4 aug 2016
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, continued during the reporting period (28 July – 03 August 2016).
Shooting:
Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 13 others, including 3 children and a young woman. Nine of them were wounded in the West Bank while the 2 others, including a young woman, were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the Sea.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force on 31 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, shot dead Rami ‘Awertani (31) from the same city when he stepped out of his car at an observation point in the track allocated for the cars coming out of the city. The Israeli forces claimed that ‘Awertani attempted to stab a soldier and his corpse was detained and taken to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that ‘Awertani owns a barber shop on Annajah National University Street and a father of 3 children.
On 30 July 2016, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered where the Israeli vehicles were stationed to throw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers in response fired live bullets, sound bombs and gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded with live bullets to the lower limbs and then taken to Dr Khalil Soliman Governmental Hospital in the city for medical treatment.
On 02 August 2016, two civilians, including a child, were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs. This happed after Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Joseph Tomb, east of Nablus, fired live and rubber-coated bullets and gas canisters at civilians who threw stones at the settlers.
On 03 August 2016, two civilians were wounded to the limbs when Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, southeast of Toubas. They patrolled the camp streets, and a number of Palestinian youngsters and children then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. The Israeli soldiers fired for around two hours live and rubber-coated bullets at the stone-throwers, wounding two of them.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 July 2016, Samah al-Na’ami (38) was sustained a superficial bullet wound to her left shoulder while Mohammed al-‘Issawi (22) was hit with a bullet to the left foot. This happened when Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian children and young men who headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip in order to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The aforementioned young woman was wounded when she was on her way to a field belonging to her husband near the border fence.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 01 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed area for fishing. As a result, the fishermen fled away for fear of being killed or wounded. However, no casualties were reported. On 03 August 2016, the same incident recurred in the northern and central Gaza Strip, damaging a fishing boat and losing fishing net.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 78 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs and limited one in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 81 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children. Nineteen of them, including 3 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:
On 29 July 2016, ‘Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop with steel plates in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality that would also confiscate the contents. Kiswani explained that the court ordered him to close the coffee shop and gave him until the beginning of August to implement the order or its crews will close it and confiscate its contents. It should be mentioned the 180-square-meter coffee shop was built many years ago, and three families lived off the coffee shop.
On 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in Al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, in execution of the municipality’s order and to avoid paying a 50-thousand NIS fine in addition to demolition costs. He added that he built his house in 2014 and moved in with his 3-member family. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times under the pretext of building without a permit until a demolition order was issued by the court. It should be mentioned that the house was built from “reinforced sheets” and comprised of two rooms and their facilities.
On 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a 600-square-meter car shop belonging to Mohammed ‘Elian under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of “Israeli Lands Administration (ILA)”.
On 03 August 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 barracks belonging to ‘Eid Mohammed ‘Eid Barakat in al-Nabi Samo’eel village, northwest of East Jerusalem. One of these barracks was used as a women’s organization.
On the same day, The Civil Administration crews along with Israeli forces demolished a residential caravan in Wad al-Dam area Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of Jerusalem owned by Izz Eddin Abu Nijmeh under the pretext of building without a permit.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world.
This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
West Bank:
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.
Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethal if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
Continued closure of the oPt --
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip:
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
On Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to al-al-Nabi Yunis, Tarama and Ethna villages.
On Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the eastern entrances to Surif, Beit Ommar villages and al-Aroub refugee camp.
On Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora village and the southern entrance to Halhoul.
On Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Kharsah and Tarama villages.
On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir and the northern entrance to Halhoul villages.
On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir villages and the northern entrance to Halhoul.
On 02August 2016 Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora and al-Thaheriyah villages.
Israeli forces continue to close the western entrance to al-Shuhada’ street in the center of Hebron leading to Tal al-Ramidah and prevented civilians who are not residents of the city from entering the abovementioned area, claiming that it is within the closed military zone declared on 09 July 2016. While the Israeli soldiers are protecting settlers, who cause fear among the residents due to their attack, the Israeli settlers attacked Abu Shamsah family under the leadership of the extremist female settler Anat Cohen.
A PCHR’s fieldworker then went to Hebron to document the incident, but when he arrived, the soldiers prevented him for passing through the checkpoint established at al-Shuhada’ street. Although the fieldworker showed the soldiers his ID card and explained the nature of his work, they refused to allow him to enter, as well as Mousa Abu Hashahash, B’Tselem’s fieldworker and Hisham al-Sharbati, al-Haq fieldworker. It should be mentioned that the residents of the area complain about the Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ harassments as well as preventing human rights organizations from entering the area to publish their complaints.
At approximately 18:55 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqiliyah. At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of the city.
