Israeli
soldiers arrest a number of Palestinian boys following clashes at al-Jalama
checkpoint near Jenin

 

Israeli Forces Continue
Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

The
Israeli forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the
border area of the Gaza Strip

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

 

9
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were wounded in different shooting
incidents in the West Bank.

8 of
whom were wounded in Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, during a joint attack launched
by the Israeli forces and settlers.

 

The
Israeli forces conducted 51 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West
Bank.

At
least 56 Palestinian civilians, including 26 children, were arrested.

36
of whom were arrested during incursions, 17 in peaceful protests and 3 from
their farmlands.

 

The
Israeli forces continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

A Palestinian
fisherman was wounded and fishing boats were attacked 7 times during the
reporting period.

 

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

14
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, a woman and a journalist, were
wounded in protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

33
Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, were wounded in solidarity
demonstrations supporting the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails.  

 

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

The Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were arrested at checkpoints.

 

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

The
Israeli forces confiscated 3 truckloads of base course during the establishment
of a street in Hebron.

Many
Palestinian farmers were denied access to their farmlands adjacent to
settlements.

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (21 – 27 February 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces wounded 60 Palestinian civilians, including 17 children, a woman
and a journalist, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; 56 of whom, including 16
children and a woman were wounded in the West Bank, while the other 4 ones,
including a child, were wounded in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, 56 Palestinian
civilians, including 16 children, a woman and a journalist were wounded; 14 of
whom, including 4 children, a woman and a journalist, were wounded in peaceful
protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities, while the other
33 ones, including 9 children, were wounded in solidarity demonstrations
supporting the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in the Israeli
jails.  Moreover, 8 civilians, including
3 children, were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into Qasra village,
southeast of Nablus, to offer protection to Israeli settlers in their attack
against the said village.  Another
Palestinians civilian was wounded during a protest in the center of Hebron.    

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful
protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists protesting
against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a
result, 14 protestors, including 4 children, a woman and a journalist, were
wounded. 3 of whom, including a woman and a child, were wounded in al-Nabi
Saleh weekly protest; 5 protestors were wounded in Budrus protest in Ramallah
and a child was wounded in Bil’in protest in Ramallah.  The other 5 persons, including 2 children and
a journalist, were wounded during 2 protests in the center of Hebron that were
organized to protest against the continued closure of al-Shuhada’ Street since
1994.

 

In the same context, the Palestinians
organized a number of peaceful protests in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners, particularly those who are on hunger strike in the Israeli jails.
The Israeli forces used excessive force against these protests.  As a result, 28 civilians, including 4
children, were wounded. 

 

On 24 February 2013, 8 civilians,
including 3 children, were wounded when a group of settlers from “Yissh Kodesh”
settlement, southeast of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, attacked a house
belonging to the family of Abdul Majid Tawfiq Salama in al-Wa’ar area,
southeast of the said village.  A number
of Palestinians gathered to protect the house from the settlers who were
protected by the Israeli forces.  The
Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli forces and settlers, who opened fire
in return.

 

On 25 February 2013, a Palestinian
civilian was wounded in Hebron during a protest organized after the Israeli
forces had raided a number of stores in the city.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinians near the border fence.  On 22 February 2013, the Israeli forces
stationed along the border fence, east of Jabalya, northeast of Beit Hanoun,
opened fire at a number of Palestinians who were 50 meters northeast of
al-Shuhada’ cemetery adjacent to the border fence.  As a result, 2 civilians were wounded.  At the same time, the Israeli forces
stationed along the border fence, east of Abu Safiya area, east of Jabalya in
the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young persons who were about
100 meters to the west of the border fence. 
As a result, a boy was wounded. 
It should be noted that the Palestinian families go to picnic in the
farmlands adjacent to the border fence on Fridays.  However, the Israeli forces target them. 

 

In the context of targeting
Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 21 February 2013, the Israeli gunboats attacked
a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 3 fishermen, while they were sailing 3
nautical miles off al-Waha resort, north of Gaza Strip.  Furthermore, PCHR’s fieldworkers documented 6
shooting incidents against Palestinian fishing boats during the reporting
period. 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 51 military
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, the Israeli forces
arrested at least 36 Palestinians, including 23 children.  The children were released a few hours
later.  The Israeli forces also detained
17 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, during peaceful protests
throughout the West Bank against the annexation wall and settlement activities
or to support the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails.  In the context of using checkpoints as traps to
arrest the Palestinians, the Israeli forces arrested 4 civilians, including a
child.  They also arrested 3 farmers from
their lands.  Thus, the total number of Palestinians
who were arrested in the West Bank during the reporting period mounted to 60
civilians, including 27 children.

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces turned a vacant house in Ya’bad
village, southwest of Jenin, into a military position.  They raised the Israeli flag and fixed
surveillance cameras on and barbed wires around the house. In addition, they
used it to torture the Palestinian civilians in the village.

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel
continued to impose a tightened 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 Israeli-imposed 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 illegal closure has caused
not only a humanitarian crisis, but a crisis of human rights and human dignity
for the population of the Gaza Strip. 
Recently-declared measures to ease the closure are vague, purely
cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis; the root causes
can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of the closure,
including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on
exports.  Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is
allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the
rest of the world. 

 

The IOF 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.

Settlement
Activities:

 

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

 

On Thursday, 21
February 2013, dozens of settlers from “Seger” settlement cut 50
olive trees and 20 grape trees in Jorat Mish’al area, west of Beit ‘Awwa
village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. 

 

On 22 February
2013, Israeli forces raided B’er al-‘Abed area in the surroundings of Janba
village, south of Yatta, south of Hebron. 
The Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and detained a number of
Palestinian civilians while they were paving the street, which leads to the
village, and declared it a closed military zone in which any form of
construction work needs a permit f. 
Before withdrawing, the Israeli forces confiscated three trucks, loaded
with base course.

 

On 23 February
2013, dozens of settlers coming from “Susiya” settlement, established
on confiscated Palestinian agricultural lands, south of Yatta, south of Hebron,
attacked Palestinian farmers of al-Shamsti and al-Nawa’ja, while working in
their farmlands in the surroundings of the village.  The settlers beat the Palestinian farmers
severely and unleashed their dogs, terrorizing them.  The Israeli forces arrived at the scene,
declared the area a closed military zone and attacked the farmers.  Before withdrawing, the Israeli soldiers
arrested two farmers: Mohammed Mahmoud al-Shamasti (45) and Mahmoud Mohammed
al-Shamasti (24) and transported them to an unknown destination.

