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

 

 

The
Israeli forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the
border area of the Gaza Strip

2
gravel collectors were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

5
Palestinians, including a child, were wounded in different shooting incidents
in the West Bank.

 

The
Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West
Bank and 2 limited incursions in the north and south of the Gaza Strip.

At
least 38 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children, were arrested in the
West Bank.

5
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were arrested in the central Gaza
Strip when they attempted to cross the borders into Israel looking for work.

 

The
Israeli forces continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

2
Palestinian fishermen, including a child, were wounded and 2 others were
arrested off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City.

 

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

9
Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were wounded in
protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

21
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded in solidarity
demonstrations supporting the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails.  

 

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

The Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 14 Palestinian civilians, including 3 women, were arrested at checkpoints.

 

Israeli
has continued efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem

A
house in Beit Hanina village, north of East Jerusalem, was demolished and 12
persons became homeless.

 

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

The
Israeli forces issued more demolition notices for houses in the area under the
Israeli control.

The
settlers continued their attacks on the Palestinian civilians and their
property.

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (14– 20 February 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces wounded 39 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and a woman,
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; 35 of whom, including 7 children and a woman
were wounded in the West Bank, while the 4 others, including a child, were
wounded in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, 35 Palestinian
civilians, including 7 children and a woman were wounded; 9 of whom, including 2
children and a woman, were wounded in peaceful protests against the annexation
wall and settlement activities, while the 21 others, including 4 children, were
wounded in solidarity demonstration supporting the Palestinian prisoners on a
hunger strike in the Israeli jails. 
Moreover, 2 civilians were wounded during the Israeli incursions, a
civilian was wounded at military checkpoints and 2 other civilians were wounded
when Palestinian civilians protested against the Israeli bulldozing of lands.    

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful
protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists protesting
against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a
result, 9 protestors, including 2 children and a woman, were wounded. 4 of
whom, including a woman and a child, were wounded in al-Nabi Saleh weekly
protest; a child was wounded in Budrus protest in Ramallah; 4 others were
wounded in Kofur Qaddoum protest and a person was wounded in Jayous protest in
Qalqilia. They were all wounded on Friday, 15 February 2013.

 

In the same context, the
Palestinians organized a number of peaceful protests in solidarity with the
Palestinian prisoners, particularly those on a hunger strike in the Israeli
jails. The Israeli forces used excessive force against these protests, as a
result, 21 civilians, including 4 children, were wounded.  On 15 February 2013, 17 of the wounded,
including 4 children, were wounded during the protest that was organized in
front of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah.  Moreover, on 19 February 2013, 4 protestors
were wounded during a peaceful protest that was organized in front of Ofer
detention facility, southwest of Ramallah upon the call of Birzeit University
students.

 

As a part of shooting policy at
military checkpoints, on 14 February 2013, a Palestinian civilian was wounded
when the Israeli forces stationed near the intersection of Kofur Laqef village,
east of Qalqilia, opened fire at a civilian vehicle that passed over an Israeli
checkpoint on Qalqilia – Nablus road. As a result, a person was wounded and
then arrested, while the other was arrested and transported to Kofur Qaddoum
detention camp. 

 

On 18 February 2013, a Palestinian
child was wounded when the Israeli forces raided al-Aroub refugee camp, north o
Hebron. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli
soldiers, but the Israeli soldiers opened fire randomly in return. As a result,
a child was wounded by a bullet to the right leg. 

 

On 20 February 2013, 2 Palestinian
civilians were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into Qasra village,
southeast of Nablus.  The Israeli forces
bulldozed the electricity network in the village, as a result, the residents of
the area protested against the Israeli practices.  The Israeli forces opened fire in response
and wounded 2 civilians.

 

On Wednesday, 20 February 2013, a
Palestinian civilian from Bruqin village, southwest of Jenin, was wounded when
the Israeli forces opened fire at him once he stepped out of his brother’s
house in the said village.

 

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinians near the border fence.  On 14 February 2013, the Israeli forces
stationed along the border fence, east of al-Douh valley, northeast of Beit
Hanoun, opened fire at a group of scrap and rubble collectors. As a result, 2
persons were wounded. It should be noted that they were 300 meters away from
the border fence. 

 

In the context of targeting
Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 18 February 2013, the Israeli gunboats attacked
a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 5 fishermen, while they were sailing off
al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City. The Israeli navy forces opened fire at
the boat that was 10 meters away from them. As a result, 2 fishermen, including
a child, were wounded.  It is worth
saying that the fishing boat was 3 nautical miles off the shore that means it
was in the area allowed for Palestinian fishermen to sail and fish, which
reached 6 nautical miles according to the cease fire agreement between the
Palestinian resistance groups and Israel on 22 November 2012.

 

On 19 February 2013, the Israeli
gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, arrested 2
fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat. According to the Fishermen Union,
the Palestinian boat was sailing about 1400 meters off the shore.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 58 military
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, the Israeli forces
arrested at least 37 Palestinians, including 11 children.

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces turned a vacant house in Ya’bad
village, southwest of Jenin, into a military position.  They raised the Israeli flag and fixed
surveillance cameras on and barbed wires around the house. In addition, they
used it to torture the Palestinian civilians in the village.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces conducted 2 limited
incursions in the north and south of the Gaza Strip.  At approximately 05:00, the Israeli forces
moved about 300 meters into the east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia,
north of the Gaza Strip.  At
approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces moved about 100 meters into the east of
Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. During the 2
incursions, the Israeli forces leveled lands along the border fence and
withdrew later.

 

Additionally,
the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence in the central Gaza Strip
arrested 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, when they attempted to
cross the borders into Israeli looking for work.

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

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

 

The illegal Israeli-imposed closure
of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza
Strip.  The illegal closure has caused
not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of human rights and human dignity
for the population of the Gaza Strip. 
Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely
cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes
can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure,
including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on
exports.  Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is
allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the
rest of the world. 

 

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

 

Effort
to Create Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

On
19 February 2013, the Israeli forces demolished a house belonging to the family
of the 2 brothers Hassan and Ra’ed Abu Safa on Jobran Khalil Jobran streets in
Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem, while their occupants were out. The
house that was built on 130 square meters for 12 years is resided by 12
members.  Hassan Abu Safa said that he
received a phone call from a neighbor, who told him that the Israeli forces
were surrounding his house and welling to demolish it.  When Abu Safa went back to the house, he
found it completely demolished.  He added
that demolishing the house happened suddenly without any prior notice from the
Israeli municipality although the family had been trying to obtain a
construction permit.  

