Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 23 – 28 April 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, and wounded 39 others, including 4 children, in the West Bank, occupied Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Two other children were also wounded due to the explosion of an object of the Israeli military remnants, south of Qalqilya. Two Palestinian civilians were killed in 2 separate incidents in Hebron and Jenin in the West Bank, while the third, who was a child, was killed at a military checkpoint in occupied Jerusalem. In occupied Jerusalem also, 26 Palestinian civilians, including 2 paramedics, were wounded during protests that followed the killing of the child; 12 others, including 3 children, were wounded during other protests in the West Bank and the 4th child was wounded in the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, on 25 April 2015, Israeli forces killed a 20-year-old Palestinian civilian crossing via an electronic gate at the entrance of the Ibrahimi mosque in the south of the old city in Hebron, after he stabbed an Israeli soldier at the said gate.
On 27 April 2015, Israeli forces opened fire at 19-year-old civilian while he was in his farmland near the annexation wall in the west of Arqa village, west of Jenin. As a result, he sustained a bullet wound to the testicles due to which he suffered severe haemorrhage and died hours later.
On 25 April 2015, two children from Azzoun Etmah village, south of Qalqilya, were wounded due to the explosion of a suspicious object of the Israeli military remnants.
Israeli forces continued the use of excessive and systematic force against peaceful protests organized by Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international solidarity activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 8 protestors, including a child, were wounded during Nabi Saleh and Kufor Qaddoum weekly protests. The wounds of 2 of the wounded were serious.
In the same context, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded during other protests at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of city, and at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of the city.
In occupied Jerusalem, in excessive use of force, on 25 April 2015, Israeli forces killed a 17-year-old child at Za’im checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem. They boy was fired at while crossing via the checkpoint when he quarrelled and fought with Israeli soldiers at the said checkpoint.
In the Gaza Strip, as part of targeting border areas, on 24 April 2015, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded when Israeli forces stationed along the border fence opened sporadic fire at dozens of civilians, who were present near the said fence, east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. A similar gunfire was reported on 23 April 2015, southeast of Khan Yunis, but no casualties were reported. On 26 April 2015, a 37-year-old farmer was wounded when he was in his farmland 300 meters away from the fence, east of Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, Israeli forces fired flash bombs over the sea off Khan Yunis shore in the south of the Gaza Strip. In conjunction, Israeli gunboats stationed off the city shore opened sporadic fire at fishing boats sailing within the allowed area, but no casualties were reported.
Incursions
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 43 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 11 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 7 children. Thirty of these Palestinians, including 6 children and 8 women, were arrested in Jerusalem.
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. In many occasions lately, Israeli forces arrested Palestinian patients and their companions and traders.
Efforts to create a Jewish Majority:
Shooting incidents and arrests
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Isma’il Abu Ghannam in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested the aforementioned person and his son Emad (16) and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians, including 3 girls, while entering al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city of East Jerusalem.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces attacked Mohammed Qanibi (16) after he went out of school in al-Tour village, east of the old city in East Jerusalem.
At approximately 14:00 Israeli forces raided al-Somoud building in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the north of the old city in East Jerusalem, from which they arrested 4 civilians.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians while walking in Hezma village, east of the old city in East Jerusalem.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ein area in Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided 2 celebrations of 2 released prisoners and confiscated Palestinian and Fatah flags.
On Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ashayer in al-Tour neighbourhood in the east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mohammed (17) and took him to an unknown destination.
In excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child on Saturday midnight, 25 April 2015, at Za’im checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem.
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, and stationed around al-Zaitoun club near the tent that was established to receive condolences for the killing of the aforementioned Ali Mohammed Abu Ghannam (17). Dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs in response. As a result, 26 civilians sustained bullet wounds to the upper parts of their bodies during clashes that erupted in the neighborhood.
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, clashes erupted between dozens of Palestinian civilians, who protested at the killing of a Palestinian child and Israeli forces that moved into Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. The youngsters threw stones at Israeli police cars and settlers, while Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs in response.
On the same day, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, after a Palestinian young man ran down Israeli soldiers in the neighborhood.
On Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Shkairat in al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They arrested his child and took him to an unknown destination.
On Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians.
At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Nader Hseimah in Aqbet al-Saraya neighborhood, in the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son and took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces arrested 28-year-old civilian, from Bethlehem, while being in his work in East Jerusalem, under the pretext he had no permit.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian women while being near al-Aqsa Mosque. They were taken to Beit Eliyahu facility to be questioned.
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 Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by two bulldozers demolished a residential tent and a barrack in addition to 3 tin-roofed houses in al-Makhrouq Abu ‘Ajjaj, southwest and east of al-Jaftalak village, north Jericho.