At approximately 18:50, on Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Bab al-Hatab village, east of Qalqiliyah. At approximately 19:35, they established a similar checkpoint under the bridge of Azoun village at the bypass road that links between Qalqiliyah and Tulkarm.
At approximately 12:10 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Ezbet al-Taieb village, east of Qalqiliyah. The soldiers checked the civilians ID cards and searched the cars.
At approximately 21:15 on Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Eskakah village, west of Salfit.
At approximately 15:40 on Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Deir Balout village, west of Salfit.
At approximately 0:30 on the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance to Kafer al-Deek village, west of Salfit.
Arrests at military checkpoints:
Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority:
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Arrests and Incursions --
It should be mentioned that the Israeli police escalated its attacks against the Islamic Endowments (Waqf) Department and its employees because they have done some repairs and maintenances inside the mosque. The Israeli forces arrested and summoned 15 workers and guards since the end of lastJune in addition to the obstacles they impose on the repairs in the mosque; the last of which was preventing the restoration of water pipeline near the platform of Burhan Eddin.
In the same context, dozens of Israeli settlers protected by the Israeli forces and Special Forces raided al-Aqsa mosque yards from al-Magharbah Gate. Eyewitnesses said that three settlers sat on the ground and began performing their rituals inside the mosque, but the Israeli police moved them out of the mosque after al-Aqsa Mosque guards pressurized them to.
House demolitions and demolition notices:
Mohammed Alayan added that the dealership has been established for a year and a half and 6 individuals live off it. He had submitted the required documents to obtain a license.
He also said that the municipality confiscated a car and an air condition during the demolishing process. Mohammed estimated that the losses are about NIS 320, 000.
It should be mentioned that the municipality crew left a banner in the land saying: “State of Israel- Israeli Lands Department- No Entrance- Violations are on your own responsibility”.
Mohammed also said that the Israeli forces prevented him from approaching the place or taking the organization’s contents out of the barrack. He also mentioned that he legally follows the barracks case in the Israeli court, so no demolition order or even a warning was issued against him.
Abu Nejmah also said that the caravan was established in 2014 and since then; he has been trying to obtain a building permit. He lately added wheels to the caravan as the Israeli law stipulate that any facility on wheels does not require a building permit.
Abu Nejmah added that “despite that the caravan was on wheels, the municipality bulldozers demolished it without a prior warrant”.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
Shooting:
Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 13 others, including 3 children and a young woman. Nine of them were wounded in the West Bank while the 2 others, including a young woman, were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the Sea.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force on 31 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, shot dead Rami ‘Awertani (31) from the same city when he stepped out of his car at an observation point in the track allocated for the cars coming out of the city. The Israeli forces claimed that ‘Awertani attempted to stab a soldier and his corpse was detained and taken to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that ‘Awertani owns a barber shop on Annajah National University Street and a father of 3 children.
On 30 July 2016, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered where the Israeli vehicles were stationed to throw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers in response fired live bullets, sound bombs and gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded with live bullets to the lower limbs and then taken to Dr Khalil Soliman Governmental Hospital in the city for medical treatment.
On 02 August 2016, two civilians, including a child, were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs. This happed after Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Joseph Tomb, east of Nablus, fired live and rubber-coated bullets and gas canisters at civilians who threw stones at the settlers.
On 03 August 2016, two civilians were wounded to the limbs when Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, southeast of Toubas. They patrolled the camp streets, and a number of Palestinian youngsters and children then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. The Israeli soldiers fired for around two hours live and rubber-coated bullets at the stone-throwers, wounding two of them.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 July 2016, Samah al-Na’ami (38) was sustained a superficial bullet wound to her left shoulder while Mohammed al-‘Issawi (22) was hit with a bullet to the left foot. This happened when Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian children and young men who headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip in order to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The aforementioned young woman was wounded when she was on her way to a field belonging to her husband near the border fence.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 01 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed area for fishing. As a result, the fishermen fled away for fear of being killed or wounded. However, no casualties were reported. On 03 August 2016, the same incident recurred in the northern and central Gaza Strip, damaging a fishing boat and losing fishing net.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 78 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs and limited one in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 81 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children. Nineteen of them, including 3 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:
On 29 July 2016, ‘Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop with steel plates in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality that would also confiscate the contents. Kiswani explained that the court ordered him to close the coffee shop and gave him until the beginning of August to implement the order or its crews will close it and confiscate its contents. It should be mentioned the 180-square-meter coffee shop was built many years ago, and three families lived off the coffee shop.
On 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in Al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, in execution of the municipality’s order and to avoid paying a 50-thousand NIS fine in addition to demolition costs. He added that he built his house in 2014 and moved in with his 3-member family. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times under the pretext of building without a permit until a demolition order was issued by the court. It should be mentioned that the house was built from “reinforced sheets” and comprised of two rooms and their facilities.
