Old olive
trees burnt by tear gas canisters fired by Israeli forces in Deir al-Khader
village near Bethlehem

 

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

      

 

4 Palestinian civilians were wounded in the West Bank.

 

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

 

3 protestors,
including a photojournalist, were wounded.

Dozens of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

 

Israeli forces conducted 31 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank.

 

At
least 40 Palestinian civilians, including 17
children, were arrested in the West Bank.

4 Palestinians, including a child, from the Gaza Strip
were arrested when they attempted to cross the borders into Israel.

 

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

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

9 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a girl,
were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire at fishermen in the
northern Gaza Strip.

2 fishing boats were confiscated off Rafah shore.

 

Israel continued its efforts to create Jewish majority
in occupied Jerusalem.

Israeli authorities forced a civilian to demolish his
own house in Jabal al-Mukabber neighbourhood, under the pretext of
non-licensing.

Israeli authorities distributed administrative orders
to demolish a number of commercial facilities and a sports-ground in Selwan
village, under the pretext of non-licensing.

Lands, north of al-Eisawiya village, were levelled to
establish a trench separating the village from the “French Hill”
settlement.

Settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilians and
their vehicles in al-Sowana neighbourhood.

Hundreds of settlers moved into Ein Selwan in Selwan
village to perform their religious rituals of the Jewish holidays.

Settlers from the group of “Paying the
Price” punctured the tyres of 3 buses and wrote racist slogans in
Selwan.    

 

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

Israeli authorities started building settlement units
in “Leshem” settlement, west of Salfit, in the northern West Bank.

A civilian was handed a notice to demolish an
agricultural room and to halt construction works in a house in al-Khader
village, south of Bethlehem.

Settlers closed Ramallah – Nablus road and threw
stones at Palestinian vehicles.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(05– 11 September 2013).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, 4 Palestinian civilians
were wounded in the West Bank; 2 of them were wounded while they attempted to cross
the borders into Israel looking for work. Moreover, 3 other civilians,
including a photojournalist, were wounded when Israeli forces dispersed
peaceful protests against the annexation wall, while dozens of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

On 07 September 2013, Israeli forces stationed along
the annexation wall between the far south of Hebron, south of the West Bank,
and Israel, opened fire at a number of Palestinian labourers when they
attempted to cross the wall through a hole looking for work. As a result, 2 of
them were wounded. Their wounds were described as moderate.

 

On 08 September 2013, an 18-year-old civilian
sustained shrapnel wound of a sound bomb in the head and a 23-year-old civilian
sustained shrapnel wound of a bullet in the right hand when Israeli forces
moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. Moreover, a pregnant woman
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued
the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by
Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of
the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, 3 civilians, including a
photojournalist, were wounded. Furthermore, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation
and other sustained bruises.

 

On 08 September 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing about 4 nautical miles off the
shore. The fishermen were frightened and fled back to the shore fearing of being
arrested or injured. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported. On
10 September 2013, Israeli navy forces confiscated 2 fishing boats belonging to
Palestinian fishermen off Rafah shore in the southern Gaza Strip.

  

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 31 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 17
children.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 09 September 2013, Israeli
forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, arrested
4 Palestinians, including a child, who crossed the fence. Israeli forces took
them to a military site and questioned them., but released them at
approximately 01:00, on the following day.     

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

Israel continued to impose a tightened 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
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 a grave violation of the economic,
social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million
people.  The Israeli authorities has
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 that has
been aggravating for years due to the shortage of imports.  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 at least 6 civilians, including 3 children.

 

Effort to create Jewish majority in occupied East
Jerusalem

On 05 September 2013, Shaker Nayef Ja’abis demolished
his own house in Jabal al-Mukabber neighbourhood under the pretext of
non-licensing. It should be noted the 100-square-metre house was comprised of 3
rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom and shelters 7 family members.

 

On the same day, settlers from “Beit Orot”
settlement that is established on lands of al-Sowana neighbourhood in occupied
Jerusalem threw stones at Palestinian civilians and their vehicles while the
settlers were celebrating their Jewish holidays.

 

On the same day also, hundreds of settlers moved into
Ein Selwan in Selwan village, south of the old town of occupied Jerusalem to
perform their religious rituals related to Jewish holidays. 

 

In the same context, on Sunday 08 September 2013,
officers from Jerusalem municipality with the company of Israeli forces moved
into Selwan village, south of the old town of occupied Jerusalem. They
distributed administrative demolition orders against a number of commercial
facilities and a sports-ground under the pretext of non-licensing. 

 

On 09 September 2013, bulldozers belonging to
Jerusalem municipality levelled lands in the north of al-Eisawiya village in
Jerusalem in order to establish a trench between the village and the
“French Hill” settlement upon a request from the settlers.

