Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian
in Jenin

 

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

      

 

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

2
Palestinian children were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip; the wound of one
of whom is serious.

 

2
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded in the northern West
Bank.

 

The
Israeli forces conducted 83 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West
Bank and 2 limited ones into the Gaza Strip. 

At
least 80 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were arrested in the West
Bank.

3
members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were among those who were
arrested.

Offices
of al-Zakat Committee in Tulkarm and Islamic Awqaf (endowments) Department in
Qalqilia were raided.  

 

The
Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the sea.

2
attacks were carried out against Palestinian fishing boats, but neither
casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

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

A
Palestinian child was wounded in Kofur Qaddoum weekly protest, northeast of
Qalqilia.

 

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 15 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, a girl and a prisoner’s
mother, were arrested at checkpoints.

2
brothers of these detainees were arrested at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, north
of the Gaza Strip.

 

 

 

Israel
continued efforts to create Jewish majority in the Occupied East Jerusalem

2
houses were demolished in Beit Hanina village, north of East Jerusalem, due to
which, 5 families became homeless.

 

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 notices of house demolitions.

The
Israeli settlers set fire to 2 vehicles in Deir Jarir village, northeast of
Ramallah.

A
settlement outpost was established on the lands of Jayous village in Qalqilia.

 

 

Summary

 

Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt
continued during the reporting period (31 January – 06 February 2013):

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, the
Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip; 3 of whom, including 2 children, were wounded in the
West Bank, and 2 children were wounded in the Gaza Strip.  

 

In the West Bank, on 02 February 2013,
2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded when the Israeli
forces and settlers used force to disperse dozens of Palestinian civilians and
activists, who gathered in Burin village, south of Nablus to establish a
village on a land that was threatened to be seized for the interest of
settlement expansion projects. Moreover, a 29-day old baby suffered from tear
gas inhalation and medical sources described her condition as serious.

 

On the same day, a Palestinian child
was hit by a tear gas canister to the chest when the Israeli forces opened fire
at a peaceful protest that was organized by Kofur Qaddoum villagers, northeast
of Qalqilia. This protest was organized to support Burin villagers, south of
Nablus, who already started, with the help of local activists, establishing
al-Manateer village on lands, which threatened to be seized for the interest of
settlement expansion projects.  

 

In the same context, 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, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation and sustained
bruises.

 

In the Gaza Strip, on 01 February
2013, 2 Palestinian children were wounded when the Israeli forces positioned
along the border fence, east of Abu Safiya area in the east of Jabalya, opened
fire at a group of persons, who were few meters to the west of the border
fence.

 

In the context of other shooting
incidents, during the reporting period, 5 shooting incidents were carried out
against Palestinian farmers and collectors of gravel, steel and firewood in the
northern border area on 03, 04 and 05 February 2013.  

 

In the context of targeting
Palestinian fishermen in the sea, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing
boats twice on 03 and 04 February 2013. In both incidents, neither casualties
nor material damage were reported.

  

 

 

 

Incursions:

 

During
the reporting period, the IOF conducted at least 83 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
During these incursions, the IOF arrested at least 80 Palestinians,
including 8 children.

 

During
the reporting period, the Israeli forces launched an arrest campaign against
members of Hamas movement, including 3 PLC members from Hamas’ Change and
Reform Bloc. The arrested PLC members are: Hatem Rabah Qfeisha, 53; Mohammed
Isma’il al-Tul, 48; and Ahmed Mohammed ‘Attoun, 45.  It should be noted that the Israeli forces
forcibly transferred Attoun from Jerusalem to Ramallah and al-Bireh on 06
November 2011. I n the context of this arrest campaign, the Israeli forces
raided the office of al-Zakat Committee in Tulkarm and confiscated some
contents, in addition, they raided the Islamic Awqaf (endowments) in Qalqilia.

 

In
the Gaza Strip, on 05 February 2013, the Israeli forces conducted 2 limited
incursions, as they leveled lands near the border fence and then withdrew.

 

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

 

In
the context of house demolitions, on 05 February 2013, the Israeli forces
demolished a house belonging to Ibrahim al-Qaswani in Beit Hanina, north of
East Jerusalem. The 1-storey house, which is tin-roofed, is built on 170 square
meters and resided by 6 members, including 4 children.

 

The
Israeli forces moved into Wa’er Abu Salah neighborhood in Beit Hanin village,
surrounded a building that is resided by 4 families and demolished it
completely. The 2-storey building was built on 210 square meters and included 4
apartments for 4 brothers and their families.

 

As
part of settlement expansion projects in East Jerusalem and its suburbs, on 05
February 2012, the Israeli forces demolished facades and arches of a historic
building that is located in the northern side of al-Buraq Wall. Al-Aqsa
Foundation for Waqf [Islamic endowment] and Heritage mentioned that the Israeli
authorities were planning to build a Jewish complex.

 

In
the same context, the regional settlement council approved the construction of
a cultural village on 218 dunums of ‘Anabta village, northeast of East
Jerusalem. The Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported on 31 January 2013 that the
Israeli Civil Administration had approved the maps of establishing a cultural
village near “Kfar Adumin” settlement.

 

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
31 January 2013, a group of Israeli settlers, under the Israeli forces’
protection, moved into Sanour camp, south of Jenin near Jaba’ village, to
perform Jewish rituals and withdrew later. 

 

On
02 February 2013, a group of settlers from “Kiryat Arba” settlement,
east of Hebron, attacked 2 children from Jaber family while the children were
in their commercial stores in the Old Town of Hebron. Half an hour later, an
infantry unit moved into the area and arrested the 2 children in addition to a
third person.

 

On 04
February 2013, the Israeli forces delivered 2 notices to 2 Palestinian persons
from Ethna village, west of Hebron, in order to stop the construction works in
a house belonging to Mohammed Hussein FarajAllaj, 29, and leveling works on a
land that was being prepared for the construction of a house belonging to Wajdi
Deeb FarajAllah, 30.  

 

On
04 February 2013, an Israeli infantry unit moved into agricultural lands in
al-Edisaarea, west of Sa’ir village in the northeast of Hebron. They denied
persons from al-Mtour family access to their lands under the pretext that those
lands were confiscated.

 

On
05 February 2013, the Israeli forces sent a notice to Hussein Mosa al-Hroub,
40, from Tarousa area in the south of Hebron, to demolish an under-construction
house belonging to the aforementioned person.

 

On
05 February 2013, a group of settlers moved into the northern area of Deir
Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They set fire to 2 vehicles in the
village belonging to Khamis Mohammed Farakhna and Mosa Khamis Farakhna and
wrote slogans that reads, “The Jewish blood will not go in vain”.

