Thursday, 14 July 2011 00:00
Palestinian civilians check the damage incurred to a brick factory in the east of Gaza City that was bombarded by Israeli warplanes, 10 July 2011
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· A Palestinian civilian was killed by IOF in the north of the West Bank.
· A Palestinian woman was wounded by IOF the northern Gaza Strip.
· Israeli warplanes attacked a number of civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip.
- Two industrial workshops and a warehouse of fodders were destroyed and a number of civilian facilities and houses were damaged.
- A Palestinian woman was injured.
· IOF continued to use force against peaceful protests in the West Bank.
- A Palestinian child was wounded.
- Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear Gas inhalation.
· Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip.
· IOF conducted 47 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and a limited incursion into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
· Israel has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- IOF arrested 4 Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
· IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
- IOF demolished a workshop, an animal farm and a garage in al-Jeeb village near Jerusalem.
- IOF uprooted and confiscated 600 olive trees in Deir Estia village in the north of the West Bank.
Summary
Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (07 – 13 July 2011):
Shooting:
During the reporting period, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Far’a refugee camp in the north of the West Bank, when he attempted to flee.
During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian child was wounded and dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.
In the Gaza Strip, on 09 July 2011, a Palestinian woman was wounded in the Gaza Strip when Israeli soldiers fired at her as she got close to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. According to her family, she suffers from a psychological disorder.
During the reporting period, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza Strip in two separate incidents. In one of these attacks, a Palestinian fishing boat was damaged.
Israeli warplanes launched a series of air strikes against Palestinian civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip, as a result of which two industrial workshops and a warehouse of fodders were destroyed and a number of civilian facilities and houses were damaged. Additionally, a Palestinian woman was injured by glass fragments.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 47 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 12 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into the southern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed 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 over three 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.
· IOF have tightened the closure of the Gaza Strip and practically made Karm Abu Salem crossing as the sole commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip although it is not proper for commercial purposes in terms of its distance and operational capacity.
· IOF have continued to apply their policy aimed at tightening the strangulation of the commercial movement in the Gaza Strip, including imposing total control over the flow of imports and exports.
· The total closure of al-Mentar "Karni" crossing on 02 March 2011 has created a bitter situation that has seriously affected the Gaza Strip. Following this closure, all the economic and commercial establishments in 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 operational capacity to absorb the flow of imports and exports. The decision of al-Mentar crossing was the culmination of a series of decisions to totally close Soafa crossing, east of the Gaza Strip, in the beginning of 2009, and 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.
· These statistics which were made available to PCHR by the Border and Crossings Department indicate a continued drop in the number of truckloads of Gaza imports and exports.
· IOF have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Stri, 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 in the Gaza Strip.
· The cooking gas crisis which has erupted last November has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.
· Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.
· IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rerun economic establishments. The situation has been aggravated especially after making Karm Abu Salem crossing as Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.
· IOF have continued to prolong the implementation of their decision to allow 60 cars into Gaza weekly although more than 11 months have passed since they announced this decision after three years of ban imposed on the delivery of cars to Gaza. As a result, the prices of cars in Gaza have been on the rise and local markets experience serious shortage in spare parts.
· For approximately four consecutive years, IOF have continued to ban the delivery of construction materials to Gaza. During the reporting period, IOF approved the delivery of limited quantities of construction materials for a number of international organizations.
· Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip. IOF only allow the movement of limited groups amidst severe restrictions, including long hours of waiting in the majority of cases. IOF have also continued to adopt a policy aimed at reducing the number of Palestinian patients allowed to move via Beit Hanoun crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem. IOF denied new categories of Gazan patient permission to have access to hospitals via the crossing.
· Israel has imposed additional access restrictions on international diplomats, journalists and humanitarian workers seeking to enter the Gaza Strip.
· For approximately 47 months, IOF have continued to deny approximately 710 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza detained in Israeli jails their visitation rights without providing any justification to this measure, which violates the rules of the international humanitarian law.
West Bank
IOF 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.
· IOF have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying in the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There are approximately 585 permanent roadblocks, and manned and unmanned checkpoints across the West Bank.