On 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a 600-square-meter car shop belonging to Mohammed ‘Elian under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of “Israeli Lands Administration (ILA)”.
On 03 August 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 barracks belonging to ‘Eid Mohammed ‘Eid Barakat in al-Nabi Samo’eel village, northwest of East Jerusalem. One of these barracks was used as a women’s organization.
On the same day, The Civil Administration crews along with Israeli forces demolished a residential caravan in Wad al-Dam area Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of Jerusalem owned by Izz Eddin Abu Nijmeh under the pretext of building without a permit.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world.
This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
- Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
- Following the Friday prayer, on 29 July 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in villages, west of Ramallah. They commemorated the 1stanniversary of burning al-Dawabsha famil by Israeli settlers in Duma village, southeast of Nablus. They raised posters and photos of Ali al-Dawabsha, his father, Sa’ed and his mother, Riham. Israeli soldiers used force to disperse the protesters and arrested Hamza Ghazi Saleh al-Khatib (16) and solidarity activist Anat Lif.
- At approximately 13:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and no more incidents were reported.
- Gaza Strip:
- At approximately 15:00, on Friday, 29 July 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Burij refugee camp, in the centre of the Gaza Strip. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers them fired live bullets and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, Samah Mohamed ‘Oda al-Na’ami (38) sustained a superficial bullet wound to the left shoulder, while Mohamed Mohamed Khalil al-‘Aisawi (22) was hit with a live bullet to the right leg and he was then taken to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where his wounds were classified as moderate. Al-Na’ami said to PCHR that,” At approximately 18:30, on Friday, 29 July 2016, I was heading to a plot of land belonging to my husband’s family, along with my sister Wafaa (22) and my brother Ahmed (26). The plot of land located 300 meters away from the border fence, northeast of al-Maghazi refugee camp. While we were walking on the street adjacent to the fence, there was a number of young men gathering near the fence and throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. In the meantime, I felt pain in my left shoulder, so I reclined on my brother Ahmed and then recognized that I was wounded. A PRCS ambulance arrived and took me to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where medical sources classified my wounds as moderate.”
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.
Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethal if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
Continued closure of the oPt --
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip:
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
- Ramallah and al-Birah:
- Hebron:
On Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to al-al-Nabi Yunis, Tarama and Ethna villages.
On Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the eastern entrances to Surif, Beit Ommar villages and al-Aroub refugee camp.
On Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora village and the southern entrance to Halhoul.
On Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Kharsah and Tarama villages.
On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir and the northern entrance to Halhoul villages.
On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir villages and the northern entrance to Halhoul.
On 02August 2016 Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora and al-Thaheriyah villages.
Israeli forces continue to close the western entrance to al-Shuhada’ street in the center of Hebron leading to Tal al-Ramidah and prevented civilians who are not residents of the city from entering the abovementioned area, claiming that it is within the closed military zone declared on 09 July 2016. While the Israeli soldiers are protecting settlers, who cause fear among the residents due to their attack, the Israeli settlers attacked Abu Shamsah family under the leadership of the extremist female settler Anat Cohen.
A PCHR’s fieldworker then went to Hebron to document the incident, but when he arrived, the soldiers prevented him for passing through the checkpoint established at al-Shuhada’ street. Although the fieldworker showed the soldiers his ID card and explained the nature of his work, they refused to allow him to enter, as well as Mousa Abu Hashahash, B’Tselem’s fieldworker and Hisham al-Sharbati, al-Haq fieldworker. It should be mentioned that the residents of the area complain about the Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ harassments as well as preventing human rights organizations from entering the area to publish their complaints.
- Qalqiliyah:
At approximately 18:55 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqiliyah. At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of the city.
At approximately 18:50, on Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Bab al-Hatab village, east of Qalqiliyah. At approximately 19:35, they established a similar checkpoint under the bridge of Azoun village at the bypass road that links between Qalqiliyah and Tulkarm.
At approximately 12:10 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Ezbet al-Taieb village, east of Qalqiliyah. The soldiers checked the civilians ID cards and searched the cars.
- Salfit:
At approximately 21:15 on Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Eskakah village, west of Salfit.
At approximately 15:40 on Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Deir Balout village, west of Salfit.
At approximately 0:30 on the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance to Kafer al-Deek village, west of Salfit.
Arrests at military checkpoints:
- At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Sadeq Abu Mariyah (16) from Asidah area in Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, when he was on his way to his house from the village mosque. Mohammed Awad, member of the Popular Committee in the village said that the Israeli soldiers arrested Mohammed the moment he arrived to the village and took him to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’atarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mahmoud Yusuf al-Wadi (34) from Nablus. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the Israeli soldiers stopped the vehicle that Mohammed was in it and checked the passengers ID cards and then arrested Mohammed.
