Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (18- 24 April 2013)

Reposted from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Thursday, 25 April 2013 00:00

Israeli forces continue systematic attacks against Palestinian civilians
and property in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

 

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A Palestinian civilian was wounded during incursions,
and a child was wounded near the annexation wall in the West Bank.

 

Israeli forces continued to use excessive force
against peaceful protesters in the West Bank.

3 protestors, and an elderly woman, were wounded during peaceful protests against the annexation
wall and settlement activities.

Israeli forces arrested 2 of the wounded.

3 Palestinian civilians were wounded during protests in
support of prisoners in the Israeli jails; one of whom was arrested.

 

Israeli forces conducted 98 incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 2 limited incursion in the
southern Gaza Strip.

52 Palestinian civilians, including 6 child, were
arrested in the West Bank.

2 children were arrested while attempting to cross the
borders into Israel.

 

Israel has continued to impose a total closure on the
oPt and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

Israeli
forces established dozens of checkpoints in the West Bank.

7 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were
arrested at checkpoints.

 

Israeli forces have continued activities to create
Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

7 residential apartments and 2 commercial stores were
demolished.

 

Israeli forces have continued to support settlement
activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack
Palestinian civilians and property.

Two rooms were demolished in al-Khader village, south
of Bethlehem.  The rooms’ history goes
back  60 years.

800 olive seedlings in Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, and
in Yatta, south of Hebron, were uprooted.

11 tents and a vegetable warehouse were demolished; 30
civilians, including 20 children, became homeless in the northern Jordan Valley area.

An under-construction house and 2 agricultural rooms,
south of Hebron, were demolished.

The settlers set fire to dozens of vehicles in Deir
Jarir village in Ramallah.

 

Summary

 

Israeli violations of international law and
international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period
18 – 24 April 2013:

 

Shooting:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces wounded 8
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a 70-year-old elderly woman, in
the West Bank. Three of whom, including the elderly woman, were wounded during
peaceful protests in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah, protesting against
the confiscation of lands for the interest of settlement activities.  Moreover, three children were wounded; one of
whom was arrested, during a protest organized by dozens of children at the
southern entrance of al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah to support the
Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. A Palestinian civilian was wounded
when the Israeli forces moved into the above-mentioned refugee camp and opened
fire at a group of boys and young men.  Further,
a child was wounded near the annexation wall in Jalaboun village in Jenin.

 

In the West Bank during incursions conducted by the
Israeli forces a Palestinian civilian from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of
Ramallah, was wounded on 18 April 2013.

 

In an example of the systematic use of excessive force
against peaceful protests organised by Palestinian, Israeli, and international
activists against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement
activities in the West Bank, on 19 April 2013, 3 civilians, including an
elderly woman, were wounded in Selwad village, northeast of Ramallah; 2 of the
wounded were arrested and transported to an unknown destination. 

 

Palestinian civilians organised many peaceful protests
in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails, especially
those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force against the protesters;
as a result, 3 children were wounded at the southern entrance of al-Jalazoun
refugee camp, north of Ramallah, on 19 April 2013.  The Israeli forces arrested one of the
wounded children after offering him the first aid he needed.

 

On 24 April 2013, a Palestinian child was wounded when
Israeli forces patrolled at the annexation wall in Jalaboun village, northeast
of Jenin, opening fire on 2 children under the pretext that they attempted to
cross the security fence.  As a result,
one of them was wounded while the other was arrested.  

 

Incursions:

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted
at least 98 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During
these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 52 Palestinians, including 6
children and a number of political leaders and members of Hamas movement.

 

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 2 limited
incursions into the Gaza Strip.  Both
incursions were conducted in the east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip
on the 22nd and 24^th of April 2013.
They levelled lands,however, no casualties were reported.

 

During the reporting period, Israeli forces stationed
along the border fence, southeast of Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza
Strip, arrested 2 children, who attempted to cross the borders into Israel.

 

Restrictions on movement:

 

Israel continued to impose a tightened 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
steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the
humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal closure has
not only caused a humanitarian crisis, but also a  human rights crisis and the erosion of human
dignity for the people of the Gaza Strip. Recently-declared measures to ease
the closure are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of
the crisis. The root causes can only be addressed by an immediate and complete
lifting of the closure, including lifting the travel ban into and out of the
Gaza Strip and the ban on exports. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer
from the same shortage of goods but, as long as the closure is allowed to
continue, they will remain economically dependent on Israel, unable to care for
themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of
the world.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose severe
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank,
including occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.

During the reporting
period, Israeli forces completely closed the commercial border crossings
between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They closed Karm Abu Salem crossing for 4
consecutive days because of Jewish holidays. This closure negatively affected
the entry of goods, construction materials and medical consignments in the Gaza
Strip. It also has a detrimental impact on the living conditions of Palestinian
civilians. Israeli forces also imposed comprehensive security restrictions due
to the Jewish holiday of Passover .As a result, thousands of Palestinian
workers were denied access to their work in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
Moreover, Palestinian traders were denied access to Israel and/or travel via
the border crossings between the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

 

Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in the Occupied
East Jerusalem

 

In the context of the bulldozing of housing buildings,
on Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 7 residential apartments
and two shops in al-Hadroub neighbourhood in al-Tour village, in the occupied
east Jerusalem, belonging to Kayed Mohammed Abdallah Jaradat.  Moreover, they destroyed an
under-construction building, under pretext of not obtaining a construction
permit.  The building was the property of
Khaminy Mohammed Hamdan.

 

Settlement activities:

 

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.

 

Violations Committed by Israeli forces

 

On Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli forces raided
al-Khader village, in the south of Bethlehem bulldozed two agricultural rooms
under pretext of not obtaining a permit and building near the settlements.  The destroyed rooms are located near
“Daniel” and “Eliezer” settlement in the south of the
village, and were established over 60 years ago, and were used as storage rooms
for agricultural equipment.

 

On Saturday, 20 April 2013, Israeli forces,
accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration, raided ‘Attous
area, west of Beit Oula village, in the west of Hebron.  An officer of the Civil Administration placed
7 evacuation notices in a number of lands that are adjacent to the wall, that
included the confiscation of approximately 600 dunums of agricultural and
grazing lands.

 

On Monday, 22 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied
by military vehicles and a bulldozer, uprooted 150 olive trees in al-Marhan
area, in the east of Beit Dujn village, in the east of Nablus.  These trees were between aged 1 and 1 and a
half year; this is the 5^th time that Israeli forces have uprooted
trees from the same plot of land within the past years, under pretext that it
is a closed area for military reasons.

 

On Tuesday, 23 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 11
tents used as residences and cattle barns, in al-Maleh valley area and the
neighbouring Yarza village, in the Northern Valleys, in the northeast of
Tubas.  As a result, 30 civilians became
homeless, including 20 children.

 

Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces uprooted 650 olive
trees aged between 1 – 4 years, in Um Nir area, southeast of Yatta, in the
south of Hebron.  They also bulldozed a
tent.

 

On the same day, Israeli forces destroyed a greenhouse
of 420 square meters, and 5 meters in height, that was used to store harvest
crops for exportation located in al-Shobasy area in Bardala village, east of
Bypass Road No. 90, east of Tubas; its destroyed contents were: a large supply
of cartons; 4 surveillance cameras; a computer; and a digital scale.

