Israeli
soldiers fire bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters in Nabi Saleh
village near Ramallah

Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
(OPT)

      

 

A
Palestinian woman was seriously wounded by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

 

IOF use
force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the
West Bank.

11
Palestinian civilians, including a child and an old woman, and 4 journalists were
wounded.

A
Canadian journalist was hit by a tear gas canister and an American human rights
defender was injured.

 

IOF
conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 4
limited ones into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF
arrested 24 Palestinians, including 7 children, in the West Bank, and 9
Palestinians, including 3 children, in the Gaza Strip. 

 

Israeli
gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli
gunboats fire at fishing boats on 6 occasions.

IOF
arrested a fisherman and his child in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli
warplanes bombarded a number of targets in the Gaza Strip.

A
former security building and a training site of the Palestinian resistance were
bombarded.

Two
schools were damaged.

 

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

IOF
arrested 6 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank. 

 

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

Israeli
settlers burnt or broke at least 152 trees.

IOF
ordered the demolition of two houses in Hebron and confiscated areas of land
and solar cells in Ramallah, Hebron and Salfit. 

A
child was run down by an Israeli settler.

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (16 – 29 August 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 August
2012, a Palestinian woman was seriously wounded when IOF positioned at the
border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in
Wadi al-Salqa village, east of the central Gaza Strip town of Deir
al-Balah. 

 

In the West Bank, on 24 August 2012,
a Palestinian civilian was injured by shrapnel from a sound bomb while he was
inside his house in Hebron, when IOF fired live bullets and sound bombs at Wad
al-Hussain area.

 

During the reporting period, IOF
used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the
construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli
practices in the West Bank.  As a result, 11 Palestinian civilians,
including a child and an old woman, were wounded.  Additionally, a Canadian journalist was hit
by a tear gas canister and an American human rights defender was injured.  Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from
tear gas inhalation. 

 

IOF continued to fire at Palestinian
fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.  During
the reporting period, PCHR documented 6 attacks in this regard, which did not
cause casualties.  IOF also arrested a
fishermen and his child and confiscated their boat.

 

On 28 August 2012, Israeli warplanes
bombarded a former security site and a training site of the Palestinian
resistance in Gaza City, heavily damaging them. 
Two nearby schools were also damaged. 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 64 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
During these incursions, IOF arrested 24 Palestinians, including 7 children.
 

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel had continued to impose a tightened
siege on the OPT and imposed 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.  Measures
declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to
deal with the root causes of the crisis, which 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 they will remain economically dependent
and 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
16 August 2012, the Israeli government issued a decision placing al-Hisba
Market in the old town of Hebron under the Hebron settlement council’s
control.  This decision was a response to
a petition filed by human rights organizations and the Israeli Peace Now at the
Israeli High Court to evacuate the settlers from shops in the market and return
the shops to their Palestinian owners.

 

On
19 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Nahla’el” settlement, which
stands on the lands of Bitillu village, northwest of Ramallah, broke and burnt
19 olive trees near the settlement belonging.

 

On
22 August 2012, Palestinian civilians in Shoufa village, northeast of Tulkarm,
found an Israeli military order no. 04/79/T signed by the GOC Central Command
Nitzan Alon on agricultural areas in the south of the village.  According to the order, 7,290 square meters
of land would be confiscated.   

 

On
the same day, IOF stormed Palestinian agricultural lands located in the west of
Flamiya village, northeast of Qalqilya, and delivered a military order
confiscating areas of land near “Kokhav Ya’ir” settlement. 

 

On
the same day, IOF stormed Shu’ab al-Sair area near “Karmi Tsur” settlement,
which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and handed over
notices ordering the demolition of two houses apparently to expand the
abovementioned settlement.

 

Also
on the same day, Raghad Suleiman Edris, 3, from Hebron, sustained injuries and
bruises and fractures to the mouth, the abdomen and the feet, when she was run
down by an Israeli settler’s car near the entrance of “Kiryat Arba” settlement,
southeast of Hebron.

