Israeli
warplanes raided farmland and livestock barn, west of al-Nusairat refugee camp,
in the central Gaza Strip, due to which thousands of birds and cattle died

 

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians
and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

      

 

An Israeli drone targeted 2 members of an armed group
in the north of the Gaza Strip, due to which they sustained wounds.

13 civilian bystanders, including 5 children, were
wounded as well.

 

Israeli warplanes carried out 6 airstrikes on civilian
targets and paramilitary sites in the Gaza Strip.

An armed group member sustained minor wounds.

A livestock barn was destroyed, 18 sheep and a cow
died and the barn and windows of 5 houses sustained damage.

 

Israeli forces continued to open fire in the border
area of the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian civilian was moderately wounded in the
northern Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli forces continued to use excessive force
against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded in Bil’in weekly
protest, west of Ramallah.

 

Israeli forces conducted 82 incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

 35 Palestinian
civilians, including 3 children, were arrested.

 

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

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in
the West Bank.

At least one
Palestinian civilian was arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

A
Palestinian child was arrested at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

 

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire 3 times at fishermen in
the sea in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were
reported.

 

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

Settlers set fire to a poultry barrack in Madama
village, south of Nablus.

79 olive trees were cut off, northwest of Ramallah.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(17
– 23 April 2014).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 18
Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including 5 children and
3 members of armed groups. Israeli warplanes launched 6 airstrikes on civilian
targets and training sites throughout the Gaza Strip, while Israeli navy forces
carried out 3 shooting incidents against Palestinian fishing boats in the sea.     

                       

On 18 April
2014, a 24-year-old civilian from Jabalia sustained a bullet wound to the left
leg when Israeli forces stationed along the border, east of Jabalia town,
opened fire at a group of youngsters near the border.

 

On 21 April
2014, a member of an armed group was wounded when an Israeli warplane attacked
a paramilitary site of a Palestinian armed group, southeast of Deir al-Balah in
the central Gaza Strip.

 

On 23 April
2014, an Israeli drone targeted 2 members of an armed group on a motorbike in
Beit Lahia village in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, the 2 members and
13 civilians, including 5 children, were wounded in addition to,.

 

In the
context of airstrikes, on 21 April 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 6
airstrikes on civilian targets and paramilitary sites throughout the Gaza
Strip. As a result, a livestock barn  and
a cart were destroyed and 18 sheep, a cow, 10 chickens and 10 rabbits died.
Moreover, a neighbouring barn and 2 carts sustained damage and windows of 5
houses were broken.

 

In the
context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 17 April 2014, Israeli
navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats off Khan
Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, but neither casualties nor material
damage were reported.

 

On 17, 22 and
23 April 2014, Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats
sailing 3 nautical miles northwest off Beit Lahia shore, in the northern Gaza
Strip, and off Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip.    

 

In the West
Bank, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised
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. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to
the right hand, while dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 82 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 35 Palestinians, including 3
children.

 

On 20 April 2014, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet
village, southwest of Hebron. They raided a house belonging to the family of
Rezeq al-Hroub (54). They violently raided an apartment belonging to his son,
who is married. They ordered his family to stay outdoors. The son was severely
beaten up and then arrested.

 

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
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 7
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 1.7 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.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank,
including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

 

As part of using military checkpoints and border
crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are
wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least one civilian in the West Bank.

 

Settlement activities

 

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

 

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

 

on 19 April 2014, Israeli
forces moved into the pastoral lands surrounding Kherbet Um al-Kheir, east of
Yata, south of Hebron.  They prevented
civilians from grazing their sheep, denied them access to water wells and
insulted them with bad words.  They then
declared it as a close military zone.

 

Attacks carried out by settlers

On 17 April 2014, a group of
settlers from “Yitsahar” settlement set fire to a barrack used for grazing chickens
in Ma’aser al-Jaloud area in the north of Madma village, south of Nablus.  The cost of building and equipping the
barrack is around 250,000 NIS as it is a source of livelihood for a family of
10 members, including 2 university students.

On 18 April 2014, dozens of settlers under the
Israeli forces’ protection stormed the entrance of Ezna village, west of
Hebron. The Israeli forces closed the village entrance and isolated it, and the
settlers placed a monument and raised the Israeli flag on it in the place where
“Baroukh Mizrahi” was killed after his car was subjected to fire at the
entrance of the village, which is connected by bypass road 60.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers
from “Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, threw stones at civilian vehicles
passing on Qana Valley main road, north of the city.  As a result, Palestinian cars were damaged
and the passengers were terrified due to the stone-throwing on the dark road
adjacent to the aforementioned settlement.

 

On 19 April 2014,  a group of
settlers from “Nirea” outpost established on the lands of the villages of Ras
Karkar and al-Janiyah in the northern part of it, northwest of Ramallah,
uprooted and smashed 79 fruitful olive trees in al-Nabu ‘Aneir area, north of
the village, near the aforementioned village. 
Those attacked trees belong to four families from Ras Karkar
village. 

