Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians
and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

 

 

·A member of a Palestinian armed group died of wounds he
sustained during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

 

·A fisherman was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip

 

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

– 2 civilians were wounded during peaceful protests in Ramallah
and Hebron

– Dozens suffered tear gas inhalation during protests
against the annexation wall

 

·Israeli forces conducted 55 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and a limited one in the south of the Gaza Strip

– 40 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, were arrested

– 16 of those civilians, including 7 children and a
woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs

 

·Israel 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 3 Palestinian civilians were arrested at military
checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

·Israeli naval forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the Gaza waters.

– Israeli forces opened fire at fishermen 6 times and
chased them in the sea.

 

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

– Israeli forces bulldozed 2 dunums[1]
of land, uprooted 8 olive trees and confiscated a bulldozer in Salfit

– Settlers sprayed peppers at the faces of 2 children in
Hebron and attacked a shepherd and 2 activists south of the city

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international
humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (11
– 17 September 2014).

 

 

Shooting:

 

In the Gaza Strip,
Palestinian medical source pronounced a member of an armed group dead of wounds
he sustained on 11 July 2014, when an Israeli drone targeted a group of Palestinians
east of Hamoudah gas station at the entrance of Beit Hanoun village. In that
attack, a Palestinian was killed and 2 others were wounded.

 

On 17 September 2014,
Israeli forces opened fire at a group of fishermen who were sailing near the
border fence. As a result, a fisherman sustained a bullet wound to his right
leg. The fishermen was standing 200 meters off the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel and giving directions to his sons who were fishing in a rowing
boat.

 

In the context of
chasing Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 12 September 2014, Israeli
gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniya shore and al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit
Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
Neither arrests nor material damage were reported. The shooting reoccurred once
on 13 September 2014; 14 September 2014; and 17 Septembers 2014; and twice on
16 September 2014.

 

In the West Bank, 2
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 other peaceful
protests on Selwad – Yabroud road near street (60), northeast of Ramallah; and
in Bab al-Zawiyah area, in the centre of Hebron.

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting
period, Israeli forces conducted at least 55 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli
forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 9 children and a woman.  Nineteen of those civilians, including 7
children and a woman, were arrested in Jerusalem.

 

In the Gaza Strip,
Israeli forces moved about 150 meters into the east of al-Qararah village,
northeast of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands along the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel.

 

Restrictions on
movement:

 

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

 

The illegal closure of
the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza
Strip.  The Israeli authorities impose
measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the
Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be
exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval
closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied
Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave
violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of
living conditions for 1.7 million people. 
The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum)
as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control
over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also
aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.

 

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.

 

At least 3 Palestinian
civilians were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Settlement
Activities

 

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

 

On 14 September 2014,
Israeli forces bulldozed 2 dunums of agricultural land and uprooted 8 olive
trees belonging to the heirs of the deceased Mahmoud Ali Hammad. 

 

On September 2014,
Israeli forces confiscated a land belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of
Public Work and Housing.

 

On 13 September 2014,
Israeli settler sprayed pepper at ‘Odai Naser Hamza Idrees (13) and Muhammad
Makroum al-Nawaja (11).

 

On 14 September 2014,
two Israeli settlers from “Mitzpe Yair” settlement attacked a
shepherd from Qawawis village and two international volunteers who were with
the shepherd and his sheep. The Israeli police arrived two hours later and
arrested the shepherded and one of the volunteers under the pretext of throwing
stones at settlers.

 

On 16 September 2014, a
settler from “Sousia” settlement ran down a herd of sheep at the Bypass road
near Iqweiwis village. As a result, 8 of them died.

 

 

4. Efforts
to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

During the
reporting period, Israeli forces moved into various areas in Jerusalem and
arrested 19 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children and a woman.

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(11 – 17 September 2014)

 

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

 

Thursday, 11 September 2014

 

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Hussein Mostafa Abu Maria and
arrested his son Mohammed (16).  

 

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Farsh
al-Hawa neighbourhood, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mahmoud Majed al-Zgheer (24) and arrested him.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu
al-Samen valley, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Ghazi Saleh Elayan Erfa’iyah (40) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu
Ktailah neighbourhood, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of
houses belonging to the families of Gaith and al-Qawasmah. Israeli forces
withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Dair
Samet village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mo’taz Khalil al-Masalmah and
arrested him. 

 

· At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved about 150
meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of
the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands along the border between the Gaza Strip,
and then headed southwards to the east of Abassan. They withdrew later.