 

On
23 August 2012, IOF handed over notices ordering the confiscation of 7-dunums
of land in Wad al-Ghrous area, northeast of Hebron.  The purpose of such confiscation is to
establish a settlement road between “Kharsina” and “Kiryat Arba”
settlement. 

On
the same day, a number of Israeli settlers from “Nahla’el” settlement, which
stands on the lands of Bitillu village, northwest of Ramallah, broke branches
of 83 olive trees near the above settlement.

 

On
24 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Halmish” and “Nahla’el”
settlements, northwest of Ramallah, uprooted crops belonging to Ramadan Sabri
Abu Kamesh and Daoud ‘Abdullah Da’mas. 
According to Abu Kamesh, the loss is estimated at 70,000 ILS.

 

On
the same day, Israeli settlers from “Rafafa” settlement, which stands on the
lands of Deir Estia village, north of Salfit, burnt 10 olive trees and 3 fig
trees.  Palestinian civilians attempted
to extinguish the fire, but IOF did not allow them.

 

On 25
August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Havat Ma’on” settlement stormed
agricultural areas in al-Tawani village, south of Hebron, and uprooted 40 olive
trees belonging to the Reb’ei family. 
They also wrote anti-Arab slogans on walls of water wells in the area.

 

On 26
August 2012, Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, established a park in Zaher
al-‘Ein Masour area near “Daniel” settlement, which stands on the lands of
al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. 
The settlers surrounded a 500-square-meter area of land with barbwire
and planted trees.  This park is the
third of its kind established by Israeli settlers on the lands of al-Khader
village. 

 

On 27
August 2012, IOF delivered a notice to Palestinian civilians in al-Tabban
village, south of Hebron, ordering removal of solar cells that provide the
village of electric power. These cells were established by international
organizations to support Palestinian civilians in the village who are
threatened by transferred by IOF. 

 

On 28
August 2012, at least 30 Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed Shu’ab Abu
Tabeekh area in the east of Sa’ir village, north of Hebron.  They attacked Palestinian houses, broke
windows and burnt 3 cars belonging to Zain al-Din Mohammed al-Froukh and Hamad
‘Ayash al-Froukh.

 

On the
same day, Israeli settlers from “Mitzbi Ya’ir” settlement in Hebron attacked
Ibrahim Mohammed al-‘Odara, 65, when he was in Beer al-‘Ad area in Khirbat
Sousia village, south of Hebron.  He was
injured in the head and the shoulder.

 

Also
on the same day, IOF delivered 27 notices to Palestinian civilians in Khirbat
Zanouta area in the west of al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron, ordering the
demolition of their houses, tents and wells, claiming that they were established
without licenses. 

 

On 29
August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of
Ramallah, burnt a car and wrote anti-Arab slogans on two cars and a house in
Dura al-Qare’ village. 

 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (16 – 29 August 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 16 August 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into al-Sarra village near Hebron.  They
raided and searched a number of houses, but no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved
into Sourif village near Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to Mos’ab al-Hour, but no arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 03:00, IOF
moved into Deir Samet and al-Koum villages near Hebron.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved
into al-Shouka village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.  They searched the border area between Sofa
crossing and Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, amidst sporadic
shooting.  They moved back to the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 12:00 and no casualties were
reported.  

 

Friday, 17 August 2012

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into al-Shouka village, east of
the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. 
They leveled areas of Palestinian land along the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel.  They moved back to the
border at approximately 13:00.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF positioned to the south of Yatta
village, south of Hebron, chased and fired at a number of Palestinian workers
who were on their way back home from their workplaces in Israel.  No casualties were reported.

 

Sunday, 19 August 2012

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved
nearly 400 meters into the agricultural areas in the northeast of the northern
Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.  They
leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.  IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel at approximately 16:00. 

