Salfit-
Israeli forces confiscate lands in Kafr al-Deek village- Reuters

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

 

 

Israeli forces continued to open fire in the border
areas of the Gaza Strip.

4 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, and a member of an armed group were wounded in
the northern and central Gaza Strip.

A
Palestinian boy was seriously wounded and arrested in the northwest of
Ramallah.

 

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

3 protesters
were wounded in a demonstration organized in solidarity with the Palestinian
administrative detainees in the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison.

 

Israeli forces conducted 65 incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the southern Gaza
Strip.

46
Palestinian civilians, including 10 children and a woman, were arrested.

 

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 5 Palestinian civilians, four of whom were
released later, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 5 Palestinian civilians were arrested along
the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.

Three
fishermen were arrested off Rafah shore, in the southern Gaza Strip.  

 

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

80 dunums of
land were levelled in Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit

Settlers set
fire to wheat crops in the northern and southern West Bank.

30 olive and
almond trees were uprooted in Qaryout lands, southeast of Nablus.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(22
– 28 May 2014).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 8 Palestinians,
including 7 civilians and a child.  Four
of the aforementioned Palestinians were wounded in the West Bank, and the other
four ones were wounded in the Gaza strip. 
Israeli naval forces fired at and chased Palestinian fishing boats in
the Gaza Strip Sea.

                       

In the Gaza Strip, on 23 May 2014, Mohammed ‘Abdel
Men’em Ahmed Abu Shehadah (16) from al-Msadar village was wounded by a bullet
to the right shoulder causing him paraplegia when Israeli forces stationed
along the border, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at 3 brothers, who were
collecting straws in an agricultural area around 350 meters away from the border.

 

On the same day, a member of an Palestinian armed
group was wounded by a bullet to the right thigh when Israeli forces stationed
along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of al-Sifah area in
the northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group
of a number of armed Palestinians who were present near the border. 

 

On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the
border, east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire and fired tear
gas canisters at a group of young men who were near the border in attempt to
throw stones at the Israeli soldiers.  No
injuries were reported.

 

Also on the same day, Israeli forces stationed on the
watchtowers at Beit Hanoun Crossing (Erez) and in its vicinity, northwest of
Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers who
were collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west of
the crossing near the border.  No
injuries were reported.

 

On 25 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed on the watchtowers
along the northern border, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip,
opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting raw materials near the
border fence in the destroyed industrial zone near Beit Hanoun “Erez”
Crossing.  As a result, a Palestinian
civilian was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.

 

On 26 May 2014, ‘Emad Shokri Salem (52) from Beit
Lahia Housing Project was wounded by two bullets to the back and right hand
when Israeli forces stationed along the border, northwest of Beit Lahia in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were
along the Beit Lahia shore around 300 meters away from the northern borders.

 

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in
the sea, on 24 May 2014, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha Shore,
northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity
of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles offshore.  No injuries were reported, but fishermen lost
4 nets which are 250 meters long.

 

On 27 May 2014, Israeli naval forces arrested 3
Palestinian fishermen while sailing 3 nautical miles off Rafah shore in the
southern Gaza Strip. 

 

In the West Bank, on 23 May 2014, Israeli forces wounded
3 Palestinian civilians who were participating in a demonstration organized in
the vicinity of ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the
Palestinian administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike in the
Israeli jails. The first civilian (19) sustained a bullet wound to the right
leg, the second one (24) was hit by a tear gas canister to his chest, and the
third one (23) sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to his forehead.

 

On 24 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed on watchtowers
established along the fence surrounding “Beit Eil” settlement, north of
Ramallah, opened fire at a group of boys in the agricultural lands near
al-Jalzone UNRWA School for Boys to the west of the aforementioned
settlement.  As a result, Mohammed ‘Ali
Hasan Safi (‘Eishawi) (18) from the refugee camp was wounded by 3 bullets to
the left and right legs.  He was arrested
and taken to Hadasa ‘Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem, where his wounds were
described as critical.

 

In the same context, Israeli forces used excessive
force against peaceful protests organised 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,
dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises
as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 65 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 46 Palestinians, including 10
children and a woman.

 

On 22 May 2014, Israeli forces moved 200 meters into
the east of Khaza’ah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza
strip.  They levelled lands along the
border fence and then redeployed along the border fence.

 

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 5 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints
in the West Bank, and another 5 civilians along the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel.

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.

