Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

PCHR Weekly Report for July 29 – August 12, 2020

SUMMARY

Israeli forces continued to commit crimes and multi-faceted violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized with excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. Israeli forces did not restrict its attacks during the days Palestinian Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha holiday. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian woman and wounded 19 others across the West Bank.

PCHR asserts that Israeli forces used excessive and lethal force when they withdrew from the area without the presence of any threat or danger to soldiers’ lives. This falls within the shoot first and justify later policy that the occupation forces have consistently implemented against Palestinian civilians. Furthermore, Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, while they mainly bombarded agricultural lands that did not render human loss, the airstrikes terrorized and frightened the civilian population in targeted areas.

Ever since announcing its plans to annex West Bank territories, Israeli forces have continued systematic demolitions and land razing, establishing roads for settlements in an accelerated manner. The past two weeks witnessed wide-scale demolitions of houses and agricultural lands in the West Bank.

This week, PCHR documented 303 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli forces and settlers in the oPt. It should be noted that the limitations due to the corona virus pandemic, including closure of certain territories, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information documented in this report are only part of the continued violations.

I. ISRAELI FORCES SHOOTING AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY: On 07 August 2020, Israeli forces killed Dalia Ahmed Suliman Stiti (24) with a live bullet that hit her chest as she was shutting her window in Jenin, northern West Bank. Furthermore, Israeli soldiers shot and wounded 19 Palestinians: 9 injured in excessive use of force against the weekly peaceful protest in Kufur Qaddoum in Qalqilia; 7 others in Israeli forces’ suppression of a protest in Tarmesi’yah, northern Ramallah, including 2 paramedics. Two others were wounded in separate incidents: a Palestinian was shot and wounded as Israeli forces shot him directly before his arrest in Nablus; and another was shot during a shooting near the Annexation Wall in Tulkarem.

In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands 23 times and twice at fishing boats in eastern and western Gaza Strip. Israeli forces warplanes also launched several airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

II. INCURSIONS AND ARRESTS OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS: Israeli forces carried out 176 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, and attacking many of them. During this week’s incursions, 160 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 children and 4 women. Israeli forces also conducted two limited incursions into eastern Khan Younis and northern Gaza Strip.

III. SETTLEMENT EXPANSION ACTIVITIES AND SETTLERS’ ATTACKS: The occupation continued its settlement expansion operations in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, PCHR documented 33 violations, including:

+ EAST JERUSALEM: agricultural room demolished, as well as 11 houses, including 7 self-demolished;

+ BETHLEHEM: cease-construction notices served to 2 houses and 100 olive tree seedlings uprooted;

+ HEBRON: demolition of a wall and a 100 sqm floor; also, a tin-plated brick home demolished; 3 water pumps confiscated; military watchtower established on Palestinian civilians’ lands; tent and barn demolished;

+ NORTHERN JORDAN VALLEY: 2 tractors confiscated; and demolition notices served to several houses and facilities;

+ JENIN: 9 cease-construction and demolition notices served to over 200 year old buildings and caves; and other facilities, new housing buildings and water tanks;

+ SALFIT: 15 dunams of agricultural lands owned by Palestinians confiscated; and 18 cease-construction notices served to 7 houses, including 3 under-construction, an agricultural room, a plastic house and land rehabilitation;

+ RAMALLAH: excavator confiscated in eastern Ramallah; two agricultural facilities demolished;

+ TUBAS: excavator confiscated;

+ JERICHO: approximately 100 palm tree seedlings razed and uprooted;

+ KISAN VILLAGE: over 200 dunams of the village’s lands confiscated;

+ QALQILIA: Agricultural lands razed as a prelude to their confiscation in Kafr Thulth village, eastern Qalqilia.

PCHR also documented 4 settler attacks: 10 sheep dead in Ramallah; 3 siblings, a woman and 2 children, wounded and bruised in settlers’ attack on Tel Rumeida neighbourhood in central Hebron; 2 cars set on fire and a vehicle assaulted and its windshield broken in Nablus.

IV. ISRAELI CLOSURE POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT: On Monday, 10 August 2020, Israeli authorities announced the closure of Karm Abu Salem crossing starting from Tuesday, 11 August 2020 and until further notice, except for the transportation of goods for vital humanitarian cases and fuel. According to Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the decision was taken “in response to the launch of incendiary balloons and breaching security calm.” On Wednesday evening, 12 August 2020, the occupation authorities announced reducing the Gaza Strip’s fishing area from 15 to 8 nautical miles.

This decision falls under the framework of the complete, illegal and inhumane closure policy imposed by the Israeli authorities on the Gaza Strip since June 2007, as the Gaza Strip crossings have witnessed tightened restrictions on the movement of goods and persons.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the Second Intifada and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest.

I. ISRAELI FORCES SHOOTING AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY:

* At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. The shooting continued sporadically for 15 minutes. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 30 July 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, northeast of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 31 July 2020, soldiers stationed at the northern entrance established on lands of Kufur Qaddoum village, north of Qalqilia, suppressed a protest in which dozens of civilians participated. Soldiers chased Palestinian young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 7 civilians were shot with rubber bullets throughout their bodies.

* At approximately 00:10 on Sunday, 02 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of al-Qararah village, adjacent to the border fence. The shooting recurred twice at 16:20 and 21:20 on the same day, east of Khuza’ah village. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 00:20 on Monday 03 August 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed adjacent to Khan Younis shore, opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. Fishermen, as a result of that, panicked and ad to sail back to the shore, fearing for their lives. No casualties were reported.

* After 20 minutes, an Israeli military warplane launched 2 missiles at an agricultural land in al-Qrarah village, northeast of Khan Younis. The attack caused a large hole in the land. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 02:20 on the same Monday, IOF stormed al-‘Aqrabaniyah village, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They surrounded Abdul Rahman Husni Husein Jbarah’s (23) house. Jbarah managed to leave the house before IOF, who claim that he is wanted for them, raided it. IOF chased Jbarah, who was about 400 meters away from the house. They took over a civilian vehicle, and opened fire at him, wounding him while he was at the vehicle’s back chair. Soldiers arrested Jbarah, who was wounded and bleeding from his face, taking him to an unknown destination, the vehicle’s windshield was shattered after the shooting, causing wounds to its driver, Abdullah Ammar “Mohammed Basem” al-Sha’ar (20), and his cousin Ezz Eden Amed “Mohammed Basem” al-Sha’ar (17), who was accompanying him, with minor wounds. IOF arrested Abdullah and Ezz Eden al-Sha’ar and took them to a military camp, adjacent to al-Hamrah checkpoint. Al-Sha’ar civilians were interrogated about their relationships of Jbarah. Soldiers released al-Sha’ar civilians at 07:00 on the same day morning after ensuring that there is no relationship between them and Jbarah. Jbarah was wounded in his face and is health condition is serious. Jbarah was transferred to New Rehabilitation Hospital Tel HaShomer.

