Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) (20– 26August 2015)

• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
• 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded in KuforQaddoum and Bil’in protests.

 

• Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea,but no casualties were reported.

 

• Israeli forces conducted 64incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 2 limited ones in the northern Gaza Strip.
• 64Palestinian civilians, including 19 children,were arrested.
• 19 civilians of these civilians, including 14 children, were arrested in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Israeli soldiers used toolsequipped with silencers to open doors of houses and stole money and jewellery from several houses.

 

• Israel continued to impose a total closure on the oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
• Many checkpoints were established in the West Bank.
• 6 Palestinian civilianswere arrested at checkpoints.
• Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian trader at Beit Hanoun crossing and prevented a patient from traveling for treatment.

 

• Israeli forces continued efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• Two houses for two brothers were demolished in Jabalal-Mokaberneighborhood.
• Many demolition notices were issued in Silwan; one of which addressedHelwah Valley Stadium.

         Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in theoPt continued during the reporting period (20– 26August 2015).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces used excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip,Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas along the Gaza Strip border. Moreover,Israeli navy forces continued to attack and chasePalestinian fishermen in the sea. During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank.

 

In the West Bank,Israeli forces continued to use excessive and systematic use of force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights activists in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli policies in the oPt. As a result,5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded during KuforQaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya, and Bil’in protest, west of Ramallah. During Bil’in Protest, 35-year-old Rani ‘Abdel Fattah Burnat, who is disabled and a photographer at the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bil’in, sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 3 protestors, including 2 photojournalists and a human rights activist, participating in al-Nabi Saleh protest, northwest of Ramallah, under the pretext that they were present in a closed military zone. Two of whom were taken to Benjamin police station, east of occupied Jerusalem, while the third one was taken to Oferdetention facility, southwest of Ramallah.

 

In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen, on 20 August 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, north of the Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at fishermen sailing within 2 nautical miles, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period,Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 ones in East Jerusalem.During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 64Palestinians, including 19 children. Nineteen of these civilians, including 14 children and the woman, were arrested in East Jerusalem.

 

During this week, PCHR fieldworkers documented that Israeli forces used tools equipped with silencers when opening the outside doors of many houses as their residents were surprised with the Israeli soldiers’ presence in their houses and bedrooms. They also documented the theft of money and jewellery belonging to women from those raided houses.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 20 and 25 August 2015, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited incursions in the northern Gaza Strip, during which they levelled lands and withdrew later.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

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

 

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

 

Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem

 

On 25 August 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished 2 houses belonging to Mohammed Sa’id al-Abasai and Khaled Sa’id al-Abasi in Jabal al-Mukaber village, southeast of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing.

 

On 20 August 2015, the committee of Helwa valley in Siwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem, received a decision from the Israeli Municipal Court for Local Affairs to demolish the playground and its facilities in that area.

 

In the same context and on the same day, Israeli municipal officers fixed a demolition order on al-Qa’qa’ Mosque in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem, under the pretext it was built without a license. Hani Abu Tayeh, who is responsible for the mosque, said that staff members of the Israeli municipality fixed a demolition order on the 110-square-meter mosque under the pretext that it was not licensed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details

 

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

 

Thursday, 20 August 2015

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sami Za’al. They arrested his son, Murad (26), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aydah refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Faraj. They arrested his son, As’ad (18), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into DeirSamit village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed in al-Simia area and then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Jarrah Walid al-Masalmah (16). The Israeli soldiers arrested the aforementioned child and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces backed by 4 bulldozers and 6 tanks moved 100 meters into the east of the memorial site, east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. They levelled vacant lands adjacent to the border fence. They then moved to the northwards to “16” Site, east of the same town. At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces redeployed along the border fence.

 

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli gunboats stationed of al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire sporadically in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. The shooting which continued for 10 minutes caused fear among fishermen forcing them to flee. Neither injuries nor damages to the boats were reported.

 

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces arrested Subhi Mansour ‘Obeid (14) and ‘Abdullah HelmiIshteiwi (14), northeast of Qalqilya, when they referred to the Israeli intelligence in “Arayel” settlement police station, north of Salfit, upon a summons they received previously. Next day afternoon, they were released on bail of 1,000 NIS for each of them.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron; al-Samou’a village, south of the city; al-Tabaqah village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron; Tulkarm

 

 

Friday, 21 August 2015

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Riyadh AkhdariMershedSabarnah (48) after breaking the main entrance and locking the family members in one room. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no arrests were reported.

