Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (23 – 29 June 2016)

Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

(23 – 29 June 2016)

Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt A Palestinian woman was killed in the West Bank under the pretext of carrying out a run­over attack. 3 civilians were wounded during incursions. 40 civilians, including a woman, sustained bullet and shrapnel wounds while 19 others sustained bruises in al­Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli forces conducted 40 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 in Jerusalem. Al­Aqsa Mosque was raided to protect dozens of settlers who entered to perform Talmudic prayers. 55 civilians, including 18 children, were arrested. 28 of them, including 15 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea. Israeli forces continued to open fire at Palestinian fishing boats, causing damages to one of them.

Israeli forces continued settlement activities in the West Bank. More demolition notices were issued in the southern side of Hebron.

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 re­ established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians. 4 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank. A patient’s companion was arrested at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (23 – 29 June 2016).

Shooting: Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman in Hebron in the southern area of the West Bank. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 43 other civilians, including a woman, in the West Bank as well. In Jerusalem, 40 civilians were wounded in al­Aqsa Mosque while 19 others sustained bruises, including 2 journalists, in al­ Aqsa Mosque as well. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.

In the West Bank, on 24 June, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of “Jaf’at Kharsina” settlement, east of Hebron, killed al­Majd ‘Abdullah al=Khdour (18) from Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of the city. The aforementioned was killed when Israeli soldiers heavily opened fire at a “Mazda” car, which al­Majd was driving, with an Israeli yellow registration plate. Israeli forces then published a video of the incident, calming that al­Majd attempted to drive to the car stop at the aforementioned settlement entrance to carry out a deliberate run­over attack.

On 24 June 2016, a young man from al­Dhishah refugee camp was wounded when Israeli forces moved into al­Doha village, west of Bethlehem. A number of Palestinian young men gathered to Molotov cocktails at their vehicles. In response, the Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them, wounding that young man with a bullet to the right foot.

On 25 June 2016, two Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. A number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and live bullets to disperse them. As a result, two civilians were hit with bullets to the lower parts. One of them is 22 years old and the other is 25 years old.

In Jerusalem on 26 June 2016, a special forces from the Israeli police raided al­Aqsa Mosque through al­Magharbah Gate to protect settlers. This happened when dozens of civilians, who were performing prayers “I’tikaf” in the Mosque yards and al­Qebali Mosque. The Israeli forces fired sound bombs and rubber­coated metal bullets in al­Qebli Msoque. As a result, 24 civilians were wounded; 7 of whom were transferred to al­Maqased Hospital in the City for medical treatment. Moreover, 5 of them sustained bullet and sound bombs shrapnel wounds while two were wounded to the heads. Seventeen other civilians also sustained bruises due to being beaten.

On 27 June 2016, Israeli forces respectively raided al­Aqsa Mosque for the second time and deployed in its yards after closing the doors of al­Qebali Mosque with chains and locked the worshipers inside it. The Israeli soldiers then vacate whoever was in the yards, especially the one next to al­Qebali Mosque. They fired rubber­coated metal bullets and sound bombs and pepper­ sprayed. This happened to secure and protect the entry of 90 settlers into the Mosque, provoking the worshipers. According to al­Aqsa clinics, around 35 worshippers were hit with rubber­coated metal bullets and sound bombs shrapnel.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea, on 27 June 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off al­Soudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats and chased them.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 limited ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 55 Palestinian civilians, including 18 children. Twenty­eight of them, including 15 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

During this week, Israeli forces raided al­Aqsa Mosque twice to secure the entry of dozens of settlers while Palestinian worshipers attempted to prevent them. Israeli forces used force against them, wounding dozens of worshippers in addition to arresting 20 civilians; most of whom were children, at the outside gates.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

Details

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

Thursday, 23 June 2016

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Akram al­ Ja’bari (24) and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beteen and Deir Dabwan villages, northeast of Ramallah; Dura, Yatta, Ethna, and Beit ‘Awaa villages in Hebron.

Friday, 24 June 2016

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al­Doha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and shops in Daghash neighborhood, and confiscated video recordings of the shops’ surveillance cameras. They then headed to al­Eskan Street near Zaid Bin Thabit Mosque when a number of youngsters gathered and threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles. Israeli forces fired live bullets and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a Palestinian civilian, from al­Dahisha refugee camp, was hit with a live bullet to the right leg. He was then taken to Beit Jalah Hospital to receive medical treatment. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Khadir Masalmah (16) and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron, and stationed in al­Hilah area. They surrounded a house belonging to Mohamed “Mousa ‘Aid” Makhamrah, whose son, Khalid (21), was accused of carrying out a shooting attack in Tel Aviv on 08 June 2016, and killing 4 Israelis. It should be noted that Khalid is so far under the Israeli arrest. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian Young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who indiscriminately fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into al­Am’ary refugee camp in al­Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Qusai Nidal Mu’ala (17) and arrested him.

