Jerusalem – an Israeli soldier attacks a young man during clashes
in al-Aqsa Mosque

 

Israeli Forces Continue
Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt)

      

In an excessive
use of lethal force, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and
wounded 5 others, including 3 children, in Hebron.

 

A Palestinian
civilian died from previous wounds in the West Bank.

 

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

3
Palestinian civilians, including a photojournalist, were wounded in protests
against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

Dozens
of Palestinian, including a 5-year-old child, suffered from tear gas inhalation
and sustained bruises in solidarity demonstrations supporting the Palestinian
prisoners in the Israeli jails.

 

The Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the border area
of the Gaza Strip

A Palestinian
civilian was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

The Israeli forces
conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 4
limited ones in the Gaza Strip.

31
Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested in the West Bank,
and a child was arrested in the central Gaza Strip when he attempted to cross
the border into Israel.

 

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

The Israeli forces established dozens of
checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested at checkpoints.

 

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

Israeli
settlers attacked 2 Palestinian shepherds and killed 8 sheep northeast of
Ramallah..  

Notices
were issued to evacuate and stop construction works in several facilities and
water wells belonging to some Palestinians in Hebron.

295
olive trees were damaged in Ramallah and Nablus.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (07 – 13 March 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 16 others, including 5
children, in the West Bank.  Another
Palestinian civilian died also from previous wounds.  In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces wounded
a Palestinian civilian.      

 

In the West Bank, on 12 March 2013,
the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others,
including 2 children, one of whom is the victim’s brother, in the center
al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. 
The victim as hit by a bullet to the jaw, and the Israeli force
obstructed his evacuation to the hospital for 15 minutes. 

 

On 07 March 2013, a Palestinian
civilian died from previous wounded he had sustained on 22 February 2013, when
the Israeli forces used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in
‘Aaboud village, northwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails.  The victim
was hit by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head.

 

On 08 March 2013, 3 Palestinian
civilians were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya
village, northwest of Ramallah, and fired at a number of young men and children
who threw stones at them.  On the same
day, a Palestinian child was wounded in similar circumstances. 

 

On 08 March 2013, 4 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into
al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah, and fired at Palestinian civilians
who intervened to protect 2 shepherds who were attacked by Israeli settlers.

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful
protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists protesting
against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a
result, 11 protestors, including 4 children, were wounded on Friday, 01 March
2013. 5 of whom, including a child and a paramedic, were wounded in Bil’in
protest in Ramallah.  The other 4 ones,
including 2 children, were wounded in al-Nabi Saleh protest, while 2 other
persons, including a child, were wounded in Budrus protest in Ramallah.

 

In the same context, the Palestinians
organized a number of peaceful protests in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners, particularly those who are on hunger strike in the Israeli jails.
The Israeli forces used excessive force against these protests.  As a result, 17 Palestinian civilians, including
6 children and a freelance photojournalist, were wounded. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinians near the border fence.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians,
including a mentally disordered person, were severely wounded. 

 

On the same day, the Israeli forces
positioned in watchtowers along the border fence, east of Jabalya in the north
of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of persons, who were 100-300 meters
away from the border fence.  As a result,
a civilian was wounded.

 

On 08 March 2013, Israeli gunboats
opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Rafah seashore
in the southern Gaza Strip.  The
fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were
reported.

 

On 11 March 2013, Israeli gunboats
opened fire at a number of Palestinian fishing boats opposite to Beit Lahia
seashore in the northern Gaza Strip.  The
fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were
reported.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 54 military
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, the Israeli forces
arrested at least 31 Palestinians, including 2 children.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued 4 limited military incursions into
Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land. 

 

On
10 March 2013, the Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel to the east of Deir al-Balah arrested a Palestinian child who
attempted 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 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.  The illegal closure has caused
not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of human rights and human dignity
for the population 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, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the
rest of the world. 

 

The IOF 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.

Settlement
Activities:

 

Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in violation of
international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (07– 13 March 2013)

 

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

 

 

Thursday, 07 March 2013

 

At approximately 12:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jaba’
village, south of Jenin.  They raided a
house belonging to the family of Abdul Wahab Zaher Lutfi Malaysha, 24, and
handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem
detention facility, northwest of the town. 
The Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.    

