March 21, 2019
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (14– 20 March 2019)
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (14– 20 March 2019)
  • Israeli warplanes launch dozens of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip for five hours.
  • Two million Palestinians are victims of collective punishment policy amid a tide of incitement at political and military echelons in Israel.
  • Four Palestinian civilians, including 2 women and a child, were wounded, in addition to damaging a wedding hall, an office belonging to the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs. Moreover, several houses sustained material damage.
  • Three Palestinian civilians were killed and 12 others were wounded in different incidents in the West Bank.
  • Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip.
  • 16 civilians, including 4 children, a paramedic and a journalist, were wounded during the 25th boats rally for breaking the Siege along the Gaza Strip coastline.
  • Israeli forces conducted 114 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 other incursions into Jerusalem.  
  • 56 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and 3 women, were arrested in the West Bank.
  • Five of them, including a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
  • Israeli forces conducted one limited incursion in the central of Gaza Strip, where seven Palestinian were arrested while sneaking into Israel.
  • Shooting incidents were reported against Palestinian farmers and shepherds in the border areas of the Gaza Strip and no injuries were reported.
  • Three civilians, including two children, were wounded in eastern Gaza City and al-Buriej refugee camp.
  • Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
  • An under-construction building belonging to al-Razi Private School were demolished in Sho’fat refugee camp.
  • Israeli authorities continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
  • Four houses were demolished in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
  • A child was hit with a live bullet by an Israeli settler and seven others, including a child and a women, sustained fractures and bruises.
  •  Shooting incidents were reported against the fishing boats in the Gaza Strip Sea.
  • Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 13th consecutive year.
  • Israeli forces established 92 permanent checkpoints and 149 temporary checkpoints in the West Bank.
  • 11 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were arrested at military checkpoint in the West Bank.
  • A Palestinian civilian was arrested in Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing.  

 Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (14-20 March 2019).

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces escalated their attacks on the Gaza Strip. In this week, the Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against Palestinian civilians participating in the Return and Breaking Siege March, which broke out in the Gaza Strip on 30 March 2019, where thousands have been killed and wounded. Moreover, Israeli forces continued to target the agricultural lands with artillery shells, tighten the closure for the 13th year, and chase fishermen in the sea. On Friday dawn, 15 March 2019, the Gaza Strip witnessed the most violent Israeli escalation in months, in which Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes on various targets in the Gaza Strip. Two million Palestinians are victims of collective punishment policy amid a tide of incitement at political and military echelons in Israel. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 23 civilians, including 7 children, 2 women, a paramedic, and a journalist. The injury of five of them, including a girl, were reported serious. Sixteen of them were wounded during the 25th boats rally for breaking the Siege along the Gaza Strip coastline, while 27 others were wounded due to airstrikes and shooting incidents at the border areas. In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 3 civilians and wounded 12 others in different shooting incidents. Moreover, a child was wounded with a liv bullet by an Israeli settler. 

  • In the Gaza Strip, on 15 March 2019, Israeli warplanes fired for five hours 52 missiles at 20 military sites located in various locations; some were in densely populated areas throughout the Gaza Strip.  Targets were against civilian facilities, including a wedding hall and an office belonging to the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, which were completely damaged. The Israeli airstrikes resulted in the injury of 4 civilians, including a girl and 2 women.  Moreover, two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip lived in a state terror and fear due to the continuous Israeli airstrikes.
  • On 19 March 2019, an Israeli drone fired one missile at a group of civilians, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah, and no injurie were reported.
  • In excessive use of lethal force against the peaceful protesters in eastern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 16 civilians, including 4 children, a paramedic and a journalist. All of them were wounded during the 25th  boats rally organized on 19 March 2019  for breaking the Siege along the Gaza Strip coastline.
  • As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 20 March 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile and chased them. As a result, fishermen were force to flee for fear of their lives and no casualties or damage to their boats were reported.
  • As part of targeting the border areas, on 14 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, fired live bullets and flare bombs, east of al-Zanna area, east of Khan Younis. They later declared that they arrested five Palestinian civilians while attempting to sneak through the border fence.
  • On 16 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at farmers in the eastern areas. As a result, the farmers were forced to flee fearing for their lives, and no casualties were reported.
  • On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at Palestinian shepherds.
  • On 17 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah, opened fire at agricultural lands and no injurie were reported.
  • On 19 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire at Khaled ‘Abd al-Ra’ouf Abu Ghanima (21), from al-Sheja’ia neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, Khaled was hit with a live bullet to the chest. According to PCHR’s investigations, Khaled was near the industrial zone (Karni) collecting gravel and stones using his cart to sell them. At approximately 08:30, he arrived at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where his injury was classified as serious.
  • On the same day, Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms along the border fence with Israel, opened fire at Palestinian civilians, who were 70 meters away, west of the aforementioned border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, two children were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs and their injuries were classified as moderate.
  • On 30 March 2019, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands, east of ‘Abasan and al-Qarrarah villages, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
  • In the West Bank, Israeli forces moved into Nablus to protect hundreds of settlers, who were going to perform their Talmudic prayers in “Joseph Tomb” in Balata al-Balad, east of Nablus. Fifteen minutes after the incursion, an Israeli infantry force covering behind buildings and stores at the entrance to the sub-road to ‘Amman Street opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car carrying two civilians identified as Raed Hashem Mohammad Hamdan (21) and Ziad ‘Emad Mohammad al-Noury (20), both from Nablus.Following that, the Israeli forces claimed that a speeding car opened fire at them on Amman Street, but no causalities were reported.Moreover, in an attempt to hide their crime, the Israeli forces confiscated the DVRs of the surveillance cameras in the nearby shops in the area.
  • On 20 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at al-Nashash military checkpoint, south of Bethlehem, opened fire at a vehicle belonging to ‘Alaa’ Moahmmed Ghyatha (38). As a result, ‘Alaa’ was hit with a live bullet to the abdomen and taken to al-Yamam Hospital and he is in critical condition. Moreover, while civilians were evacuating passengers from the vehicle to relive them, Ahmed Jamal Mahmoud Mahmoud Manassra (26), from Fokin Valley village, west of Bethlehem, was hit with live bullets to the chest, shoulder and hand, immediately causing his death. According to PCHR’s investigations the two crimes were committed in cold blood.
  • In the same context, the Israeli forces wounded 12 civilians in different shooting incidents in the West Bank.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 114 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 5 other incursions into Jerusalem and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 51 Palestinians, including 3 children and 2 women, from the West Bank, while 5 other civilians, including a woman, were arrested from Jerusalem and its suburbs.

