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

(28 July – 03 August 2016)

 

 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• A Palestinian civilian was killed at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus.
• 13 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including 3 children and a young woman.

• Israeli forces conducted 78 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, 6 ones in Jerusalem and limited one in the Gaza Strip.
• 81 civilians were arrested, including 7 children.
• 19 civilians of them, including 3 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
• Two turneries were closed in Qalqilya.

• Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures against Palestinian civilians.
• A civilian was forced to self-demolish his house in al-Thawri neighbourhood and another was also forced to close his café in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
• A 600-square-meter car shop and 3 barracks were destroyed in al-Nabi Simo’eel village.
• The civil administration crews accompanied with the Israeli forces destroyed a residential caravan in al-Dam Valley in Beit Hanina neighbourhood.

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• A civilian was forced to self-demolish a residential room.
• 11 residential buildings were levelled in Qalednia village adjacent to the annexation wall.
• A house in Silwan and another one and a commercial facility in al-‘Issawiyah were demolished.

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea
• 3 shooting incidents were carried out against Palestinian fishing boats in the central, northern and southern Gaza Strip.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9^th
• Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
• 5 Palestinian Civilians, including a child, were arrested at the internal military checkpoints.
• Israeli forces prevent footballers from the Gaza Strip to cross Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip and blackmailed some of them.

  Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (28 July – 03 August 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 civilian and wounded 13 others, including 3 children and a young woman. Nine of them were wounded in the West Bank while the 2 others, including a young woman, were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the Sea.

In the West Bank, in excessive use of force on 31 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, shot dead Rami ‘Awertani (31) from the same city when he stepped out of his car at an observation point in the track allocated for the cars coming out of the city.  The Israeli forces claimed that ‘Awertani attempted to stab a soldier and his corpse was detained and taken to an unknown destination.  It should be mentioned that ‘Awertani owns a barber shop on Annajah National University Street and a father of 3 children.

On 30 July 2016, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign.  Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered where the Israeli vehicles were stationed to throw stones at them.  The Israeli soldiers in response fired live bullets, sound bombs and gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded with live bullets to the lower limbs and then taken to Dr Khalil Soliman Governmental Hospital in the city for medical treatment.

On 02 August 2016, two civilians, including a child, were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs.  This happed after Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Joseph Tomb, east of Nablus, fired live and rubber-coated bullets and gas canisters at civilians who threw stones at the settlers.

On 03 August 2016, two civilians were wounded to the limbs when Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, southeast of Toubas.  They patrolled the camp streets, and a number of Palestinian youngsters and children then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles.  The Israeli soldiers fired for around two hours live and rubber-coated bullets at the stone-throwers, wounding two of them.

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 July 2016, Samah al-Na’ami (38) was sustained a superficial bullet wound to her left shoulder while Mohammed al-‘Issawi (22) was hit with a bullet to the left foot.  This happened when Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian children and young men who headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip in order to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers.  The aforementioned young woman was wounded when she was on her way to a field belonging to her husband near the border fence.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 01 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed area for fishing.  As a result, the fishermen fled away for fear of being killed or wounded.  However, no casualties were reported.  On 03 August 2016, the same incident recurred in the northern and central Gaza Strip, damaging a fishing boat and losing fishing net.

 

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 78 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs and limited one in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 81 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children.  Nineteen of them, including 3 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

 

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

On 29 July 2016, ‘Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop with steel plates in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality that would also confiscate the contents. Kiswani explained that the court ordered him to close the coffee shop and gave him until the beginning of August to implement the order or its crews will close it and confiscate its contents. It should be mentioned the 180-square-meter coffee shop was built many years ago, and three families lived off the coffee shop.

On 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in Al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, in execution of the municipality’s order and to avoid paying a 50-thousand NIS fine in addition to demolition costs.  He added that he built his house in 2014 and moved in with his 3-member family. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times under the pretext of building without a permit until a demolition order was issued by the court.  It should be mentioned that the house was built from “reinforced sheets” and comprised of two rooms and their facilities.

On 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a 600-square-meter car shop belonging to Mohammed ‘Elian under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of “Israeli Lands Administration (ILA)”.

