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

 

 

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian
civilians in border areas in the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded in the north of the
Gaza Strip.

 

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

A Palestinian civilian and 3 international human
rights defenders, including a woman, were wounded during peaceful protests in
the West Bank.

2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
wounded during 2 protests in front of Ofer detention facility, southwest of
Ramallah.

A Palestinian woman was wounded in Jerusalem and a
civilian was wounded in Jenin.

 

Israeli forces conducted 69 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank.

76 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, 3
women and 2 journalists, were arrested.

19 of these Palestinians, including 5 children and 3
women, were arrested in Jerusalem.

 

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

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

3 Palestinian civilians was arrested at military
checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire 4 times at Palestinian
fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.

 

Israeli forces continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic
majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

Israeli forces demolished an under-construction house
in al-‘Eisawiya village, and another house in Jabal al-Mukaber village.

A building comprised of 4 apartments in Shu’fat neighbourhood was
demolished.

 

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

2 houses, a storehouse, a barrack, a residential tent
and a toilet were demolished south of Hebron.

2 houses were closed in al-Shuhada Street in the center
of Hebron.

Settlers levelled an agricultural land, south of
Bethlehem, to establish a settlement road.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international
humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (15
– 21 January 2015).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 6
Palestinian civilians, including a child and woman, while wounded 3
international human rights defenders, including a woman. Eight of these
civilians were wounded in the West Bank and the ninth one was wounded in the
Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip also, Israeli navy forces continued to chase and
fire at Palestinian fishing boats.     

 

In the West Bank, on 15 January 2015, Palestinian
civilian was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, raided
a number of houses and arrested 4 members of Hamas.

 

On 20 January 2015, a 34-year-old woman sustained a
bullet wound to the face when Israeli forces moved into al-‘Eisawiya village,
north of East Jerusalem.

 

In the same context, Israeli forces continued to use
excessive forces against peaceful protests against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities. As a result, a Palestinian civilian
and 3 international human rights defenders were wounded. Moreover, another
Palestinian civilian and a Spanish human rights activist were arrested.

 

Additionally, 2 Palestinian civilians, including a
child, were wounded during a protest organized in front of Ofer detention
facility, southwest of Ramallah, against Israeli attacks on Palestinian
civilians and their property, especially in East Jerusalem.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 16 January 2015, Israeli forces
opened fire at a group of Palestinian youngsters, east of Jabalia in the north
of the Gaza Strip, 50 meters away from the border fence. As a result, a
20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right and left legs.

 

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in
the Gaza Strip sea, Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing
boats 4 times on 17, 18, 20 and 21 January 2015, but no casualties were
reported.    

  

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 69 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 76 Palestinians, including 10
children and 3 women.  Nineteen of these
Palestinians, including 5 children and the 3 women, were arrested in Jerusalem.
The detainees included and editor at Hona al-Quds network, from Beitounia
village, west of Ramallah, and a reporter of al-Aqsa satellite channel, from
Hebron.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

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

 

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily
tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and
economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 
The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of
trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the
agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years,
Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from
the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the
world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural
rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm
Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order
to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on
the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested
a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for
medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested
while the father was denied travel for medical treatment. 

 

Efforts to create Jewish majority

 

On 19 January 2015, Israeli forces
demolished an under-construction house in al-Eisawiya village, north of East
Jerusalem, without prior notice.

 

On 21 January 2015, Israeli forces
demolished a house in al-Sal’a neighbourhood, in Jabal al-Mukaber village,
southeast of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of not obtaining a construction
license.

 

On the same day, bulldozers belonging to the
Israeli municipality demolished a building comprised of 4 apartments in Shu’fat
neighbourhood, north of East Jerusalem, under the pretext of not obtaining a
construction license.

 

Settlement activities and attacks by
settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

 

On 19
January 2015, Israeli forces closed 2 houses in al-Shuhada Street, in the center
of Hebron, upon a military order. Israeli forces claimed that a Palestinian young
man used the 2 houses to throw Molotov cocktails at a military site, 50 meters
away from the 2 houses.

 

On the
same day, Israeli forces demolished a water well under the pretext of not
obtaining a license in area (C), south of Halhoul, north of Hebron. They also
seized metal poles and tin-made boards in Khellet al-Warda, east of Hebron.

 

On 20
January 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Refa’iya area, east of Yatta, south
of Hebron. They evacuated 2 houses to be demolished under the pretext of not
obtaining construction license. In addition, they demolished a storehouse,
barrack, a residential tent and a toilet.

