Jerusalem
– Israeli soldiers arrested a Palestinian civilian

 

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

      

 

A Palestinian
civilian was killed and another one was wounded and arrested by Israeli forces
in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

5 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were
wounded in Hebron.

One of the children lost an eye.

 

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

 

17 Palestinian
civilians, including 5 children, were wounded.

16 of those
civilians were wounded during peaceful demonstrations on the 13^th
anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada.

The wounded
a cameraman of France Press Agency.

Dozens of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

 

 

Israeli forces conducted 45 incursions into Palestinian
communities in the West Bank.

 

At
least 23 Palestinian civilians,
including 1 child, were arrested in the West Bank.

 

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

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

At least 10 Palestinian civilians, including 2
children, were arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

 

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

Israeli settlers set fire to 2 cars in Dura al-Qare’
village, north of Ramallah.

Israeli settlers blocked roads in the northern West
Bank and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
(26 September – 02 October  2013).

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a
Palestinian civilian and wounded and arrested another one in the Gaza
Strip.  They also wounded 22 civilians,
including 7 children and a journalist, in the West Bank.  17 of those civilians, including 5 children, were
wounded in peaceful protests, while the other 5 ones, including 2 children,
were wounded during Israeli military incursions into Palestinian communities.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 30 September 2013, Israeli forces
killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded and arrested another one near the
border with Israel to the east of Beit Hanoun town.  The victim was hit by several bullets to the
back and one bullet to the head.  He was
unarmed, and according to his family, he attempted to cross the border into
Israel to search for a job. 

 

In the West Bank, 22 Palestinian civilians, including
6 children, were wounded by Israeli forces. 

 

On 27 September 2013, a 6-year-old child and his
14-year-old sister were wounded in al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of
Hebron.  The child was hit by a
rubber-coated metal bullet to the right eye and consequently, he lost his sight
in it.

 

On the same day, 3 civilians were wound during clashed
with Israeli forces in the center of Hebron. 

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces continued
the systematic use of excessive force against peaceful protests organised by
Palestinian, Israeli and international activists against the construction of
the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, a Palestinian civilian was
wounded and others suffered tear gas inhalation and sustained bruises.

 

In the same context, 16 Palestinian civilians,
including 5 children, were wounded when Israeli forces used force against
peaceful demonstration organized in the West Bank on the 13^th
anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada.

 

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 23 Palestinians, including 1
child.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

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

 

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily
tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and
economic situation in the Gaza Strip. 
The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of
trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the
agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years,
Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from
the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the
world. This resulted in a grave violation of the economic, social and cultural
rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people.  The Israeli authorities has established Karm
Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order
to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy that has been aggravating
for years due to the shortage of imports. 
They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s
exports. 

 

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

 

As part of using military checkpoints and border
crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are
wanted, Israeli forces arrested at least 10 civilians, including 2 children.

 

Settlement activities

 

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

On 27 September 2013, a number of Israeli settlers
from “Beit Eil” settlement stormed the agricultural area in Dura al-Qare’
village, north of Ramallah.  They set
fire to 2 cars belonging to a Palestinian civilian.

 

On 30 September 2013, Israeli settlers set fire to
agricultural areas belonging to Palestinian civilians from Emraihiya village,
southwest of Jenin, near “Harmish” settlement. 
Palestinian fire fighters were able to extinguish fire.

 

On 01 October 2013, a number of Israeli settlers
gathered at the Israeli military checkpoint erected on the main road between
Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm. 
They threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles.

 

On the same day, a number of Israeli settlers gathered
on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the entrance of Beit Leed
village, east of Tulkarm, and set fire to car tires.  Israeli forces arrived at the area and
evacuated the settlers.           

 

Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period
(26 September – 25 October 2013)

 

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

Thursday, 26 September 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed at the
entrance of al-Therwa neighbourhood in the east of the town. They raided a
house belonging to the family of Mohammed Rayan (28). Israeli forces arrested
the aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.   

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Samet village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and stationed around the high school for boys. They also raided a house
belonging to the family of Lo’ay Mohie al-Din al-Sharawna (25) and arrested
him.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some
time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tafouh village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces raided a house
belonging to the family of Maher ‘Arif Bader (30), from Hebron. They searched
the house and kept the family in a room. Israeli forces withdrew later and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Abu
Hadeed neighbourhood, south of the Old Town of Hebron. They raided a house
belonging to the family of Jalal Emad al-Karaki. They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Mughair village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some
time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

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

 

Friday, 27 September 2013

 

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
‘Our al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces closed the main
entrance to al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They deployed in lands around
bypass road (60). Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at
Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a
number of boys suffered tear gas inhalation. In the meantime, a soldier fired
rubber-coated metal bullets at a woman and her children while they were
standing around. As a result, Mos’ab Isma’il Sarahna (6) was wounded by a
bullet to the right eye. As a result, he lost his sight. Moreover, his sister
Hajar (14) was wounded by a bullet to the left leg. The wounded were taken to
Abu al-Hassan al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta by a private vehicle, while Mos’ab was
taken to Hebron Governmental Hospital and then transferred to St. John’s
Hospital in Jerusalem. The child underwent a surgery. It was found out that he
lost his eye, as he was shot from a close range with a rubber-coated metal
bullet that caused him distortion in the face.