 

Monday, 20 August 2012

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Qibya village, west of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awa village, south of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian children:

 

Anas Suleiman al-Swaiti, 14;

Mohammed Sami al-Swaiti, 15;

Mohammed Ja’far al-Swaiti, 14;

Rami Rida al-Swaiti, 14; and

‘Alaa’ Mohammed al-Swaiti, 14. 

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Anas So’ud Ekhlil, 19, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of
Tulkarm, and patrolled in the streets.  A
number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at
Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately,
Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys. 
IOF withdrew from the village later and no arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Bal’a village,
northeast of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into al-Sammou’ village,
southeast of Hebron.  They raide3d and
searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

‘Eissa Mousa Abu Tabeekh, 20; and

Ramadan Abu Tabeekh, 22.

 

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

 

Thursday, 23 August 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Nablus and the nearby ‘Ein
Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp.  They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

Ramadan Mustafa Shaheen, 22; and

Mahmoud Jamal al-Samhan, 24.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Zawata village, west of
Nablus.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Eyad ‘Eissa Ma’rouf, 22.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Saida village,
northeast of Tulkarm.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Aassem Wassef Fanni, 22, and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:30, an IOF undercover unit moved into Bourqin
village, west of Jenin, using a civilian vehicle with a Palestinian plate.  Israeli soldiers raided a house belonging to
the family of Tariq Ibrahim Abu Shadouf, 22, and arrested him.  

 

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Ethna village, west of
Hebron.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Southern al-Mazra’a
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported. 

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 24 August 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bitounia town, west of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Yatta village, south of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and beat a number of Palestinian civilians.  They withdrew from the village at approximately
05:00 and no arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF positioned in the vicinity of
“Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron, opened fire at Wad al-Hussain
area.  As a result, Husni Matariya was
wounded by shrapnel from a sound bomb when he was inside his house.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Shaker ‘Awni al-Rajabi and arrested him. 

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dura village, south of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Yousef Abu ‘Arqoub and arrested him.

 

At approximately 07:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp
arrested 5 Palestinians, including 3 children, who attempted to cross the
border to search for jobs inside Israel:

 

‘Alaa’ Yahia Sa’id, 17;

Tahthim Mohammed Khadra, 16;

‘Omar Khaled Matar, 16;

Saleem Saleh al-Sane’, 18; and

Fares Ussama al-Sane’, 19.

 

At approximately 08:40, IOF moved into Dura al-Qare’ village,
northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Deir Qiddis village,
northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into al-Jania village, northwest
of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:45, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da’eif village,
southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 25 August 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF positioned at the border between the
Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at Palestinian
houses and agricultural areas in Khuza’a village.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit
Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced
to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.  Israeli gunboats opened fire at fishing boats
in the same location at 22:00, but no casualties were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village,
southwest of Jenin, and patrolled in the streets.  A number of Palestinian boys gathered and
threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at the boys.  IOF withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Koubar village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp
arrested two Palestinian civilians who got close to the border in an attempt to
cross it to search for jobs inside Israel:

 

‘Abed Rabbu Taleb Abu Jari, 19, from al-Nussairat refugee camp; and

Ayman Mousa Farajallah, 20, from al-Nussairat refugee camp.

 

Also at approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Deir Jarir village,
northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Msbah village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:40, IOF moved into the wooden area located near
‘Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the area for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

In the evening, IOF moved into Bani Na’im village near Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of ‘Ali Jom’a Zbaidat and arrested him.  Zbaidat was released from Israeli jails in
the context of the prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel about 9 months
ago.

 

Sunday, 26 August 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:40, IOF moved into Salfit.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
Shawkat Zaki Khuffash, 50, and summoned him together with his son Adham, 22,
for interrogation. 

 

At approximately 01:50, IOF moved into Hares village, north of
Salfit.  They raided a house belonging to
the family of Zahran Kamal Klaib, 28, and summoned him for interrogation.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Ehna village, west of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Isma’il Yousef al-Tmaizi and Rami ‘Ali
al-Tmaizi. 

