Israeli continue their offensive on the Gaza Strip
·Israeli forces launch a new offensive on the Gaza
Strip.
– 24 Palestinians, including 20 civilians, and an
Italian journalist were killed.
– The civilian victims include 5 children and a woman.
– 13 Palestinians, 12 of whom are civilians, including 3
children and 3 women, died of previous wounds.
·Israeli warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes
targeting houses and civilian facilities.
– 36 houses were destroyed and dozens of others were
damaged.
– 9 mosques were attacked and 4 of them were destroyed.
·Israeli forces continued to use force against peaceful
protests in the West Bank.
– 2 Palestinian civilians killed in protests against the
Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
– 62 Palestinian civilians, including 17 children, were
wounded.
– 3 civilians were wounded in protests against the
construction of the annexation wall.
·Israeli forces conducted 49 incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
– 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
killed during Israeli incursions.
– 92 Palestinians were arrested, including 74 ones who
were arrested in Jerusalem.
·A Palestinian child was killed and 2 others were
wounded in 2 separate explosions of objects left by Israeli forces.
·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.
– At least 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested at
military checkpoints in the West Bank.
·Israeli forces continued to support settlement
activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.
– Israeli settlers attempted to run down a Palestinian
woman in Beit Safafa village, south of Jerusalem.
– Israeli settlers set fire to a car in Yassouf village,
east of Salfit.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(07
– 13 August 2014).
Killing, Shooting and Bombing:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued
their wide-scale offensive on the Gaza Strip. They killed 24 Palestinians, including
20 civilians, and an Italian journalist in the Gaza Strip. The civilian victims include 5 children and a
woman. They also wounded 95
Palestinians, including 92 civilians.
The wounded civilians included 14 children and 8 women. Israeli warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes
on civilian targets. Israeli naval
forces carried out several attacks on Palestinian areas. In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 5
Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.
Two of these civilians were killed in protest against the Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip, 2 others, including a child, were killed in
Israeli incursions into Palestinian communities and a child was killed by the
explosion of a suspicious object left by Israeli forces. Additionally, 73 Palestinian civilians,
including 22 children and a woman were wounded; 62 of these civilians,
including 17 children, were wounded in protests against the Israeli offensive
on the Gaza Strip, 6 others, including 3 children, were wounded during Israeli
incursions into Palestinian communities, 2 children were wounded by the
explosions of 2 suspicious objects left by Israeli forces and 3 others were
wounded in protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
Israeli
forces continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip before a
72-hour truce was declared. They
continued the policy of collective punishment in disregard for the
international law and humanitarian law, which ensure protection for civilians
in times of war, and in violation of the principles of necessity,
proportionality and distinction. Israeli forces continued their
aerial, ground and sea attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian
casualties and damaging civilian facilities. They destroyed several houses, mosques and
other civilian facilities.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 49 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 92 Palestinians, including 74
ones in Jerusalem. During their
incursions, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, and
wounded 6 others, including 3 children and their mother.
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 7 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 1.7 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.
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank,
including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
As part of using military checkpoints and border
crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are
wanted, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinian civilians at a military
checkpoint in the West Bank.
Settlement activities
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the
oPt, in a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli
settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 07 August 2014, an Israeli
settler threw stones at Ritaj Ra’ed al-Hantouli, 16 months, when she was with
her family in front of their houses in Bab al-Magharba area in the south of the
Old Town of Jerusalem. She sustained
bruises and cuts to her leg.
On 09 August 2014, an Israeli settler attempted to run down ‘Ola
‘Olayan when she was on her way back home in Beit Safafa village, south of
Jerusalem.
On 10 August 2014, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Taffouh” settlement broke into Yassouf village, east of
Salfit. They set fire a Volkswagen
Caravelle taxi belonging to ‘Atallah Yassin Jouda, 52, which was parked in
front of his house. The settlers also wrote
hostile phrases in Hebrew and signed them by “Price Tag” on the walls
near the taxi. Israeli soldiers
stationed on the watchtower at the entrance of the settlement stated that they
saw 4 Israeli settlers in the area, and that the owner of the taxi could file a
complaint against them. The taxi was extensively damaged.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(03 – 09 July 2014)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians
and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Israeli Offensive on the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 07 August 2014
Khan Yunis:
· In the evening, medical sources declared that Nour
Safwat Abu Tair, 19, died of wounds she had sustained when Israeli forces
shelled a house belonging to Ziad Abu Zarifa in ‘Abassan village on 23 July
2014. Her sister, Zainab, had been killed in the attack. Medical
sources declared also that Hamad Jum’a al-Najjar, 32, died of previous wounds
he had sustained by Israeli shelling.
Rafah:
· Medical sources in the European Gaza Hospital in Khan
Yunis declared that Nadia Fawzi Abu Hamad, 26, died of a previous wound.
Friday, 08 August 2014
The Northern
Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 11:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 6-storey house
belonging to ‘Omar al-Sherafi in Jabalya refugee camp. As a result, a
Palestinian civilian was wounded.
· At
approximately 17:35, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at 3 houses
belonging to Fayez, ‘Abdul Karim and Daher Ahmed Suleiman in Jabalya refugee
camp. The three houses were destroyed and a number of neighboring ones
were damaged.
Gaza City:
· At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 08 August
2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Nour al-Mohammedi Mosque, which is
under construction, in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. As a result, Ibrahim
Zuhair Dawawsa, 10, was killed as he was playing near his family’s house in the
area.
· At
approximately 14:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 7-storey house
belonging to Mohammed Yousef Abu Jahal, in which 35 people live, in al-Mashtal
Street in the northwest of Gaza City. The house was destroyed.
