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

(01 – 07 December 2016)

 

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
• A Palestinian civilian was wounded in the east of Gaza City, while another was wounded in the east of Bethlehem.

 

• Israeli forces conducted 49 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 ones in occupied Jerusalem.
• 51 civilians, including 4 children, were arrested.
• Sixteen of them, including 2 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

 

• Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.
• 6 fishermen were arrested in the northern Gaza Strip and a fishing boat was confiscated.

 

• Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Israeli forces forced two brothers to self-demolish their houses in Silwan

 

• Settlement activities continued in the West Bank.
• Israeli forces demolished 3 dwellings in Fasayel village, north of Jericho, rendering 21 individuals homeless, including 12 children.
• Israeli forces stopped paving an agricultural road in Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus.
• Settlers levelled 40 dunums, southeast of Nablus, to expand the borders of “Yesh Kodish” outpost.

 

• 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 2 children, were arrested at military checkpoints.
• A trader was arrested at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.

  Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (01 – 07 December 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 wounded 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza strip.

 

In the West Bank, Israeli forces stationed at Mazmouriyah checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, opened fire at worker Mousa Dababsah (28) from Yata, south of Hebron when he was on his way to his workplace in occupied Jerusalem.  as a result, he was wounded with a bullet to the left foot.

 

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 01 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis Shore in the southern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats within the allowed fishing area.

 

On 04 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  They surrounded a fishing boat manned by two brother namely Shafiq (27) and Sa’adi al-Sultan.  The Israeli soldiers ordered them to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat.  They were then arrested and taken to an unknown destination.  Meanwhile, the boat and fishing net were confiscated.  On 06 December 2016, in a similar attack, Israeli forces arrested 4 fishermen and confiscated their boat.  The four fishermen were identified as Majed Baker (55); his son ‘Omran (32); Mohammed Baker (31) and Khalil (26).

 

On 05 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore in the southern Gaza Strip opened fire at fishing boats sailing in the sea in the morning and afternoon.  However, no casualties were reported.

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 49 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 51 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children. Sixteen of them, including 2 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

 

Creating Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

 

In the context of house demolitions, on 03 December 2016, Israeli forces forced two brothers namely Sa’id and Naser al-‘Abbasi to self-demolish their houses in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, upon a decision by the Israeli Municipality Court under the pretext of building on a “Greenland”.  The two aforementioned civilians built their houses two and a half years ago on an area of 300 square meters and intended to live in them with their families, comprised of 12 members; half of them are children.

 

Settlement activities and settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property:

 

On 04 December 2016, Israeli forces prevented paving a 500-meter agircutural road in the eastern side of Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus.  The rehabilitation is part of a rehabilitation of agricultural roads project in the areas near settlements.  The project is funded by the Italian Civil Volunteer Group (GVC) in cooperation with the international French Relief.

 

On 06 December 2016, Israeli forces demolished 3 dwellings in Central Fasayel village, north of Jericho, rendering 21 individuals homeless, including 12 children.

 

In the same context, on 06 December 2016, settlers from “Yesh Kodish” outpost established oon Palestinian lands, southeast of Nablus, levelled an agricultural land belonging to heirs of late Ahmed Naser Haj Mohammed to expand the borders of the aforementioned outpost.  The 40-dunum land is located in the eastern side of Jaloud village,

 

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 2 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 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons.  Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians.

 

 

Details

 

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

 Thursday, 01 December 2016 

• At approximately 02:40, Israeli forces moved into Azoun ‘Etmah village, southeast of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched 4 houses after which they arrested 5 civilians and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Fahed Ali Saleh Fawzi al-Sheikh (30), Mahdi Saleh Fawzi al-Sheikh (34), Alaa’ Ismail al-Sheikh (28) and the two brothers Anas (23) and Abed Jaser Othman Essa (23). Israeli forces claimed that the abovementioned civilians were arrested on grounds of smuggling Palestinian workers to work in Israel via their personal cars.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bassam Badawi Ekhleil (52) after locking the 10-member family in one room. Later, Israeli forces withdrew from the village, but no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed at “Mazmuria” checkpoint adjacent to al-Khas and al-Nu’man villages, east of Bethlehem, opened fire at Mousa Mohammed Dababsah (28) from Yatta, south of Hebron, while going to his work in Jerusalem. As a result, he sustained a live bullet wound to the left foot. Mohammed Awad, Director of Emergency Medical Services in PRCS, said that Mousa was hit with a live bullet to the left foot. He added that the Israeli forces handed him to the PRCS ambulance at the checkpoint, where he received first aid and then transferred to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital to receive medical treatment. His medical condition was classified as stable.

