25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016)
Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(18 – 24 August 2016)
Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes on many areas in the Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt A Palestinian civilian was killed on “Yitzhar” settlement bypass road, south of Nablus. 12 civilians, including a child, were wounded in the West Bank and 4 others, including a child, in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes on many areas in the Gaza Strip A water reservoir tank and 5 military training sites were targeted, and 3 Members of alQassam Brigades sustained minor wounds.
Israeli forces targeted the border areas in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding a shepherd. Israeli forces conducted 69 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza Strip. 40 civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were arrested 14 of them, including 4 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem. 7 forges were raided and closed in Bethlehem after confiscating its contents.
Settlement activities continued in the West Bank. Two dwellings and a youth center were demolished in Kherbet Um alKheir, south of Hebron. Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea 2 fishermen were arrested and a fishing boat was confiscated
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. 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at military checkpoints.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (18 – 24 August 2016).
Shooting:
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 1/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights 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 civilian and wounded 16 others, including a child and 3 members of alQassam Brigades. Eight of them were wounded in the West Bank while the rest 8 were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes along the border fence in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also fired artillery shells at the border areas. Moreover, Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the sea.
In the West Bank, on 24 August 2016, Israeli forces directly opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car on “Yitzhar” settlement bypass road, south of Nablus. As a result, the driver was hit with several bullets and immediately died. It was later found out that the killed person is Sary Abu Ghurab (26) from Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. Israeli forces claimed that the Palestinian civilian stepped out of the car and stabbed an Israeli soldier in his neck.
On 19 August 2016, a Palestinian civilian was wounded with a Twotwo bullet to his foot and then arrested by Israeli forces along with 4 other civilians. This happened when Israeli Special Forces moved into alJabal Intersection in the village and raided some shops. Meanwhile, a number of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers.
On 21 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into alFar’ah refugee camp, south of Tubas. A number of Apelstinian youngsters then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, who in response fired live and metal bullets. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was hit with a bullet to the right arm and wounded with shrapnel to the chest. The wounded civilian was taken to Tubas Turkish Hospital and then transferred to Annajah Educational Hospital in Nablus.
On 23 August 2016, 6 civilians were wounded. One of them was wounded with a bullet to the leg while the five others were wounded with metal bullets. This happened when Israeli forces moved into Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and their camps.
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of using excessive force against peaceful protests, four civilians, including a child, was hit with several bullets. 3 of them were wounded in the eastern side of al Shuja’iyah, east of Gaza City while the child was wounded in the eastern side of alBureij in the central Gaza Strip. This happened when dozens of children and youngsters headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the aforementioned areas.
On 24 August 2016, a shepherd was wounded when Israeli soldiers stationed inside the watchtowers, north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at sheperds, who were 200 meters away from the border fence.
In the context of airstrikes, on 21 August 2016, an Israeli drone launched two missiles at a water reservoir tank on alMasriyeen Street, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:40 on the same day, the Israeli warplanes conducted 60 airstrikes in many areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The airstrikes continued until 23:30 and targeted vacant lands along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Those areas were only 300500 meters away from the border fence along the eastern and northern borders of Beit Hanoun and northern borders of Beit Lahia and Um alNasser village. The airstrikes targeted also 5 military training sites belonging to the armed Palestinian groups. As a result, dozens of nearby houses’ windows shattered and four civilians, including a child, were wounded. One of them sustained shrapnel wounds while others suffered trauma.
In the context of targeting border areas, on 21 August 2016, Israeli forces fired artillery shells at Palestine Training site belonging to alQassam Brigades, northeast of Um alNasser village in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damages and 3 Members of alQassam sustained minor wounds.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 2/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip sporadically opened fire along the border area. However, no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off alBalakhiyah shore, northwest of alShat’i refugee camp, northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire twice at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 19 August 2016, the shooting recurred in the same area. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled away in addition to losing and cutting dozen pieces of fishing net.
On 21 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off alWahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, twice opened fire. During the second shooting, Israeli forces arrested two fishermen and took them along with their boat to Ashdod Seaport in Israel. They were released on the next day while their boat was kept in custody. At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, the shooting recurred in the same area.
At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 24 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off alSudaniyah , west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 69 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 7 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and a woman. Fourteen of them, including 4 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
During this week, Israeli forces moved into many areas in Bethlehem and raided 7 forges after breaking down the doors and then confiscating their contents. Israeli forces calimed that these forges are illegal since “they manufacture weapons that pose a threat to the area’s security.” These forges are located in alDawhah village, ‘Aidah and al‘Ezzah refugee camps, alIskan area, Beit Jalah and Beit Sahour.
