A Palestinian woman stands on her land that was
bulldozed by Israeli forces in Qalqilya

Israeli Forces Continue
Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

 

Israeli
Occupation Forces killed 1 Palestinian child in Hebron in the southern West
Bank.

 

1 Palestinian
civilian and 1 member of an armed group died of wounds they had sustained during
the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza
Strip.

 

3
Palestinian civilians were wounded in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

 

Israeli
forces conducted 70 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank
and 1 limited incursion into the northern Gaza
Strip.

Israeli
forces arrested 45 Palestinians, including 5 boys and 1 girl.

Israeli
forces raided 3 the offices of civil and human rights organisations in Ramallah
and confiscated some of their contents.

 

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

At
least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 1 child, were wounded in Bil’ein
weekly protest, west of Ramallah.

 

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

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 2 Palestinians were arrested at checkpoints in the West
Bank.

 

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

A
room was demolished in Beit Luqia, west of Ramallah, and 35 olive trees were
uprooted in Hajja village, east of Qalqilia.

The
Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle in Sheqba village.

Israeli
settlers escalated their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their
property.

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (06 – 12 December 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli
forces killed a Palestinian child in the West Bank.
In addition, a Palestinian civilian and a member of an armed group died of
wounds they had sustained in the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also wounded 8 Palestinian civilians, including 1 child; 6 civilians
were wounded in the West Bank while 2 others
were wounded in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, in an example of
excessive use of lethal force, on 12 December 2012, Israeli forces killed a
17-year old Palestinian child when a female Israeli soldier from the Border Guard
Forces opened fire at him and killed him. According to the findings of
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:30 on Wednesday, 12
December 2012, Mohammed Ziad Awad al-Salayma, 17, was on his way home after
buying a cake to celebrate his birthday, which was on the same day. When he
arrived at an Israeli checkpoint that is established at the entrance of al-Masharqa
neighborhood, Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint were detaining a child, who
had a plastic pistol. Once al-Salayma reached the checkpoint, an Israeli female
soldier fired at him from a close range; as a result, he was hit by three
bullets that penetrated his body and killed him immediately. Israeli forces
kept his body for over two hours before delivering him to an ambulance
belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). As a precondition for
the release of his body, Israeli forces prohibited the burial of al-Salayma in
a cemetery close to the limitation zone in al-Sheikh area in the centre of the Old City.

 

On 11 December 2012, Israeli forces
wounded 1 Palestinian civilian when they moved into Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah, where dozens of boys were protesting. Israeli forces opened fire and
wounded 1 Palestinian civilian in the left leg.

 

Israeli forces continued to use
excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian civilians
and Israeli and international human rights defenders. 5 Palestinians were
wounded, including 1 child, while participating in the al-Nabi Saleh weekly
protest. In addition, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation
and sustained bruises.

 

In the Gaza Strip, 2 Palestinians,
including 1 civilian, died of wounds they had sustained during the latest
Israeli offensive. On 09 December 2012, Nasser Zaidan al-Nahhal, 49, from
al-Shati’ refugee camp, was pronounced dead medical sources in Egypt; he died of
wounds that he sustained on 18 November 2012, when an Israeli gunboat targeted
a Palestinian in al-Shati’ refugee camp. As a result of the attack, the
targeted person and 1 little girl, who was playing in the area, were killed and
5 others, including al-Nahhal, were wounded.

 

On 12 December 2012, Abdullah
Mahmoud Abdul Fatah ‘Asqoul, 24, from al-Qarara, was pronounced dead medical
sources in Egypt; he died of
wounds that he sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza. ‘Asqoul is a member
of an armed group and was wounded on 17 November 2012 when an Israeli warplane
bombarded the al-Zanna area in the east of Khan Yunis. ‘Asqoul and another
member of an armed group were wounded in the attack.

 

On 09 December 2012, a gravel collector
was wounded when Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers along the border fence
near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing opened fire at a group of gravel and rubble
collectors in the industrial zone. It should be noted that Palestinian workers
collect gravel and rubble of destroyed buildings to recycle them for use in reconstruction,
particularly in the context of the Israeli closure imposed on the Gaza Strip,
under which the entry of construction materials into the Gaza Strip is denied.

 

On 12 December 2012, 1 Palestinian
worker was wounded when Israeli infantry moved 150 meters to the south
of the border fence, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli
soldiers opened fire at a group of workers, who were collecting gravel and
firewood.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 70 military incursions
into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 45 Palestinians,
including 5 boys and 1 girl.

 

During
the reporting period, on 11 December 2012, Israeli forces raided the offices of
3 civil and human rights organisations in Ramallah. They confiscated documents,
laptops, and equipment. The organisations affected were Addameer Prisoner
Support and Human Rights and the Palestinian NGO Network, which are based in the
Sabat building in al-Masyon neighborhood in the centre of Ramallah, and the
Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, which is based in the Ahmed Ryad
building, near the Palestine Public Health Complex in Qadoura Refugee Camp in
Ramallah. Israeli forces raided the offices, searched through their contents,
and confiscated laptops and documents of the organisations.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 12 December 2012, Israeli forces conducted a limited
incursion into the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli infantry moved 150 meters south of the
border fence northwest of Beit Lahia.