On 03 August 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 barracks belonging to ‘Eid Mohammed ‘Eid Barakat in al-Nabi Samo’eel village, northwest of East Jerusalem.  One of these barracks was used as a women’s organization.

On the same day, The Civil Administration crews along with Israeli forces demolished a residential caravan in Wad al-Dam area Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of Jerusalem owned by Izz Eddin Abu Nijmeh under the pretext of building without a permit.

 

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, 28 July 2016 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched houses. At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces arrested 7 civilians, who are students at al-Najah National University, and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as ‘Abed al-Rahman Taha al-Bishtawi (24), Mujahid Ali ‘Ashour (22), Mohamed Ameen al-Halbouny (23), Baraa Ghasan Doqan (22), Fawzi Mohamed Fawzi Bashkar (27), Abed al-Rahman Yousef al-Wadi (23), and Ihab ‘Ashour (24).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Raghd Raied Shmroukh (20), Hamdi Ma’rouf al-Atrash (25), Karm Abed Rabo (24), and Bilal al-Mi’awi (26).

 

• At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron and stationed in Khilat Sirtah area, where there was a memorial service for Mohamed al-Faqeh. Mohamed was killed on Wednesday, 27 July 2016, in Sureef village by Israeli forces. An Israeli vehicle stopped on the main street between Kharsa village and the western side of the city. At approximately 17:30, Israeli forces withdrew and no further incidents were reported.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Beit Marsam, al-Shayoukh, and Samou’a villages in Hebron.

 

Friday, 29 July 2016

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ibrahim Fawzi Yousef Abu al-Rish (30).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into northern ‘Asirah village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested So’oud Mahmoud Ghanam (30).

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bani Na’im, Tafouh, Sa’ir and al-Shayoukh villages in

 

Saturday, 30 July 2016

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Ynoun area, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fahmi Nidal al-Faroukh (23), a security service officer, and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abed al-Rahman Fadil ‘Abed al-Rahman Qasem (29) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Ahmed Diab al-Husari (17) and arrested him as well. Israeli vehicles re-stationed in al-Marah neighborhood, where Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Kifah Nazmi ‘Alawnah. In the meantime, they also raided and searched a house belonging to Thaeir Jihad Ahmed Hathnawi (33) and arrested him. In the meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs. They were then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Khalil Suliman Hospital to receive medical treatment. PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons.

 

• At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Sahour. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Shadi Jalal Othman (33) and Suhaib Ibraahim al-Shikh (24). They handed both of them summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, al-Suraa, and al-Shayoukh al-‘Aroub villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron; and Burqeen and Kaful Hares villages, north of Salfit.

 

Sunday, 31 July 2016

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Bahaa Abed al-Hamid Hamed and Abed al-Raheem Hammad. They handed Bahaa’ a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service, while they handed Abed al-Raheem’s family a similar summons because he was not home. In the meantime, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• In an excessive use of force, at approximately 14:45, Israeli forces stationed at Hawarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, killed Rami Mohamed Za’im Ali ‘Awertani (31), from the same city. The Israeli soldiers immediately shot dead the abovementioned civilian while stepping out of his private car at the checkpoint. under the pretext of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. They detained his corpse and took it to an unknown destination. It should be noted that the victim owns a barber shop on Annajah National Univserity Street and father of 3 children.

An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately 14:45, on Sunday, 31 July 2016, while I was crossing Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, in my private car, I saw an Israeli soldier running towards me. While the soldier was running, he bog down and fell into the ground.  His weapon dropped on the other side. In the meantime, I saw another Israeli soldier, who was in the checkpoint cabin, shooting a person standing in front of the cabin. As a result, the person fell on his face on the ground. The wounded person had previously stepped out of his old grey Skoda car and the driver’s car door was open, indicating he was ordered by the soldiers to step out.  I saw nothing in the wounded person’s hands, and none of the soldiers was around him. After that, I slowly walked as the soldiers freaked out following the shooting.  The distance between me and the wounded person was only 3 meters.  I saw him moving.  He was bold and waring a colourful shirt.  After knowing he is alive, I called a PRCS ambulance. Few minutes later, an Israeli military jeep arrived and 4 Israeli soldiers stepped out of which. They closed the checkpoint and I then crossed the checkpoint, heading to the city.”