In the Gaza Strip, on 24 August 2016, Israeli forces moved 50 meters into the southeastern side of alShokah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands in the area for hours and later redeployed along the border fence.
Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property
On 24 August 2016, Israeli forces demolished two dwellings and a youth centre in Kherbet Um al Kheir, southeast of Yata, south of Hebron. The first 30squaremeter dwelling belongs to Zayed soliman ‘Eid alHathalin and was built on 10 August 2016 after his dwelling that was donated by the EU was demolished. The second 60squaremeter dwelling belongs to Khadrah Dawoud alHathalin (60) while the Youth Centre was built on an area of 30 square meters.
In the context of settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians in occupied Jerusalem, on 23 August 2016, an Israeli settler severely beat Murad Ghassan alRajabi (20) when he was in alSharaf neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, causing fractures in his nose, wounds in his face and bruises in the neck.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 3/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Details
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 18 August 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Fawzi Ahmed Abu ‘Aoun (30) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched 6 other houses and questioned their inhabitants on the spot. The abovementioned raided houses belong to Talib Shlash Rashid Hamamrah and his sons, Ahmed (33), Malek (35), Tareq (37); Basel Mofeed Mostafa Ghanam (45); and Mohamed Abed al Kareem Shlash Hamamrah (29). Israeli forces arrested all the above mentioned persons and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Rafi’ Zaidat (30) and arrested him.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off alBalaiykha area, west of alShati camp, northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and they lost dozens of their fishing nets. The shooting continued until 23:00, but no casualties were reported.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 4/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Yatta, Samou’a, Noba, Deir al‘Asal and alFoqa villages in Hebron.
Friday, 19 August 2016
At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off alBalaikha area, west of alShati camp northwest of Gaza City, sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 6 nautical miles and chased them. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and they lost dozens of their fishing nets. The shooting continued until 23:00, but no casualties were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafur alDeek village, west of Salfit; alDahiriya, Beit al Rush and Bani Na’im villages in Hebron; Burqin, west of Jenin and Ya’bod village, southwest of the city.
Saturday, 20 August 2016
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Beit Za’tah and alBayyadah neighbourhoods. They raided and searched 3 houses and handed 3 children summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. The abovementioned children were identified as Mohamed Ibrahim Ali Abu Mariya (17), Waseem Ibrahim Badir (17) and Omar Mohamed ‘Awad (16).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Faisal Badawi Abu Sinanah (33). They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into al‘Arqa village, west of Jenin. While patrolling the area, they arrested Shareef Ali Shareef Yehia (20), who was in his farm adjacent to the annexation wall , west of the village.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (12) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Foreek, Beit Dajan, Bita, Tal, ‘Araq Bureen villages in Nablus; Sa’ir, Tafouh, Sureef villages and al‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; Aktabah suburb, northeast of Tulkarm; and Kafur Sour village, south of the city.
Sunday, 21 August 2016
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 5/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights At approximately 00:10, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamdi alKurd and arrested his son, Yazan (13).
Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in Safa area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hassan Adam Ibrahim Ikhlil (20) and then arrested him.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into alFar’ah camp, south of Tubas village. A number of Palestinian young men threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live and rubbercoated metal bullets to disperse them. As a result, a 24yearold male was hit with a live bullet to the right arm and sustained shrapnel wounds to the chest. He was taken to the Turkish Hospital and then was referred to alNajah Hospital in Nablus. After that, Israeli forces raided houses and at approximately 06:00, they arrested Mo’az Abed alSalam al‘Aidy (28) and then withdrew.
At approximately 14:30, the Israeli artillery launched 5 shells at Palestinian military site belonging to Izziddin alQassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), northeast of Um alNasir village, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damage while 3 of alQassam members, who were in the site, were wounded. Medical sources in the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp classified their wounds as minor.
