Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 26 August – 1 September 2021

September 2, 2021

Israeli Human Rights Violationsin the Occupied Palestinian Territory

26 August – 1 September 2021

IOF excessive use of force in the West Bank:

1 Palestinian killed by IOF in Ramallah, and child dies in Gaza of previous wounds inflicted by IOF

7 Palestinians wounded in Qalqilya and Ramallah

In 128 IOF incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem: 66 civilians arrested, including 13 children and 4 women

IOF arrested, abused, and interrogated 7 journalists while working in Hebron

Occupied East Jerusalem:

IOF raid school and close a room inside under the allegation it is the Office for the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem

4 houses self-demolished and parts of 2 others demolished by IOF

Two houses demolished in Nablus and the foundations of 2 others in Bethlehem

Settler-attacks in the West Bank: settlers attack Palestinian civilians and vehicles in Ramallah and Hebron

IOF established 49 temporary military checkpoints in the West Bank

Summary

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued to commit crimes and multi-layered violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse, and attacks on civilians, turning the West Bank into isolated blocks of land. Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian properties and land continued.. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip enters its 15th year under closure, exacerbating the humanitarian hardships across the territory.

IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

IOF killed a Palestinian man in excessive use of force in the West Bank, and a child in Gaza died of wounds he sustained previously in IOF attacks on a peaceful protest in Gaza. On 31 August 2021, IOF stationed at the western entrance to Beit Ur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah, opened fire at Ra’ed Yousif Rashed Jadallah (39), as he was on his way back home from his work in Israel. Israeli media claimed that he was targeted after he set a fire in the area; however, PCHR’s investigations refute these claims and ascertain that there was no justification for targeting the victim as there was no threat whatsoever to the lives of the soldiers.

Additionally, 7 others were wounded due to IOF excessive use of force, of whom six were wounded during IOF suppression of Kafr Qaddum peaceful protest in Qalqilya, and the 7th was wounded near Na’lin village entrance.

On 28 August 2021, medical sources at al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza pronounced 13-year-old Omar H. M. Abul-Neil dead. Abul-Neil was wounded by IOF fire during a protest held in eastern Gaza on 21 August 2021. Additionally, two IOF shootings at fishing boats were reported in northern Gaza, and twice at Palestinians near the border area in eastern Khan Younis.

IOF incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 128 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 66 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 children, and 4 women.

Also this week, IOF arrested a group of journalist while working in Hebron and assaulted them. They were later released after interrogation.

Demolitions:

PCHR fieldworkers documented 10 violations:

East Jerusalem: a room self-demolished; retaining walls destroyed in Silwan, and 4 houses self-destroyed in Beit Hanina and Jabel Mukaber; also IOF destroyed parts of a house in Jabel Mukaber.
Salfit: construction vehicles detained near Qarawat Bani Hassan to stop land rehabilitation in the area.
Bethlehem: cease-construction notices served against a mosque and three houses, including one under-construction, as well as, retaining walls in Nahlin. IOF destroyed the foundations of 2 houses.
Tubas: 3 tents uprooted (used for sheep) in the northern Jordan valleys.
Nablus: 2 houses demolished, including 1 under construction, as well as a water well.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

This week, Israeli occupation authorities continued to ban the entry of dozens of goods, including construction materials, in collective punishment measures against the Gaza Strip as the Israeli closure imposed on the territory entered its 15th year, without an end in sight that would fulfil Palestinians’ right to enjoy their economic, social, and cultural rights. Despite the Israeli occupation’s announcement of a series of relief measures on both Karm Abu-Salem and Beit Hanoun crossing, severe restrictions remain in place as several types of products and raw materials are banned entry.

Meanwhile, IOF continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the 2000 Second Intifada -still closed to this date- and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest, especially at al-Karama border crossing, alongside the Palestinian-Jordanian border.

Shooting and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity

At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 26 August 021, IOF gunboats in the northern Gaza sea chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing at 3 nautical miles. The Israeli gunboats opened fire in their surroundings stirring fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 13::00 on Friday, 27 August 2021, IOF stationed on the northern entrance to Kafr Qaddum village, northern Qalqilya, suppressed a peaceful protest led by dozens of Palestinians. IOF chased the protestors and clashed with them; IOF fired bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades. As a result, 6 Palestinians sustained bullet wounds; medical sources classified their injuries as moderate.

