Palestinian Civilian Killed

Palestinian Civilian Killed

63 Others Wounded, Including 18 Children, in Demonstrations Commemorating Land

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the use of excessive force by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians on Friday, 30 March 2012, to commemorate the Land Day. The use of excessive force resulted in killing a Palestinian civilian and wounding 38 others, including 16 children, in the Gaza Strip, while 25 civilians, including two children, were wounded in the West Bank. Besides, dozens of Palestinians suffered from gas inhalation or sustained bruises. PCHR stresses that IOF use excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by the Palestinians to completely prevent such demonstrations. PCHR also calls upon the international community to immediately act to stop those crimes.

In the Gaza Strip, following the Friday prayer, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the vicinity of the Customs Checkpoint, west of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, 1,700 meters to the south of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, to mark Land Day. A number of Palestinians could reach areas close to the cement wall and into the road connecting Beit Hanoun crossing with the Palestinian Liaison Office (55), and some of them entered the industrial zone. IOF then fired bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, Mahmoud Mohammed Zaqqout, 19, from Beit Lahia Project was killed by a bullet to the neck. Additionally, 33 others, including 15 children, were wounded; the wounds of two of them were serious.

Also following the Friday prayer, approximately 100 Palestinians headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of 'Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. They raised the Palestinian flag and chanted national slogans commemorating Land Day. When they reached an area approximately 100 meters away from the said fence, a number of demonstrators got closer and tried to put the Palestinian flag on it, and the flag was actually put on the fence. IOF patrolling behind the fence fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, five civilians, including a child, were wounded and their wounds were described as moderate.

In the West Bank, on the same day, hundreds of Palestinians gathered around Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque (Rachel's Tomb) at the northern entrance of Bethlehem. IOF used noisy loudspeakers and then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 12 Palestinians, including two children, were wounded. The wounds of two of them were described as serious:

1- Yusef al-Sharqawi, 63, hit by a tear gas canister to the back, which caused burns and a fracture in the rib cage.

2- Ali Arafah, 20, hit by a tear gas canister in the head, due to which he sustained a fracture in the skull.

In al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, six demonstrators were wounded in the weekly demonstration, which was dedicated this week to the Land Day. At least 4 demonstrators were wounded in the main demonstration that was organized at Qalandia checkpoint at the northern entrance of Jerusalem, while 3 others were wounded in a demonstration organized by dozens of Palestinians in front of Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.

PCHR condemns these crimes, is gravely concerned over them, and:

1- Stresses that the use excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians has become a systematic policy adopted by IOF, which reflects blatant disregard for the lives of Palestinians;

2- Holds Israel responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip;

3- Believes that it is time, under the ongoing challenge of the state of Israel and IOF to the Fourth Geneva Convention, for the High Contracting Parties to hold a conference to take immediate action to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territory.

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