 

On
06 February 2013, the Israeli forces demolished a water well belonging to
Khalil Ahmed Hassan al-Ezza, 50, in Ein al-Delba area near al-Fawwar refugee
camp, southeast of Hebron. The well was used for agricultural purposes.

 

In
the same context, the settlers from “Zufim” settlement, northeast of
Qalqilia, started establishing a new outpost on lands belonging to Jayous
village. It was supposed that these lands would be returned to their owners
after the Israeli High Court had decided to change the route of the annexation
wall in 2009.

 

Israeli
Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (31 January– 06 February 2013)

 

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

 

 

Thursday, 31 January 2013

 

At
approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into Jawhar mountain area in the
central Hebron. They patrolled the streets for some time, deployed between the
houses, and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Halhoul, north of Hebron.
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 al-Namous area, west of Dora,
southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and withdrew later. 
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:30, the Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. They patrolled
the streets and then positioned on al-Fawargha Street in the central of the
city.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Ammar Jalal Shalash, 16, and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 04:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Loqia village,
southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and then
positioned at its main entrance.  They
withdrew later and neither house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At
approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces moved into Ein ‘Areik, west of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  No arrests
were reported.

 

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

 

At
approximately 21:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Oja village, northeast of
Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  No arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:30, the Israeli forces moved into Jab’a village, south of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Eyad Radi Ahmed
Fashafsha, 23, a student at al-Najah National University, and arrested him.  The Israeli forces raided and searched a
house belonging to the house of Ma’amoun Ahmed Abdel Jaleel Hamamra, 28, and
arrested him.  Meanwhile, a number of
young men gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces that
fired in response sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stones
throwers. 

 

 

Friday, 01 February 2013

 

At
approximately 00:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ein al-Sultan refugee camp,
west of Jericho. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately
02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Qayzoun area, east of Hebron. They
patrolled the streets and then positioned at the centre of the area till
11:00.  They arrested Seif Bassam
Mohammed Sedr, 20, while he was passing by the Israeli vehicles.

 

At
approximately 02:55, the Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
then positioned at al-Fawargha Street in the centre of the city.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Ahmed Khader Masalmah, 20, and arrested him.  They arrested the aforementioned and his
brother, Ismail, 19, and took him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 09:30, the Israeli forces moved into Sarda
village, north of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 15:50, the
Israeli forces positioned at the border fence, east of Abu Safia area, east of
Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip, fired bullets and tear gas canisters at a
group of civilians, who were few meters away from the west of the aforementioned
fence.  As a result, two children sustained varying injuries and are
identified as:

 

1- Ahmed Ra’afat Harb Abu Namous, 14, from Jabalya, seriously wounded
by a bullet to his right leg which was severely damaged.

2- Ibrahim Akram Hassan Nassar, 16, wounded by a bullet in the
right leg.

 

Abu Namous’s injuries were described
very serious due to a Separation of a large part of the tibia, and he went
under surgery in the hospital.  He was then was admitted to the Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) and transferred to receive treatment at Berzilai medical centre
in Israel at approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 02 February 2013.  The medical resources described his wound as
critical and Nassar’s injuries were described as moderate.

 

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

 

Saturday, 02 February 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli
forces moved into Wad al-Heriah village, south of Hebron. They patrolled the
streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud ‘Awni
al-Tawil, 16, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Silwad
village, east of Ramallah.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Hasan Hamid.  They arrested the son of the aforementioned
civilian, Malik, 28, and took him to an unknown destination.  They also confiscated computer sets, hard
disks and a cell phone.

 

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

 

At approximately 07:30, the Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Aor
al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests
were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, Palestinian activists from Burin village
and a number of civilians who came from the cities and villages to support them
set up al-Manateer village in Dar al-Sab’a area, east of Burin, south of
Nablus.  The village was established in
area “C”, in accordance with the 1993 Oslo agreement, which is a land
threatened with confiscation.  The reason
of its establishment is to protect the land from being confiscated.  At approximately 11:45, the Israeli forces,
accompanied with dozens of settlers from “Brakha” settlement, northeast of the
village, moved into the village and violently attacked the Palestinian
civilians.  Clashes broke out between
them and the Israeli forces started using a pepper spray on the activists’ eyes
and faces.  The Israeli forces also fired
live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at
them.  As a result, dozens of activists,
including Elijah Bashir Qadous, 29 days, whose injury was described as serious,
suffered from gas inhalation and 2 activists, including a child, sustained
injuries by ammunition and metal bullets. 
Moreover, 5 activists were arrested. 
The injured were identified as the following:

 

1- Zakriah Yasser
Zakriah Najjar, 17, sustained injuries by a bullet to the right leg.

2- Dawoud Shokri
Dawoud Zibin, 21, sustained injuries by a metal bullet to the neck.

 

The detainees were identified as:

1- Barakat Ghalib
al-Najjar, 29;

2- Bakir Ghalib
al-Najjar, 27;

3- Odai Ahmed
Wakid, 22;

4- Wahib Rezeq
Qadous, 30; and

5- Abdel Rahman
Bassam, 19, who is from the neighboring Hawarah village.

 

At approximately 13:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ya’bod
village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time.   A
number of boys gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces
that heavily fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators.  As a result some of the
demonstrators suffered from gas inhalation. 
They later withdrew and neither more incidents nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 17:45, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Arrabah
village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and positioned at the main entrance of the
village.  They withdrew later and neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces moved into Barqa
village, east of Ramallah.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

Sunday, 03 February 2013

 

 At approximately 01:30, the
Israeli forces moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Oja
village, northeast of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 05:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jeftlik
village, north of Jericho.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:05, the Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar
village, south of Bethlehem.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and positioned in the vicinity of the
municipality building and the areas of al-Somaqa, al-Khelah; and ‘Oroud
al-Jimal.  They raided and searched Majid
‘Omar Khalil, exploded the outside door, and then raided it amid tear gas
canisters firing inside.  The soldiers
held the family members in one room for 2 hours and then arrested the
aforementioned civilian’s s Mohammed, 20, after being beating him.  Meanwhile, the Israeli forces searched
several houses in the village, and arrested 9 civilians and took them to an
unknown destination.  The detainees are:

 

1- Mohammed Salih
al-Khatib Thawbteh, 31;

2- ‘Alaa’ Nasri
Taqatqa, 20;

3- Jihad Ahmed
Hamdan Thawabteh, 21;

4- Omar ‘Aayed
Omar Taqatqa, 20;

5- Ihsan Hamid
Mustafa Taqatqa, 20;

6- Emad Dahoud
Taqatqa, 20;

7- Ali Hadi
Thawabteh, 24;

8- Ahmed Walid
Taqatqa, 22; and

9- Mohammed Hamid
Mustafa Taqatqa, 19.

