In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 04- 10 September 2014, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah.In addition, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, died of wounds they sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian child died of wounds he sustained in occupied Jerusalem.
A child was wounded when Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village in Jenin and opened fire.
Israeli forces continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank. 7 civilians, including a child, were wounded during peaceful protests in Kufor Qaddoum and Selwad villages and the vicinity of Ofer detention facility.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
During the past week, Israeli forces conducted 60 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 56 Palestinian civilians, including 16 children, were abducted. 9 of those civilians, including 3 children, were abducted in occupied Jerusalem and its suburbs.
Israeli forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank. At least 9 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children, were abducted at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
Israeli forces carried out a number of incursions into villages, house raids and abductions in occupied Jerusalem. 7 Palestinian civilians, including 2 journalists and a cameraman, were wounded in Wad al-Jouz neighborhood, east of Jerusalem’s Old City.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Am’ari refugee camp in Ramallah, while a child died in Jerusalem of wounds he sustained last week. In addition, 4 other Palestinian civilians, including a child, died of wounds they sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, 15 civilians, including 2 children and 2 journalists, were wounded in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, on Wednesday, 10 September 2014, Israeli forces wilfully killed a Palestinian civilian who was standing with his friends in al-Amari refugee camp. According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, at approximately 03:30 on the abovementioned day, Israeli forces moved into al-Am’ari refugee camp, north of Ramallah. They deployed in the streets and moved into al-Sarisi neighbourhood for arrests. Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa Suleiman Ali Jalaytah (24). They damaged the house contents and abducted him. A number of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. Moreover, Israeli soldiers approached the youngsters and fired heavily at them. At approximately 04:45, Israeli soldiers got into the military vehicles to withdrew, but 10 soldiers stepped out of a troop carrier. A soldier fired at a group of 4 young men who were standing near al-Am’ari Grand Mosque. As a result, Essa Khaled Essa Qatari (23) sustained a bullet wound to the left side of the chest. He was taken by a taxi to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Doctors tried to revive his heart in the intensive care unit, but their efforts failed to save his life. A medical source pronounced him dead. According to testimonies of the victim’s friends, after Essa was shot, he ran about 70 meters and then fell to the ground. He was bleeding from the back. There were no clashes in the area and Israeli forces were about to withdrew, but suddenly some soldiers stepped out of a vehicle and fired at al-Qatari.
In a separate incident, on 07 September 2014, a medical source at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem pronounced Mohammed Sunqrut (16) dead of wounds he sustained in the Old City of East Jerusalem, on 31 August 2014.
On 5 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Izrayya, east of Jerusalem, and abducted a Palestinian child.
On 6 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Isawia village, northeast of Jerusalem. They abducted 2 Palestinian civilians.
On 7 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into Shams al-Dein al-Asuti area in Wadi al-Jouz neighborhood after the death of Muahmmed Abdel Majid Sunqrut (16). Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at Palestinian youths who participated in the clashes. Settlers and Israeli soldiers threw stones and empty bottles at Palestinians’ cars and injured many of them.
On 8 September 2014, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Jouz area in the same time of Muahmmed Abdel Majid Sunqrut’s funeral in al-Mujahdin cemetery in Bab al-Sahera Gate. Dozens of civilians surfed tear gas inhalation and some sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Qassam Barqan, Sunqrut’s uncle, and Muahmmed Ibrahim S’adi (61) were wounded. Israeli forces abducted 4 civilians who were participating in the funeral.
On 9 September 2014, the Israeli police abducted Mizid Muahmmed al-Abbasi (12) when he was heading home from school in Silwan neighborhood, east of the Old City in Jerusalem.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
In the Gaza Strip, although 2 weeks have passed since the Egyptian-brokered truce agreement between the Palestinian armed groups and Israel entered into force, the catastrophic consequences of the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip have been present. During the reporting period, a number of wounded persons died of wounds they sustained during the offensive. 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 violated the truce several times by opening fire at Palestinian fishing boats that were sailing within the allowed fishing area and arresting a number of fishermen.
In the context of chasing Palestinian fishermen in the sea, on 07 September 2014, Israeli navy forces opened fire at fishing boats off al-Sudaniyah area, west of Jabalia, and off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. On 08 September, Israeli forces opened fire again in the same 2 areas. Neither material damage nor casualties were reported. It should be noted that firing at fishermen is part of the Israeli violations of the long-term truce that was declared at 19:00 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014. On 09 September 2014, 4 fishermen were abducted off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia, after they had been chased within a distance of 1.5 nautical miles. Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat and equipment.
