Since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, the number of Palestinian women and girls detained by Israeli forces has risen sharply.
In October, Addameer reported that Israel was holding 64 female Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were injured during their detention.
The Israeli magistrate’s court in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday sentenced the 19-year-old Palestinian girl Shurouq Dwayyat to 16 years in prison, after she was accused of attempting to stab an Israeli settler in the Old City in Oct. 2015.
Shurouq was shot and injured by an Israeli settler before her arrest in Jerusalem's Old City after she allegedly attempted to stab him on Oct. 7, 2015.
The Palestinian young woman Maysoun Jabali, 22, was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after being arrested in June 2015 for an alleged stabbing attack.
An Israeli military court sentenced 16-year-old Nurhan Awad to 13 years and a half in prison after she was convicted of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint along with her cousin who was shot dead in the scene.
Nurhan suffered serious foot injuries prior her arrest in Nov. 2015.
The Jerusalemite woman Israa Jaabis, 31, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for allegedly carrying out a hit-and-run attack in Oct. 2015.
Jaabis was shot and injured during her detention at Zaim military checkpoint.
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian female prisoners have been further sentenced to different prison terms including Amal Taqatqa, 23, who faced seven-year sentence for an alleged stabbing attack in January 2014.
Amal, from Bethlehem, was hit with five live bullets during her detention.
The 23-year-old female prisoner Hulwa Hamamra was also sentenced to six years imprisonment, while the prisoners Ataya Abu Aisha and Yasmin Shaaban were sentenced to five years in prison.
The 45-year-old Abla Adam, a mother of nine children, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for allegedly trying to carry out a stabbing attack in Dec. 2015.
Since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada, the number of Palestinian women and girls detained by Israeli forces has risen sharply.
In October, Addameer reported that Israel was holding 64 female Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were injured during their detention.
25 dec 2016
Israeli forces stormed the southern occupied West Bank town of Beit Ummar and ransacked two homes early Sunday morning, according to local sources, a day after a funeral in the town for 23-year-old Khalid Ikhlayyil was violently suppressed by Israeli soldiers. Meanwhile, at least seven Palestinians, including minors, were detained in raids elsewhere in the West Bank.
Local activist in Beit Ummar Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma'an that Israeli troops ransacked the homes of Abd al-Hamid Muheisin Awad and Muhammad Kamil Zaaqiq and searched them thoroughly before dawn Sunday morning.
Awad noted that police dogs were used in the inspection and that an Israeli intelligence officer interrogated the owners to uncover firearms.
The Israeli soldiers left “serious damages” in both houses to the furniture, internal doors, and other items. Awad highlighted that floor tiles had also been ripped out.
After more than an hour, Israeli troops left without seizing any weapons or detaining anyone, Awad said.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma’an that the search had been conducted, and also confirmed nobody had been detained and no weapons were uncovered.
A day prior to the raid in Beit Ummar, villagers buried Khalid Ikhlayyil, in a funeral Awad said was attended by the entire town.
Ikhlayyil was shot dead inside his private car in the al-Baqaa area in Beit Ummar on Oct. 30. Israeli forces alleged that he tried to run over a number of Israeli soldiers.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at crowds of mourners during the funeral, and in response, Palestinians youth hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers who fired more tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets injuring a number of people.
According to Awad, 11 Palestinians were hit with live ammunition and 10 others with rubber-coated steel bullets. He added that three Israeli soldiers were also hurt.
Meanwhile, at least seven Palestinians were detained in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank.
Locals told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Fajjar south of Bethlehem in the southern occupied West Bank overnight Saturday and Sunday morning and detained three teenage boys and a young man.
Locals identified the detainees as Yazan Ahmad Thawabta, 15, Fadi Fayiz Taqatqa, 16, Anas Taqatqa, 15, and Mahdi Majid Taqatqa, 23.
