Palestinian
civilians who were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces in Qalandya refugee
camp, north of Jerusalem

 

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

      

 

Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and
wounded 18 others, including 5 children, in Qalandya refugee camp.

A child was wounded by a live bullet to the head at
the entrance of ‘Ayda refugee camp.

 

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

 

5 protestors
were wounded during 2 protests in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, and Kofur
Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia.

 

 

Israeli forces conducted 49 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank and a limited one into the Gaza Strip.

 

At
least 29 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children,
were arrested in the West Bank.

 

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.

4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were
arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

Israeli forces forcibly transferred a former prisoner
from Hebron to Gaza.

 

Israeli navy forces continued targeting Palestinian
fishermen in the sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire at fishermen in the
northern Gaza Strip.

 

Israel has continued its measures to create Jewish
majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

2 houses, retaining walls and commercial stores in
al-Tour and al-‘Esawiya villages were demolished.

A budget was allocated to prepare the infrastructure
of 1,500 settlement units in the north of the city.

Settlers damaged tyres of 10 vehicles in Beit Safafa,
south of the city.     

 

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

Israel plans for the establishment of a new settlement
neighbourhood in the northern West Bank.

Settlers cut 25 olive trees in lands near “Bracha”
settlement in Nablus.

Israeli forces halt construction works in an
under-construction house under the pretext of building on a seized land.

Israeli forces sent 4 notices to halt construction
works in 4 occupied houses, south of Hebron.

Israeli forces sent notices to halt construction works
in 8 water wells, south of Hebron.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(22 – 28 August 2013).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces escalated
their attacks against the Palestinian civilians, especially in the West Bank.
Israeli forces killed 3 civilians and wounded 23 others, including 5 children. 3
civilians were killed and 18 others, including 5 children, were wounded during
an Israeli incursion into Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem.
The other 5 civilians were wounded in peaceful protests against settlement
activities in the West Bank. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces
continued chasing and opening fire at Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

 

In the West Bank, on 26 August 2013, in an excessive
use of lethal forces, Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and wounded
18 others, including 5 children, in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied
Jerusalem, in the centre of the West Bank. This crime was committed when
Israeli forces moved into the camp to launch an arrest campaign, but dozens of
Palestinians gathered and threw stones at them. Israeli forces immediately
fired live ammunition, sound bombs and tear gas canisters.  As a result, 3 civilians were killed and 18
others, including 5 children, were wounded. On the same day, a child was
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the head while others suffered tear
gas inhalation during clashes at the entrance of ‘Ayda refugee camp near
Bethlehem.

 

During the reporting period, 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 Bank.  As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were
wounded, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises. 3 civilians
were wounded in Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah, and 2 others were
wounded in Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of Qalqilia.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 22 and 23 August 2013, Israeli
gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern
Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats that approached the border
about 2 nautical miles off the shore. The fishermen were frightened and fled
back to the shore fearing of being arrested or injured. However, neither
casualties nor material damage were reported in both incidents.

  

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 49 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 29 Palestinians, including 4
children.

 

On 25 August 2013, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron. They attacked and maltreated Ta’yeed al-Badawi.  As a result, he sustained severe bruises in
the chest.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 26 August 2013, Israeli forces
accompanied by 4 bulldozers and 3 tanks moved about 200 meters into Beit
Hanoun, to the west of the border fence. They levelled and combed lands along
the border fence, due to which the farmers escaped from their lands fearing for
their lives.  Israeli forces withdrew
later. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.     

 

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 6 civilians, including 3 children.

Efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East
Jerusalem

On Sunday, 25 August 2013, the financial committee of
the Israeli municipality approved the budget to prepare the infrastructure of
1,500 settlement units to expand “Ramat Shlomo” settlement, north of
occupied East Jerusalem.   

 

On 26 August 2013, Israeli forces accompanied by
bulldozers and officers from the municipality moved into Khellet al-Ein area in
al-Tour village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They surrounded a house belonging
to the family of Zakariya al-Daya (30) and demolished the house. The 140-square-meter
house shelters 2 families comprising of 10 members. Israeli bulldozers then
demolished another house belonging to the family of Maher Abu Sbaitan.

 

On the same day, Israeli forces levelled a piece of
land belonging to 2 brothers: Zakariya and Adnan Darweesh from al-Za’farana
area in al-‘Esawiya village. They also damaged trees and retaining walls.
Israeli forces demolished a scrap shop belonging to Nidal Geith and a retaining
wall belonging to Marwan Hamdan.

 

On Tuesday morning, 27 August 2013, some settlers
punctured tyres of 10 vehicles belonging to Palestinians in Beit Safafa
village, south of the city. According to Israeli sources, settlers wrote
“Paying the price” in Hebrew on the walls of that area.    

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 August 2013, Uri Ariel, the Israeli Minister of
Housing and a member of the Knesset for the “Jewish Home” laid the
foundation stone for “Leshem” settlement, west of Salfit, north of the West Bank. The Israeli
Ministry of Housing claimed this settlement is an expansion of “Ali Zahav”
settlement that was established in 1982.

 

On the same day, a group of settlers damaged and cut
25 olive trees in Abu Hanoun area 600 meters away from “Bracha”
settlement, southeast of Nablus. This is the second time this year these trees
are attacked and cut.

