Israeli
bulldozers demolished 4 houses belonging to the family of Ghaith in al-Tour
neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem

 

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

 

---

 

 

Israeli forces extra-judicially executed a member of a
Salafi-Jihadist group in the Gaza Strip.

 

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

1 child was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli forces wounded 4 civilians, including 1 child,
while offering protection to Israeli settlers as they carried out attacks.

 

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.

 

Israeli forces conducted 63 incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 3 limited incursions in the Gaza
Strip.

32 Palestinian civilians, including 7 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 closed the border crossing between the
Gaza Strip and Israel for 3 days.

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in
the West Bank.

8 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested
at checkpoints.

 

Israeli forces have continued activities aimed at
creating a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

3 houses in al-Tour village and al-Thawri
neighbourhood were demolished.

 

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

Two agricultural rooms and a water well were
demolished and more demolition notices were issued in the West Bank.

Settlers conducted a series of violent attacks against
Palestinian civilians and set fire to dozens of dunums of farmlands.

Settlers set fire to dozens of vehicles in Deir Jarir
village 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 limit of 3 nautical
miles.

A fisherman was seriously wounded in Rafah, in the south
of the Gaza Strip.

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
25 April – 01 May 2013.

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a
Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded
7 civilians in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 30 April 2013, Israeli forces
extra-judicially killed a Palestinian member of the Salafi-Jihadist movement
when an attack was launched from an Israeli drone as he was on his motorbike in
front of Bader military site, northwest of Gaza City. As a result, he died
immediately. The deceased was a security officer at Shifa hospital in Gaza
City. Israeli forces admitted carrying out the attack; representatives of the
Israeli forces stated that they had executed a senior official in the Gaza
Strip who had carried out many operations involving the launching of rockets,
and who had been planning to launch rockets on Eilat from Egypt. It should be
noted that this is the first extrajudicial killing following the cease-fire
agreement that was reached on 21 November 2012, following the latest Israeli
offensive on the Gaza Strip.

 

On 28 April 2013, a Palestinian child was wounded when
Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire at a group of boys
near al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia refugee camp, in the north of the
Gaza Strip.

 

On 01 May 2013, a Palestinian fisherman sustained
serious wounds when Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore, in the south of
the Gaza Strip, opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within
the limit of 3 nautical miles.

 

Israeli forces continued their attacks on Palestinian
fishermen. On 27 April 2013, Israeli gunboats stationed off the shore of the central
Gaza Strip opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within 2
nautical miles of the shore, within the 2 nautical mile limit. On 27 and 28
April 2013, similar attacks occurred off the shore of Khan Yunis, in the south
of the Gaza Strip.

 

On 30 April and 01 May 2013, Israeli gunboats
stationed off the shore of Deir al-Balah opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats at sea.

 

On 28 April, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at
a plot of open land, north of Asdaa’ media centre, in the northwest of Khan
Yunis. No casualties were reported.

 

On the same day, Israeli warplanes launched a missile
at a military training site belonging to the National Resistance Brigades (the
armed wing of the Democratic Front), northwest of Rafah, in the south of the
Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

 

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
were wounded. One was wounded during the Ni’lin weekly protest, west of Ramallah,
while 2 others were wounded during the Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast
of Qalqilia.

 

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 suffered from tear gas inhalation while others
sustained bruises.

 

On 30 April 2013, Israeli forces wounded 4 Palestinian
civilians, including 1 child, while offering protection to Israeli settlers as
they carried out attacks in Nablus following the killing of a settler that
morning at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus. 3 were wounded in ‘Ourif
village, south of Nablus, while the fourth was wounded in Asira village, south
of the city.

 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 63 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 32 Palestinians, including 7
children and 2 lecturers at al-Najah National University in Nablus.

 

Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions into the
Gaza Strip. Two incursions were conducted in the east of Khan Yunis, in the south
of the Gaza Strip, on the 25 April and 01 May 2013. Israeli bulldozers dug a
trench along the border fence. On 30 April 2013, Israeli forces moved into the area
east of Gaza valley in the central Gaza Strip.

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces stationed
along the border fence, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip,
arrested 2 children, who were attempting to cross the border into Israel.

 

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.

Efforts to create a Jewish majority in Occupied East
Jerusalem

 

On Monday, 29 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed two
housing apartments in al-Tour village, in occupied East Jerusalem. According to
data acquired by PCHR, at approximately 06:30, Israeli forces, including
special forces units, accompanied by two bulldozers, officers of the Israeli
Municipality in Jerusalem, and officers of the Israel Nature and Parks
Authority, moved into Khelat al-‘Ayn neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli
forces cordoned off the neighbourhood, surrounded the houses of Roshdi Ghaith
and his sister Mofida, and banned other civilians and journalists from accessing
the area. Israeli forces forced the families to evacuate their homes and then
demolished the buildings. One of the demolished buildings was an apartment
building of 160 squar metres, occupied by 13 individuals, including an elderly
woman who is suffering from cancer, and belonging to Roshdi Ghaith, who also
suffers from cancer. The second apartment building was 80 square metres, and occupied
by 11 individuals, including 5 children.

 

On Tuesday, 30 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed an
extensions to a house belonging to Tawfiq Mohammed Abu-Snaina (60), under the pretext
that Abu-Snaina had not obtained a building permit prior to building the
extension. The extension consisted of two unused storeys, the 60 square-metre roof
of which was used as a balcony for Abu-Snaina’s house.

