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

      

 

 

4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during incursions
in the West Bank.

 

Israeli forces wounded 4 civilians while offering
protection to Israeli settlers as they carried out attacks.

 

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

Israeli forces opened fire at gravel collectors and
people picnicking in the northern Gaza Strip. 
No casualties were reported.

 

 

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

3 protestors were wounded during peaceful protests
against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

A woman and a 9-year-old girl were wounded during weekly
protest in al-Nabi Saleh.

 

 

Israeli forces conducted 79 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank, and 2 limited incursions into the Gaza Strip.

45 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were
arrested in the West Bank.

 

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.

8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were
arrested at checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

6 civilians were arrested in the West Bank and 2 were
arrested at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing.

 

 

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

68 dunums of land, 3,000 trees, 6 water wells, and 3,420-metres
of stone walls were demolished in the west of Hebron.

A tin dwelling, and 2,400-metres of electricity wires
and poles were demolished in Hebron. 

2 houses were demolished in Jericho, and an
agricultural shed and a caravan were demolished in Ramallah.

 

 

· Israeli naval forces have continued to target
Palestinian fishermen at sea.

– Israeli naval forces continued to open fire on
Palestinian fishing boats to force them to sail within the Israeli-imposed limit
of 3 nautical miles.

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
02– 08 May 2013.

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 11
Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, in the West Bank; 4 civilians
were wounded during Israeli incursions into Palestinian communities, while 4
others were wounded in settler attacks on Palestinians and their property.   In addition, 3 civilians were wounded in
peaceful protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

 

On 03 May 2013, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded during
Israeli incursions in the south of Hebron and in Beitummar, north of Hebron.

 

On 04 May 2013, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded
in Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, during in settler attacks.

 

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 Palestinian civilians,
including a woman and a child, were wounded. 
The woman and child were wounded during the weekly protest in al-Nabi
Saleh, while the third person was wounded during the weekly protest in Budrus,
northwest of Ramallah.

 

Palestinian civilians organised many peaceful protests
in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, especially
those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force against the protestors;
as a result, many civilians, including the mayor of Ramallah and al-Bireh,
suffered from tear gas inhalation, while others sustained bruises.

 

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to pursue
fishermen at sea.  On 06 May 2013,
Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north
of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were around 3
nautical miles offshore.  Similar
incidents took place on 07 May 2013.  Neither
casualties nor material damage were reported. 

 

On 03 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the
eastern borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a group of people
who were picnicking near al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia.  No casualties were reported.

 

On 05 May 2013, Israeli forces positioned along the
border fence opened fire at some gravel and steel collectors who were about 300
metres away from the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, in the north of the
Gaza Strip.  However, no casualties were
reported.  

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 45 Palestinians, including 3
children.

 

Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions into the
Gaza Strip. The first incursion was conducted on 02 May 2013 in the northeast
of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The second incursion was
conducted on 08 May 2013 in the northeast of Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza
Strip.

 

 

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 illegal closure has not only caused a
humanitarian crisis, but also a human rights crisis and the erosion of human
dignity for the people of the Gaza Strip. Recently-declared measures to ease
the closure are vague, purely cosmetic, and fail to deal with the root causes
of the crisis. The root causes can only be addressed by an immediate and
complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out
of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer
suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is allowed
to continue, they will remain economically dependent on Israel, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally, and academically isolated from the
rest of the world.

 

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.

During the reporting
period, Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings between
the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing for 4
consecutive days because of Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected
the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza
Strip. It also has a detrimental impact on the living conditions of Palestinian
civilians. As a result, thousands of Palestinian workers were denied access to
their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. Moreover, Palestinian traders
were denied access to Israel and/or travel via the border crossings between the
Gaza Strip and West Bank.

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.

Violations committed by Israeli forces

 

On Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces placed two
evacuation notices related to hundreds of dunums of land, which is the property
of the al-‘Omla, al-Saraheen and al-Atrash families in the Khelat al-Theeb
area, west of Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron.

 

On Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli forces handed notices
to a number of civilians ordering them to halt construction work on their
houses in Deir Nizam village, in the northwest of Ramallah, under that pretext that
they had begun building without obtaining a permit.

 

On Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 68
dunums of land, 6 water wells, 3,420 metres of stone walls, and 2,400 metres of
electricity wires and poles in Tarqoumia and Beit Oula village, in the west of
Hebron.  In addition, they uprooted and
confiscated 3,000 trees: 750 olive trees; 2,100 almond trees; and 150 grape
vines.  Additionally, Israeli forces
bulldozed a dwelling in al-Qoum village, in the south of Hebron.

 

Also on Tuesday,
Israeli forces bulldozed an agricultural shed and a caravan in Mikhmas village,
in the southeast of Ramallah.

 

On Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed
two houses, which were made of bricks, wood and tin, in al-Najada
neighbourhood, north of al-‘Ouja village, in the northeast of Jericho.

 

Violations committed by settlers

 

On Thursday, 02 May 2013, a group of settlers from
“Ofra” settlement, established on the lands of Yabroud, Silwad and
Deir Jarir villages, in the northeast of Ramallah, broke the branches of 35
olive trees, which were between 15 and 20 years old.  The land in question is located in the
al-Karm al-‘Ateeq area, west of Deir Jarir village, approximately 1,500 meters
to the east of the afore-mentioned settlement.