- At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the German neighborhood, east of Jenin. They then arrested Abdul Halim Nazih Abdul Halim Yasin (37) from Deir Abu Da’if village, southeast of Jenin, when he was passing via the abovementioned checkpoint.
- At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Hadad Tourism village, southeast of Jenin. The soldiers stopped the cars and checked the civilians ID cards. When Amro Hamzah Omer Kamil (27) from Qabatiyah village, south of Jenin, was driving his tractor via the checkpoint, the soldiers stopped him, kicked him, arrested him and then confiscated his tractor.
- At approximately 22:45, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Sanagal village, northeast of Ramallah, and then arrested Mohammed Zohair Mohammed Khalil form Jaljuliya.
Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority:
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Arrests and Incursions --
- At approximately 04:30 on Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces moved into Wadi Qadoum neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses belonging to al-Razem family in the neighbourhood. They then arrested Kazem Mahdi al-Razem (21) and Ramzi Mohammed al-Razem (19).
- At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 guards of al-Aqsa mosque and summoned an employee from the Reconstruction Committee of the Islamic Endowments (Awqaf) Department because they prevented Israeli settlers from raiding al-Aqsa mosque.
- At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ismail al-Abasi. They then arrested his son Mohammed (19).
- At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, north of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 4 civilians namely Abdullah Nasser ‘Alqam (47), Ramzi Mohammed Ali (23), Loai ‘Adarbah (22) and Tawfiq Mustafa al-Farhah (26).
- At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 03 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into several houses in Silwan village, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 4 civilians, including two children and took them to Salah Eden Street police station. The arrested civilians were identified as Montaser Nidal Abu Nab (14), Majdi Mustafa Abu Nab (17), Mohammed Mattar (19) and Sabri Abdul Hafiz Ibrahim (21).
- An hour later, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children. The arrested civilians were identified as Saif al-Din Maher Abu Jum’ah (21) and his brother Amir (18), Kamal Mohammed Alami (20)and Yusuf Essa Abu Jum’ah (17).
- At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces arrested engineer Bassam al-Halaq, Head of the Reconstruction Committee Projects in al-Aqsa mosque, and Essa Salhab, a supervisor and two other employees namely Saed Abu Sunainah and Bahaa’ Abu Sbaih. They took them to a police centre near the Chain Gate in the Old City in East Jerusalem.
It should be mentioned that the Israeli police escalated its attacks against the Islamic Endowments (Waqf) Department and its employees because they have done some repairs and maintenances inside the mosque. The Israeli forces arrested and summoned 15 workers and guards since the end of lastJune in addition to the obstacles they impose on the repairs in the mosque; the last of which was preventing the restoration of water pipeline near the platform of Burhan Eddin.
In the same context, dozens of Israeli settlers protected by the Israeli forces and Special Forces raided al-Aqsa mosque yards from al-Magharbah Gate. Eyewitnesses said that three settlers sat on the ground and began performing their rituals inside the mosque, but the Israeli police moved them out of the mosque after al-Aqsa Mosque guards pressurized them to.
House demolitions and demolition notices:
- On Friday, 29 July 2016, Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality which would also confiscate the contents.
- At approximately 14:00 on Sunday 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem according to the decision of Israeli municipality court to avoid paying a demolition fine of NIS 50,000 for the demolition to the Israeli municipality. Walid added that his house, which is built of tin plates and has two rooms, was built in 2014 and moved-in with his 3-member. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times until a demolition order was issued. Shweiki added that his house is built from “reinforced sheets” and it consisted of two rooms and their facilities.
- At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a car shop belonging to Mohammed Aliyan under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of ILA.
Mohammed Alayan added that the dealership has been established for a year and a half and 6 individuals live off it. He had submitted the required documents to obtain a license.
He also said that the municipality confiscated a car and an air condition during the demolishing process. Mohammed estimated that the losses are about NIS 320, 000.
It should be mentioned that the municipality crew left a banner in the land saying: “State of Israel- Israeli Lands Department- No Entrance- Violations are on your own responsibility”.
- At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 03 August 2016, Israeli municipality crews demolished three livestock barracks in al-Nabi Samuel village, northwest of East Jerusalem and one of them was used for a women’s organization.
Mohammed also said that the Israeli forces prevented him from approaching the place or taking the organization’s contents out of the barrack. He also mentioned that he legally follows the barracks case in the Israeli court, so no demolition order or even a warning was issued against him.
