Israeli forces have continued with systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) for the reporting period of 05 – 11 February 2015.Israeli attacks in the West Bank & Gaza:
Shootings:
During the reporting period, a Palestinian disabled died of wounds he had sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, while a farmer was wounded and arrested at the eastern border in the central Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israeli forces wounded 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, in the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continued to chase and fire at Palestinian fishing boats.
In the West Bank, on 05 February 2015, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Ya’bad village, southwest of Jenin.
In the same context, Israeli forces continued to use excessive forces against peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Israeli soldiers and police and an armed settler attacked journalists when Israeli forces supressed an activity to plant trees in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. In addition, the crew of the Jordanian Ro’ya satellite channel and a 25-year-old reporter were attacked and 2 other civilians were detained for 2 hours.
Additionally, on 06 February 2015, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah.
In the Gaza Strip, a medical source at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip pronounced a 31-year-old civilian, from Rafah, dead of wounds he sustained during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. It should be noted he was physically disabled.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 67 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 44 Palestinians, including 6 children. Ten of these Palestinians, including 3 children, were arrested in Jerusalem.
During the reporting period, Israeli forces confiscated NIS 50,000 from a house belonging to Abu Aisha family in Hebron; NIS 8,170 from a house belonging to Mallah family in Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm; and NIS 2,260 from a house belonging to Abu ‘Oun family in Jaba’ family, south of Jenin.
In the Gaza Strip, on 9 February 2015, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion, southeast of Beit Hanoun village, north of the Gaza Strip. They levelled lands that were already levelled earlier, but no casualties were reported among the farmers who were obliged to leave the area fearing for their lives.
Restrictions on movement:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 8 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. During the reporting period, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian patient who obtained a permit to travel to the West Bank for medical treatment, while another civilian accompanying his father was arrested while the father was denied travel for medical treatment.
Efforts to create Jewish majority:
House demolitions
On 05 February 2015, Israeli forces raided Bab al-Quds village that was established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dees village, east of East Jerusalem, in protest at settlement scheme ‘1’. It should be noted this scheme would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
On 10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to al-‘Abassi family in Selwan village, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
On 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago and support 6 families.
Settler attacks
On 08 February 2015, a settler attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in the Old City.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
On 05 February 2015, a Palestinian civilian from Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, learnt about an attack on his land, south of the village, by settlers from ‘Qadumim’ settlement. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt.
Use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrations protesting settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall:
During the reporting period, Israeli soldiers used excessive force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians, international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded during 2 protests in Ramallah and al-Bireh on 06 February 2015.
(PCHR keeps the names of the wounded in fear of being arrested by the Israeli forces within its policy to oppress the peaceful protests and prevent Palestinian civilians from participating).
Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity
Following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 2015, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets raising the Palestinian flags and headed to the liberated territories near the annexation wall. Early in the morning, Israeli forces closed all entrances to the city to prevent Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders from participating in the protests. Protestors marched by the annexation wall and tried to cross the fence. Israeli soldiers stationed behind the wall, in the western area, and a large number of soldiers deployed along it, fired live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and wastewater at them and chased them into the olive fields. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up by Israeli soldiers.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians organised a peaceful demonstration in the centre of Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators took the streets and headed to the annexation wall. Israeli forces closed the gates of the wall with barbwires and prevented the demonstrators from crossing to the land behind it before they responded by throwing stones. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the civilians, and chased them into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in al-Nabi Saleh village, southwest of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstrators made their way in the streets raising the Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against the occupation, and then they headed to the lands that the settlers are trying to rob by force near “Halmish” settlement. Israeli forces had closed all the entrances of the village since the morning to prevent Palestinian and international activists and journalists from participating in the demonstration. When they arrived at the aforementioned land, demonstrators were met by live bullets, tear gas canisters, rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs and skunk water and were chased into the village. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
Also following the Friday prayer, at approximately 12:20, Palestinian civilians and international solidarity activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, heading to the eastern entrance of the village in protest against closing that entrance since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada with an iron gate. The demonstrators threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises as they were beaten up.
