The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR): Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (July 15 – 28, 2021)
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, turning the West Bank into isolated blocks of land. Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian properties and land continued. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip enters its 15th year under closure, exacerbating the humanitarian hardships across the territory.
IOF shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:
The army killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 children, and a fourth died of previously-sustained wounds in the West Bank. Mohammed Monir al-Tamimi (16) was killed by soldiers in excessive use of force during a raid into Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, without him posing any threat to the lives of soldiers. Shadi Sliem (41) was killed by Beita village entrance, southeastern Nablus. The army alleged that a soldier shot at Sliem after he was found speeding towards the soldiers with a metal bar in his hands, alleging he did not obey to the army’s demand to STOP; no eyewitnesses were available to deny or confirm the Israeli claim. Sliem’s body remains in Israeli custody to this date. Mohammed Abu Sara (12) was killed with a bullet fired by an Israeli soldier at his father’s vehicle by Beit Ummar entrance; without any cause.
Yousuf Mohareb (22) died of wounds he sustained two months ago during a peaceful protest in Sinjil, northeastern Ramallah.
Twenty-one Palestinians were wounded in the army’s excessive use of force in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, including one child: 19 were wounded during clashes and Israeli troops’ attacks on peaceful protests in Sabeih Mount, Nablus; the other two were wounded in two separate incidents in Jenin, and one was arrested after his injury near the annexation wall. Dozens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, fired by the army in its attacks in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the occupation launched air strikes on an agricultural land in northern Gaza. In addition, two army shootings were reported against agricultural lands in eastern Khan Younis and northern Gaza Strip.
Army incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:
Israeli soldiers carried out 255 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, 155 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 children and a woman. During the raids, soldiers confiscated money from inside Palestinians’ houses which has become a pattern in Israeli soldiers’ practices as a means of collective punishment for Palestinians.
In the Gaza Strip, the army conducted 3 limited incursions into eastern Rafah, Khan Younis and northern Gaza, levelling previously razed lands.
Demolitions:
PCHR fieldworkers documented 11 violations:
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• Nablus: water pool demolished in Beit Dajan.
• Bethlehem: ancient Canaanite cemetery razed in southern al-Khader.
• Hebron: works stopped and wheel loader confiscated in Khirbet Birin; cement mixer confiscated and works stopped in al-Tyba area; electric cables and construction vehicle confiscated western Samoua; demolition notice served against water well in eastern Yatta.
• Occupied East Jerusalem: two houses and an apartment self-demolished; agricultural land razed; horse stable destroyed as well as the surrounding walls.
Israeli Settler-attacks:
PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented 4 attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian civilians and their properties:
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• Nablus: house attacked with rocks in Burin, facility set on fire in Huwara, 25 trees uprooted, agricultural equipment damaged in southeastern Qusra
• Hebron: Palestinian civilian hit with a stone in the head in settlers’ assault on civilian houses in al-Tawana.
Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:
The Israeli authorities continued to impose collective punishments against the people of the Gaza Strip by strictly tightening its closure on the Gaza Strip, which entered its 15th year, without any indication for a solution in the future, depriving the Gaza population from enjoying their economic, social, and cultural rights. On Sunday, 25 July 2021, the Israeli occupation reinforced its collective punishment policy by reducing the Gaza fishing area to 12 nautical miles instead of 6 until further notice. For the past two months, authorities had repeatedly expanded and then reduced the allowed fishing area, negatively affecting dozens of families who work in the fishing industry. Despite the Israeli claims regarding the expansion of imports and exports to and from the Gaza Strip, a significant number of raw materials and goods are banned entry into Gaza, causing an unprecedented rise in goods prices.
Meanwhile, occupation authorities continued to divide the West Bank into separate cantons with key roads blocked by the Israeli occupation since the 2000 Second Intifada -still closed to this date- and with temporary and permanent checkpoints, where civilian movement is restricted, and they are subject to arrest, especially at al-Karama border crossing, alongside the Palestinian-Jordanian border.
I. Shooting and other Violations of the Right to Life and Bodily Integrity
• At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 15 July 2021, Israeli soldiers stationed along the Gaza’s border fence with Israel, opened fire at agricultural lands in eastern Khuzaʽa village, east of Khan Younis, and no casualties were reported.
• At approximately 13:00 on Friday, 16 July 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered in central of Beita village, southeast of Nablus, to protest the establishment of the ‘Avitar’ settlement outpost few weeks ago by illegal colonists. The Palestinians gathered in the western side of the mount, set fire to tires on a road leading to the mount. Israeli soldiers indiscriminately opened fire at the protestors. After that, violent clashes erupted in the area, during which, the protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who continued to fire live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. The clashes continued until 19:00 and resulted in the injury of 6 protestors, including a child. All of them were taken to Rafidia Hospital for treatment.