 

On 15
January 2015, a group of settlers levelled an agricultural land in Khellet
al-Nahla, south of Bethlehem to establish a settlement road for a settlement
outpost.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(15 – 21 January 2015)

 

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

 

Thursday, 15 January 2015

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin refugee camp adjacent to Jenin. They raided and searched number of
houses, from which they arrested 4 civilians affiliated to Hamas: Qasem Raghedb
‘Abdel Rahman al-Sa’adi (56); Yehia Bassam Ragheb al-Sa’di (19); Ahmed Soliman
Kamel al-Sa’adi (27); and Ra’ed Ahmed Mohammed Tawalbah (34).  The Israeli forces redeployed in the
vicinity.  In the meanwhile, dozens of
Palestinian youngsters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response
fired at them.  As a result, a
25-year-old Palestinian civilian was hit by a bullet to the thigh when he was
present in the hospital yard.  Israeli
forces withdrew later from the camp and took the aforementioned detainees to an
unknown destination.  At the same time,
another Israeli force raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Alaa’ al-Deen
Rashid ‘Abdel Hafiz Abu ‘Abed (26) in Borqin Valley.  They arrested him and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They
stationed in Rous al-Jarone area and then raided and searched a number of
houses, from which they arrested Khaled Khalil Ahmed Akhlil (24) and Mohammed
Khalil Abu Dayyah (24).  The Israeli
soldiers also handed Ayman Mohammed ‘Abdel Hameed Akhlil (17) a summons to
refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south
of Bethlehem when they raided his family house.

 

At approximately 02:50, Israeli forces moved into
Deiristiya village, northwest of Salfit. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to Bassam Salman Salman.  Israeli forces withdrew later, and no further
incidents were reported.  It should be
mentioned that Salman is a member of the Palestinian Civil Police.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas without reporting any arrests: Beit Oula village, west of
Hebron; al-moureq village, southwest of Dura; al-Jaftlak village, north of
Hebron, and the villages of Haris and Kafl Haris, north of Salfit.

 

Friday, 16 January 2015

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Qarawet Bani Zayed village, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided and searched two houses, where
they handed Mohammed Bassam Sneif (23) a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence.  The Israeli soldiers arrested Khaled Waleed
‘Abdel Rahim Soliman (27) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into
Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They
stationed near Abu Jihad collage for vocational training and then raided and
searched a house belonging to Yousif Hasan Kefayah.  They arrested his twin sons, Mohammed and
Mo’aath (20), and took them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
Sanour village, south of Jenin.  They
raided and searched a house belonging Mohammed Yousif Abu ‘Ali (48).  They arrested his son, Mohammed (23), and
stole a piece of gold belonging to the house owner’s wife as well as 23,000
NIS.  Israeli forces withdrew later and
took the aforementioned civilian to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces opened fire at a
group of Palestinian youngsters who were present east of the Islamic Cemetery,
east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, and around 50 meters away from the
border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. 
As a result, Mohammed Fayez ‘Ali Baner (20) from al-Sheija’iyah neighbourhood
in Gaza City was hit by a bullet that entered the right leg and got out from
the left one.  He was taken by an
ambulance to Martyr Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia and then transferred to
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.  Medial
sources described his injuries as moderate.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas without reporting any arrests: al-Yamoun village, northwest
of Jenin and Eastern Barta’ah village, southwest of the city.

 

Saturday, 17
January 2015

 

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into Jayous
village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They
raided and searched a number of houses, where they handed 4 civilians summonses
to refer to the Israeli intelligence: Mahdi ‘Issam Nofal (24); ‘Abdel Latif
Shamasnah (23); Mahmoud Hussein Mesleh Beidah (23); and Qays ‘Abdel Qader
Mahmoud Salim (23).  At approximately
00:30, Israeli forces withdrew from the village, and no further incidents were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ata Ghaleb ‘Ata Qahoush
(24).  They handed the aforementioned
civilian a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. 
They stationed in the vicinity of the UNRWA Distribution Centre and then
raided and searched two houses, from which they arrested Hussam Salem Sweilem
(22) and Wesam ‘Atef Jawabrah (21). 
Israeli forces withdrew later taking the aforementioned civilians to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya for the second time on the same day.  They patrolled the streets and then arrested
Mohammed Hussein ‘Ezzat Shamasnah (12) from the main street claiming that he
threw stones at military vehicles.  They
withdrew later taking the aforementioned child to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahiai the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within around 1.5 nautical
miles and chased them.  The shooting that
continued for 30 minutes forced fishermen to flee for fear of being injured or
arrested.  Neither injuries nor damages
to the boats were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas without reporting any arrests: Mothalath
al-Tabaqah and Beit al-Rosh villages in Hebron; Marj Na’ajah village, north of
Jericho; Tulkarm; ‘Atil village, north of the city; and Deiristiya village,
northwest of Salfit.

 

Sunday, 18 January 2015

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Ezna
village, west of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hasan Abu As’ad (19) and
arrested him. 

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Dahiyah area, southwest of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Walid ‘Ali
Karameh (29) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in
“Gosh ‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Rima, northwest of Ramallah.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to Ya’qoub Thalji Taher Ya’qoub after they
battered the door down.  The
aforementioned civilian said to a PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli soldiers
accompanied by tracker dogs battered the main house door down and raided the
house.  He added that the soldiers hit
him with the gun butts on his chest and head and then violently dragged him
outside.  They kept beating and kicking
him with their boots all over his body and then put him into a military
vehicles to travel him near the house and then threw him.  As a result, he fainted and was taken to
Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment.  After having a medical examination, it was
found out that he sustained bruises in the chest and head.  Israeli forces arrested his brother, ‘Ali
(21), and deliberately beat him up while handcuffed.  Israeli forces then raided and searched a
house belonging to his uncle, al-Montaser Taher Ya’qoub, and arrested his son,
Jad (21).  They withdrew later taking Jad
to Ashkelon Prison in Israel.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Selwad
village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Lo’ay Nouh Faris Hamed
(32).  They handed him a summons to refer
to the Israeli Intelligence.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sorif
village, northwest of Hebron.  They
stationed in the centre of the village and then raided and searched a number of
houses, from which they arrested Wajdi Hatem Ghneimat (19), ‘Azmi Fo’aad
Ghneimat (20) and Mohammed Naser Ghneimat (22). 