 

On 23 February
2013, Israeli forces raided farmlands in al-Khalail area, north of Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They detained
Bader Mahmoud Ekhlail (75), a farmer, and 3 of his sons for two and a half
hours before releasing them.  The forces
banned the aforementioned civilians from working in their land under pretext
that it is close to the security fence of “Gosh Atzion” settlement,
established on Palestinian civilians’ lands south of Bethlehem

 

On the same
day, about 25 settlers, some of them were armed with machineguns, from
“Yesh Koudec” settlement, southeast of Qassra village, southeast of
Nablus, attacked Abdel-Majid Tawfiq Salama’s house in al-Wa’ar area, southeast
of the aforementioned village.  See:
Shooting section above.

 

Also on the
same day, a group of settlers coming from “Sham’a” settlement,
established on Palestinian civilians’ lands southeast of al-Thaheria village,
south of Hebron, attacked a number of shepherds while tending their sheep in
farmlands in Kherbat Zanouta area, west of the aforementioned village.  The settlers beat Suliman Shafiq al-Tal
(37).  Half an hour later, an Israeli
force raided the area, arrested Mr. al-Tal and transported him to an unknown
destination.

 

Also on the
same day, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces
accompanied by a number of military vehicles, raided Palestinian civilians’
lands from Silat al-Daher village, south of Jenin, where “Homesh”
settlement was established before being evacuated.  They practiced some religious rituals before
withdrawing from the area.

 

On Monday, 25
February 2013, an Israel  settler from
“Betar Illit” settlement, established on the lands of Housan, Foukin
Valleh and Nahalin villages, west of Bethlehem, established a large steel gate,
4 meters wide and 2 meters high, on the main entrance leading to Palestinian
farmers’ lands in Qedis area, west of Housan.

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (21–27 February 2013)

 

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

 

 

Thursday, 21 February 2013

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned in Asida
area in the center of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wahid Hassan Sabarna, 53.
They arrested his son Fadi, 22, a student at the Medicine Faculty of al-Quds
(Abu Dees) University.  The Israeli
forces also confiscated a laptop belonging to Fadi’s sister, Sohair, 27, an
engineer at the Palestinian Center for Communication and Technology.  At approximately 03:00, some boys gathered
and threw stones at the military vehicles; the Israeli forces randomly fired
sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in
response.  Neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.    

 

At approximately 03:20, the Israeli forces moved into Abu Njeim
village, south of Bethlehem.  They raided
a house belonging to the family of Mohanned Ali al-‘Arouj, 23, and submitted
him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh
Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Funduqomiya
village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Ashraf
Jehad Mohammed Qarariya, a policeman. They handed him a notice to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility, west of the
city.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:40, the Israeli gunboats stationed of al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened heavy fire
at the Palestinian fishing boats that were about 2 nautical miles of the
shore.  As a result, the fishermen were forced
to flee back to the shore for fear of being arrested or wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, the Israeli gunboats opened fire at a
fishing boat belonging to Abdullah Mohammed Ali al-Absi, 53.  3 fishermen were on board the boat that was
sailing 3 nautical miles of Beit Lahia shore in the northern Gaza Strip.  As a result of the attack, Ayman Adnan
Mohammed Kabaja, 37, was lightly wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the
right leg and by shrapnel in the left hand.  Kabaja was transported to Shifa hospital in
Gaza City to receive the necessary medical treatment.  Moreover, the boat sustained damage due to
the attack.

 

At approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani
Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They fired
sound bombs and tear gas canisters indiscriminately.  A tear gas canister fell into a bus.  Many persons in the bus suffered from tear
gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 20:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Janya
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 22 February 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Abdul Ghani
Salim Abu al-Haija’, 55.  They handed him
a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention
facility, northwest of the city.  No
arrests were reported.  It should be
noted that the Israeli forces raided the house of Abu al-Haija’ many times
lately under the pretext of searching for his son Samed, 24, who is wanted to
the Israeli forces. On Thursday, 10 January 2013, they raided the house, but
arrested him.  On Monday, 14 January 2013,
they arrested his son Mujahed, 22.  On
Wednesday, 27 February 2013, the Israeli forces arrested Samed when they moved
into Bruqin village, southwest of Jenin, and raided a house belonging to the
family of Mohammed Sa’id Ali Qablawi, 33. The Israeli forces arrested Samed and
nephew of the house’s owner, while his brother was wounded.   

 

 

At approximately 05:00, the Israeli forces moved into Shweika
suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Raslan Hassan Na’alwa, 29,
and arrested him.

 

At approximately 05:55, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at the Palestinian
fishing boats that were sailing 5 nautical miles of the shore. As a result, the
Palestinian fishermen fled back to the shore fearing of being wounded or
arrested.  Neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, the Israeli forces moved into Sarda
village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar
refugee camp, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, where some boys
gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers.  The Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear
gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in return. As a result, many boys
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  At
approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces retreated to the entrance of the
refugee camp and established a checkpoint there.  They withdrew later; no arrests were
reported.  

 

At
approximately 15:30, the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east
of Jabalya, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of Palestinians
who were present about 50 meters to the northeast of al-Shuhada’ cemetery near
the border fence.  As a result, of the
sporadic fire that lasted for an hour, 2 persons were wounded:

1. Ali Hassan
Abdul Rahman Mohammed Khalil, 20, from bloc (1) in Jabalya refugee camp,
wounded by a bullet (entered and exited) to the left leg; and

2. Amen Rabah
Abdul Khaleq Ali Hussein, 20, from al-Mahkama streets in Jabalya, wounded by a
bullet to the left foot.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces stationed along the border
fence, east of Abu Safiya area, east of Jabalya, north of the Gaza Strip,
opened fire at a number of Palestinians who were present about 100 meters to
the west of the fence.  As a result,
Montaser Samir Ali Mas’oud, 18, from bloc (8) in Jabalya refugee camp, was
wounded by a bullet to the right leg.  He
was transported by a PRCS ambulance to Martyr Kamal Odwan Hospital. His wound
was described as moderate.

 

It should be noted that many Palestinian families and young people
go to picnic in the farmland adjacent to the border fence on Fridays.  However, the Israeli forces attack those
families by opening fire at them.

 

At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved into
Qalqilia.  They patrolled the streets and
detained 4 persons with their vehicles in al-Bayarat area known as (al-Razaza)
near the annexation wall, south of the city. The detained are:

1. Alaa’
Ma’zouz Dawood, 18;

2. Nader
Mohammed al-Balbisi, 18;

3. Morad
Nahed Ennabi, 18; and

4. Amir
Ayman Tebiya, 18.

 

At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces released them and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad
village, southwest of Jenin. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters in return. 
As a result, many Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation.  In addition, the Israeli forces arrested
Rasem Mohammed Tawfiq Abu Baker, 14, and transported him to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jayous
village, northeast of Qalqilia.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bruqin
village, west of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli forces. The Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in
eturn.  As a result, many Palestinians
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The
Israeli forces withdrew later; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek
village, north of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, the Israeli forces moved into Burham
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

Saturday, 23 February 2013

 

At
approximately 00:30, the Israeli forces moved into Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Zeita village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:50, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Azzoun village,
east of Qalqilya.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:40, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened heavy fire at
the Palestinians fishing boats that were sailing about 1.4 nautical miles off
the shore.  As a result, the Palestinian
fishing men fled back to the shore fearing of being arrested or wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Zawiya
village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village,
southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets and stationed in al-Maloul neighborhood, south of the city.  They raided a house belonging to the family
of Ghaleb Adeeb Mas’oud Abu Baker, 47, and turned it into a military
observation point.  Eyewitnesses said to a
PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces raised the Israeli flag and fixed
surveillance cameras on the house.

