PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (02 – 08 January 2020)

Summary

This week, PCHR documented 219 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. They were as follows:

As part of the Israeli shooting and excessive use of force:

In terms of excessive use of force, IOF wounded 5 Palestinian civilians in separate incidents in the West Bank: two were shot and injured in IOF’s suppression of a peaceful assembly in Ramallah, another 2 were shot and injured during IOF incursion into Jericho. In addition, a child was shot, injured and arrested by IOF, the latter alleged that the boy attempted to carry out a stab attack, south of Bethlehem, without eyewitnesses to refute or confirm the Israeli claim. It should be noted that the Supreme National Authority of the Great March of Return (GMR) announced halting protests until 30 Mach 2020.

Furthermore, 5 shootings were reported at agricultural lands in eastern Gaza Strip; no casualties were reported.

Under IOF incursions and house raids in addition to arresting Palestinian civilians: IOF carried out 133 incursions into the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Those incursions included raids of civilian houses and shootings, enticing fear among civilians, arresting and/or injuring many others. During this week’s incursions, 109 Palestinians were arrested, including 17 children.

Under the settlement expansion activities in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, PCHR documented 10 demolitions, land razing and demolition notices by IOF, including confiscating 6 tractors and a bulldozer in Nablus and northern valleys. IOF also seized a 500-square-meter land in Bethlehem and forced 3 civilians to self-demolish their houses in Jerusalem. Furthermore, 2 residential barracks were demolished and 7 caravans were dismantled in Jericho. In Hebron, IOF gave 4 notifications to halt construction works in a house, 2 rooms and a livestock barn and demolished 2 agricultural rooms and a water well in Hebron.

PCHR also documented one settler-attack against civilians in a settler raid into Kafel Hares village, north of Salfit, claiming to visit the religious sites. Settlers also raided 3 residential houses and attempted to attack their residents.

In terms of collective punishment policy, IOF made holes in the house of prisoner Qassam al-Bargouthi in Ramallah and informed his family that the house will be demolished for the second time.

In terms of the Israeli closure policy, the Gaza Strip still suffers the worst closure in the History of the Israeli occupation of the oPt as it has entered the 14^th consecutive year, without any improvement to the movement of persons and goods, humanitarian conditions and bearing catastrophic consequences on all aspects of life. Furthermore, IOF uses Erez Crossing that is designated for movement of individuals as an ambush to arrest Palestinians who obtain permits to exit via Israel. Meanwhile, the West Bank is divided 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. In this week, IOF arrested 17 Palestinians.

Violation of the right to life and to bodily integrity

Excessive Use of Force against Protests in the West Bank

At approximately 13:30 on Friday afternoon, 03 January 2019, a peaceful protest took off in Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah, and marched towards the village’s eastern entrance, which has been closed for 17 years allegedly for the security of “Kedumim” settlement. The protestors chanted national slogans, demanded an end of the occupation and the Israeli forces’ crimes against Palestinians. The protestors threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand berms and the latter responded with sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a few people suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.
The protest was repeated the following day, Saturday 04 January, and confrontations with IOF resulted in several civilians suffocating due to tear gas inhalation.
Also on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians protested peacefully northwest of Ramallah against the Israeli attempts to confiscate their lands, in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbeya village and Ain Harasha area, for settlement expansion schemes. IOF stationed in the area fired live bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors, causing many of them to suffocate due to tear gas inhalation.
Simultaneously, a group of Palestinian civilians gathered in al-Sahel area after settlers raided it under IOF protection. They threw stones at settlers and IOF stationed in the area, adjacent to the eastern entrance to al-Mughair village east of Ramallah. IOF chased civilians and fired bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them arbitrarily. As a result, 3 civilians were injured, and dozens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. The injured are: Qusai Najib al-Na’san (22), shot with a live bullet to the left leg; Na’san Fares al-Na’san (21), shot with a rubber bullet in the left leg; and Mohammed Tha’er Abu-Alia (24), shot with a rubber bullet in his right foot.

Shooting and other violations of the right to life and bodily integrity

At approximately 15:20 on Thursday, 02 January 2020, an Israeli soldier shot Hussain Mohammed Mousa Younis Abu-Daya (15) near “Gosh Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, alleging that he attempted a stab attack. Abu-Daya sustained two live bullets in his foot and was transferred to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. According to IOF press release, a soldier spotted the boy approaching him with a knife, and that “The terrorist was neutralized.” Younis’ family said that eyewitnesses told them that they heard shooting then saw the boy fall to the ground, and the soldier shot him again in the foot. Abu-Daya underwent two surgeries in his foot and had to have platinum plates inserted in his foot.