(PCHR keeps record with the names of the wounded civilians).

After Friday prayers, dozens of Palestinians from Yatta organized a peaceful sit-in in their lands in Um-l-Shkhan, which is under threat of confiscation for the expansion of “Avigal” settlement. The protestors started leaving after the prayers (noon); meanwhile, an IOF soldier -among the forces deployed in the area- attempted to arrest one of the participants. A group of journalists approached to film the scene, and IOF attacked Wafa photojournalist Mashhour H. al-Wahwah (38) and dragged him into their military vehicles. Another Israeli officer took journalist Sary Sh. Jaradat (36) to their military vehicles as well. IOF surrounded the journalist in the area and forced them to sit on the ground, including:

Abdul-Mohsen T. Shalalda – J-Media
Ihab al-Alami
Raed al-Sherif – al-Ghad al-Araby
Jamil Sahlab
Khalil Thwaib

The soldiers tied the journalists with zip-ties, and one slapped al-Wahwah in the face; the journalists yelled at the soldiers as two of them attacked al-Sherif, blindfolded him, physically and verbally assaulted him.

After an hour of detention, the soldiers took the journalists into their military vehicles as an Israeli police patrol arrived in the area. They were taken to the interrogation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement, where they were left for an hour and a half, as Shalalda fell tired due to a previous work-related injury in the head while covering past events. At that moment, IOF released the journalists and took Shalalda in an ambulance to al-Ahli hospital. The journalists were ordered to return to the interrogation center on 29 August 2021. Upon that day, they were interrogated about the reason they were present in that area, and they were informed that they were allegedly arrested for presence in a closed military area, which was refuted by the journalists. Two among the group pressed charges against the soldiers for assaulting them. Three hours later, they were released, while the 2 who pressed charges were scheduled to be interrogated again by the Military Police.

At approximately 18:00, IOF stationed by the entrance of Jaljulia oppressed a protest led by dozens of Palestinians. IOF chased and clashed with the protestors and fired bullets, tear gas canisters and stun grenades. On that day, IOF arrested 15-year-old Yazan J. A. Abu-Reyash.

At approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 28 August 2021, medical sources at al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza pronounced 13-year-old Omar H. M. Abul-Neil dead. Abul-Neil was wounded by IOF fire during a protest held in eastern Gaza on 21 August 2021. He was wounded with a live bullet in the neck and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to his critical condition until the time of his death.

At approximately 08:25 on Monday, 30 August 2021, IOF stationed within the Gaza border area opened fire at a group of young people near the border fence in eastern Khuza’a, Khan Younis. No casualties were reported. A similar IOF shooting was reported at approximately 16:15 without injuries.

At approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, 31 August 2021, Israeli gunboats chased Palestinian fishing boats at 3 nautical miles and opened fire at them on and off, stirring fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.

On Wednesday evening, IOF killed a Palestinian at the western entrance to Beit Ur al-Tahta village in western Ramallah. IOF shot the victim from a short distance as he was on his way back home in the abovementioned village from his work in Israel.

According to PCHR investigations, at approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF stationed at the western entrance to Beit Ur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah, opened fire at Ra’ed Yousif Rashed Jadallah (39), who held a Jerusalemite ID but lived in Beit Ur al-Tahta, without any justification when he was on his way back home from his work in Israel. As a result, he was wounded and fell to the ground.

According to the investigations, Jadallah went to his work in Israel every morning in a car near the village’s western entrance, which is closed with sand berms. Afterwards, he walked to the area near Settlement Route 443 known as “al-Latrun-Jerusalem” until he reached the parking spot where he leaves his own car, which he drives to his work in Israel. Jadallah had to park his car far away because he could not drive it into the village as IOF closed its entrance to traffic. Every night when he returned from work, he’d park his car and call his son to meet him at the western side to drive him home.