 

On Saturday, 04 May 2013, settlers from “Beitar
Illit” settlement, established on Palestinian land in the west of
Bethlehem, threw stones at Ahmed Abdul-Salam al-Za’oul (25) from Housan
village, in the west of the governorate, while he was passing through the
intersection with the afore-mentioned settlement.  As a result, he sustained minor cuts.

 

 

On Saturday, approximately 300 settlers attacked the
homes of Palestinian civilians in ‘Ayn Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village,
in the northwest of Ramallah.

 

On Sunday, 05 May 2013, a group of settlers, under the
protection of Israeli forces and accompanied by military vehicles, raided
Yousif Grave area, in the east of Nablus. 
The settlers stayed in the area for a while and performed some Talmudic
rituals.

 

In the meantime, a group of settlers from
“Aad” settlement, established on the land of Jaloud village, in the
southeast of Nablus, attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians near the
entrance to the village, while under the protection of Israeli forces.  Settlers rioted in the area, intimidating the
civilians who live there, and threw Molotov cocktails in the area surrounding
the houses.

 

Israeli violations documented during the reporting period
02– 08 May 2013

 

1. Incursions into Palestinian areas, and attacks
on Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 02 May 2013

 

In the very early morning, Israeli forces moved into
‘Anin village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a house
belonging to the family of Yusef Sha’ban Shafe’ Yasin (30), and arrested him.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Sahour, east of Bethlehem.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed themselves around the schools and a housing
project in the city.  They surrounded a Greek
Orthodox housing project and raided a house belonging to the family of Ziad
Saliba Banoura (40).  They arrested the
aforementioned person and transported him to an unknown destination. 

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kharsa
village, south of Doura in the southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and stationed themselves in the centre of the village.  They raided a house belonging to the family
of Mohamed Ali al-Awawda (28) and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tabaqa village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Samet village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:20, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Estya village, north of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya
village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging
to the family of Fares Abdul Fattah Mostafa Saba’na (33), and arrested him. They
then raided a house belonging to the family of Nader Tawfiq Fayez Saba’na (42)
and arrested him. Israeli forces raided a third house belonging to the family
of Yasser Ali Mostafa Abu Mu’alla (26) and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the
south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses.  They arrested Dia’ Karim al-Rajabi (23) and
Lo’ai Ammar al-Rajabi (22) and transported them to “Kiryat Arab”
settlement, east of the city.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Hejra village, east of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:10, Israeli forces moved into
Hares village, north of Salfit.  They
patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses.  They arrested five civilians, including two
children, and transferred them to an unknown destination.  The arrested were:

1. Ali Tayseer Shamlawi (16);

2. Ayoub Ahmed Kleib (18);

3. Mahmoud Atta Sultan (15);

4. Nadi E’timad Souf (19); and

5. Marwan Kamal Kleib (19).

 

At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved about 300
metres into the Demra area, northeast of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza
Strip, while laying sporadic repressive fire. They withdrew at approximately
15:00. No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed
Jamal Mohammed Abu Eid (27), from Tulkarm, as he had been previously summoned to
appear at the Israeli Liaison office, southwest of Tulkarm.

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Wad
al-Shajnah area, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Mughair village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Friday, 03 May 2013

 

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

 

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

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and raided a
number of houses belonging to the families of Abdullah Essa Ghunaim (24), Ahmed
Dawood Sbeih (20), and Mohammed Adeeb Mousa (25).  They handed them notices ordering them to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service at Ghosh Ezion settlement complex,
south of the city.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
Abed Mohammed Thawabtah (24).  They
handed him a notice ordering him to refer to the Israeli intelligence service
at “Gosh Ezion” settlement complex, south of the city.

 

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
‘Our al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into the
south of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets, where some boys and young men gathered and threw stones
and empty bottles at them.  The Israeli
soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated metal bullets
at the boys. As a result, a 22-year-old man was hit in the mouth by a gas
canister. He was transferred to Hebron governmental hospital for treatment.  In addition, dozens of boys and young men suffered
tear gas inhalation.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Beitummar village, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in the Beit Za’ta neighbourhood,
in the centre of the village, where a number of boys and young men gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at them.  The
Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated metal
bullets at the group.  As a result, three
civilians were wounded:

 

1. A 19-year-old civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet to the head;

2. A 23-year-old civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet to the chest; and

3. A 19-year-old civilian was wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet to the left hand.

 

The wounded civilians were transferred by a
Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to Hebron governmental
hospital.

 

At approximately 16:55, Israeli forces moved into
Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia.  They
patrolled the streets and detained two children: Yehia Ali Abdul Hafez Odwan
(17); and Abdul Rahman Khaldoun Redwan (17). 
The two children were later released; neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces positioned
along the eastern borders between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a
group of civilians who were picnicking near al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of
Jabalia.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 18:40, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Ballout village, west of Salfit.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into
Kooper village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:05, Israeli forces moved into
al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and raided a number of houses.  At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 04 May
2013, the Israeli forces withdrew; no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Leed village, east of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into
Qabatya village, south of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the al-Zakarna neighbourhood
in the centre of the village.  They later
withdrew; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 04 May 2013

 

At
approximately 12:20, Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Hassan village,
west of Salfit.  They patrolled the
streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Abbas Hamad Mer’i (23).  They handed him a notice ordering him to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service and withdrew at approximately 01:15.  No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 12:40, Israeli forces moved into Assala village, east of
Qalqilia.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 12:50, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek village, west of
Salfit.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Sunday, 05 May
2013

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Eteil village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Eskaka village, east of Salfit.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Aboud village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and
raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Dar Saleh.  They arrested his son, Jihad Dar Saleh (18),
and transferred him to Ofer detention facility, southwest of the city.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Budrus village, west of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and
raided a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Hussein Abdul Khaleq.  They arrested his son, Ahmed Abdul Khaleq
(20), and transferred him to Ofer detention facility, southwest of the city.