Sunday, 24 February 2013

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilia.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Dia’ Basem Ishtiwi,
33.  They withdrew later; no arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Beitounia village, west
of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli force moved into al-‘Ouja
village, northeast of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately
05:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit
Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing
boats that were sailing about 2 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen fled back to the
shore fearing of being wounded or arrested. 
Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At proximately 18:45, the Israeli forces moved into Zabouba
village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Ismat Ibrahim “Ali Nassar”, 24, an officer in the Palestinian
National Security Forces.  They
questioned him on the spot and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 19:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily
at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing about 1.5 nautical miles off
the shore.  As a result, the Palestinian
fishermen fled back to the shore fearing of being wounded or arrested.  Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, the Israeli forces moved into Sanjal
village, north of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:45, the Israeli forces moved into Shaqba
village, west of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

Monday,
25 February 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into the Old Town
of Hebron.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Shehab Mousa Diab al-Juneidi, 27, and arrested
him. 

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Sourif village,
west of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Awad Monir
Ahmed Hadoush, 19, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli force moved into al-Joura
al-Fouqa neighborhood in al-Bireh.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ali Khalil.  They arrested his son Adel Khalil, 21, and
transported him to al-Masqoubia detention facility in occupied Jerusalem.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Faqou’a village,
northeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
Hassan Abed Abu Khamis, 44.  They
questioned him on the spot and withdrew later. 
No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily
at the Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing about 2 nautical miles off
the shore.  As a result, the fishermen
fled back fearing of being wounded or arrested. 
Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Rantis
village, west of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:00, the Israeli forces deployed in the center
of Hebron, including Bab al-Zawiya area, al-Shalala street, al-Dabwaya and the
Old Town.  They patrolled those areas,
due to which, some angry Palestinians gathered and threw stones at them.  The Israeli forces deployed between the
houses and topped high buildings.  They
fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the
Palestinians.  As a result, many of them
suffered from tear gas inhalation and a 21-year old Palestinian was wounded by
a bullet to the right thigh.  The wounded
was transported to al-Ahli hospital in the city.  Following medical examination, it was found
that the bullet caused damage in the arteries and veins. Therefore, he
underwent an immediate surgery.

 

At approximately 12:30, the Israeli forces moved into Burin
village, southeast of Nablus. They arrested Baha’ Adnan Omran, 14, while he was
going out of Burin secondary school for boys at the main entrance of the
village.  The Israeli forces patrolled
the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli vehicles.  The Israeli forces fired sound bombs at the
stone throwers.  The Israeli forces
withdrew later; no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 13:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets, where dozens of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles
at the Israeli forces. The Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses and fired
sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets at the boys and houses.  As a result, many persons suffered from gas
inhalation and windows of the parking cars were damaged.

 

At approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones at
the Israeli soldiers, who in return fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets.  As a
result, many persons suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli forces withdrew later stationing
at the main entrance of the camp that is connected to the bypass road (60).
They established a checkpoint there, stopped some civilian and detained them
for some time.

 

At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces heading from the
military site on al-Sheikh Hamed mountain in the eastern side of Til village,
southwest of Nablus, surrounded Til secondary school for boys, where some
children were playing.  The Israeli
forces arrested 19 children and transported them by the military vehicles to
Hawara detention facility, southeast of Nablus. 
The arrested children are:

1.  Nour al-Deen Mohammed Helmi
Ramadan, 15;

2. Belal Mohammed Belal Ramadan, 16;

3. Khaled Ibrahim Ishtaiya, 14;

4. Bara’ Issam Rehan, 14;

5. Basel Bashar al-Seifi, 15;

6. Mohammed Khaled Mousa Yamin, 15;

7. Fo’ad Belal Mohamed Yamin, 15;

8. Ibrahim Mostafa Hassan Abed, 14;

9. Na’im Amer Ayoub, 16;

10. Mohammed Belal Ishtaiya, 15;

11. Shadi Khaled Ali As’ad al-Seifi, 15;

12. Hussein Mohammed Salim Yamin, 15;

13. Tareq Hesham Mohammed, 16;

14. Mohammed Mostafa Ahmed Ayoub, 14;

15. Bashar Radi Salim ‘Asida, 15;

16. Ahmed Omar Ahmed Saloudi, 15;

17. Ayoub Ibrahim Othman Ramadan, 14;

18. Dia’ Mohammed Helmi Ramadan, 14; and

19. Bara’ Najeh Mohammed ‘Asida, 16.

 

At
approximately 22:00 on the same day, the Israeli forces released all of them at
Hawara checkpoint, where their families received them and took them home.

 

At approximately 22:00, the Israeli forces moved into Rantis
village, west of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

  

Tuesday,
26 February 2012

 

At
approximately 11:00, the Israeli forces moved into the vicinity of Tareq Ben
Ziad School, south of the Old Town of Hebron. 
They deployed in the area and started firing sound bombs and gas
canisters at the students while they were going out of school.  As a result, many students suffered from tear
gas inhalation.  An eyewitness said to a PCHR
fieldworker that the Israeli forces moved into the area and started firing
heavily at the students and school, due to which, many students from gas
inhalation.  The PRCS paramedics helped
treating them.

 

At
approximately 13:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beita village, southeast of
Nablus.  They stationed in Beer Kouza
area, raided 2 houses belonging to the families of Mahmoud Saleh Faleh Bani
Shamsa, 17; and Mohammed Najib Naser, 28, and arrested them.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones at
the Israeli vehicles, but the Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas
canisters in return.  As a result, many
persons suffered from tear gas inhalation but were treated on the spot.

 

At approximately
02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and stationed at
the entrance of Wad al-Jouz, north of the city. 
Meanwhile, some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the
Israeli forces that in response fired sound bombs and gas canisters.  As a result, many persons suffered from gas
inhalation.  At approximately 16:00, the
Israeli forces received backups, including vehicles and bulldozers, and started
blocking the entrance of the village with sand barriers and cement cubes.  The Israeli forces withdrew later; no arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south
of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
and deployed between the houses.  Dozens
of young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli
soldiers, who in response fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone
throwers.  Many persons suffered from
tear gas inhalation.  At approximately
16:00, the Israeli forces retreated to the eastern entrance of the camp leading
to bypass road (60).  They blocked the
entrance with a steel gate and denied the Palestinians access from and to the
camp.  However, no arrests were reported.
         

