Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 29 January – 04 February 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian boy and wounded 5 others, including 4 children, in the West Bank while a child sustained a bullet wound in East Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas, while Israeli navy forces continued to chase and open fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of forces, on 31 January 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian boy from Burin village, south of Nablus, and wounded and arrested another one. Both boys were among a group of youngsters throwing Molotov cocktails at settler cars near ‘Yets’har’ settlement, south of Nablus.
In the same context, Israeli forces continued to use excessive forces against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. As a result, a 15-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh and a 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left knee.
In the same context, 2 Palestinian children were wounded during another protest at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah.
On 21 February 2015, a Palestinian child sustained a bullet wound to the leg while grazing the sheep in Yasoul valley neighbourhood, in Selwan village, south of the Old City of East Jerusalem, as a settler fired at him.
In the Gaza Strip, on 30 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands in Khuza’a village, west of the said fence, but no casualties were reported.
On 31 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at lands in al-Qarara, Abassan and Khuza’a villages, west of the said fence.
On 01 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians participating in a protest organized by the national movement to break the siege in the east of Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea, Israeli navy forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats 10 times on 29 January, 01, 02 and 03 February 2015, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 55 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 52 Palestinians, including 11 children and 2 women, one of whom is a journalist. Eleven of these Palestinians, including 7 children and the journalist, were arrested in Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 29 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence arrested 2 Palestinian children, who attempted to sneak into Israel via the border fence, east of Rafah. On 30 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence arrested 3 Palestinian civilians while sneaking into Israel via the fence as well, east of Rafah. In addition, on 02 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, northeast of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, while attempting to sneak into Israel too.
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 8 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 1.8 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. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for medical treatment.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
On 29 January 2015, Israeli forces demolished a tin-made shed for cows, in al-Risha valley, west of Ethna, west of Hebron, under the pretext of none-licensing. They also demolished a tin-made house in al-Ras neighbourhood, in the same village.
On 01 February 2015, Israeli forces handed 2 Palestinian civilians from Beit Ommar village, north of Hebron, notices to halt construction works. Moreover, they closed with cement cubes the entrance to Abu al-Touq area, due to which over 300 Palestinians were isolated and denied access to the main street. Israeli forces also seized a tractor under the pretext it was used to transport construction materials to the notified house.
On 02 February 2015, Israeli forces demolished 2 agricultural rooms in Marah area, south of Qasra village, southeast of Nablus, and an agricultural well in the same area. They then headed to the north-eastern entrance of the village and demolished a retaining wall.
On 03 February 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the mountainous area where al-Jahaleen family, northwest of Ramallah. They handed them 5 notices to demolish 3 tents and 2 barns.
On 29 January 2015, a group of settlers attempted to kidnap a 2.5-year-old child while being with his relatives in al-Mukaber Mount, south of East Jerusalem. The child is the son of Ghassan Abu Jamal, who was killed by Israeli forces on 08 November 2014, following the attack on a synagogue in the city.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:
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, 2 children were wounded. Israeli forces also detained a 39-year-old member of the popular committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities, and released him 90 minutes later.
In the same context, 2 children were wounded during 2 other peaceful protests at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah.
(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 30 January 2015, 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 demonstrators 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 wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. Israeli forces detained 39-year-old Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Khateeb, member of the popular committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities in the village. He was released 90 minutes later.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. 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.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-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 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, 15-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh and was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah.
Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center 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 sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 14-year-old Ra’ed Nasser Ishtaiwi sustained a bullet wound to the left knee.
Other demonstrations
Also following the Friday prayer, on 30 January 2015, dozens of Palestinian gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages near bypass road (60). Demonstrators threw stones at the aforementioned road. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
On the same day, dozens of children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of ‘Beit Eil’ settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 2 children were wounded; a 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh and another 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the head.
