30 nov 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 8 dead, 44 wounded by Israeli troops this week
Palestinian man abducted by Israeli troops in Jerusalem (PCHR photo supplied by Al Quds newspaper)
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 22 -29 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that during the past week, Israeli Forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip, while 5 others, including 2 civilians; one of whom is a woman, died of wounds they had sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, Civil Defense crews found the corpses of 2 civilians, including a child, in the rubble of their house that was destroyed by Israeli forces last week.
The Israeli Forces also wounded 42 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, in the Gaza Strip this week. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians civilians were wounded in peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli Forces conducted 81 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 99 Palestinians, including 9 children. Of those who were abducted by the Israeli Forces, there are 6 members of the Palestinians Legislative Council (PLC) and a number of political leaders of the Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli Forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
At least 6 Palestinians were abducted, including 2 children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 23 November 2012, the Israeli Forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 18 others, including 3 children. The incident occurred when the Israeli soldiers at the border fence to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who raised flags and attempted to cross the border fence.
It is worth noting that the Palestinians headed to the border area in light of the cease-fire agreement that was put into effect at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 and was reached by Israel and the Palestinian resistance groups under the auspices of Egypt.
During the reporting period, 5 Palestinians died of wounds they had sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. On 23 November 2012, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City pronounced 2 Palestinians dead, both members of Palestinian resistance groups.
On 26 November 2012, medical sources declared that Ahmed Ali al-Mashharawi, 18, died of wounds he had sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza. Al-Mashharawi, who is a civilian, was wounded on 14 November 2012, when an Israeli warplane launched a missile on a house belonging to Ali Nemer Abdul Rahman al-Mashharawi, 54, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
As a result, the house was completely destroyed, Omar al-Mashharawi, 11 months, and Heba al-Mashharawi (al-Turk), 19, were killed, and 2 other children, including Ahmed, were wounded.
On the same day, medical sources declared that Sabah Mohammed Harb al-Skafi, 41, from al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in Gaza City, died of wounds she had sustained when Israeli warplane bombarded a house belonging to the al-Haddad family in al-Sha'af area.
Al-Skafi was passing by the house when the attack happened, so she sustained serious injury. She was transferred to an Egyptian hospital for medical treatment, but she passed away.
On 28 November 2012, medical sources in an Egyptian Hospital declared that Mahmoud Sami Sha'th, 21, from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, died of wounds he had sustained on 18 November 2012.
Sha'th, a member of an armed group, was wounded when an Israeli warplane targeted him in a car with another member of the group and the taxi driver, who were both killed.
On 22 November 2012, the Civil Defense in Gaza City found the corpse of Mohammed al-Dalu, 29, and his sister Yara, 17, in the rubbles of their family’s house that was destroyed by Israeli warplanes. It should be noted that the said house was bombarded by the Israeli warplanes on 18 November 2012.
As a result, 8 members of the family were killed, including 4 children and 4 women. All of them, including a mother and her 4 children, were found in the rubbles of the house.
As a result of the attack, many surrounding houses were damaged and 2 members of al-Mzannar family were killed. Thus, the number of the al-Dalu family members who were killed in the attack increased to 10, including 5 children.
On 22 November 2012, 6 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence, east of al-Faraheen area in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the fence.
On the same day, another 2 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the border area in the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. Their wounds were described as moderate.
On 25 November 2012, a Palestinian child was wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis , opened fire at a group of children who approached the fence in the east of Abassan, east of Khan Yunis.
On 26 November 2012, the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence in the east of Khan Yunis fired at a group of children, who approached the border fence in the east of Abassan village.
As a result, a child sustained minor injury. In addition, on the same day, another 2 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence in the east of Jabalya, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians and famers, who were present near the border fence to challenge the Israeli decision to impose a buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
On the same day, Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence north of Um al-Nasser village (the Bedouin village) in the northern Gaza Strip abducted 3 Palestinian civilians from Ezbet Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The 3 Palestinians approached the border fence and attempted to cut parts of it.
Their relatives said that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed to them that their sons were abducted by the Israeli Forces.
On 27 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces stationed at the border fence in the east of Abu Safiya gate, east of Jabalya, fired bullets and tear gas canisters at a number of civilians and farmers near the border fence.
On the same day, another Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence to the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at dozens of Palestinians near the border area.
On 28 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces stationed at the border fence to the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at dozens of Palestinians in the area. On the same day, another Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence in the east of Beit Hanoun opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians and farmers near the area.
Also on the same day, 8 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded when the Israeli Forces fired at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the border fence in the east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip.
In other shooting incidents, the Israeli Forces stationed along the border fence in the east of Beit Hanoun and Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian civilians and farmers, who headed to the border area to challenge the Israeli decision to impose a 300-meter buffer zone along the borders.
It should be noted that hundreds of Palestinian farmers were denied access to their lands in the mentioned area.
These farmers decided to go to the border area in light of the announcement of the cease-fire agreement between Israeli and the Palestinian resistance groups.
In the context of targeting fishermen in the Gaza Strip, on 28 November 2012, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats for about 10 minutes. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled for fear of being abducted or wounded. Neither casualties nor damage were reported.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, the Israeli Forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders.
As a result, 2 Palestinians were wounded. In addition, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises. The Israeli Forces abducted Shamekh Jaghoub, 30, a cameraman of Palestine TV. They confiscated the memory card of the camera and beat him before releasing him later.
Following the Friday Prayer on 23 November 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.
The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall. They called through megaphones for 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, an 18 year-old sustained a bullet wound in the left leg, and a 22 year-old sustained a bullet wound in the right leg, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Israeli forces abducted journalist Shamekh Jareh Saleh Jagoub 30, a cameraman of Palestine Television.
They confiscated the memory card of his camera and investigated with him about the persons he photographed, and beat him before releasing him at approximately 15:00 the same day.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 November 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 at 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 and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, 23 November 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a 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, which leads to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted two Israeli activists and transported them to an unknown destination.
Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.
As the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, the Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated lands. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
They also violently beat Hassan Braijiya, coordinator for the Popular Movement against the Wall and Settlement Activities, and threatened him of arrest while videotaping the demonstration.
At approximately 12:30 on the same Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.
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 and others sustained bruises. An Israeli soldier shot a sound bomb at a civilian Subaru 1988 car, owned by Walid Kamel Barham, which caused the rear window to shatter.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli Forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 1,000 olive seedlings were cut off in Hebron. More than 300 olive trees were cut in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron.
On 28 November 2012, the Israeli Forces supported by 2 military bulldozers moved into Abu 'Asida area in the west of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers denied the Palestinian civilians access to the area. Besides, the Israeli bulldozers started demolishing agricultural lands belonging to Suleiman Rabee', 40.
They also cut off about 1,000 olive seedlings belonging to the family of al-Atrash. The Israeli bulldozers then leveled a 20-dunum area of reclaimed land belonging to Mohammed Abdul Fattah Jaber al-Saraheen, 50, from the same village.
On the same day, the Israeli Forces accompanied by military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet Um Neer in Sousia area, south of Hebron. The bulldozer started demolishing a tent resided by Isa Mohammed Ahmed al-Jbour, 41, and his family, under the pretext that the area is a military training area.
On 24 November 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "Adora" settlement, west of Hebron, threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles while driving on bypass road (35) linking the western villages with Hebron. No casualties were reported though.
On the same day, dozens of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, south of Hebron, cut down more than 300 olive trees that were planted less than 3 years ago. These trees belong to the Awawda family.
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 international community pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the 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.
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 22 -29 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that during the past week, Israeli Forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip, while 5 others, including 2 civilians; one of whom is a woman, died of wounds they had sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, Civil Defense crews found the corpses of 2 civilians, including a child, in the rubble of their house that was destroyed by Israeli forces last week.
The Israeli Forces also wounded 42 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, in the Gaza Strip this week. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians civilians were wounded in peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli Forces conducted 81 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 99 Palestinians, including 9 children. Of those who were abducted by the Israeli Forces, there are 6 members of the Palestinians Legislative Council (PLC) and a number of political leaders of the Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli Forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
At least 6 Palestinians were abducted, including 2 children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, on 23 November 2012, the Israeli Forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 18 others, including 3 children. The incident occurred when the Israeli soldiers at the border fence to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who raised flags and attempted to cross the border fence.
It is worth noting that the Palestinians headed to the border area in light of the cease-fire agreement that was put into effect at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 and was reached by Israel and the Palestinian resistance groups under the auspices of Egypt.
During the reporting period, 5 Palestinians died of wounds they had sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. On 23 November 2012, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City pronounced 2 Palestinians dead, both members of Palestinian resistance groups.
On 26 November 2012, medical sources declared that Ahmed Ali al-Mashharawi, 18, died of wounds he had sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza. Al-Mashharawi, who is a civilian, was wounded on 14 November 2012, when an Israeli warplane launched a missile on a house belonging to Ali Nemer Abdul Rahman al-Mashharawi, 54, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
As a result, the house was completely destroyed, Omar al-Mashharawi, 11 months, and Heba al-Mashharawi (al-Turk), 19, were killed, and 2 other children, including Ahmed, were wounded.
On the same day, medical sources declared that Sabah Mohammed Harb al-Skafi, 41, from al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in Gaza City, died of wounds she had sustained when Israeli warplane bombarded a house belonging to the al-Haddad family in al-Sha'af area.
