In its weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of December 31, 2020 – January 6, 2021, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights found that Israeli forces continued to commit crimes and multi-layered 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 that are mostly conducted after midnight and in the early morning hours. This week witnessed an escalation in settler attacks, mainly stone throwing at civilian houses and vehicles in the West Bank. Additionally, Israeli forces demolitions of Palestinian homes and properties continued as part of Israel’s de facto annexation and under various pretexts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This week, PCHR documented 189 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, has limited PCHR’s fieldworkers mobility and ability to conduct field documentation; therefore, the information contained in this report are only part of the continued Israeli forces violations.
Israeli forces shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:
Israeli forces killed one Palestinian and wounded 30 civilians, including 4 children and a paramedic in excessive use of force in the West Bank: ‘Ahed ‘Abed al-Rahman Mahmoud Qawqas Ekhlayl, 25, from Hebron was killed on 05 January 2021 near “Gush Etzion” Junction in the southern parts of Bethlehem. Israeli forces alleged the victim attempted to stab Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 14 Palestinians, including a child and a paramedic, in its oppression of a peaceful protest in Deir Jarir – Ramallah; 8 others sustained wounds in Israeli forces attack on Kufur Qaddoum weekly protest in Qalqilia; another child was injured in Israeli forces attack on another protest in northern Qalqilia; and three sustained wounds, including a father and son, near the Annexation Wall in Jenin. Also, another Palestinian from Hebron was shot from a close distance by Israeli soldiers without any threat to their security; his injury resulted in complete paralysis.
In the Gaza Strip, 9 Israeli forces shootings were reported at agricultural lands, and three times at fishing boats eastern and western Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:
Israeli forces carried out 79 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, 58 Palestinians were abducted, including 11 children.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion into eastern Khan Younis.
Demolitions:
PCHR documented 9 incidents, including:
Occupied East Jerusalem: house floor self-demolished; evacuation decision issued against a house in Silwan; 6 walls, a well and a barracks were demolished in Anata.
Nablus: construction vehicle confiscated in Rujeib.
Salfit: 550 trees razed in Biddya; 300 dunams razed and 3500 trees uprooted in Deir Ballut.
Bethlehem: Israel ratifies land confiscation for settlement expansion; agricultural room demolished in al-Khader.
Settler-attacks:
PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 16 settler-violence incidents:
Salfit: 300 trees uprooted, and a notice of land confiscation placed; sand and blocks put in a land in Deit Ballut.
Nablus: attacks on the streets and stones thrown at vehicles passing by the entrance of “Homesh” settlement; assaults with stones on civilian houses in Huwara where a Palestinian woman sustained wounds; attacks on Ramallah – Nablus road damaging a journalist’s vehicle; al-Khan area assaulted and an attempted confiscation of the area.
Qalqilia: attacks and stone throwing on the main street near Kufur Qaddoum.
Hebron: civilians and farmers assaulted in southern Yatta.
Bethlehem: sewage water flooded lands in Husan village on wide-scale.
Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:
The Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the history of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life.
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. Shootings and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity
At approximately 13:45 on Thursday, 31 December 2020, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Abu Safiyia area, northeast of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, opened fire at the border area; no causalities or material damage were reported.
At approximately 15:45, Israeli forces stationed in the memorial site, southeast of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire at the border area, causing fear among Palestinian farmers; no causalities or material damage were reported.
At approximately 01:40 on Friday, 01 January 2021, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stoned and empty bottles at Israeli vehicles. Israeli soldiers stepped out of the military vehicles, stationed between residential houses and fired teargas canisters and sound bombs at stone-throwers. As a result, many of Palestinian young men suffocated due to teargas inhalation. Clashes continued until 03:00 and Israeli forces withdrew later; no raids to houses were reported.
At approximately 11:00, a peaceful protest took off in front of Beit Dajan village council, east of Nablus, north of the West Bank, at the call of the villagers and with the participation of the National Action Factions in Nablus, towards lands under the threat of confiscation, east of the village. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation, settlers, annexation wall and deal of the century. When the protestors arrived at the area, they found a large number of Israeli soldiers awaiting them. The protestors chanted slogans again against the Israeli occupation and settlers. Israeli forces immediately suppressed the protest and fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.
At approximately 11:30, a peaceful protest took off in front of Deir Jarir village council, northeast of Ramallah, in the center of the West Bank, at the call of the villagers and with the participation of the National Action Factions in the area, towards lands under the threat of confiscation and in protest to the establishment of new settlement outposts in al-Shurfa area, where Israeli settlers set up a tent and conducted excavation works on the village’s agricultural lands. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the Israeli occupation, settlers, annexation wall and deal of the century. When the protestors arrived at the area, they found a large number of Israeli soldiers awaiting them. The protestors performed the Friday prayer on the lands under the threat of confiscation while Israeli soldiers surrounding them. Following the Friday prayer, the protestors chanted slogans again against the Israeli occupation and settlers. Israeli forces immediately suppressed the protest and fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 14 protestors, including a paramedic and a child, were wounded; 2 were shot with rubber bullets, while the rest sustained teargas canisters shrapnel wounds and received treatment on the spot.
