Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (24– 30 March 2016)
Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(24– 30 March 2016)
Hebron: Israeli Forces Wound and then Kill 2 Palestinian Civilians Namely Ramzi Aziz Qasrawi and Abdul Fattah Yosri alSharif
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
2 Palestinian civilians were wounded and then shot dead in Hebron, south of the Gaza Strip. 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces continued to target the border areas along the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
Israeli forces conducted 83incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the central Gaza Strip. 76 Palestinian civilians, including 27 children and 2 women, were arrested. Fifteen of them, including 9 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem. A Palestinian from Rafah was arrested in mysterious circumstances.
Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem. A room and a playground in Silwan village were demolished, paving the way for the confiscation of 14 dunums for the interest of “national parks”.
Settlement activities continued in the West Bank. A house, a farm, a playground and 2 electricity and water networks at the northern entrance to Bethlehem were demolished.
Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9th Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were reestablished to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians. 4Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints. Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinian patients at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in theoPt continued during the reporting period (24 – 30 March 2016).
Shooting:
Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and wounded6 others; 3 of whom in the West Bank and the 2 others in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces extrajudicially executed 2 Palestinian civilians in Hebron, south of the West Bank,and wounded 3 others.
In a crime that amounts to an extrajudicial execution, on Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians in Hebron. Israeli soldiers opened fire at both of them after the latter stabbed an Israeli soldier in his shoulder. After the 2 Palestinians were wounded, Israeli soldiers opened fire again at them and shot them dead. Following a video was published displaying the crime, Israeli forces announced they have detained the soldier that opened fire and initiated an investigation. PCHR stresses that this crime was committed because the Israeli military and political leaders allowed the soldiers to shed the Palestinians’ blood. It should be noted that the 2 killed Palestinian were identified as Ramzi Aziz Qasrawi (20) and Abul Fattah alSharif (20).
On 25 March 2016, a Palestinian old man was hit with a bullet to the head during his participation in Kufor Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilya.
On 26 March 2016, Israeli forces wounded 2 Palestinian when the former opened fire at alNaqqar neighbourhood, west of Qalqilya, where a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldier. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 3 Palestinian civilians in the northern and central Gaza Strip. On 25 March 2016, Israeli forces wounded 2 Palestinian civilians, who were participating in a peaceful protest, north of the Gaza Strip. The first was wounded by a bullet to the right leg and the second was hit with a tear gas canister to the face. On the same day, in a similar protest in the east of alBureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, a civilian was hit by a gas canister to the left thigh.
In the context of targeting border areas along the Gaza Strip, on 25March 2016, Israeli forces stationed behind a sand barrier at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at the border area. On 26 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Abu Safya area, east of Jabalia too, opened fire sporadically at the border area. On 29 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Gaza Valley, opened fire towards shepherds and farmers. As a result, they fled fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 83 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 76 Palestinian civilians, including 27 children and 2 women. Fifteenofthem, including 9 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 March 2016, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion, east of alBureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled lands adjacent to the border fence and withdrew later.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Jewish Majority:
In the context of house demolitions, on 29 March 2016 , Israeli authorities used the municipality bulldozers accompanied by officers from the Israeli Nature Authority demolished a playground, a room and walls belonging to Khaled alZeer in alAbasiya neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the Old City of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of nonlicensing.
It should be noted that the Nature Authority threatens to confiscate the land of the abovementioned person to turn it into national parks for settlement projects.
In a similar context, Israeli bulldozers surrounded a house belonging to Mohammed Samreen in alAbasiya neighbourhood in Silwan village and then levelled his land without warning. The aforementioned person said that the family turned the land from a landfill to an agricultural land.
Settlement activities:
On 29 March 2016, Israeli forces demolished a house, a farm, 2 playgrounds and 2 electricity and water networks for nonlicensing. They cut off also a number of trees and levelled lands at the northern entrance to Bethlehem near the military checkpoint “300”. The abovementioned demolished property belong to Khader alJarashi.
Details
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 24 March 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar, north of Hebron and then stationed near the Grand Mosque. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sofian Zaki Bahar alWahadeen (44) and arrested him. In the meantime, another Israeli force raided several houses and handed summonses to three civilians namely as Asem Mohammed Bahar(19), Mohammed Mahmoud Awad (26) and Mohammed Abdul Jawad Ekhalaiel (24) to refer to Israeli intelligence service in ” Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Salwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses from which they arrested Mosa’b Ahmed Hamed (27) and Walid Dawoud Hammad (22).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into alJalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses from which they arrested Amir Majdi alRamhi (22) and Mohammed Mahdi alRamhi (21).