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Sanour village,
south of Jenin.  They raided a number of
houses to distributed summons to their occupants in order to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility, northwest of the town.  Of the summoned persons are: ‘Eqab Anwar
‘Eqab Issa, 24; Samir Tawfiq Ibrahim Issa, 59; Rami Anwar ‘Eqab Issa, 33; Adnan
Mahmoud Ibrahim Issa, 35; and Ahmed Tawfiq Ibrahim Issa, 48.  The Israeli forces withdrew later and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Namera area,
east of Hebron.   They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 2 civilians, including a child:

 

1. Meqdad Arqam Ahmarwa, 17; and

2. Majd Belal Ahmarwa.

 

At approximately 06:30, the Israeli forces moved about 150 meters into
the east of Wadi al-Salqa, east of Deit al-Balah in the central Gaza
Strip.  They leveled lands along the
border fence east of the said village and withdrew 3 hours later.

 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces moved about 150 meters
from “Kissufim” military post into the east of al-Qarara village,
east of Khan Yunin in the south of the Gaza Strip.  They leveled lands for about 2 hours and
withdrew later.

 

On the same day, Mohammed Samih Hussein ‘Assfour, 24, from ‘Aboud
village, northwest of Ramallah, was pronounced dead because of wounds he had sustained
2 weeks before his death.  According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, on 22 February 2013, following the Friday Prayer,
dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the center of the said village to
organize a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on
hunger strike. The protestors went to the eastern entrance of the village near
the adjacent settlement road.  The
Israeli forces stationed at the eastern entrance opened fire at them.  As a result, 4 civilians, including Mohammed
Asfour, were wounded.  Asfour was wounded
by a bullet to the head.  He was
transported to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus. 
Following examination, it was found out that the bullet caused a fracture
in the skull.   On the same day, he underwent a surgery, but
as he suffered from hemorrhage in the brain, the doctors conducted another surgery
to him.  Asfour had a coma and was
transported to an Israeli hospital. 
However, he died on the above-mentioned date.       

 

At approximately 10:45, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Istia village,
northwest of Salfit.  They patrolled the
streets and some soldiers stopped and questioned several civilians on the
spot.  At approximately 11:40, the
Israeli forces withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into Koful Hares
village, north of Salfit.  They raided a
store of construction materials near the intersection of “Ariel”
settlement. They arrested the owner of the store, Mohammed Saleh Abdullah
Salah, 35, and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek
village, west of Salfit.  They patrolled
the streets and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved into Mothallath
al-‘Aqaba area to the south of Doura town, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and positioned on the
road linking Doura with its southern villages.  A number of boys gathered and threw stone and
empty bottles at the Israeli forces, which in return fired sound bombs, tear
gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. 
As a result, many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 16:15, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jalama
village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar
refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses.  A number of boys gathered and threw stone and
empty bottles at the Israeli forces which in return fired sound bombs, tear gas
canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. 
As a result, many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli forces withdrew later and neither
house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arqa
village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.   

 

Friday, 08 March 2013

 

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

 

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Silet
al-Harithiya village, north of Jenin. 
They patrolled the streets for some and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:30, the Israeli forces moved into Housan
village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided
and searched house belonging to the family of Jehad Imad Dawood al-Sha’er,
21.  They submitted to him a notice to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gush Etzion” settlement
bloc, south of the city.

 

At approximately 09:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Tawani
village near “Hafat Ma’oun” settlement, east of Yatta village, south
of Hebron. They deployed in the farmlands and ordered the Palestinian farmers
to leave under the pretext that it is a closed military area.  The farmers refused to leave their lands, so
the Israeli soldiers attacked them and arrested Mohammed Fadel Reba’, 22.

 

At approximately 13:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli soldiers.  The
Israeli forces fired at them in return. 
As a result, 3 civilians were wounded and many others suffered from tear
gas inhalation.  The first one, 21, was
wounded by a bullet near his right eye; the second one, 27, was wounded by a
bullet to the back and the third one, 24, was wounded by a bullet to the left
hand.   

