Israeli
Occupation Forces demolish agricultural facilities in Ethna village, west of
Hebron

Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian
Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

 

A
Palestinian resistance activist was killed and 5 others were wounded in two
extra-judicial execution attempts by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

5
Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded by IOF.

 

IOF have
continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.

A
Palestinian civilian was wounded.

 

IOF
conducted 32 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a
limited one into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF
arrested 28 Palestinians, including 4 children and a university professor.

 

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

Israeli soldiers arrested two
Palestinian civilians at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli
has continued efforts to create a Jewish majority in East Jerusalem.

The
Israeli municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 130 units in
“Gilo” settlement.

The
Israeli municipality of Jerusalem approved a new settlement project in Silwan
village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem.

 

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

IOF demolished
a house and destroyed 5 wells, 4 water tanks and 4 agricultural rooms in Ethna
village, west of Hebron.

IOF
demolished a well and 9 agricultural pools in Dura village, southwest of
Hebron.

 

 

Summary

 

 

The 27^th of December
marks the third anniversary of the commencement of Operation Cast Lead,
Israel’s 27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009 offensive on the Gaza Strip.  PCHR believes that Israeli forces committed
serious violations of IHL and IHRL over the course of the offensive. Violations
entailing individual criminal responsibility include – but are not limited to –
the crimes of willful killing, the extensive destruction of civilian property,
the direct targeting of civilians and civilian objects, the use of human
shields, and the launching of indiscriminate attacks.

 

It is evident that these crimes
demand judicial redress. If the law is to be respected – if it is to prove
capable of protecting civilian populations – it must be enforced; victims’ rights
to the equal protection of the law and effective judicial remedy must be
upheld. Those responsible for committing such crimes must be investigated,
tried and prosecuted in accordance with international standards.

 

In light of the clear and unequivocal
failure of domestic justice systems, it is clear that recourse must be had to
mechanisms of international criminal justice. PCHR call upon the UN Security
Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to refer the situation in
Israel and Palestine to the International Criminal Court. PCHR also reminds
States, as High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, of their
pressing legal obligation, to search for and prosecute all those suspected of
committing war crimes, regardless of their nationality.

 

Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (22 – 28 December 2011):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, IOF
killed a Palestinian resistance activist and wounded 10 Palestinians, including
two children in the Gaza Strip.  An
eleventh civilian was wounded in the West Bank.

 

On 27 December 2011, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian
resistance activist and wounded another one and 3 civilian bystanders,
including a child.  An Israeli drone
fired a missile at two activists of a Salafit group who were traveling on a
motorcycle opposite to Concorde Gallery near Abu Sharekh Square in the northern
Gaza Strip town of Jabalya.  As a result,
one of the activists, was killed, and the other one was wounded by shrapnel to
the chest.  Additionally, 3 civilian
bystanders, including a child, were wounded. 
Two houses and 4 shops were also damaged, and a car belonging, was
completely destroyed.  

 

On the same day, an Israeli aircraft fired a missile at a civilian
vehicle, in which 4 Palestinian resistance activists were traveling, in
al-Jalaa’ Street in the north of Gaza City. 
As a result, the four activists were wounded, one of them sustained a
serious wound.  Additionally, a civilian
bystander was lightly wounded. 

 

On the same day, a Palestinian child was wounded by the Israeli
gunfire in the central Gaza Strip. 

 

On 23 December 2011, IOF fired 3 artillery shells at agricultural
areas to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.  No casualties were reported.

 

In the West Bank, during the
reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations
organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of
the annexation wall in the West Bank.  As
a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded.  Dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.    

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 32 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 28 Palestinian
civilians, including 4 children.  The
detainees include a university professor.     

 

Restrictions
on Movement:

 

Israel
had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since
June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic
situation in the Gaza Strip.  

 

IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically
made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip
although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and
operational capacity.

 

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

 

The total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02
March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza
Strip.  Following this closure, all the
economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial Zone were shut
off.  It should be noted that al-Mentar
crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational
capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.  The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the
culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Sofa crossing, east of
the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and 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.

These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border
and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads
of Gaza imports and exports.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of
Gaza’s products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any
real chances to rerun economic establishments. 
The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem
crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this
crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were
allowed to be exported during last April.

