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

 

 

 

A Palestinian civilian was killed and his brother was
wounded in the explosion of an object of the Israeli military remnants in Rafah
in the south of the Gaza Strip.

 

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

4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2
photojournalists, were wounded during protests against the construction of the
annexation wall.

9 others, including 4 children, were wounded during
other protests.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded during an Israeli
incursion into Qabatya village, south of Jenin.

 

Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and 9 ones in East Jerusalem.

32 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children, were
arrested.

13 of them, including 4 children, were arrested in
occupied Jerusalem.

 

Israel continued to impose a total closure on the oPt
and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

9 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were
arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

3 Palestinian businessmen were arrested at Beit Hanoun
(Erez) crossing.

 

Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire 4 times at Palestinian
fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.

 

Israeli forces continued to support settlement
activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.

180 olive seedlings were damaged and cut off by
settlers, east of Yatta, south of Hebron,

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international
humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (26
February – 04 March 2015).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, a Palestinian civilian
was killed and his brother was wounded due to the explosion of an object of the
Israeli forces’ remnants left during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip. Israeli forces also wounded 14 Palestinian civilians, including 5
children and 2 photojournalists, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli
forces continued to chase and target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip
sea.

 

In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued the use of excessive
and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2 photojournalists,
were wounded.

 

In the same context, 9 Palestinian civilians,
including 4 children, were wounded during other protests organized at the
southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp and Silwad village near Ramallah,
and in Hebron.

 

On 03 March 2015, a 20-year-old civilian sustained a
bullet wound to the right leg when Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village,
south of Jenin.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 28 February 2015, a 21-year-old civilian
was killed and his 17-year-old brother was seriously wounded due to the
explosion of an object of the Israeli forces’ remnants left during the latest
Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. They found that object while transporting sand
from a street near their house to the house by a motor cart in the east of
Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

 

In the context of targeting fishermen, Israeli navy
forces opened fire 4 times at Palestinian fishermen and fishing boats in the
Gaza Strip sea on 26 and 27 February and 02 and 04 March 2015. As a result, the
fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, but neither casualties
nor material damage were reported.

  

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank
and 9 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested
at least 32 Palestinians, including 11 children.  Thirteen of these Palestinians, including 4 children,
were arrested in Jerusalem.

 

On 02 March 2015, Israeli forces raided the house
belonging to Mohammed Hashayka (23) in Beitounia village, west of Ramallah, to
arrest him. They used sniffer dogs and attacked his family.

 

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 8 consecutive years,
Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from
the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the
world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural
rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm
Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order
to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on
the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested
a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for
medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested
while the father was denied travel for medical treatment. 

 

Settlement activities and attacks by
settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

 

On 26 February 2015, Israeli forces
backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicles belonging to the
Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil moved into
Kherbet al-Majaz area in the eastern area of Yata, south of Hebron.  The Civil Administration officer handed 2
civilians 2 notices to stop the construction work in 2 residential tents.

 

On 28
February 2015, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from reclaiming
their lands in al-Sahlat area, south of Qaryout village, southeast of
Nablus.  They claimed that that these
lands are located in “C” areas according to the Oslo accords.

 

On 03
March 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a vehicle from to
the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil raided a stone-pet
belonging to Jamil Khalil al-Tarwah on the 
Hebron-Jerusalem Road, 300 meters to the north of Beit Ummar
village.  The Civil Administration
officer claimed that the Israeli authorities handed a notice to the
aforementioned civilian not to construct and expand the work in the stone-pet
in 1998.

 

On 26
February 2015, the teaching staff of ‘Oarif High School for Boys, southeast of
Nablus, was surprised with the attack on the school by a group of settlers
expected to be from “Yatsahar” settlement and writing slogans against
Arabs in addition to drawing David Star at the main entrance of the school.

 

On 28
February 2015, a group of settlers from “Metsbi Ya’ir” established on
the Palestinian lands confiscated from southeast of Yata, south of Hebron
uprooted and cut down 180 olive seedlings belonging to Houshiyah family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(26 February – 04 March 2015)

 

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

 

Thursday, 26 February 2015

 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces gunboats
stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza
Strip opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3
nautical miles and chased them.  As a
result of the shooting the continued for 30 minutes, fishermen were forced to
flee for fear of being injured or arrested. 
Neither injuries nor damages to the boats were reported.

