Israeli
forces deny Palestinian worshipers access into Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

 

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

      

 

 

A Palestinian child was killed in the far southwest of
Hebron.

 

Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians and a
member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded another 12 Palestinians in
Jenin refugee camp.

 

Israeli forces continued to fire at Palestinian
civilians in access-restricted areas along the border in the Gaza Strip.

4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
wounded in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

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

11 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a
paramedic, were wounded in protest organized against the annexation
wall.

6 Palestinian civilians were wounded in other peaceful
protests.

An Italian journalist was wounded in Aaida refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem.

 

Israeli forces conducted 69 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank, and 2 limited ones into the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian boy was wounded during an Israeli
incursion into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin.

46 Palestinian civilian, including 3 children, were
arrested.

Israeli forces stormed the premises of the Palestinian
Civil Defense in Salfit, and arrested 3 civil defense officers.

 

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

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 2 Palestinian
civilians were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.

A Palestinian fisherman was wounded, 2 fishing boats
were burnt and a mosque and 3 houses were damaged at Rafah beach.

 

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

Israeli forces confiscated heavy machinery and
prevented establishing a road in Jeeb and Bourin villages in the north of the
West Bank.

Israeli settlers attacked farmers and shepherds using
sharp tools.

Israeli settlers uprooted and stole 980 olive seedlings
in the center and north of the West Bank.

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(20
– 26 March 2014).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 2
Palestinian civilians and a member of a Palestinian armed group in Jenin
refugee camp in the north of the West Bank. 
They also wounded 30 Palestinians, including 4 children, a
paramedic and a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces who was in
plain clothes. They further wounded an Italian journalist.  In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces wounded 5
Palestinian civilians, including a child; 4 of them were wounded in
access-restricted areas and the 5^th one was wounded when Israeli
gunboats fired at Palestinian fishing boats.

 

In the West Bank, on 22 March 2013, Israeli forces
killed 2 Palestinian civilians and a member of a Palestinian armed group, and
wounded 11 civilians and a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces
in Jenin refugee camp in the north of the West Bank.  Israeli forces claimed that they killed 3
Palestinians during an exchange of fire. 
PCHR’s investigations refute this claim and confirm that 2 civilians
were killed and 11 other were wounded when dozens of civilians attempted to
recover the body of the Palestinian who had been already killed, but Israeli
forces fired at them.

 

On 21 March 2014, an Italian journalist was wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet above the left eye, when she was reporting in
clashes that erupted between Palestinian children and Israeli forces at the
entrance of ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.

 

In the same
context, Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations
organised 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, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 3
children and a paramedic.  Additionally,
6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in other peaceful
protests.

 

On 23 March 2014, a Palestinian civilian was hit by a tear gas canister
to the chest during an incursion into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin.

 

In the Gaza
Strip, on 21 March 2014, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli
forces in access-restricted areas along the border in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

On 26 March 2013, a Palestinian fisherman was wounded when Israeli
gunboats opened fire at fishing boats in the southern Gaza Strip town of
Rafah.  additionally, 2 boats were burnt
and a mosque and 3 houses were damaged.

 

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 46 Palestinians, including 3
children.

 

On 21 March 2014, Israeli forces stormed the premises
of the Palestinian Civil Defense in Salfit in the north of the West Banl.  They arrested 3 civil defense officers.

 

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited
incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they levelled lands.

 

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

 

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

 

As part of using military checkpoints and border
crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are
wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least 2 civilians in the West Bank.

 

Settlement activities

 

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

On 22 March 2014,
Israeli forces accompanied by officers from the Civil Administration moved into
lands in Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They confiscated a bulldozer and road roller to pave the way while Agricultural
Relief Society was carrying out a project to reclaim agricultural roads that
ease the entry of civilians to their lands. 
Israeli forces forced the workers to stop working.

 

On 24 March 2014,
Israeli forces moved into Karm al-Shakouf area, southeast of Borin village, south
of Nablus.  Israeli forces fired tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at a group of farmers, who were supporting the
bulldozers brought from Borin village council and the Ministry of Public Works
in order to establish am agricultural road, and expelled them from the
area.  

On 21 March 2014, 3 settlers from “Havat Jal” settlement
outpost established on the lands confiscated from the eastern part of Yatta,
south of Hebron, threw stones at the Palestinian shepherds when they were in
the pastoral lands in Kherbet Tuba in al-Mosafer area classified within the
areas belonging to the Israeli military training (918).  Meanwhile, other masked settlers from the
same outpost threw stones at the shepherds in al-Mashakhah Valley, east of Tuba
area.