 

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

 

On 22 May 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a group of settlers moved
into Thaher al-Soboh area, north of Kafr al-Deek village, west of Salfit.  They surveyed tracts of lands in the area
till at approximately 15:00.  At
approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by bulldozers
moved into the area again and leveled tracts of lands in it.  The lands threatened with leveling are
located adjacent to “Brokhin” and “’Ali Zihav” settlements. 

 

Attacks carried out by settlers

On 23 May 2014, settlers from “Mitsibi Ya’ir”
settlement established on Palestinian lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron,
set fire to peals of wheat crops on a land belonging to Khaled Mousa al-Najjar
(60), from Qawawis village, east of the city. 

On the same day, four settlers from “Kokhaf
Hashaher” settlement established on the lands of Deir Jarir village, northeast
of Ramallah, attacked two civilians who were on the road between Mekhmas and
al-Tibah villages, northeast of the city. 
During their attack, the settlers used plastic sticks, clubs and a knife
causing injuries and bruises to them.

On 26 May 2014, settlers from “Sidi Bou’ezHayofal” outpost
established on the Palestinian lands, west of Qaryout village, southeast of
Nablus, cut down 30 almond and olive trees from the aforementioned village
lands.  The attack was backed by the
settlement guard, who claimed that the trees were cut for security reasons.

On 27 May 2014, when Fawzi Ibrahim ‘Abed Haj
Mohammed arrived at his land in Khelet Abu Shabraqah area, southeast of Jaloud
village, southeast of Nablus, he was surprised that settlers entered their
sheep into the land and damaged the wheat crops, i.e. 45 dunums, causing a loss
of around 45,000 NIS. 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(22 – 28 May 2014)

   

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

Thursday, 22 May 2014

 

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces backed moved
into Barqah village, northwest of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of
houses.  They then handed the family of
Ma’en Haris Haji (15) a notice to refer the Israeli Intelligence in “Hawarah”
Camp, southeast of the city.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved 200 meters
into the east of Khaza’ah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza
strip.  They levelled lands along the
border fence and then redeployed along the border fence.  During the incursion, which lasted for a
couple of hours, Israeli forces opened fire indiscriminately.  However, no injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Marj
quarter in Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched an
apartment belonging to Dr. Majdi Mohammed Najib Mafarjah (33).  They arrested Dr. Mafarjah and took him to
the Russian Compound, a detention centre, in Jerusalem.  It should be mentioned that the
aforementioned is a lecturer at the Information Technology (IT) Faculty in Bir
Zeit University.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles moved into al-Jaftalak village, north of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into a
number of neighbourhoods in the centre of Dura in the southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed in Haninah area.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Shaher
al-Namourah (17).  They arrested the
aforementioned person and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Marj
Na’ajah village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and then
stationed at the village’s entrance. 
They deployed between houses. 
They then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they
arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children, and took them to “’Ofer” Prison,
southwest of the city.  The detainees were
identified as:

1. Majdi  Yousif
Hussein  Tamimi(21);

2. Nour Taysir Thiab al-A’araj (16); and

3. Ja’afar Laith ‘Abdel Ghafer Soufi.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles and an infantry force moved into al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Oday ‘Abdel Raziq
Tamimi (21). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into ‘Aydah refugee camp, northwest of Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets and then stationed
at the western entrance of the village. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ramzi
Mohammed al-‘Atiq (23).  They arrested
the aforementioned and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-‘Aqbah area, south of Dura, southwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in ‘Ayoun Abu Seif area.  A number of Palestinian young men gathered and
threw stones at the Israeli vehicles. 
The Israeli soldiers then chased them into the agricultural lands and
fire tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and the houses in the
area.  As a result, a number of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation.  Meanwhile,
the Israeli soldiers established a checkpoint on the road between Dura and its
southern villages.  The checkpoint was
removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:10, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kafr al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They
patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Wafi Fayez ‘Odah al-Dik (29). 
They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces backed by 3 military
vehicles moved into al-Tabaqah village, southwest
of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 23 May 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.    

 

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Ezna village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed in ‘Aziz Valley area, west of the village.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Dawoud Yousif al-Tmeizi (28). 
They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown
destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by heavy military
vehicles moved into Hawwarah village, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the
streets and through microphones declared a curfew.  They then raided and searched a number of
houses. They withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Deir Istayyah village, north of Salfit. They
patrolled the streets and fired sound bombs in the vicinity of the
village.  At approximately 21:00, they
withdrew, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:20, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They
raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Riyad ‘Abdel
Rahim Ishteiwi (35) and Fadi Bassim Hasan Jom’aah (22) and took them to an
unknown destination.  In addition, they
handed Sabri ‘Ata Ishteiwi (47) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence.