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Abdul Rahim Qasem alZeidi (53) and expelled his family. They then raided several houses from which they arrested Forsan Khaled Mohammed ‘Amarah (20), Yaser Mohammed ‘Ali ‘Amarnah (22) and his brother Hazem (20).
At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and stationed in Rafidiah neighbourhood, west of the city. They raided Kalabunah and Talawi building opposite to AnNajah National University and broke the backdoor of the building. They then broke the door of Design Tech bookshop belonging to ‘Allam Ibrahim Esteitah in the first floor. They raided the bookshop, removed and broke the alarm system and broke the bookshop’s main computer priced at $3000. The Israeli forces then raided the nearby Medad bookshop belonging to Ayman Abdul Latif Jom’ah and blew up the main door. They confiscated 6 hard disks, 2 photocopiers (black and Wight) and a colourphotocopier.
On Thursday morning, 24 March 2016, in a new crime of extrajudicial execution, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in Hebron after the latter stabbed an Israeli soldier in his arm. Israeli forces wounded and killed the two civilians with live bullets. After a viral video taken by a Palestinian civilian documenting the crime, Israeli forces announced that they kept the soldier, who opened fire, in custody and initiated an investigation. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) stresses that this crime was committed after the Israeli political and military leaders gave the Israeli soldiers the green light to shed the Palestinian blood and tolerated the soldiers for their crimes against Palestinian civilians.
According to PCHR’s investigations and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 08:20 on Thursday morning, Israeli forces stationed at “Gilbert” checkpoint in the center of Tal alRumaidah neighbourhood in Hebron opened fire at two Palestinian civilians after one of the latter stabbed an Israeli soldier in his arm. As a result, the 2 Palestinians were wounded. Israeli soldiers opened fire at them sporadically amidst cries of settlers, who arrived at the scene. The two killed civilians were identified as Ramzi Azez Mostafa Qasrawi (20) and Abdul Fatah alSharef (20).
An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker, “At approximately 08:20 on Thursday morning, 24 March 2016, I was in my house overlooking the main street of Tal alRumaidah neighbourhood where “Gilbert” checkpoint is 10 meters to the north of my house. I heard gunfire, so I held my camera, hurried to the window and saw a young man wearing a black jacket and running towards the road leading to alZaweyah Gate. This young man was heading to the right but he went back, crossing the street. It seemed that he got confused. He stopped 30 meters away from my house holding a knife. An Israeli soldier was standing about 10 meters away from the young man, so the soldier fired two live bullets at him, due to which he fell to the ground. The soldier stepped back and fired two other bullets at another injured civilian wearing a gray blouse, who was lying closer to my house. As a result, the two bullets hit the civilian’s head and face. I think the soldier, who was blonde and medium height, was with a lieutenant rank and is an officer at the Israeli “Kifr” Brigade in Hebron. I then went up to the roof and saw a number of Israeli soldiers, three others in plain clothes carrying guns and a number of armed settlers who shouted at the young man, “Die…Die”, describing the 2 wounded as dogs and terrorists. In the meantime, three Israeli ambulances arrived at the scene and offered first aid to the wounded soldier, ignoring the two wounded young men, one of whom wearing the black jacket was moving slowly. At approximately 08:40, an Israeli ambulance transported the wounded soldier, after which an Israeli soldier talked to an officer with a high rank that arrived at the scene. Amidst the settlers’ shouts, “The terrorist is still alive”, the abovementioned Israeli soldier approached him and fired a live bullet at his head from a distance of 35 meters. As a result, his head heavily bled”.
At approximately 12:30 on Friday morning, 25 March 2016, Emad Awni Abu Sahmseyah (46), who videotaped the crime, received a phone call of an unknown person speaking in Arabic and threatening to burn him as they did with Dawabshah family. In addition, a group of Israeli settlers raided the roof of Abu Shamseya’s house and insulted and cursed him and his family. He added that he got his sons out of the house in case of any attacks by the settlers but he stayed in his house in order not to be occupied by the settlers. It should be noted that Abu Shamseyah suffers a permanent disability in his right hand and leg.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (9) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm; Far’oun village, south of the city; Hebron, Yatta, Bani Na’im, Sa’er, Tafouh, alMawreq and Deir alAsal villages in Hebron.
