• Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip and West Bank

• A Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wound while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base. 
• 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic, were wounded.
• 9 civilians were wounded in the West Bank.

• A Palestinian civilian were killed and a child was wounded near a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, under the pretext of throwing a homemade pipe bomb at the soldiers.

• 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in separate incidents in the West Bank.

• Israeli forces conducted 79 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 limited incursions in the Gaza Strip.
• 56 civilians, including 14 children and a woman, were arrested in the West Bank.
• 5 children were arrested while sneaking into Israel, east of the Gaza City.

• Israeli authorities continued to create a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.
• 2 civilians were forced to self-demolish their houses in Silwan village and al-Mokaber Mount.

• Israeli authorities continued their settlement activities in the West Bank.
• A road connects between al-Masafer area in Yatta and Kherbit Sha’b al-Baten, south of Hebron, was leveled.
• 23 olive seedlings were uprooted in eastern Yattam south of Hebron.

• 2 shooting incidents were reported against the fishing boats in the sea.

• Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 13th consecutive year.
• 103 permanent checkpoints, 62 temporary checkpoints and 14 closed roads obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
• 6 civilians were arrested at the military checkpoints in the West Bank.

 Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (31January- 06 February 2019).

Shooting:

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces continued to use lethal force against the participants in the peaceful protests organized along the Gaza Strip borders, which witnessed the peaceful protests for the 45^th week along the eastern and northern border area of the Gaza Strip. They also continued to use armed force as well during the incursions into the West Bank.

 In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The injury of 7 of them was reported serious. 

In the West Bank, the Israeli forces killed a girl and a boy while another civilian was killed by Israeli settlers shooting. The Israeli forces wounded 24 civilians, including a child.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian on 04 February 2019, and wounded another one accompanying him at a military checkpoint in the north of the West Bank. The Israeli forces claimed that a homemade pipe bomb was thrown at the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint.  Moreover, the Israeli forces wounded 15 civilians, including 3 children, in separate incidents in the West Bank.

On 03 February 2019, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Ahmed Abu Jabal (29), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of the city, after he succumbed to his wound.  Ahmed was hit with a live bullet to the legs on 29 January 2019 while participating in a protest organized in Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.

Injuries in the Gaza Strip from 31 January to 06 February 2019 According to the Governorate

Governorate	Injuries
	Total	Children	Women	Journalists	Paramedics	Critical Injuries
Northern Gaza Strip	25	7	1	0	0	3
Gaza City	27	1	0	0	0	0
Central Gaza Strip	14	7	1	1	0	0
Khan Younis	15	11	0	0	0	2
Rafah	19	3	1	0	1	2
Total	100	29	3	1	1	7

As part of targeting the Palestinian fishermen in the sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against the Palestinian fishermen, indicating the on-going Israeli policy to target their livelihoods.  During the reporting period, PCHR documented 2 incidents were as follows: 1 incident adjacent to Khan Yunis Shore and 1 incident adjacent to Rafah Shore.

As part of targeting the border areas, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, opened fire 5 times at lands located in the border areas with Israel in the central of Gaza Strip and southern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. Moreover, the Israeli tanks targeted 2 military sites with artillery shells in eastern Khan Yunis.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 79 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 56 Palestinians, including 14 children and a woman. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions in eastern Gaza Strip.

In the Gaza Strip, on 01 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. They levelled and combed the lands along the border fence with Israel.

On 04 February 2019, Israeli vehicles moved around 100 meters into the east of the border fence with Israel, east of Dir al-Balah. The Israeli vehicles levelled and combed lands along the border fence. On the next day, the Israeli vehicles recurred the incursion, leveled lands and combed the area.

Israeli Forces Continued to Create a Jewish Majority in East Jerusalem City:

• As part of the Israeli house demolitions and notices,  on 01 February 2019, Mahmoud Abu Hussein started to demolish his house in al-Mukaber Mount, south of occupied East Jerusalem, after Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the house under the pretext of non-licensing. The 120-square-meter house sheltered 3 families of 13 members, including 7 children, and it was a building attached to a 100-square-meter older building.