 Note:

During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: villages of al-Majd and al-‘Aqabah, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron; Birzeit, north of Ramallah; Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city; and Fasayel village, north of Jericho.

 

Saturday, 22 August 2015

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in Safa area, southwest of the village. They then raided and searched a number of houses after locking their residents in one room. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Atil village, north of Tulkarm. They checked the consumed amount of water in the artesian wells. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Atil village, north of Tulkarm, for the second time during this day. They checked the consumed water of the artesian wells. No further incidents were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported:Senjel village, northeast of Ramallah; Bitello village, northwest of the city; villages of al-Jaftalak and al-Dyouk, north of Jericho; KafrRa’ie village, southwest of Jenin; al-Jalajel village, east of Hebron; al-Shyoukh village, northeast of the city.

 

Sunday, 23 August 2015

 

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Mo’ayadFo’adNaserGhanem and Mohammed YousifNaserGhanem. They handed them summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no further incidents were reported.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in the villages of al-Tarbeiqah and al-Madabe’a, northwest of the village. They raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested Mahmoud YaserBreigheth (23) and Yousif Riyadh Breigheth (21). When the Israeli forces were on their way out of the village, a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones at the Israeli vehicles. The Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and gas canisters at the boys and houses indiscriminately. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdel Rahman Mustafa Hamed (32) and the Israeli officer handed a summons holding the name of Ghassan ‘Abdel Qader, who lives in another neighbourhood, to refer to the Israeli intelligence. They threatened him if he did not take the summons and handed it to ‘Abdel Qader, they would arrest him.

 

• At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and Beit Jala. They slowly patrolled the streets of Beit Jala to Bab Zoqaq area and then to Jerusalem- Hebron main road in Bethlehem. An eyewitness said that two of the Israeli forces dressed in plain clothes stepped out and started videotaping some buildings and streets under heavy guard without showing the reasons behind this step.

 Note:

During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Shweikah suburb, north of Tulkarm; villages of MarjNe’ajah and al-Nwei’amah, north of Jericho; al-Burj village, Yata and Beit Ula village in Hebron.

 

Monday, 24 August 2015

 

• In the early morning, Israeli forces moved into Kafr al-Lubad village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shadi Saleh Saber Rajab (21) and arrested him. Israeli forces then raided and searched a house belonging to MuhannedKhairyMousaFoqaha (22) and arrested him as well.

 

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in Hebron. They stationed in al-Sheikh neighbourhood in the southern area of the city and then raided and searched a house belonging to YousifSamih Abu Hammad (24). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into BirZeit village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdel Ra’oufSalamah ‘Abdullah (25). They arrested him and took him to an unknown destination. The Israeli soldiers handed Ashraf Khalil Mohammed Abu ‘Aram (30) a summons, after raiding his family house, to refer to the Israeli Intelligence.

 

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Atil village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Amir Taysir Ahmed Jarab (17) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 22:40, Israeli forces moved into Borqin village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Kamel al-Taj and detained him for some time. They released him after questioning him on the spot.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: KafrTholoth village, east of Qalqilya; al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron; al-Mowareq village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron; KaflHaris village, north of Salfit.

 

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Mo’aaz “issaGhazalawi (22).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Mo’atasem Samir Saqf al-Heit (26) and ‘Abdel Rahman Hassan ‘Aqoubah (22).

 

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Khalil ‘Eid ‘Abed Abu ‘Awwad (22). They arrested the aforementioned civilian and at approximately 04:30 withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They stationed near the UNRWA Distribution Centre and then raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested five civilians, including a child:Ihab Mohammed Abu Rayya (17); ‘Abdel KArimJaber al-Teeti (18); Malek ‘Ali Hajajrah (19); Ra’afat Hasan al-Ra’ie (35); and Suhaib Ayman al-Teeti (19).

 

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into Jalbone village, east of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’aazYousif ‘Omer Abu al-Rab (33) and arrested him.