· At
approximately 20:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 3-storey house
belonging to ‘Othman Khalil Eshtaiwi, in which 25 people live, in al-Zaytoun
neighborhood. The house was destroyed.
The Central Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 13:00, medical sources declared that Mahmoud Maher Hassan, 14,
died of previous wounds he had sustained by Israeli shelling.
· At
approximately 16:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house
belonging to Mahmoud Sabra Nwairi, in which 7 people live, in al-Nussairat
refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile
at the house and destroyed it.
· At
approximately 19:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
the al-Kurd family in Deir al-Balah. A few minutes later, an Israeli
warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
Khan Yunis:
· At
approximately 18:25 on Friday, 08 August 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 2
airstrikes on Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were
reported.
· Also at
approximately 18:25, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of
Palestinian civilians in Abu Haddaf area in al-Qarara village, northeast of
Khan Yunis. as a result, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were killed:
Suleiman Sameer Abu Haddaf, 20; Ahmed Mohammed Abu Haddaf, 11; and Mahmoud
Khaled Abu Haddaf, 15. Six civilians, including 3 children, were also wounded.
· At
approximately 19:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike that was
traveling in Abu Dib Street in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis.
As a result, the rider and a bystander were wounded.
· At
approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 airstrikes on agricultural
plots in Abu Daqqa area in al-Fukhari village, southeast of Khan Yunis. No
casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 20:15, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in al-Satar al-Gharbi area. Fire broke out in the area, but no
casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 21:05, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Qarara
village. No casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 21:40, Israeli warplanes launched 5 airstrikes targeting a site
of a Palestinian armed group and agricultural plots in al-Satar al-Gharbi
area. No casualties were reported.
Rafah:
· At
approximately 11:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an open area
near an UNRWA elementary school in al-Junaina neighborhood. As a result,
Majdi ‘Abdul Mohsen Younis, 50, was seriously wounded.
· At
approximately 14:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at an agricultural plot
near Haroun al-Rasheed Mosque in al-Tannour neighborhood in the east of Rafah.
· At
approximately 17:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a member of a
Palestinian armed group in al-Siamat neighborhood in the north of Rafah,
killing him.
· At
approximately 18:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at an open area near
al-Aqqad School in Kherbat al-‘Adas neighborhood in the north of Rafah.
· At
approximately 18:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in al-Nasser village, northeast of Rafah.
· At
approximately 21:30, medical sources declared that Khaled ‘Atallah Abu Sha’ar,
23, died of previous wounds he had sustained by Israeli shelling near his house
in al-Furqan neighborhood in the west of Rafah on Sunday, 03 August 2014.
· At
approximately 22:00, medical sources in Egypt declared that Suleiman Saleem
Madi, 53, died of wounds he had sustained when Israeli warplanes bombarded his
brother’s house in Madi area in the north of Rafah on Friday, 01 August 2014.
As a result of the attack, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a pregnant
women and 3 children, were killed.
· From 23:30
until 00:00, Israeli warplanes launched 9 missiles at a site of Saladin
Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) near the Saudi
neighborhood in the west of Rafah. A nearby UNRWA clinic and a number of
houses were damaged.
Saturday, 09
August 2014
The Northern Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 00:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house
belonging to Eihab ‘Olayan in Beit Lahia. The house was destroyed.
· At
approximately 01:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at Kamel Ghaben
Mosque in Fad’ous area in Beit Lahia. The mosque was destroyed.
· At
approximately 14:00, the Israeli artillery fired a number of shells at Um
al-Nasser village. A shell landed near a
house belonging to Jum’a ‘Eid Abu Hashish.
As a result, 6 members of the family, including 2 children and 2 women,
were wounded.
· At approximately
15:45, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to Jalal ‘Eid Abu
‘Ouda in al-Nazzaza area in the east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house was extensively
damaged.
Gaza City:
· At
approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at Hassan Salama
Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood. The mosque was destroyed.
· At
approximately 03:45, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 2-storey house
belonging to Faisal Yousef al-Jumassi, in which 22 people live, in al-Sabra neighborhood.
The house was destroyed.
· At approximately 11:30, an Israeli warplane launched 2
missiles at Ansar security complex in the west of Gaza City, targeting the
buildings of training and medical services.
· At approximately 14:00, medical crews recovered the
body of ‘Othman Ra’ed al-Jammal, 11, who was killed by Israeli forces in
al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood on 20 July 2014.
· At
approximately 20:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
Mohammed Mustafa al-Hawajri, in which 15 people, including 5 women and 5
children, live in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
The house was partially destroyed.
The Central Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 03:30 on Saturday, 09 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a
missile at al-Qassam Mosque in al-Nussairat refugee camp. A few minutes
later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the mosque and destroyed
it. Three members of a Palestinian armed group were killed.
· At
approximately 03:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Shuhada Mosque in
al-Nussairat refugee camp. The mosque was damaged.
· At
approximately 03:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Nayef Abu Middain
Mosque in al-Boreij refugee camp. The mosque was damaged.
· At
approximately 05:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to
‘Aadel Mohammed Fayed, in which 8 people live. The house was destroyed.
· At
approximately 10:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at motorbike on Saladin
road near al-Maghazi intersection. Two Palestinian civilians who were
traveling on the motorbike were killed: ‘Abdul Hakim Suleiman al-Musaddar, 56;
and Mo’men Akram al-Musaddar, 24.
· In the morning,
medical sources declared that Zainab Yousef Zaqqout, 77, died of a previous
wound she had sustained when Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to
the al-Bayoumi family.
· At approximately 18:20, Israeli drones 3 missiles at a
2-storey house belonging to ‘Adnan Hassan al-Feqi, in which 33 people live, in
al-Nussairat refugee camp. The house was
destroyed.