Yousif (13), Jadallah’s son, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that his father called him at 21:30 to prepare himself and go to the village entrance as usual; however, as of 22:00, he called his father many times but he did not answer, so he called one of his father’s friends. Both of them headed to the area searching for him, but they were shocked to find his body lying dead after he sustained an injury due to IOF shooting.

Ibrahim Zaki, the victim’s friend, told our fieldworker:

“When Yousif and I arrived at around 23:00 at the entrance to search for his father, the area was crowded with Israeli soldiers. I noticed my friend’s body on the ground and it seemed he was dead while a military SUV stood 20 meters away. I asked the soldier why he was killed, one of them told me in Hebrew that he set a fire, but there was no trace of a fire in the area, refuting that narrative. Around 45 minutes later, we took him in an ambulance from nearby Beit Liqya village to Palestine Complex in Ramallah. The medical sources there clarified that he was shot with a bullet that entered and exited his abdomen, killing him.”

So far, there has not been any official statement from IOF on the incident while the military Radio- according to Makan TV- stated that a Palestinian was killed after he started a fire on Route 443 between Modi’in and Jerusalem; this claim was refuted by the eyewitness’s testimony and PCHR’s investigations.

At approximately 02:45 on Wednesday, 1 September 2021, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint at the main entrance to Nilin village, western Ramallah. A group of young Palestinians gathered and threw stones at the military checkpoint; and a group of IOF soldiers stepped out from their military vehicles and deployed in the area, firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at the stone-throwers. As a result, a 23-year-old Palestinian sustained a rubber-bullet in the right leg and received treatment in the field. The clashes continued until 03:30, and no arrests were reported.

Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 26 August 2021:

At approximately 01:15, IOF arrested Hasan Mahmoud ‘Abahrah (30), after raiding and searching his house in Yamun village, west of Jenin.

At approximately 02:30, IOF arrested Abdullah Naser Abdullah (31), and his brother, Osaid (17), after raiding and searching their house in Dayr Balut village, west of Salfit.

Around the same time, IOF arrested Azmy Mohammed al-Dweik (39), after raiding and searching his house in Hebron.

At approximately 03:17, IOF arrested Omar Basem Abu Zaytoun (20), after raiding and searching his house in Beita, southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Mahmoud Ali al-Sheikh (56), head of Shuafat’s local council, after raiding and searching his house in Shu’afat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem.

At approximately 16:00, IOF handed Hanadi Mohammed al-Halawani (41) a decision that bans her travel until 19 January 2022, after she was summoned to be interrogated at al-Kishle detention center.

At approximately 22:55, IOF arrested Yosef Mohammed Mezher (16), after raiding and searching his house in Deir Nidham village, northwest of Ramallah.

IOF carried out (8) incursions in Ya’bad, Arraba and Kufeirat in Jenin governorate; Halhul, Beit Ummar, Bayt Ula and Imreish in Hebron; and Deir Abu Masha’al, northwest of Ramallah. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 27 August 2021:

At approximately 02:00, IOF chased and opened fire at a Palestinian near the entrance of Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. As a result, the vehicle overturned and the 3 civilians who were inside it were arrested. The arrestees are: Mohammed Yousef Zaki Deiriyyah and Mohammed Fo’ad Ali Deiriyyah, both from Beit Fajar, and Isma’el Hisham Sharbati, from Hebron.

At approximately 08:00, IOF arrested Jamal Zuhair Salah (18), and his brother, Saleem (19), from Arraba, southwest of Jenin, while working in their agricultural land near Mevo Dotan military camp, southwest of Jenin.

At approximately 10:50, IOF arrested Qusai Suliman Abu Shehab (30), after raiding and searching his house in Ras Atiya village, south of Qalqilya.

IOF carried out an incursion in Turmus Aya village, northeast of Ramallah. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 28 August 2021:

At approximately 02:30, IOF arrested Ramzi Suliman Owda (25), after raiding and searching his house in Huwwarah village, southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 13:00, (3) children from Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, surrendered themselves to Moscovia Investigation Center in West Jerusalem, to serve their sentence of 10-11 months. The arrestees are: Tayseer Abdul Nabi al-Natshah (17), Ali Mousa Naser (17), and Omar Mohammed Abu al-Sa’oud (17).

