In its weekly report for the week of 21 – 27 December 2017, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that Israeli forces continued systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories. Two Palestinian civilians were killed, while 2 others succumbed to their wounds in the Gaza Strip. 128 Palestinian civilians, including 22 children, 2 journalists and a paramedic, were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 67 of them were hit with live bullets, 39 were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets, and 22 were hit with tear gas canisters.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Over the past week, Israeli forces conducted 58 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 91 civilians, including 15 children and a woman, were abducted in incursions and protests in the West Bank. 34 of them, including 6 children and a woman, were abducted in Jerusalem.
In the West Bank, All the cities witnessed protests against the U.S. President’s decision. During those protests, Israeli forces used force against the protesters. The shooting to disperse the protests resulted in the injury of 35 civilians, including 8 children, 2 journalist, and a paramedic; 10 of them were hit with live bullets, 27 with rubber-coated metal bullets and 2 were directly with tear gas canisters.
Moreover, on 23 December 2017, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded when a group of Israeli settlers sneaked into the outskirts of Madamah village, south of Nablus. After that, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and then confronted the Israeli settlers. Meanwhile, Israeli forces immediately arrived at the area to protect the settlers and then fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the Palestinian young men. As a result, the 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
As part of the Israeli forces’ maltreatment against Palestinian civilians during the house raids, on 23 December 2017, Israeli soldiers raided a house belonging to Ahmed Jom’ah Najib Ba’jawi in Ya’bud village, southwest of Jenin. After the Israeli forces raided the house, a wrangle broke out between the soldiers and Ahmed’s sons and his nephew. After that, the soldiers beat the 3 young men and then pepper-sprayed the face of one of them. On 27 December 2017, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Rashid Mohammed Redwan in ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqiliyia. They raided the house searching for Rasheed’s son Mohamed, who was out of the house, and then threatented the family to kill Mohamed. Moreover, the Israeli forces threatened the family of Murad ‘Awad al-Rjoub (38), who was deported to the Gaza Strip, to kill him as well. Murad is from al-Moreq village, southwest of Hebron.
As part of the house demolitions, on 23 December 2017, ‘Amr Abu Rajab self-demolished his house in al-Bostan neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, to implement the Israeli Municipality decision under the pretext of non-licensing. Abu Rajab said that the Israeli police summoned him last week and informed him that the Israeli Municipality ordering him to self-demolish his house or the Israeli Municipality will demolish it next week and he will pay all costs to the municipality and forces accompanying with it. The demolition costs is estimated at NIS 72.000. The house was built on an area of 45 square meters roofed with tin plates. It should be noted that the Israeli Municipality demolished a house belonging to him and his son in late October.
On 26 December 2017, the Israeli Municipality staff demolished a room in Beir Ayoub neighborhood and a barrack, which was established in 2002 in ‘Ain al-Louz neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.
At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 26 December 2017, the Israeli Municipality staff accompanied with a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into ‘Ain al-Louza and Beir Ayoub neighborhoods in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. These staff conducted incursions into commercial shops, where they checked papers and documents and then confiscated some contents. Eyewitnesses said that Israeli bulldozers demolished a brick-roofed room built of tin plates 5 years ago in Beir Ayoub neighborhood. They also demolished a barrack, which was built in 2002 in ‘Ain al-Louza neighborhood. Eyewitnesses added that the Israeli forces broke one of the commercial shops door used for selling gas cylinders and then confiscated 7 gas cylinders. The Israeli forces also confiscated a fridge, which was in front of a shop, and vehicles, which were parked on the village’s streets. Moreover, the Israeli Municipality staffs removed and dismantled some of shops banners, including the banner of “Madar Medical Center” and slogans written on Silwan village’s walls. The village residents said that the Israeli authorities imposed parking violations against vehicles parked in front of houses and shops. One of the residents added that the Israeli forces ordered the owner of a scrap shop to break his shop door under the pretext of non-licensing. The Israeli forces also abducted a civilian along with his donkey in the village and imposed fines against the village residents under the pretext that they had non-licensed animals.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, in new crime of excessive use of force, Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians while 2 others succumbed to their wounds in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 89 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children, in the Gaza Strip, while 39 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, 2 journalists, and a paramedic, were wounded in the West Bank. The Israeli forces continued to chase fishermen in the Gaza Sea and target border areas in the Gaza Strip.