 

IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision
to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed
since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the
delivery of cars to Gaza.  As a result,
the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience
serious shortage in spare parts.

 

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

 

Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe
restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  IOF have also continued to adopt a policy
aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit
Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the
West Bank and Jerusalem.  IOF denied new
categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the
crossing.

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

 

For approximately 54 months, IOF have continued to deny
approximately 700 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails
their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure,
which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.

 

West
Bank

 

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

 

IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely
restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented
from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

 

There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and
unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

 

When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers
around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of
the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been
constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.

 

At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian
communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

There are approximately 500 kilometers of
restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of
the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to
Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely
difficult to obtain.

 

IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful
protests against the construction of the annexation wall.

 

Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem,
and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the
streets by IOF.

 

Efforts to
Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem

 

On
28 December 2011, the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem approved the
construction of 130 settlement units in “Gilo” settlement, south of
Jerusalem.  It also approved the
establishment of a large tourist project in Silwan village to the south of the
old town of Jerusalem.  On Tuesday, 27
December 2011, the Israeli daily Maariv reported about a planned settlement
project in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem.  This project is planned by the Israeli
municipality of Jerusalem and “Elad” settlement association.  The Israeli newspaper reported that “the
large tourist project” is a joint project planned by the settlement
association, the municipality of Jerusalem and “Nature and Gardens
Authority.”  It includes the
establishment of archaeological centers, pools and basins.  According to the newspaper, the local
committee of planning and construction of the municipality of Jerusalem is
expected to approve presenting the plan for any possible objections.  The project is planned on a
5,400-square-meter area of land. 
According to “Elad” association, a car park absorbing about 250 cars
will be established. 

 

Settlement
Activities:  

 

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

 

During the reporting period, IOF
demolished a house and destroyed 5 wells, 4 water tabks and 4 agricultural
rooms in Ethna village, west of Hebron, claiming that they were established
without licenses.  They also confiscated
some agricultural equipment. 

 

IOF also destroyed a well and 9
agricultural pools in Dura village, southwest of Hebron.   They also confiscated some agricultural
equipment. 

 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (22 – 28 December 2011)

 

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

 

Thursday, 22 December 2011

 

At approximately 00:30, IOF moved
into Sha’aba area in the east of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sari Sami
al-Fakhouri, 24, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Wadi al-Hariya area in the south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Rami Hisham Abu Safiya, 28, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to Wajeeh Hmaid Abu Maria,
and arrested his two sons: Ahmed, 18; and Mohammed, 17.  At the same time, IOF raided a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Saqer Abu Maria, 20, to arrests him but he
was not there.  Israeli soldiers
attempted to hold his sister as a hostage to force to him to surrender, but the
family intervened and prevented them. 
So, Israeli soldiers confiscated the ID card of his brother, Napoleon,
25. 

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF
moved into Jenin refugee camp.  They
raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 8 Palestinian civilians to
question them in regard to the death of a Palestinian director, who hold the
Israeli citizenship, Juliano Mir Khamis, who was shot dead on 04 April 2011.  The detainees were released a few hours
later.  They are:

 

1. ‘Adnan Ibrahim Naghniya, 43;

2. Daoud ‘Abdul Rahman Zbaidi, 30;

3. Ahmed ‘Ali Dabaya, 25;

4. Bilal Khaled Sa’di, 39;

5. Maher Mohammed Eghbariya, 31;

6. Jameel Mohammed Abu ‘Ali, 49;

7. Faisal Majed Abu al-Haija, 25;
and

8. Mohammed Ibrahim Sammour, 26.

 

IOF also raided and searched a house
belonging to Kamal Mohammed Abu ‘Ali, 43, and arrested him. 