 

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces backed by 3 tanks and 2 bulldozers moved 200 meters into an area known as “al-Avocado” to the northeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. They levelled lands, which were previously levelled, amidst Israeli sporadic shooting. As a result, farmers whose lands are in the vicinity of the area were forced to leave their farms and flee for fear of being injured. At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces redeployed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Neither injuries nor damages to property were reported.

 

• At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stationed near al-Khawaja petrol station when a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Mohammed BasemTamimi (13) fell on the ground out of the intensive suffocation, so his left hand was broken. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no arrests were reported.

 

Note:During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Halhoul, north of Hebron; villages of Beit ‘Awa Beit Marsam and Kharsa, south of the city; Western al-Laban village, northwest of Ramallah and Safa village, west of the city.

 

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

 

• At approximately 12:50, Israeli undercover units sneaked into Salem village, east of Nablus, using a white Mercedes 410 truck with a Palestinian registration plate. They surrounded a house belonging to NasimHelmeiKarkari, a Palestinian intelligence officer and a former prisoner who spent 10 years at the Israeli jails. They raided the house, and then other military vehicles moved into the village for backup. During the incursion, Israeli forces raided 11 other houses using tools with silencers so residents would not feel them. Residents of the house woke up to find soldiers either in their bedrooms or inside their houses with their tracker dogs. The Israeli soldiers then locked the residents of each house in one room and then start searching the house. A number of civilians said that they lost amounts of money and jewellery belonging to their women from the houses after the Israeli soldier withdrew. NasimKarkari said that he lost 21,000 NIS and 5,000-dinar jewellery while ‘Abdel Salam Nayef ‘Issa, who is a Palestinian intelligence officer, said that he lost money, which his wife does not know how much, and jewellery in addition to his car keys as he was on duty in Tulkarm. ‘Alan Hasan Shtayah said that 20,000 NIS was lost from his house while Fo’adMajedShtayah said that he lost 2,500 NIS and 400-jordanian-dinar jewellery were lost. Israeli forces arrested 7 civilians and later withdrew taking them to Hawarh camp, south of Nablus. They hit one of the arrested civilians identified as Ahmed ‘Abdel Fattah (21), with gun butts on the left side of his face. At approximately 10:00, the Israeli soldiers released him in front of the camp. The other 6 arrested civilians were identified as Bahaa’ ‘Abdel Rahman ‘Issa (24), a national security officer; HelmiNasimHelmiKarkari (18); Rafe’a Turkey Hamdan (20); Thamin Turkey Hamdan (18); Ghassan Hasan Jubarah (50) and FarouqSamerShtayah (18).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoumt village adjacent to Salem village. They raided and searched seven houses in the aforementioned village in the same way. They arrested four civilians and withdrew later taking them to Hawarah camp, south of Nablus. The arrested civilians were identified as ‘Alaa’ (30) andShawqiBahaa’ ‘Alawanah (32); ‘Alaa’ al-Deen Saleh Thabet (28) and Mahdi JawadatThabet (40).

 

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Hatab village, east of Nablus. They raided and searched 8 houses in the same way. They arrested MuhannedSedqi Mahmoud ‘Emran (29) and Salman Ahmed ‘Ezzat ‘Emran (28) and withdrew later taking them to Hawarah camp, south of Nablus.

 

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Awerta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched 3 houses. They arrested Majdi Jalal Qawariq (27) and Ahmed ‘Issam ‘Abdat and withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.

 

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Husan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 8 civilians taking them to an unknown destination: Mohammed Ra’fatHamamrah (20); Rayan eyadHamamrah (20); ‘Omer MajedHamamrah (20); Mohammed Hasan Hamamrah (19); Saqer Ibrahim Hamamrah (22); Mohammed Ibrahim Hamamrah (20); Ghassan Mohammed Hamamrah (20); and Mahd Jamil Sabatin (20).

 

• Around the same time, Israel forces moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and then re-stationed in the Western neighbourhood of the village. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Baker Hasan Ibrahim Ghanem (63) and questioned the residents. Meanwhile, a number of young men gathered to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and neither further incidents nor arrests were reported.

 

• At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in al-Baydah and Baher areas and then started knocking house doors without raiding them. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of youngsters suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no arrests were reported.