At approximately 11:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, dozens of Palestinian volunteers and farmers gathered at the main entrance of Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They made their way to agricultural lands, south of the village, to plant olive trees in lands threatened to be confiscated near ‘Ofrah’ settlement. Israeli soldiers were deployed in that area to prevent the Palestinian volunteers and journalists from participating in that activity. Once the Palestinians reached the area, Israeli soldiers and police fired sound bombs. The demonstrators and Israeli soldiers pushed each other, due to which, a number of demonstrators sustained bruises as they were violently pushed by Israeli soldiers. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers and police with an armed settler pushed and verbally insulted the journalists. Among the journalists was the crew of the Jordanian Ro’ya satellite channel, as a settler tried to pull the camera from the cameraman. In addition, the channel’s reporter, 25-year-old Nibal Khaled Farsakh was verbally insulted in Hebrew by an Israeli policewoman. Israeli forces detained also 44-year-old Jamil al-Barghouthi, acting-president of the committee against the annexation wall and settlement activities, and 35-year-old Iyad al-Barghouthi for 2 hours.
Other demonstrations
Also following the Friday prayer, on 06 February 2015, dozens of Palestinians gathered at the western entrance of the Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on the road between Silwad and Yabroud villages near bypass road (60). Demonstrators threw stones at the aforementioned road. In response, Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 38-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the left thigh. He was taken to Palestine Medical Compound in the city. His wound was moderate.
On the same day, dozens of children and young men gathered at the southern entrance of al-Jalazonerefugee camp, north of Ramallah. They were about 300 meters away from the fence of ‘Beit Eil’ settlement. Israeli forces stationed in the area fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded and then taken to Palestine Medical Compound. A 16-year-old child sustained a bullet wound to the knee and a 21-year-old civilian sustained a bullet wound to the right leg.
Continued closure of the oPt:
Israel continued to impose a tight closure on the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israeli forces continuously tighten the closure of the Gaza Strip and close all commercial crossings, making the Karm Abu Salem crossing the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip, although it is not suitable for commercial purposes in terms of its operational capacity and distance from markets.
Israeli forces have continued to apply the policy, which is aimed to tighten the closure on all commercial crossings, by imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
The total closure of al-Mentar (‘Karni’) crossing since 02 March 2011 has seriously affected the economy of the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all economic and commercial establishments in the Gaza Commercial Zone were shut off. It should be noted that al-Mentar crossing is the biggest crossing in the Gaza Strip, in terms of its capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision to close al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions resulting in the complete closure of the Sofa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip in the beginning of 2009, and the Nahal Oz crossing, east of Gaza City, which were dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas to the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2010.
Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The cooking gas crisis has fluctuated due to the closure of Karm Abu Salem for security claims. According to PCHR’s follow-up, Israeli authorities only allow an average of 98 tons of cooking gas into Gaza per day. This limited quantity is less than half of the daily needs, which is 200 tons per day of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip during winter. The crisis has unprecedentedly aggravated for around six weeks due to cold weather and overconsumption in addition to the power outage and using gas as an alternative in many instances of electricity. The lack of diesel and benzene led to the aggravation of the crisis as a result of using the gas cylinder for cars or as an alternative for benzene to run generators. As a result, the demand for gas further increased.
For almost 7 consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of construction materials to the Gaza Strip. Two years ago, Israeli forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations in the Gaza Strip. On 17 September 2013, they allowed the entry of limited quantities of construction materials for the private sector. However, on 13 October 2013, they re-banned it claiming that these materials are used for constructing tunnels. Last week, Israeli forces allowed the entry of construction materials only for UNRWA and UNDP projects. As a result, construction works have completely stopped impacting all sectors related to construction and an increase in unemployment levels. During the 51-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014, Israeli authorities did not allow the entry of any construction materials. As a result, vital and infrastructure projects have been obstructed so far.
Israeli forces also continued to impose an almost total ban on the Gaza Strip exports, including agricultural and industrial products, except for light-weighted products such as flowers, strawberries, and spices.
Israel has continued to close the Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing for the majority of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip. Israel only allows the movement of a limited number of groups, with many hours of waiting in the majority of cases. Israel has continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via the Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel denied permission to access hospitals via the crossing for new categories of patients from the Gaza Strip.
West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, Israeli forces imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians:
· Hebron: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 06:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Fawar refugee camp, south of Hebron. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of al-Samou’a village, south of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 07:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ethna village, west of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village, north of the city. At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Hebron. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Sa’ir village, east of Hebron. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Bani Na’im village, east of Hebron. At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Ramallah: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established at the entrance of ‘Aboud village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 20:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Termes’ayah village, north of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:00 on Friday, 06 January 2015, Israeli forces established closed the eastern entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northeast of Ramallah, with an iron gate established at the aforementioned entrance. Israeli forces prevented civilians from leaving or entering via the entrance. Around the same time, Israeli forces established a checkpoint under the bridge of Yabrud village, northeast of the city. At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces established a similar checkpoint at the entrance of Nil’in village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Abu Mesh’aal village, northwest of the city. At approximately 19:30, a similar checkpoint was established near the intersection of Beit ‘Oar al-Foqah village, southwest of Ramallah. All checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 10:30 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Ras Karkar village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 13:30, Israeli forces established another checkpoint at the entrance of Qabya village, west of the city. At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Nizam village, northwest of Ramallah. Later, all checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 08:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance Deir Abu Mesh’aal village, northwest of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Jericho: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 10:30 on Friday, 06 February 2014, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Fasayel village, north of Jericho. At approximately 17:00, they established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed, and no arrests were reported.