• On 02 February 2019, Majdy Abu Teyeh started to demolish his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, after the Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the two rooms under the pretext of non-licensing. The 70-square-meter house sheltered a family of 6 members, including 4 children.

Israeli Forces continued their settlement activities, and the settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property

As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against the Palestinians civilians and their property, on 01 February 2019, a group of 7 settlers stepped out of their car and attacked a group of Palestinian young men while walking in Jibiya village forests, on “al-Qimma Park” Street, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers severely beat Aram Wadee’ Hussein ‘Awees (18), so he sustained bruises in his face and throughout his body.

On 05 February 2019, a group of settlers, from “Ma’un” settlement, established on civilian’s lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, uprooted 23 olive seedlings planted a month ago in a land belonging to Jom’a Moussa Rab’ee (45), in al-Hamra area.

Details

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

Thursday, 31 January 2019:

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Jehad Mohammed ‘Odah ‘Alama (23) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, northwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abd al-Mahdi Mahmoud Zhour (39) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

•  Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Ahmed Mohammed Salah (24), Mohammed Khader Moussa (27), Zain Mohammed ‘Issa (21), and Youssof Tayseer ‘Issa (20).

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Ali Abu Rajab (50) in al-Sahla area in the center of Hebron’s Old City.  They then locked all the 14 family members in a room. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers confiscated a car under the pretext of checking purposes, and no arrests among the family members were reported. It should be noted that around 50 Israeli settlers, under the Israeli forces’ protection, raided the house of Abu Rajab Family on 25 July 2017. They holed up in the house and raised Israeli flags on its roof. The settlers said that they entered the house under the pretext of buying it from its owners, whereas the family denied their claims. After raiding the house, it became under the settlers’ control. It should be noted that the settlers live in the second and third floors of the 3-story house while Abu Rajab family lives in the first floor.

• At approximately 03:40, Israeli forces moved into al-Shorfa neighborhood in the center of al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to Adam Hesham al-Shafe’y (17) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into the northern entrance to Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem, under the pretext of throwing stones on Bypass Road “60”. A number of Palestinian young men and children gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles stationed at the village’s entrance near the municipality building. The Israeli soldiers stationed behind their military vehicles fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stone-throwers and chased them in the center of the village, while the young men continued to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. After that, the Israeli soldiers deliberately fired live bullets at the stones-thrower, causing the injury of 3 civilians, including 2 children. The wounded civilians were as follows:

1. A 16-year-old child was wounded to the left leg, causing laceration in veins and arteries;
   1. A 17-year-old child was wounded with a live bullet to the liver and spleen; and
   1. A 19-year-old male was wounded to the right leg.

The wounded civilians were then taken to al-Mizan Hospital in Hebron and al-Hussain Hospital in Bethlehem to receive treatment. Doctors classified the injury of one of them as  serious.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta; al-Samou’a and Beit Marsam villages in Hebron.  

Friday, 01 February 2019:

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Kafrdan village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging Maher Tahseen ‘Abed (36) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dhaisha refugee camp, west of Bethlehem, and stationed in al-‘Arajma neighborhood. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibraheem Mustafa Ibraheem al-Masri (49) after breaking the main door of the building, where he lives. After that, The Israeli forces locked Ibraheem’s family members in one room and confiscated 3 hard disks, a laptop, a tablet, and 3 mobile phones. This incident came after 14 hours of arresting Ibraheem’s son Ahmed (20) at a temporary checkpoint on “Ma’aleh Adumim” settlement’s road, east of occupied East Jerusalem, while he was on his way back to home from the university in Ramallah.

