On Tuesday July 30, 2013, the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan) issued its second quarter report on the Israeli violations in the access restricted areas (ARA) in the Gaza Strip.
The report showed that the Israeli occupying forces have continued attacks against civilians and their properties in the ARA in Gaza throughout the second quarter of 2013.
It also showed that the Israeli forces committed grave and systematic violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The attacks are listed in chronological order.
The report started with presenting the ongoing Israeli attacks in the ARA in disregard of principles of proportionality and military necessity in flagrant violation of IHL principles, mainly proportion, warning, and distinction in attack.
As a result of the attacks that were mainly against picnic goers, rubble collectors, bird trappers, farmers, and residents of the ARA, seven persons were injured including two children, and 19 persons were arrested including four children.
The report highlighted the routine attacks against Palestinian fishermen off of the coast of the Gaza Strip, reporting 59 attacks occurring within the Israeli authority demarcated 6NM fishing zone (after March 21, 2013).
During the reporting period, Israeli forces injured two fishermen and arrested four, who were later released.
Israeli forces confiscated two fishing boats and damaged eight.
Israeli forces damaged 90 nets, eight power generators, and 35 lamps used by fishermen at night.
At the end of the report Al Mezan highlighted the failure of the international community to uphold its obligation to hold Israel to account; Israel therefore continues unabated with the humanitarian situation in Gaza continuing to worsen as a result of the Israeli imposed restrictions and violence in the ARA.
At the end of the report, Al Mezan warns of the effects of continued Israeli actions in the ARA, including targeting of civilians and preventing Palestinians from reaching and working their lands.
Al Mezan reiterated its previous calls on the international community particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention to uphold its obligation to stop the Israeli violations of international law.
Ends