* At approximately 23:30 on the same Monday, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence.

* At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 04 August 2020, a large Israeli military force stormed Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, southwest of Jericho in the center of the West Bank. A number of Palestinian young men gathered in the vicinity of the camp and threw stones at Israeli soldiers while the later responded with a barrage of rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters. As a result, 2 civilians were shot with rubber bullets in their lower extremities. They were transferred to Jericho Hospital in the city for medical treatment. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers raided and searched several houses and arrested Ali Mohammed Raslan (26) and Ayman Hekmat al-Ewadat (57). In the evening hours, Israeli forces released al-Ewadat.

* At approximately 16:15 on the same Tuesday Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 14:40 on Wednesday, 05 August 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at a group of Palestinian farmers. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 17:45 on the same Wednesday, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. The shooting recurred in the same area at 21:00 on the same evening. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 06 August 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza Valley (Juhor al-Deek), south of Gaza City, opened fire at agricultural lands. Neither casualties nor material damage were reported.

* At approximately 19:30 on the same Thursday, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village. No casualties were reported.

* In the early dawn hours on Friday, 07 August 2020, a Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) after being shot with a live bullet in her chest while closing the window in her house in Jenin, northern West Bank. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) points out that IOF used lethal force when they withdrew from the area without the presence of any threat or danger to soldiers’ lives. This falls within the shoot first and justify later policy that IOF have consistently implemented against Palestinian civilians.

* According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 02:30 on Friday, Israeli forces moved into al-Jabriyat neighborhood, southwest of Jenin, northern West Bank. They surrounded Khaled Suleiman Abu Hasan’s house near al-Riyad School. Soldiers interrogated Abu Hasan inside his house until 04:00. Five minutes later, while Israeli military vehicles were preparing to withdraw, IOF fired a sound bomb and several live bullets at Bassam Samodi’s 3-storey house. As a result, Samodi’s wife, Dalia Ahmed Suliman Stiti (24), was injured and shot with a live bullet in her chest, penetrating her liver, pancreas, and aorta. Stiti’s family said to PCHR’s fieldworker that their daughter Dalia, a mother of two (9-months, 2 years), woke up after hearing IOF’s incursion into the village. She headed towards the living room’s window to close it after IOF fired a sound bomb. In the meantime, IOF stationed on the street, 50 meters away from Stiti’s house, opened fire at her on her 3rd floor apartment, wounding her in the chest. Stiti walked several steps and then fell to the living room floor in a pool of her blood. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS)’s crew, who were in the area to rescue the injuries, immediately arrived at the house and took Stiti to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital. Stiti was admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU), due to her critical health condition and she was pronounced dead at 14:30.

* Ayman Mohammed Abu Qabilah (31), the ambulance diver who transferred Stiti, said that he heard a sound of a bomb explosion followed by 4 live bullets from the area where Israeli forces stationed, 50 meters away from where he was present in front of Smoudi family’s house. After that Qabilah felt that the ambulance was targeted. In the meantime, he heard the residents screaming they had an injury in the house, so he rushed to the house along with other paramedics to find out that the injured civilian was Dalia Stiti and her injury was serious. The ambulance was also targeted with 2 live bullets; one of them penetrated from the left side to the paramedic’s chair; while the other bullet penetrated the driver’s chair.

* At approximately 07:50 on Friday, 07 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at agricultural lands, east of al-Qararah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 13:00 on the same Friday, soldiers stationed at the northern entrance established on lands of Kufur Qaddoum village, north of Qalqilia, suppressed a peaceful protest in which dozens of civilians participated. IOF chased young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a civilian was shot with a rubber bullet in his thigh.

* At approximately 13:30 on the same Friday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 14:00 on the same Friday, Israeli soldiers suppressed a peaceful in Tarmesi’yah village, northeast of Ramallah in the center of the West Bank. The protest took off from the center of the village into its main entrance in protest against the Israeli settlement expansion in the area. Israeli forces used excessive force injuring 7 civilians, including 2 paramedics: 1. Hamzah Mohammed Ma’ali (27), paramedic at Al-Asmar Emergency Medical Service, was hit with a tear gas canister in his face. 2. Mohammed Malash (29), paramedic at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, was shot with a rubber bullet in his foot and a tear gas canister in his face. Other civilians sustained rubber bullets in their lower extremities.

* At approximately 08:40 on Saturday, 08 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at agricultural lands, east of al-Fukhari, adjacent to the border fence. The shooting recurred at 17:30 in eastern Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 17:00 on the same Saturday, 08 August 2020, IOF stationed at the northern entrance established at lands of Kufur Qaddoum village, north of Qalqilia, suppressed a peaceful protest in which dozens of civilians participated. soldiers chased young men who gathered in the area, clashed with them and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 44-year-old civilian was shot with a rubber bullet in his back and a 22-year-old civilian was shot with a rubber bullet in his thigh.

* At approximately 19:05, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased and sporadically opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area (at 3 nautical miles) and pumped water at them. Fishermen, as a result of that, panicked and had to sail back to the shore fearing for their lives. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 07:25 on Sunday, 09 August 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence, adjacent to Buret Abu Samrah, north of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the border fence. As a result, Palestinian farmers panicked and had to leave their lands fearing for their lives. Neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

* At approximately 08:00 on the same Sunday, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 00:20 on the same Sunday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 22:50 on the same Sunday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands for 15 minutes. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 08:30 on Monday, 10 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 08:30 on Tuesday, 11 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis, fired live bullets at agricultural lands, east of Khuza’ah and al-Fukhari villages, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.

* At approximately 00:30 on the same Tuesday, soldiers stationed at the annexation wall gates established on lands of Faroun village, south of Tulkarem, fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians, who attempted to pass through the gate. As a result, a 24-year-old civilian, from Qifin village, north of Tulkarem, was shot with a rubber bullet in his right hand.

* At approximately 18:15 on Wednesday, 12 August 2020, soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire at the border area, adjacent to the border fence. Neither casualties nor material damage was reported.