 

On 10 September 2013, some settlers from the group of “Paying
the Price” punctured tyres of 3 buses and wrote racist slogans such as
“Death to the Arabs”, “Stone Terrorists”, and “Paying
the Price” in al-Thawri neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the old
town of occupied Jerusalem.  

Settlement activities

 

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.

On 08 September 2013, Israeli bulldozers continued to level
lands between Deir Ballout and Kofur al-Deek, west of Salfit, and started
building new settlement units. Israeli authorities laid the foundation stone
for the new settlement namely “Leshem” in order to establish a big
settlement complex based on “Ali Zahav” settlement, east of Deir
Ballout.    

 

On the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by 2
officers from the Israeli “Civil Administration” moved into Um Rukba
area, the southern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They
handed Nasser Saleh Salah (43) a notice to demolish a 30-square-meter
agricultural room and to halt construction works in an under construction
60-square-meter house under the pretext of non-licensing.

 

On 09 September 2013, a group of settlers from
“Beit Eil” settlement that is established near Ramallah threw stones
at Palestinian vehicles driving over the nearby main street. As a result, windows
of 5 vehicles were damaged.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers from “Ma’oun”
settlement that is established in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, cut and
damage olive trees (over 20 years old) in al-Hamra area, east of al-Tawani
village, east of Yatta.

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(05 – 11 September 2013)

 

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

Thursday, 05 September 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Kahel village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.   

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tabaqa village, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Samou’ village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:10, Israeli forces moved into
Kofur al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 06 September 2013

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Koum village, to the west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Mo’athe Awad al-Rjoub
(24). They handed al-Rjoub a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 19:40, Israeli forces moved into
al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.    

 

At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves near the UNRWA schools. They deployed between
the house, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli soldiers who in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
Dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces moved
back to the entrance of the camp that is connected to bypass road (60). They
closed the street with steel nails, stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked ID
cards of the passengers. The checkpoint was removed later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves at the entrances of different neighbourhoods. They also
deployed between the house, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli soldiers who in response fired sound bombs and tear gas
canisters. Dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

Saturday, 07 September 2013

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.   

 

At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces stationed along the annexation wall between
the far south of Hebron and Israel opened fire at a number of Palestinian workrs
when they attempted to cross the wall through a hole in the wall seeking work
in Israel. As a result, 2 workerswere wounded:

 

1. Ali Farhan Abu Zuhra (19), wounded by a bullet to the right
leg (entered and exited). He was taken by a private vehicle to a clinic in
al-Daheriya village and was then transferred to Hebron Hospital. His condition
is stable; and

2. Nour al-Din Nabil Abu Ali (21), wounded by a bullet in
the left ankle. He was taken to “Soroka” Hospital in Israel.

 

Ali Abu Zuhra said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

 

“I help my father in supporting our
10-member family. I go to work every day through the hole in the annexation
wall that separates Arab al-Ramadeen area, south of Hebron, from Israel, as I
have no work permit because I am still young. At approximately 14:00 on
Saturday, 07 September 2013, I went out of home in Yatta to al-Daheriya
village, where a vehicle took me with other workers to the area from which we
cross the wall. At approximately 15:00, we reached the area about 500 meters
away from the hole. We waited for 15 minutes, because some workers were
crossing the wall. I then decided with my cousin Nour al-Din Abu Ali (21) and
other workers to cross the wall. We actually went to the hole and crossed the
wall. We waited for the vehicle that takes us to work for about a minutes.
Then, we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We stood still fearing of being wounded
if we tried to run away, but it was in vain. Fire was everywhere around us. We
hurried back to the hole because we did not know the source of fire. I was
wounded by a bullet to the right leg, but I kept running about 500 more meters.
I was few meters away from the vehicle when my leg hurt me and I fell to the
ground. I crawled until the driver helped me. In the meanwhile, I saw Nour
al-Din on the ground before he could jump through the hole. Israeli soldiers
were surrounding him, while a military ambulance was in the area. I was taken
to a medical centre in al-Daheriya village. They found out the bullet had
entered and exited my leg. I received the necessary medical treatment. I then
took another vehicle and went to Hebron Hospital, where they discovered the
bullet affected my leg nerve. My uncle Nabil Abu Ali told me his son Nour
al-Din was in “Soroka” Hospital in Israel.”  

 

At
approximately 17:15, Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
olive lands in Deir al-Khader “Deir Mar Gerges” for the Roman
Catholic in the old town of al-Khader village.  As a result, the over 1000-year-old trees
caught fire. Some boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who in
response fired sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets. Israeli forces destroyed
the main gate of Deir al-Khader and warned the residents against repairing it.
Israeli forces withdrew later.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anin village, northwest of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets and arrested:

 

1. Ahmed Yehia Khdour (25);

2. Mohammed Ragheb Yassin (24); and

3. Mohammed Fawwaz Issa (23)

 

They were
arrested under the pretext they had attempted to cut the barbwire of the
annexation wall, west of the village.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets, deployed between the houses and raided a
number of houses. In the meantime, Israeli forces arrested civilians aged
between 15 and 30 and took them to the entrance of the camp, during which
Israeli forces closed the entrances of the refugee camp and denied civilians
access to and from it. They also climbed on top of some houses and fired sound
bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear
gas inhalation. The incursion lasted for 15 hours, after which they withdrew at
14:00, on Sunday. Israeli forces arrested Khaled Mohammed Jawabra (16) and
Mohammed Emad Jawabra (16), and released the other arrested persons later.