 

The child’s mother Heyam Sarahna said to PCHR’s
fieldworker:

 

“I live in Beit Jebrin neighbourhood in the
centre of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron, with my husband Isma’il
Mostafa al-Najjar (49). I have 4 sons and 3 daughters; the eldest of whom is 16
and the youngest are twins aged 2. At approximately 16:15 on Friday, 27
September 2013, I went with my children: Mos’ab (6), Hajar (14) and the twins
Abrar and Afnan to visit relatives of us in al-Hejrah village, west of the
refugee camp. It is about 1 kilometre away from our house. We reached a car tire
shop that is a few meters away from the main entrance of the camp, and suddenly
found Israeli forces had closed the main entrance and denied vehicles access to
and from the camp. Our vehicle stopped and we stepped out of it. There were
some boys in the lands near the entrance throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. I
looked back to the vehicle that brought us to get away from the place, but I
heard the sound of heavy fire. My son Mos’ab screamed saying ‘My eye, my eye’
and I saw his face bleeding. Mos’ab was holding me when a number of young men
came and took him by a vehicle into the refugee camp. Another vehicle stopped
by me to follow them. I was surprised that Haijar was screaming ‘My leg, my
leg’. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was wounded in her leg. We
went to Abu al-Hassan al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta. I saw the doctors cleaning
Mos’ab’s face and put gauze over his eye. They demanded transferring him to
Hebron Governmental Hospital. I accompanied him in the ambulance to the
hospital. When we reached the emergency department, I was told that Mo’sab’s
condition is serious. They obtained coordination to transfer him to St. John’s
Hospital in Jerusalem. I left with my son at approximately 21:00. We reached
Jerusalem where he underwent a surgery in his right eye. After the surgery, we
discovered he had lost his eye, because the bullet settled in it.”

 

At approximately 17:00, Israeli infantry forces moved
into Bab al-Zawiya area and al-Shallala Street in the centre of Hebron. They
deployed between the houses. Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated metal bullets in response. As a result, a number of civilians
suffered tear gas inhalation and 3 others sustained wounds. The first (20) was
wounded by a bullet to the left leg; the second (21) was wounded by a bullet to
the left leg also; and the third (20) was wounded by a bullet to the right side
of his head. The wounded were taken by a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
ambulance to Hebron Governmental Hospital. At approximately 22:00, Israeli
forces withdrew from the area. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into
Burham village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
Jabal Jawhar neighbourhood in the south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and stationed in the centre of the neighbourhood. They also deployed between
the houses and raided 4 houses belonging to Hosam Bader al-‘Ajlouni, Belal
Fahed ‘Ashour, Adham Rebhi al-‘Ajlouni and Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Ayed al-‘Ajlouni.
Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

 

Saturday, 28 September 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Debwan village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.   

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses from which they
arrested 5 civilians:

1. Maher Jaser Sheibani (20);

2. Tawfiq Abdul Hakim al-‘Aridi (23);

3. ‘Arafat Nezar Ahmed (24);

4. Abdul Malek Mahmoud Abu Salah (22); and

5. Qadri Fayez Abu Salah (23).

 

At
approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into the area around Kherbet Safa,
northwest of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They deployed near the
security fence of “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. They
also fired tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered
tear gas inhalation.

 

At
approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Oussarin village, southeast of
Nablus. They patrolled the streets firing sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. At approximately
21:30, Israeli forces withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:30, Israeli forces moved into Ni’lin village, west of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 29 September
2013

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Doura town, southwest of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and headed to ‘Ein Fares area, west of Kraisa
neighbourhood, in the west of the town. They stationed near the house of
Mahmoud Abu Saleh, who has been imprisoned by Israeli forces, and demolished a
tent held by the residents in front of the said house in solidarity with the
prisoner. Israeli forces withdrew later. No arrests were reported.   

