Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 13- 19 August 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
During the reporting period, Israeli forces used excessive force killing 2 Palestinians and wounded 2 others in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to open fire at border areas along the Gaza Strip border. Moreover, Israeli navy forces continued to attack and chase Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces stationed at military checkpoints used excessive force against Palestinian civilians. During the reporting period, in excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces claimed that both of them attempted to stab Israeli soldiers. PCHR points out that the Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense praised what Israeli soldiers did regarding the 2 crimes, due to which other Israeli soldiers would commit more crimes against Palestinian civilians. In the first crime committed on 15 August 2015 at a military checkpoint, south of Nablus, Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian young man killing him with 4 bullet, 3 of which were in the upper part of his body. On 17 August 2015, Israeli forces shot dead 24-year-old Palestinian at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus.
On 15 August 2015, Israeli forces wounded a Palestinian civilian from Beit Anan village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. They opened fire at him while being at a military checkpoint, southwest of Ramallah.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive and systematic use of force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights activists in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli policies in the oPt. As a result, a 27-year-old civilian sustained was wounded in the neck during Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya, on 14 August 2015. In addition, 2 others sustained sponge-tipped bullet wounds in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, as part of land attacks and shooting incidents, on 16 August 2015, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened fire at agricultural lands and shepherds in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, fired over 20 flash bombs in the sky. This coincided with sporadic gunfire, but no casualties were reported.
In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen, on 16 August 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off Rafah shore, south of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at fishermen sailing within 2 nautical miles, but neither casualties nor material damage were reported.
Incursions
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 65 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 6 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 8 children and a woman. Nineteen of these civilians, including 5 children and the woman, were arrested in East Jerusalem.
In the Gaza Strip, on 17 August 2015, Israeli forces conducted 3 limited incursions in the southern and central Gaza Strip, during which they levelled lands 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 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 (KeremShaloum) 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
Settlement Activities
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.
On Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces moved into the village’s Khelaa, west of Za’tara, eastern Betlahem. Israeli soldiers were deployed between the residential houses, and military bulldozers demolished a concrete wall, and a yard full of sand and gravel for building. Moreover, they seized a 15-square-meter caravan used as a store, and a 10-square-meter building. The destruction process came under the pretext of the lack of licenses in the area, which is classified as area (C) according to the Oslo Accords. The loss is estimated at NIS 17,000.
On 17 August 2015, Israeli forces moved into Janta village, in Bethlehem. They levelled areas of land planted with olives in Wad Ahmed area.
On Tuesday morning, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces demolished many residential tents, barracks and sheep pens in Fasail al-westaa village, north of Jericho. The number of individuals affected by the demolitions is 21. It should be noted that on 25 May 2015, Israeli forces distributed notices for the evacuation of the abovementioned area under the pretext it located in area (C).
On Thursday, 13 August 2015, a group of settles from ‘ Kokhav HaShahar’ settlement in Deir Jarir and Kufor Malek villages, northeast of Ramallah and al-Bireh, set fire to a tent used as a food storehouse in a Bedouin compound in Ein Samia area, east of Kufor Malek village. The settlers wrote the slogan of ‘Master of Revenge’ in Hebrew on the rocks near the tent and drew the Star of David.
Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem
On 17 August 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by officers from the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Sa’idi Bedouin compound in al-Shaikh Anbar area in al-Za’im, east of East Jerusalem. They demolished 4 houses built of plastic and wood. They also demolished 2 residential barracks made of plastic, wood and blankets belonging to the family of Abu Falah. Israeli forces also moved into Beer al-Maskoub and Sneisel valley in al-Khan al-Ahmar. They demolished 12 facilities belonging to al-Sa’idi and Bseisat families;
On 19 August 2015, Israeli authorities demolished a repaired old residential building in al-Jouz valley in East Jerusalem, under the pretext it was built without a construction license. The 3-storey building consisting of 6 apartments belongs to the families of Hani Toutah and Ra’ed al-Totanji. The area of each floor is 180 square meters, one of which was built before the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
On 16 August 2015, under the protection of Israeli forces, officers from the Israel Nature Authority moved stormed a tract of land adjacent to al-Rahma cemetery and the fence of al-Aqsa mosque from the east. Workers accompanying them fixed barbwire around the land, whose area is 7 dunums, to be confiscated.