At approximately 14:45, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a water reservoir tank, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 15:15, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of alAhmar area, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at the border area. No casualties were reported, but the farmers, whose agricultural field are near the fence, were frightened and fled.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 1.5 nautical miles. An Israeli gunboat approached a fishing boat belonging to Shareef Mohamed al‘Abed alSultan (43), which was manned by the boat owner and Ibrahim Ghalib Ramadan alSultan (23), both of them are from al‘Atatrah neighbourhood in Beit Lahia. Israeli forces obliged the fishermen to take off their clothes, jumped into the sea and then swim towards the gunboat. Israeli forces arrested the fishermen taking them to Ashdod Seaport and confiscated the fishing boat. At approximately 01:00, on Monday, 22 August 2016, Israeli authorities released the fishermen via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, while the boat is still in custody.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 6/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights At approximately 22:40, Israeli warplanes carried out a number of raids targeting various open areas adjacent to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of the Gaza Strip. The numbers of raids were around 60, which lasted until 23:30. Most of the raids were between 300 – 500 meters to the west of the border fence. The attacked sites were identified as:
1. Falastin training site belonging to alQassam Brigades, northeast of Um alNasir Bedouin village, 2. Hiteen training site belonging to the armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement, northeast of Um al Nasir Bedouin village, 3. A training site belonging to al Mujahideen Brigades near Um alNasir Bedouin village, 4. A training site belonging to Abu Ali Mostafa Brigades (the armed wing of The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine), near Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, and 5. ‘Asqalan training site belonging to alQassam Brigades in Silfah area, northwest of Beit Lahia.
As a result of the raids, dozens of windows of houses near the border fence were smashed. Additionally, 4 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded, all of them are from Beit Hanoun. The wounded were then taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital, where medical sources classified their wounds as stable. Moreover, many civilians were forced to flee and vacate their houses due to the sounds of bombing that rocked the area. They then headed to safe areas thinking that such raids would lead to a ground attack.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Dajen village, east of Nablus and Bureen village, south of the city; Dirasityia village, northwest of Salfit; Dura, alHadab, Sureef villages and al‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron; and Qabia village, west of Ramallah.
Monday, 22 August 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafur alDeek village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abed Zahran and questioned his family members about their income source. After that, they withdrew and no more incidents were reported.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awwa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and stationed in alSimyia area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bajes Mahmoud Abu Ghalia alSowati (40) and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in alSaf Street. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sabri Isma’il Abed Rabu (25) and arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in alBiyadah and Musrarah areas. They raided
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 7/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights and searched two houses from which they arrested Abed alJalil Mohamed Qoqas (20) and Mujahed Sayil Qoqas (19).
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into alDahiryia village, south of Hebron, and stationed in alGhamari valley. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Yousef Rabba’ and arrested him.
At approximately 02:20, Israeli forces moved into alBireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mazen Monzer Ramadan (18) and arrested him.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Hebron and stationed in Abu Katilah area and alSahib intersection. They raided and searched two houses from which they arrested Nour Hatim Qufishah (19) and Mounir Nadir alQawasmah (21).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qalqiliya; alZawiya village in Salfit; Dura, Halhoul, al Hadab and Roq’a villages in Hebron.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Salim Yousef alRejoub (29) and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into various areas in Bethlehem. They raided a number of metal workshops after breaking down their doors and confiscated their contents. Israeli forces claimed that those workshops were illegal and posed threat to the area. According to PCHR’s investigations and statements of eyewitnesses, Israeli Border Guard officers raided 7 metal workshops in alDuha village, ‘Aida and al‘Izzah refugee camps, and Beit Jala and Beit Sahour villages. They broke down the workshops doors, confiscated their contents and then fixed notices on the workshops walls saying that those workshops manufacture weapons.
After that, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. Israeli soldiers then fired live bullets, rubbercoated metal bullets, teargas canisters, sound bombs and flare bombs at them. PRCS crews stated that clashes erupted in Bethlehem led to the injury of 5 Palestinian young men with rubbercoated metal bullets and they were treated on the spot, while the 6th one was hit with a live bullet to the leg and he was then taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment.
Around the same time, a large force of Israeli soldiers accompanied with military vehicles moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya. Around 100 soldiers raided and searched houses and damaged their contents. Moreover, they arrested Baraa Qahir Abu Haniya (19), Bahaa http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 8/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Hasan Shubita (23) and Ihab Wasfi Ali Hussain (28). After that they raided a house belonging to Esam Jum’a ‘Inayia (32) and beat him. As a result, Esam lost consciousness and was then taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment. Esam’s father said to PCHR’s fieldworker that “At approximately 02:15 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, while we were sleeping, we heard a sound of bombing, so we quickly woke up and found the Israeli forces breaking down our house main door. After that, 23 Israeli soldiers raided and searched the house and put all of us in one room. I told the officer in charge that I want to come with them while searching the house because there were jewelry and money in the house. The soldier refused and pushed me back, after which, my wife pushed him so he pushed both of us. My son Esam , who is married and lives upstairs, came quickly when he saw the soldiers pushing us and pushed the soldier. As a result, the soldier took him out and beat him. I did not see Esam when the soldiers hit him, but I found him fainted later. Esam was then taken by a PRCS ambulance to the hospital. Israeli forces thoroughly searched the house and damaged its content.”
