Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(17 – 23 August 2017)
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (17 – 23 August 2017).
Shooting:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child in the West Bank and wounded 5 civilians, including a child, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Two of them were wounded in the West Bank, and the 3 others were wounded in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip continued to chase the Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
In the West Bank, on 19 August 2017, Israeli forces killed Qotayabah Zahran (17) from ‘Alar village, north of Tulkarm. The abovementioned was walking near a bus station when an Israeli soldier shouted at him to stop. However, the soldier stationed inside the watchtower established at the checkpoint directly opened fire at Zahran and killed him. The Israeli forces claimed that the abovementioned child attempted to stab one of the Israeli border guard officers, who were securing the checkpoint, so he was neutralized.
In the same context, during the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 2 Palestinian civilians after opening fire at them when the Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, north of the West Bank, to carry out an arrest campaign.
In the Gaza Strip, border areas witnessed protests against the unjust closure imposed on the Gaza population. During these protests, Israeli forces used force against the protestors, particularly when dispersing them. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded. One of them was wounded with a live bullet to the shoulder while the two others were wounded after being directly hit with sound bombs.
Concerning attacks on fishermen, on 21 August 2017, Israeli gunboats sporadically opened fire at and chased Palestinian fishing boats, northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip. The shooting recurred in the abovementioned area on 22 and 23 August 2017.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 43 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 10 ones in Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 49 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children. Twenty seven of them, including 11 children, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs while two children were arrested during a peaceful protest in Qalqiliya.
Collective Punishment Policy:
As part of the Israeli forces’ collective punishment policy against the families of Palestinian civilians who are accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers or/and settlers. On 17 August 2017, Israeli forces blew up te first floor of a house belonging to the family of ‘Adel ‘Ankoush in Deir Abu Mesh’al, northwest of Ramallah. Asa result, the ground floor sustained severe damage as well as a nearby house. It should be mentioned that on 16 June 2017 the Israeli forces killed the above-mentioned civilian along with his two friends after a stabbing and shooting attack in occupied Jerusalem, resulting in the killing of an Israeli female soldier.
Efforts to create Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
In the context of house demolitions, On 22 August 2017, Israeli Municipality bulldozers demolished a house belonging to ‘Abed al-Kareem Abu Sneinah in al-Bistan neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, for the 2nd time within one week. They then demolished the house. It should be noted that on Tuesday, 15 August 2017, the Israeli bulldozers demolished 2 houses belonging to Abu Sneinah family. Within one week, Abu Sinanh family along with activists managed to remove the rubble and re-built the house, but the Israeli forces again demolished the house. The Israeli authorities planned to demolish all the houses in al-Bostan neighborhood in favor of establishing “King Park” on its rubble.
Settlement activities and settler attacks
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
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Khader Ghuneimat said to PCHR’s field worker:
“At approximately 01:30, I walk up to a sound of heavy knocking on the door. When I opened the door, about 15 soldiers, a police man and female soldier entered the house. They ordered me to bring my ID card. A soldier informed me that they were looking for money belonging to Hamas Movement. My family comprised of 3 daughters was all held in a room in a room. One of my daughters is 11 years old and suffers from autism. I sat in the living room as the soldiers were searching the house and my car that was in the garage. They then moved the family to another room and physically searched them. They then searched my daughters’ rooms for half an hour and then came to the living room. They confiscated around NIS 3986 and JD 190. The confiscated money was written down in a case report, which the soldiers gave me a copy of. After we cleaned up the house, my daughter Ebaa’, whose tuition fees were confiscated, lost a gold necklace with her name on it from her room.”
Note:
During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura and Hadab villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.
Friday, 18 August 2017
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta and Bani Na’im village in Hebron.; and Howarah village, south of Nablus.
Saturday, 19 August 2017
Sunday, 20 August 2017
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Barta’ah village, southwest of Jenin; Dura, Bani Na’im al-Rayheyah villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.
Monday, 21 August 2017
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Asirah northern village, north of Nablus; Sela al-Thaher village, south of Jenin; Kafer Thuluth village, east of Qalqiliyah; Sa’ir, al-Hadab villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron.
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qalqiliyah and ‘Azoun village, east of the city, and al-Thaheriyah and al-Majd villages in Hebron.
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Demonstrations in protest against the annexation wall and settlement activities
West Bank:
Gaza Strip:
(PCHR keeps the name of the wounded civilians)
Collective Punishment:
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitnesses’ accounts, at approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 17 August 2017, Israeli forces backed by several military jeeps and an engineering unit moved into Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They then surrounded a 2-storey house belonging to the family of ‘Adel Hasan Ahmed ‘Ankoush. The house was built on an area of 150 square meters, sheltering 6 members, including 4 children. Many soldiers raided the second floor in the house while the engineering unit planted explosives inside and blew it up. As a result, the ground floor sustained serious damage in addition to a nearby house belonging to Mustafa Sobhi Far as the bedroom wall collapsed.
