October 18, 2018
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11 – 17 October 2018)
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (11 – 17 October 2018)
  • Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against unarmed civilians and peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip
  • 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed in the Gaza Strip.
  • 310 civilians, including 62 children, 9 women, 7 journalists and 2 paramedics, were wounded; 11 of them sustained serious wounds.
  • Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 10 others, including a journalist, in the West Bank.
  • Israeli warplanes fired 19 missiles in several airstrikes.
  • Four civilians were wounded, including one sustained serious wounds.
  • Israeli forces conducted 104 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 6 similar ones into Jerusalem.
  • 90 civilians, including 9 children and 4 women, were arrested in the West Bank.
  • 10 of them, including 2 children and a girl, were arrested in Jerusalem.
  • Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
  • A house was demolished in al-Mukaber Mount.
  • Israeli forces continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
  • A woman was killed by settlers after throwing stones at her husband’s car near Za’atarah Checkpoint, south of Nablus.
  • Three civilians were wounded after being beaten, and 540 olive trees and grape vines were uprooted and damaged by settlers
  • 5 dwellings, 4 barns, 2 water tanks were demolished while 100 olive seedlings were uprooted.
  • 5 Shooting incidents were reported against the Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Sea, but no casualties were reported.
  • Two sibling fishermen were arrested and their boat sustained damage.
  • Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 11th consecutive year.
  • Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
  • 16 civilians were arrested at the military checkpoints in the West Bank.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (11 – 17 October 2018).

Shooting:

Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized within the activities of the “Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege” in the Gaza Strip, which witnessed for the 29th week in a row peaceful demonstrations along the eastern and northern Gaza Strip border area. During the reporting period, the Israeli forces killed 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and wounded 310 civilians, including 62 children, 9 women, 7 journalists, and 2 paramedics.  The injury of 11 of them was reported serious.  Moreover, 4 civilians, including 3 national security officers, were wounded during Israeli airstrikes.  In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian was killed while a woman was killed by settlers in addition to 10 Palestinians wounded by the Israeli forces, including a journalist.

In the Gaza Strip, , the Israeli forces killed 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child, during their participation in the Return and Breaking the Siege March.  On 12 Oxtober, they killed 7 civilians, including ‘Afifi Mahmoud al-‘Afifi (18) and Mohammed ‘Issam ‘Abbas (20) in eastern al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City; Ahmed Ibrahim al-Taweil (23), Mohammed ‘Abdel Hafiz Isma’il (29), Ahmed Ahmed Abu Na’im (17) and ‘Abdullah Burham al-Daghmah (25) in eastern al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip, and Tamer Eyad Abu ‘Ermanah (21) in al-Shokah village, east of Rafah City. Four of them were hit with bullets to the chest, 2 to the abdomen and 1 in the head.

On 16 October 2018, the medical sources at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia declared the death of Saddam Shlash (27) after succumbing to wounds he sustained during his participation in the Sea March in the northern Gaza Strip the day before.  Shlash was wounded with a bullet to the upper right thigh that cut the main artery.

As part of the use of lethal force against the peaceful protestors along the border fence during the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 310 civilians, including 62 children, 9 women, 7 journalists and 2 paramedics.  Eleven of them sustained serious wounds.

As part of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, pointing out to the ongoing Israeli policy of targeting their livelihoods.  On 17 October 2018, the Israeli authorities decided to reduce the area allowed for fishing to 3 nautical miles along the Gaza Strip shores as part of the Israeli policy to restrict fishermen and target their livelihoods.  During the reporting period, the Israeli forces opened fire 5 times at the fishermen; 3 incidents in the north-western Beit Lahia and 2 off al-Sudaniyah shore in western Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.  AS a result of those attacks, 2 fishermen who are also brothers were arrested after one of them sustained wounds while their boats sustained damage.

As part of the Israeli airstrikes, on 14 October 2018, the Israeli drones launched a missile at the Palestinians who were walking at the end of the Girls Street, southeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, wounding one of them.  On 16 October, the Israeli drone launched a missile at a group of civilians in the aforementioned are, but no casualties were reported.

On 17 October 2018, Israeli warplanes carried out many airstrikes in the Gaza Strip targeting military training sites for the Palestinian Armed Groups, a site belonging to the National Security Services and vacant lands.  During the airstrikes, 17 air-to-surface missiles were launched resulting ion the injury of 3 Palestinian National Security Officers, including one sustained serious wounds.  .

As part of targeting the border areas, on 08 October 2018, the Israeli forces opened fire at the agricultural lands along eastern al-Shokah village, east of Rafah City in the southern Gaza Strip.  However, no casualties were reported.

In the West Bank, as part of excessive use of force, on 15 October 2018, the Israeli forces killed Elias Yasin (22) from Bedia village, northwest of Salfit when he was crossing the traffic light on ‘Aber al-Samerah Street, seemingly the traffic light was red and he rapidly  crossed the street.  AS a result, an Israeli soldier opened fire at him and killed him immediately.  The Israeli forces claimed that Yasin attempted to stab soldiers so they opened fire at him without any of the soldiers being wounded.  The Israeli soldiers could have used, in case of suspicions about Yasin’s intent to stab, less lethal force and arrested him.

During the reporting period, the Israeli forces wounded 10 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 104 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 similar ones into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 80 Palestinians, including 7 children and 3 women, in the West Bank.  Meanwhile, 10 other civilians, including 2 children and a girl, were arrested in Jerusalem and its suburbs.

Israeli Forces continued to create a Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem:

As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices, on 17 October 2018, the Israeli municipality demolished a house belonging to Khalil Za’atrah in al-Mukaber Mount neighbourhood, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City under the pretext of non-licensing.   The house was established 4 months ago and the municipality issued then a decision to demolish it, but the family resorted to the court and could delay the demolition and tried to obtain a license.  However, they were surprised with the municipality raiding he house and implementing the demolition decision without any prior warning.  The house sheltered 8 family members, including 5 children, and was built on an area on 100square meters and of sheets.