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF
moved into Jenin.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to ‘Essam Mohammed Tahaina, 56, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved
nearly 400 meters into Abu Safiya area in the east of the northern Gaza Strip
town of Jabalya.  Amidst sporadic
shooting, they leveled areas of Palestinian agricultural land which they had
already razed.  At approximately 12:00,
IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.  No casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved
into Jansafout village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:10, IOF moved
into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved
into Toura al-Ghabiya village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:40, IOF moved
into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Friday,
23 December 2011

 

At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp,
southwest of Bethlehem.  They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a
child:

 

1. Naba’ ‘Omar al-Saifi, 17;

2. Raghad ‘Abdul Hadi Shamroukh, 18; and

3. ‘Aamer Faisal Ma’ali, 20.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jabal Hindaza neighborhood
in the south of Bethlehem.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to ‘Omar Ibrahim Hmaid, 42, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into al-Saf neighborhood in the
south of Bethlehem.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Mohammed al-Battat, 29, and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 07:20, IOF positioned at the border between the
Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yuns
fired 3 artillery shells at the eastern parts of ‘Abassan village and al-Zanna
area, east of the town.  No casualties
were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 17:40, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:10, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets.  A number of Palestinian boys
gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers stepped down
and chased the boys.  The later arrested
Mohammed Na’im Fuqaha, 22, claiming that he threw stones. 

 

Saturday, 24 December 2011

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 08:00, IOF moved into al-Zababda village,
southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled in
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:10, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets
and established a number of checkpoints at its entrances.  They also raided and searched a number of
houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Salah Ahmed Radwan, 18;

2. Ibrahim Ahmed Radwan, 17; and

3. Ayman ‘Abdul Fattah Radwan, 19.

 

At approximately 11:40, IOF moved into ‘Izbat al-Ashqar village,
south of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 25 December 2011

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to ‘Aassem ‘Abdul Fattah Mansour, and arrested his child,
16-year-old ‘Alaa’.  They damaged the
house while searching it.  They also
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Naji Mofeed Radwan, 18,
and arrested him.

 

Monday, 26 December 2011

 

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

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Deir Abu Da’if village,
east of Jenin.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Saida village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into Marka village, south of
Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Faqqou’a village, northeast
of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 18:30, IOF moved into Jalboun village, east
of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into Kufor Dan village, northwest
of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 27 December 2011

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Fareed Ragheb Tabbal, 25, and summoned him for interrogation.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Sa’ir village, northeast of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to Riad Mousa Shalalda, 37, and arrested him.

 

Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into ‘Anabta village, east
of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a
house belonging to the family of Majd ‘Abdullah ‘Ali, 22, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 09:00, Israeli soldiers positioned at the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of the central Gaza Strip village
of al-Musaddar opened fire at the village. 
As a result, Hamza Mohammed al-Telbani, 12, was wounded by a bullet to
the left thigh, when he was on an animal cart nearly 1,000 meters away from the
border.

 

 

 

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
Ameen ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Abu Warda, 38, a journalist and a university lecturer, in
al-Quds Street in the east of the city, and arrested him. 

 

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

 

During
the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West
Bank, and in protest to the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip.  As a result, a Palestinian civilian was
wounded.  Additionally, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.  IOF also arrested a Palestinian civilian. 

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 23 December 2011, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall and support for efforts to
achieve national reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah movements.  They raised the Palestinian flag and called
for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian
land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian
owners.  Israeli soldiers stationed in
the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters
at the demonstrators.  As a result, a
number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday prayer on 23 December 2011, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and Israeli  and international human rights
defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities.  The protesters walked towards
the gate erected by IOF near the entrance of the village and leading to
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli soldiers who had been extensively
deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning,
began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands.
 Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the protesters.  A result, Waleed Yousef
al-Barghouthi, 22, was wounded by a bullet to the foot, and dozens of civilians
suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 23 December 2011, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against
the construction of the annexation wall. 
They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall.  Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators.  As a result, a number of demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  

       

3. Extra-Judicial
Execution

 

On Tuesday evening, 27 December 2011, IOF extra-judicially executed
a Palestinian resistance activist and wounded another one and 3 civilian
bystanders, including a child. 

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
18:50 on Tuesday, 27 December 2011, an Israeli drone fired a missile at two activists
of a Salafit group who were traveling on a motorcycle opposite to Concorde
Gallery near Abu Sharekh Square in the northern Gaza Strip town of
Jabalya.  As a result, one of the
activists, ‘Abdullah Khattab ‘Omar al-Telbani, 22, from al-Nafaq Street in Gaza
City, was killed, and the other one was wounded by shrapnel to the chest.  Additionally, 3 civilian bystanders, including
a child, were wounded:

 

1. Nahidh Tayseer Ma’rouf, 21, from Jabalya, wounded by shrapnel
throughout the body;

2. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Shandaghli, 20, from Jabalya, wounded by
shrapnel throughout the body; and

3. ‘Emad ‘Ali Abu Hassanain, 14, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in
Gaza City, wounded by shrapnel to the chest, as he was walking with his father
in the area.