• On Sunday, 18 July 2021, a large number of Israeli soldiers raided al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, to secure the entry of at least 1500 Israeli settlers into the mosque to commemorate the so-called Tisha B’Av. the army denied Palestinian worshipers’ access to the mosque, suppressed and forcibly evacuated them. Following dawn prayer, the army raided the al-Aqsa Mosque, forcibly removed all the worshipers, fired teargas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets at the worshipers, pushed and beat them with batons, and forcibly evacuated them from the mosque’s yards. Also, the army surrounded dozens of worshipers inside al-Qibli Mosque, closed its doors with chains, and fired teargas canisters at the worshipers. Afterwards, soldiers allowed the illegal Israeli settlers to move into the mosque and provided them with full protection. Omar al-Kiswani, Director of al-Aqsa Mosque, said that at least 1500 Israeli settlers, under army protection, raided al-Aqsa Mosque in morning and afternoon via al-Magharebah gate. Al-Kiswani clarified that for more than 9 hours, the army prevented Palestinian worshipers from entering the mosque, except for Islamic Endowment (Awqaf) staff and elderlies. Despite this, the Palestinian worshipers performed Dhuhr prayer at the gate leading to the mosque.
• At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, dozens of Yatta villagers along with Israeli activists organized a peaceful protest on Palestinians lands under the threat of confiscation, near “Ma’on “settlement in al-Tawana village, east of the city. The protestors raised Palestinian flags and chanted national slogans. After wards, a large number of soldiers arrived at the area, assaulted the Israeli activists and dispersed them. Also, the army fired teargas canisters at the protestors and detained a journalist from Wafa News Agency namely Mashour Hussain al-Wahwah, a journalist at Watan News Agency namely Sari ‘Abed al-Ghaffar Jaradat and an elderly man namely ‘Eif Yamen al-Hathaleen (72). All of them were later released.
• At approximately 21:00, a group of Palestinians gathered at Bab al-Zawiyia in central Hebron, where the army established a military checkpoint leading to al-Shuhada closed street. The Palestinians threw stones at the checkpoint, so the soldiers leave the checkpoint, stationed behind cement cubes and fired teargas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation. The clashes continued until 23:30, and no arrests were reported.
• On Friday, 23 July 2021, in excessive use of force, a soldier killed a Palestinian child during their incursion into Nabi Salih village, northwest of Ramallah. There was no justification for the use of fire, especially if there was no imminent danger or threat to the soldiers’ lives. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 17:00 on Friday, 23 July 2021, the army, backed by 5 military vehicles moved into Nabi Salih village, northwest of Ramallah, and stationed in the middle of the main street next to al-Khawaja Petrol Station. Afterwards, a group of Palestinians gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the army, who immediately fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors, and clashes broke out. At approximately 17:20, Mohammed Muneer al-Tamimi (16) approached the Israeli military vehicles stationed on the street and when he was right behind one of the vehicles to throw stones at the army, a soldier opened the back door of the vehicle and opened fire at al-Tamimi from a distance of one meter. As a result, al-Tamimi was shot with a live bullet that penetrated the left side of his thigh and waist; he attempted to walk few meters towards the protestors to help him, but he fell on the ground. The protestors took him via a private car to the Istishari Arab Hospital in al-Rihan Suburb in Ramallah, where he underwent a surgery for 5 consecutive hours due to his serious health condition, according to the doctors. At approximately 23:00 on the same day, medical sources at the hospital declared al-Tamimi succumbed to his injury.
• At approximately 13:15 on Friday, 23 July 2021, a group of Palestinians gathered in central of Beita village, southeast of Nablus, and then headed towards Sabeih Mount, south of the city, where settlers established “ Avitar“ settlement outpost few weeks ago. On protest to the outpost, Palestinians gathered on the western side of the mount and set fire to tires on a road leading to the mount. Soldiers indiscriminately opened fire at the protestors. After that, violent clashes erupted in the area, during which, the protestors threw stones at the army , who continued to fire live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. The clashes continued until 19:30 and resulted in the injury of 12 protestors. All of them were taken to Rafidia Hospital for treatment.
• At approximately 04:00 on Sunday, 25 July 2021, Israeli soldiers stationed near the annexation wall, near Zibda village’s bridge, southwest of Jenin, north of the West Bank, opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle carrying 3 Palestinian workers who were on their way to enter Israel for working. As a result, one of the workers was shot with a live bullet and then all of them were arrested. The arrestees are from Ya’bad village. They were identified as: the wounded ‘Abdullah Basem Abu Baker (19), Sha’lan Kiwan Abu Baker (20) and Adham Ibrahim Abu Irmilah (20). ‘Abdullah was taken to a hospital in Israel for treatment, while Sha’lan and Adham were taken to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 23:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural land on al-Karama Street, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired 2 missiles at the land. As a result, many trees were uprooted, but no casualties were reported.
• On Monday, 26 July 2021, medical sources at Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, declared that Yousef Nawaf Hussain Muhareb (22), from Abwein village, northwest of Ramallah, succumbed to wounds he sustained in May 2021, while participating in a peaceful protest which began in central Sinjil village, northeast of Ramallah, towards Sinjil village’s main entrance, where violent confrontations erupted between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protestors. According to PCHR’s investigations, on 14 May 2021, Muhareb was shot with a live bullet in his neck during confrontations which erupted at the main entrance to Sinjil village. Muhareb was taken to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, where his health condition was reported serious. Also, Muhareb underwent several surgeries in his neck and remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to medical sources, the bullet that penetrated his neck caused severe damage to his spinal cord, which led to his death.
