Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (20 - 26 June Thursday, 27 June 2013 00:00

Jerusalem – a Palestinian holds a notice left by the Israeli authority on his land and nearby lands in Soura Baher village ordering confiscation of 70 dunums for the purpose of establishing a new settlement

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

Israeli forces launched 3 air strikes against civilian targets and training sites in the Gaza Strip. A girl sustained fractures as a closet door fell over her leg while she was sleeping in her family's house. A restaurant was completely destroyed and 13 houses sustained partial damage.

Israeli forces have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.

4 protesters were wounded during a peaceful protest in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia.

Israeli forces conducted 52 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited incursion in the Gaza Strip.

40 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were arrested in the West Bank.

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. 10 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank. Israeli forces violently beat a Palestinian young man from Beit Ummar village and threw him at the entrance of Kofur Etzion, south of Bethlehem. Crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel were closed for two days.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period 20 – 26 June 2013.

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 4 Palestinian civilians during peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces launched 3 air strikes on civilian targets and training sites.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded during a peaceful protest in Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. In addition, 2 photojournalists from Palestine TV were attacked and arrested.

In the Gaza Strip, on 24 June 2013, Israeli forces launched 3 air strikes on training sites and civilian targets. At approximately 04:20, Israeli warplanes attacked a training site of al-Quds Brigades, west of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 03:45, Israeli warplanes attacked an olive land in al-Zawayda village in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, 13 houses sustained partial damage and a girl sustained a fracture in her left leg.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile on an olive farm in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, a restaurant was completely destroyed and many olive trees were damaged.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 48 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 25 Palestinians, including 5 children.

In the Gaza Strip, on 20 June 2013, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion in the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tightened 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 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 7 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 a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people. The Israeli authorities has established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.

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

Settlement activities:

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

On Thursday, 20 June 2013, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli police and forces, moved into Zawyat al-Ashraf and al-Budairy waqf, located at the entrance of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of Hebron. The settlers started digging and extending electricity networks, in an attempt to seize both establishments.

On Sunday, 22 June 2013, Israeli forces moved into Um al-Rokba area and handed Mohammed Marzouq Zawahra (35) a notice to halt construction work in a cement wall of and a water well, under the pretext of not obtaining a license. On another note, a number of settlers from "Karmi Tsur" settlement moved into a farmland that includes a water spring that is called "Ayn Teeba," east of Halhoul. No incidents of vandalism or attacks against Palestinians were reported.

On Monday, 24 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement raided Palestinian civilians' land in Amateen village, northeast of Qalqilya and cut 6 olive trees. Furthermore, a group of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement attacked a group of farmers and shepherds while they were in 'Ayn al-Baidaa' area. This incident took place in the presence of Israeli forces that declared the area a closed military area and arrested two Palestinian civilians under the pretext of assaulting settlers.

On Wednesday, 26 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Ovijal" settlement attacked shepherds with police dogs while they were grazing their sheep in al-'Attarya area. Additionally, 4 settlers raided pastoral lands in the surroundings of Kherbat Qwaiwes area and told shepherds of Abu-'Arram family to leave the area, claiming that it is their property. Israeli forces arrived at the scene and ordered the shepherds to leave the area.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period 20– 26 June 2013

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

Thursday, 20 June 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahman Mohammed Qabaja (28) and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Abdul Aziz Awad. They arrested his son Oday (24). Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Montaser Akhlail (22) and arrested him. At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al- Tarabiqa area, where they surrounded and raided a bakery belonging to Zaki Bahar. They detained the workers there for half an hour. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Asida neighbourhood and raided a house belonging to the family of Jehad Nasser Akhlail (17). They handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested Haytham Mohammed al-Tairawi (28), bodyguard of MP Jamal al-Tairawi.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Hussein 'Eid Abed Rabbu (25) and arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved about 200 metres into al-Qarara village, to the northeast of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit 'Our al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:45, Israeli forces moved into Bruqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No further incidents were reported.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Silet al-Harithiya village, north of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Karza village, to the east of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Friday, 21 June 2013

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Feras Mohammed Abu Zaina (22) and arrested him. Meanwhile, Israeli forces moved into the eastern neighbourhood of the city, where a number of young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs in return. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Samou' village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Dabwan village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Janiya area, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli infantry forces raided the central market at the entrance of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. They annoyed the civilians at the entrance of the market, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, who fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation.