 

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.

 

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

 

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
06 December 2012, under the protection of Israeli forces, Israeli settlers moved
into “Trcilla” settlement, which was established in the south of
Jenin and evacuated in 2005, to perform their Jewish rituals.

 

On
the same day, dozens of settlers from “Susia” settlement, south of Hebron, moved into
agricultural lands near the security fence in an attempt to seize those lands.

 

On 08
December 2012, a
group of settlers from “Mitzpe Wair” settlement, south of Hebron, ploughed agricultural
lands in Qawarees village in order to seize them. The 160 dunums of land belonged
to the Awad family.

 

On
09 December 2012, Israeli forces leveled 1.5 dunums of agricultural lands in
Khelet Amr area adjacent to Qalqilya-Nablus road in order to set up electricity
poles. As a result, 35 olive trees were uprooted and buried.

 

On
the same day, a group of settlers from “Adora” settlement, west of Hebron, gathered on Bypass
Road 35 and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in the presence of Israeli
soldiers.

 

On
the same day, a group of settlers used water to flood a house belonging to Abed
Seder, 30, in
the centre of Hebron.
As a result, the contents of the house were damaged.

 

On
the same day, dozens of settlers from “Karmiel” settlement, south of Hebron, organised a protest along Bypass Road 60,
supporting the government’s policy of increasing settlement activities in the West Bank.

 

On
the same day, Nida’ Barathe’iya, 32, sustained wounds to the head and eye, when
settlers threw stones at her vehicle on Bypass Road 60 in front of
“Afrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

On
12 December 2012, at approximately 02:45, a group of settlers moved into the
northern part of Sheqba village, west of Ramallah. They set fire to a civilian
vehicle in the village and wrote slogans in Arabic in the area. The slogans
read “Paying the price”.

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (06 – 12 December 2012)

 

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

 

 

Thursday,
06 December 2012

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ein al-Dyouk village, northeast
of Jericho. They
patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Tubas. They raided and searched a number of
houses and arrested Mohammed Basheer Abdul Razeq, 21 and Obada Shareef
Daraghma, 22. They both were transported to Salem detention centre, west of Jenin.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into the Beit Ze’ta and al-Qarn areas on the
Jerusalem–Hebron road, north of Hebron.
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 boys and 1 tenenager:

 

1- Mansour
Taha Mansour Sabarnah, 15;

2- Mahmoud
Fayez Fawzi Abu Ayyash, 17;

3- Ahmed
Wajih Ihmeid Abu Maria, 18.

 

 Israeli forces transported the arrested
individuals to “Kfar Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately
01:30, Israeli forces moved into Tamoun village, southeast of Tubas. They
raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 1 woman and 2 men:

 

1. Iman
Mahmoud Bani Ouda, 19;

2. Nasser
Yusef Bani Ouda, 27; and

3. Azmi
Hassan Bani Ouda, 23.

Israeli forces transported
the arrested individuals to Salem
detention centre in Jenin.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Barqa village, northwest of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of
houses and damaged their contents for no reason. Among the houses raided, were
the homes of:

1. Ahmed
Hosni Far’ouniya;

2. Yusef
Abdul Fattah Salah;

3. Taleb
Faleh Dughlus;

4. Mohsen
Mohammed Ali Hajja;

5. Roshdi
Ahmed Hajja; and

6. Ref’at
Saif.

Israeli forces later
withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Noba village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for a time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Bal’a village, northeast of
Tulkarm, and positioned themselves in the eastern neighborhood. They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested Ra’ed Saleh Abed al-Hajj Hamad, 35.
They transported him to Nour Shams refugee camp where they raided a premises
rented by Hamad in al-Mahjar neighborhood, north of the camp, and searched it.
Two hours later, Israeli forces withdrew, transporting the aforementioned
person to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately
02:30, Israeli forces moved into Sa’eer village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
stationed themselves in the centre of Ras al-‘Eroudh area. At approximately
04:00, Israeli forces re-positioned at the entrance of Beit ‘Einon. They later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Abu Risha area, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for a time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Kharas village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for a time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of
Jenin. They raided a house belonging to Kamal Abu al-Hayja’ and arrested his 2
sons: Taher, 21, and Hosni, 20. Israeli forces later raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Ala’
Hosni Aref Abu al-Hayja’, 21, and arrested him. The arrested men were
transported to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Bruqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Mostafa Mhamoud Jarra, 23, a dentistry student at
the Arab American University-Jenin. Jarrar was arrested and transported to an
unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Kofur ‘Ein village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. No arrests
were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets for a time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Biet Ummar village, north of Hebron during the funeral
of a Palestinian from the village. Israeli soldiers were mobilized between
houses and around the cemetery. Some boys threw stones at them. In response,
the Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated
metal bullets. As a result, some Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation
and were transported to Hebron
governmental hospital.