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kafr ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched automobile repair workshops.
 At approximately 14:00, they withdrew,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence, east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia, in the
northern Gaza Strip, fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at a group of
youngsters, who were present near the said fence throwing stones at the Israeli
soldiers. Sporadic fire was opened until 18:00, but neither casualties nor
damages were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bab
al-Zawiyah area in the centre of Hebron. They deployed between the shops
resulting in fear among civilians who were there.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones
and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and
tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered
tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 14:15, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at 3 brothers, who were
collecting straws in an agricultural area belonging to Mohammed Abu Matwi,
around 350 meters away from the aforementioned fence.  The brothers were identified as: Mohammed
‘Abdel Men’em Ahmed Abu Shehadah (16); Bashar (14); and Jaber (5), from
al-Msadar village.  As a result, Mohammed
was wounded by a bullet to the right shoulder. 
When his uncle, Hasan Abu Shehadah, tried to save him for around half an
hour, the Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and artillery shells at
him.  The uncle then called an ambulance
from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) as it arrived and transferred
the wounded to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.  Due to his serious injury, he was transferred
to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  The
bullet caused Mohammed paraplegia.

      

The child’s uncle, Hasan Jaber ‘Abdallah Abu Shehadah
(37), said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately 14:20 on Friday, 23 May 2014, my
brother, Mahran (29), called me to tell me that my niece, Mohammed ‘Abdel
Men’em Abu Shehadah (16) was wounded to the east of Deir al-Balah in an
agricultural land belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Matwi, which is around 350
meters away from the border fence.  When
I arrived at the area, I grovelled as there is an Israeli site next to the
land.  I started crawling till I reached
my nephew.  When I approached him, I saw
him and his two brothers; Bashar (14) and Jaber (5), lying on the ground.  I managed to pull them and leave the
area.  I approached Mohammed around 2
meters when an Israeli tank stationed on a hill along the border fence fired
shells and the Israeli soldiers fired live bullets at me and the area.  This took around 30 minutes.  I shouted at my nephew ordering him not to
move.  I then called a PRCS ambulance
which arrived at the area and took him to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.  At approximately 16:10, he arrived at the
area and then was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza due to his serious
condition.  He was wounded by a bullet to
the right shoulder.  At Shifa Hospital,
they took the bullet out from the left side of his shoulder and his condition
was described as serious.  Medical
sources there said that he suffers paraplegia and we are waiting for his
transferral to the Israeli hospitals.”

                            

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces stationed on
the watchtowers at Beit Hanoun Crossing (Erez) and in its vicinity, northwest
of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers
who were collecting raw materials in the destroyed industrial zone to the west
of the crossing near the border. 
Although no injuries were reported, the workers were forced to flee from
the area for fear of being injured.

                             

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence, north of al-Sifah area, northwest of Beit Lahia in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of armed Palestinians.  As a result, one of them was wounded by a
bullet to the right thigh.  He was taken
to Martyr Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, where his leg was x-rayed.  It was found out that he sustained fractures
in the thigh bones.  It should be
mentioned that the group was near the aforementioned fence and is affiliated
with Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas).

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and withdrew
later.  No arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 24 May 2014

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Tubas.  They
patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a number of houses, from
which they arrested ‘Otbah Faleh Daraghmah (27) and Jawdat Mesbah Jawdat
al-Masri (35).    

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Bitounia village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles moved into ‘Aqrabah village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and
searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Amjad ‘Abdel Rahman
Diriyah (22).

 

Around the same time, Israeli forced backed by military
vehicles moved into al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Termes’ayah village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some
time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the centre of the camp.  They deployed between the houses and withdrew
later.  Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forced backed by 3
military vehicles moved into Deir Samit village, southwest of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:15, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of the Palestinian fishing boats sailing 3 nautical miles offshore.  The shooting targeted a fishing boat, which
held a registration plate No. (269), belonging to Kamel Dib Mahmoud al-Anqah
(62) from al-Salatin area in Beit Lahia. 
The aforementioned boat was boarded by al-Anqah’s sons.  The Israeli forces called on them via megaphones
to stop moving and turn the engine off or they will shoot at them, but the sons
kept sailing to the east towards the shore. 
No injuries were reported, but the aforementioned fishermen lost 4 nets which
are 250 meters long.