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 Thursday, 25 April 2013, a military vehicle,
accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Qwaiwees,
in the southeast of Yatta, in the south of Hebron. The Civil Administration
officer handed notices to a number of Palestinian civilians, ordering them to
halt construction work that included the construction of two rooms and two
tents.

 

On Monday, 29 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed a
water well of 50 cubic metres and an agricultural shed of 10 square metres,
belonging to Sa’id Abdul-Qader al-‘Azza, on agricultural lands adjacent to
al-Fawwar refugee camp, in the south of Hebron.

 

Also on Monday, Israeli forces placed two notices on
the lands of Abdul-Rahman al-Shwaiki and Ebrahim Khalil ‘Abda, in Khelat
al-Nahla area, between Bethlehem and its southern countryside. The notices
ordered that the 20-dunum land be evacuated and that all olive seedlings be
uprooted. The notices gave the farmers a period of 45 days to challenge the orders
in court.

 

Also on Monday, Israeli forces demolished an
agricultural shed of 60 square metres, belonging to Salim Abu-Hammad (45), from
al-Neis valley village, in the southwest of Bethlehem. The room was used for
storing farm tools.

 

Violations committed by settlers

 

On Thursday, 25 April 2013, a number of settlers from
“Ma’on” settlement, established on Palestinian lands, in the east of
Yatta, in the south of Hebron, raided Magayer al-‘Abeed area and dropped a can
containing toxic substances into a water well belonging to Shehada Salama
Shahada Makhamra.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers attacked a
Palestinian vehicle with stones near ‘Azzoun village, by the main Qalqilya –
Nablus road, known as Road 55, in the east of Qalqilya. Two passengers in the
vehicle sustained injuries and the windshield of the 2008 Peugeot shattered as
a result of the attack.

 

On Saturday, 27 April 2013, dozens of settlers from
“Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost, established on civilian Palestinian
lands in Tal al-Rmyda area, in the centre of Hebron, burned the Palestinian
flag, flags of the Palestinian parties, and the logo of Temporary
International Presence in the City of Hebron (TIPH).

 

On Sunday, 28 April 2013, a group of
settlers, coming from “Kiryat Arba” settlement, established on
Palestinian lands in the east of Hebron, attacked a number of farmers of
al-Zaru (Tamimi) family, while they were on their lands, located in Jabal Jales
area, near the aforementioned settlement.

 

On Monday, 19 April 2013, dozens of
settlers from “Maon” settlement moved into one of the hills near the
main entrance of al-Tawani village, to the northwest of the aforementioned
settlement. The settlers were deployed in the area under strict protection from
Israeli forces as  they began to build the
foundations for a new settlement outpost. These lands, approximately 100
dunums, are the property of the Shaheen family.

 

On Monday, a group of settlers from “Itamar”
settlement, established on al-Jadou’ Mountain, east of Beit Fouriq village, in
the east of Nablus, attacked Abdul Rahman Hafez Khatatba (48) and Fawzi Mousa
‘Eissa Nasasra (60), inflicting wounds in the head and upper body. The settlers
used clubs and stones in their attack; the assaulted civilians were taken to
Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus where they received the necessary
treatment.

 

On Tuesday, 30 April 2013, the southern villages of Nablus
witnessed the escalation of settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and
property, following the killing of an Israeli settler at Za’tara checkpoint, in
the south of Nablus. Hundreds of settlers divided themselves into groups and began
rioting under the protection of Israeli forces, attacking intersections leading
to Nablus City, burning tyres at Howara intersection, and closing the street. Moreover,
settlers attacked a number of Palestinian villages and set fire to dozens of
dunums of agricultural land.

 

 

 

 

Israeli violations documented during the reporting period
25 April– 01 May 2013

 

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

Thursday, 25 April 2013

 

· At approximately 00:10, Israeli forces moved into
al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilia. 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
Jenin and patrolled the streets for some time. They later withdrew; neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sanjal
village, north of Ramallah. They raided two houses belonging to the families of
Ibrahim Mohammed Mostafa Masalma (43) and Omar Abdullah Mahmoud ‘Asfour (26). They
arrested the 2 aforementioned persons and transferred them to an unknown
destination.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Daheriya village, south 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 Essa
neighbourhood in the western side of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, raided
a house belonging to the family of Lo’ay Suleiman Nasser al-Din (21), and
arrested him.

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a house
belonging to the family of Sharaf Mohammed Fares Abu Baker (18), and arrested
him. They also raided a house belonging to the family of Amir Fares Rashed Abu
Baker (20) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into
Nimra area, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, raided a bakery, and
detained the employees. They arrested Nimer Mahmoud Ghaith (28) and later
withdrew.

 

· At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved about 200
metres into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis, in the south of
the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands and dug a deep trench along the border
fence, east of Khan Yunis. They opened fire sporadically and later withdrew.

 

· At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrested were reported.

 

· At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into Bab
al-Zawiya area in the centre of Hebron. They deployed between the stores,
detained a number of civilians, and checked their ID cards. They arrested Asem
Rafifan Zabalah (27) and Fahed Jamal al-Sarahna (25).

 

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into the
south of the Old Town of Hebron. Infantry units deployed between the houses,
arrested a number of children, who were playing around, and transported them to
a police station in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of the city. The
children were released few hours later following coordination between the
Palestinian liaison office and the Israeli one. The arrested children were:

 

1. Hammam Ibrahim Abu Sbeih (9);

2. ‘Emeir Ibrahim Jaber (11);

3. Yahia Bassam Dawood (12);

4. Ramez Is’haq Saynour (11); and

5. Mohammed Rasem al-Ja’bari (13).

 

Kayed Abu
Sbeih informed PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces had arrested the children
with the use of excessive force and transferred them to the Ibrahimi mosque
area. He added that he had gone directly to the Israeli soldiers and tried to convince
them to release the children. However, a quarrel erupted and his request was
rejected. The Israeli forces then transferred the children to “Kiryat
Arab” settlement.

