Impacts of targeting an olive farming land
belonging to Kamal Abu ‘Eyada by IOF in al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza
Strip

 

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

      

 

· 5 Palestinians
were killed by Israeli missiles in the Gaza Strip.

– All of those killed were extra-judicially
executed by IOF.  

 

· 5 Palestinians,
including 2 children, were wounded in the Gaza Strip, while 1 Palestinian man
and 1 Palestinian child sustained bruises in the West Bank.

 

· IOF continued
to carry out airstrikes and land attacks on civilian objects in the Gaza Strip.

– A house, the head
office of international sports association, a religious institution, and an
entertainment centre sustained damages.

 

· IOF continued to target fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

– IOF opened fire
at Palestinian fishing boats on two occasions.

 

· IOF used force
to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West
Bank.

– Dozens of protesters
sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

· IOF conducted 40
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 

– IOF arrested 18 Palestinians, including 3 children.

 

· Israel has
continued to impose a total closure on the oPt, isolating the Gaza Strip from
the outside world.

– IOF established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

– At least 1 Palestinian was arrested at a military checkpoint.

 

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

– More than 18
almond and olive trees were cut down in Hebron. 
Moreover, olive crops were stolen in Qalqilya.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (11 – 17 October 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, 5 Palestinians were
killed, all of whom were extra-judicially executed. Furthermore, 5 Palestinians were wounded,
including 2 children, in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained
bruises, while dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation while
participating in peaceful demonstrations against the annexation wall. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF extra-judicially
executed 2 Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip.  On 13 October 2012, Israeli warplanes
launched a missile on a motorcycle ridden by 2 Palestinians on Mas’oud Street
in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result, one of them was killed
immediately, while the other died 3 hours later.  A child who was in the vicinity of the attack
was wounded and the windows of 2 houses in the area were broken.  The glass door of a nearby pharmacy was also
smashed.

 

IOF acknowledged that they had carried
out the attack; an Israeli military spokesperson was quoted as saying that 2
members of Global Jihad had been targeted.

 

On the same day, an Israeli warplane
launched a missile at an olive grove, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the
central Gaza Strip.  17 olive trees were
uprooted and the missile left a big hole in the ground.  In addition, 5 houses were partially damaged.  Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed Abdul Salam, 12, was
sleeping in his home nearby, and sustained minor bruising on his right leg from
flying rubble. 

 

On 14 October 2012, IOF carried out the extra-judicial
execution of a member of Palestinian resistance, when Israeli warplanes attacked
2 men on their motorcycle in al-Fokhari area, southeast of Khan Younis, south
of the Gaza Strip. The second man was wounded in the attack.

 

On the same day, IOF IOF carried out the extra-judicial
execution of two other members of Palestinian resistance, when Israeli
warplanes targeted 3 men on farming lands in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast
of Deir al-Balah, the central Gaza Strip. Two men were killed and the third was
wounded.

 

Similar shelling incidents resulted
in damage to a number of civilian objects.  In addition, Palestinian civilians were
terrorized and terrified. By the following incidents:

 

On 13 October 2012, Israeli warplanes
launched a missile at open land, northeast of al-Nusairat refugee camp, in the
central Gaza Strip.  The missile left a
big hole in the ground.  Neither
casualties nor damages were reported.

 

On 14 October 2012, IOF positioned
at the border fence in the vicinity of Kissufim military site, northeast of
Khan Younis, opened fire at lands and neighborhoods in al-Qarara village, west
of the aforementioned military site.  Neither
casualties nor damages were reported.

 

On 16 October 2012, IOF stationed
inside watchtowers at the border fence in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez)
crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired heavily at Palestinian and international
protesters, who were on the Khayal plot of land, approximately 400 meters away
from the border fence.  The 18 protesters,
including an international activist and a Palestinian farmer, were under fire
for 20 minutes.  No casualties were
reported.

 

On 17 October 2012, Israeli
warplanes launched 5 missiles at a military training site belonging to al-Qassam
Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, east of Um al-Nasser Bedouin
village, in the northern Gaza Strip.  The
attack caused damage to a house inhabited by 4 families consisting of 18
members, including 8 children and 4 women, the headquarters of the International Federation of Football
(FIFA), Abdul Mohsen Hamouda religious institution belonging to the Ministry of
Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and Bisan Entertainment City.

 

In the context of attacking
Palestinian fishermen in the open sea, on 12 October 2012, Israeli gunboats
positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled.  Neither casualties nor damages were reported.  On the following day, another attack was
conducted against fishermen in the same area. 
Fire lasted for 10 minutes. Neither casualties nor damages were
reported.

 

In the West Bank, on 11 October
2012, Hatem Najeh Da’na, 14, sustained bruises and fractures, when he was run
over by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration.  Da’na was in the yard of the Ibrahimi mosque,
in the center of the Old City in Hebron. 
On 15 October 2012, a group of Israeli soldiers mobilized between Palestinian
houses in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, attacked Ashraf ‘Ezzat Khalil
Sabarna, 19, while he and some children were on their way to visit a relative.  As a result, he sustained bruising on his
hands and leg. 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 40 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
During these incursions, IOF arrested at least 18 Palestinians,
including 3 children. 