According to PCHR, this high number of casualties and killed persons proves that Israeli forces deliberately killed protectors, especially in the border areas in the Gaza Strip. PCHR’s follow-up showed that it is clear that the Israeli forces heavily and upon a decision use live ammunition; some of which is explosive, to confront the unarmed civilians. Therefore, for the second consecutive Friday, the number of Palestinians, who were deliberately wounded with live bullets increased in addition to directly killing them through direct sniper in peaceful protests. It should be noted that the protestors did not pose any threat to the soldiers.
In the Gaza Strip, on 22 December 2017, Israeli forces killed 2 Palestinian civilians. According to PCHR’s investigations, dozens of young men and youngsters gathered few meters away from the border fence with Israel near former Nahal Oz Crossing, east of al-Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza City. They set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence in protest against the U.S. President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. During the clashes, the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and live bullets at the protestors. As a result, Mohamed Nabil Mohamed Muhasin (30), from al-Shuja’iyia neighbourhood, was killed after he sustained a live bullet wound to the left thigh.
In similar circumstances on the same day, Zakaria Adham Hussein al-Kafarna (20), from al-Amal neighborhood in Beit Hanoun, was killed after being hit with a live bullet to the chest while he was near the crossing vehicles’ gate on the asphalt road of the crossing.
In the same context, 2 Palestinian wounded persons succumbed to their wounds in similar circumstances. On 23 December 2017, medical sources at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, announced the death of Sharif al-‘Abed Mohammed Shalash (28) from Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Sharif was staying in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) after being hit with a live bullet to the abdomen on Sunday, 17 December 2017, while he was participating in a protest organized in the east of the al-Shuhada’a Islamic Cemetery, east of Jabalia.
On Sunday morning, 24 December 2017, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced that of Mohammed Sami Hashem al-Dahdouh(18), who succumbed to wounds he sustained on 08 December 2017, after being hit with a live bullet wound to the neck, when he was near the border area in “Nahel Oz” area, east of al-Sheja’eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza city. Mohammed while he was participating in a protest against the U.S President Donald Trump’s Decree to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it.
The border areas with Israel witnessed protests against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem s the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it. During the protests, the Israeli forces used force against the protestors. Due to opening fire to disperse the protests, 89 civilians, including 14 children, were wounded; 57 of them were hit with live bullets, 12 were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets, and 20 were directly hit with tear gas canisters.
As part of targeting fishermen in the sea, Israeli naval forces heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. They surrounded a fishing boat and then abducted 2 fishermen. The boat was sailing within 300 meters offshore and 1200 meters away from the northern Gaza Strip. Opening fire at Palestinian fishing boats repeated on 22 and 26 December 2017. Moreover, on 23 December 2017, the Israeli naval forces targeted fishing boats in al-Sudaniyia area, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
As part of the Israeli airstrikes, Israeli warplanes fired flare bombs, east of ‘Abasan and al-Qararah villages, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. On 26 December 2017, the Israeli warplanes fired flare bombs again, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Yunis.
As part of targeting the border areas, on 21 December 2017, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza Valley (Johor al-Deek), opened fire at Palestinian farmers and shepherds. On 27 December 2017, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at empty lands, east of al-Maghazi in the central Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported. On 27 December 2017, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence between the Gaza strip and Israel, east of Beit Hanoun village in the northern Gaza strip, opened fire at the border area. No casualties were reported.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli settlers engaged in several attacks against Palestinian civilians and property this past week.
As part of Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinian civilians and property, on 21 December 2017, a group of Israeli damaged around 20 fruitful olive trees from a plot of land in Madamah village lands, south of Nablus, near “Yitzhar” settlement.
On 23 December 2017, around 50 Israeli settlers from “Yitzhar” settlement, which is established at the southern side of Madamah village, south of Nablus, sneaked into the village outskirts. As a result, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and then confronted the settlers. After that, Israeli forces immediately arrived at the area to protect the settlers. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets.
