Continued construction works in “Migron”
settlement outpost near Ramallah

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

 

IOF use
force to disperse peaceful protest organized by Palestinian civilians in the
West Bank.

10
Palestinian civilians were wounded. 

Dozens
of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

IOF
opened fire at Palestinian communities in the Gaza Strip.

Two
Palestinian civilians were wounded.

Some
areas of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip were burnt.

 

IOF
conducted 60 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 9
limited ones into the Gaza Strip.   

IOF
arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, in the West Bank.

 

IOF
continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip.

IOF
arrested 6 fishers, including a child, and confiscated their boat.

 

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

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

 

IOF
have continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in East
Jerusalem.

Israeli
occupation authorities plan to establish hotels in “Givat Hamatos” settlement
neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Israeli
occupation authorities ordered the demolition of 7 houses in al-Bustan quarter
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 two animal farms and an agricultural pool in Hebron.

IOF
demolished an under-construction house and ordered demolition of another 6
houses in Qalqilya.

Israeli
settlers attacked a school on ‘Ourif village, south of Nablus.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued
during the reporting period (26 April – 02 May 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

In the West Bank, IOF wounded 10
Palestinian civilian during the dispersion of peaceful demonstrations organized
in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities
in the West Bank, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
who have been on hunger strikes.  They
also wounded two Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

 

In the West Bank, 10 Palestinian
civilians were wounded when IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstration
organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities in the West Bank, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in
Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike. 
IOF also detained Abdullah Abu Rahma, Coordinator of the Public
Committee against the Annexation Wall in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, for
an hour. 

 

In the Gaza Strip, two Palestinian
civilians were wounded when IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip
opened fire at Palestinian areas in the southern Gaza Strip towns of Rafah and
Khan Yunis.  Also as a result of the
Israeli gunfire, some areas of Palestinian agricultural land were burnt. 

 

On 29 April 2012, Israeli naval
troops arrested 6 Palestinian fishers, including a child, and confiscated their
boat in the northern Gaza Strip.  Five of
the fishers were released later, but the sixth one and the boat have remained
in custody. 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 60 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
During these incursions, IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians,
including 4 children.  

 

In
the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 9 limited incursions into Palestinian communities,
during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already
razed.  They also opened fire at
agricultural land and burnt some areas.

 

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.

 

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. 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.

 

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.

 

Efforts to
Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem:

 

The
Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Tuesday, 01 May 2012, that the organization
and construction committee in the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem deposited
plans to establish hotels in “Givat Hamatos” settlement neighborhood in the
south of Jerusalem.  According to the
newspaper, these hotels, which will be comprised of 1,100 rooms, will be constructed
on a hill located between Beit Safafa village and Hebron road.  It should be noted that the Israeli district
committee of organization and construction had already approved the
construction of 2,610 housing units as a first stage in the area and the
construction will be initiated soon.  The
committee will also approve the construction of another 1,400 housing units,
and the construction of the hotels will be in the fourth stage. 

 

On
the same say, IOF, accompanied by officials from the Israeli municipality of
Jerusalem, moved into al-Bustan quarter in Silwan village to the south of the
old town of Jerusalem.  They delivered
house demolition notices issued by an Israeli court to 7 Palestinian civilians.
They also photographed and measured some houses. 

 

Settlement
Activities:  

 

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

 

On
26 April 2012, a number of Israeli settlers from “Yits’har” settlement, south
of Nablus, escorted by IOF, threw stones at ‘Ourif Secondary School in ‘Ourif
village, south of Nablus.  Palestinian
civilians gathered and attempted to stop the settlers.  Immediately, IOF fired tear gas canisters at
these civilians. 

 

On
the same day, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered near Za’tara checkpoint,
south of Nablus.  They closed
Nablus-Ramallah road for more than one hour. 

 

On the same day, a number of Israeli
settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed agricultural areas in Ematin village, northeast
of Qalqilya.  Two Palestinian shepherds
attempted to stop the settlers. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers arrested the two shepherds.

