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Israel Commits 476 Violations Against Palestinian Journalists in 2020

Caption: Israeli soldiers throw smoke grenades at a group of people including journalists during an annual demonstration in memory of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, in Hebron, on 22 February 2019. [HAZEM BADER/AFP]
Caption: Israeli soldiers throw smoke grenades at a group of people including journalists during an annual demonstration in memory of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, in Hebron, on 22 February 2019. [HAZEM BADER/AFP]
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Israel Commits 476 Violations Against Palestinian Journalists in 2020

Caption: Israeli soldiers throw smoke grenades at a group of people including journalists during an annual demonstration in memory of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, in Hebron, on 22 February 2019. [HAZEM BADER/AFP]
Caption: Israeli soldiers throw smoke grenades at a group of people including journalists during an annual demonstration in memory of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, in Hebron, on 22 February 2019. [HAZEM BADER/AFP]

The Journalist Support Committee in Palestine documented in its 2020 annual report an increase in Israeli’s assault against freedoms in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to the report, at least 476 violations of the right to freedom of the press were committed by Israel this year, while 127 violations were committed by Palestinian parties.

This includes crimes of violating the right to life and personal safety of journalists, and beating, violating, and insulting them.

It also highlighted Israeli forces excessive targeting of Palestinian journalists and their deliberate firing of live rubber-coated metal bullets and poisonous gas canisters to keep journalists away from scenes where Israeli forces commit crimes against citizens.

According to the Committee, the Israeli forces continued to raid journalists' homes and media offices, confiscating their equipment, preventing them from covering and traveling, arresting and detaining them, imposing financial fines on a number of them, and deporting others under conditions that restrict their freedom of movement, work, and expression.

The report cited the case of journalist Widad al-Barghouti, who was arrested after Israeli forces raided and searched her home in the village of Kobar, northwest of Ramallah.

The report further called on the United Nations and the countries of the whole world to exercise their moral and legal role in deterring the occupying state inhuman practices against the Palestinian people and journalists, and to provide them with the necessary protection to fulfill their professional, national, and humanitarian role.

Also, the report urged international press institutions to disclose the Israeli practices towards Palestinian journalists on the widest scale, to pressure on the Israeli occupation to stop these violations, and to preserve freedom of journalistic work.

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Arab World

Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
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Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)

More than 60 people have been killed and over 250 injured in airstrikes by the Sudanese military on the town of Kouma in North Darfur. This incident is being described by observers as one of the “largest massacres” of civilians since the conflict began.

Dozens more have died in separate attacks targeting the areas of Meilit, Wad Abu Saleh, and Um Duwain in Khartoum, with increasing calls for a ban on military flights by the Sudanese army.

Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military targeted Kouma’s market on Friday morning, dropping explosive barrels that caused widespread destruction. Many victims were shopping at the bustling “Friday market,” and the death toll is expected to rise due to a lack of medical care for the injured.

The attacks are viewed as deliberate assaults on civilians, particularly since there were no Rapid Support Forces (RSF) present in the crowded market. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bodies scattered throughout the area.

In Meilit, airstrikes also targeted a wedding celebration, killing about 13 people and injuring others. Activists and eyewitnesses deny the presence of the RSF in these locations, despite military claims that air operations are directed at them.

Political and human rights groups have condemned the escalating airstrikes and called for an immediate ban on military flights in Darfur.

The Civil Democratic Forces Coordination (Tagadum) stated that the Kouma market attack was a severe violation against civilians, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

The group expressed concern about ongoing violations against civilians in Sudan and highlighted the need for international attention to protect innocent lives. They urged the warring parties to cease hostilities and engage in negotiations to end the conflict.