Israeli attacks on non-violent demonstrations:
Upon calls for demonstrations protesting against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Presidential Decree to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it, Palestinian civilians organized protests against the decision throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As a result, 2 civilians were killed, 128, including 2 children, and 2 paramedics were wounded. Sixty seven of them sustained live bullet wounds, 39 civilians sustained metal bullet wounds and 22 others were directly hit with tear gas canisters. The demonstrations were as follows:
Following the end of Friday prayer on 23 December 2017 , dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest in front of al-Hussein Bin Ali Stadium on ‘Ein Sarah Street in the center of Hebron. They arrived at Bab al-Zawiyah Gate area in the center of the city where and Israeli force stationed near a military checkpoint established on al-Shuhada’a Street. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian sustained a live bullet wound to the right thigh.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian youngsters gathered in the vicinity of Howarah Checkpoint at the southern entrance to Nablus. They set fire to tires, put barricades on the street that leads to the abovementioned checkpoint and threw stones and empty bottles at the soldiers. The soldiers fired live and metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 10 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. One civilian sustained a live bullet wound while 9 civilians sustained metal bullet wounds. Moreover, a civilian’s right leg was fractured after an Israeli military vehicle run him over. Israeli forces also abducted Mohammed Jamal Abu Kamil (12) from Nablus.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of “Itamar” settlement’s gate where an Israeli outpost is established. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the gate. The soldiers fired metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded. One of them sustained a metal bullet to the head and the other sustained a metal bullet wound to the left leg.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered near a checkpoint of Beit Furik village, east of Nablus. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed at the abovementioned checkpoint. The soldiers fired live and metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters and chased them. The soldiers abducted Maher Faleh Nasasrah (18) from Beit Furik village, and Abdul Hadi Kan’an Abu Hanish (18) from Beit Dajan village.
Following the same Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the vicinity of Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque known as “Rachel Tomb” at the northern entrance to Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers forcibly dispersed the protestors firing live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 3 civilians sustained metal bullet wounds.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest Um Rukbah area, in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces fired metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a civilian sustained a live bullet wound to the thigh.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the northern entrance to al-Birah. They threw stones and empty bottled at the Israeli soldiers stationed at DCO Checkpoint. The soldiers forcibly dispersed the protestors firing live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 5 civilians sustained metal bullet wounds. Among the wounded was paramedic Amir Sa’ed Njoum (30), who sustained a metal bullet wound to the head. Israeli forces also abducted Tha’er Nazih Hejazi (19), who sustained a metal bullet wound to the head and was taken to a hospital in Israel. Moreover, Salem Hamdan (31), a photojournalist at Al Arabiya News Channel, suffered tear gas inhalation.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest in the vicinity of “Jishuri” Factories, west of Tulkarm. Israeli forces fired metal bullets and sound bombs at them. As a result, a civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left foot.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians protested at the northern entrance to Qalqiliyah. Israeli soldiers fired live and metal bullets and sound bombs at the protestors. As a result, a 15-year-old child sustained a live bullet wound to the right foot.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered at the northern entrance to Salfit. The soldiers forcibly dispersed the protestors firing live and metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded. One of them sustained a metal bullet wound to the right leg and the other sustained a Two-Two bullet wound.
At approximately 14:00, dozens of Palestinian young men organized a protest in Jawabrah Neighborhood at the sub-entrance, which connect between al-‘Aroub refugee camp and the Bypass Road (60), north of Hebron where an Israeli military checkpoint is established. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The soldiers opened fire and fired tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 17-year-old child sustained a metal bullet wound to the back.
At approximately 14:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the entrance to Qarawet Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. Israeli forces fired live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a civilian sustained a metal bullet wound to the left leg.
At approximately 15:00, dozens of Palestinian young men protested in ‘Asida area near the entrance to Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 15-year-old child sustained a live bullet wound to the right foot.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest at the entrance to al-Sawiyah village, south of Nablus. Iael soldiers forcibly dispersed the protestors firing live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a young man sustained a metal bullet wound to the abdomen.