 

At
approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into Ta’nak village, northwest of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:20, Israeli forces moved into Rafat village, west of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 17:20, Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qaddoum village, northeast
of Qalqilia village. They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew.
Neither house nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Our al-Tahta village,
southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew.
No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jeftlik village, north of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anin village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled
the streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 23:10, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek village, west of
Salfit. They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 07 December
2012

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Marj Na’ja, north of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets for a time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
05:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar, village, south of Bethlehem. They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested:

 

1. Ahmed
Abdul Rahman Ahmed Taqatqa, 29, secretary of Fatah movement in Beit Fajjar;

2. Mohammed
Diab Taqatqa, 27;

3. Mohammed
Yusef Taqatqa, 22, a
member of the Palestinian National Security Service; and

4. Iyad
Mohammed Ahmed Taqatqa, 31.

 

At approximately
10:30, Israeli forces moved into Fasayel village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for a
time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
12:10, Israeli forces moved into Kofu Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia.
They patrolled the streets for a time and later withdrew. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
16:00, Israeli forces moved into Marda village, north of Salfit. They patrolled
the streets for a while and arrested Damen Ezz Eddin Khafash, 19; he was beaten
and released after an hour.

 

At
approximately 17:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for a time and then moved into al-Bayada
area near “Shavei Shomron” settlement. They arrested:

1. Qais Waddah Shbeita, 15;

2. Mohammed Abdul Fattah Radwan, 15; and

3. Mohammed Adel Shbeita, 16.

 

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

 

Saturday, 08
December 2012

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and positioned themselves at Wad
Ma’ali area and al-Saf Street. They raided and searched several houses and
arrested 4 civilians and took them away. The arrested individuals were: ‘Ayyad
Jamal al-Harimi, 20; Ibrahim Ata al-Harimi, 22; Murad Ali ‘Asakra, 21; and
Abdullah ‘Awad Jawarish, 18. Jamal al-Harimi informed a PCHR fieldworker that
Israeli forces had treated his family violently after arresting his son. They
returned to my house, asked for ‘Ayyad’s cell phone, and threatened the family
that they would destroy the house if the phone was not handed over. The father
of the arrested man gave the mobile phone to the Israeli forces.

 

At
approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and
searched several houses and arrested Jawad Ibrahim Hashem Thawabtah, 27, and
Nabil Ahmed Bader Taqatqa, 36, and took them away.

 

At
approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Qofein village, north of
Tulkarm, positioned themselves at the entrance of the village, and established
a checkpoint. A number of boys gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at
Israeli forces who responded by firing stun grenades and tear gas, resulting in
cases of suffocation. They later withdrew and no further incidents or arrests
were reported.

 

Sunday,
09 December 2012

 

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

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Thaheria, east of Hebron. They patrolled
the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud
Abdullah Ahmed Khdeirat, 20. They arrested the aforementioned civilian and took
him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into Wad al-Haria area, in the centre of Hebron. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mosallam Hashem al-Karaki, (20). They
arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and positioned themselves at the centre of the village. They raided and
searched several houses and arrested Ahmed Ali Bahis, 40, and Khalil Mahmoud
Khalil Abu Eid, 48, 2 officers in the Palestinian General Intelligence, and
took them to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Khader village, west of Bethlehem. They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Isa Abdel Naser Subeih, 25, and
handed him a notice to appear at an office of the Israeli intelligence in the
“Ghosh Atsyon” complex.

 

Around the same
time, Israeli forces moved into al-Ezza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem and
positioned themselves at Dar al-Qaysi area (al-Adwin quarter). They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa’ Kayed al-Nashash, 30, and
handed him a notice to appear before at an office of the Israeli intelligence
in the “Ghosh Atsyon” complex. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

In the morning,
Naser Zidan al-Nahal, 49, who had been living in al-Shatia’ camp, west of Gaza, was pronounced dead by medical sources in Egypt; he died
of injuries sustained on 18 November 2012. Al-Nahal sustained injuries in
al-Shatia’ camp when Israeli gunboats targeted Ahmed al-Nahal, a civilian,
while they were on al-Bahar Street in al-Shatia’ camp. The shelling resulted in
the death of Ahmed al-Nahal and a female child who was playing in the area, as
well as the injury of another 5 civilians; Naser al-Nahal was one of the
injured civilians. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was transferred
to Egypt
where he died of his injuries.

 

At
approximately 11:00, Israeli forces entered the Dora al-Qar’a village,
northeast of Ramallah, and patrolled the streets in the village. They left the
village after some time. No arrests were reported from the Dora al-Qar’a
village during this patrolling operation.