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Azoun, east of Qalqilya; Bani Na’im village, Dura, Halhoul and al-Mowareq villages in Hebron.

 

Monday, 01 August 2016

 

• At approximately 00:10, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles patrolled the streets amidst firing rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs. Israeli soldiers then raided and searched houses. They also raided and searched 2 turneries belonging to Haitham Khalid Ramadan Hawtari and closed them. At approximately 05:30, they withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 40 military jeeps and 5 armored personnel carriers moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. Israeli military vehicles stationed in several areas identified as Ghunaim, Naqet Nouh, al-Shurfa, al-Namous, and Kanar villages in the center of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers then stepped out of the vehicles, patrolled the streets and searched around houses. They also raided and searched houses belonging to al-Faqeeh family and other families after locking all the family members in one room. Two hours later, Israeli forces arrested 11 civilians and released all of them on the same day. PCHR keeps the names of the arrested persons.

Dura village has witnessed repeated incursions since 02 July 2016, after the killing of an Israeli settler near “Otniel” settlement, south of Hebron. Due to this, Israeli forces arrested Mohamed ‘Amairah (34) and accused him of carrying out the attack, in cooperation with Mohamed Jibarah al-Faqeeh (29), who was killed on 28 July 2016, in Soreef village by Israeli forces.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the streets and then stationed near Bilal Mosque. They deployed between the houses, causing fear among civilians especially children. They then raided and searched houses from which they arrested 4 civilians, who were identified as Mofeed Mousa Abdul Majeed Shadidi (33), Anas Ibrahim Suliman Talahmah (31), Hitham Isma’il Isma’il al-Talahmah, and Khalid Ali Suliman Itbaish (28). They handed Khalid’s brother, Ayman (39), a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etrzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Soreef village, west of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-Jarour area. Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses, causing fear among the residents and children. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim Abed al-Hadi al-Hor (25). After that, they surrounded and opened fire at a house belonging to Ahmed Hussain Abu Farah. The Israeli soldiers asked Ahmed to surrender, so he got out of his house and surrendered. The Israeli soldiers later arrested the two above mentioned civilians and withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with officers from the General Security Service “Shabak” moved into Taqou’ village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Yazan Mohamed al-Ji’adi (20), ‘Atyia al-Hasanat (20), Abdullah Yousef al-Badan (17), and Mostafa Talib Ibrahim (18).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-‘Aaroud area. The Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among residents and children. They then raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Azam Izaat Sha’ban Shalaldah (59) and Diab Isaa Tarwah (29) and later withdrew. No arrests were reported. Furthermore, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Diyaa Isaa Mousa Tarwah (29) and arrested him. At approximately 04:00, the Israeli forces withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qablan, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then raided and searched houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Remah ‘Omran ‘Aqra’ (27) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Rujeeb village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and arrested Ali Hani Rwadjbah (25).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Madama village, southeast of Nablus. The Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then raided 3 houses belonging to Jebril Ziyadah “Abu Ramzy”. They questioned his two sons Ramzy and Akram and Nizar Ziyadah along with all the family members.  They also questioned Fawzi Ziyadah and handed his son, Anas, a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service. At approximately 04:30, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 04:30, an Israeli infantry unit accompanied with sniffer dogs moved into East Barta’a villages, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sufian Abdul Latif Mahmoud Mar’I (32) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Kamal Abdul Qadir Hussain Qabha “al-Wahsh” (39) and arrested him. In the meantime, another Israeli force accompanied with military vehicles moved into the village, patrolled the area and later withdrew.

 

• At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus and stationed on al-Ta’awon Street, south of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahyoub Haroun Qanazi’ (30), a Preventive Secuirty officer, and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Yunis shore, south of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. No casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 08:30, Mekorot – Israel National Water Company, along with Israeli forces and 2 bulldozers, leveled a 150-meter fence of a 45- dunum farm belonging to Ahmed Hasan Ahmed al-‘Absi, in al-Aghwar area. Ahmed losses were estimated at around 35,000 to 40,000 NIS. Mekorot Company justified that this happened to check the pipes supplying “Hamrah” settlement with water near the farm fence.

