PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR): Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Summary for July 29 – August 4, 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.

Army shooting and violation of right to bodily integrity:

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 7 others in the West Bank. On 29 July 2021, Shawkat K. A. Za’aqeeq (21) died few hours after the army shooting wounded him, along with 5 other civilians, during the funeral of a child killed by Israeli forces in a previous day in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, south of the West Bank. This crime is another stark example of army murders against Palestinians due to its excessive use of force. Two other Palestinians sustained wounds, one deemed in critical condition, during an army raid into Jenin. Dozens suffocated due to tear gas inhalation, fired by the army in its attacks in the West Bank.

Army incursions and arrests of Palestinian civilians:

Israeli forces carried out 129 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, 48 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 children and a woman. This week witnessed an escalation in army attacks against Palestinian civil society organizations in the oPt, as the army raided 3 CSOs and confiscated items: Bisan Centre for Research and Development and Defense for Children International (DCI) in Ramallah, where Israeli forces broke doors, searched and damaged contents; and al-Bustan Association in Jerusalem where Israeli forces confiscated items and arrested its Director, Qutaiba Owda (30). Owda remains in Israeli custody as of issuing this report.

In the Gaza Strip, the army arrested 2 fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat while at sea off Gaza’s northern shore. This incident is yet another example of recurrent army attacks on Palestinian fishermen, denying them the right to work freely and access to populated fishing area. Israeli forces also conducted a limited incursions into eastern Khan Younis.

Demolitions:

PCHR fieldworkers documented 6 violations:

• Northern Jordan valleys: 4 Palestinians delivered demolition notices for their homes; tractor confiscated; 3 houses destroyed along with sheep barns and water tanks. The army confiscated solar panels (belonging to 3 families), a power generator, and private vehicles (belonging to 2 families). Israeli forces demolished 3 dwellings in central Jordan valleys.

• Occupied East Jerusalem: 3 brothers forced to self-demolish their apartments (3) in al-Tor neighborhood; 16 shops destroyed and a fence near Hizma military checkpoint.

• Nablus: agricultural room destroyed in Sebastia.

Settler-attacks:

PCHR fieldworkers reported and documented one settler attack from “Har Brakha” settlement, southeastern Nablus, on Burin village, during the attack settlers cut with chainsaws 6 telecom pillars connected to civilian houses.

Israeli closure policy and restrictions on freedom of movement:

This week, Israeli occupation authorities announced a series of relief measures for Gaza, including expanding the fishing area from 6 to 12 nautical miles, allowing the entry of equipment and goods for projects sponsored by the international community in the Gaza Strip in the food, medicine, and fishing sectors.

However, occupation authorities continue to ban the entry of dozens of goods, including construction materials, and to impose collective punishment measures against the Gaza Strip, by tightening its closure, which entered its 15th year without an end in sight, denying Palestinians from enjoying their full economic, social, and cultural rights.

Meanwhile, Israeli 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 19:00 on Thursday, 29 July 2021, in excessive use of force, a Palestinian civilian died few hours after his injury by Israeli forces along with 5 other civilians during the funeral of a child killed by the army in a previous day in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron, south of the West Bank.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 13:00 on Thursday, the funeral of Mohammed Moayad Bahjat Shehda Abu Sarah (12), who was killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday when the latter opened fire at his father’s car at the village entrance, started from the central of Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. When the mourners arrived at the intersection leading to the cemetery, a large number of soldiers were deployed in the area and closed the street with military vehicles. Also, Israeli forces fired teargas canisters at the mourners, so they were forced to flee towards the cemetery through a sub-road. A large number of villages remained on the street and threw stones at the army. At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces fired 2 live bullets from a distance of 70 meters at Shawkat Khaled ‘Abdullah Za’aqeeq (21); the first bullet penetrated his upper right abdomen, so he fell to the ground, while the second bullet penetrated his head during his attempt to get up off the ground. A number of Palestinian young men managed to reach Za’aqeeq and took him to a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance that transferred him to al-Mizan Specialized Hospital, where he underwent a surgery to stop the bleeding. At approximately 19:00, doctors announced Za’aqeeq dead succumbing to his wounds. During the clashes, which continued until 16:00, 5 civilians were shot with live and rubber bullets and taken to hospitals for treatment. It should be noted that during the clashes, Israeli forces used a skunk carrying vehicle and flooded shops with wastewater. Israeli forces continued to station at the village’s entrance, which was closed until night hours.