Friday, 25 March 2016
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiyah village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of prisoner Bilal Ahmed Adeb Abu Zaid (20) and questioned them. They then handed the family a demolition notice and later withdrew. It should be noted that Israeli forces accuses Abu Zaid of helping three civilians from the village to carry out an armed attack in Ras al‘Amoud area in Jerusalem last February when an Israeli female soldier was killed.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem.They raided and searched a house belonging to Ali Mostafa Taqatqah (30) and handed him a summons to refer to Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.
At approximately 03:15, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Malek Ibrahim Hamed (72) and handed him a summons to refer to Israeli intelligence service in “Ofer” prion, south of the city. It should be noted that Hamed was released on 22 March 2016 after being arrested for six months in the Israeli prisons.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu Shkheidem village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses form which they arrested Hamdi Mohammed Sharif Abdul Razeq (18) and Hesham Mohammed Theeb Abu Thaher (20).
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Islamic Martyrs Cemetery, east of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at the border area. The shooting caused fear among farmers and bird hunters and forced them to leave the area for fear of being shot. Neither injures nor were damages reported.
At approximately 18:00 Israeli forces moved into Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin, and then stationed in alMaloul neighbourhood, south of the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yahiya Kahled Tawfeq Abu Shamlah (41). They then topped the roof and turned it into a military spot. They locked the family in their house and prevented them from leaving. They later withdrew and neither further incidents nor arrests were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Shuwaikah Suburb, north of Tulkarm; Halhoul, alAroub refugee camp and Kahel village.
Saturday, 26 March 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into several areas in Bethlehem. They handed summonses to 5 civilians namely as Mohammed Afif Thawabtah (63), Mohammed Yosif Abu Suror (29), Dawoud Jamal Radi (25), Raed Mousa Da’amsah (39) and Mohammed Hasan alMakhtub (21) to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hazem Mostafa Musalamani (64) and arrested him.
At approximately 09:15, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Abu Safiyah area, east of Jabaliah, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at the border area. The shooting caused fear among farmers and forced them to leave the area for fear of being shot. Neither injuries nor damages were reported.
At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into alNaqar neighbourhood, west of Qalqiliya. They patrolled in the streets when a group of young men gathered and threw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers in response fired metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stonethrowers. As a result, two civilians were wounded, one of them (19) was hit with a metal bullet in his abdomen and the other (20) was hit with a metal bullet in his right thigh. The two wounded civilians underwent surgeons to remove the bullets from their bodies in Dr Darwish Nazzal Governmental Hospital in the city.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafr al Dik village, west of Salfit; Hadab alFawar and Surif villages in Hebron and Faroun village, south of Tulkarm.
Sunday, 27 March 2016
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into alDuhaishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested 3 civilians, including a child, and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Hamzah Naser Abu Ajameyah (15), Mohammed Khaled Sha’fut (22) and Oudai Adnan Shuhada (17).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu Rumman area in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yusri Abdul Fatah alOuwaiywi whose son Abul Fatah (20) was killed on 24 March 2016, in Tal alRumaidah neighbourhood in the city. Israeli forces locked the family in one room, questioned Yusri and then arrested his son Khaled (18). At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces patrolled in alDahdah area, north of the city. They also raided a house belonging to Adeeb Shafeq alQawasmah (20) and arrested him.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Shweikah Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hanin Abdul Qader Saleh E’mar (39) and arrested her.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Na’im Saber Thawabtah (21) and arrested him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al‘Abeidiyah village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Sarhan (32) and arrested him.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Ommar, Sa’ir, and Karmah villages in Hebron.
Monday, 28 March 2016
At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliya. They raided and searched several shops for auto repair at the entrance of the abovementioned city. They opened the doors with special equipment and searched them. At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces withdrew, but neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Khalil Deiriyah (21) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qabatyah village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched houses of Ahmed Najeh Ismael Nassar Zakarnah, Mohhamed Ahmed Mohammed Kameel and Ahmed Najeh Abdul Latef Abu alRaab who carried out an attack in Bab alAmoud gate in occupied Jerusalem. They took measurements and photos of the houses to demolish them later. The Israeli forces then withdrew from the village, but neither further incidents nor arrests were reported.
