Jerusalem
– Israeli forces demolish Palestinian house in al-‘Eisawiya village

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

 

 

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

A Palestinian civilian was wounded in the north of the
Gaza Strip.

 

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

4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 photojournalists,
were wounded in Bil’in weekly protest, west of Ramallah.

4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were
wounded during other protests.

 

Israeli forces conducted 59 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank.

28 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children and 2
women, were arrested.

11 of these civilians, including 5 children and 2
women, were arrested in East Jerusalem.

 

Israel 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.

15 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and a
woman, were arrested at military checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

Israeli navy forces continued to target Palestinian
fishermen in the Gaza Strip Sea.

Israeli navy forces opened fire 4 times at Palestinian
fishing boats, but no casualties were reported.

Israeli navy forces arrested 4 fishers, including 2
children, from al-Sudaniya, north of Gaza City, and drowned their boat.

 

Israeli forces continued to create Jewish majority in
occupied East Jerusalem.

A Palestinian civilian was wounded in Jabal al-Tour
neighbourhood.

 

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

5 residential tents, 3 kitchens and 8 sheep barns were
demolished and 33 Palestinians became homeless as a result, north of Jericho.

A Palestinian farmer was wounded as settlers beat him
up, south of Bethlehem.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and international
humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (22
– 28 January 2015).

 

Shooting:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 10
Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2 photojournalists, in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip. Nine of these civilians, including a child, were wounded
in the West Bank, and the 10^th one was wounded in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, a Palestinian farmer was beat up by settlers, south of Bethlehem, in
the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli navy forces continued to chase and
fire at Palestinian fishing boats.     

 

In the West Bank, on 24 January 2015, a Palestinian
civilian was wounded when Israeli forces opened fire at a number of Palestinian
youngsters throwing stones at the soldiers in Jabal al-Tour neighbourhood in East
Jerusalem.

 

Israeli forces continued to use excessive forces
against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activities. As a result, a 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded,
including 2 photojournalists, one of whom is the photojournalist of the popular
committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

 

In the same context, 4 Palestinian civilians,
including a child, were wounded during other protests.

 

On 24 January 2015, a settler opened fire at a
Palestinian civilian, who was present on his land, south of Bethlehem. As a
result, the civilian sustained moderate wounds.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 23 January 2015, Israeli forces
stationed along the border fence opened fire at a group of Palestinian
youngsters, who were present near the said fence, east of Jabalia, north of the
Gaza Strip. A 21-year-old civilian sustained bullet wounds to the right leg and
hand.  

 

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishers in the
Gaza Strip sea, Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats 4
times on 24, 25 and 26 January 2015, but no casualties were reported. However,
Israeli forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishers, including 2 children, sailing
off al-Sudaniya shore, north of Gaza City, and also drowned their fishing boat.
On 28 January 2015 morning, the four fishers were released.    

  

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 59 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 28 Palestinians, including 14
children and 2 women.  Eleven of these Palestinians,
including 5 children and 2 women, were arrested in Jerusalem.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt,
imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the
Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily
tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and
economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 
The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of
trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the
agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years,
Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from
the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the
world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural
rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people.  The Israeli authorities have established Karm
Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order
to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy.  They also aim at imposing a complete ban on
the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested
a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for
medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested
while the father was denied travel for medical treatment. 

Settlement activities and attacks by
settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

 

On 22
January 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by the Israeli Civil Administration
officers and bulldozers demolished a number of residential tents, sheep barns
and a water tank in ‘Ein Karzaliya area, southeast of al-Jiftlek village, north
of Jericho. As a result, 5 families, comprised of 33 members, became homeless.

 

On the
same day, Israeli forces moved into Khellet Ibrahim area west of Ethna village,
west of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officer handed a Palestinian
civilian a notice to halt work in a tin-made barrack, under the pretext it was
not licensed.

 

On 27
January 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Taban area east of Yatta, south of
Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officer handed 2 Palestinian civilians
2 notices to halt construction works under the pretext of not obtaining a
license. The notices offered them 14-day period from the date of issuance.  

 

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(22 – 28 January 2015)

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

 

Thursday, 22 January 2015

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tabaqah village south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched
a number of houses, from which they arrested ‘Ezza al-Deen Salamah Salamah
Hreibat (19) and Mohammed Naser Badawi Hamdan (17).  Israeli forces withdrew later taking the two
arrested civilians to “Beit Hagay” settlement.  In the early morning, they were beaten up and
then released.  Around the same time,
Israeli forces arrested Yaser Mohammed Masharqah (16) after raiding his family’s
house in al-Namous area, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron, and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm refugee camp adjacent to Tulkarm. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Haitham
Jamal Salim Kharyoush (27) and arrested him. 
They then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Younis
Ibrahim Hasan Matrouk (22), and arrested him as well. 

