GAZA, January 16, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) Tuesday expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel’s use of lethal force against unarmed civilians participating in peaceful protests.

PCHR condemned Israel’s use of excessive, disproportionate and lethal force against the protestors, believing this is due to the green light given by the Israeli government to the soldiers following the US decision to declare Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.

It called on the international community and United Nations bodies to stop the Israeli escalating crimes and violations and work on providing international protection for Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

PCHR reiterated its call on the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligations under Article 1; to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

“These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the occupied Palestinian territories.”

On Monday afternoon, January 15, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilia as they used lethal force against civilians participating in peaceful protest against the US President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A follow-up conducted by PCHR staff shows that the Israeli forces intensified the use of live ammunition to confront the unarmed civilians deliberately and by directly sniping civilians in peaceful demonstrations, noting that the protestors did not pose any threat or danger to the life of Israeli soldiers.

T.R./M.H.