 

Ahmed
Jawabra (24) said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

 

“I live
in al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, in a 4-storey house. I live with my
wife and 4 children on the first floor, while my mother and brother Khaled (16)
live on the fourth floor. At approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 08 September 2013,
Israeli forces raided our house from the front door. They ordered me to take
everybody outside and to bring my ID card. They went upstairs to the fourth
floor and started searching all floors. A soldier ordered me to bring my
brother Khaled as he was standing next to me. They took him outside the house.
I tried to talk to the soldiers and explain that Khaled was sick and underwent
a surgery in his head 2 days ago, but in vain. I took the medical reports,
x-ray and medicines and went to the main streets about 500 meters away from the
house. I found many young men under arrest, handcuffed to the back and sitting
on the ground. I went to the officer and talked to him in Hebrew regarding my
brother and his health problem. The officer ordered the soldiers to bring
Khaled and took him to the military watchtower, where doctors from the army
checked him. A few minutes later, they handcuffed Khaled and took him to a
military jeep that drove him away. I went back home and found my family still
in the street. Israeli forces had raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of our neighbour ‘Aref al-Ra’i (50). They then had gone to a house
belonging to Emad Abu Sharar (50). In the meantime, I heard gunfire and saw gas
going out of the fourth floor of our house. I went up there with my sister
Sarah (16). We could not get in because of the gas. I went to the first floor,
brought a blanket and went back. I got in and found my nephew Ammar (10) and my
son Yusef (2) who were sleeping with their grandmother. We took the 2 boys and
went quickly downstairs. My mother had called the ambulance; the paramedics
offered them the first aid. They asked me to go with them because my son’s
condition was serious. We went to the hospital going through the main streets,
but a military vehicle intercepted us. An Israeli soldier stepped out and said
there were no orders to allow them out of the camp. An ambulance belonging to the
Red Star of David arrived immediately and Israeli soldiers took my son to the
Israeli ambulance. We waited there until 06:00. Israeli forces released many
persons, but took 2 arrested persons to a military vehicle. The 2 arrested persons
were: Mohammed Emad Jawabra (16) and another person from Abu Khairan family
(16). I then took my son Yusef home. The situation was so bad there and we
could not go inside the house because of the gas. I found out later that gas
canisters had broken a number of windows and a fan and burnt a carpet and a
mattress. My mother also told me that Israeli soldiers attacked her. A soldier
held her from the neck and pushed her against a door when she tried to prevent
them from damaging the contents of the house.”           

 

Sunday, 08 September
2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces
moved into al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Amin Issa al-Battat
(28). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown
destination.      

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces
moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in the centre of the village. They raided and searched 2
houses belonging to the families of Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem (46) and Jamal
Khalil Abu Hashem (50). They handed Jamal and his 4 sons: Khalil (26), Essam
(23), Tareq (20) and Mohammed (17) summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. Israeli
forces also handed Ahmed and his son Yusef (20) summons to the Israeli
intelligence service as well. In the meanwhile, some boys gathered and threw
stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces that climbed over the top of Jamal’s
house. They started firing sound bombs. Tear gas canisters and live ammunition.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at the house
and withdrew later. As a result, Samah Ibrahim Abu Maria (22), who is pregnant,
suffered tear gas inhalation that might have resulted in the death of her baby.
Israeli forces withdrew back to al-‘Ein area, east of the village, and fired
tear gas canisters at a number of boys, who threw stones in response. As a
result, an 18-year-old civilian sustained shrapnel wound of a sound bomb in the
head and a 23-year-old civilian sustained shrapnel wound of a bullet in the
right hand. They both were treated on the spot.         

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces
stationed at the entrance of “GoshEtzion” settlement, south of
Bethlehem, arrested Tareq Jamal Abu Hashem (20) when he, his father and 3
brothers went there upon a summon.

