Israeli
bulldozers work in “Efrat” settlement near Bethlehem in the context
of activities of settlement expansion

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

      

 

A
Palestinian fisherman was killed, and his brother was wounded, while they were
fishing in the northern Gaza Strip.

 

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

Dozens
of protesters sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

IOF
conducted 42 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

A
Palestinian civilian was wounded in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron.

IOF
arrested 14 Palestinians, 3 of them children, in the West Bank.

Jewelry
was stolen from a house in Qaryout village, east of Nablus.

IOF
occupied a house and turned it into a military observation point
in Hebron.

 

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

IOF
established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

IOF
arrested at least 4 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, at military
checkpoints in the West Bank.

IOF
arrested 3 Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip who attempted to enter
Israel.

 

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

IOF confiscated
75 dunums of land in Wadi Fouqin, west of Bethlehem, and Israeli settlers
pumped wastewater onto the land.

IOF began
to establish a settlement outpost in an area south of Bethlehem.

60 olive
trees were damaged and cut down, and their crops damaged, in Burin, south of
Nablus.

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (27 September – 03 October 2012):

 

Shooting:

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 28 September 2012, Israeli forces shot and
killed a Palestinian fisherman and wounded his brother, while they and a group
of other fishermen were located a few meters from the shore in the northern
Gaza Strip, pulling out their fishing nets. According to investigations
conducted by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately
09:30 on Friday, 28 September 2012, an Israeli infantry unit crossed the
northwestern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and moved nearly 20
meters into Palestinian territory, along the beach area of the northwestern
town of Beit Lahia. Israeli soldiers took position behind a hill at the beach,
facing onto a number of Palestinian fishermen who were fishing a few meters offshore.
Israeli soldiers fired at the fishermen. The majority of the fishermen were
able to flee. However, two fishermen, who were located nearly 15 meters away
from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, were unable to escape. According
to fishermen present in the area, Israeli soldiers fired directly at the two
fishermen, wounding them. One of the fishermen died of his wounds later on the
same day.

 

On 02 October 2012, IOF positioned
inside the watchtowers along the border fence in the northwest of Erez,
northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers opened fire
on a number of workers, who were collecting the rubble of destroyed houses in
the area. Following the outbreak of gunfire, the workers fled the area in fear
of their lives.

 

In the West Bank, on 03 October
2012, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. A number of boys in
the village threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. IOF responded by firing sound
bombs and rubber-coated bullets at them. As a result, a Palestinian boy was
wounded by a bullet to the foot.

 

IOF continued the use of excessive
force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and
Israeli and international human right defenders against the construction of the
annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, dozens
of protestors sustained bruises and suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 42 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested
at least 14 Palestinians, including 3 children.

 

On
27 September 2012, IOF moved into al-Tabaqa village in the south of Dora,
southwest of Hebron. They arbitrarily fired tear gas canisters at the houses of
civilians. A gas canister fell into the house of Mahmoud Abu Ras, 52. IOF also
harshly beat Khaled Mahmoud Amr, 39, and Amin Isa Abu Atwan, 31. Abu Atwan was
wounded in his foot and was transported to Hebron Governmental Hospital to
receive the necessary medical treatment.

 

On
01 October 2012, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya. They raided
and searched some houses, including a house belonging to Mohammed Abbas Badwan,
whose son, Hassan, was arrested.

 

On
02 October 2012, IOF moved into al-Baq’a area, adjacent to bypass road 60, east
of Hebron. They raided the 3-storey house belonging to Salem al-Salayma, 50,
and resided in by 17 persons. They detained all of the family members on the
first floor of the building and did not allow them to move. The Israeli
soldiers deployed inside the house and on the roof of the building, and turned
it into a military observation point.

 

On 03
October 2012, IOF raided a number of houses in Qaryout village, southeast of
Nablus. They photographed the residents and wrote down their names, telephone
numbers and mobile numbers, in addition to photographing the houses themselves.
After the soldiers withdrew from a house belonging to Abdul Ra’ouf Ali
Zaghloul, Zaghloul’s wife noticed that jewelry worth an estimated 7,000
Jordanian Dinars (JD) was missing from a small purse in a closet in her
bedroom.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 28 September 2012, IOF positioned at the border fence
between Gaza and Israel, north of Beit Lahia, and arrested 3 Palestinian
children who had attempted to cross the border in order to look for employment
in Israel. Maher Abu al-Ouf, Director of the Palestinian Liaison Office
“44”, southwest of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, said the Israeli side
had informed him that IOF had arrested 3 Palestinians at the border fence.

