29 july 2012
Report details Israeli violations and seizure of West Bank land
The West Bank witnessed last week an Israeli frenzied campaign including seizure and confiscation of lands, in addition to a series of daily assaults on citizens, their homes, and their property.
The National Bureau for the Defense of Land revealed, in its weekly report, the Israeli ongoing demolition and accelerated seizure projects in the occupied West Bank.
In Jerusalem, a group of settlers tried to re-install the door on the southern entrance to the Ein Silwan under the protection of Israeli soldiers who closed Wadi Al-Hilwa Street.
In Bethlehem, a number of Israeli settlers set up dozens of mobile houses in the village of al-Khader and damaged a number of fruit trees where they dug a trench to create territorial contiguity between the Israeli outposts built on seized private Palestinian lands.
Moreover, IOF set up a military watchtower in the village of al-Khader near Bethlehem city.
In the Tubas area of the Jordan Valley, settlers seized nearly 50 dunums of land and began farming it. The land, which belongs to villagers, had previously been used by the Israeli army as tank emplacements.
In Al-Khalil, settlers from Susiya settlement seized five dunums of private Palestinian land near the town of Yatta. Settlers broke into the land and installed a power generator as part of plans to use the land for settlement expansion.
In addition Susiya and Maoun's settlers uprooted olive trees and assaulted Palestinian houses in Yatta town southern Al-Khalil.
IOF bulldozed and damaged the link road connecting Om Safat and Alderat in Yatta south of Al-Khalil.
The Israeli occupation authorities began building a new section of its illegal apartheid wall in an area west of Masaha, a town west of Salfit governorate, where Israeli occupation forces closed the entrance of the area, preventing farmers from entering it to tend to their fields.
In Ramallah, three farmers from Sinjil village were injured in an attack by settlers while heading to their land. Meanwhile, violent clashes took place in Nabi Salah village between the villagers and Israeli settlers who tried to take over a water spring in the village.
The National Bureau for the Defense of Land revealed, in its weekly report, the Israeli ongoing demolition and accelerated seizure projects in the occupied West Bank.
In Jerusalem, a group of settlers tried to re-install the door on the southern entrance to the Ein Silwan under the protection of Israeli soldiers who closed Wadi Al-Hilwa Street.
In Bethlehem, a number of Israeli settlers set up dozens of mobile houses in the village of al-Khader and damaged a number of fruit trees where they dug a trench to create territorial contiguity between the Israeli outposts built on seized private Palestinian lands.
Moreover, IOF set up a military watchtower in the village of al-Khader near Bethlehem city.
In the Tubas area of the Jordan Valley, settlers seized nearly 50 dunums of land and began farming it. The land, which belongs to villagers, had previously been used by the Israeli army as tank emplacements.
In Al-Khalil, settlers from Susiya settlement seized five dunums of private Palestinian land near the town of Yatta. Settlers broke into the land and installed a power generator as part of plans to use the land for settlement expansion.
In addition Susiya and Maoun's settlers uprooted olive trees and assaulted Palestinian houses in Yatta town southern Al-Khalil.
IOF bulldozed and damaged the link road connecting Om Safat and Alderat in Yatta south of Al-Khalil.
The Israeli occupation authorities began building a new section of its illegal apartheid wall in an area west of Masaha, a town west of Salfit governorate, where Israeli occupation forces closed the entrance of the area, preventing farmers from entering it to tend to their fields.
In Ramallah, three farmers from Sinjil village were injured in an attack by settlers while heading to their land. Meanwhile, violent clashes took place in Nabi Salah village between the villagers and Israeli settlers who tried to take over a water spring in the village.
26 july 2012
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (19– 25 July 2012)
The Israeli municipality of Jerusalem demolish civilian property in AL-Abbasiya quarter in Silwan village in occupied Jerusalem allegedly because of the lack of construction licenses
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF delivered to the Palestinian side the body of a Palestinian whom they killed at the Egyptian-Israeli border.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Dozens of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 22 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 6 Palestinians, including two children, in the West Bank.
IOF leveled areas of Palestinian land in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF stopped establishing water pipelines and confiscated a digger near Qalqilya.
Israeli settlers uprooted 102 trees and seized a 5 dunum[1]-area of land in Hebron.
IOF razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land in al-Khader village near Bethlehem.
4 Palestinian civilians sustained bruises as they were attacked by Israeli settlers.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (19 – 25 July 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 July 2012, IOF delivered the body of a Palestinian was killed by IOF at the Egyptian-Israeli border on 15 July 2012.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 22 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 6 Palestinians, including two children.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Fukhari area near Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 19 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat ‘Ain” settlement, which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted 35 olive trees, 12 almond trees and 10 grape trees belonging to Hammad ‘Abdul Hamid al-Slaibi.
On 21 July 2012, Israeli settlers living in settlements located to the west and south of Bethlehem razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land planted with grapes belonging to Ibrahim Suleiman Subaih, to the west of al-Khader village. Subaih stated to PCHR that when he went to his land in ‘Ein al-Qissis area to the west of Khader village, he was surprised that Israeli bulldozers had razed his land and divided it into two parts in order to establish a road leading to a settlement outpost which the settlers plan to establish.
On 23 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF, seized a 5-dunum area of land.
On 23 July 2012, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They held two workers and forced them to stop extending pipelines to move water from a well to agricultural areas in Nabi Elias village. IOF released the two workers later, but confiscated a digger and a welding machine belonging to them.
On 24 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’on” and “Sousia” settlements, south of Hebron, uprooted at least 45 olive trees in Shu’ab al-Batam and Wad Ma’in areas.
On 25 July 2012, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement to the east of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers to prevent them from reaching al-Rafeed area in the east of the village. The settlers violently beat 4 farmers, before the eyes of Israeli soldiers. As a result, the four farmers sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19 – 25 July 2012)
1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 19 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Saffa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF raided and a house belonging to the family of Mahran Mohammed Da’na, 35, near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Othman al-Qawasmi, 24, in the old town of Hebron, and arrested him.
At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Burqa village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 20 July 2012
At approximately 01:25, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and detained a number of Palestinian civilians claiming that a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Qalqilya-Nablus road to the north of the village. IOF released those civilians later and withdrew from the village.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saleh Sobhi Dar Mousa, who has been detained by IOF, and arrested his son, Islam, 20. They also confiscated two computers and a mobile phone from the house.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into ‘Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:45, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Taleb Abu Bakr, 19, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 23 July 2012
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bassel Matariya, 15, in the old town of Hebron and arrested him. IOF claimed that the child has thrown a stone at “Kiryat Arba” settlement, which is nearly kilometers away from his home.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saqer Mohammed Saqer, 13, and arrested him.
At approximately 20:30, IOF raided an inhabited house belonging to Khaled Badawi Abu ‘Eish in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They then raided a house belonging to Nour Thabet Abu ‘Eisha, where his wife and children were present. Israeli soldiers detonated sound bombs inside the house, terrifying the children. They also attacked a photographer of B’Tselem, ‘Imad Abu Shamsiya.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Judge Musleh Abu ‘Azzam, Judge of the Court of First Instance in Hebron. They held the family in one room and searched the house using dogs. They left the house later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Fukhari area in the southeast of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land amidst sporadic shooting. No casualties were reported.
IOF Deliver the Corpse of a Palestinian Killed near the Egyptian-Israeli border
At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 24 July 2012, IOF delivered to the Palestinian side through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip the body of Jihad Khamis Hussein Shallouf, 34, from ‘Izbat Bein Hanoun. Shallouf has been wounded on Friday morning, 13 July 2012, by a bullet to the right thigh, when he attempted to entered Israel to search for a job. According to Shallouf’s brother, his brother had served 5 years of imprisonment in Israeli jails and he was released 3 months ago. He had left the Gaza Strip two months ago through tunnels at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. He stayed in his aunt’s house in Sinai. He made some friends in Sinai, including Jihad Jaber Abu Mughassib, from Deir al-Balah. Shallouf and Abu Mughassib decided to cross the Egyptian-Israeli border. Israeli soldiers positioned at the border fired at them. Both of them were wounded by a bullet for each to the right thigh, and they were arrested. According to Shallouf’s family, they received a phone call on Sunday, 15 July 2012, in which they were informed that he died.
2- Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They moved towards areas of the annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 20 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3- Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 60 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Notes:
On Tuesday, 17 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement, 26 tons of construction steel and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 42 tons of construction steel for UNDP; and 472 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 18 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 910 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders and 156 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry 80 tons of cement and 700 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,053 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders.
On Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement and 19 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,131 tons of fodders and 39 tons of wheat.
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.
At approximately 20:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 20 July 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:40, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Taybeh intersection, northeast of Ramallah.
At approximately 21:00, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 20:00, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
At approximately 07:20 on Friday, 20 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.
At approximately 20:45, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 23:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mughayar-al-Mutallah road, southeast of Jenin.
At approximately 22:30 on Monday, 23 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at “Mavo Dutan” checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpioint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm.
At approximately 22:45 on Sunday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Deir al-Ghossoun intersection, north of Tulkarm.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuwai’ema village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuwai’ema village, south of Jericho.
At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.
At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, northwest of Jericho.
At approximately 21:30, IOF established checkpoint on al-Mu’rajat road between Ramallah and Jericho.
4- Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Thursday morning, 19 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat ‘Ain” settlement, which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted 35 olive trees, 12 almond trees and 10 grape trees belonging to Hammad ‘Abdul Hamid al-Slaibi. This attack has been the 6th of its kind by Israeli settlers against al-Sulaibi and his land over the past two years.
Israeli settlers living in settlements located to the west and south of Bethlehem razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land planted with grapes belonging to Ibrahim Suleiman Subaih, to the west of al-Khader village. Subaih stated to PCHR that at approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, he went to his land in ‘Ein al-Qissis area to the west of Khader village. He was surprised that Israeli bulldozers had razed his land and divided it into two parts in order to establish a road leading to a settlement outpost which the settlers plan to establish.
On Monday morning, 23 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF, seized a 5-dunum area of land belonging to Rateb al-Jbour in Sousia village.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They held Mohammed Rajeh Shubaita, from ‘Azzoun village, and Khaled ‘Abdul Hafiz ‘Ouda, from al-Dab’a village, and forced them to stop extending pipelines to move water from a well to agricultural areas in Nabi Elias village. IOF released the two workers, but confiscated a digger and a welding machine belonging to them.
At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 24 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’on” and “Sousia” settlements, south of Hebron, uprooted at least 45 olive trees belonging to Mousa Saleh Jabarin and Khaled Hussein Jabarin in Shu’ab al-Batam and Wad Ma’in areas.
On Wednesday morning, 25 July 2012, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement to the east of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers to prevent them from reaching al-Rafeed area in the east of the village. The settlers violently beat 4 farmers, before the eyes of Israeli soldiers. As a result, the four farmers sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body:
1- Subhi Ahmed Fuqaha, 47;
2- Nasser Ahmed Ghifari, 42;
3- Mohammed Muraweh ‘Abdul Haq, 23; and
4- Muraweh Hussein ‘Abdul Haq, 58.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF delivered to the Palestinian side the body of a Palestinian whom they killed at the Egyptian-Israeli border.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Dozens of Palestinian civilian suffered from tear gas inhalation.
IOF conducted 22 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 6 Palestinians, including two children, in the West Bank.
IOF leveled areas of Palestinian land in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF stopped establishing water pipelines and confiscated a digger near Qalqilya.
Israeli settlers uprooted 102 trees and seized a 5 dunum[1]-area of land in Hebron.
IOF razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land in al-Khader village near Bethlehem.
4 Palestinian civilians sustained bruises as they were attacked by Israeli settlers.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (19 – 25 July 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 July 2012, IOF delivered the body of a Palestinian was killed by IOF at the Egyptian-Israeli border on 15 July 2012.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 22 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 6 Palestinians, including two children.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Fukhari area near Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 19 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat ‘Ain” settlement, which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted 35 olive trees, 12 almond trees and 10 grape trees belonging to Hammad ‘Abdul Hamid al-Slaibi.
On 21 July 2012, Israeli settlers living in settlements located to the west and south of Bethlehem razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land planted with grapes belonging to Ibrahim Suleiman Subaih, to the west of al-Khader village. Subaih stated to PCHR that when he went to his land in ‘Ein al-Qissis area to the west of Khader village, he was surprised that Israeli bulldozers had razed his land and divided it into two parts in order to establish a road leading to a settlement outpost which the settlers plan to establish.
On 23 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF, seized a 5-dunum area of land.
On 23 July 2012, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They held two workers and forced them to stop extending pipelines to move water from a well to agricultural areas in Nabi Elias village. IOF released the two workers later, but confiscated a digger and a welding machine belonging to them.
On 24 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’on” and “Sousia” settlements, south of Hebron, uprooted at least 45 olive trees in Shu’ab al-Batam and Wad Ma’in areas.
On 25 July 2012, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement to the east of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers to prevent them from reaching al-Rafeed area in the east of the village. The settlers violently beat 4 farmers, before the eyes of Israeli soldiers. As a result, the four farmers sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (19 – 25 July 2012)
1- Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 19 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Saffa village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF raided and a house belonging to the family of Mahran Mohammed Da’na, 35, near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of Hebron, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Othman al-Qawasmi, 24, in the old town of Hebron, and arrested him.
At approximately 05:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Burqa village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 20 July 2012
At approximately 01:25, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and detained a number of Palestinian civilians claiming that a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Qalqilya-Nablus road to the north of the village. IOF released those civilians later and withdrew from the village.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saleh Sobhi Dar Mousa, who has been detained by IOF, and arrested his son, Islam, 20. They also confiscated two computers and a mobile phone from the house.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into ‘Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:45, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 21 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Taleb Abu Bakr, 19, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 23 July 2012
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
At approximately 01:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bassel Matariya, 15, in the old town of Hebron and arrested him. IOF claimed that the child has thrown a stone at “Kiryat Arba” settlement, which is nearly kilometers away from his home.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saqer Mohammed Saqer, 13, and arrested him.
At approximately 20:30, IOF raided an inhabited house belonging to Khaled Badawi Abu ‘Eish in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the center of Hebron. They then raided a house belonging to Nour Thabet Abu ‘Eisha, where his wife and children were present. Israeli soldiers detonated sound bombs inside the house, terrifying the children. They also attacked a photographer of B’Tselem, ‘Imad Abu Shamsiya.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Judge Musleh Abu ‘Azzam, Judge of the Court of First Instance in Hebron. They held the family in one room and searched the house using dogs. They left the house later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into al-Fukhari area in the southeast of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land amidst sporadic shooting. No casualties were reported.
IOF Deliver the Corpse of a Palestinian Killed near the Egyptian-Israeli border
At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 24 July 2012, IOF delivered to the Palestinian side through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip the body of Jihad Khamis Hussein Shallouf, 34, from ‘Izbat Bein Hanoun. Shallouf has been wounded on Friday morning, 13 July 2012, by a bullet to the right thigh, when he attempted to entered Israel to search for a job. According to Shallouf’s brother, his brother had served 5 years of imprisonment in Israeli jails and he was released 3 months ago. He had left the Gaza Strip two months ago through tunnels at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. He stayed in his aunt’s house in Sinai. He made some friends in Sinai, including Jihad Jaber Abu Mughassib, from Deir al-Balah. Shallouf and Abu Mughassib decided to cross the Egyptian-Israeli border. Israeli soldiers positioned at the border fired at them. Both of them were wounded by a bullet for each to the right thigh, and they were arrested. According to Shallouf’s family, they received a phone call on Sunday, 15 July 2012, in which they were informed that he died.
2- Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They moved towards areas of the annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 20 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 20 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3- Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 60 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Notes:
On Tuesday, 17 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement, 26 tons of construction steel and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 42 tons of construction steel for UNDP; and 472 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 18 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 910 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders and 156 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry 80 tons of cement and 700 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,053 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of cement and 1,820 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders.
On Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement and 19 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,131 tons of fodders and 39 tons of wheat.
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.
At approximately 20:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 20 July 2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Qiddis village, west of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:40, IOF established a checkpoint at al-Taybeh intersection, northeast of Ramallah.
At approximately 21:00, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 18:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.