Ibraheem said to PCHR’s fieldworker

“At approximately 15:00, on Thursday, 31 January 2019, I received a call from a friend of my son Ahmed (20), who is studying at Darul Muta’allimeen Institute in Ramallah. Ahmed’s friend said that a number of Israeli border guard officers arrested Ahmed from a vehicle while he was returning home after detaining the passengers for 3 hours and precisely searching the vehicle. Moreover, at approximately 03:30, on Friday, 01 February 2019, I woke up while the house’s doorbell was ringing. I went and opened the door and then I found my brother Suhail (43) along with a group of Israeli soldiers. An Israeli officer ordered my brother to go to his apartment in the third floor and then 10 Israeli soldiers raided the house and ordered me to wake everyone at home and bring their ID cards. I was detained along with my family members in the living room while the Israeli soldiers started to search the house. We also heard them moving the furniture. After that, a group of them went up to my brother’s apartment, which is uninhabited. They interrogated my wife and me. They asked us about Ahmed. I saw then the Israeli soldiers coming out carrying a computer and a tablet, while 2 of them entered the living room, dismantled 3 PC sets and confiscated their hard disks, 3 mobiles. After the Israeli soldiers left, we found that they emptied the closets, scattered the furniture and poured oil on it and threw food supplies on the floor. Later, my brother Suhail told me that the Israeli soldiers broke a sink and one of the interior wood doors. Later, I received a call from the Israeli police informing me that my son Ahmed is in the interrogation center in “Petah Tikva”.  It should be noted that while we were cleaning the house, we found that 900 JD were missing, which we saved a while ago in order to pay for my son Islam’s tuition fees who is studying at the Faculty of Law at Al Ahlia University.”

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm refugee camp adjacent to Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Samed Fayez Mohammed Abu Sfaira (22) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles, moved around 100 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, north of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. The military vehicles started to level lands to the south of the border fence with Israel. They then redeployed along the border fence, adjacent al-Fraheen neighborhood, east of Abassan al-Kabeera village.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Habla village, southeast of Qalqilia; Beit Foreek and ‘Otra villages, east of Nablus; Hebron, al-Shayookh, Deir Samet and Abu al-‘Asja villages in Hebron.

Saturday, 02 February 2019:

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. The Israeli shooting recurred at approximately 16:00, so the farmers were forced to leave the area, and no casualties were reported. 

• At approximately 09;00, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, west of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area and chased them, causing fear and panic among Palestinian fishermen. As a result, the Palestinian fishermen fled for fear of their lives and no casualties or damages to the boats were reported.

•  At approximately 10:00, Israeli gunboats stationed in the sea, west of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles and chased them, causing fear and panic among Palestinian fishermen. As a result, the Palestinian fishermen fled for fear of their lives and no or damages to the boats casualties were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dirsitiyia village, northwest of Salfit; ‘Aazmout village, east of Nablus; Dura City; and Sa’ir and Beit Ummar villages in Hebron.

Sunday, 03 February 2019

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Aroob refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Kareem Mussalam Abu Sal (19), ‘Obaida ‘Emad al-Ra’y (22) and Hussain Youssof Jwabra (18).

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, southeast of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mohammed Nayef Abu Mefreh (24) and Mohammed Sulaiman Abu Mefreh (29), and then arrested them, taking them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Hatem Jaber Dirya (42) and then arrested him and his two sons Youssof (17) and Moussa (15), taking them to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces Senrya village, west of Qalqilia. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Othman Ahmed Ibraheem Omar (35) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Shwakah village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, arrested Qussai Fayez Moussa al-Soufy (15), Madah Fawzy Moussa Abu Snaima (17), Taha ‘Abd al-Hady Shaty al-Sody (14), Zeyad Yossry ‘Eid al-Bahabssa (15), and Ibraheem Mohammed Merssal Shalhoub (17).

• At approximately 07:20, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of Shawkah village, east of Rafa, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Nusairat refugee camp, sporadically opened fire for around an hour at agricultural lands. As a result, the Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area, and no casualties were reported.

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into Eastern Laban village, south of Nablus, in order to carry out an arrest campaign in the village. A number of civilians gathered and threw stones at the military vehicles. After that, the Israeli forces immediately fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them.  As a result, an 18-year-old child (18) was wounded with a rubber bullet to the right foot and then taken to Yasser ‘Arafat Governmental Hospital in Salfit, where he received 8 stiches. 