II. INCURSIONS AND ARRESTS OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS:

Wednesday, 29 July 2020:

* At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and arrested two civilians: Saleh Ayed al-Rajabi (33) and Nabeeh Nabil al-Sharbati (28).

* At approximately 01:50, IOF moved into ‘Aseera al-Shamaleya village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Hamza Abdullah Mohammed Yasine (26).

* Around the same time, IOF moved into Talouza, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested three civilians; Fares Rasheed Hashayka (24), Mohammed Emad Hanajera (23), and Nabeel Kamel Dababseh (45).

* At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Dheisheh refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Murad Khaled al-Hayek (28) and Ahmed Salah al-Sar’awi (26) and arrested them.

* At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into ‘Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Khaleel Ahmed Hilwa and Mohammed Hasan Hilwa, and arrested them.

* At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Kherbet Makhoul village in the northern valleys, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Abdul Raheem Bsharat (55), and his son Sakher (25).

* Around the same time, IOF moved into Tulkarem refugee camp, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched Ahmed Hasan Matrouk’s (48) house and arrested him.

* Around the same time, IOF moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, in Tulkarem, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched Mahmoud Ahmed al-Izza’s (20) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Hanadi Mohammed al-Halawani’s (41) house and arrested her. After a few hours, Israeli forces released her on condition of paying (1,000 NIS), and banning her entry to the occupied East Jerusalem for 3 weeks. It should be noted that al-Halawani is a former prisoner and she is a teacher who was banned from entering the Aqsa Mosque several times.

* At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Saf street, in the Central Bethlehem. They raided and searched Salah Awwad Jawarish’s (25) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:10, Israeli soldiers moved into Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (5) civilians; Basem Ghassan al-‘Ataba (33), Alaa Mohammed al-Shubairy (36), Mo’ath Ahmed Mousa (29), Alaa (Mohammed Eyad) Fatayer (22), and Abbas Sulaiman (Mohammed kamal) Fatayer (37).

* Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Askar refugee camp, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Asem Anan Fawzi Bushkar (17), and his brother Isalm (21).

* At approximately 04:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Jabal Hendaza area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohammed Hasan Nawawera (30), and Salah Yousef al-‘Abayat (26), and arrested them.

* At approximately 06:35, soldiers reinforced with several military bulldozers, moved 100-meters to the east of ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Younis. They leveled and combed lands along the border fence before they redeployed.

* At approximately 06:50, soldiers stationed at Beit Fouriq military checkpoint, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, arrested Foad Fawwaz Fawzi Hanani (25), from the village. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 09:10, soldiers stationed at ‘Awarta military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank, arrested Khaled Jamal Abu al-So’oud (17). They took him to an unknown destination.

* In the morning hours, Israeli forces stationed at Salem military court’s gate, west of Jenin, north of the West Bank, arrested Muhanna Khaled al-Sharqaqi (44), from al-Zababeda village, northeast of Jenin. They took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 14:20, Israeli forces moved into Kherbat al-Hadedeya in the northern valleys, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ashraf Husain Busharat (40).

* At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Abu Mish’al neighborhood, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched three houses and arrested three civilians before they released them after three hours. The arrestees are: Mohammed Abdul Hafiz Zahran (23), Husain Hasan Zahran (26), and Samhan Abdul Salam Zahran (24).

* Soldiers carried out (3) incursions in Rujeib village, southeast of Nablus; Dura and al-Thahereya, in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Thursday, 30 July 2020:

* At approximately 02:15, Israeli forces moved into Rujeib village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Dawoud Akram Rawajba (44).

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Isalem Majdi Qadah (17).

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli soldiers moved into ‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Mus’ab Mohammed Kawamla’s (21) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:50, an Israeli army force moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Waleed Jamal ‘Aseeda (23) and Mahmoud Musatafa ‘Aseeda (29).

* At approximately 03:05, Israeli forces moved into Salim village, northeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mus’ab ‘Akef Shtayyeh (25) and Obaida Kamal Jabbour (28).

* At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Khaled Ali Swailem (22) and Abdul Haq Mazen Khadraj (22) and arrested them.

* At approximately 04:00, soldiers moved into Salfit. They raided and searched Abdul Rahim Tayseer Shaheen’s (25) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 10:00, soldiers arrested two of the Aqsa Mosque’s guards, Mohannad al-Ansari (38) and Mohammad Zughaiar (32), while on duty at the mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They took them to al-Qishla police station in the city and released them after several hours on condition of banning their entry to the mosque for a week.

* At approximately 18:00, soldiers established a temporary military checkpoint on the entrance of Jet village, northeast of Qalqilya, and arrested Mus’ab Mousa Mir’ai (22), from Qarawat Bani Hasan, west of Salfit.

* Israeli soldiers carried out (4) incursions in Silat ad-Dhahr and Zububa villages in Jenin governorate, Hebron and Yatta in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 31 July 2020:

* Israeli forces carried out (4) incursions in al-Thaheriya, al-Samoua’, and Deir Sammit villages in Hebron governorate, and Az-Zawiya village, west of Salfit. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 01 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched Omar Maher Obaid’s (35) house and arrested him.

* Israeli forces carried out (6) incursions in Rummana, Zububa and Ya’bad villages in Jenin governorate, Sa’eer, Mowreq, and Sourif in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 02 August 2020:

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Omar Yaser Shwaiky’s (19) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 06:50, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested three children; Islam Kamel Abu Shamala (17), Ahmed Yousef Abu Bakr (17), and Nabeel Na’el Abu Baker (17).

* At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed Sameer Najeeb (26) while present in al-Wad neighborhood, one of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s neighborhoods, and took him to al-Qishla police station. IOF released him after several hours on condition that banning his entry to the Aqsa Mosque for 6 months.

* At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Fureidis village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Hazem Hashem Abu Muhaimed’s house and arrested him.

* Israeli soldiers carried out (5) incursions in Zububa village, west of Jenin; Sa’eer, Nouba, al-Hadab, and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 03 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:00, Israeli soldiers moved into al-‘Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mohammed Bassam Alian (22) and Faisal Loay Obaid (19) and arrested them.

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adam Qara’een’s (18) house and arrested him.

* Around the same time, Israeli soldiers moved into Aseera al-Shamaleya, north of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians and released them after several hours. The arrestees are: Abdul Aziz Amer Rawajeba (22), Fares Bassam al-Shouly (30), Ja’far Omar Rawajeba (26), and Oqba Fayez al-Shouly (28).

