Updates

The Gaza Strip

Palestinians who have lost their homes in the past year in Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip talk about their hardships

During the past year, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip twice, in August 2022 and May 2023, killing 63 Palestinians, at least 27 of whom did not take part in the hostilities, including 13 minors. Thousands lost their homes. Israeli Decision-makers are well aware of these consequences, and yet, the policy is fully backed by government, military and legal officials who offer incorrect legal opinions in order to legitimize it. . In testimonies given to B’Tselem field researchers, residents of the Gaza Strip describe the trauma and hardships caused by the bombing of their homes

21 August 2023

Settler Violence = State Violence

Um Safa, Ramallah District: Israeli settlers, aided by soldiers, attack local residents and set fire to homes with occupants still inside

On Saturday, 24 June 2023, at around 1:00 P.M., dozens of masked Jewish settlers – some armed with clubs, others with firearms – entered the village of Um Safa, in Ramallah District. Escorted by Israeli soldiers, the settlers entered the village from three directions: Near the eastern entrance, they attacked the home of ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Abayat while his wife, along with her one-year-old toddler and a 20-day-old infant, were inside. The settlers collected tires from the house’s yard, piled them at the entrance, and set them on fire.

14 August 2023

Settler Violence = State Violence

Killings, pogroms, expulsion: Israel dispossesses Palestinians of their lands using settler violence.

Terrorized by settlers, a fourth Palestinian community is forced to leave in the past three months: After repeated attacks and threats by settlers and having been left with no other choice, the Bedouin community of al-Qabun, located east of Ramallah, abandoned its homes this week. The community has lived at the current site since 1996. In February of this year, settlers took up residence near it...

10 August 2023

Hebron City Center

Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in Hebron. Four Palestinians arrested by soldiers who participated in the attack and released within days without charge

On 30 June 2023, scores of settlers, some armed, attacked houses in the neighborhood of Wadi al-Hasin with stones. One of them fired several shots at a house. When Palestinians threw stones at the settlers in an attempt to drive them away, soldiers chased them and threw stun grenades at them. Soldiers entered one of the attacked homes while the family was in the middle of an engagement party, and detained the guests for about twenty minutes.

9 August 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Soldier shoots and kills a Palestinian man with a disability who was watching clashes near the DCO checkpoint from a distance

On 3 July 2023, some young Palestinian men gathered around the City Inn intersection in al-Birah to protest a military incursion into Jenin Refugee Camp. About 20 young men advanced toward the road leading to the checkpoint, chanting slogans, setting tires on fire and throwing stones from a distance at soldiers at the checkpoint. On the road south of the checkpoint, there was a military jeep with several other soldiers standing next to it. More young men, including Muhammad Hasanein (21), arrived in the area and watched the clashes from a distance.

31 July 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Civilian environment turned battlefield: Israel has killed nine Palestinians in Balata Refugee Camp since January, five of them unarmed

The crowded Balata Refugee Camp in the city of Nablus is home to 35,000 people. UNRWA reports that this year, Israeli forces have raided the camp at least 14 times. In each of these raids, clashes have broken out between young men from the camp and the Israeli forces. In 2023, Israel has killed nine Palestinians in incursions into Balata R.C. Four of them were armed. Six residents were killed during three different incidents in May and June alone, two of them armed. The sequence of events in these three incidents is presented below:

24 July 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli soldier fatally shoots Palestinian toddler Muhammad Tamimi in the head while child is in a car next to his home

The inquiry’s conclusions, and the fact that the military chose to release them without being asked to do so, demonstrate the military’s brazen disregard for Palestinians’ lives. The sequence of events emerging from the inquiry reveals there was no factual basis to support the decision to fire and that it was made entirely on a single soldier’s unfounded suspicions and subjective feelings. This is not just the result of “incorrect decision-making” but an accurate reflection of Israel’s open-fire policy in the West Bank, which allows soldiers to wantonly fire inside a civilian community, with utter indifference to the consequences...

6 July 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Jenin Refugee Camp is not a battlefield - it is the home of thousands of people

Israel has been pummeling the crowded Jenin RC for 24 hrs. now from the air and the ground, as if it is a battlefield not a place where humans live, work and dream. At least 10 have been killed, hundreds injured and thousands have fled. Policymakers refuse to tell right from wrong, legitimate from criminal, humane from cruel. For Israelis fighting government plans threatening to violate their rights, here’s a chance to fight against the violation of others’ human rights happening right now. The international community must take decisive to stop Israel’s attack on Jenin R.C.

4 July 2023

Restrictions on Movement

Israeli military puts the village of al-Mughayir under closure for three weeks, disrupting the lives of its 3,200 residents and arresting over fifty people

The military set up roadblocks at the two main entrances to the village: the west entrance leading to Ramallah and the east entrance leading to the Jordan Valley.During the closure, soldiers entered dozens of houses at night, waking up and terrorizing all the residents, including children and babies. Over fifty boys and men ranging in age from 15 to 30 were arrested. Most were released a short while later...