Saturday, 22 June 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqa village, to the south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in al-Baid neighbourhood. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Salem Hreibat (27) and handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of Bethlehem. At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces raided another house belonging to the family of Nasser Hamad Abu Atwan and handed his son Mohammed (19) a similar notice.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hussein al-Sharawnah (21). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Aynoun village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Jehad al-Ja'bari. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

Sunday, 23 June 2013

At approximately 01:20, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested 4 children:

1. Mahdi Amin Majd (15); 2. Maher Samit Abu Haniya (16); 3. Abdul Karim Yasser Hussein (17); and 4. Monther Yasser Salamah (16).

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Zaid Yusef Abdul Dayem (21), and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sheqba village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Kooper village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 24 June 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested Fadi Nayef Abu Sharekh (28) and Montaser Belal 'Aqouba (22), from the Old Town of the city.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Salem village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They arrested Qasem Ghassan Ishtaya (25) and took him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided 2 houses from which they arrested Mo'in Saber Mafarjah (25) and Mos'ab Sabri Nassar (25).

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron. They raided 2 houses from which they arrested Ahmed Abu al-Reesh (18) and Yusef Abu Maria (17).

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahman Essam Shalabi (22) and arrested him. They also raided a house belonging to the family of Aziz Mohammed Taleb (38). No further arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, deployed between the houses and raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Rashid Sabarnah (19). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination. A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of civilian suffered tear gas inhalation. At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces withdrew.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Taher Ahmed Nawahda (28). They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew later.

At approximately 03:45, Israeli warplanes fired a missile on a 4-dunum olive land belonging to Mohammed Abu Zayed (46) in al- Zawayda village, in the central Gaza Strip. The explosion caused a big crater and damaged a number of olive trees. Moreover, 13 houses belonging to the families of Abu Zayed, al-Ta'ban, Abu Smaha, al-Masri, al-Deirawi and al-'Amawi sustained partial damage, while the electricity and telephone network was damaged as well. Alaa' Jihad al-'Amawi (19) sustained a fracture in the left leg as a door of a closet fell over her when she was sleeping at home. She was taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive the necessary medical treatment. In his testimony to PCHR's fieldworker, Ouda Suleiman Abu Zayed (73), from al-Zawayda, whose house was damaged, said:

"At approximately 03:45 on Monday, 24 June 2013, I was about to perform the dawn prayer when I suddenly heard a heavy explosion rocking the house. I believed it was my house that was hit. We heard the sound of a drone and a warplane hovering. Women and children were frightened and shouting for about 20 minutes. We were waiting for a second attack. A few minutes later, I calmed down and started to look over the house whose windows were smashed and 5 of its doors were damaged. Meanwhile, I looked out of the eastern balcony and saw dust about 20 meters to the northeast of my house. It was in a nearby farmland. At 06:00, I found out that my jeep's (Toyota) windshield was broken and the solar power glass was damaged as well."

At approximately 04:20, Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles on a training site of al-Quds Brigades (the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement), to the west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile on a 500-meter olive land, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, belonging to Yusef Ahmed al-Shanti (39). As a result of the attack, a restaurant (room, kitchen and bathroom) were completely destroyed and many olive trees were damaged. However, no casualties were reported.

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, moved into Qufin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets of the village and a number of soldiers raided Usama Jawdat Fares Te'ma's (29) house, and arrested him after searching his house.

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, moved into 'Arana village, north of Jenin, and patrolled the streets of the village. They withdrew later; no arrests or raids were reported.