 

On 27 August 2013, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet
Um al-Khair, east of Yatta, and deployed between the tents. They prevented
civilians from working in an under-construction house under the pretext it is
built on a seized land, where nothing can be built without a prior permit from
the Israeli civil administration as this land belongs to “Carmiel”
settlement that is established on lands of al-Hathaleen family in Kherbet Um
al-Khair.

 

On the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by a civil
administration officer moved into Deir Ma’lla area, east of al-Daheriya
village, south of Hebron. The civil administration officer put 4 notices to
halt construction works in front of 4 occupied houses and photographed them
before he left. The notices gave the houses’ owners a period of time until 30
September 2013 to present their evidence documents and to adjust their legal
status.

 

On 28 August 2013, Israeli forces accompanied by civil
administration officer moved into Um Sarrara (Musafer Yatta) area, southeast of
Yatta, south of Hebron. The civil administration officer put 8 notices to halt
construction works near 8 water wells with a capacity ranging between 100-200
cubic meters that are used for human and agricultural purposes.

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(22 -28 August 2013)

 

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

Thursday, 22 August 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves at the entrance and in the centre of the camp.  They withdrew later and neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.   

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin. 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 Nour
Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and raided a
house belonging to the family of Ali Khairi Abu Salah (28) in al-Eyada
neighbourhood, in the centre of the camp.  They arrested the aforementioned person and
repositioned themselves in al-Mahjer neighbourhood in the north of the camp.  They raided a house belonging to the family of
Dia’ Ahmed Abu Qasido (24) and arrested him.  

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Kherbatha Bani Hareth village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Sira village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into
Mothallath al-Aqaba area, to the south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They
positioned themselves near al-Aqaba Mosque, where a number of boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers who fired in response sound
bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, some civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation.  However, neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.        

 

At approximately 21:30, Israeli gunboats
stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza
Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishermen that approached the northern
borders about 2 nautical miles off the shore. The fishermen were frightened and
fled back to the shore fearing of arrest of injury. Neither casualties nor
material damage were reported.

 

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

 

Friday, 23 August 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, 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.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into many
neighbourhoods in Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in al-Shorfa neighbourhood, east of Hebron. They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Majed Edris al-Sharawnah (22)
and arrested him. In the meantime, an Israeli infantry unit raided a house
belonging to the family of Shadi Salama al-Taweel (22) and arrested him. At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces withdrew following clashes between some
boys throwing stones and empty bottles and Israeli soldiers firing sound bombs,
tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a number of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.    

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Luqia village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and positioned
themselves at the main entrance. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked
the passengers’ ID cards. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:15, Israeli forces moved into
Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:20, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened
fire at Palestinian fishermen that approached the northern borders about 2
nautical miles off the shore. The fishermen were frightened and fled back to
the shore fearing of arrest of injury. Neither casualties nor material damage
were reported.

 

Saturday, 24 August 2013

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Etil village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At
approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Mothallath al-Aqaba area, to the
south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They closed the main road between Doura
and its southern villages. Furthermore, they stopped Palestinian vehicles and
checked ID cards of passengers. A number of boys gathered and threw
stones.  In response, Israeli forces
fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters, due to which a number of boys
suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahiriya village, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in Mothallath
Soumara area, west of the village. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and
checked ID cards of passengers. Israeli forces withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Awwa village, to the
southwest of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets, where some
boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at them. Israeli soldiers
fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of
boys suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 25 August
2013

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces
moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in the centre of the village. They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Issa Ahmed Abu Sakout (28). Israeli forces
withdrew later and no arrests were reported. 

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved
into al-Ouja village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some
time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces
moved into many neighbourhoods in the centre of Yatta, south of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the eastern side of the
city. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma’il
Mohammed al-‘Emour (23). They handed the aforementioned person a summon to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion”
settlement, south of Bethlehem. At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces withdrew
and no arrests were reported.   

 

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

 

At approximately 09:45, Israeli forces
moved into ‘Allar village, northeast Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces
moved into al-Zababdah village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 11:40, Israeli forces
moved into Jelqamous village, southeast of Jenin. They patrolled the streets
for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces
moved into Deir Nezam village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the
streets and positioned themselves near Deir Nezam School. They raided the
school in the afternoon shift, arrested 3 students and threatened and insulted
the teachers under the pretext that students threw stones at Israeli soldiers.
Those students were taken to Ofer detention facility, west of the city. They
were released at approximately 22:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013.  They are: Khair ‘Adel al-Khatib (16); Ahmed
Abdul Sattar al-Khatib (17); and Mo’taz Samih Tamimi (16).

 

In the afternoon, Israeli forces moved into
al-Wheidi neighbourhood, east of al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They
fired tear gas canisters. Due to which, some gas canisters fell into a house
belonging to the family of Ahmed Abdul Qader al-Badawi (50). Al-Badawi’s 2 sons
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

According to investigations conducted by
PCHR, at approximately 15:30 on the abovementioned day, 3 Israeli soldiers
moved into al-Wheidi neighbourhood, east of al-Arroub refugee camp. They
heavily fired tear gas canisters at the Palestinian houses without any clashes.
As a result, 6 gas canisters fell into a house belonging to the family of Ahmed
Abdul Qader Zaqqout (50), due to which, a carpet on the first floor was burnt
and 2 sons of Zaqqout suffered severe tear gas inhalation. The sons are: Mohammed
(14) and Anan (19). Israeli forces tried to arrest one of them when a neighbour
came to help the sons get out of the house, but he was attacked as well.