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 Israeli-imposed closure
of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of
human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Recently-declared
measures to ease the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with
the root causes of the crisis; the root causes can only be addressed by an immediate
and complete lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and
out of the Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no
longer suffer from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is
allowed to continue, they will remain economically dependent, unable to care
for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the
rest of the world.

 

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

 

Settlement
Activities:

 

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

 

On
27 September 2012, settlers from “Bitar ‘Elite” settlement,
established on the lands of the villages of Fokein Valley, Hossan and Nahalin,
west of Bethlehem, dumped huge amounts of sewage water onto agriculture lands
near Fokein Valley village. According to Ahmad Sokkar, head of the Fokein
Valley village council, the sewage water submerged the 50-dunum agricultural
lands of Madiq Gate, south of the village.

 

On
the same day, a group of nearly 20 settlers from “Brakha” settlement,
established northeast of Bourin village, south of Nablus, damaged and cut down more
than 60 olive trees, using sharp objects, sticks and stones. The attacked land
is the property of Ahmed Abdul-Fatah Falah, and it is located in Bab
Al-Thania area, nearly 1,500m from the settlement.

 

On
30 September 2012, settlers began setting up caravans in the territory of Al-Khader
town, southwest of Bethlehem. According to Ahmed Salah, coordinator of the
Popular Movement against Settlement Activity and the Wall, a group of settlers
from “Daniel” settlement, established on the lands of Al-Khader town,
led by a settler called Hanania, began erecting caravans in Thaher Ain Qesis
area, which belongs to Khader Ali Eissa Abu-Ghalion.

 

On
03 October 2012, IOF confiscated another 4 tracts of farmland near the entrance
of Fokein Valley village, west of Bethlehem. According to Ahmed Sukkar, head of
the Fokein Valley village council, 4 citizens of Al-Manasra family received an
order by the IOF Chief Commander in the West Bank, stating that 75 dunums of
their farmland would be confiscated. These lands are located in the northeast
part of the village. By confiscating these lands, IOF will isolate the village
from its surroundings in the oPt. Mr. Sukkar also mentioned that IOF will place
a gate on the entrance of the village; as a result, the ability to enter and
leave the village will be under IOF control, which will increase the suffering
of the villagers.

 

On
03 October 2012, IOF took photographs of all Palestinian houses in the Um Rokba
area, south of Al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem. According to Ahmed Salah,
coordinator of the Popular Movement against Settlement Activity and the Wall, a
unit of about 10 military vehicles accompanied by an officer and staff from the
Israeli Civil Administration, stormed the Um Rokba area and photographed all
the houses in the area. The area is located near the settlement outpost
established on the land of Um Al-Mohammadin, where new settlement units are being
built. Mr. Salah also reported that the majority of houses in the Um Rokba area
are under threat of demolition and removal, according to notices submitted to
them by the Israeli Civil Administration.

 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (27 September – 03 October 2012)

 

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

 

Thursday, 27 September 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved
into Balata refugee camp and al-Quds Street adjacent to the refugee camp, east
of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested
Abdullah Omar Abdullah Salama, 16, a student in the 10^th grade. IOF
withdrew at 05:00 and transported Salama to a detention center in Hawwara,
southeast of Nablus.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved
into al-al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved
into Beit Luqia, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some
time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 08:30, IOF
moved into Jeftlik village, north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 09:55, IOF moved
into Qalqilya. They raided and searched the house belonging to the family of
Mohammed Mazen Yassin, 24, and submitted a notice ordering him to refer to the
Israeli Intelligence Service. At approximately 12:40, IOF withdrew and no
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Deir Qeddis village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for
some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved
into Beit Qad village, east of Jenin. They patrolled the streets and stopped a
number of passers-by. IOF questioned them on the spot regarding the political
situation in the West Bank. They later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 16:30, IOF moved
into Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

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

 

At approximately 21:00, IOF moved
into Turmos’iya village, north of Ramallah. They They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, IOF moved
into al-Tabaqa village, south of Dora town in the southwest of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and stationed themselves at the main entrance to the
village. A number of boys threw stones at the Israeli military vehicles and the
Israeli soldiers responded by firing tear gas canisters. At approximately
23:00, IOF raided some houses and beat a number of Palestinian civilians:
Khaled Mahmoud Amr, 39, and Amin Isa Abu ‘Atwan, 31. The latter was wounded in
his foot and transported by ambulance to Hebron Governmental Hospital to
receive the necessary medical treatment. Before they withdrew, IOF arrested
Sameh Salem Abu ‘Atwan, 21, and Mohammed Abdullah Nassar, 20, and transported
them to an unknown destination.