 

At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces moved into
Borqin village, west of Jenin.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Yousif Mahmoud Khalaf (20) and
arrested him.  They then raided and
searched a house belonging to Saqer Amin ‘Omer ‘Atiq (23) and arrested him as
well. 

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: the villages of
al-Thaheriyah, Beit Ummar and Sa’ir in Hebron and Ya’abod village, southwest of
Jenin.

 

Friday, 23 January 2015

At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces stationed along
the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a group of
Palestinian youngsters near the border fence, east of al-Shuhadaa’ Cemetery in
the east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. 
As a result, Ramzi Mo’in Sa’id ‘Abdel Nabi (21), from Jabalia refugee
camp, sustained shrapnel wounds to the hand and left leg.  He was 100 meters away from the border fence
when he was wounded.  He was taken to
Kamal ‘Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia to receive medical treatment and the
medical sources described his injury as minor.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-Tabaqah village, south of
Dura, southwest of Hebron; al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of the city, Shweikah
Suburb, north of Tulkarm; ‘Aranah village, north of Jenin, Birzeit village,
north of Ramallah, Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, southwest of the city; and
Fasayel village, north of Jericho.

 

Saturday, 24
January 2015

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Alaa’ ‘Issa ‘Abdel Ghani Srour (25)
and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence.

 

At approximately 15:15, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Waha shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats within 3 nautical miles and chased
then.  The shooting, which continued for
30 minutes forced, fishers to flee.  No
injuries were reported, but the shooting also damaged fishing nets.

 

At approximately 19:10, Israeli forces moved into
Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled the streets under the pretext that their military vehicles
were thrown with Molotov Cocktails near the village.  They detained Ahmed ‘Afif Shamasnah (16);
Hasan ‘Othman Shamasnah; Mohammed Kamal Qaddoumi; and Ahmed Ma’azouz
Qaddoumi.  Later, Israeli forces released
the detainees and withdrew from the village.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: al-Fawar
refugee camp, al-Moraq village, south of Hebron, Shweikah Suburb, north of
Tulkarm; the villages of Beit Qad, Deir Ghazalah and ‘Arbounah in Jenin;
‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya; Sanjel village, north of Ramallah; Bitello,
northwest; the villages of Jaftalak and al-Dyouk, north of Jericho; and
Deiristiya village, northwest of Salfit.

 

Sunday, 25 January 2015

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Jayous
village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They
raided and searched two houses belonging to the families of Ahmed ‘Aziz Beidah
and Muhanned Mohammed al-Beik and handed both of them summonses to refer to the
Israeli intelligence. 

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They
stationed in al-Latoun neighbourhood in the northern area of the village and
then raided and searched two houses. 
They handed Sa’id Ahmed ‘Awad (22) and Mazen Hussein al-Teet (17)
summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh ‘Etzion”
settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
Tarousah area, west of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of  Tawfiq Mahmoud Abu Hlayel.
Israeli forces handed the sons of the aforementioned civilian, ‘Amer (17) and
‘Omer (16), summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence in “Gosh
‘Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. 

 

At approximately 07:10, Israeli forces moved into
Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Fathi
Mahmoud ‘Abdel Fattah Sowan (57).

 

At approximately 17:50, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of the fishing boats sailing within around 3 nautical miles and
chased them.  The shooting that continued
for hours forced fishers to flee out of fear. 
Neither injuries nor damages to the boats were reported.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Amatin
village, northeast of Qalqilya; Beit ‘Oar al-Tahta, southwest of Ramallah; Marj
Na’ajah and al-Dyouk villages, north of Jericho; Kafr al-Deek villages, west of
Salfit; Deir Samit village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron.

 

Monday, 26 January 2015

At approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into
Amatin village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
They raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Bahaa’
Fathi Mahmoud Sowan (27).  They withdrew later
taking him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Tabaqah,
south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  They
raided and searched 2 houses, from which they arrested Mohammed Monqez Abu
‘Etwan (13), and Mohammed Haitham Abu ‘Etwan (16). 

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Arm village, north of Hebron.  They
stationed in al-Baten area and then raided and searched 2 houses from which they
arrested Ibrahim Yousif ‘Ayed Akhlil (17) and ‘Omer Soliman ‘Ali Abu ‘Ayyash
(19). 