     

 Wednesday, 27 February 2012

 

At approximately 01:15, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yasser Anwar Thawabta,
18, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel
village, northwest of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Iyad Ahmed al-Atawna,
22, and arrested him.  At the same time,
the Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Dia’
Omar al-Atawna, 24, and arrested him as well. 

 

At approximately 02:20, the Israeli forces moved into Housan
village, west of Bethlehem.  They raided
and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Dia’ Mer’i Hamamra, 23, and
Mo’athe Abdul Rahman Hamamra, 24, and arrested both of them. 

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into
Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets
and stationed in Wad Ma’ali.  They raided
a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Ayyad al-Hreimi, 19, and arrested him.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee camp,
north of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Omar ‘Amer ‘Ouda, 21, and arrested
him.

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ebayat
area, east of Bethlehem.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed ‘Adnan ‘Ebayat, 16, and
arrested him.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Ayda refugee camp,
north of Bethlehem.  They raided a house
belonging to the family of Abdul Fattah Mostafa Khalil al-‘Atabi, 43, director
of the Prisoners’ Club in Bethlehem. 
They handed to him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service
in “Ghosh Etzion” settlement, south of the city.  They also raided a house belonging to
al-‘Atabi’s brother, Mahmoud Mostafa Khalil al-‘Atabi, and handed to his son
Mostafa, 19, a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service as
well.  On the following day, both of them
went to the Israeli intelligence service, but they were arrested following
interrogation.

 

2- Use of
Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement
Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall

 

During
the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations
organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights
defenders in protest at the construction of the wall and settlement activities
in the West Bank.  As a result, 14
Palestinian civilians sustained injuries, including 4 children, a woman and a
cameraman.

 

In a
relative context, Palestinian civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in
solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those on
hunger strike.  The Israeli forces used
excessive force against these demonstrations, wounding 33 civilians, including
9 children.

 

In total,
the Israeli forces arrested 17 demonstrators, including 3 children, and
released most of them after hours of detention.

 

PCHR
keeps the names of the victims in fear they would be targeted by the Israeli
forces

 

Demonstrations
against the Construction of the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity

 

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, activists of the Popular Committees against Settlement
Activity and the Hebron Defense Committee and international human rights
activists gathered in al-Haraiek area, southeast of Hebron, for a peaceful
demonstration calling for opening the route linking Hebron with al-Rayhia
al-Thaheriaand Doura villages and al-Fawar Refugee Camp, which has been closed
for the past 12 years.  Upon their
arrival to the steel gate which closes the road leading to bypass road (60),
the Israeli forces surrounded the area and declared it a closed military zone,
ordering the demonstrators to leave immediately.  The soldiers fired tear gas canisters and
sound bombs at the demonstration.  A
number of protesters fainted as a result of tear gas inhalation.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 22 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall.  The demonstrators gathered in the streets of
the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to
adhere to national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation
and to call for the release of all Palestinian prisoners.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall.  The Israeli forces closed all ways and
entrances to the village since early morning hours, to prevent Palestinians,
journalists and international activists from joining the protest.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way towards the wall.  They
called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to
leave Palestinian land.  Israeli soldiers
stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a
result, Qosai Falah Ahmed Abu-Rahma (11) was hit by a tear canister in the
head. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs
Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful
protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities, and in solidarity with the Palestinians prisoners on hunger strike
inside Israeli jails, especially Samer al-Eisawi.  The protesters walked towards the gate
erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads to
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli
soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at the protesters.  As a result,
3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were wounded, and
dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises.  The first wounded person, a woman
(45), sustained a bullet wound to the left leg; the second, a child (13),
sustained 3 bullet wounds to the left thigh, waist and shoulder, and he was
detained for half an hour at the military tower, established by the main
entrance of the village.  He was then
transported to Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah for treatment.  The third one (19) sustained 3 bullet wounds in
the right leg.

 

Also on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
human rights defenders gathered in Budrus village, west of Ramallah and
al-Bireh, for a peaceful protest against the annexation wall and settlement
activity.  They raised the Palestinian
flag and portraits of Sameer Awad, who was killed by Israeli forces.  The demonstrators walked through the village
streets and headed towards the wall.  The
Israeli forces closed the wall gates with barbwires.  When the demonstrators attempted to cross the
wall to the land behind it, the Israeli forces stopped them, so the
demonstrators threw stones at them.  The
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated bullets.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians
sustained wounds: a 22-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound to the chest; an
18-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound to the back; a 25-year-old male, was
hit by a gas canister in the right foot; a 30-year-old male, sustained a bullet
wound in the left hand; and a 19 year-old male, sustained a bullet wound to the
back.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 22 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  Immediately,
Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing
construction of the annexation wall.  As
the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, dozens of the Israeli
“Border Guards” and Special Forces were closing the gate under
pretext that this is a closed military zone. 
The soldiers fired tear gas canisters at the demonstration and civilian
houses.  A number of demonstrators
suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation. 
Also, activist Mahmoud Alaadin (26) fainted due to tear gas inhalation
and was transported to al-Wehda Medical Center in the village for the necessary
medical treatment.

 

At approximately 12:15 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the
continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning
of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  The
demonstrators moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli
forces, stationed in the surroundings of the steel gate established at the
entrance, fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs intensively at the
demonstrators to stop them from reaching the gate.  A number of demonstrators fainted as a result
of tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organized a demonstration, from the center of Jayous village, northeast of
Qalqilya, towards the western gate of the village, where the Israeli forces are
stationed, in protest to the continuous confiscation of lands, not applying the
Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to adjust the route of the annexation wall and
obstructing farmers on their way in and out through the aforementioned
gate.  As soon as the demonstrators came
close to the gate, Israeli soldiers, who had been deployed behind it, fired
sound bombs and tear gas canisters intensively at the demonstration.  As a result, dozens of civilians also
suffered from tear gas inhalation due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At noon, dozens of Palestinian civilians, activists of the Youth
Forum against Settlement Activity and human rights activists gathered in front
of ‘Ali al-Baka’ mosque, in the center of Hebron, for a demonstration calling
for opening Shuhada Street, which has been closed since 1994, following the
Ibrahimi Mosque massacre of 1993 which was committed out by Baruch
Goldstein, an Israeli settler, against Muslim worshipers.  The demonstrators headed towards the entrance
of Shuhada Street, adjacent to the old municipal building, where the settlers
established “Beit Hadassah” settlement outpost, located in area H2
under the Oslo Accords.  Israeli forces,
accompanied by a number of military vehicles and waste water pumps, stormed the
area, ordered the demonstrators to leave and declared it a closed military
zone.  A group of youngsters tried to cut
the barbwire and open the gate leading to the aforementioned street.  In response, the Israeli soldiers fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, live-bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
waste water at them.  As a result, two
brothers sustained bullet wounds; the first (18) sustained a bullet wound in
the left foot, the second (20) sustained a bullet wound in the right foot; and
Abdel-Hafiz al-Hashlamon (37), a cameraman for a European News Agency,
sustained a bullet wound in the right foot. 
All of them were transported to Hebron Public Hospital for treatment.