Israeli Forces continued their settlement activities, and the settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property

As part of demolition of houses and other civil objects, on 11 October 2018, the Israeli forces demolished 3 residential barracks built of tin plates, a residential tent, barrack, 2 livestock barns, a kitchen and a water tank in Kherbet al-Hadidiyah area in the northern Valleys, east of Tubas belonging to ‘Omer Bsharat.

On the same day, the Israeli forces levelled 5 dunums and uprooted 100 olive seedlings planted there in al-Khodor village, south of Bethlehem, belonging to Ibrahim Hamdan.  The land targeted is located between the settlements of “Prophet Daniel” and “Eli ‘Azar”, south of the city.

On 17 October 2018, the Israeli forces demolished a house and water collection well in Um al-Shaqhan area near Kherbet Khelet al-Mayeh, east of Yata in southern Hebron.  The house belonging to Mahmoud Abu Taha and is built on area of 170 square meters while the well capacity was 100 cubic meters.  The house has been built for years and was fully constructed finally so the family of 24 members, including children, were moving their furniture to the house in order to live there.

On the same day, the Israeli forces demolished a barrack built of tin plates on an area of 300 square meters and used for livestock breeding in Kherbet Ghwein to the west of al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron.  It should be noted that the barrack belonged to Shafiq al-Hawamdah.

As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against the Palestinians civilians and their property, on 12 October 2018, ‘Ashah al-Rabi (47) was killed from Bedia villahe, northwest of Salfit, when the car her husband was driving was thrown with stones by a group of settlers at “rihalim” settlement between the al-Sawiyah village and intersection of Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus.

In addition to the crime mentioned above, PCHR’s fieldworkers in the West Bank documented 8 attacks by settlers against the Palestinian civilians and their property.  The attacks resulted in the injury of 3 civilians with bruises and wounds after being beaten.  Moreover, 540 olive trees and grape vines were damaged.

Details

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

Thursday, 11 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in al-Thuhur and al-Tahta neighborhood. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Omer Sadam al-Salibi (18) and handed summonses to Arafat ‘Essa Andul Hamid Za’aqiq (53) and his son ‘Amr (17) to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Fairouz Walid Suleiman Na’alwah (34), a doctor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at An-Najah National University, from her house in al-Ma’ajin neighborhood, west of the city. It should be noted that Fairouz is the sister of Ashraf Na’alwah, who carried out the shooting attack in Barkan Industrial area, west of Salfit.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Led village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and shops after which they arrested Thafer Fehmi Abdul Qader al-Sous (30) and Eyad Motee’a Zabadi (28). The Israeli forces also raided and searched a house belonging to Saleem Omer Mahmoud Sabbah (60), a retired teacher, and then stole JD 1,200 from his house. Saleem’s wife, ‘Abeer Mohammed Abdul Fattah (50), said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“At approximately 05:00, around 10 Israeli soldiers raided our house. They detained my husband, 2 sons, granddaughter and me in the living room where 2 soldiers guarded us. Every 2 soldiers entered a room and searched it. When the soldiers entered our bedroom, they closed the door as they were searching for something behind it. After they left the room, my husband remembered that he had JD 1,200 in his shirt pocket and hanged the shirt at the clothes hanger behind the door. My husband  was going to pay the money for registering the land in the (Tabu). He then entered the room and searched his shirt, but did not find the money as he was sure that he put the money in his shirt. When the soldiers searched the bedroom, the money has disappeared.”

  • At approximately 04:10, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 06:15, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, northwest of al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. The gunboats surrounded a fishing boat sailing within one mile and about 2000 meters into the south of the northern borders and in the sea between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The boat was manned by ‘Odai Abdul Bari Mohammed al-Sultan (27) and his brother Saddam (24), from al-Salatin neighborhood. The Israeli soldiers forced the fishermen to take off their clothes, jump into water and swim towards the Israeli gunboats. The fishermen were then arrested. The shooting caused serious damage to the boat and some halls in the structure. At approximately 19:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces released the 2 fishermen via Brit Hanoun “Erez” crossing. ‘Odai was hit with rubber bullets to the chest and left arm causing a fracture to the arm.
  • At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 13:50, Israeli forces moved into ‘Asirah al-Qabliyah village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a supermarket in the center of the city as 3 civilians inside it. The soldier detained one of them namely Mojahed ‘Ali ‘Awad Saleh (18), searched him and then beat him in front of the shop. A soldier returned to the shop and took Mahmoud Yahiyah  Saleh (28) and hit him with his hand fist to the face. Following that, several soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Obaiq Mohammed Hasan Yaseen (22) and attacked him. They also attacked Ja’far Namer Abdul Hamid Hamdan (27) and then raided his house. The Israeli forces withdrew later from the area and no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Khebat Baziq in the northern Valleys, east of Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Mustafa Abu Motawe’a (40) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 23:15,  a group of Israeli undercover “Musta’ribeen” units, dressed like Palestinian civilians, sneaked into Jama’in village, south of Nablus using a civilian car with a Palestinian registration plate. The cars stopped in the vicinity of  a house belonging to Mo’ataz Qasem Husein Haj ‘Ali (19). When Mo’ataz entered his house, the unite members arrested him and left the area. The Israeli forces claimed that Mo’ataz is the one, who carried out the shooting attack at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus.
  • At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces accompanied moved into ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 3 civilians namely Hassan ‘Azzam Abu Shekhah, Saleh Bassam Abu Shekhah and Jihad ‘Imad Ekbariyah. The Israeli forces later released them.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (11) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-‘Aroub refugee camp, Beit Marsam Surif, al-Hadab and Deir Samet in Hebron; Madama, ‘Ourif and Bazaria villages in Nablus; ‘Azzoun, Jensafout villages, east of Qalqiliyah.

