Human Rights Group Monitored IDF Violence in Gaza

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) observers monitored IDF violence in Gaza on Friday.

Its account of what happened contradicted IDF disinformation, falsely blaming Palestinians for its premeditated viciousness, turning truth on its head claiming "Hamas sent children (toward the) border fence (trying) to cut through," disgracefully adding:

Gazans used "explosive devices…There were attempts to carry out acts of terrorism…using smoke (from burning tires) for cover."

"The army did its job. The fence was not breached" - because attempts weren't made the Israeli narrative failed to explain.

Palestinian journalists threatening no one were deliberately targeted for doing their jobs, around six wounded, Yasser Murtaja murdered in cold blood. On Saturday he was buried, a press vest covering his body.

Two weeks earlier, he posted a drone-taken photo of Gaza's seaport at sunset on his Facebook page, a caption saying:

"I wished I could take this photo from the sky, not from land. My name is Yasser Murtaja, I am 30 years old. I live in Gaza City. I have never traveled."

Like countless other Gazans, he yearned to be free from oppressive Israeli blockade. He leaves a wife and one small child behind.

According to PCHR field observers:

"Dozens of Israeli snipers and military jeeps stationed behind sand barriers" preemptively and deliberately used live fire on peaceful Gazan demonstrators threatening no one.

"As a result, civilians were directly killed, wounded, and hit with dozens tear gas canisters."

Israeli sharpshooter snipers were "stationed 50-100 meters inside the border fence...(O)nly a few…protesters attempted to approach the border fence…to throw stones and raise flags," not breach it to enter Israel, as falsely claimed. 

"(T)he distance between the soldiers and protesters (in no way) pose(d) any threat to the Israeli soldiers." The IDF narrative lied, claiming otherwise.

PCHR observers stressed Gazans demonstrated peacefully. "(T)housands of civilians, including women, children, and elderlies, within entire families raised flags, chanted slogans and folk songs, and flew kites."

At no time throughout the day were Israeli soldiers or civilians threatened, none harmed in any way.

Gazans killed were shot in the head, neck, chest and abdomen. "This proves that the Israeli forces deliberately killed and caused bodily harm to the demonstrators."

Gazan doctors and nurses said most Palestinians hit with live fire suffered major tissue deep wounds, proving explosive (so-called dum-dum) bullets were used to cause extremely serious injuries.

Dozens killed and thousands wounded on two successive Fridays showed utter Israeli disregard for the lives and welfare of long-suffering Gazans, along with contempt for international law.

A Final Comment

According to political prisoner Ahed Tamimi's lawyer Gaby Lasky, she was sexually harassed by interrogators - a complaint filed on her behalf with Israel's attorney general.

A male interrogator made unacceptable remarks about her appearance - harassing her sexually, along with threatening her family members if she remained silent during questioning.

She was questioned solely by men, women specializing in interrogating minors not present. A female officer is supposed to be present when questioning women.

Video evidence showed a male interrogator "flirting in an overbearing, intimidating manner," Ahed remaining silent throughout the ordeal. 

Lasky said her mistreatment "proves that the (Israeli) law enforcement system infringes upon the rights of Palestinian minors."

Her April 2 complaint to attorney general Avichai Mandelblit so far went unanswered.

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