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Thursday, 10 October 2013 HOME ABOUT US PUBLICATIONS Press Releases NEWS IN FOCUS NARRATIVES Home PUBLICATIONS Reports Weekly Reports Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03- 09 October 2013) LINKS

New Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03- 09 October 2013)

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (03- 09 October 2013) Thursday, 10 October 2013 00:00

Ramallah – Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian child in Bitounia

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

3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in the northern and central .

Israeli forces opened fire in the northern Gaza Strip, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

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

4 Palestinian civilians, including a reporter of Palestine TV were wounded during Bil'in weekly protest. Dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

Israeli forces conducted 51 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited ones in the Gaza Strip.

At least 41 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children, were arrested in the West Bank.

Israeli forces maltreated a family in and attacked a number of civilians in Burin village, south of Nablus.

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. At least 6 Palestinian civilians were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property. Israeli forces issued notices to demolish houses. Israeli settlers damaged 189 olive trees in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (03 – 09 October 2013).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank. Four of them, including reporter of Palestine TV, During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in the West Bank. Four of them, including reporter of Palestine TV, were wounded during Bil'in weekly protest, west of Ramallah, while the 5th one was wounded when Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh town in the centre of the West Bank. The child was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus, and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters into Beit Dajan high school for girls. The 7th person was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin.

During the reporting period, 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, including a journalist, were wounded during Bil'in weekly protest, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

On 05 October 2013, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, the civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back of his head and others suffered tear gas inhalation.

On 08 October 2013, a child was hit by a sound bomb in the hand when Israeli forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. Israeli forces stationed around the village's school and fired sound bombs into the school yards.

On the same day, a civilian (23) was hit by a gas canister in the left leg when Israeli forces moved into Jenin.

(PCHR keep the names of the Palestinian wounded persons and apologizes for not publishing the names fearing for Israeli forces would arrest them in the context of their policy to oppress peaceful protests).

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire thrice in the northern Gaza Strip. On 07 October 2013, Israeli forces stationed north of the landfill, north of Beit Hanoun, opened fire at open area. On 08 October 2013, Israeli forces stationed in the east of Beit Hanoun opened fire at open area as well. On 09 October 2013, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers. As a result, the farmers fled fearing of being wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 51 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 41 , including 6 children.

On 04 October 2013, Israeli forces moved into Khellet Hadour in the centre of the Old Town of Hebron. They raided and searched a 5-storey building belonging to al-Syouri family. They damaged its contents and doors and kept its occupants outdoors for 5 hours.

On 05 October 2013, Israeli forces moved into Burin village, south of Nablus. They raided a house belonging to the family of Murad Ma'rouf Najjar and attacked him and his wife. They also attacked Walid 'Eid and his daughter and son. During which, a gas canister was fired into a neighbouring house. As a result, the garret of the house and part of the furniture caught fire.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces carried out 3 limited incursions. Two incursions were carried out on 03 October 2013 in the central and southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

On 07 October 2013, Israeli forces moved about 200 meters into the north of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence firing sporadic fire. Famers escaped fearing of being wounded.

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.

As part of using military checkpoints and border crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least 6 civilians.

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 03 October 2013, Israeli forces handed residents of Kherbet Safi al-Fouqa, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, a notice to halt work in solar power cells that would provide the Palestinian families living in that area with power. The notice was given to them under the pretext the solar power cells were being installed without a prior permit from the Israeli Civil Administration. It should be noted this area is threatened to be evacuated, as it is located in area (918), which is a military training zone according to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

On the same day, a group of Israeli settlers from "Mitzpe Yair" settlement, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, damaged 45 olive trees in Khellet 'Azeiwah, near Kherbet Qweiwis, east of Hebron.

On 04 October 2013, Israeli settlers attacked a vehicle belonging to Abdul Rahman Awad, from Jama'in village, southwest of Nablus, while the vehicle was parking in Hara'eq al-'Awil area.

On 05 October 2013, Israeli forces handed the family of Ayman Jamil Mahdawi (28) in Shweika suburb, north of , a notice to halt construction works in their 150-square-meter house under the pretext it is close to the annexation wall.