 

On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed
an under-construction house, two agricultural rooms and an 80 meters high wall
of reinforced concrete, in Khlat al-Bas area, southeast of al-‘Aroub refugee
camp, in the north of Hebron.

 

On Wednesday, Israeli forces raided the western area
of Ethna village, in the west of Hebron, and detained a number of construction
workers while working on a water-well of 200 cubic meters, and banned them from
continuing their work under pretext that this site has been given a notice to
halt construction work, claiming that this area falls under Israeli security
jurisdiction, according to the Oslo Accords.

 

On Wednesday, Israeli forces placed a notice with
orders to halt construction on a site designed for building a medical clinic in
the centre of the village.  They also
photographed the site.

 

Violations Committed by Settlers

 

On Saturday, 20 April 2013, a group of settlers from
“Beit Ayin” settlement, established on Palestinian civilians’ lands
in the west of Beit Ummar village, in the north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers while working in their lands in Abul-Reish valley area, adjacent to the
afore-mentioned settlement.  It should be
noted that this attack is the third of its kind against farmers in Abul-Reish
valley area within the month of April, as settlers have broken and uprooted a
number of olive and almond trees belonging to Slaibi family.

 

On Tuesday, 23 April 2013, a group of settlers from
“Ofra” settlement, established on the lands of Silwad and ‘Ayn
Yabroud villages, in the northeast of Ramallah, raided Deir Jarir village,
located approximately 2 kilometres to the northeast of the afore-mentioned
settlement.  The settlers  then set fire to 10 Palestinian civilian
vehicles in the village.

 

Also on Wednesday, a group of settlers, under the
protection of Israeli forces and military vehicles, raided Yousif Grave area,
in the east of Nablus.  The settlers
stayed for a while, performed some Talmudic rituals and withdrew later,  no incidents were reported.

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Violations documented during the reporting period
18– 24 April 2013

 

1. Incursions into Palestinian areas, and attacks
on Palestinian civilians and property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

 

 

Thursday, 18 April 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, Israeli undercover units moved
into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets, where some Palestinian boys gathered
and threw stones at them. In a heavy handed response to the
stone throwing,  sound bombs and tear gas
canisters were fired to disperse the boys. The Israeli forces later withdrew;
neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Tubas
and raided and searched a number of houses.
They also arrested Ahmed Mohammed al-Shobaki (23); and Mobin Jamal Salah
(21) from their houses.  Further, the
Israeli forces handed the family of Hamza Mousa Elian (22) a notice to refer to
the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility, west of Jenin, as
Elian was not home.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets in a provocative way, where some boys
gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who in a heavy handed
response fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters.
As a result, a 27-year-old man was wounded by a bullet to the right leg.  Further, a number of civilians suffered from
tear gas inhalation.  The Israeli forces
withdrew at approximately 02:30; no arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Deirat village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrested were reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Arroub
refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and
arrested 3 civilians:

1. Oday Khalil Jawabra (20);

2. Wasim Saleh al-Badawi (18); and

3. Abdullah Emad Abu Sharar (18).

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin.
They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of Mojahed
Mostafa Ahmed Tahayna (20) and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved Shweika
suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They patrolled
the streets and positioned themselves in the centre of the suburb. They raided
a house belonging to the family of Abdul Fattah Nabil Abdul Fattah Humouda (30)
and arrested him.  They also raided a
house belonging to Humouda’s brother, Akram (25), and arrested him as
well.  The Israeli forces raided a third
house belonging to the family of Mazen Ahmed Abdul Rahman Ikbariya (50) and
arrested him.  The Israeli forces
withdrew later transporting the  arrested
to an unknown destination.  

 

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Daheriya village, south of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into
Krisa village, north of Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 20:00, Israeli forces moved into Bruqin
village, west of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time, and later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Friday, 19 April 2013

 

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into
Qufin village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time, and later
withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Zita
village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time ,and later
withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Rummana
village, northwest of Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time ,and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
Yatta, south of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging  to the family of Wa’el Ahmed al-‘Edra (35)
and arrested him.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Aroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and positioned themselves in the centre of
the refugee camp.  They deployed between
the houses and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Kofur
al-Deek village, west of Salfit. They patrolled the streets, raided a house
belonging to the family of Mohanned Baker Mostafa Ali Ahmed (40) and arrested
him.  He was transported to Hawwara
detention facility, east of Nablus, but was released 5 hours later.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Jaba’
village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Ammar
Ibrahim Shalash Hamour (26).  They
confiscated two cell phones and handed the aforementioned person a notice to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility,
northwest of Jenin.  The Israeli forces
later withdrew; no arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Bireh. They patrolled the streets and withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into
Battir village, west of Bethlehem.  They
patrolled the streets and raided a house belonging to the family of Haidar
Hassan Rashid Mo’mer (47).  They arrested
the aforementioned person and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 10:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir
Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew later.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 14:00, Israeli forces moved into the
centre of Beitummar village, north of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets and deployed at the entrance of Za’ta area,
east of the village.  A number of boys threw
stones at the Israeli soldiers, who chased them and raided a house belonging to
the family of Hmeidan Abu Mariya (33).
They attacked abu Mariya and then took position atop  his house, from which they fired sound bombs,
tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets.  As a result, many civilians suffered from
tear gas inhalation.  Mohammed Awad said
to PCHR’s fieldworker that the Israeli forces prevented the Palestine Red
Crescent Society’s (PRCS) ambulance from doing their job.

 

At approximately 16:30, Israeli forces moved into ‘Allar
village, northeast of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into Zita
village, north of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later
withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Janiya village, northwest of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Abwein village, northwest of Ramallah.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 23:30, Israeli forces moved into Beituniya
village, southwest of Ramallah. They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, 20 April 2013

 

At
approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Mughair village, southeast of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time, and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Abu Da’if village, northeast of
Jenin. They patrolled the streets for some time, and later withdrew. Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Rummana village, northwest of Jenin. They
then patrolled the streets for some time, and later withdrew. Neither house
raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched
a number of houses.  They arrested Husam
Mohammed Najib al-Bustami (32) from his house on Asira street, northwest of the
city.  Al-Bustami is a law student at
al-Najah National University.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli
forces moved into al-Dahiya neighbourhood, southeast of Nablus.  They patrolled the streets and raided and
searched a number of houses.  They
arrested Ra’ed Sa’di Abu Rmaila (32), a law student at al-Najah National
University.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into al-Dyouk village, northwest of
Jericho.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  No arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Awarta village, southeast of
Nablus.  They patrolled the streets, then
raided and searched a number of houses.
They arrested Samir Saleh Mousa Abu Shu’aib (23), a student of fine arts
at al-Najah National Uiversity in Nablus.

 

At
approximately 03:20, Israeli forces moved into Husan village, west of
Bethlehem.  They raided a house belonging
to the family of Dawood Ammar Dawood al-Sha’er (19) and handed him a notice to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service at “Ghosh Ezion”
settlement, south of the city.