On Tuesday 9 September, according to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimonies of other fishermen, Israeli gunboats surrounded 2 fishing boats in 2 separate incidents and frightened the fishermen on board by opening fire at them. Israeli navy forces ordered the 4 fishermen to jump into the water and swim towards the gunboats. In addition, they tied the 2 fishing boats to the gunboats and seized them. The 4 fishermen were abducted and taken to an unknown destination. It should be noted that the detention of these 4 fishermen is the second of its kind off the northern shore, as Israeli forces abducted 2 fishermen on Monday, 03 September 2014 from the same area. This violation is part of the Israeli violations of the long-term truce that was decalred at 19:00 on 26 August 2014 which allowed fishermen to sail and fish up to 6 nautical miles.
On the same day, at approximately 07:00, medical sources at an Egyptian hospital pronounced Rahaf Suleiman ‘Awad Abu Jame’ (5) dead due to her serious wound she sustained on 25 July 2014, when Israeli forces destroyed her uncle’s house to which her family resorted during the Israeli ground incursion into al-Zannah area in Bani Suhailah village. Due to the seriousness of her wound, Rahaf was transferred to an Egyptian hospital.
Israel has continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli forces have continued to support settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
Israeli forces closed 4 agricultural roads in the west of Ethna, west of Hebron. Israeli settlers moved into Joseph Tomb area, east of Nablus, and performed religious rituals. A woman sustained bruises as settlers stoned her vehicle on a bypass road leading to al-Bireh.
On 4 September 2014, Israeli forces backed by 3 military vehicles and a bulldozer moved into the agricultural lands, west of Ezna village, west of Hebron. These agricultural lands are located near the annexation wall which prevents its owners from reaching them.
On 4 September 2014, dozens of settlers guarded by Israeli forces moved into Joseph Tomb area, east of Nablus, and preformed their religious rituals there. Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at them. Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response.
On the same day, a group of settlers threw stones from “Beit Eil” settlement at a Palestinian vehicle traveling on the bypass to al-Berih, 300 meters east of Beit Eil checkpoint. As a result, Manal Lutfi Sharif Taher (40) sustained wounds, a fracture in her jaw, and bruises to her right hand.
On Sunday 7 September, at approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved from “Tarsalah” settlement that was evacuated in 2005 into the area around al-Fondoqomya village, south of Jenin. A local source stated to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces established their tents and stayed in the area for a while. They withdrew later and no further incidents were reported. It should be noted that the abovementioned settlement was seized by Israeli forces following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, as it had been a camp for the Jordanian army. The Jordanian army established the camp in 1952 and built a mosque there in 1965. After Israeli forces seized the camp they turned the mosque into a Jewish synagogue and the camp into a settlement. Israeli forces moved into this evacuated area now and then, while Israeli settlers sneak into the evacuated settlement in Jenin under Israeli forces’ protection to perform religious rituals.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
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, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 60-year-old civilian was hit by a gas canister to the left leg during Kufor Qaddoum protest, northeast of Qalqilya. Many other civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
In the same context, 5 Palestinian civilians, including a child and 2 brothers, were wounded during other protests.
Following the Friday Prayer on 05 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 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 village 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, and they then 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 waste 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 following Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders gathered at the northern entrance of Wadi Fouqin village, west of Bethlehem to organize a protest against the Israeli decision to seize thousands of dunums from the village and other villages. The demonstrators made their way towards lands threatened to be seized carrying Palestinian flags and posters against the Israeli occupation. In addition, they planted olive seedlings in the area adjacent to “Betar Elit” settlement. In the meanwhile, Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.
Also at approximately 13:20, 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 the 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, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg and a 60-year-old man was hit by a gas canister to the left leg.
On Friday afternoon, 05 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, 4 civilians, including 2 brothers, were wounded and taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. A 24-year-old male sustained 2 bullet wounds to the neck, a 25-year-old male sustained 3 bullet wounds to the legs, a 23-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the chest and a 24-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the left knee.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered from different areas of Ramallah and al-Bireh in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tyres and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. Israeli forces deployed around the detention facility and started firing live and rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 17-year-old male sustained a bullet wound to the right thigh and was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah for medical treatment.
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 and the United Nations 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;
In addition, PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip;
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