On the same day also, settlers from "Shavei Shomron" settlement damaged 120 olive trees and stole the olives from Deir Sharaf village, northwest of Nablus. The trees belong to Yasser Abdul Rahman Faqha, Sedqi Abdul Ghani Faqha, Mostafa Mer'i Faqha and Mostafa Ibrahim Faqha.

On the same day, a group of settlers from "Beit Eil" settlement, attacked Palestinian houses in the agricultural area, south of Doura al-Qare', northeast of Ramallah. They also threw stones at the houses.

On 06 October 2013, a group of settlers from "Niria" settlement, northwest of Ramallah, damaged 12 fruitful olive trees in al-Nabi 'Anir area, north of the village. The trees belong to the family of Azmi Saleh Samhan (37).

On 08 October 2013, a group of settlers from "Kerot Shomron" settlement, east of Qalqilia, attacked lands in Kofur Laqef. They cut 12 olive trees with electric saws. The olive trees belong to Suleiman Saleh Jaber, from the said village.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 October 2013)

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

Thursday, 03 October 2013

At approximately 00:20, Israeli forces moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khattab Mohammed Hamamrah (22). They arrested the aforementioned persons and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed near the Gran Mosque in the centre of the camp. They deployed between the houses and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They stationed in the centre of the village and raided a house belonging to the family of Omar Abdul Salam al-Seir. They arrested his son Jihad (14) and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Moureq village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved about 200 meters into the east of Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands for a few hours and withdrew later. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces backed with 2 tanks and 4 bulldozers moved about 200 meters into the east of Gaza Valley (Johr al-Deek), in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence for 2 hours and withdrew later.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into the housing project area, west of al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 04 October 2013

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Khellet Hadour in the centre of the Old Town of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed near the building of Hebron Rehabilitation Committee. They also raided a 5-storey building belonging to the family of al-Syouri. They searched the house and damaged its content.

Moreover, Israeli forces damaged the doors and kept the occupants of the house outdoors for 5 hours. They arrested Isma'il Salim al-Syouri (34) and Basem Salim al-Syouri (36).

Hazem al-Syouri (55) said to PCHR's fieldworker:

"I live with my mother and brothers in a 5-storey building in the centre of the Old Town in Hebron. At approximately 00:00 on Thursday, 03 October 2013, I woke up as I heard knocks on the front door. I opened my apartment's door, which overlooks the yard and found a number of Israeli soldiers trying to open the gate from inside while other soldiers were doing the same from outside. I realised then that some soldiers had jumped over the wall. I tried to talk to them but they did not listen to me. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided my apartment while I was trying to open gate that got stuck because they hit it from outside. A large number of Israeli soldiers raided the yard after the gate was open. They deployed in my apartment while other soldiers climbed the stairs leading to other apartments belonging to my brothers and mother. The soldiers were yelling and ordered me to go out. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers raided the whole building. They forced my mother, brothers and children, who were asleep, to go out as well. They kept searching the house until 04:30. We heard the sounds of smashing glass and destroying doors. Children were crying all the time. When I tried to talk to the Israeli soldiers to allow me in, a soldier pushed me away and prevented me from talking to them, during which, two female soldiers arrived. Israeli soldiers ordered women and children to get inside to be personally searched with the metal detector. Furthermore, an Israeli soldier searched my niece Joud (17 months) and took all her clothes off. As a result, my mother fainted. At approximately 04:00, Israeli soldiers took my 2 brothers Isma'il (34) and Basem (36) to the street, handcuffed them and made them stop by the military vehicles. Israeli forces withdrew later, so I went home and saw heavy damage. The Israeli soldiers destroyed the doors and electric appliances, damaged the furniture and closets, mixed the foodstuffs in the kitchen together and took off some of the building bricks on the roof. The damage caused to my brothers' apartments and mine are above NIS 100,000."

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Seer village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched 2 offices belonging to 2 agricultural companies. In addition, they questioned the guards and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. It should be noted that on 12 September 2013, Israeli forces moved into the village and arrested 2 civilians, who are of the owners of an agricultural company, and confiscated the company's equipment.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and 'Ein Beit al-Ma' refugee camp, west of the city. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Zaher al-Shashtari (47), from Ras al-Ein neighbourhood, and Mohammed Nimer al-Shatawi (32), a member of the popular committee for services in al-Ein refugee camp. Both of them are members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Foreek village, east of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Yusef Mohammed Abu Ghalama (33).

