Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Eight children, journalist among yesterday's Gaza dead


In the past 24 hours, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have escalated attacks against the Gaza Strip, while they maintained the tightened siege imposed on Strip. On Wednesday evening, 16 April 2008, and in less than half an hour, IOF killed 13 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, eight children and two brothers, and wounded 32 others in Juhor al-Dik village. 

Israeli forces in Gaza "willfully kill" journalist


The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the crime committed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Wednesday evening, which took the life of Fadel Shana’a, a Palestinian journalist, when he carrying out his job in Gaza. PCHR expresses utmost concern over continued crimes committed by IOF against journalists and media professionals, which is a reflection of excessive use of force against civilians, and systematic targeting of journalists to prevent them from covering crimes committed against civilians. 

Food prices double in besieged Gaza


“There have been rapid price increases over the last few months because of the closure. Three months ago, for instance, a liter of corn oil cost 19 shekels [the equivalent of $4.50]. Now it costs 29 shekels [$7]. The price of flour has also doubled; three months ago a kilo of flour was two shekels. Now our customers have to pay four shekels.” PCHR reports on how the siege has affected business owners like Anwar Abu al-Kass and the availability of food in Gaza. 

Palestinian PSS storms Ramattan Press Agency in Ramallah


PCHR is deeply concerned over storming the headquarters of Ramattan Press Agency in Ramallah by members of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service (PSS) and the arrest of a Palestinian journalist on Wednesday, 12 March 2008. PCHR believes that this attack constitutes an assault on press freedoms and the right to freedom of expression, and stresses that the rights to freedom of expression and to receive and impart information are ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments. 

On International Women's Day, Palestinian women continue their struggle


On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This is one of the most distinguished events renewing support for women’s issues, their struggle for equality and commitment to women’s enjoyment of all their rights in accordance with international standards and conventions. The latest form of systematic violence by IOF was the military campaign against Jabaliya town in the northern Gaza Strip, which lasted from 28 February to 4 March 2008 

Jabaliya buries its dead


Sixteen-year-old Jacqueline Abu Shbak and her fourteen year old brother, Iyad, both lived on Jabaliya’s Abed Rabbo Street with their mother and three other young brothers and sisters. The children’s uncle, Hatem Hosni Abu Shbak, who lives next door, found the bodies of Jacqueline and Iyad in the early hours of Saturday 1 March, when he rushed upstairs after hearing intense shooting and then screaming. 

Medical negligence suspected in prisoner's death


The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned over the death of Fadel ‘Ouda ‘Atiya Shaheen, 47, from al-Jalaa’ neighborhood in Gaza City, who had been detained by Israeli Occupation Forces in Be’r al-Saba’ Prison, as there are indications that his health condition deteriorated and the administration of the prison failed to offer him appropriate medical treatment. 

Eight new Gaza victims


Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued their military operations in the Gaza Strip. Over the past 24 hours, IOF carried out several air raids against civilian targets and resistance fighters. As a result, eight Palestinians were killed. Two of the victims were unarmed civilians, one of them a child. With yesterday’s victims the tally since Wednesday, 27 February, till time of publication, soared to 108 victims killed, including 54 unarmed civilians.