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aboud village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family
of Saleh Mohammed Abu Hussein (20). They arrested the aforementioned person and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 1:55, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in
al-Saff Street in the centre of the city. They patrolled the streets of Radi
Housing and handed notices to three civilians: Jamil Abdullah Rabaa’ (22),
Walid Issa al-Haimi (50) and Issa Awda Jawarish (23), to  refer to the Israeli Intelligence in “Gosh
Etzion” settlement, south of the city.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, and Balata and ‘Askar
refugee camps, northeast of the city. They patrolled the streets and raided a
number of houses from which they arrested 4 civilians:

1. Ahmad Monir Asmar (27);

2. Na’im Khalil al-Laham (22), from Askar refugee camp;

3. Ahmed Ali Khalil (22); from Balata refugee camp; and

4. Mohammed Yehia Mabrouka (26), from the Austrian
housing project in Nablus.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Sharaf village, northwest of Nablus.
They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They arrested Ra’ed
Turki Deeb (30) and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time also, Israeli forces moved into Douma village, east of al-Daheriya
village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided a house
belonging to the family of Ma’an Mohammed Abu ‘Allan (28). They arrested the
aforementioned person and took him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and stationed in the centre of the camp. They then deployed
between the houses.  They withdrew later
and no arrests were reported.  

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets and raided a house from which they
arrested Sameh Shawkat Samha (40).

 

At
approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets firing sound and flare bombs. At
approximately 06:00, Israeli forces closed the entrances of the village and
erected checkpoints. They questioned civilians on the spot. It should be noted
these restrictions were imposed due to the claims of Israeli forces that Palestinian
young men had thrown stones at Israeli vehicles on the bypass road near the
village.

 

At
approximately 13:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Luqia village, southwest of
Ramallah, and patrolled the streets. In the meanwhile, a number of boys gathered
and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, dozens of
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces handed Jasem Abed ‘Assi
(26) and Shadi Shehda ‘Assi (25) summons to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah.

 

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

 

At
approximately 18:20, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya. They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghsoun village, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and tested water from artesian wells in the
area. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.  

 

 

Monday 30 September 2013

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They patrolled the
streets and arrested Khaled Abdul Latif al-J’aidi (25) under the pretext that he
threw stones at them.  

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem and stationed in al-Fawaghra
neighbourhood in the centre of the city. They raided a house belonging to Omar
Samir Shalash (23), and handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence
in “Gosh Etzion” settlement south of the city. The young man’s father stated
that the Israeli intelligence service arrested his son after interrogating him.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Mughair village, northeast of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family
of Amjad Ramadan Na’san, who suffers from hearing disorder by 40% and speech
disorder by 50%. They arrested the aforementioned child and took him to
al-Maskoubiya investigation facility in Jerusalem.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jabal Jawhar area, south of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 06:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest
of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire sporadically at
Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing 4 nautical miles off the shore. As
a result, fishermen sailed back fearing of being arrested or wounded. Neither
casualties nor materials damage were reported.

 

In the evening,
in an excessive use of lethal force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian
civilian, and wounded another one before arresting him, near the border fence,
east of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. 

 

According to
investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimony given by Naim Khalil, an
ambulance officer in the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), at
approximately 19:15, sounds of artillery shells and flash bombs that were
followed by heavy gunfire were at the border fence, east ofal- Misreyin Street
in the east of Beith Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. At approximately
20:00, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) informed the PRCS in
Jabalia that there was a body of a Palestinian civilian near the border fence.
After coordinating with the Israeli side, an ambulance of the PRCS headed to
the above-mentioned area, and the paramedics started searching for the body.
After approximately 20 minutes of search, they found the body of the killed man
who was lying on his stomach about 400 meters far from the border fence. 
The victim was  hit by several bullets in the back and one bullet in the
back of the head, and was wearing civilian clothes and possessing no equipment.
The search process continued till 21:50, as the paramedics were informed that
there was another person in the area, but they didn’t find anyone, before their
director called them and asked them to evacuate the area for there was nobody
else there. The paramedics took the body to Kamal Odwan Hospital in Biet Lahia,
where the victim was identified later as Hweishel Ismail Hweishel Hanajra, 35,
from al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The victim’s family
stated to a PCHR fieldworker that their son had headed to the area in order to
infiltrate into Israel to find a job, as a result of his difficult living
conditions. The PCHR fieldworker was informed that Israeli forces advanced into
the area immediately after the incident, and chased and arrested a wounded man.
According to the ICRC, the detainee is Subhi Hussein Salem Abudib, 36, from
al-Bureij camp. Moreover, the artillery shelling caused material damage to
Musleh Al-Tarabin’s abandoned house that is covered with tin plates, located
about 700 meters far from the border fence; cracking its walls, damaging 4
water barrels, punching tin plates, and killing birds and a donkey.