 

On 23 March 2014, 7 masked settlers
from “Maghrone” settlement outpost established on the lands of Mekhmas village,
southeast of Ramallah, attacked 4 farmers from the aforementioned village while
they were tilling the soil in al-Qat’aah agricultural area, west of their village,
which around 2 kilometers away from “Maghrone” outpost.  The settlers used in their attack stones,
pipes and sharp tools as they severely beat the farmers.  As a result, a farmer sustained deep cuts in
his head, and two other farmers sustained bruises in the upper parts of their
body.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers from “Yitshar”
settlement established in the south of Borin village, south of Nablus, attacked
a house in the area of Thaher al-Hmar behind the bypass road that leads to the
aforementioned settlement.  The settlers
threw stones at the inhabited house after damaging 30 olive seedlings .

 

On 25 March 2014, a group of
settlers from “’Aadi ‘Aad” settlement established in the east of the lands of
Termes’aayah village, north of Ramallah, uprooted and stole 950 olive seedlings
in al-Sader agricultural area, east of the aforementioned village, which is
around 3 kilometers away from the settlement. 

 

 

Israeli Violations
Documented during the Reporting Period (20 – 26 March 2014)

   

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

Thursday, 20 March 2014

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces backed by
military vehicles moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoun
village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided
and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 6 civilians:

1. Mo’awyah ‘Abdelatif Ahmed Redwan (22);

2. Agmed ‘Abdullah Ahmed Redwan (23);

3. Mahmoud Ghaleb Sabri Bedwan (23);

4. Tha’er Faris Zumari (23);

5. Ja’afar Sami ‘Edwan (28); and

6. Mohammed ‘Emad Khalil Redwan (23).

 

The last
detainee suffered from a heart attack during his arrest as he was engulfed by a
severe wave of anger and screaming.  They
were all transferred to “Tsofim” camp, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 23 March
2014, Israeli forces released five of them, but kept Ja’afar Samy ‘Edwan in custody.  His case was transferred to the Israeli
police.

 

Mohammed ‘Emad Khalil Redwan (23) said to a PCHR
fieldworker that:

“At
approximately 02:30 on Thursday, 20 March 2014, Israeli forces raided our house
and I suffered severe pain in the heart muscle out of the stress and
anger.  I was shouting saying what do you
want from me?  5 young men and I were
arrested after they handcuffed us.  At
approximately 04:00, they transferred us to Tsofim camp, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 06:00, we were transferred
to Ariel police station, where they interrogated us under the pretext of
throwing stones at the settlers’ cars passing by the main street, north of our
village.  However, they neither had
evidence nor eyewitnesses and none proved that any of us threw stones as we did
not.  At approximately 23:00, we were
taken to Hawarah camp and detained in rooms without being questioned.  We spent Friday and Saturday there and at
approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 23 March 2014, they called me for interrogation.  They then told me and the other young men
that they would release us and they did at approximately 10:30 on the
aforementioned day.  However, Ja’far Sami
‘Edwan was kept in custody as his file was transferred to the police.”

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into several
quarters in Yatta, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in
Roq’ah quarter in the western area.  They
deployed between houses and some of them raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Ahmed Saqer Buhaith. 
Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into
Salfit. They raided and searched a house belonging to Shwakat al-Khafsh after
breaking the main house door.  They
arrested his two twin sons: Adham and Ayham (22).  They withdrew later taking the two detainees
to “al-Jalama” detention Centre.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ezbet
Jal’oud village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched a house belonging
to Hani Mubarak Salamah Sweirki (28) after bursting the door knob.  Sweirki was sleeping according to the
residents of the nearby houses, when they raided the house.  They arrested him and took him to an unknown
destination.  Al-Sweirki is from the Gaza
Strip, but he lives and works in the aforementioned village.

 

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:40, Israeli forces moved into Madama village, south of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses belonging to Nizar ‘Abdullah Ziyadah;
‘Ayed Jaber Qot; Ramez Rezeq Nassar; Raed Jadallah; Issa Nassar and Nader
al-Qot.  They withdrew later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqah village to the south of
Dura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and then stationed at the
entrance of a dirt road leading to ‘Ayoun Abu Seif area adjacent to the
village.  The Israeli soldiers deployed
in the area and a number of young men gathered to throw stones at them.  The Israeli soldier chased them in al-‘Awarid
area and the agricultural lands in Abu Ghbarah area.  They indiscriminately fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the young men and houses. 
As a result, some of the young men and civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation.  Israeli forces withdrew
later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in
al-Thaher area, north of Hebron, near “Kermi Tsour” settlement established on
Palestinian lands, south of the village. 
They deployed in the area and indiscriminately fired tear gas canisters
at the houses.  As a result, a number of
civilians suffer tear gas inhalation. 
Israeli forces withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north
of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
for some time and then stationed at the entrance of the camp.  They deployed between the houses in the
eastern part of the camp.  They withdrew later
and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 21 March 2014

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north
of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
and then stationed in the centre.  They
deployed between the houses and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into several quarters in the centre of Yata,
south of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed in the centre.  They
raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 3 civilians,
including a father and his son who were released later.  Mustafa Mohammed Khalil Nakhlah (18), who was
taken to Ofer detention center; Yousif Sharif Demrah (55) and his son, Sharif,
(23). 