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and infantry unit, moved into Salfit city. The forces patrolled the streets while firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Before their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces raided two civilian houses at approximately 02:00 and handed Mohammed Fatash 'Asfour Fatash (23) and Abdel-Rahim Taysir Shaheen (24) summons to refer to Israeli intelligence.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles, moved into Nablus city. They patrolled the streets, raided and searched a number of civilian houses. Before withdrawing, they arrested Jum'a Ahmed 'Abdo Bouhy (21) from the old city of Nablus and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, moved into Qalqilya, patrolled the streets amid firing tear gas canisters and flash bombs. As a result, Youssef Fathi Abu-Hamed (21) suffered from tear gas inhalation. The forces raided and searched a shop for car spare parts and two residential buildings in Khelat Nofal neighbourhood. Before withdrawing at approximately 05:45, they arrested 'Alaa Kayed Badareen (21); 'Arafat Moussa Theyab (20); and Murad As'ad Theyab (21), and took them to an unknown destination.

In the mean time, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, moved into Kufor Kaleel village, in the southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets, and soldiers raided and searched a number of civilian houses. Before withdrawing, the forces arrested 3 Palestinians, including two brothers, and took them to an unknown destination. The detainees are: Zahi Farah Nasser Mansour (35) and his brother Nehad (37), and Thabet Jasem Farah Mansour (21).

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, moved into Jenin and patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Shuwaika suburb, in the north of Tulkarm and patrolled the streets. They withdrew later and no arrests or raids were reported.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces, accompanied by 4 military vehicles, moved into al-Thaherya village, south of Hebron. The forces stationed in Shwayky neighbourhood, raided and searched Khaldon Elias al-Tal's (22) family resdiance. They arrested al-Tal before withdrawing and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Hossan village, west of Bethlehem. The forces patrolled the streets, established a checkpoint by the entrance of the village and searched civilians' vehicles and checked their IDs. Furthermore, they raided a number of civilian houses under the pretext of searching for stone throwers. They withdrew later, no arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then stationed in the centre. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Khaled al-‘Issah (35), whom they arrested.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Ra’fat Samih ‘Eleiwi (21) and Faris Samir Mahloub (22), from al-Marij and Freitekh streets in the northern mountain in the city. They withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Far’aa refugee camp, southeast of Tubas. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses, from which they arrested Selah Faris Sawalmeh (22) and Hakam Samir Daghish(20). They withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

Around the same, Israeli forces moved into Talfit village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched several houses, from which they arrested ‘Abdullah Waleed Jaber Mosalam (21) from the old city in Hebron. They later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces al-Tabqa village, to the south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then stationed at al-Beid neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bahaa’ Hakam ‘Abdullah al- Hreibat (17), whom they arrested. They withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 21:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, and then stationed in the centre of the old city near a sports stadium. They detained Ayman ‘Ali Salah (42) and Yousif Ahmed Sayel (25) for 2 hours while passing in the area. The aforementioned were released and Israeli forces withdrew later.

2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinians sustained wounds in Kufor Kadoum village.

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity

Following the Friday Prayer, 21 June 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The demonstrators marched through the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity, raised Palestinian flags and made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village since early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, and international activists from joining the protest. The demonstrators walked along the wall and attempted to breach it. Israeli forces stationed behind the western side of the wall, and dozens of soldiers who were deployed along the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at the demonstrators, and chased them across olive fields. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.

Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbed wire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbed wire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across fields of olive trees as far as the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. From the morning, Israeli forces had closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them and civilian houses with waste water. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises, including the photographer of the Popular Committee against the Construction of the Wall and Settlement Activity in Nabi Saleh, Belal Abdel-Salam Tamimi (47), he is also a volunteer photographer at B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.

Following Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas'ra village, south of Bethlehem, international and Israeli human rights activists, and activists in the Popular Resistance Committees gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The demonstration was also organized in protest to the construction of a school for settlers in the south of Bethlehem. It started outside Shomou' Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. The participants carried Palestinian flags, roamed the streets of the village. Upon their arrival to the wall, Israeli forces, backed-up by Israeli police and border guards, fired tear gas canisters at them in order to disperse them. Many demonstrators suffered due to tear gas inhalation. Later that day, Palestinians organized a car rally from the centre of the village to “Daniel” settlement, which is established on al-Khader village's lands, south of Bethlehem, and then to the southern entrance of the village “al-Nashash” checkpoint, where they organized a sit-in.