 

• At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-‘Arqah village, west of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Izz al-Deen Jamil Mohamed Saleh (27) and arrested him.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Kahel, Ethna, and Yatta villages; and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

 

Tuesday, 02 August 2016

 

• In the dawn, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anbta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohamed Abu ‘Asal (34) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-‘Adisah area. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Mos’ab Izaat Shalaldah (30) and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Abyiat area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abu Jaghlif and arrested his son, Bader (20).

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Najajrah and arrested his son, ‘Abed al-Haleem (22).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Loqiya village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Najeeb Ahmed Mafarjah (31), a former prisoner, and arrested him.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Nizam village, 20 kilo meters away from the north-western side of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Mohamed al-Khatib and arrested him. During the incursion, clashes erupted between Palestinian young men, who threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces protecting Israeli settlers while storming Joseph’s Tomb, east of Nablus , fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians, who threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets, while other civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. The wounded persons were identified as Ahmed Mazen Sa’ed (17), who was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face, and Mohamed Kamal Shaheen (27), who was hit with rubber-coated metal bullets at the abdomen and thighs.

 

• At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Ayman Ali Etbish (37), from Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. Ayman was arrested after heading to the Israeli Intelligence Service office upon a summons previously sent to him.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Salfit and Kaful Hares village, north of the city; Beit Olah, Tafouh, Yatta and Dura villages in Hebron.

 

Wednesday, 03 August 2016

 

• At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain Qinia village, which around 7 kilo meters away from Ramallah, and arrested Dirar Hatim Rashid Ma’rouf (18). They withdrew at approximately 01:00, taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Malek Ahmed Abdul Qadir ‘Obaid (27) and arrested his brother, Majdi (41), his sister, Maha (45), his nephew, Majed (22), and his mother, Wafiqah Dawoud Abdul Hamid ‘Obaid (60), in order to force him to surrender. It should be mentioned that Malek was not home at that time. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers beat Malek’s brother, Majed (50), so he was taken to Thabit Thabit Hospital to receive medical treatment. Israeli forces took the 4 civilians to the Israeli military Liaison (D.C.O).  However, they were all released on the same day morning.

 

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military jeeps and police cars moved into Kafur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses and arrested Ahmed Ali Abu Naser, a leader in Islamic Jihad Movement.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amr Hasan al-Rimawi, after bursting the house door and damaging its content. They arrested ‘Amr and later withdrew.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the city streets and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers then deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. The Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Hamza Fayyad al-Atrash (19) and arrested him.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Kafur Thulth village, east of Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Zuhair Barakat ‘Odah (54), father of Mohamed al-Faqeeh’s wife. It should be noted that Mohamed al-Faqeeh was killed in an armed clash on 27 July 2016, in Hebron. Israeli soldiers attacked Zuhair ‘Odah in the house yard, so he immediately fainted. They also prevented Zuhair family from calling an ambulance and confiscated their cell phones. Furthermore, they raided and searched a house belonging to Hadeel al-Faqeeh, daughter of Mohamed al-Faqeeh, and attempted to arrest her although she is pregnant. While taking her out of the house, Hadeel fainted. As a result, the soldiers decided not to arrest her, while her grandfather, Zuhair ‘Odah, who suffers from many heath problems, was taken to Musalam Hospital in Ramallah.

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. They raided and searched houses and arrested Abed al-Fatah “Ahmed al-Bana” Abed al-Fatah ‘Asida (24).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Samou’a village, south of Hebron. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village streets, patrolled the area and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed ‘Ataa al-Daghamin (26) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village streets, patrolled the area and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses causing fear among civilians, especially children. Moreover, they raided and searched a house belonging to Emad Badir Mahmoud Khalil and arrested his son, Hamza (16).

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. They raided and searched a house belonging to Iyaad Abed al-Rahman Suliman Abu al-Rub (36) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-Far’a camp, southeast of Tubas village. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village street. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, two civilians were wounded and then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Turkish Tubas Hospital, where medical sources classified their wounds as moderate and minor. The wounded persons were identified as:

 

1- Hamza Mousa ‘Alian (28) sustained shrapnel wounds under his left knee, and

• Basam Basem Shawaish (22) was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh.

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beir Basha village, south of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. In the meantime, they raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Odai Taysir Mousa Ghawadra (19). They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They patrolled the area for few hours before redeploying along the fence.