The Israeli forces then released the last two detainees.

 

At
approximately 05:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jeftlik village, north of
Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:45, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishermen for 20
minutes.  As a result, the fishermen were
frightened and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties
nor material damage were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces moved into Jenin.  They patrolled the streets of the industrial
area and Kharouba neighborhood, north of the town, and then positioned in Sabah
al-Kheir suburb, west of the town.  They
later withdrew and neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

At
approximately 11:20, the Israeli forces positioned on watchtowers, north of Um
al-Naser village” the Bedouin village” in the northern Gaza Strip, heavily
opened fire at gravel collectors, who were 150 meters south of the border fence
between the Gaza Strip and Israel, for 20 minutes.  As a result, the gravel collectors were
frightened and fled for fear of being wounded.  Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

 

At
approximately 17:00, the Israeli forces moved into Be’er Ayyoub neighborhood in
Salwan village, south of the old city in Jerusalem.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Mohammed Hani Siam, 25, whom they arrested and took to an unknown
destination.

 

 

At
approximately 17:25, the Israeli forces moved into Hablah village, south of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 17:30, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Aorif village, south of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and arrested 3 civilians, including 1 child, and took them to the
detention centre in Hawarah camp, south of Nablus.  The detainees are:

 

1- Faea’q Munir Faea’q al-Safadi, 18, a high school student;

2- Ahmed Abdel Hadi al-Safadi, 20; and

3- Mahmoud Khalid ‘Awni Sabah, 16.

 

A number of boys then gathered and threw stones
at the Israeli forces that immediately fired tear gas canisters to disperse
them.  As a result, dozens suffered from
gas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

 

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

 

At
approximately 19:00, the Israeli forces moved into Burin village, south of
Nablus.  They surrounded, raided, and
searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Suheil Qasim Najjar, 20,
in the northern area of the village, and arrested him.  A number of boys gathered and threw stones at
the Israeli forces that immediately fired tear gas canisters at them.  As a result, dozens of civilians suffer from
tear gas inhalation and were treated on the spot.

 

At
approximately 19:30, the Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Abu Falah village,
northeast of Ramallah.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and withdrew later. 
No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 20:00, the Israeli forces moved into Serda village, north of
ramallah.  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 Fasayel village, northwest of
Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.

 

Monday,
04 February 2013

 

· At
approximately 12:10, the Israeli forces moved into Qaqilya.  They raided and searched the office of Department
of Islamic Endowments after breaking the main eastern door.  They later withdrew and no more incidents
were reported.

 

· At
approximately 12:20, the Israeli forces moved into Kafl Haris village, north of
Salfit.  They patrolled the streets and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

· At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Haris village, northwest of Salfit.  They patrolled the streets and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

· At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem. 
They positioned on al-Saf street and raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Abdullah al-Harimi, 33, and handed him a notice to
appear before the Israeli Intelligence in “Ghosh Atsyon” complex, south of the
city.

 

· At
approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Bireh.  They patrolled the streets and positioned
behind the Family Recovery association. 
They raided and searched an apartment belonging to Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed
‘Atoun, 45, a Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member from the Change and
Reform block of Hamas movement, whom they arrested and took to an unknown
destination.  It should be noted that on
06 November 2013 the Israeli forces deported the aforementioned PLC member from
Jerusalem, his hometown, and transferred him to Ramallah and al-Bireh.

 

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

 

· At
approximately 01:10, the Israeli forces moved into Taqawo’a village, southeast
of Bethlehem.  They raided and searched
two houses; one of them belongs to the family of Mohammed Salim Abdel Rahman
Sabah, 18, and the other belongs to the family of Ja’afar Yousif Hussein Sabah,
17.  They arrested the aforementioned
civilians and took them to an unknown destination.

 

• At
  approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They patrolled
  the streets and raided and searched a number of houses.  They arrested 3 civilians:
•  

1- Al-Sheikh Omar
al-Jabrini, 51;

2- Al-Sheikh Adnan
Ahed Asfour, 45; and

3- Al-Sheikh Baker
Sa’aid Belal, 57.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets and then
positioned at the southern neighborhood near al-‘Amouri mosque.  They then surrounded a building belonging to
the family of Fadi Ahmed Mustafa ‘Amouri, 34, whose house was searched.  They arrested the aforementioned and
confiscated a laptop, a cell phone, and some private papers.  The Israeli forces then positioned near
al-Jadid mosque in the city centre, and raided the office of Zakat Tulkarm
Committee.  They broke the main door of
the office and confiscated computer sets and documents related to the office
work.  Meanwhile, another unit of the
Israeli forces raided Tulkarm refugee camp and positioned near Aman Taxi office
in the centre of the camp.  They raided
and searched a house belonging to the family of Adnan Ahmed Hasan Khader
(al-Hosari), 49, and arrested him.  The
Israeli forces later withdrew from the town and camp taking the detainees to an
unknown destination.  It should be noted
that the 3 detainees are affiliated to Hamas. 
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the Preventive Security
Service (PSS) had arrested and interrogated the aforementioned and detainees in
the beginning of December 2012.  Each of
them was lately released on bail by the District Court of Tulkarm, where they
were prosecuted before the court on the charge of money laundering.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Samir Mohammed Mahmoud Buheis, 42, and arrested him. 

 

At
approximately 01:55, the Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched 2 houses belonging to the family of Riyad Rashid Mohammed al-Walwheel,
60; and Muhsin Mahmoud Hardan, 49.  They
arrested the aforementioned civilians and took them to an unknown
destination.  It should be noted that
Walwheel and Hardan are affiliated to Hamas.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Dawha village, south of
Bethlehem.  They raided and searched a house
belonging to the family of Ma’amoun Mohammed Zawahrah, 23, a former prisoner
who was in prison for 5 years, and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Qariout, southeast of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses. 
They arrested 17 civilians:

 

1- Mohammed Soliman Isa Hassan, 20;

2- Khalil Mo’ain Yousif Mousa, 17;

3- Ahmed Radi Farhan Isa, 16;

4- Ahmed Mashhour Zaki Mousa, 22;

5- Ahmed Osama Ahmed Badawi, 23;

6- Ahmed Abdel Jaber Raja Mousa, 24;

7- Abdel Ra’aouf Fahim Ibrahim Kassab, 24;

8- Aysar Munir ‘Aayesh Lboum, 23;

9- Ghanim Mahmoud Abdullah M’amar, 25;

10- ‘Alaa’ ‘Awni Mohammed Mousa, 34;

11- Adham Sedqi Yousif Mousa, 27;

12- Mohammed Salah al-Din Ahmed Badawi, 19;

13- Jihad Salah al-Din Ahmed Badawi, 36;