* At approximately 11:50, Israeli soldiers stationed at bypass road, northeast of Jenin, north of the West Bank, arrested Mo’tasem Husni Abu Hanana (34), from Arana village. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 13:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Hussam Hasan Abu Husain, from Hebron, while passing through the checkpoint. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 19:00, Israeli soldiers stationed at Shu’fat refugee camp checkpoint, arrested Ahmed Abu Salah and Mohammed Abu Zaki, while passing through the checkpoint. IOF took them to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 23:00, Israeli soldiers moved into al-Wad neighborhood, one of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s neighborhoods. They raided and searched Zakareya al-Bakri’s (18) house and arrested him.

* Israeli soldiers carried out (4) incursions in Sa’eer, Nouba, al-Hadab, and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 04 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:00, soldiers moved into al-‘Isawiya, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Kathem Monther Obaid’s (29) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 01:00, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Rasheed Ali Awad’s (24) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 14:00, soldiers arrested Nafisa Mohammed Khwais (68), while present in the Aqsa Mosque’s yard in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. IOF took her to “Bab al-Asbat” police station.

* At approximately 02:30, soldiers moved into Ourif village, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Yousef Omar Shehada (35) and Mohannad Faleh Shehada (26).

* At approximately 02:40, soldiers moved into Qalqilia. They raided and searched Fadi Omar Abu Snaina’s (30) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:45, soldiers moved into al-Zababeda village, southeast of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ameer Issam al-Sharkawi (21).

* At approximately 03:00, Israeli soldiers moved into al-Jinan neighborhood, in the Central al-Beira, north of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched Faraj Ali al-Qadi’s house and arrested her daughter Tasnim (28). They also handed him a summons to let his son, Mustafa (20), refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in Ofer detention.

* At approximately 15:50, Israeli soldiers stationed at “Mevo Dotan” military checkpoint, west of ‘Arraba, southwest of Jenin, arrested Montaser Ahmed Samadi (24), from Qabatiya, southeast of the city. Soldiers took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 16:00, soldiers moved into al-Izareya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Alaa Ayman al-Sharbati’s (29) store and arrested him. It should be noted that Alaa is Ayman al-Sharbati’s son who is sentenced to life.

* At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers arrested Mustafa Faraj al-Qadi (20), while referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in Ofer detention, in Bitounya, west of Ramallah.

* Soldiers carried out (2) incursions in Deir Samit and Sourif in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 05 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:30, Israeli soldiers moved into Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians: Ahmed Mohammed Abu Amro (20), Salim Ali Mouh (23) and Bilal Ra’ed Sidr (22).

* At approximately 01:45, soldiers moved into Kafr Qalil, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians: Mohannad Ali Qanni (28), Khaled Na’eem Qanni (34), Ali Yehya Qanni (25), and Sharif Bassam Mansour (30).

* At approximately 02:00, soldiers moved into al-Daheya neighborhood, southeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Aziz Omar Dwaikat (36).

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Hasan Ahmed Hijja’s (24) house and arrested him.

* Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and arrested three civilians: Jehad Isma’el al-Najjar (24), Mohammed Faisal al-Najjar (25), and Mo’ath Yousef al-Najjar (23).

* Around the same time, soldiers moved into Abu Fraiha neighborhood in Beit Sahour. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Tareq Mousa al-‘Abayat (35) and Mohammed Ibarhim al-‘Abayat (40) and arrested them.

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Hatab, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Oday Ra’ouf Hussain (28).

* At approximately 02:30, soldiers moved into Sinjil village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Hisham Adel Fuqaha (27) and Yasin Ibrahim Fuqaha (23) and arrested them.

* At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Yazan Ahmed Ba’jawi (23), a student at al-Najah National University in Nablus.

* At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into al-Izza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Abdul Fattah Shu’aib Abu Shu’aira’s (25) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:30. Israeli forces moved into Tubas, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Hakim Khaleel Fuqaha (28), from his house near al-Furqan Mosque, north of the city. It should be noted that Hakim is a person with disable.

* At approximately 04:50, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Tahreer Mahmoud Zeid (24) and Reyad Ramadan Alian (29).

* At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces summoned the teacher Hanadi Mohammed al-Halawani (41), who is a former prisoner in the Israeli prisons, via a phone call to immediately refer to al-Qishla investigation center in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. As soon as she arrived, she was handed a decision that banning her travel abroad for 4 more months.

* At approximately 18:00, soldiers stationed at al-Mahkama military checkpoint, near “Beit Eil” settlement, north of al-Beira, arrested Bashar Mohammed Safi (22), from Ramallah. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested the student Mohammed Ali al-Takrouri (22), Chairman of the Student Union at al-Quds Open University, while passing through the checkpoint. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Fourik military checkpoint, on the northeastern entrance of Nablus, north of the West Bank, arrested three civilians from Balata refugee camp, east of the city, and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Adham Eyad Mustafa (22), Ameed Zeyad Mustafa (19), and Mohammed Ramadan Mustafa (20).

* Israeli forces carried out an incursion in Kufur Qaddoum, northeast of Qalqilia. No arrests were reported.

Thursday, 06 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and arrested Mohammed Izz al-Dein Teilekh (16) and Yousef Osama al-‘Anati (17).

* At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Izbat al-Ashkar village, south of Qalqilia. They raided and searched Anwar Fares Nimir’s (29) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:00, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into al-Samoua’ village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Saleh Isma’el al-Badareen’s (25) house and arrested him.

* Around the same time, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into Sa’eer village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Qutaiba Idris Jaradat’s (26) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ein Arik village, west of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched Wasfi Nafiz Zeita’s (29) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Masakn al-Sha’beya neighborhood, northeast of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Najeh Samara’s (25) house and arrested him.

* Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched Ahmed Taleb Haj Mohammed’s (23) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Loqya village, west of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched Mo’tasem Ali Dar Assi’s (32) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit Sira village, west of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched Owda Mohammed al-Haj’s (30) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 04:40, Israeli forces moved into Beit Ur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched Saad Asaad Dar Mousa’s (34) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Rayan Emran Alqam (22) and Mohammed Ismael ‘Anati (17), and arrested them.