At approximately 13:30, IOF arrested Eyad Isma’el Ghaith (23), while passing through a temporary military checkpoint established at the entrance of Eizariya village, east of the occupied East Jerusalem.

At approximately 16:00, IOF severely beaten and arrested Mohammed Burqan (21), while present at the Aqsa Mosque’s yards in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

At approximately 16:00, IOF stationed at Za’tara military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, arrested Mohammed Fayyad Bushnaq (22), from Rumana, west of Jenin.

At approximately 18:30, IOF arrested Nada Izz al-Abassi (15), and her brother, Mohammed (17), while present at Bab al-Amud area in the occupied East Jerusalem.

At approximately 21:00, IOF arrested Hani Mohammed Barabera (51), from Bal’a village in Tulkarm governorate, while present in the occupied East Jerusalem.

At approximately 22:00, IOF arrested Ahmed al-Tirawi (18) and Wassam Samad’a (19), from al-Jalazone refugee camp in Ramallah, while present in the occupied East Jerusalem.

Sunday, 29 August 2021:

At approximately 16:00, IOF arrested Samed Rayeq Thawabtah (27), from Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem, while present near Bab al-Amud area in the occupied East Jerusalem.

Monday, 30 August 2021:

At approximately 01:00, IOF arrested Adel Ibrahim al-Silwadi (47), after raiding and searching his house in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

At approximately 03:00, IOF arrested Jareh Eissa Ma’aly (29) and Qusai Ishaq Shehada (30), after raiding and searching their houses in Beita and Rujeib villages, southeast of Nablus.

At approximately 11:00, IOF arrested Mohammed Raja’i Khwais (11) and Mahmoud Yousef Abu Jom’a (11), after raiding and searching their houses in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

IOF carried out (4) incursions in Hebron, Sa’ir, Bayt Ula and Imreish villages in hebron. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 31 August 2021:

At approximately 02:00, IOF arrested Adel Fawzi Nawawerah (41), after raiding and searching his house on al-Saf street in Bethlehem.
Around the same time, IOF arrested Qusai Mohammed Ibrahim (24), after raiding and searching his house in Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem.

At approximately 02:30, IOF arrested (3) civilians after raiding and searching their houses in Deir Istiya, north of Salfit. The arrestees are: Sameh Sa’ed Hakim (25), Wa’d Emad Houqi (24), and Mahmoud Tayil Abu Faris (25).

At approximately 02:30, IOF arrested Heyam Mohammed al-Rajoub (39) after raiding and searching her house in Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. It should be noted that Heyam is Saleem Yousef al-Rajoub’s wife, who is under the administrative arrest in the Israeli prisons.

Around the same time, IOF arrested (4) civilians after raiding and searching their houses in al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. The arrestees are: Ehab Jamal al-Jondi (24), his brother Mohammed (19), Mohammed Tareq Jawabra (20), and Tareq Zeyad Jawabra (21).

At approximately 03:00, IOF arrested Anas Shaher Deiriyyah (20), after raiding and searching his house in Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem.

At approximately 03:30, IOF arrested ‘Aahed Hamad Bani Owda (25), after raiding and searching his house in Tamun village, southeast of Tubas.

At approximately 03:55, IOF arrested (3) civilians including a child, after raiding and searching their houses in Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah. The arrestees are: Ahmed Azmy Nofal (17), Mohammed Jom’a Samhan (22), and Bashar Mohammed Nofal (25).

At approximately 04:00, IOF arrested Ra’ed Mousa Shu’aibat (26), after raiding and searching his house in Bayt Sahur village, east of Bethlehem governorate.

At approximately 04:00, IOF arrested Mohammed Hussain Abu Tabikh (40), after raiding and searching his house in al-Karmel village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate.

At approximately 04:40, IOF arrested Omar Shaheen Shaheen (29), after raiding and searching his house on al-Irsal street in Ramallah.

At approximately 08:00, IOF arrested Musleh Naser Shehada (20), after raiding and searching his house in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Meanwhile, IOF arrested Barakat Wael Abu Laban (19), after raiding and searching his house in the abovementioned neighborhood.