At approximately 20:00, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah.
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
At approximately 07:20 on Friday, 20 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.
At approximately 20:45, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 23:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mughayar-al-Mutallah road, southeast of Jenin.
At approximately 22:30 on Monday, 23 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at “Mavo Dutan” checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpioint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm.
At approximately 22:45 on Sunday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Deir al-Ghossoun intersection, north of Tulkarm.
Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 19 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuwai’ema village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 22 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nuwai’ema village, south of Jericho.
At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho.
At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.
At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.
At approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, northwest of Jericho.
At approximately 21:30, IOF established checkpoint on al-Mu’rajat road between Ramallah and Jericho.
4- Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On Thursday morning, 19 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Bat ‘Ain” settlement, which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, uprooted 35 olive trees, 12 almond trees and 10 grape trees belonging to Hammad ‘Abdul Hamid al-Slaibi. This attack has been the 6th of its kind by Israeli settlers against al-Sulaibi and his land over the past two years.
Israeli settlers living in settlements located to the west and south of Bethlehem razed a 14-dunum area of agricultural land planted with grapes belonging to Ibrahim Suleiman Subaih, to the west of al-Khader village. Subaih stated to PCHR that at approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 21 July 2012, he went to his land in ‘Ein al-Qissis area to the west of Khader village. He was surprised that Israeli bulldozers had razed his land and divided it into two parts in order to establish a road leading to a settlement outpost which the settlers plan to establish.
On Monday morning, 23 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Sousia” settlement to the east of Yatta village, south of Hebron, escorted by IOF, seized a 5-dunum area of land belonging to Rateb al-Jbour in Sousia village.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 23 July 2012, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They held Mohammed Rajeh Shubaita, from ‘Azzoun village, and Khaled ‘Abdul Hafiz ‘Ouda, from al-Dab’a village, and forced them to stop extending pipelines to move water from a well to agricultural areas in Nabi Elias village. IOF released the two workers, but confiscated a digger and a welding machine belonging to them.
At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 24 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ma’on” and “Sousia” settlements, south of Hebron, uprooted at least 45 olive trees belonging to Mousa Saleh Jabarin and Khaled Hussein Jabarin in Shu’ab al-Batam and Wad Ma’in areas.
On Wednesday morning, 25 July 2012, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement to the east of Sinjel village, north of Ramallah, attacked a number of Palestinian farmers to prevent them from reaching al-Rafeed area in the east of the village. The settlers violently beat 4 farmers, before the eyes of Israeli soldiers. As a result, the four farmers sustained bruises and injuries throughout the body:
1- Subhi Ahmed Fuqaha, 47;
2- Nasser Ahmed Ghifari, 42;
3- Mohammed Muraweh ‘Abdul Haq, 23; and
4- Muraweh Hussein ‘Abdul Haq, 58.
…………………………………………………
Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
19 july 2012
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (12– 18 July 2012)
Sheikh Sa’ad checkpoint in occupied Jerusalem
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip.
Two members of the Palestinian resistance were killed and two others were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
IOF arrested 7 international and Israeli human rights defenders, including a journalist.
IOF conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 23 Palestinians, including a child, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the former Mayor of al-Bireh.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF arrested a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians at checkpoints in the West Bank.
IOF allowed 40 members of families of Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails to visit these prisoners for the first time since 2006.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF ordered the demolition of two houses in ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
IOF demolished 3 agricultural rooms and a well in Hebron.
Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd north of Ramallah.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (12 – 18 July 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded two others in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 3 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, on 12 July 2012, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded two others during an incursion into the east of Gaza City.
On 13 July 2012, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of Beit Lahia.
During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including a journalist who was released later.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 54 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 14 Palestinian, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the former Mayor of al-Bireh.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the east of Gaza City and in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. During these incursions, IOF leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports.
Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 14 July 2012, Israeli settlers from “Edi Aad” settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked a Palestinian shepherd in Beer al-Hour area in the east of Turmos’iya village, nearly one kilometer away from the settlement. The shepherd was able to flee. The settlers slaughtered a sheep belonging to hiom and attacked other sheep using sharp tools and stones.
On 17 July 2012, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They handed notices to two Palestinian civilians ordering the demolition of two under-construction houses belonging to them.
On 18 July 2012, hundreds of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus. They conducted religious rituals in the area for some and then left.
Also on 18 July 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Farsh al-Hawa area in the west of Hebron. They demolished 3 agricultural rooms and a well.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12 – 18 July 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 12 July 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Firas Ahmed Mujahed, 48; and
2. Nadeem Abu Khalaf, 40.
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:
1. Hammam Mahmoud ‘Assafra, 22;
2. Safwat Ibrahim ‘Assafra, 27;
3. Islam ‘Eissa ‘Assafra, 24;
4. Ussama Fadel ‘Assafra, 24; and
5. ‘Omar Khalil ‘Assafra, 23.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Nouba village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Shadi Ibrahim Abu al-Hayat, 20.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal Rakez Maslamani, 18, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:40, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:50, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They leveled areas of Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel amidst sporadic shooting.
At approximately 06:40, Israeli tanks stationed in the area fired 4 shells, 3 of which landed near a number of members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas). As a result, 3 members were wounded, including one who was in a serious condition. The fourth shell hit a van, from which those members had just stepped down. The van was completely destroyed.
The three wounded persons were evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. One of them, Mahmoud Ismail al-Haiqi, 27, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, underwent an immediate surgery and was then taken into the intensive care unit. He was pronounced dead at approximately 09:40. In the meantime, IOF had moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip at approximately 09:20.
At approximately 05:50, IOF moved into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. Palestinian farmers and workers in the area were forced to leave it due to the Israeli gunfire at the area.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qibya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 13 July 2012
At approximately 00:50, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sheikh Jamal Mohammed Tawil, 49, a leader of Hamas and the former Mayor of al-Bireh, and arrested him. They also delivered a notice to his wife summoning her for questioning by the Israeli intelligence.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia opened fire from machine guns and fired an artillery shell at a gunman who got close to the border. He was instantly killed. He has not been identified. Medical crews were able to evacuate his body from the area approximately 11:00 on the following day following coordination through the ICRC. According to medical sources, the man was hit by shrapnel to the abdomen and he sustained burns throughout the body. He has not been identified so far.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
At approximately 20:35, IOF moved into Snirya village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:35, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hassan al-Mansour, 25, and summoned him for interrogation.
At approximately 23:55, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ussama Zaid Saleh, 19, and summoned him for interrogation.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mubtassem al-Ruhaimi, 39, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Lu’ai Ziad Zakarna, 22, and arrested him. They then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Waleed Zakarna, 30, and arrested him. Soon after, they raided another two houses belonging to the Zakarna family, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Bitounia town. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Azizi Mubarak, 49, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, and arrested him. According to Mubarak’s son, IOF confiscated 3 mobile phones belonging to his father and mother. He added that his father suffer from diabetes, hypertension and the heat disease.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abada ‘Ali ‘Atiq, 27, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 16 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. This was the second incursion into the town within 24 hours at a time Palestinian security forces began a campaign to put an end to the state of lawlessness and proliferation of weapons in the town.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Mohammed al-Badan, 17, and arrested him. According to the child’s father, Israeli soldiers took him out of the house and violently beat him. The father saw spots of blood on the ground after Israeli soldiers had left the area.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tallouza village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Zakria Ahmed Salahat, 18, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Islam Mohammed ‘Awad, 19, and arrested him.
At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided a bird farm belonging to Ussama Ahmed Mar’ei, 25, and arrested him.
At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and raided a number of houses. They then detained Tariq Hamed Ekhlaif, 17, near Qalqilya-Nablus road after handcuffing and blindfolding him. The child was released at approximately 21:30.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:40, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Namiq Tariq Abu Bakr, 19;
2. Haidar Yousef ‘Amarna, 22; and
3. Majdi Hassan ‘Amarna, 20.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Burqa village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Abu Fara, 37, and arrested him.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including a journalist.
Following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, Haitham Mohammed al-Khatib, 35, the photographer of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right hand. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.
Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including Ben Ahrernerk, 29, a reporter of New York Times, who was released 3 hours later.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 13 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, a demonstrator was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand, and another one was hit by two tear gas canisters to the right foot.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 60 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Notes:
On Tuesday, 10 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 248 tons of cement, 42 tons of construction steel and 2,800 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 11 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 2,940 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry 120 tons of cement and 1,470 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 2,030 tons of construction aggregates for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 429 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 13 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 385 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 468 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 14 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement and 2,660 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 390 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
At approximately 21:50 on Friday, 13 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 14 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hijja village, east of Qalqilya.
At approximately 22:15, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. On Monday, 16 July 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 14 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Arraba intersection, south of Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12, 13 and 14 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab intersection, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF arrested two Palestinians who were near the annexation wall to the west of Deir Ballout, west of Salfit:
1. Mohammed Adeeb Abu al-Khair, 19; and
2. Mohammed Marwan ‘Abdullah, 19.
At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 15 July 2012, the family of Rawhi Fu’ad Qazqaz, 43, from the northern Gaza Strip town of Jablya, was informed that he had been arrested by IOF at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Qazqaz who suffers from unbalanced knee meniscus intended to travel to al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem for medical treatment on 04 July 2012. He was summoned by the Israeli security services for an interview on Sunday, 15 July 2012. He went to the crossing on that date at approximately 08:00, and IOF arrested him and transferred him to Ashkelon Prison inside Israel.
IOF Allows Family Visitation to a Limited Number of Gazan Prisoners in Israeli Jails
At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 16 July 2012, IOF positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip allowed 40 members of families of 25 Gazan prisoners in Israel jails to enter Israel to visit these prisoners. This is the first time IOF allow family visitation to Gazan Prisoners in Israeli jails since 2006. The number of Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails is currently estimated at 450.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
At approximately 17:40 on Saturday evening, 14 July 2012, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Edi Aad” settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked Haassan Mahmoud Abu ‘Alia, 49, when he was grazing sheep in Beer al-Hour area in the east of Turmos’iya village, nearly one kilometer away from the settlement. Abu ‘Alia was able to flee. The settlers slaughtered a sheep belonging to Abu ‘Alia and attacked other sheep using sharp tools and stones.
Ten minutes later, a guard of “Shilo” settlement arrived at the area, and the settlers immediately fled. The guard contacted the Israeli police and IOF and they arrived at the area and photographed the scene. They also requested Abu ‘Ali to refer to an Israeli police station near Ramallah to file his compliant.
At approximately 13:30 on Tuesday, 17 July 2012, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They handed notices to Hani ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Haniya and Salah Farouq Abu Haniya ordering the demolition of two under-construction houses belonging to them.
On Wednesday morning, 18 July 2012, hundreds of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus. They conducted religious rituals in the area for some and then left.
At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 18 July 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Farsh al-Hawa area in the west of Hebron. They demolished two agricultural rooms and a well belonging to Robin al-Joulani. They then demolished another agricultural room belonging to ‘Aadel al-Haimouni.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
IOF opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip.
Two members of the Palestinian resistance were killed and two others were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
IOF arrested 7 international and Israeli human rights defenders, including a journalist.
IOF conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested 23 Palestinians, including a child, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the former Mayor of al-Bireh.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
IOF arrested a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
IOF arrested two Palestinian civilians at checkpoints in the West Bank.
IOF allowed 40 members of families of Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails to visit these prisoners for the first time since 2006.
IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
IOF ordered the demolition of two houses in ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.
IOF demolished 3 agricultural rooms and a well in Hebron.
Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd north of Ramallah.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (12 – 18 July 2012):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed two members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded two others in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 3 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, on 12 July 2012, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance and wounded two others during an incursion into the east of Gaza City.
On 13 July 2012, IOF killed a member of the Palestinian resistance near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of Beit Lahia.
During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including a journalist who was released later.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 54 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 14 Palestinian, including a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the former Mayor of al-Bireh.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursions into Palestinian areas in the east of Gaza City and in the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. During these incursions, IOF leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports.
Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 14 July 2012, Israeli settlers from “Edi Aad” settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked a Palestinian shepherd in Beer al-Hour area in the east of Turmos’iya village, nearly one kilometer away from the settlement. The shepherd was able to flee. The settlers slaughtered a sheep belonging to hiom and attacked other sheep using sharp tools and stones.
On 17 July 2012, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They handed notices to two Palestinian civilians ordering the demolition of two under-construction houses belonging to them.
On 18 July 2012, hundreds of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus. They conducted religious rituals in the area for some and then left.
Also on 18 July 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Farsh al-Hawa area in the west of Hebron. They demolished 3 agricultural rooms and a well.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (12 – 18 July 2012)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 12 July 2012
At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Firas Ahmed Mujahed, 48; and
2. Nadeem Abu Khalaf, 40.
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:
1. Hammam Mahmoud ‘Assafra, 22;
2. Safwat Ibrahim ‘Assafra, 27;
3. Islam ‘Eissa ‘Assafra, 24;
4. Ussama Fadel ‘Assafra, 24; and
5. ‘Omar Khalil ‘Assafra, 23.
Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Nouba village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Shadi Ibrahim Abu al-Hayat, 20.
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal Rakez Maslamani, 18, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:40, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:50, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. They leveled areas of Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel amidst sporadic shooting.
At approximately 06:40, Israeli tanks stationed in the area fired 4 shells, 3 of which landed near a number of members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas). As a result, 3 members were wounded, including one who was in a serious condition. The fourth shell hit a van, from which those members had just stepped down. The van was completely destroyed.
The three wounded persons were evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. One of them, Mahmoud Ismail al-Haiqi, 27, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, underwent an immediate surgery and was then taken into the intensive care unit. He was pronounced dead at approximately 09:40. In the meantime, IOF had moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip at approximately 09:20.
At approximately 05:50, IOF moved into Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalya. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed. Palestinian farmers and workers in the area were forced to leave it due to the Israeli gunfire at the area.
At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Qibya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Friday, 13 July 2012
At approximately 00:50, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sheikh Jamal Mohammed Tawil, 49, a leader of Hamas and the former Mayor of al-Bireh, and arrested him. They also delivered a notice to his wife summoning her for questioning by the Israeli intelligence.
At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia opened fire from machine guns and fired an artillery shell at a gunman who got close to the border. He was instantly killed. He has not been identified. Medical crews were able to evacuate his body from the area approximately 11:00 on the following day following coordination through the ICRC. According to medical sources, the man was hit by shrapnel to the abdomen and he sustained burns throughout the body. He has not been identified so far.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Kufor al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
At approximately 20:35, IOF moved into Snirya village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:35, IOF moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hassan al-Mansour, 25, and summoned him for interrogation.
At approximately 23:55, IOF moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ussama Zaid Saleh, 19, and summoned him for interrogation.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mubtassem al-Ruhaimi, 39, and arrested him.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Lu’ai Ziad Zakarna, 22, and arrested him. They then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Waleed Zakarna, 30, and arrested him. Soon after, they raided another two houses belonging to the Zakarna family, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Bitounia town. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Azizi Mubarak, 49, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from the Change and Reform Bloc affiliated to Hamas, and arrested him. According to Mubarak’s son, IOF confiscated 3 mobile phones belonging to his father and mother. He added that his father suffer from diabetes, hypertension and the heat disease.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abada ‘Ali ‘Atiq, 27, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Monday, 16 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. This was the second incursion into the town within 24 hours at a time Palestinian security forces began a campaign to put an end to the state of lawlessness and proliferation of weapons in the town.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Bourqin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Taqqou’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Mohammed al-Badan, 17, and arrested him. According to the child’s father, Israeli soldiers took him out of the house and violently beat him. The father saw spots of blood on the ground after Israeli soldiers had left the area.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tallouza village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Zakria Ahmed Salahat, 18, and arrested him.
Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-‘Ouja village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Islam Mohammed ‘Awad, 19, and arrested him.
At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village, west of Jenin. They raided a bird farm belonging to Ussama Ahmed Mar’ei, 25, and arrested him.