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Burj village to the west of
Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time, and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 02:35, Israeli forces accompanied by a special unit raided the
Civil Defense building in Salfit.  The
masked members of the special unit raided and searched the building.  They damaged its belongings and broke wireless
devices, landline phones, and fire fighting equipment.  Israeli forces arrested 3 members of the
Civil Defence from the aforementioned building:

1. Reda Taysir Madi (30);

2. Nabil Mahmoud Bani Nemrah (28); and

3. Ahmed ‘Abdullah Ban Nemrah (21).

Two of them
were taken to Mageddo prison, while the third one was taken to “al-Jalamah”
detention centre.

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Shyoukh village, east of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into Hablah village, south of
Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew at
approximately 11:50. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of
al-Shuhada cemetery, east of Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, fired live
ammunition and tear gas canister at a group of young men who attempted to throw
stones at Israeli soldiers.  The shooting
continued sporadically till at approximately 18:30. As a result, 4 civilians,
including a child, were wounded and taken to Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit
Lahia. The wound of one of them was described as serious while the others’
wounds were described as moderate.

The wounded were:

1. ‘Emad Hasan Mousa al-‘Ayouti (20) from al-Jorn
neighbourhood in Jabalya ,sustained a bullet wound to the right leg causing him
a fracture in the shinbone and rupture in the veins and arteries.  His
wounds were described as serious;

2. Faris Na’im Faris al-Bes (18) from al-Toffah neighbourhood
in Gaza City, sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and his wound was described
as moderate;

3. Nedal ‘Abdel Karim Mohammed Naser (25) from Jabalya,
sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and his wound was described as
moderate; and

4. Mahmoud Sa’id al-‘Abed Abu Foul (17) from Beit Lahiah
housing project, sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and his wounds were
described as moderate.

 

At
approximately 19:30, dozens of young men and children gathered at the northern
entrance of ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at
the Israeli soldiers stationed at the camp entrance.  In response, Israeli forces fired tear gas
canisters and tuber-coated metal bullets indiscriminately at the houses and demonstrators.  As a result, an Italian journalist sustained
a bullet wound above the left eye while he was covering the events near the
school in the centre of the camp.  The
wounded journalist was taken to Beit Jala Hospital and was then transferred to
the Arab Association in Beit Jala to conduct a plastic surgery in the wounded
place.  The wounded is a freelance
journalist working for several Italian websites. 

(PCHR keeps
the name of the wounded journalist upon her request so she would not subjected
to punishment by the Israeli authorities)

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

Saturday, 22
March 2014

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Kom village, southwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

In excessive
use of force, on Saturday, 22 March 2014, Israeli forces killed, 2 Palestinian
civilians and a member of a Palestinian armed group and wounded 12 civilians
and a members of the Palestinian National Security Forces in Jenin refugee
camp, west of the northern West Bank town of Jenin.  Israeli forces claimed via the Israeli media
that they killed 3 Palestinians during armed clashes in the aforementioned
refugee camp.  However, investigations
conducted by PCHR refute the Israeli claim and confirm that the two civilians
were killed as Israeli forces opened fire heavily at dozen of civilians who
were trying to pull and carry the militant’s body in the centre of the camp.

 

According to
investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 02:00 on the Saturday, 22
March 2014, an Israeli special military force from “Alimam” Unit in the Israeli
military, which is described as “an anti-terrorism unit” infiltrated into the
south of Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. 
The Israeli force surrounded a two-storey house belonging to the family
of ‘Azmi Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hasaniyah (67) in Tal’et al-Ghabes area.  Israeli forces then sent large military
back-ups, which were deployed throughout the camp while Israeli drones were
hovering overhead.  Israeli snipers
ascended roofs of nearby houses after they received information that Hamzah
Jamal ‘Abdel Salam Abu al-Heijah (22), the local leader of the Izziddin
al-Qassam brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), was in the house.

 

