Human Rights Watch accuses Israel, Palestinians of violating rights
In annual report on rights abuses, group charges Israel with using unnecessary lethal force, hindering the rebuilding of Gaza’s economy, building illegal settlements; slams Hamas, PA for unfair trials, torture.
Human Rights Watch accused Israel of “serious human rights violations” in its yearly report on human rights abuses released on Sunday.
The report charged IDF soldiers with using “unnecessary lethal force” in repelling demonstrators who attempted to infiltrate Israel’s border fences with Syria and Lebanon in ‘Naksa Day’ (the anniversary of the Six Day War) and ‘Nakba Day’ (the anniversary of Israeli independence) protests in May and June.
Human Rights Watch attributed 37 deaths to IDF military strikes in the Gaza Strip and policing operations in the West Bank.
The report decried the continuation of the blockade of the Gaza Strip, accusing Israel of “hindering the rebuilding of Gaza’s devastated economy.”
In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes “imposed severe restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement, continued to build unlawful settlements, and arbitrarily detained peaceful protesters, including children,” according to the report.
Human Rights Watch also slammed Palestinian groups in Gaza for launching “hundreds of rocket attacks at Israeli population centers in 2011, killing two civilians and seriously injuring at least nine others.” It added: “Indiscriminate mortar attacks seriously injured at least four civilians in Israel.”