Updates

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Ety Levy, a single mother of four who lives in Ashkelon, southern Israel, describes life in fear under rocket attacks

"during the operation, I stay at home with my four kids, day and night. When the siren goes off, we leave our apartment and gather in the staircase. We hear and see rockets being diverted [by Israel's…

16 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Faiza a-Luah on being forced to flee her home in northern Gaza with her children

I'm really worried about my husband. I talked to him a short while ago, and he told me things are worse. I asked him to leave the house, but he said it's very dangerous and that if he goes outside, he…

16 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Bilal al-Astal recounts bombing that killed 9 in Gazan café, where he and others were watching a World Cup match

"We watched the first half of the match together. We drank tea and coffee and there was a relaxed mood. We didn't hear any airplanes nearby. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion. By the time I…

15 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Gaza Strip, July 2014: A constant state of emergency

According to B’Tselem’s initial inquiries, by yesterday evening (14 July 2014) at least 172 Palestinians had been killed in Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. This number includes 34 minors (eight…

15 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Initial figures: 172 People killed in Gaza Strip, by evening of 14 July 2014

According to B'Tselem's initial figures, 172 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the time between early Tuesday, 8 July 2014, when Operation Protective Edge airstrikes on Gaza began…

15 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Muhammad Shahin recounts bombing of al-Hajs’ home, Khan Yunis; 8 members of al-Haj family killed

We reached the house that had been bombed. "I know it well. There was hardly anything left. It was totally destroyed. Bits of bodies were scattered on the road. The house next door to them belonged to…

14 July 2014

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Testimony: Avi Adaf of Sderot describes rocket hit on a neighboring home used for child day care

"On 3 July 2014, at about 8:30 in the morning, a rocket hit my neighbor’s house. The house was being used as a small child day care center, as part of a rotation system... we heard the blast and my…

14 July 2014

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Deliberate targeting of civilians by Hamas defies humanity and is morally and legally reprehensible

Millions of Israeli citizens, many of whom are children, have been living under the threat of rocket fire for almost a week. For hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in the south of the country…

14 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

B'Tselem info sheet: 52 Palestinians killed in bombings of homes in Gaza Strip, which are unlawful

According to B'Tselem's initial findings, from the start of Operation Protective Edge there were ten incidents in which Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were killed when the Israeli military bombed…

13 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Initial figures: 114 People killed in Gaza Strip to date (12 July 2014, noon)

According to B'Tselem's initial figures, 114 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the time between early Tuesday, 8 July 2014, when Operation Protective Edge airstrikes on Gaza began…

13 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Initial investigation: At least 38 Palestinian civilians, incl. 23 minors, killed in Gaza Strip in first 3 days of Operation Protective Edge

According to B'Tselem's initial figures, 83 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip from the early hours of 8 July 2014, when the Israeli military launched Operation Protective Edge, to the evening…

11 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Muhammad Hamad, 75, resident of Beit Hanun, relates how bombing killed his family members in their yard

"I heard a loud explosion. I grabbed Kinan and went out into the street with him. It was full of smoke and dust. I walked on bits of glass. I left Kinan with people in the street and went back into…

10 July 2014

The Gaza Strip

Bombing family homes of activists in armed Palestinian groups violates international humanitarian law

Since the Israeli military launched Operation Protective Edge in the early hours of 8 July 2014, the IDF Spokesperson and media sources have reported deliberate attacks against the homes of senior…

9 July 2014

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

Protect civilians from the impact of hostilities

Yesterday (8 July 2014), the Israeli military launched Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF Spokesperson, the military has attacked some 100 targets, including homes of…

8 July 2014

Harassment

Security forces threaten owner of cameras that captured killing of two teens in Bitunya

On 17 June 2014 soldiers came to a Bitunya workshop whose security cameras captured the killing of Nadim Nuwara and Muhammad Salameh. Owner Fakhr Abu Zayed said he was taken to Ofer Camp, where…

8 July 2014

General

B’Tselem strongly condemns the abduction and killing of Muhammad Abu Khdeir

B’Tselem strongly condemns the abduction and killing of Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, of Shu’fat, who was burned alive by his captors. B’Tselem also wishes to express its sincerest condolences to Abu…

6 July 2014

The Supreme Court of the Occupation

HCJ continues to approve punitive house demolitions and the policy of harming the innocent

It is unsurprising that the HCJ rejected HaMoked’s petition against demolition of the home of the 2 Palestinians charged with killing Baruch Mizrahi as it has rejected most such petitions against…

1 July 2014

General

The government must refrain from acts of vengeance and security forces must prepare for possible acts of revenge by settlers

B'Tselem renews its call to the Israeli government to refrain from acts of vengeance for the abduction and killing of the three Israeli teens. B'Tselem cautions the security forces to avoid harming…

30 June 2014

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

B'Tselem strongly condemns the abduction and killing of the three Yeshiva students

B'Tselem strongly condemns the abduction and killing of the three Yeshiva students, Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrah, and offers its condolences to the families. Deliberate targeting of…

30 June 2014

No Accountability

MAG Corps closes investigation into killing of Lubna al-Hanash without indicting soldier who fired or his commander

On 10 June 2014, nearly 17 months after Lubna al-Hanash was killed and two months after her father and B'Tselem petitioned the HCJ demanding that the MAG decide whether to indict those responsible for…

29 June 2014

House demolition

Harming the innocent: The ‘Awawdeh family home in Idhna

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered that the family home of the two Palestinians indicted for the attack that killed Baruch Mizrahi be demolished. Two families numbering 13 individuals…

29 June 2014

House demolition

The Israeli government has adopted an official policy of harming the innocent

The intention to demolish the family home of the two Palestinians charged with the killing of Baruch Mizrahi means adopting an official policy of harming the innocent. The two suspects will be tried…

23 June 2014

No Accountability

His name was Nadim Nuwara

An op-ed By Hagai El-Ad, B'Tselem's executive director, originally published in Haaretz: three families hanging between despair and hope, and if only that hope could win. But what responsibility is…

23 June 2014

Administrative Detention

Human Rights Organizations: “Refrain from Collectively Punishing Palestinians.”

This morning, 22 June 2014, human rights organizations active in the Occupied Territories sent an urgent letter to the heads of the Israeli security establishment and military commanders in the West…

22 June 2014