Israeli forces continue systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
(21– 27 April 2016)
Qalandia: Annexation Wall
- Israeli forces continued to use excessive force in the oPt
- A Palestinian woman and her brother were killed at Qalandia military checkpoints, north of occupied Jerusalem.
- Four Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a photojournalist, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- Israeli forces conducted 56incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and alimited one in the central Gaza Strip.
- 44 civilians, including 5 children and awoman, were arrested.
- 34 of them, including 3 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
- 600-gram jewellery, NIS 1,500 and JD 150 were confiscated from a house in Beit Ommer village.
- A Palestinian civilian was arrested while attempting to sneak from the Gaza Strip to Israel looking for work.
- Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.
- Twofishermenwerearrested in the northern Gaza Strip.
- Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
- The Israeli municipality issued dozens of demolition notices for houses in Silwan village.
- Hundreds of settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque yards on their Jewish Passover holiday.
- Settlement activities continued in the West Bank.
- Settlers threw stones at a bus in the east of Qalqilya, due to which one of the bus’ windows was smashed.
- Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9th
- Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.
- 3Palestinian civilians, including photojournalist Omer Nazzal, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
SummaryIsraeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in theoPt continued during the reporting period (21– 27 April 2016).
Shooting:
Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forceskilled a Palestinian woman and her brother at Qalandia checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, and wounded 3 others in the West Bank, including a child and photojournalist. Moreover, they wounded another child in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank,in a new crime of using lethal force, on 27 April 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Qalandia military checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at killed Maram Saleh Abu Ismail (23) and her brother Ibrahim (16). The 2 siblings were left bleeding to death at the checkpoint, as Israeli soldiers denied the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) crews access to the scene. Israeli forces claimed that the siblings attempted to carry out a stabbing against two Israeli soldiers after the former took the vehicles’ track, which is mainly used to check the drivers’ IDs, although they were warned. Eyewitnesses said that the warning took few seconds only and the 2 siblings seemed to be ignorant about the track they should have taken. It should be noted that Maram and Ibrahim are from Qatannah village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem, but Maram was married and had 2 girls and used to live in Beit Soreek village.
In the context of using force against peaceful protests, 3 civilians, including a child and a photojournalist, were wounded. The child sustained a bullet wound to the left hand during a peaceful protest in QuforQaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya on 22 April 2016. Moreover, a 20-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right hand during a protest in the same village on 23 April 2016.
On 26 April 2016,Sa’ed al-Hawari, Reuters’ cameraman, was hit with a tear gas canister to the chest while covering a protest organized against the arrest of Omer Nazzal, member of the General Secretariat of the Journalists Union, on front of Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip,concerning force employed against Palestinian civilians participating in protests against Israeli forces in the vicinity ofthe annexation wall between the Gaza Strip and Israel, a child sustained bullet shrapnel wounds to the legs on 22 April 2016. The child was then transported to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to receive the necessary medical treatment. His wounds were minor.
As part of Israeli attacks on fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea, on 24 April 2016, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing offal-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia village, north of the Gaza Strip. A gunboat approached a fishing boat sailing within 3 nautical miles and manned by Uranus al-Sultan (19) and Ibrahim al-Sultan (23), both from al-Salateen neighbourhood in Beit Lahia village. Israeli officers arrested both of them and took them to an unknown destination.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 56 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children and awoman. Thirty-fourofthem, including 3 children and a woman, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Awad in Beit Ommer village, north of Hebron, and the house of his son Ibrahim, whom was killed by Israeli forces near his house on 08 October 2015. The Israeli soldiers confiscated a 600-gram jewelry, NIS 1,500 and JD 150.
In the Gaza Strip, on 27 April 2016, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters to the west of the border fence, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. They levelled lands and withdrew later.