Al-Skafi was passing by the house when the attack happened, so she sustained serious injury. She was transferred to an Egyptian hospital for medical treatment, but she passed away.
On 28 November 2012, medical sources in an Egyptian Hospital declared that Mahmoud Sami Sha'th, 21, from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, died of wounds he had sustained on 18 November 2012.
Sha'th, a member of an armed group, was wounded when an Israeli warplane targeted him in a car with another member of the group and the taxi driver, who were both killed.
On 22 November 2012, the Civil Defense in Gaza City found the corpse of Mohammed al-Dalu, 29, and his sister Yara, 17, in the rubbles of their family’s house that was destroyed by Israeli warplanes. It should be noted that the said house was bombarded by the Israeli warplanes on 18 November 2012.
As a result, 8 members of the family were killed, including 4 children and 4 women. All of them, including a mother and her 4 children, were found in the rubbles of the house.
As a result of the attack, many surrounding houses were damaged and 2 members of al-Mzannar family were killed. Thus, the number of the al-Dalu family members who were killed in the attack increased to 10, including 5 children.
On 22 November 2012, 6 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence, east of al-Faraheen area in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the fence.
On the same day, another 2 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces opened fire at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the border area in the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. Their wounds were described as moderate.
On 25 November 2012, a Palestinian child was wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis , opened fire at a group of children who approached the fence in the east of Abassan, east of Khan Yunis.
On 26 November 2012, the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence in the east of Khan Yunis fired at a group of children, who approached the border fence in the east of Abassan village.
As a result, a child sustained minor injury. In addition, on the same day, another 2 Palestinians were wounded when the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence in the east of Jabalya, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of civilians and famers, who were present near the border fence to challenge the Israeli decision to impose a buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
On the same day, Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence north of Um al-Nasser village (the Bedouin village) in the northern Gaza Strip abducted 3 Palestinian civilians from Ezbet Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The 3 Palestinians approached the border fence and attempted to cut parts of it.
Their relatives said that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed to them that their sons were abducted by the Israeli Forces.
On 27 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces stationed at the border fence in the east of Abu Safiya gate, east of Jabalya, fired bullets and tear gas canisters at a number of civilians and farmers near the border fence.
On the same day, another Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces positioned at the border fence to the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at dozens of Palestinians near the border area.
On 28 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces stationed at the border fence to the east of al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at dozens of Palestinians in the area. On the same day, another Palestinian civilian was wounded when the Israeli Forces at the border fence in the east of Beit Hanoun opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians and farmers near the area.
Also on the same day, 8 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded when the Israeli Forces fired at dozens of Palestinians who headed to the border fence in the east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip.
In other shooting incidents, the Israeli Forces stationed along the border fence in the east of Beit Hanoun and Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian civilians and farmers, who headed to the border area to challenge the Israeli decision to impose a 300-meter buffer zone along the borders.
It should be noted that hundreds of Palestinian farmers were denied access to their lands in the mentioned area.
These farmers decided to go to the border area in light of the announcement of the cease-fire agreement between Israeli and the Palestinian resistance groups.
In the context of targeting fishermen in the Gaza Strip, on 28 November 2012, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats for about 10 minutes. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled for fear of being abducted or wounded. Neither casualties nor damage were reported.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, the Israeli Forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders.
As a result, 2 Palestinians were wounded. In addition, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises. The Israeli Forces abducted Shamekh Jaghoub, 30, a cameraman of Palestine TV. They confiscated the memory card of the camera and beat him before releasing him later.
Following the Friday Prayer on 23 November 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.
The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall. They called through megaphones for 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, an 18 year-old sustained a bullet wound in the left leg, and a 22 year-old sustained a bullet wound in the right leg, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. Israeli forces abducted journalist Shamekh Jareh Saleh Jagoub 30, a cameraman of Palestine Television.
They confiscated the memory card of his camera and investigated with him about the persons he photographed, and beat him before releasing him at approximately 15:00 the same day.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 November 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 at 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 and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, 23 November 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a 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, which leads to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also abducted two Israeli activists and transported them to an unknown destination.
Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.
As the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, the Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated lands. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
They also violently beat Hassan Braijiya, coordinator for the Popular Movement against the Wall and Settlement Activities, and threatened him of arrest while videotaping the demonstration.
At approximately 12:30 on the same Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.
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 and others sustained bruises. An Israeli soldier shot a sound bomb at a civilian Subaru 1988 car, owned by Walid Kamel Barham, which caused the rear window to shatter.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli Forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. 1,000 olive seedlings were cut off in Hebron. More than 300 olive trees were cut in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron.
On 28 November 2012, the Israeli Forces supported by 2 military bulldozers moved into Abu 'Asida area in the west of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers denied the Palestinian civilians access to the area. Besides, the Israeli bulldozers started demolishing agricultural lands belonging to Suleiman Rabee', 40.
They also cut off about 1,000 olive seedlings belonging to the family of al-Atrash. The Israeli bulldozers then leveled a 20-dunum area of reclaimed land belonging to Mohammed Abdul Fattah Jaber al-Saraheen, 50, from the same village.
On the same day, the Israeli Forces accompanied by military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet Um Neer in Sousia area, south of Hebron. The bulldozer started demolishing a tent resided by Isa Mohammed Ahmed al-Jbour, 41, and his family, under the pretext that the area is a military training area.
On 24 November 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from "Adora" settlement, west of Hebron, threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles while driving on bypass road (35) linking the western villages with Hebron. No casualties were reported though.
On the same day, dozens of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, south of Hebron, cut down more than 300 olive trees that were planted less than 3 years ago. These trees belong to the Awawda family.
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 international community pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, the 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.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
29 nov 2012
15 Fishermen Arrested and 6 Fishing Boats Confiscated and Destroyed
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns Israel's violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, which continue in spite of the Israeli authorities' announcement of allowing the fishermen to fish up to 6 nautical miles off the Gaza shore. PCHR calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the protection of civilians in times of war, to intervene to immediately stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen, and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza sea.
PCHR has been following up the progress at the Gaza sea, since the Israeli forces stopped its offensive on the Gaza Strip, from 14 to 21 November 2012, under terms of the truce deal between the Palestinian armed groups and Israel under Egyptian and international auspices. Since Thursday, 22 November 2012, the Palestinian fishermen have been able to fish within 6 nautical miles, under intense surveillance by the Israeli gunboats which were deployed near the Palestinian fishing boats. A number of fishermen have sailed up to 6 nautical miles during the past few days. They were very cautious because of the presence of the Israeli gunboats nearby, bearing in mind that the Israeli authorities did not officially announce the new fishing distance allowed for the Palestinian fishermen to access.
PCHR documented Israeli violations committed against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza sea between Thursday, 22 November 2012, (the first day of the enforcement of the truce deal) and Thursday, 29 November 2012. These violations were as follows:
· On Monday, 26 November 2012, Israeli gunboats intercepted a fishing boat while it sailed at 8 nautical miles out of the Gaza city shore. According to fisherman Amjad Ismail Ahmed al-Sherafi (38) from Gaza, at approximately 09:30, he and his brother Mohammad (34) sailed their in the Gaza waters when an Israeli gunboat intercepted him and forced him to stop at gunpoint and sail back without pulling his fishing nets out of the sea.
· At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli forces chased a fishing boat belonging to Murad Rajab al-Hessi, from Gaza, at nearly 6 nautical miles off the shore from Deir al-Balah. Mohammad Murad al-Hessi (39), Ahmed Murad al-Hessi (32), Murad Mohammad al-Hessi (18) and Rajab Rashad al-Hessi (36) were on board of the boat. 4 Israeli gunboats opened intensive fire at the boat, which caused damage to the boat. The Israeli soldiers then ordered the fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the
· gunboat. They were all arrested and interrogated at gunpoint. 3 hours later, 4 of them were released. However, Mohammad Murad al-Hessi remains in detention. In addition, the boat still remains confiscated.
· At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened intense and direct fire at a Palestinian fishing boat, belonging to Khader Jamal Baker (20), from Gaza, while he sailed at 3.5 nautical miles. As a result, the fishing boat was destroyed. Baker was arrested by Israeli soldiers who interrogated with him at gunpoint for 3 hours before releasing him.
· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened intense fire at a Palestinian fishing boat with 3 fishermen on board, belonging to Wafdi Suheil Baker (24), from Gaza, while sailing at 5 nautical miles off the Gaza shore. As a result of the shooting, the engine of the boat was damaged. The soldiers subsequently arrested the three fishermen, who were identified as: Wafdi Suheil Baker (24), Khaled Suheil Baker (20) and Mohammad Suheil Baker (18), all from Gaza.
· At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire directly and intensively at two Palestinian fishing boats belonging to Mohammad Najib Baker (60) and Tal'at Kamel Baker (22), both from Gaza, while they sailed at 3 nautical miles off the Gaza shore. As a result of the shooting, both boats were damaged.