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into alDahiriya village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basam Suliman alTul (23) and arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Alaa Mohamed Taqatqah (20) and arrested him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qufin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mujahed Fathi Raja alKhatib (26) and arrested him.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: alMazra’a alSharqiya village, northeast of Ramallah; Badras village, west of the city; Hijah village, east of Qalqilyia; Halhoul, Yatta and Beit Marsam villages in Hebron.
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Abed Mousa alJanazah (29), Ayman Mohamed ‘Imran (33) and Ali Ibrahim Saray’ah.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Ibrahim Faraj (15) and arrested him.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 9/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off alSudaniya shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.
At approximately 08:50, Israeli forces accompanied with 7 military vehicles moved from Karm Abu Salem crossing about 50 meters towards the southeast alShawka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces also patrolled the area and levelled lands before re deploying along the border fence. At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces directly opened fire at a Palestinian private car, which was on “Yitzhar” settlement road coming from Jenin and heading towards Hawarah village. When the car arrived near Madama village, Israeli forces opened fire at it. As a result, the car driver was wounded with live bullets and died immediately. The victim was then identified as Sari Mohamed Abu Ghrab (26), from Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin. Israeli forces claimed that the driver stepped out of his car and carried out a stabbing attack against an Israeli soldier, who was wounded in the neck. After that, Israeli forces closed the abovementioned road and raided Madama village.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers stationed in a military watchtower, north of the agricultural school, north of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at shepherds, who were 200 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. As a result, one of the shepherds, who was identified as Nour ‘Odah Suliman Abu Jarad (32), from ‘Izbit Beit Hanoun, was hit with a live bullet to the left leg. A group of shepherds carried him towards the Palestinian Liaison (55), where there were ambulances. Nour was then taken to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, where medical sources classified his wounds as moderate.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
Following the Friday prayer, on 19 August 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah, alNabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, and Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya. Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubbercoated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters and chased them into the agricultural fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip
At approximately 13:30, on Friday, 19 August 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of alShuja’iya neighbourhood. A number of protesters approached the fence, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 10/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights After that, the Israeli soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 3 civilians were hit with live bullets and were then taken by a PRCS ambulance to alShifa Hospital in Gaza City, where medical sources classified their wounds as moderate.
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations.
Rubbercoated metal bullets are lethally if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
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 BeitHanoun (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 BeitHanoun 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.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 11/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
Note:
PCHR apologizes for not publishing the movement data at the crossing this week and will publish them next week due to technical reasons.
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
17 – 23 August 2016
17 22 Category 18 August 19 August 20 August 21 August 23 August August August Patients 44 36 2 – 70 54 60 Companions 46 31 2 – 56 62 52 Personal 59 96 19 – 92 29 60 needs Families – 2 – – – 41 – of prisoners
Arabs from 17 10 9 – 24 4 6 Israel
Diplomats 3 5 1 – 1 4 1 International – – – – – – – journalists International 29 52 3 – 13 8 26 workers Travelers 1 3 – – 1 1 59 Abroad
464 Business 342 322 1 2 307 282 people
Business – – – – – – – meetings Security 1 – – – – 3 4 interviews VIPs 2 – – – 1 1 1 Ambulances 1 4 4 – 4 2 6 to Israel
Patients’ http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 12/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Companions 1 4 4 – 3 3 4
Notes:
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces allowed 240 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in alAqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. On Thursday, 18 August 2016, Israeli forces allowed one person working in the Civil Affairs Department to attend a meeting at the crossing.
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 (18) checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 18 August 2016, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Kharsa, Oyoun Abu Saif and Tarama villages and alFawar refugee camp.
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Halhoul and southern entrance to alFahes village.
On Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Beit Kahel and Ethna villages.
On Sunday, 21 August 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Sa’ir and Deir alAsal villages.
On Monday, 22 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to alFawar refugee camp, Rabud and Sa’ir villages.
On Tuesday, 23 August 2016, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Bani Naim, Sa’ir and Ethna villages and the northern entrance to Halhoul.
Ramallah: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 18 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Sarda and Abu Qash villages, north of Ramallah.