On 21 April 2016, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, arrested Azmi al-Massri (26) after he sneaked through the border fence. He was been in detention so far.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Jewish Majority
In the context of house demolitions, on 22April 2016, Israeli municipal crews moved into Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem. They distributed demolition notices to a number of residential and commercial facilities.
Regarding settler attacks in al-Aqsa Mosque, on 24 April 2016, in coincidence with the Jewish Passover holiday, 115 settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque via al-Maghariba Gate under the protection of Israeli special forces.
The settlers’ raids recurred during the Passover holiday, as 532 settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque in 3 days via al-Maghariba Gate, whose keys were seized by the Israeli authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem.
Settlement activities:
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 23 April 2016, a group of settlers from “Emanuel” settlement, east of Qalqilya, gathered on a hill overlooking the main street adjacent to the settlement. They threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, as a result, a bus was hit with the stones.
On 26 April 2016, a group of settlers from settlements established in the east of Yatta, south of Hebron, raided al-Baraka archaeological site, west of the city. They performed their rituals there and swam in the archaeological pool there celebrating their Passover.
Details
- Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 21 April 2016
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron and stationed at Abu al-Samen and Abu Sunainah areas. They raided and searched a house belonging to JehadIzzedin Mohammed Abu Turki (22) and arrested him. They also raided a number of houses belonging to Nour Shaker al-Atrash, Sa’ed Abu Husain, Mostafa Mahmoud Es’ayed and Jebril al-Atrash. The raids included searching, destroying the houses’ contents and forcing the residents to go out. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces withdrew and took Jehad to an unknown destination.
- At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched 3 houses from which they arrested Husain Mohammed Abdullah Amirah (16), SohaibFehmiSorour (18) and SaifEidenSamehWasas (18).
- At approximately 19:15, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Ahmar area, east of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Strip, arrested AzmiRa’fatAtallah al-Massri (26) from al-Masriyeen street in the same village because he crossed the abovementioned border fence. Azmihas been in custody so far.
Note:
During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: al-Aroub and al-Fawar refugee camps in Hebron, Dora and Yatta villages in Hebron; Azzoun, RasAttiyah and Baqet al-Hatab villages, east of the city; and Ematin, north of the city.
Friday, 22 April 2016
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported:Jaljaliya village, northwest of Ramallah; KharbathahBaniHareth village, northeast of the city; Baqet al-Hatab, Jensafout, Sair and KaferThuluth villages, east of Qalqiliya.
Saturday, 23 April 2016
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Betin village, northeast of Ramallah; EinAyoub area, west of RasKarkar, northwest of the city; al-Jaftalak village, north of Jericho; Hijah, al-NabiElias, Jeet and AzzounEtmah villages in Qalqiliya.
Sunday, 24 April 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to NourThwabtah and then arrested his son Omer (17). It should be noted that the Omer,who was a former prisoner, is deaf.
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Baqet al-Hatab village, east of Qalqiliyah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Marwan al-Barghouthi (25) and arrested him.
- At approximately 07:40, Israeli gunboats stationed off the shore, northwest of Beit Lahiya, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. An Israeli gunboat approached a Palestinian fishing boat that was sailing within 3 nautical miles off the Gaza seaport. The boat was manned by Uranus Sharif Mohammed al-Sultan (19) and Ibrahim Ghaleb Ramadan al-Sultan (23), both from al-Salateen neighbourhood in Beit Lahiyah. Israeli forces arrested the above-mentioned civilians and confiscated their boat. An eyewitness stated that an Israeli gunboat excessively opened fire at a fishing boat, confiscated it and forced the fishermen on the boat to take off their clothes, jump in the water and swim towards the Israeli gunboat. Moreover, they transferred Uranus and Ibrahim to a large gunboat that stationed 300 meter to the north of the scene.
Note
: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Betellu and Beit Sera villages, southwest of Ramallah and al-Ouja village, north of Jericho; Hija, Ematin, Seneriya and KafrLaqef villages in Qalqiliya.