14- Nidal Salah al-Din Ahmed Badawi, 33;

15- Qaher Ahmed Abdullah Mo’amar, 27;

16- Majli Zuheir Majli Isa, 37; and

17- Shaker Ahmed Soliman Mousa, 37.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Hariah valley area, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hatim Rabah Qafisha, 53,
a PLC member from the Change and Reform Bloc of Hamas.  The Israeli forces then arrested Qafisha and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Zahriah village, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Ismail al-Tol,
48, a PLC member from the Change and Reform Bloc of Hamas movement.  The Israeli forces then arrested al-Tol and
took him to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Tal village, southwest of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses. 
They arrested Mahmoud Saqer Ahmed Hassan ‘Asida, 24, from his house in
the eastern side of the village entrance, and took him to the detention centre
in Hawarah camp, south of Nablus.  It
should be mentioned that the aforementioned arrested is a student at the
al-Najah National university in Nablus.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Hebron.  They raided and searched several houses.  They arrested ‘Azzam ‘Azmi Mohammed Hassouna,
46; and Zain al-Din Mahmoud Shabanah, 43, and took them to an unknown
destination.

 

At
approximately 02:50, the Israeli forces moved into al-‘Abayat village, east of
Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets
and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Wael Isa ‘Abayat, 21,
whom they arrested and took to an unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 06:15, the Israeli forces moved into Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilya.  They patrolled the streets and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip opened fire heavily at Palestinian fishing boats for 20
minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore.  As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. 
Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

 

At
approximately 09:30, the Israeli forces moved into Haris village, north of
Salfit.  They patrolled the streets and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 11:45, the Israeli
forces stationed on watchtowers, east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery, east of Jabalya
in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the Palestinian farmers and gravel
collectors in the vicinity of the cemetery for about 10 minutes.  As a result, they were frightened and fled
away for fear of being wounded.  Neither
casualties nor material damage were reported. 

 

At approximately 12:30, the Israeli forces positioned
on the watchtowers spread along the border fence with Israel to the north of
Boret Abu Samrah in the north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire
at a group of gravel collectors, who were 100 meters away from the south of the
border fence for 15 minutes.  As a result, they were frightened and fled
away for fear of being wounded.  Neither
casualties nor material damage were reported. 

 

At approximately 16:00, the Israeli forces moved
into Jawhar mountain area, east of Hebron. 
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched a number of
houses.  The Israeli forces arrested
Raghib Rajih Ghaith, 8; and Abdel Fattah Mohammed Ghaith, 25, and took them to
the detention centra in “Kariat Arba’a” settlement.  They were released few hours later after the Palestinian
military liaison intervened.

 

At approximately 23:35, the Israeli forces moved
into al-Nabi Elias village, east fo Qalqilya. 
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Tuesday,
05 February 2012

 

At
approximately 12:20, the Israeli forces moved into Jeet village, northeast of
Qalqilia. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into Kofur Dan village, northwest
of Jenin. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:30, the Israeli forces moved into Abu Sneina neighborhood in
the center of Hebron. They patrolled in the streets, raided and searched a
house belonging to Tha’er Sa’id Abu Rmouz, 30, and arrested him.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Zawata village, northwest of Nablus. They
raided a number of houses and arrested Zaher Sedqi Mousa, 32, and transported
him to Hawwara detention camp, south of Nablus.

 

At approximately
02:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Hawooz area, south of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ezz Eddin Adnan Abu
Tabbana, 19, and arrested him.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into al-Haras area in the center of
Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Azzam Ahmed Attallah
Salayma, 49. They arrested the aforementioned person and transported him to an
unknown destination.

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into the northern ‘Asira village, north
of Nablus.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Derar Ahmed Mohammed Hamadna, 52.     

 

At
the same time, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They raided a house
belonging to the family of Nemer Khaled Ahmed Yusef “al-Ghoul”, 49,
an officer in the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, and arrested him.
They also raided a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Jom’a Hassan Taleb,
40, an officer in the Palestinian National Security Service, and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron.  They raided and searched a number of houses;
some of which belong to: Mohammed Yusef Isma’il Da’ajnah, Isma’il Yusef
Da’ajnah, Ibrahim Yusef Da’ajnah and Ahmed Yusef Da’ajnah. The Israeli forces
withdrew later, but no arrests were reported.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces into Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided
and searched a number of houses and arrested Abdul Hamid Fawzi Hamayel, 27.

 

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets and
raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hamza Abdul Fattah Jaroushi,
26. They questioned him regarding some Gazan persons, who rented his house
previously. They checked the ID card of Khaled Mohammed Ahmed Jallad, 50, as he
was there. The Israeli forces withdrew later; no arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 03:00, the Israeli forces moved into Nemra area, east of Hebron.
They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohab Mosa Diab
al-Junaidi, 20, and arrested him.

 

At
approximately 06:00, the Israeli forces moved 150 meters into al-Shouka
village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. They leveled lands along the
border fence and withdrew at approximately 10:00.

 

At
approximately 07:00, the Israeli forces moved 200 meters to the west of the
border fence, east of Gaza valley in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli
bulldozers started leveling lands near the border fence for approximately 5
hours and withdrew later.

 

At
approximately 09:00, an Israeli infantry unit moved into the Old Town of
Hebron. They started registration of the commercial stores. The registration
process included writing down the owner of the store, for how long he has been
working in the store and his family members. The residents of the area were
afraid that the Israeli authorities would seize these stores in the context of
the settlement expansion in the Old Town.  It should be noted that this is the second
time the Israeli forces carry out such a registration process in the Old Town.

At the same
time, the Israeli forces moved into Shweika suburb, north of Hebron. They
patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces moved into ‘Abween village, northwest
of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later. No
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 10:40, the Israeli forces positioned inside watchtowers along the
eastern borders in addition some soldiers, who stepped out of the military
vehicles, moved into the east of al-Basha farmland, east of Beit Hanoun, opened
fire at a group of Palestinian farmers and international activists who were 400
meters away from the border fence. However, neither casualties nor material
damage were reported.

 

Saber
al-Za’anin, coordinator of the Local Initiative in Beit Hanoun and supervisor
of solidarity activities to support Palestinian farmers, went with 2
international activists and 10 Palestinian ones from the Local Initiative from
the center of Beit Hanoun at 10:00, heading to al-Basha farmland to help the
Palestinian farmers in planting melons and watermelon. They all gathered in the
said farmland, where 80 Palestinian farmers were present on and around the
farmland. At approximately 10:40, they were shocked to see the Israeli forces
along the border fence opening fire around them for about an hour. As a result,
they were frightened and fled fearing of being wounded.