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bab al-Zawiya
area in the center of Hebron.  A number
of boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces which in return fired
sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.  As a result, Mustafa Walid Saleh al-Absi, 16,
was wounded by shrapnel of a sound bomb in the face and neck.  He was transported to Hebron governmental
hospital.  Following medical examination,
it was found out that the shrapnel caused damage in the arteries.  Moreover, an 18-year-old civilian was wounded
by a bullet to the right led, a 20-year-old person was wounded by a bullet to
the left hand and many others suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

At
approximately 14:30, the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east
of Jabalya in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of
Palestinians who were picnicking 50-300 meters away from the mentioned
fence.  As a result of the sporadic fire
that lasted for 3 hours, Omar Isma’il Omar Wadi, 20, from Jabalya, was seriously
wounded by a bullet to the chest.  He was
transported to Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahia. For the seriousness of his
injury, he was transported to the ICU at Shifa hospital.  It should be noted that on 11 January
2013,  Wadi was wounded by bullet
shrapnel in both legs when he attempted to rescue Anwar Mohammed Elian al-Mamlouk,
19, who was killed in the northeast of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia.

 

At approximately 14:45, the Israeli forces moved into Qufin
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.   

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. Some boys gathered and
threw stones at the Israeli forces, who in return fired sound bombs, tear gas
canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. 
As a result, many persons suffered from tear gas inhalation.  At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces
withdrew; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli gunboats opened fire at a
number of fishing boats that were sailing off Rafah shore in the south of the
Gaza Strip.  They also chased the fishing
boats to a distance of 200 meters off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were forced to
flee to the shore.  No casualties were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces moved into Betello
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Sira village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Saturday, 09 March 2013

 

At
approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Ouja village, northeast
of Jericho.  They patrolled the streets
for some time and withdrew at approximately 01:00. No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At
approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Abda village, southeast of
Dora in the southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 03:50, the Israeli forces moved into al-Dhaisha refugee camp,
southwest of Bethlehem.  They patrolled
the streets and raided a house belonging to al-Majeed Amarna, Bethlehem’s
Mufti, and submitted to his son Ayman, 23, a college student, a notice to refer
to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gush Etzion” settlement,
south of the city.

 

At
approximately 09:00, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Dibwan village,
northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kherbatha
al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek
village, north of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, 10 March 2013

 

At approximately 00:00, the Israeli forces moved into Safa village,
west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later.  No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into Iskak
village, east of Salfit. They patrolled the streets and raided a house
belonging to the family of Walid Khaled Hussein Harb, 45, and Mohammed Bahjat
Shehada Harb, 30.

 

At approximately 04:30, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem.  They patrolled
and stationed in the center and around the camp.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 6 civilians:

 

1. Amjad Jabrin al-Khawaja, 18;

2. Feras Mohammed NassrAllah, 28;

3. Mohammed Qasem al-Azraq, 27, secretary of Fatah movement in the
camp;

4. Sa’ed Khalil Abu Aker, 21;

5. Mo’athe Eid Abu Aker, 20; and

6. Yusef Saleh Darweesh, 24.

 

At approximately
10:00, the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza
valley, east of Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, arrested Ahed Saber
Salem Abu Daher, 16, from Gaza valley.  The
boy attempted to cross the borders into Israel. 
His father said that he fought with and beat his son, who fled to the
border fence.  On the following day, the
father received a phone call from his son telling him that he was arrested
because he attempted to cross the fence.

 

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

 

At approximately 12:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kofu Malek
village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported. 

 

At proximately 22:00, the Israeli forces moved into Zeeta village,
north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

Monday,
11 March 2013

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula
village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and stationed in the center of the village.  They raided and searched many houses and
arrested 3 Palestinian civilians: Fo’ad Isma’il al-Amla, 25; Imad Isma’il
al-Amla, 35; and Rami Talal al-Amla, 28.   