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 and Israeli policies in the Palestinian territory. As a result, on 14 August 2015, a Palestinian civilians, 27-year-old was hit by a bullet to the neck while participating in Kafer Kadoum demonstration, northeast of Qalqilya, and other civilians were wounded by sponge-tipped bullets in Selwad village’s demonstration, northeast of Ramallah.
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer on 14 August 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration was organized in solidarity with the administrative detainee in Israeli jails, Mohammed’Allan, who had been on hunger strike for more than two months, and in protest of Force-Feeding Law against Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike which was approved by Israeli Knesset on 30 July 2015. The protestors tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased them into the olive fields and into residential houses in response. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation, fainting, and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
On the same day, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the Annexation Wall and Settlement Activity. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind the Annexation Wall, so they threw stones at them. Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement Activity. The demonstrators 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 them from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and were chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
At approximately 13:30 on Friday, 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. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water. As a result, a 27-yar-old Palestinian civilian was wounded by a bullet to the neck.
At approximately 16:30 on Saturday, 15 August 2015, 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. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, and sound bombs. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up, also Israeli forces used a bulldozer to damage a main water pipe in the village.
Note: the protest of Kufor Qaddoum was scheduled twice a week (following the Fridays’ prayer and following al-Asr prayer on Saturdays).
Other demonstrations
On Friday afternoon, 14 August 2015, dozens of youngsters gathered in the southern entrance of Salwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Selwad and Yabroud to organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and 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 sustained burns by sponge-tipped bullets, and they were transferred to Palestine Medical Complex. A 31-year-old Palestinian civilian was injured by a sponge-tipped bullet to the abdomen, and another 36-year-old civilian was injured by a sponge-tipped-bullet to the chest.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel also continued applying the policy of making certain civilian traveling via the crossing interviewed by the Israeli intelligence service to be questioned, blackmailed or arrested.
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 established 9 checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Sa’ier village, east of Hebron, at the entrance of Tarama village, eastern Dura, southwest of Hebron, and at the entrance of Kharsa village, southern Dura, southwest of Hebron.
On Sunday, 15 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Beit Awaa village, southwest of Dura village, southwest of Hebron, and at the southeast entrance of Hebron .
At approximately 18:00 On Monday, 17 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Samou’ village, south of Hebron.
On Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the southern eastern of Halhoul village, north of Hebron, at the entrance of Bini Na’eem village, east of Hebron, and at the entrance of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron.
Ramallah and al-Bireh:
Israeli forces established 11 checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah, and at the entrance of Trmas’ya village, north of the city.
On Friday, 14 August 2015, Israeli forces established 5 checkpoints at the eastern entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village; at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northeast of Ramallah; under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city; at the entrance of Na’lien village, west of the city; and at the intersection of Beit Ur al-Fouqa, southwest of the city.
On Saturday, 15 August 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints at the entrance of Ras Karkar and Nizam villages, northwest of Ramallah; at the intersection of Beit Ur al-Fouqa, southwest of the city; and at the entrance of Qabiya village, west of the city.
On Sunday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of Ramallah.
Qalqilya:
Israeli forces established 9 checkpoints all over the city.
On Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints; at the entrance of Heja village, east of Qalqilya; at the entrance of Kafer Kadoum village; at the entrance of Jeit village, northeast of the city; and at the southern entrance of Qalqilya ( between Qalqilya and Habla village).
At approximately 12:00 on Friday, 14 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.
On Monday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints, three of them were established at the entrances of Kafor Kadoum village, Amatien village, and between Jayous and Kafor Jamal village, northeast of Qalqilya, while the fourth checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance of Qalqilya.
At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 17 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Kafor Kadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya.
Jericho:
On Friday, 14 August 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Fasail village, north of Jericho, and at the southern entrance of Jericho.
Tulkarm:
At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Anab military checkpoint, on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus, eastern of Tulkarm, stressed their arbitrary practices against Palestinian civilians and obstructed the civilians movement. Additionally, at approximately 18:00 on Friday, 14 August 2015, and at approximately 22:00 on Sunday, 16 August 2015, and at approximately 10:30 on Monday, 17 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in the vinicity of the eastern Baqaa village, north of Tulkarm.
Jenin:
At approximately 22:30 on Friday, 14 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at on the main road between Jenin and Tulkarm and Nablus, in the vicinity of the intersection of Jabi’ village, southern Jenin.
Salfit:
At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 14 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of al-Zawaya village, northwest of Salfit.