 

Restrictions
on Freedom of  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. 

 

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.

 

On 10
October 2012, a group of Israeli settlers from “Kedumim” settlement
established on Palestinian lands in Qalqilya attacked farming lands in Kufor
Qaddoum, on Qalqilya – Nablus road.  Furthermore,
the settlers stole olives from the farming lands.

 

On
11 October 2012, a group of settlers from “Karmi Tsour” settlement,
north of Hebron, moved into al-Bweirah area, where the Najal’ Islamic shrine is
established, east of Beit Ummar in the north of Hebron, and performed religious
rituals inside the shrine and around the Islamic graveyard.

 

On
12 October 2012, a group of Israeli settlers from “Ramat Yishai”
settlement established in Hebron attacked Palestinian farmers while they were
collecting olives in Tal al-Rumaida area in the center of Hebron.

 

On
15 October 2012, a number of settlers from “Afrat” settlement
established in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, cut down 15 almond trees
belonging to Abdullah Breigith, 50.

 

On
the same day, IOF accompanied by settler vehicles moved into the southern
entrance of Bethlehem; settlers closed the main road and prevented Palestinians
from passing in or out of the city. 

 

On
16 October 2012, a number of settlers moved into Wadi Abu Risha, west of Beit
Ummar in the north of Hebron, and cut down 3 olive trees belonging to Hammad
Jaber Salibi, 80.  Furthermore, Salibi’s
brother, Mohammed Abdul Hamid Salibi, 65, was arrested this week while he was
working on his land. 

 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (11 – 17 October 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 11 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into Tarama, southwest of Dora, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
positioned in the center of the village. 
They raided and searched several houses, one of them belonging to Khaled
Abdel Rahman Ghannam, 52.  They later
withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Sorif village, west of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and positioned in the center of the village.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
Awad Allah Ahmed al-Heeh, 73.  They later
withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Ras al-Jora, and al-Sala and Ein Sarah neighborhoods, in the center of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  No arrests
were reported.

 

Also at approximately 02:30, IOF
moved into Tarqoumya village, west of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved
into Shoyoukh al-‘Aroub village, east of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

In the same time, IOF moved into
Beit Oula village, west of Hebron.  They
raided and searched several houses, one of them belonging to Ra’ed Abdel ‘Afw
al-‘Aemla, 27.  IOF arrested the
aforementioned man and took him to an unknown destination.  Following this incident, IOF withdrew from
the area.

 

In the same time, IOF moved into
Safa neighborhood, west of Beit village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time.  They raided and searched several houses, one
of them belonging to Belal Hani Nemer ‘Aadi, 19.  IOF arrested the aforementioned man and took
him to an unknown destination.  Following
this incident, IOF withdrew from the area

 

At approximately 03:10, Israeli
warplanes fired 1 missile at a training site for the al-Qassam Brigades, the
military wing of the Hamas movement, west of al-Maqousi buildings, north of
Gaza city.  The missile exploded inside
the site.  Neither injuries nor damages
were reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved
into al-Shoyoukh village, north of Hebron. 
They patrolled in the streets and positioned in the center of the
village.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family Moa’yad Mahmoud Abdel Halim Halayqa, 21.  IOF arrested the aforementioned man and took
him to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into
Fasayel village, north of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, a vehicle
belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration ran over Hatem Najeh Da’ana, 14,
while he was in the courtyard of Ibrahimi Mosque, in the center of the Old City
in Hebron.  His wounds were described as
moderate and he was transferred by an ambulance of the Palestinian Red Crescent
(PRC) to al-Ahli hospital where he received treatment.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved
into Ya’abod village, southwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

In the same time, IOF moved into ‘Aaboud
village, southwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved
into Marj N’aja village, south of Jericho. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved
into west Tawra, southwest of Jenin, heavily firing stun grenades.  They patrolled the streets pursuing number of
children who had been throwing stones at the section of the annexation wall
which is built on the territory of the people of the village.  IOF later withdrew and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 12 October 2012

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the
former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza
Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen.  The shooting terrorized the fishermen, who
were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:20, IOF moved into Ras Karkar village,
northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta village,
west of Ramallah.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. 
No arrests were reported

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Jania village, northwest
of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets
for some time and later withdrew.  No
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Om al-Tout village,
southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 00:00.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Saturday, 13 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Romanah village, southwest
of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers were
fortified.  The soldiers fired stun
grenades in response, as well as tear gas bombs aimed at dispersing the
stone-throwers.  IOF later withdrew and
neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 02:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at
an olive grove, north of al-Breij refugee camp, in the center of the Gaza Strip.  The shelling resulted in the uprooting of 17
trees and a large hole in the ground, and partially damaged 5 houses.  As a result of flying rubble, Mohammed Ahmed
Ahmed Abdel Salam, 12, sustained bruising on his right leg while he was
sleeping at home.  He was transferred to
Shohada’ al-Aqsa to receive treatment where his wounds were described as minor.