• At approximately 18:00 on Saturday, Israeli forces suppressed a peaceful sit-in called by families who are under the threat of evacuating their houses in favor of settlement associations in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, north of occupied East Jerusalem. PCHR’s fieldworker said that in the morning, a large number of soldiers were deployed at the neighborhood’s entrances. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces surrounded the neighborhood, patrolled its intersections, and closed them with iron barriers. They also banned all Palestinians, including journalists and paramedics, from entering the neighborhood and checked their IDs.

Moreover, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinians who organized a sit-in in a tent in the neighborhood, beat them with batons, forcibly vacated the tent, chased the protestors on the neighborhood’s streets, and pumped wastewater at them to disperse them. IOF also intentionally pumped wastewater at press crews and their equipment. Furthermore, Israeli forces arrested Mohammed ‘Odah (16) after beating and pushing him.

It should be noted that a few days ago, Sheikh Jarrah families invited activists and media to gather and participate in the sit-in that was organized in front of the houses threatened with eviction, to support them emphasizing the importance of popular support for their cause, as the Supreme Court session on the displacement of 4 families from the neighborhood approaches. The families threatened of displacement from Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood are: al-Kurd, Iskafi, al-Qasem and al-Ja’ouni. It should be mentioned that the Israeli Central Court had previously ratified the displacement decision.

• At approximately 22:30 on Monday, 02 August 2021, Israeli forces moved into Jenin-Hifa Street, west of Jenin, and fired teargas canisters at a wedding of Jamal Mohammed Tahayina, which was organized in al-Omara Hall, at the entrance to Silat al-Harithiya village. As a result, many persons suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot. Also, the wedding was canceled due to the army assault.

• At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 03 August 2021, Israeli forces moved into Jenin to conduct an arrest campaign. During which, a number of Palestinians gathered and threw stones at military vehicles. Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and teargas canisters at the protestors. As a result, two protestors were injured with live bullets; one of them deemed serious and received treatment at Dr. Khalil Suliman Hospital. Also, many protestors suffocated due to teargas inhalation and received treatment on the spot.

II. Incursions and arrests

Thursday, 29 July 2021:

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Dura, southwest of Hebron governorate. They raided and searched 2 houses and arrested 2 civilians: Nour Khaled Horoub (23), and Mo’taz Mohammed Horoub (21).

• At approximately 02:35, Israeli forces moved into Tell villages, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched Ibrahim Mostafa ‘Abed’s (25) house and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces stormed the head office of Bisan Centre for Research and Development in al-Nahdah Building in al-Masyoun neighborhood in Ramallah. They searched the Center’s offices, ransacked its contents, and seized 2 computers.

The Centre’s Director, Obay al-Aboudi, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the army banged down the Centre’s main door with a tool specifically for demolition and broke the glass of 3 interior doors. They thoroughly searched all the Centre’s lockers and seized 2 computers: a laptop and a computer set.

It should be noted that Bisan Center for Research and Development is a civil institution progressive democratic and non-profit working to enhance the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.

• At approximately 05:00, Israeli forces raided the headquarter of Defense for Children International (DCI), located on the first floor of al-Sirtawi building in Sateh Marhaba neighborhood, east of al-Bireh. Israeli forces damaged the main door and searched the contents of the office and confiscated 6 computers and some folders.

According to information obtained by PCHR from ‘Amer Qteish, Director of the Accountability Program at DCI- Palestine, Israeli forces banged down the office door and stayed there for an hour and a half and then withdrew, firing teargas canister all their way out of the building.

• In the early morning hours, Israeli forces arrested 2 fishermen and confiscated a fishing boat sailing off Gaza northern shore, as part of the Israeli harassment against Palestinian fishermen to prevent them from sailing and fishing freely in areas where fish breed.

According to PCHR’s investigations, at approximately 06:00, Israeli gunboats stationed offshore, adjacent to al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing at 3 nautical miles, and heavily opened fire around them. They surrounded a fishing boat belonging to Mohammed Abdul Razik Baker (50), from western Gaza Strip, arrested him along with his son, Mohammed (18), confiscated their fishing boat and took them to unknown destinations. At approximately 12:00, Baker and his son were released and their fishing boat was returned.

