Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 02- 08 July 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings
Israeli forces continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip sea. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child, north of occupied Jerusalem, in excessive use of force. They also wounded 8 civilians, 7 of whom including 2 children and 4 journalists were wounded in the West Bank, while the 8th was a fisherman from the Gaza Strip.
In the West Bank, in excessive use of force, on Friday, 03 July 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian in Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. Israeli forces claimed that the child threw stones at an Israeli officer in a patrol that was passing by the annexation wall in al-Ram village, north of the city.
On 02 July 2015, 4 journalists sustained burns in the face when Israeli forces attacked a group of Palestinian civilians at the intersection of al-Jaba’ village, north of East Jerusalem, who gathered to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Mohammed Abu Khdair. Israeli forces sprayed pepper spray over their faces.
On 02 July 2015, a 19-year-old civilian sustained 2 bullet wounds to the left leg when a number of Palestinian youngsters protested against the Israeli forces who moved into al-Dheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, to arrest a civilian. Israeli forces arrested the wounded civilian and took him to Hadasa Hospital in West Jerusalem.
On 07 July 2015, a 17-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh when a number of Palestinian youngsters protested against the Israeli forces who moved into al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah, to arrest a civilian as well.
Israeli forces continued to use excessive 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 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the right leg during a protest at the south-eastern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah.
As part of targeting fishermen, on 07 July 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort, northwest of Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at 2 fishing boats, arrested 4 fishermen on board of the boats and confiscated the 2 boats. When a third fishing boat headed towards fishing nets left by the 2 other fishing boats, 2 fishermen on board of that boat were surprised to see Israeli gunboats surrounding and arresting them. When they were released on the following day, it was found out that one of whom sustained a rubber-coated metal bullet wound to the leg.
Incursions
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 45 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 3 ones in East Jerusalem. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 40 Palestinians, including 8 children. Eleven of these civilians, including the 5 children, were arrested in East 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. 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.
Efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in Jerusalem
In the context of collective punishment policies, on 07 July 2015, Israeli forces raided a residential tent resided by the family of Odai Abu Jamal in front of their house in al-Mukaber Mount village, southeast of Jerusalem, that was closed by fortified concrete and metal plates. The tent was the only shelter the family had after their house was closed on 01 July 2015.
On 06 July 2015, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Abu Jamal in al-Mukaber Mount village. They photographed its doors and roads leading to it and other nearby houses. They also wrote down names of families residing in those houses.
Moreover, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Nayef Ja’abees in al-Mukaber Mount village. They photographed the house from inside and outside and other nearby houses. It should be noted that Ja’abees was killed on 04 August 2014 when the bulldozer he was driving hit a bus near Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
In the same context, Israeli forces raided the vicinity of a house belonging to Mo’taz Hijazi in al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the old city. They photographed it from the outside and the roads leading to the house although the family was not home then. It should be noted that Israeli High Court decided lately to close the room of Mo’taz, which is part of the house. Hijazi was killed on 30 October 2014, when Israeli forces opened fire at him on the roof of his family house on the ground that he attempted to assassinate Yehuda Glick on 29 October 2014.
In a different context, an 8-year-old girl sustained fractures and bruises when an Israeli police jeep ran her down in al-Sultan Suleiman Street in East Jerusalem. The girl’s father said that his daughter sustained fractures in the right leg, nose and jaw, in addition to bruises and pains. She was taken to Hadasa Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.
In the context of settlers’ attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property, on 06 July 2015, a group of settlers threw stones at vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians on road no. (1), north of the old city. They then attacked their owners with sticks and stones. As a result, a 2-month pregnant woman miscarried.
On the same day, a group of settlers attacked 3 Palestinian civilians walking on al-Mesrara street in East Jerusalem. As a result, one of whom was wounded and then taken to Hadasa Hospital, while the 2 others were arrested by the Israeli police.
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 02 July 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer moved into al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron. The bulldozer levelled 2-dunum tract of land and demolished 170-meter-long stone chains that were rebuilt few months ago.
On 07 July 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer demolished and confiscated sheds established by Beit Ommar residents, north of Hebron, along bypass road (60) to sell their agricultural products.