 

At approximately 03:20, an Israeli warplane launched 1 missile at a
vacant piece of land, northeast of Nosairat, in the center of the Gaza Strip.  The shelling resulted in a hole in the ground
and terrorized the residents of the area. 
Neither damages nor injuries were reported.

 

Also at approximately 07:00, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea
near the former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the
northern Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen.  The shooting continued sporadically for 10
minutes, and terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of
being arrested or wounded.  The fishermen
did not report any damage to their boats, and neither injuries nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved
into Meithloun village, south of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, an Israeli warplane launched 1 missile at a
training site for Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas movement, next to
al-Maslakh al-Jadid, east of al-Zaitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza city.  The missile exploded inside the site and no
injuries were reported.

At approximately 11:50, IOF moved into ‘Azoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Sunday 14 October 2012

 

At approximately 00:45, IOF moved
into ‘Araba village, southwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched several houses.  Two of the raided houses belonged to Youssef
Lutfi Mahmoud ‘Abeid, 46 and Samir Youssef Abdel Khaleq, 49.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Jericho.  They patrolled the streets
for some time and later withdrew.  No
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF 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 03:00, IOF moved into al-Bayyada area, in the
center of Beit Amer village, north of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets.  They
searched and raided a house belonging to the family of Bahaa’ Mohammed Khalil
‘Awad, 17.  They arrested the
aforementioned civilian and took him to “Kfar ‘Atsyon” detention center, east
of the village.  In his testimony to a
PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad, a media spokesman for the Popular Committee
in the village, said that the aforementioned civilian suffers from rheumatism
and needs to regularly take a drug “cortisone” to prevent serious health complications.

 

At approximately 14:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets, stopped
a tractor, and detained Jebril Issa Jebril Mos’aef, the owner of the tractor,
for approximately 90 minutes.  IOF
released the aforementioned civilian, confiscated his tractor, and withdrew at
16:00.

 

In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed al-‘Adra, Chairman
of the Joint Services Board in the Yatta village, said that Israeli police and officials
of its Civil Administration confiscated his tractor for the purpose of establishing
a path to his house in al-Deirat village, although they had not obtained prior
permission from the competent authorities in the Israeli police.  It should be noted that the Israeli
authorities prevent the construction of any building or establishment of any
path in southeast of Yatta without prior permission, as this area is within
Area C according to the Oslo agreement.

 

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Barqa village, southeast of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  No arrests
were reported.

 

In the early morning, an Israeli warplane carried out the extra-judicial
execution of 1 Palestinian civilian, seriously injuring another, in the southern
Gaza Strip.

 

According to the PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 5:16, an
Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at 2 members of resistance who were on a
motorbike in al-Fakhari, southeast of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.  The passengers on the motorcycle were directly
targeted.  Yasser Mohammed Ibrahim
al-‘Atal, 23, from al-Amal neighborhood, Khan Younis, was killed and the other
passenger was injured.  Both men were
transferred to the European Hospital in Gaza.  The wounded man’s injuries were described as serious.

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF arrested Abdallah Mahmoud Faraj Allah,
33, while he was near the security fence, east of Sorif, west of Hebron.  He was taken to an unknown destination. 

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF positioned in the al-Fakhit area, east
of Yatta village, south of Hebron, detained a number of teachers while they
were on their way to work at the village school, denying them access to it.  Among the detained teachers were: Khader
al-‘Amour, 50, ‘Azmi al-Hamamda, 42, ‘Aomar Mohammed Jbour, 38, and Moussa
Mohammed Abu Marir, 42.  In his
testimony, Rateb al-Jbour, an activist in the Popular Committee, told a PCHR
fieldworker that IOF continuously disrupt the education process in these
schools.  The schools are located in villages
which are threatened with displacement and demolition.  The Israeli Authorities claim that these
lands are military training areas for the army and prevent civilian access to
it.

 

An Israeli warplane carried out the extra-judicial execution of 2
Palestinians in the center of the Gaza Strip. At approximately 15:50, on Sunday, 14 October 2012, an Israeli warplane
launched 1 missile at a group of Palestinian resistance members in agricultural
fields in al-Salqa valley village, southeast of Deir al-Balah. One man died instantly and his body was
dismembered. Another man was
injured. They were transferred by
Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances to Shohada’ al-Aqsa hospital in Deir
al-Balah. The injured man’s condition
was described as serious and he was pronounced dead after approximately 30
minutes. 

 

The two men killed were:

 

1. ‘Aez al-Deen
Nasir ‘Awda Abu Nasir, 22, from Deir al-Balah, died instantly.