 

• At approximately 19:30, 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, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded, so no casualties were reported.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Surif, Sa’ir an al-Thaheriyah villages in Hebron.

 

Friday, 02 December 2016

 

• In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Malek Maher Hamed (18), Taher Akram Hamed (18) and Muhanad Abdul Halim Shabrawi (17) and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses and then handed summonses to 2 civilians in order to refer to the Israeli Intelligence in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem. The abovementioned civilians were identified as Omer Ahmed Ayad Awad (32) and Mohammed Muhsem al-Za’aqiq (40). They also raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Ali Aqel Ekhleil. They later withdrew from the village, and no arrests were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Rumanah village, west of Jenin; Ethna and Deir al-‘Asal villages and al-Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

 

Saturday, 03 December 2016

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jaber Abdul Karim (55). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sa’ir and Kurmah villages in Hebron and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.

 

Sunday, 04 December 2016

 

• In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’ah al-Qebliyah village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Mo’men Mohammed Shraiteh (18) and Ali Sufian Buyoud (18) and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fathi Zuhdi Muhfouz (19) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 11:00, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Three Israeli large gunboats surrounded a fishing boat belonging to Tawfiq Mustafa Ahmed al-Sultan (41). The boat was manned by the aforementioned civilian’s brothers; Shafiq (27) and Sa’di (31), form al-Salatin neighbourhood. They were sailing within 800 meters offshore. The navy soldiers ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat. They arrested the fishermen and confiscated their boat and 10 pieces of fishing net.
• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Eskaka village, east of Salfit, al-Samou’ and Bani Na’im villages in Hebron and Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah .

 

Monday, 05 December 2016

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saher Nafeth Thawabtah (24) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jales Mount area, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Atiyah al- Zaru al-Tamimi (42) and his son Kefah (20).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiya village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Loa’y Zayan Zakarnah (18), Mousa Abdul Salam Kamil (21) and Mahmud Abu Ein Abu al-Rub (20). At approximately 05:30, they withdrew taking them to an unknown destination

 

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats and chased them. At approximately 17:00, the shooting recurred. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded, so no casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Netham village, northwest of Ramallah. The soldiers fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at school students and other civilians. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation. It should be noted that the Israeli forces have imposed a closure for two weeks at the entrances to the village and used cement cubes to close them. This was due to the fire broke out in “Halamish” settlement established on the lands of Deir Netham and al-Nabi Saleh villages.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Rummanah village, west of Jenin; Sa’ir village and al-Aroub refugee camp in Hebron and Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah.

 

Tuesday, 06 December 2016

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested 4 civilians. The arrested civilians were identified as Sai’d Nabil Dweikat (30), Mohammed Mazen Duiekat (22), ‘Ahed Surhan Duilekat (25) and Muntaser Talal Duiekat (23).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheisheh refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Emad Raqban (24) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Abu Baker (26) and then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services. At approximately 02:30, they withdrew from the village and no arrests were reported.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Dura, south of Hebron, and stationed in Karisah neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rezeq Jubran al-Rajoub (60) and arrested him. It should be noted that the abovementioned civilian was released only a week ago after serving a 23-month administrative detention.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces move into Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Saleh al-Kurdi (18) and then arrested him.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Jeldah neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Basel Ali Sukafi (30) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rajeh Mahmud Abu ‘Ajamiyah (45) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Surrah village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and then stationed at the village entrance leading to al-Thaheriyah village. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’id Saqer al-Sha’rawi (43), a Palestinian police officer. They then arrested the aforementioned civilian and his son Ramadan (23) and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 17:30, Israeli forces move into al-Shurfah area in Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Khader Sabbah (12) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The gunboats surrounded a fishing boat sailing within 4 nautical miles. It was manned by Majed Fadel Hasan Baker (55); his son ‘Omran (32); Mohammed Ziyad Hasan Baker (31) and Khalil Jawhar Khalil Baker (26), all of them are from al-Shati’ refugee camp. The soldiers ordered the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat. The soldiers arrested them and confiscated their boat and fishing nets.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sa’ir, Beit Ummer and Karza villages in Hebron.

 

Wednesday, 07 December 2016

 

• At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Jala. They raided and searched a house belonging to Amir Khalil ‘Afanah (19) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Sebastia village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched houses belonging to Mo’men Nadi ‘Azem (25), Ahmed Jamal ‘Azem (25) and Luqman Ahmed Mohammed al-Sha’er (23). They handed them summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali Rashed Redwan (24) and then arrested him.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested Mohammed Maher al-Sheikh (20), Mahmud Ahmed al-Sheikh (22) and Mohammed Ahmed al-Sheikh (21).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed on al-Saf Street in the central city. They raided and searched a house belonging to former prisoner Saleh Walid al-Harimi (20). They then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.