 

At
approximately 10:30, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence, southeast
of Deir al-Balah, in the centre of the Gaza Strip, arrested Mohammed Khaled
Mohammed Abu ‘Eweili (22), from Deir al-Balah, when he attempted to cross the
mentioned fence, southeast of the city.
His father said that he received a phone call from the Israeli police in
Beersheba, who informed him of his son’s arrest.  They also told the father that his son would
be brought before the court.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, 21
April 2013

 

At approximately
01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Kahel village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and raided a house
belonging to the family of Hamam Asafra (23).
They arrested Asafra and transported him to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beitummar village, north of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 01:15, Israeli forces moved into Jayous village, northeast of
Qalqilia. They patrolled the streets, raided a house belonging to the family of
the student Mohammed Radi Abu Se’da (21) and arrested him.  The Israeli forces withdrew at 02:00,
transporting the arrested to Hawwara detention facility.  However, he was released at approximately
14:00.

 

At
approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Razeh village, east of
Doura, southwest of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported. 

 

At
approximately 01:50, Israeli forces moved into Azzoun village, east of
Qalqilia.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into many neighbourhoods in
Hebron.  They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested 3 civilians:

1. Ibrahim Issa Abdul Rahman Izghir (18);

2. Feras Farouq Hejazi (36); and

3. Hassan Yasser Mamdouh Bader (18).

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Yatta, south of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and raided a house
belonging to the family of Ra’fat al-‘Edra (29).  They handed him a notice to refer to the
Israeli intelligence service.  They
withdrew after; no arrests were reported.

 

At approximately
02:30, Israeli forces moved into Anabta village, east of Tulkarm.  They raided and searched a house belonging to
the family of Alaa’ Samih Mostafa al-‘Arajj (25), a student of engineering at
al-Najah National University.  They also
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alaa’ Basem Ibrahim Abu
‘Asal (23).  They arrested the 2
aforementioned persons and transported them to an unknown destination.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into the Old Town of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and deployed
between the houses.  They raided a house
belonging to the family of Ezz Eddin Abdul Halim Hamed al-Dweik (15) and
arrested him.

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Sourif village, west of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
positioned themselves in the centre of the city.  They raided a house belonging to the family
of Dia’ Khalil Mahmoud Ghneimat (23) and arrested him.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Oula village, west of Hebron.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.   

 

At
approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Jaba’ village, south of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a house belonging to the family of ‘Ammar Ibrahim Shalash
Hamour (26).  They confiscated a number
of cell phones and arrested the aforementioned person.  It should be noted that Hamour suffers from hypertension
and asthma.  Besides, on Friday, 19 April
2013, the Israeli forces raided his house and handed him a notice to refer to
the Israeli intelligence service in Salem detention facility, northwest of
Jenin.  

 

At
approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Ghazalah village, north of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets and
took photos of some places, such as the village’s mosque and cemetery. They
later withdrew; neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Arabouna village, north of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  No arrests were
reported.

 

At
approximately 14:30, Israeli forces moved into al-Jalama village, north of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported. 

 

At
approximately 18:30, Israeli forces moved into Faqou’a village, northeast of
Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Jalaboun village, east of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 19:00, Israeli forces positioned along the border fence,
southeast of Deir al-Balah, in the centre of the Gaza Strip, arrested Baha’
al-Din Kamal Mohammed Kamel Abed (18), from al-Zawayda, when he attempted to
cross the borders into Israel.  His
father said that his son’s friend, Nidal Abu Setta (19), told him that Baha’
was arrested by the Israeli forces that were positioned along the border fence
when he attempted to cross the border into Israel.  Nidal could run away from the Israeli
soldiers, but Baha’ could not.

 

At
approximately 20:30, Israeli forces moved into Jefna village, northeast of
Ramallah.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 21:30, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Our al-Tahta, southwest of
Ramallah.  They later withdrew; no arrests
were reported.

 

At
approximately 22:45, Israeli forces moved into Zita village, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Monday, 22 April 2013

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Khader
village, south of Bethlehem. They raided 2 houses belonging to the families of
Amid Ahmed al-Ezza (20); and Ahmed Ali Mousa (20).  They arrested the 2 aforementioned persons and
transported them to an unknown destination.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Raba
village, east of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets and raided 2 houses to hand their occupants notices of summon to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service, northwest of Jenin.  The summoned persons were: Rabe’ Amro
Suleiman al-Bzour (22); and his brother Yazan (24).  The Israeli forces later withdrew; no arrests
were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Halhoul, north of Hebron.  They patrolled
the streets and positioned themselves in the centre of the town. They raided a
number of houses and arrested 2 children:

1. Karam Nidal Shehada Se’da (14); and

2. Qusay Khalil Ibrahim al-Zama’ra (14).

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Shyoukh village, northeast of Hebron.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved
al-Jaberiyat area, south of Jenin.  They
positioned themselves on an area overlooking the refugee camp near the western
neighbourhood of the city.  Dozens of
soldiers sneaked into the refugee camp and raided a house belonging to the
family of Jamal Abdul Salam As’ad Abu al-Haija (54), a leader in Hamas movement
and a prisoner in an Israeli jail.  The
Israeli forces arrested Abu al-Haija’s sons: Abdul Salam (29); Asem (26); and
Hamza (21).  The Israeli forces then
repositioned themselves in the Palestinian housing project neighbourhood and
raided a house belonging to the family of Khaled Mohammed Amen al-Hajj (48), a
leader in Hamas movement.  They arrested
him and confiscated a PC set.  Moreover,
they repositioned themselves in the eastern neighbourhood of the city and
raided a house belonging to the family of Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al-Sa’di
(48).  They arrested him and later
withdrew, transporting the 5 arrested persons to an unknown destination. 

 

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Ayda
refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.  They
raided and searched a number of houses.
They also raided Ayda’s Youth Centre and confiscated a PC set.  They arrested 3 civilians and transported
them to an unknown destination. Further, they handed notices to 3 brothers to
refer to the Israeli intelligence service at “Gosh Ezion” settlement,
south of the city.  The summoned brothers
were:

1. Khaled Walid al-Ezza (27);

2. Mohammed  (23);
and

3. Abdul Rahman (20).

 

The arrested were:

1. Ahmed Adel al-Hajajra (20);

2. Morad As’ad Karaja (19); and

3. Ahmed Amer Ouda (19).

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ezza refugee camp, north of Bethlehem.
They raided a house belonging to the family of Jehad Abu Sha’ira (20)
and arrested him.

 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into
Beitummar, north of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 07:00, Israeli forces moved nearly
300 meters into al-Sha’fa and Baraka areas, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the
Gaza Strip, supported by heavy fire at the farmlands.  They levelled lands that have been levelled
before and later withdrew.  No casualties
were reported.

 

At approximately 09:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tiba village, west of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 10:30, Israeli forces moved into
Allar village, northeast of Tulkarm.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 22:00, Israeli forces moved into
al-Ouja village, northeast of Jericho.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported. 

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Fasayel village, northwest of Jericho.
They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  No arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into
Shweika suburb, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into
Sa’ir village, east of Hebron.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

 

At approximately 00:10, Israeli forces moved into
Kofur al-Deek village, west of Salfit.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 00:15, Israeli forces moved into Qabatya
village, south of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Hamza
Mohammed Khalil Abu al-Rob, member of al-Quds brigades (the armed wing of the
Islamic Jihad movement), whom was killed by the Israeli forces in Qabatya on 26
December 2002.  They then raided and
searched a house belonging to the family of Sobhi Najib Nafe’ Abu al-Rob
(58).  However, no arrests were
reported.   