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints near the bridge of Atarah at the northern entrance to Birzeit village, north of Ramallah; the entrances to Shaqbah and Rantes villages, northwest of the city and the crossroad of alTaibah village, northeast of the city (the road linking between Ramallah and Jericho).
At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in at the bridge of Atarah at the northern entrance to Birzeit village, north of Ramallah.
Qalqiliyah: Israeli forces established (5) checkpoints all over the city
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 13/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights At approximately 14:40 on Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Hablah and Ras Atiyah villages, south of Qalqiliyah.
On Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Ezbet al Tabeb village, east of Qalqiliyah, the main street that links between Qalqiliyah and Nablus (thee checkpoint repeated twice) and between Jayyous and Kafer Jamal villages, northeast of the city.
Salfit: Israeli forces established (5) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 22:50 on Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to alZawiyah village, west of Salfit.
At approximately 20:20 on Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Eskaka village, east of Salfit. At approximately 20:15, they established a similar checkpoint at the northern entrance to city.
At approximately 08:20 on Monday, 22 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the crossroad of Deir Balut village, west of Salfit. At approximately 20:25, they established similar checkpoint at the entrance to Rafat village, west of the city.
Arrests at military checkpoints
At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Jenin–Nazareth Street near the intersectuin of ‘Aranah village, north of Jenin. The soldiers stopped the cars traveling from and into the village and checked the passengers’ ID cards. When Diyaa’ Mazen Mahmud Hatub (28), Mohammed Fadi Talal alSa’di (16) and Ward Wajdi Mohammed Abdul Hadi (17), from Jenin were riding motorcycles, the soldiers arrested Mohammed and Ward while they heavily beat Diyaa’. As a result, Diyaa’ was taken to Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin to receive medical treatment. Israeli forces later removed the checkpoint and confiscated the 3 motorcycles in addition to taking the arrested children to an unknown destination.
At approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. The soldiers stationed at the abovementioned checkpoint stopped the cars travelling in or out of the village and checked the passengers ID cards. When Ahmed Majed Mustafa Rabay’ah (22) from Maithalun village, south of Jenin, crossed the checkpoint, the Israeli soldiers arrested him.
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:
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 14/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights Arrests and Incursions:
At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into the alJabal Intersection in Abu Dis village, east of Jerusalem. They raided and searched several shops. A group of young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired tear gas canisters, live bullets and rubbercoated metal bullets in response. As a result, dozens of the village residents suffered gas inhalation. Moreover, Nasser Jabarin was hit with a live bullet to his foot. After that, the Israeli forces arrested Nasser and 4 other civilians, including a child, identified as Wasim Hamdun (28), Odai Bader (23), Mohammed Wahish (22) and Mousa Salah (17). The Israeli forces took the arrested civilians to the alJabal military camp established on the village lands.
At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 20 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into the schools neighbourhood in alMukaber Mount village, southeast of Jerusalem. They handed summonses to 6 civilians to refer to the Intelligence services in alMascobiya centre after they raided and searched their family houses. The summoned civilians were identified as Ayman Ouaisat (23), Fares Ayman Ouaisat (18), Ahmed Wesam ‘Ouaisat (24), Obaidah Abu Duhaim (21), Mojahed Abduh (27) and Adnan Alyan (23).
At approximately 02:45 on Sunday, 21 August 2016, Israeli moved into Hezmah village, northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Fayez Mohammed Sbaih (19) and Loai Hani Sabaih (21) and then arrested them.
At approximately 18:00 on the same Sunday, Israeli forces moved into alMukaber Mount village, southeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses. They then handed summonses to 6 civilians to refer to al Mascobiya centre. The summoned civilians were identified as Alaa’ Abu Dahim, Ehab Abu Dahim, Mohammed Ata Ouaisat, Nour Elyan Ouaisat, Khaled Elyan Ouaisat and Mahmoud Wesam Ouaisat.
At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 22 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into alThawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jamal ‘Amr and then arrested his son Safwan (22).
At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into al‘Issawiyya village, northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Karim Nasser Atiyah (15) and Mohammed Abdul Ra’uf Mahmud (17). They arrested the two children and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Ashraf Esam alAbasi (24) and Mohammed Wael Da’nah (18) and then arrested them.
http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 15/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 24 August 2016, prisoners’ families and a number of Human rights activists organized a protest in alAmoud Gate area in solidarity with Bilal Kayed, who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months in protest against his administrative detention. Israeli forces attacked the participants and forced them to leave in addition to tearing Bilal’s pictures. They also chased the participants in the protest on Nablus Street near al Amoud Gate where they severely beat and pushed them to the ground. They arrested 3 civilians namely Ashraf Mohammed alZetawi (14), Mohammed Mustafa Mustafa (20) and Hala Marshud (32). After investigation with the abovementioned arrested civilians, Israeli forces released them but denied them access to AlAmoud Gate area for 2 weeks.