According to the Israeli army spokesperson, one Palestinian was detained in the Hebron area village of al-Dhahiriya and three in the village of Jalazun in the Ramallah district. In predawn raids Saturday night, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian in al-Zawiya in the northern occupied West Bank district of Salfit, according to the Israeli army.
Israeli raids in Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps are a daily occurrence in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, 7,000 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons as of October, including some 400 minors. The organization estimates that 40 percent of Palestinian men have been detained by Israel at some point in their lives.
Local activist in Beit Ummar Muhammad Ayyad Awad told Ma'an that Israeli troops ransacked the homes of Abd al-Hamid Muheisin Awad and Muhammad Kamil Zaaqiq and searched them thoroughly before dawn Sunday morning.
Awad noted that police dogs were used in the inspection and that an Israeli intelligence officer interrogated the owners to uncover firearms.
The Israeli soldiers left “serious damages” in both houses to the furniture, internal doors, and other items. Awad highlighted that floor tiles had also been ripped out.
After more than an hour, Israeli troops left without seizing any weapons or detaining anyone, Awad said.
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma’an that the search had been conducted, and also confirmed nobody had been detained and no weapons were uncovered.
A day prior to the raid in Beit Ummar, villagers buried Khalid Ikhlayyil, in a funeral Awad said was attended by the entire town.
Ikhlayyil was shot dead inside his private car in the al-Baqaa area in Beit Ummar on Oct. 30. Israeli forces alleged that he tried to run over a number of Israeli soldiers.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters at crowds of mourners during the funeral, and in response, Palestinians youth hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers who fired more tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets injuring a number of people.
According to Awad, 11 Palestinians were hit with live ammunition and 10 others with rubber-coated steel bullets. He added that three Israeli soldiers were also hurt.
Meanwhile, at least seven Palestinians were detained in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank.
Locals told Ma'an that Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Fajjar south of Bethlehem in the southern occupied West Bank overnight Saturday and Sunday morning and detained three teenage boys and a young man.
Locals identified the detainees as Yazan Ahmad Thawabta, 15, Fadi Fayiz Taqatqa, 16, Anas Taqatqa, 15, and Mahdi Majid Taqatqa, 23.
According to the Israeli army spokesperson, one Palestinian was detained in the Hebron area village of al-Dhahiriya and three in the village of Jalazun in the Ramallah district. In predawn raids Saturday night, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian in al-Zawiya in the northern occupied West Bank district of Salfit, according to the Israeli army.
Israeli raids in Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps are a daily occurrence in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
According to prisoners rights group Addameer, 7,000 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons as of October, including some 400 minors. The organization estimates that 40 percent of Palestinian men have been detained by Israel at some point in their lives.
The Israeli Central Court in Occupied Jerusalem on Saturday evening sentenced a 19-year-old Palestinian girl to 16 years in jail.
The Israeli Central Court issued a 16-year-sentence against prisoner Shourouk Dweiyat, from Occupied Jerusalem, on allegations that she attempted to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack against the Israeli forces.
In October 2015, Dweiyat was shot and injured by the occupation forces in her chest and hand, before she was arrested shortly afterwards. The detainee was aged 17 at the time.
A native of Jerusalem’s southern town of Sour Baher, Dweiyat was kidnapped by the occupation forces on her way to the al-Aqsa Mosque to perform her prayers.
The Israeli police shot her right away on claims of a stabbing attempt while on-the-spot observers said the girl posed no threat to the cops.
The Israeli Central Court issued a 16-year-sentence against prisoner Shourouk Dweiyat, from Occupied Jerusalem, on allegations that she attempted to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack against the Israeli forces.
In October 2015, Dweiyat was shot and injured by the occupation forces in her chest and hand, before she was arrested shortly afterwards. The detainee was aged 17 at the time.
A native of Jerusalem’s southern town of Sour Baher, Dweiyat was kidnapped by the occupation forces on her way to the al-Aqsa Mosque to perform her prayers.
The Israeli police shot her right away on claims of a stabbing attempt while on-the-spot observers said the girl posed no threat to the cops.