· At
approximately 21:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorcycle in Deir
al-Balah. As a result, Mahmoud Mohammed
al-Jourani, 32, was killed, and 22 others were wounded.
Khan Yunis:
· At
approximately 09:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a greenhouse in
al-Zanna area, east of Khan Yunis. A Palestinian civilian was seriously
wounded.
· At approximately 10:00, Israeli warplanes
launched 2 missiles at Canada wedding hall at Saladin Street in the south of
Khan Yunis, causing damages.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes
launched 3 missiles at Hajj Mohammed Pool area near the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel to the southeast of Khuza’a village. The attack caused some damages, but no
casualties were reported.
· At approximately 11:30, an Israeli drone fired
2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Salem Fayez Ma’rouf in Jourat
al-Lout area in the south of Khan Yunis.
A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house
and destroyed it.
· At approximately 17:30, an Israeli drone fired
2 missiles at a 4-storey house belonging to Mousa al-Qedra in al-Amal
neighborhood in the west of Khan Yunis.
The house was damaged and fire broke out in the upper floor. Five Palestinian civilians were wounded.
Rafah:
· From 00:00
until 01:40, Israeli warplanes launched 20 missiles at a site of Saladin
Brigades (the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees) near the Saudi
neighborhood in the west of Rafah. A number of houses were damaged.
· At
approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Salam
neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a result, a Palestinian child was
wounded by shrapnel.
· At
approximately 05:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
Jum’a Shallouf in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. A few minutes
later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed
it. A nearby grocery shop belonging to Ziad al-Nahhal was also destroyed.
· At
approximately 08:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
the family of Ussama Abu Taha, in which 32 people live, in al-Brazil
neighborhood in the south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli
warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of
nearby houses were damaged, and 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded. It is
worth noting that the house had been bombarded and partially destroyed by
Israeli warplanes on 17 August 2014.
· In the morning,
medical sources declared that ‘Izziddin Waleed Abbu Esnaima, 12, died of wounds
he had sustained on 03 August 2014 when an Israeli warplane fired a missile at
the entrance of an UNRWA shelter in Rafah.
· At
approximately 10:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house
belonging to Khaled al-Ja’bari, in which 27 people live, in Tal al-Sultan
neighborhood in the west of Rafah.
· At
approximately 14:05, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to
Ussama Duhair, in which 13 people live, in Kherbat al-‘Adas in the north of
Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli
warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
· At
approximately 19:45, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a taxi in Qishta
neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a
result, Saeed ‘Aatef Timraz, 26, and Mohammed Tamer ‘Aadel al-‘Aaidi, 28, who
were traveling in the taxi, were killed.
· At
approximately 21:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
Hassan al-Nahhal, in which 15 people live, in Kherbat al-‘Adas neighborhood in
the north of Rafah. A few minutes later,
an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. Three nearby houses were also destroyed, and
number of others were damaged.
· At
approximately 22:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
Anwar Khalil al-Sha’er, in which 14 people live, in Kherbat al-‘Adas
neighborhood in the north of Rafah. The
house was partially destroyed and al-Sha’er’s child, Aya, 13, was killed.
Sunday, 10 August 2014
The
Northern Gaza Strip
· At
approximately 00:50, Israeli forces fired a surface-to-surface missile at a
3-storey house belonging to Jamal Yousef al-‘Eila opposite to the office of the
Internal Security Service in Jabalya refugee camp. The missile penetrated the roofs and made a hole
in the ground floor. As a result, 10
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and 4 women, were wounded, the
wounds of 2 of them was described as critical.
· At
approximately 13:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 2 workers of the water
department in Beit Hanoun Municipality, Majdi Mousa Shabat, 41, and Sofian
Khalil Abu Harbid, 40, while they were repairing a water pipeline in al-Qaraman
Street in Beit Hanoun. Both workers were moderately wounded. Anwar
Ahmed Musatfa al-Za’anin, 43, an office worker in Al Mezan Center for Human
Rights, who was present in the area was seriously wounded by shrapnel
throughout the body. Al-Za’anin was riding a motorcycle and came to the
workers to ask them to repair a water pipeline near his house. He died of
his wounds at approximately 16:00.
· At
approximately 14:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a member of a
Palestinian armed group who was near his house in al-Qaraman Street in Beit
Hanoun. He was seriously wounded.
· At
approximately 14:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a flat belonging to
Mohammed Nahidh Kutkut on the ground floor of building no. 3 in Sheikh Zayed
town in Beit Lahia. The flat was seriously damaged, and 3 children were
wounded.
· At
approximately 17:20, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house
belonging to Ra’ed Mahmoud al-Halabi in Beit Lahia. As a result,
al-Halabi, his brother and his son were wounded, and the house was damaged.
· At
approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone attacked members of a Palestinian armed
group in Be’r al-Na’ja area in Jabalya, wounding 2 of them. Three
civilian bystanders, including 2 children, were also wounded.
· At
approximately 20:00, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 2-storey house
belonging to Mohammed Saleh Hamada in al-‘Atatra areas in Beit Lahia.
Three neighboring houses were damaged.
· At
approximately 20:20, an Israeli drone attacked a house belonging Faraj Hussein
Abu Erbaye’, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in al-Jam’iya Street in
Beit Lahia. He was killed and 2 residents of the house were
wounded. The house was also damaged.
· At
approximately 22:20, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a house
belonging to Ibrahim Shihda al-Najjar in Jabalya. Six houses were also
damaged. Al-Najjar was warned more than once, the first of which was on 13 July
2014, when Israeli drone fired a missile at the house, killing his child,
17-year-old Hussam.