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kafr ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-‘Oja village, northeast of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces stationed on
the watchtowers, which are established along the fence surrounding “Beit Eil”
settlement, north of Ramallah, opened fire at a group of boys in the
agricultural lands near al-Jalzone UNRWA School for Boys to the west of the
aforementioned settlement.  As a result,
Mohammed ‘Ali Hasan Safi (‘Eishawi) (18), from the camp, was wounded by 3
bullets to the left and right legs.  He
was arrested and taken to Hadasa ‘Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem, where his
wounds were described as critical.  The Palestinian
Prisoner Club’s lawyer, who visited al-‘Eishawi in the aforementioned hospital,
said that he underwent a surgery for one foot as he sustained laceration in the
bones and he still needs more surgeries.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, west of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

 

  Sunday, 25
May 2014

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Mowareq
village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by 3
military vehicles moved into al-Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:50, Israeli forces stationed on
the watchtowers along the northern borders, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting raw materials
near the border in the destroyed industrial zone near Beit Hanoun “Erez”
Crossing.  As a result, Mohammed Mazen
Bahjat al-Kafarnah (19) was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.  He was taken to Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital, where
he his wound was described as moderate.

At approximately 13:25, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles moved into Kafr al-Dik village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces from “Karmi
Tsour” settlement, which is established on Palestinian lands, south of Beit
Ummar, north of Hebron, moved into the agricultural lands adjacent to the
aforementioned settlement. They stopped two children, who were with their
families collecting grape leaves.  They
arrested the two children; identified as Mohammed Nahyar ‘Awad (16) and
‘Obaidah Nabil Abu ‘Ayyash (16), and took them to the settlement.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles moved into al-Shyouk village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrest were reported.

 

At approximately 18:20, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Kafr al-Dik village, west of Salfit, for the
second times in few hours.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 21:10.  Neither house raids nor arrest were reported.

 

At approximately 22:50, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Qarawet Bani Hassan village, northwest of
Salfit.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew at approximately 23:10. 
Neither house raids nor arrest were reported.

 

At approximately 22:25, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Bedia village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 23:15.  Neither house raids nor arrest were reported.

 

Monday, 26 May 2014

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Beit Marsam village, southwest of Dura, southwest
of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and then stationed
in the centre of the camp.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Mustafa Jawad Salim (17) after keeping
his family in one room.  Israeli forces
arrested the aforementioned child and withdrew later taking him where the
military vehicles were stationed. 
Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided and searched another two houses
belonging to al-Wawi family.  Israeli
forces arrested Walid Fayez Hamed al-Wawi (19); Mohammed Fawzi Hamed al-Wawi
(19).  At approximately 16:00, they
withdrew from the camp and took the three arrested persons to an unknown
destination.

 

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into al-Kaher village, southwest of Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed near Sa’ed Bin al-‘Aas School. 
A number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli soldiers, who fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
them.  As a result, some of the boys
suffered tear gas inhalation.  Meanwhile,
the Israeli soldiers detained Yosif Raja ‘Issa (15) for a couple of hours, but released
him later.

 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed in Abu Sneinah neighbourhood. 
The Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses and a group of boys gathered
and threw stones and empty bottles at them. 
The Israeli soldiers in response fired sound bombs and tear gas
canisters indiscriminately.  As a result,
a number of civilians suffer tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli soldiers withdrew later, and
neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by 3
military vehicles moved into Hahloul, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and withdrew
later.  Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened
fire at a group of Palestinian civilians who were along the Beit Lahia
shore.  As a result, ‘Emad Shokri Salem
(52), from Beit Lahia Housing Project, was wounded by two bullets to the back
and right hand.  He was transferred to
receive medical treatment at Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital where his wound was
described as serious.  He was then
admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 
It should be mentioned that Salem was fishing off Beit Lahia shore
around 300 meters away from the northern borders.

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Ya’bed village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and then raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Bashar Khaled ‘Abdel Jabbar Abu
Baker (52).  They arrested his son, Nour
(17).  Israeli forces then raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Jamal Khaled Abu Baker (18)
and arrested him as well.  Israeli forces
withdrew later taking the two detainees to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into several neighbourhoods in the centre of Yata,
south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces backed by 2
military vehicles moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Tubas.  They
patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a number of houses.  They arrested Merwan Mohammed al-Masri (23)
from his family’s house near al-Masri wedding hall and al-Tawhid Mosque in the
centre of the city. 