 

At approximately 01:40, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They
raided a house belonging to the families of Oday Maher Taqatqa, 20, and Ali
Mohammed Taqatqa, 21, and arrested both of them.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Deir
al-Ghsoun village, north of Tulkarm. 
They raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Adnan Ghanem,
25, and submitted to him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service.  The Israeli forces also raided
a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Ahed Abdullah Abu Issa, 25, and
submitted to him a similar notice.  They
withdrew late and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed in the east of the camp.  They raided a house belonging to the family
of Mostafa Mesbah Mostafa al-Hour, 45, and arrested him.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Sourif village, northwest
of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
and raided many houses.  They arrested Ma’moun
Shaker al-Heeh, 35, and Mahmoud Yusef Mahmoud Abu Saleh, 22.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beir Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They raided a
house belonging to the family of Alaa’ Fahmi Abdul Hamid al-Za’aqiq, 32, and arrested
him.

 

At the same day, the Israeli forces moved into Qabatia village, south
of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
raided a number of houses.  They arrested
Yassir Walid Nemer Khzeimya, 24, and Mohammed Yusef Nemer Khzeimya, 23, and
transported them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 06:00, the Israeli forces moved about 300 meters
to the west of the border fence, east of Gaza valley, east of Deir
al-Balah.  They leveled lands adjacent to
the border fence and withdrew at 13:00.

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at
Palestinian fishing boats that were 2 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were forced to
flee back to the shore for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither material damage nor casualties were
reported.

 

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

     

Tuesday,
12 March 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into the Qabatia village,
southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets and raided the houses of Yassir Walid Nemer Khzeimya, 24, and Mohammed
Yusef Nemer Khzeimya, 23, who were arrested on the previous day.  The Israeli forces searched the houses in
presence of the 2 arrested persons, who were handcuffed.  The Israeli forces withdrew later
transporting the 2 arrested to an unknown destination.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village,
northwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and stationed in the center of the village.  They deployed between houses and topped
them.  As a result, residents of the area
were frightened.  However, no arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bruqin
village, west of Jenin.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud Ghanem, 43.  They arrested his sons: Hani, 17, and Rami,
32, and transported them to an unknown destination.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Askar refugee camp,
northeast of Nablus.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal Mohammed Surss, 22, and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 04:50, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem.  They raided a
house belonging to the family of Khalil Mostafa Abu Aker, 20, and arrested him.    In the same context, the Israeli forces
raided a house belonging to the family of Jom’a Ibrahim Eweis, 47, and
submitted to him and his brothers Samer, 38, and Mohammed 46, notices to refer
to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gush Etzion” settlement,
south of the city.  The Israeli forces
withdrew from the camp and headed to Beit Jala, northwest of Bethlehem.  They raided the workplace of Ahmed Ibrahim
Eweis, 30, from Ayda refugee camp, and attacked and arrested him.

 

At approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces stationed in
watchtowers, north of Boret Abu Samra, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at
farmers and gravel collectors, who were 150 meters away from the border
fence.  The fire lasted for 3 hours, but
no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Tabqa
village, south of Dora, southwest of Hebron and forced shop owners to
close.  They withdrew later, and neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
in the streets and held 12-year-old Wassim Taha Abu Maria for several
hours.  They withdrew later and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  A number
of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military
vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers
fired tear gas canisters and sounds bombs at the boys and houses.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered
from tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli
forces withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

In an excessive use of lethal force, the Israeli forces killed a
Palestinian civilian and wounded 5 others, including 3 children, one of whom is
the brother of the killed, in the center of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of
Hebron. 

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
22:20, an Israeli military jeep entered the al-Fawar refugee camp through its
western entrance.  As the jeep approached the center of the camp it broke
down.  Dozens of children and young men from the camp gathered around the
jeep and started throwing stones at it. In response, the Israeli soldiers
immediately stepped out of the jeep and opened fire at the crowd.  As a
result, Mahmoud ‘Aadel Fares al-Titi, 22, was seriously wounded by a bullet
shot at his jaw.  An ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society attempted
to evacuate him immediately, but it was obstructed for 15 minutes by Israeli
soldiers who were positioned at a checkpoint at the entrance of the camp. 
The ambulance then took al-Titi to Abu al-Hassan al-Qassem Hospital in Yatta
village, south of Hebron, but he was declared dead before arrival at the
hospital.  According to medical sources, the bullet was apparently an
explosive one, and it exploded in the victim’s head, causing severe
hemorrhage.  Additionally, 5 civilians, including 3 children were wounded
in the incident. Their details are as follows:

 

1. Mahmoud
Khalil al-Shalfan, 19, was wounded by a bullet to the abdomen;

2. Fares
Mahmoud Ahmed al-Najjar, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the right hand;

3. Rami
Mohammed Issa al-Krunz, 35, was wounded by a bullet to the left leg;

4. Sohaib
Tareq al-Hleiqawi, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the left thigh; and

5. Fares,
Adel Fares al-Titi, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the right hand.       

 

 Wednesday, 27 February 2012

 

In the early morning, the Israeli forces moved into Jenin.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of ‘Ammar Mahmoud Samara, 23, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Jihad Bassam Blaidi, 21, and arrested him.  They then raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Ibrahim Burhan al-Din Khraim, 22, and arrested him
too.

 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces moved about 150 meters
from al-Sreej military gate into al-Qarara village, and started leveling lands
along the border fence. They withdrew few hours later.

 

2. Use
of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement
Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

 

During the reporting period, Israeli
forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest
against the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the West
Bank.  As a result, 3 Palestinian
civilians sustained injuries, including a photojournalist.  Also, dozens of civilians suffocated due to
tear gas inhalation; others sustained bruises.

 

In a related context, Palestinian
civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those on hunger strike.  The Israeli forces used excessive force
against these demonstrations.

 

Demonstrations
against the Construction of the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 08 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the
construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with the prisoners on
hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The
demonstration was held in commemoration of Mohammed ‘Assfour, who had died of
his wounds sustained on 22 January 2013 during clashes between Palestinian
civilians and the Israeli forces at the eastern entrance of ‘Aboud village, on
07 March 2013.  The demonstrators marched
the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to
adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation
and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
pictures of prisoners and made their way towards the lands adjacent to the
annexation wall.  The Israeli forces had closed
all ways and entrances to the village since early morning hours to prevent
Palestinians, journalists and international activists from joining the
protest.  The protesters raised
Palestinian flags and made their way towards the wall.  They called through megaphones for Israeli
settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators.  As a result, 3
Palestinian civilians, including a photojournalist, sustained injuries; also,
dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises.  the injured civilians were
identified as:

 

1. Samir Suliman Yassin Bernatt (37) sustained a bullet wound in the
right arm.

2. Abed Ahmed ‘Issa Yassin (21) was hit with a tear gas canister to
the right arm.

3. Haytham Jammal Tawfiq al-Khateeb (37) was hit with a tear gas canister
to the left leg; he is also a volunteering photojournalist for “B’Tselem
– The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied
Territories.”

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  The demonstrators moved towards areas of the
annexation wall.  Immediately, Israeli
soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs
and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. 
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 human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall.  As
the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, dozens of the Israeli
“Border Guards” and Special Forces were surrounding the area, banned
the demonstrators from reaching their lands and beat them.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 08 March 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration, from the center of Jayous
village, northeast of Qalqilya, towards the western gate of the village, where
the Israeli forces are stationed, in protest to the continuous confiscation of
lands, not applying the Israeli Supreme Israeli Court’s decision to adjust the
route of the annexation wall and obstructing farmers on their way in and out
through the aforementioned gate.  As soon
as the demonstrators came close to the gate, Israeli soldiers, who had been
deployed behind it, fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters intensively at the
demonstration.  As a result, dozens of
civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 08 March 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 at 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
tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration.  A number of protesters fainted as a result of
tear gas inhalation.

 

Demonstrations in Solidarity with
Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 08 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians gathered in the center of Beit Ummar village, northern Hebron, for a
peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli
jails.  The demonstration headed towards
the eastern entrance of the village, near bypass road (60).  Before arriving at their destination, the Israeli
forces, stationed at the entrance of the village, fired rubber-coated metal
bullets, sound combs and tear gas canisters at them and chased them in ‘Assyda
area, approximate to the village.  As a
result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation; others
sustained bruises resulted from falling while escaping the Israeli soldiers who
were chasing them.

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered by the
annexation wall area, established on the southern lands of Beit Loqia village,
southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike inside Israeli jails.  The
demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, stationed behind the
wall.  In response, the Israeli soldiers
fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and chased them
across the olive fields.  As a result, a
number of the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation; others sustained
bruises.