 

Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-Shyoukh village,
north of Hebron; the western Mazra’ah and Kooper villages, northwest of
Ramallah.

 

 

Friday, 12 September 2014

 

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Hussein Adi (18). They
arrested the aforementioned person. Israeli forces raided also a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed Isma’il Adi (20) and handed him a
summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service.

 

· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire
around Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover,
they chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the
shore, and neither casualties no material damage were reported.

 

· At approximately 20:45, Israeli forces moved into
al-Jiftlek village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets and arrested
Saddam Salem Ali Ka’abnah (25) while walking in the street. He was taken to
“Ma’li Afraym” detention camp, and was released later.

 

Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out an incursion
Mothallath al-Aqabah area, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron, but no arrests
were reported.

 

Saturday, 13 September 2014

 

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Qeddis village, west of Ramallah. They raided a house belonging to the family
of Haniyah Monir Ali Nasser (22) and handed him a summons to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 at Ofer detention
facility, southwest of the city.

 

· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire around
Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover, they
chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore,
and neither casualties no material damage were reported.

 

· At approximately 20:30, Israeli undercover units moved
into a gas station using a minibus with an Israeli registration plate on the
main road between Jenin and Nablus, near Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. Some
members of the unit stepped out of the minibus and attacked a worker in the
station named Abdullah Metleq Daji al-Balawnah (35), from Tulkarm refugee camp,
adjacent to Tulkarm. They arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 2 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Beit ‘Our al-Tahta and
Kufor Ne’mah villages, southwest of Ramallah.

 

Sunday, 14 September 2014

 

· At approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire around
Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. Moreover, they
chased the boats. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore,
and neither casualties no material damage were reported.   

 

· In the morning, Palestinian medical source pronounced a
member of a Palestinian armed group dead of wounds he sustained at
approximately 14:15 on Friday, 11 July 2014, when an Israeli drone targeted a
group of Palestinian east of Hamoudah gas station at the entrance of Beit
Hanoun village. In that attack, a Palestinian was killed and 2 others, were
wounded.

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into
Bil’in village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets, where a number of
boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who in response fired sound
bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a
number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, Israeli forces
arrested Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Rahmah (14) and took him to Ofer
detention facility, southwest of the city.

 

· At approximately 11:20, Israeli forces moved into
al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Yusef Ahmed Abdul Majid. Moreover, they also raided
and searched a garage and withdrew later.

 

Note: during the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 15
incursions into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Doura; Ethna
and Bani Na’im villages and al-Aroub refugee camp, in Hebron; Senjal and Deir
Abu Mesh’el villages, north and northwest of Ramallah; Marj Na’jah village,
north of Jericho; Jenin and al-Yamoun, al-Jalama, and Raba villages; Tulkarm
and Zita, ‘Atil, and Baqa villges.

 

Monday, 15 September 2014

 

· At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ommar town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Rabee’ Hashem Mohammed Bader (26). They arrested the aforementioned
person. In the meantime, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family
of Ali Essa Awad. They arrested his son Essa (26), a goalkeeper of the
village’s football team. Furthermore, Israeli forces arrested Ali Suleiman Ali
Abu Ayyash (18) from his family house. They withdrew at approximately 05:00,
taking the 3 arrested to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ayda
refugee camp, west of Bethlehem. They raided a number of houses and attacked 2
young men: Jehad Ali al-Sheikh (25) and Mohammed Saleh Abu ‘Aker (26). The 2
young men were beaten while being present in front of their houses in the
refugee camp. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested Ali Essa al-Heeh (30) and
Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Srour (23) and took them to an unknown destination.

 

Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 5 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Beitunya and Beit Seera
villages, west and southwest of Ramallah; Ethna village, west of Hebron; Deir
Ballout village, west of Salfit; and Beit Leed east of Tulkarm.

 

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

 

· At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses. They arrested Osama Hazem
Halawa (27) from his family house in Ras al-Ein, south of the city, and took
him to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house
belonging to Islam Muhammad al-Barghouthi (19) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into
Qarawet Bani Hassan, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses
from which they arrested 5 civilians and took them to an unknown destination:
Melad Abdul Hamid Assi (23); Abdullah Shehada Rayan (20); Ghofran Mousa Rayan
(20); Jehad Mousa Rayan (20); and Eyas Nassim Rayan (21).