Monday, 25April 2016
- At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar in Hebron and stationed in Thaher al-Baraghish area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Mostafa Abdul Fatah Awad (57) and the house of his son Ibrahim (28), who was killed near his house after being shot with a live bullet to the right side of his head on 8 October 2015. Ibrahim died two days after he was admitted to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron. Israeli forces searched the house and confiscated 600-gram gold jewellery, NIS 1,500 and JD150.
Ahmed said to PCHR’s fieldworker,“Our house was raided at 02:00 after Israeli forces raided the house of my son Ibrahim on the first floor. They thoroughly searched rooms and closets and destroyed the furniture. They forced my wife to take off her clothes and searched her twice claiming that she had money. They also confiscated NIS 500 from my ID card, NIS1000 from my wife’s bag, JD 150 and 600-gram gold jewellery belonging to my wife and married daughters. Israeli forces left us no receipt for the confiscated money and jewelry.”
- At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into the southern area of Hebron and stationed in al-Fahes area. They raided and searched a house belonging to BarakahRajehTaha (33) and then arrested him.
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported:, BaniNaim, al-Samou’, Yattah, AzzounEtmah, Heblah villages, south of Qalqiliyah; Sair village, north of the city; KaferLaqef village, east of the city; Kafel Hares, north of Salfit.
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
- At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron and stationed in al-Khelah area. They raided and searched a house belonging to NayefHammadSalebi (50) and arrested his son Abdul Rahman (20).
Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: kafer al-Deek village, west of Salfit; Hebron, Ethnah, Surif, Beit Omrah and al-Hadab villages in Hebron.
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
- At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Shayoukh village, northeast of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Yusuf Warasnah (18) and arrested him. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Sami Mahmoud al-Hasasnah (48) and arrested him too.
- At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces accompanied with four bulldozers moved about 100 meters into the west of the border fence between the Gaza Strip, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the centre of the Strip. They levelled the agricultural lads adjacent to the mentioned border fence and then moved northwards (Johr al-Deek) village. After that, they moved southwards to al-Salqah valley, east of Deir al-Balah. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces were redeployed inside the abovementioned border fence.
- Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Dora, Sa’ir,Beit Awa, al-Majd and al-Kume villages in Hebron.
- Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall
West Bank:
- Following the Friday prayer, on 22 April 2016, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized protests against the Israeli policies in the oPt at the western entrance to Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of “Ofer” prison,southwest of the city, and at the southern entrance to al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of the city. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protestors by firing live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Gaza Strip:
- At approximately 14:30, on Friday, 22 April 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing, northwest of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at dozens of Palestinian civilians, who were on the road between the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the crossing. The protesters threw stones at the soldiers in protest at the Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The clashes continued until 20:30. As a result, 2 civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and were treated in the spot.
- At approximately 15:00, on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City. The protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed along the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the sand barriers opened fire at the protesters in response. As a result, Ahmed FayizSarhan al-Jedi (16), from al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs and was then taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to receive medical treatment. Medical sources there classified his wounds as minor.
Demonstrations against the annexation wall and settlement activities
- At approximately 12:50, on Friday, 22 April 2016,Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of KuforQaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance to the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, while another child (15) was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the left hand.
- Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah and al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of city. Israeli forces used force to disperse the protesters by firing live bullets, metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased the protesters into the olive fields and between houses. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
- At approximately 18:00, on Saturday, 23 April 2015, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of KuforQaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliya, and then made their way to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When the protesters approached the entrance, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, while one 20-year-old young man was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the right hand.
Note: PCHR keeps the names of the injured persons in the aforementioned demonstrations. Rubber-coated metal bullets are lethally if they hit the head of victim from a close range.