 

At approximately 08:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off
al-Wahah shore, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
in the vicinity of the fishing boats sailing within around 3 nautical miles and
chased them.  The shooting that continued
for 30 minutes forced fishers to fleer out of fear.  Neither injuries nor damages to the boats
were reported.

 

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces arrested 4
Palestinian fishers, including 2 children, after intensively shooting at them
and chasing them off al-Soudaniyah shore, north of Gaza City.  The Israeli soldiers drowned the boat boarded
by those fishers and arrested them taking them to an unknown destination.  The fishers were identified as Rami ‘Abdel
Mo’ati Ibrahim al-Habil (36); Sa’id Rami al-Habil (13); ‘Abdel Mo’ati Ibrahim
‘Omer al-Habil (16); and Mor’eb Nahed ‘Abdullah Abu Rialah (32). They were
released on 28 January 2015.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried
out incursions in the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Ezna
village and al-‘Aroub refugee camp, west and north of Hebron; Mosaliyah
village, south of Jenin; Tulkarm and Nour Shams refugee camp, east of the city.

 

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

At approximately 00:40, Israeli forces moved into
‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  They
raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested Sabri Bassam
Sweidan (25).  They also handed Hasan
Ahmed Sha’alan and his father two summonses to refer to the Israeli intelligence.

 

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces carried out incursions in
the following areas, but no arrests were reported: Nuba village, west of
Hebron; Yatta, south of Hebron, Amrish village, south of Dura, southwest of the
city; Deir Abu Da’if , southeast of Jenin.

 

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Arabah village, southwest of Jenin. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Taysir
Hussein Abu Salah (36).  They withdrew later,
and neither further incidents nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into
Zabouba, northwest of Jenin.  They raided
and searched the houses of Ahmed (49) and Yousif Ahmed Jaradat Mohammed (54).  Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Yamoun
village, northwest of Jenin.  They raided
and searched a number of houses to hand civilians summonses to refer to the
Israeli intelligence in “Salem” Camp, northwest of the city.  The summoned persons were identified as:
Jihad Mohammed ‘Ali Nawahdah (53); Hasan Ther Ahmed Zayed (53) and ‘Ersan Fathi
‘Abdel Rahman Abu al-Hasan (44).

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Kafr
Ra’ie village, southwest of Jenin.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman Tariq Sharif
Melhem (26) and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence in
“Salem” camp, northwest of the city. 
Israeli forces later withdrew, and neither further incidents nor arrests
were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Sorif
village, northwest of Hebron.  They
stationed in the western neighbourhood of the village and then raided and
searched a house belonging to Na’el Taysir ‘Edwan.  Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided and searched
a house belonging to Khaled Mousa Abu Farah. 
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces withdrew from the village, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into
several neighbourhoods in the centre of Yatta, south of Hebron.  They stationed in the market area in the
centre of the vilage.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Jamal ‘Abdel al-Kamel Abu Zuhrah
(39).  Israeli forces withdrew later, and
no arrests were reported.

 

In the afternoon, Israeli forces backed by military
vehicles moved into Zaboubah village, northwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and then arrested
Laith ‘Awni Saleh Jaradat (15) and his brother Wisam (17), who are both deaf
and blind, near their houses.  Israeli
forces withdrew later taking them to an unknown destination.  The Israeli soldiers again moved into the
village and arrested ‘Abdullah Saber Sa’id Jaradat (14) and Mohammed ‘Azzam
Jaradat (14) when they were both present in the main street.  Israeli forces withdrew later taking the
aforementioned children to an unknown destination.  Israeli forces released the four children
after the Palestinian Military Liaison intervened.

 

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 organized
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, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including 2
photojournalists.

 

In the same context, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded
during other peaceful protests.  

 

(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in
fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the
peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and
settlement activity

 

Following the Friday prayer on 23
January 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli
human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities. The demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags
and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the
morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from
participating in the protests. The protestors marched by the annexation wall
and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in
the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live
bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater
at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, 4 civilians were wounded, including 2
photojournalists. Mohammed Basman Bernat (22), a hotojournalist of the
popular committee against the
annexation wall and settlement activities, was hit by a gas canister to
the left leg, while Fat’hi Jadallah (30), a photojournalist of Wafa news
agency, was hit by a gas canister to right hand. In addition, a 21-year-old civilian
sustained a bullet wound to the head and a 40-year-old civilian was hit by a
gas canister to the back of his head.

