Bethlehem
– Olive trees uprooted by Israeli forces

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

      

 

Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians in
Yatta, south of Hebron.

2 of the victims were extra-judicially executed while
the third was killed in an excessive use of force.

 

A Palestinian child was wounded in Qarawet Bani Zaid
village, northwest of Ramallah.

 

Israeli forces have continued to open fire at the
border areas in the Gaza Strip.

2 Palestinian civilians were wounded in the northern
Gaza Strip.

 

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

 

3 Palestinian civilians, including a child,
were wounded in protests in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, and Kofur Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilia.

5 civilians,
including 2 children, were wounded in al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of
Ramallah.

 

 

Israeli forces conducted 64 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank.

 

At
least 46 Palestinians, including 10
children, were arrested in the West Bank.

3 children were arrested in the Gaza Strip, but
released after being interrogated.

 

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

Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in
the West Bank.

At least 5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children,
were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli navy forces have continued targeting
Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

2 Palestinian fishermen were arrested off the fishing
port in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

 

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

Israeli forces demolished 2 residential rooms and 2
barracks, west of Hebron.

Israeli settlers damaged 210 olive trees in the
northern and southern West Bank.

 

Summary

 

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

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 3
Palestinian civilians in Yatta, south of Hebron. They also wounded 22
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; 9
of whom, including the 3 children, were wounded in the West Bank, while the 2
others were wounded in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, in a new crime of extra-judicial
execution, on 26 November 2013, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians
in Hebron by targeting their vehicle, north of Yatta village, south of the
city.

 

Half an hour later, in an excessive use of force,
Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in the south of Hebron.

 

Moreover, Israeli forces continued the systematic use
of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli
and international activists against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities in the West. As a result, 3 civilians,
including a child, were wounded. Two of whom were during a protest in Kofur
Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia, while the third was wounded during a
protest in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah.

 

In the same context, on 23 November
2013, 5 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when dozens of boys
gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah,
and clashed with Israeli forces.

 

On 23 November 2013, a Palestinian child was wounded
by 2 bullets to the left leg when Israeli forces moved into Qarawet Bani Zaid
village, northwest of Ramallah.  

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 22 November 2013, 2 Palestinian
civilians were wounded when Israeli forces positioned along the border fence,
east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip,
opened fire at a group of young men, who were a few meters to the west of the
said fence.

 

In the context of targeting fishermen in the sea, on
27 November 2013, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats
that were sailing about 1 nautical mile off the fishing port, west of Rafah.
The Israeli gunboats surrounded a Palestinian fishing boat boarded by 2
fishermen, from the Sweden Village, southwest of Rafah. They arrested the
fishermen and took them to an unknown destination. 

 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 46 Palestinians, including 10
children.

In the Gaza Strip, on 23 November 2013, Israeli forces
arrested 3 Palestinian children from Gaza valley (Johr al-Deek), as they crossed
through the border fence. The children were questioned and then released 3
hours later via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing.  

 

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

 

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

 

As part of using military checkpoints and border
crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are
wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least 5 civilians, including 2 children, in
the West Bank.

Settlement activities

 

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

 

On 25 November 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed
a 300-square meter tin barrack, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron, belonging
to Nader Mohammed Mahmoud Faraj Allah under the pretext of having no license,
and he was not allowed to vacate his belongings. Israeli forces also
confiscated a 410 Mercedes car loaded with pieces of steel.

 

On the same day, Israeli forces
bulldozed a 40-square meter house comprised of a room, kitchen and bathroom
belonging to Ashraf Mohammed Yousif al-Batran in al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of
the village, and a 160-squre-meter tin barrack under the pretext of unlicensed
construction.

On 23 November 2013, a group of
settlers, under heavy guard of Israeli forces, attacked members of ‘Awad Faily
and number of Israeli solidarity activists from “Co-existence” and “Yashin
Dove” movements, while heading to Qweiwes area, east of Yatta, south of
Hebron.  As a result, some of them
sustained bruises, and 5 of them, including 3 children, were arrested.

 

On the same day, a large group of
settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, north of al-Birah, threw stones at
Palestinian cars.  Israeli soldiers then
intervened to control settlers and evacuate them from the aforementioned
area.  Neither injuries nor vehicle
damages were reported.

 

On 24 November 2013, residents of
Borqin village, west of Salfit, found out that a group of settlers from
“Brokhin” settlement, chopped down 10 olive trees belonging to ‘Abdullah
Mohammed ‘Othman Sheikh ‘Omer (65) in Baqdounis Valley area, north of the
aforementioned village.

 

On 25 November 2013, , a group of settlers
from “Givat Ranim” outpost extended from “Brakha” settlement, northeast of
Bourin village, south of Nablus, attacked a house belonging to the family of
Ghassan Mustafa ‘Emran, at which they threw stones and a Molotov cocktail.

 

On the same day, Israeli forces
confiscated 120 square meters of construction bricks of al-Dirat village,
northeast of Yata, south of Hebron, under the pretext of building a mosque
without a construction permit.