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Madama village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses. They also arrested Thabet Ezzat Nassar (37) and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:45, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. 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 village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between stores, where some boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and fainted. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 05 October 2013

At approximately 00:40, Israeli forces moved into Ras 'Atiya village, south of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jabal Jawhar area, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians, including a child:

1. Nidal Rasmi al-Haddad (18);

2. Shaker Rasmi al-Haddad (17);

3. Abdul Rahim al-'Ajlouni (18); and

4. Qadafi Yehia al-Rajabi (19).

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Sa'eer village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Burin village, south of Nablus, to protect a group of settlers, who were on the outskirts of the village, and secure their return to "Bracha" settlement. Israeli forces then patrolled the streets firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters. They knocked the door of a house belonging to the family of Murad Ma'rouf Najjar (40) and attacked him and his wife Fatima Qasem Najjar, as she tried to prevent them from raiding the house. Moreover, they attacked his elderly father Ma'rouf al-Najjar and fired a tear gas canister at them. Israeli forces also attacked the elderly, Walid Sa'id 'Eid (64), and pushed him out to the street. The aforementioned person was in a meeting in the village council and went to his house that is located in the eastern side of the village. Israeli forces denied him access to the house, but when he entered the house that was turned by the Israeli forces into a military site, they attacked him and his daughter Khadija (28) under the pretext they threw stones at Israeli soldiers. When the father saw an Israeli soldier attacking Khadija, he pulled the soldier and started fighting him. As a result, Israeli soldiers gathered, attacked him and threw him on the street. In the meantime, his son Hamdan (25) arrived and found Israeli soldiers in their house. The Israeli soldiers attacked Hamdan as well. In the meantime, a tear gas canister got into the neighboring house belonging to the family of Abdullah Ahmed Najjar. As a result, the garret that contains winter clothes and part of the furniture caught fire before the Civil Defense could reach the area.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled the streets firing sound and flash bombs. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, Shadi Mohammed Khalil (23) was wounded by a bullet to the back of the head. Besides, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces closed the entrance to the city and erected a temporary checkpoint. They questioned civilians on the spot. It should be noted that those restrictions were imposed due to claims that a Palestinian civilian had opened fire at "Psagot" settlement and wounded a female Israeli settler inside the settlement that is established on lands of al-Bireh.

Sunday, 06 October 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the centre of the camp. They also deployed between the houses and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:10, Israeli forces moved into Birzait village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They stationed in the centre of the village and raided a house belonging to the family of Wa'el Abdullah Subuh. They arrested his son Ziad (15). Moreover, they raided a house belonging to the family of Ra'ed amir al-Zayah and arrested his son Amir (15) as well.

At approximately 02:55, Israeli forces moved into al-Shawawra village, east of Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and withdrew later. Of the raided houses were: a house belonging to the family of Dawood Khalaf Salem, a house belonging to the family of Isma'il Abed Salem, a house belonging to the family of Islam Khalaf Salem, a livestock barrack belonging to Abed Mousa Salem. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces accompanied by a number of settlers from "Havat Ma'oun" settlement outpost, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, moved into al- Tawani village. They patrolled the streets and stationed near the village's mosque. They also raided a number of houses. Palestinian civilians confronted the heavily armed settlers and prevented them from raiding Palestinian houses with the Israeli soldiers. At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces and settlers withdrew and no arrests were reported. Some of the raided houses belong to Salman Jebrin Rab'i, fadel Ahmed Rab'i, Suleiman Jaber al-'Emour, Suleiman Salem al-'Adra, Hafza al-Hreini and Jaber al-Hreini.

Mos'ab Rabi' said to PCHR's fieldworker: "We were surprised to see about 15 settlers approaching our house coming from the wood in between the village and "Havat Ma'oun" settlement outpost, west of the village. During which, Israeli forces patrolled the streets of the village. The settlers tried to raid and search houses with the soldiers, but residents of the area prevented them from doing so. The residents of the area were frightened because settlers deployed between the houses with no intervention from the Israeli forces to prevent them."