At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the ‘container’ checkpoint confronted a peaceful protest organized by a number of Palestinians and international solidarity activists against the visit of the Israeli president to Hebron’s Old Town. Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters, due to which, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
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 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 7 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: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 29 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 30 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 31 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ezna village, west of Hwbron. Around the same time, they established another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Yata, south of the city. At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Taramah village, south of Dura, southwest of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. Later, Both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, 03 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 29 January 2015, Israeli forces reestablished ‘Atarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 30 January 2015, Israeli forces established closed the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, with an iron gate established at the aforementioned entrance. Israeli forces prevented civilians from leaving or entering via the entrance. At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces established another checkpoint near the intersection of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Saturday, 31 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the intersection of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint on al-Mo’arajat Road between Jericho and Ramallah. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 19 January 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 07:35 on Saturday, 31 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of the city. At approximately 12:10, they established another at the eastern entrance of the city, east of the city. At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of ‘Ezbet al-Tabib, east of the city. At approximately 21:00, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of ‘Ezbet al-Tabib, east of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 14:30 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city and then reestablished it at approximately 18:00 and detained Saher Nasim al-‘Aajez, member of the Palestinian National Security Service, and Majed Mohammed al-‘Aamer, Member of the Preventive Security Service. Israeli forces later released them.
At approximately 19:25 on Sunday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city, while at approximately 19:30 they established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village. Israeli forces re-established it at approximately 22:10. At approximately 20:20, another checkpoint was established at the entrance of Jeensafout village, east of the city. All checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 29 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Far’oan village, south of Tulkarm. At approximately 12:00, Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported. The tightening renewed on Friday and Saturday. They re-tightened their restrictions at approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 31 January 2015, and at approximately 23:30 on Sunday, 01 February 2014.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 30 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of ‘Arabah village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ya’abod and Zebdah, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 31 January 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafl Haris village, north of Salfit and closed the iron gate of the aforementioned entrance. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no further incidents were reported.
At approximately 16:15 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Mardah village, north of Salfit. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:55 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit. At approximately 22:00, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 16 January 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of ‘Gosh ‘Etzion’ settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Muhanned Mohammed Yousif Akhlil (23) when he was on his way to the gate of the aforementioned settlement to ask about his sister, Fidaa’ (20), who had been arrested a couple of days earlier, and took him into the settlement.
At approximately 04:30 on Saturday, 31 January 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They arrested Yasser Mohammed Salah Abu Ragab (23) from Hebron and then removed the checkpoint taking the aforementioned civilian to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the gates of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron, arrested ‘Adnan Mohammed Soliman Abu Saleh (19) from Dura under the pretext of having a knife and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces deployed in the Old City neighborhoods in Hebron, arrested Ghassan Mohammed Abu Saleh (18) from Dura and took him to ‘Ja’abrah’ police station claiming that the aforementioned boy refused to obey orders by the Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 06:00, on Tuesday, 03 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at ‘al-Container’ checkpoint, northeast of Bethlehem arrested Subhi ‘Abdel Qader Masalmah (19) from Deir Samit refugee camp, southwest of Hebron. They arrested the aforementioned civilian when he was on his way to visit his brothers in ‘Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:00 on the same day, Israeli forces deployed in the Old City neighborhoods in Hebron arrested Yousif Manif Qazzaz (15) and took him to ‘Ja’abrah’ police station claiming that the aforementioned boy refused to obey the Israeli soldiers.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 29 January 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Abu al-Hawa in al-Tour neighborhoods, east of Occupied Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Omer (17), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 05:00 on the same day, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mo’ataz Abu Mayalah in Ras al-‘Aamoud neighborhood, in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Nidal (17), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:00 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces arrested Enas ‘Omer al-Tamimi (16) from Ras Khamis neighborhood while crossing the checkpoint of Sho’afat refugee camp, north of Occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli soldiers stationed at the checkpoint detained her in one of the interrogation rooms until she was released half an hour later.
At approximately 05:00 on Saturday, 31 January 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed al-Hadrah, in al-Tour neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Na’im (17), and later withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 05:50 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mousa Abu Jom’aah, in al-Tour neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, ‘Issa (21), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 16:00 on the same Sunday, Israeli forces arrested journalist Sabrin ‘Abdeidat (24) when she was present in the yards of al-Aqsa Mosaque in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem and took him to ‘al-Qashlah’ station to question him.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hatah neighborhood in the Old City in Occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched in the neighborhood, from which they arrested mo’men Nader Hashimah (15) and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of Eastern Jerusalem. They stationed in the street of schools when the students were on their way out from their schools. A number of students threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired gas canisters and chased a number of them. As a result, dozens of students and residents suffered tear gas inhalation. Israeli soldiers arrested 4 of the students and youngsters from the neighborhood when they tried to prevent the israeli soldiers from arresting a 10-year-old boy. The detainees were identified as Yazan al-A’awar (15); ‘Abdullah Siyam (14); Mohammed Yaser Abu al-Hawa (22); Mahmoud Ibrahim Abu Jom’aah (21).