· Qalqilya: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:40 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city. At approximately 22:40, they established another at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 21:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the city. Later, the checkpoint was removed, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 13:40 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of the city, while at approximately 18:50 they established another checkpoint between the villages of Jayous and Kafr Jamal, northeast of the city. Later, both checkpoints were removed and no arrests were reported.
· Tulkarm: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed ‘Annab military checkpoint which is established on the road between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of the city, tightened their restrictions against civilians and obstructed their movement. Later that day, the tightening ended and no arrests were reported. The tightening renewed at approximately 20:30 on Friday, 06 February 2015 and at approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015. They re-tightened their restrictions at approximately 10:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, and at approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2014.
· Jenin: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Zaboubah village, northwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between the villages of Ya’abod and Zebdah, southwest of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus near the intersection of ‘Arabah village, south of Jenin. The checkpoint was removed later, and no arrests were reported.
· Salfit: Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 22:30 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qarawet Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. At approximately 11:30 on Monday, 08 February 2015, the checkpoint was removed, and no further incidents were reported.
Arrests and Maltreatment at Military Checkpoints:
· At approximately 11:00 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces arrested Qosay ‘Ayed al-Shawahin (12) and Hamzah Ahmed al-Shawahin (12) from Kherbet al-Jawi area, east of Yata, south of Hebron, while grazing sheep in the agricultural lands adjacent to ‘Ma’oun’ settlement and then took them to ‘Keryat Arba” settlement, east of Hebron.
· At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at al-Ibrahimi Mosque gates in the center of the Old City arrested ‘Abdel Rahman ‘Amer Burqan (9) and took him to ‘Ja’abrah’ police station. Israeli forces claimed that Burqan refused to obey the Israeli soldiers’ orders.
Israeli forces arrest two Palestinian businessmen on the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing
· On Thursday, 05 December 2015, Israeli forces arrested Naji shehdah Mousa Zo’arub (33) after summoning him to an interview on Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern Gaza Strip. According to Zu’arub’s family, who is a steel trader, he went to do the interview with the Israeli intelligence upon a summons he received via the civil liaison. He went there at approximately 08:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, and we lost contact with him at approximately 14:00. His brother, Tamer, later received a call from a person talking via a private number telling him that his brother was under arrest and he is now in Ashkelon Prison.
· At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces stationed at Beit Hanoun Erez Crossing arrested Hussam Fo’aad Mahmoud Nour al-Deen (48) from al-Naser neighborhood when he was on his way back from Israel to the Gaza Strip. He works as a trader and owns with his brother Hussam and Merwan Nour al-Deen Company for Transport and General Trade in Yafa Street, east of Gaza City.
His brother Merwan (38) said to a PCHR fieldworker that:
‘At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, my brother, Hussam and I arrived at Erez crossing and the Israeli officer handed my brother identification papers after checking them and asked him to wait. However, he allowed me to leave after checking my identification papers. At approximately 22:30 on the same day, I received a call from a private number on my cell phone telling me that my brother, Hussam, was arrested by the Israeli forces.’
Maltreatment at the checkpoints
· At approximately 19:40 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces detained Mohammed ‘Abdel Karim Mousa Abu Hamed (13) and Na’im Walid Abu Hamed (13) from Qalqilya near the entrance of ‘Tsofim’ settlement established, north of the aforementioned city while they were collecting steel. They were released at approximately 22:15.
· At approximately 13:05 on Friday, 06 February 2015, Israeli forces detained 3 children from Jayous village, northeast of Qalqilya in Bir Yoboq near the annexation wall established adjacent to the aforementioned village. The children were identified as Mohammed Subhi Mohammed Khaled (15); Feras Khaled Khaled (12); and ‘Abed Ahmed ‘Abdel Halim Khaled. The aforementioned children were detained while being with one their relative and working in their agricultural land. When the latter went back to the village after performing the Friday prayers, he did not find his relative. A civilian told him that the Israeli soldiers arrived at the area and arrested 3 children taking them to an unknown destination under the pretext of throwing stones at the annexation wall area. At approximately 18:00 after the Palestinian side coordinated with the Israeli Military Liaison, the Israeli soldiers released the children.