 

 

 

Israeli Violations
Documented during the Reporting Period (17 – 23 April 2014)

   

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

 

Thursday, 17 April 2014

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and
took photos of some areas. Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces with infantry
units moved into the southwest of Beit Rima, northwest of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
Hassan ‘Aqel (24). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to Ofer
detention facility.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Jalajel village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into
Bruqin village, west of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Basem Khloof (22). They
arrested the aforementioned persons and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Aranah village, north of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Nihad Radi Omari (21). They
arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Karmel village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and topped 3 houses. They kept the families residing in the 3 houses in one
room to secure the passage of settlers from “Ma’on”, “Sousia”
and “Havat Ma’on” settlements. Israeli forces withdrew later and no
further incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into the
south of Hebron. They deployed around Tareq Bin Ziad school, where a number of
boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters in response. A number of soldiers raided the school and
tried to attack some teachers. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into
‘Awwa village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Suleiman Salem al-‘Akimi (21) and arrested
him.  They then raided another house
belonging to the family of Ezz el-Din Mohammed Masalma (19) and arrested him as
well. Israeli forces raided other houses belonging to the families of: Mohammed
al-Masalma; Yosri Salem al-Masalma; Bassam Shalash al-Masalma; Ra’fat Hassan
Masalma and Samir Sobhi Shalash. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no further
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:35, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Estya village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:15, Israeli forces moved into
‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani
Na’im village, east of Hebron. they patrolled the streets and deployed between
the houses. Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the
entrance of Asida neighbourhood. They stopped and searched Palestinian
vehicles, while other soldiers topped a house belonging to the family of Ahmed
Mohammed Abu Ayash. They turned the house into a military site. In the
meantime, a number of settlers from “Beit Ein” settlement, west of
the village, threw stones at farmers in their lands and insulted them verbally.
The famers fled fearing for their lives, as the settlers were armed. The
settlers stole the farmers’ equipment.

 

At approximately 17:50, Israeli forces moved into
Koful Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:40, Israeli forces moved into
‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
Khan Yunis shore, in the southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian
fishing boats. However, neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At approximately 23:45, Israeli forces moved into
‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.      

Friday, 18 April 2014

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of
Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrested
were reported.

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew 3 hours later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Betounia village, west of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:30,Israeli forces moved into Tarqumia village, southeast of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Shehab
Mohammed Ja’afra (20). They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew
later.

 

At
approximately 2:00,Israeli forces moved into Senjel village, north of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 2:30,Israeli forces moved into al-Daheriya village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Shawawrah village, southeast of
Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Adel Mohammed
al-Shawarah (41). They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
In the meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of
Ahmed Taleb al-Dara’wi (26) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service in the aforementioned place. The Israeli forces withdrew
later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Kom village, southwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 11:50, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Qaddoum
village, northwest of Qalqilia. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:45, Israeli forces stationed along the border between Israel
and the Gaza Strip, east of al-Shuhada cemetery in the east of Jabalia in the northern
Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men, who were present a few meters
away from the border. The young men threw stones at the Israeli forces. As a
result, Ahmed Mohammed Saleh (24) sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. He was
taken to Kamal Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive medical treatment.

 

At
approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Bab al-Zawia area and Beersheba
Street in the center of Hebron. They patrolled between the stores. A number of
Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and gas
canisters at the youngsters and the stores randomly. As a result, a number of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. In addition, Israeli soldiers arrested
Omer Waddah Shehada (14) after chasing him in the area. He was taken to the
entrance of al-Shuhada’a Street where Israeli soldiers handed him to
Palestinian Military Liaison office some hours later.

 

At
approximately 17:35, Israeli forces moved into Eskaka village, east of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 17:50.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Taiba village, west of Jenin.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into Jinsafout village, east of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew at
approximately 21:10. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and positioned in front of municipality’s
building. Israeli soldiers raided the building and seized its
surveillance cameras and their recording devices. The Israeli forces withdrew
later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli
forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron.They patrolled the streets
for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Saturday, 19
April 2014

 

At
approximately 00:15, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek village, west of Salfit.
They raided a house belonging to the family of Shehab Karem Raja al-Deek (22).
They handed him a summon to refer to the Israeli intelligence service. Israeli
forces withdrew at approximately 02:30. No arrests were reported.