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Betounia village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 family houses of Qusai Abdul Naser Khalil (17) and Yosif Amjad Marbuo’ (17). They then arrested the abovementioned children and took them to “Ofer” camp established in the southern side of the village lands.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jawhar Mount neighbourhood in the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ayed Fadel alAjluni whose son Abdullah (17) was killed on 19 March 2016, in an allege of carrying out a stab attack at the checkpoint established at the southern entrance of alShuhadaa’ street in the Old City. They raided the house and expelled and threatened the family to demolish their house.
At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Iraq Burin village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Abdullah Monther Isma’il Qadous (14).
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Mashghal, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested three children namely as Baraa’ Ibrahim Saleh (16), Yasen Samer Atah (16) and Hani Taha Abu Taha (16).
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Husan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Issa Hamamrah (17) and then arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’imm village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Dawoud Mousa alTarayrah (25) and arrested him. They also handed his brother Jehad (23) a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
Around the same time, Fawzi Mousa Ouda Abu Sneimah received a call from his son’s Medhat phone, but it was someone else claiming that he is an Israeli intelligence officer. The officer told him that his son is under arrest without clarifying the circumstances. After two hours, Fawzi’s nephew received another call from police officers in “Asqalan” prison, informing him that his son Medhat is in “Asqalan” prison inside Israel. It should be noted that Medhat has been missing since Sunday, 27 March 2016.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Beit Ommar and Sa’ir in Hebron; Hares village, north of Salfit, Kafr alDeek village, west of the city; Termes’iyah village, north of Ramallah; and Shabatin village, west of the city.
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu alAsjah village , southeast of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Riyad Mahmoud alNamourah (28) and then arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Riyad Mohammed alHaroub (20) and then arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sanour village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Motasem Hatem Ghuraibah (19) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Israeli Salem camp, northwest of Jenin.
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Yata village, south of Hebron and stationed in the eastern area of the village. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Samer Mohammed Bahees (33) and Mohammed Ayed alBerawi (32).
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Saleh Hardan (32). At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces arrested Hardan and took him to an unknown destination. At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Duma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Adam Khalil Dawabshah (24) and arrested him.
Around the same time, moved into many neighbourhoods in Hebron. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested 4 civilians and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Raed Hmaidan alSharbati (44), Mohammed Ayoub Sedr (27), Sa’id ‘Ali Abu Sunainah(33) and Mos’ab Khames Qafeshah (22).
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Shadi Faisal Hasan Husain (25), Saqer Fares Abdul Karem Shabetah (24) Alaa’ Ghlaeb Mahmoud Shaker (18) and Ahmed Mohammed Amen Badwan(18). They then handed a notice to the family of Qasem Mohammed Othman Badran (28) to turn himself in immediately as they didn’t find him at home and failed to arrest him.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into alMazra’ah alQibliyah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Maher Mohammed Yosif Shraiteh (29) and arrested him.
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into alMazraa’h alQibliyah village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched Maher Mohammed Sharetah (29) and then arrested him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Our alTahtah, Southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses form which they arrested Ahmed Raed Jadallah (16), Mohammed Mahmoud Othman Othman (16) and Mohammed Samer Othman (15).
At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military bulldozers patrolled about 150 meters, west of the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, east of alBuraij, in the centre of the Gaza strip. Five hours later, they redeployed along the abovementioned border.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces stationed inside the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley village (Juhr alDeek) opened fire at sheep herders and farmers who were forced to move away of the area fearing for their lives. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Huwarah village, south of Nablus and stationed along the street leading to the village. They closed the shops along the street claiming that a Molotov Cocktail was thrown at them. At midnight on Wednesday, 30 March 2016, Israeli forces raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Yusif Sa’oud Khader Oudah (16) and his brother Mohammed(15), Yazan Tareq Ali Oudah (16), Mahmoud Fares Hamdan Oudah (17) and Yahyah Esamael Mostafa Oudah (16).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul , alMajd, Beit Awah, Beit Omrah villages in Hebron and Ajah village, south of Jenin; Beit Our alTahtah village, southwest of Ramallah and Deir Dabwan village, northeast of the city.