After the
military back-ups had arrived, Israeli forces blew up the main door of the
houses and opened fire.  They then yelled
at residents of the house to get out. 
When the residents were about to come out and Mohammed (23), the son of
the house’s owner who is member of the Palestinian National Security Forces,
opened the external door, he was shot in the left shoulder.  Amidst the screams of his family, the
shooting stopped and the residents began to get out one by one while Abu
al-Heijah stayed in a room on the second floor. 
Israeli forces arrested Mohammed and his brother, Majd (18), and took
the rest of the family members to a nearby house.  They then entered a tracker dog into the
house, but Hamzah killed it and this made the Israeli forces be certain that he
is in the house.  As a result, Israeli
forces showered the house with live bullets and shells fired by machine guns
and then used shoulder-fired missiles. 
As a result, the house was partially destroyed.  Meanwhile, armed clashes broke out between
Palestinian militants, who stationed in the areas of al-Sahah and Abu Thahir
Mountain areas, and Hamzah from the house from one side and the Israeli forces,
which were surrounding the house, from the other side.  Hamzah took advantage of this and jumped from
one of the western windows of the house. 
As soon as he  stepped a few
meters, the snipers opened fired and immediately killed him.  They left him for two hours and he bled to
death in the alley.  Young men then tried
to pull his body, and Israeli forces opened fire at them.  However, they managed to pull it.  When they were passing by al-Sahah area,
Israeli forces opened fire killing two of them: Yazan Mahmoud Basem Taha
“Jabarin” (20) who was hit by a bullet to the chest; and Mahmoud ‘Omer Saleh
Abu Zeinah (24), who was hit by a bullet to the chest.  When the news of the death of 3 persons
spread out, the camp residents started coming out of their houses.  Immediately, the Israeli snipers opened fire
at these civilians wounding 11 of them, including a 65-year-old woman.  Thus, the number of wounded persons mounted
to 12 civilians.  It should be mentioned
that Hamzah Abu al-Heijah is the son of Jamal Abu al-Heijah, who is serving a
sentence of 9 life imprisonments in the Israeli jails.  Hamzah had been subject to several
extra-judicial execution attempts, the last of which was on 18 December 2013
when an Israeli special unit targeted him. 
However, he managed to escape and Nafe’a Jamil Nafe’a al-Sa’adi was
killed.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Fadel
al-Muhtaseb in the old town of Hebron. 
Israeli forces arrested the aforementioned civilian and withdrew taking
him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 04:00. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahil village, northwest of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Meir Valley neighbourhood to the east
of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
Hamzah ‘Ayed Abu Saleh (30), and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-Jorah neighbourhood, north
of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the
vicinity of the Traffic Department.  They deployed in the main street and later
removed the checkpoint.  Israeli forces
later withdrew, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north
of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets and around water wells.  They
withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Arraba village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled in the
streets and photographed a number of buildings. 
They withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.   

 

  Sunday, 23
March 2014

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and handed summonses to 8 Palestinian civilians to the Israeli intelligence in
Salem military camp.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces
moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets and then stationed in al-Mer Valley
neighbourhood in the west of the city. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to Hamzah Mohammed Abu Saleh
(32).  They arrested the aforementioned
civilian and took him to an unknown destination.

Shizar Abu Saleh (30), the wife of the
aforementioned civilian, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately 01:00, we were sleeping
in the house.  My husband, Hamzah, then awoke
me and told me that the Israeli forces were deploying in the vicinity of the
house.  He went to the main house door on
the first floor.  Minutes later, Hamzah
asked me to come to the first floor. 
When I went downstairs, I saw around 10 soldiers accompanied by an
officer wearing a blue bullet-proof vest and without a helmet on his head like
the other soldiers.  My husband then
asked me to go and bring the kids.  I
went to the second floor and brought my two kids, Mohammed (2.5) and Kenda
(1.5), who were sleeping.  The Israeli
soldiers searched the house for 15 minutes starting from my husband’s office
and then headed to the second floor. 
They confiscated a hunting rifle, which is authorised by the Palestinian
security services; he uses to distance the dogs from our house and the farm we
own.  They told my husband that they want
him to go with them.  My husband then
asked them to allow him to wear his shoes and then left with them.  The officer ordered me to turn the lights off
and not to go after them.  When they left
the house, I went to the window and saw three vehicles, including an Israeli
police car, and a large number of Israeli soldiers deploying in the vicinity of
the house.  When they left the front of
the house, I went to the second and third floors to find that the Israeli
soldiers had turned everything upside down. 
I called my husband’s family and told them about what happened.  On the next day, I was informed by the
Palestinian Prisoner Club that my husband is in “Gush Etzion” detention centre,
south of Bethlehem, and was transferred to Ofer prison.”

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved
into several neighbourhoods in the centre of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then stationed in Dweirban area in the west of the city.  They then raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Tamer Zidan al-Talbishi (19), and arrested him.  At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved
to al-Sheikh neighbourhood and then raided and searched two houses.  They handed two civilians summonses to refer
to the Israeli intelligence in “Ghosh ‘Atsyon” settlement, south of
Bethlehem.  They were identified as
Mohammed Fayez al-Haymoni (19) and Tariq Zidan Zaghir (19).  Meanwhile, Israeli forces moved into Johar
Mountain area and handed two civilians summonses to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence.  They were identified as
Belal Khader Abu Sneinah (19) and Eyad al-Haymoni (20). 