4 July 2023

East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem: Violence against Palestinians during Ramadan prayers, Sabbath of Light and the Flag March, April-May 2023

Palestinians were subjected to severe violence by Israeli security forces during three large public events that took place in April and May of 2023: Ramadan prayers held by Muslims at al-Aqsa Mosque, the Christian ceremony of the Sabbath of Light and the Jewish supremacy display known as the Flag March that is held on the anniversary of of the occupation of East Jerusalem. During all three events, Israeli police officers either attacked Palestinians or allowed others to attack them undisturbed...

28 June 2023

General

After nine years, B’Tselem’s executive director, Hagai El-Ad, is stepping down. Yuli Novak was chosen by B’Tselem Board to serve as the new executive director.

“I’m grateful to Hagai El-Ad for years of courageous, principled leadership at B’Tselem,” Novak said, “As an Israeli, it is my duty and right to firmly demand an end to the occupation and the replacement of the apartheid regime with a democracy. This is the only way to ensure the human rights of everyone living in this land. More and more people, Israelis and others, understand today that democracy and occupation cannot coexist and that there is no democracy under apartheid...

26 June 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli forces fire indiscriminately, killing 66-year-old laborer on his way to work

On Thursday, 11 May 2023, at around 4:00 A.M., soldiers, Border Police officers and Israel Security Agency personnel arrived at the entrance to Nur Shams Refugee Camp and raided a plant nursery located across from the entrance to the camp. Some armed Palestinian operatives who noticed them fired in the air, likely to alert other armed operatives about the forces’ arrival. A few laborers, who were having a coffee at a café located about 50 meters away from the nursery before making their way to work in Israel, came out of the café. At that exact moment, the Israeli forces opened massive fire.

25 June 2023

Settler Violence = State Violence

Israeli settlers enter Kifl Hares for prayers with a military escort, attack Palestinian homes with soldiers’ help

Once every few months, the military blocks the entrances to the town of Kifl Hares in order to allow Jewish worshippers to visit tombs within the town, which they believe to be the holy resting sites of Yehoshua (Joshua) Bin Nun and Caleb Ben Yefune. The worshippers stay by the tombs for entire nights. On Sunday, 16 April 2023, At around 11:30 P.M., hundreds of settlers entered the town with a military escort. Some of them attacked Palestinian homes with stones…

22 June 2023

Settler Violence = State Violence

A wave of settlers’ riots across the West Bank: Responsibility for these pogroms lies with Israel, which arms settler gangs and encourages them to attack Palestinians

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, 20 June 2023), Palestinians shot and killed four people and injured another four next to the settlement of Eli. Military forces came to Huwarah and ordered business owners to close their shops, presumably in preparation for the arrival of settler-rioters and in place of taking any action that would protect residents and prevent harm from being done to them or their property. And indeed, beginning in the evening, settlers set out to commit pogroms across the entirety of the West Bank.

21 June 2023

The Gaza Strip

Top Israeli officials criminally liable for knowingly ordering strike expected to harm civilians, including children, in the Gaza Strip

During five days Israel killed 30 Palestinians, 10 of them did not participate in fighting. Israeli decision-makers chose the timing, targets and means for this attack, consciously choosing to fire missiles at homes at night, while families were asleep, knowing it was expected that many - including children - would be killed. As with any crime, there are people who are criminally liable, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff, the Commander of the Air Force and the Military Advocate General.

14 June 2023

Open-Fire Policy

A 15-year-old threw stones. Soldiers shot him dead.

On Friday, 28 April 2023, at around 2:00 P.M., soldiers arrived at the Khirbet Tuqu’ archeological site, which residents of the Palestinian village of Tuqu’ use for recreational purposes. When youths who were at the site noticed the soldiers, about twenty of them threw stones at them from a distance of about 150 meters. The soldiers fired live rounds at the youths, but no one was hit. About half an hour later, Mustafa Sabah (15) and another Palestinian arrived at the scene. Sabah picked up a few stones, ran toward the soldiers, stopped about 50 meters away...

7 June 2023

Administrative Detention

Israel breaks 20-year record: 1,002 Palestinians held in administrative detention in March 2023

Administrative detention is the incarceration of people who have not been convicted of – or even charged with – a crime. Israel uses this extreme power continuously and extensively, detaining hundreds of Palestinians on a regular basis. According to IPS figures, in March 2023, Israel was holding 1,017 people in administrative detention, all but 15 of them Palestinians. Ten them are minors between the ages of 16 and 18. This is the highest number of administrative detainees since April 2003, when Israel held 1,140 administrative detainees.

