Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18 – 24 July 2019)

July 25, 2019

173 Palestinian civilians injured in the oPt
Great March of Return in Eastern Gaza Strip: 125 civilians injured; including 53 Children, 3 Women, 5 Journalists, and 4 Paramedics by Israeli Forces.
West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem: 48 Civilians Injured, including 5 children and 3 journalists, in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.

77 civilians, including 6 children and a woman, arrested during 70 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.

6 shooting incidents reported against Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza shores and 2 fishermen arrested.

11 residential buildings comprised of 72 apartments in a large-scale destruction operation in Sour Baher in occupied Jerusalem.

34 temporary checkpoints established in the West Bank, where 8 Palestinian civilians were arrested.

Summary

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 119 violations of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Israeli forces injured 173 Palestinian civilians. In the Gaza Strip, there were 125 injuries at the Great March of Return; 53 children, 4 women including a paramedic, 3 other paramedics and 5 journalists. In the West Bank, 48 civilians were injured; 5 children and 3 journalists, including a female journalist, during Israeli forces’ suppression of peaceful protests and incursions into residential neighbourhoods.

Israel carried out 70 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and raided civilian houses attacking and enticing fear among residents. 77 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 children and a woman. Only one incursion was conducted into the northern Gaza Strip.

Additionally, 3 incidents were documented by PCHR under expanded settlement activity as the Israeli forces conducted a large-scale destruction operation, which amounts to ethnic cleansing, in Wadi al-Hummus neighbourhood in Sour Baher in East Jerusalem against 11 residential buildings comprised of 72 apartments, rendering 70 families homeless.

Further, the Israeli naval forces continued their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen and their equipment at sea though sailing within the allowed fishing area. This week witnessed 6 shooting and chasing incidents against the fishermen and their boats; as a result, 2 fishermen were arrested and later released.

It should be highlighted that Israel continues its closure policy on the Gaza Strip for the 13th consecutive year, severely restricting the freedom of movement of persons and goods and isolating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and the rest of the world. Meanwhile the West Bank is rendered into isolated entities with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation and with temporary and permanent checkpoints. During this week, 34 temporary military checkpoints were erected, and 8 Palestinian civilians were arrested there.

Violation of the right to life and to bodily integrity

Excessive Use of Force in the Gaza Strip

The 67th Great March of Return took off in eastern Gaza Strip on Friday, 19 July 2019, titled “Burn the Zionist Flag”. The Israeli attacks resulted in the injury of 121 civilians, including 50 children, 4 women including a paramedic, 3 other paramedics and 3 journalists. The incidents during this week were as follows:

Northern Gaza Strip: hundreds of protestors participated in Abu Safiyah area protests. A number of them set tires to fire while a few of them approached the border fence and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the abovementioned border fence, while the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them in addition to ambulances present tens of meters away from the clashes. As a result, 20 civilians, including 9 children, a paramedic and a person with mental illness: 5 were shot with live bullets and shrapnel, including 2 children, 14 with rubber bullets, and 1 directly hit with a teargas canister. The wounded paramedic, Khalid Suhail ‘Ali ‘Abed (27), was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.

Gaza City: hundreds of protestors participated in eastern Malakah area protests. A few groups approached the border while others threw stones at soldiers using slingshots. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and teargas canisters at the protesters, wounding 15, including 6 children: 10 were shot with live bullets; 4 were directly hit with teargas canisters and 1 was shot with a rubber bullet. Eyad Ahmed ‘Essa Zeyadah (14) sustained serious wounds after being hit with a live bullet to the head while present tens of meters away from the border fence.

Central Gaza Strip: protests in eastern al-Buraij refugee camp witnessed setting fire to tires, burning Israeli flags and flying paper kites in the sky. Dozens approached the border fence at a range varying between 2 – 70 meters, and some of them attempted to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli attacks against protestors resulted in the injury of 32 civilians, including 16 children, 3 women, 2 journalists and a paramedic; 4 were seriously injured: 25 were shot with live ammunition and 7 shot with rubber bullets. The volunteer paramedic, Ahmed Ibrahim Jamil Weshah (26) was hit with a rubber bullet to the left foot. The wounded journalists: Sami Jamal Taleb Masran (34), a photojournalist from al-Nuseirat, sustained serious wounds after being hit with a rubber bullet to the face and was transferred to al-Shifa Hospital; and photojournalist Safenaz Baker Mahmoud al-Louh (28), from Gaza City, was hit with a rubber bullet to the back.