- Continued closure of the oPt
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods
| Date |
Imports |
|
| Category |
Amount |
|
| Tons |
Number |
Liters |
|
| 19 April |
Various goods |
4,719.5 |
|
|
|
| Humanitarian aid |
13,266 |
|
|
|
| Cooking gas |
271,050 |
|
|
|
| Benzene |
|
|
222,015 |
|
| Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
453,000
76,000 |
|
| Industrial fuel |
|
|
114,000 |
|
| Construction aggregates |
11,840 |
|
|
|
| Cement |
800 |
|
|
|
| Construction steel |
30 |
|
|
|
| 20 March |
Various goods |
5,652 |
|
|
|
| Humanitarian aid |
15,861 |
|
|
|
| Cooking gas |
255,500 |
|
|
|
| Benzene |
|
|
153,000 |
|
| Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
373,010
38,000 |
|
| Industrial fuel |
|
|
228,010 |
|
| Construction aggregates |
13,640 |
|
|
|
|
Cement |
960 |
|
|
|
|
Construction steel |
450 |
|
|
|
| 21 April |
Various goods |
5987.4 |
|
|
|
| Humanitarian aid |
13,900 |
|
|
|
| Cooking gas |
255,760 |
|
|
|
| Benzene |
|
|
183,990 |
|
| Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
630,002
76,000 |
|
| Industrial fuel |
|
|
228,000 |
|
| Construction aggregates |
12,920 |
|
|
|
| Cement |
800 |
|
|
|
| Construction steel |
180 |
|
|
|
| 24 April
|
Various goods |
5178.35 |
|
|
|
| Humanitarian aid |
16,941 |
|
|
|
| Cooking gas |
203,280 |
|
|
|
| Benzene |
|
|
149,022 |
|
| Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
513,961
38,000 |
|
| Industrial fuel |
|
|
229,987 |
|
| Construction aggregate |
13600 |
|
|
|
| Cement |
2240 |
|
|
|
| Construction steel |
210 |
|
|
|
| 25 April
|
Various goods |
4607.7 |
|
|
|
| Humanitarian aid |
15,055 |
|
|
|
| Cooking gas |
200,820 |
|
|
|
| Benzene |
|
|
216,020 |
|
| Diesel
Diesel for UNRWA |
|
|
594,998
38,000 |
|
| Industrial fuel |
|
|
152,010 |
|
| Construction aggregates |
13160 |
|
|
|
| Cement |
1,440 |
|
|
|
| Construction steel |
210 |
|
|
|
Exports:
- On Tuesday, 19 April 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 71.68 tons of tomatoes; 28.12 tons of cucumbers; 10.84 tons of eggplants; 1.92 tons of peppers; 0.60 tons of squashes; 7.95 tons of lemons and 7.95 tons of oranges.
- On Wednesday, 20 April 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 15.5 tons of lemons; 1.17 tons of pepper and 7 tons of clothes.
- On Thursday, 21 April 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 31.36 tons of tomatoes; 21 tons of cucumbers; 0.96 tons of peppers; 0.64 tons of sweet pepper; 9.75 tons of oranges and 32.25 tons of lemons.
- On Sunday, 24 April 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 52.24 tons of tomatoes; 1.26 tons of peppers; 15.36 truckloads of lemons; 7.84 tons of cucumbers and one ton of sweet peppers.
- On Monday, 25 April 2016, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 22.25 tons of lemons; 20 tons of furniture and 6 tons of oranges.
BeitHanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north of the Gaza Strip, is designated for the movement of individuals, and links the Gaza Strip with the West Bank.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing
13-26 April 2016
| Category |
13 April |
14 April |
15 April |
16 April |
17 April |
18 April |
19 April |
| Patients |
45 |
64 |
2 |
– |
64 |
80 |
74 |
| Companions |
44 |
57 |
1 |
– |
61 |
75 |
67 |
| Personal needs |
75 |
134 |
29 |
– |
98 |
73 |
54 |
| Families
of prisoners |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
78 |
– |
| Arabs from
Israel |
1 |
9 |
9 |
– |
12 |
3 |
1 |
| Diplomats |
5 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
| International journalists |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| International workers |
53 |
60 |
4 |
– |
13 |
9 |
27 |
| Travelers
abroad |
2 |
3 |
– |
– |
– |
40 |
3 |
| Business people |
320 |
378 |
3 |
2 |
582 |
384 |
350 |
| Business meetings |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Security interviews |
8 |
12 |
– |
– |
4 |
12 |
– |
| VIPs |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
– |
– |
| Ambulances
to Israel |
5 |
1 |
1 |
– |
7 |
8 |
2 |
| Patients’ Companions |
5 |
1 |
1 |
– |
6 |
8 |
2 |
| Category |
20 April |
21 April |
22 April |
23 April |
24 April |
25 April |
26 April |
| Patients |
66 |
44 |
3 |
– |
73 |
43 |
54 |
| Companions |
53 |
50 |
7 |
– |
69 |
37 |
50 |
| Personal needs |
115 |
110 |
3 |
– |
68 |
38 |
64 |
| Families
of prisoners |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Arabs from
Israel |
6 |
13 |
– |
– |
6 |
3 |
3 |
| Diplomats |
– |
3 |
– |
– |
– |
7 |
– |
| International journalists |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| International workers |
48 |
74 |
– |
– |
14 |
17 |
18 |
| Travelers
abroad |
15 |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
21 |
– |
| Business people |
361 |
309 |
1 |
2 |
446 |
301 |
304 |
| Business meetings |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Security interviews |
13 |
8 |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
| VIPs |
1 |
1 |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
| Ambulances
to Israel |
4 |
6 |
– |
– |
7 |
5 |
6 |
| Patients’ Companions |
4 |
6 |
– |
– |
6 |
4 |
6 |
Notes:
- On 15 April 2015, Israeli authorities allowed 183 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to perform prayers in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
- Israeli authorities allowed 4 persons on Thursday, 14 April 2016, and 1 person on Sunday, 17 April 2016, 4 persons on Monday, 18 April 2016, 4 persons on Thursday, 21 April 2016, and one person on Sunday, 24 April 2016 to renew their permits.
- Israeli authorities allowed 14 Christians on Wednesday, 13 April 2016; 43 Christians on Thursday, 14 April 2016; 8 Christians on Friday, 15 April 2016; 101 Christians on 17 April 2016; 48 Christians on Monday, 18 April; 14 Christians on Tuesday 19 April 2016; 47 Christians on Wednesday, 20 April 2016; 61 Christians on Thursday, 21 April 2016; 83 Christians on Sunday, 24 April 2016, 30 Christians on Monday, 25 April 2016 and 27 Christians on Tuesday, 26 April 2016 to travel to Bethlehem for holidays.
- Israeli authorities completely closed the crossing on Friday, 22 April 2016, except for urgent cases, but opened it on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 25,25 and 26 April 2016, until 13:00 for persons leaving the Gaza Strip while opened it until 17:00 for persons entering the Gaza Strip under the pretext of the Jewish Holidays.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
- Hebron: Israeli forces established (13) checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 21 April 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the western entrances to Beit Kahel, al-Samou’ and Dora villages.
At 06:00 on Monday, 25 April 2016, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the Ibrahimi mosque area and the Old City in Hebron with checkpoints. They also closed some entrances using military cement cubes on Abu Hadid road and other roads under the pretext of securing settlers’ celebration of the Jewish Passover Holiday. Moreover, Israeli forces informed the Ministry of Endowments (Waqf) of closing the Ibrahimi mosque for two days. On the same day, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to Halhoul (al-Nabi Yonis) city, the southern entrance to Hebron (al-Haraiyeq), the northern entrances to Hebron (35 bypass road) and the northern entrance to Yatta village.