 

· At approximately 18:00, Israeli naval forces opened
fire near al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia at Palestinian fishing boats
sailing within 3 nautical miles. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back
to the shore, and neither casualties no material damage were reported.  

 

· At approximately 19:00, Israeli naval forces renewed
the shooting at fishing boats along the coastal line sailing within one
nautical mile. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, and
neither casualties no material damage were reported.  

 

Note: during the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-‘Arroub refugee
camp, north of Hebron; Kafer Dan, northwest of Jenin; and Deir al-Ghsoun, north
of Tulkarm.

 

Wednesday, 17
September 2014

 

· At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani
Naim village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
Mursi Khalil Ehmeidat. They arrested the aforementioned civilian and took him
to the area where Israeli vehicles had stationed. In the meantime, another group
of Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Amin Qasem Manasra
and arrested his son Osama (24). Moreover, they arrested Muhammad Musa Ehmeidat
(24) after raiding and searching his house.

 

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by 4 military
vehicles moved into Deir Samit village, southwest of Doura, southwest of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdel Hamid Abdel Hadi
Salama al-Sharauna (57) and arrested him.

 

· At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces backed by
several military vehicles moved into Baqa village, north of Tulkarm. They
raided and searched a house belonging to Sami Rasem Sami Jaber (25) and handed
him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in Israeli (D.C.O) office,
west of Tulkarm.

 

· Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by several
military vehicles moved into Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm. They raided and
searched a house belonging to Ahmed Fadel Muahmmad Misbah (27), an ex-prisoner
in Israeli jails, and interrogated him. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian youth
gathered and threw stones at Israeli vehicles. Israeli forces fired bullets,
south bombs and tear gas canisters to disperse the youth. As a result, many of
them suffered tear gas inhalation. Later, they withdrew, and no arrests were
reported.

 

· At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Leed village, east of Tulkarm. They raided Beit Leed club and detained a number
of the youth. An Israeli intelligence officer interrogated them. Later, they
withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

· At approximately 15:00, Israeli naval forces opened
fire around Palestinian fishing boats near al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit
Lahia. The fishermen were frightened and sailed back to the shore, and neither
casualties no material damage were reported.  

 

· At approximately18:10, Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers
at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel northwest of al-Sayafa area,
northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire at a group of fishermen who were sailing
near the border. As a result, Jum’a Ahmed Muhammed Zaid (69), from al-Salatin
neighbourhood, sustained a bullet wound to his right leg. The aforementioned
was standing 200 meters off the border and giving directions to his sons who
were fishing in a rowing boat. He was taken to Kamal Qdwan Hospital for
treatment. Then he was transferred to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as his wounds
were described as medium.

 

Note: During the abovementioned day, Israeli forces carried out 3 incursions
into the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Halhoul and Ezzna
villages in Hebron and Bitounia, west of Ramallah.

 

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

 

During the reporting period,
Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities in the West Bank. As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli
soldiers.

 

In the same context, 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
wounded during 2 other peaceful protests on Selwad – Yabroud road near street
(60), northeast of Ramallah; and in Bab al-Zawiyah area, in the centre of
Hebron.

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in
fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the
peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activity

 

· Following the Friday Prayer on 12 September
2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human
rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement.
The demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to
the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning,
Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from
participating in the protests. The protestors marched by the annexation wall
and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in
the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live
bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and waste
water at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, several
demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli forces detained Suleiman
Yassin Bernat (58) and Achill Kent (21), a Belgian solidarity activist, for 3
hours.

 

· At the same time, dozens of
Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Nil’in village,
west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation
wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the
demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were
stopped by Israeli soldier. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldier who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullet, sound
bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at them and chased them into the village.
As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

· Around the same time,
dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights
defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest
of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising
the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation, and then
they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near
“Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the
village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and
journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the
aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas
canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and waste water and were
chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

· Also at approximately 13:20,
Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a
protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading
to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance
since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators
threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, several protestors
suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as they were beaten up
by Israeli soldiers.  

 

Other Demonstrations

 

· On Friday afternoon, 12 September 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered at the
western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between
Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) and threw at the
aforementioned street. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the young meen, and chased
them into the village. As a result, Osama Sa’id Hafez Bseiso (41), from Selwad
village, sustained a bullet wound to the forehead. He was taken to Palestine
Medical Complex in Ramallah, where he underwent a surgery. It was found that he
sustained fractures in the skull and brain hemorrhage. His health condition was
serious, so he was transferred to the intensive care unit in the Kuwaiti Hospital.
Furthermore, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of
Yabroud village near the clashes area. They stopped Palestinian vehicles to
prevent the young men from throwing stones at them. They also detained Farouq
Rasem Jamil Assi (32), handcuffed him to the back, blindfolded him and kept him
in between the cement cubes. It should be noted that Assi is an international
referee. He was heading to Jericho for a football game between Jericho and Beit
Ommar teams.