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Zaid village,
northwest of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Marada village, north of Salfit. They raided
a house belonging to the family of Rami Roland Ahmed Hujaiyer (21). They handed
him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service. Israeli forces
withdrew at approximately 01:30, but no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Zubaidat village, north of Jericho.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

Also around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Dia’ Amjad al-Rajabi
(19). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

At
approximately 01:50, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilia. They raided a number of houses and handed 5 civilians summonses to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service:

1. Isma’il Waleed Redwan (28);

2. Mohammed Abdul Aziz Kharfan (26);

3. Ahmed Hamad Fahmi al-Tabeeb (19);

4. Mojahed Hussein Shbaita (20); and

5. Ahmed Abdul Karim Abu Haniya (18).

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces withdrew and no
further incidents were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron. They deployed between the houses, due to which residents of the area
were frightened. Israeli forces withdrew later, but neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Kharsa village, southwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into neighbourhoods in the centre of Yatta, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Mousa Ya’qoub Sa’id (30). They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheisha refugee camp, west of Bethlehem.
They patrolled the streets and deployed between houses. They handed 4 civilians
summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion”
settlement, south of the city:

1. Saleh Mohammed al-Ju’aidi;

2. Malek Ibrahim Abu Khalifa;

3. Abdul Qader Mohammed al-Zeghari; and

4. Karim Jebril al-Hassanat.

 

At
approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Nezam village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of
houses. They also fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result,  a number of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation. Israeli forces arrested Muhanna Abdullah Tamimi (24) and Abdul
Hamid Tawfiq Tamimi (13). The 2 detainees were released 2 hours later.

 

At
approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and raided Rab’a Secondary School for boys. They
topped the school, where a number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in
response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

  Sunday, 20
April 2014

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Silet al-Harithiya village, north of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.  

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the
houses. Israeli soldiers cut off barbewire around a house belonging to the
family of Rezeq Ahmed al-Hroub (54). They moved into the house front yard and
fixed a time bomb on the door of an apartment belonging to the aforementioned
person’s son named Ayoub (23). Ayoub is married and suffers from mental
disorders. Israeli forces blew up the door, due to which the walls sustained
extensive damage  causing electricity
outage. The soldiers ordered Ayoub via loudspeakers to get out of the house,
then his wife and family members. He was severely beaten up and then taken to a
military vehicle that drove him to an unknown destination. Israeli forces
raided the house again and searched it using sniffer dogs and questioned his
wife on the spot.

 

Heyam al-Rjoub, Ayoub’s wife, said to a PCHR
fieldworker:

 

“My
husband and I were sleeping in the living room about a meter away from the main
door of the house. We heard an explosion and dust and smoke spread in the
house. In addition, the electricity went off. We heard someone saying, ‘Israeli
Army’. As soon as the dust cleared, I saw the door was completely destroyed and
some metal part of it scattered inside. My husband went out to the stairs
leading to his parents’ house on the second floor, but Israeli soldiers asked
him to back off and move towards them. I saw my father-in-law holding medical
reports of my husband. He followed my husband out. Israeli forces ordered us to
go out as well and asked me to bring Ayoub’s ID card. When we reached the gate,
they ordered us to step forward. We walked about 20 meters and then they forced
us to sit down near a damaged vehicle in the street. A masked person in
military uniform asked me in Arabic about my husband’s motorbike and if there
were any arms in our house. He threatened me if they found guns at home, they
would demolish the house. In the meantime, I heard my husband screaming. 10
minutes later, the Israeli soldiers asked me to go inside the house with them.
There were many soldiers inside searching the house using sniffer dogs.
Searching the house lasted for about an hour. Half an hour later, I saw Israeli
soldiers forcibly taking my husband Ayoub, who was handcuffed and blindfolded.
He was screaming and calling for his mother and father. At approximately 03:00,
Israeli soldiers withdrew and we went back home. I found the metal door
damaged. The metal shrapnel hit the walls and windows. Besides, Israeli
soldiers confiscated my husband’s motorbike. On Sunday morning, 20 April 2014,
someone called my father-in-law, introducing himself as an Israeli intelligence
officer. He asked him about my husband’s medicine and his health condition. It
should be noted that my father-in-law had given them my husband’s medical
reports from the Psychiatric Hospital in Bethlehem.”

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqa village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Dekk village, west of
Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa’ Saleh
‘Aqel (24). They withdrew at approximately 06:00, taking the aforementioned
person to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp adjacent to Jenin city.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed
al-Hosari (19) and arrested him.  They
then raided another house belonging to the family of Sa’d Sobhi Barghas (24)
and arrested him person as well.

At
approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Awarta village, southeast of
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Mazen Ja’fer
Shorrab (25) from a telecommunication store in al-Adas
neighbourhood. However, he was released 2 hours later.

   

Monday, 21 April 2014

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Burj village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Fawzi Ibrahim Talahma (30) and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Shyoukh
village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and stationed around Hebron university. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Bashar Abdul ‘Alim Da’na (27). They arrested
the aforementioned person. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided a house
belonging to the family of Alaa’ Majed Maraqa (26). They handed him a summons
to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion”
settlement, south of Bethlehem.  