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in Um Rokba
area, at the southwestern entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem,
for a demonstration in solidarity with the prisoners inside Israeli
prisons.  The demonstrators set fire to
rubber tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed at the
aforementioned entrance.  Immediately,
the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the
demonstration; as a result some fainted due to tear gas inhalation.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed
Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activity, said
that the Israeli soldiers went on the roof of a Mustafa ‘Oman Salah’s (65)
house and used it as a military position for monitoring the movement of
Palestinian civilians in the area.  He
added that the Israeli forces purposefully threw a tear gas canister inside
Hussain ‘Ali Khader Salah’s house.  As a
result, 5-year-old Hussein Shadi Hussain Salah suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:30, a demonstration started from Martyr Abu-Ali
Eyad Square in the center of Qalqilya in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners
on hunger strike inside Israeli jails. 
The demonstration patrolled the streets of the town and ended by
Jaljoulia checkpoint, approximate to the annexation wall, south of the town,
where the Israeli forces are stationed in a military position.  The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse them.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 08 March 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered in al-Madares area, by the southern entrance of
Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, for a demonstration in solidarity with
the Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails. 
The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli forces, stationed at the
aforementioned entrance; in response, the Israeli forces fired tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at them.  A
number of demonstrators suffered from tear as inhalation.  Moreover, the Israeli forces took over the
roof of Hamza Hajahja’s house and used it as a military position.

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 08 March 2013, dozens of
Palestinian angry youngsters gathered at the eastern entrance of ‘Aboud
village, northwest of Ramallah, following the funeral procession of Mohammed
‘Assfour (22) who died on Thursday, 07 March 2013, in effect of the wounds he
sustained in the clashes between the Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians
on 22 January 2013.  The demonstrators
threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces which were deployed at the
entrance of the village and across the adjacent settler street.  In response, the forces fired live bullets,
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the
demonstrators, sprinkled them with waste water and chased them to the outskirts
of the village.  As a result, a number of
them suffered from tear gas inhalation others sustained bruises.

 

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 nearly 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. 

 

The IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making Karm Abu Salem crossing the
sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for
commercial purposes, in terms of its distance and operational capacity. 

 

The IOF
have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of
the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control
over the flow of imports and exports. 

The
total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has
created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all economic and
commercial establishments in 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 operational 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. 

 

The IOF
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 in
the Gaza Strip. 

 

The
cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the
Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created on
04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed the Nahal
Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Gaza.  They shifted fuel and
cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to
receive Gaza’s fuel needs.  The Karm Abu
Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons
of cooking gas per day. 

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians 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, and approximately 40% of Gaza’s
manpower continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of
shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. 

 

 

The IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments.  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 Gaza products which are allowed to be exported.  

 

For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to
ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza.  During the reporting period, the IOF approved
the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
The IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe
restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  The IOF have also 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 Jerusalem.  The IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the
crossing.   

 

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

 

Movement at
Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

06 –
12 March 2013

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

06 –
11 March 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On Wednesday, 06 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 180,000 carnation flowers and 9 truckloads of plastics.

On Thursday, 07 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 8 truckloads of plastics and 60,000 carnation flowers.

On Sunday, 10 March 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of
5 truckloads of plastics, 300,000 carnation flowers and 7 tons of tomatoes.

On Monday, 11 March 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of
4 truckloads of plastics and 120 tables.

 

 Other Imports:

 

On Wednesday, 06 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 478 tons of cement, 194 of construction steel, and 6790 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; and 2100 tons of construction aggregates for the private
sector.  They also allowed the entry of
975 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 07 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
156 tons of cement, 159 tons of construction steel, and 2,870 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 980 tons of construction aggregate for the
private sector; 2100 tons of construction aggregates for the Palestinian Water
Authority; 148 tons of cement; 33 tons of construction steel and 2030 tons of
construction aggregates for UNDP.  They
also allowed the entry of 1014 tons of fodders and 390 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 10 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
220 tons of cement, 65 tons of construction steel, and 6,020  tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA; 910
tons of construction aggregate for the private sector; 120 tons of cement, 99
tons of construction steel and 1400 tons of construction aggregates for the
German Development Bank (GDB).  They also
allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders and 546 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 11 March 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
240 tons of cement, 65 tons of construction steel and 3,150 tons of
construction aggregate for the UNRWA; 1,120 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector; 1050 tons of construction aggregates and 82 tons of
construction steel for the GDB.  They
also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat. 