 

At
approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into Safa village, west of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Rashad
Mohammed Nasser (49). An Israeli intelligence officer questioned the occupants
of the house about their sone Marcel Nasser (21) who is wanted to the Israeli
intelligence service (Shabak). At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces withdrew
and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub refugee camp, north of
Hebron. They patrolled the streets and stationed in the centre of the camp.
They deployed between the houses, where some boys gathered and threw stones and
empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas
canisters. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Israeli forces withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 01 October 2013

 

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Araba village, southwest of                Jenin, and patrolled the
streets. They stationed in the western quarter of the village and raided and
searched a house belonging to Muhammed Azmi Suleiman Murdawi (31), a leader of
the Islamic Jihad. In the meantime, a number of young men gathered and threw
stones at Israeli military vehicles, and in response, Israeli soldiers fired
sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of Palestinian
civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. 
Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
‘Awwa village, south of Doura, southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets
and stationed in the centre of the village. They also deployed between the
houses and raided a number of houses. They searched the houses and kept their
occupants outdoors. Some of the raided houses belong to:

1. Mohammed Sharif al-Sweiti. He was handed a summon to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in “Gosh Etzion”
settlement, south of Bethlehem;

2. Sa’id Mousa al-Sweiti;

3. Fawzi ‘Atiya al-Sweiti;

4. Mohammed Abed al-Sweiti;

5. Abed al-Rasoul al-Sweiti;

6. Mohammed Ahmed al-Sweiti. He was detained for few
hours; and

7. Mohammed Isma’il al-Sweiti. He was also detained for
few hours.

 

Moreover, Israeli forces arrested 4 civilians from
their houses and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested were:

1. Samir Sobhi Masalma (32);

2. Mohammed Badawi al-Masalma (29);

3. Tha’er Abdul Qader Masalma (32); and

4. Fadi Isma’il al-Sweiti (32).

 

Abdul Rasoul al-Sweiti (30) said to PCHR’s
fieldworker:

“I woke up and found Israeli forces knocking the
door of my house with gun butts. I opened the door and they immediately broke
into the house. They searched it in a savage way and damaged its contents.”

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Ethna
village, west of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Samou’ village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time
and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im
village, east of Hebron. They patrolled the street for some time and withdrew
later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They patrolled the streets and
stationed at the entrance of the camp. They deployed between the houses and
withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Zeita
Town, in the north of Tulkarem and patrolled the streets. They withdrew later
and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

2. Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting
settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall

 

During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used
excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian
civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
As a result, Hamza Suleiman Bernat (20), photojournalist of the popular
committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities in Bil’in, was
wounded by a bullet to the left hand. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear
gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

In the same context, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organized many protests to mark the 13^th anniversary of the al-Aqsa
Intifada. Protests were organized in Nablus; Azzoun village, east of Qalqilia;
al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah; in the vicinity of Ofer prison, southwest
of Ramallah; in the east of al-Shuja’iya refugee camp, east of Gaza City.
Israeli forces used force to disperse the protests. As a result, 14 Palestinian
civilians, including 4 children and 2 brothers, were wounded in the West Bank.   

 

(PCHR keep the names of the Palestinian wounded
persons and apologizes for not publishing the names fearing for Israeli forces
would arrest them in the context of their policy to repress peaceful protests).

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activity

 

Following the Friday prayer, 27 September 2013, dozens
of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organised a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities
and marking the 13^th anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada. The
demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and made their way towards the
annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and when the
demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were
stopped by Israeli soldiers. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs, and tear gas canisters, and chased them across olive fields as far as
the outskirts of the village. As a result, Hamza Suleiman Bernat (20),
photojournalist of the popular committee against the annexation wall and
settlement activities in Bil’in, was wounded by a bullet to the left hand.
Moreover, dozens of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.

 

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

 

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

 

At
approximately 12:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians from Kofur Qaddoum,
northeast of Qalqilia, and international activists gathered and made their way
through the eastern entrance of the village in protest at closing that entrance
with an iron gate since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters
indiscriminately. As a result, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas
inhalation. In addition, material damage was reported, as 6 olive trees
belonging to the village council were burnt, a water tank was damaged and solar
power board was broken over the roof of a house belonging to Zahi Taher Ali.

 

Demonstrations on the 13^th Anniversary of the al-Aqsa
Intifada

 