• Around the same time, an Israeli border guard officer attacked Ibrahim ‘Ali Mohammad Fanoun (46), from Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, whose left leg is amputated, while he was heading to the supermarket. As a result, he sustained bruises. He was then taken to “Beitar Illit” Police Station and released on bail estimated at NIS 1000 at approximately 22:00 on one condition that he would be brought before the Military Court in “Ofer”, west of Ramallah on 26 November 2019. Ibrahim said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

“My left leg is amputated from under the knee because of a medical error in 2007. I still cannot walk normally and since that time, I fitted a prosthetic leg.  On Sunday, 3 February 2019, I was on the main street of the village, which is 100 meters away from my house, to go to the supermarket. I saw 2 military vehicles belonging to Israeli border guards, who were stopping an 18-year-old young man and taking his illegal car to their custody. I approached to see what was happening then one of the officers asked, ‘is this your car?’ I said, ‘no.’ He then ordered me to leave the area. I obeyed his orders and I headed to the road that leads to my house, but I was moving slowly. I walked a few steps then one of them followed me and told me in Hebrew to move quickly. I told him that I walk with a prosthetic leg, pointing at it. Meanwhile, one of the officers pressured it with his foot and another held me from behind and they removed my prosthetic leg and dropped it on the ground then I fell on the ground. They started beating me and one of them was trying to push my chest so that I fall again. I felt pain in my head and my amputated leg, which lasted for around half an hour. The officers tied my hands with plastic strips, blindfolded, dragged me on the ground, and ordered me to get into the military vehicle until we reached a place I recognized as “Beitar Illit” Police Station.”

• At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Um al-Jammal in the northern Jordan valley. They raided and searched a house belonging Nemer Mahmoud Erheel Ka’bana (20) and then arrested him, taking him to an unknown destination.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafur Qadoom village, northeast of Qalqilia; al-Jadida and al-Zababda and ‘Aaqaba, southeast of Jenin; and Bani N’aim, Beit Ummar, Deir al-‘Assal al-Foqa, and al-Daheria villages in Hebron.

Monday, 04 February 2019

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Izbit Mas’oud area, north of Aktabah suburb adjacent to Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Belal Mohamed ‘Abed al-Jawwad “Shaiekh ‘Abed” (26) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Jenin. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested 3 civilians, including 2 children. They arrested civilians were identified as Mohamed Naseef Ghawadrah (23),  Thaier Hussain Sa’ieed ‘Asas’ah (17) and Rami Saleem Mer’I (17). The Israeli forces also confiscated a motorcycle belonging to Ibrahim Hussain Mer’i.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin Refugee Camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Mahmoud Samer Jabareen (25) and Mo’min Abu Hamadah (19).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Irtah suburb, southwest of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to a former prisoner Monther “Mohamed Mansour” ‘Abed al-Kareem ‘Ashour (34) and then arrested him.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles and mounted-crane trucks moved into Tulkarm from the western side. The Israeli forces headed towards al-‘Awda Street, west of the city. They then raided al- Lubaddi garage for repairing vehicles and confiscated a number of vehicles’ engines and automotive parts in addition to other vehicles. The Israeli forces arrested 3 civilians while they were in the shop. The arrested civilians were identified as Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hamdan (34), the shop’s owner; ‘Izzat Makawi Tawfiq Shadeed (39); and ‘Adnan ‘Abed al-Raheem Jallad (52). In the meanwhile, another Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Khair Allah Mahmoud Shaf’i (59) and arrested him. Four hours later, the Israeli forces withdrew from the city and took the arrested civilians to an unknown destination. On the same day evening, the Israeli forces released Khair Allah al-Shaf’i.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-Walajah village, northwest of Bethlehem. They deployed between houses and combed lands. They then arrested Foad Mohamed al-A’raj (16), taking him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses, from which they arrested Meqdad Omar al-Qawasmah (24) and Husam Mahmoud Abu Shkhadim (23), taking them to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Qaddourah refugee camp in the center of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested ‘Awaad Sameer ‘Awaad (19) and Ahmed Jum’a ‘Awwad (21).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into ‘Aboud village, northwesr of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Barghouthi (28) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 06:45, Israeli forces backed by 4 military vehicles moved around 100 meters into the west of the border fence with Israel, east of Dir al-Balah. The Israeli vehicles levelled and combed lands along the border fence and then headed to the north, east of al-Buriej camp. At approximately 13:30, the Israeli vehicles redeployed along the border fence.