At approximately 13:25 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village which has been ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli soldiers denied them access to the gate and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters; as a result, 4 Palestinians sustained wounds: a 22-year-old male; a finger in his left hand was smashed after sustaining a metal bullet; a 20-year-old male, sustained two metal bullets in the abdomen and left hand; a 21-year-old male, sustained a metal bullet to the chest; and a 27-year-old male, sustained a metal bullet to the waist. Furthermore, the Israeli soldiers beat media workers of Palestine TV crew, and arrested Ahmed Abdel-Malek Othman Shawer (26); and Bashar Mahmoud Saleh Nazzal (33). In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Nazzal said:

"While we were covering Kufor Kadoum's weekly demonstration on 21 June 2013, Israeli soldiers yelled at us and told us to leave the area; thus, we gathered our equipment in order to leave and while I was getting ready to leave as there was only one piece of equipment left that I had to take with me, Israeli soldiers attacked me and my colleague Ahmed Shawer with extreme brutality, and started beating and kicking us with their hands, feet and weapons, using profane language. We had the feeling that we were targeted, especially me, as I attend and cover this demonstration every week. After assaulting us, we were blindfolded, handcuffed and taken, with our equipment, in a military vehicle to "Kedumim" settlement where a group of soldiers were there, mocking and photographing us. Even though we were blindfolded, we knew what was happening around us. We were later taken to several detention centres in Howara and Salem camps, then "Ariel" settlement. We were released at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, after they confiscated our IDs."

3. Continued closure of the oPt

Israel has continued to impose a tightened 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 tightens the closure of the Gaza Strip and closes 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.

The total closure of al-Mentar ("Karni") crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the 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 capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the 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.

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.

The cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for long periods per month and also due to limited quantities recently allowed by the Israeli authorities. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow around 98 tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tonnes per day, of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during the winter.

For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organisations in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also continued to impose almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.

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 denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

For around a year, Israeli forces have allowed Palestinian detainees’ families to visit their sons in the Israeli jails according to special and unfair conditions after more than 5 years of deprivation in violation of international humanitarian law.

The Egyptian authorities allow the population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients, students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years, females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian delegations. It should be mentioned that the crossing opens seven days a week.

Beit Hanoun ("Erez") crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is dedicated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing 19 – 24 June 2013

Category 19 June 20 June 21 June 22 June 23 June 24 June Patients 40 57 3 0 50 30 Companions 37 55 3 0 46 33 Personal needs 20 43 0 0 56 18 Families of 0 0 0 0 0 0 prisoners Arabs from Israel 0 2 5 - 10 14 Diplomats 0 0 0 0 0 0 International 2 0 0 2 2 0 journalists International 18 74 9 0 13 40 workers Deceased 0 0 0 0 1 2 Travellers abroad 0 0 0 0 0 0 Businesspeople 92 79 0 0 72 3 Business meetings 0 0 0 0 0 0 Security interviews 6 1 0 0 2 2 VIPs 0 0 1 0 2 1 Ambulances to 0 3 1 0 1 2 Israel Ambulances from 1 4 0 0 1 2 Israel

Note: On Monday, 24 June 2013, Israeli authorities stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing informed the Palestinian Coordination and Liaison Office “55” the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is located 800 metres away from the crossing gate to the south, that they closed the crossing to all categories leaving from the Gaza Strip except for humanitarian aids, patients and foreigners. They claimed that Palestinian armed groups launched home-made rockets into Israel as this is considered a violation of the truce reached between Palestinian armed groups and Israel under Egyptian auspices on 21 November 2012. The crossing is so far still closed. Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 19 – 25 June 2013

Day Date Travelling abroad Coming into Gaza Returning to Gaza Wednesday 19 June 2013 702 932 1 Thursday 20 June 2013 1103 2050 100 Friday 21 June 2013 677 1112 96 Saturday 22 June 2013 251 907 6 Sunday 23 June 2013 685 1403 43 Monday 24 June 2013 957 1374 80 Tuesday 25 June 2013 718 1372 87

Imports via Rafah International Crossing (Qatar projects) Day Date Category Number of trucks Amount Monday 17 June 2013 Base Course 2 trucks 50 tonnes Tuesday 18 June 2013 Base Course 16 trucks 400 tonnes Wednesday 19 June 2013 Base Course 20 trucks 500 tonnes Friday 21 June 2013 Base Course 37 trucks 925 tonnes Saturday 22 June 2013 Base Course 55 trucks 1375 tonnes Sunday 23 June 2013 Base Course 61 trucks 1525 tonnes Monday 24 June 2013 Base Course 64 trucks 1600 tonnes