Efforts to create Jewish demographic majority in occupied East Jerusalem:
· At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Israeli forces backed by 12 military vehicles, 2 bulldozers and 2 buses, moved into ‘Bab al-Quds’ village established by Palestinian activists in Abu Dis town, east of occupied Jerusalem, in protest against ‘E1’ settlement scheme. Israeli forces closed the main streets to the area and the bulldozers completely demolished the tents established in the village without any prior warning. It should be noted this this scheme would confiscate 167 dunums from the Palestinian lands to expand the Israeli settlements and settle Bedouins in Palestinian lands in the east of the Occupied City, would increasingly isolate East Jerusalem from the West Bank and would separate the north of the West Bank from its south. In addition, dozens of Bedouin families would become homeless.
· At approximately 14:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, ‘Nature Authority’ officers escorted by Israeli soldiers moved into the lands of Samir Shoqeir in Wadi al-Rababah neighbourhood in Selwan village, south of the Old City in East Occupied Jerusalem.
An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that the ‘Nature Authority’ officers moved into the land in the vicinity of the house of Dr. Samir Shoqeir and took photos of it and its contents. They then withdrew and left a notice to remove the land contents that was photographed within 24 hours and in case the decision was not obeyed, the Nature Authority staff would apply it and Shoqeir would pay the cost. The Israeli forces claim that Shoqeir changed nature in public parks although Shoqeir previously confirmed that this land belongs to his and he has all the documents that confirm his words. Moreover, his land was planted with trees planted many years ago.
· At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday,10 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem demolished a house belonging to Ahmed Ma’amoun al-‘Abassi in Selwan village in al-Sweih neighbourhood, south of the Old City, under the pretext of non-licensing.
Ahmed al-‘Abasi said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli forces moved into Sweih neighbourhood on the aforementioned day accompanied with 4 bulldozers and demolished his house without any prior warning and without allowing his family to take their contents out of the house. He added that he built the house in February 2014 and recently moved to it with his family comprised of 14 members, including 7 children to live in it. Al-‘Abbasi added that his 200-square-meter house cost him 700,000 NIS.
· At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, bulldozers belonging to the Israeli municipality demolished 2 barracks for stone manufacturing in al-Tour neighbourhood, east of East Jerusalem, and confiscated their contents without any prior warning after surrounding the area. It should be noted the barracks were established 5 years ago on an area of 2 dunums and support 6 families.
Nedal Abu Isbeitan, the owner of the barrack, said to a PCHR fieldworker that Israeli special units surrounded his barrack accompanied with trucks and bulldozers and confiscated the goods, including stones and machines. They then demolished the two barracks. Abu Isbeitan added that his lost is around 400,000 NIS.
· At approximately 03:00 on Saturday, 07 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ayman ‘Amoudi, in Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Ibrahim (21), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 08 February 2015, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Salim Sharifah in al-Sa’adiyah neighborhood in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They arrested his son, Mohammed (16), and withdrew later taking him to an unknown destination.
· At approximately 04:00 on Monday, 09 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood, east of Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. They then raided and searched a number of houses, from which they arrested 5 civilians:
1. Jamal Yousif al-Za’atari (16);
2. Ibrahim Mohammed Abu Jom’ah (17);
3. Mousa ‘Abdullah Abu al-Hawa (18);
4. Mohammed Akram Abu al-Hawa (18); and
5. Mohammed Khaled Abu Ghannam (18).
· At approximately 13:00 on the same Monday, Israeli forces moved into Ras al-‘Amoud neighborhood in the east of Old City in Occupied East Jerusalem. They stationed near al-Shamleh School for Boys in Sweih neighborhood when students were coming out of school at the end of the school day. A number of students threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in response fired gas canisters and chased a number of them. As a result, dozens of students and residents suffered tear gas inhalation, and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 05:00 on Tuesday, 10 February 2015, Israeli forces moved into Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of East Jerusalem. They raided and searched a number of houses from which they arrested 2 civilians: Kazem Ahmed Subeih (21); and Majd Yunis Shuqairat (19).
· At approximately 17:00, on the same day, Israeli forces arrested 23-year-old Attiya Mohammed al-Rajabi at Shu’fat checkpoint, north of East Jerusalem, and took him to an unknown destination.