 

· At approximately 17:50, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Our al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into
Faqqou’a village, northeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into
Qufin village, north of Tulkarm. 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
Kharas village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 22:20, Israeli forces moved into
‘Asala village, south of Qalqilia. 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
Douma village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Zita
village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. It should be noted
that this incursion is the second of its kind within a few hours.

 

Friday, 26 April 2013

 

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Kofur
Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time, and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in the centre of the refugee camp. They deployed between
the houses and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

· At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Marajem area, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They positioned
themselves in the area and deployed themselves between the houses. They raided
an under-construction house belonging to the family of Mahmoud al-Namoura. A
number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli
soldiers who, in response, fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a number of boys suffered from tear
gas inhalation. However, no arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into
Beitummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned
themselves in Beit Za’ta neighbourhood. A number of boys gathered, set fire to
tyres, and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who positioned themselves on
top of an under-construction house and fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters,
and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a number of civilians suffered
from tear gas inhalation, while a wheat field belonging to Sadeq Abu Maria was
damaged when a sound bomb fell into the field.

 

· At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in the centre of the refugee camp. A number of boys
gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers who, in
response, fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated metal
bullets. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

Jihad al-Badawi informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the
Israeli forces positioned themselves at the entrance of the camp and prevented
the movement of the civilians.

 

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

 

Saturday, 27 April 2013

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
the central Gaza Strip opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats sailing within
2 nautical miles of the shore. Israeli forces opened fire sporadically until
07:00. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported. The fishermen fled
back to shore fearing arrests and injuries.

 

· At approximately 03:15, Israeli gunboats stationed off
Khan Yunis, near southern Gaza Strip, opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
sailing within 2 nautical miles of the shore. Israeli forces opened fire
sporadically until 05:30. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
The fishermen fled back to shore fearing arrests and injuries.

 

· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 28
April 2013

 

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Maythaloun village, south 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 Siris
village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Daheriya village, south 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 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.

 

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

 

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ezza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the
family of Iyad Sa’id Abu Sha’ira (22) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 02:53, an Israeli warplane fired a
missile at an open area, north of Asda’ media centre, in the northwest of Khan
Yunis. The explosion left a large crater. No casualties were reported.

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats within the 3 nautical mile limit. Neither casualties nor material damage
were reported.

 

· At approximately 03:40, an Israeli warplane fired a
missile at a military training site belonging to the National Resistance
Brigades (the armed wing of the Democratic Front), northwest of Rafah, in the south
of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.

 

· At approximately 11:30, an Israeli undercover unit
moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They used a minibus and raided a cafe
belonging to Mahmoud Abed Awad Alawna (33). They arrested and transferred him
to an undisclosed destination.

 

· At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces stationed along
the eastern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a group of
boys near al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia refugee camp, in the north of
the Gaza Strip. As a result, Jamil Wa’el Jamil Risha (17), from Gaza City, was
wounded by a bullet to the left leg and was transferred to Shifa hospital in
Gaza City to receive the necessary medical treatment. Medical sources said that
he had been wounded by an explosive bullet (entered and exited) and that his injuries
were moderate.

 

· At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into
Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into Ras
Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Abwein village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some
time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

 

Monday, 29 April 2013

 

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and arrested Baha’
Samir Othman Salim (22).

 

· Around the same time, 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.

 

· 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
al-Dheisha refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging
to the family of Hamdan Ibrahim Zawahra (20) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into
Thenaba suburb, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets near the water
wells, where some members of Israeli forces in civilian clothing examined the
water wells. No further incidents were reported.

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into
Shweika suburb, north of 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
Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Zababda village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 16:30, Israeli gunboats opened fire on
Palestinian fishing boats sailing off the Rafah shore, in the south of the Gaza
Strip. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

· At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jelgamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 30
April 2013

 

·At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some
time and then stationed themselves in the centre of the village. A number of
soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Samirah Halayqah, Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) member. They arrested her son, Anas Mohammed Halayqah
(25), and took him to an undisclosed destination.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah. They stationed themselves at the
northern entrance of the village, and then raided and searched a number of
houses after forcing their residents to leave the house and holding them
outdoors. The residents, especially children and women, were terrified as a
result. An Israeli intelligence officer questioned a number of civilians on the
spot about Mohammed Rabah Shukri ‘Asi (27), as Israeli forces claimed that he
is wanted by the Israeli intelligence services. Israeli forces deployed in the
streets, and dozens of boys and young men gathered to throw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli forces. In response, they fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs. As a result,
a number of them suffered from gas inhalation. At approximately 15:20, Israeli
forces handed a summons ordering a number of the village residents to refer to
the Israeli intelligence in its office in the Ofer prison camp, southwest of
Ramallah. Some of the summoned residents were identified as: Ya’aqoub Subhi
Dawoud Dar Moussa (36); Mohammed Saleh Mohammed Bader (25); Mo’ayad Ibrahim
Qedees Dar Qedees (29); Bahaa’ Salem ‘Abed Soliman ‘Asi (20); Oweis Salem ‘Abed
Soliman ‘Asi (18); and Jihad Rabah Shukri ‘Asi (30).