At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 02 January 2020, IOF infantry unit moved into al-Thaher area, south of Beit Ummer village north of Hebron, alleging that they were attacked with stones near “Karmi Tsur” Young Palestinian locals gathered and threw stones at IOF soldiers who responded with gas and sound bombs. Many Palestinians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. IOF later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 22:00 on the same Thursday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence with Israel, east of khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, sporadically opened fire and fired flare bombs in the sky of eastern ‘Abasan, east of the city. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 23:00 on the same Thursday, IOF stationed near the border fence of Kafer Qaddoum village, east of the city, fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at Palestinians protesting against closing the village entrance, alleging that they were attacked with stones.

At approximately 15:20 on Friday, 4 January 2020, IOF stationed adjacent to Jaljoulia checkpoint, south of the eastern entrance to Qalqiliyah, fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinian civilians claiming that they were attacked with stones. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 23:30 on the same Friday, IOF stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, fired flare bombs east of Khuza’a village, east of the city. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 01:00 on Saturday, 04 January 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Kahn Younis in southern Gaza strip, fired flare bombs in eastern al-Qararah village, northeast of the city. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 06 January 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza Strip, fired flare bombs at the Abu Qatroun area, northeast of al-Buraij. No casualties or material damage was reported.

At approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 07 January 2020, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, northeast of al-Buraij, opened fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the abovementioned border fence. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 04:30 on Wednesday, 08 January 2020, IOF moved into ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers chased the protestors and fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canister at them. As a result, Ahmed Hamed Hajjaj (22) was shot with 2 live bullets in the left foot, and Ayoub ‘Aasi Damrah (19) was shot with a live bullet in the upper side of his eye. Moreover, a number of civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. They received medical treatment on the field.

Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem

Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property for Settlement Expansion Activities

At approximately 14:20 on Thursday, 02 January 2020, IOF moved into al-Nasariyia village, northeast of Nablus. They confiscated Ayoub Ibrahim al-Tayib’s tractor and ordered him to stop working in his plot of land, which is classified as Area C.

At approximately 18:20 on Thursday, IOF raided an agricultural land near Beit Foreek village, northeast of Nablus. They confiscated Salam Helal Khatatbah’s bulldozer under the pretext of working in Area C.

At approximately 13:36 on Friday, 03 January 2020, IOF moved into Um al-Qabbah area in eastern Tubas. They confiscated 5 tractors while plowing agricultural lands and took them to Sa’orah military camp. The confiscated tractors belong to al-‘Aqaba Cooperative Society, Kamal Ghazi Daraghmah, Naseem ‘Ali Mahmoud Ghannam, Ibrahim Khader Mahmoud, and Ahmed Khader Mahmoud.

On Sunday, 05 January 2020, IOF issued a military decision to seize a plot of land in Wadi al-Hendi area, in al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, under security pretexts. Hasan Barijiyah, Head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance in Bethlehem, said that IOF handed the owners of 500-sqaure-meter land located in Wadi al-Hendi area in southern Bethlehem a seizure notice. Barijiyah clarified that the decision aims at establishing a military checkpoints or settlement outposts.

At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, Tayseer Yallow demolished a concrete wall surrounding his plot of land near the eastern entrance to al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without license. Yallow said that the Israeli Municipality notified him a week ago to demolish the concrete wall. On Saturday morning, the Israeli police phoned him and ordered him to carry out the demolition or the municipality will do so and impose NIS 100,000 on him as demolition costs. Yallow clarified that the concrete wall cost him NIS 35,000.

At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 06 January 2020, IOF backed by military construction vehicles moved into Ras al-‘Ojah area in northern Jericho. The bulldozer demolished Suliman Salem Nassar al-Najadah (44)’s barrack while he was inside it to prevent the demolition. As a result, al-Najadah sustained wounds and bruises throughout his body and was then taken to Jericho Governmental Hospital for treatment.