- At approximately 12:00, Israeli municipality crews demolished a residential caravan belonging to Izz al-Din Abu Nejmah in Wad al-Dam in Beit Hanenah neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a licence.
Abu Nejmah also said that the caravan was established in 2014 and since then; he has been trying to obtain a building permit. He lately added wheels to the caravan as the Israeli law stipulate that any facility on wheels does not require a building permit.
Abu Nejmah added that “despite that the caravan was on wheels, the municipality bulldozers demolished it without a prior warrant”.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
- PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
- PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
- PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
- PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
- PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
- PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
- PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
- PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
- PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
- PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
- PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
29 july 2016
Ensan Center for Democracy and Human Rights documented 102 Israeli arrests last week in occupied Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza Strip including nine fishermen off Gaza shores.
The Center further pointed out that the popular solidarity campaign has continued in support of the hunger striker Bilal al-Kayed.
Several Palestinian prisoners went on hunger strike demanding al-Kayed’s release. Israel also persisted in its administrative detention policy according to which hundreds are jailed in its prisons without charge or trial, the center said in its weekly report.
Last week, eight Palestinians were held in administrative detention while the Red Cross decided to decrease family visits for Palestinian prisoners pushing a number of prisoners to declare hunger strike in protest at the step.
The center reported 49 injuries during clashes that erupted with Israeli forces over the past week in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank. One Palestinian young man was also killed last week after Israeli forces surrounded and demolished his house in Surif town in al-Khalil.
During the reported period, 17 Palestinian-owned houses and facilities were demolished while Israeli authorities approved the construction of 323 housing units in occupied Jerusalem and submitted a plan for the reconstruction of 770 other housing units.
On July 7, Israel demolished Araqib village for the 101st time.
The Center further pointed out that the popular solidarity campaign has continued in support of the hunger striker Bilal al-Kayed.
Several Palestinian prisoners went on hunger strike demanding al-Kayed’s release. Israel also persisted in its administrative detention policy according to which hundreds are jailed in its prisons without charge or trial, the center said in its weekly report.
Last week, eight Palestinians were held in administrative detention while the Red Cross decided to decrease family visits for Palestinian prisoners pushing a number of prisoners to declare hunger strike in protest at the step.
The center reported 49 injuries during clashes that erupted with Israeli forces over the past week in occupied Jerusalem and West Bank. One Palestinian young man was also killed last week after Israeli forces surrounded and demolished his house in Surif town in al-Khalil.
During the reported period, 17 Palestinian-owned houses and facilities were demolished while Israeli authorities approved the construction of 323 housing units in occupied Jerusalem and submitted a plan for the reconstruction of 770 other housing units.
On July 7, Israel demolished Araqib village for the 101st time.
In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 21– 27 July 2016, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces continued systematic crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
A Palestinian was killed in Hebron. 10 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a child and a young woman, in the West Bank.
Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 limited ones in the southern Gaza Strip. 94 civilians were abducted, including 22 children and 4 women. 50 of them, including 16 children and 3 women, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 27 July 2016, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Jubarah al-Faqih (29) from Dura, south of Hebron. The aforementioned was killed when a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into Sorif village, northwest of Hebron, and surrounded a 3-storey house belonging to al-Heeh Family. The Israeli soldiers ordered al-Faqih, who was holed up in that house, to surrender but he refused to do so. An armed clash then broke out between al-Faqih and the soldiers, who heavily opened fire from all sides at him.
They also fired shoulder-fired missiles at the house in addition to destroying parts of it by their vehicles. Due to the shelling and vehicle attacks, the house was completely destroyed. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces accused al-Faqih of being involved in a shooting attack at a settlers’ car and killed one of them.
On 22 July 2016, two Palestinian civilians were wounded during the village of Kafr Qaddoum’s weekly protest. A 42-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left thigh while a 22-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet to the head.
On 26 July 2016, 7 civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah to carry out an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response opened fire at them. As a result, the seven civilians were wounded.
On the same day, Israeli security guard company officers stationed at Qalednia checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, opened fire at Raghd al-Sho’ani (18) while crossing the checkpoint via the vehicle track. As a result, she was hit with several bullets in the lower limbs. Israeli forces claimed that al-Sho’ani attempted to stab Israeli soldiers and transferred her to “Shaare Zedek” Medical Centre in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.
Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures against Palestinian civilians.
New house demolition decisions were issued against houses of civilians accused of attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers. The entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, was closed for the third consecutive week.
Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. A civilian was forced to self-demolish a residential room. 11 residential buildings were leveled in Qalandia village adjacent to the annexation wall. A house in Silwan and another house and a commercial facility in al-‘Issawiyah were demolished.