Friday, 12 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:25, Israeli forces moved into Shweikha Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested 5 civilians namely Morshed Farid Qatawi (22), Ibrahim Name Naifah (20), Suleiman ‘Azzam Suleiman Abu Sheikhah, Sa’ed Qasem Farejm (19) and his brother Senan (20).
  • At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Beit Led village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Khuloud ‘Azzam Fraij. At approximately
  • At approximately 18:00, large Israeli infantry units moved into al-Walajah village, west of Bethlehem, stationed in the vicinity of al-Huda Mosque in the center of the city and established several military checkpoints in the area. The soldiers searched cars and checked civilians’ ID cards and distributed leaflets threating the village residents to take strict security procedures against them if they participated in national activities. The soldiers detained Kamal Mohammed Redwan (46) for hours. They arrested also arrested 4 civilians namely Mahmoud ‘Essa Abu al-Teen (48), Ya’qoub ‘Essa Abu al-Teen (41), Dawoud ‘Essa Abu al-Teen and Mo’atasem Anwar Abu al-Teen.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, al-Fawar refugee camp, al-Shuyoukh, Ethna and Beit ‘Awa villages in Hebron; Kufor Qalil village, east of Nablus; Bazaria village, northwest of the city; and ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah.

Saturday, 13 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:10, Israeli forces moved into Bal’aa village, northeast of Tulkarm amidst firing live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in the area. As a result, a 35-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the bottom of the right eye while he was with a group of civilians in the center of the abovementioned village.
  • At approximately 01:35, Israeli forces moved into Shweikha Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sameh Sameeh Namer Abu ‘Asab (22) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ziyad Thawabtah (20) and then arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bazaria village, northwest of Nablus; al-Walajah village, west of Bethlehem; Tulkarm refugee camp, Beit Led village, east of the city; Bedia village, west of Salfit, Kufor Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah.

Sunday, 11 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anabtah village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Mustafa Abdul Fattah Noor (19) and ‘Essam Mousa Hasan Sharaqah (20) and then arrested them.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Tarqumiya village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fahed Nader Taninah (23) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00,  Israeli forces moved into Shuweikah Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched dozens of houses after which they arrested 5 civilians, including a woman, namely Khalid Hani Shurafa (22), Anas Mazen Abdul Qader Abu ‘Aishah (18), Walid Suleiman Mohammed Na’alwah (57), his wife, Wafa’a Mahmoud Na’alwah (54), her brother Ghassan Mahdawi (47). The Israeli forces later released Walid, Wafa’a and Ghassan.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children, namely Bara’a Ziyad al-‘Amour (22), Zaid Mohammed al-‘Amour (15) and Ahmd Suleiman Abu Mufreh (15).
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Salam neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ragheb Yusuf Masuada (39) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 16:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinians, who were walking on al-Banat Street, southeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, a 25-year-old civilian was hit with a shrapnel to the left arm. Following that, the Israeli forces issued a statement saying that ” a drone targeted a Palestinian cell that participated in setting several fires via firing incendiary kites and balloons towards the settlements near the Gaza enclave.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Sa’ir and Beit al-Roush villages in Hebron; Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit; Hablah village, south of Qalqiliyah; and Beit Led village, east of Tulkarm (twice).

Monday, 15 October  2018:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghusoun village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Adnan Tabbal (34) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Surif village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses and belonging to Mohammed Fou’ad Ghuneimat (33) and Marwan Mohammed Abu Farah (38) and then arrested them.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jaroushiyah village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed ‘Omran (27) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah. Thy raided and  searched a house belonging to Sari Sameer Barham (18) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Moghir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided  and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 3 civilians namely ‘Obaidah Jalal al-Na’san (19), Ibrahim Ramadan al-Na’san (18) and ‘Arafat Abdul Hafith Abu ‘Alia (21).
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Shweikha Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Ahmed Mohammed Omer Shuweikah (27), Omran Monther al-Shurafa (23) and Ahmed Mahmoud Hashmah (17). In the morning, the Israeli forces released Omran.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamzah Mohammed Salah (20) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Bal’aa village, northeast of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nasser Mahmoud Shahrour (25) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village , northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Diya’a Walid Hamed (27) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sangal village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hasan Mohammed ‘Asfour (24) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud Ghuneimat (20) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 18:05, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Sudaniyah area, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 06:20, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire and chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.
  • At approximately 07:30, the Minister of Education, Sabri  Saidam and Nablus governor, Akram al-Rajoub, Directorate of South Nablus and residents of al-Sawoyah and al-Laban eastern villages, decided to break a decision made by the Israeli forces to close al-Sawiyah- al-Laban Secondary School located on Nablus-Ramallah Street and allow students to enter it. The outdoor of the school was opened and students entered the school. Large Israeli backups arrived the vicinity of the school and heavily fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters and ordered to evacuate the school. As a result, Samer Ghaleb ‘Ouweis (48) was hit with a live, Chief of al-Laban eastern village Council was hit with a rubber bullet to the right hand, and Ja’far Zahed Husein Eshtiyah (51), a photographer of the French was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. Both wounded civilians were taken to Yasser Arafat hospital in Salfit. It  should be noted that the Palestinian military liaison, received at approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 04 October 2018 a military decision from the Israeli liaison to close the school until a further notice. The soldiers  and settlers claimed that they were stoned.
  • At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces arrested Hakam Mohammed Mousa ‘Omeir (57) from Bala’a village, northeast of Tulkarm when she referred to the Israeli Intelligence Service according to a previous summons.
  • In new crime of using excessive force, Israeli forces killed in the early morning a Palestinian civilian from Bedia village, at the intersection of Hares village, northwest of Salfit. The Israeli forces claimed that he attempted to stab a number of soldiers, so they opened fire at him as none of the soldiers was hurt. The soldiers could have used less lethal force and arrest the civilian if they had suspicions about the intention of the young man to carry out a stab attack.