 

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Anin village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
al-Tiba village, west of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Kofur
Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilia.
They patrolled the streets for some time and withdrew later.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Zbaidat village, north of Jericho.
They patrolled the streets and raided and searched 2 house.  They arrested 3 civilians, including 2
brothers, and transported them to an unknown destination.  The arrested were:

1. Ya’qoub Khalil Hassan Zbeidat (25);

2. Yehya Hussein Ibrahim Zbeidat (27); and

3. Mo’men Hussein Ibrahim Zbeidat (25).

 

At approximately 06:30, Israeli forces moved into Beer
al-Basha, south of Jenin.  They patrolled
the streets for some time and later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into
Maythaloun village, southeast of Jenin.
They patrolled the streets for some time, and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved into
‘Anza village, south of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew. No arrests were
reported.

 

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Fahma
village, southwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets and later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into
Tulkarm.  They positioned themselves at
the entrance of Kaffa area and later withdrew.
Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At approximately 11:30, Israeli forces moved into
al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem.
They raided a house belonging to the family of Sameh Jamil al-Balboul
(27) and handed him a notice to refer to the Israeli intelligence service at
“Gosh Ezion” settlement, south of the city.  They withdrew later.  When al-Balboul headed to the Israeli intelligence
service, he was arrested.

 

At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit
Leed village, east of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 22:30, Israeli forces moved into
Ta’nak village, northwest of Jenin.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At approximately 23:00, Israeli forces moved into Zita
village, north of Tulkarm.  They
patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

 

Wednesday, 24 April 2012

 

At
approximately 01:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Awa, southwest of Dora,
southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets for some time and raided and searched a house belonging to the family
of Tariq Nayef al-Mokhtar Masalmeh (20).
They arrested him and took him to unknown destination.

 

At
approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Deir al-Ghosoun village, north
of Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for some time and later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor arrests were
reported.

 

At the same
time, Israeli forces moved into a number of neighbourhoods in central
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
raided and searched a number of houses.
They arrested 3 civilians and took them to an unknown destination.  The arrested were identified as: Belal
Mohammed Khalil ‘Abdel ‘Aziz (24); Tariq Anwar Khalil Ed’aeis (30); and Khalil
Abu Nejmeh (28).  Israeli forces later
withdrew.

 

At
approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Shweikeh Suburb, north of
Tulkarm.  They patrolled the streets and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Tulkarm. They patrolled the streets for
some time and later withdrew.  Neither
house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 02:55, Israeli forces moved into Taqou’ village, southeast of
Bethlehem.  They patrolled the streets
and raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Marwan Abu Mefreh
(18).  They arrested Abu Mefreh and his
brother Ibrahim (16).

 

At
approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of
Hebron.  They patrolled the streets and
then raided and searched a house belonging to the family Mahmoud Ishaq Abu
Hashhash (25).  They arrested the
aforementioned civilian and took him an unknown destination.  They later withdrew.

 

At
approximately 06:00, Israeli forces moved into Burqin, west of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israeli forces moved into Ya’abod village, southwest of Jenin.  They patrolled the streets for some time and
later withdrew.  Neither house raids nor
arrests were reported.

 

Around the
same time, Israel forces moved into Jenin.
They patrolled the streets and then stationed in the eastern neighbourhood
of the village.  A number of them raided
Halimah al-Sa’adiya mosque, deploying within it’s vicinity, and took photos for
it.  Meanwhile, another Israeli force
raided and searched a house, near the mosque, belonging to the family of Abu
Ghali.  A number of soldiers deployed on
roofs of two houses, near the mosque, belonging to the families of al-Sayed and
Souqiya.  They later withdrew, and
neither house raids nor arrests were reported.

 

At
approximately 08:00, Israeli forces moved around 150 meters into west of Beit
Hanoun in the northern Gaza.  They
levelled tracts of lands, which were earlier levelled earlier, amidst sporadic
fire.  No injuries were resulted due to
the shooting.

 

At
approximately 11:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Koum village, west of Dora,
southwest of Hebron.  They patrolled the
streets and then stationed in the centre.
They deployed between houses and searched cars in the village street and
lands nearby the houses.  They later
withdrew and no arrests were reported.

 

In the evening
hours, Israeli forces, stationed in the vicinity of annexation wall in Jalboun
village, northeast of Jenin, opened fire at Yazeed Tawfiq Khalid Abu al-Rob
(17) and Ibrahim ‘Omar Mohammed Abu al-Rob (16), both from the aforementioned
village.  Israeli forces claimed that
they attempted to sneak through the security fence that separates the villages
from a nearby settlement complex, which includes (Jalbou’a; Ma’aali Jalbou’a;
and Malek mansha) settlements.  As a result,
Yazeed sustained an injury in his foot and the other child was arrested taking
them to an unknown destination.

 

2. 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 organised by Palestinian civilians and
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 from Silwad village, northwest of Ramallah, , were
injured, including a 70 year old woman, ; Israeli forces arrested two of them
and transported them to an unknown destination.
Dozens more civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation; others
sustained bruises.

 

Palestinian civilians also organised peaceful
demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails,
particularly those on hunger strike. Israeli forces used excessive force
against these demonstrations. As a result, 3 children sustained wounds; Israeli
forces arrested one of them, transported him into “Beit El”
settlement, where he received first aid and then he was taken to Hadassah
hospital in Jerusalem.

 

Demonstrations against the construction of the annexation
wall and settlement activity

 

At noon on
Friday, 19 April 2013, dozens of Palestinian youngsters and inhabitants of
Silwad village gathered in the centre of Silwad village, in the northeast of
Ramallah for a popular demonstration in protest to the settlers’ continuous
attacks against Palestinians in the area and the confiscation of lands for
settlement activity.  Afterwards, the
participants headed towards “al-Fakarra” area, where the settlers are
trying to confiscate lands, located near “Ofra” settlement.  Israeli forces closed the eastern entrance to
the village in the early morning; the protestors threw stones and empty bottles
at the forces, who were stationed at the entrance of the village.  Israeli forces responded with live
ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs,
and chased the demonstrators into the village.
As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including an elderly woman,
sustained injuries; many civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation and others
sustained bruises.  Later on, Israeli
forces raided a residential building and arrested 7 civilians, including two of
the wounded; they were transported to an Israeli police station, in the
southeast of Ramallah.  Four of them were
released at approximately 02:00 on Saturday; and they were identified as: ‘Imad
Abdul-Rahman Abu Zaina (28); Mohammed Mahmoud Ahmed Youssif (35); Ramez
Abdul-Baset Hamed (26); and Rami Abdul-Rahman Hamed (26).  Those who remained in detention were
identified as: Hussam Youssif Abu-Zaina (30), sustained a bullet wound to the
right arm; Usama Abdul-Aziz Mer’i (38), sustained a bullet wound to the
abdomen; and Mohammed Jar-Allah Hamed (24).
They were transported to “Ofer” prison, southwest of Ramallah.  Additionally, 70-year-old Fatima Raya Hamed
sustained a bullet wound to the chest.