 

Settlement
Activities:

 

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

 

On
Sunday, 17 February 2013, an Israeli settler attempted to run down Majd
Mohammed Manasra (16) from Wad Foukin village, southwest of Bethlehem, while he
and a number of his friends were on their way to the nearby Housan
village.  According to the child’s
brother, Ahmed Mohammed Manasra, 20, stated to a PCHR field worker that an
Israeli settlers who was traveling in a Grey Citroen car with an Israeli plate
towards “Bitar Elite” settlement ran down his brother.  The child sustained bruises throughout the
body.

 

Also
on Sunday, a number of Israeli settlers from “Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost
in Tal al-Rumaida neighborhood in the south of Hebron built a wall around a
water spring as a prelude to seize it and establish a tourist resort in the
area.

 

On
Monday, 18 February 2013, Israeli forces submitted demolition notices to a
number of Palestinian civilians in Fassayel al-Tahta village, north of Jericho,
under the pretext of not obtaining building licenses.  According information PCHR received from the
Local Council, at approximately 05:30 on Monday, the Israeli forces,
accompanied by approximately 10 military vehicles and an officer of the Israeli
Civil Administration, raided Fassayel al-Tahta village, north of Jericho.  They handed demolition notices to a number of
civilians for 3 occupied houses and 9 barns under the pretext of not obtaining
a permit to build in area (C), which falls under Israeli jurisdiction under the
Oslo Accords.

 

On
Monday, 18 February 2013, when the Israeli forces damaged tires of 3 cars
belonging to Mofeed Yousef Musleh, Nash’at Ahmed’Abdul Fattah and Nasser ‘Ali
Mansour.  They also wrote racist slogans
in Hebrew on walls of houses.

 

On
the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement and
“Givat Kharsina” settlement outpost, southeast of Hebron, established a new
dirt road on the expense of confiscated agricultural land in al-Bwiara and
al-Baq’a areas, northeast of the city.

 

On
Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces handed a notice to Hussein Ahmed
Hamamda ordering him to vacate his 120-dunum land, southeast of Yatta, south of
Hebron.

 

On 19
February 2013, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Etna’il” settlement, south of
Hebron, stormed Palestinian agricultural lands in Um al-‘Amad area to the west
of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They
set barbwires around these lands, which belongs to the Abu Samra and al-Heresh
families, in order to annex them to the settlement.

 

On 20
February 2013, the Israeli forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into
Basilta, Ras al-Nakhel and al-Wa’ar areas in the south of Qasra village,
southeast of Nablus, which are located near “Yish Kodesh” settlement
outpost.  They dismantled 36 electricity
wood towers and destroyed the electricity network.

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (14–20 February 2013)

 

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

 

 

Thursday, 14 February 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem. They positioned near the camp’s cemetery, arrested
Ibrahim Khaled ‘Eweis, 19, and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia
village, southwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed near Abu Toukh mosque. They withdrew later;
neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jenin city
and Jenin refugee camp near the city.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:10, the Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They
patrolled the streets and stationed at al-Fawaghra neighborhood. They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Ammar Jalal Shalash, 32. The
Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned person and his brother Mohamed, 18,
and transported them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces raided a house belonging
to the family of Tareq Ahmed al-Eisawi, father of Samer al-Eisawi, the
Palestinian prisoner who started a hunger strike 7 months ago, in al-Eisawiya
village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They searched the house and arrested
Tareq’s son, Shadi, 28. The Israeli forces then raided a house belonging to the
family of Mahmoud Fayez Mahmoud, 35, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces raided a house belonging
to the family of Abdul Karim Lafi, 55, head of the parents’ committee at Beit
Safafa schools, in Beit Safafa village, south of occupied Jerusalem. Sources in
the village said that the arrest of Lafi was on the grounds of an announcement
issued by the parents’ committee to strike against establishing settlement road
(4) that seized 250 dunums of Palestinian lands to connect the southern
settlements with the center of Jerusalem.    

 

At approximately 04:50, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Etil
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Ma’moun Mohammed Suleiman Damayra, 29. They arrested him and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 06:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Tarabiqa
area in the center of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and
searched a house belonging to Sa’id Mohammed Abu Ayash, 50.  They attacked him and pointed the guns at his
sons and arrested Ra’ed Rasem Aziz Ikhleil, 25, while he was at Ayash’s house.

 

At approximately 11:00, the Israeli forces positioned along the
border fence, east of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek) arrested Yusef Ahmed Shehda
‘Ebeid, 18, from the Nusairat, when he attempted to cross the border fence into
Israel.  ‘Ebeid’s father, Ahmed Shehda
Ahmed ‘Ebeid, 45, said that his son had called a friend of him and told him
that he was arrested in Israel. That friend told his relatives about it and
then informed the father of his son’s arrest.

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces positioned along the
border fence, east of al-Douh valley, northeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern
Gaza Strip, opened fire at some scrap and rubble collectors, who were 300
meters to the west of the border fence. As a result, 2 persons from Beit Janoun
were wounded:

 

1. Hosam Samih Zaki al-Kafarna, 20, was wounded by a bullet to the
left hand (entered and exited) and a bullet to 2 fingers in the right hand; and

2. Kamel Adham Hussein al-Kafarna, 20, was wounded by a bullet to the abdomen.

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad
village, southwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, the Israeli forces moved into Sanjal
village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and arrested 3 persons
while they were walking in the streets: 

 

1. Mo’een Jamil al-Fuqaha, 24;

2. Alaa’ Jaber Asfour, 25; and

3. Mohammed Abdul Jawwad Elwan, 21.

 

They
were transported to Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. However,
they were released on Monday, 18 February 2013.