In this week, Israeli forces imposed a collective punishment policy against over 80 thousand civilians, from Salfit. Following an attack against a site belonging to the Israeli forces at the intersection of Ariel” settlement, north of Salfit, the Israeli forces declared the area as closed military zone, closed all the villages’ entrances, and prevented the residents from entering and exiting the villages. As a result, the residents were deprived of their right to live, work and movement for several days. The Israeli forces also conducted incursions against residential houses, shops, in addition to mal-treating civilians. Salfit includes around 20 residential compounds.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces backed by five military vehicles, moved around 100 meters into the west of the border fence with Israeli, east of Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Dik). The military vehicles leveled lands adjacent to the border fence. The incursion continued until 14:30 as the Israeli forces redeployed along the border fence.

Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

  • As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices, Israeli Municipality vehicles demolished an under-construction building belonging to al-Razi Private School and then completely demolished it. The building was comprised of 2 floors built on an area of 1000 square meters.  The schoolmaster Saleh ‘Alqam said that the demolished building belongs to his wife, who bought a plot of land located few meters away from the school in order to expand it. The school was built years ago, where 1500 students are studying in it. He also said that the building was built last year on an area of 1000 square meters, in addition to other facilities, before issuing the demolition order in last November by the Israeli authorities. Before starting to build the mentioned building, the school administration headed to the Israeli Ministry of Interior and Jerusalem Municipality to get a license, where they told them that the area belongs to UNRWA and the municipality does not get construction licenses.  However, the Municipality issued an order to demolish the building.
  • In the same context, the Israeli Civil Administration staff handed a notice  to the Palestinian Equestrian Club in Qalandia village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, to stop construction works under the pretext of non-licensing. The journalist Mahmoud ‘Awadallah said that the notice orders the owners of the club, which is built 2 years ago, to stop construction works and gives them until the beginning of next April to license the club.

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

  • As part of house demolitions, on 18 March 2019, Israeli vehicles stationed in Kherbit Um Nir and the digger demolished a water well used to irrigate the crops. The water well belongs to Fareed Za’al al-Jabbour and it was demolished under the pretext of non-licensing.
  • On 20 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a digger moved into Kherbit al-Tubah, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, which is classified within al-Masafer area. The Israeli soldiers deployed between civilians’ houses and the digger started to demolish a 50-sqaure-meter house built of bricks. This house belongs to Huda ‘Ali ‘Abed al-Rahman ‘Awad, where she and her 3 children live. The Israeli forces also confiscated a water tank and solar cells from the house.
  • As part of Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property, PCHR’s fieldworkers documented 7 direct attacks were as follows:
  • On 15 March 2019, an Israeli settler opened fire at Ahmed ‘Odah Mazar’ah (7) while he was al-Baba Mount Community in al-‘Izariyia village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem.
  • On 17 March 2019, a group of Israeli settlers, under the Israeli forces’ protection, attacked the eastern outskirts of ‘Asirah al-Qabaliyia village, south of Nablus. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were hit with stones to their heads and then taken to Rafidiyia Hospital in Nablus. Moreover, the settlers damaged three windows of ‘Abed al-Rahman Mohamed Ahmed’s house, in addition to damaging the windows and rear lights of a car belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Salman Makhlouf and the rear lights of his brother Majdi’s car.
  • On the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered in the plain of Dir Sharaf village, at the intersection of “Shavei Shamron “settlement, west of Nablus. The settlers threw stones at a vehicle belonging to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) , broke its windows and attacked its staff.
  • On 18 March 2019, Israeli settlers, from “Homesh“ settlement, northwest of Nablus, attacked with stones Palestinian civilians’ vehicles passing on Jenin-Nablus Street. As a result, Rawan Ihssan ‘Atah Ghubariyia (24), was hit with stones to the back, abdomen, right shoulder, and left leg; along with her brother Nizar (30), who was hit with a stick to his back. Both of them are from Kafiret village, south of Jenin.
  • On 20 March 2019, a group of Israeli settlers punctured the tires of 17 vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians in Biter village, west of Bethlehem. They also wrote racist slogans on the vehicles. The village’s residents said that they were surprised with storming the village by the Israeli settlers and damaging 17 vehicles parked in front of their owners’ houses. They also said that the settlers wrote racist slogans on the vehicles and walls such as “ Price tag” “ Go away” “ You have no place on the lands of Israel”.
  • On the same day, a group of Israeli settlers, from “ Homish” settlement, northwest of Nablus, threw stones at a house belonging to Fadi Mahmoud Mas’oud Heijah, which is located on Jenin-Nablus Street. As a result, Fadi and his brother Rami’s cars were damaged.