 

• Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Ethna and al-Shyoukh villages in Hebron and Tal village in Nablus.

 

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

 

West Bank:

 

• Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 02 December 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and houses.  As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. At approximately 15:15 on Saturday, 03 December 2016, a similar demonstration was organized in Kafer Qadoum village, but no arrests were reported.

 

Gaza Strip:

 

• At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 02 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya, east of Gaza City, fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian young men, who were on their way to Nahal ‘Oz area, east of al-Shuja’iya, participating in activities held in solidarity with Jerusalem. As a result, Talal Nabil Ali Abu Namous (19) sustained a live bullet wound to the head. Moreover, due to the continuous shooting, civilians, who were in the area, were not able to transfer the wounded civilian and he was left bleeding. After half an hour, a PRCS ambulance transferred him to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza to receive medical treatment. Medical sources classified his condition as moderate.

 

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

(20 – 26 November 2016)

 

Note: the table is not available for technical problems and will be published next week.

 

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.

 

Category	16November	17 November	18 November	19 November	20 November	21 November	22 November
Patients	54	38	4	–	88	54	76
Companions	50	36	3	–	77	54	69
Personal needs	34	72	14	–	43	61	47
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	80	–
Arabs from Israel	6	6	11	–	5	7	4
Diplomats	4	5	–	–	–	–	12
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	29	85	11	–	15	19	28
Travelers Abroad	–	2	–	–	4	1	65
Business people	198	239	6	1	311	180	161
Business meetings	1	–	–	–	–	1	–
Security interviews	6	6	–	–	6	5	1
VIPs	–	1	1	–	1	2	–
Ambulances to Israel	2	6	1	–	5	2	2
Patients’ Companions	2	6	1	–	5	2	2

 

Category	23 November	24 November	25 November	26 November	27 November	28 November	29 November
Patients	55	30	1	–	78	54	62
Companions	51	25	2	–	72	44	58
Personal needs	60	69	150	–	45	31	17
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	8	–
Arabs from Israel	5	13	7	–	3	4	13
Diplomats	10	4	–	–	–	3	7
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	48	52	15	–	6	13	40
Travelers Abroad	–	–	–	–	3	–	86
Business people	148	168	3	–	294	211	173
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	5	6	–	–	9	9	9
VIPs	2	–	–	–	–	1	–
Ambulances to Israel	7	4	4	–	3	4	4
Patients’ Companions	7	2	4	–	3	2	4

 

Category	30 November	01 December	02 December	03 December	04 December	05 December	06 December
Patients	49	33	1	–	61	61	53
Companions	47	30	2	–	51	58	48
Personal needs	37	26	15	–	50	38	24
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	73	–
Arabs from Israel	5	8	13	–	12	12	6
Diplomats	–	6	–	–	–	2	2
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	58	90	16	–	16	21	37
Travelers Abroad	–	–	1	–	–	–	73
Business people	190	188	2	–	314	225	201
Business meetings	1	–	–	–	–	1	–
Security interviews	7	12	–	–	7	11	7
VIPs	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Ambulances to Israel	6	4	3	–	–	2	3
Patients’ Companions	6	4	3	–	–	2	3

Notes: 

• On Friday, 18 November 2016, Israeli forces allowed 230 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. On Friday, 25 November 2016, they allowed 180 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. On Friday, 02 December 2016, they allowed 213 persons from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
• On Monday, 28 November 2016, Israeli forces allowed 16 officers working in the Civil Affairs Department to attend a meeting at the crossing.
• On Monday 28 November 2016, Israeli forces allowed a person to attend a meeting at the Agriculture Office.
• On Tuesday, 29 November 2016, Israeli forces allowed 7 persons to renew their permits, while on Sunday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces allowed one person working in an international organization to travel via the crossing.

 

Israeli Forces Arrest Trader at Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing

 

• At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, arrested Hisham Yunis Hasan Abu Zayid (52), from al-Zawiyda village, while returning to the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces detained and questioned him for 6 hours. It should be noted that Abu Zayid works at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and is a member in al-Zaytouna al-Mubaraka Company. Moreover, he usually goes to the West Bank to bring spare parts to olive presses according to a testimony given by his brother Mohammed (49) to PCHR’s fieldworker.

