Israeli soldiers attack two young men before arresting them in
Kufor Qaddoum village near Qalqilya

 

Israeli Forces Continue
Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

---

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

11
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a paramedic, were wounded in
protests against the annexation wall and settlement activities.

18
Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and a photojournalist, were wounded
in solidarity demonstrations supporting the Palestinian prisoners in the
Israeli jails.

A
Palestinian civilian was wounded in Hebron. 

 

The Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinian civilians in the border area
of the Gaza Strip

4 Palestinian
civilians, including a mentally disordered person, were wounded in the northern
Gaza Strip.

 

The Israeli forces
conducted 69 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a
limited one in the Gaza Strip.

At
least 60 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children, a photojournalist and a
researcher in prisoners’ affairs, were arrested in the West Bank.

46
of whom were arrested during incursions and 13 in peaceful protests.

 

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

The Israeli forces established dozens of
checkpoints in the West Bank.

At
least 3 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were arrested at
checkpoints.

 

Israel
continued to take measures to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem

The
Israeli forces forced a Palestinian civilian to demolish his house with his own
hands.

 

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

The
Israeli forces issued more house demolition orders.

The
settlers uprooted 100 fruitful trees and demolished an agricultural room in
Bethlehem.

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (28 February – 06 March 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces wounded 34 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, a
paramedic and a freelance photojournalist, in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.    

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces continued to systematically use excessive force against peaceful
protests organized by Palestinians and Israeli and international activists protesting
against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a
result, 11 protestors, including 4 children, were wounded on Friday, 01 March
2013. 5 of whom, including a child and a paramedic, were wounded in Bil’in
protest in Ramallah.  The 4 others,
including 2 children, were wounded in al-Nabi Saleh protest while 2 other
persons, including a child, were wounded in Budrus protest in Ramallah.

 

In the same context, the Palestinians
organized a number of peaceful protests in solidarity with the Palestinian
prisoners, particularly those who are on hunger strike in the Israeli jails.
The Israeli forces used excessive force against these protests.  As a result, 17 Palestinian civilians, including
6 children and a freelance photojournalist, were wounded. 

 

On 01 March 2013, a 40-year old
civilian was hit by a tear gas canister in the head when an Israeli infantry
unit moved into Bab al-Zawiya area in the center of Hebron.

 

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli
forces continued to open fire at the Palestinians near the border fence.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians,
including a mentally disordered person, were severely wounded. 

 

On the same day, the Israeli forces
positioned in watchtowers along the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, north of
the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of persons, who were few meters away
from the fence.  As a result, a civilian
was wounded.

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces conducted at least 69 military
incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.  During these incursions, the Israeli forces
arrested at least 46 Palestinians, including 5children, a photojournalist and a
researcher in prisoners’ affairs.  The
Israeli forces also detained 13 Palestinian civilians, including 6 children and
an international human rights defender, during peaceful protests throughout the
West Bank against the annexation wall and settlement activities or to support
the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. The majority of the detainees
were released later.  The Israeli forces
also attacked a child south of Hebron while he was with his family in their
farmland.  In the context of using
checkpoints as traps to arrest the Palestinians, the Israeli forces arrested 3
civilians, including 2 child.  Thus, the
total number of Palestinians who were arrested in the West Bank during the
reporting period has mounted to 49 civilians, including 12 children.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 04 March 2013, the Israeli forces conducted a limited
incursion into Gaza Valley village (Johr alDeek). They leveled lands adjacent
to the fence and withdrew at approximately 17:00 on the same day.

 

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. 

 

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

Efforts
to Create Jewish Majority in occupied East Jerusalem

On 04
March 2013, Palestinian civilian Daoud Suliman Es’aid destroyed his own house
in application of the arbitrary and abiding to a verdict of an Israeli court in
occupied Jerusalem.  The house is of one
storey, established on an area of 60 square meters on al-‘Omari road (13) in
Bab Hatta in the old city, and it was sheltering 9 individuals.

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 28 February
2013, Israeli forces submitted Palestinian civilians from Kufor Deik village,
west of Salfit, notices to halt construction work in two occupied houses, under
pretext that they are established in Area (C), which falls under Israeli
jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

 

On 02 March
2013, dozens of settlers, coming from “Havat Maon” settlement,
established on confiscated Palestinian agricultural lands southeast of Yatta,
south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian farmers while working in an their lands,
located near the aforementioned settlement. 
The settlers threw stones and empty bottles at the farmers; half an hour
later, a unit of the Israeli forces raided the area and declared it a closed
military zone.  The farmers refused to
leave, and so the Israeli soldiers assaulted them, arrested 16-year-old Basel
al-‘Adra and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

On the same
day, a group of settlers from “Nafi Daniel” settlement, established
on Palestinian lands southwest of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem,
demolished an agricultural room in al-Thaghra area, north of the aforementioned
settlement. 

 

On 05 March
2013, a group of settlers, coming from “Beit ‘Ayen” settlement,
adjacent to Nahalin village, southwest of Bethlehem, raided al-Jamjoum area,
southwest of the aforementioned village. 
The settlers, who protected by the Israeli forces, broke 100 olive trees
and fruitful almonds, planted on an area of approximately 10 dunums and are
over 30 years old. 

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (28 February – 06 March 2013)

 

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

 

 

Thursday, 28 February 2013

 

At approximately 12:45, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm through
its western entrance. They patrolled the streets and positioned for some time in
the street of Dr. Thabet Thabet hospital. 
They deployed in the street and stopped and questioned a passer-by on
the spot.  The Israeli forces moved
forward to the center of the town, where some boys gathered and threw stones at
the Israeli military vehicles.  The
Israeli forces withdrew later and no arrests were reported.    