At approximately 13:00, IOF raided and searched (3) house in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and handed Mo’taz Fayez al-Rajabi (27), Adnan Eyad al-Rajabi (19), and his brother, Ahmed (16) summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services at al-Moscovia Investigation Center in West Jerusalem.

At approximately 21:00, IOF arrested 2 children from Bethlehem while present near the military watchtower adjacent to the annexation wall, west of the city. The arrestees are: Eissa Mohammed Zerina (17), and Mansour Saleh Faraj (16).

At approximately 21:00, IOF stationed at Mevo Dotan military checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, arrested Ahmed Salah Abu Rmeila (23), from Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.

At approximately 23:00, IOF arrested Mustafa Saleh Abu Hamad (20), from Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, while passing through al-Container military checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem.

IOF carried out (2) incursions in Yatta and Sa’ir villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 01 September 2021:

At approximately 01:00, IOF arrested Ahmed Tawfiq al-Horoub (33), after raiding and searching his house in Dayr Samet village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate.

At approximately 01:15, IOF arrested Ghadeer Adnan Qarariyah (24), after raiding and searching her house in Fandaqumiya village, south of Jenin. It should be noted that Qarariyah is Malik Yaser Fashafisha’s (29) wife, from Jab’ village, the prisoner who was arrested on 02 August 2021.

At approximately 02:00, IOF arrested Wael Ayed Rab’ai (26), after raiding and searching his house in Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate.

Around the same time, IOF arrested Islam Eyad al-Baw (29), after raiding and searching his house in Halhul village, north of Hebron governorate.

At approximately 03:30, IOF arrested Mo’n Maher al-Barghouthi (26), after raiding and searching his house in Kaubar village, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 10:30, IOF stormed a girls secondary school on al-Zahra’ street in the occupied East Jerusalem, arrested the school principal and her secretary, and confiscated a number of computers and administrative files under the pretext that some of the employees of the Palestinian Education Office used one of the school’s administrative rooms.

IOF stormed the school during the morning break causing fear among the students, as IOF stormed and searched the administrative rooms of the school and confiscated a number of computer devices and files related to educational and administrative work. Also, IOF closed one of the rooms under the pretext that this rooms is used as an office for the Palestinian Education Ministry and hanged a decision on the door that “the office of the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem is closed”. Meanwhile, Ikram al-Wuhaidi, the school principal, was arrested along with Rana Obaidat, and handed the teachers, Lama Abu al-Sa’oud and Ghadeer al-Joulani, summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in the investigation center.

It should be noted that IOF closed the office of the Palestinian Ministry of Education in the Islamic Orphans School in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, which is controlled by the Jerusalem Endowments Department since 20 November 2019 for 6 months, then they extended the closing decision several times. It should be noted that more than 50 schools in Jerusalem are under the Palestinian Education Office supervision as its following-up 100,000 students. Due to this closure, many parents are afraid from affecting the educational process in those schools affiliated with the Jerusalem Endowment Administration in Jerusalem.

IOF carried out (6) incursions in Birzeit, Beit Rima, Ramallah, Kharas, Bayt Ula and Karmel villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolitions, Confiscations, and Notices

On Friday, 27 August 2921, Mahmoud Samarin self-demolished a residential room added to his house in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, pursuant to the Israeli Municipal decision allegedly for unlicensed construction.

The owner of the house, Mahmoud Samarin, said that he built a room for his children in 2014 as the house was very small and did not suffice his family members. Samarin added that the room was 40 sqms for his 3 sons (18, 16 and 8 years old). He said that in 2018 the Israeli Municipality haunted him and handed him a decision to demolish the room. Over those years, the Israeli court determined 3 hearings; the last was 12 days ago when the court issued a final demolition decision and gave him until 12 September to implement it or the municipal crews will do so and fine him with 80,000 shekels for the demolition costs.

On Saturday afternoon, 28 August 2021, al-Dallal family self-demolished 3 of their houses in al-Ashqariyah neighborhood in Beit Hanina, north of occupied East Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli Municipal decision allegedly for unlicensed construction.