 

• In the afternoon, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bod village, southwest of Jenin. They stationed in al-Maloul neighbourhood, south of the village, and then raided and searched a number of houses. They questioned the residents and threaten them of the consequences of throwing stones at the bypass road adjacent to the village that would lead to expel them from their houses. Israeli forces withdrewlater, and no further incidents were reported. Some of the houses’ owners were identified as ‘Emad Sami Mohammed abu Baker (42); WalidMas’oud Mahmoud abu Baker (60) and Mohammed ‘Abdel HadiMusatafaBeidas (40).

 

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

 

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli policies in the Palestinian territory. As a result, five Palestinian civilians, including 3 children were wounded in KuforKadoumvillage, northeast of Qaqilya, andin Bil’ein, west of Ramallah. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 3 demonstrators, including 2 journalists and a human rights activist, claiming that they were present ina closed military zone. After that, Israeli forces took two of aforementioned demonstrators to an Israeli police station (Benjamin), east of Jerusalem, while the third one was taken to Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity

 

• Following the Friday prayer on 21 August 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement activities.The protestors tried to sneak the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased them into the olive fields and into residential houses in response. As a result, a 42-year-old Palestinian civilian was hit by a tear gas canister to the back. In addition, a number of demonstrators, including a photographer of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activitiesin Bil’ein, Rani Abed al-Fatah Bernat, 35, suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them.

 

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

 

• Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement Activity. The demonstrators headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent them from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and were chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 3 demonstrators, including 2 journalists and a human rights activist, claiming that they were present ina closed military zone. After that, Israeli forces took two of aforementioned demonstrators to an Israeli police station (Benjamin), east of Jerusalem, while the third one was taken to Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.

The detained persons were identified as:

 

• Belal Abed al-Salam Hasan Tamimi, 48, a jousnalist, who was transferred to Ofer prison.
• David Reif, 55, an Israeli journalist; and
• Serit, 42, spokesperson of B’Tselem- The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
• At approximately 13:30 on Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of KuforQaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water. As a result, four Palestinian civilians, including 3 children were wounded. The injured persons were identified as :

 

1. 6-year-old Abed al-Raheem Abed al-Salam, who was wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder.
2. 13-year-old Mousa Abed a-Latif Mousa Ali, who was wounded by a bullet to the left arm.
3. A 17-year-old child who was wounded by a bullet to the right leg; and
4. A 22-year-old civilian who was wounded by 3 bullets to the arms and abdomen.

 

• At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 22 August 2015, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of KuforQaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, and sound bombs. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• On Sunday afternoon, 23 August 2015, national factions, popular committeesagainst the wall and Beit Jala institutions organized a peaceful demonstration in Beit Jala in protest of leveling the lands of the city. Hundreds of protestors and human rights activists, including Archbishop Atallah Hanna and Mayor of Beit Jala, Nicholas Khamis, participated in the demonstration.The protestors raised Palestinian flags and signboards denouncing the Israeli practices. They then headedto the leveled lands in Bier Ouna village, north of the city,where Israeli authorities intend to build a section of the annexation wall. After that, the demonstrators dismantled an iron gate and the land’s fence and entered the lands. A group of Israeli border guards immediately came to the area and fired tear gas canisters to disperse protesters and beat some of them. As a result, 11 of the demonstrators were slightly injuredandwere takento a nearby medical center to receive a medical treatment.

 

Note: the protest of KuforQaddoumwas scheduled twice a week (following the Fridays’

prayer and following al-Asr prayer on Saturday).

 

Other Demonstrations

 

• On Friday afternoon, 21 August 2015, dozens of youngsters gathered in the southern entrance of Salwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Selwad and Yabroudto organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• Also on Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, near the UNRWA’s boys school to protest at the Israeli practices against the Palestinian civilians. The protestors threw stones at the fence of “Beit Eil” settlement. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

• Also on Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah to protest against the Israeli policies. The demonstrators went to the prison’s gate. Israeli forces closed the gate and soldiers were deployed in the area. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them.