 

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into
‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They
patrolled the streets when dozens of Palestinian children and youngsters gathered
on the main street and threw stones and empty bottles at them.  They chased them and arrested two brothers,
Belal (17) and Mo’aazth ‘Abdel Rahman Mohammed Salim (25).  They also detained their father for a while
before releasing him.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Bitounia village, west of
Ramallah; Dura; al-Smou’a village and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron and
Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya.

 

 

Friday, 27 February 2015

 

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces gunboats
stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza
Strip opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing
within 3 nautical miles and chased them. 
As a result of the shooting the continued for 30 minutes, fishermen were
forced to flee for fear of being injured or arrested.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Deir Qeddis village, west of
Ramallah; the villages of al-Zbeidat and al-Jaftalak, north of Jericho;
al-Mowareq village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron and Far’on village,
south of Tulkarm.

 

Saturday, 28 February 2015

 

At approximately 00:50, Israeli forces moved into
Selwad, northeast of Ramallah.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to Adam Khalil Harb (24) and handed him a
summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence. 

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Jab’ah village, southwest of Bethlehem. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested No’aman
Ahmed No’aman (50), head of the village council, and ‘Ekremah Fadel Hamdan
(41). 

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-‘Abidiyah village, northwest of Bethlehem. 
They raided and searched a number of houses, and handed Salamah Jamal
Shanaytah (26) and Walid Yousif Hasasnah (22) summonses to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence.

 

At approximately 12:55, an object from the remnants
left by the Israeli forces in the latest offensive on the Gaza Strip exploded
when it was found by Naji Khaled Abu Sabalah (21) and his brother, Akram (17),
when they were transferring sand from a street near their house using a motor
cart to their house near Virgin Mary Association in al-Shokah village in Rafah
in the southern Gaza Strip.   Due to the
explosion in their house, Naji was immediately killed and his brother, Akram,
sustained serious injuries.  The
Palestinian police said in their investigations into the incident that the object,
which is part of the Israeli remnants, is a 40 mm grenade that did not explode
and fired by an M16 rifle.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. 
They stationed near the UNRWA schools. 
Israeli forces accompanied with Israeli intelligence officers then
raided a number of houses, where they handed 5 civilians, incluiding 2 children,
summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion”
settlement, south of Bethlehem.  The
summoned persons were identified as Wa’ed Jamal Mohammed al-Badawi (18);
Ibrahim Majed al-Titi (20); ‘Abed Walid ‘Abdel Mahdi al-Titi (25); Ramez
Mohammed ‘Atiyah al-Titi (15); and Akram Nizar al-Titi (15). 

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Jenin;
Far’on village, south fo Tulkarm; Zeita village, north of the city; Beit Oula
village, west of Hebron and Abu al-‘Asja village, south of Dura, southwest of
Hebron.

 

Sunday, 01 March 2015

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested Faraj
‘Abdel Qader Faraj Barghuthi (17) and Usayd ‘Arafat Faraj Barghuthi (16).  Israeli forces later withdrew taking them to
an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into a
number of neighbourhoods in the centre of Hebron.  They stationed in Abu Katilah area in the
western area of the city and then raided and searched a house belonging to
Fahed ‘Issa al-Qasrawi.  They handed the
aforementioned civilian a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in
“Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into the Grand
Mosque area in al-Duheishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of ‘Omer al-Seifi and arrested his son, Belal (26).

 

In the evening, Israeli forces arrested Mo’az Shehadah
Soliman Hershah (28) from Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm ,when he was present
at the Israeli Military Liaison “D.C.O”, southwest of the city upon a
summons he had received to refer to the Israeli intelligence.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Tulkarm;
‘Anbta village, east of the city, Beit Ummar; al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron; Ethna village, west of the city; Serda village, north fo Ramallah; Deir
Abzigh village, west of the city; ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp and Fasayel
refugee camp in Jericho.

