Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (16– 22 July 2020)

July 23, 2020

5 Palestinians shot and wounded, including a child, in IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank;

4 shootings reported at agricultural lands; and 3 at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip;

In 77 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 65 civilians arrested, including 4 children and a woman;

Raid into Yabous Cultural Centre and the Edward Said National Conservatory in occupied East Jerusalem and confiscation of equipment and thousands of documents;

Demolition of 5 houses, including 2 self-demolished, and a washing facility, agricultural rooms and properties, and wide-scale distribution of cease-construction and demolition notices in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem;

Settler-attacks in the West Bank: 3 civilians wounded, and their bikes stolen in Ramallah;

IOF established 23 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank and arrested 10 Palestinians on said checkpoints

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, IOF’s excessive use of force rendered 5 injuries among Palestinian civilians, a child, during raids and attacks on peaceful protests in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

This week, IOF raided Yabous Cultural Centre and the Edward Said National Conservatory in occupied East Jerusalem, confiscated thousands of documents and equipment and detained directors of both establishments for 12 hours.

Ever since announcing its plans to annex West Bank territories, including occupied East Jerusalem, IOF has continued systematic demolitions and land razing, establishing roads for settlements in an accelerated manner. This week witnessed an increase in land confiscation decisions in al-Issaweya village in East Jerusalem.

This week, PCHR documented 132 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by IOF and settlers in the oPt.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity: IOF shot and wounded 5 Palestinians, including a child, in excessive use of force against peaceful protests in the West Bank: 3 in Nablus; and 12, including 1 child, in a peaceful protest in Beita village; and 2 others were wounded in IOF raid into Jenin refugee camp and al-Jalazone refugee camp in Ramallah.

In Gaza, opened fire at agricultural lands 4 times and 3 times at fishing boats in eastern ang western Gaza Strip.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 77 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 65 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 children and a woman. During raids, IOF confiscated thousands of documents and equipment, especially during its raid on Yabous Cultural Centre and the Edward Said National Conservatory and raided the houses of both directors of the aforementioned establishments in occupied East Jerusalem.

Settlement expansion activities and settlers’ attacks: IOF continued its settlement expansion operations in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, PCHR documented 16 violations, including:

Salfit: cease-construction notices to 15 houses in Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit; and 1 house demolished;
Hebron: 2 houses received cease-construction notices in Hebron; tin-plate house dismantled and demolished, another house demolished, as well as a car wash, a brick-and-wood agricultural room, a lavatory and a barracks in southeastern Yatta;
East Jerusalem: civilians forced to self-demolish their homes (2), demolition of an under-construction house;
Qalqilya: evacuation-notice for a land;
Bethlehem: confiscation of an archeological stone in Taqoua’ village, and demolition of a house; cease-construction and demolition notice to an under-construction house and 4 agricultural rooms in al-Walajah village, western Bethlehem.

PCHR also documented 2 settler attacks that rendered 3 civilians wounded and bruised; settlers also stole their bikes in Ramallah.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life. This was amplified by the restrictions put in place by IOF since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, that had already had grave implications on the humanitarian and economic situation of the Gaza Strip population. Of all the Gaza Strip’s border crossings, only 2 currently function: Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) for movement of goods and Beit Hanoun (Erez) for movement of individuals. The Israeli authorities continued to impose restrictions on the entry of goods classified as “dual-use items”,[1] despite their importance in reviving the market, manufacturing and maintenance. As to Beit Hanoun crossing, it is almost completely closed except for emergency humanitarian cases. Lately, a very limited number of individual cases of patients who have obtained medical referrals and financial coverage to Israel were able to travel, and some others referred to Israeli organizations working in the field of health for assistance in coordination.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