According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses statements, at approximately 10:30 on Monday, 15 October 2018, Elyas Saleh Yaseen (22) was going from his village Bedia to his work on construction in “Ariel” settlement. Elyas arrived at the light signal on (‘Aber al-Samerah) Street. When he attempted to cross the road on foot, the light signal gave red color, so he harried up to cross the street. And Israeli soldiers fired 3 live bullets at him, 2 hit him in the chest while the third did not hit him. Elayas then immediately died. Following that, the Israeli forces broadcasted photos of Elyas after killing him, but did not broadcast photos or videos that prove their claims about Elyas’s attempt to carry out a stab attack.

  • At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah amidst  heavily firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters at civilians. Meanwhile, the Israeli forces arrested Mahdi Farouq Abu Haniyah (24), who is a psychiatric patient. Mahdi was driving a motorbike and holding a stick which he carries with him all the time. According to the village residents, Mahdi is still under arrest despite that the Israeli military liaison was informed of his illness.
  • At approximately 19:25,  Israeli forces moved into Mashah village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ala’a Abdul Fattah Mohammed Sa’ed (22) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 21:25, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Thuluth village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrestd Arkan Yusuf Amin Abu Safiyah (23), ‘Ala’a Bassam Gharabah (20) and his brother Waqqas (16).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (12) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beta village, east of Nablu, Beit Dajan village, east of the city; Ethna, Beit Dajan, Beit Ummer, Deir Estia and Qarawet Bani Hasan villages in Salfit, and Bal’aa village, north of Tulkarm. 

Tuesday, 16 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dawhah village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Mousa Zawahrah (31) and then arrested him. 
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested 5 civilians namely Mohammed ‘Anad Rajeh Shabitah (11), Sa’ed Mohammed Suweidan (40), Kathem Mofeed Ismail Redwan (25), Mo’atasem Mohammed Mahmoud Redwan (33) and Saleem Mohammed Mahmoud Redwan (40). It should be noted that the Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Shabitah when they did not find his brother and after 2 hours, they released him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mousa Ahmed Najajrah (14) and Mohammed No’man Shakarnah (16).
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in ‘Asidah neighborhood. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mohammed Ahmed Khalil al-‘Alami (30) and Ehab ‘Essa al-‘Alami (22) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Shweikha Suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amid ‘Azmi Sarhan (22) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 03:10, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Ne’mah village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Sanad Buhour ‘Abdoh (19) and Murad Karim Eshtiyah (22).
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Malek village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sanad Mo’een Hamayel (25) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arouj village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Qassam Anwar al-‘Arouj (22) and then handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement complex, south of the city.
  • At approximately 07:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian civilians, who were walking on al-Banat Street, southeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported. Following that, the Israeli forces issued a statement saying that “a drone targeted a Palestinian cell that participated in setting several fires via firing incendiary kites and balloons towards the settlements near the Gaza enclave.”  

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beta and Osarin villages, southeast of Nablus; Beit Awla, Surif, Halhoul, al-Koum villages and Ras al-Jourah neighborhood in Hebron.

Wednesday, 17 October 2018:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duheishah refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ashraf Mohammed al-Sajdi (21) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Tammoun village, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Fathi Qasem (25) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:45, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to the Mohammed Majdi al-Haitham (24) from al-Masaken al-Sha’biyah neighborhood, northeast of Nablus and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Thanabah Suburb, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Abdul Jabbar al-Ashqar (28) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Odai Saqer Esleem (20) and then arrested him.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Mohammed Riyad al-‘Amour (16) and Mohammed Hasan al-‘Amour (23).
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron and stationed in al-Tarbiqah, al-Sair and Wad al-Shaeikh neighborhoods. They raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested 4 civilians, including a child, namely Basel ‘Ali Abu Hashem (24), Rabea’a Jawad ‘Awas (22), Khalil Ayman Abu Mariyah (21) and Jihad Yusuf Ibrahim al-‘Alamah (17).
  • At approximately 06:10, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 70- meter firth    ,which extends inside the sea, belonging to a training site of al-Qassam Brigades (the Military Armed Wing of Hamas Movement). The firth was established in the place where al-Waha resort was previously, north west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. The airstrike caused severe material damage to the area, but no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 06:35, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at an agricultural land in al-Zanah area, east of Bani Suheila. The missile caused a deep hole in the place, but no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 06:40, Israeli warplanes launched 5 missiles at Abu Jarad military site near al-Shuhada’a intersection, south of Gaza City, but no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 06:52, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at al-Mena’a site belonging to Palestinian armed groups, west of Khan Younis, but no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 07:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a site belonging to Palestinian national security in the Swedish Village near the seashore, southwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza strip. The airstrike caused a total damage to the site and the injury of 3 members of the national security. Doctors classified one civilian’s injury as serious and the other 2 civilians’ injuries as moderate.
  • Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a site belonging to Palestinian armed groups, southwest of Deir al-Balah. The airstrike caused material damage to the site and fear among the civilians and students, who were on their way to school.
  • At approximately 07:15, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles, with few minutes between each of them, at a site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades (the Military Armed Wing of Hamas Movement) in al-Sultan neighborhood, southwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The airstrike caused severe material damage to the site. It also caused fear among children of the near schools and suspending the study, but no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 10:20, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at an agricultural land in al-Fukhari area, southeast of Khan Younis, but no casualties were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bedia village, west of Salfit, al-‘Aroub refugee camp, Beit Marsam, al-Hadab, Surif and Deir Samet villages.