Around the same time, IOF demolished a livestock barn of Salma Hussain Ka’abna and dismantled 7 residential caravans and confiscated them under the pretext of non-licensing and being in Area C. The barn and caravans belong to:

Suliman Salem Nassar al-Najadah: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan sheltered 12 members, including 9 children and 2 women.
Salma Hussain Ka’abnah: a 80-sqaure-meter barn.
Rami Mohamed Hasan Hrizat: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 2 members, including a woman.
Mohamed Hasan Murshed Hazirat: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 7 members, including 2 children and 4 women.
Fadi Mohamed Salama Hazirat: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 5 members, including 3 children and a woman.
Nayif Slama Mohamed Abu Kharbish: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 8 members, including 6 children and a woman.
Jamal Hasan Murshed Hazirat: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 13 members, including 9 children and a woman.
Fadi Salama Mohamed Abu Kharbish: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 3 members, including a child and a woman.
‘Ali Salama Mohamed Abu Kharbish: a 60-sqaure-meter caravan was dismantled and confiscated. The caravan sheltered 8 members, including 6 children and a woman.

At approximately 13:00 on Monday, 06 January 2020, two siblings Maher and Mohamed Nassar implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished their houses in al-Mokaber Mount area, south of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Maher Nassar said that the municipality gave him and his brother 24 hours to self-demolish their houses or the municipality will impose a fine of NIS 80,000 on them. Maher clarified that he and his brother built their houses 8 years ago and the municipality imposed a fine of NIS 35,000 on them. He added that the municipality handed him a demolition decision2 weeks ago, so he appealed before the municipality court and freezed the decision until holding the hearing on Sunday. During the court hearing, the judge informed him about the final demolition decision and ordered him to implement it within 24 hours. It should be noted that the 2 houses sheltered 15 members, including 11 children.

At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 06 January 2020, IOF and Israeli Civil Administration officers backed by military construction vehicles moved into Ma’een area in southern Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers handed ‘Adel Mohamed Hamamdah (44) a notice to stop construction works in his 2-storey-house under the pretext of building in a heritage area. The notice ordered Hamamdah to submit legal documents for construction and inspections committee in “Beit Eill” settlement to complete the construction.

At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 07 January 2020, IOF and Israeli Civil Administration officers backed by military construction vehicles moved into al-Tawana village in southern Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers handed 3 notices for facilities to stop construction works under the pretext of non-licensing. These notices included:

A 100-sqaure-meter barn and a 50-sqaure-meter room of Fadel Ahmed Reb’i.
A 50-sqaure-meter under-construction room of Khader Suliman al-‘Amour.
A 25-sqaure-meter room of Mofdi Ahmed Reb’i.

At approximately 08:00 on Wednesday, 08 January 2020, IOF and Israeli Civil Administration officers backed by military construction vehicles moved into Um Balgha area, southwest of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area and the bulldozers demolished 2 agricultural rooms built of bricks and stones and a water well under the pretext of non-licensing. Mofeed Isma’il ‘Odah Talahma (33) said to PCHR’s fieldworker that: “Few months ago, I received a notice to stop construction works in 2 agricultural rooms, a water well and a barn built of shed. I built these facilities, which cost me around NIS 28,000, 4 years ago and I live there with my wife. Fifteen days earlier, I received another 7-day notice. I headed to Sant Eve institution and submitted documents to license the facilities, but the demolition was implemented before challenge.”

Israeli Settler Violence

At approximately 22:00 on Monday, 06 January 2020, a group of Israeli settlers, under the IOF protection, moved into Kefel Hares village, north of Salfit, to visit religious shrines. When they arrived there, they attacked cursed Palestinians and attacked their houses. Additionally, the settlers raided the houses of two siblings ‘Alaa and ‘Ali Saleh Hammad and attempted to attack their residents.

Collective Punishment Policy

At approximately 01:30 on Thursday, 02 January 2020, IOF backed by 10 military construction vehicles and accompanied with a vehicle of the engineering unit moved into Kobar village, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched prisoner Qasem Nael al-Barghouthi (25)’s house, damaged its contents and detained the family members in one room after checking their IDs. The Explosives Engineering Department officers took the house measurements and made holes in the walls. The engineering unit staff took the house measurements and made holes in the walls to demolish it. IOF verbally informed the family that they will demolish the house and later withdrew. Al-Barghouthi was arrested on 26 August 2019, by IOF, who arrested him from his house and took him to “Ofer” prison where he was interrogated in al-Mascubiyah detention centre in Jerusalem. Al-Barghouthi was charged with participation in the attack at Ein Bubin near Deir Bzai’a village, west of Ramallah on 23 August 2019, which caused the killing of Israeli female settler and injuring her father and brother. This decision is part of the collective punishment policy adopted by IOF against families of Palestinian individuals accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and/or settlers.

Full document available at PCHR official.

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