 

On
30 April 2012, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  They handed notices to 7
Palestinian civilians ordering the demolition of 6 houses and a barrack,
claiming that they were built without licenses.

 

On
01 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into al-Ballouta area near
bypass road #60, east of Hebron.  They
demolished two cow farms and two rooms belonging to the al-Rajabi family,
claiming that they were built without licenses.

 

On
the same day, IOF, accompanied by two bulldozers, moved into ‘Izbat al-Tabib
village, east of Qalqilya.  They
demolished an under-construction house.

 

On
02 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Baq’a area, east of
Hebron.  They destroyed an agricultural
pool.  It should be noted that the area
is close to “Kiryat Arba” settlement. 

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (26 April – 02 May 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 26 April 2012

 

At approximately 03:40, IOF moved
into Jericho and the neighboring ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:30, IOF moved
into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:20, IOF moved
into Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:45, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF positioned
at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the southeast of Rafah
opened fire at Palestinian houses and agricultural areas in the town.  As a result, Ahmed Salama Abu Sha’ar, 27, was
wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when he was nearly 1,000 meters away from
the border.

 

Friday,
27 April 2012

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved
into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 06:40, IOF moved into
al-Lubban al-Gharbi village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved
into Deir al-Sudan village, north of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 15:40, IOF moved
into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qa;lqilya. 
They raided a shop near the northern entrance of the village and arrested
3 Palestinian children claiming that the children were planning to throw stones
at Israeli military vehicles:

 

‘Abdul Rahman Muhannad Dahbour, 16;

Baraa’ Qaher Abu Haniya, 15; and

Mohammed Muthanna Hussein, 16.

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved
into ‘Arbouna village, north of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved
into Shaqba village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets and provoked Palestinian civilians.  Soon, a number of Palestinian boys gathered
and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear
gas canisters and sound bombs at the boys. 
As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

Also at approximately 17:30, IOF
moved into Budros village, northwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Saturday, 28 April 2012  

 

At approximately 08:20, IOF moved
into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, IOF moved
into al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, southwest of Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into ‘Obwin village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 15:50, IOF moved
into Burqa village, northeast of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 19:30, IOF moved
into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. 
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 Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Sunday, 29 April 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Jericho and the neighboring ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF moved
into Kufor ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, the Israeli
naval troops arrested 6 fishermen while they were fishing nearly 2 nautical
miles opposite to Gaza seashore.  These troops fired at the fishing boat
and forced the fishermen to take their clothes off and swim towards an Israeli
gunboat.  The Israeli troop handcuffed and blindfolded the fishermen and
transferred them to the Israeli harbor of Ashdod, where the fishermen were
interrogated.  At approximately 21:00, 5 fishermen were released at Beit
Hanoun (Erez) crossing: Ahmed, Amjad, who was wounded in the right leg, Ashraf
and Bilal Isma’il al-Sherafi, 18, 33, 30 and 20 respectively; and Yasser
Mohammed al-Sherafi, 17.  The sixth fisherman, al-Sadat ‘Abdul Mo’ti
Hassanain, 33, an Egyptian citizen, remained in custody. Israeli navel
troops also confiscated the fishing boat, which belongs to Amjad al-Sherafi.
  

 

Also at approximately 09:30, IOF
moved into Zeita village, north of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

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

 

Also at approximately 10:30, IOF
moved into al-‘Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 10:30, IOF
moved into Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved
into Surda village, north of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 13:30, IOF moved
into al-Zabaidat village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 13:50, IOF moved
into Qalqilya.  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 the area located between ‘Azzoun village and Qalqilya.  They searched the area and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved
into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets and stopped and questioned a number of
passing Palestinian civilians.  They
withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved
into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tullkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 18:00, IOF
moved into Bal’a village, northeast of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 20:45, 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 21:30, IOF moved
into Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:50, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 30 April 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Anoun area and the old town of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Majdi Ahmed al-Ja’bari, 28; and

2. Bassam Jaber, 20.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF
moved into Jenin.  They raided and
searched two houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Ashraf Jameel Aqhash, 35; and

2. Samer Husni Abu al-Haija, 25.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF
moved into Buqa village, east of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF
moved into Beer al-Basha village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian
civilians:

 

1. ‘Othman Badawi Shalash;

2. Bahaa’ ‘Abdul Qader Shalash;

3. Mohammed Suleiman ‘Ammar; and

4. Mohammed Ghaleb Shalash.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into Tammoun village, south of Tubas. 
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Abdullah
‘Ersan Bani ‘Ouda, 21, and arrested him. 

