On International Women's Day, Palestinian women continue their struggle

The 8th of March comes this year
as Palestinian women face very
difficult and harsh circumstances
due to human rights violations
perpetrated by Israeli Occupation
Forces (IOF) against Palestinian
civilians, including women.
In recent days, Palestinian
women have had paid a high price
due to reprisal actions by IOF against Palestinian civilians
and property.

The latest form of systematic violence by IOF was the
military campaign against Jabaliya town in the northern
Gaza Strip, which lasted from 28 February to 4 March 2008.
During this military campaign, 110 Palestinians, including
27 children and six women aged 19-60, were killed by IOF.
These women were all killed by IOF on the same day, while
they were inside their homes. One woman, Ghada 'Abdullah,
27, was killed on 1 March 2008 while she was in her kitchen
preparing breakfast for her children and a missile hit her
house. Su'ad Rajab 'Atallah, 60, and her daughters Ibtissam,
25, and Rajaa', 30, were all killed when IOF aircrafts fired
three missiles at their home. These attacks bring the total
number of Palestinian women killed by IOF since the beginning
of 2008 to 13.

Furthermore, Palestinian women have been impacted by
the policy of collective punishment and the siege imposed
by IOF against the Gaza Strip, especially since June 2007.
In this context, IOF have escalated measures of economic
and social stranglehold against the Palestinian civilian
population in the Gaza Strip, including women. The Gaza
Strip has been transformed into a big jail for its 1.5 million
Palestinians, who have been denied their right to freedom
of movement and basic daily needs.

Such measures have impacted living conditions of
Palestinian women. In particular, sick women, like
other patients, have been denied access to medical treatment
outside the Gaza Strip. Since June 2007, seven women have
died due the denial by IOF of their access to medical
treatment outside the Gaza Strip. Additionally, another
six women died while being stuck together with other
civilians at the Rafah International Crossing Point, which had
been closed for at least two months previously.

Moreover, the suffering of Palestinian women has doubled
with the violence practiced against them in the society. They
have been subjected to various forms of psychological,
physical and sexual violence. Additionally, their right to life has
been violated through killing for "protection of family honor."
In this context, in 2007, 14 women were killed.

On this occasion, PCHR reiterates its absolute support for
Palestinian women in the face of the severe circumstances
they face due to the practiced of IOF, and:

* Calls upon the international community to immediately
intervene to stop crimes and human rights violations
perpetrated by IOF, which leave tragic impacts on the
Palestinian people, especially women.

* Calls for lifting the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip as it
is a form of collective punishment against the Palestinian
civilian population in violations of international law and
humanitarian law.

* Calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to stop
violence and the misuse of weapons.

* Calls for combined efforts by the society and institutions to
ensure serious work against all forms of violence against women.