 

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

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

 

Gaza Strip

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Date	Imports
	Category	Amount
		Tons	Number	Liters
17 August	Various goods	3,995
	Humanitarian aid	13,355
	Cooking gas	280.880
	Benzene			297,000
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			624,694 108,208
	Industrial fuel			402,987
	Construction aggregates	4,320
	Cement	2680
	Construction steel	570
18 August	Various goods	4,308
	Humanitarian aid	11,390
	Cooking gas	239.850
	Benzene			182,000
	Diesel			1,162,576
	Industrial fuel			143,209
	Construction aggregates	1640
	Cement	1440
	Construction steel	270
19 August	Various goods	4352
	Humanitarian aid	12,622
	Cooking gas	220.230
	Benzene Benzene for UNRWA			144,000
	Diesel Diesel for UNRWA			801,010
	Industrial fuel Industrial fuel for UNRWA			183,995 111,03
	Construction aggregates	4680
	Cement	2080
	Construction steel	30

  Exports:

 

• On Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 28.44 tons of tomatoes; 6.74 tons of eggplants; 6.72 tons of sweet potatoes and ton of sweet pepper.
• On Sunday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 51.48 tons of tomatoes; 43.6 tons of sweet potatoes; 6.24 tons of cucumber; and a ton of eggplant.
• On Monday, 17 August 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 22 tons of stationary; 0.45 tons of garlic leaves and 0.15 tons of mints
• On Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 20 tons of furniture, 55.72 tons of tomatoes, 21.24 tons of sweet potatoes, 0.5 ton of fish and 3.84 tons of cucumber.
• On Wednesday, 19 August 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 27 tons of furniture.

 

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
18 – 25 August 2015

 

Category	18 August	19 August	20 August	21 August	22 August	23 August	24 August	25 August
Patients	79	42	38	1	–	68	73	76
Companions	82	39	37	1	–	68	67	71
Personal needs	162	115	135	48	–	172	127	140
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	–	73	–
Arabs from Israel	–	1	1	2	–	–	3	9
Diplomats	–	–	–	–	8	1	–	2
International journalists	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
International workers	32	50	58	4	–	15	14	32
Travelers abroad	4	–	13	–	–	–	4	4
Business people	358	345	356	3	–	551	409	388
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	5	2	2	–	–	3	4	8
VIPs	1	2	–	2	–	3	6	3
Ambulances to Israel	2	2	5	1	–	–	–	1
Patients’ Companions	2	2	5	1	–	1	–	1

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

• On Friday, 21 August 2015, Israeli authorities allowed 274 Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque.
• On Wednesday, 19 August 2015, Israeli authorities allowed 5 persons working in international organizations or foreigners to renew their permits.
• On Tuesday, 25 august 2015, Israeli authorities allowed 3 persons from the West Bank who were in a visit to the Gaza Strip to travel to the West Bank.
• On Monday, 24 August, Israeli authorities allowed a farmer to attend an agricultural training course in Israel.

 

Israeli Forces Arrest Trader at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing

 

At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 25 August 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing in the northern Gaza Strip arrested Sami Isma’il Ahmed Tabash (52) from ‘Abasan al-Kabirah village, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, when he was on his way to Hebron in the West Bank. His son, Mohammed (18), said that he lost contact with his father when the latter arrived at the aforementioned crossing. He added that he contacted the Palestinian Liaison in the crossing to know what happened to his father, but those who work there told him that they know nothing about his father.

 

Palestinian Civilian prevented from traveling for medical treatment in Jerusalem:

 

Israeli authorities refused to give Yousef HussienSolimanNassar (61), from al-Tanoor village, southeast of Rafah in the southernthe Gaza Strip, a permit to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northernGaza Strip for medical treatment in al-Maqased Islamic Charitable Society Hospital in Jerusalem. Sami Yousef Nassar (33), the patient’s son, said that on Sunday, 23 August 2015, he went to the Coordination and Liaison office in the Ministry of Health, near Qasr al-Hakem in Gaza City, to know why they did not call him to confirm the travel of his father. One of the workers there told him that Israeli forces refused his father’s application to travel through Beit Hanoun crossing.

The aforementioned patient suffers from a severe inflammation in the left thigh after sustaining fractures in it. He has been receiving medical treatment in the Gaza Strip’s hospitals since last April without healing. Moreover, his right leg has been completely paralyzed since childhood.