 

Ahmed Abu Hashem said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

 

“I woke
up receiving a phone call from my brother’s wife. She told me that Israeli
forces surrounded my house in Khellet al-Qa’ area in the centre of Beit Ummar.
I went to the door as the soldiers were knocking. I also woke my wife and
children up. An Israeli soldier ordered me to take everyone outside. In the
meantime, as I work as a volunteer at B’Tselem centre, I held my camera and
started filming. However, 2 soldiers pushed me to the ground. I yelled at them,
so an officer ordered them to get away from me. I went to the right side of my
house, where my brother’s Jamal (50) house is located. I found that a number of
soldiers had raided and searched the house as well and dismissed its occupants
out of the house. During which, 3 soldiers surrounded me, pushed me against a
vehicle and handcuffed me to the back. I threw the camera to my brother’s wife
Rabe’a (42), but 2 soldiers attacked her immediately, pushed her to the ground and
confiscated the camera. Few minutes later, 3 soldiers pushed my over a bed in
front of my brother’s house. In the meanwhile, an officer named
“Sedqi” handed my brother Jamal summons for him and his 4 sons to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service. While I was trying to get up, I
heard my wife screaming, ‘Ahmed, they damaged the house’. I tried again to
stand up, but the soldiers prevented me and said that I was under arrest.
Israeli forces searched my house and my brothers’ also. When they went out of
the 2 houses, a number of young men started throwing stones and empty bottles
at them. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and live ammunition in
response. The officer “Sedqi” addressed the soldiers and ordered them
to bring to the front of my house. He also ordered them to remove the
handcuffs. The officer ordered me to bring my ID card and my children’s.
Moreover, he handed me a summon for my son Yusef (20) and requested us to refer
to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement. Once
Israeli forces withdrew, I learnt that they handcuffed and attacked my son Emad
(22). Furthermore, an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society
(PRCS) arrived to the house of my brother’s son to save his wife Samah (22), who
is pregnant, because she suffered tear gas inhalation. My brother told me that
they arrested his son Tareq (20) when they went for the interview at the
abovementioned settlement and released the others.”  

At
approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into Beita village, southeast of
Nablus. They patrolled the streets firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
They arrested 4 civilians from commercial stores and streets and arrested 2
young men from their houses. They were all taken to an unknown destination. The
arrested were:

 

1. Nouh (23) and Zakariya (25) Mohammed al-Shurafa,
were  arrested from their house;

2. Ra’ed Ja’fer al-Fawzi (21); was arrested from the
street in the centre of the village;

3. Adham Bahjat Khader (18); was arrested from the street
in the centre of the village as well;

4. Salam Tareq Salama (25), was arrested from a
commercial store; and

5. Emad Faleh Bani Shamsa (23), was arrested from a
vehicle in the centre of the village.

 

At approximately 22:00, Israeli gunboats
stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza
Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were about 4 nautical
miles off the shore. Fishermen were frightened and sailed back fearing of
injury or arrest. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

Monday 09 September 2013

At
approximately 00:40, Israeli forces moved into Deir Estia  village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled
the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Shadi Kayed Abu
Khalaf (27). They handed him a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Hares village, northwest of
Salfit. They patrolled the streets and detained Bara’ Hassan Suleiman. They
questioned him on the spot and released him later. At approximately 01:35,
Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled the
streets and raided a number of houses from which they arrested Khalil Abdul
Rahman al-Dala’ (22) and Husam Mahmoud al-Buzum (22).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, west of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of
Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayham
Suleiman al-Rimawi (28). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him
to an unknown destination. 

 

At approximately 04:15, Israeli forces moved al-Douha
village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Ahmed Khalil Ezzia (20). They arrested the aforementioned person and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, arrested 4 Palestinians,
including a child, when they crossed the fence. Israeli forces took them to a
military site, questioned them and released them at approximately 01:00 on
Tuesday, 10 September 2013. The 4 Palestinians were:

 

1. Mohammed Ahmed al-Nabaheen (18), from al-Bureij
refugee camp;

2. Baha’ Ahmed al-Khaldi (18), from al-Bureij refugee
camp;

3. Mohammed Nabil Safi (21), from al-Bureij refugee camp;
and

4. Basem Jamal al-Durra (16), from al-Bureij refugee
camp.

 

At
approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun Etma village, southeast
of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Israeli
forces withdrew at approximately 22:00 and no arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 10 September 2013

 

At approximately 00:00, Israeli gunboats confiscated 2
fishing boats belonging to Khalil al-Bardaweel (38) and his cousin Nabil
al-Bardaweel (48). The boats were among a group of fishing boats about 1
nautical miles off the fishermen port in Rafah. Khalil al-Bardaweel said the 2
boats were empty, but there were 2 generators and 6 flashlights on board the boat
to attract Sardines. Khalil learnt the boats were confiscated from other
fishermen in the sea, as they saw Israeli gunboats confiscating them.