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing

Imports Date Amount Category Tons Number Litres Foodstuffs 488 Agricultural materials 1,222 Various goods 964 Cartons of clothes 287 Cartons of shoes 2,112 Refrigerators 103 Cows 607 19 June 2013 Cars 35 Bricks 1000 Washing machines 90 Fans 2,160 Glass boards 1,060 Air conditioner 427 Humanitarian aid 5,161 Cooking gas 195,420 Benzene 38,000 Foodstuffs 934 Agricultural materials 1,914 Various goods 956 Cartons of clothes 1,234 Refrigerators 270 Cows 715 Televisions 100 20 June 2013 Fans 800 Cartons of shoes 270 Glass boards 1,235 Tyres 1056 Gypsum boards 1,235 Tanks 124 Humanitarian aid 5,259 Cooking gas 173,920 Benzene 34,700 UNRWA Foodstuffs 852 Agricultural materials 1,171 Various goods 1,209 Cartons of clothes 1,898 Fans 2,242 Refrigerators 148 23 June 2013 Cartons of shoes 880 Carpentry machines 10 Washing machines 229 Generators 30 Bumping machines 1 Humanitarian aid 4,211 Cooking gas 174,970 Benzene 38,000

Other Imports:

On Wednesday, 19 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 380 tonnes of cement, 30 tonnes of construction steel and 2,660 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 840 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector; and 910 tonnes of construction aggregates, 240 tonnes of cement for the German Development Bank (GDB). They also allowed the entry of 546 tonnes of fodders and 2,520 tonnes of wheat. On Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 424 tonnes of cement, 30 tonnes of construction steel and 2,520 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 1,260 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector; and 770 tonnes of construction aggregates for the GDB. They also allowed the entry of 663 tonnes of fodders and 429 tonnes of wheat. On Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 540 tonnes of cement, 31 tonnes of construction steel and 2,660 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 980 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of 624 tonnes of fodders and 312 tonnes of wheat.

Empty Plastic Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

On Wednesday, 19 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed 2 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed 1 truckload of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces allowed 2 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces closed Karm Abu Salem crossing on Monday, 24 June 2013, and on Tuesday, 25 June 2013 due to rockets launched into Israel.

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: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between Beit Loqaya and Beit Sirah villages, southwest of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 21 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of al-Tibah village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:30 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna village, west of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron, south of the city, as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road (60). The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 21 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 24 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed at Tarqoumya crossing, west of Hebron, prevented the entry of 10 truckloads of plum loaded from Beit Ummar and Halhoul, north of Heron, through the Gaza Strip crossing under the pretext of closing crossings due to security reasons. Mohammed ‘Awad, a vegetable merchant, said to a PCHR fieldworker that on 23 June 2013 that he loaded around 100 tonnes of plums from the central market in Beit Ummar and Halhoul into 10 trucks. At approximately 06:00, truckloads headed to Tarqoumya crossing, west of Hebron, in order to enter to the Gaza Strip. When the aforementioned truckloads arrived, Israeli forces told the truck drivers that Gaza crossings are closed due to security reasons. The truckloads waited there for two hours for perhaps they would be allowed to enter. Trucks came back to the Beeit Ummar market that estimated his loss with around 250,000 NIS, which represents 75% of the price of the goods.