 

At approximately 19:30, a group of Palestinian youngsters attempted
to raid the steel gate closing Shuhada Street for the second time.  They also threw rocks at Israeli soldiers who
were stationed behind concrete blocks. 
The Israeli soldiers responded with live-bullets, tear gas canisters and
sound bombs.  As a result, more than 20
civilians suffocated from tear gas inhalation and 2 children sustained bullet
wounds; they were transported to Hebron Public Hospital for treatment.

 

At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists gathered in Um
al-‘Amad area, west of Yatta, south of Hebron, for a peaceful demonstration in
protest to the Israeli authorities’ confiscation of dozens of Palestinian
dunums for settlement expansion projects in “Atnaúal” settlement,
established on Palestinian civilians’ lands south of the city.  Israeli forces and police raided the area and
declared it a closed military zone.  The
soldiers and civilians quarreled verbally after the civilians tried to approach
the confiscated lands.  The Israeli
soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration.  As a result, a number of civilians suffocated
due to tear gas inhalation.  Later, the
Israeli forces arrested Sami Mohammed Ahmed Abu-Samra (45) and transported him
to an unknown destination. 

 

Demonstrations
in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails

 

At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered at the Martyrs Square in the center of Nablus
and organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli prisons.  The demonstrators roamed the streets of the
city and headed towards Howara checkpoint on the southern entrance of the
city.  The Israeli forces closed the
checkpoint to stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the
demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw
stones at Israeli forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces
fired tear gas canister and sound bombs at them.  As a result, many of the demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and dozens of
prisoners’ families demonstrated in front of “Ofer” prison, southwest
of Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike.  The demonstration moved towards
the prison gate.  The Israeli forces
closed the gate before the demonstrators could enter and started shooting live
fire, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at
them.  As a result, 2 Palestinian
civilians sustained injuries.  They were
transported to Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah by ambulances.  The first, 19 year-old male, sustained a
bullet wound in the right thigh; and the second, 22 year-old male, sustained a
bullet wound in the right temple.

 

Following Friday Prayer on 22 February 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians
gathered in the center of ‘Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah, for a peaceful
demonstration in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli
jails.  The demonstration headed towards
the eastern entrance of the village, near the settler’s road adjacent to the
village.  Before arriving to their
destination, Israeli forces, which were stationed at the aforementioned
entrance fired tear gas canisters, live-bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets,
sound bombs at them and chased them.  As
a result, 4 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds: 1. Mohammed Samih Hussain
‘Asfour (24) sustained a bullet wound that settled in his head, and was
transported to Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus.  Following medical examination, it was found
that the bullet caused a fracture in the skull, the victim underwent surgery on
the same day; he needed another surgery due to hemorrhage in the brain, Mr.
‘Asfour is now in a coma. A 29-year-old male sustained a bullet wound below the
left knew; the bullet damaged the bones and he was also transported to Rifidia
Surgical Hospital.  A 24-year-old male
sustained a bullet wound to the abdomen. 
A 23-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound to the abdomen.

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and dozens of prisoners’
families demonstrated in front of “Ofer” prison, southwest of
Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.  The demonstration moved towards the prison
gate.  The Israeli forces closed the gate
before the demonstrators could enter and started shooting live fire,
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 8 Palestinian civilians,
including two children, sustained injuries. 
They were transported to Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah by
ambulances.

 

At approximately 18:00, a demonstration was organized in Jenin in
solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails, and in
condemnation of the death of prisoner ‘Arafat Jaradat inside an Israeli prison.  The demonstration patrolled the streets of
the city, and ended near al-Jalama checkpoint separating Jenin and Israel,
northeast of Jenin.  Following that, a
group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw stones,
empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them; as a result, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.  The clashes continued for several hours and
11 demonstrators were arrested, including a child.  Most of them were released later the same day
after being detained in Salem Camp, northwest of Jenin.  They were identified as: Nateq Hussam Housni
Hantouli (24); Jihad Suliman Mohammed Abu-Jumhour (22); Sa’id isham Hussain
Abu-Tabikh (17); Mohammed Ahmed SA’id al-Sous (26); ‘Ali Eyad As’ad Sammar
(19); Mohammed Bilal Mohammed Zakarna (18); Ahmed ‘Omar Ahmed al-Shami (18);
Fadi Hussain Ahmed Zakarna (20); Amjad Bilal Nassar Zakarna (19); Sami Walid Mohammed
Zakarna (18); and Amir Jalal Amine Zakarna (18).

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
gathered at the Martyrs Square in the center of Nablus and organized a peaceful
demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
inside Israeli prisons.  The
demonstrators roamed the streets of the city and headed towards Howara
checkpoint on the southern entrance of the city.  The Israeli forces closed the checkpoint to
stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli
forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces fired tear gas
canister and sound bombs at them.  As a
result, many of the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, a demonstration was organized in
Tulkarm in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli
jails.  The demonstration roamed the
streets of Tulkarm and ended at Natania Street near Gishouri factories,
southwest of the city.  Following that, a
group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw rocks,
empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them.  As a result, many civilians
suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At the same time, a demonstration started from ‘Anabta village,
east of Tulkarm, in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed the streets of the
village and ended at ‘Ennab military checkpoint, established on the main
Tulkarm-Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. 
Following that, a group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the
checkpoint, threw stones, empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires
ablaze.  The soldiers closed the
checkpoint and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound
bombs to disperse them.  As a result,
many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.  The clashes continued for several hours.  The Israeli forces detained three civilians,
including two children.  They were
released later that evening.  The
detainees are: Mo’ath Ahmed Moustafa Abu-‘Assal (15); Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa
Abu-‘Assal (17); and Isma’il Saber Isma’il Abu-‘Assal (20).

 

At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, a group of
boys, from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, near the southeastern
entrance of the camp, behind the UNRWA Camp School for Boys.  The boys were 200 meters from the fence
surrounding “Beit El” settlement. 
The boys threw stones at the settlement’s fence. In response, the
Israeli soldiers fired live-bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a
result, a 15-year-old boy sustained four shrapnel wounds in the left leg.  He was transported to Palestine Health
Complex in Ramallah for treatment.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 24 February 2013, a demonstration
started from Tulkarm, condemning the death of prisoner Arafat Jaradat inside
Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed
the streets of Tulkarm and ended at Natania Street near Gishouri factories,
southwest of the city.  Following that, a
group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw stones,
empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 24 February 2013, a demonstration
started from Tulkarm, in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside
Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed
the streets of Tulkarm and ended at Natania Street near Gishouri factories,
southwest of the city.  Following that, a
group of Palestinian young gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw stones,
empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them

 

At noon on Sunday, 24 February 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and dozens of prisoners’ families demonstrated in front of
“Ofer” prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. 
The demonstration moved towards the prison gate.  The Israeli forces closed the gate before the
demonstrators could enter and started shooting live fire, rubber-coated metal
bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians,
including a child, sustained injuries. 
Three of them sustained live-bullet wounds, and the fourth one sustained
a metal-bullet wound and the fifth was hit with a tear gas canister.