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces
moved into al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces
moved into al-Kom village to the southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed near the mosque of the
village.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Shawkat ‘Issa al-Rjoub (35) and handed him a
summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south
of Bethlehem. Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved
into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces
moved into Yata, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the centre.  They raided a house belonging to the family
of ‘Issa Mahmoud Makhamrah, and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence
in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.  At approximately 04:00, they moved to Khelet
al-Mayah area, east of the town.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Emad ‘Ayed ‘Eid al-Najjar
(25), and arrested him

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved
into Halhoul town, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed in al-Tharwah neighbourhood.  They deployed between houses for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces
moved into ‘Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces
moved into Beit ‘Or al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces
moved into Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed
near the annexation wall in ‘Aaida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, fired
rubber-coated metal bullets at a car belonging to Eyad ‘Abdel Qader Hamad (56)
while he was covering the clashes that broke out between the Israeli forces and
a group of children and young men in the camp.

The
aforementioned journalist said to a PCHR fieldworker:

“At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 23 March
2014, My colleague, Mousa al-Sha’er, who is a photographer at Al-Quds
Newspaper, and I went to ‘Aydah refugee camp to cover the events there.  When we approached the annexation wall, I
stopped 4 meters away from 5 soldiers stationed there.  During this, there were clashes between the Israeli
soldiers and a number of Palestinian children and young men from the camp.  In fear of being thrown with stones or fired,
I parked the car in another place, but one of the Israeli soldiers fired metal
bullets at the back of the car.”

 

At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces
moved into al-Zababda village, southeast of Jenin, and patrolled the
streets.  A number of Palestinian youngsters
gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters
and sound bombs at them.  As a result,
Nayef Mahmoud Nabhani (18) was hit by a tear gas canister to the chest, which
caused him a fracture.

 

At approximately 22:40, Israeli forces
moved into Kafr Ne’amah village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.    

 

Monday, 24 March 2014

 

In the early
morning, Israeli forces moved into Seilat al-Harthiya village, north of
Jenin.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mus’ab Mustafa Khabbas (22) and handed him a summons
to refer to the Israeli intelligence in Salem military camp, northwest of
Jenin.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Balatah refugee camp, southeast
of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested
Eyad Nemer al-Ka’abi (25) and Jaber Mohammed ‘Eweis (45).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.    

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and then stationed near the UNRWA schools.  They deployed between houses terrifying
civilians, especially children and women. 
They withdrew later, and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Zeita village,
north of Tulkarm.  They raided a house
belonging to the family of Odai Hassan Shabin (19) and handed him a summons to
refer to the Israeli intelligence.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Budrus village, west of
Ramallah.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Bashir Mohammed Ahmed Abdel Khaleq (17) and
arrested him.

 

At approximately
03:30, Israeli forces moved into Terqomia village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.    

 

At
approximately 06:40, Israeli forces moved into Salfit. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew at approximately 08:00. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into Qobar village, northwest of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At
approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in
central Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and then stationed in al-Salam Street.  They deployed in the vicinity of al-Ansar
Street.  Meanwhile, the Israeli soldiers
stopped a car belonging to ‘Amer ‘Arafah, a reporter of Shehab News Agency, and
detained him under the pretext of taking pictures of the deployment of the
Israeli soldiers.  They forced him to
delete the photos from the camera. 
Israeli forces then handed the aforementioned journalist a summons to
refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of
Bethlehem.

 

At approximately
16:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and stationed at
the entrance of the refugee camp.  They
deployed between houses, so a number of young men gathered and threw stones and
empty bottles at them. Israeli forces in response fired sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the young men.  As a
result, a number of the young men suffered tear gas inhalation.  Israeli forces withdrew later, and no arrests
were reported.

 

Also at
approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Muthallath al-Aqaba village,
southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and deployed on agricultural lands. 
A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli
forces.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers
fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. 
As a result, a number of boys suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

At
approximately 16:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border, north of Abu
Samrah area, north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, fired an artillery smoke shell, which fell onto the Abu Samrah
land.  Neither injuries nor damages were
reported.  Eyewitnesses confirmed that
the shell fell and caused white heavy smoke in the area without knowing the reasons
behind firing it by the Israeli forces.

 

At
approximately 16:50, Israeli forces moved into Bourqin village, west of Salfit.
They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Thaer
Ibrahim Demrah (26) and Feras Ibrahim Demrah (35).  They took them to the bypass road north of
the village, and kept him in detention for 2 hours without questioning them or
even talking to them.  At approximately
18:00, the two detainees were released. 
It should be mentioned that the two aforementioned civilians are brothers
of Belal Demrah, who was released from Israeli prisons in the third deal of
veteran prisoners after serving 25 years in the prison.

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

 

At approximately
01:00, Israeli forces moved into Anabta village, east of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Izz Amjad Tom (25) and arrested him.  They then raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Ahmed Marwan Fuqaha (25) and arrested him.