Also following the Friday prayer, 27 September 2013,
dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered around al-Shuhada’ square, in the
centre of Nablus, to organize a protest marking the 13^th anniversary
of the al-Aqsa Intifada and condemning creating Jewish majority in Jerusalem.
They made their way through the streets and raised the Palestinian flag. They
then headed to al-Quds Street and Hawar checkpoint, south of the city. They
closed the streets and burnt tires. Israeli forces arrived and Israeli soldiers
stepped out of their vehicles. They fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber coated metal bullets at the protestors. As a result, 2 civilians,
including a child, were wounded, dozens of protests suffered tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises. A child (16), from Nablus, was hit by
a tear gas canister in the head, due to which he sustained fracture in the
skull. Besides, a second civilian (20), from Askar refugee camp, was hit by a
gas canister to the left side. As a result, he sustained burns.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian
civilians gathered to organize a peaceful protest in solidarity with al-Aqsa
mosque and to commemorate the 13^th anniversary of the al-Aqsa
Intifada, in front of Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah. The demonstrators
headed towards the gate of the prison before Israeli forces closed it and fired
live bullets, rubber coated-metal bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result,
4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and were transferred
to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. Some others suffered gas inhalation
and sustained bruises. A child (16) was hit by a live bullet in the left knee,
a boy (18) was hit in the right knee, a civilian (19) was hit by a rubber
metal-coated bullet in the back of the head, and a civilian (20) was hit by a
live bullet in the left leg.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, dozens of
Palestinian civilians gathered in Palestine Square in the centre of Gaza City
to organize a demonstration (Intifada Youth Coalition) on the 13^th
anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada. At approximately 13:45, they arrived
at the east of Shuja’iya neighbourhood near Nahal Oz Crossing, in the east of
Gaza City. They raised Palestinian flags and banners about 150 meters far from
the eastern borders. Israeli forces stationed at the eastern borders fired tear
gas canisters. As a result, some Palestinian civilians suffered gas inhalation
and fainting and were treated at the scene.

 

At approximately 14:30 on Friday, Dozens of
Palestinian children and young men gathered at the eastern entrance of Aida
refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They threw stones and empty bottles at
Israeli soldiers who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators
and Palestinian civilians’ houses. As a result, many suffered gas inhalation.  In addition to Ali al-Sha’er (43), a
photojournalist of the French agency in Bethlehem, was wounded by two rubber
metal-coated bullets while covering the event in the refugee camp. The
photojournalist stated to a PCHR fieldworker that he was surprised by the
shooting when he got out from the car wearing work uniform and holding
photography equipments. As a result, he was hit by two rubber metal-coated
bullets in the chest and the right hand and was transferred to Beit Jala
Governmental Hospital.

 

At approximately 15:30 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian
children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalzoun refugee
camp, north of Ramallah, about 300 meters far from the fence of “Beit Eil”
Settlement. They threw stones towards the fence of the settlement, and Israeli
forces responded by firing live bullets, rubber metal-coated bullets, tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at them and chased them in the refugee camp. Israeli
forces ascended to the roofs of the houses and turned them into military
points. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including a child
(17) who was hit by a live bullet in the left knee; a child (16) who was hit by
a live bullet in the right leg; a boy (18) who was hit by a live bullet in the
left thigh; a young man (23) who was hit by a live bullet in the right thigh; a
young man (20) who was hit by a live bullet in the right knee and a young man
(21) who was hit by a live bullet in the left leg.

 

At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 27 September 2013, a
Palestinian demonstration started from the centre of Azoun village, east of
Qalqilia, towards the northern gate of the town where Israeli forces are
stationed, to commemorate the 13^th anniversary of the Palestinian
Intifada. Clashes erupted between the Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli
forces after they prevented them from reaching the aforementioned gate. Israeli
forces fired sound bombs, tear gas canister and rubber metal-coated bullets at
the demonstrators. As a result, two Palestinian civilians were wounded; one of
them (25) was hit by a rubber metal-coated bullet in the right elbow, and the
other (24) was hit by three rubber metal-coated bullets in the right hand.

 

One of the wounded young men (PCHR keeps his name)
stated:

 

“At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 27 September 2013,
Palestinian civilians gathered in Azoun village to commemorate the 13^th
anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada. We marched till we reached the northern
gate where the Israeli forces are stationed and started shouting when we were
surprised that Israeli forces opened the gate, approached us and started
shooting directly at us. Then they detained me (A.S) after they pulled me to
the ground and beat me up with their hands and legs. An Israeli paramedic tried
to treat me, before I was transferred with my friend (E.H) to Darwish Nazzal
Hospital, where I stayed overnight in order to be treated.”

 

At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 30 September 2013, a
Palestinian demonstration started from the centre of Azoun village, in the east
of Qalqilia, to the northern gate of the town where Israeli forces are
stationed. Demonstrators set fire to rubber tires near the aforementioned gate
before Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber metal-coated bullets, tear gas
canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of the demonstrators
suffered gas inhalation and fainting, including two civilians who were
transferred to Dr. Darwih Nazzal Governmental Hospital in Qalqilia, to be
treated.

 

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 01 September 2013,
dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered at the southern entrance
of Jalzoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, about 300 meters far from the fence
of “Beit Eil” settlement. Palestinian civilians threw stones towards the
aforementioned fence, before Israeli forces stationed in the area responded by
firing live bullets, rubber metal-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters and chasing them.  As a result,
Yazan Mahmoud al-Abed Zeid (17) was hit by a rubber metal-coated bullet in the
left thigh, and was arrested by Israeli forces. 
He was taken to “Beit Eil” settlement and was beaten by Israeli
soldiers, which resulted in fractures in his left leg and bruises throughout
his body.  At approximately 21:30, he was
released and handed to the Palestinian liaison at Qalandia checkpoint, in the
north of Jerusalem. He was immediately transferred to the Governmental Medical
Complex in Ramallah to be treated.  On
the following day morning, he had a surgery that lasted for four and a half
hours.

