Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

(01 – 07 October 2015)

 

• 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed in the West Bank
• Two of them were killed in occupied East Jerusalem.

 

• 144 Palestinian civilians, including 55 children, 2 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded in different shooting incidents.

 

• Israeli forces escalated the use of excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
• 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a photojournalist, were wounded in Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya.

 

• Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the Gaza Strip.
• An Israeli undercover unit raided the Arab Specialist Hospital in Nablus and arrested a Palestinian patient
• Israeli forces arrested 78 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children.
• 24 of them, including 5 children, were arrested in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinian civilians attempted to cross the Gaza Strip’s border into Israel.

 

• Israel continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
• Many checkpoints were established in the West Bank.
• 10 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested at checkpoints.
• 3 traders, who are brothers, were arrested at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing while heading from the Gaza Strip to Israel.

 

• Israeli navy forces continued to open fire at Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea.
• Two Palestinian fishermen were arrested, west of Gaza seaport.

 

• Israeli forces continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Two houses were destroyed in al-Mukaber Mountain area and a room was closed with concrete in al-Thawri neighbourhood on the ground of collective punishment.
• 13 neighbouring houses and minarets sustained damage.
• Israeli forces and settlers continued to raid al-Aqsa Mosque and impose restrictions on the Palestinians’ access to the mosque.
• Over 240 Palestinian civilians sustained various wounds in Jerusalem and its villages in different shooting incidents.
• A girl sustained serious wounds after a settler opened fire at her.

 

• Israeli settlers escalated their attacks against Palestinian civilians and property and settlement activities continued.
• The settlers roistered in the West Bank and carried out 36 attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property.

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (01 – 17 October 2015).

 

Shooting:

 

Israeli forces remarkably escalated the use of force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank, especially in occupied East Jerusalem. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including a 14-year-old child; 2 of whom were killed in Jerusalem. Moreover, 148 Palestinian civilians, including 55 children, 3 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded throughout the West Bank. In addition, over 240 civilians were wounded in Jerusalem and its villages, and a girl was fired at by a settler. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces also continued to chase Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

 

In the West Bank, on 03 October 2015, Israeli infantry opened fire at a Palestinian young man from the Bireh, who stabbed 2 Israeli settlers near the Hospice Hotel in al-Wad Street, in the Old City in East Jerusalem. As a result, he was killed by several bullets to the neck and head.

 

On 04 October 2015, Israeli forces wilfully killed a 19-year-old Palestinian civilian from al-Eisawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, after he was chased and beaten by settlers. Israeli forces claimed that the victim attempted to stab a 15-year-old settler, due to which that settler sustained moderate wounds, and then he escaped to Street no. 1 before the Israeli police arrived and shot him dead. Even if the Israeli claim was true, Israeli forces could have used less force or arrested the Palestinian, especially as he walked enough distance before he was killed without posing any threat to the Israeli officers or settlers.

 

In another crime of the use of excessive force, on 04 October 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others. Israeli forces opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians protesting around “Gishori” factories, west of Tulkarm, against the settlers’ raids on al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

In another crime of the use of excessive force, Israeli forces stationed at the security gate at the annexation wall, east of Ayda refugee camp, shot dead a 14-year-old child and wounded another one when Israeli soldiers opened fire at a group of children near the UNRWA centre at the entrance of the above-mentioned refugee camp, as clashes erupted there between Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians.

 

During the reporting period, 148 Palestinian civilians, including 55 children, 2 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded in the West Bank. Moreover, 240 Palestinian civilians, including a photojournalist, were wounded in East Jerusalem and a girl sustained a serious wound when a settler opened fire at her.

 

On Wednesday, 07 October 2015, an Israeli settler opened fire at a Palestinian girl from Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem, while she walking in al-Wad Street in the Old City. As a result, she sustained 4 bullet wounds, due to which she was taken to Hadasa – Ein Karem Hospital in West Jerusalem. Israeli forces claimed the girl had stabbed a 35-year-old settler; therefore, the settler opened fire at her.

 

Moreover, during the reporting period, Israeli forces deliberately targeted Palestinian ambulances and their crews while on duty.

 

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen, on 05 October 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off Gaza City shore arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen, who were on board a fishing boat 6 nautical miles off the seaport, west of Gaza City.

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 78 Palestinians, including 13 children. Twenty-four of these civilians, including 5 children, were arrested in East Jerusalem.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 2 October 2015, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands and withdrew later.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

 

As part of the collective punishment policy carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, since Thursday, 01 October 2015, Nablus has been cordoned in a way similar to the cordon imposed on the same city in the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada. PCHR’s fieldworker in the city said that “Yetshar” bypass road, south of Nablus, and Beit Foreik checkpoint, east of the city, were completely closed. Moreover, they redeployed at the checkpoints of Howara, Jeet, al-Naqoura village, and Deir Sharaf valley around the city. Israeli forces stationed at those checkpoints humiliate Palestinian civilians passing through the checkpoints.

 

Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem

 

As part of the collective punishment policy practiced by Israeli forces against families of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and/or settlers, on Tuesday morning, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces destroyed two houses in Jabal al-Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and rendered their inhabitants homeless. They also closed a room in a house belonging to a third family in al-Thawri neighborhood in Silwan village, south of the Old City.

 

Settlement Activities

 

Following the killing of a settler and his wife southeast of Nablus, Israeli forces cordoned Nablus. Moreover, the settlers carried out a series of attacks on the Palestinian civilians and their property. PCHR could document 33 attacks by settlers in addition to 2 attacks before the killing of the 2 settlers.

 

Details

 

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

 

Thursday, 01 October 2015

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in the centre of the village, and raided and searched two houses. They arrested Mohammed Mehyar Es’ayed ‘Awad (18) and Arwad Mohammed Badran (18).

 

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They stationed at the northern entrance of the town and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fathi Mohammed Mer’eb, who lives in the USA as his house is in the vicinity of “Kermi Tsour” settlement, north of the city. The Israeli soldiers handed his nephew, Nedal Samih Karjah, a military order seizing the house for military purposes.

 Note:

During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions in the following areas, but no arrested were reported: the villages of Beit Kahel, al-Samou’a, Beit Ummar and Beit al-Rosh in Hebron.

 

Friday, 02 October 2015

 

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip arrested seven civilians after attempting to cross the border fence, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammed Fayez Mustafa Abu Taha (19); Mohammed Tayseer ‘Abdullah Gom”aah (22); ‘Orabi Mohammed Subhi Abu al-So’oud (20); ‘Ali Lutfi ‘Aref al-Sayed (26); ‘Abdel Fattah Fo’aad Mohammed Abu al-So’oud (20); Mo’men Fathi Ahmed Abu al-So’oud (23); and Eyad Ibrahim Hussein Zanoun (20). All of them are from Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip.

 

• At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved from “Kissufim” military site established on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village to the west of the border fence. They leveled the lands in the area for hours and then redeployed along the border fence.

 

• At approximately 16:00, a number of Israeli soldiers coming from al-Shuadaa’ Street via Checkpoint 65 moved into Bab al-Zawiyah area in the centre of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed in the vicinity of shops, and a number of youngsters set fire to rubber tires and threw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets indiscriminately. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation and then transferred to Hebron Hospital to receive medical treatment.

 

• At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles moved into Mothalath Khursa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed on the security road between “Adoraym” to the east and “Nigohot” to the west. The Israeli soldiers deployed in the area when a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at them. The Israeli soldiers in repose fired randomly sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of them suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.

 

Saturday, 03 October 2015

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They stationed in the eastern side of the city and then patrolled to al-Dahiyah neighbourhood and Jerusalem Street. They then raided and searched a number of houses and arrested seven civilian from al-Dahiyah neighbourhood: ‘Abdel Karim Anwar Fathi Mena (28); Ragheb Ahmed Mohammed ‘Eleiwi (34); Rasem Khattab Mustafa (36); Murad Jom’ah al-Qaddoumi (25); and Samir (33), Zahi (31); and ‘Abdullha Zuhair Kousa (21).