· When complete, the illegal annexation wall will stretch for 724 kilometers around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of the wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the wall has been constructed inside the West Bank itself, confiscating more Palestinian land.
· At least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF.
· There are approximately 500 kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without permits issued by IOF. Such permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF continue to harass and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests against the construction of the annexation wall.
· Palestinian civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank, including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Settlement Activities:
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 11 July 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Khalaila area in al-Jeeb village, northwest of Jerusalem. They demolished a grocery shop, a sheep farm, a fence and a garage, claiming that these structures were built with licenses. It is worth noting that these facilities are located between “Givat Ze’ev” and “Giv’on” settlements.
Also on 11 July 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Wadi Qana area to the west of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salafit. They declared the area a close military zone and denied access of Palestinian farmers and shepherds to it. They then uprooted and confiscated 600 olives tress.
Israeli Violations Documented during the Reporting Period (07 – 13 July 2011)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday, 07 July 2011
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Housan village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians, including a child:
1. Ahmed ‘Ali Hamamra, 15; and
2. Muntasser Mohammed Za’oul, 20.
· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Banin Na’im village, east of Hebron. They raided and searched two houses, but no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Fadi Na’im Ekbariya, 32, and questioned him. They then raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Sameer ‘Abdul Qader E’mar, 35, and arrested him.
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Wadi Qabboun area to the southeast of Halhoul town, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Eyad Youseg ‘Adarba, 37, and arrested him.
· At approximately 06:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of ‘Abassan village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. They then moved southwards to Khuza’a village, and leveled area of Palestinian land there also. During this incursion, IOF opened fire sporadically. IOF pulled back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli nearly 5 hours later.
· At approximately 09:00, IOF moved into Beit ‘Aur al-Tahta village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:00, IOF moved into Kharabtha al-Misbah village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 20:30, IOF moved into Bir Zeit village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Friday, 08 July 2011
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into ‘Ein al-Sultan refugee camp, northwest of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah, and patrolled in the streets. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli military vehicles. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. A number of Palestinian civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Saturday, 09 July 2011
· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jalazoun refugee camp, east of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bittin village, northeast of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 05:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach and no casualties were reported.
· At approximately 18:00, IOF moved into Surda village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 18:30, IOF moved into ‘Assala village, southeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 19:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towards at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northwest of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia fired at Tamam Salah Abu Mtair, 31, from al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, when she got close to the border. As a result, she was wounded by a bullet to the right leg. According to her sister, she suffers from a psychological disorder. She had been missing since 16:00 on the same day. Medical crews found her only 5 meters away from the border.
· At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into Jainsafout village, east of Qalqilya. They raided a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Karim Bashir and summoned his two sons for interrogation: Ahmed, 21; and Khalaf, 20.
· At approximately 23:55, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salafit. They raided two houses belonging to the families of Ayham Kamal Sbaitaini, 18, and Huthaifa Hussam Samara, 22, and summoned the two civilians for interrogation.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Hijja village, east of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets and fired sound bombs, claiming that stones were thrown at their military vehicles. They then raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed ‘Izziddin Masalha, 19, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 00:05, Israeli warplane fired a missile at a space area near a brick factory belonging to Yousef ‘Abdullah Hassanain in the east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The factory and two houses belonging to Mohammed Yousef Hassanain and Ayman Abu ‘Asser were damaged.
· At approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 00:20, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided a house belonging to the family of Bakr ‘Adnan ‘Abdul Muhdi, 26, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 09:10, IOF moved into ‘Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, south of Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into al-‘Eissawiya village, northeast of Jerusalem, firing tear gas canisters and sound bombs. They withdrew later and no arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:00, IOF moved into Sinjel village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 22:00, IOF moved into ‘Arraba village, southwest of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to the family of Rami Ibrahim Lahlouh, 27, and summoned him for interrogation. They then raided a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Mazen Bousta, 23, and summoned him for interrogation also.