The wounded were identified as:
1. The paramedic Ahmed Mohammed ‘Alawi (25), shot with a rubber bullet in his foot;
2. A 20-year-old male, shot with a rubber bullet in his head.
Both of them were taken to Silwad Medical Center for treatment. Also, dozens of protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.
Around the same time, a group of Palestinian young men gathered in the eastern outskirts of Kafr Malik village, near ‘Ein al-Samiyia area, northeast of Ramallah. The Palestinian young men threw stones at Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to ‘Ein al-Samiyia area, which is closed with sand berms. Israeli forces fired heavy sound bombs and teargas canister at the stone-throwers and chased them between agricultural fields. As a result, many stone-throwers suffocated due to teargas inhalation; no arrests among them were reported.
At approximately 12:30, Israeli forces stationed at the northern entrance to Kufur Qaddoum village, north of Qalqilia, suppressed a peaceful protest organized by dozens of Palestinian young men. Israeli forces chased Palestinian young men gathered in the area, clashed with them and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at them. As a result, 8 protestors, including 2 children, were shot with rubber bullets and another protestor was shot with a teargas canister.
At approximately 13:30, Haroun Rasmi Yousef Abu ‘Arram, 23, was shot with a live bullet in his neck from the left side by an Israeli soldier when he attempted to prevent Israeli forces from confiscating an electric generator in Kherbet al-Rakiz, east of Yatta city, south of Hebron. According to investigations conducted by PCHR’s fieldworker, at approximately 13:00 on Friday, 01 January 2021, Israeli forces accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Kherbet al-Rakiz, east of Yatta City, south of Hebron, and stationed near Ashraf Khalil Abu ‘Arram’s, 39, house. The Israeli Civil Administration officers raided and a searched a cave, where Abu ‘Arram lives, in addition to a tin-plate barrack used for breeding livestock.
The Israeli Civil Administration officers confiscated an electric generator and other tools. When Abu ‘Arram attempted to stop them, an Israeli Civil Administration officer beat him with a gun butt in the left side of his head , pushed him to the ground and kicked him in his back and abdomen. In the meantime, Rasmi Yousef Abu ‘Arram, who lives 150 meters away, arrived at the area and intervened to prevent the Civil Administration officers from confiscated the electric generator, but they assaulted him and pushed him to the ground. Meanwhile, Haroun’s brother also arrived at the area on the same time and attempted to help his father and withdraw the generator. The hand-to-hand combat continued for 3 minutes, during which, an Israeli soldier fired 2 live bullets from 2 meters distance; a live bullet wounded Haroun in his neck, so he fell on the ground. Haroun’s mother and father started to scream, meanwhile, Ashraf quickly drove his relative vehicle in order to take Haroun to a medical center in Yatta city. In the meantime, an Israeli soldier opened fire at the vehicle and punctured its rear tires.
Al-Tawana villagers arrived at the area and Israeli forces fired live bullets at them, forcing them to flee. The al-Tawana villagers managed to take Haroun via a vehicle which passed on al-Tawana village road. When they arrived at al-Karmil village intersection, Israeli soldiers attempted to stop them, but the vehicle’s driver did not obey the soldiers’ orders. Haroun arrived at a medical center in al-Karmil village, where he received first aid. After that, Haroun was transferred via an ambulance to Abu al-Hasan al-Qasem Hospital in Yatta city and was admitted to the emergency department at 15:30. The doctors stopped the bleeding and referred him to al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to medical sources at al-Ahli Hospital, Haroun was shot with a live bullet in the left side of his neck, causing fractures and laceration in his backbone. Haroun’s four limbs are paralyzed.
At approximately 14:25, Israeli forces stationed at “Eyal Crossing”, which is established in northern Qalqilia, suppressed a peaceful protest organized by dozens of Palestinian young men. Israeli forces chased the young men, clashed with them and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canister at them; a 15-year-old child was shot with a rubber bullet in his right foot.
At approximately 20:10, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Islamic Shuhada Cemetery, and off Abu Safiyia area in eastern and northeastern Jabalia refugee camp, opened sporadic fire at the border area and fired flare bombs in the sky; no causalities or material damage were reported.
At approximately 06:00 on Sunday, 03 January 2021, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Khan Younis, opened fire at agricultural lands, east of Khuzaʽa village; no causalities were reported.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli forces moved into Sinjil village, north of Ramallah, and stationed in the western neighborhood. Israeli forces pushed Maher Ahmed ‘Awashrah (10) while he was on his way to the market. As a result, he sustained bruises in his back and neck and received treatment in a medical center in Turmus Ayya village.
