Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (06. – 12 October 2011) Thursday, 13 October 2011 00:00

Israeli settlers from "Yish Kodesh" settlement, escorted by Israeli troops, uproot olive trees in Qasra village, northeast of Nablus – 06 October 2011

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

A Palestinian civilian died of wounds he had sustained in the Gaza Strip in 2003.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded and arrested by IOF in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.

IOF have continued to fire at Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the Gaza Strip.

IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. A Palestinian woman and a British human rights defender were wounded.

IOF conducted 38 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two limited ones into the Gaza Strip. IOF arrested 28 Palestinians, including 11 children.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. IOF demolished a mosque in Khirbat Yarza village, east of Tubas. IOF demolished two under-construction houses in Bethlehem and Hebron. IOF demolished two houses and two animal barracks near Qalqilya. IOF razed a 12-dunum[1] area of agricultural land and confiscated 250 olive and almond trees. Israeli settlers uprooted 210 trees in Qasra village near Nablus. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers while cropping olives.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (06 – 12 October 2011):

Shooting:

During the reporting period, a Palestinian died of previous wounds he had sustained in the Gaza Strip in 2003. Additionally, two Palestinian civilians, including a woman, and a British human rights defender were wounded by IOF in the West Bank.

On 06 October 2011, ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Madi, 26, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, died from a wound he had sustained in 2003 by an Israeli air strike. According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 23:45 on Tuesday, 13 May 2011, an Israeli helicopter gunship that was supporting an Israeli incursion fired a missile at a number of Palestinians who gathered near ‘Ebad al-Rahman Mosque in al-Sad al-‘Aali area. As a result, 16 Palestinian civilians, including Abu Madi and 6 children, were wounded. Abu Madi was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head and the body. Since then, he had received medical treatment at various hospitals.

During the reporting period, IOF repeatedly fired at Palestinian fishermen and farmers in the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, during the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian woman and a British human rights defender were wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.

On 12 October 2011, a Palestinian civilian was wounded and arrested by an Israeli undercover unit in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 38 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 28 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children.

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land.

Restrictions on Movement:

Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.

IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments. IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.

For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.

For approximately 52 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

West Bank

IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.

IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.

Settlement Activities:

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 06 October 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement to the south of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, uprooted at least 210 olive and fig trees belonging to the Abu Raida and Hassan families.

On the same day, IOF moved into Shu’ab al-Ward area in the southwest of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They demolished a house and a water well allegedly for the lack of a license. IOF also destroyed a number of olive trees and a part of a dirt road leading to the house.

On the same day, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron. They razed a 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds in Um al-Khanazir area near the annexation wall. At least 250 olive and almond trees were uprooted and confiscated.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalqilya, stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Jainsafout village. They threw stones at Palestinian farmers who were cropping olives. IOF arrived at the area later and evacuated the settlers.

On 09 October 2011, IOF stormed Khirbat Souba area to the southwest of Ethna village, northwest of Hebron. They forced workers who were reclaiming an agricultural plot to leave the land. They also confiscated a bulldozer belonging to the contractor. On 10 October 2011, IOF moved into al-Jab’a village, southwest of Bethlehem. They demolished a 120-square- meter, under-construction house, claiming that it was being built without a license.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karni Shomron” settlement stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They threw stones at Palestinian farmers while they were cropping olives. IOF arrived at the area, evacuated the settlers and forced Palestinian farmers to leave their lands.

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karni Shomron” settlement stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They attacked Palestinian farmers while cropping olives, although IOF were present in the area. The settlers damaged the tools used by the farmers to crop olives. IOF later took a farmer and his son to “Ariel” settlement. They interrogated the man and his son and detained them until 23:30.

On 11 October 2011, IOF moved into Khirbat Yarza area, east of Toubas. They demolished the mosque of the village for the second time in less than a year.

On the same day, IOF demolished two house and two animal barracks in a Bedouin community to the northeast of Qalqilya, claiming that they were built without licenses.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (06 – 12 October 2011)

1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 06 October 2011

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into the eastern quarter of al-‘Eizariya village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1- Mahmoud Ahmed al-Mukahal, 18; 2- Tariq Saleh al-‘Ammouri, 20; and 3- ‘Eissa Khalil Suleiman, 18.

One of al-‘Ammori’s teeth was broken by Israeli interrogators in Ofar detention center in Ramallah.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

1- Malek Nayef al-Slaibi, 16; 2- Sabri Ibrahim ‘Awadh, 16; and 3- ‘Allam Yousef Za’aqiq, 16.