House demolitions and demolition notices:
At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 19 August 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with municipality crews moved into Silwan village, south of the Old City in Jerusalem. They handed demolition notices to a number of buildings in the village under the pretext of building without a licence. Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli forces and municipality crews moved into several neighbourhoods in the village. They took photos of some facilities and entrances to the neighbourhoods. They also distributed warnings and summonses for the owners of residential facilities in Wadi Helwah, Ein alLawzah and Wad Yasul neighbourhoods to give their statements. Among the houses targeted by the municipality were apartments in buildings located in Wadi Helwa neighbourhood established 15 years ago and belonging to the families of Abu Nab, Siyam and Gaith. These apartments shelter around 20 individuals.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Israeli forces Attacks:
At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 21 August 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 2 military jeeps and a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into alTawanah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They stationed in the centre of the village and the administration employee then handed a notice to Kamel Mousa Rab’ie (44) in order to demolish his 120squaremeter house under the pretext of building without a permit. The notice gave him 7 days to settle his legal matters before the Israeli competent court.
At approximately 05:30 on Wednesday, 24 August 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military jeeps, a vehicle belonging to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and a bulldozer moved into Kherbet Um alKhair, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. The soldiers deployed between houses and prevented the inhabitants to move. They immediately demolished 2 dwellings and a youth centre under the pretext of building without a licence. The demolition included the following: A 30squaremeter dwelling built of tin plates belongs to Zayed Suleiman Eid alHathalin. The house was built on 10 August 2016, only one day after his previous dwelling donated by the EU was demolished; A 60squaremeter dwelling built of tin plates belongs to Khadrah Dawoud Hathalin (60) and http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 16/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights A social youth centre that is built of tin plates and bricks on an area of 30 square meters.
It should be mentioned that alHathalin Bedouin tribe lives in Kherbet Um alKhair after being forced to leave their lands in Beersheba in 1948. Um alKheir is near “Carmiel” settlement established on the village lands, and settlers frequently attack the Kherbah inhabitants and facilities. It should be mentioned that “Raafim” Settlement organization is now targeting the Kherbah as it did before with Kherbet Susiya and Kherbet Zanuta. According to the civilians’ statements, members of the abovementioned settlement organization visited the Kherbah, observed the new construction works and flied a drone over the Kherbah. They said that they will inform the Civil Administration about the construction of new dwellings in the Kherbah. “Raafim” operates in Jerusalem and southern areas of Hebron and follows up the construction works in the communities in addition to calling for the demolition of these communities such as Susiyah, Zanuta and Um alKhair Kherabs for the interest of expanding settlements established on Palestinian lands, south of Hebron.
Israeli Settlers Attacks:
At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 23 August 2016, an Israeli settler severely beat Murad Ghassan alRajabi (20) when he was in alSharaf neighbourhood in the Old City of East Jerusalem. As a result, Morad’s nose was broken and he suffered bruises and wounds in his face and neck.
Murad said to a PCHR fieldworker that he went to his former workplace in alSharaf neighbourhood to receive his financial dues. The employer asked him to bring the keys he has, so Murad brought the restaurant keys. When he arrived at the restaurant door, he was surprised with a Jewish worker in the restaurant pulling him off the motorcycle and beating him throughout his body. As a result, Murad fell on the ground and was not able to move due to feeling tired. AlRajabi added that a young man and a policeman then came and called for an ambulance, which took him to Hadassa Ein Karem Hospital to receive medical treatment. It was found out that Murad suffered fractuires in his nose, wounds in his face and bruises in his neck.
After Murad received the medical treatment, he received a call from alQeshlah police centre to investigate with him about attacking a Jew and threatening to run over him with motorbike. Murad said that he headed to the centre and found that the settler filed a complaint against him. However, he refuted the charges by showing the officer his medical reports. Murad added that the police released him after hours of detention on one condition that he will be denied access to alSharaf neighbourhood for two weeks. They also order him not to speak with the aforementioned settler for a month.
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 http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 17/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights 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; http://pchrgaza.org/en/?p=8323 18/19 25/8/2016 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18– 24 August 2016) | Palestinian Center for Human Rights
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