Details

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

Thursday, 14 March 2019:

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura City, southwest of Hebron and stationed in Singer neighbourhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Amjad Sa’id ‘Amro (24) and then arrested him.  The Israeli forces later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’id ‘Ali Abu Snaina (33) and then arrested him.  The Israeli forces later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 01:50, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, fired live bullets and flare bombs, east of al-Zanna area, east of Khan Younis. They later declared that they arrested five Palestinian civilians while attempting to sneak through the border fence. The arrestees’ relatives said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the arrestees are civilians and some of them were formerly wounded and suffering hard life conditions, especially after their allocations as wounded civilians were cut. The arrestees were identified as:
  1. Mohammed Mahmoud Ahmed al-Qara (33) and he is married and father of three children.
    1. Mohammed Fadel ‘Assi al-Qahwaji (28) and he is married and father of three children.
    1. Ra’fat Rezeq Ra’fat Samour (27) and he is married and father of two children.
    1. Majed Majdi Rajab al-Qara (29) and he is married and father of three children.
    1. ‘Abd  AL-Qader  Sa’d ‘Abd al-Qader al-Qara (25) and he is single.

It should be noted that the arrestees are from Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Younis.

  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Da’if, northeast of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Rami Jamal Yassin (26), and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Kafr Thalth village, east of Qalqilia. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hazim Shqiar Hussain Marab’a (46) and then arrested him along with his brother Nezam (39), taking them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jericho. They raided and searched a house belonging to Qaher Majed Farraj (27), and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 04:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh and stationed in al-Balou’ neighborhood and in the industrial zone in the northern side of the city. They raided and searched houses and arrested six civilians, taking them to an unknown destination. The arrested civilians were identified as:
  • ‘Abd al-Rahman Hamdan (21)
    • Mo’tassem Ayman Zaloum (20)
    • Omar ladadwa (20)
    • Asseed Kasswany (19)
    • Wa’d Rabah Foqaha’ (21)
    • Saji ‘Abed (20).

It should be noted that the arrested civilians are students at Birzeit University.

  • At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun ‘Atma in Qalqilia. They raided and searched a house belonging to Anas Rateb ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Ahmed (31) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Bani N’aim, al-Sara, and Beit al-Roush in Hebron; Tulkarm; Massha and Kaffl Haress villages in Salfit.

Friday, 15 March 2019:

  • For five hours, two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip lived in a state terror and fear due to the continuous Israeli airstrikes that targeted various locations; some were in densely populated areas throughout the Gaza Strip. This happened amid a tide of incitement at political and military echelons in Israel. According to PCHR’s fieldworkers, Israeli warplanes launched 51 missiles at 19 targets throughout the Gaza Strip. Some of those targets were struck more than once. Targets varied between civilian facilities, including a wedding hall, an office for Former Prisoners, and agricultural land, in addition to sites belonging to the Palestinian armed groups. In one of the airstrikes, Mahmoud Hamdan Hammad Soe’ed (39) sustained moderate wounds and his pregnant wife Sabah ‘Omar Soe’ed (23) sustained serious wounds and her hand was amputated after shrapnel fell on their house in Rafah due to an airstrike targeting a site that is only hundreds of meters away from their house. Moreover, a woman and a gril were injured. During the Israeli airstrikes, Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at al-Mahroussa Wedding Hall in al-Shaikh ‘Ejlin neighborhood, south of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the wedding hall was totally destroyed. Moreover, the Israeli warplanes fired another three missiles at the Executive Office of the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, which is a one-floor building and roofed of tin plates. As a result, it was totally destroyed and the adjacent buildings sustained damage as their windows were broken. The office is located east of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, which is densely-populated.
  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Kaffr Thalth, east of Qalqilia. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hazim Shqair Hussain Marab’a (46) and then arrested Hazim’s mother, Rasmeya Marab’a (72), taking her to an unknown destination.
  • At morning hours, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Amal neighborhood, northeast of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested two civilians while attempting to sneak via the border fence. The arrested civilians were identified as Akram Mohammed ‘Eid Abu Qayda (20) and ‘Amer Farid Slaiman Abu Jarad (27), both from ‘Ezbet Beit Hanoun. It should be noted that in the afternoon, the Israeli forces declared that they arrested two civilians, who sneaked via the border fence and referred them to investigation.
  • At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Jalzone Refugee Camp, north of Ramallah. Dozens of Palestinian young men and boys gathered and threw stones at the vehicles of Israeli forces, who immediately fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, five civilians were wounded and taken via PRCS ambulances to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive treatment. The wounded civilians were as follows:
  1. The first wounded civilian (19) was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.
    1. The second (23) was hit with a live bullet to the right foot.
    1. The third (27) was hit with a rubber bullet to the left thigh.
    1. The forth (19) was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.
    1. The fifth (22) was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.

Moreover, Before the Israeli forces withdrew, they confiscated the DVR of the surveillance cameras in the camps’ shops. 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura and Halhoul and Kharass village in Hebron; al-Laban al-Sharqeya village, south of Nablus; Flamia village, north of Qalqilia.