 

West Bank

 

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

 

Hebron: Israeli forces established 11 checkpoints all over the city.

 

On Thursday, 20 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the eastern entrance of Halhoul village (al-NabiYounis), and at the entrance of Sa’ier village, east of Hebron.

At approximately 08:30 on Friday, 21 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummer village, south of Hebron.

On Saturday, 22 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Halhoul village, south of Hebron, and at the northern entrance of Yatta village, south of Hebron.

 

At approximately 06:30 on Sunday, 23 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

 

On Monday, 24 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Athana village, west of Hebron, and at the entrance of BeirSamet village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron.

 

On Tuesday, 25 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Sa’ire village, east of Hebron, and at the northern entrance of Hebron.

At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday, 26 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron.

 

Ramallah and al-Beira: Israeli forces established 10 checkpoints all over the city.

 

On Thursday, 20 August2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints, 2 of whichunder the bridge of Kherbit al-Musbah village, southwest of Ramallah, while the third one was established at the entrance of AienSinaa village, north of the city.

 

On Friday, 21 August 2015, Israeli forces established 6 checkpoints at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah; at the entrance of Na’lin village, west of the city; under the bridge of AienYabroud village, northeast of Ramallah; on Atara checkpoint, at the northern entrance of BerZeit; and at the intersection of “Ofer” settlement, north of the city, on the road between Trmas’iya and al-Mo’ier villages, north of Ramallah.

 

At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 22 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ur al- Fouka village, southwest of Ramallah.

 

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

 

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 20 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 21 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘ezbiet al-Tabeeb village, east of the city.

 

On Saturday, 22 August 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrance of KaforKadoum; at the entrance of Amatien village, northeast of Qalqilya; near the Annexation Wall leading to Azoun ‘etma village, south of the city; and at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.

 

On Monday, 24 August 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of KaforKadoum village, at the intersection of Jeit village, northeast of Qalqilya, and at the entrance of Azoun village, east of the city.

Jericho:

Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints all over the city.

 

On Thursday, 20 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Fasail village, and at the entrance of al-Zebidat village, north of Jericho.

 

At approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 22 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

• On Monday, 24 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested Fares Jebrien al-Hasanat, 37, from al-Dahisha refugee camp, south of Betahem, after setting up an ambush to him on al-Khan al-Ahmarroad in the vicinity of al-‘Eizariyahvillage, east of Jerusalem. They stopped Feras’s car, arrested him and took him to unknown destination. Israeli authorities had attempted to arrest al-Hasanatseveral times.

 

• At approximately09:20, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians were in a private car while they were going from Nablus to Ramallah. Israeli soldiers stationed at the military checkpoint stopped the aforementioned private car, checked its passengers and arrested and took them to unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as: AmjadShaher Qamiha,26; Anan Iyad Halbouny,24, from Nablus; and Feras Mahmoud Hashash, 24, from Balata refugee camp, east of the city.

 

• At approximately 15:00 also on Monday, Israeli forces stationed at Gabi military checkpoint, east of Jerusalem, arrested As’ad Kamal al-Masri,44, and his son Alaa, 21, from Halhoultowb, north of Hebron, while they were coming back from their work. After that, Israeli authorities released As’ad while his son remained in custody.

 

• At approximately 09:15 on Monday, 24 August 2015, a 19-year-old, Palestinian civilian, Khaled MarwamBaniShamsa, from Beita village, southeast of Nablus, get out of a Palestinian taxi, near Za’tara checkpoint to take another taxi heading to Ramallah. During that, two Israeli border guards stopped Khaled and asked him why he was standing there. They then beat him andexpelled him to Ramallah.

 

• At approximately 23:00 on Monday, two Israeli soldiers stationed at Za’tara checkpoint stopped a 34-year-old, Palestinian civilian, Amied Othman As’ad al-Bahsh, from Nablus, while he was coming back from Ramallah by his private car. Israeli soldiers asked al-Bahsh about his ID card and searched his car. After checking, one of Israeli soldiers strongly closed the trunk of al-Bahsh’s car. When Al-Bahsh protested, the Israeli soldier cursed him. Furthermore, the soldier opened the car’s doors and strongly closed them many times. As a result, al-Bahsh protested again so the Israeli soldier cursed his mother then al-Bahsh cursed him in response. The Israeli soldier beat al-Bahsh with gun butts to the chest and let him waiting for 10 munities, and then returned the ID card to him and waited in front of the car. When al-Bahsh sat on his car,the Israeli soldier strongly closed the car’s door so the door hit al-Bahsh’s chest. As a result, he went to the Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, and after the medical examination the doctors found bruises in the chest.

