Renewed
Israeli Escalation in the Gaza Strip: 1 Palestinian
man killed and another wounded, along with 8 civilians, including 4
children and 1 woman

 

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

      

 

IOF
extra-judicially executed a Palestinian man and wounded a second in the southern
Gaza Strip.

8
civilian bystanders were wounded, including 4 children and 1 woman.

 

IOF
continued to carry out airstrikes and land attacks on civilian objects in the
Gaza Strip.

5
Palestinians were wounded, including 2 children, in shellings, east of Khan
Yunis.

2
mosque minarets and a tar factory sustained damages, east of Khan Yunis.

An
agricultural warehouse was destroyed and a kindergarten was damaged in the
northern Gaza Strip.

 

IOF
continued to target fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

IOF
opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats four times, arrested 4 fishermen, and
confiscated their boats.

 

IOF used
force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the
West Bank.

Dozens
of protestors sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

IOF
conducted 46 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and
limited incursions in the Gaza Strip.

IOF
arrested 8 Palestinians, including the wife of a Palestinian prisoner.

 

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

IOF
established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

5
Palestinians, including at least 2 children, were arrested.

 

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

A
Palestinian laborer was wounded when Israeli settlers fired at him in the West
Bank.

IOF
prevented the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from carrying out rehabilitation
works in the Old City.

220 olive
trees and 20 vineyards were destroyed in Bethlehem and Nablus.

Israeli
settlers chased Palestinian farmers from their land, as they began to harvest
olives for the harvest season.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (04 – 10 October 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, IOF
extra-judicially executed 1 Palestinian man and wounded a second. A total of 14
Palestinians were wounded in the Gaza Strip in the reporting period, 12 of whom
were confirmed civilians, including 6 children and 1 woman. In addition, a
Palestinian laborer was wounded in the West Bank when Israeli settlers fired at
him. Dozens of protestors were wounded in peaceful demonstrations against the
annexation wall in the West Bank.

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF extra-judicially
executed 1 Palestinian man and wounded a second. In addition, 8 civilians were
wounded in the same incident, including 4 children and 1 woman, the mother of
two of the injured children. On 07 October 2012, an Israeli warplane fired two
missiles at two men dressed in civilian clothing who were riding a motorcycle,
as they were passing by Taha Hussain Elementary School in the Al-Brazil
neighborhood, south of Rafah. It should be noted that the attack was carried
out at the end of the school day, moments before the students began to leave
the school. Following the attack, the Israeli military spokesperson announced
that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the Global Jihad organization
(the Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem). The Israeli
spokesperson claimed that the two targeted persons were planning to implement a
complex military operation in Sinai in the coming period.

 

On 08 October 2012, IOF positioned east
of Khan Yunis at the border fence between Gaza and Israel shelled the villages
to the east of Khan Yunis. As a result, 5 Palestinians were wounded, among them
4 civilians from the same family, including 2 children. In addition, two
minarets were damaged, those of the Ammar Ben Yasser mosque in Abassan village and
the al-Hidaya mosque in Khuza’a village.

 

Also on 08 October 2012, IOF
positioned at the border fence between Gaza and Israel launched artillery
shells in the vicinity of Gaza International Airport in the far southeast of
Rafah. No casualties were reported.

 

On the same day, IOF positioned at
the border fence launched 3 artillery shells at al-Amal Tar Factory, which is located
on 5 dunums of land to the northeast of Gaza Valley, 900 meters away from the
border fence. As a result, the factory sustained damages. No casualties were
reported.

 

Also on 08 October 2012, Israeli
warplanes fired at least 1 missile at open land in al-Nasser village, north of
Rafah. No casualties were reported.

 

On 09 October 2012, Israeli
artillery positioned at the northern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel
launched 3 artillery shells in open areas in the vicinity of the al-Ghoul area,
northwest of Beit Lahia.

 

Also on the same day, IOF positioned
in watchtowers to the northwest of Beit Hanoun fired heavily upon open areas. Neither
casualties nor damage were reported. Palestinians in the areas were terrorized,
especially women and children.

 

On 10 October 2012, IOF positioned
in watchtowers to the northwest of Beit Lahia fired heavily upon agricultural
land in al-Sayafa area. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.

 

On the same day, Israeli warplanes
raided a warehouse located on farmland belonging to Faraj Abu Rabee’ in the al-Shayma’
area in Beit Lahia. As a result, the 250-square meter warehouse was completely destroyed.
Moreover, material damage was caused to Ard al-Tofola kindergarten from the
northeastern side. Approximately 130 students attend the kindergarten, where
approximately 12 teachers work.

 

In the context of the continued targeting
fishermen in the open sea, on 06 October 2012, Israeli gunboats positioned off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled. On 07 October 2012, the
Israeli gunboats opened fire twice and arrested a fisherman and his 3 sons. They
were transported to Ashdod seaport and kept in detention until now. In addition,
their fishing boat was confiscated.

 

On 10 October 2012, Israeli gunboats
positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire
sporadically at the Palestinian fishing boats.

 

In the West Bank, on 08 October
2012, a Palestinian laborer was wounded by a bullet to his left hand when a
settler shot at him. The Palestinian was travelling to work in Jerusalem
through a mountain road in Beit Jala, near “Gilo” settlement, north
of Bethlehem. Four settlers in civilian clothing stopped him and asked him
where he was going. He replied that he was going to work in Jerusalem. One of
the settlers called the Israeli police, leading the Palestinian man to flee the
scene for fear of being arrested because he does not have a permit to enter
Israel. While the Palestinian man was fleeing, one of the Israeli settlers
fired at him, wounding him in his left hand.