 

Following
the Friday Prayer on 19 April 2013, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful
demonstration in Bil’in village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the
construction of the annexation wall and in solidarity with the prisoners on
hunger strike inside Israeli jails.  The
demonstration commemorated the fourth anniversary of the death of Bassem
Abu-Rahma, the 25^th anniversary of Khalil al-Wazeer’s (Abu-Jihad)
death and the 39^th anniversary of the Palestinian Prisoners’
Day.  The demonstrators marched through
the streets of the village, chanting slogans calling for national unity, raised
Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners and made their way towards the
lands adjacent to the annexation wall. Israeli forces had closed all entrances
to the village since early morning to prevent Palestinians, journalists, and
international activists from joining the protest.  Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired
rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas canisters at the
demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas
inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Also,
following the Friday Prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international
and Israeli human rights defenders organised a peaceful demonstration in Ni’lin
village, west of Ramallah, in protest at the construction of the annexation
wall, settlement activities and in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on
hunger strike inside Israeli jails, especially Samer al-‘Issawi. The
demonstrators moved towards the annexation wall; Israeli forces closed the wall
gate with barbed wire, and when the demonstrators attempted to get to the lands
behind it, they were stopped by Israeli soldiers.  The demonstrators threw stones at the Israeli
soldiers who in responded with rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs, tear
gas canisters and chased them across fields of olive trees.  As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.

 

Around the
same time on Friday, dozens of Palestinian civilians, and Israeli and
international human rights activists gathered in the Martyrs Square in Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of Ramallah, to hold a weekly peaceful protest against the
construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The
demonstration was organized under the title: “Freedom is our children’s
right,” in commemoration of Palestinian Child Day and in solidarity with
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The protesters walked towards
Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby “Halmish”
settlement are trying to seize. Israeli forces closed all entrances to the
village in the morning to prevent Palestinians, international activists and journalists
from joining the demonstration. Upon their arrival in the afore-mentioned area,
Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and
tear gas canisters, chased the demonstrators into the village and sprayed them
with waste water. Moreover, Israeli soldiers, from the special guards unit,
deliberately fired tear gas canisters at the journalists, pushed them and
yelled at them in an effort to force them to leave the area.  Two of these journalists were identified,
Bilal Abdul-Salam Hassan Tamimi (47) and Nariman Mahmoud Tamimi (37),
photojournalists for the Popular Committee against the Annexation Wall and
Settlement Activity in Nabi Saleh and volunteers at B’Tselem
– The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied
Territories.

 

Following
Friday Prayer, dozens of inhabitants of al-Mas’ra village, south of Bethlehem,
international and Israeli human rights activists, activists in the Popular
Resistance Committees and the Volunteer Work Committee, and mothers of
Palestinian prisoners gathered for the weekly peaceful demonstration against
the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activity. The
demonstration  started outside Shomou’
Cultural Centre in the centre of the village. The participants carried
Palestinian flags and signs against the occupation while they roamed the
streets of the village. Israeli soldiers, who were deployed in large numbers in
the village, intercepted the demonstrators, prohibited them from accessing the
wall and fired tear gas canisters at them; as a result, dozens of demonstrators
suffered from tear gas inhalation.  The
demonstrators organized a sit-in near the wall emphasizing the importance of
popular and official solidarity with prisoners and the importance of organizing
events for solidarity with them.
Moreover, a number of them chained themselves symbolizing the suffering
of Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails.

 

Other Peaceful Demonstrations

 

At noon on Friday, 19 April 2013, dozens of Palestinian youth gathered
at the southern entrance of al-Jazloun Refugee Camp, north of Ramallah, near
the southeastern entrance of the camp, behind the UNRWA Camp School for
Boys.  The boys were 300 meters from the
fence surrounding “Beit El” settlement.  The boys threw stones at the settlement’s
fence; in response, the Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber-coated
metal bullets, tear gas canister and sound bombs at them.  As a result, 17-year-old Mustafa Suliman
Mas’oud Samad’a sustained a bullet wound in the nose, he was arrested and
transported him into “Beit El” settlement where he received first aid and then he was taken to Hadassah
hospital in Jerusalem.  Moreover, two
other children sustained wounds; a 15-year-old was hit by a tear gas canister
to the head and a 16-year-old sustained a bullet wound to the head.

 

Around the
same time, dozens of Palestinian youths gathered in the Um Rokba area, at the
south-western entrance of al-Khader village, south of Bethlehem. The
demonstrators threw stones at Israeli forces stationed in the area. Immediately,
Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the demonstrators.
As a result, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

 

3. Continued closure of the oPt

 

Israel has continued to
impose a tightened 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

 

Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to
the Gaza Strip for more than 5 years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of
the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.

 

Israeli forces have tightened the closure
of the Gaza Strip, 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 at preventing economic development in the Gaza Strip, 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 was 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, which erupted last
November, has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis started on 04
January 2010, when Israeli authorities completely closed the Nahal Oz crossing,
which was dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza. They
then shifted the transport of fuel and cooking gas supplies to the Karm Abu
Salem crossing, which is not equipped to receive enough quantities of fuel to
meet Gaza needs. The Karm Abu Salem crossing, when operating at full capacity,
can receive only 200 tonnes of cooking gas per day.

 

Approximately 80% of the people living in
the Gaza Strip continue to depend on humanitarian aid provided by UNRWA and
other relief agencies. The number of families who are living below the poverty
line has continued to increase. Approximately 40% of Gaza’s manpower continues
to suffer from permanent unemployment as the majority of Gaza’s businesses have
closed down.

 

Israeli forces have continued to impose a
total ban on the export of products from the Gaza Strip, especially industrial
products, undermining any real chance of reopening businesses. The situation
has been aggravated since the Karm Abu Salem crossing was designated as Gaza’s
sole commercial crossing; the repeated closure of this crossing negatively
affects the quantity of products which are allowed to be exported from the Gaza
Strip.

 

For almost 6
consecutive years, Israeli forces have continued to prevent the delivery of
construction materials to the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, Israeli
forces approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials
for a number of international organisations.

 

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.

 

Israel has imposed
additional access restrictions on traders, international diplomats, journalists,
and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.

 

 

Beit Hanoun (“Erez”) crossing, in the north
of the Gaza Strip, is dedicated for the movement of individuals, and links the
Gaza Strip with the West Bank.

 

Note: the data relevant to Beit Hanoun crossing is not
available for this week for technical reasons at the department that provides
PCHR with the needed information.

 

Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point

17 – 23 April 2013

 

 

 

Movement at Karm Abu Salem (“Kerem Shalom”) crossing

17-23 April 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exports:

 

 

On Wednesday, 17 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of a total of 9 truckloads of plastic containers.

On Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of 9 truckloads of plastic containers; 300 kilograms (1
truckload) of basil; 300 kilograms of mint and 90000 flowers.

On Sunday, 21 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of 6 truckloads of plastic containers.

On Monday, 22 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of 6 truckloads of plastic containers.

On Tuesday, 23 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the export of 5 truckloads of plastic containers; 250 kilograms of
basil; 204 kilograms of tarragon; 50 kilograms of sage and 350 kilograms of
mint.   

 

Other
Imports:

 

On Wednesday, 17 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 73 tonnes of construction steel, 591 tonnes of cement and
3,640 tonnes of construction aggregate for UNRWA; and 1 tonne of construction
aggregate for the private sector. They also allowed the entry of 1,287 tonnes
of fodder and 195 tonnes of wheat.

On Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 76 tonnes of construction steel, 800 tonnes of cement and
2,380 tonnes of construction aggregate for UNRWA; 1,050 tonnes of construction
aggregate for the private sector; and 1,400 tonnes of construction aggregate
for the Water Authority.  They also
allowed the entry of 1,092 tonnes of fodder and 312 tonnes of wheat.