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqu’o, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Ahmed Khaled alAmour (17) and Mohanad Nedal Hajahjah (19).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Naim village, east of Hebron and stationed in the western neighbourhood of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging Abudl Rahman Mahmoud Thaher (23) and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aidah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses form which they arrested Husain Saleh AbuEker (24) and Ibrahim alJawarish (25).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into alThaheriyah village, south of Hebron and stationed in alMaghari neighbourhood. They raided and searched Ayman Yosif alTal (22) and arrested him.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Abu Katelah neighbourhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Raed Abu Ajamiyah (23) and then arrested him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamas Leader Jamal Abula Salam Asa’ad Abu alHaija’a (57), who has been in the Israeli prisons since 2002 and sentenced for 9 life imprisonments and twenty years. They also raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Tawfeq Ahmed Tawfeq al Shalabi (22), Aws Amen Sulaiman Esteti (35), Esam Joma’a Sa’ad Abu Jabal “Abu Khalefa” (22) and Mostafa Husam Sa’ed Tubasi (21).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Halhoul, Yatah, alSamou’a and Sorif villages in Hebron.
2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
Following the Friday prayer, on 25 March 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized protests against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance of Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of “Ofer” prison,southwest of the city. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protest and fired live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protesters. As a result, many civilians suffered gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip:
At approximately 14:30 on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed inside Beit Hanoun” Erez” crossing and its vicinity, northwest of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets, metal bullets and tear gas canisters at dozens of youngsters who were at that time along the asphalt road connecting the Israeli and Palestinian sides of the crossing. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers protesting against the Israeli violations against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank. Clashes continued for 18:00 and resulted in injuring two civilians and they are
1. Hasan Mohammed Mansour (21) form Khan Yonis, was hit with a live bullet in his right leg. 2. Ziyad Saed Mohammed Abu Nada (28)from Jabaliyah, was hit with a tear gas canister in the face.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian youngsters headed to the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel, east of alBuraij, in the centre of the Gaza strip. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barrios inside the abovementioned border fence. As a result, Israeli forces fired live bullets at the Palestinian youngsters and wounded Mohammed Ali Dosuqi (23) with a gas bomb in his left thigh.
Demonstrations against the annexation wall and settlement activities
Following the Friday prayers, on 25 March 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international activists organized protests in the centre of Kafr Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah near the western entrance of the village, in protest of its closure since the beginning of alAqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When they reached the abovementionedgate,Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, metal bullets, sound bombs andtear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, Tayseer Abdullah Abdul Rahem Shutaiwi (68) was hit with a live bullet to his head. At approximately 17:00 on Saturday 26 March 2016, the protest was again organised, but no injuries were reported.
Following the prayers of the same Friday, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international Human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah and alNabi Saleh, northwest of city. Israeli forces used forces to disperse the protesters and fired live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and houses. As a result, many civilians suffered gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, Israeli forces intentionally targeted a house belonging to Khalil Mustafa Oumairah and a vehicle belonging to activist Mohammed Oumairah with tear gas canisters and spongetipped bullets. As a result, the vehicle’s windscreen and the windows of Oumairah’s house were smashed, and the water tank was destroyed too.
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.
Rubbercoated metal bullets are lethally if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
3. Continued closure of the oPt
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for lightweighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
Imports Date Amount Category Tons Number Liters Various goods 5298 Humanitarian aid 18335 Cooking gas 234,300 Benzene 186,985 Diesel 879,985 21 March Diesel for UNRWA 76,000
Industrial fuel 268,000 Construction aggregates 13520 Cement 3000 Construction steel 810 Various goods 5100 Humanitarian aid 19275 Cooking gas 235,600 Benzene 114,004 22 March Diesel 649,008
Diesel for UNRWA 61,050
Industrial fuel 306,021 Construction aggregates 15080 Cement 2800 Construction steel 660 Various goods 4687 Humanitarian aid 19607 Cooking gas 235,070 Benzene 329,580 Diesel 23 March 973,580
Industrial fuel 305,995 Construction aggregates 14560 Cement 3200 Construction steel 930 Various goods 3460.5 Humanitarian aid 15856 Cooking gas 218,180 24 March Benzene 153,990 Diesel 887,015 Industrial fuel 339,001 Construction aggregate 11800 Cement 22423600 Construction steel 600 Various goods 4238 Humanitarian aid 4632 27 March Cooking gas 236,410 Benzene 186,980
Diesel 639,997 Industrial fuel 222,000 Cement 3120 Construction steel 660 Various goods 3931 Humanitarian aid 16560 Cooking gas 233,660 Benzene 255,960 28 March Diesel 885,050 Industrial fuel 146,010 Construction aggregates 11720 Cement 2720 Construction steel 840
On Monday, 21 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 16 tons of lemons and 7.5 tons of Valencia orange. On Tuesday, 22 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 46.2 tons of tomatoes; 30 tons of cucumbers; 3.52 tons of eggplants; 11.04 tons of peppers; 3.84 tons of sweet peppers; 1.2 tons of zucchinis; 9.75 tons of Valencia orange; 13.5 tons of lemons; and 19 tons of furniture. On Wednesday, 23 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 11.5 tons of lemons and 6.75 tons of Valencia orange. On Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 22 tons of tomatoes; 21.5 tons of cucumbers; 8.2 tons of eggplants; 3.52 tons of eggplants; 2.4 tons of peppers; 0.92 tons of sweet peppers; 0.6 tons of zucchinis; and 2.4 tons of cherry tomatoes. On Sunday, 27 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 34.16 tons of tomatoes; 37.52 tons of cucumbers; 10.6 tons of eggplants; 4.55 tons of sweet peppers; 10.5 tons of Valencia orange; 12 tons of lemons; 0.45 tons of garlic; 0.35 tons of mints; 0.15 tons of tarragon; 1.12 tons of zucchinis; and 1.75 tons of peppers. On Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 14.5 tons of lemons; 7.5 tons of Valencia orange; and 70 tons of scrap.
BeitHanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing
2329 March 2016
23 27 28 Category 24 March 25 March 26 March 29 March March March March Patients 38 45 5 – 81 72 60 Companions 40 31 5 – 71 80 57 Personal needs 3 7 1 – 137 57 100 Families – – – – – 34 – of prisoners
Arabs from 2 3 2 – 4 5 1 Israel
Diplomats – – – – – 8 – International – – – – – – – journalists International 46 67 7 – 4 7 22 workers Travelers – – – – 6 22 – abroad
Business people 17 4 2 – 554 402 408 Business – – – – – – – meetings Security 1 1 – – 14 12 11 interviews VIPs – – 1 – 3 4 – Ambulances 2 – – – 5 2 1 to Israel
Patients’ 2 – – – 5 2 1 Companions
Notes:
Israeli authorities allowed 40 Christians on Wednesday, 23 March 2016; and 91 Christians on Thursday, 24 March 2016; and 22 Christian on Friday, 25 March 2016; and 87 Christian on Sunday, 27 March 2016; and 50 Christian on Monday, 28 March 2016; and 38 Christian on Tuesday, 29 March 2016; to travel to Bethlehem for holidays. Israeli authorities allowed 2 persons on Monday, 28 March 2016, and a person on Tuesday, 29 March 2016, to renew their permits.
Israeli forces arrest Patient at Beit Hanoun crossing
At approximately 06:00, on Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed in Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, arrested Hani Fathi Shurab Isleem (41) from alSabra neighborhood in Gaza City, while he was travelling via Beit Hanoun Crossing. Hani’s brother, Mohammed (40), said that his brother Hani needs to change a joint in his left leg every five years in alMaqased Hospital in occupied Jerusalem. According to a medical reference from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli forces issued a medical permit for Hani.On Thursday morning, Hani headed to Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, after which his family was surprised by a phone call from the Israeli forces at approximately 17:00 on the same day, telling them that their son was arrested.
At approximately 09:30, on Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed in Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, arrested Mohamed Kamel Rajab Abu ‘Odah (33) from alMawasi area, west of Rafah, while he was travelling to the West Bank for medical treatment in Musallam Specialized Center for Eye Surgery in Ramallah. It should be mentioned that Mohammed suffers from herniated disc and clogged in the spinal cords. According to Mohammed’s father, Kamel Rajab Abu ‘Odah, who was accompanying him, at approximately 09:30, his son was taken by security members for a meeting after he arrived at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing. Mohammed’s father said that he waited in the travelers hall until 17:30, after which security members came and told him that he should return to the Gaza Strip and his son will follow him half an hour later. The father left, but his son is still under arrest. Mohammed’s father added that his son had a medical reference from the External Medical Treatment Department at the Palestinian Ministry of Health and also got a permit from the Palestinian Liaison to travel via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing.
West Bank
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:
Hebron:Israeli forces established (20) checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to Sa’ir and Samou’a villages; the northern entrance to Hebron and the eastern entrance to Dura.
On Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the northern entrance to Yatta village; the southern entrance to Hebron (alFahs); the northern entrance to Halhoul village (alNabi Yunis); and the entrance to al‘Aroub refugee camp.