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Abu al-Samen
area, south of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Walid Khalaf, 24, and
arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Bani Na’im
village, east of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and stationed in “Khelet al-Warda” area in the center of the
village.  They withdrew later, and neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces moved into Allar
village, northeast of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Etil village,
north of Tulkram.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur Ra’ei
village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Fahma village,
southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Arraba village,
southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

 

At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Janaba
village to the south of Yatta village, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and re-positioned
near farmlands in the area. They also detained a number of Palestinians while
in their lands for a few hours.  The
Israeli forces confiscate a tractor and withdrew later.

 

At approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Allar
village, northeast of Tulkram.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.  It should be mentioned that
this is the second incursion into the said village within 3 hours.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Saida village,
northeast of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 12:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Etil
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.   It should be noted that this is the second
incursion into the said village within 5 hours.

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed in the center of the camp.  Some boys gathered and threw stones and empty
bottles at the Israeli vehicles, and in response, the Israeli forces fired
sounds bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. The Israeli
forces withdrew later to the entrance of the camp and established a checkpoint
there.  They stopped the Palestinian
vehicles and checked the ID cards of passengers while passing through the
checkpoint.  The checkpoint was removed
later; no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jabal Jawhar
area, south of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets, where some boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces
that, in response, fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters randomly.  As a result, many persons suffered from tear
gas inhalation.  The Israeli forces
withdrew later; neither casualties nor arrests were reported.  

 

Friday, 01 March 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad
village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Yazan Yusef Hassan Lafi,
18, and arrested him.  They also handed a
notice to his brother Mohammed, 20, to refer to the Israeli intelligence
service in “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Qabatya village,
southeast of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:00, the Israeli forces moved into Taqou’
village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of ‘Abbas Sameeh Midan al-Badan, 25, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 09:00, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Debwan
village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

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

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Abzee’
village, west of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bab al-Zawiya
area in the center of Hebron.  Dozens of
Palestinians gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli
soldiers, who fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal
bullets in response.  As a result, a
40-year old Palestinian was hit by a tear gas canister in the head and transported
to al-Ahli hospital in the city for medical treatment.  

 

At
approximately 14:30, the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east
of Jabalya, north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at a number of Palestinians
who were picnicking in the east of Abu Safiya area, east of Jabalya, 100-300
meters away from the mentioned fence.  As
a result of the sporadic fire that lasted for 3 hours, 3 civilians sustained serious
wounds:

1. Jehad Nasser
Jawdat Hmeid, 18, from Ijdaida area in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of
Gaza City, wounded by a bullet to both legs (he suffers from a mental disorder);

2. Abdul Rahman
Sa’id Abu Jalhoum, 23, from bloc “9” in Jabalya refugee camp, wounded
by a bullet to the left leg that caused fractures.

3. Ahmed Abdul Fattah
Ibrahim ‘Ebeid, 20, from al-Na’ayma streets in Beit Hanoun, wounded by a bullet
to the right leg.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Anabta village,
east of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the
streets and arrested Sandi Mahmoud Ahmed Zaidan, 17, and Bara’ Saber Isma’il
‘Assal, 18.  The Israeli forces withdrew
and released the arrested persons later.  

 

At approximately 15:40, the Israeli forces stationed in watchtowers
along the border fence, north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, opened
fire at a group of Palestinians who were few meters away from the border
fence.  As a result, Mohammed Samir Abdul
Jawwad al-Taramsi, 19, from Beit Lahia housing project, was lightly wounded in
the buttocks. 

Saturday, 02 March 2013

 

At approximately
00:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub refugee camp,
north of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Rami Kamal Jawabra, 16.  At the same time, the Israeli forces raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ahmed al-Mughrabi,
18.  They arrested both of them and
transported them to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Bustan and al-Thawri
neighborhoods in Selwan village, south of the Old Town of occupied
Jerusalem.  They raided and searched 2
houses belonging to Mohammed Abed ‘Ouda, 34, in al-Bustan neighborhood, and
Mohammed Khalil Bader, 25, in al-Thawri neighborhood.  The Israeli forces arrested both of them.

 

At
approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jabal Jawhar area, south of
Hebron.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of ‘Atef Mohammed Isma’il al-Rajabi, 18, and arrested
him.

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar
refugee camp, south of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets and stationed in the center of the camp.  Some boys gathered and threw stones at the
Israeli vehicles, and in response, the Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear
gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets in response.  As a result, many persons suffered from tear
gas inhalation.  At approximately 15:00,
the Israeli forces withdrew and re-positioned in the vicinity of the UNRWA
school in the camp.  They raided the
school’s playground and chased a number of boys, who were playing there.  The Israeli forces arrested Monther Mohammed
Salem al-Hajj, 13, and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 23:45, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Etil
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Sanour village,
south of Jenin.  They patrolled the
streets and raided many houses to handed notices to their occupants in order to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility,
northwest of the town.  Of the identified
persons, who were summoned by the Israeli forces, are:

1. Mo’ayed Kamel Sadeq Issa, 49;

2. Kamel Sadeq Mohammed Issa, 70; and

3. Hossam Mahmoud Ibrahim Issa, 30.

The Israeli forces withdrew later
and no arrests were reported.