· At approximately 10:15 on Thursday, 29 November 2012, Israeli naval forces stationed off the Beit Lahia shore intercepted a fishing boat with 6 fishermen on board, belonging to Fahed Ziad Baker (38), from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 5 nautical miles off the Beit Lahia shore, in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers arrested the fishermen and investigated with them aboard the Israeli gunboat at gunpoint. Until now the fishermen remain in detention. The arrested fishermen were identified as:
Fahed Ziad Baker (38),
Ihab Jawad Baker (36),
Mohammad Ziad Baker (32),
Nai'm Fahed Baker (16),
Ziad Faged Baker (18) and
Ali Alaa Baker (18).
In light of the above, PCHR:
1. Condemns the continued Israeli violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza sea, and calls upon Israel to immediately stop its policy of chasing and arresting Palestinian fishermen, and to allow them to sail and fish freely;
2. Believes that the violations committed against the Palestinian fishermen within the 6 nautical miles limit proves false the Israeli claims of permitting the fishermen to fish at 6 nautical miles freely;
3. Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the protection of civilians in times of war, to intervene to immediately stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen, and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza sea.
PCHR has been following up the progress at the Gaza sea, since the Israeli forces stopped its offensive on the Gaza Strip, from 14 to 21 November 2012, under terms of the truce deal between the Palestinian armed groups and Israel under Egyptian and international auspices. Since Thursday, 22 November 2012, the Palestinian fishermen have been able to fish within 6 nautical miles, under intense surveillance by the Israeli gunboats which were deployed near the Palestinian fishing boats. A number of fishermen have sailed up to 6 nautical miles during the past few days. They were very cautious because of the presence of the Israeli gunboats nearby, bearing in mind that the Israeli authorities did not officially announce the new fishing distance allowed for the Palestinian fishermen to access.
PCHR documented Israeli violations committed against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza sea between Thursday, 22 November 2012, (the first day of the enforcement of the truce deal) and Thursday, 29 November 2012. These violations were as follows:
· On Monday, 26 November 2012, Israeli gunboats intercepted a fishing boat while it sailed at 8 nautical miles out of the Gaza city shore. According to fisherman Amjad Ismail Ahmed al-Sherafi (38) from Gaza, at approximately 09:30, he and his brother Mohammad (34) sailed their in the Gaza waters when an Israeli gunboat intercepted him and forced him to stop at gunpoint and sail back without pulling his fishing nets out of the sea.
· At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli forces chased a fishing boat belonging to Murad Rajab al-Hessi, from Gaza, at nearly 6 nautical miles off the shore from Deir al-Balah. Mohammad Murad al-Hessi (39), Ahmed Murad al-Hessi (32), Murad Mohammad al-Hessi (18) and Rajab Rashad al-Hessi (36) were on board of the boat. 4 Israeli gunboats opened intensive fire at the boat, which caused damage to the boat. The Israeli soldiers then ordered the fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the
· gunboat. They were all arrested and interrogated at gunpoint. 3 hours later, 4 of them were released. However, Mohammad Murad al-Hessi remains in detention. In addition, the boat still remains confiscated.
· At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened intense and direct fire at a Palestinian fishing boat, belonging to Khader Jamal Baker (20), from Gaza, while he sailed at 3.5 nautical miles. As a result, the fishing boat was destroyed. Baker was arrested by Israeli soldiers who interrogated with him at gunpoint for 3 hours before releasing him.
· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened intense fire at a Palestinian fishing boat with 3 fishermen on board, belonging to Wafdi Suheil Baker (24), from Gaza, while sailing at 5 nautical miles off the Gaza shore. As a result of the shooting, the engine of the boat was damaged. The soldiers subsequently arrested the three fishermen, who were identified as: Wafdi Suheil Baker (24), Khaled Suheil Baker (20) and Mohammad Suheil Baker (18), all from Gaza.
· At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 28 November 2012, Israeli gunboats opened fire directly and intensively at two Palestinian fishing boats belonging to Mohammad Najib Baker (60) and Tal'at Kamel Baker (22), both from Gaza, while they sailed at 3 nautical miles off the Gaza shore. As a result of the shooting, both boats were damaged.
· At approximately 10:15 on Thursday, 29 November 2012, Israeli naval forces stationed off the Beit Lahia shore intercepted a fishing boat with 6 fishermen on board, belonging to Fahed Ziad Baker (38), from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 5 nautical miles off the Beit Lahia shore, in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers arrested the fishermen and investigated with them aboard the Israeli gunboat at gunpoint. Until now the fishermen remain in detention. The arrested fishermen were identified as:
Fahed Ziad Baker (38),
Ihab Jawad Baker (36),
Mohammad Ziad Baker (32),
Nai'm Fahed Baker (16),
Ziad Faged Baker (18) and
Ali Alaa Baker (18).
In light of the above, PCHR:
1. Condemns the continued Israeli violations against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza sea, and calls upon Israel to immediately stop its policy of chasing and arresting Palestinian fishermen, and to allow them to sail and fish freely;
2. Believes that the violations committed against the Palestinian fishermen within the 6 nautical miles limit proves false the Israeli claims of permitting the fishermen to fish at 6 nautical miles freely;
3. Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the protection of civilians in times of war, to intervene to immediately stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen, and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza sea.
28 nov 2012
As the Israeli legal system fails Palestinian victims, PCHR also resorts to the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, filing cases in foreign jurisdictions to seek the investigation and prosecution of suspected Israeli war criminals.
One of such suspects is General Doran Almog, the commanding General of the Israeli forces in Gaza from 2000 to 2003.
On September 10, 2005, Almog became well known internationally for escaping arrest for suspected war crimes in Heathrow airport.
This short film follows the case of Almog and the use of the law universal jurisidiction to achieve justice for Gaza. The failed arrest sparked a international debate on the politics that are prioritized over international justice.
Almog's near arrest changed the course of history for future generations of Israelis and for a few human rights lawyers it challenged one of the biggest militaries in the world simply by using the rule of law.
One of such suspects is General Doran Almog, the commanding General of the Israeli forces in Gaza from 2000 to 2003.
On September 10, 2005, Almog became well known internationally for escaping arrest for suspected war crimes in Heathrow airport.
This short film follows the case of Almog and the use of the law universal jurisidiction to achieve justice for Gaza. The failed arrest sparked a international debate on the politics that are prioritized over international justice.
Almog's near arrest changed the course of history for future generations of Israelis and for a few human rights lawyers it challenged one of the biggest militaries in the world simply by using the rule of law.
Report: IOF arrests 10 thousand Palestinian women since 1948
GAZA, (PIC)-- A Palestinian organization called on humanitarian institutions and international human rights organizations to support the Palestinian female prisoners and to work for their release from Israeli jails.
The Palestinian Center for Prisoners' Studies stated, in its report issued on Tuesday on the occasion of "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ", that the occupation has arrested more than 10 thousand Palestinian women since the start of the Israeli occupation in 1948, more than 950 of them were arrested during the last twelve years (since the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000).
The report pointed out that 11 Palestinian women are still today in Israeli jails, including minors, Hadeel Abu Turki and Ala al-Jubeh. Only three of them were sentenced in prison, while the eight other detainees are imprisoned without trial until now, including three liberated prisoners.
According to the report, the occupation authorities are holding the female prisoners in harsh tragic conditions, practicing all forms of violence and torture and ill-treatment against them in light of the Israeli organized campaign to affect all aspects of the female prisoners' lives in order to determine the psychological situation of each of them."
The Palestinian Center for Prisoners' Studies stated, in its report issued on Tuesday on the occasion of "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ", that the occupation has arrested more than 10 thousand Palestinian women since the start of the Israeli occupation in 1948, more than 950 of them were arrested during the last twelve years (since the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000).
The report pointed out that 11 Palestinian women are still today in Israeli jails, including minors, Hadeel Abu Turki and Ala al-Jubeh. Only three of them were sentenced in prison, while the eight other detainees are imprisoned without trial until now, including three liberated prisoners.
According to the report, the occupation authorities are holding the female prisoners in harsh tragic conditions, practicing all forms of violence and torture and ill-treatment against them in light of the Israeli organized campaign to affect all aspects of the female prisoners' lives in order to determine the psychological situation of each of them."
23 nov 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 158 Palestinians killed, including 33 children; 1,000 wounded in last week
Abu Khadra government building flattened by Israeli bombardment
In its Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 14 -21 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that during the 8-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, 156 Palestinians, including 103 civilians were killed by Israeli forces. 33 children, 13 women and 3 journalists were among those civilians who were killed. 1,000 Palestinians, including 971 civilians, were wounded.
247 children, 162 women and 12 journalists were among those civilians who were wounded. Israeli forces carried out 1,350 airstrikes, in which 1,400 missiles were launched. 55 houses were completely destroyed, while hundreds of other houses sustained damages ranging between big damage and partial damage.
2 mosques were completely destroyed, while another 34 mosques sustained partial or complete damage. 8 governmental establishments, 13 security offices and police stations, and 2 bridges connecting the central Gaza Strip with the northern Gaza Strip were destroyed. 6 media offices, 6 health institutions, 28 educational institutions and 22 civil and charity associations were targeted.
Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces launched a new offensive on the Gaza Strip that started at 14:45 on Wednesday, 14 November 2012, and ended at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 21 November 2012. The offensive ended as a result of an agreement that was reached between the Israeli government and Palestinian resistance groups under the auspices of Egypt.
Similar to the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (‘Operation Cast Lead’) in 2008-2009, the main victims of this recent offensive were civilians. Hundreds of civilians, the majority of whom were children and women, were killed and wounded.