At approximately 14:40, Israeli forces stationed in “Givat Kharsina “settlement, east of Hebron, heavily opened fire at a civilian vehicle with an Israeli registration plate. As a result, the car driver, al­Majd Abdullah Abdullah al­Khadour (18), from Beit ‘Aynoun, was killed. Around fifteen minutes later, the victim’s corpse was taken by an Israeli military vehicle to an unknown destination. After that, Israeli authorities posted a video for the incident, claiming that al­ Khadour intentionally attempted to carry out a run­over attack at the entrance of the settlement. Moreover, Israeli forces summoned the victim’s husband and her father, who told PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces showed them a photo for al­Majad showing her wound with live bullets to the head; in addition, the Israeli forces did not tell the family about the date they will receive the body.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Deir Abu Mish’al village, northwest of Ramallah; al­Ro’qa and Beit Ummer villages and al­Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.

Saturday, 25 June 2016

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohamed Mousa Shratieh (25) and Tha’er Ali Abu Sabha (21) and arrested both of them.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled many the village streets. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and live bullets at the protesters to disperse them. As a result, two civilians (22) and (25) were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs. They were then taken to Thabit Thabit Hospital, where their wounds were classified as moderate.

At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saleh Ameen Saleh Kamil (44) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Majed Faisal Adeeb Nazzal (21). They questioned the family members and then arrested Majed.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafr Qud village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saied Thabit Mohamed Abu ‘Obaid (37) and arrested him.

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al­Rahma Mount neighbourhood, south of Hebron. They raided a bakery belonging to al­Tamimi family near “Ramat Yishai” settlement in Tal al­Rumaidah neighborhood, and arrested 4 civilian working there. An hour later, they released 3 of them while Mostafa Bilal al­Qadi (17) is so far under arrest. Mostafa was then taken to an investigation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sureef and Dier al­‘Asal villages in Hebron; and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.

Sunday, 26 June 2016

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested four civilians. The arrested persons were identified as Nour al­Deen Ezzat Shakarnah (22); Nasar Mohamed Najajrah (18); Fares Yousef Najajrah (20) and Fadi Yousef al­Nais (19).

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al­Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and arrested Basam Na’eem al­Balboul (45).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bidia village, west of Salfit; Beit Kahel and Shayoukh al ‘Aroub villages and al­Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.

Monday, 27 June 2016

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Dairat al­Sair area in Hebron. They raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Abdul Qadir Abdullah al­Qawasmah (33) and Sameh Ayman al­Qawasmah (20).

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mo’ath Ibrahim al­‘Amour (21) and Shadi Mousa al­‘Amour (21).

At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into ‘Askar al­Jadid camp, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Salamah Marwan Abdul Jawaad (22), Khalid Ghasan Abu Jamilah (20) and Sanad Ahmed al­ Shobaki (25).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al­Dahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mamoun Ghazi Qaisiya (29) and arrested him.

At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al­Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no arrests were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Ummer and Bani Na’iem villages in Hebron; Qufeen and Nazlah villages, north of Tulkarm; Ertah suburb, south of the city; and Kaful Hares village, north of Salfit.

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fujjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses and arrested Rami Mohamed Abdul Rahman Thawabtah (20) after confiscating his private car.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Jareer village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amar Mohamed Abdul Fatah ‘Alawi (22) and arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al­Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rayan Othman Hussain ‘Amarah (30) and arrested him.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al­Sudaniya shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, an engine, flashlight and generator of a fishing boat belonging to Khamis Saleem Taher Abu Sadeq (59), from al­Shati camp, west of the Gaza City, were damaged. Howowver, oter boats managed to pull the targeted boat to the Gaza Seaport. Although no injuries were reported, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sureef village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ramadan Ali al­Qadi (23) and Anas Isma’il Abu Saleh (26) and arrested both of them.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dier Abu Mish’al village, northwest of Ramallah; and al­Hadab village and al­Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.

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

Demonstrations against the annexation wall and settlement activities

Following the Friday prayer, 24 June 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, al­Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city, and Kafur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilyia. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.

Rubber­coated metal bullets are lethal if they hit the head of victim from a close range.