 

At
approximately 12:00, Israeli forces took position at the observation towers of
the border fence near Beit Hanoun “Eirez”, located in northwestern Beit Hanoun,
in northern Gaza Strip. They opened fire at a group of workers who were
collecting stones and grits from the rubble of the destroyed buildings in the
“Eirez” Industrial area. As a result of these shootings, Abdullah Salim Abu
Jari, (23), living in Um al-Naser village in northern Gaza Strip, sustained
injuries in his left leg. He sustained these injuries while he was 300 meters away from the
border fence. A group of workers then transferred him by a cart to the road and
from there he was transported to the Martyr Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahia.
His wounds were described as moderate. It should be mentioned that Palestinian
workers usually collect stones and grits from the rubble of destroyed buildings
to use them in the construction and reconstruction process, particularly
because the entry of building materials in Gaza Strip has been restricted since
Israeli forces imposed the closure on the strip more than 6 years ago.

 

At approximately
13:00, Israeli forces moved into Kharabtha al-Mesbah, southwest of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets and left after sometime. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:45, Israeli forces moved into Ya’abod village, south of Jenin.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the Qobaha family. During this raid
they arrested Ya’aish Mohammed Khaled Qobaha (22), a student at the American University in Jenin. They later withdrew
and took Ya’ish with them to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafer al-Labad village, in east
of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No
house raids or arrests were reported during this patrolling operation.

 

At
approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into Shofa village, in southeast of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No house
raids or arrests were reported during this patrolling operation.

 

At
approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Senjel village, in north of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No house raids or
arrests were reported during this patrolling operation.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Budrus village, in west of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No house
raids or arrests were reported during this patrolling operation.

 

 

Monday,
10 December 2012

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus and took position at the southern
suburban neighborhood. They raided and searched several houses. They arrested
Mohammed Samer Abu al-Hayyat, (20), and took him to the detention centre in
Howarah camp, in southeast of Nablus.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qaryout village, in southeast of
Nablus. They
raided and searched several houses. They arrested 6 people and took them to the
detention centre in Howarah camp, in southeast of Nablus. The names of the arrested are: Ahmed
Mashhour Zaki ‘Amer, (24); Aysar Munir ‘Ayesh Boum, (22); Adham Sedqi Yousif
Mousa, (22); Abdo Fahim Ibrahim Kassab, (23); Ahmed Osama Mohammed Badawi,
(22); and Ahmed Radi Farhan Isa, (18).

 

 

Around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into northern ‘Asirah village, north of Nablus. They raided and
searched several houses. During these raids they arrested Basem Talib Hamadnah,
(32), and Rabi’a Ahed Sawalha, (24), and took them to the detention centre in
Howarah camp, southeast of Nablus.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, and positioned
themselves at al-Sammakah quarter. They raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Abdel Hakim Ali Taqatqa, and arrested Hatem Nemer Ali Taqatqa,
(22).

 

At
approximately 02:45, the Israeli Forces moved into Beit Liqya village, southwest
of Ramallah, and positioned themselves at the northern entrance of the village.
They raided and searched several houses. During these raids they held the
inmates of the houses outside their homes. This caused fear among children and
women. An Israeli intelligence officer questioned a number of civilians on the
spot about Mohammed Rabah Shokri ‘Aasi, (27), who is wanted by Israeli
Intelligence (Shin Bet) as Israeli forces claim. Dozens of boys and young men
gathered to set fire to rubber tires and throw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli forces. In response the Israeli forces fired bullets, metal bullets coated with a thin rubber layer, stun grenades, and tear gas. This resulted in cases of tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces arrested ‘Arafat Yousif
Subhi ‘Aasi, (38), and took him to an unknown destination. They withdrew at
approximately 10:35.

 

At
approximately 12:30, Israeli Forces moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem, and positioned
themselves at the village centre. They arrested a number of young men while
some of them raided and searched the al-Ferdaws Sweets Store belonging to Sami
Ibrahim al-Sha’aer, and Baladna restaurant belonging to Kamal Mohammed
al-Badan. Israeli forces went into the vicinity of Taqou’a High School for
Boys, surrounded it and tried to raid it. However, school principal, Salem Abu
Mefreh, and teachers Nabil al-Jadou’a and Mahmoud Zawahrah, denied them access
to school. Israeli forces pushed them and tried to beat them. They later
withdrew and no more incidents were reported.

 

At
approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Baqa al-Sharqiya village, north
of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No
house raids or arrests were reported.

 

Around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aalar village, northeast of Tulkarm.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No house raids or
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:45, Israeli forces moved into Zabouba village, northwest of
Jenin. They patrolled streets for some time and later withdrew. No more
incidents or arrests were reported.

 

 

Tuesday,
11 December 2012

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Fasayel village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

In the early
morning, Israeli forces moved into Ramallah. They raided and searched the offices of three civil and human
rights organisations and confiscated files, documents, computers, and equipment
from these offices. According to PCHR’s
investigations, at approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 11 December 2012, Israeli
forces, accompanied by military vehicles, moved into Ramallah. They broke the
front gates and stormed into the second and third floors of the Sabat building,
where the offices of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights, and the
Palestinian NGO Network are located. During the raid, Israeli soldiers searched
the offices, employees’ desks and the work files of the two organisations.
Before withdrawing, they confiscated a number of PCs and laptops from the Documentation
and Search Unit of Addameer, files and documents from the Media Unit, and a
memory card, a hard drive, a video camera and papers related to the organisation’s
work.