Gaza City:
· At
approximately 00:10 on Sunday, 10 August 2014, an Israeli warplane bombarded a
3-storey house belonging to the heirs of Jamal ‘Abdul Karim ‘Ammar, in which 40
people live, in Ahmed Yassin Stree opposite to Erhim Company. The house and a subordinate 100-square-meter
barrack were destroyed.
· At
approximately 00:15, Israeli gunboats shelled Gaza fishing port. As a results rooms of fishermen were damaged.
· At
approximately 18:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 5-storey house
belonging to Mohammed ‘Ouda Shamallakh, in which 40 people live. The
house was partially destroyed. Five minutes prior to the attack, Israeli
forced phoned the family and ordered evacuation of the house.
· At
approximately 19:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the building of
Habboush Cleaning Products Company belonging to Hamed Mohammed Habboush,
destroying it. The company is located less than 100 meters away from
PCHR’s head office.
· At
approximately 20:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to
Hashem Hamed Hijazi, in which 40 people live, in al-Shuhada Street. A few
minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and
destroyed it.
The Central Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 02:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Shuhada Mosque in
al-Nussairat refugee camp. Soon after,
an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the mosque and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged and 3
Palestinian civilians were wounded.
· At
approximately 10:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an open area behind a
mosque in al-Masha’la area in Deir al-Balah. As a result, Ahmed Mohammed
al-Masri, 14, was killed, and 2 other civilians, including a woman.
· At
approximately 12:30, medical sources declared that Ibrahim ‘Abed Rabbu Abu
Khousa, 35, died of a wound he had sustained when Israeli warplanes bombarded
his house in al-Sawarha area in the west of al-Nussairat refugee camp on 29
July 2014.
· At
approximately 15:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house
belonging to Jum’a Khalil Khattab, in which 8 people live, in al-Nussairat
refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile
at the house and destroyed it.
Khan Yunis:
· At approximately 02:10, an Israeli warplane
launched a missile at an open area in the west of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 04:30, an Israeli warplane launched
a missile at a house belonging to Ayman Salman Baraka, 38, in which 6 people
live, in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Baraka’s wife,
Amanai al-‘Abed Baraka, 35, was killed, and he himself was seriously wounded.
· At approximately 07:40, an Israeli warplane
launched a missile at a site of a Palestinian armed group in the northwest of
Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 07:55, an Israeli drone fired
a missile at a number of houses belonging to the ‘Abdul Ghafour family in
al-Qarara village, after phoning a resident of the area ordering evacuation of
those houses. Dozens of families left
their houses.
· At
approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes launched 5 airstrikes on agricultural
plots in the eastern villages of Khan Yunis. The plots and a house
belonging to the Abu Jame’ family were damaged, and 3 Palestinian civilians
were wounded.
· At
approximately 12:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 airstrikes on agricultural
plots in Qudaih and Abu Draz areas in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan
Yunis. No casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 12:45, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a motor cart in
Bani Suhaila village. As a result, 3 Palestinians were wounded, one of
whom is in a serious condition.
· At
approximately 15:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural plot
in al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. As a result, 3 houses were damaged and a
woman, 50-year-old Fatema Mustafa al-Bayouk, was wounded.
· At
approximately 16:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were
reported.
· At
approximately 17:00, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at al-Zanna area in
Bani Suhaila village.
· At
approximately 18:05, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of
Palestinian civilians in al-Satar al-Gharbi area. Seven civilians were
wounded.
· At
approximately 19:15, Israeli drones fired 3 missiles at houses belonging to the
al-Muzayen family in al-Manara neighborhood in the south of Khan Yunis, after
phoning one of their residents ordering their evacuation. A few minutes
later, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at the houses, destroying 5 of
them, in which 26 people live.
· At
approximately 19:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike that was
traveling in the east of Khan Yunis. As a result, the rider and a
bystander were killed: Ihsan Mahrous al-Agha, 21; and Hassan Hussein Kaware’,
24.
· At
approximately 22:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were
reported.
· At
approximately 22:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.
· At
approximately 22:50, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at al-Abrar Mosque
in al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. The mosque was destroyed
and a number of nearby houses were damaged.
Rafah:
· At
approximately 01:50, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural
plot in the east of Rafah.
· At
approximately 07:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a tunnel near
Saladin Gate on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah.
· At approximately
07:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile a tunnel near Saladin Gate on the
Egyptian border, south of Rafah.
· At
approximately 11:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
Shareef al-Habibi, in which 10 people live, in the Doctors Street in the center
of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at
the house and destroyed it. Four Palestinian civilians were wounded.
· At
approximately 13:15, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at an agricultural plot
in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a result, Remas Mohammed
Jaber, 3, was wounded.
· At
approximately 16:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a tunnel on the
Egyptian border near al-Sho’ut area in the south of Rafah.
· At
approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike that was
traveling in al-Nasser village, northeast of Rafah. As a result, Farah
Mustafa Abu Snaima, 4, was wounded.
· At
approximately 19:45, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at houses and agricultural
areas in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. As a result, Mohammed ‘Ali
al-‘Aaloul, 23, was wounded.
· At
approximately 20:45, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house
belonging to Mohammed al-Kurd, in which 18 people live, in al-Salam
neighborhood in the south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli
warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
· At
approximately 22:40, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at an agricultural
plot in Kherbat al-‘Adas neighborhood in the north of Rafah.
· At
approximately 23:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to
‘Adnan al-Sha’er, in which 11 people live, in al-Salam neighborhood in the
south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at
the house and destroyed it.
Monday,
11 August 2014
The
Central Gaza Strip:
· At
approximately 00:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a tin-roofed house
belonging to Saber ‘Abed Rabbu al-Aa’raj, in which 8 people live. A few
minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and
destroyed it.