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, a child (16) sustained bullet wounds to the right leg while participating in a protest in the south-eastern entrance of Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer, on 03 July 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 Activity. 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 steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation 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 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, 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 organised 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 skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Following the Friday prayer, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. A similar protest was organized following al-Asr prayer on Saturday, 04 July 2015. As a result, many demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and other sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Note: the protest of Kufor Qaddoum was scheduled twice a week (following the Fridays’ prayer and following al-Asr prayer on Sundays).
Other demonstrations
On Thursday afternoon, 02 July 2015 , dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the southern entrance of Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah, to organize a peaceful demonstration in protest at Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a child (16), sustained a bullet wound to the right leg. He was then taken to the Palestine Medical Compound for medical treatment.
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,02 July 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrance of Halhoul village, south of Hebron.
On Saturday, 04 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Awaa village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron.
On Sunday, 05 July 2015, Israeli forces established three checkpoints at the entrance of al-Sa’ir village, at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, and at the entrance of al-Karmel village, east of Yata city, south of Hebron.
At approximately 08:00, on Monday, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Dura city, southwest of Hebron.
At approximately 09:00, on Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Halhoul village, south of Hebron.
At approximately 08:00, on Wednesday, 08 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces established 26 checkpoints all over the city. On Thursday, 02 July 2015, Israeli forces established 2 checkpoints at the entrances of ‘Aboud village, and Termes’ayaa village.
On Friday, 03 July 2015, Israeli forces established 6 checkpoints at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh village; under the bridge of Yabrud village, the entrance of Ni’lin, Deir Jarir, Ain Senia, and Betten village.
On Saturday, 04 July 2015, Israeli forces established 8 checkpoints at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’al village between Deir Ezee’a and Ras Karkar villages, on Al Mu’arrajat road between Jericho and Ramallah, in ‘Oyoun Hramiaa village, between Nablus and Ramallah, at the entrance of al-Nabi Saleh, ‘Ein Yabrod and Betello village.
On Monday, 05 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint in the vicinity of Kherbtha al-Mesbah Bridge, southwest Ramallah.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints all over the city. On Sunday, 05 July 2015, Israeli forces established 3 checkpoints at the entrance of Amatin village, east of Qalqilya, ‘Ezbet al-Tabeeb village, southwest of Qalqilya, and on the road between ‘Azoun and Jayous villages, east of the city.
· Jericho: Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints all over the city. On Thursday, 02 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the southern entrance of Jericho village.
On Saturday, 04 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Oja village, north of the city.
· Nablus: Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints all over the city. At approximately 08:00, on Saturday, 04 July 2015, Israeli forces closed Hawara checkpoint at the southern entrance of Nablus in front of the movement of Palestinian civilians and their vehicles. The closure of checkpoint continued till at 20:00, and Israeli forces didn’t allow anyone to cross the checkpoint during the mentioned hours claiming it was for security reasons.
At approximately 16:00 on Monday evening, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces closed the entrance of Bitaa village, southeast of Nablus using 8 concrete cubes and set up a watchtower on the main road of the village. Residents of the village described this step as a preparation for closing the entrance of the village, or establishing an iron gate. Israeli forces claimed that the entrance of the village which was on the road between Nablus and Ramallah witnesses shooting at settlers’ cars and throwing Molotov cocktails and stones at their cars.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces established 4 checkpoints all over the city. At approximately 10:00, on Sunday morning, 05 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus in the vicinity of Bazarya intersectiom, east of Tulkarm. At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Annab checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarem and Nablus, east of Tulkarem, tightened their restrictions against Palestinian civilians. Around the same time, another checkpoint was established on the main road between Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of Beit Leed, east of Tulkarm.
At approximately 09:30, on Monday, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Tulkarem and Nablus in the vicinity of Beit Leed village, east of Tulkarm.
On Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Anab checkpoint, tightened their restrictions against Palestinian civilians.
Note: all the aforementioned checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
· At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 02 July 2015, Israeli forces stationed at the electronic gates to the Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of the old city in Hebron arrested Mahmoud Riyadh Akram al-Zarou (19) under the pretext of having a knife. He was then taken to an unknown destination.
· On Sunday evening, 05 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin and Nablus near Sebstyah village, northwest of Nablus. They arrested Ihab Radi ‘Abed Souqi (20) from Jenin while passing through the checkpoint. The checkpoint was removed later, and he was taken to an unknown destination.