Female Civilian Killed by Israeli Settlers, who threw Stones at her Car at Za’tarah Checkpoint, south of Nablus:

  • On Friday evening, 12 October 2018, a Palestinian female civilians was killed and her husband and daughter were very shocked after their car was stoned by Israeli settlers near Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, north of the West Bank.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 23:00 on the same day, a group of settlers, who were at the intersection of “Rahalim” settlement between al-Sawiyah village, and Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, threw stones at a Palestinian car driven by Ya’qoub Mahmoud al-Rabi (52) and his wife Aisha Mohammed Talal al-Rabi (47) along with their daughter Rama (9), from Bedia village, northwest of Salfit, as they were coming from Hebron. A big stone hit the right side of the front glass, broke the window and fall on Aisha’s head. As a result, Aisha suffered a severe bleeding from right side of the  head front and above the eyebrow. Aisha’s husband drove to Ebn Sina Polyclinic in Howarah village, but she was dead. Aisha was then transferred as a dead body to Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus. After medical examination, it was clear that the brain exited from the head front, causing Aisha’s death. Her husband and daughter were very shocked. Ya’qoub said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

“I went to bring my wife, who was visiting our daughter in Hebron and were accompanied with our daughter Rama (9). After we crossed al-Sawiyah intersection near “Rahalim” settlement, adjacent to Za’tarah checkpoint, We suddenly heard a scream in Hebrew language and then stones started hitting our car. A big stone broke the front glass and hit the head of my wife Aisha, but I did not know that she was wounded because she did not scream at all. I looked at her and found that she was bleeding. I called her name twice, but it seemed that she died immediately. Her head was covered with blood. My daughter Rama started screaming as I was calling her mother. I quickly crossed Za’tarah checkpoint and arrived at Ebn Sina Polyclinic in Howarah village. Doctors there confirmed that Aisha died because of the stone that hit her head.”

Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:

Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and it was named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstration was in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed large participation by Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstration were fully peaceful. The demonstration was as follows during the reporting period:

Gaza Strip:

  • On Friday evening, 11 October 2018, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, east of Malakah intersection, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Moreover, another civilian was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh, east of Abu Safiyah hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Doctors classified his injury as serious because the main artery was cut.
  • On Friday evening, 12 October 2018, thousands of Palestinian civilians swarmed to the Return encampments established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, east of Abu Safiyah Hill in the northern Gaza Strip, Malakah intersection, east of Gaza City, east of al-Buraij  in the central Gaza Strip, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Younis, al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Hundreds of civilians approached the  border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli forces. The Israeli forces opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 7 civilians, including a child, were killed. Four of them were hit with live bullets to the chest, 2 to the abdomen and one in the head. Moreover, 225 civilians, including 42 children, 7 women, 4 journalists and a paramedic, were wounded on the same day and doctors classified 12 civilians’ injuries as serious.
  • In Gaza City:  Israeli forces killed ‘Afifi Mahmoud ‘Ata al-‘Afifi (18) from al-Shati’a refugee camp  after firing a live bullet to the abdomen, and Mohammed ‘Essam Mohammed ‘Abbas (20), who was hit with a live bullet to the head. Moreover, 98 civilians, including 11 children, 3 women and a journalist, were wounded. Seventy three of them were hit with live bullets, 24 were hit with tear gas canisters and one civilian was hit with a rubber bullet. Doctors classified 3 civilians’ injuries as serious. The wounded journalist was identified as Bilal Bassam ‘Oudah al-Sabbagh (27) from al-Jala’a Street was hit with a live bullet to the right leg.
  • The Central Gaza Strip: Israeli forces killed 4 civilians, including a child, and wounded 37 others, including 7 children and one woman. Thirty of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel and 2 were hit with tear gas canisters during their participation in the March of Return and Breaking Siege, east of al-Buraij. Those killed were identified as:
  1. Ahmed Ibrahim Zaki al-Tawil (23) from al-Nuseirat refugee camp was hit with a live bullet to the chest.
  2. Mohammed Abdul Hafith Yusuf Ismail (29) from al-Buraij refugee camp was hit with a live bullet to the chest.
  3. Ahmed Ahmed Abdullah Abu Na’im (17) from al-Nuseirat refugee camp was hit with a live bullet to the chest. And incised wound to the left arm.
  4. Abdullah Barham Suleiman al-Daghmah (25) from ‘Abasan al-Jadidah in Khan Younis was hit with a live bullet that penetrated the abdomen from the right side of the abdomen and exited the left side.
  • Rafah City: Israeli forces killed Tamer Eyad Mahmoud Abu ‘Armanah (21) after they hit him with a live bullet to the chest. Moreover, 27 civilians, including 4 children and 3 women were hit with a live bullets and their shrapnel and 3 were hit with tear gas canisters during their participation in the March of Return and Breaking Siefe, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Doctors classified 4 civilians’ injuries as serious. 
  • The Northern Gaza Strip: 44 civilians, including 15 children and a journalist were wounded. Thirty sex of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel and 8 were hit with tear gas canisters. Doctors classified 2 civilian’s injury as serious. The wounded journalist identified as Safenaz Baker Mahmoud al-Louh (29), who works as a reporter and a photographer at Amad News Network, from Sheikh Redwan neighborhood was hit with a tear gas canister.
  •  Khan Younis: 24 civilians, including 5 children, 2 journalists and a paramedic, were wounded. Sixteen of them were hit with live bullets and their  shrapnel and 8 were hit with tear gas canisters. doctors classified 3 civilians’ injury as serious. The wounded journalists were identified as: Mohammed Majed Ismail Abu Daqqah (22), a photojournalists at Sharq News Network was hit with a lie bullet to the 2 legs, and Ahmed Riyad Mohammed al-‘Amoudi (29), a photographer at Palestine News Network. The wounded paramedic was identified as ‘Ammar Abdul Karim Musalam Abu Hamad (35), who works at PRCS was hit with a  tear gas canister to the head.
  • On Sunday, 14 October 2018, a 26-year-old civilian was hit with a live bullet to the right foot during his participation in the March of Return activities established in the east of Malakah in al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
  • At approximately 15:30 on Monday, 15 October 2018, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, opened fire and fired sound bombs at dozens of Palestinian civilians who were at the Return camp along the border coastal, adjacent to adjacent to “Zikim” military base , northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. It should be noted that this is the 11th time for Palestinian boats to sail for Breaking the Siege. As a result, 71 civilians, including 17 children, 3 journalists and a female paramedic, were wounded. Forty two of them were hit with live bullets and their shrapnel and 29 were hit with tear gas canisters. Doctors classified the injury of Saddam al-‘Abed Mohammed Shalash (27), from Jabalia, as serious where he was hit with a  live bullet to the right thigh, causing a cut in the main artery. At approximately 21:50 on Tuesday, 16 October 2018, medical sources at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia announced Saddam’s death. They carried out a surgery for him to stop the bleeding. Saddam was admitted to the ICU Department where he stayed until his death was announced.