 

· At approximately 15:00, following the
funeral procession of Ra’ed Abdul Salam al-Ja’bari (35), who was pronounced
dead in “Soroka” Hospital in Beersheba, dozens of angry youngsters gathered in
Bab al-Zawiyah area, in the centre of Hebron. They threw stones at Israeli
soldiers positioning in the area, who fired tear gas canisters and live
ammunition in response. As a result, a 15-year-old child sustained a bullet
wound to the left leg. He was taken to Hebron Hospital. Moreover, a number of
young men suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

3. Continued
closure of the oPt

 

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

 

 

Gaza Strip

 

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

 

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

 

The total closure of al-Mentar (“Karni”) crossing since
02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following
this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the 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 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 were 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 of the Gaza Strip.

 

The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the
closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up,
Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza
per day.  This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs,
which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during
winter.  The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks
due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and
using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.  The lack of
diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using
the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run
generators.  As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

 

For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to
prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years
ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction
materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. 
On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of
construction materials for the private sector.  However, on 13 October
2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction
materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the
Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry
of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects
have been obstructed so far.

 

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.

 

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 denied permission to access hospitals via the
crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom)
Crossing

 

 

 

Other
Imports:

 

On Wednesday, 10 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
1,820 tons of construction aggregate, 160 tons of cement for UNRWA and 940 tons
of construction aggregate for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 700 tons of
fodders and 140 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 11 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 945 tons of fodders and 245 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 14 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 900
tons of construction aggregate, 250 tons of cement for UNRWA and 1,560 tons of
construction aggregate and 80 tons of cement for UNDP. They also allowed the
entry of 910 tons of fodders and 420 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 15 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
80 tons of cement for the Islamic University and 386 tons of construction
aggregate for Turkey. They also allowed the entry of 735 tons of fodders and 280
tons of wheat.

 

Exports:

 

On Monday, 04 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed the exporting
of 4 tons of sweet potatoes via Karm Abu Salem.

 

 

Empty
Plastic Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

On Wednesday, 10 September 2014, Israeli forces allowed 5
truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

 

 

 

Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing,
in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals,
and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

24 – 30 August 2014

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

31 August – 06 September 2014

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

07– 13 September 2014

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun
(“Erez”) crossing

14– 15 September 2014

 

 

 

 

West Bank                                                                                  

 

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

 

· Hebron: At approximately 15:0 on
Thursday, 11 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the city. At approximately 16:30,
they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Amr village,
north of the city. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 12 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp,
north of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 13 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Sa’ir village, east of
Hebron.  At approximately 17:30, they
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp,
north of Hebron. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 15 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron,
and another one at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Later,
all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

In the morning, Israeli forces established a new surveillance room
at the entrance of Ibrahimi mosque in the Old City in Hebron, thus causing more
restrictions on civilians’ movement. The department of Awqaf already objected
the establishment of this room.

 

At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday, 16 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Ezna village, west of
Hebron.  They searched Palestinian
vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 17 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at southern entrance of Halhoul village, north
of Hebron.  They searched Palestinian
vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and
no arrests were reported.

 

· Ramallah: At approximately 09:30 on
Friday, 12 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, and another under
Yabroud Bridge, northeast of the city. 
At approximately 13:30, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance
of Qibya village, west of the city. At approximately 17:30, a similar
checkpoint was established under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of the
city. At approximately 20:20, they reestablished their existence at Attara
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit village, north of the city.
Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 13 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of the
city, and another one under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of the city.
At approximately 17:30, a similar checkpoint was established at the
intersection of Beir Ore al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. Later, all
checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 14 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Aboud village, and another
one at the entrance of Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of the city. At
approximately 20:30, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of
Termsi’ia village, north of the city. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 15 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village,
northwest of the Ramallah and another one under Yabroud Bridge, northeast of
the city. At approximately 13:30, they established a checkpoint at the entrance
of Qibia village, west of the city. At approximately 17:30, a similar
checkpoint was established under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of the
city. At approximately 19:00, they established a checkpoint at the eastern
entrance of al-Tiba village. At approximately 21:45, a checkpoint was
established at near the intersection of “Ofra” settlement, northeast of the city.
Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Tulkarm: At approximately 10:30 on
Monday, 15 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab military
checkpoint, which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, tightened
restrictions against Palestinian and obstructed their movement. They searched
Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the tightening
ended, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued
to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At
approximately 11:15 on Sunday, 12 September 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. The
checkpoint was removed later, no arrests were reported.