 

Around
the same time, a unit of Israeli forces stormed the Headquarters of the Union
of Palestinian Women’s Committees, in the Ahmed Ryad building, near Palestine
Public Health Complex, in Qadoura Refugee Camp, Ramallah. Soldiers broke the
front gate of the Headquarters; they broke in the office doors, searched the
offices and interfered with the contents of the office. During the raid,
Israeli soldiers confiscated 7 laptops, 3 PC hard drives, the Internet server
and a number of other items. They also stole nearly NIS 3000.

 

At
approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Liqia village, southwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Jaftalak, north of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into the open area between
al-Zababdah village and the American
University, south of
Jenin. Students from the Arab
American University
told a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces positioned themselves in the area
for some time and combed it. They later withdrew and neither more incidents nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into Na’alin village, west of Ramallah
and patrolled the streets. A number of children and boys gathered to throw
stones at Israeli forces who immediately responded by firing bullets, metal bullets coated with a thin rubber layer, stun grenades and tear gas. As a result,
Ibrahim Khalil Ibrahim Sorour, (22), sustained a bullet injury in the left leg
and was transported to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive
treatment. His wounds were described as moderate.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aoja
village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled
the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

· At approximately
23:30,
Israeli forces moved into Shweikah suburb, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

 Wednesday, 12 December 2012

 

At approximately 01:300, the Israeli Forces moved into Beit Kahel
village, northwest of Hebron.
They raided and searched several houses during which they arrested Mohammed Kamal
Mousa ‘Asafrah, (28) and Riyad Talal Mohammed ‘Asafrah, (32), and took them to
an unknown destination. They later withdrew from the village.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli Forces moved into al-‘Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron,
and patrolled the streets. At approximately 03:00, they surrounded a house
belonging to the family of Ibrahim al-Bes, (44), in the school’s neighborhood, centre
of camp, and raided and searched it. They also searched around a house
belonging to the family of Jihad al-‘Adawi, (38). They later withdrew and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli Forces moved into Haninah
neighborhood, south of Dora, southwest of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves at the main road till the
morning. At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces repositioned at the road and a
number of boys gathered to throw stones at Israeli forces who responded by
firing stun grenades and tear gas at the boys and houses. They later withdrew
and neither arrests nor injuries were reported.

 

Around the same time, the Israeli Forces moved into al-Fawar
refugee camp, south of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and positioned themselves at the
refugee centre. At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces repositioned at the
entrance of al-Fawar camp. Neither arrests nor house raids were reported.

 

In the morning, medical resources in Egypt declared the death of Abdullah
Mahmoud Abdel Fattah ‘AsQoul, (49), living in al-Qararah village in Khan Younis
in the southern Gaza Strip, who was a member of the armed groups. He had sustained
serious injuries during the last offensive. At approximately 21:45 on 17
November 2012, he sustained injuries when Israeli warplanes launched a missile
at al-Zanah area, northeast of Bani Sheilah village, east of Khan Younis. They
were transported to Naser Medical Complex where his wounds were described as
critical then he was transferred to Egypt where he died of his
injuries.

 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Abwein village,
northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 12 December 2012, Israeli
forces moved 150 meters
into south of the border fence, north of Abu Nada farm land, northwest of
“Elissenai” settlement, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
They opened fire at a group of workers who were collecting stones and grits
resulting in the injury of Hamza Mohammed Rajab Ma’arouf, (19), living in
al-Qar’aa al-Khamsah in Beit Lahia. He was 500 meters away from the
border fence when they started firing. A group of workers transported him to a
Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance that transported him to Martyr Kamal Odwan
hospital in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip where he arrived at 12:35 and
was given first aid. His wounds were described as moderate.

 

Israeli forces positioned themselves around Ibrahimi Mosque in the
old city centre in Hebron
and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian child by using excessive lethal force,
when an Israeli female soldier opened fire at him to kill him.

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
18:30, Mohammed Ziad ‘Awad al-Salaimah, (17), was on his way back home after
buying cake to celebrate his birthday which was on 12 December 2012. When he
arrived at the Israeli checkpoint at the entrance of al-Masharqa quarter,
Israeli soldiers positioned at the checkpoint and were holding a child who had
a plastic pistol-shaped toy. As soon as a-Salaimah arrived, an Israeli female
soldier opened fire at him from a short distance. As a result, he sustained
injuries with 3 bullets in his body and was killed instantly. Israeli soldiers
held his body for more than 2 hours and conditioned not to bury it in the
nearby cemetery in the limitation zone in the old city. Israeli forces claimed
that its first investigations showed that “al-Salaimah approached an Israeli
soldier near al-Rajbi checkpoint in al-Masharqa quarter and put a gun, which
was in his hand, at the soldier’s head at the checkpoint, so a female soldier
shot him dead. Later on, it was found that the gun was a flare gun.”