 

At approximately 22:30, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 15 February 2013

 

· At
approximately 02:50, the Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiya village, northwest
of Salfit.  They raided and searched 2
houses and arrested 2 children from them:

1. Adham
Isma’il Saber Shqeir, 17; and

2. Abu
Baker Abdul Hakim Othman Shqeir, 16.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Sanour
village, south of Jenin. They raided 3 houses to deliver their residents summons
to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service at Salem detention camp, northwest
of Jenin. Local sources said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the summoned persons
were identified as:

1. Mohammed
Nayef Abdul Rahim ‘Issa, 22;

2. Morad
Fo’ad Sadeq Gharbiya, 25; and

3. Suleiman
Mahmoud Suleiman Jarrar, 23.

The Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Our
al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek village,
north of Jericho.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Qeddis
village, west of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, southeast of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets amidst flare bombs
and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Nasim Ali Murshed
Taqatqa. They arrested his son Mohammed, 17. 
The Israeli forces then raided a house belonging to Tareq Yunis Taqatqa
and arrested his son KHaled, 19. They withdrew later and transported the 2 arrested
to an unknown destination.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Soudan
village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ouja village,
northeast of Jericho.  They patrolled the
streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:15, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Leed
village, east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, the Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani
Zeid village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 16 February 2013

 

At
approximately 00:55, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village,
southeast of Bethlehem and stationed at the center and eastern entrance of the
village. They raided and searched many houses and arrested 3 Palestinian
children:

1. Mohammed
Jihad Taqatqa, 17;

2. Nour
Ibrahim Ayed Thawabta, 14; and

3. Farhan
Husam al-Qawasma, 15.

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia.  They patrolled the streets, raided many
houses and submitted Rami Mohammed Hamed Eweisi, 25, a notice to refer to the
Israeli Intelligence Service. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
It should be noted that Eweisi served 3-year imprisonment sentence  in the Israeli jails and was released 2 years
ago. He now works at the Palestinian Intelligence Service.  

 

At approximately 14:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Omra
village, west of Yatta, south of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into Tal
al-Rumaida area in the center of Hebron. They deployed between the houses and
detained 2 children while playing around their houses.  The children are:

1. Malek Qasem Abu al-Halawa, 13; and

2. Qasem Hashem Qasem Abu al-Halawa, 14.

The
Israeli forces released the 2 children and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Awwa
village, west of Doura village, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 17 February 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Sa’ir village,
northeast of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and surrounded a house belonging to the family of Rezeq Issa Khalil
Ghneimat, 28. They raided and searched the house and arrested Ghnaimat.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Nemra area,
east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed between houses.  As a result, the village’s residents were
terrified. The Israeli forces withdrew later; neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli force moved into Ras al-Joura area,
north of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Janiya village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
stationed at al-Maloul neighborhood, south of the town.  They raided an under-construction house
belonging to Nasim Sami Mohammed Abu Baker, 28, topped it and turned it into a
military position.  Eyewitnesses said to a
PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli forces raised the Israeli flag and fixed
surveillance cameras on the house.  It
should be noted that this was the second time for the Israeli soldiers to turn
this house into a military position under the pretext that some boys throw
stones at bypass road leading to “Mevo Dotan” settlement.

 

On Monday noon, 18, February 2013, the Israeli forces stationed in
the house detained Mahdi Rasmi Atta Baydas, 16; Mahran Bassam Taha Abadi, 16;
and Nour al-Din Khaled Jawabra, 19, for some time. The Israeli forces
questioned them on the spot and released them later.

 

At proximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 20 February 2013, the Israeli
forces stationed in the same house raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Anwar Morad Mohammed Jawabra, 53. 
They questioned its occupants on the spot and withdrew to Nasim’s house.
  

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Burj
village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Bader Abdul Razeq al-Talahma, 45.
The Israeli forces withdrew later; no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into Sa’ir
village, northeast of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and surrounded al-‘Aroud gas station.  They searched the stationed and arrested
Riyad Sami Jaradat, 32, a worker in the gas station.  Besides, they confiscated the tapes of the
surveillance cameras and withdrew later.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces positioned along the border
fence, east of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek), arrested 3 Palestinians when they
attempted to cross the border fence into Israel.  The arrested were identified as:

1. Samer Hani Mohammed Abu Ghoula, 15, from al-Nusairat;

2. Morad As’ad Hammad al-Balbisi, 16, from al-Nusairat; and

3. Hamdan Wa’el Hamdan Abu Ghoula, 19, from al-Nusairat.

 

A detainee’s father, As’ad Morad Hammad al-Balbisi, 49, said that
he received a phone call at approximately 23:00, on the same day. The called
told him that his son and a group of persons were arrested when they attempted
to cross the border fence into Israel. 
He also told the father that his son would be brought before Beersheba
court.

 

Another detainee’s uncle, Ayman Hamdan Farhan Abu Ghoula, 29, said
that he received a phone call from the Israeli forces telling him that his
nephew with 3 other persons were arrested when they attempted to cross the
border fence into Israel. Besides, the Israeli forces told him that the
arrested would all be brought before the court. They told him that Samer Abu
Ghoula and Morad al-Balbisi were arrested with his nephew, in addition to a
fourth persons from al-Sawarka family, but he forgot his first name.   

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Mghayar
village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jayous village,
northeast of Qalqilia.  They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested Asad Saqer Mohammed Shamasna, 17, from
a house belonging to Adnan Waqed Salim, as the boy fled to that house. The
Israeli forces transported him to the Israeli military liaison office, east of
Qalqilia.

 

Monday,
18 February 2013

 

At approximately 00:10, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Istia
village, north of Salfit.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 00:30, the Israeli force moved into Yasouf
village, east of Salfit.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Tha’er Na’im Mohammed Khalil,
22.  They arrested him and transported
him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 01:40, the Israeli forces moved into Hares
village, north of Salfit.  They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 civilians, including a child:

1. Nour Atta Farid Sultan, 15;

2. Rabee’ Samir Saleh Sultan, 13; and

3. His brother Morad Samir Saleh Sultan, 18.

T

hey were transported to Ariel police station, north of Salfit.  At approximately 16:30 on Tuesday, 19
February 2013, Nour and Rabbe’ Sultan were released, while Morad was
transported to Hawwar detention facility, south of Nablus.

 

At approximately 01:55, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem.  They stationed
near the public committees office and al-Rowwad center in the center of the
camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hamza Ibrahim
Malash, 22, from Abu Aker neighborhood. The Israeli forces arrested him and
transported him to an unknown destination.    