 

At approximately 05:0, Palestinian youngsters and children gathered to throw stones at the Israeli vehicles that moved into the city. The Israeli forces immediately fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators to disperse them. As a result, eleven civilians, including 3 children, were wounded, and the injury of one of them was serious. 15-year-old child from Balatah refugee camp was hit with a bullet to the right leg; a 17-year-old child was superficially hit with a bullet to the head; 16-year-old child was hit with a bullet to the right shoulder; a 22-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the left foot; a 25-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the right leg; a 23-year-old civilian was hit with two bullets to the feet; a 20-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the right leg (all of them are from Nablus; a 18-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the left leg; a 20-year-old was hit with a bullet to the abdomen ( the three of them are from al-Dahiyah neighbourhood); and a 24-year-old civilian from ‘Askar refugee camp was hit with a metal bullet to the right foot.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Rojeeb housing neighbourhood, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses in the neighbourhood and arrested 3 civilians, including 2 brothers. One of them was later released. Before arresting both brothers, the Israeli soldiers released their tracker dogs to attack the brothers and snap their bodies as their clothes were off. The Israeli soldiers also beat them up and stole 11,500 NIS from their house in addition to confiscating a cell phone and a computer memory card. They were then arrested and taken to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as Bassam Abu Ghazalah (30) and Yehia (28 and ‘Abdel Rahman Mohammed Nayef al-Haj Hamad (24). At approximately 08:00, the Israeli soldiers released ‘Abdel Rahman, but kept Yehia under arrest.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into New ‘Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Anwar al-Deen Abu Hashiyah, who has been detained by Israeli forces due to stabbing a settler in Tel Aviv on 10 November 2014. They handed the family a notice to destroy the house on Tuesday, 06 October 2015.

 

• At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel arrested two civilians while trying to sneak into the border fence to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The detainees were identified as Mohammed Jalal ‘Abdel Hadi al-S’eidi (23) and Wissam ‘Adnan ‘Abdel Rahman Is’eifan (25) from Rafah.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 5 incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Halhoul; al-‘Aroub refugee camp; Bani Na’im and the villages of al-Sorah and Kharsa in Hebron.

 

Sunday, 04 October 2015

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Zaid Ghassan Ziad Jamil ‘Amer (25) from his apartment in ‘Amer Building in ‘Iraq al-Tayeh Street, east of the city, after searching the shops near the building. They broke a lot of toys. They arrested Osayd Fathi Sadeq (20) as well from his house in al-Sekah Street, west of the city.

 

• At approximately 04:00, Israeli undercover units wearing plain clothes. They used two civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates. The two cars stopped in front of the Arab Specialist Hospital in Rafidia neighbourhood in the west of the city, and 5 persons dressed in plain clothes stepped out of them. One of those persons pretended to be wounded and headed to the main entrance of the hospital, which was closed. Members of the special units asked from the hospital staff to open it, but they refused telling them to head to the ER department in the western side of the hospital. After arguing, they took their guns out and pointed them at the hospital staff forcing them to open the door. They went up on the hospital stairs to the third floor and knocked on the main door of the floor, where a nurse identified as Mohammed ‘Amriyah was on duty. He opened the door for them, but the undercover members did not wait for him to complete his talk and pushed him strongly with his face against the door. He then fell on the ground, and they entered the room next to the door, where Karam Lutfi Rezeq al-Masri (23) who is an engineer from Nablus, was. Karam entered the hospital at approximately 23:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, as a solid body fell on his left palm. The undercover members immediately asked him about his name as there was another person in the room. Two of them carried him and went to the first floor via the hospital stairs. They threw him there and then pulled him from his shoulder and hands taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 04:30, a group of Israeli undercover units dressed in plain clothes sneaked into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin and stationed in the vicinity of the camp services office. Israeli forces then moved into the camp from three directions: al-Jaberiat, south of the camp; al-Zahraa’ neighbourhood to the north and al-Hadaf area, west of the camp. Dozens of them deployed in the alleys of the camp, and a number of them topped the high buildings roofs while their vehicles imposed a cordon around the house belonging Qays Mazen ‘Abdel Latif al-Sa’di (24). They called the aforementioned civilian via the loudspeakers to surrender. His wife and children as well as his father and brother went out of the house and told the Israeli soldiers that the aforementioned was not at home. However, the Israeli soldiers continued to cordon the house and fired a number of shells at it. As a result, fire broke out on the third floor, which was completely burnt, and the second floor was partially destroyed. Meanwhile, clashes broke out between the soldiers and a number of armed Palestinians, who opened fire at them to end the cordon imposed on the house. Local sources said to a PCHR fieldworker that al-Sa’di survived the assassination or arrest attempt. However, the Israeli forces arrested his brother, Mohammed (23), and took him to an unknown destination. When Israeli forces were on their way out of the camp, a number of Palestinian youngsters followed them to throw stones. The soldiers in the military vehicles opened fire at the stone-throwers. As a result, 25 civilians, including 10 children, were wounded, and two of the wounded persons were transferred to Nablus Hospitals due to their serious conditions.

 

• At approximately 11:30, after settlers from “Yitsahar” settlement set fire in Salman al-Farisi Mountain planted with olive trees below the aforementioned settlement from the southern side, a number of civilians from ‘Orif village, south of Nablus, rushed to put out the fire in their lands and repel settlers from the outskirts of the village to prevent them from reaching ‘Orif high school near the place. The civilians confronted the settlers and Israeli forces and threw stones at them. The Israeli forces immediately moved into the area and opened fire at the civilians. As a result, seven civilians were wounded, including 3 children. Their injuries ranged between serious and moderate. A 16-year-old child was wounded with a bullet to the left leg; a 16-year-old child was wounded with a bullet to the buttocks; a 17-year-old child was hit with a bullet to under the back; a 19-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the right thigh; a 26-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet under the back; a 23-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the right leg; and 34-year-old civilian was hit with a bullet to the left hand.

 

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces closed the entrance to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, with a number of military vehicles after suspecting a white Volks Wagen bus broken near the watchtower established at the village entrance. The Israeli soldiers prevented civilians and vehicles from entering or leaving the village. A military vehicle arrived at the place, and the soldiers sent their robot to check if there were any explosives. The robot fired a number of bullets at the bus, and it was later found that there were no explosives. Civilians were not allowed to move until at approximately 16:00.

 

• At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces backed by 4 military vehicles moved into Mothalath Kahrsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed on the security street between “Adoraim” settlement in the east and “Nigohot” settlement in the west. A number of Palestinian youngsters threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who chased them and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 30-year-old civilian sustained burns to the face after being hit with a sound bomb and was taken by a PRCS ambulance to Hebron Hospital, where he received medical treatment.

 

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Qofein village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Salah Hamzah Ahmed Harshah (27) after escalating topping the house roof and turned it to a military point. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 23:35, Israeli forces stationed at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya fired rubber-coated metal bullets at the civilians under the pretext of throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces arrested Manssour Ahmed Mohammed Khatib (21) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: the villages of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron; Dura, southwest of Hebron; Raboud village, south of Dura and Yata, south of the city.

 

Monday, 05 October 2015

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Yatma village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Badi’a Shafiq Nassar Snobar (47) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Basattin neighbourhood, northwest of Sarda village, north of Ramallah. They stationed in front of the house of Muhanad Shafiq Halabi, who stabbed the settlers in the Old City in Occupied Jerusalem on Saturday, 03 October 2015. They deployed in the agricultural lands and in the vicinity of the houses and then raided and searched the family house. They forced its residents and brothers who were in the house in solidarity of the family to prevent the demolition to evacuate the house after beaten them with the hands and riffles’ butts. As a result, Ramadan Mohammed Shafiq Halabi (47) sustained deep injuries in the right side and forehead wounding ‘Issam Mohammed Halabi (50) sustained wounds in the mouth and bruises throughout the body. The Israeli soldiers detained 18 family members, including children, in a 9-square-meter room and closed its window causing fear among children and women. Israeli engineering teams specialised in explosives inspected and measured the area of the house with laser from the outside. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the house.

 

• At approximately 05:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off Gaza shore arrested two Palestinian fishermen sailing within 6 nautical miles off the fishermen seaport, west of the city. They surrounded the boat and forced the fishermen to take off their clothes and jump into the water towards one of the Israeli gunboats. Israeli forces then took the aforementioned fishermen identified as Mohammed Kamal Hasan al-No’aman (31) and Jihad Ahmed Kaskin (20) to an unknown destination.

 

• In excessive use of force, Israeli forces stationed at the security gate established at the annexation wall, east of ‘Aydah refugee camp shot dead a Palestinian child as an Israeli soldier fired 3 bullets at a group of youngsters who were near the UNRWA Distribution centre at the aforementioned camp entrance where clashes broke out between a group of Palestinian youngsters and Israeli soldiers.

 

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 12:00, clashes broke out between Palestinian youngsters and Israeli soldiers stationed at the security gate established at the annexation wall, east of ‘Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. The Israeli soldiers in response fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the youngsters who were throwing stones. Around half an hour later, a number of students from ‘Aydah Elementary School for boys gathered in front of the Refugee Cultural Centre and the UNRWA office to watch what was going on. Around 200 meters away from the Israeli soldiers behind the security gate, 3 bullets were fired from a window in the security gate wounding ‘Abdel Rahman ‘Obeidallah (14) from the camp with a bullet that penetrated the upper left side of the chest and another bullet shrapnel wounded Othman Khaled ‘Abdullah Qaraqe’a in the right knee. The two children were taken by a Daewoo Matiz car to Beit Jala Hospital, where doctors declared the death of ‘Obeidallah due to the penetration of the bullet to the heart causing severe internal bleeding. Meanwhile, medical treatment was given to Qaraqe’a. Doctors said that ‘Obeidallah was killed after being hit with a brass-headed calibre which penetrated his body with an angle of 45 degrees and caused a hole in the main artery of the heart and another one in the lungs. According to the inspection of the scene, the shooting distance at the children was around 200 meters and their presence in the area did not pose any threat to the soldiers while clashes calmed down at that time.