At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 24 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Yatta, as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road (60), south of Hebron. At approximately 16:30, another checkpoint was established at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of the city. At approximately 17:00, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 25 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron; as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road (60). The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 21 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Shofah village, southeast of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, they established another checkpoint on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus villages near the intersection of Beit Leed in an area known as “Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilians through it. The tightening later ended and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilians through it. The tightening later ended and no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:30, they re-tightened restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilians. Around the same time, they established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed in an area known as “Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilians through it. The tightening later ended and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:30 on Monday, 24 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilians through it. The tightening later ended and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Tuesday, 25 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between the villages of ‘Ezbet Shofah and Shofah, southeast of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin and Tulakrm and Nablus near the intersection of ‘Arrabah village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jalmah village, north of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at Deir Abu Da’aif, southeast of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 25 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road that connects Jenin with Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of al-Shuhadaa’ village, south of Jenin. Around the same time, they established a similar checkpoint on the main road that connects Jenin with Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Jannat Park at the southern entrance of Jenin. Around the same time, they established 3 checkpoints in the city; the first one was near Haddad tourist village, southeast of Jenin, the second was at the entrance of Kafr Qoud village, west of the city, and the third was at the entrance of Kafr Dan village, Jenin. At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces establisheda checkpoint on the main road that connects Jenin with Tulkarm and Nablus near the entrance of Qabatia village, south of Jenin. At approximately 22:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Aranah village, north of Jenin.

Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat Road between Jericho and Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 21 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbeidat village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they established another checkpoint near the southern entrance of Jericho. At approximately 19:30, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Marj Na’ajah village, north of Jericho. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 15:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.

Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:45 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Balout, west of Salfit. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established at the southern entrance of Borqin, west of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 12:30 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Balout village, west of Salfit. At approximately 13:10, they established another checkpoint at the northern entrance of al-Zawya village, west of the city. At approximately 10:20, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Borqin village, west of Salfit. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Arrests at military checkpoints At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Ya’abod village, southwest of Jenin. They stopped and searched a travelling car on the road and arrested its occupants under the pretext of possession of a hunting rifle. The arrested were identified as: Mahmoud Bassam Sharif Qobaha (26); Khalil Haidar ‘Amarnah (54); and his son, Ahmed, (22).

At approximately 10:00 on the aforementioned Thursday, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of “Ghosh ‘Asyon” settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Akhlil (18), and Mohammed Safi al-Salibi (27), when they were on their way to an interview with the Israeli Intelligence. It should be mentioned that they had been summoned to refer to the Israeli intelligence on Wednesday, 19 June 2013.

At approximately 16:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed near a watchtower established at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested ‘Abdel Hamid Anwar al-‘Allami (18) when he was on his way back from work outside the village.

At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 21 June 2013, Israeli forces deployed along the security fence between Palestinian lands and “Ghosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Khalil Abu Dayyah (24) from Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. The aforementioned person was arrested while he was walking in his land near the aforementioned settlement. He was then transferred to an unknown destination.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, Israeli forces deployed between neighbourhoods in the centre of the old town in the center of Hebron arrested Farid al-‘Aweiwi (11) and Amir Saleh Shahin (11) and transferred to the police station of “Karayt Arba’a” settlement, east of the city.

At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 23 June 2013, Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Yousif Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem (22) from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, when he was on his way back from Ramallah. They took him to “Kfar ‘Asyon” detention centre, south of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers severely beat the aforementioned person while transferring him by a military vehicle to the centre. As a result, he sustained wounds. At approximately 22:00, he was released to walk on the street and then a cap stopped to drive him to the entrance of Beit Ummar village. He then called his brother, who transferred him home, but Ahmed’s health condition was very serious. Therefore, his father called an ambulance which later arrived and transferred him to Hebron governmental hospital. Medical sources said that he suffered rapture in the nose and sustained bruises. He received necessary medical treatment.

4. Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

At approximately 17:15 on Sunday, 22 June 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by officers of the Israeli Civil Administration in "Gosh Etzion" settlement complex, moved into Um al-Rokba area, in the south of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The Civil Administration officers handed Mohammed Marzouq Zawahra (35) a notice to halt construction work in a cement wall of 149 metres in lenghth and a water well, under the pretext of not obtaining a permit. The Civil Administration gave Zawahra a month to challenge the decision before "Beit El" court, in the north of Ramallah.

Attacks carried out by settlers

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 20 June 2013, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli police and forces, moved into Zawyat al-Ashraf and al-Budairy waqf, located at the entrance of the Ibrahim Mosque, in the centre of the old city of Hebron, in the centre of Hebron. The settlers started digging and extending electricity networks, in an attempt to seize both establishments. It should be mentioned that both establishments were closed by Israeli forces following the massacre of the Ibrahim Mosque, which was committed by Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli settler, in 1994. The forces closed a number of establishments that are located near the Mosque, at the recommendation of the Shamgar Commission, which was formed following the massacre in order to investigate into it.