 

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah, in protest at the construction
of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and
prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they
responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition,
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation
and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

 

Around
the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international
human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh
village, southwest of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators
made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting
slogans against the occupation. They then headed to the lands that the settlers
are trying to grab by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had
closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent
Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in
the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators
were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets,
sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas
inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.

 

Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20,
Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a
protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading
to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance
since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators
threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters
in response. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.

 

Other demonstrators:

   

Following the Friday prayer on 23 January 2015, dozens of
Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast
of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages near bypass road
(60). They threw stones at the aforementioned road. In response, Israeli
soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets,
sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 2
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded: a 16-year-old child
sustained a bullet wound to the right knee, but the bullet penetrated the right
knee and settled in the left leg; and a 20-year-old civilian sustained a bullet
wound to the buttock.

 

On the same day, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas
of Ramallah and al-Bireh near Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah.
They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers.
They set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers.
Israeli forces deployed around the detention facility and started firing live
and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a
result, 2 civilians were wounded: a 29-year-old civilian sustained a bullet
wound to the right leg and a 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to
the right leg too.

 

At approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 27 January 2015, dozens of
Palestinian youngsters gathered around an Israeli military watchtower
overlooking Ayda refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They threw stones at the
said watchtower, due to which, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs in response.
As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. In addition,
Israeli soldiers captured and harshly beat 13-year-old Issa Mohammed Zraina,
from Ayda refugee camp. They detained him for a while and then released him
upon the intervention of the Ayda residents.

 

3. Continued
closure of the oPt

 

Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip
and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

 

Gaza Strip

 

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

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

 

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 were 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 fluctuated due to the closure of Karm
Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli
authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per
day.  This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is
200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during
winter.  The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks
due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and
using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity.  The lack of
diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using
the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run
generators.  As a result, the demand for gas further increased.

 

For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to
prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years
ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction
materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. 
On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of
construction materials for the private sector.  However, on 13 October
2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing
tunnels.  Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction
materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects.  As a result, construction
works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and
an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the
Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry
of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects
have been obstructed so far.

 

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the
Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for
light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.

 

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.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah

 

Note: PCHR fieldworkers could not get
the data for this week due to technical reasons.

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun
(“Erez”) crossing

19 – 26 January 2015

 

 

Notes:

On Friday, 23 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed 194 civilians
to cross through Erez in order to perform prayers in the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli forces allowed 29 Christians on Monday, 19 January 2015, 9
Christians on Tuesday, 20 January 2015, to travel via the crossing to celebrate
the Christmas in Bethlehem.

On Sunday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed a civilian of
personal needs or international worker to renew his permit.

On Sunday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces allowed the entry of a
corpse.   

 

West Bank

 

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

 

· Hebron

 

At approximately 07:0
on Thursday, 22 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Halhoul village, north of the city and another one at the entrance
of Beit Awwa village, south of Doura, southwest of the city. The checkpoints
were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00
on Sunday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Ezzan village, west of the city and another one at the northern
entrance of Yatta, south of the city. At approximately 14:00, they established
a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Tarama village, southeast of Doura,
southwest of the city. The checkpoints were removed a n no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 15:00
on Monday, 26 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Bani Naim village, east of the city. The checkpoint was removed an
no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00
on Tuesday, 27 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
southern entrance of Halhoul, north of the city. The checkpoint was removed and
no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:30
on Wednesday, 28 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Kharsa village, south of Doura, southwest of the city. The
checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Ramallah

At approximately
08:30, on Thursday, 22 January 215, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Deir Abu Mashal village, northwest of the city.  Later, the checkpoint was removed. At
approximately 21:30, israeli forces re-established their existence at Attara
checkpoint on the northern entrance of Beirzeit, north of Ramllah. The
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:30
on Friday, 23 January 2015, Israeli forces re-established their existence at
Attarah checkpoint on the northern entrance of Bir zeit, north of the city. Later,
they withdrew and no arrests were reported. At approximately 09:00, Israeli
forces closed the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast  of the city with a metal gate. At approximately
10:30, they established a checkpoint under Yabroud bridge, northeast of the
city. At approximately 11:00, they established a similar checkpoint at the
entrance of Nilin village, west of the city. At approximately 16:30 on the
aforementioned day, they established a checkpoint at the intersection of Beir
Ore al-Foqa village. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30
on Saturday, 24 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under
Kharabtha al-Misbah bridge, southwest of the city. At approximately 19:30, they
re-established their existence at Attarah beige on the northern entrance of
Beirzeit, north of the city. At approximately 
20:00, they established a similar checkpoint on al-Murrajat road between
Jericho and Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were
reported.