On Sunday, 21 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 38 tonnes of construction steel, 534 tonnes of cement and
2,100 tonnes of construction aggregate for UNRWA; 840 tonnes of construction
aggregate for the private sector; and 140 tonnes of construction aggregate and
61 tonnes of construction steel to the German Development Bank (GDB).  They also allowed the entry of 1,170 tonnes
of fodder and 234 tonnes of wheat.

On Monday, 22 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 62 tonnes of construction steel and 400 tonnes of cement
to the UNRWA; 560 tonnes of construction aggregate for the UNDP;  910 tonnes of construction aggregate for the
private sector; and 90 tonnes of cement to the GDB.  They also allowed the entry of 975 tonnes of
fodder and 234 tonnes of wheat.

On Tuesday, 23 April 2013, Israeli forces
allowed the entry of 87 tonnes of construction steel, 364 tonnes of cement and
1,330 tonnes of construction aggregate for the UNRWA; 770 tonnes of
construction aggregate for the private sector; 630 tonnes of construction
aggregate and 144 tonnes of cement for the UNDP; and 40 tonnes of cement to the
GDB.  They also allowed the entry of
1,014 tonnes of fodder and 429 tonnes of wheat.

 

Imports
through Rafah International Crossing Point, South of the Gaza Strip:

21–
23 April 2013

Imports:

 

 

 

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:

 

Ramallah: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Qebia village, west of
Ramallah.  At approximately 17:30, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Loqaya, southwest of
Ramallah.  The two checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Friday, 19 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Aaboud village,
northwest of Ramallah.  At the same time,
they established another checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Aaboud village,
northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately
11:00, they established a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of al-Tibah
village, northeast of Ramallah.  At
approximately 18:30, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of
Beit ‘Aor al-Tahta village, southwest of the city. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 10:00 on Sunday, 21 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a
checkpoint at the entrance of Kafr ‘Aein village, northwest of Ramallah.  At approximately 20:30, they re-established
at ‘Atarah checkpoint at the northern entrance of Birzeit, north of Ramallah,
and prevented people from entering or leaving through the aforementioned
checkpoint.

 

Hebron: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 15:00 on Thursday, 18 April 2013,
Israeli forces, established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Ummar village,
north of Hebron. At approximately 17:00, they established a checkpoint on
Tarousa Road that connects Dora with its western villages, southwest of
Hebron.  The two checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 16:30 on Friday, 19 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint on the road that connects Dora with its
southern villages in Mothalath al-‘Aqaba area, southwest of Hebron.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, 21 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of beit Ummar, north of
Hebron.  At approximately 16:00, they
established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-‘Arroub refugee camp, connected
to Bypass Road (60), north of Hebron.
The two checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Monday, 22 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Yatta, south of the
city.  At approximately 15:00, they
established another checkpoint at the entrance of Marah al-Beqar, south of
Dora, southwest of Hebron.  The two
checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Tuesday, 23 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the entrance of Tafouh village, west
of Hebron.  At approximately 15:00, they
established another checkpoint at the southern entrance of Halhoul, north of
Hebron.  At approximately 16:00, they
established another checkpoint at al-Samou’a village, south of the city.  The checkpoints were later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 07:00 on Wednesday, 24 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road of Fqeiqes village, south
of Dora, southwest of Hebron.  At
approximately 09:00, they established two checkpoints; the first one at the
eastern entrance of Dowar village, connected to Bypass Road (60), southwest of
Hebron, and the second one on the road that connects Dora with its western
villages, southwest of the city.  At
approximately 09:30, they established another checkpoint at the northern
entrance of Dora, connected to Bypass Road (60), north of Hebron.  All checkpoints were later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

 

Qalqilya: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 08:45 on Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Heet village, northeast
of Qalqilya.  At approximately 19:50,
they established 2 checkpoints; the first one was at the intersection of
al-Fondoq village, and the other was at the intersection of Jeensafout, east of
the city.  All checkpoints were later
removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:10 on Sunday, 21 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Kafr Qadoum
village, northeast of the city.  At
approximately 11:30, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint between
Sayirya and Beit Amin villages, southeast of the city.  At approximately 19:35, they established a
checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Azoun village, east of Qalqilya.  At approximately 22:00, they established
another checkpoint at the northern entrance of Jayous village, northeast of the
city. All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Monday, 22 April 2013, Israeli
forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of Jeet village, northeast
of Qalqilya. At approximately 14:50, they established another checkpoint at the
eastern entrance of the city and re-established it at approximately 19:00. At
approximately 21:50, the checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

Tulkarm: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:30 on Thursday, 18 April 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab checkpoint, established on the main road
between Tulkarm and Nablus, east of Tulkarm, tightened restrictions against
Palestinians and further obstructed their movement.  The tightening later ended, and no arrests
were reported. Around the same time, they established a checkpoint at Qofein
village, north of Tulkarm.  They later
removed the checkpoint, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 21 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the main road between Tulkarm and
Nablus on a road near ‘Inab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm.  The checkpoint was later removed.

 

Jenin: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians. At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 18 April 2013,
Israeli forces stationed at “Mafodotan” checkpoint, established on the main
bypass road between Jenin and the northern villages of Tulkarm, southwest of
Jenin, stopped Mohammed Tawfiq Hamdoni (22) from Ya’abod village, southwest of
Jenin while passing through the checkpoint.
They detained him for a couple of hours but later released him.  No more incidents were reported.  At approximately 20:00, they established a
checkpoint on the main road between the villages of Be’er al-Bashah and
al-Shuhadaa’, south of Jenin.  The
checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.  At approximately 22:00, they established
another checkpoint at the entrance of Faqou’a, northeast of Jenin.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 23:30 on Sunday, 21 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the road between Assilah al-Harthiya
and al-Yamoun villages, northwest of Jenin.
The checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

 

Jericho: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
11:00 on Thursday, 18 April 2013, the Israeli forces established a checkpoint
on al-Mo’arajat Road between Jericho and Ramallah.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:00 on Friday, 19 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of al-Zbeidat
village, north of Jericho.  At
approximately 17:00, they established the same checkpoint near the southern entrance
of the city and prevented people from entering or leaving through the
aforementioned entrance.  At
approximately 19:30, they established another checkpoint near the entrance of
Marj Na’ajah village, north of the city.
All checkpoints were later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 09:30 on Sunday, 21 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the entrance of Fasayel village,
north of Jericho.  At approximately
15:30, they established a checkpoint near the southern entrance of the city and
prevented people from entering or leaving through the aforementioned entrance.

 

Salfit: Israeli
forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of
Palestinian civilians.  At approximately
15:30 on Friday, 19 April 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the
northern entrance of Deir Balout village, west of Salfit.  The checkpoint was later removed, and no
arrests were reported.  At approximately
16:50, they established another checkpoint at the northern entrance of
al-Zaweyah village, west of the city.  No
arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00 on Saturday, 20 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the western entrance of Kafr al-Deek
village, west of Salfit.  The checkpoint
was later removed, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 14:00 on Sunday, 21 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Marda
village, north of Salfit.  At
approximately 23:00, they established another checkpoint at the entrance of
Badia village, northwest of Salfit.  The
checkpoint was removed at 23:20, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00 on Sunday, 21 APRIL 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Marda,
north of Salfit.  At approximately 23:00,
they established another checkpoint at the entrance of bedia village, northwest
of Salfit.  The checkpoint was removed at
23:20, and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 11:15 on Monday, 22 April 2013,
Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the northern entrance of
Salfit.  They detained a number of
civilians and later released them handing some of them a number of notices to
refer to the Israeli intelligence.  At
approximately 13:00, the checkpoint was later removed, and no arrests were
reported.