At approximately 02:00, on Saturday, 23 July 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Wad Soud neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to prisoner Mohamed Abdul Majeed Mohamed ‘Amairah (38). An engineering unit took the measurements of the 1-storey house built on an area of 180 square meters. Israeli forces then handed the family an administrative demolition notice and give them a period until 26 July 2016 to challenge the Israeli court.
Israeli authorities accused al-‘Amairah of killing an Israeli settler, along with Mohamed Jabarah al-Faqeh, after opening fire at him near Deir Razah village, south of the city. Israeli forces also raided al-Faqeh’s 3-storey house and took its measurements in addition to threatening the family.
For the 3rd consecutive week, Israeli authorities kept the cordon imposed on al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, with an iron gate at the western entrance. They also closed all the sub-entrances leading to the camp with sand barriers that resulted in obstructing the civilians’ movement into and from the camp. In the past months and at the beginning of October 2015, Israeli forces closed the iron gate established at the camp entrance for over a month and a half following the shooting attack carried out in Tel Aviv.
The camp was closed for the third time since the stabbing attack in “Kharsina” settlement until the reporting period. Israeli forces also closed the iron gate established at the entrance to Dura village, the gate near ” Beit Hagai” settlement, and the iron gate established at al-Fahas entrance and the eastern Yatta entrance, which is supposed to be alternative entrances for the residents.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip
In the Gaza Strip and in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 27 July 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Northwest Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The two gunboats surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat manned by 2 fishermen sailing within 1.5 nautical miles. The Israeli soldiers ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes and jump into the sea in order to swim towards one of the gunboats. They were abducted and then taken to an unknown destination. The boat was also confiscated.
On the same day afternoon, another Palestinian fishing boat was subject to shooting in the same area. Israeli forces chased and confiscated the boat and abducted 6 fishermen. They also damaged another boat.
Israeli settlement activities:
On Sunday July 24th, at approximately 18:00, a large group of Israeli settlers raided Aqabet al-Khaldiyah neighbourhood in the Old City in East Jerusalem. The settlers provoked and insulted the by-passers. After that, hundreds of young men gathered around the settlers and clashed with them. Large numbers of Israeli soldiers and the intelligence services officers immediately raided the neighbourhood and deployed in the streets. They then attacked and beat the young men while spraying pepper randomly.
They also raided and searched several houses and attacked the inhabitants. As a result, more than 14 civilians were wounded, 6 of whom sustained burns as they were pepper sprayed. Moreover, the Israeli settlers beat and abducted 6 civilians, including 2 children. The abducted civilians were identified as Rasheed Sameer al-Rasheq (17), Ahmed Ya’qub al-Salaymah (16), Ahmed al-Rasheq (27), Rami Zaki Baituni (31), Ali Mousa Abu Asab (45) and Mohammed Jamal ‘Akawi (21).
Rashid’s grandfather said that Israeli soldiers raided the family house and pepper sprayed his wife Fawziyah al-Rasheq (63), due to which she was fainted. After that, they abducted his grandson Rashid and son Ahmed from the house. They also beat them and pepper sprayed them. The soldiers raided houses belonging to Abu Asab, al-Salaymah and al-Dayah families in the neighbourhood.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
At approximately 13:30, on Friday, 22 July 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, 2 civilians were wounded, the first (42) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh, while the second (22) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
Following the Friday prayer, on 22 July 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city, and Kafur Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, Israeli forces abducted 5 civilians, including 2 journalists. They released the abovementioned abducted, while Ashraf Ahmed Abu Rahma (35) was held in Israeli custody for several days.
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 UN General Assembly transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
In addition, the PCHR called upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built at the expense of human rights.
For the full text of the report, click here.
A Palestinian was killed in Hebron. 10 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a child and a young woman, in the West Bank.
Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 limited ones in the southern Gaza Strip. 94 civilians were abducted, including 22 children and 4 women. 50 of them, including 16 children and 3 women, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 27 July 2016, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Jubarah al-Faqih (29) from Dura, south of Hebron. The aforementioned was killed when a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into Sorif village, northwest of Hebron, and surrounded a 3-storey house belonging to al-Heeh Family. The Israeli soldiers ordered al-Faqih, who was holed up in that house, to surrender but he refused to do so. An armed clash then broke out between al-Faqih and the soldiers, who heavily opened fire from all sides at him.
They also fired shoulder-fired missiles at the house in addition to destroying parts of it by their vehicles. Due to the shelling and vehicle attacks, the house was completely destroyed. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces accused al-Faqih of being involved in a shooting attack at a settlers’ car and killed one of them.
On 22 July 2016, two Palestinian civilians were wounded during the village of Kafr Qaddoum’s weekly protest. A 42-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left thigh while a 22-year-old civilian sustained a metal bullet to the head.
