Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

 

IOF use
force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the
West Bank.

11
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded. 

Dozens
of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

A
Palestinian child was wounded by IOF in a funeral procession in Beit Ummar
town, north of Hebron.

 

IOF
conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a
limited one into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF
arrested 17 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank, and
two others, including a child, in the Gaza Strip.

IOF
raided offices of the Palestinian People Party and the Public Committee against
the Annexation Wall in Ramallah.

 

IOF
continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli
gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats in the southern Gaza Strip 5 times.

IOF
arrested two fishermen in Gaza City.

 

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

IOF
arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including two children, at various
checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

IOF
have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East
Jerusalem.

IOF
ordered evacuation of a Bedouin community to the northeast of Jerusalem.

Two
Palestinian families were notified to vacate their homes in favor of Israeli
settlers.

IOF
forced residents of Beit Fourik village, northwest of Jerusalem, to stop paving
an agricultural road in the village.

 

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

IOF
demolished a restaurant in Beit Jala and 4 commercial establishments in
Bethlehem and Jenin.

IOF
uprooted and confiscated 250 trees in Beit Oula village, northwest of Hebron.

IOF
closed and destroyed a number of agricultural roads in the West Bank.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (03 – 09 May 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

In the West Bank, IOF wounded 12
Palestinian civilians, including two children, in the West Bank.  Eleven of these civilians, including a child,
were wounded during the dispersion of peaceful demonstrations organized in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in
the West Bank, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
who have been on hunger strike.  Dozens
of civilians also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

On 04 May 2012, a Palestinian child
was wounded when IOF fired at a funeral procession in Beit Ummar town, north of
Hebron.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 05 May 2012, Israeli
naval troops arrested two Palestinian fishermen in Gaza City, but released them
later.  During the reporting period,
Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in Khan Yunis on 5
occasions. 

 

On 05 May 2012, IOF positioned at
the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast of Khan Yunis
opened fire at Palestinian agricultural land in al-Qarara village.  As a result, a camel was killed.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 64 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
During these incursions, IOF arrested 17 Palestinian civilians,
including 3 children.  

 

On
08 May 2012, IOF raided offices of the Palestinian People Party and the Public
Committee against the Annexation Wall in Ramallah, and confiscated some of
their contents.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp
in the central Gaza Strip, during which they fired two artillery shells at open
areas. 

 

On
06 May 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip
and Israel to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp arrested two Palestinian
civilians, including a child, when they attempted to cross the border to search
for jobs in Israel.

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel
had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

The illegal Israeli-imposed 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 illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of
human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip.  Measures
declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to
deal with the root causes of the crisis, which can only be addressed by an
immediate and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban
into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may
no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain
economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially,
culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

 

IOF 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.

 

Efforts to
Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem:

 

On
06 May 2012, IOF stormed a Bedouin community in al-Khan al-Ahmar, northeast of
Jerusalem.  They handed 8 notices to Palestinian
civilian ordering the evacuation of 8 houses within 24 houses.  These tin-made houses belonging to members of
the al-Jahalin family, and the number of people who live in them is 35,
including 19 children and 8 women. 

 

On
the same day, IOF handed notices to Beit Sourik Development Association and the
local council of Beit Sourik village, northwest of Jerusalem, ordering stopping
pavement of an agricultural road in the village.  This road has been used by Palestinian
farmers for hundreds of years to reach their lands on the slopes of mountains
and in valleys.  It should be noted that
IOF confiscated hundreds of dunums[1]
in the area a few years ago for the purpose of the construction of the
annexation wall and cut off more than one thousand dunums of land from the
village by the construction of the annexation wall. 

 

On
07 May 2012, Fatima Salamiya received an Israeli court decision ordering her to
vacate her house in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in the center of Jerusalem to be
handed over to Israeli settlers who claim ownership of the house.  A week earlier, Israeli occupation authority
forces confiscated a house belonging to the al-Natsha family in Beit Hanina
neighborhood in the north of Jerusalem and handed it over to a Jewish
family. 

 

On
the same day, the Israeli Supreme Court confirmed a ruling issued by the
Central Court compelling Ghazi Zalloum to leave his house in al-Qirmi quarter
in the old town of Jerusalem to be handed over to Israeli settlers.  The court also ordered Ismail Wazwaz to vacate
his shop, claiming that it is an old Jewish property.  The court further obligated the two civilians
to pay the trial and attorney fees.     