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Fahs area in the southern area in Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ammar Motlaq al-Rajbi
(26). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an undisclosed
destination.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ma’ajeen neighbourhood, southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses whose residents were detained. They
arrested two lecturers from Annajah University in Nablus, Prof. ‘Essam Rashid
al-Ashqar (55) and Dr Mustafa ‘Ali Hamad ‘Ali Ahmed al-Shonar (51), and
confiscated their laptops and cell phones from their houses. They were taken to
an undisclosed destination.

 

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Dheishah refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Nabil Muhsen Yabis (22). They arrested the
aforementioned civilian and his brother, Bahaa’ (20) taking them to an
undisclosed destination. They later withdrew.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Sharif Yousif al-‘Arja (18). They
arrested the aforementioned civilian taking him to an undisclosed destination.
They later withdrew.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta
village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a
number of houses. They handed Rateb al-Jbour, Coordinator of the Popular Committee
against Settlements, and Jihad Rashid a summons, ordering them to refer to the
Israeli intelligence in “Ghosh ‘Atsyon”, south of Bethlehem.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
‘Awa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Oday Nayef
Masalmah (25). They arrested the aforementioned civilian taking him to an
undisclosed destination. They later withdrew.

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then
stationed themselves in al-Nabi Nouh area. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Issa Shadid. They later withdrew, and no
arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Sirah village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved 200 metres
to the west of the border fence into east of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek) in the central
Gaza Strip. They moved into the south while laying sporadic repressive fire and
levelled lands near the border fence. The incursion lasted 8 hours as Israeli
forces re-established themselves behind the border fence. No injuries were
reported.

 

· Israeli forces extrajudicially killed a Palestinian militant
in the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli website “Yediot Aharonot”, sources
claimed that the targeted individual was planning to fire rockets at Eilat from
Egypt, and that he had previously carried out many rocket fire operations. It
should be mentioned that was the first extrajudicial killing since the
conlusion of the ceasefire agreement on 21 November 2012, following the last
Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, 30 April 2013, an Israeli warplane launched a
missile at Haitham Ziyad Ibrahim al-Meshal (26), from Shati’ refugee camp, while
he was riding a motorbike near Bader military site, in the northwest of Gaza.
He died instantly. Al-Meshal is affiliated to the Jihadist Salafist Group and a
security officer in Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then stationed themselves near the
entrance of Hebron University. Israeli soldiers deployed in front of the gate
of the Faculty of Science, and detained a number of students. Israeli forces
later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Kherbtha al-Mesbah, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew.

 

· At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into
Irtah suburb, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed themselves in the centre of the suburb. They raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Tariq Salim Fakhri al-Taneeb (18). They
arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an undisclosed
destination, and later withdrew.

 

· At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces opened fire
sporadically for two hours at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing 3
nautical miles off the shore of Deir al-Balah. As a result, the Palestinian fishermen
fled back to the shore fearing arrests and injuries. Neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.

 

 

Wednesday, 01
May 2012

 

· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Lahem. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of
Tha’er Khader Ahmed Masalma (25), and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 04:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats
sailing within 2 nautical miles of the shore. As a result, the sail of a boat
fell on the head of Adel Abdul Karim Baker (50), from Gaza City, and he
sustained serious injuries. He was transferred to the hospital to receive the
necessary medical treatment.

 

· At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into
Shweikeh Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided a house belonging to the family
of Mohammed As’ad Mohammed al-Zaghal (27) and arrested him. It should be noted
that al-Zaghal is a brother of the prisoner Salam, who is accused of killing a
settler on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus.
Israeli forces raided and searched the family home following the attack and
questioned its occupants.

 

· At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved about 200
meters into the east of Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza
Strip. They dug a deep trench along the border fence, levelled lands in the
area and later withdrew.

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu
Kteila area in central Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned
themselves in the vicinity of a house belonging to the family of Hazem Fat’hi
al-Sharif (26). They raided the house and arrested the aforementioned person.

 

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
‘Awwa village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets, stopped a number of young men and questioned them on the spot. They
arrested 3 civilians and later withdrew. House raids were not reported. The
arrested persons were:

 

 

1. Baker Razeq Masalma (17);

2. Mo’taz Nayef al-Masalma (18); and

3. Abdul Fattah Nayef al-Masalma (17).

 

· At approximately 17:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats sailing off the shore of Deir al-Balah within the
3 nautical mile limit. The fishermen fled back to the shore fearing arrests and
injuries. Neither casualties nor material damage 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 and
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 sustained wounds. 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 of civilians suffered from tear
gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation
wall and settlement activity

 

· At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 26 April
2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders
gathered in the centre of Bait Ummar village, north of Hebron. The
demonstrators made their way towards Khlat al-Kutla area, near the security
fence of “Karmi Tsur” settlement, established on civilian Palestinian
lands in the east of the village. While the demonstrators were in the area, a
settler called “Eliaho” began to insult them, the Prophet Mohamed and
Islam, and a skirmish broke out between the settler and the demonstrators. In
the meantime, Israeli forces raided the area and declared it to be a closed
military zone; moreover, they attacked the demonstrators with the butts of
their guns, and punched and kicked them. Israeli forces forced the Palestinian
civilians out of the area and allowed the settlers to roam freely in the
agricultural lands surrounding the security fence of the aforementioned
settlement. Furthermore, while the demonstrators were in the area and refused
to leave, Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters at them; as a result, a
number of them suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

· At noon on Friday, 26 April 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders, and
inhabitants of 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, threatened with confiscation for
the expansion of “Ofra” settlement, established on the lands of ‘Aiyn
Yabroud village. Afterwards, the crowd headed towards Khelat al-Sultan area,
adjacent to al-Shakara area, where settlers have occupied two old houses known
as al-Kousour, belonging to inhabitants of Silwad village. Upon their arrival
to 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. Moreover, Israeli forces
arrested 3 Palestinians, including 1 child and took them to Ofer prison, in the
southwest of Ramallah. The arrested civilians were identified as: Ahmed Jum’a
Ahmed Jarboun (20); Mohammed Abdel-Rasoul Mohammed Dar Sa’d (19); and Islam
Abdul-Razeq Hamed (17).

