![Jerusalem: On 19 December 2016, Israeli Forces Demolish Commercial Facility in Shaikh Jarrah Neighborhood Belonging to Adnan Harhash.](https://pchrgaza.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/w50.jpg)
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (15 – 21 December 2016)
Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(15 – 21 December 2016)
![Jerusalem: On 19 December 2016, Israeli Forces Demolish Commercial Facility in Shaikh Jarrah Neighborhood Belonging to Adnan Harhash.](https://pchrgaza.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/w50-300x199.jpg)
Jerusalem: On 19 December 2016, Israeli Forces Demolish Commercial Facility in Shaikh Jarrah Neighborhood Belonging to Adnan Harhash.
- A Palestinian child was killed and another was wounded in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah.
- A Palestinian civilian was wounded in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem.
- Israeli forces continued to target the Gaza Strip border areas, but no casualties were reported.
- Israeli forces conducted 54 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 ones in occupied Jerusalem.
- 78 civilians, including 28 children and 2 women, were arrested.
- Forty of them, including 18 children and the 2 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
- Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.
- Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
- A car shop was demolished in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood as well as a residential room in al-Thawri neighbourhood.
- The Israeli “Nature Authority” fixed banners in al-Rahmah cemetery, preventing burying dead people in parts of it.
- Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9th
- Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
- 6 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at military checkpoints.
- Two Palestinian traders arrested at Erez Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (15 – 21 December 2016).
Shooting:
Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child and wounded another civilian in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah while they wounded another civilian in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of deadly force, on 18 December 2016, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah, when the latter was participating in a protest against the Israeli forces that moved into the village. The protest did not pose any threats to the life of soldiers. During the shooting, a 19-year-old civilian was wounded with a bullet to the shoulder.
On 17 December 2016, Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Baten al-Hawa neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, wounded a Palestinian civilian. Altercations erupted between Palestinian children and young men from one side and a number of settlers from the other side.
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 December 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. A similar attacked occurred on the same day off Jabalaia shore in the northern Gaza Strip. The fishermen sailed back fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
In the context of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed in the eastern side of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip fired 3 artillery shells at a Palestinian checkpoint belonging to Palestinian armed groups. However, no casualties were reported, but the checkpoint sustained damages.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 54 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 78 Palestinian civilians, including 28 children and 2 women. Forty of them, including 18 children and 2 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
Creating Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
In the context of house demolitions, on 19 December 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a car shop belonging to ‘Adnan Harhash in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. The shop established in 2006 is comprised of a 50-square-meter hall and a 110-square-meter office in the second floor. Moreover, two cars were confiscated.
The Israeli Nature Authority staffs accompanied with Israeli forces fixed 10 banners in different parts of al-Rahmah Gate Cemetery adjacent to al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent burying in parts of it under the pretext that they are “national gardens.”
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 2 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) 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 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons. Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians.
Details
- Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 15 December 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested Mohammed Hasan Marshoud (22).
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Northern ‘Asirah village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Husni Mohammed Ahmed al-Burini (59), a PLC Member representing the“Hamas Change and Reform Bloc”, and questioned him in his house for an hour and then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Monadel Theeb Sa’adah (41), a former prisoner, and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services. Following this, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Obadah Nezar al-Jamal (20), a student in Najah National University. They then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its camp, west of the city. They raided and searched several houses. They arrested Mahmud Ahmed Qambaa’ (59) and Mohammed Salem Abu Mokh (20) and withdrew at approximately 05:00 taking them to an unknown destination.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron, and stationed in the center of the city. They raided and searched Jamal ‘Ali al-Tamizi (61), former Mayor of Ethna village, and then arrested him.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus; Salfit, Yatta, Halhoul, Kharas and Beit ‘Awa villages in Hebron.
Friday, 16 December 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Karmel neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Othman Mahmud Abu Qabitah (44) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 01:55, Israeli forces moved into Maradah village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Saleh Mohammed al-Samri (59). At approximately 02:30, they withdrew, but no arrests were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Silat al-Harithiya village, west of Jenin. Al-Haryah Valley area, south of Hebron; Bani Na’im village, east of the city and Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit.