At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 26 April 2016, Israeli forces closed Bi’r al-Sabe’astreet, in the center of Hebron and Bab al-Zawiyah area. Moreover, they forced civilians to close their shops and deployed in the streets to facilitate an Israeli settlers’ demonstration through al-Shuhadastreet. They performed Jewish rituals near whatthey call “Etna’el” Shrine in the Jewish Passover Holiday. On the same day, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the northern entrances to Hebron, the southern entrances to Halhoul (Bahlas), the entrances to Sa’ir and al-Jaljel villages. On Wednesday, 27 April 2016, Israeli forces established two checkpoints to the entrances of Beit Ommar village and al-Aroub refugee camp.
- Ramallah and al-Bireh: Israeli forces established (8) checkpoints all over the village.
On Thursday, 21 April 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the northern entrance to ‘EinSina village, north of Ramallah and Nablus; the intersection of Beit Our al-Foqavillage and under the bridge of Kharbathah al-Mesbah, southwest of Ramallah.
On Friday, 22 April 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah; Ni’lin village, west of the city; al-Taibah village, northeast of the city. On Saturday 23 April 2016, Israeli forces established two similar checkpoints at the intersection of Kharbathah al-Mesbah and Beit ‘Ur al-Foqa villages, southwest of the Ramallah.
- Qalqilya: Israeli forces established (15) checkpoints all over the city.
On Friday, 22 April 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrance to ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyah and the intersections of Jeet and KafrQadoum villages, northeast of the city.
On Saturday, 23 April 2016, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to KaferQadoum and Jayous villages, north of Qalqilya; al-Nabi Elias village, east of city; Seneriya village, southeast of the city. On Sunday, 24 April 2106, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to KaferThuluth, Ematin and al-Fonduq villages, east of the city and AzzounEtmah village, southeast of the city.
On Monday, 25, April 2016, Israeli forces established four checkpoints at the entrances to Senriya, Asalah, Sair andBaqet al-Hatab, east of Qalqilya.
- Salfit: Israeli forces established (4) checkpoints all over the city.
At approximately 23:45, on Sunday, 24 April 2016, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance to Hares village, north of Salfit. They checked the IDs’ of Palestinian civilians and searched their vehicles. The checkpoint was removed with no injuriesreported.
On Monday, 25 April 2016, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrance to Yasuf village, east of Salfit and the entrances to DeirBallout and Kafer al-Deek villages, west of the city.
Arrests at military checkpoints
- At approximately 12:00, on Thursday, 21 April 2016, Israeli forces stationed in ‘AzounEtmah village, southeast of Qalqiliya, arrestedHusniGhalebTawfeqWalwil (30) during his attempt to go to Israel for work, claiming that he did not have a permit.
- On Saturday morning, 23 April 2016, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karama (Allenby) border crossing arrested the photojournalist Omer Nazzal when he was on his way to participate in the European Federation of Journalists’ (EFJ)conference in Bosnia. They took him to “Gosh Etzion” settlement complex, south of Bethlehem. It should be noted that Nazal is a members of the general secretariat of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate.
- At approximately 19:30 on Sunday, 24 April 2016, Israeli forces arrested astrophysicist ImadBarghouthi (53) at the entrance to al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. Barghouthi’s family mentioned that he was on his way to Beit Rema.
- Efforts to Create Jewish majority
Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it: Arrests and Incursions
- On Friday, 22 April 2016, Israeli forces moved into many neighborhoods in East Jerusalem’sOld City. They raided and searched many houses from which they arrested 20 civilians and then took them to “al-Qishlah” police station in West Jerusalem. PCHR keeps the name of arrested persons. Amjad Abu Asab, Head of the Committee of Jerusalemite Prisoners Families, said that Israeli forces took all the arrested persons to “al-Qishlah” police station, among them was Mahmoud Doweek, who was preparing for his wedding on the same day. Abu ‘Asab added that all of the arrested were released on condition that they are denied access to al-Aqsa Mosque for 15 days while Mohammed Shalabi was placed under the administrative detention for 10 days.