Monday 07 October 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the western neighbourhood of the village. In addition, they raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma'il Talab al-Nattah (38). They arrested the aforementioned person and tool him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into villge, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the centre of the village. They also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Maysara Sadeq Abu Maria (28) and arrested him. In the meantime, backups arrived and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Mohammed Awad (26). They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew at approximately 03:00.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Omar Fares Abu Hajla. They also arrested his 2 sons Belal (20) and Ahmed (24) and took them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Nour al-Din Nayef 'Atatrah (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew later.

At approximately 03:55, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheisha refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mohammed al-Khmour (18). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces backed with 4 tanks and 3 bulldozers moved about 200 meters into Bouret Abu Samra, north of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border fence firing sporadically. As a result, farmers left their lands fearing of being wounded. Israeli forces withdrew at approximately 12:00, on the same day. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved into Kherbatha al-Musbah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled the streets and stationed in Sateh Marhaba neighbourhood. They raided a house At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled the streets and stationed in Sateh Marhaba neighbourhood. They raided a house belonging to the family of Sofyan Adawi. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. Moreover, they arrested sons of Adawi: Alaa' (27) and Majd (25) and took them to Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. The arrested were released at approximately 16:30, on the same day.

At approximately 22:40, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers along the border fence, north of the land fill, north of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at open areas. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

Tuesday, 08 October 2013

At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed near al-Mesrara area, east of the village. They also deployed between the houses and raided and searched 2 of them. They arrested Malek Yusef al-Douda (17) and Nour Riyadh 'Arrar (17) and took them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Sheikh neighbourhood, in the centre of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to al-Haymouni family, from which they arrested Jihad Hassan al-Haymouni and Wesam Jihad al-Haymouni.

At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces moved into Taqou' village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians:

1. Amjad Nayef Sabbah (20);

2. Mo'ayed Mohammed Hmeid (18);

3. Ahmed Ouda al-'Emour (20); and

4. Abed 'Adel al-'Emour (19).

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the entrances of the village. They also denied Palestinians access to and from the village and prevented Palestinian workers from reaching Tarqoumia checkpoint, south of Hebron, between the West Bank and Israel. On the other hand, Israeli forces distributed a warning statement signed by the military commander in Hebron. The statement accused the Palestinian civilians of trying to damage the annexation wall, west of the village.

At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus. They patrolled the streets firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters. They stationed around Beit Dajan high school for girls and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the school yards. As a result, Zain Nasser Abu Jaish (12) was directly hit by a gas canister to the hand and other girls suffered tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who opened fire heavily in response. As a result, Mohammed 'Ashour Zakarnah (23) sustained bruises in the right leg as a gas canister hit him. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Jelqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Da'if village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:40, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers along the border fence, east of al-Umma land, east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at open areas. Residents of the area were frightened as a result. Neither casualties nor materials damage were reported.

Wednesday, 09 October 2013

At approximately 00:15, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ma'sara village, south of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Hassan Abdul Karim Breijiya (44), an activist against settlement activities. They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in "Gosh Etzion" settlement, south of the city. When he went there, he was given another summons to return to them on 14 October 2013.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Fasayel village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets and raided 2 houses from which they arrested 2 civilians: Alaa' Hussein 'Ebayat (24) and Sultan Nassar Sawarka (21). civilians: Alaa' Hussein 'Ebayat (24) and Sultan Nassar Sawarka (21).

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Tal village, south of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 5 civilians:

1. Mahmoud Hassan Hindi (22);

2. Hamed 'Awad Ramadan (23);

3. Suleiman Na'im Hamad (24);

4. Walid Hassan Ramadan (22); and

5. 'Asem Issa Ramadan (25).

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the centre of the village. They also raided a house belonging to the family of Adam Diab Atiya (21) and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na'im village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the entrance of the village. They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ali Tarayra (22) and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tafouh village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 06:20, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers along the border fence, east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian farmers. As a result, the farmers fled fearing of being wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

At approximately 11:20, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They stationed near al-Khader school for boys, in the centre of the village. They also fired tear gas canisters inside the school. As a result, a number of students suffered tear gas inhalation and others were frightened. The students were asked to go home fearing for their lives.

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 civilians, including a journalist, were wounded during Bil'in weekly protest. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

(PCHR keep the names of the Palestinian wounded persons and apologizes for not publishing the names fearing for Israeli forces would arrest them in the context of their policy to repress peaceful protests).

