This week, PCHR documented 207 violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. As part of its excessive use of lethal force, IOF killed a Palestinian in Jerusalem and abused the body of a Palestinian in the southern Gaza Strip in a humiliating manner. Moreover, IOF continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protests organized against Trump’s Peace Plan for the Middle East known as the “Deal of the Century” that violates the rights of the Palestinian people and is in conflict with the United Nations (UN) resolutions and international law. Meanwhile, settlers backed up by IOF continued to seize more civilian property and attack Palestinian civilians and their property.
1. IOF Shooting and Violation of Right to Bodily Integrity: On 22 February 2020 in a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, IOF shot dead Maher Ibrahim Mohammed Mesmar Za’atrah, 33, with many bullets in occupied Jerusalem, claiming he attempted to stab the police officers near al-Asbat Gate, one of al-Aqsa Msoque gates. According to PCHR and eyewitnesses, the Israeli police could have used less lethal force as he was tens of meters away and did not pose direct threat to the officers at the time of shooting. IOF also injured 13 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a journalist, in the West Bank, and others suffocated due to teargas inhalation. Ten of them, including 3 children, were injured due to IOF’s suppression of 11 peaceful protests organized against Trump’s peace plan and the 3 others were injured in 2 separate incidents of excessive force in Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF, in a humiliating and degrading manner, abused the body of a Palestinian young man affiliated with the Palestinian armed groups after killing him in eastern Khan Younis. Meanwhile, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded while attempting to evacuate his body and another person injured. This happened on Sunday, 23 February 2020, when an Israeli wheel loader and tank moved 150 meters into the area and the Israeli wheel loader’s driver lift up the body and threw it back on the ground before the loader could lift him and drove him in a very humiliating manner into the Israeli side of the border fence.
Moreover, 8 shootings by IOF were reported against the agricultural lands in the eastern Gaza Strip while 3 shooting were reported against the Palestinian fishing boats off the northern Gaza Strip shore. Meanwhile, on 23 and 24 February 2020, IOF warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, mainly targeting the Palestinian armed groups’ military sites. One of the airstrikes hit an agricultural room in eastern Khan Younis and caused severe damage to the power grid, cutting electricity for hours in the targeted area. In total, those airstrikes enticed fear among civilians, especially children and women.
2. IOF Incursions and Arrests of Palestinian Civilians: IOF carried out 116 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, 126 Palestinians were arrested, including 15 children, 3 women and a journalist. Among the arrestees, Khalil Tafakji, Head of the maps department at the Arab Studies Society and an expert on Israeli settlements, in occupied East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursions in eastern Khan Younis.
3. Settlement Expansion Activities and Settlers’ Attacks: PCHR documented 7 IOF operations, including demolitions, land razing and demolition notices: 13 notices were distributed to demolish and stop construction works in a mosque, residential rooms and barracks in Hebron; a decision to demolish a house was issued in Bethlehem; 2 houses were self-demolished in Jerusalem; and IOF issued a decision banning Palestinians from building in the areas adjacent to settlements and classified as Area “B” under the Oslo Accords.
PCHR also documented 2 settler-attacks: one against a Palestinian doctor namely Osamah Debsh and sprayed him with teargas when he was near the entrance to “Har Homa” settlement established on the lands of Abu Ghuneim Mount, north of Bethlehem. The doctor was on his way to treat a patient upon a decision by the hospital he works in while the other attack included puncturing tires of 14 vehicles and writing racist slogans in Salfit.
4. Israeli Closure Policy and Collective Punishment Policy: On Monday, 24 February 2020, the Israeli authorities declared closure of the Beit Hanoun “Erez” and Kerem Shalom Crossings and fishing zone off Gaza’s coast was also entirely off-limits until further notice as part of the IOF collective punishment under the pretext of firing rockets. This comes in a time when 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.
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. This week, IOF arrested a businessperson from the central Gaza Strip while traveling via Erez Crossing.