Saturday, 17 December 2016
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, and stationed in the centre of the city. They raided a house belonging to Mousa Hasan Za’aqiq. Following that, Israeli soldiers raided and searched an empty shop rented by Mohammed ‘Essa Safi after breaking the main door. At approximately 04:00, the Israeli forces withdrew from the village, but no arrests were reported.
- At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Monther ‘Amerah (45), an activist against the annexation wall and settlement activities and Mohammed Walid al-‘Ezah. Israeli forces later withdrew taking the arrested civilians to an unknown destination.
- In excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworkers, at approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces accompanied with 19 military jeeps moved into Beit Rima village from the south-eastern side of the village where they patrolled in the streets. A number of young men gathered adjacent to Abu Baker Mosque in the central city. They closed the roads by stones and containers and set fire to the tires. The Israeli soldiers immediately fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters in response. In the midnight, about 25 soldiers patrolled and moved into the center of the village, so the protesters threw stones at them. At approximately 01:10 on Sunday 18 December 2016, the soldiers heavily and randomly fired live bullets at them. As a result, Ahmed Hazem Zaidan (17) sustained a live bullet wound in the left side of the chest. He was transferred via a civilian car to Martyr Yasser Arafat Hospital to receive medical treatment, but he died upon arrival. It should be noted that the abovementioned child is the son of Hazem ‘Ata Zaidan, who served a 15-year sentence in the Israeli jails and was released only3 months ago. The shooting also resulted in the injury of a 19-year-old civilian with a live bullet in the shoulder.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Fawar refugee camp; Lawzah area, west of Hebron and Hawarah village, south of Nablus.
Sunday, 18 December 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mojahed ‘Ali Qasem al-Shaikh (24) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheisheh refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Ahmed Sa’ad al-Saeifi (24) and Khalil Mohammed al-Banna (22).
- At approximately 07:15, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, west of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. The shooting sporadically recurred until at approximately 10:00 on the same day. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded, and neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
- At approximately 22:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded, and neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Thaheriyah; Taffouh; Beit al-Roush and al-Mawreq villages in Hebron.
Monday, 19 December 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in the southern area. They raided and searched a metal workshop belonging to Wajeh ‘Atiyah al-Rajabi (50). They confiscated the equipment and machines of the workshop, claiming they were used in making weapons.
- At approximately 02:00, large Israeli forces moved into Kafer Qalil village, southeast of Nablus. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Adham ‘Ali ‘Amer (21), a student in Najah National University, and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bal’ah village, northeast of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and then arrested Mahmud Suleiman Anwar Suleiman Nassar (41) and his brother Saif (17). At approximately 04:30, they withdrew taking the arrested civilians to an unknown destination.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Qusai Na’el Taqatqa (14) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Hammad Mohammed al-‘Alami (20) from Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, after referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
- At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, fired three artillery shells at a checkpoint belonging to al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas Movement). As a result, the shelling caused material damages in the site, but no casualties were reported.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Zawiyah and Kafer al-Deek villages west of Salfit; Birzeit village, north of Ramallah; Nemrah neighborhood in Hebron; al-Aroub refugee camp and al-Thaheriyah villages.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
- In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Rantees village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed ‘Ali Naddaf (24) and Mohammed Jamal Hoshah (28) and then arrested them. It should be noted that the Israeli forces continued to close the eastern entrance to the village with cement cubes for the second consecutive day. They also established a checkpoint at the western entrance to the village.
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Salem village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Obadiah Kamal Jabbour (20) and then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmud Mohammed Taqatqa and then arrested his son Mohammed (17). They also handed 2 summonses to Mohammed Husain ‘Ali Deriyah (14) and ‘Awni Ahmed Taqatqa (14) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sa’ir, Beit Ummer villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Thaheriyah village, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Deir and Muthalath Eshbiliyah areas. They raided and searched 3 houses after which they arrested Ehab Anwar al-Hawarin (22), Mohammed Zamel Shanyour (21) and ‘Odai ‘Ali Kamel (21).