    

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves at the entrance of the camp. Israeli forces raided and
searched houses after damaging their doors. Some of the houses were raided from
the roofs. Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians, including 10 children,
during the 5-hour incursion. The arrested were:

 

1. Wajdi Hussein al-Sharif (16);

2. Monir mohammed Jawabra (16);

3. Nidal Mohammed Jawabra (17);

4. ‘Anan Mohammed Abu Afifa (16);

5. Ahmed Nayef al-Badawi (18);

6. Ibrahim Ahmed Abu Sall (23);

7. Tareq Yasser Jawabra (16);

8. Mo’taz Fayez al-Sharif (17);

9. Baha’ Majed al-Ra’i (17);

10. ‘Ammar Mohammed Jawabra (18);

11. Mohammed Rashad Abu Jouda (16);

12. Ahmed Jaber Jawabra (16); and

13. Na’el Saleh Jawabra (17).

 

Israeli forces damaged doors of some houses belonging
to the families of Abed Redwan al-Titi, Abdul Qader al-Titi and Mohanned
Mohammed al-Hourani. However, no arrests were reported. Moreover, Israeli
forces detained Mohammed Ayyad Awad (45), a volunteer at B’Tselem centre who
was filming. Walid al-Titi said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces
raided houses pointing guns at the civilians. They also raided houses while
their occupants were asleep and deliberately damaged the houses’ contents.
Israeli forces used a bulldozer to close with cement cubes some roads that
links some neighbourhoods with bypass road (60). In addition, Israeli forces
distributed a statement signed by the “Military commander – Bethlehem
district” warning the Palestinian civilians and “threatening them of arrest
in the event of prejudice to the public order.” 

 

At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and raided a house although residents of
the area tried to prevent them and clashes erupted as a result. However,
Israeli forces arrested Sari Ahmed Odwan (16) and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and arrested
Mohammed Ahmed Atta (15) and Ali Yusef Bdeirat (17) while they were in a
farmland, west of the village. They were taken to Megiddo prison in Israel.

 

Wednesday, 11 September 2013

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Koum village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and positioned themselves in the centre of the village. They raided a house
belonging to the family of Wasim Maher al-Awawda (17). They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ras
al-Joura village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Muhab Mousa al-Juneidi (25). They
arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ertah suburb, southwest of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Riyadh Ghaleb Thulthain (43). They
arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
Kofur Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and
deployed between the houses. They raided and searched a number of houses from
which they arrested 3 Palestinians, including a child:

 

1. Ahmed Mohammed Burhum (16);

2. Ma’an Mohammed ‘Amer (21); and

3. Fadi Basem Jom’a (24).

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided a house
belonging to the family of Ahmed Omar Makhzoumiya (33). They arrested the aforementioned
person and handed his father a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in Salem detention facility, northwest of Jenin. Israeli forces
withdrew later.

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces accompanied by
4 military vehicles and a vehicle belonging to the Israeli “Civil
Administration” moved into Janaba village (al-Musafer area), southeast of
Yatta, south of Hebron. The “Civil Administration” officer handed the
civilians a notice to halt construction works and remove the barbed wires
funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to surround a nature
reserve in the vicinity of Janaba, al-Fakheet and al-Halawa villages. These
villages are threatened to be evacuated by the Israeli forces under the pretext
they are located in area (918), which is allocated for military training and no
civilians shall exist there. 

 

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.  As a result, photojournalist
Ja’fer Zahed Ishtaiya (46) was hit by 2 tear gas canister to the right and left
leg. Moreover, 2 civilians were hit by tear gas canisters during Kofur Qaddoum
protest, northeast of Qalqilia. Dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.  

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

 

Following the Friday prayer, 06 September 2013, dozens
of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and 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 soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as
the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises.

 

Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin
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 soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as
the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians,
Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at the Martyrs
Square in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly
peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli
settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize.  From the morning, Israeli forces had closed
all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists,
and journalists from joining the demonstration. 
Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the
demonstrators into the village and sprayed them and civilian houses with waste
water. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian
civilians from al-Ma’sarah village, south of Bethlehem, and a number of
international activists and popular resistance activists organized a peaceful
demonstration against the annexation wall and settlement activities. They
gathered in front of al-Shomou’ Cultural Centre in the centre of the village
and made their way through the village streets. They raised Palestinian and
Syrian flags and portraits of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs. When they
approached the annexation wall, Israeli soldiers dispersed the demonstrators
with tear gas canisters. They also arrested Hassan Abdul Karim Breijiya (44),
coordinator of the popular committee against settlement activities, and
realised him later on bail.

 

At approximately 12:30, on Friday, 30 August 2013, dozens
of Palestinian civilians from Kofur Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia, and
international activists gathered and made their way through the eastern
entrance of the village in protest at closing that entrance with an iron gate
since al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs
and live ammunition randomly. As a result, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation.
Gas canisters were fired at windows of 2 houses belonging to the families of
Abdul Razeq ‘Amer and Tayseer Ishteiwi. Their occupants suffered tear gas
inhalation as well. Moreover, photojournalist Ja’fer Zahed Ishtaiya (46) was
hit by 2 gas canisters to the right and left legs. Besides, a 36-year-old
civilian was hit by a gas canister to the head and neck, while a 41-year-old
civilian was hit by a gas canister to the right leg.