 

At approximately 06:00, IOF moved
nearly 300 meters into the northwestern area of Beit Hanoun town in the
northern Gaza Strip.  They leveled areas
of Palestinian land which they had already razed.

 

At approximately 07:00, IOF moved
nearly 400 meters into the east of Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza
Strip.  They leveled areas of Palestinian
land which they had already razed. 

 

At approximately 07:50, IOF moved
nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza
Strip.  They leveled areas of Palestinian
land which they had already razed.  They
moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel at approximately
16:00.

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved
into Turmos’iya village, north of Ramallah. 
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 Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved
into Fassayel village, north of Jericho. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 09:20, IOF moved
into Koubar village, west of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into al-Hfaira village, southwest of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, IOF moved
into Sanour village, south of Jenin. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:50, IOF moved
into Beit Siera village, southwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:50, IOF moved
into ‘Assala village, south of Qalqilya. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, IOF moved
into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:30, IOF moved
into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. 
They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into Tulkarm.  They patrolled in the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

 

At approximately 00:10, 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 01:00, IOF moved into Bourin village, south of
Nablus.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 9 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Bashar Jebril
Qadous, 43;

2. Basheer Jebril
Qadous, 38;

3. Castro Rezeq
Qadous, 40;

4. Muntasser
Mahmoud ‘Eid, 22;

5. Mohammed Nasser
‘As’ous, 18;

6. Yasser Mohammed
‘Eid, 41;

7. Bilal Dakhil
‘Eid, 45;

8. Ra’ed Fat’hi
al-Zeben, 20; and

9. ‘Emad Khaled
‘Omran, 21.

 

Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Yamoun village,
northwest of Jenin.  They raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

 

1. ‘Abdul Ra’ouf
Ibrahim Khamaisa, 39, members of the local council of the village;

2. Salama Bassam
Khamaisa, 39;

3. Rateb Tayseer
Houshiya, 31; and

4. Ahmed Ghazi
Ghanama, 44;

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Jericho.  They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested two Palestinian civilians:

 

1. Muntasser Yahia
al-Akhras, 19; and

2. Mohammed Fat’hi
Damu, 20.

 

At approximately 07:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the east
of al-Qarara village, northeast of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan
Yunis.  They leveled areas of Palestinian
land which they had already razed.

 

Also at approximately 07:30, IOF moved into the east of ‘Abassan
village, east of Khan Yunis.  They
leveled areas of Palestinian land which they had already razed.  At approximately 11:30, an Israeli helicopter
gunship opened fire at agricultural areas in the village.  As a result, fire broke out on a wheat
field.  IOF also moved into the east of
Khuza’a village and opened fire indiscriminately.  As a result, fire broke out in some
agricultural areas.  At approximately
16:20, Hamada Fa’thi Qudaih, 33, was wounded by a bullet to the back.  Two hours later, IOF moved back to the border
between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

 

Wednesday, 02 May 2012

 

At approximately 00:50, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an
open area in al-Amal neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit
Hanoun.  The missile made a large crater,
but no casualties were reported.

 

At approximately 06:30, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east
of Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip.  They leveled areas of Palestinian land which
they had already razed.  At approximately
14:00, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. 

 

At approximately 07:45, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east
of Khuza’a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis, amidst
indiscriminate shooting. Some bullets hits two schools in the village, so
school children were forced to go home. 