2. 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 4028 Humanitarian aid 15911 Cooking gas 260,300 Benzene 187,004 Diesel 364,971 21 June Diesel for 38,000

Industrial fuel 300,989 Construction aggregates 12040 Cement 3520 Construction steel 300 Various goods 4235 Humanitarian aid 13861 Cooking gas 278,760 Benzene 146,005

Benzene for UNRWA 37,980 22 June Diesel 396,959

Diesel for UNRWA 36,950

Industrial fuel 376,997 Construction aggregates 10800 Cement 3200

Construction steel 600 Various goods 4656 Humanitarian aid 13540 Cooking gas 273,240 Benzene 216,010 Diesel 543,988 23 June Diesel for UNRWA 39,050

Industrial fuel 419,988 Construction aggregates 9520 Cement 3280 Construction steel 540 Various goods 3671 Humanitarian aid 16285 Cooking gas 276,140 Benzene 111,005 26 June Diesel 592,998 Industrial fuel 260,000 Construction aggregates 12640 Cement 2720 Construction steel 600 Various goods 4520 Humanitarian aid 14907 Cooking gas 272,890 27 June Benzene 296,978 Diesel 400,960 Industrial fuel 303,998 Construction aggregates 11760 Cement 3200

Construction steel 390

On Tuesday, 21 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation 4 truckloads of tomatoes and a truckload of furniture. On Wednesday, 22 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 4 truckloads of scrap and a truckload of furniture. On Thursday, 23,June 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 5 truckloads of tomatoes, 1.6 tons of eggplants, a truckload of dates, a truckload of cucumbers and a truckload of sweet potatoes. On Sunday, 26 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 7 truckloads of tomatoes, 1.2 tons of squash, 1.6 tons of eggplants, 0.05 tons of sweet pepper and 2 truckloads of sweet potatoes. On Monday, 27 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 5 truckload of scrap and a truckload of iron scrap, a truckload of tomatoes, 0.2 tons of garlics, a truckload of mints and 0.10 tons of tarragon.

Beit Hanoun (“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

21 –27 June 2016

26 27 Category 21 June 22 June 23 June 24June 25 June June June Patients 81 52 62 5 – 107 78 Companions 78 52 51 4 – 92 73 Personal 32 44 75 19 – 60 50 needs Families – – – – – – 73 of prisoners

Arabs from 1 2 6 – – 10 4 Israel

Diplomats 17 13 11 – – – 15 International – – – – – – – journalists International 20 22 65 4 – 8 13 workers Travelers 6 – 3 – – – 61 abroad

Business 250 247 311 9 2 453 299 people Business – – – – – – – meetings Security 5 16 3 – – 4 4 interviews VIPs – – – 1 – – 1 Ambulances 1 3 1 – – 1 4 to Israel

Patients’ 1 3 1 – – 1 4 Companions

Notes:

On Wednesday, 22 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed 3 persons to renew their permits. On Tuesday, 23 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed one person to go to Bethlehem. On Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed 282 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al­Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. On Sunday, 27 June 2016, Israeli forces allowed one person and on Monday allowed two persons working in the Civil Affairs Department to attend a meeting at the crossing.

Arrest of Patient at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing, North of the Gaza Strip:

At approximately 14:00 on Wednesday, 22 June 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested Tareq Kamal Mohammed al­Haj (41) from al­ Jalaa’ street in Gaza city. The aforementioned was on his way back to Gaza along with his son Yusuf (2), from whom a sample of his bone morrow was taken for a transplant operation for his brother, Yasin (1), inside “Tel Hashomer” Hospital in Israel. Tareq is so far under arrest. Asraf, Tareq’s brother, said that he left the Gaza Strip via the abovementioned crossing on 19 June 2016, accompanying his son Yusuf from whom a sample of his Bone marrow was taken for his brother, who is staying with his mother inside the abovementioned hospital since last April. When they were on their way back to Gaza on Wednesday, 22 June 2016, the Israeli forces arrested Tareq and kept Yusuf with them. However, at approximately 23:00 they handed the child to the Palestinian Liaison who contacted the family to take their son while his father was kept under arrest.

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 (11) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 23 June 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at al­Aroub refugee camp, the entrance to al­Burj village, and the northern entrance to Hebron.

On Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Yatta and the entrance to Beit Ommar village.

On Saturday, 25 June 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the northern entrances to Yatta, the entrance to Sa’ir village, and the entrance to Bani Na’im village.

On Sunday, 26 June 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to al­Aroub refugee camp, the entrance to Karza village and the road of Farsh al­Hawa.

Ramallah and al­Bireh: Israeli forces established (4) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 23 June 2016, Israeli forces redeployed at Attarah checkpoint at the northern entrance to Birziet village, north of Ramallah. They checked the vehicles and ID cards of the passengers and then detained number of civilians causing traffic on the road.

On Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to al­Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, the crossroad of Beit Our al­Fuqa village, southwest of the city and under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city.

Qalqiliyah: Israeli forces established (5) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 17:45 on Thursday, 23 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah.

At approximately 17:10 on Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to the tunnel of Hablah village (the southern entrance to Qalqiliyah). At approximately 21:20

On Sunday, 26 June 2016, they established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of Qalqiliyah.

At approximately 23:00 on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Azzoun village at the road linking between Qalqiliyah and Tulkarm.

At approximately 01:35 on Wednesday, 29 June 2016, they established a similar checkpoint between Azzoun village and Ezbet al­Tabeb village, east of the city.

Salfit: Israeli forces established (5) checkpoints all over the city.

On Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Salfit and the northern entrance to Bruqin village, west of the city.

At approximately 23:30 on Saturday, 25 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.

At approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit. At approximately 21:50, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance to Qarawet Bani Hasan village, west of the city.

Jenin:

At approximately 20:00 on Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road linking between Jenin and Nablus near the crossroad of Jabaa’ village, south of Jenin.

At approximately 00:00 on Thursday, 28 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Aranah village, north of Jenin.

Tulkarm:

At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 24 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road linking between Tulkarm and the villages in the north of Tulkarm known as (al­Sha’rawiyah) near the entrance to Qaffin village, north of Tulkarm while established a checkpoint near the entrance to Eastern Baqah village, north of the city.

Arrests at military checkpoints

On Sunday morning, 26 June 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to al­Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They checked civilians’ ID cards and vehicles. They then arrested ‘Eid Tal’at Abdul Hamid Remawi (25) while he was on his way back home in the nearby Beit Rima village.

At approximately 16:10 on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, an Israeli infantry force near the northern entrance to Salfit, arrested Baraa’ Saleh Ali Ahmed (20) from Kafer al­Deek village, west of Salfit.

On Tuesday evening, 28 June 2016, Israeli forces stationed at al­Tibah crossing between the West Bank and Israel, arrested Fadi Abdul Satar Hasan al­Shaikh Yusuf (19) from Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm.

At approximately 22:40 on the same Tuesday, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Kamal Mostafa Eshtaih from Salem village, east of the city.

3. 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:

Shooting Incidents:

At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 26 June 2016, Israeli Special Forces raided al­Aqsa mosque in the Old City of East Jerusalem via al­Magharbah Gate to protect settlers’ raids of the mosque. At that time, dozens of worshipers were in the mosque yards and al­Qabli Mosque. The Israeli forces deployed in the yards and attacked and beat the civilians with sticks. They then fired sound bombs and rubber­coated metal bullets inside al­Qabli mosque where there were dozens of civilians and Muslims from South Africa performing prayers. As a result, 24 worshipers were wounded; 7 of whom were taken to al­Maqased Hospital to receive medical treatment. Concerning the wounds, 5 of the civilians were hit with metal bullets and shrapnel of the sound bombs while two civilians were wounded to their heads and 17 others sustained bruises as the Israeli soldiers beat them up. Moreover, the Israeli forces arrested 5 worshipers namely as Ehsan Barhan Jarrar (32) from Ramallah, Mohammed Othman Mohammed (22) from Erteria, Mohammed Taleb Nasif (26), Mohammed Faroukh and Jalqan Haider Khan from Britain.

It should be noted that the Israeli police close al­Maghrbah Gate during the last 10 days of Ramadan, when Muslims perform night prayers (I’tikaaf). However, they insisted on opening the gate this year to facilitate the settler’s raids in order to provoke the feelings of prayers who were in al­Aqsa mosque. The Islamic Endowments (Waqf) Department demanded the Israeli police not to open the gate, but the latter refused and allowed settlers to raid the mosque. One of al­Aqsa mosque guards confirmed that more than 20 settlers raided the mosque after the Special Forces attacked the worshipers on the abovementioned day.

On Monday, 27 June 2016, Israeli forces raided for the second time al­Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City in an attempt to impose a new fait accompli during the month of Ramadan particularly in the last 10 days. The Israeli forces, Intelligence services and the border guards deployed in al­Aqsa mosque after they closed al­Qabli mosque with iron chains and detained the prayers inside. They also fired rubber­coated metal bullets, sound bombs and pepper spray to vacate the civilians from the mosque yards and particularly the yards next to al­Qabli mosque. This happened while the Israeli forces were securing and protecting 90 settlers who raided al­Aqsa mosque in order to provoke the feelings of the prayers. According to the mosque clinics, more than 35 civilians were wounded with rubber­coated metal bullets and the sound bomb shrapnel during the clashes in the mosque (wounds to the head, chest, belly, shoulders and limbs) while others suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises. Among the wounded civilians was the Fatah institutions file administrator­ Jerusalem province with a metal bullet. Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli forces attacked, beat and pushed media crews who were present in al­Aqsa mosque. As a result, journalists, Ahmed Jaradat and Ased Amarnah were wounded. They also attacked Feras al­Debes and Rami al­Khateeb, employees at the Public Relations Department in the Islamic Endowments (Waqf) Department­

Arrests and Incursions:

At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 23 June 2016, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Ashraf Kafra’ani (13) and Monther Kastirou (36) while they were in the Old City of East Jerusalem.