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded)

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

Israel has continued to
impose a tightened 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 tightens the
closure of the Gaza Strip and closes 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 was
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 ranged between
the ebb and flow for 3 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security
reasons.  According to PCHR’s follow-up,
Israeli authorities only allow around 98 tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per
day.  This limited quantity is less than
half of the daily needs, which is 200 tonnes per day, of the civilian
population in the Gaza Strip during the winter.

 

For almost 6
consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of
construction materials to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli
forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials
for a number of international organisations in the Gaza Strip.  Israeli forces also continued to impose
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.

 

For around a year and a
half, Israeli forces have allowed Palestinian detainees’ families to visit
their sons in the Israeli jails according to special and unfair conditions after
more than 5 years of deprivation in violation of international humanitarian
law.

 

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.  It should be mentioned that 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 travellers’ movement in
both directions.

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

04 – 10 September 2013

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing

03 – 09 September 2013

 

Exports:

On Monday, 09 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 360 kilograms of garlic and 240 kilograms of mints.

 

Other Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 03 September 2013, Israeli
forces allowed the entry of 910 tonnes of construction aggregates for the
private sector; 394 tonnes of cement and 3,990 tonnes of construction
aggregates for UNRWA; and 1,400 tonnes of construction aggregates for the
Palestinian Water Authority.  They also
allowed the entry of 1,131 tonnes of fodders and 1,248 tonnes of wheat.

On Sunday, 08 September 2013, Israeli
forces allowed the entry of 120 tonnes of cement and 2,730 tonnes of
construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 910 tonnes of construction aggregates
for the private sector.  They also
allowed the entry of 702 tonnes of fodders and 1,053 tonnes of wheat.

On Monday, 09 September 2013, Israeli
forces allowed the entry of 200 tonnes of cement, 38 tonnes for white cement,
26 tonnes of construction steel tonnes of construction steel and 2,170 tonnes
of construction aggregates for the UNRWA; 1,120 tonnes of construction
aggregates for the private sector; and 1,540 tonnes of construction aggregates
and 120 tonnes of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority; and 128 tonnes of
cement for the Turkish Hospital.  They
also allowed the entry of 1,209 tonnes of fodders and 936 tonnes of wheat.

Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

On Tuesday, 03 September 2013, Israeli
forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm
Abu Salem.

On Sunday, 08 September 2013, Israeli
forces allowed 10 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via
Karm Abu Salem.

On Monday, 09 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed 7 truckloads
of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

Notes: Karm Abu Salem crossing was closed
on Wednesday and Thursday, 04 and 05 September 2013 because Jewish holidays.

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

04 – 10 September 2013

 

 

NOTE:  On Wednesday,
04 September 2013, Israeli authorities partially closed “Erez” Crossing to the
movement of Palestinians except for urgent humanitarian cases due to Israeli
holidays.  On Thursday and Friday, 05 and
06 September 2013, the crossing was completely closed because of Jewish
holidays.

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 18:00
on Thursday, 05 September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Taramah village, southeast of Hebron.  Around the same time, they established two
checkpoints at the northern entrance of Hebron and the southern entrance of
Halhoul (Joret Bojlos), north of Hebron. 
At approximately 19:00, they established another checkpoint at the
entrance of al- Borj village.  All
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00 on Friday, 06 September 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa, south of
Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They started
stopping people’s cars and searching them. 
Israeli soldiers then tore the door lining of a car belonging to Rajeh
al-Talahmeh to search it.  The checkpoint
was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 09 September 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village,
north of Hebron.  They stopped and
searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 
Israeli soldiers also raided a fuel station in the area. 

 

At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 11 September 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Burj village,
southwest of Hebron.  They stopped and
searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. 

 

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 11 September
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Hebron.  They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles.  The
checkpoint was removed at approximately 09:00.

 

Tulkarm:  Israeli forces
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 10:00 on Saturday,
07 September 2013, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, which is
established between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its
restrictions against Palestinians and obstructed their movement.  The tightening later ended, and no arrests
were reported.  At approximately 18:30,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, which is established between
Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its restrictions against
Palestinians and obstructed their movement. 
The tightening later ended, and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 23:30, they established a
checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya near the gate of
Jubarah village, south of Tulkarm.  The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.  It should be mentioned that during the
current Intifada, there used to be a stationary checkpoint provided with a
watchtower in place of this checkpoint. 
The stationary checkpoint was removed in within the so-called “goodwill
initiative towards the Palestinian Authority” by the Israeli government.  However, since the removal of this
checkpoint, removable checkpoints are stationed from time to time.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 09 September 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, which is established between
Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened its restrictions against
Palestinians and obstructed their movement. 
The tightening later ended, and no arrests were reported. 