 

 

· Jericho: at approximately 20:00 on
Thursday, 12 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the
southern entrance of the city. The checkpoint caused suufocating traffic jams
as civlains were not allowed to pass through. Later, the checkpoint was
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 13 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Oja village, north of the
city. At approximately 18:00, they established a similar checkpoint near the
southern entrance of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 14 September 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance at the entrance of al-Nueima
village, north of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

· At approximately 18:00 on
Thursday, 11 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Beit ‘Awwa village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They
searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. In addition, they
arrested Muahmmed Fares Abu ‘Arqoub (24), and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

· At approximately 18:00 on
Tuesday, 16 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance
of Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah. When Jihad Mahmoud
al-Barghouthi (27) and Ayman Mahmoud Musa al-Barghouthi (26) were deriving
their car through the checkpoint, they were arrested and taken to an unknown
destination.

 

4. Efforts
to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

Attacks by Israeli Forces

 

· At approximately 14:00 on
Thursday, 11 September 2014, Israeli forces arrested Amir Nasser al-Nabulsi
(16) when he was returning home from school I the Old City in Jerusalem then
took him to the investigation center in Salah al-Dein Street.

 

· At approximately 16:30 on the same
day, Israeli police arrested Muhammad Yasser Najeeb (13) when he was leaving from
al-Aqsa mosque in the Old City in Jerusalem and took him to Al-Qishla
investigation center.

 

· At approximately 20:00 on
Friday, 12 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into Silwan village, south of
the Old City in Jerusalem. They stationed at the central neighborhood and B’ir
Ayyoub neighborhood. They raided a number of houses claiming they were
searching for children who throw stones at Israeli vehicles in the morning.
Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered at the roofs of their houses and threw
stones at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas
canisters in response. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 3 civilians and took
them to an unknown destination. The civilians were identified as: Samer Ibrahim
Idkeidik (23); Ahmed Nader ‘Odeh (21); and ‘Odai Hazem Khader al-Rajbi (10)
after he was beaten up.

 

· At approximately 15:00 on
Saturday, 13 September 2014, Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Sabri Abu Spitan
(14) in al-Bubba area, in al-Tour neighborhood, east of the Old City in
Jerusalem.

 

· At approximately 04:00 on
Sunday, 14 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawia village,
northeast of Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses. They also
arrested 3 civilians and took them to an unknown destination. The civilians
were identified as: Qusai Mahmoud Dari (23); ‘Atef Ahmed al-‘Amouri (20) and
Yazan Hussein ‘Ilyan (19).

 

· At approximately 09:00 on the aforementioned
day, Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Yousif Bouja (17) and Muhammad Isam
al-‘Abbasi (17) when they were at Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of the Old
City in Jerusalem and took them to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 05:00 on
Monday, Israeli forces moved into al-Wad and Bas Hatta areas in the Old City in
Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 civilians,
including a child, then took them to an unknown destination. The civilians were
identified as: Ahmed Jamal Abu ‘Alya (19); Thaer Ahmed Abu Sneina (21); and
Khader Abu Farha (16).

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli
police arrested Khadija Isamil Khweis (42) when she was leaving through al-Asbat
Gate in the Old City in Jerusalem and took her to al-Qisla investigation
center.

 

· At approximately 17:00 on
Tuesday, 16 September 2014, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Ahmed
Saleh al-Dari in al-Isawia village, northeast of Jerusalem. They searched the
house and arrested his son ‘Odai (14) then took him to an unknown destination.

 

5. Settlement activities and attacks
by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

 

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

 

· At approximately 09:30 on
Sunday, 14 September 2014, Israeli forces accompanied by a bulldozer moved into
Kafl Hares village, north of Salfit, and stationed near the power plant, south
of the village. They bulldozed 2 dunums of agricultural lands and 8 olive trees
belonging to the heirs of the deceased Mahmoud Ali Hammad under the pretext of
established electricity poles near the power plant. Members of Kafl Hares
municipality said that for over a month now, Israel forces have been moving and
planning in the aforementioned area. 