Saturday, 16 February 2019:

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (14) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Balata Refugee Camp, east of Nablus; ‘Amouria and al-Laban al-Sharqeya villages, south of Nablus; Hebron and Dura; al-Assamou’ and Beit Marssam in Hebron; Salfit; Yassouf village, east of Salfit; Kubar, al-Nabi Saleh, Beit Rima, Qrawa Bani Zaid, and Deir Ghassana villages, northwest of Ramallah.           

Sunday, 17 March 2019

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali Ghnaim (17) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in Hendaza area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Waleed Nasser Mssalam (20) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. 
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Doha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Moahmmed ‘Adnan Malsh (23) and Mos’ab Sobhi al-‘Azza (25) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, for the second time, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Islam Ahmed Salah (30) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Shoka village, east of Rafah, opened fire at agricultural lands and no casualties were reported.
  • At approximately 09:30, following an attack against a site belonging to the Israeli forces at the intersection of Ariel” settlement, north of Salfit, the Israeli forces declared the area as closed military zone. Large Israeli forces closed the Bypass Road (‘Aber al-Samera Street) adjacent to “Ariel” settlement, and the entrances to Bedia, Marda, Kafl Haress, Haress, Sarta, Broqin, Massha, al-Zawya, Deir Istaya, Kaffr al-Dik, Iskaka, Yassouf villages, and Salfit. They combed the area, especially Broqin village, where they found the vehicle which the attacker used in his withdrawal. 
  • At afternoon hours, Israeli forces backed by a large number of vehicles moved into Broqin village and closed all its entrances. They raided and searched houses and shops and investigated civilians asking them if they saw the attacker. Moreover, they arrested Zakaria Mahmoud Ibrahim ‘Abd al-Majid Samara (47) and ‘Abd al-Hafith Shafiq ‘Abd al-Hafith ‘Abdullah (39). Meanwhile, dozens of civilians gathered and threw stones Israeli soldiers, who immediately fired rubber bullets at the stone-throwers, causing the injury of two civilians; a 19-year-old civilian who was hit with a rubber bullet to the leg and a 24-year-old who was hit with a rubber bullet to the right hand.
  • After the Israeli forces claimed that their intelligence services have suspects that Omar Ameen Youssof Abu Laila (19), from al-Zawya village, west of Salfit, was the attacker, they raided and searched his house. Before their withdrawal, they arrested Omar’s parents; Amin Youssof Mahmoud Abu Laila (46) and Ghadeer ‘Abd al-Jaber Messleh Abu Laila (38), and Omar’s brother, Nour al-Din (17).  Moreover, they took the house measurements preluding to demolish it.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bedia village. They raided Abu Laila Shop for clothes belonging to Omar’s family. They blew up the shop’s doors and damaged its contents.
  • Israeli forces moved into Kaffr al-Dik village and combed it. They raided the Municipality building and confiscated the DVR of the surveillance cameras there.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (15) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Massaken al-Sha’beya neighborhood, northeast of Nablus; Ertah suburb, west of Tulkarm; Tarqoumia, al-Shaoukh, and Beit ‘Omra villages and al-‘Aroub Refugee Camp in Hebron; Marda, Kaffl Haress, Haress, Sarta, Massha, Deit Istaya, Kaffr al-Dik, Iskaka, and Yassouf villages in Salfit.

Monday, 18 March 2019

  • At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Bassam Moahmmed Doffash (38), in Abu Ktaila neighborhood, and ‘Amar ‘Ali al-Rejbi (39), in Nemra neighborhood, and then withdrew.  However, no arrests were reported.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, and stationed in al-‘Ain area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sa’id Mohammed al-‘Alama (22) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Azza Refugee Camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’ath ‘Abd al-Jabar ‘Abd al-Latif Abu Tarboush (33) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Kharouba neighborhood, north of Jenin. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Moussa al-Mogheer (18) and Omar ‘Aqel Omar (18) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed ‘Abd al-Halim Sabarna (18) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Bahaa’ Mohammed ‘Issa (24) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At morning hours, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire at Khaled ‘Abd al-Ra’ouf Abu Ghanima (21), from al-Sheja’ia neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, Khaled was hit with a live bullet to the chest. According to PCHR’s investigations, Khaled was near the industrial zone (Karni) collecting gravel and stones using his cart to sell them. At approximately 08:30, he arrived at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where his injury was classified as serious.
  • At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Deir al-Balah, opened fire at shepherds in the eastern areas. As a result, the shepherds were forced to flee fearing for their lives, and no casualties were reported. 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (14) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Salem village, northeast of Nablus; Qabatia village, southeast of Jenin; Bedia, Marda, Kaffl Haress, Haress, Massha, Broqine, al-Zawya, Deir Istaya, Kaffr al-Dik, Iskaka, and Yassouf villages in Salfit.