 

Jenin:  Israeli forces
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 17:30 on
Thursday, 05 September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Ya’abod village, southwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.  Around the same
time, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Te’anek village,
northwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:15 on Saturday, 07 September 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Nablus
and Tulkarm in a road between the intersection of ‘Arrabah village and
al-Mansoura village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

Salfit:  At
approximately 18:30 on Friday, 06 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Salfit and prevented movement in both
directions after closing the iron gate established at the aforementioned
entrance.  At approximately 21:50, they
re-opened the gate.  At approximately
18:55, they established a checkpoint between Kafl Haris village and Haris
village, north of Salfit.  The checkpoint
was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 07 September 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Deiristayah, northwest of Salfit.  The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

Arrests at
military checkpoints

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 07
September 2013, Israeli forces deployed in the old city neighbourhoods in the
centre of Hebron arrested Mohammed Maher Abu Rmeilah (12) from the old market
area in the centre of the old city when he was near al-Ibrahimi Mosque and then
transferred to a “Karyat Arba’” detention centre, east of Hebron.

 

At approximately 13:00
on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of al-Shuhadaa’
Street, which has been closed for 12 years, in the centre of Hebron arrested
Ahmed ‘Emad al-Atrash (18).  After a
couple of hours, he was released and delivered to the Palestinian Liaison at
Checkpoint no. (56).

 

On Sunday early morning, 07 September 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at one of the checkpoints in the vicinity of al-Za’im
village, east of Jerusalem, arrested 3 civilians from Beit Ummar village, north
of Hebron, when they were on their way to work inside Israel.  The arrested civilians were identified as:
Muhanned Yousif Muhsen Akhlil (19); Khaldon Mohammed ‘Awad (19) and ‘Ali Bassam
Badawi Akhlil  (18) and then transferred
into an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 10:00 on the same day,
Israeli forces deployed at the entrance of al-Shuhadaa’ Street, which has been
closed for 12 years, in the centre of Hebron arrested Ayat Mahfouz al-Rajabi
(20) under the pretext of possessing a knife. 
The aforementioned was then transferred to “Karayat Arba’a” settlement
established on Palestinian lands, east of the city to interrogate her.

 

At approximately 16:30 on the same Sunday,
Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint, east of Bethlehem,
arrested Mazen Ibrahim Abu Haniyah (22) from al-Doha village, west of
Bethlehem, when he was on his way back from Ramallah.  He was held for around an hour, and then was
taken to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 11
September 2013, Israeli forces positioned at Mvo Dutan checkpoint that stands
on the road linking Jenin with the northern villages of Tulkarm arrested Majed
Sahm al-Lail Nazzal, 29, from Qalqilya.

 

At approximately 08:00 on the same day,
Israeli forces positioned at the Container checkpoint, north of Bethlehem,
arrested Khalil Riad al-Nammour, 20, from Dura village near Hebron.    

 

5. Effort to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

On 05 September 2013, Shaker Nayef Ja’abis
demolished his own house in Jabal al-Mukabber neighbourhood under the pretext
of non-licensing. Ja’abis said to Hellwa Valley Information Centre that the
house shelters 7 family members, including him, his wife and 5 children (the
oldest is 10 years and the youngest is 10 months). He added that he was obliged
to stay with his father. In addition, he said that he bought a house 5 years
ago and after a while, Jerusalem municipality imposed on him a fine of NIS
50,000 as building encroachment because the house was not licensed. He paid the
amount of money to the municipality. However, the municipality imposed a second
fine of NIS 100,000. Ja’abis told the judge he was not able to pay that amount
of money. He was surprised 2 weeks ago of the demolition notice and giving him
a period of time until 08 September 2013 to do the demolition, otherwise, the
municipality would demolish the house and he must pay the demolition expenses
(NIS 70,000). It should be noted the 100-square-metre house consists of 3
rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

 

On the same day, settlers from “Beit
Orot” settlement that is established on lands of al-Sowana neighbourhood
in occupied Jerusalem threw stones at Palestinian civilians and their vehicles
while the settlers were celebrating their Jewish holidays. Eyewitnesses from
the neighbourhood said that a group of settlers from “Beit Orot”
settlement threw stones at Palestinian civilians and their vehicles. As a
result, the neighbourhood residents confronted them. It should be noted Israeli
forces arrived to protect the settlers and take them back to the settlement.

 

In the same context, hundreds of settlers
moved into Ein Selwan in Selwan village, south of the old town of occupied
Jerusalem to perform their religious rituals related to Jewish holidays. Maissa
Abu Ghazala from Helwa Valley Information Centre said Israeli forces and border
guard forces moved into the village and positioned themselves in the centre of
Helwa valley neighbourhood. They also deployed between the houses to secure the
settlers’ celebrations. She added the settlers were dancing to the sound of the
Holy Qur’an to provoke the neighbourhood residents.  