PCHR’s fieldworker received
testimony that IOF began firing tear gas canisters at Palestinian houses. As a
result, a tear gas canister fell inside the house of Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Ras, 52.
It is noted that the Palestinians who were attacked were far from the site of
the incident.

 

At approximately 23:00, IOF moved
into Kufor ‘Ein village, northwest of Ramallah. They They patrolled the streets
for some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Friday, 28 September 2012

 

At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Qfin village, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and fired sound bombs. They withdrew in the
early morning. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Noba village, west of Hebron.
They
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into Berham village, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also on Friday, 28 September 2012, Israeli forces shot and
killed a Palestinian fisherman and wounded his brother, while they and a group
of other fishermen were located a few meters from the shore in the northern
Gaza Strip, pulling out their fishing nets.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
09:30 on Friday, 28 September 2012, an Israeli infantry unit crossed the
northwestern border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, and moved nearly 20
meters into Palestinian territory, along the beach area of the northwestern
town of Beit Lahia. Israeli soldiers took position behind a hill at the beach,
facing onto a number of Palestinian fishermen who were fishing a few meters
offshore. Israeli soldiers fired at the fishermen. The majority of the
fishermen were able to flee. However, two fishermen, who were located nearly 15
meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, were unable to escape.

According to fishermen present in the area, Israeli soldiers fired
directly at the two fishermen, wounding them. The
two fishermen were identified as Fahmi Saleh Fahmi Abu Riash (22), who was
wounded in the lower abdomen and thigh, and his brother Yousef (19), who was
wounded by bullet shrapnel to the left hand. Nearby fishermen were later able
to evacuate the two wounded men and carry them to a Palestinian Civil Defense
ambulance, which was waiting nearly 350 meters away from the location of the incident.
The ambulance transported the two wounded fishermen to Kamal Edwan Hospital in
Beit Lahia.

According to the forensic report issued by Kamal Edwan Hospital,
the two wounded fishermen were brought to the hospital at 10:55. Fahmi Abu
Riash had been wounded by a bullet to the left thigh and another bullet to the
left buttock that settled in the pelvis, causing an acute hemorrhage in the
lower part of the abdomen. His brother, Yousef, was wounded by bullet shrapnel
to the left hand. He received treatment and was released from the hospital in
the afternoon. At approximately 15:30 on the same day, Fahmi Abu Riash was
taken to the operation room, where he underwent a two-hour surgery. He was then
taken to the intensive care unit, where he was pronounced dead at approximately
22:30.

In his testimony to PCHR, Yousef Mohammed Zayed (19), a fisherman
from Beit Lahia, stated to PCHR:

“At approximately 05:00 on Friday, 28 September 2012, my brother
Haitham, my cousins, Fahmi and Yousef Ahmed Saleh Abu Riash, and I went fishing
opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip. We started fishing
nearly 70 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. When
the sun rose, we got as close as 15 meters to the border because fish was
extensively available in the area. At approximately 09:30, I heard intensive
shooting in the area. I looked back and saw about 9 Israeli soldiers atop a
hill that is nearly 20 meters to the east of the beach. Immediately, Haitham,
my cousin Ahmed, and I ran away and took shelter behind a hill, while Fahmi and
Yousef remained stuck only 5 meters from the beach. Israeli soldiers shouted at
them, and I saw my cousin Fahmi attempting to escape, but an Israeli soldier
fired at him. He was wounded by a bullet to the left thigh. His brother Yousef
attempted to offer him help, but he was also wounded by bullet shrapnel to the
left hand. I saw Fahmi trying to stand up and escape, but an Israeli soldier
fired at him again. Soon, some fishermen headed towards the two wounded fishermen
and carried them to an ambulance of the Civil Defense, which transported them
to Kamal Edwan Hospital. At approximately 22:30, Fahmi Saleh Abu Riash was
pronounced dead.”

It should be noted that Israel’s forces have imposed restrictions
on fishermen at sea. In 2009, they reduced the area allowed for fishing in Gaza
waters from the 20 nautical miles provided for in the Oslo Accords to 3
nautical miles. Israel’s forces also prevent Palestinian fishermen from fishing
within 1 nautical mile of the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip,
although this area is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.