 

IOF continued the use of excessive
force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and
Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens
of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 46 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested
at least 8 Palestinians, including the wife of a Palestinian prisoner.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 10 October 2012, IOF moved 300 meters into al-Shoka village,
east of Rafah. They bulldozed and leveled the lands adjacent to the border
fence under fire. However, no casualties were reported.

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel
continued to impose a tightened 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 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. Recently-declared
measures to ease the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with
the root causes of the crisis; the root causes 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, as long as the closure is
allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, 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.

 

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 08
October 2012, IOF prevented workers employed by the Hebron Rehabilitation
Committee from continuing their work in rehabilitating historic buildings, which
are located east of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron. According to
the legal committee of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, the Security
Officer of Jewish Settlements in Hebron came to the construction site and took
photographs of the place and of the workers. Half an hour later, members of
Israel’s forces came with an officer of the Israeli Civil Administration, who
ordered the contractor, orally, to suspend work until they receive approval
from the concerned Israeli authorities.

 

On 05
October 2012, approximately 60 settlers from “Kadoumim” settlement
attacked farmers from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, while they
were harvesting olives on the main Nablus-Qalqilya road.

 

On
the same day, settlers began destroying dozens of olive trees and vineyards in
Al-Khader village territories, southwest of Bethlehem. As a result, 100 olive
trees were cut down and 20 vineyards destroyed in the al-Mastati area adjacent to
bypass road 60 between “Etzion” settlement and occupied Jerusalem.

 

On 06
October 2012, a group of settlers from “Ma’oun” settlement, east of
Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmers and prevented them from
reaching their farmlands, located near the mentioned settlement, where they
were planning to harvest olives.

 

On
the same day, a group of settlers from the “Miria” settlement outpost,
which was established on the northern side of the lands of Ras Karkar village,
northwest of Ramallah, began throwing stones at Palestinian farmers who were
harvesting the olives on their lands in the Al-Nabi ‘Anieer area. Late at
night, settlers cut down 30 olive trees, both old and fruitful, belonging to Jom’a
Barakat Abu-Fakhitha.

 

On 07
October 2012, a group of settlers from “Bait Haji” settlement, east
of Hebron, threw stones at Palestinian vehicles passing on bypass road 60.
Anwar Hassan Ali Qaisi (46) from the Al-Shahna Valley area, south of Doura
city, southwest of Jenin, sustained wounds and fractures after his car turned
over due to the settler attack.

 

On 07
October 2012, a group of settlers from “Nah’eil” settlement stormed
the farmlands of Bitello village, northwest of Ramallah, and started throwing stones
at Al-Bazar family while they were harvesting the olive trees in Al Thahour
area. As a result, Alaa’ Al-Bazar (21) was wounded in her right leg by a stone,
and Thabet Al-Bazar’s (13) left leg was broken after he fell on the ground.

 

On 08
October 2012, a group of settlers from “Aily” settlement, which was established
in the eastern Laban village in the far south of Nablus, attacked the house of
Khaled Samih Hamed Daraghmeh. The settlers broke into the house, which is located
in Al-‘Ayn area on the old Ramallah road, south of the village, and attempted
to destroy it and its contents.

 

On
09 October 2012, Palestinian farmers from Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus,
discovered that more than 120 olive trees, which had been planted more than 20
years ago, were cut down. It should be noted that the Palestinian owners of
these trees are only allowed to visit their lands twice a year, following
coordination with the Israeli authorities.

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (04 – 10 October 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 04 October 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved
into Tulkarm from the western side. They patrolled the streets to the east then
continued to advance to the city center. A number of Palestinan boys gathered
and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers
were fortified. The soldiers fired stun grenades in response, as well as tear
gas bombs aimed at dispersing the stone-throwers. IOF repositioned in the northern
neighborhood of the city and raided an internet café. An Israeli Intelligence
Officer, accompanied by soldiers, questioned a number of boys who were in the
internet café. Following this, IOF withdrew from the city. Neither arrests nor
other incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, IOF moved
into S’aeir village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some
time. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Medhat Zidan
Jaradat, 22. IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an
unknown destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew from the area.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into
Al Baq’aa village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some
time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Also at approximately 11:00, IOF
moved into ‘Aboyeen village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets
for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into Qofayn village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved
into Al-Janya village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

 

 

Friday, 05 October 2012

 

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

 

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

 

At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into Kafr Qadoum village,
northeast of Qalqilya, shortly before Friday prayers. They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew, positioning at the eastern entrance
of village.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Al-‘Arqa village, west of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into Kharsa village, south of
Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. A number
of boys gathered and threw stones at the military vehicles. Immediately, the
soldiers fortified within the military vehicles fired stun grenades at the
boys. IOF later withdrew and neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into Deir Esteya village, northwest
of Salfit. They raided a house belonging to the family of Haitham Hasan Al Khatib,
27, and handed him a notice to appear before the Israeli Intelligence. At
approximately 23:00, IOF withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Deir Ghazalah village, north
of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and later withdrew. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:40, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of
Selfit. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of
Rami Yasin ‘Akel Shamlawi, 31, and handed him a notice to appear before the
Israeli Intelligence. They later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:45, IOF moved into Deir Abu D’aif, northeast of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

 

Saturday, 06 October 2012

 

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

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the
former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the
Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The
shooting terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being
arrested or wounded. Neither injuries nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:30, IOF moved into Kouber village,
northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Sunday 07 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Beit Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into ‘Ateil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved
into Qayzoun village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Ayoub
Seder, 33. IOF arrested the aforementioned man and took him to an unknown
destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew from the area.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into
the Nemra area, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither arrests nor house raids were reported.