 

Jericho

 

At approximately 10:30
on Friday, 23 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Fasail village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. All checkpoints
were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya

At approximately
18:10, on Saturday, 24 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the annexation
wall gate near Jious village, northeast of the city arrested a number of
civilians including Imad Abdel Rahim al-Hamad and released them later at 19:00.
No further events were reported.

 

At approximately 10:40
on Monday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Izbat al-Tabib, east of the city and prevented civilians from
entering the village. No arrests were reported and civilians were allowed
through at approximately 13:45 at 19:40, they established a similar checkpoint
at the entrance of Azzoun village, all checkpoints were removed and no arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 07:40
on Tuesday, 26 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
intersection of Amatin village, northeast of the city. Later, the checkpoint
was removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Tulkarm

 

At approximately 14:30
on Thursday, 22 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the ‘Annab checkpoint
which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus tightened their
restrictions against Palestinian civilians. Later, the tightening ended and no
arrests were reported. The tightening reoccurred on Friday, 23 January, and
Saturday, 24 January.

 

Jenin

 

At approximately 06:30
on Sunday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
intersection of Zabouba village, northwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed
and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00
on Monday, 26 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
intersection of Zabouba village, northwest of the city. The checkpoint was
removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately
15:00 on Friday, 23 January 2015, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians from
Azzoun village during their incursion into Falmya village. At approximately
18:00 on Saturday, 24 January 2015, they were released. They were identified as
Muath Marwan Abdel Rahim Sweidan and Omar Ahmed Tafesh.

 

At approximately
16:00 on the same day, Israeli forces established checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit Amer village. They arrested Yazan Ashraf Badawi (17) then took him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately
10:00 on Saturday, 24 January 201, Israeli forces arrested 4 children when they
were playing before their houses in the southern area of Hebron. The children
were taken to the police station near the Ibrahim mosque. Israeli forces
alleged that the children were throwing stones at the soldiers. The children
were released later. They were identified as: Hijazi Mahmoud Edeis (16);
Muhanned Edreis (17); Hashem Nazieh Doufash (16); and Amjad Tareq Arfiah (16).

 

At approximately
09:00 on Sunday 2015, Israeli forces arrested Abdel Halim Abdel Rahman  Inaya (29), 
from Azzoun village east of Qalqilya, when he was heading to his work
inside Israel.

 

At approximately 14:00,
Israeli forces arrested Mazouz Ibrahim Yousif Awad (19) from Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron, after detaining him in Jerusalem when he was heading
to visit his brother Jafar in “Oghasta Victoria” hospital after his
release form Israeli prisons.

 

At approximately
11:00 on Tuesday, 27 January 2015, Israeli forces arrested Sameh Yaqoub
al-Nathsha (17) for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli forces. He was taken
to “Keryat Arab” settlement, east of the city.

 

Later on the same
day, Israeli forces arrested 3 civilians from Bourqin village, west of Jenin,
when they were near Salem camp participating in an event to receive freed
prisoners. They were identified as: Osama Yaser Sobeh (16); Odai Mahmoud Hassan
Qash (21); Ali Imad Ali Khalouf (20). 

 

4. Efforts
to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem

 

Shooting

 

On Saturday evening, 24 January 2015, a Palestinian civilian
sustained wounds after Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets at a number
of Palestinian children and youths who were throwing stones at the Israeli
soldiers in Jabal al-Tour neighborhood, east of Jerusalem. The aforementioned civilian
sustained a bullet wound to the left side of his forehead and was taken to
“Tshari Tesedek” hospital.

According to PCHR’s
investigations and eyewitness testimonies, at approximately 14:00 on the
aforementioned day, Saedul Deen Samir Abu Sneina (20) was leaving his house in Jabal
al-Tour neighborhood. He sustained a bullet wound to the left side of his
forehead. The incident took place during clashes between young Palestinians and
Israeli soldiers who opened fire indiscriminately, which resulted in wounding
the aforementioned civilian.

 

Arrests and Incursions

At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 22 January 2015, Israeli
forces raided a house belonging to Walid Abu al-Hawa in al-Tour neighborhood,
east of Jerusalem. They arrested his son Muhammad (19) and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 23 January 2015, Israeli forces
arrested 2 Palestinian women and a child when they were in al-Aqsa Mosque in
the Old City in Jerusalem. According to eyewitnesses, 5 police officers attackED
one of the Palestinian women when they were leading her and the others to
al-Silsila gate police center for investigation. The detainees were identified
as: Amani al-Tawil (20); Nour Abu Sneina (19); and Hour Abdin (14).