I. Violation of the right to life and to bodily integrity

Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 17 July 2020, a peaceful protest took part from Asirah northern village, north of Nablus, into lands threatened to be confiscated in al-Marj and Beit al-Zaki areas in Ebal Mount, east of the abovementioned village. The protest was organized upon calls of the village residents and with participation of Palestinian national factions in Nablus, the protest was organized upon calls by national factions in Nablus. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against IOF, settlers, Israeli annexation plan, and the U.S president Donald Trump’s Middle East plan. When the participants arrived at the area, a large number of IOF were waiting for them in the area. The participants performed Friday prayer in the abovementioned land while Israeli soldiers were surrounding immediately suppressed the protest and fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of participants suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and they received medical treatment on the field.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased and severely opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area (3 nautical miles). Fishermen, as a result of that, panicked and had to sail back to the shore fearing for their lives. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 17 July 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence in eastern Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 18 July 2020, a peaceful protest took part from the center of Beta village, southeast of Nablus. The protest was organized upon calls of the village residents and with participation of national factions and Settlement and Wall Resistance Commission Nablus, to confront Israeli attempts to confiscate Sbaih Mount after Israeli settlers put a number of tents on the mount’s top, southeast of the abovementioned village. The participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against IOF, settlers, Israeli annexation plan, and the U.S president Donald Trump’s Middle East plan. When the participants arrived at the area, a large number of IOF were waiting for them in the area. fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 32-year-old civilian was shot with a rubber bullet in his left hand. He was transferred to Rafidia hospital in Nablus for medical treatment. A number of participants also suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, including a paramedic from PRCS, and they received medical treatment on the field. Due to tear gas canister fired by IOF, many agricultural lands caught fire in the area.

At approximately 00:30 on Saturday, 18 July 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 21:30 on the same Saturday, 18 July 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed adjacent to Khan Younis shore in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. Fishermen, as a result of that, panicked and had to sail back to the shore fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

At approximately 03:00 on Sunday, 19 July 2020, IOF stormed Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, north of the West Bank. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at military vehicles stationed in the camp. IOF immediately fired live bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 2 civilians were injured, including a child. They were transferred to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus for medical treatment. Their injuries were classified as moderate.

IOF also raided and searched a house belonging to Wae’l Samih Mohammed Husain Hashash (21) and arrested him.

At approximately 03:30 on Monday, 20 July 2020, IOF stormed Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin, north of the West Bank. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles stationed in the camp while the latter responded live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, an 18-year-old young man was shot with a live bullet in his right hand. He was transferred to Khalil Suleiman Governmental Hospital in Jenin for medical treatment. His injuries were classified as moderate.

IOF also raided and searched 2 houses owned by Na’im Jamal al-Zubeidi (25) and Yusuf Emad al-Amer (27) and arrested them.

At approximately 03:40 on Monday, 20 July 2020, IOF stormed al-Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah in the center of West Bank. A number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles stationed in the camp. IOF fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was shot with a Two-Two bullet in his left foot. He was transferred to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah for medical treatment. IOF also raided and searched Husain Yasser al-‘Ishawi’s (17) house and arrested him.

At approximately 19:30 on the same Monday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of al-Buraij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the border fence. The shooting continued for 15 minutes. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 23:30 on the same Monday, Israeli gunboats stationed adjacent to Khan Younis shore in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. Fishermen, as a result of that, panicked and had to sail back to the shore fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

At approximately 15:20 on Tuesday, 21 July 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence eastern al-Maghazi, Central Gaza governorate, opened fire at adjacent agricultural lands. No casualties were reported.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 16 July 2020

At approximately 01:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into Kharsa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched Kamal Mohammed Eqtail’s (26) house and arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Saleh Abu Akar’s (24) house and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mo’men Omar Deriyah’s (25) house and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kafr Ne’ma village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched the leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement; Juma Abdullah Khalil al-Tayeh’s (51) house and arrested him. IOF released him several hours later.

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Wadi Ma’ali area, in the central Bethlehem. They raided and searched Eissa Mohammed al-Hremi’s (21) house and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Henadza area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohammed Mustafa Nabahin (18) and Sa’eed Ahmed Owda (27) and arrested them.

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Artas village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Khaled Ayyad’s (23) house and arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Issaweya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mo’tasem Hamza Obaid’s (17) house and arrested him.

At approximately 20:00, the Israeli Intelligence Services arrested (7) former prisoners in the Israeli prisons, after surrounding their vehicles in the French Hill neighborhood, north of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City; and two of them was arrested while passing through Route “6” that connects between Jerusalem and territories occupied in 1948. The arrestees are: Saleem Ishaq al-Jo’ba (47), Owais Ibrahim Hamada (40), Hamza Bader Zughaiar (39), Lo’ay Naser al-Dein (39), Omar Basem Zughaiar (21), Ya’qoub Mahmoud Abu Asab (47) and Ameen Roshdy al-Shuwaiky (50).