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village,
north of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and stationed at al-Qa’ area, west of the village.  They deployed between the houses and raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal Khalil Abu Maria,
45.  They arrested his son Mohammed, 17,
and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

At approximately 05:40, the Israeli forces moved into Qufin
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets, raided and searched a house belonging to the family of
Ashraf Ibrahim Ali Sabbah, 24, and confiscated his PC set. The Israeli forces
raided another house belonging to the family of Mohammed Jalal Fares Te’ma, 22
and arrested him.  They withdrew later
transporting the 2 arrested to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 11:00, the Israeli gunboats attacked a Palestinian
fishing boat boarded by 5 fishermen. The boat was sailing approximately 3
nautical miles off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City. The Israeli navy
forces fired at the boat that was about 10 meters away from them. As a result,
2 fishermen, including a child, were wounded. The wounded were transported to
Shifa hospital in Gaza City to receive the necessary medical treatment. Medical
sources described their wounds as moderate. The attack also resulted in partial
damage of the boat that belongs to Mahmoud Mohammed Jarbou’ from Gaza City. The
wounded are:

1. Abdul Razeq Mahmoud Jarbou’, 16, from Gaza City, was wounded by a
shrapnel in his right leg; and

2. Abdullah Mas’oud al-Ghoul, 24, from Gaza City, was wounded by a
shrapnel in the left leg.

 

It should be noted that this attack took place 3 nautical miles off
the shore that means the fishermen where in the area allowed for fishing, which
reached 6 nautical miles according to the cease fire agreement between the
Palestinian resistance groups and Israel on 22 November 2012.

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and stationed at al-Jawabra neighborhood in the center of the
camp.  Some boys gathered and threw
stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who fired bullets and sound
bombs randomly in return.  As a result,
Rami Kamal Jawabra, 16, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg.  He was transported by a private car to the
Ahli hospital in Hebron to receive the necessary medical treatment.  The Israeli forces withdrew later and no
arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday,
19 February 2012

 

At
approximately 00:15, the Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets, during which,
they detained 3 journalists on Jerusalem – Hebron road.  They checked their ID cards and prevented
them from photographing.  The journalists
are:

1. Samer
Iyad Nemr al-Mughrabi, 32; Palmedia cameraman;

2. Abdul
Rahman Mohammed Yunis, 26, al-Quds.com correspondent; and

3. Mamdouh
Mahmoud Rashid Hamamra, 34, al-Quds satellite channel correspondent.

 

At
approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Tarqoumia village, west of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
stationed in the center of the city.  The
Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses, due to which the residents were
frightened.  The Israeli forces withdrew
later; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beer
al-Mahjar area, northwest of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Joura area,
north of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, the Israeli forces moved about 300 meters
into the east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia, north of the Gaza
Strip.  They leveled the lands along the
border fence amidst sporadic fire.  Due
to this incursion, the Palestinian farmers were not able to go to their
farmlands for fear of being wounded.  At
approximately 11:30, on the same day, the Israeli forces withdrew.  Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces moved about 100 meters
into the east of Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza
Strip.  They leveled lands along the
border fence and moved southwards to Khuza’a, where they withdrew later.

 

At approximately 09:30, the Israeli forces moved into Shweika
suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled
the streets and examined the artisan water wells.  They withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bruqin
village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli soldiers.  The Israeli soldiers
fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response.  As a result, some Palestinians suffered from
tear gas inhalation. The Israeli forces withdrew later; neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:15, the Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a
Palestinian fishing boat.  On board the
boat there were Mohamed Shehda Khalil Sa’dallah, 60, and his son Mahmoud, 23,
from Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.  The Israeli soldiers ordered them to take
their clothes off, jump to the water and swim towards the Israeli
gunboats.  They both were arrests and
transported to Ashdod seaport.  They have
been in detention so far. Members of the Fishermen Union at Gaza seaport said
that the Palestinian boat was sailing about 1,400 meters off the shore.

 

At approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and deployed at the entrance of Asida area, east of the village,
where some boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers.  The Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal
bullets and sound bombs randomly in response. 
As a result, many Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation,
including baby Samir Ahmed al-‘Alami, 3, as he was with his mother in the
street.  The Israeli forces withdrew
later and no arrests were reported.  

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces positioned along the border
fence east of Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek) arrested Mahmoud Mohammed Ali
FarajAllah, 15, from al-Nusairat, when he attempted to cross the border fence
into Israel. The child’s father, Mohammed Ali Ibrahim FarajAllah, 49, said that
his son suffers from a metal problem (spasm). 
He added that at approximately 23:00 on the same day, he received a
phone call from the Israeli police telling him that his son is arrested when he
attempted to cross the border fence and he would be brought before Beersheba
court.     

     

 Wednesday, 20 February 2012

 

At approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Yusef Abu Ghazi,
22, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Yatta
village, south of Hebron.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Jebril Mousa Abu Mreir,
70.  At the same time, the Israeli forces
raided a house belonging to his son Nasser, 35. 
They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:10, the Israeli forces moved into al-Dheisha
refugee camp, southwest of Bethlehem. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian
civilians:

1. Abdul Aziz Ahmed Arafa, 20;

2. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hajajra, 21;

3. Mo’taz Mohammed Shari’a, 21; and

4. Yusef Mahmoud al-Lahham, 38.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee camp,
north of Bethlehem.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Sa’ed Walid Mohammed al-Ezza,
20.  They arrested him and transported
him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets amidst heavy fire
and arrested Mohammed Yusef Mohammed Nasrallah, 16.

 

At approximately 23:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bruqin
village, southwest of Jenin. They surrounded a house belonging to the family of
Mohammed Sa’id Ali Qeblawi, 33, and ordered everyone in the house to go
out.  When Rajeh, 35, Qeblawi’s brother,
stepped out, the Israeli forces fired at him and wounded him in the thigh. They
then raided and searched the house.  The
Israeli forces around the house prevented an ambulance of the Palestine Red
Crescent Society (PRCS) from reaching the house for 15 minutes, after which,
they allowed the ambulance to transport the wounded to Martyr Suleiman Khalil
public hospital in Jenin.  The Israeli
forces arrested Samed Abdul Ghani Salim Abu al-Haija, 24, from al-Yamoun,
northwest of Jenin. Samed is wanted to the Israeli forces as they raided his
house in al-Yamoun village many times in the past months.  They also arrested Mohammed Nasser Sa’id
al-Sa’di, 19, from Jenin refugee camp. He is the brother of Qahera al-Sa’di, an
ex-prisoner that was released according to the prisoners’ swap deal against
Gilad Shalit. 

 

 

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

 

During
the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations
organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities
in the West Bank.  As a result, 9
Palestinian civilians were wounded, 2 children and a woman.  PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons
in fear the Israeli forces would arrest them for participating in these
demonstrations.

 

In a
relative context, Palestinian civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in
solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those on
hunger strike.  The Israeli forces used
excessive force against these demonstration; wounding 17 civilians, including 4
children.