Yehia al-Dallal said that he along with his 2 sons, Sobhi and Ahmed, had to self-demolish their 3 houses in Beit Hanina neighborhood after the Israeli municipality gave them until the end of the week to implement the decision or it will send its crews to do so and fine each house with 70,000 shekels for demolition costs. Al-Dallal added that the first house was built in 2000 and after years he built the 2 other houses, sheltering the families of his sons and their wives and children, i.e. 13 individuals, as well as his daughter and her family of 5, who had to move to her in-laws’ house in another city. Al-Dallal said that the Israeli municipality has haunted them for 18 years and imposed tens of thousands of shekels that they had to pay over the years. He added that he hired a lawyer to freeze the decision and obtain a license for the houses; however, the municipality hindered all their efforts. He said that they are now in a very bad situation as they are incapable of paying rents for new houses to shelter their families especially that the rents are very high in Jerusalem.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 28 August 2021, IOF held in custody machine tools at the entrance to Qarawet bani Hassan village, west of Salfit under the pretext of working in the agricultural lands located in Area C that is under the Israeli control. IOF banned farmers from land restoration and threatened them to confiscate their tools in case they returned to work in the same spot.

Ibrahim ‘Assi, Mayor of Qarawet Bani Hassan, said that the machineries were working in the southern side of the village, preparing for the olive harvest season, as the farmers together agreed on a land restoration project that started 5 months ago at the village entrance and built a sewage channel for the Barkan Settlement, which pumps its sewage into their lands; Meanwhile, they were surprised with IOF’s arrival at the area adjacent to the main street. IOF told them that work is banned here and if they wanted to do so, they have to inform the Israeli liaison and wait for the approval. The project was for 90 dunums but they continued to threaten the farmers from 10:00 to 14:00 of confiscating the machineries. Suddenly, IOF left.

On Sunday, 29 August 2021, ‘Aqab Mousa Ja’abees self-demolished his house in Jabal al-Mukaber, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, pursuant to Israeli municipal decision, under the pretext of building on a green land, where construction is banned.

‘Aqab Ja’abees said that he has low income and lived with his wife and 5 children along with his mother in one room until his mother inherited a plot of land in Jabal al-Mukaber. Because he is incapable financially to build a house, he bought a 30-sqm caravan to shelter him and his family and added a 20-sqm room of wood, shed and iron. He said that the Israeli municipality raided his house 20 days ago and handed him a decision to remove the caravan and demolish the room or the municipality will send its crews to carry out the demolition and fine him with tens of thousands of sehekls for the demolition costs. He added he would set a tent on his land to live in it, as he cannot afford the high rents in the area.

At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 30 August 2021, IOF handed notices to stop construction works in a mosque, 2 inhabited houses and another under construction as well as retaining walls in Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

Fadia Najajrah, Mayor of Nahalin village, said that IOF moved into Qernet al-Da’mas area, south of the village, and hanged notices to stop construction works in the walls of an under-construction mosque and 2 inhabited houses; each is 130 sqms belonging to Mohammed Hani ‘Awad and Shadi Ahmed Zayed. Najajrah added that before their withdrawal, IOF moved into Wadi al-Mraba area and handed a notice to stop construction works in an under construction 120-sqm house belonging to Mohammed Yousif ‘Awad. It also notified ‘Abdel Rahman Taye’a Fanoun of stopping building retaining walls in the area.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli Municipality’s bulldozers demolished parts of a house under construction belonging to Ahmed Mashahrah in Jabal al-Mukaber, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Mashahrah added that he built a house on his part of the land he inherited from his father in Jabal al-Mukaber 4 months ago to live with his wife and 3 kids. Mashahrah added that on 19 July, the Israeli municipality notified him to stop construction works in the house and gave him 4 days to demolish it or the Israeli Municipal crews will carry out the demolition and fine him with 70,000 shekels for the demolition costs. Mashahrah said that had to demolish part of the house on 25 July and was surprised in the same morning with IOF’s moving into the area and demolishing the rest of the house. He said that he had lived in the house for 11 years and dreamt of having his own house, but IOF destroyed his dream house twice as they demolished it years ago in Jabal al-Mukaber.