 

Imports
through Rafah International Crossing Point, South of the Gaza Strip:

06 –
11 February 2013

Imports:

 

 

Note: Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing, north
of the Gaza Strip, links the Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the
movement of individuals.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

06 –
12 March 2013

 

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

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 07 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Karza
village, south of Dora, southwest of the city. 
At the same time, a checkpoint was established at the entrance of Karmah
village, as this entrance connects the bypass road (60), southeast of the
city.  At approximately 15:30, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marrah al-Baqar,
south of Dora.  All checkpoints were
removed, no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 09 March 2013, the Israeli forces established
a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, as this entrance
connects bypass rod (60), south of Hebron. 
At the same time, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of
Ezna village, west of the city.  The 2
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 10 March
2013, the Israeli forces detained a vehicle especially designed to carry the
students of al-Mosafer mixed school, which is located in Kherbet al-Fakhit,
east of Yatta, south of Hebron, as the Israeli forces claimed that the area is
a closed military zone and under the jurisdiction of area (918). This area is
for military exercises according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense and
civilians are denied access to it except for who has a prior permission from
the competent Israeli authorities.  Rateb
al-Jbour said to a PCHR fieldworker that this vehicle is donated by the
Japanese government and UNICEF to ease the students’ suffering while going to
and coming from school as they walk several kilometers to get to school.  At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 11 March
2013, the siraeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar
refugee camp, south of hebron, while another 2 checkpoints were established;
one of them at the entrance of Taramah which links bypass road 60, and the
other on ‘Oyoun Abu Seif road, south of Dora, southwest of the city.
Eyewitnesses said to a PCHR fieldworker that a huge force of Israeli soldiers
and police arrived to the area and took over a number of house roofs.  They patrolled around the checkpoint and “Wad
‘Abeid” area which is near the area. 
They also closed “Fqeiqes” road between Dora and its western villages
until they withdrew and removed the checkpoint at approximately 22:00.  At approximately 17:30, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrances of the southern villages of
Hebron.  All the checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 12 March 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron connecting bypass
no. (60).  At the same time, they
established a checkpoint at the entrances of the Hebron’s villages, including:
Ezna, Beit ‘Aynoun, and Sa’air.  All the
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
17:15 on Thursday, 07 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 20:50, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of
‘Aezbet al-Tabib village, east of the city. 
The 2 checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 14:40 on Friday, 08 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of ‘Azoun
village on the road between Qalqilya and Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
18:00 on Sunday, 10 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  At the same time, a checkpoint was
established at the entrance of ‘Aezbet al-Tabib, east of Qaqilya.  At approximately 19:45, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city.  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 17:30
on Thursday, 07 March 2013, the Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint on
the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the
restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilian through it.  The tightening later ended and no arrests
were reported.  At approximately 10:30 on
Monday, 11 March 2013, the Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint on the
main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened the
restrictions on movement of the Palestinian civilian through it.  The tightening later ended and no arrests
were reported.  At approximately 11:00 on
Tuesday, 12 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main
road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed village
known as “Abu Martein” area, east of Tulkarm. 
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 09:30 on Thursday, 07 March 2013, the Israeli forces established
a checkpoint at the entrance of Te’anek village, northwest of Jenin.  At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrabah village, south of the
city.  At the same time, the Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrabah village, southwest
of Jenin.  At approximately 17:00,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Yamoun village, northwest
of the city.  All the checkpoints were
later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 08 March 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Ya’abod village, southwest
of Jenin.  The checkpoint was later
removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Salfit:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 09 March 2013, the Israeli forces established
a checkpoint near the bridge of Askakah, east of Salfit.  At approximately 19:30, a checkpoint was
established at the entrance of Haris village, northwest of the city.  At approximately 21:00, the checkpoint was
removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Bethlehem: Israeli forces
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 15:00 on
Monday, 11 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
western entrance of Beit Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

Detention at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 13 March 2013, the Israeli forces,
stationed at the entrances of the Ibrahimi Mosque, in the center of the old town
of Hebron, arrested Nabil Abdel-Mo’ti al-Natsha (21) and transported him to an
unknown destination.