 

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

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:50, Israeli warplanes opened fire at agricultural
lands along the border fence, east of Jabalia village, in the northern Gaza
Strip. Residents of the area were frightened, but neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:05, Israeli warplanes opened fire at agricultural lands along
the border, east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip. Residents of
the area were frightened, but neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At
approximately 13:00, an Israeli warplane raided a livestock barn, northeast of
al-Nusairat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, after 2 warning missiles
had been fired at the area. The 300-square-meter barn belong to the heirs of
Saleh Diab Abu ‘Eteiwi. Due to the attack, the barn was completely destroyed
and 18 sheep, a cow, 10 chickens and 10 rabbits died. In addition, a cart was
damaged. A neighbouring barn belonging to Saber Diab Abu ‘Eteiwi (58) and
windows of 4 houses were damaged as well, but no casualties were reported.

At
approximately 13:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a military site
belonging to a Palestinian armed group, southeast of Deir al-Balah, in the
central Gaza Strip. As a result, the site sustained damage and a member of the
armed group, who were around, sustained minor wounds. Moreover, windows of a
house belonging to Abu Rahma family were damaged.

 

Around the
same time, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at al-Qadissiya training site of
the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), west of Khan Yunis
in the southern Gaza Strip. The missile left a big crater in the site. 10
minutes later, the same site was attacked by another missile. Civilians who
gathered in the area were frightened, but no casualties were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Awarta village, southeast of
Nablus. They patrolled the streets firing gas canisters. As a result, a number
of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

 

At
approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ballout village, west of
Salfit. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:40, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into the western Toura village,
southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of
Mahmoud Jalal Zaid al-Kilani (22). They arrested the aforementioned person and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek village, west of
Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Heborn.
They patrolled the streets and raided a store belonging to Mohammed al-Tmaizi.
They confiscated a laptop to which surveillance cameras are attached. Israeli
forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.   

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awwa village, southwest of
Doura southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between the
houses. They also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Tareq
Nayef al-Masalma (25). They arrested the aforementioned person. In the
meantime, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to al-Masalma’s brother named
Mohammed, who had been already arrested.   

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. They withdrew later
and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Samou’ village, south of
Hebron. they patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Mohammed Fo’ad Awad (32). They kept his family in a room and
checked the ID cards of the family members. Israeli forces then raided a
neighbouring house belonging to the family of Ahmed Morshed Awad, and arrested
his son Mo’taz (20). At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ereq
al-Latoun area, north of the city, and raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Suleiman Ali Abu Ayash. They arrested his son Yusef (21). In the
meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Bader
Abu Ayyash. They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces
withdrew later taking the 2 detainees to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

At
approximately 06:10, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia shore,
in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing
within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were obliged to sail back
fearing of being wounded or arrested. Neither casualties no material damage
were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stopped a white
vehicle. They surrounded the vehicle and forced its driver Hamza Yusef al-Hroub
(25) to step out. They beaten him up and then arrested him.  

 

 

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They surrounded and raided a house belonging the
family of the arrested Hamza Yusef al-Hroub (25). At the same time, Israeli
soldiers raided and violently searched a house belonging to his brother Hazem
(22). Israeli forces withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled
the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Essa
Yunis al-Awawda (33). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to
an unknown destination.

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron. they
patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of
Ayman Hussein al-Za’aqiq (35). They arrested the aforementioned person and took
him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Barqa village, northwest of
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 6
civilians:

1. Omran Mohammed Saif (20);

2. Ezzat Tal’at Saif (23);

3. Abdul Hakim mohammed Saif (22);

4. Amin Tayseer Salah (22);

5. Majed Nader Hejji (21); and

6. Bara’ Jehad Abu Omer (23).

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqa village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. they patrolled the streets and raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Salama Abu Ras (37). They arrested
the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Mohammed Mostafa al-Najjar (30). They arrested the aforementioned
person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Burqin village, west of Jenin.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Osama Mohammed
Khalaf (22) and arrested him. They then raided a house belonging to the family
of Mohammed Hassan Soboh (22) and arrested him as well.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of
Hebron. they patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest off Beit Lahia shore,
in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were
sailing within 4 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were obliged to
sail back fearing of being wounded or arrested.  Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:00, Israeli infantry units moved into Khellet al-Katla area,
north of “Karmi Tsour” settlement, south of Beit Ommar, north of
Hebron. They prevented Palestinian farmers from working in their lands and forced
them to leave. In the meanwhile, Israeli vehicles arrived with a large number
of Israeli soldiers wearing phosphoric vests. They deployed in the farmlands
and started training related to suppression of demonstrations. Other soldiers
surrounded the area and denied Palestinians access to it.