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by 4
military vehicles moved into several neighbourhoods in the centre of Yata, south
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Tulkarm. 
They patrolled the streets and then raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Hamzah Mohammed Mustafa Salamah “al-Safi” (21), whom
they arrested.  Israeli forces then
patrolled the streets to the east and moved into Tulkarm refugee camp.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Mos’ab ‘Adnan Ahmed Khader al-Hosari (24) and arrested him as
well.  Israeli forces then patrolled the
streets to Zannabah suburb, east of the city. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hamadah
Khalil Yousif Abu ‘Awad (28) and handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence in the Israeli Liaison (DCO), southwest of Tulkarm.  Israeli forces withdrew later from the city
taking the detainees to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and then stationed
in the centre of the village.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wahid Hamdi Abu Mariyah
(49), a former prisoner in the Israeli jails, after keeping his family in one
room.  They arrested his son, Hamzah
(25), and took him to where the vehicles were stationed.  Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided and searched
4 houses in al-Tahta neighbourhood for 3 hours. 
Israeli forces arrested 4 civilians identified as:

1. Saddam ‘Adel Sleibi (21);

2. Mohammed Jamal Mahmoud ‘Alqam (22);

3. ‘Ammar Mohammed ‘Abdel Hamid Abu Mariyah (20); and

4. Mohammed Sa’id Sabarnah (22).

 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli soldiers withdrew
and took the five detainees to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Za’atrah village, east of Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron, while proceeding one of their deaths to the
village cemetery adjacent to bypass road (60). 
Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters randomly at
them.  Young men gathered and threw stones
and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who in response closed the village’s
entrance and prevented civilians’ movement. 
Moreover, they chased the young men and fired rubber-coated metal
bullets at them.  No arrests were
reported.

At approximately 23:00, Israeli naval forces arrested
3 Palestinian fishermen while sailing 3 nautical miles off Rafah shore in the
southern Gaza Strip.  The fishermen were
identified as; Ibrahim Khamis Murad (45); his son Khamis (19); and Ahmed
al-Jizawi.  It should be mentioned that
they are still under arrest.

 

Wednesday, 28
May 2014

 

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus. They
raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Samaher
Soliman ‘Ali Zain al-Deen (33), the wife of former prisoner Nader Zain
al-Deen.  They withdrew later taking her
to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna
village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Jenin.  They
raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 7
civilians.  An eyewitness said to a PCHR
fieldworker that clashes broke out between the Israeli soldiers and Palestinian
youngsters, who gathered near the Israeli vehicles and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli soldiers.  The
Israeli soldiers in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
stone-throwers to disperse them.  The
Israeli soldiers withdrew later taking the detainees to an unknown destination.  The detainees were identified as:

1. ‘Alaa’ Yousif Sadeq al-Qarout (20);

2. Osayd Ahmed Mohammed Ramo al-Ball (22);

3. Ahmed Taher Zakarnah (22);

4. His brother, Shawqi, (21);

5. Mohammed Jaber Zakarnah (21);

6. Wasim ‘Eid Jasem Mer’ei (25); and

7. ‘Assem Jamal ‘Abdel Salam Abu al-Hayjaa’ (27).

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into ‘Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed at the western entrance of the camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses from
which they arrested 3 civilians, including a child, and took him to an unknown
destination.  The detainees were
identified as: Khader Akram Abu Khdeir (19); Ahmed ‘Amer ‘Odah (20); and Ahmed
Ibrahim ‘Eid Jawarish (17).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into several
neighbourhoods in the center of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets and then stationed in al-Sheikh
neighbourhood.  They raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Yousif ‘Ali Hammad Ghaith (21) after leaving
his family outside.  They arrested him
and took him to where the military vehicles were stationed.  At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces
patrolled the streets to Be’er al-Mahjar area in the northwest of the city and
then stationed in al-Mafareq area. 
Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to the family of
Shaher Yousif al-Qawasmah, whom they arrested. 
They withdrew later taking the detainees to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Atil village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets and
then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Eqab Zuhair
al-‘Eteili (38), whom they questioned on the spot.  Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither
further incidents nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into
Yata, south of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and then stationed in al-Souq area. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Bajes
Ibrahim al-Dababsah (30).  They arrested
the aforementioned person and withdrew later taking him to an unknown
destination.

 

At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahdi Hasan Fawzi
Salah al-Hifawi (35) in addition to causing damage to the house.  They handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence in Salem Camp, northwest of Jenin on Thursday, 29 May 2014.  They withdrew later, and no further incidents
were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested ‘Alaa’ Yousif Mohammed Abu Baker
(17) and Mahmoud Hussein Herzallah (17), both from Ya’abed village, southwest
of Jenin, when they were in Salem Camp, northwest of Jenin, upon a notice they
early received.

 

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 organised 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.

 

 

(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

 

Following
the Friday Prayer, 23 May 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 and in solidarity with
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Demonstrators took the streets raising
the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the
annexation wall. Israeli forces 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 skunk water at them and
chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of demonstrators
suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten
up by Israeli soldiers.

