Ref: 152/2022Date: 05 December 2022Time: 12:00 GMT At dawn today, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian civilian after opening fire at him and leaving him to bleed to death during IOF’s incursion into Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem.

According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ testimonies to PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 04:10, on Monday, 05 December 2022, IOF, accompanied with members from the Mista’arvim “undercover unit”, moved into Dheisheh refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem from several directions, and stationed on the main street near the camp entrance.  They raided a number of residential houses, topped some of their roofs and turned them into barracks for snipers as well as arresting 4 Palestinians from their houses. Meanwhile, clashes broke out with dozens of young men near the camp entrance along the main street, where the Israeli soldiers heavily fired bullets at the protestors. During the clashes, IOF opened fire at ‘Omar Yousuf Manna’ Fararjah (23), wounding him with a live bullet in his face and another in his chest.  He fell on the ground while IOF approached examined him.  They then moved him to a nearby sidewalk and prevented the Red Crescent paramedics from approaching him. At approximately 05:45, IOF withdrew from the camp and the paramedics transferred Fararjah to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital where the medical sources announced that he succumbed to his wounds after bleeding for about 20 minutes.

The Israeli forces’ spokesperson said that in a joint operation with the Police Special Forces, IOF were thrown with Molotov Cocktails, stones, and explosives, so they responded by shooting and monitored an injury.PCHR’s investigations emphasize that Fararjah posed no imminent danger or threat to the soldiers’ lives, and that IOF used disproportionate force against those throwing stones and Molotov Cocktails.

PCHR reiterates its call upon international community to take immediate action to stop the Israeli crimes.

PCHR also reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfil their obligations as per Common Article 1 of the Convention, “undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” and their obligations under Article 146 of the same Conventions, i.e., to hold accountable persons accused of committing grave breaches of the Convention.