Israeli Trap to Arrests Palestinian Patient
Israeli forces arrested 14 Palestinians at Beit Hanoun crossing, the so-called “Erez” since the beginning of 2013. The Israeli forces exploit need of Palestinians to travel and use crossings as traps, Al Mezan for human rights reported.
Beit Hanoun crossing crossing, “Erez, מעבר ארז” is located in the far north of the Gaza Strip between the blockade Gaza and Israel. The crossing which is under full Israeli control is dedicated to pedestrians, trucks, diplomats, foreign missions, journalists, workers, Palestinian merchants and other people who have permission to cross into Israel. It is is currently used to transport the Palestinian patients and injured for medical treatment to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.
According to monitoring and documentation of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, since the beginning of 2013 Israeli forces have arrested 14 Palestinians at Erez crossing. Of the 14, three were patients and four were patient escorts. There were also two businessmen arrested.
The Israeli forces continue to use crossings as traps to arrest Palestinians, exploiting the need to travel. Israeli forces make use of its tightened closure of the Gaza Strip to humiliate Palestinians, arrest them, or urge them to collaborate.
Recently, at approximately 7:00 pm on Sunday, September 8, 2013, IOF arrested Mohammed Zaki Al Bakri, 24, at Erez crossing while he was on his way to receive medical treatment at Saint Joseph Hospital in East of Jerusalem.
Mohammed’s mother, who was escorting him, stated to Al Mezan that Mohammed was subject to ill treatment at Erez crossing. Mohammed and his mother went at 11:00 am on Sunday 8 August 2013 to Erez crossing. The Israeli security agency interrogated him and then informed his mother that he was arrested and ordered her to go back to Gaza. While Mohammed’s mother was leaving Erez, she saw Mohammed and his clothes were partially torn up and he sustained bruises and wounds in his neck.
Al Mezan’s lawyer is following Al Bakri’s case. The Israeli authorities informed Al Mezan’s lawyer that Al Bakri’s detention is extended to 16 September 2013 and he is detained at Ashkelon prison.
It’s worth noting that after the continuous closure of Rafah crossing and the Egyptian restrictions imposed on the work of Rafah crossing, Erez crossing becomes the only outlet of Gaza patients whose medicines are not available in Gaza hospitals
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its forceful condemnation of the detention of Al Bakri, a medical patient.Al Mezan sees in this incident a continuation of Israel’s policy of extortion of Palestinian patients and exploitation of their medical suffering, in an abuse which makes clear the extent to which Israel exempts itself from its legal commitments under the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL), particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Al Mezan calls on the international community to promptly intervene to stop the Israeli grave and systematic violations of IHL and human rights principles, ensure access to health care of Palestinian patients.
Al Mezan warns of deteriorating in humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip due to the Israeli siege. Al Mezan reiterates its previous calls for lifting the siege and ensuring the Israeli respect of IHL in its dealing with Palestinians.
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