 

At
approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Sinjel village, north of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No
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, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations
organised by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders in protest of the construction of the wall and settlement activities
in the West Bank. As a result, 5 Palestinian
civilians, including a child, were wounded in Nabi Saleh weekly peaceful
demonstration. Also a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 07 December 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised
a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest of
the construction of the annexation wall, titled: “Against Administrative
Detention and In Solidarity with Prisoners on Hunger Strike”. The
demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling
for national unity. The protesters aimed to stress the need to adhere to
national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to
call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The protesters raised
Palestinian flags and made their way 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, dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 30 November 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised
a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of 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, some demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, 30 November 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders
gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to
hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activities, titled: “Commemoration of Our Martyrs, the
Commencement of Popular Resistance in Nabi Saleh, the 9^th
Anniversary of Bassma al-Tamimi’s, 1^st Anniversary of Mustafa
al-Tamimi’s and the 40^th Anniversary of Rushdi al-Tamimi’s Killing
by Israeli Occupation Forces”. The protesters walked towards the gate
erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads to
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 5
civilians were injured, including a child, and dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in
the centre of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall. As the protestors moved towards the gate
of the village, the Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from
gaining access to the confiscated land and attacked the participants; as a
result, Mahmoud Zawahra (25), coordinator of the Popular Resistance Against the
Wall and the Settlement Activity, sustained bruises.

 

3. Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

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

 

 

Gaza
Strip

 

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.

 

Israeli
forces have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making 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.

 

Israeli
forces 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 the 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.

 

 Israeli forces have continued to impose a total
ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited
items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the
minimal needs of the civilian population 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 the 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. The Karm
Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200
tons of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians continue 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 continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of
shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments.

 

 Israeli forces 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 the 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 are allowed to be exported.

 

For approximately 6 consecutive years,  Israeli forces have continued to ban the
delivery of construction materials to Gaza.
During the reporting period,  Israeli
forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials
for a number of international organisations.

 

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

05
to 11 December 2012

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) Crossing

04
to 10 December 2012

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 04 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 12 tons of strawberries, 33 tons of biscuits and 55,000
carnation flowers.

On Wednesday, 05 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 7.5 tons of strawberries, 22 tons of biscuits, 5 truckloads of
empty plastic cans and a truckload of oxygen cylinders. They also allowed the
exportation of 200
kilograms of garlic leaves and 200 kilograms of
basil.

On Thursday, 06 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 15 tons of strawberries, 5 tons of furniture, 4 truckloads of
plastic and a truckload of oxygen cylinders.

On Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 10.7 tons of cherry tomatoes, 1 truckload carrying 120 kilograms of
garlic leaves and 330
kilograms of basil. They also allowed the exportation of
6 truckloads of plastic.

On Monday, 10 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 6 truckloads of plastic.

 

Other Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 04 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
310 tons of cement, 144 tons of construction steel and 5530 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 1400 tons of construction aggregate for
the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of
fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 05 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
400 tons of cement, 113 tons of construction steel, 5,320 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; and 1540 tons of construction aggregate for the
Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders
and 273 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 06 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
360 tons of cement, 63 tons of construction steel, 4550 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; and 1470 tons of construction aggregate for the
Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 780 tons of fodders
and 273 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
160 tons of cement, 70 tons of construction steel, 5530 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; and 2520 tons of construction aggregate for the German
Development Bank (GDB). They also allowed the entry of 585 tons of fodders and
312 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 10 December 2012, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
240 tons of cements, 204 tons of construction steel and 2590 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 840 tons of construction aggregates for
USAID; 2660 tons of construction aggregates for the Water Authority; 280 tons
of cement, 2100 tons of construction aggregates for GDB. They also allowed the
entry of 663 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

Note: Beit Hanoun Crossing “Erez”, in the northern Gaza Strip, links the
Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the movement of individuals.

 

Movement
at the Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

05 –
11 December 2012

 

 

Note: Israeli forces allowed 28 relatives of prisoners to visit 17
prisoners in Israeli jails.

 

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

 

Ramallah
and al-Bireh: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 06
December 2012, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kerbtha al-Musbah village, southwest of
Ramallah. At approximately 10:00, they re-established their presence at ‘Attara
checkpoint, by the northern entrance of Beir Zeit village, north of Ramallah.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the
entrance of Beit ‘Our al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately
15:30, another checkpoint was established by the entrance of Beit Loqia
village, southwest of Ramallah.

At
approximately 09:30 on Friday, 07 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah.

At
approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 08 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, and at
approximately 19:00, they re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint.

At
approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, a checkpoint was
established by the entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah.

At
approximately 06:00 on Monday, 10 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah.

At
approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 11 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint under the bridge
of Kerbtha al-Musbah
village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30, another checkpoint was
established by the entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah. At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Ne’lin village, west of the city.

At
approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 12 December 2012, Israeli forces
re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, by the northern entrance
of Beir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. Around the same time, a checkpoint was
established on the road linking Beit ‘Our al-Tahta and Beit ‘Our al-Foqqa
villages, southwest of Ramallah.