 

5. Efforts to create Jewish majority

 

Property demolitions

 

• On Thursday morning, 20 August 2015, the committee of Helwa valley in Siwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem, received a decision from the Israeli Municipal Court for Local Affairs to demolish the playground and its facilities in that area.

 

The valley’s committee mentioned that the Israeli municipal court decided to demolish a playground whose area is onedunum and a half and its facilities in Helwa valley. The playground facilities included a 15-square-meter storehouse and a 40-square-meter barrack used for livestock. The committee added that the decision was issued by the Israeli municipality in early June, in which it was stated that the decision could be challenged within 30 days. However, the committee received the decision on the abovementioned day through the post office 2.5 months after it was issued.

 

Ahmed Qara’in, member of the valley committee, explained that the decision was issued against unknown persons and any protestor to the decision would be obliged to pay a fineand the expenses of demolition in an attempt to prevent anyone from objecting. It should be noted that the owners of the land are well known as they struggled against Israeli courts for years to maintain their land. The playground was raided several times and the land owners were arrested.

 

Qara’inadded that the land belongs to the heirs of AttallahSiyam and it is used by Mada Centre as playground for children of Silwan village in general and Helwa valley in particular. Activities are organized onn the playground throughout the year in view of the lack of open areas, parks and playgrounds in the village. He said that the Israeli municipalitytried to confiscate the land in 2007 to turn it into a car parking as part of a project for the interest of settlers in Silwan. However, the project was challenged in Israeli courts. In 2009, Mada Centre turned the land to a playground according to the district court.

 

Qara’inhighlighted that a number of decisions were issued against Helwa playground. In 2012, the Israel Nature Authority demolished facilities attached to the playground under the pretext of removing garbage. They demolished the cultural café, barracks, storehouses and toilets. Qara’in warned against the seriousness of the decision of demolishing the playground, as it would be a step towards establishing a road for settlers, confiscating more lands and demolishing houses. Israeli forces aim to connect Helwa valley with al-Rababa valley to reach al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan village.

 

• In the same context and on the same day, Israeli municipal officers fixed a demolition order on al-Qa’qa’ Mosque in Ein al-Louza neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem, under the pretext it was built without a license. Hani Abu Tayeh, who is responsible for the mosque, said that staff members of the Israeli municipality fixed a demolition order on the 110-square-meter mosque under the pretext it was not licensed. He added the mosque was built 3 years ago while the demolition order was issued 4 months ago. According to the order, the demolition order can be challenged within 30 days of issuance, but the order was fixed on the mosque on the abovementioned day so it could not be challenged anymore. Abu Tayehexplained that the order was issuedaccording Law 212 used by the Israeli municipality and publicprosecution for property demolition.This Law allows the public prosecutionto issue demolition orders against any non-licensed building even if the one who built it was unknown.

 

• Israeli municipality also fixed a demolition order on a residential room belonging to Eyad al-Abasi in Ein al-Fouqa area in Silwan village. Al-Abasai said that Israeli officers fixed a demolition order on a 35-square-meter room that was built 12 years ago. It should be noted that Israeli bulldozers demolished 2 stores and 2 rooms belonging to the same person under the pretext of non-licensing too.

 

• At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 25 August 2015, Israeli bulldozers demolished 2 houses belonging to the brothers Mohammed Sa’id al-Abasai and Khaled Sa’id al-Abasiin Jabalal-Mukaber village, southeast of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing.

 

Mohammed al-Abasisaid to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces and special units accompanied by bulldozers and municipality officers moved into the area at approximately 05:00 and closed it. The bulldozers started demolishing the 2 houses without prior warning. He added that his family, consisting of 9 members,started building the 2 houses a month and a half ago and they were supposed to move in there in the few coming days. Al-Abasiindicated that his house’s area is 140 square meters while his brother’s is 120 square meters.