 

At
approximately 11:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Jaroushiya village, north
of Tulkarm. They patrolled in the streets for a while and withdrew later.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 11:30, the Israeli force positioned inside watchtowers along the
border fence, east of al-Shuhada’ cemetery in the east of Jabalya, opened fire
at the Palestinian farmers and gravel collectors, who were in the vicinity of
the cemetery. The fire lasted for 10 minutes, which resulted in terrifying the
Palestinian farmers and gravel collectors and pushed them to flee.  Neither casualties not material damage were
reported.

 

At
approximately 15:00, the Israeli forces moved into Far’oun village, south of
Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for a while and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 16:45, the Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the
streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 17:15, the Israeli forces moved into Faqou’a village, northeast
of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for a while and withdrew later. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 23:40, the Israeli forces moved into al-Mazra’a village,
northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for a while and withdrew
later. No arrests were reported.

 

 Wednesday, 06 February 2012

 

At approximately 01:00, the Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and
arrested 3 persons: Omar Zohdi Mahfouz, 20; Omar Abdul Aziz al-Balasi, 20; and
Isam Atef Jawabra, 19. The Israeli forces delivered a notice to Zohdi Mahfouz,
49, to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service.

 

At approximately 02:00, the Israeli forces moved into Yatta
village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Harb
Rateb Abu Meghnem, 26. They handed the aforementioned person a notice to refer
to the Israeli Intelligence Service.

 

At approximately 02:30, the Israeli forces moved into al-Daheriya
village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and
delivered notices to Isma’il Yusef Sweilem, 35; and Moneer Yusef Sweilem, 40,
to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service.

 

At approximately 03:15, the Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village,
southeast of Bethlehem. They patrolled the streets and then stationed in
al-Zawiya neighborhood at the western entrance of the village.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Ra’fat Khaled Abed al-Khalil, 16, and arrested him. At the same
time, the Israeli forces also raided a house belonging to the family of Ammar
Salim Jebril, 23, and handed him over a notice to refer to the Israeli
Intelligence Service at “Gosh Etzion” settlement compound, south of
Bethlehem.

 

At approximately 04:00, the Israeli forces moved into Ayda refugee
camp, north of Bethlehem. They patrolled in the streets and then positioned at
the entrance of the camp. The Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the
family of Hazem Mostafa Abu ‘Akar, 20, and arrested him.

 

At approximately 10:10, the Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Our
al-Tahta village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and
stationed in front of Beit ‘Our al-Tahta Elementary School for boys. The
Israeli forces raided the 8^th grade classroom, tried to arrest a
student and insulted and threatened the school teachers under the pretext that
stones were thrown at the Israeli soldiers by the school students. At
approximately 10:30, the Israeli forces withdrew and no 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, a child
was wounded in a demonstration organize by the civilians of Kufor Qadoum
village, northeast of Qalqilya on Saturday 02 February 2013, in solidarity with
the people of Bourin village, south of Nablus, who started, with the help of
local activists, building al-Manateer village on lands threatened with
confiscation for settlement expansion projects.

 

Following the Friday Prayer on 01 February 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.  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,  dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Also following the Friday Prayer on 01 February 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.

 

Around the same time on Friday, 01 February 2013, 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, entitled: “Freedom for Our Heroes in Israeli
Jails.”  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, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

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, entitled: “In Solidarity with Our
Prisoners in Israeli Jails.”  As the
protestors moved towards the gate of the village, the Israeli forces closed it
to prevent the demonstration from gaining access to the confiscated land and
attacked the participants; the soldiers assaulted the demonstrators with their
firearms’ butts and their hands; as a result, Hareth Brijia (10) 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 outbreak of
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 at the demonstrators; as a result,
dozens of them suffered from tear gas inhalation.  Moreover, a lot of tear gas canisters fell
into Daoud Mohammed Hussain Eshtaywey’s house 52, which is located near the closed
gate.  As a result, a number of his
family members suffered from tear gas inhalation: Sharaf 25; Ali, 10; Youssif 8;
and his wife, Initisar Abdel-Karim Eshtaywey; and members of his brother’s, Samih
Eyshtaywy, family: Ahmed, 5; Sama, 7; Majida, 11; Muhanad, 12; and his
sister-in-law Sobhya Eshtaywey, 41. 
Israeli soldiers arrested Feras Nidal Jum’aa, 25, after punching him and
transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 16:30 on Saturday, 02 February 2013, dozens of
Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a
peaceful demonstration at the eastern entrance of Kufor Qadoum, northeast of
Qalqilya, which has been closed since the outbreak of the al-Aqsa intifada, in
solidarity with the people of al-Manateer village, which was held at Bourin
village, in protest to the threat of confiscating the lands for settlement
expansion projects.  Immediately, Israeli
forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators.  As as a result, Hakim
Maher Abdel-Latif Shtaywy sustained cuts and bruises after he was hit with a
gas canister to the chest. 

 

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

30
January – 05 February 2013

 

 

Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing

27
January – 04 February 2013

Imports:

 

 

Exports:

 

On Sunday, 27 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 8.6 tons of strawberries, 350 kilos of mint, 330 kilograms of
garlic leaves, 40,000 flowers, and 6 truckloads of plastics.

On Monday, 28 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 7 truckloads of plastics.

On Tuesday, 29 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 45,000 carnation flowers, 100 kilograms of mint, 150 kilograms
of mints, and 6 truckloads of plastics.

On Wednesday, 30 January 2013, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 5 truckloads of plastics.

On Thursday, 31 January 2012, Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 95,000 carnation flowers and 5 truckloads of plastics.

On Sunday, 03 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 100,000 carnation flowers and 5 truckloads of plastics.

On Monday, 04 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the
exportation of 5 tons of cherry tomatoes and 6 truckloads of plastics.

 

 Other Imports:

 

On Sunday, 27 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
440 tons of cement, 142 tons of construction steel, and 5,530 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 910 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector.  They also allowed
the entry of 390 tons of fodders and 840 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 28 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry of
280 tons of cement, 128 of construction steel, and 3290 tons of construction
aggregate for UNRWA; and 910 tons of construction aggregates for the private
sector.  They also allowed the entry of
780 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.

 

On Tuesday, 29 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 315 tons of cement, 126 tons of construction steel, and 2,590 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 770 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector.  They also allowed
the entry of 1,014 tons of fodders and 351 tons of wheat.

 

On Wednesday, 30 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 456 tons of cement, 106 tons of construction steel, and 3,500 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 1,050 tons of construction aggregate for
the private sector.  They also allowed
the entry of 195 tons of fodders and 819 tons of wheat.

 

On Thursday, 31 January 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 160 tons of cement, 104 tons of construction steel, and 4,830 tons of
construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 980 tons of construction aggregates for
the private sector.  They also allowed
the entry of 429 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.