 

• At approximately 18:30, Israeli forces in Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin. A number of Palestinian children and youngsters gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. The Israeli soldiers in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers to disperse them. As a result, civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. One of whom was identified as Muhanad Mohammed Ahmed Jaradat (15) who was taken to Khalil Suleiman Hospital to receive medical treatment.

 Note:

During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Romanah village, northwest of Jenin; Eastern Barta’ah village isolated from its surrounding due to the annexation wall, west of Jenin; Howarah village, south of Nablus; Safa village, west of Ramallah; Salfit; Marda village, north of the city; Hahoul, Beit Ummar and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron and ‘Anin village, northwest of Jenin.

 

 

Tuesday, 06 October 2015

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in ‘Asidah neighbourhood and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Muhanad Khaled Soliman al-‘Awawdi (24). They arrested him and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by a helicopter and a drone moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Eyad Wadi’a Tawfiq Abu Zuhrah (40), ‘Ammar Salim Break (30) and Ahmed Naji Jaber Hamadah (22) and at approximately 07:30 withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses. They arrested Adham Kheir Suleiman Barghuothi (26) and his brother Hamad (21) and Qasem Nedal Rayyan (19) and withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem. Theyr aided and searched a number of houses. They arrested ‘Ali Thiab Sabah (17); Merwan Fo’ad ‘Abed Khalil (18) and Saber Mohammed al-Budon (15) and later withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 6 houses and arrested 5 civilians and a child taking them to were the military vehicles were stationed. The arrested civilians were identified as Ziad Mohammed Baher (37); Basel Khaled AbuMariah (20); ‘Alaa’ ‘Issa Safi Sleibi (26); Mohammed Hammad Mohammed al-‘Alami (26); Yousif Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem (22) and ‘Oday Fakheri Mohammed (16). The Israeli soldiers then distributed a military leaflet ordering the residents according to their claims to hand the stone-throwers on Bypass Road (60) threatening the village residents of more arrests.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Nuba village, west of Hebron.

 

Wednesday, 07 October 2015

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed in the eastern area of the city and then raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’tasem Salim al-Sharawnah (18). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into a number of neighbourhoods in Hebron. In the eastern area, they raided and searched 5 houses, from which they arrested 5 residents. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammed Anwar al-Atrash (21); ‘Oday fo’aad al-Qawasmah (20); Naserallah Taleb Abu Sneinah (18) and his brother Yaser (21); and Amir Majed abu Romouz (12). The Israeli forces also arrested ‘Oday Sharif al-‘Ajlouni after searching his family house in the Old City.
• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of house from which they arrested Ibrahjim Soliman al-Shonar (53) and Wajih Mohammed ‘Ali ‘Afounah (26). Israeli forces withdrew later taking the arrested persons to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron. The raided and searched four houses. They arrested four civilians and withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammed Yehia al-Barbarawi (23); Samer Jamal al-Zama’arah (23); Mohammed Helmi ‘Aqel (22) and Samer Jamal Madyah (22).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They stationed in the eastern neighbourhoods of the camp and the Yard of the UNRWA Distribution Centre. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested two civilians and a child. Israeli forces withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as Yousif Taysir al-Teiti (19); and his brother Nasim (13) and ‘Adnan Syhail Kawamlah (19).

 

• At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron and Nuba village, west of the city. They stationed in the vicinity of an uninhabited house belonging to the family of ‘Abdel Qader Hasan al-Sa’dah and topped its roof. They raided the Israeli flags and established a military checkpoint on the road in front of it. The checkpoint was removed an hour later, but the soldiers stayed in the house.

 

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces coming from the watchtower established at the entrance of Beit Ummar village connected with Bypass Road (60). The Israeli soldiers deployed between the shops, and number of young men gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The Israeli soldiers then chased the stone throwers and fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. The Israeli soldiers arrested one of them and took him to the watch tower. The arrested person was identified as Mahmoud Hasan Hussein Sleibi (17).

 

• At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They stationed in al-Shorfah, east of the city and then raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Samir Hasaniyah. They arrested the aforementioned civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

 

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli policies in the Palestinian territory. During the demonstrations which were organized in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities led 4 civilians were wounded, including 2 children and a photojournalist, in a Kafor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, 93) Palestinian civilians, including (32) children, (2) girls and (2) journalists, were wounded the demonstrations which were organized in protest at the Israeli occupation policy and the settlers’ attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity

 

• Following the Friday prayer on 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protestors tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased them into the olive fields and into residential houses in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind the Annexation Wall, so they threw stones at them. Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement Activity. The demonstrators headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent them from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and were chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• At approximately 13:30 on Friday, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of Kafor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs. As a result, 4 civilians, including 2 children and a photojournalist were wounded. The injured persons were identified as :

1. A 23-year-old photojournalist, Ahmed Tal’at Hassan, from Qasra village, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg.
2. A 17-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the right leg.
3. A16-year-old child was wounded by a gas canister to the right arm; and
4. A 41-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.

 

• Following the Friday prayer on 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of the annexation wall, which was established over the Badres village lands, west of Ramallah and al-Beira, in protest at the settlers and Israeli forces’ attacks and against al-Aqsa Mosque. The protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, sound bombs against them in response and also chased the protesters inside the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. In addition, the injured persons were treated on the spot.

 

Other Demonstrations

 

• On Friday afternoon, 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian youths and youngsters gathered at al-Taweel mountain, adjacent of “Bes’out” settlement in al-Bireh city, to organize demonstration in protest at Israeli occupation’s policy and settlers’ attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque. The protesters threw stones at the settlement’s fence and set fire at car tiers. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protests in response, and chased them into the village. As a result, two children sustained wounds and were taken to the Palestine Medical Complex Hospital in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. The abovementioned wounded persons were identified as: Mahmoud Basaam Abu Musalam, 14, who was wounded by a bullet to the right leg; and Mohammed Iyad Arafat Mohammed al-Shaf’y, 16, who was wounded by a bullet to the right knee. According to an ambulance’s driver, Raied Fathi Hotari, 34, Israeli soldiers directly attacked an ambulance after putting the injured person, al-Shaf’y, by Palestinian youngsters into the ambulance. In addition, one of the Israeli soldiers fired 6 live bullets near the ambulance and 4 others in front of it. While the ambulance’s driver turned back and under weapon threat, Israeli forces prevented him from leaving or transporting the wounded person and they forced him to turn off the ambulance and took the ambulance’s key. Furthermore, 20 Israeli soldiers gathered around the ambulance and opened the rear door in which a jangle happened between the soldiers and his 2 solidarity friends, Nemer Malesa, 21, and Mohammed Faqeh, 33, who at first attempted to prevent arresting the wounded child. One of soldiers kicked Nemer on his right knee and violently pulled the aforementioned child from his legs and threw him onto ground then beaten and kicked him by their legs in spite of his wound. When the ambulance’s driver stepped out from the ambulance and headed to the back, one of the soldiers prevented and pushed him then shouted at him in Hebrew, while another soldier pointed his gun at his face and pushed him again into the ambulance. The soldier violently kicked the driver’s door on the driver’s foot. As a result, he sustained wounds and bruises to the foot.

 

According to al-Shafi’i’s statement to (PKR),

 

“They forced me by beating and kicking to stand and walk by my leg in spite of the wound and bleeding in my right knee. After 20 meters I could not walk due to the soreness, so one of the soldiers carried me on his back then took me at “Besigout” settlement. There, they put me behind the cement cubes and beat me again by slapping at my face, also they handcuffed me by a plastic ligament and blindfolded me while lying on my back. An hour and a half later, they handed me over to a Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance, which transported me to the Palestinian Medical Complex. After conducting medical examinations and x-ray, it was found that the bullet settled in the knee. The doctors directly transported me to the operation’s room where they conducted a surgical operation to me which continued for 2 hours and I still receive treatment in the orthopedic department.”

 

• On Friday afternoon, 02 October 2015, dozens of youngsters gathered in the southern entrance of Salwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Selwad and Yabroud, near Street (60) to organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. The injured persons were treated on the spot.