All
checkpoints were removed later; no arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 06 December 2012,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between Hajja and Kuffor
Qadoum villages, northeast of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:35, another
checkpoint was established by the intersection of Jeet village.

At
approximately 11:00 on Friday, 07 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Jinasafout village, east of the city.

At
approximately 13:40 on Saturday, 08 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Jeet village. At approximately 19:15, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of the
city.

At
approximately 03:30 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Jeet village. At approximately 16:35, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village,
southeast of the city.

All
checkpoints were removed later; no arrests were reported.

 

Jenin:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 19:30 on Thursday, 06 December 2012,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of Romana village,
southwest of Jenin. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces established another
checkpoint at the entrance of Ta’nak village, northwest of the city.

At
approximately 20:30 on Friday, 07 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the road connecting Romana and Tayba village, southwest of the
city. At approximately 22:30, a checkpoint was established on the Nablus – Jenin road, near
the southern entrance of Jenin. When a Palestinian car, belonging to Mohammad
Mahmoud Abul Hayja (20), approached the checkpoint, Israeli soldiers opened
fire on his car. however, he survived the attack.

 

Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 21:45 on Friday, 07 December 2012,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the western street (Natania), which
leads to the Israeli industrial area, established on Palestinian lands, west of
Tulkarm. It should be mentioned that the checkpoint was established in Section
(A) which falls under Palestinian jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

At
approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 08 December 2012, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of Kuffin village, north of the city. Around the
same time, Israeli forces raided the village and patrolled its streets. At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of
Ramin village, east of Tulkarm.

 

All
checkpoints were later removed; no arrests were reported.

 

Hebron:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 07 December 2012,
Israeli foreces established a checkpoint at Abu
Reisha Valley,
west of Ethna village, west of Hebron.
Around the same time, a checkpoint was established at the entrance of Saa’ir
village, northeast of the city. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces
established another checkpoint on Taroussa road, separating Doura from its
western villages. At approximately 19:30, a checkpoint was established by the
entrance of Beir ‘Omra village, west of Yatta, south of Hebron. Around the same time, another
checkpoint was established by the intersection of al-Koum village and al-Buk’aa
triangle, south of Hebron.

At
approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces closed the
entrance of al-Fawwar Refugee Camp, south of Hebron, to secure passage for a
settlers’ demonstration coming from “Beit Hagai” settlement,
established on civilian lands’ in Hebron. The demonstration was organized in
support of the Israeli government’s plan to expand its settlement activity in
the West Bank. All checkpoints were later
removed; no arrests were reported.

 

Jericho:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 06 December 2012,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Marj Na’ja village,
north of Jericho.
At approximately 09:30, a checkpoint was established by the southern entrance
of Jericho. At
approximately 19:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of
al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.
At approximately 20:30 on Saturday, 08 December 2012, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint by the southern entrance of Jericho. All checkpoints were later removed;
no arrests were reported.

 

Bethlehem:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 08 December 2012,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of Beit Fajjar village,
south of Bethlehem.
It was later removed and no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:30 on
Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the
entrance of Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem.

 

Detention at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 13:15 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the intersection of Izzbat al-Tabib village, east
of Qalqilya, and arrested Mohamamd Ahmed Hamed ‘Owaysi, from Qalqilya.
He was released on Monday morning.

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 11 December 2012, Israeli
forces, stationed at the electronic gates leading to the Ibrahimi mosque in the
old city of Hebron,
arrested Ahmed Abdul-Rahman al-Badawi, 19, and transported him to the
interrogation centre in ““Kiryat Arba” settlement, southeast of the city.

 

2. 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 00:00 on Thursday, 06 December 2012, a group of settlers,
under the protection of Israeli forces accompanied by military vehicles, raided
the area of “Trcilla” settlement, which was established on
Palestinian lands, south of Jenin and evacuated in 2005. The settlers stayed in
the area for a time and practiced Jewish rituals. They later left with no
reports of any other actions. It should be mentioned that the aforementioned
settlement was taken over by Israeli forces after the 1967 war; before that,
the Jordanian Army established a camp in the area in 1952 and built a mosque in
1965. After the Israeli forces confiscated the camp, they turned it into a military
camp and converted the mosque to a synagogue. Settlers occasionally encroach
into the evacuated settlement area under the protection of Israeli forces to
practice religious rituals.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 06 December 2012, dozens of settlers from
“Carmiel” settlement, established on Palestinian lands east of Yatta,
south of Hebron, organized a demonstration in
support of the Israeli government’s policy to expand its settlement activity in
the West Bank on Bypass Road 60. The settlers
raised Israeli flags and banners bearing anti-Arab slogans, and chanted in
support of the government’s policies. The demonstration dispersed by
“Susiya” and ” Mtsa Yair” settlements, southeast of Yatta.