· At approximately 23:10, IOF moved into Brouqin village, west of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 23:10, IOF moved into Hares village, northwest of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:50, IOF moved into al-Bireh. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Monday, 11 July 2011
· At approximately 00:15, IOF moved into Ematin village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqilya. They raided a house belonging to the family of Lu’ai Amjad Eshtaiwi, 22, and summoned him for interrogation.
· At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into Jafna village, north of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 11:30, IOF moved into ‘Aaroura village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 14:00, IOF moved into Beit Siera village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Deit Estia village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· Also at approximately 15:30, IOF moved into Hares village, north of Salfit. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, IOF moved into Fahma village, southwest of Jenin. They raided a house belonging to the family of ‘Ali Qaher Sa’abna, 21, who was not at home. Israeli officers phoned him and summoned for interrogation. It is worth noting that Sa’abanas’ brother is the officer of a Palestinian security unit accused of firing at a number of Israeli settlers near Joseph Tomb in the east of Nablus on 24 April 2011.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
· At approximately 00:25, IOF moved into Jeet village, northeast of Qalqilya. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. Neither house raids nor arrests were reported.
· At approximately 01:55, IOF moved into Qalqilya. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. Amjad Nabil Noufal, 20; and
2. Ahmed Sa’id Abu al-Sheikh, 25.
· At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Bouqin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian civilians:
1. ‘Adnan Khaled Subeh, 26; and
2. Mahmoud ‘Abdullah Qasrawi, 26.
· At approximately 04:00, IOF moved into Jenin refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging Mohammed Saleh Abu al-Nasser, and arrested his two sons: Lutfi, 24; and Najeeb, 19. They also confiscated a computer set and a mobile phone.
· At approximately 17:00, IOF moved into Khirbet Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramalllah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 21:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 22:30, IOF moved into Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
· At approximately 23:15, IOF moved into Jericho. They patrolled in the streets for some time and withdrew later. No arrests were reported.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
· At approximately 01:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a 500-square-meter car greasing workshop belonging to Ashraf Mohammed Loulu in Yaffa Street in the eastr of Gaza City. The workshop was completely destroyed. A nearby 300-square-meter store belonging to Eyad Rajab, a barrack belonging to the Hamada family and a smith workshop belonging to the al-Qassas family were also damaged. Additionally, Amani ‘Essam ‘Ouda, 20, was injured by glass fragments.
· At approximately 03:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a 250-square-meter iron lathing workshop belonging to Shareef Mohammed Loulu in Yaffa Street in the east of Gaza City. The workshop was completely destroyed.
· In the morning, IOF killed a Palestinian civilian in al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, when attempted to flee once he saw them. According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimonies of eyewitnesses, in the early morning, IOF moved into al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas. Israeli soldiers were deployed on roads and alleys. At approximately 05:00, Ibrahim ‘Omar Mohammed Sarhan, got out of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the northwest of the camp following the Dawn Prayer, going to his work. He was surprised by the presence of Israeli soldiers, so he fled towards the mosque. Immediately, Israeli soldiers chased and fired at him. He continued to run while bleeding until he reached a house belonging to a fried, who, together with neighbors, took him to a house belonging to Subhi Ahmed Shihada. Five minutes later, Israeli soldiers stormed the house and took Sarhan out, as he was extensively bleeding. A solider carried him for nearly 500 meters. They took him to an agricultural plot in the west of the camp. At approximately 05:30, a Palestinian ambulance arrived at the area and evacuated Sarhan to Rafidya Hospital in Nablus. According to medical sources, Sarhan died upon arrival at the hospital due to extensive bleeding as he was wounded by two bullets to both thighs.
· At approximately 05:00, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 08:30, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the beach. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23:10, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a tunnel on the Egyptian border near al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. No casualties were reported.
· At approximately 23:30, an Israeli warplane fired at a 1,000-square-meter warehouse of fodders belonging to Isma’il Helmi al-Najjar in the east of al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The missile completely destroyed warehouse and made a crater. A nearby tire workshop belonging to the Dughmosh family was damaged. It should be noted that the same warehouse had been bombarded by Israeli warplanes on Tuesday, 05 July 2011.