The wounded journalists were identified as:

  1. Safenaz Baker Mahmoud al-Louh (28), a photojournalists and reporter at Amad News Network from Sheikh Redwan neighborhood in Gaza City, was hit with a live bullet shrapnel to the right arm.
  2. Tha’er Khalid Fehmi Abu Rayash (24), a photojournalist at HIA Turkish News Agency from Beit Lahia, was hit with a live bullet shrapnel to the left hand and face.
  3. Khalid Ayman Salim Salah (17), a reporter at Noor News Network from Khan Younis, was hit with a live bullet to both legs.

The wounded paramedic identified as Habibah Mahmoud Abdul ‘Aziz al-Sekafi (22), from Beit Lahia, was hit with a tear gas canister to the feet.

  • On Tuesday, 16 October 2018, 8 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded during their participation in the March of Return activities established in the east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. An ambulance belonging to  PRCS sustained a shrapnel to the right side.

West Bank:

  • At approximately 13:40 on Friday, 12 October 2018, Palestinian civilians and International activists organized a demonstration in the center of Kufur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah and headed to the eastern entrance to the village, which has been closed for 15 years. The protestors chanted national slogans demanding end of occupation, condemning the Israeli decisions to demolish Khan al-Ahmer Bedouin Community deporting its residents and condemning the Israeli forces’ crimes against Palestinian protestors at the eastern border in the Gaza Strip within the Marcg of Return and Breaking Siege activities. Several representatives of national factions and representatives of National Action Factions in the north of the West Bank and a number of foreign and Israeli activists participated in the demonstration. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 6 civilians were hit with rubber bullets.
  • Following the same Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders gathered on agricultural lands of al-Resan Mount area, west of Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah in protest against the Israeli settlers’ attempt to seize and confiscate the land. When the civilians arrived at the abovementioned area, the Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 21-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.
  • Continued closure of the oPt

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

Gaza Strip

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

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

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

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

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

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

(10-16 October 2018)

Category10 October11 October12 October13  October14 October15 October16  October
Patients98502167795
Companions86424116483
Personal needs224911918
Families of prisoners37
Arabs from Israel424533
Diplomats24
Meetings in Erez7
International workers34801361827
Travelers Abroad32106
Business people199224126240208
Business meetings
Security interviews23
VIPs
Ambulances to Israel421655
Patients’ Companions421655

Note:

  • On Wednesday, 10 October 2018, the Israeli authorities allowed 3 persons; and on Thursday, 1 1 October 2018, they allowed 3 persons; and on Friday, 12 October 2018, they allowed one person; and on Monday, 15 October 2018, they allowed one person; and on Tuesday, 16 October 2018, they allowed 2 persons to return to the West Bank.

Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank from 04 to 10 October 2018:

GovernoratePermanent temporaryTemporary checkpointsClosed RoadsArrested persons
Jerusalem132
Nablus101026
Jenin541
Ramallah111122
Tulkarm771
Tubas2313
Salfit21723
Qalqiliyia492
Hebron31213
Bethlehem1142
Jericho53
Total101891516

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

  • At approximately 00:00 on Thursday, 11 October 2018, Israeli forces set up an ambush on ‘Ayboud Road, southwest of Jenin, and then arrested Thaier Ahmed Tayiib Jaradat (35), from Jenin Refugee Camp, west of the city.
  • At approximately 05:00 on Friday, 12 October 2018, Israeli forces arrested ‘Alo al-Shawa’ani (27) and ‘Odai Anas Motawer (29), both of them are from Qalandia refugee camp. ‘Ali and ‘Odai were arrested while present in Abu Shaheed Square in al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On Saturday, 13 October 2018, Israeli forces arrested Bahaa Khawajah (19), from Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, after stopping and searching a vehicle carrying him at a checkpoint established at the entrance to the village.
  • At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2018, Israeli forces stationed at “Barkan” settlement entrance, west of Salfit, arrested Ahmed Mohamed ‘Odah (40), from ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, while heading to his work in the abovementioned settlement.
  • At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, Israeli forces, who were patrolling in Khelet al-Makhoul area in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas, arrested 3 shepherds, including 2 siblings. The arrested shepherds were identified as Yoused Hussain Asmar Besharrat (41) and Mohamed and Helal ‘Adel ‘Eliyan Daraghmah (43).  At approximately 21:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces released the arrested shepherds. It should be noted that the arrested shepherds were breeding livestock in Khelet al-Makhoul area.
  • At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 15 October 2018, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to “Barkan” settlement, northwest of Salfit, arrested Mo’min al-Hashash, from Jama’een village, south of Nablus.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to Dir Ballout village, west of Salfit, arrested Hassan Wajeeh Hassan (22).
  • At approximately 21:00 on Monday, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus Road. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked the passengers’ IDs. They then arrested Mohamed Waleed Kamel ‘Isaa (32), from Nablus.
  • At approximately 23:30 on Tuesday, 16 October 2018, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested 4 civilians identified as ‘Abed al-Jabbar Mohamed Ahmed Jarrar (52), from Jenin, Maher ‘Abed al-Latif al-Akhras, from al-Ramah village, south of Jenin; both of them are activists at Hamas Movement; and Nazir ‘Abed al-‘Aziz Nassar and Naser Nafie’ al-‘Amour, both of them are from Tulkarm and activists at Islamic Jehad Movement. It should be noted that the abovementioned civilians were in a car driven by Maher and were returning from Ramallah before detaining them by the Israeli forces until 02:30.
  • Efforts to Create A Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Arrests and Incursions:

  • At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2018, Israeli forces moved into al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, where they raided and searched houses. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs and rubber- coated metal bullets at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, the Israeli forces arrested 4 civilians, including 2 children. The arrested persons were identified as Yousef Khaled Tabash (13), ‘Abdullah al-Saliymah (9), Mahmoud Jala Idreis (31), and Faraj Jala Idreis (28).
  • At approximately 03:00 on Sunday, 14 October 2018, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khaled Fahmi al-Zair (38) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 15 October 2018, Israeli forces moved into al-Ras neighborhood in Abu Dies village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Nabil Halibah and then arrested his twin sons Qasem and Jehad (19).
  • At approximately 08:00 on Monday, an Israeli bulldozer moved into Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Community, which was threatened to be demolished, east of occupied East Jerusalem, in order to complete levelling lands as a prelude to demolish it. Ma’rouf al-Refa’i, Palestinian activist, said that in the morning, the residents of Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Community were surprised that the Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles and bulldozers moved into Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Community, closed a street leading to the community and prevented international solidarity activists from entering it. He also said that the residents of Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Community and international solidarity activists confronted the Israeli soldiers before using another path and moving into the community. During which, the Israeli forces severely beat the residents and arrested 4 of them. The arrested persons were identified as Riyad Tauseer Salahat (58), two international solidarity activists and an Israeli solidarity activist. Al-Refa’I pointed out that the Israeli bulldozer did not come to demolish the community, but to demolish a well of wastewater gathered due to pumping the wastewater by Israeli settlers from “Kfar Adumim“ settlement. 
  • At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 17 October 2018, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to a photojournalist Amjad Taher Abu ‘Arafa (38) and then arrested him.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, Israeli forces moved into Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin Community, east of occupied East Jerusalem, beat the international solidarity activists and then arrested a Palestinian girl. Ma’rouf al-Rifa’i, Palestinian activist, said that a group of Palestinian young men and international solidarity activists were chanting in a peaceful way in the community before pepper-spraying them, attacking them with electric detonator, pushing them, and beating them. Al-Rifa’i said that the Israeli forces arrested Raneen ‘Omirah (18), Palestinian solidarity activist, from Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, while 4 other civilians sustained wounds and bruises.

House Demolitions and Notices:

  • At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 17 October 2018, the Israeli Municipality demolished a residential house belonging to Khalil Za’atrah in al-Mokaber Mount, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City under the pretext of non-licensing. Su’ad Za’artah, Khalil’s wife, said that the Israeli forces raided their house at dawn after surrounding it and forcing them to get out of the house without allowing them to vacate its content. She also said that: “The Israeli forces ordered us to get out of the house. They pushed us and prevented us from taking our IDs, documents and other belongings. The Israeli Municipality staff vacate some furniture before demolishing the house while the Israeli bulldozers demolished another part of the house.” She added that the house was built 4 months ago and the Israeli Municipality issued a decision to demolish the house, but the family headed to the court and managed to delay the demolition and attempted to license the house. She said that on Wednesday morning, they were surprised with storming the house and demolishing it without a prior warning. The 100-square-meter house was sheltering 8 members, including 5 children.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attack:

  • At approximately 05:30 on Thursday, 11 October 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and 2 bulldozers moved into Kherbit al-Hudaiydah in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas. The Israeli soldiers deployed between houses and the Israeli bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Omar ‘Aref Mohamed Basharat, in addition to other civilian facilities belonging to him under the pretext of non-licensing. The material damage were identified as:
  • Three 100-square -meter barracks built of tin plates.
    • A 450-square -meter barrack used for breeding livestock.
    • A 30-square -meter residential tent.
    • A 40-square- meter kitchen.
    • Two 100-square-meter barns.
    • A water tank with a capacity 1.5.
  • At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, an Israeli bulldozer leveled an agricultural land in al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem, and uprooted dozens of olives seedlings. Ahmed Salah, a Coordinator in Colonization and Wall Resistance in al-Khadir village, said that the Israeli forces leveled 5 dunums of agricultural land belonging to Ibrahim Hamdan and uprooted 100 olive seedlings under the pretext of state property. The targeted land is located between “Prophet Daniel “ and “Eli Azar“ settlements, south of Bethlehem.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 15 October 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Sosiyia village, south of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed between residential tents and detained Palestinian civilians while the Israeli Civil Administration staff confiscated excavation tools, electric engine and electric crane used for  excavating a water well in the village. The confiscated tools belong to Husam Na’iem Hamamdah. The Israeli authorities claimed that the abovementioned area needs a prior permit for working in it from the Israeli security.
  • At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 17 October 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, a digger, and a bulldozer moved into Um Shaqhan area near Kherbet Khelet al-Mayyah, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration staff raided a 170-sqaure-meter house belonging to Mahmoud Shehada Taleb Abu Taha (48), vacated some of its content and then demolished it along with a 100-square-meter water well under the pretext of non-licensing. The house was built years ago and the family comprised of 24 members, including 7 children, were transferring the furniture as a prelude to live in the house. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities notified Mahmoud to stop construction work in 2015. It should be noted that Sant Eve institution submitted a request to the Israeli competent bodies in order to license the house, because it is located in area classified as Area C and no written notice was issued to demolish the house.
  • At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles, a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a digger moved into Khebet Ghoween, west of Samou’a village, south of Hebron. The Israeli forces deployed in the area and the digger demolished a 300-sauqre-meter barrack used for breeding livestock under the pretext of non-licensing. The barrack belongs to Shafeeq Saleem ‘Awadallah al-Hawamdah. It should be noted that the Israeli authorities fixed a notice on the facility on 24 January 2017 and took photos of it. The notice showed that on 12 February 2017, there was a hearing for the Israeli Civil Administration in “ Beit Eill” settlement, in order to discuss the demolishing of the facility. 