· On Monday, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces stationed at al-Karamah crossing between the West Bank and Jordan arrested Tamer Soliman Abu ‘Ayyash (22) from Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They arrested the aforementioned civilian when he was on his way back from Jordan and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. When Ramdan Ahmed Saleh Abu Haniyah (41) and Tariq Maher Ahmed Abu Haniyah (18), both from ‘Azoun village, east of the city, were passing through the checkpoint, the Israeli soldiers arrested both of them and took them to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 19:00 on the aforementioned Tuesday, Israeli forces deployed in the neighborhoods of the Old City and the southern area classified as H2 area in Hebron according to the Oslo Accords arrested Mohammed Soliman Abu Hadid (29) when he was on his way back from his house in al-Sahlah area, south of the city. They were taken to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 15:00 on Wednesday, 08 July 2015, Israeli forces deployed at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, arrested Rashid Mohammed Walid Akhlil (20) after detaining him in the watchtower established at the village entrance. The aforementioned civilian was later handcuffed and taken to an unknown destination.
Efforts to create a Jewish majority:
Shooting incidents
· On Thursday, 02 July 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the intersection of al-Jaba’ village, north of East Jerusalem, to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Mohammed Abu Khdair, who was burnt by settlers in early July 2014. A number of Israeli military vehicles arrived at the place and surrounded the protest. Israeli officers stepped out of the vehicles and started firing tear gas canisters and sounds bombs. They then beat the protestors with hands and clubs and attacked journalists in particular with pepper spray. As a result, Nepal Farsakh and Mohammed Shousha, journalists working for Ro’ya Jordanian channel, journalist Mohammed Radi from Palestine TV and journalist Mohammed Turkman sustained burns in their faces, due to which they were taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah, to receive the necessary medical treatment.
· On Friday, 03 July 2015, an Israeli officer opened fire at a Palestinian child from Qalandia refugee camp, after his military vehicle was stoned. As a result, the child sustained 4 bullet wounds, due to which he was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah to receive medical treatment, but he was pronounced dead later due to wounds his sustained.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 07:30 on Friday, Mohammad Sami al-Kesba (17) was participating with a group of scouts in organizing traffic at al-Ram intersection near the southern iron gate of Qalandia checkpoint. In the meantime, an Israeli military vehicle passed quickly in a way that made the boys throw stones at it. An Israeli officer accompanied by 4 soldiers stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire at al-Kesba, who was running away. As a result, he sustained 4 bullet wounds to the chin, left cheek, left side and right leg. The officer and soldiers pointed their guns at a number of Palestinians who gathered around and banned them from approaching. After the Israeli vehicle left, al-Kesba was transported by a Palestinian private car to Palestine Medical Compound in Ramallah. His health condition was serious. He was pronounced dead after a while. It should be noted that his 2 brothers were killed too by Israeli forces in 2002.
House raids in al-Mukaber Mount and Silwan village on the ground of collective punishment
· At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Ghassan Abu Jamal from Jabal al-Mukaber village, southeast of East Jerusalem. They photographed the house from inside and outside and the roads leading to it and its occupants. Abu Jamal family said that Israeli forces raided the family house and photographed the house and its occupants. They also photographed the neighbouring houses and wrote down names of families to whom the houses belong without telling the reason. The family added that a quarrel erupted between Israeli soldiers and the family members. It should be noted that Ghassan and Odai Abu Jamal carried out an attack on an Israeli synagogue near Deir Yassin area, west of Jerusalem, in November 2014. On 01 July 2015, Israeli forces closed the house of Odai with fortified concrete and metal plates.
· Moreover, Israeli forces raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Nayef Ja’abees in Jabal al-Mukaber village. His family said that Israeli forces raided the house and photographed the house from inside and outside and other nearby houses. It should be noted that Ja’abees was killed by 47 bullets on 04 August 2014 when the bulldozer he was driving hit a bus near Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, north of the old city in East Jerusalem. Although Ja’abees was doing his work there, but Israeli forces insist that he intended to deliberately carry out an attack with his truck.
· In the same context, on the same day, Israeli forces raided the vicinity of a house belonging to Mo’taz Hijazi in al-Thawri neighbourhood in Silwan village, south of the old city. They photographed it from outside and the roads leading to the house although the family was not home then. It should be noted that Israeli High Court decided lately to close the room of Mo’taz, which is part of the house. Hijazi was killed on 30 October 2014, when Israeli forces opened fire at him on the roof of his family house on the ground that he attempted to assassinate Yehuda Glick on 29 October 2014.