• At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into an area located on bypass road between ‘Orta and Rojeeb villages, southeast of Nablus, where they set up an ambush. They then arrested 4 children, from Rojeeb village, who were throwing stones at the Israeli vehicles passing through the mentioned road. The arrested children were identified as ‘Obada Mohamed Khaled Rawajbah (17), Khaled Mohamed Rawajbah (16), Nader Saher Hijazi (16), and ‘Abed al-Rahman Khaled Sbitani (17).

• At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians, including a child. The civilians were riding a motorcycle at the sub entrance to al-Jamalah village between forest trees and greenhouses, 300 meters away from Jenin- al-Nasserah Street, which leads to al-Jamalah checkpoint, northeast of Jenin. As a result, ‘Abdullah Faysal Omar Abu Taleb (19), from al-Jamalah village, was killed after being hit with live bullets to the head and feet. Moreover, Ahmed Omar Fawzi Abu Hananah (16), from ‘Aranah village, was hit with 4 live bullets to the back, shoulder and leg. Ahmed was taken to Khalil Suliman Governmental Hospital via a PRCS ambulance and his healgh condition was described as stable. The body of Abu Taleb was kept for over an hour in the scene before delivering him to the PRCS ambulance. The Israeli forces claimed that al-Jamalah checkpoint was exposed to throwing a homemade pipe bomb before opening fire at the civilians by the Israeli soldiers. It should be noted that the checkpoint is about 700 km away from the area, where Ahmed wounded and ‘Abdullah killed. There was no eyewitness in the area to refute the Israeli claims, but the soldiers could have used less lethal force towards the male and child, especially that they did not pose any danger to the soldiers’ life.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (8) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Showikah suburb and Far’oun village in Tulkarm;  Zababdah and Sanour villages, southeast of Jenin; and Sureef, Dir Razzah and Shayyoukh villages in Hebron.

Tuesday, 05 February 2019

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Rojeeb village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ameen Farraj (15), taking him to an unknown destination.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Beit Fujjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses, from which they arrested Mohamed Naser Diriyah (16) and Ibrahim Khalil Diriyah.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Ethna village, west of Hebron. They stationed in Wad al-Risha area and then raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Abi Jehishah family. They then arrested two siblings identified as Mojahed (33) and Mo’taz (35) Mohamed Abu Jehishah and took them to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Kuber village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested 4 civilians, including a woman. The arrested civilians were identified as Hamza ‘Awwad al-Barghouthi (28), Zahi Isma’il al-Barghouthi (40) and his brother Saher (35) and his sister Suhair (54).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by 10 military vehicles moved into Abu Shkhaidem village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses, meanwhile, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. The Israeli soldiers heavily fired live and rubber bullets at them. As a result, a 23-year-old male was hit with a rubber bullet to the head, and a 20-year-old male was hit with alive bullet to the foot. The wounded persons were then taken to the Specialist Hospital in al-Rayhan suburb, north of the city. The Israeli forces arrested Ahmed Mohamed ‘Abed al-Hafiz (29) and Isma’il Suhail Harb (32), taking them to an unknown destination.  They also confiscated 3 vehicles belonging to Ziad Shalaldah, a prisoner at the Israeli jails, Sarhan Mish’al and Isma’il al-Barghouthi.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ya’boud village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested 4 civilians, including a father and his child. The arrested civilians were identified as Ahmed Jum’a Ba’jawi (55), Member of Ya’boud Village Council and General Director of Palestine T.V, and his son Zaid (14); Mohamed Bassam Ba’jawi (21) and Mohamed Khaled Murad Jawabrah (19). On the next day morning, the Israeli forces released Ahmed along with his son.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp, west of Nablus. They raided and searched houses, from which they arrested Mahmoud Samer Jabareen (25) and Mo’min Abu Hamadah (19).

• At approximately 07:10, Israeli forces backed by 8 military vehicles moved around 100 meters into the west of the border fence with Israel, east of Dir al-Balah. The Israeli vehicles levelled and combed lands along the border fence and then headed to the north, east of al-Buriej camp. At approximately 15:15, the Israeli vehicle redeployed along the border fence.

