Ref: 66/2014
Date: 19 June 2014
Time: 11:00 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns arresting a Palestinian patient from the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing as he was heading to Jordan to receive treatment at hospitals there. PCHR is concerned that the aforementioned patient might be subjected to torture especially as he suffers from severe back pains.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 18 June 2014, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing arrested Basil Ali Ahmed Abu Hassan (45), from ‘Abasan village east of Khan Younis when he was heading to Jordan to receive necessary treatment at one of its hospitals. The patient is still in custody.

Amani Ali Abu Hassan, the aforementioned patient’s sister, said to a PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 11:00, she lost contact with her brother and his family could not know the reasons behind it. However, they later received a phone call from the Israeli police in Ashkelon informing them that he was arrested and would be questioned for 24 hours. She added that her brother has a medical transfer from the External Medical Treatment Department of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and a permit to travel through Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing.

It should be noted also that Israeli forces have tightened the closure on the Gaza Strip denying civilians the freedom of movement and travel from and to the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Erez crossing is considered the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip population to the West Bank, including Jerusalem, especially patients who find no treatment in the Gaza Strip hospitals. Israeli forces make use of Erez crossing to blackmail or arrest patients or their companions.

PCHR believes that Israeli forces’ policy of arresting patients is a clear violation of the international humanitarian law. It also constitutes a form of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, especially as this policy is practiced under the illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip, which increases the suffering of patients whose treatment is not available in the Gaza Strip.

In light of the above, PCHR:

• Strongly condemns arresting Palestinian patients by Israeli forces while heading for medical treatment and demands the immediate release of all patients and ensuring their lives will not be at stake;
• Stresses the seriousness of targeting and blackmailing patients and making advantage of their need to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or the West Bank;
• Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities by taking immediate action to put an end to violations of the international humanitarian law committed by Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians; and
• Demands guaranteeing the freedom of movement and travel of the Palestinian civilians from and to the West Bank, including Jerusalem.