In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 01 – 07 Oct. 2015, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinians including a child, and wounded 144 Palestinians, including 55 children, 2 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded in different shooting incidents.The report did not include the 7 Palestinians killed and 153 injured on Friday, after the weekly report had already been released.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
In the West Bank, on 03 October 2015, Israeli infantry opened fire at a Palestinian young man from the Bireh, who had stabbed 2 Israeli settlers near the Hospice Hotel in al-Wad Street, in the Old City in East Jerusalem. As a result, he was killed by several bullets to the neck and head.
On 04 October 2015, Israeli forces wilfully killed a 19-year-old Palestinian civilian from al-Eisawiya village, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, after he was chased and beaten by settlers. Israeli forces claimed that the victim attempted to stab a 15-year-old settler, due to which that settler sustained moderate wounds, and then he escaped to Street no. 1 before the Israeli police arrived and shot him dead. Even if the Israeli claim was true, Israeli forces could have used less force or abducted the Palestinian, especially as he walked enough distance before he was killed without posing any threat to the Israeli officers or settlers.
In another crime of the use of excessive force, on 04 October 2015, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 2 others. Israeli forces opened fire at dozens of Palestinian civilians protesting around ‘Gishori’ factories, west of Tulkarm, against the settlers’ raids on al-Aqsa Mosque.
In another crime of the use of excessive force, Israeli forces stationed at the security gate at the annexation wall, east of Ayda refugee camp, shot dead a 14-year-old child and wounded another one when Israeli soldiers opened fire at a group of children near the UNRWA centre at the entrance of the above-mentioned refugee camp, as clashes erupted there between Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians.
During the reporting period, 148 Palestinian civilians, including 55 children, 2 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded in the West Bank. Moreover, 240 Palestinian civilians, including a photojournalist, were wounded in East Jerusalem and a girl sustained a serious wound when a settler opened fire at her.
On Wednesday, 07 October 2015, an Israeli settler opened fire at a Palestinian girl from Sour Baher village, south of East Jerusalem, while she walking in al-Wad Street in the Old City. As a result, she sustained 4 bullet wounds, due to which she was taken to Hadasa – Ein Karem Hospital in West Jerusalem. Israeli forces claimed the girl had stabbed a 35-year-old settler; therefore, the settler opened fire at her.
Moreover, during the reporting period, Israeli forces deliberately targeted Palestinian ambulances and their crews while on duty.
Between October 1st and 7th, Israeli forces conducted 56 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Israeli forces abducted 78 Palestinian civilians, including 12 children. 24 of them, including 5 children, were abducted in occupied East Jerusalem. An Israeli undercover unit raided the Arab Specialist Hospital in Nablus and abducted a Palestinian patient.
According to a report by a PCHR fieldworker in Nablus, on October 5th at approximately 04:00, Israeli undercover units wearing plain clothes. They used two civilian cars with Palestinian registration plates. The two cars stopped in front of the Arab Specialist Hospital in Rafidia neighbourhood in the west of the city, and 5 persons dressed in plain clothes stepped out of them. One of those persons pretended to be wounded and headed to the main entrance of the hospital, which was closed. Members of the special units asked from the hospital staff to open it, but they refused telling them to head to the ER department in the western side of the hospital. After arguing, they took their guns out and pointed them at the hospital staff forcing them to open the door. They went up on the hospital stairs to the third floor and knocked on the main door of the floor, where a nurse identified as Mohammed ‘Amriyah was on duty. He opened the door for them, but the undercover members did not wait for him to complete his talk and pushed him strongly with his face against the door. He then fell on the ground, and they entered the room next to the door, where Karam Lutfi Rezeq al-Masri (23) who is an engineer from Nablus, was. Karam entered the hospital at approximately 23:00 on Thursday, 01 October 2015, as a solid body fell on his left palm. The undercover members immediately asked him about his name as there was another person in the room. Two of them carried him and went to the first floor via the hospital stairs. They threw him there and then pulled him from his shoulder and hands taking him to an unknown destination.
Many checkpoints were established in the West Bank. 10 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were abducted at checkpoints.
Israeli forces continued efforts to create a Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem. Two houses were destroyed in al-Mukaber Mountain area and a room was closed with concrete in al-Thawri neighbourhood on the ground of collective punishment. 13 neighbouring houses and minarets sustained damage.