On Sunday, 27 March 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the southern entrance to Halhoul village and at the entrance to Beit Kahel village.
On Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to al‘Aroub and alFawar refugee camps; Samou’a village; and on the western road of Hebron.
On Tuesday, 29 March 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to Bani Na’im and Beit Kahel villages and the northern entrance to Halhoul village.
On Wednesday, 30 March 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ummar and Deir al‘Asal villages and at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Ramallah and alBireh: Israeli forces established (5) checkpoints all over the village.
On Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrances to Deir Abu Mish’al village, northwest of Ramallah; Senjil village, north of Ramallah; and under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of Ramallah.
On Saturday, 26 March 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the entrance to alNabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah and near the intersection of Beit ‘Ur alFoqa village, southwest of Ramallah.
Qalqiliya: Israeli forces established (3) checkpoints all over the city.
On 28 March 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqiliya ; at the entrances to Qalqiliya and ‘Jinasafout village, and on the road of Qanah valley, east of Qalqiliya.
Jericho: On Saturday, 26 March 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints at the entrances to Fasayel and alZabidat villages, north of Jericho.
Tulkarm: At approximately 11:00, on Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqiliya, near the intersection of Kufor Sour village, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 11:00, on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened their arbitrary restrictions against Palestinian civilians and obstructed their movement.
At approximately 09:00 and 19:00, on Sunday, 27 March 2016, Israeli forces retightened their arbitrary restrictions against Palestinian civilians in the abovementioned checkpoint.
At approximately 09:00, on Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces also retightened their arbitrary restrictions against Palestinian civilians in the abovementioned checkpoint.
At approximately 18:00, on Saturday, 26 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and villages located in the north of Tulkarm, near the intersection of ‘Alar and ‘Atil villages, north of Tulkarm.
At approximately 12:30, on Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqiliya, near the entrance to Jabara village, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established similar checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and villages in the north of Tulkarm between ‘Alar and Eastern Baqah villages.
Jenin: At approximately 16:00, on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near alHadad Tourist village, southeast of Jenin.
At approximately 19:00, on Saturday, 26 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Qad village, northeast of Jenin.
Salfit: On Thursday, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints between alZawiyah and Rafaat villages, west of Salfit; and at the entrance to Deir Balout village, west of Salfit. Israeli forces also detained Kheir Ahmed Abu alKhair from Deir Balout village and later released him. No further incidents were reported.
At approximately 15:00, on Saturday,26 March 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Hares village, north of Salfit.
At approximately 11:30, on Sunday, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance to Yasouf village, east of Salfit.
Arrests at military checkpoints
At approximately 10:00, on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed in Tal alRumaidah neighbourhood, south of Nablus, arrested Hanan Mohammed alQasrawi (16), claiming that she had a knife. Hanan was then taken to a policestation near “Kiryat Arba”settlement in Hebron.
At approximately 11:30, on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara intersection, south of Nablus, arrested ‘Arab Ridwan Mostafa Daraghmah and Mohanad Mowafaq Bahjat Sawaftah, both from Tubas.
At approximately 08:00, on Tuesday, 29 March 2016, Israeli forces stationed at alContainer checkpoint, southeast of Jerusalem, arrestedAbdul Rahman Waleed alTiti (22) from alFawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.
4. Efforts to Create Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on alAqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Arrests and Incursions
On Thursday afternoon, 24 March 2016, Israeli forces detained dozens of Palestinian worshipers form Israel at alAsbat gate after they left alAqsa Mosque in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem. Ahmed Juri, one of the worshipers who were detained, said that the Israeli forces and intelligence officers were waiting for them close to alAsbat gate, where they stopped two buses and checked the identities of their passengers. They then forced them to leave the buses except the two drivers and a womannamely as Jamilah Ayoub and arrested them.
At approximately 15:00, on Friday, 25 March 2016, Israeli forces arrested Sundus Sameer Mohammed Oubaid(15) claiming that she stabbed one of the Israeli soldiers stationed at the main entrance of alIssawiyah village, northeast of Jerusalem. They also claimed finding a knife inside Oubaid’s school bag. Israeli forces cuffed the girl and took her to alMaskobiyah centre in West Jerusalem to question her.
