Press Release

Israel Occupation Forces use rubber bullets against Palestinian demonstrators

Ref: 62/2000

Date: May 15, 2000

Since yesterday morning, all governates of the Gaza Strip has been witnessing several protests and activities. Palestinians are protesting against the confiscation of the Palestinian land and the dispersion of its people which have been a continuous policy for 52 years, and they are expressing their solidarity with Palestinian prisoners who have been in a hunger strike for 15 days. In a later development, some Palestinian youth demonstrated yesterday near Netzarim Settlement crossroads- in the middle of Gaza Strip. The Israeli soldiers used rubber bullets against them. Twelve persons were injured in different parts of their bodies and seven of them were transferred to Shefa’ Hospital in Gaza, where they were treated and then left the hospital.

In Monday morning, and in a continuation of public activities, some Palestinian youth burned tires in the Middle Area of Gaza Strip. Study in several Palestinian schools was canceled. Roads which connects the South of Gaza Strip with its North were closed. Some Palestinian youth demonstrated near Netzarim crossroads. In response to this demonstration, Israeli soldiers used rubber bullets and tear gas cans, which are expired. As a result, tens of citizens were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas. Most of the injuries were among children under 16. According to the information gathered by field researchers of PCHR, four soldiers of the Palestinian National Security Service, and five Palestinian journalists were injured by rubber bullets.

PCHR condemns the excessive use of force by the Israeli soldiers against defenseless Palestinian civilians. It also asserts that the Israeli Occupation Authorities’ denial of international conventions and UN resolutions, notably Resolution 194 which calls for the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland, and the continuing detention of more than 1600 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will deteriorate the situation and lead the region to conflicts.