As part of the collective punishment policy carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, since Thursday, 01 October 2015, Nablus has been cordoned in a way similar to the cordon imposed on the same city in the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada. PCHR’s fieldworker in the city said that ‘Yetshar’ bypass road, south of Nablus, and Beit Foreik checkpoint, east of the city, were completely closed. Moreover, they redeployed at the checkpoints of Howara, Jeet, al-Naqoura village, and Deir Sharaf valley around the city. Israeli forces stationed at those checkpoints humiliate Palestinian civilians passing through the checkpoints.
Also as part of the collective punishment policy practiced by Israeli forces against families of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and/or settlers, on Tuesday morning, 06 October 2015, Israeli forces destroyed two houses in Jabal al-Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and rendered their inhabitants homeless. They also closed a room in a house belonging to a third family in al-Thawri neighborhood in Silwan village, south of the Old City.
Israeli settlement activities:
During the past week, Israeli forces and settlers continued to raid al-Aqsa Mosque and impose restrictions on the Palestinians’ access to the mosque.
A girl sustained serious wounds after a settler opened fire at her.
The settlers carried out 36 separate attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property.
Israeli attacks on nonviolent demonstrations:
Israeli forces remarkably escalated the use of force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank, especially in occupied East Jerusalem. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including a 14-year-old child; 2 of whom were killed in Jerusalem. Moreover, 148 Palestinian civilians, including 55 children, 3 photojournalists and 2 girls, were wounded throughout the West Bank. In addition, over 240 civilians were wounded in Jerusalem and its villages, and a girl was fired at by a settler. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces also continued to chase Palestinian fishermen in the sea.
During the demonstrations which were organized in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities led 4 civilians were wounded, including 2 children and a photojournalist, in a Kufr Qadoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. Moreover, 93) Palestinian civilians, including (32) children, (2) girls and (2) journalists, were wounded the demonstrations which were organized in protest of the Israeli occupation policy and the settlers’ attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque.
Following the Friday prayer on 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protestors tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, fired live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs and chased them into the olive fields and into residential houses in response. As a result, many civilians 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 prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind the Annexation Wall, so they threw stones at them. Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest against the annexation wall and settlement Activity. The demonstrators headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent them from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and were chased into the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
At approximately 13:30 on Friday, Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organized a protest in the center of Kafor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. When they arrived at the entrance of the gate, the demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs. As a result, 4 civilians, including 2 children and a photojournalist were wounded.
Following the Friday prayer on 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of the annexation wall, which was established over the Badres village lands, west of Ramallah and al-Beira, in protest at the settlers and Israeli forces’ attacks and against al-Aqsa Mosque. The protesters threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, sound bombs against them in response and also chased the protesters inside the village. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. In addition, the injured persons were treated on the spot.
On Friday afternoon, 02 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian youths and youngsters gathered at al-Taweel mountain, adjacent of ‘Bes’out’ settlement in al-Bireh city, to organize demonstration in protest at Israeli occupation’s policy and settlers’ attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque. The protesters threw stones at the settlement’s fence and set fire at car tiers. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the protests in response, and chased them into the village. As a result, two children sustained wounds and were taken to the Palestine Medical Complex Hospital in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. According to an ambulance’s driver, Israeli soldiers directly attacked an ambulance. In addition, one of the Israeli soldiers fired 6 live bullets near the ambulance and 4 others in front of it. While the ambulance’s driver turned back and under weapon threat, Israeli forces prevented him from leaving or transporting the wounded person and they forced him to turn off the ambulance and took the ambulance’s key. Furthermore, 20 Israeli soldiers gathered around the ambulance and opened the rear door, when Nemer Malesa, 21, and Mohammed Faqeh, 33, attempted to prevent the soldiers from arresting the wounded child. One of the soldiers kicked Nemer on his right knee and violently pulled the aforementioned child by his legs and threw him onto ground then beat and kicked him in spite of his wound. When the ambulance’s driver stepped out of the ambulance and headed to the back, one of the soldiers prevented him, and pushed him then shouted at him in Hebrew, while another soldier pointed his gun at his face and pushed him again into the ambulance. The soldier violently kicked the driver’s door on the driver’s foot. As a result, he sustained wounds and bruises to the foot.