Furthermore, entire families passed away under the rubble of their houses, which were cruelly and intentionally shelled by Israeli forces.
This offensive increased the suffering of the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli imposed illegal closure for 6 years, due to which the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following ‘Operation Cast Lead’ was hindered.
During the 8-day Israeli offensive Israeli forces, especially warplanes, attacked the entire Gaza Strip, leaving no place to be safe. Israeli forces targeted houses, destroyed them completely, in addition to targeting other civilian objects, governmental establishments, police stations, mosques, schools, hospitals, health clinics, streets, bridges, and service centers.
These targeted areas were densely populated areas, due to which the number of civilian casualties increased.
Moreover, Israeli forces intentionally and directly targeted journalists and media offices, killing 3 journalists and injuring 12 others. Numbers and statistics mentioned in this report reflect the scale of the attacks carried out during this military operation.
The Israeli offensive resulted in the killing of 156 Palestinians, including 103 civilians. 33 children, 13 women and 3 journalists were among those civilians who were killed. In addition, entire families were killed, such as 8-members of the al-Dalo family.
However, until now a girl still remains under the rubble of the family house. Furthermore, the offensive resulted in the wounding of 1,000 Palestinians, including 978 civilians. 276 children, 163 women and 12 journalists were among the civilians who were wounded.
The first attack was conducted on Wednesday, 14 November 2012, when Israeli forces extra-judicially executed the leader of Ezz Eddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas movement), Ahmed al-Ja'bari, and his bodyguard. A comprehensive offensive was then launched on civil and military targets throughout the Gaza Strip.
During the offensive, Israeli forces carried out 1,350 air strikes, in which 1,400 missiles were launched, in addition to artillery shells fired by land and naval forces. The Israeli attacks resulted in the following:
55 houses were completely destroyed, while hundreds of other houses sustained damages ranging between extensive damage and partial damage.
2 mosques were completely destroyed, while other 34 mosques sustained partial or extensive damage;
8 governmental establishments were destroyed, the most prominent of which were the Prime Minister's head office and the Governmental Compound (Abu Khadra) in Gaza City;
13 security offices and police stations were destroyed, the most prominent of which was the Police Headquarter in Gaza City;
2 bridges connecting the centre of the Gaza Strip with the northern Gaza Strip were destroyed;
6 media offices and 6 health institutions were targeted;
28 educational institutions sustained major damage.
In one example of this week’s many airstrikes, on Sunday November 18th, at approximately 16:30, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a vehicle which is used to distribute clean water, in which Suhail Aashour Mohammed Hamada, 42, and his child, 10-year-old Aashour, were traveling in Beir al-Naja area in Beit Lahia.
The father and his child were instantly killed.
The same evening, at approximately 21:55, an Israeli drone fi red a missile at Jalal Mohammed Saleh Nasser, 42, and his child, 8-year-old Hussein, while they were trying to fix the water tank on the roof of their house at Abu Sharekh intersection in Jabalya town.
The father and his child were instantly killed.
On Monday, November 19th, at approximately 19:25, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to Fuad Khalil Hijazi, 46, in the north of Jabalya. The house was destroyed and Hijazi and his 3 children, 4-year old Mohammed and 2-year-old Suhaib, were killed, and 20 civilians, including 7 residents of the house, were wounded.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 2 Palestinian demonstrators were killed; one in Ramallah and the other one in Hebron.
In the wake of Israeli forces's assassination of Ahmed al-Ja'bari, Commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, on Wednesday evening, 14 November 2012, the West Bank witnessed a wide scale popular movement throughout its cities. Israeli forces used excessive force against these peaceful demonstrations.
As a result, two Palestinian civilians were killed, 102 sustained injuries, including 21 children, a woman and a paramedic.
During incursions conducted by Israeli forces during the reporting period, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, sustained wounds.
On Friday, 15 November 2012, a child sustained wounds in al-Tabka village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved into the village. Another civilian was wounded in al-Nouba village, west of the city.
On Saturday, 17 November 2012, a child sustained wounds when Israeli forces moved into al-'Aroub Refugee Camp, north of Hebron.
On 20 November 2012, Israeli forces abducted the child from his home.
On Sunday, 18 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was injured in Beit Umar village, north of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved to the village. They also abducted his brother, a physically disabled ex-prisoner.
According to eyewitnesses, the injured civilian went out to see where Israeli forces were leading his brother when they fired at him, injuring him in the back and shoulder. They also beat him severely before transporting him with an Israeli forces ambulance.
In the same sense, Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful demonstrations, organized by Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights activists, protesting the continued construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds. In Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, Adeib Abu Rahmah, 41, member of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement Activity, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, while his son, Ahmed Adeib Abu Rahmah, 12, was injured with a metal bullet to the back.
Also in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, a civilian sustained an injury in the head by a gas canister, and dozens of demonstrators sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli forces conducted 77 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank
The Israeli forces abducted 76 Palestinians, including 6 children, ex-prisoner Tha'er Halahla, and two women.
4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded during incursions conducted by Israeli forces. In addition, 2 of the wounded persons were abducted.
The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli settlers in the West Bank have continued to commit crimes against Palestinian civilians. These attacks are conducted under the incitement of the Israeli government, encourages settlers to conduct more attacks in presence of Israeli soldiers, who offer protection to them. In addition, the Israeli government neglects to carry out investigations after complaints are filed by the Palestinian civilians against the settlers.
These attacks are carried out in with the entire world as a witness and an Arab world and larger international community that remains silent, due to which Israel continues to commit more crimes, promoting the perception of Israel as a state above the law.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made a number of recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that 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.
The 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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 14 -21 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that during the 8-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, 156 Palestinians, including 103 civilians were killed by Israeli forces. 33 children, 13 women and 3 journalists were among those civilians who were killed. 1,000 Palestinians, including 971 civilians, were wounded.
247 children, 162 women and 12 journalists were among those civilians who were wounded. Israeli forces carried out 1,350 airstrikes, in which 1,400 missiles were launched. 55 houses were completely destroyed, while hundreds of other houses sustained damages ranging between big damage and partial damage.
2 mosques were completely destroyed, while another 34 mosques sustained partial or complete damage. 8 governmental establishments, 13 security offices and police stations, and 2 bridges connecting the central Gaza Strip with the northern Gaza Strip were destroyed. 6 media offices, 6 health institutions, 28 educational institutions and 22 civil and charity associations were targeted.
Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces launched a new offensive on the Gaza Strip that started at 14:45 on Wednesday, 14 November 2012, and ended at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, 21 November 2012. The offensive ended as a result of an agreement that was reached between the Israeli government and Palestinian resistance groups under the auspices of Egypt.
Similar to the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip (‘Operation Cast Lead’) in 2008-2009, the main victims of this recent offensive were civilians. Hundreds of civilians, the majority of whom were children and women, were killed and wounded.
Furthermore, entire families passed away under the rubble of their houses, which were cruelly and intentionally shelled by Israeli forces.
This offensive increased the suffering of the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli imposed illegal closure for 6 years, due to which the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following ‘Operation Cast Lead’ was hindered.
During the 8-day Israeli offensive Israeli forces, especially warplanes, attacked the entire Gaza Strip, leaving no place to be safe. Israeli forces targeted houses, destroyed them completely, in addition to targeting other civilian objects, governmental establishments, police stations, mosques, schools, hospitals, health clinics, streets, bridges, and service centers.
These targeted areas were densely populated areas, due to which the number of civilian casualties increased.
Moreover, Israeli forces intentionally and directly targeted journalists and media offices, killing 3 journalists and injuring 12 others. Numbers and statistics mentioned in this report reflect the scale of the attacks carried out during this military operation.
The Israeli offensive resulted in the killing of 156 Palestinians, including 103 civilians. 33 children, 13 women and 3 journalists were among those civilians who were killed. In addition, entire families were killed, such as 8-members of the al-Dalo family.
However, until now a girl still remains under the rubble of the family house. Furthermore, the offensive resulted in the wounding of 1,000 Palestinians, including 978 civilians. 276 children, 163 women and 12 journalists were among the civilians who were wounded.
The first attack was conducted on Wednesday, 14 November 2012, when Israeli forces extra-judicially executed the leader of Ezz Eddin al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas movement), Ahmed al-Ja'bari, and his bodyguard. A comprehensive offensive was then launched on civil and military targets throughout the Gaza Strip.
During the offensive, Israeli forces carried out 1,350 air strikes, in which 1,400 missiles were launched, in addition to artillery shells fired by land and naval forces. The Israeli attacks resulted in the following:
55 houses were completely destroyed, while hundreds of other houses sustained damages ranging between extensive damage and partial damage.
2 mosques were completely destroyed, while other 34 mosques sustained partial or extensive damage;
8 governmental establishments were destroyed, the most prominent of which were the Prime Minister's head office and the Governmental Compound (Abu Khadra) in Gaza City;
13 security offices and police stations were destroyed, the most prominent of which was the Police Headquarter in Gaza City;
2 bridges connecting the centre of the Gaza Strip with the northern Gaza Strip were destroyed;
6 media offices and 6 health institutions were targeted;
28 educational institutions sustained major damage.