On Tuesday, 28 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by a GCB bulldozer moved into southeast of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They destroyed an uninhabited old house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Tamimi, who lives in Jordan.
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, a group of Israeli settlers under the Israeli forces’ escort stormed the lands of Silet al-Thaher village, south of Jenin, where the evacuated ‘Homish’ settlement was previously established. The settlers arrived at the area in buses and performed Talmudic rituals. They withdrew later.
On Thursday, 23 April 2015, an Israeli settler pushed Radi Sa’id al-Dow (14) down from his bike on al-Wad Street in the Old City in Eastern Jerusalem. As a result, he fell on the ground, and his head hit a big stone.
On Monday morning, 27 April 2015, a number of settlers from ‘Karmi Tsur’ settlement between Halhoul and Beit Ommar villages, north of Hebron, damaged and cut off 80 vines that were planted on a farm 300 meters away from the said settlement.
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, 8 protestors, including a child, were wounded in Nabi Saleh protest, northwest of Ramallah, and Kufor Qaddoum protest in Qalqilya.
In the same context, 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded during other protests at the western entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, in the vicinity of Ofer detention facility, southwest of Ramallah, and at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of the city.
(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 24 April 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 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 metal bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation.
· 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 protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. They made their way towards Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby ‘Halmish’ settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers closed all the village’s entrances to prevent the Palestinian and international solidarity activists and journalists from participating in the protest. As a result, an 18-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right side of the head, due to which he suffered fracture in the skull and internal hemorrhage. He was taken to Yasser Arafat hospital in Salfit and then referred to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Furthermore, many protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers prevented journalists from covering the protest, kicked them, threw stones at them verbally insulted them in Hebrew. Of the attacked journalists were the Israeli journalist and human rights activist Haim (45) and Abbas Abdul Wahab al-Momani (40), a photojournalist for AFP.
· Also around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the eastern entrance 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, 7 protestors, including a child, sustained bullet wounds. The wound of one of them (25) was described as serious as he was wounded in the eye. He was taken to Rafidya Hospital.
Other demonstrations
· Following the Friday prayer, 24 April 2015, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages, near Bypass road (60), in protest at the Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and Molotov Cocktails at the aforementioned road and Israeli soldiers. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh and a 17-year-old girl sustained shrapnel wounds as an Israeli soldier fired at the window of the girl’s family house because she was filming the clashes around her house. The wounded were taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. Furthermore, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· 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, in protest at Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians and to mark the Palestinian Prisoners Day. They headed towards the facility’s gate that was closed by Israeli soldiers. They set fire to tires 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 number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday prayer, 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. Israeli soldiers topped a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Dar Shaikha and opened fire at the youngsters. As a result, a 14-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left leg and a 24-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right knee. They were taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. In addition, a number of protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar (‘Karni’) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated 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 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 8 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. 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. However, they lately allowed the exportation of some vegetables such as cucumber and tomatoes, furniture and fish. 3 weeks ago, Israeli forces started to ban the entry of wood under the pretext is it used for constructing tunnels.
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. It should be noted that in the past weeks Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinian traders heading to Israel after they got permits or were requested to meet with the Israeli intelligence service at the crossing. During the reporting period, a patient was arrested at the crossing.
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 07:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. Around half an hour later, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, another checkpoint was established at the northern entrance of Halhoul, north of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Oula village, west of Hebron. 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 17:30 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Kherbtha al-Mesbah village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00, another checkpoint was established near the intersection of ”Ofrah’ settlement, north of Ramallah. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 12:00, another checkpoint was established on the road between Termes’ayah and al-Moghir, north of Ramallah. Israeli forces later withdrew, and no arrests were reported. At approximately 13:00, they re-established at ‘Atara checkpoint at the northern entrance of Bir Zeit, north of the city. They later withdrew, and no arrests were reported. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established ‘Ein Sinia village, north of Ramallah. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the intersection of ‘Ein Sinia village on the road between Ramallah and Nablus. At approximately 09:40, a similar checkpoint was established near the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village, northwest of the city. At approximately 16:30, another checkpoint was established at the eastern entrance of al-Tibah village, northeast of Ramallah. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit ‘Aor al-Foqa village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were later, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun Village, southwest of Qalqilya. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ras ‘Atiyah and ‘Ezbet Jal’oud, south of Qalqilya. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 09:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun Village, southwest of Qalqilya.