2. Ahmed Abdel
Mo’ati Ali Fatayer, 24, from Deir al-Balah, died of his wounds.

 

At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border with Israel in
the vicinity of “Kissufim” military site, northeast of Khan Younis, opened fire
at nearby farmlands the neighborhoods, west of the aforementioned military site.  No damages or injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, IOF positioned near the security fence of
Beit ‘Aein settlement, north of Beit Amer village in Hebron, arrested Mohammed
Abdel Hamid al-Salibi, 65, while working on his land in Wad Abu al-Rish, near
the aforementioned settlement, and took him to “ Josh ‘Atsyoun” detention
center, north of Hebron. 

In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad, a media
spokesman for the Popular Committee, said that IOF confiscated a sod cutter
which the farmer was using to work on his land. 
‘Awad further explained that the aforementioned civilian and his
siblings suffered badly from regular verbal and physical abuse by settlers and
IOF.

 

Monday, 15 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Safa village, west of
Ramallah.  They raided and searched two
houses.  Before their withdrawal, they
arrested civilians from the village and took them to a military investigation
center in “al-Maskoubeya” in occupied Jerusalem.  The two arrested civilians were: Rashad
Mohammed Yousef Naser, 48, and Amin Ahmed Naser, 42, a specialized researcher
in prisoners’ affairs in Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights
Association.  Naser’s wife told a PCHR
fieldworker that IOF had confiscated 2 computers and her husband’s laptop.

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Beit Ze’ata and ‘Asida area
in the center of Beit Amr, north of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses.  Before their withdrawal, at approximately
04:30, IOF arrested 3 civilians, one of them a child:

1. Mohammed
   Sami Hassan Saba Rana, 25
2. Mo’ataz
   Yosusef Ahmed al-‘Anati, 18
3. Ref’at
   Sa’adi al-‘Alami, 15.

 

In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad, media spokesman
for the Popular Committee, said that the Israeli Authorities had intensified their
presence in the village every night since the beginning of the week.  On the other hand, ‘Awad explained that the Israeli
authorities had issued an order permitting the civilians access to their lands
near Beit ‘Aein settlement, west of the village two days a week.  This decision was issued following the
release of Mohammed Jaber Abdel Hamid Slayi, 65, who was arrested on his land
near Beit ‘Aein settlement during the week. 
The decision also allowed for the release of ‘Awad on 2,000 NIS bail.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves
at Far’aoan Street near al-Safarini Mosque. 
IOF raided the house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Lutfi Ahmed Abu
Theyab, 17, and arrested him.  Then, IOF
repositioned in the southern neighborhood of the city near the Hawash building
and raided a house belonging to the family of Islam Mohammed Nasr Allah, 19,
arresting him.  Later, IOF also arrested
Zeyad Sami Nemer Tamam, 25, and took the 3 detainees to an unknown destination. 

 

At approximately 15:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Beit Amr village, north of Hebron, during a funeral for a civilian
from Beit Amr.  A number of boys gathered
and threw stones at the IOF and, in response, the soldiers launched stun
grenades and tear gas at the boys and the civilians in the courtyard of the
cemetery.  This resulted in cases of tear
gas inhalation.

 

In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad, media
spokesman for the Popular Committee, said that large numbers of Israeli
soldiers were seen in the vicinity of the cemetery during the funeral of one of
the civilians.  This provoked anger and
upset amongst the mourners, who clashed with the Israeli soldiers.  ‘Awad reported that the Israeli soldiers fired
tear gas and stun grenades at the houses of civilians and used several
civilians’ cars as shields.  It should be
noted that this is the second incident this month in which funeral mourners
were subjected to IOF attack in Beit Amr.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF in Beit Amr village, south of Hebron, attacked
Ashraf ‘Aezat Khalil Saba Rana, 19, while he and some small children were on
their way to a relative’s house.  Rana
suffered bruising on his hands and his foot and was transferred by Palestinian
Red Crescent ambulance to the Governmental Hospital of Hebron to receive
treatment.

In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ashraf Sleibi said that
while he was accompanying his young cousins to their house, they passed through
an area which is continuously full of Israeli soldiers. “Four soldiers stopped
me and started harassing me and the young girls and insulted us with the worst
embarrassing words then they started attacking us by pushing the girls into the
ground for no reason.  When I was trying
to protect them, the four soldiers brutally beat me and kicked me hard with
their feet and their gun butts causing me bruises and wounds in my hand and my
left leg.  The young girls suffered from
light bruising and a state of fear and panic.”

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into ‘Azoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets and
declared a curfew in the village.  IOF
positioned at the entrances of the village prevented the movement of people.  This continued until the morning hours, as
they prevented civilians on Tuesday morning, 16 October 2012, from leaving or
entering the village.  They also
prevented farmers from going to their lands to harvest olives and locked the
main gate with the key.  IOF did not
allow civilians to move under the bridge between ‘Azoun and Jyous villages and
closed the agricultural road, north of the village, and the western road,
leading to ‘Aezbet al-Tabib village to Qalqilya.  All civilians returned to their homes without
knowing the reasons for the sudden closure and prevention.