 

At approximately 07:40, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the
former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the
Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of the Palestinian fishermen. The
shooting continued sporadically for 5 minutes, terrorized the fishermen, who
were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. The fishermen did
not report any damage to their boats, and neither injuries nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:10, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the
former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the
Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The
gunboats surrounded a Palestinian boat belonging to Majed Fadel Baker, 51, who
was onboard with his 3 sons: Omran, 27, Fadi, 26, and Mohammed, 20. Israeli
navy soldiers ordered the 4 fishermen to take their clothes off, jump in the
water, and swim towards an Israeli boat. At that point, the gunboats took them
to Ashdod Seaport in Israel. At the time this report was prepared, the four
fishermen remained in detention. Their boat was also confiscated.

 

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved into Noba village, west of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time. At approximately 18:00, they
withdrew and repositioned at the main entrance of the village. IOF established
a temporary checkpoint which was later removed. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Kafr Sour village, south of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Monday, 08 October 2012

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Riheya village, east of
Dora, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into al-Birah area, west of Dora,
southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets from some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF positioned at the border with Israel
launched several shells at the vicinity of Gaza International Airport, the far
southwest of Rafah. No injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 06:40, IOF positioned at the border with Israel,
east of Khan Younis, opened fire and launched shells at the villages located to
the east of the city. The airstrikes, which continued sporadically for more
than 2 hours, caused 5 injuries and damage to two mosque minarets.

 

At approximately 07:15, IOF launched several shells targeting ‘Amar
Ben Yasser Mosque in ‘Abasan, east of Khan Younis, caused damage to the minaret.
No injuries were reported.

 

Around the same time, IOF launched several shells targeting
al-Hedaya Mosque, east of Khoza’a, east of Khan Younis, causing damage to the
minaret. No injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 07:50, IOF launched several shells targeting a
group of resistance members east of al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis. One
member of the group was injured and transferred to Naser Hospital in the city.
His wounds were reported to be serious. Many shells were dropped on farmlands
in the al-Farahin neighborhood in ‘Abasan, Khoza’a, al-Qarara, and New ‘Abasan.
4 civilians, including 2 brothers, sustained minor and moderate shrapnel wounds
in their bodies and were transferred to the Gaza European Hospital. The wounded
are all members of the same family which lives in New ‘Abasan:

 

1- Mahmoud Ibrahim
Ali al-Daghma, 21.

2- Mohammed
Mahmoud Ali al-Daghma, 12.

3- Sireen Mahmoud
Ali al-Daghma, 14.

4- Mahmoud Ahmed
Ali al-Daghma, 33.

 

During the airstrikes in the aforementioned areas, 5 schools, with
approximately 1,500 students, were evacuated. The evacuated schools were:
Shuhadaa’ Khuza’a high school for boys; Shuhadaa’ Khuza’a high school for
girls; New ‘Abasan elementary school for boys; New ‘Abasan elementary school
for girls; and Abu al-‘Alaa’ al-Ma’ari mixed elementary school in al-Qarara.

 

At approximately 07:15, IOF positioned at the border launched 3
shells at al-Amal Tar Factory, which is located on 5 dunums of land, northeast
of Gaza valley village, about 900 meters away from the border. The airstrike
resulted in damage to the inside of the factory, to the hoods of air filters
and tanks of MCO material, which is used to spray roads before paving them. No
injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli warplanes (Apache) launched at
least 1 missile at vacant land, located in al-Naser village, north of Rafah. No
injuries were reported.

 

 

Tuesday, 09 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into the al-Balata refugee camp,
southeast of Nablus. They patrolled the streets for some time. They raided and
searched several houses. Before their withdrawal at approximately 05:00, IOF
arrested 3 civilians and transferred them to the military detention center in
Howara, south of the city. The arrested were: Abdel Rahman Shaher Barham, 25,
Senan ‘Antar Abu ‘Aeesa, 33, and Sameh Ibrahim al-Asmar, 30.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Beit al-Rawsh al-Foqa,
southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Qayzoun and Nemra areas,
east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and raided and searched the house
belonging to the family of Palestinian prisoner Mohammed ‘Ateyah Abu Warda, 36.
IOF arrested Noura Borhan al-Ja’abari, 34, the wife of the aforementioned
prisoner, and took her to an unknown destination. The prisoner, Mohammed Abu
Warda, who is serving 47 life sentences in the Israeli prisons, has one child,
Hamza, 9. In recent weeks, the houses of his father and uncles have been raided
and searched, and 4 of his relatives have been arrested.

 

At approximately 21:45, IOF positioned at the northern border
between the Gaza strip and Israel launched 3 shells which fell in open areas
located in the vicinity of al-Ghoula area, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the
Gaza Strip. Huge explosions rocked the area, terrorizing the civilians living
in nearby areas. Neither injuries nor damage to property were reported.