 

· At approximately 13:55 on
Tuesday, 16 September 2014, Israeli forces confiscated a land belonging to the
Ministry of Public Work and Housing. The incident took place when Badya
municipality staff was making an agricultural road between Badya and Sarta,
west of Salfit. The road was previously planned by the municipality. Sources
from the aforementioned municipality confirmed that Israeli forces prevented
the staff from completing their work and confiscated a bulldozer they had.

 

Attacks by Israeli Settlers

 

· At approximately 16:00 on
Saturday, 13 September  2014, Israeli
settler sprayed pepper at ‘Odai Naser Hamza Idrees (13) and Muhammad Makroum
al-Nawaja (11) after he caught them trying to help a civilian move in to her
house in Bani Dar neighborhood, in the center of the Old City, in the center of
Hebron, in the sight of Israeli soldiers. The children were taken to Hebron Hospital
for treatment.

 

‘Odai Idrees told PCHR:

 

“I was with my friend and neighbor Muhammad Makrom (11) and we
were helping Amina Sarsour move her furniture to her new apartment in the
neighborhood. After we dropped off the furniture, we went downstairs. When we
arrived at the street, we saw a group of settlers guarded by Israeli soldiers,
entering al-Shuhadaa Street through a barbwire gate in Bab al-Khan area. They
were coming from the market as they usually do similar tours. We went home
because we were afraid that settlers might attack us. Later, we went out in the
street to help out our neighbor Amina. Before we arrived at her doorsteps, a bald
settler, wearing glasses and covering himself with the Israeli flag spread,
held us both in his hands and sprayed us with a metal can he took out of his
pocket.  Two Israeli soldiers were
standing a few meters behind him. Muhammad managed to escape, but he kept
holding me tight. He continued spraying my eyes with pepper and I felt severe
burns in my eyes. I pushed him and ran off and the spray can fell off his
hands. I turned and looked back when I was running to check whether he was following
me or not, and I saw an Israeli soldiers picking the spray can off the ground
and handing it to the settler. I entered the apartment where we moved the
furniture, but I fell on the stairs as I could not see. Mrs. Amina held me and
took me in. Moments later, I washed my face, but the burn continued. I kept
washing my eyes with water for 2 hours till Raed Abu Rmeila took me to Hebron Hospital.
The next day, I went with my father to Ja’bara investigation center near the
Ibrahimi Mosque. However, the police refused to allow my father in to file a
complaint. I still feel burns in my eyes and swallowing in my hands. “

 

· At approximately 08:00 on
Sunday, 14 September 2014, two Israeli settlers from “Mitzpe Yair”
settlement which is established on confiscated lands, east of Yatta, south of
Hebron, attacked a shepherd from Qawawis village and two foreign volunteers who
were with the shepherd and his sheep. One of the settlers pushed a volunteer,
stole his camera and broke his cell phone. Another settler stole a camera
belonging to the other volunteer after twisting his arm. The settlers left
towards the aforementioned settlement. The Israeli police arrived two hours
later and arrested the shepherded and one of the volunteers under the pretext
of throwing stones at settlers. They were taken to “Kiryat Arba” settlement,
east of Hebron, and were released hours later. It should be noted that the
farmers in Qwawis village suffer from many settlers’ attacks from “Mitzpe
Yair” settlement against them. 
Grazing became life threatening to then.

 

· At approximately 15:00 on
Tuesday, 16 September 2014, a settler from “Sousia” settlement, which is
established on civilians’ lands south of Yatta, south of Hebron, ran down a herd
of sheep at the Bypass road near Iqweiwis village. As a result, 8 of them died.
The sheep herd belongs to Taleb and Muhammad Ahmed Ni’man.

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the
United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to
enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the
Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast
majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end
the occupation of the State of Palestine;

2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide
international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the
non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the
Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;

4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human
rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to
comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the
human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned
committees;

5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the
Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute
suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and
the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war
criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;

6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of
universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal
jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war
criminals;

7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in
order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through
imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;

8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer
the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the
International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome
Statute;

9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that
holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to
achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on
the expense of human rights;

10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human
Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza
and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the
two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel
it to remove them;

11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light
of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at
least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of
hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian
infrastructure;

12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European
Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the
international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the
annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;

13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article
2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must
respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU
states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes
against Palestinian civilians;

14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and
accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United
Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human
rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public
Document

For further
information please visit our website www.pchrgaza.org or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by
email pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.