 

In the
evening, an Israeli drone attacked 2 members
of an armed group on a motorbike in Beit Lahia town in the
north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, both of them, and 13 civilian bystanders,
including 5 children, were wounded. One of the 2 armed group members sustained
serious wounds.

 

According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:45 on Wednesday, 23 April
2014, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a motorbike near Beit Lahia Sport
Club in al-Manshiyah Street in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, which is
a densely-populated area.  As a result,
the two persons on the motorbike sustained shrapnel wounds throughout their
body and the wound of one of them was described as critical.  It was found out later that they are members
of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades – Martyr Nedal al-‘Amoudi Brigade.  Due to the scattering shrapnel, 13 civilian
bystanders, including 5 children, sustained shrapnel wounds throughout their
bodies, and they were transferred to hospitals to receive medical
treatment.  Their injuries ranged between
minor and moderate.

 

The attack caused minor damages to 7 stores and around 10 houses in
the vicinity of the targeted area. 
Moreover, residents, especially children and women, living in the street
were terrified.  It should be mentioned
that this street is known as one of the most densely-populated areas in Beit
Lahia.

 

Israeli forces declared later, via the Israeli media, that the
Israeli Air Force targeted, as they described, a Palestinian cell that had
intended to launch rockets at the Israeli towns, while PCHR’s investigations
confirmed that when they were targeted, they were not in a position to fire
rockets.

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).

 

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 organised 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.
As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the right hand
and a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation while others
sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being
arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful
protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

Following
the Friday prayer, 18 April 2014, international and Israeli human rights
defenders and Palestinian civilians from Bil’in village organised a peaceful
demonstration in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. Demonstrators moved in the streets raising the
Palestinian flag and they arrived at the area where the annexation wall is
established. Since the morning, Israeli forces closed all the entrances of the
village to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists
from joining the demonstration. Demonstrators
marched adjacent to the cement wall and tried to cross the fence before Israeli
forces that are stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large
number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters,
rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased
them into the olive fields. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was hit by a
gas canister to the right hand, demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

Also,
following the Friday Prayer, dozens
of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces
closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to
access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers.
The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who responded with live
ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and skunk
water at them and chased them
across olive fields as far as the outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens
of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as
they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Around the same time
on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, Israeli and international human
rights activists gathered at the Martyrs Square in al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Protesters made their way in
the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the
occupation and in support of the inalienable rights and resistance against the
Israeli occupation.The protesters walked
towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby
“Halmish” settlement are trying to seize.  Since the morning, Israeli forces had closed
all entrances of the village to prevent Palestinians, international activists,
and journalists from joining the demonstration. 
Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters, chased the
demonstrators into the village and sprayed them with waste water. As a result, many
of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as
they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

                

Following the Friday Prayer,18 April 2014,Palestinian
civilians and international activists organised a peaceful demonstration in the
centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, and headed towards the
eastern entrance of the village. They protested against the ongoing closure of
the entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Clashes erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound
bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets towards Palestinian
civilians to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate. As a result,
dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises
as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Other Demonstrations

 

· At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 17 April 2014, a
large number of school students from Taqqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem organized
a sit-in in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. When
the demonstrators were present in the main street at the entrance of the
village, Israeli forces arrived at the place and Israeli
vehicles took position along the main street. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and fired sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the participants of the sit-in. As a result, a
number of students suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew from
the area later, and neither further incidents nor arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 17 April 2014,
dozens of Palestinian young men headed, after joining a demonstration which
supports Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, to Bab al-Zawiya area in the
centre of Hebron. Upon the demonstrators’ arrival at the area near the
checkpoint established at the entrance of al-Shuhada
Street in the center of Hebron, Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and took
positions atop a number of buildings. They fired live ammunition, rubber-coated
metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at Palestinians and their
houses indiscriminately which forced the owners of the stores to close them due
to the intensity of the gas canisters thrown in the surrounding area.
Palestinian young men threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers
when backup forces arrived at the place which is close to Beersheba Street. In
addition, Israeli soldiers chased the Palestinian young men between the stores
and in the area of Wadi a-Tuffah Street, and they heavily fired gas canisters
at the area. Israeli soldiers arrested 5 civilians, including three children,
and they were taken to checkpoint (56) at the entrance of al-Shuhada Street.
Many civilians who suffered tear gas inhalation received medical treatment on
the spot. Israeli forces deployed in the area until late night.  They damaged a number of grocery stalls. The
detainees were:

1- Samer Adnan Salhab (19);

2- IhsanTayseer Sultan (20);

3- Muneer Mohammed Salhab (16);

4- Hamza Khaled Shabana (15);

5- Umeir al-Ja’bari (12).

 

Following
the Friday prayer, 18 April 2014, dozens of Palestinian boys and civilians
gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on
the road between Selwad and Yabrod villages near Street 60. They threw stones
at the aforementioned street. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live
ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters, and chased
the demonstrators into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by the
Israeli soldiers.