 

On
the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized 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 and in solidarity
with Palestinian detainees on hunger strike. 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 demonstrators. They also sprayed waste water at them and chased them into
the olive fields. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and
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, northwest of Ramallah, in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities, in solidarity
with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Demonstrators took the streets
raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and
in support of the Palestinian unity, and they then headed to the lands that the
settlers are trying to seize by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces
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, Israeli forces
fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and waste water at the demonstrators and chased into the village.
Moreover, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained
bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on the aforementioned 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. 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, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Other Demonstrations

 

On Friday afternoon, 23 May 2014, dozens of
Palestinian young men gathered near ‘Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah, to
organize a demonstration in solidarity with administrative detainees in the
Israeli jails. Protesters headed towards the prison’s gate, so the Israeli
forces closed the gate and large numbers of Israeli soldiers were deployed in
the vicinity of it. Protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli soldiers who fired in response live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a
result, 3 civilians sustained wounds and were taken to Palestine Medical
Complex to receive the necessary medical treatment. Moreover, a number of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. The first civilian (19) sustained a
bullet wound to the right leg, the second one (24) was hit by a tear gas
canister to his chest, and the third one (23) sustained a metal bullet wound to
his forehead.

 

 After the Friday prayer of the aforementioned
day, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered at the western entrance of Selwad
village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad village and Yabrod
village near Street (60) to throw stones at the aforementioned street. The
Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them and chased them into
the village. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 24 May 2014, activists from the Popular
Committee against the Wall and Settlements and Hebron Defense Committee and
other civilians residents organized a peaceful demonstration at the entrance of
al-Fawwar refugee camp in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike. Demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and
chanting slogans against the occupation. Israeli soldiers moved into the area
and deployed in order to distance the demonstrators from the area. The Israeli
soldiers then fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As
a result, some of them suffered tear gas inhalation. Meanwhile, youngsters
gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers who fired tear gas
canisters in response. No arrests were reported.

 

 

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
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.

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) Crossing

 

 

 

Other
Imports:

 

On Sunday,
18 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 2,690 tons of cement and
another 380 tons of cement for UNRWA.  They
also allowed the entry of 456 tons of fodders and 280 tons of wheat.

 

On
Tuesday, 20 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 665 tons of fodders
and 255 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday,
21 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 3,375 tons of cement and
another 120 tons of cement for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 565 tons
of fodders and 490 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday,
22 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 3,865 tons of cement and
another 317 tons of cement for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 840 tons
of fodders and 385 tons of wheat.

 

Empty
Plastic Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

On Sunday,
18 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed 7 truckloads of empty plastic containers to
be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Tuesday, 20 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty plastic
containers, 3 truckloads of wooden boards, and a truckload of empty oxygen
tanks to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On Wednesday,
21 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed 2 truckloads of empty plastic containers to
be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On Thursday,
22 May 2014, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to
be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

Note:

No
Palestinian products were exported during the reporting period.

 

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

21– 26 May 2014

 

 

Note: Israeli
authorities have allowed Christians from Gaza to see Pope Francis, on Sunday,
in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem. The numbers of Christians who were
allowed into the West Bank were as follows:

 

Wednesday 21 May
2014:  20 persons

Thursday 22 May
2014:  77 persons

Friday 23 May
2014:  56 persons

Sunday 25 May 2014:
25 persons

Monday 26 May 2014:
33 persons

 

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 07:00 on Thursday, 22
May 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of
Hebron and another one at the entrance of Beit Ainoun, east of the city.  At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Naim village, east of the
city. All checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Friday, 23 May 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Wadi al-Reesh road, west of Ezna
village, west of Hebron. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 24 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, near the road no. 60,
south of Hebron.  At approximately 15:00,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of al- Zaheria village,
south of the city. All checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 25 May 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’ village,
east of Hebron. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Monday, 26 May 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east
of Hebron and another one at the northern entrance of the city.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Halhoul village, east of Hebron. At approximately
16:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
Wadi al-Reesh road, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. All checkpoints were
removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 28 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Amr village, north of Hebron. The checkpoint
was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Ramallah: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 22 May 2014, Israeli forces redeployed at
Attarah checkpoint, at the northern entrance of Beir Zeit village, north of
Ramallah. At approximately 15:00, a similar checkpoint was established under
the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

 