 

Monday, 02 March 2015

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and then stationed
near the municipality.  Accompanied by
tracker dogs, they raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim
‘Aref Hashaykah (23) after breaking the main door of the house with a sharp
tool.  They screamed and pushed the
family members resulting in fear among children and women.  The Israeli soldiers arrested the
aforementioned civilian and took her to an unknown destination.  They also confiscated a laptop, papers and
books belonging to the arrested civilian, 4 cell phones belonging to the family
members.  It should be mentioned that
Mohammed is a 4-year student in the Faculty of Business in Bir Zeit University.

 

At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces gunboats
stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza
Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing
within 3 nautical miles and chased them. 
As a result of the shooting the continued for 40 minutes, fishermen were
forced to flee for fear of being injured or arrested.  Neither injuries nor damages to the boats
were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Tamoun village, southeast of
Tubas.  They patrolled the streets when a
number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones at them.  The Israeli soldiers in response fired tear
gas canisters at the stone-throwers to disperse them and chased them.  They arrested Ra’fat Mohammed al-Haj Taleb
Besharat (20) near the eastern cemetery of the aforementioned village and took
him to an unknown destination.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Yata and
the villages of Kharas and Sa’ir in Hebron; the villages of Rantis, Beit ‘Oar
al-Tahta, Deir Debwan and ‘Atarah in Ramallah and al-Bireh; the villages of
al-Zbeidat and al-‘Oja, north of Jericho; and the villages of ‘Azoun and
Magharet al-Dab’ah, east of Qalqilya.

 

 

Tuesday, 03 March 2015

 

At approximately 00:00, 24 February 2015, Israeli
forces backed by more than 10 military vehicles moved into Qabatyah village,
south of Jenin.  They raided and searched
a house belonging to Yousif ‘Omer Mahmoud Abu Zaid (42) and questioned the
house residents.  Meanwhile, a number of
Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of the Israeli vehicles and
threw stones and empty bottles at them. 
The Israeli soldiers in response opened fire and fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers to disperse them.  As a result, a 20-year-old young man was hit
by a bullet to the right leg and was taken to Martyr Khalil Suleiman
Governmental Hospital in Jenin to receive medical treatment.  Israeli forces later withdrew, and no further
incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Til
village, south of Nablus.  They raided
and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Mahmoud ‘Abdel Razeq
Yamin (20), is a student at an-Najah National University.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-‘Arqah village, west of
Jenin; Qalqilya; al-Thaheriyah village, south of Hebron; and Beit Ummar
village, north of the city.

 

Wednesday 04 March 2015

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
stationed near the UNRWA distribution centre and then raided and searched 4
houses, from which they arrested Suhaib Walid al-Badawi (16), Ahmed Yousif
Jawabrah (16), ‘Issa Shafiq Abu ‘Afifah (16) and Yazan Mohammed al-Ra’ie
(16). 

 

At approximately 03:00, an Israeli undercover unit
whose members are dressed like Palestinian civilians moved into ‘Abwein
village, northwest of Ramallah, using a civilian Mercedes-Benz mini bus with a Palestinian
registration plate.  A number of Israeli
military vehicles moved into the village and raided and searched the
Palestinian Civil Defence Headquarters. 
Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Amil Rasem Rimawi (19), who is a member
of the Civil Defence from Beit Rima village, and withdrew later taking him to
an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched 3 houses, from which they arrested Basel Khaled
‘Abdel Ra’ouf Rimawi (20), Mohammed Fakher Nash’at Dar Taha (21) and Mohammed
Nemer Stouf (20). 

 

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces gunboats
stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip
opened fire in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3
nautical miles and chased them.  As a
result of the shooting the continued for 40 minutes, fishermen were forced to
flee for fear of being injured or arrested. 
Neither injuries nor damages to the boats were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: the villages of Beit ‘Awa
and ‘Hadab al-‘Alqah, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.

 

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

 

During the reporting period,
Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in
the West Bank. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2 photojournalists,
were wounded.  

 

In the same context, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 4
children, were wounded during protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee
camp, north of Ramallah, Silwad village, northeast of the city, Hebron, and the
eastern entrance of Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested and/or
detained for hours 7 protestors, including 2 Israeli solidarity activists,
member of Hebron Defense Committee and a fieldworker of al-Haq.   