 

• On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered at the southern entrance of Jalzoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, near the UNRWA boys school, which is about 300 meters away from “Beit Eill” settlement fence, to organize a protest against Israeli policies against al-Aqsa Mosque . The protestors threw stones at the “Beit Eill” settlement fence near the camp. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, sewage water and tear gas canisters in response and chased them inside the refugee. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• Following Friday prayer, dozens of civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in front of Wasaya al-Rasoul Mosque in the south of Hebron. The participants Raised the Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans for supporting al-Aqsa Mosque towards the Israeli attacks against the sanctities in the Occupied Jerusalem. The demonstration headed to Tareq Ben Ziyad street area where Israeli soldiers were deployed. When the participants arrived at the area, Israeli forces fired sounds bomb and tear gas canisters at them. A number of youngsters stationed in the vicinity of houses and shops, threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. In the meantime, many military vehicles and a wastewater pumping vehicle, raided the area, ordered the demonstrators to leave and flooded the residential houses by wastewater. In the meantime, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation while Israeli forces maintained their presence in the area until 18:00, during which time the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters in Kayta’oun and Tal’a Abu Hadeed neighborhoods towards civilians’ houses. As a result, fire caught on an uninhabited apartment and a part of it was burnt as a tear gas canister penetrated the window which overlooking to the street. The fire was put out by a fire engine belonging to Hebron Municipality. After that, it was found that all the house’s furniture was burnt, including blankets and wooden cabinets. The aforementioned apartment belongs to Amjad Abed al-Raheem Abed al-Hameed Abu Hadeed, 43.
• At approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 04 October 2015, a number of angry youngsters threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli stationed at the western entrance of al-Shohada Street and military checkpoint (56) in Hebron. They also set fire to rubber tires. Israeli soldiers chased the youngsters between shops and fired live ammunitions, rubber-coated metal bullets, and sound bombs indiscriminately. As a result, a 16-year-old child sustained bruises to the right arm and the left leg when he fell from a high place due to suffering gas inhalation and unconsciousness. He was taken by an ambulance belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society to the Hebron Hospital to receive medical treatment.

 

• On Sunday, 04 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda petrol station in al-Balou’ neighborhood at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed to (DCO) military checkpoint and “Biet Eill” settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 7 civilians, including 2 children were wounded, and were transported to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. The wounded persons were identified as:

1. A 15-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the left leg.
2. A 17-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the left elbow which led to the laceration of tendons and blood vessels.
3. An 18-year-old youngster was wounded by a bullet to the upper thigh.
4. A 26-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the chest which led to inuring the right lung.
5. A 28-year-old civilian was wounded by a sound bomb to the chest.

 

• From the morning until the evening on Monday, 05 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood, at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed at (DCO) military checkpoint and “Beit Eill” settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (20) civilians, including (8) children were wounded; (11) of them were wounded by live ammunition while the other (9 were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bomb. The wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment.

 

(Note: PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons).

 

• On afternoon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered near ‘Atara checkpoint, north of Ber Zeit, north of Ramallah. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (3) civilians, including (2) children were wounded and were taken to the Palestinian Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. A 16-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the chest; a 16-year-old child was wounded by bullet’s shrapnel to the right thigh; and a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back.

 

• At approximately 14:30 on Monday, a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces stationed at the western entrance of al-Shohada Street and (56) military checkpoint. Moreover, set fire on the rubber tires. In response, Israeli soldiers chased the youngsters between shops and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters against youngsters and shops indiscriminately. As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the head then he was taken by an ambulance belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society to the al-Ahli Hospital. Furthermore, a reporter of Raya FM radio, Taha Dawood Abu Hussain, 28, was wounded by a bullet to the right brow while he was present on Abu al-Humos road adjacent to the area of clashes to cover the incidents. He was then taken by an ambulance to Hebron Hospital.

 

• At approximately 18:30 on Monday, a demonstration was organized in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The demonstrators headed to Hawara checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. The protesters were surprised from the Israeli forces’ presence in the al-Quds Street. When the protesters approached the checkpoint, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and live ammunitions at them. As a result, a 17- a year-old child from the camp was wounded by a bullet to the leg.

 

• At approximately 20:00, a number of youngsters gathered at the entrance of Beit ‘Ainoun village, east of Hebron, and threw stones and empty bottles at the military vehicles. Israeli soldiers steeped out from their vehicles and chased the youngsters between the houses and fired rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the youngsters. Israeli soldiers arrested Waseem Isma’eel Jawabra, 28, from al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and took him to unknown destination.

 

• On Tuesday, 06 October 2015, a number of children and youngsters gathered at the southern entrance of Jenin. The youngsters threw stones at the soldiers stationed at the entrance. Israeli soldiers fired flash bombs, sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets toward stones throwers. They also arrested (2) children, Tareq Sabri Qabha, 16, and Ja’far Yaser Qabha, 16, but released them after they had questioned them.

 

• From the afternoon until the evening on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood at the northern entrance of al-Beireh city. They headed to the (DCO) military checkpoint and “Beit Eill” settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (26) Palestinian civilians, including (13) children and girls, were wounded, (15) of them were wounded by live ammunitions, while (11) of them were wounded by metal bullets. The wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Moreover, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them . The injured persons were treated on the spot.

 

Note: (PCHR) keeps the names of the injured persons.

 

• On Tuesday, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered at the entrance of Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, to organize a demonstration on protest at the Israeli forces and settlers’ attacks against the al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli forces deployed a large number of heavily armed soldiers at the checkpoint. The protesters set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces. In response, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, (16) civilians, including (7) children and a journalist, were wounded, (9) of whom were wounded by live bullets, while (7) others were wounded by metal bullets.

 

Note: (PCHR) keeps the names of the injured persons.

 

• On Tuesday, 06 October 2015, clashes erupted with the Israeli forces in the vicinity of the annexation wall in Qanta village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the right side of the head which caused a fracture to his skull and hemorrhage in his brain. The aforementioned civilian was admitted into the intensive care unit in Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, and his condition was described as serious.

 

• At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday, a number of children and youngsters gathered at al-Jamla checkpoint between Jenin and Israel. The youngsters threw stones at the soldiers. In response, Israeli forces fire live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stones throwers. As a result, a 15-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the left leg. In addition, Israeli forces arrested a number of protesters who were identified as:

1. Raied Qasem Zaki Sha’ban, 34.
2. Amir Hassan Mahmoud Abu Zaho,24.
3. Omar Jamal Taher Kamail,18.
4. Laith Hussam Baker Abu Farha,10.

 

The Palestinian liaison can be able to secure the releasing of the last child.

 

• On Wednesday, 07 October 2015, hundreds of Bir Zeit University’s students and Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in Hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood, at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed to the (DCO) military checkpoint and “Beit Eill” settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (10) Palestinian civilians, including a girl were wounded, (8) of them were wounded by a live bullets, one of them was wounded by a shrapnel, and the last one was wounded by a sound bomb. All of the wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Moreover, members Israeli undercover units who were present in the demonstration among the protesters, arrested 3 of Bir Zeit University’s students after firing at them from a short distance and violently beating them with the support of the Israeli soldiers and border guards. After that, the students were taken to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as: Abdul Rahman Abu Dhab ,20; Ahmed Waleed Abullah Hamed, 21, who was wounded to the leg; and Mohammed Othman Husain, 19, who was wounded by a bullet to the head and his condition was described as a serious.

 

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza Strip

 

Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.

Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested. Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian trader from Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, after summoning him by Israeli intelligence service for an interview at Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah

 

Date	Imports
	Category	Amount
		Tons	Number	Liters
29 September	Various goods	4,655
	Humanitarian aid	19,604
	Cooking gas	268.930
	Benzene Benzene for UNRWA			227,998 34,994
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			621,987 107,000
	Industrial fuel			592,017
	Construction aggregates	12,120
	Cement	4,120
	Construction steel	810
30 September	Various goods	5,348
	Humanitarian aid	17,500
	Cooking gas	270.310
	Benzene			295,615
	Diesel			615,984
	Industrial fuel			689,989
	Construction aggregates	12,110
	Cement	4,200
	Construction steel	690
01 October	Various goods	5,025
	Humanitarian aid	20,968
	Cooking gas	263,220
	Benzene			219,007
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			551,027 108,008
	Industrial fuel			488,003
	Construction aggregates	14,210
	Cement	400
	Construction steel	150

 Exports: 

• On Tuesday, 29 September 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 147.8 tons of potatoes and 17.67 tons of eggplants.
• On Wednesday, 30 September 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 63.6 tons of sweet potatoes.
• On Thursday, 01 October 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of a ton of squash; 108.03 tons of sweet potatoes; 9.99 tons of eggplants and one ton of cucumbers.

 

BeitHanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

30 September- 06 October 2015

 

Category	30 September	01 October	02 October	03 October	04 October	05 October	06 October
Patients	81	40	4	–	62	–	85
Companions	75	39	6	–	63	–	78
Personal needs	98	23	32	–	38	–	130
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Arabs from Israel	7	10	26	–	4	–	32
Diplomats	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	32	31	13	–	12	–	20
Travelers abroad	9	23	–	–	–	–	–
Business people	287	115	3	–	19	–	430
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	2	1	–	–	–	–	5
VIPs	1	–	–	–	2	–	8
Ambulances to Israel	6	3	1	–	4	–	6
Patients’ Companions	6	3	1	–	4	–	6

Notes:

• On Friday, 02 October 2015, Israeli authorities allowed 167 civilians from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.