At approximately 21:00, IOF stationed at ‘Anata military checkpoint, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem, arrested the Palestinian Space scientist and physician, Prof Emad Ahmed al-Barghouthi (57). IOF took him to an unknown destination.

It should be noted that IOF administrative arrested the Prof. al-Barghoutho on 06 December 2015, at al-Karama Jordanian checkpoint, while he was heading to participate in a scientific conference in the UAE, where he was interrogated about participating in demonstrations against the 2014 Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. in 2016, he was arrested on grounds of his posts on Facebook and released two months later. It should be mentioned that al-Barghouthi was born in Beit Rima village, and he is the Dean of the Faculty of Physics, at al-Quds University.

IOF carried out (5) incursions in Jenin, Deir Samit, Hebron, and Yatta in Hebron governorate; and Shabtin village, west of Ramallah. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 17 July 2020

At approximately 18:00, IOF stationed at al-Asbat Gate, one of the Aqsa Mosque’s gates, arrested Omar Fawzi Muhaisn (36), an took him to al-Qishla investigation center in the Old City. IOF released him after several hours of investigation, on condition that banning his entry to the Old City for 15 days.

At approximately 20:00, IOF arrested a number of Abu Sufian family members near the military checkpoint established in Wad al-Nasara, and prevented their access to their houses, claiming that they were securing the settlement’s passing from “Kiryat Arba'” settlement to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the eastern side of Hebron’s Old City. After an hour of argument, IOF opened the road for them to reach to their houses near the abovementioned settlement.

At approximately 20:39, IOF arrested the Aqsa Mosque’s guard, Raja’i al-Tarhi (33), while working in the mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and took him to al-Qishla investigation center in the Old City. IOF investigated with him about preventing an Israeli soldier from entering Bab al-Rahma prayer while wearing his shoes, and he was released after several hours on condition that banning his entry to the Aqsa Mosque for a week.

IOF carried out (6) incursions in Ethna, Dura, Beit Oula, and al-Thahereya in Hebron governorate; Deir Nizam, northwest of Ramallah; and Azoun, east of Qalqilya. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 18 July 2020

At approximately 03:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians: Qusai Ra’ed Barakat (19), Abdullah Mohammed Sharaka (18), and Ra’ed Ibrahim al-Bayari (19).

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into al-Issaweya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Haitham Mahmoud (18) and Yazan Amjad Obaid (19) and arrested them.

At approximately 16:00, IOF moved into Obaid neighborhood, west of al-Issaweya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Esmat Obaid’s (20) house and arrested him.

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Sa’deya neighborhood, one of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s neighborhoods. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians including a child; Mohammed al-‘Ajlouni (16), Mohammed Hujaij (20), and Alaa al-‘Ajlouni (19). IOF took them to al-Bareed police station to investigate with them about flying a kite painted with the colors of the Palestinian flag and released them several hours later.

IOF carried out (4) incursions in Hebron, al-Shoyoukh, al-‘Aroub refugee camp, and Bani Na’eem villages in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 19 July 2020

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into al-Hara al-Wosta area in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Jerusalem’s Governor, Adnan Adel Tawfiq Ghaith’s (46) house and arrested him along with his escort, Ra’ed Hijazi. IOF took them to al-Maskoubeya investigation center. It should be noted that IOF arrested the governor Ghaith three times since the beginning of this year, as he was arrested in April and May.

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Tulkarm, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ali Hussain Owda (40) and Bashar Darwish Masarwa (41) and arrested them.

At approximately 02:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested (2) civilians: Ameer Mohammed Abu Zreina (30) and Issam Ibrahim al-Natsha (28).

At approximately 18:00, IOF arrested General Jihad al-Faqih (51), director of the Palestinian Authority intelligence apparatus in Jerusalem. Al-Faqih was driving his car and passing through a temporary military checkpoint in the entrance of the tunnel barrier of Bedouin village, northwest of the occupied East Jerusalem, heading to his home in Qatanna village, northwest of the occupied East Jerusalem.