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into the
vicinity of the houses adjacent to the Bypass Road (60) near Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim ‘Ali Abu Mariah.  They arrested his son, Bader (19), and
withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 04:50, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahiai the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within around 4 nautical
miles and chased them.  The shooting that
continued for 20 minutes forced fishermen to flee for fear of being injured or
arrested.  Neither injuries nor damages
to the boats were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into
Qofein village, north of Tulkarm.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Ahmed Khader
Ta’amah (27) and arrested him. 

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas without reporting any arrests: Tafouh
village, west of Hebron and al-Fawar refugee camp, south of the city.

 

Monday, 19 January 2015

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tabaqah village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They stationed in al-Beid neighbourhood and
then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Mos’ab
Muneer ‘Abdel Rahman Hamdan (15); Msallam Taysir Badawi Hamdan (16) and
Mohammed Jamil al-Hreibat (17).  Israeli
forces withdrew later taking the afrmentioned children to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus.  They stationed in the vicinity of al-Sabbah
building in the aforementioned neighbourhood and then raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Waleed Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Zeinah (24).  At approximately 04:30, Israeli forces
arrested the aforementioned civilian, confiscated his cell phone and his wife’s
laptop and took him to an unknown destination. 
The aforementioned civilian is a lecturer at An-Najah National
University in the city.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
Bitounia village, west of Ramallah.  They
stationed near Modern University College and then raided and searched a house
belonging to journalist Mojahed Mohammed ‘Abdullah BaniMefleh (24).  They arrested him and confiscated his laptop,
2 hard disks and 2 cell phones.  At
approximately 04:15, Israeli forces withdrew and took the aforementioned
civilian to an unknown destination.  It
should be mentioned that the detainee is an editor in Hone al-Quds Media
Network belonging to al-Quds Abu Dis University.

 

At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces accompanied by
a civil car belonging to the Supreme Planning Council of the Israeli Civil
Administration moved into Eastern Barta’ah village, which is isolated from its
surroundings due to the annexation wall, west of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
took photos for the village park belonging to Barta’ah Cooperative Society that
was previously noticed to stop the construction work.  The Israeli soldiers also took photos for
Khor al-Dab’ah area in the village. 
Israeli forces later withdrew, and no further incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into
Sorif village, northwest of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ali ‘Abdel Ra’ouf
Ghneimat (23).  They arrested the
aforementioned civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown
destination.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas without reporting any arrests: the
villages of Kherbtha al-Mesbah, Beit ‘Or al-Tahta and Deir Debwan in Ramallah;
villages of Mesliyah, Abu Da’if, Qabatia and al-‘Erqah in Jenin; and al-Smou’a
village, south of Hebron.

 

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

 

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Arourah village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hassan
Mahmoud Baker Saleh (22) and arrested him. 

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Nour
Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. 
They stationed in al-Naser quarter in the west of the camp.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Hazim ‘Ali Hafez Abu Dayyah (26) and arrested him.  It should be mentioned that the arrested
person had been released from the Palestinian Preventive Security Prison in
Tulkarm only 3 hours before being arrested by the Israeli forces.

 

At approximately 00:40, Israeli forces moved into
Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They raided and searched a number of houses. They handed summonses to 4
civilians to refer to the Israeli intelligence: Ahmed Mohammed Shamasnah (22);
Moder Mohammed Khaled al-Beik (32); ‘Alaa’ ‘Abdullah Beidah (25) and Amin
Khaled Shamasnah (19).

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into a
number of neighbourhoods in the centre of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses,
from which they arrested Ahmed ‘Ali Abu Shamsiyah (24); Mohammed Yousif
al-Rajabi (18) and Baraa’ Mohammed al-Fakhouri (20).  Israeli forces withdrew later taking them to
an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jaba’a village, south of Jenin.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Yousif Ahmed
Salatnah (22) and arrested him. 

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They
stationed in the centre of the village and then raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mahdi Badawi Akhlil (21).  Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned
civilian and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Suhaib
al-Montaser Taher Ya’qoub (18) after battering the main house door down.  They attacked the family members by pushing
and screaming causing fear among women and children.  Israeli forces then went to a poultry farm, where the aforementioned boy works as a guard.  They arrested him and deliberately beat him
up while handcuffed.  It should be
mentioned that his elder brother was arrested on 18 January 2014.  Around the same time, another Israeli force
raided a house belonging to the family of Nader Jamil Hussein ‘Aqel (18), who
was not at home then, and handed his father a summons for him to refer to the
Israeli intelligence in ‘Ofer Camp, southwest of the city.  In the morning, the aforementioned boy went
for the interview and was then arrested.