* At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into butchery shop in Dowar al-Daheya neighborhood in Beit Hanina, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched the shop and arrested the son of the shop owner, al-Miqdad Eisa Qirsh. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

Friday, 07 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilia. They raided and searched Omar Saleh Nayef Abu al-Rab’s (19) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Mohammed Naser Mahfouz’s (10) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Hindaza area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohmmed Ateya Soboh’s (23) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:00, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Kamal Issa Dababesa’s (35) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:30, Israeli soldiers moved into Faqou’a village, northeast of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched Ameer Monther Massad’s (28) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Dheesha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Hamza Bilal al-Dibis’s (20) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 19:00, soldiers moved into Wadi Qana village, to the west of Deir Estia village, north of Salfit. They raided the village and arrested Yousef Ahmed Ridwan (27), from Azoun village, east of Qalqilia, while he was on a hiking trip.

* Israeli forces carried out (4) incursions in Ethna, Sourif, Nouba, and Karma villages. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 08 August 2020:

* Soldiers carried out an incursion in al-Jarousheya village, north of Tulkarem. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 09 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Kherbet Um al-Kheir, to the east of Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Eid Yamen al-Hathalin’s (74) house and took him to Karmi’el settlement and released him after two hours.

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Hizma village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Laith Malek Subaih’s (19) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:15, forces moved into Faqou’a village, northeast of Jenin, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and arrested three civilian who were arrested before. The arrestees are: Sayaf Khaleel Massad (34), Melad Fo’ad Massad (48), and Mohammed Jamal Arram (35).

* At approximately 02:30, forces moved into Beitillu village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched Naser Mohammed Abu Zeyada’s (47) house, the chairman of the village council, and arrested him. IOF released him after several hours.

* At approximately 03:00, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-Samoua’ village, south of Hebron. They raided and searched Yousef Mohammed Mahaiq’s house and no arrests were reported.

* At approximately 03:50, soldiers moved into al-Janeya village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ashraf Mohammed Mazloum’s (43) house and arrested him. After three hours, IOF released him.

* Soldiers carried out (2) incursions in al-Thahereya and Tarqoumya. No arrests were reported.

Monday, 10 August 2020:

* At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians including a child. The arrestees are: Alaa Ahmed Dirbas (18), Fares Yaser Darwish (19), Tayseer Yousef Muhaisen (16), and Mohammed Nidal Abu Akar (20).

* At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho governorate. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ya’qoub Abu Lawi (26) and Ehab al-Kalouni (28) and arrested them.

At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces moved into Daheyat al-Salam in Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Omar al-‘Anati’s (23) house and arrested him.

Tuesday, 11 August 2020:

* At approximately 00:15, Israeli forces stationed at a temporary military checkpoint on the entrance of Deir Sharaf village, west of Nablus, arrested Ali Abu Sitta (26), from Bal’a village, north of Tulkarem. IOF took him to an unknown destination.

* At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Yatta village, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Faisal Mohammed al-Najjar’s (45) house and arrested him along with his wife, Maha al-Najjar (38) and his two sons; Mohammed (20), and Mousa (19).

* At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qalqilia village. They raided and searched Ammar Yousef Dwaikat’s (32) house and arrested him.

* Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Halhoul, Hebron, and Nouba in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 12 August 2020:

* At approximately 00:15, soldiers stationed at Za’tara military checkpoint, south of Nablus, arrested Firas Abdul Khaleq (33), from Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarem. They took him to an unknown destination before they released him.

* At approximately 02:00, forces moved into Qafin village, north of Tulkarem. They raided and searched Emad Ibrahim To’ma’s (48) house and arrested him. It should be noted that To’ma is the General Director of the Ministry of Prisoners and Executives Affairs in Tulkarem, and he is a former prisoner who spent 12-years in the Israeli prisons.

* At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Duha village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Ahmed Abdul Hadi Shamroukh’s (22) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Qafin village, north of Tulkarem. They raided and searched Mustafa Yousef To’ma’s (40) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarem. They raided and searched Fathi Qar’awi’s house, the deputy in the dissolved Legislative Council. IOF directly threatened him and his sons with arrest if they contacted with external authorities. No arrests were reported.

* Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghossoun village, north of Tulkarem. They raided and searched Abdul Rahman Zeidan’s house, the deputy in the dissolved Legislative Council. IOF directly threatened him of arrest if he contacted with external authorities. No arrests were reported.

* At approximately 08:45, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles to the north of Bouret Abu Samra area, north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, and moved 100-meters to the south of the border fence. They leveled and combed lands that were previously leveled amidst Israeli sporadic shooting, which caused fear and panic among farmers. At approximately 10:30, IOF withdrew; no casualties were reported.

* At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Issaweya, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Ali al-Kaswani’s (22) house and arrested him.

* At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces detained dozens of civilians after passing through a gate in the annexation wall established at Daheyat Shwaika village, in Tulkarem. They closed the gate and prevented civilians from entering it and released them later.

* At approximately 15:30, soldiers arrested Ahmed Tawfiq Fuqaha (31), from ‘Anabta village, north of Tulkarem, while heading to the Israeli Intelligence Services’ headquarter.

* Around the same time, Israeli forces arrested two female farmers behind the annexation wall established on al-Zaweya village, west of Salfit, and banned them from returning to their houses by closing the gate. The arrestees are: Hamda Shuqair (79) and Jazila Shuqair (77). IOF released them later.

* At approximately 04:00, Israeli soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into al-Mazra’a al-Gharbeya village, north of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians. The arrestees are: Azmi Sufian Shraiteh (24), Mousa Hasan Ladadwa (22), Mohammed Akram Ladadwa (26), and his brother Saif (19).

* Around the same time, Israeli soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into Silwad, northeast of Ramallah governorate. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Jalal Ra’ed Abdul Mo’ez (26) and Abdul Aziz Ahmed Soboh (23) and arrested them.

* Israeli soldiers carried out (3) incursions in Tulkarem, Dura, and Imreish villages in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

III. SETTLEMENT EXPANSION & SETTLER VIOLENCE IN THE WEST BANK

a. DEMOLITION & CONFISCATION OF CIVILIAN PROPERTY

* At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, Israeli soldiers accompanied with military vehicles moved into Fraseen village, southwest of Jenin, where they distributed 9 cease-construction and demolition notices to old houses, caves and facilities built 200 years ago, in addition to new residential houses and water tanks. Israeli military ordered to implement the notices within few days. The distributed notices were as follows:

– Khaled Mohammed ‘Amarnah’s room built of bricks and roofed with tin plates, store and wood columns, in addition to handing him cease-construction notices to a chicken coop and sheep barrack.
– ‘Emad Mahmoud ‘Amarnah’s residential room built of bricks.
– Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Amarnah’s residential room built of bricks.
– Wajdi Mohammed ‘Amarnah’s residential room built of bricks.
– Mohammed Jameel Hersha’s water tank that feeds the village.
– Basel Fayiz ‘Amarnah’s residential room, chicken coop, wood columns, sheep barrack, and residential room.
– Ahmed Mahmoud ‘Amarnah’s cave.