· At
approximately 03:20, medical sources declared that Maida’ Mohammed Aslan, 45
days, died of a previous wound she had sustained when Israeli tanks shelled her
family’s house in al-Maghazi refugee camp.
Rafah:
· At approximately 11:30, sources in an Egyptian
hospital declared that Mohammed Ahmed al-Roumi, 24, died of a previous wound he
had sustained when an Israeli warplane fired a missile at his family’s house in
al-Hashash neighbourhood in the northwest of Rafah on 02 August 2014. His father and 3 of his brothers were killed
in the attack.
Tuesday,
12 August 2014
Rafah:
· At
approximately 12:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Rafah seashore
opened fired at Palestinian fishing boats.
Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 15:30, medical sources declared that
a member of a Palestinian armed group, 36, died of wounds he had sustained by
Israeli bombardment on 01 August 2014. It should be noted that Israeli warplane
bombarded and destroyed his family’s house on the first day of the Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Wednesday,
13 August 2014
The
Northern Gaza Strip:
· In the morning, 5 persons, including 2 journalists, one of whom is
Italian, were killed, and 7 others, including a journalist, were wounded by the
explosion of a missile left from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, while
members of the Palestinian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) were
attempting to deactivate it.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 11:30 on
Wednesday, 13 August 2014, members of the EOD of the Palestinian Interior
Ministry headed to the yard of the building of North Gaza Governorate, which
was destroyed by the Israeli forces during the offensive on the Gaza Strip in
November 2012 (“Operation Pillar of Defense”), in the northeast of
Beit Lahia. A missile that did not
explode had been already taken to the yard.
While the sappers were attempting to deactivate the missile, it exploded
and killed 3 of them instantly: Lieutenant Colonel Hazem Mohammed Abu Murad,
Deputy Chief of the EOD of the Interior Ministry, 39; Major Tayseer ‘Ali
al-Houm, 44; and Sergeant Major Bilal Mohammed al-Sultan, 27. A fourth one was critically injured. The blast killed also 2 journalists: Simone
Camilli, 38, an Italian journalist who was working
for Associated Press; and ‘Ali Shihda Abu ‘Afash, 37, a translator for
Associated Press and a reporter of Doha Media Center. Additionally, a third journalist, Hatem
Mahmoud Mousa, 40, was seriously wounded.
Five civilian bystanders were also wounded.
· At approximately 15:00, medical sources at Shifa
Hospital in Gaza City declared that Ra’ed Sameer al-Halabi, 36, died of a wound
he had sustained when an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at his house in Beit
Lahia Housing Project on 10 August 2014.
His brother and his child were wounded in the attack.
The Central Gaza Strip:
· At approximately 09:00, medical sources declared that
Dima ‘Abdul Majid Kalloub, 28, died of a wound she had sustained by Israeli
artillery shelling of her house on 29 July 2014 in Deir al-Balah.
Rafah:
· At approximately 09:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Rafah seashore opened fired at Palestinian
fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen
were forced to sail back to the beach.
No casualties were reported.
2. Use of Excessive
Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting the Israeli Offensive on the
Gaza Strip, and Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
in the West Bank
While Israel is launching a
bloody offensive on the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces escalated the use of
excessive force against Palestinian civilians protesting crimes committed by
Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 2
Palestinian civilians and wounded 59 others, including 17 children.
· On Thursday evening, 07 August
2014, a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered near Qalandya checkpoint
between Jerusalem and Ramallah to organize a protest against the Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip. They set
fire to tires and threw stones, empty bottles and fireworks at Israeli
soldiers, who immediately fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas
canisters and stun grenades. As a
result, a 17-year-old Palestinian child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal
bullet to the head.
· Also on Thursday evening, a
number of Palestinian youngsters gathered near ‘Attara checkpoint at the
northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah, to organize a similar
protest. They set fire to tires and
threw stones, empty bottles and fireworks at Israeli soldiers, who immediately
fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and stun
grenades. As a result, a 20-year-old
protestor was wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet to the right side.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 08 August
2014, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration at Ibn Rushd
Square in the center of Hebron in protest against the Israeli offensive on the
Gaza Strip. The demonstrators marched
towards Bab al-Zawia area. Immediately,
Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters
and stun grenades at the demonstrators.
As a result, 40 demonstrators, including 13 children, were wounded; 25
of whom were wounded by live bullets, while the remaining 15 ones were wounded
by rubber-coated metal bullets. One of
the wounded, Nader Mohammed Edris, 42, was wounded by a bullet that hit the
main artery of the heart. He was
evacuated to al-Mezan Hospital where he underwent an urgent operation. At approximately 01:20 on Saturday, 09 August
2014, he was pronounced dead.
· At the same time, Palestinian
civilians demonstrated in the center of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in
protest against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. They moved to al-Zaher area near “Carmi
Tsur” settlement, south of the town.
Immediately, Israeli forces fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and
stun grenades at the demonstrators. As a
result, an 18-year-old boy was wounded by 2
gunshots fired from a weapon equipped with a silencer from a distance of 5
meters, while the other 3 civilians were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullet.
· Also following the Friday
Prayer, hundreds of Palestinian civilians organized a protest neat Beit Fourik
checkpoint, east of Nablus, against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip. They set fire to tires in the
streets and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who responded by firing live and
rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, 9 Palestinian civilians were
wounded by live bullets and 4 others were wounded by rubber-coated metal
bullets. The wounded included 3
children.
· At approximately 13:00 on
Friday, Palestinian civilians demonstrated in the center of ‘Azzoun village,
east of Qalqilya, in protest against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip. They moved towards to the closed
eastern entrance of the village.