 

On Sunday, 03 February 2013, the Israeli forces allowed the entry
of 588 tons of cement, 110 tons of construction steel, 4900 tons of
construction aggregates for UNRWA; 980 tons of construction aggregates for the
private sector; and 320 tons of cement, 110 tons of construction steel and 2,100
tons of construction aggregate for the German Development Bank (GDB). They also
allowed the entry of 351 tons of fodders and 507 tons of wheat.

 

On Monday, 04 February2012, 
the Israeli forces allowed the entry of 394 tons of cement, 72 tons of
construction steel, 5,320 tons of construction aggregates for UNRWA; 980 tons
of construction aggregates for the private sector; and 120 tons of cement and
980 tons of construction aggregate for GDB. They also allowed the entry of 858
tons of fodders and 234 tons of wheat.

 

Note: The Israeli forces closed Karm Abu Salem crossing on
Wednesday 09 January 2013 due to the weather.

 

Movement
at Rafah Crossing, south of the Gaza Strip:

27
January – 04 February 2013

Imports:

 

 

Note: Beit Hanoun “Erez” Crossing, north of the Gaza Strip,
links the Strip with the West Bank, and it is for the movement of individuals.

 

Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing

 

Note:  For technical reasons
related to the staff on the Palestinian side of the aforementioned crossing,
PCHR was unable to obtain the table on the movement of departures from the Gaza
Strip to the West Bank and Israel for this week, and will published in the next
report if obtained.

 

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
10:00 on Thursday, 31 January 2013, Israeli forces re-established their
presence at ‘Attar checkpoint, by the northern entrance of Beit Zait village,
north of Ramallah.  At approximately
18:00, the Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit Loqia village, southwest of Ramallah. 
At the mean time, another checkpoint was established by the entrance of
Beit ‘Our al-Tahta , southwest of the city. At approximately 16:30 on Saturday,
02 February 2013, the Israeli forces re-established their presence at ‘Attar
checkpoint, by the northern entrance of Beit Zait village, north of
Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30,
another checkpoint as established by the entrance of Beit Loqia village,
southwest of the city.  At approximately
08:00 on Sunday, 03 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at
the road linking Beit Loqia village and Beit Noba complex, southwest of
Ramallah.  At approximately 10:00,
another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Sanjal village, north of
the city.  At approximately 11:30, the
Israeli forces re-established their presence at ‘Attar checkpoint, by the
northern entrance of Beit Zait village, north of Ramallah.  At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 04 February
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the northern entrance of Ne’lin
village, west of Ramallah.  At
approximately 16:00, the checkpoint was re-established in the same area.  At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint
was established by the entrance of Beit Loqia village, southwest of the city. All
checkpoints were later removed.  No
arrests were reported.

 

Hebron:  Israeli forces have continued to impose
severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.  At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 01 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the bridge between Halhoul
and Hebron.  At approximately 16:00, the
Israeli forces established another checkpoint by the entrance of al-SAmou’
village, south of the city. At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 02 February
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint by the northern entrance of
Yatta, south of Hebron.  At approximately
07:30 on Wednesday, 06 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint
by the entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron. 
At the meantime, a similar checkpoint was established in front of Beit
Oula Municipality, in Beit Oula, west of the city.  At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces
closed one of the sub-road leading to Hebron with a steel gate, which has been
blocked with cement cubes for the past 10 years.

All
checkpoints were removed later, no arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
15:00 on Thursday, 31 January 2013, Isralei forces established a checkpoint
south of Kuffor Tholth village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 19:15, another checkpoint
was established at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast of the city.  At approximately 11:40 on Saturday, 02
February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of
Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya; the checkpoint was re-established at
19:50.  At approximately 14:35, a
checkpoint was established by the eastern entrance of Qalqilya; the checkpoint
was re-established at approximately 23:50.  At approximately 20:20, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint by al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 11:05 on Monday, 04 February
2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint near al-Nabi Elias village,
east of Qalqilya.  At approximately
18:00, another checkpoint was established between ‘Azzoun and al-Nabi Elias
villages, east of the city.  All
checkpoints were later removed; no arrests were reported.

 

Jenin:
Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
07:30 on Saturday, 02 February 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on
the main road linking Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus, near Jabaa’ village’s intersection.  At approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces
closed all entrances to ‘Anin village, northwest of Jenin and established
checkpoints across all entrances to the village.  Local sources informed a PCHR fieldworker
that the Israeli forces acted as such after receiving information on the
civilians intent to go to Kasser al-Kaid village, which was decided to be built
for released prisoners on Palestinian civilians’ lands near the annexation
wall, west of ‘Anin village, by the PNA as was declared by the Palestinian
Minister of Prisoners Affairs, Mr. Issa Karake. 
At approximately 13:00, another checkpoint was established by the
western entrance of Ya’bod village, southwest of Jenin.  All checkpoints were removed later; no
arrests were reported.

 

Detention at Military Checkpoints

 

On Thursday, 31 January 2013, the family of Walid Mahmoud Mohammed
Sedqi’s, 17, learnt that their son, who suffers from a disability in his left
leg, had been arrested by the Israeli forces on Tuesday, 29 January 2013.

 

According to PCHR’s investigations, Walid Sedqi, who is an orphan
and whose brothers work in Israel, was playing in a farmland planted with
orange trees near the annexation wall, west of ‘Ateel village, holding a knife
for peeling oranges.  The Israeli forces
noticed that Walid was in the land, so they attacked and arrested him.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Alaa,
Walid’s brother, said that after he and his brothers returned home from Israel
on Wednesday, 30 January 2013, they learnt that their brother had gone
missing.  They searched for him with the
help of the villagers; however, all attempts to find him in the surroundings of
the village had failed.  The following
morning, the learnt that their brother had been arrested, after an Israeli
human rights organization, “Hamoked” called them.  He also mentioned that his brother appeared
before the Israeli military court on Monday, 04 February 2013, in Salem Camp,
west of Jenin; he was charged of attempting to enter Israel holding a knife.

At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 01 February 2013, Israeli forces
established a checkpoint by the entrance of al-Tawani village, east of Yatta,
south of Hebron.  Before removing the
checkpoint, they arrested Mufadi Ahmed Jibril Rab’I, 45, and transported him to
an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 07:40 on Sunday, 03 February 2013, Israeli forces,
stationed at ‘Attara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Basheer
Omar Shabitta, 24, from ‘Azzoun village, east of Qalqilya, while on his way to
work in Ramallah.  The Israeli forces
transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, the Israeli forces, stationed at
the electronic gates, in the surroundings of the Ibrahimi Mosque, arrested
Mahmoud Khalil ‘Assafra, 24, while going to pray at the mosque.  He was transported to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 14:00 also on Sunday, the Israeli forces
established a checkpoint by the northern entrance of Yatta, south of
Hebron.  Before removing the checkpoint,
the Israeli soldiers arrested Hamdi Rasmi Mahmoud Abu-‘Arram, 20, after detaining
him for two hours at the mentioned checkpoint. 
He was transported to an unknown destination.