• At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Maghazi camp in the center of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. The Israeli shooting recurred at approximately 11:15, so the Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area and no injuries were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (3) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Kafur Qaddoum in Qalqiliyia; and Kafur al-Deek in Slafit.

Wednesday, 06 February 2019

• At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Kafur Thulth village in Qaqliliyia. They raided and searched a house belonging to Suhail Subhi Fathi ‘Isaa (36) and then arrested him.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Araba, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Ibrahim Mohamed Saleh Dahbour (53), Deputy of Change and Reform Bloc in the Legislative Council.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Balatah village,southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and then arrested Habeeb Khaled Suliman (23).

• At approximately 08:45, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of al-Maghazi camp in the center of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. As a result, the Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area and no injuries were reported.
• At approximately 21:30, an Israeli tank fired a sell at a military site belonging to the Palestinian armed groups, 100 meters away from the border fence with Israel, east of al-Fakhari village, southeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, the site sustained material damages and no injuries were reported. Twenty minutes later, the Israeli tank fired another shell at another military site, east of the village, and no injuries were reported. At approximately 23:30, the Israeli tank fired another shell at the abovementioned site. The Israeli forces stationed along the border fence heavily opened fire at agricultural lands in the area.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (9) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Qablan village, southeast of Nablus; Safareen and Qafeen villages in Tulkarm; Merda village in Salfit; Qaliqliyia; Abu Qash, Birziet, Western al-Mazra’ah villages, northwest of Ramallah; and al-Jenan neighborhood in al-Birah.

Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel:

Israeli forces continued its excessive use of lethal force against peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and it was named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstration was in protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration to move the U.S. Embassy to it. According to PCHR fieldworkers’ observations, the border area witnessed large participation by Palestinian civilians as the Israeli forces continued to use upon highest military and political echelons excessive force against the peaceful demonstrators, though the demonstration were fully peaceful. The demonstration was as follows during the reporting period:

Gaza Strip:

In the 45^th week of the March of Return and Breaking Siege activities, a Palestinian civilian succumbed to his wounds. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 100 civilians, including 29 children, 3 women, a journalist, and a female paramedic. The incidents were as follows:

• Gaza City: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 27 civilians, including a child and a journalist.  10 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel, 2 were hit with rubber bullets and 14 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded journalist was identified as:

1. ‘Abed al-Rahman Hani ‘Abed al-Qader al-Kahlout (22), a freelance journalist, who was hit with a tear gas canister at the shoulder.

• Northern Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators resulted in the injury of 25 civilians, including 7 children and a woman. 13 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 12 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The wounded civilians were then taken to the Gaza European Hospital and al-‘Awda Hospital via an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Union of Health WorkCommittees (UHWC). The injury of 3 of them were reported serious.
• Central Gaza Strip: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:30, in the injury of 14 civilians, including 7 children and a woman. 5 of them were hit with live bullets and 9 were directly hit with tear gas canisters.

• Khan Yunis: The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:30, resulted in the injury of 15 civilians, including 11 children. The injury of 2 of them, including a 17-year-old girl, was reported serious as they were hit with a live bullet to the chest.

• Rafah:  The Israeli shooting at Palestinian demonstrators, which continued until 17:00, resulted in the injury of 19 civilians, including 3 children and a female paramedic. 11 of them were hit with live bullets and shrapnel and 8 were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The injury of 2 of them were reported serious. The wounded paramedic was identified as Eman Mostafa Hammad Abu Sha’ar (30). Eman is a volunteer paramedic at the Ministry of Health and she was hit with a tear gas canister to the right ear.

• Civilian Succumbed to His Wounds:

• At approximately 16:45 on Sunday, 03 February 2019, medical resources at al-Shifa Hospital declared the death of Ahmed Ghazi ‘Abbas Abu Jabal (29), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, east of the Gaza Strip. Ahmed succumbed to wounds he sustained on 29 January 2019 while participating in the protests organized in Zikim” military base, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Ahmed was hit with a live bullet to the leg caused a cut in the veins. Due to hos serious health condition, Ahmed was then referred to al-Shifa Hospital and stayed there until his death was declared.