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and
stun grenades at the demonstrators. As a
result, an 18-year-old demonstrator was seriously wounded by 2 live bullets to
the side, which caused paralysis to his lower limbs.
· On Friday noon, a number of
Palestinian youngsters demonstrated near Qalandya checkpoint between Jerusalem
and Ramallah in protest against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. They set fire to tires and threw stones, empty
bottles and fireworks at Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired live and
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades. As a result, a 20-year-old protestor was hit by a tear gas canister to his left wrist and a
rubber-coated metal bullet to the left elbow.
· On Friday evening, dozens of
Palestinian youngsters demonstrated at the western entrance of Silwad village,
northeast of Ramallah, in protest against the Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip. They threw stones at Israeli
soldiers who responded by firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas
canisters and stun grenades at them. As
a result, an 18-year-old demonstrator was wounded by a live bullet to the left
thigh and a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest.
· On Friday evening, Israeli forces shot dead
Mohammed Ahmed Qataru, 19, from al-Am’ari refugee camp in the center of
Ramallah, when he was participating in a demonstration organized in Jabal
al-Tawil area near “Psagot” settlement. The demonstrators threw stones at the fence
of the settlement. Immediately, 3
Israeli soldiers positioned in the area fired at the demonstrators and chased
them. At approximately 19:00, an Israeli
soldier who was lying on the ground fired a bullet at Qatari from a distance of
60-70 meters. Qatari was wounded in the
chest. Four Israeli soldier them pulled
him from the shoulders on the ground for 10 meters after kicking him. They put him behind cement blocks in the
above-mentioned settlement. At
approximately 19:45, a Palestinian ambulance received Qatari’s body.
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, 3 demonstrators were wounded and many others suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 08 August 2014,
dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The
demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the
liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli
forces closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the
protests. 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 waste water at them and
chased them into the olive fields. As a result, several demonstrators suffered
tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by
Israeli soldiers.
· At the same time, dozens of Palestinian
civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Nil’in village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall.
Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators
attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli
soldier. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldier who responded
with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullet, sound bombs, tear gas
canisters, and waste water at them and chased them into the village. As a
result, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Around the same time,
dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights
defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest
of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of 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 in
support of the Palestinian resistance, and they then 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
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to
being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· At approximately 13:35 on the same day, dozens
of Palestinian civilians and international activists organized a peaceful
demonstration in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in
protest at the closure of the eastern entrance of the village with a metal gate
since the beginning of the second Intifada. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel
bullets, and sound bombs in response. As a result, 3 protestors were wounded by
live bullets.
(Note: PCHR does not publish
the names of the wounded to avoid subjecting them to the risk of being arrested
by Israeli forces).
3. Israeli
Incursions and Attack in the West Bank
Thursday,
07 August 2014
· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Yatma village, south of Nablus. They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Firas Mohammed Dawabsha,
35, and arrested him.
· During the day, Israeli forces moved into the villages
of Beit Liqya, Deir Jareer and Khrabtha al-Misbah near Ramallah, and into
Qalqilya.
Friday, 08 August 2014
· At approximately 03:10, Israeli forces moved into
Hares village, north of Salfit. They
raided and searched 2 houses from which they arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
Samer ‘Ayad Souf, 25; and Fareed ‘Ata Sultan, 25.
· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They
raided and searched 14 houses and damaged their contents.
· Also at
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest of
Ramallah. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Mos’ab Fahmi Dar Nassar, 26, and arrested him.
· During the day, Israeli forces moved into Bitounia
town and Koubar and Deir Qeddis villages near Ramallah, and the villages of
al-Zubaidat and al-Dyouk, north of Jericho.
Saturday,
09 August 2014
· At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Estia village, north of Salfit. They
raided and searched a house belonging to Moneer Khalil Mansour and turned its
roof into a military site for 2 hours.
No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:15, Israeli forces moved into
Qarawat Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets and detained Shareef Ghazi Rayan for 3 hours.
· During the day, Israeli forces conducted 8 incursions
into a number of villages near Ramallah, Jericho and Salfit.
Sunday, 10
August 2014
· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein
al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yasser
Suleiman Dahouk, 35, and arrested him.
· At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah. They raided and searched 3
houses from which they arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: Mohammed Sa’adat
Sorour, 28; Nadeem ‘Emad Tantour, 24; and ‘Abdullah ‘Abdul Karim Sorour, 23.
· In the morning,
Israeli forces shot dead Khalil Mohammed
al-‘Anati, 12, from al-Fawar refugee camp south of Hebron. According to initial investigations, Israeli
forces moved into the camp and stationed in Nab’at al-Haffara area. A number of Palestinian children threw stones
at Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing at the children. As a result, the abovementioned child was
wounded by a bullet that entered his back and exited his abdomen when he was in
front of his family’s house. He was
evacuated in a civilian car to the National Hospital in Hebron in a critical
condition. Doctors attempted to save his
life, but their efforts failed and he was pronounced dead.
Monday,
11 August 2014
· In the morning, Israeli forces killed Zakaria Mousa
Dawod Aqra’, 22, in Qabalan village, south of Nablus. Israeli forces accused Aqra’ of firing at
them and wounding an Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces also wounded 6 Palestinian civilians.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 23:15 on Sunday, 10 August 2014, Israeli forces, accompanied by a
bulldozer, moved into Qabalan village, south of Nablus. They stationed in al-Hawoz area in the south
of the village, and besieged a 3-storey house belonging to Suhaib Ahmed Jaber,
the second floor of which is rented by Mohannad Mousa Aqra’, the victim’s
brother. The Israeli forces sought to
arrest Aqra’. They questioned members of
his family about his location, but the family denied having any information
about his location. Soon after, Israeli
forces opened fire the house. They also
fired a projectile at it. The house was
extensively damaged. At approximately
05:30 on Monday, an Israeli officer informed the victim’s father that they
killed him, claiming that he fired at them.