 

At approximately 16:00, IOF positioned at the border fence, north
of the “Elli Sinai” former settlement, north of Beit Lahia in the northern
Gaza Strip. They arrested 3 Palestinian children: Sakher Zaher Eid Abu Shabab,
17, Akram Mohammed Eid Abu Qayda, 13, and Yasser Ahmed Suleiman Abu Jarad, 16,
from Ezbet Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF arrested them after
they passed though the border fence in order to look for employment in Israel. Maher
Abu al-Ouf, Director of the Palestinian Liaison Office “44” in the
southwest of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, said the Israeli side had informed
him that IOF had arrested 3 Palestinians at the border fence.

 

Saturday, 29 September 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Deir Nezam, northwest of
Ramallah. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Zita village, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:25, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Walid
Isma’il Redwan, 22, Mo’tasem Mohammed Mosa Redwan, 23, and Abdul Latif Sayel
Isaac Sweidan, 20. IOF withdrew and transported the three arrested Palestinians
to an unknown destination.

 

Also at approximately 10:00, IOF moved into Hebla village, south of
Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into eastern Baqa, north of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Mazra’a village,
northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets from some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 17:30, IOF moved into al-Jeftlik village,
north of Jericho. They patrolled the streets from some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:15, IOF moved into al-Mtelah village, southeast
of Jenin. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 30 September 2012

 

At approximately 10:00, IOF moved
into Burqa village, east of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets from some time
and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, IOF moved
into Beit Sira, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets from some
time and later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 01 October 2012

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hassan
Mohammed Abbas Badwan, 24, Mohammed Rafi’ Qatesh, 23, and Anas Mostafa Oda, 23.
IOF withdrew and transported them to an unknown destination.

In his testimony to PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed Abbas Badwan, father
of Hassan Badwan, said:

“At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 01 October 2012, IOF raided
our house and obliged us to go out. They then handcuffed and blindfolded my 3
sons. The Israeli soldiers were inside the house; as a result, we could not
know what they were doing there. Half an hour later, the Israeli officer
ordered us to get inside and detained us on a balcony. He closed the door and
kept the handcuffs and blindfolds on my sons. An hour and a half later, an
Israeli soldier came and released my sons, but kept all of us on the balcony. IOF
withdrew after they arrested my son Hassan, 24. Everything at home was upside
down and was damaged; they even put sticks in our three big oil tanks. We do
not know if they are usable. In addition, they polluted a well used for the
irrigation and damaged parts of the ceramic tiles in the kitchen. All the
closets were tampered with, and my son could not find clean clothes the
following morning to wear to work. Here we are trying to fix the damage as much
as we can.”

 

At approximately 07:45, IOF moved into al-Jdeidah, south of Jenin. They
patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither house raids
nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, IOF moved into Maythaloun village, south of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 09:00, an Israeli infantry unit raided a number of
houses in the Old City in the center of Hebron. They patrolled in the Bani Dar
neighborhood, al-‘Eqab neighborhood, al-Laban market and al-Iskafiya market. Palestinians
in the area, including children, were terrorized in their homes. Last week, the
Old City witnessed intensive activity by IOF to secure the area where Israeli
settlers commemorate their Succoth feast.

 

At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into ‘Arana village, north of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:25, IOF moved into Jayyous village, northeast
of Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 21:50, IOF moved into ‘Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilya. They patrolled the streets from some time and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Tuesday, 02 October 2012

 

At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the al-Baq’a area, adjacent
to bypass road 60, east of Hebron. They raided the 3-storey house belonging to
the family of Salem al-Salayma, 50, where 17 persons live. IOF locked the
family in the first storey, preventing them from moving, spread throughout the
corridors of the house and on the roof, and turned the house into a military
observation point. An eyewitness reported that more than 15 soldiers were stationed
on the roof of the house, and that they set up tents on it, erected radios on
the corner of the building, and raised Israeli flags on top of the house. It
should be noted that IOF previously occupied the same house 4 years ago and
stayed for several days under the pretext of security reasons. The vicinity of
Hebron witnesses an regular presence of IOF on the bypass line, aiming to
secure the roads for settlers coming to Hebron to perform their religious rites
on the Jewish Holiday of ”Forgiveness”.

 

At approximately 10:50, IOF positioned inside watchtowers located
along the border, northwest of “Erez”, northwest of Beit Hanoun in the northern
Gaza Strip, opened fire on a number of workers, who were collecting the rubble
of destroyed buildings in the area, forcing them to flee the area in fear of
their lives. IOF continued to fire on the workers, who were 150 meters away
from the border, for about five minutes. No injuries were reported.