   

Sunday, 03 March 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south
of Hebron.  They raided a house belonging
to the family of Yusef Mohammed al-Najjar, 30, and handed to him a notice to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Sousia detention facility, south
of Yatta.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Abu Falah
village, northeast of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Monib Samehna, 29, in
al-Yasmina neighborhood in the Old Town of the city, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar
village, north of Hebron.  They raided
and searched several houses in ‘Aerq al-Latoun and al-Tarbiqa areas in the city
centre.  The Israeli forces handed Anwar
Ahmed Akhmees, 26, and ‘Aref Rozy Sabarneh, 28, 2 summons to appear before the
Israeli intelligence in “Ghosh ‘Atsyon” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Tirah neighborhood, west of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
02:30, the Israeli forces moved into the centre of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Mo’ataz Theeb al-‘Aweiwy, 26, and handed to him a notice to
appear before the Israeli intelligence in its office in “Ghosh ‘Atsyon”
settlement, south of Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Ouja
village, northeast of Jericho. They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew at approximately 11:45.  No
arrests were reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jiftlek village,
north of Jericho.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur Qaddoum
village, northeast of Qalqilia.  They
patrolled the streets and submitted notices to refer to the Israeli
intelligence service to 2 persons: Rani Suleiman Ali, 32, and Abdullah ‘Awni
Ali, 19.  The Israeli forces withdrew
later and no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Ein Yabroud
village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets in a provocative
manner.  Some boys gathered and threw
stones at the Israeli vehicles, and the Israeli forces in response fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in return.  As a result, a number of civilians suffered
from tear gas inhalation.  At
approximately 23:00, the Israeli forces withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At proximately 22:45, the Israeli forces moved into Zeeta village,
north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and later withdrew. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

Monday,
04 March 2013

 

At approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets, stationed in al-Titi neighborhood where they raided and
searched a number of houses and arrested 2 persons from their houses:

1. Mohammed
Nizar al-Titi, 18; and

2. Safi
Ayman al-Titi, 19.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awwa
village, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron. 
They raided and searched a number of houses arrested 3 Palestinians:

1. Tamer
Abdul Qader Masalma, 23;

2. Hamza
Abdul Qader Masalma, 32; and

3. Malek
Mohammed ‘Ajra Masalma, 18.

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Aqaba refugee
camp, southwest of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets and deployed between the houses.  The Israeli forces withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:10, an undercover unit moved into Bethlehem
using a “Ford” vehicle with an Israeli license plate.  They stopped on al-Saff streets in the center
of the city.  They raided a house
belonging to the family of Mohammed Jamal Ahmed Abu Jaghleef, 24, and arrested
him.

 

At approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces moved 200 meters into
Gaza Valley village(Johr al-Deek). They leveled some lands adjacent to the
border fence and withdrew at approximately 17:00 on the same day.

 

At approximately 09:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Aaboud
village, northwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Beitillo
village, southwest of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and then stationed in the centre of the
camp.  They deployed between houses and
stopped and held some civilians.  A
number of boys gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli
soldiers who immediately fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
rubber-coated bullets at the boys and houses. 
As a result, some of the demonstrators suffered from gas
inhalation.  At approximately 18:00, the
Israeli forces withdrew from the centre of the camp.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported. 

 

At approximately 23:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoun
village, east of Qalqilya.  They raided
and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of ‘Amr Mohammed Abu Haniya, 20,
and Abdel Rahman Amin Mohammed Swidan, 22, and arrested both of them.  It should be mentioned that Abu Haniya is an ex-prisoner
in the Israeli prisons.

     

Tuesday,
05 February 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into the Beit
Kahel village, northwest of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a number of civilian houses, and arrested 6 Palestinian civilians:
Mo’ataz Nabil ‘Asafreh, 20; Mohanad Ali ‘Asafreh, 20; Hamzah Abdel Hadi Zuhour,
20; Taher Ibrahim ‘Asafrah, 23; Hamzah Ibrahim ‘Asafrah, 21; and Mousa Hasan
Jabreen, 22.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Osreen village,
southeast of Nablus.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Bashir Hawwash Abdel ‘Aziz ‘Adili,
28, and arrested him. 

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village,
north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets
and positioned at al-‘Asida area in the centre of the village.  They raided and searched several houses and arrested
Ahmed Yousif Hasan Ikhalyel, 25, and Ahmed Waheed Hasan Sabarnah, 22.  While they were withdrawing, a number of
Palestinian boys gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers who
fired immediately sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and rubber-coated bullets at
the boys.  As a result, members of the
family of Younis Isa Abdel Hamid Za’aqiq, 66, suffered from gas inhalation after
a tear gas canister had dropped inside their house.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Azoun village,
east of Qalqilya.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Qosay Soliman Abu Shhab, 22, and
arrested him.

 

At the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Dahia area in
the southeast of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mo’taz Mohammed E’ibeidu, 32, and
arrested him.  It should be noted that
E’ibeidu is physically disabled as he was wounded by 2 bullets in the right leg
when the Israeli forces arrested him on 10 November 2011.  

 

At approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Azmout
village, northeast of Nablus.  They
raided and searched several houses.  They
arrested ‘Aziz Nader Salah ‘Alawnah, 35, and Badawi Bahjat Khalil ‘Alawnah, 22.

 

At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Taibeh village, west of
Jenin.  They raided a house belonging to
the family of Mohammed Khader Mahamid, 23, and summoned him for interrogation.

 

At approximately 21:40, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They
raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 5 Palestinian civilians,
including a child:

1. ‘Alaa’ Younis Thawabta, 14;

2. Sabri Saleem Taqtqa, 24;

3. Majdi Mohammed al-Kar, 20;

4. Munstasser Hamza Thawabta, 18; and

5. ‘Aziz ‘Ali Dairiya, 30.

 

 

 Wednesday, 27 February 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Nablus.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Bakr Ibrahim ‘Attili, 27, in Rafidya neighborhood, and arrested
him.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Fahes area
in the south of Hebron.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Tariq Darwish Taha, 27, and
arrested him.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Bani
Na’im village, east of Hebron.  They
raided and searched a house belonging to Nidal Mazen Ballout, 17, and arrested
him.