The father denied the claim that his son was armed. When Israeli forces withdrew from the
village, the victim’s body was transported to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. According to medical sources, he was hit by
at least 10 explosive gunshots to the left eye, the chest, the abdomen and the
feet. Six Palestinian civilians,
including 3 children and a woman, were also wounded:
1) Inshirah ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Az’ar, 40, wounded by shrapnel to her hands,
which cut one of her fingers.
2) Nawal Kamal Az’ar, 9, wounded by shrapnel to the face;
3) Yanal Kamal Az’ar, 15, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the face
and the nose
4) Kamal Farah Az’ar, 49, seriously wounded by shrapnel to body;
5) Jalal Kamal Az’ar, 4, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head and
the right hand; and
6) Hanan Jihad Az’ar, 24, wounded by shrapnel to the right shoulder.
· At
approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anabta village, east of
Tulkarm. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mustafa al-Najjar, 25, and arrested
him.
· At
approximately 13:20, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village , east of
Qalqilya. They raided a house belonging
to Ma’moun Farouq ‘Abdul Jabbar and handed him a summons to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service.
· At
approximately 13:50, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of
Qalqilya. They raided 2 houses belonging
to ‘Ali Shawahna and Na’im ‘Ali Shawahna and handed them notices to stop
construction works in their houses.
· At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia village, north of
Salfit. They raided a house belonging to
Moneer Khalil Mansour and turned its roof into a military site.
· In the evening,
a Palestinian child was killed and his brother was seriously injured by the
explosion of a suspicious object left by Israeli forces at the western entrance
of Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas.
According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:02, a heavy explosion
rocked the western entrance of Tammoun village, about 500 meters to the east of
Tammoun police station. Police officers
and a number of people rushed to the area and called an ambulance from
Tubas. When they arrived at the area,
they found the body of Mohammed Mo’tassem Bisharat, 15, who was hit by shrapnel
throughout the body. His brother, Ahmed,
12, was seriously injured by shrapnel throughout the body. Members of the Palestinian Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Unit arrived at the scene and inspected it. They indicated that the child trod on an
explosive device left by Israeli forces, so the explosion occurred and killed
him immediately. The two children were
grazing sheep in the area, which often witnesses military training by Israeli
forces. Many Palestinians have been
killed in similar circumstances since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967.
· In the evening,
Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Mohammed Jar’ani, 31, from Ertah suburb southwest
of Tulkarm, when he was in the headquarter of the Israeli military liaison as
he had been summoned by the Israeli intelligence service.
· At the same
time, Israeli forces arrested Nour al-Din Yasser ‘Ajaj, 26, from Saida village
north of Tulkarm, when he was in the headquarter of the Israeli military
liaison as he had been summoned by the Israeli intelligence service.
· During the day,
Israeli forces conducted 9 incursions into various areas in the West Bank
without any arrests being reported.
Tuesday,
12 August 2014
· At
approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm and patrolled the
streets. A number of Palestinian
youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired live
bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades as the stone throwers. As a result, a 19-year-old Palestinian was
wounded by a bullet to the left leg.
· During the day,
Israeli forces moved into Deir Ebzei’ village, west of Ramallah, and Deir Abu
Mash’al village, northwest of the town.
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
· In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into
Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.
They raided 2 houses from which they arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:
Qais Mohammed Ghuzail, 28; and Mohammed Yousef Jaradat, 20.
· At approximately
02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They raided and searched 2 houses from which
they arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Fadi Jamal Jarhoud, 20; and Mohammed
Shaker Abu Jama’a, 21.
· Also at
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia village, northwest of
Salfit. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians: Mohammed Maher al-Qadhi,
28; Yousef Ahmed Zaidan, 18; Muhannad ‘Abdul Qader Zaidan, 38; and Khalil
Mohammed Hakim, 22.
· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Kfairet village, southwest of Jenin.
They raided and searched a number of houses and questioned their
residents. No arrests were reported.
· Also at
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bourqin village, west of
Jenin. They raided a house belonging to
the family of ‘Emad ‘Ali ‘Atiq, 27, and questioned him on the spot. They withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.
· At
approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into Far’oun village, south of
Tulkarm. They raided and searched a
number of houses and questioned their residents on the spot. They withdrew
later and no arrests were reported.
· In the evening,
Mohammed Mohsen Bzour, 17, was moderately injured by the explosion of a
suspicious object left by Israeli forces in Raba village, east of Jenin.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR,
at approximately 19:00, a suspicious object exploded near the above-mentioned
child who was grazing sheep in agricultural areas near the village. He was moderately injured. According to local sources, the area where
the child was injured resulted from the explosion of an object left by Israeli
forces.
4. 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 for 9 months 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 6 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.
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.
The Egyptian authorities allow
the population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing,
which connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. Only limited and
specified categories are allowed, including patients, students, persons that
hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years, females in all ages,
children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign nationalities, and members
of Arab and international humanitarian delegations. Supposedly the
crossing opens seven days a week. Nowadays, the crossing is overcrowded
due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side, particularly after
closing it for several days over the past weeks due to Egypt’s security
conditions, which has affected the travelers’ movement in both directions.