 

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 (14) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 01 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Sa’ir village, east of the city; and at the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp, south of the city.

On Friday, 02 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Hebron; at al-Fahs area; and at the northern entrance to Yatta village.

On Saturday, 03 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 similar checkpoints at the entrances to Tarama and Beit ‘Awaa villages.

On Sunday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Beit Ummer village; and at the northern entrance to Halhoul village (al-Nabi Yunis).

On Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 similar checkpoints at the entrances to Bani Na’iem and Beit ‘Aynoun villages; and at the southern entrance to Hebron.

On Tuesday, 06 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Kharsa and Beit Kahel villages.

 

• Ramallah and al-Bireh: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.

On Thursday, 01 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to Beteen village, east of Ramallah; at the intersection of al-Taibah village (between Ramallah and Jericho); and between Ras Karkar and Deir Buzigh villages, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 19:00 on the same day, Israeli forces established 2 similar checkpoints at the entrances to Termas’iya and al-Taiba villages, north and east of the city.

 

• Qalqiliyah: Israeli forces established (7) checkpoints all over the city.

 

On Thursday, 01 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints between ‘Izbit Salman and ‘Izbit Jal’oud, south of Qalqilyia; at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of the city; and at the eastern entrance to Qalqilyia.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 03 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between ‘Azoun and ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb villages, east of Qalqilyia. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint between Jayyous and ‘Azoun villages, east of the city.

At approximately 20:25 on Monday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliya. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint between ‘Azoun and Jayyous villages, northeast of the city.

 

• Salfit:

At approximately 20:20 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Balout village, while at approximately 00:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance to Rafaat village, west of Salfit.

 

Arrests at military checkpoints:

 

• At approximately 14:25 on Saturday, 03 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Qarawet Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit. They searched the civilian vehicles and checked the passengers’ IDs. In the meantime, they arrested Osaid ‘Allam Mar’i (22) and questioned him. It should be noted that Osaid is a university student and lives in the abovementioned village.

 

• At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karama crossing arrested Yaseen Abed al-Hakeem Hamed (27), from Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. Yaseen was arrested while returning from Jordan to his house in Ramllah.

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli Border Guard officers stationed around al-Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron’s Old City arrested a fieldworker in Hebron reconstruction committee, Hasan Ahmed Mohamed Salameen, from Samou’a village, south of the city. Hasan was arrested while he was taking a photo of digging works carried out by Israeli authorities in a road leading to al-Ibrahimi mosque. He was then taken to “Ja’bara” police station, east of the city, claiming that he was present in a closed military zone.

 

• At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces arrested Rami Ghazi Yunis Shawamrah (26), from al-Hadab area, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. Rami was arrested while going to work in Israel near al-Ramadeen village, south of Hebron.

 

• At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 06 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed in front of al-Sawiya school located on Ramallah-Nablus road arrested Ibrahim ‘Odah Mohamed al-Deek (11) and ‘Arif Ghasan Khalil (11). The arrested persons were taken to “Hakron” camp, near “Shilo” settlement, north of Ramallah. Israeli forces claimed that Israeli soldiers stationed in the area were exposed to stone throwing by students getting out of the school.

 

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 00:30 on Thursday, 01 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Ram village, south of Occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fadel Ali al-Rajbi (39) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Surbaher village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a PLC member, Ahmed ‘Atwan, and another house belonging his brother Mohamed. Israeli forces arrested Mohamed Ahmed ‘Atoun (16) and Mhamoud Mohamed ‘Atoun (19) and then withdrew.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu Dees village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamza ‘Emad ‘Ayiad (19) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Sweih neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Jihad al-Za’tari (19) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 02 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Sho’fat camp checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, arrested Murad Sarandah (26) while crossing the checkpoint.

 

• At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aiswiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses after which they handed 4 persons summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service. The summoned persons were identified as Suliman Khalil Kan’an (9), Qusi Mohamed Derbas (12), Anas Samer Mahmoud (12) and Yazan Mohamed Nouri (13).

 

• At approximately 00:00 on Monday, 05 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into Surbaher village, southeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Jihad ‘Amirah (24) and Ameen Hamed (22).

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Sho’fat refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested former prisoners ‘Odai Abu Sa’d (25) and Ahmed Jamal Salah (24).

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aisawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Adam Fo’ad Derbas (15) and Salah Na’iem Mhaisen (22).

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Dawoud Mahmoud al-Ghoul (33) and arrested him.