 

On 26 November 2013, around 30
settlers from “Nokadim” settlement, east of Taqou’a village, southeast of
Bethlehem, and “Tekwa’a” settlement, northeast of the aforementioned village,
chopped down around 200 olive trees aged between 30 to 60 years under the
Israeli forces’ protection.

 

 

 

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

 

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

Thursday, 21 November 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
stationed on bypass road (60). They deployed between the houses and withdrew
later. No arrests were reported.   

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Samet village, southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:40, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets, where a
number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers,
who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in
response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and were
treated on the spot. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in
Beit Za’ta area, east of the village. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Hamed Mahmoud Sabarna (40). They withdrew later and
no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces stationed at
the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Abu Ayyash that is adjacent to
Jerusalem-Hebron road. They raided the house under the pretext that stones were
thrown at them. They detained Ayyash’s 2 sons: Mahmoud (23) and Omar (13) near
a military observation tower at the entrance of the village for a few hours and
released them later. In the meantime, Israeli forces closed the entrance of the
village, and stopped Palestinian vehicles to check the passengers’ ID cards.
However, no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Qeddis village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 22 November 2013

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Sheqba village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.  

Also at approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Badawi Meqbel (82).
They handed his son Khalil (54), an ex-prisoner, a summons to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of
Bethlehem. It should be noted Khalil had been detained in an Israeli jail for
24 years and was released 2 weeks ago.

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Ballout village, west of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses
from which they arrested 2 civilians, including a child:

1. Ramez Naji Mousa (17); and

2. Mohanned Said Jaber (24).

 

It should be noted that Jaber suffers from
a serious problem in the kidney and he is in a bad health condition.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun
village, east of Qalqilia. They raided and searched a number of houses in the
western neighbourhood from which they arrested 3 civilians:

 

1. As’ad Mhanna Mesh’al (18);

2. Adam Basem Salim (19); and

3. Aladdin Samir Othman (24).

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in Abu
Helal neighbourhood, southeast of the city. They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Awlad Mohammed (35). They handed the
aforementioned person a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in
“Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided a car
spare parts’ store. They searched the store and confiscated some of its
content. Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Hassan Hamed (37) and withdrew later.   

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into
Mothallath al-Aqaba area in Doura, southwest of Hebron. They stationed in
al-Raj’i woodland, where a number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a
result, a number of boys suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew
later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces stationed at
the border fence, east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalia, in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of young men, who were few meters t
othe west of the border fence. As a result, 2 of them were wounded:

 

1. Mohammed Adel Afana (23), from Beit Lahia, wounded by
a bullet to the right leg (entered and exited); and

2. Sami Ashour Alloush (34), from Jabalia, wounded by
bullet shrapnel to the head.

The wounded were taken by an ambulance of
the Palestine Red Crescent Society to Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, where
doctors checked them. Afana had a serious injury because the arteries were
damaged. Doctors decided that he needs an operation on Saturday morning, 23
November 2013. Alloush’s injury was minor, so he left the hospital.

 

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

 

Saturday, 23 November 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Qarawet Bani Zaid village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets
and deployed between the houses. A number of boys gathered and threw stones and
empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters
and rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, an 18-year-old
civilian was wounded by 2 bullets to the left leg and a number of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also handed Mohammed Yasser Hjeiji
(27) and Ayman Nasser Hjeiji (39) summonses to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Zbeidat village, north of
Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.  

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Shafiq
Abu Zaina (25). They arrested the aforementioned person and then raided a house
belonging to the family of Salim Tawfiq Jarbou’ (26), and arrested him as well.

 

Also at
approximately 12:30, Israeli forces arrested 3 children from Gaza Valley (Johr
al-Deek) who sneaked through the border fence, east of the valley. The children
were questioned and then released via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing after 3 hours.
The children were:

1. Eid Jam’an al-Bahabsa (17);

2. Ahmed Sabri Abu Daher (16); and

3. Mohammed Fawzi Abu Ghnaim (al-Sawarka) (17).

 

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

 

Sunday, 24
November 2013

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awwa village, southwest of
Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched
a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Maher al-Masalma (18). They arrested
the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 01:20, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, southeast of
Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Amer Salim al-Badan
(30) and a house belonging to Majed Hussein al-Sha’er (32), a school principal.
Israeli forces searched both houses and handed the 2 aforementioned persons
summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence services in “Gosh
Etzion” settlement, south of the city. 

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in Asida area. They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Montaser Abdul Hamid Awad (22).
They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Ibrahim Ahmed al-Adam. They arrested the aforementioned person and took him
to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

At
approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 13:45, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Labad village, east of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and checked the artesian wells. They withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.  

