Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Israel plans buffer zone in the north of the Gaza Strip


Israeli occupying forces have leveled areas of Palestinian land in the northeastern part of Beit Hanoun, a town in the northern Gaza Strip. They also placed sand and other construction raw materials nearly 200 meters inside the Gaza Strip territory. The affected areas of land belong to a number of Palestinian families and were razed by Israeli occupying forces during the past few years. Eyewitnesses saw barbed wire in the area, indicating that IOF plan to establish a separation fence along the border. Consequently, large areas of Palestinian land will be threatened with confiscation. A 500-meter-long section of fence was already established to the north of the former “Nissant” settlement and the Erez Industrial Zone during the implementation of the “Disengagement Plan” in the Gaza Strip. 

Anyone Responsible for Perverting the Court of Justice Must also Face Prosecution


One day after Doron Almog escaped arrest by British Anti-Terrorist Police, details have emerged about an apparent leak which allowed him to return to Israel without facing the allegations brought against him. The clients of PCHR and Hickman & Rose, who are the victims of Doron Almog’s alleged war crimes, believe that anyone responsible for facilitating the escape of this war crimes suspect must also be brought to justice. This action is essential to protect the integrity of the British criminal justice system. 

One Palestinian killed an another injured as Israeli forces 'disengage'


Today as Israeli forces completed their redployment to the border areas of the Gaza Strip on Monday the 12th of September, 2005 one Palestinian youth was killed and another was injured while they were standing beside their home in the al Salam quarter of south-east of Rafah town, adjacent to the border with Egypt. PCHR calls for an immediate investigation into the killing and injury of two Palestinian civilians on the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt. 

Israeli war crimes suspect evades British justice after UK court issues warrant


An Israeli war crimes suspect today turned tail to avoid arrest by British police officers under an arrest warrant issued by Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. Major General (retired) Doron Almog today spent some time ‘airside’ at Heathrow airport before taking a return flight to Israel. He had learned that he was facing arrest by British police after a decision on 10th September 2005 by Chief London Magistrate Timothy Workman to issue a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of committing a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949. The alleged offence was committed as part of Israel’s belligerent occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 

Palestinian gunmen kill Gaza security chief and kidnap his son


Dozens of Palestinian gunmen raided the house of Major General Mousa Arafat, the military advisor to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and former commander of the military intelligence. They exchanged fire with guards. Three of them were injured and others were handcuffed by the gunmen. They took Arafat out of the house and shot him from close range in his head. They carried him towards the main streeet and fired several times. The gunmen also kidnapped Arafat’s son, Manhal, an officer of the military intelligence. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns this crime and remains gravely concerned at the internal security situation. 

Palestinian civilians living near Gaza settlements pay the "disengagement" bill


Israeli forces have continued to demolish structures in the evacuated settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. The demolition process is taking place while a suffocating closure is being imposed on Palestinian communities in the areas close to the evacuated settlements. In addition, Israeli forces have started to dismantle some military facilities in the Gaza Strip and replace them with tanks. Israeli forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on al-Sayafa area. In the past three days, Israeli forces raided and searched Palestinian houses in the area. Fieldworkers from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights report from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 

Despite evacuation of settlers, Palestinians still under siege


Israeli occupation forces maintain control of settlements and military posts as they demolish evacuated buildings and dismantle military posts. Palestinian civilians living near the evacuated settlements pay the “disengagement” bill. Fieldworkers from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights report from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israeli forces have continued to demolish structures in the evacuated settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, two days following the official announcement ending the evacuation of settlers. The demolition process is taking place under while a suffocating closure is being imposed on Palestinian communities in the areas close to the evacuated settlements. 

More settler violence as Israel continues to impose siege on Gaza Strip


Closures and checkpoints continue to limit access across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Meanwhile serious settler attacks in which civilians are injured continue to go unreported in the media. The occupying forces have continued to cause damage to property belonging to Palestinian civilians. Palestinian civilians continue to be victims of attacks by Israeli settlers who go unpunished by the military. Israeli occupation forces prevented Palestinian fishermen from fishing in the Sheikh Ejlin area in the south of Gaza City due to the evacuation of Israeli settlers from the Netzarim settlement. Fieldworkers from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights report from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

Evacuation of settlers hinders Palestinians' access to medical aid


Closures and checkpoints are severely hindering ambulance services and access to medical centres in the northern West Bank. Palestinian civilians continue to be held under siege in Gaza and the West Bank, as the ‘disengagement’ process proceeds. Israel has declared northern West Bank a closed military zone prior to evacuating four settlements in the area. Israel has set up iron gates on key roads and closed the entrances of villagers and towns along the Nablus - Jenin road with earth barriers and cement blocks. Fieldworkers from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights report from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 

Gaza siege continues


Israeli Occupation Forces continued to impose a tight siege on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians remain trapped inside the enclaves and the main checkpoint inside of Gaza continues to prevent Palestinian civilians from traveling around the Gaza Strip. The closures of areas such as al Mawasi continues to illustrate the drastic effect will continue to have on the Palestinian civilian population in the world’s largest prison. A report from the field by fieldworkers from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights in Gaza.