 

At approximately 23:10, IOF positioned inside watchtowers,
northwest of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, fired heavily and randomly
at open areas. The shooting continued for about 10 minutes, terrorizing the civilians,
especially children and women, living in al-Ghazalat and Sweilem areas, about
1200 meters away from the northern border of the same village. Neither injuries
nor damage to property were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Shweika suburb, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Rashed Abdel Rahman Rashed Ekbareya, 27, who was not at home
during the raid. Captain Runi from the Israeli Intelligence ordered the family
of the aforementioned man to call him on his cell phone and ask him to come
home. IOF waited for about 15 minutes for him to return to the house and then
handed his family a summons ordering the man to attend the IOF office in
District Coordination Office (D.C.O), west of Tulkarm on 29 October 2012. IOF
later withdrew and no other incidents were reported.

 

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

 

At approximately 00:20, IOF positioned inside watchtowers,
northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip fired heavily at agricultural
areas located in al-Seifa area, northwest of the same town. The shooting continued
for about 10 minutes. Neither injuries nor property damages were reported. It
should be noted that farmers are unable to work on the farmlands adjacent to
the border area because of the danger of attack.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Tulkarm from the western side. They patrolled the streets to the east then
continued to advance to the city center. A number of Palestinan boys gathered
and threw stones and empty bottles at the IOF vehicles, in which the soldiers
were fortified. The soldiers fired stun grenades in response, as well as tear
gas bombs aimed at dispersing the stone-throwers. IOF repositioned in the
northern neighborhood of the city and raided an internet café. An Israeli
Intelligence Officer, accompanied by soldiers, questioned a number of boys who
were in the internet café. Following this, IOF withdrew from the city. Neither
arrests nor other incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 1:40, Israeli warplanes launched 1 missile at a
warehouse belonging to the family of Faraj Hussein Khamis Abu Rabi’a, 42, from
al-Shaymaa’ area in Beit Lahia town, in the northern the Gaza Strip. The
warehouse is in the Naser project, north of the town, about 900 meters away
from the northern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. This airstrike
demolished the entire warehouse built on a 250 meter square area and caused
material damage to a nursery and a kindergarten, called Ard al-Tafoulah, as its
walls were cracked, northeast of the targeted area. The kindergarten is built
on an area of 21,000m. Approximately 130 children attend the school, where approximately
12 teachers work. The missile caused a huge explosion, causing buildings in the
vicinity of the targeted area to tremble. The attack terrorized the civilians
whose houses are around the area, especially women and children, including the
people of the Bedouin village and northern Beit Lahia.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Wad Khreisa area in Kherbet
al-Baq’aa, west of Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and
raided and searched a number of houses, including the house belonging to Najeh
Mohammed ‘Aeed (Da’aajna) al-Shawahin, 48. They later withdrew and no arrests
were reported.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into Jalqamous village, southeast
of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Hanina area, south of Dora,
southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, and raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Ahmed Hasan al-‘Awawda, 52. At approximately
03:30, IOF arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an unknown
destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew.

 

Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Nabi Saleh village,
northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Mohammed ‘Atallah Tamimi, 24. IOF arrested the
aforementioned civilian, who is a media activist in the Popular Committee
against Settlements in al-Nabi Saleh village, and took him to an unknown
destination. Following this incident, IOF withdrew.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into ‘Asida area, east of Beit
‘Amer, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Eyad Jamil al-‘Alami, 23. They handed him a notice
to appear before the Israeli Intelligence (Shin Bet) in Kfar ‘Asyon settlement,
south of Bethlehem. They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:30, IOF moved into Qabatya village, south of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets, raided a bakery, and questioned Khader Adnan
Mohammed Mousa, 33, on the spot. They later withdrew, and neither arrests nor
other incidents were reported. It should be noted that the aforementioned is a
leader in the Islamic Jihad Movement and was arrested by IOF, on 17 December
2011. He participated in an open hunger strike against the administrative
detention policy practiced by the occupation, which he ended when a deal led to
his release.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved approximately 300 meters into
al-Shoka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. They leveled land near
the border with Israel, accompanied with shelling and sporadic shooting by the
raiding military vehicles. Helicopters opened fire on farmlands. No injuries
were reported. At approximately 08:00, IOF withdrew to the border between the
Gaza Strip and Israel.

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF gunboats positioned in the sea near the
former Al-Wahah Tourism Resource, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern the
Gaza Strip, fired sporadically at the boats of Palestinian fishermen. The
shooting terrorized the fishermen, who were forced to flee for fear of being
arrested or wounded. Neither injuries nor damage to the boats were reported.

 

At approximately 12:00, a number of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation when IOF launched tear gas at them during the funeral of a civilian,
in the cemetery of Beit A’mer village, north of Hebron. Mohammed ‘Awad told a
PCHR fieldworker that a large number of Israeli soldiers spread throughout the
cemetery and at the main entrance of the village during the funeral of a
civilian in the village. A number of boys threw stones at the soldiers. In
response, the soldiers launched stun bombs and tear gas a number of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into the following villages:
Tarama, Kharsa, al-Fredays, the southern side of Rajm Abu Helal, east of Dora,
and southwest of Hebron. Eyewitnesses told a PCHR fieldworker that more than 40
military vehicles moved into the villages and positioned on the road of Tarama
village and the road between Dora and bypass road 60 from the side of al-Fawar
Palestinian refugee camp. Al-Fredays and al-Marajem area witnessed an intensive
deployment of soldiers and military vehicles among the buildings and inside the
farmlands. A civilian reported that military vehicles, belonging to the Israeli
Intelligence Service, were in the area with persons in civilian clothes
carrying maps and surveying an area located on the road between “Nigohoat”
settlement and Tarama village. In the same incident, a Ford transit car with an
Israeli registration plate (yellow), carrying a group of Israeli soldiers and a
number of undercover units, patrolled the streets of al-Tabaqa village for
approximately half an hour and then joined the rest of the military vehicles
positioned at Kharsa intersection as IOF established a checkpoint there.

