In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian woman named Aminah Qudeih close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Her relatives report she went missing during a wedding party, and that she was mentally ill. A demonstration is subsequently held at the site of Qudeih’s death, and IDF troops disperse it with tear gas canisters and warning shots, causing no injuries. During a separate demonstration nr. Bayt Lahiya against Israeli access restrictions in the border area, Israeli forces shoot and wound 1 Palestinian. Meanwhile, Palestinians protest at the Rafah border crossing against the Egyptian authorities’ closure of the crossing, a demonstration supported by Hamas officials. In the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on protesters nr. Atara checkpoint n. of Birzeit, wounding 5 with live ammunition. During a protest of the Moataz Washaha’s killing the previous day at Rachel’s Tomb nr. Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers violently disperse the gathered Palestinians. Separately, there is a demonstration outside the entrance to Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, where Israeli soldiers wound 12, including 4 children. The IDF patrols in Hebron and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in and Ni‘lin) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 4 are wounded by bullets. Jewish settlers assault 2 Palestinians in Hawara village nr. Nablus, injuring both. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting restrictions on Palestinians worshippers at Haram al-Sharif, causing no serious injuries. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Ras al-Amud. (AFP, MNA 2/28; PCHR 3/6)
Friday, February 28, 2014