 

Ta’ayeed al-Bedawi, who was attacked by
Israeli soldiers, said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“I live in al-Titi neighbourhood in the
centre of al-‘Arroub refugee camp and I am a government employee.  At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 25 August
2013, I received a phone call from my cousin, ‘Anan Ahmed al-Badawi (19), who
told me that Israeli forces fired at their house tear gas canisters, which
penetrated windows.  Thus, they suffered
severe gas inhalation.  He then asked me
to tell my brother, Mohammed (28), who is a paramedic at the Palestinian Red
Crescent Association, to head quickly to them. 
I tried to search for my brother, but I could not find him.  I then took a perfume with me and ran quickly
to my uncle’s, ‘Abdel Qader Zakout, house, which is 400 meters away from our
house, in order to save the house residents. 
When I arrived, a lot of gas clouds filled the place and 3 soldiers were
near the house.  I pushed the door and
entered the house, where the gas looked like a huge cloud through which you
cannot see.  I went to the stairs, which
lead to the second floor.  I found
Mohammed (14) and ‘Anan (19) sitting on the stairs and their condition was very
difficult.  I carried them and took them
to the street, where I gave them first aid. Meanwhile, one of the soldiers held
his neck and pushed him away from them saying that: You were throwing stones at
us.  Another soldier then grabbed my
cousin, Mohammed, and wanted to arrest him on the same charge.  I then told the soldier that ‘I came here to
give them first aid, and none is throwing stones here’ as I was bare feet. The
soldier then tried to tighten my hands to the back in order to arrest me after
my attempt to rescue Mohammed from the soldier, who held him, till he managed
to escape to the nearby houses.  At that
moment, one of the soldiers hit me with the gun’s but on my chest and shoulder
several times in a row.  I tried to
escape from the soldier as a number of boys gathered and threw stones at the
soldiers, who then kept distance from the place and started heavily firing tear
gas canisters amidst houses.  One of them
heavily fired tear gas canisters at us to the extent that the soldiers fired at
least 30 tear gas canisters in less than 10 minutes.  At that moment, Mohammed (28), my Paramedic
brother, arrived and offered us first aid. 
Before I went home, I went to check on my uncle’s house, which was
subject to gas canisters.  We found on
the first floor a completely burnt carpet, pieces of broken window glass
boards, which overlook the Main Street, and pieces of burnt plastic, which
covered the ground on the second floor. 
We collected 6 tear gas canisters from the house.  The next day, I went to the medical military
services where it was found out that I sustained bruises, one of which left a
10-centimeter scar in the chest.”

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Shweika suburb, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:45, Israeli forces moved into ‘Etil village, north of Tulkarm.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

Monday 26 August 2013

At
approximately 01:55, Israeli forces moved into Kofur al-Deek, west of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces in 4 military vehicles
accompanied by 50-member infantry unit moved into Bruqin village, west of
Salfit. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses, from which
they arrested 11 civilians. The detainees were taken to “Ali Zahav”
settlement. They were questioned there and released at approximately 08:00. The
arrested identified as:

 

1. Haitham Bassam Barakat (18);

2. Ayman Bassam Barakat (21);

3. Mais Zeyad Barakat (18);

4. Fekri Jawad Barakat (22);

5. Mahmoud Abu Zaid Barakat (25);

6. Ahmed Akram Barakat (22);

7. Mohanned Ghaleb Sabrah (28);

8. Tha’er Ibrahim Damrah (26);

9. Hamouda As’ad Omar (25);

10. Yehya Zakarya Abdul Majid (23); and

11. Mohammed Samarah Abdul Majid (20).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aroura village, north of Ramallah. They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Saleh Abdul
Latif Hussein (27). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of
Bethlehem. They raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Rashad Issa
(20). They arrested the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Qadd village, east of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests
were reported.

 

In an
excessive use of lethal force, on Monday morning, 26 August 2013, Israeli
occupation forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians and wounded 18 others,
including 5 children, in Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem in
the central West Bank.  The Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces this heinous crime, holds Israel fully
responsible for the current escalation in the occupied Palestinian territory
(oPt) and demands the international community to assume its responsibilities
and provide protection for the Palestinian civilians.

 

According to
investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at
approximately 05:00, Israeli forces in military vehicles and a 20-member
infantry unit moved into Qalandya refugee camp, north of occupied
Jerusalem.  They positioned themselves in
the streets and then moved into al-Souq neighborhood in the centre of the
refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Israeli forces raided a house
belonging to the family of Abdul Rahim al-Khatib near the Grand Mosque to
arrest one of the family members.  In the
meantime, dozens of young men and boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli
forces that immediately fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and sound
bombs at the stone throwers.  Israeli
forces received backups that moved into the camp through its entrance and
western side. They heavily opened fire at the stone throwers.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were
killed and 18 others were wounded, including 5 children; the majority of them
were wounded in the upper part of the body. Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 2
brothers: Yusef Abdul Rahim al-Khatib (24) and Omar al-Khatib (27). Yusef was
taken to an unknown destination while Omar was released at Qalandya checkpoint
an hour after Israeli forces had withdrawn from the camp.