 

At approximately 02:50, Israeli forces moved into
Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a number of
houses.  Israeli forces arrested Malek
Ra’ed Farouq Ghanem and at approximately 04:30 withdrew taking him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They
stationed in Senjar area, east of the city, and then raided and searched a
house belonging to Shehdah Waleed ‘Amr (27). 
They arrested the aforementioned civilian to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into
Mazare’a al-Noubani, northwest of Ramallah. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abdel Rahim ‘Abdel Hamid
Thiab and handed his elder brother, Mohammed (28), a summons to refer to the
Israeli intelligence while they arrested his younger brother, Waddah (21) and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 14:20, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Wahah shore, northwest
of Beit Lahiai the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in the vicinity of
Palestinian fishing boats sailing within around 3 nautical miles and chased
them.  The shooting that continued for 30
minutes forced fishermen to flee for fear of being injured or arrested.  Neither injuries nor damages to the boats
were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas without reporting any arrests: the villages of Kharas and
Beit ‘Awwa, west of Hebron; the villages of ‘Azoun and Jayous in Qalqilya; and
Deiristaya village, northwest of Salfit.

 

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Asqar al-Jadid refugee camp, northeast of Nablus.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and shops, including a shop belonging to Ra’ed Rawhi Abu Kishek for selling
washing machines and refrigerators in addition to a beauty centre for ladies
belonging to Majed ‘Ali ‘Ajouri.  Israeli
forces then arrested Kamal Faisal Abu Seriyah (26), Hasan Zaki al-Ashqar (26)
and Mojahed Nasim Mashayekh (28).

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and confiscated 30,000 NIS
belonging to Ayman Zuhdi Mohammed Kharmah. 
According to his wife, the confiscated money is a loan from one of the
Palestinian banks.  Israeli forces
arrested 8 civilians: Mohammed Mershed Yousif al-Haj (22); ‘Abdel Salam Jihad
‘Abdel Abu Rezeq (23); Mohammed Samih Ramadan Abu ‘Arab (24); Mohammed ‘Ali
Hashash (25); ‘Ammar Met’eb ‘Abdel Nour ‘Issa (45); Mohammed Ghazi Saqer (42);
Ayman Zuhdi Mohammed Kharmah (42); and his father, Zuhdi (72).  At approximately 10:00, the last arrested
person was released from Hawwarah camp after the Israeli forces had confiscated
the aforementioned money and other checks belonging to Ayman.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Rojeeb
Housing Project for Employees behind Balatah refugee camp, east of Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Colonel, Mohammed Hamed Salem Hashash, who works as an assistant
for Major General Maged Faraj, Chief of the
Palestinian General Intelligence.  While
searching the house, the Israeli soldiers detained Hashash for more than an
hour and a half in a bathroom in front of his wife and 3 sons and mocked him
while handcuffed.  He was also handcuffed
for two hours in a room.  Hashash asked
from time to time for the force officer to talk to him but in vain.  A first lieutenant attended and refused to talk to him.  The Israeli soldiers withdrew 15 minutes
later and left the colonel handcuffed as his family untightened him.  It should be mentioned that Hashash was imprisoned
in the Israeli jails for 19 years and 4 months and was previously in prison
from December 2002 until January 2013.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tabaqah, south of Dura southwest of Hebron. 
They stationed in al-Beid quarter and then raided and searched a house
belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed Faraj Itbeish (40).  They withdrew later, and no arrests were
reported.  In the meanwhile, the Israeli
soldiers raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the family of
al-Hreibat.  They then arrested Mahmouhd
Hakam al-Hreibat (19) and ‘Abdullah Naser al-Hreibat (15).  When the Israeli forces were withdrawing from
the village, a number of Palestinian boys gathered to throw stones and empty
bottles at the vehicles.  The Israeli
soldiers in response fired sound bombs and gas canisters at the stone-throwers
and houses.  As a result, a number of the
boys suffered tear gas inhalation.  The
Israeli soldiers then went to al-Namous area, west of Dura, and raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Taleb Mohammed Faqousah (40).  They arrested the aforementioned civilian and
withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved intio
al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. 
They stationed near the UNRWA distribution centre and then raided and
searched a house belonging to ‘Alaa’ Jaber al-Teeti (33), al-Aqsa TV correspondent.  They arrested him and withdrew later taking
him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah. 
They deployed in the farmlands and in the vicinity of the houses.  A number of boys gathered to throw stones and
empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired randomly sound
bombs, gas canisters and rubber-coated bullets at the boys and houses.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered
tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli
soldiers arrested Eyad ‘Abdel Karim Mustafa Tamimi (48) and Hamzah Talal ‘Abdel
Qader Tamimi (25) and withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 14:50, Israeli gunboats stationed off
Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip sporadically opened fire in the
vicinity of the Palestinian fishermen. 
As a result, the fishermen fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas without reporting any arrests: the villages of Bani Na’im,
east of Hebron; Tulkarm and Far’one village, south of the city.

 

 

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

 

During the reporting period,
Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in
the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian civilian and 3 international human
rights defenders were wounded.

 

In the same context, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded
during 2 peaceful protests in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility,
southwest of Ramallah, in protest at Israeli attacks against Palestinian
civilians and their property, especially in East Jerusalem. On 16 January 2015,
a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg while on 20
January 2015, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right
eyebrow.  