 

At approximately 08:30, IOF moved into al-Jiftlek village, north of
Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Marj Na’ja village, north of
Ramallah.  They patrolled in the streets
for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Jericho.  They patrolled in the streets for some time
and withdrew later.  Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:20, an Israeli helicopter gunship opened fire
at Palestinian agricultural areas in Khuza’a village, east of the southern Gaza
Strip town of Khan Yunis.  No casualties
were reported.  It should be noted that 4
Italian solidarity activists were in the area when IOF opened fire. 

 

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.  As a result, 3 demonstrator were
wounded, and dozens of others suffered from tear gas inhalation and other
sustained bruises.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 27 April 2012, 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 in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike.  The demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag
and portraits of a number of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails
and called for ending the political split.  They then moved towards areas of annexation
wall.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the
area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at
the demonstrators.  As a result, a
demonstrator was wounded by two rubber-coated metal bullets to the right hand
and leg (PCHR keeps his name).  Dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 27 April 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall.  
Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday prayer on 27 April 2012, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in
the center of 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, a demonstrator was hit by a tear
gas canister to the abdomen (PCHR keeps his name) and other demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation. 

 

At approximately 13:50 also on Friday, 27 April 2012, Palestinian
civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the
continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village.  Once they moved towards the entrance, IOF
fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, We’am Waleed Barham, 18, was hit
by a tear gas canister to head.  Medical
sources described his health condition as serious.  Israeli soldiers also attacked Bashar Mahmoud
Nazzal, 33, a cameraman of Palestine Television.

 

On Saturday noon, 28 April 2012, IOF attacked dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders who organized a
peaceful demonstration in Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, and attempted to reach
Killat al-Kutla area located neat “Kari Tsur,” protesting plans to expand the
settlement.  They also violently beat an
Israeli human rights defender, when he accused the Israeli government of
racism.

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 26 April 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, including members of the family of Tha’er Halahla, a
Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails who has been on hunger strike, peacefully
demonstrated in front of Oufar Prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity
with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger
strike.  Israeli soldiers fired at the
demonstrators, wounding 4 of them (PCHR keeps their names).  They also arrested ‘Abdullah Abu Rahma, 40,
Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Annexation Wall in Bil’ein
village, but released him an hour later. 
    

 

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 01 May 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians, peacefully demonstrated in front of Oufar Prison,
southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli
jails who have been on hunger strike. 
Israeli soldiers fired at the demonstrators, wounding 3 of them (PCHR
keeps their names).  A number of
demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

 

3. 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 nearly 5 years. The illegal
Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since
June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic
situation in the Gaza Strip.  

 

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.

 

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.

 

For approximately five 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 traders, international
diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza
Strip.  On Wednesday evening, 14 March
2012, IOF arrested Ahmed Subhi al-Kahlout, 40, a trader from Gaza City, when he
was traveling via Beit Hanoun crossing.

 

For approximately 58 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.

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

25 April
– 01 May 2012

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

25 April
– 01 May 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

Notes:

 

On Tuesday, 24 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 450 tons of
cement, 4,620 tons of construction aggregates and 110 on construction steel for
UNRWA; and 72 tons of construction steels for the Palestinian Water
Authority.  They also allowed the entry
of 897 tons of fodders and 429 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 29 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 300 tons of
cement and 5,040 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 507 tons of
fodders and 429 tons of wheat.   

 

On Monday, 30 April 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 120
tons of cement, 5,600 ton of construction aggregate and 40 tons of construction
steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the
entry of 702 tons of fodders and 468 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 01 May 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of
cement and 4,970 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,248 tons of
fodders and 312 tons of wheat.

 

Exports:

 

On Tuesday, 24 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 170,000
flowers.

On Sunday, 29 April 2012, IOF allowed the exportation of 135,000
flowers.

 

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

25 April
– 01 May 2012

 

 

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.

 

There are approximately hundreds of 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.

 

Many of the main roads that lead to Palestinian communities in the
West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.

 

IOF have continued to restrict access of Palestinian civilians from
the West Bank to East Jerusalem, through a strict system of permits and a
network of checkpoints.

