Human Rights Violations Human Rights Violations During Israel's Attack on the During Israel's Attack on the Gaza Strip: December 2008 - Gaza Strip: December 2008 -

January 2009January 2009

Dr. Ruchama MartonDr. Ruchama MartonFounder & President, PHR-ILFounder & President, PHR-IL

APHA 137APHA 137thth Annual Meeting Annual MeetingNovember 10, 2009November 10, 2009

Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA

The Attack on GazaThe Attack on Gaza

Types of Injuries: Maiming and Types of Injuries: Maiming and AmputationsAmputations

150 amputees were referred from Gaza to Egyptian 150 amputees were referred from Gaza to Egyptian hospitals.hospitals.

At least 165 newly disabled patients, at least 90 with At least 165 newly disabled patients, at least 90 with amputations, were injured in North Gaza and could amputations, were injured in North Gaza and could not be referred to treatment due to Israelnot be referred to treatment due to Israel’’s policy.s policy.

The reason: the use of anti-personnel weapons. The reason: the use of anti-personnel weapons.

The use of The use of dronesdrones (unmanned aircraft) was (unmanned aircraft) was associated with injuries causing amputations.associated with injuries causing amputations.

Weapons Weapons –– ““Disc bombDisc bomb””

White PhosphorusWhite Phosphorus

Source: Fact-Finding Mission Source: Fact-Finding Mission to Gaza, 2009to Gaza, 2009

Attacks on CiviliansAttacks on Civilians

Al-Banna family (January 12, 2009):Al-Banna family (January 12, 2009):

3 sisters are hit by a tank on the balcony 3 sisters are hit by a tank on the balcony of their apartment in Jibalia, Gaza Cityof their apartment in Jibalia, Gaza City 2 sisters are killed and the third,2 sisters are killed and the third, DoDo’’a, is seriously injureda, is seriously injured Brother and friend go to the rescue: Brother and friend go to the rescue: a second explosion kills the frienda second explosion kills the friend and injures the brother, Eyadand injures the brother, Eyad Ambulance comes to evacuate:Ambulance comes to evacuate: a third explosion kills two of a third explosion kills two of the paramedicsthe paramedics

Bleeding to Death Only 1km Bleeding to Death Only 1km Away from a HospitalAway from a Hospital

The Shurrab family leaves The Shurrab family leaves home at 12:00 during the home at 12:00 during the ““humanitarian ceasefire.humanitarian ceasefire.””

Two Israeli tanks allow Two Israeli tanks allow them to proceed. them to proceed.

After about 200m, the car After about 200m, the car gets hit by gunfire. gets hit by gunfire.

Muhammad is hit in his Muhammad is hit in his upper left arm.upper left arm.

The windshield of the car The windshield of the car is hit by 22 bullets.is hit by 22 bullets.

Father lose control and Father lose control and stop the car at stop the car at the side of the street.the side of the street.

(photo 2/2/09)(photo 2/2/09)

Shurrab family, Shurrab family, continuecontinue Soldiers in a house about 40m in Soldiers in a house about 40m in

front of them order them to leave front of them order them to leave the car. Qassab leaveIbrahim s car the car. Qassab leaveIbrahim s car and is shot and killed. leaves car and and is shot and killed. leaves car and is hit in the leg. is hit in the leg.

Using a mobile phone, Ibrahim tries Using a mobile phone, Ibrahim tries to call an ambulance. Soldiers to call an ambulance. Soldiers threaten to kill him and order him to threaten to kill him and order him to throw away phone. throw away phone.   Muhammad Muhammad crawls to Ibrahim and manages to crawls to Ibrahim and manages to call ambulance. call ambulance.

Lying on the road with his sons Lying on the road with his sons father calls PHR- Israel, media, father calls PHR- Israel, media, ambulance services. All try to ambulance services. All try to coordinate evacuation to no avail. coordinate evacuation to no avail. After about 11 hours, Ibrahim dies After about 11 hours, Ibrahim dies (24:30). Muhammad waits by the (24:30). Muhammad waits by the bodies of his sons all night. bodies of his sons all night.

An ambulance is finally coordinated An ambulance is finally coordinated by ICRC via the Israeli army at 11am by ICRC via the Israeli army at 11am the next day.the next day.

23 hours pass from the 23 hours pass from the shooting moment to the shooting moment to the

evacuationevacuation. .

Healthcare under AttackHealthcare under Attack Targeting medical personnel Targeting medical personnel Emergency medical evacuation Emergency medical evacuation

denieddenied Medical systemMedical system

stretched tostretched to

breaking pointbreaking point Referrals to careReferrals to care

outside Gazaoutside Gaza

prevented prevented

Total Attacks on Medical Total Attacks on Medical Personnel and FacilitiesPersonnel and Facilities

16 health care staff killed on duty; 16 health care staff killed on duty; 22 injured22 injured

52 health facilities damaged or 52 health facilities damaged or destroyeddestroyed

29 ambulances damaged or 29 ambulances damaged or destroyeddestroyed

PatternsPatterns

Policy level: collective Policy level: collective punishment by massive punishment by massive destruction and lethal attacks in destruction and lethal attacks in civilian areascivilian areas

Individual level: forces on the Individual level: forces on the ground targeted civilians and ground targeted civilians and denied them evacuationdenied them evacuation

Conclusions and Conclusions and RecommendationsRecommendations

Need for accountability mechanisms, Need for accountability mechanisms, adoption of independent investigations (e.g., adoption of independent investigations (e.g., the Goldstone Committee).the Goldstone Committee).

Opening of the Crossings (Erez & Rafah).Opening of the Crossings (Erez & Rafah).

Rehabilitation of infrastructure and of Rehabilitation of infrastructure and of patients.patients.

As occupying power, the Government of As occupying power, the Government of Israel is responsible for any medical care not Israel is responsible for any medical care not available in Gaza and for providing medical available in Gaza and for providing medical care equal to the Israeli standard. care equal to the Israeli standard.