 

At approximately 13:10, dozens of Palestinian children and
youngsters gathered at the eastern entrance of ‘Ayda Refugee Camp, north of
Bethlehem, for a demonstration in protest to the death of prisoner Arafat
Jaradat inside Israeli jails, and in solidarity with prisoners on hunger
strike.  The demonstrators threw rocks
and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers stationed at Bilal Bin Rabah
Mosque “Rachel’s Tomb.” 
Immediately, Israeli forces fired live-bullets and tear gas canisters at
the demonstrators and the houses on the northern side of the camp.  As a result, an 18-year-old male, from
al-Dehaishah refugee camp, sustained a bullet wound to the right foot; he was
transported to Beit Jala Public Hospital where his condition was described as
moderate.  According to Mohammed
Yousif’s, from ‘Ayda Youth Center, testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, the Israeli
forces intentionally fired tear gas canister at the civilian houses. As a
result, a family of 6 members suffocated after tear gas canisters fell into
their house.

 

At approximately 13:30, a demonstration started from Jenin, in
solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails and
condemnation of the death of Arafat Jaradat inside Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed the streets of Jenin
and ended at al-Jalma checkpoint, separating Israel and Jenin, northeast of the
city.  Following that, a group of
Palestinian youth gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw stones and empty
bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them; as a result, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.  Samih Rabah Rafiq Abul-Waffa (20) was arrested.

 

At approximately 15:30, dozens of Palestinian children and
youngsters gathered at the eastern entrance of al-Khader village, south of
Bethlehem, for a peaceful demonstration in protest to the death of prisoner
Arafat Jaradat inside Israeli jails, and in solidarity with prisoners on hunger
strike.  A number of Israeli soldiers
approached the demonstrators and fired live-bullets, tear gas canisters and
sound bombs at them.  A number of
demonstrators suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 25 February 2013, a demonstration
started from Tulkarm, in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside
Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed
the streets of Tulkarm and ended at Natania Street near Gishouri factories,
southwest of the city.  Following that, a
group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the checkpoint, threw rocks,
empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires ablaze.  The soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse
them; as a result, a 17-year-old boy sustained a bullet-wound in his right eye;
he was transported to Dr. Thabet Thabet Public Hospital then to Rifidia
Surgical Hospital.  Also, many civilians
suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 25 February 2013, dozens of Bir
Zait University students, and Palestinian civilians from Ramallah and al-Bireh,
gatehered for a peaceful demonstration in protest to the death of prisoner
Arafat Jaradat inside Israeli jails, and in solidarity with prisoners on hunger
strike.  The demonstrators moved towards
“Ofer” prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. 
The demonstration moved towards the prison gate.  The Israeli forces closed the gate before the
demonstrators could enter and started shooting live fire, rubber-coated metal
bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians
sustained injuries.  One of them sustained
a live bullet wound, another one was hit by a tear gas canister and the other
five ones sustained metal-bullet wounds.

 

At approximately 13:30, a demonstration started from ‘Ennabta
village, east of Tulkarm, in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike inside
Israeli jails.  The demonstration roamed
the streets of the village and ended at ‘Ennab military checkpoint, established
on Tulkarm – Nablus road, east of Tulkarm. 
Following that, a group of Palestinian youth gathered in front of the
checkpoint, threw stones, empty bottles at the soldiers and set rubber-tires
ablaze.  The soldiers closed the
checkpoint and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound
bombs to disperse them; as a result, many civilians suffocated from tear gas
inhalation.

 

At approximately 13:55, dozens of Palestinian children and
youngsters gathered at the eastern entrance of ‘Ayda refugee camp, north of
Bethlehem, for a demonstration in protest to the death of prisoner Arafat
Jaradat inside Israeli jails, and in solidarity with prisoners on hunger
strike.  The demonstrators threw rocks
and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers stationed at Bilal Bin Rabah
Mosque “Rachel’s Tomb.” 
Immediately, Israeli forces fired live-bullets and tear gas canisters at
the demonstrators and the houses on the northern side of the camp.  As a result, Mohammed Khaled al-Kurdi (13)
sustained two bullet-wounds in the right foot and back.  Al-Kurdi was transported to Beit Jala Public
Hospital; he underwent surgery and was later admitted to the ICU, his condition
was described as stable.  The clashes
continued in the evening, and the Israeli soldiers arrested ‘Odai Naif Sarhan
(16) by the camps’ cemeteries area and transported him to the Military
Tower.  The soldiers fired two bullets to
his head from a very short distance. 
Afterwards, Palestinian ambulances were called.  They arrived accompanied by Palestinian
police and national security.  Sarhan was
transported to Beit Jala Public Hospital, and then to the Bethlehem Arab Society
for Rehabilitation.  Due to his critical
injuries, he was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital where he underwent
two surgeries to extract the bullets from his head.  His condition was described as critical.

 

At approximately 14:25, a demonstration of school students gathered
from the center of Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, in condemnation of
the death of prisoner Arafat Jaradat inside Israeli jails.  The demonstration started from the western
entrance of the village, which lead to Sa’ir village, northeast of the
Hebron.  Upon reaching the aforementioned
entrance, Israeli forces, stationed there, fired tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets at them.  As
a result, Mahmoud Kamel Sabah (17) sustained a bullet wound in his left foot.  He was transported to Beit Jala Public
Hospital where his condition was described as moderate.  Also, Hussam Jamal Sabbah (17) was hit by a
tear gas canister in the left shoulder.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Tuesday, 26 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered at the Martyrs Square in the center of Nablus
and organized a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli prisons.  The demonstrators roamed the streets of the
city and headed towards Howara checkpoint on the southern entrance of the
city.  The Israeli forces closed the
checkpoint to stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the
demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw
stones at Israeli forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces
fired tear gas canister and sound bombs at them.  As a result, many of the demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The
Israeli forces also arrested Murad ‘Issa Youssif Ghazawi (19) and transported
him to an unknown destination.

 

3- Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened 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

 

Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years.  The illegal Israeli-imposed 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 IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making Karm Abu Salem crossing the
sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for
commercial purposes, in terms of its distance and operational capacity. 

 

The IOF
have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of
the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control
over the flow of imports and exports. 