Khan Younis: hundreds participated in the protests, yet the crowd was noticeably smaller than weeks before. A number of protestors set tires on fire. In Khan Younis, 20 civilians were injured, including 9 children and a paramedic: 8 were shot with live bullets and shrapnel and 12 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. Furthermore, dozens of civilians sustained tear gas inhalation. The volunteer paramedic, Fatmah Walid al-Najjar (29), was hit with a tear gas canister to the left hand.

Rafah: Around 1600 civilians participated in the protests east of Shoka village, east of Rafah. Dozens approached the border fence, threw stones and set fire to Israeli flags. Israeli soldiers pumped wastewater and hot water and used live and rubber bullets and teargas canisters against the protestors. As a result, 34 civilians injured, including 10 children, a volunteer paramedic and a journalist; a child sustained serious wounds: 11 were shot with live bullet and shrapnel, 21 shot with rubber bullets and 2 were hit with tear gas canisters. Abdul Rahman Khalil Khalil Syam (16) sustained serious wounds after being hit with a live bullet to the abdomen. The wounded paramedic, Saqer Jihad Mustafa al-Jammal (25), sustained moderate wounds after being hit with a live bullet to the head and sustained superficial wounds, he also sustained a wound in the left shoulder due to a rubber bullet shot. The wounded journalist, Mo’ath Fathi Yusuf al-Hams (23), a freelance journalist, sustained minor wounds after being hit with a rubber bullet to the right hand.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 22 July 2019, the Supreme National Authority of Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege organized a fleet of trucks demonstration protesting the Israeli closure and its repercussions on the economic sector and transportation and trade sectors. The demonstrators, including children and young men moved from Hamoudah Square in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip and headed to Malakah area, east of Gaza City. Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of the abovementioned area, fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 4 civilians, including a journalist and 3 children, were wounded and they were identified as:

Journalist Mohammed ‘Atef Mohammed al-‘Arabid (23), was shot with a live bullet to the right foot.
Mo’men ‘Essam Mohammed Zaqqout (15), was hit with a live bullet to the right foot.
Mahmoud Abdullah ‘Ali Daher (16), was hit with shrapnel to the back.
Abdul ‘Aziz Isamil Rayan (14), was hit with a live bullet to the right hand.

Excessive Use of Force in the West Bank:

At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 19 July 2019, Palestinians from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah organized their peaceful weekly protest, and then headed to the eastern village entrance that has been closed for 15 years in favor of “Kedumim” The demonstrators chanted national slogans demanding end of the occupation and protesting the Israeli forces’ crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A number of them threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms while the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 31 civilians, including 3 children, 2 journalists. The wounded journalists were identified: Abdullah Eshtiwi (27), who is a freelance journalist, was shot with a rubber bullet to the back, and Ja’far Eshtia, who was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot.

(PCHR keeps the names of the other wounded civilians)

At approximately 18:10 on Saturday, 22 July 2019, a similar demonstration was organized in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village. Israeli shooting at them resulted in the injury of:

Tareq Hekmat Mahmoud Shtiwi (14), was shot with a rubber bullet to the right leg.
‘Ali Mohammed ‘Amer (14), was shot with a rubber bullet to the right leg.

Shootings and other threats to bodily integrity

At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 18 July 2019, officers from the Israeli “Mista’arvim” undercover unit dressed like Palestinian civilians sneaked to al-Duheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, driving 2 civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plate. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Ismail Tawfiq al-‘Essah (19) and Fares Hasan Shamarkhah (35). Meanwhile, tens of children and young men gathered and threw stones, empty bottles and Molotov Cocktails at Israeli soldiers while the soldiers used live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a young man was shot with a live bullet to the right thigh. He was taken to al-Husein Hospital in Beit Jala for treatment.

At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 20 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces raided a sit-in tent established by civilians protesting the Israeli authorities’ decision to demolish 16 residential building in Wadi al-Humus neighborhood in Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem, east of Bethlehem. The soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, journalist Ayat ‘Arqawi (29), was hit with a tear gas canister to the waist and then taken to a medical point to receive treatment.