In one example of this week’s many airstrikes, on Sunday November 18th, at approximately 16:30, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a vehicle which is used to distribute clean water, in which Suhail Aashour Mohammed Hamada, 42, and his child, 10-year-old Aashour, were traveling in Beir al-Naja area in Beit Lahia.
The father and his child were instantly killed.
The same evening, at approximately 21:55, an Israeli drone fi red a missile at Jalal Mohammed Saleh Nasser, 42, and his child, 8-year-old Hussein, while they were trying to fix the water tank on the roof of their house at Abu Sharekh intersection in Jabalya town.
The father and his child were instantly killed.
On Monday, November 19th, at approximately 19:25, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to Fuad Khalil Hijazi, 46, in the north of Jabalya. The house was destroyed and Hijazi and his 3 children, 4-year old Mohammed and 2-year-old Suhaib, were killed, and 20 civilians, including 7 residents of the house, were wounded.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 2 Palestinian demonstrators were killed; one in Ramallah and the other one in Hebron.
In the wake of Israeli forces's assassination of Ahmed al-Ja'bari, Commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, on Wednesday evening, 14 November 2012, the West Bank witnessed a wide scale popular movement throughout its cities. Israeli forces used excessive force against these peaceful demonstrations.
As a result, two Palestinian civilians were killed, 102 sustained injuries, including 21 children, a woman and a paramedic.
During incursions conducted by Israeli forces during the reporting period, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, sustained wounds.
On Friday, 15 November 2012, a child sustained wounds in al-Tabka village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved into the village. Another civilian was wounded in al-Nouba village, west of the city.
On Saturday, 17 November 2012, a child sustained wounds when Israeli forces moved into al-'Aroub Refugee Camp, north of Hebron.
On 20 November 2012, Israeli forces abducted the child from his home.
On Sunday, 18 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian was injured in Beit Umar village, north of Hebron, when Israeli forces moved to the village. They also abducted his brother, a physically disabled ex-prisoner.
According to eyewitnesses, the injured civilian went out to see where Israeli forces were leading his brother when they fired at him, injuring him in the back and shoulder. They also beat him severely before transporting him with an Israeli forces ambulance.
In the same sense, Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful demonstrations, organized by Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights activists, protesting the continued construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds. In Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, Adeib Abu Rahmah, 41, member of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement Activity, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, while his son, Ahmed Adeib Abu Rahmah, 12, was injured with a metal bullet to the back.
Also in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, a civilian sustained an injury in the head by a gas canister, and dozens of demonstrators sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli forces conducted 77 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank
The Israeli forces abducted 76 Palestinians, including 6 children, ex-prisoner Tha'er Halahla, and two women.
4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded during incursions conducted by Israeli forces. In addition, 2 of the wounded persons were abducted.
The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli settlers in the West Bank have continued to commit crimes against Palestinian civilians. These attacks are conducted under the incitement of the Israeli government, encourages settlers to conduct more attacks in presence of Israeli soldiers, who offer protection to them. In addition, the Israeli government neglects to carry out investigations after complaints are filed by the Palestinian civilians against the settlers.
These attacks are carried out in with the entire world as a witness and an Arab world and larger international community that remains silent, due to which Israel continues to commit more crimes, promoting the perception of Israel as a state above the law.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made a number of recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that 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.
The 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
15 nov 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 5 killed, 58 wounded between November 8th and 13th
Home destroyed in Israeli air strike in Rafah
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 08 -13 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two members of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.
52 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children and 6 women, were wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces launched a series of aerial and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip.
A number of civilian facilities were destroyed and a number of houses were damaged.
The Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman, and an Italian human rights defender were wounded. Dozens of protestors sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the period of this report, the Israeli military In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces escalated attacks against the Gaza Strip, killing a number of Palestinian civilians and members of the Palestinian resistance. They also destroyed a number of civilian facilities and damaged a number of houses.
On 08 November 2012, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child during an incursion into ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis.
In his testimony to PCHR, Mohammed Tariq Abu Daqqa, 14, stated: “On Thursday evening, 08 November 2012, my friend, Ahmed Abu Daqqa, invited me to play football, which he liked so much. We began to play football in front of his house together with Khaled ‘Ali Abu Daqqa, Shadi Akram Abu Daqqa and Fares Hassan Qudaih.
Ahmed was wearing sports clothes and he played as a goalkeeper. We knew that there was an Israeli incursion in the area and we heard sporadic shooting. We thought that we were safe because we were relatively far from the affected area.
However, at approximately 16:30, I saw a bullet hitting the door of Ahmed’s house. I soon saw Ahmed falling onto the ground. He then stood up putting his hands on his abdomen and screaming.
He moved into his house. The children who were playing with us escaped. I called Ahmed’s brother and told him that Ahmed was wounded. Soon after, Ahmed’s brother carried him out of the house and asked me to call an ambulance.
I immediately went to a nearly grocery shop and asked its owner to call an ambulance and he did. Ahmed was then transported by a civilian car to the hospital. I learnt later that he died.
Before he was wounded, he had asked me to photograph him wearing the uniform of Real Madrid, of which he was a fan.”
On 10 November 2012, Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, when they fired a number of artillery shells at al-Shoja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Additionally, 38 Palestinians, including 9 children, were wounded, the wounds of 10 of them was described as serious.
On 13 November 2012, one of the wounded died of his wounds.
On the same day, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 5 women and two children, were wounded when Israeli forces fired two artillery shells at Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.
Also on the same day, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the northern Gaza Strip, killing one of them.
On 11 November 2012, another member of the Palestinian resistance was killed in a similar attack.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces fired artillery shells at Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah.
During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes against civilian facilities and a number of training sites of the Palestinian resistance. As a result, a number of civilian facilities were destroyed and some houses were damaged.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli forces conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 16 Palestinians, including two children and two women.
The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 08 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein Fares area in the southwest of Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, adjacent to “Bitar Elite” settlement. A number of workers brought by Israeli forces cut a number of olive and almond trees. Eyewitnesses from the village said that 25 olive and almond trees were cut.
On the same day, dozens of settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement, which stands on civilians’ lands in Hebron, stole olives from Palestinian lands in al-Reihiya village, south of the town and adjacent to the security fence of the aforementioned settlement.
An eyewitness told a PCHR fieldworker that a group of settlers attacked farmlands near the aforementioned settlement and stole olives while a number of them broke some tree branches before leaving the land.
On 09 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian from Hebron sustained injuries in his head as a result of stones thrown at him by settlers. He was injured while he was in al-Shallalah Street in the center of the town.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian sustained injuries and bruises in the head and the foot as a result of being thrown with stones by an Israeli settler in Tal al-Rumidah area in the center of Hebron.
Also on the same day, a group of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement, which stands on Palestinian land in the southeast of Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, moved into the village and arrived to its center. They were accompanied by the security officer of the settlement.
A number of Palestinian civilians gathered in the village and threw stones at the settlers, who were forced to leave the village.
Half an hour later, Palestinian civilians were surprised to find another number of settlers in al-Sahlat area in the south of the village, so they went to the area to expel the settlers.
A number of settlers started shooting fire at them. Soon, Israeli forces moved into the area and started firing sound bombs at the civilians and chased them into the village.
Israeli forces abducted two young men from the village.
On 12 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into the Beit ‘Aynon village, west of Hebron. They prevented civilians from moving. They destroyed a rainwater pool which is used to irrigate crops.
On the same day, Israeli settlers wrote racist slogans on walls of houses in al-Manshiya village, south of Bethlehem. They also attempted to set fire to a house, but Palestinian civilians were able to stop them by stone throwing.
On 13 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into an area adjacent to al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, near Hebron-Bethlehem road. They razed a 200-square-meter paved yard that used as a car park. The loss is estimated at 20,000 (approximately US$ 5,400).
On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They demolished a garage and confiscated a container of car parts.
Also on the same day, Israeli forces positioned near the annexation wall in the west of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron, dropped a notice on an agricultural plot ordering the evacuation of the plot in 45 days.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces have continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman, were wounded, and dozens of protesters sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 3 children, and an Italian human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 09 November 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.
The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
The demonstration coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall. They called through megaphones for 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, an Italian human rights defender, 50, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 October 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 at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstration coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. 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 and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, 19 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstration coincided with the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads 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, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 3 children, were wounded, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 November 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.
As the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated lands. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
They also violently bear ‘Abada ‘Ali Braijiya, 12, and attempted to arrest him.
At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 09 November 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a sit-in in front of “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, demanding closing the road leading to Etzion detention center, stopping attacks by Israeli settlers and boycotting Rami Livi Mall. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at the participants and beat Younis ‘Arar, 35.
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 hold a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
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.
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 08 -13 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two members of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.
52 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children and 6 women, were wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces launched a series of aerial and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip.
A number of civilian facilities were destroyed and a number of houses were damaged.
The Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman, and an Italian human rights defender were wounded. Dozens of protestors sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the period of this report, the Israeli military In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces escalated attacks against the Gaza Strip, killing a number of Palestinian civilians and members of the Palestinian resistance. They also destroyed a number of civilian facilities and damaged a number of houses.
On 08 November 2012, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child during an incursion into ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis.