• At approximately 19:30, Israeli forces raided and searched Ma’rouf Ahmed al-Atrash’s (19) house in Beit Jala, west of Bethlehem governorate, and arrested him.

• Israeli forces carried out (5) incursions in Sa’ir, Aroub refugee camp and al-Tabqa villages in Hebron; Sebastia and al-Nassariya villages in Nablus governorate. No arrests were reported.

Friday, 30 July 2021

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces raided and searched Mahmoud Mohammed Salah’s (27) house in al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem governorate, and arrested him.

• At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces arrested Eissa Mohammed al-Herimi (22), from Hindaza area in Bethlehem governorate, while present in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces raided and searched Hasan Tareq Ghannam’s (22) house in ‘Aqqaba village, west of Tubas, and arrested him.

• Israeli forces carried out (5) incursions in al-Shuyukh village and al-Fawwar refugee camp in Hebron; Ya’bad, Arraba and Jaba’ in Jenin governorate. No arrests were reported.

Saturday, 31 July 2021:

• At approximately 00:10, Israeli forces arrested Belal Khaled Kmeil (28), while passing through a military checkpoint established at the entrance of Misilyah village, southeast of Jenin.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces raided and searched Ahmed Sharif Zeidat’s (35) house in Bani Naim village, east of Hebron, and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces raided and searched 2 houses in Hebron’s Old City and arrested Hamad Jameel al-Ja’bari (21), and Abdul Baset Hazem al-Ja’bari (33).

• Israeli forces carried out (2) incursions in Idhna and al-Shuyukh villages in Hebron. No arrests were reported.

Sunday, 01 August 2021

• At approximately 10:00, Ayham Adnan al-Sha’er (15), from al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, surrendered himself to the Israeli prisons to serve his sentence of 6 months. It should be noted that Israeli forces arrested Ayham last year and then he was released on conditions of the house arrest.

• At approximately 23:00, Israeli Intelligence Services summonsed Dawoud Mahmoud Abu al-Hawa (19) and Sufian Firas Abu al-Hawa (18), for investigation in Kishle center in West Jerusalem, after storming their houses in al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

Monday, 02 August 2021:

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces raided and searched 2 houses in Jaba’ village, south of Jenin, and arrested Malik Yaser Fashafisha (23), and Emad Ahmed Shaqiqat (22).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces raided and searched Mohammed Ali Mohsen’s (23) house in Abu Dis, east of the occupied East Jerusalem, and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:50, Israeli forces raided and searched Jad Essam Nafea’s (20) house in Ni’lin, west of Ramallah, and arrested him.

• At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces raided and searched 3 houses in Beita, southeast of Nablus, and arrested 3 civilians. The arrestees are: Jehad Ahmed Dweikat (30), Karam Mohammed Dawoud (21), and Sa’eed Zuhair Dawoud (20).

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces raided and searched Adnan Mohammed al-Yasini’s (21) house in Ras al-Amud neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, and arrested him.

• At approximately 08:30, Israeli forces reinforced with several military vehicles moved 100-meters to the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Younis. They leveled and combed lands adjacent to the border fence with Israel for hours before they deployed again.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Shu’afat refugee camp, northeast of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Yousef al-Joulani (19) and Isma’el al-Joulani (22) and arrested them.

• At approximately 18:45, Israeli forces moved into Qaffin village, north of Tulkarem. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Fayez Waleed Sabbah (24) and Ahmed Fathi To’ma (26) and arrested them.

• At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Sheikh Jarrah village, north of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and arrested 3 civilians: Ghaith Ghosha (21), Islam Ghteit (21), and Suhaib Syam (23).

• Around the same time, Israeli forces stationed at Mevo Dotan military checkpoint, southwest of Jenin, arrested Mohammed Shaher Obaid (30), from Anze village. Israeli forces took him to an unknown destination.

• At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Yamun village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Jamil Ali Khamaysa (55), and his son, Mo’taz (20), and arrested them.

• Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in Salem, Rujeib and Udala villages in Nablus governorate. No arrests were reported.

Tuesday, 03 August 2021

• At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into in Ras al-Amud neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Tala Younis al-Ghoul’s (19) house and arrested her.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Hebron’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Fadi Mohammed al-Karaki (22) and Mo’taz Ali Obaido (24) and arrested them.

• Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Baten al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Monthir Mahmoud Jamjoum’s (21) house and arrested him.