The
total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has
created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip.  Following this closure, all economic and
commercial establishments in 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 operational 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 was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010. 

 

The IOF
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 in
the Gaza Strip. 

 

The
cooking gas crisis, which erupted last November, has continued to affect the
Gaza Strip.  This crisis was created on
04 January 2010, when Israeli occupation authorities totally closed the Nahal
Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated to the delivery of fuel and cooking gas
supplies to Gaza.  They shifted fuel and
cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu Salem crossing, which is not equipped to
receive Gaza’s fuel needs.  The Karm Abu
Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons
of cooking gas per day. 

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians continue to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA
and other relief agencies, the number of families who are living below the
poverty line has continued to increase, and approximately 40% of Gaza’s
manpower continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of
shutting down the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. 

 

The IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments.  The situation has been aggravated
since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s sole commercial
crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively affects the quantity
of Gaza products which are allowed to be exported.  

 

For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to
ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza.  During the reporting period, the IOF approved
the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
The IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe
restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  The IOF have also 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 Jerusalem.  The IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access hospitals via the
crossing.   

 

Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on traders,
international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter
the Gaza Strip. 

 

Movement at
Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

20 –
26 February 2013

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

19 –
26 February 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces
allowed the exportation of 6 tons of bell peppers and 0.6 tons of peppers. They
also allowed the exportation of 5 truckloads of plastics and 100,000 flowers.

On Wednesday, 20 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 6 truckloads of plastics.

On Thursday, 21 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 3 truckloads of plastics and 35,000 carnation flowers.

On Monday, 25 February 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
6 truckloads of plastics, 3.8 tons of cherry tomatoes and 308,000 flowers.

On Tuesday, 26 February 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 180,000 flowers and 5 truckloads of plastics.

 

 Other Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 19 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 431 tons of cement, 67 tons of construction steel, and 3,780 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 1,260 tons of construction aggregate for the
private sector; and 72 tons of cement and 1,400 tons of construction aggregate
for ICRC.  They also allowed the entry of
507 tons of fodders and 468 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 20 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
entry of 490 tons of cement, 34 tons of construction steel, and 4,620 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 1,260 tons of construction aggregates for the
private sector; and 156 tons of cement and 1,050 tons of construction aggregate
for ICRC.  They also allowed the entry of
429 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 21 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 213 tons of cement, 119 tons of construction steel, and 3,780 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; 1,190 tons of construction aggregate for the
private sector; and 120 tons of white cement and 1,120 tons of construction
aggregate for ICRC.  They also allowed
the entry of 468 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 25 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 550 tons of cement, 36 tons of construction steel and 5,460 tons of
construction aggregate for the UNRWA; and 1,750 tons of construction aggregate
for the private sector.  They also
allowed the entry of 429 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat. 

 

On Tuesday, 26 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 518 tons of cement, 60 tons of construction steel and 3,220 tons of
construction aggregate for the UNRWA; 1,190 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector; and 1,400 tons of construction aggregate and 36 tons of
construction steel for the Water Authority. 
They also allowed the entry of 273 tons of fodders and 195 tons of
wheat. 

 

 

Imports
through Rafah International Crossing Point, South of the Gaza Strip:

19 –
26 February 2013

Imports:

 

 

Note: Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing, north
of the Gaza Strip, links the Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the
movement of individuals.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

13 –
19 February 2013

 

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

20 –
26 February 2013

 

 

Note: At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 25 February
2013, the Israeli forces, stationed at Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing,
informed the officers at the Palestinian Liaison Office 55, located south of
the crossing, that the crossing would be closed on that day.  The crossing was closed to all categories
expect patients and their companions, journalists and international workers
until 14:00 on the same day, because a demonstration, in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners inside Israeli jails and condemnation of the death of prisoner Arafat
Jaradat inside Israeli jails, approached the crossing.  At approximately 11:40 on Tuesday, 26
February 2013, Israeli forces closed the crossing completely for all categories
except patients and their companions, journalists and international
workers.  The crossing was closed until
the end of its working hours.  The
crossing was closed after the Israeli forces announced that a home-made
Palestinian rocket fell onto Ashkelon inside Israel.

 

 

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

 

Ramallah:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
05:30 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on Beit Luqia – Beit Sira villages road, southwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 22 February
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of Ramallah.  At
approximately 16:00, another checkpoint was established by the entrance of Beit
‘Our Tahta village, southwest of the city. 
At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces re-established their presence
at Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village, north of
Ramallah. At approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 24 February 2013, Israeli forces re-established
their presence at Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village,
north of Ramallah.  At approximately
14:00, the Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the northern
entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of the city; the checkpoint was
re-established at 17:00.

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 21
February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the entrance of
al-Samou’ village, south of the city.  At
approximately 15:00, another checkpoint was established by the entrance of
Jalajel village, east of Hebron.  At
approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint by the entrance of al-Burj village, southwest of Doura, southwest of
Hebron.  At approximately 07:00 on
Tuesday, 26 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the
entrance of Raboud village, northeast of Doura. 
At the same time, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of
Tarrama village, east of Doura.  At
approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Kharsa village, east of Doura. 
At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was established at al-Fahs
triangle, on the western entrance of the city.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
15:50 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by
the entrance of ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, southeast of the city.  At approximately 18:45, another checkpoint
was established by the entrance of Jaious village, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 23:00, a checkpoint was
established by the to the east of the entrance to al-Nabi Elias village.  At approximately 12:35 on Friday, 22 February
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 12:55,
another checkpoint was established by the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of
the city; the checkpoint was re-established at approximately 16:00.  At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint by the entrance of ‘Izbat al Tabib village, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 12:40 on
Saturday, 23 February 2013, Israei forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Qalqilya.  At approximately
19:50, another checkpoint was established between ‘Azzoun and Izzbat al-Tabib
villages, east of the city.  All
checkpoints were later removed; no arrests were reported.

 

Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 07:00
on Sunday, 25 February 2013, the Israeli forces enhanced its restrictions on
the freedom of movement of Palestinians on ‘Ennab military checkpoint,
established on the main Nablus-Tulkarm road, east of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was removed later.  No arrests were reported.

 

Jericho:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 21
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on al-Mu’arajat road
linking Jericho and Ramallah.  At
approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbeidat village, north of
Jericho.  At approximately 15:40, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the
city.  At approximately 18:30 on Sunday,
24 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance
of al-Ouja village, northeast of the city. 
All checkpoints were removed later; no arrests were reported.

