Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (18- 24 September 2014).Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
In the Gaza Strip, although almost a month has past following the truce agreement under Egyptian auspices between the Palestinian armed groups and Israel, the catastrophic consequences of the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip have been present. Hundreds of wounded Palestinians have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and other hospitals abroad for the seriousness of their wounds. In the meanwhile, Israeli forces have violated the truce several times by opening fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area and arresting a number of fishermen.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian militants in Hebron, south of the West Bank, while a civilian was wounded at a military checkpoint, south of Nablus. Moreover, 3 children were wounded at the Orphans’ school in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, 3 civilians were killed and 2 others were wounded, including a child due to mishandling an explosive device of the Israeli weapons’ remnants in the east of al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City. Moreover, 4 steel and gravel collectors were wounded in the northern Gaza Strip in 2 separate incidents. Wounds of 2 of them were serious.
In the West Bank, on 23 September 2014, Israeli forces first surrounded Marwan Sa’di Abdul Afou al-Qawasmah (28) and ‘Amer Omar Abu ‘Eishah (32) in a house in the University neighbourhood, in the centre of Hebron, and killed them. Israeli forces claimed that the 2 aforementioned persons had kidnapped and killed 3 settlers in June.
On 23 September 2014, a Palestinian civilian was wounded at a military checkpoint at the entrance of Burin village, south of Nablus.
On 24 September 2014, 3 students from the Orphans’ School in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem were wounded when Israeli forces topped a nearby building and opened fire at the school. The wounded students were taken to al-Maqased Hospital.
Israeli forces used excessive force against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
In the Gaza Strip, on 19 September 2014, 3 civilians were killed and 2 others, including a child, were wounded due to mishandling an explosive device of the Israeli weapons’ remnants in the east of al-Shuja’ya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.
On 19 and 20 September 2014, 4 steel and gravel collectors were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border between in the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at them in 2 separate incidents. Wounds of 2 of them were serious.
In the context of targeting fishermen in the sea, on 20 and 22 September 2014, Israeli gunboats opened fire at fishermen off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, and off al-Zahra area, southwest of Gaza City. They arrested 5 fishermen and confiscated a big fishing boat. On 23 September 2014, Israeli forces released the fishermen, but kept the fishing boat in custody.
It should be noted that shooting incidents come in the context of the Israeli violations of the long-term truce that was declared at 19:00 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, under which fishermen were allowed to sail within 6 nautical miles.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 64 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 53 Palestinians, including 6 children and 2 women. Seven of these Palestinians, including 2 children and 2 women were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 19 September 2014, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands along the border fence and withdrew later.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight 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 closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 7 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.7 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports.
Israeli forces 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.
As part of using military checkpoints and border crossings as traps to arrest Palestinian civilians under the pretext they are wanted, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
Demolition of houses and buildings
On 23 September 2014, al-‘Obeidi family demolished their own house in al-Marwaha neighborhood in Beit Hanina village, north of Jerusalem according to a decision by the Israeli municipality that ordered the demolition of the fifth floor and the closure of the fourth one of the residential building under the pretext of having no construction permit.
On 21 September 2014, Israeli nature authority escorted by Israeli soldiers destroyed 20 tombs in al-Shuhadaa cemetery in al-Asbat gate in the Old City in Jerusalem claiming that the land is confiscated by the nature authority.
Settlement activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, in a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 18 September 2014, Israeli forces backed by 2 military vehicles and a vehicle of the construction and organization department in the Israeli Civil Administration moved into Khilat al-Sheikh Ibrahim area. The Israeli Civil Administration officers handed demolition notices to 3 civilians.
On the same day, Israeli settlers raided an archeological hill near al-Karmel village, coming from confiscated lands east of Yatta village, south of Hebron. The settlers preformed religious ceremonies under strict military guard.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
· Following the Friday Prayer on 19 September 2014, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The emonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and waste water at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· At the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in Nil’in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way towards the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the wall gate with barbwire and, when the demonstrators attempted to access the lands behind the barbwire, they were stopped by Israeli soldier. The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldier who responded with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullet, sound bombs, tear gas canisters, and waste water at them and chased them into the village. As a result, several demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation and in support of the Palestinian unity resistance, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Also at approximately 13:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the centre of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, several protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinians gathered in the center of al-Ma’sarah village, south of Bethlehem in protest at settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. They made their way in the street trying to reach the annexation wall., but Israeli forces prevented them. As a result, the demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.
· Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders gathered at the northern entrance of Wadi Foukin village, west of Bethlehem in protest at the Israeli confiscation of thousands of dunums in the village and other villages. They made their way towards lands that were threatened to be confiscated, but Israeli forces topped them. The protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.
Other Demonstrations
· On Friday afternoon, 12 September 2014, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah on the road between Selwad village and Yabrod village near Street (60) to throw stones at the aforementioned street. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
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.
The total closure of al-Mentar (‘Karni’) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the 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 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 were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
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.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated for 9 months due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 6 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.
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.
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 denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 18 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:00 on Sunday, 21 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They closed the entrances to the camp with barbwire gats. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 22 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Halhoul village, north of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Kahel village, northwest of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 24 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sai’r village, east of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 17:30 on Friday, 12 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Saturday, 13 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. At approximately 17:30, they established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 15 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron, and another one at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
In the morning, Israeli forces established a new surveillance room at the entrance of Ibrahimi mosque in the Old City in Hebron, thus causing more restrictions on civilians’ movement. The department of Awqaf already objected the establishment of this room.
At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday, 16 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at entrance of Ezna village, west of Hebron. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Wednesday, 17 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at southern entrance of Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 18 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqia village, west of Ramallah. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 19 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, and another one under Kharbtha al-Misbah Bridge, southwest of the city. At approximately 11:30, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of the city. At approximately 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established at the entrance of Beir Ore al-Fouqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, another checkpoint was established near the intersection of “Ofra” settlement. At approximately 20:20, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:45, on Saturday, 20 September 2014, Israeli forces reestablished their existence at ‘Attara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30, on Sunday, 21 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Badras village, west of Ramallah. At approximately, 18:00, they established another checkpoint at the intersection of Beir Ore al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately, 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established under Ain Yabroud bridge, north east of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 18 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab military checkpoint, which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, tightened restrictions against Palestinian and obstructed their movement. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the tightening ended, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 22 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the entrance of Jabara villge. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 23:00, another checkpoint was established at road between Tulkarm and Qalqilya, near the intersection of Bazarya village, east of Tulkarm.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 18 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, no arrests were reported.
At approximately 05:00 on Friday, 19 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, no arrests were reported. At approximately 18:00, a similar checkpoint was established at the intersection of Zabouba village, northwest of the city.
At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday, 23 September 2014, Israeli forces tightened its restrictions on Mofdatan checkpoint, which is established on the bypass between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. When Muahnnad Hatem Suleiman ‘Amarna (37) arrived at the checkpoint heading to transfer his son Thabet Thabet hospital, Israeli soldiers stopped him and investigated with him for an hour then allowed him to pass. The tightening ended, and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 20 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasail village, north of the city. At approximately 22:00, they established a similar checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 19 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kifil Hars village, north of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 22:45, Israeli forces stationed at the southern entrance of Kifil Hares village, north of the city, and withdrew later.
Approximately 23:00 on Saturday, 20 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between the villages of Broqin and Kufur al-Dik, west of Salfit. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Approximately 23:00 on Friday, 19 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint between Kifil Hares and Hares villages, north of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 20:45, Israeli forces stationed at the southern entrance of Kifil Hares village, then withdrew. No arrests were reported.