• At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers suppressed a protest organized in solidarity with Sheikh Jarrah residents, who are under the threat of evacuation. Also, Israeli soldiers forced Sheikh Jarrah residents and other persons who stand in solidarity with them to vacate the sit-in tent after surrounding it. It should be noted that at approximately 10:00, soldiers raided the sit-in tent and hanged a demolition order on it at approximately 13:00. Accordingly, the residents called Palestinians who stand in solidarity with them and media to gather in the tent, protesting at the demolition order. Despite the closure imposed on the neighborhood, dozens of Palestinians flocked into the tent to protest against the demolition order. Protestors remained in the tent and chanted slogans supporting Sheikh Jarrah residents, especially that the court session on the eviction of 4 families from the neighborhood would be held in August 2021. At approximately 17:00, Israeli soldiers surrounded the tent, forced all Palestinians to evacuate and chased them towards the neighborhood main entrance. Also, soldiers prevented the neighborhood residents from exiting their house or standing in front of them.
• At approximately 22:15, soldiers moved into Nablus, north of the West Bank, to secure dozens of buses carrying Israeli settlers to Joseph’s tomb in eastern the city. During soldiers incursion into the city, violent clashes erupted in the eastern side of the city, during which, soldiers fired a barrage of sound bombs, teargas canisters and rubber bullets at the protestors. As a result, many of them suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.
• At approximately 04:00 on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, soldiers moved into Jenin, north of the West Bank, in order to conduct an arrest campaign. After that, a group of Palestinians gathered and threw stones at armored military vehicles. Soldiers immediately fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, Mo’tasem Nedal Mohammed ‘Arqawi (23) was shot with a live bullet in his foot and taken to Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital for treatment. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.
• At approximately 21:00, during night confusion activities organized against the establishment of “Avitar” settlement, clashes erupted between Palestinian young men and Israeli troops inSabeih Mount in Beita, southern Nablus renewed. During which, soldiers fired live bullets at the protestors. As a result, a 25-year-old male was shot with a live bullet in his left thigh and taken to Rafidia Hospital. After conducting medical examinations, he was referred to Nablus Specialized Hospital to complete the treatment. Moreover, the army chased the protestors, set up ambushes between olive trees and arrested two protestors namely Montaser Barakat Khader (24), from Beita village, and Mahmoud Eyad Mahmoud al-Kharouf (19), from Odala village.
• On the same day, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian civilian at the entrance to Beita village, claiming that he attempted to assault Israeli soldiers with an iron bar. According to PCHRs’s investigations, at approximately 22:50, the army stationed at the entrance to Beita village, southeast of Nablus, opened fire at Shadi Omar Lotfi Saleem (41), while he was returning from his workplace. As a result, Shadi was injured, and fell on the ground. Afterwards, IOF closed the village’s entrance and Hawarah Street. They brought an Israeli ambulance to take Shadi to a hospital. At approximately 23:30, Palestinian Liaison office informed the Palestinian Ministry of Health that Shadi succumbed to his wounds, and his corpse is still under custody. Also, IOF claimed- according to Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, that Israeli soldiers opened fire at Shadi after they saw him carrying an iron bar and heading towards them, and he did not obey their orders. IOF clarified that an investigation is opened into the incident.
• At approximately 20:05 on Wednesday, 28 July 2021, a Palestinian child died few hours after being shot with a live bullet in his chest by Israeli soldiers, who opened fire at a vehicle carrying him along with his father at the entrance to Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. The shooting at the vehicle was without any justification, especially considering that there was no imminent threat or danger to the soldiers’ lives. According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 15:00 on Wednesday, Moayad Bahjat Abu Sara (38) was returning to his house in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, along with his son Mohammed (12), who was sitting in the back seat of his father’s car. When Moayad’s car passed the village’s entrance, where Israeli soldiers established a military checkpoint, a number of soldiers present on Abu Touq sub-road intercepted them and fired several live bullets at the car without warning. The car stopped and a number of Palestinians quickly rushed to the area and took Moayad and his son namely Mohammed to a medical center in the village. Mohammed was bleeding after a live bullet penetrated his chest and caused a severe bleeding in his lung. Few hours later, Mohammed was referred to al-Ahli Hospital, where he was admitted to the operating room to stop the bleeding and then to the ICU. At approximately 20:05, doctors at the hospital declared that Mohammed succumbed to his wounds. In the meantime, Israeli soldiers, reinforced by military vehicles moved into Beit Ummar village, closed the main road, searched Palestinians’ vehicles and checked their IDs. After that, violent clashes erupted in the area, during which, Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters at the Palestinians. Israeli soldiers declared later that the police opened an investigation into the incident’s circumstances. Army spokesperson claimed that the initial investigation indicates that one of the soldiers opened fire at the car’s tires, claiming that the car previously involved in a suspicious incident.
II. Incursions and arrests
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Thursday, 15 July 2021:
• At approximately 01:40, the army moved into Asira ash-Shamaliya village, north of Nablus, and arrested Hamza Abdullah Yassine (27).
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Ahmed al-Sheikh’s (23) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 02:30, the army moved into Dayr Qadis village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Ahmed Naser (20) and Hesham Shawkat Naser (20). Later, IOF released Hesham.