 

• On Thursday, 01 October 2015, and on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, Israeli authorities allowed a person working in international organizations or foreigners to renew their permits.

 

• On Tuesday, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing arrested three brother traders from al-Sabrah neighborhood, south of Gaza City when they were traveling through the aforementioned crossing. They were identified as Samir (51), Talal (49) and Hamadah (36) Subhi Shahin Qasas.

 

• On Monday, 05 October 2015, Israeli authorities completely closed thee crossing due to Jewish Holidays.

 

West Bank

 

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

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces established 13 checkpoints all over the city

 

On Thursday, 01 October 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints all over the city. The first checkpoint was established at the entrance of al-Moureq village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron, the second checkpoint was established at the entrance of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, the third checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Hebron, and the forth checkpoint was established at the Beit ‘Ainoun village, east of the city.

 

On Friday, 02 October 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Athana village, west of Hebron; at the entrance of Beit ‘Awaa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron; and at the entrance of Sa’ier village, east of the city.

 

On Saturday, 03 October 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Sa’ier village, east of Hebron and at the southern entrance of Halhoul village, north of Hebron.

 

On Sunday, 04 October 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrance of Beit ‘Ainoun village , east of Hebron; at the entrance of al-Fawaar Refugee Camp, south of the city; at the southern entrance of Hebron; and at the entrance of al-‘Aroub Refugee Camp, north of the city.

 

At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 04 October 2015, Israeli forces closed the entrance of of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron by several military vehicles after the Israeli forces’ suspicion of a broke car near the military watchtower established at the entrance of the village. Moreover, Israeli soldiers prevented the civilians and their vehicles from entering and exciting to and from the village. A military vehicle arrived at the place then the Israeli soldiers brought an explosive roport which fired several live bullets towards the car. After that, it turned that the car did not contain explosives. The Palestinian civilians were prevented from crossing until 16:00.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces closed by a military bulldozer the entrance of Bani Na’eem road, east of Hebron, after putting piles of stones and sand which forced the residents to head at bumpy roads to arrive at their works. On the aforementioned day, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Sa’ier village, east of Hebron; at the northern entrance of Hebron; and at the north entrance of Tatta village, south of the city.

 

Ramallah and al-Bireh:

 

Israeli forces established  4 checkpoints all over the city.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 02 October 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh and Dier Abu Mesh’al villages, northwest of Ramallah, and on ‘Atara bridge at the northern entrance of Berziet, north of the city.

 

Approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 04 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed again at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ber Zeit village, north of Ramallah.

 

Jericho: 

 

Israeli forces established  13 checkpoints all over the city.

At approximately 18:30 on Monday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.

 

Qalqilya:

 

On Thursday, 01October 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya, at the entrance of Jeit village, northeat of the city, and between al-Fundoq and Jensafout villages, east of the city.

On Friday, 02 October 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the intersection of Jeit village, northeast of Qalqilya, at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya, on the road between ‘Azoun and Kafor Tult villages, east of the city, and on the road between al-Fundoq and Amatein villages, northeast of the city.

 

On Sunday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of al-Nabi Iyaas village, east of Qalqilya, and at the intersection of Jeit village north east of the city.

At approximately 12:15 on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Amateim village, northeast of Qalqilya.

 

On Monday morning and evening, 14 October 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Haja village, east of Qalqilya; at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya; and at the eastern entrance of the city. Israeli soldiers searched the Palestinian civilians’ IDs and their vehicles. The aforementioned checkpoints were later removed, but no detention operations against civilians were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 15 October 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Jayous and Kafor Jamal villages, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, Israeli forces searched the Palestinian civilians’ IDs and their vehicles, and , but no detention operations against civilians were reported.

 

Tulkarm:

At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed at ‘nab military checkpoint on the main road between Tulkram and Nablus, stressed their arbitrary measures against Palestinian civilians and restricted their movement.

 

Salfit: Israeli forces established  9 checkpoints all over the city.

 

On Friday, 02 October 2015, Israeli forces established 6 checkpoints at the entrance of Dier al-Balout village, west of Salfit; at the entrance of Dierrseita village, northwest of the city, under the bridge of al-Zawiya village; at the intersection of Dier Balout village, west of the city, at the entrance of Dierasita village again, and between Kafor al-Diek villages, west of Salfit and and Dier ‘Asana villages, in Ramallah.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 03 October 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zawya village, west of Salfit.

 

At approximately 20:05 on Sunday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yasouf village, east of Salfit.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

• At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of al-Shohaha Street, (56) military checkpoint, arrested Mohannad Hamdan Salhab, 17, and took him to unknown destination. In addition Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Qilaret checkpoint established at the entrance of the street leading to Tal al-Ramida neighborhood in the city, detained Mohammed Imad Abu Shamsa, 14, for several hours before releasing him and handing him over to the Palestinian liaison.
• At approximately 01:45 on Monday, 05 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Jeit village, northeast of Qalqilya, arrested Qusai Zaher Bar’outh, 28, from Baket al-Hatab village, and took him to unknown destination.
• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, arrested Ahmed Abdul Aziz Jawabra, 21, from the camp, after stopping him and checking his ID card, and took him to unknown destination.
• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed at the Old City in the center of Hebron, arrested Hasan Dawood al-Ruji, 14, who is disabled, from the center of al-Shalalah Street, and took him to the investigation’ center in “Kiryat arba’ ” settlement , east of the city.
• At approximately 15:00 on Monday, Israeli forces closed the main entrance of the Palestine Technical College and al-‘Aroub Agricultural School in the western side of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Moreover, Israeli forces restricted the movement of students from, stopped some of them and searched their IDs. In addition, they arrested a student in the college, Omar Jameel Ahmed al-‘Alami, 20, and Mohammed ‘Ayaad ‘Awad, a volunteer in B’Tselem, both of them are from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, and took them by a military vehicle to ” Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. Later, Mohammed Awad was released while al-‘Alami is still under arrest.
• At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces accompanied by a military vehicle moved into Khursa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed on the security road between “Edwareem” camp in the east and “Nigohot” settlement in the west. A number of youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles towards the soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers chased then between houses. Moreover, Israeli soldiers prevented the civilians’ vehicles from movement. They attacked and arrested 3 brothers from Dier Samet village, southwest of Dura, while they were traveling back home. The arrested persons were identified as: Qusai, 26; Oda, 28; and Abdullah Ibrahim Masalama,22.
• At approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the gate of the annexation wall, near Qafeen village, north of Tulkram, arrested Nadeem Jaber Amaar, 23, and took him to unknown destination.

 

5. Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem

 

Shooting incidents

 

• On Friday afternoon, 02 October 2015, Israeli forces targeted Rani Na’im al-Tamimi (8) with a sound bomb. As a result, his hands and face sustained shrapnel wounds. Around the same time, entrances of al-Eisawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, were completely closed for over 3 hours. Al-Tamimi’s mother said to a PCHR fieldworker:

 “We were on our way to the house in al-Eisawiya village, at approximately 21:00 on Friday, 02 October 2015, when we were surprised that the entrances were closed. We kept waiting at the main entrance in our car, during which Rani tried to go to his father, who was standing around. Once he opened the car door, an Israeli soldier fired a sound bomb directly at him, but it landed near him. The bomb’s shrapnel scattered around, due to which he sustained various wounds. We took him immediately to al-Maqased Hospital for treatment. It was found that he sustained second-degree burns to the face, neck and shoulder.” 

• On Saturday afternoon, 03 October 2015, Israeli soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian young man in al-Bireh, as the aforementioned person stabbed 2 Israeli settlers in the Hospic Hotel area in al-Wad Street in the Old City of Jerusalem. As a result, he was immediately killed as he sustained several bullet wounds to the head and neck. According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 19:00 on the abovementioned day, Mohanned Shafiq Halabi (19) stabbed 2 settlers while walking in al-Wad street in the Old City in Jerusalem. During which, one of the settlers attempted to fire at Halabi, but the latter stripped of the settler’s gun and shot him. Soon after, Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene and shot Halabi dead. The Israeli police stated that a Palestinian had attacked 2 settlers with a knife and after he stripped off the gun of one of them, he opened fire at a group of settlers. As a result, 2 male settlers and a female settler sustained serious wounds while a child sustained minor wounds because he fell on the ground. Two of the settlers were later pronounced dead n (one of whom is a Rabbi and the other one is a soldier).