 

Demonstrations
against the Construction of the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 15 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall.  The demonstrators gathered in the streets of
the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to
adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation
and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall.  The Israeli forces closed all ways and
entrances to the village since early morning hours, to prevent Palestinians,
journalists and international activists from joining the protest.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way towards the wall.  They
called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to
leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers
stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a
result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 15 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  Immediately,
Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, 15 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders
gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to
hold a weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall
and settlement activities, and in solidarity with the Palestinians prisoners on
hunger strike inside Israeli jails, especially Samer al-Eisawi.  The protesters walked towards the gate
erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads to
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli
soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at the protesters.  As a
result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were abounded, and
dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises.  The first wounded person, a woman
(18), was hit by a tear gas canister to the head; the second, a child (16),
sustained a bullet wound to the buttocks; the third (23) sustained 3 bullet
wounds to the back and right leg; and the fourth (30) sustained a bullet wound
to the buttocks.

 

Also on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
human rights defenders gathered in Budrus village, west of Ramallah and
al-Bireh, for a peaceful protest against the annexation wall and settlement
activity.  They raised the Palestinian
flag and portraits of Sameer Awadh, who was killed by Israeli forces.  The demonstrators walked through the village
streets and headed towards the wall.  The
Israeli forces closed the wall gates with barbwires.  When the demonstrators attempted to cross the
wall to the land behind it, the Israeli forces stopped them, so the
demonstrators threw stones at them.  The
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated bullets.  As a result, a 17-year-old demonstrator was
hit by a tear gas canister to the head. 
Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:00 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and human rights defenders gathered in al-Haraiek area, southeast of Hebron,
for a peaceful demonstration calling for opening the route linking Hebron to it
southern villages.  Upon their arrival to
the steel gate which closes the road leading to bypass road (60), the Israeli
forces surrounded the area and declared it a closed military zone, ordering the
demonstrators to leave immediately.  The
soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration.  A number of protesters fainted as a result of
tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall.  As
the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, more than 200 Israeli
soldiers were closing the village gates under pretext of being a closed
military zone.  In his testimony to a
PCHR fieldworker, Hassan Brijia, coordinator of the Popular Committee against
the Wall in the village, said that this unprecedented security presence in the
village came after a group of Palestinian activists entered “Efrat”
settlement, south of Bethlehem, and raised the Palestinian flag and portraits
of prisoner Samer al-Eisawi inside the settlement.

 

At approximately 12:15 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the
continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning
of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  The
demonstrators moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli
forces, stationed in the surroundings of the steel gate established at the
entrance, fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators.  As a result, three civilians were hit by tear
gas canisters; the first (29) was hit by a tear gas canister to the head; the
second (25) was hit by a tear gas canister to the thigh; and the third (20) was
hit by a tear gas canister to the back.

 

 At the same time, dozens of
Palestinian civilians organized a demonstration, from the center of Jayous
village, northeast of Qalqilya, towards the western gate of the village, where
the Israeli forces are stationed, in protest to the continuous confiscation of
lands, not applying the Supreme Israeli Court decision to adjust the route of
the annexation wall and obstructing farmers on their way in and out through the
aforementioned gate.  As soon as the
demonstrators came close to the gate, Israeli soldiers, who had been deployed
behind it, fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters intensively at the
demonstration.  As a result, a
19-year-old civilian was hit by a tear gas canister to the right hand, and
Ahmed Mohammed Abdel-Rahman Nabhan (14) sustained a fracture to his hand while
escaping the bombs.  Dozens of civilians
also suffered from tear gas inhalation due to tear gas inhalation.

 

Demonstrations
in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails

 

At noon on Friday, 15 February 2013, hundreds of Palestinian
civilians and dozens of prisoners’ families demonstrated in front of
“Ofer” prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. 
The demonstration moved towards the prison gate.  The Israeli forces closed the gate before the
demonstrators could enter and started shooting live fire, rubber-coated metal
bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 17 Palestinian civilians
sustained injuries, including four children; they were all transported to
Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah by ambulances.

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons)

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the
center of al-‘Aroub Refugee Camp, northern of Hebron, organizing a
demonstration in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli
jails.  The demonstration headed towards
an area near bypass road (60).  The
Israeli forces surrounded the area and ordered the demonstrators to leave
instantly.  The demonstrators threw
stones at the soldiers, who responded by firing tear gas canisters and sound
bombs at them.  As a result, some of the
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 18 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered at the Martyrs Square in the center of Nablus
and organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli prisons.  The demonstrators roamed the streets of the
city and headed towards Howara checkpoint on the southern entrance of the
city.  The Israeli forces closed the
checkpoint to stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the
demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw
stones at Israeli forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces
fired tear gas canister and sound bombs at them.  As a result, many of the demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The
Israeli forces also arrested Mahmoud al-Shami (12), from Nablus.

 

At approximately 11:30 on Monday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
gathered in Bab al-Zaqzaq area in Bethlehem, at the request of the Committee
for Solidarity with Prisoners on Hunger Strike, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club
and the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement Activity, to organize
a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike inside Israeli jails.  The
demonstration moved towards the southern entrance of al-Khader village, south
of Bethlehem.  They closed bypass (60)
which links “Gosh Atsion” settlement bloc with occupied
Jerusalem.  Immediately, Israeli
soldiers, who were deployed in the area, assaulted the demonstrators with clubs
and fired tear gas canisters at them.  As
a result, several demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 14:00 on Monday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
gathered in Ben Rushd Square in the center of Hebron, and organized a peaceful
demonstration demanding release of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
inside Israeli jails.  Dozens of
youngsters headed towards Bab al-Zawya area, located near “H2” area,
which falls under Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.  An infantry unit of the Israeli forces
cordoned the area and young men threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers
who responded by firing rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and
sound bombs.  As a result, more than 20
civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation. 
Later, a group of Israeli soldiers raided a shop and arrested Ashraf
Abu-Ermile al-Tamimi (22).

 

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 19 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered in the surroundings of Hisham Hijawi College in
the northeast of Nablus, and organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity
with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The demonstrators roamed the streets of the
city and headed towards Howara checkpoint, south of the city.  The Israeli forces closed the checkpoint to
stop other Palestinian activists and journalists from joining the
demonstration.  The demonstrators threw
stones at the Israeli forces stationed at the checkpoint.  The Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters
and sound bombs at the demonstrators.  As
a result, dozens of demonstrators suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.  Moreover, the Israeli forces arrested Adham
Mustafa Ali Bni ‘Ouda (20), from Tanmoun village, south of Tubas, a student at
Hijawi College.