On Saturday afternoon, 23 December 2017, a Christmas demonstration titled: “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine” were organized at Nessan Intersection in the center of Bethlehem, and made their way to the northern entrance to the city. When the protestors approached the entrance, Israeli soldiers fired live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them and targeted journalists. A solider targeted journalist Hesham Abu Shaqrah from short distance with a tear gas canister to his right hand.
At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 26 December 2017, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest in Jawabrah Neighborhood at the sub-entrance, which connects between al-‘Aroub refugee camp and the Bypass Road (60), north of Hebron where an Israeli military watchtower is established. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 3 children sustained live bullet wounds to the lower limbs. They were transferred to the Governmental Hospital in Hebron via an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
On Friday, 22 December 2017 in the Northern Gaza Strip: the confrontations were mainly in the vicinity of al-Shuhadaa’ Cemetery, east of Jabalia and in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun Crossing. As a result, 24 Palestinians, including 5 children, were wounded. Ten of them sustained live bullet wounds and 14 were hit with tear gas canisters. During the clashes, Isralei soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canister at the protestors, who gathered few meters away from the border fence with Israel near Beit Hanoun “Erez” as a result, Zakariya Adham Husein al-Kafarneh (20) from al-Amal neighborhood in Beit Hanoun, was killed with a live bullet to the chest while he was near the crossing vehicles’ gate on the asphalt road of the crossing.
On the same day in Gaza City: the clashes and Israeli shooting were mainly near former Nahal Oz Crossing, east of al-Shuja’iyah neighborhood. As a result, 25 Palestinians, including 4 children, were wounded. Thirteen of them were hit with live bullets; 12 were hit with metal bullets, 6 paramedics suffered tear gas canisters. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:00, dozens of young men and youngsters gathered few meters away from the border fence with Israel near former Nahal Oz Crossing, east of al-Sheja’eya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. They set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed along the border fence. Clashes continued until approximately 19:00 on the same day. As a result, Mohamed Nabil Mohamed Muhasin (30), from al-Shuja’iyia neighborhood, was killed after he sustained a live bullet wound to the left thigh.
In the Central Gaza Strip: the clashes and Israeli shooting occurred in the eastern side of al-Bureij refugee camp. As a result, 11 Palestinians, including 3 children, were wounded. Nine were hit with live bullets; 2 were directly hit with tear gas canisters; and others suffered tear gas inhalation. Moreover, a PRCS ambulance sustained damage after being hit with a tear gas canister.
In Khan Yunis: the clashes and Israeli shooting were concentrated in 4 areas: ‘Abasan al-Kabirirah; Khuza’ah; and al-Qararah. As a result, 21 Palestinians, including 2 children, were wounded. Nineteen were hit with live bullets and 2 civilians were hit with tear gas canisters. Among the wounded was lawyer Mohammed ‘Esam Ahmed Abu Hajar (27), from ‘Abasan al-Kabirah, sustained a live bullet wound to the left foot. Mohammed was dressing as Santa Claus and distributing gifts to participants. And in Rafah: the clashes and Israeli shooting mainly occurred in the eastern side of al-Shokah village, east of Rafah. As a result, 5 civilians sustained live bullet wounds.
On Saturday, 23 December 2017, in the Northern Gaza Strip: the confrontations were mainly in the vicinity of al-Shuhadaa’ Cemetery, east of Jabalia and in the vicinity of Beit Hanoun Crossing. As a result, 2 civilians wounded. One of them sustained a live bullet wound to the left foot and the other was hit with a live bullet wound to the neck. In Gaza City: the clashes and Israeli shooting were mainly near former Nahal Oz Crossing, east of al-Shuja’iyah neighborhood. As a result, a civilian was hit with a tear gas canister to the abdomen.
Recommendations to the international community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) called on the international community to take action against the escalating settlement construction in the West Bank, the attempts to legitimize settlement outposts established on Palestinian lands in the West Bank and the continued summary executions of Palestinian civilians under the pretext that they pose a security threat to the Israeli forces.
PCHR reminds the international community that thousands of Palestinian civilians have been rendered homeless and lived in caravans under tragic circumstances due to the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has been under a tight closure for almost 11 years. PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.
For the full text of the report, click here.