At approximately 19:15, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and raided a number of houses. They then detained Tariq Hamed Ekhlaif, 17, near Qalqilya-Nablus road after handcuffing and blindfolding him. The child was released at approximately 21:30.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 04:40, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:
1. Namiq Tariq Abu Bakr, 19;
2. Haidar Yousef ‘Amarna, 22; and
3. Majdi Hassan ‘Amarna, 20.
At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Also at approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Burqa village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sourif village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Abu Fara, 37, and arrested him.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including a journalist.
Following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, Haitham Mohammed al-Khatib, 35, the photographer of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right hand. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 13 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.
Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested 7 Israeli and international human rights defenders, including Ben Ahrernerk, 29, a reporter of New York Times, who was released 3 hours later.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 13 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by IOF. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, a demonstrator was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand, and another one was hit by two tear gas canisters to the right foot.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
For approximately six consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.
For approximately 60 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Notes:
On Tuesday, 10 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 248 tons of cement, 42 tons of construction steel and 2,800 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of fodders and 117 tons of wheat.
On Wednesday, 11 July2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of cement, 2,940 tons of construction aggregates and 38 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry 120 tons of cement and 1,470 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 2,030 tons of construction aggregates for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 429 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Sunday, 13 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 385 tons of cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregates and 72 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 468 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
On Monday, 14 July 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 200 tons of cement and 2,660 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 390 tons of fodders and 195 tons of wheat.
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints.
IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances. Palestinians living outside the area are not allowed to enter it without permits.
Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.
Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods throughout the West Bank.
Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even arrested in the streets by IOF.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
At approximately 21:50 on Friday, 13 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya.
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 14 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Hijja village, east of Qalqilya.
At approximately 22:15, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. On Monday, 16 July 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.
Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 14 July 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Arraba intersection, south of Jenin.
Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12, 13 and 14 July 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab intersection, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 12 July 2012, IOF arrested two Palestinians who were near the annexation wall to the west of Deir Ballout, west of Salfit:
1. Mohammed Adeeb Abu al-Khair, 19; and
2. Mohammed Marwan ‘Abdullah, 19.
At approximately 18:00 on Sunday, 15 July 2012, the family of Rawhi Fu’ad Qazqaz, 43, from the northern Gaza Strip town of Jablya, was informed that he had been arrested by IOF at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Qazqaz who suffers from unbalanced knee meniscus intended to travel to al-Maqassed Hospital in Jerusalem for medical treatment on 04 July 2012. He was summoned by the Israeli security services for an interview on Sunday, 15 July 2012. He went to the crossing on that date at approximately 08:00, and IOF arrested him and transferred him to Ashkelon Prison inside Israel.
IOF Allows Family Visitation to a Limited Number of Gazan Prisoners in Israeli Jails
At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 16 July 2012, IOF positioned at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip allowed 40 members of families of 25 Gazan prisoners in Israel jails to enter Israel to visit these prisoners. This is the first time IOF allow family visitation to Gazan Prisoners in Israeli jails since 2006. The number of Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails is currently estimated at 450.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
At approximately 17:40 on Saturday evening, 14 July 2012, at least 10 Israeli settlers from “Edi Aad” settlement, north of Ramallah, attacked Haassan Mahmoud Abu ‘Alia, 49, when he was grazing sheep in Beer al-Hour area in the east of Turmos’iya village, nearly one kilometer away from the settlement. Abu ‘Alia was able to flee. The settlers slaughtered a sheep belonging to Abu ‘Alia and attacked other sheep using sharp tools and stones.
Ten minutes later, a guard of “Shilo” settlement arrived at the area, and the settlers immediately fled. The guard contacted the Israeli police and IOF and they arrived at the area and photographed the scene. They also requested Abu ‘Ali to refer to an Israeli police station near Ramallah to file his compliant.
At approximately 13:30 on Tuesday, 17 July 2012, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They handed notices to Hani ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Haniya and Salah Farouq Abu Haniya ordering the demolition of two under-construction houses belonging to them.
On Wednesday morning, 18 July 2012, hundreds of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Joseph Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus. They conducted religious rituals in the area for some and then left.
At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 18 July 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Farsh al-Hawa area in the west of Hebron. They demolished two agricultural rooms and a well belonging to Robin al-Joulani. They then demolished another agricultural room belonging to ‘Aadel al-Haimouni.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
18 july 2012
Patients and escorts from Gaza arrested on way to medical care
Dear colleagues,
PHR Israel wishes to alert a continuation of Israel’s policy of arresting patients and those who escort them, using their need to enter Israel for medical treatment. It is important to mention that the long occupation and closure and the economic situation significantly contributed to the under development of the health system in Gaza causing it to be highly dependent on referrals to Israel or via Israel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem medical centers. This makes patients from Gaza an extremely vulnerable group.
PHR Israel had recently learnt on 3 cases were medical needs were used to detain people:
Rawhy Fouad Qarqaz: 42 yr. old (Married + 3 children). Suffers from severe knee pains and diagnosed with a meniscus derangements. On May 31, 2012 he was referred to MakassedHopital in East Jerusalem for orthopedic management. On June 18 PHR receives his file and sends a request (June 24) to allow his exist from Gaza for treatment. Following different correspondence PHR Israel receives a letter from the Israel DCO stating that “the authorized bodies decided to summon Mr. RawhyQarqaz to a "security interview", that will take place in Erez Crossing, on July 15th at 08:00”. PHR Israel passed this response to Mr. Qarqaz, emphasizing that this is not an easy thing and he should think whether he wishes to take this interview or not. To our deep dismay, the interview was used to arrest him.
Ahmad Chala: 25yr. old: A brother to Bila’l Chala, 8 yr. old. Bilal underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered from complications that necessitating a prolonged hospitalization Schneider Children Medical Center. Ahmad asked for a permit to replace his mother who needed to come back to Gaza, and stay by his brother’s side. Being told he was granted a permit, Ahmad reached Erez Crossing on July 2nd only to be arrested on the spot. Ahmad and Bilal’s father. whose permit requests were denied twice is now afraid to apply again though he wishes to replace his wife after she went a breakdown following her son's arrest.
Wa’il Kamil Muhammad Al-Taweel: 40 yr. old. According to field information collected by Al Mezan, (the following is taken from Al Mezan's update) he was arrested at Bayt Hanoun crossing after he left his house heading for the crossing at around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday to attend an “interview”with the Israeli intelligence apparatus, with the aim of obtaining medical treatment abroad. According to Al Mezan, he received a referral on 6 June 2012, and obtained an appointment for 5 July 2012 at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
The Office of Health Coordination, which is responsible for arranging Gazan patients’ passage through BaytHanoun crossing, notified him on July 5th that he needs to go to the crossing for an interview with Israeli intelligence. He went at roughly 8:00 am and returned home exhausted around 6:30 pm. He told his wife that he had been subjected to a full search and interrogation at the crossing, during which he was struck in the face, had his hair pulled, and was held in an underground cell.
At-Taweel stayed in his home Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then on Sunday morning (8 July 2012) received a phone call from the Office of Health Coordination telling him to attend another interview with Israeli intelligence. He left his home for the crossing and did not return, according to his family. At around 10:00 pm they received a phone call informing them that the patient had been detained in Ashkelon prison. Al-Taweel is prohibited an attorney visit and thus it is unknown what methods are used in his interrogaton and how it effects his already vulnerable medical condition. Past experience shows that those sometimes amount to cruel and inhuman treatment.
Conclusion: For several years PHR Israel witnessed the abuse of Palestinian Patients by the Israel Security Agency (Shabac): they are told that a permit is waiting for them at Erez Crossing, or are invited for an “interview” on which they are told their permit depends. Once they reach the crossing they are arrested or harshly interrogated (see: Holding Health to Ransom: GSS Interrogation and Extortion of Palestinian Patients at Erez Crossing 2008 and Adalah, Al Mezan and PHR-I press release 2011).
Following PHR Israel’s correspondence, we were notified by the Prime Ministers’ office that Israel saves for itself the right to arrest individuals who ask to enter Israel for medical reasons following intelligence information that indicates they pose a security risk.
While PHR Israel does not doubts Israel’s right to conduct a security examination for those wishing to enter or pass through its territory, It does view the policy described as exploiting desperate medical needs to manipulate and mislead individuals into arrests.