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. They leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed, amidst sporadic shooting. At approximately 08:00, they moved eastwards and stationed opposite to the Bedouin Village. They also leveled areas of land there. At approximately 15:00, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Emraihiya village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 21:20, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 07 October 2011

At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Baqat al-Hatab village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Zeer area in the east of Bethlehem. They raided a barbershop and arrested Mohammed ‘Aadel al-Zeer, 18.

At approximately 21:15, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach, and no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 21:15, IOF moved into Marka village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Saturday, 08 October 2011

At approximately 05:30, IOF stationed on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their farms. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who were on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:45, IOF moved into the area located between ‘Azzoun and ‘Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. They detained 4 Palestinian civilians, including a man and his two children, for five hours: Sufian Hamdallah ‘Omarn, 33; Mohammed Riadh ‘Enaya, 58; Nidal Mohammed ‘Enaya, 11; and Jihad Mohammed ‘Enaya, 9. IOF raided ‘Enaya’s house at approximately 21:30 on Sunday, 09 October 2011, to arrest two of his sons who were not at home.

At approximately 11:15, IOF moved into the north of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They prevented Palestinian farmers from cropping olives for security claims.

At approximately 14:15, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

Sunday, 09 October 2011

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beita village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians:

1- Samer Hussein Hamayel, 23; 2- Zahran Hussein Hamayel, 18; 3- ‘Abdul Karim Faisal Dwaikat, 22; 4- Islam Fayez Labib, 22; and 5- ‘Abada ‘Abdul Mon’em Dwaikat, 21.

At approximately 07:00, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who on where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

Also at approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Deir al-Balah beach in the central Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Bal’a village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:30, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who on where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:20, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 18:20, IOF moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:50, IOF moved into Nabi Elisa village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday, 03 October 2011

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Marka village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:10, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The fishermen were forced to flee towards the beach. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 08:35, IOF positioned on observation towers at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers who on where on their farms in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. The farmers were forced to flee from the area and no casualties were reported.

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:50, IOF moved into Baqat al-Hatab village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land, which they had already razed.

At approximately 18:55, IOF moved into Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:40, IOF moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

1- Yousef Tayseer al-Titi, 16; and 2- Mohammed ‘Emad Jawabra, 17.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

1- Hamza Rafiq Ghaith, 21; and 2- Isma’il Rafiq Ghaith, 25.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’id Ahmed Mas’oud and arrested 4 Palestinian children:

1- Tha’er Mahmoud Mas’oud, 17; 2- Mohammed Muthanna ‘Abdul Halim, 16; 3- Baraa’ Qaher ‘Abdul ‘Aziz, 15; and 4- ‘Aqaba ‘Abdul Latif Radwan, 17. Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jdaida village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Alaa’ Mahmoud Qalalqa, 22, and arrested him.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Uammar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 46, Secretary of the Public Committee against Settlement in the town, and arrested him together with his son, 18-year-old Yousef.

In the morning, Israeli soldiers positioned at a permanent checkpoint in the center of Hebron attacked many female Palestinian school children and teachers when they refused to be checked before being able to cross the checkpoint towards Cordoba School in al-Shuhada Street. Israeli soldiers violently beat a number of schoolchildren. As a result, 7 schoolchildren sustained bruises:

1- Saja Tariq al-Sharbati, 15; 2- Marah Ma’moun Shloudi, 11; 3- ‘Ahd ‘Adnan Abu Sharekh, 10; 4- Samar Mofeed al-Sharbati, 13; 5- Duha Abu Haikal, 15; 6- Shahd al-Fakhouri, 15; and 7- Waleed Tayseer Abu ‘Eisha, 15.

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Marka village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Also at approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 12 October 2011

At approximately 13:30, while clashes were taking place at the entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, between IOF and Palestinian civilians who demonstrated in protest to Israeli measures against Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, an Israeli undercover unit moved into an alley near the main road. Two masked soldiers attacked Ameer Ibrahim Sabarna, 19. They pushed him down and violently beat him. When he attempted to flee. A soldier fired at him from a pistol. He was wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder. Soon, an Israeli military vehicle arrived. Israeli soldier stepped down and captured him. They later transferred him to an Israeli hospital.

A Palestinian Dies from a Previous Wound in the Gaza Strip

At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 06 October 2011, ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Madi, 26, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, died from a wound he had sustained in 2003 by an Israeli air strike. According to PCHR’s documentation, at approximately 23:45 on Tuesday, 13 May 2011, an Israeli helicopter gunship that was supporting an Israeli incursion fired a missile at a number of Palestinians who gathered near ‘Ebad al-Rahman Mosque in al- Sad al-‘Aali area. As a result, 16 Palestinian civilians, including Abu Madi and 6 children, were wounded. Abu Madi was seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head and the body. Since then, he had received medical treatment at various hospitals.