At approximately 20:25, Israeli gunboats stationed off Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, and off al-Sudaniyia Shore, west of Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles, opened heavy fire around them and fired flare bombs in the sky, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 04 January 2021, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Tulkarem, chased stone-throwers and fired sound bombs at them. Israeli forces also raided Dr. Thabet Hospital at 03:10 and fired sound bombs in the hospital, under the pretext that the stone-throwers were hiding there, causing fear among patients, their companions and medical staff. The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated that Israeli forces raided the mentioned hospital and fired 4 sound bombs inside it; a sound bomb in the reception and 3 others in the emergency yard, causing fear and panic among the patients, especially children and elderlies. The ministry emphasized that 81 patients are receiving treatment at the hospital, including 10 premature babies in the nursery department, 5 children in the pediatrics department, 7 patients in the ICU, 13 patients in the obstetrics department, in addition to 39 medical and health staff.
At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, southwest of Jericho. Israeli forces were deployed in the camp and patrolled its streets. During which, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces, who fired sound bombs, teargas canisters, rubber bullets at the protestors and clashed with them. As a result, a 19-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his leg, and a 23-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his thigh. Both of them were taken to Jericho Governmental Hospital.
At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Maghazi and Bureij refugee camps, in the center of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands; no causalities were reported.
At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles, opened heavy fire around them, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 10:50, Israeli gunboats stationed off Waha Shore, northwest of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 3 nautical miles, opened heavy fire around them, causing fear among the fishermen and forcing them to flee. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces stationed near the annexation wall, near al-Mariha and Daher al-‘Abed villages, west of Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin, opened fire at Palestinian workers who attempted to enter Israel via the annexation wall halls. As a result, 3 civilians, including a father and his son, were wounded and taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Governmental Hospital in Jenin.
Around the same time, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into al-Dawara area, east of Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli forces were deployed between residential houses. After that, they indiscriminately fired sound bombs at Palestinians’ houses, under the pretext that they were exposed to stone-throwing. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation. At 20:30, Israeli forces withdrew from the village.
At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces indiscriminately fired teargas canisters at Palestinians’ houses in al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, under the pretext that a military watchtower established adjacent to the camp’s entrance was exposed to stone-throwing. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation.
At approximately 23:45, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, southeast of Beit Hanoun, east and northeast of Jabalia refugee camp, opened heavy fire at border area; no causalities or damage were reported.
At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 05 January 2021, Israeli forces backed by military vehicles moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched ‘Abed al-Rahman Mohammed Jawabra’s (62) house in ‘Ereq al-Latoun area and withdrew later. No arrests were reported. During Israeli forces withdrawal from the village, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces vehicles. A number of Israeli soldiers stepped out of the vehicles and fired sound bombs and teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village.
At approximately 11:00, dozens of Palestinians and foreigner activists organized a peaceful protest in lands under the threat of confiscation in al-Jomjoma area, east of Halhul city, north of Hebron. The activists brought olive seedlings and planted them. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrived at the area and fired teargas canisters and sound bombs at the protestors. As a result, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation. Israeli forces also uprooted the olive seedlings, declared the area as a closed military zone and threatened to arrest anyone present in the area. It should be noted that the protest was organized after an Israeli settler set up a tent in al-Jomjoma area a week ago.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces stationed near “Gush Etzion” intersection, south of Bethlehem, killed ‘Ahed ‘Abed al-Rahman Mahmoud Qawqas Ekhlayl, 25, from Hebron, with several live bullets under the pretext that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. Israeli forces stated that Ekhlayl approached a checkpoint, where a number of Israeli soldiers stationed, in front of “Gush Etzion” petrol station, and carried an ax. Israeli forces also claimed that when they ordered him to stop, he refused, so Israeli forces opened fire at him. Israeli forces in its statement stated that: “ there was an attempt to carry out a stabbing attack near “Gush Etzion” intersection, and the suspect was neutralized.” In addition, Israeli media claimed that another young man was accompanied Ekhlayl, but he managed to escape. It should be noted that Israeli authorities did not publish any video to prove their claims or to show the threat that Ekhlayl posed to the soldiers, especially that “Gush Etzion” intersection is a fortified area, full of advanced surveillance cameras and military watchtowers, and settlement guards are heavily deployed in it. Israel Hayom Newspaper published that the settlement guard opened fire at Ekhlayl. PCHR’s staff continue to investigate the incident, as no Palestinian eyewitnesses were available so far.