 

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Mosafer and al-Qora area,
south of Yatta, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled in the streets and positioned in the center of al-Fakhit village.  They raided al-Fakhit school and detained a
number of the families and international activists.  Rateb al-Jbour, a member of the Popular
Committee, told a PCHR fieldworker, that IOF carry out attacks on a daily basis
against the people of the 8 villages, which are under threat of demolition and
displacement.  He reported that the
Israeli authorities consider this to follow legal procedures as they denied
civilians’ access to the aforementioned areas following a decision by the Israeli
Ministry of Defense, which declared that the land could be turned into military
training areas for the IOF.  It should be
noted that the IOF issued a decision in September to demolish 8 villages south
of Yatta and use the land for military purposes.

 

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the Tal village, southwest
of Nablus.  They patrolled the streets
for some time.  They raided and searched
several houses.  Before their withdrawal
at approximately 04:00, IOF arrested Abdullah Khaled Abdullah al-Selwadi, 23,
and took him to a military detention center in Howarah.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into Sebesita village, northwest of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets for
some time.  They raided and searched
several houses.  Before their withdrawal
at 04:30, IOF moved into Sa’ed Khaldoun Yakhlof, 20, and took him a military
detention center in Howarah.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp,
southeast of Nablus.  They patrolled the
streets for some time.  They raided and
searched several houses.  Before their
withdrawal at 05:00, IOF arrested Sabri Mahmoud Zowkan, 45, and As’ad Mohammed
Abu Ghosh, 41, and took them to a military detention center in Howarah.

 

At approximately 09:45, IOF positioned inside the watchtowers on
the border between Israel and Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez), north of Beit
Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian and
international activists on Khayal land, 400 meters away from the border.  IOF continued to fire at the 18 activists,
including an international human rights activist and a farmer, for about 20
minutes.  No injuries were reported.  Saber al-Za’anin, the coordinator of a local
initiative, was leading the protest against the Israeli ‘buffer zone’, which
has resulted in the illegal takeover of Palestinian civilians’ lands.  At approximately 08:30, on the same day, he
went with the activists to the border area, north of the aforementioned
area.  When they reached Khayal land,
they started harvesting olives, in a gesture of solidarity with Palestinian
farmers who are denied access to their farmlands as a result of the violations
committed by IOF against them.  At
approximately 09:45 on the same day, a number of Israeli soldiers positioned
inside one of the watchtowers fired at them intensively.  The shooting continued until 10:05, and
terrified the activists who hid behind the trees.  After the shooting stopped, the activists
went back to harvesting olives. The harvesting is still ongoing.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into the al-Sfeir area in eastern
Masafer Yatta.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and positioned in the center of the area.  A bulldozer belonging to the civil
administration of the Israeli authorities demolished two tin houses, belonging
to Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Qotbia, 40, and Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Qobtia, 45.  Following the incident, IOF withdrew and no
arrests were reported.

 

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli
warplanes launched 5 missiles at a military training site belonging to
al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, north of Bisan
Entertainment City, east of Um al-Nasser Bedouin village, in the northern Gaza
Strip.  The attack caused two deep holes
in the site and damages to a house belonging to Abdel Rahim Ahmed Hussein, 73.  This house is on a 200 meter site, southwest
of the site of the attack, with 3 apartments, and inhabited by 4 families
consisting of 18 members, including 8 children and 4 women.  The house sustained cracks in 4 walls and damage
to 2 iron doors.  The shelling caused
damage to the headquarters of the International Federation of Football (FIFA)
“Goal” project, a 1,400 meter site located south of the site of the attack.  The office sustained 10 shattered windows and
cracked walls.  The shelling also caused
damage to the Abdul Mohsen Hamouda religious institution belonging to the
Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, which is located on a 1,500 meter
site, south of the site of the attack. 
The institute consists of 14 lectures halls where 850 students study for
undergraduate diploma and bachelor degrees. 
The damage included cracked walls inside the institute and 7 shattered
windows.  The shelling also caused damage
to Bisan Entertainment City, southeast of the site, built on 180 dunums.  In addition, 5 windows of the administration building
were broken.  No causalities were
reported. 

It should be noted that, as a result
of the attack, 5 explosions were heard and felt in the northern Gaza Strip due
to which Palestinians, especially women and children, were terrified.

 

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

 

During
the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank.  As a result, an Israeli human
rights defender and a Palestinian child were wounded, and dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 12 October 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists organized a
peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the
village, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada in
2000.  After moving towards the entrance,
IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at
them.  Ahmed Abdl-Fatah Amer (28),
Ahmed Wadeei’ Amer (21), were
arrested and transported to “Qadomim” camp.  They were released at approximately 20:00 the
same evening.  Dozens of demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders, along with a Norwegian
delegation, organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall.  The demonstrators gathered in 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
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, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, others
sustained bruises and the wounded were treated in the field.

 

Following the Friday Prayer, Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the
center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall.  As
they moved towards the gate of the village, IOF closed it to prevent the
demonstration from gained access to the confiscated lands.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,
Mahmoud Zawahra, a member of the Public Movement in Bethlehem, said, “IOF
surrounded the village and prevented the crowd from reaching the farm lands
west of town.  IOF soldiers and
demonstrators engaged in a skirmish, however, no arrests or attacks were
reported.”