 

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

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

 

Gaza
Strip

 

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

 

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

 

The
total closure of al-Mentar (“Karni”) crossing since 02 March 2011 has
seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all
economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut
off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the
Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports.
The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of
decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the
Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza
City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza
Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

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

 

The
cooking gas crisis has ranged between the ebb and flow for 3 months due to the
closure of Karm Abu Salem for security reasons. 
According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow around 98
tonnes of cooking gas into Gaza per day. 
This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200
tonnes per day, of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during the winter.

 

For almost 6 consecutive years,
Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials
to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli forces approved the
delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organisations in the Gaza Strip. 
Israeli forces also continued to impose almost total ban on the Gaza
Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for
light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.

 

Israel has continued to close the
Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the
Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with
many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a
policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via
the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or
in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access
hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.

 

For around a year and a half,
Israeli forces have allowed Palestinian detainees’ families to visit their sons
in the Israeli jails according to special and unfair conditions after more than
5 years of deprivation in violation of international humanitarian law.

 

The Egyptian authorities allow the
population of the Gaza Strip to travel via Rafah International crossing, which
connects the Gaza Strip with the outside world. 
Only limited and specified categories are allowed, including patients,
students, persons that hold residencies in Egypt or abroad, men over 40 years,
females in all ages, children under 18, persons who hold Arab and foreign
nationalities, and members of Arab and international humanitarian
delegations.  It should be mentioned that
the crossing opens seven days a week. 
Nowadays, the crossing is overcrowded due to the prolonged procedures
from the Egyptian side, particularly after closing it for several days over the
past weeks due to Egypt’s security conditions, which has affected the
travellers’ movement in both directions.

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem
Shalom) crossing

23 – 30 September 2013

 

 

 

Exports:

 

On
Monday, 23 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 144
kilograms of garlic leaves, 360 kilograms of basil and 60 kilograms of mints.

On
Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation of 240
kilograms of garlic leaves, 360 kilograms of basil and 180 kilograms of mints.

 

Other Imports:

 

 

On
Monday, 23 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,960 tonnes of
construction aggregates, 284 tonnes of construction steel and 851 tonnes of
cement for the private sector; and 174 tonnes of cement, 1,330 tonnes of
construction aggregates, 30 tonnes of construction steel and 40 tonnes of white
cement for UNRWA.  They also allowed the
entry of 819 tonnes of fodders and 1,404 tonnes of wheat.

On
Tuesday, 24 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 196 tonnes of
cement, 700 tonnes of construction aggregates and 94 tonnes of construction
steel for UNRWA; 1,890 tonnes of construction aggregates, 416 tonnes of
construction steel and 710 tonnes of cement for the private sector; and 840
tonnes of construction aggregates and 78 tonnes of cement for the Water
Authority.  They also allowed the entry
of 1,972 tonnes of fodders and 1,014 tonnes of wheat.

On
Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 160 tonnes of
cement, 1,610 tonnes of construction aggregates and 66 tonnes of construction
steel  for the UNRWA; and 1,610 tonnes of
construction aggregates, 327 tonnes of construction steel, 578 tonnes of cement
and 80 tonnes of white cement for the private sector.  They also allowed the entry of 1,131 tonnes
of fodders and 1,170 tonnes of wheat.

On
Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed the entry of 1,610 tonnes of
construction aggregates, 389 tonnes of construction steel, 68 tonnes of white
cement and 758 tonnes of cement for the private sector; and 224 tonnes of
cement and 84 tonnes of construction steel for UNRWA.  They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tonnes
of fodders and 1,404 tonnes of wheat.

 

Empty Plastic
Containers Returned to Israel via Karm Abu Salem

 

 

 

On
Monday, 23 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed 8 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Tuesday, 24 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed 7 truckloads of empty
plastic containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed 8 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

On
Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces allowed 4 truckloads of empty plastic
containers to be returned via Karm Abu Salem.

 

Notes:
Karm Abu Salem crossing was closed on Wednesday and Thursday, 25 and 26
September 2013 due to Jewish holidays.

 

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

 

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”)
crossing

24 – 30 September 2013

 

 

NOTE:  On Wednesday, 26 September 2013, Israeli
authorities completely closed “Erez” Crossing to the movement of Palestinians
due to Israeli holidays.