PCHR also notes that the soldiers could use less lethal force against Ekhlayl such as wounding or arresting him instead of killing him, because he was walking on his feet and did not have a firearm. Following the incident, Israeli forces closed the main street (367), which connects between Bethlehem and Hebron, and established many checkpoints in “Gush Etzion” intersection, causing jam traffic. It should be noted that Ekhlayl was a resident of Safa area in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, and he had opened a sweets shop in the village less than a month ago. Israeli forces summoned his father and uncles to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service “Shin Bet” for investigation.
At approximately 14:35 on Tuesday, 05 January 2021, Israeli forces stationed in (16) military site, northeast of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire at Palestinian shepherds who approached the fence, causing fear among them and forcing them to flee; no causalities or damage were reported.
At approximately 23:00 on Monday, 04 January 2021, Israeli forces stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, east of Bureij refugee camp, in the center of the Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands; no casualties were reported.
At approximately 04:00 on Wednesday, 06 January 2021, Israeli forces moved into Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, southwest of Ramallah. They were deployed between residential houses. In the meantime, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli forces, who chased the stone-throwers and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at them. As a result, a 20-year-old male was shot with a rubber bullet in his foot and was treated on the spot. Also, many civilians suffocated due to teargas inhalation.
At approximately 14:35, Israeli forces stationed in a military site (16), northeast of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, opened sporadic fire at Palestinian shepherds who approached the fence, causing fear among them and forcing them to flee. No casualties of material damage were reported.
II. Incursions and arrests:
Thursday, 31 December 2020:
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya and Kafr Thulth, east of Qalqilya, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Fo’ad Na’eem Jitawi (22), and Omar Ayman Shawahna (19).
At approximately 02:55, Israeli forces moved into Nur Shams refugee camp and Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and abducted three civilians; Oday Samer Jaber, 23, who is a former prisoner, Sa’eed Izzat Jaber, 22, and Ahmed Tareq al-Nimri, 20.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Dheesha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched several houses and abducted three civilians after beating them. The arrestees are: Ibrahim Munir Arafa, 26, Haidar Izzat Abu Dayya, 23, and Ahmed Tawfiq Tayeh, 33.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Saf street in Bethlehem. They raided and searched Ahmed Rebhi al-Haremi’s (24) house and abducted him.
Around the same time, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah, and stationed at al-Iskan street. They deployed between civilians’ houses, while dozens of soldiers stormed a 4-storey building, included 6 apartments, and stormed and searched Omar Abdul Raheem al-Barghouthi’s (29) apartment, which is in the ground floor, and abducted him. Israeli forces also raided and searched the houses of Ali al-Ka’ba and Mohannad al-Rayyan.
Haya al-Barghouthi, Omar’s cousin, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:
“My husband and I woke up to loud noise in our building; we went out of our apartment to see a number of the Israeli soldiers and border guards in the third floor with the building owner, Shadi. They were shouting loudly “where is al-Barghouthi”, and asked Shadi about Omar’s apartment, and headed there, immediately detonating the front door. Omar lived alone, as his wife was travelling abroad. I asked the soldiers to go and wake Omar up, but they refused and stormed his apartment and started beating him and insulting him, then they handcuffed him and took him to their military vehicle. At approximately 08:00, Saif, Omar’s brother, received a phone call from an Israeli Intelligence Services’ officer, and told him that Omar is in a critical health condition and he was taken to Hadassah Medical Center in Israel, and that the soldiers hit him on his head and all over his body, which caused wounds, bruises, and loss of consciousness”.
Israeli forces carried out four incursions in Beit Ummar, Hebron, Sa’eer, and al-Shuyukh villages in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 01 January 2021:
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Yatta, south of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Eyad Hasan Abu Obaid’s, 29, house and abducted him.
At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces stationed at Za’tara military checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, abducted Khalil Mo’een Fawzi Mousa, 27, from Qaryut village, southeast of Nablus. Israeli forces took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces abducted Eyad Mohammed al-Jo’ba, 27, while present near al-Silsila gate, one of the Aqsa Mosque’s Gates in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.
In the evening hours, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Deir Istiya, north of Salfit. They took the measures of the location and withdrew.
Israeli forces carried out six incursions in Tarqumiyah and al-Shuyukh in Hebron governorate; Haris village, north of Salfit; Kafr Laqif, Sir and Qalqilia. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 02 January 2021:
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Zububa village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Mohammed Suliman Amarna, 19.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Hebron, and stationed at al-Harayiq area. They raided and searched Tareq Anwar Da’eis’s (41) house and abducted him.
At approximately 17:30, Israeli forces stationed at “Eyal” military checkpoint, established in the north of Qalqilia, abducted Ahmed Mahmoud Ayyash, 16, and Anis Mohammed Abu Tayba, 17.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Yousef Alaa al-Haddad’s, 11, house and abducted him.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Ammar Mahmoud Thawabta, 15, and Ahmed Jamal Taqateqa, 16, and abducted them.