 

Later that night, the Israeli forces arrested Fathia Abdel-Fatah
Tawfiq ‘Attia, 53, from Jenin, while visiting her son, Rami Yousif Kamal
Khanfar, who is imprisoned in the Israeli Negev prison.

 

Also on Sunday evening, Israeli forces, stationed at al-Hamra
checkpoint in the northern valleys, arrested three Palestinian civilians.  According to eyewitnesses’ testimonies, the
Israeli forces assaulted the three civilians, who remain unidentified, arrested
them and transported them to an unknown destination.  Following this incident, the Israeli forces
received a large military back-up, closed the checkpoint and banned the
civilians from moving through it or in the surrounding area.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 04 February 2013, Israeli forces,
stationed at al-Karama crossing point on the Palestinian-Jordanian borders,
arrested Hothayfa Naief Mohammed al-Rjoub, 26, while returning to Palestine via
the crossing.  It should be mentioned
that Hothayfa is the son of the arrested PLC member, Naif al-Rjoub.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces stationed at the electronic
gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque, arrested Ms. Ayat Youssif Mahfouz, 21, under
pretext that she was holding a knife. 
She was transported to “Kiryat Arba” police station.

 

Later on Tuesday, 05 February 2013, Israeli forces informed the
family of Rami, 32, and Mohammed, 23 Reyad al-Tayeb, brothers, were arrested
while travelling via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the north of the Gaza
Strip, after being informed that they had been given a permit for a week to
visit their mother, who lives in Ramallah, in the West Bank.  According to their brother’s, Wasim al-Tayeb,
testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, his brothers had been notified by the Ministry
of Civil Affairs in the Gaza Strip that their permit requests had been
accepted, which they had applied for in order to visit their mother who is
married in the West Bank.  Immediately,
his brothers went to Beit Hanoun crossing and informed their family that they
arrived to the Israeli side of the crossing at approximately 10:45.  At approximately 11:15, the family tried to
contact them; however, their cell phones were off.  At approximately 18:30, the Israeli forces
informed the mother that her son, Rami, is under arrest and that they should
hire a lawyer for him; they added that Mohammed would be going back to
Gaza.  At approximately 21:00, the
Israeli forces informed their sister, who lives in Gaza, that her brother
Mohammed was also under arrest and they should hire a lawyer for him.

 

At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 06 February 2013, Israeli
forces, stationed at the Ibrahim Mosque, arrested Ibrahim Ali Moussa Awad, 36,
an employee of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, under pretext that he had
photographed allegedly banned areas near the Ibrahim Mosque.

 

At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces, stationed at the Ibrahim
Mosque, arrested Hiam Nimer al-Rajbi, 17, after being detained for an hour and
severely beaten, she was transported to one of the military vehicles and taken
to an unknown destination.

 

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

 

Bulldozing of
Houses

At
approximately 05:30 on Tuesday, 05 February 2013, a group of the Israeli
“Border Guards,” Israeli Police and Special Forces, accompanied by
officers of the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem and a digger, raided
al-Ashkaria neighborhood in Beit Hanina village, north of occupied
Jerusalem.  They cordoned Ibrahim
al-Kasawany’s house and gave the family a ten-minute notice to evacuate the
house.  Afterwards, they forced the
family out and started demolishing the house with its contents.  It was a one storey, tin-roofed, built with
stones house, established on an area of 170 square meters; occupied by a family
of 6 members, including four children between the ages of 8 – 12.

 

Later, the
Israeli forces raided Wa’er Abu-Salah neighborhood in Beit Hanina village,
north of occupied Jerusalem.  They
cordoned a residential building, occupied by four families of Qastiro family,
then demolished it entirely.  According
to his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mr. Mohammed Saleh Qastiro, 52, a
resident of the building, said that the bulldozed building is of two stories,
established on an area of 210 square meters. 
The building, which was built 6 years ago, includes 4 apartments,
occupied by 4 brothers and their families, a total of 30 individuals.  He also mentioned that the Israeli forces had
submitted the family demolition notices 50 days ago, under pretext that it was
built without permit; however, the family could not find any alternatives
during the granted period, in spite of their efforts to obtain a construction
permit and save the now homeless family, as well as seeking legal aid to protect
the house from being demolish, which have all failed eventually.

 

Settlement
Expansion Projects

 

On early
morning hours on Tuesday, 05 February 2013, Israeli forces’ bulldozers
demolished façades and arches of an old historical building on the northern
side of al-Buraq Wall, 50 meters off al-Aqsa mosque, adjacent to the al-Buraq
Wall.  According to al-Aqsa Foundation
for Waqf and Heritage, the Israeli authorities are planning to build an Israeli
complex for multiple use, including building a synagogue, a reception hall, a
police and surveillance station, a museum, dozens of water-closet units and a
new gate for the tunnels of the western wall. 
They added that this project is being implemented on the expense of
Islamic Waqf in al-Magarbeh neighborhood.

 

The Israeli
settlements Mateh Binyamin Regional Council approved to the construction of a
cultural village on an area of 218 dunums of ‘Anatta village, northeast of
occupied Jerusalem.  According to
Haaretz’s issue on Thursday, 31 January 2012, the Israeli Civil Administration
had approved on the maps for the construction of the cultural village, which
would be located near “Kfar Adumim” settlement.  According to the plan, a school for the
Bedouins shall be demolished in the area. 
The newspaper added that, “The approval on this project came as a
result of the settlers’ pressures on the Israeli Civil Administration, who had
submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court for demolishing the school
and other buildings and tents in the area and forcefully deport its inhabitants
to villages near Jericho.  The court rejected
the petition.

 

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

 

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

 

At
approximately 21:30 on Thursday, 31 January 2013, a group of settlers,
protected by the Israeli forces and accompanied with a number of military vehicles
invaded “Tersla” settlement which had been evacuated since 2005 and
was established on Palestinian lands, south of Jenin, near Jabe’ village.  A local source informed a PCHR fieldworker
that the settlers had stayed in the area for a while and practiced some
religious rituals.  They left later and
no incidents were reported.