At approximately 20:55 on Sunday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Askaka village, east of Salfit.
Note: all the aforementioned checkpoints were later removed, after the inspection of the vehicle and its passengers and detained them for varying periods, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm, Nablus and Jenin, in the vicinity of the intersection of Arraba village, southern Jenin. Israeli soldiers stopped vehicles traveling in both directions, and checked the passengers’ IDs. A Palestinian civilian, Hudhaifah Sobhy Moussa Jabarin, 21, from Jenin, was arrested by Israeli soldiers when he was crossing the checkpoint.
At approximately 17:00 on the same day, Israeli forces stationed at the military checkpoint at the south entrance of Ibrahimi Mosque, southern the old city in Hebron, arrested 12-year-old Mohammed A’mer Burqan and took him to the police station of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
At approximately 17:00 on Monday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. Israeli soldiers stopped the civilians’ vehicles and checked their IDs. Moreover, they arrested Khalil Jamal Abu Hashem, 29, from Beit Ummer village, and took him to unknown destination.
At approximately 19:00 on Monday, Israeli forces stationed at al-Jalma checkpoint, northeast of Jenin, arrested Nasr Abed al-Rahman Abdullah Wahdan, 30, when he was crossing the checkpoint and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 18 August 2015, a 40-year-old Palestinian civilian, from al-shuyokh village north of Hebron, was arrested by Israeli forces when he was at al-Shohadaa street, central of the old city, in the center of Hebron, then took him to unknown destination.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Khaled Naief Khalil, 25, from Beit Ummer village, when he was at al-Karama crossing at the Jordanian border.
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
House demolitions
At approximately 06:00 on Monday, 17 August 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by officers from the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Sa’idi Bedouin compound in al-Shaikh Anbar area in al-Za’im, east of East Jerusalem. They demolished 4 houses built of plastic and wood. These houses used to shelter 32 persons, including 21 children.
After that, Israeli forces moved into another Bedouin compound in al-Khan al-Ahmar area. They demolished 2 residential barracks made of plastic, wood and blankets belonging to the family of Abu Falah. Israeli forces also moved into Beer al-Maskoub and Sneisel valley in al-Khan al-Ahmar. They demolished 12 facilities belonging to al-Sa’idi and Bseisat families; 9 of which are residential and used to shelter 60 persons, including 39 children, and the other 3 ones were used as livestock barns.
It should be noted that Israeli forces are preparing to evacuate the Bedouin compounds as they hinder the Israeli plans to implement the ‘Greater Jerusalem’ project, especially as there are 46 Bedouin compounds in Jericho and Jerusalem. Israeli forces aim to evacuate them to other areas to seize their lands for the interest of Israeli plans, including ‘E1’ plan through which Israeli authorities will completely separate the north of the West Bank from its southern part.
On Wednesday morning, 19 August 2015, Israeli authorities demolished a repaired old residential building in al-Jouz valley in East Jerusalem, under the pretext it was built without a construction license. The 3-storey building consisting of 6 apartments belongs to the families of Hani Toutah and Ra’ed al-Totanji. The area of each floor is 180 square meters, one of which was built before the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 05:00, joint forces from the Israeli police and border guards accompanied by Israeli municipality officers moved into al-Jouz valley. They closed the main street in the neighbourhood, declared the area as a military zone and started demolishing the whole building.
Hani Toutah said to a PCHR fieldworker that his family and the al-Totanji family started repairing the building 9 months ago for safety conditions fearing from its collapse. He added that they built 3 more apartments in the old building, but Israeli bulldozers demolished them all at once and did not offer them any time to inform their lawyer to obtain a decision from the court to halt the demolition.
Land confiscation
On Sunday, 16 August 2015, under the protection of Israeli forces, officers from the Israel Nature Authority stormed a tract of land adjacent to al-Rahma cemetery and the fence of al-Aqsa Mosque from the east. Workers accompanying them fixed barbwires around the land to be confiscated whose area is over 7 dunums. Jawad Siyam, Director of the Information Center of Wadi Helwa, said that officers from the ‘Nature Authority’ stormed the land belonging to the families of al-Husseini and al-Ansari that is located to the northeast of the fence of al-Aqsa Mosque. Workers fenced the land and fixed wires to isolate the land from the cemetery, so that the land to be confiscated would be clearly identified.