 

· At
approximately 13:00 on Friday, 26 April 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians,
activists of the Popular Committees against Settlement Activity and the Hebron
Defense Committee and international human rights activists gathered in al-Haraiek
area, southeast of Hebron, for a peaceful demonstration calling for opening the
route linking Hebron to it southern villages, which has been closed for the
past 12 years. These villages are al-Rayhia, al-Thaheria, Doura and al-Fawar
Refugee Camp. Upon their arrival to the steel gate which closes the road
leading to Bypass Road 60, the Israeli forces surrounded the area and declared
it a closed military zone, ordering the demonstrators to leave immediately. The
soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas
canisters, sound bombs and sprayed the demonstration with waste water, which
forced the demonstrators to change their direction into fields leading to
“Beit Hagai” settlement. A number of protesters fainted as a result
of tear gas inhalation, including a number of journalists who were directly
targeted. It should be noted that the closure of al-Haraiek route, in the south
of Hebron, creates an obstacle for the civilians’ movement, as it forces them
to take a route of approximately 10 extra kilometres to reach the city.

 

· Also 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 demonstration walked by the wall and attempted to break into 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 the demonstrators with waste water 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, especially Samer al-‘Issawi. The demonstrators moved towards the
annexation wall; Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbed wire, and when
the demonstrators attempted to get to the lands behind it, Israeli soldiers
stopped them. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who
responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear
gas canisters and chased them across fields of olive trees up to the outskirts
of the village. As a result, a 42-year-old male was hit by a tear gas canister
to the chest; moreover, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises.

(PCHR holds
the name of the injured person on file.)

 

· 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 demonstration was organized under the title:
“Freedom is our children’s right,” in commemoration of Palestinian
Child Day and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The
protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the
nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize. Israeli forces
closed all entrances to the village in the morning to prevent Palestinians,
international activists and journalists from joining the demonstration. Upon
their arrival in the aforementioned 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,
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, activists in the Popular Resistance Committees and the
Volunteer Work Committee, and mothers of Palestinian prisoners 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 participants carried Palestinian flags
and pictures of prisoner Samer al-‘Eisawy while they 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, also the soldiers engaged in
hand fight with them.

 

· 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 to
the confiscation of their lands. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli
forces, who were stationed behind the wall; the latter responded with live
ammunition, tar gas canister and sound bombs and chased the demonstrators into
the village. As a result, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation, including Naheda Taha Khaled Marar (28), a pregnant woman; she was
transported to Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah a Palestine Red Crescent
Society (PRCS) ambulance.

 

· At approximately 15:50 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 since the outbreak of al-Aqsa Intifada. Israeli forces denied the demonstrators
access to the afore-mentioned gate and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the group; as a result, a 26-year-old male was
hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, and a 22-year-old male was hit by
a tear gas canister to the face. Moreover, a number of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation, and a fire began in Palestinian agricultural lands
belonging to Abdul-Mahdi al-Haj ‘Ali, due to the tear gas canisters.

 

Other
Peaceful Demonstrations

 

· At approximately 17:15 on Saturday, 27
April 2013, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered in the Um Rokba area, at the south-western
entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the Israeli
policy against the Palestinian prisoners. 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. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers topped Mahmoud Hamdan
al-Wahsh’s house, and used it as an observation point, monitoring civilians’
movement and fired tear gas canisters at them.

 

· At approximately 17:15 on Saturday, 27
April 2013, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered in the Um Rokba area, at the
south-western entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to
the Israeli policy against the Palestinian prisoners. 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.

 

· 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 civilians’ houses and agricultural lands in the area. As
a result, a fire started on the land of Daoud Abdul-Fatah Salah (50), located
near the bypass road. Moreover, 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 for technical reasons at the department that provides
PCHR with the needed information.

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

17 – 23 April 2013

 

 

 

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

24-30 April 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

 

· On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces allowed
the export of a total of 3 truckloads of plastic containers.

· On Thursday, 25 April 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
export of 4 truckloads of plastic containers; 300 kilograms (1 truckload) of
basil; 300 kilograms of mint and 60000 flowers.

 

Other
Imports:

 

· On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces allowed
the entry of 105 tonnes of construction steel, 343 tonnes of cement and 1,260
tonnes of construction aggregate for UNRWA; 980 tonne of construction aggregate
for the private sector; and 192 tonnes of cement and 420 tonnes of construction
aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 819 tonnes of fodder and 312
tonnes of wheat.

· On Thursday, 25 April 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
entry of 68 tonnes of construction steel and 512 tonnes of cement for UNRWA;
910 tonnes of construction aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed
the entry of 390 tonnes of fodder and 468 tonnes of wheat.

 

Note:

 

Israeli forces closed the aforementioned
crossing from Sunday, 28 April, to Tuesday, 30 April.

It should be mentioned that 1,700 tons of
construction aggregate were allowed to enter for the Qatari projects from Rafah
international crossing point.