• At approximately 03:00, the army moved into Wadi Chahine area in Bethlehem. They raided and searched Anas Ahmed al-‘Adam’s (29) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 08:00, the army moved into Abu Dis, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Osama Sa’eed Rabea’s (20) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 13:00, the army moved into al-Tur area in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Mousa Adnan al-Hirda’s (46) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 19:30, the army moved into ‘Anin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested a citizen along with his 4 sons. The arrestees are: Fawaz Mustafa Eissa (56), and his sons; Mohammed (30), Mo’ath (28), Muntaser (25), and Abdul Ghani (20).
• Israeli troops carried out (4) incursions in Yatta, Beit Ummar, and al-Burj villages in Hebron governorate, and Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. No arrests were reported.
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Friday, 16 July 2021:
• At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Ahmed al-Sheikh’s house and arrested him.
• At approximately 03:30, soldiers moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested 3 civilians including 2 brothers. The arrestees are: Jehad Mahmoud Hirzallah (18), his brother, Saqer (20), and Mohammed Waleed al-Taher (18).
• At approximately 04:00, soldiers moved into Shufa village in Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Zeyad Hamed (30), and his brother, Mo’in (31).
• At approximately 14:00, soldiers arrested Ibrahem Sameer Shatara and Ahmed Khalil Dweikat, both from Nablus, while getting out of the Aqsa Mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. IOF took them to one of the detention centers in the city.
• Around the same time, soldiers arrested Fahmi Mohammed al-Faroukh (16), while present in Bab al-Amud area in the occupied East Jerusalem, and took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
• Israeli soldiers carried out (2) incursions in Aqabat Jabr camp in Jericho and Baytillu village in Ramallah. No arrests were reported.
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Saturday, 17 July 2021:
• At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Bab Huta neighborhood, one of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s neighborhoods. They raided and searched Ahmed Adnan al-Tamimi’s (25) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers arrested Baker Mahmoud Abu Baker Oweis (23), from Ras al-Amud neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, after a group of settlers attacked him and destroyed his vehicle while present in al-Musrara neighborhood in the occupied City. When the army arrived to the area, severely beat and took Oweis to one of the detention centers in the city.
• At approximately 16:30, the army established a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance of Zububa village, west of Jenin, stopped the Palestinian vehicles and searched their ID cards. Before removing the checkpoint, the army arrested Emad Hasan Abu Zaytoun (44) from the above-mentioned city.
• At approximately 22:00, the army arrested Mohammed Abdul Qader Sarhan, from Dheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, while passing through a temporary military checkpoint near al-Nashash area, south of the city. The army took him to an unknown destination.
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Sunday, 18 July 2021:
• At approximately 01:00, the army moved into Dayr Ghasana village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched Majdi Shawqi al-Barghouthi’s (33) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 01:30, the army moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Radi Salah Taqatiqa (18) and Sanad Amjad Taqatiqa (18) and arrested them.
• At approximately 03:30, Israeli soldiers moved into Burqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Sa’eed Ali Qablawi (23), and his brother, Kaser (20).
• In the morning hours, Israeli soldiers stormed the Aqsa Mosque and arrested (26) civilians while present near and inside the mosque. They severely beat the arrestees and handed some of them orders to ban their entry to the Aqsa Mosque for extendable periods varying between a week to 2 weeks, then return to be interrogated after finishing these periods. PCHR keeps the names of the arrestees.
• At approximately 16:00, Israeli Intelligence Services arrested Malik Basem ‘Asala (19), after referring to al-Maskobiya investigation center in West Jerusalem.
• At approximately 21:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Adnan Mohammed Abu al-Hawa’s (19) house and arrested him.
• The army carried out (4) incursions in Ya’bad, Kufeirat and Zububa villages in Jenin governorate; and Kafr Ein villages near Ramallah. No arrests were reported.
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Monday, 19 July 2021:
• At approximately 01:15, the army moved into Iktaba in Tulkarm. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Sajed Ahmed Mousa Qasem (33).
• Around the same time, the army moved into Hable village, south of Qalqilya. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Nour al-Sharif Mershed Shahwan (22).
• At approximately 01:30, the army moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Ibrahim Belal Taha’s (15) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses and arrested Ahmed Mohammed Shaker Taqatiqa (22) and Ahmed Mahmoud Abu Rahma Taqatiqa (24), and arrested them.
• At approximately 02:20, soldiers moved into al-Bireh, and stationed on al-Khan street in al-Balou’ neighborhood. They raided and searched Fadi Abdul Dayem Karakra’s (40) house and arrested him. It should be noted that Karakra is a former prisoner.
• At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into al-Mouriq village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched Nidal Yousef Awawda’s (39) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 03:20, soldiers moved into Bayt Liqya village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched Najeeb Ahmed Mafarja’s (36) house and arrested him. It should be noted that Mafarja is a former prisoner.
• At approximately 03:30, soldiers moved into Jaba’ village, south of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ameen Khaled Hamamera (25), and Obaida Adel Hamamera (24).
• At approximately 04:15, the army moved into Bayt Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians. The arrestees are: Kareem Mohammed al-Rimawi (32), Tareq Sameh al-Rimawi (26), Mohammed Shafiq al-Rimawi (41), and Majdi Munir al-Rimawi (32).
• At approximately 05:00, soldiers moved into Thuri neighborhood, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Anas Shu’aib Samrin (17), Hamza Rabea’ Samrin (17), and Suhaib Mohammed Samrin (17).