This policy amounts to conditioning access to healthcare on one's willingness to come to the interview, a procedure now feared by many – as they hear of the arrests that followed such “invitations”. This policy also harms the trust of the patients in human rights organizations who – in the process of advocating for their permits – are notified by the authorities of the interview, and in their turn notify the patient.
PHR Israel therefore demands:
Requests for permits for medical treatment will not be used for arrests or illegal interrogations (that use threats, extortions or cruel inhuman, and degrading treatment). Israel has other methods to arrests individuals if it so wishes.
Patients now in detention will be immediately allowed to see a physician they trust. Their medical need is obvious as all medical reports were handed to authorities with their request for a permit.
Please share your concern with the Israeli authorities at this harmful policy, for further information: hadas@phr.org.il
sincerely,
Hadas Ziv
Public Outreach
Physicians for Human Rights Israel
PHR Israel wishes to alert a continuation of Israel’s policy of arresting patients and those who escort them, using their need to enter Israel for medical treatment. It is important to mention that the long occupation and closure and the economic situation significantly contributed to the under development of the health system in Gaza causing it to be highly dependent on referrals to Israel or via Israel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem medical centers. This makes patients from Gaza an extremely vulnerable group.
PHR Israel had recently learnt on 3 cases were medical needs were used to detain people:
Rawhy Fouad Qarqaz: 42 yr. old (Married + 3 children). Suffers from severe knee pains and diagnosed with a meniscus derangements. On May 31, 2012 he was referred to MakassedHopital in East Jerusalem for orthopedic management. On June 18 PHR receives his file and sends a request (June 24) to allow his exist from Gaza for treatment. Following different correspondence PHR Israel receives a letter from the Israel DCO stating that “the authorized bodies decided to summon Mr. RawhyQarqaz to a "security interview", that will take place in Erez Crossing, on July 15th at 08:00”. PHR Israel passed this response to Mr. Qarqaz, emphasizing that this is not an easy thing and he should think whether he wishes to take this interview or not. To our deep dismay, the interview was used to arrest him.
Ahmad Chala: 25yr. old: A brother to Bila’l Chala, 8 yr. old. Bilal underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered from complications that necessitating a prolonged hospitalization Schneider Children Medical Center. Ahmad asked for a permit to replace his mother who needed to come back to Gaza, and stay by his brother’s side. Being told he was granted a permit, Ahmad reached Erez Crossing on July 2nd only to be arrested on the spot. Ahmad and Bilal’s father. whose permit requests were denied twice is now afraid to apply again though he wishes to replace his wife after she went a breakdown following her son's arrest.
Wa’il Kamil Muhammad Al-Taweel: 40 yr. old. According to field information collected by Al Mezan, (the following is taken from Al Mezan's update) he was arrested at Bayt Hanoun crossing after he left his house heading for the crossing at around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday to attend an “interview”with the Israeli intelligence apparatus, with the aim of obtaining medical treatment abroad. According to Al Mezan, he received a referral on 6 June 2012, and obtained an appointment for 5 July 2012 at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
The Office of Health Coordination, which is responsible for arranging Gazan patients’ passage through BaytHanoun crossing, notified him on July 5th that he needs to go to the crossing for an interview with Israeli intelligence. He went at roughly 8:00 am and returned home exhausted around 6:30 pm. He told his wife that he had been subjected to a full search and interrogation at the crossing, during which he was struck in the face, had his hair pulled, and was held in an underground cell.
At-Taweel stayed in his home Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, then on Sunday morning (8 July 2012) received a phone call from the Office of Health Coordination telling him to attend another interview with Israeli intelligence. He left his home for the crossing and did not return, according to his family. At around 10:00 pm they received a phone call informing them that the patient had been detained in Ashkelon prison. Al-Taweel is prohibited an attorney visit and thus it is unknown what methods are used in his interrogaton and how it effects his already vulnerable medical condition. Past experience shows that those sometimes amount to cruel and inhuman treatment.
Conclusion: For several years PHR Israel witnessed the abuse of Palestinian Patients by the Israel Security Agency (Shabac): they are told that a permit is waiting for them at Erez Crossing, or are invited for an “interview” on which they are told their permit depends. Once they reach the crossing they are arrested or harshly interrogated (see: Holding Health to Ransom: GSS Interrogation and Extortion of Palestinian Patients at Erez Crossing 2008 and Adalah, Al Mezan and PHR-I press release 2011).
Following PHR Israel’s correspondence, we were notified by the Prime Ministers’ office that Israel saves for itself the right to arrest individuals who ask to enter Israel for medical reasons following intelligence information that indicates they pose a security risk.
While PHR Israel does not doubts Israel’s right to conduct a security examination for those wishing to enter or pass through its territory, It does view the policy described as exploiting desperate medical needs to manipulate and mislead individuals into arrests.
This policy amounts to conditioning access to healthcare on one's willingness to come to the interview, a procedure now feared by many – as they hear of the arrests that followed such “invitations”. This policy also harms the trust of the patients in human rights organizations who – in the process of advocating for their permits – are notified by the authorities of the interview, and in their turn notify the patient.
PHR Israel therefore demands:
Requests for permits for medical treatment will not be used for arrests or illegal interrogations (that use threats, extortions or cruel inhuman, and degrading treatment). Israel has other methods to arrests individuals if it so wishes.
Patients now in detention will be immediately allowed to see a physician they trust. Their medical need is obvious as all medical reports were handed to authorities with their request for a permit.
Please share your concern with the Israeli authorities at this harmful policy, for further information: hadas@phr.org.il
sincerely,
Hadas Ziv
Public Outreach
Physicians for Human Rights Israel
When I finally went in I was interrogated for 2 hours Khitam says, they asked me about the resistance, gave me a pen and paper and asked for names. Since the war, Israeli intelligence has used Palestinian informers to target militant leaders, especially those involved in Hamas.
When Khitam told the intelligence that she didnt know anything, that shed spent the last 9 months lying in a hospital bed, they accused her of being involved in Hamas and sent her back to Gaza. I will die, thats it.
Theres nothing else I can do she says frankly. Khitam has no choice, but with the threat of Palestinian wrath hanging over becoming an informer, more and more Palestinians are opting to die.
For more information
When Khitam told the intelligence that she didnt know anything, that shed spent the last 9 months lying in a hospital bed, they accused her of being involved in Hamas and sent her back to Gaza. I will die, thats it.
Theres nothing else I can do she says frankly. Khitam has no choice, but with the threat of Palestinian wrath hanging over becoming an informer, more and more Palestinians are opting to die.
For more information
HR Institutions Issue Report Regarding Israel's Report on Rights of the Child
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Ensan Center for Democracy & Human Rights, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, and the Independent Commission for Human Rights issued its Alternative Report for Consideration Regarding Israel's Second Periodic Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
As Israel is due to provide its own state report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (the committee which oversees states' implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 – the CRC) the purpose of this report is to alert the Committee to Israel's lack of implementation of the CRC in the occupied Palestinian territory. As Israel continues to occupy the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, under international law it is the duty bearer and has obligations to protect children under the CRC. As this report shows, Israel has failed to do this.
As Israel is due to provide its own state report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (the committee which oversees states' implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 – the CRC) the purpose of this report is to alert the Committee to Israel's lack of implementation of the CRC in the occupied Palestinian territory. As Israel continues to occupy the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, under international law it is the duty bearer and has obligations to protect children under the CRC. As this report shows, Israel has failed to do this.
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The report predominantly explores incidents and policies which result in egregious violations of human rights and Israel's lack of policies to protect children in the Gaza Strip.
Data and information on killings, injuries, children in detention, settler violence are not included in this report as they are included in an Alternative Report submitted by Defence for Children Palestine Section. |
This report first examines Israel's failure to implement the CRC in the oPt, the lack of laws in the oPt which are in line with international child rights standards as well as the inability to provide sufficient services for children in many parts of the oPt. It then covers the following three main topics which have lead to violations of children's rights:
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-- the closure on the Gaza Strip; -- Restrictions on movements and residency in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; -- and Operation Cast Lead, house demolitions, other military attacks. The report looks at the effects of these on, among others, children's right to life, education, health, and family life. The final section, special protection measures examines child trafficking, child labour and the specific situation of Palestinian refugees and IDPs. |
The report concludes with the following recommendations:
1. Israel should be held fully accountable and responsible for ensuring the application of the CRC within all areas of the OPT. The State of Israel should report on the actions they have taken to ensure the implementation of the CRC and violations that they have been responsible for against Palestinian children residing within all regions of the OPT.