 

• At approximately 14:00, a group of civilians and journalists gathered near “Ofer” prison, west of Ramallah, in solidarity with the prisoner, Bilal Kaid, who was arrested in the Israeli jails and is on hunger strike. Clashes erupted between the young men and Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. No casualties were reported. Israeli forces detained the journalist, Shadi Hatem, a photographer at Raya Media Network, and released him two hours later.

 

• At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased and 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.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles off Deir al-Balah shore. 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: Dura, Qalqas, Yatta, Beit ‘Awaa, al-Moreq and Tarqumiya villages in Hebron.

 

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

 

West Bank:

 

• Following the Friday prayer, on 29 July 2016, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in villages, west of Ramallah. They commemorated the 1^st anniversary of burning al-Dawabsha famil by Israeli settlers in Duma village, southeast of Nablus. They raised posters and photos of Ali al-Dawabsha, his father, Sa’ed and his mother, Riham. Israeli soldiers used force to disperse the protesters and arrested Hamza Ghazi Saleh al-Khatib (16) and solidarity activist Anat Lif.

 

• At approximately 13:30 on the same day, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and no more incidents were reported.

 

• Gaza Strip:

 

• At approximately 15:00, on Friday, 29 July 2016, dozens of Palestinian young men headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Burij refugee camp, in the centre of the Gaza Strip. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers them fired live bullets and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, Samah Mohamed ‘Oda al-Na’ami (38) sustained a superficial bullet wound to the left shoulder, while Mohamed Mohamed Khalil al-‘Aisawi (22) was hit with a live bullet to the right leg and he was then taken to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where his wounds were classified as moderate. Al-Na’ami said to PCHR that,” At approximately 18:30, on Friday, 29 July 2016, I was heading to a plot of land belonging to my husband’s family, along with my sister Wafaa (22) and my brother Ahmed (26). The plot of land located 300 meters away from the border fence, northeast of al-Maghazi refugee camp. While we were walking on the street adjacent to the fence, there was a number of young men gathering near the fence and throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers opened fire at them. In the meantime, I felt pain in my left shoulder, so I reclined on my brother Ahmed and then recognized that I was wounded. A PRCS ambulance arrived and took me to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where medical sources classified my wounds as moderate.”

 Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations. Rubber-coated 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 light-weighted 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

 

Date	Imports
	Category	Amount
		Tons	Number	Liters
26 July	Various goods	3932,6
	Humanitarian aid	19232
	Cooking gas	281.800
	Benzene			184,015
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			1,150,987 76,000
	Industrial fuel			113,982
	Construction aggregates	13840
	Cement	3360
	Construction steel	360
27 July	Various goods	4165
	Humanitarian aid	18470
	Cooking gas	282.210
	Benzene			184,002
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			590,008 76,000
	Industrial fuel			377,024
	Construction aggregates	12960
	Cement	3600
	Construction steel	660
28 July	Various goods	5317
	Humanitarian aid	16629
	Cooking gas	274.900
	Benzene			37,994
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			479,021 76,017
	Industrial fuel			341,944
	Construction aggregates	12000
	Cement	3440
	Construction steel	510
31 July	Various goods	2960
	Humanitarian aid	18445
	Cooking gas	281,840
	Benzene			70,007
	Diesel			250,973
	Industrial fuel			411,996
	Construction aggregates	13960
	Cement	3520
	Construction steel	595

 Exportations:

• On Tuesday, 26 July 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 1.3 tons of squash, 6 tons of sweet potatoes and 57 tons of tomatoes, 9 tons of cucumbers and 0.4 tons of eggplants.
• On Wednesday, 27 July 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 75 tons of iron scrap.
• On Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 38 tons of tomatoes, 0.8 tons of eggplant, 9 tons of cucumbers, 1.2 tons of sweet potatoes and 7 tons of clothes.
• On Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of a truckload of eggplants and 5 truckloads of vegetables.