 

At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 25 January 2015, Israeli forces
raided al-Silsia gate neighborhood in the Old City in Jerusalem. They raided
and searched a number of houses then arrested Ahmed Musa Abu Shawish (24).

 

At approximately 16:00 on the same day, Israeli forces arrested
Muhammad Afif Khweis (10) when he was at a playground near Juma al-Maqased
Charity Hospital in al-Tour neighborhood. According to eyewitness testimonies,
Israeli forces arrested the child when he was playing. The child started crying
and was panicked. The child’s family intervened yet the Israeli soldiers
attacked them. They sprayed paper on Hani Khweis’s face (50) and arrested him.

 

At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 26 January 2015, Israeli
undercover units arrested Muhammad Said Aweida (10) before his house in Shufat
neighborhood, north of the city. According to eyewitness testimonies, the child
was taken to al-Nabi Yaqoub investigation center in Beit Hanina for being
suspected of throwing stones at the light train. Hours later, the child was
released.

 

At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 27 January 2015, Israeli forces
moved into Silwan, south of the Old City in Jerusalem. They raided and searched
a number of houses and arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children. They were
identified as: Ahmed Abdullah al-Aqar (17); Bilal Abudllah al-Awar (19); and
Anas al-Shaloudi (16).

 

 

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

 

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.

At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 22 January 2015, Israeli
forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Organization and Construction
Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and two bulldozers uprooted
several residential tenets and bulldozed barracks for animals and water pipes
in Ain Karzlya, southeast of al-Jaftelk village. They demolished 5 tents; 3
tents used as kitchens; and 8 animal barns, thus displacing 5 families of 33
persons.

The bulldozing were as follows:

1. Demolition of a residential
tent of a area of 60 square meters resided by 9 persons and a tent uses as a
kitchen; two animal barn; 2 feedlots and a water tank of a capacity of 3 cups
belonging to Ata Fahmi Qassem Bani Mani. 

2. Demolition of residential tent
resided by 3 persons belonging to Yousif Ata Bani Mani.

3. Demolition a tent resided by 9
persons and a tent used a kitchen and an animal barn and two tin sheds for
animals and a water pipes belonging to Zahi Fahmi.

4. Demolition a tent of an area of
60 square meters and a tent used a kitchen and animal shed of an area of 75
square meters and two tin sheds for animals belonging to Zuheir Fahmi Qassem
Bani Mani.

5. Demolition of a residential ten
of an area 40 meter resided by 2 persons belonging to Salah Zuheir Bani
Mani. 

 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces backed by a vehicle
belonging to the Organization and Construction Department in the Israeli Civil
Administration moved into Khilat Ibrahim 
in the western area of Ezzna village, west of Hebron. They handed Ali
Badel Hadi Farajallah a notice to stop construction in a tin barracks of an
area of 600 square meters.

 

A approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 27 January 2015, Israeli forces
backed by a vehicle belonging to the Organization and Construction Department
in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Tabban area, east of Yatta. They
handed two civilians two notices to stop construction under the pretext of
illegal construction in area C. the notices gave the residents 14 days to
destroys:

– A tin barracks of an area of 40
square meters belonging to Naser Mahmoud Khalil;

– A tin barracks of an area of 3
square meters and a residential tent of an area of 40 square meters belonging
to Samir Muahmed Hassan Hamamda.

 

Settlers’ attacks

 

On Saturday, 24 January 2015, Israeli forces opened fire at a
Palestinian civilian who was on his land in Khilat al-Nahla near Rahal valley
area, south of Bethlehem. As a result, the person sustained a moderate
wounds. According to PCHR’s investigation, Muhammad Omar Khalil Asad (24) was
working on his land near Rahal valley, south of Bethlehem, when he was shot by
one of 3 settlers who had taken over part of his land and set up a tent. The
aforementioned civilian was taken to a military hospital in Abu Najim area,
south of Bethlehem.

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

PCHR emphasizes the
international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of
Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further
confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures
on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian
parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the
Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international
recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights
instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations
concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply
the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and
other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for
civilians and remedy for victims.

 

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

 

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;

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 directly 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 violations 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 pchr@pchrgaza.org or telephone +972 08 282 4776 – 282 5893.