2. Use of Excessive Force against Peaceful Demonstrations Protesting Settlement Activities and the Construction of the Annexation Wall
During the reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank. As a result, a Palestinian child was wounded dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation and others sustained bruises.
· On Friday morning, 08 July 2011, IOF used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized by dozens of Palestinian civilians and a number of international human rights defenders in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem, in protest to Israeli settlement activities and confiscation of Palestinian land. According to Mohammed Hassan Braijiya, Spokesman of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlement in Bethlehem, IOF closed the main entrance of the village and surrounded the demonstrators in an attempt to prevent them from moving towards the Wall and closed area. They beat a number of demonstrators, including Braijiya who sustained bruises.
· Following the Friday Prayer on 08 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises as they were beaten by Israeli soldiers.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 08 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, in protest against land confiscations in the Wad al-Raya area between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also following the Friday Prayer on 08 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration near the Israeli Crusher, which stands on Palestinian land in the villages of Shaqba, Ne’lin, Qibya, Shabtin and Budros, west of Ramallah. The demonstrators raided the Palestinian flag and moved towards the crusher. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. A number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· On Saturday noon, 09 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration at the entrance of Qalandya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The demonstration was also organized to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the wall, and in solidarity with international human rights defenders who were banned by IOF from entering the West Bank. The demonstrators moved towards Qalandya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem. IOF closed the checkpoint and fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Also on Saturday noon, 09 July 2011, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the wall. When the demonstrators attempted to reach areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near "Halmish" settlement, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, Wa’d Bassem al-Tamimi, 14, was hit by a tear gas canister to the right foot, and a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.
3. Continued Closure of the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened closure of the OPT and imposed 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 over three 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. The illegal closure has caused not only a humanitarian crisis but a crisis of human rights and human dignity for the population of the Gaza Strip. Measures declared recently to ease the blockade are vague, purely cosmetic and fail to deal with the root causes of the crisis, which 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. PCHR is concerned that the new Israeli policy is simply shifting Gaza to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized. Palestinians in Gaza may no longer suffer from the same shortage of goods, but they will remain economically dependent and unable to care for themselves, and socially, culturally and academically isolated from the rest of the world.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting Period:
Movement at Rafah International Crossing Point
06 – 12 July 2011
Day | Date | Traveling abroad | Coming into Gaza | Returned into Gaza |
Wednesday | 06 July 2011 | 463 | 6245 | 13 |
Thursday | 07 July 2011 | 464 | 866 | 26 |
Friday | 08 July 2011 | -- | -- | -- |
Saturday | 09 July 2011 | 503 | 996 | 4 |
Sunday | 10 July 2011 | 494 | 722 | 18 |
Monday | 11 July 2011 | 439 | 921 | 6 |
Tuesday | 12 July 2011 | 504 | 1,138 | 8 |
Movement at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
04 – 12 July 2011
Imports:
Date | Imports | |||
Category | Amount | |||
Tons | Number | Liters | ||
04 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 771 | ||
Agricultural materials | 63 | |||
Various goods Boxes of clothes Washing machines Refrigerators Boxes of shoes Glass boards Cars | 1,237 | 142 28 178 2,268 520 21 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 4,089 | |||
cooking gas | 159.520 | |||
05 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 928 | ||
Agricultural materials | 1,550 | |||
Various goods Refrigerators Washing machines Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Glass boards | 957 | 379 93 1,430 222 1,040 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 2,950 | |||
cooking gas | 160.000 | |||
06 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 926 | ||
Agricultural materials Cows | 1,710 | 236 | ||
Various goods Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Refrigerators Gas ovens Electricity towers Electricity generators | 836 | 1,234 846 216 148 220 16 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 1,070 | |||
cooking gas | 137.740 | |||
07 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 866 | ||
Agricultural materials | 1,301 | |||
Various goods Refrigerators Washing machines Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Glass boards Gas ovens Cars | 1,209 | 201 98 1,388 2,290 1,178 864 20 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 462 | |||
cooking gas | 185.360 | |||
10 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 755 | ||
Agricultural materials | 895 | |||
Various goods Boxes of clothes Washing machines Refrigerators Boxes of shoes Chicken machines | 1,225 | 1,398 202 373 1,411 15 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 3,552 | |||
cooking gas | 140.300 | |||
11 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 791 | ||
Agricultural materials | 950 | |||
Various goods Refrigerators Washing machines Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Water tanks Cars | 1,327 | 27 24 1,016 1,500 126 20 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 3,723 | |||
cooking gas | 138.450 | |||
06 July 2011 | Foodstuffs | 746 | ||
Agricultural materials | 1,465 | 236 | ||
Various goods Boxes of clothes Boxes of shoes Refrigerators Washing machines Car tires Water tanks | 1,211 | 1,630 1,650 383 50 1,396 216 | ||
Humanitarian aid | 2,938 | |||
cooking gas | 138.010 | |||
Notes:
· On Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 315 tons of cement and 62 tons of construction aggregate for UNDP; 56 tons of cement for WFP; 74 tons of construction iron for the Palestinian Water Authority; and 2,380 tons of construction aggregate for ANERA.