At approximately 10:30 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Hejah and al-fondoq, east of Qalqilya. At approximately 19:00, another checkpoint was established at the eastern village of Qalqilya. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near ‘Arabah village intersection, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
at approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Anzah village, southwest of Jenin. At approximately 23:00, another checkpoint was established on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near ‘Arabah village intersection, south of Jenin. Later, all checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village, north of the city. At approximately 18:30, a similar checkpoint as established at the southern entrance of Jericho. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 20:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nwei’amah village, north of the city. The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
Shooting incidents and arrests
· At approximately 04:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Isma’il Abu Ghannam in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested the aforementioned person and his son Emad (16) and took them to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 civilians, including 3 girls, while entering al-Aqsa Mosque in the old city of East Jerusalem: Mohammed Hassan Ibrahim (24); Taher al-Shaikh Khalil (24); Somaiya Sa’id Taha (19); Ayat Sa’id Taha (18); and Tasnim Ahmed Ayashi (18).
· At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces attacked Mohammed Qanibi (16) after he went out of school in al-Tour village, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 14:00 Israeli forces raided al-Somoud building in al-Shaikh Jarrah neighbourhood, north of the old city in East Jerusalem, from which they arrested 4 civilians: Hassan Yusef Ghaith (42), Mohammed Nasser al-Resheq (29), Jawad Ahmed Barqan (30) and Eyad Ahmed Barqan (28).
· At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces arrested 2 civilians while walking in Hezma village, east of the old city in East Jerusalem: Mohammed Abdullah Nassri (24); and Hussain Ali al-Fakhri (23).
· At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ein area in Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. They raided 2 celebrations of 2 released prisoners: Adnan Gaith, secretary of Fatah movement in Selwan, and Mohammed al-Qawasmi. They confiscated the Palestinian and Fatah flags and ordered the attendees to lower their voices and stop fireworks.
· At approximately 04:00 on Friday, 24 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Ashayer in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mohammed (17) and took him to an unknown destination.
· In excessive use of force, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child on Saturday midnight, 25 April 2015, at Za’im checkpoint, east of occupied Jerusalem. According to information collect by a PCHR fieldworker, at approximately 00:15 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, while Ali Mohammed Ali Sa’id Abu Ghannam (17) was crossing through Za’im checkpoint between Za’im village and occupied Jerusalem, he quarreled with Israeli soldiers at the said checkpoint. The quarrel developed to a fight, during which an Israeli soldier fired directly at the boy. As a result, the boy fell down and bled to death. Medical crews of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) from Jerusalem and from al-Eizariya village tried to approach the place to transport the boy to hospital, but Israeli forces denied them access. Israeli forces summoned the boy’s father two hours after the incident took place. The father identified the corpse of his son that was referred to Abu Kabir Forensic Institute. The father was detained and taken to al-Masqoubiya police station in West Jerusalem, but was released in the morning. Israeli police claimed that the victim attempted to stab an Israeli soldier at the abovementioned checkpoint, so the soldiers at the checkpoint fired at him as he attempted to flee.
· At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, and stationed around al-Zaitoun club near the tent that was established to receive condolences for the killing of the aforementioned Ali Mohammed Abu Ghannam (17). Dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers, who fired rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs in response. As a result, 26 civilians sustained bullet wounds to the upper parts of their bodies during clashes that erupted in the neighborhood. Of the wounded were 2 paramedics: Ahmed al-Shaloudi, who sustained a bullet wound to the shoulder while being in the ambulance, and Fadi Obaidi, who sustained a bullet wound to the leg. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation, but were treated on the spot.
· At approximately 22:00 on Saturday, 25 April 2015, clashes erupted between dozens of Palestinian civilians, who protests at the killing of Abu Ghannam, and Israeli forces that moved into Selwan village, south of the old city in East Jerusalem. The youngsters threw stones at Israeli police cars and settlers, while Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs in response. The clashes continued until late night. Israeli forces raided a house belonging to No’man Abu Snaina and smashed the windows and another house belonging to Morad Abu Tayeh.
· At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces, police and Border Guards moved into al-Tour neighborhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, after a young Palestinian man run down 3 Israeli soldiers in the neighborhood. Israeli forces deployed in the neighborhood and raided a number of houses. They used live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets while searching for the young man who fled and left the car he used. Israeli forces kept looking for him until late night, during which they established military checkpoints, searched cars and prevented anyone from approaching the scene. They also threatened to use force against the area residents if they approached. Hours later, Israeli forces arrested the young man, who was identified as Fadi Saleh al-Jamzawi (24).
· At approximately 05:00 on Sunday, 26 April 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Mohammed Shkairat in al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They arrested his child Mousa (16) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces moved into al-Mokaber Mount neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided a number of houses from which they arrested Ahmed Wesam Ewaisat (21) and Mohammed Ali Atta Ewaisat (18).