 

 

At approximately 10:00 Saturday, 13 October 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders,
gathered in the center of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, for the weekly
peaceful demonstration organized against the settlement expansion policy, the construction
of the annexation wall and the arrest of children.  The demonstrators headed towards Thaher Jalis
area near “Kermi Tsour” settlement north of the village.  A group of IOF soldiers surrounded the
demonstrators and attacked them with clubs, bruising a number of them.  They were identified as: Youssif Abu-Maria
(40), Ahmed Abu-Hashem (46) and Younis ‘Arar (42).  According to Mr Ahmed Abu Hashem,
spokesperson of the National Committee in the village, large numbers of IOF soldiers
had surrounded the area since the early morning hours.

 

At approximately 09:20 on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
gathered in Al-Latron street in Jerusalem, which is called 443 Street by IOF, to
hold a peaceful demonstration in protest at the daily assaults against
Palestinian civilians by settlers, as well as the annexation wall and the
racial discrimination practiced by the Israeli government.  The crowd gathered in the aforementioned
street, which is used by settlers, resulting in a huge traffic jam.  The demonstrators held Palestinian flags and
chanted against the Israeli government’s policies.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers arrived at the
scene and attempted to evacuate the street. 
They fired sound bombs and pepper gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, five demonstrators, including an
international human rights activist who was not identified, suffered from gas inhalation
and sustained bruising.  The wounded were
treated in the field.  The identified victims
were:

 

1. Mohammad Abdul-Karim Al-Khatyb (39);

2. Ahmed Abdul-Karim Al-Khatyb (33);

3. Kifah Mansour Mansour (28); and

4. Ashraf Ibrahim Abu-Rahma (30), who was also detained for two hours
in the “Ofer” detention center, west of Ramallah.

 

3. Extra-judicial Executions

 

In the most recent extrajudicial execution committed by IOF
warplanes on Saturday, 13 October 2012, two Palestinians were killed and a
child wounded, in the northern Gaza Strip. 
An Israeli army spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two
alleged members of the Global Jihad organization (The Mujahideen Shura Council
in the Environs of Jerusalem).

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 13 October 2012, an Israeli warplane fired a
missile at two Palestinians riding a motorcycle, as they were passing through
Mas’oud street in Jabalia Al-Balad, north of the Gaza Strip.  One of the targeted persons was killed
immediately, the other died 3 hours later, and a child was wounded.

 

The victims were identified as:

 

1. Ashraf Nemer
Harb Sabbah (38) from Deir Al-Balah, was killed after his head was separated from
his body.

2. Hisham Ali
Abdl-Karim Al-Se’idany (43) from the Al-Braij Camp.  His wounds were described as critical.  He sustained shrapnel wounds throughout his
body and his lower limbs were amputated. 
At approximately 21:00 the same day, he was transported to the Al-Shifa
Hospital in Gaza for treatment; however, he was pronounced dead at 23:00 later
that night.

3. Ahmed Saleh
Mohammed Saleh Al-Najjar (6) sustained a wound in his right foot
by glass shrapnel, after a window broke in his house, which is located in the
targeted area.  He was transported to
Kamal Odwan Hospital.

 

The attack
caused damage to two houses near the targeted area, breaking some of their
windows, as well as breaking the glass door of a nearby pharmacy.

 

An Israeli army
spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the
Global Jihad organization.

 

4. Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

Israel has 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.

 

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. 

 

IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made 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. 

 

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 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. 

 

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 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.  Karm Abu
Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons
of cooking gas per day. 

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians have continued 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 has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of
shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. 

 

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 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 were allowed to be exported during last
April. 

 

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

 

Israel has
continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from
the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the
movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of
waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF
have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of
Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive
medical treatment in hospitals in Israel
or in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to have access to 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

10– 16
October 2012

 

 

Notes:

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) Crossing

09– 15
October 2012

Imports:

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 09 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 9 truckloads
of empty plastic cans.  They also allowed
the export of 3 truckloads of biscuits.

On Wednesday, 10 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 7
truckloads of empty plastic cans.

On Thursday, 11 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 5
truckloads of empty plastic cans.

On Sunday, 14 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 7 truckloads
of empty plastic cans.

On Monday, 15 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 3 truckloads
of biscuits.

 

 

Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 09 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 520 tons of
cement and 98 tons of construction steel. 
They also allowed the entry of 4,340 tons of construction aggregate for
UNRWA, 1,540 tons of construction aggregate and 120 tons of cement for the
German Development Bank.  Further, IOF
allowed the entry of 663 tons of fodder. 

 

On Wednesday, 10 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 323 tons of
cement and 1, 750 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 330 tons of
construction aggregate for the German Development Bank.  1,610 tons of aggregate were allowed for UNDP.  Moreover, they allowed the entry of 741 tons
of fodder. 