 

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

17-23 April 2013

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

24-29 April 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 18:30 on Thursday, 25 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Loqaya village,
southwest of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 26 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:30 on Saturday, 27 April 2013, Israeli
forces re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit,
north of the city, and prevented
people from entering or leaving through the aforementioned checkpoint. The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 19:00, they established
a checkpoint at the southern entrance of al-Tibah village, northeast of the
city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00 on
Sunday, 28 April 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance
of ‘Aaboud, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 22:00, they established
another checkpoint on the road between Beit Loqaya and Beit Nouba village,
southwest of the city, and at approximately 08:55 on the next day, the
checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 29 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ni’lin
village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 17:00, they established another
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah. The
two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Hebron: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 25 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Mothalath al-‘Aqaba village,
south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, they established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. The two
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 27 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the Fqeiqes village road, southwest
of Dura, southwest of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 29 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Halhoul village, north of
the city. At approximately 15:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance
of al-‘Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, northeast of
the city. The checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 30 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Ayoun village,
north of the city. At approximately 16:00, they established two checkpoints;
the first one was at the eastern entrance of Yatta, as this entrance is connected
with Bypass Road 35, and the second one was at the entrance of Beit Na’im,
south of Hebron. At approximately 22:00, they established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Taramah village, as this entrance is connected to bypass road (60),
southeast of Dura, southwest of the city. The checkpoints were later removed,
and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 01 May 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul
village, north of Hebron. At the same time, they established another checkpoint
at the entrance of Sa’ir, northeast of Hebron. The two checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Qalqilya: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:10 on Thursday, 25 April 2013, they
established a checkpoint near Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya and
re-established it again at approximately 16:00. At approximately 10:00, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Laqef village, east of
the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

                                              

· Tulkarm: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 25 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and
Qalqilya near the gate of Jbarah village, which isolated from its surroundings
due to the annexation wall, south of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed,
and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 20:00 on Friday, 26 April 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, established on the main road
between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened restrictions against
Palestinians and further obstructed their movement. The tightening later ended,
and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 27 April 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, established on the main road
between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened restrictions against
Palestinians and further obstructed their movement. The tightening later ended,
and no arrests were reported. Around the same time, they established a
checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of
Beit Leed, as it is known as “Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 28 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and
Qalqilya near the gate of Jbarah village, which is isolated from its
surroundings due to the annexation wall, south of Tulkarm. At approximately
12:30, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, tightened
restrictions against Palestinians and obstructed their movement.

At approximately 15:30 on Monday, 29 April 2013, the
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, tightened
restrictions against Palestinians and obstructed their movement.

 

· Jenin: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 25 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between al-Yamoun and
al-‘Aerqa villages, northwest of Jenin. At approximately 11:00, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Silet al-Harithiyah,
northwest of Jenin. The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, 28 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrabah village, south
of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

Jericho: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 25 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat Road between Jericho
and Ramallah. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 28 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village,
north of Jericho. At approximately 15:30, they established the same checkpoint
near the southern entrance of the city. The two checkpoints were later removed,
and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 29 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Zbeidat village,
north of Jericho. At approximately 17:30, they established a checkpoint near
the southern entrance of the city. At approximately 19:00, they established
another checkpoint near the entrance of Marj Na’ajah, north of Jericho. The
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

 

Harassments at
checkpoints

 

· At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, 27 April 2013,
Israeli forces repeatedly punched and kicked Mohammed ‘Emad Da’ana (19) after
detaining him near a checkpoint established at the entrance of Jabal Johar area
in the southern side of Hebron.

Nayef Da’ana informed a PCHR fieldworker
that he had been detained along with his nephew, Mohammed, near the checkpoint,
which is established at the entrance of Jabal Johar area. A car came and stopped
near the checkpoint, and its owner left the car. Minutes later, a number of
Israeli soldiers arrived and asked Mohammed to open the car, but he refused. Israeli
forces then surrounded him, severely beating him, and handcuffing him. After local
residents intervened, the Israeli soldiers released him.

 

Detention at
military checkpoints

 

· At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 25 April 2013,
Israeli forces deployed between the neighbourhoods of the old city in central
Hebron, arrested Sameh Mustafa Yosri Zahedah (29), employee of the Hebron
Rehabilitation Committee, and was taken to an unknown destination.

 

· On the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya near the gate of Jubarah village,
which is isolated from its surroundings due to the annexation wall, south of
Tulkarm. The stationed soldiers stopped at the checkpoint Ihab ‘Azmi Issa
al-Damiri (33); and No’aman Hafez Abdel Rahman ‘Awad (22), both from al-Ras
village, south of Tulkarm while passing through the checkpoint. They arrested
them after forcing them to get out of the car they were travelling in and then
transferred them to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 27 April 2013, Israeli
forces stationed at the sub-entrances of al-Ibrahimi mosque in the centre of
the old city in central Hebron arrested ‘Oday ‘Abdel ‘Aziz al-Jamal (13), and
Raslan Mohi al-Deen Ibrahim (14). They were both taken to a police station in
al-Daboya area in the centre of the old city.

 

· At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 29 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Bazaryah village, northeast of
Tulakrm. The stationed soldiers arrested Ahmed Mohammed ‘Iqab Nazzal (33) from
Jenin transporting him to an unknown destination.