At approximately 19:00, on the same Friday, Israeli undercover agents “Mosta’rebeen” attacked a group of children who were at that time near “Beit Orot” settlement established on alSuwanah neighbourhood lands, east of the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli forces surrounded the children and then stared beating them. Four of them were then arrested identified as Abdullah Samer Fahd Abu Esbetan (17), Basem Maher Sbitani (17), Seraj Mohammed Oudah Abu Sbitan (16) and Mahmoud Ahmed Abu alHawah (17) and took them to alMaskobiyah centre in West Jerusalem to question them.
At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 26 March 2016, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of the Old City in occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ramadan Ahmed Abu Hadwan (34) and arrested him.
At approximately 21:00 on the same Saturday, Israeli forces moved into Hazmah village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’atamed Najeh Amer (23) and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 28 March 2016, Israeli forces moved Beit Daqu village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 2 civilians including a child and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Ahmed Mahmoud Mrar (18) and Qusai Habes Mrar (17).
At approximately 09:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces accompanied with police officers raided a house belonging to Mohammed Khalil Alian in alMokaber Mount neighbourhood, southeast of occupied Jerusalem, and handed him a summons to refer to an Israeli police station in Salah Edin Street in the centre of occupied Jerusalem. It should be noted that Mohamed Khalil Alian is father of Bahaa’ Alian who was killed in 13 October 2015, by Israeli forces after he and Bilal Abu Ghanem carried out a shooting attack on an Israeli bus near alMokaber Mount village. The shooting resulted in the death of three settlers and the injury of others. Israeli forces still holds Bahaa’s his corpse.
At approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 30 March 2016, Israeli forces moved into alTur neighbourhood, east of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses form which they arrested Yosif Mahmoud Abu alHawah (17) Amir Ahmed Abu Jom’ah (16).
At approximately 02:30 on the same Wednesday, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Ayman Abu Esnainah in Beit Hanenah neighbourhood, north of eastern Jerusalem. They then arrested his child Nasim (17) and took him to an unknown destination.
House demolitions and demolition notices:
At approximately 06:00 of Tuesday, 29 March 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a private playground, room and walls belonging to Khaled alZir in al ‘Abasiyah neighbourhood in Silwad, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem.
Al Zir said that joint crews of Israeli municipality and Israeli Nature and Parks Authority along with special units moved into al‘Abasiyah neighbourhood in Silwad village without a prior warning. They surrounded his land which he has turned into a kids playground months ago. They forced the inhabitants to leave, destroyed the playground games and levelled the lands. Moreover, they demolished the walls of a 12squaremeter house used for grazing sheep and as a store for the familt.
AlZir added that Israeli forces obliged him and other inhabitants to leave the area, threw a rock at him and beat Jihad alZair. He added that the Israeli bulldozers intentionally demolished the land, uprooted trees and cut some wires in the vicinity of the land. It should be noted thatIsraeli Nature and Parks Authority is still threatening alZir to confiscate his 14dunum land and transfer it to “National Parks” that serve the settlement projects.
In the same context, Israeli bulldozers raided a house belonging to Mohammed Samrain in alAbasiyah neighbourhood in Silwad village. They levelled his land sealed with grains and various seedlings without warning.
Samrain said that the family transferred the land form a landfill to a land that is suitable for farming and added some seats for the residents. It should be noted that Israeli forces heavily beat Adam Samrain (21)
5. Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces’ attacks:
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 29 March 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished a house, farm, playground and two electricity and water networks. They also uprooted many trees and levelled plots of land at the northern entrance of Bethlehem adjacent to the Israeli military checkpoint “300”. These properties belong to Khader Nemr alJarashiwere demolished due to building without a permit.
alJarashi said that all the buildings were licenced by Bethlehem municipality years ago. He added that the Israeli authorities previously threatened him of demolishing the buildings, so he resorted to the Israeli courts to cancel the demolition decision. His case is pending and has a scheduled hearing soon. However, the Israeli forces neither waited nor respected the Israeli Judiciary and carried out the demolition without a warning.
AlJarshi added that he was surprised when he received phone calls from neighbours telling him that the Israeli forces raided his property and took furniture out of it. It should be noted that they demolished a floor comprised of (4 rooms, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms and the guard room) and the walls of his land. They also demolished a mini private playground and other facilities, which are licenced by Bethlehem municipality since the land is under the authority of Bethlehem’s municipality.
Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
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 selfdetermination, 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 nonrecurrence 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 PalestinianIsraeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights; 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 directly 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 EUIsrael Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
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Public Document
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