 

At
approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north
of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and checked the artesian wells. They
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At
approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into Bal’a village, northeast of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets, where a number of young men gathered and
threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear
gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Faqou’a village, northeast of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Monday, 25 November 2013

In the early
morning, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalama village, north of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets. Local source stated to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli
forces raided a house belonging to the family of Alaa’ Nabil Abu Farha (30).
They handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem
detention facility, northwest of Jenin. They also left a similar summons to his
brother Ahmed (26). Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Zababda village, south of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

Also around
the same time, Israeli forces moved into Masaliya village, south of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Ramin village, east of Tulkarm. They
patrolled the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli
soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a
result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces
withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00 Israeli forces moved into the centre of the old town of
Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 4
civilians:

 

1. Rasmi Mahmoud al-Ajlouni (30);

2. Amir Ahmed al-Ajlouni (18);

3. Lo’ai Hani al-Ajlouni; and

4. Nassar Nidal Meizer.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of
Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested: Mohammed
Sa’id Sahloula, a school teacher, and Ibrahim Mahmoud Issa (22).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Sourif village, west of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. They withdrew later.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:50, Israeli forces moved into al-Ebeidiya village, east of
Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Hosam
Omar Hasasna (15) and Yusef Jamal Hasasna (17). They arrested the 2
aforementioned persons and took them to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

At
approximately 03:15, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of
Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Rabee’
Rezeq Atwan (19) near the annexation wall, west of the village. They arrested
the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin and Jenin refugee camp.
they patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of houses from
which they arrested 3 civilians:

 

1. Mohammed Hussein Zaidan (25);

2. Sohaib Yusef al-Sa’di (20); and

3. Ghassan Ragheb al-Sa’di (49).

At
approximately 20:50, Israeli forces moved into Kufol Hares village,
north of Salfit. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Marka village, south of Jenin.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

 

At
approximately 00:20, Israeli forces moved into Kufol Hares village, north of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Halhoul town, north of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the
family of Mohammed Abdul Majid Zama’ra (14). They arrested the aforementioned
child and then raided 2 houses belonging to the families of Mohammed Ra’fat Sawalma
(18) and Ahmed Belal al-Mughtha (18), and arrested both of them also.

 

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

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces Qaizoun area, east of Hebron. They raided a
house belonging to the family of Yazid Yusef al-Ja’bari (19). They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Rami
Ibrahim al-Mughrabi. They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets, where
young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs
and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered
tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces then raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Mo’ayed Adel Jaroushi (23), and arrested him.

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

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Funduq village, east of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets, raided and searched a number of houses
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

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

 

At
approximately 17:00, Israeli stationed along the security fence, south of Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron, fired sound bombs at Palestinian civilians on
their lands in Daher al-Baraheesh area. As a result, a number of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

In the
evening, in a new crime of extra-judicial execution, Israeli forces killed 2
Palestinian civilians in Hebron by targeting their vehicle near Zaif area,
north of Yatta, south of the city. According to investigations conducted by
PCHR, at approximately 18:00, Mousa Mohammed Makhamra (24), from Yatta, and
Mohammed Fo’ad Nairoukh (24), from Hebron, were driving a white Subaru vehicle
on a dirt road linking al-Berka area, east of Yatta, and bypass road (60). A Renault
Kangoo vehicle was following the above-mentioned vehicle. The Subaru was about
to reach the bypass road when an Israeli infantry unit had deployed in the
farmlands around. Israeli soldiers directly opened fire at the vehicle, and in
the meantime, other soldiers opened fire from the Renault vehicle as well. Soon,
a Mercedes 608 accompanied by a Mercedes bus and an Isuzu Jeep – all with
Palestinian registration plates – arrived and stopped on the bypass road. A large
number of Israeli soldiers stepped out of the vehicles and deployed in the
area. An hour and a half later, Israeli forces brought a robot to pull the dead
civilians out of the vehicle. A suspicious object was also taken out of the
vehicle and detonated. At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 27 November 2013,
Israeli forces delivered the 2 corpses to an ambulance of the Palestine Red
Crescent Society that took them to Abu al-Hassan al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta.
Medical sources at the hospital stated that Nairoukh was killed by 3 bullets to
the chest and a bullet to the right side of his forehead (entered and exited).
Makhamra was killed by a bullet to the right eye (entered and exited), a bullet
to the right side of the neck, a bullet to the chest and a fourth to the
pelvis.  

 

Half an hour
later, in an excessive use of force Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in the
south of Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at
approximately 18:30, Israeli forces surrounded a house belonging to the family
of Khalil Mohammed Abu ‘Eram (43), from al-Berka area, north of Yatta, south of
Hebron. They immediately opened fire at the house for a few minutes and then
used an explosive device to blow up the door. They also opened fire at a
by-passer.

 

Issa Abu
‘Eram said to PCHR’s fieldworker that a large number of Israeli soldiers moved
into the area and surrounded a house belonging to his brother Khalil. The house
was rented by 3 Palestinians claiming to be from Jenin. At approximately 18:30,
they heard gunfire around the house and then the sound of an explosion. After a
while, an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society arrived. Residents of
the area learnt later that a civilian was killed near the house. At
approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 27 November 2013, Israeli forces delivered
the corpse of the civilian to an ambulance that took it to Abu al-Hassan
al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta. The victim was identified as Mahmoud Khaled
al-Najjar (24), from Yatta.