On 26 July 2016, 7 civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah to carry out an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response opened fire at them. As a result, the seven civilians were wounded.
On the same day, Israeli security guard company officers stationed at Qalednia checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, opened fire at Raghd al-Sho’ani (18) while crossing the checkpoint via the vehicle track. As a result, she was hit with several bullets in the lower limbs. Israeli forces claimed that al-Sho’ani attempted to stab Israeli soldiers and transferred her to “Shaare Zedek” Medical Centre in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.
Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures against Palestinian civilians.
New house demolition decisions were issued against houses of civilians accused of attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers. The entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, was closed for the third consecutive week.
Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. A civilian was forced to self-demolish a residential room. 11 residential buildings were leveled in Qalandia village adjacent to the annexation wall. A house in Silwan and another house and a commercial facility in al-‘Issawiyah were demolished.
At approximately 02:00, on Saturday, 23 July 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in Wad Soud neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to prisoner Mohamed Abdul Majeed Mohamed ‘Amairah (38). An engineering unit took the measurements of the 1-storey house built on an area of 180 square meters. Israeli forces then handed the family an administrative demolition notice and give them a period until 26 July 2016 to challenge the Israeli court.
Israeli authorities accused al-‘Amairah of killing an Israeli settler, along with Mohamed Jabarah al-Faqeh, after opening fire at him near Deir Razah village, south of the city. Israeli forces also raided al-Faqeh’s 3-storey house and took its measurements in addition to threatening the family.
For the 3rd consecutive week, Israeli authorities kept the cordon imposed on al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, with an iron gate at the western entrance. They also closed all the sub-entrances leading to the camp with sand barriers that resulted in obstructing the civilians’ movement into and from the camp. In the past months and at the beginning of October 2015, Israeli forces closed the iron gate established at the camp entrance for over a month and a half following the shooting attack carried out in Tel Aviv.
The camp was closed for the third time since the stabbing attack in “Kharsina” settlement until the reporting period. Israeli forces also closed the iron gate established at the entrance to Dura village, the gate near ” Beit Hagai” settlement, and the iron gate established at al-Fahas entrance and the eastern Yatta entrance, which is supposed to be alternative entrances for the residents.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip
In the Gaza Strip and in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 27 July 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Northwest Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The two gunboats surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat manned by 2 fishermen sailing within 1.5 nautical miles. The Israeli soldiers ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes and jump into the sea in order to swim towards one of the gunboats. They were abducted and then taken to an unknown destination. The boat was also confiscated.
On the same day afternoon, another Palestinian fishing boat was subject to shooting in the same area. Israeli forces chased and confiscated the boat and abducted 6 fishermen. They also damaged another boat.
Israeli settlement activities:
On Sunday July 24th, at approximately 18:00, a large group of Israeli settlers raided Aqabet al-Khaldiyah neighbourhood in the Old City in East Jerusalem. The settlers provoked and insulted the by-passers. After that, hundreds of young men gathered around the settlers and clashed with them. Large numbers of Israeli soldiers and the intelligence services officers immediately raided the neighbourhood and deployed in the streets. They then attacked and beat the young men while spraying pepper randomly.
They also raided and searched several houses and attacked the inhabitants. As a result, more than 14 civilians were wounded, 6 of whom sustained burns as they were pepper sprayed. Moreover, the Israeli settlers beat and abducted 6 civilians, including 2 children. The abducted civilians were identified as Rasheed Sameer al-Rasheq (17), Ahmed Ya’qub al-Salaymah (16), Ahmed al-Rasheq (27), Rami Zaki Baituni (31), Ali Mousa Abu Asab (45) and Mohammed Jamal ‘Akawi (21).
Rashid’s grandfather said that Israeli soldiers raided the family house and pepper sprayed his wife Fawziyah al-Rasheq (63), due to which she was fainted. After that, they abducted his grandson Rashid and son Ahmed from the house. They also beat them and pepper sprayed them. The soldiers raided houses belonging to Abu Asab, al-Salaymah and al-Dayah families in the neighbourhood.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
At approximately 13:30, on Friday, 22 July 2016, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
As a result, 2 civilians were wounded, the first (42) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the thigh, while the second (22) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.
Following the Friday prayer, on 22 July 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city, and Kafur Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses.
As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, Israeli forces abducted 5 civilians, including 2 journalists. They released the abovementioned abducted, while Ashraf Ahmed Abu Rahma (35) was held in Israeli custody for several days.
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 UN General Assembly transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
In addition, the PCHR called upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built at the expense of human rights.
For the full text of the report, click here.