 

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 at the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank. As a result, an Israeli human rights defender and a Palestinian
child were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 05 October 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 at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall. The demonstrators gathered
in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity
which stressed the need to adhere to the national principles and the right of
return, to resist the occupation and to call for the release of all Palestinian
prisoners. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and headed towards the Wall.
They called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement
to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation and the wounded were treated in the field.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 05 October 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 at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing 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,
some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, others sustained bruises
and the wounded were treated in the field.

 

Around the same time that Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians,
Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in Martyrs
Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to begin their weekly
peaceful protest against the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing
settlement activities. The protestors 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 protestors
who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and
rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As
a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others
sustained bruises. They were treated in the field.

 

Later that Friday afternoon, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international human rights activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the
center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the
continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning of
the al-Aqsa Intifada. Once they moved towards the entrance, IOF fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. IOF
soldiers arrested Garry Anglish (50), an American activist, during the
demonstration and released him on Friday evening. The demonstration ended with
no injuries or arrests of Palestinians reported.

 

Also at 13:30 that Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the
center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall. They moved towards the entrance of the
village. Immediately, IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters
and sound bombs at them. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

 

At approximately 9:30 Saturday, 06 October 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders,
gathered in the Center of Bait Ummar village, north of Hebron, for the weekly
peaceful demonstration organized against the settlement expansion policy and
land confiscation. The demonstrators headed towards Thaher Jalis area near
“Kermi Tsour” settlement north of the village. Upon nearing the
settlement, IOF immediately fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.
Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. According to Younis
‘Arrar, an activist, Israeli soldiers tried to attack the demonstrators in an
attempt to disperse them and keep them away from the area, after declaring it a
closed military zone. He also confirmed to PCHR’s field worker that the
peaceful demonstrations will continue in Bait Ummar village, as it is the
peaceful and legitimate means of resistance against the Israeli occupation’s
schemes in the village.

 

3- Extra-judicial
Executions

 

In the most recent extrajudicial execution committed by IOF
warplanes on Sunday, 07 October 2012, two Palestinians were targeted, resulting
in the killing of one and wounding of the other. 8 civilian bystanders were
injured, including 4 children and 1 woman, the mother of two of the children. An
Israeli army spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two alleged
members of the Global Jihad organization (The Mujahideen Shura Council in the
Environs of Jerusalem).

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
17:10 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two
Palestinians riding a motorcycle, as they were passing by Taha Hussain
Elementary School in the Al-Brazil neighborhood, south of Rafah. It should be
noted that the attack was carried out at the end of the school day, moments
before the students began to leave the school. The targeted persons, Abd-Allah
Hassan Mikawy (24) and Tal’at Khalil Al-Darbi
(23), both from Rafah, sustained burns and shrapnel wounds throughout
their bodies. Their condition was described as critical. Abd-Allah Hassan
Mikawy was transported to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. His leg was
amputated but was pronounced dead at 14:40 on Monday, 08 October 2012. Tal’at
Khalil Al-Darbi was transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where
his right leg was amputated, according to medical sources.

 

8 civilian bystanders were wounded in the attack, including 4
children and 1 woman, the mother of 2 of the wounded children. They were
visiting the woman’s family at the time of the attack. The wounded were
transported to Abu-Yousif Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah, and their wounds were
described as moderate. The victims were identified as:

 

1- Sabrin Hussain Al-Qatrous (Al-Maqousi) (23), from Jabalia Camp,
who was wounded inside her parents’ house;

2- Bisan Muhammad Al-Maqousi, (1 month), from Jabalia Camp, who was
wounded inside her grandparents’ house;

3- Nassim Muhammad Al-Maqousi (2), from Jabalia Camp, who was
wounded inside his grandparents’ house;

4- Malak Hisham Abu-Jazar (3), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in
Rafah, who was wounded in front of her family home;

5- Bashir Mustafa Keshta (10), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in
Rafah, who was wounded while walking in the street;

6- ‘Awad Muhammad Abu-‘Armana (30), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in
Rafah, who was wounded in front of his house;

7- Juhad Housni Al-Qatrous (27), from Al-Brazil neighborhood in
Rafah, who was wounded in front of his house; and

8- Abdul-Hadi Mahmoud Abu-Mor (56), from Al-Salam neighborhood in
Rafah, who was wounded while on his way to the mosque attend Al-Maghreb
(Sunset) prayer.

 

An Israeli army
spokesperson claimed that the raid had targeted two alleged members of the
Global Jihad organization (The Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem).
The targeted men were Abd-Allah Hassan Mikawy (24) and Tal’at Khalil
Al-Darbi (23). The spokesperson also alleged that the men were planning a
complex military attack in Sinai that was scheduled to be carried out in the
coming period.