IOF carried out (2) incursions in Sa’eer and Noba villages in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 20 July 2020

At approximately 01:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Mohammed Hijazi Zein’s (32) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved Abu Njaim area, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed Mustafa Abu Ahour’s (32) house and arrested him after severely beaten him.

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mustafa Ahmed al-Bayya’s (34) house and arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbeya village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Salah al-Dein Ali Shriteh (22) and Jihad Mousa Abu Laila (26).

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Hanadi Mohammed al-Halawani’s (41) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “al-Qishla” investigation center.

IOF carried out (3) incursions in Karma, Abu al-‘Asja, Beit Ummer villages in Hebron Governorate. No arrests were reported.

Thursday, 21 July 2020

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Sahel street, in the central Beit Jala. They raided and searched Nicola Shibly Rizkallah’s (63) house and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jerusalem Hebron street, in the central Bethlehem. They raided and searched Shibly Nicola Rizkallah’s (33) house and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into al-Jalazon refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians: Mustafa Adnan Abu Shanab (25), Jehad Yousef al-Badawi (27), and Mohammed Mahmoud Ghawanmah (22).

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into Beit Fujjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Ahmed Salah Taqatiqa’s (!5) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of the city.

At approximately 17:00, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint on Dei Sharaf village’s rotary, west of Nablus, north of the West Bank, and arrested Mohammed Khairallah Mohammed Salah (19), from Barqa village, northwest of Nablus. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

At approximately 01:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Eisa Saleh al-‘Amour’s (40) house and arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Beit Owa, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Mahmoud Eisa al-Swaity’s (36) house and arrested him.

Around the same time, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Samoua’ village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Muhannad Ahmed al-Hawamda (33) and Ghassan Mohammed al-Mahariq (34).

At approximately 03:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles moved into three houses in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and arrested (3) civilians: Ehab Kamal Jawabra (22), Omar Kamal Khamees (24), and Emad Mohammed al-Jundi (19).

At approximately 03:20, IOF moved into al-Beira, north of Ramallah, and stationed in Um al-Sharayet neighborhood, southeast of al-Beira. They raided and searched Ibrahim Saleem Abdu’s (27) house and arrested him. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp, southeast of al-Beira, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ibrahim Jamal Alian’s (25) house and arrested him. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Tayaseer village, east of Tubas, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians: Salama Abdul Razik Dabak (31), Eyad Mithqal Abu Muhsen (37), and Jorouh Fayez Sbaih (30).

At approximately 09:00, IOF and Israeli Intelligence officers stormed Yabous Cultural Centre and Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in al-Zahra’ street, in the occupied East Jerusalem, and confiscated documents, laptops, and surveillances cameras. Meanwhile, IOF raided and searched Rania Elias, director of Yabous Cultural Center, and Suheil Khoury’s, director of Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, house thoroughly. Elias and Khoury are a married couple. They ransacked through the house and confiscated records and other documents before arresting them.

IOF also stormed Daoud al-Ghoul’s house, director of Jerusalem Arts Network – Shafaq, who was formerly an administrative at Yabous Cultural Centre, after raiding his house in Silwan, and confiscated some documents. They also stormed and searched the conservatory’s auditor’s office.

Director of Edward Said Conservatory, Mohammed Maragha, said that IOF and its intelligence officers came and surrounded the headquarter and waited for the staff to arrive. Maragha said that IOF claimed having a decision signed by the court to allow searching the Conservatory and confiscate whatever they thought would be linked to “financing terrorism.” Maragha explained that IOF confiscated large number of files, documents, and seven computers, they confiscated all the financial reports since 2014 to 2020, which filled 21-medium-sized boxes of papers. He added, in Yaboud Cultural Centre, IOF confiscated all the surveillances cameras. He mentioned that 15 Israeli police and intelligence officers were inside the Conservatory, and dozens of them deployed around it. Furthermore, IOF confiscated several devices from Suhail and Rania’s house.

Lawyer Naser Owda said that IOF detained the couple in Abu Ghunaim police station, south of the occupied East Jerusalem, accusing them of funding terrorist organizations. They were interrogated for 12 consecutive hours, until they were released under conditions, but they kept Dawoud al-Ghoul until the next day. Owda confirmed that the Israeli anti-terrorism law is loosely termed and includes a large number of crimes, including obtaining funding from organizations classified as terrorist by the State of Israel.