 

3. Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

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

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years.  The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the
Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous
impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 

 

The IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making Karm Abu Salem crossing the
sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for
commercial purposes, in terms of its distance and operational capacity. 

 

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

The
total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has
created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all economic and
commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is
the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its operational capacity to
absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The
decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the
Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010. 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments.  The situation has been
aggravated since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s sole
commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects
the quantity of Gaza products which are allowed to be exported.   

 

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

 

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

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders,
international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter
the Gaza Strip. 

 

Movement at
Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

13– 19
February 2013

 

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

12– 18
February 2013

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 12 February 2013, the Israeli forces
allowed the exportation of 0.5 tons of cherry tomatoes, 5.2 tons of bell peppers
and 0.6 tons of peppers. They also allowed the exportation of 5 truckloads of
plastics.

On Wednesday, 13 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 5 truckloads of plastics.

On Thursday, 14 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 5 truckloads of plastics and 60,000 carnation flowers.

On Sunday, 17 February 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 6 truckloads of plastics, 58,000 carnation flowers and 600 kilograms of mints.

On Monday, 18 February 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
1 truckload of plastics, 4.5 tons of cherry tomatoes, 100 kilograms of mint and
260 kilograms of tarragon.

 

 Other Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 12 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 680 tons of cement, 66 tons of construction steel, and 3,500 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 840 tons of construction aggregate for the
private sector; and 480 tons of cement for the Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 633 tons of
fodders and 195 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 13 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
entry of 382 tons of cement, 69 of construction steel, and 4,060 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; 1,050 tons of construction aggregates for the private
sector; and 60 tons of cement and 980 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP.  They also allowed the entry of 897 tons of fodders
and 234 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 14 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 308 tons of cement, 72 tons of construction steel, and 4,410 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 980 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector.  They also allowed
the entry of 585 tons of fodders and 585 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 17 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 513 tons of cement, 60 tons of construction steel, and 4,620 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; 1,050 tons of construction aggregate for the private
sector; 1,050 tons of construction aggregate AND 80 tons of cement for the
German Development Bank (GDB); and 1,190 tons of construction aggregate for the
ICRC.  They also allowed the entry of 507
tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 18 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 284 tons of cement, 107 tons of construction steel and 4,970 tons of
construction aggregate for the UNRWA; 980 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector; 1,400 tons of construction aggregate and 80 tons of cement
for the ICRC; and 160 tons of cement for the GDB.  They also allowed the entry of 351 tons of
fodders and 429 tons of wheat. 

 

 

Imports
through Rafah International Crossing Point, South of the Gaza Strip:

12– 18
February 2013

Imports:

 

 

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

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

12
January – 19 February 2013

 

Note: PCHR’s fieldworker was not able to obtain the
data of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for technical reasons.   This
data will be published next week.

 

 

 

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

 

Ramallah:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
05:30 on Thursday, 14 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on Beit Luqia – Beit Sira villages road, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces
re-established their presence at Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Birzeit village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 09:40 on Friday, 15
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. 
At approximately 15:30, the Israeli forces established a similar
checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Our al-Fouqa village, south of
Ramallah.  The checkpoint was removed
later; no arrests were reported. At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 17 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanjal
village, north of Ramallah.  At
approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
northern entrance of Beit Luqia village, south of Ramallah.  At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces
re-established their presence at the same checkpoint. At approximately 20:00 on
Monday, 18 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Kherbatha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces
re-established their presence at the same checkpoint. All checkpoints were
later removed.  No arrests were reported.

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 14
February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bani
Na’im village, east of Hebron.  at
approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces established two other checkpoints, the
first at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron and the second
on Beir al-Mahjar road, northwest of the city. At approximately 15:00 on
Saturday, 16 February 2013, Israeli forces closed the entrance of al-Fawwar
Refugee Camp, south of Hebron, with a steel gate.  At approximately 07:00 on Saunday, 17
February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of Sa’ir
village, northeast of Hebron.  At
approximately 07:30 the Israeli force established a checkpoint by the entrance
of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. 
At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
the road of Tarrama village, southeast of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed later, no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
07:00 on Monday, 18 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the northern entrance of Yatta that links the city with bypass road (35),
south of Hebron.  At approximately 08:00,
the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Ethna
village, west of Hebron. On Monday, 18 February 2013, the Israeli forces fixed
2 gates of reinforced concrete on al-Rajabi checkpoint, southeast of the Old Town
in the center of Hebron.  It should be
noted that this checkpoint was expanded in the end of 2012.  On Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli
forces established a wall of reinforced concrete and a steel fence to separate
the Ibrahimi mosque and its eastern yards from the other neighborhoods in the
Old Town of Hebron.  The Israeli forces
opened 1-meter hole for passing people, but it is not always open.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 14 February 2013,
the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Azzoun village,
east of Qalqilia.  At approximately
16:00, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village,
northeast of Qalqilia.  At approximately
13:25 on Friday, 15 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the intersection of Ezbet al-Tabeeb, east of Qalqilia.  At approximately 14:55, they established a
checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city. 
At approximately 18:20, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia.  At approximately 09:30 on Saturday, 16
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Qalqilia – Nablus
road; between Azzoun and al-Nabi Elias villages.  At approximately 12:00, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of azzoun village, east of the
city.  At approximately 12:30, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Azzoun village, east
of Qalqilia.  At approximately 08:20 on
Sunday, 17 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
eastern entrance of Qalqilia, while at approximately 10:35, they established a
checkpoint near al-Nabi Elias village, east of the city.  At approximately 12:50, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilia.  At approximately 19:20, they
re-established the same checkpoint in the same place.  At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 18 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near al-Nabi Elias village,
east of Qalqilia, while at approximately 19:30, they established a checkpoint
at the entrance of Azzoun village, east of the city.

All
checkpoints were later removed; no arrests were reported.

 

Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
15:00 on Thursday, 14 February 2013, the Israeli forces, stationed at ‘Inab
military checkpoint, established at the main Nablus-Tulkarm road, tightened the
restrictions on the Palestinian civilians’ freedom of movement.  At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on the western road (known as “Natania”) which
leads to the Israeli industrial area, established on Palestinian civilians’
lands, west of Tulkarm.  It should be
mentioned that this checkpoint was established in area (A), which falls under
Palestinian jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.  At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 17 February
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road linking Tulkarm to
its northern villages, near the intersection of Ras Rumana, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 19 February
2013, the Israeli forces stationed at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm,
imposed more restrictions on the movement of Palestinians.   All
checkpoints were removed later.  No
arrests were reported.