 

At
approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 02 February 2013, a group of settlers from
“Kiryat Arba” settlement, which is established on Palestinian lands
east of Hebron, attacked two children of Jaber family while they were at their
shops, in Jaber neighborhood, in the center of the old city of Hebron.  Approximately half an hour later, an infantry
unit of the Israeli forces raided the area and arrested the two children and
another civilian who was at the scene. 
They were identified as: Rasmi Tareq Jaber, 16; Anas Aref Jaber, 16; and
Moutasem Rasmi Jaber, 22, and they were transported to Kiryat Arba police
station.  In his testimony to a PCHR
fieldwork, Mr. ‘Aref Jaber said:

 

“At approximately
16:00 on Saturday, 02 February 2013, a group of settlers were patrolling the
street in front of my shop in Jaber neighborhood, in the center of Hebron.  Some of the settlers invaded the shop and
attacked my son Anas, 16, and nephew, Rasmi, 16, punching them and using foul
language. At approximately 16:30, an infantry unit of the Israeli forces raided
the area surrounded the shop and arrested my son, nephew and a relative,
Moutasem Rasmi Jaber, 22, who was present at the scene.  All three of them were transported to Kiryat
Arba police station.  They were detained
for 24 hours before release.”

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Monday, 04 February 2013, an infantry Israeli force
raided the farmlands in al-‘Adsya area, west of Sa’ir village, northeast of
Hebron, and banned the civilians of al-Mattour family from accessing their 30
dunums of land, under pretext of being confiscated.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,
Abdel-Mahdi al-Mattour said that an infantry unit of the Israeli forces raided
the area and banned the family from accessing their land in al-‘Adssya area,
west of Sa’ir village, and informed them that the lands are confiscated,
without submitting them previous military orders or notices.  In 2007, the Israeli forces opened a dirt road
across the farmland, and established a monitoring tower.

 

At
approximately 13:00 on Monday, 04 February 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by
a number of military vehicles and officers of the Israeli Civil Administration,
raided al-Naqi Valley area, west of Ethna, west of Hebron.  The Israeli soldiers cordoned the area and
banned the Palestinian civilians from moving in the whereabouts of the
area.  The Civil Administration officers
submitted two Palestinian civilians notifications, ordering them to stop the
construction work at house and a tract of land being leveled for constructing a
house.  The notices ordered them to:

1. Stop the construction work undergoing in a house of 140 square
meters, belonging to Mohammed Hussain Faraj Allah, 29; and

2. Stop the land leveling in a tract of land of 100 square meters,
being prepared for constructing a house, belonging to Wajdi Diab Faraj Allah,
30.

 

It
should be mentioned that the Israeli forces had already submitted Wajdi Diab a
notification to stop the construction work in his land on 20 December 2012.

 

Settlers
from “Zufim” settlement, northeast of Qalqilya, which was established
on the lands of Jaious village in 1986, started building a new settlement
outpost in the aforementioned settlement, behind the annexation wall.  These lands were decided to return to their
owners after the Israeli Supreme Court decided to alter the route of the wall
in 2009; consequently, 2400 dunums of confiscated lands should be returned to
their owners.  According to PCHR’s
investigations, on Thursday, 17 January 2013, the Israeli soldiers had altered
the route of the wall in accordance to the ruling of the court; however, the
settlers of “Zufim” settlement set up caravans in these lands to
impose their existence de-facto.  On
early morning hours on Monday, 28 January 2013, the settlers installed a number
of caravans in those lands, the latest of which was installed on Tuesday, 05
February 2013, making a total of 6 houses, each of them is divided into two
apartments.  The settlers are
continuously razing surrounding lands of these caravans, which were established
on one dunum of the total 50 which belong to the heirs of Qablan Mohammed Salim
and Jihad Nimer Salim; they also wired the houses with water and electricity
services.  It should be mentioned that
the assault on the lands started in 2002, when the Israeli forces built the
annexation wall and seized over 8000 dunums of the village’s lands behind the
wall, as well as destroying another 600 dunums. 
The owners of these lands filed a suit in the Israeli Supreme Court,
which decided to return 2,400 dunums of the confiscated lands; part of which is
currently subject to settlers’ attacks.

 

At
approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 05 February 2013, a group of Israeli settlers
invaded Deir Jareer village from the northen side, northeast of Ramallah.  They set fire to two cars at the village,
which is located near a number of settlements, including “Kramam” and
“Kochav Hishar”, and wrote slogans in Hebrew that said, “The
Jews blood will not go to waste.” 
The first car was a mini-bus, 1999 Hyundai, belonging to Khamis Mohammed
Farakhna; the second car belonged to Moussa Khamis Mohammed Farakhna, a 2011
Polo Volkswagen.  According to Moussa
Khamis Mohammed Farakhna’s (35) testimony to a PCHR fieldworker:

 

“At
approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 05 February 2012, while I was sitting in my
father’s room on the first floor of our families’ three-storey household,
located on the northern side of Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah,
approximately 1 kilometer from the bypass used by the settlers, as I was used
to being with my father at that time as he is old and ill and needs constant
care.  I heard a car engine near the main
gate of the house, I went to the balcony, which overlooks the street, and saw
my car, a 2011 Polo Volkswagen car, ablaze and so was my nephew’s, Khamis
Farakhna (24), car, a black mini-bus , 1999 Hyundai, and they were parked at
the front gate of the house. 
Immediately, I ran outside and called at my brothers and their sons, who
rushed to the scene and we tried to put out the fire with water.  We were able to control the fire, we put it
out in my car; however, my nephew’s car was burnt entirely.  I saw writings in Hebrew and written in red
on the wall, near the cars, that said, “The Jews blood shall not go to
waste, “which proved that the incident was done by the settlers.”

 

At
approximately 09:00, the Israel forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli
Civil Administration, invaded Khelat al-Dabe’ and Touba areas, east of Yatta,
in the south of Hebron.  The officers of
the Israeli Civil Administration submitted Mohammed Ali Khalil Dababsa, 42, a
demolition notice for a water well of 60 cubic meters.  Ibrahim ‘Ali Youssif ‘Awad was also submitted
demolition notices for two tents, each of an area of 10 square meters, which he
occupies with his family.

 

At
approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 05 February 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied
by three military vehicles and officers of the Israeli Civil Administration,
raided Tarroussa area, west of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  The Civil Administration officers submitted
demolition notices to an under-construction house, of an area of 100 square
meters, belonging to Hussain Moussa Ahmed al-Haroub, 40.

 

At
approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 06 February 2013, the Israeli forces, accompanied
by five military vehicles and a military bulldozer, raided ‘Ain al-Dalba area,
near al-Fawar Refugee Camp, southeast of Hebron.  The Israeli soldiers were deployed in the
area and banned the civilians from moving in the area; the bulldozer demolished
a water well, belonging to Khalil Ahmed Hassan al-‘Azza, 50.

 

 

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 ([email protected]) or telephone (+972 (0)8
282 4776 – 282 5893).