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp,
south of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hassan al-‘Odara, and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:35, IOF moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east
of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at about 30
Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing nearly 2.5 nautical miles offshore
in the central Gaza Strip.  Palestinian
fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were
reported. 

 

At approximately 09:00, , Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to
Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats.  Palestinian fishermen were forced
to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported. 

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF positioned in Wad al-Fikhit area to the
south of Yatta village, south of Hebron, held a crew of the Common Service Council
for 3 hours.  Two members of the crew
were identified as ‘Othman Mohammed Jebril, 48, and Eyad Sa’id Hamamra,
35. 

At approximately 17:10, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Habla village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 27 August 2012

 

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

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at 4
Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing nearly 2.5 nautical miles offshore
in the central Gaza Strip.  Palestinian
fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 13:10, IOF moved into ‘Izbat al-Tabib village,
east of qalqilya.  They handed a notice
ordering the demolition of a two-storey building which serves as the service
compound of the village, claiming that it was built without a license.  They allowed appealing the order within three
days. 

 

At approximately 13:40, IOF moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:45, IOF moved into the area located between
‘Izbat Salman and Emati villages, southeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Beit Siera village,
southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of al-Boreij refugee camp
arrested two Palestinians who attempted to cross the border to search for jobs
inside Israel:

 

Nidal Nabil al-Shabrawi, 22, from al-Nussairat refugee camp; and

Murad Mohammed Abu Darahem, 23 from al-Nussairat refugee camp. 

 

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

 

At approximately 00:05, Israeli warplanes fired 6 missiles at the
building of the former Palestinian Intelligence Service known as “the Ship” in
al-Sydaniya area, north of Gaza City. 
The building and a number of nearby civilian property, including two
schools were heavily damaged.  In That
al-Sawari Secondary School, 80 windows and 8 doors were destroyed, and in
al-Qastina Secondary School, 18 windows and two doors were destroyed.  A maintenance workshop belonging to the
Ministry of Interior was also damaged.

 

At approximately 00:15, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a
site of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) in the
southwest of Gaza City.  No casualties
were reported.

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into the center of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Nasser Hussein Abu Hadeed, 22.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Burj village, south of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Fadi ‘Atiya al-Faqih, 30, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar town, north of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

 

Mohammed Hussein al-Teet, 17; and

Muhannad Murshed ‘Awad, 14.

 

Also at approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Seilat al-Harthiya
village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled
in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Karza village, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:45, an Israeli gunboat opened fire at
Palestinian fishing boat opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza
Strip.  The fishing boat was sailing
nearly 300 meters offshore.  The Israeli
navy force then besieged the fishing boats and arrested two fishermen who were
on board:

 

Kamel Deeb al-Anqah, 60; and

Mahmoud Kamel al-Anqah, 16.

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved
into Aradi Staih area near al-Dyouk village, west of Jericho.  They prevented Palestinian civilians and
journalists from entering the area. 
Without prior warning, the Israeli bulldozers demolished fences of 4
houses.  They also delivered 3 notices
ordering the demolition of an under-construction, two-storey house, an
electricity tower and a water well. 

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Zanouta area in the west of
al-Zahiriya village, south of Hebron. 
They demolished 5 water wells belonging to the families of al-Samamra,
Abu Sharekh and Dua’is. 

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Khirbat Sousia village, south
of Hebron.  They tore down two tents
belonging to Mohammed Mousa Mughannam, in which 10 people used to live.

 

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

 

At approximately 08:30, IOF positioned at the border between the
Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir
al-Balah, opened fire at a number of Palestinian farmers.  As a result, Safia ‘Awad Abu Mughassib, 42,
was seriously wounded by a bullet to the left hand that entered her side and
exited her back, which she was cropping agricultural products in the area. 

 

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 to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank.  As a result, 11 Palestinian
civilians, including a child and an old woman, and 4 journalists were wounded.  Additionally, a Canadian journalist was hit
by a tear gas canister and an American human rights defender was injured.  Some demonstrators also suffered from tear
gas inhalation. 