 

Jenin:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
17:30 on Friday, 15 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the entrance of ‘Arrana village, north of Jenin.  At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 19 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafrit
village, southwest of Jenin.  At
approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on Kofur Qoud – Bruqin road, west of Jenin.  All checkpoints were removed later; no
arrests were reported.

 

Jericho:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 14 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Mu’arajat road linking
Jericho and Ramallah.  At approximately
08:30 on Friday, 15 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the entrance of al-Zbeidat village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:30, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Ouja village, northeast of the
city. At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 17 February 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek village, north of
Jericho.  At approximately 11:30, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village,
north of Jericho.  At approximately
19:30, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of
the city.  All checkpoints were removed
later; no arrests were reported.

 

Bethlehem:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
14:10 on Wednesday, 15 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
by the entrance of Beit Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem.  At approximately 17:50 on Tuesday, 19
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western
entrance of Beit Fajjar village, southeast of Bethlehem.  The checkpoint was removed later; no arrests
were reported.

 

Shooting at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 12:00 on Thursday, 14 February 2013, the Israeli
forces stationed near Kofur Laqef intersection, east of Qalqilia, opened fire
at a civilian vehicle the passed over a checkpoint on Qalqilia – Nablus road.
There were 2 persons in the vehicle: Yasser Mohammed Nemr Abu Hamed, 22; and
Ahmed Naji Hussein Abu ‘Amer, 22. As a result, Abu Hamed was wounded by a
bullet to the side of his body, arrested and transported to an Israeli hospital
to receive the necessary medical treatment. In addition, Abu ‘Amer was arrested
and transported to Kofur Qaddoum detention facility, then to Hawwara detention facility
and finally to Megiddo prison. The Israeli forces immediately closed Qalqilia –
Nablus road.  The road was open again at
approximately 14:00.   

 

Detention at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 14 February 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint on the road linking Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus,
by the intersection of ‘Arraba village, south of Jenin.  Before removing the checkpoint, the Israeli
forces arrested ‘Ouwais Mazen Sadeq Nawahda (22), from al-Yamoun village, northwest
of Jenin, while he was passing through the checkpoint.  He was transported to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 16:30 on the same day, the Israeli forces arrested
Samer Rashed Mesleh, 44, from Yasouf village, east of Salfit, near “Kfar
Tafouh” settlement. Mesleh was grazing his sheep near the village when he
was arrested. He was released on Monday, 18 February 2013 after paying NIS
1,500 as a fine.

 

At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, the Israeli forces established
a checkpoint on the road linking Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus, by the intersection
of ‘Arraba village, south of Jenin. 
Before removing the checkpoint, the Israeli forces arrested Farid Nabil
Farid  Mahajna (24), from Rumana village,
northwest of Jenin, a member of the Presidential Guards, while passing through
the checkpoint.  He was transported to an
unknown destination.

 

At noon on Saturday, 16 February 2013, Israeli forces, stationed at
al-Karama crossing point on the Palestinian-Jordanian borders, arrested
Mohammed Faieq Abdel-Ghani Saban’na (34), a cartoonist from Qabatia village,
southeast of Jenin, while on his way to Jordan. 
According to his brother, Saba’na was arrested while passing to the
Jordanian side of the crossing after having finished the travelling procedures
at al-Karama crossing.  The soldiers
arrested him and transported him to an unknown destination.  It should be mentioned that Saba’na works at
the Public Relations Department in the Arab American University in Jenin.

 

At approximately 08:40 on Sunday, 17 February 2013, the Israeli forces
arrested Muna Mohammed Ishac Rodwan (45) from ‘Azzoun, east of Qalqilya, while
visiting her sons, Ayman (25) and Mohammed (15) Rodwan, who are imprisoned in
Negev desert prison.  According to the
testimonies of civilians from the aforementioned village, Muna Rodwan was
accompanied by an 8 year-old boy and was arrested before she could see her
sons.  The child was released and sent
back home along with other families of prisoners without his mother.

 

At approximately 11:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces arrested
Monjed Majdi al-Fakhouri, 19, from the Old Town of Hebron. He was arrested
while he was passing near a yard in the Ibrahimi mosque.  He was transported to “Kiryat Arba”
settlement to be questioned.  At
approximately 15:00 on the same day, he was released.

 

At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, the Israeli Prison Service police
(IPS) in “Ofer” prison arrested Shireen Ibrahim Mohammed al-Za’aqeeq
(26) and her two daughters: Tarteel 93) and Janna (1) from Beit Ummar village,
north of Hebron, while visiting her husband, Ayman al-Za’aqeeq (31).  Ms. Al-Za’aqeeq and her daughters were
transported to “HaSharon” prison inside Israel.

 

On Monday, 18 February 2013, afternoon, Israeli forces, stationed
at al-Karama crossing point on the Palestinian-Jordanian borders, arrested
Mohammed Khaled Shaqkat Nazzal (24) and Mohammed Salah Ahmed Nazzal (24), from
Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin, while on their way back from the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through Jordan where they were practicing Umrah “small
pilgrimage.”  According to a
security source, they were transported to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 15 on Monday, the
Israeli Prison Service police (IPS) in
“Ofer” prisoner, established on the lands of Beitonia village,
southwest of Ramllah, arrested Siham ‘Ali ‘Eis al-Batat (52) while visiting her
son, Haitham al-Batat (27).  She was
transported to HaSharon prison in Israeli.

 

At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday,
20 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance
of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. 
They stopped the civilian vehicles and checked the ID cards.  They also imposed a fine of NIS 1,000 on Iyad
Ali Khalil Sabarna, 25, because he parked his car near bypass road (60).  Further, they arrested Mahmoud Ibrahim
Mahmoud Sabarna, 21, and transported him to the detention facility in
“Ghosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 19:20 on the same
day, the Israeli forces stationed at al-Container checkpoint on the eastern
entrance of Bethlehem arrested Ali Abdullah Hamamra, 25, from Housan village,
west of Bethlehem.  