 

 

Settlement
Activities:  

 

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

 

On
03 May 2012, Palestinian civilians in Yarza village in the northern Jordan
Valley were surprised that IOF had destroyed the agricultural road that links
between the east of Tubas and the village. 
The road is 7 kilometers long. 

 

On
the same day, IOF moved into al-Makhrour area in the northwest of Beit
Jala.  They demolished a restaurant
belonging to Ramzi Qaisiya. 

 

Also
on the same day, Israeli military bulldozers blocked and destroyed a road that
leads to Palestinian agricultural lands in the south of al-Khader village,
southwest of Bethlehem.  This road serves
an area of at least 5,000 dunums of agricultural land.

 

Also
on the same day, IOF moved into Khirbat al-Mafqara area to the east of Yatta
village, south of Hebron.  They delivered
notices to Mohammed Hamamda, Hatem Hamamda and the sons of Maher Hamamda
notifying them that their tin-made houses would be demolished. 

 

On
08 May 2012, IOF moved into ‘Attous area to the west of Beit Oula village,
northwest of Hebron.  They cut and
confiscated at least 100 olive trees belonging to Hassan Mohammed
al-‘Amla.  They also cut and confiscated
250 olive trees and destroyed an irrigation network belonging to Fayez Mohammed
al-‘Amla. 

 

On
09 May 2012, IOF moved into Nazareth Street in the north of Jenin.  They demolished two barracks belonging to
‘Awni Fadel al-‘Omari, claiming that they were built without licenses. 

 

On
the same day, IOF moved into the industrial zone in the west of Housan village,
west of Bethlehem.  They demolished two
shops and confiscated car parts from a third one. 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (03 – 09 May 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 03 May 2012

 

At approximately 00:15, IOF moved
into Marka village, southwest of Jenin. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
Suleiman Mousa, 23, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 00:45, IOF moved
into Kufor Ra’ei village, southwest of Jenin. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim
Hafez Melhem, 22, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF
moved into ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
nearly 150 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza
Strip.  They fired two artillery shells
at open areas.  No casualties were
reported.  IOF moved back to the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately 03:00.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Maithaloun village, southeast of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF
moved into Jaba’ village, southeast of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved
into Sirris village, southeast of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved
into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 09:50, IOF moved
into Jericho.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Qibya village, west of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into al-Jania village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved
into Yatta village, south of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian
civilians:

 

1. Tamer Mohammed Hassanat, 19; and

2. Nabeel Ahmed Abu ‘Arram, 18.

 

At approximately 13:30, IOF moved
into Jalboun village, east of Jenin. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Tawfiq Abu al-Rub,
50, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 14:30, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:40, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved
into Safarin village, east of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Friday,
04 May 2012

 

In the early morning, IOF moved into
Marka village, southwest of Jenin.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hassan ‘Aaref Jalboush,
25, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved
into Marj Na’ja village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved
into ‘Allar village, north of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 04:00, IOF
moved into Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:20, IOF moved
into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved
into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved
into Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved
into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

In the evening, Israeli soldiers
stationed at the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, attacked
hundreds of Palestinian civilians who were participating in the funeral
procession of a civilian.  A number of
Palestinian children threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal
bullets.  As a result, Ahmed Mohammed
‘Awadh, 14, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right foot.

 

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved
into al-‘Ouja village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:20, IOF moved
into Nabi Elias village, east of Qaqlilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Saturday, 05 May 2012  

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved
into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 00:50, IOF moved
into Jeet village, northeast of Qaqlilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:20, IOF moved
into Salfit.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Ayham Hussein Nemer, 21, and summoned him for
interrogation.

 

At approximately 03:40, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 08:30, Israeli
naval troops arrested two Palestinian fishermen when they were fishing nearly
2.5 nautical miles from Gaza seashore: Mohammed Mohyi al-Din Bakr, 62; and his
son Mohammed, 18.  The Israeli naval
troops also confiscated the fishing boat. 
The two fishermen were released at approximately 91:30 on the same day
after they had been interrogated by IOF.

 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved
into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF
moved into Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Buqa village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli
soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the
northeast of Khan Yunis opened fire at Palestinian agricultural areas in
al-Qarara village.  As a result, a camel
belonging to Majdi Abu Houlu was killed.