* At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Istiboul area in Yatta city, south of Hebron. IOF were deployed in the area while military construction vehicles demolished ‘Adnan ‘Imran Abu Isninah’s walls surrounded his 10 dunams, under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C.

It should be noted that Israeli authorities handed Isninah a 96-hour demolition notice No. (1779), so there is not enough time to challenge before competent Israeli authorities.

* At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces stationed on settlement road (90), which is adjacent to al-Zabidat village, north of Jericho, confiscated 2 diggers and prevented their owners from plowing their agricultural land. The confiscated diggers belong to Mohammed ‘Ali Mohammed Zobidat and Ahmed Mohammed Farhan Zobidat.

* At approximately 14:00, Israeli soldiers backed by military construction vehicles moved into Beit ‘Awaa village, southwest of Hebron. Israeli forces were deployed in the area while the military construction vehicles demolished foundations of a 100-square-meter house belonging to Mo’ath Hafiz Salem al-Sowati (22), under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that Israeli authorities handed al-Sowati a 96-hour demolition notice No. (1779). Al- Sowati’s house is located 200 square meters away from the annexation wall.

* At approximately 20:00 on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, IOF moved into Rafat village, west of Salfit, where they distributed a military order to confiscate 15 dunams from Hariqat al-Hamyanah area, under the pretext of being in Area C. These dunams belong to Basem Sebti ‘Ayyash, Nasheet Sebti ‘Ayyash, ‘Abed al-Latif Sati ‘Ayyash, and ‘Amirah Sati ‘Ayyash. Nasheet Sebti ‘Ayyash said that: “ I have been working in this agricultural land (30 dunams) for 20 years and it belongs to me and my brothers. I planted it with olive trees years ago. The land is far from the annexation wall and it was the first time that Israeli authorities notified us, claiming that this land is a state-owned land. The Israeli allegations are not true, as I never had to stop planting or rehabilitating my land. The Israeli notice gave us 45 days to challenge before the competent Israeli authorities.”

* At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 30 July 2020, Israeli forces accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Sahal area, which is adjacent to al-Moghair village. Israeli forces confiscated Mohammed Naji al-Na’san’s digger while conducting excavation works in the area, under the pretext of illegal work in Area C.

* At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 01 August 2020, IOF moved into Kherbet ‘Atouf, southeast of Tubas, where they confiscated Za’ir Mostafa Bsharat’s digger while he was excavating a water line for the villagers.

* At approximately 09:20 on Sunday, 02 August 2020, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles moved into Kafur al-Deek village in western Salfit, where they distributed 9 cease-construction notices to 7 houses; 3 of them are under-construction, an agricultural room, and a greenhouse, under the pretext of being in Area C. The notified houses and properties belong to Islam ‘Abed al-Ghani, Ibrahim Naji, Hadi Naji, Ibrahim Taha, Tamer Taha, Naji Taha, Mahmoud Naji, Husam al-Deek, and Feras al-Deek. It should be noted that Israeli authorities gave them mentioned civilians until 11 August 2020 to challenge against the notices.

* At approximately 09:40, IOF backed by military vehicles moved into Khirbet ar-Ras al Ahmar in northern Jordan Valley, east of Tubas, where they distributed demolition notices to houses, barracks and farms belonging to Mohammed ‘Issa Jahaleen, Jameel Suliman Bani ‘Odah and Saier Saqer Bani ‘Odah.

* On Monday, 03 August 2020, Israeli authorities seized at least 200 dunams from Kisan village lands, east of Bethlehem. They also notified Hussain ‘Abdullah ‘Abiyat to demolish his barrack. Ahmed Ghazal, Head of the village council, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that Israeli forces moved into al-Tina area, south of the village, and denied civilians’ access to their lands, under the pretext of confiscating the lands for military purposes. Also, Israeli forces notified ‘Abiyat to demolish his livestock barrack and gave him 24 hours to leave, or he will be arrested and prosecuted.

* On the same day, Eyad Abu Subeih implemented the Israeli Municipality order and self-demolished his house located in ‘Ein al-Jowizah neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Abu Subeih said that the Israeli Court issued a final demolition decision against his 110-square-meter house built 3 years ago and sheltered 10 persons. Abu Subeih clarified that last month, IOF raided and attacked his house several times, but the lawyer managed to delay the demolition decision.

* At approximately 13:20 on 04 August 2020, IOF accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Dir Balout village, west of Salfit, where they distributed 9 notices to uproot olive trees belonging to 8 families, under the pretext of being in Area C. In addition, IOF distributed another notice to stop reclaiming a plot of land in Ta’mor area. The notified lands belong to the heirs of: ‘Issa Hasan ‘Issa, ‘Abdullah Musa and Dar Damara.

* At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 05 August 2020, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 residential houses in ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Khaled Abu Tayieh, Chairman of Silwan Land Defense Committee, said that Israeli municipality staff along with special Israeli forces and police officers moved into in ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood, where they closed all entrances and stationed on streets. IOF then surrounded 3 houses belonging to al-Qaq and ‘Amro families and demolished them. Abu Tayieh clarified that Israeli bulldozers demolished Samer and Suliman al-Qaq’s 250-square-meter houses sheltering 10 persons; most of them are children. He added that regarding Shareef ‘Amro’s 50-square-meter house, which was built in 2000, Israeli authorities issued a demolition decision against ‘Amro’s house in 2010, but the demolition was delayed with paying a fine of NIS 5000. Ten days earlier, ‘Amro was informed about the final demolition decision.

* In the morning, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into Kherbet ‘Allan in al-Shofa area, north of al-Jeftlik village, north of Jericho. IOF were deployed in al-Kherba while the military construction vehicles uprooted at least Anwar Abu Joda’s 100 palm seedlings planted 2-4 years ago.

