Israeli occupation forces (IOF) are continuing attacks against Palestinian civilians who collect the rubble of destroyed buildings and roads near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. In the past week, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights has documented five attacks in the north of Gaza resulting in the injury of five people. Deliberate attacks against civilians are serious breaches of international law and must be investigated and punished.
As the effects of the Israeli closer of the Gaza Strip intensify, rubble and scrap collectors work closer to the separation fence in order to collect greater amounts of materials to be recycled and sold again. This is the main source of income for such collectors who are working within the context of severe economic conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Recent examples of IOF attacks against Palestinian rubble and scrap collectors:
At approximately 8:00 am on Tuesday, 15 April 2014, the IOF opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were collecting rubble and scraps and moving closer to the separation fence just east of Erez crossing. As a result, Waseem Tayseer Abu Odeh, 21, sustained a bullet wound in his right leg. Medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as moderate.
At approximately 8:00 am on Sunday, 13 April 2014, the IOF opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were collecting rubble and scraps and moving closer to the separation fence west of Erez crossing. As a result, Rami Hassan As-Sous, 20, sustained a bullet wound in his right leg. Medical sources at Beit Hanoun Hospital described his injury as moderate.
At approximately 9:20 am on Thursday, 10 April 2014, the IOF opened sporadic fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were collecting rubble and scraps close to the separation fence just west of Erez crossing. The shooting lasted until 10:45 am on the same day. As a result, three civilians were injured. Al Mezan has identified them as follows:
· Baker Omar Abu ‘Ammsha, 24, sustained a bullet wound in his right hand and leg;
· Ali Taha Al Kafarna, 26, sustained shrapnel wounds in his neck; and
· Salem Jalal Abdel Hadi, 19, sustained shrapnel wounds in his left under arm.
Medical sources described the injury of Al Kafana as critical and referred him to Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Al Mezan condemns the IOF’s deliberate attacks against civilians in the border areas of the Gaza Strip. These attacks indicate continued Israeli violations of international humanitarian law in its treatment of Palestinian civilians, who are a protected population and must not be attacked. These attacks signal violations of articles (3) and (32) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibit attacks against life and bodily integrity, especially acts of killing of protected persons.
Al Mezan calls on State Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to abide by their obligations as per article (147) of the Fourth Geneva Convention and to exert pressure on Israel to cease its attacks against civilians in the Gaza Strip and to ensure enforcement of international law standards and respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention.
END