Such practices not only contravene international standards, but also highlight the spurious nature of official Israeli claims that soldiers open-fire only when their lives are in imminent danger. In addition to the increasing number of Palestinians killed or injured, the Israeli occupation authorities have maintained the internal closure on Palestinian areas at the same time as escalating their attacks against Palestinian residential areas. Yesterday, Israeli helicopter gunships fired missiles into the West Bank cities of Nablus, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala, resulting in the forced evacuation of tens of Palestinian civilians from their homes. In addition, approximately 100 other houses in the area sustained mild damage. Moreover, illegal Israeli settlers continue to attack Palestinian residents and their property, terrorizing Palestinian civilians, and inhibiting the carrying-out of daily activities, such as harvesting the olive crop and moving freely from one area to the next.
Attacks are particularly intense in rural villages and isolated areas.
These attacks continue to take place with the full knowledge, and frequently, under the protection of the Israeli military. In response to the 19 October resolution of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Israeli government publicly stated its refusal to cooperate with the international commission of inquiry, called for in the resolution. That the UN immediately take concrete and effective action designed to safeguard the lives of the Palestinian population, in particular children, against the escalated Israeli assault on civilian persons and property. That the UN initiate the necessary mechanisms for the establishment of an International War Crimes Tribunal, in order that the individuals responsible for the ongoing and gross violations of Palestinian human rights be brought to justice. 1 duty to respect and ensure respect for the Convention.