 

In the same context, on Sunday 08 September
2013, officers from Jerusalem municipality with the company of Israeli forces
moved into Selwan village, south of the old town of occupied Jerusalem. They
distributed administrative demolition orders over a number of commercial
facilities and a sports-ground under the pretext of non-licensing. Helwa Valley
Information Centre clarified the municipality officers had fixed an
administrative demolition order on the wall of Helwa Valley sports-ground in the
neighbourhood. The 850-square-meter sports-ground includes 4 barracks: 3 of
which for horses and one is for sport kit. It should be noted the sports-ground
was established on a land belonging to Siyam family, as Israeli authorities
threatened to confiscate it. Moreover, residents of Helwa valley established
the sport-ground to be a public facility in the late 2010. Few months later, a
barrack in the sports-ground was demolished and the land was levelled. The
municipality officers also fixed demolition orders on 3 closed commercial
stores in Helwa valley belonging to Qara’in family under the pretext they were
not licensed. The stores were built 20 years ago and are used as warehouses
because the family has been unable to open them as commercial stores due to the
high taxes. In Ein al-Lawza, the municipality officers raided an under
construction house. They found the house was licensed. However, the officer
fixed an administrative demolition order on 3 barracks that were built in 2001
and used to sell birds.    

 

On 09 September 2013, bulldozers belonging
to Jerusalem municipality levelled lands in the north of al-Eisawiya village in
Jerusalem in order to establish a trench between the village and the
“French Hill” settlement upon a request from the settlers. Hani
al-Eisawi, member of local associations in al-Eisawiya village and is
specialized in the Israeli affairs, said that Israeli bulldozers started
digging a week after the Israeli newspaper had published the settlers from the
“French Hill” settlement requested Jerusalem municipality to isolate
them from al-Eisawiya village. Al-Eisawi was concerned that such digging works
was a step forward bigger projects. He highlighted the Israel has continued its
plans to evacuate the city from its residents and to bring settlers in their
place.

 

On 10 September 2013, some settlers from
the group of “Paying the Price” punctured tyres of 3 buses and wrote
racist slogans such as “Death to the Arabs”, “Stone
Terrorists”, and “Paying the Price” in al-Thawri neighbourhood
in Selwan village, south of the old town of occupied Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses
from the neighbourhood said the damaged buses used to offer transportation
services on al-Thawri neighbourhood – Selwan and Bethlehem street. The buses’
drivers were surprised to find the tyres punctured while parking near a park
for the blind, which adjacent to a settlement outpost. The drivers said the
company to which the buses belong would file a complaint via the Israeli
Transport Company to the Israeli complaint department “Mahash”. They
added Israeli police did not examine the scene, while the buses were taken to
be repaired.  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

On Sunday morning, 08 September 2013, Israeli
bulldozers continued to level lands between Deir Ballout and Kofur al-Deek,
west of Salfit, and started building new settlement units. Israeli authorities
laid the foundation stone for the new settlement namely “Leshem” in
order to establish a big settlement complex based on “Ali Zahav”
settlement, east of Deir Ballout. Dawood Abdullah, member of Deir Ballout
municipality, said, “Work and digging in the settlement has not stopped.
The settlement units are being built quickly as if Israeli authorities are
fighting against time.” He added, “Israeli authorities sent to Deir
Ballout municipality a new scheme for the village. According to the scheme,
large areas of land and the archaeological area “Deir Sam’an” and
“Jubran valley” would be seized. Thus, the whole eastern area and
part of the northern area would be confiscated and annexed to the new and old
settlements. The villagers carried out a desperate attempt to prove their right,
so about 20 families from the village presented their identification papers to
the courts. However, the settlers have not stopped digging and building so
far.”     

 

At approximately 12:40, on the same day, Israeli
forces accompanied by 2 officers from the Israeli “Civil
Administration” moved into Um Rukba area, the southern entrance of
al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They handed Nasser Saleh Salah (43) a
notice to demolish a 30-square-meter agricultural room and to halt construction
works in an under construction 60-square-meter house under the pretext of
non-licensing.

 

On 09 September 2013, a group of settlers from
“Beit Eil” settlement that is established near Ramallah threw stones
at Palestinian vehicles driving over the nearby main street. As a result, glass
of 5 vehicles was damaged. Mohanned Shalalda from Beit Aboud, northwest of
Ramallah, said that a group of settlers closed Ramallah – Nablus Street near
“Beit Eil” settlement with rocks. He added that while he was going
home, the settlers stoned his vehicle. As a result, the whole glass of the
vehicle in addition to 4 other vehicles was damaged. Shalalda explained that
Israeli forces were stationed at the entrance of the settlement to protect the
settlers. They also fired in the air when civilians stepped out of their
vehicles to avoid being hit by stones.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers from
“Ma’oun” settlement that is established in the east of Yatta, south
of Hebron, used saws to cut and damage over 40 olive trees (over 20 years old)
belonging to al-Rab’i family in al-Hamra area, east of al-Tawani village, east
of Yatta.

   

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position
that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is still
under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment
outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have
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 an 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, especially the latest offensive
that lasted for 8 days in November, 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 and victims;

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 directed 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 violation 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Public Document

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