 

Also at approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Qabatua
village, south of Jenin.  They raided and
searched a house belonging to Tamer ‘Abdul Ghani Saba’na, 35, a researcher of
prisoners’ affairs, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:15, the Israeli forces moved into al-Mtalla
village, east of Jenin.  They raided a
number of houses and questioned their residents.  They withdrew later and no arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Zahiriya
village, south of Hebron.  They raided a
house belonging to Amjad Ibrahim al-Hawarin, 30, and summoned him for
interrogation. 

 

At approximately 04:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Aida refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem.  They raided
and searched 2 houses belonging to the families of Ghassan Fu’ad ‘Olayan, 24,
and Ra’fat Khaled Darwish, 22, and arrested both of them.

 

At approximately 12:30, the Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghazala
village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Also at approximately 12:30, the Israeli forces moved into
al-Jalama village, north of Jenin.   They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  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
forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at
the construction of the wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.  As a result, 11 Palestinian civilians
sustained injuries, including 4 children.

 

In a relative context, Palestinian
civilians organized peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those on hunger strike.  The Israeli forces used excessive force
against these demonstrations, wounding 17 civilians, including 6 children and a
photojournalist.

 

In general, the Israeli forces arrested
13 demonstrators, including 6 children and an international human rights
activist.

 

PCHR withholds
the names of the victims in fear they would be targeted by the Israeli forces

 

Demonstrations
against the Construction of the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity

 

At approximately 11:30 on Friday, 01 March 2013, Palestinian
civilians organized a demonstration, from Bourqin village, west of Salfit,
towards Izzbat Abu-Basal area, north of the city, in protest to the
confiscation of Palestinian lands in favor for settlement expansion projects,
where bulldozing activities were taking place for the expansion of “Ganat
Ariel” settlement outpost.  The
civilians performed the Friday Prayer on the site and then handed to the
Israeli soldiers a note protesting this Israeli assault.  Immediately following submitting them the
note, the Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs intensely
at the demonstrators to disperse them. 
Some of the civilians engaged in a skirmish with the soldiers, and 3 of
them were detained and released an hour following the end of the
demonstration.  They were identified as:
Mohammed Ghaleb Sabra, 23; Muhanad Ghaleb Sabra, 26; and Mohammed Rasem Sabra,
14.

 

At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 21 February 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians, activists of the Popular Committees against Settlement Activity and
the Hebron Defense Committee and international human rights activists gathered
in al-Haraiek area, southeast of Hebron, for a peaceful demonstration calling
for opening the route linking Hebron to it southern villages, which has been
closed for the past 12 years.  These
villages are: al-Rayhia, al-Thaheria, Doura and al-Fawar Refugee Camp.  Upon their arrival to the steel gate which
closes the road leading to bypass road (60), the Israeli forces surrounded the
area and declared it a closed military zone, ordering the demonstrators to
leave immediately.  The soldiers fired
tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstration.  A number of protesters fainted as a result of
tear gas inhalation.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 01 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the
construction of the annexation wall and celebrating the 8^th
anniversary of the launching of popular resistance in Bil’ein.  The Prime Minister of the Ramallah
government, Dr. Salam Fayyad and the Governor of Ramallah and al-Bireh, Dr.
Laila Ghannam, participated in the demonstration as well.  The demonstrators gathered in the streets of
the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity.  The protesters aimed to stress the need to
adhere to 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
made their way towards the lands adjacent to the annexation wall.  The Israeli forces closed all ways and
entrances to the village since early morning hours, to prevent Palestinians,
journalists and international activists from joining the protest.  The protesters raised Palestinian flags and
made their way 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, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a paramedic sustained
injuries, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises.  A 17 year-old
male was hit by a tear gas canister to the head and was transported to
Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah for treatment; the paramedic; a volunteer
at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Nimer Malasa, 21, was hit by a tear
gas canister to the leg;  a 20-year-old
male was hit with a tear gas canister in the face; a 22-year-old male sustained
a bullet wound in the abdomen; and a 23-year-old male was hit by a tear gas
canister to the right leg.

 

Around the same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the Martyrs
Square in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful
protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities, and in solidarity with the Palestinians prisoners on hunger strike
inside Israeli jails, especially Samer al-Eisawi.  The protesters walked towards the gate
erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village, which leads to
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize.  Israeli
soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at the protesters.  As a
result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, were wounded, and
dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained
bruises.  An Israeli soldier dropped a
tear gas canister inside Farah Ali Abdallah al-Tamimi’s house; his son, Baker
al-Tamimi, 28, fainted as a result of the explosion, he was transported to
Palestine Health Complex for treatment. 
The Israeli forces detained Ziad Abdel-Razeq al-Tamimi, 24, for
approximately an hour near the military tower by the main entrance of the
village.  The wounded are: a 9-year-old
boy, sustained a bullet wound in the left leg; a 14-year-old boy, sustained a
bullet wound in the right arm; a 29-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound in
the head; and a 21-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound in the right leg.