IOF carried out (3) incursions in Kharouba neighborhood, east of Jenin; Beit Oula; and Halhoul village in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property

At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF moved into Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit. IOF distributed 15 cease-construction notices to houses in al-Sha’b neighborhood, southwest of the village, under the pretext of being in Area C, i.e. under Israeli control. The village is surrounded by several settlements “Alei Zahav” from the east, “Peduel” from the south and “Leshem” from the north, which have taken up more than 90% of Kafur al-Deek village.

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Lasifer area, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. IOF were deployed in the area while Israeli Civil Administration officers vacated Mahmoud Khalil Abu Qubita’s 100-square-meter house contents. It should be noted that Abu Qubita’s house was built of tin plates few months ago. IOF dismantled the house and then placed it in a truck. Abu Qubita family lives in Lasifer village, which is located behind the annexation wall and in “ Beit Yatir ” settlement. Israeli authorities annexed “ Beit Yatir ” settlement, that is established on Abu Qubita family’s confiscated lands, so Abu Qubita family became behind the annexation wall. The family enters their village via a gate established on the annexation wall and IOF obstruct their movement by delaying the issuance of their permits and subjecting them to searches. Also, their houses and agricultural lands were attacked by IOF in an attempt to displace them.

On Friday, 17 July 2020, Abu Turki family implemented the Israeli Municipality order and self-demolished 2 houses in al-Mukaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The two 85-square-meter houses sheltered 13 persons, including 7 children. Ya’qoub Turki said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the 2 houses were built of tin plates and bricks 8 years ago, and the municipality issued a demolition decision against the houses 3 years ago. He added that the municipality imposed a fine of NIS 70,000 on him and the municipality staff returned 2 weeks ago and notified to demolish the houses without telling the family members or handing them the demolition notices. Turki clarified that he decided to self-demolish the houses to avoid paying demolition costs for the municipality.

At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 19 July 2020, IOF handed Ahmed Saleh Ahmed Hussain, from Amateen village, an eviction notice against his agricultural land, under the pretext of being in an industrial area belongs to “Deir Qatis” settlement in Amateen village, east of Qalqilya. Hussain said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

” IOF handed me an eviction notice against my plot of land located in southern Amateen village and adjacent to “ Emmanuel ” settlement factories, east of Qalqilya. This land (40 dunums) was belonging to a civilian living abroad and he has 10 heirs. I owned a part of this land after cultivating it while 12 other dunums remain uncultivated. From time to time, Israeli occupation authorities were conducting an aerial survey , and if they discovered that there was uncultivated land in the area, they confiscate it on the pretext of being absentee property, and then transfer it to state property. IOF prevented me from cultivating it several times, as when I was cultivating it, they uprooted the trees under the pretext of being state-owned land. Also, IOF leveled 2 dunums to build a road and seized 9 other dunums upon the notice that gave him a month to challenge.“

On Monday, 20 July 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into Kherbet Taqou’a in eastern Bethlehem, where they seized an artifact from a site located near Taqou’a Municipality. Mayor of Taqou’a Municipality, Salem Abu Mefreh, said that at approximately 03:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into the village and imposed tight measures in its surroundings, especially in al-Kherba site, an archaeological site with many antiquities. Abu Mefreh clarified that the artifact is a very large rock, which was taken to his home garden upon a decision from the municipality before placing it in a museum. He pointed out that an Israeli force raided his house at dawn and ordered him to remove a truck parked in front of his house, but he told them that the truck is broken down. Thus, IOF brought a mounted-crane truck to take the rock and place it in a large truck. Abu Mefreh added that while stealing the rock, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at IOF, who fired a barrage of live and rubber bullets in response. Abu Mefreh said that a video showed the mounted-crane truck while uploading the rock on a military truck, under heavy IOF protection. Abu Mufreh said that Israeli occupation authorities are stealing Palestinian antiquities to obliterate the Palestinian presence and erase the history of the Palestinian people.

At approximately 09:30, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. IOF demolished Foad Khalil Shamsity’s 50-square-meter agricultural room built of bricks and a 2-square-meter bathroom, under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C. It should be noted that Israeli authorities handed Shamsity a demolition notice upon military order No. (1797) issued in 2018.