 

 

Detention at
military checkpoints

 

At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 18
April 2013, Israeli forces stationed at the entrances of Ibrahimi Mosque in the
centre of the old city in central Hebron arrested 2 children while being in the
area.  They then were transported to
(Ja’abrah) police station in “Karayat Arba’” settlement, established on
Palestinian lands, east of the city.  The
two arrested children were identified as: Bahjat Khalid al-Rajbi (13) and Wael
al-Rajbi (13).

 

At approximately 01:30 on Saturday, 20
April 2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint near the intersection of
al-Fondoq village, east of Qalqilya.
They arrested Faris Nidal Ahmed ‘Aqel (22) from Kafr Qadoum village,
northeast of Qalqilya, and transported them to an unknown destination.  The checkpoint was later removed.

 

At approximately 20:30, on Sunday, 21 April
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint on the main road between Jenin
and Tulkarm near “Mafodotan” settlement, established on Palestinian lands,
south of Ya’abod, southwest of Jenin.
The stationed soldiers stopped at the checkpoint Abdul Ghani Dawoud
Hasan al-Nahawi (19) from ‘Arrabah village, southwest of Jenin while passing
through the checkpoint.  They arrested
him after forcing him to get out of the car he was travelling and then
transported him to an unknown destination.

 

At approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 23 April
2013, Israeli forces established a checkpoint at the intersection of “Karayat
Arba’a” settlement, established on Palestinian lands, east of Hebron.  The checkpoint was later removed, and they
arrested Ihab ‘Ali al-Jamal (18) and Fahed ‘Atef Abu Sneinah (20) taking them
to an unknown destination.

 

4. Efforts to Create a Jewish Majority in the Occupied East Jerusalem

 

Bulldozing of Housing Buildings

 

On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces bulldozed 7 residential
apartments and two shops in al-Tour village, in the occupied east
Jerusalem.  According to data acquired by
PCHR, at approximately 08:00, Israeli forces, accompanied by two bulldozers and
officers of the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem, raided al-Hardoub
neighbourhood in al-Tour village, in the occupied East Jerusalem.  The bulldozers destroyed three apartments of
500 square meters, and 2 shops.  The
destroyed property belonged to Kayed Mohammed Abdallah Jaradat, and were
destroyed under pretext of not obtaining a construction permit.  In his statement, Jaradat said that his
family occupies a house, adjacent to the bulldozed apartments, since 1997.  He added that this is the third time that
Israeli forces destroyed some of his property under pretext of not obtaining a
construction permit, knowing that the family has been trying to obtain one for
many years, but have been unsuccessful.
Moreover, Jaradat said that the bulldozing made 40 members of his family
homeless, 6 of them are disabled and 3 are blind.

 

In a relative context, Israeli forces
raided al-Jadeed Street (al-Sahl) in al-Tour village, to bulldoze an
under-construction housing building, under pretext of not obtaining a
permit.  The owner of the bulldozed
building, Khamini Mohammed Hamdan, said that Israeli forces cordoned his
building at early morning hours, but were unable to carry out with the
bulldozing because the street leading to it was too narrow for the bulldozers
to pass through.  Therefore, Israeli
forces bulldozed a number of shops and residential apartments that belong to
him in another part of the village, returned later on and bulldozed the
building.  He added that the building is
of two stories, each of 270 square meters, and has 4 apartments; he started
building with a partner, Ziad Abu-Esbitan, six months ago, but was surprised to
receive a demolition notice at the time.
He also pointed out that he had tried to obtain a permit to continue
with the construction, but was unsuccessful.

 

5. Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian
civilians and property

 

Violations Committed by Israeli forces

 

At approximately 09:30
on Thursday, 18 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the
Israeli Civil Administration and two military vehicles, raided al-Khader
village, in the south of Bethlehem.  The
forces were deployed in al-Haboun area, near “Daniel” and “Eliezer”
settlement in the south of the village.
They bulldozed two agricultural rooms under pretext of not obtaining a
permit and building near the settlements.
The rooms belong to Khader Ali Abu-Ghalion (70) and Hassan Mohammed
Abu-Ghalion (72), and they were established over 60 years ago, and were used as
storage rooms for agricultural equipment.

 

At approximately 09:00
on Saturday, 20 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the
Israeli Civil Administration, raided ‘Attous area, west of Beit Oula village,
in the west of Hebron.  An officer of the
Civil Administration placed 7 evacuation notices in a number of lands that are
adjacent to the wall, that included the confiscation of approximately 600
dunums of agricultural and grazing lands.
The notices were titled as “Obligatory Land Evacuation,” and
included, “The authorities gave the owners of these lands a period of 45
days from the day they received the notices, to provide us with identification
documents and object for the decision before the Israeli Building and Planning
Department.”  These lands are the
property of Mahmoud Abdul-Hamid ‘Amro al-‘Omla; Ahmed Abdul-Hamid al’Omla; the
sons of Abdullah ‘Amro al-‘Omla; Mohammed Abdul-Rahim ‘Amro al-‘Omla; ‘Issa
Abdul-Hafez al0’Omla; the heirs of Wahid al-‘Omla; Ahmed Abdul-‘Aziz al-‘Omla;
Khalil Abdul-‘Aziz al-‘Omla; and As’ad Abdul-Rahman al-‘Omla.

 

In the morning of
Monday, 22 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and a
bulldozer, uprooted 150 olive trees in al-Marhan area, in the east of Beit Dujn
village, in the east of Nablus.  These
trees were between 1 and 1 and a half year old, and are the property of Jamal
Mohammed Kan’an Abu-Thabet.  It should be
mentioned that this is the 5th time that Israeli forces have uprooted trees
from the same plot of land within the past years, under pretext that it is a
closed area for military reasons.

 

At approximately 07:00
on Tuesday, 23 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by military and Israeli
Civil Administration vehicles and a bulldozer, raided al-Maleh valley area and
the neighbouring Yarza village, in the Northern Valleys, in the northeast of
Tubas.  The bulldozer destroyed and
uprooted 11 tents used as residences and cattle barns.  The demolished tents in al-Maleh area, belong
to:

1. Ali Salama ‘Ouda al-Faqir and his son, Salama, 3
residential tents and two cattle tents were uprooted.  They are occupied by 12 individuals,
including 6 children.

2. Safi ‘Elian Zamel Daraghmeh, 1 residential tent and 2
cattle tents.  The residential tents is
occupied by 12 individuals, including 10 children.

While in Yazra village,
Israeli forces uprooted 1 residential tent and two cattle tents, belonging to
Faisal ‘Ali Masa’id.  The residential
tent was occupied by 6 individuals, including 4 children.