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 17 August 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in
protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village.  IOF moved into the village and dozens of Israeli
soldiers stormed the location of the demonstration.  They fire tear gas canisters and sound bombs
at the demonstrators.  Some demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  Israeli
soldiers violently beat Rami Suleiman ‘Ali, 27, Muhannad Khaled Eshtaiwi, 39,
and Mohammed Bashar Eshtaiwi, 10.  The
three civilians sustained bruises.  IOF
also arrested Qassam Zahi ‘Ali, 18, and ‘Abdullah ‘Awni ‘Ali, 18, but released
them on Monday, 20 August 2012, after forcing them to pay a fine of 1,000
ILS.   Additionally, IOF held 6
journalists and forced them to sign an oath not to cover the weekly peaceful
protests in the village.  IOF released
the journalists at 15:00 after beating 4 of them:

 

Ja’far Zahed Eshtayeh, 45, a camera man of France Press Agency,
sustained a fracture to the left hand;

Bakr Mohammed ‘Abdul Haq, 22, a reporter of Nabus Television,
sustained bruises throughout the body;

Fares Mahmoud Fares, 31, a cameraman of Ramsat Agency, sustained
bruises to the body;

Nidal Shafiq Eshtayeh, 43, a photographer of the Chinese News
Agency, sustained bruises to the body;

Noah ‘Obaid Qaddoumi,  a
cameraman of al-Fajr Television; and

‘Odai ‘Aqel Jom’a, 28, a volunteer photographer of B’Tselem.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 17 August 2012, 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 settlement activities.  They moved towards areas of the annexation
wall.  They called through megaphones on
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.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 24 August 2012, 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 settlement activities.  They moved towards areas of the annexation
wall.  They called through megaphones on
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, David
Katzenberg, a Canadian journalist, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right
hand and leg, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

On Saturday noon, 25 August 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration near the security fence of “Karmi Tsur” settlement in the south
of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in solidarity with Palestinians whose
houses were demolished.  IOF attacked the
demonstrators.  As a result, 3 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, and an American human rights defender were
injured:

 

Ahmed Abu Hashem;

Hamza Abu Hashem, 13;

Younis ‘Arar, 45; and

Doller Wolf, 26, an American human rights defender.  

 

At approximately 12:00 on Tuesday, 28 August 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and a number of members and leaders of the Democratic
Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) organized a peaceful demonstration
in Ramallah in protest to the detention of Ibrahim Abu Hajla, Member of the
DFLP Political Bureau, and Samer al-‘Eissawi, who were released in the
prisoners swap deal last year.  The
demonstrators moved towards Ofar Prison. 
Israeli soldiers positioned near the prison fired live and 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. 

 

3- Continued Closure of the OPT

 

Israel has
continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed 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 as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is
not proper 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 bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all the 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 of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions to totally close 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 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 has erupted last November has continued to affect the
Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created when
the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz
crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem
crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza’s needs of fuel.
 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 alimentary aid provided by
UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty
line have continued to be on the rise 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 exportation of Gaza’s products, especially industrial
products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic
establishments.  The situation has been
aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole
commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively
affected the quantity of Gazan 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 patient
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.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March 2012, IOF
arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40,
a trader from Gaza
City, when he was
traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

For approximately 61 months, IOF have continued to deny Palestinian
prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without
providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the
international humanitarian law.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

15 –
28 August 2012

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) Crossing

13 –
26 August 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

 

Notes:

 

On Monday, 13 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 511 tons of
cement for UNRWA; 80 tons of cement of ANERA; 2,030 tons of construction
aggregates, 104 tons of construction steel and 240 tons of cement for the
Inter-American Development Bank.  They
also allowed the entry of 507 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 14 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 300 tons of
cement for UNRWA; 80 tons of cement for ANERA; 1,890 tons of construction
aggregates, 70 tons of construction steel and 240 tons of cement of the Coastal
Municipalities Water Utility.  They also
allowed the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders and 546 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 15 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of
cement and 910 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 164 tons of cement
and 396 tons of construction steel for the Inter-American Development Bank; and
396 tons of cement and 40 tons of construction steel for the Coastal
Municipalities Water Utility.   They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of
fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 16 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement and 2,240 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 2,240 tons of
construction aggregates, 240 tons of cement and 76 tons of construction steel
for the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility. 
They also allowed the entry of 741 tons of fodders and 312 tons of
wheat. 