 

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved
into Deir Qiddis village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:20, IOF moved
into Nabi Elias village.  They patrolled
in the streets and detained Jawdat Ibrahim Sawan, 50, for two hours.  They withdrew from the village later and no
house raids or arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved
into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:50, IOF moved
into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Sunday, 06 May 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into Khirbat Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF
moved into ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Salfit.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 university
students:

 

1. Mohammed ‘Omar ‘Abdul Raziq, 22,
the son of a Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council;

2. Ibrahim Mohammed Madi, 45, who
had served 14 years of imprisonment in Israeli jails;

3. Baraa’ Rezeq Fattash, 20; and

4. Ibrahim Rezeq Fattash, 22.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into al-Jdaida village, southeast of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:30, IOF moved
into Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli
soldiers positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east
of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip arrested two Palestinian
civilians who attempted to cross the border to search for jobs in Israel:

 

1. Mahmoud
Hassan Isma’il, 17; and

2. Ayman
‘Awadallah Rabah, 21.

 

At approximately 18:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
No casualties were reported.

 

Also at approximately 18:00, IOF
moved into Habla village, south of Qalqilya. 
Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the
southern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Monday, 07 May 2012

 

At approximately 00:00, IOF moved
into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested ‘Omar Mogammed
Bani ‘Ouda, 25.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yousef Ahmed
Bahar, 21, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli
gunboats stationed opposite to Khan Yunis seashore in the southern Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. 
No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 03:20, IOF moved
into Qalqilya.  They raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Jamal Sa’ed Nazzal, 40, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 10:25, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets and prevented 5
Palestinian farmers from working on their lands for some time.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved
into Far’ata village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into Saida village, northeast of Tulkarm. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed
Mustafa Yassin, a Palestinian prisoner detained in Israeli jails.  They withdrew from the village later and no
arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 23:00, IOF
moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in
the streets and stopped and interrogated a number of Palestinian
civilians.  They withdrew from the town later
and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 08 May 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood
in the southwest of al-Bireh.  They
raided the first and second floors of Hanani Building, where offices of the
Palestinian People Party and the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall
are located.  A staff member of the
office of the Palestinian People Party, Haitham Noufal, was sleeping in the
office.  When Israeli soldiers knocked
the door of the office he opened for them. 
They held him in a room.  They
searched the office and photographed some documents.  They requested Noufal to bring the keys of
the office of the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall, but they were
not in his possession.  Apparently, they
broke the door and searched the offices. 
They also confiscated 5 laptops, 3 hard disks, 5 cameras, 5 flash
memories, some CDs, some documents and some photos.   

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into ‘Izbat Shoufa village,
southeast of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Wednesday, 09 May 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children:

 

1. Ja’far Taleb
Saleem, 18;

2. Ibrahim Ahmed
‘Enaya, 17;

3. Sirri Mohammed
Dahbour, 13; and

4. Mustafa Sofian
Radwan, 15.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved into al-Hashimiya village,
southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved into Kfiret village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

2. Use of
Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement
Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

 

During
the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who
have been on hunger strike.  As a result,
11 demonstrators, including a child, were wounded, and dozens of others suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 04 May 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the
construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike.  The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag
and portraits of a number of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails
and called for ending the political split.  They then moved towards areas of annexation
wall.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the
area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens
of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 04 May 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  
Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday prayer on 04 May 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in
the center of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly
peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who
have been on hunger strike.  The protesters walked towards the gate
erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian
lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are
trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in
the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to
confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.
 Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the protesters.  As
a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

On Saturday noon, 05 May 2012, IOF attacked dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders who organized a
peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and attempted to reach
the area located neat “Kari Tsur,” protesting plans to expand the settlement.  They also violently beat ‘Ali Ahmed Abu
Hashem, 45.

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 26 April 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, including families of Palestinians prisoners in Israeli
jails demonstrated near Oufar Prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike.  Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators,
wounding of them (PCHR keeps their names). 
They also arrested Tariq Baheej al-Baqawi, 21.      

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 04 may 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, including Bir Zeit University students and facilities of Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails demonstrated near Oufar Prison, southwest of
Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who have
been on hunger strike.  Israeli soldiers
fired at the demonstrators, wounding 5 of them, including a child (PCHR keeps
their names). A number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

On Saturday afternoon, 05 May 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, including Bir Zeit University students and facilities of Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails demonstrated near Oufar Prison, southwest of
Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who have
been on hunger strike.  Israeli soldiers
fired at the demonstrators, wounding two of them (PCHR keeps their names). A
number of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

3. Continued
Closure of the OPT

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and
imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed 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.  

                                        

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically
made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip
although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and
operational capacity.