4 June 2023

A Routine Founded on Violence

Israeli soldiers raid residential building in Nablus, setting a dog on an occupant

In the early morning of Monday, 3 April 2023, Israeli forces entered Nablus, arrested two armed Palestinian operatives and killed two others: Muhammad Abu Baker (42) and Muhammad Sa’id (al-Halaq) (20). Then, at around 6:30 A.M., the forces entered a residential building in the city and went through the apartments. Half an hour or so later, about five soldiers broke into a third-floor apartment housing three students: ‘Alaa Salameh (19), ‘Omar a-Dalu (20) and Yazan Badad (26). A dog the soldiers brought with them ran towards Salameh and a-Dalu, who fled to Badad’s room, where the dog lunged at Badad and bit him on his left leg. A-Dalu called the soldiers and told them the dog was biting his friend, but they did nothing. One of the soldiers entered the room, ignored the dog and took a-Dalu and Salameh to the apartment next door, where they were questioned about other residents of the building...

24 May 2023

Communities Facing Expulsion

Israel forcibly transfers the community of ‘Ein Samia

Yesterday (Monday, 22 May 2023), the last residents of the Palestinian community of ‘Ein Samia, a community next to Ramallah that was home to about 200 residents, were forced to leave their land. Israel has made their lives unbearable, leaving residents with no other choice. For years, residents of the community have suffered from violence carried out by Israeli forces, from settler violence carried out with the full backing of the State, and from extreme restrictions on building homes...

23 May 2023

A Routine Founded on Violence

Al-Birah, Ramallah District: Israeli military vehicle crushes parked Palestinian car for no reason

On Monday, 17 April 2023, at around 8:00 AM., four armored military vehicles made their way out of the southern al-Birah neighborhood of Umm a-Sharayet after the military arrested Palestinians in the area. A security camera in a toy store belonging to the Khalif family in the Satah Marahaba area at the entrance to al-Birah captured one of the armored vehicles crashing into one of the family’s cars, which was parked in front of the store, for no reason, and dragging it for a few meters on the sidewalk. The convoy drove on without stopping...

21 May 2023

Open-Fire Policy

Israeli undercover forces extrajudicially execute two Palestinians in Jenin, killing a teen passing by and a man during clashes

On Thursday, 16 March 2023, at around 3:00 P.M., approximately eight members of an Israeli undercover unit arrived in downtown Jenin in two cars with Palestinian license plates. They got out of the cars and immediately fired at Nidal Khazem (28), an Islamic Jihad military operative, who was walking down the street with Yusef Abu Shrein (30), a Hamas military operative. Abu Shrein ran, and several members of the undercover unit gave chase, while firing at him. He managed to advance only a few meters before being hit and falling...

18 May 2023

East Jerusalem

Israeli police officers attack a bus driver in East Jerusalem, arrest him, deny him medical treatment for hours, and release him without charges

On Wednesday, 22 March 2023, at around 4:30 P.M., bus driver Ahmad al-A’war (32) drove passengers from Bab al-Amud (Damascus Gate) to the Abu Tur neighborhood, where he got stuck in a traffic jam on the eastern side of HaMefaked Street, north of Abu Tur. After the bus stood in place for a few minutes, two Border Police officers approached al-A’war’s window and asked him to reverse. Al-A’war explained that he couldn’t reverse without guidance. A verbal confrontation, including cursing and swearing, then broke out. One of the police officers pulled Al-A’war’s shirt, and the officer standing behind him pepper sprayed him in the face. Both of the police officers approached the bus’s front door, which was closed, and ordered him to open it. One of them hit the front windshield, went back to Al-A’war’s window, and once again ordered him to open it. Al-A’war refused and cursed the officer.

8 May 2023

East Jerusalem

Israeli police attack and arrest a 17-year-old teenager, who required hospitalization, and was released without charges

On Saturday, 18 March 2023, at around 2:30 P.M., Muhammad Abdu (17) heard shouts outside and left his grandfather’s home in the Al-Madaris neighborhood of the village of Jabal al-Mukabber in East Jerusalem. When he got to the street, he found his brother Karam (20), who had left the house a few minutes before him on his electric bicycle, lying unconscious on the road. Locals at the scene told him that his brother had been hit by a car. About 15 minutes later, a Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance arrived, accompanied by two police officers. When the medical personnel tried to load Karam into the ambulance, the police officers didn’t let them, claiming they needed to prepare a report on the accident. This required examining Karam’s bike, which had vanished...

3 May 2023

Water Crisis

New report – Parched: Israel’s policy of water deprivation in the West Bank

Average Israeli daily water consumption is 247 per person – three times the amount used by Palestinians in the West Bank, which is 82.4. Only 36% of the latter have daily running water. The shortage is not a force majeure but an outcome of Israel’s policy since the Interim Agreement, which treats water as another aspect of the mechanism controlling Palestinians. Israel has become a water superpower that no longer depends on natural sources, yet continues to deprive the rapidly growing Palestinian population of water.

2 May 2023