In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 11- 17 Oct. 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that 5 Palestinians were killed by Israeli missiles in the Gaza Strip. 2 of the Palestinians killed were extra-judicially executed by Israeli forces. 5 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded in the Gaza Strip, while 1 Palestinian man and 1 Palestinian child sustained bruises in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces extra-judicially executed 2 Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip. On 13 October 2012, Israeli warplanes launched a missile on a motorcycle ridden by 2 Palestinians on Mas’oud Street in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip. As a result, one of them was killed immediately, while the other died 3 hours later. A child who was in the vicinity of the attack was wounded and the windows of 2 houses in the area were broken. The glass door of a nearby pharmacy was also smashed.
Israeli forces acknowledged that they had carried out the attack; an Israeli military spokesperson was quoted as saying that 2 members of Global Jihad had been targeted.
On the same day, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an olive grove, east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. 17 olive trees were uprooted and the missile left a big hole in the ground. In addition, 5 houses were partially damaged. Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed Abdul Salam, 12, was sleeping in his home nearby, and sustained minor bruising on his right leg from flying rubble.
On 14 October 2012, Israeli forces carried out the willful killing of a member of Palestinian resistance, when Israeli warplanes attacked 2 men on their motorcycle in al-Fokhari area, southeast of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. The second man was wounded in the attack.
On the same day, Israeli forces Israeli forces carried out the willful killing of two other members of Palestinian resistance, when Israeli warplanes targeted 3 men on farming lands in Wadi al-Salqa village, southeast of Deir al-Balah, the central Gaza Strip. Two men were killed and the third was wounded.
Similar shelling incidents resulted in damage to a number of civilian objects. In addition, Palestinian civilians were terrorized and terrified. By the following incidents:
On 13 October 2012, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at open land, northeast of al-Nusairat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. The missile left a big hole in the ground. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
On 14 October 2012, Israeli forces positioned at the border fence in the vicinity of Kissufim military site, northeast of Khan Younis, opened fire at lands and neighborhoods in al-Qarara village, west of the aforementioned military site. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
On 16 October 2012, Israeli forces stationed inside watchtowers at the border fence in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip fired heavily at Palestinian and international protesters, who were on the Khayal plot of land, approximately 400 meters away from the border fence. The 18 protesters, including an international activist and a Palestinian farmer, were under fire for 20 minutes. No casualties were reported.
On 17 October 2012, Israeli warplanes launched 5 missiles at a military training site belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, east of Um al-Nasser Bedouin village, in the northern Gaza Strip. The attack caused damage to a house inhabited by 4 families consisting of 18 members, including 8 children and 4 women, the headquarters of the International Federation of Football (FIFA), Abdul Mohsen Hamouda religious institution belonging to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and Bisan Entertainment City.
In the context of attacking Palestinian fishermen in the open sea, on 12 October 2012, Israeli gunboats positioned off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. As a result, fishermen were terrified and fled. Neither casualties nor damages were reported. On the following day, another attack was conducted against fishermen in the same area. Fire lasted for 10 minutes. Neither casualties nor damages were reported.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 11 October 2012, Hatem Najeh Da’na, 14, sustained bruises and fractures, when he was run over by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration. Da’na was in the yard of the Ibrahimi mosque, in the center of the Old City in Hebron. On 15 October 2012, a group of Israeli soldiers mobilized between Palestinian houses in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, attacked Ashraf ‘Ezzat Khalil Sabarna, 19, while he and some children were on their way to visit a relative. As a result, he sustained bruising on his hands and leg.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 40 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 18 Palestinians, including 3 children.
In an example of one of this week’s incursions, on Monday October 15th, at approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves at Far’aoan Street near al-Safarini Mosque. Israeli forces raided the house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Lutfi Ahmed Abu Theyab, 17, and abducted him. Then, Israeli forces repositioned in the southern neighborhood of the city near the Hawash building and raided a house belonging to the family of Islam Mohammed Nasr Allah, 19, arresting him. Later, Israeli forces also abducted Zeyad Sami Nemer Tamam, 25, and took the 3 detainees to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Amr village, north of Hebron, during a funeral for a civilian from Beit Amr. A number of boys gathered and threw stones at the Israeli forces and, in response, the soldiers launched stun grenades and tear gas at the boys and the civilians in the courtyard of the cemetery. This resulted in cases of tear gas inhalation.
In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mohammed ‘Awad, media spokesman for the Popular Committee, said that large numbers of Israeli soldiers were seen in the vicinity of the cemetery during the funeral of one of the civilians. This provoked anger and upset amongst the mourners, who clashed with the Israeli soldiers. ‘Awad reported that the Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and stun grenades at the houses of civilians and used several civilians’ cars as shields. It should be noted that this is the second incident this month in which funeral mourners were subjected to Israeli forces attack in Beit Amr.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces in Beit Amr village, south of Hebron, attacked Ashraf ‘Aezat Khalil Saba Rana, 19, while he and some small children were on their way to a relative’s house. Rana suffered bruising on his hands and his foot and was transferred by Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance to the Governmental Hospital of Hebron to receive treatment.