 

• On the same day, Israeli forces prevented the burial of Khadija Abu Dawlah in Bab al-Rahma cemetery in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They claimed that the abovementioned cemetery is under the control of the Israeli Nature Authority. The victim’s family stated that special Israeli forces surrounded the cemetery and when the funeral procession arrived, they prevented mourners from entering the cemetery and burying the corpse. Israeli forces then told the mourners that the place of the grave was confiscated and they could not bury the corpse there. Moreover, the family clarified that they were prevented from entering the cemetery although a large number of their family members were buried in the same cemetery years ago. Furthermore, the family said that Israeli forces allowed them to bury the woman’s corpse in another grave in the same cemetery. Israeli forces arrested the woman’s grandsons Mousa Jubran and Shafeq Abu Dolah during the preparations for burial, so the 2 grandsons were deprived of performing the funeral prayer.

 

• At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 07 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into Hizma village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Odah ‘Askar al-Khatib (27) and arrested him.

 

House demolitions and demolition notices:

 

• On Saturday, 03 December 2016, Sa’eed and Naser al-‘Abasi were forced to demolish their own houses in Selwan village, south of Old City in occupied East Jerusalem, due to a decision issued by the Israeli municipality court, claiming that the houses were built in a green area. Sa’eed al-‘Abasi said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the two houses are located in Karm al-Shayikh neighbourhood in Selwan village and were built on an area of 300 square  meters 2 and a half years ago. After they finished the building of the houses, Israeli municipality crews raided the houses and handed them administrative demolition notices under the pretext of non-licensing. Al-‘Abasi added that he and his brother built their houses on their own plot of lands and according to a decision issued by the court; the two houses were closed with cconcrete. Therefore, the brothers did not finish the building because they attempted to get a license from the municipality. It should be noted that the municipality threatened them with actual imprisonment if they finished the building. He added that he and his brother attempted to obtain a license for the houses in the last period, but the District Court in occupied Jerusalem issued a decision to demolish the two houses under the pretext of building them in a green area. Al-‘Abasi was intending along with his brother to live in the houses with their families, comprising of 12 persons, 6 of them are children.

 

 

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

 Israeli forces attacks:

 

• At approximately 13:30 on Sunday, 04 December 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into the eastern area of Jaloud village, southeast of Nablus. They stationed in the vicinity of “Esh Kodesh” settlement and prevented village residents from paving an agricultural road. Israeli forces then detained a bulldozer and truck for 2 hours, and took the IDs of the workers. The arrested persons were identified as Abdullah Haj Moahmed, the head of the village council; Ibrahim Fawzi Haj Mohamed, the bulldozer’s driver; Khalid al-Qaysi, the truck’s driver; Ahmed Ya’qoub Mutir; Mahmoud Deeb ‘Abaad; and Ramy Lutfi ‘Isaa. Moreover, Israeli forces ordered the abovementioned persons to stop their work. After that, at approximately 15:00 on the same day, an Israeli infrastructure liaison officer came and told Israeli soldiers stationed in the area to never communicate with the workers, but when he left the area, Israeli soldiers asked the workers to stop work again. Additionally, they threatened them to confiscate their vehicles. As a result, the workers were forced to leave the area.  It should be noted that paving this road was funded by the GVC in collaboration with the International Relief – France.  This project aims to improve the road networks in the areas near settlements and to protect the lands from the Israeli confiscation.

 

• At approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 06 December 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles and a crew from the Planning and Construction Department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Ras al-Ahmar area, east of Tubas. Israeli forces then raided houses belonging to the Palestinian farmers from which they confiscated 2 tractors and other agricultural tools. One of the confiscated tractors belongs to Mowafaq Fakhri Daraghmah, while the other belongs to Ahmed Dyiab Abu Khayzaran. The confiscated tractors and tools were transported to Samra camp, 4 kilometres away from Ras al-Ahmar area without giving the tools’ owners a confiscation notice.

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, Israeli forces accompanied with military bulldozers and a crew from the Planning and Construction Department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Fasayil al-Wousta village, north of Jericho. Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 houses, rendering 21 persons, including 12 children, homeless. The demolished facilities were as follow:

1. A 50-square-meter residential tent belongs to Zaid Mahmoud Ibrahim Abu Kharbeesh. Seven persons, including 4 children, live in this tent that was donated by the EU;
2. A 36-square-meter barrack belongs to ‘Adnan Ibrahim Abu Kharbeesh. Five persons, including 3 children, live in the barrack; and
3. A 36-square-meter barrack belongs to Abed al-Hadi Ali Hussain ‘Abyyat. Seven persons, including 5 children, live in the barrack.

 

 

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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