· On Tuesday, 05 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 312 tons of cement and 1,610 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA, and 520 tons of cement for the Palestinian Water Authority. They also allowed the entry of 1,482 of fodders.
· On Wednesday, 06 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 80 tons of cement, 286 tons of construction aggregate and 52 tons of construction iron for UNRWA, and 320 tons of cement and 36 tons of construction iron for UNDP.
· On Thursday, 07 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 1,209 tons of fodders.
· On Sunday, 10 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 474 tons of cement, 188 tons of construction iron and 2,310 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders.
· On Monday, 11 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 840 tons of cement, 159 tons of construction iron and 2,450 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 858 tons of fodders.
· On Tuesday, 12 July 2011, IOF allowed the entry of 280 tons of cement, 34 tons of construction iron and 2,240 tons of construction aggregate for UNRWA. They also allowed the entry of 1,365 tons of fodders.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that include prolonged checking.
Movement at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
06 – 12 July 2011
Date | 06 July | 07 July | 08 July | 09 July | 10 July | 11 July | 12 July |
Patients | 36 | 26 | 4 | Nil | 45 | 24 | 42 |
Companions | 32 | 26 | 4 | Nil | 42 | 27 | 39 |
Arabs from Israel | 9 | 15 | 22 | Nil | 10 | 11 | 23 |
Diplomats | 3 | 11 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 5 | Nil |
International Journalists | 2 | 3 | Nil | Nil | 1 | 5 | Nil |
International Workers | 42 | 53 | 12 | Nil | 7 | 12 | 37 |
Travelers abroad | 1 | 6 | 1 | Nil | Nil | 3 | 1 |
Business People | 67 | 64 | Nil | Nil | 59 | 59 | 64 |
Economic Meetings | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 2 |
Security Interviews | 2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
VIP's | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1 | Nil | 1 |
Ambulances to Israel | Nil | 2 | 4 | Nil | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Ambulances from Israel | Nil | 3 | 2 | Nil | 1 | Nil | 2 |
The West Bank
Israel has imposed a tightened closure on the West Bank. During the reporting period, IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Ramallah: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian civilians in Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 07 July 2011, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 16:00, they established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 21:30, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 08:00 on Friday, 08 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 09:00 on the same day, IOF re-established a checkpoint at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 10:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint near Western al-Ma’sara village, northwest of Ramallah. At approximately 10:30 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa intersection, west of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 18:30 on Sunday, 10 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of al-Mughayar village, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 19:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Turmos’iya village, north of Ramallah. At approximately 19:20, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit ‘Aur al-Fouqa village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 09:30 on Monday, 11 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint under ‘Ein Yabroud Bridge, northeast of Ramallah. At approximately 14:30, IOF re-established their presence at ‘Attara checkpoint, north of Ramallah. At approximately 21:00 on the same day, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of Beit Liqya village, west of Ramallah. At approximately 20:50 on Tuesday, 12 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at ‘Oyoun al-Haramiya intersection, northeast of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Qalqilya: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Thursday, 07 July 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Friday, 08 July 011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around Qalqilya. On Sunday, 10 July 2011, IOF established 4 checkpoints around the town.