Following the Friday prayer, 04 October 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 activities and marking the 13th anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada. The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, 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 olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village. As a result, 4 civilians, including a journalist, were wounded. Moreover, dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. The first (45) was hit by a gas canister to the right leg, the second (23) was wounded by a bullet to the back, the third (19) was wounded by a bullet to the upper part of the left thigh and Ali Dar Ali (29), reporter of Palestine TV, was hit by a gas canister to the right leg.

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 barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, 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 olive fields 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 al-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 tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

At approximately 12:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians from Kofur Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia, and international activists gathered and made their way through the eastern entrance of the village in protest at closing that entrance with an iron gate since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters indiscriminately. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of civilians from al-Ma'sarah village, south of Bethlehem, and a number of international activists and popular resistance activists organized a peaceful protest against settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. They gathered in front of al-Shomou' cultural centre in the centre of the village and made their way through the village streets raising the Palestinian flag. When they approached the annexation wall, Israeli forces fired sound bombs to disperse them. As a result, dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.

Around the same time on Friday, 04 October 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in front of Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah. The demonstrators headed towards the gate of the prison before Israeli forces closed it and fired live bullets, rubber coated-metal bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces arrested Jamal Hosni Hreish (12), when he was in front of his house and took him to Ofer Prison, south of the village. However, he was released 2 hours later.

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 has ranged between the ebb and flow for 3 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security reasons. 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 and a half, 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. Nowadays, the crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side, particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the travellers’ movement in both directions.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing 01 – 07 October 2013

Imports Date Amount Category Tons Number Litres Foodstuffs 1,526 Agricultural materials 2,228 Various goods 1,569 Refrigerators 184 Washing machines 171 Cows 373 Solar heating tanks 120 Generators 2 23 September 2013 Televisions 100 Televisions 100

Wood pillars 85 Car tires 892 Humanitarian aid 2,972 Cooking gas 173.000 Benzene 177,225 Diesel 187,028 Foodstuffs 1,243 Agricultural materials 1,947 Various goods 1,803 Cartons of clothes 2,175 Refrigerators 242 Cartons of shoes 780 Birds 120 Cows 582 Washing machines 104 Cars 35 24 September 2013 Cartons of shoes 780 Solar heating tanks 112 Elevator pieces 120 Power column 177 Gas ovens 173 Birds 160 Humanitarian aid 3,625 Cooking gas 197.890 Benzene 286,000 Diesel 111,000 Foodstuffs 1,103 Agricultural materials 2,414 Various goods 1,215 Cartons of clothes 1,694 Refrigerators 638 Cartons of shoes 1312 Televisions 384 29 September 2013 Washing machines 139 Cartons of shoes 1312 Fire extinguishers 576 Solar machines 10 Humanitarian aid 4,577 Cooking gas 177.660 Benzene 336,000 Diesel 189,000 Foodstuffs 1,592 Agricultural materials 2,017 Various goods 1,764 Cartons of clothes 1,669 Refrigerators 191 Cows 350 Glass boards 520 30 September 2013 Cars 30 Solar heating tanks 130 Car tires 1120 Humanitarian aid 3,609 Cooking gas 195.940 Benzene 297,010 Diesel 142,000

Exports:

On Monday, 7 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 120 kilograms of garlic leaves, 360 kilograms of basil and 90 kilograms of mints.

Other Imports:

On Tuesday, 1 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 2,380 tonnes of construction aggregates, 369 tonnes of construction steel, 792 tonnes of cement and 120 tonnes of white cement for the private sector; 38 tonnes of cement, 840 tonnes of construction aggregates, 23 tonnes of construction steel for UNRWA; and 120 tonnes of white cement for the private sector; 38 tonnes of cement, 840 tonnes of construction aggregates, 23 tonnes of construction steel for UNRWA; 700 tonnes of construction aggregates for the Water Authority and 1,120 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP, in addition to 858 tonnes of fodders and 1.131 of wheat. On Wednesday, 2 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,540 tonnes of construction aggregates, 662 tonnes of construction steel, 1,134 tonnes of cement and 247 tonnes of white cement for the private sector; 334 tonnes of cement and 1,120 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 840 tonnes of construction aggregates for the Water Authority and 840 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP, in addition to 897 tonnes of fodders and 897 tonnes of wheat. On Thursday, 3 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 2,100 tonnes of construction aggregates, 596 tonnes of construction steel, 1,300 tonnes of cement and 161 tonnes of cement for the private sector; 112 tonnes of cement and 1,960 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP and 1,190 tonnes of construction aggregates and 100 tonnes of cement for the Water Authority, in addition to 1,170 tonnes of fodders and 858 tonnes of wheat. On Sunday, 6 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 344 tonnes of cement and 2800 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA, and 1,680 tonnes of construction aggregates, 384 tonnes of construction steel and 884 tonnes of cenment for the private sector, in adittion to 897 tonnes of fodders and 858 tonnes of wheat. On Monday, 7 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,960 tonnes of construction aggregates, 738 tonnes of cement and 225 tonnes of construction iron for the private sector; 1,960 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNRWA and 1,120 tonnes of construction aggregates for UNDP, in addition to 1,248 tonnes of fodders and 624 tonnes of whaet.

Empty Plastic Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

On Tuesday, 1 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed 7 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Wednesday, 2 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Thursday, 3 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Sunday, 6 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem. On Monday, 7 October 2013, Israeli forces allowed 6 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

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

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing 01 – 09 October 2013

Category 01 02 03 04 05 October 06 October 07 October 08 October October October October October Patients 79 48 37 3 - 72 61 69 Companions 78 46 37 3 - 73 61 64 Personal needs 49 11 55 9 - 42 40 36 Families of prisoners ------84 - Arabs from Israel 10 4 16 - - 23 7 11 Diplomats ------International ------1 - journalists International workers 42 26 73 6 - 7 23 15 Deceased ------Travellers abroad 4 - - - - - 5 1 Businesspeople 102 99 85 - - 125 103 106 Business meetings - 1 - - - - 24 - Security interviews 2 - 1 - - 1 1 1 VIPs 7 4 - - - 1 - - Ambulances to Israel 1 6 1 - - 4 3 2 Ambulances from ------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 22:00 on Saturday, 05 October 2013, re-established at 'Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah. They prevented people from leaving or entering through the aforementioned checkpoint. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 06 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Loqaya, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanjel village, north of Ramallah. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 07 October 2013, Israeli froces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ni'lin village, west of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and at approximately 16:00, they re-established the checkpoint in the aforementioned area and prevented vehicles from passing through it.

• Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 03 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, they established another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron, as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road (60). The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 04 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa'ir village, east of Hebron. Around the same time, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Wad Abu Rishah Road, west of Ezna, west of Hebron. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 07 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. At approximately 16:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Beit 'Aynoun village, east of Hebron. At approximately 19:00, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of Kharsa village, south of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 08 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ezna village; west of Hebron. Around the same time, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Koum village, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Hebron, as this entrance is connected with Bypass Road (60). All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 09 October 2013, Israeli forces established at the entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron. At approximately 07:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Samit village, southwest of Dura, southwest of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

• Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab Checkpoint, which is established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its restrictions against Palestinian civilians and obstructed their movement to the checkpoint. The tightening later ended, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 08 October 2013, Israeli forces stationed at 'Inab checkpoint, which is established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened their restrictions against Palestinians and obstructed their movement. The tightening later ended, and no arrests were reported.

· : Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 03 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of 'Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 05 October 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Sorah village, southwest of Nablus, and then detained a number of civilians from Kafr Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya for an hour and a half. Civilians from the village emphasized that the Israeli soldiers deliberately tightened on the aforementioned village residents.

Arrests at military checkpoints

• At approximately 15:20 on Sunday, 06 October 2013, Israeli forces arrested four children from 'Azoun village, east of Qalqilya, while they were patrolling in Qalqilya-Nablus Street. The children were trying to catch their families in order to harvest olives after they came back from school. Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR fieldworker that a number of soldiers arrested the four children and took them to the military vehicles although the children were walking 200 meters near the main street. At approximately 22:30, they were released after the intervention and coordination between the Palestinian and Israeli Military Liaison. The children in question were identified as: 'Ekremah Mohammed Sweidan (8); Yazan Khaled Sweidan (12); Ahmed Mohammed Salim (11); and Rashad Sa'ad Rashed Salim (15).