Israeli forces carried out three incursions in Halhul, Beit Kahil, and Nuba villages in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.
Sunday, 03 January 2021:
At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Ahmed Mohammed Alawna, 21.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Diya’ Mohammed Obaid’s, 15, house and abducted him.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces reinforced with dozens of military vehicles moved into Deir Nidham village, northwest of Ramallah governorate, after throwing stones at an Israeli settler’s car in the street adjacent to “Halamish” settlement, where the settler suffered serious wounds, according to the Israeli media. However, the Israeli vehicles, Israeli forces, the border guards and the Israeli infantry units surrounded the village and closed the main and western entrances of the village. Israeli forces fired sound bombs and teargas canisters, causing fear and panic among civilians. Meanwhile, they raided and searched dozens of houses and abducted twenty civilians including two children in the main street and detain them for 3 consecutive hours under the investigation. Lately, Israeli forces released seventeen civilians while kept the two children and the young man under arrest and took them to an unknown destination. The arrestees are: Sajed Abdul Ghani al-Khateeb, 17, Mohammed Kheir al-Tamimi, 17, and Osama Firas al-Tamimi, 18, who is a student at Birzeit University. Israeli forces established a tent near the main entrance and confiscated all the surveillances cameras of the houses and stores.
At approximately 18:00, the Israeli bulldozer combed al-Ein land, near “Wad Rayya”, adjacent to the village, they raided and searched several houses and continued closing the entrances and some streets, then stormed the village and the houses again until Monday evening, 04 January 2021.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Yazan, 25, and his brother, Islam Kamel Abu Shamla, 18.
Israeli forces carried out six incursions in Sanniriya and Azun, east of Qalqilya; Sa’ir, Bani Na’im, Samu and Dura, in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.
Monday, 04 January 2021:
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Surif, west of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses and abducted Hadi Mahmoud Ghunaimat, 30, and Fadi Mousa Ghunaimat, 29.
Around the same time, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Hebron. They raided and searched four houses and abducted four civilians; Hussam Hasan Abu Hussain, 32, Miqdad Abdullah al-Qawasmah, 38, Abdul Aziz Abu Sunaina, 34, and Mohammed Hamed al-Rajabi, 29.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, from its southern side, Jabal al-Tur, north of the West Bank, and stationed at Nablus’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Alaa Nidal Abu Shamla, 25.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Jannata village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Abdul Rahman Sa’eed al-‘Arouj’s, 31, house and abducted him.
At approximately 03:20, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Jericho. They raided and searched Hasan Shaker Ballou’s, 24, house and abducted him.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and abducted three civilians including a child; Abdul Rahman al-Bashiti, 16, Zakariya al-Bakry, 19, and Mustafa Abu Sunaina, 18.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and abducted three civilians, including a child; Hamza Abu Ghannam, 19, Fadi Abu Ghannam, 17, and Mohammed Abu Sbaitan, 22.
Israeli forces carried out one incursion in Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, in the western side of Jericho. No arrests were reported.
Tuesday, 05 January 2021:
At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Isawiya village, northeast the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Eyas Hussain Obaid’s, 20, house and abducted him.
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, entering it from the northern side by checkpoint (17), and stationed in Baker street and Kallet al-Amud neighborhood, northeast of the village. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Yaser al-Madmouj, 28, and took him to Millennium Technology Company, where he works. It should be noted that the company’s owner was abducted on 21 December 2020.
At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Tulkarem refugee camp. They raided and searched Ra’ed Mohammed Qawzah’s, 50, house and abducted him.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Zeita Jamma’in village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Zakariya Ahmed Rayyan, 51, and Jom’a Mahmoud Ramadan, 53.
Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Batin al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Harbi Abdul Samea’ Abu Subaih, 43, and his brother, Wajdi, 39, and abducted them.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli forces stationed on the main entrance to Nabi Saleh village abducted Ahmed al-Rimawy, 32, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Tubas, north of the West Bank. They raided and searched several houses, only three of the houses were identified; Oday al-Shahrouri, Munir and his brother Omar Foqaha, and interrogated the civilians, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Isawiya village, northeast the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Sami al-Fakhouri’s, 17, house and abducted him.
At approximately 15:30, Israeli forces signed to guard the annexation wall west of Rummanah village, west of Jenin, abducted Kareem Ahmed al-‘Ammour, 28, while present near the wall. Israeli forces took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anin village, west of Jenin. They threatened to destroy and set fire to street carts that were previously served removal notices.