 

After
examination of the crime scene, it was found that Israeli forces had opened
fire randomly at al-Najjar while he was walking near the house, due to which,
he was hit by a number of bullets causing his death before he was taken to the
hospital. According to medical sources at the hospital, al-Najjar was hit by a
bullet to the left side of his chest, 3 bullets to chest and a bullet to the
right shoulder. In addition, part of his head was taken out as he was pulled by
a robot.

 

It should be
noted that Israeli forces raided and searched another house resided by Khalil
Mohammed Abu ‘Eram (43). They arrested the aforementioned person and his son
Khalil (17). In the meantime, Israeli forces moved into Khellet al-Maya area,
east of Yatta, searched a number of houses using sniffer dogs and arrested 4
civilians:

 

1. Mohammed Mansour Msallam (40);

2. Mahmoud Abdullah Msallam (33);

3. Ibrahim Abdullah Msallam (29); and

4. Yusef Abdullah Msallam (20).

 

It was found
later that they are relatives of the killed Mousa Makhamra.

   

At
approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Our al-Tahta village,
southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Samou’ village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Samou’ village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

 

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

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed
JadAllah  Salibi (17). They kept his
family in a room, arrested the child and confiscated the ID card of his brother
Yehia (22). In the meanwhile, Israeli forces raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Yehia Falah Abu Maria (17) and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into the centre of Hebron. They
raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians:

 

1. Obaida Mohammed D’eis (20);

2. Anas al-‘Ajouri (19);

3. Nabil Nader al-Rajabi (22); and

4. Lo’ai Faisal al-Hashlamoun (25).

 

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

 

At
approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the
streets and stationed near the Directorate of Education on Shweika Street. In
the meantime, a number of young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli
soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a
result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces
withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli gunboats opened fire at a Palestinian fishing
boats that were sailing about a nautical mile off the fishing port, west of
Rafah. A number of gunboats surrounded a small fishing boat boarded by 2
fishermen: Ahmed Khalil Hasouna (16) and his cousin Mahmoud Mohammed Hasouna
(17), both from the Sweden Village, southwest of Rafah, in the southern Gaza
Strip. Israeli naval forces arrested the 2 fishermen and took them to an
unknown destination. Khalil Mahmoud Hasouna, the father of one of the
fishermen, said he knew about their detention from other fishermen who were
around them.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used
excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian
civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, 3 civilians, including a child, were wounded; 2 of them were
wounded in Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilia, while the third
was wounded in Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah.

 

In the same context, on 23 November 2013, 5 civilians,
including 2 children, were wounded when dozens of Palestinian boys gathered at
the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah. The boys
were about 300 meters away from the fence of “Beit Eil” settlement.
They threw stones towards the fence, due to which Israeli soldiers stationed in
the area fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. As a
result, 5 civilians were wounded.

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

 

Following the Friday Prayer, 22 November 2013, dozens
of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at
the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.  Demonstrators took the streets raising the
Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation
wall. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since morning
to prevent the Palestinian and international activists and journalists from
participating in the demonstration. Demonstrators marched adjacent to the
cement wall and tried to cross the fence before Israeli forces that are stationed
behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed
along it fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets,
sound bombs and skunk water at them and chased them in olive fields. As a
result, an 18-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back. Moreover,
dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due
to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organised a peaceful demonstration in the middle of Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. Demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall.
Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the
demonstrators from passing to the land behind it before they responded by
throwing stones. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and
bruises.

 

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

 

Following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful
demonstration in Ma’sara village, in protest at the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration started in front
of the Candles Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. Demonstrators
moved in the streets raising the Palestinian flag. When they arrived at the
area where the annexation wall is established, Israeli forces started firing
tear gas canisters in attempt to disperse them and prevented the demonstrators
from reaching the annexation wall.  A
number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:30 on the same day, Palestinian
civilians and international activists organised a peaceful demonstration in the
centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northwest of Qalqilia, and headed towards the
eastern entrance of the village, in protest at the continued closure of the
entrance with an iron gate, since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada. Clashes
erupted between the demonstrators and Israeli forces that fired sound bombs and
tear gas canisters to prevent them from reaching the aforementioned gate. As a
result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded. The 17-year-old civilian
was hit by a gas canister to the back and the 20-year-old civilian was hit by a
gas canister to the belly.

 

Other Demonstrations

 

On Saturday, 23 November 2013, dozens of Palestinian
boys gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of
Ramallah. The boys were about 300 meters away from the fence of “Beit
Eil” settlement. They threw stones towards the fence, in response to which
Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, tear gas
canisters and sound bombs. As a result, 5 civilians, including 2 children, were
wounded. They were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. Moreover,
dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces arrested 2
civilians, including a child:

 

1. Wajeeh Mahmoud Sheikha (14). He was released at
approximately 22:00; and

2. Hamza Sa’id Jamil (20). He was taken to an unknown
destination.

 

(PCHR keeps the names
of the wounded).