 

Wednesday, 03 October 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qaryout village, southeast
of Nablus. They patrolled the streets and raided a number of houses. They
photographed the residents, as well as their houses, and wrote their names down
on special forms, together with their telephone and mobile numbers. At
approximately 03:00, IOF withdrew from the house of Abed El Ra’ouf Ali
Zaghloul, which is located on the second storey of the 3-storey family
building, in the western part of the village. Following the IOF’s departure,
Abed El Raa’ouf’s wife, Hiba Nizar Mohammed Zaghloul, 29, noticed that jewelry to
the value of 7,000 JD was missing from the small bag in her closet in the
bedroom. In the early morning, she reported the theft to the Palestinian
Military Liaison and the office of the International Committee of the Red
Cross.

 

Hiba Nizar Mohammed Zaghloul , 29, reported, to PCHR’s fieldworker,
that:

“At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 03 October 2012, while I was
sleeping deeply with my five kids, who are aged between 4 months and 11 years,
in the second storey of our 3-storey house, located in the western neighborhood
of our villag “Qaryout”, and at the above mentioned hour, I was surprised by a
knock on my house door. I said “Who is it?” As soon as I put on my clothes, I
was surprised to find three soldiers inside the house. I do not know where they
came from, but they were able to open my house door easily. When the soldiers
saw me, one of them asked me in broken Arabic about my husband. I told him that
he works in Israel, and then he asked who is in the house. When my children were
woken up by the soldiers’ voices, they were terrified. In that instant, around
14 soldiers started arriving to the house and searched the house while that
soldier was still questioning about the house residents and taking notes. The
soldier kept me with my children in the children’s bedroom, and the others continued
searching the house. At approximately 03:00, they withdrew from the house. I
remembered the jewelry and directly ran to my room and searched for it in the
closet but I could not find it though I searched for it more than one time but
in vain. In the morning, I went to file a complaint in the Palestinian Military
Liaison in Nablus and the office of the Red Cross Committee, in an attempt to
regain my 7,000 JD of jewelry, which consists of ounces and pounds of rings,
earrings and bracelets that I used to put in a small bag in my closet in my
bedroom.”

 

At the same time, IOF moved into Beit Amer village, north of Hebron
and patrolled in the streets. Some of them raided and searched the house of
Ahmed Abu Hashem, 45, and damaged its contents. Before their withdrawal, they
arrested his child, Hamza, 14. IOF also raided the house of Ibrahim Sabri, 44,
and arrested his son, Sabri, 17. Following this, IOF raided the house of Jamil
Masharqa, 50, and handed him a notice ordering his son, Khaldon, 21, to meet
the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) in ‘Atsyon settlement, south of Bethlehem.
Mohammed Awad said to PCHR’s fieldworker that IOF harshly beat Ahmed Abu Hashem
when he tried to prevent them from entering his house to arrest his son. ‘Awad
clarified that IOF provocatively spread out in large numbers in the vicinity of
the civilian house, prompting a number of boys to gather and throw stones at
the Israeli soldiers. The soldiers fired tear gas, stun grenades, and metal
bullets coated with a thin rubber layer in response against them. Youssef Abu
Hashem, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the foot.

 

IOF also moved into al-Tabaqa village, south of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the vicinity of Jabal
al-‘Abed area, west of the village. At approximately 03:30, the Israeli
vehicles withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Awwa village, west of
Dora, southwest Hebron. They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a
number of houses. They arrested Mo’az Jihad al-Sweiti, 21, Mohammed Fayez
Mallouh, 18 and Yusri Yasser Motawi’, 23, and transported them to an unknown
destination.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Sekka village,
southwest of Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 08:30, more than 30 Israeli soldiers raided the
Ibrhimi School near the Ibrhimi mosque in the Old City of Hebron, under the
pretext that Palestinians had been throwing stones from the school at Israeli
soldiers and settlers. The school teachers did not allow the soldiers to enter
school and closed the gates. It should be noted that the vicinity of the school
witnesses the intensive presence of Israeli soldiers, who guard the settlers
while they perform their rituals during Jewish holidays.