Israeli forces carried out two incursions in Deir Ballut and Sarta in western Salfit. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 06 January 2021:
At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus, from its eastern entrance. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Mohammed Subhi Tabanja, 38, from Khallat al-‘Amud, southeast of Nablus; and Omar Eyad Staitiya, 26, from Zawata village, west of Nablus.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beita, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and abducted Yousef Musbah Abu Mazen, 23, a water technician employee in Beita municipality.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Beit Kahil in northern Hebron and raided Mohammed Assafra’s, 30, house. They searched and ransacked through the house before arresting Assafra and taking him with them.
At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into al-‘Alqa al Fawqa, southern Hebron and raided Ahmed Dodeen’s, 40, house and abducted him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved into Deir Nidham village, northwest of Ramallah. They deployed between civilians houses, raided and searched Ragheb Mohammed al-Tamimi’s, 18, house, and abducted him.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces reinforced with several military and construction vehicles moved 100 meters into Al Fukhkhari, eastern Khan Younis. They razed the area for hours and then withdrew.
III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem
a. Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property
At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 01 January 2021, Israeli forces accompanied with military bulldozers moved into Khelet ‘Elian in Biddya village, west of Salfit. Israeli forces started leveling 550 fruitful trees and retaining walls as well as the fence wires surrounding the land belonging to the heirs of Yousef Salim, ‘Abdel Rahim Salim and Mohammed Salim.
The landowners said that land razing had wiped off the agricultural field that was funded by the International Relief, inflecting a loss of ILS 300,000. It should be noted that that was the second time the project was destroyed, and the trees uprooted.
Youssef Kamel Youssef Salamah said that:
“Israeli forces moved into the area and closed the entrances, denying citizens and journalists’ access to it. Israeli forces leveled all the olive, almond, grape and fig trees my cousins and I had planted in a joint project funded by the International Relief. The uprooted trees included around 250 olive trees, 100 grapevines, 100 almond trees and 100 fig trees. We also bought huge amount of sand and brought workers and vehicles to work in the land.”
On Saturday morning, 02 January 2021, Amjad Ja’abees self-demolished a concrete slab he built on his land in Jabel Mukaber village, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, and removed the steel-wired fence surrounding the land, pursuant to the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Ja’abees said that last October, he established a concrete slab as a prelude to build a small house on a plot of land he inherited from his family in Jabal al-Mokabber village. Ja’abees added that the Israeli Municipality instantly warned him to self-demolish the slab and remove the fence surrounding his land. However, when he did not obey, the Municipality handed him an administrative decision signed by the Israeli Ministry of Interior regarding the slab and gave him only 7 days to implement the decision; otherwise, the Municipality crews will carry out the demolition and fine him with the costs. Ja’abees said that the Israeli Municipality previously reject his request for the land use regulation and to have construction license, and this applies to all
the surrounding plots of land in the area.
On Sunday morning, 03 January 2021, the High Planning Council (HPC) ratified confiscation of Land plots in different areas of Bethlehem to allocate them to settlements.
Hasan Breijiyah, Head of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission in Bethlehem said that the Israeli authorities had ratified the allocation of the following land plots for settlement expansion: Land plot no. (8) in al-Shefa and Wad al-Hendi areas in al-Khader village; Land plot no. (1) in Artas village; Land plot no. (4) in ‘Arab Ta’amra and Land plot no. (5) in al-Morouj area. Breijiyah added that in the morning Israeli forces handed ‘Ali Salim Mousa from al-Khader village a notice to stop construction works in Jabel Abu Sodah area allegedly for being located in an archaeological area.
In the afternoon, Israeli forces handed Nizam Abu Romouz a decision to vacate his family house in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan village, south of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, in favor of settlers.
Abu Romouz Family said that the evacuation decision was issued in absentee in 2016 when court hearings were held in absentee to deliberate the status of the estate without notifying or summoning the family to attend the court or even handing them any judicial notices in this regard. The family added that the court fined them ILS 7,000 for the court and the settlers’ lawyer fees. The family also said that they will file an urgent appeal to the District Court’s evacuation decision, denying receiving any judicial notice to seize the land where the estate is established. It should be noted that the family estate is comprised of 3 floors and shelters 3 families. The estate is within the “Ateret Cohanim” settlement organization’s plans to seize 5 dunums and 200 sqm from the Central quarter in Batn al-Hawa neighborhood under the pretext of being a Jewish ownership since 1881 as ruled by the Israeli Supreme Court. It is also noteworthy that 87 families live in the plot of land under the threat of confiscation and evacuation.
On Monday morning, 04 January 2021, Israeli forces demolished 6 fences, a water well and an agricultural barrack in ‘Anata village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Mayor of ‘Anata village, Taha al-Refa’ie, stated that the Israeli Municipality’s vehicles started demolishing a fence belonging to Mohammed al-Bayaa’ and another fence as well as a 40 sqm agricultural barrack and a water well belonging to Jamal ‘Alqam in al-Nejmah neighborhood in eastern ‘Anata near the industrial area. The demolition came after a week of handing both civilians demolition notices allegedly for unlicensed construction. Al-Refa’ie added that the Municipality crews demolished 3 more fences in al-Rahinah area belonging to Isma’il Shihah, ‘Othman Abu ‘Omer, Rami Hamdan, and Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim and another belonging to Mohammed Helwah in al-Thaher area. Al-Refa’ie said that the Municipality crews distributed many demolition notices in the nearby area and withdrew.