 

4- Continued Closure of the oPt

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened 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.

 

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 the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is
not suitable 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 terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following
this closure, all 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 to close al-Mentar crossing was the
culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the
Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and 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 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 in the Gaza Strip.

 

The
cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the
Gaza Strip. This crisis was created on 04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation
authorities totally closed Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the
delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza. They shifted fuel and
cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to
receive Gaza’s fuel needs. 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 humanitarian aid provided by
UNRWA and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the
poverty line has continued to increase, 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 export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments. The situation has been aggravated since Karm Abu Salem crossing
was designated as Gaza’s sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this
crossing negatively affects the quantity of Gaza products which were allowed to
be exported during last April.

 

For approximately six 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 patients 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.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

03–
09 October 2012

 

 

 

Notes:

 

1- Rafah
international crossing point was closed on Saturday 06 October 2012 by the
Egyptian Authorities on the anniversary of the victories of the October War in
1973.

2- Pilgrims
started to leave the Gaza Strip via Rafah crossing to the Saudi Arabia to
perform Hajj on Thursday 09 October 2012. The arrangement for Gaza Strip
pilgrims included 17 flights; each flight carried 165 pilgrims, a total of 2640
pilgrims. The pilgrims are leaving Gaza Strip to Egypt in four flights every day
on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday except the last day, Sunday, which
includes only one flight from the Gaza Strip.

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

03–
09 October 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Wednesday, 03 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 10
truckloads of empty plastic cans.

On Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 4
truckloads of empty plastic cans.

 

Imports:

 

On Wednesday, 03 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement, 144 tons of construction steel, 2,660 tons of construction aggregate for
UNRWA, 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for USAID, 3,220 tons of
construction aggregate for Water Authority, 975 tons of fodders and 234 tons of
wheat.

 

On Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 190 tons of
cement, 39 tons of construction steel, 4,690 tons of construction aggregate for
UNRWA, 630 tons of construction aggregate for UNDB,80 tons of cement and 1,610
tons of construction aggregate for Water Authority, 780tons of fodders and 234
tons of wheat.

 

IOF
closed the crossing on 07 October and 08 October 2012, because of Jewish
holidays.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

03–
09 October 2012

 

 

On Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF allowed humanitarian cases to pass
via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing from 07:30 – 13:00 under the pretext of marking
the second Sukkot Jewish feast. On Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF closed the
crossing completely, however, humanitarian cases were allowed to pass via the
crossing marking same Jewish feast.

 

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.

 

It is approximated that there are 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 in the streets, searched
and even arrested 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:

 

Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint under the bridge of ‘Ain Yabroud village, northeast of Ramallah. At
approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF established another checkpoint under
the bridge of Kharabtha Al-Mosbah village, southwest of the city. At
approximately 20:30, IOF re-established its presence on ‘Attara checkpoint on
the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 9:40 Friday, 05 October 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. And at
18:30 the same day, IOF established another checkpoint near the intersection of
Beit ‘Our Al Foqa village, southwest of the city. Both checkpoints were later
removed and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, IOF
re-established its presence on ‘Attara checkpoint on the northern entrance of
Bier Zait, north of Ramallah.

At 1:30 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF established another
checkpoint near the intersection of Bait ‘Our Al-Foqa village, southwest of the
city. Both checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint near the entrance of Al-Ouja village, northeast of
Jericho. At approximately 17:00 IOF established another checkpoint on the
southern entrance of Jericho.

At approximately 06:30 on Friday, 05 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint at the entrance ”Al Zbaidat” village, north of Jericho.

Also at approximately 08:30 Saturday, 06 October 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the entrance of ‘Ain Al-Dyouk village, north of
Jericho. All checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 23:30 Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint on the road linking Tiba and Romana villages, southwest of Jenin.
The checkpoint was later removed. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint at the western entrance of Ya’bed village, west of Jenin, however,
no arrests were reported.

 

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint on the intersection of ‘Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm. The checkpoint was later removed. No
arrests were reported.

 

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 21:00 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the main road linking the towns of Ethna and
Tarkoumia, west of Hebron, the checkpoint was later removed. No arrests were
reported. In
addition, at approximately 23:00, IOF established another checkpoint at the
entrance of Tawas village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron.

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 07 October 2012, IOF stormed
agricultural lands near “Adoura” settlement, west of Hebron, and
prohibited the farmers from harvesting their olives, under pretext that the
lands are close to the settlement’s security fence. At the same time on Sunday
morning, IOF established a checkpoint on the main road of Kharas village, south
of Hebron. The checkpoint was later removed with no reports of arrest incidents.

At approximately 06:30 on Tuesday, 09 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint at the main intersection connecting Raboud and Abu al-‘Asja
villages with bypass road 60. At approximately 09:30, they established another
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar – Sourif road, north of Hebron. They
searched the Palestinian vehicles. No arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 09:40 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Laqef village, east of Qalqilya. At
approximately 10:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor
Qaddom village, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 17:15, IOF established
a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya.

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 04 October 2012, IOF stationed
near the gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city of Hebron arrested two
children, Ali Sami Hassan Mifleh ‘Adi (16) and Mifleh Ra’ed Ahmed
Jaradat (17), from Bait Ummar village, north of the city. IOF claimed that
one of the children was carrying a knife. They were transported to the
detention center in “Keryat Arba'” settlement, southeast of the city,
for investigation.