Moreover, on Monday, 24 February 2020, IOF at Beit Hanoun “Erez” crossing banned the families of Palestinian prisoners exiting the crossing to visit their sons in the Israeli jails under the pretext of unstable security situation since Sunday morning, 23 February 2020, along the border fence with Israel.
Meanwhile, IOF continue 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. This week, IOF arrested 6 Palestinians at temporary military checkpoints.
1. Violation of the Right to Life and to Bodily Integrity
i. Excessive Use of Force Against Peaceful Demonstrations Condemning Trump’s Peace Plan in the West Bank
IOF suppressed peaceful protests that took part in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, condemning the U.S President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace Plan known as “Deal of the Century” that was declared on 28 January 2020. In most of the protests, Palestinians gathered near seam zones and chanted national slogans as some of them threw stones at IOF. IOF responded with live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters, which resulted in several injuries.
This week, PCHR documented 11 protests in which 10 civilians, including 3 children and a journalist, were injured: 6 were shot with live bullets and 4 sustained bruises. Moreover, dozens of civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 20 February 2020, IOF stationed at “Jaljolia” checkpoint established southeast of Qalqilia, suppressed a protest where dozens of civilians participated in it. IOF chased the protestors and clashes erupted in the area. IOF fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a number of protestors suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. They received medical treatment on the field.
On Friday, 21 February 2020, (9) IOF suppressed (8) protests in the West Bank. Many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises and wounds. 1 arrest was reported.
The protests were as follows:
1) A protest took part at Beta village’s entrance, branching from Ramallah – Nablus Street, southeast of Nablus.
2) A protest took part at lands that are under threat of confiscation by Israel for settlement expansion schemes east and south of Burin, ‘Asirah al-Qibliya and Madama villages, southeast of Nablus.
3) A protest took part at al-‘Erqah village and the fence that separates between the village and the annexation wall, west of Jenin.
4) A protest took part at the eastern entrance to Kufur Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia. A journalist and a child sustained bruises after an Israeli military bulldozer rolled a large amount of rocks over them. The wounded civilians were identified as: Mo’men Murad Eshtiwi, 9, and journalist Mohmmed ‘Enaya. Moreover, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and they received medical treatment of the field.
5) A protest took part at “Jaljolia” checkpoint established southeast of Qalqilia. Two children sustained bruises after they were ran over by an Israeli military vehicle. IOF arrested Hasan Tareq Sabri, 14. IOF also detained Mesdeq Yasser Mohammed Nazal, 12, and Mohammed Ibrahim Ja’idi, 12, and released them later. Furthermore, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and they received medical treatment on the field.
6) A protest took part at the annexation wall gate established at western area of Juyous village, northeast of Qalqilia.
7) A protest took part at road linking between the southern entrance to al-Fawar refugee camp and the Bypass road (60) in Hebron where IOF established a permanent military watchtower. Palestinian young men threw stones at IOF stationed at the vicinity of the watchtower and closed the road with burned tires. Israeli soldiers chased stone-throwers into agricultural lands surrounding the camp and fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Ahmed ‘Adel Fares al-Titi, 19, was shot with a rubber bullet in the right leg. He was also arrested and taken to the military watchtower. Furthermore, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. During clashes between IOF and the young men continued until 16:00, Israeli soldiers closed the camp’s entrance with metal detector gate and prevented vehicles from movement.
8) A protest took part in the center of Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, adjacent to the annexation wall in Abu Laimoun area.
At approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, 25 February 2020, Palestinians from Tubas and nearby villages, took part at Tayasir checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Tubas and western entrance to northern valley, east of Tubas. IOF stationed behind cement cubes and military vehicles in the center of the street, and closed the checkpoint when the protestors arrived at the area. IOF also suppressed the protestors and fired by firing live, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 5 civilians were injured: one of them aged 31 was shot with a live bullet in the left foot, and 4 were shot with rubber bullets and they received medical treatment on the field. Furthermore, 42 civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation: 9 of them were transferred to Tubas Hospital while others received medical treatment on the field.