 

On Wednesday afternoon, 27 November 2013, dozens of
Bir Zeit University students gathered in the vicinity of Ofer detention
facility, southwest of Ramallah, to organize a protest on the grounds of the
killing of 3 Palestinians by Israeli forces in Hebron the day before. The
demonstrators headed towards the detention facility’s gate, so Israeli forces
closed it, and fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs
and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. The students set fire to tires and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers. As a result, a number of
demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to
being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The
cooking gas crisis has ranged between the ebb and flow for 3 months due to the
closure of Karm Abu Salem for security reasons. 
According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow around 98
tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day. 
This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200
tonnes per day, of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during the winter.

 

For almost 6 consecutive years,
Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials
to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli forces approved the
delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organisations in the Gaza Strip. 
Israeli forces also continued to impose almost total ban on the Gaza
Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for
light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.

 

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

 

For around a year and a half,
Israeli forces have allowed Palestinian detainees’ families to visit their sons
in the Israeli jails according to special and unfair conditions after more than
5 years of deprivation in violation of international humanitarian law.

 

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

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) crossing

20 – 25 November 2013

 

 

Exports:

 

On
Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 228
kilograms of garlic leaves, 180 kilograms of basils and 180 kilograms of mints.

 

Other Imports:

 

 

On
Wednesday, 20 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 144 tonnes of
Flour for the World Food Programme (WFP); and 404 tonnes of cooking oil for the
UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of
195 tonnes of fodders and 975 tonnes of wheat.

On
Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 353 tonnes of
cooking oil for the UNRWA; 67 tonnes of flour and 50 tonnes of sugar for the
WFP; and 57 tonnes of electricity supplies for the Turkish Hospital.  They also allowed the entry of 1,092 tonnes
of fodders and 351 tonnes of wheat.

On
Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 495 tonnes of
flour for the UNRWA; 33 tonnes of humus, 32 tonnes of sugar and 38 tonnes of
cooking oil for the WFP; 11 tonnes of medicine for the ICRC; and 8 tonnes of
electrify supplies for the Turkish Hospital. 
They also allowed the entry of 507 tonnes of fodders and 429 tonnes of
wheat.

On
Monday, 25 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 425 tonnes of flour
for the UNRWA; 87 tonnes of cooking oil for the WFP; 12 tonnes of aluminum for
the Turkish Hospital; and 7 tonnes of pipes for the Water Authority.  They also allowed the entry of 936 tonnes of
fodders and 1,170 tonnes of wheat.

 

 

 

Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

 

On
Wednesday, 20 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty
plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed 3 truckloads of empty
plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed 5 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Monday, 25 November 2013, Israeli forces allowed 2 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”)
crossing

19 – 24 November 2013

 

 

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:

 

• Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 21
November 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit
‘Aor al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. 
The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Friday, 22 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah.  The checkpoint was removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 23 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, and the
checkpoint was later removed.  At
approximately 16:30 on the same day, they re-established the aforementioned
checkpoint and obstructed movement through which.  At approximately 19:00, another checkpoint
was established at the eastern entrance of al-Tibah village, northeast of
Ramallah.  The checkpoint was removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the enrtance of Sanjel village, north of Ramallah.

 

• Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 21
November 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
al-Samou’a village, south of Hebron.  Around
the same time, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of
al-Fawwar refugee camp, north of Hebron. 
The two checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Friday, 22 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Raboud, south of Dura, southwest of the
city.  At approximately 16:00, they
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron.  At approximately 16:30, a similar checkpoint
was established at the northern entrance of Yata, south of Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. 
Around the same time, a similar checkpoint was established at the
entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the city.  Around the same time, another checkpoint was
established at the entrance of the Road between the villages of al-Samou’a and
Bani Na’im, south of Hebron.  At
approximately 15:00, they established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-
Fawwar refugee camp, south of the city. 
At approximately 16:00, another checkpoint was established at the
entrance of al-Jalajel village, east of Hebron. 
All checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 26 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Karaza village, south of Dura, southwest of
Hebron.  Around the same time, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Taramah, as the entrance is
connected with Bypass Road (60), southeast of Dura.  At approximately 16:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  At approximately 17:00, they established a
similar checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village, southeast of Dura.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Wednesday, 27 November 2013, Israeli forces established
a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Yatta, as it is connected with Bypass
Road (60), south of the city.  At
approximately 16:00, they established 2 other checkpoints; the first one at the
entrance of Ezna village, west of the city, and the second at the entrance of
al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the city. 
At approximately 18:00, another checkpoint was established at the
entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

· Tulkarm: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 21:30 on Friday, 22 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya near the eastern
entrance of Jubarah village.  The
checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported. It should be
mentioned that Jubarah village has been isolated from its surroundings during
Al-Aqsa Intifada for more than 10 years due to the construction of the
annexation wall, south of Tulkarm.  The route
of the wall was changed to pass through the west of the village a couple of
weeks ago.  As a result, the village was
re-integrated with the neighboring villages.