· At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces raided a residential tent belonging to the family of Odai Abu Jamal that was established in front of the house in al-Mukaber Mount, southeast of East Jerusalem. The family said that Israeli forces violently raided the tent and damaged and confiscated it. They also damaged the content of the tent. It should be noted that Israeli forces closed their house with concrete on 01 July 2015, therefore the family stayed in a tent offered by the ICRC. The tent was the only shelter for the family that included 6 members.
Incursions
· At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 06 July 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Belal Afana (52) in Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem. They arrested him and his son Abdullah (24).
· At approximately 05:00, on the same day, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian children, who were going back homes in Ras al-Amoud neighbourhood, east of the old city in East Jerusalem, from al-Aqsa Mosque: Hosam Maher Hassan (15), Ahmed Nasser al-Ghoul (17), Mohammed Emad Awad (17), Nour al-Din Zughul (17) and Mo’men Abdullah Adila (17).
· At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Abdullah al-Tamimi in al-Qaa’ neighbourhood in al-tour Mount, east of East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Ahmed (19) and took him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on the same day, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ahmed Abu Znaid in Shu’fat neighbourhood, north of the old city in East Jerusalem. They arrested his son Nour (21) and took him to an unknown destination.
A Palestinian little girl wounded as an Israeli police car run over her
· On Sunday, 05 July 2015, Aseel Nazih Da’eef (8) sustained fractures and bruises when an Israeli police jeep run over her on al-Sultan Suleiman Street in East Jerusalem. The girl’s father, Nazih Da’eef, said that his daughter sustained fractures in the right leg, nose and jaw, in addition to bruises and pains after an Israeli police car ran her down. He added that his daughter was crossing the street at approximately 19:54 on the same day, but she was surprised to see a speedy police jeep coming towards her. The jeep hit her, due to which she was thrown on the ground. She was taken to Hadasa Hospital in West Jerusalem to receive medical treatment.
Settlers’ attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property
· At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 06 July 2015, a group of settlers threw stones at vehicles belonging to Palestinian civilians on road no. (1), north of the old city. They then attacked their owners with sticks and stones. As a result, a 2-month pregnant woman suffered abortion.
· At approximately 20:00 on the same day, a group of settlers attacked 3 Palestinian civilians walking on al-Mesrara street in East Jerusalem. As a result, one of these civilians was wounded and then taken to Hadasa Hospital, while the 2 others were
arrested by the Israeli police.
Feras Mojahed (45), one of those who were attacked, said to a PCHR fieldworker that at approximately 20:00 on the abovementioned day, 6 settlers aging between 15 and 19 attacked him, his brother Mohammed (37) and Hassan al-Joulani (28) while walking on al-Mesrara street going to their houses. He added that the settlers insulted them, but they did not care and kept walking, but they were surprised to see the settlers chasing and attacking them with stones. One of the settlers hit him on his head with a club. Mojahed added that Israeli forces arrived at the place and arrested the settlers while his brother Mohammed and Hassan al-Joulani were referred to interrogation in al-Masqoubiya police station. He was taken to Hadasa Hospital to receive medical treatment. Feras explained that he sustained bruises around his eye and in the leg and pains throughout his body.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
· At approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 02 July 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer moved into al-Baq’a area, east of Hebron. The bulldozer levelled 2-dunum piece of land and demolished 170-meter-long stone chains that were rebuilt few months ago by Mohammed Mostafa Awwad Jaber (62) and his brothers.
It should be noted that Israeli forces by the end of 2009, levelled a 10-dunum tract of land belonging to the same person and his brothers; demolished 1,000-meter-long stone chains, a water well and a basin and confiscated agricultural tools. The loss was estimated at JD 33,200. Israeli forces claimed that the tract of land is a state property and no one shall work in it unless by the agreement of the competent authorities in the Israeli Civil Administration.
· At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 07 July 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a Civil Administration vehicle and a bulldozer demolished and confiscated sheds established by Beit Ommar residents along bypass road (60) to sell their agricultural products. The Civil Administration officers confiscated part of the products and damaged the other part. The sellers’ loss was estimated at about NIS 1,000 for each one of them.
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.