27 july 2016
From January to June 2016, Israeli authorities demolished 168 dwellings in Palestinian communities in the West Bank, leaving 740 people, including 384 minors, homeless, a report by B’Tselem found out.
According to B’Tselem’s figures, this six-month period alone saw more demolitions than any individual year over the past decade (with the exception of 2013, when occupation authorities demolished 175 homes).
The policy adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) vis-à-vis these communities keeps civilians from maintaining any semblance of a normal routine, imposes a life of constant uncertainty on locals, and constitutes harassment per se, the report read.
Even those individuals whose homes were not demolished live with the constant fear that their homes might soon be demolished and that they will be forced to leave the area they call home, the organization added.
This government policy, systematically implemented for years, constitutes the forcible transfer of Palestinians who are a protected population in an occupied territory, and as such breaches the international humanitarian law.
Home demolition plays a key role in Israeli policy implemented in the occupied West Bank.
According to the same source, demolitions are carried out only in what has been designated as Area C, which comprises about 60 percent of the occupied West Bank, and which Israel views as primarily meant to serve its own needs, and in East Occupied Jerusalem.
Accordingly, Israel acts to establish facts on the ground so as to create a reality that would be difficult to change. The state takes action to displace and expel Palestinians citing flimsy legal pretexts.
For example, one reason given for home demolition is “illegal construction” – an untenable argument given the absence of any real possibility for Palestinians to build legally.
The separation of Area C from the remainder of West Bank land helps Israel shirk its obligations to the entire Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank.
Israel instead lays the responsibility at the door of the Palestinian Authority that was supposedly given certain powers in Areas A and B. Yet this division is entirely artificial. It does not reflect a geographic reality or Palestinian life as a whole.
The policy Israel implements in Area C impacts all West Bank residents as their future depends exclusively on Israel. The majority of the West Bank’s land reserves and natural resources lie in Area C so that making use of them – for expanding Palestinian communities or building factories, for agriculture, for laying water pipes or paving roads – is subject to Israeli approval, and such authorization is rarely granted.
Israel also retains exclusive control of the movement of people and goods in the West Bank as well as of the border crossings with Israel and Jordan. It also carries on arresting and trying thousands of Palestinians a year in its military courts, the majority of whom do not live in Area C.
Carrying out demolitions and devastating communities do not constitute implementation of “the rule of law”. Rather, these actions are a longstanding, systematic dispossession to which all Israeli authorities are party, B’Tselem report further read.
According to B’Tselem’s figures, this six-month period alone saw more demolitions than any individual year over the past decade (with the exception of 2013, when occupation authorities demolished 175 homes).
The policy adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) vis-à-vis these communities keeps civilians from maintaining any semblance of a normal routine, imposes a life of constant uncertainty on locals, and constitutes harassment per se, the report read.
Even those individuals whose homes were not demolished live with the constant fear that their homes might soon be demolished and that they will be forced to leave the area they call home, the organization added.
This government policy, systematically implemented for years, constitutes the forcible transfer of Palestinians who are a protected population in an occupied territory, and as such breaches the international humanitarian law.
Home demolition plays a key role in Israeli policy implemented in the occupied West Bank.
According to the same source, demolitions are carried out only in what has been designated as Area C, which comprises about 60 percent of the occupied West Bank, and which Israel views as primarily meant to serve its own needs, and in East Occupied Jerusalem.
Accordingly, Israel acts to establish facts on the ground so as to create a reality that would be difficult to change. The state takes action to displace and expel Palestinians citing flimsy legal pretexts.
For example, one reason given for home demolition is “illegal construction” – an untenable argument given the absence of any real possibility for Palestinians to build legally.
The separation of Area C from the remainder of West Bank land helps Israel shirk its obligations to the entire Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank.
Israel instead lays the responsibility at the door of the Palestinian Authority that was supposedly given certain powers in Areas A and B. Yet this division is entirely artificial. It does not reflect a geographic reality or Palestinian life as a whole.
The policy Israel implements in Area C impacts all West Bank residents as their future depends exclusively on Israel. The majority of the West Bank’s land reserves and natural resources lie in Area C so that making use of them – for expanding Palestinian communities or building factories, for agriculture, for laying water pipes or paving roads – is subject to Israeli approval, and such authorization is rarely granted.
Israel also retains exclusive control of the movement of people and goods in the West Bank as well as of the border crossings with Israel and Jordan. It also carries on arresting and trying thousands of Palestinians a year in its military courts, the majority of whom do not live in Area C.
Carrying out demolitions and devastating communities do not constitute implementation of “the rule of law”. Rather, these actions are a longstanding, systematic dispossession to which all Israeli authorities are party, B’Tselem report further read.