 

Also on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
human rights defenders gathered in Budrus village, west of Ramallah and
al-Bireh, for a peaceful protest against the annexation wall and settlement
activity.  They raised the Palestinian
flag and portraits of Sameer Awad, who was killed by Israeli forces.  The demonstrators walked through the village
streets and headed towards the wall.  The
Israeli forces closed the wall gates with barbwires.  When the demonstrators attempted to cross the
wall to the land behind it, the Israeli forces stopped them, so the
demonstrators threw stones at them.  The
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated bullets.  As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians
sustained wounds, including a child: a 16-year-old boy was hit with a tear gas
canister in the right hand; and a 32 year-old male was hit by a tear gas
canister to the right leg.  Dozens of
demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as
well.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 March 2013, 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 construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities.  The demonstrators moved
towards areas of the annexation wall. 
Immediately, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated
metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

At approximately 12:15 on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in
the center of Kufor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the
continuous closure of the eastern entrance of the village since the beginning
of the al-Aqsa Intifada.  The
demonstrators moved towards the entrance of the village. Immediately, Israeli
forces, stationed in the surroundings of the steel gate established at the
entrance, fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs intensively at the
demonstrators to stop them from reaching the gate.  A number of demonstrators fainted as a result
of tear gas inhalation and Sharaf Daoud Mohammed Eshtaywei, 22, sustained cuts
in his head as a number of Israeli soldiers assaulted him with gun butts.  The Israeli Border Guards arrested 3
demonstrators, including a child and an international solidarity activist,
after beating them severely.  They were
identified as: Naief Khalil Naief Jum’a 16; Bilal Fathi Abdel-Halim Jum’a; and
Tom Woud Head, 27.  They were transported
to an unknown destination.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer, dozens of 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.  As
the protestors moved towards the gate of the village, dozens of the Israeli
“Border Guards” and special forces were closing the gate under
pretext that this is a closed military zone. 
The soldiers fired tear gas canisters at the demonstration and civilian
houses.  A number of demonstrators
suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation.

 

 

At noon, dozens of Palestinian civilians, activists of the Youth
Forum against Settlement Activity and human rights activists gathered in front
of ‘Ali al-Baka’ mosque, in the center of Hebron, for a demonstration calling
for opening Shuhada street, which has been closed since 1994, following the
Ibrahimi Mosque massacre of 1993 which was carried out by Baruch
Goldstein, an Israeli settler, against Muslim worshipers.  The demonstrators headed towards the entrance
of Shuhada Street, adjacent to the old municipal building, where the settlers
established “Beit Hadassah” settlement outpost, located in area H2
under the Oslo Accords.  Israeli forces,
accompanied by a number of military vehicles and waste water pump, stormed the
area, ordered the demonstrators to leave and declared it a closed military
zone.  A group of youngsters tried to cut
the barbwire and open the gate leading to the aforementioned street.  In response, the Israeli soldiers fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, live-bullets, sound bombs, tear gas canisters and
waste water at them.  Ibrahim Sa’di
al-Hieh, 33, from the old city of Hebron, was also severely assaulted by the
Israeli forces, arrested and transported to “Beit Hadassah”
settlement outpost.

 

At the same time, a demonstration started from Jaious village,
northeast of Qalqilya, towards the western gate of the village, where Israeli
forces are stationed, in protest to the continuous Israeli confiscation of
their lands and not adhere to the Israeli Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of
adjusting the route of the annexation wall, as well as hindering the movement
of the farmers through the aforementioned gate. 
Upon their arrival at the gate, the Israeli forces, stationed behind it,
fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them; as a result, dozens of
civilians fainted due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and human rights activist gathered is Susiya village, south of Yatta, south of
Hebron, for a peaceful demonstration in protest to the Israeli forces’
confiscation of agricultural lands in the surroundings of “Susiya”
settlement, established on Palestinian lands, and denying them access to
them.  The demonstrators patrolled the
streets of the village and then headed towards the area near the security fence
of the settlement.  Upon their arrival,
the Israeli forces raided the area, chased the demonstrators and fired sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at them.  As
a result, dozens of them suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli soldiers arrested 17-year-old Ali
Mahmoud Ali Abu-Snaid and transported him to “Susyia” camp, south of
the city.

 

Demonstrations in Solidarity with
Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Jails

 

At noon on Friday, 01 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and dozens of prisoners’ families demonstrated in front of “Ofer”
prison, southwest of Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on
hunger strike.  The demonstration moved
towards the prison gate.  The Israeli
forces closed the gate before the demonstrators could enter and started
shooting live fire, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound
bombs at them.  As a result, 8 Palestinian
civilians, including 3 children and a freelance cameraman, sustained injuries:  1. A 14-year-old boy, sustained a bullet
wound to the head; 2. A 16-year-old boy, sustained a bullet wound to the
abdomen; 3. A 16-year-old boy, sustained a bullet wound to the chest; 4. Jihad
Mohammed Isma’il al-Qadi, 23, a photojournalist, sustained a bullet wound that
entered through the left side of the abdomen and went out through the back, he
was transported via a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance to Palestine
Health Complex in Ramallah.  The injury
caused huge damages to the spleen; thus, he underwent a splenectomy in a 4-hour
surgery.  He was later transferred, at
his family’s request, to Nablus Specialist Hospital in Nablus.  It should be mentioned that al-Qadi is a
freelance photojournalist and was covering the demonstration when he was
attacked even though he held a camera and had a “press” sign
significantly visible, leaving no doubt that he was a journalist.  5.  A
21-year-old male sustained a bullet wound in his right leg; 6.  An 18-year-old male sustained a bullet wound
to the right thigh.  7. A 26-year-old
male sustained a bullet wound in his lower jaw; 8. A 23-year-old male sustained
a bullet wound in the head. Dozens of civilians suffocated due to tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises after being severely beaten.