· At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to Nader Hseimah in Aqbet al-Saraya neighborhood, in the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Mo’men (16) and took him to an unknown destination.
· Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Eisawiya village, north of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child: Mohammed Abdul Ra’ouf (21); Morad al-Shaloudi (19); Ali Mohammed Mahmoud (19); and the child Mohammed Sharif Attiyah.
· At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces arrested Nadim Adam Mahmoud Essa (28), from Bethlehem, while being in his work in East Jerusalem, under the pretext he had no permit.
· At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian women while they were near al-Aqsa Mosque: Soha Eid (32); Salwa Ghazzawi (28); Ekram Ghazzawi (26), So’ad Ebaidiya (26); and Eman Abu Snaina (33).
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 05:30 on Monday, 27 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by two bulldozers uprooted a residential tent and a barrack in addition to 3 houses roofed with tin in al-Makhrouq Abu ‘Ajjaj, southwest and east of al-Jaftalak village, north Jericho.
According to information obtained by PCHR from the local council, at approximately 05:30 on the aforementioned day, Israeli forces moved into al-Makhzouq Abu ‘Ajjaj, north of Jeircho, the Israeli forces declared it a military closed area and prevented civilians and journalists from entering. The two bulldozers immediately started levelling, and at approximately 08:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the area. It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces distributed notices to evacuate the aforementioned area under the pretext of construction in C areas controlled by the Israeli authority according to Oslo Accords. They levelled the following:
1. A 4-square-meter residential tent and a 70-square-meter house built of wood, plastic and tin, in which 5 individual lived, belonging to Fathi ‘Abdullah Tariq.
2. A 100-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family of 10 members, belonging to Mahmoud Met’eb al-D’eis.
3. A 110-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family of 7 members, belonging to Mohammed Met’eb al-D’eis.
4. A 110-square-meter house built of tin and resided by a family of 5 members, belonging to Ya’qoub Met’eb al-D’eis.
· At approximately 03:30 on Tuesday, 28 April 2015, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by a GCB bulldozer moved into southeast of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They destroyed an uninhabited old house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Tamimi, who lives in Jordan.
According to information obtained by a PCHR fieldworker from the Popular Committee against the Wall and settlement in al-Nabi Saleh village, Israeli forces accompanied with a force from the Construction and Organization Department in the Israeli Civil Administration and backed by a GCB bulldozer moved into southeast of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. They stationed in Bahaa’ al-Deen area and imposed a security cordon on the area preventing civilians and journalists from entering it. The bulldozer immediately levelled a 65-square-meter uninhabited house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mahmoud Tamimi, who lives in Jordan. Dozens of Palestinian youngsters and children gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces, who in response fired live bullets and gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, a number of civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the area after they completely levelled the house. It should be mentioned that the Israeli forces distributed on 01 July 2010 notices to demolish 12 houses in the aforementioned area under the pretext of construction in ‘C’ areas controlled by the Israeli authorities according to the Oslo Accords.
· At approximately 05:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, a group of Israeli settlers under the Israeli forces’ escort stormed the lands of Silet al-Thaher village, south of Jenin, where the evacuated ‘Homish’ settlement was previously established. The settlers arrived at the area in buses and performed Talmudic rituals, and later withdrew. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, the settlers stormed the area again and performed their prayers again. It should be mentioned that since the evacuation of the aforementioned settlement in September 2005, settlers come back from time to time, especially in the Jewish holidays to perform religious rituals under Israeli forces’ tightened protection.
· At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, 23 April 2015, an Israeli settler pushed down Radi Sa’id al-Dow (14) from his bike on al-Wad Street in the Old City in Eastern Jerusalem. As a result, he fell on the ground, and his head hit a big stone. His mother said that her son felt dizzy afterwards and was left on the ground until an ambulance arrived at the scene to take him to al-Maqased Hospital. He underwent the necessary examination tests, and it was found out that he sustained various bruises.
· On Monday morning, 27 April 2015, a number of settlers from ‘Karmi Tsur’ settlement between Halhoul and Beit Ommar villages, north of Hebron, damaged and cut off 80 vines that were planted on a farm 300 meters away from the said settlement. The land belongs to Hassan Mahmoud Nour Aqel (44), from Halhoul, north of Hebron. This attack was launched after Israeli forces demolished a tent established by settlers on the land belonging to Anwar Ahmed al-Badawi as the Israeli court issued a decision on that. It should be noted that settlers cut off 172 vines belonging to Aqel family 2 years ago in the same area.
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;
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