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 23 May 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, east of the city. At approximately 18:30, a
similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit O’re al-Foqa,
southeast of Ramallah All checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 24 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint under Ain Yabroud bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately
20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Ofra settlement, north of
the city. At approximately 20:20, Israeli forces redeployed at Attarah checkpoint,
at the northern entrance of Beir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. All
checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported

 

· Bethlehem: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Monday, 26 May 2014,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Fajjar village,
south of Bethlehem. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Wad Rahal village, southeast of the city. The
checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 22 May
2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel
village, north of Jericho.  The
checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:00 on Friday, 23 May 2014, another checkpoint was established the
entrance of al-Zubeidat village, north of the city. The checkpoint was removed
later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 24 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 18:30, a similar checkpoint
was established at the southern entrance of the city. Both checkpoints were removed
later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Qalqilya: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 12:00 on Ssturday, 24 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between ‘Azoun village and ‘Izbat al-Tabeeb village, east of
Qalqilya. At approximately 13:00, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:45 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of the tunnel of Habla village, at the southern
entrance of the city. At approximately 21:30, the checkpoint was removed, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:30 on Monday, 26 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. At
approximately 14:30, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Salfit: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 13:50 on Saturday, 24 May
2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Salfit city and Iskaka
village, east of the city. At approximately 22:45 of the aforementioned day, a
similar checkpoint was established at the western entrance of Deir Istia
village, northwest of the city. Both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:10 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the western entrance of Marda village, north of the Salfit. At
approximately 15:30, a similar checkpoint at the western entrance of Deir
Ballut village, west of the city. 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 13:45 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Faroun village, south of Tulkarm. The checkpoint
was removed later, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:30 on the
aforementioned day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between
‘Ezbet Shofah and Shofah villages, southeast of Tulkarm. All checkpoints were
removed later, and no arrests were reported

 

At
approximately 08:30 on Monday, 26 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab
checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm
tightened restrictions against Palestinians and obstructed their movement. The
tightening ended later and no arrests were reported. 

 

Around
the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between
Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.
The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment near the Border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel

 

• On 22 May 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east
of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, arrested Harb Maher Abdel
Rahamn Abu Wadi (20) from al-Jurn neighborhood, downtown Jabalia. The detainess
was trying to pass the border in order to infiltrate to Israel to work there. According to field
investigations, the young man was arrest when he was trying to pass the border with
3 other men.

 

• Later on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at the border
fence, east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, arrested Mahmoud Ahmad
Salem Mrueished (19) from Abu Safia area, east of Jabalia. The detainee
was trying to pass the border in order to infiltrate to Israel to work there. The prisoner called
his parents from prison and informed them that they must appoint a lawyer.

 

Arrests and
Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 22 May 2014, Israeli forces
stationed at al-Karama border crossing, east of Jericho arrested Riad Fares
al-Hassan  (22), a student at al-Najah
University. Al-Hassan  was taken to an unknown destination after he was
held for 5 hours. It should be noted that the aforementioned detainee is the
son of Fares Abu al-Hassan, a Palestinian lawyer, head of Solidarity Foundation
for Human Rights and a detainee in Israeli prisons as well. 

 

• At approximately 14:30 on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, Israeli forces
stationed at al-Musafer area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, arrested 4 girls
who were returning from al-Tawani school to their homes at Kherbat al-Toba,
which is under the threat of displacement. Later, the girls, who were handed to
the Palestinian military liaison, were identified as:

1. Nour Shahada
Makhamrah (13);

2. Dalal Ali Awad (13);

3. Ashraf Omar Abu
Jindiah (13), and;

4. Randa Shahada
Makhamrah (13).

 

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

 

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

 

· At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 22 May 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a group
of settlers moved into Thaher al-Soboh area, north of Kafr al-Deek village,
west of Salfit.  They surveyed tracts of
lands in the area till at approximately 15:00. 
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, Israeli forces backed by
bulldozers moved again into the area and then leveled tracts of lands in
it.  The lands threatened by leveling is
located adjacent to “Brokhin” and “’Ali Zihaf” settlements.  The leveling is still ongoing as they leveled
around 80 dunums from the agricultural lands.

 

Jamal al-Deek, Mayor
of Kafr al-Deek village, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

 

“On
Tuesday, 27 May 2014, we headed to the Israeli military Liaison in Qalqilya
crossing and filed a complaint asking them to tell us about what happened as the
owners of the lands were not informed via the official newspapers.  Moreover, no outline was sent to the
municipality and as usual they did not inform us about the leveling.  We were then informed that this area has been
declared as a governmental land since 1986 and around 152 dunums will be
leveled.”