At approximately 23:00 on Saturday, 25 June 2016, Israeli forces moved into Obaid neighbourhood in al­Issawiyya village, northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses in the neighbourhood after which they arrested Saleh Ahmed Abu Asab (16) and Ahmed ‘Aeish Obaid (17).

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 27 June 2016, large numbers of Israeli Intelligence officers and Israeli police moved into al­Mukaber Mount, southeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the lawyer Mohammed ‘Alian. Mohammed was not then home, so the Israeli Intelligence officers told his family to call him. As soon as Mohammed arrived, the Israeli forces questioned him on the spot, arrested him and took him to one of its centres in the city. They confiscated some electronic devices from Mohammed’s house. It should be mentioned that Mohammed Alian is the speaker of “Popular Campaign for the Recovered Bodies of the Martyrs” and father of Bahaa’ who carried out a duel operation with prisoner Bilal Ghanem on 16 October 2015, inside an Israeli bus near “Armon Hanatziv” settlement established on al­Mokaber Mount lands. The Israeli military bulldozers demolished the house of Alian’s family on 04 January 2016 and they still detain Bahaa’s body.

At approximately 14:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces arrested Maher Mahlous(27) while he was present near al­Asbat Gate; one of al­Aqsa mosque gates in the Old city of East Jerusalem.

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, Israeli forces moved into al­Issawiyya village, northeast of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested Anas Ali Abu Asab (16) and his brother Ahmed (19).

On the same Tuesday Israeli forces launched an arrest campaign against 15 civilians, including 11 children, as soon as they left al­Aqsa mosque in the Old City in East Jerusalem. That was after the Israeli intelligence services and the border guards deployed at the mosque gates, closed al­Ghawanma and al­Hadeed Gates and banned men under the age of 30 from entering the Mosque for half an hour. They then took the arrested civilians to an unknown destination (PCHR keeps the names of the arrested civilians).

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

Israeli Forces Attacks:

At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 29 June 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with a military jeep and the Construction and Organization Department in the Civil Administration moved into Kherbet Om al­Khair village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The administration employee handed two civilians two notices to halt the work in two houses built of tin plates (caravans). On 06 April 2016, the European Union donated those caravans along with other four to theKherba residents, whose houses were demolished by the Israeli authorities. The demolition notices were as follows:

1. A 50­square­meter caravan belonging to Khalil Sulaiman al­Hathalin (78). 2. A 50­square­meter caravan belonging to Mo’tasem Sulaiman al­Hathelin (28).

Eid al­Hathalin said that the administration employee (Carlos) handed two notices to halt the work and took photos of four other caravans, claiming that they were built near the area where the previous houses were demolished. Therefore, those caravans are under threat of demolition as well without notifying their owners or even allowing them to appeal the decision. It should be mentioned that the Israeli authorities demolished six houses under the pretext of building without a permit in the above mentioned Kherbah. As a result, 32 civilians became homeless, including 7 children.

At approximately 11:30 on the same Wednesday, Israeli forces accompanied with a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Administration Department in the Civil Administration moved into al­Dairat village, north of Yatta, south of Hebron. The administration employee began photographing a number of houses and facilities after which he handed their owners demolition notices for the second time. The residents said that the Israeli forces had previously handed them notices to halt the work two months ago. These notices were as follows:

1. An under­construction house built of concrete comprised of a 190­square­meter ground floor belonging to Suleiman Mahmoud al­‘Adrah. 2. An inhabited house built of concrete comprised of a 190­square­meter ground floor, a 100­ square­meter livestock barrack built of tin plates and a 150­cubic­meter water well belonging to Mousa Ismail al­‘Adrah. 3. An under construction house built of concrete, and it is a ground floor with an area of 170 square meters belonging to Yusuf Mousa al­Jabarin. 4. Under­construction Storehouses built of concrete, with an area of 140­square­meters belonging to Jabrin Mohammed Husain al­‘Amour.

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 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; 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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