 

Detention at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 22 February, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint on al-Nassra – Jenin road, northwest of Jenin.  In the meantime, clashes broke out between
Israeli soldiers and Palestinian boys, who were gathered in the surroundings of
the checkpoint, threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers, who responded
with rubber-coated metal bullets, sounds bombs and tear gas canisters to
disperse them.  A number of civilians
suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation. 
The clashes continued for several hours. 
The Israeli forces arrested Amir Majid Mohammed ‘Arouk (14) and
transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, Israeli
forces, stationed at the Container checkpoint, which separate Jerusalem and
Bethlehem, arrested Bashar Ziad al-Faroukh (27) and transported him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Saturday, Israeli forces, stationed at
Ennab military checkpoint, enhanced the restrictions on the freedom of movement
of Palestinians through the checkpoint. 
At approximately 15:00, the soldiers arrested Amjad Khair-Allah Hassan
Bani Fadel (23) from ‘Akraba village, southeast of Nablus, and transported him
to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 14:40, the Israeli forces, stationed at the
Container checkpoint, arrested Mahmoud Ahmed Nawawra (24) from Bethlehem. According
to eyewitnesses’ testimonies, the forces detained Nawawra for a while before
transporting him to an unknown destination.

 

4- Settlement
Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

 

At
approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, dozens of settlers from
“Seger” settlement, established on Palestinian civilians’ lands, cut
50 olive trees and 20 grape trees in Jorat Mish’al area, west of Beit ‘Awwa
village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. 
The trees, which are over 40 years old, belong to Mohammed Ahmed Salem al-Sowayty
(77).  In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, al-Sowayty said that his land is located near the annexation wall
and is constantly subjected to the Israeli forces and settlers’ attacks, as 7
fruitful olive trees were uprooted from his land several years ago.

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Friday, 22 February 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by
three military vehicles and one of the Planning and Building Department of the
Israeli Civil Administration, raided B’er al-‘Abed area in the surroundings of Janba
village to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  The Israeli soldiers deployed in the area and
detained a number of Palestinian civilians while they were paving the street,
which leads to the village, and declared it a military area in which any form
of construction work needs a permit from the concerned authorities in the
Planning and Building Department.  Before
withdrawing, the Israeli forces confiscated three trucks, loaded with base
course.  In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldworker, Rateb al-Jabour said that the confiscation of the trucks and the ban
on construction work on the road is part of the Israeli plan to isolate
Palestinian villages in the area from each other and control them.

 

At
approximately 08:00 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, dozens of settlers coming
from “Susiya” settlement, established on confiscated Palestinian
agricultural lands, south of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers of al-Shamsti and al-Nawa’ja, while working in their farmlands in the surroundings
of the village.  The settlers beat the
Palestinian farmers severely and unleashed their dogs at them, terrorizing
them, especially women and children.  The
Israeli forces arrived at the scene, declared the area a closed military zone
and attacked the farmers.  Before
withdrawing, the Israeli soldiers arrested two farmers: Mohammed Mahmoud
al-Shamasti (45) and Mahmoud Mohammed al-Shamasti (24) and transported them to
an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 23 February 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied
by military vehicles, raided farmlands in al-Khalail area, north of Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They detained
Bader Mahmoud Ekhlail (75), a farmer, and his sons: Wajih (37); Youssif (30);
and Mahmoud (30) for two and a half hours before releasing them.  The forces banned the aforementioned
civilians from working in their land under pretext that it is close to the
security fence of “Gosh Atzion” settlement, established on
Palestinian civilians’ lands south of Bethlehem.  Settlers in the West Bank continue, in
violation of the international humanitarian law, to commit systematic crimes
against Palestinian civilians and their property.  These crimes are usually carried out under
the sight and protection of the Israeli forces, who also neglect to
investigates in the Palestinian civilians’ submitted complaints against the
assaulting settlers.

 

At
approximately 12:00 on Saturday, a group of settlers, estimated at 25 some of
them were armed with machineguns, from “Yesh Kodesh” settlement,
southeast of Qassra village, southeast of Nablus, attacked Abdel-Majid Tawfiq
Salama’s house in al-Wa’ar area, southeast of the aforementioned village.  A group of Palestinian civilians gathered in
the area and others hurried to the villages’ mosques, who were calling out to
the people of the village to go to the aforementioned house and protect it from
the settlers who were protected by Israeli forces.  The civilians threw stones at the Israeli
forces and settlers.  Immediately,
Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters, sound bombs and rubber-coated metal
bullets at them.  The settlers fired from
their machineguns as well.  As a result,
8 Palestinian civilians sustained wounds, including three children, one of
them, Helmi Abdel-‘Aziz Sadiq Hassan (27) sustained a live-bullet wound to the
abdomen.  Hassan was transported via a
Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to Rifidia Surgical Hospital in
Nablus for treatment, where his condition was described as critical.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on Saturday, a group of settlers coming from
“Sham’a” settlement, established on Palestinian civilians’ lands
southeast of al-Thaheria village, south of Hebron, attacked a number of
shepherds while tending their sheep in farmlands in Kherbat Zanouta area, west
of the aforementioned village.  The
settlers beat Suliman Shafiq al-Tal (37). 
Half an hour later, an Israeli force raided the area, arrested Mr.
al-Tal and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

Later on
Saturday, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces
accompanied by a number of military vehicles, raided Palestinian lands in Silat
al-Thaher village, south of Jenin, where “Homesh” settlement was
established before being evacuated. 
According to local sources, dozens of settlers arrived at the scene in
14 buses, accompanied by large units of the Israeli forces.  They practiced some religious rituals before
withdrawing from the area.  No incidents
were reported.

 

In the early
morning hours on Monday, 25 February 2013, a settler from “Betar Illit”
settlement, established on the lands of Housan, Foukin Valleh and Nahalin
villages, west of Bethlehem, established a large steel gate, 4 meters wide and
2 meters high, on the main entrance leading to Palestinian farmers’ lands in
Qedis area, west of Housan.  In his
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Faiq Hamamra, a member of the Village Council,
said that the farmers took the gate down immediately, explaining that this
action is intended to stop the farmers from reaching their lands in the context
of an Israeli plan to confiscate these lands for settlement expansion in the
area.  It should be mentioned that the
aforementioned settler uses part of these lands as a parking lot.

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

1. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their
legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure
Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence
practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it
is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human
rights and humanitarian law.

 

2. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a
conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the Convention
in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.

 

3. PCHR calls upon
the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with
their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for
and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.

 

4. PCHR calls for
the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the
Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.

 

5. PCHR recommends
that international civil society organizations, including human rights
organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their
governments to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

 

6. PCHR calls upon
the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association
Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a
precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel.  PCHR further calls upon the EU states to
prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT. 

 

7. PCHR calls on
the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was
implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to occupation but a
compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

 

8. In recognition
of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the
ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the
facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 

9. PCHR appreciates
the efforts of international civil society, including human rights
organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue
their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human
rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.

 

 

10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to
lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its
occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.

 

11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on
international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful
and just solution of the Palestinian question. 
Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and
instability in the region.  Any peace
process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including
international human rights and humanitarian law.

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

For further information please visit
our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact
PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).