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in
fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the
peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activity

 

At approximately 14:15 on
Thursday, 26 February 2015, a protest organized by Palestinian civilians and
international solidarity activists headed from Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of
Qalqilya, to the eastern side of the village, which is threatened to be
confiscated, near the main street (55). The protestors chanted slogans against
settlement activities. Once they reached the abovementioned area, Israeli
forces fired sound bombs, and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of protestors
suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also detained Alaa Mohammed
al-Dweiri (20) and Ehab Lo’ay Taha (18) for an hour and a half.

   

Following the Friday prayer, on
27 February 2015, in spite of the bad weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction
of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protestors marched by the
annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind
the wall in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it,
fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound
bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a
result, 2 Palestinians, including a child, were wounded and then taken to
Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 4
protestors, including a woman and 2 Israeli solidarity activists. The two Palestinians
were taken to Ofer detention facility, southwest of the city, while the 2
Israeli activists were taken to an unknown destination. A 17-year-old child
sustained a bullet wound to the right knee and a 39-year-old male sustained a
bullet wound to the head. The detainee were identified as: Abdullah Radhi (40)
and Hanan Shalabi (30).  

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction
of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and
prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they
responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

 

Around
the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international
human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh
village, southwest of Ramallah, in
protest at the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activities. The demonstrators
made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting
slogans against the occupation, and then they headed to the lands that the
settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces
had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent
Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in
the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators
were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets,
sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas
inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.   

 

Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20,
Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a
protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading
to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance
since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators
threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters
in response. As a result, 2 photojournalists were wounded:

1. Abdul Rahim Omer Quosini (47), who
works for Reuters news agency. He was hit by a gas canister to the neck.

2. Nidal Sahfiq Taher Ishtaya
(41), who works for a Chinese news agency. He was hit by 3 sound bombs to the
right leg, left leg and back. He also sustained a bullet wound to the thigh.

 

At approximately 13:30 on
Friday, 27 February 2015, a protest organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in
the center of Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya, to the eastern side of
the village, which is threatened to be confiscated, to plant olive seedlings.
After the protestors had planted about 30 seedlings, Israeli forces started
firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters. They also detained 2 Israeli
activists for 2 hours and released them after the Israeli police arrived.

 

Other demonstrators:

   

At approximately 11:15 on Thursday, 26 February 2015,
a protest organized by Palestinian civilians to mark the launch of the
Democratic Front headed from Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, to the eastern
gate of the village that has been closed since 1994. They chanted slogans
calling for reopening the gate. Israeli forces immediately fired sound bombs,
tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, 3 Palestinian
civilians sustained bullet wounds. A 19-year-old civilian sustained 2 bullet
wounds to the right hand and back, an 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet
wound to the left leg and another 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound
to the right leg.

 

Following
the Friday prayer, on 27 February 2015, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the
western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road
between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass road (60), in protest at the
Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and Molotov
Cocktails at the aforementioned road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli
soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets,
sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a
17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the head and an 18-year-old civilian
sustained a bullet to the head too. Both of them were taken to Palestine
Medical Compound in Ramallah.

 

Also
following the Friday prayer, dozens of children and young men gathered at the
southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were
about 300 meters away from the fence of “Beit Eil” settlement.
Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 16-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to left
thigh, a 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and a
17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh. They were taken
to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.

 

On the same day, dozens of Palestinians and
international and Israeli solidarity activists gathered near Ali mosque, south
of Hebron, to protest against settlement activities, to mark the massacre committed
in the Ibrahimi Mosque and to demand reopening al-Shuhada street. They made
their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans
against the occupation. Once they reached al-Zahed area, Israeli soldiers
deployed in the area and started pushing the protestors and firing sound bombs.
The protestors disperse while some youngsters threw stones at the soldiers, who
fired Toto bullets in response. As a result,
32-year-old Palestinian sustained a bullet wound to the right knee. He was taken
to al-Ahli hospital, where he underwent a surgery. Moreover, Israeli forces
detained Hesham al-Sharabti, a fieldworker of al-Haq, for 2 hours.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2015,
dozens of Bir Zeit university students gathered near Attarah checkpoint, north
of Birzait village, north of Ramallah, to be in solidarity with Lina Hattab.
They proceeded to the checkpoint, but Israeli forces closed it to prevent the
protestors from heading to Oyoun al-Haramiya Street that is used by settlers.
Israeli soldiers started firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters under the
pretext stones were thrown at them. As a result, a number of protestors suffered
tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as they were beaten up by
Israeli soldiers.