- At approximately 04:00, on Sunday, 24 April 2016, Israeli forces moved into al-Wad neighbourhood in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched many houses from which they arrested Ahmed Khadir al-Kaswani (23) and Ahmed al-Shawiys (21).
- At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain al-Louza neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. They deployed in the neighbourhood and established a checkpoint to search civilian vehicles. Dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of the checkpoint and fired fireworks towards the Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs at them in response. Israeli soldiers also raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Abu Diyab and arrested his two sons Mohammed (17) andMo’taz (15).
- At approximately 21:00 on the same day, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to an elderly man, Hussain al-Zaier (68) in al-‘Abasiyah neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City. They handed Hussain and his son Khalid (36) 2 summonses to refer to “al-Qishlah” police station in West Jerusalem to interrogate them.
- At approximately 17:00, on Monday, 25 April 2016, Israeli forces moved into Abu Riyalah neighbourhood in al-‘Issawiyah village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched many houses from which they arrested 3 civilians, including an elderly woman. The arrested persons were identified as SafaaJarahNaser (34), RiyadMuhsain (67) and Ahmed Abu al-Humous (19).
- At approximately 07:30, on Tuesday, 26 April 2016, Israeli forces arrested Adam Jebril al-Salaymah (12), while he was on his way to school in Ras al-‘Amoud neighbourhood, east of occupied Jerusalem. An eyewitness said that Israeli soldiers stationed in the area deliberatelyprovoked the students and discriminately fired rubber-coated metal bullets at them. The eyewitness added that Israeli soldiers chased the students on Ayman al-‘Abasi Street, so the students were forced to flee from the area for fear of being wounded by the soldiers. It should be mentioned that Israeli forces raided a house near the school, where Adam al-Salaymah was hidden and arrested him.
- At approximately 21:00, on Tuesday, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyah village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. They raided and searched many houses from which they arrested Bilal (20) and Jalal Ahmed al-Qasiy (23).
House demolitions and demolition notices:
- On Friday, 22 April 2016, Israeli municipality crews moved into Silwan village, south of East occupied Jerusalem,and distributed indictments and demolition noticesagainst commercial and residential facilities in Silwan. They also tookphotos of the neighbourhoods and streets of the village.
An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that municipality crews backed by Israeli soldiers took photos of facilities in the neighbourhoods of WadiHilweh, BirAyoub, Einal-Lozeh, al-Bustan and Abbasiyeh. They hung demolition notices on several establishments and handed owners of several properties documents “warning before submitting indictments against them for not obeyinga court’s decision.”
Khaled Al-Zeer explained that the municipality inspectors along with Israelisoldiers raided his family building in Abbasiyeh neighbourhood in Silwan and hung “an administrative demolition notice” under the pretext of building without a permit. It should be noted that part of the building was built before 1967 and another part built 36 years ago. The 6-storey building shelters 30 persons, mostly children.
In Bi’erAyoub neighbourhood, municipality crews hung a demolition notice on a commercial facility under the pretext of building without a permit.
Municipality crews also distributed notices titled”A warning before submitting indictments for not obeyinga court’s decision” to five families in the al-Bustan neighbourhood as explained by Fakhri Abu Diab, member of the Committee for the Defence of Silwan’sProperty and Lands. Among the families who received the notices were the families of Rabah Abu Rajab, Ahmad Abu Rajab and Nidal’Awwad; all of the houses were built in the 1980s.
Abu Diab warned ofhow dangerous are the orders and notices distributed on Friday especially in al-Bustan neighbourhood as they contain the owners’ names, IDs and case numbers. According to the notice, anyone who doesn’t follow up with the municipality, an indictment will be submitted against him, putting his house at risk of being demolished based on Law (212), which enables the municipality to take action against the owner of the facilities and the facility itself without classifying the reasons and without challenging the decision.