At approximately 14:30 on the same Friday, IOF suppressed stationed at the annexation wall gate established on western area lands of Joyous village, northeast of Qalqiliya, suppressed a protest in which dozens of civilians participated in it. Clashes erupted in the area and IOF chased Palestinian young men, who gathered in the area. IOF fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, many civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. They received medical treatment on the field IOF also arrested Essam Mohammed Salim, 13.
On Friday, 21 February 2020, dozens of Palestinians from al-Shuyoukh village, north of Hebron, organized a voluntary day to implant olive trees in Aser area, east of the village, adjacent to “Asfar” settlement. Israeli settlers attempted for years to control the above mentioned area by kicking out farmers, uprooting trees and declaring the area a military closed zone. When Palestinians arrived at the land and started repairing stone fences and implant olive trees, a large Israeli force arrived at the area and ordered them to leave the land claiming that it is a military closed zone. Civilians refused to leave the land, so the soldiers attacked them and pushed them by force. Israeli soldiers also beaten Mahmoud ‘Essa Warasnah, 20, with their hands and took him to military vehicle. In the meantime, IOF clashed with civilians and threatened to arrest them all. Therefore, civilians were forced to leave the area.
ii. Shooting and Other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity
At approximately 07:30 on Thursday, 20 February 2020, IOF gunboats stationed in northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased and heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 – 3 nautical miles. Fishermen were forced to flee fearing of their lives. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 08:50 on the same Thursday, IOF stationed along the border fence, in the vicinity of the landfill area, north of Agricultural School, north of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire the area adjacent to the border fence. As a result, fishermen panicked and fled from their lands adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 14:00 on the same Thursday, IOF soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the border fence. The shooting continued sporadically until midnight.No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:00 on the same Thursday, IOF stationed at Bypass Road (60), adjacent to Bitin village, northeast of Ramallah, opened fire at a vehicles traveled by 4 children, from Deir Debwan village, without a justification. As a result, Abdul Majid Amjad Sarmah, 16, was shot with 2 live bullets in the abdomen and thigh. Sarmah was transferred via an Israeli ambulance to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in occupied Jerusalem. IOF also detained 3 children: Mahmoud Mohammed ‘Awawdah, 15, Saif Edden ‘Awawdah, 15, and Dia’a Eden ‘Awawdah, 15, in a military vehicle and released then 3 hours later.
At approximately 16:30 on Friday, 21 February 2020, IOF soldiers established a military checkpoint at the western entrance to Taqou’a village, south of Hebron. Soldiers stopped vehicles and checked ID cards of the passengers. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian youngsters gathered near the entrance and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers chased the youngsters and fired tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. IOF arrested journalist ‘Emad Jabrin while he was on duty and took him to a military watchtower, adjacent to the village and released him 2 hours later.
In a new crime of excessive use of lethal force, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in occupied Jerusalem claiming that he attempted to stab police officers stationed near one of al-Aqsa Mosque gates. PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ statement affirm that the Israeli police could have used less lethal force as the civilians did not pose any threat to their lives when they shot him.
According to PCHR’s investigations and eyewitnesses’ statement, at approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 22 February 2020, Israeli police stationed adjacent to Bab al-Asbat in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old city, opened fire at Maher Ibrahim Mohammed Za’atrah, 33, when he was at the yard of Bab al-Asbat claiming that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against IOF. As a result, Za’atrah was shot and injured with live bullets and died.
Za’atrah ran towards the external yard of Bab al-Asbat. When he was dozens of meters away from area where IOF stationed, IOF border guard’s unit fired dozens of live bullets at him after he refused their calls to stop. Za’atrah did not pose any threat to the lives of Israeli police. As a result, he was killed.