On Thursday, 29 January 2014, a group of Israeli settlers tried to kidnap Mohammed Abu al-Jamal (2 years and a half) when he was with his relatives in Jabal al-Mokaber village, south of East Jerusalem. The child is the son of Ghassan Abu al-Jamal, who was killed by the Israeli forces on 18 November 2014 after attacking a synagogue in Occupied Jerusalem.
Mo’aawiyah Abu al-Jamal, the child’s uncle, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Mohammed was with his uncles and brothers in a health center in the village and when he was playing in front of the health center, an Israeli settler kidnapped him and ran away to ‘Armon Hantsiv’ established on the village lands until his uncles rescued him. The female settler travelled her car, in which there were 3 settlers (two young men and a female settler).
On Sunday, 01 February 2015, a Palestinian child was hit by a bullet to his foot when an Israeli settler opened fire at him while the child was grazing sheep in Yasoul Valley neighborhood in Selwan village, south of Old City in East Jerusalem.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimony of his brother, Suhaib Burqan, at approximately 15:00 on the aforementioned day, when Mohammed Yousif Burqan (17) was grazing his sheep in Yasoul Valley neighborhood between al-Jabal Mokaber and al-Thawri neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem, a group of settlers, showed up, one of whom was carrying a gun and he shot the child from a distance of 5 meters. As a result, the child sustained a bullet wound in his foot. Suhaib said that he went with his brother to the scene and when they heard the sound of shooting, they saw their brother lying on the ground and a group of settlers surrounding him. When they tried to rescue him, one of the Israeli settlers pointed the gun at them and threatened them. The settlers then ran away.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 29 January 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Construction and Organization in the Civil Administration and a bulldozer in addition to a digger moved into al-Rishah Valley area, west of Ethna village, west of Hebron. They stationed in the area and then demolished a 1,000-square meter shed made of tin for cows under the pretext of none-licensing. This shed belongs to Mahmoud Msalam Abu Jheishah (48). At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces withdrew from al-Ra’s area as they demolished a tin-made house built on an area of 30 square meters. This house belongs to Ahmed Jamal al-Jayawi.
At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 01 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They stationed in Qarn al-Thawr area, southeast of the village. Meanwhile a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Construction and Organization in the Civil Administration and a bulldozer arrived at the area under the pretext of not obtaining a construction license. The Civil Administration officer handed 2 Palestinian civilians, notices to halt construction works. The notices included the concrete foundations of a 600-square-meter building belonging to Mustafa ‘Eid Mohammed Anjoum and a digger to build a 500-square-meter house belonging to ‘Aref Mahmoud Salem Anjoum. Moreover, they closed with cement cubes the entrance to Abu al-Touq, due to which over 300 Palestinians were isolated and denied access to the main street. Israeli forces also seized a tractor belonging to Ghazi Fawzi Abu ‘Ayyash under the pretext it was used to transport construction materials to the notified house. The tractor was then dragged by a truck and later brought to ‘Kermi Tsour’ settlement.
At approximately 05:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Construction and Organization in the Civil Administration and a bulldozer in addition to a digger moved into Marah area, south of Qasrah village, southeast of Nablus. The bulldozer levelled two 16-square-meter agricultural rooms belonging to Akram Taysir ‘Odah and Samir Mustafa Hasan and an agricultural well in the same area belonging to Anwar Taysir ‘Odah. The rooms were funded by the French Consulate in Occupied Jerusalem. They then headed to the north-eastern entrance of the village in Ras Saniyah area near ‘Majdolim’ settlement and demolished a wall belonging to Rajeh Kan’aan and Rezeq ‘Awad ‘Odah.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 02 February 2015, Israeli forces prevented persons from the families of Abu Mariah and Sabarnah from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, from entering their lands behind the security fence in ‘Kermi Yatsour’ settlement established on the Palestinian lands, south of Beit Ummar despite having licenses to do so.
At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 03 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles and accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the mountainous area where al-Jahaleen family lives near ‘Ein Ayoub area, west of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. They handed them 5 notices to demolish 3 tents and 2 barns.
The notices included the following:
1. A 15-square-meter tent where 3 family members live and a 60-square-meter barn belonging to Ahmed Mousa ‘Ali Jahalin;
2. A 70-square-meter tent where 8 family members live and a 60-square-meter barn belonging to Sayyah ‘Ali Jahalin; and
3. A 50-square-meter tent where 2 family members live belonging to Sarah Mohammed Hasan.
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.
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