Lawyer Mohammed Walid Elayan explained that the land belongs to Baha’i al-Ansari and Beshr al-Husseini and that Israeli forces claimed they fenced it to prevent the expansion of the cemetery into that land. He added that the ‘Nature Authority’ claims the presence of new graves in the land to be turned into a public park in the future. He highlighted that the land was illegally fenced in an attempt to confiscate it for the interest of future plans. Lawyer Elayan added that the ‘Nature Authority’ fenced the land without a court decision, but they claimed they had one. After checking the file number in the Magistrate Court, it was found that it is relevant to another tract of land that received a court decision in 2013, but not the land of al-Ansari and al-Husseini. He drew attention that a complaint would be filed against the ‘Nature Authority’ for encroaching against a private property.
Incursions and arrests
At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 06 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested Haitham Nasim At approximately 03:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of the deceased Mohammed Atta Abu Latifa in Qalandya refugee camp, north of East Jerusalem. They arrested his brother Lafi (24) and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 07:00 on the same day, Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance of al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem, with cement cubes and sand. Mohammed Abu al-Hummos, member of the follow-up committee in al-Eisawiya village, said that Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance of al-Eisawiya village with cement cubes and sand under the pretext of throwing stones at Israeli cars. He added that Israeli forces close one of the entrances of al-Eisawiya village, now and then as a means of collective punishment against the village residents under the pretext of throwing stones. He explained that Israeli police move into the village on daily basis for a week. They also erect checkpoints, check IDs and search vehicles in a provocative manner.
At approximately 02:00, on the same day, Israeli forces attacked a group of Palestinian children, who were walking in Maragha neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They fired a sound bomb at them and tried to arrest them but residents of the area intervened.
Eyad al-‘Awar, the father of one of the attacked children, said that he was on the roof of his house and was surprised to hear a sound bomb and cries of children. He reached to the place where Israeli forces surrounded 3 children: Qassam (9), Mohammed Kamal al-‘Awar (5) and Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Awar (7), who were going back home from a summer camp, under the pretext of throwing stones at a settler. Therefore, Israeli soldiers fired a sound bomb at them and pushed them against the ground. Al-‘Awar added that a quarrel erupted between him and Israeli soldiers, due to which they withdrew. Israeli soldiers returned later to al-‘Awar’s house, asked for his ID and asked him about his child, Qassam.
At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested Wesam Nader Abu al-Hawa (23) while being in his car on the main street in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces stopped the aforementioned person, who was driving his car. They detained him and checked his ID. Moreover, they pushed him against the ground, handcuffed him, searched the car and then confiscated the car and took Wesam to an unknown destination.
At approximately 16:00 on Satruday, 15 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested journalist Amjad Taher Arafa (33) while passing through a temporary checkpoint at the entrance of Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem.
At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 16 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested Omer Mahmoud Mostafa Shwayat (12) from Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested the aforementioned boy while going out of al-Aqsa Mosque and claimed that he threw stones in the yards of the mosque. Israeli forces took the boy to al-Qashala interrogation facility.
At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 2015, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hetta neighbourhood in the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested Ahmed Nasser al-Shawish (19). They also submitted a summons to Tha’er Abu Sbaih (19) to refer to the Israeli police in al-Qashala facility in Jerusalem.
At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fawzi al-Bakry in Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of the old city in East Jerusalem. They delivered him a summons for his son Emad (19) to be questioned under the pretext that he is wanted by the Israeli security services. When Emad went to the interview, he was arrested and the detention period was extended for one week under the pretext of resuming interrogation procedures. It should be noted that Emad suffers from a cardiac problem.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces arrested Mrs. Khadija Khweis (41) who was present in the yards of al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city in East Jerusalem.
At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint at the main entrance of al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They searched Palestinian vehicles and issued traffic fines to impose more restrictions on Palestinians. A number of Palestinian young men threw stones at Israeli soldiers who chased and arrested Mansour Ahmed Nasser (21) and Mohammed Nasser (19).
At approximately 18:00 on the same day, Israeli forces arrested photographer Abdul Afou Mohammed Zgheer (24), who was in al-Wad neighbourhood in the old city in East Jerusalem. They harshly beat him with sticks and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 19 August 2015, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hetta neighbourhood in the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 5 civilians, including 3 children: Mohammed Nasser Abdul Latif (16), Yusef Emad al-Shawish (14), Mohammed Adnan Mahmoud (16), Tareq Khaled al-Tamimi (16) and Moneer Mohammed Mahmoud (19).