 

Also at noon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters demonstrated near
Qalandia checkpoint, separating Ramallah and Jerusalem, near the Qalandia
refugee camp, northeast of occupied east Jerusalem, in solidarity with
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers
stationed at the checkpoint.  The Israeli
forces closed the checkpoint, deployed its soldiers in large groups along the
checkpoint and fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. 
As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded and transported to
Palestine Health Complex in Ramallah, also dozens suffocated due to tear gas
inhalation:  1. A 27-year-old male, sustained
a bullet wound to the head; 2. A 25-year-old male, sustained a bullet wound to
the head;  3.  A 19-year-old male sustained a bullet wound
to the head; 4. Mahmoud Wajih Abdel-Hamid ‘Awwad, 24, a holder of an Israeli
identity card, sustained a bullet wound in the back of his head, he was
transported to Palestine Health Complex, following the necessary medical
examinations, his condition was described as critical and was transferred to
Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.  It
should be mentioned that ‘Awwad was shot while working in a shop belonging to
his uncle, Ayman, approximately 150 meters from the checkpoint.

 

At noon on Friday, 01 March 2013, a group of boys, from al-Jazloun refugee
camp, north of Ramallah, near the southeastern entrance of the camp, behind the
UNRWA Camp School for Boys.  The boys
were 300 meters from the fence surrounding “Beit El” settlement.  The boys threw stones at the settlement’s
fence; in response, the Israeli soldiers fired live-bullets, rubber-coated
metal bullets, tear gas canister and sound bombs at them.  As a result, a 17-year-old boy sustained a
bullet wound in the head and was transported to Palestine Health Complex for
treatment.

 

Following the Friday prayer on 01 March 2013, dozens of Palestinian
civilians gathered at the Martyrs Square in the center of Nablus and organized
a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike inside Israeli prisons.  The
demonstrators roamed the streets of the city and headed towards Howara
checkpoint on the southern entrance of the city.  The Israeli forces closed the checkpoint to
stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli
forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces fired tear gas
canister and sound bombs at them.  As a
result, many of the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 12:30, a demonstration started from Martyr Abu-Ali
Eyad Square, in the center of Qalqilya, in solidarity with Palestinian
prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The demonstration patrolled the streets of
Qalqilya and ended near Jaljoulya checkpoint, near the annexation wall to the
south of the city.  The demonstrators
threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response, fired tear gas canisters
and sound bombs to disperse them.  As a
result many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.

 

At approximately 15:00, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered
near the annexation wall to the southern side of Beit Loqia village, southwest
of Ramallah in protest to the confiscation of their lands and in solidarity
with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers stationed behind the wall.  The
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and chased
them across the olive fields.  As a
result, dozens of civilians suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises.

 

At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 02 March 2013, dozens of
Palestinian boys and teenagers gathered in the surroundings of al-Jalama
checkpoint, separating Jenin and Israel, northeast of the city, in solidarity
with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails, they
threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces stationed there and set a
number of rubber tires ablaze.  The
soldiers closed the checkpoint and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs
and tear gas canister to disperse the crown; as a result, dozens of civilians
fainted due to tear gas inhalation. 
Ahmed Bassam Mahmoud Nassar, 23, was arrested while present at an area
near the checkpoint.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2013, a demonstration
started from Doura, southwest of Hebron, in condemnation of the killing of
Palestinian prisoner, Arafat Jaradat inside Israeli prisons.  A number of the participants headed towards
the eastern entrance of the village, connected to bypass road (60) and threw stones
and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers. 
The soldiers responded with rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canister at them; a number of the demonstrators fainted as a result of
tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, dozens of Palestinian children
and teenagers gathered by the southern entrance of al-Jalzoun Refugee Camp,
north of Ramallah, near the UNRWA Camp School for Boys.  The boys were 300 meters from the fence
surrounding “Beit El” settlement. 
The boys threw stones at the settlement’s fence; in response, the
Israeli soldiers fired live-bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas
canister and sound bombs at them.  As a
result, 10-year-old Abdallah Shadi Safi sustained a bullet wound in the head
and was transported to Palestine Health Complex for treatment.

 

At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and dozens of
prisoners’ families demonstrated in front of “Ofer” prison, southwest
of Ramallah, in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike.  The demonstration moved towards
the prison gate.  The Israeli forces
closed the gate before the demonstrators could enter and started shooting live
fire, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were
wounded, including a child and were transported to Palestine Health
Complex.  The wounded are: a 15-year-old
child, sustained a bullet wound to the right knee; a 23-year-old male sustained
a bullet wound to the left shoulder; and a 20-year-old male sustained a bullet
wound to the right leg.

 

At the mean time, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered near
the annexation wall to the southern side of Beit Loqia village, southwest of
Ramallah in protest to the confiscation of their lands and in solidarity with
the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers stationed behind the wall.  The
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them and chased
them across the olive fields.  As a
result, dozens of civilians suffocated as a result of tear gas inhalation and
others sustained bruises.  The Israeli
forces arrested 17-year-old Hakim Mohammed Younis Dar Moussa and transported
him to the military investigation center in ” Modi’in” settlement,
southwest of Ramallah and al-Birah.  At
approximately 22:30 the same day, he was released after handing him over to the
Palestinian Military Liaison from the Israeli forces’ military checkpoint,
established on the lands of Beit ‘Our al-Foqa village, southwest of the city.

 

At approximately 12:30 on Wednesday, 06 March 2013, dozens of
students of Bir Zeit University and organized a peaceful demonstration in front
of Ofer Prison in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.  They headed towards the gate of the
prison.  Immediately, Israeli soldiers
closed the gate and fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and
tear gas canisters at them.  As a result,
a 30-year-old Palestinian was wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the
head.  

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 02 March 2013, the Democratic
Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) organized a peaceful demonstration
in celebration of its anniversary at the Martyrs Square in Nablus.  The demonstration headed towards Howara
checkpoint on the southern entrance of the city.  The Israeli forces closed the checkpoint to
stop other Palestinians and journalists from joining the demonstrators.  The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli
forces stationed at the checkpoint, and the Israeli forces fired tear gas
canister and sound bombs at them.  As a
result, many of the demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli forces also arrested two
Palestinian children: ‘Ammar Qased Ghannam Daraghmah, 14; and Bilal ‘Ouraif
Sawaftta, 16, from Tubas, and transported them to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

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. 