The civilians who were killed are:

 

1- Yunis Jamal Jahjouh (23), who was hit by
a live bullet to the chest;

2- Jehad Mansour Aslan (21), who was hit by
a live bullet to the chest; and

3- Rubin Abdul Rahman Zayed (33), who was
hit by several live bullets to the chest as well.

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded)   

 

At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces accompanied by
4 bulldozers and 3 tanks moved about 200 meters into Beit Hanoun, west of the
border fence. They levelled and combed lands along the border fence heading
southwards to the east of Jabalia. As a result, farmers in the said area
escaped fearing for their lives. Israeli forces withdrew at approximately 14:00
on the same day. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into many
neighbourhoods in the centre of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in Ras al-Joura neighbourhood, north of the city. They
raided 3 houses from which they arrested Lo’ay Ramadan Gaith (39) and Qidar
Mohammed Gaith (34). In the meanwhile, Israeli forces raided a house belonging
to the family of Mazen Jamal al-Natshah (40) in Ein Sarah Street in the centre
of the city. They arrested the aforementioned person and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 17:00, dozens of Palestinian boys and
young men gathered at the eastern entrance of ‘Ayda refugee camp, north of
Bethlehem, in protest at the killing of 3 civilians in Qalandya refugee camp.
They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces stationed in a
watchtower. Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters in response. As a result, Laith Khalil Abu ‘Aker (11) was
wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the forehead. He was taken to Beit
Jala Hospital, where his wound was described as moderate. Moreover, others
suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 17:30, Israeli forces moved into
Sanour village, south of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and distributed
summons for civilian to refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem
detention facility, northwest of Jenin. In the meantime, some boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at the stone throwers. Israeli forces withdrew later.

The summoned persons were:

1. Yazeed Fawwaz Habayba (21);

2. Mousa Mohammed Abu Ali (22); and

3. Mohammed Roshdi Abu Ali (25).

 

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into
Fasayel village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, 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.

 

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

 

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

 

At approximately 01:50, Israeli forces moved into
Jabal Hendazah, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging
to the family of Mahmoud Hassan al-Wardiyan (36). They arrested Mahmoud’s
brother Osaid (23) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces moved into the
road leading to al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They positioned
themselves at the entrance of the camp, where some boys gathered and threw
stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who fired in response sound
bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result, a
number of boys suffered tear gas inhalation. At approximately 16:00, Israeli
forces moved back to the main entrance of the camp.  They stopped Palestinian vehicles and checked
the passengers’ ID cards, but no arrests were reported.  

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bab
al-Zawiya area and al-Shallala Street in the centre of Hebron. They deployed
between the stores and detained a number of civilians to check their ID cards.
Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces, who
fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in
response. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. At
approximately 15:30, Israeli vehicles moved into the area to confront the boys,
who were surrounded by Israeli forces. Israeli forces attacked and arrested 2 boys:
Qusay Hamed al-Rajabi (15) and Amjad Nidal al-Natsha (22). They were taken to a
police station in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron. Clashes
between Israeli forces and the boys lasted until 21:00, when the Israeli forces
withdrew.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli force moved into many
neighbourhoods in the centre of al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses. Some boys gathered and
threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli forces, who heavily fired tear gas
canisters in response. As a result, many gas canisters fell into a house
belonging to the family of Ahmed Attallah al-Badawi (65). The family members
suffered tear gas inhalation as a result. Israeli forces also raided a house
belonging to the family of Sha’ban al-Ra’i (40). They climbed over the top of
the house and fired rubber coated metal bullets at the boys in the camp.
Israeli forces withdrew back to the entrance of the camp and stopped
Palestinian vehicles. They checked the passengers’ ID cards. At approximately
21:00, Israeli forces withdrew completely from the camp. Neither arrests nor
material damage to houses were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Hawarwa area, northeast of Halhoul, north of Hebron. A number of boys
gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live
ammunition in response. As a result, a 14-year-old boy sustained bullet wounds
in the right shoulder and the right side of the back. He was taken to al-Ahli
Hospital in Hebron. His wounds were described as moderate.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Titi neighbourhood, east of al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They
stopped a vehicle driven by Ali Ezz al-Din Jawabrah (21) and forced him to step
out. In the meantime, some little girls, including Jawabrah’s sister, were playing
around. His sister Ansam (11) went home that is a few meters away to bring her
brother’s ID card. While coming back to the place, a soldier hit her with a gun
butt on her left arm. As a result, she sustained bruises and was taken to an
UNRWA clinic at the centre of the camp, where she received the necessary
medical treatment.

 

Ansam said to
PCHR’s fieldworker:

 

“I was
playing with some little girls in front of our house. I saw Israeli soldiers
had stopped my brother’s vehicle and ordered him to step out to search it. In
the meanwhile, I heard a person saying that he would go to bring my brothers ID
card, so I hurried to the house to bring it. While coming back, a soldier hit
me with his gun butt on my left arm. It was so painful. I screamed and started
crying. I quickly went home. My father asked me what was wrong. I told him that
an Israeli soldier hit me. My father held my hand, went towards the Israeli
soldiers and started shouting at them. We then went back home. My arm was
hurting me. At night, my father wanted to take me to the doctor, but clashes
erupted in the camp. My brother Ali took me the clinic on the following
day.”