* At approximately 11:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into al-‘Issaweya village, adjacent to al-Za’eem village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. IOF demolished 2 agricultural rooms built of bricks and tin plates and other sheds placed in agricultural lands. The agricultural rooms and sheds belong to ‘Obaid and Abu Jum’a families. Mohammed Abu al-Humus, Member of al-‘Issawiyia Follow-up Committee, said that IOF along with Beit Eill Municipality’s staff moved into agricultural lands reclaimed by Murad Anwar ‘Obaid and Mohammed ‘Ataa ‘Obaid, demolished sheds and a fence surrounding the lands, and leveled the lands. Abu al-Humus added that Israeli bulldozers also demolished 2 agricultural room belonging to ‘Obaid and Abu Jum’a families and confiscated agricultural tools. Abu al-Humus pointed out that these agricultural lands are threatened to be confiscated in favor of the settlement project “E1”.

* On the same day, IOF accompanied with military construction vehicles moved into Rantees village, northwest of Ramallah, where they demolished agricultural facilities, under the pretext of non-licensing. The demolished facilities were as follows:

– Mostafa Jamal Hosha’s 60-square-meter agricultural facility built of bricks and wood, roofed with tin plates and used for planting vegetables and fruits.
– Mo’ath ‘Ayed al-Khatib’s 80-square-meter agricultural facility built of bricks and wood, roofed with tin plates and used for planting vegetables and fruits.

* At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 06 August 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Wad Jehish area, west of Sosiya village, south of Yatta in southern Hebron. IOF were deployed in the area while the military construction vehicles demolished Hisham Khalil Nawaj’ah’s 40-square-meter house built of bricks and tin plates, under the pretext of non-licensing. It should be noted that in June 2020, Israeli authorities handed Nawaj’aj a demolition notice, but he could not delay the demolition due to the closure of Israeli institution under the pretext of the outbreak of coronavirus.

* On Friday, 07 August 2020, IOF distributed 2 cease-construction notices to inhabited houses in al-Minyia village, southeast of Bethlehem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Head of al-Minyia village council, Zayed Kawazbah, said that the notified 150-square-meter houses sheltering 14 persons belong to ‘Asaf and ‘Issa ‘Adel al-Faroukh.

* On Friday, Nihad Subeih Shoqirat implemented the Israeli municipality decision and self-demolished his 2-storey house in al-Sal’a neighborhood in al-Mukaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Shoqirat said that he started to build his house in 2012 and he lived in it last year. During this period, he attempted to license the house, but the municipality refused and issued a demolition notice against it. Shoqirat clarified that during the past years, he managed to delay and freeze the demolition several times, but in July 2019 the municipality refused to delay the demolition. In April 2020, the Israeli municipality held another hearing, stressed the demolition against Shoqirat’s house and imposed a fine of NIS 145,000 on him. Shoqirat added that on 07 July 2020, he headed to the Israeli District Court to appeal the demolition decision, but in vain. The Israeli Municipality gave him a month to implement the demolition or it will do so and impose heavy fines on him. Shoqirat pointed out that he sold all his possessions and savings to build his house, which costs more than one million US dollars. He added that his 160-square-meter house sheltered 11 persons.

* At approximately 08:00 on Monday, 10 August 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into Kafur Thulth village, east of Qalqilia. They leveled agricultural lands and placed water pipes as a prelude to seize the area.

* At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 10 August 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Thaghrah area, east of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. IOF confiscated Moneer Hasan Barghith’s 3 water pumps used for irrigating crops and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etizon” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

* At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles moved into al-Tawana village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. IOF, who were deployed in the village, established a military watchtower in a plot of land near “Hafat Ma’oun” settlement, which is established on Palestinians’ confiscated lands. Israeli authorities claimed that there was a military decision to establish the watchtower for military purposes.

* On Monday, 10 August 2020, Khaled Abu Ta’ah implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished his house in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Abu Ta’ah said that he built a new house a year and a half ago near his family’s house built since 1960. He added that the construction of his house took about two months, during which the Israeli municipality issued a demolition decision against it. He was able to postpone and freeze the decision, but the court issued the final decision last month and the municipality gave him a month to implement the demolition or it will do so. Abu Ta’ah clarified that he attempted to license the house several times, but in vain. He added that he and his family comprised of 8 members live in the old house, and he was forced to build the new 85-square-meter house for his son to live in it after he gets married. Abu Ta’ah said that he and his sons vacated the house and self-demolished it to avoid paying the demolition costs for the municipality staff.

* At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 11 August 2020, Israeli bulldozers demolished a 2-storey residential facility sheltering 25 persons, in addition to a nearby residential apartment (120 sqm) belonging to al-Tahan family in Wadi Qaddoum neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing. Khaled Abu Taieh, Member of the Silwan Lands Defense Committee, said that the Israeli bulldozers and municipality staff raided al-Tahan family facility after completely surrounding it and then demolished it. Abu Taieh added that the 2-storey facility (400 sqm) belong to Wael, Nader and ‘Alaa al-Tahan. Wael al-Tahan said that he and his brothers built the facility in 1992 and after few months, the Israeli municipality issued a decision to seize lands from Ras al-‘Amoud and Wadi Qaddoum neighborhoods, under the pretext of being public utilities. Wael clarified that after several years, the Israeli municipality issued a demolition notice against their facility, under the pretext of non-licensing. In addition, the municipality notified his brothers that the land will be used for public utilities. Wael said that during the past years, he managed to delay the demolition several times and attempted to license the house, but in vain. Also, the municipality imposed a fine of NIS 280,000 on his family, who attempted to license the house before building it, but the municipality refused. It should be noted that Israeli authorities escalated the demolition of houses in occupied East Jerusalem in 2020, as they demolished over 90 facilities, including buildings, residential houses, agricultural and commercial facilities, walls, and barracks. It is noteworthy that the number of facilities demolished this year until August is more than the facilities that were demolished throughout the past year, noting that the demolitions stopped during the emergency period that was taken to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. Last July, more than 20 houses were demolished in occupied East Jerusalem, half of them self-demolished. During the first 10 days of August, ten houses were demolished; 7 were self-demolished.

* At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Sosiyia village, south of Yatta in southern Hebron. IOF were deployed between Palestinains’ house while Israeli Civil Administration officers demolished and confiscated Ahmed Jaber Hammad Nawaj’ah’s 30-square-meter tent built of steel columns and sheds. IOF also confiscated Mahmoud Khaled Nawaj’ah (32)’s concrete mixer and 10 steel columns, in addition to handing him a cease-construction notice to his under-construction room, under the pretext of non-licensing.