In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Ashraf Sleibi said that while he was accompanying his young cousins to their house, they passed through an area which is continuously full of Israeli soldiers. “Four soldiers stopped me and started harassing me and the young girls and insulted us with the worst embarrassing words then they started attacking us by pushing the girls into the ground for no reason. When I was trying to protect them, the four soldiers brutally beat me and kicked me hard with their feet and their gun butts causing me bruises and wounds in my hand and my left leg. The young girls suffered from light bruising and a state of fear and panic.”
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 10 October 2012, a group of Israeli settlers from ‘Kedumim’ settlement established on Palestinian lands in Qalqilya attacked farming lands in Kufor Qaddoum, on Qalqilya – Nablus road. Furthermore, the settlers stole olives from the farming lands.
On 11 October 2012, a group of settlers from ‘Karmi Tsour’ settlement, north of Hebron, moved into al-Bweirah area, where the Najal’ Islamic shrine is established, east of Beit Ummar in the north of Hebron, and performed religious rituals inside the shrine and around the Islamic graveyard.
On 12 October 2012, a group of Israeli settlers from ‘Ramat Yishai’ settlement established in Hebron attacked Palestinian farmers while they were collecting olives in Tal al-Rumaida area in the center of Hebron.
On 15 October 2012, a number of settlers from ‘Afrat’ settlement established in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, cut down 15 almond trees belonging to Abdullah Breigith, 50.
On the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by settler vehicles moved into the southern entrance of Bethlehem; settlers closed the main road and prevented Palestinians from passing in or out of the city.
On 16 October 2012, a number of settlers moved into Wadi Abu Risha, west of Beit Ummar in the north of Hebron, and cut down 3 olive trees belonging to Hammad Jaber Salibi, 80. Furthermore, Salibi’s brother, Mohammed Abdul Hamid Salibi, 65, was abducted this week while he was working on his land.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli forces used force to disperse peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Dozens of protesters sustained bruising and suffered from tear gas inhalation.
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, an Israeli human rights defender and a Palestinian child were wounded, and dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 12:30 on Friday, 12 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights activists organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, in protest to the continued closure of the eastern entrance of the village, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000. After moving towards the entrance, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. Ahmed Abdl-Fatah Amer (28), Ahmed Wadeei’ Amer (21), were abducted and transported to ‘Qadomim’ camp. They were released at approximately 20:00 the same evening. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, along with a Norwegian delegation, organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall. The demonstrators gathered in the streets of the village, 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 wall. They called through megaphones for Israeli settlers in “Mitityahu” settlement to leave Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, others sustained bruises and the wounded were treated in the field.
Following the Friday Prayer, Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest at the ongoing construction of the annexation wall. As they moved towards the gate of the village, Israeli forces closed it to prevent the demonstration from gained access to the confiscated lands. In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker, Mahmoud Zawahra, a member of the Public Movement in Bethlehem, said, ‘Israeli forces surrounded the village and prevented the crowd from reaching the farm lands west of town. Israeli forces soldiers and demonstrators engaged in a skirmish, however, no abductions or attacks were reported.’
At approximately 10:00 Saturday, 13 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, gathered in the center of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, for the weekly peaceful demonstration organized against the settlement expansion policy, the construction of the annexation wall and the arrest of children. The demonstrators headed towards Thaher Jalis area near ‘Kermi Tsour’ settlement north of the village. A group of Israeli forces soldiers surrounded the demonstrators and attacked them with clubs, bruising a number of them. They were identified as: Youssif Abu-Maria (40), Ahmed Abu-Hashem (46) and Younis ‘Arar (42). According to Mr Ahmed Abu Hashem, spokesperson of the National Committee in the village, large numbers of Israeli forces soldiers had surrounded the area since the early morning hours.
At approximately 09:20 on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in Al-Latron street in Jerusalem, which is called 443 Street by Israeli forces, to hold a peaceful demonstration in protest at the daily assaults against Palestinian civilians by settlers, as well as the annexation wall and the racial discrimination practiced by the Israeli government. The crowd gathered in the aforementioned street, which is used by settlers, resulting in a huge traffic jam. The demonstrators held Palestinian flags and chanted against the Israeli government’s policies. Immediately, Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene and attempted to evacuate the street. They fired sound bombs and pepper gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, five demonstrators, including an international human rights activist who was not identified, suffered from gas inhalation and sustained bruising. The wounded were treated in the field.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention 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.
In addition, 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