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 7 civilians and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Yazan Nabil Deriyah (17), Ahmed Mohammed Taqatqa (15), Radi Salah Taqatqa (15), Eyad Nader Taqatqa (15), Mohammed Ayman Taqatqa (15), Ahmed Neadal Taqatqa (15) and Ibrahim Jabril Taqatqa (15).
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tarqumiya village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Rafiq Dababsah (30) an then arrested him.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Asker village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Montaser Talal Duwaikat (23) and the house of his uncle adjacent to Montaser’s house. They then arrested Montaser and withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 5 civilians, including 2 brothers, and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as Osayed Khalid Hamad Rihan (23), a student in al-Quds Open University; Mo’ath Bilal Mohammed Shtayyah (26); his brother Majd (19); Walid Jamal Ahmed ‘Asidah (22) and Samir Taleb Salwadi (20). It should be noted that the last three abovementioned civilians are students in Najah National University in Nablus.
- Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron, and stationed in al-Karmel area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Rezeq al-Shamisti (22) and then arrested him.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Nemrah neighbourhood in Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp and al-Thaheriyah village in Hebron.
- Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
- Following the Friday prayer on Friday, 16 December 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Ni’lin villages, west of Ramallah; al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city; and Kafer Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protests, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and between the houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
- 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.
Beit Hanoun (“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.
Category | 07 December | 08 December | 09 December | 10 December | 11 December | 12 December | 13 December |
Patients | 46 | 29 | 1 | – | 48 | 45 | 62 |
Companions | 49 | 34 | 1 | – | 45 | 42 | 57 |
Personal needs | 56 | 28 | 15 | – | 31 | 26 | 29 |
Families
of prisoners |
– | – | – | – | – | 57 | – |
Arabs from
Israel |
1 | 7 | 2 | – | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Diplomats | 4 | 8 | 1 | – | – | 8 | 6 |
International journalists | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
International workers | 38 | 68 | 13 | – | 6 | 20 | 31 |
Travelers
Abroad |
– | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
Business people | 211 | 201 | 1 | 1 | 309 | 187 | 181 |
Business meetings | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
Security interviews | 4 | 11 | – | – | 9 | 6 | 5 |
VIPs | 3 | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 |
Ambulances
to Israel |
3 | 6 | 5 | – | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Patients’ Companions | 3 | 4 | 5 | – | 2 | 3 | 3 |
worshipers | – | – | 86 | – | – | – | – |
Category | 14 December | 15 December | 16 December | 17 December | 18 December | 19 December | 20 December |
Patients | 47 | 27 | 1 | – | 51 | 46 | 63 |
Companions | 46 | 28 | 2 | – | 44 | 43 | 55 |
Personal needs | 32 | 31 | 9 | – | 33 | 21 | 34 |
Families
of prisoners |
– | – | – | – | – | 38 | – |
Arabs from
Israel |
4 | 10 | 4 | – | 5 | 8 | 5 |
Diplomats | – | 7 | – | – | – | 11 | 6 |
International journalists | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
International workers | 30 | 79 | 12 | – | 19 | 20 | 33 |
Travelers
Abroad |
– | – | – | – | 2 | – | 48 |
Business people | 131 | 170 | 1 | – | 339 | 241 | 212 |
Business meetings | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – |
Security interviews | 7 | 13 | – | – | 6 | 9 | 9 |
VIPs | – | 1 | – | – | – | 2 | 1 |
Ambulances
to Israel |
3 | 4 | 2 | – | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Patients’ Companions | 3 | 4 | 2 | – | 1 | 3 | 3 |
worshipers | – | – | 75 | – | – | – | – |
Israeli Forces Arrest Two Traders at Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing
- At approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 15 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested a Palestinian trader named Ahmed Mohamed Musbah Khalil (40), from Jabaliya refugee camp. It should be noted that Ahmed owns Um al-Qura foodstuff company. Ahmed’s brother, Musbah, stated that Ahmed headed via Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing on Sunday, 11 December 2016, to the West Bank. Ahmed got a BMC permit two years ago from the Public Authority for Civil Affairs. He used his permit to travel through Erez crossing dozens of times. Ahmed’s family was informed by friends that Israeli forces arrested Ahmed on Thursday, 15 December 2016, while returning to the Gaza Strip. Musbah headed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza to get information about his brother. Musbah has had no information about the place of his brother so far.