* At the same time, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Fakheet area in southern Hebron. Israeli Civil Administration officers dismantled Jameel Mohammed al-‘Amour’s tent built of sheds and steel columns and confiscated it, under the pretext of non-licensing. The tent sheltered 8 members, including 4 children.

* At approximately 10:30, IOF moved into Kafur al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They detained a concert pump and 2 trucks belonging to al-Marsah company while working in Hadi Nabil Naji’s plot of land. It should be noted that Naji’s land is threatened to be confiscated, as it is located in al-Sha’ab area. IOF forced the company’s owner, Fadi Mahmoud Sarsour, to sign a pledge not to transfer the concrete and work in Area C.

* At approximately 11:00, IOF backed by military construction vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Maghayir al-‘Abeed area in southern Hebron. IOF demolished Shehadah Mohammed Makhamrah’s 100-sqaure-meter tent built of sheds and steel columns and used for breeding sheep, under the pretext of non-licensing.

* On the same day, IOF uprooted 100 olive seedlings and leveled agricultural lands in Khelet al-Nahlah area, south of Bethlehem. Hasan Breijieh, Head of the Bethlehem office of Settlement and Wall Resistance Commission, said that IOF leveled ‘Amer Abu Zaghreet’s agricultural land (1.5 dunum) and demolished a retaining wall, under the pretext of being an antiquities area. It should be noted that Khelet al-Nahlah area is exposed to a settlement attack, as 1,200 dunums were seized in order to establish a settlement outpost called “Givat Eitam.”

* On the same day, ‘Aziz ‘Eliyan implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished his house in al-Mukaber Mount area, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. ‘Eliyan said that 10 years ago, he added a 100-square-meter building to his old house in order to shelter his family comprised of 9 members. ‘Eliyan clarified that the Israeli Municipality issued a demolition notice against the new building and he managed to delay the demolition for several years. Two weeks ago, IOF raided his house and informed him about the final demolition decision. IOF gave him until the mid of August to implement the demolition or the municipality staff will do so.

* At approximately 22:00, Ibrahim Abu Subi’ah implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished his house near Beit Safafa village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Abu Subi’ah said that he built his house in 2001 on his land near Beit Safafa village. Abu Subi’ah clarified that his 3-storey house (600 sqm) costs millions of shekels. He added that when he finished the construction of his house, the municipality fined him of NIS 150,000. Abu Subi’ah paid $ 60,000 to the lawyer who managed to delay and freeze the demolition decision for several times. Abu Subi’ah pointed out that he was shocked when IOF raided his house and handed him the administrative demolition notice. Abu Subi’ah immediately phoned his lawyer, Sami Rasheed, who attempted to delay the demolition, but in vain. Abu Subi’ah was forced to self-demolished his house to avoid paying the demolition costs for the municipality staff.

* On Wednesday, 12 August 2020, Abu Jum’a family implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished his house in Khelet al-‘Ein area in al-Tour neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Ibrahim Abu Jum’a said that he and his brother Mohammed were forced to self-demolished their house after the lawyer informed them that there was no legal way to stop the demolition of their house, and that the Israeli municipality would force them to pay the demolition costs estimated at NIS 70,000. Abu Jum’a clarified that they started to build their 180-square-meter house (2 floors) in April 2020 and the house was still under-construction. Abu Jum’a pointed out that he was handed the first demolition notice in 20 April 2020 and the second notice on 03 May 2020. He headed to the court which refused the appeal against the demolition and decided to implement the demolition within 14 days. Abu Jum’a added that his lawyer extended the demolition decision for 3 months and paid NIS 25,000. The lawyer phoned Abu Jum’a and informed him that he no longer could delay the demolition, so Ibrahim and his brother were forced to self-demolished their house.

b. ISRAELI SETTLER VIOLENCE

* At approximately 13:00, 3 siblings, a woman and 2 children, sustained bruises after Israeli settlers attacked them in Tal al-Ramida neighborhood in the central of Hebron. According to PCHR’s investigations, a group of Israeli settlers chased and attacked Marwa ‘Emad Abu Shmaisah (17) while she was present in front of her family house and carrying her niece, Tarteel Taninah (6 months). Marwa’s brother ‘Awni (21) attempted to confront the settlers, meanwhile, IOF arrived at the area and attacked the family as well. As a result, Marwa’s sister Madleen (27) sustained bruises in her right foot, her brother Saleh (15) sustained wounds in his hand. In addition, IOF arrested ‘Awni and took him to an investigation center in “Kiryat Arba’” settlement. Half an hour later, IOF took Marwa and her mother Fayiza Abu Shamisah to a police station to file a complaint. In the evening, all of them were released.

* Marwa Abu Shmaisah said to PCHR’s fieldworker that: “At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, my niece Tarteel and I were heading to the grocery store near our house. When we were on our way back to the home, Israeli settlers chased me, spitted on me, cursed me, and grabbed my hair. I ran away towards the house and shouted. My brother ‘Awni (21) saw me, caught me quickly and pushed the settlers to keep them away from me. In the meantime, IOF arrived and gathered in front of our house. My family got out of the house and the settlers cursed them. One of the settlers threw empty bottle at us, wounding my sister Madleen (27) in her right foot. After that, an Israeli police patrol arrived at the house, raided it, arrested my brother ‘Awni, and took him with them. Half an hour later, the Israeli police arrived at our house again and asked me to accompany them to the investigation center in “Kiryat Arba” settlement in order to take my statement of what happened and my mother escorted me there. After interrogating us, we were released at 19:30, and my brother ‘Awni was also released.”

* At approximately 02:30 on Tuesday, 04 August 2020, Israeli settlers, from “Hafat Jel’ad” settlement outpost, which is established on Fer’ata village lands, northeast of Qalqilia, moved into the outskirts of the village. The settlers set 2 vehicles on fire; the first was a taxi belonging to Marwan Ahmed Taweel, while the second was a private car for Sharhabeel al-Taweel. The settlers also vandalized the vehicles with racist slogans.

* At approximately 22:30 on Tuesday, 11 August 2020, Israeli settlers, from ” Yitzhar” settlement, southeast of Nablus, threw stones at a vehicle passing on the street. As a result, the vehicle’s windshield was broken. It should be noted that the vehicle’s driver Hisham ‘Adoun (54) along with his wife ‘Abla Mostafa al-Tamouni and their son Fathi (27) were coming from Tulkarem and heading towards ‘Orta village, southeast of Nablus.