 

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

 

Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 26
September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit
‘Or al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. 
At approximately 22:00, they re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the
northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah.  They prevented people from leaving or
entering through the aforementioned checkpoint. 
Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30 on Friday, 27 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah.  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 28 September 2013, Israeli froces established
a checkpoint at the entrance of Sanjel village, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 12:00, they established
another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Ni’lin village, west of the
city.  At approximately 18:00, they
re-established at the same checkpoint in the aforementioned area.  The checkpint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00 on Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the intersection of Beit ‘Or al-Foqa, southwest of Ramallah.  They prevented people from entering or
leaving through the aforementioned checkpoint. 
They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:30 on Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mosbah, southwest of Ramallah.  They prevented people from leaving or
entering the village. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 26
September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Hadab al-‘Alqa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  At approximately 17:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village, south of Dura.  At approximately 20:00, another checkpoint
was established on Tarousa Road between Dura and its western villages,
southwest of the city.  All checkpoints
were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
15:00 on Saturday, 28 September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
at the northern entrance of Hebron, as this entrance is connected with Bypass
Road (60).  The checkpoint was later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
16:00 on Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron.  At approximatekt 18:00, they established
another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Yata; as this entrance is
connected with Bypass Road  (60).  The two checkpoints were later removed, and
no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 14:00 on Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the northern entrance of Halhoul; as this entrance is connected
with Bypass Road (60), north of Hebron. 
At approximately 16:00, they established two other checkpoints; the
first one was at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron, and the second
one was at the entrance of Beit ‘Aynoun village, east of the city.  All checkpoints were later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 01 October 2013, Israeli forces established two
checkpoints; the first one was at the northern entrance of Hebron, and the
second one was at the southern entrance of Halhoul (al-Jeser area).  At approximately 16:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest
of the city.  At approximately 18:00,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Beit ‘Awwa, south of Dura
as well.  All checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

Jenin: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 19:30 on Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces stationed
at  “Movodotan” checkpoint, which is
established on the main bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of
Tulkarm, southwest of Jenin, tightened its restrictions against Palestinians
and obstructed their movement through the checkpoint.  The tightening later ended, and no arrests
were reported. 

 

Salfit: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 21:40 on Monday, 39 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Haris village, north of Salfit.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 19:50 on Friday, 27
September 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya, and blocked traffic in both directions after
closing the iron gate established on the northern entrance.  The checkpoint was later removed, and the
gate was re-opened at approximately 20:00. 
At approximately 20:00, they established another checkpoint under the
bridge of ‘Azoun village on the Qalqilya-Tulkarm main Road.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya and another one at the entrance
of Jeet village, northeast of the city. 
The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

Jericho: 
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians.  At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 29 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat road between Jericho and Ramallah.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
19:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint near the southern entrance
of Jericho and prevented peope from entering or leaving through the
aforementioned entrance.  They later
withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

 

Arrests at military checkpoints

 

At
approximately 19:00 on Friday, 27 September 2013, Israeli forces established a
checkpoint between the villages of ‘Azoun and ‘Ezbet al-Tabib, east of
Qalqilya.  They detained two brothers;
Thaer Bayan Tabib, and ‘Othman Bayan Tabib (14), and then released them at
approximately 20:30.  They also arrested
‘Abdullah Maher Battah (14) from ‘Ezbet al-Tabib village and took him to an
unknown destination.

 

At approximately 01:00 on Saturday, 28
September 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied with military vehicles, moved into Halhoul
town, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and then stationed at the intersection that leads to al-Hawawir in
the central Hebron.  They deployed
between houses and then detained ‘Abdel Hadi Waked al-‘Aqabi (29), who was
driving on the street.  They arrested the
aforementioned civilian, confiscated his car and withdrew later. 

 

At
approximately 08:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at
“al-Container” checkpoint, north of Bethlehem, arrested 3 civilians,
who are members in the Popular Committee against Settlement Activities in
Hebron, while these civilians were on their way to establish Bab al-Shams
village for the third time in the Jordan Valley.  They were taken to “Ma’aleh Adumim”
settlement, east of Jerusalem, and they were released a couple of hours
later.  The detainees were identified as:

Rateb Yousif
a-Jbour (50), Coordinator of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activities
in eastern area of Yatta;

Yousif ‘Abdel
Hamid Abu Mariah (42), Member of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activities
in Beit Ummar; and

Younis Mousa
‘Arrar (43), Member of the Popular Committee against Settlement Activities in
Beit Ummar.

 

At
approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 28 September 2013, Israeli forces established
a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.  They detained Mohammed Ziad Sabarnah (14)
while he was passing by the checkpoint. 
They arrested the aforementioned child, and removed the checkpoint later
taking him to “Ghosh ‘Atsyon”, which is established on Palestinian
lands, south of Bethlehem.