 

At
approximately 03:50, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, south of
Bethlehem.  They raided a house belonging
to the family of Belal Taha Mousa al-Sheikh (27) and handed him a notice
ordering him to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh
Ezion” settlement complex, south of the city.

 

At
approximately 07:40, Israeli forces stationed along the borders between the
Gaza Strip and Israeli opened fire at gravel and steel collectors in the Bouret
Abu Samra area, north of Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip.  The workers were around 300 metres away from
the border fence. No casualties were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Leed village, east of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets and
questioned a number of civilians on the spot. Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 17:15, Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiya village, west of
Salfit.  They patrolled the streets and
erected a checkpoint to search civilians and hinder their movement. They later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 06 May 2013

 

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

 

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

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Wadi
Abu Fraiha area, east of Bethlehem. They raided 2 houses belonging to the
families of Mohammed Awad ‘Ebayat (21) and Mohammed Jamal Nabhan (23) and
arrested the two young men.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Qabatya village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Amjad Saleh Lobani (36) and arrested him. They then raided a
house belonging to the prisoner Fares Abdul Fattah Saba’nah (33), who had been
arrested on Thursday 02 May 2013.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Beitummar village, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed themselves in the al-Baten neighbourhood. They
raided a house belonging to the family of Sufyan Zaki al-Wahadin (37) and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets, raided and searched a house belonging to Ehab Adnan
al-Ja’bari (30), and arrested him.

 

At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened
fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 3 nautical mile limit.
As a result, the Palestinian fishermen fled back to shore fearing that they
would be wounded or arrested. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved into
Na’lin village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip opened fire at
Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 3 nautical mile limit. As
a result, the Palestinian fishermen fled back to the shore fearing that they
would be wounded or arrested. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into
Beitin village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into
Koful Hares village, north of Salfit.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and
arrested 5 civilians, including one child:

1. Mohammed Akram Taqatqa (20);

2. Ayman Mahmoud Taqatqa (36);

3. Mohammed Ahmed Thawabta (20);

4. Ehab Ahmed Thawabta (16); and

5. Basel Yasin Taqatqa (19).

   

 

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

 

At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Estya village, northwest of Salfit.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:20, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Abu Da’if village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:45, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Qadd village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
She’b al-Maleh area, west of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the al-Baten neighbourhood.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Abdul Mo’ti al-Qawasmi (24) and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the Jabal
Abu Rumman neighbourhood, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, raided a
house belonging to the family of Emad Joudi Abu Eisha (31), and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Raihiya village, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta
village, south of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Nabil Abu Qebtiya.  They handed him a notice ordering him to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service. 
No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ayda
refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They
raided 2 houses belonging to the families of Saleh Hussein Abu Srour (18) and Miras
Nedal al-Ezza (19) and arrested them.  They
then raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahman Walid al-Ezza (20)
and handed him a notice ordering him and his brother, Ehab (17), to refer to
the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Ezion” settlement, south of
the city.

 

At approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the 3-nautical mile limit.  The Palestinian fishermen fled back to the
shore fearing that they would be wounded or arrested. No casualties were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
al-Ghusoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Taiba village, west of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Rummana village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported

 

 

Wednesday, 08 May 2012

 

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

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided a number of
houses and arrested:

 

1. Ezz Eddin Darwaza (24);

2. Ra’ed Khaled al-Sayegh (30); and

3. Ahmed al-Sous (24).

 

They
confiscated 2 cell phones and brought them to an unknown destination.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Foreeq village, northeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a
number of houses. They arrested 6 civilians:

 

1. Saddam Salama Hanani (22);

2. Fares Reem Hanani (21);

3. Fo’ad Fawwaz Hanani (23);

4. Rasem Ra’ed Khatatba (21);

5. Tamer Kamal Hanani (21); and

6. His brother Jamil (20).

 

Israeli forces confiscated 2 PC sets and 2 cell
phones.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Na’lin village, west of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets and raided 3 houses. They arrested 3 civilians and transferred
them to Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. The arrested men were:

 

1. Khalil Mahmoud Khalil ‘Amira (22);

2. Mohammed Talal Srour (21); and

3. Ibrahim Khalil Srour (25).

 

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

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north
of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to Maher
Tawfia Khaliliya (50), an officer at the Palestinian Preventive Security
Service, and arrested him.  It should be
noted that Khaliliya’s house was raided last year, when Israeli forces
questioned him on the spot and intimidated him.