- At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 18 December 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested a Palestinian trader named Hasan Fares Shehada (52), from Gaza City. Hasan’s son, Mohamed Shehada, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that at approximately 08:00, his father headed to Erez crossing upon a call he received from the Israeli Intelligence Service on Thursday, 15 December 2016. The family knows nothing about him since then. It should be noted that Shehada works as a trader and he always travels to the West Bank via Erez crossing. It should be noted that Hasan returned to the Gaza Strip on 14 December 2016, a day before he was summoned by the Israeli Intelligence Service.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
Date | 04 December | 05 December | 06 December | 07 December | 08 December | 09 December | 10 December | |
Total Imports | 559 | 565 | 592 | 632 | 585 | – | – | |
Various goods | truckloads | 195 | 197 | 201 | 257 | 218 | – | – |
Humanitarian aid | truckloads | 117 | 121 | 129 | 151 | 151 | – | – |
Cooking gas | liters | 264.610 | 258.020 | 255.030 | 225.290 | 160.940 | – | – |
Benzene | liters | 264,966 | 300,956 | 115,994 | 337,984 | 182,987 | – | – |
Diesel | liters | 888,109 | 893,114 | 1064,157 | 839,388 | 670,81 | – | – |
Industrial fuel | liters | 303,982 | 259,984 | 399,491 | 343,994 | 441,932 | – | – |
Cement
|
Tons | 3516 | 3087 | 3599 | 3864 | 4012,8 | – | – |
Bulk cement | truckloads | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – |
Construction aggregates | Tons | 13600 | 13641 | 14438 | 12400 | 12073,3 | – | – |
Construction steel | truckloads | 6 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 22 | – | – |
(04 – 10 December 2016)
Note:
- During the abovementioned period, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of vegetables, fruits, iron scraps and leather skin in limited amounts.
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 (19) checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 15 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Halhoul village, and at the entrance to Beit ‘Awaa village.
On Friday, 16 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the southern entrance to Hebron; at the entrance to Raboud village; and at the entrance to Khilat al-Mayyiah road, east of Yatta.
On Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the southern entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp; at the entrance to Abu al-Samn road, east of Yatta village; and on Abu al-Risha road, west of Ethna village.
On Sunday, 18 December 2016, Israeli forces established 3 similar checkpoints at the southern entrance to Hebron; on al-Simiya road, west of Samou’a village; and on Hasakah and Halhoul raod.
On Monday 19 December 2016, Israeli forces established 4 similar checkpoints at the entrance to al-Koum village; at the eastern entrance to Bani Na’iem village; at the entrances to Beit ‘Aynoun village and al-Fawar refugee camp.
On Tuesday, 02 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to al-Shyoukh village and on Farsh al-Hawa road, west of Hebron.
On Wednesday, 21 December 2016, Israeli forces established 2 similar checkpoints at the entrances to Ethna village and al-‘Aroub refugee camp.
- Ramallah and al-Bireh:
On Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces closed the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, and restricted the civilian’s movement.
On Sunday, 18 December 2016, Israeli forces closed the entrance to ‘Abood village, northwest of Ramallah , and restricted the civilian’s movement.
On Monday, 19 December 2016, Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance to Rantees village, northwest of Ramallah, with cement cubes. They also established a checkpoint at the western entrance to the village and prevented civilians from entering and exiting the village. These procedures came after the Israeli authorities declared that an Israeli settler was wounded near the above mentioned village on Sunday, 18 December 2016.