 

3. 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.

 

The total closure of al-Mentar (“Karni”) crossing since
02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following
this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial
Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest
crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of
imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the
culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the
Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal
Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel
and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the
delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and
quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not
meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

 

The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm
Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli
authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per
day.  This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is
200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during
winter.  The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks
due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and
using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.  The lack of
diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using
the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run
generators.  As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

 

For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to
prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years
ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction
materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. 
On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of
construction materials for the private sector.  However, on 13 October
2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction
materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the
Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry
of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects
have been obstructed so far.

 

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.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing
for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only
allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting
in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing
the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing
to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and
East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing
for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah

24 February – 01 March 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

· On Tuesday, 24 February 2015,
Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 5.67 tons of eggplants, 25.49 tons of
cucumber, 3 tons of cherry tomatoes, 6.34 tons of tomatoes, 10.78 tons of
squash, 0.8 tons of fish and 24 tons of wood.

· On Wednesday, 25 February 2015,
Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 24 tons of furniture and 81
cartons of clothes.  

· On Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli
forces allowed the exportation of 1.26 tons of eggplants, 10.4 tons of tomatoes,
4.32 tons of squash, 0.3 tons of pepper, 0.5 tons of fish and 0.32 tons of
cherry tomatoes.

· Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli
forces allowed the exportation of 3.3 tons of eggplants, 40.14 tons of
cucumber, 2.7 tons of cherry tomatoes and 2.5 tons of tomatoes.

 

Other imports:

 

· On Tuesday, 24 February
2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 280 tons of aggregates, 1,410 tons of
cement, and 175 tons of steel for Gaza reconstruction. They also allowed the
entry of 525 tons of fodders and 385 tons of wheat.

· On Wednesday, 25 February 2015,
Israeli forces allowed the entry of 3,480 tons of aggregates, 240 tons of
cement and 120 tons of steel for UNRWA; 420 tons of aggregates, 840 tons of
cement and 110 tons of steel for Gaza reconstruction; 240 tons of cement for
the Turkish project and 280 tons of aggregates for the Water Authority. They
also allowed the entry of 665 tons of fodders and 280 tons of wheat.

· On Thursday, 26 February 2015,
Israeli forces allowed the entry of 3,440 tons of aggregates and 800 tons of cement
for UNRWA; 140 tons of aggregates, 1,440 tons of cement and 30 tons of steel
for Gaza reconstruction; and 120 tons of cement for the Water Authority. They
also allowed the entry of 735 tons of fodders and 280 tons of wheat.

· On Sunday, 01 March 2015,
Israeli force allowed the entry of 2,640 tons of aggregates, 280 tons of cement
and 210 tons of steel for UNRWA; 140 tons of aggregates and 360 tons of cement
for Gaza reconstruction and 720 tons of aggregates for the Water Authority.
They also allowed the entry of 350 tons of fodders and 280 tons of wheat.

 

Plastic Containers returned by Israeli forces via Karm Abu Salem:

 

· On Tuesday, 24 February 2015,
Israeli forces returned 8 truckloads of empty containers.

· On Wednesday, 25 February 2015,
Israeli forces returned 11 truckloads of empty containers.

· On Thursday, 26 February 2015,
Israeli forces returned 10 truckloads of empty containers.

· On Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli
forces returned 5 truckloads of empty containers

 

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun
(“Erez”) crossing

25 February- 02 March 2015

 

 

Notes:

On Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces allowed 200 civilians
to cross through Erez in order to perform prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque in East
Jerusalem.  They also allowed 3 civilians
of personal needs or international worker to renew their permits.

 

On Monday, 23 February 2015, Israeli forces allowed 5 officers of
the Civil Affairs Department to attend a meeting with the Israeli side.