 

· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 21
November 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of
‘Arrabah village, south of Jenin.  Around
the same time, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of
al-Yamoun village, northwest of the city. 
The two checkpoints were removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00 on Friday, 22 November 2013, Israeli forces stationed at
“Movidetan” checkpoint closed the main bypass road between Jenin and the
northern villages of Tulkarm, southwest of Jenin, and obstructed Palestinians’
movement.  The tightening ended later,
and no arrests were reported.  It should
be noted that the checkpoint was closed under the pretext that a Palestinian
car launched fireworks at the stationed soldiers while passing by them.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the intersection of Beit Qad village, northeast of Jenin.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 15:30 on Monday, 25 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Ta’anek, northwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

· Qalqilya: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 14:45 on Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ezbet al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 14:50, another checkpoint
was established at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At approximately 16:30, a similar checkpoint
was established at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city.  All checkpoints were removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:50 on Saturday, 23 November 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near ‘Ezbet
al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.

 

At
approximately 09:20 on Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 10:40, another checkpoint
was established near al-Fondoq village, northeast of Qalqilya.  At approximately 13:30, they established a
similar checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city.  At approximately 14:40, Israeli soldiers
established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya, and it was
re-established at approximately 17:55. 
At approximately 14:55, another checkpoint was established near ‘Ezbet
al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.

 

· Salfit: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 17:10 on Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr Deek village, west of Salfit.  At approximately 18:10, they established
another checkpoint at the western entrance of Deiristayah village, northwest of
Salfit, and prevented movement under the pretext of throwing Molotov cocktail
at settlers’ cars passing by the entrance. 
They later re-opened it and allowed movement, and no arrests were
reported. 

 

At approximately 20:50 on Monday, 26 November 2013, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafel Haris village, north of
Salfit.  The checkpoint was removed later,
and no arrests were reported.

 

· Jericho: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 20:30 on Friday, 22 November 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho.  The checkpoint was removed later, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 24 November 2013, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Jaftalak, north of Jericho.  The
checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at military
checkpoints

 

 At
approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 21 November 2013, Israeli forces stationed at
the entrance of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the centre of the old city in Central
Hebron, arrested Muhanned Raed al-Muhtaseb (17) under the pretext of carrying a
knife.  The aforementioned child was
taken to “Ja’abarah” police station near al-Ibrahimi Mosque.

 

At approximately 15:00 on the same
day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bod village,
southwest of Jenin.  When Ramez Ghalib
Khaled Abu Baker (24), a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard, was
passing by the checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested him. 

 

At approximately
11:00 on Saturday, 23 November 2013, Israeli forces deployed Pastoral land,
east of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron, arrested Mohammed S’oud al-Faqir
(17), and Mahmoud Sa’id al-Faqir (16), who were both grazing sheep.  They were taken to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately
16:00 on Monday, 25 November 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
the main road between Tulkarm, Nablus and Jenin near the intersection of
‘Arrabah village, south of Jenin.  When
Ahmed Ghalib Khaled Abu Baker (20); and ‘Abdullah Farouq Khaled Abu Baker (20)
were passing, Israeli soldiers arrested them and took them to an unknown
destination.

 

At approximately
22:00 on the same day, Israeli soldiers stationed at Tayaseer, east of Tubas,
stopped a white (Mercedes Etka) car loaded with vegetables belonging to Mahdi
‘Abdel Rahman Faqha when he was on his way from the northern Jordan Valley to
Tubas.  They asked as usual for his
identity card.  After checking it, they
returned the identity card and asked him to leave.  When he moved the car, the Israeli soldiers
moved the tire screws positioned on the road. 
As a result, the driver shouted in protest against what they did, and
asked them to see the officer in charge. 
However, the soldiers responded that he is not here and asked him to leave
his cell phone number to call him when comes.

 

 

 

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

 

On Saturday, 23 November 2013, a
group of settlers and Israeli soldiers attacked members of ‘Awad family and a
number of Israeli solidarity activists at “Co-existence” and “Yashin Dove”
Movement while they were on their way to their farmlands in Qwaiwes area, east
of Yatta, south of Hebron.  As a result,
some of them sustained bruises, and five, including 3 children, were arrested.  The detainess were identified as: Yehia
Tawfiq Ismail ‘Elyan (15); Sa’id Mohammed ‘Elyan (44); Hammad Ibrahim ‘Elyan
(22); Fatmah Tawfiq ‘Elyan (13); and Fidaa’ Ismail ‘Elyan (14), who were all
taken to “Karyat Arbaa’” Settlement, east of Hebron.  The Israeli Police informed the family later that
they would release the five detained for 1,000 NIS for each.  Naser Nawaj’ah, an employee at “B’Tselem”
Centre for Human Rights and broke his camera.