 

On Thursday, 11 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of
cement, 36 tons of steel and 2,240 tons of aggregate for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 2, 030 tons of
aggregate for the German Development Bank. 
37 tons of cement were allowed in for ANERA.  Further, they allowed the entry of 1,092 tons
of fodder.

 

On Sunday, 14 October, 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of
cement for UNRWA and 1,960 tons of aggregate for USAID.  They also allowed the entry of 1,400 tons of
aggregate and 80 tons of cement for ICRC. 
IOF also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodder and 156 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 15 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 160 tons of
cement, 31 tons of steel and 1,190 tons of aggregate for UNRWA.  2,100 tons of aggregate were allowed in for
Water Authority, while 630 tons of aggregate and 155 tons of cement were
allowed in for UNDP.  IOF also allowed
the entry of 663 tons of fodder and 156 tons of wheat. 

 

IOF
closed the crossing on 07 October and 08 October 2012, because of Jewish
holidays.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

10– 16
October 2012

 

 

On Monday, 15 October 2012, IOF allowed 39 Palestinians of
prisoners’ families to visit approximately 18 in the Israeli prisons.

 

Note: the data for Friday, 12 October 2012, was not available,
because the Palestinian liaison officers did not write them down, and the
documents were transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Ramallah. 

 

The West Bank

 

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

 

It is approximated that there are hundreds of permanent roadblocks,
and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank. 

 

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers
around the West Bank, further isolating the
entire population.  350 kilometers of the
wall have already been constructed.  Approximately
99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank
itself, confiscating more Palestinian land. 

 

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from
the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a
strict system of permits and a network of checkpoints. 

 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley
through 4 permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not
allowed to enter it without permits.

 

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural
reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank. 

 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods
throughout the West Bank. 

 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem,
and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped in the streets, searched
and even arrested by IOF.

 

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

 

· Ramallah
and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At
approximately 09:30 on Friday, 12 October 2012, IOF re-established its presence
at ‘Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:50 on the same day, IOF
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest
of Ramallah.

At
approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 13 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
near Beit ‘Our al-Foqa, southwest of Ramallah.

At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:30, on the same day, IOF
established a checkpoint at ‘Eyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramllah-Nablus
road.

At
approximately 11:00 on Monday, 15 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint under
Kerbatha al-Mesbah bridge, west of Ramallah.

 

Jericho:
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.

At
approximately 20:30 on Thursday, 11 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near
the southern entrance of Jericho.

At
approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 13 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho.

At
approximately 16:30, on Sunday, 14 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
near the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  At approximately 18:30, IOF established a
checkpoint near the entrance of Marj Na’jeh village, north of Jericho.

 

Jenin: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.

At
approximately 23:30 Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint on
the road linking Tiba and Romana villages, southwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was later removed.  No arrests were reported.  At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 08 October
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Ya’bed village,
west of Jenin, however, no arrests were reported. 

 

Tulkarm:
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.

At
approximately 20:45 on Saturday, 13 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
on Jelgamous – Um al-Tout road, southeast of Jenin.  At approximately 20:00, IOF established a
checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road near the intersection of Beit Leed ‘Allar
village, east of Tulkarm.  At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2012, IOF positioned at ‘Ennab
checkpoint, which is established on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm,
imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinains.  However, no arrests were reported.  At approximately 19:30, IOF established a
checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road, south of Tulkarm.  However, no arrests were reported.

 

Hebron:
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.

At
approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 11 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  A number of Palestinians were detained at the
checkpoint for approximately 2 hours.  No
arrests were reported.  At approximately
07:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the intersection of Deir Samit – Beit
‘Our, east of Dora in the south of Hebron. 
The checkpoint was removed later. 
No arrests were reported.  Also at
approximately 07:00, IOF established another checkpoint on Tarousa road linking
Dora with its western villages, south of Hebron.  The checkpoint was removed later.  No arrests were reported.

At
approximately 06:30, on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
on the road separating Halhoul from Hebron. 
The checkpoint was removed later. 
No arrests were reported.

In
the same context, at approximately 07:30, IOF established a checkpoint on
Tarousa road, south of Hebron.  The
checkpoint was removed later.  No arrests
were reported.  At approximately 14:00,
on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the main entrance of Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron.  The
checkpoint was removed later. No arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya:
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 12:20 on
Sunday, 14 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance
of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They
arrested Samer Khaled Abu Haniya, 29, and released him later.  At approximately 20:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fondoq village, east of Qalqilya. 

At
approximately 21:00 on Monday, 15 October 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrances of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.  All the entrances were blocked until the
following day, Tuesday, 16 October 2012.

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, IOF stationed
near the Container checkpoint, which is established on Wadi al-Nar road between
Bethlehem and Jerusalem, arrested Mohammed Isa Safi Salibi, 27, as he was
heading to attend the trial of his brother Ahmed, 16, at Ofer detention center,
west of Ramallah.