 

 

West Bank

 

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

 

· Hebron:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Hebron.  Later, the checkpoint was
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron.  At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces
established another checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of
Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of
Hebron.  Around the same time, another checkpoint
was established at the northern entrance of Dura.  At approximately 17:00, a checkpoint was
established at the entrance of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Dura, southwest
of Hebron. Later, the checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Hebron (al-Fahs). Later,
the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron.  Around the same time, another checkpoint was
established at the northern entrance of Yata, south of the city.  Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 03 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron.  At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Aroub refugee camp,
north of the city.  Later, both
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 04 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of
Hebron.  Later, the checkpoints were
removed and no arrests were reported.

 

 

· Ramallah: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 26 February 2015,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bitello village;
meanwhile, they established another one at the entrance of ‘Ein Ayoub area,
west of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of ‘Ein Yabrud
village, northeast of Ramallah.  At
approximately 19:00, a similar checkpoint was established on al-Mo’arajat Road
between Jericho and Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
closed the iron gate of eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah, and prevented civilians from passing. 
Around the same time, they established another checkpoint under the
bridge of ‘Ein Yabrud village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 11:00,
Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in
village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 18:00, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of
Deir Abu Mesh’al, northwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately
13:00, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attarah checkpoint on
the northern entrance of Beir Zeit, north of Ramallah.  Around the same time, another checkpoint was
established at the entrance of ‘Ein sinya village, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:30, they established
another checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of
the city.  At approximately 20:00, a
similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of “‘Ofrah”
settlement, north of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqa, southwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 14:30,
another checkpoint was established on the road to al-Jalazone refugee camp,
north of Ramallah near “Beit Eil” settlement under the pretext of
training in the area.  At approximately
16:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit ‘Oar
al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed and
no arrests were reported.

 

· Jericho: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 27 February 2015,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Fasayel village, north
of the city.  At approximately 20:00,
another checkpoint was established near the entrance of al-Nwei’amah village,
north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were
reported.

 

· Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli
forces stationed at ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road
between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions
against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening
ended and no arrests were reported.  The
tightening renewed at approximately 13:00 and 19:00 on Sunday, 01 March
2015. 

           

At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Far’on village, south of
Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the
intersection of Beit Leed village in area called “Abu Martein”, east of
Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Salfit:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
11:20 on Friday, 27 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
between the villages of Kafr al-Deek and Deir Balut.  At approximately 13:25, the checkpoint was
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

· At
approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at
al-Jalameh checkpoint between Jenin and Israel, northeast of Jenin, arrested
Mohammed ‘Asri Fayyad (16) from Jenin when he was passing through the
checkpoint.  The Palestinian Military
Liaison later intervened, so he was released.

  

· At
approximately 21:15 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed
near “Arayel” settlement, north of Salfit arrested Thaer Taysir
Ya’qoub Naji (25) from Kafr al-Deek village, west of the city.  He was then taken to an unknown destination.

 

· At
approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at
the electronic gates of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of the Old City in the
center of Hebron arrested ‘Emad Sabri al-Rajabi (19) under the pretext of
disobeying the Israeli soldiers’ orders. 
He was then taken to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 13:00 on the
aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at Abu al-Rish checkpoint arrested
Saqer Bajes Abu Hamdiyah when he was on his way back from his school that is
near the aforementioned checkpoint.  He
was taken to al-Ibrahimi Mosque police station and was released after a while.

 

· On Monday
morning, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians from Kisan village,
east of Bethlehem, while collecting ‘Aqoub (Gundelia) from a Palestinian land
near “al-Fardis” settlement. 
They detained them for a while and then took them to “Gosh
‘Etzion” settlement bloc, south of the city.  The detainees were identified as ‘Ayesh
‘Abayat (24); ‘Omer ‘Ayesh ‘Abayat (21); Subeih Hasan ‘Abayat (25); Mahmoud
‘Awad ‘Abayat (24); and Salman Mohammed ‘Abayat (21).