 

Manal
‘Omer Dawoud ‘Awad (42), who was assaulted, stated to a PCHR fieldworker that:

 

“I live in Um al-Safah area,
northeast of Yata.  At approximately
09:00 on Saturday, 23 November 2013, I went with my family members and
relatives to our farmland in Qwaiwes area, east of Yata.  At approximately 09:30, when we arrived, a
group of Israeli solidarity activists from “Coexistence” and “Yashin Dove”
Movement were waiting for us near the farmland. 
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers deployed in the area, and one of them
arrested the activists and prevented them from progressing further.  I headed with the rest of my family members
accompanied with Mariah, an activist, and another one, whose name I do not know,
to the entrance at the end of the land near Sha’ab al-Batim area.  When we approached the land, we were
surprised with 12 settlers (men and women), who were very close to us, in the
land.  Israeli soldiers accompanied with
Israeli policemen ran after us and immediately deployed in the place.  An Israeli policeman told us through the
megaphones in Arabic that this is a closed military zone, and we are denied
access into it.  We tried to access the
land, but the settlers severely beat us with sticks and stones.  Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers arrested around
18 persons, including my husband and all men and children, tightened their
hands to the back, and took them away from us. 
I then saw a 25-year-old settler attacking my son, Mohammed (10), as he
grabbed him by his neck and wrestled him to the ground.  I approached the settler to distance him from
my son, but he slapped me on my face twice. 
He then attacked my daughter, Mona (18), pushed her to the ground and
kicked her couple of times.  Minutes
later, two settlers came on horses and attacked us in front of the Israeli
soldiers and police.  We were crying and
screaming out of fear.  Around half an
hour later, Israeli police patrols arrived at the place to get us out of the
land and keep the settlers away from the area. 
We were threatened to be arrested in case we returned to the land.  Fidaa’ Ismail ‘Elyan (14) was arrested after
being attacked by settlers as well as Fatmah Tawfiq ‘Elyan (13).  Around 2 hours later, Israeli soldiers
released the detaines excluding 3.  The
detainees were Sa’id Mohammed ‘Elyan (44), my husband, Yehia Tawfiq ‘Elyan (15)
and Hammad Ibrahim ‘Elyan (22).  On
Sunday, 24 November 2013, Israeli police informed us that they will release
them in case the family paid 1,000 NIS for each one under arrest.  However, we can afford paying as we live under
very difficult economic conditions.”

 

On Saturday evening, a large group
of settlers from “Beit Eil” settlement, which is established on the lands of
Ramallah and al-Birah, north of al-Birah, threw stones at Palestinian cars,
which were passing on the main road near the aforementioned settlement leading
to al-Jalzoun refugee camp.  Israeli
soldiers then intervened to control settlers and evacuate them from the
aforementioned area.  Neither injuries
nor vehicle damages were reported.

 

At approximately 12:30 on the Sunday,
24 November 2013, residents of Borqin village, west of Salfit found out that a group
of settlers from “Brokhin” settlement, chopped down 10 olive trees belonging to
‘Abdullah Mohammed ‘Othman Sheikh ‘Omer (65) in Baqdounis Valley area, north of
the aforementioned village, with an electric saw.

 

Nafez
Barakat, Mayor of Borqin, said to a PCHR fieldworker:

 

“At approximately 12:30 on Sunday,
24 Nove,ber 2013, I received a phone call from a shepherd living in Baqdounis
valley, north of Borqin, west of Salfit. 
He told me that he saw olive trees cut down with an electric saw and
their branches beside them in a land belonging to ‘Abdullah Mohammed Sheikh
‘Omer.  I called the aforementioned
person and told him about the incident. 
We went there to find 10 trees chopped down with an electric saw, and we
knew that the settlers did it as their Borkhin settlement is near the land and
they have a barrack adjacent to the land for livestock breeding.”

 

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 25
November 2013, Israeli forces, backed with 3 military vehicles, bulldozers and
a vehicle of the Construction and Organization Department at the Israeli Civil
Administration, moved into Kherbet Wad al-Naqi, west of Ezna village, west of
Hebron.  Those vehicles stationed in the
centre of al-Kherbah and deployed in the vicinity of the area.  The two bulldozers then started destroying a
300-square-meter tin barrack belonging to Nader Mohammed Mahmoud Faraj Allah
under the pretext of having no permit, and he was not allowed to vacate his
belongings. Upon leaving the area, Israeli forces confiscated a 410 Mercedes
car loaded with pieces of steel belonging to the Barrack’s owner and forced him
to drive his car accompanied with an Israeli vehicle to “Ghosh ‘Atsyon”
settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli
forces patrolled to al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of the village, and raided
accompanied with the Civil Administration officers a 40-square-meter house
comprised of one room, kitchen and bathroom. 
They ordered the homeowner, Ashraf Mohammed Yousif al-Batran (25), to
get his belongings out of it, and the Israeli bulldozers then started
destroying the house and a 160-squre meter tin barrack, which he uses to graze
sheep and to collect and sort scrap under the pretext of unlicensed
construction.