          

 

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.

 

The
total closure of al-Mentar (“Karni”) crossing since 02 March 2011 has
seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all
economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut
off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the
Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.
The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the
Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

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.

 

The
cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu
Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities
only allow an average of 98 tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day.  This limited quantity is less than half of
the daily needs, which is 200 tonnes per day of the civilian population in the
Gaza Strip during winter.  The crisis has
unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption
in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances
of electricity.  The lack of diesel and
benzine led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas
cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzine to run generators.  As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

 

For almost 6 consecutive years,
Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials
to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of
limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations
in the Gaza Strip.  On 17 September 2013,
they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the
private sector.  However, on 13 October
2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP
projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels.

 

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.

 

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 denied permission to access hospitals
via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

 

The Egyptian authorities allow the
population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which
connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. 
Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients,
students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years,
females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign
nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian
delegations.  Supposedly the crossing
opens seven days a week.  Nowadays, the
crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side,
particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to
Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the travelers’ movement in both
directions.

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing

From
(10-22 April 2014)

 

 

Exports:

 

On Thursday, 10 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 228 kilograms of garlic and 180
kilograms of mints.

 

Other Imports:

 

On Thursday, 10 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 4780 tonnes of construction
aggregates, 688 tonnes of cement and 30 tonnes of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,192 tonnes
of fodders and 551 tonnes of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 13 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 236 tonnes of cement, 2,637 tonnes of
construction aggregates and 42 tonnes of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,046 tonnes
of fodders and 465 tonnes of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 16
April 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 129 tonnes of construction
steel, 348 tonnes of cement and 1,544 tonnes of construction aggregates for the
UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 804
tonnes of fodders and 905 tonnes of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 17 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,468 tonnes of construction
aggregates, 467 tonnes of cement and 129 tonnes of construction steel for
UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of
621 tonnes of fodders and 789 tonnes of wheat.

 

Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

On Thursday, 10 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed 5 truckloads of empty plastic containers and a
carton of wood to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

On Sunday, 13 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be
returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

On Wednesday, 16
April 2014, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to
be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

On Thursday, 17 April
2014, Israeli forces allowed 6 trucloads of empty plastic containers and a
truckload of oxygen cylinders to be returned via KArm Abu Salem.

 

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.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

16
– 22 April 2014

 

 

Notes:

 

1. On Thursday, 17 April 2014, Israeli authorities
allowed the passage of 200 Christians from the Gaza Strip to spend holidays in
Bethlehem in the West Bank.

2. On Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli authorities
allowed the passage of 20 Christians from the Gaza Strip to spend the holidays
in Bethlehem in the West Bank.

3. On Sunday, 20 April 2014, Israeli authorities
allowed the passage of 3 Christians from the Gaza Strip in Bethlehem in the
West Bank.

4. On Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Israeli authorities
allowed the passage of 3 Christians from the Gaza Strip in Bethlehem in the
West Bank.

 

Notes:

 

1. On Wednesday, 16 April 2014, and Thursday, 17
April 2014, Israeli forces opened Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing from 08:00 to
13:00 and then completely closed it due to the Jewish holidays.

2. On Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli forces closed
Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing except for patients of critical cases due to the
Jewish holidays.

3. On Sunday, 20 April 2014, Israeli forces closed
Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing except for patients of critical cases due to the
Jewish holidays.

4. On Monday, 21 April 2014, Israeli forces closed
Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing except for patients of critical cases due to the
Jewish holidays.

5. On Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Israeli forces
closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing and only allowed the entry of patients,
Arabs from Israel and personal needs under the pretext that the Palestinian
armed groups fired home-made rockets at the Israeli towns on Monday, 21 April
2014.

 

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 have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 17
April 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron.  At approximately 01:00, they established
checkpoints at the entrances of the eastern villages of the city.  Meanwhile, settlers were rioting on the
intersections of the roads and chanted racist slogans against Palestinians.

 