The same morning, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural room belonging to Lutfi Salah in al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem, under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Salah said that an Israeli military force raided his land and demolished the room and confiscated its contents, including chairs and water tanks used for irrigation. Salah added that the demolition was carried out without any prior notification, noting that such tin-roofed rooms do not need a license as it is used for agricultural and storing purposes.
At approximately 11:30 on Tuesday, 05 January 2020, Israeli forces accompanied with a Civil Administration SUV moved into Rujeib village, southeast of Nablus, northern West Bank. They confiscated a bulldozer belonging to Majed Ibrahim ‘Abed Dweikat while working in an under-construction house in Khelet Rajeh area, northeast of Rujeib village, and abducted the driver. Israeli forces took the driver and the bulldozer to “Huwara” military camp, southeast of Nablus, and later released the driver but kept the bulldozer under custody allegedly for illegal construction work in Area C.
At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 06 January 2021, Israeli forces backed by 8 bulldozers and tens of SUVs and trucks moved into Khalet al-‘Abhar Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit, where part of the annexation wall is established on its lands. Israeli forces leveled a vacant area; around 200 dunums and 3400 olive and olive trees and grapevines planted 5-10 years ago. Israeli forces also seized a large number of trees after uprooting them. These leveled lands belong to ‘Ezat Mousa, heirs of Husni ‘Issa Mousa and ‘Abdullah Mousa.
Israeli forces also handed 5 new notices to the nearby lands’ owners to vacate them as a prelude to confiscate them in favor of settlement expansion.
While land-razing, Israeli forces attacked and beat up the owners of the leveled lands, including Mohammed Husni Mousa and ‘Aisha ‘Abdullah Mousa.
b. Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property
On Thursday morning, 31 December 2020, a group of settlers from “Rafafa” attacked a plot of land belonging to the head of the village council, ‘Omer Samarah, in al-Ta’erat area in Kifl Hares village, north of Salfit. The settlers uprooted around 300 olive trees planted on an area of 14 dunams 14 years ago, without any prior warning. They also left a notice in a plot of land belonging to Khaled Mohammed ‘Ali Shamlawi in the same area, saying that this land is owned by the state and giving the owners 45 days to appeal.
At approximately 20:00 on Thursday, 31 December 2020, settlers rioted at the entrance of “Homish” settlement that was vacated in 2005 and established on the lands of Burqa and Silat ad-Dhahr villages, northwest of Nablus. They also threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Jenin Street, but no damage was reported.
At approximately 21:55 on the same day, a group of settlers from “Yitzhar” settlement established on Nablus lands threw stones at civilian houses in Huwara village, southeast of Nablus. As a result, Mo’ataz ‘Ezat Qasrawi’s house windows were broken and his wife, Lina Hasan ‘Awad ‘Odah (34) was injured with a stone in her right leg when she was in her bedroom in the first floor of the 2-storey house while her 4 children and husband were in the second floor of the house.
At approximately 22:00, settlers from ” Shiloh” and “Eli” settlement established on the villages of Qaryout and al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, southeast of Nablus, threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah Street. As a result, a car belonging to Salim ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Salim Bsharat, Palestine TV photojournalist in Tubas, sustained damage; the right door window and mirror were broken while the front and right side sustained damage.
On Friday morning, 01 January 2021, settlers from “Leshem” settlement attacked a plot of land belonging to Ya’qoub Hadrous in Khelet Mathar area in Deir Ballut village, west of Salfit. The settler added tons of sand piles on the land, burying the olive trees there, without any prior notice or warning.
‘Omer Ya’qoub Hadrous said that:
“On Friday morning, we found settlers from Leshem settlement transferring piles of sand into my land in Khelet Mathar area, east of Deir Ballut village. We informed the Liaison, and the settlement guardian came after we refused what was going on. He told the workers who were transferring the piles, “wait until I make a phone call to know if this land belongs to the state or what.” He made the phone call and immediately ordered them to stop the transfer into this land because it belongs to ‘Omer and not a state property. This talk occurred after they completely covered the land with around 1.5 meter sand and construction remnants, and even if I cleaned it, the land won’t return as it was because it was all ruined. This means that all the olives were damaged and the land as well.”
At approximately 16:55 on Friday, 01 January 2021, a group of settlers from “Shvut Rachel” settlement established on the lands of southeastern al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village attacked and tried to seize al-Khan area. A number of citizens immediately gathered and throw stones at the settlers to force them to go back. It should be noted that al-Khan is an ottoman site which Israeli forces has been trying to seize for a while.