 

· At
approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 03 March 2-15, Israeli forces stationed at Abu
al-Rish checkpoint established in the southern side of the old city in Hebron
arrested 4 children when they were on their way to their schools.  The four children were released later and
handed to the Palestinian Military Liaison. 
The children were identified as Nizar Naser Fayez Ghuneimah (14);
Isma’il Sho’ayb Maharmah (14); Ahmed Sa’di al-Rajabi (14) and Baraa’ Khaled
al-Madhoun (16).

 

· Around the
same time, Israeli forces deployed in the old city in Hebron arrested Ihab
Maher Abu Mayalah (13) when he was on his way to his school near al-Ibrahimi
Mosque under the pretext of having a geometric compass.  He was taken to “Karyat Arabaa'”
settlement, east of Hebron.

 

Arrests
at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip

 

· At
approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit
Hanoun “Erez” crossing in the northern Gaza Strip Tariq Ziyad Murtaga
(39) from al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. 
The aforementioned civilian works in his father’s company, Ziyad Murtaga
Company for Electrical Appliances and Mobile Phones.  At approximately 10:00, he went to the
crossing upon an Israeli request to have a security interview with him before
issuing a permit that would allow him to pass through Erez Crossing.  After waiting for hours in the crossing, the
Israeli soldiers arrested him for unknown reasons.

 

· At
approximately 10:30 on Monday, 02 March 205, Israeli forces stationed at Beit
Hanoun Crossing arrested Mohammed Salah Mohammed Salah (48), a businessman from
al-Sheikh Zayed in Beit Lahia.  He also
works in the field of electrical appliances. He was arrested when he was
leaving through Erez crossing with his wife, Rubi Saleh.  The arrested person is so far under arrest. His
wife said that she went with her husband, who got a BMC permit in 2011 and
passed via Beit Hanoun crossing dozens of times.  His wife was accompanying him under the name
of companion of a trader.  She added that
they intended to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque, and when they arrived at
the crossing, Israeli intelligence offocersasked him for an interview and told
the wife to wait.  At approximately 16:30
on the same day, he asked his wife to leave and go back to Gaza.  They also told her that he would be detained
for a while and then released to go back to Gaza.  She went back to the Gaza Strip, and at
approximately 18:00 on the same day, she received a phone call from Ashkelon
police telling her that her husband is arrested and pending investigation for
24 hours.

 

4. Efforts
to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

· At approximately 18:00 on
Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Shayyah neighborhood,
near Ras al-Amoud neighborhood, east of East Jerusalem, after some Palestinian
youngsters threw Molotov Cocktails at settlers’ guard vehicle that was in the
area. They raided and searched a number of houses and indiscriminately fired
sound bombs. Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither casualties nor arrests
were reported.

 

· At approximately 20:00 on the
abovementioned day, Israeli forces moved into al-Helwa area in al-Tour
neighborhood, east of East Jerusalem, after some Palestinian youngsters burnt a
vehicle belonging to a settler. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at Palestinian houses and civilians. They withdrew later, and neither
casualties nor arrests were reported.

 

 

· At
approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 01 March 2015, Israeli forces raided and
searched a house belonging to Emad Khalil in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of
the Old City in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Khalil (23) and took him
to an unknown destination.

 

· At
approximately 04:00 on Monday, 02 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into Bab
Hetta neighbourhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 civilians, including a
child: Mansour Ahmed Salim (16); Khalil Mo’men al-Shawish (23); and Ma’moun
Abdullah Gaith (21).

 

· At approximately 05:00 on the
same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, in East Jerusalem.
They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 5
civilians, including 2 children: Yusef Tawfiq Abu Jom’a (16), Mahdi Hamza
al-Sayyad (16); Mohanned Mohammed Gaith (19); Basel Mohammed al-Halabi (19);
and Kamal Naser al-Alami (20).

 

· At approximately 10:00 on the
same day also, Israeli forces accompanied by an undercover unit raided
al-Shamela School for boys in al-Tour neighborhood, in the Old City of East
Jerusalem. Mr. Mohammed Abu Ghannam, head of the students’ parents committee,
said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces searched the classrooms, during
which a student panicked. It should be noted that Israeli forces arrested a
group of students, but the school principal and teachers prevented them from
doing so.