 

· In the evening, Israeli forces arrested on al-Karamah
crossing point on the Jordanian and Palestinian borders, arrested ‘Alaa’ Hasan
Abullah Weshahi (22) while he was on his way back from performing the
pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. His brother said that when ‘Alaa’ was on his way
back from the Jordanian side on al-Karamah crossing point, Israeli forces
arrested him taking him to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, 30 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near Bazaria, northeast of Tulkarm. They
arrested Majdi Nasim Mohammed Sa’id Karkour (19) from Tulkarm taking him to an
unknown destination. The checkpoint was later removed.

 

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

 

Bulldozing of housing buildings

 

· On Monday, 29 April 2013, Israeli forces
bulldozed two housing apartments in al-Tour village, in occupied East
Jerusalem. According to data acquired by PCHR, at approximately 06:30, Israeli
forces, including special forces units, accompanied by two bulldozers and
officers of the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem, and the officers
of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, moved into Khelat al-‘Ayn neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. The
forces cordoned off the neighbourhood and surrounded the houses of Roshdi
Ghaith and his sister Mofida, and banned other civilians and journalists from accessing
the area. Israeli forces forced the families to evacuate their houses and
demolished. The demolished buildings are two apartments, the first, an
apartment of 160 square metres, occupied by 13 individuals, including a elderly
woman who suffers from cancer, and belonging to Roshdi Ghaith, who also suffers
from cancer. The other apartment is 80 square metres, and occupied by 11
individuals, including 5 children. Roshdi Ghaith said that his family was
stunned when Israeli forces raided the houses for demolition, since their
lawyer had told them just one day earlier that the demolition had been
postponed until the beginning of September; however, the official of the Nature
Authority, who supervised the demolition, refused to review the decision to
postpone the demolition and claimed that it had been cancelled. He added that
the houses were built in 2004 and the family was handed a demolition notice in
the same year, but they had managed to postpone it in the past years through
Israeli courts, by providing them with a structural layout of the area. He also
mentioned that the Israeli court fined him 48,000 Israeli shekels, as well as
his sister who was fined 40,000 Israeli shekels.

 

· At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 30 April
2013, Israeli forces, including special forces units, accompanied by a
bulldozer and officers of the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem, raided
al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan village, in the south of the old city of
occupied East Jerusalem. The forces cordoned Tawfiq Mohammed Abu-Snaina’s (60)
house and started bulldozing an extension to the house, under pretext that he
had not obtained a building permit prior to building the extension. The
demolished part is two unused storeys, the 60-square-metre roof of which is
used as a balcony for Abu-Snaina’s house.

 

 

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

 

Violations committed by Israeli forces

 

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 25 April 2013, a
military vehicle, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration,
moved into Qwaiwees, in the southeast of Yatta, in the south of Hebron. The
Civil Administration officer handed notices to a number of Palestinian
civilians, ordering them to halt construction work. These notices included:

1. A room of 8 square metres, occupied by a number of
international solidarity activists.

2. A room used as a storage room for electricity
batteries for solar cells.

3. A residential tent of 10 square metres, for Jebril
Mohammed Ahmed Ni’man.

4. A residential tent of 10 square metres, for Taleb
Mohammed Ahmed Jebril.

 

At approximately 06:30 on Monday, 29 April 2013,
Israeli forces, accompanied by a military bulldozer, a digger, a vehicle of the
Israeli Civil Administration, moved into agricultural lands adjacent to al-Fawwar
refugee camp, in the south of Hebron. The soldiers were deployed in the area
and the vehicles bulldozed a water well of 50 cubic metres and an agricultural shed
of 10 square metres, belonging to Sa’id Abdul-Qader al-‘Azza. It should be
mentioned that Israeli authorities had handed notices to a number of the owners
of water wells in the area, under pretext that they were located near Bypass
Road 60.

 

At approximately 15:10 on Monday, Israeli forces,
accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, moved into Khelat
al-Nahla area, between Bethlehem and its southern country side. The Civil
Administration officer placed two notices in the lands of Abdul-Rahman
al-Shwaiki and Ebrahim Khalil ‘Abda. The notices ordered that the 20-dunum land
be evacuated and that all olive seedlings be uprooted. The notices gave them a
period of 45 days to challenge the orders in court.

 

At approximately 17:30 on Monday, Israeli forces,
accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a bulldozer, moved
into Um Sa’id area, in the south of al-Ma’sara village, in the south of
Bethlehem. The bulldozer demolished an agricultural shed of 60 square metres,
belonging to Salim Abu-Hammad (45), from al-Neis valley village, in the
southwest of Bethlehem. The room was used for storing farm tools.

 

Violations Committed by Settlers

 

On Thursday, 25 April 2013, a number of settlers from
“Ma’on” settlement, established on Palestinian lands, in the east of
Yatta, in the south of Hebron, raided Magayer al-‘Abeed area and dropped a can
that contains toxic substances in a water well, belonging to Shehada Salama
Shahada Makhamra. In his statement to a PCHR fieldworker, Rateb Jabour,
coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity in Yatta, said
that crews of Civil Defence and Palestinian Liaison Office arrived at the
scene, and following the testing of the water it was found that it contained
toxic substances; also, a canister was found inside the well.

 

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, a group of
settlers attacked a Palestinian vehicle with stones near ‘Azzoun village, by the
main Qalqilya – Nablus road, knows as Road 55, in the east of Qalqilya. The
windshield of the 2008 Peugeot shattered as a result of the attack; moreover,
the two passengers of the car sustained wounds and they were identified as
Ahmed Mohammed Mustafa Salim (27) who sustained a cut in his right hand, and
Mahdi Faisal Hassan ‘Awad (30), the driver, who sustained cuts in his head. The
victims of the attack went to Dr. Darwish Nazal Hospital in Qalqilya for
treatment.