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, southeast of Bethlehem, and stationed in Khalil al-Wazir Square neighborhood. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Abullah Yusuf Abu Mefreh (20) and Mohammad Najy Hmeid (19) and then arrested him, taking them to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Mahmoud al-Rajaby (39) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Omar ‘Abdul Raheem Abu Shosha (30) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qaryout village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’tassem Rabah ‘Abbas Kassab (19) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed on al-Saf Street in central Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fares Ibrahim al-Yamany (33) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces stationed at a checkpoint established on Wadi al-Nasara Road in the southern area of Hebron, pursued the school’s students while they were back from Zyad Jaber Primary School. They then arrested Zein al-Deen Ashraf ‘Abed Edrees (10) while he was at the headmaster’s office. Meanwhile, teachers at the school, who were assaulted by the Israeli soldiers, managed to prevent the soldiers from arresting Zein’s brother Nadeen (7). The arrested child was taken to a metal detector gate, which is 50 meters away from the school. The child was later released after interventions of the village’s residents and his mother.
  • At approximately 16:20, Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms along the border fence with Israel, opened fire at Palestinian civilians, who were 70 meters away, west of the aforementioned border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, two children were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs and their injuries were classified as moderate.
  • At approximately 18:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinian civilians, east of al-Shwakah, east of Rafah, south of the  Gaza Strip, and no injuries were reported.
  • At approximately 19:00, an Israeli force from the Yamam Unit, which is part of the Israeli “Mista’arvim” units that are dressed like Palestinian civilians, infiltrated ‘Abwein village, north of Ramallah. The Israeli force used civilian cars, infiltrated the village through a dirt road, and then stationed in the Old City. The Israeli force surrounded houses amid heavy shooting. An Israeli officer shouted over loudspeakers, calling everyone inside to get out. They then blew up a house after an armed clash erupted between the Israeli force and unknown persons. Meanwhile, Israeli forces backed by around 20 military vehicles moved into the village from all its entrances. Following that, many Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces, who immediately fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, three civilians were wounded.  The first civilian was hit with a live bullet to the foot, and the second one (20) was hit with shrapnel to the neck, while the third one (22) was hit with rubber bullet to the mouth. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers pursued and physically assaulted Ahmad Ja’far and then arrested him. Furthermore, they fired tear gas canisters at journalists, including Jehad al-Jayusi, a photojournalist at Palestinian Satellite Channel. Eyewitnesses said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the village’s residents headed to the house, which was blown up, and saw clothes and brain parts. Meanwhile, the Israeli Shin Bet published on their website that Omar Abu Laila (19), from al al-Zawya village, west of Salfit, was killed. It should be noted that Omar was accused of carrying out a murder at “Ariel’s” settlement square. Before they withdrew, they arrested four civilians, including a father and his two sons. The arrestees were identified as Sultan Dabour (50), and his sons Ahmad (26) and Mohammad (23); ‘Odai ‘Azzam Hamad (18).
  • At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus to protect hundreds of settlers, who were going to perform their Talmudic prayers in “Joseph Tomb” in Balata al-Balad, east of Nablus. Fifteen minutes after the incursion, an Israeli infantry force covering behind buildings and stores at the entrance to the sub-road to ‘Amman Street opened fire at a Palestinian civilian car carrying two civilians identified as Raed Hashem Mohammad Hamdan (21) and Ziad ‘Emad Mohammad al-Noury (20), both from Nablus. Following that, an Israeli military bulldozer arrived and crushed the car, turning it over several times. They then confiscated the car, and the corpses were taken to Howrah refugee camp, south of the city. Meanwhile, a Palestinian ambulance tried to reach the causalities several times, but the Israeli soldiers prevented it and even opened fired at, directly hitting its front. At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 20 March 2019, after withdrawing from the city, the Israeli forces handed the 2 corpses to an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Crescent Society at Howrah Checkpoint. They were both taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, where it was found that Ra’ed was wounded with several bullets to the chest and shoulder and sustained laceration in his hand while Zaid was wounded with several bullets to the back and head and sustained laceration to the back of his head. Following that, the Israeli forces claimed that a speeding car opened fire at them on Amman Street, but no causalities were reported. However, the eyewitnesses’ accounts to PCHR’s fieldworker categorically denied that the Israeli forces were subject to fire. Moreover, in an attempt to hide their crime, the Israeli forces confiscated the DVRs of the surveillance cameras in the nearby shops in the area.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (19) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Deir Abu Mash’al and Qarawat Bani Zeid, northwest of Ramallah; ‘Arraba village, southwest of Hebron; Biddya, Marda, Kifl Haris, Haris, Sarta, Mas’ha, Bruqin, Kufor al-Deek, Iskaka, Yasuf villages in Salfit; Dura, Sa’ir, Beit ‘Ummar, and Haska villages in Hebron.