At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 20 July 2020, Israeli military construction vehicles demolished a residential house in Shoshahla area in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. Mayor of al-Khader village, Ahmed Salah, said that Israeli military construction vehicles demolished Mohammed Mostafa Abu ‘Amous’s 110-square-meter house in shoshahla area, under the pretext of non-licensing. He added that the house was rebuilt after IOF demolished it in 2002.

At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 21 July 2020, IOF started to demolish Radi Tawfiq Mer’i’s house in Qarawet Bani Hassan village, west of Salfit, but at approximately 06:00, Jerusalem Legal Aid Center issued a precautionary order from the Israeli Supreme Court to freeze the demolition. IOF stopped the demolition after receiving the order. Mayor of Qarawet Bani Hassan village, Husam ‘Asi, said that: ” at approximately 05:00, Israeli bulldozers started to demolish Radi Tawfiq Mer’i’s house and completely demolished it. Meanwhile, Jerusalem Legal Aid Center issued a precautionary order from the Israeli Supreme Court to freeze the demolition of 5 other houses in the village. IOF stopped the demolition and withdrew from the village. “

Jerusalem Legal Aid Center’s lawyer Wael Qatt said that: ” since February 2020, Israeli authorities notified at least 25 persons to stop construction works in their houses in Qarawet Bani Hassan village, which means that there houses were threatened to be demolished. The houses owners informed us and we managed to freeze demolition notices issued against their houses, except for 5 persons, whose files are not ready because of closure imposed on the village due to coronavirus. Yesterday at 16:30, we shocked when Israeli Civil Administration Department informed us that all requests we submitted to them are refused, so we appealed before the Israeli Supreme Court that issued a precautionary order to freeze the demolition. IOF stopped the demolition and withdrew.”

At approximately 05:30, Israeli bulldozers leveled agricultural lands in Dirsitiyia village, west of Salfit, and uprooted at least 230 olive trees belonging to Hussain ‘Abed al-Raheem Zidan under the pretext of being in Area “B” and “C”. Many Palestinian farmers headed to the area in order to stop the leveling, but in vain. Zidan said that: ” IOF hanged a demolition notice on his agricultural land 2 months ago, under the pretext of being sate-owned land. The notice ordered him to stop working in the land and return it to its previous status. It should be noted that IOF uprooted at least 70 olive trees from the land and demolished stone chains 7 years ago.”

At approximately 09:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into the southern entrance to Hebron. IOF were deployed in the area while military construction vehicles demolished Raied Hazem Meswada’s 200-square-meter barrack built of tip plates, under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that Israeli authorities handed Meswada a 96-hour demolition notice No. (10313) on 12 July 2020 to return the place to its previous status.

At approximately 10:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbet Bereen, southwest of Bani Na’iem village, east of Hebron. IOF were deployed between Palestinians’ houses while military construction vehicles demolished Ya’qoub Ishaq Burqan and As’ad Yousef Burqan’s under-construction house (120 sqm) built of brick and concrete and comprised of 2 apartments, under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C. It should be noted that the Israeli Civil Administration officers distributed a cease-construction notice to the house on 07 June 2020 ,and on 13 July 2020 the officers handed another notice to challenge the demolition within 7 days.

At approximately 10:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Qeren area in Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. IOF were deployed in the area while military construction vehicles demolished Mohammed Ahmed Abu ‘Ayyash’s 200-square-meter car wash built of concrete and sheds, under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C. It should be noted that ‘Ayyash’ received a 96-hour demolition notice 2 weeks ago upon a military order No.(1797).

At approximately 11:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Sha’b al-Harathat area, west of Kherbet al-Daqiqah in southern Hebron. Israeli Civil Administration officers handed Jameel Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Najajdah and his son Mahmoud a cease-construction notice to their houses built of tip plates and comprised of 2 rooms, under the pretext of non-licensing. The houses sheltered 12 persons, including 4 children. It should be noted that on 10 October 2019, Israeli authorities demolished three 70-sqaure-meter rooms belonging to al-Najajdah and his son. They also demolished Jameel al-Najajdah’s two 50-sqaure-meter livestock barns built of tin plates and barbed wires.