 

· At approximately 21:30, Israeli
forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of martyr Samer
Sarhan in al-Bustan neighborhood, in Selwan village, south of the Old City of
East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mohammed (11) and took him to Saladin
police station to be questioned.

 

· At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday,
03 March 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of East
Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested
Ali Bassam Odwan (32) and Dawood Raja Odwan (35). Moreover, Israeli forces
handed summonses to Hashem Abu Zeyad (51) and their 3 sons: Jamil, Nabil and
Ali to refer to the Israeli intelligence service at al-Zaitouna checkpoint,
near the village. It should be noted that Israeli forces arrested his son,
Hamza, 21 months ago.

 

· At approximately 10:00 on the same
day, Israeli forces moved into Ein al-Louza in Selwan village, south of the Old
City of East Jerusalem, after some Palestinian youngsters threw stones at
settlers’ vehicles. Israeli soldiers immediately fired gas canisters in
response and chased some of the youngsters. As a result, dozens of Palestinians
suffered tear gas inhalation. In the meantime, Israeli forces arrested Hani
Mohammed Sarhan (22) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

Israel has continued its settlement
activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law,
and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and
property.

 

· At
approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 26 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicles belonging to the Construction
and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil moved into Kherbet al-Majaz
area in the eastern area of Yata, south of Hebron.  The Civil Administration officer handed 2
civilians 2 notices to stop the construction work.  The notices included:

1. A
30-square-meter residential tent belonging to ‘Omer ‘Ali Khalil No’aman Abu
‘Aram; and

2. A
40-square-meter residential tent belonging to Yaser ‘Ali Khalil No’aman Abu ‘Aram.

 

· At
approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, Israeli forces prevented
Palestinian farmers from reclaiming their lands in al-Sahlat area, south of
Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus. 
They claimed that that these lands are located in areas “C”
according to the Oslo accords.

Bashar Qaryouti,
member of the village council and who was accompanying the farmers, said to a
PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately
10:30 on Saturday, 28 February 2015, I arrived with a group of farmers and
volunteers at al-Sahlat area, southeast of Nablus, to reclaim around 200 dunums
of the lands funded by the French Consulate. 
These lands are located in front of ‘Shillo’ settlement established on
the village lands, and there is an Israeli plan to confiscate and seize these
lands.  On 17 February 2015, we started
working on this project and stopped for 2 days due to the weather depression.  At the aforementioned hour, we came back to
work taking with us a digger which we brought from Qasrah village.  As soon as we started working, we were
surprised by a number of Israeli vehicles accompanied with a Liaison officer in
the area to prevent us from working. 
They forced us to leave the area without saying the reasons and asked us
not to come back and work in the land.”

 

· At
approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 03 March 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with
a vehicle from to the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil
raided a stone-pet belonging to Jamil Khalil al-Tarwah.  The stone-pet is located on Hebron-Jerusalem
Road 300 meters to the north of Beit Ummar village.  The Civil Administration officer claimed that
the Israeli authorities handed a notice to the aforementioned civilian not to
construct and expand the work in the stone-pet in 1998.  The Israeli soldiers confiscated a DAF truck
belonging to Khalaf Shaladah and loaded with boxes filled with stones and took
it to “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.  It should be mentioned that its owner was
told that the truck is under custody.

 

· At
approximately 07:00 on Thursday, the teaching staff of ‘Oarif High School for
Boys, southeast of Nablus, was surprised with the attack on the school by a
group of settlers expected to be from “Yatsahar” settlement and
writing slogans against Arabs in addition to drawing David Star at the main
entrance if the school from the northern side of the school.  It should be mentioned that the
aforementioned school and its students have always been subjected to frequent
attacks by “Yatsahar” settlers.

 

· On
Saturday, early morning, 28 February 2015, a group of settlers from
“Metsbi Ya’ir” established on the Palestinian lands confiscated from
southeast of Yata, south of Hebron uprooted and cut down 180 olive seedlings,
which were planted only 30 days ago. 
Those seedlings belonging to Houshiyah family are located in al-Swid
area, southeast of Yata, and were planted in 20 dunums of the family lands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 continued aggression 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;

14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and
accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United
Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human
rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public
Document

For further
information please visit our website www.pchrgaza.org or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by
email pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.