On Tuesday, 20 December 2016, Israeli forces closed the iron gate leading to al-Nabi Saleh village and Western Bani Zaid villages, northwest of Ramallah. It should be noted that Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions for the 3rd consecutive day in the abovementioned areas. They established military checkpoints at the entrances to the village and closed them with sand barriers. These arbitrary measures came upon incursions carried out by Israeli forces into western Bani Zaid village few days earlier and killing of a Palestinian child from Beit Rima village as a result.
Qalqiliyah:
At approximately 17:45 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilyia. At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 19 December 2016, they also established a similar checkpoint at the eastern entrance to the village.
Salfit: Israeli forces established (8) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 15 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Deir Balout village, west of Salfit, while at approximately 09:10, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance to Kafur al-Deek village, west of the city.
At approximately 08:20 on Sunday, 18 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit, while at approximately 20:00, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of the city.
Nablus:
At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests at military checkpoints:
- On Thursday, 15 December 2016, Israeli forces arrested Amir Mohamed al-Titi (23), from al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, after detaining him at a military checkpoint. He was taken to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 22:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at al-Hamrah checkpoint, southeast of Tubas, arrested Mahmoud Saleem ‘Aliyan (24), from al-Far’ah refugee camp, south of the city. The abovementioned civilian was arrested while returning from Jericho to his house in al-Far’ah camp. It should be noted he works as a construction worker.
- At approximately 23:50, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Hares village, north of Salfit. The Israeli soldiers checked the civilians’ IDs and searched their vehicles. They also arrested Ramzi Abed al-Salam ‘Arif Ibdaah (29), from Mardah village, north of the city.
- On Friday, 16 December 2016, Israeli forces arrested Ward Abed al-Qadir Hamed (15), from Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, while he was present at the western entrance to the village.
- At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 19 December 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqiliya. They checked the civilians’ IDs and searched their vehicles. They also arrested Iman Jalal Mahmoud Ali (17), from ‘Azoun ‘Etmah village. Israeli forces claimed that they found a knife with Iman and she attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.
- At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 21 December 2016, Israeli forces arrested Mazen Hasan Abu Dabous (24), from Tarqumiya village, west of Hebron, after detaining him at a military checkpoint at the village’s entrance.
- Efforts to Create Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:
Shooting incidents:
- At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 17 December 2016, during an argument between Israeli settlers and Palestinian young men, which developed to fistfight, Israeli security officers moved into Baten al-Hawa neighborhood in Selwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. The officers randomly fired live bullets and sprayed pepper spray. As a result, Mousa Ali Qara’een (40) was hit with a live bullet to the right leg. Additionally, Malek Monzer al-Rajbi (7) and Hazem and Jadallah al-Rajbi suffered tear gas inhalation. All of them were taken to al-Maqased Hospital to receive medical treatment. After that, Israeli Intelligence officers and special forces moved into Baten al-Hawa and deployed in the streets. They closed all entrances and prevented civilians’ movement in Selwan village. They also arrested Mohamed Ghaith (18), Ali Rohi Da’nah (20), and Yazan Zuhair al-Rajbi (17). It should be noted that they summoned Zuhair, Jadallah and Kayed al-Rajbi for interrogation.
Arrests and Incursions:
- At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 15 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched dozens of houses from which they arrested 9 civilians. The arrested persons were identified as:
- Hanadi Sarhan (34) and her son Musalam Mousa ‘Odah;
- Loai Samer al-Rajbi (21);
- Majdi Ayman ‘Abasi (19);
- Samer Hamza al-Shaloudi (18);
- Tareq Sa’adah al-‘Abasi (25);
- Fadi Hasan al-‘Abasi (18);
- Mohamed Abu Hamam (19); and
- Bahaa Abu Tayieh (19).
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aisawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Yehia Yaser Abed al-Kamel (16); Abed al-Kreem Sha’ban ‘Obaied (27); Ameer Khaldoun Mostafa (23); and Mostafa Ibrahim ‘Asaliya (24).