West Bank:

• Following the Friday prayer, on 01 February 2019, dozens of Palestinian young men, from al-Moghair village, northeast of Ramllah, headed to al-Sahel Mount area, adjacent to 60 settlement road from the northern side, to protest at confiscating and seizing their lands by the Israeli settlers. When the protestors arrived at the mentioned area, the Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded. 6 of them were hit with live bullets and another one was hit with a rubber bullet to the thigh. The wounded civilians were taken to the Palestine Medical Complex via a PRCS ambulance. After they received first aid at the Emergency Department, they were referred to the Specialist Hospital in al-Rihan suburb, north of the city. Medical sources said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the injury of them were described between minor and moderate.

• At approximately 13:00 on Friday, a peaceful demonstration started from the center of Kafur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyia, and then headed towards the eastern entrance to the village, which was closed 15 years ago in favor of “Kedumim” settlement. The demonstrators chanted national slogans calling for ending occupation and condemning the Israeli forces‘ crimes committed against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms. The Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were hit with rubber bullets; one of them were hit to the shoulder while the second one was hit to left hand. The injury of them was reported minor. They received medical treatment on the spot by the staff of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

• Continued closure of the oPt

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

Gaza Strip

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

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

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

Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.

Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, southeast of Rafah, is designated for the movement of goods

Note: Due to technical reasons, we could not obtain the official statistics from the department responsible for issuing the statistics

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

Movement at Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing

(31 January- 06 February 2019)

Category	30 January	31 January	01 February	02 February	03 February	04 February
Patients	69	39	–	–	53	60
Companions	58	31	–	–	48	48
Personal needs	27	29	4	–	20	9
Families of prisoners	–	–	–	–	–	–
Arabs from Israel	2	9	13	–	7	11
Diplomats	–	–	–	–	–	–
Meetings in Erez	–	–	–	–	–	2
International workers	17	69	6	–	6	28
Travelers Abroad	2	33	–	–	8	–
Business people	315	267	2	–	606	323
Business meetings	–	–	–	–	–	–
Security interviews	2	4	–	–	3	4
VIPs	–	–	–	–	1	–
Ambulances to Israel	6	3	–	–	4	4
Patients’ Companions	7	5	–	–	3	4

Notes:

• On Wednesday, 30 January 2019, the Israeli authorities allowed 5 persons; on Sunday, 03 February 2019, 2 persons; and on Monday, 04 February 2019, one person, who work at the General Authority of Civil Affairs (GACA) and internationals to renew their permits.
• On Thursday, 31 January 2019, the Israeli authorities allowed 17 farmers to travel via the crossing in order to attend an agricultural training course.
• On Sunday, 03 February 2019, the Israeli authorities allowed 3 doctors to travel via the crossing in order to attend a medical training course.
• On Monday, 04 February 2019, the Israeli authorities allowed 6 persons to return to the West Bank.

Following table illustrates temporary and permanent checkpoints and arrests at these checkpoints in the West Bank from 31 January – 06 February 2019:

Governorate	Permanent temporary	Temporary checkpoints	Closed Roads	Arrested persons
Jerusalem	13	1	–	1
Nablus	10	–	2	1
Jenin	5	–	–	–
Ramallah	11	12	1	–
Tulkarm	7	1	1	1
Tubas	2	–	1	–
Salfit	3	6	2	–
Qalqiliyia	5	7	2	1
Hebron	31	33	3	1
Bethlehem	11	–	2	–
Jericho	5	2	–	1
Al-Karama Crossing	–	–	–	0
Total	103	62	14	6

Arrests at Military Checkpoints:

• On Thursday evening, 31 January 2019, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karama (Allenby) crossing, arrested Shadi Motawar, Fatah Movement Secretary. Shadi was arrested while returning along with the West Bank Secretaries from a visit to the Palestinian Refugee Camp in Syria via Jordan boundaries.  On Sunday, 03 February 2019, the Israeli Court decided to release him on bail after it rejected the appeal filed by the police. The Court decided to detain his passport and identity card for a month then released him.