 

At noon on Wednesday, 13 March 2013, the Israeli forces arrested,
at a temporary checkpoint, Jihad Bassam Kamel Shalabi (23), a university
student at al-Rawda College in Nablus, after they stopped a taxi he was riding
on his way home, in Sliat al-Harethya village, northwestern of Jenin.

 

5. Settlement Activities
and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

On Thursday, 28
February 2013, Israeli forces submitted Palestinian civilians from Kufor Deik
village, west of Salfit, notices to halt construction works in two occupied
houses.  According to the information
given to a PCHR fieldworker from a source in Kufor al-Deik Municipality, at
approximately 08:20 on Thursday, Israeli forces, accompanied by an SUV and an
officer of the Building and Planning Department, raided the village.  A number of Israeli officers submitted two
Palestinian civilians notices by hand, ordering them to halt construction works
in two houses.  One belongs to Noah
Marwan Mahmoud Naji, a two-storey, occupied house; and the other one belongs to
Alaa Naji, a two-storey house, one is occupied and the other is under
construction, under the pretext that they are established in Area (C), which
falls under Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

 

At
approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 02 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from
“Havat Maon” settlement, established on confiscated Palestinian
agricultural lands southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers while working on their lands, located near the aforementioned
settlement.  The settlers threw stones and
empty bottles at the farmers.  Half an
hour later, a unit of the Israeli forces raided the area and declared it a
closed military zone.  The farmers
refused to leave, so the Israeli soldiers assaulted them, arrested 16-year-old
Basel al-‘Adra and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2013, a group of settlers from “Nevi
Daniel” settlement, established on Palestinian lands southwest of
al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, demolished an agricultural room in
al-Thaghra area, north of the aforementioned settlement.  This room, which has been established for
over 100 years, belongs to the family of ‘Othman ‘Othman Ahmed Jaber, 27.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed
Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and
Settlement Activity, said that when ‘Othman went, with a group of volunteers
from the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Popular Committee
against Settlement Activity, to his land to plant olive seedlings, under the
framework of a campaign for the protection of the lands threatened with
confiscation, they found a notice from the Israeli Civil Administration
ordering him to demolish the room under pretext that it is illegal.  They were shocked to find that the settlers
demolished it in following morning.

 

At early
morning hours on Tuesday, 05 March 2013, a group of settlers, coming from
“Beit ‘Ayen” settlement, adjacent to Nahalin village, southwest of
Bethlehem, raided al-Jamjoum area, southwest of the aforementioned
village.  The settlers, protected by the
Israeli forces, broke 100 olive trees and fruitful almonds, planted on an area
of approximately 10 dunums and are over 30 years old.  The assaulted lands belong to: Yousif
Abdel-Rahman Taha Fanoun; Taha Abdel-Rahman Taha Fanoun; Na’im Abdel-Rahman
Taha Fanoun; Mohammed Yousif ‘Ali Fanoun; Salim Yousif Ali Fanuoun and Mahmoud
Yousif Ali.

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

1. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their
legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure
Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence
practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it
is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human
rights and humanitarian law.

 

2. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a
conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention
in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

 

3. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with
their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for
and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

 

4. PCHR calls for
the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the
Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

 

5. PCHR recommends
that international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their
governments to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

 

6. PCHR calls upon
the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association
Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a
precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to
prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. 

 

7. PCHR calls on
the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was
implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a
compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

 

8. In recognition
of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the
ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the
facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 

9. PCHR appreciates
the efforts of international civil society, including human rights
organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue
their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human
rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.

 

10. PCHR calls upon
the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions
imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for
international organizations to the OPT.

 

11. PCHR reiterates
that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and
humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian
question.  Rather, such an arrangement
can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region.  Any peace process or agreement must be based
on respect for international law, including international human rights and
humanitarian law.

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).