In his testimony to PCHR, Mohammed Tariq Abu Daqqa, 14, stated: “On Thursday evening, 08 November 2012, my friend, Ahmed Abu Daqqa, invited me to play football, which he liked so much. We began to play football in front of his house together with Khaled ‘Ali Abu Daqqa, Shadi Akram Abu Daqqa and Fares Hassan Qudaih.
Ahmed was wearing sports clothes and he played as a goalkeeper. We knew that there was an Israeli incursion in the area and we heard sporadic shooting. We thought that we were safe because we were relatively far from the affected area.
However, at approximately 16:30, I saw a bullet hitting the door of Ahmed’s house. I soon saw Ahmed falling onto the ground. He then stood up putting his hands on his abdomen and screaming.
He moved into his house. The children who were playing with us escaped. I called Ahmed’s brother and told him that Ahmed was wounded. Soon after, Ahmed’s brother carried him out of the house and asked me to call an ambulance.
I immediately went to a nearly grocery shop and asked its owner to call an ambulance and he did. Ahmed was then transported by a civilian car to the hospital. I learnt later that he died.
Before he was wounded, he had asked me to photograph him wearing the uniform of Real Madrid, of which he was a fan.”
On 10 November 2012, Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, when they fired a number of artillery shells at al-Shoja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Additionally, 38 Palestinians, including 9 children, were wounded, the wounds of 10 of them was described as serious.
On 13 November 2012, one of the wounded died of his wounds.
On the same day, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 5 women and two children, were wounded when Israeli forces fired two artillery shells at Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.
Also on the same day, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) in the northern Gaza Strip, killing one of them.
On 11 November 2012, another member of the Palestinian resistance was killed in a similar attack.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces fired artillery shells at Gaza International Airport, southeast of Rafah.
During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes against civilian facilities and a number of training sites of the Palestinian resistance. As a result, a number of civilian facilities were destroyed and some houses were damaged.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
The Israeli forces conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they abducted 16 Palestinians, including two children and two women.
The Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 08 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein Fares area in the southwest of Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, adjacent to “Bitar Elite” settlement. A number of workers brought by Israeli forces cut a number of olive and almond trees. Eyewitnesses from the village said that 25 olive and almond trees were cut.
On the same day, dozens of settlers from “Beit Hagai” settlement, which stands on civilians’ lands in Hebron, stole olives from Palestinian lands in al-Reihiya village, south of the town and adjacent to the security fence of the aforementioned settlement.
An eyewitness told a PCHR fieldworker that a group of settlers attacked farmlands near the aforementioned settlement and stole olives while a number of them broke some tree branches before leaving the land.
On 09 November 2012, a Palestinian civilian from Hebron sustained injuries in his head as a result of stones thrown at him by settlers. He was injured while he was in al-Shallalah Street in the center of the town.
On the same day, a Palestinian civilian sustained injuries and bruises in the head and the foot as a result of being thrown with stones by an Israeli settler in Tal al-Rumidah area in the center of Hebron.
Also on the same day, a group of Israeli settlers from “Shilo” settlement, which stands on Palestinian land in the southeast of Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, moved into the village and arrived to its center. They were accompanied by the security officer of the settlement.
A number of Palestinian civilians gathered in the village and threw stones at the settlers, who were forced to leave the village.
Half an hour later, Palestinian civilians were surprised to find another number of settlers in al-Sahlat area in the south of the village, so they went to the area to expel the settlers.
A number of settlers started shooting fire at them. Soon, Israeli forces moved into the area and started firing sound bombs at the civilians and chased them into the village.
Israeli forces abducted two young men from the village.
On 12 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into the Beit ‘Aynon village, west of Hebron. They prevented civilians from moving. They destroyed a rainwater pool which is used to irrigate crops.
On the same day, Israeli settlers wrote racist slogans on walls of houses in al-Manshiya village, south of Bethlehem. They also attempted to set fire to a house, but Palestinian civilians were able to stop them by stone throwing.
On 13 November 2012, Israeli forces moved into an area adjacent to al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, near Hebron-Bethlehem road. They razed a 200-square-meter paved yard that used as a car park. The loss is estimated at 20,000 (approximately US$ 5,400).
On the same day, Israeli forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They demolished a garage and confiscated a container of car parts.
Also on the same day, Israeli forces positioned near the annexation wall in the west of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron, dropped a notice on an agricultural plot ordering the evacuation of the plot in 45 days.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, the Israeli forces have continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman, were wounded, and dozens of protesters sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 3 children, and an Italian human rights defender were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer on 09 November 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.
The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
The demonstration coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The protesters raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall. They called through megaphones for 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, an Italian human rights defender, 50, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 19 October 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 at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstration coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. 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 and others sustained bruises.
Around the same time on Friday, 19 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstration coincided with the 8th anniversary of the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads 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, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and 3 children, were wounded, and some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 09 November 2012, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.
As the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated lands. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters.
They also violently bear ‘Abada ‘Ali Braijiya, 12, and attempted to arrest him.
At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 09 November 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a sit-in in front of “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, demanding closing the road leading to Etzion detention center, stopping attacks by Israeli settlers and boycotting Rami Livi Mall. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at the participants and beat Younis ‘Arar, 35.
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 hold a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
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.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
9 nov 2012
PCHR Weekly Report: 3 Palestinians killed, 14 wounded by Israeli forces in last two weeks
Palestinian home demolished in Anata
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the two week period of 24 Oct. -07 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy in the central Gaza Strip.
2 Palestinian resistance members were killed by an airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, a Palestinian policeman and a resistance member were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip 12 civilians were wounded, including a child, in the Hares village, north of the West Bank.
3 attacks were carried out against Palestinian fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip, and Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy in the central Gaza Strip. In addition, they killed 2 Palestinian resistance members by airstrike and wounded a third, in addition to wounding a Palestinian policeman at the Customs checkpoint in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Dozens of protestors suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises during demonstrations organized against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, on 04 November 2012, in an excessive use of lethal force, the Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy near the border fence, east of Wadi Gaza village, in the central Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the Israeli forces used excessive force against the Palestinian and did not attempt to arrest him first, especially as he was not a military man, but in civilian clothing.
On 24 October 2012, 2 Palestinian resistance members were killed when an Israeli warplane launched a missile at them, as they were launching missiles at Israeli towns from a farming land behind the Tareq Abu al-Hsein petrol station on Salah Eddin Street in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
The 2 killed persons are affiliated to the Nasser Salah Eddin Brigades (the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees).
On the same day, a Palestinian policeman was injured when an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the southern entrance of the Customs checkpoint "44" belonging to the Gaza Ministry of Interior, 1700 meters to the south of the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
The missile was launched almost at the time of opening the crossing, when the Palestinian security officers were getting ready to receive Palestinians traveling from Gaza to Israel.
The policeman's wounds were serious. As a result of the attack, the eastern electricity network supplying the Gaza Strip with power was damaged. In addition, damage was caused to containers used as offices of the Palestinian Security Service. Shrapnel made holes in these 6 offices.
On 02 November 2012, a Palestinian resistance member was injured when the Israeli forces positioned at the border fence launched artillery shells at a Palestinian resistance group. This group was in a farming land, east of the Wadi Gaza village (Johr al-Deek) in the east of Deir al-Balah, the central Gaza Strip.
In the context of other shooting incidents, on 22 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed inside watchtowers at the border fence, north of the Agriculture School in the north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at agricultural areas and houses of civilians adjacent to the border area. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 24 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence launched 10 artillery shells at the Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
On 28 October 2012, an Israeli warplane bombarded an under-construction house, northeast of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, the house was completely destroyed; in addition, 4 other houses and a marble workshop sustained partial damages. Moreover, a poultry farm was damaged and 50 chicks died.
On 29 October 2012, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas movement). The training site is located south of the Omar Ben Abdul Aziz mosque on the Khalil al-Wazeer Street in Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On the same day, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of the "Martyrs' Cemetery" in the east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, launched 2 artillery shells at the agricultural area in the vicinity of the cemetery. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 31 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed inside watchtowers, east of al-Na'ayma Street in the east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at open areas for 10 minutes. No casualties or damage of property were reported.
On 06 November 2012, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, shelled the eastern parts of the 'Abassan and Khuza'a villages with artillery and smokescreen shells. No casualties were reported.
In the context of attacking Palestinian fishermen, on 01 November 2012, the Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian gunboats. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 03 November 2012, the Israeli forces positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
On 06 November 2012, a similar incident took place again in the same area.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 92 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, the Israeli forces abducted at least 60 Palestinians, including 5 children and 2 women, one of whom is wife of the Palestinian prisoner, Bassam al-Sa'di, a leader in Islamic Jihad movement.
In the Gaza Strip, on 06 November 2012, a limited incursion was conducted in the eastern parts of the 'Abassan and Khuza'a villages, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli forces leveled some farming lands under fire.
On 07 November 2012, 6 Israeli bulldozers and 4 tanks moved 500 meters into the west of the border fence, east of the Wadi Gaza village (Johr al-Deek) in the central Gaza Strip, under sporadic fire. They bulldozed farming lands planted with vegetables, figs and palm trees.
In the context of demolishing houses, during the reporting period, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses; the first is in al-Salam suburb, northeast of East Jerusalem and the second is in al-Zaytoun Mountain "al-Tour neighborhood," east of the Old Town.
On 01 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of Sleem Isma'il al-Shawamrah (54), in al-Salam suburb, northeast of Jerusalem.