 

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

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activity

 

Following the Friday prayer, on
16 January 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli
human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. The demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags
and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the
morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from
participating in the protests. Protestors marched by the annexation wall and
tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the
western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live
bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater
at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a 55-year-old
Mexican solidarity activist was hit by a gas canister to the back of the neck
and a 32-year-old Israeli solidarity activist was hit by a gas canister to the
belly. In addition, Israeli forces arrested a 40-year-old Spanish solidarity
activist.

 

Around the same time and despite the cold weather, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful
demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and
prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they
responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

 

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

 

Also following the Friday prayer, Palestinian civilians and
international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village
in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa
Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers,
who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. Eyewitnesses said
that Israeli forces unprecedentedly fired around 700 tear gas canisters and
sound bombs within 15 minutes. As a result, a 22-year-old Palestinian civilian
was hit by a gas canister to the right hand and a 33-year-old French solidarity
activist, whose name is Dounia, sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. She
was admitted to the hospital immediately. Moreover, Israeli forces ambushed the
civilians and chased them to arrest them. As a result, 5 civilians were wounded

1. 23-year-old Aws Abdul Razeq
Amer sustained bruises to the leg when he was trying to flee;

2. 54-year-old ‘Akef Abdul Ra’ouf
Jom’a suffered hypertension, due to which he was taken to the hospital;

3. 55-year-old Khaldoun Abed Abu
Khaled suffered hypertension and received first aid in the ambulance;

4. 23-year-old Lo’ay Mostafa
Ishtweiwi sustained bruises to the leg and was treated on the spot; and

5. 47-year-old Abdullah Mousa Ali
sustained fractures in the nose and hand as he was hit by gun butts, anfhe e
was taken to Rafidiya Hospital to receive medical treatment;

Israeli forces also arrested and attacked 48-year-old Maher Saleh
Hassan, a Palestinian Police officer, and released him at approximately 14:25.

 

At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 17 January 2015, Palestinian
civilians, international solidarity activists, popular committees and residents
of Sourif village, northwest of Hebron, gathered to organize a protest against
settlement activities and the annexation wall and claim reopening the road
between the village and al-Jaba’a village that has been closed for 10 years.
The demonstrators made their way to the closed road and raised Palestinian
flags. Israeli soldiers deployed in the area stopped the demonstrators and
fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also sprayed pepper gas and
tried to arrest and attack some demonstrators. As a result, a number of
demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Other demonstrators:

   

Also following the Friday prayer, on 16 January 2015, dozens of
youngsters gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh near Ofer
detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. They headed towards the facility’s
gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw
stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the
detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets,
sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 17-year-old child sustained
a bullet wound to the left leg and was then taken to Palestine Medical Compound
in Ramallah.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, 20 January 2015, dozens of youngsters
gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh near Ofer detention
facility, southwest of Ramallah. They headed towards the facility’s gate that
was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires and threw stones and
empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the detention
facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs
and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet
wound to the right eyebrow and was then taken to Palestine Medical Compound in
Ramallah. He received first aid there and was transferred to Musallam Hospital
in al-‘Ersal neighborhood in Ramallah, where he underwent an operation. It was
found out that the retina was hurt.

 

3. Continued
closure of the oPt

 

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

 

Gaza Strip

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to
prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years
ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction
materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. 
On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction
materials for the private sector.  However, on 13 October 2013, they
re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction
materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the
Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry
of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects
have been obstructed so far.

 

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the
Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for
light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing
for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only
allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting
in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at
reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun
crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West
Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the
crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah

13 – 19 January 2015

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 13 January 2015,
Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 5 tons of sweet potatoes, 42
tons of tomatoes, 12 tons of cucumbers, and 0.5 ton of eggplants.

On Thursday, 15 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 5 tons of sweet potatoes, 34 tons of tomatoes, 8 tons of
cucumbers, 0.5 tons of eggplants, 0.5 tons of squash and
2 tons of pepper. 

On Sunday, 18 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 12 tons of sweet potatoes. 15 tons of tomatoes, 0.25 tons of cherry
tomatoes, 0.37 tons of garlic and 0.6 tons of mints.

 

Other imports:

 

On Tuesday, 13 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 3200
tons of aggregates for the Qatari project, 480 tons of cement for Gaza
reconstruction, and 120 tons of cement for the Water Authority. They also
allowed the entry of 910 tons of fodders and 355 tons of wheat.

On Wednesday, 14 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of
80 tons of cement and 1100 tons of aggregates for the UNRWA, 400 tons of cement
and 35 tons of steel for Gaza reconstruction, 117 tons of cement and 210 tons
of aggregates for UNDP. They also allowed the entry of 315 tons of fodders and 805
tons of wheat.

On Thursday, 15 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 600
tons of cement and 1,260 tons of aggregates for Gaza reconstruction.  They also allowed the entry of 455 tons of fodders
and 670 tons of wheat.

On Sunday, 18 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 280
tons of aggregates for the Water Authority, 560 tons of cement for Gaza
reconstruction, 66 tons of steel, 160 tons of cement and 1680 tons of
aggregates for the UNRWA.  They also
allowed the entry of 455 tons of fodders and 506 tons of wheat.