According to al-Shafi’i’s statement: ‘They forced me by beating and kicking to stand and walk by my leg in spite of the wound and bleeding in my right knee. After 20 meters I could not walk due to the soreness, so one of the soldiers carried me on his back then took me at ‘Besigout’ settlement. There, they put me behind the cement cubes and beat me again by slapping at my face, also they handcuffed me by a plastic ligament and blindfolded me while lying on my back. An hour and a half later, they handed me over to a Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance, which transported me to the Palestinian Medical Complex. After conducting medical examinations and x-ray, it was found that the bullet settled in the knee. The doctors directly transported me to the operation’s room where they conducted a surgical operation to me which continued for 2 hours and I still receive treatment in the orthopedic department.’
On Friday afternoon, 02 October 2015, dozens of youngsters gathered in the southern entrance of Salwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Selwad and Yabroud, near Street (60) to organize a protest against Israeli policies. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up. The injured persons were treated on the spot.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of youngsters gathered at the southern entrance of Jalzoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, near the UNRWA boys school, which is about 300 meters away from ‘Beit Eill’ settlement fence, to organize a protest against Israeli policies against al-Aqsa Mosque . The protestors threw stones at the ‘Beit Eill’ settlement fence near the camp. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, sewage water and tear gas canisters in response and chased them inside the refugee. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them up.
Following Friday prayer, dozens of civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in front of Wasaya al-Rasoul Mosque in the south of Hebron. The participants Raised the Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans for supporting al-Aqsa Mosque towards the Israeli attacks against the sanctities in the Occupied Jerusalem. The demonstration headed to Tareq Ben Ziyad street area where Israeli soldiers were deployed. When the participants arrived at the area, Israeli forces fired sounds bomb and tear gas canisters at them. A number of youngsters stationed in the vicinity of houses and shops, threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. In the meantime, many military vehicles and a wastewater pumping vehicle, raided the area, ordered the demonstrators to leave and flooded the residential houses by wastewater. In the meantime, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation while Israeli forces maintained their presence in the area until 18:00, during which time the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters in Kayta’oun and Tal’a Abu Hadeed neighborhoods towards civilians’ houses. As a result, fire caught on an uninhabited apartment and a part of it was burnt as a tear gas canister penetrated the window which overlooking to the street. The fire was put out by a fire engine belonging to Hebron Municipality. After that, it was found that all the house’s furniture was burnt, including blankets and wooden cabinets. The aforementioned apartment belongs to Amjad Abed al-Raheem Abed al-Hameed Abu Hadeed, 43.
At approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 04 October 2015, a number of angry youngsters threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli stationed at the western entrance of al-Shohada Street and military checkpoint (56) in Hebron. They also set fire to rubber tires. Israeli soldiers chased the youngsters between shops and fired live ammunitions, rubber-coated metal bullets, and sound bombs indiscriminately. As a result, a 16-year-old child sustained bruises to the right arm and the left leg when he fell from a high place due to suffering gas inhalation and unconsciousness. He was taken by an ambulance belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society to the Hebron Hospital to receive medical treatment.
On Sunday, 04 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda petrol station in al-Balou’ neighborhood at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed to (DCO) military checkpoint and ‘Biet Eill’ settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, 7 civilians, including 2 children were wounded, and were transported to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment.
From the morning until the evening on Monday, 05 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood, at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed at (DCO) military checkpoint and ‘Beit Eill’ settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (20) civilians, including (8) children were wounded; (11) of them were wounded by live ammunition while the other (9 were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bomb. The wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment.
That afternoon, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered near ‘Atara checkpoint, north of Ber Zeit, north of Ramallah. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (3) civilians, including (2) children were wounded and were taken to the Palestinian Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. A 16-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the chest; a 16-year-old child was wounded by bullet’s shrapnel to the right thigh; and a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the back.
At approximately 14:30 on Monday, a number of youngsters gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces stationed at the western entrance of al-Shohada Street and (56) military checkpoint. Moreover, set fire on the rubber tires. In response, Israeli soldiers chased the youngsters between shops and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters against youngsters and shops indiscriminately. As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the head then he was taken by an ambulance belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society to the al-Ahli Hospital. Furthermore, a reporter of Raya FM radio, Taha Dawood Abu Hussain, 28, was wounded by a bullet to the right brow while he was present on Abu al-Humos road adjacent to the area of clashes to cover the incidents. He was then taken by an ambulance to Hebron Hospital.