1. Israel should be held fully accountable and responsible for ensuring the application of the CRC within all areas of the OPT. The State of Israel should report on the actions they have taken to ensure the implementation of the CRC and violations that they have been responsible for against Palestinian children residing within all regions of the OPT.
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2. Israel should be eliminate the application of Israeli military orders against Palestinian children and should apply the CRC as a guide to ensuring Palestinian children's rights are upheld. Discriminatory laws that differentially apply rulings against Palestinian children compared to Israeli children should be revoked.
3. A full investigation should be undertaken of the over 1000 Palestinian children who have been killed by Israeli military action and settler violence and perpetrators of these violations should be held accountable. |
4. Israel should commit to the no-entry, non-use, non-targeting, and no destruction of education and health-related infrastructure at any time. This should be formally adopted and endorsed by Israeli military and civil courts.
5. The immediate lifting of the closure and embargo should be implemented by Israel.
6. All goods, supplies, services and persons required to ensure children's access to health, medical care, education, protection, and civil rights should be given top priority and all resources needed to safeguard children's rights to survival, development and their best interests should be required of Israel. This will require an immediate removal of closures and checkpoints within the West Bank and the elimination of the embargo of goods on Gaza
7. Israel's should be required to facilitate family reunification for all Palestinians within the OPT. This includes East Jerusalem where thousands of Palestinian children are currently residing with one or both parents, but do not have residency rights.
8. Israel should facilitate the economic recovery of the Gaza Strip by allowing the export and import of all goods, services and people required to rebuild and reconstitute a vibrant private sector within Gaza in order to alleviate the poverty, unemployment and high dependency upon humanitarian aid.
9. Displacement and home and livelihood demolitions are on the rise and this demands an international inquiry into the continuing violations against Palestinian children that deprive them of their right to live with dignity and with a decent standard of living in their own country and land. Displacement policies, specifically in East Jerusalem, are tantamount to forced population transfer and an international inquiry should be established to determine if this is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a possible war crime.
10. Israel must be called upon to immediately decease from its illegal policies of house demolitions, destruction of Palestinian property, land expropriation, failure to provide building permits and other acts which result in families being displaced and unable to live in adequate housing and living conditions.
11. Immediate action should be taken by Israel to coordinate special protection measures for Palestinian children who are illegally transported into or out of the West Bank and/or Gaza for purposes of child labour, exploitation, and child trafficking with the PNA. A system should be set up to ensure that any child who is exploited is properly safeguarded and returned to the OPT and that the Ministry of Social Affairs is properly informed and follows up with these children.
12. The prolonged occupation is detrimental the health, well being and development of Palestinian children. An end to the occupation should be sought by all parties.
Read the text of the CRC here
Download the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's Concluding Observations (Israel) (2002) here and here
5. The immediate lifting of the closure and embargo should be implemented by Israel.
6. All goods, supplies, services and persons required to ensure children's access to health, medical care, education, protection, and civil rights should be given top priority and all resources needed to safeguard children's rights to survival, development and their best interests should be required of Israel. This will require an immediate removal of closures and checkpoints within the West Bank and the elimination of the embargo of goods on Gaza
7. Israel's should be required to facilitate family reunification for all Palestinians within the OPT. This includes East Jerusalem where thousands of Palestinian children are currently residing with one or both parents, but do not have residency rights.
8. Israel should facilitate the economic recovery of the Gaza Strip by allowing the export and import of all goods, services and people required to rebuild and reconstitute a vibrant private sector within Gaza in order to alleviate the poverty, unemployment and high dependency upon humanitarian aid.
9. Displacement and home and livelihood demolitions are on the rise and this demands an international inquiry into the continuing violations against Palestinian children that deprive them of their right to live with dignity and with a decent standard of living in their own country and land. Displacement policies, specifically in East Jerusalem, are tantamount to forced population transfer and an international inquiry should be established to determine if this is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a possible war crime.
10. Israel must be called upon to immediately decease from its illegal policies of house demolitions, destruction of Palestinian property, land expropriation, failure to provide building permits and other acts which result in families being displaced and unable to live in adequate housing and living conditions.
11. Immediate action should be taken by Israel to coordinate special protection measures for Palestinian children who are illegally transported into or out of the West Bank and/or Gaza for purposes of child labour, exploitation, and child trafficking with the PNA. A system should be set up to ensure that any child who is exploited is properly safeguarded and returned to the OPT and that the Ministry of Social Affairs is properly informed and follows up with these children.
12. The prolonged occupation is detrimental the health, well being and development of Palestinian children. An end to the occupation should be sought by all parties.
Read the text of the CRC here
Download the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's Concluding Observations (Israel) (2002) here and here
13 july 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 5 Palestinian civilians wounded, 33 abducted by Israeli forces this week
Protester waves flag during weekly non-violent demo in Nabi Saleh village (PCHR photo)
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 05– 11 July 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, wounding 4 Palestinian civilians. In addition, Israeli forces launched a number of air strikes and opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip, wounding a Palestinian civilian.
Also this week, Israeli forces abducted two Palestinian civilians and 3 human rights defenders at non-violent protests, 26 Palestinians, including 7 children, during incursions into the West Bank, and two Palestinian civilians, including a child, who attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 63 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted 26 Palestinians, including 7 children.
In just one example of this week's 63 invasions, on Wednesday July 11th at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and abducted Jalal Qassem al-Ra’ei, 42. Al-Ra’ei is a worker who sustained a fracture to the right foot two weeks ago. Israeli forces also fired a sound bomb at a nearby house belonging to Nemer ‘Olayan Ekhlil.
As a result fire broke out in trees and olives near the house.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man was wounded this week by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip when he was together with other workers collecting scraps of construction materials. On Thursday, July 5, At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers positioned on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at a number of workers who were collecting steel and plastics in the north of the town to sell them to traders for recycling. As a result, one of the workers, Mohammed Rushdi Kharawat, 21, was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when he was nearly 200 meters away from the border.
During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 3 air strikes at a training site of the Palestinian resistance, an open area and agricultural lands in the Gaza Strip.
Also in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted one limited incursion into Palestinian areas to the east of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli forces abducted a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 05 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, cut and destroyed at least 120 olive trees in Yatma village.
On the same day, Israeli settlers seized a 5-dunum area of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They also placed a mobile home on the land.
On 09 July 2012, Israeli settlers who gathered in Nabi Younis area at the northern entrance of Halhoul town, north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling in the area, and destroyed windows of some vehicles.
On the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the site of an ancient synagogue, which is located in an area under the control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords, to conduct religious rituals. Soon, Israeli forces moved into the area in an attempt to control and evacuate the settlers.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted two Palestinian civilians and 3 international human rights defenders.
Following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.
Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted 4 demonstrators, including 3 international human rights defenders. Two of the detainees were identified as: ‘Atallah Tamim Tamimi, 63, who was released two hours later; and Rana Nazzal, 19, a Canadian Palestinian citizen.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 06 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by Israeli forces. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, 3 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters. Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, fire broke out in some agricultural area due to the use of tear gas canisters and sound bombs by Israeli forces, burning at least 20 olive trees belonging to Mahmoud ‘Eissa ‘Obaid. Israeli forces also abducted Majed ‘Abdul Mo’men Jom’a, 40.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
Also, the PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 05– 11 July 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, wounding 4 Palestinian civilians. In addition, Israeli forces launched a number of air strikes and opened fire at areas in the Gaza Strip, wounding a Palestinian civilian.
Also this week, Israeli forces abducted two Palestinian civilians and 3 human rights defenders at non-violent protests, 26 Palestinians, including 7 children, during incursions into the West Bank, and two Palestinian civilians, including a child, who attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 63 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted 26 Palestinians, including 7 children.
In just one example of this week's 63 invasions, on Wednesday July 11th at approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and abducted Jalal Qassem al-Ra’ei, 42. Al-Ra’ei is a worker who sustained a fracture to the right foot two weeks ago. Israeli forces also fired a sound bomb at a nearby house belonging to Nemer ‘Olayan Ekhlil.