It should be noted that on 16 June 2017, the Israeli forces killed ‘Adel and two of his friends namely Bara’a Ibrahim Saleh ‘Ata and Osama Ahmed Dahdouh ‘Ata from Deir Abu Mesh’al village, after they carried out a stab and shooting attack against al-Sultan Suleiman Street at the northern entrance to Bab al-Amoud (Damascus Gate) in East Jerusalem. The attack caused the death of an Israeli female soldier. Moreover, the Israeli forces raided the houses of the 3 killed civilians on 17 June 2017 and orally informed them of the demolition decision of their houses after they took thir measurements.
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.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
Date | Imports | |||
Category | Amount | |||
Tons | Number | Liters | ||
07 August | Various goods | 3526 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 16034 | |||
Cooking gas | 292,410 | |||
Benzene | 190,039 | |||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
189,979
38,000 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 11320 | |||
Cement | 2680 | |||
Construction steel | 228 | |||
08 August
|
Various goods | 3484 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 15800 | |||
Cooking gas | 296,210 | |||
Benzene | 114,023 | |||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
151,932
76,000 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 11760 | |||
Cement | 2960 | |||
Construction steel | 413 | |||
09 August
|
Various goods | 3155 |
|
|
Humanitarian aid | 1516 | |||
Cooking gas | 298,630 | |||
Benzene
|
75,986
|
|||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
189,958
38.474 |
|
Construction aggregates | 11120 | |||
Cement | 3080 | |||
Construction steel | 530 | |||
|
Various goods | 4397 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 13101 | |||
Cooking gas | 292,820 | |||
Benzene | 38,002 | |||
Diesel for UNRWA
|
74,650
|
|||
10 August
|
Construction aggregates | 8760 | ||
Cement | 3040 | |||
Construction steel | 712 | |||
|
Various goods | 3712 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 15681 | |||
Cooking gas | 294,590 | |||
Benzene
|
151,990
|
|||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA
|
1,021,906
39,335 |
|||
13 August
|
Construction aggregates | 12360 | ||
Cement | 2360 | |||
Construction steel | 487 | |||
|
Various goods | 4638 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 15497 | |||
14 August
|
Cooking gas | 297,400 | ||
Benzene
|
192,072 | |||
Diesel
|
1,165,927
|
|||
Construction aggregates | 10600 | |||
Cement | 2780 | |||
Construction steel | 555 | |||
|
Various goods | 3589 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 14200 | |||
Cooking gas | 293,030 | |||
Benzene
|
78,018
|
|||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
903,215
75,991
|
|||
15 August
|
Construction aggregates | 9800 | ||
Cement | 3240 | |||
Construction steel | 582 | |||
16 August |
Various goods | 3918 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 14730 | |||
Cooking gas | 289,718 | |||
Benzene
Benzene for UNRWA |
152,063
38,000 |
|||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
851,995
38,000 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 11280 | |||
Cement | 1800 | |||
Construction steel | 816 | |||
Various goods | 4519 | |||
17August | Humanitarian aid | 14813 | ||
Cooking gas | 295,664 | |||
Benzene | 302,123 | |||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
859,963
75,992 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 10920 | |||
Cement | 2960 | |||
Construction steel | 863 | |||
Various goods | 3901 | |||
20 August | Humanitarian aid | 16306 | ||
Cooking gas | 297,740 | |||
Benzene | 152,010 | |||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
674,847
38,000 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 13240 | |||
Cement | 2040 | |||
Construction steel | 580 | |||
Various goods | 3944 | |||
21 August | Humanitarian aid | 17625 | ||
Cooking gas | 288,580 | |||
Benzene | 156,026 | |||
Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
1,022,763
76,015 |
|||
Construction aggregates | 13040 | |||
Cement | 3160 | |||
Construction steel | 712 |
Exports:
On Monday, 07 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of a truckload of vegetable.
On Wednesday, 09 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 2 truckloads of vegetables, 2 truckloads of fish and a truckload of clothes.
On Thursday, 10 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of a truckload of vegetables.
On Sunday, 13 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 0.64 tons cucumbers; 0.6 tons of fish; 14 tons of eggplants; 13.3 tons of sweet potatoes; and 0.8 tons of sweet peppers.
On Monday, 14 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 4.48 tons of tomatoes; 3.6 tons of eggplants; and 0.75 tons of fish.
On Wednesday, 16 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 10.2 tons of tomatoes; 0.6 tons of fish; 14.5 tons of sweet potatoes; 1.4 tons of peppers; and 0.8 tons of eggplants.
On Thursday, 17 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 6 tons of tomatoes; 13 tons of furniture and 6 tons of clothes.
On Sunday, 20 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 4 truckloads of vegetables and a truckload of animals’ skin.
On Monday, 21 August 2017, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 3 truckloads of vegetables; 3 truckloads of Aluminum scrap and a truckload of tomatoes.