At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 22 July 2020, IOF demolished an under-construction house in al-Shayyah neighborhood in al-Mokaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli Municipality staff raided Saif al-Deen ‘Ali Jum’a’s house to checked if he implemented the municipality order to self-demolish his under-construction house. Eyewitnesses clarified that the Israeli Municipality staff withdrew and later returned with military construction vehicles to complete the demolition of the house wall and foundations. It should be noted that Jum’a’ attempted to complete the construction of his 100-square-meter house, but the municipality prevented him, under the pretext of non-licensing.
At approximately 14:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Tawana village, south of Hebron. Israeli Civil Administration officers handed Jamal Mohammed ‘Issa Rab’I (40) 2 cease-construction notices to his 40-sqaure-meter agricultural room and a water well, under the pretext of non-licensing. IOF gave al-Rab’i until 27 July 2020 to challenge the demolition.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli authorities notified to demolish and stop construction works in an under-construction house and 4 agricultural rooms in al-Walajah village, west of Bethlehem. An activist Ibrahim ‘Awadallah said that IOF moved into al-Walajah village, where they distributed a cease-construction notice and a demolition notice to Ameen Fawzi Khalifa’s house, under the pretext of non-licensing. ‘Awadallah pointed out that IOF also distributed cease-construction notices and demolition notices to 4 agricultural rooms belonging to Taha Mohammed ‘Awadallah, Khaled and Ahmed Mohammed al-A’raj, and ‘Emad Khader al-A’raj. ‘Awadallah added that IOF ordered the facilities’ owners to self-demolish their facilities or they will pay the demolition costs for the Israeli municipality.

Israeli Settler Violence

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, 4 vehicles carrying Israeli settles moved into Kaful Hares village, north of Salfit. They headed to the central of the village, where religious shrines are located, to perform prayers. The settlers later withdrew from the village.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 18 July 2020, 7 Israeli settlers, from a settlement outpost located in northeastern of Ramallah, attacked 5 civilians with batons and threw stones at them while riding bicycles in Tarmesi’yah village. As a result, 3 of them sustained bruises and 3 bicycles were damaged and confiscated. The wounded civilians were identified as ‘Amer al-Kurdi (29), Samer al-Kurdi (26) and Grace Rayan (22). It should be noted that the settlers attacked the civilians while IOF were present in the area. ‘Amer al-Kurdi said to PCHR’s fieldworker that: ” At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, 18 July 2020, my friend and I were riding our bicycles coming from Ramallah and heading towards Tarmesi’yah village. While we were on our way, we found a group of masked settlers, who asked us, where are you come from? We told them that we came from Ramallah. The settlers threw stones at us and severely beat us with batons. They also stole our bicycles and cell phones. IOF later intervened without doing anything to the settlers and took us at the entrance to the village.”

IV. Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods

West Bank

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. IOF established 23 temporary checkpoints, where they searched Palestinians’ vehicles, checked their IDs and arrested 10 of them. IOF closed many roads with cement cubes, metal detector gates and sand berms and tightened their measures against individuals movement at military permanent checkpoints.

Ramallah and al-Bireh

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF established a checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat road that connects between Jericho and Ramallah.

Hebron

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp, and at the entrances to Beit ‘Awaa and al-Dahiriyia villages.
On Friday, 17 July 2020, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Hebron, at the entrance to al-‘Aroub refugee camp, at the entrance to Beit Ummer village, and on Beit Kahel road.
On Saturday, 18 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Ethna and Samou’a villages.
On Sunday, 19 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Beit ‘Aynoun village and at the southern entrance to Hebron.
On Monday, 20 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Halhoul and at the entrance to Ethna village.
On Tuesday, 21 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Hebron and at the northern entrance to Yatta.
On Wednesday, 22 July 2020, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Halhoul and at the entrances to Ethna and Beit Kahel villages.

Jenin

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF established a checkpoint between Qabatya and al-Zababdeh villages, southeast of Jenin.

Salfit

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Kaful Hares and Burqeen villages, north and west of Salfit.
On Friday, 17 July 2020, IOF established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Kaful Hares and Kafur al-Deek villages in northern and western of Salfit.

[1] Israeli authorities claim that despite the fact that these items are normally used for civilian purposes, it is possible to use them in developing the Palestinian armed groups’ military capacity.