 

At
approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved about 300 metres into the northeast
of Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. They patrolled the area and made
their way northwards, where farmers fled for fear of being wounded. At
approximately 12:00, Israeli forces withdrew. Neither casualties nor material
damage were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:00, an undercover Israeli unit moved into the teachers’
housing project near the southern entrance of Jenin. They waited between the trees
until Mohammed Ahmed Zakarna (36), an officer in the Palestinian Preventive
Security Service, drove his car on Jenin-Qabatya road. They opened fire in the
air forcing him to stop his vehicle.  He
stopped and was then arrested. It should be noted that Zakarna is a member of
al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah movement. He was granted an
amnesty a few years ago according to an agreement between the Palestinian
authority and Israel.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Raboud village, south of Doura, southwest
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into the centre of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the Abu Kteila
neighbourhood. They raided a house belonging to the family of Anas Nemer
Mojahed (27) and arrested him.

At
approximately 16:30, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Beer al-Aqwas, west of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family
of Hamad Abdul Hamid al-‘Amla. They later withdrew; no arrests were reported.

 

 

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, 3 Palestinian civilians, a woman and two children, sustained
wounds. The wounded civilians are: a 49-year-old woman, who was hit by a tear
gas canister to the back of her head; a 9-year-old girl, who was hit by a tear
gas canister to the back of her head; and an 18-year-old boy, who sustained a
bullet wound to the right arm.  Dozens
more civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.

 

Palestinian civilians also organised peaceful
demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails,
particularly those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force
against these demonstrations. As a result, dozens more civilians suffered from
tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

 

At noon on
Friday, 03 May 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli
human rights defenders, the mayor of the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorates, Dr
Laila Ghannam, and civilians from Silwad and Deir Jarir villages gathered in
al-Shakara agricultural area, in the northeast of Ramallah. The Muslim members
of the group performed the Friday Prayer on lands which are threatened with
confiscation for the expansion of “Ofra” settlement, which is established
on the lands of ‘Aiyn Yabroud village.  Afterwards,
the crowd made their way towards the Khelat al-Sultan area, adjacent to the al-Shakara
area, where settlers have occupied two old houses known as al-Kousour, which belong
to inhabitants of Silwad village. Upon arrival in the area, Israeli forces
fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters, and
sound bombs at the demonstrators and chased them into the entrance of Silwad. As
a result, many of the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises.

 

Following
the Friday Prayer, 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 activity.  The demonstrators
marched through the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for
national unity, raised Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners, and made
their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had
closed all entrances to the village since early morning to prevent
Palestinians, journalists, and international activists from joining the
protest. The demonstrators walked along the wall and attempted to breach it. Israeli
forces stationed in the area, and dozens of soldiers who were deployed along
the route of the wall, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets,
sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at the demonstrators, and
chased them across olive fields. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from 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, settlement activities and in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on
hunger strike inside Israeli jails. The demonstrators made their way towards
the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbed wire and,
when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbed wire,
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 fields of olive
trees as far as the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the
same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, and Israeli and
international human rights activists gathered in the Martyrs Square in 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 with waste water. As a result, both a 49-year-old woman and a 9-year-old
girl, Rand Belal Tamimi, were hit by a tear gas canister to the back the head.
In addition, a number of participants suffered from tear gas inhalation; others
sustained bruises.

 

Following
Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas’ra village, south of Bethlehem,
international and Israeli human rights activists, and activists in the Popular
Resistance Committees gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against
the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The
demonstration started outside Shomou’ Cultural Centre in the centre of the
village. The demonstration was titled: “Condemning the attacks and
assaults by settlers against Palestinian civilians and farmers in the West Bank
and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails, particularly
those on hunger strike.” The participants carried Palestinian flags and
roamed the streets of the village. Israeli soldiers, who were backed-up by
members of the border guards and Israeli special police, intercepted the
demonstrators, prohibited them from accessing the wall, and fired tear gas
canisters at them; as a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in the
centre of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest at the
continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village which has been
ongoing since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli soldiers stationed
several special units in the area with the purpose of arresting a number of the
demonstrators, but the demonstration ended at approximately 14:00 and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:00, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the wall area,
established on the lands of Budrus village, in the west of Ramallah and
al-Bireh governorate, in protest at the confiscation of their lands. The
demonstrators threw stones at Israeli forces, who were stationed behind the
wall. The latter responded with live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound
bombs, and chased the demonstrators into the village. As a result, an
18-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right arm.  Also, dozens of demonstrators suffered from
tear gas inhalation.

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

Following
Friday Prayer on 03 May 2013, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered in the Um
Rokba area, at the south-western entrance of al-Khader village, south of
Bethlehem.  The demonstrators threw
stones at Israeli forces stationed in the area. Immediately, Israeli forces
fired tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of
civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. In addition, the Israeli soldiers stationed
themselves on top of the home of Mahmoud Hamdan al-Wahsh, and used it as an
observation point, monitoring civilians’ movement and firing tear gas canisters
at them.

 

At
approximately16:35 on Sunday, 05 May 2013, dozens of Palestinian youths
gathered in the Um Rokba area, at the south-western entrance of al-Khader
village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli forces
stationed in the area. Immediately, Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at
the demonstrators. As a result, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation. Also, 3 Israeli military vehicles moved into the area later that
day and raided a number of civilian houses. Israeli forces detained Khaled
Fawaz Ali Salah (22) and Mahmoud Hussain Salah (21) for an hour after raiding
their family home. Before withdrawing from the area, Israeli forces arrested
Rani Hussain Salah (27) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 13:35 on Tuesday, 30 April 2013, dozens of Palestinian youngsters
gathered in al-Nashnash area, by the southern entrance of al-Khader village, in
the south of Bethlehem. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers who were present
in the area, who, in response, fired tear gas canisters at the homes of civilians
and agricultural lands in the area. As a result, a fire broke out on the land
of Daoud Abdul-Fatah Salah (50), which is located near the bypass road. In
addition, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to
the Gaza Strip for more than 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed 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.