The Israeli spokesperson said, “At approximately 11:00, members of IOF border guards stationed adjacent to Bab al-Asbat in occupied East Jerusalem, noticed an attacker carrying a knife and running towards them to stab them, so they ordered him to stop. When he turned to them and tried to stab them, they shot and neutralized him.” After that, IOF raided and searched Za’atra’s house in al-Sal’a neighborhood in al-Mokaber Mount village, south of occupied East Jerusalem. The soldiers arrested Za’atra’s mother and his brothers Mohammed and Thafer and took them to ‘Ouz police station in the village for investigation. It should be noted that Za’atrah left behind a wife and 3 children.
At approximately 17:00 on the same Friday, IOF soldiers stationed along the border fence in eastern al-Maghazi in central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 21:35 on Saturday, 22 February 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence, adjacent to a landfill, north of the Agricultural School, north of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at the area adjacent to the border fence and fired a number of flare bombs in the sky of the area. No casualties were reported.
On Sunday, 23 February 2020, IOF shot and injured Palestinian civilians while trying to rescue and evacuate two persons who were targeted by IOF in eastern Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. IOF made a 150-meter incursion into the border and evacuated the dead body of a Palestinian it killed in the area after desecrating his body in a humiliating and cruel manner, trying to lift the body with a wheel loader several times and throwing back to the ground, and takes into the Israeli side of the border.
According to PCHR investigations, at approximately 05:40 on Sunday, 23 February 2020, IOF fired three artillery shells and live bullets at two persons who were 100 meters from the border fence with Israel in eastern ‘Abassan al-Jadida, eastern Khan Younis. Minutes later, a group of Palestinian civilians arrived at the area at Jakar St., followed by an ambulance, and tried to recover the dead bodies. IOF reinforced along the border fence and several military vehicles and soldiers deployed on sand berms in the area. Approximately 1 hour later, 3 civilians took off their upper clothing, remained in their undershirts and approached one of the dead bodies while carrying a stretcher in an attempt to recover the body. They managed to pull out the body and place it on the stretcher and march westward a few meters. IOF fired lived bullets at them, wounding Mohammed Khaled al-Najjar, 19, in his lower limb; forcing the young men to leave the dead body on the stretcher and evacuated al-Najjar into a civilian car that carried him into an ambulance. They later returned to the scene to evacuate the person on the stretcher. Meanwhile, an IOF wheel loader and tank moved into the location and sped in their direction.
The group managed to carry the dead man’s body with the stretcher, but IOF opened fire at them, so he fell to the ground. An Israeli wheel loader arrived at the area and attempted to evacuate the young man’s body. According to eyewitnesses’ statement and video clips taken by Palestinian journalists in the area, the Israeli wheel loader lifted the young man’s body and threw him on the ground several times. When Mo’taz Hasan al-Najjar, 21, attempted to recover his body, IOF opened fired live bullets at him, wounding him in his lower extremities. The Israeli wheel loader continued abusing the dead man’s body for 3 minutes in an attempt to lift him in a way that violates the sanctity of death. The wheel loader carried him from his upper cloths as his body hanged in a tormenting manner, and retreated into the Israeli side of the border fence.
It was later discovered that the person killed, and whose body was desecrated by IOF, was Mohammed ‘Ali Hasan al-Na’em, 27, from Khan Younis. Al-Quds Brigades, the Military Wing of Islamic Jihad Movement, declared that the killed man is one of its members. Furthermore, the young men managed to evacuate the other dead body from the area, who was also a member of armed groups from the area.