 

• On Sunday dawn, 04 October 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian from al-Eisawiya village in occupied East Jerusalem. According to PCHR’s investigations and statements of eyewitnesses, in the early morning, a group of settlers chased Fadi Samir Mostafa Aloon (19), from al-Eisawiya village, northeast of East Jerusalem, while he was walking in al-Mesrara area. They chased him after he tried to escape towards “Haim Barlev Street no. 1”. In the meantime, an Israeli police patrol arrived at the scene and surrounded him, and soon after, an Israeli officer shot Aloon dead from a close range with over 7 bullets. This attack occurred in presence of the settlers who incited the police to kill him. Videos reported by the Israeli media showed that a big group of settlers surrounded and beat Aloon while he was present in al-Mersrara area. They then chased him, so he was panicked. The Israeli police arrived to the place and shot him dead. Furthermore, the video displayed by the Israeli media showed the settlers beating and pulling him after he was shot, and then chanting slogans calling for revenge against the Arabs. Afterwards, Israeli forces kept the corpse and did not inform his family of any details about the place where it was kept or the time of delivering it.

 

Israeli forces claimed that the victim attempted to stab a 15-year-old settler, due to which that settler sustained moderate wounds, and then he escaped to Street no. 1 before the Israeli police arrived and shot him dead. An eyewitness, who is a taxi driver during night shifts, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Aloon was chased by settlers from al-Mesrara area to the place where he was killed, which is a distance of over 500 meters. Moreover, when the Israeli police vehicle arrived, an Israeli officer stepped out of it and opened fire at him directly. It should be noted that the settlers, who had gathered in the streets and roads of the Old City in Jerusalem, reached al-Mesrara neighborhood and al-Amoud Gate area on Saturday night, 03 October 2015, after Mohannad Shafiq Halabi (19), from al-Bireh town, stabbed and killed two Israeli settlers in al-Wad neighbourhood. Halabi was also killed by Israeli forces.

 

• On Sunday afternoon, 04 October 2015, a number of neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem witnessed clashes between Israeli forces and hundreds of Palestinian civilians, who went on protests against the killing of Fadi Aloon and Mohanned al-Halabi. The villages and neighbourhoods of Silwan, al-Eisawiya, al-Tour, al-Sowana, al-Jouz valley, Shu’fat, Beit Hanina, Abu Dees and al-Eizariya witnessed clashes, during which Israeli forces heavily used live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in the city, 171 Palestinian civilians were wounded by live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and bullet shrapnel. Dr. Ameen Abu Ghazala, Director of the Emergency Department at the PRCS Hospital said to a PCHR fieldworker that over 150 civilians sustained shrapnel wounds during clashes in Abu Dees and al-Eizariya villages, east of Jerusalem. He added that 5 civilians sustained live bullet wounds; 2 of whom are from al-Eisawiya village, northeast of Jerusalem, 2 others are from Shu’fat neighbourhood, north of the city, and the fifth one is from Silwan village, south of the city. Dr. Abu Ghazala explained that 12 civilians from Shu’fat neighbourhood and 4 civilians from al-Tour and al-Jouz Valley neighbourhoods sustained live bullet wounds. Moreover, 4 members from Seyam family living in al-Jouz Valley area suffered tear gas inhalation as a tear gas canister landed in their house. Three of whom were children between 2-5 years old.

 

In addition, doctors at Hadasa – Ein Karem Hospital removed the left eye of Mohammed Yusef Barqan (18) as he sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to his eye on the abovementioned day, Sunday. He was wounded during clashes in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of East Jerusalem, between Palestinian youngsters and Israeli soldiers. His father Yusef Barqan said that Mohammed underwent an operation on the abovementioned day. The operation started at approximately 21:00 and continued until 05:00, the following day, during which his left eye was removed and platinum was fixed into his face bones because of the fractures he had in the skull, nose, and upper jaw. Besides, doctors stitched the wounds in his face. He added that in spite of his son’s wound and critical health condition, Israeli forces kept his hands and legs cuffed and denied him any visits. He explained also that his son sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound in al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan. Although Mohammed was wounded, he was beaten by Israeli special officers while being arrested and detained in an ambulance the whole way to the hospital.

 

• On Sunday, 04 October 2015, Hana’ Mahameed, a reporter of al-Mayadeen Satellite Channel, from Um al-Fahem city, was directly hit by a sound bomb to the face while covering the incidents in al-Eisawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, following the killing of Fadi Aloon, from the same village. She was taken to a hospital in Jerusalem to receive medical treatment. After she was discharged from the hospital, Mahameed resumed her work and said a live broadcast: “I sustained burns to the left side of my face after Israeli forces fired a sound bomb directly at journalists who were present in the village.”

 

• On Monday, 05 October 2015, a number of East Jerusalem neighbourhoods namely: Shu’fat and its refugee camp, Beit Hanina, Ras al-Amoud, Silwan and Anata witnessed clashes between Israeli forces and hundreds of Palestinians outraged because Jerusalem was cordoned. In Shu’fat, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets at houses, tear gas canisters at the neighbourhood cemetery and moved into the neighbourhood, as it was scheduled that Aloon’s corpse be delivered on that day afternoon and buried in the neighbourhood cemetery, but Israeli forces cancelled it. Moreover, Israeli forces fired sound bombs and live ammunition at civilian cars heading to the house of condolences. Dozens of Palestinian youngsters threw stones at Israeli soldiers in response, but Israeli forces started firing live ammunition heavily. As a result, Nizar Atari (22) sustained several bullet wounds to the left side of the chest, due to which he underwent to a number of operations in al-Maqased hospital in Jerusalem. In addition, Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem, witnessed clashes between dozens of Palestinian youngsters, who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at “Beit Yonatan” settlement outpost, an Israeli forces that fired live ammunition in response.

 

Dr. Ameen Abu Ghazala, Director of the Emergency Department at the PRCS Hospital, said that 30 Palestinian civilians sustained live bullet wounds and were treated on the spot, but a civilian with a wound in the genitals was transported to the hospital. He added that 23 civilians were wounded in Shu’fat and Anata neighbourhoods, 3 of whom were transported to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Moreover, 12 Palestinian civilians were wounded during clashes erupted in Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood in Silwan village. Dr. Abu Ghazala stated that Israeli forces held a PRCS ambulance and its crew for about half an hour in Shu’fat neighbourhood. In addition, an Israeli soldier pointed his gun at the ambulance crew, confiscated its key and searched the ambulance.

 

Collective punishment against families of Palestinians carrying out attacks on Israeli forces and settlers:

 

• In the context of collective punishment conducted by Israeli forces against families of Palestinian civilians, who were accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and/or settlers, Israeli forces bombed on Tuesday morning, 06 October 2015, 2 houses in al-Mukaber Mountain village, southeast of East Jerusalem and rendered their occupants homeless. Moreover, they closed a room in a third house in al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of the old city in East Jerusalem.

According to investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately 00:30 on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces, including special units and intelligence officers, accompanied by explosive experts moved into Jabal al-Mukaber village, southeast of occupied Jerusalem, while a helicopter was hovering overhead. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Mohammed Ja’abis and Ghassan Abu Jamal. They obliged their occupants and over 23 neighboring families to leave their houses while firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters to frighten them and prevent them from approaching the area. Israeli forces then planted explosives inside the two houses and remotely blew them up. As a result, the two houses were completely destroyed while other houses sustained serious damage. It should be noted that the 110-square-meter house of Ghassan Abu Jamal used to shelter his wife, Nadia, and their 3 children, while the house of al-Ja’abees is located on the second floor in a 2-storey building.

In the same context, Israeli forces raided in the early morning a house belonging to Mo’taz Ibrahim Khalil Hejazi in al-Thawri neighborhood in the south of East Jerusalem. They surrounded the house, closed its windows with iron plates and then poured concrete in his room.

It should be noted that Mohammed Nayef Ja’abis (21), from Jabal al-Mukaber village, was killed on 04 August 2014, when Israeli forces fired over 21 bullets at him from a close range after the bulldozer he was driving hit a bus on Street no. 1 opposite to Shaikh Jarrah neighborhood. Ja’abis was in his work, yet Israeli forces claim that he carried out an attack against the bus. The former prisoner Mo’taz Ibrahim Khalil Hejazi (32) was killed on 30 October 2014, when Israeli special forces opened fire at him while being surrounded on the roof of his family’s house in al-Thawri neighborhood in Silwan village, under the pretext that he opened fire at Rabbi Yehuda Glick, west of Jerusalem. Moreover, Ghassan Mohammed Abu al-Jamal (32) was killed along with Odai Abed Abu al-Jamal after carrying out an attack on a synagogue in “Har Nov” area in Deir Yassin village in occupied Jerusalem. Israeli forces closed Odai’s house with concrete in July.

Moreover, 7 neighboring houses belonging to brothers, father and uncles of Abu Jamal sustained damage, in addition to 5 houses around the house of Ja’abees family.