Israeli settlers’ attack:

  • At approximately 17:00 on Saturday, 13 October 2017, an Israeli settler from an Israeli settler from a settlement outpost in Hebron’s Old City, attacked Nedal Ehmidan Mohamed Suhlob (40) while he was in front of his house in Tal al-Ramida neighborhood. As a result, Nedal’s left jaw bone was fractured and was then taken to al-Ahli Hospital in the city, where he underwent surgery. Nedal said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

I arrived at my house located in Tal al-Ramida neighborhood, returning from my work. My house is around 100 meters away from (56) checkpoint. After my arrival at the house, I heard shouting near the checkpoint, meanwhile, my children were heading to a shop for buying something. I went to the street along with my son Omar (14). We saw an Israeli soldiers pushing an Israeli settler. My son Omar headed to see what happen. Few minutes, he came back quickly and an Israeli settler was chasing him. Omar stood beside me and the settler attempted to steal Omar’s cell phone via which was covering what happened. The settler cursed us and then clapped me on my face. Three Israeli settlers then joint the abovementioned settler. A number of Israeli soldier arrived at the area and one of them attacked me and pushed me toward the wall without saying anything to the settlers. I felt dizzy and 10 munities later, paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) arrived at the area and took me to al-Ahli Hospital via an ambulance parked behind the checkpoint. At the hospital, I underwent a surgery in my jaw bone.” 

  • At approximately 17:00, a group of Israeli settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, from “ Yatizhar” settlement, moved into al-Safafeer area from the eastern side of ‘Oreef village, south of Nablus. The Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ houses. After that, Palestinian young men gathered, confronted the Israeli forces and settlers and threw stones at them. The Israeli forces then arrested ‘Adel ‘Abed al-Hafiz Shareef ‘Amer (37), an employee in the village council and a volunteer in B’Tselem Insanitation for Human Rights. ‘Adel was taken to Jamal Shehadah’s house and detained for over half an hour. The Israeli forces confiscated ‘Adel’s camera , delated materials on his memory cards and then released him.
  • On Sunday, 14 October 2018, a group of Israeli settlers uprooted and damaged dozens of grape and olive seedlings in al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. Ahmed Salah,  a Coordinator in Colonization and Wall Resistance in the village, said that Israeli settlers from “Afrat” settlement established on Palestinian civilians lands, south of Bethlehem, uprooted 370 grape seedlings planted 2 years ago and 30 olive seedlings belonging to Ibrahim Siluman Subaieh. He said that the Israeli settlers, who attacked Subaieh lands several time, placed bee hives in his land.
  • On Sunday morning, according to a security coordination that previously declared and allowed Palestinian farmers to enter Tal village, west of Nablus, to harvest their olive trees in Khelet al-Doghi area, west of the village. When the farmers entered their lands, a farmer Saqer Ahmed ‘Asidah was surprised that settlers from “Hafat Gilead” settlement, damaged and broke 50 olive trees from his 3 dunums of land. The damaged trees were planted 2 years ago.
  • At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, Palestinian farmers, from Fer’atah village, northeast of Qalqiliyia, managed to enter their lands in al-Sotouh area east of the village upon a security coordination. ‘Abdullah Mahmoud Ibrahim Hasan Salman and Ibrahim Mahmoud Suliman Salah were surprised that their crop was stolen, in addition to damaging the trees. Moreover, around 22 olive trees were uprooted and the land was turned into an empty land for celebration near “Gilead“settlement. Ibrahim Salah said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:

On Sunday, 14 October 2018, I went along with my family and relative to al-Sotouh land, east of Fer’atah village, upon a security coordination, which is necessary to enter the area. When we arrived, we found the crop was harvested and the trees were damaged. There were around 150 olive trees their crops were stolen. We left the land without harvesting any crops.”

Nada Salman, ‘Abdullah Salman’s wife, said that: “We entered our land and we could barely recognized it. We found a large area was leveled, in addition to 22 olive trees. The land was turned to an empty yard for celebrations. We also found empty beer bottles put in boxes. All the crops were stolen.”

  • On Sunday evening, a group of Israeli settlers cut with electric saws over 100 olive trees from agricultural lands in al-‘Ozal area in al-Moghair village, northeast of Ramallah.  The olive trees belong to ‘Abed al-Latif Hamed Abu ‘Aliyia and his siblings. The settlers also wrote racist slogans on a dwelling in the land.
  • At approximately 11:40 on Wednesday, 17 October 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Homesh“ settlement, north of Barqah village, northwest of Nablus, attacked Mahmoud and Manna’ Sa’ied Mahmoud Hussain (20), fro, Bazariyia village. The Israeli settlers stole Mahmoud and Manna’s monkey while they were heading to their land to harvest the olive trees in al-Houd area. Mahmoud was hit with a stone at his left brow and beat with a stick at his right hand. Furthermore, Manna’ was hit with a stone at his right shoulder. Mahmoud was then taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus.
  • At approximately 14:30 on Wednesday, a group of Israeli settlers, protected by the Israeli forces, from “Yatizhar” settlement established in the eastern side of ‘Oreef village, south of Nablus, moved into al-Safafeer area. They threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ houses and broke their windows. The attacked houses belong to Sameer Mohamed Mohamed Sawalmah and Ahmed ‘Abed al*Kareem Fayiz Shehadah.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967.  PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.  PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.

  1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
  2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
  3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
  4. PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
  5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
  6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
  7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
  8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
  9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
  10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
  11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
  12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
  13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
  14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.

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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 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.