On Monday, 19 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 980
tons of cement and 140 tons of aggregates for Gaza reconstruction. They also
allowed the entry of 445 tons of fodders and 598 tons of wheat.

 

Plastic Containers returned by Israeli forces via Karm Abu Salem:

 

On Tuesday, 13 January 2015, Israeli forces returned 13 truckloads
of empty containers.

On Wednesday, 14 January 2015, Israeli forces returned 10
truckloads of empty containers.

On Thursday, 15 January 2015, Israeli forces returned 11
truckloads of empty containers.

On Sunday, 18 January 2015, Israeli forces returned 8 truckloads
of empty containers.

On Monday, 19 January 2015, Israeli forces returned 10 truckloads
of empty containers and a truckload of oxygen cylinders.

 

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

05 – 11 January 2015

 

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun
(“Erez”) crossing

12 – 18 January 2015

 

 

Notes:

On Friday, 16 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed 166 civilians
to cross through Erez in order to perform prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli forces allowed 12 civilians on Monday, 05 January 2015, 2
Christians on Thursday, 08 January 2015, 12 Christians on 14 January 2015, 29
Christians on Thursday, 15 January 2015, 15 Christians on Friday, 16 January
2015 and 39 Christians on Sunday, 18 January 2015, to travel via the crossing
to celebrate the Christmas in Bethlehem.

On 14 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed a civilian of personal
needs or international worker to renew his permit. They also allowed 3 officers
of the Civil Affairs Department to meet with the Israeli side at the crossing,
on 15 January 2015.

The crossing was completely closed from Friday, 09 January 2015 to
Tuesday, 13 January 2015, because the Palestinian liaison officers stopped
working as the crossing security officers at 4/4 checkpoint placed a container
at the entrance of the security fence between the Palestinian and Israeli
sides. Israeli forces allowed a limited number of patients to travel via the
crossing to hospitals in the West Bank, but their names were not registered on
the Civil Affairs computers.  

 

West Bank

 

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

 

· Hebron:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 15 January 2015,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Samet village,
west of Doura, southwest of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 17 January 2015, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Kahel village,
northwest of the city. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Yatta, south of the city. Later, both
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 18 January 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna village, west of Hwbron.  While civilians were trying to pass on feet
via the checkpoint, the israeli soldiers fired sound bombs at them, but no
injuries were reported.  Later, the
checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 20 January 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Syoukh village, east of the
city. At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
northern entrance of Hebron.  At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Kherbet al-Jalajel area, east of the city. Later, the checkpoints were removed
and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 21 January 2015, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of
the city. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
northern entrance of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no
arrests were reported.

 

· Ramallah: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 15 January 2015,
Israeli forces closed the entrance of ‘Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah with
sand bags and stones. As a result, severe traffic jams occurred and the
residents had to take alternative routes. In the meantime, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mas’al village, northwest
of the city. While at approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the road between Termisia and al-Mughir, north of the city. Both
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 16 January 2015, Israeli forces
established two checkpoints: one at the entrance of Nabi SAleh village, and the
other under Yabroud Bridge. At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces established
a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. All
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 17 January 2015, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of
the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported. At
approximately 19:30, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attarah
checkpoint on the northern entrance of Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah. Later, all
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces
established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of ‘Aboud village and the entrance of
Deir Abu Mash’al village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 13:00, they established
another checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of
Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30, they
established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Termes’ayah, north of the
city.  Later, all checkpoints were
removed and no arrests were reported

 

 

· Jericho: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
10:30 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:00, they established a
checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city.  Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no
arrest were reported.

 

 

· Qalqilya: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 15 January 2015,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Seer village,
northeast of the city. At approximately 22:10, they established another at the
entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of the city. Both checkpoints were removed
and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 00:20 on Friday, 16 January 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city. At approximately
10:40, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Jious village
and another one at the entrance of Kufu Jammal, east of the city. At
approximately 11:10, they established a similar one at the entrance of Amatin
village. At approximately 22:20, they established another one at the eastern entrance
of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 18 January 2015, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Izbat al-Tabib village, east of the
city. At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was established at the
entrance of Amatin, northeast of the city. At approximately 20:45, they
established a similar one at the eastern entrance of the city. All checkpoints
were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city,
and re-established it at approximately 20:45. At approximately 18:45, another checkpoint
was established between the villages of Jayous and KAfr Jamal, northeast of the
city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

 

· Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 15 January 2015,
Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the
road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restriction
against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening
ended and no arrests were reported. The tightening renewed on Friday and
Saturday.  They re-tightened their
restrictions on 11:00 on Friday, 16 January 2015, and at approximately 18:00 on
Saturday, 17 January 2014, in addition to at approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 18
January 2014, and at approximately 09:00 on Monday, 19 January 2014.   

 

 

· Jenin: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
12:30, Israeli forces closed Barta’ah checkpoint which is established at the
entrance of Eastern Barta’ah village that is isolated from its surroundings due
to the annexation wall, southwest of Jenin, for no reasons.  Israeli soldiers later re-opened the
checkpoint.  It should be mentioned that
this checkpoint is the sole path for the village residents to the outside world
and when it is closed, the village turns into a big prison.