 

The IOF
have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip, making 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. 

 

The 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 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. 

 

The 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 the 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.  The Karm Abu
Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons
of cooking gas per day. 

 

Approximately
80% of Gaza civilians continue 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
continues to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down
the majority of Gaza’s economic establishments. 

 

The 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 the 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 are allowed to be exported.  

 

For approximately 6 consecutive years, the IOF have continued to
ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza.  During the reporting period, the IOF approved
the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of
international organizations.

 

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for
Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. 
The IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe
restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases.  The IOF have also 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 Jerusalem.  The IOF
denied new categories of Gazan patients permission to access 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

27
February – 05 March 2013

 

 

Imports:

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

27
February – 05 March 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

On Tuesday, 05 March 2013, Israeli forces allowed the exportation
of 180,000 flowers and 5 truckloads of plastic boxes.

 

 Other Imports:

 

On Tuesday, 05 March, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of 485
tons of cement, 30 tons of construction steel, and 5,180 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; 1,190 tons of construction aggregate for the private
sector; 80 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority; and 80 tons of
cement for UNDP.  They also allowed the
entry of 1,053 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat.

 

Note: The Israeli forces closed the crossing from
Wednesday, 27 February until Monday, 04 March 2013..

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

27
February – 05 March 2013

 

 

 

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:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:30
on Thursday, 28 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near
Beit Loqya village, southwest of Ramallah. 
At approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces reestablished their presence at
Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit village, north of
Ramallah.  At approximately 15:00,
another checkpoint was established under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah,
southwest of the city.  All the
checkpoints were later removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 01 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately
10:00, the Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the northern
entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of the city.  All the checkpoints were later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
09:00 on Saturday, 02 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
near the entrance of al-Moghir village, northeast of Ramallah.  At approximately 10:10, another checkpoint
was established on the road between the villages of Termes’aya and al-Moghir,
northeast of the city.  All the
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 10:30 on Sunday, 3 March
2012, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Budrus
village, west of Ramallah.  At approximately
18:30, the Israeli forces established another checkpoint under the bridge of
Ein Yabroud village, northeast of the city. 
The two checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 08:30 on Thursday, 28
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of
Janba village “al-Mosafer area”, south of Yatta, south of the city.  They closed the entrance with barbed wires
and prevented civilians from moving. 
They beat Yasser Khalawi Abu Tabikh, (45), and confiscated his
vehicle.  At approximately 15:30, another
checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Hebron which is linked
with the bypass road no. (60). The checkpoint was later removed and no arrests
were reported.  At approximately 07:30 on
Friday, 01 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on Wad Risha
road, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. 
At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the entrance of Taramah village linked with the bypass road no. (60), east of
Dora, southwest of Hebron.  The two
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, 02 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the Tarousa road, which
links Dora and its western villages, southwest of the city.  The checkpoint was later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
19:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
the road between Janba village “al-Mosafer area” and Yatta, south of
Hebron.  Meanwhile, the Israeli forces
beat up Khaled Hasan al-Jabbarin and broke his camera as he works a voulanteer
in “B’Tselem” organization.  They also
confiscated two vehicles belonging to the family of Rab’ai.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
10:15 on Thursday, 28 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 10:45, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of
‘Aezbet al-Tabib village, east of the city. 
At approximately 12:30, a checkpoint was established at the entrance to
Kafr Laqef village, east of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 18:45, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya. 
All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 13:55 on Friday, 01 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near al-Nabi Elias village,
east of Qalqilya.  At approximately
18:30, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of ‘Azoun
village, east of the city.  The two
checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 02 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun
village, east of Qalqilya and at approximately 18:20, the checkpoint was
reestablished.  At approximately 12:25,
the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun ‘Aetma
village, southeast of Qalqilya.  At
approximately 15:20, another checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance
of the city and another one was established under the bridge of ‘Azoun village
on the road between Qalqilya and Tulkarma approximately 19:00.  At approximately 23:10, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  All the checkpoints were removed
and no arrests were reported.  At
approximately 23:25 on Sunday, 3 March 2013, the Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya. 
The checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were reported.

 

Tulkarm:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 10:30
on Thursday, 28 February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the main road between Nablus and Tulkarm near the intersection of Beit Leed
village in an area known as “Abu Martein”, east of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later removed and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
11:00, the Israeli forces reestablished another checkpoint in the
aforementioned area on the road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya near the gate of
Jubarah village, which is isolated from its surroundings due to the annexation
wall, south of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint
was later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces positioned at ‘Anabah
checkpoint, which is established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus,
east of Tulkarm, enhanced restrictions on the movement of Palestinians through
the checkpoint.  At the same time, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of
‘Aezbet Shofah and Far’aon, southeast of Tulkarm.  At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 01 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Baqet
al-Sharqiya, north of Tulkarm.  The
checkpoint was later removed and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 19:00 on Saturday, 02 March
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between
Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed village, east of
Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was 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 Thursday, 28
February 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the southern
entrance of Jericho.  The checkpoint was
later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Jaftalek village, north of
Jericho.  At approximately 16:30, the
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ein al-Dyouk, north
of Jericho.  All the checkpoints were
later removed and no arrests were reported. 
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 04 March 2013, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ein al-Dyouk village, north of the
city.  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 08:00 on Thursday, 28 February 2013, and on Saturday, 02 Match
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of
Ya’abod village, southwest of Jenin. 
They closed the steel gate which is established at the entrance and
prevented people from passing through it. 
The checkpoint was later removed and the Israeli forces reopened the
gate.  No arrests were reported.