 

Israeli forces have tightened the closure
of the Gaza Strip, 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 at preventing economic development in the Gaza Strip, 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, which erupted last
November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis started on 04
January 2010, when Israeli authorities completely closed the Nahal Oz crossing,
which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza.
They then shifted the transport of fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm
Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive enough quantities of fuel
to meet Gaza needs. The Karm Abu Salem crossing, when operating at full
capacity, can receive only 200 tonnes of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately 80% of the people living in
the Gaza Strip continue to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and
other relief agencies. The number of families who are living below the poverty
line has continued to increase. Approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower continues
to suffer from permanent unemployment as the majority of Gaza’s businesses have
closed down.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose a
total ban on the export of products from the Gaza Strip, especially industrial
products, undermining any real chance of reopening businesses. The situation
has been aggravated since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s
sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively
affects the quantity of products which are allowed to be exported from the Gaza
Strip.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Israel has imposed
additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats,
journalists, and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.

 

 

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.

 

Note: The data relevant to Beit Hanoun crossing is not
available for this week due to technical reasons at the Department which
provides the data to PCHR.

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

01 – 07 May 2013

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (“Kerem Shalom”) crossing

01-07 May 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note:

The crossing was closed on Friday and
Saturday. In addition, PCHR is not able to provide complete statistics for this
week due to technical difficulties.

 

Exports:

 

 

On Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of a total of 5 truckloads of plastic containers.

On Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of 3 truckloads of plastic containers.  

 

Other
Imports:

 

On Wednesday, 01 May 2013, Israeli forces allowed
the entry of 148 tonnes of cement and 140 tonnes of construction aggregate for
UNRWA; and 36 tonnes of construction steel and 70 tonnes of construction
aggregate for the GDB. They also allowed the entry of 780 tonnes of fodder and 390
tonnes of wheat.

On Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 168 tonnes of construction steel and 552 tonnes of cement
for UNRWA; 1540 tonnes of construction aggregate and 184 tonnes of cement for
UNDP; and 40 tonnes of cement for the GDB. They also allowed the entry of 1,170
tonnes of fodder and 429 tonnes of wheat.

On Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 840 tonnes of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also
allowed the entry of 741 tonnes of fodder and 585 tonnes of wheat.

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

30 April-07 May 2013

 

 

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

 

Ramallah: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Beit Loqaya village, west
of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 03 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, they established another
checkpoint near the intersection of “’Ofrah” settlement, north of Ramallah. At
approximately 20:20, they re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern
entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 21:45 on Saturday, 04 May 2013, Israeli
forces re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit,
north of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported. 

At approximately 16:00 on
Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road
between Ramallah and al-Bireh and north-eastern villages near “Beit Eil”
settlement around 1 kilometre away from the entrance of al-Jalzone refugee
camp. At approximately 18:00, they established another checkpoint at the
intersection of Beit ‘Aor al-Foqa, southwest of Ramallah and prevented people
from entering or leaving through the aforementioned checkpoint.

At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Budrus village, west
of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, they established another checkpoint under
the bridge of ‘Ein Yabroud village, northeast of Ramallah and prevented
civilians from entering or leaving through the aforementioned checkpoint.

 

Hebron: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Abu al-‘Arqan village, south
of Dura, southwest of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests
were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 03 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Halhoul village, north of
the city. At approximately 15:00, another checkpoint was established at
al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, they
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’air village, northeast
of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 04 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint on the road of al-‘Aqba village, south of Dura,
southwest of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 05 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp,
north of the city. At approximately 16:00, they established another checkpoint
at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Sekah village, southwest of Dura, southwest
of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 06 May 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Yatta, as
this entrance is connected to Bypass Road 35, south of the city. Around the
same time, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na’aim
village, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:30, another checkpoint was
established at the entrance of Kherbet Abu al-Aqwas, west of Hebron. All
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 08 May 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village,
south of Hebron. At approximately 07:30, they established another checkpoint on
Abu Dgheim road that connects Ezna village with al-Koum village, south of the
city. At approximately 08:00, another checkpoint was established at the
southern entrance of Halhoul, north of the city. At approximately 12:00,
Israeli forces closed the northern entrance of Halhoul, as this entrance is
connected to Bypass Road 60, as well as the entrances of Beit Ummar village and
al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, under the pretext that it was
necessary to secure the Hebron-Jerusalem road for the passage of a motorcycle
rally organised by settlers to celebrate a Jewish holiday.