Settler attacks
· At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 08 February 2015, a settler from ‘Ateret Cohanim’ association accompanied by an officer from the Procedures Department attempted to seize a house and a storehouse belonging to a Palestinian family in Oqbet al-Khalidiya neighborhood, in the Old City of East Jerusalem.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements of eyewitnesses, the abovementioned settler and officer attempted to enter a house belonging to the family of Mostafa Sub-Laban without an order for the family to evacuate the house. After the family confronted them and denied them access, the settler removed the lock of the storehouse and took some items out of it. Once the owner of the house arrived, he and his neighbors prevented him from seizing the property. It should be noted that the abovementioned family rented the house in 1956 from ‘enemy’s property guard’ and pays the rent as a protected tenant. However, the settlers filed a case to evacuate the house under the pretext the property is unutilized. The judge of the Magistrates Court decided evacuating the house, but an appeal was presented before the Central Court.
Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the oPt, a direct violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, Israeli forces accompanied by a vehicle belonging to the Israeli Civil Administration moved into the eastern side of al-Shyoukh village, east of Hebron. The Civil Administration officer handed a number of notices, including notices to seize 2,000 dunums belonging to a number of families. The notices gave those families a period of 45 days from the delivery date to head to the Israeli courts to prove their ownership.
· At approximately 09:30 on Thursday, 05 February 2015, Abdullah Abdul Rahim Jom’a was told by residents of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya, that settlers from ‘Qadumim’ settlement were attacking his land, south of the said village. The settlers sprayed the olive trees with chemicals, due to which 5 tress were completely burnt and other trees were partially burnt. It should be noted that Jom’a was threatened by settlers from the abovementioned settlement to have his trees burnt during the previous harvest season.
Recommendations to the International Community:
PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are still under Israeli occupation, in spite of Israeli military redeployment outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli forces continued to impose collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip, which have escalated since the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections, in which Hamas won the majority of seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council. PCHR stresses that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and the international humanitarian law, especially the Hague Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is bound to apply the international human rights law and the law of war sometime reciprocally and other times in parallel in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for victims.
In light of continued arbitrary measures, land confiscation and settlement activities in the West Bank, and the continued aggression against civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention and the European Union – in the context of their natural obligation to respect and enforce the international law – to cooperate and act according to the following recommendations:
1. PCHR calls upon the international community and the United Nations to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination, through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine;
2. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to provide international protection to Palestinians in the oPt, and to ensure the non-recurrence of aggression against the oPt, especially the Gaza Strip;
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel Israel, as a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, to apply the Conventions in the oPt;
4. PCHR calls upon the Parties to international human rights instruments, especially the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to pressurize Israel to comply with their provisions in the oPt, and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the concerned committees;
5. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfil their obligation to ensure the application of the Conventions, including extending the scope of their jurisdiction in order to prosecute suspected war criminals, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator and the place of a crime, to pave the way for prosecuting suspected Israeli war criminals and end the longstanding impunity they have enjoyed;
6. PCHR calls on States that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction not to surrender to Israeli pressure to limit universal jurisdiction to perpetuate the impunity enjoyed by suspected Israeli war criminals;
7. PCHR calls upon the international community to act in order to stop all Israeli settlement expansion activities in the oPt through imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements and criminalizing trading with them;
8. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly to transfer the Goldstone Report to the UN Security Council in order to refer it to the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute;
9. PCHR calls upon the United Nations to confirm that holding war criminals in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a precondition to achieve stability and peace in the regions, and that peace cannot be built on the expense of human rights;
10. PCHR calls upon the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council to explicitly declare that the Israeli closure policy in Gaza and the annexation wall in the West Bank are illegal, and accordingly refer the two issues to the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel to compel it to remove them;
11. PCHR calls upon the international community, in light of its failure to the stop the aggression on the Palestinian people, to at least fulfil its obligation to reconstruct the Gaza Strip after the series of hostilities launched by Israel which directly targeted the civilian infrastructure;
12. PCHR calls upon the United Nations and the European Union to express a clear position towards the annexation wall following the international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, as the annexation wall seizes large parts of the State of Palestine;
13. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that both sides must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel, and the EU must not ignore Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinian civilians;
14. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian leadership to sign and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, and calls upon the international community, especially the United Nations, to encourage the State of Palestine to accede to international human rights law and humanitarian law instruments.
Full, detailed document, including info on patrols and border crossings available at the official PCHR website.