At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 21 July 2019, Israeli forces moved into al-Issawiya village, north east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched al-Issawiyah Secondary School, blew up the doors and then confiscated flags of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and pictures of Mohammed Sair ‘Obaid, who was killed by Israeli forces in ‘Obaid neighborhood 20 days ago. Meanwhile, tens of Palestinian children and young men attempted to confront the Israeli raid. They threw stones, empty bottles and Molotov Cocktails at Israeli soldiers while the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canister at them. As a result, a young man was shot with a rubber bullet to the abdomen. He was taken to al-Maqased Hospital in al-Tour neighborhood, east of occupied Jerusalem, to receive treatment. Mohammed Abu al-Humus, Head of the Follow-up Committee in al-‘Issawiyah village, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces deliberately used live ammunition and rubber bullets in targeting buildings’ entrances and balconies as live ammunition penetrated houses belonging to al-‘Ajlouni and ‘Obaid families. Israeli forces also attacked and pepper-sprayed and used stun gun against Rami (34) and ‘Ala’a ‘Esmat Obeid (36), who were in front of their commercial shop. Abu al-Humus emphasized ambulances crews of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) tried to offer first aid for the 2 young men, but Israeli soldiers prevented them and arrested the young men while unconscious and was on the stretcher.

At approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 21 July 2019, Israeli forces stationed off Rafah shore in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 4 nautical miles. They surrounded a fishing boat manned by ‘Essam Nabil Nayef al-Aqra’a (29) and his brother Riyad (23), from Deir al-Balah. The soldiers ordered them to take off their clothes, jump into water and swim towards the gunboat. The fishermen were detained and their boat was confiscated. At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 22 July 2019, the Israeli authorities released the fishermen through Beit Hanoun “Erez” checkpoint; their fishing boat is still confiscated.

At approximately 21:35 on Monday, 22 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 – 5 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 24 July 2019, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Sudaniyah shore, west of Jabalia, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives, but neither casualties nor material damage was reported. At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces sporadically opened fire at fishermen in the same area until 23:45, neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

Incursions and Arrests

Thursday, 18 July 2019:

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dora, southwest of Hebron and stationed in Abu al-Qamrah neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Samir Mohammed al-Zair (23) and then arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Abu Dis village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses after which they arrested Ahmed Hamzah ‘Ayad (16) and Abdullah Tawfiq Halabiyah (14).

At approximately 02:10, Israeli forces moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses from which they arrested Amin Hasan Bani Ghurrah (20) and Mohammed Qasem al-Sa’adi (23).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Kufor Ne’mah village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wajdi Marwan ‘Ataya (26) and Bara’a Eskandar Abdo (21) and then arrested them.
At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces arrested Sae’d Jamal Arabi Nazzal (30) at a temporary checkpoint erected on the eastern entrance to Qalqilyah.

Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Romana village, west of Jenin; Yatta and al0Burj village, in Hebron, and Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 19 July 2019:

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Taffuh village, west of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Mahmoud al-Tardah (25) and then arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces arrested Ziyad Ahmed Abu Qare’a (29) at a checkpoint established at Ras Karkar entrance, west of Ramallah.

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Mustafa Zahran (19) at a checkpoint established at Deir Abu Mesh’al entrance, northwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces established a temporary military checkpoint between Nablus and Ramallah. They arrested Khalid (23) and Mojahed Mohammed Khdaish (24), from Balatat al-Balad, east of Nablus.

Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in al-Thaheriyah, Sa’ir, Abu al-‘Asja villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 20 July 2019:

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested Yusuf Shedah Bader (16) while present on al-Shalalah Street in the center of Hebron, claiming that he didn’t obey the soldiers’ orders. Bader was taken to Ja’barah police center, east of the Ibrahimi Mosque for investigation.

Israeli forces carried out (2) incursions in al-Shuyoukh and Karmah villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 21 July 2019

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ram village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shadi Ra’ed al-Hetawi (19) and then arrested him.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Dora,southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Taha Ja’far Abu ‘Arqoub (22) and then arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Um Salmounah village, southwest of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fou’ad Yaseen Abed Rabo (20) and then arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yusuf Mohammed Duweikat (25) and then arrested him.