Approximately 23:00 on Saturday, 20 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of the city. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 23 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Burin village, south of Nablus. They stopped Palestinian vehicles and searched them. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces arrested Nasser Nafe’ Abdul Latif Mansour (23), from the said village. When his brother Montaser learnt about his brother’s arrest, he went with Bara’ Yasser Omran (20) to the aforementioned checkpoint to bring his brother’s car. The 2 aforementioned persons reached the checkpoint and crossed it. 2 soldiers hurried up and shouted at him, so Montaser told them that he came to take his brother’s car that was about 20 meters away from him. They prevented him and ordered him to walk 300 meters backwards and take a dirt road leading to the main street in order to take the car. He listened to them. Once he reached his brother’s car and wanted to get into it, a soldier came out of the olive trees and kicked him in the belly. Montaser screamed, due to which 4 other soldiers came by and brought Bara’ from Montaser’s car. They attacked both of them and took them to a military jeep that was 500 meters away. They saw Nasser handcuffed to the back and blindfolded. Israeli soldiers put them next to Nasser. A soldier approached and pointed the gun at Nasser threatening that he would fire at him. Montaser stood in between the soldier and his brother to prevent the soldier from firing at his brother. The soldier ordered Montaser to stand against a rock chain and put his hands up. Montaser did so and suddenly the soldier fired at his legs and wounded him in the left leg. He prevented him from sitting down although he was wounded. Moreover, the soldier attacked him until he fell down. A PRCS ambulance arrived later and took him to Rafidya Hospital. His wound was moderate.
· At approximately 07:00 on Thursday, 18 September 2014, Israeli forces closed the entrance of Beit Amr village, north of Hebron. They deployed around, searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. They arrested Ali Khalil Sabarna (22) and took him towards their military vehicles. Meanwhile, Rushdi Nasri Sabarna (21), a mechanic, was arrested when he was fixing a car at the entrance. Furthermore, Israeli forces handed Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem (46), the secretary of the Popular Committee for the Resistance of the Annexation wall and Settlement activities, a summons to meet Israel intelligence in “Gosh Itsion” settlement, south of Bethlehem. Later, the entrance was opened and the arrested were taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 18:00 on the aforementioned Thursday, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of Beit Amr village, north of Hebron, arrested Muahmmed Ahmed Musa Brighith (21) after a settler alleged that that the aforementioned throw stones at his car. The aforementioned was taken to “Karmi Tsour” which is established on confiscated lands south of the village.
· In the evening of the aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at Bart’a military checkpoint which is established at the entrance of Barta’a village, south of Jenin, arrested Muhammad Yousif Ibrahim Waked (26) from al-‘Arqa village, west of the city. He was later taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 10:30, on Sunday, 21 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed at the Container checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem, arrested Zkarya Abdel Hamid Ahmed ‘Oeidat (55) from al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. Later he was taken to “Gosh Itsion” settlement, south of the city.
· At approximately 10:00 on the aforementioned Sunday, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of “Gosh Itsion” arrested Ahmed Murshed Awad (26) from Beit Amr, north of Hebron when he was heading to meet Israeli intelligence. It should be noted that Israeli forces moved into the village early in the morning and handed the aforementioned civilian’s parents a summons to meet Israeli intelligence. He was arrested at the entrance of the settlement.
· At approximately 13:00 on aforementioned day, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karama crossing, east of Jericho, arrested Abdul-Rahman Asad Abdul-Rahman Rihan (41) from Tal village, southwest of Nablus. The aforementioned was returning from an educational trip to Malaysia to complete his doctorate degree. Later, he was taken to an unknown destination. It should be noted that the aforementioned is a lecturer at the Modern Collage in Ramallah.
· At approximately 14:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinian children, near the bypass road, west of Silwad, northeast of Ramallah, and took them to the military tower in the western side of the village. Later, they were transferred to “Benjamin” Israeli police station, southeast of the city. At approximately 16:30, he was handed to the Palestinian Liaison. The aforementioned were identified as: Imad Naim Ayyad (10) and Suleiman Kamal Owda (10). Israeli forces claim that the aforementioned were arrested in the pretext of throwing stones at the aforementioned road.
· On Tuesday morning, 23 September 2014, Israeli forces stationed at Zatra checkpoint arrested Ihab Majed Ubrahim al-Nazzaza (20) from ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin, wen he was heading to his work in Ramallah. They stopped a taxi that he was taking after checking IDs and arrested him. He was taken to an unkwon destination.
· At approximately 15:00, on Wednesday, 24 September 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Zahirya village, south of Hebron. They searched Palestinian vehicles and checked IDs of passengers. Moreover, they arrested Muhammad Younis Rabba’ (45) and took him to an unknown destination.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations 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;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
Complete document, with charts on crossing statistics and full reports on Israeli patrols, at the official PCHR website, via link below.