·  

Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 06:40 on Wednesday, 21
January 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Deiristiya, northwest of Salfit and prevented civilians from entering or
leaving the village but only on their feet.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

· At
approximately 22:00 on Friday, 16 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed at
al-Jalama crossing between Jenin and Israel closed the border crossing while
the soldiers arrested Natiq Hussam Hussni Hantoul (25) who was near the
crossing and took him to an unknown destination. It should be noted that
according to PCHR’s archives, Hantoul was arrested on 22 February 2012 after
clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers in solidarity
with the detainees at the time. He was also arrested on 26 May 2013 on a
checkpoint which was established at the intersection of ‘Arraba, north of
Jenin.

  

· At
approximately 13:20 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces arrested Naser
Ibrahim Thiab (22) from ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya while they were near
al-Nabi Elias village and taken to an unknown destination.

 

· At
approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 21 January 2014, Israeli forces stationed at
“Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Qassam Ahmed
Abu Mariah (21) when he was summoned by the Israeli intelligence and was taken
to an unknown destination.

 

Maltreatment of Palestinian civilians:

 

· At
approximately 15:00 on Monday, 19 January 2014, a group of Israeli soldiers
attacked a number of Palestinian children from al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron while playing in the area between the camp and Beit Fojjar village, southwest
of Bethlehem. As a result, they sustained bruises and one of them was arrested
and taken to “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.  The arrested child was identified as Wadi’a
Salamah al-Jondi (16) and his brother, Islam (13) was taken to Hebron
Governmental Hospital due to sustaining bruises.

Islam said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 19 January 2014,
I went with my brother Wad’ia (16) and other five friends to play in an area
near the house on a hill in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  We stayed there until at approximately 15:00
when we were surprised by a number of Israeli soldiers carrying weapons.  One of them took a piece of paper out of his
pocket and started calling our names. 
They beat us up with their hands and feet.  Around 10 minutes later, they ordered my 5
friends to evacuate the area and when they did, the Israeli soldiers pushed
Wadi’a and hit him with the gun butts. 
They then pushed me on a rock, so my head was hit and bleeding.  The Israeli soldiers then took us to Beit
Fajjar village, and I felt very tired walking as the distance was so far.  An Israeli soldier then grabbed me from the
shirt and dragged me behind him.  When we
arrived at a gas station at the entrance of the village, an Israeli patrol came
and took my brother to Beit Fajjar village. Meanwhile, the other Israeli
soldiers followed them and left me alone. 
I asked one of the workers in the station to drive me to a shop
belonging to my relative in Beit Fajjar village.  My relative then took me by an ambulance to
Hebon Governmental Hospital, where I underwent medical examinations and
received the necessary medical treatment. 
They found that I sustained bruises in the right wrist and my left foot
in addition to an injury in my head.  We
later knew that my brother is detained in the detention centre of “Gosh
‘Eztion”.” 

 

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

 

· At approximately 16:00 on
Tuesday, 20 January 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Isawiyah village, north
of East Jerusalem.  They stationed at the
northern entrance of the village and established a checkpoint in the area.  Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered to throw
stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired rubber-coated metal
bullets and sound bombs.  As a result,
Iman Khalil Abu ‘Asab (34) was hit by a bullet to the face and was taken to
Hadasa Hospital to receive medical treatment.

 

· On Monday dawn, 19 January
2014, the Israeli municipality in Jerusaelm bulldozed an under-construction
house belonging to Usamah Rebhi Dari in al-‘Isawiyah village, north of Eastern
Occupied Jerusalem.  Mohammed Abu
al-Hummus, Member of the Follow-up Committee in al-Isawiyah village said to a
PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 04:00 on the aforementioned day Israeli
soldiers accompanied by 3 bulldozers and employers from the Israeli
Municipality moved into al-‘Issawiyah village, north of East Jerusalem.  They surrounded the aforementioned
200-square-meter house and immediately bulldozed it completely.  Abu al-Hummus said that the house was
demolished without any prior warning.  He
added that Dari started building the house 10 months ago, but the Israeli
Municipality prevented him under the pretext of non-licensed construction.

 

· At approximately 09:00 on
Wednesday, 21 January 2014, Israeli bulldozers from the Israeli municipality
demolished a house belonging to ‘Elian Rabay’ah in al-Sal’ah neighborhood in Jabal
al-Mokaber village, southeast of East Jerusalem under the pretext of not
obtaining license.  Rabay’ah said to a
PCHR fieldworker that the Israeli Municipality staff raided his house many
times, the last of which was on Monday, 19 January 2014, when they handed him a
decision to demolish his house.  He added
that he attempted to delay the decision, but he could not.  The municipality bulldozers then came on the
aforementioned day and demolished his house, which cost him more than 100,000
NIS.

 

· At approximately 11:00 on the
aforementioned day, the Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a residential
building in Sho’afat neighborhood, north of Eastern Jerusalem, under the
pretext of obtaining no license.  The
building is comprised of 4 apartments belonging to the families of al-Mashni,
Besharah and Mkheimar. Walid Besharah, an owner of one of the destroyed
apartments, said to a PCHR fieldworker that the building which the Israeli
bulldozers destroyed was ready to be resided one and half a year ago, but the
Municipality prevented them and forced them to close it until they can obtain a
construction license in order not to demolish it.  He added that he and the other 3 owners tried
to obtain construction licenses from the competent authorities, and the
municipality initially agreed on building in the area.  However, the court issued consecutive
decisions to destroy the building, the last of which was last week.  Besharah said that the 120-square-meter
building which is comprised of 4 apartments cost more than US$ 500,000.  Moreover, each owner lost around US$ 40,000 in
order to obtain construction licenses and delay the construction orders during
the last period.