 

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

 

During
the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized
by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the
West Bank. As a result, an Israeli human rights defender and a Palestinian
child were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 28 September 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall. The demonstrators gathered
in the streets of the village, with the participation of the Palestinian
Counsel in Serbia, Talal Al-Zaq, and a Serbian media delegation, chanting
slogans calling for national unity which stressed the need to adhere to the
national principles and the right of return, to resist the occupation and to call
for the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The protesters raised Palestinian
flags and headed towards the Wall. They called through megaphones for Israeli
settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers
stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear
gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and the wounded were treated in the field.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 28 September 2012, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders
organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in
protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing settlement
activities. The demonstrators moved towards areas of the annexation wall.
Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal
bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result,
some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, others sustained bruises
and the wounded were treated in the field.

 

Same time that Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians,
Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in Martyrs
Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to begin their weekly
peaceful protest against the ongoing construction of the annexation wall and continuing
settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by IOF
near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli
settlers from the nearby “Halmish” settlement are trying to seize. Israeli
soldiers, who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the
entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters
who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and
rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As
a result, some demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others
sustained bruises. They were treated in the field.

 

Also at 13:30 that Friday afternoon, Palestinian civilians and
international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the
center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction
of the annexation wall. They moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately,
IOF fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at
them. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 10:00 Saturday morning, 29 September 2012, dozens
of Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders and villagers
whose lands are threatened by confiscation (Al-Hamra, Al-Twani and Tuba)
gathered northeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, to begin their weekly peaceful
protest against the IOF’s policy of confiscating the villagers’ lands in order
to expand its the settlements on the territory of these villages. As a result,
dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation. According to Rateb
Jabour, a member of the Popular Committee Against Settlement Activity and the
Wall in Yatta, a large number of settlers coming from “Haffa Ma’aon”
settlement started throwing rocks and bottles at the protesters; as a result, Fadel
Jibril Bura’I, 46, and Mowahed Ali Al-Shawahein, 19, were injured. The
IOF did not intervene to stop the settler violence.

 

At approximately 11:00 on the same day, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders, gathered in the
Center of Bait Amer village, north of Hebron, for the weekly peaceful
demonstration organized against the settlement expansion policy and land
confiscation. The demonstrators headed towards Thaher Jalis area near
“Kermi Tsour” settlement north of the village. Upon nearing the
settlement, IOF immediately fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Dozens
of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

3. Continued
Closure of the oPt

 

Israel has 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.

 

Gaza
Strip

 

Israel has
continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for nearly 5 years.
The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily
tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and
economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

 

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

 

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

 

The
total closure of al-Mentar “Karni” crossing on 02 March 2011 has
created a terrible situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following
this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in Gaza Commercial
Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest
crossing in the Gaza Strip in terms of its operational capacity to absorb the
flow of imports and exports. The decision 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 Nahal Oz
crossing, east of Gaza City, which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and
cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.

 

IOF
have continued to impose 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 in the Gaza Strip.

 

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

 

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

 

IOF
have continued to impose a total ban on the export of products from Gaza,
especially industrial products, undermining any real chance of reopening economic
establishments. The situation has been aggravated since Karm Abu Salem crossing
was designated as Gaza’s sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this
crossing negatively affects the quantity of Gaza products which were allowed to
be exported during last April.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Movement
at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:

 

Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point

26
September – 02 October 2012

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem
(Kerem Shalom) Crossing

26
September – 02 October 2012

 

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Thursday, 27 September 2012, IOF allowed the export of 57 tons
of house furniture and 10 truckloads of plastic cans.

On Monday, 02 October 2012, IOF allowed the export of 6 truckloads
of empty plastic cans.

 

Imports:

 

On Thursday, 27 September 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 220 tons
of cement, 41 tons of construction steel, 3,290 tons of construction aggregate
for UNRWA, 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for USAID, 1,400 tons of construction
aggregate for Water Authority, 858 tons of fodders and 273 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 02 October 2012, IOF allowed the entry of 240 tons of
cement, 54 tons of construction steel, 3,500 tons of construction aggregate for
UNRWA, 1,400 tons of construction aggregate for USAID, 819 tons of fodders and
273 tons of wheat.

 

IOF
closed the crossing on 25, 26, 30 September and 02 October 2012, because of
Jewish holidays.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

26
September – 02 October 2012

 

 

IOF closed the crossing completely on Wednesday, 26 September 2012,
under the pretext of marking the Yom Kippur Jewish feast, and allowed only
humanitarian cases to pass via the crossing from 07:30-13:00 on Sunday, 30
September 2012, under the pretext of marking the first Sukkot feast. In
addition, on Monday, 01 October 2012, IOF closed the crossing completely for
the same reason, and only allowed patients with very serious illnesses to pass
via the crossing.