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ayesh Hasan ‘Ayesh Zedat (55) and then arrested him.

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At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Kuber village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Wa’ad Osamah al-Barghuthi (28) and Suleiman Kan’an al-Hazmawi (21) and the arrested them. The arrestees were taken to “Ofer” detention center, west of the city for investigation and released at approximately 17:00 on the same day.

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Qusai Nezar ‘Adili (18) and Abdullah Wasef Duweikat (19), from Beta village, south of the city.

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Sa’diyah neighborhood in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. they raided and searched a number of houses and then arrested Bahjat ‘Ali al-Razem (26) and Tamer Ahmed Khalafawi (22).

Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Birzeit, Beit Rema, Abu Shakhedem villages in Ramallah and al-Birah.No arrests were reported.

Monday, 22 July 2019:

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Hebron and stationed in al-Hawouz area. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Ehab Othman ‘Obaido al-Tamimi (24) and arrested him.

At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Joyous village, northeast of Qalqiliya. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Taher Jaber Shamasnah (74) and then arrested him, claiming that they found a weapon in his house.

At approximately 02:00, Israel forces moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Majdi Mohamed Abu ‘Ayish (20) and Belal ‘Abed al-Rahman ‘Awad (21) and then arrested them.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Lo’ai Mehbash ‘Amro (19) and Wa’el Yousef Safi al-Haroub (24) and then arrested them.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Ya’qoub ‘Ali al-Shamali (28) and then arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qabatiyia village, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched houses and then arrested ‘Abed al-Qadir (24) and Mohamed (23) Hasan Abu al-Rub

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Shuyoukh village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Thameen Mohamed Haliyqah (27) and then arrested him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Subhi al-Barghouthi (25) and then arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Musbah Marwan al-Kanash (21) and ‘Odai Mostafa Nakhlah (24) and then arrested them.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyah village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem and then stationed in al-‘Obaid neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ameer Mohamed Fathi ‘Obaid (11) and then arrested him.

At approximately 22:15, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jayyous village, northeast of Qalqiliya. They searched Palestinian civilians’ vehicles and checked their IDs. Meanwhile, the Israeli forces arrested Sabri Mohamed al-Qatawi (22), Mohamed Jawad Ahmed Hamed (25), Mohamed Mansour ‘Adini (25), and Mahmoud Mohamed Shana’ah (25), taking them to an unknown destination. All the arrestees are from Qalqialiyia.

Israeli forces carried out (6) incursions in Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin; Jenin and Deir Abu Da’if villages, northeast of the city; al-Samou’a and Beit ‘Awa villages in Hebron; Bal’a and Qifin in Tulkarm. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 23 July 2019:

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khadir village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Naseem ‘Ali Subaieh (33) and then arrested him.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohamed ‘Adarbah (22) and then arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’a village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Mohanad Nimer al-‘Amour (20), Ahmed Jamal al-‘Amour (23) and Mohamed Daib al-‘Amour (25).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Khalid Iyad Saleem Hamed (22) and then arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Kamal Abu Ta’imah (21) and then arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Mohammed Surour (20), a student at Birzeit University, and the arrested him.

At approximately 05:00, a large force of Israeli police and Intelligence Service officers moved into al-Issawiyah village, north of occupied East Jerusalem. They established checkpoints at all village entrances and intersections, were redeployed in the center of the village and closed the entrances to some neighborhoods, causing a traffic jam in the village. During the incursion that lasted for more than 10 hours, the soldiers raided and searched dozens of houses after which they arrested 11 civilians, including 2 children and took them to un unknown destination.

(PCHR keeps the names of the arrestees)

Wednesday, 24 July 2019:

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Laith Mohammed ‘Asafrah (22) and the handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anabtah village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mothanna Abdullah Mohammed Sedlah (26) and then arrested him.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kafer al-Labad village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses after which they arrested 4 civilians namely Ahmed Mahmoud Jbarah (40), Fadi Mohammed Abdul Rahim Khatab (40), Ahmed Abdul Qader Saleh Hamdan (18) and Mothanna Abdullah Sedlah (26).