At approximately 18:30, a group of settlers from “Kedumim” settlement gathered on the main street near Kufur Qaddoum village in Qalqilia. They threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles traveling in the area and closed the main street connecting Qalqilia with Nablus to perform religious rituals in the area.
At approximately 21:00 on Saturday, 02 January 2021, a group of settlers from “Beit Yatir” and “Susya” settlements attacked members of al-Nawaj’ah family while plowing their land in Um Lakhous area, south of Yatta, southern Hebron. The settlers attempted to stop the tractors despite the Israeli court’s decision to prevent settlers from entering that land. Clashes occurred between the settlers and citizens while Israeli forces patrols and Israeli Civil Administration crews arrived to force settlers leaving the land.
At approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 03 January 2021, a group of settlers from the Israeli “Hilltop Youth” group called for protests at the intersections of the main streets used by the Palestinians. An hour later, large groups of settlers gathered at the intersections of Adam, northeastern Jerusalem; “Yitzhar” and “Ma’ale Efrayim”, southwestern Nablus; Bypass 60 Ofra; “Pisgat Yahuda” Street on Ramallah-Nablus Street, “Nof Hasharon” settlement; Jit Sarra, southwestern Nablus; and “Shiloh” and “Eli” settlements, southeastern Nablus. The settler rioted at the intersections and threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles traveling there.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, 04 January 2021, a group of settlers from “Brukhin” settlement moved into Sarta village, west of Salfit. They threw stones at the Palestinian vehicles and houses, breaking windows of cars belonging to Sa’id Sarsour, Mukhtar ‘Abdullah Sarsour, Mustafa Ibrahim al-Khatib, Mohammed Hisham Sarsour and Ma’zouz Sarsour. Moreover, wheels belonging of a bulldozer belonging to Youssef Mohammed al-Khatib were punctured.
In the morning, settlers from “Beitar Illit” settlement established on the Palestinian lands of Husan, Nahalin and Wadi Fukin villages, southwest Bethlehem, flooded sewage into vacant areas of lands in Husan village, west of the city.
Husan Village Council stated that settlers flooded sewage into vacant areas of lands planted with grapevines and olive trees, inflecting huge losses and damage in these lands. The Council added that such attacks are constant as settlers often pump wastewater into Palestinian-owned lands in the villages of Husan, Jab’a, Nahalin and Wadi Fukin.
At approximately 19:00, dozens of Israeli settlers gathered on Street no. (1) in central occupied East Jerusalem and closed it, starting to attack Palestinian vehicles and passers-by.
Eyewitnesses said that settlers closed the above-mentioned street and nearby Musrara Street and set fire to tires. They then threw stones at passers-by and Palestinian vehicles, causing damage to them.
At approximately 20:00, settlers from “Hilltop Youth” group rioted the streets and threw stones at different intersections, particularly Soliman al-Faresi “Yitzhar” intersection in Huwara village, southeast of Nablus (the entrance to Yitzhar); Beit El Camp Road; Route 60 between Hizma and Jaba’ on Ramallah-Nablus Highway; and al-Nabi Younis intersection in Hebron.
At approximately 22:00, dozens of Israeli settlers on Jerusalem-Hebron Street protested near Gush Etzion settlement intersection for the third week consecutively.
Eyewitnesses said that settlers under Israeli forces protection raised slogans calling for Arabs to leave and closed the main streets before Palestinian vehicles. The settlers threw stones at the vehicles, causing severe damage to them.
At approximately 19:00 on Tuesday, 05 January 2021, a group of settlers from “Hilltop Youth” group rioted and threw stones at different intersections, particularly at the entrance to Homish settlement on Jenin-Nablus Road, northwest of Nablus; Soliman al-Faresi “Yitzhar” intersection in Huwara village, southeast of Nablus (the entrance to Yitzhar); Za’atara checkpoint intersection; at the entrance to “Shilo” settlement, southeast of Nablus; Kedumim intersection and completely closed it, southeast of Qalqilia; and at the entrance to Jurat ash-Sham’a village between “Efrat” settlement and Teqoa on Hebron Road. However, no injuries were reported.
On Wednesday morning, 06 January 2021, settlers from “Amihai” settlement established on Jalud village, southeast of Nablus, uprooted and stole 150 olive seedlings from Mahmoud Fawzi Haj Mohammed’s land in Ma’aser Ghzayel area, 100 meters away from the above-mentioned settlement.
PCHR Arabic
واصلت قوات الاحتلال الحربي الإسرائيلي تنفيذ جرائمها وانتهاكاتها المركبة ضد المدنيين الفلسطينيين وممتلكاتهم، بما في ذلك…