 

· At approximately 02:00 on
Thursday, 15 January 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Izariyah village, east
of East Jerusalem.  They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested Mohammed Ramzi Abu Roumi (23) and
Mohammed Anis Dweik and took them to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 13:00 on the
same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the Old City
in East Jerusalem.  They stationed on the
main street near the schools of “al-Tour Elementary for Boys” and
“al-Shamlah”.  They fired sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the students when they were on their way
out.  They also arrested Amjad al-shami
(48), a member of the parents Committee.

 

· At approximately 20:00 on
Friday, 16 January 2014, israeli forces arrested As’ad Waqqas Dahdoul (24)
after setting him an ambush in ” Ras Kabsah”  area in al-‘Izariyah village, east of East
Jerusalem, and took him to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 05:00 on
Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mokaber village,
south of East Jerusalem.  They raided and
searched a number of houses, from which they arrested ‘Abdullah ‘Ali Abu Kaf
(25), Mohammed Mousa ‘Amirah (21) and his brother Ahmed (19).

 

· At approximately 11:00, Israeli
forces arrested 5 Palestinian females, including 2 children, who prevented a
number of Israeli settlers from raiding the roof of the Dome of the Rock in
al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City and took them to “al-Qashlah”CCentre
in the Old City to question them.  The
Israeli Police accused them of violating the freedom of access to a holy place
and carrying out deeds that affect the public security.  The arrested women were identified as: Hebah
al-Husseini (28); Safaa’ Sayyaj (26); Joman Abu ‘Arafah (23); Bar’aah
al-Natshah (17) and Ansam Moghrabi (17).

 

· At approximately 13:30, Israeli
forces arrested Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Gom’ah (11) while leaving his school in
al-Tour neighborhood, east of East Jerusalem and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

· At approximately 16:00, Israeli
forces harshly hit Mohamme Jamal Ghaith (16) on his head and face and arrested
him while being present in front of his house in Selwan village, south of East
Jerusalem.  Due to his injury to the
head, he was taken to Hadasa Hospital.

 

· At approximately 05:00 on
Tuesday, 20 January 2015, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hettah neighborhood in
East Jerusalem.  They raided and searched
a number of houses, from which they arrested Hamdan Bahaa’ Jaber (21).

 

· At approximately 09:00 on the
same day, Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Yasser Zomurd (24) when they moved into
al-‘Issawiyah village, north of East Jerusalem. 
They beat him and took him to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 05:00 on
Wednesday, 21 January 2015, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein al-Lozah
neighborhood in Selwan village, south of East Jerusalem.  They raided and searched a number of houses
from which they arrested 3 civilians, including a child: Mousa Mohammed ‘Odah
(17); Naji Mohammed ‘Odah (19) and Ziyad Ahmd al-Qaq (19).

 

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

 

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

 

· At approximately 09:00 on
Monday, 19 January 2015, the Israeli Engineering Department closed 2 houses in
al-Shuhada Street, which has been closed since 2000, in the center of Hebron,
with welding upon a military order. Israeli forces claimed that a Palestinian
youngster used the 2 houses to throw Molotov cocktails at a military site, 50
meters away from the 2 houses. The 2 houses, 50-square-meters each, belong to Zahira
Abdul Aziz Dandees (80). 15 days earlier, it was found out that settlers made
holes through the houses’ walls and seized them under the protection of Israeli
forces.

 

· At approximately 10:00 on the
same day, Israeli forces backed by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil
Administration, a bulldozer and a digger, moved into al-Kamb area, south of
Halhoul north of Hebron. They demolished a water well belonging to As’ad Sa’id
al-Ja’bari (63) under the pretext of not obtaining a license in area (C).  

 

· At approximately 14:00, Israeli
forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration
moved into Khellet al-Warda area, east of Hebron. They deployed in the area and
confiscated metal poles and tin-made boards belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed
al-Ja’bari (47) and his brothers under the pretext they were in area (C).
Moreover, a Civil Administration officer informed the abovementioned person and
his brothers to demolish the barrack they started to build within 3 days,
otherwise he would return, demolish it and confiscate its contents. It should
be noted that Israeli forces had demolished 4 barracks belonging to the same
person and his brothers on 01 May 2012.

 

· At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday,
20 January 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Refa’iya area, east of Yatta,
south of Hebron. They prevented residents of the area from approaching and
started evacuating 2 houses to be demolished, as they were built without a
license according to the Israeli claims.  

 

· At approximately 11:00 on
Thursday, 15 January 2015, a group of settlers levelled a tract of land in
Khellet al-Nahla near “Afrat” settlement, south of Bethlehem,
belonging to Mohammed Yehya Ayash. It should be noted that the settlers did so
in order to establish a settlement road to establish a settlement outpost in
the same place. The settlers also set up a big tent in the same place in 2013
for that purpose.

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public
Document

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