· Jenin: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Kufor Qoud – Kufor Dan road, west of Jenin. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Tulkarm: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 18:00 on Monday, 04 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Qalqilya road. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
· Jericho: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. At approximately 16:00 on Friday, 08 July 2011, IOF established a checkpoint at the entrance of ‘Ein al-Dyouk village, north of Jericho. They stopped and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles.
Arrests at Military Checkpoints
· On Thursday noon, 07 July 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the south of Hebron arrested Mahmoud Mohammed al-Sa’id, 29, claiming that he attempted to attack a soldier.
Harassments at Military Checkpoints
· At approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 09 July 2011, Israeli soldiers arrested 3 Palestinian workers who attempted to enter Israel near ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, southeast of Qalailya, after chasing them for an hour. Israeli soldiers violently beat the workers and handcuffed and blindfolded them. They then transported them to a military post near Wadi Qana area, northwest of Salfit, where the Israeli police questioned them. The three workers are: Tariq Fayez Dwaikat, 30; Haitham Tawfiq Tayeh, 32, both from Iraq al-Tayeh village east of Nablus; and Mazen Mohammed Naji, 20, from ‘Anabta village east of Tulkarm.
· On Monday afternoon, 11 July 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at the eastern entrance of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, stopped and beat Anwar Khaled Sabarna, 37; Younis Yousef ‘Allami, 25; and Sufian Mahmoud Bahar, 22. Israeli soldiers held the three civilians for nearly 25 minutes, during which time the beat them by hands, feet and gun butts. The three civilians sustained bruises.
· At approximately 22:00 on Thursday, 30 June 2011, Israeli soldiers patrolling in the old town of Hebron arrested Mohammed ‘Aadel Abu ‘Ayash, 15, claiming that he was carrying a knife.
· At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 03 July 2011, Israeli soldiers stationed at Ennab checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, arrested Murad Ahmed Shadid, 21, a university student from ‘Allar village north of Tulkarm.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· At approximately 06:30 on Monday, 11 July 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into al-Khalaila area in al-Jeeb village, northwest of Jerusalem. They demolished a grocery shop, a sheep farm, a fence and a garage, claiming that these structures were built with licenses:
1. A 100-square-meter carpentry workshop belonging to Mohammed Talal al-Asmar, whose loss was estimated at 200,000 NIS;
2. A 70-square-meter grocery shop belonging to Sameer Yousef Mabrouk and rented by Isma’il Abu Rabah, whose loss was estimated at 50,000 NIS; and
3. A 9-square-meter, a 32-meter-long fence and a garage belonging to Hamada Hussein al-Lala.
It is worth noting that these facilities are located between “Givat Ze’ev” and “Giv’on” settlements.
· At approximately 08:00 on also on Monday, 11 July 2011, IOF, accompanied by a bulldozer, moved into Wadi Qana area to the west of Deir Estia village, northwest of Salafit. They declared the area a close military zone and denied access of Palestinian farmers and shepherds to it. They then uprooted and confiscated 600 olives tress:
1. 200 trees belonging to Yousef Mustafa Mansour;
2. 220 trees belonging to Haitham Hassan Mansour;
3. 110 trees belonging to Miqbel Mohammed ‘Awadh;
4. 50 trees belonging to ‘Abdul Hamid ‘Abdul Karim Diab; and
5. 30 trees belonging to ‘Azzam ‘Abdul Rahman ‘Aaqel.
They also confiscated agricultural tools belonging to Rezeq ‘Abdullah Abu Nasser. According to the Mayor of Deir Estia, Nazmi al-Salman, IOF seek to confiscate the area and annex it to Israeli settlement.
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Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure Israel's respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. PCHR believes that the conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel's respect of the Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian civilians.
3. PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
4. PCHR calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR recommends that international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan, which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is - not an end to occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
8. In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based on respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
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Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ( pchr@pchrgaza.org ) or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).
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