2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian woman and a British human rights defender were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians, including a photojournalist, and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Following the Friday Prayer on 07 October 2011, 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. They raised the Palestinian flag and portraits of Marwan al-Barghouthi and Ahmed Sa’adat, Members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who have been detained by IOF. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. When they reached (Abu Lemon) nature preserve, the demonstrators walked along the wall and released the balloons and kites. The demonstrators also used megaphones to call on Israeli settlers living in “Mitityaho Mizrach” settlement to leave it. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and fire broke out in a number of farms.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 07 October 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They chanted slogans calling for Palestinian reconciliation, adherence to the Palestinian inalienable rights and resistance of the occupation. Additionally, they chanted "194 is the State of Palestine" and other slogans against the American President and his speech at the United Nations that was defended the Israeli occupation. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. Also following the Friday Prayer on 07 October 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations and settlement activities. They raised the Palestinian flag, chanted slogans against the USA, called for ending the occupation and chanted "194 is the State of Palestine". When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, ‘Ola ‘Abdul Raziq Tamimi, 19, was hit by a tear gas canister to the abdomen. A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises.

At approximately 13:00, following the Friday Prayer on 07 October 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. They moved towards the eastern entrance of the town. There, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a British human rights defender, Emiri, 30, was hit by two tear gas canisters to the feet, and dozens of demonstrators, including ‘Abdul Hafiz al-Hashlamoun, 45, a Reuters photojournalist, suffered from tear gas inhalation. IOF also arrested ‘Abdullah Ta;’at al-Slaibi, 25, but released him in the evening.

3. Continued Closure of the OPT

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 05 – 11 October 2011

Coming into Returned into Day Date Traveling abroad Gaza Gaza Wednesday 05 October 2011 842 716 50 Thursday 06 October 2011 ------Friday 07 October 2011 -- 77 -- Saturday 08 October 2011 774 878 29 Sunday 09 October 2011 791 578 29 Monday 10 October 2011 850 512 20 Tuesday 11 October 2011 700 505 19

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing 05 – 11 October 2011

Imports:

Imports Date Amount Category Tons Number Liters Foodstuffs 881 Agricultural materials 2,948 Various goods 790 Cartons of clothes 320 Cartons of shoes 881 05 October 2011 Refrigerators 171 Glass boards 520 Air conditioners 48 Machines of plastics industry 20 Humanitarian aid 1,120 cooking gas 87.040 Foodstuffs 703 Agricultural materials 2,526 Various goods 989 Cartons of clothes 451 Cartons of shoes 450 Refrigerators 211 06 October 2011 Cows 406 Chips machines 10 Electricity towers 100 Glass boards 520 Car tires 450

Humanitarian aid 2,929 Cooking gas 88.470 Foodstuffs 857 Agricultural materials 43,430 Various goods 1,080 09 October 2011 Cartons of clothes 252 Refrigerators 203 Humanitarian aid 226 Cooking gas 87.000 Foodstuffs 690 Agricultural materials 2,262 Various goods 297 Cartons of clothes 772 Cartons of shoes 717 Refrigerators 124 10 October 2011 Cows 406 Factory machines 3 Electricity towers 250 Glass boards 520 Cars 60 Humanitarian aid 3,677 Cooking gas 88.000 Foodstuffs 894 Agricultural materials 1,795 Various goods 711 Cartons of clothes 1,486 Refrigerators 126 11 October 2011 Electricity towers 100 Cars 30 Cows 462 Car tires 2,135 Humanitarian aid 3,556 Cooking gas 87.360

Notes:

On Wednesday, 05 October 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement for ANERA. They also allowed the entry of 2,106 tons of fodders.

On Thursday, 06 October 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 2,170 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They

On Sunday, 09 October 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 850 tons of cement, 1,260 tons of construction aggregate and 182 tons of construction steel for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 3,120 tons of fodders.

On Monday, 10 October 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 425 tons of cement, 2,520 tons of construction aggregate and 20 tons of construction steel for UNRWA; 36 tons of cement for Cooperative Housing Foundation; and 36 tons of cement for Mercy Corps. They also allowed the entry of 1,521 tons of wheat.

On Tuesday, 11 October 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement and 2,520 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA; 192 tons of cement for the Cooperative Housing Foundation. They also allowed the entry of 1,482 tons of wheat.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.