 

At
approximately 16:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab
checkpoint, which is established on the main road between Tulakrm and Nablus,
east of Tulkarm, tightened the restrictions imposed on the movement of
Palestinians through the checkpoint. 
While Riyad Samih Mahmoud Dawoud (40), who works at the Anti-Drug Department
of the Palestinian Police and lives in Iktaba Suburb, east of Tulkarm, was
passing by the checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested and took him to an unknown
destination.

 

At
approximately 21:00 on the same day, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of ‘Abod village, north of Ramallah.  They then arrested Samir Mohammed ‘Abdel
Fattah Saleh (22) after stopping and searching his car.  They later removed the checkpoint taking the
aforementioned civilian to ‘Ofer prison, southwest of Ramallah.

 

At
approximately 11:15 on Monday, 30 September 2013, Israeli forces arrested 2
civilians from Hejah village, east of Qalqilya, while they were trying to enter
Israeli in order to work through the entrance of ‘Azoun ‘Etmah village, south
east of Qalqilya.  The two civilians were
identified as Moa’yad Ghaleb Hussein Masalhah (28) and Ahmed Mohammed Hamad
(26) and were then taken to an unknown destination.

 

 

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

 

 

At approximately 02:00 on Friday, 27 September 2013, a
group of settlers moved from “Beit Eil” settlement, the north of Ramallah, into
the agricultural area in Dura al-Qare’ to the north of the aforementioned
settlement. They set fire to two vehicles belonging to Subhi Fares al-Qadi
(55). The aforementioned civilian stated to a PCHR fieldworker:

 

“At approximately 02:00 on Friday, 27 September 2013,
I heard an explosion near the house while I was sleeping along with my family,
in the area of the agricultural district in Dura al-Qare’ village, northeast of
Ramallah, adjacent to ‘Beit Eil’ Settlement, established on the lands of
Ramallah and Bireh. I rushed through the main door and saw the flames devouring
the front of my car (Citroen model 2008, white) and the car of my son, Mahmoud al-Qadi
(34) (Daewoo Lanos model 1996, green) . Both cars were parked outside the main
gate of the house. I immediately went down and called my brothers and their
sons who rushed to the scene trying to extinguish the fire with water, till we
finally managed to extinguish it after it burnt the front of my car, before the
Civil Defense arrived at the scene. I saw statements written on the outer wall,
which I later knew they meant “In retaliation for the killing of the Israeli
soldier in Hebron”, which confirms that Israeli settlers are the ones who set
fire to the vehicles”

 

It is worth mentioning that the area of the
agricultural district witnessed frequent attacks by the settlers of “Beit Eil”
during the last months, including setting fire to vehicles and throwing stones
and Molotov cocktails at the passing civilian vehicles, on the road linking al-Jalazoun
refugee camp with Ramallah and Bireh, which was closed several days ago, in
addition to throwning stones at civilians’ houses, under the protection of
Israeli forces that are deployed in the vicinity of the aforementioned
settlement.

 

At noon on Monday, 30 September 2013, a group of
settlers set fire to the agricultural lands near “Harmish” Settlement belonging
to the civilians of Amrihia village, southwest of Jenin. Palestinian Civil Defence
fire engines rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire. No other
incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30 on Tuesday, 01 October 2013, a
number of Israeli settlers gathered at the military checkpoint that is
established on the main road linking Jenin with the northern villages and towns
of Tulkarm, off “Mvuduttan” settlement that is established in the south of Ya’bad
town, southwest of Jenin.  They threw
stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. Following this incident, settlers marched
towards a dirt road linking Ya’bad village with Amrihia village and closed it.
At approximately 20:00, they withdrew and no other incidents were reported.

 

At approximately 13:00, a number of settlers gathered on
the main road linking Tulkarm with Nablus, near the entrance of Beit Leed village,
east of Tulkarem. They set fire to rubber tires before Israeli forces arrived
at the scene to secure the withdrawal of settlers and re-open the road.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

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

 

In light of continued arbitrary measures, land
confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued
aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the latest offensive
that lasted for 8 days in November, PCHR calls upon the international
community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural
obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act
according to the following recommendations:

 

1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the
United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to
enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the
Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast
majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end
the occupation of the State of Palestine;

2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide
international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the
non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;

3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the
Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;

4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human
rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to
comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the
human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned
committees;

5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the
Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the
Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to
prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the
perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected
Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;

6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of
universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal
jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war
criminals;

7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in
order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through
imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;

8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer
the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the
International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome
Statute;

9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that
holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to
achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the
expense of human rights and victims;

10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human
Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza
and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the
two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel
it to remove them;

11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light
of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at
least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of
hostilities launched by Israel which directed targeted the civilian
infrastructure;

12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European
Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the
international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the
annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;

13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article
2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must
respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU
states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violation and crimes
against Palestinian civilians;

14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and
accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva
Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United
Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human
rights law and humanitarian law instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.