In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 06 – 12 April 2017, Israeli forces continued systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories. A Palestinian young man from al-Jalazonerefugee camp succumbed to his wounds. 71 civilians, including 11 children, were abducted; 33 of whom, including 5 children, were in Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 10 April 2017, medical sources at Assuta Medical Center in Tel Aviv pronounced Jasem Nakhleh, 18, from al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah, dead due to wounds he sustained earlier. The aforementioned person was wounded on 23 March 2017, when Israeli soldiers stationed in a watchtower around “Beit Eil” settlement, north of Ramallah, opened fire at a civilian car with 5 passengers inside, including 3 children. As a result, Mohammed Khattab (17) died immediately while the 4 others, including Nakhleh, were wounded then. Nakhleh was taken to Palestine Medical Center in Ramallah, but on 27 March 2017, he was transferred to Assuta Medical Center in Tel Aviv, where he remained until he passed away.
According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 23 March 2017, the Israeli soldiers stationed in the watchtowers established on the western outskirts of “Beit Eil” settlement, north of Ramallah, adjacent to al-Jalazonerefugee camp from the eastern side. They opened fire at a civilian car travelled by 5 Palestinians, including 3 children; five of them were from the abovementioned camp. As a result, Mohamemd Hattab (17) sustained 2 live bullet wounds to the chest and shoulder while the 4 others were wounded, including Jasem who sustained 2 live bullet wounds to the head and right thigh. The wounded child was taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah as his condition was classified as serious. On 27 March 2017, Jasem was transferred to “Assuta” Hospital in Tel Aviv. The medical sources said he was clinically dead until his death was announced.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 49 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 10 others in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs. During these incursions, Israeli forces abducted at least 71 Palestinian civilians, including 11 children. Thirty-three of them, including 5 children, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem. Among the abducted were Ahmed Atwan (52), PLC member representing the Change and Reform Bloc of Hamas movement, and Fayez Abu Warda, Hamas spokesperson in Ramallah and al-Bireh.
During the incursions, Israeli forces confiscated NIS 5,000 belonging to Sa’ed Hamad (32) and damaged and confiscated 10 civilian cars in Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. In addition, they withdrew work permits from dozens of Palestinian young men that used to allow them to work in Israel. In Hebron, Israeli forces confiscated equipment from a metal workshop belonging to Ra’fat al-Sharabati. The confiscated equipment is estimated at NIS 200,000.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued to suffocate the Palestinian cities and village by imposing military checkpoints around and/or between them. This created “cantons” isolated from each other that hinders the movement of civilians. Moreover, the Palestinian civilians suffering aggravated because of the annexation wall and checkpoints erected on daily basis to catch Palestinians.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, in the context of targeting the border areas, on 07 April 2017, Israeli forces stationed at the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza valley, opened fire at farmers and shepherds, but no casualties were reported.
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 9 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 2 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. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 65%. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 47% and youth constitutes 65% of the unemployed persons. Moreover, 80% of the Gaza Strip population depends on international aid to secure their minimum daily needs. These rates indicate the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli authorities decided to close the Gaza Strip border crossings from Sunday, 09 April 2017, to Monday, 17 April 2017, due to the Jewish Passover. Israeli sources added that only humanitarian cases and doctors would be allowed to travel.
Israeli settlement activities:
This week there were several attacks by Israeli colonial settlers against Palestinian civilians and property
At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, a group of Israeli settlers moved into al-Birkah village, west of Yatta, south of Hebron, under the Israeli forces protection. The Israeli forces established checkpoints and prevented Palestinian civilians from passing. In addition, the Israeli settlers were performing their religious rituals in al-Birkah village’s park. At approximately 10:00, the Israeli forces closed Beir al-Sabi’ street in the center of Hebron and forced Palestinian civilians to close their shops. Dozens of the Israeli settlers came to an archaeological site called “Etena’el Tomb”, where they performed their religious rituals on the occasion of the (Passover) Jewish.
On Wednesday, a group of Israeli settlers moved into Sabastiyia village, northwest of Nablus, under the Israeli forces protection. The Israeli forces established checkpoints and prevented Palestinian civilians from passing. In addition, the Israeli settlers performed their religious rituals on the occasion of the Jewish Passover holiday.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Israeli troops engaged in the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall.
Following the Friday prayer on 07 April 2017, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized demonstrations in Bil’in and Nil’in villages, west of Ramallah, and in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of the city, protesting against the annexation wall and settlement activities. Israeli forces forcibly dispersed the protestors, firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They also chased the protesters into olive fields and between houses. As a result, many of the protesters suffered tear gas inhalation while others sustained bruises due to being beaten up by the Israeli soldiers.
At approximately 13:30 on Monday, 10 April 2017, a number of young men gathered near the entrance to “Psagot” settlement established on the eastern outskirts in al-Birah. They threw stones and empty bottles near the abovementioned settlement’s fence. The Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the young men in response, but no casualties were reported.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that the international community speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
In addition, the PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.
For the full text of the report, click here.