 

On Wednesday, 22 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 430 tons of
cement, 35 tons of construction steel and 2,170 tons of construction aggregates
for UNRWA; and 240 tons of cement for the Costal Municipalities Water
Utility.   They also allowed the entry of 507 tons of
fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 23 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120 tons of
cement and 22 tons of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of
fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 26 August 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement and 2,800 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of
fodders and 468 tons of wheat.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

15 –
21 August 2012

 

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

22 –
28 August 2012

 

 

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.

 

There are approximately 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, searched and even arrested in the streets 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:

 

Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established
many checkpoints around and inside the city. 
Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on
Fridays, preventing young Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. 

  

Ramallah and al-Bireh: 
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
09:00 on Friday, 17 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance
of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. 
At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Kharabtha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 19 August
2012, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of
Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on
Monday, 20 August 2012, IOF established checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah
Bridge, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 22 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
at the entrance of Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 24 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately
17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ne’lin village, west of
Ramallah.  At approximately 08:00on
Saturday, 24 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. 
At approximately 09:50, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Turmos’iya village, north of Ramallah. 
At approximately 20:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 26 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, west of
Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30, IOF
re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.           

  

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 16 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 21:40 on Friday, 17 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village,
northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately
22:00, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 01:25 on
Saturday, 18 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance
of Qalqilya.  At approximately 08:30, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 03:00 on
Sunday, 19 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 18:55, IOF established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately, 21:10, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 22:30, IOF
established a checkpoint on Wad Qana road between Qalqilya and Salfit.  at approximately 22:55, IOF established a
checkpoint near Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 21:40 on Saturday, 25 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of ‘Izbat al-Tabib
village, east of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 21:45, IOF established a checkpoint on ‘Azzoun – ‘Izbat al-Tabib
road, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately
23:10, IOF established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of ‘Azzoun
village, east of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 26 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 20:35, IOF established a checkpoint near Jainsafout village, east
of Qalqilya.  At approximately 22:30, IOF
established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 27 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Seer village, northeast
of Qalqilya.  At approximately 16:50, IOF
established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 17:25, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqilya.     

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 16 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At
approximately 06:30 on Friday, 17 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. 
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 20 August 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint al-Mo’rajjat road between Jericho and Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho. 
At approximately 11:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern
entrance of Jericho.  At approximately
17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fsasayel village, north
of Jericho.  At approximately 14:00 on
Tuesday, 21 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance
of Jericho.  At approximately 15:40, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of
Jericho.  At approximately 21:30 on
Thursday, 23 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance
of Jericho.  At approximately 09:30 on
Saturday, 25 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 11:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of
Jericho.  At approximately 08:30 on
Monday, 27 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 19:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of
Jericho.  At approximately 21:30, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marj Na’ja village, north of
Jericho. 

 

Hebron:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 16 August
2012, IOF established a number of checkpoints in Bani Na’im village, northeast
of Hebron.  At approximately 07:00 on
Sunday, 19 August 2012, IOF established several checkpoints at the entrance of
most villages located near Hebron.  At
approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 23 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint
at the northern entrance of Hebron.  In
the afternoon, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Annu
village, northeast of Hebron.  At
approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 25 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint a
checkpoint near Ethna village, west of Hebron. 

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 21:00 on Tuesday, 21 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
al-Yamoun intersection, northwest of Jenin. 
At approximately 02:30 on Saturday, 25 August 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint on Kufor Qoud – Bouqin road, west of Jenin.  At approximately 09:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. 