At approximately 11:00 on the same Sunday, IOF moved into Deir Netham village, west of Ramallah and stationed near Deir Netham Secondary School in the center of the city. They raided the school after breaking the doors. In the meantime, dozens of Palestinian young men and children gathered and attempted to confront IOF and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of students suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and they received medical treatment on the field. No arrests were reported. IOF moved into the above mentioned village at 18:20. Dozens of Palestinian young men gathered in the village streets and threw stones and empty bottles at IOF while the latter heavily fired live and rubber bullets at them. The soldiers deliberately fired tear gas canisters at houses. As a result, many civilians fainted and suffered seizures and they received medical treatment on the field. Furthermore, IOF raided and searched several houses and detained Lo’ai Mohammed al-Tamimi, 23, Yusuf Mohammed al-Tamimi, 24, Wasim Dawoud al-Tamimi, 20, Yazan Fadel al-Tamimi, 17, and Hamzah Mohammed al-Tamimi, 17. IOF investigated the detainees and released them later. IOF’s incursion of the above mentioned village continued for 3 hours.
At approximately 13:30 on the same Sunday, IOF stationed along the border fence, east of Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands near a landfill in the area. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 14:00 on the same Sunday, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the entrance to al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, where IOF established a military watchtower in the area. Young men arrived at the area, threw stones at IOF, and closed the road with burned tires. IOF fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. Clashes continued until 17:00 on the same day. No arrests were reported.
At approximately 22:00 on the same Sunday, an Israeli soldier stationed at the entrance to Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, adjacent to a military watchtower established in the area, indiscriminately fired tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians in Abu al-Touq neighborhood adjacent to the village entrance without a justification. As a result, a number of civilians suffocated due to tear gas canisters.
At approximately 06:30 on Monday, 24 February 2020, IOF stationed along the border fence, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands, east of al-Qararah village, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 13:00 on the same Monday, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence, east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, opened fire at agricultural lands adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 17:30 on the same Monday, IOF warplanes launched a missile at an agricultural land in eastern Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Younis. As a result, the land sustained damage in addition to power transistor and high-pressure power lines. Therefore, the power was cut off widely in the area. Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation (GEDCO) stated that IOF’s bombardment caused damage to power grids in eastern Khan Younis, which led to power outage in many areas. GEDECO added that its crews managed to define the damaged power grids and switched them to alternative ones to supply the city with power.
At approximately 16:00, IOF established a temporary checkpoint at the entrance to Marj Na’jah village, north of Jericho. In the meantime, a number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers and the latter responded with sound bombs and tear gas canisters. IOF detained Mahmoud Emad Ahmed Mas’oud (12) and released him 2 hours later.
At approximately 19:30, a number of Palestinian young men gathered at the main entrance to Beit Sira village, west of Ramallah. They burnt tires and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed at a military checkpoint established near the entrance. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. IOF also clashed with the young men. As a result, a 24-year-old young man was shot with a rubber bullet in the thigh and a 22-year-old young man was shot with a rubber bullet in his shoulder. Both wounded civilians were transferred to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Furthermore, many participants suffocated due to tear gas inhalation.
At approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 25 February 2020, IOF gunboats stationed in west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, chased, pumped water and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2.5 nautical miles. As a result, the fishing nets were damaged. IOF continued chasing the fishermen for hours; no casualties were reported. It should be noted that IOF compliantly closed the sea on Monday, 24 February 2020.
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Nablus secured the entry of dozens of buses carrying Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb in the eastern area of the city to perform their religious rituals. In the meantime, a number of civilians confronted IOF and threw stones and empty bottles at settlers. Palestinians clashed with settlers until 04:00 on the next day. As a result, dozens of civilians suffocated due to tear gas inhalation. They received medical treatment on the field.
At approximately 09:30 on Wednesday, 26 February 2020, IOF stationed in west of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip chased, pumped water and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2.5 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee fearing for their lives. It should be noted that IOF closed the sea on Monday, 24 February 2020. Fishermen attempted to sail within short distances searching for their livelihood, but IOF chased them and forced them to leave the sea.
At approximately 13:40, IOF stationed along the border fence east of Deir al-Balah opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands, adjacent to the border fence. No casualties were reported.