 

The West Bank

 

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

 

· It is
approximated that there are hundreds of permanent roadblocks, and manned and
unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Ramallah and al-Bireh: IOF have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 27 September 2012, IOF
re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah.

At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of “Beit ‘Aor AlTahta” village, southwest of Ramallah.

At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 28 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah.

At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint under
“Khrabtha al-Misbah” Bridge, southwest of Ramallah.

Also at approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 30 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of “Ras Karkar” village, west of
Ramallah.

At approximately 20:00, IOF re-established their presence at
‘Attara checkpoint, north of Beir Zait.

At approximately 20:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of “Beit Loqaya” village, west of Ramallah.

 

Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 27 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.

At approximately 09:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of ”Al Zbaidat” village, north of Jericho.

At approximately 17:00, IOF established a checkpoint on the
“Mu’wajat” road connecting Ramallah and Jericho.

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 28 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint at the entrance of “al Dyouk al Tahtah” village, north
of Jericho.

At approximately 17:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of “Fasayel”, north of Jericho.

At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 29 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho.

At approximately 17:30 on Sunday, 30 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the entrance of “Fasayel”, north of Jericho.

At approximately 19:00, IOF established on “al Mu’wajat” road
connecting Ramallah and Jericho.

 

Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 1 October 2012, IOF established a
checkpoint at the entrance of “Zebda” village, southwest of Jenin.

 

Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 27 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the main road connecting Tulkarm and the other
villages, north of Tulkarm, known as ”al Sh’araweya”, near “ Baket al Sharkeya”
and “ ‘aalar” villages.

In the same time, IOF established a checkpoint near “Baldat Zita”
intersection, north of Tulkarm.

At approximately 10:30, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of “qofein” village, north of Tulkarm.

At approximately 18:40, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of Shoufa village, southeast of Tulkarm.

At approximately 15:30 on Friday, 28 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the main road connecting Tulkarm and Nablus at
“Beit Leed” intersection, known as ”Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm.

At approximately 7:00 on Saturday, 29 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the main road connecting Tulkarm and Nablus at
“Beit Leed” intersection, known as ”Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm.

At approximately 11:50, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of ‘Qofein” village, north of Tulkarm.

 

Hebron: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 9:30 on Saturday, 27 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint in al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

In addition, the surrounding villages and towns witnessed an
intensified presence of IOF on bypass road number 60.

At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 2 October 2012, IOF established
a checkpoint at the entrance of “Galagel” village, east of Hebron.

At approximately 06:00, IOF established a checkpoint at the
entrance of “Bani Na’aim” village, east of Hebron.

At approximately 11:00, IOF established a checkpoint on “Zaif”
intersection, north of Yattah, south of Hebron.

 

Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

On Monday, 1 October 2012, IOF established 4 checkpoints in
different parts of the city.

At approximately 15:45, IOF established the first checkpoint
between “‘Aazoun” and “‘Aezbet al Tabib” villages, east of Qalqilya.

At approximately 18:35, IOF established the second checkpoint at
the entrance of “ ‘Azoun ‘Aetma” village, southeast of the city.

At approximately 20:50, IOF established the third checkpoint near
“‘Aezbet al Tabib” village.

At approximately 10:30, IOF established the fourth checkpoint at
the entrance of “‘Azzoun” village, east of Qalqilya.

 

Selfit: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement
of Palestinian civilians.

At approximately 22:30 Friday evening, 28 September 2012, IOF
established a checkpoint on the entrance of Merda village, north of Selfit.

At approximately 22:40, IOF established another checkpoint on the
western entrance of Al-Zawya town, west of the city.

 

Arrests at Military Checkpoints

 

At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 28 September 2012, IOF stationed
in the center of the old city of Hebron, arrested: Alaa Al-Dwaik (14) and
Khalil Abu-Maizer (15) and moved them to the detention center in
“Keryat Arba'” settlement, southeast of the city, for investigation.

 

At approximately 21:00 Saturday evening, 29 September 2012, IOF,
who had established a checkpoint on the main road between Betlehem and Hebron,
arrested Ammar Al-Owaiwy (33) from Hebron and led him to Al-Maskoubya
investigation center in occupied Jerusalem. It should be mentioned that Mr.
Al-Owaiwy was a prisoner in Israeli jails for nearly 10 year, and was only
released 5 months ago.

 

At approximately 9:00 Sunday morning, 30
September 2012, IOF stationed near the gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old
city of Hebron, arrested Mohammed Ahmed Gnimat (17) and took him to the
detention center in “Keryat Arba'” settlement, southeast of the city,
for investigation.