- At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Na’iem Nadir al-Shareef (17) and Ahmed Khalid Jowalis (22).
- At approximately 02:30 on Monday, 19 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into Sho’fat refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested 4 children. The arrested children were identified as Ya’qoup al-Qawasmi (15); Ameer al-Qawasmi (13); Mostafa Badawi Shaikha (17); and Mohamed Khalid Shaikha(17).
- At approximately 11:00, Shifa Fadil ‘Abido al-Shaloudi (37) turned himself in al-Maskobiya prison in West Jerusalem, to serve her 7-month imprisonment sentence. Shifa was accused of attacking the police in addition to her illegal presence in Jerusalem. Al-Shaloudi family stated that Shifa surrendered after 11 months of house arrest. They added that she was arrested in October 2015 and was released 40 days later on bail. Additionally, the prison administration imposed house arrest on her until finishing the legal measures against her. At the beginning of this month and after many sessions held months ago, Shifa was sentenced. Furthermore, she was deported to Jerusalem after canceling the family’s union permit given to them from the Israeli authorities because for security reasons. It should be noted that Shifa is a mother of 4 children, the oldest is (18), while the youngest is (9).
- At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mohamed Najeeb al-A’war (15) and Shadi Mohamed al-A’war (20).
- At approximately 19:00 on Monday, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighbourhood, east of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khamees al-Tahaan and arrested his sons Yazan (21) and Safeer (17).
- At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 20 December 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aisawyia village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mohamed Ali Dari (13); Khalid ‘Awni Abu Ghoush (17); and Mohamed Mousa Mostafa (17).
- At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Selwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Zaydani (13) and arrested him.
- At approximately 16:00, on Tuesday, Israeli forces moved into Sho’fat refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched commercial stores. In the meantime, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who randomly fired live and metal bullets in response. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 5 children from the camp and 4 workers, who did not have work permits in Jerusalem. The arrested children were identified as Montasir Abu Kamal (16); Rami Samoum (17); Karam Marar (16); Sarhan Mohamed (17); Majd Khadir (17). PCHR’s fieldworker could not know the names of the arrested workers because they were from the West Bank.
House demolitions and demolition notices:
- On Sunday 18 December 2016, a crew from the Israeli Authority of Nature along with Israeli forces hanged posters on Bab al-Rahma cemetery near al-Aqsa Mosque in East occupied Jerusalem. The posters read that burial in the cemetery is prevented because it is a national park. Mostafa Abu Zahrah, head of the committee preserving Islamic cemeteries in Jerusalem, stated that the Israeli Authority of Nature crews hanged around 10 posters throughout Bab al-Rahma cemetery written in Arabic and Hebrew “The National park around the Jerusalem’s walls is a public and open area… throwing rubbish is forbidden… burial is forbidden”. It should be noted that Bab al-Rahma cemetery located near al-Aqsa Mosque is an Islamic cemetery. Israeli authorities confiscated parts of it for tourism. These Israeli violations continued by raiding the cemetery and preventing the burial in it. Additionally, they demolished empty graves and prevented civilians from burial in the cemetery.
- At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 19 December 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished a commercial facility “Car Shop” in al-Shayikh Jaraah neighbourhood in Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. The facility belongs to ‘Adnan Harhash, who said he was surprised that his facility and the land around it were demolished. The above-mentioned facility was built in 2006 on an area of 50 square meters. Israeli forces also confiscated two cars from the car shop. Furthermore, Israeli forces ordered ‘Adnan to remove the rubble and if not, they would impose a fine on him.
- At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 21 December 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished a 55-square-meter residential room in al-Thawri neighborhood, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. The abovementioned room belongs to Iyyas al-Zaghal, who said that Israeli forces surrounded his house and prevented his family from getting out. After that, the Israeli bulldozers demolished the residential room, which was built 6 months ago for his son Hussain.
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:
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.