A/HRC/28/78
Israel Security Forces search operations, fatalities, injuries and detention of
Palestinians, including minors, across West Bank refugee camps*
2012
2013
2014**
Search
operations
293
471
568
Detainees
351 (including 6 minors)
420 (including 59 minors)
473 (including 68 minors)
Fatalities
0
12 (including 3 minors)
11 (including 1 minor)
Injuries
38 (including 5 minors)
486 (including 95 minors)
650 (including 54 minors)
Source: United Nations
*Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams, Camp No.1, Balata, Askar, Al Far’a, Shufat, Amari, Kalandia, Jalazone, Deir
Ammar, Aqabt Jaber, Ein Sultan, Aida, Beit Jibrein, Dehiesha, Arroub and Fawwar refugee camps.
**1 January to 30 September 2014
49.
The repeated incursions by Israeli security forces into Palestinian communities have
not been without consequences. A needs assessment conducted by UNRWA on the mental
health of Palestine refugee children throughout the West Bank in October and November
2014 found that 37 per cent of sampled Palestine refugee children from camps, and 51 per
cent of sampled children from Bedouin communities, reported witnessing Israeli security
forces breaking into their homes, while some 13 per cent of sampled refugee and Bedouin
children reported witnessing the killing or injury of a relative or friend by explosive objects
and materials left behind by the Israeli security forces. It was found that 22 per cent of
sampled Palestine refugee children in camps and 44 per cent of sampled Bedouin children
were at greater risk of having a psychiatric disorder. Since February 2014, UNRWA has
been providing psychosocial counselling services to more than 15,000 children under the
age of 18 years in schools, health clinics in refugee camps and other localities. Children
reportedly comprise approximately 70 per cent of all counselling cases. The most widely
reported symptoms included enuresis and encopresis complaints (24 per cent), behavioural
problems (20 per cent) and anxiety complaints (13 per cent). Other issues affecting children
identified by UNRWA school counsellors included discipline problems, aggression and
poor academic achievement.
D.
Punitive house demolitions
50.
House demolitions ordered by Israel in response to a string of Palestinian attacks on
Israelis in recent months are of particular concern to the Special Rapporteur. 33 Between 1
June and 30 November 2014, the Israeli authorities reportedly demolished or sealed five
homes, displacing 34 Palestinians, including 16 children. According to the United Nations
Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, as at 3 December 2014, another six
families in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were at risk. The home of Abd al-Rahman alShaludi, the Palestinian who allegedly killed a 22-year-old woman and a three-month-old
Israeli infant in a car attack in Jerusalem in October, was among those demolished.
51.
The justification made by the Israeli authorities for home demolitions is that it serves
as a deterrent to prevent future “terrorist” attacks.34 The Special Rapporteur has not,
33
OHCHR, “Palestinian homes must cease to be a target, UN human rights experts say”, 25 November
2014.
34
Human Rights Watch, “Israel: Stop Punitive Home Demolitions”, 22 November 2014.
15
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