Ashraf
al-Batran said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

 

“I own a 300-square-meter land in
al-Ra’s neighborhood, west of Ezna village in Area C.  In 2011, I built a Ready Mix Concrete room
and another tin-roofed room, which includes a bathroom and kitchen, where I
live with my wife and two kids.  I also
finished building a 160-square meter tin barrack for grazing sheep and
collecting and sorting scraps in 2013. 
The house and barrack cost me 12,000 NIS.  On 23 April 2013, a vehicle of the Israeli
construction and organization department handed me a notice holding number
“150065”, ordering me to stop building under the pretext of having no
license.  The notice gave me a deadline
till 20 May 2013 to handle my affairs legally. 
Meanwhile, I could not afford hiring a lawyer due to the bad economic
conditions.  On 24 July 2013, the same
vehicle arrived at the place and put a notice holding number “392288” near the
barrack, which stated that the barrack and 2 rooms must be demolished in a
maximum period of 7 days from the notice date and that the place must be returned
to its previous state.  In addition, in
case I did not do this, they would be destroyed on my own expenses.  On 25 November 2013, a Civil Administration
patrol accompanied with 2 military bulldozers arrived at the place and
destroyed the house and barrack without allowing me to get my belongings out of
the house.  Around 40 minutes later,
those vehicles left and headed to one of the gates established at the
annexation wall, west of the village.”

 

It
should be noted that Israeli authorities has launched a large campaign of
distributing notices on houses and facilities west of Ezna village this year
under the pretext that some persons sabotages the security fence established on
Palestinian lands, west of the aforementioned village.

 

The
engineering staff in Ezna village said to a PCHR fieldworker that a civilian
handed them a notice he found in Khelet al-Ghameq area, west of the
village.  It orders them to stop working
on a 200-meter dirt road established within an Agricultural Relief project and
stop as well establishing an electricity network, which includes 10 pillars on
the village expenses, as civilian houses in the area benefit from it.

 

At approximately 23:00 on the same
Monday, a group of settlers from “Jav’aat Ranim” outpost extended from “Brakha”
settlement, northeast of Bourin, south of Nablus, attacked a house belonging to
the family of Ghassan Mustafa ‘Emran, at which they threw stones and a Molotov cocktail.  The Molotov cocktail hit the kitchen window
to the east of the house, so the wall of the house caught fire near the
aforementioned window.  After closing the
window, ‘Emran called the Civil Defense in the aforementioned village, and the
Civil Defense crew arrived and extinguished the fire.  It should be mentioned that the house, where
a family of 5 members, including 3 children aged 5-10 live in, is only around
500 meters away from the outpost.

 

At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 26
November 2013, a group of settlers from “Metsi Ya’ir”, “Afijal” and “Ma’oun”
settlements, east of Yata, south of Hebron, closed the main road between the
city and its southern villages (al-Tawani, Sousia and Um al-‘Arayes).  The road was closed under heavy guard of
Israeli forces as settlers chanted anti-Arab slogans.

 

At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 26
November 2013, around 30 settlers from “Nokadim” settlement, east of Taqou’a
village, southeast of Bethlehem, and “Tekwa’a” settlement, northeast of the
aforementioned village, chopped down around 200 olive trees aged between 30 to
60 years under the Israeli forces’ protection. 
Taysir Abu Mefreh, Mayor of Taqou’a, said to a PCHR fieldworker that
settlers moved under the Israeli forces’ protection into al-Baq’aah area at the
western entrance of the village.  They
were holding saws and started cutting trees in Palestinian lands belonging to
the village residents and Sa’ir village residents, northeast of Hebron.  When the residents attempted to prevent them
from cutting the trees, Israeli soldiers prevented them from progressing
further under the pretext of a decision issued by the Military Court “in
response to the stone throwing at the settlers’ cars that pass by the main road
adjacent to the village.”

 

At approximately 03:10 on Tuesday,
19 November 2013, 3 settlers infiltrated from “Hafa Gel’ad” settlement to
Fer’etah village, northeast of Qalqilya, and set a truck and vehicle belonging
to Bahjat Mohammed Mahmoud Soliman, on fire. 
He always parks his car next to his house.

 

Majdi
Ibrahim Salah Soliman (30), cousin of Soliman, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

 

“At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday,
19 November 2013, my cousins woke up to go to their work in Israel and noticed
the flames near the house of Bahjat. 
They then called him and extinguished fire using available hoses.  The flames burnt a 2003 truck that costs
30,000 NIS, and a silver Mercedes car, which costs 60,000 NIS.  After extinguishing fire, we found some
slogans in Hebrew written on the surrounding walls.  My cousin has surveillance cameras, which we
reviewed, and found out that at approximately 03:10, 3 masked settlers entered
the place and carried out the attack.  We
informed the concerned authorities, and an Israeli officer came and took the
camera alleging that he would take a copy of the tape and would give it back in
the evening.”

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position
that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is still
under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment
outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have
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 an international recognition of Israel’s obligation to
respect international human rights instruments and the international
humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the
Laws and Customs of War on Land and the
Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law
and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way
that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.

 

In light of continued arbitrary measures, land
confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued
aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the latest offensive
that lasted for 8 days in November, PCHR calls upon the international
community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural
obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act
according to the following recommendations:

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

Public Document

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email [email protected] or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.