 

At approximately 07:30
on Tuesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by Civil Administration vehicles and
two bulldozers, raided agricultural lands in Um-Neir area, in the southeast of
Yatta, south of Hebron.  The soldiers
were deployed in the area and banned Palestinian civilians from reaching
it.  Workers of the planning and building
department of the Israeli Civil Administration started uprooting dozens of
olive trees aged between 1 – 4 years, while the bulldozers razed some of the
trees and bulldozed a tent.  The
estimated area of these agricultural lands is hundered of dunums and are
considered the sole source of income for its owners.  The uprooted trees were the property of:

 

1. Khadra Mohammed Ahmed al-Jabour, 50 olive trees.

2. ‘Omar Mohammed Ahmed al-Jabour, 100 olive trees.

3. ‘Eissa Hussain al-Jabour, 200 olive trees.

4. Ibrahim Moussa Hussain, 100 olive trees.

5. Mohamed Hussain al-Jabour, 50 olive trees.

6. ‘Eissa Mohammed Ahmed, 50 olive trees.

7. Mohammed Ali al-Jabour, 30 olive trees.

9. Mohammed Hussain al-Jabour, a tent of 40 square
meters.

 

In his statement to a PCHR fieldworker, ‘Eissa
al-Jabour, said that Isralei forces uprooted and confiscated the trees, and
that this is the 4th incident to take place in these lands in a row, without
handing any military orders to their owners, who have official and
identification papers for these lands.

 

At approximately 11:30,
Israeli forces, accompanied by military and civil administration vehicles and a
bulldozer, raided al-Shobasy area in Bardala village, east of Bypass Road No.
90, east of Tubas, and destroyed a greenhouse of 420 square meters, and 5
meters in height, that was used to store harvest crops for exportation.  The destroyed greenhouse was the property of
Fawaz Ahmed Sa’id Sawafta; its destroyed contents were: a large supply of
cartons; 4 surveillance cameras; a computer; and a digital scale.  It should be mentioned that Sawafta has built
this greenhouse after Israeli forces destroyed a barracks that was erected in
its place on 05 December 2012.

 

At approximately 07:00
on Wednesday, 24 April 2013, Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of
military and Civil Administration vehicles and a bulldozer, raided Khelat
al-Bas area, in the southeast of al-‘Aroub refugee camp, in the north of
Hebron.  The soldiers were deployed in
the area and the bulldozer demolished a number of civilian objects:

An under-construction
house, of 140 square meters; property of Ya’qoub Mohammed Jad-Allah Abu Nawah
(52).

An agricultural room of
40 square meters; property of ‘Omar Younis Rashid Muhaisen (40).

An agricultural room of
40 square meters and an 80-meter-high wall of reinforced concrete; property of
Hazem Abdul-Fatah Salim Jawabra (37).

According to civilians
statements to a PCHR fieldworker, these buildings are located within the lands
belonging to al-‘Aroub refugee camp, and no notices were handed to them by the
Israeli authorities informing them to halt construction work in the area.

 

At approximately 11:00
on Wednesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil
Administration, raided the western area of Ethna village, in the west of
Hebron.  Israeli soldiers were deployed
in the area, detained a number of construction workers while working on a
water-well of 200 cubic meters, and banned them from continuing their work
under pretext that this site has been given a notice to halt construction work,
claiming that this area falls under Israeli security jurisdiction, according to
the Oslo Accords.  It should be mentioned
that the water well project, carried out by the Municipality of Ethna, aims at
supplying farmers and shepherds in the western area of the village with water;
the estimated cost of the project is 20,000 U.S dollars.

 

At approximately 14:00
on Wednesday, Israeli forces, accompanied by a vehicle of the Israeli Civil
Administration, raided Susiya village, east of Yatta, in the south of
Hebron.  An officer of the Civil
Administration place a notice with orders to halt construction worker in a site
designed for building a medical clinic in the centre of the village.  He also photographed the site.

 

Violations Committed by Settlers

 

At approximately 10:00
on Saturday, 20 April 2013, a group of settlers from “Beit Ayin”
settlement, established on Palestinian civilians’ lands in the west of Beit
Ummar village, in the north of Hebron, attacked Palestinian
farmers while working in their lands in Abul-Reish valley area, adjacent to the
afore-mentioned settlement.  In his testimony to a PCHR fieldworker,
Hammad al-Salibi said that he went with his sons and nephews to work in their
land in Abul-Reish valley area, when a group of settlers attacked them, threw
stones at them, used profane language and threatened them.  He also added that the attack took place
before the Israeli soldiers, who did nothing to stop them; the farmers left the
area in fear for their lives.  It should
be noted that this attack is the third of its kind against farmers in
Abul-Reish valley area within the month of April, as settlers broke and
uprooted a number of olive and almond trees belonging to Slaibi family.

 

At approximately 02:00
on Tuesday, 23 April 2013, a group of settlers from “Ofra”
settlement, established on the lands of Silwad and ‘Ayn Yabroud villages, in
the northeast of Ramallah, raided Deir Jarir village, located approximately 2
kilometres to the northeast of the afore-mentioned settlement.  The settlers set fire to 10 Palestinian
civilian vehicles in the village.  The
burnt vehicles are the property of:

1. Riad Yousif Farakhna, a 2003, blue Opel Corsa.

2. Omran Mufadi Abdallah-‘Omran, two cars, a 2010 grey
Volks Wagen – Golf; a 1995 black Mazda.

3. Abdul-Fatah Sudqi Ma’ali, a 1990 black Hyundai.

4. Sedqi Mohammed Ma’ali, a 1984 black, Opel – Ascona.

5. Tawfiq Hamed Jum’at, a 2010 Skoda, taxi.

6. Hani Hamed Jum’at, a 1999 Peugeot 360.

7. Sa’id ‘Attallah Farakhna, a 1998 Mitsubishi –
Tender.

8. Nimer Abed Abu-Mokho, a 1983 black Renault 9.

9. Youssif Jamil Farakhna, a 1994, black Fiat Uno.

 

In his testimony to a PCHR filedworker, ‘Omran Mufadi
‘Omran (80), from Deir Jarir village, said, “At approximately 02:00 on
Tuesday, 23 April 2013, my family and I were asleep at home, located in the
western area of the village.  All of a
sudden, we heard an explosion; I looked out the window, which overlooks the
front lawn of the house, and I was shocked to see that my daughter’s, Manal
(40) car, a 2012 VW golf, was on fire and my son’s, Wisam (35), a 1995 black
Mazda.  Immediately, my son, Wisam, my
wife and I, we put out the fire in the two cars, but the back of the cars was
totally burnt.  Some of the neighbours
came over and told us that the settlers had burnt 8 other vehicles in the
village, and I learnt later, after Israeli forces and police arrived in the
area, that one of the neighbours saw someone carrying a backpack and running
towards “Ofra” settlement after setting the cars on fire.  I also learnt that the surveillance cameras
fixed on al-‘Alwey Stores, located by the entrance of the village, had caught the
same person on tape when he entered the village; I was told that the Israeli
police confiscated tape.”

 

 At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, a group
of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces and military vehicles,
raided Yousif Grave area, in the east of Nablus.  The settlers stayed for a while, performed
some Talmudic rituals and withdrew later; no incidents were reported.

 

 

Recommendations to the International Community

 

 

PCHR emphasizes the international community’s position
that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is still
under the Israeli occupation, in spite of the Israeli military redeployment
outside the Gaza Strip in 2005. PCHR further confirms that Israeli force have
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 an 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, especially the latest offensive
that lasted for 8 days in November, 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 and victims;

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 directed 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 violation 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.