The house was demolished for the 6th time respectively. Al-Shawamrah said that the Israeli forces surrounded his house built on 115 square meters and started demolishing without any previous notice.
He added that his house was first demolished in 1998, while the last time was in 23 January 2012. He rebuilt his house in July 2012 with the assistance of the International Coalition, which consists of 10 countries, and the Israeli ICAD Foundation.
Yet, the Israeli forces re-demolished the house again after less than 3 months. He said that it was the 6th time that his house was demolished.
On 05 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of Imad Abu Laban in al-Tour neighborhood. The 1-storey, tin-roofed house was built on an area of 232 square meters and consisted of a room, a kitchen and a bathroom.
Abu Laban said that the Israeli Municipality had previously submitted to him a notice to demolish his house under the pretext that it was built on agricultural land without obtaining a construction permit.
The Israeli forces demolished all the house facilities around, including walls, and uprooted fruit trees, in addition to water tanks and electricity safety switches.
In the context of settlement expansion projects, on 05 November 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing issued construction tenders of 1,200 new housing units at the "Pisgat Ze'ev" and "Ramot" settlements in East Jerusalem. According to what was posted by the Israeli radio website "Reshet Bet," the Israeli Ministry of Housing offered these tenders to contractors in Israel in order to start these projects.
The Ministry pointed out that project of building 1,200 housing units in the 2 aforementioned settlements in East Jerusalem was approved months ago.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 11 Palestinians, including 4 children and a woman, were abducted at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 24 October 2012, the Israeli forces bulldozed a tin-made barrack in the Beit Alban area, west of the Ethna village in the west of Hebron. The barrack built on 2,250 square meters was bulldozed without any previous notice of demolition or suspension of work in the facility, according to the testimony of the barrack's owner, Abdul Rahman Abed Ahmed al-Tmeisi (33), given to PCHR's fieldworker.
On the same day, the Israeli forces submitted notices to demolish 7 houses in Khellet Theeb area, west of the Ethna village in the West of Hebron. It should be noted that these notices were issued by (the Civil Administration – the Supreme Planning Council) under the name of suspension of construction works and demolition of houses under the pretext of not obtaining permits.
The Israeli forces had informed the Palestinians of the decision to stop construction works in the area and refer to the concerned departments within maximum 7 days.
Palestinians said to PCHR's fieldworker that they headed to the Israeli courts through the "St. Yves" Foundation. The case was adjourned 21 days after a hearing was held on 31 October 2012 to complete the documents needed for the case.
On 31 October 2012, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in Steih lands near al-Dyouk al-Tahta village, northwest of Jericho. The 2 houses are resided in by their owners in the wintertime. They were demolished under the pretext of not obtaining construction permits from the Israeli "Civil Administration.
The Israeli forces also demolished the fences of the 2 houses and electricity networks in the area.
In the same context, on 01 November 2012, the Israeli forces orally informed the residents of al-Fkheet and al-Tabban villages, east of Yatta in the south of Hebron, of a decision to demolish solar power boards that supply the east of Yatta with power, in addition to al-Musafer elementary school, within a maximum of 3 days.
In the context of settlement expansion projects, on 05 November 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing issued tenders to build 70 housing units in the "Ariel" settlement, north of Salfit in the northern Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli radio website "Reshet Bet," the Ministry issued these tenders to contractors in Israel to start the project.
On 04 November 2012, the Israeli forces with the company of Israeli settlers started leveling lands that were previously annexed to a settlement outpost established in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The settlers set caravans in the area.
On 06 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a 2-storey house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mosa Makhamra (50). The house was built on 250 square meters, east of Yatta.
They also demolished a stockyard belonging to Hosni Mohammed Salam Rab'i, in addition to a tin-made room built on 50 square meters and a water well belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Nasser (43).
On 07 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in the Hares village, northwest of Salfit. One of them belongs to Ali Hussein Jaber and consists of 2 attached apartments of 300 meters; one of which was still under construction. The other 2-storey house belongs to Hammam Yusef Salam.
In the same context, on 27 October 2012, 7 Israeli settlers from the "Nirya" settlement outpost, northwest of Ramallah, attacked Palestinian farmers while they were collecting olives in their lands in al-Nabi 'Enaiyir area.
On the same day, a group of settlers from the "Nhalial" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, cut down 20 olive trees in al-Safha area. The trees belong to Ibrahim 'Ayesh Abdul Rahman Ladadwa.
On 31 October 2012, Hala Hesham Abu 'Ayyah (13) sustained bruises and fractures throughout her body, as a settler hit her on the main road at the entrance of the Beit Ummar village. The child was transported to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron by a PRCS ambulance. The setter fled without offering any help to the child or calling an ambulance.
On 03 November 2012, a group of settlers accompanied by Israeli soldiers from the "Ytzhar" settlement, southeast of Nablus, attacked Palestinian farmers, who were collecting olives in the vicinity of the 'Oureef High School for Boys, and threw stones at them.
As a result, Waleed Sa'id Najeh al-Safadi (18) was hit by a stone in the head.
The Israeli forces abducted al-Safadi's uncle, Isam Najeh Sharif al-Safadi (37), an officer in the Palestinian Intelligence Service.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, on 07 November 2012, 12 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded in the northwest of Salfit, when dozens of civilians gathered attempting to prevent the demolition of 2 houses in the village. However, the Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse them.
In the same context, the Israeli forces have continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, dozens of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer, 26 October 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.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 26 October 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 at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
In both cases, 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 and others sustained bruises.
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 European Union 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 West Bank.
The 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.
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 two week period of 24 Oct. -07 Nov. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy in the central Gaza Strip.
2 Palestinian resistance members were killed by an airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, a Palestinian policeman and a resistance member were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip 12 civilians were wounded, including a child, in the Hares village, north of the West Bank.
3 attacks were carried out against Palestinian fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip, and Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy in the central Gaza Strip. In addition, they killed 2 Palestinian resistance members by airstrike and wounded a third, in addition to wounding a Palestinian policeman at the Customs checkpoint in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Dozens of protestors suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises during demonstrations organized against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, on 04 November 2012, in an excessive use of lethal force, the Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian civilian suffering from epilepsy near the border fence, east of Wadi Gaza village, in the central Gaza Strip.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the Israeli forces used excessive force against the Palestinian and did not attempt to arrest him first, especially as he was not a military man, but in civilian clothing.
On 24 October 2012, 2 Palestinian resistance members were killed when an Israeli warplane launched a missile at them, as they were launching missiles at Israeli towns from a farming land behind the Tareq Abu al-Hsein petrol station on Salah Eddin Street in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
The 2 killed persons are affiliated to the Nasser Salah Eddin Brigades (the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees).
On the same day, a Palestinian policeman was injured when an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the southern entrance of the Customs checkpoint "44" belonging to the Gaza Ministry of Interior, 1700 meters to the south of the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.
The missile was launched almost at the time of opening the crossing, when the Palestinian security officers were getting ready to receive Palestinians traveling from Gaza to Israel.
The policeman's wounds were serious. As a result of the attack, the eastern electricity network supplying the Gaza Strip with power was damaged. In addition, damage was caused to containers used as offices of the Palestinian Security Service. Shrapnel made holes in these 6 offices.
On 02 November 2012, a Palestinian resistance member was injured when the Israeli forces positioned at the border fence launched artillery shells at a Palestinian resistance group. This group was in a farming land, east of the Wadi Gaza village (Johr al-Deek) in the east of Deir al-Balah, the central Gaza Strip.
In the context of other shooting incidents, on 22 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed inside watchtowers at the border fence, north of the Agriculture School in the north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at agricultural areas and houses of civilians adjacent to the border area. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 24 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence launched 10 artillery shells at the Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
On 28 October 2012, an Israeli warplane bombarded an under-construction house, northeast of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, the house was completely destroyed; in addition, 4 other houses and a marble workshop sustained partial damages. Moreover, a poultry farm was damaged and 50 chicks died.
On 29 October 2012, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas movement). The training site is located south of the Omar Ben Abdul Aziz mosque on the Khalil al-Wazeer Street in Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On the same day, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of the "Martyrs' Cemetery" in the east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, launched 2 artillery shells at the agricultural area in the vicinity of the cemetery. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 31 October 2012, the Israeli forces stationed inside watchtowers, east of al-Na'ayma Street in the east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at open areas for 10 minutes. No casualties or damage of property were reported.
On 06 November 2012, the Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, shelled the eastern parts of the 'Abassan and Khuza'a villages with artillery and smokescreen shells. No casualties were reported.
In the context of attacking Palestinian fishermen, on 01 November 2012, the Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian gunboats. Neither casualties nor damage of property were reported.
On 03 November 2012, the Israeli forces positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
On 06 November 2012, a similar incident took place again in the same area.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 92 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, the Israeli forces abducted at least 60 Palestinians, including 5 children and 2 women, one of whom is wife of the Palestinian prisoner, Bassam al-Sa'di, a leader in Islamic Jihad movement.
In the Gaza Strip, on 06 November 2012, a limited incursion was conducted in the eastern parts of the 'Abassan and Khuza'a villages, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli forces leveled some farming lands under fire.