Wednesday, 20 March 2019

  • At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Omar Ghassan Mustafa al-Mouqady (19) and Mou’aweeya Sufian Yusuf Abu Laila (22) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Tamoun, southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdul Rahman Bani ‘Oda (24) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Surif village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Eyad Mahmoud Ghneimat (33) and Khaled ‘Ali Ghneimat (36) and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 08:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within one nautical mile and chased them. As a result, fishermen were force to flee for fear of their lives and no casualties or damage to their boats were reported.
  • At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces backed by five military vehicles, moved around 100 meters into the west of the border fence with Israeli, east of Gaza Valley village (Johr al-Dik). The military vehicles leveled lands adjacent to the border fence. The incursion continued until 14:30 as the Israeli forces redeployed along the border fence.
  • At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces stationed at al-Nashash military checkpoint, south of Bethlehem, opened fire at a vehicle belonging to ‘Alaa’ Moahmmed Ghyatha (38). As a result, ‘Alaa’ was hit with a live bullet to the abdomen and taken to al-Yamam Hospital and he is in critical condition. Moreover, while civilians were evacuating passengers from the vehicle to relive them, Ahmed Jamal Mahmoud Mahmoud Manassra (26), from Fokin Valley village, west of Bethlehem, was hit with live bullets to the chest, shoulder and hand, immediately causing his death. According to PCHR’s investigations into the second crime and eyewitnesses’ accounts, ‘Alaa’ Mohammed Ghayathah was driving his car with his wife and two daughters, returning from a visit to his in-laws in Artass village, south of Bethlehem, to Nhaleen village, west of the city, taking al-Nashash Station Road. When he stopped for the traffic light, a car scraped the back of his car, so he got off to check what happened. A female Israeli soldier in a watchtower near the checkpoint immediately opened fire at him, wounding him with several bullets to the abdomen. Ahmed Jamal Manassra, from Foqin Valley in western Behtlehem, whose car was behind ‘Alaa’’s car, saw the incident and immediately along with young men near the checkpoint took ‘Alaa’ to al-Yamama Hospital in al-Khader village near the place. A video captured by the surveillance cameras of al-Yamamah Hospital showed Ahmed taking ‘Alaa’ to the hospital and then cleaning the backseats of his car from ‘Alaa’’s blood to go back again to al-Nashnash checkpoint. When Ahmed reached ‘Alaa’’s car to check out Alaa’s family and evacuate them from the car, the Israeli soldiers opened fire at him. As a result, Ahmed was hit with eight live bullets; six of them hit his chest, shoulder and hand, causing his death before he was taken to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital. Eyewitnesses confirmed that Ahmed seemed worried after he arrived at al-Yamama Hospital and hospitalized ‘Alaa’ as he was making phone calls. Ahmed also asked a young man beside him about the time that an ambulance would take to arrive at the checkpoint. The young man answered that it would take ten minutes. Ahmed said, “I promised the wounded man that I will bring him his wife and daughters.” It should be noted that Ahmed was from Fokin Valley village, west of Bethlehem, and held a BA from the Palestine Ahliya University.
  • At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands, east of ‘Abassan al-Jadida and al-Qarara villages, west of the border fence, in addition to firing flare bombs in the sky and no casualties or damage were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Tulkarm; al-Shwaika suburb, Nour Shams and Tulkarm Refugee Camps in Tulkarm; Bani N’aim and Karma villages and al-Fawar Refugee Camp in Hebron.

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

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

Gaza Strip:

  • At approximately 14:45 on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea and Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel opened fire and fired sound bombs at dozens of Palestinian civilians, who were in the Return Camp along the coastal border, adjacent to “Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Moreover, they opened fire and fired sound bombs at the boats of the 25th day for the rally of Palestinian boats to sail for Breaking the Siege and another group were swimming in the sea. As a result, 16 civilians, including four children, a paramedic and a journalist, were wounded. Three of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, and 13 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The injury of three of them, including a girl, was reported serious, while the rest of them ranged between minor and moderate. The wounded paramedic, Mustafa Khaled Mustafa al-Masri (20), from Khan Younis, who works as a volunteer paramedic for Rowad al-Salam team, was hit with a tear gas canister to the head. Meanwhile, the wounded journalist, Tha’er Khaled Fehmi Abu Ryash (24), from Beit Lahia, who works as photographer for al-Shamal Online Network, was hit with a tear gas canister to the neck.
  • Continued closure of the oPt

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

Gaza Strip

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

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

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

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

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

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods

Note:Due to technical reasons, we could not obtain the official statistics from the department responsible for issuing the statistics

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

(12-18March 2019)

Category12 March13 March14 March15 March16 March17 March18 March
Patients5982354183
Companions57693213471
Personal needs1923283212
Families of prisoners35
Arabs from Israel5311294
Diplomats27
Meetings in Erez315
International workers192854616
Travelers Abroad23132
Business people+ BMC2953062642307352
Economic and agriculture interviews
Security interviews3623
Death cases
Companions’ Deaths
Return to the West Bank1
Christians’ Holidays
Conferences and Training courses1
Permits’ renewal
VIPs1
Ambulances Patient55411
Ambulances companion36312

Civilian Arrested at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing

At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed in Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing, north of the Gaza Stripm arrested Anad Ayman Salem Dohal (22), from Gaza City. Dohal applied for permit via the Palestinian Liaison and the Israeli Intelligence Service summoned him for an interview. At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, he headed to the crossing and in the evening his family was informed that he was arrested. Dohal holds Nablus ID card and as his parents are separated he wants to live with his mother in Nablus.

Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank from 14  to 20 March 2019:

GovernoratePermanent temporaryTemporary checkpointsClosed RoadsArrested persons
Jerusalem1391
Nablus102321
Jenin561
Ramallah113243
Tulkarm731
Tubas221
Salfit32222
Qalqiliyia592
Hebron203293
Bethlehem1172
Jericho54
Al-Karama Crossing
Total9214923211