 

· At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Kawazya neighbourhood, east of al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Some
boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired
sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. As a result,
dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, because some gas canisters
fell into houses in the area. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces raided a
house belonging to the family of Abdul Rahman Jawabra. They climbed over the
top of his house and turned it into a military site. They detained the house
occupants in a room and started firing at the boys and some houses around.
Israeli forces stayed on top of the house until 07:00 on Wednesday, 28 August
2013. However, no arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tafouh village, northeast of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and deployed
between the houses. They raided and searched 3 houses belonging to the families
of Sami Khamaysa, Mohammed Ahmed Irzaiqat and Lo’ai Ibrahim Irzaiqat. Israeli
forces withdrew at approximately 06:00. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, Isma’il Herzallah Mahariq (20)
was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when Israeli forces opened fire at
him from a range of 10 meters. Isma’il was attempting to approach the fence (Green
Lin) near Arab al-Ramadeen village, in the far south of Hebron. Mahariq was
taken by an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to Hebron
Hospital. His wound was described as moderate.

 

Mahariq stated
to a PCHR fieldworker:

“I have
been working in the area of the “Green Line” for 2 years. I go to
work through a hole in the security fence, south of Arab al-Ramadeen village,
south of Hebron, because I cannot obtain a work permit for my young age. At
approximately 08:30 on Wednesday, 28 August 2013, I went with 3 other workers
to work as usual. When we approached the security fence area, Israeli forces
were in a patrol. We waited until they left and hurried up to the fence. We
were surprised that 2 Israeli soldiers were about 10 meters away from us on the
other side of the fence. They opened fire randomly at us. I felt a bullet that
entered my right leg. We all ran towards the vehicle that brought us to the
area. I told my colleagues that I was wounded. I was taken to the emergency
department in al-Daheriya village. I was then taken to Hebron Hospital by an
ambulance.”

 

At approximately 21:00, an Israeli infantry
unit moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They deployed between
the houses, where some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at
Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters in response. As a result, the
family of Nidal Hassan al-Sharif suffered tear gas inhalation, as gas canisters
fell into their house from a neighborhin house belonging to the family of Rebhi
Badawi. Badawi’s house was occupied by Israeli forces earlier. Due to which,
Jamila al-Sharif (70) sustained bruises as she fell on the ground.

  

 

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, 5 Palestinian
civilians were wounded, dozens suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

 

Following the Friday Prayer, 23 August 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities.
The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and made their way towards the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and when the
demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were
stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as
the outskirts of the village. As a result, 3 civilians and a Chinese journalist
were wounded, while dozens of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises. Besides, due to firing tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators, a land planted with olive trees were burnt. The first wounded
person (33) sustained a bullet wound in the right side; the second one (32)
sustained a bullet wound in the right thigh; and the third one (22) sustained a
bullet wound in the right leg. (PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).

 

Also, following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin
village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation
wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when
the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were
stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers
who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs,
and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as the
outskirts of the village. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, Israeli and international human rights activists gathered at
the Martyrs Square in al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a
weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. The protesters walked towards Palestinian lands that
Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to
seize.  From the morning, Israeli forces
had closed all entrances to the village to prevent Palestinians, international
activists, and journalists from joining the demonstration.  Upon their arrival in the area, Israeli
soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear
gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them and
civilian houses with waste water. As a result, dozens of Palestinians suffered
tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

At approximately 12:00, before the weekly protest of
Kofur Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia, started, Israeli forces moved into the
said village. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves at the
eastern entrance of the village. They fired tear gas canisters randomly. As a
result a gas canister fell into Omar Bin al-Khattab mosque, near the positioned
from which the protest starts. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded: the first
one (42) was hit by a gas canister in the right hand; and the second one (24)
was hit by a gas canister in the back. Moreover, dozens of worshippers suffered
tear gas inhalation. (PCHR keeps the names of the wounded).

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
from al-Ma’sarah village, south of Bethlehem, and a number of international
activists and popular resistance activists organized a peaceful demonstration
against the annexation wall and settlement activities called “Prisoners in
the Israeli jails”. They gathered in front of al-Shomou’ Cultural Centre
in the centre of the village and made their way through the village streets. They
raised Palestinian flags and portraits of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs.
When they approached the annexation wall, Israeli soldiers dispersed the
demonstrators with tear gas canisters.

 

Also following the Friday prayer on 23 August 2013,
dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in front of Wasaya al-Rasoul Mosque in
the centre of the old town of Hebron. They organized a peaceful protest in
support to the Egyptian people and former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
They raised Palestinian flags and made their way through the streets in the
southern area of the city. Israeli forces moved in and surrounded the
demonstrators. They also fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Israeli
forces withdrew later. Dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. No
arrests were reported. 

 

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.

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

 21-27 August
2013

 

 

 

 

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point 31 July- 13 August
2013

 

The Egyptian Authorities re-opened Rafah
International Crossing Pont, after closing it for 5 days, to the humanitarian
cases, patients, holders of foreign passports and holders of residency permits,
and the crossing was opened only for 4 hours daily.  It should be mentioned that the crossing was
closed in light of updates that Egypt witnessed and the intervention of the
Egyptian Army to oust President Mohammed Morsi following protests in the
Egyptian cities at the end June.

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

 21-27 August
2013

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing

From 21-26 August 2013

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 240 bags of palm fronds.

On Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 180 kilos of mint and 432 kilos of onions.