It should be noted that Salibi was released in the latest
prisoners’ swap deal after 2 years of detention in the Israeli prisons. 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

On
Wednesday, 10 October 2012, a group of settlers from “Kedumim”
settlement attacked farm lands in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya,
by the main Qalqilya-Nablus road, and stole olives. 

 

In
his testimony to PCHR’s fieldworker, Abdl-Razeq Mahmoud Abdl-Karim Amer (60)
said, “At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 11 October 2012, I went to
my land in Doula village, east of our village, by the main road between Nablus
and Qalqilya, after someone told me that he’d seen a group of settlers
attacking my olive trees and stealing the olives.  Upon arriving at the land, it was obvious
that it had been attacked, as I found 22 broken olive trees and the olives
stolen.  The locals told me that the
settlers used steel bars to collect the olives. 
The stolen olives were estimated to be at least 11 bags.  After that, we called the Village Council who
called the Palestinian Liaison, who coordinated a filed inspection with the
Israeli Liaison, an Israeli officer of the Liaison office inspected the scene
and documented the assault, upon that I went with them to “Kedumim” camp where
I filed I complaint, however, we have not received any updates from the Israeli
side.”

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 11 October 2011, a group of settlers from
“Kermit sour” settlement, north of Hebron, stormed Al-Bowira area up to Maqam
Al-Sayda Najla’ Al-Islami, east of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and practiced
some religious rituals in it and around the Islamic graveyard.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,
Mohammad ‘Awad, media spokesperson for the Popular Movement Against Settlement
Activity, said that a large group of settlers toured Al-Bowira area, under IOF
protection, and walked through the farms near the area.  Farmers stayed away from their lands of fear
of being attacked by the settlers.  A
settler tried to attack Mr Mohammed ‘Ayyad (49) while he was trying to
videotape them, but an IOF soldier stopped him. 

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Friday, 12 October 2012, a group of settlers from “Ramat
Yshay” settlement, established on the lands of Palestinians from Hebron,
attacked a group of farmers while harvesting the olive trees in Tal Al-Remida
area, in the Center of Hebron.

 

In
his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Jawad Abu-‘Aysha, said, “My family
received a verbal authorization from IOF to harvest the olives in our land near
the settlement outpost “Ramat Yshay,” where we were attacked by a group of
settlers who were trying to steal the olives. 
Although IOF were present, they did not attempt to stop the settlers.  My brother Wajdi Abu-‘Aysha (28) was
pushed over a high wall by a number of settlers; as a result he sustained
bruises in his foot.  As we were trying
to stop them from getting into the land, IOF arrested two Palestinians, Nour
Thabet Abu-‘Aysha (28) and Yehya Rajab Abu-‘Aysha (20).  They were released two hours later.

 

In
his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, lawyer Eissa Amro, an activist in a youth
group against settlement activity, said that the settlers’ assaults against the
civilians and their property in the Tal Al-Remida area take place on a daily
basis.  He added that IOF facilitates
these attacks, and that the Abu-‘Aysha family incident is only one example of
the settlers’ systematic policy against Palestinian farmers throughout the West
Bank, in an attempt to push the Palestinians out of their lands in order for
them to confiscate them.  It should be
mentioned that the settlers regularly use the Palestinian lands near the settlement
as a dumpsite.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Monday, 15 October 2012, a group of settlers from
“Afrat” settlement, established on the lands of Bair Ummar village, north of
Hebron, cut down more than 15 almond trees, belonging to Abdullah Barghith
(50), in the area between “Afrat” and “Gosh Atsion” settlements, north of the aforementioned
village.  In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad said that the farm lands targeted by the settlers
are occupied by large numbers of IOF soldiers and Israeli police, who prevent
the Palestinians from reaching their lands, and he accused them of providing
cover for the settlers’ attacks, as these areas witness a constant presence of
settlers.

The
landowner, Mr Abdullah Barghith, told the PCHR fieldworker that he and his
workers are constantly subject to settlers’ attacks while working in their farm
lands near “Afrat” settlement.

 

At
approximately 22:30 the same day, IOF, accompanied by a number of settler
vehicles, stormed the southern entrance of Bethlehem, Al-Nashash, and the
settlers closed the main road.  In his
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed Salah, a member of the Popular Committee
in Beit Ummar, said that approximately 100 settlers closed the main road
linking Bethlehem and by-pass road 60, connecting Bethlehem and Hebron, raised
Israeli flags and chanted “Death to the Arabs, leave our lands.”  IOF did not stop the settlers or open the road
to allow Palestinian vehicles to pass through. 
Salah also mentioned that the settlers were following the lead of Nadia
Mattar, an Israeli citizen leading the settlement activity against Bethlehem,
and that the Palestinian civilians had seen her a number of times in the
surroundings of the city.

 

At
approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, a group of settlers stormed
Abu-Risha Valley, west of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, and cut down three olive
trees, belonging to Hamed Jaber Salibi (80). 
It should be noted that this is the second attack against the Salibi
family this week, as IOF arrested Mohamad Abdul-Hamid Salibi (65), while he was
working on his land.

 

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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.

 

 

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Public Document

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