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

  • At approximately 23:50 on Thursday, 14 March 2019, Israeli forces arrested Tareq Nazem al-Barghouthi (29), from Kafreen village, while he was passing through a checkpoint established at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.
  • At approximately 16:20 on Friday, 15 March 2019, Israeli forces arrested Shadi Ahmed Mohamed Karkar and Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed ‘Atayiah, from Kafur Ni’mah village, west of Ramallah, while they were passing through a checkpoint established at the entrance to the village.
  • At approximately 18:00, on Friday, 15 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Samed ‘Abdul Jabbar Tameem (22), from Bizzariya village, northwest of Nablus.
  • At approximately 01:00, on Saturday, 16 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at checkpoint 160, established at the southern entrance to Hebron’s Old City, arrested Ajmad Bahjat al-Ja’bary (16) and released him three hours later. It should be mentioned that the Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint search Palestinian civilians and fire sound bombs and tear gas canisters at students, who go to schools near the checkpoint.
  • At approximately 10:00, on Sunday, 17 March 2019, Israeli soldiers deployed in the vicinity of al-Ibramimi Mosque, in Hebron’s Old City, arrested Walaa Akram Taleb Gaith (17) and then took her by a military police vehicle to a an investigation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers alleged that Walaa had a knife and was intending to carry out a stabbing attack.
  • On Monday, 18 March 2019, Israel forces stationed at a military checkpoint established at the entrance to Kaful Hares villafe, north of Salfit, arrested the two siblings Ahmed (12) and Khadir Mahmoud Ahmed Shoqair (23), while getting out of the village via their car.
  • At approximately 21:00, on Monday, 18 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at al-Za’eem checkpoint, east of occupied east Jerusalem, arrested Thaer Anees Ghabesh (34), while passing through the checkpoint.
  • On Tuesday, 19 March 2019, Israeli forces stationed at a military checkpoint established near the Arab American University, south of Nablus, arrested Mohamed ‘Adel Mostafa Mu’alla (19), from Qabatiyia village.
  • On the same day, Israeli forces arrested Israa Hammad Abu Isninah (22), while attempting to pass through Abu al-Rish checkpoint in Hebron.
  • Efforts to Create A Jewish majority

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

  • Arrests and Incursions:
  • At approximately 04:00, on Friday, 15 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiya village, northeast of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to activist Mohammad ‘Abdullah Abu al-Humus (48) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. It is should be mentioned that Abu al-Humus called for participating in a marathon organized in central occupied East Jerusalem, against an Israeli marathon. The marathon was planned to pass by Jerusalem’s occupied neighborhoods.
  • At approximately 02:00, on Sunday, 17 March 2019, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, east of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Areen Haitham al-Za’neen (23) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, southeast of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fares Ayman Salem ‘E’wessat (25) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.
  • At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Hanina village, north of occupied east Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shady Motour and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination. Shady’s family said that Israeli Police and Intelligence Service raided the house, arrested their son Shady and then took him for investigation. They also said that the reason of his arrest is still unknown, but it should be noted that the Israeli forces continuously target Shady as he was arrested before for activism. The Israeli forces arrested Shady on January at al-Karama border crossing with Jordan and investigated him. They released him under the condition that he does not travel for a month.
  • At approximately 08:00, on Sunday, 17 March 2019, Israeli police arrested Hamza Ibrahim al-Nabaly (30), a guard of al-Aqsa Mosque, after getting out of one of the Mosque’s gates in occupied east Jerusalem’s Old City. Islamic Endowment “Awqaf” of Jerusalem reported that the Israeli police stopped guardian Hamza al-Nabaly at al-Majles Gate, one of al-Aqsa Mosque gates, before they arrested him. They also added that the Israeli police took al-Nabaly to a detention center in the Old City for interrogation. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces previously carried out an attack against al-Aqsa Mosque guards and Islamic Endowment employees for opening al-Rahma Gate and for the worshipers, who were based there, despite of the Israeli tight restrictions. 
  • At approximately 07:00, on 18 March 2019, Israeli forces arrested Heba Sarhan (34), a guard of al-Aqsa Mosque, from Salwan village, south of occupied Jerusalem’s Old City, while she was getting out if al-Asbat Gate (Lion’s Gate).

Notices and House Demolitions:

  • At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, Israeli forces accompanied with the Israeli Municipality staff and 3 military vehicles moved into Sho’fat refugee camp, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, through its main entrance.  The Israeli forces deployed on the main street and surrounded an under-construction building belonging to al-Razi Private School and then completely demolished it. The building was comprised of 2 floors built on an area of 1000 square meters.  The schoolmaster Saleh ‘Alqam said that the demolished building belongs to his wife, who bought a plot of land located few meters away from the school in order to expand it. The school was built years ago, where 1500 students are studying in it. He also said that the building was built last year on an area of 1000 square meters, in addition to other facilities, before issuing the demolition order in last November by the Israeli authorities. ‘Alqam added that before starting to build the mentioned building, the school administration headed to the Israeli Ministry of Interior and Jerusalem Municipality to get a license, where they told them that the area belongs to UNRWA and the municipality does not get construction licenses.  However, the Municipality issued an order to demolish the building. ‘Alqam pointed out that the demolition led to end the school day due to raiding the school and topping its roof. He said that the new building was supposed to be a primary school and kindergarten. About 400 students were enrolled in al-Razi school for the next academic year.
  • On Tuesday, the Israeli Civil Administration staff handed a notice  to the Palestinian Equestrian Club in Qalandia village, north of occupied East Jerusalem, to stop construction works under the pretext of non-licensing. The journalist Mahmoud ‘Awadallah said that the notice orders the owners of the club, which is built 2 years ago, to stop construction works and gives them until the beginning of next April to license the club. ‘Awadallah said that the club is located in area classified as Area C, where the Israeli authorities refuse to give licenses in it. He also pointed out that the notice was part of the Israeli attack on the village through confiscating lands, preventing construction works and demolishing houses whether in lands classified within the municipality boundaries or the area classified as “C “. Awadallah said that the village faces a real urban crisis as the Israeli authorities only allow civilians to build in the center of the village on an area of 150 dunums.

Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property

  • At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 15 March 2019, an Israeli settler opened fire at Ahmed ‘Odah Mazar’ah (7) while he was al-Baba Mount Community in al-‘Izariyia village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem. Dawoud al-Jahaleen, the Secretary of Fatah Movement in ‘Arab al-Jahalin Community, said that the child was hit with a live bullet to the hand by an Israeli settler when he was playing along with other children in the area. Dawoud denied that the child was wounded with suspicious object. He added that the child was taken to an emergency center in Abu Dies village and then to al-Maqased Hospital in al-Tour neighborhood in Jerusalem. It should be noted that “Maaleh Adumim“ is located few meters away from al-Baba Mount Community.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks:

  • At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 18 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a digger moved into Kherbit Um Nir, south of Yatta. The Israeli vehicles stationed in Kherbit Um Nir and the digger demolished a water well used to irrigate the crops. The water well belongs to Fareed Za’al al-Jabbour and it was demolished under the pretext of non-licensing.
  • At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 20 March 2019, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a digger moved into Kherbit al-Tubah, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, which is classified within al-Masafer area. The Israeli soldiers deployed between civilians’ houses and the digger started to demolish a 50-sqaure-meter house built of bricks. This house belongs to Huda ‘Ali ‘Abed al-Rahman ‘Awad, where she and her 3 children live. The Israeli forces also confiscated a water tank and solar cells from the house.
  • Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a bulldozer moved into Kherbit al-Halawa, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers deployed between civilians’ tents. The  bulldozer demolished three tents were as follows:
  1. a residential tent built with stone chains, sheds and steel angles and belongs  to ‘Ali Mohamed ‘Ali Abu ‘Arram; 
    1. a 20-sqaure-meter residential tent built with sheds and wood and belongs to Hussain ‘Ali Abu ‘Arram; and
    1. a tent built with sheds and used as a mosque. 
  • At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration and a digger moved into Kherbit Moghayir al-‘Abeed, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The digger demolished a 60-sqaure-meter residential tent and a 40-squre-meter barrack built of tin plates and used for breeding livestock. The tent and barrack belong to Nuzha Shehadah Makhamrah.

Israeli settlers’ attacks:

  • At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 17 March 2019, following the attack carried out near “Ariel” settlement, south of Salfit, a group of Israeli settlers, from “Yatizhar” settlement moved into the eastern outskirts of ‘Asirat al-Qabaliyia village, south Of Nablus, under the Israeli forces’ protection. The settlers stationed in the vicinity of Bir ‘Asirah area, under Solman Mount, and then threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ houses. As a result, two civilians, including a child, were hit with stones to their heads and then taken to Rafidiyia Hospital in Nablus. Moreover, the settlers damaged three windows of ‘Abed al-Rahman Mohamed Ahmed’s house, in addition to damaging the windows and rear lights of a car belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Salman Makhlouf and the rear lights of his brother Majdi’s car. The wounded civilians were identified as Nimer Fathi Nekem ‘Asayirah (28), who was hit with a stone to the head; and Jameel Naser Rashid ‘Asayirah (17), who was hit with a stone to the head as well.
  • At approximately 19:00, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered in the plain of Dir Sharaf village, at the intersection of “Shavei Shamron “settlement, west of Nablus. The settlers threw stones at a vehicle belonging to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) , broke its windows and attacked its staff, who left the area and went back to the company in Nablus. The company vehicle was carrying many persons identified as:
  1. Raied ‘Abed al-Wahad Thulth (46), from Beit Ebah village, west of the city, who sustained wounds to the head;
    1. Nash’at ‘Adel Suliman Dowikat (62), from Balatet al-Balad village, east of the city, who sustained wounds to the head; and
    1. Samer Hamdi Abu al-Hayyat (56), from Nablus, who was sitting on the rear seat and sustained wounds throughout his body.

All the wounded persons were then taken to the Arab Specialist Hospital in Nablus.

  • On Sunday, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered on Wadi al-Dolb Road, near Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah. The settlers threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ vehicles while passing on the street, causing fear among the vehicles’ passengers.
  • At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 18 March 2019, Israeli settlers, from “Homesh“ settlement, northwest of Nablus, attacked with stones Palestinian civilians’ vehicles passing on Jenin-Nablus Street. As a result, Rawan Ihssan ‘Atah Ghubariyia (24), was hit with stones to the back, abdomen, right shoulder, and left leg; along with her brother Nizar (30), who was hit with a stick to his back. Both of them are from Kafiret village, south of Jenin. This incident occurred when Nizar parked on the road side, near the entrance to the mentioned settlement to urinate. When he stopped his car,  stepped out of it and hide behind a rock, he was surprised with 2 settlers attacking his car. His sister stepped out of the car and fled towards him. The settlers pursued them and attacked them with stones and sticks. Nizar and Rawan returned to the vehicle and then fled towards Nablus.
  • On Wednesday, 20 March 2019, a group of Israeli settlers punctured the tires of 17 vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians in Biter village, west of Bethlehem. They also wrote racist slogans on the vehicles. The village’s residents said that they were surprised with storming the village by the Israeli settlers and damaging 17 vehicles parked in front of their owners’ houses. They also said that the settlers wrote racist slogans on the vehicles and walls such as “ Price tag” “ Go away” “ You have no place on the lands of Israel”.
  • At approximately 22:00 on Wednesday, a group of Israeli settlers, from “ Homish” settlement, northwest of Nablus, threw stones at a house belonging to Fadi Mahmoud Mas’oud Heijah, which is located on Jenin-Nablus Street. As a result, Fadi and his brother Rami’s cars were damaged.  

Recommendations to the International Community

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

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

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Public Document

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