 

IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the
strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing
total control over the flow of imports and exports.

The total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02
March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza
Strip.  Following this closure, all the
economic and commercial establishments in 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 operational
capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the
culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of
the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

IOF have continued to impose 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 in
the Gaza Strip.

 

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has
continued to affect the Gaza Strip.  This
crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on
04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery
of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to
receive Gaza’s needs of fuel.  Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive
capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on
alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families
who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and
approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower has continued to suffer from permanent
unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic
establishments.

 

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of
Gaza’s products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any
real chances to rerun economic establishments. 
The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem
crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this
crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were
allowed to be exported during last April.

 

For approximately five consecutive years, IOF
have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During
the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of
construction materials for a number of international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip.  IOF only allow the movement of limited groups
amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of
cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt
a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move
via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or
in the West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals
via the crossing.

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders, international
diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza
Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March
2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he
was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

For approximately 58 months, IOF have continued to deny
approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails
their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure,
which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

02 –
08 May 2012

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

02 –
08 May 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

 

Notes:

 

On Wednesday, 02 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 40 tons of
cement, 5,740 tons of construction aggregates and 166 tons of marble aggregates
for UNRWA; and 80 tons of cement for the French Cultural Center.  They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of
fodders and 195 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 03 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement and 2,940 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; and 120 tons of
cement and 840 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 702 tons of
fodders and 117 tons of wheat. 

 

On Sunday, 06 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 330 tons of cement
and 3,710 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 663 tons of
fodders and 156 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 07 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 80
tons of cement and 3,150 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 546 tons of
fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 08 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement and 2,520 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; a 120 tons of
cement and 1,050 tons of construction aggregates for UNDP; and 120 tons of
cement and 980 tons of construction aggregates for al-Quds Hospital.  They also allowed the entry of 819 tons of
fodders and 273 tons of wheat.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

02 –
08 May 2012

 

 

The West Bank

 

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

 

There are approximately hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned
and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

 

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers
around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of
the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been
constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

 

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the
West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from
the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a
network of checkpoints.

 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4
permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not
allowed to enter it without permits.

 

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural
reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.

 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods
throughout the West Bank.

 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem,
and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped, searched and even
arrested in the streets by IOF.

 

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

 

Jerusalem: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have
established many checkpoints around and inside the city.  Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian
civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing young Muslim Palestinians from
praying at al-Aqsa Mosque

 

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 03 May 2012, IOF re-established their presence
at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. 
At approximately 10:00, IOF established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud
vBridge, northeast of Ramallah.  At
approximately 13:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya
village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 08:40 on Friday, 04 May 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kharbtha Bani Hares village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 18:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 05 May
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Rantis village, west of
Ramallah, and another one between Beit Reema and Deir Ghassana villages,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately
15:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of
Ramallah.      

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday, 03 May 2012, IOF established 4
checkpoints around the town.  On Friday, 04
May 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town.  At approximately 10:50 on Saturday, 05 May
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 06 May 2012, IOF
established 3 checkpoints around the town. 
On Monday, 07 May 2012, IOF established 3 checkpoints around the town.  At approximately 07:35 on Tuesday, 08 May
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at Kufor Qaddoum intersection, northeast of
Qalqilya.    

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 03 May 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at
Mavo Dutan checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, imposed additional restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians. 
At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 06 May 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin.    

 

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 18:30 on Thursday, 03 May
2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus, east
of Tulkarm, impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 12:20 on
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint on
Tulkarm-Nablus, east of Tulkarm, impose additional restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.   

 

Jericho:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 03 May
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village,
west of Jericho.  At approximately 10:00,
IOF established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 06 May
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north
of Jericho.  At approximately 16:30, IOF established
a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  At approximately 17:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

 

On Friday evening, 04 May 2012, IOF positioned at the eastern
entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, arrested Mohammed Khalil
al-‘Allami, 15, and Ramzi Nasser al-‘Allami, 16.

 

On Monday evening, 07 May 2012, IOF positioned at al-Fqaiqis road,
southwest of Hebron, arrested Mos’ab Saleh al-Talahma.

 

4. Efforts to
Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem

 

Israeli
occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish
demographic majority in East Jerusalem. 

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 06 May 2012, IOF stormed a Bedouin community in
al-Khan al-Ahmar, northeast of Jerusalem. 
They handed 8 notices to Palestinian civilian ordering the evacuation of
8 houses within 24 houses.  These tin-made
houses belonging to members of the al-Jahalin family, and the number of people
who live in them is 35, including 19 children and 8 women. 