• At approximately 09:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Tur neighborhood, east of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched Mahmoud Khaled Abu al-So’oud’s (24) house and handed him a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Services.

• At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem. They raided and searched al-Bustan Association headquarter, arrested its director, Qutaiba Owda (30), and took him to a police center on Salah al-Dein street in Jerusalem.

Amany Owda, vice-president of the association, said that Israeli forces stormed al-Bustan Association office in al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan, forced them to vacate the office, and started searching and damaging the office contents. She added that IOF confiscated files, documents and computers, and arrested Qutaiba Owda, whose arrest was extended to be presented before the Magistrate Court on the next day, where the court refused to release him and extended his arrest to several more days.

• Israeli forces carried out (2) incursions in Dura and Fawwar refugee camp in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

Wednesday, 04 August 2021:

• At approximately 01:00,Israeli forces moved into the eastern side of Hebron’s Old City. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Mustafa Hamed al-‘Ajlouni and Hamed Awni Idris (23).

• At approximately 01:40, Israeli forces moved into Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched 3 houses belonging to Izz al-Dein Ahmed al-Shalalida (25), Hammam Yousef Shalalida (30), and Mohammed Diab al-Tarda (32), and arrested them.

• At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched Maher Ahmed Zaytoun’s (16) house and arrested him.

• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. They raided and searched Wa’el Shaker Mashah’s house and arrested his sons; Jameel (22), and Eyad (24).

• At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Wad Abu al-Samn area, south of Hebron. They raided and searched 2 houses belonging to Hussain Hasan Abu Hussain (33), and his brother, Mohammed (33), and arrested them.

• At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into Silwan, south of the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City. They raided and searched several houses and arrested Islam Mas’oud Zaytoun (13), and Sinan Ibrahim Awwad (19).

• Israeli forces carried out (3) incursions in al-Dhahiriya, al-Karmel village in Yatta, and Bayt Ula in Hebron governorate. No arrests were reported.

III. Settlement Expansion and settler violence in the West Bank
a. Demolitions, Confiscations, and Notices

• At approximately 06:50 on Thursday, 29 July 2021, IOF accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration SUV moved into ‘Ein al-Helweh area in Northern Jordan Valleys. The Civil Administration officer handed notices to 4 farmers in order to demolish their dwellings under the pretext of its illegal construction in Area C. Those farmers were identified as ‘Adel Mohammed ‘Awad ‘Alian, Soliman Mohammed Ka’abnah; Hamad ‘Alian ‘Awwad and Fatmah Nassar Soiman Ka’abnah. Israeli forces also confiscated a tractor belonging to Jamil Soliman Mefdi Bani ‘Odah in the nearby Kherbet Ras al-Ahmar.

• In the morning, Suhaib and Firas Ahmed al-Dejani self-demolished their houses in Khelet al-‘Ein area in al-Tour neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, pursuant to the Israeli Finance and Interior Ministries’ decision under the pretext of unlicensed construction.

The 2 brothers said to PCHR’s fieldworker they started building a second floor of 200 square meters divided into 3 small apartments, which were finished and fully furnished 4 months ago. The brothers added that they and their families of 14 members, including 6 children, lived in the 3 apartments, which cost around ILS 700,000, (around $200,000). They added that the Israeli Municipality has haunted them and issued a demolition decision for the apartments although Khelet al-‘Ein area has an organized lands project. Thus, they hired a lawyer to freeze the demolition decision and start the license procedures, but the Ministry of Finance and Interior insisted on the demolition decision. As a result, the Israeli police daily raided the houses lately, threatening them to evacuate and demolish their houses as well as giving them until Sunday to carry out the demolition or the municipality will send their crews to do so and impose on them heavy fines. The brothers said that they did not have money to pay the fines, especially that they borrowed thousands of shekels to finish their apartments.

• At approximately 02:30 on Wednesday, 04 August 2021, the Israeli municipalities accompanied with 500 Israeli officers, 4 excavators and 2 bulldozers moved into the main road near Hizma military checkpoint, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem and demolished 16 shops in the area in addition to a house fence.