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Zeta Jama’in village, south of Nablus. They raided and searched a house belonging to Abdul Ghani Suleiman Ahmed Kan’an in al-Mazare’a. The soldiers ordered the family members to bring out money and jewelry from the house. While searching the house, the soldiers found a bag containing about 5,950 JOD and land ownership documents, they confiscated the money claiming that its terrorism-related. The owners asserted to the Israeli forces that this money came from selling a piece of land. The forces confiscated the money and left the family a paper documenting the incident.

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ala’aZain Eden al-‘Ouweiwi (24) and the arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ra’ed Nadi Taqatqa and then arrested Khalid (24) and Mohammed (21).

At the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kafer ‘Aboush village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mo’ath al-Sheikh Husein (23) and then arrested him.
At the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Ras village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Younis Ghazi ‘Oudah (24) and then arrested him.

At approximately 08:10, Israeli forces backed by a number of military construction vehicles moved about 100 meter along the border fence into the west of coastal line, northeast of Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip, amidst shooting in the area, but no casualties were reported. The vehicles leveled the area lands and were redeployed along the border fence at approximately 11:00.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces arrested Ala’a Fehmi Abdul Karim Bashir (23), from Jensafout village, east of Qalqiliyah, after she responded to a summons from the office of the Israeli Liaison.

Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Beit Awla, al-Samou’a villages and northern neighborhoods in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank including occupied East Jerusalem

At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 18 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Kroum area in northern Nablus. An Israeli bulldozer then uprooted a steel fence surrounding a 750-sqaure-meter plot of land and belonging to ‘Adnan ‘Abed al-Razeq Yaseen ‘Ayyad. The Israeli forces also confiscated a caravan from the land under the pretext of being in Area C. ‘Adnan refuted the Israeli forces’ claims.

At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 21 July 2019, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbit al-Hadidiyah in eastern Tubas. An Israeli bulldozer uprooted a residential tent and livestock barracks belonging to Naje’ Ka’abnah. The Israeli forces then confiscated 2 residential tents, 2 livestock tents, a tent used as a kitchen, a barn, and other contents.

At dawn on Monday, 22 July 2019, hundreds of Israeli police officers backed by dozens of military construction vehicles moved into Wadi al-Humus neighborhood, in Sour Baher, south of occupied East Jerusalem. They declared it as a closed-military zone and prevented entering or exiting it in order to carry out a large-scale destruction operation in Jerusalem since occupying it in 1967. Israeli forces raided 3 residential buildings belonging to Isma’il Abu Sarhan , Belal al-Kasawani and Ghaleb Abu Hadwan and his son Monther in Wadi al-Humus neighborhood and vacated them for demolition. In the meantime, the Israeli police officers beat the residents and pepper-sprayed them, in addition to firing rubber bullets and sound bombs at many apartments after their inhabitants refused to exit. As a result, 10 persons of Abu Sarhan family sustained bruises and were then taken to hospitals. At approximately 06:00, Israeli bulldozers demolished 10 residential buildings; 3 were inhabited while the others, comprising of 72 apartments, were under-construction. Additionally, 4 floors of Mohamed Idreis Abu Tair building were blew up. It should be noted that the destruction operation was carried out within 18 hours. During the demolition, the Israeli forces detained the buildings’ owners and dozens of persons stood in solidarity with them after forcibly getting them out of the buildings and dispersing them few meters away. It should be noted that around 22 persons, including 14 children, became homeless after demolishing their houses and over 70 families were deprived of living in their under-construction apartments. The destroyed houses belong to:

Ghaleb Hawan and his son Monther: a 2-story house built on 210 square meters and sheltering a 10-member family, including 6 children;
Isma’il ‘Ebeidiyah: a 2-sotry house built on 250 square meters and sheltering a 7-member family, including 5 children;
Belal al-Kiswani: a 1-story house sheltering a 5-member family, including 3 children;
‘Alaa’ ‘Amirah: a 2-story house built on 200 square meters (uninhabited);
‘Ali Khalil Hamadah: a 4-sotry building (under-construction);
Ja’afar Abu Hamed: a 1-story house (under-construction);
Akram Zawahrah: a 4-sotry building and a penthouse (under-construction);
Na’eem Musallam: a 2-sotry building (uninhabited);
Tareq Mahameed: his house was located behind the security street from the West Bank side;
Ra’fat ‘Obaidat: (under-construction); and
Mohammed Idris Abu Teir: a 7-story building comprised of 40 residential apartments (under-construction), where explosives were planted in 4 story in order to blow them up.