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer and Civil Administration SUV moved into Kherbet Bzeeiq in the Northern Jordan Valleys in eastern Tubas. IOF immediately uprooted 3 tents used for sheep belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali Nasrallah al-Horoub and ‘Adel Nasrallah al-Hroub.

Around the same time, the Israeli Nature Authority crews demolished retaining walls in Wadi al-Rababah neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City for excavations in the area.

Member of Silwan Lands Defense Committee, Fakhri Abu Diab, said that the Israel Nature Authority crews demolished a 10-meter wall established 40 years ago in an agricultural land belonging to Samarin Family, south of Wadi al-Rababah area. Abu Diab added that settlers in Silwan village attacked this land a year ago, so its owners resorted to the Israeli court and managed to obtain a decision to freeze work in the land. Abu Diab said that Wadi al-Rababah lands are targeted due to its important and strategic location as it is at the western entrance of Jerusalem’s old wall, and the Israeli occupation has sought for years to establish many settlement projects on Jerusalem’s lands, prominently air train and bridge and the biblical gardens.

At approximately 05:00 on Wednesday, 01 September 2021, IOF accompanied with a bulldozer, excavator, and a Civil Administration SUV moved into al-Wastat area in southern Doma village, southeast of Nablus. Immediately, the bulldozers demolished 2 houses; the first was 80 sqms and under construction belonging to Usama ‘Adel Hasan al-Tamimi from Jerusalem and the second is 50 sqms belonging to ‘Abdullah Fair Salawdah. IOF then moved into Kherbet Saqqarah, east of the village, and levelled a water tower used for irrigation belonging to Naser Mohammed Hasan Abu Hammoud, under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.

At approximately 09:00, IOF demolished the foundations of 2 under-construction houses belonging to Nasri Mohammed Subeih and ‘Alian Salah Zawahrah, east of Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

Nasri Mohammed Sbeih said that IOF accompanied with 2 bulldozers moved into Harmalah village and demolished the foundations of his house and damaged the construction materials there. Subeih added that the losses after demolition exceeded 70,000 shekels. Meanwhile, ‘Alian said that the Israeli authorities moved into Beit Ta’mor village 2 months ago and distributed notices to stop construction works in many facilities in the village while 2 weeks ago IOF moved into the village and handed a notice to demolish the house foundations. Zawahrah added that he intended to build this house for his brother and that the house foundations were built of steel and construction materials, which cost him more than 50,000 shekels.

Settlers’ Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and their Property:

At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 27 August 2021, a group of settlers from Sde Ephraim settlement outpost attacked Dhafer Jarrah ‘Ataya and his family of 5, who live in Kafr Ne’mah village, west of Ramallah, when they wre in their agricultural land in Jabal Al-Risan area in western Ras Karkar village, west of Ramallah. The settlers tried to expel ‘Ataya and his family from the area, and an altercation erupted between them for half an hour. Afterwards, IOF intervened and ordered the settlers to leave the area.

At approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 29 August 2021, a group of settlers from “Karayat Arbaa'” in eastern Hebron threw stones at civilians’ houses in Jaber Neighborhood, east of Hebron’s Old City, in full view of IOF stationed at the checkpoint established in the neighborhood’s center. As a result, Mahmoud Mohammed Walid Yousif Jaber (18) sustained wounds in the head while 6 vehicles in front of the checkpoint sustained damage, including broken windows.

Closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement of persons and goods:

The Gaza Strip:

The Israeli authorities continued to impose collective punishments against the people of the Gaza Strip, including tightened restrictions on imports and exports, causing a serious deterioration in Palestinians’ enjoyment of their economic and cultural rights.

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, the Israeli occupation authorities announced new relief measures for the Gaza Strip that include import of equipment and goods for the private sector and projects sponsored by the international community.

The Israeli military stated in a press release that, “Following an assessment of the security situation, Israel has adopted several economic measures pertaining to the Gaza Strip, restoring the humanitarian conditions to the situation pre-reinforced restrictions, effective immediately and shall include import of equipment and goods for civilian projects sponsored by international parties and for the private sector via Karm Abu Salem checkpoint, and allows the import of new vehicles, gold commerce between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and increase the number of business permits by 1000 for those who received Covid-19 vaccines or can show proof of having recovered from the virus.”