 

At approximately 21:00 Saturday evening, 06 October 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on Al-Fahes road, north of Hebron. Before removing the
checkpoint, IOF arrested two Palestinians: ‘Arafat Mohammad ‘Awni Al-Qasrawi
(25) and ‘Olwan Nasser Jamjoum (23), and took them to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 19:30 Sunday morning, 07 October 2012, IOF, who
have established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Doura city, southwest
of Hebron, arrested Ahmad Salama Abu-Ras (30), and transported him to an
unknown destination. It should be noted that Mr Abu-Ras was released only 3
months ago from Israeli prisons.

 

 

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.

 

On Friday
morning, 05 October 2012, approximately 60 settlers from “Kadoumim”
settlement attacked farmers from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya,
while harvesting olives on the main Nablus-Qalqilya road.

 

In
his testimony to PCHR’s fieldworker, Mou’taz Mahmoud Abdul-Halim (39), “At
approximately 08:30 on Friday, 05 October 2012, I went with my family to
harvest our olives from an area called Khelat Abu-Mjihed, east of our village,
by the main road between Nablus and Qalqilya. Upon starting to work, we noticed
another family harvesting too near us, by a vacant house. Suddenly, about 60 or
70 settlers attacked the mentioned family, so we ran off to protect them from
the settlers attack, but were outnumbered. We went to the main road and stopped
an Israeli police car, I told the officer that the settlers were attacking
farmers and that he must stop them, but he did not respond. He told me: ‘Today is
a holiday and you must evacuate the area.” I went back in a hurry, and in
a while the settlers came towards us and attacked us by throwing rocks at us.
Citizens passing by noticed that we were under attack, so they got out of their
vehicles and joined us, we started to outnumber them as the citizens started
gathering around us for protection. Nevertheless, the settlers continued throw
rocks at us until an IOF unit came and stopped their vehicles between us and
stopped them from coming down towards us, threatening us with gas bombs and
told us that we must leave because it is a holiday. We kept working regardless
of their threats, and the settlers kept provoking us by walking in our lands
until we finished work in the evening.“

 

In
the evening of the same Friday, the settlers began destroying olive trees and
vineyards in Al-Khader village territories, southwest of Bethlehem. According
to Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the Popular Movement Against Settlement Activity
and the Wall, hundreds of settlers attacked the lands of Al-Khader town and
destroyed a 100 olive trees belonging to citizen Abdel-Hakim Salah and 20
vineyards belonging to citizen Younis Mahfouz Younis, all located in
“Al-Mostasi” area near by-pass road No. 60, linking between “‘Atsion”
settlement and occupied Jerusalem. Mr Salah also reported that the settlers
painted the Israeli flag on banners put by the Palestinian Agricultural Relief
Committee (PARC) on the land of citizen Ali ‘Atia Jaber in a project to rehabilitate his land. The
settlers also contaminated a number of agricultural wells in the area, used by
the farmers to irrigate their farms.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, a group of settlers from
“Ma’oun” settlement, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers and prevented them from reaching their agricultural lands, located near
the aforementioned settlement, to harvest olives. According to Rateb Al-Jabour,
a member of the Popular Movement against Settlement Activity, in his testimony
to PCHR filed worker, a group of settlers protected by IOF soldiers, attacked
the Palestinian farmers while harvesting olives in their lands, which caused
the farmers to leave their lands for fear of being attacked by the settlers. Mr
Jabour added that this poses a great danger to the lives of the citizens, as
they are dependent on agriculture, especially in the olive harvest season. It
should be mentioned that IOF has declared the eastern lands of Yatta military
training sites, prohibited for civilians. These lands are 18% of the total area
of the city, and are located in Area C.

 

At
approximately 14:00 on Saturday, a group of about 15 settlers coming from
“Miria” the settlement outpost established on the northern side of the
lands of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah, began throwing rocks at
Palestinian farmers who were harvesting the olives in their lands, in Al-Nabi
‘Anieer area. Late that night, the settlers cut down 30 old and fruitful olive trees belonging to Mr Jum’a Barakat
Abu-Fakhitha.

 

In his
testimony to PCHR fieldworker, Mr Abu-Fakhitha’s said “At approximately
14:00 on Saturday, 06 October 2012, as we were harvesting the olive trees in
Al-Nabi ‘Anieer area, near “Miria” the settlement outpost established
on the northern side of the lands of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah,
a group of nearly 15 settlers, between 18 and 30 years of age, one of whom was
armed with an automatic firearm, accompanied by police dogs, started throwing
rocks at us. We threw rocks back at them, so they left the area. An hour later,
an IOF unit came with the Security Officer of “Miria.” They detained
us for an hour under pretext that my son, Barakat, tried to run over a soldier
with his car. After that, the unit left the area. Later that night, a group of
settlers broke and cut 30 fruitful olive trees from my land, as I shockingly
found out the next morning when I reached my land to continue the harvest. The
trees where cut with chain saws.”