• On Thursday evening, 31 January 2019, Israeli forces arrested Ahmad Ibrahim Mustafa al-Massry (20), from al-Dihisha refugee camp, west of Bethlehem. He was arrested at a temporary checkpoint on the road of “Ma’ale Adumim” settlement, east of occupied East Jerusalem, while he was on his way back from Darul Ma’allimeen Institute, where he studies.

• At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, 02 February 2019, Israeli forces arrested Mohammad Hader al-‘Amour (22), from At-Tuwani village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. He was arrested in Massafer area and then taken to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 14:00 on Saturday, 02 February 2019, Israeli forces arrested ‘Abdulrahman Ahmad Eshtewee (20) at a temporary checkpoint that they set at the eastern entrance to Qalqilya and then took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 02 February 2019, Israeli forces arrested Waleed Khaleel Abu Jeldah (25), from Qalandia, at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus and then took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces arrested Akram Nabeel ‘Abdul Fattah Humodah (31), from Showika village in Tulkarm at Za’tara checkpoint and then took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 03 February 2019, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Manssour Lutfy Hussein (21) when passing through the gate of annexation wall adjacent to Qaffin village, north of Tulkarm, while he was on his way back from an agriculture land, taking him to an unknown destination.

• Efforts to Create A Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Notices and House Demolitions:

• On Friday morning, 01 February 2019, Mahmoud Abu Hussein started to demolish his house in al-Mukaber Mount, south of occupied East Jerusalem, after Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the house under the pretext of non-licensing. The 120-square-meter house sheltered 3 families of 13 members, including 7 children, and it was a building attached to a 100-square-meter older building. It should be mentioned that Mahmoud is still paying a fee of NIS 35,000 for the older building under the pretext of non-licensing as well.

• On Saturday morning, 02 February 2019, Majdy Abu Teyeh started to demolish his house in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, after the Israeli municipality handed him a notice to self-demolish the two rooms under the pretext of non-licensing. The 70-square-meter house sheltered a family of 6 members, including 4 children. It should be mentioned that Majdy is paying a fee of NIS 50,000 imposed on him by the Jerusalem Municipal Court.

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks:

• At approximately 10:00, on Thursday, 31 January 2019, Israeli forces leveled a road connecting between Mssafer Yatta, south of Hebron, and Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam, under the pretext that it passes through Israeli controlled areas. Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam is in Mssafer Yatta. The constructed area in Khirbet Sha’b al-Batam is 110 dunums where 9 families of 81 members, including 37 children, live in 10 accommodations of 7 tents, 3 barracks of tin plates and a caravan. 

Israeli settlers’ attacks:

• At approximately 14:00 on Friday, 01 February 2019, a group of 7 settlers stepped out of their car and attacked a group of Palestinian young men while walking in Jibiya village forests, on “al-Qimma Park” Street, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers severely beat Aram Wadee’ Hussein ‘Awees (18), so he sustained bruises in his face and throughout his body. Aram fainted and was then taken to Palestine Medical Complex. He discharged 2 hours later. It should be mentioned that Aram studies Computer Science at Birzeit University.

• At approximately 07:30 on Monday, 04 February 2019, dozens of settlers, protected by Israeli forces, moved into Deir Dibwan village, northeast of Ramallah, and rioted on the village’s street. They wrote racist slogans against Palestinian civilians on houses walls and then withdrew.

• At dawn hours, on 05 February 2019, a group of settlers, from “Ma’un” settlement, established on civilian’s lands, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, uprooted 23 olive seedlings planted a month ago in a land belonging to Jom’a Moussa Rab’ee (45), in al-Hamra area. At morning hours, Israeli forces and police arrived at the area in order to prevent any settlers from approaching the land as Jom’a has a court decision that proves that al-Rab’ee family owns this land and settlers are not allowed to enter it. The aforementioned land is 500 meters away from “Ma’un” settlement.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR warns of the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces. PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967.  PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.  PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.

1. PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.
2. PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt, particularly the settlement crimes and the 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
3. PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.
4. PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.
5. PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.
6. PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.
7. PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.
8. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.
9. PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
10. PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
11. PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.
12. PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.
13. PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.
14. PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.

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Public Document

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