 

IOF have completed controlled access to the Jordan Valley through 4
permanent checkpoints established at its entrances.  Palestinians living outside the area are not
allowed to enter it without permits.

 

Settlement activities and expansion of settlements impose additional
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. 

 

IOF have continued to restrict access to gunfire areas and natural
reserves, which constitute about 26% of the total area of the West Bank.

 

Israeli military checkpoints restrict the movement of goods
throughout the West Bank.

 

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

 

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 young Muslim Palestinians from
praying at al-Aqsa Mosque

 

Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 19 April 2012, IOF re-established their
presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 11:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Lubban al-Gharbi village, northwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 15:40, IOF
established a checkpoint under Kharabtha al-Maisbah Bridge, southwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 08:40 on
Friday, 27 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi
Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah.  At
approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Budros
village, northwest of Ramallah, and another one at the entrance of Ne’lin
village, west of the town.  At
approximately 14:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya
village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 28 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 18:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection on Ramallah-Nablus road,
northeast of Ramallah.    

 

Qalqilya:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  On Thursday, 26 April 2012, IOF established 6
checkpoints around the town.  At
approximately 09:35 on Friday, 27 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the western entrance of Kufor Qaddoum village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 11:15, IOF established a
checkpoint between ‘Azzoun and ‘Izbat al-Tabib villages, east of Qalqilya.  On Saturday, 28 April 2012, IOF established 4
checkpoints around Qalqilya.  On Sunday, 29
April 2012, IOF established 5 checkpoints around the town.  At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 30 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya.  At approximately 16:10, IOF
established a checkpoint at Jeet intersection, northeast of Qalqilya.    

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
16:30 on Thursday, 26 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance
of al-‘Araqa village, west of Jenin.  At
approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu
Da’if village, east of Jenin.  At
approximately 23:40 on Sunday, 29 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Deir Abu Da’if village, east of Jenin.  At approximately 17:30 on Monday, 30 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Arrana village, north of
Jenin.    

 

Tulkarm:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 26 April
2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus, east
of Tulkarm, impose additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians.  At approximately 20:30 on
Friday, 27 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the western entrance of
Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 29 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Qiffin village, north of Tulkarm.  At approximately 13:00, Israeli soldiers
positioned at Ennab checkpoint on Tulkarm-Nablus, east of Tulkarm, impose
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 18:00, IOF established a
checkpoint at Bal’a intersection, east of Tulkarm.  At approximately 09:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at Beit Leed intersection, east of Tulkarm. 

 

Jericho:  IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 26 April
2012, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zbaidat village, north
of Jericho.  At approximately 11:00, they
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.  At approximately 17:30, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Fassayel village, north of Jericho.  At approximately 19:30, IOF established a
checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road.  At
approximately 13:00 on Friday, 27 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the southern entrance of Jericho.  At
approximately 15:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jiftlek
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 11:40 on Saturday, 28 April 2012, IOF established a checkpoint at
the southern entrance of Jericho.  At
approximately 16:00, IOF established a checkpoint on Jericho-Ramallah road. 

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

 

On Saturday evening, 28 April 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at
Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Mohammed ‘Abdul Latif Shaibani,
35, from ‘Arraba village southwest of Jenin.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, 01 May 2012, Israeli soldiers positioned at a
checkpoint near Sarra village, southwest of Nablsu, arrested Qais Mo’ayda
Eshtaiwi, 20, from Kufor Qaddoum village northeast of Qalqilya. 

 

Harassment at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 06:00 on Thursday, 26 April 2012, Israeli soldiers
positioned at al-Hamra checkpoint, southeast of Tubas, stopped, detained and
violently beat Majd Mohammed Bisharat, 20, from Tammoun village south of
Tubas.  They released him two hours
later. 

 

 

4. Efforts
to Create a Jewish Demographic Majority in East Jerusalem

 

Israeli
occupation authorities have continued efforts aimed at creating a Jewish
demographic majority in East Jerusalem. 