 

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 21 August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 22
August 2012, IOF established a checkpoint near Jibara Gate, south of Tulkarm.  At approximately 15:00, IOF positioned at
Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
the same time, IOF established a checkpoint near Jibara Gate, south of Tulkarm.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 25 August 2012, IOF positioned at Ennab
checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, imposed additional restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 20:00, IOF established a checkpoint at
Beit Leed intersections, east of Tulkarm. 
At approximately 21:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Shoufa village, south of Tulkarm.          

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 13:30 on Thursday, 16 August
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village,
northeast of Qalqilya.  They stopped and
searched Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Nizar Kamal ‘Aqel, 24.

 

On Friday morning, 17 August 2012, IOF
positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint, east of Nablus, arrested Ashraf Mohammed
al-Jada’, 27, from Bouqin village west of Jenin. 

 

At approximately 19:00 on Wednesday, 22 August
2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at a temporary checkpoint established in the
central market in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, arrested Mo’taz Mohammed
Ekhlil, 26. 

 

At approximately 21:00 on the same day, IOF
positioned at al-Rajabi checkpoint in the old town of Hebron arrested Hamza
Ahmed Sharaf, 16.

 

On Friday morning, 24 August 2012, Israeli
soldiers positioned at Gate No. 104 on the annexation wall, south of Tulkarm,
arrested Ahmed and Anas Manna’ Ghanem, 21, from Tulkarm, claiming that their
work permits in Israel expired.  IOF
released the two civilians on Tuesday, 28 
August 2012. 

 

4- Efforts
to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem

 

Israeli
occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish
demographic majority in East Jerusalem.

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem decided to build 12
tower buildings in Jabal Abu Ghunaim (“Har Homah” settlement) between Jerusalem
and Bethlehem.  The online Hebrew news1
reported on Monday, 13 August 2012 that each building will be comprised of
24-33 floors, and the area of contraction will be one million square
meters.  A part of the project will
include new offices for the municipality, while the largest part will be
commercial and tourist and will create 40,000 job opportunities according to
the municipality’s claim.  The news
website added that one of these building will be a hotel comprised of 800
rooms, while the municipality decided to build 2,000 hotel rooms in this
project, without explaining how the remaining 1,200 rooms will be built.  The municipality did not give details about
the source of funding or the investing parties in the project.     

 

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
Thursday, 16 August 2012, the Israeli government issued a decision placing
al-Hisba Market in the old town of Hebron under the Hebron settlement council’s
control.  This decision was a response to
a petition filed by human rights organizations and the Israeli Peace Now at the
Israeli High Court to evacuate the settlers from shops in the market and return
the shops to their Palestinian owners.

 

On
Sunday evening, 19 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Nahla’el”
settlement, which stands on the lands of Bitillu village, northwest of
Ramallah, broke and burnt 19 olive trees near the settlement belonging to
‘Aahed Mohammed Harb.

 

On
Wednesday morning, 22 August 2012, Palestinian civilians in Shoufa village,
northeast of Tulkarm, found an Israeli military order no. 04/79/T signed by the
GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon on agricultural areas in the south of the
village.  According to the order, 7,290
square meters of land would be confiscated. 
A map of the targeted area was found with the military order.  IOF also called Palestinian civilians to
gather at 07:00 on Thursday, 23 August 2012, to provide their inquiries about
the order, but these civilians refused to do so. IOF intend to establish a road
for settlers.  

 

Also
on Wednesday morning, IOF stormed Palestinian agricultural lands located in the
west of Flamiya village, northeast of Qalqilya, and delivered a military order
confiscating areas of land near “Kokhav Ya’ir” settlement. 

 

At
approximately 12:00 on the same day, IOF stormed Shu’ab al-Sair area near
“Karmi Tsur” settlement, which stands on the lands of Beit Ummar town, north of
Hebron, and handed over notices ordering the demolition of two houses belonging
to Younis ‘Eissa Za’aqiq and Jawad Jamal ‘Awad, apparently to expand the
abovementioned settlement.