 

Also at
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kraisa quarter in the west of
Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, Balatah refugee camp,
east of the city, and ‘Eim Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp in the northwest of the
city. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested
Mohammed ‘Abdel Latif Mohammed al-Qatoni (28) from ‘Eim Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp
and confiscated his laptop.

 

Also at
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to Mahmoud Ali Abu Zwayed, 29, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awa village,
southwest of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinians: Ra’ef Mohammed
al-Masalma (33); Muntasser Salem Mallouh (26); and Muthanna Izzat al-Masalma
(29).

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ethna village,
west of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinians:

1. Hamza Basman Abu al-Haija (21);

2. Ayman Ahmed Fraihat (21);

3. Ra’ed Salah Abu al-Hassan (40);

4. Ahmed Fawaz Jaradat (21); and

5. Sharaf Wa’el Abu ‘Obaid (21).

 

Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli force
moved into Eissi neighbourhood in the west of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Hani Waleed Aagour (31) and arrested him.

 

At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces,
backed by 4 tanks and 4 bulldozers, moved nearly 200 meters into al-Shoubaki
area to the east of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip,
amidst sporadic shooting.  Palestinian
farmers were forced to leave their lands. 
Israeli forces withdrew from the area at approximately 14:15, and no casualties
were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces
moved from the military gate next to al-Najar neighbourhood in Khoza’ah town 500
meters into the east of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip.  They levelled the lands along the border
fence to the north and then to the east of ‘Abasan to finally the east of
al-Qararah town.  In the afternoon, they
redeployed behind the border fence.

 

At approximately 13:00, an Israeli
undercover unit travelling in a civilian car arrested Jaber Mahmoud al-Rajoub
(23) when he exited the campus of Hebron University in Wad al-Hariya area in
the south of Hebron.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces
moved into Khirbat Janba area in the southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron.  They raided a number of tents and caves where
some Palestinian civilians live and forced them out.  Israeli forces then arrested Odai No’man
al-Jabarin (25).

 

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu Ktaila neighbourhood in the
west of Hebron.  They raided and searched
2 houses belonging to the families of Waleed Ghaith Zughayar (21) and Mahran
Mahmoud Emraish (21) and arrested both of them.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian children:
Mousa Amjad al-Titi (17); Majed Tayseer al-Titi (16).

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Barqah village, northwest of
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested
Ahmed Ayman Amin Hajah (18) and Islam Khairy Soliman Seif (20). They later
withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately
03:00, Israeli gunboats fired bullets and shells at 2 fishing boats that were
sailing less than one nautical mile off Rafah seashore near the border with
Egypt in the south of the Gaza Strip.  As
a result, Mohammed Hassn al-Aqra’ (51), a fisherman from Deir al-Balah, was
wounded by shrapnel to the legs.  Additionally,
a mosque and 3 houses were damaged:

1. A 300-square-meter mosque;

2. A 170-square-meter house belonging to Hisham Ahmed
al-Nahhal, in which 16 individuals live;

3. A 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house belonging to
Farida Khalil al-Nahhal, in which 4 individuals live; and

4. A 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house belonging to
Ibrahim Ali Abu Ouda, in which 3 individuals live.  

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Bassa area in the center of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Abdul Qader Mohammed Shaheen (22) and arrested him.

 

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 organised 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, 11 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a volunteer
paramedic and 3 children. 

 

In the same context, 6 Palestinian civilians,
including a child, were wounded during other protests. 

    

 

(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, 21 March 2014, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at
the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. Demonstrators
took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated
territories near the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all the
entrances of the village since the morning in order to prevent Palestinian and
international activists and journalists from participating in the
demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the cement wall and tried to
cross the fence before Israeli forces that are 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 skunk
water at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a 16-year-old
child sustained a bullet wound to the right foot. Moreover, a number of
demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they
were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

(PCHR keeps the name of the wounded person)

 

On the same day, 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. 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. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and
bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful
demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. 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
“Halamish” settlement. Israeli forces 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
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, a volunteer paramedic was wounded by 2 rubber-coated metal bullets to
the back and the right leg, and a child was wounded by a rubber-coated metal
bullet to the right thigh.  Many
civilians also suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to
being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

(PCHR keeps the name of the wounded persons)

 

Following the Friday prayer, Palestinian civilians and
international activists organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Kufor
Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilia, and headed towards the eastern entrance
of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the entrance with an
iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada (2000). Clashes erupted
between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and tear
gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate. As a
result, 8 civilians, including a 12-year-old child who sustained a bullet wound
to the right leg, were wounded.   Moreover, a number of demonstrators sustained
tear gas inhalation and bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

(PCHR keeps the names of the 8 wounded persons)

 

Other demonstrations:

 

On Friday, 21 March 2014, dozens of children and young
men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of
Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of “Beit
Eil” settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live
ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As
a result, a 57-year-old male was hit by a tear gas canister in the forehead and
left eye, and a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg. They
were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, and the first civilian was
transferred to Msalam Eye Hospital.