 

4. Efforts to
Create a Jewish Majority in Jerusalem

 

Bulldozing of
Houses

At early
morning hours on Monday, 19 February 2013, a group of the Israeli “Border
Guards,” Israeli Police, employees of the Israeli Municipality in
Jerusalem and a bulldozer moved into Beit Hanina village, north of
Jerusalem.  The Israeli forces were
deployed in Jibran Khalil Jibran street, surrounded a house belonging to two
brothers, Hassan and Ra’ed Abu-Saffa; the bulldozer demolished the house
completely while its residents were outside. 
The house, a one-storey, 130 square meters house, occupied by two
families of 12 members,  has been built
for 12 years.  According to Hassan
Abu-Saffa, he received a phone call from one of the neighbors who told him that
the Israeli forces are surrounding his house and that the bulldozer is about to
demolish it.  He added that by the time
he reached the house, the bulldozer had already demolished it completely.  Abu-Saffa said that the demolition was very
sudden and the family did not receive any previous notices from the Israeli
Municipality, he also mentioned that the family has been trying for years to obtain
a construction permit.

 

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

 

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 16 February 2013, dozens of settlers coming
from “Karmi Tsur” settlement, established on Palestinian lands north
of Hebron, raided agricultural lands in the east of Halhoul town, north of
Hebron.  The settlers acted
provocatively, under the protection of the Israeli forces.  No assaults were reported.

 

On Saturday
Morning, a settler from “Efrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem, under
the protection of the Israeli forces, stopped a Palestinian farmer, Ibrahim
Mohammed Isma’il ‘Abeda (56), from Bethlehem, from working on his land (50
dunums), located north of Rahhal Valley, south of the town.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,
‘Abeda said that while he was working in his land, he was surprised when a
settler and a group of Israeli soldiers came in and ordered him to stop
working, under the pretext that the Israeli forces are about to open a road
going through his land.  They forced him
to leave at gunpoint.

 

At
approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 17 February 2013, an Israeli settler attempted
to run down Majd Mohammed Manasra (16) from Wad Foukin village, southwest of
Bethlehem, while he and a number of his friends were on their way to the nearby
Housan village.  According to the child’s
brother, Ahmed Mohammed Manasra, 20, stated to a PCHR field worker that an
Israeli settlers who was traveling in a Grey Citroen car with an Israeli plate
towards “Bitar Elite” settlement ran down his brother.  The child sustained bruises throughout the
body.

 

Also on Sunday,
a number of Israeli settlers from “Ramat Yishai” settlement outpost in Tal
al-Rumaida neighborhood in the south of Hebron built a wall around a water
spring as a prelude to seize it and establish a tourist resort in the
area. 

 

At
approximately 00:30 on Monday, 18 February 2013, when the Israeli forces moved
into Yassouf village, east of Salfit, a number of Israeli settlers moved into
the village.  They damaged tires of 3
cars belonging to Mofeed Yousef Musleh, Nash’at Ahmed’Abdul Fattah and Nasser
‘Ali Mansour.  They also wrote racist
slogans in Hebrew on walls of houses.  A
number of villagers stated that they saw 3 settlers entering the village at
night. 

 

At
approximately 05:30 on Monday, 18 February 2013, Israeli forces submitted
demolition notices to a number of Palestinian civilians in Fassayel al-Tahta
village, north of Jericho, under the pretext of not obtaining building
licenses.  According information PCHR
received from the Local Council, at approximately 05:30 on Monday, the Israeli
forces, accompanied by approximately 10 military vehicles and an officer of the
Israeli Civil Administration, raided Fassayel al-Tahta village, north of
Jericho.  They handed demolition notices
to a number of civilians for 3 occupied houses and 9 barns under the pretext of
not obtaining a permit to build in area (C), which falls under Israeli
jurisdiction under the Oslo Accords.  The
demolition notices were submitted to the following:

 

1. A
one-storey house of 30 square meters, belongs to Ahmed Moussa ‘Abiat and his
family.

2. A
one-storey house of 30 square meters, belongs to ‘Ali Salem ‘Abiat and his
family.

3. A one
storey house of 150 square meters, belongs to Ibrahim Mohammed Nawawra and his
family.

4. A
barn of 120 square meters, belongs to Dawoud Salama ‘Abiat and his family.

5. A
barn of 120 square meters, belongs to Ibrahim Salama ‘Abiat and his family.

6. A
bran of 100 square meters, belongs to Youssif Moussa Nawawra and his family.

7. Two
barns of 200 square meters, belong to Jasser Yasser Ka’abna and his family.

8. A
bran of 150 square meters, belongs to Mahmoud Mohammed Ka’abna and his family.

9. A
barn of 50 square meters, belongs to Mansour Nassar Sawarka and his family.

10. A
barn of 300 square meters, belongs to Suliman Musalam Sawarka and his family.

11. A
barn of 40 square meters, belongs to Hussain Mahmoud Nawawra and his family.

 

Also on Monday,
dozens of Israeli settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement and “Givat Kharsina”
settlement outpost, southeast of Hebron, established a new dirt road on the
expense of confiscated agricultural land in al-Bwiara and al-Baq’a areas,
belonging to the Jaber and Abu Karsh families, as a prelude to establish a new
settlement outpost.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces moved into
Um Zaytouna area to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They handed a notice to Hussein Ahmed Hamamda
ordering him to vacate his 120-dunum land and cut trees planted on it, claiming
that it is a public land.  They gave him
45 days to appeal against this decision. 

 

On Tuesday, 19
February 2013, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Etna’il” settlement, south of
Hebron, stormed Palestinian agricultural lands in Um al-‘Amad area to the west
of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They
set barbwires around these lands, which belongi to the Abu Samra and al-Heresh
families, in order to annex them to the settlement.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 20 February 2013, the Israeli forces,
accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Basilta, Ras al-Nakhel and al-Wa’ar
areas in the south of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, which are located
near “Yish Kodesh” settlement outpost. 
They dismantled 33 electricity wood towers and destroyed the electricity
network.  A number of Palestinian boys
gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces, which responded by firing tear
gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  A
number of boys suffered from tear gas inhalation.  At approximately 14:30, the Israeli forces
came back to the area and destroyed the electricity network that supplies a
house belonging to ‘Aqab Manosur Hassan with electricity.  Soon, dozens of Palestinian boys gathered and
threw stones at the Israeli forces, which responded by firing rubber-coated
metal bullets and sound bombs at them. 
As a result, ‘Edwan ‘Emad ‘Ouda (18) was wounded by a rubber-coated
metal bullet to the head, and Ma’ath Musbah Canaan (22) was hit by a tear gas
canister to the left thigh.  The Israeli
forces also arrested Ahmed Bassam Nazzal (16).

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
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