2. Incursions and Arrests:
Thursday, 20 February 2020:
At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Tulkarem. They raided and searched Ra’fat Jameel Nasif’s, 33, house and arrested him.
Around the same time, IOF moved into ‘Anata village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ahmed Saleh Ibrahim Abu Samiha’s, 42, and arrested him.
At approximately 01:30, IOF reinforced with several military vehicle, moved into Halhoul village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched Remah Mohammed Hasan Sultan’s, 39, house and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 01:50, IOF moved into Dirastya village, north of Salfit. They raided and searched Ramez Nader Abu Fares’s, 21)house and arrested him.
At approximately 02:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicle, moved into Deir Samit village, southwest of Dura, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched Issa Mohammed Thwaib Banat’s, 21, house and arrested him.
Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Issaweya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Wadea’ Dawoud Alian, 20, and Mohammed Zakareya Alian, 20, and arrested them.
At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched Azzam al-Rimawi’s house and arrested his two sons Amjad, 24 and Adam, 22.
At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Abdullah Husain al-Abbassi, 17, and Ibrahim Ahmed al-Abbassi, 23, and arrested them.
At approximately 05:00, IOF moved into al-Izareya village, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ali Baheej Basala’s, 20, house and arrested him.
At approximately 10:00, IOF stationed at a temporary checkpoint established around the Ibrahimi Mosque in the central Hebron’s Old City, arrested Yazan Rebhi al-Ja’bary, 17, and took him to “Kiryat Arba’” investigation center, east of Hebron.
At approximately 16:00, IOF stationed at a temporary checkpoint established near Kidomim settlement, north of Qalqiliia, arrested Hamza Marwan Bouzeya, 22, from Kafl Haris, north of Salfit. Hamza was taken to an unknown destination.
At approximately 17:15, IOF stationed at Za’tara temporary checkpoint, southeast of Nablus, arrested Adnan Abd al-Rahman Nazzal, 38, from Qabatia, southeast of Jenin. IOF took Adnan to an unknown destination.
IOF carried out (18) incursions in al-Zababida, southeast of Jenin; al-Naqoura, Beit Eiba, Surra, Qablan, and Sebastya villages in Nablus; Dura, al-Shoyoukh, Beit al-Roush, and al-Burj villages in Hebron; ‘Anbta, Kafr al-Lobad, and Kafr Rumman villages in Tulkarem; Bidya in Salfit; al-Beira, Deir Abu Mish’al, Deir Nizam, and Betounya villages in Ramallah. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 21 February 2020:
At approximately 02:00, IOF reinforced with several military vehicles, moved into southern Hebron. They raided and searched Tyseer Fathi al-Atrash’s house, and arrested his two sons Mansour, 20, and Fathi, 24, and took them to an unknown destination.
At approximately 12:30, IOF stormed into Bab al-Rahma prayer after the Friday Prayer, east of al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City. The Palestinians gathered in Bab al-Rahma and raised Palestinian flags celebrating the reopening of the site. Meanwhile, IOF deployed the Bab al-Rahma yard and confiscated the flags and some contents, and arrested 5 civilians and took them to al-Qishla police station in the Old City and released them on condition of banning their entry to al-Aqsa Mosque for two weeks. The arrestees are: Fadel Abu Snaina, Yousef al-Faqih, Suhaib Taha, Ya’qoub Salama, and Ibrahim Hab Romman.
At approximately 15:00, IOF arrested Abd al-Rahman Yasin Abu Snaina, 38, from Hebron, after stopping him on a temporary military checkpoint on the southern entrance of the city. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
Around the same time, IOF moved into al-Issaweya, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched the house of al-Aqsa Mosque guard, Fadi Ali Alian, 34, and arrested him.
IOF carried out 9 incursions in Burin, Deir Sharaf, and Tal villages in Nablus; Ya’bod and Arraba in Jenin; Sa’er, Beit Ummer, and Raboud villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.