Other Imports:

 

 

On Wednesday, 21 August 2013, Israeli
forces allowed the entry of 840 tonnes of construction aggregates for the
private sector; 27 tonnes of medicine for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 663 tonnes of
fodders and 936 tonnes of wheat.

On Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 36 tonnes of medicine for the UNRWA; 96 tonnes of wheat
for the World Food Programme (WFP); 910 tonnes of construction aggregates for
the private sector; and 1,890 tonnes of construction aggregates for the Water
Authority.  They also allowed the entry
of 546 tonnes of fodders; 564 tonnes of wheat; and 406 tonnes of straws.

On Sunday, 25 August 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 980 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private
sector; 276 tonnes of cement, 30 tonnes of construction steel, 158 tonnes of
rice and 1,820 tonnes of construction aggregates for the UNRWA; 102 tonnes of
wheat for the WFP; and 18 tonnes of medicine for the Red Cross.  They also allowed the entry of 468 tonnes of
fodders and 1,638 tonnes of wheat.

On Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 910 tonnes of construction aggregates for the private
sector; 150 tonnes of cement and 114 tonnes of milk for the UNRWA; 35 tonnes of
salt and 72 tonnes of wheat for the WFP; and 700 tonnes of construction
aggregates for the UNDP.  They also
allowed the entry of 89 tonnes of fodders and 1,131 tonnes of wheat.

 

Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

 

 

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

On Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli
forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm
Abu Salem.

On Sunday, 25 August 2013, Israeli
forces allowed 5 truckloads of empty plastic containers to be returned via Karm
Abu Salem.

On Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty
plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

 

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 10:00
on Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Beit Loqaya village, west of Ramallah.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported. 

 

At approximately 09:30 on
Friday, 23 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi
Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. 
The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:45 on
Saturday, 24 August 2013, Israeli forces re-established at ‘Atarah checkpoint
at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.  They later withdrew, and no arrests were
reported.  At approximately 20:30, they established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of
al-Tibah, northeast of Ramallah.  The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 20:30, another checkpoint
was established near the intersection of “’Ofrah” settlement, northeast of
Ramallah.  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Ramallah and
al-Bireh and the north-eastern villages adjacent to Beit Eil settlement 1 kilo
meter away from the entrance of al-Jalzone refugee camp.  The checkpoint was late removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
18:30, another checkpoint was established at the intersection of Beit ‘Aor
al-Foqa, southwest of Ramallah, and they prevented people from leaving or
entering through the checkpoint.

 

At approximately 20:30 on Monday, 26 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Musbah,
southwest of Ramallah, and prevented people from leaving or entering through
the checkpoint.

 

· Hebron: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:00
on Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of al-Tabqa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  The checkpoint later withdrew, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 23 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Karza village, south
of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  Around the
same time, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Taramah
village, as this entrance connects Taramah village with the Bypass Road (60),
southeast of Dura.  The checkpoints were
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village,
southeast of Dura, southwest of Hebron. 
At approximately 16:00, another checkpoint was established at the
entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  The checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna, west of
Hebron.  At approximately 18:00, another
checkpoint was established the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of
Hebron.  The checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 27 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee
camp, north of Hebron.  At approximately
16:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Ezna village, west
of the city.  At approximately 17:00,
they established the same checkpoint at the entrance of al-Koum village, west
of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  Around the
same time, another checkpoint was established on the al-Rebatah Road between
Dura and its western villages, southwest of the city.  All checkpoints were later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

· Qalqilya: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
20:10 on Saturday, 24 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces established at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 19:20, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 19:40, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of
‘Azoun ‘Etmah village, southeast of the city, and prevented people from passing
after closing the iron gate.  They also
randomly fired tear canisters and sound bombs at people and later re-opened
it.  Neither injuries nor arrested were
reported.  Around the same time, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of
Qalqilya.

 

· Jenin: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:30 on Thursday, 22 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Faqou’a village,
northeast of Jenin.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported. 
It should be mentioned that establishing this checkpoint coincides with
the Israeli incursion into the village.

 

At approximately 07:00 on Friday, 23 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’abod village,
southwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:20 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at “Movodotan” checkpoint, which is established on the
main bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm, southwest
of Jenin, tightened arbitrary restrictions againt Palestinians and obstractect
their movement.  The Tightening later
ended, and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 19:00, they established another checkpoint at the intersection of
Imreihiyah village, southwest of Jenin. 
The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:30 on Monday, 26 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of
Qabatia and Sanour, south of Jenin. 
After an hour, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30 on Tuesday, 27 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jarba village,
south of Jenin.  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 28 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’abod village,
southwest of Jenin.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported. 
Around the same time, they established another checkpoint at the
entrance of Kafr Koud village, west of Jenin. 
The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

· Tulkarm:  Israeli forces
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 15:30 on Friday,
23 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the
villages of ‘Ezbet Shofah and Shofah, southeast of Tulkarm, in order to prevent
the entry of Israeli cars into the village and return them back to Tulkarm and
then to the bypass road, which leads to Jbarah crossing that separates Israeli
from the 1967 occupied territories.  The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:45 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qofein village,
north of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and
Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed in an area known as “Abu Martein”,
east of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was
later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 28 August 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, which is established on the main
road between Tulakrm and Nablus, tightened its arbitrary measures against
Palestinians.  The tightening later
ended, and no arrests were reported. 