 

The
Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Tuesday, 01 May 2012, that the organization
and construction committee in the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem deposited
plans to establish hotels in “Givat Hamatos” settlement neighborhood in the
south of Jerusalem.  According to the
newspaper, these hotels, which will be comprised of 1,100 rooms, will be
constructed on a hill located between Beit Safafa village and Hebron road.  It should be noted that the Israeli district
committee of organization and construction had already approved the
construction of 2,610 housing units as a first stage in the area and the
construction will be initiated soon.  The
committee will also approve the construction of another 1,400 housing units,
and the construction of the hotels will be in the fourth stage.  Khalil Toufakji, a settlement expert, stated
to Maan News Agency that 9 hotels comprised of 1,100 rooms would be built in
the first stage, and that Israeli occupation authorities would make “Givat
Hamatos” settlement neighborhood compete Bethlehem at the levels of economy and
tourism because it is closer to religious sites.  He pointed out that there are tenders to
build 632 housing unit in “Har Homa” settlement (Jabal Abu Ghunaim) and 180
units in “Givat Ze’ev” settlement. 

 

On
Tuesday morning, 01 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by officials from the Israeli
municipality of Jerusalem, moved into al-Bustan quarter in Silwan village to
the south of the old town of Jerusalem. 
They delivered house demolition notices issued by an Israeli court to 7
Palestinian civilians: Jebril al-Tawil; Hisham Sa’id Hamdan; ‘Aayed Hamdan
‘Aayed; Nader Khalil Abu Diab; Fayez Abu Diab; Shihada Ahmed al-Qara’in; and
Sa’id Radi.  They also photographed and
measured some houses. 

 

5. 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 11:30 on Thursday, 26 April 2012, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Yits’har” settlement, south of Nablus, escorted by IOF, threw stones at
‘Ourif Secondary School in ‘Ourif village, south of Nablus.  Palestinian civilians gathered and attempted
to stop the settlers.  Immediately, IOF
fired tear gas canisters at these civilians. 

 

At
approximately 13:45 also on Thursday, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered near
Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus. 
They closed Nablus-Ramallah road for more than one hour. 

 

At approximately 14:10 also on
Thursday, a number of Israeli settlers, escorted by IOF, stormed agricultural
areas in Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. 
Two Palestinian shepherds attempted to stop the settlers.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers arrested the
two shepherds:  Ibrahim Mohammed Barri,
14; and Mo’tassem Hassan Khalil, 28.

 

At
approximately 09:45 on Monday, 30 April 2012, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilya.  They
handed notices to 7 Palestinian civilians ordering the demolition of 6 houses
and a barrack, claiming that they were built without licenses:

 

1. A house belonging to Mousa ‘Abdullah Barham;

2. A house belonging to Hamad ‘Abdullah Barham;

3. A two-storey house belonging to ‘Abdul Nasser Fahmi Barham;

4. A two-storey house belonging to Bassem Hassan Qassem;

5. A two-storey house belonging to Shaher ‘Abdul Rahim Barham;

6. An under-construction house belonging to Mujahed Subhi Barham; and

7. A barrack belonging to ‘Omar Waleed Barham.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 01 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by bulldozers,
moved into al-Ballouta area near bypass road #60, east of Hebron.  They demolished two cow farms and two rooms
belonging to the al-Rajabi family, claiming that they were built without
licenses.

 

At
approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 01 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by two
bulldozers, moved into ‘Izbat al-Tabib village, east of Qalqilya.  They demolished an under-construction house
belonging to Zaidan Yasser Tabib.  It
should be noted that on 01 May 2011, IOF delivered a notice to Tabib ordering
his to stop the construction of the house, and in July 2011, they delivered
another notice to him ordering demolition of the house.

 

On
Wednesday morning, 02 May 2012, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into
al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron.  They
destroyed an agricultural pool belonging to Yahia Sa’id Jaber.  It should be noted that the area is close to
“Kiryat Arba” settlement. 

 

…………………………………………………

 

 

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).