 

On
Sunday noon, 06 May 2012, IOF handed notices to Beit Sourik Development
Association and the local council of Beit Sourik village, northwest of
Jerusalem, ordering stopping pavement of an agricultural road in the
village.  This road has been used by
Palestinian farmers for hundreds of years to reach their lands on the slopes of
mountains and in valleys.  It should be
noted that IOF confiscated hundreds of dunums in the area a few years ago for
the purpose of the construction of the annexation wall and cut off more than
one thousand dunums of land from the village by the construction of the
annexation wall.  According to local sources,
such measures are aimed to expand “Haradar” settlement, which was established
in 1980, and to establish a railway that links between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

 

On
Monday morning, 07 May 2012, Fatima Salamiya received an Israeli court decision
ordering her to vacate her house in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in the center of
Jerusalem to be handed over to Israeli settlers who claim ownership of the
house.  A week earlier, Israeli
occupation authority forces confiscated a house belonging to the al-Natsha
family in Beit Hanina neighborhood in the north of Jerusalem and handed it over
to a Jewish family.  It should be noted
that Israeli settlers seized several houses in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood last
year claiming that those house stand on lands belonging to them. 

 

Also
on Monday, the Israeli Supreme Court confirmed a ruling issued by the Central
Court compelling Ghazi Zalloum to leave his house in al-Qirmi quarter in the
old town of Jerusalem to be handed over to Israeli settlers.  The court also ordered Ismail Wazwaz to
vacate his shop, claiming that it is an old Jewish property.  The court further obligated the two civilians
to pay the trial and attorney fees.      

 

5. Settlement
Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

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

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 03 May 2012, Palestinian civilians in Yarza
village in the northern Jordan Valley were surprised that IOF had destroyed the
agricultural road that links between the east of Tubas and the village.  The road is 7 kilometers long. 

 

Also
on Thursday morning, IOF moved into al-Makhrour area in the northwest of Beit
Jala.  They demolished a restaurant
belonging to Ramzi Qaisiya. 

 

Also
on Thursday morning, Israeli military bulldozers blocked and destroyed a road
that leads to Palestinian agricultural lands in the south of al-Khader village,
southwest of Bethlehem.  This road serves
an area of at least 5,000 dunums of agricultural land.

 

Also
on Thursday, IOF moved into Khirbat al-Mafqara area to the east of Yatta
village, south of Hebron.  They delivered
notices to Mohammed Hamamda, Hatem Hamamda and the sons of Maher Hamamda notifying
them that their tin-made houses would be demolished. 

 

On
Tuesday morning, 08 May 2012, IOF moved into ‘Attous area to the west of Beit
Oula village, northwest of Hebron.  They
cut and confiscated at least 100 olive trees belonging to Hassan Mohammed
al-‘Amla.  They also cut and confiscated
250 olive trees and destroyed an irrigation network belonging to Fayez Mohammed
al-‘Amla.  IOF had already notified the
two civilians to vacate their land claiming that it is a state land.  In response, the two civilians appealed
against this notice, and an Israeli court was supposed to hold a hearing to
consider the case on that day.

 

On
Wednesday morning, 09 May 2012, IOF moved into Nazareth Street in the north of
Jenin.  They demolished two barracks
belonging to ‘Awni Fadel al-‘Omari, claiming that they were built without licenses. 

 

Also
on Wednesday morning, IOF moved into the industrial zone in the west of Housan
village, west of Bethlehem.  They
demolished two shops belonging to Firas Sa’id and Eyad Da’na, and confiscated
car parts from a third one belonging to Ashraf Ja’afra. 

 

…………………………………………………

 

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

1. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their
legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure
Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence
practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it
is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human
rights and humanitarian law.

 

2. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a
conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention
in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

 

3. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with
their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for
and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

 

4. PCHR calls for
the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the
Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

 

5. PCHR recommends
that international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their
governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

6. PCHR calls upon
the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association
Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a
precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to
prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.

 

7. PCHR calls on
the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was
implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a
compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza
Strip. 

 

8. In recognition
of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the
ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the
facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 

9. PCHR
appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights
organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue
their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human
rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.

 

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to
lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its
occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on
international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful
and just solution of the Palestinian question. 
Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and
instability in the region.  Any peace
process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including
international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

 

Public Document

For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email (pchr@pchrgaza.org) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).