 

Attacks carried out by settlers

· On Thursday evening,
22 May 2014, settlers from “Mitsibi Ya’ir” settlement established on
Palestinian lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, set fire to peals of wheat
crops on a land belonging to Khaled Mousa al-Najjar (60) from Qawawis village,
east of the city.  The aforementioned
settlement is around 1500 meters to the east of the aforementioned land while
it is surrounded by “Sousia” settlement from the west around 500 meters.

· At approximately
21:00 on Friday, 23 May 2014, four settlers from “Kokhaf Hashaher” settlement
established on the lands of Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah, attacked
two civilians who were on the road between Mekhmas and al-Tibah villages,
northeast of the city.  During their
attack, the settlers used plastic sticks, clubs and a knife causing injuries
and bruises to them.

Ahmed ‘Abdullah ‘Abbas (43) said to a PCHR
fieldworker that:

“At approximately 21:00 on Friday, 23 May 2014, I
went with my friend, Salah Mohammed Salamh ‘Ara’rah (40), travelling his car to
his sheep barn in an agricultural area near al-Tibah village, northeast of
Ramallah.  My friend is from the Bedouin
Complex near Jabe’a village, north of Jerusalem.  While we were travelling on the road between
the villages of Mekhmas and al-Tibah near “Caramelo” checkpoint, I asked him to
stop by the street side to pee as I have diabetes and blood pressure.  I stopped 10 meters away from the car and then
was surprised with 4 settlers holding plastic sticks and clubs.  Three of them hit me on my head and
throughout my body.  I immediately fell
on the ground and they started kicking me. 
The fourth settler attacked Salah with a knife, but Salah ran towards
Street (60).  Around 20 minutes later,
Salah came with some civilians in two cars, so the settlers flee
immediately.  I was bleeding from my face
and head.  They put me in the car and
headed to al-Hanan Medical Centre in Kafr ‘Aqab village to receive medical
treatment.  On the next day, I went to an
ophthalmologist and had some tests and x-ray. 
At approximately 18:30 on Sunday, 25 May 2014, when I was in my family
house in Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah, I had a sudden seizure and
fained.  I was taken to Palestine
Governmental Medical Complex in Ramallah, where I had an x-ray.  It was found out that I sustain a fracture in
the chamber of the right eye and another fracture in the nose in addition to
bruises in the neck and head and throughout my body.”

· At approximately
09:50 on Monday, 26 May 2014, an armed settler entered al-Nabi Elias village,
east of Qalqilya, and brandished his weapon in the faces of Mousa ‘Abdel Latif
Salim (32) and Mofid ‘Abdullah Salim (31) while being in a shop threatening
them to burn to the shop.  Israeli forces
then intervened after the Palestinian Military Liasion had informed them about
what happened, but the settler managed to flee.

Mousa ‘Abdel Latif said to a PCHR
fieldworker that:

“At approximately 09:50 on Monday, 26 May 2014, when Mofid
‘Abdullah Salim (31) and I entered my shop on the main street in al-Nabi Elias
village, east of Qalqilya, as I work in an auto accessories shop, an Israeli
settler suddenly entered, approached me and brandished his weapon in my
face.  He threatened me under the pretext
that I chased his car.  I told him that I
neither did that nor hit his car, but he threatened me to burn the shop and
come again for me.  He said remember me
and I told him: do not worry I am waiting for you.”

· At approximately 10:00
on the same day, settlers from “Sidi
Bou’ezHayofal” outpost established on the Palestinian lands, west of
Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus, cut down 30 almond and olive trees from
the aforementioned village lands.  The
attack was backed by the settlement guard, who claimed that the trees were cut
for security reasons.  It should be
mentioned that the attacked land is not more than 100 meters away from the
outskirts of the village and settlement. 
The trees belong to Hassan Nemer Zaghwan; ‘Odah ‘Othman Mohammed
Hussein; and Kayed Hamdan al-Boom.

· At approximately
09:00 on Tuesday, 27 May 2014, when Fawzi Ibrahim ‘Abed Haj Mohammed arrived at
his land in Khelet Abu Shabraqah area, southeast of Jaloud village, southeast
of Nablus, he was surprised that settlers entered their sheep into the land and
damaged the wheat crops, i.e. 45 dunums, losing around 45,000 NIS.  It should be mentioned that the
aforementioned civilian needs a security coordination to enter his land as it
is located in the area classified as “C” and only 400 meters away from “Ahyah” settlement
and 50 meters away from “Yash Kodish” settlement.  The land is around 300 dunums and he only
enters it twice a year; when he ploughs it and when he harvests it.

 

 

 

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

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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.