 

· Salfit: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 18:40
on Thursday, 22 August 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between
the villages of Kafl Haris and Haris, north of Salfit.  At approximately 21:00, another checkpoint
was established at the entrance of Deir Estya, northwest of the city.  The two checkpoints were later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:55 on Saturday, 24 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Yasouf
village, east of Salfit.  At
approximately 18:20, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance
of Salfit, and Israeli forces blocked traffic till approximately 19:00.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:40 on Sunday, 26 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Salfit.  The checkpoint was later removed
and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests at
military checkpoints

 

· At approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 24 August 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near al-Khader Stadium in al-Khader
village, south of Bethlehem.  They
arrested Mohammed Bassem Hamamrah (29) from Hoasan villahe, west of Bethlehem,
while he was passing through the checkpoint. 
He was then transferred to an unknown destination.

 

· At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces deployed near the security fence of “Karmi Tsour” settlement,
which is established on Palestinian lands, southof Beit Ummar, north of Hebron,
arrested Mohammed Jadallah Hammad Slaibi (17) and Mohammed Shehda Hasan Slaibi
(16) when they were near one of the security gates installed along the security
fence.  They were transferred to “Ghosh
‘Atsyon” settlement, south of Bethlehem and Israeli soldiers started firing
tear gas canisters against farmers, who were in their lands adjacent to the
aforementioned settlement.  As a result,
a number of them suffered gas inhalation.

 

· At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 25 August 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at a checkpoint, which leads to Israeli territories,
near “Borkan” settlement established on Palestinian lands near Borqeen village,
northeast of Salfit, arrested 3 Palestinians, who lost their way and went by
their car to the checkpoint by mistake.

 

According to investigations conducted by
PCHR, at approximately 17:00 on Sunday 25 August 2013, when Naser Saleh
Mohammed ‘Abdel Qader (44) accompanied with his wife and friend ‘Arfat Mohammed
Ahmed al-Rabi (33) were on their way back to Tulkarm coming from Ramallah and
took by their own car Qana Valley Road near Haris village, northeast of Salfit,
the driver lost his way and took a road that leads to the 1948 occupied
territories.  When he arrived at the
checkpoint at the end of the road, a number of Israeli soldiers stopped them
and started checking their ID cards. 
They then entered the car to electronic examination room, through which
they found a gun and some bullets under the spare tyre.  Following that, the Israeli soldiers arrested
the passengers and took them to “Ariel” settlement near the checkpoint and then
took them to Hawarah detention centre, south of Nablus.  At approximately 23:30, Naser’s wife was
released while his friend and he remained in custody.

 

· On Monday, 26 August 2013, Israeli forces stationed at
Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip, arrested ‘Alaa’
Hasan Subhi Meqbel (30), Director of the Palestinian Youth Association for
Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA) living in the intelligence building,
north of Gaza.

 

Hasan Meqbel, ‘Alaa’s father, stated to a
PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 18:00 on Monday, 26 August 2013, he
received a phone call from an unknown person, who introduced himself as an
officer in the Israeli Intelligence and told him that his son, ‘Alaa’, was
detained Ashkelon prison.  The father asked
him about his son’s charge, but he ended the call.  Meqbel explained that the reason why his son
travelled through Erez checkpoint is that he was sent an invitation from the U.S.
State Department to attend a workshop in Ramallah.  The U.S. Consulate applied for a permit, but
it was rejected.  When asking about the
reason of the rejection, the Israeli Intelligence said that they want to meet
with him, and so his son did not. 
Another permit was applied for him and after the Israeli intelligence
questioned him, they arrested him.

 

· Forcible Transfer of a Released Prisoner to Gaza

 

In the context of the Israeli deportation
policy against Palestinians, at approximately on Thursday, 22 August 2013,
Israeli forces forcibly transferred Ayman Yousif Ahmed Abu Dawoud (37), a
released prisoner from Hebron in the West Bank, to the Gaza Strip as he was
welcomed at “Eirez” Checkpoint.  It
should be mentioned that Abu Dawoud was arrested on 13 February 2012 from his
house in Hebron 4 months after he was released within the Sahlit prisoner swap
deal as he had sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment.  He was also on hunger strike for 40 days till
Israeli forces approved releasing him on one condition which is transferring
him to Gaza for10 yeas.  Abu Dawoud was
staying in al-‘Afoulah Hospital and suffered a significant decline in his
health, as he was only taking fluids and salts until he recovered.

 

5. Effort to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

· On Sunday, 25 August 2013, the financial committee of
the Israeli municipality approved the budget to prepare the infrastructure of
1,500 settlement units to expand “Ramat Shlomo” settlement, north of
occupied East Jerusalem. Ahmed Sab Laban, a researcher in the settlement
affairs in Jerusalem, said: “This new settlement project will be
implemented soon following the approval. The next step will be inviting bids from
the Israeli contracting companies to start building the settlement units after
the Israeli municipality prepares the infrastructure of the project.”     

 

· On 26 August 2013, Israeli forces accompanied by
bulldozers and officers from the municipality moved into Khellet al-Ein area in
al-Tour village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They surrounded a house belonging
to the family of Zakariya Mohammed al-Daya (30), forced its occupants to go out
and demolished the house. The 140-square-meter house shelters 2 families
comprising of 10 members, the family of Zakariya and his brother Abdul Aziz
(25), who had been married for 3 months.