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons)

 

On the same day, dozens of Palestinian young men
gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on
the road between Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) to throw
stones at the aforementioned street.  As
a result, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and
chased them to the village. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded and taken to
Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. 
The first one (29) sustained a bullet wound to left leg; the second one
(34) sutained a bullet wound to the left knee; and the third one (25) sustained
a bullet wound to the forehead.

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons)

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian young men
gathered near the area of the annexation wall established in the south of the
lands of Beit Loqaya village, southwest of Ramallah to throw stones at the
Israeli forces stationed behind the wall. 
As a result, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal
bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and chased them to the
olive fields. As a result, a 19-year-old male was hit by a tear gas canister
while a number of the demonstrators sustained gas inhalation and bruises.  The wounded received medical treatment on the
spot.

(PCHR keeps the name of the wounded person)

 

 

 

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

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

 

Gaza
Strip

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The
cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu
Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities
only allow an average of 98 tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day.  This limited quantity is less than half of
the daily needs, which is 200 tonnes 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
benzine led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas
cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzine to run generators.  As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

 

For almost 6 consecutive years,
Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials
to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of
limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations
in the Gaza Strip.  On 17 September 2013,
they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the
private sector.  However, on 13 October
2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP
projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels.

 

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.

 

The Egyptian authorities allow the
population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which
connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. 
Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients,
students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years,
females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign
nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian
delegations.  Supposedly the crossing
opens seven days a week.  Nowadays, the
crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures from the Egyptian side,
particularly after closing it for several days over the past weeks due to
Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the travellers’ movement in
both directions.

 

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) crossing

19 – 24 March 2014

 

Exports:

Wednesday,
19 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 79,000 flowers; 16
tonnes of tomatoes; 230 kilos of garlic leaves; and 180 kilos of mint.

Thursday,
20 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 14.5 tonnes of
cucumbers.

Sunday,
23 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 11 tonnes of cucumbers
and 5 tonnes of tomatoes.

Monday,
24 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 8 tonnes of cucumbers;
228 kilos of garlic leaves; 180 kilos of mint; and 470 kilos of paprika.

 

Other Imports:

On
Wednesday, 19 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 770 tonnes of
construction aggregate, 248 tonnes of cement, 40 tonnes of white cement and 70
tonnes of construction steel for the UNRWA. 
They also allowed the entry of 1404 tonnes of fodders and 468 tonnes of
wheat.

On
Thursday, 20 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 700 tonnes of
construction, 344 tonnes of cement, 23 tonnes of construction steel and 20
tonnes of white cement for the UNRWA. 
They also allowed the entry of 1794 tonnes of fodders and 468 tonnes of
wheat.

On
Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 257 tonnes of white
cement, 266 tonnes of cement and 27 tonnes of construction steel for the
UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of
1,287 tonnes of fodders and 507 tonnes of wheat.

On
Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 198 tonnes of cement
and 28 tonnes of construction steel for the UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 936 tonnes of
fodders and 546 tonnes of wheat.

 

Empty Plastic Containers
Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

On
Wednesday, 19 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Thursday, 20 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic
containers and a truckload of empty oxygen cylinders to be returned via Karm
Abu Salem.

On
Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed 5 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces allowed a truckload of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

 

 

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

 

Due to a technical failure, we
apologize about publishing the table this week and it will be included in the
next report.

 

 