 

At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 27 April 2013,
dozens of settlers from “Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost,
established on Palestinian civilians’ lands in Tal al-Rmyda area, in the centre
of Hebron, burnt the Palestinian flag, flags of the Palestinian parties, and
the logo of Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron (TIPH). This
incident occurred while the settlers were celebrating a Jewish holiday.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 28
April 2013, a group of settlers, coming from “Kiryat Arba”
settlement, established on Palestinian lands in the east of Hebron, attacked a
number of farmers of al-Zaru (Tamimi) family, while they were in their lands,
located in Jabal Jales area, near the afore-mentioned settlement. A skirmish
started between the settlers and farmers; the former started beating the
farmers before the Israeli soldiers. Of the assaulted farmers, the following
were identified: Hamed Shaqer Tamimi (65); Shihab Shaqer Tamimi (17); and
Mohammed Shoqri Tamimi (30).

 

At early morning hours on Monday, 19
April 2013, dozens of settlers from “Maon” settlement, established on
Palestinian lands, east of Yatta, moved into one of the hills by the main
entrance of al-Tawani village, to the northwest of the afore-mentioned
settlement. The settlers were deployed in the area under strict protection from
Israeli forces as a start for the foundation of a new settlement outpost there.
These lands, approximately 100 dunums, are the property of the Shaheen family.

 

At approximately 14:30 on Monday, a group of settlers
from “Itamar” settlement, established on al-Jadou’ Mountain, east of
Beit Fouriq village, in the east of Nablus, attacked Abdul Rahman Hafez
Khatatba (48) and Fawzi Mousa ‘Eissa Nasasra (60). The settlers used clubs and
stones in their attack; as a result, the assaulted civilians sustained wounds
in the head and upper body, and they were taken to Rafidia Surgical Hospital in
Nablus where they received the necessary treatment. In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, Tha’er Abdul-Rahman al-Khatatba, Abdul-Rahman’s son, said: “At
approximately 12:00 on Monday, 20 April 2013, a fire started in al-Jadou’
Monuntain, east of our village, Beit Fouriq, in the east of Nablus. A
fire-fighter of Nablus Municipality arrived at the scene, and started putting
out the fire that had caused huge damages in the area. At approximately 14:30
on the same day, while my father, Abdul-Rahman al-Khatatba, and our neighbour,
Fawzi Nasasra, returned from the area where the fire broke out and sat in
al-Qa’da area, approximately 300 meters from our house, on the same mountain. They
were surprised when 3 settlers appeared, one of them was armed with a gun and
the other two had clubs and shovels; 7 other settlers were watching out the
area for them. The settler came from “Itamar” settlement, established
on the afore-mentioned mountain. Immediately, the 3 settlers attacked my father
and our neighbour with clubs for 10 minutes, then ran into the afore-mentioned
settlement. My father and our neighbour were taken to Raifdia Surgical Hospital
in Nablus, they received the necessary medical treatment and were discharged
from the hospital.”

 

At noon on Tuesday, 30 April 2013, the southern
villages of Nablus witnessed a tense atmosphere as a result of the escalation
of settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, following the
killing of an Israeli settler at Za’tara checkpoint, in the south of Nablus. Hundreds
of settlers divided themselves into groups and started rioting and attacking
intersections leading to Nablus city, burnt tires at Howara intersection and
closed the street under the protection of Israeli forces. As a result, the
windshields of two buses carrying students were broken as well as the windows
of a number of other vehicles that were passing in the Howara street.

 

In a relative context, settlers from
“Yitzhar” settlement, established in the south of Nablus, attacked
Hanan Soufan’s house, in the south of Bourin village and Bashir Hamza
al-Zaban’s house, on the north-eastern side of Bourin. The settlers threw
stones at both houses and set fire in their parameter and the surrounding
lands. As a result, dozens of dunums caught fire in lands of Bourin, Howara,
Madma and ‘Ourif villages, in the south of Nablus.

 

In the same context, dozens of settlers from
“Yitzhar” settlement attacked ‘Ourif High School in ‘Ourif village,
in the south of Nablus under the protection of Israeli forces. Dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered and tried to get their children out of the
school, and the Israeli forces started firing rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at them; as a result, 3 civilians sustained
wounds. The wounded civilians are: Khaled Mustafa Hassan al-Safadi (26), was
hit by a tear gas canister to the head; Ahmed Fou’ad Mohammed Kokash (20),
sustained a metal bullet wound to the leg which caused fracture; and ‘Adel
Abdul-Hadez Sharif al-‘Ammer (31), sustained a metal bullet wound to the head. Moreover,
the settlers attacked al-Rabat mosque in al-Safafir area in the eastern side of
the village; the settlers broke its windows, and the windows of Assem Najed
Sharif al-Safadi’s house, in the same area. Furthermore, the settlers threw
Molotov cocktails at a bulldozer that was parked in the area, belonging to Adel
al-Mohtaseb from Hebron, and a digger, property of Youssif Adib al-Safadi; the
Molotov cocktails started a fire, and Palestinian civilians managed to put it
out. The settlers also set fire to over 20 dunums of agricultural lands in the
area.

 

In the same context, a group of settlers from
“Yitzhar” set fire to civilians’ lands in the south-eastern side of
‘Assirat al-Qabila village, in the south of Nablus. The fire caused damages to
a large part of these lands; the villagers rushed to put it out; however,
Israeli forces, who were accompanying the settlers, started firing
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a
result, 17-year-old Haitham Abdul-Rahman Saleh was hit by a tear gas canister
to his hand.

 

 

 

 

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.