Demonstrators elevate placards and Israeli flags throughout an anti-government protest calling for motion to safe the discharge of Israeli hostages held captive for the reason that October 7 assaults by Palestinian militants within the Gaza Strip, in entrance of the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on September 12, 2024, amid the continuing battle between Israel and the militant Hamas group. (Picture by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
GENEVA, Switzerland — Journalists within the occupied West Financial institution are being “attacked and harassed” by Israeli forces, in line with two United Nations consultants, who accused Israel of attempting to forestall reporting on alleged “battle crimes.”
On the finish of August, Israel launched a large-scale offensive throughout the northern West Financial institution, combating Palestinian militants and leaving widespread destruction.
Israeli troops “fired reside ammunition at journalists or their automobiles” in three incidents within the cities of Jenin and Tulkarm this month “whereas they had been reporting on army operations and civilian casualties”, UN particular rapporteurs Irene Khan and Francesca Albanese stated in a press release.
Israeli forces of their offensive have focused Jenin, Tulkarem and their refugee camps, the place armed teams are notably lively.
4 reporters had been damage regardless of carrying clearly marked press jackets, the report stated.
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AFP witnessed one of many incidents, in Jenin on September 3.
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“We strongly denounce the assaults and harassment of journalists within the illegally occupied West Financial institution, that are nothing however crude makes an attempt by the Israeli military to dam unbiased reporting on potential battle crimes,” the consultants stated.
Since October 2023, 29 journalists have been detained by Israeli forces within the West Financial institution, whereas three have been arrested by the Palestinian Authority, in line with the assertion.
“It’s deeply disturbing to see Israeli troopers within the West Financial institution replicating the identical disdain for the security of journalists as in Gaza in blatant violation of worldwide legislation,” Khan and Albanese stated.
“International media proceed to be denied entry to Gaza and now their security within the West Financial institution can also be being significantly threatened, gravely hindering their journalistic work,” they added.
The rapporteurs burdened that instances of ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence towards journalists, together with ladies, whereas in Israeli custody, have been properly documented.
Albanese, an unbiased skilled who was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 however who doesn’t converse on behalf of the UN, has beforehand accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has lengthy been extremely important of Albanese and her mandate.
Israel has occupied the West Financial institution since 1967 and has ramped up lethal raids within the territory since Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel sparked the battle in Gaza.
In line with the Palestinian well being ministry, at the very least 665 Palestinians have been killed within the West Financial institution by the Israeli army and settlers since October 7.
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No less than 24 Israelis, together with safety forces, have been killed in Palestinian assaults within the territory throughout the identical interval, in line with Israeli officers.