As a result fire broke out in trees and olives near the house.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man was wounded this week by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip when he was together with other workers collecting scraps of construction materials. On Thursday, July 5, At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers positioned on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Hanoun town opened fire at a number of workers who were collecting steel and plastics in the north of the town to sell them to traders for recycling. As a result, one of the workers, Mohammed Rushdi Kharawat, 21, was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh, when he was nearly 200 meters away from the border.
During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 3 air strikes at a training site of the Palestinian resistance, an open area and agricultural lands in the Gaza Strip.
Also in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted one limited incursion into Palestinian areas to the east of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli forces abducted a Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 05 July 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Taffouh” settlement, south of Nablus, cut and destroyed at least 120 olive trees in Yatma village.
On the same day, Israeli settlers seized a 5-dunum area of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They also placed a mobile home on the land.
On 09 July 2012, Israeli settlers who gathered in Nabi Younis area at the northern entrance of Halhoul town, north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling in the area, and destroyed windows of some vehicles.
On the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the site of an ancient synagogue, which is located in an area under the control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords, to conduct religious rituals. Soon, Israeli forces moved into the area in an attempt to control and evacuate the settlers.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted two Palestinian civilians and 3 international human rights defenders.
Following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 July 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize.
Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted 4 demonstrators, including 3 international human rights defenders. Two of the detainees were identified as: ‘Atallah Tamim Tamimi, 63, who was released two hours later; and Rana Nazzal, 19, a Canadian Palestinian citizen.
At approximately 13:15 also on Friday, 06 July 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by Israeli forces. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, 3 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters. Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. Additionally, fire broke out in some agricultural area due to the use of tear gas canisters and sound bombs by Israeli forces, burning at least 20 olive trees belonging to Mahmoud ‘Eissa ‘Obaid. Israeli forces also abducted Majed ‘Abdul Mo’men Jom’a, 40.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
Also, the PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
6 july 2012
New Paper Probes Effects of Occupation on Environment
In a recently published paper several scientists have drawn a clear link between the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the blockade on Gaza, and the environmental degradation they cause. The paper, Compounding Vulnerability: Impacts of Climate Change on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, published in the Journal of Palestine Studies earlier this month, concludes that Israeli policies implemented in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have not only caused immense damage to the natural environment, making life more difficult for Palestinians, but the same policies have also made the process of coping with and adapting to climate change impossible.
The authors of the paper, Michael Mason, Michael Zeitoun and Berzeit University researcher Ziad Mimi, point to the effects of the annexation wall, the settlers and their increasingly violent behaviour and water theft as key factors in driving environmental degradation in the West Bank as well as the damage done to water infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force and zoning policies, which strangle the enclave’s fishing industry.
The authors of the paper, Michael Mason, Michael Zeitoun and Berzeit University researcher Ziad Mimi, point to the effects of the annexation wall, the settlers and their increasingly violent behaviour and water theft as key factors in driving environmental degradation in the West Bank as well as the damage done to water infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force and zoning policies, which strangle the enclave’s fishing industry.
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The “restrictions imposed by the separation wall on Palestinian wells” they found “have significantly reduced the availability of water for farmers around Qalqilya” making their farming less viable. They also found that the unchecked settler violence has led to the destruction of agricultural land and the destruction of water infrastructure. To compount this the reduction in rainfall expected to come as a result of climate change is threatening the sustainability of agriculture in the West Bank, and in particular the Jordan Valley as “94 percent of non-settlement arable land (166,000 hectares) is rain-fed, with about two-thirds taken up by fruit trees (olives, citrus, and also grapevines) and most of the rest by field crops.” With water becoming increasingly scarce the future is uncertain for farmers throughout the region.
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The effect is similar in Gaza where the agricultural sector, which was already severely damaged by Operation Cast Lead in January 2009, struggles to stay viable amidst both water shortages and IDF aggression.
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However, there is a double consequence of the occupation, they claim, as “Gaza farmers who grow crops in brackish water only to see them barred from export markets do not have the luxury to consider climate-change projections, and neither do herders in the southern Hebron hills routinely subject to settler violence.” So as a result of the occupation the farmers are unable to even entertain the notion of switching to more sustainable farming methods since they are already so hampered by existing Israeli policies.
It is for this reason that the environment is rarely talked about in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The challenges facing Palestinians are also so great that confronting the issue of sustainability – an issue that even |
countries not affected by conflict struggle to deal with adequately – seems immensely difficult if not impossible. However, this study may just help to expand people’s thinking about the occupation of the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza and the severely crippling effects that they have the lives of those forced to endure them.
The paper can be read in The Journal of Palestine Studies Click Here
The paper can be read in The Journal of Palestine Studies Click Here
6 july 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 5 civilians wounded, 27 abducted by Israeli forces this week
4 shops demolished by the Israeli municipality in Bab al-Amoud neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 28 June– 04 July 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces abducted 27 civilians, including four children, in 45 incursions into the Palestinian Territories.
In addition, Israeli forces use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
Israeli forces launched a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip. A training site and a car were bombarded, but no casualties were reported. Two houses were damaged.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes bombarded a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) and a car. No casualties were reported, but two houses were damaged. On Monday 2 July, at approximately 03:00, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at a site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), southwest of Gaza City. No casualties were reported. The attack targeted a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, but they survived the attack.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 June 2012, Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, when they attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 19 Palestinians, including two children.
Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, who attempted to enter Israel to search for jobs. 5 Palestinian civilians were abducted by Israeli forces at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli forces have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.
On 29 June 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing published tenders to build 171 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev” and “Gilo” settlements, north and south of East Jerusalem. According to Ahmed Sab Laban, a settlement researcher, the those tenders were published by the Israeli land authority for contractors on 28 December 2011.
On 01 July 2012, crews of the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, under security escort, stormed Bab al-'Amoud (Damascus Gate) area in the old town of Jerusalem. They tore down 4 shops, which had been subject to an arson attack a week earlier, and their losses were estimated at 100,000s ILS. While the Israeli police investigated the attack, it did not reveal the party that launched it. So, the owners repaired the shops and brought new goods into them. The Israeli Supreme Court approved the evacuation and demolition of the four shops in February 2010, claiming that there was a plan to develop the infrastructure of the old town.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:20 also on Friday, 29 June 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by Israeli forces. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters. Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
The PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 28 June– 04 July 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces abducted 27 civilians, including four children, in 45 incursions into the Palestinian Territories.
In addition, Israeli forces use force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
Israeli forces launched a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip. A training site and a car were bombarded, but no casualties were reported. Two houses were damaged.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli warplanes bombarded a training site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) and a car. No casualties were reported, but two houses were damaged. On Monday 2 July, at approximately 03:00, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at a site of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), southwest of Gaza City. No casualties were reported. The attack targeted a number of members of the Palestinian resistance, but they survived the attack.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 June 2012, Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, when they attempted to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs inside Israel.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 19 Palestinians, including two children.
Israeli forces abducted 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, who attempted to enter Israel to search for jobs. 5 Palestinian civilians were abducted by Israeli forces at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli forces have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East Jerusalem.
On 29 June 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing published tenders to build 171 housing units in “Pisgat Ze’ev” and “Gilo” settlements, north and south of East Jerusalem. According to Ahmed Sab Laban, a settlement researcher, the those tenders were published by the Israeli land authority for contractors on 28 December 2011.
On 01 July 2012, crews of the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, under security escort, stormed Bab al-'Amoud (Damascus Gate) area in the old town of Jerusalem. They tore down 4 shops, which had been subject to an arson attack a week earlier, and their losses were estimated at 100,000s ILS. While the Israeli police investigated the attack, it did not reveal the party that launched it. So, the owners repaired the shops and brought new goods into them. The Israeli Supreme Court approved the evacuation and demolition of the four shops in February 2010, claiming that there was a plan to develop the infrastructure of the old town.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of annexation wall. They called through megaphones on Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot. Additionally, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall. Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.
As a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 29 June 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:20 also on Friday, 29 June 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village by Israeli forces. They moved towards the entrance. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 4 demonstrators, including a child, were hit by tear gas canisters. Some demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
The PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
For the full text of the report, click on the link