 

Incursions and arrests

 

• At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 20 August 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wesam Abu al-Hommos in al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mahmoud (11) and took him to Saladin police station in the city to be questioned.

 

• At approximately 02:00, on the same day, Israeli forces moved into Beit Hanina, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 children: Laith Mohammed Abed Rabbu (16), Khalil YusefAbdo (16) and Mohammed Ra’ed al-Shaloudi (17).

 

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces arrested Arafat Ahmed Najib (32), a guard of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city in East Jerusalem, while being on duty. They took him to al-Qashala police station for interrogation.
• At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 siblings Sondos (18) and Laith Nasser Ghaith (21), who were present in the yards of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city in East Jerusalem.

 

• On Monday morning, 24 August 2015, Israeli forces closed the majority of al-Aqsa mosque’s gates in the old city in East Jerusalem, and denied students of the Sharia schools, including women and children under 17, access to the mosque. However, they allowed settlers to storm the mosque through al-Maghareba gate. An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli police officers closed the majority of the gates and denied women and children studying at the Sharia schools access to the mosque. They also seized ID cards of young men, who were allowed to enter. The eyewitness added that Israeli forces erected checkpoints and were deployed around the open gates. He pointed out that the Israeli police officers harshly pushed the worshippers and attacked some of them. They also arrested an elderly person and 3 children: Mahdi Ahmed Abu Asab (14), Ahmed Nader al-Salayma (14), Adham Nasser al-Za’tari (16) and Hashem Abu Dheim (61).

 

• At approximately 18:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into the central neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses under the pretext of looking for stone throwers. They arrested Mohammed NourFathi Abu Nab (13) and HaithamDawoodYusefBarakat (17) and took them to Saladin police station.

 

• At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to former prisoners: Jihad Mohammed Atoun (27) and Samer Mohammed Hamada (37). They handed both of summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence service on Thursday, 27 August 2015. It should be noted that Atoun was released from the Negev Prison on 13 August 2015 after serving 4.5 years in prison. As for Samer, he was released on Monday, 17 August 2015, from Negev Prison too after serving 18 months in prison.

 

• At approximately 20:00 on the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, after some Palestinian boys threw stones at settlers’ vehicles. Dozens of young men gathered around Israeli soldiers positioning in the street and threw stones and empty bottles at them. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Na’imAshayer (17) and withdrew later.

 

• On Tuesday, 25 August 2015, Israeli forces rearrested a former prisoner, Nasser Ziad Abdullah Ibrahim (20),from his house in al-Sa’diya neighbourhood in the old city in East Jerusalem. Amjad Abu Asab, head of the families of Jerusalemite prisoners’ committee, said that Ibrahim was released on Monday, 24 August 2015, from the Negev Prison after serving 21 months and 3 days in prison. Ibrahim was warmly received by his neighbours and relatives, due to which Israeli forces were annoyed, so theyrearrested him.

 

• At approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 25 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested 2 children while being at Ras al-Amoud intersection, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, under the pretext they threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The 2children, who were taken to an unknown destination, were identified asAzzamEssaGhorab (17) and Mohammed Yusef al-Sabbah (17).

 

• At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 26 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested two students from”al-Aqsa Sharia School” near al-Selselah door, which is one of al-Aqsa Mosque’sgates, in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalemin the context of restrictions imposed on the Palestinians’ entry into al-Aqsa Mosque. ‘EhadSabri, Principal of al-Aqsa Sharia School for girls, said that the Israeli forces arrested two students of the 10^th grade identified as Israa’ YaserGhizzawi (16) and Baraa’ah Mohammed Ghizzawi (16) when they were at al-Selselahgate after being denied access to the mosque and school as well. She added that the Israeli forces on the day before denied 4 students access to a school as well. After talking with the officer in charge, he claimed that the students make trouble inside the mosque and then asked to bring their ID cards to allow them to enter. Sabri added that the students brought today their birth certificates so they can enter the school. However, the police tore them up. It should be mentioned that al-Aqsa Sharia School for girl, where 120 female students from the 7^th– 12^th grade study at, is located in al-Aqsa Mosque yards.

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Public Document

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