• At approximately 11:00, soldiers moved into Beit Hanina, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched the house of the director of Aelia institution for development and volunteer, Ayman al-Sa’o, and arrested him. Soldiers took al-Sa’o to al-Maskobiya investigation center to be interrogated about the institution’s activities, especially the last summer camp entitled “Jerusalem Gathers Us”. Al-Sa’o was released on bail of (5,000) ILS and warned from conducting or participating in any national activities, especially those sponsored by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in Jerusalem.
• Around the same time, the army arrested Taghreed Mohammed Idris (34), from south of Hebron, after referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, on prior summons.
• At approximately 14:00, the army moved into ‘Anata village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohamed Jamal Salama’s (22) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 15:00, soldiers moved into Isawiya village, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Nadeem Mohammed al-Safadi’s (21) house and arrested him.
• Soldiers carried out (5) incursions in Ramallah, Ras Karkar, Dayr Ghasana, Tira and Birzeit villages in Ramallah. No arrests were reported.
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Tuesday, 20 July 2021:
• At approximately 09:45, Israeli soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles and bulldozers moved 100-meter from the border fence with Israel to al-Shawka village, east of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. They leveled and combed lands before they deployed again at approximately 11:00.
• At approximately 13:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Sur Baher village, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched the house of the prisoner Abd Dwayat (25), confiscated (2,500 NIS) from his family and handed them a decision to pay (20,000 USD and 3,000 NIS) under the pretext of receiving financial aids from the PNA.
It should be noted that Dwayat was sentenced to 18 years, as he was arrested in 2016 for throwing a stone at an Israeli settler causing his death. The Israeli court imposed a fine of 100,000 ILS, closed his family house, and confiscated his Jerusalemite identity card. IOF also took over his bank account. Several days ago, the Israeli authorities took over his mother’s bank account.
• At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Batin al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ameen al-Mohtaseb (25) and Mousa al-Tamimi (27) and arrested them.
• At approximately 20:00, IOF moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Omar ‘Amer Abu al-Hawa’s (18) house and arrested him.
• IOF carried out (7) incursions in Zububa, ‘Aba, Sanur, Arraba and Ya’bad in Jenin governorate; Halhul and Surif in Hebron. No arrests were reported.
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Wednesday, 21 July 2021:
• At approximately 03:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Marah Rabah village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Yazan Mohammed al-Sheikh’s (24) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 12:00, the army arrested Mohammed Eissa Abu Hlayil, from Dheisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem, while present near al-Makhrur area, northwest of Beit Jala. The army took him to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 15:15, the army reinforced with several military vehicles moved 50-meter from (16) military site, northeast of Beit Hanoun heading to Beit Hanoun crossing “Erez”, north of the city. The army leveled and combed lands amidst a sporadic Israeli shooting and deployed again inside the border fence with Israel at approximately 18:00. No casualties were reported.
• At approximately 20:00, the army arrested Ro’a Rweidi (16), while present at Bab al-Amud yard in the occupied East Jerusalem, severely beat Rweidi and took her to al-Bareed police center on Salah al-Dein street.
• The army carried out (7) incursions in Meithalun, Sanur, Al-Judeida and Siris villages southeast of Jenin; Aqraba, Burqa and Sarra villages in Nablus governorate. No arrests were reported.
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Thursday, 22 July 2021:
• At approximately 02:45, the army moved into Zububa village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mo’in Mohammed ‘Amour (20), and Raja As’ad Abu Qayyas (21).
• At approximately 19:00, Israeli soldiers arrested 3 children from al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and took them to one of the detention centers in the city. The arrestees are: Murad Abu al-Hawa (14), Mahmoud Abu al-Hawa (15) and Omar al-Sayad (14).
• At approximately 20:00, Israeli soldiers arrested Mohammed Belal Dawoud (29), from Qalqilya, while present in the Aqsa Mosque yards in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. IIsraeli soldiers took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
• At approximately 23:00, the army arrested (4) civilians from Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem, while present near the entrance of al-Walaja village, west of the city, and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Omar al-Akhras Thawabtah, Yousef Mohammed Thawabtah, and his brothers, Oday and Alaa.
• The army carried out an incursion in Deir Istiya village, north of Salfit. No arrests were reported.
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Friday, 23 July 2021:
• At approximately 01:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mohammed Waleed Mza’ro’s (21) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Majed Faisal Nazzal (26).
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Tamun, southeast of Tubas, They raided and searched several houses and arrested (4) civilians; Azmi Hussain Bani Owda (35), Murad Suliman Bani Owda (43), Ahmed Fayez Abu al-‘Ayed (21), and Wathiq Abdul Rahman Besharat (44).
• At approximately 14:00, the army arrested Wadea’ Mo’ayad Abu Baker (19), from Ya’bad village in Jenin governorate, after getting out of the Aqsa Mosque. IOF took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
• At approximately 18:00, the army arrested Mohammed Taher Jabarin (27), from Umm al-Fahm village, while present at the Aqsa Mosque yards in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
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Saturday, 24 July 2021:
• At approximately 18:00, soldiers arrested Mohammed Iqbal Semrin (30), from Beit Hanina village, north of the occupied East Jerusalem, while walking in Bab Huta neighborhood, one of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s neighborhoods. They took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
• At approximately 21:00, soldiers arrested Qutaiba Owda (41), from Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, while present near al-Mughrabi Gate “Dung Gate” in the occupied city. They took him to one of the detention centers in the city.