Details of the movement through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing during the reporting period will be published next week.

The West Bank

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Saturday, 08 October 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. At approximately 15:45 on Sunday, 09 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near Nabi Elias village at Qalqilya-Nablus road. At approximately 20:55 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint between Jainsafout and al-Fundoq villages, east of Qalqilya.

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 06 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between ‘Attil and Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 20:30 on the same day, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 21:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Qalqilya. At approximately 14:15 on Saturday, 08 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint near the entrance of Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 16:30 on Sunday, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ramin village, northeast of Tulkarm. At the same time, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jroushiya village, north of Tulkarm. At approximately 18:00 on the same day, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 11 October 2011, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians through Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20 on Thursday, 06 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Zaher al-‘Abed and Zibda village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 07 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between Zaher al-‘Abed and Zibda villages, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 16:00 on the same day, IOF closed Barta’a checkpoint at the entrance of Barta’a village, southwest of Jenin, which is isolated by the annexation wall. IOF informed the local council of the village that the checkpoint would be closed until 06:00 on Sunday, 09 October 2011. At approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 09 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint between al-Taybeh and Rummana villages, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 11 October 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.

4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

In the early morning of Thursday, 06 October 2011, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yish Kodesh” settlement to the south of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, uprooted at least 210 olive and fig trees belonging to the Abu Raida and Hassan families. According to Palestinian villagers, IOF fired flash bombs in the area over night, which indicates they knew that settlers were attacking the village.

At approximately 08:00 also on Thursday, IOF moved into Shu’ab al-Ward area in the southwest of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They demolished a 150-square-meter house and a water well belonging to ‘Omar Ahmed al-Din, 30, allegedly for the lack of a license. IOF also destroyed a number of olive trees and a part of a dirt road leading to the house. According to al-Din, his loss is estimated at 50,000 ILS. He had received two notices of demolition a year ago, but he appealed against them before Israeli courts in March and April 2011. He was waiting for determination in the two appeals, when IOF demolished the house and the well.

At approximately 09:00 also on Thursday, IOF moved into Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron. They razed a 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and almonds belonging to Khaled Mahmoud al-‘Adam in Um al-Khanazir area near the annexation wall. At least 250 olive and almond trees were uprooted and confiscated.

At approximately 09:20 also on Thursday, a number of Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalqilya, stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Jainsafout village. They threw stones at Palestinian farmers who were cropping olives. IOF arrived at the area later and evacuated the settlers.

On Sunday morning, 09 October 2011, IOF stormed Khirbat Souba area to the southwest of Ethna village, northwest of Hebron. They forced workers who were reclaiming an agricultural plot belonging to ‘Arafat Mousa Qawama and Tha’er ‘Abdul Hadi Qawasma to leave the land. They also confiscated a bulldozer belonging to the contractor, ‘Abdul Wahab Mohammed al-Ja’bari. The reclamation of Palestinian agricultural land in the area is part of a project funded by the Dutch Representative Office to the Palestinian National Authority and implemented by the Agricultural Development Association.

At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 10 October 2011, IOF moved into al-Jab’a village, southwest of Bethlehem. They demolished a 120-square-meter, under-construction house belonging to Nasser al-Din Hussein al-Tous, claiming that it was being built without a license.

At approximately 12:30 also on Monday, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karni Shomron” settlement stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They threw stones at the heirs of Subhi ‘Abdul Raziq ‘Eid, while they were cropping olives. IOF arrived at the area, evacuated the settlers and forced Palestinian farmers to leave their lands.

At approximately 16:00 also on Monday, a number of Israeli settlers from “Karni Shomron” settlement stormed Palestinian agricultural areas in Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. They attacked Suleiman Saleh Jaber and his family while cropping olives, although IOF were present in the area. The settlers damaged the tools used by the farmers to crop olives. IOF later took Jaber and his son, 24-year-old Mohammed to “Ariel” settlement. They interrogated the man and his son and detained them until 23:30.

At approximately 07:15 on Tuesday, 11 October 2011, IOF moved into Khirbat Yarza area, east of Toubas. They demolished the mosque of the village for the second time in less than a year.

At approximately 12:30 on the same day, IOF demolished two house and two animal barracks belonging to the Jaber family in a Bedouin community to the northeast of Qalqilya, claiming that they were built without licenses.

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Recommendations to the International Community

1- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.

2- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

3- PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

4- PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

5- PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

6- PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

7- PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

8- In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

9- PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

10- PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

11- PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.

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Public Document For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( [email protected] ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).

[1] One dunum is equal to 1,000 square meters.

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