On 07 November 2012, 6 Israeli bulldozers and 4 tanks moved 500 meters into the west of the border fence, east of the Wadi Gaza village (Johr al-Deek) in the central Gaza Strip, under sporadic fire. They bulldozed farming lands planted with vegetables, figs and palm trees.
In the context of demolishing houses, during the reporting period, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses; the first is in al-Salam suburb, northeast of East Jerusalem and the second is in al-Zaytoun Mountain "al-Tour neighborhood," east of the Old Town.
On 01 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of Sleem Isma'il al-Shawamrah (54), in al-Salam suburb, northeast of Jerusalem.
The house was demolished for the 6th time respectively. Al-Shawamrah said that the Israeli forces surrounded his house built on 115 square meters and started demolishing without any previous notice.
He added that his house was first demolished in 1998, while the last time was in 23 January 2012. He rebuilt his house in July 2012 with the assistance of the International Coalition, which consists of 10 countries, and the Israeli ICAD Foundation.
Yet, the Israeli forces re-demolished the house again after less than 3 months. He said that it was the 6th time that his house was demolished.
On 05 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family of Imad Abu Laban in al-Tour neighborhood. The 1-storey, tin-roofed house was built on an area of 232 square meters and consisted of a room, a kitchen and a bathroom.
Abu Laban said that the Israeli Municipality had previously submitted to him a notice to demolish his house under the pretext that it was built on agricultural land without obtaining a construction permit.
The Israeli forces demolished all the house facilities around, including walls, and uprooted fruit trees, in addition to water tanks and electricity safety switches.
In the context of settlement expansion projects, on 05 November 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing issued construction tenders of 1,200 new housing units at the "Pisgat Ze'ev" and "Ramot" settlements in East Jerusalem. According to what was posted by the Israeli radio website "Reshet Bet," the Israeli Ministry of Housing offered these tenders to contractors in Israel in order to start these projects.
The Ministry pointed out that project of building 1,200 housing units in the 2 aforementioned settlements in East Jerusalem was approved months ago.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 11 Palestinians, including 4 children and a woman, were abducted at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli settlement activities:
The Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 24 October 2012, the Israeli forces bulldozed a tin-made barrack in the Beit Alban area, west of the Ethna village in the west of Hebron. The barrack built on 2,250 square meters was bulldozed without any previous notice of demolition or suspension of work in the facility, according to the testimony of the barrack's owner, Abdul Rahman Abed Ahmed al-Tmeisi (33), given to PCHR's fieldworker.
On the same day, the Israeli forces submitted notices to demolish 7 houses in Khellet Theeb area, west of the Ethna village in the West of Hebron. It should be noted that these notices were issued by (the Civil Administration – the Supreme Planning Council) under the name of suspension of construction works and demolition of houses under the pretext of not obtaining permits.
The Israeli forces had informed the Palestinians of the decision to stop construction works in the area and refer to the concerned departments within maximum 7 days.
Palestinians said to PCHR's fieldworker that they headed to the Israeli courts through the "St. Yves" Foundation. The case was adjourned 21 days after a hearing was held on 31 October 2012 to complete the documents needed for the case.
On 31 October 2012, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in Steih lands near al-Dyouk al-Tahta village, northwest of Jericho. The 2 houses are resided in by their owners in the wintertime. They were demolished under the pretext of not obtaining construction permits from the Israeli "Civil Administration.
The Israeli forces also demolished the fences of the 2 houses and electricity networks in the area.
In the same context, on 01 November 2012, the Israeli forces orally informed the residents of al-Fkheet and al-Tabban villages, east of Yatta in the south of Hebron, of a decision to demolish solar power boards that supply the east of Yatta with power, in addition to al-Musafer elementary school, within a maximum of 3 days.
In the context of settlement expansion projects, on 05 November 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Housing issued tenders to build 70 housing units in the "Ariel" settlement, north of Salfit in the northern Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli radio website "Reshet Bet," the Ministry issued these tenders to contractors in Israel to start the project.
On 04 November 2012, the Israeli forces with the company of Israeli settlers started leveling lands that were previously annexed to a settlement outpost established in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The settlers set caravans in the area.
On 06 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished a 2-storey house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mosa Makhamra (50). The house was built on 250 square meters, east of Yatta.
They also demolished a stockyard belonging to Hosni Mohammed Salam Rab'i, in addition to a tin-made room built on 50 square meters and a water well belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Nasser (43).
On 07 November 2012, the Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in the Hares village, northwest of Salfit. One of them belongs to Ali Hussein Jaber and consists of 2 attached apartments of 300 meters; one of which was still under construction. The other 2-storey house belongs to Hammam Yusef Salam.
In the same context, on 27 October 2012, 7 Israeli settlers from the "Nirya" settlement outpost, northwest of Ramallah, attacked Palestinian farmers while they were collecting olives in their lands in al-Nabi 'Enaiyir area.
On the same day, a group of settlers from the "Nhalial" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, cut down 20 olive trees in al-Safha area. The trees belong to Ibrahim 'Ayesh Abdul Rahman Ladadwa.
On 31 October 2012, Hala Hesham Abu 'Ayyah (13) sustained bruises and fractures throughout her body, as a settler hit her on the main road at the entrance of the Beit Ummar village. The child was transported to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron by a PRCS ambulance. The setter fled without offering any help to the child or calling an ambulance.
On 03 November 2012, a group of settlers accompanied by Israeli soldiers from the "Ytzhar" settlement, southeast of Nablus, attacked Palestinian farmers, who were collecting olives in the vicinity of the 'Oureef High School for Boys, and threw stones at them.
As a result, Waleed Sa'id Najeh al-Safadi (18) was hit by a stone in the head.
The Israeli forces abducted al-Safadi's uncle, Isam Najeh Sharif al-Safadi (37), an officer in the Palestinian Intelligence Service.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
In the West Bank, on 07 November 2012, 12 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded in the northwest of Salfit, when dozens of civilians gathered attempting to prevent the demolition of 2 houses in the village. However, the Israeli forces used excessive force to disperse them.
In the same context, the Israeli forces have continued the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, dozens of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Following the Friday Prayer, 26 October 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.
Also following the Friday Prayer on 26 October 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 at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
In both cases, 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 and others sustained bruises.
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 European Union 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 West Bank.
The 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.
For the full text of the report, click on the link
8 nov 2012
Sablaban: 2012 saw a rise in Israel's settlement activities
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Specialist in settlement affairs Ahmed Sablaban said that the current year has seen a rise in Israel's settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Jerusalem.
In a press release, Sablaban explained that compared to the past 10 years, the settlement expansion reached a higher level.
2,380 housing units have been approved or initiated to expand settlements since start of this year, he added.
He also said that the Israeli ministry of housing, in a recent settlement plan, invited bidders to build 1, 213 units in east Jerusalem as part of the project to expand Pisgat Ze'ev and Ramot settlements.
The specialist noted that one of the main reasons behind this new expansion plan was the near completion of building a road connecting Pisgat Ze'ev and a group of settlement outposts north of the West Bank with Begin street west of Jerusalem.
In a press release, Sablaban explained that compared to the past 10 years, the settlement expansion reached a higher level.
2,380 housing units have been approved or initiated to expand settlements since start of this year, he added.
He also said that the Israeli ministry of housing, in a recent settlement plan, invited bidders to build 1, 213 units in east Jerusalem as part of the project to expand Pisgat Ze'ev and Ramot settlements.
The specialist noted that one of the main reasons behind this new expansion plan was the near completion of building a road connecting Pisgat Ze'ev and a group of settlement outposts north of the West Bank with Begin street west of Jerusalem.
1 nov 2012
292 Palestinians arrested, 15 Martyrs during October
GAZA, (PIC)-- In its monthly report Ahrar center for human rights and prisoners studies stated that 292 Palestinians were arrested across the West Bank and the Gaza strip during October, in addition to 15 martyrs from the Gaza strip.
Fuad al-Khuffash, the director of Ahrar center, said that 9 cases of arrest were from the Gaza strip and the rest 283 were from the West Bank, where many arrests took place at military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank.
In October the highest numbers of detainees were from Jerusalem. According to Ahrar Center there were 103 detention cases were in Jerusalem including 17 children, 5 women one of them is prisoner Mohammad Abu Warda’s wife Noora al-Jabari.
In comparing between September and October there was an increase in detention numbers. In September it was 246 detentions, Fuad al-Khuffash indicated.
Fuad al-Khuffash said that Israeli occupation forces seize West Bank citizens in the morning and night; raid houses after midnight and terrorize kids.
“Some detainees were released, some are still being interrogated, others were transferred to Administrative Detention” al-Khuffash added.
Fuad al-Khuffash, the director of Ahrar center, said that 9 cases of arrest were from the Gaza strip and the rest 283 were from the West Bank, where many arrests took place at military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank.
In October the highest numbers of detainees were from Jerusalem. According to Ahrar Center there were 103 detention cases were in Jerusalem including 17 children, 5 women one of them is prisoner Mohammad Abu Warda’s wife Noora al-Jabari.
In comparing between September and October there was an increase in detention numbers. In September it was 246 detentions, Fuad al-Khuffash indicated.
Fuad al-Khuffash said that Israeli occupation forces seize West Bank citizens in the morning and night; raid houses after midnight and terrorize kids.
“Some detainees were released, some are still being interrogated, others were transferred to Administrative Detention” al-Khuffash added.
