The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian child in the buffer-zone, which is otherwise known as Gaza’s access restricted areas (ARA). Twice in the last week, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians who were near the separation fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north Beit Lahiya. In the attacks, a child was killed and a young man was injured. These attacks come in the context of an escalation of attacks against Palestinians throughout the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Last week in the West Bank, Ali Sa’ad Dawabesh, an 18-month-old Palestinian toddler, was burned to death and his parents and brother were seriously injured. Palestinian youth, Laith Fadel Al Khaldi, 15, was killed. Two Palestinian minors were killed in the West Bank in demonstrations protesting the murder of the toddler. Last Monday, Israeli forces arbitrary raided cells in Nafha prison and assaulted detainees, including Ahmed Sa’adat, the Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

At approximately 6:40 pm on Friday, 31 July 2015, the IOF opened fire on a number of children who were near the separation fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of Borat Abu Samra in northern Beit Lahiya. As a result, Mohammed Hamed Al Masri, 16, was killed.

In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Baraa’ Nafez Saleh stated that at around 4:00 pm on Friday he went, along with his friend Mohammed Al Masri, to an agricultural area north Beit Lahiya for a picnic and to take pictures near the separation fence. They were a few meters away from the separation fence. They then went to an agricultural field belonging to the Salman family, which is located one kilometer away from the separation fence. Baraa’ saw Israeli tanks moving as usual.

Baraa’ also saw a group of Israeli infantry soldiers posted near the observation tower. The soldiers were about 500 meters away from Baraa’ and his friend. Baraa' saw a number of children approaching the separation fence. Mohammed Al Masri went to them to warn them about approaching the fence. After moving away from the fence, Baraa' heard two gunshots. It was around 6:40 pm. He ran to see his friend and met another child he did not know on the way. When they reached the separation fence, they saw Israeli soldiers stationed there. Baraa’ and the other guy took off their clothes and put their hands in the air. They walked until they found Al Masri lying on the ground bleeding from his stomach and shoulder. They tried to talk to him but he did not reply. They tried to resuscitate him. They carried him for about 500 meters, walking south. They found a farmer with a car who took Al Masri to the hospital. At approximately 7:35 pm doctors pronounced his death.

At approximately 6:00 pm on Friday, 31 July 2015, Israeli forces opened fire on a group of children and young men who were near the separation fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of the As-Syafa area, in northwestern Beit Lahiya. As a result, Mu’az Omar Al Shin, 19, sustained a bullet wound to his right thigh. The medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital described his injury as moderate. He was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza for medical treatment. 

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its strong condemnation of the continued attacks on Palestinian civilians by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the oPt. Al Mezan condemns the excessive use of force against civilians and disregards for the principles of necessity, warning and discrimination in attack. Al Mezan asserts that the rights to freedom of movement and travel are essential human rights, including of the Palestinian people. The Israeli forces systematically violate the principles of international human rights law and international humanitarian law with frequently attacks on civilians.

Al Mezan reiterates its call on the international community to protect civilians and bring an end to Israeli violations.  Al Mezan calls on the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to uphold their legal obligations; respect the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on settlements and the apartheid wall; take effective procedures to lift the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip; and to protect civilians in the oPt.

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