 

According to information collected by PCHR, the house
was built 6 years ago. Al-Daya received a phone call from his wife on the
abovementioned day while he was at work. She told him that Israeli forces
accompanied by officers from the municipality and bulldozers surrounded the
house. Al-Daya quickly went back home, but Israeli forces prevented him from
approaching the house. It should be mentioned that the family has received many
notices of building encroachments in the 6 years under the pretext of building
it with no license. The first notice imposed NIS 35,000 while the other one
imposed NIS 60,000.

 

· Israeli bulldozers then moved to an under-construction
house belonging to the family of Maher Abu Sbaitan. The 150-square-meter house
of 2 apartments and was still under-construction was demolished. Local sources
in al-Tour village stated the demolition of the house caused heavy damage to
the neighbouring houses, because sewage lines were damaged. This will cause
health problems to over 200 Jerusalemites in the village.    

 

· On the same day, Israeli forces levelled a piece of
land belonging to 2 brothers: Zakariya and Adnan Darweesh from al-Za’farana
area in al-‘Esawiya village. They also damaged trees and retaining walls.
Israeli forces demolished a scrap shop belonging to Nidal Geith and a retaining
wall of 6 meters height belonging to Marwan Hamdan.

 

· On Tuesday morning, 27 August 2013, some settlers
punctured tyres of 10 vehicles belonging to Palestinians in Beit Safafa
village, south of the city. According to Israeli sources, settlers wrote
“Paying the price” in Hebrew on the walls of that area. The settlers
working under this slogan escalated their attacks in many areas in occupied
Jerusalem.    

 

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

 

 

· On Sunday, 25 August 2013, Uri Ariel, the Israeli
Minister of Housing and a member of the Knesset for the “Jewish Home” laid the
foundation stone for “Leshem” settlement, west of Salfit, north of the West Bank. The Israeli
Ministry of Housing claimed this settlement is an expansion of “Ali
Zahav” settlement that was established in 1982 on lands of Kofur al-Deek
and Deir Ballut villages, west of Salfit. It is expected that about 149 families
will live in settlement units that will be completed by the end of the year, as
the Israeli High Court approved the request presented by the Israeli Construction
Company to start building the settlement. “Maariv” newspaper reported
that 70 Jewish families would live in “Leshem” settlement that is
expected to be expanded to include 400 families. It should be noted the project
of “Leshem” settlement started in the 1990s, but the construction company
that won the bid has stopped the construction since the eruption of the second
Intifada. It is expected that about 70 other families will move to the new
settlement by the end of the year.     

 

· On the same day, a group of settlers from
“Bracha” settlement that is established on lands of Burin and Hawarah
village, east of Nablus, damaged and cut 25 olive trees in Abu Hanoun area 600
meters away from “Bracha” settlement, southeast of Nablus. These
olive trees belong to Hassan Salem from Burin village. The trees were cut with
automatic saws and it is the second time in the same year these trees are
attacked and cut.

 

· At approximately 10:00, on Tuesday, 27 August 2013,
Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Um al-Khair, east of Yatta, and deployed
between the tents. They prevented civilians from working in an under-construction
house under the pretext it is built in a seized land, where nothing can be
built without a prior permit from the Israeli civil administration as this land
belongs to “Carmiel” settlement that is established on lands of
al-Hathaleen family in Kherbet Um al-Khair. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers
attacked Belal Salem al-Hatheleen (25) and Tareq Eid al-Hatheleen (18), because
they refused to obey the Israeli soldiers’ orders. Both persons sustained minor
bruises.

It should be
noted the Israeli authorities prevent al-Hatheleen family from expanding and
building facilities. At the same time, Israeli authorities continue their
construction works to build settlement facilities on the lands of Kherbet Um
al-Khair for the interest of “Carmiel” settlement.

 

· At approximately 11:00, on the same day, Israeli
forces accompanied by a civil administration officer moved into Deir Ma’lla
area, east of al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron. The civil administration
officer put 4 notices to halt construction works in front of 4 occupied houses
and photographed them before he left. The notices gave the houses’ owners a
period of time until 30 September 2013 to present their identification papers
and to adjust their legal status. The notices were issued for:

1. A 2-storey house with an area of 250 square meters
belonging to Fayez Suleiman Khdeirat (35);

2. A 2-storey occupied house with an area of 200 square
meters belonging to the family of Sami Issa Abu Sharekh (42);

3. A 180-aqure-meter occupied house belonging to the
family of Sofyan Ezzat Abu Sharekh (38); and

4. A 250-square-meter occupied house belonging to the
family of Nayef Mohammed Abu Sharekh (34).

 

· At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 28 August 2013,
Israeli forces accompanied by civil administration officer moved into Um
Sarrara (Musafer Yatta) area, southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron. The civil
administration officer put 8 notices to halt construction works near 8 water
wells with a capacity ranging between 100-200 cubic meters that are used for
human and agricultural purposes.

 

Jamil Yusef Makhamrah said to a PCHR fieldworker that
Israeli forces sent notices for 8 water wells that are used for human and
agricultural purposes in a 200-squre-meter land that is used as natural pasture.
This land was owned by al-Makhamrah family, but the family donated it to the
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture 3 months ago to serve as a nature reserve.
Besides, the water wells were given as a grant from the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.