 

Ongoing imposition of restrictions on access to al-Aqsa Mosque

 

• For the fourth consecutive week, Israeli forces have been imposing restrictions on Palestinians access to al-Aqsa Mosque. They also turned Jerusalem into military barracks, established checkpoints on the streets and denied whomever below 50 years old and from out of the Old City access to the city. Moreover, they imposed serious restrictions on al-Wad Street in which Mohanned Halabi stabbed the settlers and deployed in the streets.

 

On Saturday afternoon, 03 October 2015, Israeli forces raided al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem and dismissed all those who tried to stay to confront the settlers’ raids intended to be carried out on Sunday in commemoration of the Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin in the last days of their Sukkot holiday. An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces surprisingly raided al-Aqsa mosque and headed directly to al-Qibli Mosque. They raided the aforementioned mosque and took about 50 – 60 civilians defending al-Aqsa Mosque, but 11 young men refused to go out. The eyewitness added that they withdrew from the Qibli Mosque and gave the young men some time to get out. Once the young men went out, they were attacked at al-Selsela Gate and two of whom were arrested. Moreover, Israeli forces destroyed Me’thana Gate – al-Magherba Gate and special forces topped the roof of al-Qibli Mosque.

 

In response to the Israeli arbitrary measures, the Palestinian young men performed the five prayers on Sunday, 04 October 2015, by the al-Aqsa Mosque gates and on roads of the Old City. However, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers at al-Asbat and Hetta Gates and tried to push them away from al-Aqsa Mosque Gates. In the afternoon, Israeli forces damaged lockers belonging to al-Aqsa guards and searched them.

Incursions and arrests

 

• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, Israeli forces arrested Abdul Hadi Abu Ghazala (11) from inside of his school in al-Tour neighborhood, east of the Old City in East Jerusalem. Zeyad Shamali, head of the students’ parents committee at the school, said that Israeli special forces raided Ibn Roshd school in al-Tour neighborhood and arrested Abdul Hadi Abu Ghazala, in the 7th grade, from the school. Israeli forces claimed that the aforementioned child threw stones at the Israeli vehicles when he was at school. While being at school, Israeli forces called for backups to arrest the boy from the administration office. He added that Israeli forces chased the students after they went out of the school in al-Tour area, so Abu Ghazala escaped to the administration office. He was arrested and taken to a place near al-Muttale’ Tour. During which, Israeli forces insulted him and detained him for hours. He was questioned and then released.

 

• On Sunday, 04 October 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a number of houses in the Old City, in East Jerusalem, from which they arrested 13 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children. The arrested were identified as: Mohammed Khalil Burqan (23), Farid Ra’ed al-Taweel (21), Mohammed Nasser OudatAllah (22), Mohammed Ali Abu Ermaila (21), Areen Haitham al-Za’aneen (19), Hakam Abu Khdair (19), Khalil Mahmoud Jaber (17), Mohammed Nasser Zain (24), Wa’d al-Ftairji (21), Feras Khaled al-Rajabi (20), Jehad Salem (16), Mostafa Abu Zahra (59) and Mohammed Yunis Abu Shmaisa (14).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the Old City. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Dawood Nasser (18) and arrested him.

 

• Also around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Jouza valley neighbourhood, east of the Old City in Jerusalem. They raided 2 houses belonging to the families of Mohammed Edkaidek (20) and Hussein Sab Laban (18) and arrested both of them.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu Dees village, southeast of East Jerusalem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Aziz Mer’i (23) and arrested him.

 

• On Monday, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces arrested a group of Palestinian civilians from different neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem. Some of the arrested were identified as: Ibrahim Ahmed al-Natsha (21), Mo’tasem Maswade (19), Ahmed D’ais (19), Mohammed Msha’she’ (16), Mohammed Toffaha (22) and Rami al-Fakhouri.

 

Settler attacks in East Jerusalem

 

• On Sunday 03 October 2015, a group of settlers attacked Tayseer Nazeeh Abu Rmouz (19) with knives, sticks and clubs. Tayseer’s father said that a settler approached Tayseer while the latter was in his work near Dawood Tomb in the Old City and asked him for a cigarette, but Tayseer was surprised that the settler beat him without a reason. When Tayseer tried to defend himself, the settler fired 2 bullets around him. The father added that a number of settlers, who were in the area, attacked his son with knives and clubs before the police intervened. He said that the Israeli police took him son to al-Qashala police station and brought an ambulance that transported him to a hospital.
• On Wednesday, 07 October 2015, an Israeli settler opened fire at a Palestinian girl from Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem, when she was walking in al-Wad Street near al-Majles Gate in the Old city. As a result, she sustained 4 bullet wounds, due to which she was taken to Hadasa – Ein Karem Hospital in West Jerusalem.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and a statement of an eyewitness, at approximately 11:00 on the abovementioned day, while Shorouq Salah Dwayyat (18) was walking in al-Wad Street heading towards al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Majles Gate in the Old City, a group of settlers were passing by, so she cried “Allah Akbar” in the face of one of them. That settler insulted and beat her in response, but she kept shouting at him. He tried to remove her scarf, but she defended herself and hit him with her purse over his head. He violently pushed her to the ground, took his pistol out and fired 4 bullets at her. She was wounded in the chest, hand and under her neck. Israeli forces arrived and denied Palestinian civilians access to the scene to help her. Israeli forces then transported the girl to Hadasa –Ein Karem Hospital, as her health condition is critical.

 

The eyewitness added that the settlers beat the girl even after she was shot. When Israeli forces arrived, the girl said, “He attacked me, I swear I did nothing”. It should be noted that Israeli forces claimed that the girl stabbed a 35-year-old settler in the back of his head, so the settler opened fire at her but she escaped. Therefore, Israeli forces chased and caught her and then transported her to the hospital. Few hours later, Israeli forces and intelligence service raided and searched a house belonging to the girl’s family in Sour Baher village. They violently took all who were present in the house, the majority of whom were women, out. They then arrested her father Salah Ibrahim Dwayyat and her sister Hanin (27) and took both of them to al-Masqoubiya interrogation facility.

 

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

 

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

 

• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, a group of settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing on the Main Street near “Karni Shamroun” settlement, east of Qalqilya. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

• At approximately 14:00 on the same day, groups of settlers from settlements established in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, moved into al-Berka village, southeast of the city. They deployed inside and around the village and performed religious rituals in the archeological pool area, under the protection of Israeli forces that completely closed the area. It should be noted that the settlers go to that area every year coming from the settlements of “Ma’oun”, “Carmiel”, “Havat Ya’er”, “Mitzpi Ya’er”, “Havat Ma’oun”, “Ovaegal” and “Beit Ya’er” to celebrate their Sukkot Holiday.

 

• At approximately 17:00, a settler threw stones at a number of Palestinian civilians, due to which Jawad Nidal Mahmoud Bashir (22), from Jinsafout, east of Qalqilya, fainted and sustained bruises throughout his body. Nidal’s father, Jawad, said:

“At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, my son Jawad was grazing the sheep at the entrance of the village as usual. He was surprised by a settler driving a motorbike so fast, who strongly hit Jawad by a stone. As a result, Jawad sustained a serious bruise to his hand and a fracture in the rib cage, due to which, he fainted. We then took him to Tulkarm Hospital for medical treatment”.

 

• Following the killing of 2 settlers on 01 October 2015, in a shooting incident on the bypass road between “Etamar” settlement and Beit Foreik checkpoint, east of Nablus, the settlers started carrying out dozens of attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property. The settlers targeted Palestinian vehicles on roads and tried to move into a number of villages and neighbourhoods. Following are the most prominent settler attacks that PCHR’s fieldworker could document, the majority of which were in the northern West Bank:

 

• At approximately 21:30 on the abovementioned day, settlers gathered at Howara checkpoint, the southern entrance of the city, the crossroads leading to “Ytshar” settlement and the crossroads leading to “Bracha” settlement, south of the city, and started smashing the windows of a number of Palestinian vehicles stuck there. This attack coincided with closing the above-mentioned checkpoint for Palestinians. As a result, over 40 Palestinian vehicles were damaged and dozens of Palestinian passengers were injured due to the scattered glass. The settlers used stones, sharp tools and sticks in their attacks that were carried out before Israeli soldiers and police officers.

 

• At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, a group of settlers from “Ytshar” settlement, south of Burin village, south of Nablus, attacked 2 houses down the bypass road leading the aforementioned settlement. The first house belongs to Rahma al-Najjar and the other belongs to Bashir Qadous. The settlers threw stones at the 2 houses and caused damage to them. In the meanwhile, Israeli forces accompanying the settlers fired tear gas canisters at the village residents, who hurried to defend the 2 houses. As a result, 3 children and their mother from Qadous family, suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• Around the same time, a group of settlers from “Bracha” settlement, north of Burin village, attacked a house belonging to the family of Marwan al-Najjar that is located at the southern eastern entrance of the village. They threw stones and caused damage to the yard, doors and windows of the house.