It should be mentioned that on 13 June 2019, the Israeli High Court approved the Israeli military’s decision to demolish 16 residential buildings comprised of 100 apartments in Wadi al-Humus neighborhood under the pretext of being near the annexation wall which was established on the village’s lands. On 20 June 2019, the Israeli forces handed tens of residents’ notices to self-demolish their property by 18 July or the Israeli forces will later do so. On 21 July 2019, the Israeli High Court rejected the appeal filed by the residents to freeze the demolition orders, and within hours the Israeli forces stormed the neighborhood and started the demolitions.

Wadi al-Humus neighborhood (area: 3,000 dunums; population: 6000) is located on the edge of Sour Baher, south of occupied East Jerusalem. The neighbourhood is not within Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries and most of its lands are classified in Area A that is under full control of the Palestinian Authority according to the Oslo Accords; thus, the buildings’ owners obtained construction licences from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Governance. Following the construction of the annexation wall in 2003, the neighbourhood was split as some houses ended up in the Israeli side but not under jurisdiction of the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem.

Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods

Gaza Strip

As the Israeli closure of the Gaza Strip enters its 14th consecutive year this July, severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of persons and goods enhance the de facto separation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Moreover, Israeli naval forces imposed a blockade, chased fishermen, opened fire at them, and confiscated their fishing equipment. During the reporting period, 6 shooting incidents, chasing fishermen and their boats, arresting and releasing fishermen were documented.

Note: No updates occured on the state of the crossing during the reporting

West Bank

In addition to permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of more temporary checkpoints that restrict the goods and individuals movement between villages and cities and deny civilians’ access to their work. Israeli forces established 34 temporary checkpoints, from which they arrested 8 civilians.

The military checkpoint were as follows:

Qalqilyah:

On Thursday, 18 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Hijjah village, east of Qalqilyah; and at the eastern entrance to Qalqilyah. They then arrested a civilian.

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 19 July 2019, a similar checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance to Qalqilyah.

At approximately 21:50 on Saturday, 20 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilyah.

At approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 20 July 2019, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance to ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb village, east of Qalqilyah.

On Monday, 22 July 2019, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance to Jayyous village, northeast of Qalqilyah; between al-Nabi Iyyas and ‘Izbit al-Tabeeb villages; and at the entrance to al-Nabi Iyyas village, east of the city.

On Monday evening, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Jayyous village, northeast of Qalqilyah, where they arrested 4 civilians.

Salfit:

On Friday, 19 July 2019, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints at the entrances to Qarawet Bani Hassan, Dir Balout, Burqeen, Dirsityia, and Kaful Hares villages, northwest of Salfit.

Nablus:

At approximately 19:00 on Friday, 19 July 2019, Israeli force established a checkpoint in ‘Oyoun al-Haramiyia area, between Nablus and Ramallah, and 2 arrested 2 siblings.

At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 24 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Tal village, south of Nablus.

Ramallah:

On Thursday, 18 July 2019, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.

On Friday, 19 July 2019, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Ras Karkar and Kherbitha Bani Harith villages, west of Ramallah; and at the entrance to Dir Abu Mish’al village, northwest of the city. A civilian was arrested at the mentioned checkpoints.

On Saturday, 20 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to ‘Ain Yabroud and ‘Ein Sina villages in the eastern and northern of West Bank.

On Monday, 22 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances to al-Nabli Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah; and ‘Ein Sina village, north of Ramallah.

On Tuesday, 23 July 2019, 2 military checkpoints were established at the entrance to Biteen village, northeast of the city.

Hebron:

On Monday, 22 July 2019, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance to Samou’a village and at the southern entrance to Halhoul village.

On Tuesday, 23 July 2019, 3 checkpoints were established at the entrance to Halhoul village, at the southern entrance to Hebron, and at the entrance to Beit Ummer village.