Abu Diab added that these decisions aim at imposing sanctions on the facility owner such as fines, actual imprisonment or putting the house at risk of being demolished.
Abu Diabalso said that the municipality crews weekly distribute demolition notices on residential facilities in al-Bustan neighbourhood, planning to open the case of al-Bustanneighbourhood once again as a prelude to demolish it within a project frozen years ago.
Settlers Storming al-Aqsa Mosque:
- At approximately 09:00, on Sunday, 24 April 2016, 115 Israeli settlers raided al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate under the Israeli forces’ protection, coinciding the beginning of Jewish Passover holiday. An eyewitness said that a group of Israeli settlers aging between (20-27) raided al-Aqsa Mosque in groups through al-Maghariba Gate under the Israeli forces’ protection. Some of those settlers tried to perform their religious rituals in the Mosque’s yards, especially in “al-Rahmah Gate” area. The eyewitness also said that al-Aqsa Palestinian guards confronted a group of settlers, who tried to perform their religious rituals in the yards. During the clashes, fighting with hands wand verbal altercations erupted between the settlers and the guards. As a result, on the same day morning, Israeli authorities increased alert state in occupied East Jerusalem to deal with any emergency cases that may occur, in light of the rituals performed by settlers in al-Buraq Wall as thousands of Jewish are waiting to participate in those rituals. The Israeli police declared that they deployed 3500 police officers in West and East Jerusalem until the end of the Jewish Passover holiday.
- At approximately 09:00, on Tuesday, 26 April 2016, dozens of Israeli settlers raided al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday. They deployed in the Mosque yards and performed their religious ritual under the Israeli forces’ protection. An eyewitness said that many Israeli settlers attempted to perform their religious rituals in front of the guards of the Ministry of Endowments “Waqf”, who clashed with them and forced the Israeli police to evacuate a number of them, while other settlers could perform their rituals in the yards. In the meantime, Israeli forces beat the guards and arrested 4 civilians, including three working in the Endowments Ministry, while they offered protection for the settlers. The arrested persons working in the Endowments Ministry were identified as Ahmed Bader, BasemZaghir and Mohanad al-Ansary. Around few hours later, Israeli forces released Bader and Zaghir after questioned them on condition that they are denied access to al-Aqsa Mosque for two weeks, while al-Ansary was released with no conditions. Israeli forces also arrested Islam Khalaf (24) from Hattah Gate area.
It should be noted that from Sunday to Tuesday (during the Jewish Passover holiday), 532 Israeli settlers raided al-Asqa Mosque in groups through al-Maghariba Gate, whose keys are with the Israeli authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem, and toured in the Mosque yards starting from al-Maghariba Gate, al-Qibli and al-Marwani Mosques and al-Rahmah Gate area, circumventing the Dome of the Rock and coming out from al-Silsilah Gate, under the Israeli police presence in the yards and at all gates.
- Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
Settlers’ attacks:
- At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 23 April 2016, a group of Israeli settlers from “Immanuel” settlement, east of Qalqiliya, gathered on a hill and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles onWadiQanaStreet. As a result, a bus belonging toNaser Abu Tahah from Jensafutwas hit with stones.
Naser Abu Tahah said to PCHR’s fieldworker, “At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 23 April 2016, I was driving near “Immanuel” settlement when I saw a group of Israeli settlers at a hill near WadiQana. They threw stones on my bus. As a result, one of the windows was broken which caused fear among the passengers.”
- At approximately 11:00, on Tuesday, 26 April 2016 a group of Israeli settlers from the settlements established on Palestinian lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, moved into the Berkah archaeological site in al-Karmel, west of the city. Moreover, Israeli forces accompanied the settlers, banned Palestinian civilians from reaching the place and allowed the settlers to perform religious ritual. The settlers also swam in the archaeologicalpool there under the pretext of performing rituals relevant to the Jewish Passover Holiday.
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 latest 51-day offensive 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:
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
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Public Document
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