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 07:00 on Thursday, 20
March 2014, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna village, west of
Hebron.  At approximately 07:30, they
established another checkpoint at the southern entrance of Hebron.  At approximately 08:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of al-Haeryah Valley village, south of
Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Friday, 21 March 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  Around the same time, another checkpoint was
established at the eastern entrance of Dura, southwest of the city.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 22 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.  At approximately 18:00, they established
another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron.  The two checkpoints were removed later, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of the city.  Around the same time, another checkpoint was
established at the intersection of Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of Hebron.  Around the same time, they established a
similar checkpoint at entrance of Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron.  At approximately 15:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jalajel village, east of the
city.  The two checkpoints were removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces estavlished a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Younis, east of Hebron.  At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Taramah village, south of Dura, southwest of
the city.  The two checkpoints were later
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, 20 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 15:00, another checkpoint
was established under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of
the city.  The two checkpoints were
removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 21 March 2014, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00,
another checkpoint was established near the entrance of Beit Loqaya, southwest
of the city.  At approximately 17:30,
they established a similar checkpoint near the intersection of Beit ‘Or al-Foqa
village, southwest of Ramallah.  All checkpoints
were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 22 March 2014, Israeli forces
established checkpoint near the entrance of al-Moghir village, northeast of
Ramallah.  At approixmtaely 11:30,
another checkpoint was established on the road between Beit Loqaya village and
Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city.  At approximately 18:00, a similar checkpoint
was established on the road between the villages of Termes’ayah and al-Moghir,
northeast of the city.  All checkpoints
were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Tulkarm: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:00
on Saturday, 22 March 2014, Israeli forces on the main road between Tulkarm and
Nablus, near the intersection of Beit Leed village known as “Abu Martein”, east
of Tulkarm.  Around the same time, they
established another checkpoint between the villages of ‘Ezbet Shofah and
Shofah, southeast of Tulkarm.  The two
checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:00 on Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab
checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm
tightened restriction against Palestinians and obstructed their movement
through the checkpoint.    The tightening
later ended, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Jenin: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the road between al-Zababdah village and the Arab American
University Campus, southeast of Jenin. 
The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Qalqilya: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 17:20 on Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 18:30, the checkpoint was
removed, and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 21:20, another checkpoint was established under the
bridge of ‘Azoun village on the road between Qalqilya and Tulkarm.  No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 17:15 on Monday, 24 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the intersection of Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 18:30, the checkpoint was
removed, and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 17:20, another checkpoint was established at the
eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 17:50, checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Salfit: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 14:20 on Friday, 21 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between the villages of Haris and Kafl Haris, north of Salfit.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:20 on Saturday, 22 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between the villages of Haris and Kafl Haris, north of Salfit.  At approximately 20:50, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Haris village, northwest of the city.   The two checkpoints were removed later, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 12:30 on Sunday, 23 March 2014, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between Salfit and Borqin village. 
The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests and maltreatment at military
checkpoints

 

At approximately
16:30 on Thursday, 20 March 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of
Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Sakher Hisham Abu Mariah (20)
after detaining him for hours and were then taken to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately
13:30 on Wednesday, 26 March 2014, Israeli
forces, who guard the annexation wall near ‘Azoun ‘Etmah village, southeast of
Qalqilya, arrested Nader Talab Mustafa Zain al-Din (35) from Majdal Bani Fadel
village, southeast of Nablus.  The
aforementioned Palestinian was arrested while he was working near the wall and
was taken to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

Attacks and measures carried out by Israeli forces

 

On 22 March 2014,
Israeli forces accompanied by officers from the Civil Administration moved into
lands in Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They confiscated a bulldozer and road roller to pave the way while Agricultural
Relief Society was carrying out a project to reclaim agricultural roads that
ease the entry of civilians to their lands. 
Israeli forces forced the workers to stop working under the pretext that
these lands are in the area classified as “C” which is under the Israeli
control according to the Oslo Accords.

 

On 24 March 2014,
Israeli forces moved into Karm al-Shakouf area, southeast of Borin village,
south of Nablus.  Israeli forces fired
tear gas canisters and sound bombs at a group of farmers, who were supporting
the bulldozers brought from Borin village council and the Ministry of Public
Works in order to establish am agricultural road, and expelled them from the
area.  They declared the area a closed
military zone.

Attacks carried out by settlers

 

On 21 March 2014, 3 settlers from “Havat Jal” settlement
outpost established on the lands confiscated from the eastern part of Yatta,
south of Hebron, threw stones at the Palestinian shepherds when they were in
the pastoral lands in Kherbet Tuba in al-Mosafer area classified within the
areas belonging to the Israeli military training (918).  As a result, the shepherds were terrified and
forced to leave the area.  Meanwhile,
other masked settlers from the same outpost threw stones at the shepherds in
al-Mashakhah Valley, east of Tuba area.

 

On 23 March 2014, 7 masked settlers
from “Maghrone” settlement outpost established on the lands of Mekhmas village,
southeast of Ramallah, attacked 4 farmers from the aforementioned village while
they were tilling the soil in al-Qat’aah agricultural area, west of their
village, which around 2 kilometers away from “Maghrone” outpost.  The settlers used in their attack stones,
pipes and sharp tools as they severely beat the farmers.  As a result, ‘Omer ‘Odah Mohammed Haj (21)
sustained deep cuts in his head, and two other farmers sustained bruises in the
upper parts of their body.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers from “Yitshar”
settlement established in the south of Borin village, south of Nablus, attacked
a house belonging to Ayman ‘Atallah Sofan and threw stones at it.  The house is in the area of Thaher al-Hmar
behind the bypass road that leads to the aforementioned settlement.  The settlers threw stones at the inhabited
house after damaging 30 olive seedlings belonging to Soliman al-Najjar, who
bought and put them next to the house under an olive tree to plant them in his
land, which is only 400 meters away from the aforementioned house. 

 

On 25 March 2014, a group of
settlers from “’Aadi ‘Aad” settlement established in the east of the lands of
Termes’aayah village, north of Ramallah, uprooted and stole 950 olive seedlings
in al-Sader agricultural area, east of the aforementioned village, which is
around 3 kilometers away from the settlement. 

 

 

 

 

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.