• At approximately 21:15, soldiers stationed at the annexation wall gate No. (104), adjacent to Tulkarm, arrested Tha’er Mansour Abdul ‘Aall (31), from Izbit al-Tayah in Tulkarm.
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Sunday, 25 July 2021:
• At approximately 02:00, soldiers moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Anwar Ahmed Thawabtah’s (37) house and arrested him along with his nephew, Ahmed Nabil Thawabtah (17).
• At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into al-Shalala street area in Hebron. They raided and searched Abdul Hadi Mahmoud Qawasmah’s (39) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 07:00, the army stationed at Tayasir military checkpoint, east of Tubas, arrested Ahmed Naser Daraghmah (23) and No’man Abdul Men’im Sawaftah (24), while passing through the checkpoint. They took them to unknown destinations.
• At approximately 09:00, the army moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Ameer al-Karaki’s (23) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 10:00, the army established a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance of Dayr Balut village, west of Salfit, and arrested Mohammed Khalil Srour and his brother, Abdullah, both fron Ni’lin, west of Ramallah.
• At approximately 15:00, the army arrested Radi Nabil Thawabtah (15), from Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, after referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of the city.
• The army carried out (3) incursions in Salfit, Hable and ‘Izbit Salman villages, south of Qalqilya. No arrests were reported.
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Monday, 26 July 2021:
• At approximately 01:00, the army moved into Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Fares As’ad Lolah (26).
• Around the same time, the army moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, north of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Tha’er Mahdi Abu Nijma’s (18) house and arrested him.
• Around the same time, the army moved into the southern side of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ra’fat Mohammed Ghaith (50) and Talab Mohammed al-‘Ajlouni (47), but no arrests were reported.
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into southeast of Tubas. They raided and searched Azmi Hussain Bani Owda’s (45) house and arrested him.
• Around the same time, the army moved into Sur Baher village, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Huthaifa Eyad Atwan’s (19) house and arrested him.
• Around the same time, Israeli Infantry Unit moved into Hebron’s Old City. They raided and searched Hafiz Abdul Hafeez Ghith’s (52) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 02:15, the army moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Mohammed Rashad Hamayil (23).
• At approximately 03:00, soldiers moved into Qabatiya, southeast of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Ahmed Bassam Abu al-Rab (22).
• Around the same time, soldiers moved into al-Ubeidiya village. They raided and searched Melad Mohammed Hasasna’s (25) house and arrested him.
• Around the same time, Israeli Infantry Unit moved into Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched several houses and handed Yousef Ahmed Manasra (40), Mubarak Alian Zeyadat (45), Eissa Jehad Tarayra (38), Jehad Dawoud Tarayra (42), and Hamad Ali Manasra (36) summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
• Around the same time, soldiers moved into Surif, west of Hebron. They raided and searched Ma’rouf Waheed Abu Fara’s (43) house, but no arrests were reported.
• At approximately 08:45, soldiers reinforced with several military vehicles moved 100-meters to the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They leveled and combed lands adjacent to the border fence with Israel and deployed again after several hours.
• At approximately 12:00, soldiers stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested Tareq Fareed Ali Hasan (24), from Qusra village, southeast of Nablus. IOF took him to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 12:15, soldiers established a temporary military checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nabi Elias village, east of Qalqilya, and arrested Yazan Belal Redwan (27), from Azzun village, east of Qalqilya.
• At approximately 17:00, soldiers arrested ‘Asef Maher Thawabtah (20), from Bait Fajjar villages, south of Bethlehem, after referring to the Israeli Intelligence Services in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.
• At approximately 21:00, the army stationed at al-Container military checkpoint, east of Bethlehem, arrested As’ad Mahmoud Abu ‘Ahour (20), from al-Saf street in Bethlehem, while passing through the checkpoint. The army took him to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 22:00, the army moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Zeid Ni’man al-‘Abbasi’s (23) house and arrested him.
• Around the same time, the army moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Hatem Aqel’s (21) house and arrested him.
• The army carried out an incursion in Usarin village, southeast of Nablus. No arrests were reported.
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Tuesday, 27 July 2021:
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Beit Fajjar village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Ahmed Saleh Thawabtah (28) and Jalal Hani Deiriyah (32) and arrested them.
• Around the same time, the army moved into Hebron. They raided and searched Akram Mohammed Ishkheidem’s (44) house, but no arrests were reported.
• At approximately 04:00, the army moved onto Jenin-Haifa street, west of Jenin. They stormed several houses, searched, and damaged their contents, and arrested Emad Ahmed Saba’na (25), and Abdul Kareem Jamal Abu Na’sa (30).
• At approximately 12:00, Israeli soldiers moved into a park in al-Sweitat neighborhood, east of Jenin, and arrested Sedqi Mohammed Bazour (22), while working in the park.
• At approximately 15:00, Israeli soldiers moved into the industrial area of Jenin, and arrested Mo’taz Mustafa al-Badawi (23) from a car mechanical shop. They took him to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 23:00, Israeli soldiers arrested Mohammed Abdullah al-Namoura (22), from al-Majur village, south of Dura, after stopping him while driving through Kharsa village road. IOF claimed that he threw stones at a military watch tower established in the area. They took him to an unknown destination.