 

Medical sources described the wounds of Ma’rouf and al-Shandaghli
as moderate to serious.  The two had just
left got out of a supermarket in the area when the attack occurred.   

 

Additionally, two houses and 4 shops were damaged, and a Hyundai
Verna car belonging to Mohammed Zaiada Nassar, 33, was completely
destroyed.  

 

IOF declared that they targeted a number of Palestinian resistance
activists affiliated to the World Jihadist Movement, claiming they were
planning to launch attacks at the Israeli-Egyptian border. 

 

At approximately 21:35 on the same day, an Israeli aircraft fired a
missile at a civilian vehicle, in which 4 Palestinian resistance activists were
traveling, in al-Jalaa’ Street in the north of Gaza City.  As a result, the four activists were wounded,
one of them sustained a serious wound.  Additionally, a civilian bystander, Shadi
Zuhair al-‘Akkawi, 20, was lightly wounded.  

 

4. Continued
Closure of the OPT

 

Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and
imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has continuously closed all
border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since
June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic
situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has caused not only a
humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the
population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the
blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of
the crisis, which can only be addressed by an immediate and complete lifting of
the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the Gaza Strip
and the ban on exports. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply
shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become
internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain
economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially,
culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

21 –
27 December 2011

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

21 –
27 December2011

 

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On Wednesday, 21 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 19.2
tons of strawberries, and 4 tons of sweet peppers.

On Thursday, 22 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 10.9
tons of strawberries, 12,000 flowers, 4.5 tons of sweet peppers and 2.7 ton of
tomatoes.

On Sunday, 25 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 38.1
tons of strawberries and 36,500 roses.

On Monday, 26 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 16.5
tons of strawberries.

On Tuesday, 27 December 2011, IOF allowed the exportation of 26.2
tons of strawberries and 22,000 roses.

 

Notes:

 

On Wednesday, 21 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 440 tons
of cement, 3,360 tons of construction aggregate and 174 tons of construction
steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the
entry of 1,560 tons of fodders.

 

On Thursday, 22 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 440 tons of
cement, 2,730 tons of construction aggregate and 70 tons of construction steel
for UNRWA; and 700 tons of construction aggregate for USAID.  IOF also allowed the entry of 1,365 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 25 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 1,092 tons of
fodders.

 

On Monday, 26 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 226 tons of
cement, 2,800 tons of construction aggregate and 70 tons of construction steel for
UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 858
tons of fodders.

 

On Tuesday, 27 December 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 562 tons of
cement, 1,820 tons of construction aggregate and 26 tons of construction steel
for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry
of 1,014 tons of wheat. 

 

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel
has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of
Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of
international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited
number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the
crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting
their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients
permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe
restrictions that include prolonged checking. 

 

 

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

21 –
27 December2011

 

 

The West Bank

 

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

 

Jerusalem: IOF
have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have
established many checkpoints around and inside the city.  Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian
civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from
praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. 

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday, 22 December 2011, IOF established
4 checkpoints around Qalqilya.  On
Friday, 23 December 2011, IOF established 8 checkpoints around the town.  On Saturday, 24 December 2011, IOF
established 7 checkpoints around Qalqilya. 
On Sunday, 25 December 2011, IOF established 7 checkpoints around
Qalqilya.                                   

 

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 18:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Leed
village, east of Tulkarm.  At
approximately 08:00 on Friday, 23 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint
on Tulkarm-Nablus road near the entrance of Beit Leed village.  At approximately 23:00 on the same day, IOF
established a checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus road near the entrance of Bal’a
village, east of Tulkarm.          

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 25 December 2011, IOF established a checkpoint
on Sirris – al-Jadida road, south of Jenin. 
At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 27 December 2011, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 14:35 on Saturday, 24 December 2011, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Na’el ‘Alaa’ al-Din Jom’a, 30, a
police officer.