  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”) crossing27 July – 02 August 2016

Category	27 July	28 June	29 June	30 July	31 July	01 August	02 August
Patients	63	56	1	–	89	56	80
Companions	64	57	1	–	88	53	75
Personal needs	118	104	30	–	68	53	75
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	6	–
Arabs from Israel	20	14	4	–	39	19	6
Diplomats	10	8	–	–	–	6	2
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	60	51	6	–	9	24	26
Travelers Abroad	2	–	–	–	2	5	46
Business people	270	332	4	2	418	301	263
Business meetings	–	5	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	21	7	–	–	1	8	8
VIPs	3	–	–	–	–	2	–
Ambulances to Israel	4	2	–	–	6	4	1
Patients’ Companions	4	3	–	–	6	4	1

 Notes: 

• On Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli authorities allowed 244 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• On Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces allowed a person working in the Civil Affairs Department to attend a meeting at the crossing.

 

Israeli Forces Prevent and Blackmail Footballers from travelling via Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) Crossing, north of the Gaza Strip:

 

• On Wednesday, 27 July 2016, Israeli forces prevented seven Palestinian footballers and members from Khan Yunis Youth Club from travelling via Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, to Hebron in the West Bank as they were supposed to play the final Palestine Cup match against Ahli al-Khalil Club on 30 of July 2016. According to footballers’ statements to a PCHR’s fieldworker, following the decision of the Palestine Football Federation to hold the final Palestine Cup match against  Ahli al-Khalil club in al-Husain playground in Hebron on Saturday, 30 July 2016, after the first match that was held on 26 July 2016 in Gaza, the  Khan Yunis Club coordinated with the Palestine Football Federation to obtain permits from the Israeli auhtorities to allow the Khan Yunis Youth Club to enter HebronHebron via  Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing in order to hold the final match on the above-mentioned  After submitting to obtain permits for 34 footballers, club members and others, the Israeli forces did not issue permits for six persons, including three members of the club namely Husain al-Batrawi, Mohammed Abu Mousa, Ibrahim Salamah, Khalid Saqer, Nasser Awad  and Taha Kullab. Moreover, the Israeli forces issued permits to 8 members (5 players and 3 members of the club). The Israeli forces also conditioned making interviews with the 18 other members and players before giving them permits. Due to this, on Wednesday, 27 July 2016, 26 persons went to Beit Hanoun crossing where the Israeli forces searched them, took their ID cards and forced them to wait in a hall in the crossing. They then individually interrogated them and blackmailed some of them to get some information about some resistance acts in their places of residence.

At approximately 00:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces allowed 18 persons (11 players and 7 members of the club) to enter via the above-mentioned crossing, while prevented 8 of whom and forced them to return to the Gaza Strip. However, Mohammed al-Qarm, member of club, who was allowed to enter via the crossing, decided to return in solidarity with his colleagues who were forced to return to Gaza.

On Monday, 01 August 2016, the abovementioned persons were able to travel after Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) intervened after a statement from the Palestine Football Federation. The match was held on that day.

 

Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:

 

• Ramallah and al-Birah:

On 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established (3) checkpoints in Ramallah villages, including, al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, Ein Yabrud village, northeast of Ramallah, the entrance to Deir Abu Mesh’al village and the crossroad of al-Taibah  village ( the road that link between Ramallah and Jericho). The aim of these checkpoints was to search the cars and check the civilians ID cards.

 

• Hebron: Israeli forces established (15) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to al-al-Nabi Yunis, Tarama and Ethna villages.

On Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the eastern entrances to Surif, Beit Ommar villages and al-Aroub refugee camp.

On Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora village and the southern entrance to Halhoul.

On Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Kharsah and Tarama villages.

On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir and the northern entrance to Halhoul villages.

On 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ommar, Sa’ir villages and the northern entrance to Halhoul.

On 02August 2016 Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Dora and al-Thaheriyah villages.

 

Israeli forces continue to close the western entrance to al-Shuhada’ street in the center of Hebron leading to Tal al-Ramidah and prevented civilians who are not residents of the city from entering the abovementioned area, claiming that it is within the closed military zone declared on 09 July 2016. While the Israeli soldiers are protecting settlers, who cause fear among the residents due to their attack, the Israeli settlers attacked Abu Shamsah family under the leadership of the extremist female settler Anat Cohen. A PCHR’s fieldworker then went to Hebron to document the incident, but when he arrived, the soldiers prevented him for passing through the checkpoint established at al-Shuhada’  street. Although the fieldworker showed the soldiers his ID card and explained the nature of his work, they refused to allow him to enter, as well as Mousa Abu Hashahash, B’Tselem’s fieldworker and Hisham al-Sharbati, al-Haq fieldworker.  It should be mentioned that the residents of the area complain about the Israeli soldiers’ and settlers’ harassments as well as preventing human rights organizations from entering the area to publish their complaints.