 

At
approximately 19:00 on the same day, Raghad Suleiman Edris, 3, from Hebron,
sustained injuries and bruises and fractures to the mouth, the abdomen and the
feet, when she was run down by an Israeli settler’s car near the entrance of
“Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of Hebron.

 

On
Thursday morning, 23 August 2012, IOF handed over notices ordering the
confiscation of 7-dunums of land in Wad al-Ghrous area, northeast of Hebron,
belonging to: ‘Abdul Samee’ Mousa Saber; Saleh Seder; ‘Abdul Rahim al-‘Ossaili;
Suleiman al-Ja;bari; and Hijazi No’man Jaber. 
The purpose of such confiscation is to establish a settlement road
between “Kharsina” and “Kiryat Arba” settlement. 

 

On
the same day evening, a number of Israeli settlers from “Nahla’el” settlement,
which stands on the lands of Bitillu village, northwest of Ramallah, broke
branches of 83 olive trees belonging to Mohammed Naji Jebril near the above
settlement.

 

At
approximately 06:00 on Friday, 24 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Halmish” and “Nahla’el” settlements, northwest of Ramallah, uprooted
crops belonging to Ramadan Sabri Abu Kamesh and Daoud ‘Abdullah Da’mas.  According to Abu Kamesh, the loss is
estimated at 70,000 ILS.

 

At
approximately 16:00 on Friday, 24 August 2012, Israeli settlers from “Rafafa”
settlement, which stands on the lands of Deir Estia village, north of Salfit,
burnt 10 olive trees and 3 fig trees belonging to ‘Abndul Jaber Yousef ‘Aaqel
and Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim Sahban in Khillat ‘Azzam area.  Palestinian civilians attempted to extinguish
the fire, but IOF did not allow them.

 

At
approximately 05:00 on Saturday, 25 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Havat Ma’on” settlement stormed agricultural areas in al-Tawani village,
south of Hebron, and uprooted 40 olive trees belonging to the Reb’ei
family.  They also wrote anti-Arab
slogans on walls of water wells in the area.

 

On
Sunday morning, 26 August 2012, Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, established
a park in Zaher al-‘Ein Masour area near “Daniel” settlement, which stands on
the lands of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.  The settlers surrounded a 500-square-meter
area of land with barbwire and planted trees. 
This park is the third of its kind established by Israeli settlers on
the lands of al-Khader village. 

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Monday, 27 August 2012, IOF delivered a notice to
Palestinian civilians in al-Tabban village, south of Hebron, ordering removal
of solar cells that provide the village of electric power. These cells were
established by international organizations to support Palestinian civilians in
the village who are threatened by transferred by IOF. 

 

At
approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 28 August 2012, at least 30 Israeli settlers,
escorted by IOF, stormed Shu’ab Abu Tabeekh area in the east of Sa’ir village,
north of Hebron.  They attacked
Palestinian houses, broke windows and burnt 3 cars belonging to Zain al-Din
Mohammed al-Froukh and Hamad ‘Ayash al-Froukh.

 

At
approximately 10:00 on the same day, Israeli settlers from “Mitzbi Ya’ir”
settlement in Hebron attacked Ibrahim Mohammed al-‘Odara, 65, when he was in
Beer al-‘Ad area in Khirbat Sousia village, south of Hebron.  He was injured in the head and the shoulder.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF delivered 27 notices to Palestinian
civilians in Khirbat Zanouta area in the west of al-Zahiriya village, south of
Hebron, ordering the demolition of their houses, tents and wells, claiming that
they were established without licenses. 

 

At
approximately 02:30 on Wednesday, 29 August 2012, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of Ramallah, burnt a car and wrote anti-Arab
slogans on two cars and a house in Dura al-Qare’ village.  The burnt car (Hyundai I-30, 2008) belongs to
Nour al-Din ‘Abdul Latif Subeh. 

 

 

 

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).