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Wednesday, 28 July 2021:
• At approximately 00:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Wadi Hilwa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Obada Bassam Syam’s (21) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 01:00, Israeli soldiers moved into al-Ta’amra area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched Mohammed al-Wahsh’s house and arrested their sons; Hussain (23), and Bahaa (29).
• At approximately 02:00, Israeli soldiers moved into al-Saf street in Bethlehem. They raided and searched Husam Ibrahim Obaidallah’s (49) house and arrested him along with his son, Ibrahim (19).
• At approximately 02:00, the army moved into Qusra village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Abdul Majeed Naser Hasan (21). They took him to an unknown destination.
• At approximately 03:00, Israeli soldiers moved into Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Izz al-Dein Mwafaq Abdullah (21) and Abdullah Saqer (32) and arrested them.
• Around the same time, Israeli soldiers moved into Jenin refugee camp, west of Jenin. They raided and searched several houses and arrested (3) civilians and took them to unknown destinations. The arrestees are: Mazen Abdul Latif al-Sa’di (48), his son, Aws (20), and Abdul Salam Jamal Abu al-Hija (33).
• At approximately 03:30, Israeli soldiers moved into Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched Tamim Mohammed Srour’s (16) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 04:10, the army moved into Beitunia, north of Ramallah. They raided and searched Ahmed Nabil Sneif’s (24) house and arrested him.
• At approximately 11:00, the army moved into Dayr Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched 3 houses and handed Asad Ra’ed Zaghloul, Mohammed Ibrahim Mansi and Oday Nayef Hasan summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.
• Around the same time, Israeli Infantry Unit stormed ‘Aref Jaber’s (47) house in Jaber neighborhood in Hebron’s Old City. They searched the house and arrested his sons; Mohammed (21) and Baraa’ (19) and took them to an investigation center in Kiryat Arba’ settlement, east of Hebron.
• The army carried out (3) incursions in Yatta and Nuba in Hebron; and Dura el-Kari’a, north of Ramallah. No arrests were reported.
III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank
a. Demolitions, Confiscations, and Notices
• At approximately 10:00 on Thursday, 15 July 2021, the army accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration SUV and a bulldozer moved into Beit Dajan village in the central Jordan Valleys, southeast of Nablus. The Bulldozer promptly destroyed a mineral pool of 500 liters established by the village council and funded by the Hydrology Group. The pool, which was supplying water to the agricultural lands in the village, was demolished under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.
• On Thursday morning, the army demolished the oldest and largest Canaanite cemetery in Palestine during their settlement activities in southern Bethlehem.
Director of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission in Bethlehem, Hasan Breijiyeh, said that the Israeli vehicles levelled the cemetery while expanding the Bypass Road (60), which connects Jerusalem with Hebron. Breijiyeh added that the cemetery is on an area of 4 dunums in Khelet Um al-‘Asafir, south of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem, and the authorities started the settlement expansion works few months ago that would swallow thousands of dunums from Bethlehem and Hebron. Meanwhile the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stated that the Israeli authorities demolished many cemeteries and archeological sites in Khelet Um al-‘Asafir area in al-Khader village. They also levelled an area planted with grapevines and olive trees while establishing and expanding the settlement road between Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron. The Ministry added that this area includes dozens of cemeteries belonging to the Early Bronze Age IV and Middle Bronze Age (2300 to 1550 BC), noting that all of those ministries were demolished and their contents were seized.
• At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 19 July 2021, the army backed by a military vehicle and accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle moved into Kherbet Beeren, southeast of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer forced Akram Abu Sneinah to stop working his land, which he started plowing, under the pretext that it is located in Area C. IOF confiscated a bulldozer belonging to Nader ‘Arafat al-Rajabi in the land.
• At approximately 15:40 on Saturday, 24 July 2021, the army backed by a military vehicle and accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle moved into al-Teebah area, east of Tarqumiyah village, northwest of Hebron. Soldiers detained Mohammed Kamal Ja’afrah (50) and his 24-year-old son, Usamah, while working in their land under the pretext that it is archaeological area as claimed by the Civil Administration officer. Around half an hour later, IOF forced Ja’afrah to load a concrete mixer and ton and a half of cement in his truck and went with the military SUV to the military checkpoint established at the Hebron’s western entrance, where the vehicle was confiscated while Ja’afrah and his son were released without handing them a warrant of the confiscated items.
• On Saturday morning, 24 July 2021, Naser Ahmed Ramadan self-demolished a structure added to his house in al-Jabal area in Beit Safafa village, south of occupied East Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Naser Ramadan said that he built a room and a balcony in his house in 2011 to be able to live with his family of 5, including 3 children, as the house was very narrow. Ramadan added that he submitted to the municipality in order to license the 45 meters additional to the house area, but his request was rejected and decision to demolish the additional part was issued. He also said that all over the last years, his lawyer could postpone the decision, but the court issued an administrative decision 3 months ago. Ramadan said that IOF raided his house last Thursday and notified him of the self-demolition decision or the Municipality will send its crews and vehicles to carry out the demolition and impose on him a heavy fine.