 

Qalqilya: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 02:35 on Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast
of Qalqilya. At approximately 08:50, they established another checkpoint
between ‘Azoun and Kafr Laqef villages, east of Qalqilya. At approximately
15:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Elias village,
east of the city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

At approximately 16:50 on Friday, 03 May 2013, Israeli
forces established another checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. At
approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of
‘Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 17:10, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the
city. Around the same time, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Amatin, northeast of Qalqilya. All checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:35 on Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint near the western entrance of ‘Ezbet al-Tabib,
east of Qalqilya. At approximately 12:45, they established another checkpoint
at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city. At approximately 12:50,
they established the same checkpoint at the entrance of Amatin village,
northeast of Qalqilya. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

Tulkarm: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qofein village, north of
Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:30 on Friday, 03 May 2013, Israeli
forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint established a checkpoint on the road
between ‘Ezbet Shofah and shofah villages, southeast of Tulkarm. The checkpoint
was later removed, and no arrests were reported. It should be mentioned that
this road connects “Avni Heivetz”
settlement, which was established on Palestinian lands in 1987, with the bypass
road that connects the aforementioned settlement with “’Innab” settlement
inside Israel.

At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 04 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qofein village, north of
Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 01:30 on Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qofein village, north of
Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:30 on Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya
near the eastern entrance of Juabarah village. The checkpoint was later removed,
and no arrests were reported.

 

Jenin: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 02 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanour village, south of
Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. 

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 03 May 2013, Israeli
forces stationed at al-Jalmah checkpoint that separates Jenin from Israel,
northeast of Jenin, closed the checkpoint to the movement of Palestinian civilians,
including those who had already obtained permits. They re-opened the
checkpoint, and no further incidents were reported.

At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 05 May 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.

At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 06 May 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrabah village, south of
Jenin. At approximately 23:00, they established another checkpoint at the
intersection of Zaboubah-Romanah village, northwest of the city. The two
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 07 May 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Romanah village,
northwest of Jenin. At approximately 23:00, another checkpoint was established
on the road between Kafiret and Ya’abod villages, southwest of the city.

 

Detention at
military checkpoints

 

At approximately 23:00 on Thursday, 02 May
2013, Israeli forces deployed between the neighbourhoods of the old city in
central Hebron, arrested Sa’aid ‘Abdel Hadi al-Sharif (24), under the pretext
of being in al-Shuhadaa’ Street late at night. It should be mentioned that
Israeli authorities closed the aforementioned street on the recommendation of
the Israeli “Shamghar” committee, which was formed following the 1994 massacre
committed by the settler, Baruch Goldstein, against Palestinian civilians,
while they were praying inside Ibrahimi Mosque.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 05 May
2013, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun crossing point (“Erez”) in the
northern Gaza strip arrested Kamal Ibrahim Ismail al-Sabbagh (47) from al-Tofah
neighbourhood and Zuheir Yousif ‘Ali Ma’arouf (50) from al-Naser neighbourhood
while they were attempting to leave the Gaza Strip and travel to Israel for
business purposes. They are traders in spare parts for automobiles.

 

At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 05 May
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Beit
Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem. They arrested 3 civilians and took them
to an unknown destination. The arrested men were identified as: ‘Omar Anwar
Taqatqa (19); Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Taqatqa (22); and Mohammed Anwar ‘Abed el Qader
Taqatqa (21).

 

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 08 May
2013, Israeli forces stationed at Hawwarah checkpoint, south of Nablus arrested
Ahmed Jamal Mabroukah (20) from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus,
while he was passing through the checkpoint on his way to Ramallah. Eyewitnesses
said that Israeli forces had stopped the vehicle which was travelled by
Mabroukah and forced him to get out of the car. He was then taken to the right
of the checkpoint, put in a military vehicle, and taken to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 08:30 on Wednesday, 08 May
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrabah
village, south of Jenin. While Mohammed ‘Adnan Husni Abu al-Hasan (28), a nurse
at Martyr Soliman Khalil Governmental Hospital in Jenin, was passing through
the aforementioned checkpoint, he was forced to get out of his car, arrested, and
taken to an unknown destination. The checkpoint was later removed, and no further
incidents were reported.

 

 

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

 

Violations committed by Israeli forces

 

At approximately 08:00
on Sunday, 05 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by 3 military vehicles and
a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Khlat al-Theeb area,
west of Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron. Soldiers deployed in the
agricultural lands and the Civil Administration officer placed two evacuation
notices for hundreds of dunums of land, which is the property of the al-‘Omla,
al-Saraheen and al-Atrash families.

According to
information received by PCHR, at approximately 14:00 on Monday, 06 May 2013, an
infantry unit of 14 Israeli soldiers, accompanied by an officer of the Israeli
Civil Administration, handed notices to 10 civilians ordering them to halt
construction work on their houses, which adjacent to “Halmish”
settlement, established on lands of Deir Nizam and Nabi Saleh villages, in the
northwest of Ramallah, under the pretext that they had not obtained permits
before beginning the construction work. The houses belong to:

 

1. Ali Mohammed Mustafa Mezher, the owner of an
under-construction one-storey house which is established on an area of 160
square metres;

2. Kafour Mustafa Mahmoud Mezher, the owner of a house
which is established on an area of 120 square metre and occupied by a family of
10 individuals;

3. Haitham Abdul-Hafiz Mezher, the owner of a house which
is established on an area of 60 square metres and occupied by a family of 6;

4. Abdul-Hafiz Mustafa Mezher, the owner of a one-storey
house which is established on an area of 70 square metres and occupied by a
family of 12;

5. Saleh Mustafa Mezher, the owner of a two-storey house
of 120 square metres which is occupied by a family 6;

6. Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Eid, the owner of a one-storey house
which is established on an area of 90 square metres and occupied by a family of
10;

7. Abdul-Razeq Ahmed ‘Eid, the owner of a one-storey
house which is established on an area of 80 square metres and occupied by a
family of 6;

8. Zaied Ahmed ‘Eid, the owner of a one-storey house
which is established on an area of 80 square metres and occupied by a family of
10;

9. Mohammed Mustafa ‘Eid, the owner of a one-storey house
which is established on an area of 60 square metres and occupied by a family of
2; and

10. Hassan Ahmed ‘Eid, the owner of a one-storey
house that was established in 1970 on an area of 100 square metres and which is
occupied by a family of 3.