 

At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 25 December 2011, IOF established
a checkpoint at the entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  They stopped and searched
Palestinian civilian vehicles and arrested Mohammed Rajab Jom’a, 27. 

 

5. Efforts
to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem

 

Israeli
occupation authorities have continued to make persistent efforts to create a
Jewish majority in East Jerusalem and expel Palestinian civilians in the city.

 

On
Wednesday, 28 December 2011, the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem approved the
construction of 130 settlement units in “Gilo” settlement, south of
Jerusalem.  It also approved the
establishment of a large tourist project in Silwan village to the south of the
old town of Jerusalem.  On Tuesday, 27
December 2011, the Israeli daily Maariv reported about a planned settlement
project in Silwan village to the south of the old town of Jerusalem.  This project is planned by the Israeli
municipality of Jerusalem and “Elad” settlement association.  The Israeli newspaper reported that “the
large tourist project” is a joint project planned by the settlement
association, the municipality of Jerusalem and “Nature and Gardens
Authority.”  It includes the
establishment of archaeological centers, pools and basins.  According to the newspaper, the local
committee of planning and construction of the municipality of Jerusalem is
expected to approve presenting the plan for any possible objections.  The project is planned on a
5,400-square-meter area of land. 
According to “Elad” association, a car park absorbing about 250 cars
will be established.  The buildings will
include an archaeological center, information centers and study rooms.  In addition to these structures, there is
another plan, which was described as a smaller one, which will include
established a tourist center in Silwan village. 
The center will include a fountain, pools and basins on a
3,000-square-meter area of land.  The
deputy mayor of Jerusalem considered that the plan would mean “Elad”
association’s control over the center of Silwan village.  According to the Israeli newspaper, the
Israeli rightists welcomed the plan.  In
this context, Elisha Peilig, a member of the Knesset from the Likud Party,
stated that “expanding the construction in David Town enhances settlement in East
Jerusalem, and there is judicial or planning barrier that may prevent approving
the plan to achieve the right of Jews to settle in all parts of
Jerusalem.”  On its part, the Israeli
municipality of Jerusalem stated its pays major attention to “the development
of tourism in David Town, which is visited by hundreds of thousands people
annually.”

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

At approximately 06:00 on Thursday,
22 December 2011, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into Bir al-Ballouta
area in the west of Ethna village, west of Hebron.  They surrounded a 70-square-meter house and
agricultural facilities belonging to Ahmed ‘Abdul Fattah Tmaiza.  They ordered the family to vacate the house
in 15 minutes.  They then demolished and
a 20-square-meter room and destroyed a water tank and a well.  They also confiscated 4 water pumps and
agricultural materials whose value is estimated at 9,000 ILS.  The house and these agricultural facilities
were established 9 years ago at a cost of 200,000 ILS.  IOF claimed that they were established
without a license. Tmaiza applied to IOF for a license, but on 01 October 2011,
he received a notice to stop the construction.

 

At the same time, IOF destroyed a
well and a 16-square-meter house belonging to Jebrin Ahmed Tmaiza and Jamal
Ahmed Farajallah.  They also confiscated
an electricity generator, 3 water pumps and agricultural tools.  Losses are estimated at 38,000 ILS.

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF
destroyed a well, a 32-square-meter room and a water tank belonging Mohammed
Hussein Abu As’ad.  They also confiscated
a water pump and agricultural tools. 
Losses are estimated at 10,000 ILS. 

 

At the same time, IOF destroyed an
old well and a nearby water tank. 

 

IOF moved them towards Twal Mousa,
nearly 500 meters away from the annexation wall in the west of the
village.  They destroyed a well, a water
tank and a 14-square-meter room belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim al-Batran.  They also confiscated 3 water pumps.  Losses are estimated at 58,000 ILS.

 

At approximately 07:00 also on Thursday,
IOF moved into al-Majour area in the south of Dura village, southwest of
Hebron.  They destroyed a well, 9
agricultural pools and irrigation networks, and confiscated 5 water pumps
belonging to the ‘Amru clan.  Losses are
estimated at 128,000 ILS.  The owners had
applied for licenses to establish these facilities, but IOF rejected the
application.  

 
    

………………………………………………………

 

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

 

Public Document

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