Member of Hizma Municipal administrative committee, ‘Abdulah Salah al-Deen, said that demolition continued for 8 hours; during which 13 shops belonging to ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Shehadah al-Khatib and that support 150 individuals. The shops were auto repair and car accessories, a carwash, grocery shop, a tile shop and a lathe workshop in addition to garages. Salah al-Deen said that IOF razed a 1-dunam land belonging to Ahmed Shehadah al-Khatib, which included a shop for construction tools that cost around 300,000 ILS, demolished the shop. Israeli forces also demolished 2 shops belonging to Salem Abu Markhiyeh for tires. They also demolished a house fence belonging to Noha al-Khatib after raiding the house and terrified the children.

The shops’ owners said that that their shops were built of cement and bricks 14 years ago and since then the Israeli municipality crews had raided and threatened of demolishing their shops as well as imposing fines under the pretext of unlicensed construction, claiming that the land on which the shops were built is within the Jerusalem Municipal boundaries. The owners added that over the past few years, they have paid exorbitant sums to lawyers in order to abolish the demolition decision, but IOF raided their shops at 15:00 the day before and gave them 5 hours to self-demolish their shops. However, they could not vacate their shops that require days to be emptied. They were surprised in the dawn with the army invasion into the area and starting the demolition while the contents were inside, inflicting huge financial losses.

• The lawyer of the shops’ owners, Medhat Deebah, said that the Israeli District Court abolished 2 months ago a petition filed by the Ragabim Settlement Organization to demolish 16 facilities in Hizma. However, the Israeli Government issued on Thursday afternoon a demolition decision to be implemented within 8 hours despite the closure of the Israeli courts due to the judicial leave, making it not possible to take any procedure that would stop the governmental decision. Deebah said that the governmental decision at this time proves the Israeli Government’s compliance with the settlement organizations’ plans, seeking to deprive the Palestinians of their property and lands.

• At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces accompanied with 3 bulldozers and an Israeli Civil Administration SUV moved into Kherbet Bzeiq in the Northern Jordan Valleys. Immediately, the bulldozers demolished dwellings belonging to 3 families, sheep barns and water tanks and confiscated the solar cells belonging to 5 families and a generator in addition to private cars to other families.

1. Nael ‘Ali Khalil al-Hroub – 2 residential tents demolished and confiscated; 3 sheep barn tents demolished and confiscated (each tent is 60 sqms); A 200-sqm sheep barn; A Solar Cell’s 4 batteries and an invertor; A water tank
2. Hayel Hussein Mahmoud Turkman – 2 residential tents demolished and confiscated; 4 sheep barn tents demolished and confiscated (each tent is 60 sqms); A 350-sqm sheep barn; Generator; Solar panels confiscated; A water tank; A Mitsubishi Magnum vehicle
3. Mohammed Methqal Daraghmah – 2 residential tents demolished and confiscated; 2 sheep barn tents demolished and confiscated (each tent is 60 sqms); A tent used as a kitchen demolished and confiscated; Fodders storage tent confiscated and demolished; 1 solar cell confiscated; A 200sqm open barn; A water tank
4. ‘Adel Nasarllah al-Hroub – 1 solar cell confiscated
5. Mustafa ‘Ali Nasrallah al-Hroub – 1 solar cell confiscated
6. Nemer Mousa Nasrallah al-Hroub – 1 solar cell confiscated
7. ‘Aziz Khalil Nawaj’ah – 1 private car confiscated

• At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces accompanied with a bulldozer and an Israeli Civil Administration SUV moved into the archeological area in western Sebasitia village, northwest of Nablus. Immediately, the bulldozer demolished an agricultural room built of bricks and asbestos on an area of 30sqms in addition to a gate and am iron fence surrounding the land belonging to ‘Abdel ‘Aziz Ra’eq al-Nabulso from Nablus. This is the third time that this room has been demolished in two years under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.

• At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces accompanied with an Israeli Civil Administration SUV moved into Kherbet Thera’a ‘Awwad near Furush Beit Dajan village, north of al-Hamra checkpoint in the central valleys in the northern West Bank. The bulldozers immediately demolished 3 rooms (between 30 and 40 sqms) belonging to ‘Adnan ‘Abdel Mahdi Ghayyad al-Salamin and his sons, ‘Abdel Karim and ‘Abdel Mahdi. The demolition was under the pretext of illegal construction in Area C.

b. Settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property

• On Friday morning, 30 July 2021, a group of illegal Israeli settlers from “Har Brakha” settlement, east of Burin village, southeast of Nablus, assaulted the southeastern outskirts of Burin village and cut with automatic saws 6 communication poles connected to the houses. They then fled away to their settlement.