 

At approximately 05:00
on Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military
vehicles, 5 vehicles of the Israeli Civil Administration, two bulldozers, two
GSB diggers and a grabber, moved into Khlet Lakhmas area, near Majrour village,
west of Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron. The vehicles began bulldozing the
lands of Nawaf Mahmoud Abdul-Qader Shalalfa (53) and Aziz Ahmed Abdul-Qader
Shalalfa (65), and destroyed  the
following:

 

1. Agricultural land of 23 dunums;

2. 600-metre stone wall;

3. A water well of 180 cubic metres;

4. A water well of 120 cubic metres;

5. 300 olive trees, aged 6 years;

6. 1,000 almond trees of various types; and

7. 150 grapevines, aged 3 years.

 

In his testimony to a
PCHR fieldworker, Nawaf Shalalfa said that Israeli authorities had placed
evacuation notices on the land a long time ago, and that he had hired an
attorney and provided the Israeli authorities with all the official documents
that prove his ownership of the land; however, the Israeli authorities
bulldozed it under the pretext that the land is state property.

 

At approximately 08:30
on Monday, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, 5
vehicles of the Israeli Civil Administration, two bulldozers, two GSB diggers
and a grabber, moved into Khlet Theeb area. Israeli soldiers were deployed in
the area and imposed a curfew, and the bulldozers destroyed the following:

 

1. A kilometre and a half of the electricity supply
network, including 15 electricity poles, which was the property of Beit Oula
village;

2. 700 metres of stone walls, which were the property of
Abdul-Hafez Ahmed al-‘Omla;

3. A water well of 120 cubic metres, which was used for
drinking and irrigation; and

4. 15 dunums of land, which was the property of the heirs
of Mohammed Oda al’Omla.

 

The damages are estimated at more than 100,000 Israeli
shekels, according to the estimations of the land owners.

 

· At approximately 11:00, also on Monday, Israeli forces
moved into Khlat Alkam area, west of Beit Oula village and bulldozed:

 

1. 15 dunums of land;

2. 870 metres of stone walls;

3. 800 metres of barbed wire;

4. 200 olive trees, aged 5 years, which were uprooted and
confiscated;

5. 600 almond trees, aged 5 years, which were uprooted
and confiscated; and

6. A water well of 100 cubic metres.

 

These lands are the
property of Ahmed Ibrahim al-‘Ajarma; Mohammed Ibrahim al-‘Ajarma; and ‘Omar
Ibrahim al-‘Ajarma.

 

At approximately 13:30,
also on Monday, Israeli forces moved into Kherbat Enjisat area, west of Beit
Oula and bulldozed:

1. A water well of 100 cubic metres;

2. 550 metres of stone walls;

3. 100 metres of barbed wire;

4. 300 almond trees, aged 5 years, which were uprooted
and confiscated; and

5. 150 olive trees, aged 5 years, which were uprooted and
confiscated.

 

These lands are the
property of Khader Taye’ Mousa al-Sherif and ‘Eissa Taye’ Mousa al-Sherif.

 

At approximately 00:30
on Tuesday, 07 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed an agricultural shed and
confiscated a caravan in Mikhmas village, in the southeast of Ramallah. In his
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Khaled Ahmed Said al-Din Abu-Ali (31) said: “At
approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by 7 military
vehicles, a bulldozer and an officer of the Israeli Civil Administration,
raided al-Dawaier agricultural area, in the south of Mikhmas village. The soldiers
cordoned off the area and prevented Palestinian civilians from entering it. Immediately,
the soldiers bulldozed a tin-roofed room of 16 square metres, the property of
Ahmed Saif al-Din Abu-Ali’s family. Before they left at approximately 02:00,
the soldiers confiscated a caravan near the entrance of the area, belonging to
the Village Council, which is used by the night guards. Israeli forces had
distributed evacuation notices approximately 4 months ago, under the pretext
that the dwellings were being constructed in Area C, which falls under Israeli
jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords of 1993.”

 

At approximately 08:00
on Tuesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military vehicles, 5
vehicles of the Israeli Civil Administration, two bulldozers, two GSB diggers
and a grabber, moved into Khelat al-Nasraniat area, west of Nouba village, in
the west of Hebron. They bulldozed the following:

 

1. A water well of 150 cubic metres;

2. 15 dunums of land;

3. 200 almond trees, which were uprooted and confiscated;

4. 100 olive trees, which were uprooted and confiscated;
and

5. 700 metres of stone walls;

 

These lands are the
property of Ahmed Moussa Dababsa, who informed a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli
authorities had not provided him with any evacuation notices beforehand.