 

At
approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from
“Nah’eil” settlement stormed the agriculture lands of Bitello
village, northwest of Ramallah and started throwing rocks, cursing and
approaching Al-Bazar family and threatening to attack them, while they were
harvesting the olive trees in Al Thahour area. The family went ran back to the
village, Ms Mariam Khalil Al-Bazar called Mr Mohammad Samir Redwan, Driector of
Administration in Al-Itihad municipality, and told him what happened.
Immediately, Mr Rodawn and two other municipality employees came to the village.
Clashes erupted between a number of Palestinians and the settlers. One of the
settlers started shooting fire at the Palestinians, while a number of settlers
set fire to the olive trees. An hour and a half later, a number of IOF units
and the Israeli police came to the scene and declared the area a closed
military zone. As a result of the attack, Alaa’ Al-Bazar was wounded in
her right leg by a rock, and Thabet Al-Bazar’s (13) left leg was broken
after he fell to the ground.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 07 October 2012, a group of settlers from
“Bait Haji” settlement, east of Hebron, attacked Palestinian vehicles
passing on bypass road No. 60 with rocks. Citizen Anwar Hassan Ali Qaisi
(46) from the Al-Shahna Valley area, south of Doura city, southwest of
Jenin, sustained wounds and fractions after his car turned over due to the
settlers attack. Mr Qaisi was transported by an ambulance of the Palestine Red
Crescent Society to the Al-Khalil governmental hospital for treatment. In his
testimony to PCHR field worker, Mr Qaisi’s father said that his son is in a
critical medical condition, and suffers from a fracture in his rib cage and may
need surgery. He also added that IOF did not interfere to save his injured son
after his car turned over after he was attacked by the settlers with rocks.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Monday, 08 October 2012, IOF prevented workers employed
by the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from continuing their work in
rehabilitating historic buildings, east of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old city
of Hebron. In the legal committee of Hebron Rehabilitation Committee’s
testimony to a PCHR field worker, the Security Officer of Jewish Settlements in
Hebron came to the construction site and took photographs of the place and of
the workers. Half an hour after he left, an IOF unit came with an officer of
the Israeli Civil Administration, who ordered the contractor, orally, to suspend
work until they receive approval from the concerned Israeli authorities. It
should be noted that the area of the Ibrahim Mosque is subject to Israeli
violations on a daily basis. IOF established a fence isolating neighborhoods
east of the Ibrahimi Mosque, as well as the attempt to extend a water
transmission line in the neighboring Jaber quarter, and closed sub-roads to
houses attached to the Mosque which belong to the families of Al-Slayma, Jaber
and Al-Owaiwy.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on Monday, 08 October 2012, a settler shot at Sakher
Hussain Muhammad Al-‘Alami (26), from Beit Amer, north of Hebron, and
wounded him in his left arm. According to Mr Al-‘Alami’s testimony to PCHR’s
field worker, he took a mountain road in Bir ‘Ouna area in Beit Jala, near
“Jilo” settlement, north of Bethlehem, on his way to his work in occupied
Jerusalem. He walked past 4 settlers, in their thirties, in civilian clothing;
they stopped him and asked him where he was headed, and he told them that he
was going to work in occupied Jerusalem. One of the settlers used his cell
phone and called the Israeli police. The Palestinian laborer ran off for fear
of being arrested because he doesn’t have a work permit to enter Israel. He is
not allowed to enter Israel based upon a decision issued by an Israeli court,
but the decision has been since suspended. As he was trying to escape, one of
the settlers shot at him and wounded him in his left arm. He managed to escape
and reach Beit Jala governmental hospital where he received treatment. His
wounds were described as moderate.

 

At
approximately 21:30 on Monday, 08 October 2012, a group of settlers, from
“Aily” established on the eastern Laban village, the far south of
Nablus, attacked the house of Khaled Samih Hamed Daraghmeh. The
settlers broke into the house, which is located in Al-‘Ayn area on the old
Ramallah road, south of the town, and attempted to destroy the house and its
contents. In Mr Daraghmeh’s testimony to PCHR’s field worker, he said: “At
approximately 21:30 Monday, 08 October 2012, while I was in an olive filed 200m
away from my house located in Al-‘Ayn area on the old Ramallah road, south of
our town, south of Nablus. My house was vacant in case of a settlers attack, as
they attack it regularly. At the mentioned hour, I saw more than 11 settlers
car advancing towards “Aily” settlement, established on a part of the
town’s eastern lands and stopped by the house. More than 35 settlers came down
from the vehicle, using the light of cars and torches, and started yelling in
broken Arabic: Khaled Daragmeh open the door. They looked for me around the
house and inside it for half an hour. When I noticed that, I escaped on foot
towards the village, and sought rescue from other civilians, but they were
afraid for their lives, especially that it was late in the night. When the sun
came up, I went to the house and found out that the settlers had broken the
door and turned the contents of the house upside down after completely
destroying the furniture inside, even the plants around the house were attacked
as well.”

 

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, 09 October 2012, dozens of
Palestinian farmers from Qariout town, southeast of Nablus, were on their way to
their farms in Marah Bassam, Karam Al-Gharbi and Batisha areas in the western
side of the town to harvest olives. The farmers had coordinated with the IOF to
obtain permission to access these lands, as they can only enter twice a year,
during harvest and plowing seasons. When they reached their land, they
discovered that settlers from “Aily” settlement had destroyed and cut
down more than 120 fruitful olive trees, each more than 20 years old, belonging
to: Youssif Raja ‘Azzem, Thaher Khalil, Nihad Al-Haj Ahmed, Faiz Rateb Al-Boum,
Samir Abdul-Jawad Theeb and Adeeb Isa Khalil.

…………………………………………………

 

 

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).