At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 22 June 2013, a number of settlers from "Karmi Tsur" settlement, which is established on Palestinian civilians' lands in the north of Hebron, moved into a farmland that includes a water spring that is called "Ayn Teeba," east of Halhoul, north of Hebron. The settlers patrolled the area, and withdrew at approximately 09:30. No incidents of vandalism or attacks against Palestinians were reported.

On Monday evening, 24 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Havat Gilad" settlement raided Palestinian civilians' land in Amateen village, northeast of Qalqilya. The settlers cut 6 olive trees that are the property of Ziad Abdel-Hafiz Sowan. This attack followed another one committed by settlers few days ago when they set fire to the entire area. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Zahy Sowan, member of Amateen village council, said:

"At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 25 June 2013, Ziad Sowan went to his tract of land, which is located next to the burnt area. This area was burnt by settlers about a week ago, but the fire did not reach the trees in the neighbouring plot. Upon Sowan's arrival at his land, which he visits every day, he found that 6 olive trees were cut with a chainsaw. He called a number of bodies, including Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights. Members of Yesh Din arrived at the scene; however, a group of settlers attacked them, broke their car windows with sticks and metal bars, confiscated the car keys and left the area to bring, as it seemed, something to continue their attack on the vehicle. Luckily, the driver had a spare key and left the scene immediately; we were there during the attack."

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, a group of settlers from "Carmiel" settlement, which is established on Palestinians' lands east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked a group of farmers and shepherds while they were in 'Ayn al-Baidaa' area. The settlers engaged in a hand fight with the Palestinians in an attempt to force them out of their land. This incident took place before the Israeli forces, who moved into the area and announced it a closed military area. Furthermore, the forces arrested two Palestinian civilians under the pretext of assaulting settlers. The detained Palestinians are: 18-year-old Ahmed Mohammed Abu-Ehmaid and 17-year-old Nassar Ali Ehmaid.

At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 26 June 2013, a group of settlers from "Ovijal" settlement, which is established on Palestinians' lands in the southeast of Yatta, in the south of Hebron, attacked shepherds with police dogs while they were grazing their sheep in al-'Attarya area. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Rateb Jabour said that 7 armed settlers raided the pastoral lands in al-'Attarya area, which is located between "Ovijal" and "Mitzpe Yair" settlements, and unleashed their dogs at a group of shepherds. This comes under settlers' attempts to force Palestinians out of their lands in order to confiscate them.

In the mean time, 4 settlers raided pastoral lands in the surroundings of Kherbat Qwaiwes area, in the southeast of Yatta, and told shepherds of Abu-'Arram family to leave the area, claiming that it is their property. A skirmish started between the Palestinian civilians and settlers, who engaged in a hand fight with the shepherds, before the Israeli forces interfered and requested the shepherds to leave the area. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed Abu-'Arram said:

"We have lived in Kherbat Qwaiwes for a long time, and we use these lands, which are estimated at 2000 dunums and are the property of Housheya family, for grazing our sheep and farming. Five years ago, a group of settlers cut a number of grapevines and confiscated large tracts of it. Approximately 2 years ago, the Housheya family obtained a court order invalidating the settlers' ownership of the land and returned it to its lawful owners. Since then, the Israeli Civil Administration's patrols stayed in the area so that we would not be attacked by settlers. At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 26 June 2013, we were surprised to find 4 settlers on our land, asked us to leave and we started quarrelling, and a settler tried to assault one of the shepherds. A few minutes later, a patrol of Israeli forces arrived at the scene and asked us to leave the area, even though we have a court ruling that allows us to stay in it."

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is still under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have 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 an 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 continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the latest offensive that lasted for 8 days in November, 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:

1. 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; 2. 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; 3. 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; 4. 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; 5. 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; 6. 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; 7. 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; 8. 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; 9. 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 and victims; 10. 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; 11. 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 directed targeted the civilian infrastructure; 12. 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; 13. 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 violation and crimes against Palestinian civilians; 14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

………………………………………………………… 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 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.

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