 

At approximately 09:00
on Tuesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and a vehicle of
the Israeli Civil Administration, raided Kherbat ‘Ashbour area west of al-Qoum
village, west of Doura, in the south of Hebron. The soldiers were deployed in
the area and imposed a curfew on Palestinian civilians. The bulldozer
demolished  a tin shed of 100 square metres
that is used as a shelter for sheep, and which is the property of Mohammed
Qader al-Haroub (80).

 

At approximately 16:45
on Tuesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and a vehicle of
the Israeli Civil Administration and a bulldozer, raided al-Souwana area, west
of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The bulldozer closed Thaher al-Reyah
road, which is 2 kilometres in length and 6 metres in width, and which leads to
approximately 3,000 dunums of agricultural lands, the property of many
civilians from the afore-mentioned village. In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, Ahmed Salah, Coordinator of the Popular Committee against
Settlement Activity in al-Khader village, said that this road was opened by the
Municipality of al-Khader village, in cooperation with the Ministry of
Agriculture, in order to facilitate the movement of farmers to and from their
lands. He also added that this Israeli action will create an obstacle for
farmers in accessing their lands, as they are now only accessible by horse or
on foot.

 

In the early morning
hours on Wednesday, 08 May 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed two houses in the al-Najada
neighbourhood, north of al-‘Ouja village, in the northeast of Jericho. According
to information PCHR received from the owners of the houses, at approximately
06:45 on Wednesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by 8 military vehicles, two
bulldozers and an officer of the Israeli Civil Administration, raided al-Najada
neighbourhood. The soldiers cordoned off the area, which is adjacent to Street
No. 90, and denied access to civilians and journalists.  At approximately 07:00, the bulldozers began
demolishing two houses, made of bricks, wood, and tin. Israeli forces had handed
out notices approximately 2 months earlier, ordering that the lands be
evacuated under the pretext that they fall within Area C.  At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces
withdrew from the area after finishing its bulldozing activity, leaving 5
people homeless. It should be mentioned that this area is inhabited by farmers
and shepherds. The bulldozed items are:

 

1. A 60 square-metre house of bricks, wood, and tin,
belonging to Abed Rahil Najada (28) and occupied by 3 individuals; and

2. A 60 square-metre house of bricks, wood and tin,
belonging to Salman Rahil Najada (25) and occupied by 2 individuals.

 

 

Violations committed by settlers

 

In the evening on
Thursday, 02 May 2013, a group of settlers from “Ofra” settlement,
established on the lands of Yabroud, Silwad and Deir Jarir villages, in the
northeast of Ramallah, broke the branches of 35 fruitful olive trees, aged
between 15 – 20 years. The land is located in the al-Karm al-‘Ateeq area, west
of Deir Jarir village, approximately 1,500 metres to the east of the
afore-mentioned settlement. The land is the property of Anas Anwar Mahmoud
Shuja’iya (31) and Mohammed Jihad Sa’id Shuja’iya, from Deir Jarir village.

 

At approximately 17:30
on Saturday, 04 May 2013, settlers from “Beitar Illit” settlement,
established on Palestinian villages’ lands in the west of Bethlehem, threw
stones at Ahmed Abdul-Salam al-Za’oul (25) from Housan village, in the west of
the governorate while he was passing through the intersection with the afore-mentioned
settlement. As a result, he sustained minor cuts.

 

At approximately 19:30
on Saturday, approximately 300 settlers attacked the homes of Palestinian
civilians in ‘Ayn Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village, in the northwest of
Ramallah. The settlers, some of whom were armed, used clubs and stones in their
attack. According to the findings of PCHR investigations, at approximately
19:00 on Saturday, approximately 300 settlers gathered by a square, adjacent to
‘Ayn Ayoub area. The settlers chanted anti-Arab slogans and threw rocks at
passing Palestinian vehicles. At approximately 19:30, the settlers attacked the
Palestinian civilians and homes in the area using clubs and stones. When
civilians from neighbouring villages learned of the settlers’ attack on the
area, they rushed to help. Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli forces, who were
providing the settlers with protection, fired live ammunition, rubber-coated
metal bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs at them and at civilian
houses. As a result, 3 civilians sustained injuries, and dozens suffered tear
gas inhalation; others sustained bruises after being beaten by the settlers.  Among the wounded persons was Ramadan
Abdallah Hassan Abu-Felfel (23), who sustained a bullet wound in the left eye.
He was transported to Palestine Health Complex in a Palestine Red Crescent
Society (PRCS) ambulance. He was later taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in
Jerusalem due to his critical condition. 
The other wounded persons are a 25-year-old male, who sustained a bullet
wound to the chest, and a 22-year-old male, who sustained a bullet wound to the
left leg.

 

At approximately 10:30
on Sunday, 05 May 2013, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli
forces, who were accompanied by military vehicles, raided Yousif Grave area, in
the east of Nablus. The settlers stayed in the area for a while and performed
some Talmudic rituals. A group of Palestinian children and teenagers gathered
in the area and threw stones at the Israeli forces; the latter responded
immediately with sound bombs and tear gas canisters in an effort to disperse
the crowd. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation.  The settlers and Israeli
forces later withdrew from the area; no further incidents were reported.

 

In the meantime, a group of settlers from
“Aad” settlement, established on the lands Jaloud village, in the
southeast of Nablus, attacked the homes of Palestinian civilians near the
entrance to the village, while under the protection of Israeli forces. The
settlers rioted in the area, intimidating civilians and throwing Molotv
cocktails in the area surrounding the houses.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

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email pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.