At
approximately 15:30 on Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Beit ‘Awwa village, southwest of Hebron.  At approximately 18:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Beit Ummar, northeast of Hebron.  At approximately 19:00, they established a
similar checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of the city.  At approximately 19:30, they established
another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Halhoul, north of the city.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 19 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Yata, south of the city.  At approximately 15:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of the city.  At approximately 18:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of the
city.  All checkpoints were removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 20 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of the city.  In the afternoon, another checkpoint was
established at the northern entrance of Halhoul (al-Hawawer intersection), north
of Hebron.  The two checkpoints were
removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 06:00 on Monday, 21 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on Tarousa Road between Dura and its western villages, southwest of
Hebron.  At approximately 07:00, they
established another checkpoint on Abu Rishah Valley Road, west of Ezna village,
west of Hebron.  At approximately 16:00,
another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Yata, south of
Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed
later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of
Hebron.  At approximately 08:00, another
checkpoint was established on the road between al-Samou’a village and Yata,
south of the city.  At approximately
15:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Ezna village, west
of Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed
later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 23 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna village, west of Hebron.  At approximately 07:30, a similar checkpoint
was established on the road between Dura and its western villages, southwest of
the city.  The two checkpoints were
removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Ramallah: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 09:30 on Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the eastern entrance of al-Nabi
Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At
approximately 11:45, they re-established their presence at ‘Atara checkpoint at
the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of the city.  At approximately 17:30, they established
another checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah, southwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 18:30, a
similar checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance of al-Tibah village,
northeast of the city.  All
checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 19 April 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al Beit ‘Aor al-Foqa village,
southwest of the city.  At approximately
21:30, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Deir Nizam
village, northwest of the city.  The two
checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 21 April 2014, Israeli forces re-established
at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of the city.  At approximately 19:00, another checkpoint
was established at the intersection
of Beit ‘Aor al-Foqa village, southwest of the city.  The two checkpoints were removed later, and
no arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 22 April 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village,
southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30,
a similar checkpoint was established near the entrance of Ni’lin village, west
of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:30,
they established another checkpoint near the entrance of Beit ‘Aor al-Foqa village, southwest
of Ramallah.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

· Bethlehem: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 17 April
2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Beit Sahour and
al-‘Ebeidiyeh village, east of Bethlehem. 
The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 19 April
2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 19:00, another checkpoint was established at the southern
entrance of the city.  The two
checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 21 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city.  They prevented civilians from entering or
leaving through the aforementioned entrance.  Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 16:00 on Monday, 22 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Oja village, northeast of Jericho.  At approximately 18:00, another checkpoint
was established at the southern entrance of the city.  The two checkpoints were removed later, and
no arrests were reported.

 

· Jenin: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  On
Sunday morning, 20 April 2014, Israeli forces stationed at al-Jelma checkpoint
between Jenin and Israel, northeast of Jenin, closed the checkpoint to the
moment of Palestinian civilian under the pretext of the Jewish holidays.  They checkpoint was closed till Tuesday, 22
April 2014.  Local sources said to a PCHR
fieldworker that closing the checkpoint cause deterioration to the economic
situation in Jenin and deprives it from the Palestinian shoppers coming from
Israel in addition to obstructing workers who have work permits from reaching
their work there.

· Qalqilya: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 18:30 on Thursday, 17 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between the villages of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 22:50, they re-established
the aforementioned checkpoint, and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 23:30, another checkpoint
was established near the entrance of al-Nabi Elias village, east of the
city.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 20 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Qana Valley Road between Qalqilya and Salfit and
obstructed movement till 12:30.

 

· Salfit: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 08:00 on Monday, 21 April 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Deor Ballut village, west of Salfit.  At approximately 10:30, the checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were
reported.

 

Arrests near the Borderline between
Israel and the Gaza Strip

 

At approximately 14:15 on Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli forces stationed
on the borderline between the Gaza strip and Israel, north of Um al-Naser
village (the Bedouin village) in the northern Gaza Strip, arrested Hussam
Mustafa ‘Abed Raboh Abu Hashish (17) from Um al-Naser village while he was
trying to pass the borde in order to infiltrate to Israel to work there.  His brother, Saddam, said that Hussam passed
the border, north of the aforementioned village and they received a call from
the Israeli authorities on the same day afternoon telling them that he is under
arrest.  He added that he does not know anything
about his brother.

                   

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military
Checkpoints

 

At approximately
11:00 on Friday, 18 April 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the electronic
gates established at al-Ibrahimi Mosque entrance in the centre of the Old City
in central Hebron arrested Ahmed Sedqi al-Atrash (21) and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

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

 

Attacks carried out by Israeli forces

 

At approximately
08:00 on Saturday, 19 April 2014, Israeli forces moved into the pastoral lands
surrounding Kherbet Um al-Kheir, east of Yata, south of Hebron.  They prevented civilians from grazing their
sheep, denied them access to the water wells and insulted them with bad
words.  They then declared it as a close
military zone.

 

At approximately
09:00 on Tuesday, 22 April 2014, Israeli forces deployed in the vicinity of
Kherbet Um al-Kheir, east of Yata, south of Hebron, prevented shepherds from
going back to al-Kherbeh after they were grazing their sheep in the
morning.  The Israeli soldiers detained
the shepherds under the sun till the afternoon without allowing them to take
their sheep to the wells

Attacks carried out by settlers

On Thursday early morning, 17 April
2014, a group of settlers from “Yitsahar” settlement set fire to a barrack used
for grazing chickens in Ma’aser al-Jaloud area, north of Madma village, south
of Nablus.  The barrack, which is around
80 meters away from the bypass road that leads to the aforementioned settlement,
belongs to Yasser Taher Yousif ‘Odah. 
The 470-square-meter barrack included 3,300 chicks, 120 waterers, 200
chicken feeders, and other equipment used in pottery barns.  The cost of building and equipping the
barrack is around 250,000 NIS as it is a source of livelihood for a family of
10 members, including 2 university students.