 

• At approximately 22:30 on the abovementioned day, a group of settlers moved into Fara’ta and Ematin villages, east of Qalqilya. The settlers tried to provoke residents of the 2 villages and withdrew later.

 

• Around the same time, a group of settlers from “Qadumim” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing on the main street near the said settlement. As a result, windows of 2 civilian vehicles were smashed, but no casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 23:00, a taxi driven by Monir Hussein Mardawi from Hebla village, was stoned while passing near the eastern entrance of Qalqilya checkpoint (DCO). As a result, the taxi windshield was broken.

 

• At approximately 00:40 on Friday, 02 October 2015, a group of settlers moved into al-Fondoq village, east of Qalqilya, and indiscriminately opened fire at Palestinian houses. They also threw stones. No further incidents were reported.

 

• At approximately 01:00 on the abovementioned day, a group of settlers moved into the southern side of Beitellou village, northwest of Ramallah. They set fire to a vehicle and wrote slogans in Hebrew on a wall of a house stating “Henken revenge” referring to the settler who was killed near “Etamar” settlement in Nablus. The attacked house and vehicle belong to Mohammed Jom’a Nasif Bazar (25).

 

• At approximately 01:10 on the abovementioned day too, a number of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement in Beitin village, northeast of Ramallah, attacked a house belonging to Ayman Ahmed Jarab’a, near the DCO checkpoint in al-Balou’ neighbourhood, north of al-Bireh city. As a result, the balcony windows and their car’s windows were smashed. However, no casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 09:45 on Friday, 02 October 2015, a group of settlers gathered at the entrance of Kufor al-Deek village, west of Salfit, and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles.

 

• At approximately 11:40 on the abovementioned day, a group of settlers gathered on Aber al-Samera Street near Hares village intersection, north of Salfit. They raised posters with racist slogans against Arabs. No further incidents were reported.

 

• At approximately 12:00, a number of settlers from “Ytshar” settlement, south of Burin village, south of Nablus, set fire to Salman Mountain, south of the village. Dozens of fruitful olive trees caught fire before a civil defence vehicle arrived.

 

• At approximately 12:30, a group of settlers gathered at the entrance of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit, opposite to “Yakir” settlement. They raised posters with racist slogans against Arabs. No further incidents were reported.

 

• At approximately 14:20, a group of settlers gathered at the entrance of Yasouf village, east of Salfit. They threw stones at an ambulance of Salfit Hospital. As a result, 3 paramedics in the ambulance were wounded. Dr. Essa al-Amleh from the hospital, said that Dr. Samer al-Ett, paramedic Morad Qatouni and Anesthesia technician Samer Habash were wounded as the ambulance was stonned by settlers near “Tafouh” settlement. Moreover, the ambulance sustained damage.

 

• At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 03 October 2015, a group of settlers from “Etna’el” settlement, south of Hebron, organized a protest on bypass road leading to al-Samou’ village, south of the city. They hindered the passage of Palestinian vehicles and terrorized the Palestinian civilians. They withdrew later and no attacks were reported.

 

• At approximately 20:30 on the same day, hundreds of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement in Ramallah and al-Bireh attacked a house belonging to Samed Rabee’ Hassan al-Harini (27) near the DCO checkpoint, north of al-Bireh. They used stones and fireworks. As a result, the windows were broken and the house’s owner sustained burns in the right hand because of the fireworks. He also sustained bruises to the right elbow as he was beaten by the settlers. Samed was attacked while the Israeli forces were watching. An Israeli officer threatened the al-Harini family by arrest and did not try to stop the settlers. A while after, Palestinian civilians hurried to help al-Harini and threw stones at the settlers and Israeli forces that fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• Around the same time, some settlers threw stones at Mohammed Hamdan Ibrahim Ma’tan (46), from Beitin village, while driving a bus. As a result, the windshield and right glass were smashed. Moreover, Ma’tan sustained serious wounds to the head, but he was able to escape. He was then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. It was found later that he had a 6-stitch wound to the head.

 

• At approximately 21:00 on the same day, a group of settlers from “Bracha” settlement, south of Nablus, attacked Palestinian vehicles stuck at Howara checkpoint, south of Nablus. They broke windows of some vehicles and some passengers were wounded due to the scattered glass.

 

• At approximately 22:00, dozens of settlers from “Nigihot” settlement, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, gathered at the entrance of Fqaiqis village. They tried to approach Palestinian houses chanting slogans against Arabs and Palestinians. Israeli forces arrived then and stopped them. No more incidents were reported.

 

• Around the same time, dozens of settlers from settlements in the east of Hebron closed the road between Beit Aynoun village and bypass road 60, east of Hebron. They raised the Israeli flags and chanted slogans against the Arabs, under the protection of Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian youngsters, who gathered to stop the Israeli settlers from proceeding. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and no attacks were reported.

 

• At approximately 22:30 on the same day, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, attacked a house belonging to the family of Jamal Abu Baker at the entrance of Souret al-Ra’ed village, southwest of Nablus. A number of Palestinians gathered and confronted the settlers and Israeli forces that in return fired live ammunition to disperse them. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded and were taken to Rafidiya Governmental Hospitalin Nablus. A 23-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the thigh, an 18-year-old civilian sustained 2 bullet wounds to the legs and a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the leg.

 

• At approximately 00:00 on Sunday, 04 October 2015, a number of settlers from “Avnei Hefetz” settlement in Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm, gathered carrying flambeaus and Israeli flags at the intersection between Shoufa and Ezbet Shoufa villages. They set fire to tires and performed their Talmudic rituals in the place. After which, the settlers headed towards Shoufa village and tried to move into it, but residents of the village went out and stopped them. Israeli forces then intervened and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. The settlers continued their rituals under the protection of Israeli forces.

 

• At approximately 09:40 on Sunday, a group of settlers threw stones at vehicles passing on the main road between Qalqilya and Nablus, but no casualties were reported.

 

• At approximately 20:00 on the same day, dozens of settlers from settlements in the east of Hebron closed the road between Beit Aynoun village and bypass road 60, east of Hebron. They raised the Israeli flags and chanted slogans against the Arabs, under the protection of Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian youngsters, who gathered to stop the Israeli settlers from proceeding. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• Around the same time, dozens of settlers from “Kiryat Arba”, east of Hebron, and other settlement outposts organized a protest under the protection of Israeli forces and police. They marched chanting slogans against the Arabs and Palestinians in Jaber neighbourhood and south of the Old City. No attacks were reported.

 

• At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 05 October 2015, a number of settlers gathered near “Rafafa” settlement in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. They withdrew later and no incidents were reported.

 

• At approximately 20:00 on the same day, a group of settlers gathered at the entrance of Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. Residents of the village confronted them, but Israeli forces intervened and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, because of the sound bombs, the roof of a house belonging to Ahmed Salama Salim caught fire.
• At approximately 22:30 on the same day, dozens of settlers under the protection of Israeli forces gathered at the entrance of Beit Fourik village, east of Nablus. They performed Jewish rituals in the place. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the entrance and burnt tires. Clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces that fired live ammunition in response. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained bullet wounds and were then taken to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus. An 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left leg, a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.

 

• At approximately 23:00 on the same day, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces after settlers organized a protest, east of Qalqilya. The settlers moved by buses from “Qadumin” settlement, northeast of the city, and deployed at entrance of different villages in Qalqilya. Clashes developed between Palestinians and the settlers, so the Israeli forces intervened to disperse the Palestinians by firing live ammunition, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 40 civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, including the crew of the PRCS. Moreover, Israeli forces stopped a PRCS ambulance for a while.

 

• At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, a number of settlers from “Beit Ya’er” settlement, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Khalil Abu Qbaita (47), east of the city. As a result, the solar power system generating electricity was damaged and his son Osama (13) sustained minor scratches. Osama was taken to Abu al-Hassan al-Qassem Hospital in Yatta.

 

• At approximately 15:00 on the same day, fire was set to Palestinian farms in Qalqilya near “Tsovim” and Tsour “Yagal” settlements. According to eyewitnesses, the fire was set by settlers as they always travel on that street, but not the Palestinians.

 

• At approximately 18:00, a mob of hundreds of settlers on Nablus-Qalqilya road was reported. Therefore, calls were directed to taxi drivers to help Palestinian civilians get to the safest place they can reach to avoid the settler attacks. The settlers withdrew later and no attacks were reported.

 

• On Tuesday evening also, a number of settlers from “Avni Hefetz” settlement in Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm, gathered holding flambeaus and Israeli flags on the intersection between Shoufa and Ezbet Shoufa villages. They burnt tires and performed Jewish rituals in the place. A local source stated to a PCHR fieldworker that the settlers threw stones at a Palestinian vehicle and broke its windshield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.

 

In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the latest 51-day offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:

 

1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;

 

 

 

 

 

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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 [email protected] or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.