• At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 07 October 2013, Israeli forces arrested 2 children from 'Azoun village, east of Qalqilya, while they were patrolling in Qalqilya-Nablus Street. The children were trying to catch their families in order to harvest olives after they came back from school and were identified as Lafi Mo'atasem Mojahed Redwan (16) and Wael Salim Derar Redwan (15). Later, Wael Redwan was released, but Lafi was taken to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 06 October 2013, Israeli forces stationed at "Jelbert" checkpoint, which is established in the centre of Tal al-Ramidah neighborhood in the centre of Hebron, inuslted and hit 'Oday 'Awni Kamel Abu Shamsiyah (13) with the wire of a radio he had on his face. As a result, the child sustained minor injury in the left side of his face. It should be mentioned that the child in question was beaten by settlers last month and taken to the Hebron Public Hospital.

'Awni Abu Shamsiyah (13) said to a PCHR fieldworker that: "At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 05 October 2013, I was on my way home to Ed'eis grocery, which is in the begning of Tal Ramidah road and 100 meters away from our house. Meanwhile, a soldier at Jelbert checkpoint detained a ball, with which my brother Mohammed (12) and other children were playing. The

ball entered the soldier's cabin while they were playing with it. I went to the soldier and asked him to return the ball to my brother. The soldier knows me and knows that Mohammed is my brother as the checkpoint is a few meters away from our house. The soldier insulted me with bad words, so I felt angry as he insulted my mother. He then ordered me to leave. I was very close to the soldier, so I looked at him in the eye to express my anger. At that moment and when I turned to leave, he hit me with the radio wire he had on my face. As a result, he caused wound on my left cheek. I felt angry with the soldier's behavior and started to swear at him. I distanced a few meters away from him, and then he tried to assault me again while laughing. I left him and went home to tell my mother what happened. She went with me to the checkpoint and rebuked the soldier. I heard the soldier swearing at my mother and asking her to go home. mother what happened. She went with me to the checkpoint and rebuked the soldier. I heard the soldier swearing at my mother and asking her to go home. Meanwhile, international activists arrived and one of them pictured me and talked to the soldier. She tried to understand why he assaulted me, but he claimed that he did not hit me and I caused myself injury while playing with other children. I then went home with my mother, and 18 minutes later, my father accidentally came out of our house. A police car, in which there were 2 policemen, passed, and my father talked to them and told them about what happened. The two policemen went to the soldier and talked with him for 3 minutes. They told my father that what I told him was right and that he has to submit a complaint against the soldier. It should be mentioned that the soldier, who assaulted me, is tall, bearded, rotund, brown, and in his twenties and is always in the area."

· At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 06 October 2013, Israeli forces detained 10 Palestinian workers after chasing them on the bypass road near 'Arab al-Ramadin village, far south of Hebron. Ratib al-Jbour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces detained 10 Palestinian workers after chasing them while the workers were trying to reach their workplaces in Israel through a hole in the fence. The detained workers were identified as: 'Ayed Ibrahim Abu 'Aram; Ahmed Farid Abu 'Aram; Zidan al-Haroush; Mohammed Jihad Abu 'Aram; Rashad Samamrah; Ashraf Shwahin; Mohammed Jabbarin; Mohammed 'Emad Shalaldah; and Ramzi Hourani.

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

Settlement expansion activities and house demolition notices

· At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 3 October 2013, Israeli forces accompanied by three military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Khirbet Safi al-Fawqa, in the east of Yatta, in the southern Hebron, which is declared by the Israeli Ministry of Defence as “Firing Zone 918” and whose residents are threatened with displacement. An Israeli Civil Administration officer handed Palestinian civilians a notice to stop working on the solar cells that provide Palestinian families with power, under the pretext of establishing them without a prior permission from the Department of Planning and Construction of Israeli Civil Administration.

· At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 5 October 2013, Israeli forces accompanied by several military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Shweikeh suburb, north of Tulkarem. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the western area of the suburb. Israeli forces broke into a house belonging to Ayman Jamil Rashid Mahdawi, 28, and an Israeli Civil Administration officer handed him a notice to stop the construction works in his 150-meter house that is threatened with demolition, under the pretext of its proximity to the Israeli annexation wall. Later on, Israeli forces withdrew and no other incidents were reported.

Attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and their properties

· At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 3 October 2013, a group of settlers destroyed 45 olive trees in “Mitsa Yair” settlement which is established on civilian territories in the east of Yatta, in the southern Hebron. The trees were 1 year old, planted in Kila Aziwa area, near Khrbet Qwiwous, in the east of the aforementioned city, and belonged to Jabr Shatat, 40.

· At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 4 October 2013, Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim Abd al-Rahman Awad, from Jama’in village, in the south-western Nablus, was driving his car (Hyundai 2006, Gray) with his wife Etaf Salama Awad, and their son, 16, to their land in Harayeq al-Awil area, on the road of “Aberat al-Samira”, about 300 meters far from it. The aforementioned civilian parked his car about 150 meters far from his land. 15 minutes after they had arrived at the land, they heard an explosion. Akram walked ten meters and saw an Israeli settler smashing his car with a stick. Akram shouted at him and rushed towards him to find three Israeli settlers running away and two other settlers watching the area, and then ran away towards “Taffuh” settlement. When Akram reached the car, he found out that its rubber tires were punctured with a sharp object and that its front and side glass was smashed.

· On the following day morning, 5 October 2013, Yasser Abd al-Rahman Hassan Faqha, 55, from Deir Sharaf Village, in the north-western Nablus, went with his family members to harvest olives in his land, located in the western side of “Shavei Shomron” settlement; on the road linking Nablus with Tulkarem, in front of “ Gas Station”. When Faqha arrived at the land, he was surprised that Israeli settlers from the aforementioned settlement had destroyed more than 120

olive trees belonging to him, Sedqi Abd al-Ghani, Mustafa Mer’i Faqha and Mustafa Ibrahim Faqha, and robbed their fruits.

· At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, a group of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, which is established on the lands of Ramallah and Bireh, attacked civilian houses in the neighbourhood of the agricultural suburb, in the south of Dora al-Qar’ village, in the north-eastern Ramallah, and threw stones at them. Palestinian civilians and residents of Jalzoun refugee camp immediately gathered and threw stones at Israeli settlers. Following this incident, Israeli reinforcements arrived and fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at Palestinian civilians to disperse them.

· Late on Sunday, 6 October 2013, a group of settlers from the outpost “Niria”, established in the lands of the northern area of Rass Karkar village, in the north-western Ramallah, destroyed and cut branches of 12 olive trees in “Nabi Anir” area in the north of the village, near the aforementioned settlement. The attacked trees belong to the family of Azmi Saleh Taha Samha, 37.

Samhan said to a PCHR fieldworker: “At Approximately 08:00 on Monday, 7 October 2013, I received a phone call from my cousin “Abdellatif” who was harvesting olives with his family in his land located near mine; he told me that a group of settlers destroyed branches of 12 olive trees that are 100-150 years old. Our land and mine that is of approximately 12 dunums is planted with about 150 olive trees and located in the agricultural area of “Nabu Anir”, in the north of the village, and is only 500 meters far from the mentioned outpost. The attack included destroying branches of 12 olive trees with hands and hand saws. My cousin confirmed that he left the land at about 17:00 on Monday, 06 October 2013, and there were no destroyed branches, which means this attack happened late at night on Sunday.”

It is worth mentioning that Nabi Anir agricultural area annually witnesses frequent attacks by the settlers of “Niria”, especially during olive harvest season. The attacks include burning and destroying trees, beating, and throwing stones at Palestinian civilians in their lands in front of the Israeli soldiers in the watchtowers deployed in the vicinity of the settlement.

· On Monday morning, 8 October 2013, a group of settlers from “Kerott Shomron” outpost, in the east of Qalqilia, attacked lands of Palestinian farmers form Kafr Laqaf village, cutting 12 olive trees by hand saws, in “Baqtan Naqi’a” land belonging to Sulaiman Saleh Mahmoud Jabr, from the aforementioned village.

Jaber told a PCHR fieldworker: “At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 8 October 2013, we went to crop olives from our land, known as “Baqtan Naqi’a”, guarded by Israeli soldiers; since we are not allowed to enter the area unguarded because of its proximity of settlers’ houses of “Kerott Shemron” outpost, in front of the village. We were surprised that 12 olive trees were cut with hand saws and found out that the attack was recent since the branches were still green”

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 ;

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. +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.

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