At approximately 05:00 on the same day, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Shreiteh in al-Jouz valley, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Hotheyfa (19), and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces arrested Talal al-Rajabi (57), who was near al-Selsela gate in the old city in East Jerusalem. They took him to al-Selsela police station to be questioned.
At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 19 August 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to al-Shawa family in al-Eizariya village, southeast of East Jerusalem. They arrested Ra’fat Essam al-Shawa (23) and Mostafa Ahmed al-Shawa (21) and took them to an unknown destination.
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 08:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle, a bulldozer, a digger and a truck moved into Khelaa village, east of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, and military bulldozers demolished a 105-square-meter concrete wall, and a yard full of sand and gravel for building. Moreover, they seized a 15-square-meter caravan used as a store, and 10-square-meters of bricks belonging to Khalaf Mohammed Khalaf al-Hemri, 44. The destruction process came under the pretext of the lack of licenses in the area which is classified as area (C) according to the Oslo Accords. The loss is estimated at NIS 17,000.
At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 09 August 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle, and a bulldozer moved into Takou’ village, south of Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, and a military vehicle demolished a 140-square-meter, under-construction building that belongs to Sameh Mousa Salem Hasan, 23, claiming that the building is not licensed. The loss is estimated at NIS 30,000. Moreover, a military bulldozer leveled a part of land belonging to Suliman Ali Hasan.
At approximately 11:00 on the same day, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle, and a bulldozer moved into Janta village in Bethlehem. A Palestinian civilian, Waleed al-Shatla, stated that Israeli forces accompanied by 2 bulldozers moved into Beir ‘Ouna village, west of Beit Jala village, and leveled lands planted with olives in Wad Ahmed area. He added that these forces leveled 6 dunums on the aforementioned day. Al-Shatla expects that they would level 25 to 30 dunums . The leveled land belongs to the families of al-Shatla; Abu Eid; Khalila; Zaydan; Motleq; Abu Sa’d; and Abu Ghatas.
On Tuesday morning, 18 August 2015, Israeli forces demolished many residential tents, barracks and sheep pens in Fasail al-westaa village, north of Jericho. According to information that a PCHR fieldworker got from the local council, at approximately 05:30, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle and two military bulldozers moved into Fasail al-Westaa village, north Jericho.
They declared the area as a closed military zone. Soon after, the 2 bulldozers demolished a residential compound for Badawi families. They demolished 7 residential camps, sheep pens, and two sheds used as a sheep pens. The number of family members whose properties were demolished, reached 21 persons. It should be noted that on 25 May 2015, Israeli forces distributed notices for the evacuation of the abovementioned area under the pretext it located in area (C).
The demolitions were as follows:
1. A 4-squre-meter residential tent and 40-squre-meter tin-made barrack belonging to Mahmoud Ibrahim Rashayda (45). The tent used to shelter a family of 10 members;
2. A 16-square-meter residential tent and a 40-squre-meter tin-made barrack belonging to Zaid Mahmoud Abu Kharabish (30). The tent used to shelter 4 family members;
3. A 20-square-meter residential tent and a 30-square-meter livestock barn belonging to Hassan Mohammed Hussein Zayed (45). The tent used to shelter a family of 8 members;
4. A 30-square-meter uninhabited tent belonging to Ali Hussein Ebayat (58);
5. A 16-square-meter uninhabited tent belonging to Abdullah Ali Hussein Ebayat (31);
6. A 16-square-meter uninhabited tent belonging to Wahid Ali Hussein Ebayat (37);
7. A 16-square-meter uninhabited tent belonging to Abdul Qader Ali Ebayat (28).
At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 13 August 2015, a group of settles from ‘ Kokhav HaShahar’ settlement in Deir Jarir and Kufor Malek villages, northeast of Ramallah and al-Bireh, set fire to a tent used as a food storehouse in a Bedouin compound in Ein Samia area, east of Kufor Malek village. The settlers wrote the slogan of ‘Master of Revenge’ in Hebrew on the rocks near the tent belonging to Yusef Mohammed Rabee’ Ka’abnah (50) and drew David star. Israeli forces arrived at the place and prevented residents of the area from extinguishing fire. Police officers inspected the scene, took samples of Molotov cocktails and took statement given by Ayed Mousa Abed Ka’abnah (48) and the tent’s owner. The damage caused by the attack is estimated at NIS 3,000.
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 latest 51-day offensive 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;
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