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 18 April 2014,
dozens of settlers under the Israeli forces’ protection stormed the entrance of
Ezna village, west of Hebron. The Israeli forces closed the village entrance
and isolated it, and the settlers placed a monument and raised the Israeli
flags on it in the place where “Baroukh Mizrahi” was killed after his car was
subjected to fire at the entrance of the village, which is connected by bypass road
60.

 

At approximately 21:50 on the same day, a group of settlers from
“Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, threw stones at the civilian vehicles
passing on Qana Valley main road, north of the city.  As a result, Palestinian cars were damaged
and the passengers were terrified due to the stone-throwing on the dark road
adjacent to the aforementioned settlement.

 

Sa’ed Ahmed Mahmoud E’amero (37), a
driver of one of the attacked cars from Beit Amin village, south of Qalqilya,
said to a PCHR fieldworker:

 

“At approximately 21:50 on Friday, 18 April 2014, when my mother,
sister and I were on our way back from Nablus, I took Qana Valley road to drive
my sister, Zolfa, home in Sartah village. 
I noticed a settler standing at the intersection of “Emanuel”
settlement.  As I moved a few meters into
Qana Valley Street, I was surprised that that the driver of the car in front of
me lost control of it.  I felt that there
was something wrong and then stones were thrown at my car.  I then noticed that the car in front of me
was thrown with stones as well.  I knew
later that the driver is Haitham Jamal al-‘Asi from Qarawet Bani Hassan village
and was with his wife and son.  We saw
settlers throwing stones and then hiding behind the trees.  We passed Qana Valley area and continued to
the intersection of Haris village, where the Israeli forces were
stationed.  I told them about what happened
and gave my statement.  My sister, Zolfa
Ahmed Mahmoud E’amero (42), was immediately taken to Pellnson Hospital in
Israel as she holds an Israeli ID card due to a shock as a result of the sudden
attack.”

 

At
approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 19 April 2014, 
a group of settlers from “Nirea” outpost established on the lands of the
villages of Ras Karkar and al-Janiyah in the northern part of it, northwest of
Ramallah, uprooted and smashed 79 fruitful olive trees in al-Nabi ‘Aneir area,
north of the village, near the aforementioned village.  Those attacked trees belong to four families
from Ras Karkar village.  It should be
mentioned that al-Nabi ‘Aneir agricultural area are annually subject to
frequent attacks by the settlers of “Nirea” especially during the season of
plowing and harvesting olives.  Those
attacks include burning and cutting down olive trees and beating and throwing
stones at the civilians who work in their lands before the eyes of the military
watchtowers spread in the vicinity of the settlement.

‘Abdel Latif Rajeh Dar Samhan (36)
said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

 

“At approximately 02:30 on Saturday, 19 April 2014, I received a
phone call from my cousin, ‘Azmi Saleh Samhan (37) and told me that a group of
settlers uprooted and smashed branches of fruitful olive trees in “al-Nabi
‘Eneir” agricultural area, north of the village and only 500 meters away from
the aforementioned outpost.  My brother
and I immediately went with my cousins and a number of young men from the
village to the aforementioned area as ‘Azmi was waiting for us in the beginning
of the road.  He had already called the
Israeli police and told them about what happened.  When we arrived, we saw around 15 settlers
aged between 18-30 years old and with 3 tracker dogs.  We stood 50 meters away from then upon the
Israeli police’s request after ‘Azmi’s phone call.  The settlers then threw stones at us and
insulted us with bad words as well as Prophet Mohammed and Allah.  Twenty minutes later, a force of the Israeli
police, forces and Liaison arrived at the area, so the settlers fled towards
the water spring in al-Tahta area. 
Israeli forces then inspected the damage, took photos and took our
statements.  The attack included
uprooting and smashing the branches of 79 fruitful olive trees belonging to
‘Azmi Saleh Taha Samhan (46 trees); ‘Abdel Latif Rajeh Dar Samhan (12 trees);
Moti’a ‘Abdel Fattah Nofal (15 trees); and Sa’id Mustafa Samhan (6 trees).”

 

On
Sunday morning, 20 April 2014, hundreds of settlers backed by large Israeli
forces stormed Prophet Joseph Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus.  The settlers performed their religious and
Talmudic rituals in the occasion of the Israeli Passover Holiday.  As a result, a number of boys and children
gathered to throw stones at the Israeli forces, which in response fired sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators to disperse them.  Neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

 

 

 

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 continued
aggression 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;

14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and
accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United
Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human
rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

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.