 

• Qalqiliyah: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 18:55 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqiliyah. At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of the city.

At approximately 18:50, on Saturday, 30 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Bab al-Hatab village, east of Qalqiliyah. At approximately 19:35, they established a similar checkpoint under the bridge of Azoun village at the bypass road that links between Qalqiliyah and Tulkarm.

At approximately 12:10 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Ezbet al-Taieb village, east of Qalqiliyah. The soldiers checked the civilians ID cards and searched the cars.

 

• Salfit

Israeli forces established (3) checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 21:15 on Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Eskakah village, west of Salfit.

At approximately 15:40 on Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Deir Balout village, west of Salfit.

At approximately 0:30 on the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance to Kafer al-Deek village, west of Salfit.

 

Arrests at military checkpoints

 

• At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Sadeq Abu Mariyah (16) from Asidah area in Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, when he was on his way to his house from the village mosque. Mohammed Awad, member of the Popular Committee in the village said that the Israeli soldiers arrested Mohammed the moment he arrived to the village and took him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 29 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Za’atarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mahmoud Yusuf al-Wadi (34) from Nablus. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the Israeli soldiers stopped the vehicle that Mohammed was in it and checked the passengers ID cards and then arrested Mohammed.

 

• At approximately 16:30 on Monday, 01 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the German neighborhood, east of Jenin. They then arrested Abdul Halim Nazih Abdul Halim Yasin (37) from Deir Abu Da’if village, southeast of Jenin, when he was passing via the abovementioned checkpoint.

 

• At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Hadad Tourism village, southeast of Jenin. The soldiers stopped the cars and checked the civilians ID cards. When Amro Hamzah Omer Kamil (27) from Qabatiyah village, south of Jenin, was driving his tractor via the checkpoint, the soldiers stopped him, kicked him, arrested him and then confiscated his tractor.

 

• At approximately 22:45, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Sanagal village, northeast of Ramallah, and then arrested Mohammed Zohair Mohammed Khalil form Jaljuliya.

 

3. Efforts to Create Jewish majority

 Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it: Arrests and Incursions:

 

• At approximately 04:30 on Thursday, 28 July 2016, Israeli forces moved into Wadi Qadoum neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses belonging to al-Razem family in the neighbourhood. They then arrested Kazem Mahdi al-Razem (21) and Ramzi Mohammed al-Razem (19).

 

• At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 guards of al-Aqsa mosque and summoned an employee from the Reconstruction Committee of the Islamic Endowments (Awqaf) Department because they prevented Israeli settlers from raiding al-Aqsa mosque.

An eyewitness said that Israeli forces arrested Hamzah al-Nabali (27) and Hamzah al-Desi (31) and summoned Raed Zughair, an employee in the Reconstruction Committee and, and Feras al-Debs, Head of Media and Public Relation Department in the Islamic Endowments (Awqaf). Dozens of worshipers and guards of al-Aqsa mosque prevented 4 settlers from raiding the mosque from al-Magharbah Gate along with a group of tourists. The settlers then attacked the worshippers. The mosque guards intervened, but the settlers cursed and pushed them.

 

• At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 31 July 2016, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ismail al-Abasi. They then arrested his son Mohammed (19).

 

• At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, north of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 4 civilians namely Abdullah Nasser ‘Alqam (47), Ramzi Mohammed Ali (23), Loai ‘Adarbah (22) and Tawfiq Mustafa al-Farhah (26).

 

• At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 03 August 2016, Israeli forces moved into several houses in Silwan village, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 4 civilians, including two children and took them to Salah Eden Street police station. The arrested civilians were identified as Montaser Nidal Abu Nab (14), Majdi Mustafa Abu Nab (17), Mohammed Mattar (19) and Sabri Abdul Hafiz Ibrahim (21).

 

• An hour later, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children. The arrested civilians were identified as Saif al-Din Maher Abu Jum’ah (21) and his brother Amir (18), Kamal Mohammed Alami (20)and Yusuf Essa Abu Jum’ah (17).