Detention at Military Checkpoints

At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 01 March 2013, the Israeli forces
positioned a checkpoint, which is established east of the old city in the
centre of Hebron, arrested and transported Mohammed Badawi Ahmed Abdel Baset,
17, to “Kiryat Arba” settlement, south east of the city.

 

On Saturday evening, 02 March 2013, the Israeli forces established
a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin and Tulkarm near the intersection
of Silet al-Thaher, south of Jenin.  The
Israeli forces arrested Naser Majed Hasan Abu Baker, 17, while traveling in a
vehicle and then took him to an unknown destination.

 

On Monday noon, 04 March 2013, the Israeli forces, who work at
al-Karamah crossing point on the Palestinian-Jordanian borders, arrested ‘Alaa’
Hussein Mahmoud al-Teet, (23), from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, while
he was returning from travelling.

 

At approximately 14:40 also on Monday, the Israeli forces,
stationed at the Container checkpoint, arrested Mahmoud Ahmed Nawawra, 24, from
Bethlehem. According to eyewitnesses’ testimonies, the forces detained Nawawra
for a while before transporting him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 17:10 on Wednesday, 06 March 2013, the Israeli
forces established a temporary checkpoint at the western entrance of Beit Fajjar
village, southeast of Bethlehem.  They
held ‘Omar Anwar Thawabta, 14, from some time.

 

4- Efforts to
Create a Jewish Majority in the Occupied East Jerusalem

 

In early
morning hours on Monday, 04 March 2013, Palestinian civilian Daoud Suliman
Es’aid destroyed his own house in application of the arbitrary and abiding to a
verdict of an Israeli court in occupied Jerusalem.  The house is of one storey, established on an
area of 60 square meters on al-‘Omari road (13) in Bab Hatta in the old city,
and it was sheltering 9 individuals.  Mr.
Es’aid said in a statement that he was forced to demolish his own house because
he could not pay the 800,000 NIS required of him had the Israeli forces
bulldozed it.  He added that his house
has been established for 11 years without obtaining a permit because the
Israeli forces refuse to give Jerusalemites building permits, pointing out that
the Israeli courts have been considering the case for over 7 years, as Es’aid
and his lawyer tried to postpone the court’s ruling; however, the appeal
court’s verdict confirmed the demolition. 
He also pointed out that he paid 32,000 NIS to the court and tried many
times to obtain a construction permit but the Israeli Municipality refused.  It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces
in occupied East Jerusalem uses a policy forcing the Palestinians to demolish
their own houses, and some are usually forced to do so in order to avoid paying
a large penalty, including fines for construction without permit and demolition
costs, of workers and bulldozers.  It is
unusual for Palestinians who demolish their own houses to speak of it publicly
as it is considered an act of submission to the Israeli policies.

 

5- Settlement
Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property

On Thursday, 28
February 2013, Israeli forces submitted Palestinian civilians from Kufor Deik
village, west of Salfit, notices to halt construction work in two occupied
houses.  According to the information
given to a PCHR fieldworker from a source in Kufor al-Deik Municipality, at
approximately 08:20 on Thursday, Israeli forces, accompanied by an SUV and an
officer of the Building and Planning Department, raided the village.  A number of Israeli officers submitted two
Palestinian civilians notices by hand, ordering them to halt construction work
in two houses.  One belongs to Noah
Marwan Mahmoud Naji, a two-storey, occupied house; the other belongs to Alaa
Naji, a two-storey house, one is occupied and the other is under construction,
under pretext that they are established in Area (C), which falls under Israeli
jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

 

At
approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 02 March 2013, dozens of settlers, coming from
“Havat Maon” settlement, established on confiscated Palestinian
agricultural lands southeast of Yatta, south of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers while working in an their lands, located near the aforementioned
settlement.  The settlers threw stones
and empty bottles at the farmers; half an hour later, a unit of the Israeli
forces raided the area and declared it a closed military zone.  The farmers refused to leave, and so the
Israeli soldiers assaulted them, arrested 16-year-old Basel al-‘Adra and
transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 03 March 2013, a group of settlers from
“Nafi Daniel” settlement, established on Palestinian lands southwest
of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, demolished an agricultural room in
al-Thaghra area, north of the aforementioned settlement.  This room, which has been established for
over 100 years, belongs to the family of ‘Othman ‘Othman Ahmed Jaber, 27.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ahmed
Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and
Settlement Activity, said that when ‘Othman went, with a group of volunteers
from the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Popular Committee
against Settlement Activity, to his land to plant olive seedlings, under the
framework of a campaign for the protection of the lands threatened with
confiscation, they found a notice from the Israeli Civil Administration
ordering him to demolish the room under pretext that it is illegal.  They were shocked to find out that the
settlers demolished it in following morning.

 

At early
morning hours on Tuesday, 05 March 2013, a group of settlers, coming from
“Beit ‘Ayen” settlement, adjacent to Nahalin village, southwest of
Bethlehem, raided al-Jamjoum area, southwest of the aforementioned
village.  The settlers, who protected by
the Israeli forces, broke 100 olive trees and fruitful almonds, planted on an
area of approximately 10 dunums and are over 30 years old.  The assaulted lands belong to: Yousif
Abdel-Rahman Taha Fanoun; Taha Abdel-Rahman Taha Fanoun; Na’im Abdel-Rahman
Taha Fanoun; Mohammed Yousif ‘Ali Fanoun; Salim Yousif Ali Fanuoun and Mahmoud
Yousif Ali.

 

 

 

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).