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
(15-21 August 2017)
Category | 15 August | 16 August | 17 August | 18 August | 19 August | 20August | 21August |
Patients | 44 | 37 | 37 | 1 | – | 71 | 52 |
Companions | 37 | 36 | 33 | 1 | – | 62 | 49 |
Personal needs | 32 | 50 | 37 | 5 | – | 143 | 45 |
Families
of prisoners |
– | – | – | – | – | – | 31 |
Arabs from
Israel |
5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | – | 8 | 1 |
Diplomats | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
International journalists | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
International workers | 35 | 39 | 32 | 8 | – | 1 | 12 |
Travelers
abroad |
65 | – | – | – | – | 6 | – |
Business people | 121 | 127 | 106 | 3 | – | 199 | 126 |
Business meetings | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Security interviews | 4 | 4 | 5 | – | – | – | 6 |
VIPs | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
Ambulances
to Israel |
5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | – | 4 | 2 |
Patients’ Companions | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | – | 4 | 2 |
Israeli Forces Arrest Palestinian Worker at Beit Hanoun “ Erez” Crossing
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:
On Thursday, 17 August 2017, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Sa’ir, Bait Ummer and Sureef villages.
On Friday, 18 August 2017, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Ethna village, Kharsa road and at the entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp.
On Saturday, 19 August 2017, 3 similar checkpoints were established on Beit ‘Awaa- Wad Risha road; at the entrance to Tarama village and on al-Nabi Yunis road, east of Halhoul village.
On Sunday, 20 August 2017, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the northern entrance to Yatta village and at the entrance to Sa’ir village.
On Monday, 21 August 2017, 4 similar checkpoints were established at the entrance to al-Fahs road, at the entrance to Beit Kahel, at the western entrance to Hebron and on Khelit al-Maiyyah road, east of Yatta.
On Tuesday, 22 August 2017, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Beit Ummer, Ethna, Beit ‘Awaa and al-Moreq villages.
Qalqiliyia: Israeli forces established (12) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 12:15 on Thursday, 17 August 2017, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between ‘Azoun and ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb villages, east of Qalqilayia.
At approximately 17:00, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of the city.
At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 18 August 2017, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilyia.
On Saturday, 19 August 2017, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints at the entrance to Kafur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyia (established twice); at the entrance to ‘Azoun village ( was established twice) and at the entrance to ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb village, east of the city.
On Monday, 21 August 2017, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the eastern entrance to Qalqilyia (established twice), at the entrance to Hiblah village, and at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of the city.
Salfit: Israeli forces established (6) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 17 August 2017, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Askaka village, east of Salfit.
At approximately 20:50 on Friday, 18 August 2017, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Kaful Hares and Hares village, north of Salfit.
At approximately 22:30, a similar checkpoint was established under the bridge of Askaka village, east of the city.
At approximately 11:30 on Saturday, 19 August 2017, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Askaka village, east of Salfit.
At approximately 19:40, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance to Salfit.
At approximately 21:00 on Monday, 21 August 2017, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to Deir Balout and al-Zawiyia villages, west of Salfit.
Jenin:
On Friday, 18 August 2017, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints throughout the city. The first checkpoint was established near al-Hadad village, east of Jenin; the second one was established on Jenin-Nablus street; the third one was established in the vicinity of Ya’boud and ‘Orabah villages, southwest of the city.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints:
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:
It should be noted that, on Tuesday, 15 August 2017, the Israeli bulldozers demolished 2 houses belonging to Abu Sneinah family. During one week, Abu Sinanh family along with activists removed the rubble and re-built the house, but the Israeli forces demolished the house again. The Israeli authorities planned to demolish all houses in al-Bostan neighborhood in favor of establishing “King Park” as since 2005, the Israeli authorities have distributed notices to residents. Over the past period, the residents were able to delay and abolish demolition orders through popular campaigns and legal proceedings. All the decisions are in effect now after the Israeli the municipality rejected all the plans submitted by the residents.
It should be noted that the Abovementioned School was built after Zawahra family donated a five-and-a-half-dunum plot of land in the centre of the Beit Ta’mour complex. The school administration was informed by the Israeli authorities to stop construction work in the school under the pretext of non-licensing. However, the project was completed, and six out of eight caravans were placed one day before the beginning of the new school year. Khirbet Jub al-Deeb is located in an area under the full Israeli control, so its residents should obtain permits from the Israeli Civil Administration to enable them to build and use the land for any purpose. This is considered impossible because of the impossible conditions imposed by the Israeli authorities in this regard, not to mention the Israeli Civil Administration’s policy of deliberately neglecting planning and developing the Palestinian villages located within the ‘C’ areas such as Jub al-Deeb to force its residents to leave voluntarily and move from their lands and villages to other areas. In the past years, the Israeli authorities have tightened their grip on the village residents to force them to leave, targeting three houses belonging to the residents under the pretext of non-licensing. Moreover, five other families left the village because they were deprived of their rights in the village and forced them to live in other areas. The rest of the village’s houses are still under threat because of non- licensing.
Recommendations to the International Community
PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 10 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.
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Public Document
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