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:
· Ramallah:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:30 on Thursday, 07 August 2014,
Israeli forces re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint at the
entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. At the same time, Israeli forces established
a checkpoint at the entrance of Saffa village, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles. No arrests were
reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 08 August 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah. At approximately 11:30,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ni’lin village, west
of the city. At approximately 20:30,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sinjel village,
north of Ramallah. They stopped and
searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 18:30 on Saturday, 09 August 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint near Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of
Ramallah. At the same time, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint under Yabroud Bridge, northeast of the
city. At approximately 21:30, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint near the intersection of “Ofra”
settlement, northeast of Ramallah. They
stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were
reported.
At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 10 August 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest
of Ramallah. At approximately 19:30,
they re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint at the northern
entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 11 August 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of
Ramallah. At approximately 18:30, they
established a checkpoint on the road between al-Mughayar and Turmos’iya
villages, northeast of Ramallah. At
approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They
stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but 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, 08 August 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel
village. At approximately 20:00, they
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nwai’ema village, north of
Jericho. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 09 August 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of
Jericho. They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 10 August 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nwai’ema village, north of
Jericho. They
stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were
reported.
At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 11 August 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
southern entrance of Jericho. They
stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles, but no arrests were
reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately
20:30 on Monday, 11 August 2014, Israeli forces positioned at Ennab checkpoint
on Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 00:30 on
Tuesday, 12 August 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road
between ‘Izbat Shoufa and Shoufa villages, southeast of Tulkarm. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles. The checkpoint was
removed later and no arrests were reported.
· Jenin: At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 11 August
2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrana
village, north of Jenin. They stopped
and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
The checkpoint was removed later and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at
Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 21:00 on
Monday, 11 August 2014, Israeli forces positioned at “Mavo Dutan”
checkpoint on the road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm
arrested Mohammed Tawfiq ‘Abbadi, 31, and Mohammed Zakaria ‘Abbadi, 29, from Ya’bad
village southwest of Jenin, when they were near the checkpoint.
5. Efforts
to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem
Attacks
by Israeli Forces
· At approximately 18:00 on
Friday, 08 August 2014, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of the
Old Town of Jerusalem. They arrested
Dawod Nasser Sawalha, 14, when he was in a barbershop, and attacked those who
were in the shop.
· At approximately 22:00 on
Saturday, 09 August 2014, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hatta quarter in the
Old Town of Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Mahmoud
al-Shalloudi, 24; and Ameen Mohammed Dwaik, 19.
· At approximately 02:00 on
Sunday, 10 August 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood in the
east of Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians: Majdi
al-Hudara, 19; and Lu’ai Hani al-Sayad, 24.
· At approximately 05:00 on
Tuesday, 13 August 2014, Israeli forces moved into Beit Hanina neighborhood in
the north of Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a
child: Mahmoud Abu Ta’a, 17; Taher Abu Ta’a, 19; and ‘Abdul Karim Abu Ta’a, 22.
· At approximately 04:30 on
Wednesday, 13 August 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Eissawiya village,
north of Jerusalem. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 18 Palestinian civilians: ‘Ammar
Zaytoun; Ghanem Mustafa; Mohammed al-Ghazzawi; Mohammed al-Natsha; Mustafa
al-Natsha; Mo’taz al-Rajabi; Mahmoud Dwaik; Mahmoud al-Shaweesh; Mohammed
al-Tamimi; Ghanem Mustafa; Ahmed ‘Awad; Ahmed Edkaidek; Eyad Edkaidek; Bassam
Haitham Hejazi; Hashem al-Atrash; Ahmed ‘Awad; Mahmoud Hamdan; and Mousa
Hamdan.
· At approximately 05:00 on
Wednesday, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood in the east of
Jerusalem. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 7 Palestinian civilians: Mohammed Akram Abu
al-Hawa; Ahmed Abu al-Hawa; Fahad Abu Esbaitan; Qussai Khwais; Mohammed Jasser;
Wissam Abu al-Hawa; and Tha’er Abu Lafi.
· At approximately 05:30, Israeli
forces moved into al-Wad and Bab Hatta quarters in the Old Town of
Jerusalem. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 12 Palestinian civilians: ‘Aassem Najib; Moneer
al-Basti; Ayman al-Basti; Mohammed al-Basti; Mahmoud al-Shaweesh; Mohammed
al-Tamimi; Anwar ‘Arafa; Fadi ‘Arafa; Taha ‘Arafa; ‘Adnan Shahwan; Mohammed
Syouri; and Hussam Shahwan.
Attacks by Israeli Settlers
· At approximately 22:30 on
Thursday, 07 August 2014, an Israeli settler threw stones at Ritaj Ra’ed
al-Hantouli, 16 months, when she was with her family in front of their houses
in Bab al-Magharba area in the south of the Old Town of Jerusalem. She sustained bruises and cuts to her
leg. According to her father, the
Israeli police were present in the area when the settler threw stones.
· At approximately 17:00 on
Friday, 09 August 2014, an Israeli settler attempted to run down ‘Ola ‘Olayan
when she was on her way back home in Beit Safafa village, south of
Jerusalem. According to ‘Olayan, the
attack took place at al-Tantour Street opposite to the entrance of Beit Safafa
village. When she stepped down from a
bus, a car in which 3 Israeli settlers were traveling attempted to run her
down. They also insulted her. She managed to escape and reach the entrance
of the village.
6. 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 03:30 on Sunday, 10 August 2014, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Taffouh” settlement broke into Yassouf village, east of
Salfit. They set fire a Volkswagen
Caravelle taxi belonging to ‘Atallah Yassin Jouda, 52, which was parked in front
of his house. The settlers also wrote
hostile phrases in Hebrew and signed them by “Price Tag” on the walls
near the taxi. Israeli soldiers
stationed on the watchtower at the entrance of the settlement stated that they
saw 4 Israeli settlers in the area, and that the owner of the taxi could file a
complaint against them. The taxi was extensively damaged.
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 [email protected] or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.