Saturday, 22 February 2020:
At approximately 23:00, IOF moved into Obaid neighborhood in al-‘Isawya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested 4 civilians including a child: Waseem Nayed Obaid, 41, Mahmoud Saa’di al-Rajabi, 21, Younis Sufian Obaid, 17, and Yazan Amjad Obaid, 24. In the morning of the next day, IOF released them on bail of (5,000) NIS for each, and forced them to sign pledges to pay another 5,000 NIS.
At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-Sa’deya neighborhood, in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Khaled Ibrahim al-Mughrabi’s, 61, house and arrested him. It should be noted that al-Mughrabi is a Sheikh at al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sunday, 23 February 2020:
At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Taqoua’ village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Ahmed Jamal al-‘Amour, 22, and Qusai Mahmoud al-‘Amour, 20, and arrested them.
At approximately 02:30, IOF moved into Aqraba village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched Hammam Waleed Bani Fadel, 24, and arrested him.
At approximately 19:30, IOF stationed at al-Container checkpoint, northwest of Bethlehem, arrested Mohammed Hisham Abu Salah, 28, from Arraba, southwest of Jenin, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 13:00, IOF moved into Bab Hatta neighborhood in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Salah Ali al-Razim’s, 18, house and arrested him.
At approximately 15:00, IOF moved into al-‘Isawiya village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Mousa Haitham Mustafa, 14, and arrested him.
At approximately 21:00, IOF arrested ‘Amer Saad Hasan Baraka, 31, from Deir al-Balah, while heading to Israel through Erez crossing, north of the Gaza Strip.
Saad Hasan Sulaiman Baraka said that: “on Sunday, 23 February 2020, at approximately 08:00, my son ‘Amer got a businessperson permit for the first time and headed to al-Ramla through Erez crossing. At approximately 08:45, ‘Amer called me and told me that he arrived to the Palestinian liaisons 5\5 checkpoint, then I lost connection with him. At approximately 21:00, I received a phone call from the Palestinian Civil Affairs telling me that my son is under the IOF detention, and he was taken to unknown destination”.
3. Settlement Expansion and Settler Violence in the West Bank
i. Demolition and Confiscation of Civilian Property for Settlement Expansion Activities
At approximately 01:00 on Thursday, 20 February 2020, IOF backed by military vehicles and accompanied with Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into Masafer Yatta area in southern Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers handed three 96-hour demolition notices for:
1. Mohamed Hasan Abu ‘Arram, a 20-square-meter residential room built of tin plates and bricks in al-Rakiz area.
2. Ahmed Mahmoud Misleh Hamamdah, a 20-square-meter residential room built of tin plates and bricks in al-Mofaqara area.
3. ‘Emad ‘izzat al-Zain, a 40-square-meter barrack built of tin plates in Safi al-Foqa area.
It should be noted that the Israeli authorities issued these demolition notices upon Article 4 of Military order No. (1797) on the “removal” of a new structure- issued in 2018. This order includes both uncompleted structures and structures completed within the last six months. This military order is one of the most dangerous orders issued by the Israeli authorities, targeting thousands of houses and facilities under the pretext of non-licensing.
Palestinian civilians are deprived of their rights to legal defense of their facilities or houses. The Israeli authorities began to implement this order and obtained powers and legal support from the Israeli Supreme Court, which rejected all petitions and appeals filed by human rights organizations and granted powers to the civil administration to implement this order.
On Thursday, Local Affairs Court in occupied East Jerusalem issued a demolition decision against ‘Abed al-Qader Abu Hammad’s house in Khelet al-Hour neighborhood in al-Walajah village, northwest of Bethlehem. An Activist Ibrahim ‘Awadallah said that Abu Hammad was notified 2 weeks ago to stop construction works in his house and on Thursday, he was handed the demolition order.