 

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces arrested engineer Bassam al-Halaq, Head of the Reconstruction Committee Projects in al-Aqsa mosque, and Essa Salhab, a supervisor and two other employees namely Saed Abu Sunainah and Bahaa’ Abu Sbaih. They took them to a police centre near the Chain Gate in the Old City in East Jerusalem.

 

It should be mentioned that the Israeli police escalated its attacks against the Islamic Endowments (Waqf) Department and its employees because they have done some repairs and maintenances inside the mosque. The Israeli forces arrested and summoned 15 workers and guards since the end of lastJune in addition to the obstacles they impose on the repairs in the mosque; the last of which was preventing the restoration of water pipeline near the platform of Burhan Eddin.

 

In the same context, dozens of Israeli settlers protected by the Israeli forces and Special Forces raided al-Aqsa mosque yards from al-Magharbah Gate. Eyewitnesses said that three settlers sat on the ground and began performing their rituals inside the mosque, but the Israeli police moved them out of the mosque after al-Aqsa Mosque guards pressurized them to.

 

House demolitions and demolition notices:

 

• On Friday, 29 July 2016, Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality which would also confiscate the contents.

Kiswani explained that the court ordered him to close the coffee shop and gave him until the beginning of August to execute the order or they will close it and confiscate its contents. He added that the 180-square-meter coffee shop was built many years ago. Part of it is built from stones and the other is a “barracks”; three families lived off the coffee shop.

 

• At approximately 14:00 on Sunday 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the Old City in East Jerusalem according to the decision of Israeli municipality court to avoid paying a demolition fine of NIS 50,000 for the demolition to the Israeli municipality. Walid added that his house, which is built of tin plates and has two rooms, was built in 2014 and moved-in with his 3-member. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times until a demolition order was issued. Shweiki added that his house is built from “reinforced sheets” and it consisted of two rooms and their facilities.

 

• At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a car shop belonging to Mohammed Aliyan under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of ILA.

Mohammed said to a PCHR’s fieldworker that the municipality crews raided the shop without his presence at 04:00 and surrounded the place. They then demolished it, confiscated some contents and levelled the land without a prior warning. Mohammed also said that the 600-square-meter shop made of wood and has has a 30-square meters room (bus on wheels) which does not need any permits according to the Israeli law. Mohammed Alayan added that the dealership has been established for a year and a half and 6 individuals live off it. He had submitted the required documents to obtain a license.

He also said that the municipality confiscated a car and an air condition during the demolishing process. Mohammed estimated that the losses are about NIS 320, 000.

It should be mentioned that the municipality crew left a banner in the land saying: “State of Israel- Israeli Lands Department- No Entrance- Violations are on your own responsibility”.

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 03 August 2016, Israeli municipality crews demolished three livestock barracks in al-Nabi Samuel village, northwest of East Jerusalem and one of them was used for a women’s organization.

Mohammed Eid Barakat, owner of the barrack said to a PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli forces surrounded the place and began demolishing three livestock barracks with an area of 220 square meters. One of these barracks was used as a women’s organization while the other for storing agricultural equipment.  Both were established in 2011. As for the third barrack, which was used for raising sheep, was established before 1967.

Mohammed also said that the Israeli forces prevented him from approaching the place or taking the organization’s contents out of the barrack. He also mentioned that he legally follows the barracks case in the Israeli court, so no demolition order or even a warning was issued against him.

 

• At approximately 12:00, Israeli municipality crews demolished a residential caravan belonging to Izz al-Din Abu Nejmah in Wad al-Dam in Beit Hanenah neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a licence.

Abu Nejmah said that the Israeli bulldozers demolished the caravan which is about 40 square meters where he, his wife and two of his children live.

Abu Nejmah also said that the caravan was established in 2014 and since then; he has been trying to obtain a building permit. He lately added wheels to the caravan as the Israeli law stipulate that any facility on wheels does not require a building permit.

Abu Nejmah added that “despite that the caravan was on wheels, the municipality bulldozers demolished it without a prior warrant”.

 

 

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 51-day 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 self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
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 EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;

 

 

 

 

 

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Public Document

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