• On Sunday, 25 July 2021, Khalil Shqeirat self-demolished his house in al-Sal’ah neighborhood in Jabal Mukaber villager, southeast of occupied East Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli Municipality’s decision under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Khalil Shqeirat said that he built a new house for his son ‘Ali and his wife 8 months ago. The house was a second floor of 70 square meters. Shqeirat said that the municipality raided the house a month ago and handed him an administrative decision to demolish the house. He was notified that it was an instant demolition decision, which cannot be postponed or frozen. Shqeirat added that the Israeli police called him on that day and notified him if he would not self-demolish his house before 5:00 pm, they will send the vehicles and crews to carry out the demolition and impose on him a fine of ILS 80,000. Shqeirat said that the family house is also under threat of demolition as he has been trying for 30 years to obtain a construction license, but the area is not regulated and the municipality requires presence of 50 dunums for the regulation to start the licensing procedures. He added that this is the third facility IOF demolish for him as 2 other facilities were previously demolished in Jabla Mukaber and in al-Sheikh al-Shayah 3 years ago.
• At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 26 July 2021, IOF backed by military vehicles and accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle and mounted crane truck moved into Kherbet al-Seemya, west of As- Samu village, south of Hebron. IOF deployed in the area while the Civil Administration officers confiscated cables brought by AS-Samu municipality to boost the electricity network supplying al-Kherbah residents. They also seized an excavator and the musicality crew handed a warrant of the confiscated items. The confiscated allegedly came under the pretext of working in an archeological area.
• On Tuesday, 27 July 2021, Mohammed Amin Abu al-Hawa self-demolished his apartment in At-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli municipality’s decision under the pretext of unlicensed construction.
Abu al-Hawa started 2 years ago building 2 residential apartments so that his 2 sons live in it after getting married. He finished the ground apartment but the other on the second floor was still under construction. Abu al-Hawa said that IOF raided the two apartments a week ago and notified him of the demolition, giving him until 01 August to demolish them. Abu al-Hawa added that he resorted to the court, which issued a decision to freeze the decision to demolish the finished apartment and to emphasize the demolition of the other apartment. He added that he was forced to self-demolish the apartment fearing that he would lose the finished apartment especially that his son is getting married in September and to avoid paying the heavy fines imposed by the Israeli Municipality in case its crews carried out the demolition. Abu al-Hawa said that the apartment he and his family demolished was 100 square meters and they took the trouble to build it and then suffer to demolish it, especially that the vehicles cannot reach the area, forcing him to carry out the demolish with hand tools.
• At approximately 10:00 on Wednesday, 28 July 2021, the Israeli municipality vehicles levelled a plot of land belonging to Ahmed Abu Sbeitan in al-Hardoub area in At-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem.
The land’s owner said that he was surprised with IOF and their vehicles raiding his land and razed it 2 weeks ago. They fixed a notice to demolish 2 rooms and remove the tinplate surrounding the land. He added that he self-demolished the 2 rooms fearing that the municipality’s crews will do so and imposed on him heavy fines, but the municipality raided the land next morning and completely razed it.
• At approximately 12:30, the Israeli municipality’s vehicles demolished a stable and the surrounding fence belonging to Sedqi ‘Emad al-Za’atari in At-Tur neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. Al-Zatari family said that they were surprised with the demolition as they had not received any prior demolition notices for their 200-sqm stable.
• At approximately 22:00, IOF backed by military vehicles and a Civil Administration vehicle moved into Khelet al-Dabe’a area, east of Yatta, south of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer handed Jaber Mohammed Dabasah (37) a military notice to demolish an under-construction well of 70cbms under the pretext of construction works without a prior permission. The notice gave Dabsah 96 hours to submit a challenge to the competent authorities in Beit El settlement.
b. Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property
• At approximately 20:00 on Friday, 16 July 2021, a group of settlers from “Yitzhar” settlement established on the southeastern lands of Nablus assaulted a house belonging to Ibrahim ‘Adel ‘Eid to the east of Burin village and threw stones at it. No casualties were reported.
• At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 22 July 2021, a group of settlers from “Yitzhar” settlement established on the southeastern lands of Nablus assaulted al-Aman carpentry workshop in eastern Huwara village and set fire to tools belonging to ‘Abdullah Damdi. The fire caught large parts of the equipment in the workshop while the settlers fled away.
• On Friday morning, 23 July 2021, a group of settlers from “Esh Kodesh” settlement established on the lands of Qusra and Jalud villages, southeast of Nablus, assaulted the agricultural lands in Ras al-Nakhil area, southeast of Qusra village. The settlers uprooted 25 olive seedlings planted 2 to 5 years ago and cut a metal fence as well as damaging a water pool in a plot of land belonging to Lafi Mahmoud ‘Eid Ziyad Hamel from Jerusalem.
• At approximately 14:30 on Saturday, 24 July 2021, a group of settlers from “Havat Ma’on” settlement outpost established on lands confiscated from eastern Yatta, south of Hebron, threw stones at house in Tuwani village near the settlement outpost and insulted the residents. As a result, Mefdi Mohammed Reb’ie (40) was hit with a stone in his head and taken to a clinic in Yatta. IOF arrived and deployed in the area, securing settlers on their way out to the outpost.