On Friday, 21 February 2020, ‘Issa Mohamed Naser Abu Riyalah implemented the Israeli Municipality decision and self-demolished his house in al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. ’Isaa’s wife said that their 75-square-meter house was built in 2006 and rented by a family comprising of 8 persons. She added that they were shocked 2 weeks ago, that IOF fixed a demolition order on their house rented by Yehia Abu Riyalah. The demolition order gave them until 24 February to implement the decision, so Yehia was forced to evacuate the house. ’Isaa’s wife confirmed that during past years, they were not fined and IOF did not raid their house, noting that her husband is an elderly man, 72, suffering from various diseases and spends most of his time at the hospital.
On Friday, 21 February 2020, Yaser Mousa Al-‘Abasi implemented an Israeli Municipality demolition decision and self-demolished his house in Ras Al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of non-licensing. Mousa Al-‘Abasi, Mayor of Ras Al-‘Amoud neighborhood, said that Yaser reconstructed his house (90 s.q) for it was too old. He added that the Israeli Municipality raided Yaser’s house 3 days ago and gave him until 22 February to self-demolish it, or the municipality staff will do so, in addition to imposing fines on him. Yaser pointed out that the house was shelter for 6 persons.
On Friday, the Israeli authorities decided to ban Palestinian construction works in areas near the Israeli settlements, which is classified as Area B according to Oslo Accords. Israeli media said that the Israeli Defense Minister, Naftali Bennett banned Palestinian constructions in these areas for security reasons, especially the buildings near “Shilo” and “E’ili” settlements, south of Nablus. It should be noted that these buildings are in an area under the PA’s administrative control.
According to the Oslo Accords, Israel divides the West Bank into three areas: Area A (18%), which is subject to the civil and security jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Area B (21%), which belongs to PA civil jurisdiction, but is under the security control of Israel, and Area C (61%), which is under Israel’s security and civil jurisdiction.
At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 24 February 2020, IOF backed by military vehicles and accompanied with the Israeli Civil Administration officers moved into al-Masafer area in southern Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration officers distributed notices to stop construction works in many facilities, under the pretext of non-licensing in Area C. It should be noted that Israeli authorities set a date on 18 March 2020, for a session of the so-called sub-inspection committee, which will hold its session at 10:00 in its headquarters in “Beit Eil” settlement to discuss the demolition of these facilities.
On Tuesday, 25 February 2020, IOF distributed demolitions notices to members of Abu Mheimed Family in “Joret al-Maleh” area near Za’atarah village, east of Bethlehem, regarding their tents and barracks and ordered them to evacuate the lands they use for shepherding within 24 hours. This step was a prelude to seize these lands belonging to Abu Mheimed Family, who has
ii. Israeli Settler Violence
On Thursday, 20 February 2020, 3 Israeli settlers severely beat Palestinian physician Osama Dabash and pepper-sprayed him while present at the entrance to “Har Homa” settlement, which is established on Bethlehem lands. Dabash said that when he arrived at a house in the settlement to check up a cancer patient, a female settler stopped him and asked him about his presence in the building. He told her that the hospital sent him to check a patient living in this building. Meanwhile, the female settler brought 3 other settlers and severely beat the doctor and pepper-sprayed him. The doctor was taken to the hospital. Dabash pointed out that the Israeli police opened an investigation into the incident without arresting the attackers under the pretext that they are unknown, although the area is full of surveillance cameras.
At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 26 February 2020, Israeli settlers moved into Yasouf village in eastern Salfit and attacked a Palestinian vehicle. They punctured the tires of 14 and vandalized the walls with racist slurs. Khaled ‘Abaid, Head of Yasouf village council, said that when the village residents headed to al-Fajr prayer, they found the tires of 14 vehicles were punctured. After following up the incident, they found that a group of settlers sneaked into the village, attacked the vehicles, vandalized the walls with racist slurs and withdrew later. (PCHR keeps the names of affected persons and damaged vehicles)