The Israeli military conditions these measures with security stability, with the possibility further facilitations depending on the security situation and assessments.

On Wednesday, 1 September 2021, the occupation authorities announced additional relief measures, including the expansion of the fishing area and resumption of operations at Karm Abu Salem crossing, provided there is long-term security calm.

In a press statement, the Israeli military said, “In conclusion of a security assessment and with the approval of the political level in government, it was decided to expand the fishing area for the Gaza Strip to 15 nautical miles; to reopen Karm Abu Salem crossing fully to allow the entry of equipment and goods. Additionally, Gaza’s water allocations will increase to 5 million cubic meters.” The press release continued, “An additional number of 5,000 merchant permits will be issued for the Gaza Strip, raising the total to 7,000 permits for the business class, conditioned with acquisition of the Covid-19 vaccine, of proof of recovery.”

The West Bank:

In addition to 108 permanent checkpoints and closed roads, this week witnessed the establishment of 49 temporary checkpoints that restrict the movement of goods and individuals, where IOF searched Palestinians’ vehicles and checked their IDs. IOF reinforced its restrictions on civilians’ freedom of movement at its permanent checkpoints in the West Bank and shut some checkpoints for several hours on multiple occasions.

Here follows PCHR documentation of restrictions on the freedom of movement and IOF-established temporary checkpoints across the West Bank this week:

Jerusalem:

On Saturday, 28 August 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Eizariya village.
On Monday, 30 August 2021, IOF closed the road leading to alZa’im to traffic, and established a temporary checkpoint at Khan al Ahmar intersection.

Bethlehem:

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints in ‘Aqbet Hasan area and at the entrances to Beit Fajjar, Nahalin and Teqoa villages.
On Friday, 27 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints in ‘Aqbet Hasan area, Husan, and al-Nashash area.
On Saturday, 28 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints in ‘Aqbet Hasan area and at the entrances to Jannatah and Teqoa villages.
On Sunday, 29 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the western entrance to Husan and in ‘Aqbet Hasan, and al-Nashash areas.
On Monday, 30 August 2021, IOF established a temporary checkpoint in ‘Aqbet Hasan area.
On Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF established 4 checkpoints at the entrances to Jannatah, Teqoa, Beit Fajjar and between al-Nahalin and Jab’a villages.

Ramallah:

On Saturday, 28 August 2021, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance to Sinjil village.
On Monday, 30 August 2021, IOF established 2 temporary military checkpoints at the entrances to Aboud and Nabi Saleh.
On Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF established a temporary military checkpoint under Attara village’s bridge.

Hebron:

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at entrances to As-Samu’, Sourif, and Kharsa.
On Sunday, 29 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to Doura, al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bayt Kahil.
On Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF established 2 military checkpoints near Hebron’s western entrance, and the entrance to al-Aroub refugee camp.
On Wednesday, 1 Septmeber 2021, IOF established 2 military checkpoints near the entrance to Bayt Awa and al-Fawwar refugee camp.

Nablus:

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, IOF established 2 checkpoints on the entrance to Luban e-Sharkiya and near “Yitzahar” settlement.
On Sunday, 29 August 2021, IOF established a temporary checkpoint at Dayr Sharaf intersection.

Jenin:

On Saturday, 28 August 2021, IOF established a checkpoint at Qabatiya entrance.
On Tuesday, 31 August 2021, IOF established 2 temporary checkpoint at the intersections to Ti’anik and Khirbat al-Turm villages.

Salfit:

On Saturday, 28August 2021, IOF established a temporary checkpoint by Kafr al-Deek entrance.
On Sunday, 29 August 2021, IOF established 3 checkpoints at the entrances to the villages of Deir Ballut, Deir Istiya, Kafr al-Deek.

Qalqilya:

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, IOF established a temporary checkpoint under Hable village’s tunnel.
On Sunday, 29 August 2021, IOF established 4 temporary checkpoint at the entrances to Azzoun, Jayous, ‘Izbet al-Tabeeb and al-Nabi Elias, east of Qalqilya.