In
his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Rateb al-Jbour, member of the Popular
Committee Against Settlement Activity, said that Israeli forces were heavily
deployed along Bypass Road 60 between “Carmiel” and
“Susiya” settlements, closed all entrances to the southeastern
villages of Yatta, and banned civilians from Sha’b al-Battam and al-Tawani
villages from moving, in order to provide protection for the settlers.

 

At
approximately 07:00, dozens of settlers from “Susiya” settlement,
established on Palestinian lands southeast of Yatta, raided the Palestinian
farmlands located near the security fence of the aforementioned settlement, in
an attempt to confiscate them. The farmers present in the lands confronted the
settlers and made them leave.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 08 December 2012, a group of settlers coming
from “Mitzpe Yair” settlement, established on Palestinian lands east
of Yatta, ploughed the farm lands in Qawaries village, east of the city, in
order to confiscate it. The 160 dunums of land belong to the ‘Awad family. The
attack was carried out under the protection of Israeli police, who attacked the
farmers and prevented them from coming into the area, declaring it a closed
military zone. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Rateb el-Jbour said that
dozens of settlers had raided the farmlands in Qawaries and ploughed it in
order to confiscate it. He also mentioned that a skirmish occurred between the
farmers, international activists and the settlers. The Israeli police
intervened and beat the farmers, pushed them away and declared the area a closed
military zone, while allowing the settlers to continue their provocative
attacks. As a result, an intentional solidarity activist sustained bruises.

 

At
approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, a group of settlers
from “Adora” settlement, established on Palestinian lands west of Hebron, gathered along
Bypass Road 60 and started throwing rocks at passing Palestinian vehicles in
front of Israeli soldiers who did not react. According to an eyewitness, dozens
of settlers spread along the security fence of “Adora” settlement and
threw rocks at Palestinian vehicles that were driving through Bypass Road 60.

 

Early
in the morning on the same day, a group of settlers used waste water to flood
Abed Seder’s house, 30, in
the centre of the old city of Hebron.
As a result, the contents of the house were destroyed. According to an
eyewitness, the settlers released waste water near civilians’ houses in the old
city.

 

At
approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, Israeli forces leveled a dunum
and a half of Palestinian farmlands in Khelt ‘Amro area, located near the
Nablus–Qalqilya road, south of Hajja village, near “Karneh Shamron”
settlement, in preparation for the establishment of electrticity poles; as a
result, 35 olive trees were uprooted and buried. In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, Omar al-Din Masalha, the owner of the land, said, “On
Sunday, 09 December 2012, two Israeli bulldozers arrived at my land in Khelt
Amro area, east of Qalqilya. The bulldozers began leveling the land. When I
arrived to the scene they had already leveled a dunum and a half. At
approximately 13:30 on Monday, 10 December 2012, an Israeli Liaison officer
came in and informed us that they would not continue with the bulldozing.”

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 09 December 2012, Nidaa’ Salah Ibrahim
Baraz’ya, 32, sustained injuries to the head and eyes after her car was
targeted with rocks by settlers on Bypass Road 60, near “Efrat”
settlement, south of Bethlehem. In her testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Nidaa
said that, while she was driving home from al-Quds University,
her car was attacked with rocks; as a result, her car’s windscreen was broken
and she sustained wounds to the head and her right eyelid. She was transported
by a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance
to Hebron Public Hospital.

 

At
approximately 02:45 on Wednesday, 12 December 2012, a group of settlers
raided the northern side of Shaqba village, west of Ramallah, and set fire to a
civilian car, belonging to Ramadan Youssif Musa al-Masri. The village is
located near a number of settlements, “Beit Aryeh,” “Indigo,”
“Modi’in” and “Nei’li” settlements.
The settlers wrote “Revenge!” in Hebrew on walls in the area. In his
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mustafa Khalil al-Ajrab, 49, a local civilian, said, “At
approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 12 December 2012, while I was on night watch
at Shaqba Hardware store, a garage for selling used car parts, on the northern
side of Shaqba village, west of Ramallah, less than 1 kilometre away from
466 street, which is used by settlers, I heard a car engine stop near the main
gate of the store, and a number of people speaking Hebrew stepped out of the
car; I did not leave the store as I thought it must be an Israeli forces patrol
unit. I heard an explosion and the sound of burning fire and when I was sure
the car had left, I went outside and saw a car, a 1996 white Nissan, set on
fire. The car was parked in front of the store, so I immediately called
Mohammad al-Masri, 27, the store owner’s son, who rushed to the store to help
me put out the fire, and a number of civilians helped us. After controlling the
fire, I noticed a black Hebrew writing on the walls. I later learnt it said
‘Revenge!”

 

At
approximately 09:20 on Wednesday, 12 December 2012, a large number of
Israeli forces and “Border Guards,” accompanied by two military
bulldozers and a Civil Administration officer, raided the Beit Noba
Residence Complex, established on the southern side of Beit Loqia village,
southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30, two bulldozers began destroying
an under-construction room of 18 square meters, belonging to Sharif Mohammad
Ibrahim al-Qadi, under the pretext that he had not obtained a building permit
from the Israeli Civil Administration.

 

 

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 ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).