 

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

 

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

 

On
27 September 2012, settlers from “Bitar ‘Elite” settlement,
established on the lands of the villages of Fokein Valley, Hossan and Nahalin,
west of Bethlehem, dumped huge amounts of sewage water onto agriculture lands
near Fokein Valley village. According to Ahmad Sokkar, head of the Fokein
Valley village council, the sewage water submerged the 50-dunum agricultural
lands of Madiq Gate, south of the village. He also mentioned that this is not a
first, but a repetitive action which has caused the contamination of the land,
making it unsuitable for agriculture; also mentioned that Fokein Valley village
is subject to fierce attacks and harassments by the settlers under the
protection of IOF.

 

At
approximately 13:30 Thursday afternoon, 27 September 2012, a group of nearly 20
settlers from “Brakha” settlement, established northeast of Bourin
village, south of Nablus, damaged and cut down more than 60 olive trees, using
sharp objects, sticks and stones. The attacked land is the property of Ahmed
Abdul-Fatah Falah, and it is located in the Bab Al-Thania area, nearly
1500m from the settlement. Lotfi Omran, head of the Bourin village council,
told PCHR that the owners of this land cannot reach their land except with
special coordination from IOF, which only happens in time for plowing season or
the olive harvest.

 

On Sunday
morning, 30 September 2012, the settlers started setting up caravans in
Al-Khader town territories, southwest of Bethlehem. According to Ahmed Salah,
coordinator of the Popular Movement against Settlement Activity and the Wall, a
group of settlers from “Daniel” settlement, established on the lands
of Al-Khader town, led by a settler called Hanania, began erecting caravans in
Thaher Ain Qesis area, which belongs to Khader Ali Eissa Abu-Ghalion. Salah
also mentioned that two months ago, the settlers took over 5 dunums of
Abu-Ghalion’s 19 dunums. He also added that they had erected a caravan and
established water and electricity infrastructure, which is a warning sign of
future plans to establish a settlement in the area. In addition, he explained
that the citizens of Al-Khader town are subject to fierce harassment by the
settlers, which usually happens with protection from the IOF, such as
confiscation of vast areas of land, closing agriculture roads and unleashing
dogs on the farmers to scare them and prevent them from returning to their
lands. It should be mentioned that Mr. Abu-Ghalion, mentioned above, has
already filed a complained against “Kfar Atsion” settlement block calling
for the annulment of the decision to confiscate his 5 dunums of land, with no
response.

 

On Wednesday,
03 October 2012, IOF confiscated another 4 tracts of farmland near the entrance
of Fokein Valley village, west of Bethlehem. Mr. Sukkar, mentioned above,
stated that 4 citizens of Al-Manasra family received an order from IOF Chief
Commander in the West Bank, stating that 75 dunums of their farmland would be
confiscated. These lands are located in the northeast part of the village. By
confiscating these lands, IOF will isolate the village from its surroundings in
the oPt. Mr. Sukkar also mentioned that IOF will place a gate on the entrance
of the village; as a result, the ability to enter and leave the village will be
under IOF control, which will increase the suffering of the villagers. It
should be mentioned that the Fokein Valley village is subject to fierce
settlement activity that threatens to result in the confiscation of the rest of
its lands, which are surrounded by more than 5 settlements, as IOF has
confiscated over 200 dunums of the village territory since the beginning of
this year.

 

On
Wednesday, 03 October 2012, IOF took pictures of all Palestinian houses in the Um
Rokba area, south of Al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem. According to Mr Salah
mentioned above, a unit of about 10 military vehicles accompanied by an officer
and staff from the Israeli Civil Administration, stormed the Um Rokba area and
photographed all the houses in the area. The area is located near the
settlement outpost established on the land of Um Al-Mohammadin, where new settlement
units are being built. Mr Salah also mentioned that the majority of the houses
in Um Rokba area are under threat of demolition and removal, according to
notices submitted to them earlier by the Israeli Civil Administration. It
should be mentioned that an Israeli group of engineers carried out survey work
and pictured the houses in Kharba Alia area, near Um Rokba, which is a warning
signal of a new scheme to confiscate more Palestinian lands to continue the
construction of the annexation wall around Bethlehem and to expand
“Afrat” settlement on the lands of Al-Khader town.

 

 

…………………………………………………

 

Recommendations to the International
Community

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

…………………………………………………………

 

Public Document

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