At approximately 18:30 on Monday, a demonstration was organized in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. The demonstrators headed to Hawara checkpoint at the southern entrance of the city. The protesters were surprised from the Israeli forces’ presence in the al-Quds Street. When the protesters approached the checkpoint, Israeli soldiers fired sound bombs and live ammunitions at them. As a result, a 17- a year-old child from the camp was wounded by a bullet to the leg.
At approximately 20:00, a number of youngsters gathered at the entrance of Beit ‘Ainoun village, east of Hebron, and threw stones and empty bottles at the military vehicles. Israeli soldiers steeped out from their vehicles and chased the youngsters between the houses and fired rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the youngsters. Israeli soldiers abducted Waseem Isma’eel Jawabra, 28, from al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, and took him to unknown destination.
On Tuesday, 06 October 2015, a number of children and youngsters gathered at the southern entrance of Jenin. The youngsters threw stones at the soldiers stationed at the entrance. Israeli soldiers fired flash bombs, sound bombs, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets toward stones throwers. They also abducted (2) children, Tareq Sabri Qabha, 16, and Ja’far Yaser Qabha, 16, but released them after they had questioned them.
From the afternoon until the evening on Tuesday, 06 October 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They headed to the (DCO) military checkpoint and ‘Beit Eill’ settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (26) Palestinian civilians, including (13) children and girls, were wounded, (15) of them were wounded by live ammunitions, while (11) of them were wounded by metal bullets. The wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Moreover, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as Israeli soldiers beat them . The injured persons were treated on the spot.
On Tuesday, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered at the entrance of Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, to organize a demonstration on protest at the Israeli forces and settlers’ attacks against the al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli forces deployed a large number of heavily armed soldiers at the checkpoint. The protesters set fire to rubber tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli forces. In response, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. As a result, 16 civilians, including 7 children and a journalist, were wounded, 9 of whom were wounded by live bullets, while 7 others were wounded by metal bullets.
On Tuesday, 06 October 2015, clashes erupted with the Israeli forces in the vicinity of the annexation wall in Qanta village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem. As a result, a 20-year-old civilian was wounded by a bullet to the right side of the head which caused a fracture to his skull and hemorrhage in his brain. The aforementioned civilian was admitted into the intensive care unit in Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, and his condition was described as serious.
At approximately 20:00 on Tuesday, a number of children and youngsters gathered at al-Jamla checkpoint between Jenin and Israel. The youngsters threw stones at the soldiers. In response, Israeli forces fire live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the stones throwers. As a result, a 15-year-old child was wounded by a bullet to the left leg. In addition, Israeli forces abducted a number of protesters.
On Wednesday, 07 October 2015, hundreds of Bir Zeit University’s students and Palestinian civilians gathered near al-Huda Petrol Station and City-in Hotel in al-Balou’ neighborhood, at the northern entrance of al-Bireh city. They then headed to the (DCO) military checkpoint and ‘Beit Eill’ settlement. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, (10) Palestinian civilians, including a girl were wounded, (8) of them were wounded by a live bullets, one of them was wounded by a shrapnel, and the last one was wounded by a sound bomb. All of the wounded persons were taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Moreover, members Israeli undercover units who were present in the demonstration among the protesters, abducted 3 of Bir Zeit University’s students after firing at them from a short distance and violently beating them with the support of the Israeli soldiers and border guards. After that, the students were taken to an unknown destination. The abducted persons were identified as: Abdul Rahman Abu Dhab ,20; Ahmed Waleed Abullah Hamed, 21, who was wounded to the leg; and Mohammed Othman Husain, 19, who was wounded by a bullet to the head and his condition was described as a serious.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
Israel continued to impose a total closure and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world. Israeli navy forces continued to open fire at Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip sea. On 05 October 2015, Israeli gunboats stationed off Gaza City shore abducted 2 Palestinian fishermen, who were on board a fishing boat 6 nautical miles off the seaport, west of Gaza City.
Israeli forces abducted 9 Palestinian civilians attempted to cross the Gaza Strip’s border into Israel. 3 traders, who are brothers, were abducted at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing while heading from the Gaza Strip to Israel.
Also in the Gaza Strip, on 2 October 2015, Israeli forces moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis. They levelled lands and withdrew later.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.
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 the United Nations 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;
The PCHR also called 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories.
For the full text of the report, click on the link below:
